Post by JMav/JGold/RNorth/MKarloff on Jun 17, 2018 9:09:12 GMT -5
Blessed
From the blog of Martin Karloff:
They say knowledge is power.
For several years now I have been privy to knowledge that has had power over me.
Today I end that.
I tend to keep relatively to myself on this day of the year, preferring not to think of my parentage and instead focus on the light in my life. My beautiful wife and my amazing children. The only thought I spare is a solemn vow that I will not do what my father did. The day he took my mother from me then took his own life was the day I lost any attachment to his name. In the orphanage I was raised on a steady diet of classic horror films. People like me tend to find something and cling to it to keep our minds occupied. People on ‘the spectrum’ as I was always told.
Mild Aspergers syndrome. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise anybody.
Whenever my brain tried to wander to the events of my youth I would go to the library, hop on the internet, and argue that Christopher Lee was the best Dracula. I would enter into the classic debates on how much of what happened in ‘Blood Feast’ was real or fake. I would be mocked for my contentious opinion that Chaney was a better Frankenstein’s Monster than Boris Karloff... I let all of the monsters take the events of that fateful day and lock it in a box. Eventually I forgot all about the box and it’s contents. I’m told it’s a common thing for survivors of trauma.
One day several years ago the box was opened and I remembered something.
I remembered I had a brother.
So I went about trying to find him.
So that is how I found myself in that rec center that day. That is how I became the student of Johnathan Kennedy Fitzsimmons.
That is when I met my very disappointing, crass, and idiotic older brother.
His name is Ronald West.
You know him as Ronnie North. He doesn’t know. Never came looking for me.
Martin West never had a ring to it for me so I took the option of taking my own name early on. I denied my heritage to such a degree that one day I snapped and lashed out at an individual on commentary just because he bore my dead last name and shared the crass mouth that my brother did.
It is on this Father’s day that I reflect on my parentage and my kin as a means of rising above but also to unburden myself of this knowledge that has weighed so heavily on me. I am free of secrets now.
I am on the path to Salvation.
And for once the sky is clear.
-Martin Karloff
It is dark.
Through the darkness we hear the sound of a pipe organ as someone is improvising a tune that sounds like a spiritual.
“I saw the disorder of this company and it made me hate. It made me angry....but it was not truly disorder. It was Sin. And now anger and hate have given way to pity. Hate the sin and not the sinner as they say. I am here to help you, NGW. I am here to forgive you for your sins. I am replenished. I am reborn.”
Martin smiles as the lights come up to reveal he is wearing a clerical collar and seems to be reading from a Bible. There are Faceless around him and he gestures to them, allowing them all to reveal their faces. The one playing the organ stops briefly to remove their mask as well.
“I am blessed.”
Martin inhales deeply and raises a hand. The former ’Faceless’ are all in matching white button up short sleeve shirts and black neckties. Men and women of every race all coming together each with a songbook and they begin to sing the glory of the Lord.
No, not Daniel Daemon. Jesus.
“It came to me at the darkest of times. That profound sin of Wrath that I unleashed upon Michael West was merely a cry for help. A cry that was answered… by the Lord. He shined His light upon me and showed me the truth and the path that I needed to be on. He said The Manticore and The Phantom must serve as examples to the world of the dangers of Wrath and Pride and it was my duty to show them to their fullest as a warning. I intend to do right by Michael in due time… but first I must turn my attention to my opponent.” Martin says. He gently sways to the rhythm of the hymn for a moment before his focus returns to the task at hand.
“Jaime Alejandro. A Good Man. I know Jaime and I know that in his heart there is so much good to share. He shared it with Jessica Sears. He shares it with his students…. But Jaime will be the first to tell that he can not deny there is also Sin in that heart. He is only human after all. None of us are without Sin. I do not require a confession in this instance however. I seek not to absolve Jaime of any Sin. Jaime and I are familiar with each other and have even sparred on occasion and all I ask of the audience is that their eyes remain focused on my four-sided church as Jaime and I seek to enlighten you on what two of the most capable men in this company can do. That is not to say I will be taking things easy on him... oh far from it. I know I can hit you that much harder and you won’t buckle, Mr. Alejandro. To hold anything back would be a disservice to you and your legacy.” Martin says out of respect.
“The bell rings and my Sermon begins Jaime. You are an experienced man and I am sure you have much to teach me… Well it is not the Sin of Pride in me speaking when I say I gamble that I have a few things to teach you as well.” Martin says, The Faithful (formerly known as The Faceless) begin to line up as Martin has a large basin of water set before him.
“Now if you’ll excuse me…I have a few baptisms to get to. See you in the ring, Jaime.” Martin says as the camera fades out.