A belt

Her is a little story project I did for class. I know I am just a mark but this story felt really good for me. Insiders, I would love for input for later drafts.

A belt

The clock in the Cafe read 5:57 when Mac entered and walked to Eric's Table.
“You need to be at the “Center” now,” Mac said.
“But, I thought we were supposed to meet at 6:30.”
“Now.” Mac left
“Sorry, Mac,” Eric followed. A pretty blonde waitress named Nikki brought Eric's breakfast to the table, but Eric was gone
Eric saw Mac drive off to the school as he stepped out into the cloudy morning. As he walked Eric thought of last Sunday night:
Eric jumped from the top rope, drop kicking Big Dunker! Fritz Nordok rushed, but Eric got the attacker in a fireman's carry. Eric held Fritz for the pin and one-two-three. Eric went to the locker room after his arm was held up by the referee in victory.
“We are going to be busy next week end,” spoke Mac to Eric once Eric opened his locker. “On Friday,” he continued, “I win both matches. On Saturday I take a second victory with you winning the last match of the night.”
“Just talked to the booker,” Eric slipped on some fresh underwear.
“What did he say?”
“He said the morning event got canceled, so-”
But, you are supposed to tie me on Saturday evening,” interrupted Mac.
“After the event on Friday night a surprise announcement will make the Saturday evening match a two out of three falls match.”
“Then you get Sunday's match making you champ?”
“Yep,” as Eric finished getting dressed he noticed Mac talking to Dunker and Fritz on the other side of the room.
“Thanks champ,” Fritz responded to Mac's complement about his and Dunker's jobbing that night.
As Eric approached the “Center” he saw the old style Wrestling Cards:
AFTER THANKS GIVING:
MIDNORTH WRESTLING FEDERATION PRESENTS:
MEGA FEST!
THREE DAYS! FIVE SHOWS!
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUDAY ALL DAY EACH DAY!
FRIDAY MORNING BELL TIME......................................................................10:15
MAIN EVENT:
First of a Five Match Title Series
BILL “THE HATER” ADOFSTIEN..................vs.........................MAC “OUR CHAMP” PETERSON
(Challenger) (Defender)

The poster continued to list each of the shows.
“You know, we are going to have to take these all down, Bill” A man in a ref's shirt walked up to Eric.
“Because of the Schedule shift, right. So Tommy, do we have new ones printed up yet?
“Go ask Debbie,” Tommy pointed to a truck with a short heavyset woman handing out Doughnuts to wrestlers and every one else.

“One minute, hun,” Deb held up a finger to Eric as he approached. She handed out the last doughnut in the box to a kid and turned to Eric, “What can I do for you, Sweaty?”
“Bill, reporting for duty.” Eric spoke.
“Sorry sweaty, but you are just not “The Hater” to me. Never will be. I am just going to call you Eric.”
“Anyway, I was wondering if you had new Posters to match the current schedule”
“I got about eight hundred copies in the back there,” Deb pointed to he truck. : I just do not have the time to post them all over town”
“I can do it.”
“You are a doll,” Deb opened up her trunk and took out a large card board box, “Now remember to take down every old poster in town otherwise.”
“Sure thing, ma'am,” and Eric was off.
Eric moved along from store to store and telephone pole to telephone pole taking down old posters and stapling up new ones.
“Now I have heard of 'dine and dash,' but, as the term suggest, some eating is generally involved,” recognizing the voice turned from the cafe bulletin board to see pretty blonde waitress pouting at him.
“Sorry Nikki. I was needed to help set up for the show.” Eric started fumbling for his wallet as the new poster fell off the bulletin board. He bent over to pick it up and spilt change, “So sorry, how much I owe you. And can I get a muffin to go?”
“Don't worry about paying for before, and you can have a muffin on the house,” Nikki bent over to help Eric pick up his mess and shot him a smile.”
“Thank you,” Eric got up taking back his change.
“So, if you had to go prepare for the show, why are you back?” Nikki handed Eric his change.
“I had to change all of the signs because we canceled a show.”
“Sad! Now I will only get to see you four times,” the blonde pouted.
“So you're going to the shows?”
“Just punched out, and I got the whole weekend off to see you guys,” Nikki twisted her hair in her fingers.
“I shouldn't be surprised, Mac is one of the biggest draws in the state. Wait, if you are punching out what time is it?”
“Nine-thirty. How many more of those do you have to put up?”
“That was the last one but I don't think I am going to make it back to the “Center in time.”
“Well,” the pretty girl bit her lip, “I can give you a ride if you want”
“Really? If it is not a problem, I would be very grateful How much do I owe you for gas?”
“Silly, I a going there anyway Now, let us get you that muffin so you are not starving in the ring.”
“This is a really good muffin,” Eric delighted in the morsel As Nikki drove.
“So, the belt is in your grasp. Do, you think that you are going to win?”
“That is a secret.”
“Ah, a wrestler and his prescius kayfabe. Now, here is something that I do not get: The matches are predetermined and that makes them fun to watch, but is winning a title a really big deal? “
“Of Course it is! It means that the company thinks that you can be their biggest draw. You see, as a wrestler I work with the other guy in the ring, but it is the audience that I want to submit. I wrestle with crowd psychology I read the responses of the audience and get them to respond as I want.”
“Wow, that is pretty awesome,” Nikki smiled at Eric.
“Mac is much better at it then I am.”

“Bill, you are so late,” Mac yelled at Eric, Get your gear on . Remember this match ends when you go for a clothesline and I dodge getting you in the small package for the three count,” and the hero went to go get ready

“Today is a great day,” Mac said to the audience After the The Master Brothers Exited in victory, “And it is going to be a great weekend.” The audience roared in agreement. “This chunk of metal is up for grabs this weekend, but you guys are all the affirmation I will ever need,” The crowd went insane
“That sounds like talk of defeat,” the skull-masked Bill entered the ring to the resounding sound of booing and one shrill cheer.
“Oh yeah?” Mac went up to Bill, and they put their fore head together. Mac spoke so only Eric and the ref could hear, “Get me in a fireman's carry we will start the bell with you having me in a sleeper.”
They started out that way, and then Mac broke out with out saying anything and hit Eric much harder then necessary The crowed was ecstatic In less then a minute Mac had beaten bill to the delight and surprise of the crowd save for own persistent boo. After a post bell beating that left Eric a bloody mess Mac whispered into Eric's ear, “Do not be late again.”
“I will open with a drop kick,” said Mac at the Friday night main event before going straight into a series of unnecessary punches. Bill fought back but trying to keep the match technical he was soon knocked out and pinned.
“You will take the first all. I will take the second, and you will win with the third pin.” said Mac at the start of the Saturday two out of three match, “let's star with a test of strength.” The bell rang and Mac went straight for an early pin. This was all going to be a shoot, and Eric knew it. He went straight for a reversal, but Mac kicked out went out and started beating Eric into the mat. Eric reversed their position and finally got the first pin. As soon as the second fall started Mac went for his pin and got it. On the third fall Eric knew he couldn't trust Mac to let him win so the man called Bill went straight for the sleeper and won.
About an hour before the Sunday night show started Nikki came up to Eric with something to say.