Post by Sam Sawyer on Mar 17, 2022 6:52:23 GMT -5
In a familiar living room, Jack Hamilton stares vacantly at us from his chair. He doesn't blink, and as the seconds pass without any movement, it's obvious that something about him is off.
Nick: Jack... are you okay?
The concerned voice comes from behind the camera. A faint flash of annoyance shows on Jack's face, but that's all. Despite his strange, unnerving demeanor, he looks healthier and more rested than he was in his last few appearances on camera. When he finally speaks, it's in a low murmur.
Jack: You know, I think Sam might be on to something.
He pauses. His eyes continue to gaze vacantly into the camera, making no attempt to engage us.
Not talking... feels good. Not talking...
Seeming to be talking more to himself, he pauses again.
Not thinking.
Another pause, with a tiny trace of a smile.
Sometimes I wonder... if I should start training with them. If I wanted to... I know I could. But I don't think that's what I'm supposed to do. There's something else for me. If I just... stop thinking... if... I'm patient... I know it'll come to me.
He stops, and just stares into the camera for a long time. He seems at ease, despite the silence and the camera rolling. Then suddenly, he speaks without warning.
Zolothach.
He smiles, and a little of his old self seems to be back in his eyes. He speaks a little louder now.
They want me to talk about you, Zolothach, but I think I've said everything already. The rest of the story is down to you. Everyone wants to know what state of mind you'll be in when you confront Sam face to face. I'm... mildly curious, I guess.
He smiles apologetically.
I'm sorry... but if you want more, you'll have to wait until next month. By then I'm sure my job will have been given to someone... someone who cares. The person sitting here next month will be far more willing to inject stories into Sam's matches... and I'll have moved on. But for now I've got a commitment to honor, so let me share a little something.
Six months ago, I watched a woman walk down to the ring, wearing the SPARK Championship... and claiming to be Zolothach. But she didn't have Zolothach's scars, her bruises, her moldy skin. She looked normal. But it was Zolothach, alright. It was you. An idiot could see that. At the time I couldn't believe it was possible. It only lasted a few weeks, but that was presumably because you wanted it that way.
I called you both psychopaths, I called you both dangerous, but when I try to compare you and Sam, that's what I really think of. You don't answer to your bodies. Your bodies answer to you. Sam is only sixteen years old but they have a body of a machine. They don't get tired, they don't get sick... and when they get injured, they mend. They were stabbed with the same screwdriver as MYOJIN and healed up in a quarter of the time. And... as you well know, they strike with a force that's far more powerful than it has any business being.
He stops. Looking lost in thought he grimaces, now closer to his old self than ever.
That's where my story sort of falls apart...
Look... I don't give a fuck about Cthulhu, even if he is real. But... as much as I try not to think... Zolothach... there's something about your silence that scares me.
Jack sighs, looking disappointed in himself.
And even though you're the victim... that really pisses me off.
He glares angrily into the camera as the scene fades.
. . .
Today, Mercedes is determined to see her child, one way or another. She's been staying in Philadelphia for over a month now, spending most of that time waiting on a phone call from Sam's manager Jack. He promised her he would tell Sam that she called, but she's heard nothing from him since. She's done everything she can to get back in touch with him, including visiting his house many times, but it's as if he's vanished. It's strange, considering how willing to help he seemed when she met him.
She might never have needed to see Jack at all if it hadn't been for the encounter at Sam's gym. One of the members, maybe a friend of Sam's, scared her off. He didn't threaten her, but she could just sense he wasn't going to let her in, no matter what. The worst part was how he seemed to know she was coming. He cut her off before she could even get close. She doesn't get why they don't want her to see Sam.
With Jack no help, she tried waiting outside the gym in the morning to try to catch Sam before they got inside. But there was no sign of them. She saw everyone else arrive, but not Sam. She tried the same thing at night as they were leaving, but couldn't see Sam anywhere. She tried the same thing over and over again, while asking the others for help as they passed. They either ignored her or muttered something like "I don't know" or "sorry". And Sam was never anywhere to be seen. She wondered if they maybe sleep there, but if they do they didn't answer her knocks.
Over the years, Mercedes has gotten used to being at a distance from Sam. As much as she's wanted to, she's never been able to feel a real closeness from them. She can't blame them: they didn't meet her until they were nine years old. Their adoptive mother has always been their real mother in their mind. She only saw them for a few days at a time, once or twice a year, and although they usually had a good time together, the "distance" was always there.
It seemed like it would always be there, but she would never fully get used to it. She wouldn't want to. They might have two mothers, but Sam is her only child. It hurt badly not being able to be there for them when they changed: when they stopped talking. Their adoptive parents lived with them while it was happening, but she hasn't seen or heard from them since.
The pain of the rejection - every time their parents told her Sam wouldn't come to the phone - is what stopped her coming to Houston to see them for herself. But after they left to begin their wrestling career, she started to find peace with it. There was nothing she could do. She believed in Sam. She trusted they knew what they were doing. That's just who they are, she told herself, and she wouldn't want to change them.
But that doesn't mean she can't see them, or talk to them. She has to tell them she's there for them. She has to show she cares. There's so much she wants to say. Even if they don't answer: as they long as they listen, that'll be enough.
This late morning, the sun seems brighter to her as she walks. Jack's warnings are at the back of her mind but not troubling her. When the gym comes into view, she smiles, still feeling calm. "Sam's new home," she thinks.
Before she makes it to the door somebody steps outside, like the first time. It's a different man but he has the same unfriendly expression.
Mercedes: Hi.
Man: Hi, Mercedes.
Mercedes: Is Sam inside?
Man: Mercedes... you can't keep coming here.
Mercedes: I just want to see Sam. I won't be long.
Man: You can't.
Mercedes: Is that what Sam told you?
She asks this almost rhetorically, as if knowing it's not true. The man just stares at her, still stubbornly blocking the door.
Mercedes: Well... I'm going in anyway. Can you move, please?
He doesn't answer, nor move.
Mercedes: Are you just going to stand here all day?
The man's face falters a little. He seems worried.
Man: Are you?
Mercedes: Yes. If I have to.
They just stare at each for a while, their stubborn faces not budging. Eventually the man sighs.
Man: Look... Sam won't have anything to say to you anyway. There's no point.
Mercedes doesn't answer, but her eyes tell the man she either doesn't care or doesn't believe him.
Man: Is there something you want to tell Sam? I can pass on a message.
Mercedes: I want to see Sam for myself. How can I trust you? How do I know they're not in danger?
The man grins. Mercedes is relieved to see the humor in his eyes, even if it does mean Sam really doesn't want to see her. They're safe. Nevertheless it gives her an idea.
Mercedes: I could call the police.
Man: Someone here's parents tried that. Nothing they could do.
Mercedes sighs. She looks down the street, her mind racing.
Mercedes: Could you... at least tell Sam I'm here? See what they say.
He shakes his head.
Mercedes: What will everyone think about you just standing outside all day?
His lazy eyes answer for him: he doesn't know and doesn't care.
Mercedes: I'm not going...
They both stand there in silence for what feels like an hour. Mercedes ends up just staring into space and the man doesn't take his eyes off her. When after a long time the man speaks, Mercedes snaps her head around.
Man: Okay... you can come in.
The man disappears into the building. Mercedes stares after him, stunned. She follows him inside. He's waiting for her in a narrow hall.
Man: Sam's busy. They might be a while. Take a seat in there.
He guides her into an empty room. It seems to be an abandoned office. She sits down on a sofa and the man leaves her on her own.
She remains calm as she waits. A little excited, but calm. Through the window she watches the afternoon grow dimmer as evening starts to draw closer. The thought that Sam might not be coming, or that the man tricked her, doesn't bother her. She's confident Sam will come, and either way she has nothing to lose.
There's still plenty of light left in the sky when she hears footsteps. Standing up, she turns to look at the open doorway and Sam steps through it. She smiles.
Mercedes: Hola.
Sam stares at her, their eyes empty. She didn't really expect an answer. The coldness, or emptiness, does bother her, but she's distracted by the clothes they're wearing. And their hair. She's seen film of them since they left home, since they became a new person, but it's not the same as really seeing them. Their hair is dyed black and combed back. They're wearing a black tank top with lace sleeves. It really suits them, she thinks. Her smile grows, thinking of how brave they are. She decides to move closer, slowly, to get a better look.
Now face to face, she looks into their eyes. As empty as they are, she recognizes them as her child's completely. When Sam's face doesn't give, her smile turns into a quizzical frown. "Aren't you going to smile?" she thinks.
Her heart leaps when a tear rolls down from Sam's eye. She realizes suddenly that all the coldness is gone from their face. The tears keep coming and soon their face just gives completely. Before she knows it she has Sam in a tight hug.
Mercedes: Oh... Sam... did you miss me?
As Sam weeps in her arms, a tear rolls down her cheek too. She's so happy she has them back, so happy.
Nick: Jack... are you okay?
The concerned voice comes from behind the camera. A faint flash of annoyance shows on Jack's face, but that's all. Despite his strange, unnerving demeanor, he looks healthier and more rested than he was in his last few appearances on camera. When he finally speaks, it's in a low murmur.
Jack: You know, I think Sam might be on to something.
He pauses. His eyes continue to gaze vacantly into the camera, making no attempt to engage us.
Not talking... feels good. Not talking...
Seeming to be talking more to himself, he pauses again.
Not thinking.
Another pause, with a tiny trace of a smile.
Sometimes I wonder... if I should start training with them. If I wanted to... I know I could. But I don't think that's what I'm supposed to do. There's something else for me. If I just... stop thinking... if... I'm patient... I know it'll come to me.
He stops, and just stares into the camera for a long time. He seems at ease, despite the silence and the camera rolling. Then suddenly, he speaks without warning.
Zolothach.
He smiles, and a little of his old self seems to be back in his eyes. He speaks a little louder now.
They want me to talk about you, Zolothach, but I think I've said everything already. The rest of the story is down to you. Everyone wants to know what state of mind you'll be in when you confront Sam face to face. I'm... mildly curious, I guess.
He smiles apologetically.
I'm sorry... but if you want more, you'll have to wait until next month. By then I'm sure my job will have been given to someone... someone who cares. The person sitting here next month will be far more willing to inject stories into Sam's matches... and I'll have moved on. But for now I've got a commitment to honor, so let me share a little something.
Six months ago, I watched a woman walk down to the ring, wearing the SPARK Championship... and claiming to be Zolothach. But she didn't have Zolothach's scars, her bruises, her moldy skin. She looked normal. But it was Zolothach, alright. It was you. An idiot could see that. At the time I couldn't believe it was possible. It only lasted a few weeks, but that was presumably because you wanted it that way.
I called you both psychopaths, I called you both dangerous, but when I try to compare you and Sam, that's what I really think of. You don't answer to your bodies. Your bodies answer to you. Sam is only sixteen years old but they have a body of a machine. They don't get tired, they don't get sick... and when they get injured, they mend. They were stabbed with the same screwdriver as MYOJIN and healed up in a quarter of the time. And... as you well know, they strike with a force that's far more powerful than it has any business being.
He stops. Looking lost in thought he grimaces, now closer to his old self than ever.
That's where my story sort of falls apart...
Look... I don't give a fuck about Cthulhu, even if he is real. But... as much as I try not to think... Zolothach... there's something about your silence that scares me.
Jack sighs, looking disappointed in himself.
And even though you're the victim... that really pisses me off.
He glares angrily into the camera as the scene fades.
. . .
Today, Mercedes is determined to see her child, one way or another. She's been staying in Philadelphia for over a month now, spending most of that time waiting on a phone call from Sam's manager Jack. He promised her he would tell Sam that she called, but she's heard nothing from him since. She's done everything she can to get back in touch with him, including visiting his house many times, but it's as if he's vanished. It's strange, considering how willing to help he seemed when she met him.
She might never have needed to see Jack at all if it hadn't been for the encounter at Sam's gym. One of the members, maybe a friend of Sam's, scared her off. He didn't threaten her, but she could just sense he wasn't going to let her in, no matter what. The worst part was how he seemed to know she was coming. He cut her off before she could even get close. She doesn't get why they don't want her to see Sam.
With Jack no help, she tried waiting outside the gym in the morning to try to catch Sam before they got inside. But there was no sign of them. She saw everyone else arrive, but not Sam. She tried the same thing at night as they were leaving, but couldn't see Sam anywhere. She tried the same thing over and over again, while asking the others for help as they passed. They either ignored her or muttered something like "I don't know" or "sorry". And Sam was never anywhere to be seen. She wondered if they maybe sleep there, but if they do they didn't answer her knocks.
Over the years, Mercedes has gotten used to being at a distance from Sam. As much as she's wanted to, she's never been able to feel a real closeness from them. She can't blame them: they didn't meet her until they were nine years old. Their adoptive mother has always been their real mother in their mind. She only saw them for a few days at a time, once or twice a year, and although they usually had a good time together, the "distance" was always there.
It seemed like it would always be there, but she would never fully get used to it. She wouldn't want to. They might have two mothers, but Sam is her only child. It hurt badly not being able to be there for them when they changed: when they stopped talking. Their adoptive parents lived with them while it was happening, but she hasn't seen or heard from them since.
The pain of the rejection - every time their parents told her Sam wouldn't come to the phone - is what stopped her coming to Houston to see them for herself. But after they left to begin their wrestling career, she started to find peace with it. There was nothing she could do. She believed in Sam. She trusted they knew what they were doing. That's just who they are, she told herself, and she wouldn't want to change them.
But that doesn't mean she can't see them, or talk to them. She has to tell them she's there for them. She has to show she cares. There's so much she wants to say. Even if they don't answer: as they long as they listen, that'll be enough.
This late morning, the sun seems brighter to her as she walks. Jack's warnings are at the back of her mind but not troubling her. When the gym comes into view, she smiles, still feeling calm. "Sam's new home," she thinks.
Before she makes it to the door somebody steps outside, like the first time. It's a different man but he has the same unfriendly expression.
Mercedes: Hi.
Man: Hi, Mercedes.
Mercedes: Is Sam inside?
Man: Mercedes... you can't keep coming here.
Mercedes: I just want to see Sam. I won't be long.
Man: You can't.
Mercedes: Is that what Sam told you?
She asks this almost rhetorically, as if knowing it's not true. The man just stares at her, still stubbornly blocking the door.
Mercedes: Well... I'm going in anyway. Can you move, please?
He doesn't answer, nor move.
Mercedes: Are you just going to stand here all day?
The man's face falters a little. He seems worried.
Man: Are you?
Mercedes: Yes. If I have to.
They just stare at each for a while, their stubborn faces not budging. Eventually the man sighs.
Man: Look... Sam won't have anything to say to you anyway. There's no point.
Mercedes doesn't answer, but her eyes tell the man she either doesn't care or doesn't believe him.
Man: Is there something you want to tell Sam? I can pass on a message.
Mercedes: I want to see Sam for myself. How can I trust you? How do I know they're not in danger?
The man grins. Mercedes is relieved to see the humor in his eyes, even if it does mean Sam really doesn't want to see her. They're safe. Nevertheless it gives her an idea.
Mercedes: I could call the police.
Man: Someone here's parents tried that. Nothing they could do.
Mercedes sighs. She looks down the street, her mind racing.
Mercedes: Could you... at least tell Sam I'm here? See what they say.
He shakes his head.
Mercedes: What will everyone think about you just standing outside all day?
His lazy eyes answer for him: he doesn't know and doesn't care.
Mercedes: I'm not going...
They both stand there in silence for what feels like an hour. Mercedes ends up just staring into space and the man doesn't take his eyes off her. When after a long time the man speaks, Mercedes snaps her head around.
Man: Okay... you can come in.
The man disappears into the building. Mercedes stares after him, stunned. She follows him inside. He's waiting for her in a narrow hall.
Man: Sam's busy. They might be a while. Take a seat in there.
He guides her into an empty room. It seems to be an abandoned office. She sits down on a sofa and the man leaves her on her own.
She remains calm as she waits. A little excited, but calm. Through the window she watches the afternoon grow dimmer as evening starts to draw closer. The thought that Sam might not be coming, or that the man tricked her, doesn't bother her. She's confident Sam will come, and either way she has nothing to lose.
There's still plenty of light left in the sky when she hears footsteps. Standing up, she turns to look at the open doorway and Sam steps through it. She smiles.
Mercedes: Hola.
Sam stares at her, their eyes empty. She didn't really expect an answer. The coldness, or emptiness, does bother her, but she's distracted by the clothes they're wearing. And their hair. She's seen film of them since they left home, since they became a new person, but it's not the same as really seeing them. Their hair is dyed black and combed back. They're wearing a black tank top with lace sleeves. It really suits them, she thinks. Her smile grows, thinking of how brave they are. She decides to move closer, slowly, to get a better look.
Now face to face, she looks into their eyes. As empty as they are, she recognizes them as her child's completely. When Sam's face doesn't give, her smile turns into a quizzical frown. "Aren't you going to smile?" she thinks.
Her heart leaps when a tear rolls down from Sam's eye. She realizes suddenly that all the coldness is gone from their face. The tears keep coming and soon their face just gives completely. Before she knows it she has Sam in a tight hug.
Mercedes: Oh... Sam... did you miss me?
As Sam weeps in her arms, a tear rolls down her cheek too. She's so happy she has them back, so happy.