Post by Jaice Wilds on Jan 1, 2024 13:50:48 GMT -5
December 19, 2023
The scene cuts in on H Brayden Sullivan speaking to an AW medical staff member.
Sullivan:
He's not going to be very happy about this. I should probably call Mr Pasternak and let him know Jaice is moving in for a bit.
Med Staff:
I wish it was different, but he's just not allowing himself time to recover. And I can't risk him permanently injuring himself when he's still got fight left in him. I've seen too many good people in that position spiral…
A low grunt is heard, both turning in the direction of the sound.
Sullivan:
And he wakes. Guess I'll go deliver the bad news…
—---------
Sullivan:
He's not going to be very happy about this. I should probably call Mr Pasternak and let him know Jaice is moving in for a bit.
Med Staff:
I wish it was different, but he's just not allowing himself time to recover. And I can't risk him permanently injuring himself when he's still got fight left in him. I've seen too many good people in that position spiral…
A low grunt is heard, both turning in the direction of the sound.
Sullivan:
And he wakes. Guess I'll go deliver the bad news…
—---------
December 22, 2023
Alexander Pasternak walks into his private weight room, loosing a sigh of defeat. He shakes his head as he shrugs.
Pasternak:
Y'know, when most people hear the words “rest and relaxation”, they take a trip to a spa or play video games.
Jaice Wilds continues to push himself on the leg press, looking unamused.
Wilds:
Most people don't have a Tripura Prison Match to prep for.
Pasternak grunts, looking to his old friend.
Pasternak:
I told you, if you aren't cleared by Wednesday, I'm having Brady postpone that match. I'm not letting you risk permanent injury or worse over your damned pride.
Wilds:
And I told you that I wasn't taking no for an answer. I'm going to be at Clash, I'm going to face that bitch Raja in the Tripura Prison Match, and I'm going to win at all costs.
Alex walks over to Jaice, a look of disappointment on his face.
Pasternak:
I swear on all I love, Jaice. If you don't pass the medical tests this week, I will personally ban you; not only from competition, but from any and all arenas we're scheduled to be at until you've been fully cleared. Do you understand me?
Jaice stops mid-push, staring daggers into Pasternak. He huffs, letting down the weights before turning to Alex.
Wilds:
You don't understand, Lex. I need th…
Pasternak:
What you need, Jaisinder, is to understand that you're not in your twenties anymore. You're not fighting the same battles, and you don't have to prove anything. You've said it yourself: you don't need Action Wrestling to be a star in the business. But what you do need is the ability to stand on your own goddamn feet. And what you don't have at those other places is a friend who is going to call your ass out and help you understand that.
The two men stare each other down for a moment, breathing deeply. Jaice bites his tongue, avoiding his intrusive thoughts as he ponders over what Alex just said.
Pasternak:
I don't like this any more than you do. I wish you were able to heal in a day or two like you used to; that you were able to give 120% week in and week out with no foreseeable repercussions. I really do. But the truth is, time isn't our friend. He's a heartless bastard who sneaks up on us while our backs are turned and fucks us, no lube. He just took a little longer in your case.
Alex's expression changes to one of compassion. He watches as the anger in Jaice's eyes turns to pain, swelling into tears. Jaice scoffs, turning his head as he tries to hide an attempt to wipe the tear from his face.
Wilds:
This is all I know, Lex. It's everything I am. Balls to the wall; no excuses, no apologies, no regrets. And I know I'm not in my twenties anymore; but when that bell hits… when I'm between the ropes and I'm doing what I do best- the shit nobody else can do… for a brief moment, I'm back to being that eighteen year old kid, fresh off the carny scene, making waves in the South Pacific. For just a few moments… I'm home.
Jaice hangs his head, shaking it in remorse. Alex reaches out, placing a hand on Wilds’ shoulder and offering an empathetic half-grin.
Pasternak:
Then get yourself fixed up, Jaice. If you aren't there to live in it, your home will become just another house. And what's the point then? I know it sucks. I do. But give yourself time to heal, time to let your body fix itself. Then you can go back home for years to come. Rather than going back once, just to say goodbye.
Alex's voice trails off a bit, Jaice nodding. The two share a moment of silence before Alexander suggests grabbing some waffles, the two exiting the weight room.
Pasternak:
Y'know, when most people hear the words “rest and relaxation”, they take a trip to a spa or play video games.
Jaice Wilds continues to push himself on the leg press, looking unamused.
Wilds:
Most people don't have a Tripura Prison Match to prep for.
Pasternak grunts, looking to his old friend.
Pasternak:
I told you, if you aren't cleared by Wednesday, I'm having Brady postpone that match. I'm not letting you risk permanent injury or worse over your damned pride.
Wilds:
And I told you that I wasn't taking no for an answer. I'm going to be at Clash, I'm going to face that bitch Raja in the Tripura Prison Match, and I'm going to win at all costs.
Alex walks over to Jaice, a look of disappointment on his face.
Pasternak:
I swear on all I love, Jaice. If you don't pass the medical tests this week, I will personally ban you; not only from competition, but from any and all arenas we're scheduled to be at until you've been fully cleared. Do you understand me?
Jaice stops mid-push, staring daggers into Pasternak. He huffs, letting down the weights before turning to Alex.
Wilds:
You don't understand, Lex. I need th…
Pasternak:
What you need, Jaisinder, is to understand that you're not in your twenties anymore. You're not fighting the same battles, and you don't have to prove anything. You've said it yourself: you don't need Action Wrestling to be a star in the business. But what you do need is the ability to stand on your own goddamn feet. And what you don't have at those other places is a friend who is going to call your ass out and help you understand that.
The two men stare each other down for a moment, breathing deeply. Jaice bites his tongue, avoiding his intrusive thoughts as he ponders over what Alex just said.
Pasternak:
I don't like this any more than you do. I wish you were able to heal in a day or two like you used to; that you were able to give 120% week in and week out with no foreseeable repercussions. I really do. But the truth is, time isn't our friend. He's a heartless bastard who sneaks up on us while our backs are turned and fucks us, no lube. He just took a little longer in your case.
Alex's expression changes to one of compassion. He watches as the anger in Jaice's eyes turns to pain, swelling into tears. Jaice scoffs, turning his head as he tries to hide an attempt to wipe the tear from his face.
Wilds:
This is all I know, Lex. It's everything I am. Balls to the wall; no excuses, no apologies, no regrets. And I know I'm not in my twenties anymore; but when that bell hits… when I'm between the ropes and I'm doing what I do best- the shit nobody else can do… for a brief moment, I'm back to being that eighteen year old kid, fresh off the carny scene, making waves in the South Pacific. For just a few moments… I'm home.
Jaice hangs his head, shaking it in remorse. Alex reaches out, placing a hand on Wilds’ shoulder and offering an empathetic half-grin.
Pasternak:
Then get yourself fixed up, Jaice. If you aren't there to live in it, your home will become just another house. And what's the point then? I know it sucks. I do. But give yourself time to heal, time to let your body fix itself. Then you can go back home for years to come. Rather than going back once, just to say goodbye.
Alex's voice trails off a bit, Jaice nodding. The two share a moment of silence before Alexander suggests grabbing some waffles, the two exiting the weight room.
—---------------
December 29, 2023
Wilds stares at the phone, his leg jittering. He leans back in his seat, then forward again, picking it up and checking the reception. He puts it back down, crossing his arms and sitting back. He takes a second before he leans forward, double-tapping the screen to ensure it didn't die.
Pasternak:
A watched phone doesn't ring. You know that, right?
Jaice looks up, puzzled, as Alexander walks into the kitchen. The latter heads for the fridge, pulling out a Powerade as Wilds sits up.
Wilds:
I don't think that's how the saying goes.
Alex chuckles.
Pasternak:
Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. Doc isn't gonna call any faster just because you're hovering over your phone.
Wilds:
Well, what's taking him so long?? It's not like they had blood work to go over. It's just a couple CATs and x-rays. He probably could have given us the results after the testing on Wednesday. Why he had me waiting til…
Alex hushes his friend, putting up a hand in defense.
Pasternak:
You've suffered a lot of injuries over the years. He’s probably got to check the new ones against the old ones, double check some re-affected ones… his job isn't any easier than yours.
Wilds looks to Alexander with a “really?” look on his face.
Pasternak:
I mean, he does have to deal with you every other week.
The two share a chuckle, Wilds nodding. He points towards the fridge, starting to form a word… when the phone buzzes. He looks down, his face going from joy to worry. Wilds looks up, Alex nodding. Jaice picks up the phone, holding it to his ear.
Wilds:
Hello? Yeah, this is him… Uh-huh… uh-huh… okay… uh-huh… really?... okay… okay… alright. Thanks, doc. Yeah, you, too.
Wilds stares at the phone, almost in disbelief, as he places it on the table. Alex looks on, Jaice taking a deep breath as he processes the conversation. Alex sits, looking to his friend. Jaice takes a deep breath.
Wilds:
I'm cleared.
Pasternak:
Really?? That's great news, man!
Wilds:
Yeah. He wants me to get a general wellness check by the staff before my match, but he said I'm cleared for competition.
Pasternak:
Nice! So we'll just hit up the med office when we get there and…
Wilds shakes his head, a sigh.
Wilds:
I appreciate it, Lex. But I got this. I'm gonna check in as soon as I get to the arena, then… then I make a pit stop. At… at Brady's office.
Alex looks on, concerned.
Pasternak:
Why do you sound unhappy about that?
Wilds sighs again, standing up.
Wilds:
Because it's not just about my clearance. It's… it's about getting my house in order.
Pasternak:
A watched phone doesn't ring. You know that, right?
Jaice looks up, puzzled, as Alexander walks into the kitchen. The latter heads for the fridge, pulling out a Powerade as Wilds sits up.
Wilds:
I don't think that's how the saying goes.
Alex chuckles.
Pasternak:
Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. Doc isn't gonna call any faster just because you're hovering over your phone.
Wilds:
Well, what's taking him so long?? It's not like they had blood work to go over. It's just a couple CATs and x-rays. He probably could have given us the results after the testing on Wednesday. Why he had me waiting til…
Alex hushes his friend, putting up a hand in defense.
Pasternak:
You've suffered a lot of injuries over the years. He’s probably got to check the new ones against the old ones, double check some re-affected ones… his job isn't any easier than yours.
Wilds looks to Alexander with a “really?” look on his face.
Pasternak:
I mean, he does have to deal with you every other week.
The two share a chuckle, Wilds nodding. He points towards the fridge, starting to form a word… when the phone buzzes. He looks down, his face going from joy to worry. Wilds looks up, Alex nodding. Jaice picks up the phone, holding it to his ear.
Wilds:
Hello? Yeah, this is him… Uh-huh… uh-huh… okay… uh-huh… really?... okay… okay… alright. Thanks, doc. Yeah, you, too.
Wilds stares at the phone, almost in disbelief, as he places it on the table. Alex looks on, Jaice taking a deep breath as he processes the conversation. Alex sits, looking to his friend. Jaice takes a deep breath.
Wilds:
I'm cleared.
Pasternak:
Really?? That's great news, man!
Wilds:
Yeah. He wants me to get a general wellness check by the staff before my match, but he said I'm cleared for competition.
Pasternak:
Nice! So we'll just hit up the med office when we get there and…
Wilds shakes his head, a sigh.
Wilds:
I appreciate it, Lex. But I got this. I'm gonna check in as soon as I get to the arena, then… then I make a pit stop. At… at Brady's office.
Alex looks on, concerned.
Pasternak:
Why do you sound unhappy about that?
Wilds sighs again, standing up.
Wilds:
Because it's not just about my clearance. It's… it's about getting my house in order.