Tommy Gunn Chapter 1: Introduction - His

[Tommy Gunn/Chase Andrews]

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ― Oscar Wilde

It's time.

It's time for me to make my impression felt, y'all, so sit back, relax, and strap on your seatbelts.

There, now that I've got THAT out of the way, we can talk about what's coming. Or rather, what could be.

A week ago, me and Chase got the word that the work we'd done at the Absolute Academy wasn't going to lead to anything. All the hours we spent, bleeding, sweating, crying in pain--all for nothing. Place just closes its doors, and what do we get for it? Plane tickets home, and a 'good luck in your future endeavors'? Maybe putting in a good word with any other company I might want to work for? Perhaps an apprenticeship? Oh HELL no. We had to catch a BUS back from Vegas. Do you have any idea how LONG a bus ride that really is? THREE. GOD FORSAKEN. DAYS.

The unwashed masses of humanity. Stale snacks. Screaming kids. Dead cell phones. Little to no contact with the outside world... Do you really think you know yourself? Take a bus ride across the country. You'll question everything.

But, I digress. It's like our mentor, Slade, always says: "Some days you get the gold mine, kid... some days, you get the shaft." And what doesn't kill us will totally make us stronger, right?

Right???

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Location: Leaving the Greyhound Bus Station, Tallahassee, FL
Date/Time: 19JUL22, 1523 Hours

I was tired. Three days on a bus through the Rockies, America's heartland, and across miles and miles of this country's roadways would exhaust anyone. Emotionally drained, financially on about 1/4 of a tank, physically whipped like a government mule. Thank God I'd kept up on paying rent for the shitty apartment back home, so I'd have a place for me and Chase to rest our heads after our not so triumphant return to the Panhandle. And thank goodness for our dear friend Amber, who came running when we called! It'd be a long Uber ride from the bus depot.

I found myself sitting in the back of Amber's car, head leaned against the window, enjoying the first ride not filled with the smell of other sweaty, exhausted people in days. Chase was leaning against me, in that cute way she does sometimes, using my arm as a cushion as she talked with Amber. Chase was always chatty. Part of her personality I suppose. I liked listening to her talk. She'd almost lost all of her accent, but there were occasions her Irish brogue came out. Promo training had helped her a lot. But it was adorable when it happened.

Me? I was trying not to fall asleep.

Chase Andrews: You sleeping, Machine?

And failing. Between the hum of the road and the soothing dulcet tones of Chase and Amber together, I was pretty peaceful. But I was busted.

Tommy Gunn: Just about, Next Gen. How are you not tired?

Chase Andrews: Oh, me? I'm about two seconds from passin' out right here next to ya. But that'd be rude to ignore our driver. Right, Amber?

Amber nodded, stoic as always. Her blonde hair stood out against her bronzed skin, and accentuated her striking facial features... like her eyes. God, those eyes were something else. They were the first thing I noticed when we met at the Academy. Oh, and her smile... could light up a room from a half mile away.

Chase Andrews: Hello... earth, to musclebound best friend... where are you?

Tommy Gunn: Huh? Oh, I'm just... getting sleepy again.

I wondered if she could see me silently fawning over Amber. I hoped it wouldn't make her jealous. Chase is awesome and all, but...

Chase Andrews: Liar.

She leaned in and whispered to me, causing a reaction I wasn't ready for. She must know what she does to me, but I'm not sure yet if she cared.

Chase Andrews: Amber's cute, and clearly sees something in you... you should ask her out.

I just shook my head, keeping my mouth shut so as not to give anything away.

Chase Andrews: Come on... I'll talk to her for you if you want.

Tommy Gunn: Shut UP, Next Gen...

I offered a smile to Amber as she glanced at us in the rearview mirror. I may have been mistaken, but I could swear I saw her wink at me as she rounded the corner to our apartment. Chase poked me in the side, and something else stirred as she grinned at me.

Chase Andrews: We're home, buddy.

Tommy Gunn: Yeah, some home. I think the college kids have better digs than us.

Chase Andrews: Easy, killer. This wasn't meant to be a permanent stop, right? We're gonna get back out there and get on that horse once more.

Tommy Gunn: Slade would kill us if we didn't keep trying. I mean, we were SO close...

As Amber pulled up to the curb and hit the trunk button, releasing the luggage, Chase extricated herself from my position and leaned forward, giving Amber a kiss on the cheek.

Chase Andrews: You're a goddess, babe.

Amber smiled again, even more brightly than before. I felt my heart flutter... holy hell, was I in love? I hope not. It can be a death knell in this business.

Tommy Gunn: Yeah, Amber... what she said.

I could tell my awkwardness was on the way out, so I quickly got out of the car and got our bags. Chase stayed near the front to talk to Amber, and as I was getting the gear, I could see them laughing with one another. Was Chase really talking to her about me? Oh God.

Tommy Gunn: You gonna get your gear, Next Gen, or what?

Chase Andrews: I'll be right there, Machine, geez. Keep your shorts on.

She smirked and turned back to Amber. I picked up her bag and launched it onto the grass near her. It was heavy; what did she even pack?

Tommy Gunn: Never mind. I got it.

I slung my bag over one shoulder and hers over the other, heading toward the apartment, finally.

Tommy Gunn: So, uh, Amber... Why don't you come by later for some food? My treat...

I felt the embarrassment creeping to my face as I walked faster, not waiting for a response. I thought I heard laughter behind me as I fumbled with the locked door. After I made it through the door, I tossed the bags on the floor, rested my head against the door in shock and embarrassment, and then it happened.

She opened the door, and it clocked me in the head.

Tommy Gunn: Ow! FUCK, Next Gen!

Chase Andrews: Oh my God, I'm so sorry. Tommy... are you okay?

I rubbed my forehead for a second. It didn't really hurt, but I wanted to think it did. Might earn me a few days of no chores.

Tommy Gunn: Were you two laughing at me behind my back?

Chase Andrews: What? Noooo... We think you being a bumbling goof around good looking women is adorable. We want to help you!

She chuckled. I tried not to, but I failed.

Tommy Gunn: Okay, okay. So, is she coming by for dinner?

Enough about my day to day. Let's talk about now!

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I get that my life looks like a bad episode of Three's Company so far. I get it. But you gotta understand something--it's way more interesting than just talking to a camera! It's easy on the eyes, it's engaging, and by God, I want to stand out. Lesson 4 in promo training: make an impression that will last. Here goes.

Okay, so here's what's going to happen on Friday. I'm going to get into the ring with countless other combatants, I'm going to defeat them all, and take hold of that brass ring that was set to elude me where I was before. Now, some of you may say, "Tommy, you've never really had a televised match before! How can you expect to be taken seriously as a champion?" My answer is simple: what's it matter to you? It's MY job to uphold the standard I set. It's yours to watch. You'll do your job, and I'll do mine. And when the dust has settled, and they're playing "Hero" for the entire venue, and the entire world, to hear, you'll know what the future looks like. The future is now.

I'm doing this for my dad, and everyone who came before me. I have a legacy I want to live up to. I have a plan.

And it all starts on Friday night.

Bring your best, Wrestleverse. You'll need it.