Post by oldprydeaccountdoesnotwork on Apr 5, 2014 14:40:10 GMT -5
"Birds and butterflies,
Rivers and mountains she creates.
But you'll never know
The next move she'll make.
You can try,
But it is useless to ask why.
Cannot control her,
She goes her own way."
Mother Nature is really a complex bitch, isn't she?
You hear about the events every day. Tornadoes. Earthquakes. Tsunamis. The earth reaches out and swipes her finger across a random speck of land, and many people die. Did you hear about the people who were sleeping in their homes, thinking they were safe, only to be swallowed by a sinkhole that appeared right underneath them? The fucking house was still standing, every other room was in decent shape, but the bedroom? Gone. That's fucking disturbing. It makes you wonder what's happening right underneath your feet, doesn't it?
You can't trust Mother Nature. She will destroy you on a whim.
But then you get days like today. Beautiful weather, only a few clouds in the sky to keep it cool. The forest is green and full, giving off a wonderful smell that reminds you of being alive. The water is pouring from the top of the cliff, pooling beneath to continue its non-stop journey down the mountainside. The birds are singing. The butterflies are fluttering. It makes you glad you're alive.
But it's on days like that when you need to be the most careful, because Mother Nature might just be getting you to let your guard down. She's setting you up for something. You can never know what she's thinking, what she's planning.
Just like most women. Let's face it, us men like to think we understand them, but it's false hope on our parts. You never really know what a woman is thinking, until she wants you to know. By then, it might be too late.
~We are back at Palisades Falls near Bozeman, Montana, the site of this Monday's Massacre. Pryde wanted to come here as part of his way of getting back to nature. He wanted to find a way to focus himself for his upcoming battles in OCW, including his match this week against Drew Stevenson and Richard. But things grew more complicated when his friend, Grant, invited Crystal along. Crystal is not just Grant's sister; she's Pryde's ex-wife, the only one that Pryde took that step with. Things ended badly, and renewing things between them didn't seem like a possibility in any future. But Crystal wanted to come here today. She wanted to spend time with Pryde in this spiritual landscape. Does that mean something has changed? The two are still sitting at the foot of the waterfall, watching it come down in silence. Grant is nowhere to be seen~
Pryde: Why did you come here, Crystal?
Crystal: Can't a girl spend some time with her brother?
Pryde: You know Grant's not the reason you're here. He wouldn't have been so secretive about it.
~Crystal doesn't answer. She doesn't want the moment to end. It's been so peaceful the last few minutes. But nothing lasts forever; their marriage was proof of that. Crystal sighs and pulls her feet from the water, drying them off~
Crystal: I've been trying to remember what happened between us. I remember the good times. But I don't remember what caused the bad times.
Pryde: I was in a different frame of mind then. I know that much.
Crystal: You never could let go of what you wanted. And I could never understand why you wanted it so much.
Pryde: Sometimes I wonder myself.
~Crystal is surprised by that response. She finishes getting her shoes on and stands up, looking back at the man she once shared vows with~
Pryde: I know I can get obsessed. I've had success in the wrestling business, more than many guys who have thrown themselves into the ring. But it always seemed to come at a cost. That cost has followed me all my career.
Crystal: But do you think that's still an issue? You did just win an OCW championship, one of the most prized titles in wrestling. Do you think people will still hold your past against you?
Pryde: I don't know. I think Dean does.
Crystal: You can't know that.
~Pryde steps away, grabbing his backpack as he does so. Crystal follows him as they start to walk back up the path~
Pryde: He's put me in a match against two guys who have done very little here in OCW. What else could he be thinking?
Crystal: Weren't you just saying that people shouldn't hold someone's past against them?
Pryde: That's different. I'm not talking about their history, I'm talking about who they've beaten.
Crystal: Everyone has to start somewhere.
Pryde: But they start at the bottom. Richard has done nothing to prove that he deserves to be in this match. He's ridiculous, a fucking moron who is only hanging onto his paycheck because for some reason, the audience likes seeing him get beat up. Anyone else would have been fired by now. At least Stevenson has done something in the past, if not in OCW. Maybe I can give him a little more respect than I am. But he still shouldn't be wrestling me.
Crystal: But it's not a straight singles match, it's a triple threat. That makes it more special.
Pryde: Only a little bit. It's still a match featuring the Southern Champion and two guys who don't have winning records.
Crystal: A victory in a triple threat is still a victory, no matter who you are facing.
Pryde: Your brother said something about the same earlier.
Crystal: We were both raised right.
Pryde: Where is Grant anyway?
Crystal: I, I may have asked him to give us some space at the falls.
~She smiles shyly at her former husband. This was a talk that she was hoping to have with him, even if it has been more about the wrestling then their relationship~
Crystal: I know we had problems. I confess they were on both sides. Why do you think we never tried to work them out?
Pryde: It didn't feel like you wanted to. You were set on heading out the door and I didn't think I could talk you into coming back.
Crystal: There were some things about how you were back then, I just couldn't accept them. I couldn't deal with how you were.
Pryde: Have I changed that much?
Crystal: All I know is that in the last month, I've seen a lot of the man I used to know. I think he might still be there under that mask. And I'd like to find out for sure. I, I think I'd like another chance.
~Pryde steps over to a tree, leaning on it. It's something he would have died to hear at the beginning of the year. It's something he dreamed of, that would wake him up in the morning grasping at, trying to hang onto. But now that it's happened, he doesn't know how to react~
Pryde: I have to tell you, Crystal, I'm going to need a little time.
~Crystal lowers her head. She was hoping for a quick answer, but she shouldn't be surprised at his reaction. Both still have scars from how the relationship previously ended. Thinking about opening them up again is not an easy thing to do~
Crystal: I understand. I have to ask, is there, is there someone else?
~Pryde involuntarily looks down at his phone, tucked into the front of the backpack~
Pryde: I, I am not sure. Maybe. But no one I've been with since the divorce.
~Crystal steps forward and gives Pryde a kiss on the cheek, which he can feel even through the mask. She smiles, her eyes glistening from barely contained tears~
Crystal: I will take that. One step at a time, isn't that what your trainer used to tell you?
Pryde: That's true. One step at a time.
~The two move to go further up the trail. Crystal takes Pryde's hand, and he doesn't pull away. He doesn't pull her closer, either. Even as he looks at Crystal, he can't help but think about Trix, resting up in the rehab facility and sending him messages. What will it all lead to? One step at a time~
Crystal: Grant? We're continuing on.
Pryde: The website I looked up mentioned a sandstone rock that was supposedly etched by a member of the Lewis & Clark expedition. It should be further ahead.
Crystal: Someone mentioned there are hot springs as well. That water would feel even better than the waterfall to bathe in.
Pryde: Grant? Time to come out. Grant?
Crystal: Grant? where are you? Grant!
~They finally hear an answering groan to their calls and hurry to the other side of the hill they were climbing. About 10 feet down is Grant. He's laying on his side, having slipped and fallen down the hill. Crystal and Pryde carefully make their way down to him~
Crystal: Grant! Are you alright? What happened?
Grant: I don't think, I will dignify, that, with a, response. Ouch!
~Grant grabs at his ankle as Pryde checks it over. Pryde lets the ankle back to the ground, with Grant feeling the pain from it~
Pryde: Can you stand?
Grant: I think I can.
~Grant slowly gets up but he can't put much weight on the ankle. He also is bruised up and has a busted lip. Pryde gives him a shoulder to lean on~
Pryde: Looks like the tour is over.
Grant: I'm sorry, guys, I don't know what happened.
Crystal: It's okay, Grant, I'm just worried about you.
Pryde: We should be getting back anyway. I don't like the look of those clouds. They look darker all of the sudden. Let's head for the trail.
~With Crystal and Pryde helping on either side, Grant gets back up the hill to the trail. They start on their way back moving slowly through the forest. It is going to take them three times as long to get back, and the weather is quickly turning bad as it sometimes can do. The wind has picked up and soon the rain is falling. Pryde and Crystal were both prepared for this so they have their ponchos on and are using them to partially cover Grant, who didn't bring anything with him. They continue down the trail~
Grant: Still think my suggestion of going to museums was a bad one?
Pryde: It's starting to sound better now, I will admit.
Grant: At least I fell and not you. That would have spoiled your match.
Pryde: No, it just would have given Stephenson or Richard a chance. But I've wrestled on a sprained ankle before, and worse.
Crystal: Let's not worry about the match now. It's starting to get dark. Do you think we'll find the cars?
Pryde: The trail is well-marked, I am not worried.
Crystal: I am surprised we haven't run into anyone yet to help us out. Where are the park rangers?
Pryde: They won't be here.
~Crystal stops, almost toppling Grant over. Pryde has his weight and manages to keep him up~
Crystal: How are you so sure? Does this have something to do with that gate I had to move?
Grant: We sort of opened that ourselves.
Crystal: What?
Pryde: This is a great trail, and I wanted to walk it. But they close it around this time every year, so we had to improvise getting in.
Crystal: Did we break the law by coming here?
Grant: Don't worry, sis, we'll just tell them I tripped on a staircase.
Pryde: You can't tell me it wasn't worth it, seeing that view.
~Crystal is quiet, not wanting to admit how good a view, and a moment, it really was. They continue on, as the lights continue to fade. The flashlight that Pryde had packed comes out, helping to show them the rest of the path. Finally, they come around a turn and see the picnic tables up ahead~
Crystal: Thank god.
Pryde: Isn't god the one who's raining on us right now?
Grant: Not a good time, bro.
Pryde: Sorry. Let's get you into the car and get you back to the hotel.
~Grant gets helped into the passenger seat and holds his leg, hurting. Pryde turns to Crystal, as they both stand in the falling rain~
Pryde: Wish we could have gone farther.
Crystal: It's only one day. We have time. I will see you both later.
~Crystal then impulsively gives Pryde another kiss, before turning and heading back to her car. Pryde moves around to the driver's side and gets in~
Grant: So, everything you expected from the trip?
Pryde: Shut up.
~Grant grins. His injury was not expected but everything else seems to be working the way he hoped. Pryde isn't so sure. He watches Crystal pull away and follows her car, keeping an eye on the taillights in front of him as they depart. Fade out~
You never know what's around the next corner. As Grant said, I could have been the one to trip and fall, to injure myself and be at less than 100 percent this week. But whatever gods Stevenson and Richard pray to didn't come through. I'm still here, I'm in great shape, and I am not concerned at all for this week.
Maybe I should be. Anything could happen. The Family could attack me, or someone else. Maybe Dean is laying a trap for me. But I am not letting it get to me. I will handle everything as it comes against me. I have the skills that I have built throughout my career to make me greater than anyone would suspect. I have a legend in Scott Syren who is backing me up. I have my friends supporting me, even with me supporting them.
Bring whatever you have got planned for me, all of you. Bring it and see what happens when you try it. Mother Nature can't stop me. Father Time won't stop me. President Dean sure fucking won't. The masked man is coming, and another victory will be added to the tally sheet Monday. The only question now is who will take the fall, and who will be unable to stop it.
Because someone's going down, and it won't be me.
