Post by MERICA on Aug 3, 2023 13:33:13 GMT -5
Sure Night Two didn’t end in a victory as MERICA had hoped but it wasn’t a huge flop either. Unlike Night One MERICA avoided a pin in a match that featured two of wrestling's biggest names. Not only that but MERICA’s Mentor, Wrestling Legend Chet Dakota made an entrance in a way that only a wrestling legend like Chet Dakota could, sharing his vast wrestling knowledge from on high down to his protege below. Some of his advice took, some not so much. But as MERICA’s hometown basketball team has been fond of saying…Trust The Process…#SIXERS
And speaking of process MERICA is currently in the midst of processing the night that just ended with the night that is forthcoming. Night 3 a rematch with Stephen Straford with some Penelope sprinkled in. While Stratford, the winner of MERICA’s Night 2 match will undoubtedly be MERICA’s main focus and clearly the most dangerous wrestler in the match, MERICA knows that he can’t take his eyes off Penelope for even one second. While Penelope too has yet to win a match like MERICA she also has yet to be pinned and currently sits a little higher in the Triad standings. So she too must be accounted for.
Stafford’s victory on night 2 proved him to be every bit the obstacle that MERICA expected of him. Statford employed the perfect mix of psychology and physicality that makes him one of the best wrestlers in the business today. But can he do it again? More specifically can he do it again in a match that MERICA will be part of? The advantage Stratford had over MERICA was that they had never faced each other before. Sure MERICA watched plenty of Stratford’s matches and listened intently as Chet offered his wisdom but there is still nothing like experiencing it for yourself. And now that MERICA has seen Stratford up close the latter's advantage has been mitigated if not erased. MERICA knows this. Does Stephen Stratford?
We’ll find out on night 2.
As for Penelope MERICA’s approach is going to be a simple one. Patience. MERICA knows that Penelope can hold her own in the ring. He’s seen what she’s done in night’s 1 and 2. He’s seen what she has done elsewhere. But he has also picked up on a weakness of hers and that is her lack of focus. Penelope for all her physical talents and her gift of gab she can’t stay focused on anything or anyone for more than a minutes before she’s off to the next thing. And it will be in those moments of transition, those moments where her focus is shifting that MERICA will look to strike. And to borrow a phrase from his mentor that he swears is an original Chet Dakota - Strike Hard, Strike Fast, No Mercy.
These words of wisdom and the continued tutelage from Pro Wrestling Icon Chet Dakota is why MERICA is going to secure the victory on night 3, his first career wrestling win. MERICA has never been so sure of anything in his life before. Night one belonged to Catalina Cortes. Night two to Stephen Stratford. Night 3 will be MERICA’s coming out party.
As MERICA walks outside he is quickly surrounded by 8 people, some men, some women of various races and all appearing to be in their mid 20’s to early 30’s. MERICA looks around at the group waiting for one of them to step forward and make a move.
“Welp, let’s do this.” MERICA says as he drops his wrestling bag to the ground just as a small black bag is placed over his face. Suddenly there is a commotion as the other 7 people rush forward and restrain MERICA by the arms and legs. They hurriedly drag him into a black panel van which comes to a screeching halt right in front of them. The door to the van slams shut as the engine roars back to life. The van pulls out of the parking lot just as security reaches into his pocket and pulls his phone out. Presumably to call the police but it could be to order a pizza. One never knows.
::::A little while later::::
The bag comes off and standing in front of a seated but unrestrained MERICA is a young white woman in her mid 20’s with dirty blonde hair and a tan to die for.
“You know who I am?” The woman asks.
“Not really. Should I?”
“We are the big bad boogeyman of the right.”
“Antifa? What are you doing in Puerto Rico?”
“Did you think we only fought the good fight on the mainland?”
“Honestly I don’t really pay much attention to what you all do. None of my business.”
“Really?” The woman asks as she pulls something small out of her back pocket and holds it in front of MERICA’s face. “Does this look familiar?”
“Not really. What is it?” MERICA responds as he continues to study the small almost square like item.
“This is an SD card. Specifically it is the SD card that we retrieved from the camera that was used to record your “interrogation” for lack of a better word by the leader of the LA chapter of the Proud Boys.”
“You know I did think about taking that camera with me but decided not to seeing as how it wasn’t mine and I'm a law abiding citizen. Clearly not something we have in common. So what about it?”
“I watched it. You had a lot to say about us. None of it nice.”
“Really? I felt like most of what I said was about the man in the mask but maybe I had a thing or two to say about you lot. You all certainly aren’t blameless in this bullshit never ending culture war.”
“There is nothing bullshit about it.”
“Obviously I beg to differ. And while I agree with the whole anti-fascist thing you all stared with you guys and gals have gone so far off the plot it’s hard to really take you seriously anymore.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. Let’s take this recent Jason Aldean bullshit. The guy writes a song that by all rights sucks on it’s face and apparently has racial overtones. I don’t know I don’t like country. I’m more of a smooth jazz kinda guy. But anyway, if you all don’t want to listen to it then by all means don’t listen to it. But if a bunch of wife beater wearing, self-important quote Patriots unquote want to tug themselves to it while drinking their non-Bud Light beer then who cares? Seriously. Why do you care what other people do with their lives? Just like them trying to mandate what women do with their bodies or their boycotts over a Target clothing line? Who cares? You don’t want to drink Bud Light, don't drink Bud Light. You don’t like the clothes at Target then don’t shop at Target. Why does everyone, left and right feel like it’s their job to mandate what other people do with their lives?”
“Easy for a guy like you to say. You hide behind a mask.”
“Oh the mask again. You watched the recording, you know why I wear the mask so there is no sense in rehashing all that. It’s also really kind of irrelevant. I just want to be left alone. By you, by those cowards in masks, by everyone. Why is that so hard? Why can’t I just be me and be left alone?”
“Because your voice is a growing one and we want to make sure you are on the right side of history.”
“Don’t you technically mean the left side…”
….
“Not a fan of puns I take it? Look here’s the deal Leslie…”
“My name’s not Leslie.”
“Sorry Flo…”
“That’s not my name either.”
“Well perhaps if you had introduced yourself at the beginning like is customary when you kidnap someone then we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Especially since you already knew my name.”
“My name isn’t important.”
“Well ok then. I disagree but clearly you aren’t going to budge on this issue Karen…”
…
“Nothing? Damn I thought for sure that one would get you. Anyway here’s the skinny, I actually believe in a number of the same things you do. Not everything but definitely some of it. What I don’t believe in however, as I said previously, is your need to tell everyone what they should do or what they should think. The right uses religion and you all use moral superiority and it’s so annoying. And it’s your fatal flaw. That and burning cities down when you protest. That shit isn’t cool.”
“That’s not us, that’s the other side or the federal government.”
“Funny, I heard the exact same thing from those masked MAGATS. Peaceful protest is like the easiest thing to do in the world. It really is. I know maybe it seems tougher cause there are counter protestors there antagonizing you but you just got to shrug it off and march on. Some of your causes are really good ones. But protest the government. Don’t protest other people. Let other people live their lives how they want but by all means march when you feel like the government is overstepping because it often is.”
“So we should just let racists be racists?”
“I know this is going to sound insane to you but yeah kinda. I’m not saying I agree with them. I don’t. But you aren’t going to change them. You aren’t going to shame them. Not anymore. What you can do is teach your kids to not be like them. And if any of you all are religious or maybe even if you aren't, might I suggest taking them to church. Let them learn about God’s love for themselves. Raise them right and hopefully they grow up to be the kinds of kids you want them to be. The kinds that are empathetic and sympathetic towards those less fortunate than them. I’m not perfect. Lord knows I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my day but I try and treat everyone with respect. Even if I don’t necessarily agree with them. It’s not my job to judge them. Or yours. It’s God’s. Let him do it. You just go and live the best life you can.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It kind of is if I’m being honest. It’s what I do. I keep to myself for the most part. I spend my weekdays training with my mentor Wrestling Icon Chet Dakota, Saturdays I try and spend improving myself mentally and physically and Sundays are for my mother, the Lord and my community. And honestly it’s a pretty fulfilling life. And it’s all predicated on the desire to mind my own business. Give it a try sometime. Now if you don’t mind I’d like to go. Would that be ok with you?”
“You were always free to go. We aren’t like those other folks. We don’t restrain people.”
“I see that. Kidnappers with a code. Very respectable. Anyway thanks for the chat Barb.”
With that MERICA gets up from his seat, adjusts his mask and heads towards the exit.
“Daphne.”
MERICA stops before reaching the exit and turns around to face his “Captor” one last time.
“Come again?”
“My name. It’s Daphne.”
“I thought your name wasn't important?"
Daphne doesn't respond, instead she just smiles as MERICA turns around and continues towards the exit.
"Take it easy Daphne.”
And with that MERICA disappears out the door and out of Daphne’s view, hopefully after giving her a new lease on life.
And speaking of process MERICA is currently in the midst of processing the night that just ended with the night that is forthcoming. Night 3 a rematch with Stephen Straford with some Penelope sprinkled in. While Stratford, the winner of MERICA’s Night 2 match will undoubtedly be MERICA’s main focus and clearly the most dangerous wrestler in the match, MERICA knows that he can’t take his eyes off Penelope for even one second. While Penelope too has yet to win a match like MERICA she also has yet to be pinned and currently sits a little higher in the Triad standings. So she too must be accounted for.
Stafford’s victory on night 2 proved him to be every bit the obstacle that MERICA expected of him. Statford employed the perfect mix of psychology and physicality that makes him one of the best wrestlers in the business today. But can he do it again? More specifically can he do it again in a match that MERICA will be part of? The advantage Stratford had over MERICA was that they had never faced each other before. Sure MERICA watched plenty of Stratford’s matches and listened intently as Chet offered his wisdom but there is still nothing like experiencing it for yourself. And now that MERICA has seen Stratford up close the latter's advantage has been mitigated if not erased. MERICA knows this. Does Stephen Stratford?
We’ll find out on night 2.
As for Penelope MERICA’s approach is going to be a simple one. Patience. MERICA knows that Penelope can hold her own in the ring. He’s seen what she’s done in night’s 1 and 2. He’s seen what she has done elsewhere. But he has also picked up on a weakness of hers and that is her lack of focus. Penelope for all her physical talents and her gift of gab she can’t stay focused on anything or anyone for more than a minutes before she’s off to the next thing. And it will be in those moments of transition, those moments where her focus is shifting that MERICA will look to strike. And to borrow a phrase from his mentor that he swears is an original Chet Dakota - Strike Hard, Strike Fast, No Mercy.
These words of wisdom and the continued tutelage from Pro Wrestling Icon Chet Dakota is why MERICA is going to secure the victory on night 3, his first career wrestling win. MERICA has never been so sure of anything in his life before. Night one belonged to Catalina Cortes. Night two to Stephen Stratford. Night 3 will be MERICA’s coming out party.
As MERICA walks outside he is quickly surrounded by 8 people, some men, some women of various races and all appearing to be in their mid 20’s to early 30’s. MERICA looks around at the group waiting for one of them to step forward and make a move.
“Welp, let’s do this.” MERICA says as he drops his wrestling bag to the ground just as a small black bag is placed over his face. Suddenly there is a commotion as the other 7 people rush forward and restrain MERICA by the arms and legs. They hurriedly drag him into a black panel van which comes to a screeching halt right in front of them. The door to the van slams shut as the engine roars back to life. The van pulls out of the parking lot just as security reaches into his pocket and pulls his phone out. Presumably to call the police but it could be to order a pizza. One never knows.
::::A little while later::::
The bag comes off and standing in front of a seated but unrestrained MERICA is a young white woman in her mid 20’s with dirty blonde hair and a tan to die for.
“You know who I am?” The woman asks.
“Not really. Should I?”
“We are the big bad boogeyman of the right.”
“Antifa? What are you doing in Puerto Rico?”
“Did you think we only fought the good fight on the mainland?”
“Honestly I don’t really pay much attention to what you all do. None of my business.”
“Really?” The woman asks as she pulls something small out of her back pocket and holds it in front of MERICA’s face. “Does this look familiar?”
“Not really. What is it?” MERICA responds as he continues to study the small almost square like item.
“This is an SD card. Specifically it is the SD card that we retrieved from the camera that was used to record your “interrogation” for lack of a better word by the leader of the LA chapter of the Proud Boys.”
“You know I did think about taking that camera with me but decided not to seeing as how it wasn’t mine and I'm a law abiding citizen. Clearly not something we have in common. So what about it?”
“I watched it. You had a lot to say about us. None of it nice.”
“Really? I felt like most of what I said was about the man in the mask but maybe I had a thing or two to say about you lot. You all certainly aren’t blameless in this bullshit never ending culture war.”
“There is nothing bullshit about it.”
“Obviously I beg to differ. And while I agree with the whole anti-fascist thing you all stared with you guys and gals have gone so far off the plot it’s hard to really take you seriously anymore.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. Let’s take this recent Jason Aldean bullshit. The guy writes a song that by all rights sucks on it’s face and apparently has racial overtones. I don’t know I don’t like country. I’m more of a smooth jazz kinda guy. But anyway, if you all don’t want to listen to it then by all means don’t listen to it. But if a bunch of wife beater wearing, self-important quote Patriots unquote want to tug themselves to it while drinking their non-Bud Light beer then who cares? Seriously. Why do you care what other people do with their lives? Just like them trying to mandate what women do with their bodies or their boycotts over a Target clothing line? Who cares? You don’t want to drink Bud Light, don't drink Bud Light. You don’t like the clothes at Target then don’t shop at Target. Why does everyone, left and right feel like it’s their job to mandate what other people do with their lives?”
“Easy for a guy like you to say. You hide behind a mask.”
“Oh the mask again. You watched the recording, you know why I wear the mask so there is no sense in rehashing all that. It’s also really kind of irrelevant. I just want to be left alone. By you, by those cowards in masks, by everyone. Why is that so hard? Why can’t I just be me and be left alone?”
“Because your voice is a growing one and we want to make sure you are on the right side of history.”
“Don’t you technically mean the left side…”
….
“Not a fan of puns I take it? Look here’s the deal Leslie…”
“My name’s not Leslie.”
“Sorry Flo…”
“That’s not my name either.”
“Well perhaps if you had introduced yourself at the beginning like is customary when you kidnap someone then we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Especially since you already knew my name.”
“My name isn’t important.”
“Well ok then. I disagree but clearly you aren’t going to budge on this issue Karen…”
…
“Nothing? Damn I thought for sure that one would get you. Anyway here’s the skinny, I actually believe in a number of the same things you do. Not everything but definitely some of it. What I don’t believe in however, as I said previously, is your need to tell everyone what they should do or what they should think. The right uses religion and you all use moral superiority and it’s so annoying. And it’s your fatal flaw. That and burning cities down when you protest. That shit isn’t cool.”
“That’s not us, that’s the other side or the federal government.”
“Funny, I heard the exact same thing from those masked MAGATS. Peaceful protest is like the easiest thing to do in the world. It really is. I know maybe it seems tougher cause there are counter protestors there antagonizing you but you just got to shrug it off and march on. Some of your causes are really good ones. But protest the government. Don’t protest other people. Let other people live their lives how they want but by all means march when you feel like the government is overstepping because it often is.”
“So we should just let racists be racists?”
“I know this is going to sound insane to you but yeah kinda. I’m not saying I agree with them. I don’t. But you aren’t going to change them. You aren’t going to shame them. Not anymore. What you can do is teach your kids to not be like them. And if any of you all are religious or maybe even if you aren't, might I suggest taking them to church. Let them learn about God’s love for themselves. Raise them right and hopefully they grow up to be the kinds of kids you want them to be. The kinds that are empathetic and sympathetic towards those less fortunate than them. I’m not perfect. Lord knows I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my day but I try and treat everyone with respect. Even if I don’t necessarily agree with them. It’s not my job to judge them. Or yours. It’s God’s. Let him do it. You just go and live the best life you can.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It kind of is if I’m being honest. It’s what I do. I keep to myself for the most part. I spend my weekdays training with my mentor Wrestling Icon Chet Dakota, Saturdays I try and spend improving myself mentally and physically and Sundays are for my mother, the Lord and my community. And honestly it’s a pretty fulfilling life. And it’s all predicated on the desire to mind my own business. Give it a try sometime. Now if you don’t mind I’d like to go. Would that be ok with you?”
“You were always free to go. We aren’t like those other folks. We don’t restrain people.”
“I see that. Kidnappers with a code. Very respectable. Anyway thanks for the chat Barb.”
With that MERICA gets up from his seat, adjusts his mask and heads towards the exit.
“Daphne.”
MERICA stops before reaching the exit and turns around to face his “Captor” one last time.
“Come again?”
“My name. It’s Daphne.”
“I thought your name wasn't important?"
Daphne doesn't respond, instead she just smiles as MERICA turns around and continues towards the exit.
"Take it easy Daphne.”
And with that MERICA disappears out the door and out of Daphne’s view, hopefully after giving her a new lease on life.