Post by Slim on Jul 1, 2024 15:41:08 GMT -5
The scene opens up at the house of Slim in the nicer Atlanta area. He stands out on the balcony leaning on the railing looking out towards the sky as the evening time hits. His daughter walks up behind him with phone in hand as she approaches him.
Karine:
Hey dad. Aurora spoke up.
He turns his gaze from the sky and back to her.
Slim:
Oh. Let me check that out.
She hands him her phone and they watch together. They both chuckle a little bit at the gravely voice part but finish watching. He hands her the phone back and has a bit of a smile as he turns his gaze back to the sky again.
Slim:
I’ll be sure to remind her to not do that voice again. It takes a bit of skill to do it. To sound like Batman. Maybe after the match I’ll teach her. I dunno.
Karine:
So what are you thinking there… you seem… more subdued than you have been.
Slim:
Just been thinking quite a bit and she made me think a bit more. Am I really here to reclaim lost glory? Am I back in the ring to re… nah. I mean I was content. I was happy. I felt great being retired with your mom. I mean we had our health. She got counseling and therapy and has been getting her mind right and its made things so much better. We traveled the world, took cruises, but while home we still trained and made sure we stayed in shape and everything. We had a damn good time.
Karine:
Then… why are you doing it then dad?
Slim:
Well… part of it was because of that call from D about coming here. The other part was training with you all that time just gave me that itch. It helped a lot. Its like you feel it in you and its always there. So yeah I do guess part of it is to prove to myself that I can still go. Even against the younger generation. Show them that even being older doesn’t mean I’m over the hill and can’t do it and can’t hang with them anymore. I still got it. I mean I’ve had wins in this place so far. But… I just wanted the real challenges and Deadeye gave me the first and now I have the second.
Karine:
That is true… although I have to say I’m not really feeling it. Its like yeah she has her world title math after you. She says she’s not overlooking you but you know it kind of feels like there is a slight overlook. Like you’re just a stop along the way for her to reach that dream.
Slim:
Well I can’t say I blame her. But the thing is that she seems to almost think I forgot how this game works. I know I easily outweigh her and strength? Not even a comparison. But I was in this business since the early 2000s. Damn that sounds so long ago. But I’ve faced them all. The bigger, the heavier, the stronger, the smaller, the faster, the more agile. I’ve faced and seen them all and I know that no matter what advantage there is… unless you know how to use it… it doesn’t mean shit.
Karine:
Ohhhhhh language.
Slim:
I mean crap. But alas… I see her trying to talk Jackson Cole up but in the end I wouldn’t give a damn if he was at the top of his game in perfect health… that’s not the challenge I seek. That’s not who I want to truly test myself against. She is. She just doesn’t seem to grasp yet that this match here… is going to be more important than her title match because this stop here… this stop is where the true test of her abilities will be. This is where she will encounter someone that has done this longer than her. Been in the trenches deeper than the Mariana Trench. These are the type of matches that I look for in every promotion that I have been in. Because in the end it isn’t just about proving that you can still hang with the current generation. But its about proving that you are the absolute best in that promotion. That you are the standard bearer. That YOU are the one that people measure their skills, their mettle, their drive against. When they look at themselves they compare themselves to you and ask… do they have what it takes to beat you in that ring.
Slim stops for a second and looks out towards the sky again.
Slim:
And I’ve asked myself that question ever since I lost to Deadye… and I saw you defeat him. I asked myself… do I still have it. Do I have it in my skill set? Do I have the ability? Do I have the drive to beat Aurora Graves… one of the challengers for the world title. Do I have it in me to stop someone that has seemed unstoppable. But I will ask you… don’t give me that same hundred percent you plan on giving that title challenger. I want more. I want the absolute best that you have. I want every ounce of sweat in you. I want to see that determination in your eye. I want to be able to look you right in your eye Aurora when we meet in that ring and I want to see the woman that is going to stand atop FWP with the world title. But I want her to know that even though she holds that title… even though she is the world champion… she couldn’t beat me.
I go into each match with a different mindset each time. A different strategy, adjust as needed and with you I know I’m going to have to go back to my old tricks that I used years ago. You want the very best that I can bring… I guarantee you that you’re going to get that and then some. You’re going to get the man that ruled the NWF with an ironfist. The man that held that world title for over a year. Fought off each and every challenger. The man that stood at the end of the last show holding both titles as they closed their doors. You’re going to get the man that has evolved since that time. A better mind, a better head space than he was before. This… this is what I gave my life to. This business… this industry… this was all I knew for so long. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. And I’m looking at the person that I deem the best… in this promotion and I want to be the one to stop her. I want to be the one that can show her… there is still someone out there better. Someone better in the very promotion that you are in. And soon you’ll be looking him in the eyes and you’ll see that fire in his eyes. You’ll see that blaze. That raging inferno of a fighter that looks to only compete and never give up until all is said and done.
Aurora… you want the best from me… you’re going to get it. My question that I have for you… can you handle me at my best? Or will you falter?
Karine stands there listening to her dad as he speaks his mind letting his thoughts run. She then gives him a slow clap.
Karine:
That inspired me dad. I see why you were the top dog in so many places.
Slim
That’s what it is baby girl. Some want to rely on size, some on strength, some on numbers. Me? Its about what’s inside. Its that drive to use everything you got to get the job done. And this guy here… he’s not done. He’s got plenty to prove. Now let’s head inside. I know your mom has been slaving over the stove for a while.
Karine:
Now we’re talking.
The two of them smile as they both take a look out at the sky before returning inside the home as the scene fades to black.