Post by The Brothers Holland on Oct 24, 2010 6:31:55 GMT -6
Seeing what everyone around me thinks...
Doing a video behind my back...
Broadcasting it without my ever knowing...
If I wasn't fighting for them before I sure as hell am now.
They want me to do it.
They believe I can do it.
And because of them this has become a whole lot simpler.
I'm not even entertaining the idea of defeat anymore.
Because of them there's no 'must'
There's no 'can'
Now, I Will Not Fail.
*The cameras come up on a desert. The shrubs are blowing gently in the desert breeze as the letters we've become familiar with over the last month come up on the screen.*
*A foot steps in front of the camera. The angle is at ground level so all we can see is the foot and mostly desert. Sand all the way up to maybe 65% of the shot and clear blue sky the rest of the way. The foot is joined by a second as they walk into the distance slowly.*
It's been a long long road, Curtis. For both of us. We've both been wrestling for years and I'll wager we've only known each other for but a fraction of those years. We've done a lot in our own times. Some might call us legends... others, maybe not. But certainly we've had the longest wait imaginable to get where we are. It's been hard, it's been unforgiving... but we rose above it. We became men of honour... of courage, of valour. We became... wait... what am I talking about? It's Curtis frigging Kanyon. If he's gone through hardships and trials and torments then all it's done is made him an absolute psycho. A psycho with a sense of humour but nonetheless an absolute psychopath without a single honourable bone in his body! Well.. maybe one... but I'm sure that only came from some chicken he ate.
The man wants to think long and hard about who I am... about what I can do... about what he can do to me... that kind of thinking is dangerous. Because if there's one thing I have learned over my years as a wrestler it's that no one can truly understand me. No one can comprehend me. No one I face can ever stop underestimating me. Why? Because they can't get past the fact that I am a good man. A respectful and respectable man. A man who always takes the high road even when it's covered with brambles, barbed wire and death. Because you know what people think when they really think of Dave Holland stood opposite them? They think of a boy scout. They judge me on my personality and not my ability. Oh sure, they expect a tough fight but they never expect me to know the dark and dirty side of this business. They never even consider that I've seen it myself, that I was once a part of it.
I know all about your dirty deals Curtis. I don't care for them but I know how to avoid them. I know how to overcome them and if you think too hard about me you're going to start forgetting about the other guy in that ring. You're going to start forgetting about Curtis. About DDK.
The co-dependency thing you've got going on really seems to be working for you. It won't last. I've seen schizophrenia in action, I've lived with Milo. In the end it always comes down to the fact there's two personalities. I mean sure, Curtis might let DDK go ahead and do the wrestling while he does the home thing and that's fine. But I'm Dave Holland. You think Curtis is going to want to sacrifice his chance to get his hands on me while they;re in his control? I doubt it. Confusion will reign, battles will rise, internal struggles will take hold as DDK tells Curtis to back off and vice versa. Then I step up, throw my foot in their face and knock them both stone cold for the three count. Is that what people want to see? No. No they don't. What they want to see is a real fight. A real wrestling match, hell what they really want to see is Dave Holland vs Charlie Velez round 2. Can you step up to that? Can you even try to live up to that?
Maybe... I guess we'll see soon enough. But I know one thing for sure. I'm the better man. Oh yes, I'm the better man here. I'm not even talking about morals or ethics or any of those words that you choose to ignore or discard. I mean in general. You couldn't cope with this life. You couldn't cope with the pain and bloodshed you have to inflict while raising your family and so you took your mind and you broke it in half. Split it right down the middle. Whereas me... look at me. I'm doing what very very few men can. I'm a wrestler... I'm a family man. No complications... no qualms.
Do you really want to go on like this Curtis? Don't you just want to be whole and complete again? I'm not offering you the same thing you offered me, I have no intention of injuring you and taking you out of commission so you can spend time with your family. No. I'm just offering... no, Telling you what I'm going to do for you and for nCw as a whole.
*Dave Holland is now clearly visible stood in the desert. He kicks over a rock and watches as a lizard scuttles away across the hot desert sand.*
I said you were a great champion Curtis. I said I respected you for that. I think I may have spoken too soon. See, I considered your, brief though it was, reign and realised something. While you are certainly a strong, powerful and dominant champion... no one cares. No one really cared or wanted to go for that belt except Charlie Velez and that wasn't because of you, that was because of him. Road to the Gold began and no one even thought about facing you, Curtis. All they thought about was being world champion. A great champion, a truly great champion... is a champion who is bigger than the belt he carries, bigger than the division he is currently topping. Charlie Velez was a great champion with that National Title. Milo and I were great champions with the tag belts in a division that wasn't up to standard, you and Ron were great champions in exactly the same way. But right here and now... you're not a great champion. You're just a man with a price on his head.
You're stagnating what was once a great and populous division in nCw. And hey, if you liked the symbolism last time, you're going to love this.
*The sky turns cloudy and rain starts to fall on the desert.*
Now, when I become world champion you just watch what happens. I walked into this company a little over 3 months ago and immediately I was inundated with requests for matches. Everyone wants to face me. They want to test their mettle against the very best, against the very biggest legend this company has ever produced. So big I was verging on being thought of as nothing more than a myth. No one could be that good. But when I returned... I stepped it up. And I haven't stopped stepping it up since.
*The ground starts to change from sand to mud underneath the sudden downpour.*
And when I become world champion what do you think is going to happen? Do you think people will care so much about fighting the world champion for nothing more than to become world champion? No. They'll want to face the best in this company.. fighting at the best he ever has. The stagnation will end, interest will rise people will once again begin to care about the top flight. It won't be reduced to putting on variety shows and wheels of misfortune to grab attention. It won't be reduced to fighting against those who are hand picked to give an 'easy' fight to make the champ look big. It's going to be tough... It's going to be the hardest and most challenging part of my whole career, I don't doubt that for a second... but the truth is it will be glorious.
*Plants begin to grow at an alarming rate from the mud. Grasses and flowers, bushes and trees. After almost no time at all we're looking at a veritable meadow of pleasantness and beauty. Dave, who has stood all this time with his arms open turns and starts climbing over the hill.*
I don't honestly care about your destiny. Like I said to Charlie, Destiny can be patient. You were destined to take the belt from Burns, fine. Well done, you did that. But to be a great champion? Not yet. I don't see it. I'm tired of having people tell me their destinies and be so shocked when I show them that mine is greater. That mine has a true purpose beyond my own self glorification. So you go ahead. You sit on your hill over there. Sad little king of his sad little hill. You shout from the heights how strong and great you are cause frankly no one's listening. They come to Curtis Kanyon for the comedy of it all. So, fine. You keep digging up my old photos, I'm not ashamed of them. You go ahead and mock them alongside your buddies because I don't care. You can't shake my confidence you can't unsettle me you can do nothing to defy what is going to happen to you and I on Sunday night.
I will storm your hill and kick you down. I will rip my photographs and my fondest memories back from your cold, unconcious clutches if I have to and you will know that above and beyond all else you have ****ed with the wrong person. That you were more than in the wrong place at the wrong time... that you were destined to be humbled.
That you were destined to be showed that while you and yours might get better... that there are still those you just can't top.
*Dave is stood at the edge of the meadow. The meadow is actually quite a localised area surrounded by desert but where Dave is looking out we can see the huge and great city of Las Vegas.*
I will take nCw's World championship out of the desert and bring it to the meadows. At Las Vegas... my destiny will be fulfilled. And I know that for a fact.
*Dave turns back into the green area behind him as the scene fades to black looking out over the city of Las Vegas, spanish for 'The Meadows'. The scene doesn't end, there's a change.*
*A voice in the distance can be heard. A crowd screaming over it. Voices of those close and personal to Dave can all be heard. A moment later and the voices fade as the scene becomes clear and visible.
We're walking along behind the head of Dave Holland. It looks like he's showing us that dream from when he faced Maniac again but something's slightly different.*
Dave: Now remember, you've got to take it easy at first. You've put a lot of hard work into this and I don't want to see you wear yourself out before you even really get going. You're future's your own now, boy. You'll have nothing to fear from anyone. 'Cause I'll be there. Just like always, watching over you. And you... you are going to help an awful lot of people.
Alex: I hope so.
Dave: Hey... don't look so nervous. This is the easy part. You just walk out there, take what's yours and if you really feel like it, add a touch of the ol' Holland charm.
Alex: Ok... Thanks Dad. For everything.
Dave: Go get 'em kiddo.
*Dave stops at the side of a stage. There's a large group of young people all dressed in graduation clothing. Mortarboards and gowns. Among them are Alex Holland who goes straight to one of the girls and plants a kiss on her. Moments later names start getting called out and people go across to collect their diplomas.
The last name called out is...*
MC: Master of Psychology, first class with honours... Alexander Holland.
*There's a huge cheer from the crowd that we can't see from this angle. Dave applaudes and cheers along with them. Alex is practically bouncing along the stage, acknowledging the crowd in pretty much the same way we've seen Dave do when he wrestles. This doesn't get missed by Dave who starts chuckling.
We cut away from this to some time earlier. Dave is dressed in his fancy Tuxedo and sipping a glass of champagne. A silk-gloved hand reached up and covers his eyes.*
Mel: Guess who.
Dave: Marice?
Mel (not laughing): Ha ha ha.
*Dave turns and embraces his wife who is dressed in a very sexy and stylish red dress. Dave steps back to take in the view.*
Dave: Have I told you you're stunning?
Mel: Only a hundred and fifty seven times.
Dave: Really? Guess you stunned me so much I kept forgetting.
Mel: Funny.
Dave: You think so? I was more going to charming or witty.
Mel: Come on. It's not many people who get to dance with a young, beautiful woman at their final retirement party.
Dave: Alright then... come on.
*Dave puts his glass down and takes a gentle hold of his wife as they glide towards the dance floor.*
Dave: I think this is one I actually know.
Mel: Don't think about them... think about us.
Dave: I never stopped.
*Dave kisses his wife as he smoothly leads her into a fine dance. Not slow but not exactly a waltz either.*
Mel: I'm glad you're finally putting it all behind you.
Dave: Yeah... me too.
Mel: You sure you won't feel the need to go back?
Dave: Me? No. I've done everything now. I won the belts I needed, fought the people I wanted, given fights to the people I wanted to have their wishes and dreams of fighting Dave Holland, fulfilled. There's no bad blood. No animosity. Hell, look around you, most of them are here tonight to say 'fare thee well'.
*He's not wrong. Around the room we can see a number of people from across nCw. There's Adam and Kelly Knite, Will Washington and the date he brought along, Andrew Jacobsen and Falcon are sharing a laugh and a joke around Zelda, their long and ancient feud forgotten. Davey Ortega, Joe Everyman, even Spike and Brad Kane. That's not all of them but it gives you an idea of just how many people have come.*
Mel: I just wish Milo was here.
Dave: Yeah, and me. But he's gone now.
Mel: Yeah.
Milo: Gone where?
Dave: On your holi.... Milo!
*Dave throws his arms about his brother who returns the gesture. We cut away from this to many years earlier.
We see a pair of doors from a building's interior to the car park. A moment later Dave and Milo Holland step through. They look a little older than they are now but not much, still in their primes.*
Dave: So you guys set a date for the wedding yet?
Milo: Actually I was hoping to talk to you about that.
Dave: What? You mean you have?
Milo: May 16th.
Dave: Milo that's brilliant.
Milo: And naturally I want you to be best man.
Dave: Of course. Got the speeches and stag do planned already, just needed a date to finalise it all. This is going to be awesome, Mom and Dad'd be so proud of their boys.
Milo: Yeah, and ma of her nephews.
Dave: Of course she would be.
*There's a loud crash from the side*
Voice: Hey Holland! Going so soon?!
Milo: Who're these guys?
Dave: Let me deal with them, Milo.
*A large group of thugs turn up. Many of them are holding pipes and other improvised weapons. They form a semi-circle about Dave who has stepped in front of Milo to talk to them.*
Thug 1: You think you can just get away with this?
Dave: What did I do?
Thug 2: You put thoughts in our heads... into the heads of our kids.
Dave: What thoughts?
Thug 3: Hope.
Thug 4: Being the hero.
Thug 1: Doing good where we could.
Thug 6: Standing up, being noticed.
Thug 5: Y'know what we got for that? What our kids got for following your words?
Dave: Hardship... pain. I know.
Thug 2: Like hell you know.
Dave: Look at me. Look in my eyes and tell me when you see me lie. I started out my life with nothing. With less than nothing. I had to claw it all back myself and do you know how I did that? With hope in my heart. I stood up for myself... I stood up for those around me and yes, I admit, it's the harder path to take. But it's worth it.
Thug 4 (Tears starting to well up): Nothing's worth losing your child.
*Dave approaches this thug gently with a kind look on his face.*
Dave: What was their name?
Thug 4: ... James.
Dave: And he shall be remembered. Everyone who does good is remembered by someone somewhere. I am. I will be. The same goes for each of your children. They will be remembered as heroes. As the very best that human kind can be.
*There's a loud crash as a team of security come through the doors led by Terry Tate.*
Terry: Everything ok Mr Holland?
*Dave places a hand on the shoulder of the teary eyed thug.*
Dave: Not right now, Terry... but it will be.
*Milo places a hand on Dave's shoulder now with a smile and a nod to let Dave know he's proud of what he just said.
And then we cut away as Dave wakes up in bed.*
Dave: That was new.
Mel: nnnnn.... wha?
Dave: Nothing. Go back to sleep.
*She never even really woke up. Dave gets out of bed and goes to the window overlooking the Las Vegas strip.*
You want to know why I'm so certain that I will not fail?
Because I've seen the future... I've seen my future.
So you can go right on ahead with your mind games and your jokes and comedy, because none of it matters. In that ring it'll be you and your raw aggression and power, versus me with everything at my disposal, unshaken, unphased, unbroken.
I know what's coming. I'm certain of it.
My win... has already happened.
*The following morning we're watching Dave and Milo at breakfast. Milo is cramming down all the scrambled egg he could ever ask for from the breakfast buffet. Dave ha a few slices of toast and a little bacon.*
Dave: .... So.... Do anything interesting a few nights ago?
Milo: Me?.... No. Not a thing.
Dave: Oh. Didn't go to any bars or anything? Didn't get drunk with some people you recognised but were too drunk to place?
Milo: Oh yeah but it wasn't that interesting. Lot of people asking about you and fertiliser.
Dave: Fertiliser? Like dirt?
Milo: Maybe. Weird guy, kept ordering nachos. He had this gay friend, And he had...
Dave: An eyepatch?
Milo: How did you.... Wait... Nachos... Eyepatch.... Gay friend...
*In the background we can hear a shout from someone 'I'm Not Gay!'*
Milo: You don't think...
*Dave takes a couple of seconds to let Milo work it out for himself.*
Dave: You gave him some photos of me didn't you?
*Milo doesn't answer, just goes back to his eggs. Dave playfully smacks him across the top of the head with his newspaper but then smirks and goes back to reading it.
The camera goes to black and ends*
Doing a video behind my back...
Broadcasting it without my ever knowing...
If I wasn't fighting for them before I sure as hell am now.
They want me to do it.
They believe I can do it.
And because of them this has become a whole lot simpler.
I'm not even entertaining the idea of defeat anymore.
Because of them there's no 'must'
There's no 'can'
Now, I Will Not Fail.
*The cameras come up on a desert. The shrubs are blowing gently in the desert breeze as the letters we've become familiar with over the last month come up on the screen.*
Fighting the Future - Part 9
Salvation - Part 3: Will Not Fail
Salvation - Part 3: Will Not Fail
*A foot steps in front of the camera. The angle is at ground level so all we can see is the foot and mostly desert. Sand all the way up to maybe 65% of the shot and clear blue sky the rest of the way. The foot is joined by a second as they walk into the distance slowly.*
It's been a long long road, Curtis. For both of us. We've both been wrestling for years and I'll wager we've only known each other for but a fraction of those years. We've done a lot in our own times. Some might call us legends... others, maybe not. But certainly we've had the longest wait imaginable to get where we are. It's been hard, it's been unforgiving... but we rose above it. We became men of honour... of courage, of valour. We became... wait... what am I talking about? It's Curtis frigging Kanyon. If he's gone through hardships and trials and torments then all it's done is made him an absolute psycho. A psycho with a sense of humour but nonetheless an absolute psychopath without a single honourable bone in his body! Well.. maybe one... but I'm sure that only came from some chicken he ate.
The man wants to think long and hard about who I am... about what I can do... about what he can do to me... that kind of thinking is dangerous. Because if there's one thing I have learned over my years as a wrestler it's that no one can truly understand me. No one can comprehend me. No one I face can ever stop underestimating me. Why? Because they can't get past the fact that I am a good man. A respectful and respectable man. A man who always takes the high road even when it's covered with brambles, barbed wire and death. Because you know what people think when they really think of Dave Holland stood opposite them? They think of a boy scout. They judge me on my personality and not my ability. Oh sure, they expect a tough fight but they never expect me to know the dark and dirty side of this business. They never even consider that I've seen it myself, that I was once a part of it.
I know all about your dirty deals Curtis. I don't care for them but I know how to avoid them. I know how to overcome them and if you think too hard about me you're going to start forgetting about the other guy in that ring. You're going to start forgetting about Curtis. About DDK.
The co-dependency thing you've got going on really seems to be working for you. It won't last. I've seen schizophrenia in action, I've lived with Milo. In the end it always comes down to the fact there's two personalities. I mean sure, Curtis might let DDK go ahead and do the wrestling while he does the home thing and that's fine. But I'm Dave Holland. You think Curtis is going to want to sacrifice his chance to get his hands on me while they;re in his control? I doubt it. Confusion will reign, battles will rise, internal struggles will take hold as DDK tells Curtis to back off and vice versa. Then I step up, throw my foot in their face and knock them both stone cold for the three count. Is that what people want to see? No. No they don't. What they want to see is a real fight. A real wrestling match, hell what they really want to see is Dave Holland vs Charlie Velez round 2. Can you step up to that? Can you even try to live up to that?
Maybe... I guess we'll see soon enough. But I know one thing for sure. I'm the better man. Oh yes, I'm the better man here. I'm not even talking about morals or ethics or any of those words that you choose to ignore or discard. I mean in general. You couldn't cope with this life. You couldn't cope with the pain and bloodshed you have to inflict while raising your family and so you took your mind and you broke it in half. Split it right down the middle. Whereas me... look at me. I'm doing what very very few men can. I'm a wrestler... I'm a family man. No complications... no qualms.
Do you really want to go on like this Curtis? Don't you just want to be whole and complete again? I'm not offering you the same thing you offered me, I have no intention of injuring you and taking you out of commission so you can spend time with your family. No. I'm just offering... no, Telling you what I'm going to do for you and for nCw as a whole.
*Dave Holland is now clearly visible stood in the desert. He kicks over a rock and watches as a lizard scuttles away across the hot desert sand.*
I said you were a great champion Curtis. I said I respected you for that. I think I may have spoken too soon. See, I considered your, brief though it was, reign and realised something. While you are certainly a strong, powerful and dominant champion... no one cares. No one really cared or wanted to go for that belt except Charlie Velez and that wasn't because of you, that was because of him. Road to the Gold began and no one even thought about facing you, Curtis. All they thought about was being world champion. A great champion, a truly great champion... is a champion who is bigger than the belt he carries, bigger than the division he is currently topping. Charlie Velez was a great champion with that National Title. Milo and I were great champions with the tag belts in a division that wasn't up to standard, you and Ron were great champions in exactly the same way. But right here and now... you're not a great champion. You're just a man with a price on his head.
You're stagnating what was once a great and populous division in nCw. And hey, if you liked the symbolism last time, you're going to love this.
*The sky turns cloudy and rain starts to fall on the desert.*
Now, when I become world champion you just watch what happens. I walked into this company a little over 3 months ago and immediately I was inundated with requests for matches. Everyone wants to face me. They want to test their mettle against the very best, against the very biggest legend this company has ever produced. So big I was verging on being thought of as nothing more than a myth. No one could be that good. But when I returned... I stepped it up. And I haven't stopped stepping it up since.
*The ground starts to change from sand to mud underneath the sudden downpour.*
And when I become world champion what do you think is going to happen? Do you think people will care so much about fighting the world champion for nothing more than to become world champion? No. They'll want to face the best in this company.. fighting at the best he ever has. The stagnation will end, interest will rise people will once again begin to care about the top flight. It won't be reduced to putting on variety shows and wheels of misfortune to grab attention. It won't be reduced to fighting against those who are hand picked to give an 'easy' fight to make the champ look big. It's going to be tough... It's going to be the hardest and most challenging part of my whole career, I don't doubt that for a second... but the truth is it will be glorious.
*Plants begin to grow at an alarming rate from the mud. Grasses and flowers, bushes and trees. After almost no time at all we're looking at a veritable meadow of pleasantness and beauty. Dave, who has stood all this time with his arms open turns and starts climbing over the hill.*
I don't honestly care about your destiny. Like I said to Charlie, Destiny can be patient. You were destined to take the belt from Burns, fine. Well done, you did that. But to be a great champion? Not yet. I don't see it. I'm tired of having people tell me their destinies and be so shocked when I show them that mine is greater. That mine has a true purpose beyond my own self glorification. So you go ahead. You sit on your hill over there. Sad little king of his sad little hill. You shout from the heights how strong and great you are cause frankly no one's listening. They come to Curtis Kanyon for the comedy of it all. So, fine. You keep digging up my old photos, I'm not ashamed of them. You go ahead and mock them alongside your buddies because I don't care. You can't shake my confidence you can't unsettle me you can do nothing to defy what is going to happen to you and I on Sunday night.
I will storm your hill and kick you down. I will rip my photographs and my fondest memories back from your cold, unconcious clutches if I have to and you will know that above and beyond all else you have ****ed with the wrong person. That you were more than in the wrong place at the wrong time... that you were destined to be humbled.
That you were destined to be showed that while you and yours might get better... that there are still those you just can't top.
*Dave is stood at the edge of the meadow. The meadow is actually quite a localised area surrounded by desert but where Dave is looking out we can see the huge and great city of Las Vegas.*
I will take nCw's World championship out of the desert and bring it to the meadows. At Las Vegas... my destiny will be fulfilled. And I know that for a fact.
*Dave turns back into the green area behind him as the scene fades to black looking out over the city of Las Vegas, spanish for 'The Meadows'. The scene doesn't end, there's a change.*
*A voice in the distance can be heard. A crowd screaming over it. Voices of those close and personal to Dave can all be heard. A moment later and the voices fade as the scene becomes clear and visible.
We're walking along behind the head of Dave Holland. It looks like he's showing us that dream from when he faced Maniac again but something's slightly different.*
Dave: Now remember, you've got to take it easy at first. You've put a lot of hard work into this and I don't want to see you wear yourself out before you even really get going. You're future's your own now, boy. You'll have nothing to fear from anyone. 'Cause I'll be there. Just like always, watching over you. And you... you are going to help an awful lot of people.
Alex: I hope so.
Dave: Hey... don't look so nervous. This is the easy part. You just walk out there, take what's yours and if you really feel like it, add a touch of the ol' Holland charm.
Alex: Ok... Thanks Dad. For everything.
Dave: Go get 'em kiddo.
*Dave stops at the side of a stage. There's a large group of young people all dressed in graduation clothing. Mortarboards and gowns. Among them are Alex Holland who goes straight to one of the girls and plants a kiss on her. Moments later names start getting called out and people go across to collect their diplomas.
The last name called out is...*
MC: Master of Psychology, first class with honours... Alexander Holland.
*There's a huge cheer from the crowd that we can't see from this angle. Dave applaudes and cheers along with them. Alex is practically bouncing along the stage, acknowledging the crowd in pretty much the same way we've seen Dave do when he wrestles. This doesn't get missed by Dave who starts chuckling.
We cut away from this to some time earlier. Dave is dressed in his fancy Tuxedo and sipping a glass of champagne. A silk-gloved hand reached up and covers his eyes.*
Mel: Guess who.
Dave: Marice?
Mel (not laughing): Ha ha ha.
*Dave turns and embraces his wife who is dressed in a very sexy and stylish red dress. Dave steps back to take in the view.*
Dave: Have I told you you're stunning?
Mel: Only a hundred and fifty seven times.
Dave: Really? Guess you stunned me so much I kept forgetting.
Mel: Funny.
Dave: You think so? I was more going to charming or witty.
Mel: Come on. It's not many people who get to dance with a young, beautiful woman at their final retirement party.
Dave: Alright then... come on.
*Dave puts his glass down and takes a gentle hold of his wife as they glide towards the dance floor.*
Dave: I think this is one I actually know.
Mel: Don't think about them... think about us.
Dave: I never stopped.
*Dave kisses his wife as he smoothly leads her into a fine dance. Not slow but not exactly a waltz either.*
Mel: I'm glad you're finally putting it all behind you.
Dave: Yeah... me too.
Mel: You sure you won't feel the need to go back?
Dave: Me? No. I've done everything now. I won the belts I needed, fought the people I wanted, given fights to the people I wanted to have their wishes and dreams of fighting Dave Holland, fulfilled. There's no bad blood. No animosity. Hell, look around you, most of them are here tonight to say 'fare thee well'.
*He's not wrong. Around the room we can see a number of people from across nCw. There's Adam and Kelly Knite, Will Washington and the date he brought along, Andrew Jacobsen and Falcon are sharing a laugh and a joke around Zelda, their long and ancient feud forgotten. Davey Ortega, Joe Everyman, even Spike and Brad Kane. That's not all of them but it gives you an idea of just how many people have come.*
Mel: I just wish Milo was here.
Dave: Yeah, and me. But he's gone now.
Mel: Yeah.
Milo: Gone where?
Dave: On your holi.... Milo!
*Dave throws his arms about his brother who returns the gesture. We cut away from this to many years earlier.
We see a pair of doors from a building's interior to the car park. A moment later Dave and Milo Holland step through. They look a little older than they are now but not much, still in their primes.*
Dave: So you guys set a date for the wedding yet?
Milo: Actually I was hoping to talk to you about that.
Dave: What? You mean you have?
Milo: May 16th.
Dave: Milo that's brilliant.
Milo: And naturally I want you to be best man.
Dave: Of course. Got the speeches and stag do planned already, just needed a date to finalise it all. This is going to be awesome, Mom and Dad'd be so proud of their boys.
Milo: Yeah, and ma of her nephews.
Dave: Of course she would be.
*There's a loud crash from the side*
Voice: Hey Holland! Going so soon?!
Milo: Who're these guys?
Dave: Let me deal with them, Milo.
*A large group of thugs turn up. Many of them are holding pipes and other improvised weapons. They form a semi-circle about Dave who has stepped in front of Milo to talk to them.*
Thug 1: You think you can just get away with this?
Dave: What did I do?
Thug 2: You put thoughts in our heads... into the heads of our kids.
Dave: What thoughts?
Thug 3: Hope.
Thug 4: Being the hero.
Thug 1: Doing good where we could.
Thug 6: Standing up, being noticed.
Thug 5: Y'know what we got for that? What our kids got for following your words?
Dave: Hardship... pain. I know.
Thug 2: Like hell you know.
Dave: Look at me. Look in my eyes and tell me when you see me lie. I started out my life with nothing. With less than nothing. I had to claw it all back myself and do you know how I did that? With hope in my heart. I stood up for myself... I stood up for those around me and yes, I admit, it's the harder path to take. But it's worth it.
Thug 4 (Tears starting to well up): Nothing's worth losing your child.
*Dave approaches this thug gently with a kind look on his face.*
Dave: What was their name?
Thug 4: ... James.
Dave: And he shall be remembered. Everyone who does good is remembered by someone somewhere. I am. I will be. The same goes for each of your children. They will be remembered as heroes. As the very best that human kind can be.
*There's a loud crash as a team of security come through the doors led by Terry Tate.*
Terry: Everything ok Mr Holland?
*Dave places a hand on the shoulder of the teary eyed thug.*
Dave: Not right now, Terry... but it will be.
*Milo places a hand on Dave's shoulder now with a smile and a nod to let Dave know he's proud of what he just said.
And then we cut away as Dave wakes up in bed.*
Dave: That was new.
Mel: nnnnn.... wha?
Dave: Nothing. Go back to sleep.
*She never even really woke up. Dave gets out of bed and goes to the window overlooking the Las Vegas strip.*
You want to know why I'm so certain that I will not fail?
Because I've seen the future... I've seen my future.
So you can go right on ahead with your mind games and your jokes and comedy, because none of it matters. In that ring it'll be you and your raw aggression and power, versus me with everything at my disposal, unshaken, unphased, unbroken.
I know what's coming. I'm certain of it.
My win... has already happened.
*The following morning we're watching Dave and Milo at breakfast. Milo is cramming down all the scrambled egg he could ever ask for from the breakfast buffet. Dave ha a few slices of toast and a little bacon.*
Dave: .... So.... Do anything interesting a few nights ago?
Milo: Me?.... No. Not a thing.
Dave: Oh. Didn't go to any bars or anything? Didn't get drunk with some people you recognised but were too drunk to place?
Milo: Oh yeah but it wasn't that interesting. Lot of people asking about you and fertiliser.
Dave: Fertiliser? Like dirt?
Milo: Maybe. Weird guy, kept ordering nachos. He had this gay friend, And he had...
Dave: An eyepatch?
Milo: How did you.... Wait... Nachos... Eyepatch.... Gay friend...
*In the background we can hear a shout from someone 'I'm Not Gay!'*
Milo: You don't think...
*Dave takes a couple of seconds to let Milo work it out for himself.*
Dave: You gave him some photos of me didn't you?
*Milo doesn't answer, just goes back to his eggs. Dave playfully smacks him across the top of the head with his newspaper but then smirks and goes back to reading it.
The camera goes to black and ends*