Rocky’s is Zack’s tale of a pair of friends whose relationship will often feel like a punch to the face.
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Want to read Zack’s story “Rocky’s” in full? Think you can identify the moral or theme for this episode? Read it below, and then take a listen to the podcast.
Rocky’s
Kyle is known to fall into trouble. Too quick with his mouth for his own good, he’s been known to set people off. Which is fine by him, he would hate to be the boring one of the group. Mark, his best friend, is a big enough guy to ward anyone off anyway.
Almost every night, Kyle and Mark go to their favorite bar, Rocky’s. They drink a few beers and play some pool. It’s been a bit of a ritual for the guys for years. Of course, they take on any and all challengers, and are known to be the best Rocky’s has ever had when it comes to game of billiards. They enjoy the spot because with the money that they win betting, a night out never costs them a dime.
Enter Tuesday night. More than a few beers in, Kyle and Mark face some new competition. A guy and his boyfriend challenge the duo, bar tabs on the line. They’ve apparently heard the rumors of Kyle and Mark’s skill, but think they can take them on. The game begins, and the heat is on. Things get intense.
Of course, Kyle is bringing his A-game of talking trash, but none of it seems to get to the guys. Their focus on the game is nigh unbreakable, and victory is inching ever closer in their direction. Kyle is getting nervous, his reputation on the line, so he resorts to some straight-up middle school shit. He whips out the mom insult.
It gets to one of the challengers. Turns out, his mom only died a few months ago. You can tell he’s angry, especially considering such a childish insult is coming his way from a grown man. Instead of reacting decently, Kyle sees this is an opportunity to throw the guys completely off the game. He actually doubles down on the mom stuff. It’s completely out of line, but Mark doesn’t even try to stop him. He wants to win, too.
The Competitor throws down his pool stick, and actually gets in Kyle’s face. He’s ready to make this a fight. Good thing big ol’ Mark is there. The guys steps down as soon Mark steps in. People always did. The guy and his boyfriend just leave, ignoring Kyle’s insults, leaving the game being unfinished. Unfortunately, Kyle and Mark had to pay their own tab for once.
Enter Wednesday night. Kyle decided to go the bar solo. Mark had a date with some girl, but Kyle was still in the mood to drink. Only about one beer in, the guys from last night show up. Everyone kind of ignores each other, probably for the best. Eventually Kyle goes out to the alley for a smoke. A couple drags of his cigarette in, out comes The Competitor and his boyfriend. Before even a word can be said, The Competitor slugs Kyle one right to the jaw. Kyle goes down hard, and the guys kick the absolute hell out of him for a few minutes before leaving and heading inside.
Enter Thursday night. Mark rolls into Rocky’s looking for the two guys. Kyle didn’t want to go back so soon, he’d already had a long day deal with co-workers asking about the bruises on his face. But Mark felt the need to avenge his friend. Not seeing them right away, he decides to check the alley. Scene of the crime and all that. Sure enough, they’re out there smoking and laughing. It enrages Mark. His vision turns red.
He comes to a few moments later, standing over the two guys. Clearly, he had beaten them badly. He felt good, like he had done right by his friend. He gave the guys the classic “Don’t come back here again.”
Enter Friday night. Mark drags Kyle back to Rocky’s under the guarantee those guys wouldn’t be there. Turns out, they weren’t. Not up for playing pool, they just grab a booth in the back and have a couple pitchers of beer. A couple hours go by, with plenty of laughs and drinks. The door to Rocky’s swing open to reveal the newest set of patrons. The competitor and his boyfriend are back, and this time they brought two friends.
Now, listen to the full episode as we dissect Zack’s story.