Lancaster's Inferno - Cocytus (Circle IX - the Traitors to Family)

Scene I: in the air, from Lincoln, NB to Orlando, FL- American Airlines Flight 149 - Tuesday, May 27, 2003

It felt good, needless to say, to get some sleep after Wildfire.  It had been a busy, if not successful night.  Jeff at least got a draw, Seamus, well, he released the "Power of the Punt" after so many years on that sissy bitch Mullroix.  It was good to be back on CSWA television, but having the job that I do, or rather - the job Seamus and I do - didn't allow us this opportunity.  

Heading off to the IWA once again, I did not expect receiving a warm welcome, considering I knocked their beloved all-star D. Leprechaun out of the running in the Crusade tournament courtesy a gold knuckles shot to the head.  I regret it now...somewhat. I did what I had to do.  And, so, shall I do against whatever team the Whiskey Devils should happen to step up against, likely, so I've been told, Big D, Impact.  

Formidable challengers.  Giants.  Anyway you shape it...Seamus and I were in for a hell of a run in.  Suited me fine.  He was experienced in battling big men, helping to destroy the One, all 8' of that evil bastard back in CWF.  He was experienced in teaming with big men, and I, in training the same one.  An easy fight though, was not be had this time around, nor anytime around when one is World Tag Team Champion.  Such luxuries do not exist.

Sleep, too, was becoming a luxury as of late for me that was becoming just as elusive.  Sleep, stimulated by bourbon or a snifter of brandy had become the preferred method of greeting the sandman, and this night was no exception, just after we took off from Lincoln.

I enjoyed flying, a great deal actually.  It's unsettling to some, of course, but the humming of the engines, the usually smooth ride, was settling, steady, consistent. Odd - considering a plane took the lives of both my parents.  They were consistent, their marriage, their routine, their lives...save for his service during the Second World War.  That's when he was at his pinnacle.  And then, all down hill.  He settled.  Hardly ever left Wessex, let alone the house, busying himself with the books in the Grand Library, trying to ensure I was behaving - which I usually wasn't.  

Was "settling" what I really wanted then, on reflection.

Damned if I know.

Damned if I'll ever know.

I wiped my eyes and yawned, stretching in unison, after what I suppose was a nap of some length.  Seamus was wide awake when I nodded off, declaring he wasn't needing sleep at the time.  I see however that his body thought otherwise after his long bout, as he slept soundly, sawing wood.

Luckily we were the only two in the first class cabin.  The demand for flights between Lincoln and Orlando wasn't too high, understandably, particularly at this ungodly hour.

I love it though.  I'm a night owl.  The darkness and I worked as one, thought as one, moved as one.

Wait...not that Darkness though.  Those assholes were the biggest festering sore on the ass of the entire CAL as far as I was concerned, coupled with Adam-X's ego.  Why they never got into bed - figuratively, if not literally - was somewhat of a mystery to me.  Whatever.  As long as we're traveling the road they were not our worry.

I had more shit to deal with than them.  Stephanie. Kathy.  That fucker who interviewed me, whoever he was.  My family, my reputation, my career.  My baby boy.

I'm tired of this.

I glanced out the window which was next to the unoccupied seat beside me, greeted by pitch black darkness.  It offered some solace at least.

I looked upon an empty, godless environment.  It was kill or be killed, now.  And I'll be damned if I would ever fall into the latter.

No, not me.

I'm a Lancaster.

If there's anything my father taught me, it was to be ruthless.  Oh, he was a God-fearing man, attending services every Sunday. His eyes though, they told a different story.  As he had killed in the Second Great War, so shall I destroy.

Seamus and I were two different men.  With his wife, and a new child on its way, he yoked his strength through his many battles, through the love of a good, pure woman, and through his Faith.  My strength...dependent on a bottle of scotch, the darkness in my heart, the desire to purge any in my way.  Not that the fans would ever see that side, oh hell no.  Nevertheless, it worked, the combination worked, handsomely.

My envy of Seamus was unknown to him, although I at times wonder if he knows.  He and his wife worked.  Me though? My marriage?  I'm likely to be dubbed a traitor to my family, at best.

Christ.

Yet...thus I continue.

Slipping. Falling.  The Devil had not forgotten his pledge.

A flight attendant stirred me fully and told me I had a call on the plane's satellite phone.  I furrowed my brow in confusion, but got up anyway and answered.

Wearily: "Lancaster."

"Robert."

Stephanie.

"Steph...what, why are you calling me here, at this hour..."

"I couldn't care where or what hour it is."

I hadn't heard from her in how long...her voice was not one of sympathy or happiness, yet...God, oh God, it was good to hear her, even in odd circumstances.  I would do all I could to avoid conflict...for now.

"Stephanie why are you calling now though..."

"Would you rather I didn't at all?"

Fuck, give me a break.

Sighing: "Listen, I was just asking.  Well...how are you."

"Can't you guess."

It was to be an abrupt, short sentenced conversation.  Conflict was inevitable.

"Yes.  I suppose I can."

"Good, I'm glad to see that fucking a waitress in Vegas hasn't affected your judgment, at least in detecting my mood."

No...

I lowered my head and closed my eyes.  How did she find out...what the fuck's going on...what am I going to do...how can I even tell her that I don't even know if it's true.

Everything swirled together suddenly.  Images of Kathy smiling at me the first night I met her just before Silver in BWWa, her sitting on my lap, feeling myself losing my head after bottle after bottle during that drinking contest, her leading me out the door, moans, seeing her half nude in the morning...

There was nothing I could do.  I wouldn't attempt to defend myself, say anything argumentative.

"Alright.  I'm not going to sit here and even discuss this...seeing as anything I say you will merely assume that I'm talking out of my ass.  If you have nothing more to say, good bye Stephanie."

I could hear her crying on the other end.  This is not what I wanted.  I did not want her to cry, to be hurt any more.  My desire to simply disconnect the call was strong, but I relented.

"Stephanie."

Choking back tears: "I have something I'm going to send you while you're in Florida.  I...I just want you to know how much shit you've put me through...not only with myself, my family, my Mum and Dad, and even the Palace.  I'm going to see about a divorce...getting sole custody of Edward...unless you fucking..."

Her tears, dried, her voice, now of anger.

"...make me change my mind somehow...but as far as I'm concerned, you're a goddamn traitor to this family."

She hung up.