Ben hesitated while he reached for the doorknob. He knew his grandfather, Golden Glen Miller, was inside his office, but Ben was still unsure exactly what he wanted to say.

He knew he wanted to say something.

Cory Stenson was laying in a coma at the hospital, and Ben was struggling to understand why. He needed answers.

Why did GPW sign Violence to the roster?

Why did Cory get picked to go against that asshole on the first night?

Why did it feel like Ben failed to protect his friend?

Ben decided it was better to knock rather than barge into the office, and it only took a moment for his grandfather (Goldpa, as he was called) to yell ‘come in!’

When Ben opened the door, he found Goldpa sitting behind his desk watching his TV. Ben glanced over and saw that he was watching one of his old matches. The footage was grainy, but from the wrestling attire and graphics Ben knew it was vintage late 80s Golden Glen Miller.

That was when Goldpa was on top.

Ben was about to speak when Goldpa motioned for him to quickly sit and pointed up to the TV.

“This, this is where it happens, Ben!”

Ben grabbed a seat on the small guest couch and watched along, though he had seen this match several times before. It was an epic; Golden Glen Miller had finally overcome his nemesis, Red Meat McDavid, and won the championship.

Sure enough, the video rolled through the moment Glen had dropped “The Golden Elbow” and subsequently picked up the three-count. Before it got to the part where they awarded him the belt, Glen paused the recording and looked over at Ben.

“Hey there, grandson,” Glen greeted. “What brings you to my office?”

“Goldpa, I think you know,” Ben replied, and Glen let out a long exhale.

“Well, Ben, I’ll try to answer what I can,” Glen explained. “I know that Cory is hurt real bad but is stable now.”

“I know, I know,” Ben answered. “Cory still hasn’t woken up, and the doctors aren’t sure what permanent damage there’s been.”

The old man leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk.

“As soon as I get an update, I’ll let you know,” Glen assured his grandson. “GPW has paid for the finest medical treatment, don’t worry.”

“It’s not the quality of the care for Cory that is eating at me, Goldpa,” Ben shyly admitted. “I just don’t know why anyone thought it was a good idea to sign this guy, Violence.”

“Well, Benny Boy, all roster management is in Parker’s hands,” Glen stated. “We’ve been over this before: I brought in Parker because he has a top-notch head for the entertainment business and he’s hungry.”

“Can’t you at least talk to him?” Ben asked. “Figure out if it’s worth keeping Violence on the roster? I mean, the guy picked right up where he left off from his last stops – he’s here to hurt people. Not just win. Hurt.”

Glen Miller paused and sat back in his chair, and for a moment he stared away before returning his eyes to Ben.

“I’m not going to start things off with Parker by second-guessing him after just one show,” Glen answered. “And there’s something else to think about.”

Glen pointed back toward the TV which was stuck on a still shot of him raising his arms in triumph standing over Red Meat McDavid.

“Red Meat McDavid was a scourge in the locker room back then,” Glen reminisced. “Absolutely toxic for anyone who went up against him, and it was always risky. But I did it.”

Ben’s shoulders softened a little bit, starting to see that he had walked into a life lesson.

“Listen up, Ben,” continued Glen, but with a stronger edge to his elderly voice now. “Golden Pro Wrestling is underway, and it’s up to you to handle your problems. Parker has already committed to me that there will be no preferential treatment toward you, and that goes both ways.”

With his cheeks red with embarrassment, Ben slowly stood up. He realized trying to plead with his grandfather was a misstep, and he wasn’t sure how to save face.

“Alright, Benny Boy,” Glen said, relaxing a little bit. “This is just some tough love but love nevertheless.”

Red Meat McDavid… Ben thought to himself before having an epiphany.

“Goldpa,” Ben finally said, now raising his head toward his grandfather. “It was a mistake coming in and asking for help with Parker, but I think you just pointed me in the right direction. Thanks.”

Ben left the office before Glen had a chance to reply, and instead the old man sat back in his office chair and smiled softly. With a flick of his finger, he hit play to finish watching the recording of his classic match.