Perseverance

[Joe Everyman]

It's not enough to tear me up
You need to watch me as I drop
Lying here in the wreckage of a life

The scene swiftly opens up inside of what looks to be a military base. A man in full uniform is seen running quickly through a narrow hall. He is holding a piece of paper in his hand. He passes many other men until he finally runs into the main chamber. He runs up to the man at the controls.

Courier: Sir! We have a level four troll alert!

The man looks up and sees the courier. The man is wearing a large, dark blue general's jacket and an eye patch. He also looks an awful lot like Joe Everyman.

General Everyman: My god... alert the men! This is not a drill!

The others in the chamber start getting up and rushing around to get their gear. Joe is looking around at them and out the window to see a sunset. He finally looks down at the paper that the courier handed him.

General Everyman: Everyone stop.

They continue to run around.

General Everyman: I SAID HALT!!

Everyone comes to a screeching halt. They all look up at the general.

General Everyman: Where was that courier?

The man slowly steps forward, clearly nervous.

General Everyman: This level four troll alert... is a fail troll.

Everyone in the room gasps. A woman in the front faints and is caught by another.

Courier: But... sir. You said to bring any troll to your attention so it could be dealt with immediately.

General Everyman: But this... this is not a true troll. This is only...

He takes the paper and slams it down on a nearby table. Everyone looks at it in awe.

General Everyman: ...Alex Jones.

Courier: But, sir...

General Everyman: Don't say another word. I gave specific instructions to everyone. Alex Jones is not a threat. He has tried to get every single one of us before with his trolling tactics. But has it ever worked in the past?

Everyone stands still.

General Everyman: Well, did they?!

Everyone: No sir!

General Everyman: That's more like it. I have told every single one of you that the things he says are not only false, but blasphemic, slanderous and been said countless times before. A troll must say new things. A troll must say things that actually gets under the skin of an individual. Otherwise, they are unneeded and unwanted. Do you all understand?

They all nod.

General Everyman: Good. Now, about mast. Raise the top sails!

Courier: Sir, this isn't a ship.

General Everyman: To the brig with him!

Courier: Sir, we don't have a brig.

The general turns around and slaps the man. Two soldiers then grab him and drag him out of the room.

General Everyman: As I was saying... get this base topside! North heading!

The others in the chamber look around confused for a moment before going back to their duties from before. The scene then slowly fades out.

Oh, hey Alex. I didn't see you there. I think what you said this week was hilarious. I mean, how many people have said that stuff to me before and lost? A large amount, really. It's staggering, almost. It's gotten completely comical that people, especially one who has been around as long as you, haven't learned that yet. You did get one part right at least. We have known each other for the better part of a decade. We've both had our ups and downs during that time. Our careers have left each other's, came back, gone away, and now are back again. It's almost comical, really.

I know that our actually match will be something great for this company. The winner will go on to hopefully detach Adam or Trent from the National Championship. The build up for this match and that one has been going strong. But it's this week that I hate. Not because I am worried. Not because I'm scared. But because I hate going onto wrestling new forums. Yes, you heard me right. Everything you say sounds like the dribble that comes out of a wrestling fan page member's mouth... er, keyboard. And it makes me sick. Not like mentally sick, but physically sick. I don't see how so many people can be oblivious to the real picture. Or, have opinions so stupid that you only think they're a fan of that one guy everyone hates. Everything you said here so far this week could have been said by one of them just as easily.

I really thought you were above those people, Alex. I mean, as I said, you've been at this for a long time. I didn't think that you would do a carbon copy of someone else's promo against me. Or, rather, everyone else's promos against me. I really thought you were above that. But again, you managed to prove me wrong. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that... everyone lets me down with their comments. The last person to really get under my skin about something they said was Lex, and it was when him and I were a tag team. So, please, take that into consideration next time you think of something witty and original to say to me. But, if you're unwilling to do that, then there's really no point in to talk about me at all this week. We both know it's going to come down to the match, not this little shouting match.

Oh, and Alex, before you get all giddy because you think I fell into your trap... please, save us both the time and effort. I didn't. I ain't even mad. I'm trying to explain this to you in the most adult way I can. I don't need to yell. I don't need to swear. Just explaining it to you, that's all. I'll even compliment you on something to show you that I'm not lying. You said I was a three time National Champion, which is true. You said I used to be in my prime, and that old Joe is dead now. Also true. But the thing you neglected to say is that everyone has that one big drop in their career. You've had them. Hell, I was there for one. But everyone eventually rebounds and flies back out with flying colors... almost like a phoenix, as it were. I don't want to steal a line from you and... well, everyone, but soon, it will be time for my career to be reborn. And a even further record setting four time National Champion would do a huge part in that. Oh yeah... that's what you forgot to say to me. You forgot to say that I will become a four time National Champion. No biggy though, I'm sure you just overlooked it.

But, for now, I will leave you with this. I know our match is a big one. One of the biggest I've had recently, possibly second to only to my match against Adam Knite. I know what I have to do win. And even though everybody has me pegged to lose, I will persevere. Even though nobody has said a good thing about me all week, I will persevere. Even though I have the weight of the world on my shoulders this Sunday at A Night To Remember, I will still persevere. Remember Alex... nobody in the history of this company has ever been able to come out on top of a big match situation better than I have. Do you really think you're ready for that? I will persevere... will you?

Hit me hard, push me down
While you stand your holy ground
Blame it all on the one you blew away