It was the usual Friday night for Walter Reagan, as it had been since he’d returned from Desert Storm in 91. A room full of war heroes forgotten by their government and their fellow countrymen struggling with the painful memories of combat. The support service was held in a dimly lit room that smelled of stale old coffee and male body order. Walter sat among the other veterans in a circle and listened to the stories of his fellow brothers in arms who had fought in various conflicts throughout the years. An old grizzled man by the name of Ronald Washington was speaking about his time in Vietnam while smoking a Marlboro Red cigarette. He was wrinkled, sported white hair, and had a striking resemblance to Clint Eastwood if Clint had actually not led a pampered life of luxury. His hands shook a bit as he described a battle gone bad with his comrades all around him dying. A surprise attack from the Viet Cong that had left him on his own running through the Jungle in the dead of night covered in his compatriot’s blood.
Ronald Washington: I don’t know why the good Lord spared me that night. I hid the muck and mud for hours until they were gone. I have the same nightmare almost every night, amongst others. I got scars all over my body from bullets I’ve taken and what do I have to show for it? No family, no job, and I’m basically homeless right now.
Walter Reagan: GOD DAMN IT!
Everyone’s attention turned to Walter in the room as they stared at his large beat red face full of anger and frustration. It was clear that Ronald’s story had set his very short fuse off and once he blew up there was usually no cooling him off. It was his greatest weakness in society and his greatest asset in combat.
Walter Reagan: IT’S NOT RIGHT! WE PUT OUR LIVES, OUR FUTURES, AND MINDS ON THE LINE FOR THIS COUNTRY AND ALL THESE DAMN LIBERALS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIORS TREAT US LIKE FUCKING GARBAGE! THIS MAN IS A HERO! HE SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY SOCIETY! I GOT FRIENDS WHO DIED FACE FIRST IN THE BLAZING HOT DESERT SAND SO THAT THEY COULD COME BACK AND BE SHAT ON BY THESE MILLENNIAL LIBERALS!
The support group grunted and nodded in agreement with Walter. Even the group leader sympathized with his and Washington’s frustrations. The pain the room was real and no one else, and only the people who had experienced what they had first hand could ever understand what they were going through and were feeling inside. Ronald continued after Walter settled down after his intense rant.
Ronald Washington: I just need a job, and purpose in life. My wife is gone, and I lost my only son when he went off to Afghanistan to help bring down the Saddam Hussein regime.
Group Leader: It’s hard for people your age to find employment these days. There is definitely some age discrimination happening out there.
Walter Reagan: You know what Ronald. I’m going to talk to my boss and see if I can set up an interview for you. I’m sure Mr. Mudcock could use another good man like yourself.
Ronald Washington: Really? That would be absolutely fantastic Walter. I… I can’t thank you enough.
Walter Reagan: Just looking out for a fellow soldier.
Walter gave Ronald a good pat on the back and after the meeting, the two exited the old building together. Walter gave him the phone number and address to Ultimate Wrestling headquarters and the two parted ways for the evening. The next day Walter had shown up to work early in the morning to get Rupert up to speed on Ronald. Rupert had been acting weird since Friday Night clash six, but Walter couldn’t place his finger on what had caused the change in his behavior. He knew better than to question the old man. Rupert Mudcock was not a man you questioned, you followed his orders, and that was that.
Rupert: What do I look like WALTER? A damn charity? How dare you arrange an interview for me without my approval or knowledge? What on earth were you thinking man!
Walter: Sir with all due respect, this man is a true patriot! He fought in Vietnam!
Rupert: Vietnam? We lost that war, Walter! I don’t have room for losers on my payroll dammit!
Walter: Sir please…he’s a McStrump voter and a real fan of yours.
Rupert sighed heavily and mumbled “for Blob’s sake” quietly under his breath.
Walter: What was that sir?
Rupert: Nothing, never mind. Just send him in and let’s see what this old bastard has to offer us.
Walter: Thank you, sir! You won’t regret this!
Walter left the room and a few minutes later reentered with Ronald in tow behind him. Ronald shook hands with Rupert and then had a seat across from his desk. Ronald was dressed in his best suit, was clean shaved, and was sporting a freshly trimmed haircut. He sat their nervously waiting for Rupert to spark up a conversation.
Rupert: So Walter here tells me you’re looking for work. What exactly are your skills Ronald?
Ronald: Well sir I’ve had fantastic military training, and I feel I could be a great asset to your security team.
Rupert: No.
Ronald: No sir?
Rupert: I’m not looking for people your age to join my security team. No offense Ronald but your just not of a practical age for that kind of work.
Ronald: Sir if you would just give me a chance I…
Rupert: What other skills do you have?
Ronald seemed frustrated with Rupert’s behavior but kept his cool and tried to pitch himself the best he could.
Ronald: Well sir I’m great with my hands and know how to work with tools extremely well. I think I could be a good asset to your Ultimate Wrestling setup crew.
Rupert: Unfortunately we don’t have any openings in that department.
Ronald suddenly got up finally getting the hint that Rupert had no interest in hiring him.
Ronald: I understand sir. Thank you for the opportunity to meet such a great man as yourself. Good luck with your business.
Rupert: Sit down Mr. Washington. I’m not going to let a man who fought for this country end up on the street begging for small change. I think I have just the job for you.
Ronald sat back down and Walter smiled happily. He knew Mr. Mudcock wouldn’t let him down. Somewhere in that overweight body of his was a heart of gold. Rupert stood up walked over to his liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. After ingesting a few eager slurps he turned to face his two veterans.
Rupert: Are janitor recently passed away and were having an issue with our plumbing. In fact this morning I recently clogged the stall down the hall. A man of skills could be perfect to handle the custodial arts needs of Ultimate Wrestling Mr. Washington. What do you say, good sir?
The short-lived joy that Ronald had felt slowly faded away. Somewhere inside the last of his pride and self-worth died. He slowly got up out of his chair and shook Rupert’s chubby hand swallowing the last of his dignity.
Ronald: Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.
Rupert: I’m sure you won’t. The janitor’s closet is down the hall. See yourself to the plunger. I had a big breakfast this morning. It’s going to require a good amount of elbow grease get that clog out.
Walter turned around clenching his fist tightly using all of his self-control to not tell the fat media mogul to go fuck himself. It was obvious that he would have to prove to the man he was capable of more than just clearing the clogs from his bowel movements. As Ronald left the room Walter turned to Rupert to give him a sign of gratitude.
Walter: Thank you, sir. You’ve given a great man some sense of self-worth in a very difficult moment in his life.
Rupert: You owe me quite the favor, Walter. I expect for you to wipe the floor Salinas and Reinhardt this week on Friday Night Clash 7.
Walter: They won’t stand a chance, sir.
Rupert: Also you will be accompanying the roster to North Korea with Robert. I don’t trust our Vice President with this critical mission. We need a man with real military experience on the ground. I’ve assured President McStrump of your competence so don’t let me down.
Walter: Yes sir!
Rupert: Now get the fuck out of my office! I have important things to attend too.
Walter: Thank you, sir! I won’t let you down!
Walter left the room feeling extremely proud of himself and determined to execute his boss’s directives. He was ready to finally show the wrestling world just what he was capable of against two of the sports very best.
To be continued.