HWA Message Board: Soul searching

Merlyn and his Indian Motorcycle fly down the road with Tojo in the sidecar meditating. Dust flies from the back of the cycle as Merlyn takes a curve. The setting sun shines off his goggles and Merlyn glares ahead reading the highway signs trying to navigate his way back from the NWO meeting. Where he is going nobody knows, not even him. He’ll pick a destination when inspiration or the urge to pee hits. He rubs his newly shaven head and thinks about the meeting and shakes his head. The road curves again and this time there is a sheer drop at the edge of this section. Toho’s eyes open and look over the edge. He looks at Merlyn and wonders what possessed him to get in the sidecar with this foolish Gijon. He swore and oath to stand by this boy that’s why. And Toho doesn’t break oaths, unless it’s an oath to pay back money or pay bar tabs. Merlyn looks at tojo and smiles. Toho starts slapping him in the back of the head and points to the road, as they are inches from the edge. Merlyn giggles and continues driving. The hours fly by and Merlyn is still driving when he sees a town up at the next exit called Heavens Landing and decides to explore. The town is almost empty and the wind seems to have taken possession of it all. Shutters clang and bang shut and wind chimes go on overload. Toho bounces up slightly in the air as the bike hits a pothole. Merlyn mutters a timid apology. Plant growth is in abundance as well. The parks are overgrown and its obvious children and their families haven’t played there for years. The cicadas are heard making their music from the trees. At the center of the town Merlyn sees lights on and heads in that directions. It’s a bar and it appears to be open. The air is slightly chilly and Merlyn can see his breath. Merlyn and Toho look at the bar and walk in. It’s called Purgatory. They shrug their shoulders and walk in. Only three people are in the bar and one of them is behind the bar. In the corner two large men are drinking beer at a booth. The whole bar is well lit except for that table. Shadows seem to cling to their faces. All he could make out is one has long hair and the other is wearing a hood. The man behind the bar is humongous. Merlyn reckons about 6’8 at least. They sit at the bar, which is all dark oak and gold trim. Wrestling posters from the past litter the walks as well as championship belts.

Bartender-What can I get you?

Merlyn-a beer for me and a saki for my friend here.

Toho-(Japanese) racist. I want a beer.

The Bartender hands them two beers.

Merlyn-you understood him?

Bartender-sure. All you have to do is listen.

Merlyn-What’s your name?

Bartender-My name is Cal.

Merlyn-Hi Cal. My name is Merlyn.

Cal-yes I heard of you. You wrestle right?

Merlyn-if that’s what you call it these days, than sure that’s what I do.

Cal-I think I know what you mean.

Merlyn-not a fan then huh?

Cal-Things change. I used to be much more then that.

Merlyn-They definitely do. I used to have my sanity now I don’t. Things change.

Cal-I have a feeling you are quite sane. You just let everyone think otherwise. Rare is it that some sees things for what they really are.

Merlyn-I had some good things going way back when. I lost it all. I’m trying to get it back but things are different. The people I’m surrounded by are different. It’s just not the same. I had tons of inspiration around me. Now I have very little of that. No give just take.

Cal-preachin to the quire.

Merlyn-hey, if I’m so sane how come I’m spilling my beans to a stranger?

Cal-I have that affect on people. Say do you have memory loss?

Merlyn-yeah a bit why?

Cal-just asking. No reason.

Merlyn-Hey who are those heavies in the corner there?

Cal-oh don’t pay attention to them. They sit there and howl and complain about dark things.

Just then another large bald man with scars all over his face and another dressed like crocodile Dundee walk in and sit with the men in the shadows. The scarred bald one twitches and knocks over the table with a turrets like yell. The three other men stare at him and he apologizes and mentions something about meds.

Cal-excuse me I think my friends need another round.

Cal pours some beers and walks off.

Merlyn-where are we Tojo.

Toho shrugs and drinks his beer.

Merlyn-that’s the first sense you made all day. It’s so hard to get you sometimes man. I think your Japanese needs work.

Toho eyes bug out and he gets red in anger but continues to sip his beer. Cal comes back behind the bar and pours Merlyn another beer and gives a shot to Tojo who bows gratefully and respectfully.

Merlyn-Anyway there is nothing to feed off of these days. I’m trying to get hungry again but it’s hard. Not much to prove.

Cal-hey there is always something to prove even if it’s just to you. Even if you keep talking and you are the only one who hears, so what? You are being you and nobody can stop you when that happens. Maybe this time you can be the one who can set it off.

Merlyn-you make a lot of sense. I still can’t figure out why I’m telling you everything. All I know is things seem familiar around here.

Cal-It’s the beer. I make it strong.

Merlyn-yeah ya do. I better quit it now I’m driving.

Cal-before you go I want to give you something.

Cal reaches behind the bar and pulls out a metal brief case and hands it to Merlyn

Merlyn-what’s this?

Cal-open it and see.

Merlyn opens the case and a gold glow emanates from it.

Merlyn-Now this is familiar. Wow. Where did you…

Cal-I just figure you need motivation. That’s a big one. I thought maybe it would bring back some memories, maybe even some of the old spark.

Merlyn gets up as if in a trance and walks out the door. Memories flood his brain that he never knew he had. Tojo quickly takes another shot and bows to Cal.

Tojo-(in perfect English)Thank you Cal old friend, now maybe we can get back on track with this boy.
Cal-Anytime, just make sure he doesn’t forget his past, this way he wont forget his path.

Tojo bows again to Cal and to the men in the corner table. They salute him and continue their poker game. The scarred bald man yells gin and they slap their heads in exasperation. The motorcycle is heard outside and Tojo leaves.