Post by The Swan Song, Kai Atticus. on Dec 12, 2017 15:12:54 GMT -8
“I find under-performing to be something of a comfort zone. Under-performers have always had an answer to every doubt the superiors might’ve had for them. How could they expect more of them, right?”
A man with black hair and a relatively small frame walks in a gym clearly dedicated to the teachings of wrestling.
“That was my thought process ever since I graduated this wrestling school here in Detroit. Show up, have the match and get paid. The results often didn’t matter much for the pay, and often times I walked to the back engulfed by cheers from audience members who returned time and time again. The hometown fans, the usual people, the regulars.”
The individual sits down by a bench near the ring. As we zoom out we see he is almost entirely ready in ring gear except for his jacket and the lack of his boots, which seems to be what he’s putting on as he speaks.
“I should start with my name. I’m Kai Atticus, nowadays referred to as the Swan Song of professional wrestling. It’s a bold nickname I’ve received from the locals but with good reason. Everyone in my little suburban community in Detroit knows my family. We used to organize the social events for those who wanted to be a part. I was always referred to by everyone as ‘tinycus’, because I was smaller than my brother. My brother was always one of the biggest inspirations for me to pursue wrestling despite my stature or the image of a geek who just liked his games and comics. He’s a wheelchair bound former star quarterback. One wrong hit on the head paralyzed him from the waist down. But he never gave up on seeing the positive in life and happiness. Doing what he wanted to do. So I did what I wanted to do. Be a hero like those big wrestlers. Be a hero like my brother. I became a wrestler.”
Kai pauses for a moment to stomp on the floor in one boot, shoving the boot into the right, comfortable position.
“My parents never approved but I didn’t care. Dropped out of college, started wrestling in the local indy scene.”
While he laces the single boot up he smiles and shakes his head.
“I lost thirty-two matches in a row. Then I picked up a win by disqualification. And losses continued. But I fought. I just never endured. Whenever I had a setback, I sat my butt down and took it. I never fought back. It paid the bills though, like I said earlier. Every time after a show I visited my grandfather. He’d tell me ‘Get ‘em next time, sport.’ and tell me endless stories of how he got his honors in the war, and how I was when I was younger. Which war it was kept changing, obviously. But he supported my every decision in wrestling. Cheered me when I chose to fall down.”
The earlier stomp is repeated with the other boot now, as the other one has to be laced up. But Kai pauses, and sighs.
“Then, one day… My old man texts me before a match. A heart attack took my grandfather, like it did my grandmother. I was shocked, heartbroken. Frustrated, furious, destroyed. All the words. And just as I wanted to inform the promoter I get told that it’s my time. I had to go out there. My legs moved on their own from there on out. It was another squash match. But I felt different. I was furious. I fought back. I kept getting back up. I kept hitting back, getting up, kept fall down, kicking out. I refused to let this man beat me and I landed my finishing move. I pinned the star of our roster. One, two, three. Center of the ring, arm raised. Victory. But as my arm was raised I didn’t even bother changing out of my ring gear. You can imagine the rest of it.”
A smile curls on the face of Kai as he looks off to the side.
“With him watching over me I began training harder. I had saved up enough money to be able to lay low for a while, and just continue training harder. I wanted to face someone and beat them down to vent. But I continued training harder. And harder. ‘till last year. And victories became more frequent. Matches were different. I was different. I refused to let those who inspired me through their hardships to start wrestling see me fail and give up because I didn’t have the backbone for it. I refused. And after a year of training and dominating… I was ready to move on to the big leagues. Backed by my fans, by my family, by you.”
After taking a moment to pause, lace up his other boot and taking off his jacket, Kai appears to have one more thing left to say as he turns back around.
“If I was going to die tomorrow then people will remember me as the guy who never gave up despite having no reason he should have succeeded. I will succeed despite all of my flaws, of which I have many. I will make those who watch me proud, and I will make them feel pride when they tell me they are a fan of mine. I hope to inspire those who are just as less fortunate to realize they, too, are enough. They are capable. They are welcome. They are strong. I represent every single one of them.”
Kai turns to the ring behind him and examines it.
“My name is Kai Atticus. I am known as the Swan Song of professional wrestling. Elysium Pro Wrestling, you are now my home… and my proving ground. Thank you for the opportunity. I will make you proud.”
Cut.
