Warm pressure. Sudden release. Relief. Steady pushing, then intermittant gushing. The quiet yet defined noise of impact. Finally, the sighing finish.
As SAM finishes his shit, he stands and pulls his pants up. It is a feeling still new to him, having not been in a body in over two years. He goes to wash his hands, and as he looks up, sees Ichabod's image. The strange feeling of displacement is pushed aside as a funnier thought comes to him.
SAM thinks of the losers that stand in front of mirrors like this saying things like, "I am a winner." Then they inevitably go on to their matches while the fans say things like, "Who is this loser?" SAM is comfortable with the fact that this will never be him again. He is getting used to Ichabod's body, and he is quite certain this may be the face in the mirror for the rest of his life.
Why the sudden change in heart? I'm sure you two are asking yourselves this. I'll tell you. This is a dream come true, no matter what I've said the past few days. All my career I've waited for a chance to face at least one of the group of men who originally caused my ambiguity. Now I've been given my wish twice. Wafer and Justin Payne. What other names matter? Who else would you want to go up against to make yourself known?
Certainly not Smoke Dawg. He's far too self-absorbed. Ichabod? I've already conquered him. Chris Conner? What a joke. But to face Wafer and Justin Payne, the very faces of wrestling in that time, that is what makes me. No matter what happens in that match, it can't be said that no one will know the name of SAM. I'll finally be established. But I won't make the same mistakes they did... no I will give my fellow failures of fame the chance to rise. SAM will be a star finally, and I have these two men to thank for it.
SAM turns the water off and reaches for the towels. As he dries his hands, he looks back into the mirror.
Wafer, Payne, make no mistake that Monday I will prove myself. I will show the both of you what you were missing when I didn't get my shot at you two years ago. This will be the hardest fought battle of your lives, I'll make damn sure of that. I'm fully ready to take the both of you to the extreme, to truly test you. This isn't only my moment of proof, its your moment to see if you can transcend the ranks and take on any enemy, no matter what his stature.
I intend to leave with one shoulder heavier than it was when I came in. I'll put this body through whatever it takes in order to win, because while just being there, just wrestling you two, will make me a hero to my fellow lowcarders, actually beating you will make me a god. It will make me one of you. I am your equal, and you will have no doubt about that soon enough. So Wafer, bring your 110% of cocky, and Justin Payne, bring all the respect of your peers and fans. But bring an attitude hoping for the best and expecting the worst. This is my greatest moment, and I will make it even so.
SAM moves out of the bathroom into the hallway of the train. He makes his way to his seat with his head held high. As he opens the door he looks around the cabin and sees that he has no belongings with him save for a bag of gear. He relishes in the thought that on his way back, this cabin will be decorated in gold, brutality gold.
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