Pain. But not your usual pain... The type of pain you actually enjoy... That stinging, burning sensation you get when you are squeezing your muscles and pushing them to the very limit.
"... 5... 6...7..."
Unlike the rest of the EBWF locker room, he was used to a very different workout method. Of course he occasionally went to the a gym, used all the machines... But for Leo Kruger, nothing was better than sprinting outside, smelling fresh air instead of sweaty, humid, enclosed air. His fists held the bar firmly as he hanged from it, elevating his body so that his chin went up and above the bar.
"...8...9...10..."
Leo had already added two heads and a trophy to his collection in a mere couple of weeks... And he wanted more. Leo continued to do his pull ups, crossing his feet for an extra kick.
"...11...12...13...14...15..."
Around him, dozens of men did the same. Curled big dumbbells with their tattooed arms. Bench pressed under the Missouri Sun.
"...16...17...18...19...20..."
The inmates of the Potosi Correctional center were out in the yard, working out. It was the only time of the day they got exposure to the sunlight and the wind... These men were deprived from their captivity... Like animals in a zoo.
"21...22...23...24...25..."
Letting out a grunt, Leo Kruger released the bar and landed on his feet, panting. A few dropplets of sweat landed on the sandy floor of the yard a place where the only greens were probably served in dinner trays. He cranked his neck and knuckles, before turning his head to the camera, Kruger was shirtless, wearing black boots and olive military pants.
Leo Kruger: Ah... Glad you could join me. I heard Michael Cole isn't very fond of coming to this place... And you know something? It didn't surprise me one bit. After all he's been wearing one of those leashes you call "ties" for far too long... Now, the question you might all be asking is... Why am I here?
Leo was approached by an inmate, a man with a brown scruffy beard and brown long hair, tattoos adorned his upper torso, exposed from the unzipped orange jumpsuit he wore, with the torso and sleeves knotted around his waist.
Inmate: Hey man... Can I have your autograph?
Leo turned to the man and tilted his head to the side.
Leo Kruger: I'm no celebrity... Sorry.
Leo walked away from the man, who furrowed his brows and walked the opposite way.
Leo Kruger: It turns out that I am facing an inmate from this facility in my next match... If you look around, you'll see one thing all of these men have in common. They are beasts... Inmates here are locked up and treated like animals, because they're harmful for defenseless people out there.
Leo approached the tall fence with barbed wire at the top, the gruesome metal structure which separated inmates from freedom... He held the fence against his fingers and gazed at the horizon before turning back to the camera.
Leo Kruger: In a way... These men are wild beasts... People who are better off in here than out there... I was happy... For the fraction of a second. Allow me to elaborate...
Leo spread his arms out.
Leo Kruger: These walls, built to contain the beasts that are a danger for society sadly also tame them. These men would do ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING to be on the other side of these walls. They are ruthless beasts, twisted and deranged human beings... But they have a weakness... They are easily controlled and manipulated. Where's the fun in that? I thought I might just come over and see it for myself... This is worst than watching Lions at the zoo... These so called "beasts" are just as sad as jailed african lions. If I tell any inmate here to kill another inmate in exchange for freedom, guess what will happen?
Leo walked away from the fence and into the facility's door.
Leo Kruger: But what if I tell an inmate to lose a match on purpose in exchange for freedom? I hope you catch my drift.
A loud buzzer was heard upon Kruger's entrance into the building, the place was dark, hermetically sealed for no fresh air or sunlight to to enter... An environment to tame any wild beast. A man dressed in a security uniform waited for Kruger at the end of the hall.
Braden Madison: Mr. Kruger... I am terribly sorry but Warden Steele is in the middle of a meeting and can't have you... I am Sgt Braden Madison, and I am here to conduct your visit to the Potosi Correctional Center... You are to roam through the facility with my company, but you cannot visit Mr. McIntyre's cell.
Leo Kruger: Why would I spoil the fun... Meeting him before Monday night?
Braden Madison: Then what is your business here, if you don't mind me asking?
Leo Kruger: I am here because I wanted to have a word with Warden Steele... But given he is not available, you will have to do. I have spent my morning out there with those men, I've seen the faces full of pain, regret, sadness, sorrow... But behind them I see... Revenge, angriness, aggressiveness, resentment... Now, as you might be informed... I am facing an inmate of this prison come Monday night... I am a man who enjoys even contests... You know, a lion isn't a lion if you lock him up and treat him like garbage... I know freeing McIntyre is out of the question... But I won't be pleased if I have to face a sad, depressed man... What's the fun in that?
Braden Madison: Mr. Kruger, what do you want us to do?
Leo Kruger: I want Drew McIntyre to be on top form. I want him to be happy... Motivated... Ready to give me the best night I've had in EBWF. I want every single match to be an even bigger thrill than the one before... And going against a man who has nothing to win, but nothing to lose... Doesn't sound too thrilling.
Braden Madison: Again, where do we come there?
Leo Kruger: You tell me... What can you do to raise his spirit? How about serving him good food, hooking him up with some gym equipment... You spend more time with him than I do... I'm sure you know what he enjoys...
The Sgt. looked at Kruger in disbelief.
Braden Madison: Inmate McIntyre is here to pay his dues with society, at Potosi Correctional Center we are NOT to pamper and treat inmates well, no matter who asks.
Leo Kruger: Then LIE to him. LIE! Tell him he could get benefits from winning on Monday night. I don't care if you have to tell him he will walk out of Warfare a free man if he beats me... I don't care if you have to tell him he will be EXECUTED if he loses... As I said before, you know him better than I do, I trust you will motivate him the right way.
Braden Madison: What if we refuse?
Leo Kruger leaned in and smirked into the man's face.
Leo Kruger: If you refuse, you will have one less inmate that was supposed to end up at Bona Terre... to the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center... In the electric chair. We'll give him the Kruger End, instead. Then again I'll be doing you a favor...
Leo chuckled.
Braden Madison: I... I'll talk to the warden...
Leo Kruger: And one more thing... Should Drew McIntyre know I set foot in this place... You tell him I came here to mock him, to laugh in his face through the other side of the fence, to spit on the thick, bulletproof glass that separates us while he stares at me. You tell him I wanted to come here and witness his miserable life style, the one he is NEVER, EVER going to escape from... I came here to remind him he will feel even more miserable once he faces me, because being in a ring with me is even worse than a week in solitary confinement... That after our match he is going to wish for life Imprisonment... He is going to BEG for a death sentence... You tell him that.
Leo patted Braden Madison on the shoulder firmly, menacingly, before he walked away from the him.
