Considerations of a Nobleman Departing Memphis

Scene I: Memphis, TN - condominium of the Lancaster's - Friday, February 7, 2003

Edward's cries woke the household, causing the Duke to groan as he tossed over in bed.  Not again, not so early, not after such a long, historic, yet incredibly draining night.  The Duchess mumbled something unintelligible under her breath as well, covering her head with the silk sheet.  Edward was determined though to get some attention however, his cries getting increasingly louder.  The Duke and Duchess groaned in unison.

"Roberttttttttt."

Lancaster murmured.

"Thank you come again His Grace is unavailable at this moment."

"What was that?"

"I said..." Robert was cut off by a knee to the back, which caused the Duke to yelp.

"Alright alright."

"Mmm, I love you Robert," declared the Duchess sleepily.

The Duke tossed on his housecoat and retorted, "If you really did you'd wax my car..."

"Hmm, I doubt I'd be able to with my foot stuck up your arse."  She opened one eye and grinned at the Duke, and began to giggle.  Robert collapsed onto the bed, smirking back.

Yet another long day awaited the Lancasters, in yet another move.  From Wessex to Toronto in the CWF, to countless states and nations in the NAWA and WWA, to Memphis in the MSWA, and now to Lincoln, Nebraska.  Lancaster sighed.

"I love you, but I'm getting damn tired of all this moving about.  Maybe I should retire, but only when I am able to afford it...I'm a poor poor man Stephanie..."

"I love you too...and don't worry about it.  Once you actually become talented in the ring and win a championship without cheating or the benefit of circumstances, you'll actually earn some decent money."  Stephanie caressed the Duke's arm as she spoke.

"Well I'll try real real hard, I promise, once we move to the bastion of excitement in Lincoln.  In the meantime I'd better see to Edward and give Mr. Pierce a call, get this place sold, and see to purchasing some accommodation in Nebraska."

The Duke got up and walked out of their room to get Edward.

"And I'll be sure to call Helius so he can definitely get a chance to design our new residence," called Steph.

"You want a divorce what?"  Robert picked up his baby son and held him in his arms, trying to settle him.  All was not as easy as it seemed however.  Edward was feeling particularly restless.

As Lancaster held Edward in his arms, humming in his ear gently, he could not help but relate.

The remainder of the day was spent packing essentials into some luggage.  The rest of their property would be handled by professional movers, once their home was purchased in Lincoln.

It was about 8pm in the evening when they were finally prepared to engage on their journey to Lincoln.  The Duke was fond of driving at night, and Lincoln only being about eleven hours away, he felt a long drive could clear his mind and adjust it to a new locale along the way.

Robert checked his belongings one final time, and came across the Smokey Mountain Championship belt.  Now, it too, was consigned to history, its only fame and glory mere echoes resonating from the past, calling out names like Tanke and Stratford.  The gold plating was somewhat worn, its diamonds perhaps not as lustrous as once were.  Now, it too would find a spot on the Duke of Wessex's mantle over his fireplace in England, next to the NAWA American Championship, the first of now two championships he would wear into their retirement.

No matter now though.  Lancaster unzipped his gym bag and tossed the title inside.  Stephanie entered their bedroom, Edward sound asleep on his mother's shoulder.

"Ready my love?"

The Duke nodded his head. "Yes, pretty much."  Robert stood up and walked over to the large windows overlooking downtown Memphis.  "Memphis has been very good to me...to us.  I shall miss it."

"Me too," remarked Stephanie.  She walked over to the window, the night light flooding the bedroom, the modest yet sparkling skyline reflecting the rays of the moon.  They stood silently for about five minutes, each keeping their thoughts to themselves.  Steph turned to her husband.

"If it's okay Robert...I'd like to give Jenn a call before we go...I want to see what her plans are."

"Alright.  I'm going to slip outside for ten minutes or so...I'll be back."  The Duke kissed his wife on the forehead, and caressed his baby's cheek.

The cold Memphis night enveloped the Duke who huddled up wearing his black leather gloves and warm, three-quarter length trenchcoat.  He walked the few minute walk to the Jack Lynch Theater, which was now closed with the seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the lights of the Jack Lynch Sports Pub and Grille now dimmed forever.  Oh how the mighty...

It was at the Sports Pub where Lancaster got the inspiration to return from the former "Dashing" Douglas Daniels.  God knows what became of him since unexpectedly walking out.  The departure and betrayal left a sour taste on Lancaster's palate, but nevertheless, he wished him well.

He walked past it and indulged himself with one of Starbuck's rather pricey coffee's, the hot, black liquid satisfying the chill running through Lancaster.  He exited the coffee shop, and froze in his tracks.  He knew who he had to find.  And he did, only a few seconds later.

"George..."  The same homeless man, who, along with Daniels, convinced him that his path lay in the wrestling ring, and not as a corporate suit.

George, wearing the same filthy clothes as the day he met the Duke, mumbled.  "Wha? Who's dat..."

The Duke leaned down to face George, who was covered in a few assorted blankets and leaned against the cold brick of the Starbucks.

"It's Robert."

George was clearly out of it, the smell of bourbon and cheap whiskey heavy on George's breath.

"Robert who? I ain't knowin' any Robert's."  George slid a bit more into his blankets, wishing to ignore the distraction and return to his dreamlike state of intoxication.  Lancaster grabbed George's head and turned it to his, finding no resistance from his drunken acquaintance.

"It's Robert."  The Duke stared intently.  George's eyes scanned his face many times, before his fractured teeth were revealed in a smile.

"AHHH Hell Rob it be too long yeah yeah I 'member ya how you doin' hope you and wha, you're woman yeah you know I hope you, her be well!"

George pulled out his hand from under the blanket, his hands black with dirt, tarnished by the years of abuse the street had wrought, and shook Robert's hand firmly.  Lancaster smiled happily, pleased that George finally recalled his identity.

"I'm doing alright George...the Lord has been good to me."

George nodded enthusiastically.  "Amen to dat brotha, He's been good to me too lately cause I got me a dog now, see, dat mutt he be ovah there sleepin, but hey he's da best friend I eva had since I lost Harley in da war, he was mah best friend but dat goddam viet cong bastards dey blew his head off right in fronta my eyes, so yeah dat be my dog Harley over dere 'cause I name him afta mah best frien', know what I sayin'? So yeah God He's good to me but I hope He's as good to mah friend Rob a know!"

The dog slept in a corner near the end of the alley, its breed undetermined from such a distance.

"I'm very glad for you George...I hope you can get off these streets sooner or later."

"AHHHH nah dat not be happenin' anytime soon ya know wha' I sayin', dese streets dey belong to me, dis is mah home..." George leaned forward with a large smile on his face.  "...dis be MAH kingdom...I rule here Rob know what I sayin'?"

Lancaster nodded silently.  He understood George's pride, but to boast of a kingdom of lice, dirt, alcohol and mice...if only he'd consider getting off the street.  The Duke checked his watch.

"George I'd best be going now...and I'm afraid this is good bye for now."  George frowned somewhat.

"Wha? Wha NO aw no man where you goin' leavin' yur good frien' George jus' sittin' here without his best pal in the whole world??"

"I'm going to Nebraska."

George stared wide-eyed and laughed.

"Man Nebraska why the fuck would you wanna go to dat place??"

"My new job is centred there and I'm heading there tonight."

"Ahhh. Well Rob I gonna miss ya man you always been dere for me ALWAYS."  Not true considering they had only met twice, but Lancaster appreciated his drunken sentiment.  "Before you go though here one secon'..."

George tossed a blanket off and rummaged through some of his stuff, before producing a new bottle of Jack Daniels.  "Ya gotta have a drink wit me okay??"  Lancaster hardly wanted to drink from anything George possessed, but knew not to deny him this request.

"Alright.  Here I'll toast first."  He took the bottle and opened it.  Thankfully the cap kept the rim of the bottle clean.  Robert held the bottle high up in the air, thinking of what to say.

"To you George and your kingdom.  May you rule over it as long as you care to hold the crown."  Lancaster then took the Jack Daniels and took a big swig of it, draining perhaps a fifth of the bottle in one gulp.  George laughed at hearing the Duke's toast, and took the bottle from him.

"Well tank you Rob...and here's to you mah bestest friend, may da good Lord bless you as you go to Nebraska.  And may I win the damn lottery someday!! Hahahahaaaa!"  George then took a large swig of his own, wiping his lips and "ahhhhh'ing" satisfied.

"George take care of yourself.  And hey."  Lancaster reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp twenty dollar bill.  "I found this around the corner.  I want you to have it."

"AH HELL I won da lottery after all!! Man...you take care and be sure to visit yer ol' frien' George when you come back, or Hell, I mah just save up mah money and go to Lincoln to see ya!!  God keep ya Rob."

The bum shook Lancaster's hand.  He arose and headed back to his condominium.  Lancaster knew that George would only spend the money on some food for Harley, and booze for himself.  It didn't matter though.  In George's kingdom, those were the staples of existence.

Once back, he took down his luggage along with Stephanie's, and loaded it into his Jaguar.  A few minutes after, Lancaster revved up the engine, and they departed for Lincoln.

Downtown Memphis became further and further in the distance, until it vanished.  Like the night before - one chapter written, another one beginning with each mile driven along the road.

Lincoln was completely foreign territory.  No matter.  He would adapt as he always had.  The CSWA was fertile territory for new glories, new accomplishments.  And new happiness.  That above all is what he sought.  At the first Wildfire! he did not know what to expect.  But he would be there, ready for anything.  The anticipation was thick, generating some apprehension and nervousness.  Excitement too filled the air.  All this made for a very potent atmosphere.

The unknown, dedication, willingness, apprehension, nervousness, happiness.

Some considerations of a nobleman departing Memphis.