[The Angry Goat Pub in London, England. Two men sit at a sidewalk table each having a beer and a shot of whiskey. The men in question are somewhat known in the world of sports, specifically pro wrestling. One man is Tim Worthington, perhaps the greatest British wrestler in the modern era, a former two time MWA World Champion amongst his many other accolades. His drinking companion is slightly less known. Although also a former MWA World Champion, his career was shortened by an injury suffered at the hands of Steve Pinex, a man both wrestlers have had legendary battles with. That man is Stephen Clay and today he operates behind the scenes for the MWA, wearing many hats throughout his tenure. But today is not a day to trade old war stories or reminisce about the good old days. Today is an annual reunion between the men as they remember their mutual daughter, who was taken in a car accident much too young. Every year on this day the men meet for a drink and remember Emily.
Once upon a time the men were hated enemies who would stop at nothing to end the other’s career. But the MWA has long been known for it’s tendency to redeem the most callous of souls and these men for their many faults were never evil or black hearted. Misunderstandings and jealousies and a bit of manipulation caused their enmity. Mutual good friends and soul searching bright them back from the brink. The death of their beloved Emily, Stephen’s daughter with Tim’s late ex-wife Hannah, bonded them for life.
Since that day they have built that bond into an abiding friendship that has stood the test of time. Tim was even a groomsman in Stephen’s wedding to Kitty Sinclair. Tim was happy to stand up for his friend even though it meant walking bride’s maid, Sierra Devereux, down the aisle and she insisted on insulting him under her breath. This tradition has reached more than a decade and after they laid flowers at Emily’s grave they always return to this old pub which was where they first crossed paths.]
Clay- Who would ever have imagined that we would be sitting here together after everything we put each other through?
Tim- If the us’s of 20-25 years ago could see us now, they’d be spitting feathers! (he laughs, gently). You know, even before the accident, you and I had put things behind us. We had Emily’s visitation all sorted and working well, Matthew treated you like an uncle, Hannah was just amazed at how well we got along. But since then… man, it’s really something to see how far we’ve come, huh?
Clay- I couldn’t have imagined it when we first met. You were so noble and positive. It made me sick. (both men laugh) But I was a different person then. I was entitled and I saw something I wanted and I was ready to use anything I had to get it. Hannah was an amazing woman, I just wish I had treated her better from the start. But when you went to the MWA and I decided to follow, just to keep torturing you……….well we know how everything changed. I met Kitty, became friends with Starr and Jackie and I guess it became clear that if they liked you and Hannah loved you then maybe I was the problem. It’s crazy how the MWA and wrestling can make a small world so large and small at the same time.
Tim- You’ll never believe this, but I’ve actually been back training over the past few weeks.
Clay- Fuck off! At our age? I know you don’t need the money. You won the MWA World Championship twice and I know those classic matches with Kevin Rollins, Johnny Grrrrr and Ran Smith, not to mention myself, have to be paying off in royalties. Plus you made a fortune when the MWA bought UKWA. You don’t need a loan, do you. I am still the heir to Morley Electronics. I could maybe get you some work in the mail room. (Both men laugh at the notion) But really, you’re lacing up the old boots?
Tim- No, I’m not training for me. I’m helping a kid get his start, passing on some knowledge. Remember Al Galpin?
Clay- Of course. I haven’t thought of him in a long time, with good reason. The Playboy sure was a cranky asshole.
Tim- Haha, yup, he still is. Well I’m training his boy. He’s 21… the same age Matthew would have been this past December… and it just felt right. I won my first title beating Galpin, training his kid is like helping to close off another chapter, you know?
Clay- Yea, I get that. It seems like every day we get an old Alumni’s kid checking in with the MWA, trying to get their start. Sweets says a week doesn’t go by without some illegitimate kid of Johnny Grrrrr’s showing up asking to be trained. And of course they also want room and board.
Tim- They wouldn’t be Johnny’s kids if they didn’t. So, what about you? Anything new with you and Kitty and the twins?
Clay- Well they will be turning twelve soon….
Tim (interrupting)- Twelve? For fuck’s sake mate, I know it’s been a tick but it seems like yesterday. And since I was in your wedding in 2013, I guess we can do the math.
Clay- Or they came early. I think I’ll stick to that story. We actually moved recently. Still in Madison, but further away from Sierra. It was for the best.
Tim- You and that bird…. I’ll never get the hold she has on you mate. Or on Jackie for that matter.
Clay- Sierra….. well , I guess we’re all lucky there’s only one of her. I feel for her husband everyday. But what’s new with you and the family?
Tim- Marcie’s doing good, her personal trainer business is thriving.
Clay- Ah, man, I’m so glad you two finally worked shit out and got together.
Tim- You and me both!
Clay- And Parker? How old is he now?
Tim- Parker’s good, he’s seven now, keeps me on my toes that’s for sure. He’s a bundle of curiosity, he’s got a million questions every day and I pull some bullshit answers out of my arse. And he reads… man, he reads so much. I went into his bedroom the other day and he had all his soft toys sat at one end of his bed, and he was sat reading at the other end of the bed. He was actually turning the book around to show them the photos.
Clay- Adorable. That curious stage ain’t ending anytime soon, by the way.
Tim- Ha! He says he wants to be a teacher when he grows up, he just loves school. I feel so lucky.
Clay- We both are. We got second chances to be happy. Second families.
Tim- Agreed. Actually, third if you include our wrestling family. I still see a lot of the old gang, especially Spike, August, Ben & Joey. And over the past couple of years I’ve had more and more contact with the old-guard of the MWA. Hey, speaking of the MWA, that reminds me… I got a question.
Clay- Shoot.
Tim- Does old man Dunkel have any interaction with the place anymore?
Clay- H.Nic? Not in over a decade. I mean he’s always been a consultant but that’s part of the sale to Barrett. And you know Barrett has a soft spot in his heart for Nic. But I think the last time he did anything official was ……….maybe 2010. Why?
Tim- Well the Major…
(Clay bristles at the mention of the Major, the father of Hannah whom Stephen and Tim both loved, who he never really made amends with.)
Clay- He hasn’t died yet? Sorry, I know you’re still family and all.
Tim- Ah, don’t sweat it. The Major and I didn’t talk for years. He blamed me for Hannah’s death for a long time. It’s only in the last few years that we’ve actually got back on speaking terms… and that’s mainly thanks to Dean. Your issues with the old man go way back, further than mine. But, anyway, it turns out he’s still in touch with Dunkel. I guess two old promoters getting rich off other people’s hard work bonds people. He told me that H.Nic is ill. It doesn’t look good.
[An uncomfortable silence sets in. Age has a way of creeping up on you and in the sport of life Father Time is undefeated. The men take another shot of whiskey as they reminisce about the old days.]
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