The beginning of a dynasty
Jan 21, 2018 20:17:51 GMT
CEO Vincent Pryde and Commish Lamarche like this
Post by Kendrick Kross on Jan 21, 2018 20:17:51 GMT
The night, not unlike any other New York night at this time of year was cold and bitter. Light, fluffy snow had started falling a couple hours ago and has continued since. I’m in the penthouse suite sitting in a black leather chair next to the glass sliding door that leads out to the balcony. The snow has started to pile up on the windowsill across the room from me, with as much snow as we’ve gotten it’s piled about a quarter way up the window.
The balcony itself has been covered with half a foot of snow. Too much for me to go out in. My left leg is crossed over my right, with my right hand grasping my left ankle and my left hand holding a glass of Makers Mark Whiskey. I look out of the glass sliding door onto the balcony watching as each snowflake, different than the other, piles on top of the previous ones.
I take a sip of the Whiskey then my iPhone in the pocket of my black jeans begins to ring and vibrate. I set the glass down on the wooden end table next to the chair and pull my phone out of my pocket.
I glance at the caller ID nd see it says Jess, who is one of my closest friends. I press the green accept button, put it on speaker, then say “Hello”
Jess: Hey, K! How are you?
Kendrick: I’m good, Jess. What’s up?
Jess: Not much, I was just calling to check up, I see you got a wrestling gig.
Kendrick: Yeah, got one over here at NBW. Excited for my first match here.
Jess: I saw. A triple threat. You ready for that?
Kendrick: You know it. I’ve done them before. I hate that my first one here is a triple threat, I was hoping I could get a singles match. But no matter what, I’m good with it.
Jess: You see who you’re facing? They don’t seem too much, do they?
Kendrick: Can’t underestimate anyone, Jess. I’m not going to try to either.
Jess: You do you, K. You always will. I have faith, kick some ass. I’ve got to go.
Kendrick: You know I will, and I’ll do it for you. See ya Jess.
I press the red end button. A smile creeps across my face, Jess’ voice always seems to calm me down. It’s like therapy. It’s for times like the one I’m in now. The match coming up is my first in NBW. Though I’m looking forward to it, it’s not exactly my favorite type of match which worries me. I could go in there and just bomb, look horrible and what would that do for my confidence? It sure wouldn’t help it. I shouldn’t feel nervous and I damn sure shouldn’t worry. This just isn’t a normal feeling for me. It’s something I need to get out of me, but how am I going to do that?
“So, my first match just happens to be a triple threat, lucky me right? I’m going up against a prick who calls himself Mr. NBW and a big guy who needs a manager. Are you two supposed to scare me?”
The nervousness in my voice trailed off with every word spoken. I’m getting more confident with each word spoken, though, I can honestly say that I’m not sure if it’s truly me being confident or if I’m faking it. In any case, the words are followed by me grabbing the Whiskey glass again, taking a drink and grabbing an ice cube to bite it in half, letting the other half fall back into the glass.
“It’s kind of sad though. A new guy gets put into a triple threat with a guy who has had multiple matches here in NBW. Isn’t that a bit sad? Shouldn’t he be in a different match rather than with some newbie? Or is it that he just can’t be trusted in a match with another established person? Then we got this other dude. Who must think he’s big and bad yet has to come to the ring with a manager. That’s interesting.”
Uncrossing my legs I now switch positions. My right leg now resting on my left. The confidence started to increase with the nervousness getting smaller in my eyes, disappearing slowly back to where it came from.
“So the first guy we have is Mr. Shadow Love. What’s with that name? Does he make love to shadows? Or does he make love in the shadows? You know what. I don’t want to know. Not to mention the name Halfbreed. What is his other half? Or is he implying he is half a man? I think it could be the latter, he is half a man.”
I laugh to myself approving of the last sentence. The nervousness all gone now, growing to confidence on the border of cocky. My mood has also increased with each word. So much so that a smile has creeped across my face before opening the drawer that is attached to the end table. I pull out a humidor and set it on my leg opening it with a smile. I pull a cigar out and look at it, almost lovingly. I take a deep breath and exhale before sticking the cigar in my mouth, I don’t light it at this time though.
“Have you ever tasted a fine cigar, Shadow Love? It’s one of the best tastes in the world, at least only certain ones that is. Cubans are the best. I’ve gotten off topic though. Let’s focus back onto you, shall we? You call yourself Mr. NBW, The Whole F’N Show. Oh, don’t forget The Face of The Franchise. Come on, Shadow. Could you get any more generic? Like. You could go to any spot, ask a few people what they think they are and they’ll tell you The Whole F’N Show or something similar. Some will even say they’re the face of that company. So please, Shadow. Come up with something original. I get it though, it may be a bit hard for you. Seeing as you have to have Miss Miyamoto speak for you at times. Why is that? Performance issues, Shadow?”
I finally light the cigar and take a drag of it. I exhale and let the smoke come out. I smirk a bit before grasping the cigar in between my thumb and index finger. The taste of the cigar remains in my mouth after the exhale of the smoke. The taste takes me off to a place of almost serenity, well, serenity in my eyes.
“What’s up with you thinking you’re the second coming of Jesus, Shadow? You may not say that but you sure do make it seem that way. Talking yourself up, making it seem that you are so great. You try to make yourself look like you’re above everyone else. As if you’re sitting on a pedestal. I don’t get that though, Shadow. People who have to talk themselves up, like you, usually have issues. What happened, Shadow? Not loved enough as a child? Your god complex gets a little old. It’s simple. You’re a self righteous bastard who thinks he’s great when really, you’re just a Hollywood B Star wannabe.”
I take another drag of the cigar before putting it out and take another drink of the Whiskey. The taste of the cigar and Whiskey mix in my mouth, making one of the best concoctions that one could taste. Uncrossing my legs I stand up and look at the sliding the glass door before leaning on the cool surface.
“You see that snow out there, Shadow? Every flake truly is different. Why can’t that be the same with you. Be different. There’s too many Hollywood B Star wannabes out there. You’re just another one of them. Is that what you truly want? Do you want to follow in the steps of every other wannabe?”
I push off the glass then open the door letting the sharp cool air into the hotel suite, cooling it down dramatically, but still standing by it, arms crossed.
“If there is one thing I am not, Shadow, it’s afraid. I’m not afraid of you, not afraid of that whatever she is Miss Miyamoto, not afraid of your finisher, not afraid of any damn person. I want to know. What is it that makes you think people are afraid of you? Your looks? Your wannabe personality? What is it, Shadow? Is it you think you have some kind of control? That’s just a false sense of hope for you Shadow.”
I uncross my arms and pull the glass door shut. After pulling it shut and locking it I replace my self in the same black chair I was sitting in earlier.
“What the hell is a velveteen wrestler that I’ve heard you talk about so much? Is it supposed to be a weak person, well that sure as hell isn’t me. I’m not just some weak punk who is going to roll over for you or just take whatever shit you have to dish out. That isn’t me, Shadow. So your second coming, egotistical, self righteous, conceited ass can stop dreaming that you might be able to scare the living shit out of me before you even get started.”
I grab the glass of Whiskey, down the rest of it then walk over towards the kitchen and sit the glass down into the sink, my mood suddenly different. I’m more confused now than earlier, but not confused at myself, but rather my other opponent Gray Zee..
“We got another third of that match. It’s Gray Zee. Now, I don’t know much about Zee. I know he calls himself the Big Deal. Just like he has to have a manager to help him. Now, a guy like him doesn’t seem to need a manager. But I guess people need to have secrets and have their own little world to get in to. Maybe his manager puts him in that world.”
I walk away from the kitchen sink to the chair where I replace myself on the black leather. I cross my left leg over my right leg. Adjusting back into the chair I take a deep breath and gather my thoughts, carefully thinking about what I want to say next.
“I’ve been against bigger, I’ve been against badder. Why is it that they didn’t need a manager? Because they felt confident in themselves. They felt confident that they didn’t need help, they didn’t need guidance. It seems that Mr. Big Deal can’t go by that though. The Big Deal needs outside help from a manager. The question is what do you need it for, Zee?”
I adjust my position in the chair, uncrossing my legs putting both feet on the floor, leaning over resting my elbows on my knees and my chin on my fists.
“Mr. Gray will lead you to believe that he doesn’t need a manager he doesn’t need help. He’s big enough. He’d tell you that the manager will have no effect on on the match, is that true though? Do managers ever not have an effect? Every manager I’ve ever seen has caused some sort of distraction in a match and usually helps their guy win. So why should I or anyone else believe your different Gray? You’re not. Just like the so called Mr. NBW, ShadowLove, you are nothing but a stale repeat.”
Raising my chin up from my elbows and laying both arms on the respective arms of the chair I keep my feet planted with my eyebrow raised and a small laugh comes out. My mood switches back to confident, almost cocky.
“That my friends, is why I have the best chance of winning this match. Two stale, repeating people who can’t find their own gimmicks. Who have to repeat someone elses. What happened to originality? Has that gone out the window? I sure hope not. Shadow, Zee, I’ll see you both in the ring on Monday. Laying on your damn backs”
The balcony itself has been covered with half a foot of snow. Too much for me to go out in. My left leg is crossed over my right, with my right hand grasping my left ankle and my left hand holding a glass of Makers Mark Whiskey. I look out of the glass sliding door onto the balcony watching as each snowflake, different than the other, piles on top of the previous ones.
I take a sip of the Whiskey then my iPhone in the pocket of my black jeans begins to ring and vibrate. I set the glass down on the wooden end table next to the chair and pull my phone out of my pocket.
I glance at the caller ID nd see it says Jess, who is one of my closest friends. I press the green accept button, put it on speaker, then say “Hello”
Jess: Hey, K! How are you?
Kendrick: I’m good, Jess. What’s up?
Jess: Not much, I was just calling to check up, I see you got a wrestling gig.
Kendrick: Yeah, got one over here at NBW. Excited for my first match here.
Jess: I saw. A triple threat. You ready for that?
Kendrick: You know it. I’ve done them before. I hate that my first one here is a triple threat, I was hoping I could get a singles match. But no matter what, I’m good with it.
Jess: You see who you’re facing? They don’t seem too much, do they?
Kendrick: Can’t underestimate anyone, Jess. I’m not going to try to either.
Jess: You do you, K. You always will. I have faith, kick some ass. I’ve got to go.
Kendrick: You know I will, and I’ll do it for you. See ya Jess.
I press the red end button. A smile creeps across my face, Jess’ voice always seems to calm me down. It’s like therapy. It’s for times like the one I’m in now. The match coming up is my first in NBW. Though I’m looking forward to it, it’s not exactly my favorite type of match which worries me. I could go in there and just bomb, look horrible and what would that do for my confidence? It sure wouldn’t help it. I shouldn’t feel nervous and I damn sure shouldn’t worry. This just isn’t a normal feeling for me. It’s something I need to get out of me, but how am I going to do that?
“So, my first match just happens to be a triple threat, lucky me right? I’m going up against a prick who calls himself Mr. NBW and a big guy who needs a manager. Are you two supposed to scare me?”
The nervousness in my voice trailed off with every word spoken. I’m getting more confident with each word spoken, though, I can honestly say that I’m not sure if it’s truly me being confident or if I’m faking it. In any case, the words are followed by me grabbing the Whiskey glass again, taking a drink and grabbing an ice cube to bite it in half, letting the other half fall back into the glass.
“It’s kind of sad though. A new guy gets put into a triple threat with a guy who has had multiple matches here in NBW. Isn’t that a bit sad? Shouldn’t he be in a different match rather than with some newbie? Or is it that he just can’t be trusted in a match with another established person? Then we got this other dude. Who must think he’s big and bad yet has to come to the ring with a manager. That’s interesting.”
Uncrossing my legs I now switch positions. My right leg now resting on my left. The confidence started to increase with the nervousness getting smaller in my eyes, disappearing slowly back to where it came from.
“So the first guy we have is Mr. Shadow Love. What’s with that name? Does he make love to shadows? Or does he make love in the shadows? You know what. I don’t want to know. Not to mention the name Halfbreed. What is his other half? Or is he implying he is half a man? I think it could be the latter, he is half a man.”
I laugh to myself approving of the last sentence. The nervousness all gone now, growing to confidence on the border of cocky. My mood has also increased with each word. So much so that a smile has creeped across my face before opening the drawer that is attached to the end table. I pull out a humidor and set it on my leg opening it with a smile. I pull a cigar out and look at it, almost lovingly. I take a deep breath and exhale before sticking the cigar in my mouth, I don’t light it at this time though.
“Have you ever tasted a fine cigar, Shadow Love? It’s one of the best tastes in the world, at least only certain ones that is. Cubans are the best. I’ve gotten off topic though. Let’s focus back onto you, shall we? You call yourself Mr. NBW, The Whole F’N Show. Oh, don’t forget The Face of The Franchise. Come on, Shadow. Could you get any more generic? Like. You could go to any spot, ask a few people what they think they are and they’ll tell you The Whole F’N Show or something similar. Some will even say they’re the face of that company. So please, Shadow. Come up with something original. I get it though, it may be a bit hard for you. Seeing as you have to have Miss Miyamoto speak for you at times. Why is that? Performance issues, Shadow?”
I finally light the cigar and take a drag of it. I exhale and let the smoke come out. I smirk a bit before grasping the cigar in between my thumb and index finger. The taste of the cigar remains in my mouth after the exhale of the smoke. The taste takes me off to a place of almost serenity, well, serenity in my eyes.
“What’s up with you thinking you’re the second coming of Jesus, Shadow? You may not say that but you sure do make it seem that way. Talking yourself up, making it seem that you are so great. You try to make yourself look like you’re above everyone else. As if you’re sitting on a pedestal. I don’t get that though, Shadow. People who have to talk themselves up, like you, usually have issues. What happened, Shadow? Not loved enough as a child? Your god complex gets a little old. It’s simple. You’re a self righteous bastard who thinks he’s great when really, you’re just a Hollywood B Star wannabe.”
I take another drag of the cigar before putting it out and take another drink of the Whiskey. The taste of the cigar and Whiskey mix in my mouth, making one of the best concoctions that one could taste. Uncrossing my legs I stand up and look at the sliding the glass door before leaning on the cool surface.
“You see that snow out there, Shadow? Every flake truly is different. Why can’t that be the same with you. Be different. There’s too many Hollywood B Star wannabes out there. You’re just another one of them. Is that what you truly want? Do you want to follow in the steps of every other wannabe?”
I push off the glass then open the door letting the sharp cool air into the hotel suite, cooling it down dramatically, but still standing by it, arms crossed.
“If there is one thing I am not, Shadow, it’s afraid. I’m not afraid of you, not afraid of that whatever she is Miss Miyamoto, not afraid of your finisher, not afraid of any damn person. I want to know. What is it that makes you think people are afraid of you? Your looks? Your wannabe personality? What is it, Shadow? Is it you think you have some kind of control? That’s just a false sense of hope for you Shadow.”
I uncross my arms and pull the glass door shut. After pulling it shut and locking it I replace my self in the same black chair I was sitting in earlier.
“What the hell is a velveteen wrestler that I’ve heard you talk about so much? Is it supposed to be a weak person, well that sure as hell isn’t me. I’m not just some weak punk who is going to roll over for you or just take whatever shit you have to dish out. That isn’t me, Shadow. So your second coming, egotistical, self righteous, conceited ass can stop dreaming that you might be able to scare the living shit out of me before you even get started.”
I grab the glass of Whiskey, down the rest of it then walk over towards the kitchen and sit the glass down into the sink, my mood suddenly different. I’m more confused now than earlier, but not confused at myself, but rather my other opponent Gray Zee..
“We got another third of that match. It’s Gray Zee. Now, I don’t know much about Zee. I know he calls himself the Big Deal. Just like he has to have a manager to help him. Now, a guy like him doesn’t seem to need a manager. But I guess people need to have secrets and have their own little world to get in to. Maybe his manager puts him in that world.”
I walk away from the kitchen sink to the chair where I replace myself on the black leather. I cross my left leg over my right leg. Adjusting back into the chair I take a deep breath and gather my thoughts, carefully thinking about what I want to say next.
“I’ve been against bigger, I’ve been against badder. Why is it that they didn’t need a manager? Because they felt confident in themselves. They felt confident that they didn’t need help, they didn’t need guidance. It seems that Mr. Big Deal can’t go by that though. The Big Deal needs outside help from a manager. The question is what do you need it for, Zee?”
I adjust my position in the chair, uncrossing my legs putting both feet on the floor, leaning over resting my elbows on my knees and my chin on my fists.
“Mr. Gray will lead you to believe that he doesn’t need a manager he doesn’t need help. He’s big enough. He’d tell you that the manager will have no effect on on the match, is that true though? Do managers ever not have an effect? Every manager I’ve ever seen has caused some sort of distraction in a match and usually helps their guy win. So why should I or anyone else believe your different Gray? You’re not. Just like the so called Mr. NBW, ShadowLove, you are nothing but a stale repeat.”
Raising my chin up from my elbows and laying both arms on the respective arms of the chair I keep my feet planted with my eyebrow raised and a small laugh comes out. My mood switches back to confident, almost cocky.
“That my friends, is why I have the best chance of winning this match. Two stale, repeating people who can’t find their own gimmicks. Who have to repeat someone elses. What happened to originality? Has that gone out the window? I sure hope not. Shadow, Zee, I’ll see you both in the ring on Monday. Laying on your damn backs”