Fare Thee Well

[Stu]

*** The Armada cheers as "Never Say Die" blairs over the loudspeaker. At the top of the ramp, THE MASKED SHOOTER steps out wearing his ever present mask, a nice two-piece gray tweed suit, and walking with a walking cane. Around his waist is the NWC World Wrestling Championship belt. The Masked Shooter walks gracefully with it, not hobbling until he has to climb the stairs to the ring. It takes longer than it used to.

When he steps to the middle of the ring, a mic lowers. The Shooter takes it. ***

THE MASKED SHOOTER: "Well …"

*** The fans erupt into another roar of approval. The masked man smiles, nods, waves, and wipes a tear away. ***

MS: "To begin with, I've got no regrets. I made some bad choices, yeah, and I hope others learn from them, but they were all mine.

"Moreover, most of my choices were the right ones. I've got alot more happy memories than the other kind. And this …" *** He taps the title belt *** "... is a Helluva way to leave the ring."

*** More cheering. ***

MS: "I want to thank you, all of you. It's a worn-out phrase, but you fans … you really make all the work and pain worth it. Thank you.

"I also want to thank the Wyld family for their kindness, as I have been hired on as a trainer in their family gym. I'll still have a hand in the business.

"And I should thank Mr. Black for giving me the opportunity to wrestle here at PWA. The past couple of years have been an unexpected blessing for me. Now, I can follow my old friend Aldo's exame and go on and retire.

"So here's to you all, the PWA Armada, and here's to those who will keep the business going, and better than I have."

*** Another great long cheer from the Armada. The veteran moves to leave, then stops and raises the mic again. ***

"Keep your eyes peeled. I may be gone, but I'd be willing to bet you haven't seen the last of the Masked Shooter."