Post by mac on Jul 3, 2023 3:25:27 GMT
“If you're a true warrior, competition doesn't scare you. It makes you better.” - Andrew Whitworth
The Foreword
[on-camera]
I sat at my desk in our recording studio, staring out the window absentmindedly. I knew this match was right around the corner. I wasn’t dreading it, quite the opposite, I was looking forward to it. The remote for the video and audio sat in front of me, and manipulating it, I began recording. I felt like I should start at the beginning.
“In order to understand where we are now, you have to go back to where we started. Don’t worry I’ll give you the condensed version.”
Smiling at the camera, I continue.
“When Chris first approached me about joining CCPE, I was skeptical to be perfectly honest. I really didn’t know Chris at that time, nor did I know any of the people he was hanging around with at the time. He told me then that the organization would be built around 4 people specifically. Sebastian Everett Bryce III, Thad Duke, Peter Vaugh, and myself. Moving forward, he would earn my trust, he never betrayed it, not even once. I can’t say the same for most of the original CCPE at that time. Of course, over time we would lose members and gain new ones. Thad and Seb would leave for whatever reasons they had, while we gained new people. The one thing that remained constant was my relationship with Chris. You could say that he and I have been friends since day one, we just clicked.”
I stood up from my chair and began slowly walking to the podium as I continued.
“The true nature of my relationship with Chris Page has always been out there, no agendas, no bullshit towards each other. We are friends, cohorts in crime, and brothers.”
It’s the nature of this business to betray one another it would seem, I thought to myself as I continued.
“I’ve not had many other true friendships in this business, I can count them on one hand. Chris is among them. People like “Godly” Ken Davison, Kat Jones, my wife Amber, and a few others. He’s someone that I can call in the middle of the night and he’ll come to wherever I am. He’s in a select company for a reason. I’ve never had to question his loyalty and I feel like he’s never had to question mine. Guys like Joe Montuori are a dime a dozen, with no loyalty, no respect, and no hope for redemption. While guys like Chris and the others are once a generation talents and lifelong friendships. What separates them?”
I smile as I continue talking about them.
“Honor, integrity, and actual values that they live into. I’m proud of these relationships, and a big part of that is none of them have ever tried to use me.”
I shake my head.
“No, that’s not their style, these are people who’ve worked hard their entire lives. I’m not saying any of them and especially with Chris are flawless, that’s not the case at all. Chris and I have our moments where we don’t agree, we’re simply human.”
I smile as I continue.
“That’s not to say that Chris and I don’t talk shit to each other, we definitely do that. It’s done in good fun and never with malice. It was during one of those times that we talked about our time in this business and the fact that we had never faced each other before.”
I finally reached the podium and rested my hands on its surface. I gave the camera a gentle, yet genuine smile as I continued.
“We had tried to schedule this in a company that we were in together, but I guess they didn’t like a big payday and refused to schedule it. Chris had lost to a guy who was returning to the business after a long hiatus. They used that to justify not having the match for the Sin City World Title that I held at that time. So it was what it was and, that was fine, nothing can be done to change it so we don’t dwell on that. We’ll call it professional courtesy and leave it at that.
Taking on a more serious tone, a somber one even.
“Things you won’t see in my promo is the way that I would normally address an opponent. Normally I would go after weaknesses and strengths in the same fashion, shredding my opponent but there’s no need for that. All you can expect is a friendly promo against a man whose friendship I value. I find it a bit cute that Knox and JMont back and forth on twitter. I was asked why Chris and I weren’t doing that too?”
I smirk as I remembered someone going on and on about how much hype JMont and Knox were bringing to the show.
“Chris and I are not men who have to go out on Twitter and spam the shit out of anyone's timeline to get them excited for a match. All we really have to do is show the fuck up and have the match. Unlike some people, we’ve been headliners for over twenty years, no matter where we went, they always knew that the house was coming down! So for this match, I wanted it to feel different.”
I nod with an evil grin on my face.
“It’s not often that I get the chance to do these, so I’m looking forward to this more than a little bit. This is about two warriors, testing their metal against each other. The Entity World Title is on the line. We get to find out who the best really is between the two of us. Make no mistake about it, neither of us lacks confidence about this. He thinks it’s him and I know it’s me.”
I chuckled softly to myself. My eyes are still very focused, I gazed at the camera for a moment. Allowing my smile to grow broader, I continued.
That in a nutshell is what brought us here for this show. I’ll be honest, I would have accepted this match regardless of whether a title was on the line or not. Anytime you want to prove just how good you are, how tough you are, you take on the best in the business. Chris Page is one of those people, despite his haters and detractors, he’s one of the best that’s ever laced up a pair of boots. Let’s do this you old goat! It’s time to paint the town red!”
I pause for dramatic effect.
“With our own blood!”
(ooc the following CD is a follow up to this one - (https://adambarker1981.proboards.com/thread/16169/leger)
Still, at Kat’s place on her mountain, I watched the dogs come in and out, with occasional dust particles flying up into the sunlight. The dance of the faeries is what I always called it, causing me to smirk and pet them as they came around between Kat and I. I scratched their ears when they stopped long enough. Like this family they were always in motion, barely stopping to get water. I thought back to Kat’s good news and the unanswered questions. The questions still plagued my mind, why did she hide this from the family? I looked up at the pride and joy in her eyes and almost didn’t ask the question, but it was necessary.
Mac: Why did you hide this? You must have known it to be a possibility for a while.
A storm of emotions rushed across her face, guilt, anger, shame, and finally back to pride. I knew that defiant look all too well, having worn a similar one myself on more than one occasion. She finally cracked a smile when she realized that I was very focused on every detail that her facial expressions were giving away.
Kat: You know me, brother, I hate to disappoint people. I hated the thought of those tests coming back negative. It would be a huge blow to the family.
I could see the sincerity in her eyes and her facial expression belied the truth of what she was saying. I knew she wouldn’t lie to me, that isn’t Kat’s way at all. More importantly, she wasn’t wrong, we'd all have been terribly disappointed but there was something she needed to understand.
Mac: Kat, you’re not wrong.
She took that in, and a sigh of relief finally escaped her. She must have realized I had more to say on the subject. She smirked at me and then asked a question of her own, through her smile.
Kat: but….?
I barked a laugh.
Mac: Ha! You know me too well.
I shook my head as she smiled and nodded her affirmation. I placed my hands on both shoulders and smiled at her.
Mac: You should never feel that you have to shoulder these burdens by yourself. That’s all.
She smiled and I gave her a warm hug and grabbed her by the sides of her face and gave her a kiss on the top of her head.
Mac: My sister, my heart.
Fade.
[on-camera]
Meanwhile, back in the studio…
I had allowed my gaze to wander off to the window again as I thought about the many things we’d accomplished together. I came back to reality and allowed the smile to slowly fade to a more business like expression.
“Paint it red with our own blood, indeed. I didn’t think that you and I would be in a match like this, not against each other at least. I give you credit my friend, it takes balls just to defend a title against me. It takes balls of steel to defend that title in a match against me in this type of environment. If anyone watching this now is wondering, this is essentially a street fight.”
I hold up my hand, all five fingers extended.
“In the street.”
I retract my thumb.
“Anything goes.”
I retract my index finger.
“Everything you want to do is legal.”
I fold my middle finger down.
“Anything you could possibly imagine is legal.”
Then my ring finger.
“Let that sink in.”
Then my pinky forming a fist. I slowly lower it back down by my side.
“The first thing you should know is that I have no intention of belittling him because of the match stipulation, I’ve got every reason to question his sanity, or at least his decision making. No sane man would ever select a match like this with a guy who’s known for his ability to destroy other people. Hell, I used to destroy stables for fun, not because I had to, just because I could. Then again, Chris knows me well, he knows he’ll get the most out of this match with me.”
I smirk and shake my head in dismay.
“Chris, I didn’t need any other motivation than you standing across the ring from me. By now, you should know that. I tip my hat to you for not choosing a death match.”
I flash a smile at the camera.
“I also know him well enough to know who he wants in this match. He wants “The Gentleman Wolf”, a name or monicker if you will that I’ve been called by for most of my career. When that man shows up for a fight, he’s respectful until he has no reason to be. He fights fair until someone crosses him. So, that is who I’ll be.”
I chuckle at my own words.
“Don’t get me wrong, that guy is still an asshole and will still bust you open. He’s the kinder and gentler version of me, that’s for sure. Just like he won't talk about the pain maker, I’ll leave that other version of me locked away. No one wants to talk to that guy anyway. No, but I have to say on a more serious note that the whole concept of this match is to punish your opponent. The winner is by pinfall or submission and that’s fine. I’ll take no enjoyment from taking your blood and your title my friend.”
Fade.
Dreams could be powerful things, some believed them to be premonitions of things that could happen while others believed them to be portents of things that would happen. My Great Grandfather was a Cherokee Medi who told me once that the people believed that it represented things that were in your way. Things that held you back from becoming successful in life.
Dream Sequence
The dream was always the same, a blonde-headed woman that I didn’t know stood by the bedside. The room smelled of sex as if we had just gotten done. I was still in bed and she was getting dressed. The clothes she was putting on were not the same as the ones she had worn to the bedroom. She moved with a fluid grace as she slipped the black silk dress on over her head. Even in this dream state, my brain was screaming at me to wake up, but I never could. She was digging through her purse for something.
Woman: Mac, do you think you’ll be the best that ever laced up a pair of boots?
The question didn’t shock me, a lot of people had asked me that over the years. Considering I knew that she was clueless about the wrestling business, my response was clear and concise.
Mac: I already am.
She sat on the edge of the bed with her hand in her purse still. She looked almost sad, like a person who had something to do and would rather be anywhere else in that moment.
Woman: I was hoping you wouldn’t say that this time.
She pulled a revolver out of her purse and rose from the bed. Standing by the window she sighed. She fired a single shot into my chest and I watched in slow motion it seemed as she lept through the window to her death. I somehow struggled to my feet, determined to see where she landed and if she landed. I looked out the window to the street below, she was no longer blonde. Was it a trick of the light, or had she been a redhead all along? My body gave out as it always did and I fell to the floor. As it always did, that’s what woke me from my dream.
Return from the dream sequence
I awoke as usual with sweat pouring from my body, despite the cold that I felt. I crawled out of bed and stretched, my shoulders complained with loud popping sounds, and I grunted as I made my way to the kitchen. things holding me back, I thought to myself. I shook my head in disgust. The moment that my feet hit the tile floor, my coffee pot beeped letting me know that it was ready. I smiled at the sound and poured myself a cup of black coffee.
Mac: At least the caffeine won’t desert me. Unlike my sleep, fuck you, sleep. You’re a dick.
I headed towards the screened-in front porch, turning on the lights for the front porch, and then grabbing smokes. I stepped outside into the coolish air. I paused long enough to light a cigarette, exhaling slowly, my senses were full of the smell of lighter fluid and the acrid smoke. I nodded in contentment and sought out my chair. I sat in it heavily, and set my coffee cup down. Leaning forward, I tried to recall everything my Great Grandfather had told me about dreams like this one.
Mac: He always said these types of dreams were meant to be helpful, representing something that was holding me back.
I thought about it some more, taking another deep hit on my cigarette.
Mac: It wasn’t always a perfect representation, he told me. He had added that it wasn’t likely that it was about a woman at all. He chided me because I had always been surrounded by beautiful women and that might be adding confusion to the dream.
With another drag off my cigarette, I exhaled slowly and it was like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle sliding into place.
Mac: These dreams had started almost two years ago. Not long after I joined CCPE…
I shook my head in dismay.
Mac: Can’t be that, it has to be something else.
The imagery was there though, a lot of people had said that I was in bed with the devil himself. I knew in my heart that it was never Chris that had been in my way. Not the Enterprise either, there were a few that tried to get in my way. That much was true.
Mac: How many times does Joe have to stab me in the back before I wake the fuck up? Every time he does it’s a gut punch. I put way too much faith in people who don’t deserve it.
I took a sip of coffee, black and bitter, just like my heart these days. Like my wife’s attitude toward CCPE and Chris in general.
Mac: God damn, that man knows how to pick a fight with the wrong people. Makes me wonder if he and Knox are related or something.
I could smell the cinnamon and then the laughter from inside. My lovely bride was awake and likely heard everything I just said. I looked over my shoulder and smiled as she smirked at me.
Amber: I knew you’d figure it out eventually, especially if I quit pressing on it.
I smirked in response and raised my cup and she clinked hers against it. I took another sip from my cup after that. I took another drag from my smoke and exhaled slowly again.
Mac: The thing is, as much as you don’t like him, love. Chris Page has never done anything to me, he’s proven to be a friend, time after time.
Amber: I know that, but some of the other lowlifes, those fucks are a completely different story.
I nodded my agreement without further comment. I crushed my cigarette out as the scene fades.
[on-camera]
I stood under the sign that read, Fremont Street, and I smiled.
Mac: The Carnival of Chaos will take place here as will The Entity World Title match against Chris Page.
I stroked my beard with my left hand as someone handed me a fresh scotch on the rocks.
Mac: Hey! I appreciate ya!
He threw a thumbs-up at me as he continued to walk.
Mac: A street fight on Freemont Street, gotta love that shit.
Another group of people walked by, I acknowledged them as they obviously recognized me.
Mac: What I don’t have to love is the hate and detraction from people not in this match. It’s just jealousy at the end of the day.
I sniffed the glass, something was off there, so I set it on a nearby table and continued on.
Mac: JMont is all pissy because it’s not being defended against him. Because you know, Joe thinks he really is the center of the universe. Knox is another one who talked down about this match, much for the same reasons.
I continued to walk, handing out the occasional fist bump to locals I knew.
Mac: None of that really matters. Unless this event generates interest from the industry and the fans. I saw Joe and Matt going at it on social media, trying their best to hype the match. They hate each other and they haven’t even met face to face.
I point at the camera and shake my head and laugh.
Mac: Shit, all Chris and I have to do is be booked for something and show up. That’s all the hype it needs. They wish it was the same for them, they all do, every match on this show is a great one. It’s just not on our level, period, end of story.
I shrug and keep walking down Freemont, now under the canopy as evening approaches. I look upward and the solar system is on display under the canopy.
Mac: Vegas is a great place for a show, no matter what kind you are into this place has it. All of this…
I let the sentence trail off as I point around at everything within view.
Mac: Will pale in comparison to what Page and I do to each other for the world title. The thing is this, this is not just any world title match. This is not some grudge match between bitter old rivals. This ain’t a wrestling match either.
I laugh at the thought of it.
Mac: Nah, this is a war between two men who know exactly how good they are. A battle for a world title belt on the streets of Vegas, where literally anything can and will happen.
I smirk at the camera, then the smirk changes to a grin.
Mac: I have no doubts, there will be folks tempted to interfere in this match. Chris and I already discussed that and I can tell you.
I close my hands into a fist slowly as each knuckle pops.
Mac: If that does happen, just know that I will destroy you. I will react with the vengeance of an Archangel straight from hell.
I allow my fists to loosen and return to an open hand.
Mac: With this match, I exercise my demons and claim victory over a man I love like a brother. The World Title that’s in play is just more motivation for men that require none. The only thing we require is an opportunity to show up and show out. That’s who we’ve been our entire careers.
I smile openly now at the camera, the light in my eyes I can feel as deeply as the fire that rages in my soul.
Mac: I’m coming for the belt, Chris, you think you're better than me, but I know that I’m the one. I’m going to prove that to you and the world. The only thing that ever stands between a man and success is himself, whether it’s in the ring or the boardroom. That particular demon will be gone from my soul. Let’s fucking go!
The Foreword
[on-camera]
I sat at my desk in our recording studio, staring out the window absentmindedly. I knew this match was right around the corner. I wasn’t dreading it, quite the opposite, I was looking forward to it. The remote for the video and audio sat in front of me, and manipulating it, I began recording. I felt like I should start at the beginning.
“In order to understand where we are now, you have to go back to where we started. Don’t worry I’ll give you the condensed version.”
Smiling at the camera, I continue.
“When Chris first approached me about joining CCPE, I was skeptical to be perfectly honest. I really didn’t know Chris at that time, nor did I know any of the people he was hanging around with at the time. He told me then that the organization would be built around 4 people specifically. Sebastian Everett Bryce III, Thad Duke, Peter Vaugh, and myself. Moving forward, he would earn my trust, he never betrayed it, not even once. I can’t say the same for most of the original CCPE at that time. Of course, over time we would lose members and gain new ones. Thad and Seb would leave for whatever reasons they had, while we gained new people. The one thing that remained constant was my relationship with Chris. You could say that he and I have been friends since day one, we just clicked.”
I stood up from my chair and began slowly walking to the podium as I continued.
“The true nature of my relationship with Chris Page has always been out there, no agendas, no bullshit towards each other. We are friends, cohorts in crime, and brothers.”
It’s the nature of this business to betray one another it would seem, I thought to myself as I continued.
“I’ve not had many other true friendships in this business, I can count them on one hand. Chris is among them. People like “Godly” Ken Davison, Kat Jones, my wife Amber, and a few others. He’s someone that I can call in the middle of the night and he’ll come to wherever I am. He’s in a select company for a reason. I’ve never had to question his loyalty and I feel like he’s never had to question mine. Guys like Joe Montuori are a dime a dozen, with no loyalty, no respect, and no hope for redemption. While guys like Chris and the others are once a generation talents and lifelong friendships. What separates them?”
I smile as I continue talking about them.
“Honor, integrity, and actual values that they live into. I’m proud of these relationships, and a big part of that is none of them have ever tried to use me.”
I shake my head.
“No, that’s not their style, these are people who’ve worked hard their entire lives. I’m not saying any of them and especially with Chris are flawless, that’s not the case at all. Chris and I have our moments where we don’t agree, we’re simply human.”
I smile as I continue.
“That’s not to say that Chris and I don’t talk shit to each other, we definitely do that. It’s done in good fun and never with malice. It was during one of those times that we talked about our time in this business and the fact that we had never faced each other before.”
I finally reached the podium and rested my hands on its surface. I gave the camera a gentle, yet genuine smile as I continued.
“We had tried to schedule this in a company that we were in together, but I guess they didn’t like a big payday and refused to schedule it. Chris had lost to a guy who was returning to the business after a long hiatus. They used that to justify not having the match for the Sin City World Title that I held at that time. So it was what it was and, that was fine, nothing can be done to change it so we don’t dwell on that. We’ll call it professional courtesy and leave it at that.
Taking on a more serious tone, a somber one even.
“Things you won’t see in my promo is the way that I would normally address an opponent. Normally I would go after weaknesses and strengths in the same fashion, shredding my opponent but there’s no need for that. All you can expect is a friendly promo against a man whose friendship I value. I find it a bit cute that Knox and JMont back and forth on twitter. I was asked why Chris and I weren’t doing that too?”
I smirk as I remembered someone going on and on about how much hype JMont and Knox were bringing to the show.
“Chris and I are not men who have to go out on Twitter and spam the shit out of anyone's timeline to get them excited for a match. All we really have to do is show the fuck up and have the match. Unlike some people, we’ve been headliners for over twenty years, no matter where we went, they always knew that the house was coming down! So for this match, I wanted it to feel different.”
I nod with an evil grin on my face.
“It’s not often that I get the chance to do these, so I’m looking forward to this more than a little bit. This is about two warriors, testing their metal against each other. The Entity World Title is on the line. We get to find out who the best really is between the two of us. Make no mistake about it, neither of us lacks confidence about this. He thinks it’s him and I know it’s me.”
I chuckled softly to myself. My eyes are still very focused, I gazed at the camera for a moment. Allowing my smile to grow broader, I continued.
That in a nutshell is what brought us here for this show. I’ll be honest, I would have accepted this match regardless of whether a title was on the line or not. Anytime you want to prove just how good you are, how tough you are, you take on the best in the business. Chris Page is one of those people, despite his haters and detractors, he’s one of the best that’s ever laced up a pair of boots. Let’s do this you old goat! It’s time to paint the town red!”
I pause for dramatic effect.
“With our own blood!”
(ooc the following CD is a follow up to this one - (https://adambarker1981.proboards.com/thread/16169/leger)
Still, at Kat’s place on her mountain, I watched the dogs come in and out, with occasional dust particles flying up into the sunlight. The dance of the faeries is what I always called it, causing me to smirk and pet them as they came around between Kat and I. I scratched their ears when they stopped long enough. Like this family they were always in motion, barely stopping to get water. I thought back to Kat’s good news and the unanswered questions. The questions still plagued my mind, why did she hide this from the family? I looked up at the pride and joy in her eyes and almost didn’t ask the question, but it was necessary.
Mac: Why did you hide this? You must have known it to be a possibility for a while.
A storm of emotions rushed across her face, guilt, anger, shame, and finally back to pride. I knew that defiant look all too well, having worn a similar one myself on more than one occasion. She finally cracked a smile when she realized that I was very focused on every detail that her facial expressions were giving away.
Kat: You know me, brother, I hate to disappoint people. I hated the thought of those tests coming back negative. It would be a huge blow to the family.
I could see the sincerity in her eyes and her facial expression belied the truth of what she was saying. I knew she wouldn’t lie to me, that isn’t Kat’s way at all. More importantly, she wasn’t wrong, we'd all have been terribly disappointed but there was something she needed to understand.
Mac: Kat, you’re not wrong.
She took that in, and a sigh of relief finally escaped her. She must have realized I had more to say on the subject. She smirked at me and then asked a question of her own, through her smile.
Kat: but….?
I barked a laugh.
Mac: Ha! You know me too well.
I shook my head as she smiled and nodded her affirmation. I placed my hands on both shoulders and smiled at her.
Mac: You should never feel that you have to shoulder these burdens by yourself. That’s all.
She smiled and I gave her a warm hug and grabbed her by the sides of her face and gave her a kiss on the top of her head.
Mac: My sister, my heart.
Fade.
[on-camera]
Meanwhile, back in the studio…
I had allowed my gaze to wander off to the window again as I thought about the many things we’d accomplished together. I came back to reality and allowed the smile to slowly fade to a more business like expression.
“Paint it red with our own blood, indeed. I didn’t think that you and I would be in a match like this, not against each other at least. I give you credit my friend, it takes balls just to defend a title against me. It takes balls of steel to defend that title in a match against me in this type of environment. If anyone watching this now is wondering, this is essentially a street fight.”
I hold up my hand, all five fingers extended.
“In the street.”
I retract my thumb.
“Anything goes.”
I retract my index finger.
“Everything you want to do is legal.”
I fold my middle finger down.
“Anything you could possibly imagine is legal.”
Then my ring finger.
“Let that sink in.”
Then my pinky forming a fist. I slowly lower it back down by my side.
“The first thing you should know is that I have no intention of belittling him because of the match stipulation, I’ve got every reason to question his sanity, or at least his decision making. No sane man would ever select a match like this with a guy who’s known for his ability to destroy other people. Hell, I used to destroy stables for fun, not because I had to, just because I could. Then again, Chris knows me well, he knows he’ll get the most out of this match with me.”
I smirk and shake my head in dismay.
“Chris, I didn’t need any other motivation than you standing across the ring from me. By now, you should know that. I tip my hat to you for not choosing a death match.”
I flash a smile at the camera.
“I also know him well enough to know who he wants in this match. He wants “The Gentleman Wolf”, a name or monicker if you will that I’ve been called by for most of my career. When that man shows up for a fight, he’s respectful until he has no reason to be. He fights fair until someone crosses him. So, that is who I’ll be.”
I chuckle at my own words.
“Don’t get me wrong, that guy is still an asshole and will still bust you open. He’s the kinder and gentler version of me, that’s for sure. Just like he won't talk about the pain maker, I’ll leave that other version of me locked away. No one wants to talk to that guy anyway. No, but I have to say on a more serious note that the whole concept of this match is to punish your opponent. The winner is by pinfall or submission and that’s fine. I’ll take no enjoyment from taking your blood and your title my friend.”
Fade.
Dreams could be powerful things, some believed them to be premonitions of things that could happen while others believed them to be portents of things that would happen. My Great Grandfather was a Cherokee Medi who told me once that the people believed that it represented things that were in your way. Things that held you back from becoming successful in life.
Dream Sequence
The dream was always the same, a blonde-headed woman that I didn’t know stood by the bedside. The room smelled of sex as if we had just gotten done. I was still in bed and she was getting dressed. The clothes she was putting on were not the same as the ones she had worn to the bedroom. She moved with a fluid grace as she slipped the black silk dress on over her head. Even in this dream state, my brain was screaming at me to wake up, but I never could. She was digging through her purse for something.
Woman: Mac, do you think you’ll be the best that ever laced up a pair of boots?
The question didn’t shock me, a lot of people had asked me that over the years. Considering I knew that she was clueless about the wrestling business, my response was clear and concise.
Mac: I already am.
She sat on the edge of the bed with her hand in her purse still. She looked almost sad, like a person who had something to do and would rather be anywhere else in that moment.
Woman: I was hoping you wouldn’t say that this time.
She pulled a revolver out of her purse and rose from the bed. Standing by the window she sighed. She fired a single shot into my chest and I watched in slow motion it seemed as she lept through the window to her death. I somehow struggled to my feet, determined to see where she landed and if she landed. I looked out the window to the street below, she was no longer blonde. Was it a trick of the light, or had she been a redhead all along? My body gave out as it always did and I fell to the floor. As it always did, that’s what woke me from my dream.
Return from the dream sequence
I awoke as usual with sweat pouring from my body, despite the cold that I felt. I crawled out of bed and stretched, my shoulders complained with loud popping sounds, and I grunted as I made my way to the kitchen. things holding me back, I thought to myself. I shook my head in disgust. The moment that my feet hit the tile floor, my coffee pot beeped letting me know that it was ready. I smiled at the sound and poured myself a cup of black coffee.
Mac: At least the caffeine won’t desert me. Unlike my sleep, fuck you, sleep. You’re a dick.
I headed towards the screened-in front porch, turning on the lights for the front porch, and then grabbing smokes. I stepped outside into the coolish air. I paused long enough to light a cigarette, exhaling slowly, my senses were full of the smell of lighter fluid and the acrid smoke. I nodded in contentment and sought out my chair. I sat in it heavily, and set my coffee cup down. Leaning forward, I tried to recall everything my Great Grandfather had told me about dreams like this one.
Mac: He always said these types of dreams were meant to be helpful, representing something that was holding me back.
I thought about it some more, taking another deep hit on my cigarette.
Mac: It wasn’t always a perfect representation, he told me. He had added that it wasn’t likely that it was about a woman at all. He chided me because I had always been surrounded by beautiful women and that might be adding confusion to the dream.
With another drag off my cigarette, I exhaled slowly and it was like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle sliding into place.
Mac: These dreams had started almost two years ago. Not long after I joined CCPE…
I shook my head in dismay.
Mac: Can’t be that, it has to be something else.
The imagery was there though, a lot of people had said that I was in bed with the devil himself. I knew in my heart that it was never Chris that had been in my way. Not the Enterprise either, there were a few that tried to get in my way. That much was true.
Mac: How many times does Joe have to stab me in the back before I wake the fuck up? Every time he does it’s a gut punch. I put way too much faith in people who don’t deserve it.
I took a sip of coffee, black and bitter, just like my heart these days. Like my wife’s attitude toward CCPE and Chris in general.
Mac: God damn, that man knows how to pick a fight with the wrong people. Makes me wonder if he and Knox are related or something.
I could smell the cinnamon and then the laughter from inside. My lovely bride was awake and likely heard everything I just said. I looked over my shoulder and smiled as she smirked at me.
Amber: I knew you’d figure it out eventually, especially if I quit pressing on it.
I smirked in response and raised my cup and she clinked hers against it. I took another sip from my cup after that. I took another drag from my smoke and exhaled slowly again.
Mac: The thing is, as much as you don’t like him, love. Chris Page has never done anything to me, he’s proven to be a friend, time after time.
Amber: I know that, but some of the other lowlifes, those fucks are a completely different story.
I nodded my agreement without further comment. I crushed my cigarette out as the scene fades.
[on-camera]
I stood under the sign that read, Fremont Street, and I smiled.
Mac: The Carnival of Chaos will take place here as will The Entity World Title match against Chris Page.
I stroked my beard with my left hand as someone handed me a fresh scotch on the rocks.
Mac: Hey! I appreciate ya!
He threw a thumbs-up at me as he continued to walk.
Mac: A street fight on Freemont Street, gotta love that shit.
Another group of people walked by, I acknowledged them as they obviously recognized me.
Mac: What I don’t have to love is the hate and detraction from people not in this match. It’s just jealousy at the end of the day.
I sniffed the glass, something was off there, so I set it on a nearby table and continued on.
Mac: JMont is all pissy because it’s not being defended against him. Because you know, Joe thinks he really is the center of the universe. Knox is another one who talked down about this match, much for the same reasons.
I continued to walk, handing out the occasional fist bump to locals I knew.
Mac: None of that really matters. Unless this event generates interest from the industry and the fans. I saw Joe and Matt going at it on social media, trying their best to hype the match. They hate each other and they haven’t even met face to face.
I point at the camera and shake my head and laugh.
Mac: Shit, all Chris and I have to do is be booked for something and show up. That’s all the hype it needs. They wish it was the same for them, they all do, every match on this show is a great one. It’s just not on our level, period, end of story.
I shrug and keep walking down Freemont, now under the canopy as evening approaches. I look upward and the solar system is on display under the canopy.
Mac: Vegas is a great place for a show, no matter what kind you are into this place has it. All of this…
I let the sentence trail off as I point around at everything within view.
Mac: Will pale in comparison to what Page and I do to each other for the world title. The thing is this, this is not just any world title match. This is not some grudge match between bitter old rivals. This ain’t a wrestling match either.
I laugh at the thought of it.
Mac: Nah, this is a war between two men who know exactly how good they are. A battle for a world title belt on the streets of Vegas, where literally anything can and will happen.
I smirk at the camera, then the smirk changes to a grin.
Mac: I have no doubts, there will be folks tempted to interfere in this match. Chris and I already discussed that and I can tell you.
I close my hands into a fist slowly as each knuckle pops.
Mac: If that does happen, just know that I will destroy you. I will react with the vengeance of an Archangel straight from hell.
I allow my fists to loosen and return to an open hand.
Mac: With this match, I exercise my demons and claim victory over a man I love like a brother. The World Title that’s in play is just more motivation for men that require none. The only thing we require is an opportunity to show up and show out. That’s who we’ve been our entire careers.
I smile openly now at the camera, the light in my eyes I can feel as deeply as the fire that rages in my soul.
Mac: I’m coming for the belt, Chris, you think you're better than me, but I know that I’m the one. I’m going to prove that to you and the world. The only thing that ever stands between a man and success is himself, whether it’s in the ring or the boardroom. That particular demon will be gone from my soul. Let’s fucking go!