EX-WIFE

RECAP
After somehow bullshitting his way into Mexico, Anthony found time to reflect. Yes, MJ soon found out that they weren’t in Mexico looking for the belt since Dillusion had already taken it but Anthony didn’t care if MJ got pissy about it. Anthony was there for a more important reason: To find himself. All this time since he was eighteen, an angry white male from the lower class area of New Jersey…he wanted to know why he was that way. He wanted to know what fueled him to continue pushing a wrestling career when he had everything he ever wanted at home. He just wanted to know, simply, what made him tick. Born blonde and blue-eyed with German ancestry, he could have blamed it on that. He could have blamed it on his father walking out but it had to be just more than that. Fighting everything and everyone he ever hated, letting his hatred carry him to stardom…Anthony no longer knew what he was without it. Who was he?

Location: Brother’s House, New Jersey
Scenes open to Anthony sitting in a bathtub almost filled to the brim of water. He lays back his head on the side of the tub. He lets out a big sigh and looks over at the analog clock. It was nearly night-time and his sons were to come over here, to his brother’s house, to visit him. His ex-wife would have to “supervise” the meeting. Or at least that’s what the judge said. If he could he’d sit in this body of water for now until his match came but he couldn’t. Responsibility was a hell of a thing. It made us get up in the morning, drudge into work, and go home sober at night. It made drones out of men. It made the most energetic turn into lifeless pieces of shit. Ah, good ol’ responsibility. Anthony grabbed a towel and got out of the bath tube. He had to be dressed and looking good. Wouldn’t want his stubborn ex-wife to go back to the judge saying he looked like he picked up a drug habit. Soon Anthony heard a voice from downstairs.

Mark: Hurry up man; Anthony and Xavier will be here any minute.

Anthony: All right.

That was his brother, Mark. His sons would soon arrive; the oldest one was his namesake. The boys were now older and probably understand what was going on between Anthony and Ashley. They knew mommy and daddy didn’t live together but now, Anthony had figured, they were getting the details of why that was the case. Of course he didn’t want things to be this way but until he could figure out where he went wrong in his life, this is what it would be. He quickly shaved and headed into the guest room where he left a blue New York Giants jersey and some shorts. As he began putting them on he heard the door opening and the sounds of his sons yelling excitedly asking where daddy was. Anthony quickly put on his clothes and headed out the room. The boys looked up to see him and smiled. They ran up the stairs and ran towards him with their arms wide open. He hugged both of them.

Anthony: So how have my guys been hanging? Being good for mommy?

Xavier: Yep.

Anthony: Good. That’s good to know.

Xavier: Dad, I brought my game system over. Can we play some video games?

Anthony: We’ll play soon. Daddy has to talk to mommy right now, okay?

Xavier: Okay.

They looked a little disappointed while they walked back down the stairs. They began to unpack their things for the overnight stay as Ashley was already in the kitchen talking to Mark. Anthony headed down the stairs and into the kitchen where Mark and Ashley were discussing how the boys were doing. Anthony kind of slid back around the corner as Ashley complained about how the boys’ grades started dropping since the divorce and how she didn’t know what to do. Anthony couldn’t help but feel bad about it until she mentioned the money from the child support wasn’t enough to get them an after school education. He became suddenly annoyed and his facial expression changed from sorrow to disbelief. This woman has sent him to the poor house, only to turn around and say he didn’t give enough? Funny how money is never an issue until after a divorce. He walked in and she suddenly stopped talking.

Anthony: If the boys were having a hard time in school why didn’t you say anything about it then?

Ashley: Why does it matter? Half the shit that comes out of my mouth to you is ignored automatically. I’m not wasting my breathe on you. What are you going to do for them when you go from state to state every single week? You plan to fly into New Jersey every day to help them cope with the fact they don’t have a father in their life? Oh no, better yet...aren’t you busy playing mind games with Josh Hudson rather than spending time with the males who do actually need your advise and direction? I find it hilarious that when you were in your twenties all you wanted was revenge against your father for walking out on you, now you have become worse than him. At least he was gone and done with you. You just keep leaving a re-entering these kids’ lives. You torture them every time they watch “daddy” on TV but know they won’t see him for another month. You didn’t even think about that did you? What a great father!

Anthony: Whatever.

Ashley: Once again, wise words. You’re children are in need of a father in the house hold and what is the great Glacier’s response? “Whatever”. Yet you would be the first to jump down your opponent’s throat if he did the same. You are a walking hypocrite and you know it. How posh of you to kidnap you’re brother’s guest room and layaway here, hiding away from your responsibility while I have to face mine every time the boys get home. That Holly girl you’ve been eyeing has her own life; you think she’s going to look after your kids? Yeah, I heard you’ve been looking at her. I’m not stupid and uninformed, as you would think.

Anthony: I never said you were, you’re the one making bullshit assumptions and calling people hypocrites. I worked my ass off for years to provide that house and lifestyle for all of you to live in now you’re acting as if I never saw my sons since they were born? Get the hell out of here. That’s bullshit and you know it.

Ashley: So you think your sons should never see proper education and a stable family life because you provided a roof over their head? Then hell Anthony put us out on the streets and give us a man who will be there for us since that’s what you’re suggesting.

Anthony: Wow. I wasn’t even suggesting that.

Ashley: Then what are you suggesting Anthony? Are you suggesting you are an innocent victim in it all? I apologize; I didn’t know you were the little victimized choirboy! You weren’t too hurt when you picked wrestling over us.

Mark: Hey you guys, chill out. The boys are just in the other room.

Anthony: Why chill out? Knowing her, she probably told them and the whole neighborhood our business. She can’t seem to keep her mouth shut. So how’s your lawyer? Did you pay her with the child support and alimony settlement or did she just leave payment at her eating you out?

Ashley: Fuck you!

Mark: Bro, cut it out. That’s not cool. At all.

Anthony: What? It’s no longer cool to tell the truth? That’s what I’ve been doing my whole wrestling career. Telling everyone about himself or herself.

Ashley: It’s time someone told you about YOU.

Anthony: What about me? Are you going to be throwing the “you’re just like your father” card again? What else? You’re fucking the gardener and he’s better than me? Come on. Spit it out.

Ashley: You asshole. You are the worst mistake I’ve ever made. I could have been with someone who gives a damn about his family, someone who gives a damn about me. Why didn’t I listen to my friends when they told me you weren’t worth the effort? Now I’m stuck with some bullshit child support and alimony but no man in the house to guide my sons. All I can do is stand back and hope they don’t turn out to be another you.

Damn. That actually hit hard. Her friends told her he wasn’t worth anything? He couldn’t even believe it. Half of him wanted to say that it was just simply her spewing out ridiculous comments out of anger. Another side of him believed what she said. He was well hated back then because of his cynical demeanor. It brought him a lot of fame in his adult years but it gave him misery as a teen. Being cynical to teachers and students alike does not make you Mr. Popular. Not around here. Maybe in an urban school where it’s all about “keeping it real” but in low middle-class white America they wanted to keep dreaming about how good they are when they really weren’t shit to begin with. All Anthony could is just stand there with his head down in shame as an annoyed Ashley walked past him and into the living room to check on their sons. No matter how egotistical the asshole, some truths pack a punch so hard that it shuts them up like the next guy.

Mark: Giver her time, Ant. She’ll cool down and come around. It’s been hard for her too.

Yeah, it stung. It stung like hell to get insulted like that but how many times has Anthony’s ego been cut down? It hasn’t been in years. It’s re-feeling an old pain. Yet that same pain is what made his alter ego, Glacier. The cold hearted cynical bastard who would easily point out the most vulnerable and sensitive flaws of his opponent. The man who would say what others wish they could open their mouths and say. Anthony took a seat and sighed. He was a bit tired from the arguing. Mark handed him a cup of coffee. He sipped some and looked over at the living room. He knew she was right. They did need their dad but what he was going to do? He was still contracted under SCW to wrestle not to mention he had plans to grab those tag titles as well. He couldn’t even do anything even if he wasn’t an SCW employee, every time he and Ashley were in the same area they would bump heads, figuratively speaking.

Anthony: Mark.

Mark: Hmm?

Anthony: Am I really a bad father?

Mark: If you have to ask that question, I think you already know the answer.

Anthony nodded this head as he left the kitchen and headed to the living room to help them set up the game system. He continued to drink the coffee as he looked over at them bitterly. He got up and walked back to his room. They all looked over at him as he passed them without saying a word. He headed up the stairs and went into his room without a word. He laid down on the bed with his hand behind his bed looking up at the ceiling.

Glacier: How bullshit life can be, huh? My wife and brother are against me and no body can see why I’m stressing. My family life is in shambles and what is this week’s challenge? A man who I hate more than life itself. Now that I think about Greg Cherry, my life has greatly improved. The idea a man so pathetic, more pathetic than I, exists is a blessing. I built my career stepping on the heads of men like this yet I somehow can’t beat Greg even though Junior has done it twice. If I want to start getting ahead in SCW and in life, I need to get over these obstacles. I need to set me and Hudson up to become the next SCW Tag Team Champions and also get Davis in position to be the contender for the Adrenaline or Underground title. If I can step over Greg with a win, my journey to gold would be ten fold easier. What better way to win gold than to beat SCW’s own title whore?

It won’t be a bad deal seeing as me and Hudson already beaten the former tag team champions, Jack and Eddie. What better way to enter the summer by beating the second longest reigning SCW Champion and self-admitted gold whore, Greg Cherry? I’ve wanted to kick his ass for a long time, a very long time. I missed that opportunity when he sent his goons to do his work. I won’t say that situation was all bad as I got a friend and a tag team partner out of that deal but it’s been far too long. Months too long. He’s had this ass-kicking coming since he went into power as the owner of SCW. But you know what they say, better late then never. Karma never had a time limit so beating his ass for what he did to Junior, Hudson, and me months ago is justified. I can’t wait to see his facial expression when he realizes I stomped him out and defeated him once and for all. Maybe he’ll realize once and for all he no longer belongs in SCW?

Who am I kidding? This is Greg Cherry we’re talking about. He wouldn’t leave no matter how many times Wheeler and Xander whooped his ass. He would come back with stupider plans and more reincarnations of the Cherry Pit Crew than Cage has nicknames. Difference, Cage is cool, Cherry is like one of those guys who works in the next cubicle to you playing Wham! He keeps telling you he’s straight even though he continues to peek at your best friend’s ass every time you guys are in the bathroom. Even the gay guy at your office wants to sock him in the mouth but somehow his brown nosing makes him the boss’s favorite even though he doesn’t do jack shit when it comes to work. That’s good ol’ Greg for you and of course if you ask him he’d tell you otherwise. He’d tell you I’m jealous and bitter. But how could I be when I wake up every day and am NOT Greg Cherry? Ah, the world is a funny place isn’t it?

Anthony laughed a little to himself before a knock on the door is heard. He calls for the person to open it. In comes his youngest son, Xavier. He sits up as Xavier shows him the Xbox 360 controller, the batteries, and the battery pack that attaches to the back of it. He puts the batteries in the battery pack and places it on the back of the controller. Xavier smiles as Anthony rubs his head and tells him go and play with his brother. Scenes fade away to black.