Post by Dead Eye on Jun 7, 2018 20:31:20 GMT -5
“Mind Over Matter”
•June 5, 2018•
•1:00 PM•
•Dr. Rick Van Haveren’s Office•
•Alpharetta, GA•
•Camera:OFF•
•Entrer•
The scene opens with Dead Eye sitting in a waiting room just a couple of days before heading to Columbus, Ohio, for his upcoming Dissension against Matthew Shields. It is a bit of an odd setting for Dead Eye to venture out and talk to a sports psychologist, considering he holds a PhD in psychology. However, he feels the need to get to the bottom of the shortcomings he has encountered since returning to the ring in such unsuccessful fashion. A nurse walks out toward the waiting room area.
Nurse: “Charles James?”
The nurse looks around the waiting area, and Dead Eye raises his hand, standing up simultaneously.
Dead Eye: “That's me.”
Nurse: “I thought it was you. My son is a big fan.”
Dead Eye: “Thanks. I'll have to give you something for him, in that case.”
He issues a slight smile, as the short exchange eases his anxiety a little.
Nurse: “Well, Dr. James. Right this way, please. I'm sure my son will be happy with whatever you may have in mind.”
He smirks a little. It's not often people address him by his non-wrestling professional title. He follows the nurse down a hallway. She points out Dr. Van Haveren’s office.
Nurse: “Right through that door. Doctor V will be right with you.”
Dead Eye: “Thanks. When I'm done, I'll go back to my car and get your son a picture to autograph. What's his name?”
Nurse: “Travis, but you don't have to do all that. I'm sure he will freak out when I mention I met you.”
Dead Eye: “It's what I do…”
He looks at her name tag.
Dead Eye: “...Sandy.”
She smiles, and Dead Eye nods as he opens the door to the office. Once inside, he can't help but notice the large size and excellent view the office offers. For a moment, he wonders if he should have maintained his part-time private practice he had in the months he was in Seattle. That thought gets quickly brushed aside, as he knows his biggest passion is wrestling. Still, wouldn't that route have been easier than what he's been going through since his return? Another thought brushed quickly aside as he was merely a shell of himself in his time in Seattle. His thoughts are interrupted with Dr. Van Haveren walking in.
Doctor: “Good afternoon, Dr. James.”
The two exchange a professional type handshake as Van Haveren takes a seat on the patented psychologist chair and points toward the familiar patient couch for Dead Eye to take a seat, which he does.
Doctor: “I'm Dr. Rick Van Haveren, as I'm sure you have figured out. Today, what we are going to do is just gather a little information and background, discuss what we offer, and map out a good time for you to return. Normally, I like to see my clients on a schedule, but I realize you aren't just a normal client that can come in on a set day. Your traveling certainly consumes a good bit of your time. That said, we will work together to come up with a viable way to work around that. Sound good so far?”
Dead Eye: “Certainly. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice. Although, I must confess it's a juxtaposition for me.”
Doctor: “Understandable. I, myself, would feel out of place if our roles were reversed, which I'm told could be the case. You hold a doctorate in this field, yes?”
Dead Eye: “Yezzir. Sure do. That's why I feel a little nervous about this. It seems I can help others but not myself in this case.”
Dr. V nods, jotting down a notation in his book.
Doctor: “That seems like as good a starting point as any. I will certainly give my all into assisting you with your particular situation. As I said, this visit is mostly background and information gathering, but I will tell you that I have watched the videos your agent sent over. That we will discuss likely on our next session.
“Now, we have all of your personal information on file, but let us discuss your profession for a moment, your active one. What drew you into professional wrestling, Charles?”
Dead Eye: “My love affair with this business started at any early age. Some of my fondest memories revolve around sitting on the couch with Pops watching some good old “wrasslin’”, as folks say around here.”
Doctor: “Your father… Was he not around much?”
Dead Eye: “Pops was great. He was around as much as he could be. We were the epitome of lower middle class for a long time. Pops worked several jobs and taught me the value of hard work and discipline. With working so much, he was often not home. When he was, though, he'd always find time to spend with me and Cece, my sister. For us, that was often watching wrestling together. I just valued the time we shared and fell in love with it all.”
Doctor: “I see. I know this is a touchy subject, but we must touch these bases at times. Your father passed away just before you reached what has, so far, been your pinnacle in wrestling, yes?”
Dead Eye knew this point was going to come, and he thought he was ready for it. The timing catches him off-guard, and he puts his face in his hands and fights back tears.
Doctor: “Take your time, Charles.”
Dead Eye wished so badly that his father would have made it to see him hold gold. Charles James, Sr., often told his son how proud he was that he had followed his dreams and was finding success after the personal demons and Achilles injury could have easily caused him to tap out, for a lack of a better term. He knows his father was looking down on him that day, but it's too hard not to imagine him being at ringside for the big day… Or to be present at what he thought was to be his final wedding day. With both of those things running through his head, he breaks down. Doctor Van Haveren offers a tissue, and Dead Eye accepts. He tries to gather himself.
Dead Eye: “Sorry about that, Doc. That is one of my biggest regrets. If I had not gotten injured, it's very likely that Pops would have still been alive to see me win that title. I just wanted see the look on his face when my hand was raised. I'll never be able to see that, and the thought rips my heart to shreds.”
Doctor: “I have no doubt, from what I gather, that he was already proud of you, Charles. You cannot allow ‘what ifs’ to consume you. If you do, you will never truly move forward. I think that focusing more on those ‘fondest memories’ of yours will prove much healthier for your mind.
“Let us switch subjects, yes? You describe the bulk of your childhood as lower middle class. When combined with the location of your upbringing of Compton, that certainly had to rob you a bit of that childhood, no?”
Dead Eye: “I'd say so. I watched people close to me shot and killed, including my brother dying in my arms. But… We survived. We had love, and our parents did their best to get us out of that situation and point us in the right direction. I owe them a lot, and I doubt I could ever truly show how much all of that means to me.”
Doctor: “I see. It pleases me that you have such a good head on your shoulders, young man. Next session, I would like you to be prepared because it has the potential of being more hard-hitting than what we just discussed because I know you have also experienced such ‘tragedies’ in your personal life, as well. I assure you that we will work toward getting to the heart of the matter of what you came here for. Until then, I have a little homework for you that may assist you until that point.”
He looks at his watch.
Doctor: “Our time for today is up, and I am sure you would have liked a little more results in your current professional dilemma. Please, do not give up, as this is a process that may take some time. I have had other clients not return. I do not want to see that with you, Dr. James. I believe you and I can make a great team if you put in the time and energy to help us get you over this slump. You with me?”
Dead Eye: “Absolutely. This has likely been building up for some time, and I know you're not gonna be an instant cure to my failures of late. Thanks for the time, Doc.”
Doctor: “My pleasure. That's what I'm here for.”
The two men stand and shake hands. Dead Eye raises an eyebrow as Van Haveren walks toward the office door.
Dead Eye: “Uh, Doc?”
Doctor: “Yes?”
Dead Eye: “You said something about homework?”
Doctor: “Yes. Just go see my nurse, Sandy, and she'll provide you with that and a few options for dates for our next session. Good?”
Dead Eye: “Aight. Thanks, again.”
The scene fades out.
•June 6, 2018•
•3:00 PM•
•Dead Eye's Apartment•
•Stone Mountain, GA•
•Camera:ON•
•Entrer•
The scene opens with Dead Eye gathering his clothes before he leaves for the airport the following morning to head to Columbus. The Ohio area holds some fond memories for Dead Eye in his first run in NGW. So far, his return has been pretty lackluster for the most part. Sure, there has been progress in every match, but something has gone wrong each rip. Now, he faces Matthew Shields, a man he is very familiar with, considering he was once Shields’s boss In IPW.
Dead Eye: “Matthew Shields. A man I have watch from his inception in this umbrella of companies, if you will. Since then, you have done well for yourself, sir. I'll be honest. I didn't know if you'd be around when I came back.”
He shrugs.
Dead Eye: “I always knew you had potential, but it's felt like something was missing. I find this an intriguing match to be in. We've seen boss versus employee before in this business. I'm not so sure about ex-boss, but I digress.
“Outside of backstage past, we've never met in the ring. You can't count you yelling at Kayla, who fears Dead Eye, to tuck tail when I came out to save Avery on the night of my return cuz you were smarter and knew just who it was that came out… Or who we all thought I was.
“I'll be honest. I haven't quite been myself since returning, and I've pondered if this was a good call. I mean, when I read a report that says ‘a win against Dead Eye isn't quite what it used to be’ referring to a ‘notch’ on someone's résumé, that stings quite a bit. I get it, though.”
He paces a bit in front of the camera.
Dead Eye: “I've had a case of ‘the yips’ as some have so eloquently put it. Every tip, I get over one hurdle just to face another. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I can assure everyone that I will do so. I'm a man of challenge. I live for it and thrive off of it. No one thought I could cut it in MMA. My first wife didn't think Mexico was a good idea. I've faced doubters my whole life. Hell, I grew up in Compton #NuffSaid.
“I couldn't make it out the ghetto. I couldn't work my way through college. I couldn't make it in professional wrestling. I won't be what I once was. I've heard it all. The common denominator in all of those doubts has been the FACT that at each and every turn, I have overcome the naysayers and doubters triumphantly.”
Dead Eye breaks into song.
Dead Eye: “He did it before, and he can do it again. And, he can do it again.”
He smirks.
Dead Eye: “I've no doubt in my mind that all of this is temporary. I will return to my rightful spot in this industry and remind people just who the fuck Dead Eye is. I'm not some washed up has-been that can no longer cut it. Hell, I'm still easily in my prime. I'm not even thirty yet.
“In no way am I discounting you, Shields. If so, I wouldn't have complimented you at the start. I just know myself and what I'm capable of. When it's all said and done, I will be one step closer to where I'd like to be. The question is just how big of a step will this match be for me? I suppose we'll know better after this weekend, won't we?
“Shields, bring your ‘A’ game. If you think this is gonna be a walk in the park because of what I've looked like lately, you're gravely mistaken. In each match, I've had #ThatMomentWhen I should have won. A slump is temporary, and intend to show you that first hand at Dissension. For now, I gotta finish packing. Do us a favor, though. Keep your pet dog back in the locker room and let's do this one-on-one like it's billed, eh?”
He smirks again and shuts off the feed.
•Finis•