“Tamiko,” said Mrs. Tanaka in a tired voice from the other room. “Please keep the volume to an acceptable level.”
Hollis scowled at Tamiko. “Yes, eighth graders. You know, the kids who you’d never be able to convince to come. But I totally can. Once I, you know, tell them that I actually like wrestling and try to find a way to convince them that it’s cool. I’m thinking my extremely awesome Officially Unofficial Slamdown Town Fan Club can help with that. One look, and they’ll see how amazing wrestling really is.”
“Eighth graders and a site with zero traffic. Well, that doesn’t inspire confidence,” declared an unimpressed Tamiko.
Hollis turned red in the face. “I’m working on it, okay?”
“Seems to me like we all have a good start,” said Ollie. “If we all work together, maybe we can pull this off.”
As it turned out, despite the constant flow of smack talk and minor bickering, the trio was able to cover more ground than Ollie could have ever hoped for.
After sharing ideas with Hollis and Tamiko, Ollie used his drawing skills to design a poster of a larger-than-life Big Chew wrestling a colossal Werewrestler on the roof of Slamdown Town. ONLY YOU CAN SAVE SLAMDOWN TOWN was written across the top, with the match info on the bottom of the page.
Over the next few days, he, Hollis, and Tamiko made sure to stick the poster all over school: in all the hallways, the classrooms, the lunchroom, and the gym, and even on the school mascot’s back during the big coed kickball game.
The word got out and, after the trio endured a brief trip to the principal’s office for hanging up unsanctioned posters and a clever framing of the endeavor as a “confidence-building exercise” by Tamiko, the posters were able to remain. The principal even let Tamiko guest-host the morning announcements, where she told the entire school to come and that there would be free popcorn, and ice cream, and carnival rides—none of which was true.
Meanwhile, Hollis tended to bring his bullying out when attempting to convince people to attend Saturday’s match. Ollie and Tamiko had agreed that, for once, Hollis was allowed to use bullying and intimidation in order to convince people to go.
It was for a good cause.
“But please keep the wedgies to a minimum,” said Ollie.
“I don’t tell you how to draw the posters,” said Hollis. “You don’t tell me how to bully.”
Hollis immediately plucked out the first seventh grader he could find.
“What are you doing Saturday?” demanded Hollis.
“Going to my sister’s graduation ceremony.”
“Cancel it. You’re going to Slamdown Town and watching wrestling. Got it?”
The terrified student nodded.
“Good. And bring your whole family. Immediate. And extended. Or else.”
Hollis bullied and muscled his way through the hallways with ease, easily convincing measly sixth and seventh graders to attend the match that weekend. With each gulp and nervous sweat, Hollis became more and more emboldened, as if he derived more and more energy from bullying. Ollie was just happy that he was picking on someone else.
But Ollie had never seen Hollis more nervous than when he stood in front of his eighth-grade friends and prepared to confess his long-held secret.
“Everyone, I have a confession to make.” Hollis took a deep breath. “I love wrestling.”
A sharp intake of breath from the group met Hollis’s confession. Ollie waited, tapping his foot with impatient energy.
A large eighth-grade boy with a splotchy peach-fuzz mustache came forward. “Hey, dude, that must have been hard to share,” said the boy as his voice cracked.
“We, like, so appreciate you putting that trust in us,” said a squat girl with braces. “Trust is, like, so key to healthy friendships and stuff.”
“It’s really adult of you to share your truth,” said another girl in an oversize sweater.
Ollie buried his face in his hands. The eighth graders thought they were so mature, and it annoyed him to no end. But he knew that beggars couldn’t be choosers. The group went on about stuff like this being a safe space and supporting one another and how proud they were of Hollis for opening up to them.
“Does that mean you’ll all come to Slamdown Town on Saturday?” Hollis asked. “I need your help.”
To Ollie’s great surprise, a good portion of Hollis’s friends agreed to come. Those that didn’t commit had their online friend statuses reduced from “Friends” to “Acquaintances.”
“It was brutal but necessary,” assured Hollis.
As the week went on, Hollis continued to work his magic.
But Ollie was afraid it wouldn’t be enough.
“I got the eighth graders, didn’t I?” said Hollis. “Don’t worry. Once they start talking about it, all the seventh and sixth graders will get on board, too. That’s how it always works.”
“Great. But there are more seats in the arena than there are kids in school,” said Ollie.
“Exactly. Which means we need to think bigger.”
“Bigger?” asked Tamiko. “I didn’t know your tiny brain could form big thoughts.”
“Who said that?” demanded Hollis as he looked around, pretending not to see Tamiko. “Must have been some itty-bitty sixth-grade baby in need of her nappy time.”
Ollie stepped between them.
“What do you mean by ‘bigger,’ Hollis?” asked Ollie.
That night after school, Ollie and Tamiko sat on the living room couch and watched as Hollis bent over his cracked laptop screen. He would type a few words, delete them, type them again, and delete them again. Tamiko tapped her foot impatiently.
By “bigger,” Hollis had been referring to the Officially Unofficial Slamdown Town Fan Club. He said that if people had a place like the fan club to gather and discuss the upcoming match, then they could pledge their support and drum up additional interest and spread the word.
Hollis insisted on writing a blog post to greet newcomers. But he was taking hours to actually finish it, and time was not on their side.
“Think you can hurry up?” asked Tamiko.
Hollis rolled his eyes. “You can’t rush greatness, Tamiko.”
“I’m not. Hollis, you’re the one who forgets to finish your own articles. The one leading up to Barbell Bill’s match literally ended with ‘I’ll finish this later’ in parentheses.”
“I think that’s dramatic and engaging material,” declared Hollis. “And speaking of dramatic and engaging material . . .” He held up his laptop for them to read the blog post.
Greetings fellow Slamdown Town fans, and welcome newbies. We’re here for one reason and one reason only. Because we all LOVE wrestling. (That, or I said I’d give you a super wedgie if you didn’t sign up for my website and show up this weekend. I stand by that statement.) As you know, Linton Krackle (booooooooooooo) is threatening to shut down the arena because it’s not making any $$$$$$$ or something. Well, I’m here to tell ya that THAT ain’t happening. Slamdown Town isn’t just an arena. To me, Slamdown Town is a second home. I’ve been going there every weekend with my mom since I was a baby. It’s where I took my first steps, and where I learned how to do my first head lock on my little bro. I’ve had some of my best memories there, like the time I ate so much cotton candy that I burped cotton and then threw up blue for two days straight. Besides, where else is it perfectly acceptable to walk around in your underwear AND have terrible body odor? (I’m not talking about ME, I’m talking about the wrestlers!) This weekend is the big championship match between BIG CHEW (yayayayayaya) and the reigning champ, WEREWRESTLER, who is a total loser who is gonna totally lose this weekend. BIG CHEW needs all our support. So make sure to come out this Saturday, buy a ticket, and put your butt in a seat. If not, I’ll personally kick yours!
“Well, what do you think?” asked Hollis.
“Honestly,” said Ollie, “I think it’s the best post you’ve ever written.”
“I thought so myself,” said Hollis, pleased.
Tamiko clutched her stomach. “All this brotherly bonding is gonna make me hurl like that cotton candy story. I wonder what color it’ll be.”
Hollis, who had no interest in finding out the answer, stepped away from Tamiko. “Now all it needs is your artwork, bro.”
One by one, they scanned in all of Ollie’s drawings and placed them on the website.
On the front page was the final drawing of Werewrestler versus Big Chew on top of the arena. Other drawings of Silvertongue, Barbell Bill, Gorgeous Gordon Gussett, and Lil’ Old Granny appeared on the various pages. And across the top banner, in big bold letters, was the rallying call:
ONLY YOU CAN SAVE SLAMDOWN TOWN
The site had finally become the awesome fan page Hollis had always envisioned.
“Now we just have to get people to click on it,” said Ollie.
Hollis was, remarkably, right about the eighth graders. Once they started posting about the Officially Unofficial Slamdown Town Fan Club, every other middle schooler took notice. In the span of a single lunch period, there were more than a hundred users liking, commenting, and blogging away on the website.
“I knew I was destined to be a web developer,” said Hollis with tears in his eyes.
Ollie and Tamiko shook their heads but kept quiet.
Tamiko continued to mention the event on Griddle Royale. She spent every evening unlocking each piece of apparel and, after she had unlocked the highest-level gear, outfitted her game avatar in a vaguely Big Chew–inspired purple, gold, and red outfit. With her popularity soaring due to her skill, other players started to emulate her outfit, and support for Big Chew—and the arena—was high.
“Hey, everyone,” shouted Tamiko into her mic as she fought for breakfast glory. She’d kept the stream up constantly, giving her viewers a barrage of thrilling victories. “Looks like we have yet another pledge to attend Slamdown Town this Saturday. You will not be disappointed. And be sure to check out the Officially Unofficial Slamdown Town Fan Club for all the info. Remember, only you can save Slamdown Town. Now let’s see if we can score another five backers while I win again!”
Alone, they would not have been able to accomplish nearly as much as they did together. As the week drew to a close, the trio walked home from school that Friday buzzing with excitement. The past few days were a blur of getting anyone and everyone they could to agree to join them on Saturday.
“I’m pulling a massive five-hour stream tonight.” Tamiko’s eyes shimmered with pride. “Longest ever for my channel. That’s sure to bring in the viewers.”
Hollis and Ollie parted ways with Tamiko and headed toward home.
“Do you think we got enough?” asked Hollis as they turned onto their street.
Ollie felt confident that, after all their hard work, they would succeed.
“Let’s hope so!”
They had done all that they could think of to try and save the arena. More important, they had done it together.
CHAPTER 38
The day of the match had finally arrived. That Saturday, Ollie piled into the car along with his mom and brother.
“Don’t worry. We got this,” assured Hollis, who was already wearing his Lil’ Chew outfit.
“Fingers crossed,” said Ollie. The knot in his stomach tightened.
They picked up Tamiko and headed straight for Slamdown Town.
Tamiko eyed up Hollis.
“I like your costume,” she said without sarcasm.
Hollis had been prepared to verbally retaliate but was caught off guard by the compliment. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
Ollie caught his mom smiling at them all through the rearview mirror. The look on her face when glancing between Ollie and Hollis was one of relief. As if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
To be honest, so had Ollie.
“Outside of getting everyone to come, here’s to hoping Big Chew kicks Werewrestler’s butt!” shouted Hollis.
Ollie gulped. He certainly hoped that would happen. But with all his focus on saving the arena, Ollie’d had little time to think about the match itself.
“What do you think, Mom? Can Big Chew defeat Werewrestler?” asked Ollie.
“With his hands tied behind his back!” shouted Hollis.
Tamiko nodded. “Werewrestler isn’t gonna know what hit him!”
Ollie beamed at Tamiko, who winked at him.
“I don’t know, kids. I wouldn’t get my hopes up,” cautioned his mom.
“You don’t think Big Chew can win?” Ollie’s heart sank.
“No, I didn’t say that. But Werewrestler is . . .” She left the thought hanging.
But Hollis was more than willing to finish the thought for her.
“Werewrestler is the worst wrestler ever and a lousy cheating bum and I hope Big Chew kicks his hairy butt into next week!” said Hollis.
They made it to the arena. And they could hardly believe their eyes. There were more cars in the parking lot than there had been in years. The ticket takers, busy for once, ushered Ollie through the turnstile after he handed over his stub. Once inside, they found tons of fresh new faces. Kids and eighth graders (ugh) and adults and everyone in between.
The word had gotten out, thanks to all their efforts. Ollie stood, wide-eyed, observing the actual throng of people jostling into the arena. He didn’t know if it would be enough to fill every seat. But the possibility no longer seemed outlandish.
“We did it! Wrestling is saved!” shouted Hollis. He pumped his fist in the air.
“Not yet, it isn’t,” said Tamiko.
“Yeah, we need to make sure that every seat has someone in it. Or we’re doomed,” Ollie pointed out.
“Arena-saving work really makes you hungry,” said Hollis. “I’m gonna run to the snack line to grab some hot dogs. Who knows. Maybe this time there will be an actual line!”
Hollis sped off, leaving Ollie and Tamiko alone.
“You got this,” said Tamiko.
“Thanks.”
“Join me right after you win, okay?”
He smiled. “Deal.”
With that, he made his way backstage and into the locker room. The roar coming down from the arena was louder than he’d ever heard it. Soon, he’d be out there in front of all those people. But first things first.
The coast was clear. After sticking a fresh wad of gum behind his ear for his finishing move, Ollie chomped on Professor Pain’s gum and transformed into Big Chew.
Time to kick some Werewrestler butt, he thought as he checked himself out in the mirror. There was no way Slamdown Town was going to close on Big Chew’s watch. He took a long look around the locker room for what he hoped was not the last time. Then he headed out into the hallway that led toward the wrestlers’ entrance.
To his surprise, he found a crowd of wrestlers had lined up on either side of the hallway leading to the ring. As he walked past, they shouted out words of encouragement.
“Great job getting the crowd to show up. Haven’t seen this many people in a long time. Go end that wolf cub’s streak!” cheered Big Tuna.
“Watch his left hook. And his right one. And his legs, too,” advised Devastator.
“Zap that good-for-nothing cheat into next weekend,” said The Bolt. “And whatever you do, don’t turn your back on him.”
Lil’ Old Granny offered Ollie a cracked breath mint that, for all he knew, had decades on him. “Last thing you want is to fall victim to the perils of stinky breath,” she exclaimed, waving the mint in his face.
He pocketed the mint and soaked everything in. The other wrestlers seemed to be as eager as he was to see Werewrestler lose his belt. He was more than happy to make that happen.
By the time he stood just outside the entrance ramp, Ollie was pumped.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Have we reached the final match of Slamdown Town?!” screamed Screech. “I certainly see a lot of folks pouring in. But will it be enough? And who will be the champion? Well, I know a
certain newcomer looking to claim the belt. Give it up for the challenger: Big Chew!”
Ollie made his way down the entrance ramp.
The arena had filled up quite nicely. Fans loaded in from all sides.
Ollie’s heart soared. There were so many fresh faces.
He saw Hollis, who had already scarfed down all the food he’d bought only moments ago, flanked by his eighth-grade friends, plus a bunch of sixth and seventh graders he’d promised to pile-drive if they didn’t show up. They looked nervous, but hey, it had worked.
He spotted Tamiko, as well. Just above in their usual spot. She was surrounded by a large group of people wearing Griddle Royale apparel. So her streaming had paid off, too. There were still a few empty seats around her as fans piled in. But it looked like they had a real shot at pulling this all off.
Ollie felt his spirits lift. No matter what happened in the ring, having Tamiko back in Slamdown Town made him feel like everything was going to be all right.
She waved at him. He waved back. Then he turned his attention completely on the not-so-easy task of beating Werewrestler and claiming the championship belt.
Besides the fact that Werewrestler weighed nearly half a ton, Ollie knew that this would be the most difficult opponent he had faced yet. Werewrestler didn’t only excel at one element of wrestling like the others. He was a true master of the ring.
But that didn’t matter. Ollie would come out on top. He had practiced. He had trained. All the pieces had come together for this exact moment.
His mom checked him and cleared him for the match.
He was ready.
Now all he had to do was wait for Werewrestler’s entrance.
Screech Holler’s voice rang out. “Oh, no. Big Chew. Look out!”
Too late. Something massive collided into Ollie from behind. He lurched forward and was thrown outside the ring. It took all of Ollie’s focus to keep chewing. The force of the impact had nearly knocked the gum right out of his mouth. After all, Big Chew transforming into a tiny eleven-year-old kid would have been quite an awkward start to the championship match.
“Knock, knock,” came Werewrestler’s voice in his ear.
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