Post by Colt/Lev on Jun 24, 2018 22:15:44 GMT -5
The scene opens up on an outside shot of a dingy battered down bar, with a flickering neon light proclaiming it as Don's Hideout. Well, it actually says Dons Hdeut right now, but probability states that its meant to say Don's Hideout. Slowly the scene fades inside, and the bar is every bit as beaten down and battered on the inside as it is on the outside, with a few drizzles of humanity sitting around the bar, and across a few tables. A couple of people are playing some snooker, and one lone body is standing at the jukebox which is currently playing some AC/DC. Really, its the very picture of a random dive bar in any city across the world, and as with most bars, the only thing really worth looking at is standing behind the bar. Dressed in a tight white singlet and a flannel shirt, left open to expose the cleavage that makes her most of her tips, and a pair of denim jeans. Her brown hair is shaggy and loose around her shoulders, and she's currently wiping out some glasses while keeping a casual eye on the bar to watch out for trouble. Of course trouble is on its way, as the doors swing open and in walks the giant known as Levinator. There's a brief pause as everyone turns to see who has walked in, but it's quickly clear that Levinator is a regular here, as almost everyone goes back to what they were doing. A couple of people give Lev a nod, but his focus is on the bar as he walks forward towards it.
"Dani! Are your beers cold this time?"
"Absolutely. I kept the Fosters on ice, just for you."
"You ever going to tire of that joke?"
Dani is all smiles as she reaches under the bar and as Levinator reaches it, she pops up and cracks open a stubby of Miller's, setting it down in front of him. The big Australian is quick to pick it up and skol it down, not stopping until the entire beer is gone and as he sets the empty bottle down, another beer is already opened and waiting and Levinator lets out a belch before looking at Dani and picking up his new beer smiling.
"Cheers."
Dani merely smiles back, picking back up the jug and a handtowel to get back to wiping as she watches him patiently.
"Been a few weeks. You been off gallivanting around the world again?"
"Something like that. Had some old business to take care of. A cockroach that just won't bloody die. You know how it is."
As if on cue, Dani takes a step back away from the bar and stomps down, a loud crunching sound being heard before she turns back to look at Lev. The Aussie giant merely raises an eyebrow at her and she gives a small shrug.
"I've got a little experience, yeah."
Levinator grins and shakes his head, taking another swig from his beer, while Dani heads over to serve another regular a beer. Coming back over to Lev, she watches him and tilts her head sideways.
"So, what brings you here tonight? Got tired of drinking at home alone?"
"You know me, Dani. I came here to see your smiling face and enjoy your upbeat personality."
Dani stares at him for a moment and then crosses her arms over her chest. Lev looks at her for a moment but then grins at her and shrugs.
"Jack in?"
Dani rolls her eyes and clutches at her chest with a faked gasp.
"One of these days you'll actually mean that, and I won't believe you. He's in the back."
Lev finishes off his next beer, and Dani hands him another. The big Aussie leaning over to kiss her cheek with a soft smile on his face.
"You know I'd marry you in a heartbeat, if I didn't know Jack would have my brains on the other side of the wall in an instant."
"He has that effect on a lot of people."
Levinator grins and moves around to the side, slowly strolling through the bar and then headed over for a door in the back. He doesn't bother knocking and instead just walks in, looking over at the balding man behind the desk who stares back but then smiles and stands up. This man is Jack Castle and despite Jack being only about five foot nine inches, he and Lev still share a bro hug, clasping hands and bumping together tightly.
"Lev. Been too long."
"Been on the road, getting my name back out and about there."
The two men move to sit down, Lev taking a swig of his beer while Jack heads over to a bar fridge in the corner of his office and pulls out a beer for himself. Moving over to his desk, he looks over at Lev and chuckles.
"I've heard all about what you've been upto, Big Fella. You're not exactly hard to keep an eye on."
"Let me guess, all those spies you've built up over the years coming in handy?"
"Nope. Twitter."
Levinator stares at him for a moment and then bows his head with a groan. Jack is all smiles as he takes a swig of his beer, while Lev just shakes his head softly. After a moment, jack chuckles.
"So, what brings you here Lev? Still trying to get in my daughter's pants?"
"Nope. I stopped that after the last time you shoved a shotgun at my crotch and offered to give me a free vasectomy."
"Smart boy."
Levinator takes a swig of his beer and then rolls the bottle around over his hand. After a moment he sighs and shakes his head.
"I guess.....I guess I'm here, because I need guidance. And the last time I tried to walk inside a church, the floorboards cracked under my feet. I took it as a sign."
"As I recall, Father Mulcahy warned you the those two floorboards were old and rickety when you climbed the stairs, but you didn't believe him."
"I don't recall hearing that."
"I bet you don't. You have an astounding capability of not hearing when people are warning you against doing something stupid."
"Like you did, when you warned me against training Blake Archer."
"Ah."
Jack sets his beer aside and then leans back in his seat. Hands steepled in his lap as he stares at the behmoth across from him and just stares for a moment.
"That's what this is about."
"I just.....how did you know? Even then?"
Jack gives a slight shrug and glances around at his office walls. He seems to be taking his time to think of what to say but then smiles softly.
"Do you remember what the first thing I said to you when we met was?"
Levinator seems to be considering it for a moment but then hazards a guess.
"Fuck, you've been eating your greens haven't you?"
"Okay. The second thing."
"If you're going to make it in this business, you need to trust your instincts."
Jack nods and sits forward with a smile
"I've been in this business now for thirty five years. And in that time, that is still my Golden Rule. Trust your instincts. It's how I knew, when I came across that pimply faced but massive Australian rookie, I'd come across something good. It's how I knew, when you brought me files on guys like LJ Summers and Travis Levitt, that they would do well. It's how I knew you would be stepping in dog shit when you walked inside WWH. I ain't made much of an impact on the business, but.....I trust my instincts. And over the past 13 years, you've ridden a lot of highs and lows. And most of them came from that shit storm of the Hart family."
"But Blake...."
"When you took over there little developmental territory, I told you you weren't ready. But you didn't want to listen, and thats your call. I respect a man that stands by his decisions, even when they are monumentally stupid. And when you brought me some folders and some videos, asked me for my input, I was only too glad to help. But what pisses me off the most, is that even after asking me my thoughts and asking for my opinion, you still ignored me. So you tell me, Big Man. Why the fuck should I help you now?"
"Because Blake Archer is a fucking cockroach, and no matter what I do, he just won't fucking die."
Jack stares at Levinator for a moment and then smiles and nods, giving a slight shrug of his shoulders as he picks up his beer for a swig.
"Archer was never anything special. When you saw him, you saw this little sycophant that just kissed your ass, blew up your ego, and made you feel good. But I saw a dude that could barely tell a wristlock from a wristwatch, wasn't that gifted athletically, and all he really wanted was the attention. And you gave it to him. You gave him that attention, and he turned around with his head blown up by your big words and thought he was something. That's on you. You had your chance to crush Archer, before he'd even stepped foot in a ring. And you blew it. So you want the skinny, big man? You can't kill Archer now. It's too late."
"So, what you're telling me is, because I didn't squash him then, now he's going to keep bouncing back up again and again?"
Jack gives a small nod of his head and takes another swig of his beer and nods softly.
"Pretty much. You done fucked up, son."
Levinator groans and leans forward to rest his head on the palm of his hand. Jack watches him for a moment but then leans back and breaks the silence of the moment.
"Although...."
Levinator's head comes up quickly and he looks over at Jack with hope in his eyes.
"What?"
"You can't break him. Archer's too blown up on his own self worth and the love of the crowd. But what you can do is show him just how pathetic he still is. I mean, how long has he been in Union?"
"End of last year, I think."
"Well, you've already shown him how vulnerable he is at Union. You've already taken away his chance at winning Guerilla Warfare. If you really want to hurt him, and remind him how pathetic he truly is, do what he can't. Win Guerrilla Warfare."
"Well, I was already planning on winning Warfare. But I don't get how that hurts Blake."
"It's simple, Big Man. Right now, somewhere out there Archer is sitting with his eye in a patch, staring at a picture of you and wishing nothing but death upon you. He's itching for that day when he can return to the ring. Because he wants that big match with you. And the biggest stage possible would be Coup de Grace...."
"But if I win Guerrilla Warfare, he won't get the chance. He'll have to wait until I'm ready to fight him."
"Exactly."
Levinator raises his bottle, and Jack reaches over to tap bottles with him as the two men grin happily.
"Jack, you're a genius."
"That's what they tell me."
the two men laugh and the scene slowly fades to black.....
---
It fades back in on a shot of Levinator sitting looking down at his phone and the big man is sitting in what looks like an airport terminal as he grins at the camera.
"G'Day Union! You didn't think you'd seen the last of me, did you? No No. I know Guerrilla Warfare is in a few short days, but I just couldn't help but to take this brief chance to talk to you all. Right now, I'm in the airport waiting for the plane to board, and it seems as good a place as any to take my time and really elaborate on whats about to happen inside Guerrilla Warfare."
“See, I know there are a lot of people putting their names up for this bad boy. Emery Layton. Alyssa Daniels. Joe Stanton. Josie Pleasure. And those are just the ones I've seen on the Union Battleground website already. I haven't watched them myself of course, because I'm far too busy being better then you, but I'm sure they had a good effort. Aside from Emery. Emery was probably stupid. But it's what she does, so more power to her. No, I'm not going to get specific here, I know that would be nigh impossible. Running down the list of people that might be fighting inside Warfare is insane....so instead, let me talk a little bit about my favourite subject. Me.”
“I've been wrestling now for eighteen years. Now, a few knee surgeries have kept my in-ring time significantly down on that figure, but I've been in this business for eighteen years. And no matter what anyone says, I'm not close to finished. Not yet. I'm a twelve time World Champion, from WWH to ICWA and the current and reigning PCWA Undisputed Champion. I've fought all sorts of legends, like Terry Marvin, Jack Diamond, Baby Bling and, of course, Jonny V. I've gone toe-to-toe with John Baron, and made him my bitch. And if you've heard anything different, it's Fake News. I trained people like Ash Dubois and Lucky Lawliet. So when I sit here, and I tell you that I've fought them all and then some, I mean it.”
The Australian pops his head up as he hears an announcement from the PA but shakes his head softly.
"Not my flight....anyway, where was I.....oh right. I've fought them all, so when I step into that ring at Guerrilla Warfare, I'm not going to get any surprises. Every single person that enters that ring, I have seen someone just like them before. Emery Layton reminds me of Sprit Fire. A gutsy woman that always gives her best, win lose or draw. Finn Whelan reminds me of Zane Strident. A cocky young bastard that just doesn't know when he's screwed. Joe Stanton, the grizzled veteran still bringing it every week reminds me of 'The Stallion' Tony Jones. Nothing you do can catch me off guard. Nothing they do can best me. And then, of course, there's the elephant in the room...."
Levinator pulls the phone as far away from him as possible staring at the camera with one hand, while using his other hand to run over his chest and back up.
"Me. I am Seven foot Two, and Four Hundred Pounds. What the fuck do you people think you can do against me? How do you have any hope of taking me down? You can't knock me out of the ring, you won't make me tap, and you for damn sure won't keep my shoulders down for three. Here's your reality check Union Battleground, take a good long look at this face. Because come Coup de Grace, this is the man that is going to walk right over Nemesis and become your NEW Union Battleground Champion. And there isn't a damn thing any of you can do about it."
Levinator pauses again as he hears another announcement and shakes his head. Sighing as he glances at the camera.
"Guerrilla Warfare is in the Mile High city, and in a way thats fitting. Because I'm going to be tossing each and every one of you a mile high on my way to the top. And the best bit is, Blakey Boy? I know you'll be watching. Sitting at home, trying to watch the TV screen with a blurry look as you try to adjust to life with just one eye. And through that one eye, you're going to have to watch as I take what could have been yo----Nope. Can't finish that sentence with a straight face. But you could have had the chance at this. A one in a bazillion chance, but its a chance. And I took it from you. And do you know how that makes me feel?"
Levinator takes a deep breath and then lets it out with a big grin and a happy little sigh.
"So so happy. Because taking things away from you is the best thing I can do. Removing any chance of you being /anything/ in this business makes me happy. It makes my soul soar and my dick hard. And when that day finally comes when you turn away and walk away from this business, whether its willingly or on the end of my boot, well....on that day I want you to be able to look back to times like now. When I entered the Guerrilla Warfare and made it my bitch. And there isn't a damn thing you or anyone else can do about it."
Levinator pauses again as he hears another announcement and nods before reaching over to his bag.
"Thats my flight. So, I guess I'll see whatever unlucky saps want to come to Denver for an ass-kicking when I get in that ring. But when it's all over, just remember there's only one person that has an actual chance to win. And that's the Levinator, Bitch!"
And with that he shuts it off and the scene cuts to black.
"Dani! Are your beers cold this time?"
"Absolutely. I kept the Fosters on ice, just for you."
"You ever going to tire of that joke?"
Dani is all smiles as she reaches under the bar and as Levinator reaches it, she pops up and cracks open a stubby of Miller's, setting it down in front of him. The big Australian is quick to pick it up and skol it down, not stopping until the entire beer is gone and as he sets the empty bottle down, another beer is already opened and waiting and Levinator lets out a belch before looking at Dani and picking up his new beer smiling.
"Cheers."
Dani merely smiles back, picking back up the jug and a handtowel to get back to wiping as she watches him patiently.
"Been a few weeks. You been off gallivanting around the world again?"
"Something like that. Had some old business to take care of. A cockroach that just won't bloody die. You know how it is."
As if on cue, Dani takes a step back away from the bar and stomps down, a loud crunching sound being heard before she turns back to look at Lev. The Aussie giant merely raises an eyebrow at her and she gives a small shrug.
"I've got a little experience, yeah."
Levinator grins and shakes his head, taking another swig from his beer, while Dani heads over to serve another regular a beer. Coming back over to Lev, she watches him and tilts her head sideways.
"So, what brings you here tonight? Got tired of drinking at home alone?"
"You know me, Dani. I came here to see your smiling face and enjoy your upbeat personality."
Dani stares at him for a moment and then crosses her arms over her chest. Lev looks at her for a moment but then grins at her and shrugs.
"Jack in?"
Dani rolls her eyes and clutches at her chest with a faked gasp.
"One of these days you'll actually mean that, and I won't believe you. He's in the back."
Lev finishes off his next beer, and Dani hands him another. The big Aussie leaning over to kiss her cheek with a soft smile on his face.
"You know I'd marry you in a heartbeat, if I didn't know Jack would have my brains on the other side of the wall in an instant."
"He has that effect on a lot of people."
Levinator grins and moves around to the side, slowly strolling through the bar and then headed over for a door in the back. He doesn't bother knocking and instead just walks in, looking over at the balding man behind the desk who stares back but then smiles and stands up. This man is Jack Castle and despite Jack being only about five foot nine inches, he and Lev still share a bro hug, clasping hands and bumping together tightly.
"Lev. Been too long."
"Been on the road, getting my name back out and about there."
The two men move to sit down, Lev taking a swig of his beer while Jack heads over to a bar fridge in the corner of his office and pulls out a beer for himself. Moving over to his desk, he looks over at Lev and chuckles.
"I've heard all about what you've been upto, Big Fella. You're not exactly hard to keep an eye on."
"Let me guess, all those spies you've built up over the years coming in handy?"
"Nope. Twitter."
Levinator stares at him for a moment and then bows his head with a groan. Jack is all smiles as he takes a swig of his beer, while Lev just shakes his head softly. After a moment, jack chuckles.
"So, what brings you here Lev? Still trying to get in my daughter's pants?"
"Nope. I stopped that after the last time you shoved a shotgun at my crotch and offered to give me a free vasectomy."
"Smart boy."
Levinator takes a swig of his beer and then rolls the bottle around over his hand. After a moment he sighs and shakes his head.
"I guess.....I guess I'm here, because I need guidance. And the last time I tried to walk inside a church, the floorboards cracked under my feet. I took it as a sign."
"As I recall, Father Mulcahy warned you the those two floorboards were old and rickety when you climbed the stairs, but you didn't believe him."
"I don't recall hearing that."
"I bet you don't. You have an astounding capability of not hearing when people are warning you against doing something stupid."
"Like you did, when you warned me against training Blake Archer."
"Ah."
Jack sets his beer aside and then leans back in his seat. Hands steepled in his lap as he stares at the behmoth across from him and just stares for a moment.
"That's what this is about."
"I just.....how did you know? Even then?"
Jack gives a slight shrug and glances around at his office walls. He seems to be taking his time to think of what to say but then smiles softly.
"Do you remember what the first thing I said to you when we met was?"
Levinator seems to be considering it for a moment but then hazards a guess.
"Fuck, you've been eating your greens haven't you?"
"Okay. The second thing."
"If you're going to make it in this business, you need to trust your instincts."
Jack nods and sits forward with a smile
"I've been in this business now for thirty five years. And in that time, that is still my Golden Rule. Trust your instincts. It's how I knew, when I came across that pimply faced but massive Australian rookie, I'd come across something good. It's how I knew, when you brought me files on guys like LJ Summers and Travis Levitt, that they would do well. It's how I knew you would be stepping in dog shit when you walked inside WWH. I ain't made much of an impact on the business, but.....I trust my instincts. And over the past 13 years, you've ridden a lot of highs and lows. And most of them came from that shit storm of the Hart family."
"But Blake...."
"When you took over there little developmental territory, I told you you weren't ready. But you didn't want to listen, and thats your call. I respect a man that stands by his decisions, even when they are monumentally stupid. And when you brought me some folders and some videos, asked me for my input, I was only too glad to help. But what pisses me off the most, is that even after asking me my thoughts and asking for my opinion, you still ignored me. So you tell me, Big Man. Why the fuck should I help you now?"
"Because Blake Archer is a fucking cockroach, and no matter what I do, he just won't fucking die."
Jack stares at Levinator for a moment and then smiles and nods, giving a slight shrug of his shoulders as he picks up his beer for a swig.
"Archer was never anything special. When you saw him, you saw this little sycophant that just kissed your ass, blew up your ego, and made you feel good. But I saw a dude that could barely tell a wristlock from a wristwatch, wasn't that gifted athletically, and all he really wanted was the attention. And you gave it to him. You gave him that attention, and he turned around with his head blown up by your big words and thought he was something. That's on you. You had your chance to crush Archer, before he'd even stepped foot in a ring. And you blew it. So you want the skinny, big man? You can't kill Archer now. It's too late."
"So, what you're telling me is, because I didn't squash him then, now he's going to keep bouncing back up again and again?"
Jack gives a small nod of his head and takes another swig of his beer and nods softly.
"Pretty much. You done fucked up, son."
Levinator groans and leans forward to rest his head on the palm of his hand. Jack watches him for a moment but then leans back and breaks the silence of the moment.
"Although...."
Levinator's head comes up quickly and he looks over at Jack with hope in his eyes.
"What?"
"You can't break him. Archer's too blown up on his own self worth and the love of the crowd. But what you can do is show him just how pathetic he still is. I mean, how long has he been in Union?"
"End of last year, I think."
"Well, you've already shown him how vulnerable he is at Union. You've already taken away his chance at winning Guerilla Warfare. If you really want to hurt him, and remind him how pathetic he truly is, do what he can't. Win Guerrilla Warfare."
"Well, I was already planning on winning Warfare. But I don't get how that hurts Blake."
"It's simple, Big Man. Right now, somewhere out there Archer is sitting with his eye in a patch, staring at a picture of you and wishing nothing but death upon you. He's itching for that day when he can return to the ring. Because he wants that big match with you. And the biggest stage possible would be Coup de Grace...."
"But if I win Guerrilla Warfare, he won't get the chance. He'll have to wait until I'm ready to fight him."
"Exactly."
Levinator raises his bottle, and Jack reaches over to tap bottles with him as the two men grin happily.
"Jack, you're a genius."
"That's what they tell me."
the two men laugh and the scene slowly fades to black.....
---
It fades back in on a shot of Levinator sitting looking down at his phone and the big man is sitting in what looks like an airport terminal as he grins at the camera.
"G'Day Union! You didn't think you'd seen the last of me, did you? No No. I know Guerrilla Warfare is in a few short days, but I just couldn't help but to take this brief chance to talk to you all. Right now, I'm in the airport waiting for the plane to board, and it seems as good a place as any to take my time and really elaborate on whats about to happen inside Guerrilla Warfare."
“See, I know there are a lot of people putting their names up for this bad boy. Emery Layton. Alyssa Daniels. Joe Stanton. Josie Pleasure. And those are just the ones I've seen on the Union Battleground website already. I haven't watched them myself of course, because I'm far too busy being better then you, but I'm sure they had a good effort. Aside from Emery. Emery was probably stupid. But it's what she does, so more power to her. No, I'm not going to get specific here, I know that would be nigh impossible. Running down the list of people that might be fighting inside Warfare is insane....so instead, let me talk a little bit about my favourite subject. Me.”
“I've been wrestling now for eighteen years. Now, a few knee surgeries have kept my in-ring time significantly down on that figure, but I've been in this business for eighteen years. And no matter what anyone says, I'm not close to finished. Not yet. I'm a twelve time World Champion, from WWH to ICWA and the current and reigning PCWA Undisputed Champion. I've fought all sorts of legends, like Terry Marvin, Jack Diamond, Baby Bling and, of course, Jonny V. I've gone toe-to-toe with John Baron, and made him my bitch. And if you've heard anything different, it's Fake News. I trained people like Ash Dubois and Lucky Lawliet. So when I sit here, and I tell you that I've fought them all and then some, I mean it.”
The Australian pops his head up as he hears an announcement from the PA but shakes his head softly.
"Not my flight....anyway, where was I.....oh right. I've fought them all, so when I step into that ring at Guerrilla Warfare, I'm not going to get any surprises. Every single person that enters that ring, I have seen someone just like them before. Emery Layton reminds me of Sprit Fire. A gutsy woman that always gives her best, win lose or draw. Finn Whelan reminds me of Zane Strident. A cocky young bastard that just doesn't know when he's screwed. Joe Stanton, the grizzled veteran still bringing it every week reminds me of 'The Stallion' Tony Jones. Nothing you do can catch me off guard. Nothing they do can best me. And then, of course, there's the elephant in the room...."
Levinator pulls the phone as far away from him as possible staring at the camera with one hand, while using his other hand to run over his chest and back up.
"Me. I am Seven foot Two, and Four Hundred Pounds. What the fuck do you people think you can do against me? How do you have any hope of taking me down? You can't knock me out of the ring, you won't make me tap, and you for damn sure won't keep my shoulders down for three. Here's your reality check Union Battleground, take a good long look at this face. Because come Coup de Grace, this is the man that is going to walk right over Nemesis and become your NEW Union Battleground Champion. And there isn't a damn thing any of you can do about it."
Levinator pauses again as he hears another announcement and shakes his head. Sighing as he glances at the camera.
"Guerrilla Warfare is in the Mile High city, and in a way thats fitting. Because I'm going to be tossing each and every one of you a mile high on my way to the top. And the best bit is, Blakey Boy? I know you'll be watching. Sitting at home, trying to watch the TV screen with a blurry look as you try to adjust to life with just one eye. And through that one eye, you're going to have to watch as I take what could have been yo----Nope. Can't finish that sentence with a straight face. But you could have had the chance at this. A one in a bazillion chance, but its a chance. And I took it from you. And do you know how that makes me feel?"
Levinator takes a deep breath and then lets it out with a big grin and a happy little sigh.
"So so happy. Because taking things away from you is the best thing I can do. Removing any chance of you being /anything/ in this business makes me happy. It makes my soul soar and my dick hard. And when that day finally comes when you turn away and walk away from this business, whether its willingly or on the end of my boot, well....on that day I want you to be able to look back to times like now. When I entered the Guerrilla Warfare and made it my bitch. And there isn't a damn thing you or anyone else can do about it."
Levinator pauses again as he hears another announcement and nods before reaching over to his bag.
"Thats my flight. So, I guess I'll see whatever unlucky saps want to come to Denver for an ass-kicking when I get in that ring. But when it's all over, just remember there's only one person that has an actual chance to win. And that's the Levinator, Bitch!"
And with that he shuts it off and the scene cuts to black.