The Less Fortunate
Aug 20, 2024 20:47:46 GMT -5
"Cholo" Giovanni Santana, Amber Mansley, and 1 more like this
Post by Ezra Gideon on Aug 20, 2024 20:47:46 GMT -5
{Highland Park - Dallas TX - “Opening Salvo”}
The cameras make their way through the front door to the home of the Gideons. You can hear Ezra beginning to speak as the camera comes around the corner.
The Fortunate Ones, but are they? Do they even know what that means? Not likely, considering the definition of “Fortunate” is based on luck, not skill or careful planning. It’s just the most obvious of things to point out. Despite all of that, all they have to show for it is the X Division Title. Even though they have the boss running point for them, they’ve continued to fail at every single opportunity they’ve had. Not that it’s Page’s fault, he’s set them up for success. Even with the number advantage, they still couldn’t pull off the tag team titles. JMont lost the IC title to Max, and do you think that Clyde Newton has the balls to take it from him? Not with Cable in that match as well, he wants to unalive your boy JMont. Kenji and I have agreed to work together to undo some of the damage created by them and that’s what we’ll do. We won’t be the only ones, there will be others who join us, it’s only a matter of time and the numbers game won’t have an impact anymore.
Ezra rubs his hands together in anticipation of the things to come and smiles a devious smile.
The fact that people are starting to wake up and see what we see is refreshing. Not to mention that it’s long overdue. I cannot wait until this unfolds and the fortunate ones are left with nothing but their wounded pride and excuses, that’s what they do after all. In parting, I’ll say that what they say about your heroes is correct. Never meet your heroes, they are never what they seem. I met mine when I signed my contract and the disappointment was real.
Fade.
{South Beach, Miami, FL - B OLI - “A Chance Meeting”}
Every time that Ezra had been to B OLI, it was always interesting, to say the least. This was where the elite came to dine. He had been here several times and each time it seemed like an adventure that was waiting for him to get there. The look of the inside was always pristine and the smell of food made his stomach rumble, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since very early this morning. With his Uncle by his side, they made their way to their table. He had met all kinds of interesting people here, from NFL legends to NBA hall of farmers to movie stars and musicians.
Matridee: Ah, Mister Gideon and Mister Bologna, so good to see you again.
Ezra smiled at the gentlemen.
Ezra Gideon: Always a pleasure Kenneth.
Davey Bologna: Kenny! How’s life treating you?
The matridee, Kenneth, hated being called Kenny and Davey knew that, it was an old rib that Davey never grew tired of. Despite his displeasure, he smiled at Davey.
Matridee: Fuck you, Davey, fuck you very much.
That got Davey to laugh and made the atmosphere seem lighter, Ezra had been fighting this feeling of dread. He was worried about this match and rightly so, it was going to be his biggest match in WGWF. He was undefeated, and this was only his fourth match in the company. Taking that title from Amber was what he was obsessing about. His train of thought was broken by Kenneth asking him for a drink order.
Kenneth: What will you have Mister Gideon?
Ezra flashed him a smile.
Ezra Gideon: Just water for now, Kenneth, thank you.
Davey Bologna: You okay, Kid?
Ezra nodded and sat back in his chair, trying his best to relax or at least appear that way.
Ezra Gideon: Yeah Unc, I’m okay. I’m just thinking about this match. Working through the variables in my head and trying to come up with a strategy and counter-strategy.
Davey waved him off.
Davey Bologna: Don’t do that to yourself, you’ll drive yourself nuts.
Ezra Gideon: Short trip, Unc, short trip.
Davey smiled again and nodded.
Davey Bologna: Lord don’t I know it.
Before they could continue, Davey evidently saw someone he knew. His eyebrows arched as if to say, what the hell is that guy doing here? They wouldn’t have to wait long to find out as the man approached the table.
Stranger: David, how are you?
Davey shook his head in dismay.
Davey: Stephen, I wasn’t expecting you to be in Miami.
Stephen studied Ezra for a long time before smiling as the light of recognition shone.
Stephen: You must be Ezra. I realize you don’t remember me because it’s been such a long time. I haven’t seen you since you were probably ten years old.
Ezra looked puzzled at first but then his own memory kicked in.
Ezra Gideon: Mister Amelle? It has been a long time. How’s your dad these days?
Stephen Amelle: He’s doing well thanks to your dad. When you see him send him our regards.
Ezra Gideon: Of course, I’ll be glad to.
He nodded politely to Ezra but then posed a question to Davey.
Stephen Amelle: David, there is an issue that needs your attention. Would you come to the bar and speak with us about it?
Ezra had never seen his uncle cringe before, so this was new, it also sounded really bad. He watched Davey scan the bar, looking for familiar faces, and found them. He motioned them to the table and smiled at Stephen.
Davey Bologna: Whatever it is, you can say it in front of my nephew.
Stephen nodded and cringed himself.
Stephen Amelle: Of course David, but you know what this means for him?
Davey Bologna: I do, and he would have come to be in the family business at some point.
The family business? Ezra wasn’t sure what that entailed but he hoped it wasn’t what he thought it was. Surely his uncle wasn’t involved with organized crime, he couldn’t be, could he?
Fade
{Unknown Warehouse, somewhere in Miami - “Revelations”}
It turned out that the family business had nothing to do with organized crime, quite the opposite actually.
Stephen Amelle: You know little bit, is gonna kill you, right David?
A chuckle from the others broke the silence that hung there. Davey lit a big Cuban cigar and smiled.
Davey Bologna: She won’t if no one tells her.
All the men nodded in agreement.
Ezra Gideon: She won’t hear it from me.
Ezra was anxious to find out what this was about, he knew they weren’t Mafia and he didn’t think they were something so far-fetched as the Illuminati. Why was he suddenly in the middle of this, that was the question nagging at him from the back of his brain.
Davey Bologna: What’s the situation, Stephen?
Ezra studied each man as they gathered in a semi-circle around the table that was in between Davey and Stephen. He was guessing, but it seemed the low end suits being worn were around ten grand. These were extremely wealthy and powerful men. They didn’t play games and were very serious about their business. Whatever that was.
Stephen Amelle: Before we get to that, I think it’s important that I explain to Ezra what the family business is. After I tell you this, you’ll have the opportunity to walk away from this Ezra. No one will think less of you and we’ll always look out for you.
Ezra nodded in agreement. He thought he saw a wave of relief pass over Davey’s face but thought maybe it was a trick of the light.
Stephen Amelle: What we do and who we are is a bit complicated. The layman's term for it is a vigilante. People who have committed heinous crimes are released by judges all the time. Pedophiles, rapists, etc… These are people that should never see the light of day. Now that I’ve told you what we do, you can walk away. If you stay, there’s no walking away. I hope you can appreciate why we operate this way.
Ezra Gideon: This is a lot to take in, I do understand why you operate this way. You have the lives of many on the line. If I walk away and later change my mind?
Stephen looked over at Davey, whose facial expression never changed in response to Ezra’s question.
Stephen Amelle: The offer to join us, will be off the table. We’ll always look out for you Ezra, you’re family and we all love your parents. Do you want to help us level the playing field?
Ezra searched his soul at that moment, thinking about what to say or how to act in response to the information he just received.
Ezra Gideon: That’s quite the revelation you sprung on me, Stephen. I would be honored to take my place with you, Uncle Davey, and the rest of your people.
He smiled at Ezra and Davey came up to his nephew and clapped him on the shoulder.
Davey Bologna: You’re about to be exposed to a world that you never knew existed, Ezra, this is a chance to make a real difference.
The men gathered around Ezra and took turns shaking his hand and welcoming him to the family business. He knew the risk would be high, but he also believed the reward would be as well.
Davey Bologna: What’s the situation, Stephen?
Stephen laid a manilla folder on the table and pointed at it. Davey reluctantly opened the folder and looked at the contents. When he got to the name he cringed.
Davey Bologna: You’re sure about this?
Stephen nodded his head.
Stephen Amelle: Sadly, yes. He was released by a Federal Judge in Dallas yesterday. David and I made sure he got convicted and then Adella Browning released him and cleared him of all charges. Her claim is that the DNA evidence had been tampered with.
Ezra Gideon: Who’s he related to?
Davey Bologna: He catches on fast, doesn’t he?
The men all smiled in response to Ezra’s question.
Davey Bologna: His father is a very influential man in the state of Texas. He’s a former Governer and one of the wealthiest men in the state.
Stephen Amelle: What’s more is that this man was supposed to be on death row.
To be continued…
Fade.
{South Beach, Miami, FL - B OLI - “The Less Fortunate”}
Sitting at a table with his uncle and manager Davey Bologna, Ezra flashes those pearly whites at the camera. His uncle shakes his head and chuckles under his breath.
Ezra Gideon: Summer Madness is upon us. This is a stacked card, to say the least. So many potentially great matches will come to our fans. Every single match has the potential to be next level.
Ezra takes a sip of what we assume is coffee from a small cup. If there is bitterness to it, he doesn’t react.
Ezra Gideon: I will be selfish and talk about my match. While it may not be the most important match to WGWF, it’s certainly the most important to me.
He shoots the camera a wink and a smile.
Ezra Gideon: I mean, look at the history around this match. Kenji was the original number one contender for the X Division title but was denied his shot by oversight. Back when there were two shows, he was drafted away from that possibility. While I can sympathize with his plight, it doesn’t matter to me in the grand scheme of things.
He shakes his head in response to his statement.
Ezra Gideon: Kenji knows how much I respect him and his ability in that ring. He’s talked about how they screwed him over for a long time now. He’ll get his opportunity to prove his words. Although if you look at it, he’s already had that chance in a multiperson match that we were involved in.
He picks up his coffee cup again and studies the finish on the cup.
Ezra Gideon: He was outsmarted by me, and he’s assured me that won’t happen again.
He smiles and sets the cup down.
Ezra Gideon: Until the next time that is. There are far too many variables in a triple threat match to say that Kenji. I would never be someone to question your ability, work ethic, or talent. I will say that you didn’t think that through before saying it though. Despite the so-called analysts and experts saying the cards are stacked against Amber, we all know that’s simply not true. We’ve all seen how TFO protects her and that title, since, you know, it’s the only one in their stable at the moment. This may be the closest we’ll ever get to a level playing field. The only thing left to be seen is not if The Fortunate Ones get involved, only how many. We both know that, and we accept that as part of the risk involved in this match. We won’t be looking over our shoulders though, we’ll take on those challenges as they come.
Looking back up at the camera, any trace of amusement or humor is gone.
Ezra Gideon: Amber Mansley; you’ve been a good champion, and I don’t view you in the same light as the Johnny Styles of the world do. Not because I think he’s wrong, but because I was raised with manners. When I say you’ve been a good champion, what I mean is that you’ve done whatever it takes to hold onto it. I also know that you will continue to operate that way, regardless of what anyone says or does. To try and convince you to do things the right way is a waste of time and energy.
He leans back in his chair and pauses for only a moment to allow that to sink in.
Ezra Gideon: See, I could have taken the advice of Xavier Lux, but I hold myself to a higher standard than that. Using a chair or a weapon in a match? Unthinkable to me, especially with the skills I have. I don’t need a foreign object to win a match. Perhaps the most important aspect of this match is the stipulations that you insisted on.
He brings his hands back in front of him again, resting his elbows on the table.
Ezra Gideon: Not only is it a triple threat, but also an Iron Person match. I completely understand the thought process behind it. I know you’re not stupid, and I see your reasoning at play. It’s not a bad strategy and from a certain point of view, it’s borderline genius. However, like Kenji, I don’t think you thought this all the way through.
He steeples his fingers in front of his face.
Ezra Gideon: You’re betting that this will pay off for you, but it won’t. You won’t lose the title on a single pinfall or submission, but it won’t be enough to preserve your title reign. The other thing that you’re counting on is that Kenji and I will be more about beating each other instead of you. I can assure you that is not the case. The only thing I don’t like about this triple threat match is that when you lose, it leaves you with a built-in excuse. You’ll claim it took the two of us, to take it away from you.
He begins tapping his index finger on the table to emphasize his point.
Ezra Gideon: It won’t matter, because the company and the fan base will have a champion that they can look up to. A champion that will elevate the value of the belt, not drag it down like you have. I’ll do the same thing with the X Division that Cholo did with the IC belt. It will become a prestigious title, and won’t be looked down on as if it’s some low end title that no one cares about.
He stops the tapping and inclines his head ever so slightly.
Ezra Gideon: Should you win, then you’ll claim you overcame the odds. That would be a fair statement after all, since no one expects you to win this match, except for maybe you. Those are the trappings of believing your own hype. I told you before and I’ll say it again, your ego will be your undoing. You like to talk like you are so far above everyone else, but in reality, in this match you are by far the less fortunate. Even though, you and other members of your little group have put you up on a pedestal, the fall from the height will have a devastating effect on you. See, it’s not the fall that will kill you, it’s that sudden stop at the end.
Fade.