Steam rises from the deck in front of passenger train 15. The large metallic train roars to life as it pulls away from the deck and rolls away from Charleston. There are only four interchanges before SAM gets off in Kansas City.
The view changes to box four, seat seventeen. There SAM sits, his hand on his chin, thinking about what is to come in little more than seventy two hours.
I look back, and I see so much being said, so much without the basis of action at all. In three days, the three of us will be tested as men of our wills, of our skill, and our charisma. We will chance fate and put ourselves on the line in a brutal display of wrestling for the gold that Justin Payne holds at this moment. The people watching us have no idea what the outcome of this match will be, nor can they outweigh one man's purpose by another's.
Many of us will go toward every goal foolishly believing we are untouchable, that in order to for us to fall, chaos must ensue. But what are we but the denizens of chaos? We leap blindly into every mess we can get ourselves into. We've been trained to think we are invincible, just like all Americans do. But, just like on December 7, 1941, the invincible can be defeated by what we consider to be inferior.
SAM breathes deeply. He leans back in his seat and gazes out at the countryside the train is passing through.
The time for petty insults is finished. Only an idiot would dare to tell you two that you have no skill, that this upcoming match will be a breeze. Wafer, you alone posess enough charisma and talent to put me out forever. You've done it before, and you didn't even wrestle me. Your talent just encompassed me and put me out. It wasn't just you though, it was the ORS, the Revelation, Smoke Dawg, Chris Conner. Everyone did it. They did it unknowingly, but they still did it. That is why I have done what I have. Like I said before, its better to be hated than ignored.
And then Justin Payne. I think I had you wrong. You have accepted me for what I am, and through your words recently, it seems that you are ready to give me a chance, to see what I've got. I respect that. It seems that all you ever get is respect. From your enemies, from Wafer, even from me. I've come to realize that its not your stubborness that makes you a star. Its the command of respect that follows you around wherever you go.
SAM bows his head.
I had you both figured wrong in this battle. You weren't the ones who had tried to phase out the lesser wrestlers.It just happened as a product of a corrupt staff. A product of other great wrestlers who chose you and not me to battle. But I hope you can appreciate me for what I am, for what I do. The respect I have earned for both of you does not excuse the injuries done me. I wish both of you luck on Monday. I can't guarantee that you'll win, nor that you'll lose. The only thing I can guarantee is that the three of us will have one hell of a match.
The view moves outward of the window as SAM stares straight foward. The train bustles on toward its first interchange in Charlotte, NC. Monday will be an historic night, a night when all things change for everyone.
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