Post by Jacki O'Lantern on May 20, 2022 1:29:32 GMT -5
In a forgotten corner of the arena, in a loading bay specifically, big country bumpkin Johnny Dodges is alone, picking at strings on his beat-up old guitar. It’s out of tune but Johnny is doing what he can to fix it, his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth. He tunes it up and strums the opening chords to Midnight Rider. Satisfied, he starts plucking out the tune.
An excited Jacki O'Lantern enters the frame and stands beside her old friend. She places a hand on his shoulder in hope he notices her there.
“Jacki O'Lantern: Hey bud, long time no see. How is life with you? I see you still have your guitar handy. That's great to see. ”
Johnny brightens at the sight of Jacki’s creepily painted face, he stops playing and embraces her in a bear hug. When he lets go, he claps her on the shoulder. “Gosh-damn pumpkin girl, yer a sight for sore eyes. I haven’t seen ya in… damn it, a long time.”
She gives him one big hug. The two had known each other in a different promotion, but lost touch when it closed. She let go and her eyes lit up, seeing him again. He looked the same as he did the first time they met.
“Jacki O'Lantern: Yeah, it has been a good awhile. You look great. I saw you had signed with Uprising a couple of weeks back. Congrats on that. Now it looks like you and I are about to go toe to toe with each other. I can't say I was expecting that, but I am freaking excited. First time experiences are always special, and I have a feeling our match will be just that.”
Johnny gets an aw-shucks look and starts noodling on his guitar again. “Oh I heard about that. Truth be told I’m kinda sorry for it. Not because you’re not a strong-willed, emancipated young woman or nothin’, but more like… I dunno. Friends shouldn’t fight, you know? But then again I get the feelin’ you’d be more upset with me if I didn’t fight ya. That about right?”
“Jacki O'Lantern: Maybe, maybe not, but I'm sure at the end of the match we can remain friends if you'd like, then I can help you familiarize more with the company. There is a lot to be learned. ”
Johnny smiles. He blushes a little. “You know what? I think I’d like that.”
He strums the opening the chords to Midnight Rider again, this time growing thoughtful. “You got your ukulele handy?”
She pulls out her ukulele from her jacket pocket and twirls it around.
“Jacki O'Lantern: You know I would not come here empty-handed. Why don't we relive the past and play some tunes. ”
Johnny smiles. He counts her in and together they begin to play a handsome song: We Are Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes.
They continue playing for a few more minutes, then they stop and she smiles.
“Jacki O'Lantern: It looks like we didn't miss a beat. Good job. I loved how we sounded, so besides music, how has the training been going?”
Johnny considers the question thoughtfully. “It’s been goin’. I dunno. I don’t feel like I’m me right now, if that makes any sense. Been awhile since, well, the last place. Feel rusty.”
“Jacki O'Lantern: That's why you got me to help you with that. Look, why don't we take a walk, and you can tell me more about it. It might help you.”
Johnny puts the guitar down gently. Beat up as it may be, it’s his. He stands up and offers his hand to Jacki, who takes it. “Sounds like a nice idea, friend.”
Together the two walk off screen, hand in hand, discussing amongst themselves the finer points of how to beat the hell out of your friend in a wrestling match.
An excited Jacki O'Lantern enters the frame and stands beside her old friend. She places a hand on his shoulder in hope he notices her there.
“Jacki O'Lantern: Hey bud, long time no see. How is life with you? I see you still have your guitar handy. That's great to see. ”
Johnny brightens at the sight of Jacki’s creepily painted face, he stops playing and embraces her in a bear hug. When he lets go, he claps her on the shoulder. “Gosh-damn pumpkin girl, yer a sight for sore eyes. I haven’t seen ya in… damn it, a long time.”
She gives him one big hug. The two had known each other in a different promotion, but lost touch when it closed. She let go and her eyes lit up, seeing him again. He looked the same as he did the first time they met.
“Jacki O'Lantern: Yeah, it has been a good awhile. You look great. I saw you had signed with Uprising a couple of weeks back. Congrats on that. Now it looks like you and I are about to go toe to toe with each other. I can't say I was expecting that, but I am freaking excited. First time experiences are always special, and I have a feeling our match will be just that.”
Johnny gets an aw-shucks look and starts noodling on his guitar again. “Oh I heard about that. Truth be told I’m kinda sorry for it. Not because you’re not a strong-willed, emancipated young woman or nothin’, but more like… I dunno. Friends shouldn’t fight, you know? But then again I get the feelin’ you’d be more upset with me if I didn’t fight ya. That about right?”
“Jacki O'Lantern: Maybe, maybe not, but I'm sure at the end of the match we can remain friends if you'd like, then I can help you familiarize more with the company. There is a lot to be learned. ”
Johnny smiles. He blushes a little. “You know what? I think I’d like that.”
He strums the opening the chords to Midnight Rider again, this time growing thoughtful. “You got your ukulele handy?”
She pulls out her ukulele from her jacket pocket and twirls it around.
“Jacki O'Lantern: You know I would not come here empty-handed. Why don't we relive the past and play some tunes. ”
Johnny smiles. He counts her in and together they begin to play a handsome song: We Are Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes.
They continue playing for a few more minutes, then they stop and she smiles.
“Jacki O'Lantern: It looks like we didn't miss a beat. Good job. I loved how we sounded, so besides music, how has the training been going?”
Johnny considers the question thoughtfully. “It’s been goin’. I dunno. I don’t feel like I’m me right now, if that makes any sense. Been awhile since, well, the last place. Feel rusty.”
“Jacki O'Lantern: That's why you got me to help you with that. Look, why don't we take a walk, and you can tell me more about it. It might help you.”
Johnny puts the guitar down gently. Beat up as it may be, it’s his. He stands up and offers his hand to Jacki, who takes it. “Sounds like a nice idea, friend.”
Together the two walk off screen, hand in hand, discussing amongst themselves the finer points of how to beat the hell out of your friend in a wrestling match.