Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2011 14:46:56 GMT -6
Falstaff: I will not lend thee a penny.
Pistol: Why then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open.
Falstaff: Not a penny.
Pistol: Why then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open.
Falstaff: Not a penny.
Money.
Money.
Money.
Oh Alex, it is most definitely not all about the money. Perhaps other men in this company will chase the gold for the financial rewards, let’s face it that is most of them, but I’m not of the same caliber. Would being the NCW National Champion warrant a well-deserved rise in my personal income? Of course, why wouldn’t it?
The only problem is that all that comes with being a champion materially is nothing but a bonus to me. The fact is I’m quite prepared to carry on getting fined by Leonard Fox and “the boys” because the economic factor of being National champion does not interest me, whereas speaking my mind does.
Frankly the fact is I’m already a rich man, I have no need for such base gains. I want to be National Champion because, whether you believe it or not, it is more than just a bit part in creating change in this company.
Is it as “prestigious” as the World Championship?
No.
That, however, is of little consequence to me Alex. Being National Champion gives me the opportunity to cement my position and weaken the Board of Directors. The fact is that a champion has far more leeway around this joint than a guy without a belt that is our course if you’re not well versed in the art of rectal pecking or in the Starlet’s case, fellatio.
Hey girls, no hard feelings.
A champion can get away with far more than other people, if Zelda Knite had engaged her…well, if she had a brain she would have realized that if she had played by Leonard’s rules and stretched them only so far to get what she wanted she’d still be dominating the rest of the Starlet’s division, much to the chagrin of the rest of the ladies. I am quite sure you get where I’m going Alex, to maneuver myself into a position of change I need bargaining tools.
As long as I’m unsackable, financially or otherwise, I can take steps towards my ultimate goal. Right now firing me would be stupid economically, but we both know that can change at any moment so instead I must rely on other tools to sweeten my pot at the negotiation table. My potential is one unarguable pro on my ever growing list, but the National Championship would be a much more tangible and physical bargaining chip.
But don’t get me wrong Alex, this isn’t all about “politics” or “revolutions”. I want what you want and that is to make the NCW National Championship more than “just a belt”. I want to make it into a championship that only the best of the best compete for, not some cheap accessory that panders to men’s egos. Putting my personal “motives” aside and purely focusing on my professional ones, I want this belt because it already means more than the majority in this company and I know that by holding it I follow in the footsteps of men like yourself and Venom.
Will it aid my “plots and plans”, sure it will. I aren’t stupid enough to claim that isn’t a huge motivating factor, but I also know that it will help further propel me up the food chain until I’m undisputedly the best this business has to offer. Being National Champion will only compliment my career, there is no question of that.
“All I want is the National Title”?
That is perhaps a very naïve and simplistic conclusion Alex, but I’ll tell you this….
On Sunday, all that will matter is the National Title.
My revolution, your dreams of becoming a recognized “top talent”, it can all wait for another day. I know my own goals are a gradual process, on Sunday all that will matter is which one of us has it in us to beat the other man.
At Nothing to Lose there can only be one winner and I will be damned if that man is not me.
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Buildings stretch far and wide, soaring high in the sky as they reach towards the heavens and fulfill the dreams of so many who would dare to have them. The sun glows red, turning the sky purple as day slowly blends into the blackness of night, the wake of a plane ascending from JFK International Airport streaming elegantly across the sky as it transports weary passengers to another land far away. Roberto and Hannah stand side by side, unable to lean over the edge of the Empire State Building whose large metal fence is wrapped around the side of the peak to ward off the ill-minded of society. Hannah suddenly turns and leans against the fence, turning her head to one side towards Roberto.
Hannah Reed : I still can’t believe you did it…
Roberto turns his head
Roberto Verona : Did what?
Hannah Reed : Did what? Erm, paid to have the observation deck of the Empire State Building vacated for just us. You know, little things like that.
Roberto Verona : I told you, I dislike New Yorkers. The only people I hate even more are tourists. It is money well spent.
Hannah looks puzzled.
Hannah Reed : Wait… aren’t we tourists?
Roberto Verona : Do you have to spoil this for me?
Hannah Reed : Oh, sorry for questioning your logic sir. It won’t happen again.
Hannah smiles and makes a “zip” motion with one hand across her mouth.
Roberto Verona : If only all women came with that installed as standard… But seriously, I just wanted it to be us two, constantly being stuck inside crowds doesn’t help my focus before big matches. Although I wasn’t lying when I said I hate New Yorkers.
Hannah Reed : I understand, you just wanted me all to yourself. It’s understandable.
Hannah nudges Roberto playfully who shakes his head, a small chuckle emanating from his lips.
Roberto Verona : I didn’t realize altitude sickness applied at this height…
Hannah Reed : Hey, I am just as desirable at 1250ft as I am at sea-level mister.
Roberto Verona : You’ve been reading the information boards again haven’t you?
Hannah Reed : …..Yes. There’s nothing wrong with broadening ones scope of knowledge Mr Verona.
Roberto Verona : Try telling that to the sycophants backstage on Sunday, they seem to view intelligence as some sort of ego trip instead of having a simple grasp on English and the world around them.
Hannah Reed : Oh dear Roberto, have the means boys been picking on you for being smart?
Roberto Verona : Come to think of it, NCW really is a lot like high school. The only way to be popular is to be a certifiable moron or fantastically talented on your knees.
Hannah Reed : I’ll try to remember that…. So, are you ready for Alex Jones this Sunday?
Verona is slightly taken aback at the change of subject, turning round to face the same way as Hannah.
Roberto Verona : Ready as I will ever be. Or should that be “I was born ready” Yeah, let’s go with that cliché.
Hannah Reed : I was being serious!
Roberto Verona : So was I.
Roberto winks playfully.
Roberto Verona : I will go down to that ring like I always do and do everything it takes to win, I can do no more than that. Alex has it in him to win but I am confident that I will have a headache Monday morning for all the right reasons.
Hannah shudders suddenly, a gust of wind catching her bare arms.
Hannah Reed : As lovely as this sunset is, can we please go back inside now, this shirt isn’t forgiving on nipple erections…
Roberto suddenly dips his head to look but Hannah covers her chest and shoots him a look.
Roberto Verona : Oh fine spoil sport, if you insist.
Roberto stands up straight and walks towards the open doorway, swiftly followed by Hannah who races after him to get back inside as they soon move out of sight.
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You know as much as I respect you Alex, I can’t help but get the feeling that perhaps you’re a little naïve. What do I mean? I mean this obsession that I should have just walked right up to you and asked you for a title shot.
Alex, I would never ask another man for a title shot. I don’t want to be in any man’s debt, least of all the guy I am facing. I do not need any body to do me a favour.
Had I asked you for a chance to remove that belt from around your waist I’d be no better than some sort of common Jimmy Zane, poking and probing until the bear just gets bored and fights back. I’m a better man than that Alex. But didn’t I ask Leonard Fox I hear you cry? That’s where you’d be wrong Alex, I merely stated a fact. I wanted a shot at you. That was simply a statement; Leonard then decided to act upon it
I got my shot because it will be a great test for you, something to occupy me and more importantly it will ignite the crowd early on in the night for the rest of the card. When you look around this roster who else do you see that is worthy of stepping in that ring with you Alex? I can count them on one finger and luckily for you Leonard seems to be on a similar wavelength. Finally you can showcase your talents against the fastest rising star in NCW, somebody who may actually push you to your limits instead of just politely asking you to reach them.
Did I lose my X-Championship prematurely?
Perhaps.
Is Xander Famularo better than me?
Don’t be so ridiculous.
One door closed but clearly another one has opened, a month down the line here I am preparing to face you for a belt many would agree is far more prestigious. A month later I could actually find myself in a better position having beaten a man who is better than Xander Famularo.
I don’t dwell on the past Alex, losing to Xander was a setback, but I’ve made sure that I haven’t regressed but in fact taken strides forward in my career.
The fact is that at some point, everything must come to an end. Clearly, my time as X-Champion had run its course and similarly this weekend your time as National Champion will meet a similar fate. I had a good enough run but now I have bigger challenges to overcome and whilst your defeat isn’t a certainty I will do everything in my power to make sure that your path will deviate in a new direction.
You’re right to declare me as the most dangerous challenger you have yet to face in NCW Alex because I am. We both know that if I spot a weakness in you Alex, be it mental or physical, I will attack it like a bloodthirsty shark and I will not stop out of some misplaced sense of “honor”.
If breaking your leg wins me this match, I’ll snap it like a twig.
If tearing your shoulder from its socket prevents you from fighting back, I will pop it out with no remorse.
If bending the rules gains me an advantage, you better believe I’ll exploit it.
We both know that is my style Alex, to win at all costs and it is what has made me such a threat. You’re not stupid enough to expect any less and quite frankly, if you did the same, I wouldn’t have any qualms with you. That is how this business works, the ruthless and the merciless prosper and the kind-hearted and the honorable fall to the wayside. You and I have both been in this game for long enough to appreciate that.
Don’t get me wrong Alex, I have no intention of breaking you this weekend, far from it, but you know that what I am prepared to do is what makes me such a threat.
Would I enjoy watching you slap the retard out of Jimmy Zane? Damn right I would, if you do win I will be at ringside to watch it myself but all that I have in my mind is the knowledge that I would enjoy slapping that ungrateful ass clown around myself far, far more. I don’t expect to lose this weekend, perhaps that is naivety on my part but to embrace the possibility of failure will only create doubt and self-doubt is the first step to defeating myself from within.
Regardless of what happens, I know that this will be a defining moment of both our careers. I will either sink or swim and you will either continue your fine form as champion or move onto the perhaps even golder pastures.
Nobody will forget our match at Nothing to Lose and that is what make the National Championship so special. This is a bout that will live long in the memories of those who are lucky enough to be inside that arena this weekend.
It is nights like these which are why I’m in this business.
Viva La Révolution.