"Wow…then what happened to him after you won?"

"Well, he took one good look at me and said that I'll get mine one day…But knowing the abusive childhood that Marty had, he was just speaking a lot of hot air. Never mind him though. After he lost to me, he just…disappeared. No one heard anything of him or where he went. Strange man, him."

"Hmm" Paul Lloyd Jr smirked as he zipped up his gym bag. "Maybe The Pink Panther gave him a good run for his money then, huh?" The father looked up at his son, who had a defiant grin on his face. Paul Snr chuckled and observed his son as he sat next to him. His dark hazel eyes, emitting enthusiasm and expectancy, scanned the wrestling room that they had just been training in. His caramel blonde hair was held back with a black headband and the afterward sweat lingered on his skin.

My own and only son…wanting to be a wrester…just like his old man .Paul Snr had a lazy smile on his face as he put his face on his hand. Paul Jr eventually caught his father's glare and nudged him gently with his elbow, smiling as well. Paul Snr then drew himself up and interlocked his fingers together as he said "Listen Paul, I need you pay attention on what I am going to say. When it comes to wrestling… it's how you say… a very proud sport. Many young boys just like you want to become the best… want to do all that they want to… they want to experience the proudest moment of their life when their muscles are sore, their face has been beaten in, but they're holding that belt high above their heads… after many years of blood, sweat and tears, they eventually make it. The crowds chanting their name, little kids dressing and acting like them and earning that respect that they worked so damn hard for…"

Paul Jr looked at his dad, nodded agreeing with everything that he had said so far, as he visualized himself winning a dream match…with everyone cheering… and his father and his mother standing there, with tears in their eyes…clappingas their son held his championship belt high above his head….

"But-" Paul Snr patted his son's back as he saw that he was daydreaming, causing him snap out his fantasy. Paul Jr grew a cheesy smile on his face as his father responded with a simple smile and shook his head as put his arm around his son and gripped his shoulder slightly. "You need to realise that wrestling can also bring out the worst in people. Their vanity overtakes their dignity, their self-respect and everything they stand for. Their lives get ruined by steroids, the press, the peer pressure and being away from family. I mean yes, wrestling can mean absolutely everything to you but if it becomes your whole entire existence then… it will rob you of your very being, the important people in your life and most importantly… who you are."

Paul Jr sat up straight and looked at his dad with questioning eyes. "You sound like you speak from experience dad".

Paul Snr took a moment and stared at the wrestling ring in front of him. Paul Snr simply smirked and said "I do… That's why I'm telling you all this, so that you don't make the same stupid mistakes that I did when I was your age and in all the years of wrestling that I did…"

Paul Jr nodded. "Don't worry dad I won't… I promise I won't… All the things that you've taught me to have…great showmanship, good skill and agility. It won't go to waste. Promise."

"Hhmm… I'm gonna have to take your word for it Paul. This is serious business here." With that, Paul Snr held out his hand.

Paul Jr responded with a confused look. I wonder why Dad is being so serious with me? All the times that he joked with me during training and now he's all serious… Almost like he's trying to talk me out of this… I know what's at stake here… but I wanna do this…for my dad… and for me…

Paul Jr looked down at his father's hand and shook it. They exchanged meaningful smiles for a moment or two. Without delay, Paul Snr pulled his son into a loving, fatherly embrace; patting his back as if he were saying good-bye. Paul Jr, who was still perplexed, responded as well by patting him on the back as well. Paul pondered about what was going through his dad's mind as he felt sniffles on his shoulder.

Paul Snr, pulled himself back, trying to restrict the tears that were streaming down his face. Paul Jr looked at his father with a look of unease. "Dad… you're really beginning to freak me out now. What's up? You're never like this."

Paul Snr pulled away from his protégé and wiped the rest of the tears from his eyes. "It's nothing son just… an old man like me being emotional… I blame your mother for this you know…" Paul's unease face turned into a smile as his father gave a sincere laugh.

"Here" he said, taking out a small black case out of his pocket and holding it out to him. Paul Jr held out a small smile as his dad dropped the case in his hand. "I was in an old shop today and just looking through stuff and found that."

Paul Snr gestured to the box as Paul Jr opened it and held out the necklace in front of him. The necklace itself was just a black simple lace, but it was it the golden letter attached to it that properly caught his attention. It was the letter 'U' but with the tops of the U curled out.

"What is it?"

"It's the letter 'J', but in angelic script. Lucky for you as well, that was the very last one they had"

"Dad, my name is Paul…you know… beginning with P…"

Paul Snr grinned immensely and laughed. "I know… I was just thinking… maybe you could use that as a stage name somehow… when you finally earn your place in the wrestling industry…"

Paul Jr's eyes ignited with deep exhilaration and sentiment once again. He looked down at his necklace trying to hide any form of emotion from the domineering man sitting in front of him.

"Come on", Paul Snr said, beaming and ruffling the short locks of his son's hair. "We'd better get going now; your mum's cooking your favourite."

The duo got up and headed towards the exit door. They were almost at the exit, when Paul Jr immediately paused in his steps, still looking at his necklace. Paul Snr looked over his shoulder, with an expectant glance. "Something wrong?"

Paul Jr, who was still hypnotised by the necklace, quickly looked at his dad then back at his newfound possession.

"I remember, you were telling me about Granddad's stories, how he always took risks, especially at times when it almost cost him his match… wasn't there a word he used to describe himself?"

"Oh yeah! Ah, what was it? Aucubas… audacity…"

Paul, who placed his new gift around his neck, spoke without thought.

"Audacious" he whispered, admiring his necklace.