It Takes More Than It Gives - Printable Version
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It Takes More Than It Gives (/showthread.php?tid=34376)
It Takes More Than It Gives - Ned Kaye - 08-13-2019
August 13, 2019
Ned Kaye was a man of keen mind
Yet his plans and desires would decline
His tide soon came in
As he stacked up on wins
With more baggage than a commercial airline
Yet his plans and desires would decline
His tide soon came in
As he stacked up on wins
With more baggage than a commercial airline
-------------------
The shot opens on a cloudy, grey sky, bits of sunlight peaking through. A small group of people stand around an open grave site, the service appearing to have just ended. A tombstone is seen as the camera pans over the scene.
DAVID KAYE
1972 - 2019
1972 - 2019
Standing in a row, fashioned in dark suits, is the APEX Prophecy. Ned stands at the end of their row, visibly torn up on the inside, slight stains from tears below his eyes. Doing his best to collect himself, he turns to them and forces out a quick sentence.
"Thank y'all for coming down here on such short notice."
James pats Ned on the back lightly.
"No need to thank us, Ned."
"You guys gonna stay for the get together at my parents' house? I get it if you're all too busy."
Everyone collectively shrugs a confirmation.
"Yeah, we can do that for ya, kid."
"Thanks... thanks a lot, guys."
Ned smiles a bit, looking more content than earlier.
-------------------
The scene cuts to a small crowd within the home of Kaye's parents. Ned is sitting in his father's chair, hands pressed together, staring at his feet. Ethan walks up to him, two glass of lemonade in his hands. He clears his throat to get Kaye's attention. Ned looks up, accepting on the the glasses as Ethan places it into his hand. The two take a swig, sharing a moment of contemplation.
"So, are you gonna be okay, man? If we need to get you a support group or anything, we can."
"I'll be alright, Ethan. I promise."
"Ned... look, I know you took that sip of moonshine from Rob a week or two back. I just need to make sure your vices don't get enabled again..."
Ned shakes his head.
"I wasn't trying to endulge myself there, Ethan. I just-"
Ned pauses for a moment, attempting to find the words.
"I wanted to prove my power over it. The first things they do in AA is make you admit powerless over it. I just didn't want to admit that. I still don't."
"...Have you drank since?"
"No. I don't intend to, either."
They both stir somewhat awkwardly, a silence growing between them.
"So... I saw that Cent showed up."
"Of course he did. Centurion's a great guy, he just has his own obligations and everything."
"...I really wish he could've made it to the poker game. Dad would've been real tickled by that."
The Notorious One's breathing gets sharp, obviously fighting back a few tears.
"Y'know, I just wish I had a little more time..."
Ethan steps to Ned's side, doing his best to console.
"Hey, man. It's gonna be alright. How about we go socialize a little bit, okay?"
Nodding, Ned begins to walk with Ethan over to a more populated area of the house, passing by Drew talking to Ned's mother.
"Have they been talking all day?"
Ethan shrugs.
"I mean, I've seen them together a lot. I don't think he means to try anything, man. He's Drew. A little goofy from time to time, but he's not an idiot."
"Can you at least keep an eye on him in case he's trying to flirt?"
"Sure, man. I'll do what I can."
Ethan chuckles, leaving Ned to check up on Mrs. Kaye. Ned looks around, finding Robert, sitting with a shot glass in hand at the dining table.
'Hey, kid. Are you doing a bit better?"
"Yeah, yeah. It's just gonna be difficult for a bit. These things get easier with time, so I know I just need to keep on trucking."
"Glad to hear it. I was a bit worried you'd step away for a while. You tend to be pretty gun-shy when you get emotional."
"I guess that's one way of putting it. I'm at least trying nowadays, so I'm not getting completely steamrolled when the going gets tough."
Robert nods, pouring himself a shot of rum.
"You want some, Ned?"
Ned stares at the bottle for a passing moment.
"No thanks. I'll be alright."
Robert tilts his head as if to say, "Whatever," before downing his shot. Ned, feeling a bit anxious around the alcohol excuses himself, looking for someone to talk with. Suddenly, passing by a group huddled around the kitchen counter, he bumps into Centurion, spilling Cent's drink.
"Oh, man. I'm so sorry..."
Ned immediately grabs some paper towels, handing them to Cent.
"You're fine, Ned, it's been a stressful week for you, as I understand. You'll have to cover the dry cleaning bill, if you don't mind, though."
"Sure. Certainly."
"I was joking. Well, halfway, but still. Don't worry about it."
Ned laughs a tad, relaxing a bit.
"Y'know, Cent, I'm really glad I'm facing you this upcoming Warfare."
Cent gives his trademark smile, narrowing his eyes a tad.
"Have Robert's... frustrations about my tag team partner trickled down to you?"
"Oh..? Oh, no, no, no! I-uh... Dad was a pretty big fan of yours. Plus, I trust you to give me a challenge without trying to kill me or be underhanded. It feels nice to know I'll get a good clean match."
"A fan, really?"
"Yeah... it's how I got into the XWF, fan-wise."
Centurion chuckles, looking a tad confused.
"Forgive me, what?"
"I-uh..."
Ned exhales loudly, looking a bit taken embarrassed.
"I started out as a Centurion fan before being a pro wrestler."
-------------------
Ned sits on a chair, beneath the cloud covered sky, rays of sunlight seeping through, illuminating the area around him. He has a somber expression on his face, arms at his sides as he leans into the chair.
"This business is an interesting beast. You devote your life to it. You hurl yourself at opportunity and danger and you see what happens after. And though it can be the most rewarding job on the planet, it takes more than it gives. Always. You have to be willing to give it all or this business will only ever be tears and bruises for you."
"I didn't get to spend as much time with my father as I would've liked and I got to spend even less due to work, but I can honestly say at the end of the day, he supported me all the way through and I made certain to be there by his side for as long as I could. And I'll have to be at peace with that. But I know this is a match he would've loved to see and I'm glad he at least got to see Cent and I in the ring before he passed."
Ned catches himself before he can get more emotional, reflecting on his father.
"Some people might think that this is the sort of situation APEX Prophecy has been waiting for. An easy way for two wrestlers to go in there and just throw the match to preserve health and effort. But just because we didn't plan on facing each other, doesn't mean one of us is going to lay down like Kevin Nash. Centurion would never want me at any less than my best and I feel exactly the same."
"Centurion has been a part of the beginning of my wrestling journey both in and out of the XWF. I still remember watching some of those old matches with my dad. Staring at the TV and wondering what it takes to do this. What it takes to go week in, week out and put your ass on the line."
"It takes almost everything. And I get that now. But I've no regrets."
"I know for a fact many expected me to be another smiling head on the roster. Another guy just "happy to be here." "Proud I could make it to the big leagues." I like to think I shattered those thoughts when I accepted Main's challenge months ago. I never joined this business to be passable. Or average. I came to be amongst the best. And if the hero of my childhood can stand there and respect me eye to eye; man to man."
Ned nods, smiling as a few tears drip down his cheeks.
"Then I know I'm closer than I ever could've hoped."