Post by Zero on Mar 21, 2013 14:33:08 GMT -5
[This week’s scene opens up an hour or so removed from Road 2 Glory. Unable to sleep from the excitement of wrestling at THE event of the year, yet thoroughly embittered at the performance he gave, we see Shaun Cross walking down the quiet sidewalks of Dallas. He eventually hears muffled singing and acoustic guitar music coming from inside a building. Breaking his gaze from the sidewalk up to a sign reading: “The Six Shooter Bar: Live Music Thursdays 10-2”. Never much on drinking too heavily, Shaun decides to head inside (liking the sound of the music). Inside the smoky bar, a young musician with a black pony tail and short scraggly beard sits alone on a stool on the tiny stage. Shaun guesses he’s just pushing 30. The guitar strumming man shoots a quick glance over at him as Shaun enters before turning his head again, closing his eyes beginning to sing again.]
Musician: She ain’t comin’ home. It ain’t so hard to see. Everyone’s got someone, nobody’s got me. She ain’t comin’ home. It ain’t so hard to tell. Guess this is where you land, when love is where you fell…
[“Kind of a bummer…” Shaun thinks as he takes a seat at the bar. He sits and listens to the rest of the song, a slow melancholy tune of a past love lost. The small crowd cheers as the final chord is strummed. Through the cheering, the musician reiterates his name (which Shaun couldn’t quite catch) and expresses thanks before announcing that that was the final song of the evening. Shaun claps, quite impressed just by the 2nd half of the song he heard. As the man is putting the acoustic guitar back into the hard-shell case, Shaun spins around on the bar-stool and orders a beer.]
Older man: Helluva show, huh?
[Shaun turns, assuming the gruff voice coming from his left is speaking to him. He sees an older man looking at him, the man nods once really seeing Shaun’s face.]
SC: Oh…Yeah, he’s really good. Great lyricist, decent voice…You didn’t catch his name by any chance?
Older man: Tanner Reed, but shit boy, I ain’t talkin’ about him. You’re that fuckin’…Cross fella, yeah? Shane Cross?
SC: Shaun. Shaun Cross.
[Shaun looks almost bewildered at the recognition.]
Older man: Leon Adams…”Lightning” Leon Adams they called me…
[Leon extends his hand, shaking Shaun’s.]
SC: Umm. I’m sorry, do I know you?
LA: Shit, you’re a Maine boy...I’d be kinda scared if you did know me, friend. No…I used to roam these couple surroundin’ states wrestlin’ indy. I screwed my neck all up a couple years back…Decided to call it quits ‘n settle down with the family. Hell, I watch TNT…I’ve seen ya grow in these past few weeks…How’d ya do tonight anyways? Not struttin’ in here with no belt I see…
[Still amazed that he’s being recognized (not being a giant star in MPW), Shaun shrugs.]
SC: Nah…goddamn Tyler Rose snaked his way to the win. Less than fortunately I was eliminated first.
LA: Ain’t that always the way? Some shithead gets thrown into what coulda been an insanely good match and just fuckin’ ruins it for everyone…
SC: You could say that again…
[Leon nods with a bit of a smirk, taking another sip of his beer.]
LA: Hmm…You’ll get ‘em next time, kid. Just keep after it, and you’ll get there.
[After just initially glancing at Leon and really taking a look at him, Shaun noticed the reasonable amount of scar tissue on Leon’s forehead. Though no Abdullah the Butcher, Leon looked as if he’d done a decent amount of blading in his career.]
SC: Yeah…Thanks…So hey you seem to know about me, tell me about yourself…
[Leon pauses, thinking of where to begin, never having talked to a “major superstar” in wrestling.]
LA: Well…Most of my career, I was down here in SXW…Southern Xtreme Wrestling. As you can see…
[He gently runs his index and middle finger across his forehead, over the bumps and slight creases inflicted to create the “crimson mask”. He chuckles a bit to himself.]
I’ve never been the most scientific wrestler in the business. But boy that isn’t what SXW was about…You must know up in California that…Chaos International place? Fuckin’…It’s run by that Joe Leanzo asshole… Yeah, that’s pretty much the gist of what we did.
SC: Oh, you mean CWI? Shit I worked there for a short time right before I got into MPW.
LA: So you were a deathmatch guy too?
SC: Eh…on occasion I guess; I was more middle-of-the-road than anything in that respect.
LA: Oh yeah? Well why’d you leave?
SC: The whole hardcore thing took its toll. I took a bump from a ladder to the outside through a table…That wasn’t too fun. Then Joe and I had a sort of falling out in discussing my future with the company. I walked out…I’d be a liar now if I said I’m not glad I did.
LA: Well Jesus, you’re a megastar now, you’re wrestling for Millennium Pro and just coming out of their biggest show of the year.
SC: Yeah but I lost…
[Shaun almost snapped back at him quickly.]
LA: That’s…Not my point, Shaun. You’re still in the company and you’re MODERATELY successful. What more can a guy want (besides being the top guy in said company). I mean rea-
[Shaun somewhat rudely stands up and yawns, finally feeling the crash coming from the late, busy night.]
SC: Leon, my man, I hate to head out, but I’m getting’ tired. It’s a long ass flight back to Maine tomorrow…
[He extends his hand to shake Leon’s with a tired smile.]
LA: Totally understandable, Shaun…Shit; I can give you a ride back to the hotel if you want?
SC: That’d be great, thanks.
LA: Don’t mention it.
[Leon smiles back as the two head out into the Texas night into Leon’s truck. Once in the vehicle, Shaun starts talking again.]
SC: So a deathmatch guy huh? What was your persona?
[Leon laughs a bit as he turns the truck on and starts down the road.]
LA: Didn’t really have a persona as much as a distinct wrestling style…I guess would be the easiest way to put it. I incorporated a few martial arts kicks and a bevy of suplexes into that table slammin’, chair swingin’ blood ‘n guts stuff…
SC: A finisher?
LA: I had the “Devastator”…It was a glorified closeline really…But my whole shtick was, I tried to come up with as many clever setups for it as possible. One of my favorites I remember was probably the most simple…I’d Irish-whip a guy into the turnbuckle really hard so he just bounced sternum first off of the pad. As he was turning around I’d be haulin’ ass across that ring…By the time he was me-
SC: He was fucked…!
[Shaun quipped before Leon could finish, only bringing a smile to the man’s face.
So…What caused you to hang up your boots?
LA: Well let’s just say when you’re booked against a guy like Thumbtack Jack, pack a fuckin’ lunch…He and I were wrestling and I landed wrong taking a powerbomb from the apron to the outside onto a big pile of those medical syringes he likes using in matches…Landed more on the back of my neck and head than anything…And the syringes didn’t feel great either. So right about then I said “okay, this has gone too far…”
SC: Goddamn…Jack don’t screw around huh?
LA: Jack don’t screw around indeed…But shit, neither did Masada…
[The two share a joke for a moment (Masada retired Thumbtack Jack not too long afterwards) as Leon pulls up to the front of the hotel.]
And here we are my friend, it’s been a good evening talking with you…Talking with a real MPW superstar...
[The scene fades out with Shaun walking through the revolving door of the hotel and Leon driving off. The next scene opens up on Thursday the 21st, Jackson, Mississippi. Shaun Cross is in his wrestling attire sitting on a bench in his locker room alone, lacing up his boots.]
SC: In a matter of minutes, this place will be electric…In a matter of minutes, TV cameras will be live and Thomas Simon will be hollering through his headset trying desperately to be heard through the legions of fans and the screeches of fireworks echoing through the building…Hmm…Not too long after that, a new number one contender for the TV title will be declared. Jason Xavier…Now I don’t know about you…But I’ve been making myself sick, running rampant just chasing that carrot that’s dangling off the end of the stick tied to my back....It’s just lingering…Hanging in front of me, just out of arms reach. That carrot of course being the Television Title…The stick now being Tyler fuckin’ Rose…But Tyler’s not the matter at hand this evening, no…Jason I must say thank you for agreeing with me about being “shafted.” And you’re right, one incredible match could’ve been had, had it not been for the weasel raiding the garden. Tonight…We put on the match that people WANTED to see…The match that had the potential to steal the entire show two weeks ago at Road 2 Glory. You call yourself the Star…Well now…Finally the Star meets the Samurai one on one. I can’t wait…I’m sure you can’t, and I’m sure everyone watching can’t wait any longer. It’s been a bitch of a road, and even this match isn’t the end. But this is definitely where your ride ends…As for Tyler Rose…He knows what I do and he’ll find out again real soon. Because Jason you say a lot of things…you’re on the hunt, you’re addicted, you’ll never die, you don’t ease off or even you’ll claim that I don’t stand a chance.
[Shaun smirks and stands up.]
You say all of these things, Jason, and yeah they all sound well and good but…There are two sides to everything, yeah? You’re on the hunt, huh? Well you’re also being chased by something twice as hungry. You’re addicted you say? Jason…Your dealer has run out…It’s time to quit cold turkey. You’ll never die? Well that’s just silly…Both God and Bruce Springsteen say that EVERYTHING must die…and that’s a fact. I don’t stand a chance? Jason…You’re smarter than that. If I didn’t stand a chance, there’s no way I’d have been your number one contender in the first instance. So I guess…In a nutshell, what I’m trying to say here is…Jason Xavier…It’s time…
[The scene fades to black as “Reborn” by Damageplan begins to play in the background.]
Musician: She ain’t comin’ home. It ain’t so hard to see. Everyone’s got someone, nobody’s got me. She ain’t comin’ home. It ain’t so hard to tell. Guess this is where you land, when love is where you fell…
[“Kind of a bummer…” Shaun thinks as he takes a seat at the bar. He sits and listens to the rest of the song, a slow melancholy tune of a past love lost. The small crowd cheers as the final chord is strummed. Through the cheering, the musician reiterates his name (which Shaun couldn’t quite catch) and expresses thanks before announcing that that was the final song of the evening. Shaun claps, quite impressed just by the 2nd half of the song he heard. As the man is putting the acoustic guitar back into the hard-shell case, Shaun spins around on the bar-stool and orders a beer.]
Older man: Helluva show, huh?
[Shaun turns, assuming the gruff voice coming from his left is speaking to him. He sees an older man looking at him, the man nods once really seeing Shaun’s face.]
SC: Oh…Yeah, he’s really good. Great lyricist, decent voice…You didn’t catch his name by any chance?
Older man: Tanner Reed, but shit boy, I ain’t talkin’ about him. You’re that fuckin’…Cross fella, yeah? Shane Cross?
SC: Shaun. Shaun Cross.
[Shaun looks almost bewildered at the recognition.]
Older man: Leon Adams…”Lightning” Leon Adams they called me…
[Leon extends his hand, shaking Shaun’s.]
SC: Umm. I’m sorry, do I know you?
LA: Shit, you’re a Maine boy...I’d be kinda scared if you did know me, friend. No…I used to roam these couple surroundin’ states wrestlin’ indy. I screwed my neck all up a couple years back…Decided to call it quits ‘n settle down with the family. Hell, I watch TNT…I’ve seen ya grow in these past few weeks…How’d ya do tonight anyways? Not struttin’ in here with no belt I see…
[Still amazed that he’s being recognized (not being a giant star in MPW), Shaun shrugs.]
SC: Nah…goddamn Tyler Rose snaked his way to the win. Less than fortunately I was eliminated first.
LA: Ain’t that always the way? Some shithead gets thrown into what coulda been an insanely good match and just fuckin’ ruins it for everyone…
SC: You could say that again…
[Leon nods with a bit of a smirk, taking another sip of his beer.]
LA: Hmm…You’ll get ‘em next time, kid. Just keep after it, and you’ll get there.
[After just initially glancing at Leon and really taking a look at him, Shaun noticed the reasonable amount of scar tissue on Leon’s forehead. Though no Abdullah the Butcher, Leon looked as if he’d done a decent amount of blading in his career.]
SC: Yeah…Thanks…So hey you seem to know about me, tell me about yourself…
[Leon pauses, thinking of where to begin, never having talked to a “major superstar” in wrestling.]
LA: Well…Most of my career, I was down here in SXW…Southern Xtreme Wrestling. As you can see…
[He gently runs his index and middle finger across his forehead, over the bumps and slight creases inflicted to create the “crimson mask”. He chuckles a bit to himself.]
I’ve never been the most scientific wrestler in the business. But boy that isn’t what SXW was about…You must know up in California that…Chaos International place? Fuckin’…It’s run by that Joe Leanzo asshole… Yeah, that’s pretty much the gist of what we did.
SC: Oh, you mean CWI? Shit I worked there for a short time right before I got into MPW.
LA: So you were a deathmatch guy too?
SC: Eh…on occasion I guess; I was more middle-of-the-road than anything in that respect.
LA: Oh yeah? Well why’d you leave?
SC: The whole hardcore thing took its toll. I took a bump from a ladder to the outside through a table…That wasn’t too fun. Then Joe and I had a sort of falling out in discussing my future with the company. I walked out…I’d be a liar now if I said I’m not glad I did.
LA: Well Jesus, you’re a megastar now, you’re wrestling for Millennium Pro and just coming out of their biggest show of the year.
SC: Yeah but I lost…
[Shaun almost snapped back at him quickly.]
LA: That’s…Not my point, Shaun. You’re still in the company and you’re MODERATELY successful. What more can a guy want (besides being the top guy in said company). I mean rea-
[Shaun somewhat rudely stands up and yawns, finally feeling the crash coming from the late, busy night.]
SC: Leon, my man, I hate to head out, but I’m getting’ tired. It’s a long ass flight back to Maine tomorrow…
[He extends his hand to shake Leon’s with a tired smile.]
LA: Totally understandable, Shaun…Shit; I can give you a ride back to the hotel if you want?
SC: That’d be great, thanks.
LA: Don’t mention it.
[Leon smiles back as the two head out into the Texas night into Leon’s truck. Once in the vehicle, Shaun starts talking again.]
SC: So a deathmatch guy huh? What was your persona?
[Leon laughs a bit as he turns the truck on and starts down the road.]
LA: Didn’t really have a persona as much as a distinct wrestling style…I guess would be the easiest way to put it. I incorporated a few martial arts kicks and a bevy of suplexes into that table slammin’, chair swingin’ blood ‘n guts stuff…
SC: A finisher?
LA: I had the “Devastator”…It was a glorified closeline really…But my whole shtick was, I tried to come up with as many clever setups for it as possible. One of my favorites I remember was probably the most simple…I’d Irish-whip a guy into the turnbuckle really hard so he just bounced sternum first off of the pad. As he was turning around I’d be haulin’ ass across that ring…By the time he was me-
SC: He was fucked…!
[Shaun quipped before Leon could finish, only bringing a smile to the man’s face.
So…What caused you to hang up your boots?
LA: Well let’s just say when you’re booked against a guy like Thumbtack Jack, pack a fuckin’ lunch…He and I were wrestling and I landed wrong taking a powerbomb from the apron to the outside onto a big pile of those medical syringes he likes using in matches…Landed more on the back of my neck and head than anything…And the syringes didn’t feel great either. So right about then I said “okay, this has gone too far…”
SC: Goddamn…Jack don’t screw around huh?
LA: Jack don’t screw around indeed…But shit, neither did Masada…
[The two share a joke for a moment (Masada retired Thumbtack Jack not too long afterwards) as Leon pulls up to the front of the hotel.]
And here we are my friend, it’s been a good evening talking with you…Talking with a real MPW superstar...
[The scene fades out with Shaun walking through the revolving door of the hotel and Leon driving off. The next scene opens up on Thursday the 21st, Jackson, Mississippi. Shaun Cross is in his wrestling attire sitting on a bench in his locker room alone, lacing up his boots.]
SC: In a matter of minutes, this place will be electric…In a matter of minutes, TV cameras will be live and Thomas Simon will be hollering through his headset trying desperately to be heard through the legions of fans and the screeches of fireworks echoing through the building…Hmm…Not too long after that, a new number one contender for the TV title will be declared. Jason Xavier…Now I don’t know about you…But I’ve been making myself sick, running rampant just chasing that carrot that’s dangling off the end of the stick tied to my back....It’s just lingering…Hanging in front of me, just out of arms reach. That carrot of course being the Television Title…The stick now being Tyler fuckin’ Rose…But Tyler’s not the matter at hand this evening, no…Jason I must say thank you for agreeing with me about being “shafted.” And you’re right, one incredible match could’ve been had, had it not been for the weasel raiding the garden. Tonight…We put on the match that people WANTED to see…The match that had the potential to steal the entire show two weeks ago at Road 2 Glory. You call yourself the Star…Well now…Finally the Star meets the Samurai one on one. I can’t wait…I’m sure you can’t, and I’m sure everyone watching can’t wait any longer. It’s been a bitch of a road, and even this match isn’t the end. But this is definitely where your ride ends…As for Tyler Rose…He knows what I do and he’ll find out again real soon. Because Jason you say a lot of things…you’re on the hunt, you’re addicted, you’ll never die, you don’t ease off or even you’ll claim that I don’t stand a chance.
[Shaun smirks and stands up.]
You say all of these things, Jason, and yeah they all sound well and good but…There are two sides to everything, yeah? You’re on the hunt, huh? Well you’re also being chased by something twice as hungry. You’re addicted you say? Jason…Your dealer has run out…It’s time to quit cold turkey. You’ll never die? Well that’s just silly…Both God and Bruce Springsteen say that EVERYTHING must die…and that’s a fact. I don’t stand a chance? Jason…You’re smarter than that. If I didn’t stand a chance, there’s no way I’d have been your number one contender in the first instance. So I guess…In a nutshell, what I’m trying to say here is…Jason Xavier…It’s time…
[The scene fades to black as “Reborn” by Damageplan begins to play in the background.]