Post by Roger Wright on Aug 11, 2019 19:12:24 GMT -6
“What are you going to do Mr. Wright?” Microphones were being thrown in his face as Roger tried to figure everything out. Hazard had just escaped in his SUV, his destination Roger’s home, and the world was spinning out of control. He threw his hands up, pushed past the throngs of people now gathered around him and rushed to his locker room.
Grabbing his clothes, Roger changed quickly, Shane coming in moments later. “I have the plane ready, flight plan already approved.”
“Good, get the car, I’ll meet you out back.” Roger barked as he slung the bag over his shoulder, and charged out after him. Down the hall he caught a glimpse of the crowd coming towards him, on his heel he turned and rushed down the opposite way. Roger rounded some corners and exploded out of the back of the arena, just as Shane pulled up in the rental car.
Wasting no time Roger tossed his bag in the back seat, climbed into the passenger’s seat and the car tore off for the airport. The two men rode in silence the whole way there. The car screeched to a stop and both men exited the car to get on the plane, another ride that consisted of no talking, just the thick stench of anger and silence.
The charter plane touched down on the private airstrip just outside of Weberville. Roger and Shane both rushing off the plane as soon as the steps were down. The black truck on the tarmac was already waiting for both of them, and they jumped into the bed of the truck as it tore off towards Roger’s home. “Well I hope that security you set up proves its worth.” Roger yelled over the wind.
“It will, besides updates are saying he didn’t even head this way, he stopped somewhere else. I think it was all a rouse to get your attention.” Shane yelled back over the wind.
“Well it fucking worked, he wanted it, and he has it.” Roger yelled back just as the truck came to a stop in Roger’s driveway. Both men jumped out of the back and rushed into the house, Shane checked with the security personnel as Roger charged up the stairs to Marie’s room, swinging the door open to find his daughter fast asleep in her bed. His heart raced, and slowed at the sight, his heavy breathing slowed as he moved quietly and slowly through the room to her bedside.
Kneeling down beside the bed, Roger ran his hand through Marie’s hair; she stirred a little but remained asleep. “Sweet angel.” He whispered. “There are bad men in this world, men who would hurt you because of who you are, who you were born to, and I am sorry for that. But I make this promise to you little angel, never, and I mean never will anyone be able to do that without going through me first.” Roger stood up and sat down in the chair next to her bed.
“I will go to hell, and come back if I have to, just to protect my little girl.” From outside the door, Shane is standing, watching, listening, and recording on his phone. “Hazard wants the world to think he is more than a man, that he is something to be feared, something otherworldly, well my friend, you have my attention now. And I know that you are not a man, because no real man would ever come after a five year old girl, much less send some pathetic waste of space like Spaz to do it.”
Roger’s eyes fluttered with anger as he suppressed the emotions rising within him. “There are few lines in this world Hazard, few lines that when crossed there is no going back. You crossed that line tonight. I hope you thought it through, hope you understood what you were doing, because you are General Custer right now, and screaming charge as you ride overwhelmingly out gunned into battle. I know you think this match is your match, you think it gives you a leg up, but the problem is you gave me a reason, a reason to want to destroy you.”
Roger shifted in the chair. “Make no mistake, I don’t aim to go into Ascension to just win, no I am going to walk into Ascension and show the world just how much less than a man you are. I am going to beat you in your own match; I am going to make an example out of you. When I am done with you there will be no salvaging your reputation, not pushing your weight around, there will nothing but an empty hole on the roster where a physical Giant and Mental dwarf once stood.”
Leaning forward, Roger propped both elbows on his knees. “You will tell the world you wanted this, that you think I don’t work well when I am mad, but James found out how that works and Austen didn’t even want to get in the ring with me. No, your blindness to reality will be your undoing, your hubris your demise, your ego your end. There is no backing out Hazard, no saving face anymore. You had your chances, I gave you the out you should have taken, but you didn’t want to see it, didn’t want to realize it, and now you made a mistake.”
Roger liked his lips, and smiled a bit. “This match may be three tiers of torment, but when it is over, they will call it three ways Hazard failed. I am prepared to put my body on the line, to lay it all out there, what you have to ask yourself Hazard is, are you prepared to lose to Roger Wright?” The smile grew wider on his face. “Sleep tight big guy, because you are about to find out, some dreams are nothing more than nightmare’s in disquise.”
“Daddy?” Marie wiped the sleep from her eyes and stared up at Roger. “You are home early.” Shane lowered the phone and put it in his pocket as Marie stirred.
“Daddy missed you little peanut.” Roger knelt down next to the bed and kissed her forehead.
“Did Anicka like the kitten?” She asked, still floating in and out of sleep.
“She did my sweet peanut, she did.” Roger kissed her forehead again, pulled her hair back from her face and pulled the covers up on her. “Get some sleep.” He said before walking for the door.
“Tell Anicka I am sorry for calling her a biter.” Marie said as Roger reached the door.
“I will sweetie, I will.” With that Roger pulled the door shut behind him and stared at Shane, anger filling Roger’s eyes.
“He’s not coming Roger, intel says he stopped off somewhere to stay the night, some motel, or hotel or something or other.” Shane and Roger moved down the hall and down the stairs to the first floor.
“Everything is all clear Mr. Wright.” One of the security personnel stated flatly.
“Good, keep patrols up.” Roger said with a hint of disdain in his words. The whole idea that he had to have security patrol his house aggravated him to no end. He understood the situation, but that didn’t make it feel any better, if anything the fact that it was a reality pissed him off even more.
“Get some sleep Roger.” Shane finally chimed in, pulling Roger from his own thoughts.
“I need a beer.” Roger moved for the fridge, pulled out three, popped the top on one, handed it to Shane, then popped the top on another and took a big swig. “I hate that it has to be this way. Did we get the paperwork all finished and ready?” Roger asked.
Shane stared at him. “We did, are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean, it…it kind of changes things a lot.” Shane said his words filled with apprehension.
“Has to be done, and get me god damn eyes on Hazard. How did we manage to fucking lose visual on him?” Roger asked, before taking a giant swig and finishing the first beer.
“I don’t know, I’ll get the answers, you just need to relax and get some sleep, a lot you need to prepare for this week.” Shane watched Roger set the first beer on the counter and pop the top of the second one.
“I’ll worry about my match; you just keep the information coming in, and my little girl safe.” Roger said as he took a swig of the beer and disappeared into his bedroom.
AUGUST 11TH EARLY MORNING
Roger woke to the smell of coffee and eggs. He rolled out of bed, got dressed in his usual attire, and went to the kitchen. There he found Shane at the bar eating breakfast. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Roger took a seat and poured himself a cup. “Long night?” Shane asked.
“Always is when you have so much going on. Where is Marie?” Roger asked as he looked around the kitchen and dining area.
“Already down at the stables, told me to tell you thanks for the kisses last night.” Shane smiled as he shoveled a fork full of eggs into his mouth. “Don’t worry, two armed guards following her until this Hazard thing is over with.”
“Good, and what about Hazard, have eyes yet?” Roger asked before taking a sip of the coffee.
“Yep, app on the tablet with a direct feed, constant updates.” Shane grabbed the tablet and handed it to Roger.
“He know?” Roger asked.
“Oh I am sure he does.” Shane replied. “He may not be a mental giant, but neither are the people following him, we aren’t the god damn NSA.” Both men let out laughs, stopped, then started laughing again.
“What else you got this morning?” Roger asked as he finished the cup of coffee.
“A kitten huh?” Shane asked.
“What of it?” Came Roger’s reply.
“Seems a little, forward don’t you think? I mean how is Blair going to react?” Shane questioned.
“Not really concerned at the moment with Blair’s feelings. You did tell me to get over her, to move on did you not?” Roger shot a harsh stare at Shane.
“Fair enough.” Was the only response Shane could give.
Taking the tablet, Roger scrolled through the intel updates and stopped. “We still scheduled for later tonight?” He asked.
“All set. Need me to pick you up?” Shane tossed back as he set his plate in the sink.
“Got that covered.” Roger replied as he continued to scroll the intel. “I’ll see you in a few days, you know what to do.” Roger stood up, slipped the tablet into his bag along with a charger cable and set off for the stables.
Roger approached the fencing and leaned both hands over the top to watch as Marie trotted around on her horse. “Looking good there Peanut.” Roger shouted. Marie seeing her father guided the horse over to the rail.
“Hey daddy, I am doing better, Diana thinks I can go out on my own very soon.” Roger smiled at his daughter’s happiness.
“That is wonderful peanut. After this week is over, I will go with you, we can ride around together, what do you say?” Roger patted her on the knee.
“I would like that daddy. You have to leave don’t you, and the guys with the guns have to stay?” Marie asked.
“I am sorry peanut, but I will be home soon. And don’t worry, I will tell Anicka that you are sorry you thought she was a biter.” Marie smiled and leaned down, Roger kissing her on the forehead. “I love you peanut, see you soon, Uncle Shane will be here ok.”
“Love you too daddy.” Marie said as she watched Roger turn and head back up to the house. She pushed the horse forward and went about her riding lessons as normal, the two men charged with keeping an eye on her watching from a safe but tactical distance.
AUGUST 11TH LATE EVENING
We see Roger strolling along a dirt road, dust kicking up from his boots as he takes each step. His gray two button shirt dusted over, and his blue jeans a soft hue of brown as well. “Do you see this?” Roger points to a snake that is slithering across the dirt road, he reached down and snatched it up with his right hand, holding it up, the snake squirming everywhere. “Texas rattlesnake. One of the deadliest snakes around this area, a real HAZARD to people and livestock and yet, here it just squirms.” Roger removes a knife from his belt and sticks it through the jaw and out through the snakes head.
“Not as scary as you might think right. I mean, just like that, there is no more HAZARD.” Roger tosses the snake to the side and keeps walking. “People fear the rattlesnake, but the truth is the only real HAZARD they pose is an overreaction to them. 7,000 people are bitten by Rattlesnakes every year, less than .2% of them are fatal. I’ll do the math for you, that is 14 people. Just how can an animal that is soooo feared and only kills 14 out of the 372,200,000 people in America be considered a HAZARD?” Roger gives a subtle nod and continues walking.
“Do you know what is more of a HAZARD than the rattlesnake? The automobile, 40,000 American’s were killed in automobile crashes last year. Yes 40,000 Americans, and yet we don’t label the car a HAZARD, why is that?” Roger pauses for a moment, in the distance we see a paved road no more than a five minute walk away. With a smile Roger starts walking again. “It is because we as people are inherently flawed, we mislabel the things around us, and we fear what we don’t understand. See we don’t understand the rattlesnake, we fear it because it is different, because we can’t control it. However, the automobile, we can control that, and because of this simple fact, we don’t fear it, we don’t consider it a HAZARD!”
Roger walked in silence, reaching the paved road. He turns and begins strolling along the roadway on the right shoulder. Before him is a car with the hood up, Roger approaches with caution, an elderly woman stepping out of the driver’s side. “Oh thank god.” She said with a smile and welcoming face. “I didn’t think anyone would ever come down this road. Do you have a phone?” She finally asked as Roger approached.
“Are your HAZARD lights on?” Roger casually asked, coming to a stop.
“Yes dear they are on.” She replied.
“Well then your HAZARD lights are quite WEAK because I cannot see them from here, and I am 2 feet away from your car.” Roger stepped forward, to the front of the car and ducked his head under the hood, the elderly woman watching intently from behind the driver’s side door that remained open. “I see the problem right here, you are out of coolant. Do you have any water in the car?” Roger asked as he stepped around from the front of the car.
“Oh I do, never leave home without a bottle of water my husband always says.” The woman moved to the back of the car and opened the trunk.
“Sounds like a smart man.” Roger replied as he watched the woman emerge from the trunk with a gallon jug of water and bring it to him. He gave the woman a nod and returned to the front of the vehicle. Moments later he set the water down on the pavement. “Try and start it up.” He called to the woman who was climbing back into the car. The engine turned and fired up.
Roger slammed the hood down, rounded the car and stopped at the woman’s window. “Thank you dear, thank you so much.”
“My pleasure. Now turn them weak ass HAZARD lights off, no need to worry about them anymore. You take this car straight into town and go to the first car mechanic you can find, tell them Roger Wright sent you and will take care of everything.” Roger winked at the woman who just nodded in response and slowly pulled back out onto the roadway.
Roger stepped back as the car disappeared, he resumed his walk towards town, the same direction the car went. “To think, her HAZARD lights were so weak they were going to get her killed had the sun gone down. HAZARD lights are supposed to be strong, but then, we are finding out the things we call HAZARD, are a lot weaker than we really thought.” Roger winked and kept walking, putting his thumb out as a truck with a round liquid tank on the back pulled up and stopped.
“Hey there partner, you need a ride?” The driver leaned over and said out of the passenger side window.
“What are you hauling?” Roger asked.
“Bio-HAZARD.” The man replied.
“What kind of HAZARD is that?” Roger asked.
“Human shit.” Came the response.
“Sounds about right.” Roger winked and started walking again, the truck shifting into gear and pushing down the road towards town. “Think about that for one minute, just really think about that, we label SHIT as a HAZARD.” Roger just shook his head, adjusted his hat and kept walking, the town coming into view before him.
“Did you know that OSHA classifies extension cords on the floor as a HAZARD?” Roger keeps walking as he lets the idea sink in. “That’s right, that cord that runs along the ground and extends the outlet to a new location so you can plug an electronic device into the outlet from further away is considered a HAZARD.” Roger stops walking and takes in a deep breath.
For a long moment he stands there then resumes walking. “It isn’t because the cord itself is inherently dangerous, no it’s because we as people are not smart enough to apparently walk across the cord without dragging our feet and tripping. Moreover we as a people are too dumb to see the cord and just step over it. I guess we could call that another example of a weak HAZARD.” Roger keeps walking towards town, the buildings drawing ever closer.
Minutes pass as Roger walks, finally reaching the edge of town, stops and pulls out his phone. “I am here.” He says into the phone and then slips it back into his pocket. “I guess the reality is, we as a people love mislabeling things, we take some kind of joy in thinking things are more dangerous than they need to be, or seeing danger where there should be none. HAZARD or not, it really doesn’t matter to me, because at the end of the day a knife to the chin of a snake ended the HAZARD, or watching my feet prevented tripping over a false HAZARD, some brighter lights can remedy a weak HAZARD, and human shit is the real HAZARD!”
A Fushia colored Duccati Panigale V4 S pulled up next to Roger, the driver Anicka Swan wearing a big smile on her face, as Roger climbed onto the back, removing his cowboy hat and placing it on her head. Roger wrapped his arms around her waist, and the smile on her face grew wider. With a rev of the engine and spin of the rear tire the motorcycle took off into the distance, vanishing around a curve.
Grabbing his clothes, Roger changed quickly, Shane coming in moments later. “I have the plane ready, flight plan already approved.”
“Good, get the car, I’ll meet you out back.” Roger barked as he slung the bag over his shoulder, and charged out after him. Down the hall he caught a glimpse of the crowd coming towards him, on his heel he turned and rushed down the opposite way. Roger rounded some corners and exploded out of the back of the arena, just as Shane pulled up in the rental car.
Wasting no time Roger tossed his bag in the back seat, climbed into the passenger’s seat and the car tore off for the airport. The two men rode in silence the whole way there. The car screeched to a stop and both men exited the car to get on the plane, another ride that consisted of no talking, just the thick stench of anger and silence.
The charter plane touched down on the private airstrip just outside of Weberville. Roger and Shane both rushing off the plane as soon as the steps were down. The black truck on the tarmac was already waiting for both of them, and they jumped into the bed of the truck as it tore off towards Roger’s home. “Well I hope that security you set up proves its worth.” Roger yelled over the wind.
“It will, besides updates are saying he didn’t even head this way, he stopped somewhere else. I think it was all a rouse to get your attention.” Shane yelled back over the wind.
“Well it fucking worked, he wanted it, and he has it.” Roger yelled back just as the truck came to a stop in Roger’s driveway. Both men jumped out of the back and rushed into the house, Shane checked with the security personnel as Roger charged up the stairs to Marie’s room, swinging the door open to find his daughter fast asleep in her bed. His heart raced, and slowed at the sight, his heavy breathing slowed as he moved quietly and slowly through the room to her bedside.
Kneeling down beside the bed, Roger ran his hand through Marie’s hair; she stirred a little but remained asleep. “Sweet angel.” He whispered. “There are bad men in this world, men who would hurt you because of who you are, who you were born to, and I am sorry for that. But I make this promise to you little angel, never, and I mean never will anyone be able to do that without going through me first.” Roger stood up and sat down in the chair next to her bed.
“I will go to hell, and come back if I have to, just to protect my little girl.” From outside the door, Shane is standing, watching, listening, and recording on his phone. “Hazard wants the world to think he is more than a man, that he is something to be feared, something otherworldly, well my friend, you have my attention now. And I know that you are not a man, because no real man would ever come after a five year old girl, much less send some pathetic waste of space like Spaz to do it.”
Roger’s eyes fluttered with anger as he suppressed the emotions rising within him. “There are few lines in this world Hazard, few lines that when crossed there is no going back. You crossed that line tonight. I hope you thought it through, hope you understood what you were doing, because you are General Custer right now, and screaming charge as you ride overwhelmingly out gunned into battle. I know you think this match is your match, you think it gives you a leg up, but the problem is you gave me a reason, a reason to want to destroy you.”
Roger shifted in the chair. “Make no mistake, I don’t aim to go into Ascension to just win, no I am going to walk into Ascension and show the world just how much less than a man you are. I am going to beat you in your own match; I am going to make an example out of you. When I am done with you there will be no salvaging your reputation, not pushing your weight around, there will nothing but an empty hole on the roster where a physical Giant and Mental dwarf once stood.”
Leaning forward, Roger propped both elbows on his knees. “You will tell the world you wanted this, that you think I don’t work well when I am mad, but James found out how that works and Austen didn’t even want to get in the ring with me. No, your blindness to reality will be your undoing, your hubris your demise, your ego your end. There is no backing out Hazard, no saving face anymore. You had your chances, I gave you the out you should have taken, but you didn’t want to see it, didn’t want to realize it, and now you made a mistake.”
Roger liked his lips, and smiled a bit. “This match may be three tiers of torment, but when it is over, they will call it three ways Hazard failed. I am prepared to put my body on the line, to lay it all out there, what you have to ask yourself Hazard is, are you prepared to lose to Roger Wright?” The smile grew wider on his face. “Sleep tight big guy, because you are about to find out, some dreams are nothing more than nightmare’s in disquise.”
“Daddy?” Marie wiped the sleep from her eyes and stared up at Roger. “You are home early.” Shane lowered the phone and put it in his pocket as Marie stirred.
“Daddy missed you little peanut.” Roger knelt down next to the bed and kissed her forehead.
“Did Anicka like the kitten?” She asked, still floating in and out of sleep.
“She did my sweet peanut, she did.” Roger kissed her forehead again, pulled her hair back from her face and pulled the covers up on her. “Get some sleep.” He said before walking for the door.
“Tell Anicka I am sorry for calling her a biter.” Marie said as Roger reached the door.
“I will sweetie, I will.” With that Roger pulled the door shut behind him and stared at Shane, anger filling Roger’s eyes.
“He’s not coming Roger, intel says he stopped off somewhere to stay the night, some motel, or hotel or something or other.” Shane and Roger moved down the hall and down the stairs to the first floor.
“Everything is all clear Mr. Wright.” One of the security personnel stated flatly.
“Good, keep patrols up.” Roger said with a hint of disdain in his words. The whole idea that he had to have security patrol his house aggravated him to no end. He understood the situation, but that didn’t make it feel any better, if anything the fact that it was a reality pissed him off even more.
“Get some sleep Roger.” Shane finally chimed in, pulling Roger from his own thoughts.
“I need a beer.” Roger moved for the fridge, pulled out three, popped the top on one, handed it to Shane, then popped the top on another and took a big swig. “I hate that it has to be this way. Did we get the paperwork all finished and ready?” Roger asked.
Shane stared at him. “We did, are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean, it…it kind of changes things a lot.” Shane said his words filled with apprehension.
“Has to be done, and get me god damn eyes on Hazard. How did we manage to fucking lose visual on him?” Roger asked, before taking a giant swig and finishing the first beer.
“I don’t know, I’ll get the answers, you just need to relax and get some sleep, a lot you need to prepare for this week.” Shane watched Roger set the first beer on the counter and pop the top of the second one.
“I’ll worry about my match; you just keep the information coming in, and my little girl safe.” Roger said as he took a swig of the beer and disappeared into his bedroom.
AUGUST 11TH EARLY MORNING
Roger woke to the smell of coffee and eggs. He rolled out of bed, got dressed in his usual attire, and went to the kitchen. There he found Shane at the bar eating breakfast. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Roger took a seat and poured himself a cup. “Long night?” Shane asked.
“Always is when you have so much going on. Where is Marie?” Roger asked as he looked around the kitchen and dining area.
“Already down at the stables, told me to tell you thanks for the kisses last night.” Shane smiled as he shoveled a fork full of eggs into his mouth. “Don’t worry, two armed guards following her until this Hazard thing is over with.”
“Good, and what about Hazard, have eyes yet?” Roger asked before taking a sip of the coffee.
“Yep, app on the tablet with a direct feed, constant updates.” Shane grabbed the tablet and handed it to Roger.
“He know?” Roger asked.
“Oh I am sure he does.” Shane replied. “He may not be a mental giant, but neither are the people following him, we aren’t the god damn NSA.” Both men let out laughs, stopped, then started laughing again.
“What else you got this morning?” Roger asked as he finished the cup of coffee.
“A kitten huh?” Shane asked.
“What of it?” Came Roger’s reply.
“Seems a little, forward don’t you think? I mean how is Blair going to react?” Shane questioned.
“Not really concerned at the moment with Blair’s feelings. You did tell me to get over her, to move on did you not?” Roger shot a harsh stare at Shane.
“Fair enough.” Was the only response Shane could give.
Taking the tablet, Roger scrolled through the intel updates and stopped. “We still scheduled for later tonight?” He asked.
“All set. Need me to pick you up?” Shane tossed back as he set his plate in the sink.
“Got that covered.” Roger replied as he continued to scroll the intel. “I’ll see you in a few days, you know what to do.” Roger stood up, slipped the tablet into his bag along with a charger cable and set off for the stables.
Roger approached the fencing and leaned both hands over the top to watch as Marie trotted around on her horse. “Looking good there Peanut.” Roger shouted. Marie seeing her father guided the horse over to the rail.
“Hey daddy, I am doing better, Diana thinks I can go out on my own very soon.” Roger smiled at his daughter’s happiness.
“That is wonderful peanut. After this week is over, I will go with you, we can ride around together, what do you say?” Roger patted her on the knee.
“I would like that daddy. You have to leave don’t you, and the guys with the guns have to stay?” Marie asked.
“I am sorry peanut, but I will be home soon. And don’t worry, I will tell Anicka that you are sorry you thought she was a biter.” Marie smiled and leaned down, Roger kissing her on the forehead. “I love you peanut, see you soon, Uncle Shane will be here ok.”
“Love you too daddy.” Marie said as she watched Roger turn and head back up to the house. She pushed the horse forward and went about her riding lessons as normal, the two men charged with keeping an eye on her watching from a safe but tactical distance.
AUGUST 11TH LATE EVENING
We see Roger strolling along a dirt road, dust kicking up from his boots as he takes each step. His gray two button shirt dusted over, and his blue jeans a soft hue of brown as well. “Do you see this?” Roger points to a snake that is slithering across the dirt road, he reached down and snatched it up with his right hand, holding it up, the snake squirming everywhere. “Texas rattlesnake. One of the deadliest snakes around this area, a real HAZARD to people and livestock and yet, here it just squirms.” Roger removes a knife from his belt and sticks it through the jaw and out through the snakes head.
“Not as scary as you might think right. I mean, just like that, there is no more HAZARD.” Roger tosses the snake to the side and keeps walking. “People fear the rattlesnake, but the truth is the only real HAZARD they pose is an overreaction to them. 7,000 people are bitten by Rattlesnakes every year, less than .2% of them are fatal. I’ll do the math for you, that is 14 people. Just how can an animal that is soooo feared and only kills 14 out of the 372,200,000 people in America be considered a HAZARD?” Roger gives a subtle nod and continues walking.
“Do you know what is more of a HAZARD than the rattlesnake? The automobile, 40,000 American’s were killed in automobile crashes last year. Yes 40,000 Americans, and yet we don’t label the car a HAZARD, why is that?” Roger pauses for a moment, in the distance we see a paved road no more than a five minute walk away. With a smile Roger starts walking again. “It is because we as people are inherently flawed, we mislabel the things around us, and we fear what we don’t understand. See we don’t understand the rattlesnake, we fear it because it is different, because we can’t control it. However, the automobile, we can control that, and because of this simple fact, we don’t fear it, we don’t consider it a HAZARD!”
Roger walked in silence, reaching the paved road. He turns and begins strolling along the roadway on the right shoulder. Before him is a car with the hood up, Roger approaches with caution, an elderly woman stepping out of the driver’s side. “Oh thank god.” She said with a smile and welcoming face. “I didn’t think anyone would ever come down this road. Do you have a phone?” She finally asked as Roger approached.
“Are your HAZARD lights on?” Roger casually asked, coming to a stop.
“Yes dear they are on.” She replied.
“Well then your HAZARD lights are quite WEAK because I cannot see them from here, and I am 2 feet away from your car.” Roger stepped forward, to the front of the car and ducked his head under the hood, the elderly woman watching intently from behind the driver’s side door that remained open. “I see the problem right here, you are out of coolant. Do you have any water in the car?” Roger asked as he stepped around from the front of the car.
“Oh I do, never leave home without a bottle of water my husband always says.” The woman moved to the back of the car and opened the trunk.
“Sounds like a smart man.” Roger replied as he watched the woman emerge from the trunk with a gallon jug of water and bring it to him. He gave the woman a nod and returned to the front of the vehicle. Moments later he set the water down on the pavement. “Try and start it up.” He called to the woman who was climbing back into the car. The engine turned and fired up.
Roger slammed the hood down, rounded the car and stopped at the woman’s window. “Thank you dear, thank you so much.”
“My pleasure. Now turn them weak ass HAZARD lights off, no need to worry about them anymore. You take this car straight into town and go to the first car mechanic you can find, tell them Roger Wright sent you and will take care of everything.” Roger winked at the woman who just nodded in response and slowly pulled back out onto the roadway.
Roger stepped back as the car disappeared, he resumed his walk towards town, the same direction the car went. “To think, her HAZARD lights were so weak they were going to get her killed had the sun gone down. HAZARD lights are supposed to be strong, but then, we are finding out the things we call HAZARD, are a lot weaker than we really thought.” Roger winked and kept walking, putting his thumb out as a truck with a round liquid tank on the back pulled up and stopped.
“Hey there partner, you need a ride?” The driver leaned over and said out of the passenger side window.
“What are you hauling?” Roger asked.
“Bio-HAZARD.” The man replied.
“What kind of HAZARD is that?” Roger asked.
“Human shit.” Came the response.
“Sounds about right.” Roger winked and started walking again, the truck shifting into gear and pushing down the road towards town. “Think about that for one minute, just really think about that, we label SHIT as a HAZARD.” Roger just shook his head, adjusted his hat and kept walking, the town coming into view before him.
“Did you know that OSHA classifies extension cords on the floor as a HAZARD?” Roger keeps walking as he lets the idea sink in. “That’s right, that cord that runs along the ground and extends the outlet to a new location so you can plug an electronic device into the outlet from further away is considered a HAZARD.” Roger stops walking and takes in a deep breath.
For a long moment he stands there then resumes walking. “It isn’t because the cord itself is inherently dangerous, no it’s because we as people are not smart enough to apparently walk across the cord without dragging our feet and tripping. Moreover we as a people are too dumb to see the cord and just step over it. I guess we could call that another example of a weak HAZARD.” Roger keeps walking towards town, the buildings drawing ever closer.
Minutes pass as Roger walks, finally reaching the edge of town, stops and pulls out his phone. “I am here.” He says into the phone and then slips it back into his pocket. “I guess the reality is, we as a people love mislabeling things, we take some kind of joy in thinking things are more dangerous than they need to be, or seeing danger where there should be none. HAZARD or not, it really doesn’t matter to me, because at the end of the day a knife to the chin of a snake ended the HAZARD, or watching my feet prevented tripping over a false HAZARD, some brighter lights can remedy a weak HAZARD, and human shit is the real HAZARD!”
A Fushia colored Duccati Panigale V4 S pulled up next to Roger, the driver Anicka Swan wearing a big smile on her face, as Roger climbed onto the back, removing his cowboy hat and placing it on her head. Roger wrapped his arms around her waist, and the smile on her face grew wider. With a rev of the engine and spin of the rear tire the motorcycle took off into the distance, vanishing around a curve.