Butch Parker’s Office
Butch sits at his desk, looking at an iPad, scrolling through some digital paperwork for the booking of the Amway Center for Art of War. The side of his face is cradled against one of his hands, the elbow belonging to the same arm balancing on the desk. After the last faux pas over the hiring an arena and the resulting confusion, Butch wasn’t taking any chances and made sure HWA was the only company with a booking the entire weekend of Art of War so they could hold their pre-event conference press conference, the fan meet-and-greet and other events he and Wisdom were looking to utilize the building for. His business email was also flooded with protests against the rehiring of Fallen and Legion. Wisdom had experienced the same thing and it was something they had anticipated. The first few they had personally responded to but it was getting to the point the emails were becoming more and more personal and more and more toxic. So, they had agreed to forward anything on to their solicitor.
(Butch): Christ, these are never-ending…
Another email comes in from the Chief of Staff of the hospital Sean had attended after Havoc. He opens it up and reads it.
(Butch): Shit…
He mops his face with his hand, taking a few deep breaths through his nose. He goes into the top desk drawer, pulling out a bottle of pills. After unscrewing the lid, he pops two cylindrical-shaped tablets into his mouth and reaches across to his right and grabbing the handle from a cup of coffee and he takes a big drink, swallowing hard.
(???): That better be decaf, Butch-San.
Butch is momentarily startled as he looks up and sees Red Dragon, standing at the doorway of his office, arms folded across his chest, looking ever stoic.
(Butch): You’re as bad as Wisdom…and yes, it’s decaf.
The slightest of smiles crosses Red Dragon’s face as his arms fall by his side and he walks into Butch’s office. He leans against the wall almost directly adjacent to Butch’s desk, crossing his arms again and crossing his left leg over his right.
(Red Dragon): In all seriousness, are you ok, Butch-San?
(Butch): Me? I’m fine, why?
Red Dragon gives Butch a knowing look, inclining his head slightly
(Red Dragon): How long have we known each other, Butch-San?
Butch lightly smiles.
(Butch): It’s just these emails about Fallen and Legion are never-ending and Sean still hasn’t been cleared by that doctor who examined him in Little Rock. I’m also wondering if it’s a good idea to do this press conference. Shit is definitely going to hit the fan.
(Red Dragon): When does it not? We’re in the business of the shit hitting the fan. Also, let Legal worry about Fallen and Legion, you were backed into a corner with that decision. What’s done is done, you can’t worry about things you have no control over, Butch-San….as for Sean-Kun…
Butch holds a hand up, as he’s anticipating what his old friend is going to say.
(Butch): I know, I know. If I’d stopped the match when you said none of this would have happened.
(Red Dragon): No, well yes, but that is not what I was going to say. Sean-Kun is not a child anymore. He has grown into a respected, passionate, determined, pig-headed young man. Reminds me of a young man I used to know who convinced me to join an American puroresu promotion all those years ago.
Butch looks up Red Dragon sardonically.
(Butch): That’s worse than “I told you so”.
Red Dragon properly smiles at this time.
(Red Dragon): Would you prefer it if I said I told you so?
(Butch): Honestly? Anyway, you were right before, I should have called the damn match there and then…there’s a chance he won’t be cleared for the pay-per-view…he’ll be crushed. It’s taken every ounce of that boy’s being not to kill that piece of shit, both in and out of the ring. And now when he finally has the chance to get some closure, he gets a concussion…
(Red Dragon): There’s still a week-and-a-half before the show, Butch-San, just distract him with media duties. He’s very popular, I’m sure you can find a way for him to fill his boots cathartically without risking his health.
Butch’s face contorts in an unsure expression.
(Butch): Maybe… things are going to kick off at this press conference, I just know it. I’m going to have him and Fallen less than ten feet from one another. Matt and Maniac as well…
(Red Dragon): It’s good for business, Butch-San. You cannot stop people from sharing the same room, nor from what is bound to happen. This is good for the company, it gives the media and fans opportunities to ask questions and see everyone up close. This was a smart decision to make. Plus, I will be there, as will Hans-San and Jigoku no Shugosha, if you need us.
Another deep breath exhales out of Butch’s nostrils as he sits there, contemplative, absentmindedly taking a sip from his coffee. He looks up and locks eyes with his old friend.
(Butch): And how are you feeling? All this time I’ve had my head buried in legal documents, this, that and the next thing and you’re about to have your first competitive match in what? A decade?
(Red Dragon): More or less. And it is fine, I have my own process.
Butch doesn’t look convinced.
(Butch): Come on, Matthew, it’s just you and me here. You’re not the least bit nervous? Excited?
(Red Dragon): I am looking forward to it, yes, Butch-San. It’s something I have wanted for a while. Trust me though, when Nakamura-San and I step through those ropes, it will be different. It will just be he and I and the referee. You’ve watched New Japan matches, hai?
(Butch): Well, yeah but you’re not going to be able to go to that level you did in the 90s, surely?
Red Dragon just raises a single eyebrow
(Red Dragon): I guess we’ll see in Orlando, Butch-San.
The two friends share a light chuckle as Butch climbs to his feet from his seated position and stretches, walking around from his desk.
(Butch): Walk with me, Matthew. I want to take a walk around the gyms, see what’s what.
The two chat idly amongst themselves as they take a stroll through the main atrium of the Academy. Some students are in a couple of the practice rings, running the ropes, taking bumps whilst others are making use of the state-of-the-art equipment and apparatus. Butch squints his eyes as he sees someone in the main training ring, soaring off the top rope doing a Sky Twister Press, landing on some cushioned mats on the canvas. As they get closer, Butch sighs with frustration and quickens his pace.
(Butch): You’ve got to be f*cking kidding me…
(Red Dragon): What? Who is it?
Red Dragon follows the trajectory of Butch’s gaze and when the realization kicks in, he rolls his eyes.
(Red Dragon): Oh, for goodness sake…
As Butch and Red Dragon reach the ringside area of the main training ring, Sean Parker comes crashing down onto the mats after executing a flawless shooting star press, rolling off and back to his feet in a seamless movement.
(Butch): Sean! What in the name of Christ are you doing?! You’re not cleared!
Sean doesn’t respond and goes back to the top rope again.
(Red Dragon): Sean-Kun! Orite kite!
Sean hops on the top turnbuckle and turns around before doing a perfect moonsault, landing gracefully on the mats below and pops back up. Butch and Red Dragon roll into the ring, the former grabbing Sean by the arm to stop him from going back to the top rope again.
(Butch): Sean! What the hell? Do you want to make this worse? Hm? If you’re not cleared and you get hurt, you could be permanently hurt! Is that what you want? Do you think that’s what Michelle wants?!
(Sean): I’m fine, Butch, ok? I’ve been taking pain relief, I’ve rested, the double vision is gone, the dizziness is gone, I’m fine! The doctor said I needed to test my balance and equilibrium and I just did, I’m fine! But thanks for trusting me? Do you really think I’m that stupid I’m going to risk my long-term health just to beat up Fallen?! You think I’d compromise Michelle’s trust?!
(Butch): Well, history isn’t exactly on your side, Sean! Goddamnit, you could’ve let me know you were doing this! Christ almighty!
Butch turns away from Sean, running his hands through his hair in frustration. Red Dragon brings his arms up, his hands facing down and he lowers them up and down as if motioning for calm.
(Red Dragon): Ok, ok, gentlemen. Shinkokyū shimashou. Let’s just relax. Sean-Kun, aze nani mo iwanakatta nodesu ka?
(Sean): Sensei, hanasu koto wa nani mo arimasen deshita! Anata mo Butch mo watashi ni tazuneru koto naku, tada soutei shite toppatsu shite kitandesu!
(Butch): You know I speak Japanese, right? Ok, so maybe we did assume but come on Sean, you still need to be careful. The doctor says you need to test yourself so the first thing you think of is doing a Shooting Star Press? Come on, son!
Butch points emphatically to his temple.
(Butch): Use your head! There’s so many things we could have done to get you cleared!
Sean just shrugs.
(Sean): Yeah, well, I needed to test it doing what I do every match and that’s fly, Uncle Butch! There’s no point in doing standard protocol-driven tests when it’s not reflective of what I’m going to feel and experience when I’m in the ring.
Butch doesn’t immediately respond. He knows Sean makes a good point but he’s too far down the rabbit hole to admit defeat.
(Red Dragon): He makes a good point, Butch-San.
Butch gives his friend a knowing look. Red Dragon subtly smiles before turning to Sean.
(Red Dragon): Sean-Kun, your uncle just means include him, us, in the conversation next time, hai?
Sean takes a moment and concedes the point with a small nod of his head and a subtle thumbs-up. He bows his head in acknowledgment to Red Dragon.
(Sean): Mochiron, sumimasen sensei.
Red Dragon bows his head back as Sean pulls off his elbow pads and begins peeling off the tape around his wrists before picking up the mats from the canvas he was using to land on. He exits the ring and disappears out of sight towards the locker room. When he’s out of sight, Butch’a eyes widen slightly and a “what the hell?” expression is visible on his face.
(Butch): So you get an apology and I get a thumbs-up?
Red Dragon chuckles as he pats Butch on the arm before climbing out of the ring.
(Red Dragon): Do not take it personally, Butch-San. You are his family, his boss. I am his Sensei. That’s the natural order of things.
Butch laughs and scoffs at the same time as he exits the ring as well, giving Red Dragon a friendly push.
(Butch): Oh, oh, oh ok? That’s the game we’re playing is it? Remember, I’m your boss too, mukashi no tomodachi!
(Red Dragon): Please, if memory serves me, Wisdom-San’s name is what is on the bottom of my contract.
Red Dragon grins from the corner of his mouth as the two walk back through the atrium of the Academy. Butch friendlily punches Red Dragon on the arm and the two almost playfully fight, pushing and shoving each other.
(Butch): You’re playing a dangerous game, Kiriyama-San! Remember, you and I are going to be across the ring from each other very soon.
(Red Dragon): Oh, I know, Butch-San. You better start getting your steps in, mukashi no tomodachi…
Red Dragon teasingly pats Butch’s stomach and winks.
(Red Dragon): … those abs of yours are starting to stagnate a little.
(Butch): Oh, come on now, keep the gloves up, Matthew, that one was below the belt. In any case, you’ve got Hans before you get to step to me!
(Red Dragon): This is very true. But Hans also has Jeremy-Kun coming up and has already faced Mania. How many matches are you going to have had by the time we face off? You haven’t wrestled in years, Butch-San…
Butch knows Red Dragon is just joking around with him but he was right. Butch hadn’t competed or stepped inside a ring competitively in years. Before his match with Matthew, he’d have matches against Shinsuke Nakamura and Hans himself under his belt. It was a fleeing thought but it niggled at him more than it should have. Sensing he’d possibly touched a nerve judging by the sudden change in Butch’s demeanor, Red Dragon gives Butch a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
(Red Dragon): I was only joking, Butch-San. I know you take really good care of yourself, we will have an incredible match when the time comes and it will be my honor to stand across from you.
(Butch): You’re right though. I haven’t had a match since that behind-closed-doors exhibition with Kenny and that was two years ago…
(Red Dragon): Butch-San… most people worry about ring rust and you’re worried because you’ve not wrestled since you wrestled against one of the greatest of all time… you’ll have absolutely nothing to worry about. Come on, let’s go get something to eat, I’m starving.
Butch half-smiles and nods as he and Red Dragon make their way towards the entrance of the Academy as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
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