I watched the clock slowly wind down and passed the time with my phone. The smartphones these days were capable of almost everything. People around me chatted idly and some became engrossed in previous match chats , favorite episodes and how their cosplay outfits looked. I kept to myself but eventually got sucked in when some people needed me to hold their spot for a bathroom break. We talked about where we lived and how far we had come and other mindless surface topics. It was nice to have people acknowledge the same excitement and to kill time with all the same. Most of the women around me jabbed about how hot Randy looked. I couldn't stand in line and not agree with them so I didn't even try.
Randy was a tall man, six foot five and all muscle, a six pack adorned his stomach and his arms were bigger than most people had ever seen. He had fascinating tattoos in full sleeves up and down his arms, each and every one meaning something to him. His short beard made him look more vicious as he did the job as an intimidator in the ring, and that was just part of why women were engrossed in him. They went nuts for that persona. I however, saw both sides. I did my homework and I already knew he was a country boy who just didn't take any shit. I had no problems not staying in the fan girl realm for too long because after a while, it just got old and it was hard to be stuck on a persona that would in actuality, never want anything to do with you.
The clock had finally counted down and everyone was packed up and on their feet ready to finally see Randy Orton and ready get their merchandise signed, or get pictures. I texted Mike and got a quick reply that he was on his way. Trying to keep my emotions to a minimum, I went in to introvert mode which made me look angry on the surface where people would just leave me alone. I just couldn't handle any more emotional disturbance knowing I wasn't good with these types of events.
Mr. Orton came out from behind a small curtain that was set up behind his table and did his well-known flare from the ring, arms outstretched wide with his heavyweight belt. He stood their looking cocky and well deserving of his praise and the fans screamed and jumped as the excitement built. He made his way to the seat that graced the table in front of us and slowly the people started to move. Some girls left in tears from their emotions and other fans just happy to have gotten a big name to sign their gear. There really were all walks of life at these things.
When my turn came up I made eye contact with Mr. Orton, I swallowed and told my brain that, for a superstar, he was just a teddy bear like everyone else. My brain was screaming at Mike for not being there with me because I wasn't sure I could speak. Mr. Orton looked up at me with his bright glowing blue eyes and smiled.
"Hey there," He mused just going along with his typical script as he prepared to sign another photo.
"Hello Mr. Orton," I got out a little rushed. His eyes widened and he smirked before saying, "Oh sweetheart, you can just me Randy, Mr. Orton is far too official." "Sorry," I blurted out before I handed him a photo I had brought with me.
Now was the time to go balls to the wall and just say what I had to say, not normally a skill I had practiced much. If I never asked Randy anything then I would never know the answers to any of my questions and I didn't want any regrets. There would be no other chance if I didn't ask now. I was still cursing Mike in my head for not being there. He could have broken the ice for me and I had already bought him some coffee. The situation was already awkward enough, I had more than enough crap that I was carrying and the last thing I wanted to do was drink two coffees or spill one on Randy's table.
"Don't be sorry…so… I have to know where you found this photo." Randy said quietly eyeing the photo; he had a smile on his face, maybe even an embarrassed look. It was a look I was unfamiliar with. I smiled back a little embarrassed myself that I had to explain. "That picture… well I can't lie, it came from Google actually. I brought it hoping maybe you could tell me the story behind it because it's not like any others I've seen and could you maybe answer another question or two that I have?" He had given a great lead in to all of my other questions by inquiring. With a smile still on his face he let out a laugh and agreed to give me the back story on the picture.
His voice, already low calm and steady got as soft and as much lower as possible, he didn't want many people around to hear his story for reasons unknown to me. My head was racing with how friendly Randy really was and he was going to share something with me. I had actually embarrassed the WWE Legend Killer himself.
Randy told me the story of a house party he had when he was younger. He had quite a bit to drink and someone, one of his friends, had snapped a photo of him as he stripped down to only his navy blue sweats pants and barely those apparently. The photo clearly showed a cocky boy who didn't care what he was showing off. He signed the photo as he spoke, looked at it one more time and then hid the photo against his chest as his personal assistant Chrissy tried to look over his shoulder at the photo. Even she turned a light shade of pink when Randy cut her thoughts off with, "Hey now, don't be peeking, this is for the lovely lady here only."
I laughed for the first time at Randy's comment and was so relieved. My emotions started to equalize and I was feeling a lot more level. "So I'll make this quick, I know you have a lot of people waiting," I pushed gesturing to the fans behind me feeling the agitation behind me growing, "I'm really just wondering what's the story with the string you keep on your finger, and could I bother you for yet another photo?" I didn't know all of the fun facts that other fans knew, they could just wait until I got an answer for myself. It was much better than hoping the fan that told me the story wasn't just hearing it second hand.
I sat my coffees on the table and Randy looked down, "You brought me coffee, you shouldn't have," he teased as he stood up to come in for a photo. "You're more than welcome to one if Vanilla is your style." A smile had spread across our faces. Neither of us knew that my questions wouldn't get answered and that Randy wouldn't get his opportunity at some coffee.
From behind me a commotion broke out causing Randy to look up. He was much taller than me and could look out over everyone and see what was going on. Out of nowhere I was pushed from behind by some other fans that were waiting. The blow to the back of my head came from behind me so hard it knocked me forward causing me to hit my temple on the side of the table. Blurred vision skewed everything in front me, all I could hear were angry voices and yelling. Randy was screaming at people as I fell to the floor, people's feet threatening to trample my face. Darkness enveloped my consciousness and I was out cold before I reached the ground.
