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time: sunday morning day: february seventeenth place: bailey's bay, bermuda; engel residence. (The rain is coming down pretty hard, trying to wash away the pain and suffering from yesterday, and probably the day before. I always thought rain was God's way of telling us that we can always start over with a clean slate. Forgiveness. Of course, I grew up, and realized that forgiving people is easier said than done. I stir around in bed, Mia still with her head on my chest and fast asleep. I look at her and smile. One of the few bright lights in my life. I am eternally grateful.)(I sneak out of bed, placing her head on my pillow. She moves a bit, but doesn't wake up. Sleep as long as you want, babe. I hear rustling in the kitchen, somebody's up early. Rarely is there someone up before me. Just in a pair of black boxer shorts, I slip on my dark green robe and walk out of my bedroom and into the kitchen.) (Warren is getting a glass of orange juice, already dressed for his morning run. He's taking this very seriously. I can't blame him. I remember what I went through the first few weeks before I made my debut. It's a feeling that you only get one time and it's the best feeling in the world. You just don't know any better. You don't know what the business can do to you. I don't consider him naive, but it's going to be one hell of an experience for him.) (I grab a glass out of the cabinet and get some water. I take down about half of it, and lean my back up against the counter. Warren's sitting down at the kitchen table, staring outside at the beach. You can barely see it because of the rain, but I don't think it matters to him right now. Rain or not, he'll be running.) VIRUS: I told you you could use our equipment downstairs. WARREN: No, it's fine. Running outside is better for me; it's not as repetitive and boring as on a treadmill. VIRUS: There's a television down there. WARREN: Still. VIRUS: I just don't think you should be running in the rain. WARREN: I'll be fine. Done it many times. The rain is soothing to me. I feel like I'm getting a second chance. VIRUS: I understand. (It's amazing how much we're alike, despite only being half brothers.) VIRUS: When you get back, we're do some more ring-work. You still need work on your technique. WARREN: You're not coming with me? VIRUS: That's why I bought a treadmill, kid. I don't feel like gettin' sick. WARREN: I guess I'm lucky. VIRUS: Well you're still young. (He looks at me. I'm not that much older than him, but I would say eight years is a big difference considering three years ago he was in high school and three years ago I was on top of the world.) WARREN: I'm nervous. VIRUS: About what? WARREN: You know. VIRUS: Don't be. You're an Engel. Believe it or not, this is what you were born to do. The boxing is great, but wrestling is in our blood. You can't deny it. So when you're out there, don't force anything. Let everything come natural. Win or lose. (He doesn't respond. He finishes his orange juice and goes back to staring outside.) WARREN: Any word on when I'm going to be booked? VIRUS: Sommers said he had a full card for next Rampage even before you signed. He told me you'd debut on the twenty-nineth. WARREN: That's good. Gives me more time to perfect my technique and get into better shape. VIRUS: There ya go. But just remember, nobody's perfect. Whether you make a mistake, or your opponent, it's going to happen and capitalizing on that mistake will put you in the better position to win. Don't worry about being perfect; worry about your opponent's imperfections and what you plan to do with them. WARREN: I will. VIRUS: Good. (He gets up from his chair, all ready to go for his run. He says he'll be back in a half hour and vanishes out the front door. I finish my water and rinse out the glass, putting it back in the cabinet. I head into the bedroom to take a shower and start the day. A long, gruesome day of training and mental preparation. For some reason I can't seem to focus much anymore. I'm infused with rage, with anger, and almost insanity. I don't know what's causing it, but I have a pretty good idea. When I'm on the punching bag, I can only think of one person.) |