Post by Peter Vaughn on Dec 3, 2022 21:11:30 GMT -5
The Road So Far:
The Most Honorable Peter Vaughn
The Flames of Fate (Level Up)
The Fire Still Burns (WSOW)
How To Win Friends & Influence People
When you're Peter Vaughn, you never slow down, and things never stop coming your way.
Lately, Vaughn has been dealing with attacks on multiple fronts. He's faced the diabolical Andrew Logan, a long-time nemesis, who is known for playing the long game. He's also dealing with the Farmer's Union, a grouping of farmers & ranchers outside of Dallas that would love to see Vaughn's new ranch endeavor fall flat on its face. Vaughn's weathered an arson attempt on his ranch, finding out through 'questionable' methods which rancher was the most involved: Floyd Patterson. But Vaughn was apparently moving too slowly in his investigation, as Logan had already found out who was involved... and found a way to set Vaughn up for murder.
An explosion has ripped through the Patterson Ranch, killing multiple hired hands, although Patterson himself seems to have escaped the devastation. All eyes turned to Vaughn, believing that he would be out for revenge. And he would be... except that, for once, his hands are completely clean. But will this matter to the law? And why has Logan placed Vaughn in such a precarious position?
In a separate front, Vaughn has been dealing with the rage of Buster Gloves in another federation. Gloves felt that Vaughn betrayed him by rigging an I Quit match against him, a claim that Vaughn has denied. Did Vaughn actually do it? You never really know with him. But this feud has now spilled outside the XWF, coming to WGWF... and who knows where it will stop.
December 2nd, 2002
~We find ourselves back in time, as the younger Peter Vaughn is shown, scrubbing away at a wall. He looks upset, with the signs that tears have been running down his cheeks. While he's done a lot of work on the wall, it's clear that he's still been unable to remove the message that's written there: Vaughn = Trash. There's also a message to the side, reading "What A Little Peter". Vaughn keeps working, trying to remove the message from the side of the building, although he doesn't appear to be having much luck. Suddenly, there's the sound of a door opening nearby, and Mr. Vaughn appears, carting out a load of garbage for the dumpster. He gets rid of it, then turns, seeing his son's efforts. With an eyebrow raised, the father comes over, taking in the scene quickly, as all fathers will.~
Mr. Vaughn: Oh, Peter... what is this?
~Peter starts, having been so intent on the work that he didn't hear his father come out. He turns guiltily, as if to shield the wall with his body. He sniffles, then manages to speak.~
Peter Vaughn: It's... it's nothing, Dad. I'm getting rid of it.
Mr. Vaughn: Uh huh. Not with just that rag and water, you're not. Let me see what I can do.
~Soon, father and son are both working on the wall, this time with some paint remover and some special ingredients Peter's dad has used before. Now it seems like the graffiti is finally disappearing, melting off the wall like plastic being heated over an open fire. Peter seems to be under better control of himself, although he's still withdrawn compared to his usual happy self. Yes, back in the day, Peter was a very happy young man. I know, I know, it's hard to believe, but it's true. It would only be decades later when he would undergo the 'treatments' that led him to become the man he is today. With one more scrub, Peter manages to remove his name from the wall. He steps back, as his father stands next to him.~
Mr. Vaughn: So do we know who these bullies are, that would damage our building in such a petty way?
Peter Vaughn: I... it's just some guys from school. They're... not worth your time.
Mr. Vaughn: Maybe not, but I'm not fond of the fact that they followed you home. What's going on, son?
~Peter takes a moment to respond. He's never been able to lie to his father... but he can stall with the best of them.~
Peter Vaughn: ... They wanted me to... help with their school project.
Mr. Vaughn: Help, as in, you do it all yourself and give it to them?
Peter Vaughn: Yeah... maybe... they said I should have plenty of time to do it, since... since I'm not on the football or basketball team... but I told them I wouldn't do it.
Mr. Vaughn: Very good, son. I'm glad you didn't bow to their pressure.
Peter Vaughn: But... but they've been putting up these messages...
Mr. Vaughn: Oh. Not just here, I take it?
Peter Vaughn: No. At the school, too.
Mr. Vaughn: I guess I need to talk to the teachers, then.
Peter Vaughn: You can't! That will only make it worse!
~Peter looks legitimately scared. Mr. Vaughn shakes his head, putting his arm around his son's shoulder.~
Mr. Vaughn: Peter... you'll find that there are times in life where people will try to use you like this, and they won't be able to handle rejection well. This isn't going to stop just in school. At some point, you have to confront those who challenge you like this.
Peter Vaughn: But... they're so popular... and I'm...
Mr. Vaughn: The son of a janitor?
~Peter glances up in surprise, as hie father laughs.~
Mr. Vaughn: I've always told you, Peter. Embrace who you are. Those boys are just jealous, because they wouldn't be able to clean something like this without having to repaint the entire side of the building! Knowledge goes a long way, son. Come on, let's head inside. I've got enough time for us to get a bowl of ice cream together, then we'll figure this out, okay?
~Slowly, Peter nods, and the two head inside. The camera focuses on the wall for a second, where if you squint, maybe you can still see some of the words there. But it could be your imagination. We slowly cut away.~
December 2nd, 2022
~We jump twenty years later, as we again see the blank side of a wall. Peter Vaughn can be seen, staring at it, as if remembering the past lessons he learned. He turns away from it, though, leaving the new ranch storage building behind. He walks over to the nearby farming plot, where we can see a scarecrow stuck into the ground. It doesn't look like anything's growing at the moment, but then, the time to plant was long before now. Vaughn takes it all in, then turns to his nearby worker, Sadie, who throws her hair back around her shoulders before facing him. She smiles, obviously showing a little interest in the ranch owner, but as usual, Vaughn is oblivious to it.~
Peter Vaughn: This area looks pretty good, Sadie. You think we'll be able to get some crops going in the spring?
Sadie: We'll have to see how it goes. For now, the land's been prepared, and we're set to ride out the winter. I suspect it's going to be getting much worse here in the coming weeks.
Peter Vaughn: Well, you can never predict the weather in this part of Texas, but if I was a gambling man, I'd say it's going to be a bad winter. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for getting this all prepared. I know it must seem strange, arranging the fields long before we can even plant.
Sadie: Hey, I always like a man who plans ahead.
~Sadie throws a wink Vaughn's way. He doesn't see it. He's already turned and started walking away. She frowns for a moment, then turns to go back to tending to the livestock. Meanwhile, Vaughn is heading towards what's caught his eye: a dust trail coming their way. The police car pulls up in the main parking area of the ranch, with Vaughn moving over to 'greet' the man coming out.~
Peter Vaughn: Detective Brownstone. Welcome back to my ranch. Any news on your investigation?
~The detective looks around for a moment, as if taking in the location, before finally facing Vaughn. He smirks, flicking a toothpick away from him and showing he's watched too many detective movies.~
Detective Brownstone: Well, we've got plenty of news, Mr. Vaughn, or else I wouldn't be out here again, would I?
~Vaughn doesn't say anything, waiting patiently, as Brown studies him for any reaction. He sighs, then continues.~
Detective Brownstone: So we've isolated the explosive used on the Patterson ranch. It appears to have been made from a cocktail of fertilizer and other ingredients, and was expertly put together. It was almost like it was built by... a mechanic or something, the way it erupted out of Patterson's main truck.
Peter Vaughn: Uh huh. So, veiled threats aren't going to get you anywhere, Detective. I've already told you I wasn't part of this attack. In fact, by your own evidence, you know that I was at the police station when the bombing took place.
Detective Brownstone: Ahhh, yes, your 'interrogation'. We haven't forgotten that, either. But you might be interested to know that a timing device was found in the debris. That means that all alibis are questionable at this time.
~Vaughn doesn't look at all surprised. He knows that this was perfectly planned. Heck, if he had done it, this would be how it would have happened.~
Peter Vaughn: All I can say to you, Detective, is the same thing I've said before: I wanted revenge on Patterson, yes, but it was going to be done legally. I had nothing against Patterson's staff, so I never would have used that explosive.
Detective Brownstone: With your wrestling 'history', you really expect me to believe you would care about who you hurt?
~This seems to surprise Vaughn, but he shakes it off quickly.~
Peter Vaughn: If someone hasn't wronged me, Detective, I'm not going after them. That's the honest truth.
~The detective considers this for a moment, then sighs again.~
Detective Brownstone: Either way, I've got some officers coming that will be searching your structures for the specific chemical fertilizer that was used. You are also on notice: don't be going anywhere. You're still a suspect in a mass homicide investigation.
Peter Vaughn: I still have my wrestling career to continue, Detective. I have matches coming up that I cannot miss. I'm fighting Buster Gloves once more this Monday, and I won't give him the satisfaction of a forfeit victory.
Detective Brownstone: You'd better find a way to deal with his satisfaction, because we'll be watching you, Vaughn. Don't... leave the ranch.
~As another police vehicle pulls up, Vaughn shakes his head. He walks away from the Detective, as his phone chimes. He looks at the message below, then does a double take. He then changes direction, heading for the main house, as the police begin their search.~
I hate it when people are unable to see the truth, stubbornly hanging onto their own impressions no matter what the evidence shows.
That brings us to Buster Gloves, my former tag-team partner who now is bringing his enraged swelled head to the WGWF to confront me. I mean, I'm sure Buster's been here already, but he hadn't had any reason to be on my radar here yet, so it was easy to ignore him. Now, though, thanks to a generous booker, I have to deal with him once again.
So, Busted, still feeling that fire burning deep in your gut? Have you considered Zegerid or some other heart burn relief? Because fighting me isn't going to quench that fire. It's just going to make it burn you worse. I mean, how are you feeling after XWF's Bad Medicine? You had all the advantages in that one. You had the handicap edge, as you and Finn could have worked together to crush me. You had the fact that no rules existed, so you had ample opportunity to break me into pieces like you said you would.
And yet I walked out the winner. I added another PPV victory to my tally, while you were forced to once again confront the fact that you're just not there yet.
But you could be, Bust. You really could be. If you would just open that canned brain of yours and allow my knowledge to filter through. I still think there's some potential there, Buddy, somewhere deep under the surface. I wouldn't have come to your aid against Finn if I didn't think so. I wouldn't have been your partner in Level Up if I didn't think so. I would have left you to take a horrible beating and just watched from the sidelines. But we got victories together, instead, didn't we? Because we showed we could work well together.
Then Finn have to screw it all up with his 'video', and now you won't be satisfied until you get your hands around my throat.
But you couldn't beat me two-on-one. You couldn't beat me in the XWF, where many could say I've been most vulnerable. So you think taking me on here, in the WGWF, where I'm undefeated, is the best strategy? You thought bringing in Finn as your plus one would be the decider that helps you win? Honestly, to me, it makes you look like a coward, and I really hate that. I'm sorry that you're so scared of what I can do in that ring that you need someone on the outside coaching you. Of course, Finn has nothing but his own dreams of success driving him. I wouldn't be surprised if he quickly turns on you and walks out when he sees how badly you're losing.
I know you're worried about Flynn being in my corner, but trust me, Flynn's just going to be there in case Mac or some of his friends show up. He has no interest in getting involved, because he TRUSTS ME. He knows that I can handle a rookie rage-fest like you with one hand tied behind my back. And no, I'm not going to fight one-handed. I've got other things to worry about in the WGWF. If I wasn't booked against you? I wouldn't even be thinking about you.
That drives you crazy more than anything, doesn't it? That I'm moving on? That I'm through with you until you open your mind to the possibilities? That you've already lost?
I'm sorry, Bust. Truly. But you have done this all to yourself. You fell to Finn by yourself. You got crushed by me because of your own actions. And now, you're going to take another defeat to me, because you can't just let things go.
After you take the Plunge on Monday... move on, Busty. Move on. You'll feel better.
December 2nd, 2022
~When Vaughn enters the house, his half-brother, Thomas, stands up to meet him. He looks concerned, glancing out the window at the police vehicles outside.~
Thomas Hill: They're just not giving up, are they, Peter? Do you think Logan might have planted anything here on the ranch for them to find?
Peter Vaughn: Normally I'd say that's more than possible, Thomas. But he just contacted me and said there's nothing here... yet.
Thomas Hill: Wait, Logan messaged you??
~In response, Vaughn shows his phone, with Thomas quickly reading the message there.~
Thomas Hill: Wait... what's this address? And the date? He... he wants to meet??
Peter Vaughn: Yeah. Looks like he wants to try 'recruiting' me again. He probably thinks he has me over a barrel. You'd think he would know me better.
Thomas Hill: So you're going to meet with him?? I wouldn't recommend it, brother. This guy is bad news...
Peter Vaughn: He's given me plenty of time to make my plans. I'll be ready for him. For now, though, I need to get out of here so I can get to the airport. I can't miss my match with Buster, no matter what the law thinks. I won't have Buster Gloves, of all people, give me a blemish on my WGWF career...
Thomas Hill: I doubt they're going to let you leave the ranch, Peter, and they'll surely have your name at the airport by now.
Peter Vaughn: Don't worry, Thomas. Page is sending the jet, so there will be no legal difficulties. I just have to get there... and for that, I'm going to need your help.
Thomas Hill: My help? What can I do??
Peter Vaughn: Just... go for a little trip, that's all...
~Vaughn smiles, a look that always makes Thomas feel nervous. After all, there's rarely joy hidden anywhere in that smile.~
~A few minutes later, we see Vaughn's truck headed out onto the road from the ranch. A police car is in pursuit, following him not so discretely. He's likely reporting back to his superior, telling him where Vaughn and his brother are headed. The car turns towards Dallas, as we slowly zoom in on the two figures within the truck. On the driver's side, we see Thomas Hill, as he nervously watches the mirror at the vehicle tailing him.~
Thomas Hill: I can't believe I'm doing this... can you believe I'm doing this??
~Thomas looks over to the side at the figure next to him. Although it's wearing a cowboy hat and some of Vaughn's clothes, it's clearly the scarecrow from the farming square. The scarecrow, not surprisingly, doesn't say a word, but Thomas still shakes his head as if getting a response.~
Thomas Hill: Oh, shut up.
~As Thomas and his 'escort' continue to drive away, we're shown a nearby field, where Vaughn is currently driving on an ATV. He's headed to a specific Uber pick-up spot, where he'll be able to get to the airport... and continue his marvelous WGWF career. We fade out.~