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| Date of RP: 01/20/03 Current Record: 6/0/3 Current Accomplishments: IWF Bad-Ass Champion |
~~Slowly fading in to a shot of a TV
screen and a reporter in front of a set of wooden doors, the muffle and
bluster of wood on wood...long marbled halls, expanding out in all
directions. Hollow, harsh...the sound of justice. The sound
of a fair trial, filled with about enough warmth as the furthest
reaches of the arctic circle. For years upon years, the American
Justice System worked from cold stone buildings, dishing out a form of
justice that was cold and without attatchment. Justice was and
always will be blind, turning its gaze from the people involved and
simply weighing the scales. But is it always fair?~~ REPORTER: We're here today outside the Greater Pittsburgh Courts where former wrestler and business superstar Joey Padrino is being sued by his former employee and former wrestling partner Krev MacDougan. It seems the case- ~~No. The truth of the matter is that it can never be entirely fair. There are always situations that can't be avoided, people not included in the case, information not explored, freak occurances stacking up against someone realistically innocent. People get put away if they're not guilty...it happens every day, and every day criminals are free to walk the street, to repeat what they've done. If they get good enough, they never get caught.~~ REPORTER: ...and that Joey Padrino evidently was not only keeping out of IRS sights, but was also imbezzling money from his own employees, and investing it in over-seas technologies. Companies, including a major media company in Japan, discredit his shares, claiming they were unaware of his illegal activities- ~~But that isn't always the case. Sometimes the right people do get put away, sometimes the good triumph...sometimes things are set right, even after years of wrong. Sometimes, you get that fuzzy little feeling in your stomach knowing that wrongs have been righted.~~ REPORTER: ...but there is also a claim from the defense that the documents presented by prosecuting were actually faked, and that some of the time in question on the documents, MacDougan wasn't in employment by Padrino Enterprises. ~~Sometimes you just have to hold on and hope things are going to be righted, because sometimes things just don't work out the way you wanted them to, and you're forced to accept the fate that you are presented. Sometimes trying your hand at something for years will reap no fruit. It's life, and you accept it, no matter how shitty it turns out to be.~~ REPORTER: Things are looking grim for the prosecution. KMD: Son of a bitch. ~~The shot, once that of just a tv, fades into reality...the reality of a televised event melting screen to screen, bringing the reality of the sitaution to us. KMD, dressed in a simple suit and wearing combat boots, steps out from behind the large wooden doors, followed by a few other men in suits and carrying briefcases. The reporters, now in massive numbers despite what we say moments ago, swarm around KMD, flashing bulbs and yelling out questions. The men in the suits hold out their hands, uselessly trying to block out the cameras. Krev stops, surrounded by people, and looks around.~~ KMD: What the hell is wrong with you people...don't you have anyone else to bug? Get out of my way. ~~Krev attempts to push through the crowd, only coming to meet a wall of bodies armored in video equipment and photography gear. A snarl comes across KMD's face.~~ KMD: [CENSORED]ING MOVE!!! ~~Krev bellows, echoing through the uncaring hallways of justice. The crowd parts, like Moses splitting the sea...split right down the seam and giving him a clear shot out of the hallway.~~ KMD: Damn journalists. ~~KMD, followed by the lawyers, make their way down the hallway, to an open area with benches. Krev sits down and shakes his head, watching the swarm of journalists cover the next person to leave the court.~~ LAWYER1: Mr. MacDougan...things aren't looking so hot. If we can find one more witness...someone else who worked for Joey. Perhaps we can get a few more people beyond Knuckles and Slogfather to fess up? KMD: ...the only thing worse than a journalist is a lawyer. Damn it you people, I know the problem, and if there was someone else, I'd find them. ~~Krev looks up at the lawyers, his face contorted wtih rage.~~ LAWYER2: We're doing the best we can, Mr. MacDougan...Padrino has some strong arms in the system. Everyone has their price, and it seems Padrino had his hands in more than what we thought he did, as it seems there were a lot of people who sold themselves. How many on the IWF's roster has already worked with him. ~~Krev stands back up, running his hands through his hair and looking down a hall. He turns back to the lawyers.~~ KMD: A shitload. Hell, he even had Holliday- ~~Krev pauses, a look of dumfoundedness across his face.~~ KMD: Son of a bitch...Holliday. I forgot all about Holliday... ~~Krev reaches in his pocket, grabbing for a cell phone.~~ KMD: Why didn't I think of Holliday- VOICE: Because you're an idiot. ~~KMD stops and looks straight at the figure of Padrino, a grim smile across his face.~~ KMD: What the hell do you want? Why can't you just leave the IWF alone? PADRINO: Because I want what is mine...and you, nor Holliday or Sensation can seem to get that through their heads. I have to admit, I thought things were going well once Hand was also out of the picture, but the forming of the Anti-Trust is something that I could only dream of...a group of people devoted entirely to wiping out the only saving graces the IWF has...hell, maybe I should make them an offer...I'm sure they'd like some extra funding, as well as a nice cushy job...new cars...all the alcohol and women they could ever need. You have to admit, Krev, my business does have it's upsides...you were one to always partake in those benifits... KMD: It won't work, Joey...you can't stay in contol forever. Things have gotten too bad, and I can see the look of fear coming. I have you on the run in the only manner that you can be beat. We're going to win this case, Joey- ~~Padrino raises his hand, effectively shooshing Krev. He smiles and shakes his finger at Krev.~~ PADRINO: This isn't a wrestling match, Krev. This is the real world...you probably could have always dominated in the ring, but you're like a fish out of water in the real world...we've seen how you live, we see how you dress, and we know all about your family's long line of mental disorders. You're a loon, your son is a loon, your sister is a loon, and that batty old man who trained you was a loon. You are nothing but a man with a long series of short victories and championships without fortitude. When it comes right down to it, you have always failed, Krev, and you will continue to fail. Reality check, here...every title you've ever earned, you left the federation soon after gaining it...you get afraid, Krev. You are afraid of a world that will cease to like you because you didn't get dirty enough, didn't become clever enough to contain and control your world...you became a champion and cracked, because you couldn't take the reality of having something associated with your name, and then having that same thing fail. You are a fool and, as far as I'm concerned, a liar. LAWYER1: We can use anything you say- PADRINO: Blah, blah, blah. I know all the formalities, dufus. This isn't a real case...it never was a real case. All this is is a case of KMD trying to best the guy that bested him all these years. It's a case of KMD's fantasy facing off against the reality of KMD...what are you thinking, Krev? Do you think that going on your own little crusade will draw attention away from the fact that you are a fading and dying star? You went supernova long ago, kid...it's time to hang up the boots and accept your fate as an eternal loser. LAWYER2: Mr. MacDougan will not- ~~Padrino narrows his strong, angry eyes at the Lawyer, effectively shutting him up.~~ KMD: Joey, you may as well shut your trap, because no matter what you try to say or do, you aren't going to break my will...everything you say is loaded with bullshit. You know damn well that I'm not the champion you say I am...You know damn well that I'm the best this world had ever seen- ~~Krev pauses, realising the mistake on his part. Joey smiles.~~ PADRINO: My point exactly, Krev. Just retire already, and spare us your drama...you'd be better off just giving Ebdon your title, and saving yourself the disgrace and humility of being hospitalized with a thrown out back. You were probably going to do that anyway...taking your history into context here. KMD: Eat shit, Joey. ~~Padrino laughs as he pushes himself by KMD, now with his fists balled up and his face red. He turns to the lawyers, motions them to go, and then pulls out the cell phone, dialing a number. We fade to black.~~ ~~The momentarily inky black screen fades back in of a shot of a restaurant, a place warm with the glow of beer and huge sandwhiches. As the camera searches the restaurant, filled with people, mostly college students, it comes to stop on the figure of KMD and his lawyers, his tie undone and his shirt unbuttoned a few notches. He drinks heavily from a large glass mug. A large sandwhich, something that resembles a cheese steak, only loaded with coleslaw and french fries on top of the meat and cheese. The lawyers lean in closer, trying to hear Krev over the mass of students...the camera gets close enough to hear the conversation.~~ KMD: I still can't get through...he's a difficult man to get ahold of, but do you think you could keep the trial going on long enough for me to get ahold of him? ~~The lawyers nod.~~ LAWYER2: We're running off of your buck...we can keep it going as long as you want. The defense is riddled with gaps we could pick at. KMD: Alright, yeah, whatever. Just make sure you can keep it going...I have a few problems I'm going to have to deal with in the upcoming week or two. ~~Krev nods to the lawyers as they get up and leave. Krev takes a large bite out of the sandwhich, and then leans back.~~ KMD: ...problems with Ebdon. Damn it...I don't know if you realize this or not yet, Ebdon, but the Anti-Trust aren't concerned with just THE TRU$T...hell, I don't know if anyone should be concerned with THE TRU$T. Our numbers have dwindled, and our strength has been stunted. We can't rely on numbers anymore, and we can't rely on as many eyes anymore...the only thing that we have going for us...Windsor and I...is our skill. It's more than enough to take care of the Anti-Tru$t's feeble attempts...but to take care of your threat...well... ~~KMD frowns as he sits up straight and takes a long swig from his glass.~~ KMD: I just don't know anymore. I admit it before anything else...you are good. I've discredited you, I've dissed you...but when you get right down to it...you are good. You're in-ring skills are only matched by your own microphone skills...you can hold the attention of some...although sometimes rather long-windedly. I'm giving credit where credit is due and where credit wasn't given due. I was wrong about you. ~~Krev takes another long swig from the glass and smiles.~~ KMD: And the only thing that matches and exceeds all of that...everything you can or ever will do...is, of course, the skills of the legend sitting right here before you. ~~KMD downs the rest of the glass, staring straight at the camera, the eyes of an animal.~~ KMD: Yack all you want, Ebdon. Give us some nice filler for those long silent moments that blip across your thought patterns...fill all that white space with meaningless white noise...background...filler. Yack and yack and yack, because that's all you're going to be able to do. They say I've faded...they say that my glory days are over. Give up, toss in the towel...leave with dignity. You know what I think of all that? I'm sure you have a good idea of my thoughts, but, to reinforce and perhaps remind the forgetful: ~~He slowly rises out of his chair, pointing his finger at the camera.~~ KMD: [CENSORED] that. [CENSORED] that, and [CENSORED] you. ~~He sits back down and pours some more beer into his glass, speaking and glancing up at the camera.~~ KMD: Yeah, it may be a brutish and plain way of putting it, but it's the truth, and it's the KMD way. They tell me to stop, I keep going. They tell me to sink, I swim. Whatever the case, the point is you don't ever tell KMD what to do...what he should or shouldn't do. Maybe it gets me into trouble, maybe it takes it's toll on me...but the point is is that it's the only thing I still have. My strength has faded, my stamina is lowered. Hell, my sperm count is probably getting low in the numbers too, but that doesn't stop me. ~~He pauses, winking at the camera.~~ KMD: None of that stops me...because I still have what the rest of this damn fed lost long, long ago...it's 2 little things called heart and perserviance. Do you think I'm at the top because I blew right through everyone? Shit no...I pushed and pushed and pushed, always challenging myself and patiently working my way to the top. Hell, half of the people associated with wrestling at my age die early or have long since retired, but I continue onward. It's because I pushed and challenged myself I'm able to keep on doing it. Take those medical papers, look them over...photocopy them if you want, keep some back-ups...because when it gets down to the line, I'm going to take those papers and shove them straight up your ass. No one, not no doctor, not no psychologist, is going to tell KMD what to do...hell, if Sensation or Holliday told me to quit, politely asking me for my own health, I'd tell them the same damn thing. They learned long, long ago that you don't temper KMD with orders...especially if those orders go against everything he stands for. I'd tell them I quit before I retire...there are always other feds out there more than happy to pick up KMD. ~~KMD runs his finger up and down the side of the glass, collecting and pooling the sweat on the side of the glass. He looks back up at the camera, a look of concern on his face.~~ KMD: But I don't...I've committed myself to this fed...this is the fed that Holliday and I built, and I'll be damned if we're going to let it fall through the cracks because of another mess of failed businessmen and corrupt paper champions. Do you realize how sick the IWF looked when you were champion, Ebdon? Yeah, W3 did give you a lot to enhance your image...let you stick out your cocky-ass rooster tail and cluck and caw like the cock you are. It gave you the look and feel of a champion...but this isn't W3, and this isn't the IWF you remember...this title takes something of a higher caliber...and, quite frankly, you fall short. KMD: But don't let my words get you down...don't take this as a personal slam...but you just aren't good enough for this title. It is my duty to make sure that travesty doesn't happen again. Ever. ~~KMD turns and takes a long swig from the glass. He rubs his temples.~~ KMD: The sick thing is I almost feel sorry for you. I almost feel sorry that you think you are going to blast through me...not because it would hurt your feelings to lose, but I know damn well you just won't cut it...those youngsters...those "Anti-Tru$t"...they aren't after THE TRU$T at all. What they're really after is that gold...you know how long stables last when they're all out for the same gold. They may not say it, and they sure as hell keep their intentions secret from each other...but they'd stab each other in the back if they got the chance at the gold. If they were after The TRU$T, which really doesn't make much sense other than taking away our gold, then they are certifiably nuts. Do we even pose a threat to them anymore? No...what I'm getting at is that no matter who ascends the throne of Champ, they'll be after them...TRU$T member or not...which doesn't make you safe from shit. ~~Krev looks up at the camera, the sound in the bar beginning to pick up a little bit. He speaks over it.~~ KMD: How am I better suited? For one thing, I'm that damn good and, as once upon a time we found out, I am indeed THE MAN. Secondly, I have Windsor watching my back...I can trust him, hence the name of the stable. We'll be able to make short order of these upstarts...give them shots at gold, and dazzle their eyes. That's the thing about a name...it tends to take on the qualities it implies...Tru$t = trust. Anti-Trust = I think you know what I'm getting at...these guys have a long way to go and much, much more to learn before they band together in their little rabble groups and try to take on the biggest thing in front of them, hoping it will make them look better. ~~Krev smiles and inches closer to the camera, getting a narrow shot of his face.~~ KMD: And that's the real kicker of my message, Ebby. They, these gnat-like little pests, swarm around and attack the biggest thing they see, hoping to get a piece of it's power or glory or whatever the hell it has...which, in my case, could be a steaming pile of horse shit, but that's neither here nor there. Everyone wants a piece of KMD...it places him at the top of the food chain...the guy to beat. Yeah, after KMD there is still the Imperial Champion to go through...but no one seems to see that, do they? All they see is the first guy in front of them...the biggest obstacle to whatever it is they want...and they go for it, charging into battle blindly. I am the biggest man in this fed, and everyone is afraid of that fact...they try to put me down because of my age, because of my style, because of my own instability, but the truth of the matter is that it really burns you...all of you...that the fans still come back for more of KMD. Why AREN'T they talking about you? It's your turn to shine, right? It's time for the spotlight to shine down on you and proclaim you the cock of the walk. You want to be the one they think of when someone says "damn, he IS good". You want to hold the title high above your head and make all your dreams come true...but you find yourselves saying: ~~Krev leans back in the chair, speaking in a whiny voice.~~ KMD: It's just not fair!!! I want to be THE MAN!!! ~~He sits forward again, speaking close to the camera.~~ KMD: You know what I say about all that horse shit? [CENSORED] that. I am the best, and all of my attention makes you jealous of that fact. There are reasons as to why I've held the Bad-Ass Title for an uninterupted...despite what Halo claims...battles NOT being the total sum of the war...for an uninterupted period of 2 months....it's called "talent" and "skill", something that, minus a few like Windsor, even come close to faking. ~~He leans back again, taking a long swig from his glass. He returns to the camera for a moment:~~ KMD: Show me the little British bitch who thinks he can be the Champion, and I'll show you the man who can beat him...and his name starts with a K, ends with a D, and has a whole lot of madness with a capital M somewhere in the middle. ~~He downs the rest of the glass, slamming it down on the table as we fade to black, the last imprints of KMD on the screen wearing that million-dollar shit-eating grin on his face.~~ |
