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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2021 8:22:01 GMT
The Alessio Files - Episode 3 - Letting it be Known.
Prologue: Scene Opens inside of Mark's room at the Baglioni Hotel, where he appears to be intently looking at a piece of paper resting within his hands. His eyes fixated on two names in particular. Panning in, it is revealed that those two names are his own on the left hand side; Xander Fillmore on the right.
"Xander Fillmore..." Mark states, running his right thumb gently across the name. "Former Olympic champion," he continues by stating softly, as he places the paper onto his legs.
Glancing forward, he comments "This should be interesting." before the scene slowly fades.
Scene 1: Scene opens to the outside, smoking area of the Hotel, where seven people can be seen. All sitting on snow white painted steel chairs, cigarettes in their mouths. At the far right hand side of the area, Mark is seated. Wearing a slate white JC Penny t-shirt, jeans and black leather loafers. Blowing a plume of smoke into the air as he takes a puff from his Agio cigar. Softly sighing, he glances around the area. Noticing the smoke flowing through the air; the coughing sounds from a single male, who is seated twelve feet to the left of the heir to the Alessio family dynasty. Blowing another plume into the air, Mark looks downward and to his right at his phone. Having heard the soothing tunes of Tamburini emit themselves from it.
Gently picking up the phone, Mark realizes that it is Giovanni, his father's right hand man, calling him; simply presses the accept call button before raising it to his ear.
"What's up, Giovanni?" Mark asks, softly sighing to himself. Unsure of what either Giovanni or his father could be asking about.
"Yes. I know," He replies to what Giovanni stated, but only Mark's end can be heard. "They sent me the card," he continues.
Mark's expression changes from stoic to curious at Giovanni's most recent remark, as he states "No, I hadn't," before slowly rising from his seat; walking to the outer perimeter of the smoking area. So as not to have any distractions during this call.
"I thought I gave them my number," He remarks, as he begins to make his way around the side of the hotel; toward the entrance of the hotel.
"Alright. Tell them I'll be there." He comments as he navigates his way around a pile of branches, before remarking "Sounds good to me. Bye." before pulling his phone from his ear; pressing the 'end call' button. The scene then fades as he reaches the main sidewalk.
Scene 2: Scene re-opens to the interior of the IIW arena, right in the heart of Manchester. Mark is wearing the same attire as he was at the hotel; is seated atop a chocolate brown leather seat, awaiting further instructions. Looking around, he watches as production staff and ring crew members prepare to set up for IIW's daily 'Combat' events, as well as the upcoming edition of Mayhem. Slowly shifting his weight, he yawns softly, having driven all the way from his hotel in London for this meeting. One of the production assistants then leisurely makes his way over to Mark, motioning for him to follow them.
"Glad you could make it," The assistant remarks, turning around as he begins to walk down the hall. "Mark is waiting for you in the interview room," he continues as the two pass various promotional banners. Both for Mayhem and their impending Special Event, Worlds Collide.
"No problems," Mark responds, turning right as the production assistant reaches the room with a silver sign reading 'Interview Room'; opening it.
"Mark Alessio?" A man asks, hoping a microphone in his right hand; four or five cameramen situated about six feet in front of him.
"Yes." Mark answers in a deadpan fashion.
The man motions for him to stand to his right, before remarking "Great. I'm Mark Morrison. I'm assuming you know why we're here?" as he extends his hand out for Mark to shake.
Accepting the handshake, Mark simply nods as he makes his way over to where Morrison requested him to stand, whilst the interviewer motions for the cameras to start rolling.
"Hello IIW. I'm Mark Morrison and here with me today, is one of the competitors in the International Championship tournament," He remarks, as Mark smiles. "Mark Alessio. Great to have you here." he continues by stating, as he holds the mic out for Alessio to respond.
"Pleasure is all mine."
"So, first and foremost. What brings you to the IIW?" Morrison inquires, as the heir to the Alessio dynasty simply laughs.
"Competition firstly," He remarks, as Mark nods his head. "The ability to leave my imprint on this industry; ensure that people understand that I can stand up to the best this business has to offer." he takes a deep breath after that comment, looking across at Morrison. Waiting to see if he has anything he wishes to interject.
"I'm guessing you mean the likes of Jake .E Dangerously?" He states.
"Yes," Alessio affirms, as the gruff yet intellectual Mark nods.
"At Mayhem in a couple of weeks, you have your chance to take your first step toward that aim, when you face ..." Morrison begins to remark, before the sharply dressed Rimini native interjects with "Xander Fillmore.", causing Mark to glare at him.
"Yes," He replies, irritated that Mark cut him off. "Former Gold Medalist Xander Fillmore." he continues, relaxing himself.
"I'm aware of his achievements. I watched the Rio Olympics; how he dominated them," Mark states, before sighing. "I know how capable he is in the ring. How he made it look easy." he remarks gently, before staring deep into the lens of the camera.
"He also dominated the MMA scene," Now it's Morrison's turn to interject himself. He glances at Mark, who simply smiles in response.
"I'm aware," Mark sternly comments.
Morrison simply nods, as he moves the mic closer to the Italian heir's mouth. Attempting to acquire a sound clip that can be used in promotional material for the match.
"What he isn't aware of, is what I can do in the ring," Mark states, obliging. "I may not have the credentials he does. I might not have been as dominant as he has been, but that doesn't give him an easy path at all," his words sharp, he laughs softly.
"I wouldn't think he expected an easy path," Mark states, earning himself a glare for his troubles.
"I'd hope he wouldn't. Otherwise, he's simply deluding himself," Is the reply the young Italian fires back, not appreciating the experienced interviewer's attempt to play devil's advocate.
"I'm assuming that you have a plan for him then?" Mark states, attempting to at least steer this conversation back on the right track.
"What do you take me for? A rookie?" Annoyed, Mark retorts as he begins to walk away. Feeling like Morrison is disrespecting me. "Of course I have a plan for Xander." he states, each word cutting through the air.
Noticing Mark's attitude, one of the cameramen gives Morrison a look that asks if he wants to cut the interview short. "No. I have one more question." is the teply given.
"Is there anything else you'd like to say before the match?" Sensing Mark's desire to end the interview, Morrison slightly moves the mic from his mouth.
"I respect Xander's achievements. I know this fight is going to be one people will want to see, but you have to know Xander," Mark comments, before stating "I don't plan on losing at Mayhem. I hope you realize that this isn't personal. This is simply business." with a smile, before he walks away from Morrison and toward the door. The scene then slowly fades.
Scene 3: Scene re-opens to Mark, sitting cross-legged atop a wine red couch, within the offices of the "Telesis" offices in Manchester, about two hours after the interview with Morrison finished. Looking around, he looks down at the piece of paper in his hand. The contract that they had sent to him in the mail.
(((Flashback)))
"Georgio'll take care of you," The elder Alessio states, as Mark sits across from him in his kitchen. The contract between them. "Give this to him. He'll know what to do." his remarks soft, Mark simply nods in response.
"So, see him when I'm about to compete?" Mark queries.
Giovanni nods, remarking "Yes. See him before you have your first match." as Mark makes a note to remind himself.
(((Current Day)))
"Mark Alessio," The receptionist states, as Mark looks up and rises from his chair. "Mr. Balsamo is ready to see you." she finishes, as Mark makes his way toward the hall.
"Thanks." Mark states softly, walking down the hall and reaching the second office on the left, which has a gold sign with 'Georgio Balsamo' written at the top and 'Chairman' written on the bottom.
Swinging the door open, he sees Georgio, wearing a suit and tie seated in his black leather swivel chair, looking at him with a smile.
"Your father has told me a lot about you," He comments, motioning for Mark to sit down.
"Same." Mark responds, placing the contract on the table and remarking "Dad told me you'd know what do to with this."
"Let me check," The meticulous businessman slides the contract close to the edge of the table, looking over it.
"Was he right?" Mark asks, uncertain.
Georgio nods, scouring over the contract like a fine tooth comb, before picking up a pen.
"Yes." He states, the scene fading as he signs it.
Scene 4: Scene re-opens to Dante's house in Rimini. The man himself seated atop his jet black leather couch, wearing a grey tweed suit with black loafers; reading over a book. Raising his right eyebrow, he notices something, but it cannot be seen exactly what he had noticed.
"I thought I told Giovanni not to tell them," He whispers, turning the page. "Unless I'm missing something," he remarks, sighing.
He continues scanning through the page, a small smile crossing his face as he notices a note. Panning in, it appears that the note is confirmation of something. What that is, is unknown. The scene fades on that, however.
Scene 5: Scene opens to Mark, seated on an oak bench, about two miles from the Telesis offices. The now-signed contract on his lap, inside of a snow white manila folder.
"Xander, I'm sure you have familiarized yourself with who I am by now," He comments, looking out at the vast, open spaces in front of him. "Just as I have done about you," he continues.
Sighing, he softly states "You should at least know that I was once a kickboxer; I trained in Judo," as he leans forward. "So, you should realize that I am just as adept at martial arts as you are. Even if you have the advantage," he affirms, before slowly standing up.
"Between those ropes, however, is where I am most comfortable," He softly states, walking through the park. "It is there, that I make myself at home," reaching an oak tree, he pauses. Leaning gently against it.
"I am much like this tree," His words gentle, he leans more against it. Putting his weight into his shoulder. "Study. Tough. Battle worn and tested." he remarks as he continues to lean against it. Attempting to dislodge it.
"Unable to be moved by a singular being," He remarks, laughing to himself. "Unless you have external help," he remarks in response to his own thought.
"This match up though, you won't have that help available to you." He bluntly states, as he leans back upright. His demonstration complete.
He continues walking, commenting "It'll be just you and I in that ring, Xander. And your gold medals. Your dominance in MMA won't be able to help you. They won't be able to save you from this match," pausing, as he thinks back to what he stated during his earlier interview. "I respect you, Xander. This Mayhem, however, isn't about respect. It's about that International title; taking my first step toward obtaining it." as he smiles.
"This isn't personal. It's simply business." Re-affirming this philosophy, he reaches the playground as the scene fades to black.
Scene 6: Scene re-opens to Mark's hotel room at the Bagiloni, where he is seated on the same chair where he found out his opponent for Mayhem. This time, however, he is looking at the same leather suitcase his grandfather had given him. Still zipped up, just as it was the day he gave it to Mark, back when Alessio was 9. Sighing, he raises his right hand, gently placing it on the zipper.
"Why?" He whispers, slightly pulling the zipper to open it, though he doesn't peer inside.
Raising his hand, he steps. Slowly lifting the suitcase up; placing it back on the floor, taking a slight glance at the gap he left. Catching a glimpse of something, he gently smiles.
"Maybe soon, I will unravel your secrets," He ponders, before looking at the Television out of the corner of his eyes, noting the fact they are talking about the arrival of Andrea Ceschi, Italian businessman; associate of his father.
He simply nods to himself, as the scene fades.
Scene 7: "Yes, I got your e-mail," Scene re-opens to Dante saying this, his phone gently against his ear. Only his end of the discussion can be heard.
"Yeah. He's a good kid," He remarks, obviously referring to his own son. "He just needs someone to help him tap into his potential," he continues, as he reclines further on the sofa.
"Both," He states, laughing. "He has all the tools to be great. To make sure nobody can doubt him, but he needs to harness it," Dante remarks, psychoanalyzing the younger Alessio as he ventures on his IIW journey.
"I wouldn't have sent him if I didn't think you could," He says, laughing. It is then, that Giovanni slowly enters the room.
Dante motions to him that he'll talk after the call as Giovanni states "Okay. I'll just leave it on your desk," as he turns around, heading back into the hall.
I'll have it sent to you tomorrow," Dante remarks, as the scene fades.
Scene 8: Returning to the hotel room, the scene opens with Mark kicking his legs up; reclining back on the midnight black sofa in front of the TV. The sound muted as images of various news comes up on the screen.
"Mayhem is where it all begins," He remarks, looking up at his ceiling. "Mayhem is where I take the first step …" sighing, he leans back further, so that he is nearly laying down.
"Xander, you are merely the first victim," He states, smiling before the sound of his phone ringing beside him takes his focus. The caller ID eliciting a smile. 'Andrea'.
The scene fades with a close up of the name, as Mark lifts the phone to his ear...
Epilogue: What is it that Andrea wants? How will Mark continue his preparations for his match with Xander? Is there something under the surface? Two of those questions will be answered.
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