Post by Aaron Warthog on Mar 27, 2024 15:51:47 GMT -5
The shot comes up on Aaron Warthog, sitting in front of a table at an unknown bar. There are empty booths behind him, but let's face it, none of them really fit a man the size of Warthog. He reaches down, grabbing his mug and taking a long, long drink from it, finishing it off before slamming it back on the table. He then looks around, noticing the empty dish to the right of him.
Aaron - Any way Ah can get mahself some more of those fancy peanuts ya got here?
There's no response from the help here, as the bartender is looking away, his arms crossed. Then again, it's a bar. Aaron knows you have to take care of things yourself sometimes. He gets up, walking over to the bar, where another dish of peanuts can be seen. He switches them out, then glances over at what's got everyone's attention. Looking up, he sees a wrestling match taking place on another federation's show. One big man lifts a smaller wrestler in the air, before driving him into the canvas. He makes the cover, and the ref quickly makes the three count. Aaron smiles, always happy to see a big-time maneuver, but he stops short when they hears the announcer.
Memphis Belle - Your winner by pinfall, The Juggernaut!
The people around the TV start clapping, happy with the result, but Aaron turns away. He can't help but smile, though, hearing his sweet wife's voice for the first time in a long while.
Aaron - Ya keep doin' whatcha gotta do, Memphis. Ah'm proud of ya as always.
Rubbing at his eyes slightly, Aaron uses his other hand to down the entire dish of peanuts, and then sets it aside. He heads for the door, no longer in the mood for drinking the night away. The big man looks over towards his large truck sitting to the side, but he shakes his head.
Aaron - Ah've had too much of that there firewater. You'll nevah see Aaron Warthog drivin' while three sheets to tha wind. A walk'll do mah head good.
The Warthog turns and starts down the sidewalk, taking in a few deep breaths of fresh air as he walks off. Behind him, a shadowy figure can be seen, watching him. It moves as silently as possible, following Aaron as he continues on his way, presumably towards wherever he is currently living now. As Warthog walks, he rubs at the back of his head, as if feeling something is off.
Aaron - Ah'm glad Ah'm going to be gettin' mahself back into the wrasslin' ring this week. Ah know they must've still got some faith in tha Warthog, since they booked me against a livin' legend in Tony Savage. Ah know all about that guy. Ah have to respect him for what he's done. If only Ah could have been half as successful as him... but there is still time, ain't there?
Aaron stops at a corner, looking both directions like a smart, drunk guy. He nods, seeing nobody, and continues on his way, walking with the light. The shadowy figure stays behind him, darting from doorway to doorway to stay hidden.
Aaron - Ah tell you what, a win over Tony Savage would mean big money for a guy like mah. The fans would never ben expectin' that, would they? Maybe Ah could surprise them. All it would take would be Tony the Tiger lettin' down his guard and allowin' me to run him over with that there Stampede. But Ah'm going to need him ta do something stupid like completely underestimatin' me. People always seem to do that. They think that the way Ah talk means that Ah'm not that in-tell-i-gente. But Ah have proven many of them wrong. That's how Ah was the Prestige Champ once and Ah will be again someday. If Tony is like that, Ah'll use it against him... just like this.
Aaron turns the next corner, increasing his large pace. The shadowy figure waits a moment to make sure he's out of view, before hurrying to the same corner. It turns, looking around... and realizing that Aaron Warthog isn't visible on the street anymore. Confused, the figure takes a few more steps, looking for anything that could hide the shape of one of the largest wrestlers in TPW. There is a tree nearby, and the figure can see something poking out around the edge of it. The figure, pleased, moves forward to the right, to get a better perspective of the hiding Warthog. The only problem is, it's NOT Warthog, as we see it's actually a tire swing hanging behind it. The figure stops again, then straightens up in fear, as a large figure blocks out the light behind them.
Aaron - Boo.
The figure shouts in a high-pitched voice, then tries to leap away, but Aaron is already grabbing their arm and snatching the hat off of their head. A scared-looking dark-haired woman is underneath, trying to pull free.
Woman - Let me go!! HELP!!
Aaron - Calm down, little lady. Ah just want to know why's you was followin' mah.
The woman, though, doesn't stop, as she reaches down with her free hand and pulls out a can of mace. She sprays it right into Warthog's face. Surprisingly, he doesn't let go, as he just shakes his head.
Aaron - That mace hasn't worked on the Warthog for years. Wrasslin's given me some kinda immunity. Now don't get yer bowels in an uproar, yer kidneys in a downpour and yer liver in a jar. Ah'll let you go if ya don't run, okay?
The woman slumps, finally stopping her efforts to escape. Warthog then follows through on his word, releasing her arm.
Aaron - Now what's all this about, missie? Ah wasn't doin' nobody no harm.
The woman stares at Warthog for a few seconds, before releasing a sigh.
Woman - I... I thought... I thought you were the guy...
Aaron - Well... Ah AM a guy... but Ah don't know about THE guy...
The woman shakes her head, looking tired, so Warthog helps her over to the tire swing that worked so well in his favor, having her sit on it.
Aaron - Now, Ah didn't just fall off the turnip truck yesterday. Ah know you was scared of me. But Who did ya think Ah am?
Woman - ... A rapist.
Aaron stares at her for a few seconds, then lets out a belly laugh.
Aaron - Rapist? Me? Haw haw haw! No way, mah mother raised me right! Besides, wouldn't Ah have been followin' you instead a you followin' me?
Woman - I was looking for them. My sister said her attacker was... big...
That wipes the smile off of Aaron's face.
Aaron - Yer sister was attacked? Oh damnation, Ah'm sorry. But it wasn't me, I swear it on my father's farm.
Woman - No, you would have taken me down already if you were. I thought the mace was enough...
Aaron - For most, it might be. Ah'm just a little special, so mah Mom always said. Mah name is Aaron.
Woman - ... Crystal.
Aaron nods, smiling, and patting the woman on the shoulder. It causes the tire swing to go back and forth.
Aaron - That there is a pretty name. So Ah assume it happened back near that bar?
Crystal - Sarah was there with some friends, but she had to leave early. The guy attacked her as she was trying to get into her car. I thought maybe he'd come back...
Aaron - So yer stalkin' out every guy there? That will be tough. Did your sis remembah anything else?
Crystal thinks about it for a few seconds.
Crystal - Just that he was big. Oh, and he had a tattoo on his shoulder. But everyone is wearing jackets since it's cold today so I can't check for that.
Aaron - What kinda tattoo?
Crystal - She just said it was big, like a tool or something.
Aaron - Like a corkscrew?
Crystal looks back, startled at the change in Warthog's voice.
Crystal - Maybe. Why?
Aaron - We're goin' back to tha bar. C'mon.
A steaming Warthog walks off, with Crystal hurrying to catch up to him. They haven't gone too far, so within a minute, they're going back through the doors. Warthog walks right up to the bar, staring at the man behind it, who finally turns to face him. His face shifts from disappointment to a fake, happy expression.
Bartender - Welcome back, big man. Forget something? Uh, I've put in an order for more peanuts, but they won't be getting here until...
Aaron reaches over the bar and grabs the bartender, yanking him forward so that his right arm dangles over the edge. We can plainly see a corkscrew tattoo showing underneath his rolled-up sleeve. Aaron looks back at Crystal.
Aaron - Like that?
Crystal - ... Yes. Like that.
Bartender - Wh-what's going on? Sir? I don't...
With no further words, Crystal sprays the bartender in the face with her can of mace. He yells out, blinded, but Warthog doesn't let go of him. He just pulls him closer.
Aaron - Boy, Ah'm about to cloud up and rain all over you. You attack this girl's sister?
Bartender - I... wait... it wasn't like... she WANTED me to...
Aaron - Tha's all Ah needed to hear.
Warthog hauls the bartender over the bar and out of our sight. Crystal watches, her mouth open, as we hear the sounds of many things being broken. From the shouts, there are probably a few ribs involved in there, too. Finally, the sound stops, and Warthog walks back over to Crystal, dusting off his hands.
Aaron - That work for ya?
Crystal - That was... great!
Aaron - Ah'm happy ya got what ya needed. Now get outta here. Ya don't need to be part of this.
Crystal - But what about you?
Aaron - Ah was leavin' town anyway.
Crystal gives Warthog a quick, impulsive hug, and then turns away, leaving the bar. Warthog steps forward, seeing the groaning figure in front of him. The rest of the bar has cleared out. Warthog shakes his head at him, before turning to leave himself. But he spots one more dish of peanuts that was miraculously spared in the fighting.
Aaron - Well ain't that a blessin'.
Warthog grabs the dish and walks out, disappearing from sight.
We come back to a shot of Warthog waiting for his flight at the airport. He looks down at the ticket to Seattle, nodding his head.
Aaron - Glad they comp us these tickets. Otherwise Ah'd be forfeiting to ol' Savage.
Warthog looks forward, seeing that the line isn't moving. Some early boarders are clogging up the path.
Aaron - Ah wonder if Tony would give me an autograph before we fight? Mah oldest would love it. Course, Ah'd have to mail it anonymously. But Ah'll do it, just like Ah keep sending cash whenever Ah can. And if Ah can get a victory over Savage, that there's money in the bank for sure.
An older lady behind Warthog in line is looking at him strangely, since he seems to just be talking to himself. But Warthog doesn't notice.
Aaron - Ah mean, he ain't unbeatable. He fell ta Larry Tact at tha PPV, didn't he? So that means Ah can beat him too if Ah do my best, Lord willing and the creek don't rise. And maybe, who knows, maybe ma kids will be watchin'. Ah wish Ah could talk to them. Wish Ah could explain... but soon. Ah'll be able to return soon.
Warthog shakes off the anguish, composing himself. He finally notices the woman staring at him, and throws a nervous smile on his face. He nods towards the entryway.
Aaron - It won't be long now, said the cat when they cut off his tail. Right?
In response, the older woman leaves the line, heading towards the back instead. Warthog shrugs.
Aaron - Well, she'll find a better flight Ah'm sure. But Ah have to stay on this one. Ah can't be late for mah fight if Ah want that paycheck. So Ah hope Tony Savage is ready, because Ah ain't just gonna roll over like a duck with bad balance. Ah'll be hittin' him with every tool in mah toolbox, and maybe the box itself. And if that gets me the win, Ah'll be happier than a pig in poop.
The line finally starts to move, as preboarding is completed. Warthog straightens up, dusts himself off, and moves forward, ready to get back into the squared circle once again. We fade out.
