Dr. Pond.

Dr. Jonathan Pond, Ph.D. watched the minutes on the clock tick by as he fiddled with a pencil on his desk. His eyes were a bit downcast, not from the patients he had seen earlier in the day, but the patient he was now expecting. He sighed as he looked out the window. He wished he could just leave and go enjoy the nice weather. Instead the window served more as a tease, showing him what he wanted, but couldn’t have just yet. He lowered the blinds effectively turning his office into a prison. He felt trapped not only by the room, but by Christian Connolly and PWE. On the one hand he enjoyed being affiliated with PWE and seeing employees when they had issues. It had allowed him to meet some interesting people. They ranged from small time crew members to on-air talent. Most of his meetings had been positive with him finding that the personas portrayed on screen were mainly fabricated for the audience. However, he hated being told who he had to see. He was nearing retirement and had it not been for the rotten economy he wouldn’t be working anymore. Not only was he watching the minutes tick by, but he was counting the months until he could retire and take his family around the world.

He smiled as he pictured his loving wife standing next to him on a warm beach. Arm in arm they would sit back and enjoy cool drinks, warm weather, the smell of the ocean, and the peace that comes with knowing that everything was right in their lives.

There was a knock on the door that brought him back to earth. He placed the pencil down, sighed, and took a serious expression. "Come in."

The door slowly swung open. A giant figure loomed in the door frame and slowly entered the office. He was smiling. The smile unnerved Jonathan as he rose and extended his hand, "Mr. Christopher, how are you doing today?"

"Just fine Doctor."

Shawn Christopher was well known in the PWE world and he was well known to Dr. Pond. The man needed help that much was sure; Jonathan just didn’t think he could provide it. Nor did he want to tackle the challenge. He was a simple man that dealt with minor issues like nerves, a bit of stress, or a slight fear of something. How could he help a man of such notoriety he had no idea.

He’d seen PWE telecasts before as was familiar with the man that was now reading his diplomas and certificates. Jonathan had found it cliche to paste his life’s achievements on his side wall, but his colleagues had talked him into it. Now he wished that the walls were bare. The less that Shawn Christopher knew about him the better and vice versa. Jonathan knew that the man didn’t want to be here anymore than he did. Christian Connolly was a tough man to say no to especially when he’s writing your checks.

Shawn nodded his head, "Impressive Doctor, very impressive."

Jonathan could sense the sarcasm in the man’s voice. He knew how narcissistic Shawn was and knew that he would always find ways to put those around him down. It didn’t matter though, Jonathan had no intention of building a relationship with one of the worst man in PWE, and some could argue the world.

Hoping to get things running Jonathan motioned to the couch. Shawn Christopher sat his giant frame down and leaned back. He seemed more at ease in the office than Dr. Pond did. Maybe it really was a prison now.

He knew he would come to loathe the man even more as he would delve into his stories, but time was ticking and he wasn’t missing dinner to play Shawn Christopher’s mind games. "So Mr. Christopher, let’s get right to the heart of the matter shall we? I know this wasn’t your idea and you’d much rather be out doing whatever it is you do, but since we’re both here let’s make the best out of a bad situation. As I was informed by Christian Connolly, you were recently suspended in PWE. Christian is hoping that the time off will show you how to behave properly on a live television show, but he fears that you’re gonna be the same man you were before you left. He fears for the safety of those backstage and wants us to discuss ways to help you."

The evil bastard smiled as he spoke. His smile was unnerving and had the opposite effect that a normal smile should. "Does he really care that much about me?"

Hardly is what he wanted to say, but thinking the words were much safer.

"Look Mr. Connolly you can’t sit here and tell me that everything is alright. I watch the shows and I see the things you do. I can only imagine what they don’t show or what you do when the cameras aren’t rolling, but that’s none of my business. What you do is your business. I have noticed a recent string of losses though and I’m sure that you don’t like that. No one could."

Jonathan cheered on the inside as the smile faded from Shawn’s face. That face that hid emotions so well was struggling, if even for a second. The man in front of him kept his composure however and replied rather nonchalantly, "Everyone loses now and then. It doesn’t really matter to me. I leave a lasting impression no matter what the result of the match was."

"Well that may be true, but you’re an impressive physical specimen and you’re a good wrestler. There is no reason for you to be losing the matches that you’ve been losing lately. Generally what that tells me is that it isn’t a physical problem, but more a mental one. Has something happened recently that has caused you to doubt yourself or caused you to reflect on yourself?"

Shawn shook his head as he yawned and stretched. He was making himself awfully comfortable on the couch. Most of his patients tended to sit rigidly and stiff throughout, but the more they talked about him the more Shawn Christopher felt at ease or so it seemed.

"Well something has actually been bothering me Doc. Recently I wake up and do the same thing every day. I kiss my wife, fuck her occasionally, get dressed, go piss some people off, go wrestle, and repeat the cycle again and again. It’s like a wheel that keeps spinning, each day bringing the same shit with it that was there before. It’s boring. I go to PWE and see the people I’m going to wrestle and the things I’m going to do and I think to myself what’s the fucking point? It’s all the same in the end anyways. I used to get pleasure from winning matches and being in PWE and yet doing what I wanted, but even when I win now I don’t find myself experiencing the same thrill I used. The rush is gone. It’s all just boring for me now, I feel like I can’t enjoy life like this."

He was surprised to get a real response from a man so concerned with keeping everything human on the inside. He portrayed an image of pure evil, an ice cold man with no heart. Yet it was clear that even this callous man was capable of human feelings and emotions. That fact made it that much harder for Jonathan to comprehend his ability to do the things that he was known for. The whole matter made him hate himself just for talking to this man and for offering advice.

"I’ve heard this come up from time to time from other performers. They live a luxurious life of privilege yet that creates problems for them as well. They feel they can’t associate well with people outside of their circle. They see the same faces everyday and they interact with the same people every day. The whole thing becomes monotonous with no change or variety. It’s enough to drive even the strongest willed to insanity or to boredom like in your case. You should branch out and find friendship and companionship elsewhere besides PWE. You do have friends don’t you?"

It was a dumb question to ask, but it slipped out before he could even fully analyze it. Who would want to be friends with Shawn Christopher? The big man nodded to him confirming his doubts.

Jonathan nodded before continuing, "Well why don’t you try to step out of PWE and step into the real world. You’ll find that people are much more accepting of you when they don’t have to be constantly reminded day in and day out of your past."

Shawn laughed and rose up. He headed to the door. Was it 6 PM already? A glance to the wall clock confirmed it. Surprisingly time flew by and Jonathan felt a great sense of accomplishment for getting through the meeting unscathed.

Shawn Christopher turned to say his goodbye. "So find a new friend and my problems will be solved eh? Mix things up? You know what doc, you may be right."

"Try to write down your feelings or observations during the day. That way you can look back and see what things you like to do and what things cause you grief. Then you can eliminate the activities and the people that bring you down."

Shawn laughed and gave the common answer, "Keep a diary? That’s for fags."

"Not a diary per say more like a journal of your thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t have to be too in depth, just a quick note or two."

Shawn Christopher nodded and shrugged his shoulders in a why not fashion. With that he closed the door behind him. Suddenly Dr. Pond found himself free.

Walter Doyle

Walter hummed along with "Sweet Child of Mine" as it played on the radio. The day had been long and boring like usual. Not much exciting ever happened at Quantum Insurance. He had spent most of the day in his office reviewing records of some of the company’s biggest clients. It wasn’t what he envisioned himself doing with his life, but in the current economic recession he felt lucky to hold down a stable and well paying job. It was a relief to know that he could provide a great life to his wife and kids. Those were the thoughts that helped make the days pass by.

After a thirty minute drive he pulled into his driveway. His wife’s red Camry was already in the driveway as the sun was beginning to set. She taught art in an elementary school nearby and absolutely loved her job. Together they made enough to buy a nice home in the suburbs and make a good life for themselves. It hadn’t always been easy, but the love had always been there and they could always fall back on it to get them through.

Walter grabbed his briefcase and exited his BMW. It was the first brand new car he had ever owned and he found himself starring at it as he took in some deep breathes of fresh air. This was real air, not the smog ridden air he was constantly breathing in the heart of New York where he worked. This air didn’t have all the pollutants in it and this air carried with it a slight hint of roasted garlic and chicken. A smile crossed his face. His wife was preparing his favorite dinner.

With a skip in his step he went inside his house to greet his beautiful wife.

The following promotion is brought to you by the former XWF World Television King, and future Lord of the Ring... The Cult Icon, Shawn Christopher.

"Xtreme Wrestling Federation....

I'M BAAAAAACK!" Shawn smirks and chuckles a bit, before gleaming back into the camera.

"Allow me to introduce myself to those of you who are well.. stupid.. my name is Shawn Christopher. And I'm here to win the Lord of the Ring. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Lemme tell you guys a little story.

See, this isn't my first rodeo here in the XWF. I came here about two years ago as part of a stable known as Daredevils Inc.. Myself, Christian Phoenix, Amy Vixen, and Eric Anderson. We were the best collection of up and coming talent. And after the latter three moved on, I blazed my own trail of dominance here in the XWF. I've beaten legends, crushed frauds, and reigned as a double champion. I was looked at by many as the heir apparent to the Universal title.

But that moment never came.

Oh no.. instead, what came was having to sit back and watch Boondock Saint get unlimited title shots at that fraud Bradley Pierce. What happened was me getting screwed out of not one, but two titles. What happened was me getting pushed down to the US title division.

Everytime, I tried to make the best out of the situation. But sitting back watching guy after guy that I've either already beaten, or had been sitting on the sidelines, get pushed ahead of me, just made me sick. And on February 20th, 2008.. after losing a match to Zach Rizza.. I quit." You can see the frustration and hurt on his face.

"The worst mistake I've ever made. For the first time in my life.. I lost focus. I let everything around me get the best of me. Jonathyn Brown didn't want me there, and I let him force me out, essentially keeping me from my destiny.

Well XWF, there's no need to worry about that now. Cause that Shawn Christopher is dead. Dead and buried. The man you see standing before you, is more focused that he's ever been. He's more dangerous than he already was. He's just simply.. better. And that's bad news for anybody that has signed up for the Lord of the Ring match. Cause there ain't no one that can hold me back. Jonathyn Brown ain't here. There's no Brad Pierce.. no Daniel Malcolm.. no Bigg Rigg. There is absolutely no one who can stop me. And yeah, I heard the names that have signed up for this match. There's a legend, a couple of great veterans, some good young talent that's signed onto this match. Make no bones about it, everybody that is coming into this match, is tough.

But I don't care.

This is my.. solitary mission right now. There's always been a dark cloud hanging over my career, ever since that night I quit. I always felt like there was something missing. This is my chance to right, a wrong. And I promise that I plan on making that sure that every single competitor I face in this match, suffer the same fate...

Defeat.

See ya boys."

End feed.