Lesson 2: Do what I tell you [Riley Richards - A6]

[Robbie A]

Riley’s Vlog, 13th December, 2020

“Hey guys! Did you see me yesterday on my NLW debut? It was so much fun, and I won! I’m a little sore today, took a few shots here and there, but I’m fine! Besides, I’ve got to start training once again for my next match-“

“What are you doing?” Comes a voice from off camera, distinctly, the voice of Rob Arnold.

“Oh, hey Mr Arnold! I’m just doing a vlog after last night, say hi!” Riley turns the camera so it faces a casually dressed Arnold, who does not look impressed whatsoever.

“When I said light session, I didn’t mean you playing on your camera whilst Leon and I put in some actual work. You were aware of that, right?”

Riley makes a noise that is an attempt to answer.

“That was rhetorical, Riley.” He sighs. “Besides, I thought we’d agreed no more vlogs, you’re going to be able to talk to the whole world for NLW programming from now on.”

“I didn’t agree, you just told me I wasn’t doing it anymore…”

“Remind me, what’s lesson two?”

“Lesson two…always do what you tell me to do.”

There’s a silence, whilst we can’t see Riley’s face, you can assume he’s deflated. Arnold’s expression turns thoughtful, and with a sigh he offers an olive branch.

“I’ll tell you what, since this is your last vlog…”

“Last?” Richards whispers, exasperated.

“…why don’t we use it as an opportunity to talk about your next match, you can show your viewers just how far you’ve come, and we can send a message out to El Rey at the same time. Here, I’ll even do the camera work for you.”

Rob walks over and takes the camera, turning it back around to face Richards, who looks like a deer in headlights.

“So, Riley, tell the world how you’re feeling about taking on El Rey at Open Fight Night?”

“I’m…excited? I mean, I’m nervous, the guy is really good! I know he lost to the big hillbilly man, but he’s still really talented…are you sure I’m ready for him Mr Arnold?”

Rob sighs behind the camera and turns it back around to face him.

“El Rey, look, the kid may sound like a moron, but I’ve trained him for three months, and what he started last night against Hampton and Dundee is only the beginning. Meanwhile, you walk around like you know everything there is to know, why? Because you’re V’s kid? Because Scorpion trained you? Congratulations, you got the genes and the trainer, but you’re still greener than the shits that Riley takes. You still need guidance, but instead you’ve walked away from that and prefer to act like the only kid in the world who hasn’t had it easy.”

Rob sneers.

“Open Fight Night is a test, not just for Riley, but for you as well. You both have the raw talent, the skill and the desire to fight, the pair of you also speak fluent in idiot, but you can both wrestle. The only difference I see in the pair of you right now is that he’s a few months behind you in ring experience. So I want to see if you can make it count, I want to see if you have what it takes to progress, because I meant what I said last night, you aren’t ready for the adults table, not yet. I could have faced you instead and I could have beaten you senseless, but I’m not sure you’d learn from it.”

He shakes his head ruefully.

“You’re fuelled by all that anger, but you’ve got no idea what to really do with it, kid. In two short weeks I’ll teach Riley how to manipulate that. In two short weeks, that experience you’ve gained will be worthless-“

“And there’s nothing you can do about it!” Richards suddenly blurts out, although looking proud of himself. Rob turns and gives him a disgusted look.

“What was that?”

“I thought…because…you used to say it…” Riley stutters sheepishly.

“You know what? You learn how to talk to people that are not your followers, or whatever you call them, and I’ll buy you a new camera.” Rob growls.

“A new one? But...I have that, wait, don’t!“

Riley holds a hand out but it’s futile, as Rob smirks and launces the camera at the wall, the last thing we see is the wall getting closer until it connects with the camera, and the feed immediately cuts.