Post by sprucegoose on Aug 23, 2024 17:33:08 GMT -5
We come back to Fighter's Edge Fitness, the gym previously known as Turner Sports. It's been repainted and repackaged completely to be a very different, modern-looking location. The large sign hanging on the wall near the entrance shows how things have changed.
We see Coach Turner standing outside staring at the new logo and shaking his head. Behind him, Connor Mallory comes walking up the street and stops next to him.
Connor Mallory - It came out well, didn't it?
Coach Turner - If you say so. I'm surprised you made it a wolf. I would have expected you to make it a fighting goose, or even an airplane to signify the Spruce Goose.
Connor Mallory - Unfortunately, while geese are great fighters, they aren't really respected in the world at large. An airplane would probably just be confusing. No, it made more sense to go with the wolf. It will bring in more talent to your gym, Coach, guaranteed.
Coach Turner taps the bottom of the logo, where we can see "MMA" listed.
Coach Turner - But what about this? I'm no MMA teacher. I teach boxing and wrestling, I always have, and I always will.
Connor Mallory - Don't worry, I've got you covered on that front. In fact, this might be him now.
Both men turn to look behind them as a high-priced car can be seen pulling up. Coach Turner looks from the car to Connor and back again.
Coach Turner - Hold on... you HIRED someone without telling me??
Connor Mallory - Trust me on this, partner.
The car door opens, and the driver comes around to open the passenger side. The man in a fine suit steps out, grabbing a duffel bag to bring with him. Coach Turner's eyes go wide.
The man sees Mallory and Coach Turner and nods, walking up to them.
Coach Turner - You're... you're... you're "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko!!!
Connor Mallory - Fedor, good to see you again.
Connor and Fedor shake hands, with the MMA legend looking around the neighborhood where the gym is located.
Fedor Emelianenko - Da. This will do nicely.
Connor Mallory - I'm glad you approve. And the neighborhood is still going through changes, so don't worry about that.
Coach Turner - I... I...
Connor glances over at Coach Turner and realizes that the man is simply stunned.
Connor Mallory - Coach, Fedor here was having some... issues back in Russia. He needed a place to settle down, and when I heard about it through my contacts, I arranged for him to come here. He'll be manning your MMA side of the gym. Oh, Fedor, your daughter has gotten settled in alright, I hope?
Fedor Emelianenko - Da, she is getting used to your American ways, but she will adjust.
Connor Mallory - Good, good. So, Coach, do you want to give Fedor a tour of the facilities? I think he'll appreciate the new weight-lifting machines we've gotten installed. Although if it's old-school you want, Coach still has plenty of punching bags and jumping ropes, hah!
Connor pats Coach Turner on the shoulder, trying to snap him out of it while smiling at Fedor. Coach Turner seems to come to, blinking heavily before slowly nodding.
Coach Turner - Da, I mean, sure, I can give him a tour. Let's go in, Mr. Emelianenko... or should I call you Emperor?
Fedor Emelianenko - Just Fedor, please...
The two men head inside, as Connor takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly. He wasn't really sure how Coach Turner would react. He's really walking a tightrope at the moment, doing everything he's promised he would do, to every person he's made deals with. Coach Turner is the least of them. Connor turns away, getting out his phone and making a quick call.
Connor Mallory - So what's the word on that one hold-out? That corner grocery store? Are they going to sell to us? ... You really haven't tried hard enough, then. I don't care if their family has been there for generations, they need to be 'convinced' that their time is up. I need to have this whole neighborhood locked down as soon as possible. Offer them more money. If they still say no, offer them... something else. Do what you have to do. I'm counting on you.
Connor hangs up the phone looking annoyed. He looks down the block, his expression softening into a more pleased expression at the sight of several "For Sale" signs going up around the neighborhood. The 'renewal' is really beginning to take off.
We now find ourselves in a completely different location, judging by the ocean waves crashing in front of us. We can see boats in the distance, sailing along the coast, as the shot turns around towards the beach. This is where we see a proud Connor Mallory standing in the sand, wearing a patriotic set of bathing boxers and nothing else. His physique is incredible, showing why he's got such potential as a superstar in the wrestling world.
Connor Mallory - Miami, Florida. This is one of the dream locations of the good ol' United States of America. A place where the attractive come to enjoy their downtime, celebrating all that America has to offer. You can't get much better than South Beach. Ain't America great?
With a smirk, Connor looks down the way at the beautiful women walking around in their bikinis and thongs, absorbing plenty of that Florida sun. With any luck, he'll be down there later offering to apply some sunscreen to their backs.
Connor Mallory - This is a place where someone like me, an incredibly handsome man, can stand out. It's also a place where someone like Nick Danger would just fade away into a crowd of beach bums, rightfully out of the limelight. Nick wouldn't know how to handle the talent here in South Beach. I bet when he gets here, he hides in his hotel room right up until our fight, not wanting to be out in this much sun and excitement. He probably would burn like a charcoal briquette in the Florida sun. Luckily for him, I plan to beat the hell out of him in the evening hours, so that's one pain he WON'T have to worry about.
Connor stares towards the camera, his smile slightly fading as he thinks about Nick Danger.
Connor Mallory - It didn't have to be this way, Nick. You didn't have to be in my path. You could have minded your business and stayed out of the problems between Latoya Hixx and I. But you had to be a sexist jerk who had to interfere on her behalf, and I know, she needed your help, but it was still sexist to intervene. You wanted to be the big hero, thinking it would make you a big star in these parts. Well, it worked, because you're getting to face one of the greatest at Summer Madness: me.
The Spruce Goose points to his own chest, smiling big enough to show off all of the whites of his teeth.
Connor Mallory - But you called your shot, Nicky, and now look at you. You've lost matches because of me. You've been embarrassed because of me. You've been put through a table because of me. What's left for me to do to prove that I'm superior over you? Maybe I just need to break you in half on Sunday. After all, you were brave enough to challenge me to a Street Fight and that's going to be your last mistake. No rules? Everything available? That's going to be like stealing candy from a baby, which is really easy, by the way.
Connor looks over to the right, where some kids can be seen building a sand castle. He seems to consider going over there to steal some candy, but decides to wait on that. He doesn't want to anger the hotties here in South Beach, you know.
Connor Mallory - You're going to learn your place, Nick. You don't deserve to be in that ring with the man who's going to take over the WGWF. Sure, I've had some setbacks. I got stuck in-between the problems of Colossus and Grado, that didn't help. But I haven't let it get me down. I'm playing the long game, Nicky. There's going to come a time where I have complete control over almost everything in the WGWF, and elsewhere. When that happens, you'll be coming to me, begging me to save your job, since you've become enhancement talent for John Blade and Latoya Hixx. And I'm going to laugh in your face because you got in my business first.
He looks down, lowering himself to pick up some of the Miami sand in his hand. He clenches it into a fist, bringing it back up and turning it to the side so that the sand slowly runs out below his knuckles. Connor then looks back at the camera.
Connor Mallory - This is your time running out, Nick. You don't realize the danger you've put yourself in, but you're going to learn. The true definition of Danger is getting on Connor Mallory's bad side. I proved that when I demolished Latoya Hixx. I beat her so bad that she's not even on the Summer Madness card. Her career is in ruins, she had to run to be a tag-team wrestler to try and save herself. That's not your future, though, Nick, because I don't plan on letting you walk away after this one. I am going to twist you around so badly that you'll never walk straight again, much less compete in a wrestling ring. Your career is ending on Sunday. Come to terms with it, because it won't be pretty.
The sand finishes coming out of Connor's fist. He shakes the remaining sand free, sending it floating into the air.
Connor Mallory - The clock has run out, Nick. Your demise is assured. The future is all about me. You're going to just be a footnote in my eventual autobiography on the greatest wrestler ever. If you take your defeat with grace and don't try to sue the company, I'll even make sure they spell your name correctly. Maybe. Let's get dangerous, Nick. Let's end this once and for all.
Connor leans closer to the camera with a smirk.
Connor Mallory - Time's up.
Connor then slaps the camera, knocking it to the ground. It cuts out with a blast of static.
We are back in front of Fighter's Edge Fitness, as Connor and Coach Turner step out and start to walk down the block.
Connor Mallory - So how are you and Fedor getting along?
Coach Turner - I think we can work together. I still want to be consulted for something like this. I don't feel like a partner when you keep making decisions without me.
Connor Mallory - I apologize again, Coach. It was a deal that I couldn't pass up. You know how many people are already clamoring to be part of our gym now? They're psyched to work alongside The Last Emperor.
Coach Turner - You don't think this will push wrestlers away, though? There's only so much room in my gym.
Connor Mallory - It's all about proper time management. Don't worry about it. This will work wonders for your recruits as well. It never hurts to have some MMA experience when you're coming into the squared circle.
Coach Turner - I suppose.
They are still walking as Coach Turner looks at one of the Closed signs nearby. He sighs.
Coach Turner - That business has been there for 30 years. What a shame. A lot of places are closing down recently here. I know we were hoping to revitalize the neighborhood, but frankly it feels like we might be too late. Property taxes have just gotten so high.
Connor Mallory - Yes. It's a shame. But I think we can still bring new businesses in to take the places of those that are failing. It's still a great neighborhood. It deserves to be saved.
Coach Turner nods in agreement. He has no idea that Connor and his business partners are mainly responsible for the recent swing of 'available' properties in this area. Connor would never tell him, as he knows Coach Turner would never go for it. That's why he's a mark in this situation.
Coach Turner - I used to get ice cream sodas at the corner cafe down here. Now it's all boarded... up...
The building that Coach Turner is pointing at is apparently NOT boarded up. It's showing signs of work being done, with a sign proclaiming a new Subway's coming soon to this location. Coach Turner doesn't look pleased by the sign.
Connor Mallory - See? Things are going to turn around here. It's just a matter of...
Scream - HELP!!!
Both Coach Turner and Connor jump and turn around to see a woman running down the street wearing only a tight-fitting robe. Connor's eyebrow goes up, but Coach Turner is more concerned with her panicked state.
Coach Turner - Shelby? What is going on??
Shelby - Coach!! You've got to help me!!! My son!!!
Shelby immediately grabs at Coach Turner's arm, dragging him back with her. Coach Turner goes along with it, with Connor curiously following behind. They come around the corner... to a building that's completely engulfed in flames.
Coach Turner - Oh my god!
Shelby - My son! My son is in there!!
Coach Turner looks back at Connor, who is already moving into action. He has his cell phone out, having quickly dialed 911.
Connor Mallory - Hello, operator? We've got a major fire here, and someone's inside! How fast can you guys get here? Well, make it faster, damnit, before this fire grows!
Connor hangs up his phone, as we hear the sound of glass breaking. They look up, to see a young teenager leaning out the window, coughing heavily. Coach Turner immediately runs forward, getting underneath the window, but the teenager is too high up.
Shelby - Ben!! BEN!!!
Coach Turner is trying to figure out what to do, looking helpless, as the flames keep growing. He starts going for bags of trash, as if to create a landing area for the kid, but that would only work in movies. Connor rubs at the back of his head, knowing what likely happened here. He mutters to himself.
Connor Mallory - I said convince them, not burn down the neighborhood, you sons of bitches!! All we need now is a murder by arson...
Connor looks left and right, and then makes a decision. He runs further down the street, to where a moving van is sitting from another tenant who had sold out. He breaks into the van, quickly reaching underneath and hotwiring it. With that completed, he drives the moving van forward, honking the horn to force Coach Turner out of the way. He stops the van dangerously close to the flames, then gets out.
Connor Mallory - Kid! Jump on the van! Do it now, damnit! I haven't got all day!
Ben, still coughing heavily, has no choice. He leaps out, landing on the van and sliding to the edge. He can't keep his balance, falling off the edge... and right at Connor! The wrestler reacts purely on instinct, catching Ben in his arms as if preparing for a fallaway slam. It's unclear if he considers it, but Connor doesn't follow through, instead putting Ben down so that his mother can run over to him. Coach Turner comes over as well, proud.
Coach Turner - You're a hero, Connor!!
Connor Mallory - .... Naturally.
As the fire engines pull up to start working on the blaze, Connor seems to brighten, knowing that he can spin this in a very positive way for him and his career. He doesn't even care that the moving van is starting to get licked by the nearby flames, putting someone else's property in danger. He walks away, still smiling, knowing he has a good story he can tell Dr. Anslo at his next therapy session.