Post by Manabu on Jan 12, 2012 12:30:45 GMT -5
On to the Next One
Section 1:
“Rolling in the Deep” blares throughout the living room of Manabu’s L.A. apartment. The music is coming from two Bose speakers, one placed on each side of the far left wall. In the center of the wall hangs a 60 inch Panasonic Plasma. The TV takes up most of the wall actually. Manabu thought it was a bit excessive, but, he had received a great deal on it, so he decided to keep it. Under the TV rests a small TV stand, filled with various DVDS.
On the right side of the living room is a black leather couch and medium sized coffee table. Manabu is sitting on the couch, reading the morning’s issue of the L.A. Times. At the moment he is skimming through the “Business” section.
A few seconds later he hears a slight ringing sound. He reaches over towards the coffee table and picks up his iPhone. He sets down the paper for a moment.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Hello?”
Caller:
“Congratulations son.”
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Dad?”
Manabu hadn’t heard from his dad in a couple of months. Mongo Fuji had been traveling near the boarder for the past six months; a regional type promotion had picked him up. They had some interest in Manabu as well, but they wanted him to job.
Mongo Fuji:
“Who else?”
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Well, thanks dad. How did you find out? I doubt UWA reaches that far down.”
Mongo Fuji:
“Yeah, we don’t get much but a little bit of Lucha and some Spanish Soaps.
“Actually, your mom gave me call last night and told me.”
Manabu laughs a bit.
Manabu Fujiwara
“Good old Ma.”
Mongo Fuji:
“Yeah, she is really proud of you
“I’m proud of you too son. I know I was very hard on you after the whole XDF thing; I said some harsh things. But you have proven yourself by signing with UWA. You are working hard and paying your dues. It will only be a matter of time before you are on the grand stage once again.”
Manabu doesn’t answer right away. It had been a long time since he had heard such positive words coming from his father.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Thanks dad, that means a lot coming from you.”
Mongo Fuji:
“But one bit of advice son; don’t let this big win get to your head. Yeah, right now you are the top guy in UWA. But remember, this is wrestling; someone is always gunning for your spot. It could be Neptune, or it could be somebody knew.
“And now that you are the Champ, EVERYONE is going to be looking at you differently, in and out of the ring.
“But don’t let any of that get you down son. Carry yourself with honor and taking pride in your work. If you do that everything will work out just fine.
“Alright?”
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Yes sir.”
Manabu gets up off the couch. Walks into the hallway and begins heading towards his kitchen area. He heads to the fridge and beginning looking through it.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“So Dad, how’s the boarder looking? Any good stories?
Mongo laughs.
Mongo Fuji:
“Haha, yeah, I got a few to tell you.”
Section 2:
Manabu walks up to a door, carrying a bag. The current hallway that he is standing in is very dark. Giving the door handle a hard tug, he opens the door. Manabu takes a few steps forward; he is standing on the far edge of a gymnasium.
On the right side of the gym was a make-shift weight room. There were a couple of weight-benches off near the wall, and sit-up bench, and a couple of dumb-bells scattered here and there.
The left side had a large mirror hanging on the wall; it was used for used for people to check their form. Near the mirror were a few punching pads and a couple pairs of boxing gloves.
Manabu walks past all this gear, headed towards the opposite edge of the gym. On the far edge is a wrestling, 18 by 18. Manabu smirks a bit as here approaches the ring. There are a couple of chairs resting upright near the ring apron.
Manabu sets up one of the chairs and then begins to rummage through his bag, which is filled with his wrestling gear.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“You all have probably never heard of this place. It’s not Gold’s Gym or anything. In fact, you probably wouldn’t know that this hole-in the wall building was gym if you drove by. I found this place on accident myself.
“It’s owned by this old Italian guy, a real cool dude actually. He also owns a fancy restaurant on the other side of L.A. Anyway, he lets a lot of the local boxers and wrestlers come here to work out for discounted prices. Except for me, I get to train here for free.
“Why?
“Hell, I don’t know. The old man took a liking to me. He said he could see the hunger in my eyes, so, he gave me pass and a set of keys.
“Beats going to that over-crowded Gold’s right?”
Manabu takes out his ring boots and sets them on the floor.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Over the past week I’ve gotten so many calls; people calling to congratulate me. Last week was my first title win. How many people can say that their first title was a World title?
“That list is few.
“But hey, winning is the easy part, at least that’s what they tell me. NOW the hard part starts, because EVERYONE is going to be after me.”
Manabu takes out his kickpads.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“However, one wrestler is a bit more deserving than others. That man is Samuel Silas.
“…Wait, you all do remember Mr. Silas don’t you?
“I’ll jog your memory. Now, the has-been Neptune had to beat somebody for the UWA World Championship, and that man was also Samuel Silas.
“Don’t worry Mr. Silas, the fans may not remember you, but I surely do. Over the past couple of weeks I have gone back and watched some of your matches. And after watching your matches, I learned something. You see, I never understood why Neptune was such a big name here. And then I saw his matches against YOU. No wonder the kid had a god-complex, because week in and week out he was dragging your sorry face across the mat. And you have the nerve to say your time is now!?”
Manabu laughs.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“By the way, I heard your little promo the other day. Or should I say, you’re little rant. Did your contract come with a soap box of something? I actually had to give myself a pat on the back for making through your speech. I would have rather listened to a 30 minute speech from the Clear-Eyes guy. At least he could put together complex sentences, unlike you my friend…
“…Wait, didn’t you used to be a trainer or a manager? Ha, no wonder the business is f****d up right now; it’s people like you have churned out these weak lil’ punks with no mic skills.
“You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Manabu shakes his head.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Let’s be real Silas, you are nothing but a sham, a fraud. Week in and week out you head out to that ring and you LIE to everyone in that arena. You lie and claim to be a trainer; you claim to have produced some of the world’s best stars. Well, newsflash Mr. Silas, NO BODY in the business has run across these so-called ‘stars.’ They are a figment you imagination. Every week you pass yourself off as a credible wrestler, even though you stumble around in the ring more than a wine-o. You drive up to the arena in gaudy Enterprise rental cars. You show up in your $70 Walmart suit and try to pass it off as Hug Boss!
“But I see right through you Silas. I see what you really are.
“In reality, you aren’t some club owner or a trainer; you’re just a weak, pathetic man! Wrestling must be your mid-life crisis or something. You said it yourself; you jumped into wrestling on a whim, and distant fantasy you had as a child.
“That’s where you and I differ Silas.
“I’m not in this business to make a quick buck or to meet women. I was born into wrestling. My grandfather wrestled; my father wrestled. Wrestling flows through my veins. So, even though I never imaged that I’d be in this position, I was all predetermined. I was destined to be in this very spot, holding the UWA World Championship.”
Manabu digs through the bag a little bit more. He finally produces the UWA title, which he places upon his lap.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Is this what you want so badly, Mr. Silas?
“You know, people have been fighting over gold for thousands of years. Why do you think Cortez and the Conquistador tried to wipe out the Aztecs? Rome and Carthage left each other battered and bloody. Why? The European Settlers committed unspeakable acts against the Native American, forcing them out of their lands—all for the love of gold.
“Symbolic, holding the UWA Championship means that you are the best in the company. The reason that you didn’t capture said title in your first attempts proves that you aren’t the best in this company Silas. And since then, you have only beat-up on a helpless child. Do you really think that has boosted you into being the best wrestler?
“Do I think I’m better than you? Well, of course I do. But, you see, I let my matches do all the talking. I’ve won all my matches here, and I’ve looked d*** good in the process. I strive to give 1000 percent in that ring every single night.
“The same can’t be said for you, Mr. Silas.”
Manabu gets up out of his seat; he hoists the belt of his shoulder.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Mr. Silas, it’s going to take a whole lot more than some cheap threats to pry this UWA Championship away from me. It’s going to require hard work, sweat, and maybe some blood. But most importantly, it’s going to take some heart. You see heart and determination are not the same thing. A determined individual can still be crushed, if enough obstacles are placed in his or her way. But a person with heart perseveres and fights through, no matter what the odds.
“You have no heart Silas. Whatever success you have right now was given to you, it’s obvious because you walk around with this sense of entitlement.
“In the real world, success is EARNED sir, not just freely given. You are going to learn that soon enough.”
Manabu reaches down a grabs his wrestling gear. He then walks off camera.
END
Section 1:
“Rolling in the Deep” blares throughout the living room of Manabu’s L.A. apartment. The music is coming from two Bose speakers, one placed on each side of the far left wall. In the center of the wall hangs a 60 inch Panasonic Plasma. The TV takes up most of the wall actually. Manabu thought it was a bit excessive, but, he had received a great deal on it, so he decided to keep it. Under the TV rests a small TV stand, filled with various DVDS.
On the right side of the living room is a black leather couch and medium sized coffee table. Manabu is sitting on the couch, reading the morning’s issue of the L.A. Times. At the moment he is skimming through the “Business” section.
A few seconds later he hears a slight ringing sound. He reaches over towards the coffee table and picks up his iPhone. He sets down the paper for a moment.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Hello?”
Caller:
“Congratulations son.”
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Dad?”
Manabu hadn’t heard from his dad in a couple of months. Mongo Fuji had been traveling near the boarder for the past six months; a regional type promotion had picked him up. They had some interest in Manabu as well, but they wanted him to job.
Mongo Fuji:
“Who else?”
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Well, thanks dad. How did you find out? I doubt UWA reaches that far down.”
Mongo Fuji:
“Yeah, we don’t get much but a little bit of Lucha and some Spanish Soaps.
“Actually, your mom gave me call last night and told me.”
Manabu laughs a bit.
Manabu Fujiwara
“Good old Ma.”
Mongo Fuji:
“Yeah, she is really proud of you
“I’m proud of you too son. I know I was very hard on you after the whole XDF thing; I said some harsh things. But you have proven yourself by signing with UWA. You are working hard and paying your dues. It will only be a matter of time before you are on the grand stage once again.”
Manabu doesn’t answer right away. It had been a long time since he had heard such positive words coming from his father.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Thanks dad, that means a lot coming from you.”
Mongo Fuji:
“But one bit of advice son; don’t let this big win get to your head. Yeah, right now you are the top guy in UWA. But remember, this is wrestling; someone is always gunning for your spot. It could be Neptune, or it could be somebody knew.
“And now that you are the Champ, EVERYONE is going to be looking at you differently, in and out of the ring.
“But don’t let any of that get you down son. Carry yourself with honor and taking pride in your work. If you do that everything will work out just fine.
“Alright?”
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Yes sir.”
Manabu gets up off the couch. Walks into the hallway and begins heading towards his kitchen area. He heads to the fridge and beginning looking through it.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“So Dad, how’s the boarder looking? Any good stories?
Mongo laughs.
Mongo Fuji:
“Haha, yeah, I got a few to tell you.”
Section 2:
Manabu walks up to a door, carrying a bag. The current hallway that he is standing in is very dark. Giving the door handle a hard tug, he opens the door. Manabu takes a few steps forward; he is standing on the far edge of a gymnasium.
On the right side of the gym was a make-shift weight room. There were a couple of weight-benches off near the wall, and sit-up bench, and a couple of dumb-bells scattered here and there.
The left side had a large mirror hanging on the wall; it was used for used for people to check their form. Near the mirror were a few punching pads and a couple pairs of boxing gloves.
Manabu walks past all this gear, headed towards the opposite edge of the gym. On the far edge is a wrestling, 18 by 18. Manabu smirks a bit as here approaches the ring. There are a couple of chairs resting upright near the ring apron.
Manabu sets up one of the chairs and then begins to rummage through his bag, which is filled with his wrestling gear.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“You all have probably never heard of this place. It’s not Gold’s Gym or anything. In fact, you probably wouldn’t know that this hole-in the wall building was gym if you drove by. I found this place on accident myself.
“It’s owned by this old Italian guy, a real cool dude actually. He also owns a fancy restaurant on the other side of L.A. Anyway, he lets a lot of the local boxers and wrestlers come here to work out for discounted prices. Except for me, I get to train here for free.
“Why?
“Hell, I don’t know. The old man took a liking to me. He said he could see the hunger in my eyes, so, he gave me pass and a set of keys.
“Beats going to that over-crowded Gold’s right?”
Manabu takes out his ring boots and sets them on the floor.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Over the past week I’ve gotten so many calls; people calling to congratulate me. Last week was my first title win. How many people can say that their first title was a World title?
“That list is few.
“But hey, winning is the easy part, at least that’s what they tell me. NOW the hard part starts, because EVERYONE is going to be after me.”
Manabu takes out his kickpads.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“However, one wrestler is a bit more deserving than others. That man is Samuel Silas.
“…Wait, you all do remember Mr. Silas don’t you?
“I’ll jog your memory. Now, the has-been Neptune had to beat somebody for the UWA World Championship, and that man was also Samuel Silas.
“Don’t worry Mr. Silas, the fans may not remember you, but I surely do. Over the past couple of weeks I have gone back and watched some of your matches. And after watching your matches, I learned something. You see, I never understood why Neptune was such a big name here. And then I saw his matches against YOU. No wonder the kid had a god-complex, because week in and week out he was dragging your sorry face across the mat. And you have the nerve to say your time is now!?”
Manabu laughs.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“By the way, I heard your little promo the other day. Or should I say, you’re little rant. Did your contract come with a soap box of something? I actually had to give myself a pat on the back for making through your speech. I would have rather listened to a 30 minute speech from the Clear-Eyes guy. At least he could put together complex sentences, unlike you my friend…
“…Wait, didn’t you used to be a trainer or a manager? Ha, no wonder the business is f****d up right now; it’s people like you have churned out these weak lil’ punks with no mic skills.
“You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Manabu shakes his head.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Let’s be real Silas, you are nothing but a sham, a fraud. Week in and week out you head out to that ring and you LIE to everyone in that arena. You lie and claim to be a trainer; you claim to have produced some of the world’s best stars. Well, newsflash Mr. Silas, NO BODY in the business has run across these so-called ‘stars.’ They are a figment you imagination. Every week you pass yourself off as a credible wrestler, even though you stumble around in the ring more than a wine-o. You drive up to the arena in gaudy Enterprise rental cars. You show up in your $70 Walmart suit and try to pass it off as Hug Boss!
“But I see right through you Silas. I see what you really are.
“In reality, you aren’t some club owner or a trainer; you’re just a weak, pathetic man! Wrestling must be your mid-life crisis or something. You said it yourself; you jumped into wrestling on a whim, and distant fantasy you had as a child.
“That’s where you and I differ Silas.
“I’m not in this business to make a quick buck or to meet women. I was born into wrestling. My grandfather wrestled; my father wrestled. Wrestling flows through my veins. So, even though I never imaged that I’d be in this position, I was all predetermined. I was destined to be in this very spot, holding the UWA World Championship.”
Manabu digs through the bag a little bit more. He finally produces the UWA title, which he places upon his lap.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Is this what you want so badly, Mr. Silas?
“You know, people have been fighting over gold for thousands of years. Why do you think Cortez and the Conquistador tried to wipe out the Aztecs? Rome and Carthage left each other battered and bloody. Why? The European Settlers committed unspeakable acts against the Native American, forcing them out of their lands—all for the love of gold.
“Symbolic, holding the UWA Championship means that you are the best in the company. The reason that you didn’t capture said title in your first attempts proves that you aren’t the best in this company Silas. And since then, you have only beat-up on a helpless child. Do you really think that has boosted you into being the best wrestler?
“Do I think I’m better than you? Well, of course I do. But, you see, I let my matches do all the talking. I’ve won all my matches here, and I’ve looked d*** good in the process. I strive to give 1000 percent in that ring every single night.
“The same can’t be said for you, Mr. Silas.”
Manabu gets up out of his seat; he hoists the belt of his shoulder.
Manabu Fujiwara:
“Mr. Silas, it’s going to take a whole lot more than some cheap threats to pry this UWA Championship away from me. It’s going to require hard work, sweat, and maybe some blood. But most importantly, it’s going to take some heart. You see heart and determination are not the same thing. A determined individual can still be crushed, if enough obstacles are placed in his or her way. But a person with heart perseveres and fights through, no matter what the odds.
“You have no heart Silas. Whatever success you have right now was given to you, it’s obvious because you walk around with this sense of entitlement.
“In the real world, success is EARNED sir, not just freely given. You are going to learn that soon enough.”
Manabu reaches down a grabs his wrestling gear. He then walks off camera.
END
