Post by Ezra Gideon on May 15, 2023 20:04:43 GMT -5
#ooc - 3975 wc per wordcount.net
[Monday, May 8th, 2023 - 8 a.m.]
I walk down the long hallway of my home in Vegas, my steps echoing off the stark and barely decorated walls and dark wood flooring. I turn the handle of the door to the studio, no trace of amusement on my face that is normally there. A face devoid of emotion, an expression that only a select few would recognize. Most of those people are either dead or retired. The events of the last WGWF show caused me to snap, and the evidence of that was clear in my match in IIW as well as it was on Twitter. My attacks on Joe had been relentless. I would continue to be that way until after this match was over.
I shrug out of my jacket and lay it across the nearby office chair. I’m not wearing my stetson today, just a simple ball cap without a logo or anything like that, simply black in color. I stand in front of the podium like I always do and begin addressing the fans or anyone else that might be watching.
Since the last time I spoke to the WGWF audience a lot has happened. I had been able to bury the hatchet with Fred Debonaire, JMont and I were doing business in another company. Making it to the finals of the International Title tournament and besting one of the absolute best around are all important. Anyone who has ever faced Enigma knows what a beast that dude is. Then, at the last show for WGWF something happened. My little brother was attacked by my business partner. See, Gerret is a good man, he was out there to update everyone on his injury status. He already knew that his road to recovery was going to be a tough one.
I pause there for a moment as I scan my surroundings to make sure that I had everything I needed. Amber knew the mood I had been in after visiting Goth in the hospital and made sure an ice bucket was nearby along with my favorite scotch. I drop an ice cube in the tumbler and then fill it with scotch. I take a long drink of the amber liquid. Then I set the glass down and exhale slowly.
I’ve always been very honest and forthright when it comes to boundaries and my own personal code of honor.
I glare at the camera as I continue.
There are certain things that I had as off-limits when it comes to the family members of other professionals. Things like barging into someone’s home and threatening their family for instance. Targeting someone’s personal finances, disrupting their deals with sponsors by placing a fat juicy rumor or out-and-out lie with them. Scaring their children. Those are just a few examples of things that in the past 14 years I’ve avoided. I thought it showed a lack of character and desperation. Fifteen years ago, I thought very differently, I was a very different person back then. All things were on the table, there was nothing I wouldn’t do to get inside someone’s head. Back then, Joe’s cousin would have had his head shaved, dipped in honey, and staked to a fucking fire ant mound.
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I think about the old days.
Back then, the company owner gave me the moniker of “The One Man Wrecking Crew” simply because he kept trying to end my career in handicap after handicap match and I kept winning. That young man was relentless, he is what you’d call a sigma wolf. He had no friends, no family he could call on when he was outnumbered. Since I stand here before you today, you can tell that he survived. Even more importantly he has thrived and will continue to do so. Now, I’m not a sigma wolf, I do have a pack who will respond to my call. I’m not like Joe though. I won't surround myself with people to break the fall or be a shield for me. I simply don’t need one. Just as I don’t need to jump people from behind with a led pipe and a mask to hide my identity.
I now openly smile at the camera, with eyes that look like they would cut through steel.
All I have to do is have them cue up my music and walk down that ramp. Grown-assed men piss their pants when that happens, son, you will not be any different.
Fade
[Friday, May 12th, 2023 - Noon]
A bright and sunny day shone down on the brim of my stetson as I sat with Kim Pain on a park bench. I had a stopwatch in my hand and as the counter hit zero, Mia and Baby G made their appearance about forty yards away. I cleared the stopwatch and tucked it into my shirt pocket. I laughed as Kim looked at me surprised.
Kim Pain: How did you know?
She asked with an incredulous look on her face. I smiled at her surprise.
Mac Bane: It’s human nature really, in our society, people get into an all too predictable cycle or routine if you will.
She shook her head in disbelief at my explanation. I chuckled softly so as to not draw attention to myself.
Mac Bane: Got the camera ready?
She nodded affirming that she did have it ready.
Kim Pain: It’s ready to go.
She pressed the button to start the recording.
[on-camera]
She watched through the camera lens as it tracked the movement of Joe’s fiance Mia Amore as she pushed the stroller with Baby G in it.
Mac Bane: An all too familiar site isn't it Joe? Your future is all in one place. If someone had a vendetta against you, think of how easy it would be for them to take it away from you. Say someone had no compulsions about spending time in jail, all to know that they took everything you ever held dear away from you.
The camera continued to record Mia taking Baby G out of the stroller and sitting her on a blanket that she had spread out. They sat quietly just playing as someone Mia knew approached with her own stroller. The new person got her own baby out of the stroller and joined them on the blanket.
Mac Bane: But what about collateral damage? Would the person care if they snuffed out four lives instead of just two?
I shrug my shoulders in indifference.
Mac Bane: I don’t care about collateral damage Joe, but I’ve often wondered if Amber would like to have a sister wife. Mia would probably like that live with me and Amber. I bet Baby G would love the puppies at our place.
I look over at Kim as she’s doing her best to contain her laughter at the topic.
Mac Bane: What do you think sis?
She begins laughing for real now.
Kim Pain: That would be fantastic, I’m sure that they would love it there.
We continue to watch the moms and the babies on the blanket.
Mac Bane: Poor Joe, he would be a complete wreck, wouldn’t he?
Kim begins giggling again.
Mac Bane: Don’t worry Joe, I have no intentions of trying to steal your girl. This was to show you that you’re not indestructible. That every man has a weakness. I know you couldn’t actually give two shits about Mia. I have no doubt that you love the baby but Mia is like bonus gravy for you. You’ll get a call from her later this afternoon, she’ll be very concerned because her car won’t start.
I look down at the bag of sugar, still in the brown paper sack, that lay between my seat.
Mac Bane: No worries though, partner, one of my associates will show up just in the nick of time to rescue the fair damsel. It’s actually one of her regulars from the Rabbit.
Fade.
[Friday, May 12th, 2023 - 6 PM]
Back in the studio, I sit in a high-back leather chair. Wearing one of my more expensive suits, I leaned back farther into the chair. With scotch in one hand and cigar in the other, I smile my best smile to set the viewers at ease after what they witnessed earlier. It’s early evening and you can see the last few rays of light coming through casting a tequila sunrise kind of glow to the room.
Today was such a lovely day to go to the park, don't you think Joe? I thought it was lovely today. Just out and about, doing some banking and some people watching. The people watching were especially fun today. Did you know that there are tons of hot moms out at the park? You should check it out sometime when you don’t have diaper duty that is.
I smirk at the thought of that big goober trying to change diapers and shake my head.
Then again, you’re probably really good at changing diapers, aren’t you? Especially considering how often you start shit with people that you can’t finish. I could use Dane Preston as an example. Fucked his wife and then got your ass kicked. You have a beautiful girl at home and you're out there simping for people like Sonya Benson. I mean, I get it, she is a very attractive woman. Maybe you don’t consider an engagement as being off-limits to other women. How many of the does have you fucked since you knocked up Mia?
I hold up a hand to forestall any comments.
Never mind, I don’t want to know.
I shake my head in disgust and take a long drag off of my cigar. I exhale slowly and allow the smoke to run up my face. That combined with the setting sun casts a strange glow on my face.
Ya know Joe, I’ve always said that I was no saint but I wasn’t the devil either. Funny how things can change with the blink of an eye or the swing of a led pipe isn’t it? You to this point have seen what I could have done to destroy your life completely. Really though, that is just the tip of the iceberg of things I can do. Things I will do, in order to make sure you regret the day you ever considered attacking one of mine.
I flash a wicked smile at the camera.
You should ask Mia who she thinks of at night. I know who it is.
Still smiling, I take a long drink from the tumbler. I swallow the liquid slowly enjoying every bit of it.
It’s not you, my friend. You’ll never admit to that, but you probably have your suspicions. She wants to save a horse and ride a cowboy.
I bark a laugh in response to my own joke.
Ha! I ain’t talking about Austin’s son either.
Even though my words have been light, my face tells a different story.
Speaking of that, it’s not lost on anyone that you would try to buy the love of everyone if you could. The problem is, you just can’t do that with certain types of people. Austin Ramsey is one of those people, isn’t he? His son is a bit different. That young man was a bit naive to what was actually happening. Fortunately, his dad and he talked and it helped to start repairing the damage done.
I put the cigar out in the ashtray by my chair and stood up.
Talking about you ruins a good cigar. It leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. That’s right, y'all money bags bought a baseball team for the kid over there.
Now standing at my full height, I take the suit jacket off and glare. I know the audience can see my temple throbbing because I can feel it.
You taking shots at Austin because of his mental health issues is a much bigger deal than you believe it is. It shows your true colors, you call that helping Toddy when she sees shit like that? The only person you ever tried to help is yourself, that’s nothing more than you trying to cover your own ass because you know you're guilty as fuck, and so does everyone else.
I look down at the Rolex that Joe had once given me when CCPE was formed. I tap the face of it with my index finger.
You gave a select group of us Rolex watches when CCPE was first formed. I recognized it then but I chose not to say anything then because I was in hopes that I was wrong about you. Too bad, I was right.
I take the Rolex off and drop it on the floor.
The gift you gave me and the others had value then, we thought it was because of respect and affection for like-minded people.
I step on the Rolex and grind it under my heel, smiling with satisfaction as you can hear the crystal breaking under my weight.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starting to feel better already.
[off-camera]
[Saturday, May 6th - midnight]
The only light coming from the house was coming from the windows of the guest room where my son, Jimmy was working on a project that I had asked for. The thing a lot of people don’t know is that Jimmy is a childhood prodigy growing up in the age of computing. He was writing Python scripts by the age of six. So, Amber and I sat out on the back patio and were waiting for him to come out and let us know.
Amber: Are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean, what you’re asking him to do is a felony, you both understand that right?
I barked a laugh at the question.
Mac: Ha! Well, yeah, and yes we understand the consequences. He wouldn’t do it at all if he didn’t want to.
She gave me the best, concerned mom look I’ve ever seen from my wife.
Amber: He would do anything you asked because you asked.
I knew that was true, but at the same time, I was disregarding it. He was helping me in order to punish someone that really deserved it. I looked at her and she knew by my expression that it was no longer open to debate.
Mac: I know that Red.
There was an awkward silence between us which really wasn’t out of the ordinary. As similar as we were there were huge gaps between the way I am and the way she is. We both knew that but often chose to ignore it. I lit a cigarette and leaned back until Jimmy showed up. He had a key fob in his hand that he handed to me.
Jimmy: All set, all you have to do is insert this in any public terminal.
I nodded as I held the device in my hand and gently rubbed it with my thumb.
Mac: Library it is then.
Jimmy smiled at me and nodded his head.
Jimmy: Perfect, because you don’t have to log in. When you’re done with it, bring it back to me and I’ll scrub it.
I took another drag from my cigarette. This kid, he always amazes me, I thought to myself.
Mac: Sure, then we can store it in a safe location. Just to make sure no one can lift anything off of it. Or just burn it in the firepit.
I pointed it at the firepit with my free hand. Looking over at Amber, I smiled a sympathetic smile at my wife.
Mac: Because the last thing I want is for any of this to come back to bite any of us in the ass.
She returned the smile as best she could. I knew she didn’t like this plan but sometimes I do what I have to do whether anyone likes it or not.
[present day - Friday, May 12th - 6 am.]
A cool morning, not cold or even jacket weather, but the firepit raged like an inferno that threatened the structural integrity of the metal casing. I dropped the key fob in the firepit and watched it begin to melt. My smile grew wider and wider as it began to disintegrate under the intense heat. I would sit here and watch it burn until there was nothing left. I always protect my own, no matter what it takes. The deed had been done, I had run the script that was on the device and knew that soon Jmont would realize that he was broke. When he saw the video evidence of what I had been spending my time on, it would be akin to a psychological assassination. Right now, the mental aspect of this game is most important. Making him question his own actions was important but not as important as it was making Mia question her own safety because of his actions.
“I’ve never seen you go this far before.”
I looked over my shoulder and my wife stood there with her arms crossed, staring daggers at me. I smiled in return, looking back at the fire I responded.
Mac: That’s true, you haven’t. Since we’ve known each other, I’ve been patient with people. I’ve tried to be kind, even inclusive, making sure I didn’t step on the feelings of others. Sometimes a man has to do what’s necessary to ensure his own survival. To take care of his own mental health regardless of what the world wants or even needs him to be.
She studied me as I looked back to study the fire I had created. It was not lost on me that she was concerned about the road I was going down. I had meant every fucking word I’d said to her.
Mac: Amber, I love you more than anything in this world. I hope you know that and believe it.
I could still feel her eyes on me as I moved the last little bit of the phob into the hotter part of the fire.
Amber: I do know that, I know how fiercely you love me and our family. This is a level of destruction that I would never have guessed you were capable of.
I nodded in satisfaction as the fire continued to erase the device from the history of mankind.
Mac: If anything, love, it’s long overdue for a return to my roots. He and everyone, everywhere, needs to understand that I am not someone to be taken lightly. I am not to be fucked with or I’ll wreck their shit. No matter what it takes.
I turned around and saw her wicked smile back at me.
Amber: Burn them all darlin, remind them of who you are.
Fade
[/center] Time To Finish It [/center][/div]
Back in the studio, I’ve changed out of my suit and into jeans, a white beater, and boots. My hair is tied up in a ponytail. I stand in front of the podium.
Many moons ago, there was a young man who just loved to fight. You’ll remember this from earlier. He’s a survivor, a punisher, a judge, a jury, and an executioner. That’s who he was. It was never a work of art, the things he did to other people. It was whatever it took to win. Even back then, he practiced unapologetic violence.
I reach down and grab the haft of the sledgehammer that was there and raise it up and set it across the podium’s surface.
This was his primary tool. He would bring it to every match and lay his enemies to waste.
I smile down at the hammer.
She’s an old friend, I started calling her justice back in those days. She’s looking forward to meeting you, Joseph.
Looking back up, the smile is gone, and a face filled with disdain and hatred appears there in its place.
JMont, you could have attacked literally anyone else on this roster and I wouldn’t have given a shit. You chose Gerret Goth though, he’s been by my side for a number of years and is a part of my family. He’s a part of my pack if you will.
I lift the hammer up and look at the camera just over the top of the head of the hammer. The camera tries to adjust as my eyes turn darker. The usual green darkens to more of an emerald color.
On social media, you used the excuse of your “twisted thoughts” personae. Son, it was just that, a fucking excuse. Your hatred for a man already injured, so you tried to end his career with a kimura lock.
A snort of derision escapes me as my eyes turn darker, now almost black.
I do hope you try to use that on me. I really do, so I can teach you a lesson in wrestling. See, Goth and I are not the same. You’ve been in the ring with me before, so you already know that I’m stronger than you. I’m far thicker in my upper body and arms than he is. I’m also a practitioner of Krav Maga. I will tie you in a fucking knot boy!
I can feel my family trying to send soothing thoughts, they know that I am now in a place that will be very difficult for them to pull me back from. The rage has consumed me, much like it did when I faced Bam Miller.
You put everything at risk with that one action. Yourself, your family, and every single thing that you value. It can all be taken away with the snap of my fingers. I will not hesitate to do just that.
I slow smile begins to creep across my face, but It’s not a friendly one.
You are so full of confidence, always so sure of yourself. I warned you long ago that level of narcissism is dangerous. It could cost you everything. There are a couple of things I’m going to introduce you to, Joe. I’m going to teach you to be humble. I know you’re going to laugh at that. It makes my heart glad knowing it.
The smile is fully on display. I feel like a shark and there’s blood in the water. I can sense him struggling. Now I get to move in for the kill.
A man full of confidence and bluster without any reason at all. Trying to jump over others to get a match with Peter Vaughn for the world title? Bitch, please! You’ve had like 4 matches in WGWF because you were so focussed on IIW. You’ve won one match of the four, and that was in our debut match. Since then I’ve only lost matches with 3 or more competitors in it. I’m not going to let you cut in line little boy. No, no, no not on my watch, dickhead. Your path to that world title stops with me. The reason I will win is simple, not as simple as you are but it’s pretty fuckin’ simple. I don’t believe in you, Joe. No one does. How can anyone possibly believe in you? You don’t mean anything to anyone outside of your own four walls. The only reason your safe there is because baby G doesn’t know any better and Mia, well it’s Mia.
I pick the hammer back up, with no trace of amusement or friendliness.
I did say I was going to introduce you to a couple of things. You’ll also get to meet the “One-Man Wrecking Crew”. I would say glad to meet ya, Joey, but it’s time to put you down.
Fade.
“Family is not an important thing. It's everything.” – Michael J. Fox.
The Foreword
[Monday, May 8th, 2023 - 8 a.m.]
I walk down the long hallway of my home in Vegas, my steps echoing off the stark and barely decorated walls and dark wood flooring. I turn the handle of the door to the studio, no trace of amusement on my face that is normally there. A face devoid of emotion, an expression that only a select few would recognize. Most of those people are either dead or retired. The events of the last WGWF show caused me to snap, and the evidence of that was clear in my match in IIW as well as it was on Twitter. My attacks on Joe had been relentless. I would continue to be that way until after this match was over.
I shrug out of my jacket and lay it across the nearby office chair. I’m not wearing my stetson today, just a simple ball cap without a logo or anything like that, simply black in color. I stand in front of the podium like I always do and begin addressing the fans or anyone else that might be watching.
Since the last time I spoke to the WGWF audience a lot has happened. I had been able to bury the hatchet with Fred Debonaire, JMont and I were doing business in another company. Making it to the finals of the International Title tournament and besting one of the absolute best around are all important. Anyone who has ever faced Enigma knows what a beast that dude is. Then, at the last show for WGWF something happened. My little brother was attacked by my business partner. See, Gerret is a good man, he was out there to update everyone on his injury status. He already knew that his road to recovery was going to be a tough one.
I pause there for a moment as I scan my surroundings to make sure that I had everything I needed. Amber knew the mood I had been in after visiting Goth in the hospital and made sure an ice bucket was nearby along with my favorite scotch. I drop an ice cube in the tumbler and then fill it with scotch. I take a long drink of the amber liquid. Then I set the glass down and exhale slowly.
I’ve always been very honest and forthright when it comes to boundaries and my own personal code of honor.
I glare at the camera as I continue.
There are certain things that I had as off-limits when it comes to the family members of other professionals. Things like barging into someone’s home and threatening their family for instance. Targeting someone’s personal finances, disrupting their deals with sponsors by placing a fat juicy rumor or out-and-out lie with them. Scaring their children. Those are just a few examples of things that in the past 14 years I’ve avoided. I thought it showed a lack of character and desperation. Fifteen years ago, I thought very differently, I was a very different person back then. All things were on the table, there was nothing I wouldn’t do to get inside someone’s head. Back then, Joe’s cousin would have had his head shaved, dipped in honey, and staked to a fucking fire ant mound.
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I think about the old days.
Back then, the company owner gave me the moniker of “The One Man Wrecking Crew” simply because he kept trying to end my career in handicap after handicap match and I kept winning. That young man was relentless, he is what you’d call a sigma wolf. He had no friends, no family he could call on when he was outnumbered. Since I stand here before you today, you can tell that he survived. Even more importantly he has thrived and will continue to do so. Now, I’m not a sigma wolf, I do have a pack who will respond to my call. I’m not like Joe though. I won't surround myself with people to break the fall or be a shield for me. I simply don’t need one. Just as I don’t need to jump people from behind with a led pipe and a mask to hide my identity.
I now openly smile at the camera, with eyes that look like they would cut through steel.
All I have to do is have them cue up my music and walk down that ramp. Grown-assed men piss their pants when that happens, son, you will not be any different.
Fade
Just a day at the park.
[Friday, May 12th, 2023 - Noon]
A bright and sunny day shone down on the brim of my stetson as I sat with Kim Pain on a park bench. I had a stopwatch in my hand and as the counter hit zero, Mia and Baby G made their appearance about forty yards away. I cleared the stopwatch and tucked it into my shirt pocket. I laughed as Kim looked at me surprised.
Kim Pain: How did you know?
She asked with an incredulous look on her face. I smiled at her surprise.
Mac Bane: It’s human nature really, in our society, people get into an all too predictable cycle or routine if you will.
She shook her head in disbelief at my explanation. I chuckled softly so as to not draw attention to myself.
Mac Bane: Got the camera ready?
She nodded affirming that she did have it ready.
Kim Pain: It’s ready to go.
She pressed the button to start the recording.
[on-camera]
She watched through the camera lens as it tracked the movement of Joe’s fiance Mia Amore as she pushed the stroller with Baby G in it.
Mac Bane: An all too familiar site isn't it Joe? Your future is all in one place. If someone had a vendetta against you, think of how easy it would be for them to take it away from you. Say someone had no compulsions about spending time in jail, all to know that they took everything you ever held dear away from you.
The camera continued to record Mia taking Baby G out of the stroller and sitting her on a blanket that she had spread out. They sat quietly just playing as someone Mia knew approached with her own stroller. The new person got her own baby out of the stroller and joined them on the blanket.
Mac Bane: But what about collateral damage? Would the person care if they snuffed out four lives instead of just two?
I shrug my shoulders in indifference.
Mac Bane: I don’t care about collateral damage Joe, but I’ve often wondered if Amber would like to have a sister wife. Mia would probably like that live with me and Amber. I bet Baby G would love the puppies at our place.
I look over at Kim as she’s doing her best to contain her laughter at the topic.
Mac Bane: What do you think sis?
She begins laughing for real now.
Kim Pain: That would be fantastic, I’m sure that they would love it there.
We continue to watch the moms and the babies on the blanket.
Mac Bane: Poor Joe, he would be a complete wreck, wouldn’t he?
Kim begins giggling again.
Mac Bane: Don’t worry Joe, I have no intentions of trying to steal your girl. This was to show you that you’re not indestructible. That every man has a weakness. I know you couldn’t actually give two shits about Mia. I have no doubt that you love the baby but Mia is like bonus gravy for you. You’ll get a call from her later this afternoon, she’ll be very concerned because her car won’t start.
I look down at the bag of sugar, still in the brown paper sack, that lay between my seat.
Mac Bane: No worries though, partner, one of my associates will show up just in the nick of time to rescue the fair damsel. It’s actually one of her regulars from the Rabbit.
Fade.
Justice
[Friday, May 12th, 2023 - 6 PM]
Back in the studio, I sit in a high-back leather chair. Wearing one of my more expensive suits, I leaned back farther into the chair. With scotch in one hand and cigar in the other, I smile my best smile to set the viewers at ease after what they witnessed earlier. It’s early evening and you can see the last few rays of light coming through casting a tequila sunrise kind of glow to the room.
Today was such a lovely day to go to the park, don't you think Joe? I thought it was lovely today. Just out and about, doing some banking and some people watching. The people watching were especially fun today. Did you know that there are tons of hot moms out at the park? You should check it out sometime when you don’t have diaper duty that is.
I smirk at the thought of that big goober trying to change diapers and shake my head.
Then again, you’re probably really good at changing diapers, aren’t you? Especially considering how often you start shit with people that you can’t finish. I could use Dane Preston as an example. Fucked his wife and then got your ass kicked. You have a beautiful girl at home and you're out there simping for people like Sonya Benson. I mean, I get it, she is a very attractive woman. Maybe you don’t consider an engagement as being off-limits to other women. How many of the does have you fucked since you knocked up Mia?
I hold up a hand to forestall any comments.
Never mind, I don’t want to know.
I shake my head in disgust and take a long drag off of my cigar. I exhale slowly and allow the smoke to run up my face. That combined with the setting sun casts a strange glow on my face.
Ya know Joe, I’ve always said that I was no saint but I wasn’t the devil either. Funny how things can change with the blink of an eye or the swing of a led pipe isn’t it? You to this point have seen what I could have done to destroy your life completely. Really though, that is just the tip of the iceberg of things I can do. Things I will do, in order to make sure you regret the day you ever considered attacking one of mine.
I flash a wicked smile at the camera.
You should ask Mia who she thinks of at night. I know who it is.
Still smiling, I take a long drink from the tumbler. I swallow the liquid slowly enjoying every bit of it.
It’s not you, my friend. You’ll never admit to that, but you probably have your suspicions. She wants to save a horse and ride a cowboy.
I bark a laugh in response to my own joke.
Ha! I ain’t talking about Austin’s son either.
Even though my words have been light, my face tells a different story.
Speaking of that, it’s not lost on anyone that you would try to buy the love of everyone if you could. The problem is, you just can’t do that with certain types of people. Austin Ramsey is one of those people, isn’t he? His son is a bit different. That young man was a bit naive to what was actually happening. Fortunately, his dad and he talked and it helped to start repairing the damage done.
I put the cigar out in the ashtray by my chair and stood up.
Talking about you ruins a good cigar. It leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. That’s right, y'all money bags bought a baseball team for the kid over there.
Now standing at my full height, I take the suit jacket off and glare. I know the audience can see my temple throbbing because I can feel it.
You taking shots at Austin because of his mental health issues is a much bigger deal than you believe it is. It shows your true colors, you call that helping Toddy when she sees shit like that? The only person you ever tried to help is yourself, that’s nothing more than you trying to cover your own ass because you know you're guilty as fuck, and so does everyone else.
I look down at the Rolex that Joe had once given me when CCPE was formed. I tap the face of it with my index finger.
You gave a select group of us Rolex watches when CCPE was first formed. I recognized it then but I chose not to say anything then because I was in hopes that I was wrong about you. Too bad, I was right.
I take the Rolex off and drop it on the floor.
The gift you gave me and the others had value then, we thought it was because of respect and affection for like-minded people.
I step on the Rolex and grind it under my heel, smiling with satisfaction as you can hear the crystal breaking under my weight.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starting to feel better already.
Advanced Fuckery
[off-camera]
[Saturday, May 6th - midnight]
The only light coming from the house was coming from the windows of the guest room where my son, Jimmy was working on a project that I had asked for. The thing a lot of people don’t know is that Jimmy is a childhood prodigy growing up in the age of computing. He was writing Python scripts by the age of six. So, Amber and I sat out on the back patio and were waiting for him to come out and let us know.
Amber: Are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean, what you’re asking him to do is a felony, you both understand that right?
I barked a laugh at the question.
Mac: Ha! Well, yeah, and yes we understand the consequences. He wouldn’t do it at all if he didn’t want to.
She gave me the best, concerned mom look I’ve ever seen from my wife.
Amber: He would do anything you asked because you asked.
I knew that was true, but at the same time, I was disregarding it. He was helping me in order to punish someone that really deserved it. I looked at her and she knew by my expression that it was no longer open to debate.
Mac: I know that Red.
There was an awkward silence between us which really wasn’t out of the ordinary. As similar as we were there were huge gaps between the way I am and the way she is. We both knew that but often chose to ignore it. I lit a cigarette and leaned back until Jimmy showed up. He had a key fob in his hand that he handed to me.
Jimmy: All set, all you have to do is insert this in any public terminal.
I nodded as I held the device in my hand and gently rubbed it with my thumb.
Mac: Library it is then.
Jimmy smiled at me and nodded his head.
Jimmy: Perfect, because you don’t have to log in. When you’re done with it, bring it back to me and I’ll scrub it.
I took another drag from my cigarette. This kid, he always amazes me, I thought to myself.
Mac: Sure, then we can store it in a safe location. Just to make sure no one can lift anything off of it. Or just burn it in the firepit.
I pointed it at the firepit with my free hand. Looking over at Amber, I smiled a sympathetic smile at my wife.
Mac: Because the last thing I want is for any of this to come back to bite any of us in the ass.
She returned the smile as best she could. I knew she didn’t like this plan but sometimes I do what I have to do whether anyone likes it or not.
[present day - Friday, May 12th - 6 am.]
A cool morning, not cold or even jacket weather, but the firepit raged like an inferno that threatened the structural integrity of the metal casing. I dropped the key fob in the firepit and watched it begin to melt. My smile grew wider and wider as it began to disintegrate under the intense heat. I would sit here and watch it burn until there was nothing left. I always protect my own, no matter what it takes. The deed had been done, I had run the script that was on the device and knew that soon Jmont would realize that he was broke. When he saw the video evidence of what I had been spending my time on, it would be akin to a psychological assassination. Right now, the mental aspect of this game is most important. Making him question his own actions was important but not as important as it was making Mia question her own safety because of his actions.
“I’ve never seen you go this far before.”
I looked over my shoulder and my wife stood there with her arms crossed, staring daggers at me. I smiled in return, looking back at the fire I responded.
Mac: That’s true, you haven’t. Since we’ve known each other, I’ve been patient with people. I’ve tried to be kind, even inclusive, making sure I didn’t step on the feelings of others. Sometimes a man has to do what’s necessary to ensure his own survival. To take care of his own mental health regardless of what the world wants or even needs him to be.
She studied me as I looked back to study the fire I had created. It was not lost on me that she was concerned about the road I was going down. I had meant every fucking word I’d said to her.
Mac: Amber, I love you more than anything in this world. I hope you know that and believe it.
I could still feel her eyes on me as I moved the last little bit of the phob into the hotter part of the fire.
Amber: I do know that, I know how fiercely you love me and our family. This is a level of destruction that I would never have guessed you were capable of.
I nodded in satisfaction as the fire continued to erase the device from the history of mankind.
Mac: If anything, love, it’s long overdue for a return to my roots. He and everyone, everywhere, needs to understand that I am not someone to be taken lightly. I am not to be fucked with or I’ll wreck their shit. No matter what it takes.
I turned around and saw her wicked smile back at me.
Amber: Burn them all darlin, remind them of who you are.
Fade
[/center] Time To Finish It [/center][/div]
Back in the studio, I’ve changed out of my suit and into jeans, a white beater, and boots. My hair is tied up in a ponytail. I stand in front of the podium.
Many moons ago, there was a young man who just loved to fight. You’ll remember this from earlier. He’s a survivor, a punisher, a judge, a jury, and an executioner. That’s who he was. It was never a work of art, the things he did to other people. It was whatever it took to win. Even back then, he practiced unapologetic violence.
I reach down and grab the haft of the sledgehammer that was there and raise it up and set it across the podium’s surface.
This was his primary tool. He would bring it to every match and lay his enemies to waste.
I smile down at the hammer.
She’s an old friend, I started calling her justice back in those days. She’s looking forward to meeting you, Joseph.
Looking back up, the smile is gone, and a face filled with disdain and hatred appears there in its place.
JMont, you could have attacked literally anyone else on this roster and I wouldn’t have given a shit. You chose Gerret Goth though, he’s been by my side for a number of years and is a part of my family. He’s a part of my pack if you will.
I lift the hammer up and look at the camera just over the top of the head of the hammer. The camera tries to adjust as my eyes turn darker. The usual green darkens to more of an emerald color.
On social media, you used the excuse of your “twisted thoughts” personae. Son, it was just that, a fucking excuse. Your hatred for a man already injured, so you tried to end his career with a kimura lock.
A snort of derision escapes me as my eyes turn darker, now almost black.
I do hope you try to use that on me. I really do, so I can teach you a lesson in wrestling. See, Goth and I are not the same. You’ve been in the ring with me before, so you already know that I’m stronger than you. I’m far thicker in my upper body and arms than he is. I’m also a practitioner of Krav Maga. I will tie you in a fucking knot boy!
I can feel my family trying to send soothing thoughts, they know that I am now in a place that will be very difficult for them to pull me back from. The rage has consumed me, much like it did when I faced Bam Miller.
You put everything at risk with that one action. Yourself, your family, and every single thing that you value. It can all be taken away with the snap of my fingers. I will not hesitate to do just that.
I slow smile begins to creep across my face, but It’s not a friendly one.
You are so full of confidence, always so sure of yourself. I warned you long ago that level of narcissism is dangerous. It could cost you everything. There are a couple of things I’m going to introduce you to, Joe. I’m going to teach you to be humble. I know you’re going to laugh at that. It makes my heart glad knowing it.
The smile is fully on display. I feel like a shark and there’s blood in the water. I can sense him struggling. Now I get to move in for the kill.
A man full of confidence and bluster without any reason at all. Trying to jump over others to get a match with Peter Vaughn for the world title? Bitch, please! You’ve had like 4 matches in WGWF because you were so focussed on IIW. You’ve won one match of the four, and that was in our debut match. Since then I’ve only lost matches with 3 or more competitors in it. I’m not going to let you cut in line little boy. No, no, no not on my watch, dickhead. Your path to that world title stops with me. The reason I will win is simple, not as simple as you are but it’s pretty fuckin’ simple. I don’t believe in you, Joe. No one does. How can anyone possibly believe in you? You don’t mean anything to anyone outside of your own four walls. The only reason your safe there is because baby G doesn’t know any better and Mia, well it’s Mia.
I pick the hammer back up, with no trace of amusement or friendliness.
I did say I was going to introduce you to a couple of things. You’ll also get to meet the “One-Man Wrecking Crew”. I would say glad to meet ya, Joey, but it’s time to put you down.
Fade.