Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2011 20:26:03 GMT -6
Chicago, November 15th 2004, 8:07pm
The wind whistled outside, breaking through small cracks in the corridor window to provide a cool atmosphere with a melodic tune akin to bird song. The hallway is quiet, save for the muffled sound of televisions and incoherent chatter in each of the occupied apartments. A few lights go out, their small slither beneath the door frames turning black as the sound of keys can be heard from one apartment. A few moments and ingles pass before Hannah Reed stpes out of her apartment and into the corridor. She is wearing a smart red dress with matching heels, her hair worn in curls as she closes her door, locking it behind her, before putting her keys into a small purse. Letting out a deep breath she begins to talk to herself.
Hannah Reed : You can do this Hannah….
She takes another deep breath before jumping suddenly, startled by the vibration of her phone and the subsequent ringtone. She quickly opens up her handbag, feverishly searching through the contents before pulling out her phone.
Hannah Reed : Hello? Stephanie? What do you want?
No I haven’t got there yet.
No I am not trying to arrive fashionably late on purpose at all! Why would I do that?
Yes I am wearing the dress you suggested…
No I am not wearing those….
I don’t think he’ll see them Stephanie! I am not a whore!
That was one time!
Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do? That isn’t leaving me with many parameters…
If you keep trying to pimp me out Steph I won’t get there at all…
Goodbye Stephanie!
Hannah shakes her head in disgust before turning her phone onto silent to escape any further “advice”. Closing her handbag she starts to walk down the corridor before reaching flat 4G where she halts for a moment. Pulling her dress into the right places Hannah slowly mutters something to herself before before clenching her fist and gently rapping it against the door. A few moments pass before footsteps can be heard as the sound of locks being unhinged rattles through the doorframe. The door opens and Roberto stands in the doorway, looking Hannah up and down.
Roberto Verona : Wow…. You certainly like to dress to impress Miss Reed.
Hannah Reed : Oh this old thing….I just threw it on really….
Roberto Verona : Well I like it. You’ll have to forgive me, I feel like a bit of a tramp now.
Hannah Reed : You look fine to me…
Roberto Verona : Well, I will have to graciously accept your compliments Miss Reed. Follow me…
Roberto holds his arm out and leads Hannah along the short corridor to another room. The pair reach a closed door, which Roberto opens to the sound of talking, leading Hannah into a large living room. Hannah suddenly stops, a startled look on her face as she stares around the room at a small party of people, the rush of embarrassment surging through her veins as she realises her error as she stars at the audience before her. Roberto disappear for a moment before returning with a glass of wine, passing it to Hannah who quickly grabs it from him and takes a gulp to hide her reddening face.
Roberto Verona : Guys, this is Hannah. She lives down the corridor.
The mixed group emits a relatively collective hello as Hannah waves awkwardly before bowing her head and playing her hair.
Roberto Verona : Try not to freak her out and play nice for a few minutes guys, I could do without you lot creeping out my neighbours. Again…
Roberto smiles at Hannah who stares back like a rabbit in the headlights as he disappears into another room again. An awkward silence falls as Hannah stares intently at the floorboards whilst fidgeting with her feet, as the guests look at each other before a brunette turns to the man sat next to her and nudges him. He quickly grabs his chest, trying to keep his drink his mouth before glaring back at her before taking a big gulp.
Gary : Hi Hannah, my name is Gary. And this…lovely…lady is Faye.
Faye waves politely as Gary begins to point towards the other guests.
Gary : That is Brad, the lady over there is Georgie and her friend there is Bella.
Hannah Reed : Oh…erm, well it is nice meeting you all….
Faye : So how do you know Roberto, Hannah?
Hannah Reed : Well, we bumped into each other a few weeks ago and got chatting, then I realised we sort of work together…
Gary : No offence but you don’t look like a bounty hunter and you certainly don’t look like a criminal…
Hannah Reed : Oh no, I am a lawyer. I guess you could say I finish what he starts.
Fay : So you mean you clean up his mess… isn’t that what us women spend all our lives doing?
Gary : I wasn’t aware Roberto invited us round for a ritual bra burning evening.
Faye : Shut up Gary.
Gary : Oh dear, somebody got out of the wrong side of bed this morning.
Faye : I think you mean somebody has being getting into the wrong bed for the last two years.
Gary and Faye begin to glare at each other, both getting riled up before Georgie shouts in their direction.
Georgie : Why don’t the both of you shut up! Seriously guys you’re making Hannah uncomfortable. I am sorry Hannah, ignore these two.
Hannah Reed : Oh no, it is fine don’t worry…
Georgie : So, Hannah. Are you and Roberto an item?
Hannah splutters slightly, nearly choking on the sip of wine she had just taken. Composing herself she wipes her mouth and shakes her head.
Hannah Reed : Oh…no, no we are just…well friends I guess. I must be honest I don’t really know him…
Georgie : Oh, forgive me…I guess we all just thought you two had hit it off. Roberto tends to have that effect on the women he works with…
Faye : What she means is, the ladies Roberto tends to invite over to these nights tend to be ones he is seeing at the time. We aren’t really used to him bringing friends.
Suddenly the room falls silent as Roberto walks back in, a glass of wine in his own hand. He stops and looks around, mid-sip, as he looks back and forth between his friends and Hannah, who is stood awkwardly where he left her.
Roberto Verona : You didn’t even offer her a seat? Seriously you guys, you’re useless. Hannah, would you like to sit down?
Hannah Reed : Oh, erm, yes please Roberto.
Roberto walks between the crowd and sits down in a large leather chair before leaning forward and patting the seat of another next to his.
Roberto Verona : Come sit next to me away from the rest of these reprobates. You’ll be safe over here.
Hannah politely scuttles towards Roberto, smiling at the rest of the group who begin to talk amongst themselves as she places herself carefully besides Roberto, placing her wine glass on the table between them both. Roberto smiles, trying to put her at ease before turning back toward the rest of the room.
Roberto Verona : So, who many seconds did it take for these two to be at one another’s throats the moment I left the room?
Georgie : About ten. At a push.
Gary : Hey, we aren’t that bad guys!
Brad : Dude, the day you two spend more than a few minutes being nice to one another is the day I start going to work in stockings and a blonde wig.
Gary : I am sure you’d look dashing, Brad.
Roberto Verona : I find it infinitely worrying that you can comprehend that.
Gary : You forget where I met the guy, compared to his other get-ups on nights out drag would be an improvement.
Brad : Hey, just because I have a bit of fun with fancy dress doesn’t mean I will fulfil your deviant sexual desires man.
Faye : That ‘s a shame for Gary because neither will I. Looks like you’ll have to pay to get your kicks sweetie.
Gary : Who said I hadn’t already…
Roberto Verona : Okaaaaaay. Now before you completely weird my guest out, how about we move the conversation on a tad. Or a lot. Preferably a lot.
Gary : Oh come on, I am sure Hannah isn’t a prude.
Roberto Verona : I am also sure she doesn’t want to go into depth about your perversions either. As a matter of fact, none of us do. We just put up with it because you pay for the drinks.
Gary : Oh, so you’ve all been using me for these past few years then?
Georgie Yeah, pretty much.
The group laugh as Hannah smiles politely next to Roberto, trying her best to fit in
Gary : Here was me thinking it was my amazing personality and award-winning wit.
Roberto Verona : If you ever won an award for your sense of humour Gary, I would lose even more faith in the world of comedy.
Faye : If you won an award I’d lose the will to live.
Gary : There is some food for thought…
Faye smacks Gary hard on the shoulder as the scene begins to fade out, the group continuing their discussion as Hannah sits uncomfortably next to Roberto, words running frantically through he head as she attempts to cover up more and more of her skin in everybody’s presence.
Aaaaaaaand there we have it folks. That’s right, roll up, roll up one and all and behold with me in awe and wonder at the gargantuan extravaganza that is Todd William’s latest excuse for failure. We’ve been treated to the delights of “You couldn’t beat me without help from the Young guns” but boy oh boy, Todd hasn’t disappointed us folks, because this time he has come up with a world beater, a real doozey. This excuse is even better than all of the others he has spewed out to explain why he just flat out sucks, in fact it is so good I could barely believe my ears when I heard it.
Todd Williams lost to me because he was sad.
That’s right, the great Todd Williams only got beaten by me because he was going through a few personal problems. It wasn’t because I am simply better than him, it wasn’t because when it came to it he just didn’t have what it took to be a real champion and wasn’t because he just isn’t as good as he thought he was. No, it was because his life had gone to **** all around him. It was because his self-centred, egotistical, selfish wife finally upped sticks and jumped on Steve Awesome’s stick. It was because I made his professional life miserable with the constant beat downs. It was because he realised that he has the fathering skills of mentally challenged porpoise. It was because Todd Williams, the hyperactive, happy go lucky bouncy puppy dog of the NCW Roster got a case of boo hoos.
Cry me a river, Todd. Are you seriously trying to blame your complete failures against me by the fact that you were depressed? Seriously Williams, that is a new low, even for you, blaming your professional inadequacy on a mental illness. Oh, don’t worry I wouldn’t deny that you are perhaps the most mentally unstable person I have ever had the displeasure of setting my eyes on, frankly the term bi-polar was moulded especially for you, but for you to act like you getting miserable is some kind of excuse for me beating you, well that is just flat out insane.
Watch my lips Todd, very carefully. You lost because you were simply not good enough. You didn’t lose because you weren’t yourself, you didn’t lose because I took advantage of a mental cripple, you didn’t lose because you cried yourself to sleep at night. You lost because I am just simply more talented than you are. There is no rocket science to formulate, there is no great historical mystery to uncover. You just aren’t as good as me. I know, I know it is difficult for you to comprehend even the simplest of things but just try to understand Todd that when you and I enter the same ring, you are the underdog. Not me. You.
You think that just taking a sip of happy juice and skipping around like a Labrador on crack is the key to beating me? Congratulations Todd, you beat me once. Over three months ago. You see, it is funny that when you beat me it is because you’re “in the zone”, but when I beat you I either a) cheated, b) fluked it or c) your heart wasn’t in it. Yet when you beat me? Well that is proof that you’re somehow the best thing since sliced bread. The reason you beat me is quite simple Todd. I was naïve, I didn’t understand how things worked around here and you proved that, when you’re given the chance, you can be quite deadly in the ring. You won fair and square, you achieved the biggest highlight of your career. Congratulations. The only problem is that since we met the first time, I have roundly beaten you twice.
I beat you when it actually mattered. Sure, you got your name in lights when you beat me on Collision but I put you away at Sovereign and then I defeated you for the NCW X-Championship on the biggest night of the year in this business. When everything was on the line and the only thing in your professional life that mattered was hanging in the balance you came, you saw, you collapsed. You completely, undeniably, unequivocally bottled it. When the pressure was on, you crumbled like chronically shy teenager when the love of their lives smiled at them. The one time we fought when something big was on the line, you lost. You waltzed down to that ring with the X-Championship wrapped around your waist and when the deed was done, I got up, climbed out of that very same squared circle and walked back to my locker room with the X-Championship.
No matter how you try to explain that event away Todd, the fact of the matter is you lost. You failed. You blew it. It doesn’t matter if you “weren’t yourself”, it doesn’t matter if you “weren’t focused on our match”, it doesn’t matter if you’d just got your first period. Nothing matters other than the result. The fact is Todd that I had hardly set the world alight like I can do in the run up to our bout, the form book wasn’t in my favour, you were the defending champion and yet somehow I could go out there, put my personal life to one side and get the job done. You see Todd, we all have our problems, be them big or small, we all have good times and bad times but the best of us, the elite, we learn that when you go down to that ring, you sure as **** don’t bring your personal life with you. When you step in that ring Todd, you aren’t a husband, a father or a businessman. You are a wrestler. That’s it. If you bring the other facets of your life down to the ring with you Todd you will never be able to disconnect from your private life and you will never, ever, take the next step in your career. Whether you learn that when I beat you on Sunday, or further down the line after more failure, is another matter.
So, with all that in mind Todd, now the “real you” is back, and by the way I feel so glad you can one day sell that story to some crappy film production company on Lifetime someday, can we agree on one thing? That if “the real” Todd Williams rolls up at Reborn on Sunday and he loses, that you once and for all accept that there is no denying the fact that I am simply better than you. If the “real you” cannot get the job done, again, this week can we finally put this whole sorry affair to bed? Because I’ll be honest with you Todd, you’re running out of excuses here. You’ve gone through the classic I cheated and you weren’t prepared, when you now go on and lose with your latest “the real you is back” gimmick you really have nothing left to bore us all with. When I beat you this weekend, you will have even lost the extra leg you re-grew and once again not have one to stand on.
As for the opinion polls Williams, you should know by now that the opinion of the NCW fan base means absolutely bugger all to me. Whether they have, this time, wisely decided to back the stallion over the shire pony is frankly irrelevant to me. All that matters is that I am the X-Champion and you are the thoroughly undeserving challenger and whether the entire universe agrees or not, I will beat you. No opinion poll, census, Facebook group or pie chart can change the fact that I will be walking out with my first title defence under my belt, whether you bring you’re A, B or Z game with you or not.
Oh look, the homophobic quips wrapped in a delicious xenophobic coating are back in full force once again. For a man who spent the majority of 2011 chastising me for “repeating myself” you sure do like to throw the same tired old crap in my direction. Gay jibe? Check. Motivational defeat of mental problems? Check. Star Wars reference? Check. Pointless attempts to appear black? Check. Irrational explanations for your “superiority”? Check. You see Todd, it is the same every single time you open your mouth and what can be loosely described as words come out. I am glad to see that my personal favourite, “BECAUSE I AM TODD WILLIAMS” is back too, that completes my list of worn-out Toddisms.
Do you want to know why you are just a big running joke in the NCW Todd? It is BECAUSE YOU’RE TODD WILLIAMS. Do you want to know why you are going to walk down to that ring, all pumped up and ready to go but still walk out a loser? It is BECAUSE YOU’RE TODD WILLIAMS. Why did your wife leave you for a jumped up man whore? It is BECAUSE YOU’RE TODD WILLIAMS. Everything that makes you an utter waste of space and a colossal failure as a wrestler, husband and father boils down to the fact that you are Todd Williams. So be my guest, scream all you like that you are simply awesome and mummy’s big special boy because you are Todd Williams, but we all know that Todd Williams doesn’t stand for supreme talent and ginormous ability, it stands for worthless hack and utter devoid of any positive characteristics. So eat your turkey mayo sandwiches, gulp down you grape juice and run down hotel corridors like a child full of skittles and enjoy your life as best you can because you will be a damn sight happier living in the delusional façade you concocted before you got depressed and took a sip of reality.
As for Flashbang? I think it is great that you have managed to make some friends Todd, it is great to see you getting out there now you’re a single man and everything. As for your collective goal to destroy the Young Guns and wipe them from the history books? Dream on Todd. You’re quite right, alone you didn’t stand a chance but I hate to break it to you, just because you’ve aligned yourself with a glorified stunt artist, a title warmer and a man who likes to play dress up doesn’t mean you are any closer to accomplishing that goal. In fact, by concentrating your numbers all you have gone and done is create more targets for us to mop up, hell we should thank you for helping us put more of the roster underneath of heels quicker than we had ever planned to. So you and the rest of what will ultimately be remembered as “Damp Squib” can unleash this “huge counter-strike” against the Young Guns all you like, all it will result in is yet more beat downs and by the end of it what will you have to show for yourselves? Nothing but a few scars and bad memories. Don’t play with sharks Todd, you likely to get yourself torn in two.
Do I think that with an even playing field and all the sliders in an equal place I have a chance of beating you Todd? Erm…Todd, buddy. I know I do. It is called “A Night To Remember”. You know when I beat you? For your belt? By myself? In under ten minutes? So, to answer your question Todd, bearing in mind I don’t buy the “waa waa waa I am saaaad” excuse, I am pretty sure I can beat you. Again. The facts prove that when it really matters, I have what it takes to beat you. I don’t need to get in your head to do it, I don’t need to play any games to do it and I don’t need back up to do it. However, none of this really means anything to you does it Todd? Because when all is said and done, and I am leaving the British Isles with my belt intact, you’ll just be scrambling around for more excuses. When push comes to shove Todd, I get the job done, whilst you crawl back with your pride bruised looking for more reasons for your failure and it is what separates a real champion from temporary one.
You’re not the solution to the revolution Todd. You’re just a very stupid boy.
Vive La Révolution
Chicago, November 16th 2004, 2:12am
The guests begin to slowly file out of Roberto’s apartment, each stopping to dispense the customary farewells to their hosts before the last of the group exits through the front door which Verona closes behind them. Emitting a sigh of relief Roberto shakes his head and laughs to himself before re-entering the living room where Hannah sits sheepishly on the leather chair she has spent an awkward evening upon. Roberto smiles before clearing the table and taking the empty glasses and bottles through to his kitchen, re-emerging with another bottle, sitting down on the sofa next to Hannah who sits staring at the floorboards, fiddling with the strap of her handbag.
Roberto Verona : I hope they weren’t too much of a pain, I know what they can get like when they have a few drinks in them. Hell, I know what they’re like when they are sober.
Hannah Reed : Considering the people I associate with, I think I’d be lying if I said my eyes were opened this evening.
Roberto laughs, leaning back on his sofa to get comfortable as Hannah begins to relax a little more, taking a sip of her newly poured glass.
Roberto Verona : I am going to be forward here Hannah and say I get the impression you weren’t expecting any company tonight?
Hannah blushes, dipping her head and hiding behind her hair to disguise her embrassment.
Hannah Reed : I must admit I wasn’t quite expecting to spend my evening with anybody else no…
Roberto Verona : Well, if you had known about everybody else we wouldn’t have been treated to all the effort you went to on yourself, would we?
Hannah smiles sheepishly, still staring at her shoes, cursing her stupidity in her head.
Hannah Reed : Yeah…. I guess you are right.
Roberto Verona : If it is any consolation, the last social gathering I went to I ended up at a huge dinner party in a pair of jeans and t-shirt awkwardly sipping my champagne whilst being judged for three hours.
Hannah lets out a little involuntary giggle before smiling again in appreciation.
Roberto Verona : So, really, it could have been a lot worse!
Hannah Reed : I agree. Thank you for a nice evening anyway, I would have probably spent the night alone with a tub of Ben & Jerrys and my remote permanently glued to my palm.
Roberto Verona : Than it has been my pleasure Miss Reed to have separated you and your TiVo for a few hours. I just hope he isn’t jealous when you get back.
Hannah Reed : Heh, yeah. He will be wondering when I’ve got to at this time of night.
Roberto Verona : Well, his wrath has been worth it to get to know you a little better. Although, I must confess there must be a lot more to you. You were a little quiet.
Hannah Reed : Sorry about that, I think I just wanted to drink my shame away…
Roberto Verona : Isn’t that what we all do? It’s a time honoured classic.
Hannah Reed : I really ought to be going, I don’t mean to be rude but it is getting a little late…
Roberto turns to look at the clock behind him before turning back and gulping the rest of his glass down.
Roberto Verona : Oh, do forgive me. Time got away from me there. Let me escort you out.
Roberto lifts himself off the sofa, waiting politely for Hannah to get up and walk past him. The pair walk slowly down the small hallway, the effects of a night of wine hindering their ability to walk straight. Roberto opens the front door for Hannah, who slinks past him before the pair stand face to face, one inside the apartment, the other in the corridor.
Hannah Reed : Well, thank you for a wonderful evening. It was fun.
Roberto Verona : Any time, you get yourself back safe and sound Miss Reed. I don’t want to find you slumped in the corridor in the morning, I’d feel like an awful host.
Hannah Reed : I am sure I will be fine, good night.
Roberto Verona : Good night, Miss Reed
Roberto smiles and closes the door, leaving Hannah to turn away and slowly make her way down the corridor. She suddenly stops and folds her arms, slapping her forehead in frustration.
Hannah Reed : Frick! You made a complete idiot of yourself Hannah! You never list….
Suddenly, a voice can be heard from behind a door.
Roberto Verona : I can still hear you Hannah….
Hannah opens two of her fingers and stares in horror, biting her lips before screwing up her eyes.
Hannah Reed : Sorry!
Roberto Verona : Don’t worry. Listen, why don’t you get yourself back to your apartment, sleep off the wine and then bring yourself around to mine tomorrow night. I promise it’ll just be the two of us. Oh, and bring that little dress of yours. Good night
Muffled laughter can be heard, slowly fading as Hannah suddenly lights up, before replaying her embarrassment in her mind. Shaking her head she quickly shuffles down the corridor, fishing for her keys and entering her own apartment, closing it behind her leaving nothing but silence behind her.
The wind whistled outside, breaking through small cracks in the corridor window to provide a cool atmosphere with a melodic tune akin to bird song. The hallway is quiet, save for the muffled sound of televisions and incoherent chatter in each of the occupied apartments. A few lights go out, their small slither beneath the door frames turning black as the sound of keys can be heard from one apartment. A few moments and ingles pass before Hannah Reed stpes out of her apartment and into the corridor. She is wearing a smart red dress with matching heels, her hair worn in curls as she closes her door, locking it behind her, before putting her keys into a small purse. Letting out a deep breath she begins to talk to herself.
Hannah Reed : You can do this Hannah….
She takes another deep breath before jumping suddenly, startled by the vibration of her phone and the subsequent ringtone. She quickly opens up her handbag, feverishly searching through the contents before pulling out her phone.
Hannah Reed : Hello? Stephanie? What do you want?
No I haven’t got there yet.
No I am not trying to arrive fashionably late on purpose at all! Why would I do that?
Yes I am wearing the dress you suggested…
No I am not wearing those….
I don’t think he’ll see them Stephanie! I am not a whore!
That was one time!
Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do? That isn’t leaving me with many parameters…
If you keep trying to pimp me out Steph I won’t get there at all…
Goodbye Stephanie!
Hannah shakes her head in disgust before turning her phone onto silent to escape any further “advice”. Closing her handbag she starts to walk down the corridor before reaching flat 4G where she halts for a moment. Pulling her dress into the right places Hannah slowly mutters something to herself before before clenching her fist and gently rapping it against the door. A few moments pass before footsteps can be heard as the sound of locks being unhinged rattles through the doorframe. The door opens and Roberto stands in the doorway, looking Hannah up and down.
Roberto Verona : Wow…. You certainly like to dress to impress Miss Reed.
Hannah Reed : Oh this old thing….I just threw it on really….
Roberto Verona : Well I like it. You’ll have to forgive me, I feel like a bit of a tramp now.
Hannah Reed : You look fine to me…
Roberto Verona : Well, I will have to graciously accept your compliments Miss Reed. Follow me…
Roberto holds his arm out and leads Hannah along the short corridor to another room. The pair reach a closed door, which Roberto opens to the sound of talking, leading Hannah into a large living room. Hannah suddenly stops, a startled look on her face as she stares around the room at a small party of people, the rush of embarrassment surging through her veins as she realises her error as she stars at the audience before her. Roberto disappear for a moment before returning with a glass of wine, passing it to Hannah who quickly grabs it from him and takes a gulp to hide her reddening face.
Roberto Verona : Guys, this is Hannah. She lives down the corridor.
The mixed group emits a relatively collective hello as Hannah waves awkwardly before bowing her head and playing her hair.
Roberto Verona : Try not to freak her out and play nice for a few minutes guys, I could do without you lot creeping out my neighbours. Again…
Roberto smiles at Hannah who stares back like a rabbit in the headlights as he disappears into another room again. An awkward silence falls as Hannah stares intently at the floorboards whilst fidgeting with her feet, as the guests look at each other before a brunette turns to the man sat next to her and nudges him. He quickly grabs his chest, trying to keep his drink his mouth before glaring back at her before taking a big gulp.
Gary : Hi Hannah, my name is Gary. And this…lovely…lady is Faye.
Faye waves politely as Gary begins to point towards the other guests.
Gary : That is Brad, the lady over there is Georgie and her friend there is Bella.
Hannah Reed : Oh…erm, well it is nice meeting you all….
Faye : So how do you know Roberto, Hannah?
Hannah Reed : Well, we bumped into each other a few weeks ago and got chatting, then I realised we sort of work together…
Gary : No offence but you don’t look like a bounty hunter and you certainly don’t look like a criminal…
Hannah Reed : Oh no, I am a lawyer. I guess you could say I finish what he starts.
Fay : So you mean you clean up his mess… isn’t that what us women spend all our lives doing?
Gary : I wasn’t aware Roberto invited us round for a ritual bra burning evening.
Faye : Shut up Gary.
Gary : Oh dear, somebody got out of the wrong side of bed this morning.
Faye : I think you mean somebody has being getting into the wrong bed for the last two years.
Gary and Faye begin to glare at each other, both getting riled up before Georgie shouts in their direction.
Georgie : Why don’t the both of you shut up! Seriously guys you’re making Hannah uncomfortable. I am sorry Hannah, ignore these two.
Hannah Reed : Oh no, it is fine don’t worry…
Georgie : So, Hannah. Are you and Roberto an item?
Hannah splutters slightly, nearly choking on the sip of wine she had just taken. Composing herself she wipes her mouth and shakes her head.
Hannah Reed : Oh…no, no we are just…well friends I guess. I must be honest I don’t really know him…
Georgie : Oh, forgive me…I guess we all just thought you two had hit it off. Roberto tends to have that effect on the women he works with…
Faye : What she means is, the ladies Roberto tends to invite over to these nights tend to be ones he is seeing at the time. We aren’t really used to him bringing friends.
Suddenly the room falls silent as Roberto walks back in, a glass of wine in his own hand. He stops and looks around, mid-sip, as he looks back and forth between his friends and Hannah, who is stood awkwardly where he left her.
Roberto Verona : You didn’t even offer her a seat? Seriously you guys, you’re useless. Hannah, would you like to sit down?
Hannah Reed : Oh, erm, yes please Roberto.
Roberto walks between the crowd and sits down in a large leather chair before leaning forward and patting the seat of another next to his.
Roberto Verona : Come sit next to me away from the rest of these reprobates. You’ll be safe over here.
Hannah politely scuttles towards Roberto, smiling at the rest of the group who begin to talk amongst themselves as she places herself carefully besides Roberto, placing her wine glass on the table between them both. Roberto smiles, trying to put her at ease before turning back toward the rest of the room.
Roberto Verona : So, who many seconds did it take for these two to be at one another’s throats the moment I left the room?
Georgie : About ten. At a push.
Gary : Hey, we aren’t that bad guys!
Brad : Dude, the day you two spend more than a few minutes being nice to one another is the day I start going to work in stockings and a blonde wig.
Gary : I am sure you’d look dashing, Brad.
Roberto Verona : I find it infinitely worrying that you can comprehend that.
Gary : You forget where I met the guy, compared to his other get-ups on nights out drag would be an improvement.
Brad : Hey, just because I have a bit of fun with fancy dress doesn’t mean I will fulfil your deviant sexual desires man.
Faye : That ‘s a shame for Gary because neither will I. Looks like you’ll have to pay to get your kicks sweetie.
Gary : Who said I hadn’t already…
Roberto Verona : Okaaaaaay. Now before you completely weird my guest out, how about we move the conversation on a tad. Or a lot. Preferably a lot.
Gary : Oh come on, I am sure Hannah isn’t a prude.
Roberto Verona : I am also sure she doesn’t want to go into depth about your perversions either. As a matter of fact, none of us do. We just put up with it because you pay for the drinks.
Gary : Oh, so you’ve all been using me for these past few years then?
Georgie Yeah, pretty much.
The group laugh as Hannah smiles politely next to Roberto, trying her best to fit in
Gary : Here was me thinking it was my amazing personality and award-winning wit.
Roberto Verona : If you ever won an award for your sense of humour Gary, I would lose even more faith in the world of comedy.
Faye : If you won an award I’d lose the will to live.
Gary : There is some food for thought…
Faye smacks Gary hard on the shoulder as the scene begins to fade out, the group continuing their discussion as Hannah sits uncomfortably next to Roberto, words running frantically through he head as she attempts to cover up more and more of her skin in everybody’s presence.
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Aaaaaaaand there we have it folks. That’s right, roll up, roll up one and all and behold with me in awe and wonder at the gargantuan extravaganza that is Todd William’s latest excuse for failure. We’ve been treated to the delights of “You couldn’t beat me without help from the Young guns” but boy oh boy, Todd hasn’t disappointed us folks, because this time he has come up with a world beater, a real doozey. This excuse is even better than all of the others he has spewed out to explain why he just flat out sucks, in fact it is so good I could barely believe my ears when I heard it.
Todd Williams lost to me because he was sad.
That’s right, the great Todd Williams only got beaten by me because he was going through a few personal problems. It wasn’t because I am simply better than him, it wasn’t because when it came to it he just didn’t have what it took to be a real champion and wasn’t because he just isn’t as good as he thought he was. No, it was because his life had gone to **** all around him. It was because his self-centred, egotistical, selfish wife finally upped sticks and jumped on Steve Awesome’s stick. It was because I made his professional life miserable with the constant beat downs. It was because he realised that he has the fathering skills of mentally challenged porpoise. It was because Todd Williams, the hyperactive, happy go lucky bouncy puppy dog of the NCW Roster got a case of boo hoos.
Cry me a river, Todd. Are you seriously trying to blame your complete failures against me by the fact that you were depressed? Seriously Williams, that is a new low, even for you, blaming your professional inadequacy on a mental illness. Oh, don’t worry I wouldn’t deny that you are perhaps the most mentally unstable person I have ever had the displeasure of setting my eyes on, frankly the term bi-polar was moulded especially for you, but for you to act like you getting miserable is some kind of excuse for me beating you, well that is just flat out insane.
Watch my lips Todd, very carefully. You lost because you were simply not good enough. You didn’t lose because you weren’t yourself, you didn’t lose because I took advantage of a mental cripple, you didn’t lose because you cried yourself to sleep at night. You lost because I am just simply more talented than you are. There is no rocket science to formulate, there is no great historical mystery to uncover. You just aren’t as good as me. I know, I know it is difficult for you to comprehend even the simplest of things but just try to understand Todd that when you and I enter the same ring, you are the underdog. Not me. You.
You think that just taking a sip of happy juice and skipping around like a Labrador on crack is the key to beating me? Congratulations Todd, you beat me once. Over three months ago. You see, it is funny that when you beat me it is because you’re “in the zone”, but when I beat you I either a) cheated, b) fluked it or c) your heart wasn’t in it. Yet when you beat me? Well that is proof that you’re somehow the best thing since sliced bread. The reason you beat me is quite simple Todd. I was naïve, I didn’t understand how things worked around here and you proved that, when you’re given the chance, you can be quite deadly in the ring. You won fair and square, you achieved the biggest highlight of your career. Congratulations. The only problem is that since we met the first time, I have roundly beaten you twice.
I beat you when it actually mattered. Sure, you got your name in lights when you beat me on Collision but I put you away at Sovereign and then I defeated you for the NCW X-Championship on the biggest night of the year in this business. When everything was on the line and the only thing in your professional life that mattered was hanging in the balance you came, you saw, you collapsed. You completely, undeniably, unequivocally bottled it. When the pressure was on, you crumbled like chronically shy teenager when the love of their lives smiled at them. The one time we fought when something big was on the line, you lost. You waltzed down to that ring with the X-Championship wrapped around your waist and when the deed was done, I got up, climbed out of that very same squared circle and walked back to my locker room with the X-Championship.
No matter how you try to explain that event away Todd, the fact of the matter is you lost. You failed. You blew it. It doesn’t matter if you “weren’t yourself”, it doesn’t matter if you “weren’t focused on our match”, it doesn’t matter if you’d just got your first period. Nothing matters other than the result. The fact is Todd that I had hardly set the world alight like I can do in the run up to our bout, the form book wasn’t in my favour, you were the defending champion and yet somehow I could go out there, put my personal life to one side and get the job done. You see Todd, we all have our problems, be them big or small, we all have good times and bad times but the best of us, the elite, we learn that when you go down to that ring, you sure as **** don’t bring your personal life with you. When you step in that ring Todd, you aren’t a husband, a father or a businessman. You are a wrestler. That’s it. If you bring the other facets of your life down to the ring with you Todd you will never be able to disconnect from your private life and you will never, ever, take the next step in your career. Whether you learn that when I beat you on Sunday, or further down the line after more failure, is another matter.
So, with all that in mind Todd, now the “real you” is back, and by the way I feel so glad you can one day sell that story to some crappy film production company on Lifetime someday, can we agree on one thing? That if “the real” Todd Williams rolls up at Reborn on Sunday and he loses, that you once and for all accept that there is no denying the fact that I am simply better than you. If the “real you” cannot get the job done, again, this week can we finally put this whole sorry affair to bed? Because I’ll be honest with you Todd, you’re running out of excuses here. You’ve gone through the classic I cheated and you weren’t prepared, when you now go on and lose with your latest “the real you is back” gimmick you really have nothing left to bore us all with. When I beat you this weekend, you will have even lost the extra leg you re-grew and once again not have one to stand on.
As for the opinion polls Williams, you should know by now that the opinion of the NCW fan base means absolutely bugger all to me. Whether they have, this time, wisely decided to back the stallion over the shire pony is frankly irrelevant to me. All that matters is that I am the X-Champion and you are the thoroughly undeserving challenger and whether the entire universe agrees or not, I will beat you. No opinion poll, census, Facebook group or pie chart can change the fact that I will be walking out with my first title defence under my belt, whether you bring you’re A, B or Z game with you or not.
Oh look, the homophobic quips wrapped in a delicious xenophobic coating are back in full force once again. For a man who spent the majority of 2011 chastising me for “repeating myself” you sure do like to throw the same tired old crap in my direction. Gay jibe? Check. Motivational defeat of mental problems? Check. Star Wars reference? Check. Pointless attempts to appear black? Check. Irrational explanations for your “superiority”? Check. You see Todd, it is the same every single time you open your mouth and what can be loosely described as words come out. I am glad to see that my personal favourite, “BECAUSE I AM TODD WILLIAMS” is back too, that completes my list of worn-out Toddisms.
Do you want to know why you are just a big running joke in the NCW Todd? It is BECAUSE YOU’RE TODD WILLIAMS. Do you want to know why you are going to walk down to that ring, all pumped up and ready to go but still walk out a loser? It is BECAUSE YOU’RE TODD WILLIAMS. Why did your wife leave you for a jumped up man whore? It is BECAUSE YOU’RE TODD WILLIAMS. Everything that makes you an utter waste of space and a colossal failure as a wrestler, husband and father boils down to the fact that you are Todd Williams. So be my guest, scream all you like that you are simply awesome and mummy’s big special boy because you are Todd Williams, but we all know that Todd Williams doesn’t stand for supreme talent and ginormous ability, it stands for worthless hack and utter devoid of any positive characteristics. So eat your turkey mayo sandwiches, gulp down you grape juice and run down hotel corridors like a child full of skittles and enjoy your life as best you can because you will be a damn sight happier living in the delusional façade you concocted before you got depressed and took a sip of reality.
As for Flashbang? I think it is great that you have managed to make some friends Todd, it is great to see you getting out there now you’re a single man and everything. As for your collective goal to destroy the Young Guns and wipe them from the history books? Dream on Todd. You’re quite right, alone you didn’t stand a chance but I hate to break it to you, just because you’ve aligned yourself with a glorified stunt artist, a title warmer and a man who likes to play dress up doesn’t mean you are any closer to accomplishing that goal. In fact, by concentrating your numbers all you have gone and done is create more targets for us to mop up, hell we should thank you for helping us put more of the roster underneath of heels quicker than we had ever planned to. So you and the rest of what will ultimately be remembered as “Damp Squib” can unleash this “huge counter-strike” against the Young Guns all you like, all it will result in is yet more beat downs and by the end of it what will you have to show for yourselves? Nothing but a few scars and bad memories. Don’t play with sharks Todd, you likely to get yourself torn in two.
Do I think that with an even playing field and all the sliders in an equal place I have a chance of beating you Todd? Erm…Todd, buddy. I know I do. It is called “A Night To Remember”. You know when I beat you? For your belt? By myself? In under ten minutes? So, to answer your question Todd, bearing in mind I don’t buy the “waa waa waa I am saaaad” excuse, I am pretty sure I can beat you. Again. The facts prove that when it really matters, I have what it takes to beat you. I don’t need to get in your head to do it, I don’t need to play any games to do it and I don’t need back up to do it. However, none of this really means anything to you does it Todd? Because when all is said and done, and I am leaving the British Isles with my belt intact, you’ll just be scrambling around for more excuses. When push comes to shove Todd, I get the job done, whilst you crawl back with your pride bruised looking for more reasons for your failure and it is what separates a real champion from temporary one.
You’re not the solution to the revolution Todd. You’re just a very stupid boy.
Vive La Révolution
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Chicago, November 16th 2004, 2:12am
The guests begin to slowly file out of Roberto’s apartment, each stopping to dispense the customary farewells to their hosts before the last of the group exits through the front door which Verona closes behind them. Emitting a sigh of relief Roberto shakes his head and laughs to himself before re-entering the living room where Hannah sits sheepishly on the leather chair she has spent an awkward evening upon. Roberto smiles before clearing the table and taking the empty glasses and bottles through to his kitchen, re-emerging with another bottle, sitting down on the sofa next to Hannah who sits staring at the floorboards, fiddling with the strap of her handbag.
Roberto Verona : I hope they weren’t too much of a pain, I know what they can get like when they have a few drinks in them. Hell, I know what they’re like when they are sober.
Hannah Reed : Considering the people I associate with, I think I’d be lying if I said my eyes were opened this evening.
Roberto laughs, leaning back on his sofa to get comfortable as Hannah begins to relax a little more, taking a sip of her newly poured glass.
Roberto Verona : I am going to be forward here Hannah and say I get the impression you weren’t expecting any company tonight?
Hannah blushes, dipping her head and hiding behind her hair to disguise her embrassment.
Hannah Reed : I must admit I wasn’t quite expecting to spend my evening with anybody else no…
Roberto Verona : Well, if you had known about everybody else we wouldn’t have been treated to all the effort you went to on yourself, would we?
Hannah smiles sheepishly, still staring at her shoes, cursing her stupidity in her head.
Hannah Reed : Yeah…. I guess you are right.
Roberto Verona : If it is any consolation, the last social gathering I went to I ended up at a huge dinner party in a pair of jeans and t-shirt awkwardly sipping my champagne whilst being judged for three hours.
Hannah lets out a little involuntary giggle before smiling again in appreciation.
Roberto Verona : So, really, it could have been a lot worse!
Hannah Reed : I agree. Thank you for a nice evening anyway, I would have probably spent the night alone with a tub of Ben & Jerrys and my remote permanently glued to my palm.
Roberto Verona : Than it has been my pleasure Miss Reed to have separated you and your TiVo for a few hours. I just hope he isn’t jealous when you get back.
Hannah Reed : Heh, yeah. He will be wondering when I’ve got to at this time of night.
Roberto Verona : Well, his wrath has been worth it to get to know you a little better. Although, I must confess there must be a lot more to you. You were a little quiet.
Hannah Reed : Sorry about that, I think I just wanted to drink my shame away…
Roberto Verona : Isn’t that what we all do? It’s a time honoured classic.
Hannah Reed : I really ought to be going, I don’t mean to be rude but it is getting a little late…
Roberto turns to look at the clock behind him before turning back and gulping the rest of his glass down.
Roberto Verona : Oh, do forgive me. Time got away from me there. Let me escort you out.
Roberto lifts himself off the sofa, waiting politely for Hannah to get up and walk past him. The pair walk slowly down the small hallway, the effects of a night of wine hindering their ability to walk straight. Roberto opens the front door for Hannah, who slinks past him before the pair stand face to face, one inside the apartment, the other in the corridor.
Hannah Reed : Well, thank you for a wonderful evening. It was fun.
Roberto Verona : Any time, you get yourself back safe and sound Miss Reed. I don’t want to find you slumped in the corridor in the morning, I’d feel like an awful host.
Hannah Reed : I am sure I will be fine, good night.
Roberto Verona : Good night, Miss Reed
Roberto smiles and closes the door, leaving Hannah to turn away and slowly make her way down the corridor. She suddenly stops and folds her arms, slapping her forehead in frustration.
Hannah Reed : Frick! You made a complete idiot of yourself Hannah! You never list….
Suddenly, a voice can be heard from behind a door.
Roberto Verona : I can still hear you Hannah….
Hannah opens two of her fingers and stares in horror, biting her lips before screwing up her eyes.
Hannah Reed : Sorry!
Roberto Verona : Don’t worry. Listen, why don’t you get yourself back to your apartment, sleep off the wine and then bring yourself around to mine tomorrow night. I promise it’ll just be the two of us. Oh, and bring that little dress of yours. Good night
Muffled laughter can be heard, slowly fading as Hannah suddenly lights up, before replaying her embarrassment in her mind. Shaking her head she quickly shuffles down the corridor, fishing for her keys and entering her own apartment, closing it behind her leaving nothing but silence behind her.