Promises In Crinoline

Eugene stared sadly out of his passenger-side window, watching trees and concrete speed by.

"It shall be all right, my boy. We'll find some way for you to participate in that match."

Eugene shrugged, sighing. Molly and William shared a worried glance; not even ice cream, at which Eugene was surprisingly adept at feeding himself, had shaken his sadness.

The car skidded into William's garage, and Eugene unbuckled himself, opened the door, and trudged into the house without another word.

Now alone, William began to prepare dinner mechanically while Molly checked their messages. One, unsurprisingly, was from Eric's secretary, requesting that they meet him at five for a talent meeting.

"We have to convince him to allow the match," William proclaimed. "Eugene will wither if he can't fulfill his destiny."

"He'll listen to you. He knows that Eugene wants to wrestle, and deep down he wants what's best for Eugene."

"I wish the world could be as simple as that."

She patted his chest as he passed by. "Let me broil the chicken."

He allowed her proper kitchen space, passing out through the back hallway and to the basement.

There, he sat down among his monitor lizards and geckos, staring into their green faces, as though they might tell him what to do.

***

When the scent of cooking chicken breasts began to waft into the basement, William finished watering and feeding his lizards. Molly met him on the stairs.

"Someone's here to see us."

"I didn't invite anyone..."

"He has a way of inviting himself...everywhere."

William glanced over his shoulder.

At the head of the staircase was Eric Bischoff.


Go On