Post by Reasoning through Questioning on Mar 24, 2006 1:32:04 GMT -5
Johnny : Well, I reckon thats the last of em. I'm glad too. My damn arms are sore. Finally got this fence done.
Johnny throws the post driver in the back of his truck and and pulls off his gloves and puts them in his back pocket. Sweat drips from his hair and beard from the hot southern sun. He pulls out a handkerchief and wipes the sweat from his face. He glares up at the sun with squinted eyes as he climbs into his truck. Petey jumps in through the passenger side window. Johnny cranks up the radio to sing along with as they drive along the rough field road back to his house.
Johnny :
Johnny pulls up beside his humble house and turns off the truck and gets out. He walks up the steps of his porch and inside. He takes a seat at his kitchen table. In front of him on the table sits a bottle of Jack Daniels Black and a note. Johnny picks up the note with a look of wonder to as how it got there.
Note : Here ya go Johnny. Yer daddy left this for you. He said to give it to when you were a man. As much as I hate to say it. I should have given this to you a long time ago. This was his favorite. I hope you enjoy it. I love you Johnny. Love, Mama
Johnny tears up a little bit from the note. His mama finally accepted what he was doing now. She never did think he would make a living wrestling. Now she tells him in her weird way that she's proud of him. Mama never comes out and says what she means. She rarely says she loves ya. Johnny looks up towards the ceiling as if looking for an answer to why she is being so nice.
Johnny : Daddy ? Are ya listening right now ? Is something wrong with Mama ? Send me a sign if you know.
Johnny opened the bottle and took a shot. He went into his room to change into to some clean clothes. After changing he ran to his truck and hopped in. Petey ran to jump in the bed as Johnny spun tires and hurried down the ragged dirt road to his mama's house. Johnny pulls into the drive and slams on the breaks a few feet from her porch. Petey slid and slammed into the cab. Johnny heard the thump and Petey's whimper and laughed a little. He ran into the house to see his Mama sitting there in her chair listening to the radio. He walks over to the radio and turns it off.
Mama : What are you doing boy ? And why you got that worried look on yer face ?
Johnny : Are you sick Mama ? Please tell me if you are. I need to know. Don't lie to me.
Mama : I'll tell you the truth. I got the cancer. Doc says my time is running out. If they would have found it earlier I could get treatment. Now I'm just waiting to die and go be with yer daddy. I didn't want to worry you with my troubles.
Johnny : Yer my mama. They are my troubles too. I need yer advice the most in life. You may not think I listen but I take in every word.
Mama : Alright now. Enough of this sad talk. I love you too son. Don't you have a match coming up ?
Johnny : Yes Ma'am I do. Against a guy by the name of Rev. Shadow.
Mama : Yer cousin Hank called me the other day about it. He said this guy is pretty experienced. You ain't scared are ya ? Better not be yer a Malice. We dont' get scared.
Johnny : No mama. I ain't scared. This Rev. character tries to hide behind God as if he's doing some good. God won't save him when we get in that ring. God won't be able to pick him up after I stomp his ass good. If anything I'm ready to go. This match will give me some good experience needed to compete in the WFWF.
Mama : Don't be too confident son. I believe in you. But you can never be too confident. The unexpected happens more than we would like. You always have to be ready for whatever comes.
Johnny : I see what yer sayin mama. I can't expect to go in there and just whoop him real easy. This might be some work. He might surprise me. I reckon...
Theres a knock at the door that stops Johnny in midsentence. He gets up and opens the door to see his cousin Josey standing there. She is holding some covered dishes in her arms. He moves out of the way as she steps into the house.
Josey : I brought ya some dinner. Mama said you ain't been feeling well. I got ya some fried chicken and some pintos and cornbread. And some greens.
Mama : Thanks honey. Just put it the kitchen. Help me up son. I reckon we can eat some dinner.
Johnny walks over to her and helps her get out her chair and walk into the kitchen. They sit down at the big dining table that his daddy built when Johnny was just a young boy. Josey gets some plates out of the cabinet and silverware out of the drawer and puts them on the table. She grabs a big jug of sweet tea out of the fridge and pours three glasses. She gives one to Johnny and one to Mama. She sits down and takes a sip fom her own glass as they all start to fix their plates to get ready to eat.
Mama : Why don't you say grace Johnny. Its been a while since we've had a meal together. I think you oughtta say it since yer the man at the table now.
Johnny : Alright Mama. I'll say it. Lord Jesus, Thank you for this meal we are about to receive. Let it fill us up and help keep us healthy and happy. Help Mama be peaceful in her last days. Tell Daddy I love him and miss him. Thank you. Amen. It's been a while since I prayed Mama. I hope I did alright.
Josey : You did fine Johnny. I heard you got a match coming up. You think its gonna be tough ?
Johnny : It oughtta be a good match. He ain't too bad. Hopefully I can wear him down early and get it over with quick. The longer I gotta be in the ring with him the worse for me. His experience will help him. I'm just counting on my strength and bein able to get him hurting early. This match oughtta teach me a lot.
Mama : Yer gonna be alright. I don't know what yer so worried about. You talk like you ain't never fought nobody before. I know you can whoop just about everybody. Quit talking like yer worried. I don't wanna hear this nonsense about you thinking you might lose.
Josey : Well at least he's honest. Can't be too confident. Thats when ya get knocked down.
Johnny : See Mama. She understands what I'm saying.
Mama : I understand ya. I'm just saying... quit worrying so much. Yer gonna be fine.
Johnny : I reckon yer right. Well, I'm gonna head out. Thanks for the meal Josey. It was real good.
Johnny took the last swig of sweet tea as he stood up from the table and walked over to his Mama. He gave her a kiss on the forehead. She hugged him and he headed towards the door.
Johnny : I'll see ya Mama. You behave yerself Josey. Keep away from those boys. They ain't nothing but trouble.
Josey : Don't worry bout me. I'm a good girl.
They both chuckled knowing she was far from a good girl. Johnny walked out the door and went to get into his truck. He opened the door for Petey to get in and take his spot at shotgun. Johnny crunk it up and pulled slowly out of the driveway. Driving to no certain location he took off down the road. Petey looked at him in wonder of why they were not heading home. Johnny looked at him with a look of concern as he started to speak.
Johnny : Tell me the truth Petey. You think I'm gonna be alright against this Rev. Shadow feller.
Petey : Bark ! Bark !
Johnny : Are you sure or are you just saying that to make me feel better ?
Petey : WOOF !
Johnny : I guess yer right. Mama said I need not worry.
Petey : Bark ! (translation = exactly)
Johnny : I reckon that I just gotta find out if I'm ready by stepping in the ring. If I win, people will notice. It's not like this match is for big stakes. It's just a match. Lets go fishin Petey. I gotta relax.
Petey : Woof ! (translation = sounds good to me )
Johnny turns up the radio as he turns down an old field road towards Mr. Kirby's pond. He gets a grin on his face as he hears the voice of Merle Haggard on the radio. Johnny sings along with the radio as he parks his truck on the pond bank. Johnny is still sing along as he puts it in park and gets out and lowers the tailgate to have a seat. Petey jumps in the pond to take a swim. Johnny laughs as he watches the crazy dog. For a moment it seems worry as left his mind. The scene fades out to see Johnny sitting on the tailgate holding a Zebco 33 and singing along with the radio.
Johnny :
Johnny throws the post driver in the back of his truck and and pulls off his gloves and puts them in his back pocket. Sweat drips from his hair and beard from the hot southern sun. He pulls out a handkerchief and wipes the sweat from his face. He glares up at the sun with squinted eyes as he climbs into his truck. Petey jumps in through the passenger side window. Johnny cranks up the radio to sing along with as they drive along the rough field road back to his house.
Johnny :
LOUDMOUTH IN THE CORNER'S GETTING' TO ME TALKIN' 'BOUT MY EARRINGS AND MY HAIR
I GUESS HE AIN'T READ THE SIGNS THAT SAY I'VE BEEN TO PRISON SOMEONE OUGHT TO WARN HIM
'FORE I KNOCK HIM OFF HIS CHAIR
'CAUSE MY LONG HAIR JUST CAN'T COVER UP MY REDNECK
I'VE WON EVERY FIGHT I'VE EVER FOUGHT
AND I DON'T NEED SOME TURKEY TELLING' ME THAT I AIN'T COUNTRY
SAYING' I AIN'T WORTH DAMNED
OLD TICKET THAT HE BOUGHT
I GUESS HE AIN'T READ THE SIGNS THAT SAY I'VE BEEN TO PRISON SOMEONE OUGHT TO WARN HIM
'FORE I KNOCK HIM OFF HIS CHAIR
'CAUSE MY LONG HAIR JUST CAN'T COVER UP MY REDNECK
I'VE WON EVERY FIGHT I'VE EVER FOUGHT
AND I DON'T NEED SOME TURKEY TELLING' ME THAT I AIN'T COUNTRY
SAYING' I AIN'T WORTH DAMNED
OLD TICKET THAT HE BOUGHT
Johnny pulls up beside his humble house and turns off the truck and gets out. He walks up the steps of his porch and inside. He takes a seat at his kitchen table. In front of him on the table sits a bottle of Jack Daniels Black and a note. Johnny picks up the note with a look of wonder to as how it got there.
Note : Here ya go Johnny. Yer daddy left this for you. He said to give it to when you were a man. As much as I hate to say it. I should have given this to you a long time ago. This was his favorite. I hope you enjoy it. I love you Johnny. Love, Mama
Johnny tears up a little bit from the note. His mama finally accepted what he was doing now. She never did think he would make a living wrestling. Now she tells him in her weird way that she's proud of him. Mama never comes out and says what she means. She rarely says she loves ya. Johnny looks up towards the ceiling as if looking for an answer to why she is being so nice.
Johnny : Daddy ? Are ya listening right now ? Is something wrong with Mama ? Send me a sign if you know.
Johnny opened the bottle and took a shot. He went into his room to change into to some clean clothes. After changing he ran to his truck and hopped in. Petey ran to jump in the bed as Johnny spun tires and hurried down the ragged dirt road to his mama's house. Johnny pulls into the drive and slams on the breaks a few feet from her porch. Petey slid and slammed into the cab. Johnny heard the thump and Petey's whimper and laughed a little. He ran into the house to see his Mama sitting there in her chair listening to the radio. He walks over to the radio and turns it off.
Mama : What are you doing boy ? And why you got that worried look on yer face ?
Johnny : Are you sick Mama ? Please tell me if you are. I need to know. Don't lie to me.
Mama : I'll tell you the truth. I got the cancer. Doc says my time is running out. If they would have found it earlier I could get treatment. Now I'm just waiting to die and go be with yer daddy. I didn't want to worry you with my troubles.
Johnny : Yer my mama. They are my troubles too. I need yer advice the most in life. You may not think I listen but I take in every word.
Mama : Alright now. Enough of this sad talk. I love you too son. Don't you have a match coming up ?
Johnny : Yes Ma'am I do. Against a guy by the name of Rev. Shadow.
Mama : Yer cousin Hank called me the other day about it. He said this guy is pretty experienced. You ain't scared are ya ? Better not be yer a Malice. We dont' get scared.
Johnny : No mama. I ain't scared. This Rev. character tries to hide behind God as if he's doing some good. God won't save him when we get in that ring. God won't be able to pick him up after I stomp his ass good. If anything I'm ready to go. This match will give me some good experience needed to compete in the WFWF.
Mama : Don't be too confident son. I believe in you. But you can never be too confident. The unexpected happens more than we would like. You always have to be ready for whatever comes.
Johnny : I see what yer sayin mama. I can't expect to go in there and just whoop him real easy. This might be some work. He might surprise me. I reckon...
Theres a knock at the door that stops Johnny in midsentence. He gets up and opens the door to see his cousin Josey standing there. She is holding some covered dishes in her arms. He moves out of the way as she steps into the house.
Josey : I brought ya some dinner. Mama said you ain't been feeling well. I got ya some fried chicken and some pintos and cornbread. And some greens.
Mama : Thanks honey. Just put it the kitchen. Help me up son. I reckon we can eat some dinner.
Johnny walks over to her and helps her get out her chair and walk into the kitchen. They sit down at the big dining table that his daddy built when Johnny was just a young boy. Josey gets some plates out of the cabinet and silverware out of the drawer and puts them on the table. She grabs a big jug of sweet tea out of the fridge and pours three glasses. She gives one to Johnny and one to Mama. She sits down and takes a sip fom her own glass as they all start to fix their plates to get ready to eat.
Mama : Why don't you say grace Johnny. Its been a while since we've had a meal together. I think you oughtta say it since yer the man at the table now.
Johnny : Alright Mama. I'll say it. Lord Jesus, Thank you for this meal we are about to receive. Let it fill us up and help keep us healthy and happy. Help Mama be peaceful in her last days. Tell Daddy I love him and miss him. Thank you. Amen. It's been a while since I prayed Mama. I hope I did alright.
Josey : You did fine Johnny. I heard you got a match coming up. You think its gonna be tough ?
Johnny : It oughtta be a good match. He ain't too bad. Hopefully I can wear him down early and get it over with quick. The longer I gotta be in the ring with him the worse for me. His experience will help him. I'm just counting on my strength and bein able to get him hurting early. This match oughtta teach me a lot.
Mama : Yer gonna be alright. I don't know what yer so worried about. You talk like you ain't never fought nobody before. I know you can whoop just about everybody. Quit talking like yer worried. I don't wanna hear this nonsense about you thinking you might lose.
Josey : Well at least he's honest. Can't be too confident. Thats when ya get knocked down.
Johnny : See Mama. She understands what I'm saying.
Mama : I understand ya. I'm just saying... quit worrying so much. Yer gonna be fine.
Johnny : I reckon yer right. Well, I'm gonna head out. Thanks for the meal Josey. It was real good.
Johnny took the last swig of sweet tea as he stood up from the table and walked over to his Mama. He gave her a kiss on the forehead. She hugged him and he headed towards the door.
Johnny : I'll see ya Mama. You behave yerself Josey. Keep away from those boys. They ain't nothing but trouble.
Josey : Don't worry bout me. I'm a good girl.
They both chuckled knowing she was far from a good girl. Johnny walked out the door and went to get into his truck. He opened the door for Petey to get in and take his spot at shotgun. Johnny crunk it up and pulled slowly out of the driveway. Driving to no certain location he took off down the road. Petey looked at him in wonder of why they were not heading home. Johnny looked at him with a look of concern as he started to speak.
Johnny : Tell me the truth Petey. You think I'm gonna be alright against this Rev. Shadow feller.
Petey : Bark ! Bark !
Johnny : Are you sure or are you just saying that to make me feel better ?
Petey : WOOF !
Johnny : I guess yer right. Mama said I need not worry.
Petey : Bark ! (translation = exactly)
Johnny : I reckon that I just gotta find out if I'm ready by stepping in the ring. If I win, people will notice. It's not like this match is for big stakes. It's just a match. Lets go fishin Petey. I gotta relax.
Petey : Woof ! (translation = sounds good to me )
Johnny turns up the radio as he turns down an old field road towards Mr. Kirby's pond. He gets a grin on his face as he hears the voice of Merle Haggard on the radio. Johnny sings along with the radio as he parks his truck on the pond bank. Johnny is still sing along as he puts it in park and gets out and lowers the tailgate to have a seat. Petey jumps in the pond to take a swim. Johnny laughs as he watches the crazy dog. For a moment it seems worry as left his mind. The scene fades out to see Johnny sitting on the tailgate holding a Zebco 33 and singing along with the radio.
Johnny :
I hear people talkin' bad,
About the way we have to live here in this country,
Harpin' on the wars we fight,
An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.
An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,
An' standin' up for things they believe in.
When they're runnin' down my country, man,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
About the way we have to live here in this country,
Harpin' on the wars we fight,
An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.
An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,
An' standin' up for things they believe in.
When they're runnin' down my country, man,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.