Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2017 22:26:04 GMT -5
"New Orleans, Louisiana! Smoothie King Center! Fallout! TRENCH WAR CHAMPIONSHIP!"
[We find Hannah Kristian standing before a Union Battleground backdrop logo, boucing on her toes excitedly.]
HANNAH: This is it, folks. This, [points down] right here, is IT! Are you ready, folks? 'Cause you know I'm gods damned ready!
[She nods her head just a tad bit too rapidly.]
HANNAH: I thought about doing this big long fancy vignette to hype up the show, but nah; fuck that. Too much bullshit involved when I can just tell you how I feel right here and now.
[Hannah shifts her weight from one leg to the other, placing a hand on her hip.]
HANNAH: Though, the whole destiny thing is still valid. Some might say the gods are on their side when things go their way, and more power to them. Others might call it fate. But fate likes to fuck things up for you at the worst possible time too. And I've known my fair share of that. Orphaned at ten, homeless at sixteen... but some of us are just destined for great and terrible things. Take Emery Layton for example.
[Hannah now folds her arms across her chest.]
HANNAH: Destiny has been on Emery's side for some time now. She was destined to become the first ever Union Battleground Trench War Champion. Moreover, the only man she's lost to was Tweeder, who was in turn destined to become the first Union Battleground Champion. And something tells me that when the day comes that she loses that Trench War title, she'll be next in line to go for the big gold, regardless who the champion is at the time.
The fact of the matter is, I have a great deal of respect for Emery Layton. Some folks may not have known who she was early on, myself included, but she busted her ass and earned her spot. She showed the world that she's not to be fucked with or taken lightly. She's a worthy champion. But the thing is...
[Hannah can't help but chuckle at her next line.]
HANNAH: I know a little something about war, about fighting in the trenches. Hell, I spent six tours overseas doing just that. Sometimes we had to fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground gained even as our friends fell beside us. Now you might say "But Hannah, that doesn't have anything to do with the Trench War Championship."
[She steps up real close now.]
HANNAH: Let me tell you something. When you're fighting at knife's length, wondering when the other guy brushed his teeth last, it's a fight to the death and nothing else matters. Now sure that's a far cry from the confines of the squared circle, and we ain't fighting to the death, but it'll be as close as it gets. And I don't care who you are, but there ain't nothing like hefting that championship gold up onto your shoulder, or raising it over your head to the adulation of the fans. When that belt is on the line, nothing else does matter.
[She pauses for a beat.]
HANNAH: Now I know Emery Layton knows that feeling. She's been living it these past two months. Me? I've experienced it in the past too. To hold that belt means that you're one of the very best that Union Battleground has to offer. It means that every man and woman who faces you is gonna' have to go through Hell to take it from you.
[Hannah nods her head.]
HANNAH: Like I've said, I know what that's like. I went through Hell to attain gold, and then gave Hell in defending it. So while I do respect you, Emery, make no mistake. I'm no spring chicken here. Just as you were an unknown commodity coming into Union Battleground, so am I. Sure I've gotten some wins under my belt since arriving here, but I haven't beaten the best.
[She points directly into the camera, as if to say "That's you."]
HANNAH: Not yet, anyway. I could have just accepted my lot in life, and stayed on the streets, getting into gang fights, petty crime, drugs, until it gradually worsened and I got into worse and worse trouble. Then maybe I'd have spent my life locked away in some women's prison. But no, I had other plans. Sure it meant enlisting in the Army, ducking bullets and dodging bombs for a pile of years, but I was damn good at it. I advanced through the ranks, joined the Rangers, and was promoted to Lieutenent. In hindsight, the Army kicked my ass and saved my life. So now here we are, just days from Fallout. Emery Layton versus Hannah Kristiansen for the Trench War Championship!
[Hannah begins to pace about now.]
HANNAH: I told you, didn't I? That first day I walked in, and marched down to that ring, I made a statement y'all shoulda' paid heed to. I said then that I want championship gold. And while, yes, I got sidelined for a bit, I'm back on course! The dream is alive, Emery; you can believe that! You would know better than most that if you put in the work, you can turn your dreams into a reality. Oh, and I have a tendency for doing just that.
[She's smiling now, getting that adrenaline going.]
HANNAH: Don't get me wrong though, I don't expect it to be easy.
[She shakes her head, stopping to gaze into the camera once again.]
HANNAH: Fuck no! Nothing worth fighting for in life comes easily. And I'm sure you'll want to hang onto that title just as badly as I want to take it from you. So like those old wars that saved my life while trying to end it, I expect nothing less than the kinda' fight that'll be tooth and nail between us. Make no mistake, there's no hard feelings here. No anger or rage driving us forward. And while there is mutual respect, that's all well and good but falls way short when the gold is on the line.
So I say let's dance, Emery Layton. Bring it on! Let's go after eachother with reckless abandon! Let's beat the ever living shit outta' eachother and then some! Not 'cause of some petty bullshit, but to prove who's better! To prove who's gove what it takes, who wants it more! Like we said on Twitter, let's give the fans a match they'll NEVER forget! A match that will steal the show, and put the whole of Union Battleground on notice! Every match fought for the Trench War Championship should be a war unlike any other!
[She takes a step closer to the lens again.]
HANNAH: And then when they think we can't go on anymore, we keep going! Toe to toe, nose to nose, hold for hold! And when the dust has settled, and you find yourself laid out on the canvas, blood oozing from open wounds, think back to when it all started, when I'm on the apron, launching my robe off and to the ground.
[Another step closer, and Hannah's voice drops an octave.]
HANNAH: Remember that pose I stand in as the cameras' flashbulbs fire off in rapid succession. Not only is that pose an homage to the country that lifted me up outta' the gutter and allowed me to rise up like the beloved bald eagle; but it also symbolizes the fate of every man and woman who comes to battle with me. So when you're laying there spread eagle, wondering what the fuck just hit you, remember that it's nothing personal...
No, just destiny.
[Hannah turns and walks away, but then stops and returns to the lens.]
HANNAH: Oh, and I'm totally down for drinks afterward; though it might be at the local hospital drinking through straws.
[She chuckles at the thought, turns, and departs.]
[We find Hannah Kristian standing before a Union Battleground backdrop logo, boucing on her toes excitedly.]
HANNAH: This is it, folks. This, [points down] right here, is IT! Are you ready, folks? 'Cause you know I'm gods damned ready!
[She nods her head just a tad bit too rapidly.]
HANNAH: I thought about doing this big long fancy vignette to hype up the show, but nah; fuck that. Too much bullshit involved when I can just tell you how I feel right here and now.
[Hannah shifts her weight from one leg to the other, placing a hand on her hip.]
HANNAH: Though, the whole destiny thing is still valid. Some might say the gods are on their side when things go their way, and more power to them. Others might call it fate. But fate likes to fuck things up for you at the worst possible time too. And I've known my fair share of that. Orphaned at ten, homeless at sixteen... but some of us are just destined for great and terrible things. Take Emery Layton for example.
[Hannah now folds her arms across her chest.]
HANNAH: Destiny has been on Emery's side for some time now. She was destined to become the first ever Union Battleground Trench War Champion. Moreover, the only man she's lost to was Tweeder, who was in turn destined to become the first Union Battleground Champion. And something tells me that when the day comes that she loses that Trench War title, she'll be next in line to go for the big gold, regardless who the champion is at the time.
The fact of the matter is, I have a great deal of respect for Emery Layton. Some folks may not have known who she was early on, myself included, but she busted her ass and earned her spot. She showed the world that she's not to be fucked with or taken lightly. She's a worthy champion. But the thing is...
[Hannah can't help but chuckle at her next line.]
HANNAH: I know a little something about war, about fighting in the trenches. Hell, I spent six tours overseas doing just that. Sometimes we had to fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground gained even as our friends fell beside us. Now you might say "But Hannah, that doesn't have anything to do with the Trench War Championship."
[She steps up real close now.]
HANNAH: Let me tell you something. When you're fighting at knife's length, wondering when the other guy brushed his teeth last, it's a fight to the death and nothing else matters. Now sure that's a far cry from the confines of the squared circle, and we ain't fighting to the death, but it'll be as close as it gets. And I don't care who you are, but there ain't nothing like hefting that championship gold up onto your shoulder, or raising it over your head to the adulation of the fans. When that belt is on the line, nothing else does matter.
[She pauses for a beat.]
HANNAH: Now I know Emery Layton knows that feeling. She's been living it these past two months. Me? I've experienced it in the past too. To hold that belt means that you're one of the very best that Union Battleground has to offer. It means that every man and woman who faces you is gonna' have to go through Hell to take it from you.
[Hannah nods her head.]
HANNAH: Like I've said, I know what that's like. I went through Hell to attain gold, and then gave Hell in defending it. So while I do respect you, Emery, make no mistake. I'm no spring chicken here. Just as you were an unknown commodity coming into Union Battleground, so am I. Sure I've gotten some wins under my belt since arriving here, but I haven't beaten the best.
[She points directly into the camera, as if to say "That's you."]
HANNAH: Not yet, anyway. I could have just accepted my lot in life, and stayed on the streets, getting into gang fights, petty crime, drugs, until it gradually worsened and I got into worse and worse trouble. Then maybe I'd have spent my life locked away in some women's prison. But no, I had other plans. Sure it meant enlisting in the Army, ducking bullets and dodging bombs for a pile of years, but I was damn good at it. I advanced through the ranks, joined the Rangers, and was promoted to Lieutenent. In hindsight, the Army kicked my ass and saved my life. So now here we are, just days from Fallout. Emery Layton versus Hannah Kristiansen for the Trench War Championship!
[Hannah begins to pace about now.]
HANNAH: I told you, didn't I? That first day I walked in, and marched down to that ring, I made a statement y'all shoulda' paid heed to. I said then that I want championship gold. And while, yes, I got sidelined for a bit, I'm back on course! The dream is alive, Emery; you can believe that! You would know better than most that if you put in the work, you can turn your dreams into a reality. Oh, and I have a tendency for doing just that.
[She's smiling now, getting that adrenaline going.]
HANNAH: Don't get me wrong though, I don't expect it to be easy.
[She shakes her head, stopping to gaze into the camera once again.]
HANNAH: Fuck no! Nothing worth fighting for in life comes easily. And I'm sure you'll want to hang onto that title just as badly as I want to take it from you. So like those old wars that saved my life while trying to end it, I expect nothing less than the kinda' fight that'll be tooth and nail between us. Make no mistake, there's no hard feelings here. No anger or rage driving us forward. And while there is mutual respect, that's all well and good but falls way short when the gold is on the line.
So I say let's dance, Emery Layton. Bring it on! Let's go after eachother with reckless abandon! Let's beat the ever living shit outta' eachother and then some! Not 'cause of some petty bullshit, but to prove who's better! To prove who's gove what it takes, who wants it more! Like we said on Twitter, let's give the fans a match they'll NEVER forget! A match that will steal the show, and put the whole of Union Battleground on notice! Every match fought for the Trench War Championship should be a war unlike any other!
[She takes a step closer to the lens again.]
HANNAH: And then when they think we can't go on anymore, we keep going! Toe to toe, nose to nose, hold for hold! And when the dust has settled, and you find yourself laid out on the canvas, blood oozing from open wounds, think back to when it all started, when I'm on the apron, launching my robe off and to the ground.
[Another step closer, and Hannah's voice drops an octave.]
HANNAH: Remember that pose I stand in as the cameras' flashbulbs fire off in rapid succession. Not only is that pose an homage to the country that lifted me up outta' the gutter and allowed me to rise up like the beloved bald eagle; but it also symbolizes the fate of every man and woman who comes to battle with me. So when you're laying there spread eagle, wondering what the fuck just hit you, remember that it's nothing personal...
No, just destiny.
[Hannah turns and walks away, but then stops and returns to the lens.]
HANNAH: Oh, and I'm totally down for drinks afterward; though it might be at the local hospital drinking through straws.
[She chuckles at the thought, turns, and departs.]