Post by Ezra Gideon on Nov 18, 2022 20:37:35 GMT -5
Can We Trust Him Part 3
“The first casualty when war comes is truth.” - Hiram Johnson
{The Crooked M Ranch - Port Arthur, TX - “Trust”}
The view from my front porch is always beautiful. Trees now going into their autumn transformation. A combination of Pine, Oak, and mesquite made for some gorgeous mornings. Cooler air temperatures carried by a light breeze made the trees dance, and feel colder than it was. I ignored it mostly but the occasional blast from Mother Nature made me wish I at least had a sweatshirt on. The steam poured from the top of my cup of coffee as I lifted it, “Well, maybe it’s a bit cooler than I thought,” I mused to myself. I set the cup back down, and after taking a sip, I stand up. Trying to work the kinks in my back out, I stretch and feel the satisfying pop. I reached for the door handle and opened it quietly. Propping the front door open, I reach in on the coat rack and retrieve my hoodie. Slipping it on, Amber’s presence made itself known, as the smell of cinnamon invades my senses. I go back and take a seat where my coffee waited. I grab my cup and have another sip, then retrieve the pack of cigarettes. I waited for the wind to die a little bit and then lit my cigarette. I look towards the main road and see a long black SUV-style vehicle approaching. I take another drag from my cigarette and smile. “New money eh Jon?” I chuckled under my breath as the vehicle becomes more clear. This was a CIA-style Tahoe, completely blacked out with no discernable markings.
I continue to watch it approach and I make no changes to my body language to reveal my amusement as it pulls into the circular drive. The driver was an attractive woman that moved with the grace of a dancer or hired killer, my assumption was the latter. While unusual, it’s certainly not the first time I’ve seen a female security detail. A trained eye would not miss the firearm that she kept holstered under her jacket. They would also not miss the fact that her movements were fluid and effortless. She simply stood outside of the vehicle as John and Tristian exited on their own. That was more telling than anything. It caused me to chuckle as I saw the surprise on Tristian’s face. Either at the size of my place or the fact she didn’t get the door for him. Honestly, your guess was as good as mine. I waited until she seemed more at ease and then I stepped down off the porch and greeted them, “Gentlemen, so good of you to come.” They both nodded and we shook hands.” I looked over at the young woman again, “John, there was no need to bring hired muscle.” He smiled, “Oh, she’s not, she’s in charge of my safety and security.” I nodded, even though I knew she was much more than that.
“Come on in the house, it’s a bit chilly out here today. Young lady, you can come in as well if you’d like. I’ve got fresh coffee inside.” I turned and started towards the door, and they followed me. I wasn’t overly concerned with or for the girl, she would come in or she wouldn’t. So we entered the coffee nook, it wasn’t overly small, big enough for six people or more. I refilled my cup as they got comfortable, from the carafe in the center of the table. I heard the door open and she finally came inside. Without looking up, “I’m assuming my perimeter passed inspection?” I took a sip of coffee, she didn’t say anything but I saw John smile. “Hell, I don’t blame you chief. You don’t know me, only my reputation.” He nodded and before he could reply, Tristan jumped in, “And it’s not exactly a stellar one, that’s for damn sure.” I laughed at his comment, “Says one wolf to another.” I shook my head in amusement, “I thought that this is what this was about.”
Giving Tristian a hard look, “Tristian, if I’d had any notions of putting the big boy down, why do you suppose I tried to interfere with the beatdown they put on him?” He glared back at me but didn’t say anything. “I wouldn’t have wasted my time to be quite honest.” Taking another sip from my cup, it was John who spoke next. “That had been my assumption, he’s worried about your ties to CCPE.” I already knew that would be the case. “Sure, I can understand that. See, the thing about CCPE is we’re not some worldwide stable. We are not what Fred would like you to believe.” I lit another cigarette as they absorbed what I was saying. “CCPE is one hundred percent Chris’ company, make no mistake about that. We don’t all get along, hell, there’s a small number of the enterprise that I enjoy being around.” I take another drag from my cigarette, “Chris is my friend and my agent or was that is. Kat Jones now handles anything related to me and a few others.”
“You see gentlemen, yes I have a less than stellar reputation. I’m no angel but I’m not the devil either. What you get is what you see with me, there won’t be any surprise attacks if I decide I’m done. We’ll have that conversation well before that time comes.” They both stared at me, like deer who can’t look away from the headlights of an oncoming truck. “We don’t have time to sugarcoat it for each other boys. War has been declared and we are outnumbered for the present.” I hold up a finger forestalling their feedback as I look at my phone, I had a couple of missed calls from a friend of mine. I hit the callback feature and raise the phone to my ear. “Hey, bud….oh, you saw that did ya?.... You know I’ll never turn down an offer of help….yeah, see you at the next show.” I looked back at them and smiled, “And then there were four. It provides a more level playing field.” I looked over at them and they were both smiling as well. Tristan, “Who was that?” My response was an evil-sounding laugh, “No spoilers.”
Fade to black.
[cr]
{In-Studio - On Camera - Truth And Consequences}
The upcoming six-man match was gonna be an epic fight, and everyone knew it. I was still smarting from the last show, minor injuries were just that, minor. I had fought Peter in XWF and so I knew what to expect. I had watched Flynn capture the universal title from Raion Kiddo, so I had an idea of what he brings. Fred was the dark horse of the bunch. I’d been in the ring with him but I still wasn’t quite sure of him. At least that’s what I had felt when the match was first announced. That was before watching twenty hours of tape. I kept going over everything that had happened to this point and none of it made sense. The stable forming, the beat down on John and me. Attacking Tristian from behind, it’s just not how we should be doing business. So, I watched as the engineer was making things ready for my promo. The red light of the camera and the microphone beat in time with the rhythm of my heart. It’s a slow and methodical pulse that almost beats in time with the rhythm of my career. I get a single pulse tone in my ear from the engineer letting me know he’s ready and I can begin at any point. I nod to him as I start.
I feel it’s necessary to put this out there. Joe seems to like to jump people from behind these days. Joe, if I see you, my face is the last thing you’ll ever see.
I rock my head side to side, feeling the satisfactory crunch and pop, I smile and sigh.
To understand where we are today, you have to go back a few months.
I scratch my beard absentmindedly, then realizing what I was doing, then I abruptly stop.
The three of us; JMont, me, and Chris went to ADub. We tormented Corey Black and his folks there for weeks. All had a good time. That was the starting point of my and JMont’s friendship. Mutual respect and admiration. Before our first match against each other, I think he would have agreed with that. Thing is, he’s had Freddy boy in his ear. I thought he and I were good, but some of the things that were said before our match didn’t sit well with me. So, in losing, I was able to gain a better understanding of Joe. I applied what I had learned in the four corners match.
I reach back and tear the rubber band from my hair, allowing it to fall around my shoulders. I inhale deeply, then I forcibly exhale through my nose causing my nostrils to flare.
Leading up to that show, Mont was out there talking a lot of shit. He had beaten me previously, winning a bet with my agent, Kat. It was at that point that I felt like this is not the guy I’d come to know. The respect began to wane to almost nothing. He even went so far as to do a double-or-nothing bet with Kat. Fred was new to many of us in CCPE, so I knew little of what to expect of him. John Cable, I knew a little about from the previous incarnation of this company. So, when the match was over, Fred pinned John to pick up the win. I exited the ring to allow him to celebrate and when I heard the boos and I turn around. That’s when the two-on-one beating began.
I shook my head and stared down at the floor, causing my hair to cascade down across my face.
When CCPE first started, that was one of the first cardinal rules that Chris put in place. Bell to bell, nothing is considered out of bounds. After that though…that’s another story. I went back to the ring and asked them to knock it off. They agreed to stop and just as soon as I turned my back to check on Cable, that’s when the true betrayal began.
I look back up and sweep the hair out of my eyes. With fire in my eyes, I slowly lifted my head back up to stare into the camera lens. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
What was it that Fred said to me? That I had betrayed CCPE? Not even close, little man. Regardless, let’s fast forward a couple of weeks, and we are out there talking to the roster and the fans to make sure that nothing is misunderstood. And we get interrupted and attacked.
I allow the smile to bloom in full. It wasn’t a friendly smile like people are used to seeing from me. It was the feral smile of a wolf that was getting ready to have a snack.
Bravo on the execution of your plan, that was well done except for one thing.
My eyebrows furrow as my intensity grows.
You just couldn’t bring yourselves to do things the right way. You could have come out there like men and picked a fight, you had the four-on-three advantage. But Nah, once again Joe jumped on Tristian from behind, and yeah, got the better of us again. That brings us to where we are today. The six-man match. None of us are foolish enough to believe that we are going into this with a level playing field. That’s not who you are, always have to have the advantage or you’ll run.
My intensity does not falter, as my anger grows.
Man oh man, Flynn congrats on winning the top prize in a place that’s dying. What made that shit even worse is you were fortunate enough to beat a man who’s ten times the man that you never were. Kiddo is the epitome of doing things the right way, not shortcuts to get to the top. He possesses all the things you lack, honor, integrity, and work ethic. Your work ethic is shit and that sums you up as a human being. As for Pete, “embarrassing me” in the tournament in XWF? You need to check yourself before you wreck yourself, son. Ours was the final of a tournament. Peter and I had a great match and he knows it. It was one of the most closely contested title matches they’ve had in ages. Chris would tell you the same thing.
I shake my head in disgust.
And you Pete? What the fuck, man. Why are you out there lying to everyone who will listen? We were never scheduled to compete as a team in any place we’ve been in together. All I have to do is direct people to the Level Up tournament for proof of your incompetence as a tag team partner. You caused your team to get bounced out in the first round by a pair of rookies. The same rookies that Chris and I beat to make it to the finals of that tournament. Just in case y’all didn’t know, I’ve never drunk beer or anything else backstage at a show. You may have forgotten that I don’t like beer.
I smile a more friendly smile at the camera.
I miss the days of Peter Vaughn, whom I’d grown to respect and have genuine admiration for. This new version sucks. Oh, and this just in, random fact-checkers say that you’re full of shit, Pete.
I shake my head again in disgust at what this has become, and who they have become.
Three of the four of you have had icon status in this industry for a while, and yet here we are. I’ve seen shit-throwing monkeys with more class and grace than you three have shown.
I almost laugh as I address the jackass in the room.
Fred Debonaire, I saved the worst for last.
All sense of amusement is now gone, I feel my jaw tighten and so I hold off for a moment to get my vile temper in check.
For those that are unaware of how Fred came to be a member of CCPE. This all happened because Page went slumming in IIW for a bit, and liked this guy for whatever fucking reason. Here we are though, Freddy is the leader of the shit show..er…I mean…was it Kingdom he called them?
I playfully allow a confused look to appear on my face and then cut it off with a frown.
Kingdom my ass. He thinks he’s hot shit because Chris saved him from himself and his poor life choices. You don’t get to become elite off the backs of others, kid. You’ve still got a shit ton of work ahead of you before you should even be allowed to breathe the same air as decent people.
I look down at my hands where the four halls of fame ring rest and I smile.
I could say a lot of things about a lot of people, but the real truth is boys.
I allow the smile to stay and I chuckle.
I got these rings by doing things the right way, and I’ve never had regrets about that. Could I have attained these honors by doing it the Fred way? Sure and probably more quickly than I deserved. That’s not the proper way to build a legacy boys, you won’t like what I’ve said and even care less about what was said here today.
Taking the rings off one by one, I return them to their cases.
That’s all fine and good with me, I’ve never been one to focus on what the opinions were of others. Why would a lion care what the sheep thought?
Taking the individual cases, I return them to a larger case and snap the locks in place.
Every truth and every lie has consequences that have to be paid for. We live in a country where the freedom to say what you want is revered. Some people seem to forget that there are also consequences for what you say. If you tell the truth, you might get a pat on the back or something as simple as a nod and smile.
I take out a cigarette and my zippo and begin tapping the cigarette on the lighter. I continue to work on it until I’m satisfied that it’s packed tight enough.
If you lie, many different things could happen. You might be elected to a public office. Or you might just get the shit kicked out of you. Last time I checked, none of you fucks are on a ballot anywhere. So, I guess the only thing that’s left is that ass kickin’ See you bitches soon. Maybe sooner than you think.
Fade
“The first casualty when war comes is truth.” - Hiram Johnson
{The Crooked M Ranch - Port Arthur, TX - “Trust”}
The view from my front porch is always beautiful. Trees now going into their autumn transformation. A combination of Pine, Oak, and mesquite made for some gorgeous mornings. Cooler air temperatures carried by a light breeze made the trees dance, and feel colder than it was. I ignored it mostly but the occasional blast from Mother Nature made me wish I at least had a sweatshirt on. The steam poured from the top of my cup of coffee as I lifted it, “Well, maybe it’s a bit cooler than I thought,” I mused to myself. I set the cup back down, and after taking a sip, I stand up. Trying to work the kinks in my back out, I stretch and feel the satisfying pop. I reached for the door handle and opened it quietly. Propping the front door open, I reach in on the coat rack and retrieve my hoodie. Slipping it on, Amber’s presence made itself known, as the smell of cinnamon invades my senses. I go back and take a seat where my coffee waited. I grab my cup and have another sip, then retrieve the pack of cigarettes. I waited for the wind to die a little bit and then lit my cigarette. I look towards the main road and see a long black SUV-style vehicle approaching. I take another drag from my cigarette and smile. “New money eh Jon?” I chuckled under my breath as the vehicle becomes more clear. This was a CIA-style Tahoe, completely blacked out with no discernable markings.
I continue to watch it approach and I make no changes to my body language to reveal my amusement as it pulls into the circular drive. The driver was an attractive woman that moved with the grace of a dancer or hired killer, my assumption was the latter. While unusual, it’s certainly not the first time I’ve seen a female security detail. A trained eye would not miss the firearm that she kept holstered under her jacket. They would also not miss the fact that her movements were fluid and effortless. She simply stood outside of the vehicle as John and Tristian exited on their own. That was more telling than anything. It caused me to chuckle as I saw the surprise on Tristian’s face. Either at the size of my place or the fact she didn’t get the door for him. Honestly, your guess was as good as mine. I waited until she seemed more at ease and then I stepped down off the porch and greeted them, “Gentlemen, so good of you to come.” They both nodded and we shook hands.” I looked over at the young woman again, “John, there was no need to bring hired muscle.” He smiled, “Oh, she’s not, she’s in charge of my safety and security.” I nodded, even though I knew she was much more than that.
“Come on in the house, it’s a bit chilly out here today. Young lady, you can come in as well if you’d like. I’ve got fresh coffee inside.” I turned and started towards the door, and they followed me. I wasn’t overly concerned with or for the girl, she would come in or she wouldn’t. So we entered the coffee nook, it wasn’t overly small, big enough for six people or more. I refilled my cup as they got comfortable, from the carafe in the center of the table. I heard the door open and she finally came inside. Without looking up, “I’m assuming my perimeter passed inspection?” I took a sip of coffee, she didn’t say anything but I saw John smile. “Hell, I don’t blame you chief. You don’t know me, only my reputation.” He nodded and before he could reply, Tristan jumped in, “And it’s not exactly a stellar one, that’s for damn sure.” I laughed at his comment, “Says one wolf to another.” I shook my head in amusement, “I thought that this is what this was about.”
Giving Tristian a hard look, “Tristian, if I’d had any notions of putting the big boy down, why do you suppose I tried to interfere with the beatdown they put on him?” He glared back at me but didn’t say anything. “I wouldn’t have wasted my time to be quite honest.” Taking another sip from my cup, it was John who spoke next. “That had been my assumption, he’s worried about your ties to CCPE.” I already knew that would be the case. “Sure, I can understand that. See, the thing about CCPE is we’re not some worldwide stable. We are not what Fred would like you to believe.” I lit another cigarette as they absorbed what I was saying. “CCPE is one hundred percent Chris’ company, make no mistake about that. We don’t all get along, hell, there’s a small number of the enterprise that I enjoy being around.” I take another drag from my cigarette, “Chris is my friend and my agent or was that is. Kat Jones now handles anything related to me and a few others.”
“You see gentlemen, yes I have a less than stellar reputation. I’m no angel but I’m not the devil either. What you get is what you see with me, there won’t be any surprise attacks if I decide I’m done. We’ll have that conversation well before that time comes.” They both stared at me, like deer who can’t look away from the headlights of an oncoming truck. “We don’t have time to sugarcoat it for each other boys. War has been declared and we are outnumbered for the present.” I hold up a finger forestalling their feedback as I look at my phone, I had a couple of missed calls from a friend of mine. I hit the callback feature and raise the phone to my ear. “Hey, bud….oh, you saw that did ya?.... You know I’ll never turn down an offer of help….yeah, see you at the next show.” I looked back at them and smiled, “And then there were four. It provides a more level playing field.” I looked over at them and they were both smiling as well. Tristan, “Who was that?” My response was an evil-sounding laugh, “No spoilers.”
Fade to black.
[cr]
{In-Studio - On Camera - Truth And Consequences}
The upcoming six-man match was gonna be an epic fight, and everyone knew it. I was still smarting from the last show, minor injuries were just that, minor. I had fought Peter in XWF and so I knew what to expect. I had watched Flynn capture the universal title from Raion Kiddo, so I had an idea of what he brings. Fred was the dark horse of the bunch. I’d been in the ring with him but I still wasn’t quite sure of him. At least that’s what I had felt when the match was first announced. That was before watching twenty hours of tape. I kept going over everything that had happened to this point and none of it made sense. The stable forming, the beat down on John and me. Attacking Tristian from behind, it’s just not how we should be doing business. So, I watched as the engineer was making things ready for my promo. The red light of the camera and the microphone beat in time with the rhythm of my heart. It’s a slow and methodical pulse that almost beats in time with the rhythm of my career. I get a single pulse tone in my ear from the engineer letting me know he’s ready and I can begin at any point. I nod to him as I start.
I feel it’s necessary to put this out there. Joe seems to like to jump people from behind these days. Joe, if I see you, my face is the last thing you’ll ever see.
I rock my head side to side, feeling the satisfactory crunch and pop, I smile and sigh.
To understand where we are today, you have to go back a few months.
I scratch my beard absentmindedly, then realizing what I was doing, then I abruptly stop.
The three of us; JMont, me, and Chris went to ADub. We tormented Corey Black and his folks there for weeks. All had a good time. That was the starting point of my and JMont’s friendship. Mutual respect and admiration. Before our first match against each other, I think he would have agreed with that. Thing is, he’s had Freddy boy in his ear. I thought he and I were good, but some of the things that were said before our match didn’t sit well with me. So, in losing, I was able to gain a better understanding of Joe. I applied what I had learned in the four corners match.
I reach back and tear the rubber band from my hair, allowing it to fall around my shoulders. I inhale deeply, then I forcibly exhale through my nose causing my nostrils to flare.
Leading up to that show, Mont was out there talking a lot of shit. He had beaten me previously, winning a bet with my agent, Kat. It was at that point that I felt like this is not the guy I’d come to know. The respect began to wane to almost nothing. He even went so far as to do a double-or-nothing bet with Kat. Fred was new to many of us in CCPE, so I knew little of what to expect of him. John Cable, I knew a little about from the previous incarnation of this company. So, when the match was over, Fred pinned John to pick up the win. I exited the ring to allow him to celebrate and when I heard the boos and I turn around. That’s when the two-on-one beating began.
I shook my head and stared down at the floor, causing my hair to cascade down across my face.
When CCPE first started, that was one of the first cardinal rules that Chris put in place. Bell to bell, nothing is considered out of bounds. After that though…that’s another story. I went back to the ring and asked them to knock it off. They agreed to stop and just as soon as I turned my back to check on Cable, that’s when the true betrayal began.
I look back up and sweep the hair out of my eyes. With fire in my eyes, I slowly lifted my head back up to stare into the camera lens. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
What was it that Fred said to me? That I had betrayed CCPE? Not even close, little man. Regardless, let’s fast forward a couple of weeks, and we are out there talking to the roster and the fans to make sure that nothing is misunderstood. And we get interrupted and attacked.
I allow the smile to bloom in full. It wasn’t a friendly smile like people are used to seeing from me. It was the feral smile of a wolf that was getting ready to have a snack.
Bravo on the execution of your plan, that was well done except for one thing.
My eyebrows furrow as my intensity grows.
You just couldn’t bring yourselves to do things the right way. You could have come out there like men and picked a fight, you had the four-on-three advantage. But Nah, once again Joe jumped on Tristian from behind, and yeah, got the better of us again. That brings us to where we are today. The six-man match. None of us are foolish enough to believe that we are going into this with a level playing field. That’s not who you are, always have to have the advantage or you’ll run.
My intensity does not falter, as my anger grows.
Man oh man, Flynn congrats on winning the top prize in a place that’s dying. What made that shit even worse is you were fortunate enough to beat a man who’s ten times the man that you never were. Kiddo is the epitome of doing things the right way, not shortcuts to get to the top. He possesses all the things you lack, honor, integrity, and work ethic. Your work ethic is shit and that sums you up as a human being. As for Pete, “embarrassing me” in the tournament in XWF? You need to check yourself before you wreck yourself, son. Ours was the final of a tournament. Peter and I had a great match and he knows it. It was one of the most closely contested title matches they’ve had in ages. Chris would tell you the same thing.
I shake my head in disgust.
And you Pete? What the fuck, man. Why are you out there lying to everyone who will listen? We were never scheduled to compete as a team in any place we’ve been in together. All I have to do is direct people to the Level Up tournament for proof of your incompetence as a tag team partner. You caused your team to get bounced out in the first round by a pair of rookies. The same rookies that Chris and I beat to make it to the finals of that tournament. Just in case y’all didn’t know, I’ve never drunk beer or anything else backstage at a show. You may have forgotten that I don’t like beer.
I smile a more friendly smile at the camera.
I miss the days of Peter Vaughn, whom I’d grown to respect and have genuine admiration for. This new version sucks. Oh, and this just in, random fact-checkers say that you’re full of shit, Pete.
I shake my head again in disgust at what this has become, and who they have become.
Three of the four of you have had icon status in this industry for a while, and yet here we are. I’ve seen shit-throwing monkeys with more class and grace than you three have shown.
I almost laugh as I address the jackass in the room.
Fred Debonaire, I saved the worst for last.
All sense of amusement is now gone, I feel my jaw tighten and so I hold off for a moment to get my vile temper in check.
For those that are unaware of how Fred came to be a member of CCPE. This all happened because Page went slumming in IIW for a bit, and liked this guy for whatever fucking reason. Here we are though, Freddy is the leader of the shit show..er…I mean…was it Kingdom he called them?
I playfully allow a confused look to appear on my face and then cut it off with a frown.
Kingdom my ass. He thinks he’s hot shit because Chris saved him from himself and his poor life choices. You don’t get to become elite off the backs of others, kid. You’ve still got a shit ton of work ahead of you before you should even be allowed to breathe the same air as decent people.
I look down at my hands where the four halls of fame ring rest and I smile.
I could say a lot of things about a lot of people, but the real truth is boys.
I allow the smile to stay and I chuckle.
I got these rings by doing things the right way, and I’ve never had regrets about that. Could I have attained these honors by doing it the Fred way? Sure and probably more quickly than I deserved. That’s not the proper way to build a legacy boys, you won’t like what I’ve said and even care less about what was said here today.
Taking the rings off one by one, I return them to their cases.
That’s all fine and good with me, I’ve never been one to focus on what the opinions were of others. Why would a lion care what the sheep thought?
Taking the individual cases, I return them to a larger case and snap the locks in place.
Every truth and every lie has consequences that have to be paid for. We live in a country where the freedom to say what you want is revered. Some people seem to forget that there are also consequences for what you say. If you tell the truth, you might get a pat on the back or something as simple as a nod and smile.
I take out a cigarette and my zippo and begin tapping the cigarette on the lighter. I continue to work on it until I’m satisfied that it’s packed tight enough.
If you lie, many different things could happen. You might be elected to a public office. Or you might just get the shit kicked out of you. Last time I checked, none of you fucks are on a ballot anywhere. So, I guess the only thing that’s left is that ass kickin’ See you bitches soon. Maybe sooner than you think.
Fade