“And does anyone know why incumbents have an advantage when running for reelection? Especially in Congress? Anyone? Okay, the gentlemen in the front row.”

The young college freshmen in the front row put down his hand and smiled, nodding to his professor, and replied, “Incumbents have the advantage because it is easier for them to gather money for their campaign, for one. They also have an easier time gathering volunteers to make phone calls, put up posters, and go door-to-door. And the biggest reason is probably because of the name recognition an incumbent has. People who don’t follow politics very closely will vote for the person they are most familiar with, and usually that is the incumbent.”

The professor nodded. “Exactly right. It is very difficult for a no-name challenger to win an election based merely on merits. The challenger would have to convince the public that a change of some sort was needed, and the public would have to be on the same page. They wouldn’t just put some unknown in office if they didn’t feel anything was wrong in the first place.”

Another student raised their hand. The professor nodded in their direction politely, inviting them to speak. “Okay Professor, but what kind of things would convince the voters that a change was needed?”

The professor replied, “Oh, many things. Economic problems are generally a very large reason. At the presidential level international affairs play a huge role in elections. But generally reasons may include mistrust in government, questionable and scandalous activities, or just simply the public may feel that the current incumbent has gone ---”

“Insane.”

At once a hundred heads turned towards the door where the interruption had come from. ‘Flyin’ Brian Calvin was leaning against the door, staring ahead with a stone-faced expression. The professor looked puzzled at this interruption

“Good afternoon, sir. May I ask what I can do for you?”

Brian continued to stare ahead, his eyes narrowed. “It’s time for a change, professor, when the current incumbent has gone insane. When they’ve become too obsessed with the title that they hold. When they’ve forgotten what it actually was that got them the office in the first place: hard work and commitment.”

The professor asked, this time a bit more forcefully, “Sir, is there something I can do for you? I’m in the middle of a class, as you can obviously see.”

Brian continued, “You want an example? Take our current presidential campaign. George Bush has worn out his welcome with the majority of the people in America. They’re tired of his insane, unnecessary wars, they’re tired of the bad economic problems, and they want a change.”

“Sir, I’m really supposed to be impartial to ---”

Brian grinned, interrupting the professor once more. “Whether or not John Kerry has the balls to come through with the promises he’s been throwing out everywhere, well, time shall tell. But I’m ready for a change. How about you, professor?”

This was too much for the professor to handle. As mild mannered as he was and as big and strong as Brian Calvin looked, he was fed up. He slammed his hand on the podium in front of him and he yelled, “Sir! I am in the middle of teaching a class! Can I do something for you? If not, you’ll have to leave!”

Brian yawned, and he checked his watch. “Oh, I’m sorry. I was just a little bored of waiting. I’m here to pick up a student.”

The professor looked appalled. “Then, please, sir, go wait back outside for fifteen more minutes until this class is dismissed.”

Brian shook his head no. “Nah, I’m sorry, I can’t do that. You see, I’m in a bit of a rush. I have to start working out today and I need my spotter. There’s not a lot of time until Sunday night.”

The professor asked, exasperated, “And what exactly is Sunday night?”

Brian grinned, looking over the entire class. “Sunday night is my election. And my ‘country’, the WWA, is about to go through a major change in office.” Brian paused and looked up at the crowd. “Let’s go, Jeff.” Without another word Brian pushed open the doors to the class and disappeared.

Several members in the crowd began murmuring when Brian mentioned the WWA, finally recognizing this stranger to their class. Brian’s cousin Jeff stood from his seat and quickly gathered his things, hurrying down to follow Brian out the door. The professor could only gape open mouthed at the scene that had unfolded in his classroom.

Outside, Brian was waiting. Jeff burst through the doors, whining, “Come on, Brian! Couldn’t you have found someone else at the gym to spot you? I was kinda in the middle of class, in case you didn’t realize it!”

Brian shrugged and began to walk down the hallway towards the exit. “Maybe. But I don’t like asking people I don’t know for favors like that. All they want to do is talk. Working out shouldn’t involve any talking whatsoever. It’s a time to focus.” They walked for several more minutes in silence until they reached Brian’s car. Brian unlocked the doors and turned to his cousin before they got in.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like it quiet for awhile now, as well. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do.”

Jeff sighed and nodded. “Fine, sure, whatever. Damn cuz’, did you ever think that you might be a little too focused?”

Brian didn’t even bother to respond as he got into the car and began to drive back towards the gym, which had pretty much been his home for the past week.

Time for a change…

That was the theme of John Kerry’s campaign in the United States election this year, and strangely enough, it made perfect sense for Brian Calvin as well.

The WWA was ready for a change. No matter how many people thought JMA was a capable champion, Brian felt that he was beginning to lose his marbles. Brian had expected to face a champ with a great work ethic and flawless focus. What he had seen so far had been nearly the opposite. As a matter of fact, Brian had come to his own conclusion on exactly what JMA needed to do to get a grip on himself.

JMA needed a woman.

Badly.

JMA’s love affair with the Television Title was both disturbing and hurtful to his career. Did Juce really think that writing in a diary and hugging the TV title for hour upon hour was going to prepare him for their match at Labour Day Brawl? It was just weird. At least if he was in love with a woman he would have something that could actually talk back to him. She could also remind him to stop lying around all night talking about how good he is and to start getting ready to back up all that talk.

Brian didn’t care who JMA had beaten in the WWA in his young career. He didn’t even care that JMA didn’t respect him for winning the battle royal. He was used to that. The only thing that Brian really, honestly cared about was the fact that he was getting a shot at the Television title. And Brian was putting it all on the line so that he would be ready. If somehow he walked into the match and ended up on the losing end, it would not be because he was unprepared.

It was true that normally in an election the incumbent would usually walk away as the winner. But this was a very special year. It was looking very grim for the US President George Bush, as people were finally beginning to realize that his policies were bringing the country down.

The same was similar in Brian and JMA’s situation. Brian didn’t know what the mindset was of the wrestlers who had faced JMA and ended up losing, but he was willing to bet that they didn’t have the same confidence that Brian had now. Initially Brian was not filled with such a confidence, but as he caught glimpses into the life of JMA over the past week the realization that he could actually win this thing grew larger and larger in his eyes.

Brian knew now for sure that a win was not out of the question. To hell with out of the question, it was practically right in front of him. He knew he had worked harder then JMA, that was a given. Rarely had anyone outworked Brian during his twenty-year career. He had taken the necessary steps to get himself ready. All that was left was to execute, and hopefully Brian would be walking away with that nutcase’s Television Title.

Brian took a hard right and pulled into the parking lot of his gym. Brian’s cousin leaned forward, obviously hoping that it was all right for him to speak. “Last day of lifting before Sunday, Brian. You want to take it a little bit easier?”

Brian smirked, ‘You’d like me to take it a little bit easier, wouldn’t cha’ Juce?’

“Get your ass in the gym, Jeff. It’s time to get to work.”