Post by Duce Jones on Oct 1, 2022 19:50:11 GMT -5
The weather in Jonesboro, Arkansas was warm with a hint of fall slowly trying to creep in. Jonesboro was Duce’s home away from home, where he had moved with his family and spent the majority of his adolescence before moving off to Kyoto, Japan at the age of nineteen. With the scene slowly panning down from the sky towards a house that’s Victorian in style. For those who do not know, the two-toned orange/yellow home was the residence of Duce and Byson’s father, Krayzie. For it to be such a beautiful home, the upkeep seems to be worse for wear. The grass is almost a foot from its roots, not to mention a tall pine tree that has seen better days completely block the view of this once luxurious home. I know that you’re probably wondering, why hasn’t anything been done about the maintenance of this property. This is the same thing that Duce wonders while he stands on the sidewalk in front of technically his former childhood home. Sporting a vintage white ‘Electricity’ t-shirt with North Carolina Tar Heels basketball shorts, away editions. Next to him, decked in a gray polo shirt with black slacks is Byson. They both stand there, taking in the sight of the home.
“Crazy what a few years can do huh?” Duce questioned with his eyes never leaving the house.
Byson pats him on the back. “Hell, this whole block appears to be in need of complete renovation.”
We scan to one side to see a beaten up trailer secured firmly to the ground in desperate need of some revitalization. The grass appears to be in about the same shape as Duce’s childhood home.
“With tha way that tha housin’ market goin’.. It’s only a matta’a time befo’ tha entire neighborhood looks like this.”
“Why are we here?” Byson asked.
“I dunno..” Duce calmly stated. “Just wanted t’see tha ole crib. Plus wit OCW given’ us a vacation, I thought it’d be time t’catch up on shit that I’ve been missin’.”
“And that led you here?”
“Yeah..”
“Umm-hmm..” Byson looks over to his brother who’s completely enthralled and then back towards the house himself.
“Y’kno’..” Duce starts. “Afta’ all those years on tha road wit Pops, travelin’ from state t’state, show fta’ show.. This is where it all started fa me.. This is where I finally made tha decision t’become a pro wrestla’..”
July, 2017
We phase into the room of a nineteen year old Duce Jones. Plastered all over the walls are posters of some of the top wrestlers in the business who Duce considered some of his favorites growing up. While the camera pans around the room, we get shots of the different wall art. FTF, Kronic, TLS, Josh Allen, Goldie, PIC, El Linchador, Marcus Ka’Derrion and even one of The Big Bifford. Having a duffle bag on his full size bed, Duce places folded loads of clothes into the bag as he prepares for his big trip to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. The excitement in Duce’s eyes are hard to hide while he hums the tune of one of his favorite Young Dolph songs, ‘Facts’. His mood shifts when a knock comes at the door.
“C’mon!” Duce yells as he continues to takes clothes from the pile on the bed and neatly place it into the bag.
The door swings open and Krayzie, Duce’s father, steps inside. He takes a moment to take in the sight of his son getting packing up to leave the nest.
“I see that you’re almost ready.” Krayzie says walking over and standing next to his son.
“Yep, I just bout got everythang packed up.” Duce stops what he’s doing and turns towards his father as if expecting a big talk to come.
“Boy.. Have a seat.”
Duce moves his bag out of the way as they both have a seat on his bed.
“Sup, Pops?”
“I just wanted to say that I’m happy that you’ve finally decided on what it is that you want to do with your life. I know that I’ve been hard on you about getting your life together but I need you to understand that this world isn’t anything to play with.”
Duce nods.
“Now are you sure that this is what you want to do?” Krayzie asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
“Yeah, Pops. I thank that I’m ready t’get out there an’ show t’world what I can do. But as much trainin’ as I’ve done unda you, I thank that it’s time that branch off an’ get my own style goin’ befo’ I get inside’a that rang.”
Krayzie shakes his head in approval with what Duce stated.
“Well I got everything set up with Sulu, he’s going to meet you at the airport when you arrive. He’s got a place for you stay and you’ll be training at his gym.”
“Bet.”
“I want you to know though, Duce..” Krayzie pauses for a minute, Duce looks at him intently. “This business..” He pauses again. “This business is a monster within itself, it’ll chew you up and spit you out if you’re not careful. There are so many obstacles that can come in your way if you’re not careful. Stay on your ten toes and make sure that you pay attention to every and anything that you can. Always keep a learning mind, keep your head clear.”
Duce chuckles knowing that keeping his mind clear is the last thing that he’s able to do.
“I’m serious boy, there are good people in this business but there are guys who will make you hate what you do. Question whether or not this was the right choice to make. Whether if you’ll want to continue going or just give the fuck up.”
Duce nods, taking in the information before responding.
“So what kept you goin’?”
“Hmph.. you and your sisters. If it wasn’t for you three, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”
“Fa sho..” Duce says approvingly. “I’ll make sho t’keep ya words in mind.”
“Also.. before I leave and let you finish getting ready. I’m going to let you know now that this business has given me the opportunity to see things that I’ve never thought I’d see. Good and bad. My advice to you is to thread lightly, all opportunities aren’t good opportunities and just be the best man that you can be, don’t let anything nor anyone get you out of character because it could cost you more than you think.”
“Got it, Pops. I’m gonna make sho t’make tha family name proud.”
Krayzie pats him across the back.
“That’s good to hear.”
Back in present time.
Byson and Duce still stand outside of the childhood home when Duce looks towards Byson.
“Y’kno’, I left t’get a start on a new life. See, Pops, he thought I was leavin’ cause I was ready t’become a betta wrestla but that was tha lie that I told em.”
Byson snickers a bit.
“What are you talking about?”
“I really left cause my trap spot got busted.”
Byson’s face goes into reflecting mode as he begins to think back, given that he and Duce once shared the same consciousness. The memory finally clicks in his mind, almost instinctively Byson’s right hand balls into a fist as he slowly places it towards his mouth while the other hand slowly points at Duce.
“Ohhhhhhhhhh……..”
“Yep.”
“You’re fucking right!” Byson screams uncontrollably.
“Hell yeah, that night was fucking crazy.”
“So why are we here again?” Byson said, changing the subject.
“It’s been a minute since I’ve been here. After my career took off and Pops got the school up and running, he moved back to Memphis to focus more on that before it got burned down.”
“Damn, just going through a lot of shit over these past few years, huh?”
“Hell yeah, but somethin’ drew me here. It’s as if there’s a missin’ piece t’tha puzzle that can be answered here.”
“If you say so.” Byson shrugs.
“Besides, once we get done wit’ this, we can hop on tha jet an’ head t’London so we can win those tag straps.”
“London? Damn, weren’t we just in Canada? At this rate I’m not going to be able to afford more diesel for the jet to get to these places.”
Duce laughs before slapping Byson across the back in a playful manner.
“Bruh, I’m talkin’ bout London, Ontario not London, England.” Duce chuckles again. “Let’s just go in an’ check this place out.”
“You have a key?”
“Yeah afta my first World title win, I bought this house straight out. Tried rentin’ it out but folks don’t treat ya shit right. Besides, my pockets ain’t been too hot lately so I’m not really able t’afford a lawn care service.”
“Got ya, maybe when we beat TLS and Zybala Monday night we’ll get someone out here to straighten this place out because this here..” Byson points at the property. “Is not it.”
“C’mon..” Duce says, deterring the conversation.
Opening up the small dingy white picket fence, the brothers walk along the walkway before coming to the six steps that lead up towards the porch. Veering to the left, they come to a screen door that’s seen it’s fair share of better days.
“How long were you in that concentration camp for?”
Duce looks at the door pulling on it, with a creak, the door cracks and falls to the side of the porch, landing on the railing as Byson and Duce both jump back.
“Too fuckin’ long..” Duce sadly says.
Taking a key from the pockets of his basketball shorts, Duce uses the key to open the door. He steps across the threshold being met with a cloud of dust. Both men wave their hands in front of their faces, taking moments to cough but are soon able to clear their airwaves. After a long while the two are finally able to stand there comfortably without any fear. Duce calmly says.
“I’ve been havin’ a good while to thank bout this match comin’ up Monday an’ I’m not gettin’ a good feelin’ bout it.”
“What do you mean?” Byson asked with intrigue.
“I’ve been in this business goin’ on five years an’ tha first thang that I learned was that a card was always subject to change.”
“Okay, you say that to say what?”
“How do we even kno’ that it’s gonna be Mike an’ TLS that we even face come Monday night? I mean sure Tamika an’ Kali have their own matches but I kno’ that they’re capable’a pullin’ double duty. Then there’s Bob, tha big question mark.. Will he show up t’step t’tha plate. I went back an’ watched our triple threat tag match an’ I heard one’a tha commentatas say that they are flyin’ unda Freebird Rules.”
“Well at least we know for a fact that Mike is going to be one of them so we don’t have to worry about that end.”
“True but there’s still so many possibilities, I mean TLS could show up, hell maybe he feels that we’re beneath him but it doesn’t matta who they brang out, any’a em can get smacked in tha face by my knee.”
“That’s the brother that I remember. All of this doubting shit just doesn’t sound like you.”
“Oh I wasn’t doubtin’ anythang on our end cause I kno’ that we’ll be ready. It was mo’ of a question’a who we needed t’be ready fo’.”
Byson raises an eyebrow before turning off to walk through the large house.
“Cool, I can understand that but this is our moment to take this division to the next level. It’s been stuck in purgatory for so long with champions who show little to no care about the very titles that they are carrying.”
“Wayment.. You can’t just say that. I’m sure that Zybala cares about the title.”
“But he’s probably the only one. Kali has the World title. TLS might hold some ill will behind that but you never know. Then Tamika has her own thing going, seeing as she’s producing her own show while also preparing for Justin York. Barring any mishaps we could have this thing pretty much wrapped up.”
Duce. A voice whispers from the set of steps that lead up. Duce looks off, totally ignoring Byson’s last statement. Byson seems to not have heard the voice as he goes to check the house out. Duce… The voice whispers again, Jones looks towards the steps and slowly walk towards them. With curiosity plastered on his face, he debates on whether to leave or not but he’s come to grow into a man who knows that there’s only one power to fear. Grabbing ahold of the railing, Duce slowly makes his way up the steps.
“Crazy what a few years can do huh?” Duce questioned with his eyes never leaving the house.
Byson pats him on the back. “Hell, this whole block appears to be in need of complete renovation.”
We scan to one side to see a beaten up trailer secured firmly to the ground in desperate need of some revitalization. The grass appears to be in about the same shape as Duce’s childhood home.
“With tha way that tha housin’ market goin’.. It’s only a matta’a time befo’ tha entire neighborhood looks like this.”
“Why are we here?” Byson asked.
“I dunno..” Duce calmly stated. “Just wanted t’see tha ole crib. Plus wit OCW given’ us a vacation, I thought it’d be time t’catch up on shit that I’ve been missin’.”
“And that led you here?”
“Yeah..”
“Umm-hmm..” Byson looks over to his brother who’s completely enthralled and then back towards the house himself.
“Y’kno’..” Duce starts. “Afta’ all those years on tha road wit Pops, travelin’ from state t’state, show fta’ show.. This is where it all started fa me.. This is where I finally made tha decision t’become a pro wrestla’..”
July, 2017
We phase into the room of a nineteen year old Duce Jones. Plastered all over the walls are posters of some of the top wrestlers in the business who Duce considered some of his favorites growing up. While the camera pans around the room, we get shots of the different wall art. FTF, Kronic, TLS, Josh Allen, Goldie, PIC, El Linchador, Marcus Ka’Derrion and even one of The Big Bifford. Having a duffle bag on his full size bed, Duce places folded loads of clothes into the bag as he prepares for his big trip to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. The excitement in Duce’s eyes are hard to hide while he hums the tune of one of his favorite Young Dolph songs, ‘Facts’. His mood shifts when a knock comes at the door.
“C’mon!” Duce yells as he continues to takes clothes from the pile on the bed and neatly place it into the bag.
The door swings open and Krayzie, Duce’s father, steps inside. He takes a moment to take in the sight of his son getting packing up to leave the nest.
“I see that you’re almost ready.” Krayzie says walking over and standing next to his son.
“Yep, I just bout got everythang packed up.” Duce stops what he’s doing and turns towards his father as if expecting a big talk to come.
“Boy.. Have a seat.”
Duce moves his bag out of the way as they both have a seat on his bed.
“Sup, Pops?”
“I just wanted to say that I’m happy that you’ve finally decided on what it is that you want to do with your life. I know that I’ve been hard on you about getting your life together but I need you to understand that this world isn’t anything to play with.”
Duce nods.
“Now are you sure that this is what you want to do?” Krayzie asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
“Yeah, Pops. I thank that I’m ready t’get out there an’ show t’world what I can do. But as much trainin’ as I’ve done unda you, I thank that it’s time that branch off an’ get my own style goin’ befo’ I get inside’a that rang.”
Krayzie shakes his head in approval with what Duce stated.
“Well I got everything set up with Sulu, he’s going to meet you at the airport when you arrive. He’s got a place for you stay and you’ll be training at his gym.”
“Bet.”
“I want you to know though, Duce..” Krayzie pauses for a minute, Duce looks at him intently. “This business..” He pauses again. “This business is a monster within itself, it’ll chew you up and spit you out if you’re not careful. There are so many obstacles that can come in your way if you’re not careful. Stay on your ten toes and make sure that you pay attention to every and anything that you can. Always keep a learning mind, keep your head clear.”
Duce chuckles knowing that keeping his mind clear is the last thing that he’s able to do.
“I’m serious boy, there are good people in this business but there are guys who will make you hate what you do. Question whether or not this was the right choice to make. Whether if you’ll want to continue going or just give the fuck up.”
Duce nods, taking in the information before responding.
“So what kept you goin’?”
“Hmph.. you and your sisters. If it wasn’t for you three, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”
“Fa sho..” Duce says approvingly. “I’ll make sho t’keep ya words in mind.”
“Also.. before I leave and let you finish getting ready. I’m going to let you know now that this business has given me the opportunity to see things that I’ve never thought I’d see. Good and bad. My advice to you is to thread lightly, all opportunities aren’t good opportunities and just be the best man that you can be, don’t let anything nor anyone get you out of character because it could cost you more than you think.”
“Got it, Pops. I’m gonna make sho t’make tha family name proud.”
Krayzie pats him across the back.
“That’s good to hear.”
Back in present time.
Byson and Duce still stand outside of the childhood home when Duce looks towards Byson.
“Y’kno’, I left t’get a start on a new life. See, Pops, he thought I was leavin’ cause I was ready t’become a betta wrestla but that was tha lie that I told em.”
Byson snickers a bit.
“What are you talking about?”
“I really left cause my trap spot got busted.”
Byson’s face goes into reflecting mode as he begins to think back, given that he and Duce once shared the same consciousness. The memory finally clicks in his mind, almost instinctively Byson’s right hand balls into a fist as he slowly places it towards his mouth while the other hand slowly points at Duce.
“Ohhhhhhhhhh……..”
“Yep.”
“You’re fucking right!” Byson screams uncontrollably.
“Hell yeah, that night was fucking crazy.”
“So why are we here again?” Byson said, changing the subject.
“It’s been a minute since I’ve been here. After my career took off and Pops got the school up and running, he moved back to Memphis to focus more on that before it got burned down.”
“Damn, just going through a lot of shit over these past few years, huh?”
“Hell yeah, but somethin’ drew me here. It’s as if there’s a missin’ piece t’tha puzzle that can be answered here.”
“If you say so.” Byson shrugs.
“Besides, once we get done wit’ this, we can hop on tha jet an’ head t’London so we can win those tag straps.”
“London? Damn, weren’t we just in Canada? At this rate I’m not going to be able to afford more diesel for the jet to get to these places.”
Duce laughs before slapping Byson across the back in a playful manner.
“Bruh, I’m talkin’ bout London, Ontario not London, England.” Duce chuckles again. “Let’s just go in an’ check this place out.”
“You have a key?”
“Yeah afta my first World title win, I bought this house straight out. Tried rentin’ it out but folks don’t treat ya shit right. Besides, my pockets ain’t been too hot lately so I’m not really able t’afford a lawn care service.”
“Got ya, maybe when we beat TLS and Zybala Monday night we’ll get someone out here to straighten this place out because this here..” Byson points at the property. “Is not it.”
“C’mon..” Duce says, deterring the conversation.
Opening up the small dingy white picket fence, the brothers walk along the walkway before coming to the six steps that lead up towards the porch. Veering to the left, they come to a screen door that’s seen it’s fair share of better days.
“How long were you in that concentration camp for?”
Duce looks at the door pulling on it, with a creak, the door cracks and falls to the side of the porch, landing on the railing as Byson and Duce both jump back.
“Too fuckin’ long..” Duce sadly says.
Taking a key from the pockets of his basketball shorts, Duce uses the key to open the door. He steps across the threshold being met with a cloud of dust. Both men wave their hands in front of their faces, taking moments to cough but are soon able to clear their airwaves. After a long while the two are finally able to stand there comfortably without any fear. Duce calmly says.
“I’ve been havin’ a good while to thank bout this match comin’ up Monday an’ I’m not gettin’ a good feelin’ bout it.”
“What do you mean?” Byson asked with intrigue.
“I’ve been in this business goin’ on five years an’ tha first thang that I learned was that a card was always subject to change.”
“Okay, you say that to say what?”
“How do we even kno’ that it’s gonna be Mike an’ TLS that we even face come Monday night? I mean sure Tamika an’ Kali have their own matches but I kno’ that they’re capable’a pullin’ double duty. Then there’s Bob, tha big question mark.. Will he show up t’step t’tha plate. I went back an’ watched our triple threat tag match an’ I heard one’a tha commentatas say that they are flyin’ unda Freebird Rules.”
“Well at least we know for a fact that Mike is going to be one of them so we don’t have to worry about that end.”
“True but there’s still so many possibilities, I mean TLS could show up, hell maybe he feels that we’re beneath him but it doesn’t matta who they brang out, any’a em can get smacked in tha face by my knee.”
“That’s the brother that I remember. All of this doubting shit just doesn’t sound like you.”
“Oh I wasn’t doubtin’ anythang on our end cause I kno’ that we’ll be ready. It was mo’ of a question’a who we needed t’be ready fo’.”
Byson raises an eyebrow before turning off to walk through the large house.
“Cool, I can understand that but this is our moment to take this division to the next level. It’s been stuck in purgatory for so long with champions who show little to no care about the very titles that they are carrying.”
“Wayment.. You can’t just say that. I’m sure that Zybala cares about the title.”
“But he’s probably the only one. Kali has the World title. TLS might hold some ill will behind that but you never know. Then Tamika has her own thing going, seeing as she’s producing her own show while also preparing for Justin York. Barring any mishaps we could have this thing pretty much wrapped up.”
Duce. A voice whispers from the set of steps that lead up. Duce looks off, totally ignoring Byson’s last statement. Byson seems to not have heard the voice as he goes to check the house out. Duce… The voice whispers again, Jones looks towards the steps and slowly walk towards them. With curiosity plastered on his face, he debates on whether to leave or not but he’s come to grow into a man who knows that there’s only one power to fear. Grabbing ahold of the railing, Duce slowly makes his way up the steps.
