Post by James Nightingale on Nov 12, 2019 16:40:22 GMT -5
Humble Beginnings
Heathrow Airport - January 11th 2002
It’s a cold, winters morning at Heathrow Airport, London. An old Vauxhall Corsa is parked up outside the exit of arrivals. Inside the car sits Alice, a tired Health Care Assistant who is visibly pregnant, has had to drive to the airport after completing a 12 hour night shift at the hospital to pick up her boyfriend, James Harrison.
James is an up and coming young wrestler, returning home after completing a recent tour in Japan. James always dreamed about becoming a professional wrestler. The British wrestling scene at the time was on a downward slope, much removed from the glory years during the 70’s and 80’s, now with little money to be made. James, much to his parent’s displeasure, was determined to follow his dreams and become a professional wrestler and was successfully able to find a school to train him. He was a quick leaner, soon becoming versed in the hard hitting sport and proving to be a natural in ‘catch wrestling’. However money in the territory was poor, it was hard to make a comfortable living in this country leading James to start travelling the world, honing his craft and developing a broadened knowledge of professional wrestling. But financially, James and Alice are on their knees, the plane ticket to Japan alone was expensive, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to even make rent. As much as Alice wanted to encourage him to follow his dreams, the realism was beginning to set in for James that this career would not be financially sustainable especially with a growing family, and that unless he could catch a big break and get signed by a big American promotion then a career change may be needed.
The arrival door opens and out walks a tired looking James dragging his suit cases, with noticeable bruising to his face and a noticeable limp, having been stretched to an inch of his life by a Japanese legend. He slings his cases into the boot of the car and winces as he gets inside the passenger seat, slamming the door and gives Alice a kiss on her cheek.
She looks at him with a concerned face. Alice “I hope it was worth it”.
James “Not now for Christ sakes I’ve just had a 12 hour flight”. Shaking his head
Alice gesturing her hands “This is ridiculous James, you are destroying your body. We are so broke, we have a child on the way and we can barely make rent”.
James “Alice please”
Alice with tearful eyes “No this is just crazy, it’s time you stop living this pipe dream and get a real job. How much did you even make this time?”
James “Umm...”
Alice “Tell me!”
James looking downtrodden “Considering how much the ticket cost, we will be lucky if we break even”
Alice shouts “WHAT!?!?!”
James places a hand on Alice’s shoulder, trying to calm her down, wincing again with the pain. “Don’t worry. I was talking to some of the boys whilst in Japan. South Coast Wrestling has a big Top Prospect tournament this weekend, a 3 night show. I spoke to Frank the promoter and he has booked me. The pay-out should be really good, potentially 5 figures but better yet, there will be some scouts from the States there checking out young British talent. This is it Alice, my chance to get noticed. If I nail this we will have lots of money and an opportunity to go to the States. Our dreams will come true.”
Alice pushes him off “How can we possibly move to America, I’m six months pregnant!”
James takes her hand “Have faith baby, we always manage. I know I can do this.”
Alice pulls his hand close to her and leans in “Listen James, I was talking to John at work last night. The University are taking on another batch of student nurses, you should consider signing up. It is flexible work and would provide us with a steady income and you would be good at it. You never know you could always come back to this wrestling thing one day once are finances are more stable.” She jokingly adds “come on you always said you liked ER and that you thought it looked fun”.
James pushes himself away “No way!! I have busted my ass already getting to this point. Why the hell would I throw it all away now!”
Alice gets angry and points at James “Because you now have a family to support not just you.” She takes his hand again “Please baby just give it some thought. We are desperate. I don’t want to destroy your dreams but we can’t keep going on like this. Please just give it some thought.”
James slumps into his seat and looks away “Ok, I will think about it. Let’s get this weekend out of the way first. I gave Frank my word that I would perform and you never know something good may come out of it. Now let’s just get home, I’m exhausted, I need a shower and I’m jet lagged.”
Alice turns the ignition to fire up the old banger and says sharply “Well good luck with that as I couldn’t pay the electricity bill because you brought that damn ticket. You will have to have a cold shower.”
Alice starts the car up and they drive away. James looks deep in thought with his head pressed against the window contemplating his future.
An old abandoned hospital, location unknown – November 12th 2019
Night is upon us, an old run down hospital in the south of England, deserted long ago and in a state of disrepair. Entering through the doors it is hard to believe this was once a top rated medical facility; it now resembles a house of horrors.
An old ten bedded ward, the windows broken, the wind is strong, the curtains are blowing. Ten old beds remain in place; it looks like the bed linen has not been changed since its previous patient led there. Lightning flashes brightly, revealing a figure in the end window. As he steps forward the thunder cracks revealing James Nighingale, and his sadistic smile, looking at home in this place of death.
James, speaking in a matter of fact tone “Death, death is the one true constant in life, it’s truly the one sure thing you can count on, well that and paying taxes. You see the world is full of weakness, full of worthlessness.
His tone lightens and laughs to himself “You may think that these are the words of a madman that I have gone off the deep end? Lost my marbles?”
He suddenly has a face full of rage “NO!! NO!! NO!!, you see I am the only one with my eyes wide open, I see the weakness in man and it is my purpose to eradicate it.”
His tone lightens again “You see in my old profession, before it was taken away from me. There were these likeminded people who also shared my opinions. Some might have called them murderers, but really they were providing mercy to the weak, they may have been nurses, but they were given the name ‘Angels of Death’. That is why I bare the name ‘The Angel of Death’, I will continue their good work and provide mercy to the weak; I am coming to Action Wrestling to eradicate the weak so that the chosen ones can reign supreme”.
“Talking of eradication that brings me onto my opponents for my grand debut on Clash this Monday, and boy am I lucky, I not only have one opponent but two opponents, two opponents who I can eradicate from existence”.
He shouts whilst pacing around the room, but never looks away from the camera “YOU SEE ACTION WRESTLING MANAGEMENT! IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY OPPONENTS YOU SEND AT ME! ONE OPPONENT, TWO OPPONENTS, TEN OPPONENTS! THE OUTCOME WILL BE THE SAME! THE WEAK WILL FALL VICTIM TO THE ANGEL OF DEATH! AND BY GOD YOU BETTER PRAY FOR MERCY!
He stops and crouches down, placing his hand on the floor, collecting his thoughts for a second and calming down, before looking up at the camera “Don’t believe me? You think these are the words of another newbie trying to make a flash in the pan debut, let me show you what I’m all about”
The sadistic smile returns to his face and his eyes look above to the camera man.
James speaking softly “Son, what is your name?”
Pete (The Camera Man) “Umm me? I’m Pete. What’s going on? This isn’t part of the show You know I am not a wrestler yeah. I’m just a camera gu….”
Before Pete can finish James jumps to his feet and launches for Pete, in the process knocking the camera. “SHUT THE FUCK UP PETE!!! This isn’t personal”.
James connects with a head butt before Pete can even finish his sentence. Pete is knocked to the ground clutching his face, blood pouring from what once was a beautifully straight nose.
Pete, coughing and choking on blood screaming “SOMEBODY HELP ME *cough* *cough*”.
James picks up the camera and looks into it” Razzles Mars, Tennessee Sinclair….like what you see so far? I am just getting started!”
He drops the camera again, it falls to the ground, only showing Pete’s leg. Although not in full shot it appears that Pete is being choked. His leg is thrashing around.
Pete “UGHHHHHH…….”
His leg twitches before stopping still. James picks the camera up once again. That sadistic smile again on his face with blood splattered across it from Pete’s badly broken nose.
He speaks softly “There you have it Razzles and Sinclair, just a small taster of what you are in for Monday night, a whole world of pain and suffering. Don’t worry, I spared him, I showed him a touch of mercy, I do need someone to deliver the tape after all. But he will bare the scars opposed on him today. Razzles, Sinclair….. I cannot promise you the same courtesy next week.”
His tone gets louder again “I will eradicate the weak from Action Wrestling and unfortunately that starts with you two……. The Angel of Death is coming…… you best pray for mercy!”
He dumps the camera on a table with the camera still rolling and walks away into the depths of the old abandoned hospital. Lightning strikes again and reveals a name badge on the table. It reads
James Harrison
Senior Charge Nurse
Next the name badge, a picture of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing…