Wayne & Vanessa RP: Left Of Center

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Left Of Center

Vanessa saw him coming in through the door. He was one of those faces she only knew by their ring names; kind of face she’d she by chance every once in awhile. He was one of those faces she only knew off; conjured he probably did with her; the man giving her a wink and a “hi” when ever he’d see her.

No, it wasn’t a “hi”. It was something else; never heard him say “hi”, not to her, at least.

Vanessa looked down at her drink as she skimmed the rims of the glass with her fingers; slowly, delicately- not taking her time. As far as Vanessa was concerned, as long as there was another way to Montreal by morning, she had all the time in the world to herself.

Vanessa set her gaze against the window and watched the snow draped over the night sky and covered what was left of the airport’s runway.

No.
She murmured, turning her head; holding her glass of Canada Dry, with a splash of Jack Daniels.
Not goin’ home.

Coming closer, Vanessa saw his reflection spread across the window; looked like he was floating on air. The door behind him swung shut as he approached the bar. He looked different tonight, he looked neat; hair pulled to his back, jeans pressed, mint green long sleeved shirt tucked it; clean shaven.

Vanessa smiled; he looked good.

Hey.

That was it.

Vanessa dipped her chin on her palm, crossed her legs, and turned to him.

Hey… I fancy seeing you here.

He took the seat next to her.

Likewise.

They were silent for a moment; stepping away from each other. The two of them getting back to whatever it was that led them to an airport bar; he ordered a drink, a bourbon; waiting for his drink, he lit a cigarette. Vanessa, hand still on her palm, legs still crossed, dead tired of watching CNN on mute, turned back to the window.

What you drinkin’ there?

Vanessa turned to him; legs still crossed together; high heel barely hanging off the tips of her toes; black stockings covering her legs, nice legs, led to a felt green mini-skirt; Wayne veered his gaze higher- looking, quickly, trying to slowly take his time; a black turtle neck covered her chest, tightly, as a shawl lay across her shoulders.

Canada Dry with a splash of Jack Daniels.
Her words came quick, but her crimson coated lips opened slowly.

Vanessa caught his gaze, her eyebrows raised, and her emerald eyes sparkling. She was staring at him; for him, it was a little scary. She was just gazing at him. He smiled, and she smiled too.

Sounds good.

You can try it, if you like.

It’s ok.

Don’t worry, I don’t have any coodies.

But what if I do?

It’s only coodies.

Reckon a little coodies never hurt anybody…

Vanessa pushed the glass into his open hand. He tipped the glass for a sip.

Well?

It’s nice.

You want one? My treat.

I’m fine, thanks; got a glass of bourbon on the way.

Then let me pay for that. Come on, my treat.

He took another off Vanessa’s drink.

What the hell, you’re on.

Vanessa giggled.

I’ll supply the drinks; all you have to do is just start talking.

Alright, though I don’t really have anything to say.

I’ll take anything.

He took the cigarette away from the ashtray, brought it back to his lips and took a puff. The bartender brought his drink; he tipped the ashes on the ashtray, closed his eyes, and took a sip of the bourbon; the burn down his throat welcoming against the cold on the outside.

So, what brings you here?

So, you do have something to say.

I always do, really. It just depends on who cares to listen.

I care.

That’s because I’m the only person here, outside of the bartender.

No, it’s because I’m a people person and I know you.

What’s my name then?

What’s mine?

Phoenix.

Then, what’s my Christian name?

What’s mine?

I don’t know.

I don’t know yours either.

Who are you?

Wayne,
He extended his hand to her.
Edward Wayne McGurk

Vanessa took his hand and shook it.

Vanessa Rousseau Gillespie.

Pleased to meet you.

Likewise.

Their hands released.

The glass of bourbon hung from his hand, as he let his elbow hang off the counter; Wayne turned the barstool to face Vanessa. Vanessa gazed at the bottles of booze behind the bartender as she sipped her drink, then chewed on an ice cube.

So, Vanessa Gillespie.

Yes, M. McGurk?

What brought you here, at the heart of Chrisman Eve?

A delayed flight.

Where to?

Christmas in Montreal. What about you?

A canceled flight and week of shows in Japan.

You wrestle in Japan during Christmas?

They raise the pay for American wrestlers who can work a Christmas show.

So, you won’t be home for Christmas.

That depends on how you define home.

And how would you define home?

Any place with four walls, a roof, tv, and a bed.

So a hotel?

If I find myself there, yes.

Let me ask, and I’m going to be personal.

Shoot.

Where do you live?

Anywhere with four walls, a roof, tv, and a bed.

So, you’re homeless?
A hint of light sarcasm in her words.

I am; technically.

A guy like you must get steady work.

I do.

Then, how did that happen?

I’m on the road practically every day of the year; usually, I just drive from one show to another.

And how’s that working for you?

I get tired, a lot.

Don’t you ever take a break?

Wayne reached for the cigarette.

Yeah, once in awhile.

Wayne placed the cigarette between his lips, drew on the filter, and blew a cloud of smoke.

What’s awhile?

You’re a curious little minx aren’t you?

A little curiosity never hurt anybody.

I guess so.

So, what’s awhile?

When I’m tired, I reckon.

You just don’t stop.

As long as I have it in me.
Wayne pulled the cigarette away from his lips, blew smoke, and brought the bourbon close. It was different, talking to her; he was talking with her. He often lost most women several sentences after hello; it was either they weren’t interested or they didn’t care.

She was doing the asking; the roles were reversed, for a first. Wayne took another puff from the cigarette. He paused for a moment; Wayne stepped away from himself, and watched himself from his reflection on the window; Vanessa’ with her head turned away, heels still hanging from the tips of her toes.

Here he was, stuck in airport bar, for almost six hours now; had a flight that wasn’t going to leave until the morning. Here he was, stuck in an airport bar, talking with a beautiful woman he knew for two years but only spoke to now; he fancied her, though.

Let me ask, why’d you get into wrestling?

It’s a lark I never outgrew. You?

I grew up around wrestling.

There has to be something more than that.

There is. In wrestling, I hold my fate against that of my opponent. Now, it’s just whether I can push myself to see my fate into fruition.

And that’s how you choose to live your life?

Wayne nodded.

Do you believe in fate?

I believe in chance. Do you?

I do, but I believe that we dictate what comes to us.

What about this; you and me, here, tonight?

Destiny.
Wayne smiled.

Is that what you would call this?

I’m not supposed to be here.

Neither am I.

And here we are, Christmas Eve, held against our will in an airport bar.

And what led us here?

A trip to Japan for me, and Christmas in Vancouver-

Montreal.
Vanessa cut him.

Christmas in Montreal for you.

So, what’s keeping us?

Wayne burnt the cigarette on the ashtray and wiped his hands.

I don’t know.

*

A sudden boarding call for Vanessa’s flight came a quarter past two; Vanessa wrote his number on a napkin before picking her things and walking away.

It was close to four now, and Wayne stood outside the airport; having a smoke. There was really no point to staying around; Wayne didn’t see a way out ‘til eleven past in the morning, and he wasn’t really set to wait it out on a plastic yellow chair; thought it through, called his contact, told them he’d be running late… Wait ‘til morning or early afternoon, even. Now, he was looking at a bed at a nearby econolodge.

Wayne had a leather jacket zipped up, as he held his duffle bag over his shoulders. Wayne blew a puff of smoke before dropping it on the snow covered ground.

Wayne stepped forward.

Hey.

Wayne stopped; standing where he was, he looked over is shoulder.

What are you doing here?

Vanessa had the shawl around her neck, like a scarf; gloved hands gripping on her suitcase.

Its official, my flight’s canceled.

Wayne turned to her and dropped his bag; he chuckled.

Vanessa smiled.

What is this?

I don’t know, chance?

No, it isn’t that.

What is it then?

Fate.

What do you wanna do about it?

I reckon I want to let it happen.

Me too.

Wayne came close to her.

I’m not soft, I’m not like this.

You’re not, and neither am I.

Wayne took Vanessa’s hand and held it in his.

What do you think we did for this to happen?

I don’t know.

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Where do we go; what do we do, now?

Still going to Montreal?

Maybe not. Still going to Japan?

That depends. You wanna come?

***
Wayne watched backstage as the fans slowly filled the arena; one of those things he’d do from time to time. Starting out, he’d come early to watch them fill the seats, and when the show ended, he’d stay behind and walk ringside when there were no more than thirty-to-twenty people left.

Reckoned they were set to put on a good show tonight. He didn’t just wrestle tonight, he helped set the show up; booked the shows, picked the venue, did whatever he could to advertise the show. Wasn’t a Loaded, it was just a good old fashioned wrestling show; reckoned the way it was meant to be, just wrestling, without all the drama.

Wayne sat on the top of the entrance scaffold; legs dangling, having a beer.

Hey.

Wayne looked down; there she was, there they both were. The two women off his life; Vanessa, with Scarlett cradled over her arms, standing by the entrance way.

I want to go down.

Vanessa let her down, as Scarlett made a run for the ring. Vanessa reached over and caught her by the hand. Vanessa pulled Scarlett into her, kissed her in the forehead, patted her on the butt, and let her run to the ring; coming down the scaffold, Wayne dropped on the last couple feet.

Hey.

They kissed.

Wayne placed his arm around Vanessa’s waist as Scarlett climbed onto the steel stairs.

What do you think?
Vanessa watched as Scarlett slid beneath the bottom rope.

I reckon she has it in her.

Just like a fish to water…

Just got here?

Yeah.

Scarlett slid beneath the bottom rope and rolled onto the canvass.

God, it’s been awhile.

All you have to do is ask,
Wayne murmured.
You want a match, you got it.

Who’s there for me to face? I didn’t put myself on the shelf,

I know.

It just happened… I don’t know, maybe its life telling me something.

Not when one of us can do something about it.

I give you my destiny.

Wayne took Vanessa’s hand and held it in his.

Give me Loaded, and I promise you that the Phoenix shall rise once again.

No,
Vanessa turned her head.
Not Phoenix, I want to come as I am.

Wayne and Vanessa, hand in hand, walked towards the ring.

We’re still at the beginning. This is going to be a new time, not just for the WFWF, but for us as well. That’s why I already booked myself to face Reckless. Guys like him and Child have been on the permanent roster for months now, and they haven’t gone anywhere. This is me playing with the new blood, helping get themselves ready for something more than they can conjure; you gave me your destiny, and come Loaded, my love, I shall do that same for you.

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Here's my RP. Reckoned I'd just write one for them both.

[Kyzer]

This is my favorite rp I have read since I came back. I always thought of you, obo and Rev as my proteges so to speak because I enjoyed your work and I pushed all of you to the ing moon while I was running things with Drakz.

I really enjoyed the first part about how Wayne and Vanessa got together. Wayne is always a character I have enjoyed. He just comes off as real. Nothing absurd about him like Kyzer, Obo or Rev. He has his head on right and you do a perfect job of portraying that. I can't wait until that day when Kyzer and Wayne face off one on one, you are one of the people that made me want to come back.

Kudos.

[veronicaaaahhhh]

Thanks a bunch, coming from you that really means a lot.

[Kurt Burton: Script Doctor!]

Wayne and Vanessa are the greatest pair ever in an e-fed. They are so warm and loving to each other. I thought the flash back to when they first met was nice. At first I thought they were roleplaying and I was going to say, didn't he already do this. But over all, it was good, and very fun. Congrats.