As the flowing tunes emanate from the speakers on the iHome connected to his phone in the corner of the room, LH Harrison is sitting at the coffee table with the young Jason Kane sitting on the floor on the opposite side of the table. Harrison looks down at his cards as they are revealed to be a 7 and 10 of diamonds. The four cards laid out on the table for this Texas Hold’em game are a 3 of spades, a 7 of clubs, a 7 of spades, and a 10 of spades. Jason’s eyes look fierce but occasionally a smirk moves the corner of his mouth as he looks at his two cards of an Ace of spades as well as a Queen of spades. With the full house already in lock for Kane with him having five cards of the same suit, Jason throws down the next card of a 10 of hearts.

Jason smirks as he goes all-in with his flush, pushing all of his remaining chips into the center. LH Harrison looks on with confusion until he meets his demands with a few chips. Jason flips over his cards as he smiles at his new mentor.

Flush, Bi- Mr. Harrison.

Please, call me Henry. Quite a hand you have there, Jason.

The boy smiles and leans back on his hands. Harrison chuckles before laying his down.

Unfortunately, I will be teaching you a lesson in humility today: full house.

The boy’s eyes light up as he slams his hand down on the table and walks over to the corner and yanks the plug out of the phone and throws the phone to the victor of the previous game. Jason sits down on the sofa and brings his knees up to his chest. Harrison exhales a breath of resentment and looks at the young man who is obviously avoiding making eye contact.

Jason.

The boy squeezes his knees tighter to his chest.

Jason?

Once more, the boy ignores him.

Jason!

WHAT?! Leave me alone.

Harrison stands up and walks over to the sofa where Jason is holed up. Harrison pats him on the back gently as Jason shrugs him away. Biting his lip, Harrison tries once more with an unsteady hand. Jason relents this time as he lets Harrison rub his back.

Look, I’m sorry I beat you at cards. But we don’t always win in life. Look at me, there have been losses along the way for me in the XWF. I’ve beaten some of the best and lost to some of the best. Losing isn’t what defines you, Jason. It’s how you overcome loss and move onwards. I started my journey in the XWF with a primarily losing record. I fought some of the greatest the business has to offer in ‘Loverboy’ Vinnie Lane, Gator, Doctor D’Ville, and Theo Pryce. I would always have foes of great challenge. But lately, I’ve been distracted. Distracted with an agenda to take control of the XWF and well…

Harrison smirks as he continues to pat Jason’s back.

We did it. The Higher Power. The Asylum. We took over the XWF and it was great and it was awesome and it was… boring. Quite frankly. But I’m straying. What I’m trying to say is that anything worth achieving is only achieved through failure. Failure leads to learning and learning leads to developing skills and that leads to being successful. Losing is the first step. Look at Calypso. He's going to be a much better man after I dismantle him on Wednesday. Even if that referee tries to stick his nose in my business.

It’s not that…

I’m sorry?

I didn’t care that I lost.

Taken aback, Harrison removes his hand as the young boy turns around. He has an unusual expression upon his face that seems to be harboring… resentment? Jason sighs before bringing a hand to scratch the back of his own neck.

The guys and I used to play cards in The Black Mambas. Whenever I’d win, they’d reward me with things. Usually meals for the day or candy or whatever they had. Whenever I’d lose, they’d… beat me. So I guess playing cards just made me remember bad times…

LH hugs the little guy and rubs his back as the child begins to cry on his shoulder. As the tears stain his shirt, LH begins to remember. He begins to reflect upon his children. Regret and fear fill him. What if he isn’t able to raise this child? What if he fails this child as he failed his others? These thoughts of guilt fill him.

But Henry? What about your opponent this week? Are you worried about him?

LH is broken from his trance and laughs. He shakes his head at the young boy.

I’m always at least slightly worried about my opposition. I never take them lightly. However, if there were ever a case to, Calypso would definitely be that exception. Look at him. He looks like a middle-aged man going through a mid-life crisis!

The little guy laughs at this and nods in agreement.

He does! He’s got balding hair and joined on a dare. Like a few of his buddies got together, got drunk, and dared him to join.

You’re right! Just look at his record. 1-0? Against Ghost Tank? Wow. Talk about really stretching your limits there. I’m sure the entire roster could have a record of 1-0 if Ghost Tank was the only opposition but hey… LH moves his hands in front of his face mystically at least he’s super cool. Super hip!

LH Harrison gets serious before standing up and walking over to the back of the chair.

Calypso, you may wave your hands in front of your face and say all the cryptic and ‘witty’ things you want. The simple fact of the matter is that when it comes down to me and you in that ring? I’m going to destroy you. I’m going to systematically do to you what anyone would do to you if you bothered to step into the ring with them. You’re not in my league Calypso. You’re not in anyone’s league except that Ghost Tank buffoon. Which I would call the saddest joke to enter the confides of the XWF ring except here you stand. Proclaiming yourself something about above average when, in truth, you’re nothing. Nothing worth remarking on. So I’m done. See ya Wednesday, chump.