Post by Big Homunculus on Jul 16, 2020 19:31:28 GMT -5
Big Homunculus thumps a punching bag from long range. The chains holding the bag up have a distinctly rusty rattle as the bag shakes from the impact. This isn't Black Clyde's pristine high performance gym. This is the gym Homunculus was using when he first started in AWF. Dark and sleazy. Feels more fitting sometimes.
He casts a glance at a framed picture of himself and an older man, the one whose face he saw as he lost consciousness last time he saw Hayley, as she harangued him for more personal information. He could never have guessed having a biography written about him could be so personal.
CUT TO:
A younger but full grown Homunculus in a boxing ring with foxblood red gloves on, gliding fleet-footedly around a shorter, stockier opponent. He's a gnarled white guy with a chewed up and spat out kinda face who attempts to pressure Big H but gets levelled by a booming right hand from the towering pygmy.
"JOHN FURY OUT FOR THE COUNT! ANOTHER KNOCK OUT FOR HENRY AKINWANDE!!" screams the commentator. Big Homunculus doesn't celebrate over the crumpled opponent, he doesn't even look happy until he looks to his corner for validation and sees his trainer, the man from the picture, cheering and rushing towards him. You've done good, Henry. If coach is happy you've done good.
CUT TO:
Hayley Littleton and Big Homunculus sit across from each other at a table in the cafe. She has her eyebrows raised expectantly and he looks at his feet.
He casts a glance at a framed picture of himself and an older man, the one whose face he saw as he lost consciousness last time he saw Hayley, as she harangued him for more personal information. He could never have guessed having a biography written about him could be so personal.
CUT TO:
A younger but full grown Homunculus in a boxing ring with foxblood red gloves on, gliding fleet-footedly around a shorter, stockier opponent. He's a gnarled white guy with a chewed up and spat out kinda face who attempts to pressure Big H but gets levelled by a booming right hand from the towering pygmy.
"JOHN FURY OUT FOR THE COUNT! ANOTHER KNOCK OUT FOR HENRY AKINWANDE!!" screams the commentator. Big Homunculus doesn't celebrate over the crumpled opponent, he doesn't even look happy until he looks to his corner for validation and sees his trainer, the man from the picture, cheering and rushing towards him. You've done good, Henry. If coach is happy you've done good.
CUT TO:
Hayley Littleton and Big Homunculus sit across from each other at a table in the cafe. She has her eyebrows raised expectantly and he looks at his feet.
Hayley Littleton
Well?
Well?
Homunculus' eyes dart around and he shrugs.
Hayley Littleton
You never get in touch with me to meet up, it's always the other way around. Is this some stupid ploy to try and steal my heart again?
You never get in touch with me to meet up, it's always the other way around. Is this some stupid ploy to try and steal my heart again?
Homunculus shakes his and takes a breath, before reaching into a folder and sliding two pictures across the table to Hayley. It's of him and his old trainer.
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Hayley Littleton
You were a boxer? That not settle your lust for violence? Who's the guy holding the pads?
Big Homunculus
That is the great Emmanuel Steward. He coached some of the greatest boxers of all time. And he didn't just have talented boxers come to him, he had average boxers come to him and become great. He took young kids and turned them to champions. Fighters on losing streaks left their coaches for him and turned into world beaters. I...was different. I was the worst talent to ever step into his gym. He didn't notice me too much until he saw me sleeping on a bench in the neighbourhood. After that I got his attention. People would ask him why he was bothering with this silly midget. They'd tell him to stop wasting his time with me. He told them I had athletic potential they couldn't see, but he was lying. Truth is he wasn't just my trainer. He is the only thing I've ever had that fits the definition of a father. I would sleep in the gym, he gave me all the food I needed and taught me everything I knew. Other guys in the gym were jealous. Imagine. They had homes and families to go home to and they were jealous the coach was showing me attention. They didn't get it, so they'd take it out on me in training. I had to get good or get destroyed.
Hayley Littleton
Ah, so he turned you into a killer and gave you this blood lust.
Big Homunculus
He tried. He said I wasn't as angry as when I first met him, but the reason I wasn't as angry is because I'd met him. Even getting chastised was amazing to me because I had never experienced boundaries. I always walked around with my sweatpants loose and he'd shout at me, "pull your pants up!" I said "they're baggy pants, i'll get a belt soon" and he said "Nah fuck that you can have a belt when you're the champ". I took him literally and thought he was going to give me a normal belt after I became champion. I was so foolish back then. But it worked, I got meaner and more aggressive. One thing he had never achieved was coaching a heavyweight champion, and I was going to be that champion.
You were a boxer? That not settle your lust for violence? Who's the guy holding the pads?
Big Homunculus
That is the great Emmanuel Steward. He coached some of the greatest boxers of all time. And he didn't just have talented boxers come to him, he had average boxers come to him and become great. He took young kids and turned them to champions. Fighters on losing streaks left their coaches for him and turned into world beaters. I...was different. I was the worst talent to ever step into his gym. He didn't notice me too much until he saw me sleeping on a bench in the neighbourhood. After that I got his attention. People would ask him why he was bothering with this silly midget. They'd tell him to stop wasting his time with me. He told them I had athletic potential they couldn't see, but he was lying. Truth is he wasn't just my trainer. He is the only thing I've ever had that fits the definition of a father. I would sleep in the gym, he gave me all the food I needed and taught me everything I knew. Other guys in the gym were jealous. Imagine. They had homes and families to go home to and they were jealous the coach was showing me attention. They didn't get it, so they'd take it out on me in training. I had to get good or get destroyed.
Hayley Littleton
Ah, so he turned you into a killer and gave you this blood lust.
Big Homunculus
He tried. He said I wasn't as angry as when I first met him, but the reason I wasn't as angry is because I'd met him. Even getting chastised was amazing to me because I had never experienced boundaries. I always walked around with my sweatpants loose and he'd shout at me, "pull your pants up!" I said "they're baggy pants, i'll get a belt soon" and he said "Nah fuck that you can have a belt when you're the champ". I took him literally and thought he was going to give me a normal belt after I became champion. I was so foolish back then. But it worked, I got meaner and more aggressive. One thing he had never achieved was coaching a heavyweight champion, and I was going to be that champion.
He slides another picture to Hayley of his brooding younger self.
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Big Homunculus
He told me I'd be the most destructive heavyweight on the planet. I'd been winning fights, but always on points, now I was knocking people out and people were taking notice. I was become a known boxer.
He told me I'd be the most destructive heavyweight on the planet. I'd been winning fights, but always on points, now I was knocking people out and people were taking notice. I was become a known boxer.
He slides a photocopied magazine cover:
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Big Homunculus
I don't think I ever felt as comfortable as I did at that point. I was a contender! I was chasing the man. I had something to aim for, something to live up to. Then suddenly Emmanuel gave me the news: We had been given the next title shot. I would fight Lennox Lewis for the heavyweight championship of the world. Why was a man my size fighting at heavyweight? Emmanuel insisted. But it was here, I was no longer chasing it, it was here. I don't think I've ever been truly happy since. All I could think was, "What if I win? What am I going to do then? I'll have done what I need, I'll have given Emmanuel what he wanted, what will he do with me then?"
I don't think I ever felt as comfortable as I did at that point. I was a contender! I was chasing the man. I had something to aim for, something to live up to. Then suddenly Emmanuel gave me the news: We had been given the next title shot. I would fight Lennox Lewis for the heavyweight championship of the world. Why was a man my size fighting at heavyweight? Emmanuel insisted. But it was here, I was no longer chasing it, it was here. I don't think I've ever been truly happy since. All I could think was, "What if I win? What am I going to do then? I'll have done what I need, I'll have given Emmanuel what he wanted, what will he do with me then?"
Homunculus stops talking.
Hayley finished scribbling down some notes.
Hayley finished scribbling down some notes.
Hayley Littleon
I've actually heard of Lennox Lewis. He was supposed to be really good, right? There's no shame in being knocked out by the champion is there?
I've actually heard of Lennox Lewis. He was supposed to be really good, right? There's no shame in being knocked out by the champion is there?
Big H takes a moment to compose himself.
Big Homunculus
No, there is no shame in being knocked out by the champion. Black Clyde showed me how to use this.
No, there is no shame in being knocked out by the champion. Black Clyde showed me how to use this.
He produces and ipad which is open on a video. It's the last couple of minutes of a fight:
Hayley holds the ipad and watches the video of Homunculus stumbling around, grabbing a hold of the champion Lennox Lewis and holding onto him for dear life to prevent punches from being thrown. Clinch after clinch after clinch. Present day Homunculus can only hear the audio, and winces as he hears the voice of Larry Merchant chuckle, "He looks like an oreo cookie there, mixed in between those two big guys" in reference to the sight of the small, white referee Mills Lane trying to separate the two big, black boxers. Who knows how many times he's heard it before?
Hayley watches til the bitter conclusion of Big Homunculus, formerly known as Henry Akinwande, being disqualified for refusing to fight.
Hayley holds the ipad and watches the video of Homunculus stumbling around, grabbing a hold of the champion Lennox Lewis and holding onto him for dear life to prevent punches from being thrown. Clinch after clinch after clinch. Present day Homunculus can only hear the audio, and winces as he hears the voice of Larry Merchant chuckle, "He looks like an oreo cookie there, mixed in between those two big guys" in reference to the sight of the small, white referee Mills Lane trying to separate the two big, black boxers. Who knows how many times he's heard it before?
Hayley watches til the bitter conclusion of Big Homunculus, formerly known as Henry Akinwande, being disqualified for refusing to fight.
Big Homunculus
Everything was fine in training, Emmanuel was happy, I was happy. Then we got in the ring and I looked across and saw the champion. "I am going to fight Lennox Lewis!? What have I done to get here? I'm just a boy...I.." and then the bell goes DING and I'm supposed to fight him. I froze. My blood went cold as he came towards me and my heart raced and all I could was hold onto him. Every time I let go he hit me hard and I couldn't stop panicking so I just held and held, it was a blur. Before I knew it, I was back in the locker room, the first boxer ever to be disqualified from a title fight for timidity. Men had fought and died for world titles but all I could do was hold on and hope I didn't get hurt. Emmanuel was furious and we argued and our voices raised and I insulted him and he insulted me. It only ended when he called me a coward. He stood waiting for me to respond and I walked out.
Hayley Littleton
Did you patch it up?
Big Homunculus
I thought we'd talk the next day, then the next day came and I thought I should leave it a week for things to cool down. Then a week went by and it didn't feel right so I waited a little longer, and a little longer and a little longer until...
Hayley Littleton
Oh shit he died?
Everything was fine in training, Emmanuel was happy, I was happy. Then we got in the ring and I looked across and saw the champion. "I am going to fight Lennox Lewis!? What have I done to get here? I'm just a boy...I.." and then the bell goes DING and I'm supposed to fight him. I froze. My blood went cold as he came towards me and my heart raced and all I could was hold onto him. Every time I let go he hit me hard and I couldn't stop panicking so I just held and held, it was a blur. Before I knew it, I was back in the locker room, the first boxer ever to be disqualified from a title fight for timidity. Men had fought and died for world titles but all I could do was hold on and hope I didn't get hurt. Emmanuel was furious and we argued and our voices raised and I insulted him and he insulted me. It only ended when he called me a coward. He stood waiting for me to respond and I walked out.
Hayley Littleton
Did you patch it up?
Big Homunculus
I thought we'd talk the next day, then the next day came and I thought I should leave it a week for things to cool down. Then a week went by and it didn't feel right so I waited a little longer, and a little longer and a little longer until...
Hayley Littleton
Oh shit he died?
Homunculus slides over another clipping.
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Big Homunculus
Emmanuel found the destructive heavyweight champion he had always wanted that night. He was just in the wrong corner.
Hayley studies the picture. Emmanuel smiling, Lewis focussed on other things.
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Emmanuel Steward and none other than Lennox Lewis.
Big Homunculus
Emmanuel found the destructive heavyweight champion he had always wanted that night. He was just in the wrong corner.
Hayley studies the picture. Emmanuel smiling, Lewis focussed on other things.
Big Homunculus
They dominated the heavyweights for years but me and Emmanuel, our relationship was closer than fighter and trainer, so I always knew we would work things out one day, which is why I had no urgency to do so. Then one day I looked at a newspaper and my heart was...taken out.
They dominated the heavyweights for years but me and Emmanuel, our relationship was closer than fighter and trainer, so I always knew we would work things out one day, which is why I had no urgency to do so. Then one day I looked at a newspaper and my heart was...taken out.
This time Homunculus slides over a newspaper clipping.
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Hayley Littleton
(mumbling as she reads)
Remembering Manny, To The Final Bell. Emmanuel rubbed shoulders and banged gloves with dozens of champion fighters, promoters, officials and children off the street during an epic boxing journey that lasted more than 55 years, ending with his death in a Chicago-area hospital on October 25 at age 68. He never forgot a name or face or turned his back on his beloved Detroit. Here are remembrances from just a few of those he engaged along the way.
Big Homunculus
Nobody even got in contact with me.
(mumbling as she reads)
Remembering Manny, To The Final Bell. Emmanuel rubbed shoulders and banged gloves with dozens of champion fighters, promoters, officials and children off the street during an epic boxing journey that lasted more than 55 years, ending with his death in a Chicago-area hospital on October 25 at age 68. He never forgot a name or face or turned his back on his beloved Detroit. Here are remembrances from just a few of those he engaged along the way.
Big Homunculus
Nobody even got in contact with me.
Hayley looks up from the newspaper expecting the usual teary-eyed melodrama she's come to expect from Big Homunculus, but his eyes could not be dryer. This is a pain he has become accustomed to.
Big Homunculus
From that day on, nobody would ever say I am being "timid", nobody would ever say I was not aggressive enough. The last thing father ever said to me was "Coward!" and that is the last time anyone will ever say that to me 'less they want their blood shed from ceiling to floor! I will be the destructive champion Emmanuel always wanted.
From that day on, nobody would ever say I am being "timid", nobody would ever say I was not aggressive enough. The last thing father ever said to me was "Coward!" and that is the last time anyone will ever say that to me 'less they want their blood shed from ceiling to floor! I will be the destructive champion Emmanuel always wanted.
Hayley's usually unflappable demeanour has gone.
Hayley Littleton
Henry, I-
Henry, I-
Homunculus slams his fist on the table.
Big Homunculus
Don't call me Henry! Emmanuel called me that.
Don't call me Henry! Emmanuel called me that.
Hayley Littleton
Well, m-maybe he'll look down and see what you've become and be prou-
Big Homunculus
No he won't. There is no after life. We'll never speak again. He's gone forever and all I can do is be what he wanted me to be. Cowardice pushed my only family away and aggression is all I have left.
Well, m-maybe he'll look down and see what you've become and be prou-
Big Homunculus
No he won't. There is no after life. We'll never speak again. He's gone forever and all I can do is be what he wanted me to be. Cowardice pushed my only family away and aggression is all I have left.
Hayley is now terrified of the side of Big Homunculus that is emerging.
Hayley Littleton
W- b-but you have your, uh, you have your brothers, you know? Ruxx and Black Clyd-
Yes and that cigar smoking, cancerous lunged fuck MAIMED THEM.
Hayley Littleton
I- I'm sorry....
Big Homunculus
Don't be, he has been given the worst punishment imaginable.
Hayley Littleton
Wh- what's tha-
Big Homunculus
THEY'RE LOCKING HIM IN A CAGE WITH ME!
W- b-but you have your, uh, you have your brothers, you know? Ruxx and Black Clyd-
His voice cracks from the yell of angry human to the primal roar of a wounded animal.
Big HomunculusYes and that cigar smoking, cancerous lunged fuck MAIMED THEM.
Homunculus explodes to his feet, sending the table between them flying through the quaint cafe. Absolutely everyone is frozen in place, staring at Big Homunculus who growls on every exhale of breath.
Hayley Littleton
I- I'm sorry....
Big Homunculus
Don't be, he has been given the worst punishment imaginable.
Hayley Littleton
Wh- what's tha-
Big Homunculus
THEY'RE LOCKING HIM IN A CAGE WITH ME!
Big H rips through the door to the cafe and runs out of sight.
Hayley, hands trembling gathers all the photos and clippings he gave and tries to compose herself.
CUT TO:
Homunculus in his sleazy gym, he looks at the picture of Emmanuel on the wall.
He looks down and his sweatpants are sagging down past his hip. He looks up at the picture.
Hayley, hands trembling gathers all the photos and clippings he gave and tries to compose herself.
CUT TO:
Homunculus in his sleazy gym, he looks at the picture of Emmanuel on the wall.
He looks down and his sweatpants are sagging down past his hip. He looks up at the picture.
Big Homunculus
They're baggy pants, Emmanuel. I'll get that belt soon.
They're baggy pants, Emmanuel. I'll get that belt soon.
NOTE: From now on this will be Big Homunculus' entrance music