S.U.C.C.E.S.S ; McCann, L.

FADE IN.

 

July 14, 2014 ; 10:30 am

Don't give in to the hype. It will bite you in the ass every single time. I know because I've been there. I've been to the top of the mountain only to have people mock my name, my success. They never believed in Lucas McCann because they never believed in themselves. I did. I still do. July 2014. The return.

" Mr. McCann. " The voice called out, and I stood from the chair I had been sitting in for what seemed like an eternity. " Lucas, it's great to see you. Come, come on back. Let's chat. " I followed, not so much as a word or nod of my head.

On the inside of that office, I looked about and saw the decorated walls. A plaque here, a photo there. It was the same as any other office I've entered. Self-recognition. Wasn't that what business was about? Success. Climbing above the rest and showing off your accomplishments? What if you had zero? Nothing to show for the work that you had put in, week in and week out? I feel like I stand there, atop a mountain with nothing to show for it.

Respect. It does not grow on trees, so I've found out. No matter the names you smear across the canvas, no matter the blood you shed to climb to a place you should be recognized for in this industry, no one really gives a crap in the end. As long as it's someone else's name other than their own upon a name plate on a strap with a gold plate, they care about nothing else. Not you. Not what you've done, who you have beat. Nothing. This is a selfish industry, and to get ahead you've got to be willing to step on anyone to get there. Best friends included.

" Please, have a seat. I hear you are getting back to wrestling? " I took the offered seat, eyes turning toward the gentleman speaking.

With a nod of my head, I finally spoke, " Something like that."

" It's a simple yes or no question, but okay. How have you been holding up? Since your father passed, since..things somewhat fell apart, again. " He folded his arms in front of him, placing them on his desk. He leaned forward, staring at me with questions in his eyes. 

" That's a hell of a term to use from someone of your occupation. Aren't you supposed to be helping me? " I leaned up, now. " So, help me. "

The gentleman's eye brows raised. " Still angry, I see. "

" No. Not angry. " I smirked. " I'm just fine, in fact. " Mysterious, perhaps. But, I was not longer angry. I was getting even. Revenge, in fact. No longer the victim, but the victor. I was finished playing by the rules.

" You seem different. Have you talked to Shane? Reconciled differences? He was, after all, your best friend. "

I chuckled, " Yeah. You can say that. I mean, I've talked to him. "


" That's a start. Tell me, how's the dating life? "

 " It's going. "

" That's vague. "

" Yeah. So are your questions. What is your point? Are we finished here? I've got things to do. "

" No one is making you stay here, Lucas. "

" Court orders. But you can dismiss me at any time. Preferably now. "

" It was a recommendation. Not an order. You were grieving. Your father's estate couldn't just be handed over to you until you were..sane. "

" Sane? I'm sane, John. I'm perfectly sane. And.." My phone started to ring. As I pulled it from my pocket, I grinned seeing a familiar number come up. " I'm done here. "


I stood, walking from the office without another word. John had stood up, his mouth opening to speak but before anything came out, I had shut the door behind me. I pulled a small device from my pocket as well, a voice manipulation machine. Odd looks? I was use to them by now. I grinned, stepping through the lobby and soon exiting with the phone nearly sending the call to voicemail. Before it happened, I slid my finger across the screen to answer the call.


When I spoke, "Hello. This is Lawanda." The voice on the other end was business-like. 


" Lawanda! Hey, this is Max! Have you given any more thought to what we talked about? Shane really wants to meet you. " Nev tried, and now Max. These two were relentless.


" I have, Max. With all due respect, I am not sure I am going to make the flight you guys booked. "


I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. This was working out a little better than I had ever imagined. Revenge would certainly be sweet.


" Come on, doll! I bet you two will hit it off in person just as you have on the dating site. He really wants to meet you. He thinks you could be his soul mate. "


That was easy to pull off, considering how well I knew Shane. His likes. His dislikes. It was easy to pull off by sending him a photo of a black woman, a large ass and a southern accent. He was smitten. I was enjoying the hell out of this.


" I will think a little more about it, Max. I'm somewhat busy right now. Job interview and all! "


Job interview? I had a job. I had a match, in fact. My return to the ring. It had been awhile. Was I ready? You betcha! A fatal four away. Three more names that mean nothing to me. A little disrespectful, right? I know nothing about them. They know nothing about me. Only one of us walks away a winner, I can nearly guarantee it will be me. But, let's not stray away from the current issue.


" Sure, Lawanda. You've got my number. Give me a call. "


Click. I had more important business to take care of.

---

July 14, 2014 ; 2:15 pm

Minnesota. Minnesota. Minnesota. It's been quite the long time since I've laced up these boots here. It's been a long time since I've laced up these boots at all. Making my way through a pretty much empty backstage area, I pondered the possibilities. There were four different possible outcomes of my debut match into Visionaries of Wrestling. Four outcomes. Only one favors me. Do the math.


I've stood at the top. I've fallen to the bottom. At what price comes success? Blood. Sweat. The bumps. The bruises. What else do I have to do to earn respect? Within these walls, my name means nothing. I mean nothing. By the end of tomorrow night, I can change that. But, I ask, does it matter?


Sacrifice. Step one of success. Without making sacrifices, you'll never get to where you want in life. Dreams are built on sacrifices. In a little more than twenty-four hours, I lay down everything I've ever earned in my career by starting over. I sacrifice myself, again, in order to climb this ladder and achieve the spotlight. Tomorrow night, three men know who I am. They know what I am about. I will start from the bottom and end at the top, one sacrifice at a time.


Understanding. Step two of this ladder. I understand that everything doesn't come back all at once.  Three men will understand they cannot overcome a man with more determination than they have talent - combined. Valquist. Daniel Kennedy. Death. Three men. Three sacrifices. Game on.


" Twenty four hours plus. I step through those curtains, I fight three men and I make my stand in this organization. I was once known for my determination, for my hard work..at climbing this ladder and reaching for the stars. It makes little difference who doesn't believe me, or believe in me. "


Complications.



" With each dream, there are complications. I've had far too many complications - in my life, in my career. No more. Tuesday night, the complications become the problems of my opponents. Not one. Not two, but three. I know very little about the past of any of these three men. What I do know is that they know little about what I've come through to stand here today. Death? Fitting. I've faced death. I've stared it in the face in different ways. "


Conquering.


" I am no coward, but instead a warrior. A conqueror. I've stood tall against me that thought they were better than I am. I've defeated them. I've pushed others to their limits. No matter what these three men have to offer, I'll fight back and I'll deliver punch after punch until they no longer stand. I'll stand..alone by the end of tomorrow night. Triumphant. "


Exellence.

" Leave nothing on the table. Excel at everything. I've heard the advice on more than one occasion. It's never rang truer than now. I've given up everything to stand here. To stand alone on my own two feet and show that I can be excellent. I can be the wrestler that I dreamed of being. Dominant. Respected. Tomorrow night, I excel and I walk away victorious. I will be excellent. "


I stepped through the curtains, standing now atop the ramp. Looking around, I noticed the empty seats. The same ones that thousands of screaming fans will occupy when Breakthrough goes on air. The same fans that saw me at my best and saw me at my worst - at least those that dared follow my career that long.


Strength.


" In order to have success, in order to reach out and grab a hold of your dreams, you have to have the strength. Not just physically, but mentally. I've failed at this before. While I worked and worked in the gym, building up my physical strength, my mental strength took a toll on me. It took a toll on my career and it saw me spiral from top to bottom. No more. I am not weak. I am strong. I will remain strong. Tomorrow night, that strength humbles my opponents. "


Self-preservation. 


" The final step in the road to success is being able to protect yourself from harm's way. From the destruction that is sure to ensue. I fell victim to my own once before. I fell victim a good many times to the destruction of Lucas McCann and tomorrow night, I turn the tables. I stand tall while the destruction lies around me. A tornado in the middle of a thunder storm. Let actions speak louder than words. Tomorrow night, it begins again. I will return. I will be victorious. Mark my word. "

Success. So many measure it by the
number of wins, by the titles they've held in the past. But
what is it, really? Is it the ability to create such cliche nicknames for
yourself, and speak of how you're going to leave your opponent in complete and
utter confusion at the end of a match? No. That's what you call
arrogance, and it seeps from almost every superstar I've ever faced. Some have the right to display it, while others do not.  At Breakthrough, I will earn my right. Call it destiny, call it fate, call it whatever you want
- but it is what it is.

 

---

July 14, 2014 ; 4:30 PM

I grabbed my phone from the night stand in my hotel room. That voice manipulator was in my other hand, playing the role of Lawanda once more. I dialed the number of Shane Sparx, getting the voice mail. 


" Shane, baby. I am sorry but I don't think I am going to be able to come out and meet you this week. I'm a little busy. And, I've got to start my training to get my body swimsuit ready. But soon, love bug. Soon! "


I hung up the phone, chuckling. 

 

FADE
OUT.