"You lost today kid, but that doesn't mean you have to like it."Again, not any nugget of advice from Mom or Dad, but from a movie about a punk kid who grows up to become a whip cracking archaeologist. It's amazing what runs through your head when your body is on the brink of shutting down. In the far distance I hear the clang of the bell and a mixed chorus of cheers and boos.
That's it....I'm finished.
You drop my legs and they spread while bouncing once off the old, canvassed, boards. My arms still out wide while my head lolls side to side. Catching a glimpse of you, I turn to see the ref hold your muscular arm up high, then give you a big, new, shiny belt.
Fuck. That should have been mine, I whine to myself as I watch you grin, then stop just as you prepare to make your big exit.....and bow.
Seems the Masked Primate does have some heart...sort of.
My breathing slows as I start to catch up with it, rolling to my right and propping up on my elbow, my left hand grabbing my battered core and wincing in pain. Your music plays and you make your triumphant exit as I struggle to start slowly rolling towards the ropes.
I finally get there and two hands...two very large hands...grab me and gently slide my off the apron and hoist me up, cradling me close to their barrel chest. A huge man wearing one of the black "SECURITY" shirts I saw earlier starts carrying me away from the ring and towards the locker room. Even with that black baseball cap pulled down low over his eyes, I'd know him anywhere.
"I'm...I'm....sorry...." I gasp, half sobbing as we brush by the rowdy crowd.
"Shhh....it's o.k, Kit-Kat. Can't win 'em all. You gave him your best and that's all you can do."
I nod and lay my sweaty, red misted, cheek against Daddy's chest as we head up the ramp and towards the back.
"You know, Kit-Kat, this reminds me of a match I had over in Tokyo against a female midget tag team where....."
I groan and wonder if it's too late to climb back into the ring......
THE END
(I'd like to echo Red's sentiments in thanking all of you who followed along, commented and sent encouragement. It really means a lot so...Thank You!)
(I'd also like to think Mr. Red Enforcer for not only accepting a rookie's challenge, but for coming up with the idea in the first place. Also, I'd like to thank him for being such a great writing partner. Always a gentleman with a kind word and encouragement and second to none when it comes to wrestling knowledge. It's been an honor and pleasure. Whoever Red takes on next, it's a good bet that The Doll will be there in the front row
)
(Thank you!)