Title: Frustratio [ReV 240]
Featuring: Brian Postal
Date: January-February 2011
Location: Detroit, Toledo, Milan, Turin

JANUARY 15, 2011 - DETROIT, MICHIGAN

He couldn’t stand their meddling, but he found himself wishing he had one then. Friends. He wanted someone to tell and Father Peter was unreachable. Maybe Rachel… but they hadn’t spoken in years. He couldn’t even be sure if her number was the same. Failing to think of anyone to call and share the news with he simply yelled out into the streets…

"I made it!" bellowed an ecstatic Brian Postal to whomever would listen… and on the streets of Detroit, Michigan, that wasn’t many people. In fact a few smart remarks echoed back. But that didn’t bother him. Neither did the charcoal clouds that blocked out the sun. The trashed-littered street never seemed so clean. Brian was a new man, with a new lease on life. He’d impressed at the PRIME tryouts and he was off to Turin, Italy to join the roster and await a booking.

Suddenly Brian’s cell rang in the front pocket of his Levi’s 501s. He pulled the phone out and looked at the screen. His heart - and demeanor - sank. He knew what this was. And he knew it was important. The name on the screen read ‘Jack Tocco’. Brian unlocked the screen of his iPhone 4 and held it up to his ear.

"Yes, Mr. Tocco."

"Brian, it’s good to hear your voice." The clam, powerful tone that came from the lips of the 84-year old Giacomo Tocco sent a chill down Brian’s spine.

"Thank you, sir."

"And congratulations on your success with this wrestling company. ‘PRIME’ is it?’ Well done."

"Thank you, sir." Brian said as he looked around. How could Jack Tocco already have this information? This is why Brian cannot get out. Nothing he does goes unnoticed.

"When do you join the rest of the roster? What’s your start date, and country?" Now Brian knew it was someone on the street, not in the building who’d been watching him. But there was a lot of people and Tocco’s men didn’t earn his trust by getting spotted.

"I leave from Pearson on February 10th, for Turin, Italy. Mr. Tocco."

"That is good news indeed, Brian. I have two jobs for you. One in Toledo, and one in Milano." Brian cringed as he heard the information. He had another chance, he wanted out. Maybe the old man would be reasonable, maybe, after all the years of service Brian could simply earn his way out.

"Mr. Tocco, sir?"

"Yes?"

"I was hoping to retire, sir. See I have a new job now and a second chance. I’d-- I’d like o--out. Please. Sir." Brian closed his eyes as he spoke and waited for the worst. Maybe he’d be shot dead there in the street. Maybe Jack Tocco would allow him to believe he’d let him go only to let him feel safer than he was. It was hard to tell what could happen. But Brian regretted the words before he even finished saying them. He thought he’d just signed his death warrant.

"Brian you have been loyal to me and to my people for a long time now. 6 years?"

"7 years, sir. 8 in August."

"Excellent, excellent. And just about 3 years ago we offered to make you a Capo. The only non-family member to be offered not only a crew, and a place at the table, but the hand of my granddaughter."

"I remember, sir."

"You went home to Toronto, talked to that priest, and came to see me, do you remember that also?"

"I do, sir."

"But you told me then that the best way for you keep doing the job we employ you to do was to stay away from the family and to stay independent. Now, you go back and you talk to that priest again and this time you want to get out."

Brian dared not say anything. He could hear the tonal shift in the old man’s voice. He knew Jack was angry. He dared not send him into a rage.

"I don't care for this priest friend of yours, Brian. I need work done. And you ARE going to do it, right?"

"Yes sir. What are the specifics?"

"Johnny will contact you with that information."

"Yes, sir."

"And Brian, I don’t need to remind you that disloyalty is severely frowned upon, do I?"

"Of course not, sir. Thank you, sir."

"Preggo. Ciao." The click rung out like thunder in Brian’s ear. Her turned to head back to his small, Detroit apartment when a tap came on his shoulder.

"‘Ey Bri."

Brian turned around to look at who was trying to get his attention.

"Hey Johnny. You got here fast."

Johnny was a gopher, doing what needed to be done to work his way up in the organization. It was unlikely he’d ever be anything more than he was right then. He was a very average man. He stood around 5’9" had a pot belly and huge beak of a nose. He also had grey-brown balding hair and severe eye bags. But as long as he believed he had a chance to move up, that’s all that really mattered.

"I been watchin’ you, Bri. I’se the one who told Mista Tocco dat choo got the job wid PRIME. Good on ya, by the way."

"Thanks Johnny." Said a sad, disheartened Brian.

"I got the particalars ‘bout them jobs for ya, right here. Walk wit me an’ I’ll tell ya ‘bout ‘em."

The two men walked down the cold street together and discussed the work that lay ahead for a reluctant Brian Postal.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2011 - TOLEDO, OHIO

Halfway there.

Brian stood up, lit only by the moon on a Toledo rooftop, disgusted with himself. He knew as long as he gave-in to the requests of the Partnership he’d never be free, he’d never get his soul back. But he didn’t have time to think about it. He had to get out of there. And quickly.

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FEBRUARY 16, 2011 - MILAN, ITALY

It’s done.

Brian caught himself smiling. And why not, really? He was good at it. Maybe the best. He packed up his equipment and left the room. He made his way to the stairs. He exited the rear of the building and breathed deep inhaling the sweet Italian evening air.

When he really thought about what had just happened that sweetness instantly soured. With his PRIME premiere only a few days away he would wait and see if there was a chance he could do something else as well as he did his contract work for the Partnership.

Brian disappeared into the crowded street.

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FEBRUARY 23, 2011 - TURIN, ITALY

Brian was invigorated. He was also hurt badly and probably had a concussion, but he just took on the biggest, baddest son of a gun that PRIME had to offer and felt like he had a real chance of putting him away. And the crowd. Brian was a good guy. People liked him! What a tremendous opportunity. To just walk into an open challenge like that. Against the Universal Champion.

"Postal?" A voice called from the hallway.

Brian turned around, "Yeah?"

"You’re scheduled next week. Opening match. Not sure of the opponent yet, and you’ll need to clear medical first."

"Tha---" Brian couldn’t even get the word out before whomever gave him the booking was gone down the hall.

Brian knew he had a long way to go to prove himself. But this could be the beginning of the beginning. A new life, a new chance. Brian’s phone rang. With a huge smile he rescued the phone from his locker and looked at the screen. ‘Jack Tocco’. Brian deflated as he unlocked the phone and put it up to his ear.

"Yes, Mr. Tocco." Brian knew what was coming.

"Good job, Brian." Brian knew he wasn’t talking about the match.

"Thank you, sir." Brian knew he couldn’t get out.
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