Breakdown 2-17-22 #1
{{Sunday, January 23
Detroit, MI
After Body, Heart, and Soul}}
The show was over. The fans were gone from the arena, as were most of the wrestlers. A few stragglers lingered, along with the crew. One of those stragglers was Spencer Pryce. He'd showered, changed, and picked up the United States Championship belt a few times, still comprehending that it was actually his. He'd gone in to the match exactly as he stated, fully expecting to win. But he hadn't gotten a really good look at the belt itself until it was handed to him. Spencer hadn't expected an eleven pound leather and gold creation to feel like so much more than the sum of its parts. Spencer walked from his locker room back out to gorilla, and through the curtain. The lights were dark, only the frame of the ring was left standing – crew had taken most of it apart already. Spencer stood on the stage, staring out at the empty arena. He had carried the belt with him, and looked down at it hanging from his grip. Everything he had put himself through since his mom died had led to this. Finding the information about his father, deciding to pursue wrestling, making the move from Beaumont to New Orleans to train at Amy Chastaine's academy, being in the same city as the man who walked out on his mom (and him) yet keeping his mouth shut. For over a year, Spencer had kept his head down, done the work, perfected his craft. He signed with SCW, the best place to be to take down the legend that his father was. But even that wasn't enough. No one would listen to a rookie, not even one managed by a hall of famer. Spencer knew he needed more. He had to rise up the ranks, make an impact in SCW. Miraculously, SCW had given him the chance when he was booked into the US Championship contenders match. The Connection had set him back a bit by ruining the first match he had against Christy Matthews, but it hadn't mattered. Christy was more than willing to offer a rematch, and Shaun Cruze had given it to him when he took over the General Manager spot. Every single one of the people Spencer had come into contact with so far – Amy, Marie, Jaina, Christy, Kandis and Tommy, even Tsunami – had played a role in getting Spencer to where he now was.
SCW United States Champion. Someone who meant something. Someone people would listen to.
Spencer had been waiting for the right moment to start seriously planning out when and how he was going to confront his father, out the truth about him to the world. He'd thought about it so many times since signing the contract. Just asking for a mic and letting loose. Yet, something stopped him. Either Amy's constant preaching about perception, or Tsunami's incessant pestering, or Marie's company. But standing there on the stage, only about two hours removed from becoming a champion, Spencer understood the adage “everything happens for a reason.” He was meant to hold his tongue until now. Until he proved himself. Until he gave SCW a reason to listen to him. The clock had just started to tick down on his father's legend status.
Spencer heard steps behind him, they echoed on the metal stage in the empty arena. He turned, and saw Amy walking up behind him.
“Still surreal, huh?”
“Little bit.”
“We should go. They want to start tearing the stage down.”
Spencer looked around the arena once more, then nodded. “Yeah, alright.” He turned and followed Amy back through the curtain. “Jaina and Marie still here?” Neither young woman had been booked on the show – Marie was hurt and Jaina was too new to the ring, nor was she doing interviews anymore – but they came to see Spencer's match. They'd greeted him just through the curtain after it was over, all smiles and congratulatory hugs.
“Yeah, they're waiting for us at the locker room.”
Spencer just nodded. He hadn't really cared one way or the other about Jaina's whereabouts, he just really wanted to see Marie.
After meeting up with the girls and collecting his luggage, ten minutes later Spencer was walking through the hotel door. The four of them get into an elevator. They ride in comfortable silence, until the car stops on the fifth floor, where Amy and Jaina exit. Spencer and Marie's rooms were one floor up, a few doors down from each other. They exit on the sixth floor, and Spencer walks Marie to her room door.
“There you go, safely to your door, just like at home.” Spencer smirked.
“Always the gentleman. I guess I should be a lady and invite you in.” Marie grinned, opening her door as she spoke.
“You don't have to... but I'd like if it you did.”
“Then come in.” Spencer glanced down at his luggage handle in his hand. “Just bring it in, it's fine.”
Without any further hesitation, Spencer followed Marie inside. He wheeled his bag in, leaving it next to the door, before letting the door close behind him. He looked up to see Marie had already kicked her shoes off, but she hadn't sat anywhere yet. Even barefooted, she was nearly as tall as him.
“I won't keep you long, I just wanted to talk for a moment not standing in the hallway... and say congratulations again. So many people thought you were out of your league and you proved them all wrong.” She smiled, eyes full of admiration.
“Thanks, again. I don't think I could have done it without you.”
“Me? What do you mean?”
“You remember last week, right? When I was pissed about Tsunami ruining everything. I wanted to rip the mans throat out for putting his hands on you like that! Jaina, too.” Mentioning Jaina was almost an afterthought. “But you just.... did your thing.”
“What thing is that?”
“As angry as I was, you were just as chill. You insisted you and Jaina were okay, and you made me refocus. Not even Amy could do that.”
“She seemed to help you calm down, too. She was right, you know. Screaming about security after the fact was pointless.”
Spencer nodded. “Yeah, she was. But she also kept pushing me to trust Christy, and I just don't. You saw how she was out there so fast, just itching to play savior.”
“Yes, I saw. I don't really trust her, either. I think you're right, she's trying too hard to turn all of this into something to make her look good.”
“Exactly. You get it. I think that's what helped the most. You never tried to talk me down, you just... understood.” Spencer sighed, and stepped back to sit on the edge of the bed. “Seems like no one really understands me when I talk, but you always do.”
Marie smiled. “You're not that hard to understand.”
“I hope you still feel that way after I figure out what do about my father.”
“Why wouldn't I? What do you mean?”
Spencer sighed. “I don't know. I'm just trying to figure out when and how to confront him. Just when I think I can let it go a little bit longer, give myself some more time, something happens that makes me want to just scream in his face, how he's a piece of shit for what he did to my mom.” Spencer shook his head. A few things in the last week or so had made him want to do exactly that. But he held back. He wondered to himself if he would be able to next time, now that he has credibility as a champion to speak and be heard. “But I can't just put him on blast like that, you know? He wouldn't believe me if I just throw it out there, and neither would anyone else. I need to plan it out, have all my shit together, all the proof.”
Marie sat next to Spencer on the end of the bed. “Do you have proof?”
“I don't have a DNA test, if that's what you mean. But I have my mom's papers. Letters he wrote her, pictures, the papers with his name on it. It's almost impossible for it to be anyone else.”
“So what's stopping you?”
Laying back, Spencer sighed again. One hand covering his face, he wasn't sure how to answer.
“It's complicated.”
“If you have all these papers and things, how can it be?”
Spencer sat up a bit, propping himself up on his elbows. “The man is well known, okay? Respected. I'm this kid come out of nowhere, upset a legend for a championship, and then I'm gonna come out with this? It's... gonna blow a whole lot of things up. My whole mission in coming to BOA, signing with SCW, was to put myself in a position to out him as the shitstain he is. But now that I'm in the perfect position to do so... I'm wondering if it's worth the risk to some of my relationships.” Spencer had just realized as the words left his mouth that that was one of the reasons he had held back, too. He knew a lot of people would be angry, and many would take his father's side, purely out of loyalty.
“What relationships? “
“Amy, first of all. Jaina. Almost everyone at BOA, really. You.”
Marie blinked in surprise. “Me? How? You're not making any sense, what does your father have to do with me?”
“Like I said, it's complicated.”
A look of comprehension fell across Marie's face. “Wait, do I know him? Is this what you meant by hoping I still feel like you're easy to understand?”
Closing his eyes, Spencer rubbed his face with one hand. Fuck it. Caleb would tell him he was crazy, but it had to be done.
“The only way you it'll make sense is if I tell you who he is.”
“You don't have to do that. I know it's important to you to keep it to yourself until the right time.”
“I want to. Because I want you to understand. But I need you to promise me that nothing I say is gonna leave this room.”
“Of course. I promise.”
Spencer spent the next ten minutes explaining it all to Marie. Finding the letters and pictures after his mom died. The initials, then the name, then learning the man had changed his name for professional purposes, ending with naming his father out loud for the first time, to someone other than Caleb. Marie sat in silence for a few moments, processing everything she'd been told.
“So many things make so much more sense now.”
“I told you that you couldn't fully understand unless you knew who he is. You can't say anything, okay?”
“Spencer. I already promised you I wouldn't, and I meant it. How many times do I need to say that your secrets are safe with me?”
“I believe you, it's just... once this gets exposed? Everything will change. I have no idea who's gonna stick by me, or by him. I need to know if you'll be on my side.”
Marie smiled, and laid her hand over his. “Of course I'm on your side. I'm your friend.”
Spencer had already taken a huge risk, a chance, by telling Marie everything. He figured he might as well go all in and take another chance.
“Is that all I am, your friend? You did invite me into your room.”
“I wanted to talk comfortably. And maybe I just like hanging out with you.”
“Maybe...” Spencer sat up all the way and turned himself to face Marie directly. “.... I'm wondering what exactly is happening here. Because in my experience, most women who invite me into their rooms don't want to be just friends.”
Marie looked away a second, Spencer was certain he saw a light redness creep across her face. He had to keep reminding himself that she was younger than she seemed. When she looked back up though, she had a grin on her face. “Maybe I just like you. Is that okay?”
“More than okay.” He smiled back, then reached up to brush her hair back away from her face. Marie had that look on her face, the one women get when they're expecting to be kissed. Eyes relaxed, lips slightly parted. Spencer didn't dare disappoint. He leaned in slow and delivered the expected kiss. They parted, and both smiled.
'I have a feeling Amy isn't going to like this.”
“Oh, I already know she hates it. I've been warned. Repeatedly.”
Marie giggled. “I don't care.”
“Neither do I.” The laughs and smiles faded, and they kissed again, deeper. Marie touched his face, Spencer ran his fingers through her hair at the back of her head. He then slid his hand down her back then to the side, gently grabbed the hem of her shirt, then started to slowly lift it up. Marie put her hand over his, stopping him.
“Wait... stop. I don't want... I mean, I'm not-”
Spencer pulled his hand back and leaned away from her a bit. “Alright. Say no more.”
“I'm sorry. I-”
“No need for that.” He grinned, brushing her hair back again, then stood up, standing in front of her as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I'll get back to my room, let you get some sleep. Thanks for listening to my shit.”
“Thanks for trusting me with it.”
Spencer leaned over to kiss her once more. “I wouldn't trust anyone else.” He walked over to the door and grabbed his bag. “See you in the morning.”
“Bright and early. Goodnight... champ.” Marie smirked.
“I like how that sounds... especially from you. Goodnight.”
Spencer left Marie's room, not noticing how she watched him walk out.
Three doors down and across the hall, Spencer let himself into his own room, slung his bag into the corner, then immediately jumped in the shower. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't hoped that encounter had ended differently. This was a development. First he'd finally gone against every plan he'd made and confided in Marie his biggest secret, and the dance they'd played for weeks had stopped – she admitted she liked him. Spencer wasn't sure which step was bigger. Done with the cool shower, Spencer got dressed and left again, headed for a nearby bar. He had a championship win to celebrate, and some energy to burn off. Yes, that means exactly what you think it means.
{{Tuesday, January 25
Gretna
BlackOut Academy}}
Spencer usually took the day after getting home from a show off from any training. It was something Amy taught him, the body needed to rest after travel, even more so after a Pay Per View and a tough match. Spencer spent Monday doing exactly that at home – laying in bed, replaying the weekend over in his mind. The match, the three count, the bell. The conversation with Marie... their kiss. He'd almost felt guilty when he got back to his room, a pretty young thing he'd met in the bar in tow. Almost.
He'd spoken to Caleb, leaving everything about Marie out of the conversation. Caleb wouldn't understand and Spencer hadn't felt like arguing with his brother about it again.
Tuesday morning, it was time to get back to work. It was even more important to keep himself perfectly conditioned – champions are targets. At Amy's request, Spencer took the US Title belt with him to BOA. She reasoned that it would be great motivation for the students to see and touch tangible results from the hard work BOA put them through.
Spencer walked through the door at the top of the stairs, the belt in his bag. The usual crew was in attendance – Amy, Simon, Jeff, and this week Jason Helms was in the Academy, too. All the students he knew were already there. He was surprised to Bree Lancaster seated in a chair at ringside. It had been a few weeks since she'd come by to help. As her belly got larger, it was harder for her to do much, and she grew frustrated with only being able to offer advice rather than get in the ring and show. But she was here today, and Spencer had a feeling it was because of him.
No one noticed as Spencer went to the larger practice ring, and set his bag on the apron. A delighted squeal that could only come from one person pierced the room. He was seen. Spencer turned in the direction of the sound and saw Bree standing with as big a smile on her face as he'd ever seen. He smiled back and walked over to greet her. She gave him the biggest hug she could muster with her nearly 7-month pregnant belly.
“OhmyGod, I am so proud of you babe!”
Spencer laughed as he stepped back from the hug. “Thanks. It's good to see you.”
“I just had to come by and congratulate you in person. I know the hard work you put in and you absolutely earned that championship.”
“I appreciate it. You played a part.”
Bree smiled again, then glanced at the bag on the apron. “Did you bring it with you? The belt?”
“Yeah, Amy asked me to. To show everyone.” Spencer reached over and pulledt the bag closer, then unzipped it and pulled the belt out. He'd removed Christy's nameplate, he would give it back at Breakdown, and be given one with his name. He handed the belt to Bree, he had a feeling she wanted to hold it. She took it, and looked down with a nostalgic smile.
“It makes me so happy to see someone holding this that I know will represent it well.” Bree looked up, still smiling. “I never lost this the last time, you know. I gave it up.”
Spencer nodded. “I remember... Extra Champ, right?”
Bree smirked. “That's right. I wasn't exactly the best person to be around back then, but I knew I had to let it go, so it could get the attention it deserves. Don't tell anyone, but this one is my favorite.”
“I promise I'll do everything I can to live up to your standard.”
“I know you will. We had the same teacher.” They both smiled. “Thanks for letting me see it up close again. Here. Go show off, give them something to work towards.”
Bree handed the belt back. Spencer laid it on the apron, and slid into the ring as Bree went back to her chair.
Once in the ring, Spencer picked the belt up again and turned to see Amy and Simon approaching. Jeff and Jason were in the other ring going through drills. This ring wasn't in use just yet.
“I see you've already spoken to Bree.”
“I think if she could run, she would have tacklehugged me at the door.”
Amy laughed. “Probably.”
Simon took a step closer. “I wasn't able to speak to you in Detroit, unfortunately work kept me from it, so I'll offer my congratulations now. You knocked it out of the park, son.”
Spencer hated anyone other than his mom calling him that, but he was in such a good mood after the weekend's events that he didn't feel like picking a fight with Simon. Instead, he accepted the offered handshake. “I know you and I have butted heads a lot since I came here, but I also know that despite that, I have learned a lot from you. So, thank you. I mean that.” As soon as the words were out, Spencer knew it was sincere. He did owe at least some of his refined skill to Simon's instruction.
“That means a lot. The only reason I'm hard on you, and maybe push you too hard at times, is because I want you to succeed. You're far too talented to let any ounce of it go to waste.”
Spencer nodded. “Yeah, I get that. Thanks... coach.”
The two men exchanged a nod, Spencer typically referred to Simon either by his name or 'old man.' Using 'coach' was a show of respect, and they both acknowledged it.
Amy saw that the drills in the other ring were done, and she called over and invited the students to come to this one, where they could talk to and congratulate Spencer themselves, and see the title belt. Spencer enjoyed the attention, showing off, answering questions. In the back of his mind he wondered if he would still have this attention and adulation after exposing his father for what he is. Each and every person in this room knew him and they might not appreciate having their hero tainted.
But for now... Spencer soaked it all in. It's good to be a champion.