Disappearance Act

[Trouble*]

Ryan sat on his queen sized bed, located in his small room, in his small New York apartment. In front of him sat his cell phone, laying face down, half buried by covers.

Where the fuck is he..?

Ryan picked his phone up, and quickly poked in a number. He jabbed the number pad like a mad man. His thumb hits a button near the screen, turning his speaker phone on. The ring rung out loudly.

On the other end...

[browne]

'Say What You Will', Nate's 2008 theme, played out from his phone. Nathan himself was simply relaxing in his large home up in Canada. He looked at the phone.

Ryan Blaze
Answer?

What does he want....

He flips it open.

Ah'rooh, rercome to china king. numbah onneee food prayce in America! Prease prace your order!

[Trouble*]

Cute, Nathan. Really cute. Almost as cute as your no-show so far. I need to talk to you. I need to get this shit off my chest like breast reduction. Where the hell are you? Honestly, the season started awhile ago, and you're nowhere to be found. For someone who wanted Rookie of the Year so badly, you're having QUITE the sophomore slump.

It's a shame, Nathan. You're a gifted man. You've got the size that's needed to be a legit champion. You've got the talent that's needed to be a legit champion. You've got the smarts needed to be a legit champion. Yet, you don't have the work ethic. We worked ourselves down to the bones in the off season. It worked. Look at me, 3-0. You're more talented than I am. You could have the World Title strapped around you by now. You're just TOO DAMN LAZY.

Ryan leans back, lying down on his bed, with his legs hanging over the edge.

You're kind of pathetic.

[browne]

My disappearance act is none of your business.

Nate stands up from his sofa. Fury lights up his eyes.

I AM more talented than you, Ryan. I'm well aware of that. You're the one that's unaware. Who decided to take the extra month to prepare better? Me. Who decided that it wasn't enough in the ring, and invited you to train WITH me? Me. Who STILL hits the weight room everyday? Me. I'm not slacking. I'm still working. Just because I'm not a whore, and need the bucks to be rolling in steadily, doesn't mean I'm slacking.

I'm taking my time, Ryan. Unlike you, I care about my career. You just want money. You know it, I know it. You're a WHORE.

I'm ready now, Ryan. The month, it worked wonders. I'm ready to come back full time. You're lucky I have an ounce of respect for you, or else you'd have a target on your head. The only way to get rid of it? Receive THEEEEE Maple Leaf Massacre a few times.

You wanna see a champion in the making? Check me out.

Don't call me again unless you've got REAL business. You're wasting my minutes.

Nate slaps his phone closed, and tosses it to the couch beside him.

[Trouble*]

Ryan too closes his phone. He chuckles to himself.

Goodie. I've fueled the machine. He's ready to get rolling again. Boy has been out for too long. It could do him wonders to get back in the ring and in front of the crowd.

...

I want tacos.