A Time and a Place

[Alex Asher]

The camera fades backstage after a brutal Extreme Rules match. stumbles through the curtain, clutching his ribs, his face bloodied and bruised from the war he just went through. Sweat pours off him, mixing with the smears of dirt and dried blood on his skin. Trainers and crew try to approach, but he waves them off, gritting his teeth through the pain. He keeps walking—until he sees someone standing in the hallway: The Last Blacksmith, arms folded, silently watching. Jacob slows, then stops.

 

Jacob Hawk (through gritted teeth): You just gonna stare… or say something?

 

The Last Blacksmith (calmly): You lost.

 

Jacob Hawk (half-smiling despite the pain): Thanks for the reminder.

 

The Last Blacksmith: You fought recklessly. You fought with anger…

 

Jacob Hawk: Yeah, well... that's kinda the point of Extreme Rules, right? I gave that bastard hell. 

 

The Last Blacksmith (tilting his head): “You fought recklessly, you fought with anger…" You know, I would have liked to say that, but the truth? The truth is that you fought like a trained monkey, with the sole purpose of trying out absurd moves to get the crowd to cheer you on.

 

Jacob Hawk (snaps slightly):

 What do you want me to say, huh?! That I lost? That I wasn’t good enough? I know that already! You think I don’t hear the crowd?

 

The Last Blacksmith (pauses, then steps closer): You see.. again … “the crowd”.. what is an obsession for you?

 

When you step into the ring, your only goal should be to finish your opponent. Not keep him alive. Finish him, as soon as you have the chance.

 

Instead... you played with him, got screwed by DNS and well, you went ass down my friend.

So to answer your question…what you need to say… is nothing. What you need to do… is learn. Pain is a teacher, kid. And tonight, you got schooled.

 

Jacob Hawk (angry but listening):

 So what, are you giving out advice now? Thought you were done with all this.

 

The Last Blacksmith: I am done. You are right. Good luck with everything…

 

Jacob Hawk: Is that what you became? A coward? After everything you have been through? I have those eyes that you no longer have. I have that desire to burn the world and make my name legendary. I have all that desire and passion that you have lost. And even if you don't see it, and you think I'm a trained monkey, I will prove it.

Jacob starts to leave but Blacksmith's voice stops him

 

 

The Last Blacksmith : Next Monday. 636 Broadway, h.8:00. Don’t be late.

 

 

Jacob looks at Blacksmith in confusion

 

The Last Blacksmith : The ring is not the best, but it will be enough. Show me if what you say is true…

 

 

Blacksmith leaves and the scene fades

 

 

 

 

 

[Junko Jiirota]

👀👀👀 horses and hawks eh? 

[Quartz]

STOP BRINGING HIM BACK!