Post by Tom Carradine on Jul 2, 2024 19:10:16 GMT -5
Tidewater Beach Resort
Panama City FL
Tuesday July 2nd 2024
Scene opens inside a well-stocked fitness center. As the camera sweeps the room, it comes to a stop on Tom Carradine on the leg press in the middle of his exercise set. Without missing a beat, he turns to the camera.
Tom: Believe it or not, but I DO see the inside of a gym or two…
He pumps out a few reps before continuing.
Tom: All kidding aside, I’m taking my match against Stella Basch very seriously, almost as seriously as her big brother takes his coffee.
A bit of silence hangs in the air.
Tom: I don’t know, but maybe I’m just using humor to disguise my apprehension.
Stella, you and I keep running into each other, and so far, things have been pretty chill. Not chilly like your brother, but you know what I mean.
But as much as I enjoy our encounters outside the ring, Scion is going to be a whole different story. It’s not that I won’t enjoy it…
He trails off, trying to collect his thoughts.
Tom: Let me rephrase that. Outside the ring, you and I are a lot more sociable and relaxed. But at Scion, both of us need to leave the niceties in the locker room. It’s serious business, something I’m certain your brother has drilled into you.
I can only speak for myself, but at this stage in my career, I can’t afford to make too many mistakes…
He catches himself and shakes his head.
Tom: Damn it, why is this coming out wrong?
He pauses his exercise and collects himself.
Tom: Sorry, caught up in the moment.
Stella, what I’m trying to say, in the nicest way possible, is that my career is barely out of the starting blocks, so I need to maintain any sorta momentum I can. If I were a veteran, I could deal with a loss here and there and not worry about it, but I’m still greener than a lime, so I gotta do what I can to make a name for myself. After all, not all of us have the Basch name to fall back on…
Tom winces after saying that.
Tom: Great, Tom, stick your foot even deeper in your mouth….
Look, I’m just gonna come out and say it. Facing you is tougher than it looks like on paper. I’m in a real bind, and I’m not talking about the match itself. Whether you realize it or not, your brother casts a pretty big shadow. Look at it from my point of view. Would YOU want a guy that can toss you into the next zip code pissed off at you because he thinks you may have messed with his sister?
Didn’t think so. But as concerning as that thought may be, I gotta get my head on straight and keep this professional. Yeah, I’m not in the running for the Prestige Championship anymore, but the fact that other championships are going to be announced pretty soon means I still have to stay sharp. So, Stella, don’t take it personally when I win at Scion.
Besides, I have to make up for losing that game of MtG to you somehow…
Scene ends as he gets back to his exercise routine.
Panama City FL
Tuesday July 2nd 2024
Scene opens inside a well-stocked fitness center. As the camera sweeps the room, it comes to a stop on Tom Carradine on the leg press in the middle of his exercise set. Without missing a beat, he turns to the camera.
Tom: Believe it or not, but I DO see the inside of a gym or two…
He pumps out a few reps before continuing.
Tom: All kidding aside, I’m taking my match against Stella Basch very seriously, almost as seriously as her big brother takes his coffee.
A bit of silence hangs in the air.
Tom: I don’t know, but maybe I’m just using humor to disguise my apprehension.
Stella, you and I keep running into each other, and so far, things have been pretty chill. Not chilly like your brother, but you know what I mean.
But as much as I enjoy our encounters outside the ring, Scion is going to be a whole different story. It’s not that I won’t enjoy it…
He trails off, trying to collect his thoughts.
Tom: Let me rephrase that. Outside the ring, you and I are a lot more sociable and relaxed. But at Scion, both of us need to leave the niceties in the locker room. It’s serious business, something I’m certain your brother has drilled into you.
I can only speak for myself, but at this stage in my career, I can’t afford to make too many mistakes…
He catches himself and shakes his head.
Tom: Damn it, why is this coming out wrong?
He pauses his exercise and collects himself.
Tom: Sorry, caught up in the moment.
Stella, what I’m trying to say, in the nicest way possible, is that my career is barely out of the starting blocks, so I need to maintain any sorta momentum I can. If I were a veteran, I could deal with a loss here and there and not worry about it, but I’m still greener than a lime, so I gotta do what I can to make a name for myself. After all, not all of us have the Basch name to fall back on…
Tom winces after saying that.
Tom: Great, Tom, stick your foot even deeper in your mouth….
Look, I’m just gonna come out and say it. Facing you is tougher than it looks like on paper. I’m in a real bind, and I’m not talking about the match itself. Whether you realize it or not, your brother casts a pretty big shadow. Look at it from my point of view. Would YOU want a guy that can toss you into the next zip code pissed off at you because he thinks you may have messed with his sister?
Didn’t think so. But as concerning as that thought may be, I gotta get my head on straight and keep this professional. Yeah, I’m not in the running for the Prestige Championship anymore, but the fact that other championships are going to be announced pretty soon means I still have to stay sharp. So, Stella, don’t take it personally when I win at Scion.
Besides, I have to make up for losing that game of MtG to you somehow…
Scene ends as he gets back to his exercise routine.
