Road to Red Sun Rising: Ye Olde Ring Rust

[Drago Cesar]

We fade into the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park. It’s a bright, sunny day outside and many folks are seen singing, dancing, and most importantly drinking in their medieval garb. We focus on a particular group of patrons; “The Best in the World” Drago Cesar (wearing his usual satin jacket, jeans, and aviator shades), his cameraman in crime Johnny Law (in a traditional bard attire with a Guy Fawkes mask) and our favorite lion Bubba!

 

Johnny: Where’s ‘Ana?

 

Drago: Maybe she forgot something. She’ll be around.

 

Drago: You guys go here every year? Seem kind of strange to me. Medieval time was long ago.

 

Johnny: It’s more fun than you think! Lots of drinks and people to meet. Some of them have NEVER broken character!

 

The trio walk through the attractions and the restaurants. Drago notices a place selling traditional old-fashioned American hamburgers.

 

Drago: They have cheeseborgir back in the day?

 

Johnny: We gotta modernize things here a little bit. Makes it easy on the casual crowd. This way.

 

Johnny leads them to what appears to be an arena; a makeshift wrestling ring with brown ropes and a mat that looks like it hasn’t been scrubbed since ancient times. Surrounding the ring are a decently packed crowd seated on lawn chairs. Past the ring is a ramp with an entranceway blocked by a gate. Above the gate is a small alcove where an older gentleman is seated on a throne. The man blows a horn and points at Drago. The crowd are silent.

 

???: Sir Drago! I've hath heard many st'ries about thee!

 

Drago looks around and waves.

 

Drago: Uh hi? Who are you exactly?

 

The Duke: I am the duke of this fine establishment. I simply s'rve to holp mine own people findeth ent'rtainment through the univ'rsal language of combat!

 

Drago: That’s nice. I’m gonna take a se-

 

The Duke: Oh, but thy presence is did request Sir Cesar!

 

Drago: Can we change English please? My English bad enough.

 

The Duke: Thee senseth of humeth'r is unmatch'd. But how about thy fighting? Mine own gallant knight hast did remain undefeat'd f'r years! Prithee doth me the hon'r of challenging mine own champion. The people hest t!

 

Drago: Knight?

 

The Duke blows the horn once again and the gate below the alcove raises to reveal the knight in question; a mysterious figure in a giant suit of gold armor, adorned with a cape featuring the insignia of a purple azalea. The crowd stands and cheers as the knight waves at everyone and blows kisses. Johnny pats Drago on the shoulder.

 

Johnny: Good luck!

 

Johnny and Bubba walk off to their seats. Drago steps through the ropes, removing his jacket and his shades.

 

Drago: What I’m do to deserve this?

 

He notices that the referee for this bout is none other than OCW’s own Ted.

 

Drago: Ted? What you doing here?

 

Ted: I’m just here so I don’t get fined!

 

The knight steps through the ropes and with Ted’s assistance, removes the cape draped on their back. Drago and the knight are face to face.

 

Drago: Listen, I’m don’t want to hurt anyone. I just wanna sit back and wa-

 

The bell rings and the suit of armor locks up with Drago, irish whipping him across the ropes and knocking him down with a shoulder block much to the crowd’s approval. The knight jumps up and tries to deliver an elbow drop, but Drago rolls out of the way.

 

Drago: What the heck are you?

 

The knight quickly rises and attempts a haymaker, but the Hall of Famer ducks it and uses his impressive strength to hoist them up in a gorilla press position. Johnny pounds his chest and makes gorilla noises while Bubba roars.

 

Drago: You ask for it!

 

Drago drops the knight onto the canvas with a massive thud. The crowd approves and The Duke can be seen clapping.

 

Knight: Ugh!

 

Drago hears the familiar voice and raises his eyebrow. He crouches down.

 

Drago: Hey wait a minu-

 

The knight plays possum and rolls Drago up!

 

Ted: One! Two! Three!

 

The Duke: Spectacular!

 

The knight hops back up and celebrates with the crowd, raising their arms in victory. The metal figure extends a hand to Drago and helps him up.

 

The Duke: Such sp'rtsmanship!

 

The knight unexpectedly gives Drago a hug.

 

Drago: Hey!

 

After a moment, the knight releases the hug and Ted helps them remove their helmet to reveal….

 

The Duke: Once again Regina Tacet is our vict'r!

 

The Silent Queen, Dragana Cesar waves at Drago.

 

Drago: I’m should have known…..

 

 

 

 

LATER……

 

 

 

 

It is nighttime. Drago and The Duke are seen at a dinner table drinking from wooden mugs.

 

The Duke: T’was a fine contest. Thee needeth not beest fell Sir Drago, thee gaveth the people a valorous showeth.

 

Drago: …Right. Can we please speak modern English now? Very hard to understand.

 

The Duke responds with a smile.

 

The Duke: This…Rust Cohle. I hear he is quite the skilled combatant.

 

Drago: Dangerous. Win many title. Main event Wrestlution and almost ran away with world championship.

 

The Duke: What is your concern?

 

Drago takes a drink from his mug and looks off with a somber glare.

 

Drago: Is been too long. Haven’t competed in ring for long time, I slower…..Older. Not sure if I’m gonna be in shape for Japan. Don’t want people to see me as shadow of myself you know?

 

The Duke pats “The Best in the World” on his shoulder.

 

The Duke: Father Time is undefeated my friend. The best we can do is make the most of the moment. And besides, your family are warriors. What is the one thing all warriors share?

 

The Duke beats his chest once.

 

The Duke: The spirit. No matter how long we have stopped fighting, the spirit never rests. And when this Rust Cohle steps in battle with you, I have a feeling he will experience firsthand what it means to fight a true king!

 

Drago laughs.

 

Drago: Would not call myself king, but I’m appreciate that.

 

Drago raises his mug.

 

Drago: A toast?

 

The Duke: To what?

 

Drago thinks.

 

Drago: To the moment.

 

The Duke laughs and the pair smash their mugs together before drinking.

[Pugh]

🤮🤮🤮