Disclaimer: This story is intended for mature audiences. If you are under the appropriate age to view such material in your area, or are offended by stories containing sexual content, then please reframe from reading this submission.
Note from author: I had intended to finish this story much sooner, but my editors had a mild disagreement about its content. Khepri94447, who edited my last piece, felt that I went overboard in creating my main character. She suggested that a more scaled back version of this story might appeal to a wider audience. My second editor, Dawn, liked my original story arguing that most fiction tends to contain more dramatic content. Being able to see both sides of their dispute I decided to submit two different versions of this story. Mr. E. (over the top) is my original manuscript. This version presents circumstances that, although are highly unlikely to occur in real life, were fun to write, and hopefully even more enjoyable to read.
Mr. E. (Scaled back) is a modified version of the story which intends to attract readers who adhere to more conventional plots. Whether you're a free spirit with a wild imagination or a realist who prefers more believable content, I hope that at least one version of Mr. E. appeals to you.
*
Public image is that small portion of ourselves we allow others to see, not those unsightly traits of our personalities which we are too afraid, embarrassed, or shy to reveal. How well we truly know someone is often not an easy question to answer; honestly, as everyone seems to have something that they would rather keep hidden from the world around them. On the surface Trent Hamilton appeared to be the average high school nerd. He was always reading, never bothered to socialize with anyone, participate in extracurricular activities, or even date. Trent was constantly being harassed by the parade of jocks that seemed to rule the school and everyone in it. Even the teachers would often look the other way while this badgering took place. What was odd about this situation is that Trent could have easily put an end to his torment, if he really wanted to.
Trent's problems didn't start in high school. As far back as he could remember people seemed to constantly be picking on him. By the time he reached 5th grade; he'd had enough. One day while he was helping his neighbor with some lawn work, Mr. Wang noticed that Trent was unusually quiet, and a bit down. After inquiring about his mood, and a bit up prodding, it finally came out that the boy had been tormented by his classmates.
"Tell me my son, if you were able to physically seek your revenge against those bullies; what would you do to them?" Mr. Wang asked.
"I won't lie and say that I have never dreamed about pounding their faces into the ground, but I really don't want to hurt anyone. Like my father, I hope to someday become a doctor. I plan to help people, not injure them; but I don't want to be hurt myself either. What I really wish is for them to just leave me alone," He said.
After pondering Trent's answer, Mr. Wang asked the boy to accompany him indoors, where he proceeded to explain his proposal. Handing Trent a photo of his deceased wife, Mr. Wang went on to explain that they were very much in love, but through unfortunate circumstances, unable to have any children.
My father was an expert in martial arts. He taught me very well, and I always hoped that I would be able to pass this training onto my own son. Alas, that dream will never be fulfilled. I am; however, willing to teach you what I have learned. You seem like a good boy Trent and I see a lot of promise in you. I am not doing this so that you can go beat up those bullies at school. As with any tool, it is a man's choice whether to use it for good or evil purposes. Martial arts are a conditioning of the mind as well as the body. Your training will be very disciplined, but in the end you will acquire a skill that will not only help to keep you safe, but will also give you insight into the Japanese belief that one's health is directly connected to their spirit and way of living. You will learn aggressive fighting skills and when to use them. I will even share with you many ancient Japanese treatments that although work quite well, have been dismissed as nothing more than home remedies by the main stream medical professionals of this country.
The stunned lad responded,
"Sir, why would you do all of this for me, I barely know you?" Trent asked?
"I see something very special in you. One thing my training has taught me is to trust my instincts. Right now they are telling me that you will one day make me a very proud man," Mr. Wang replied.
That is exactly what Trent set out to do. He worked out practically every day with Mr. Wang, and as his body became fit, he noticed that his mind was becoming sharper and more focused than it had ever been before. He was always smart, but with Mr. Wang's training there seemed to be nothing that he could not master. Since showing off was never his intention, Trent started to wear baggy clothing, in an attempt to hide his growing muscles and athletic physique. He still got picked on in school, but now there was never any real danger of him being severely injured, and just the knowledge that he could literally wipe the floor with any one of those chumps made their tormenting almost humorous in a way.
Becky Watson was the captain of the girls cheerleading squad. She was a blond haired, blue eyes goddess that, to Trent, was the epitome by which all young ladies should be measured against. Unlike the other popular girls in school, Becky was always nice to him, but he knew that was as far as it would ever go. She was dating one of the jerks on the football team who constantly harassed him, and Trent was suspect that if they ever broke up she would have a line of guys waiting in the wing just itching to take his place. Knowing this unfortunately did nothing to squelch the huge crush Trent had on her, or the fact that he truly cared for her well being.
One day while he was in the library studying, Tent accidently overheard a conversation between Becky and Stacy Anderson.
"So Becky, how did the career day go for you?" She asked.
"Not very well I'm afraid," Becky meekly replied.
"Why not, I thought you had your heart set to becoming a nurse?" Stacy asked.
I do, but the councilor said that it is very tough to earn a scholarship from cheerleading. My grades are good, but unfortunately not high enough to be considered for an academic scholarship either. My Mom just doesn't make enough money to help me out, and since my Dad left her before I was born, I guess that I am just on my own, Becky replied disheartened.
To Trent this news was heart wrenching. He attended several of Becky's classes and knew that she was a very smart girl. It was not her fault that her family was not that well off. She deserved a chance to succeed in life, and he was now determined to see that she got it.
Trent started researching athletic scholarships, and was discouraged to find that her councilor's assessment of them was pretty accurate. Digging a little deeper he learned that even though there was money available for cheerleaders, it usually only went to girls from well-known schools. The scouts seemed to travel in pairs, only visiting the facilities with winning sports teams. He discovered that it was far more likely for Becky to be offered assistance, if their football team started winning more games. *
Being unable to come up with any other possible solution, Trent decided that his best course of action was to help insure that not only Becky and her other teammates became the absolute best cheerleaders that any high school has ever seen, but he also had to help the jocks he had come to despise, become state champions. Realizing that they would never take direction from him, regardless of how good it was, Trent resolved to use a little play on words and in doing so the infamous Mr. E. was born.
