The two hadn’t seemed to see things eye to eye. Maybe it was Stu-E’s sense of humor, maybe it was Jeremy’s mild resentment for anyone who hadn’t given due to the so-called “New Blood” for ushering in this new era. In any case…here they were and at Havoc they would need to work together and that meant to some extent…getting to know one another. Jeremy approached and lifting his leg over the stool, he sat at the bar next to Stu-E. He raised his hand to get the bartender's attention. He nodded, acknowledging him and Jeremy looked over at Stu-E.
(Jeremy): So....here I am...what are you having?
(Stu-E): The most expensive single malt whisky they have, thanks! An educated bastard knows Chivas Regal but a price on it to make people think it's valuable, when it is the same as the cheap shit. The value in whisky is the rarity. If the distillery has been knocked down then you are drinking history; once that shit is gone, it is gone.
He’d almost forgotten Stu-E had a background in owning or working in bars, he couldn’t remember. He did seem to recall him serving drinks around at the reunion last year. The bartender approached…
(Jeremy): Most expensive whiskey you got….make it two please.
The bartender nodded, and cuts his eyes at both of them, his barkeep intuition sensing tension as he turns away towards the bar. It was indeed awkward. The two had never had a proper face-to-face, but coming into Havoc as tag partners it seemed like an appropriate time to hash some things out or try to at least.
(Jeremy): So...Havoc then.
The barman returned with two glasses, he holds up a bottle of Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Gran Reserva and shrugs indicating that's the best they'll get here. Price looked at the and smiles, he's had far better and as an ex barman and manager of bar companies he appreciates he's just doing a job and isn't as educated as he is in the art of single malts.
(Stu-E): What about Havoc?
(Jeremy): Honestly, I just want to make sure we're on the same page. There's a lot of "elements" going on. Will's the guest ref, and Maniac's on the opposite side of the ring...I don't know about you, but I don't intend to lose and I need to know you have my back, cause I'll for damn sure be doing my part.
(Stu-E): I don't care! The elements don't matter. Nothing to do with pages, either. Just go with the flow and you'll be alright. Take the fuk away from emotional issues and just bloody wrestle the best you can. The most difficult thing for you has been to just have a wrestling match, without any bullshit afterwards. This is different, this is an exhibition. We'll go out and give the fans a cracking night.
Jeremy takes a sip of his drink, it's smooth enough so he downs it and raises two fingers to the bartender for another round.
(Jeremy): You don't care? It's just any way the wind blows for you then huh? You think I asked for all this bullshit to find me? It was dropped on my doorstep. Look, I may not have your years of expertise so I may seem too "emotional" for you just as you seem too nonchalant to me, but the difficult thing for me hasn't been just having a wrestling match, it’s been trying to have matches with people who either don't give a shit, or have ulterior motives.
(Stu-E): It's the only way to make sense, go with the flow and watch everything. Granted it took me to being in my 40's to realize that, bud. I was such a different person for the last 20 years, you wouldn't even recognize me. But, I recognize parts of me, in you.
Jeremy's taking in Stu-E's words. For a while at times, he pegged him as a guy not too serious about the business. He always had a sense that Stu-E had just come back for one last run so his daughter could see him wrestle and wasn't much bothered by anything else, but perhaps his demeanor needed a deeper review. He could be short-fused at times, but now was a time to listen, and despite their differences, he respected Stu-E for what he'd done in the business.
(Jeremy): I'd ask which parts, but I'm going to go out on a limb and assume. I mean, I'm a vault junkie...I've seen your work back in the day. You came in on fire and were just about always in some title scene. Our last years were so different from now, we had a steady pace a cadence, this past year with the big return....I don't know what it means to "go with the flow."
(Stu-E): What it means to go with the flow is to watch first, and then go with a reaction. Watch everything, and then do something out there. I didn't get back to the business for Laney. I came back because I was happy with the money, and I knew I could earn a lot looking at the business how it was.
Laney has ideas, she has stories about me; being a race car driver, jumping out of planes for charity, coming down mountains in the snow in a kayak etc. Before coming back to wrestling…I am already a superhero!
Jeremy smiles thinking of little Laney, then sighs...
(Jeremy): Then our perspectives are different for sure and "going with my reaction" is a bit easier said than done these days. Of course, I have no problem with Hans...the guy is...he's like my idol but Maniac....he's a different story. I can't see or hear, or say his name without thinking about Matt. Matt's my Laney Stu-E...he's my cheerleader who's pushed me and motivated me and now he's out. I tried, but I don't think I can turn "the emotions" off. Not until.....
He pauses...
(Jeremy): .....Never mind....doesn't matter.
Stu-E takes a sip of his drink, looking back at Jeremy.
(Stu-E): Shut up, bud. Course it matters. Are you two, for the long run?
Jeremy looks at Stu-E, it was the first he's ever asked about he and Matt. Though, it shouldn't be a surpise really...it's the first real conversation they've had.
(Jeremy): I love him, I don't see anything but the long run. That's the thing...I'm not like you man. How the hell did you not rip Fallen in half after the shit he pulled with Michelle and Laney...I mean...she was there in the middle of it. That's me now looking at Maniac....it's taken me a lot of soul searching but I know what I need to do.
(Stu-E): Just need to be aware of everything else. Far as Fallen goes, it's mostly Sean's shit to deal with, not mine. Unfortunate that Laney was there, but shit happens. I destroyed both him and Legion afterwards. Hard to teach your daughter appropriate retribution when you want to go OTT.
(Jeremy): It's not OTT when someone has it coming. That's the problem isn't it....no one says a thing when they’re dishing it out on you, but when it's their turn to take it everybody's looking at you like you're going too far. At least in my case. I don't think anybody complained when Hans got his hands on Erica.
Jeremy laughs out loud, and takes another swig of his drink.
(Stu-E): It's OTT when I could have had him kidnapped, and his body chopped up then deposited In various parts of the country across America. The difference between me and you is our contacts, and our sense of humour. Far as Hans went, I had a huge problem seeing that match, no man should ever beat the shit out of a woman.
He understood the general sentiment but was taken aback by the comment in regard to this situation.
(Jeremy): Seriously? After what she did to him...what else was he supposed to do just walk away? She literally terrorized him and Vanessa. She got exactly what was coming to her if you ask me. We're in a competitive sport, and to be honest...there's a lot of guys ass out there she could legitimately kick so I had no problem seeing the match. In fact I've watched it at least 10 times back now, just so I could see the look on her face.
Once more Jeremy smiled, a little chuckle...the thought of that moment when Hans twisted her foot around backwards and broke her ankle.
(Stu-E): There's ways and means, how am I meant to teach Laney about a business that praises that? It would have been a goldmine if Hans walked the aisle and then Venessa slid in the ring and had the match.
(Jeremy): Come on…Vanessa hasn't wrestled in what 15 years or something, even when she did she wasn't exactly a full on competitor. Even if she did and win...what would that have proved? I just think sometimes...people need the same hurt they inflicted. I don't have kids. I don't have a little Laney starting up at me to be a role model, so I guess I'm a bit more ready to take liberties. Speaking of...will she be at Havoc?
(Stu-E): I have left it up to her, she knows our opponents, she's cool with you etc. She's learning a lot by watching.
(Jeremy): Learning what? Do you have a future academy recruit on your hands?
(Stu-E): Oh, trust me. She's more advanced than that. She knows enough to protect herself.
He hadn’t exactly answered the questions, but Jeremy didn’t press.
(Jeremy): I suppose so, Legion's balls are a testament to that. Anyway...after Havoc...we've got Blood, Sweat and Tears and then, the big one...Ring Master. I take it you're "going with the flow" then or do you have some plans this time around?
(Stu-E): Nope, no plans. Just see what happens. You will appreciate that when you get to my age. When I was your age, I would drag everyone down to beat them.
(Jeremy): Is there anything else that motivates you in this business other than the money? 20, 30 years from now, I'm wondering will that be me, or will I be the guy people are saying he needs to retire, but I won't because I just love it so much.
(Stu-E): Everything motivates me….having a good match, Advancing more years. I don't care who is across the ring, we hopefully are bringing the house down. 1997 was along time ago!
(Jeremy): Maybe, but I just watched Sting's "retirement" I guess it was. How legendary is that guy? Look what he's done and did in this business, a timeless constant and he went out on his own terms with respect and grace....I guess I have it in my head that that's the way it should be for most people. I don't know how many more years you intend to put in, you could go another 20 for all I know, but I imagine you might want the same, or do you just want to disappear into the shadows?
(Stu-E): Don't really care!
(Jeremy): Wow...well, I guess that can be a bit liberating.
(Stu-E): I 'll keep going till the wheels fall off. Unfortunately for most of the roster, theirs has fallen off before mine.
The next moments pass in silence, they’d a pretty decent chat and once again their glasses were empty. Jeremy turned to Stu-E…
(Jeremy): Anyway...I appreciate us having this chat, your insight gives me a little to chew on over a few things. Another round before we go?
(Stu-E): Oh he'll yeah, fella.
They signal the bartender for another round and continue to make a bit of small talk as the time passes. Coming away they both knew that come Havoc, they’d have the best of each other, and perhaps a better understanding of one another as well.
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