The curtain rises and our narrators, the Three Sisters, tell us that in a biblical tale such as this, there is always a lesson to be learned—and it’s always learned the hard way. But human nature loves misery as long as it’s plaguing someone else (AGONY IS WHERE THE JUICE IS).
Sam is lying on a bench press lifting two thousand pounds of weight easily, plus Delilah, who rides up and down on the bar. Delilah shares with Sam her confusion about a phenomenon where a rational and intelligent person will knowingly choose to go down a path they know will end badly. Some say it’s fate but Delilah doesn’t believe in fate. Of course, believing may be irrelevant (THE THING ABOUT FATE). Sam and Delilah have some time alone. Anyone who is anyone in the organization, including Sam’s brothers, are in the conference room where the General is handing down his decision on the fate of those who crossed him. Sam claims he doesn’t care what the General decides because his father has had his operation and he’s in recovery. But Sam knows what he did was wrong and he knows there will be consequences. He asks Delilah to help him. But as an expert in the field of vicious men, Delilah knows you don’t mess with the General. That would be suicide. She turns away. Sam seduces her. She tries to resist, but she can’t (Reprise—THE THING ABOUT FATE). Sam and Delilah consummate their affair and their betrayal of the General.
In the conference room, the General points to Sam’s betrayal in the ring and promises that it will affect everyone in the organization. He announces that King Sid will defeat Samson in a rematch and then remain champion until further notice. And that Max Cobb will pay for the actions of the wrestler in his charge and is banished from professional wrestling. The General’s final words are more menacing. He claims that things have gotten a bit soft around the organization and that he’s going to have to toughen things up. He storms out leaving the others to ponder their options. Do they have the will to challenge the General? Max points out that the General is a man with no conscience. If you challenge him it’s all or nothing. “And there’s nothing worse than being on the wrong side of a failed revolt.” But Max also offers one caveat—the General may be more powerful than he’s ever been before but we have something on our side now, that we never had before—Sam (AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD ). The Three Sisters observe that, unfortunately, this particular instrument of God is badly in need of a good tuning.
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In the hospital, Sam sits outside his father’s room. And his father isn’t doing well. Stewart and Joe arrive. The mood is tense. On top of their father’s deteriorating condition, the older boys blame Sam for the General’s ruthless attack on Max and the other wrestlers. So when Joe asks Sam about his acceptance of the terms for the rematch with King Sid and Sam hesitates, an argument ensues. And Sam explodes, “Without Samson, there is no deal for anyone!” Sam is summoned to his father’s room where Jacob advises Sam to be very careful of the choices he makes. His actions are hurting other people. And if he made a mistake and didn’t hold up his end of the bargain with the General, he should do his penance without complaint.
Sam signs his new contract and the rematch is set but it’s not enough for the General. Not anymore. He knows Delilah has betrayed him with Sam and he wants revenge. And if Delilah wants to be forgiven she’ll have to carry out the General’s orders and cut Sam’s hair. “He betrayed me,” says the General. “Now let him betray his God.” Delilah loves Sam but she is not going to be a fool. After all, she could give up everything for Sam and he could still leave her (WOMAN SOFT GANGSTER TOUGH).
In a hotel room across the street from Madison Square Garden on the night before King Sid Vs. Samson II, Delilah cuddles up to Sam and waits for her moment. Unexpectedly, Naomi shows up at their door. Jacob has asked to see the family, together, and he asked Naomi to find Sam and bring him to the hospital. But Delilah pleads with Sam not to leave with Naomi and Sam gives in. He sends Naomi ahead, promising her that he’ll follow in a few moments—one drink and he’ll meet her there. But Delilah only needs a few moments. She drugs Sam and cuts off his hair. Then, at the hospital, with Miriam, Stewart, Joe, and Naomi by his side, Jacob dies.
Sam arrives at the hospital but the room is clean and the bed, stripped. Sam drops to his knees and hugs the bare steel slab that was his father’s last bed (A CLOWN IN THE RING). Sam enters the ring for his rematch with Sid and he takes a terrible beating. Ironically it is Samson in defeat, that helps to turn the tide.
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Sam has come to stand for something. The wrestling fans have hope that Sam is a genuine hero. Something authentic and dignified. And then they see Sam enter the ring without his hair and drained of his strength—purposefully humiliated on the day following his father’s death. Everyone knows who did the cutting and everyone knows who told her to do it. But the General pushes on. And while Naomi tends to Sam during his recovery, the General makes it tougher for the wrestlers to earn their keep. So the injuries start to mount up due to exhaustion and stress. And then, a veteran wrestler slips and falls from a crane while attempting to drop into a steel cage. He is rushed to the hospital and the wrestling world holds its breath.
Sam recovers from his physical injuries and his hair is back to shoulder length but he is still scarred. He has made so many mistakes. So much has happened that can never be undone. And now Sam waits for word from the hospital and feels the guilt of having left the other wrestlers and Max behind to pay for his mistakes. Still, when a new opportunity arises with a competing television network and Sam is offered another chance at redemption, he is too cautious, too afraid of making another mistake to take a chance. He feels he’s ready to do the right thing and make his contribution but he’s insecure. How will he know for sure which opportunity is the right opportunity?
Sam finds guidance when he is transported back in time and into the sauna of the Russian Baths where he finds his father, Max Cobb and three of their old wrestling buddies. This is the time right after Jacob was forced to bankrupt his business and he is showing the same insecurity about trying again as his son is showing in the present. Both are afraid of failing again. Jacob claims that the next time he sticks his neck out he’s going to be sure he’s right, one hundred percent. But Jacob’s friend, the legend, the champ of champs, Bruno Sammartino isn’t buying it. And Bruno tells it like it is. “You never know for sure, one hundred percent. You have to have faith that if you make the effort then everything will work out for the best,” (TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT AT GLORY). By the song’s end, Sam is dancing in the sauna with his father, Max and three classic wrestlers, all wearing nothing but towels. It’s an inspiring scene and Sam returns to the present, prepared to take his best shot.
A hero is precious. He stands up for us all.
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