Post by Andrew Jacobsen on Jan 31, 2010 0:52:28 GMT -6
Andrew sits on a couch, staring slack-jawed at the screen as he watches Bates' last promo. He rewinds, watching the entire sequence with Carly Robins over again. Andrew numbly pauses on the image of Bates standing over the destroyed punching bag, slowly letting the full impact of the promo hit him like the Fingerpoke of Doom.The first three words out of his mouth are uncharacteristically profane.
“You...sick...f*ck...”
Andrew shakes his head, trying to resume some semblance of rational thought and speech. When he manages more, his voice is filled with unbridled disgust.
“You're an emotionally abusive and manipulative son of a bitch, Bates. I don't care if you're not PERFECTLY NORMAL anymore. It's actually a good thing, because the MAIMING I'm going to deal you is anything but normal. Kristoff, your actions have guaranteed you that not only will you not walk out of Metamorphosis X-Division Champion, you may not even walk out of Metamorphosis at all.”
Andrew stands up, walking into his hotel bedroom and packing up a gym bag. He throws a roll of tape into the bag as well as his usual workout gear.
“I'm not scared, Bates. You've built yourself up as this big, bad destroyer of men. As much as you like to think otherwise, you're not a career-ender. You aren't going to cripple me. That briefcase is just something you're hiding behind, and it won't serve as a shield for your shortcomings for very long. Actions speak louder than words, Kristoff. So just shut up.”
He slings the bag over his shoulder, walking out of his room and towards the elevator. The camera follows him as he talks.
“Really, Bates. I'm past the point of caring what you say about me. But what you're doing, to both your wife and Carly, is inexcusable. It's not NORMAL for people to cheat. It's wrong. It's a violation of the vows you took when you married her seven years ago. Remember, Bates? 'Til death do you part'? Ring any bells, Kris? I guess you don't really care, because you're too busy being a Nietzsche wannabe. That whole bit about existentialism saying that morals can be discarded willy-nilly tipped me off to that.”
Andrew shakes his head in disgust as he steps onto the elevator.
“Bates, morality isn't just something that you can pick up and discard at will. People structure their entire beings around their morals. If you get rid of your morality, then you get rid of what makes you you. But, since you're reinventing yourself as Simply Bates, that shouldn't be a problem for you. I just have to know: how can you live with it? Knowing that you're throwing away seven whole years of your life for the sake of your wrestling? For god's sake, man. Look at the bigger picture. Is the X-Division Title worth more to you than your marriage?”
The elevator reaches the ground floor and Andrew steps out, heading to the gym in the hotel. He nods to anyone he recognizes working out as he walks to an elliptical. He gets on, setting it up for his run.
“If so, that's just sad. Ten pounds of gold does not equal seven years of happiness with someone who loves you. Get your priorities straight, Kristoff. Set your life on the right path, before you destroy yourself. I'm offering you this chance, right now. I want to help you, Kris. I really do. Nobody deserves suffering. Not even someone like you.”
He jogs along, looking to the camera again.
“Bates, you were right about one thing. I wasn't training as much as I should have. But then again, when can we ever get as much done as we'd have liked to? I'm actually defying doctor's orders by training at above my normal routine. By all rights, I should have slept off that briefcase shot. Instead, here I am, working. Funny how it goes. I chastise you for being too obsessed with our match and your work, but I go and prove my own obsession. I guess it stems from a sense of responsibility. I feel RESPONSIBLE for keeping the X-Division belt out of the hands of a deranged psychopath like yourself. I feel RESPONSIBLE for serving you a receipt for what you did to me on Trauma. And I feel RESPONSIBLE for putting on the best damn show I can for the fans.”
Andrew keeps jogging, barely showing any strain.
“I know you've been flaunting that briefcase like it'll be your key to victory, Kristoff. But think for once. Do you really believe that one object means the difference between success or failure for you? I hope not, because I'm expecting more of a fight out of you. Show me how good you are. Show me that you're going to become infamous...”
He shrugs.
“Or don't. Fall back down the ladder, fade into obscurity. Just another name in a long line of people who have challenged for the title. I intend to go longer than one title defense, Bates. You aren't going to deny me that. I will take this opportunity and prove to the fans that I'm worthy to be their X-Division Champion. And I'll continue to prove that, week after week. You see, not only am I a champion, I have the heart of a champion. Determination. Drive. It can make or break careers in this business. And it will make mine. I want to be remembered when I retire, that day that rests so far away, I want to be remembered then as someone who never gave up. Who fought his hardest no matter the odds, and who did it for the fans. That's a good legacy. But like I said, my retirement is a long ways away. It certainly won't come Sunday, no matter how hard you try to make it happen.”
Andrew's machine beeps, noting that it's ramping up to the next level of the program. Andrew just grins.
“Bates, I love this business. I'm going to be involved with it for as long as I can be. Come and get me. I'm ready for you. I might not respect you as a human being, but I respect you as a competitor. So...bring your best. I'll bring mine.”
Andrew smiles at the camera, waving.
“And may the best man win!”
Fade out.
“You...sick...f*ck...”
Andrew shakes his head, trying to resume some semblance of rational thought and speech. When he manages more, his voice is filled with unbridled disgust.
“You're an emotionally abusive and manipulative son of a bitch, Bates. I don't care if you're not PERFECTLY NORMAL anymore. It's actually a good thing, because the MAIMING I'm going to deal you is anything but normal. Kristoff, your actions have guaranteed you that not only will you not walk out of Metamorphosis X-Division Champion, you may not even walk out of Metamorphosis at all.”
Andrew stands up, walking into his hotel bedroom and packing up a gym bag. He throws a roll of tape into the bag as well as his usual workout gear.
“I'm not scared, Bates. You've built yourself up as this big, bad destroyer of men. As much as you like to think otherwise, you're not a career-ender. You aren't going to cripple me. That briefcase is just something you're hiding behind, and it won't serve as a shield for your shortcomings for very long. Actions speak louder than words, Kristoff. So just shut up.”
He slings the bag over his shoulder, walking out of his room and towards the elevator. The camera follows him as he talks.
“Really, Bates. I'm past the point of caring what you say about me. But what you're doing, to both your wife and Carly, is inexcusable. It's not NORMAL for people to cheat. It's wrong. It's a violation of the vows you took when you married her seven years ago. Remember, Bates? 'Til death do you part'? Ring any bells, Kris? I guess you don't really care, because you're too busy being a Nietzsche wannabe. That whole bit about existentialism saying that morals can be discarded willy-nilly tipped me off to that.”
Andrew shakes his head in disgust as he steps onto the elevator.
“Bates, morality isn't just something that you can pick up and discard at will. People structure their entire beings around their morals. If you get rid of your morality, then you get rid of what makes you you. But, since you're reinventing yourself as Simply Bates, that shouldn't be a problem for you. I just have to know: how can you live with it? Knowing that you're throwing away seven whole years of your life for the sake of your wrestling? For god's sake, man. Look at the bigger picture. Is the X-Division Title worth more to you than your marriage?”
The elevator reaches the ground floor and Andrew steps out, heading to the gym in the hotel. He nods to anyone he recognizes working out as he walks to an elliptical. He gets on, setting it up for his run.
“If so, that's just sad. Ten pounds of gold does not equal seven years of happiness with someone who loves you. Get your priorities straight, Kristoff. Set your life on the right path, before you destroy yourself. I'm offering you this chance, right now. I want to help you, Kris. I really do. Nobody deserves suffering. Not even someone like you.”
He jogs along, looking to the camera again.
“Bates, you were right about one thing. I wasn't training as much as I should have. But then again, when can we ever get as much done as we'd have liked to? I'm actually defying doctor's orders by training at above my normal routine. By all rights, I should have slept off that briefcase shot. Instead, here I am, working. Funny how it goes. I chastise you for being too obsessed with our match and your work, but I go and prove my own obsession. I guess it stems from a sense of responsibility. I feel RESPONSIBLE for keeping the X-Division belt out of the hands of a deranged psychopath like yourself. I feel RESPONSIBLE for serving you a receipt for what you did to me on Trauma. And I feel RESPONSIBLE for putting on the best damn show I can for the fans.”
Andrew keeps jogging, barely showing any strain.
“I know you've been flaunting that briefcase like it'll be your key to victory, Kristoff. But think for once. Do you really believe that one object means the difference between success or failure for you? I hope not, because I'm expecting more of a fight out of you. Show me how good you are. Show me that you're going to become infamous...”
He shrugs.
“Or don't. Fall back down the ladder, fade into obscurity. Just another name in a long line of people who have challenged for the title. I intend to go longer than one title defense, Bates. You aren't going to deny me that. I will take this opportunity and prove to the fans that I'm worthy to be their X-Division Champion. And I'll continue to prove that, week after week. You see, not only am I a champion, I have the heart of a champion. Determination. Drive. It can make or break careers in this business. And it will make mine. I want to be remembered when I retire, that day that rests so far away, I want to be remembered then as someone who never gave up. Who fought his hardest no matter the odds, and who did it for the fans. That's a good legacy. But like I said, my retirement is a long ways away. It certainly won't come Sunday, no matter how hard you try to make it happen.”
Andrew's machine beeps, noting that it's ramping up to the next level of the program. Andrew just grins.
“Bates, I love this business. I'm going to be involved with it for as long as I can be. Come and get me. I'm ready for you. I might not respect you as a human being, but I respect you as a competitor. So...bring your best. I'll bring mine.”
Andrew smiles at the camera, waving.
“And may the best man win!”
Fade out.