The Summit Gym

Inside its empty. The lights are mostly off except for in one area. In that area is the heavy bag and a man, covered in sweat, working on it. This man is Tucker G. Alston.  He continues to work the bag for several moments and finally stops. He turns and slowly takes off each glove.

Tucker G. Alston:
You’ve awoken a monster Chance.

I don’t take failure lightly. I don’t taking losing lightly. Especially when I’m cheated out of a victory, out of success. First it was a chop to the neck, then it was the pull of the tights, the feet on the ropes. Anything you could have tried to steal a victory, you went out there and you did it.

But it’s not just that. You get under my skin. You go out and do the most heinous things imaginable and the hicks and hillbillies eat it up. You run around acting like you’re the best in the world, when all you’ve done is win a couple of matches, cheating and stealing every step of the way.

You’re the epitome of what is wrong with this country. You are everything that people like me hate. You are a waste, a leech on society. And yet you are praised everywhere you go. And you eat it up. You let it get to your empty head and you act like you’ve held that title for years.

You are not worthy of being a champion. You’re not worthy of being someone people look up to. You’re a piece of redneck shit and I’m sick of it. I’m sick of your games, of your attitude. I’m sick of the way you walk around acting like a hick god to the people that come to every DEFIANCE show.

And it ends now.

I’m gunning for you Chance. I’m coming for you and I’m not stopping until that title is no longer around your waist, your last tooth is no longer in your mouth. I’m coming for you Chance. I’m coming to ruin your fucking life, you little piece of sh…

The loud clank of the gym door is heard, quickly followed by the screech of it opening. The light from outside shines into the doorway and a small figure appears, running into the gym without abandon.

Little Girl:
DADDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

The little girl, no older than four, comes flying into the gym. Dressed in a white flower print dress, she comes blazing across the gym floor and dives for the sweaty Tucker, who catches her in his arms and swings her around.

Tucker G. Alston:
There’s my little girl. How I’ve missed you.

Tucker starts attacking her with kisses as he swings her around once more before putting her back down on the mat.

Abigail Alston:
Daddy, can we go to the zoo tomorrow? I wanna see the monkeys, and the penguins, and the…

Tucker G. Alston:
Of course Abby. We can do whatever you want.

The little girl’s lights up, her eyes wide at the possibilities.

Abigail Alston:
So we can go get ice cream when we leave here?

Tucker G. Alston:
Haha. We’ll see sweetie.

He looks up to see that his ex-wife has finally made it across the gym. She is holding Abigail’s small bag and extends it out to Tucker with a, well less than pleasant look on her face. The two share an inaudible moment and conversation.

Tucker G. Alston:
Abby. Sweetie. Go with mommy for a minute. I have to finish something up and then we can go get some ice cream. Ok?

Abigail cheers and gives her dad another hug. She then turns and walks over to her mother, who has already started walking away.

Ex-Wife:
Abigail, please don’t touch anything. It’s very dirty.

Tucker watches the two walk away. The sweat is no longer the only thing sliding down his face.  He quickly wipes his face with his arm and composes himself a bit.

Tucker G. Alston:
Chance. You bring out the worst in me, and that’s somewhere I’m not yet prepared to go. But when I do, you will experience a hell that no man has ever imagined. Make my words, I will end you.

But that right there. My little girl. That is why I am here. I am here to make sure she gets the best life possible.  And that comes from the success I need to have here while I’m in DEFIANCE. That is my focus. That is my goal. To make her life better.

And that brings me to my next match. Against Sam Turner Junior. The only man that stands in the way between me and Chance.

Sam, we’ve met before. You were my first match here in DEFIANCE. You were the first taste of this sport that I had, and I loved every minute of it. And for that, I thank you. But now, this match is more important. This isn’t just some guy’s debut verses some jobber. This isn’t just some pre-show match that almost no one saw. I mean, I never watched Retaliation, with its bad editing and production value, I wouldn’t be surprised if no one watched our first match, and that includes my closest friends and family.

No, this match is important. There is something on the line in this match. A shot at Chance Von Crank and the Southern Heritage championship, assuming Chance doesn’t finally get what he deserves from Walker.

Because this match is more important, I’m prepared to see your very best, and not what you gave me in our first match. I expect this match to be much harder, and I’m training for exactly that. I’m not going to be able to just walk into that ring, put on a good show and walk away the victor. No, it’s going to take a lot more hard work. It’s going to take cunning. And I’m preparing for that.

And if you think that you’re going to be able to go into the ring and know everything about me; that you’re going to know my next move before I do, well then you’d be wrong. Since our last match, I’ve learned a lot more about this sport. I’ve learned new moves. I’m more experienced. I’m better prepared.

I’ll be ready for you Turner. I’ll be ready to put on a good show and just like our first match, I’m going to walk out of that ring as the champion. And one step closer to my revenge with Chance, and that Southern Heritage championship.

Remember Sam…. Failure is not an option.

Tucker holds the stare for a moment and then stops and looks down. He finds a towel and throws it over his shoulder and turns around towards where his daughter and ex-wife are waiting.

Tucker G. Alston:
Now who wants ice cream?

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