Chapter View

Postscripts

Setting the Bar

No Shot

This Is The Beginning

Would'a Could'a Should'a

The Big Man on Campus

And STILL Spelling Bee Champeen of the World

Writing on the Wall




Postscripts

(Front and center is the CSWA Unified World Title belt, set up a cross the front of a large mahogany desk. Behind the desk, leaning back and comfortable in a leather chair is Dan Ryan. Ryan has his hands folded across his lap, no sunglasses on and a relaxed air.)

Ryan: "Hey there Troy."

(Quick smile, then back to stoic....)

Ryan: "I see you've decided to stick around, buddy. You have no idea how happy that makes me. You are one entertaining son of a *****, I'll tell ya that right now. And after being beaten at your own game, you're showing me something by coming back for more. Now the question is, how far do I take this? Do I take another page out of your book and refuse to defend the title against you ever again? After all, you've had more....WAY MORE...than your fair share of shots at running with this belt. There are many others in line for a shot at the limelight, and limelight is not something that's been in short supply around you."

"No, it's really just back to business as usual there, Diddy. I'm the hunted instead of the hunter now, but I'm very....very comfortable in this role. This time around, I do not intend to have a suit take this belt from around my waist. This time around I don't plan on letting my legacy be **** upon by someone like Joey Melton, or indeed....even you."

"You can say what you want, whine as much as you need to but you should know that I take IMMENSE pleasure in the memory of the look on your face the split second before my right hand connected with your jaw after I rushed back down to the ring. It's shocking really, that Troy Windham would allow such a loophole to go undetected."

"Oh yes....you...." (mockingly) "....fought through so many men and turned away every challenge, outlasted an entire roster and emerged vic-to-wee-us!!!...." (back to normal) "...and then? You lost. All that, and then you lost. All because you forgot an important detail. Well, Troy you should know above all others that when you are set up to be the best in the world you can't afford to forget little details, especially when someone like me is involved."

"So there you sit now, wrapped up all nice and cozy in all of this determination that's supposed to get you the 'determined semi-babyface' push and I'm supposed to care. Well Troy, I won't be making your mistakes. I know better. I know how to get what I want and I know how to see past the present into the bigger picture. You failed with Lindsay Troy, and now you've failed with me. Maybe it's time you pick on a new family."

"As for the task at hand, Eron - you did well for yourself and this is gonna be a first for us both. A feeling out of the territory, so to speak. So I look forward to it as I always do. Make the most of it."

"I wouldn't want you to end up like Troy."