"It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company."
- George Washington



August 26, 2014
Interstate 40
5 miles from exit 150A to Oklahoma City

Charter bus #0051 zooms down I-40 on route to Oklahoma City. The deserts are far behind and the green and brown fields of the midwest replace them.

In the driver's seat of #0051 is Ben. A young man born and raised in Clarksdale, Cobb County, Georgia. A small community northwest of Atlanta. When he was eighteen years of age, Ben left for the big city. After a few odd jobs, he found another. And another. His last was tearing down arenas for what turned into drinking money. He lasted half the day on the first job before he walked out.


Standing beside Ben as he drives is our doctor, Louis D'Ville. He leans against the railing between the two front rows of seats peering out the windshield.

Doctor D'Ville- Hello, my friends! Once again I have come to spread the word! The word of your very doctor. You see, I have been down this same path before. And I am a very successful, consistant doctor, as well my friends. I expect the same results here. Kristen Silver, you are not safe. Kaiser, you too, are not safe. You were both targets in our previous match at Relentless. Also, targets to each other... Perhaps, you have made amends? Or perhaps you're still thinking about it. There it was, the final elimination. And there she was, Kristen Silver. I know how much you have to love shiny things and all. And I'm afraid it may take more than me saying this, my dear but, I'd sit out this one if I was you. As your new doctor I fail to see a reason to involve yourself under these circumstances once again. Give yourself time to rest, my dear. Your very career could be at stake in a match as this on. I don't want to banter on like a broken record here either. But if you need a quiet place to talk, my doors are always open.

As for my dear friend Luke Gunnar. Our paths have drifted away from each other for the time being, but fear not. You are not forgotten It will not be long and our paths will surely merge once again. I wish you the best of luck in your contest against Clean Lucena on Wednesday. Do not be intimidated by the gold he wears around his waist. It just poses the illusion of a threat and currently possesses no power. The Trio Tag Titles are tainted at the moment... So until they day they're claimed by a trio that leaves as a trio, we have no true Trio Tag Champions. After looking at their charts it is no reason the two cannot be trusted. Two men with attitudes that could fill an entire arena on their own. Lifestyles of the most greedy men on the planet. A partnership or a battle of egos? Mr. Lane already proved he has more ego than respect when he betrayed Zoey Ryback. There was never any loved lost there before, I suppose, but why? Why Vincent, why? You've now jeopardized your newly one championship. Is there someone left you can trust? Besides me, of course. I would not be interested in being your co-champion. My plate is quite full at the moment with all of my current patients and two title shots coming my way. Hopefully, for the sake of the future of the XWF, you do think of someone.

The bus's check engine light blinks on and the engine begins to smoke. The #0051 takes a sharp right onto an off ramp at exit 150A into Oklahoma City. Traveling at such a high speed it barely makes it even scraping the right side of the bus against the guard rail. The bus wings back and forth down an oddly empty S. Shields Boulevard.

Doctor D'Ville- Here would be fine, Benjamin.

The bus screeches to a stop.

Doctor D'Ville- Off we go, then.

The two exit the bus and begin to walk across the street. As they do, the world unfolds around them. The streets are full once again with people and traffic as if the city has been bustling for days. Ben shakes his head and mumbles something and continues on behind the Doctor.


The Doctor's glass shakes a bit as he slowly takes a large gulp.. Our two travelers sit on stools in Friendly's Tavern. An Irish pub in the middle of Oklahoma City with nothing to show it besides the clover on the sign. Taking a drink he turns to the barmaid, who is staring at Ben. Ben sits staring at a napkin dispenser.

Doctor D'Ville- My dear?

Barmaid- Um, is your... friend okay?

The Doctor leans over to Ben and in a soft voice.

Doctor D'Ville- Benjamin...

Ben cuts out from whatever phase he was in and looks at the Doctor.

Doctor D'Ville- Tell the young woman how you are, won't you? Are you, 'O.K.'?

Ben- I am better than okay, Doc. If feel better than I have felt my entire life! And now that I've found you, and you are here--

Doctor D'Ville- Very good, Benjamin. You see, my dear, my friend Benjamin is just fine. Tell me, what is your name?

The barmaid looks at Ben for a long time then looks over to the Doctor. He stares at her and smiles, she tilts her head a bit and smiles back.

Barmaid- Sarah.

Doctor D'Ville- A beautiful name, my dear. All of my friends call me Doc, isn't that right Benjamin?

Ben coughs a bit.

The Doctor reaaches into his inside pocket and pulls out a business card for the young lady. He slides it across the bar and she picks it up, reads it, and puts it in her back pocket.

Sarah- So... You're one of those doctors that talk to people?

The Doctor sorta of sneers at her remark.

Doctor D'Ville- I'm one of those doctors that treats and cures their patients. But yes, I suppose talking could be a small part of that. Communication is very important. I communicate with my patients as much as I can. And I never forget them.

Sarah- How many patients do you have..?

Doctor D'Ville- At the moment around six hundred.

Sarah looks over at Ben who is focused back on the napkin dispenser.

Sarah- Is... he one of your patients?

Doctor D'Ville- Benjamin is a special case that I've taken under my wing at the moment.

Sarah leans in towards the Doctor a bit. She whispers.

Sarah- What's wrong with him?

Doctor D'Ville- Now, my dear... There is nothing wrong with Benjamin... He is just ill, you see. I treat him now and I will rid him of the disease that plagues his mind. If you don't mind I ask, have you ever wished you had someone to talk to? Just someone there to be your friend?

The Doctor stares into the girls very soul. A shock of cold pierces through Sarah's spine.

Sarah- I... Um. I gue--, I g-guess, I have...

Doctor D'Ville- Well, my dear. Today is your luck day.