Post by mac on Jan 19, 2024 12:30:57 GMT -5
The Foreword
[El Paso, Tx - Ena’s & Armando’s Home For Children]
[On Camera]
I looked at the plaque that sat just to the left of the doorway, I tapped it a couple of times with my knuckle. The ting ting sound it made caused me to chuckle.
Mac: Just like our champion, it’s made of tin, easily molded and manipulated.
I turned back to the camera.
Mac: Let’s set the stage shall we? Let’s set the stage for what will be one of the biggest world title matches WGWF has had in a long long time. Based on what set this in motion, it might be the biggest title match ever. I’m what set this in motion, and that boys and girls is why it’s such a big deal. From the time I set my sights on Satana and that title, I’ve done nothing but make that child famous.
I wink at the camera and then turn and open the door to what used to be a home for children. I walk into the entryway.
Mac: From day one, I had a plan, it wasn’t coincidence that caused Cholo to become a world champion for the first time in his career. By injuring him, I motivated him. His injury caused him to dig deep and overcome the things that were in his way. Without that, he would still be our Intercontinental Champion, drowning in mediocrity, considering the level of talent in that division. Or lack thereof.
I bow slightly and chuckle.
Mac: You’re welcome. He denies the whole thing of course, mostly because he’s too stupid to recognize the truth of the situation. You could call it coincidence, but you’d be wrong. It didn’t stop there though. I took it a step further, I showed the world how inadequate his acumen is for this business. He could have at any point bought this building to make sure that his holdings, his passion, were all taken care of. He didn’t though. No he failed to see the danger, thinking that no one would hit him where it hurt the most.
I smiled at the camera, then allowed the smile to slide away to an expression of neutrality.
Mac: I did hurt him, not physically, but emotionally. So, after hurting him a second time, I made it personal. Not only to him but to the fans, the things I did took this to another level. I’ve made him look like a chump at every turn and I’ll continue to do that until I’m satisfied. By satisfied I mean, exposing him for what he truly is.
I spread my arms out.
Mac: I have shown the world that he’s nothing more than a paper champion. At First Dance, I’ll show the world what domination looks like as I finish the breaking of Cholo. I’ll expose you as the fraud you are.
Fade.
The Renovation?
[El Paso, Tx - The building FKA “Ena’s & Armando’s Home For Children”]
[off camera]
“Mr. Bane, we’d like to conduct one final sweep of the property before the demolition begins.” I looked over at the fire chief and nodded my agreement. His team working with the local police entered the building to sweep it one last time. I looked down at the detonator that I held in my hand. My chief structural engineer walked up to me and handed me a written report. I scanned it briefly and smiled.
Mac: Just as I thought, the bones are good, yeah?
The engineer smiled and nodded in agreement.
Engineer: Yes sir, you don’t have to blow the place up, with what you have planned it’s perfect as is.
I rubbed the detonator with my thumb. The real reason that I had wanted to demolish the place was more about the impact it would have on Cholo than because it could possibly be condemned. I smiled as an idea took hold.
Mac: That is good news indeed, Larry.
Larry Matthews had been my chief structural engineer for almost twenty years, he was a good man and his integrity was unquestionable.
Larry: Yes sir it is.
He smiled brightly at the thought I might not destroy the building. I nodded at him as the fire chief, a police officer and a teenage boy roughly fourteen or fifteen years old was brought forward by the scruff of his neck by a second officer. The boy was shoved forward as the fire chief spoke.
Chief: We found him sneaking around, Mr. Bane.
I studied the young boy for a moment as the second officer spoke up.
Officer: Would you like to press charges, Mr. Bane? Criminal trespass would make a nice addition to his growing record.
I looked over at the officer’s badge, the last name on the badge was McInnis. He frowned as he looked down at the boy, causing me to shake my head.
Mac: Kid, what’s your name?
Kid: That depends on whether I need a lawyer or not.
I shrug and nod to Officer McInnis who begins reading the young man his rights.
Kid: Enrique is my name, I’d really rather not go back to juvie if you don’t mind.
I hold up my hand to forestall the officer.
I look over at Larry who’s wearing an amused look on his face.
Mac: Larry, go ahead and remove the explosives, please. We’ll go forward with the other plan we discussed.
Without a word Larry and his team start their work, when I look back at Enrique he had turned a very white shade of pale. I nodded in agreement.
Mac: Now then, why were you in my building?
Enrique: It has been my home for as long as I can remember. There was something that got missed when we relocated so I came back for it.
He stated it all matter of factly and I smiled at his confident nature. It didn’t take long for the fear to leave him and the color returned to his face. His moxy was impressive, despite the fact that he almost died in that building.
Mac: What was so important that you risked your life for it?
He considered the question and whether he wanted to answer me or not. Officer McInnis nudged him in a familiar way.
Enrique: Just two things, a photo album and my iPad. Just memories but important ones for me.
I nodded my agreement with the young man.
Mac: Memories…how long have you been here?
Enrique: My parents were killed in El Salvador when I was ten. I’ve been here since then.
I looked over at Officer McInnis who nodded. He seemed to have a lot of information on the boy and some familiarity.
Mac: Officer McInnis, I won’t be pressing charges. Make sure he’s able to get his last belongings and is sent back to wherever Santana relocated the rest to.
Enrique shook his head almost in unison with the officer, I looked at the officer in askance.
Officer McInnis: He’s come back three times….
Enrique shot me a roguish smile and then chuckled lightly.
Mac: Okay, I’ll bite…why?
Enrique shrugged in indifference.
Enrique: Their rules are bullshit, and Santana is a dbag.
I laughed, maybe more than I should have because it gave the kid hope which I was about to pour water on.
Mac: Well you can’t stay here, I’m pretty sure law enforcement would frown upon me allowing you to stay. You’re not even old enough to work, do you have people you can stay with if it’s cleared with the home?
Enrique looked over at McInnis who sighed and shook his head.
Officer McInnis: He’s friends with my kids, they’ve been sneaking him into my house for the last couple of weeks.
I gave the officer an incredulous look and then I busted up laughing.
Mac: Sounds like a you problem, not a me problem.
Fade.
The Reveal.
[El Paso, Tx - The building FKA “Ena’s & Armando’s Home For Children”]
[off camera]
one week later
The big night had arrived, the reveal would take place soon. The reveal in question was the new name for this old business. It had been kept quiet, only my family knowing the name I had chosen. The manager I had chosen for this business was someone well known to me, someone I could trust without question. My youngest son Aerik was who I had chosen, he couldn’t be compromised nor could he be intimidated by anyone. He and I were both dressed for the occasion and the crowd had gathered outside for the grand opening. What we had promised the public was a new place, a different kind of experience. That’s what we delivered, and we delivered it in spades. A light knock on the door distracted me from my sense of victory and accomplishment.
Mac: Come in.
The door opened slowly as Aerik made his way into the office. We hugged briefly and I smiled at my youngest son.
Aerik: They’re ready if you are.
My son’s voice resonated with that deep baritone that got attention and caused people to listen to him. He had been my mini-me since the day he was born. Although he was a full head taller than me, standing at almost seven feet tall. These days he has over three hundred pounds of pure muscle and meanness.
Mac: I’m ready, let’s do this.
He nodded and smiled.
Aerik: It’s hard not to laugh at the name you chose, Dad.
I held up my finger to my lips.
Mac: Shhh, not yet my boy, not yet.
We made our way to the front of the building. I was going through my mental checklist and stopped by the bar. I looked down at the paperwork that was there. It appeared that we were covered, from insurance to licenses and permits. It was all good as far as we knew. I slapped the mahogany surface lightly and smiled.
Mac: Should be good to go.
We continued to the front door where a crowd of over a hundred people had gathered outside. The officers stood in front where the sign was still covered. I spoke briefly with Officer McInnis.
Mac: Well Eric, did everything go through?
He smiled and nodded.
Officer McInnis: It did, thank you for helping us get the process expedited. Enrique has settled in and is doing well. He’s going to be a great addition to our family.
I patted the officer on the shoulder and smiled.
Mac: Good, good. I’m glad things went smoothly.
The emotion on the man’s face was priceless, it also allowed me to have leverage with the local police. I planned on exercising that for years to come. El Paso would never be quite the same again. I shook his hand and then headed to the podium.
Mac: thank you all for coming tonight to help us celebrate the opening of our new place of business and the beginning of a new era in El Paso.
There was polite applause throughout the crowd as I continued to address them. Aerik walked to my shoulder.
Aerik(whispering): 300 in the crowd.
I nodded and continued.
Mac: First off, I would like to thank local law enforcement and our fire department for working with us to make sure that we have kept things on the up and up and we’re doing things the right way.
A loud ovation went up for those folks and rightly so, for the time being they were a stand up bunch of people. I would work on that as the opportunity presented itself.
Mac: I know that many of you were surprised, maybe even shocked that the children who had been housed here for so long were relocated.
A murmuring ran throughout the crowd, some angry, some curious.
Mac: Rest assured that those children were relocated to another facility and are adjusting quite well. That’s not why we are here though, no tonight we celebrate the opening of a brand new business in this great city.
I signal to Aerik and he goes to the sign that has been covered up all day. The local law enforcement had guarded it all day to keep curiosity at bay. The covering was removed to show the new signage as “The Orphan Tears Bar and Grill” sign was revealed. Aerik opened the doors wide.
Mac: The band is getting warmed up and the smokers have been running all day. Brisket, chicken, turkey, pork loin, you know all the red and white meat your little heart's desire. So, without further ado, welcome to the opening of The Orphan Tears Bar and Grill.
Law enforcement kept the crowd orderly as I stepped out of the way and they entered the building. There would be live music every night and that was one of the big draws.
Fade.
Dancing With The Devil.
[El Paso, Tx - The Orphan Tears Bar and Grill.]
The following day.
The renovation of the building was complete, and in record time. My teams attacked the challenge with reckless abandon. We had the grand opening the night before, and it went even better than expected. It would take about a year to break even, but it was worth it to me. This was a great investment that would pay huge dividends for me and my family. I smiled as I looked up from the solid oak desk I sat behind. There was a lot that I had on my mind, about the fans, my opponent and my first title opportunity. I had measured everything out very carefully. Every action I had taken had a specific purpose. Now it was time to talk about it. With the camera’s already rolling, I unbutton the cuffs of my shirt and begin rolling up the sleeves.
Mac: What I want is what I’ve wanted since day one.
I look back up at the camera, an earnest expression. No cocky smirk or even a smile to be found.
Mac: That world title is mine, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. No one in this company can stop me from taking that from you. Not even your buddy Joe can stop it.
Looking down at the desk, I shake my head in disgust. Surely, even Cholo isn’t that fucking stupid ot think that he could trust him, I think as I continue. I look back up at the camera, a slightly amused expression begins to form.
Mac: I found it hilarious that he would exclude you from his antics. He even got you a rolex to commemorate the friendship. What’s even funnier is that you believe he’s your friend. That makes you naive and stupid, if you believe that. If he was on this roster, he’d have already stabbed you in the back and tried to take your title.
The amused expression slides away, giving a more neutral expression, as does my voice.
Mac: It’s not speculation, it’s a fact. I don’t deal in speculation, nor do I waste my time on it. I simply execute my plan, each and every time I enter the ring. My plan has always been to break you down, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Most people think it’s hard, especially these days to break a person. Obviously I don’t believe that, because I’ve already achieved it. Isn’t that right, Cholo? I’ve been living in your head rent free for months, everyone knows it. They all know what I’ve accomplished with minimal effort.
I unfold my arms from across my chest and rest them on the grainy surface of the desk. I steeple my fingers in front of my face, but rotate my wrists so my fingertips are pointed outward towards the camera.
Mac: It’s really not very difficult to break a proud man. It’s even easier to break a man who’s passionate about things. If you start by not only implying that you’re going to take those things away from them, but you follow it up, not with words but with actions. It won’t take very long for the cracks in their armor to begin to show. Tsk tsk, you should have taken better care of your responsibilities.
I move my hands back down to the desk, one hand covering the other. With my right arm, I reach back over my shoulder and pat myself on the back.
Mac: I have to pat myself on the back for this one, my plans exceeded even my lofty expectations. In the city of El Paso, Ena’s & Armando’s Home For Children is a landmark of sorts. The family is so highly thought of, and the work they do, or used to do in this home is admired by everyone in the city. Well, at least it used to be that way.
I shrug in indifference. Then I give the camera a mock frown.
Mac: It must have been devastating to those kids, to not only get coal for Christmas but then to find out that they were going to have to be relocated to another city? How awful for them. All because Cholo didn’t take care of business. He didn’t look out for the best interest of these poor kids. You have to be so careful in this world today, someone can just swoop in and take all of your hard work and flush it right down the shitter. Tragic, isn’t it?
I rub a knuckle at the corner of my right eye as if there was a tear there to wipe away.
Mac: How do you know though, how do you know when you’ve broken someone’s spirit? That showed up on Brawl, didn’t it? That’s right, when you sucker punched me. The great Cholo, the peoples champion resorted to a cheap shot in order to get the drop on me. In the end though, it didn’t matter, because in the end, I left you in a heap on top of JMont’s car. You were left bleeding, you didn’t accomplish what you hoped to. All you really did is verify what I’ve been saying all along. You’re a pretender, Cholo, you’re not a real champion at all. Not only that, you upped the ante, because of your actions we now play for blood, I won’t accept anything less than that.
Leaning back in the chair, I rest my hands comfortably in my lap, taking on a more confident demeanor.
Mac: Real champions don’t spend the first couple of weeks boozing it up to celebrate title wins. No, what they do is go right back to planning, and training to make sure they are ready for the next challenge. That’s what respect for the business looks like. That’s not what he did though is it? No, he cheapened the title by his actions.
I shake my head in disgust for the man who did everything that I just mentioned.
Mac: To really show you what a joke the man really is, who were his opponents that he defended the title against? Anyone outside of the Ramsey family? No, he defended his title against Austin Ramsy and his cousin Grado. That should be evidence enough for anyone. Easy title defenses don’t make you a legend, Santana, it makes you a laughing stock in this business. You’ve done nothing to cement your legacy, by defending against them, do you really think that prepares you for a match against me? Not even close, all it really does is set you up for failure. Much like when you faced Sonya Bensen in the television title tournament, you failed to see the danger that she represented. She is your only pinfall loss to date. You didn’t take her seriously, and up until recently you didn’t take me seriously either.
That was your biggest mistake right there, you didn’t take me seriously. The disrespect is going to cost you more than a title. I think to myself as I get ready to continue.
Mac: I have only had one pinfall loss in the past year as well, the difference is, I avenged that loss. I did it in spades, all you did was bitch about Sonya. I took my debut loss to JMont, and then beat him within an inch of his life the next two times I faced him.
I lean forward slightly, focusing on the camera with an intense glare.
Mac: I took a highly decorated wrestler and handed him his first ever loss in a last man standing match. Maybe only having been in the business for a short period of time has caused you to be a bit narrow minded or caused you to walk through life with blinders on.
My gaze remains intense as I set my jaw.
Mac: Maybe it’s caused you to not understand the danger that you are in. In a match with me you’re in more danger than anything you’ve ever faced in your life.
Once again, I rest my arms on the desk.
Mac: You just haven’t realized it yet. Much like you not realizing that someone could buy that building out from under you and force you to move fifty kids.
I allow the intensity to slide away and is replaced by a vile smirk.
Mac: It takes a real bastard to do some shit like that, doesn’t it? Yeah it does and I am that kind of person. I’m that guy, Cholo, that guy that will go to any lengths to make sure I attain what I want. I have always been someone who wins by any means necessary. That’s who I am and I make no apologies for it.
Lifting my arms up off the desk, I spread them out wide.
Mac: Did you think I was just blowing smoke when I told you this went beyond the wrestling ring? Have you not paid attention to what I’ve done to people when it becomes personal? Make no mistake about it, I made this personal, but you never really had a choice in the matter. Since the cannabis cup, it's been all about me. It’s been about my plan, my manipulation of you and others. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You are standing there as a world champion because of me. If it hadn’t been for my molding you into something more than you were, you would never have made it through the rest of the field. You would never have had the opportunity to be named champion after Enigma decided he didn’t want the world title. That’s right, you didn’t win the world title, it was handed to you. You did however win the tournament, not because of your own ability but because of the fuel provided by me. Through my actions, I’ve broken your spirit and your pride. At First Dance, I’m going to break a lot more than that.
I bring my arms back down to the desk, and then slowly stand up. I lean towards the camera as the lights dim slightly as a light from the desk comes online. It casts an eerie glow on my face.
It’s not lost on me that you could beat me one on one. You’re a daisy if you do. I don’t think you’re a daisy though, no I don’t think you’re a daisy at all. I think you’re just another shit talking punk who’s in over his head. You better bring more than that weak sauce that you showed up with at Brawl, because when you dance with the devil in the pale moonlight, you have to pay the price. The price is blood, at “First Dance”, it will be your last.
fade.