Chapter 4 – The Wonder of Words
Maria checked out of the hotel the next morning and returned the car to the rentals located near the airport. With luggage in hand and as the glass doors slide apart from each other, Maria walked leisurely inside the airport knowing that she has arrived on time.
She was heading for the escalator leading to the next floor when someone was calling her from behind. Maria was walking with a bit more speed as she was trying to ignore Randy.
"Hey Maria, wait up!" He was out of breath as he was trying to catch up with her.
Maria kept on walking as if Randy doesn't exist, let alone know him.
Why can't he just leave me alone?
She kept on walking.
"Will you stop for a second?"
"Why should I?"
"I want to talk to you," said Randy.
"There's nothing to talk about," Maria said blankly.
Randy rushed in front of Maria and she halted.
"Yes there is," said Randy.
"Well, I don't have the time for it," Maria frowned.
"Just hear me out, please."
"I don't want to hear a word you have to say,"
"But I..."
"I don't want to hear it!" Maria snapped. "I don't want to hear anything you have to say. Don't you ever talk to me again 'cause I'm through talking to you."
"Maria, just hol-"
Before he could say anything to her, Maria walked past Randy as she stepped into the movable track which forms into a step in a second.
"Maria, wait!" Randy called her from behind. He followed her up the escalator.
"At least let me apologize," Randy pleaded.
Maria laughed coldly. "That's so bull coming from you."
"I'm serious."
"The last time you apologize, I got called a klutz."
"I know that sounds very immature-"
"Immature?" Maria cut him off his sentence. "I was looking for…I don't know…something like 'offensive'?"
Randy sighed. "Yeah, listen I'm really sorry for my behavior toward you."
Maria shook her head, her eyes then shot at him. "You know what's funny? It's the fact that you did apologized to me but you didn't actually meant it, did you?"
"Maria-"
"How stupid do you think I am?" They finally got to the top and stepped off the efficient transport system. Maria hopped off and was gaining her speed. Randy was still however, not giving up.
"It's the truth, I swear!"
Maria froze and spun her body around to him.
"The truth?" she repeated. "Last time was a total joke so why the hell should I believe you now?!"
"'Cause it's the truth and I meant it this time," said Randy.
Maria scoffed sarcastically. She couldn't let him get to her, not this time. He got her before and she would be damned if she did again.
"So you say," Maria said at last.
"Maria, come on-"
"This is getting really tiring," said Maria. "So, are you done here? 'Cause I really want to relax for a bit and read my book."
The wrestler huffed. "Okay, fine then. I don't know why I even waste my time for nothing at all."
"Well, don't expect anything from me, okay?" said Maria.
"Don't worry about it," said Randy indignantly. "You won't be hearing from me ever again." He looked upon her with sulk and then Randy marched off. Maria watched him walked away and scowled.
"That's fine with me." Maria said to herself. "See if I care."
After two House Shows that took place over the weekend, the WWE Superstars flew to Ohio Sunday night to prepare for their main show. They would take about four to five hours of sleep before they head to the arena in Cleveland.
The crew members, who were very prestigious, committed to their work and very co-operative as a team as they set the lights, the ring and tested out the pyrotechnics to prevent any malfunction that might have happen during the event. It would take hours to get the job done, but the hard work definitely paid off.
Maria was up in her seat, admiring the finished project. She was there, watching the crew setting up. So now everything was prepared. The arena was ready to put on an exciting show one could never forget.
Her eyes were set on the ring, the core of the entertainment where it all the excitement happened; where the audience would witness the talent that made them gifted. She understood what all wrestlers have in common: the passion they had in the sport.
"Looks great, doesn't it?"
Maria looked up at the person and smiled back.
"Yeah, it really does," said Maria.
Shawn Michaels sighed happily. "There's gonna be more action tonight! Are ya excited?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Maria grinned.
He laughed. "You mind if I sit here with you?"
"No not at all."
Shawn smiled and sat down.
"So, how do you like working in this business so far?"
"It's been great," Maria said candidly. "I really enjoy being here."
"Good to hear," said Shawn with a pat on her shoulder.
Maria nodded. "I've realized that you guys have been through so much just to bring joy to the fans and they've appreciated every moment of it."
Shawn agreed. "Yeah, we have been through a lot. Traveling all around the world, to be parted from those we love, to put our bodies on the line to give what the fans want. It's really tough, but that's what makes us who we are. Despite sacrifices we've made, there's never a dull moment in that ring and we love what we do."
Maria nodded. Over the years, WWE has made a name for itself but it would not have been possible if it weren't for the legends like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Gorilla Monsoon, Curt Hennig, Jimmy 'the Superfly' Snuka, the list would go on and on. There was so much that was expected from the wrestlers and they had lived to their promises.
"If you guys weren't wrestlers, WWE would probably never even exist in the first place." Maria pointed out.
"That's true, now I've thought about it," said Shawn. "We're so blessed with this God-given talent and if neither of us didn't get the grasp of it, then this whole idea of wrestling would be meaningless. I'm not even sure where I would be if I wasn't a wrestler. Shawn shrugged. "I would probably be at some fast food restaurant in San Antonio, flipping hamburgers."
Maria laughed. "Hmm, that sounds very unusual."
"What's so unusual about me cooking meat in hot oil?" Shawn joked.
"It's just is!" said Maria. "Besides, in a fast food restaurant, you wouldn't be called 'The Heartbreak Kid' or the 'Icon' or 'the Showstopper'
'True again," said Shawn. "What would I be called, I wonder?" The 41 year old wrestler grinned and said: "Shawn Michaels the Guy with the Spatula!"
They burst out laughing.
"Again, it's very unusual!"
"But it could still pass, right?"
"I guess so," said Maria. They laughed. Who could imagine the Showstopper, with a uniform and apron on, flipping burgers for people? That would be hard to picture it!
They were in silence for a minute as they looked down at the ring.
"I'm sure you guys are having a lot of fun in this business, huh?" said Maria.
"Oh absolutely," said Shawn. "We have fun entertaining the fans, I know I have."
"I couldn't imagine any wrestler who isn't happy about that."
"Yeah."
Shawn had a concerned look on this face and was silent for a moment. It seemed like he was on his mind. Maria was starting to feel worried.
"Is something wrong?" Maria asked.
"No, just thinking."
"About what?"
Shawn signed. "He's been through a lot of problems, mostly because of his conduct."
"Who is it?"
"Randy," Shawn replied.
Maria raised her eyebrow. "You mean the cocky one?"
"Precisely," said Shawn. "There was some news that he trashed out a hotel room he was staying in three months ago."
Maria was shocked by this revelation. "Where did this happen?"
"It happened in Chicago, where we had WrestleMania."
"I see…" Maria's voice trailed by the thought of a wrestler who could deliberately destroyed other people's property, especially someone she couldn't stand to be around.
"So what's the reason behind it?"
"Nobody knows," said Shawn. "Vince doesn't want to release him that's for sure. This boy has something to contribute to this business but this problem of his must be dealt with. He has already been suspended once and I don't think he couldn't afford to be suspending again."
"Hey I wouldn't mind," Maria thought. "At least I wouldn't be seeing that jerk around much."
"This guy has problems, I guess," she said out loud and shrugged.
"For someone who has a problem is a very unhappy person," said Shawn.
"How could it? It's not like we know what it is."
"No we don't know exactly, but sometimes people tend to keep their problems to themselves and prefer not to talk about it to anybody."
"But isn't it wise for them to talk to someone?"
"Yeah it is," Shawn agreed. "It's a very wise thing to do. But Maria, you have to understand that not everybody could understand what you've been going through. Not all problems are the same. There are many that are difficult than others, there are many that couldn't be well explained or understand. Randy just needed someone who understands him and to let that person enter into his soul to heal him."
Maria was touched by the power in his words. She has been struck by his words.
Shawn turned to her. "You know what I think his problem could be?"
"What?"
"I think that Randy's missing something, that's why he's being how he is. Sure he's arrogant but some part of him is not there and that person could bring it back for him.
"But who?" Maria asked.
"Only God knows," Shawn concluded.
Maria nodded and said nothing.
"Well I'm off," Shawn stood up. "I'm going to spend some time alone before my match starts. So, I'll see you around."
"Okay," said Maria. "See you later and it's been nice chatting with you."
"Same here with you," said Shawn with a smile, shook her hand and left. Maria was still in her seat thinking about the conversation they had. It doesn't add up.
Could it be that Randy's actutally missing something?
If it was so, like Michaels suggested, then what could it be?
I know this chapter is short but is it going good so far? Please make your comments, thank you lots!
