Post by Graham Clauson (Rob Budai) on Oct 3, 2022 21:35:42 GMT -5
The feed begins in total black as a male voice begins to speak. Two seconds in, Graham Clauson steps out of a doorway with a duffle bag on his shoulder. The footage runs at half the actual time elapsing, the speaking beginning is a voiceover of Graham himself. He begins putting a pair of eyeglasses on as the door closes behind him.
"If we're going to be completely honest, I didn’t have to be a wrestler... You can be more than one thing in your life."
As Graham turns to walk down, the camera stays in front of him, catching the plate on the door that says "LOCKERS". Still-frames of Graham performing as front man with his band Fak3It! to the left of him appears as he walks.
"A musician..."
As Graham continues walking, the camera slowly pans out as another still-frame comes up to the right of him; a teenage Graham is painting on canvas.
"An artist..."
Graham's stride continues, the camera swinging to his right to show a side profile, leaving space on the left for still-frames of Graham with his husband Ken Felder backstage at respective MMA and wrestling events, and one from their wedding day.
"Trying wholeheartedly to be the perfect husband... just some examples..."
As the still-frame fades out, it is clear Graham is in a training facility. Graham walks by with his father, Matt Clauson, in the nearby ring, stretching out a student. Matt nods towards Graham.
"Son."
Graham simply shakes his head and keeps walking.
"It’s no secret there are plenty of evils within the business. When it’s the family business, literally, you tend to have a knack for it. You have a better grasp of how to deal with the Quixotic."
Graham walks by another ring, where his uncle, Rob Budai, is calmly explaining techniques to another student. Rob’s boyfriend, Larry Gowan, has stepped into the ring and placed a hand on Rob’s back.
"But you also have the right people who see you for who you truly are. They help you be yourself. Those people don’t expect you to do things their way."
Graham walks by some floor mats, where ex-tag partner Jeremy Cundiff is vaping a cannabis cartridge while holding a student in a front guillotine. While holding the pen out to show off, Graham snatches it.
"They show you that failure is… inevitable; it’s how you persevere against it that makes all the difference."
The voiceover and speed changes come to an end when Jeremy breaks the headlock in protest of Graham.
"HEY, SPOT MONKEY! GIVE IT BACK!"
Graham turns around, scolding Jeremy.
"NOT WHILE WORKING, GAMPO!"
Graham smiles deviously, the previous speed changes reverting as he turns to continue walking. Graham takes a hit off the vape himself, a banner for "Dayton Wrestling Academy" caught for only a glimpse. His voiceover continues.
"Yet, all of them show you that this business is tough on the body, but your soul is exponentially stronger."
As Graham continues to walk, the color in the feed bleeds to grayscale. He looks down slightly, the speed of the footage slowing even further.
"Even when the very business you find yourself magnetically drawn towards made you feel empty…"
The footage almost completely comes to a halt, but Graham shivers as if he’s shaking something out of his mind. The footage returns to full speed, the colors returning fully.
"...but it couldn't kill what didn't want to actually die."
As this happens, Graham makes his way to the exit doorway of the training facility, the camera following.
"So, why am I a wrestler?"
Awaiting outside for Graham is Ken, who is smoking a cigarette. As Graham steps out, Ken joins Graham and hands him the partially smoked cigarette as he expels a cloud of smoke. Graham takes the cigarette and takes a drag himself as they both walk towards the parking lot.
"Hell, after all I’ve been through, I still don’t fully know. I’m a wonderful little Rubik’s Cube that begs for you to solve it, and even I don’t know the solution."
Graham and Ken make it to their vehicle, with Graham opening the trunk. The final statement is spoken aloud instead of being a voiceover after Graham closes it, turning around to face the camera.
"What I do know, though? I absolutely love this business, and there’s no walkthrough for beating a Super Boss like me that roams within it. Momma didn’t raise no bitch. Good luck..."
Fade to black.
"If we're going to be completely honest, I didn’t have to be a wrestler... You can be more than one thing in your life."
As Graham turns to walk down, the camera stays in front of him, catching the plate on the door that says "LOCKERS". Still-frames of Graham performing as front man with his band Fak3It! to the left of him appears as he walks.
"A musician..."
As Graham continues walking, the camera slowly pans out as another still-frame comes up to the right of him; a teenage Graham is painting on canvas.
"An artist..."
Graham's stride continues, the camera swinging to his right to show a side profile, leaving space on the left for still-frames of Graham with his husband Ken Felder backstage at respective MMA and wrestling events, and one from their wedding day.
"Trying wholeheartedly to be the perfect husband... just some examples..."
As the still-frame fades out, it is clear Graham is in a training facility. Graham walks by with his father, Matt Clauson, in the nearby ring, stretching out a student. Matt nods towards Graham.
"Son."
Graham simply shakes his head and keeps walking.
"It’s no secret there are plenty of evils within the business. When it’s the family business, literally, you tend to have a knack for it. You have a better grasp of how to deal with the Quixotic."
Graham walks by another ring, where his uncle, Rob Budai, is calmly explaining techniques to another student. Rob’s boyfriend, Larry Gowan, has stepped into the ring and placed a hand on Rob’s back.
"But you also have the right people who see you for who you truly are. They help you be yourself. Those people don’t expect you to do things their way."
Graham walks by some floor mats, where ex-tag partner Jeremy Cundiff is vaping a cannabis cartridge while holding a student in a front guillotine. While holding the pen out to show off, Graham snatches it.
"They show you that failure is… inevitable; it’s how you persevere against it that makes all the difference."
The voiceover and speed changes come to an end when Jeremy breaks the headlock in protest of Graham.
"HEY, SPOT MONKEY! GIVE IT BACK!"
Graham turns around, scolding Jeremy.
"NOT WHILE WORKING, GAMPO!"
Graham smiles deviously, the previous speed changes reverting as he turns to continue walking. Graham takes a hit off the vape himself, a banner for "Dayton Wrestling Academy" caught for only a glimpse. His voiceover continues.
"Yet, all of them show you that this business is tough on the body, but your soul is exponentially stronger."
As Graham continues to walk, the color in the feed bleeds to grayscale. He looks down slightly, the speed of the footage slowing even further.
"Even when the very business you find yourself magnetically drawn towards made you feel empty…"
The footage almost completely comes to a halt, but Graham shivers as if he’s shaking something out of his mind. The footage returns to full speed, the colors returning fully.
"...but it couldn't kill what didn't want to actually die."
As this happens, Graham makes his way to the exit doorway of the training facility, the camera following.
"So, why am I a wrestler?"
Awaiting outside for Graham is Ken, who is smoking a cigarette. As Graham steps out, Ken joins Graham and hands him the partially smoked cigarette as he expels a cloud of smoke. Graham takes the cigarette and takes a drag himself as they both walk towards the parking lot.
"Hell, after all I’ve been through, I still don’t fully know. I’m a wonderful little Rubik’s Cube that begs for you to solve it, and even I don’t know the solution."
Graham and Ken make it to their vehicle, with Graham opening the trunk. The final statement is spoken aloud instead of being a voiceover after Graham closes it, turning around to face the camera.
"What I do know, though? I absolutely love this business, and there’s no walkthrough for beating a Super Boss like me that roams within it. Momma didn’t raise no bitch. Good luck..."
Fade to black.
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