B-dog enters the backstage of the arena.His baggage is slung over his right shoulder as he walks through the hallway.He plans on leaving his outfit here for the match tomorrow night against Christopher Chaos after he works out in the weight room for a while.As he enters the locker room his cell phone starts ringing.'Hello,'he answers the phone,'hey what's up man?Nothing much going on here.Just putting my outfit up in my locker and maybe hit the weight room.What's going on?Oh really, now that's interesting...heh yeah I know.Listen , are you gonna make it to the show tomorrow night?Why not?Oh I see.Well tell your daughter I hope she feels better.Hey listen, tomorrow night ,June 18, I'm gonna make you wish you were here to see me in action alright?Okay later man. Bye.'He hangs the phone up and proceeds to his locker.After searching for a bit he finally finds his locker and begins seperating his street clothes from his wrestling outfits.He selects a pair of white sweatpants with blue stripes and a regular grey t-shirt to workout in.He puts his wrestling outfit for tomorrow night into the locker, grabs his bag with his street clothes and keys and heads to the weight room.After doing a set of benchpresses he decides that enough for today and as he's about to get ready to shower a familiar voice calls out to him.'I see that you've learned from me very well.How are you doing?',the man who's just entered the room asks.
B-dog turns and is shocked to see his old wrestling teacher standing in the doorway.'Well , how are you Victor? You look great!'The two men hug each other and shake hands for a brief moment.Victor is a medium skinned Black man who stands about 6'9' tall.
Victor:'I've been well and you?I see you made it to a professional league.'
B-dog: 'Yeah my first match is tomorrow night.'
Victor:'So I heard.You know Charles won't be making it tomorrow his little girl's sick.'
B-dog:' I know , I just talked with him a few minutes ago. What brings you way out here?'
Victor:'Did you REALLY think that I would miss one of my students debut match? Come on you know me much better than that.Or ,at least you should.So, who's your opponent going to be?'
B-dog:'A guy by the name of Christopher Chaos, don't know that much about him though.'
Victor:'After the match you should know quite a bit about him.You know, the reason I came here was to make sure that you don't lose focus.Listen, I've been where you are at.I've wrestled around this country for different feds.But I did one thing wrong...I lost focus.Do you still have that cane I gave you?'
B-dog:'Sure I've got it.It's with my outfit in my locker.'
Victor:'Get it out your locker and KEEP it with you.I want you to use that to focus yourself.Whenever you get unsure of yourself in this business think what on that cane and remeber my words:DO NOT LOSE FOCUS NO MATTER WHAT.'
B-dog:'Okay I'll get it after I shower off and change clothes.'
Victor:'Fair enough.Now then how do you think the fans will treat you tomorrow night?'
B-dog:'I don't know ...don't really care, either.'
Victor: 'Why don't you care?'
B-dog:'Well, I have nothing to prove to them .I just have to prove everything to myself first, then MAYBE I'll worry about what they think of me.'
Victor:'You have learned your lessons well.'
B-dog:'Had a good teacher. Listen after I shower let's head out to a bar and pick up some ladies.Well since your married I will do the picking up . How's that sound?'
Victor:' It sounds like a plan to me .Meet you in the parking lot.'
With that Victor walks out of the room.B-dog sits and thinks on what his teacher told for a bit, then he takes his shower and changes clothes.On his way out he stops by his locker and retrieves the cane.He hefts the cane in his right hand , grabs his bags, and goes out to the parking lot where his mentor is waiting. As they get in their respective cars. his mind starts to wander about the match ,but then he looks down at the cane and focuses his mind on talking with a friend ,and perhaps a nice-looking lady, tonight.
Beginning of a Journey