Post by The Dunne Deal on Nov 19, 2023 15:25:40 GMT -5
Cheez sits in a worn-out chair in the middle of his room, surrounded by the relics of his once vibrant retro haven. The shelves, now barren, were once adorned with games of all genres. Consoles, neatly packed away, and arcade cabinets unplugged, have been moved from the walls. The smile of wonderment that used to grace Cheez's face has faded.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I don't belong, is what I tell myself every day. It's the lullaby that lulls me to sleep, a sleep riddled with nightmares. "I don't belong" has become my calling card, my motto. And after all I've done, I guess I never will belong.
Cheez shifts uncomfortably in his chair, reflecting on his journey.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I didn't begin this journey to belong. I did it out of passion, something so many people forget and lose. Passion, an unwavering desire to succeed despite life constantly knocking you down. But, according to some, I don't belong.
Cheez looks around at the empty room, memories flooding back.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I didn't belong in high school, among my peers, at work, or even among my family. Always the outcast, too motivated to pay attention, too hyperfixated to listen, too hyper to sit still. For my entire life, I've felt like I was alone, so I made myself.
Cheez gestures to his surroundings.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
For years, I locked myself in this domicile and planted my ass in this chair. I played these games, made these jokes for people around the world who, until I began to wrestle, didn't even know what I looked like. Behind screens of pixels and polygons, I could hide myself. No burden based on looks, because no one knew and no one cared.
Cheez clenches his fists, determination in his eyes.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
But the minute I feel confident enough to step back into the horror show we call society, the fingers begin to point again. I retreat back to my shelter of SEGA, my den of Xbox, my place of PlayStation. But not anymore.
Cheez stands up, pacing around the room.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I will no longer allow the words of lesser men like Wesley Crane or Preston Reese to dictate my life, my path. The more I think about it, the more I question belonging. If belonging means running around with my head so far up my own ass, then I don't want to belong.
Cheez grabs a console, plugs it in, and turns on the screen. Determination in his eyes, he starts playing, ready to face the world on his own terms.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I don't belong, is what I tell myself every day. It's the lullaby that lulls me to sleep, a sleep riddled with nightmares. "I don't belong" has become my calling card, my motto. And after all I've done, I guess I never will belong.
Cheez shifts uncomfortably in his chair, reflecting on his journey.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I didn't begin this journey to belong. I did it out of passion, something so many people forget and lose. Passion, an unwavering desire to succeed despite life constantly knocking you down. But, according to some, I don't belong.
Cheez looks around at the empty room, memories flooding back.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I didn't belong in high school, among my peers, at work, or even among my family. Always the outcast, too motivated to pay attention, too hyperfixated to listen, too hyper to sit still. For my entire life, I've felt like I was alone, so I made myself.
Cheez gestures to his surroundings.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
For years, I locked myself in this domicile and planted my ass in this chair. I played these games, made these jokes for people around the world who, until I began to wrestle, didn't even know what I looked like. Behind screens of pixels and polygons, I could hide myself. No burden based on looks, because no one knew and no one cared.
Cheez clenches his fists, determination in his eyes.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
But the minute I feel confident enough to step back into the horror show we call society, the fingers begin to point again. I retreat back to my shelter of SEGA, my den of Xbox, my place of PlayStation. But not anymore.
Cheez stands up, pacing around the room.
CHEEZ
(voiceover)
I will no longer allow the words of lesser men like Wesley Crane or Preston Reese to dictate my life, my path. The more I think about it, the more I question belonging. If belonging means running around with my head so far up my own ass, then I don't want to belong.
Cheez grabs a console, plugs it in, and turns on the screen. Determination in his eyes, he starts playing, ready to face the world on his own terms.
