Post by The Bradley Clan on Aug 11, 2018 13:28:09 GMT -5
Mike and Jesse Bradley are out on the town in Camden, Maine, enjoying breakfast with their son, Andrew. As the hostess takes them to their table, Mike rushes to grab a seat facing the entrance.
“Mike, what's this all about?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Jesse gives Mike a huge side eye. She sits across from him with Andrew to her right. As they look over the menus, someone approaches them.
“Good morning, my name’s Car-"
“AAAAHHHH!”
Mike scoots back on the bench, ready to cock his fist back, but then realizes it’s just the waitress. The entire restaurant looks at Mike, who is trembling in fear and embarrassment.
“Sorry…”
Mike straightens up and clears his throat.
“... my name’s Carly, and I'll be your server. Would you like anything to drink?”
“Well certainly no coffee for him.”
Jesse points at her husband and gives him a death stare. Mike nods sheepishly in agreement.
“We’ll get a pitcher of orange juice, no ice.”
“And I think we're ready to order too.”
“Okay, what will it be?”
Andrew pipes up excitedly.
“I'll have the chocolate chip pancakes!”
“I'll have a sausage and cheese omelet.”
“I'll have an omelet with sausage, cheese, ha-"
The howling winds outside inadvertently blow the doors open. Mike jolts up and grips his knife tightly. Then he realizes nobody is there. Mike slowly releases his knife, while Andrew looks confused and Jesse facepalms.
“...sausage, cheese, ham and bacon.”
“Okay, I'll put those in for you right now.”
As the waitress walks away, Jesse lowers her voice and addresses Mike sternly.
“Mike, what is the meaning of this? You're paranoid! You're embarrassing yourself! What the hell has gotten into you?”
Mike lets out a deep sigh.
“Jesse, I'm still worried about Carnage. I'm worried what he could do to you.”
“STILL?! Mike, we’re at least 400 miles away from him. We’re 75 miles away from the nearest airport. Do you really think he's going to come up here and ambush us during breakfast?”
Mike looks down, now realizing how foolish his rationale sounds.
“Are you still mad at me for getting involved in the match?”
“I'm not mad at you. I just don't want you getting hurt. You have to understand that we've been together for 10 years and I don't want you getting killed by that psychopath. And he's only more psycho right now because he's in desperation mode after I beat him and now he won't be in the Elimination Chamber.”
“I know, honey, but he's not even on the card this week! Focus on the task at hand. Focus on becoming the first ever three-time GZWA Television Champion and getting all the momentum going into Dead or Alive.”
The waitress brings them their food. Then Andrew pops up.
“Dad, even if Carnage came in here, you'd knock him out in no time flat! Bam!”
He smacks his fist against his open hand, then digs into his pancakes.
“See, honey? You have the utmost confidence from the people who matter most - us. And Danielle and Kris, of course.”
Mike takes a sip of orange juice, then elicits a prolonged, satisfied sigh. He smiles.
“Thanks, guys. I love you both so much.”
“We love you too Mike.”
Jesse nudges Andrew, but he’s busy with his pancakes. Mike begins eating his omelet. As he eats, he begins to think to himself.
Jesse’s right. I don't know what I have to worry about. Half the people in this company are starting to waver with their commitment. Yet we're still here. We left because we had to, not because we wanted to, and we came back because we wanted to, not because we had to. We never half ass anything. Anything we do, we do with our full fledged commitment.
The people who are still here.... they're jealous. Vinnie’s scared to death because he knows I'm the greatest threat to the GZWA Championship. That's why he throws all those childish taunts at me. And Equinox knows I'm the greatest threat to the TV Title. That's why he tries to slander my reign, my accomplishments and my abilities. And Doombringer, that fucking fossil, he should have sided with The Machine so he could be put out of his misery by now. I've beaten him before, and I'll beat him again. Both on Primetime and the Elimination Chamber.
And by the time Dead or Alive has come and gone, we’ll be swimming in championship gold and achieve our des…. Oh God, why do I say that. So fucking conceited.
“Did you enjoy your pancakes, Andrew?”
“They were amazing!”
“Glad you liked them!”
“Well, shall we go for a hike?”
“Once we’ve all had time to digest, yes.”
The waitress brings the check.
“Here you are folks. Have a nice day!”
Mike takes a while to sign the slip. Then he leaves it on the table as he, Jesse and Andrew head outside. The waitress picks up the slip and notices a $100 tip and a note on the back.
“I hope this tip makes up for my disruptions. Tune into GZWA Primetime this week as I, “The Next Level" Mike Bradley, become the first ever three time GZWA Television Champion… and then watch GZWA Dead or Alive as I become GZWA World Heavyweight Champion!”
And if you don't know… now you know!
