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Post by Osh Vaughan on May 31, 2021 14:03:34 GMT
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Post by Tyler Debonair on Jun 6, 2021 10:10:09 GMT
***We slowly approach a restaurant in South Ozone Park, New York City and as we get closer to the main entrance and begin to walk inside, we see the name “Don Peppe” on the awning above the door... A light emanates from another door, this time all the way in the back of the premises and a shadow can be seen pacing up and down from underneath as we get closer and muffled sounds akin to the ambling of indistinct conversation can be heard as we approach, which become clearer as we slowly enter the room.
Inside we find Tyler Debonair, evidently feeling like something extremely important has cropped up, for him to have flown over to New York from Manchester and to be pacing the way he is right now. Stood in one corner of the room is Asher Greenberg, member of the Greenberg crime family and Tyler’s future brother in law... Currently he is filing his nails and listening to the discussion being had by the man sat behind the desk who is on the phone, his father Abe Greenberg, head of the aforementioned Greenberg crime family.
Tyler stops pacing when Abe puts down the phone and just looks at him for a bit, Abe writes something down on a bit of paper and presses a button on his desk, less than fifteen seconds later a woman walks in, past Tyler and straight to Abe, he passes her the paper and she reads it, nodding and leaving the room. He looks up at Tyler and shrugs*** Abe: ”And how can I help you, Tyler?”
Tyler: ”Really, Abe? This is what we’re doing?? I’ve flown all the way here from England and this is what you’re going to give me?”
Abe: ”Look, Tyler, I’ve honestly got no idea wha...”
Tyler: ”Have you seen him? Has he been back here?”
Abe: ”No, he isn’t here... I’m sorry.”
Tyler: ”You sure? I’ve been told the last place he was seen was right here, in NYC!”
Abe: ”I’m not sure what to tell you, Tyler mate. He isn’t around”
Tyler: ”I’ve not spoken to him properly in over two years and when I finally need to talk to him, he drops off the face of the planet?! He needs to know that The Celtic Club are in IIW...”
Asher: ”You mean John Cavanagh and his boys? Oh he knows...”
***Asher is still filing his nails as he says this, so hasn’t seen the shocked and slightly annoyed look on Tyler’s face as he spins around to face him, nor has he seen his dads clenched jaw and slow shake of the head, both indicating for the younger Greenberg to shut the hell up and fast. When he does notice, it’s a little too late*** Asher: ”What I mean to say is that...”
Tyler: ”I thought you said he hasn’t been here?!”
Abe: ”I said he isn’t here, he has been here but he is gone now...”
Tyler: ”Any idea where? And please... Don’t cover for him.”
Asher: ”Come on, Ty, that’s unfair man... Nobody is covering for anybody you know that.”
Abe: ”My boys right mate, you’re better than this... And if anyone was taking sides you know after everything I’d be siding with you fella. Are you okay??”
***Tyler sighs and takes a seat opposite Abe. Asher pulls himself away from the corner and sits down between the two men at the edge of Abe’s desk as Tyler puts his head in his hands*** Tyler: ”You’re right, sorry both of you. I should be showing you way more respect than that... It’s just with everything that’s happened lately...”
Abe: ”Nah mate, we get it right? I’ve actually been meaning to ask you since our meeting over in Manchester and you finally met with Darius and had the little chat... What are you now remembering?”
Tyler: ”Honestly? Not as much as I thought this might have brought out of me. I mean I remember how I felt when my parents were fighting, when they broke up and she split, disappeared into nowhere... I remember finishing school and having one of my first matches in CXF against “Mad” Max Hannigan and ending his career, oh I remember the week after that very clearly... All too clearly in fact, Abe. I remember the pills, the alcohol, the “episodes” three in the week I think and then...”
Asher: ”My pops drove you and your dad to Resnick... It took nearly four phone calls before they’d even consider seeing you but well...”
Tyler: ”Money talks, yeah I know... And yes, I know your dad took us, thank you Abe. What I don’t get is how in the world I came to believe I’d chosen to be there of my own volition...?”
Abe: ”It was five years ago, mate, don’t thank me now... But the truth is you did enter Resnick willingly, that was of your own volition. However, after some time there was an experiment done, this experiment was a sort of...”
Tyler: ”Brainwashing?”
Abe: ”Not so much brainwashing, more like “convincing” I guess... You have seen the film shutter island ain’t ya? With that Leonardo da Vinci?”
Asher: ”DiCaprio dad...”
Abe: ”What, mate?”
Asher: ”It’s Leonardo DiCaprio...”
Abe: ”I know, I know! It was a joke! But anyway... That’s what happened, Tyler mate. And then your dad fought.”
Tyler: ”Fought? What do you mean?”
Abe: ”He fought to get you out of that place, for the longest time! But there was so much red tape, so many holes to crawl through... All this time you thought he was angry at you and...”
Tyler: ”He wasn’t... At all.”
***Tyler pushes himself up from his chair and walks around the room a little more agitated now. He looks around at Asher, then back to Abe. He pulls his cellphone out and keys in a phone number putting it on loudspeaker only for them to hear the message that the person they’re trying to reach is unavailable*** Tyler: ”And this is all I keep getting when I try calling him, now... I’ve got no number, nobody picks up at the original Courthouse over in LA, nobody picks up at the house either!”
Abe: ”Look, Tyler... Mate I’m sorry, I am but... Right now there’s not a whole lot I can do. I’ve spoken to Mercedes, she’s aware you’re out here now but apparently you never told anyone you were coming here?”
Tyler: ”Do I need to tell everybody where I am at all times??”
Abe: ”Not at all, mate... But when a champion of a promotion goes missing usually, fines get bandied about and punishments happen. Don’t want all that mess do ya?”
Tyler: ”You’re right... Ok look, I’m gonna go see a friend who lives further up in NY State then I’m gonna fly back to England. But, BUT, if he contacts you, or you hear anything...”
Asher: ”We’ll be sure to let you know, Tyler... Don’t worry about it. Hey you need a ride anywhere or?”
Tyler: ”Thank you, nah I’m good man. I’ve got a rental. Abe, Asher... I’ll see you guys when you’re back in England I assume?”
***Both men nod as Abe stands to shake his hand, he turns and falls into a fist bump left waiting there by Asher. Tyler opens the door to the back room and walks eloquently out of the restaurant without looking back, stopping briefly to pull the car keys from his jeans pocket and hit the unlock button. As the car unlocks and the button on the key fob beeps twice, Tyler hears another beep from his other pocket, his cellphone. Pulling it out he notices he has a text*** Tyler: ”Putnam County... 41.4351° North, 73.7949° West... What the hell?!”
***Tyler climbs into his rental and plugs the phone into the car charger opening his Maps application. He types in the coordinates in and cranks up the volume as “Hey you” by Pink Floyd begins to play on Q104.3. He hits GO on the app and pulls away from outside the restaurant as we slowly begin to fade into darkness......
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......When we reopen we find ourselves along a mountain trail, the Appalachian trail to be exact. Tyler had received another text once he’d arrived in Putnam County and now he was following wherever they were leading him. He’d collected everything he needed in terms of supplies from the car, dropped a text message to both Mercedes and Steph to let them know where he was going and began the journey, slightly inclining after about ten minutes, it was what happened after thirty minutes that began to worry him. Tyler realised that, although following the trail should have been easy enough and although when he looked around he should still have been able to see something recognisable, he had no clue where this trail had led him. He sees a large flat rock to the side which he sits on as he sighs, the sun gleaming through the tree canopy above his head. He pulls a bottle of water out of the bag he’s carrying and drinks a couple of mouthfuls as he looks around his surroundings*** Tyler: ”This entire scenario right now is quite literally a metaphor for my journey leading upto and my being in, IIW... I thought I knew where I was, I got a message giving me direction, I made it my mission to find someone or something and end up getting more lost both literally and inside my head, than I was before! Here I sit, on this part of the Appalachian trail that makes its way through New York and I’m not even sure of the way back... The trail itself seems to have disappeared underneath my feet and there is nobody around here, anywhere, to ask...
This echoes exactly what’s happening right now, in the promotion... I won the International Title tournament, I showed everybody exactly what I said I was going to do, I successfully defended said title, I brought about the inception and emergence of The Kindred, I tell everybody how big a fan I am of John Cavanagh and now what?! Now Bob Mitchell, Jason Fenix, somebody?! Decided it would be funny to stick me in a tag-team match?! Okay don’t get me wrong because of all the partners outside of my friend and ally, Darius, Rogue was the absolute best choice that could have been made... Current IIW TV Champion, so his pedigree is legitimate! Ranked number one, in the organisation just ahead of myself and the current World Champion Jake E Dangerously, I mean you probably couldn’t ask for a better partner... Just as long as he sticks to his gameplan we should be okay!
You see I’m very aware that Rogue doesn’t like playing with others, I’m very aware he prefers to be by himself and hey so did I, for many, many years I preferred the isolation, the darkness... Until I learned that family is everything! But Rogue you haven’t got to worry about yours truly, I’m going to come in by your side and have your back, we’ll do what we need to, to get the job done and then you’ll never hear from me again, hoss, don’t worry about that! And yes I’m very savvy on your methods, I will not be opposed to any of that on Mayhem!”
***Tyler looks across the path from where he is and spots a white tailed deer making its way through some brush. He stands up as it trots away slowly and begins to walk in the same direction, without considering where he is or where the deer is going*** Tyler: ”Zack Steele... How you doing, Zack? How are you feeling after Mayhem man? Wow, I cannot lie you gave me one hell of a fight hoss! You took me to my limits and back again, our match definitely should have been one for Worlds Collide that’s for sure. Zack you’ve definitely got the heart and the fight of a Champion, you carry yourself well, that’s for sure and I’ll give you credit if it were anybody else holding the International Title right now, you may very well have taken it off their hands... You’re more than Championship material Zack, the only thing is you’re not International Championship material! Oh no, you failed THAT test.
Perhaps you may be able to get yourself psyched up again to have a go at another belt, perhaps the one you’ve already positioned yourself for, Zack, Rogue’s Television Title, eh? That is of course if the man himself decides on drinking himself into a stupor and dropping a couple of Percocet, but I don’t see Rogue doing that but you know... I’ve listened to Shaun Hart this week on The Hollywood Reporter Podcast and he was talking with Ste Davies and it was said that perhaps YOU may be the one to end Rogue’s unbeaten streak?! I mean I was flabbergasted if I’m honest with you, Zack! Do you agree with that statement? Like really agree with it...? Or are you beginning to realise that your train has derailed? That you just may not be as good as you thought you were? Are you beginning to understand, Zack, that your previous successes were flukes?! I bet perhaps you thought that beating me was going to raise your stock, earn you some clout eh, hoss?
You know before you started spraying rhetoric about whose merchandise was doing what, I couldn’t give a rats ass about all that, but then I wanted to get a Coven hoodie for my God daughter, just after our match and man I’ve got to tell you, everything Coven, everything Kindred it was all sold out! I couldn’t believe it... I mean I still couldn’t really care less but it’s amazing going from being the shortest line to the biggest seller on the store! Oh just a little FYI, Zack and, I hate to be the barer of bad news but I’m pretty sure even Bobbi2Condi is outselling you...”
***Tyler pulls the bottle of water back out of the bag and drinks another heavy mouthful before placing it back. He looks around his surroundings before spotting what he believes is a rooftop and spire in the distance, so he continues walking*** Tyler: ”And wow, your partner man... Your partner! If you aren’t feeling privileged to be in the ring alongside this man, Zack, then I’m not sure if you’re even aware of the Wrestling world around you! But I’m also really, really pissed! I mean as I said earlier too, it hadn’t even been a few hours from me explaining what a huge fan I am of John Cavanagh, and the next thing I know, I’ve got a tag team match against him?! I don’t think this is what I wanted... I say I don’t think so, because I’ll be honest, I’m not sure. Because I’m not sure what your intentions are John, you or The Celtic Club.
I mean firstly you, Andy and Trig, you come out at Worlds Collide right after I’ve won my International Title and you introduce yourself to the IIW crowd, which was nice! It was good to see you out there, great to see you guys in the organisation... Like I said at the top of the night last week, growing up whenever my dad had asked if we wanted to come to a show, my first question was, is John Cavanagh going to be there? Are The Coalition going to be there? I was such a huge fan, if it wasn’t Fred Debonair, Riley Andrews, Shawn King or Mike Angelo I wanted to be like... It was John Cavanagh! So yeah coming out and staking your claim, was all well and good.
But then John, then you came out while I was taking care of business against Zack and I wasn’t sure what it was you wanted then... I was genuinely confused, I thought maybe you were just coming to get a ringside seat, but it appears it may have been a bit more than that now that were booked against each other this coming week... So I’m still trying to figure it out, I’m trying to work out if this is going to be a straight level tag team match or if we’re gonna have an issue? Because John I’m just going to let it be known now, I can lock up with the best of them and I know you’ve been head to head with my pops, as much as you’ve been side by side with him, hoss... So remember how hard you sometimes had it with him and realise the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!”
***Tyler pushes through some trees and weeds and comes to a sudden stop as a Copperhead begins to slither by. He screws up his face and keeps very still, as the snake takes its time to pass by. Getting slightly impatient Tyler continues to wait, until the Copperhead has passed by, as he breaths a sigh of relief and starts to walk on*** Tyler: ”Everything seems to be a message or a metaphor today, honestly... Take that Copperhead for example. The Copperhead snake is one of the most commonly seen on the northern United States and also the most likely of all to bite, however the hemotoxic venom is mild and is rarely fatal to man... John this is somewhat what you remind me of. You’re a guy doing things to survive, but you don’t live by a good guy moral code, similar to me... But the thing is, John, there’s no fatal blow within you! You may spit venom in the form of your words, you may spread toxicity in the form of the powerful, almighty beat downs you give opposition but I see no fatalities! My dad continued to get up and come back at you whenever you beat him and he gave you an ass whooping in return and like I say John. Like father, like son!
Now let’s not get things misconstrued here, hoss, because I’m not trying to say you’re not dangerous and I’m certainly not trying to say you’re not an extremely tough son of a bitch because you are both, that’s a guarantee... All I am trying to do is remind you that not everything can be take - take - take because you see that was the message I had been given by you when you started talking at the Pay-Per-View... You said that belt you hold, the Canadian Championship wasn’t it? You said it was the only singles title that mattered in IIW as long as you held it... You know John I did try and let it go, I tried to ignore it and I tried to just let it slide but I can’t man, I really can’t because it really feels like a man who I’ve looked upto outside of my own dad, someone I considered an idol and someone I indirectly learned a lot of my abilities from, threw me under the bus!
John, currently you’re walking around with a doorstop on your shoulder, do you not realise this? You’re carrying a paperweight! I mean fair enough the belt probably holds so much sentiment to you right now and it must have a lot of importance to you and I don’t doubt, that to win that belt you must gone through some tough challenges... But right now, as sad as it is to say, you’re not a Champ here... Champ! The One Man Dynasty, I think I preferred you better when you went by The King of Kings, but I guess right now even you know it’s not a title that’s fitting, eh hoss? And don’t worry I know exactly what you’ll come back with... You’ll talk about how nothing I said matters to you and how I’m nothing like my father, because Fred Debonair would have shown you more respect, well John please note that I’m most definitely not disrespecting you... It just is what it is.”
***Tyler reaches a clearing and finds the rooftop with a spire belonging to what appears to be a small monastery. He stops walking and looks around slightly confused*** Tyler: ”John you’ve quite literally ended careers on your journey, you’ve gone through some hellacious matches with my pops as well as others, hoss, so I know exactly what it is you’re capable of! Street fights, all out war matches, doomsday matches... You’ve been in matches I don’t think I’ve even heard of! John, your expertise in this field is almost unmatched, but boys don’t either of you think that means I’m about to walk into this match with trepidation, because Tyler Debonair doesn’t know trepidation. My biggest worry isn’t The One Man Dynasty, it isn’t Steele Junior; no my biggest worry going into this match is the Lone Wolf, my own tag-team partner, Rogue! You see John, Zack unlike you two I don’t know what I’m getting with him... At least with you, you’re on the other side of the ring and even with all the respect in place I know what’s going to happen, with him? Not a chance!
So Zack Steele, John Cavanagh and whoever else feels they may want to get involved from The Regulation, down to The Celtic Club! Be ready for Mayhem next week because it’s most definitely what you’re going to get. Come hell or high water, when the smoke’s settled, the dust has cleared and Eddie Sham’s mouthwash has taken effect you will find yourselves on the receiving end of Transfiguration or being introduced to Satori, John you might want to ask Zack all about that because he’s been there, done that and probably even got the t-shirt from the online store, they were selling like hot cakes! So to the victor, the spoils guys! And let’s see what happens next Monday night... Rest easy won’t you?”
***Tyler’s uncanny knack of having perfect timing sees him reach the door to the monastery just as he finishes speaking. He knocks on the door three times and waits as he looks around the area for some kind of sign as to his location... Just as he’s stepping away you can hear the echo of bolts being undone and the door opening. A short man dressed in a traditional Kāṣāya opens the door, Tyler recognises him instantly as a Bhikkhu*** Tyler: ”Oh wow, sorry hoss... I’m clearly in the wrong place. I’m just lost an...”
Bhikkhu: ”You’re not lost or in the wrong place... Tyler Debonair. We’ve been expecting you.”
Tyler: ”Er, what? Who are you?”
Bhikkhu: ”The question is more, who are you? You seem to have lost your way a bit Tyler and Thoth has asked us, to help you... Please, come inside. We have a warm lunch prepared for you.”
***Tyler raises an eyebrow but then shrugs, nods and walks inside behind the Bhikkhu, looking outside one more time before closing the door and allowing everything to fade - to - black!***
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2021 20:45:33 GMT
Sunday, June 6th
The scene opens up inside of a modern log cabin style house somewhere in Northern California. A fire is set in a nice brick fireplace next to a set of black leather couches. A large, dark stained wooden table is shown covered with different flavors of Swedish Snus and craft beers being kept cold on a wide pan with a thick layer of ice.
Rogue - Hey Cora, my new order came in.
Cora - What'd you get? Anything new? (Her voice can be heard coming from the kitchen next to the living room, where Rogue is relaxing on the couch)
Rogue tosses a blank brown box to the side of the couch from a Snus delivery website.
Rogue - All kinds of new stuff. I got a little bit of everything this time. Whiskey, Double Mint, Original Extra Strong, Ice....
Cora - Hmm. Sounds good.
Rogue - You finally gonna try some today?
Rogue snickers.
Cora - Hah! No! I'm perfectly happy with my girly drinks and sugary coffees.
Rogue - Sugar in a coffee.... fucking disgusting.
Cora - Oh shut up.
Rogue laughs.
Rogue - Black. Black coffee is how you taste it.
Cora - Whatever cures my sweet tooth and outs caffeine intk my body is fine for me.
Rogue - Fair enough.
Cora walks into the scene carrying a tray of cold cuts. Salami, turkey, pepperoni, along with some assorted sliced cheese. She sets it down on the table next to Rogue's impressive collection of Snus.
Cora - Jesus Rogue. How much did you spend on Swedish Snus?
Rogue - Oh not much. I only paid for a few of these. The company recognized my name and sent me a nice care package.
Cora - That was cool of them.
Rogue - Very cool.
Rogue looks on at his stacks of snus and different expensive beers in admiration.
Rogue - To the victor go the spoils.
Cora - Always.
Cora sits on the couch next to Rogue's couch, and the two of them begin picking at the cold cuts and cheese while they enjoy the fire in the background.
Rogue - So it's a tag team match this week huh? My partner is Debonair. He's been super impressive. I might be able to kick back a little bit, and go eighty percent or something. Save up some strength for my next title defense.
Cora looks at Rogue and rolls her eyes.
Rogue - I'm kidding of course.
Cora - Your next opponent, that Steele guy. He looks solid, no?
Rogue - He does.... Hey.... theres no more easy matchups from this point. Six wins, no losses, TV Champion.... The matchups have to be tough.
Cora - True.
Rogue - And I saw Debonair say he doesn't mind my antics either. Not like his opinion matters much to me anyway, but maybe we will make a solid team.
Cora - Maybe.
Rogue - But damn, I really hate tag team matches.
Cora - You just don't like to play with others.
Rogue - Ah, shit. That's true. But this week I'm going to try to get an upper hand on my opponent.
Cora - What ya got in mind?
Rogue - Steele is gonna get a little taste. Just a little one. But he's going to feel it going into his title shot against me. No specifics.
Cora - Gonna make me wait huh?
Rogue - Yup. But for now....
Rogue opens up his container of General Mint White Snus portions, and pops a couple of them in his lip.
Rogue - We enjoy the little things....
Rogue then cracks open a cold IPA and takes a swig. The scene fades out.
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Post by Riley Pierce on Jun 12, 2021 9:48:13 GMT
We open to the IIW Arena. The crew are busy doing their usual post show procedures. Zack Steele is sat in the crowd seating area. He has an IIW hoodie on and a pair of grey gym shorts. His hood is up over the top of a baseball cap, his face is illuminated by the tablet he’s holding. He’s rewatching the footage of his match against Tyler Debonair. He has a cold, defeated look on his face
Zack: Tonight was meant to be the crowning moment of years of hard work and sacrifice, and I failed. I was so close, so god damn close, and I failed. Tyler, you were the better man on the night. I underestimated you, you really are a worthy champion.
Zack drops the tablet onto the seat next to him before dropping his head in his hands for a brief moment, before looking up to the sky and taking a deep breath.
Zack: I had two choices to make once I got back to the locker room. I could either wallow in self pity and defeat or I could decide what my next step is going to be, and then I watched Rogue vs John Tolly. Now I’ve seen John go on about how he’s apparently one of the best technical wrestlers in the world and Rogue, well since Rogue won the TV Title, he’s never really faced anyone of any calibre and I genuinely though this Tolly guy would be the first to give him a run for his money and how wrong I was. So I was watching the match, and I realized that it was time someone of an acceptable quality challenged old Roguey boy, which is what brought me out at the end of the match to throw the gauntlet down.
Zack gets up and starts walking down to ringside.
Zack: Now obviously, the rest of the night didn’t go how I was expecting, but now that I have put Mr. Rogue on notice, the night wasn’t a complete failure.
A crew member all of a sudden walks up to Zack at the barrier.
Crew Member: The card for the next episode of Mayhem just got released.
The crew member shows his phone to Zack
Zack: I’m in a tag match…with FCPW’s very own John Cavanagh against Tyler and Rogue. Interesting.
Zack laughs to himself
Zack: Now Tyler, I gave you a run for your money but you have a whole other problem dealing with my new best friend John. He’s bigger than me, he’s stronger than me and he’s even got more friends than me so I’d be looking over your shoulder at all times if I was you. I know John might not trust me but trust me John, we have a common goal, to destroy anyone who stands in our path to greatness, and a win for both of us on Mayhem will be a move in the right direction to glory. John, now you may have some reservations about teaming with me. I did just lose to the person who I’m guessing is the Joker to your Batman but trust me, I am ready to show everyone that what happened tonight was nothing more than a stumble and not a complete fall from grace.
Crew Member: Zack, your transport is ready for you.
Zack just looks at him annoyed that he’s been interrupted and just nods at him
Zack: There was more I wanted to say, but I’ll leave you with this Mr. Cavanagh, I look forward to teaming and learning from you. Tyler, GG my dude and Rogue….I’m coming for you and that TV Title.
Zack picks his tablet up and places it in his bag before walking away.
Camera Fades into IIW Monday Night Mayhem promotional footage.
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Post by The Celtic Club on Jun 12, 2021 18:42:35 GMT
The smoke filled room was buzzing with the intermingling of men and women. Some of the men were dressed in more expensive looking suits while others looked more the part of the establishment we were frequenting—The Blarney Stone Irish Pub & Grill in the heart of the West Side Manhattan neighborhood known as Hell’s Kitchen…or “Clinton” to the yuppies that walked the streets in the twenty-first century. Some men congregated by the billiards table to partake in their favorite bar room hobby, some congregated at tables and spoke in hushed tones to one another and others were more focused on the women that littered the room. These women were dressed to the nines—long, well-kept hair, freshly done nails, open-toed heels and skimpy dresses to accent their curves. The Blarney Stone was brimming with excitement as different elements of New York City’s underworld intermingled together. As the men continued to intermingle with the females and other criminals in the pub the camera focused on our broad-shouldered, barrel-chested focus: John Cavanagh.
Cavanagh sat at a table filled with other hoods from the neighborhood, the men played cards. John, the head of the table, began to shuffle the deck of cards in hand as he prepared to deal. To his right sat his younger brother, Chris “Trigger” Cavanagh, to his left was the man he had dubbed “The Heir Apparent”, Andy Donahue—rounding out the table we had Shane “Fitz” Fitzpatrick sitting to Trig’s side and Pedro “Spanish” Colon seated next to Andy Boy. The honcho of Hell’s Kitchen completed shuffling the cards and began to disperse five cards to each man seated at the table—it was a hand of poker that the upstanding citizens of Hell’s Kitchen opted to dabble in today. The four trusted soldiers who shared the table with John all quickly tossed down a green piece of paper with “Old Hickory” on it.
John Cavanagh: “OK boys, time to get this hand going.”
Chris Cavanagh: “Yeah, you fucks know that I need to take some more of your money.”
Trigger laughed, it seemed as if the younger Cavanagh brother had been on a bit of a lucky streak tonight. Fitz shook his head while Spanish voiced his displeasure.
Spanish Colon: “Pinche cabron!” (Fucking bastard)
Trigger looked to Spanish—he couldn’t understand what was so difficult for Pedro to understand…
Chris Cavanagh: “How many times we gonna go through this Spanish man? I don’t speak fucking Spanish!”
This was part of Chris that John couldn’t stand. As the neighborhood gentrified and more yuppies moved in there was also a wave of Puerto Rican immigrants that came to Hell’s Kitchen while there were still cheaper areas—now they were able to stay via rent control something that helped John maintain some form of organization within the neighborhood’s criminal element. The boss looked to his younger brother and shook his head.
John Cavanagh: “Well, their language is easier than our language so maybe you can get it through your thick skull and learn a little bit.”
Chris shrugged his shoulders.
Chris Cavanagh: “Eh, I made it this far without it…I’ll make it a little further.”
Shane Fitzpatrick: “Yeah, don’t learn it.”
Spanish Colon: “What the fuck? Then why you so heart set on me teaching you a little of it?”
Shane Fitzpatrick: “Because we need it when I go with you to pick up from the Ricans in on 41st or when we head up to see your cousin in The Bronx. He learns Spanish, I lose money.”
The men at the table began to laugh. Would Fitz really lose money? Probably not—the Puerto Rican gangs operated independently and gave a taste of the profit to Spanish who in turn shared the weekly envelope with John. Fitz had to be the Irishman to make an appearance with Spanish—as John once said “someone gotta let ‘em know who’s the power in this barrio.”
John Cavanagh: “I don’t think your linguistic preferences have a god damned thing to do with who gets to earn. You earn because you bring something to the table. There’s plenty to go around.”
The usually silent Andy Donahue cocked his head to the side to catch a glimpse of his employer.
Andy Donahue: “I could use a little more scratch Johnnie.”
The table went silent as the muffled voices in the background quelled the awkwardness of the moment. John finished dealing the last card and took his head up from the table, momentarily catches eyes with his young protégé before John decided it was best to explain.
John Cavanagh: “This is usually where I tell Fitzy or Spanish to take this mutt out back and knock some sense into him, but, I think I’ll go for a different route this time. Andy, you earn…you get what you get, you’re the new kid on the block—your time will come where you get a bigger slice of the pie.”
Chris Cavanagh: “You could also use that lump that’s three feet above your ass to earn on your own.”
Spanish and Fitz began to burst out into laughter as Trig felt a strike from beneath the table and caught a nasty glare from his brother.
John Cavanagh: “Don’t listen to my foolish baby brother—you just keep doing what I tell you to do and you’ll be taken care of. Matter of fact…fuck it…ya know the Jamaicans that Trig sees once a week?”
Now, Trig’s full attention was devoted to the conversation taking place between the head of the table and his heir apparent.
John Cavanagh: “You go see the Marley Family tomorrow instead of Trig.”
Chris Cavanagh: “Fucking really?! That backwards ass fried motherfucker ain’t gonna know what to do with himself when this monster shows up.”
Andy Boy allowed a smirk to develop on the left side of his face.
John Cavanagh: “Yeah, that’s the point.”
Andy Donahue: “That Rasta is gonna get one glimpse of me and he’s going to instantly shit his pants.”
Shane Fitzpatrick: “There’s the new street name for Andy Boy…The Defecation Machine!”
The four underlings begin to share a laugh once more. John’s face remains serious—in his mind this was business and business meant money and money was never a funny situation.
John Cavanagh: “We might need that. Those Ganja envelopes are looking a little light lately, Trig.
Chris Cavanagh: “What are you saying, Johnnie?”
John Cavanagh: “Absolutely nothing. They ain’t pushing the shit at the same rate or smoking more—whatever it is, its gonna stop when a guy with biceps the size of Lloyd’s head walks through that little deli.”
Spanish Colon: “Yeah, Andy might be a little bigger than you, Trig.”
Shane Fitzpatrick: “Just a little…”
Four men at the table of five began to laugh, this time it was Trigger who was left without a smile on his face. It wasn’t that Trigger was feeble or vertically challenged—he just happened to be the smallest of the five men seated at this table. Trigger’s face was that of a man who felt as if he was being put down for a moment until John’s bear claw of a hand struck Trigger’s shoulder.
John Cavanagh: “It’s all good Trig, you’re still the fastest guy at the table.”
Shane Fitzpatrick: “Yeah, in bed.”
The laughter returned as Trigger’s expression turned from annoyed to angry. His pale Irish skin that had been slowly gaining a bit of a tan was becoming as a red as a stripe on Old Glory—or I guess the cross and X on the Union Jack. A scantily clad woman walked from the bathroom, passed the table. Trigger grabbed her from behind and plopped her down on his lap.
Woman: “Um, Trig?”
Chris Cavanagh: “Let’s go to the back room…I’ve got a point I’ve got to prove.”
The woman looked back to John and the other Hell’s Kitchen Cavanagh crew members that sat at the table. Andy, Spanish and Fitz turned their heads to John for his reaction.
John Cavanagh: “What?”
Woman: “I’m working…right?”
John smiled.
John Cavanagh: “You’re damn right you’re working, hun, trust me you bitches wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all these morons that would spend on youse.”
Woman: “Sorry, Trig, no freebies if I’m on the clock…”
Trigger sucked his teeth and looked at John who shrugged his shoulders as if this situation didn’t matter one bit to him.
Chris Cavanagh: “Who brought you and the other girls here, again?”
Woman: “You.”
Chris Cavanagh: “Good. That makes me in charge of you bitches right now and I got a point to prove so I’m gonna go wear you out before one of these dumb goombahs or socially awkward micks pay for you.”
The table began to laugh as Trig pushed the woman off of him and stood up. Trig and the woman walked off as Trig grabbed her by the wrist and moved towards the back of the bar. John shook his head as inaudible discussion reignited between Andy, Spanish and Fitz. The scene cut to static. The static terminates to the sight of “The One Man Dynasty” John Cavanagh seated in a padded room wearing normal street clothes—a pair of blue jeans and a black wifebeater. Slung over the Celtic Club general’s shoulder lays the FCPW Canadian Championship. John knocks his head back into the padded wall behind him a few times and sucks his teeth before bringing his eyes to the camera.
John Cavanagh: “When Osh Vaughan had The Celtic Club put pen to paper with the IIW—needless to say he was a little ecstatic. The guy’s eyes were wide and bright—it was kind of like Osh was already counting up all of his profits. Unfortunately, for himself at least, Osh wasn’t aware that he had just made the smartest and last decision of his career as an authority figure. Well, Osh, if it’s any consolation prize to you—so far, that money you guaranteed us, it’s been well spent. So far he got the surprise of a lifetime out of World’s Collide, a team from IIW’s past was already shown that they’re not on our level and the IIW International Champion Tyler Debonair is...part shook, part confused and that’s putting it nicely. So, now that Andy and Trig took care of The Prestige…I guess its my turn to start introducing the singles competitors to the future hierarchy of the IIW. Some of the folks around here know me—whether its because they’ve heard about me, watched videos of me or had the honor of sharing the squared circle with me. Some of these guys in the back, the ones who have been living under a rock, they don’t really have much of an idea as to who I am.”
The FCPW Canadian Champion glanced down towards his right shoulder where the crown jewel of a once promising promotion rested.
John Cavanagh: “I am the new “crown jewel” of the crown that lays upon the head of the IIW. This place may have been a titan of the past and it may currently be a phoenix rising from the ashes of the past but now with the addition of good old Johnnie Cav to the roster? Hm, fuck the sky the center of the god damned Universe itself is the limit. Now what does the Crown Jewel have to do to get the recognition that he deserves around this place? I guess this odd couple tag team match at the upcoming Monday Night Mayhem is as good of a place to start as any. John Cavanagh and Zack Steele to face off against Tyler Debonair and Rogue. Two different champions of the IIW teaming up against their newly announced challengers. Well, I guess with all of that good shit in mind Zack and I have a little bit more in common than this match up. Zack and I both have our eyes on championship gold, luckily for my partner his eyes seem firmly set on a different championship opportunity than my own. With that in mind, Mr. Steele and I should be able to pull off the rare feat of an odd couple tag team co-existing.”
The Irishman from Hell’s Kitchen let out a slight chuckle under his breath.
John Cavanagh: “As far as I can tell Zack Steele is the type of son of a bitch who likes to inflict pain on another human being, I happen to be the same type of sick puppy dog so I’m of the school of thought that spells a hard night of work for the International and Television Champions. As a matter of fact, why sugar coat this shit at all? This tag team match could very well spell the end of one or both championship reigns. How are Tyler and Rogue going to defend their titles if the two sociopaths across the ring from them break their bones or tear their muscles? How quick do you all think management will vacate one of those titles if Zack snaps Rogue’s arm like a twig? Or if I put Tyler boy in a wheelchair? Now, those probably wouldn’t be the most productive outcomes for myself or Zack as that throws a curveball into our title aspirations—so maybe the team of Cavanagh and Steele will have to tone down our level of violence for this one just a smidge. Toning down the violence still doesn’t bode much better for Tyler and Rogue. Let’s face it Zack and Johnnie could sure as hell do plenty of damage to our future opponents in this one and that’s exactly what we will both have our eye’s set on accomplishing this Monday night.”
A smirk began to develop on the right-hand side of the blonde man’s face.
John Cavanagh: “The sight and smell of blood, the sound of a bone snapping or the scream of pain that is sure to ensue—it’s a sick addiction to have. It’s been a little bit since good old Johnnie Cav was able to get a little bit of anger and rage out inside of the ring. See, Tyler knows this due to the history I’ve had with his father, Johnnie Cav might have fucked up a few times in life. Johnnie might have found his way into the dubious privilege of being a guest of the state for a couple of different portions of his life. Problem with that? It’s kind of difficult for me to justify hauling off and knocking some asshole's teeth out of their mouth on the streets ever again. But, inside of those ropes, I get to hurt people legally—and what’s more is that this company, thanks to fuck schtick Vaughan, is going to be paying me a pretty penny to do it for the foreseeable future. I will be honest with everyone, I’m not looking to end or even derail Tyler’s career—why would I want to do that? Destroy the future of the business? Shit, my protege, Andy Donahue, he’s going to need some dumbass to challenge him once he’s IIW World Champion. Yeah, don’t get that excited boys and girls that ain’t happening ’til after I hang my boots up. The problem for you Tyler is that you’re a victim of your own rapid ascension to the top of the mountain. You barreled your way through the lesser talents so rapidly that a championship was bestowed upon you. Congratulations on that kid, I’m sure it's not going to be the last time you have one but now you’re at a different level of competition. Now…you’re on the tier of the game where you run into people like me…people who are better than you! This is the level of competition that I’m not quite sure Fred Debonair’s baby boy is prepared to handle. Now Tyler, I’m not trying to put you down--quite the contrary, I’m singing your praises. You’re gifted, young, determined and you’ve got a championship pedigree to fall back on. You’re sitting there oozing potential but it's clear that your early successes and family history are going to be your crutch moving forward. Now, when the bell rings Monday Night...and the night we face off for your championship...remember that once Johnnie Cav kicks that crutch out from underneath you, you won’t have that support you’ve become accustomed to and you will fall to a superior professional wrestler on both occasions!”
Cavanagh’s face became engulfed in a wide, toothy smile.
John Cavanagh: Oh, Rogue? Don’t think I forgot about you, buddy. The current reigning IIW Television Champion definitely isn’t one to be forgotten about. I still remember watching your cage match against Anthony Phoenix at World’s Collide and saying that piece of shit can take an ass beating. It may sound cliche to say that but let’s face it, we may all fight for a living but not everyone in this industry is built to take an ass beating and keep on coming, then when all is said and done be the one to persevere and retain their championship. It’s a tough call to be a champion, I’m sure you’ve come to realize that Rogue and if your partner hasn’t realized it already he will be all the more cognizant of it after Mayhem has come and gone. Regardless of what championship you hold, you’ll always have people coming at you from all angles--trying to weasel their way into a title opportunity so that they can get that extra payday out of your pockets and into their own. Rogue...I don’t really give a shit if you or Zack Steele wind up in possession of the Television Championship after your encounter. You haven’t done anything to run afoul of me yet, maybe you should keep it that way--play it safe at Monday Night Mayhem, just leave little Tyler out to dry and ya know...all can be forgiven.”
John shook his head back and forth for a moment.
John Cavanagh: “No, no...I shouldn’t give you enough credit. There’s no way in hell you’re smart enough to do what I just suggested. You’ll be the braincell deficient dimwit that comes to the ring and fights galantly, defending his makeshift partnership of champions only to come crashing and burning down to Earth when they face the reality--that neither of them are better than John fucking Cavanagh!”
The One Man Dynasty pushes himself up from the wall he had been resting on and stands vertical. He begins to move, slowly, in a circle around the padded room as he collects his thoughts. He looked up towards the padded ceiling and began to speak.
John Cavanagh: “Monday Night Mayhem is going to be a good release of aggression for all four of the men involved in this match. Nothing like tossing two random pairings of two random assholes together and calling it a tag team match. Let’s just chuck as much shit at the wall as we can and see what sticks. Well, what is going to stick to that wall after June 14th is that the upcoming challengers have established a fair amount of momentum in their corners. The entire world is going to know that Rogue and Debonair have already failed to defeat Cavanagh and Steele--I can already see the bookie odds changing at the casinos in Las Vegas. Monday Night Mayhem, our tag team match in particular, is going to be a fucking madhouse. Ropes and turnbuckles will do little to contain this showdown of titans. Ring barricades and stages? Highly doubt those are gonna get the job done either. Hell, the entire city of Manchester may need to be under watch because this one might have to spill out onto the streets.”
Hell’s Kitchen’s Favorite Son turned his face towards the camera and smirked.
John Cavanagh: “I hope you two are ready for the battle that awaits you in only a matter of days. This will not be enjoyable for either of you...but I’m going to love every fucking second. See you boys at Mayhem.”
The scene cut to static with John staring into the camera. The static cut and the scene reopened to a black 1996 Chevrolet SS Impala pulling up to a curb in Hell’s Kitchen on the West Side of Manhattan. The passenger side door flung open as the behemoth known as Andy Donahue stepped his muscular physique out of the vehicle and onto the sidewalk. Andy shot a puzzled stare back as the car’s engine died and the driver door opened, allowing John Cavanagh to step out and join his comrade.
Andy Donahue: “What gives?”
John Cavanagh: “Who the fuck are you questioning?’
Andy shrugged his shoulders. Andy knew there was nothing he could do, this was John’s call--everything in this line of work was John’s call. Andy rushed to a storefront that read Kingston Deli and looked in.
John Cavanagh: “Any customers?”
Andy turned back to John and shook his head. Cavanagh smiled at Donahue as Andy opened the door and held it open for his boss.
John Cavanagh: “Lock it behind you.”
John entered, followed by Andy and the scene cut to static.
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Post by Tyler Debonair on Jun 13, 2021 22:42:53 GMT
***The black 1967 Chevy Impala hardtop speeds down the Taconic State Parkway, headed away from Putnam County and towards JFK… Powered by a 502-cubic-inch big-block crate engine which itself is just lovingly pressed down, on a built Hotchkiss performance suspension. Behind the wheel of this beautiful beast sits none other than Tyler Debonair, hair tied back in a ponytail, sans makeup and dressed in the everyday of black denim jeans, the same colour sneakers and a white t-shirt that has a character called Jay from the British television show “The Inbetweeners” on the front with the caption “Alchemy? Completed it mate!” Plastered around him, a gift The Coven had had made for him recently as a joke, but something some of the students at The Courthouse had later suggested The Kindred should legitimately consider selling in the online store.
As he drives along the State Parkway, Tyler’s eyes begin to struggle to stay open, they flicker abnormally as he stifles a yawn turning up the radio and opening the window. Limp Bizkit’s “My way” plays over the speakers on the radio station programmed in this car as Tyler pulls himself over to the side of the road, cuts off the engine and switches the hazard lights on. After a while Tyler finds himself outside of the car, looking at what he believes to be lights off in the distant trees ahead of him, he covers his eyes slightly and squints hoping to get a better look as he begins walking towards it*** Tyler: ”Hello?! Anybody out there?!”
***He keeps on walking but is suddenly taken aback by the voice that responds to his call, a little later than expected*** Voice: ”Oh there’s always someone out here, friend… You’ve just got to know where to look! How’s it going??”
Tyler: ”Oh wow, sorry I didn’t actually think there was anybody out here, I just saw the glaring light and assumed someone had hung decorations on the tree or something… Could you turn that down it’s a bit bright.”
Voice: ”Oh I’m sorry friend, there you go! That better for you?”
***The bright light suddenly switches off and Tyler notices the silhouette of a man getting closer to him. By the time he reaches him, Tyler noticed the man looks pretty old. He’s dressed in a pair of britches and a dirty vest with no shoes and has an almost forest like overgrown beard, wearing a raffia hat on his head. He smiles and Tyler notices that wherever he lives must be quite far from civilisation because he hasn’t seen a toothbrush, toothpaste or dentist in quite some time. Tyler holds his hands up to apologise but notices the warm smile on the mans face*** Old Man: ”Don’t worry yourself about it, it’s completely understandable. At least you had the common sense to pull over and rest up anyway… Another moron would have kept driving, then who knows what might have happened?”
Tyler: ”This is very true and I made sure to park the car on the side of…”
***Tyler turns to wave his arm at the Impala parked on the side of the Parkway, but is shocked to find the interior light on inside the vehicle and what appears to be somebody inside the car! Possibly even having a nap?! Tyler flips out and begins to storm back toward his car***
Tyler: ”No, no, what the hell?! Is this some kind of trick?! I pull over, you lure me all the way here, your pal steals my ride and you hop in leaving me stuck here?!”
Old Man: ”No, that’s not what it is at all, friend. Slow down… Just look.”
Tyler: ”What do you mean, look? Are you wanting to make this violent old man?!”
Old Man: ”Oh God, just look you moron! IT’S YOU inside the car!”
Tyler: ”Who are you calling a m… What do you mean it’s me?!?”
***Tyler spins around to the old man, furious and confused and then he looks back at the car and again at the person inside the car, looking vacant and relaxed, wearing his clothes, with his hairstyle… He spins back again to the old man. It’s not an old man, it’s his old friend…***
Tyler 2: ”The power of Peyote, man…”
Tyler: ”No, no, no! This is not what I want! What is going on?! I’m supposed to be getting better!”
Tyler 2: ”Oh, you are, don’t worry about that… This isn’t one of your spiral episodes. This is something you chose to do, for closure, it’s something you discussed with the Bhikkhu in the Monastery today…”
Tyler: ”What? How do you… Never mind…”
Tyler 2: ”Basically, this is your dream sequence… You see there are levels to this game as they say and you, you surpassed it! But what you failed to do my friend, is come down again.”
Tyler: ”What do you mean?”
Tyler 2: ”Alchemy as you know is an art form, it’s also purity of Spirit, heart and mind and as the Bhikkhu suggested, somewhere along the lines in a previous incarnation probably, there was aggression or anger caught up somewhere and therefore you need to address that, we need to address that.”
Tyler: ”And, we do that how exactly?”
Tyler 2: ”Oh that bit’s easy… You follow her.”
***He points behind him and Tyler stretches to look over his shoulder, seeing a beautiful, golden fox, perched high up on a hillside watching them. She makes a call, as if indicating to them and begins to journey down the other side of the hill. The secondary Tyler pushes on after it, calling for the original to follow***
Tyler: ”Ok, but if we’re doing this… Please change out of that Beverly Hillbilly getup! It definitely doesn’t suit me…”
***Tyler walks off over the hill to follow the fox, as his echo stands watching him, grin on face as his britches and vest dissolve into something more “current” and he trails behind Tyler across the plains as we slowly fade into darkness…
++++++++++++
…As the scene slowly begins to reopen the sun appears to be rising, but the sky doesn’t seem it’s usual self. It’s an orange shade with purple hue and it could be just me but there appears to be two sun like planets in the sky. Tyler looks around but can’t see the fox, however what he does see is himself, no not that one, yet another and he is inside a ring with Ryan McCann. The echo slides up behind him and places an arm around his shoulder***
Tyler 2: ”What do you remember about this time?”
Tyler: ”This was my first couple of weeks in England, my first time in IIW. I’d not long left Resnick and at this stage I was under the impression that I’d been there that whole time of my own choice and voluntarily.”
Tyler 2: ”And you followed the mission right? The path you were set on…? To come to England, sign up with IIW and do what needed to be done.”
Tyler: ”Exactly… And then of course, that happened…”
***The scene in front of them changes to that of Tyler’s match with Curtis in the IIW International Title Tournament and subsequently what happened afterwards. Tyler furrows his brow and shakes his head as his echo walks on*** Tyler 2: ”Ahh the first time you met me, if I recall correctly… If I’m not mistaken I think you’re beginning to figure out what was going on here right?”
Tyler: ”Oh yeah, everything is coming to me slowly. I wasted way too much of my time trying to figure out who if anyone was behind all this happening to me. This, the incident with Kinkade in the Hollywood Battle Royal and so on! Then when I had my only ally, Thomas Stone, disappear on me out of nowhere…”
Tyler 2: ”And all of this made you increasingly angry right? Not just in the sense of being aggressive in the ring. You felt it bubbling over inside and out didn’t you?”
Tyler: ”You bet I did… Everything that could go wrong, was going wrong… Not to mention at this very moment it felt like my entire family had been sent to England to spy on me, little did I know the truth of what was going on.”
Tyler 2: ”The fact that they had fought tooth and nail to release you? The fact that it had been a nightmare for you, that your only friend had been Darius? The fact they all dropped everything they had going in their lives, to be here for you?”
Tyler: ”Pretty much, yes…”
Tyler 2: ”And now, you’re getting it… Now you’re beginning to understand that the people closest to you aren’t out to get you. You’re beginning to realise that the sacrifices being made aren’t only the ones coming to The Coven… Your own friends, your own family have made sacrifices for you and for this journey that you’re on.”
***Tyler watches as everything begins to evaporate and sink into itself and the fox slowly reappears… It sits there watching him with what he is sure is a smile, before it too begins to wander off out of sight. Tyler takes a deep breath and suddenly his facial features begin to change a smile crosses his face not unlike a man who’s just had the weight of an entire Galaxy removed from his shoulders. He places his hands in his pockets and begins to kick the dirt under his feet around a little*** Tyler: ”You’re right, I have realised this… And they have sacrificed a lot. They’ve all made sacrifices and now, I’m going to go back to Manchester, England… I’m going to go back to IIW and make sure that everybody understands those sacrifices have not been for nothing. This is where I go back and show everybody that, not only am I here to bring about a message through the Spiritual side of side of the Seven stages of Alchemy as I’ve been doing since day one, but now… Now I’m bringing something that’s a little more retrospective, a little more… Tranquil if you will.”
Tyler 2: ”And how exactly do you plan on going about that, may I ask?”
Tyler: ”Well I mean c’mon now, you already know and the fine people of IIW and who watch us week in and week out, will find out in due course. What I can tell you though is that Zachary Steele and Jonathan Cavanagh, will be the first ones privileged enough to witness the evolution, the growth and the manifestation that is to come… But for now, I’m going to chill out here and listen to this beautiful music…”
Tyler 2: ”…Sorry, what beautiful music?”
Tyler: ”The rhythmic beating off the drum, no doubt something that’s coming from the ancestors…”
Tyler 2: ”Oh, that’s… Not a drum, I’m afraid. That’s the sound of a Police officer tapping on your car window. You may want to wake yourself before he begins to panic. I’d also refrain from panicking yourself or tossing the flask with the Peyote tea in it, lest he become suspicious ok sir?”
Tyler: ”What? There’s a cop knocking on my window? What are you talking about and why are you calling me sir?!”
Tyler 2: ”Sir can you hear me okay?! Are you alright? Do you need assistance?”
Tyler: ”Ok seriously now this is tripping me out. Why would I be calling myself sir?! Unless… Okay Tyler, gotta wake up now, it’s all good. Wake up…”
***Tyler slowly sits himself down against a rock pile and leans against it closing his eyes, suddenly he feels himself melting into it as it becomes softer and softer, the “drumming” continuing as the muffled voice can be heard outside the window, as Tyler now opens his eyes and finds himself sat inside the ‘67 Chevy Impala hardtop. He blinks slightly, catching sight of a silver thermos to his right, the knock to his left catches his attention again as he shunts himself upright and turns the engine on, rolling his window down looking at the cop who’s peering in with an extremely bright light*** Cop: ”Sir, are you ok? We’ve had a few phone calls through the evening here about your car and just wanted to be sure you were safe and well…?”
Tyler: ”Oh I’m more than safe and well, Officer… I’m ecstatic. It’s people like Zack Steele and John Cavanagh who aren’t though, neither safe nor well.”
Cop: ”I’m sorry, I’ve actually got no idea who those people are and I’m going to have to ask why you’re parked up here, mister…?”
Tyler: ”Oh that’s okay not everybody does but in some circles their names are as big as the garden of Eden or the walls of Jericho itself… My name? Yes it’s Tyler Debonair and here before you ask… My license and registration. I was parked up because I’m headed to JFK to catch a flight to Manchester, England to take part in a Wrestling event for a promotion out there called IIW. I’m a Pro Wrestler you see.”
Cop: ”I see, ok well, it seems as though you’re definitely safe and well mister Debonair so, we’ll say no more about it and hopefully you’ll get to JFK for your flight in time.”
Tyler: ”Well I appreciate that, officer but please, call me Tyler… As I’ve been telling everybody, mister Debonair is my father.”
***Tyler shoots the cop a smile and the cop nods politely, handing him back his licence and papers. He rolls the window back up as the cop goes back to his car and starts to drive the other way, back towards Putnam. As soon as Tyler notices his tail lights are completely out of view, Tyler guns the engine and speeds off in the direction of JFK airport and home, as the scene dissipates into the ether…
++++++++++++
…We reopen back in good old Manchester, England. The sun is taking a day off and in its place dark stormy clouds, thunder and lightening, hailstones I mean the full works. Sat on top of, not his own roof this time, but that of The Courthouse training centre is none other than Tyler Debonair. He’s dressed in white sneakers, a pair of denim jeans and a white hoodie with an emblem on the front with the words “Enlightenment is only a beating away” across the front in a circular shape around the emblem. The hood is pulled up tight and Tyler is perched on one ledge, looking over the Mancunian skyline*** Tyler: ”You know, when I first received the call from Osh Vaughan and was told that someone of my calibre could really be used on the IIW talent roster, I was sceptical that I was being set up for something. That’s the kind of guy I was back in March… You see, spending a number of years in a Psychiatric Hospital, whether you’d chosen to be there or not, will do that to you. One of the things in my life that had sent me on a downward spiral had happened in wrestling ring, I’ve spoken about it before and I won’t go into it again, let’s just say I ended a man’s career and wrestling became the furthest thing from my mind…
But I’d walked into IIW with a plan anyway, a plan that was bestowed upon me by who at the time I wasn’t sure, I only had one direction… I would know what I was looking for when it was standing right in front of me and slowly but surely I did. Steph, Casie, Mercedes, The Coven and then when I saw Darius memories came flooding back, of course at first they were inaccurate ones and I had these strange visions that he was there to do me harm but again the instinct kicked in and I understood that he was there to guide me… I figured out that once again somebody had been put in my path and for a very good reason.
Just before solidifying my friendship with Darius though I had run through every single person who’d stood in my way here in IIW and it had not been easy. Every single person that Osh had lined me up against us been exceptionally tough, every single one of them from Curtis, to Chris Hawkins, from TJ Alexander to Scotty Adams, Mickey Kinkade and the list goes on and on but you know something?! None of it could have been possible without those people watching me, including Darius… And thus The Kindred was born.”
***Tyler pulls his hood down and runs his hands through his hair, as the hail continues to fall. He walks toward the rooftop door but stops, turning around again. He smiles as he stretches up on his toes, hands behind his back slightly as if stretching…*** Tyler: ”So you’re wondering why, why I’m bothering to tell you all this now…? Why I’m bothering to make some kind of meal of the situation…? It’s pretty simple. Why do you think I wasn’t surprised when John Cavanagh showed up after my title win at Worlds Collide? Why do you think I really wasn’t too worried going into the match against Zack Steele?! Because I’ve been here before, I know all that’s about to happen and all that has happened, just not quite yet. I’m pretty sure when I won the International title, you would have remembered me saying I know what’s coming right? This was when I aligned myself with my sister, auntie, girlfriend and close friend… I told you all that now I had finished the seven stages of alchemy, now that I was a champion there was a bigger target on my back and real work to be done and this is it… My path is still aligned and this is just another step in that direction.
I’ll be honest, at one stage during the last week or so I was actually concerned my partner wasn’t going to show his face, Rogue was quiet for the longest time… But now I know he’s here, I’ve got to say I don’t feel much better at all, just being honest. I mean I heard what John said recently, directed Rogues way and I’ve got to say not knowing that man from Uncle Sam, I don’t know if I can trust that he’ll just ignore Cavanagh’s suggestion or actually go along with it… Either way for the most part I’ll still stand by my word and state again that I have got your back for this match, Rogue… You say my opinion doesn’t matter and that’s ok, but when you’re left alone in the centre of that ring, with both John Cavanagh and Zack Steele whilst yours truly is watching on, from the audience with some snacks and a large Coke, you’re probably going to want to rethink that line buddy…
Now about the guys I should probably actually be focused on, the ones we’ll call my “opposition”, because well that’s what they are… Starting with Zack Steele. I’ll be honest Zack there really wasn’t much else I could mention about you since our last encounter because quite frankly we’ve said all there is to say in my book. Two young guys who’ve grown up in wrestling families trying to cut it on their own, second generation superstars proving to the world they’re good enough to break ground without that metaphorical trust fund, or literal one maybe with you? I don’t know Zack, all I do know is that when all was said and done I was the one who came out on top and yet here you are through all your trying to show me respect you throw John Cavanagh in my face?! Hah! Your new best friend? Zack you haven’t even met the man and you’re attempting to tell me, someone who grew up with him attending family functions from time to time, what he’s all about? Now allow me to tell you something, Zack… I’ve been an admirer of John Cavanagh‘s talent and skill for the longest time but one thing I also know about the man is, if it doesn’t benefit him he’ll cut it loose quicker than a damaged parachute! Just bare that in mind hoss.”
***Tyler runs his hand through his now absolutely sopping wet hair and shakes it out a little before opening the door to The Courthouse, grabbing a bag by the door as he makes his way inside. He starts walking down some concrete steps that lead inside the building, but stops himself before doing so*** Tyler: ”One thing I did remember about you, John, from way back when… Was your ability to play mind games and your penchant for doing so. One of the first things I caught onto, when watching you talk this weekend, was your natural disposition to making someone think the way you want them to, I mean if you took it any further you’d probably call it gaslighting to be honest Johnny… But the old saying build them up just to knock them down sprang to mind instantly and it’s a good thing that it did. You see that’s the good thing about being “a fan” of somebody for so long, you get to see the other side to them too and you get to see it from such a unique perspective, John, it’s hard to hide when the need arises.
The problem here Cav, is that either you overestimate your own abilities, or you underestimate mine. In either case you’re making one of the biggest mistakes you probably could have made before stepping into the ring and will ever make from this point forward… You talk about singing my praises and yet in the same breathe discuss how Tyler Debonair doesn’t even sit at your level and that’s okay Johnny, that’s really okay… Because when we meet at Mayhem and we lock eyes and suddenly you feel weak in the knees because I’ve just kicked you in the nuts or you feel seven shades of darkness around your cranium because I’ve just transfigured your skull, eh… Perhaps don’t cry to Andy and Trig about helping you out.
Or John, as I said I heard the message you wanted to pass on to my conditional tag team partner, Rogue and I’m not going to lie I don’t trust the guy as far as I can throw him, you or Zack, so when I’m stood here telling you I was already prepared for you to make some kind of move like that, take my word for it… Man I grew up wanting to be like you, a King among Kings but as I got older I realised I’d already been there and I already was you in fact I had outdone you way before my time but that book had yet to be physically written, it hadn’t been manifested yet but John, here we are now… Here we are. Oh I am a victim of my own rapid succession, Cav, but not in the way you think… However stick around as long as you can at Mayhem and perhaps you’ll find out... I’m really looking forward this guys, I really can’t wait!”
***With that, Tyler grabs his bag again and runs down the steps into the gym area of The Courthouse. He drops the bag, pulling something out of it and then going to dump the rest of its contents into a bin. Suddenly a load of shouting can be heard from the ring and Tyler looks up, smirking as The Coven all head towards him*** Steph: ”And what do you think you’re dumping in our trash babe? That’s a lot of stuff!”
Tyler: ”Ahh yeah sorry guys, it’s all my old makeup. I don’t think I’ll be using it anymore…”
MJ: ”Wait what? Are you joking?! It’s makeup!”
Casie: ”Don’t you dare! We’ll take that thank you!”
Tyler: ”Fine, fine! Youse have it!”
***Tyler laughs and hands the stuff to Steph, before picking up what he took out of the bag and heads toward the bathroom, as we notice just as he closes the door, it’s a complete razor and hair grooming kit. The door slams and we fade - to - black!***
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