Post by Kenji on Jul 13, 2024 11:15:24 GMT -5
{{When dialogue is like this, it's being spoken in Japanese}}
A LOCKUP. GARDENA, CA, USA. JULY 8th, 2024…
The man paces up and down as a second stands by a padlocked grated pull-up door. Both men are Japanese in heritage and both look like they could be part of some secret organisation, except the one standing still? That's Kenji Miyamoto and right now he is looking pretty agitated.
A LOCKUP. GARDENA, CA, USA. JULY 8th, 2024…
The man paces up and down as a second stands by a padlocked grated pull-up door. Both men are Japanese in heritage and both look like they could be part of some secret organisation, except the one standing still? That's Kenji Miyamoto and right now he is looking pretty agitated.
Kenji - {{Come on man, why is this taking so long?! I've paid you, what's the hold up?}}
Man 1 - {{My son has the key to the lockup Kenji-San, I'm sorry…}}
Kenji - {{I haven't got all day guys and I really don't want us getting caught out there!}}
As if on cue, a teenage lad appears waving a ring of keys towards the first man, who rushes over to the lock up and fumbles to find the right key.
Kenji - {{C'mon Hikaru-San! We really haven't got a…-}}
Hikaru - {{Got it! So, Kenji-San, are you ready to get what you paid for??}}
The first man clicks the padlock and chucks it onto the floor as his son steps back, a huge grin on his face. The man takes the handle of the lock up, shunts the door upwards as it grinds with the chain whirring and crashes as the door rolls all the way to the top. Both men and the first man's son stare into the lock up and there they are…
…Boxes and boxes of..
BEEF SUKIYAKI RAMEN!
…Boxes and boxes of..
BEEF SUKIYAKI RAMEN!
Kenji - {{Now that's the good stuff!}}
KENJI’S HOME. GARDENA, CA, USA. JULY 8th, 2024…
As we pull up to the veranda of Kenji's house we find Kenji and Sebastian Blake sitting on individual garden chairs, eating pots of the Ramen Kenji picked up.
Sebastian - {{So where'd you get it, Kenji? This is the good stuff…}}
Kenji laughs and taps his nose with his finger as he continues to eat
Kenji - {{You can't get this stuff in the US, Sebastian. I'm not giving away the secrets…}}
Sebastian - {{So Hikaru has started importing the goods eh?}}
Kenji - {{How the hell did you guess it was Hikaru?!}}
Sebastian - {{Kenji you know I was around this place before you moved here. Hikaru is always looking to help people, even if it means getting into trouble…}}
Kenji - {{Well, I guess being the owner of the biggest convenience store this side of Little Japan, he needs to be stocked!}}
Sebastian - {{You know it makes sense and I see that you won't be looking to leave now you've found you can get this stuff eh? Kenji? What's wrong?}}
Sebastian notices a faraway look in Kenji’s eyes
Kenji - {{I always knew something was shady with that Chris Page… Little bi…-}}
Sebastian - {{Woah you can't say that! He's your boss!}}
Kenji - And I care… Why? Who… Brings as much into WGWF from Japanese… No, Asian market?
Sebastian thinks about this and then shrugs as he continues to eat his Ramen…
Sebastian - {{That is very true…}}
Kenji - {{I believe he's been trying his best to keep me away from the X-Division title and keep it in his little group .. }}
Sebastian - {{What makes you say that?}}
Kenji - {{Well I mean look at what's been happening lately? It's like he's trying to keep it in the family. First Clyde Newton holds the belt, but then he just ups and runs off…}}
Sebastian - {{No surprise there, has that guy ever actually defended any title he's managed to win??}}
Kenji - {{I don't believe so… But once he went, another member of the TFO faction got the chance to win it…}}
Sebastian - {{Amber Mansley.}}
Kenji - {{And since then, I've won a number one contenders match for the X-Division Title, but was… Quite randomly… Drafted over to Brawl, just before I could challenge.}}
Sebastian - {{You know thinking about that Kenji-San, you make a good point…}}
Kenji - {{And then of course they chose a bunch of other people, who don't hit in WGWF like me to be in a Number One Pretenders match!}}
Sebastian - {{Haha oh yeah, Nick Danger, Ezra Gideon, Mark Wright and David Francis.}}
Kenji - {{The only one with a semblance of talent in that match was Ezra Gideon, but whilst I believe he was deserving of the win at WarGames I had to make it clear to him that he was the number one point five contender… As I still existed.}}
Sebastian - {{And now, you have the chance to take on Ezra Gideon and Amber Mansley at the upcoming Summer Madness PPV…}}
Kenji - {{Well, not necessarily Amber…}}
Both Sebastian and Kenji chuck their Ramen pots in the outside trash can and stand up, headed inside…
Sebastian - {{What do you mean?}}
Kenji - {{Well, somehow, someone whether it be Jack Daniels or Jonathan Barrows promised Hanari Carnes a shot at Amber and the belt…}}
Sebastian - {{But wasn't Hanari Carnes one of those you beat to become the number one contender in the first place??}}
Kenji - {{Now you understand my frustrations…}}
Sebastian - {{Yes Kenji-San, I certainly do… So what's next? Before Summer Madness I mean…}}
Kenji - {{Well, I've been booked in a pure wrestling match against someone named Connor Mallory, who has a very strange moniker…}}
Sebastian - {{Ahh your strong suit in the ring… Strange Moniker? Which is?}}
Kenji - {{The Spruce Goose…}}
Sebastian - {{Interesting…}}
Sebastian stifles a chuckle as Kenji looks at his watch and grabs for a bag by the front door. He bows to Sebastian as he walks away.
Kenji - {{I had better go, my flight to New York is in a few hours…}}
Sebastian - {{Off to see Ari, for the weekend?}}
Kenji - {{Yes, then down to Missouri for Smash…}}
Sebastian - {{I'll meet you at the arena Monday then, Kenji-San.}}
SOMEWHERE OVER COLORADO, USA. JULY 8th, 2024…
The light has faded as the sun can be seen disappearing over the horizon from the Delta Airlines window. Kenji moves away from looking out of the window and catches the young boy sitting next to him, just staring. The boy smiles and blinks a couple of times.
Boy - Hi! Sorry, you're Kenji Miyamoto, right?
It was at this time that Kenji realised there was a reason he usually had Sebastian Blake with him. His English had been getting better, but it was far from perfect… He nodded at the boy.
Kenji - Yes… I am.
Boy - Wow it's so cool to meet you, sir! My name is Cassius Mandle, but my friends call me Cass.
Kenji - Hello… Cass…
Cassius - Man my parents are going to be so stoked! That's where I'm going now to see them! You see I live in LA. in a Private School, but I go home a few times a year to visit them, my sister Katie and my friends Nathan and Brandon! Man they're gonna totally shit when I tell them I've met you!
Kenji just sits there staring at the boy babbling on and on as he opens his salad bowl that's sitting on his pull down tray…
Kenji - Ok…
Cassius - Oh man, I'm sorry! I forgot you usually have Sebastian Blake here to translate don't you… I’M SORRY! I - FORGOT - YOU - DON'T - SPEAK - ENGLISH!
Kenji - Not much English Cass-San. Not deaf
Cassius - Oh shoot… Was I shouting? I do that when I'm nervous… So is the WGWF in New York this week?? I can't wait to go to a show soon!
Kenji - No… Miss… Ouri.
Cassius - Oh… Kind of far from home. Why are you going to New York??
Kenji - Visiting… Girl… Friend…
Cassius - Oh cool!
This was the first time Kenji had referred to Ari as his girlfriend, they had never clarified their status, but he liked the idea… He realised as he's daydreaming that Cassius was trying to get his attention again. Kenji widens his eyes in realisation and smiles apologetically.
Kenji - I'm sorry, Cass-San, what did… You… Say?
Cassius - I just asked if you were ready for Connor Mallory or not??
Kenji - Oh… Yes, I am… Ready Mallory.
Cassius - I will definitely be tuning in to watch! Hey, where are you going in New York? Sorry if that's private I understand…
Kenji leans over to Cassius as he cracks open his can of Pepsi.
Kenji - Queens County…
Cassius - Oh?! No shitting?! I mean for real? Dude you just mean Queens?!
Kenji - Do I?
Cassius - Yeah, I live in Cypress Hill! You want my pops to give you a ride from the airport?!
Kenji just sits there looking at Cassius for a moment.
Cassius - He drives a Lexus…
Kenji - Sure thing… Cass-San. Arigatō. I will need… To make phone call… First.
Cassius smirks and holds out his fist, which takes Kenji a moment but he realises what's happening and fist bumps Cassius…
ARI’S APARTMENT, QUEENS, NY, USA. JULY 8th, 2024…
Kenji picks his bag out of the back of Cassius’ dad's Lexus and walks around to the driver's side door as it waits outside of Ari’s apartment. Kenji and Cassius’ dad shake hands as Cassius gets out of the car and holds his hand up to high five Kenji. Kenji slaps Cassius’ hand and puts a finger up, turning to Ari and saying something in Japanese as he fumbles through his bag.
Ari - Hey kid, Kenji has something for you hold on…
Kenji pulls a card out of his bag that has Sebastian Blake’s details on it. He gives the card to Cassius and bows, saying something again to Ari.
Ari - So, that is the business card of Kenji-San’s manager, Sebastian Blake who I'm sure you know of. Whenever the WGWF is back in New York, you call him and he'll get you, your two pals you mentioned and your dad, set up as his guests for that night…
Cassius - Wait are you serious?!
Kenji - Very… Serious.
Kenji sticks his fist out to bump Cassius again, but this time the kid pushes his hand and hugs Kenji which makes Ari chuckle. Cassius jumps into the car as his dad guns the engine and both wave at Kenji and Ari as they drive off… Kenji picks up his bag and turns toward Ari.
Ari - I'll call Sebastian and get the video feed set up…
ARI’S APARTMENT, QUEENS, NY, USA. JULY 8th, 2024…
Inside Ari’s lounge on top of a dark, oak table, sits a sleek Chromebook. It's open to Zoom and on the other end of the meeting, sits Sebastian Blake, suited and booted although you can't see much below his chest.
Sebastian - {{You okay, Kenji-San?}}
Kenji - {{I am good now, I struggled a bit…}}
Sebastian - {{And this is why you tend to keep me by your side in America, right?}}
Kenji - {{Sebastian-San, I am with Ari for the weekend. I don't think you'd have been comfortable around us, huh? Besides it was a teaching moment…}}
Sebastian - {{Well I'm proud of you, Kenji-San. The kid seemed nice too.}}
Kenji - {{Oh, he was awesome!}}
Ari - He will be calling you at some point when WGWF are back out here Sebby! You've gotta get him and his pops and some friends in as guests!
Sebastian - Of course, Ari!
Ari - And me too!
Sebastian - Of course doll! {{Now Kenji, you ready for this? Or… You wanna have dinner first and I cut this later?}}
Kenji - {{No, let's get it done…}}
Sebastian - {Alright… Ari, hit record if you will…?}}
KENJI’S APARTMENT, GARDENA, CA, USA. JULY 8th, 2024…
We switch scenes back to Kenji's apartment in California and inside his living room where Sebastian Blake is sitting in front of his own Chromebook… He has a ringlight setup behind the camera which is connected to the port at the side of the device.
Sebastian - Round and round and round she goes, where she stops nobody knows! So finally Kenji Miyamoto is back in action, booked once again after a long while off the reins and with it seeming like the kid just can't get what he's owed right?? Well allegedly he'll have his match at Summer Madness against a man who although I know Kenji rates his talent, let's be honest, should be nowhere near the match at the upcoming PPV. I won't hide behind the feelings that I know Kenji-San and I share, because obviously like Kenji, Ezra Gideon earned his spot at the WGWF X-Division Title but his number one contender match should have waited until after Kenji got his one on one shot, but it is what it is and so Kenji now faces the man known as “The Spruce Goose” Connor Mallory.
Quite an apt name, isn't it Connor? The Spruce Goose… And are you a Spruce Goose my friend? Or are you a Birch Bitch like the Hughes H-4 Hercules Aircraft was more appropriately named?! You see not many people would have made that connection, especially not Kenji but you are speaking to somebody here who is very well educated and I happen to know all about that flight. But how much exactly are you like the plane you're named after, Connor? Because it seems to me you're a hell of a lot more durable as you keep coming back after three losses and finally getting that win at WarGames against LaToya Hixx! The H-4 only lasted one singular flight whilst you've just kept on going! Even when you're pummelled into the ground…
The issue right now Connor, is that you're facing a man who feels as though he has been disrespected after everything he's put into being here in the WGWF. He's crossed halfway across the globe to ply his trade in the promotion and after proving himself more than once and after taking himself to the pinnacle of the X-Division category, Chris Page, or somebody… Tried to sweep him under the carpet. He won an X-Division Title match but has he ever been near the shot? Not even remotely… Four men I'm sure you don't like very much were handed a number one contender shot as if Kenji had packed up and went back to Japan! As if he'd already cashed in and lost and we all know that's not the case, don't we? But after everything he's finally given his shot against the likes of Ezra Gideon and whoever holds the X-Division Championship of Amber Mansley and someone else who was given a shot before my client, Hanari Carnes… But first comes you.
Sebastian leans forward and picks up a small snifter glass filled with Louis XIII Cognac, which he sips carefully before placing it back down, touching up his cufflinks and clears his throat.
Sebastian - Usually I'd sit here and I'd admire what you stand for, Mallory, but there's something about your can do, won't do attitude I dislike… You've spoken before about being back on home soil about being some kind of inspiration, but you're hardly instilling that inspiration in anyone with your string of losses have you? That string of failures… I don't mean that disrespectfully Mallory, it's just a matter of fact… You've spoken about golden opportunities and you're somewhat right, opportunities are gold! They're precious, rare and hard to come by… And when you get one you'd better be ready to do whatever it takes to keep hold of it and if, as with Kenji… These things get stolen from you, you battle to get it back, just like he's gonna do with you on Smash.
I know you don't care about what Kenji has been through to get to this match with you Mallory and you can bet your life that for him your past also makes no difference. Those failures we discussed? Your past? All irrelevant as it's about what will happen on Monday night and what we both bring to the ring! Kenji has listened to and heard a ton of men speak like you, before the big night but when crunch time comes… They crumble like Peach Cobbler… You liked that metaphor didn't you, Mallory? I took a lettuce leaf out of your book, I remember you once telling someone you would toss them around like a salad… Well if you think you'll do that to Kenji on Smash you'd better bring the Ranch, too!
Kenji-San did not come to the United States to take a vacation, Connor Mallory of that you can be sure. He did it to make a name for himself out here, just like he has already in Asia and Europe… He is here to prove he can hang in the biggest name in the United States, the WGWF and if that means going through you so be it! You can bring all your patriotic speeches, Mallory, your overblown confidence and tired clichés because all that matters now, is who's still standing on Monday night… Good luck Spruce Goose.
Sebastian picks up his snifter again, raising a toast and sipping as he winks at the camera, towards Kenji and Ari in Queens, before he takes the lid of the Chromebook and gently closes it, leaving the scene to fade out…
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