Glen sat on the bench, waiting for the others to leave. Only when he was sure there was no one around did he remove his mask. No one knew the real reason why he constantly wore a mask

In the wrestling ring he portrayed Kane, the victim of a fire that had killed his parents and severely burned his face, scarring him for life. He was called the "big red machine," "monster," sometimes "mental retard," as he would speak slowly. But no one could dispute his athletic ability as he would leave his opponents lying in the ring. None of his fellow wrestlers could understand why he would continue to wear a mask outside the ring. Some thought he was going a bit too far, thinking he was acting like his in-ring character - quiet and brooding. Some even thought he was on an ego trip.

Glen knew what they thought. At first it bothered him but eventually he learned to ignore it. At first they used to ask if he wanted to go out to have a beer. He would shake his head. Just as he had been most of his life, he preferred to be alone.

While he showered, he pictured them sitting at a bar, girls hanging all over them, wide-eyed, hoping they would get lucky. He dressed, then packed his bags, making sure before he left that his mask was on. As usual, the backstage area was empty except for the clean-up crew, the show having quickly disassembled and packed in the large semis and left. Going out the back door, he crossed the empty lot to his car for the drive to the hotel. When he entered his room, he lay on the bed and turned on the TV. To his dismay, it was a couple making love. He quickly changed the channel. Finding nothing on, he turned it off. He stared at the ceiling, then closed his eyes. Fortunately he had had a rough match and was tired. Soon he fell asleep. This was a good night. There were nights when he would toss and turn, unable to sleep because of the loneliness, desperately wanting someone to look at him as a person, to go beyond the mask.

Chapter 2

Melissa had just received a promotion and had gone out with a couple of her friends to celebrate. She had been upgraded to position of vice president of CPM Advertising, Inc. At first she felt she didn't deserve the promotion. She had talked with the president of the company, saying she shouldn't have been promoted as there were others who had worked there longer and deserved more consideration.

The president had assured her the Board had taken every aspect into consideration. He had pulled a file from his desk and showed letters written by various clients, praising her knowledge of advertising, her promptness and her ability to handle unexpected situations that would come up from time to time.

Melissa was a beautiful young woman who had also been blessed with brains. She had a shapely figure, jet-black hair that framed an oval face, accentuated with green eyes surrounded by long lashes. She was never vain about her looks, always downplaying them, telling people there were far more beautiful women than she.

Her two friends, Beth and Marsha, took her a couple of days later to a very high-class restaurant as a surprise, a bottle of champagne waiting. As they toasted her promotion, they decided to spring their other surprise. Beth got up from the table for a few minutes, saying she needed to go to the ladies' room. When she returned, she was carrying a large gift-wrapped package.

"Girls, this is too much! You take me to an expensive restaurant, champagne waiting, now this?"

"Open the package, 'Lissa. I think you'll like it," Beth said.

Her eyes opened wide as she pulled out a leather briefcase, trimmed in gold, with her initials done in gold.

"This is beautiful!"

"Well, being promoted calls for something better than the one you have now. Look inside."

Melissa opened the case; inside was an envelope. She looked at the girls with a questioning look. Opening the envelope she pulled out a ticket. "What is this for?"

"Well, we're taking you to a wrestling show."

"A wrestling show!"

"Yeah. The WWE is coming to town next week."

"So, what is the WWE?"

Beth and Marsha started laughing. "For someone who works in advertising, you mean you've never heard of it? What do you think we do on Monday nights? We watch wrestling. The best looking hunks are there."

"Is that all you two can think about - hunks?"

"Why not? There's no harm in that."

"So? Are you going?"

"If I don't, I'll never get any rest from either of you."

__________________ The WWE rolled into town a couple of days ahead of time. As usual Glen arrived before the other wrestlers. After checking in amidst stares he went to the arena to get in a good workout. He was just getting through when some of the other wrestlers came in. Mark came over and sat next to Glen, doing some warm-ups with hand weights.

"Glen, I know you don't go out, but for once, couldn't you just stop being the lone wolf and try to socialize with the rest of us. They're beginning to think you're on an ego trip."

"Let them think what they want. I have my reasons for not going."

Glen got up and left. Why should they care? They're able to show their faces in public, no scars to make people back away.

The girls arrived early hoping to get lucky and see some of the wrestlers enter. Melissa hung back, shaking her head as she saw her best friends go gaga when they caught a glimpse. "Come on, you two. Let's get to our seats."

After getting themselves drinks at the concession stand, they entered the arena and found their seats. The girls had been able to get good seats, sitting in the first row, right where the wrestlers would enter the ring. Beth and Marsha had their cameras ready. As the wrestlers came out, the girls would stand and take pics of them. Melissa would look at her two friends, wondering if she should have come in the first place. "Oh! Kane should be next! "Lissa you'll like this guy."

A loud bang and exploding pyros made Melissa jump. As Kane's music played, the girls had their cameras ready. Kane walked down the ramp toward the ring. Beth and Marsha jumped up and down, screaming hysterically.

"Will you two sit down!This is embarrassing!"

"'Lissa, look at him! God, did you ever see such a hunk!"

"I wish he would take his mask off."

"How can I see with you two in the way."

Beth and Marsha sat down. Melissa was finally able to see. She watched as he entered the ring. "He does have a good looking body," she thought. "Why does he wear a mask?"she asked.

"It's a part of his wrestling character. The 'story' is that he lost his parents in a fire and was severely burned, thus he wears a mask." Melissa watched as the match progressed, amazed that someone so large moved with fluid agility.

After the last match, the girls went to the lobby to buy a couple of souvenirs. On their way to the car, they decided to stop off at a bar and have a drink. As they sat at the table, a couple of the wrestlers came in. Beth and Marsha sucked in their breath. "'Lissa, look! It's Triple H and Billy Gunn!" Melissa watched the two men as they ordered their drinks. "Excuse me, you two. I'll be right back." Melissa walked to the ladies' room to freshen up and had to pass the bar. As she walked by a few sets of eyes watched.

"Now that's what I call fine," Billy Gunn said.

As she returned to the table, Triple H had to comment. "Man, where did she come from?"

They saw she sat at a table with two other girls. They decided to go over and talk to the girls. "Hello, ladies, mind if we sit?" Beth and Marsha couldn't say a word. Finally the girls nodded. The guys grabbed chairs and sat next to them. "What are you girls doing here by yourselves?"

"We were just having a drink before going home. We were at the matches tonight," Marsha replied.

"What are your names?"

"This is Marsha,Melissa, and I'm Beth. You don't need to introduce yourselves. We know who you are."

Melissa remained quiet, listening as the girls giggled. She looked at her watch. "Girls, I'm going to catch a cab home. I've got an early appointment."

"Ah, 'Lissa, do you have to leave now?" Marsha asked. "Couldn't you stay a little while longer?"

"No, I need to get home. Besides, I believe they are much better company than me," she said with a smile. Using the phone in the back, she called a cab, then stood outside and waited. On the way back she had the cab drop her off at the park. She really didn't have an appointment; she just wanted to be alone. She found a spot by a large fountain, listening to the splashas the droplets glistened in the moonlight.

Chapter 3

Glen, as usual, waited till everyone had left before showering. It was the same thing, but something else was on his mind. While on the way to the ring, he had noticed two girls jumping up and down. When they sat he noticed a dark-haired girl who sat between them. When he got in the ring he turned to look at her. Before doing his fire pyros he saw her smile. To him it was like the sun had come out.

He stepped out of the shower. "Why should I even think of her. There would be no way she would look at me."

He left the arena to drive to the hotel. As he drove he saw the park to his right. "Why not. Anything would be better than a dark, lonely room." He parked the car near the gate and started walking. While he walked, he thought back to why he wore the mask.

When he was younger, his mother had always told him that when he grew up he would be a very handsome man. He would just look at her at say, "Oh mom!" All that changed in one cruel twist. On his way home one day a gang of teenagers got him cornered and began picking on him. At the time he wasn't very tall and was a bit thin for his age. Finally one of the boys hit him for fun. He had never raised his hand in anger before, but he knew there would be no other way out. He raised his fist and punched the one that had hit him. The others then jumped on him, pounding him to the ground. One of them pulled out a knife and told the others to hold him. He struggled till he was knocked unconscious, waking up in the emergency room. The first thing he saw was his mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. He felt his face, a bandage covering one side, his eye peeping out.

When the bandages were taken off a couple of weeks later, he looked in the mirror and saw the scars. As they did not have much money, she could not afford to have plastic surgery done. She went and got a mask that covered one side of his face. When he returned to school, the kids stared at him, backing away when he approached, whispering after he had gone by.

When he had reached the age of 17, he quit school. Getting on a bus, he left with only enough money to get him a one-way ticket to a bigger city, where he felt he could lose himself in the crowd. It was hard living from day-to-day, working odd jobs and staying at a YMCA. Then he got a job working at night in a meat plant. Lifting heavy carcasses of meat every day was slowly building his body. He had also reached his growth spurt, and had shot up to almost 7 feet. In six months he was able to toss the carcasses two at a time. Most of the employees in the plant learned to stay away from the quiet, young man. Then one day one of the day workers had switched to the night shift. He had heard of Glen's ability to pick up two carcasses at a time. He looked at Glen, calling him a freak because of the mask and his size.

"Hey freak! How come you don't take your mask off? What's the matter, your mother thought you ugly!" Then the man would laugh.

Glen did his best to ignore the man. The others tried to tell him to leave Glen alone, but the more they tried, the more he taunted Glen. After a couple of months, the man got Glen alone in the locker room, a good sized couple of his buddies with him. They grabbed him from behind, pushing him up against the wall. The man came up to him. "Now, we're going to see what you look like, freak."

Glen could feel him loosening the straps. Try as he could, Glen could not free himself. The man started laughing as did his two companions. Glen felt anger going through him. Finally, with one push he knocked the two men to the floor. The leader started backing away as Glen came at him, grabbing the man and hitting him. Blow after blow Glen kept hitting him, knocking him to the cement floor. By this time, several of the other workers had heard the commotion, one of them going for the foreman. As they entered the locker room, they saw Glen on top of the man, beating him with his fists. His two cohorts were getting up, one of them grabbing a chair to hit Glen with. One of the workers quickly took the chair away. The two men ran out of there, leaving their companion at Glen's mercy. It took three others to pull Glen off the man. Picking up the mask, Glen quickly put it back on. The man lay on the floor unconscious.

The foreman asked what happened. One of the workers told him what they had seen. He asked Glen to tell his side of the story. Glen told him what the man and two others had done. "This is the first time anybody has bested him. I don't condone what happened, but I'm glad somebody finally stood up to him." He looked at Glen. "With that kind of strength and size, son, you should be doing something more than this. Perhaps you should be a wrestler."

Four months later, he was in training at a local wrestling school. After six months, he began doing small matches, building himself up. Glen stayed at the local level for six years, doing fairly well. A scout from the WWE happened to be in the area and caught one of Glen's matches. After talking to him, he had Glen make a tape to send to the home office in Connecticut. Seeing potential, he was signed up, going to one of the smaller independent federations for further training and honing of his skills. He made amazing progress and was brought up six months later to do jobber matches, wrestling at low mid-carder status.

Glen worked hard and never complained. Soon he was up to full mid-card status, winning matches against some of the more established wrestlers. He took on many different characters, but always with a mask. The owner decided Glen had made good progress as he noticed Glen was beginning to be a fan favorite, and thought it was time for a new character to appear. A character that was quiet, brooding, and whose very actions bespoke of a monster. Thus, Kane was born.

Chapter 4

Kane was the perfect character for Glen; showing no emotion, leaving bodies lying in the ring, and hiding behind a mask, having everyone wonder what he looked like underneath.

His debut as Kane came at a Wrestlemania match. He was to make his appearance during the main match between Undertaker and another wrestler, causing Undertaker to lose. That was five years ago. Glen enjoyed playing Kane in the ring, as he was almost playing himself. His character caught on, getting huge pops from the fans whenever he appeared. But inside was always the loneliness, even when Glen was signing autographs and people clamoring to see him.

Glen came back to the present. He was now close to the fountain that was in the middle of the park. He went to approach, but saw a lone figure under the lights sitting near the fountain. He could see the face, but at first didn't recognize who it was. As he came closer, he saw it was the girl he had seen at the wrestling matches earlier than evening.

Melissa got up to leave the park. As she looked up she saw a large figure standing under the lights not far from her. She wanted to scream but realized no one would really hear her. "Who are you?" she asked nervously, trying not to be afraid, realizing she had been foolish to come to the park this late by herself. "What do you want?"

"I don't want anything," he told her. "I came to be alone. I didn't realize anyone would be here this late. Why are you here? It isn't safe for a woman to be alone."

Melissa looked at the tall figure for some minutes. She thought back to the wrestling match. "You're the guy from the wrestling match tonight. I recognize the body. You wore a red mask. Kane, wasn't it?"

Glen nodded, wondering how she was able to remember. "That's not my real name. It's Glen." "For some reason, your voice sounds different," Melissa commented. "It's not raspy sounding."

"That's only in the ring," he said. "Do you mind me asking your name?"

Melissa calmed down a bit, seeing he had made no advance."It's Melissa. My friends call me 'Lissa for short."

Glen kept his face turned away while they talked. "You have a good memory for only having seen me just tonight," he said.

"With the type of job I have it pays to have a good memory."

Glen stood where he was, not coming closer in case he frightened her away. For some minutes they didn't say anything.

"I guess I had better get going," she said, a little hesitant about going by him.

Glen saw her hesitation, realizing he was in her way. He moved to the side. Melissa walked past, looking back to see if he would follow, still seeing him standing by the lights. Glen watched her leave then turned back to look at the fountain.

She started for the exit, and then heard footsteps behind her. She began walking faster, the footsteps also going faster. Melissa started to run, the footsteps running also. Soon they had caught up with her, a hand grabbing her arm, a hand covering her mouth. She could hear heavy breathing. She struggled to get away as she was being dragged off the sidewalk. She stomped on the unseen assailant's foot. The man yelled, letting go for a few seconds. She started to run again but was caught, then thrown to the ground, a hand covering her mouth. "Now lie still. This won't take long."

The man let out a yell as he found himself pulled up and thrown to the ground. He went to attack but saw a huge masked figure in front of him. Getting up he ran out of the park.

Glen had seen the man come from behind some bushes and start to follow her. He had arrived just in time. He turned to a dazed Melissa. "Are you okay?"

Melissa saw it was Glen. "I'm okay," she replied as he helped her up. "Thank you."

"No thanks are necessary. Are you sure you're okay? Perhaps I had better take you home."

Melissa didn't refuse. They drove the few blocks to her apartment, escorting her to the front door. "This is where I live. Thank you again for rescuing me. Would you like to come in for a few minutes?"

"No, thank you. I leave tomorrow so I need to get a few hours sleep. Good night."

Glen made sure she was in the building before getting back in his car. When he got to his room, he undressed for bed. He couldn't believe he had actually met and talked to her. He knew he would never forget her name, but knew he would never see her again.

Chapter 5

Melissa entered her apartment, still a bit shaken by the incident. The phone rang. It was Beth. "'Lissa, where were you? We tried calling but got no answer!"

"I stopped at the park for a few minutes."

"At this time of night! What possessed you to do that?"

"I don't know. I just felt like it. Besides, nothing happened."

Melissa decided not to mention the incident or meeting Glen. She knew she would hear "I told you sos" for at least a week. She told them good night and undressed for bed. She thought to the conversation at the fountain. It had been fortunate that he had been there. "He acted rather peculiar," she thought. "Like he didn't want someone to see his face." She showered and lay in the bed. This had been a strange night.

Glen went to the next town, his life back to the same routine, except this time he would think of her. Why hadn't he thought to ask her last name. "Perhaps it was just as well," he sadly thought.

Melissa soon adjusted to her new position. She did find herself as busy as ever although she didn't have to worry about coming in at a certain time, enjoying the idea of getting an hour or two of extra sleep. After being in her position for six months, she got a memo wanting her to fly out to San Diego to look over the new office they were planning to open, being told she would be spending at least a month. Getting her things together, she booked a flight, which left a couple of days later. She settled into a beach house about ten minutes from the office. She stood on the balcony, looking at the ocean. The sunset was a beautiful blend of reds and yellows. The reds reminded her of a tall man with a mask. "He must have made quite an impression for you to remember him," she said to herself. She began to wonder where he was and what he was doing.

The WWE was heading to San Diego to do a PPV. Most of the wrestlers were flying in. Glen had left from Phoenix a couple of days ahead for the drive to San Diego. He enjoyed driving as it always gave him time to think and relax. He kept a beach house there, which was his favorite retreat.

Melissa had worked with the manager for a couple of weeks. Things were shaping up faster than expected. She could have left after two weeks but called to say she wanted to stay a while.

Glen pulled up to his beach house, glad to be home. Here he could enjoy his solitude with long walks on the beach, always at night and not worry about the stares. As he was unloading he saw the house next to him was occupied.

Melissa had just finished eating and was watching TV when she saw a commercial about the WWE PPV. She saw a familiar face. "So he's going to be here." She called information asking for the local ticket office. She found out the schedule and prices, finding there were still ringside seats available. After ordering, she wondered if he would even faintly remember her. It had been over six months. Glen was early the next morning for his daily workout, going for a short run along the beach before too many people were up. While he ate breakfast, he looked his schedule over, seeing he was to make an appearance later that morning and sign autographs. As he had time, he did his laundry, then showered and dressed in his ring attire for his session.

Melissa got up, taking her breakfast on the patio. She looked over the schedule. "Hmm, he's signing autographs this morning. Looks like I had better get ready."

When she arrived, she found the line forming already. Picking up her ticket, she got herself in line for the long wait. Thirty minutes later, Glen came out, cameras popping, people yelling. He waved at the crowd then sat down to sign autographs.

The line moved slowly, everyone wanting to shake his hand after he had signed their picture. Glen was getting writer's cramp, having to stop every now and then to flex his hand. Finally Melissa was next. Without looking up he asked, "How do you want me to sign it?"

"Just sign it 'To Melissa from Kane.'"

Glen stopped and looked up. His eyes opened wide as she was standing there waiting. He wrote what she had asked him to, extending his hand for her to shake. He gave her the pic, still surprised. She stepped away, going on to a couple of other exhibits. When he was through, he left, intending on finding her. He looked around but didn't see her. "No, it really couldn't have been her. My mind was playing tricks on me." He left mid-afternoon for his beach house.

Melissa had gone on to look at a couple of other exhibits then went straight back to the house. She smiled at the look she had seen in his eyes. He had remembered her. She was sitting on the patio, enjoying the sun. Glen came out on his deck, glad for the time alone. He turned to his left. All he could do was stare. Going down his steps, he crossed the short distance to next door.

Melissa saw a shadow come across her. She looked up a bit startled, then recognized who it was. "Hi."

"You're the one who lives here?"

"I've been here for about three weeks on business. I decided to stay a while longer."

"I thought I was seeing things this morning!"

"I didn't know if you would remember me. It was only once."

"How could someone forget a beautiful woman like you!" He turned and looked away as soon as the words had come out, a slight redness coming up his neck. "I'm sorry."

"Why? That's the nicest compliment I've heard."

A slight smile came on his face.

"Do you have time to sit for a while?"

"No, I'll have to be getting back to the arena soon. I'm supposed to do more signings. I don't suppose you'll be there again."

"I have a ringside seat for the matches tomorrow night. I'm not sure what side of the ring I'll be sitting though."

"I'll look out for you." Glen kept his hands in his jeans pockets. He didn't want her to see how nervous he was talking to her. "What will you be doing after the matches?" he asked.

"I probably will just come on home. I don't know the city well enough to know where to go."

"Well... I mean....would it be okay if...."

"Are you asking me out?"

Glen turned to look at the ocean. "Yes," expecting her next word to be "no."

"I would like that. Where do you want me to meet you?"

Glen looked back at her, not believing she had accepted. It was a few moments before he could answer. "Could you wait for me backstage? I'll get you a pass. I'll need to tell the guard your full name."

"It's Melissa Connors."

"It will be at the ticket office." He looked at his watch. "I'd better get going."

Glen went back to his house. When he entered it hit him. He had just asked out a beautiful woman and she had said yes. And she would be waiting backstage. He could imagine the looks on the other wrestlers' faces.

Melissa couldn't help but feel she was back in high school, being asked out for the first time. She got the feeling she was the first one he had asked out or who hadn't turned him down. "Why would someone want to turn him down?" she thought to herself. "Or not go out with him?"

She wondered was it because of the mask or that he was shy - or both. The mask did intrigue her. Why did he wear it? She had wanted to ask but thought better of it, realizing he would tell her in his own time.

Chapter 2

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