Post by Guillotine (QDT) on Nov 11, 2018 20:38:44 GMT -5
Papa gave strict instructions not to blow my first pay packet. He thinks I'm in Puerto Vehlo researching Jaice Wilds. I seldom lie to Papa but he wouldn't approve of me visiting Sandro after all these years, especially not in Pagliarelli Prison, Palermo. My brother's name's barely uttered; a haunting apparition, a chilling whisper. Sandro curiously awaits through a glass pane at the rear of a busy visitation hall. Though 11 years separates us, it could easily be treble. Time hasn't been kind. Imprisonment and family estrangement took a harsh toll.
I'm hesitating. Maybe I shouldn't have come. He won't recognise me. His eyes scan...
Sandro: QUIXOTE! Buon giorno!
He knows me! His countenance is lighter, younger now. I take a seat opposite the dividing screen.
Quixote: Alright Sandro.
Sandro: English? You not learnt the mother tongue yet, fratellino?
Quixote: Hey my mother's English!
Sandro: Si, Penny. Molto bella. Papa's taste refined since mi madre.
Quixote: How did you recognise me? I was eight years old last time...
Sandro: Been watching Action Wrestling. You did awesome bro. I'm proud. Gonna take 201 Title at Turmoil easy. That Wilds aint got shit on you, paisa. Not to mention you look just like Pa...
Quixote: Don't say it! Sandro, I've gotta navigate something - a tag match against Wilds and Geisel at Clash. Geisel's no bother. Unlike Cat in the Hat, he's only got one trick and he's worn it out. Last week his heart proved two sizes too small. He apparently spent four years in the Navy, do you believe that? He has the discipline of a rat lured to an electroshock cheese. His insults towards Papa and I last week comprised of incestual, homosexual slurs and some irrelevant reference to Arbor Day. Overhyped. Jaice Wilds is a different kettle of fish entirely. He's the Champion and acts like one, for the most part. He stands against bullies, sacrificing himself to do whatever it takes to triumph, persevering through many years in this business. My biggest concern's my partner Preston Edwards. Although we have lots in common - young, skilful, Englishmen with overbearing but well meaning fathers - I'm concerned he'll essentially no show. He's been trained... well, indoctrinated his whole life for his big debut yet it all amounted to naught. As my hand was raised in victory, I saw intense disappointment in his eyes. Everything was meant to be perfect. His story had long been written... but I took the pen and wrote an alternative ending. He knows he'll end up repeating his father's failure. Will the anti-climax of his supposed destiny crumbling kill his motivation for our tag match?
Sandro: You travelled all the way to Italy to ask for MY advice? Papa's not short of wisdom, no?
Quixote: I love Papa but I'm sick of him always being "right". You understand?
Sandro: Qui, I've walked in your shoes. The harder Papa pushed, the more I pushed away. Look where that got me. A 14 year manslaughter charge. Papa's a good man. I know it's not cool but it's best to follow his advice. For what it's worth, don't worry about Preston. You two have an advantage in the strong fatherhood you've been guided by. If he lets you down, the backbone you've been built upon will not fail. As for Wilds, bro, you pay him too much respect. He grew up in a circus after being abducted as a child, bounces between personalities, associates with assassins and never transcends midcard mediocrity. Who is he? Does even HE know? He hasn't had the benefit of direction that you have. Nor has Teddy Geisel; left by his apathetic parents to wallow in his filthy riches like an oversized child.
Quixote: One thing I've never understood. Why did Papa disown you? You were just a kid coerced by a drug lord into dealing smack to high school students. Because you refused, he beat the crap out of you... so you shot him in self defence. Where's Papa's compassion?
He shudders.
Sandro: First off Qui, Papa visits me regularly. He just doesn't tell you. Also... he flipped the narrative to protect us both... I wasn't the kid in that story...
Quixote: Oh...
Shit.
I'm hesitating. Maybe I shouldn't have come. He won't recognise me. His eyes scan...
Sandro: QUIXOTE! Buon giorno!
He knows me! His countenance is lighter, younger now. I take a seat opposite the dividing screen.
Quixote: Alright Sandro.
Sandro: English? You not learnt the mother tongue yet, fratellino?
Quixote: Hey my mother's English!
Sandro: Si, Penny. Molto bella. Papa's taste refined since mi madre.
Quixote: How did you recognise me? I was eight years old last time...
Sandro: Been watching Action Wrestling. You did awesome bro. I'm proud. Gonna take 201 Title at Turmoil easy. That Wilds aint got shit on you, paisa. Not to mention you look just like Pa...
Quixote: Don't say it! Sandro, I've gotta navigate something - a tag match against Wilds and Geisel at Clash. Geisel's no bother. Unlike Cat in the Hat, he's only got one trick and he's worn it out. Last week his heart proved two sizes too small. He apparently spent four years in the Navy, do you believe that? He has the discipline of a rat lured to an electroshock cheese. His insults towards Papa and I last week comprised of incestual, homosexual slurs and some irrelevant reference to Arbor Day. Overhyped. Jaice Wilds is a different kettle of fish entirely. He's the Champion and acts like one, for the most part. He stands against bullies, sacrificing himself to do whatever it takes to triumph, persevering through many years in this business. My biggest concern's my partner Preston Edwards. Although we have lots in common - young, skilful, Englishmen with overbearing but well meaning fathers - I'm concerned he'll essentially no show. He's been trained... well, indoctrinated his whole life for his big debut yet it all amounted to naught. As my hand was raised in victory, I saw intense disappointment in his eyes. Everything was meant to be perfect. His story had long been written... but I took the pen and wrote an alternative ending. He knows he'll end up repeating his father's failure. Will the anti-climax of his supposed destiny crumbling kill his motivation for our tag match?
Sandro: You travelled all the way to Italy to ask for MY advice? Papa's not short of wisdom, no?
Quixote: I love Papa but I'm sick of him always being "right". You understand?
Sandro: Qui, I've walked in your shoes. The harder Papa pushed, the more I pushed away. Look where that got me. A 14 year manslaughter charge. Papa's a good man. I know it's not cool but it's best to follow his advice. For what it's worth, don't worry about Preston. You two have an advantage in the strong fatherhood you've been guided by. If he lets you down, the backbone you've been built upon will not fail. As for Wilds, bro, you pay him too much respect. He grew up in a circus after being abducted as a child, bounces between personalities, associates with assassins and never transcends midcard mediocrity. Who is he? Does even HE know? He hasn't had the benefit of direction that you have. Nor has Teddy Geisel; left by his apathetic parents to wallow in his filthy riches like an oversized child.
Quixote: One thing I've never understood. Why did Papa disown you? You were just a kid coerced by a drug lord into dealing smack to high school students. Because you refused, he beat the crap out of you... so you shot him in self defence. Where's Papa's compassion?
He shudders.
Sandro: First off Qui, Papa visits me regularly. He just doesn't tell you. Also... he flipped the narrative to protect us both... I wasn't the kid in that story...
Quixote: Oh...
Shit.