You don't have much of an opportunity, so run while you can.

*The scene fades in and we are standing outside of the Linton Bowling Center which is located in Linton, Indiana. The sun has passed the western horizon a few hours ago. The lights in the lot are the only source of light that we have and thankfully that is enough to follow a short and stalky man that is pulling two large bags behind him. The wheels on the bottom of those bags help for an effortless roll through the parking lot. He approaches the double door entrance, sticks his shoulder up against one of the doors and uses it to open the door before pulling the bags in behind him. He stops and holds the door open for the cameraman following him. That's when we see the battered and scared face of "The Drunken Brawler" Rumpke..*

*The jukebox is playing, some people are dancing, while others are drinking. Occasionally someone gets up on the approach, goes through their motions and throws a ball down the lane. Rumpke motions for the cameraman to follow him with his head. He goes walking up to the counter, looks at the woman behind the desk and says.*


Rumpke: Hello Debby, I'd like to bowl a few games tonight.


Debby smiles at Rumpke before saying.


Debby: I'll put you on lane one, It's got fresh oil on it. Should I have Mel bring out your usual?


*Rumpke lets a smile out in return before saying.*


Rumpke: Yes please do. A couple of rounds would be great to start off with.


*Debby nods at Rumpke as he turns and begins walking in the direction of lane one. Upon arriving at the tables the line up with lane one. The Drunken Brawler sets the bags down, grabs one of the many zippers on a bag and unzips it before lifting the flap to reveal a couple of bowling balls. He repeats the process to reveal two more as well as a pair of bowling shoes. Rumpke takes his work boots off before putting the bowling shoes on. He grabs two of the bowling balls and walks up to the reservoir before placing them down. As he makes it back to his bag, a short and slender woman with long black hair extends two fifth bottles of Kentucky Cornshine to him. Rumpke accepts the two bottles and sets them on the table before handing her a tip. She smiles at him before turning around and walking away..*


Before I get started here, I better not waste your time Fred.. I know that you've got places to be and people to see.. So let me get started with Andrew. You of all people shouldn't be telling someone that their rp is too short when you can barely come up with much to say and do.. That's like the kettle calling the pot black. Did you really think you could come out here and get away with something like that? If you did then you now see that you're wrong, but perhaps you didn't care. Lets say that it's it. You don't give a fuck, then that's one reason exactly why you won't advance past me. Because you don't give a shit about your performance while I do care about mine. I'm going to do everything I can to give one hundred and ten percent when I'm out there. I'll keep pushing and prodding at myself and my opponents until they either rise with me or collapse. Which one are you Andrew?


I'm the wrecking ball here in this match Andrew. And you're the wall that's in my way. Your "brother" found out damn good and well what kind of fight I'm capable of bringing. He tried to paint his match with me as a victory for him on his Titans 28 campaign when he stepped up to Emerson but the only victory he had was that he got to step into the bar with the bar room brawler.. That's it. There was nothing else good for him after that point.. Sure he was tough to knock down but he must of missed the part where I beat him to a defenseless state where he couldn't even hold up a hand to attempt blocking my shots.. Jamo apparently didn't see me snatch what was once his Intercontinental championship away from his grasp only to get rid of it within thirty seconds. That idiot failed to understand the point that he fucked up in every single capacity that night. Most of all, this "hardcore legend" that trained you, he dropped the ball and wasn't able to capture the Hardcore Championship; And here we are Andrew.. Now I'm finding myself up against that retards brother (That's you Andrew). Somehow, you managed to beat two men that obviously weren't into that match and you've advanced past those two guys that are shadows of their former self only so you can be knocked back down where you started out.. Sucks to be you.. I won't let you pass easily, if you want it; You're going to have to earn it Andrew. And frankly, I'm not convinced that you can hang with the big dogs yet..


*Rumpke cracks the top off of his bottle of Kentucky Cornshine while he takes a break from talking. The Drunken Brawler begins drinking to the point his face gets red from the harsh burn that this barely legal alcohol contains. The bubbles, they keep raising into the bottle only to find their breather at the top of the bottle where there is no liquid. He keeps chugging to the point that the contents are no longer there. Rumpke sets the bottle down before opening the other bowling bag. The hardcore champion pulls out two more bowling balls and sits both of them on his lap before looking at the camera.*


I see you hanging out with your "Crew". Do you feel lonely? Are you afraid of your shadow? Is "yes men" who you wish to hang out with? Do you feel secure with the voodoo monster and the psycho monster at your side? Does Jamo's brother fear being by himself? Do the sounds create a chill in your spine?


I'm a one man gang Andrew. I don't fear any of you in singles competition and if I've got to deal with all of you at once. Each of your goons better bring an equalizer. Maybe then, the fight; It might just be fair.. I've seen what each of you've brought to the table since you've been around. Sure there's not alot of tape on you or Chris but I've stood up against Jamo. The so called leader of your group and while he wants to make all of us think that he's hardcore... I personally know that he doesn't have the stomach for it. The only attribute he has is a sick amusement at getting punished. Other than that. Jamo is softcore.. You want to follow in his footsteps. Well, I'm happy to help you there. Hopefully you can take a similar beating that he did but I'm not expecting it. Does that mean you're going to surprise me when we meet in the Bowling Alley Brawl? Not at all because honestly, last time when your brother stepped up. I kinda took it easy on him as a whole. It wasn't out of the kindness of my heart; That I assure you.. My mind was feeling that burnt out, crispy edge that wanted to weigh me down but now; I'm starting to feel that flame rise again to where it needs to be..


I'm going to be the first to tell you this. You don't know how lucky you are to be going up against me for the SFT Hardcore Title.. While him and I don't see eye to eye, Lucas Balkan is a former World Champion and he's far more of a man and capable fighter than you or your brother ever dreamed about being. He would've never fumbled the ball up against Jack Jones. Yet he did against you.. Which is worse so I stand corrected but I chalk that up to him being burned out. He obviously needed a break because the last two events he's been crumbling but never for the moment think that you beat him at his best.. I still owe him one much like Glenn Owen owes me a thumping and perhaps Glenn and I will have our moments... Regardless, I've been in Lucas's shoes before and have had my job matches, heck one of them was against your greatest trainer; Jamo but don't count on me being burnt to a crisp. I took some time off during Titans 27 and Titans 28 to recuperate and now I'm feeling much more like my old self...


This hardcore championship, it has reinvigorated me. I'm ecstatic to finally see this prestigious title back at the top like it should be..


*Fred, the cameraman; Clears his throat and interrupts Rumpke before saying.*


Fred: The hardcore title is the bottom title Rumpke...


*Rumpke sets both of the bowling balls down between his feet so he can grab the unopened fifth of Kentucky Cornshine. He cracks the top off once again and takes a few good gulps before setting it down.*


I'll have you know Fred. The World Champion, is the hard headed but easily beaten Jamo.. The Intercontinental champion is Twilight who honestly is a top of the line fighter but this man has also fallen to me in the recent past. The reason he has that title is because of me vacating it.. Which leaves the Hardcore champion.. Yeah, you're right, thats me Fred. I'm holding the top title here in SFT at this time and I intend for it to remain that way for as long as I can... I've had the SFT, and SCW World Title a few times. Also, the SFT and SCW United States title a couple times. In my hands have been the SFT, XCW, and SCW Television titles as well as their tag team titles; I was a former hardcore champion of SCW and XCW but never SFT.. This is the first time in my 18 year career.. The title that had eluded me for all of this time, it was gone before I began to blossom into this bittersweet fighter that I am now. It was already gone and I wanted it back so much. I often pushed for it to come back but I was denied at every turn until Joseph Black agreed recently to bring it back if I could put down The Psycho Monster, Jamo... Now, here we are Fred and I've now got this title that has eluded me for nearly two decades. A title with the lawlessness that fits who I am.. This, it is the top of the line in SFT. It may not be listed as such but just wait and see how I defend it. The matches that this hardcore title will bring will indeed be special for the fact that I will straight up dominate the challengers.

Fred: Couldn't that mean that the challengers are new comers and don't stand a chance against you?


Sometimes it could mean just that, take Andrew for example.. This guy is green and wants to believe in himself which is good but honestly; He doesn't have any hope of winning this match. Thing is with him is that he won't realize it until I jack his jaw.. This man; Won't understand what he's got himself into until he hits me with a solid punch.. Only then will he truly know that he is out of his league...


Which brings me to my next point. Appearances can be deceiving. While you were lucky to get past Lucas, you're luck abandoned the building when it found out that you had to step up to me.. That good fortune, took off the other way with light speed to get far away from me; And Now, you're left with only a couple of things Andrew. Skill and determination.. Yet seeing that Jamo was one of the best trainers you've ever had. We can throw that hope of you having any skill, right out the window because Jamo isn't skilled when it comes to brawling. A brawler won't try to throw people around with suplexes, body slams, or any kind of holds.. That's for sissies not looking to get punched.. Abiet, Jamo did seem to have a hard head but I found a way to crack his skull that night; And if he's as stupid as I think he is, he'll step up to me again one day and when he does, I'll shatter his skull! Anyways, back to you Andrew..


I "will" look past you Andrew for two reasons. One and the most obvious is that you're simply not in my league.. You're not capable of standing tall with me while pushing me to my limit... I'm not going based off of the little bit of tape that I've seen on you but the eighteen years of brawling and hardcore experience tells me that you're about to find yourself in a different league. I'll read your body, how you position your feet, shoulders, and fists.. I'll know if I've got to brace for a hit so I can return a counter-strike much like I'll know if I've got enough time to fuck your plans up.. The second reason is because of my determination to see this through.. Like I've said. It's taken me years to have the honor of holding SFT's Hardcore title. I'm at the most dangerous state that anyone has ever seen me because I'm not going to let this go without one hell of a fight. Not a high flying, suplexing technician oriented pussy fest.. The special person that takes this from me is going to also redefine smash mouth with me..


Another thing you need to consider Andrew, you fucking chump.. Yep, I said it folks. There's that word again... Someone remembers that quote... Andrew, you're not facing two people.. You're not going to be able to count on the distractions unless your goons come out to help and if they do try that. I've got a fist for all three of you... Don't plan on vulturing this match Chris and Jamo if you want an easy going career here because I can make things extremely difficult for both of you...


Anyways, I don't have faith in anything you think you're able of bringing to the table Andrew but at the same time; I'm fully capable of focusing on you as well as looking to the future. Don't let my alcoholic ways cloud your judgement. I may seem like the gulable drunk. I've played that part well over the years and even seemed clueless at times but I suppose that was some of my charm.. You get through that thick exterior and you'll discover that I'm one of the coldest and most calculating individuals that you've ever met.. Just give it time Andrew, your new here... You'll soon understand that you honestly didn't want to attempt building a career stepping point at my expense because I'm one of the most tenacious individuals that you've ever met and as far as I can tell. You believe that you're going to prove yourself at my expense... That's a dangerous thought Andrew... You're honestly a fucking idiot if you honestly believe that you're capable of ripping this title from my hands.


I noticed how you, like your brother, pulled out a casket for your opponents. You must of been following big brother and mimicking what he did because you're not able to think for yourself or maybe he's still showing you the way.... Both of you are fucking yes I said "fucking" morons.. Those caskets were so scary, it frightened me...


*Rumpke falsely shivers before picking up the barely touched fifth of Kentucky Cornshine. He twists the cap off before taking a few more solid gulps.. Then he once again sets the bottle down and puts the cap back on..*


You fucking cowards, insulting the dead like that... Shame on you.. Jamo is lucky that he doesn't have to deal with me but you're not lucky.. Shadow, passed away and was left to rest in one of those as was my stepfather. Both men, I cared about very much and always saw the best in me even when I didn't see anything but darkness. These men were there for me when I honestly needed someone to help me but I was the piece of shit that was so consumed by my own darkness that I wasn't ever able to think about helping anyone... I couldn't do it and that is a part of the guilt that I've got to feel. That is the burden I must carry through my existence. I've got to see a face as well as a shadow in my dreams. They talk to me and make me feel like life after death isn't bad at all.. After all of this, they still try to comfort me even now but in the end of those dreams. Steele and his goons; They twist it to where I feel pain.. These "true" monsters, they laugh at me for believing and torment me with shadows and false vocals.. And once again, both of you want to bring out caskets.. I've been there before... I was lost and still am but I now understand that each time I brought out a casket.. I pissed on the dead.. Those that I cared about... That's why I've never stooped to that low anymore. Because I understand what that box honestly means... I cared for that box as I watched it descend six feet under. I watched over that wooden tomb as the concrete sealed itself around it.. I stayed there the whole time and watched as the backhoe covered the tomb, sealing it. That whole ritual of death.. I've seen that side of the ending... Yet..


*Rumpke smiles with his mouth while also frowning with his eyes. A single tear finds itself flowing down his right side without company..*


Both of you, want to make a mockery of that final resting point! That's more reason for me to let Steele loose!!! But.. I shouldn't.. Yet I feel him becoming stronger.


*A deep growl uncharacteristic of Rumpke is heard as his head begins to shake back and forth one to the point where. They let out an awful and loud crack. Then Rumpke's body went limp to the point where he fell out of his chair onto the bowling balls and the floor. Fred reached out with one hand to check on Rumpke.
*

Fred: Rumpke, are you alright?


*Rumpke's arms begin moving to a push up position before he raises up. His eyes. They lack all color. The blue iris and white conjunctiva are all gone.. There's nothing there but a black coat that overcomes anything that would represent what reality would've told us was once there..
*

*Rumpke pushes himself up before grabbing the bottle of Kentucky Cornshine. That cap is twisted off and thrown off in the distance.. Then the man takes another long drink. Once that clears the contents quickly. Once the bottle leaves his mouth. The man that we don't recognize, he smiles with his mouth and cold; Black eyes that life had abandoned.. And as he begins to speak, the voice that comes out; It sounds as different as day and night...*


Too see both of you make a mockery of that final resting point. It infuriated him to the point where I had a chance to take over..... The calendar days where both of you have to deal with me are honestly astronomical. But keep pushing your childish views and perhaps Man's True Fear will have an opportunity to leave both of you curled up in a ball. Maybe both of you would love to be a martyr hung upside down on a cross while I gut you.. Surely that would be an honor to Jamo, the blind follower.. Maybe you'd like to follow your brother to the slaughterhouse and become a martyr as well? Keep pushing the buttons. All of us, we might just get what we want... We'll be ahead of you Andrew, you can count on that. You'll find yourself challenged by myself as well as Rumpke each and every step of the way... Unlike you, we are capable of thinking for ourselves.. We've been there in that blinded state where we think death is cool.. I think more of it than Rumpke does but with time.. Many of you will understand why... Just give it time after all time is where I outrun all of you, including Rumpke... I'm the stone wall at the end of life. The wall waiting for most of you with gnashing teeth. My life, it'll never be free. I must always leech off of another. At one time that was another man but now I've succumbed to a midget who packs a punch for that reason. This small being has had more fire inside his soul than I've ever seen yet he's also shown a lot of control at times. The grip that he's been able to maintain throughout the time that I've been in his life.. I push hard but rarely do I get this rare opportunity to grab the wheel..


*Rumpke is seen smiling with all senses but we are left to wonder who is truly behind the face..*

Andrew, you've got a brown nose from kissing Lucas's ass. You're exactly like your brother when he sucked up to Rumpke.. It's true when they say that the apple, it doesn't fall from the tree. You my child are in for a big awakening as time progresses.. You'll soon find out that things aren't what they seem. People you thought cared about you were only leading you to be the same sheep that they are...


*A deep growl is heard as Rumpke exhales.*


Time, it's cruel and will never be on your side Andrew. That is a battle that all of you children will fall to. Including your brother Jamo and Rumpke. And once that happens. I'll be waiting for all three of you.. Just as I will wait for others. I'll bait the hook and wait; Eventually you'll hear my voice and succumb to the urges... You've already done so with my brethren and your choices have opened yourself up to more extreme measures. But this spirit of war, this god; He blesses another to do his bidding and you aren't that person Andrew...


*Suddenly Rumpke's close as his body begins shaking violently to the point where he once again falls out of his chair onto his face. Moments go by before the man comes too. His head raises and those eyes, they look around as if they might of missed something. Then, he reaches for an empty bottle of Kentucky Cornshine.. After realizing that there was no drink left. He unzipped another pouch in his bowling bag only to pull out a small bag that was as round as a silver dollar. Rumpke removed the twist-tie before sinking his nose into this bag. A portion of the bag, it disappeared into the unknown and at that moment. Rumpke, he felt a sense of control where he could enjoy the rest of his night without giving another ounce of thought to what could've or might've happened..*


*This scene, it fades to haze because that is what he see's after the snow entered his system. This is the feeling that overcame the nerves that felt the cold grasp of oblivion. That is what he must do to make this life, a normal one...*