"So... I win the title. Lose it the very next week. Why? Because I decided to step away from the only thing that truly matters in my life other than Ann. And she kicked me in the ass and told me just what I was walking away from. She let me know this IS my life, and everything else is secondary. This isn't a game to me. This isn't a hobby or an 'escape'. This is what I live for, breathe for, train and sleep for. Day in, day out, this is what it's all about. And if anyone tries to step in my way of becoming what I'm destined to be?

"I will Rise above them,,,
Leaving them choking on the ashes."

|_-_|

Ophelia is sitting on a window sill, four stories above the ground, right outside his apartment. He takes a drag off a cig, before exhaling into the crisp, night air. He flicks off a few of the ashes, before taking another drag.

"OPHELIA!" Ann hollers from inside. "Where the fuck are you, we need to talk..."

Ophelia flicks the cigarette away, sending it careening to the concrete street below... "I'm out here, babe."

Ann walks over to the window, "You know why you lost that title?"

"Because I told corporate I was taking a hiatus."

"Yeah, again. Either you're in this for the long haul, or you might as well find another career. And this is your calling... it's what you're best at. Sure, you're smart, you could do a lot of other things... but nothing as well as this. You have the passion, the drive, the heart. This is what you were born to do, hun, and if you slack off, I'll have to be the one there, size eight boots on ready to kick your fuckin' ass back into gear."

"I know... Ann, give me a bit of time to myself. I need to focus and think about things a bit..."

"Fine. I'm ordering some Italian food..."

"Get me some ravioli and a bottle of 7-up."

"Cool. See you when you're finished out here. Love you."

"Eternally."

Ann heads off, and Ophelia gazes at the night sky. He smiles a tad... thinking to himself out loud.

"If she only knew how much I truly love her... for pulling me out of that rut I was in for so long... for realizing my potential before I did.... for waking me up. Everyone needs someone to bring them back to life every now and again. Drezdin... I know how it feels, thinking you're ready to step away, but to be brought right back into the fold. Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in. But man... this beats everything and anything out there. There's nothing like the rush of walking out through the curtains, walking that aisle, stepping into the ring and performing. This is the thrill to end all thrills, and once you're in, you're in to stay. You're missing something vital though...

"This isn't just a match. This is a match for the Intercontinental Championship. And anyone who steps into this thing is directly in my crosshairs. I'm not allowing that title to slip through my fingers, not again. It brought me a spotlight I hadn't seen myself beneath since my arrival, and I want it back. And I will have it, regardless of who I have to go through, what I have to do, and when I DO get it back? I'll do whatever I must to keep it around my waist. That IC Title has lost some of the glory it held when it was contested for between Vinny, Trax and Tush. And I intend on bringing that prestige back by defending it every chance I get. I'll cherish it like a child, and never let it go."

Ann calls out from within, the food arriving at the door. "Yo Ophie, Mama Luigi's is here, best Italian food in the neighborhood!!! Come in and chow down!"

Ophelia grins, "Shade... I'll get to you in a bit. Pasta's calling my name."

|_-_|

We find Ophelia shoveling ravioli into his mouth with a spork, while he routinely slurps down a couple gulps of 7-up. Ann chomps down on a spaghetti sub, aka spaghetti, ragu and meatballs stuffed between two halves of sub sandwhich bread. She licks her lips, before taking a sip from a can of Duff Beer. She then burps ala Homer Simpson, and slugs Ophelia on the shoulder.

Ann: I FORGOT!!! We were supposed to go to the video store and pick up that porn parody of Batman vs Superman; "Cat Chick vs Super Dick"!!!

Ophelia: ...!!! Holy anal beads, Ann, I totally forgot. Let's load up into the McVeigh Mobile!!

They rush off, and our scene transitions to the 'McVeigh Mobile' which is a rundown Pinto on its last legs. Sparks fly as it cruises toward the video store. We see a small building with the neon sign; "BlockBlister". Ann and Ophelia head in, Ann wearing an acid wash t-shirt and pair of jeans... Ophelia wears his usual 'RISE' tee, and they both have their faces painted, Ann with a dark blue stripe running from ear to ear, surrounding her eyes... Ophelia has a similar look only with a red stripe instead. Ophie browses the action flicks while Ann peruses the horror section... they eventually drift to the back of the store, where behind a red door rests the pornography section.

"Let's see..." says Ann, "...Trans Formers... Girl Busters: Spooky Sex in San Francisco... Pee Nuts. .... I don't even wanna know what that one's about..."

"HERE IT IS!!!" shouts Ophelia so everyone in the store can hear him. "Let's get it!"

Ann returns with a "Hell yeah!" and the dynamic duo head for the cashier as the scene transitions once again...


{the apartment, 2 and a half hours later}


Ann and Ophelia are laying side by side on their bed, fully clothed, looks of digust on their faces.

Ophelia: Ok... why didn't we know that was a scat flick?

Ann: Better question- why didn't we stop it two hours ago?

Ophelia: I think I may never watch porn again... I hope we don't die in seven days...

Ann: I'm gonna burn that videostore down just so nobody else is infected by this...

|_-_|

We fade into Ophelia's computer screen, to find his blog/diary;

"Dear Diary,

Come Saturday, I'll be stepping into a battlefield with the IC title on the line. The title I lost through no one's fault but my own. I decided to hand in a note of my abscence, because I wanted to focus more on my personal life... when Ann helped me realize something.

This IS my life.

So, I'm fortunate enough to have this open invitation to return to the ring and fight for the belt I once held not too long ago. This is my opportunity to show the world that I'm prepared to be a big name player, a warrior with a fire in my heart and victory on my mind.

Drez, I already addressed you earlier today from the window sill of my humble apartment here in Brooklyn. I'll just say, you're a decent member of the roster. I mean, when we have guys constantly joining then leaving a week later, at least you stick around.

I know this is the place for me now, and I promise you, the other wrestlers, the administration and all of the fans around the world I'll never leave of m own accord. You... you might. But I'm hoping you continue to stick around... you make for a great punching bag. Keep it up, junior.

Now... Shade. Slave to your personal 'Lord', Ghost Tank. GT has somehow found himself champion of my friend Reeve's brand, Anarchy. Now, I could say a lot about him, and how he's simply using you and Abaddon to keep that title as well as the Hart strap, but he's not a part of this, and neiher is Anarchy. Reeve learned that the hard way when he faced GT, and it won't throw me off course.

Shade, I'm not gonna bring anything less than my absolute best to Savage, and even if it is just the three of us, I'll go all out like it was that Gauntlet Warfare we had a few days ago. There's nothing standing between me and the IC title but my own heart.

And it's still beating.
See you soon.

~O.M. "