Post by Linus Stark on Nov 12, 2016 17:23:58 GMT -5
The sound of dripping water plunks in the water every 8 seconds as a wiry gentlemen leans against the bathtub. His hands on his head, he cringes at each drop. His t-shirt drenched and brown, looking as if he has been under that sink for hours. Tools between his legs, his frustration mounts. He can’t find the piece he’s looking for and the water ends up leaking under the sink from the loose handle.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
If only he could control all the pipes in the house with an app on his phone, this problem would be solved. If only plumbing were as easy as running electrical wire. Linus Stark plied his trade as an electrician for 15 years...up until a few weeks ago that is.
Times are hard. The company can’t afford to keep so many on board. Stark never took a sick day and never missed work. Spotless reviews. Well kept. Tidy...Those are things that already changed. His once well groomed beard was now being able to “breath” freely and the hair on the top of his head gone. The family dog’s groom sheers were utilized in this endeavor to remove the hair that had always been fixed so perfectly.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
His dirty hands smudged over his face and made streaks on his forehead and scalp as he pushed his hands over his head. The dark circles under his eyes beshowed a lack of sleep. Money was coming in very slowly as he took freelance jobs via Facebook. The bills were barely getting taken care of, but he was doing his best. He had some hope, but didn’t know if anything would come of it. He signed a contract to fight, but no cards had been set up. As a lifelong wrestling fan, it was exciting to sign a contract with Code Red Wrestling, but he didn’t even know if he would ever get to fight. He signed the contract in a daze. Having just been fired, a well dressed man in an arena who claimed to remember him offered him a contract and an opportunity.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
A good looking contract didn’t put food on the table. A good looking contract didn’t pay for the kids lunch at school. A good looking contract didn’t guarantee him a future and that was what he was looking down the barrel of...what was left? He’d been a model employee that went out of his way to save people money. He hated bullies and refused to be one in his dealings with people. Others were dishonest and ended up getting caught. No one escaped that. But Linus Stark would never have to worry about the world crashing down on him, right?
Work hard. Live right. Good things happen, right? Take care of the little man and the world takes care of you, right?
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
Linus Stark realized he had no more control over life than he did over the pipes that refused to seal a leak. Each drop was a reminder of his inadequacy. He had felt this way before. As a child. He was made fun of for his long skinny nose and his hollowed, large eyes. Because of that he learned to fight. He took the beatings in stride and tried to be above them, but the tide turned as he slowly learned to defend himself. A rage filled his belly when he saw others bullying the weak. He hated that feeling and he hated the feeling he had at that moment. The feeling of helplessness.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
*RINNNNGGGGGGGG* Stark looks at his cell phone. Bland. Just a ringing phone for a ring tone. The magic he could make with a smart phone and he went with a basic ring tone...nothing showy. He pushes the green answer button and puts the phone to his ear.
Linus Stark: Hello?....This is Linus Stark...Yes….Yes, I remember signing that...November 19?...My schedule is clear...John Thomas?...Okay, I’ll be there...What should I wear?...That sounds an awful lot like underwear...Can I wear something else?...Okay, I can do that. I’d be more comfortable that way...Yes, I give you my word I’ll be there and I’ll be ready to fight...How much will I be making for this fight?....Really? That sounds fair...That’s if I lose?...Well, how much if I win?...Oh, okay...No, that’s a nice amount of money, I won’t argue with you there...Well, I thank you for this opportunity...Good bye.
The former electrician hit the big read button terminating the phone call and leaned his head back. His eyes wide. The money he was offered even for losing would take care of his family. He would have to face a man named John Thomas...a man he knew nothing about...but that didn’t matter, he could be a giant or a flier guy either way he was going to fight.
*BING*
A text message broke up the noise
“LINUS STARK, AT 4:00 A.M. YOU ARE TO BE AT PAX-TV WPXN-TV 31, HELL’S KITCHEN, CHELSEA, MIDTOWN WEST. YOU WILL BE INTERVIEWED ON AIR AT 5:00 A.M. REPLY TO CONFIRM*
Linus replied and sat back and looked at the sink...he may have a new lease on life, but he’d better get this sink to stop dripping. He crawled to his knees and moved his toolbox...and under it were the seal washers he’d needed. It was easier now, he unscrewed the top of the hot water handle. Removed the packing nut, stem and o-ring, and replaced the seat washer. He put it on, put back the o-ring, stem, packing nut and the handle back on top, turned in the brass screw and twisted...the dripping stopped.
His head was clear again….
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Linus Stark showed up in his jeans and a plain black t-shirt. He didn’t know how he was supposed to dress.
Guard: Name.
Linus Stark: My name is Linus Stark, I’m supposed to be on the morning show.
The guard looks him up and down and let him in. A frenzied woman runs up.
Producer: Are you Linus Stark?
Linus Stark: Uhh, yes.
Producer: HURRY! COME WITH ME!!!! I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE EARLY!
Linus follows her and is lead directly on the set. He overheard people talking about the gluten free dog food chef and the professional clown not showing up, so he was moved forward.
Director: We are live in 3...2...1…
Music runs as the cameras move into place. Off stage Linus can see a giant monitor with host Samantha Davis’s face as she begins to talk.
Samantha Davis: We are back live on Good Morning, New York, our guest at this time is Lewis Stark.
Linus Stark: That’s Linus.
Samantha Davis: Okay, we’re glad you are on the show today. Famous wrestling promotion Code Red Wrestling is returning and you just signed with the promotion, how did you get started in wrestling? We’ve had wrestlers here in the past. Lewis, what is your biggest accomplishment?
Stark doesn’t even try to correct her.
Linus Stark: I’ve actually never had a match...now, I've had plenty of fights, but never a real match.
Samantha Davis: ...I guess that’s why we haven’t been able to find any footage of you. Who are you facing on...November...19th?
She is trying to read from her card and having trouble.
Linus Stark: I’m facing a man named John Thomas.
Samantha leans in expecting more, but Linus doesn’t have anything else to give.
Samantha Davis: Do you know who John Thomas is?
Linus Stark: I’m sorry I don’t. I’m just ready to fight.
Samantha Davis: John Thomas is the former Gravediodger.
Linus’s abnormally large eyes jut open.
Linus Stark: I’m facing Gravedigger?
Samantha Davis: Yes, we found some footage via YouTube of Gravedigger in action.
A highlight reel shows big moves of Gravedigger on competitors like Michael Dredge, Diego de la Vega and Brandon Garcia. Matchees with Rex Evans and Eddie Phoenix and power moves with his partner Buck Dempsy and then turning on Dempsy. The reel closes out with Gravedigger holding up the Prime Time Title after each of his victories for the belt...3 times.
The camera pans back to Linus Stark with a dropped jaw.
Samantha Davis: Are you ready to face off with him?
Linus Stark: I’m ready to face anyone. I don’t care about their size or experience. It’s daunting to be facing a legend like Gravedigger...or John Thomas, whatever he’s going by. But I’m going to fight my hardest. I'm not one to be pushed around or let someone else get pushed around. That makes me angry. We have a society that wants to push people over the ledge unless they act a certain way. I'm going to fight to stop that.
He looks at the screen and back to Samantha a few times. Samantha continues to look at him expecting more. After a few awkward seconds she realizes that she isn’t going to get any juicy trash talking. She sneers her nose a bit and looks back at the camera.
Samantha Davis: November 19th, joing the rejuvenated Code Red Wrestling at the Wilkinson Corporation Arena in the Bronx...Thanks for coming in this morning, Lewis. Next, we are going to talk about America’s love of corndogs!
She keeps fake smile on until the director yells break and it falls. She wreaks of someone who doesn’t realize she’s working for a low end TV station and her show is at 4 in the morning. She storms off the stage complaining about having wrestlers back on HER show. Linus knows he’s going to have to project who he is better on TV in the future...at least the first time is out of the way.
Linus is lead out of studio and to the door he came in on and told thank you.
It’s still dark outside and he walks out passing people. He stops at a vender on the corner.
Linus Stark: Medium Coffee.
He hands the barista a few crumpled dollars from his pocket and the man hands him a coffee barely acknowledging him.
------------------------------------
It wasn’t just that the man at the coffee cart didn’t acknowledge him, it was that there were many people who are just trying to make their way in the world. There were others who lost their jobs. Others who struggled with paying the bills. Others who had trouble fixing a leaky sink. There wasn’t anything outright special about Linus. He knew this. This Code Red Wrestling contract could change his life completely.
He will be entering into the ring with one of the toughest men in the world. Gravedigger or John Thomas, whatever he wants to go by, is a monster. A true beat of nature. He has left a path of carnage and will try to do the same to his rookie opponent.
Linus has mouths to feed.
He isn’t fighting for himself. He’s fighting for his family. In another way, he’s fighting for the unnoticed. The guy who isn’t acknowledged. The guy who is a ham and egger and done his job to help keep the world turning.
Linus will fight for him. Fight for everyone. He needed someone to believe in...Linus Stark will do what most can’t. He’s going to go out and hit the giant in the mouth. He’s going to hit all bullies in the mouth.
Linus Stark has put provisions in place to ensure he stops the bullying. He’s not the clean cut employee anymore. Things will change and he will be the one who helps change the environment. He has a voice and he will use it.
He may not have the broadest of shoulders, but he will carry what he can...into his fight with John Thomas.
Linus Stark is a Joe Everyman, but Joe Everyman is going to live through Linus Stark.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
If only he could control all the pipes in the house with an app on his phone, this problem would be solved. If only plumbing were as easy as running electrical wire. Linus Stark plied his trade as an electrician for 15 years...up until a few weeks ago that is.
Times are hard. The company can’t afford to keep so many on board. Stark never took a sick day and never missed work. Spotless reviews. Well kept. Tidy...Those are things that already changed. His once well groomed beard was now being able to “breath” freely and the hair on the top of his head gone. The family dog’s groom sheers were utilized in this endeavor to remove the hair that had always been fixed so perfectly.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
His dirty hands smudged over his face and made streaks on his forehead and scalp as he pushed his hands over his head. The dark circles under his eyes beshowed a lack of sleep. Money was coming in very slowly as he took freelance jobs via Facebook. The bills were barely getting taken care of, but he was doing his best. He had some hope, but didn’t know if anything would come of it. He signed a contract to fight, but no cards had been set up. As a lifelong wrestling fan, it was exciting to sign a contract with Code Red Wrestling, but he didn’t even know if he would ever get to fight. He signed the contract in a daze. Having just been fired, a well dressed man in an arena who claimed to remember him offered him a contract and an opportunity.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
A good looking contract didn’t put food on the table. A good looking contract didn’t pay for the kids lunch at school. A good looking contract didn’t guarantee him a future and that was what he was looking down the barrel of...what was left? He’d been a model employee that went out of his way to save people money. He hated bullies and refused to be one in his dealings with people. Others were dishonest and ended up getting caught. No one escaped that. But Linus Stark would never have to worry about the world crashing down on him, right?
Work hard. Live right. Good things happen, right? Take care of the little man and the world takes care of you, right?
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
Linus Stark realized he had no more control over life than he did over the pipes that refused to seal a leak. Each drop was a reminder of his inadequacy. He had felt this way before. As a child. He was made fun of for his long skinny nose and his hollowed, large eyes. Because of that he learned to fight. He took the beatings in stride and tried to be above them, but the tide turned as he slowly learned to defend himself. A rage filled his belly when he saw others bullying the weak. He hated that feeling and he hated the feeling he had at that moment. The feeling of helplessness.
Drip
Drip
Drip
Drip
*RINNNNGGGGGGGG* Stark looks at his cell phone. Bland. Just a ringing phone for a ring tone. The magic he could make with a smart phone and he went with a basic ring tone...nothing showy. He pushes the green answer button and puts the phone to his ear.
Linus Stark: Hello?....This is Linus Stark...Yes….Yes, I remember signing that...November 19?...My schedule is clear...John Thomas?...Okay, I’ll be there...What should I wear?...That sounds an awful lot like underwear...Can I wear something else?...Okay, I can do that. I’d be more comfortable that way...Yes, I give you my word I’ll be there and I’ll be ready to fight...How much will I be making for this fight?....Really? That sounds fair...That’s if I lose?...Well, how much if I win?...Oh, okay...No, that’s a nice amount of money, I won’t argue with you there...Well, I thank you for this opportunity...Good bye.
The former electrician hit the big read button terminating the phone call and leaned his head back. His eyes wide. The money he was offered even for losing would take care of his family. He would have to face a man named John Thomas...a man he knew nothing about...but that didn’t matter, he could be a giant or a flier guy either way he was going to fight.
*BING*
A text message broke up the noise
“LINUS STARK, AT 4:00 A.M. YOU ARE TO BE AT PAX-TV WPXN-TV 31, HELL’S KITCHEN, CHELSEA, MIDTOWN WEST. YOU WILL BE INTERVIEWED ON AIR AT 5:00 A.M. REPLY TO CONFIRM*
Linus replied and sat back and looked at the sink...he may have a new lease on life, but he’d better get this sink to stop dripping. He crawled to his knees and moved his toolbox...and under it were the seal washers he’d needed. It was easier now, he unscrewed the top of the hot water handle. Removed the packing nut, stem and o-ring, and replaced the seat washer. He put it on, put back the o-ring, stem, packing nut and the handle back on top, turned in the brass screw and twisted...the dripping stopped.
His head was clear again….
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Linus Stark showed up in his jeans and a plain black t-shirt. He didn’t know how he was supposed to dress.
Guard: Name.
Linus Stark: My name is Linus Stark, I’m supposed to be on the morning show.
The guard looks him up and down and let him in. A frenzied woman runs up.
Producer: Are you Linus Stark?
Linus Stark: Uhh, yes.
Producer: HURRY! COME WITH ME!!!! I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE EARLY!
Linus follows her and is lead directly on the set. He overheard people talking about the gluten free dog food chef and the professional clown not showing up, so he was moved forward.
Director: We are live in 3...2...1…
Music runs as the cameras move into place. Off stage Linus can see a giant monitor with host Samantha Davis’s face as she begins to talk.
Samantha Davis: We are back live on Good Morning, New York, our guest at this time is Lewis Stark.
Linus Stark: That’s Linus.
Samantha Davis: Okay, we’re glad you are on the show today. Famous wrestling promotion Code Red Wrestling is returning and you just signed with the promotion, how did you get started in wrestling? We’ve had wrestlers here in the past. Lewis, what is your biggest accomplishment?
Stark doesn’t even try to correct her.
Linus Stark: I’ve actually never had a match...now, I've had plenty of fights, but never a real match.
Samantha Davis: ...I guess that’s why we haven’t been able to find any footage of you. Who are you facing on...November...19th?
She is trying to read from her card and having trouble.
Linus Stark: I’m facing a man named John Thomas.
Samantha leans in expecting more, but Linus doesn’t have anything else to give.
Samantha Davis: Do you know who John Thomas is?
Linus Stark: I’m sorry I don’t. I’m just ready to fight.
Samantha Davis: John Thomas is the former Gravediodger.
Linus’s abnormally large eyes jut open.
Linus Stark: I’m facing Gravedigger?
Samantha Davis: Yes, we found some footage via YouTube of Gravedigger in action.
A highlight reel shows big moves of Gravedigger on competitors like Michael Dredge, Diego de la Vega and Brandon Garcia. Matchees with Rex Evans and Eddie Phoenix and power moves with his partner Buck Dempsy and then turning on Dempsy. The reel closes out with Gravedigger holding up the Prime Time Title after each of his victories for the belt...3 times.
The camera pans back to Linus Stark with a dropped jaw.
Samantha Davis: Are you ready to face off with him?
Linus Stark: I’m ready to face anyone. I don’t care about their size or experience. It’s daunting to be facing a legend like Gravedigger...or John Thomas, whatever he’s going by. But I’m going to fight my hardest. I'm not one to be pushed around or let someone else get pushed around. That makes me angry. We have a society that wants to push people over the ledge unless they act a certain way. I'm going to fight to stop that.
He looks at the screen and back to Samantha a few times. Samantha continues to look at him expecting more. After a few awkward seconds she realizes that she isn’t going to get any juicy trash talking. She sneers her nose a bit and looks back at the camera.
Samantha Davis: November 19th, joing the rejuvenated Code Red Wrestling at the Wilkinson Corporation Arena in the Bronx...Thanks for coming in this morning, Lewis. Next, we are going to talk about America’s love of corndogs!
She keeps fake smile on until the director yells break and it falls. She wreaks of someone who doesn’t realize she’s working for a low end TV station and her show is at 4 in the morning. She storms off the stage complaining about having wrestlers back on HER show. Linus knows he’s going to have to project who he is better on TV in the future...at least the first time is out of the way.
Linus is lead out of studio and to the door he came in on and told thank you.
It’s still dark outside and he walks out passing people. He stops at a vender on the corner.
Linus Stark: Medium Coffee.
He hands the barista a few crumpled dollars from his pocket and the man hands him a coffee barely acknowledging him.
------------------------------------
It wasn’t just that the man at the coffee cart didn’t acknowledge him, it was that there were many people who are just trying to make their way in the world. There were others who lost their jobs. Others who struggled with paying the bills. Others who had trouble fixing a leaky sink. There wasn’t anything outright special about Linus. He knew this. This Code Red Wrestling contract could change his life completely.
He will be entering into the ring with one of the toughest men in the world. Gravedigger or John Thomas, whatever he wants to go by, is a monster. A true beat of nature. He has left a path of carnage and will try to do the same to his rookie opponent.
Linus has mouths to feed.
He isn’t fighting for himself. He’s fighting for his family. In another way, he’s fighting for the unnoticed. The guy who isn’t acknowledged. The guy who is a ham and egger and done his job to help keep the world turning.
Linus will fight for him. Fight for everyone. He needed someone to believe in...Linus Stark will do what most can’t. He’s going to go out and hit the giant in the mouth. He’s going to hit all bullies in the mouth.
Linus Stark has put provisions in place to ensure he stops the bullying. He’s not the clean cut employee anymore. Things will change and he will be the one who helps change the environment. He has a voice and he will use it.
He may not have the broadest of shoulders, but he will carry what he can...into his fight with John Thomas.
Linus Stark is a Joe Everyman, but Joe Everyman is going to live through Linus Stark.