Post by Steve Sinclair on Oct 9, 2016 15:05:07 GMT
Cornerstone of Recovery just outside of Knoxville TN and a Monaco Dynasty RV pulls up. It takes up many parking spots in the parking lot as one can imagine with a diesel pusher. Just as it comes to a stop and is shut down the front door to the rehab center opens up and stepping out from the center is a man we haven’t seen in a little over a month. Wearing his wrangler jeans, a plain white t shirt with a flannel over that and a Dale Earnhardt sr hat he takes a couple of steps out into the sun and soaks it in. Sutton has finished yet another session of rehab.
The door to the RV swings open and jumping from the RV is someone who is really excited to be there. She is almost near tears as she runs across the parking lot, her long dirty blonde hair flowing in the air behind her as her “twins” bounce up and down as she charges hard across the parking lot. In a mad dash Lilly Mae, the love and joy of Sutton leaps into his arms wrapping her long legs around his waist. They hug each other tightly and through his long beard we can see a smile. The embrace lasts several minutes.
Slowly waddling across the parking lot is a giant of a man in several ways. If being seven feet tall wasn’t one way of him sticking out in crowd, being nearly 4 bills means he takes up a couple square feet where ever he is standing. The ill fitting suit doesn’t help either. As he makes his way across the parking lot he is all smiles for he has waited for this day for, well a month now. Nanook, Sutton’s agent and best friend has been able to work his magic and get him his release from his previous employer who wanted to take yet another wait and see and make you earn your spot back on the roster again approach. It took Sutton nearly 8 months the last time to get a match and that is what it was, one match. Then it would be three months before Billy saw action in the ring again. While yes this approach might have helped keep Billy clean, it was doing nothing for his bottom line. This time around, it needed to be different.
Nanook extends his hand as he steps up on the sidewalk. By now Lilly Mae’s feet touches the sidewalk but she doesn’t let go of her man. Billy, who has gone by a couple of names in the past, NASCAR Billy, DJR, HillBilly Sutton and now just Sutton extends his hand and shakes Nanook’s hand and then they give each other a bro hug.
Nanook "How was it this time kid?”
If you are of a certain age maybe you remember a TV show called Magnum PI? Tom Selleck and his #Glorious mustache would make this face….it was a smile, but a “Yeah I know” kind of smile almost telling the world that he knew he was right without actually saying it. Well Sutton just smiled like that minus the “Yeah I know I’m right” meaning.
Sutton ”They told me that they hope they don’t see me again and well, yeah I’d be happy if that would be the case.” Sutton says in his Hickory NC assent.
Nanook "You and me both.”
Sutton ”One day at a time. I have a meeting in two days so…..”
Lilly rubs his back. “I’ll go with you okay?”
Sutton ”Thanks babe.”
Nanook “Well while we could stand here and talk about this all day I do have some good news.”
Sutton ”Yeah?”
Nanook “The….League?”
Sutton ”Is that what we are calling it?”
Nanook “Today we are. I was able to negotiate your release from them because Gary was going to make you sell popcorn and sh*t before even thinking about letting you back in the ring.”
Sutton sighs.
Nanook “The last time I think it worked in dangling the carrot in front of you to help you with your sobriety and you almost made it one year. That was good and all. But this time, I don’t think that was going to work. I think you need to get back to work and start clicking days and months off along with some wins.”
Sutton squeezes Lilly who is by his side.
Sutton ”How much did that cost me?”
Nanook nods. ”Yeah best not think about that. I think over time you’ll make it back up but right now….yeah it’ll hurt.”
Sutton "So where does that leave me?”
Nanook “With a new deal.”
Sutton ”Yeah?”
Nanook “When news broke that you were a free agent it wasn’t hard to find offers for you which has to make you feel good.”
Sutton ”Nice to know there is people who will hire a drunk.”
Nanook “The fans want to see a clean and sober Sutton on their TV and well, they will starting Wednesday nights.”
Sutton ”Yeah?”
Nanook “Found you a company who understands what you need and they are looking for a star who can bring in new eyeballs. The money isn’t what the League was paying but…”
Sutton ”I’ve got money you know. My Shine still sells. I’ve seen the P and L from last month. I’ll be okay. If this company is willing to give me the support without the BS then….”
Sutton looks at Lilly Mae for a second. He looks at Nanook.
Sutton ”I’m willing to throw a monkey wrench in anyone’s plans that they might have there. I’ve been itching to get my hands dirty for a while now. It’s like the itch you get when you need to get a tattoo only instead of getting some junky skin art, I want to get blood on my hands. I have a itch to throw someone around, plant them in that mat and give dem da beating of der lives. I want to hurt someone so badly, it’ll drive me to drink! So buddy, you better get on the next show like yesterday cuz Sutton…...is ready to explode.”
Nanook smirks. He glances at the RV.
Nanook ”Contract is on the table. Your first match is against Todd Morrison.”
Sutton nods.
Sutton ”Well then…..better get going then. Little Todd Morrison doesn’t know what’s waiting him.”
Fade out.
The door to the RV swings open and jumping from the RV is someone who is really excited to be there. She is almost near tears as she runs across the parking lot, her long dirty blonde hair flowing in the air behind her as her “twins” bounce up and down as she charges hard across the parking lot. In a mad dash Lilly Mae, the love and joy of Sutton leaps into his arms wrapping her long legs around his waist. They hug each other tightly and through his long beard we can see a smile. The embrace lasts several minutes.
Slowly waddling across the parking lot is a giant of a man in several ways. If being seven feet tall wasn’t one way of him sticking out in crowd, being nearly 4 bills means he takes up a couple square feet where ever he is standing. The ill fitting suit doesn’t help either. As he makes his way across the parking lot he is all smiles for he has waited for this day for, well a month now. Nanook, Sutton’s agent and best friend has been able to work his magic and get him his release from his previous employer who wanted to take yet another wait and see and make you earn your spot back on the roster again approach. It took Sutton nearly 8 months the last time to get a match and that is what it was, one match. Then it would be three months before Billy saw action in the ring again. While yes this approach might have helped keep Billy clean, it was doing nothing for his bottom line. This time around, it needed to be different.
Nanook extends his hand as he steps up on the sidewalk. By now Lilly Mae’s feet touches the sidewalk but she doesn’t let go of her man. Billy, who has gone by a couple of names in the past, NASCAR Billy, DJR, HillBilly Sutton and now just Sutton extends his hand and shakes Nanook’s hand and then they give each other a bro hug.
Nanook "How was it this time kid?”
If you are of a certain age maybe you remember a TV show called Magnum PI? Tom Selleck and his #Glorious mustache would make this face….it was a smile, but a “Yeah I know” kind of smile almost telling the world that he knew he was right without actually saying it. Well Sutton just smiled like that minus the “Yeah I know I’m right” meaning.
Sutton ”They told me that they hope they don’t see me again and well, yeah I’d be happy if that would be the case.” Sutton says in his Hickory NC assent.
Nanook "You and me both.”
Sutton ”One day at a time. I have a meeting in two days so…..”
Lilly rubs his back. “I’ll go with you okay?”
Sutton ”Thanks babe.”
Nanook “Well while we could stand here and talk about this all day I do have some good news.”
Sutton ”Yeah?”
Nanook “The….League?”
Sutton ”Is that what we are calling it?”
Nanook “Today we are. I was able to negotiate your release from them because Gary was going to make you sell popcorn and sh*t before even thinking about letting you back in the ring.”
Sutton sighs.
Nanook “The last time I think it worked in dangling the carrot in front of you to help you with your sobriety and you almost made it one year. That was good and all. But this time, I don’t think that was going to work. I think you need to get back to work and start clicking days and months off along with some wins.”
Sutton squeezes Lilly who is by his side.
Sutton ”How much did that cost me?”
Nanook nods. ”Yeah best not think about that. I think over time you’ll make it back up but right now….yeah it’ll hurt.”
Sutton "So where does that leave me?”
Nanook “With a new deal.”
Sutton ”Yeah?”
Nanook “When news broke that you were a free agent it wasn’t hard to find offers for you which has to make you feel good.”
Sutton ”Nice to know there is people who will hire a drunk.”
Nanook “The fans want to see a clean and sober Sutton on their TV and well, they will starting Wednesday nights.”
Sutton ”Yeah?”
Nanook “Found you a company who understands what you need and they are looking for a star who can bring in new eyeballs. The money isn’t what the League was paying but…”
Sutton ”I’ve got money you know. My Shine still sells. I’ve seen the P and L from last month. I’ll be okay. If this company is willing to give me the support without the BS then….”
Sutton looks at Lilly Mae for a second. He looks at Nanook.
Sutton ”I’m willing to throw a monkey wrench in anyone’s plans that they might have there. I’ve been itching to get my hands dirty for a while now. It’s like the itch you get when you need to get a tattoo only instead of getting some junky skin art, I want to get blood on my hands. I have a itch to throw someone around, plant them in that mat and give dem da beating of der lives. I want to hurt someone so badly, it’ll drive me to drink! So buddy, you better get on the next show like yesterday cuz Sutton…...is ready to explode.”
Nanook smirks. He glances at the RV.
Nanook ”Contract is on the table. Your first match is against Todd Morrison.”
Sutton nods.
Sutton ”Well then…..better get going then. Little Todd Morrison doesn’t know what’s waiting him.”
Fade out.