I am NOT your son

District One Police Station
Denver, Colorado
Tuesday, October 9th, 2023

All eyes inside the District One police station are focused on one of the holding cells. It isn’t the holding cell that is important, it’s the person inside of it. HOW Hall of Famer Jace Parker Davidson sits on the edge of what passes for a bed in this station. He looks like he hasn’t slept much, his hair is a mess, and the stumble on his face makes him look more like a homeless person than a professional wrestler. A group of officers are gathered by a desk not far away. They can be heard talking and snickering to themselves in low tones.

The obvious gossip is only allowed because the officers are keeping an eye on the visitor to see Davidson here today. In an uncomfortable chair placed directly in front of the holding cell sits Doctor Howard. One of her legs is crossed over the other, she has her glasses on and holds what appears to be a pen and a small prescription pad on her lap. Doctor Howard clears her throat rather loudly in an attempt to get Davidson’s attention.

“You’ve had 24 hours to cool down and process your emotions.” Doctor Howard stated the obvious. “So, how are you feeling now?”

Davidson lowers his head and sighs.

“How am I feeling?” He parroted the question back at her. “I feel like I want to take a shower and get a clean set of clothing. I feel like I want to get the fuck out of this cell and sleep in an actual bed. And…”

He pauses for a moment in thought.

“Oh yeah, I remember.” He says as he raises his index finger into the air. “I’m fucking pissed off!!!”

The outburst causes the officer’s gossip to turn to a much more serious tone. Doctor Howard, however, doesn’t flinch from the outburst and keeps a calm, professional demeanor.

“Are you pissed off because of being locked inside of this holding cell?” She raises her eyebrow slightly. “Or are there other things that have you feeling this way?”

“Jesus Christ… all of the above, Doc!” Davidson grunts as he pulls himself to his feet.

“When can go around in circles for hours, if that’s what you want. I want to inform you that, you’re only getting released from his cell once I have declared that you’re not a danger to yourself or the general public.” The Doctor says with a sense of authority in her voice.

Davidson begins to chuckle slowly until it builds into a full-blown cackle before composing himself.

“Is that the game today?” Davidson inquires as he starts toward the bars of the cell and slides his arms through. “Fine, I’ll be your lab rat. Get all up inside of my head and point out everything that you think is wrong with me.”

Davidson points an index finger at Doctor Howard who scoffs a bit.

“I will ask you again, what is causing you to feel pissed off?” There was condescension in her voice.

“You fucking know why I’m pissed off!!!” Davidson growls and shakes at the bars of the cell with his hands. Doctor Howard begins to gesture toward the officers but Jace calms down. “Okay, fuck. I’m pissed off for the exact same reason I’ve been coming to see you for a few weeks now. It’s because of Lee Best.”

“Your boss.” Doctor states but Davidson cuts her off. “EMPLOYER.”

“Same thing, honestly.” Doctor Howard responds before adjusting her glasses. “Lee Best has pissed you off… explain.”

Davidson bangs his forehead against the cell bars.

“I’m pissed off at Lee Best for many reasons.” Davidson hisses through grit teeth. “The latest being that in my last match, I beat his so-called Hammer. So, that son of a bitch decides to pop up on the big screen and blame me for STRONK no longer being with us.”

Doctor Howard remains silent for a few moments and then speaks.

“The loss of someone you held dear is something you can just get over easily.” Her voice was sympathetic. “However, the words and opinion of someone else shouldn’t cause you to act recklessly. All of this anger and emotion isn’t going to bring this STRONK fellow back from the dead.”

“Really? You’re going to sit there and try to ‘sticks and stones’ me?” Davidson barked.

“I am a professional, Mr. Davidson.” She said, defensively. “But in the grand scheme of things, this Lee Best; tried to strike a nerve with you. It’s not healthy to hold onto that pain and rage. You’re only hurting yourself by bottling that all up. I think you need to work on letting things go.”

“First sticks and stones and now quoting Frozen? What are your degrees made of, playdough?” Doctor Howard cuts her eyes at Davidson. “Look, I just don’t think you’re getting it.”

“And what is ‘it?’” Doctor Howard countered.

“This isn’t one of those ‘I heard it through the grapevine’ kind of deals. There is no ‘he said, she said’ at play here.” Davidson explains. “This motherfucker went on worldwide television and blamed me for the death of my friend who he manipulated. The motherfucker who has murdered people by his own hands…”

The officers all go silent and look toward the holding cell.

“Yeah, I said it!” Davidson shouts before focusing back on Doctor Howard. “And now people that blindly follow the man that calls himself GOD, all think that I’m the reason why STRONK is dead. Do you know what kind of personal hell it would be to just be out in public and have random fans come up to you and blame you for the death of your friend just because Lee Best is petty?”

“I would suggest–” Davidson cuts her off again. “NO! Shut the fuck up and listen to me.”

Davidson paces around the small cell a bit.

“This man said all that on worldwide television and then smiled when his Hammer decked me from behind. He left me off of the next PPV card out of spite.” Doctor Howard tries to interject but Jace doesn’t let her. “He stabbed me in the fucking eye with a dirty fucking pen. He had me attacked and pissed on my head for the entire world to see. I can take a lot of bullshit but too many lines have been crossed. The level of disrespect has reached a point of no return.”

“So, what are you going to do about all of that?” Doctor Howard asks in a serious tone.

“You know exactly what I plan on doing. He thinks he can play with my emotions by booking me against Father’s latest squeeze toy. That’s fine, I’ll play his game but if he thinks he’s just going to get away with all of this then he has another thing coming.” There is a sinister smirk on Davidson’s face.

Doctor Howard took her glasses off and rubbed over her forehead slowly. There is a troubled look on her face but Davidson interrupts her train of thought.

“You can threaten me all you want about staying in this cell. We both know there is only so long that I can be kept in here if you’re not going to press charges.” Davidson taunts. “So, be it tomorrow or a week from now. Either way, I’m going to do what I plan on doing and there is nothing you can do that is going to stop me.”

Doctor Howard glares at Davidson.

“You’re only getting out of that cell if you agree to take medication.” She said sternly.

“Pills? Great, load me up with all the happy drugs.” Jace’s fingers drum at the bars of the cell.

Doctor Howard begins writing around the prescription pad and then rips off three different sheets. She gets up to her feet and then slides the papers to Davidson through the bars.

“Enjoy your freedom while it lasts.” Her voice was cold before she turned around and walked away from the cell.

Davidson held the pieces of paper in his hands and grinned like a Cheshire Cat as the scene fades.

—–

Bailey’s House
Miami, Florida
Friday, October 13th, 2023

Very early Friday morning, Jace stood in front of his home in Miami, Florida. The one that he lived in for years before decided to move to Colorado and buy his estate. A feeling of nostalgia comes over the Hall of Famer as he stands there holding a suitcase. There is sweat on his brow because even at 2 a.m., Miami feels like it’s about 90 degrees because of the humidity. Davidson walks up to the front door and then begins to ring the doorbell.

He stands there for a moment tapping his foot. A light turns on from inside the home before fumbling can be heard coming from behind the door. Slowly, the door gets pulled open and a half-asleep Bailey Brown is standing there looking up at her big brother with confusion written all over her face.

“What the hell, dude?!” Bailey groans.

“I told you I would be here Friday morning.” Davidson shakes his head. “Pretty shitty for you to just forget that quickly.” Jace walks through the door into the home.

Bailey closes and locks the door behind him before turning around.

“The keyword in all of that is ‘morning,’” Bailey argues. “Morning equals when the sun comes up but here you are and there is no sun!”

Davidson flops down on the couch and relaxes.

“Just means that you don’t have to get up early.” He placed his hands behind his head. “Which is probably a good thing because you’re looking pretty spooky right now.”

Bailey squeezed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger.

“I don’t have it in me to argue with you right now.” She exhaled in a defeated manner. “You can crash in one of the guest rooms or just here on the couch. I don’t care either way, you just have to find sheets, pillows, and shit for yourself.”

Bailey begins to make her way toward the staircase before Davidson responds.

“Yeah, sure, sis. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” His tone was somber and he lowered his head.

“Oh, motherfucker.” Bailey complains before heading over to the couch to take a seat. “You really couldn’t wait to talk, you big fucking baby?”

“Your pity is so comforting, Bailey,” Davidson comments sarcastically.

“Quit complaining and just talk about everything that’s caused you to need to be here on my couch in the middle of the fucking night,” Bailey demands.

Davidson’s face scrunches up and he remains quiet for longer than Bailey would prefer. She reaches out and punches him in the arm to get him to start talking.

“Violent much? Damn.” Jace rubs his arm. “Anyway, it’s just a combination of everything happening at once. The shit with Lee Best is getting crazy. STRONK decided to do what he did just because he lost a match. And everything else.”

“I take it that ‘everything else’ concerns your match this week?” Bailey asked while yawning.

“Carey is the last thing on my mind,” Davidson said in an offended manner.

“Come on, bro, I know you.” Bailey chimed in. “You tried to murder her before because she’s an annoying bitch. And you’ve been teamed up with her against your will a couple of times. And now you have to face her in a match. Oh, and I forgot, your dad is boning her! It’s so creepy!!!”

Davidson moves his hand to his mouth quickly in case Bailey’s comments would make him vomit.

“Okay, yes, you’re right it’s foul as fuck.” Davidson choked out as he tried to choke down the lump in his throat. “I can understand why Terrence would want to hook up with a younger woman who has her own money. But still… ewww.”

“Younger woman?” Bailey begins to laugh. “Isn’t that bitch in her 40’s? It’s so gnarly that she goes around saying she likes older men. It’s like… Hello, you’re fucking old! She’s not a cougar or a lolita. Is there a term for what she is?”

“Desperate,” Davidson added.

“Well, obviously, but I’m not talking about that.” Bailey takes a moment to ponder. “The girl just skipped the whole ‘Sugar Daddy’ category and went right for the ‘Sugar Granddaddy’ tier.”

“I don’t need these visuals, Bailey!” Davidson covered his face with his hands.

“Fine! You wake me up in the middle of the night and keep me up but decide to ruin my fun.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Seriously though, what is the end game with all of this? Does she think that fucking someone that hasn’t been around for 97% of your life somehow gives her an advantage over you?”

“Are you suggesting that Carey is capable of logic?” His voice is muffled by his hands.

“It’s got to be something, right?!” Bailey tilts her head to the side.

“I guess at first it was.” He paused. “I had beaten her to retain the HOW LSD Championship belt last year and Terrence was just annoying the fuck out of me. He wouldn’t take no for an answer so I kicked his ass. Then boom, Carey magically appears when he’s hit rock bottom. It was a match of convenience at the time. But now? Fuck if I know what their purpose is outside of my sperm donor getting his dick wet.”

“If my Father decided to start fucking my mortal enemy then I would murder both of them,” Bailey states with certainty.

“Speaking of gross things.” He turned his head to look at his sister. “How is Dennis doing these days?”

“Same old, same old, honestly.” Bailey shrugged her shoulders. “Continually bitching about the fact that Mom got everything in the divorce. Being the most miserable human being on the planet.”

“Is he still complaining about me?” A small smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh no,” Bailey replied. “He finds this whole thing with you, Carey, and your biological Father insanely hilarious.”

Davidson grunts in frustration.

“All of that aside…” Bailey places her hand on his shoulder. “What is the game plan here with all of this?”

“I’m going to head to Tampa on Sunday and wrestle Carey in a match.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I hope that you don’t mind me crashing here for a while.”

“How long is a while?” Bailey narrowed her brow.

“The next two shows are here in Florida.” Davidson took a deep breath. “Lee thinks that he can fuck with me by booking me this week against Carey just because my Father has poor taste in women.”

“Isn’t the other show is the PPV?” She takes a moment to think. “In God’s House or something like that? I thought you weren’t going to be booked for that show.”

“Just because I’m not booked doesn’t mean that I’m just going to sit on the fucking sidelines.” There was aggression in his voice. “That motherfucker wants to say that he owns me for the rest of the year? He wants to go on worldwide television and lie saying it’s my fault that STRONK is dead…”

Bailey interjects.

“All of this sounds like a trap…”

“He stabbed me in the eye with a pen and pissed on me, Bailey.” His tone was lone and filled with venom. “I don’t fucking care if I’m walking into a trap. I’ve done that pretty much most of my career in that damn company. Getting my hands on Lee is worth whatever bullshit I have to go through.”

“True but it seems like Terrence and Carey are just being fed to you to distract you from the goal at hand and piss you off.” Bailey sighed.

“Mission fucking accomplished on the second part,” Davidson confirms. “But I’m fine with slapping around Terrence’s plaything in front of him. Maybe then she gets it into her skull that this whole Stepmother and son bullshit they like to talk about ain’t happening.”

“We can only hope so.” Bailey rubs her eyes. “I’m just saying that Lee is going to use her as a guinea pig to distract you. And the moment that you’re focused on dealing with her then wham. One of his goons is going to hit you from behind. The dude is so fucking predictable that way and he gets away with it because he can just throw money and title shots at any problem that arises.”

“Then what do you suggest that I do, Bailey?” Davidson throws his hands into the air.

“I think it’s pretty fucking simple,” Bailey answers. “You’re leaving at the end of the year and all you care about is fighting Lee Best. So, you go to the ring Sunday night and you let Carey put you in a submission or something and you tap out immediately.”

Davidson goes to speak up but Bailey holds her hand up to stop him.

“Hear me out here.” Bailey tries to negotiate. “What is more important at this point? Getting a meaningless victory over the woman who willingly puts your Father’s dusty, old, grey balls in her mouth or making sure you are in the best condition possible as you continue to hunt down Lee Best?”

Davidson takes a moment to think and then grumbles.

“Yeah, I know it’s against everything that’s you.” Bailey rubs her hand up and down his back. “However, I think it’s the smartest play in this entire situation. Lee booked you against her to strike a nerve and distract you. Don’t let it work. Go in there and do whatever you need to do to make sure you’re in and out before any fucked up shit goes down.”

“Could you imagine the amount of bullshit that would come out of the mouths of Carey and my Father if she gets a win over me?” Davidson questions.

“It’s not like she’s going to be silent and fade into the background even if you beat her.” Bailey sees the look on Jace’s face. “Look… just consider it as an option when you’re in the ring with her.”

“Maybe…” Davidson replies like a spoiled child.

“That’s all I can ask of you.” Bailey stretches and then gets to her feet. “You’re fine to stay for however long you need to, bro. However, I’m taking my ass to bed and I will talk to you at some point tomorrow afternoon after I’ve had large amounts of coffee hit my bloodstream.”

Bailey playfully smacks Davidson on the side of the head and then heads upstairs as the scene fades.

—–

Bob… Nettie… whatever you’re calling yourself on any given day of the week.

I beg you to do the smart thing on Sunday night for the first time in your life. And yes, I will explain to you what the smart thing is because I’m 110% sure that you have zero clue about what it is.

The first thing you need to do is go about your business in Tampa without doing or saying anything that would make me more pissed off than I already am. All of my rage right now is directed at Lee Best. And I know how much you LOVE to be the center of attention but for your own good here. Do not make this all about you.

Do not take this as an opportunity to do what Lee has done. Don’t come out there and try to blame me for what happened with STRONK. Everyone knows what really happened. Everyone is aware that you tried hooking up with STRONK and hiding his coattails to the top of the mountain. It’s pretty much the same thing you’re trying to do with Conor Fuse lately.

I know that’s like asking a fish not to swim but I’m at least giving you the option to not do the same dumb shit that you always do.

I vaguely understand the whole situation with you and my Father. You’re Bobbinette but not Bobbinette, whatever. Nettie is an idiotic name, btw. Nettie sounds like something that’s a character on fucking Paw Patrol that is there to help a whale back out to sea.

Fat joke? Maybe… but focus on everything I am saying.

I know our history since I’ve come back to HOW. I know that I attempted to murder the you that isn’t you at the moment. I realize that I burnt your… her… place in Chicago down to the ground. I’m not saying that you don’t deserve your pound of flesh for all of those things. What I’m saying is that now isn’t the time to fuck around and try to do something that will ultimately be hazardous to your health.

I’m out of the door of HOW in two months. I am a man that doesn’t have much to lose. Do not step in front of the loaded gun because your mouth moves faster than your brain.

You also need to look at my Father and tell him to stay his ass away from ringside on Sunday night. Your issues with me are yours. He is not needed in this situation but if he decides to interject himself? He will catch some strays and then you’ll have no one to tend to your every insignificant need once I beat you on Chaos.

You’ve said it yourself before. You’re here to do things your way and enjoy professional wrestling. Then that’s all this needs to be… a wrestling match. We have this match in the middle of the ring and then after it’s all said and done? We both go our separate ways. You can continue to hold my Father’s testicles in your purse and I will focus on my task of giving Lee Best a beating that he will not recover from.

Take your L and then go on with the rest of your life.

Then come 2024 should you decide to stay on this roster, I will be long gone and you can go about your business doing and saying whatever it is you please.

Or…

You can come out talking your shit about how you’re banging my Father and keep calling me your son. You can box with my already raw nerve but then what happens is your fault. There is nothing that Terrence can do that will stop me from giving you a beating that would have Bobbinette in your head saying ‘Bitch, I told you so.’

You can try to keep adding my name to this little incest fantasy you have going with my Father. Believe me when I tell you, Carey. Having sex with him is as close as you’re getting to ever having sex with me.

I am NOT your son. You have your own children, focus on them for once.

You have someone in your life… regardless of how disgusting it is. You have your Hall of Fame ring and the fact you’re the only female in the Hall. You’ll have one last person to go through next year to a title.

All of those things matter to you. Cherish them and do what you know you should do.

There is no legitimate reason for you to hop on board Lee Best’s Kamikaze flight. Let that small part of your brain still functions properly to pilot you this Sunday night. Don’t let Lee Best use you as a meat shield because at this point? I don’t give a fuck.

I tried to murder you last year in a halfway decent mood.

Do not fucking test me when I am goddamn livid. Enjoy Tampa, do some shopping, and hit one of the beaches. Consider this a working vacation. If you don’t?

I will practice methods to kill Lee Best in the most painful ways possible on you.