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OneInTheChamber · (08-12-2016)

August 11, 2016
8pm
Charlotte, North Carolina

The camera pans through downtown Charlotte as the streets start to empty for the evening. Most of the businesses are closing and the few restaurants uptown are still serving dinner, but it being a Thursday night, the crowds are pretty thin. The camera pans down one of the main streets of Charlotte and stops at the entrance of what appears to be a gym. As the door opens, you see about 3 or 4 people inside the gym working out and in the corner is Chris Chambers, looking up at a television watching Robbie Bourbon’s last interview. The camera zooms in to Chris as the turns off the television and begins to speak.

Chris: Well after all that, I don’t even know where to start. Who knew a drunk could be so lyrically inclined? Shout out to you Mr. Bourbon, because that was absolutely magic. But the fact of the matter is this, whether you spit rhymes, or throwing up your latest bottle of Buttershots, you have an alcoholic problem that needs to be fixed, and when you step into the ring with me you better be bringing your best game because I did not show up here just to let some masked hooligan stand in my way of moving forward with my career. Now I appreciate the challenge and the fact that you are stepping up to the plate, but the truth is, I welcome the challenge. And now you having me stepping out of my comfort zone, best two of three falls, and not X-Treme rules, which means talent versus talent, and at this point, all I can do is put in more work and hope for the best. Truly, I am excited to face one of the best in the XWF, but just like the rest, you will be failing the test. I have to move on, I have to push forward, I can’t leave that ring with nothing less than a victory. And I’m slightly concerned about the fact that you are having hallucinations my man. I’ll definitely be praying for you but until then I have work to do.

Chris turns away from the camera and walks over and lays on the bench press. One of his friends, Levi, walks over and spots him and notices that Chris looks a little pissed. Concerned, because that is not the typical Chris, he questions him.

Levi: Chris, you okay man? You look a little upset or mad bro. This doesn’t seem like you man.

Chris: Honestly, I am mad. I thought I could do this the right way, I thought I could be a role model for some of these people in the XWF, but looks like it’s nothing but a mockery and a joke to anyone who sees it. My faith is not a weapon, and I am not a martyr, but people want to act like this is a charade. I’ve come here to face the best, and I’m not like the rest, but all these guys are really pushing me to the limits. All I can do is go do what I know I’m capable of, and it’ll all come out in the wash.

Levi: Yeah man, I understand, but you can’t let them get to you, you are better than this man. Robbie Bourbon is a fucking tool and you do not need to lower yourself to his level.

Chris: Hey now, watch your language. And listen, Robbie may be a drunk and make himself look like an idiot sometimes, but if you look back at his career, he is one of the best that the XWF has ever seen, and it is my privilege to step into the ring with him. Robbie is one of those guys that if you can survive the match and walk away with a victory, it is truly a notch on your belt, a great accomplishment, and I am going to pride myself in that if I can walk away with that win.

Levi: Chris man, I just want you to know that if you somehow don’t win, it doesn’t mean anything, I think your career there is just starting and you know from your past in wrestling and in your mix martial arts fights, sometimes you have to take a loss to grow forward.

Chris: But that’s the problem, I can’t afford to take a loss here. The whole world is looking at me right now, and all this publicity I’m getting, I can’t afford to look like an idiot or fall on my face. If I am going to push forward to a title, I have to do what I know I can do and that is dominate Robbie Bourbon as the first big step in my journey to the X-Treme title. I cannot fail right now, I just can’t.

Levi: Well you know we got your back man, and we’re gonna push you to the limits in here and all we can do is pray that His will be done in all things and that the outcome is for the best, whatever it may be.

Chris: I know, I know, I’m sorry. I have to have more faith than that in Him and in myself. I didn’t get here by doubting, I got here by knowing that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me, and this too will pass. Robbie Bourbon, no matter what it takes, I will be the one walking out of the arena as the victor on Saturday.

Levi: Now that is what I am talking about. Now let’s finish this set and get you out of here. You have to be at the church to deliver the service before you head out to the airport tonight for your flight. So let’s get this last set in and call it a night.

Chris: Ok let’s get it.

Chris hits his last set on the bench press as hard as he can. As he finishes, he gets up and grabs a towel and wipes the sweat from his brow. He walks into the shower and a few minutes later walks out changed and with his gym bag on his shoulder. He waves bye to Levi and walks out the door. He begins his walk back to his apartment. As he gets down the road a good bit, he sees a young black male sitting on the corner on a stool with a guitar strapped to his chest. Chris walks up to him and begins to speak.

Chris: Aye! What’s good Dee?

Dee: Yo! It’s your boy Chris Chambers, chillin man, you know, throwin down like I always do.

Chris: I feel you man. Hey, how about you drop a beat for old time sake and let’s give Robbie Bourbon a little taste of what’s to come.

Dee: Aww shit yeah, I feel you.

Dee begins to drop a beatbox as well as play this guitar. Chris looks up with a stupid grin on his face and begins to flow.

Chris: Come Saturday that boy Robbie Bourbon, you know I’ll be disturbin, laying smack after smack, skill he does lack, it’s my destiny, I do decree, victory, will come to me. Bourbon why don’t go you go vomit, I’m gonna hit you like a plummeting comet. When it’s all said and done, and my victory is won, you gonna wanna cry, and let me explain why, so focus for a minute, if you can try. You think my faith is whack, and my religion you do attack, but after forty-eight bottles of Buttershots, your words are slurred and vision is blurred, you couldn’t possibly fathom His Word. Why can’t you see that is Christ that strengthens me? My faith will be rewarded, don’t get it distorted. When push comes to shove, I’ll be covered in his Love. So rant and rave all you want, it’ll be for naught. Let me leave you with this before I go, victory is mine because I said so. So run your mouth and call me a maggot, but in the end imma drop you like a bad habit.

By now a small crowd had gathered to watch Chris and Dee throw down. They erupt into a panic and start popping Chris on the back and giving him dap. He reaches into his bag and throws a handful of cash into Dee’s bucket and gives him a shake before he starts walking up the road to his apartment. Several people behind him are still taking pictures and posting their videos of it on Twitter and Instagram. As he is about to walk into the entrance of his apartment, he looks back and yells one last thing.

Chris: Don’t forget. Hashtag Rekt!

Chris walks into his apartment complex and walks into the elevator in a hurry. He looks up at a clock and realizes he is behind schedule. As the doors open when he arrives at the top floor, Chris hustles into the door of his loft and throws his gym bag on the table. He grabs his cellphone and tosses it on the charger and begins to strip down before he gets in the shower. He takes a step toward the bathroom and stops in his tracks. He takes a deep breath to try and relax. He walks over and falls to his knees and begins to pray.

Chris: Father, forgive me for I have sinned. I begin to doubt you today, but I know you will overcome all obstacles in my life. I know that I am not perfect, and I am just a human, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that I even doubted you for a second. You have given me all of my hearts desires, and you have provided a way for me even in the darkest of times. I know you have called me to be the light of the XWF, and I am trying, so please be patient with me. I know it is your will for me to be here in the XWF, and if it is your will for me to defeat Robbie Bourbon, then your will be done, and if not, your will be done either way. I will not let a stumbling block stop me from fulfilling the purpose you have called me to. Father, continue to be with me as I travel this road before me, I know it is long and I know it is winding, but I have faith that you will make it straight and narrow for me. Lord be with me as I prepare my message for the congregation tonight, and be with me as I begin to prepare for my travels. Please place a hedge of protection over me and all the athletes that will be traveling for this match this weekend. Father God, thank you for all you are doing and all you will do. Please grant me the clarity to speak the words you would have me speak tonight and have your way on each and every soul in that building. I pray all these things in your name, Amen.

Chris stands up from praying and walks over to a cabinet in the corner and grabs a towel out of it and a washcloth. He walks over and turns his Spotify on his cellphone to his “Christian Bump” channel. NF’s “On Another Level” comes on and Chris starts jumping around the bathroom as he gets in the shower. Chris looks back to the camera and smiles as he closes the door. The camera begins to pan out and as the camera begins to fade out, a glimpse of Chris’ bible notes are shown on the screen and the title says, “The Power of One”. The camera fades to black.

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