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***
The Blue Empress of Death began her career in Thailand. Surprisingly, apparently wrestling is everywhere. Quickly became one of the top stars there because of her size. And after gaining experience, she returned to the U.S., where there's a demand for female wrestlers.
I learnt all this at home by googling. Naturally, I didn't try to talk to her, I just ran away.
What?! What else could I do?!
Act hysterical and make a scene in front of my employer and the other wrestlers. I don't even know if Terry or Sherry is the Blue Empress. So, yeah, it would be a great way to speak out and get the word out across the industry that I'm inadequate.
And besides, I'm not even sure who ruined my life... The girl in the video called herself Sherry. But what if it was really Terry?
- Haaah. Why can't the past just let me go?
First it was Isabella and Becky out of nowhere. They went on holiday to Mexico and went to a wrestling show. Couldn't they have gone to Europe or something like normal people?
Now I've crossed paths with one of the McLberry sisters. Who's going to turn up next? Milhouse? Gina? Lisa?
- It better be Dr Hubert. with the news that I'm gonna die of cancer in a day or two.
Why is it that if I put the past behind me, it can't leave me?
'Where are you?'
Picking up my phone, the entire screen is littered with messages from Isabella, who we'd sort of agreed to meet.
But after meeting with McLberry, I didn't really care about her. And when you think about it, she was the one who wanted to meet. I think it's only fair if I just apologise and say goodbye.
*(beeps)
After my message that I couldn't make it. Isabella switched to calling. So I had no choice but to-- Switch off the phone and continue to lie aimlessly on the bed, staring at the yellow stains on the ceiling.
- Why can't I be left alone?
All I want to do is keep working. Yeah, get better at professional wrestling. Nothing else matters.
.....
Because I went to bed a lot earlier than I thought I would. And I got home a lot earlier, too. I decided to hit the gym early in the morning. Of course, I wanted to lie around after last night, but since Isabella knows where I live...
I'd rather have sore muscles. Than a brain sawing from a former classmate.
Upon reaching the hall where the EMLL office is located, I was greeted by a rather empty room. Apparently most of the guys are on other jobs. My crew, on the other hand, recently turned in a project, so I'm on holiday.
After putting my stuff away in my locker, I was about to hit the shells. But then the bruises from last night's match reminded me of themselves, so I decided to spend some more time discussing the upcoming title match with El Bandito.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO EILL?!
However, as I approached Bandito's office, his rasping scream came from behind the door.
- They're offering a full contract. Nothing personal.
And I recognised his voice. It was Captain Lucha, the main Technico of the promotion, who was also the main star and the main champion.
- NOTHING PERSONAL?! COULDN'T YOU AT LEAST GIVE ME THREE MONTHS' NOTICE?!
- I give a month's notice.
If El Bandito's voice was hoarse with anger, Captain Lucha sounded calm, perhaps with a slight sneer.
- AND I'M SUPPOSED TO PIN THE TITLE ON A GUY WHO'S BEEN COMPETING FOR A YEAR?!
- I'm not going down for that gringo!
For the first time, the Captain's voice sounded emotional. I wonder if I should be proud or offended that he put emotion into insulting my person.
- AND WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO?!
- I don't know. Figure something out.
At this point the conversation came to an end and the Captain left the office, adjusting his championship title on his shoulder. As I was engrossed in the conversation, I met the luchador on the way out.
- What? Warming your ears?
Spitting on my shoes and shoving me with his shoulder, Captain Lucha went on his way. All I could do was stare at him. Like Coach Engle told me, bickering with a bigger name in the business is the way to get locked out. This law is especially applicable to an up-and-coming performer like me.
*♪ Knock, knock, knock ♪
Suppressing the lump of rage that had built up inside of me. I knocked on El Bandito's door about twenty or thirty seconds later. The wearer of the black mask didn't answer, so after a few more knocks, I went in myself.
El Bandito is sitting in a chair, looking at a display case with his own accomplishments, championship belts, and significant EMLL-related items.
- Mr El Bandito? - reluctantly interrupted the owner's reverie.
- Huh? El Barto?! - who was genuinely surprised to hear my voice.
At first turning around on the chair with his mouth open from shock, El Bandito next rose, adjusted his grey jacket, and walking along the dimly lit office, made a circle around me, nodding his head.
- Yeah, yeah, not bad.
Following the nods, a slimy smile appeared on El Bandito's face, and his fingers began stroking my chin.
- El Barto! - With a wide grin, El Bandito clapped me on the arm. - You're the man I need!
- What?
- You're Technico, and our company has a bit of a problem with them....
Technico's a good guy. In EMLL right now, there's only Captain Lucha, and everyone else is too far away from main race status. For the last two years, they've been used to grow opponents for the title. So they've been dumped under Rudo, who then get dumped under Captain Lucha.
- You're young, and fans always like new stars!
Despite the rigours of the wrestling industry. But once a generation, a supernova is born in almost every promotion that can afford it. A performer who becomes the head of the card from a young age. Usually there's him, and everyone else who has to spend long years for a slice of the supernova's success.
- Plus you've got the storyline tie-ins with Guerrero Muerto!
After all, he was the one who attacked me after I won the Chaos ring. Originally, I'm sure it was planned that I would be a stepping stone to renewing his confrontation with Captain Ray. But now...
- El Barto, can you pull off the Campeonato del Mundo?
Campeonato del Mundo is the main title of EMLL, Mexico's third promotion. Winning a title like that would make me that supernova. Not only of EMLL, but of the entire country. It guarantees booing on the indies, it guarantees attention from American and Japanese companies, it guarantees making money from wrestling alone...
On the other hand, it requires a lot of responsibility. To my appearance, to my form, to my demeanour, to my skill in the ring... And given my experience, I'm sure I'm gonna get a bucket of hate. And most likely more than one.
And with all of that in mind, my answer can only be one...
- You can count on me! - With a firm grip, I shook El Bandito's hand.
After all, who better than a former Olympic candidate to be able to cope with the pressure?! And I doubt wrestling fans could come up with worse insults than social wars.
So I'm ready!
I'm ready to take a new step!
A step in my new life!
And let the old one burn with Bart Simpson!
This is the life of El Barto, professional wrestler!
.....
- Kggh!....
Or so I thought.
- How long are you going to avoid me, Bart?
While I'm loaded at the gym. Suddenly, Isabella entered the gym, taking advantage of my fifth lift and elbowing me on the bar, rendering me unable to move.
- Ahem... Firstly, I'm not avoiding anyone....
- Yeah.
- Ahem. Secondly, how did you find me?
- Your company has a website, dummy. - The correct way to say promotion, you idiot!
- Ahem. Thirdly, could you take your weight off, I can't breathe....
- I'm surprised you left it for last, of course. But is that a hint that I'm fat?
Is it just me, or is the weight adding to the pressure? Or is it Isabella's searing stare?
- Bart, you have to realise that if it's not from me. Becky, Lisa and your whole family will know where you are, what you're doing. They're gonna want to see you, at least get in touch.
I've had enough of seeing McLberry, Gutierrez, and Shorter to get the shock of seeing my family....
What can they say to me? To be ashamed of where I live? That I'm doing something stupid like jumping around the ring in tight, colourful trousers? Tell me how well they're doing without me? Well, I'll be happy for them, but then what?
- Do you even know that they're trying to contact you? Even after all this time of ignoring you.
Is it my fault?! It's their own.
They'd better take a cue from me and move on, forgetting we ever connected.
- Bart, I know you want a fresh start. Forget everything.
Isabella's gaze had softened considerably. Somehow, it was the one that stopped me from making the final push before I could throw her and the barbell off me.
- But escape is not a new beginning, only a rotten continuation, locking you into a trap of deceit.
Slowly, Isabella's hands left the barbell and rested on my mask.
- Oh, how do I know you? - I don't know why, but I felt a thrill.
- I told you - a fool like you is easy to understand.
With a gentle smile on her full lips, the former classmate took off my mask. And we met face to face for the first time since high school.....
- Also, I think it suits you much better this way.