No More Muffins

[DizzaHizza]

* A dejected Kin Hiroshi at home in his leather recliner. His new dog, Brutus, sits quietly beside Kin's chair, and wags his tail. Hiroshi reaches down, and scratches the dog's head. It's been a long time since Kin had a pet, or even a good relationship with anything other than his own thoughts.

Victoria McCave turned him down long ago, and the rejection hurt him. He had never been rejected in such a way as that woman had.

No matter, what has happened, has happened, and Hiroshi still survives. At least, that's what he tells himself to get through the day. Brutus is a great companion; at least the dog won't talk back to him. *

KIN: You know, I'm not sure if I can keep up with all the changes in GWE anymore. I've strived too long and too hard to make my mark, and I don't think it's paying off. Too many people distrust me because of past actions, and the rest laugh at me because I made my fortune making pastries...

* The dog stands, marches in circles, preparing for a nap. Kin rubs the mutt's head again, and Brutus leans into the giving hand. The dog fits the relationship perfectly. It never whimpers, whines, or complains. For the most part, it's very self-reliant. Hiroshi only needs to walk it daily, feed it, and clean up after it. The petting isn't required, but it calms both of the apartment dwellers' nerves.

Hiroshi sighs as he picks the phone off of the end table. He's nervous about the phone call that needs to be made, but it needs to be made all the same. Kin dials an international number, and the phone begins to ring.

The recent, and frequent, phone calls to "Mama" Hiroshi have made Kin's phone bill climb, but money hasn't been an issue since Hostess purchased Hiroshi-Berry Muffins Inc. from him. The phone rings, and goes to an answering machine. Kin tells his mother to call him back, then hangs up the phone.

Kin looks down at the dog, which is now falling asleep. Kin moves into the kitchen to make dinner for the dog, and himself...

Just as Hiroshi's rice cooker dings, the phone rings from the living room. Brutus' head shoots up, and the dog barks in annoyance as Kin rushes to check the caller ID. He recognizes his mother's number immediately. *

KIN: If it isn't my favorite mother.

"MAMA": I'm your only mother, and, for the amount of pain I went through bringing you into this world, you would be sure to remember that.

* Kin mouths the last few words as Brutus marches off to the bedroom. The recliner's arm-rest serves as a temporary seat for Hiroshi. *

KIN: How are you doing? Did you get this month's check?

"MAMA": My Kinjo-san, I know you didn't call to talk about me, and what I have or haven't received this month. What's wrong?

KIN: For a woman your age, I'm suprised you could pick up on that. You sure you're not going senile yet?

"MAMA": A mother knows her son better than anyone else. So, what IS wrong?

KIN: I'm beginning to question my place in GWE. Mr. Dupree doesn't have much faith left in me, and Mr. Zieba hasn't been around in a while to see what I've been up to. My performance record is rather lack-luster, and I'm afraid that a former Television Champion is just going to be swept away with the imposing changes.

I think I'm going to be lost amidst the upcoming talent. I mean, I'm used as a comedic performer. I'm going to be kept on the payroll as a stepping stone to boulseter the new guys' egos, and for a few cheap laughs...

"MAMA": Maybe you shouldn't be talking to me, but to Mr. Dupree and Mr. Zieba. Ask them about their vision for the Muffin Man...

KIN: No, no more Muffin Man. That's the problem. I've been built up to be something I'm not. These Americans have no vision for my future, just big wallets and a lust to fill them.

"MAMA": Kin, those men are there to help. Talk to them. Your step-father is just getting home, I need to go. I will talk to you soon, my Kinjo-san.

KIN: Love you, mom.

* Hiroshi hangs up the phone, and heads back into the kitchen to finish dinner. Maybe it's time to move on from GWE, or maybe from wrestling all together. Or maybe, just maybe, Chad Dupree would be able to have a conversation with Hiroshi. *

***FADE TO GOLD***​

 

[GreggG]

(CUT TO: Troy Windham, on his cell-phone, in the back of his HumVee.)

TROY: Yo-- Calvin, this is Epitome. I don't have Eddy's new cell-piece. Tell him to give me a holler, I got some questions about an old pal of his... (FTB)

 

[DizzaHizza]

* It's a beautiful day in Seattle, Washington. Of course, it's raining, but that's part of the mystique of the city. The water hits the pavement that was warming in the mid-morning sun and quickly turns to steam. Ten-stories above the street, Kin Hiroshi sits in a recliner facing the double windows that are now cracked open. The smell of a summer rain and wet asphalt fills the apartment, and Hiroshi just smiles as he sips his beer and looks outside.

Certain decisions have weighed heavy on his mind lately, and he often finds himself wondering if they were the right ones to make. Should he have sold Hiroshi-Berry Muffins Inc.? Is it career suicide to stop being the Muffin Man? Have too many bridges been burned in GWE to succeed?

His mom keeps telling him not to dwell on the past, but to think about the future. Kin Hiroshi doesn't know if there is a future worth thinking about. As a wrestler, and as a performer, he's plateaued; a rising star is no longer rising. In fact, it would seem that Kin Hiroshi is completely off anyone's radar right now.

It's been weeks since he was booked in GWE; the chances for a spot in the finals for the Ultratitle in NFW seem to be slim and none, and slim just left town; and CSWA has him wrestle one match every three cards. Has Kin Hiroshi become a talented wrestler with no fan base? Or maybe the fan base is there, and the talent is gone...

Hiroshi sighs, and lifts the beer again. He'd give Eddy a call, but Love hasn't been too responsive since their match in NFW. Aho took a leave of absence, and no one knows when he'll be back. He could always call Cruise, but Cam has been booked to no end and looking to cause some stirs throughout the wrestling world.

"A friend would be nice right now," Hiroshi thinks to himself as he pets his dog, Brutus, "At least one that can talk." Kin pounds the rest of the beer as the rain begins to taper off; the storm slowly fading.

Standing, Kin stretches. His joints feel rejuvinated and recooperated with all of his downtime training. He feels stronger and bigger. He walks to the coat rack and grabs his pea-coat. Throwing his arms in the sleeves, he reaches in his pockets for a set of keys. *

KIN HIROSHI: *to Brutus* If anyone calls, tell them I'm taking a drive.

* Hiroshi closes the door behind him, and locks the door. Thank God there's time to think in what has always been a busy, busy world... *

**FADE TO GOLD**​