I didn't plan this well enough. I thought my skills would return to me quickly and I would immediately find myself treading in water where others happened to be drowning. Except I'm the one drowning. Was I to cocky? Perhaps. Am I under skilled? Perhaps. Should I close up shop right now and put my career out of its inevitable misery? Perhaps.

Do I actually believe any of those things.

*The scene becomes clearer, we are focused on a glass. The usually tinks caused by ice falling in. Then a dark liquid. Followed by the sound of a can opening and a effervescent clear liquid joins with the dark in the glass.*

No. No I don't. I did believe that a version of me could do all the things I said I would. And I thought I arrived as that man. But something was missing. Something I thought I could tap into all on my own.

*A hand wraps around the glass. The camera widens its view and we see 2, taking a slow sip from the glass. He places it down as a loving smile comes across his face.*

This world. This XWF. It isn't a place I can exist as merely "2, maker of art and breaker of bones." That man isn't strong enough to deal with the unique and disturbing beasts that inhabit the land. I need something else. I need a new mindset. A new drive and a goal to reach.

*2 takes a longer drink this time. Emptying the glass. He places back on the table and looks off camera. Is brow furrowed as he points at the glass. Everything repeats until the glass of filled again. 2 wraps his hand around it again.*

I wanted to come here, and play nice. Cause a little pain. Spill a little blood, maybe even pick up a title or two. I used claims of ultra violence and bravado to attempt to scare my way into easier matches. Psyching out my opponents. Beating them mentally first.

But even my words weren't up to par. And thus my actions had no fuel. No fire already ignited to feed off.

And it's time to change that.

*The glass meets his lips again. In two pulls he has it half empty. He places back down on the bar.*

The problem I have is....I don't really have a middle ground. I'm either sober, clean, and focused. Or I'm a flaming ball of destruction. The first version clearly won't be able to hang in this company.

*2 downs the second half of the glass.*

So it's time for the other one.

*2 pulls a pack of smokes out from his inside jacket pocket. He pops it open and throws a cig between his lips. A lighter soon follows from the pack.*

Hey man, you can't smoke in here!

*2 pauses. The lighter inches from the cigarette. His eyes glare at the man who accosted him off camera.*

seriously man. We have a beer garden outside. You can smoke and drink out there. It's that or you are out of here.

*2 scowls. And points at the empty glass with the lightered hand. It becomes refilled. He picks it up and stands from the stool he was occupying.*

Out that way? Those doors by that window?

yes.

*2 nods and starts walking that way. He reaches the doors and takes a step back. He looks back at the bartender. Then to the doors again.*

its op....no!!

*2 downs his drink and then wings the glass right through the large window bear the doors. He smiles, shrugs and walks through the window.*

I have never been a big fan of rules or authority. I've had to force myself to adapt over the years. To fit into the regular world. To keep the friends and family around me happy. But I'm not happy anymore. I'm angry. All the time. Always. But I held it back. Behind the damn. Only letting out small amounts to keep up the lake of skills I was trying to keep honed.

*red and blue lights begin flashing. They are coming closer to the bar down one of the streets. 2 continues walking through the beer garden till he reaches an exit. He lights the Smoke that never left his lips, and heads in the opposite direction of the lights. A small wooded park and a street that leads to some suburbs are in the immediate direction.*

So I've opened the gates. The real 2 has finally arrived at XWF. Not watered down. Not docile.

Free

*The lights have stopped at the local bar. 2 ducks into the small park and beelines for the trees. A sound emanates from his pants pocket. He pulls out his phone. The screen says Amanda. He slides his finger and hits speaker.*

Issue. Where are you?

Out.

Doing?

Stuff.

Are you being good?

No.

Hehehe. You are so cute.

Sure.

*There is an extended silence.*

Wait. Have you been drinking babe?

*2 hangs up the phone on her.*

she always knows.

*His phone starts ringing again. He sends it to voicemail.*

Dedication. I used all I had to create this life. To hang on to the things I care about. Or at least thought I cared about. But people like Bourbinky and Brinded Lancer....they reminded me of what I really care about.

*Again his phone goes off. And again it's sent to voicemail.*

And so it begins.

First this battle royal. Then onto greater tasks. Greater plans. Greater horror!

*2 trips over a tree. He falls. He catches himself barely before clobbering the ground with his face.*

Well......

*offdededed*