Post by Howard Black on Jan 24, 2021 16:48:29 GMT -5
You were soft.
The speakers of the cheap motel TV crackled before him as the inauguration parade made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue. The new President was being sworn in. Two weeks ago, the Nation’s Capital had been stormed by a frothing horde of MAGA barbarians making their last stand in defiance of a new regime. But that was then – this was now. Out with the old, in with the new. Joe Biden was now the President. Odin Balfore was the United States Champion. And Howard Black was still alone.
Was it worth it?
It could only be seen as too poetic: the bitter populist who’d stunned AW with his brazen, sneering rise to the top had tumbled back down to Earth, meeting his ultimate defeat at the hands of someone he was expected to easily trounce. Who was Odin Balfore – the perennial choke artist who’d spent the past year failing opportunity after opportunity, thrown as a piece of fresh meat to the jaws of the Lost Boy to warm him up for Der Metzger. But that wasn’t what happened, was it? Bernie Sanders didn’t win the Primary. Donald Trump didn’t secure a second term. Howard Black was no longer a champion.
You let your guard down.
At the end of the parade, Joe Biden ascended the steps of the Capitol. The cheering crowd awaited. Bernie Sanders sat bundled up in a coat and mittens, grouchily observing the proceedings – the former President had slithered into a hotel bound for Florida. The New Radicalz had even reunited to perform “Get What You Give.” How fucking perfect. How exactly what everyone completely committed to having as few horses in the race as possible would desire. Upon finishing his beer, Howard crushed the can in his hand and hucked it at the TV screen – it hit the channel button and turned to ESPN.
John Thomas: So, news today, folks – big news. We saw two weeks ago, Odin Balfore take out Howard Black; nobody imagined saying that, but here we are. So I heard a rumor through various sources, reached out to a few more, got a confirmation: Joe Biden has personally reached out to Balfore. The new president is a huge fan, and he wants Odin to represent the next step of healing for this nation. Can you think of a more perfect story? We have a guy everyone thought was down and out – we spent the last year watching Odin get humiliated, betrayed, beaten up – just like this very country – and now he’s back on top of the world. Now that belt means something. Odin Balfore is America, and I, for one, am glad Joe Biden has done this. Historic moment for the sport and another incredible feather in the cap of Action Wrestling.
Howard was on his feet, flying across the room to grip the sides of the TV. The weight of the old Magnavox hardly registered for him – little cut through the brilliant shade of crimson he saw and the sirens ringing in his head as he hauled the TV off the dresser and sent it toppling to the TV floor. The face of John Thomas grinned through the silver screen before the heel of his boot landed upon in. A second, a third, and eventually a fourth kick caved the screen, sending a shower of glass and sparks upward as the naked emperor rained blows, paying no heed to the lacerations in his leg or the blood that had begun to pool in his shoe.
Was it worth it?
The room was thick with the electric smell of ozone. The Lost Boy’s breaths were heavy and ragged as he stared down at the mess before him, his head spinning. The first knock at the door could hardly register – it wasn’t until the third polite rapping that he turned towards the entrance to his room. A neighbor, perhaps, or the cleaning crew – maybe even a voyeuristic proprietor ready to give the game up to spare any further destruction. No matter, the Lost Boy to the bedside table and grabbed his wallet, thumbing out a few $20’s to be ready to pay for continued privacy.
But on the other side of the door wasn’t the owner. It wasn’t a neighbor the cleaning lady.
It was Ash Blake.