You learned a lot about hard work on the farm, and you were certainly fed enough to make sure you had the strength to work harder than most.
You'll never forget your home. But it's time to leave the nest.
Now, whether or not you can fly…that's the question.
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Three Weeks Later. The Araneta Town Hall.
"Good to meet you. I'm Maria the Mangler. Have you seen Sam McEnroe?"
One by one the wrestlers shrug or shake their heads as you make your way around the locker room, exchanging handshakes with rookies and veterans both. The lone exception is a beefy Greek wrestler getting some sort of design tattooed on her face.
"I think I saw him with the sound guys."
You nod your thanks, then hurry out of the locker room once you've made the rounds. You're set to debut tonight as the second match on the card, and you just realized that you don't have any entrance music yet!
You've just left the locker room when you feel a tap on your shoulder.
((WARNING WALL OF TEXT AHEAD))
You turn around to see Lana Lance, your opponent tonight. She's been in the BWF for three years, but you've got the feeling she won't be around much longer. You met her earlier in the day, when you were going over the match in Vinnie's office, and she just seemed disinterested.
"Listen," says Lance, "I know Vinnie has you going over tonight, and that's great and all, but I was wondering if we could actually have a match instead of a squash."
You're taken aback. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"Vinnie is down on me lately, damned if I know why." Lance puts her hands together. "Listen, I've got some old high school friends in the audience. I don't want them to see me just roll over."
Before you can say anything else, Lance continues. "I promise, we'll be a minute or two over time, that's all, and if the ref gives the signal to end it, we'll end it. I know how it sounds, and I'll owe you big time, it's just there's this boy that I haven't seen in ages and—"
You tune her out. You could let Lance get a few moves of her own in, but that may just weaken your debut—it's not like Lance has been booked as a strong opponent. And—maybe more importantly—what'll Vinnie think? As the promoter and booker of Borderless Wrestling, he's your boss, your only boss, and he may not take too kindly to improvisation, even if it could result in a more exciting match.
On the other hand, wrestlers who show consideration for their peers, who make their opponents look good, are generally more popular in the locker room. Those who focus on turning matches into highlight reels are deemed to be all about "ring flash", and deficient in the awareness that makes a great wrestler.
That being said, fans do love to see flashy wrestlers…
1. Tell her truthfully, "Sure, it's no problem."
2. Tell her "Sure" but decide to go ahead with the squash anyway
3. Refuse. "You don't think I'm falling for that one, do you?"