Post by Andrew Jacobsen on Aug 14, 2012 21:35:24 GMT -6
Open backstage after Collision. Andrew is getting checked over by Leon Wesker, while Danielle Chase stands by, a worried look on her face. Andrew winces as Wesker pokes him in the ribs, swatting his hand away and grumbling at the man.
”For the love of God, I’ll be fine. Nothing’s broken, right? Nothing’s ruptured? Then I’ll be fine. Can I go yet?”
Wesker shoots a death glare at Andrew, who isn’t fazed, and nods. As soon as he does, Andrew stands up, standing as the medic lectures him.
”You’re lucky. The way you’ve been hit about the last few weeks, I’m amazed you’re not concussed or worse. You can go, Andrew, but you had better be careful. Doctor’s orders.”
Jacobsen nods, not really caring what Wesker cautions, and leaves the medic’s area, heading for the locker room. Danielle walks alongside him, worry etched across her features. Andrew stares dead ahead as she frantically tries to speak to him.
”Andrew, you can’t keep doing this. They outnumber you, they outpower you, if you keep interfering and sticking your neck out…you heard what Wesker said, you’re lucky you’re not injured already! Just please, think about this. I don’t want you throwing away your career on principle.”
Andrew whirls about in the middle of the hall, speaking with barely controlled anger seeping from his voice. He jabs his index finger at Danielle mid-sentence a few times to emphasize his words.
”Danielle, I don’t know if you remember this, but I live on principle. It’s all I have some days. And I don’t care how much they outman me or outmuscle me, I will be DAMNED if I just stand on the sidelines and do nothing while Kelly turns nCw into the Hierarchy’s playground. Now, I have no idea what’s going to happen, but no matter what, one thing I won’t do is crawl back into some hole and hide while the bombs are falling. I’m going to go change, and then we can talk more. I’ll meet you in the parking lot. Be safe.”
Danielle nods, and a moment passes where the two stare at each other. Andrew finally nods and turns to walk away, when Danielle surges forward and pulls him into a tight hug. He winces, feeling his bruised ribs complaining to his body, but he returns the show of affection. Danielle’s voice is choked as she speaks, muffled, into his chest.
”I…I just worry, you know? I worry about you and getting hurt and what’ll happen if…if you really get messed up. I don’t want you getting hurt, Andy…please, I’m begging you…”
He pauses, sighing, and nods, ruffling her hair as he pulls away. Andrew flashes that million-dollar grin at Danielle, and she returns the smile hesitantly. Jacobsen pats her on the shoulder, speaking as confidently and evenly as he’s ever been.
”Dani, I promise I won’t do anything too stupid. I don’t want to get hurt either. Now, I’d like to get out of these tights. They may be practical for ring wear, but they get all sorts of weird looks walking down the street.”
Chase stifles a snorting giggle, shaking her head, and Andrew’s grin grows even wider. He nods to her, turning and walking back towards the locker room. Andrew enters, mentally thanking his luck that nobody’s there, and walks to his locker, opening it and pulling out his bag. AJ opens the bag, pulling out a change of clothing, but his hand pauses over one of the zippered compartments. He opens it, fishing within, and pulls out a photograph, the back facing the camera. He flips it around, revealing it to be a photo of Zelda and Andrew in Sacramento, almost two years ago. Both of them are smiling, and Andrew smiles faintly himself, mind flashing to a happier time…a simpler time. Andrew stares at the photo forlornly, turning it over in his fingers. He sighs, shaking his head, and sets the photo down next to his bag, beginning to change as we fade out.
”You did quite the number on me, Xander. Congratulations. For the second time in as many weeks, you proved that when you suckerpunch someone, you can be dominant. Hell, no matter what you do, you can be dominant. I make no mistake, I’m stepping into the ring with a force of nature, no matter what you decide to call yourself and what you want to wear. But if the last three weeks haven’t taught you…if the last three YEARS haven’t taught ANYONE…let me remind you: there is no force, no group, NOTHING on this planet that can break my spirit and make me bend my knee to the likes of you.”
“I’ve waited for this moment. I’ve fought and clawed my way to every single accolade I’ve ever had, all building up to this. And here we are. Andrew Jacobsen. Xander Famularo. One on one…for the World Championship. The crown jewel of this company…and the reason I became a professional wrestler.”
“I’ve wanted to be the champ since Day One. Ever since I knew what wrestling was, ever since that first match in 1988, I’ve wanted to one day become World Champion. I grew up with wrestling, I studied wrestling, I practically worshipped wrestling. No matter what I did, I always had that end goal in mind. And there wasn’t any way I was going to back down from that.”
“So when I finally got my break, did I go whining to management that I deserved a World Title match right away? No. I made my name first. I battled one of the best in one of the most grueling matches of my career, and I stunned the world when I took the X Division Title from him within three months of entering this company. I have main-evented Collision after Collision, fought through pay-per-view after pay-per-view, and all the while I’ve had exactly one goal in mind: to become World Champion.”
“Now maybe I don’t have quite the wrestling pedigree you do, Xander. Maybe my dad isn’t as big a star as your dad, maybe my family isn’t married into multiple wrestling dynasties. It’s me and my father, against the Famularo-Knite-Williams triumvirate of wrestling dominance. But it’s not about who you’re related to. It isn’t about who you know. You know just as well as I do that once you’re in that ring the only people that matter on the planet are you and your opponent. So one-to-one, just you and me…do you think you have what it takes?”
“Because there’s no doubt in my mind. I know I have what it takes to become World Champion. You know I have what it takes to become World Champion. You’ve said as much yourself. I’m not bogging myself down by trying to ‘mentor’ with someone that’s just going to use me and then toss me under the bus when things go south. I’m not posturing and trying to play the smug, cocky Young Gun. The only thing I’m occupied with is taking that World Championship from you and having my hand raised at the end of the night. That’s all I can think about. From the moment I knew that I’d be facing you, it’s been everything.”
“You’re emblematic of everything that’s going wrong with nCw. You eliminated Leonard Fox and put Kelly in power so that you could influence her decisions. And you have…which is why you’ve got that title around your waist. You lost any chance of seeming like an honorable competitor the moment you agreed to go out there and screw over Ricky Johnson. You lost all respect as a wrestler, and you painted a bullseye on your back the size of Texas. I’m the man who gets to take that shot, and as a promise from one man to another…I won’t miss.”
“I know this chance is once in a lifetime. You’ve made it clear you see me as vermin, a whelp standing up to your awesome power that needs to be slapped down. Xander, if I can be blunt, better men than you have tried to put me away and better men have FAILED. For helping drive a decent and rational woman to the extremes you have, for what you’re trying to impose on this company, for every single moment where you prove yourself and everyone in the Hierarchy no better than the man you eliminated…and for the look I saw in her eyes…I promise you, I will take that World Title from you. And I will show you what happens when you drive ME past the point of no return.”[/i]
Andrew walks out into the parking lot, looking around. He sees Danielle waiting by another entrance and walks towards her, waving. Danielle perks up upon seeing him and walks closer. The two turn and head off into the parking lot, coming closer together and walking side by side towards Andrew’s rental car. Danielle speaks after a few silent seconds of walking.
”So what’re you going to do?”
Andrew shrugs, walking up to the car.
”The same thing I always do. I’m going to get back up and keep fighting. I don’t care how many times they kick me, I’m never staying down.”
Danielle looks him in the eyes, drumming her nails on the roof of the car.
”That’s the problem, Andrew. This usually doesn’t end well. I guarantee Xander’s not going to be alone down there. I want to be there with you, Andrew. If nothing else, I want to be there so that she can’t interfere. This is your chance, and I don’t want anyone to ruin it.”
Andrew nods, smiling at her. His smile fades somewhat, though, when he thinks about the situation more.
”Dani, no offense but she’s…you know who she is. I don’t know if you’ll be able to take her out of the equation so easily.”
Chase chuckles to herself, shaking her head. She smiles coyly at Andrew, who’s surprised by the sudden shift in demeanor from Danielle.
”Oh, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve…don’t you worry. Andy, I’m more worried about you. I’ve seen what he can do, especially in Homeless Harold mode…if you get hurt out there, I am going to kick your ASS. Got it?”
Andrew snorts, nodding to Danielle, and opens his car door.
”Please. I’m not afraid of the six-four 285-pound wall of muscle and psychotic behavior, you don’t scare me.”
Danielle opens her door, grinning at him.
”I should. That’s your mistake. Now, let’s get out of here. You need some rest. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a very big week for you…”
They both get in the car, Andrew barely holding his laughter in, and the car pulls out of its space, driving away as we fade to black.
”For the love of God, I’ll be fine. Nothing’s broken, right? Nothing’s ruptured? Then I’ll be fine. Can I go yet?”
Wesker shoots a death glare at Andrew, who isn’t fazed, and nods. As soon as he does, Andrew stands up, standing as the medic lectures him.
”You’re lucky. The way you’ve been hit about the last few weeks, I’m amazed you’re not concussed or worse. You can go, Andrew, but you had better be careful. Doctor’s orders.”
Jacobsen nods, not really caring what Wesker cautions, and leaves the medic’s area, heading for the locker room. Danielle walks alongside him, worry etched across her features. Andrew stares dead ahead as she frantically tries to speak to him.
”Andrew, you can’t keep doing this. They outnumber you, they outpower you, if you keep interfering and sticking your neck out…you heard what Wesker said, you’re lucky you’re not injured already! Just please, think about this. I don’t want you throwing away your career on principle.”
Andrew whirls about in the middle of the hall, speaking with barely controlled anger seeping from his voice. He jabs his index finger at Danielle mid-sentence a few times to emphasize his words.
”Danielle, I don’t know if you remember this, but I live on principle. It’s all I have some days. And I don’t care how much they outman me or outmuscle me, I will be DAMNED if I just stand on the sidelines and do nothing while Kelly turns nCw into the Hierarchy’s playground. Now, I have no idea what’s going to happen, but no matter what, one thing I won’t do is crawl back into some hole and hide while the bombs are falling. I’m going to go change, and then we can talk more. I’ll meet you in the parking lot. Be safe.”
Danielle nods, and a moment passes where the two stare at each other. Andrew finally nods and turns to walk away, when Danielle surges forward and pulls him into a tight hug. He winces, feeling his bruised ribs complaining to his body, but he returns the show of affection. Danielle’s voice is choked as she speaks, muffled, into his chest.
”I…I just worry, you know? I worry about you and getting hurt and what’ll happen if…if you really get messed up. I don’t want you getting hurt, Andy…please, I’m begging you…”
He pauses, sighing, and nods, ruffling her hair as he pulls away. Andrew flashes that million-dollar grin at Danielle, and she returns the smile hesitantly. Jacobsen pats her on the shoulder, speaking as confidently and evenly as he’s ever been.
”Dani, I promise I won’t do anything too stupid. I don’t want to get hurt either. Now, I’d like to get out of these tights. They may be practical for ring wear, but they get all sorts of weird looks walking down the street.”
Chase stifles a snorting giggle, shaking her head, and Andrew’s grin grows even wider. He nods to her, turning and walking back towards the locker room. Andrew enters, mentally thanking his luck that nobody’s there, and walks to his locker, opening it and pulling out his bag. AJ opens the bag, pulling out a change of clothing, but his hand pauses over one of the zippered compartments. He opens it, fishing within, and pulls out a photograph, the back facing the camera. He flips it around, revealing it to be a photo of Zelda and Andrew in Sacramento, almost two years ago. Both of them are smiling, and Andrew smiles faintly himself, mind flashing to a happier time…a simpler time. Andrew stares at the photo forlornly, turning it over in his fingers. He sighs, shaking his head, and sets the photo down next to his bag, beginning to change as we fade out.
”You did quite the number on me, Xander. Congratulations. For the second time in as many weeks, you proved that when you suckerpunch someone, you can be dominant. Hell, no matter what you do, you can be dominant. I make no mistake, I’m stepping into the ring with a force of nature, no matter what you decide to call yourself and what you want to wear. But if the last three weeks haven’t taught you…if the last three YEARS haven’t taught ANYONE…let me remind you: there is no force, no group, NOTHING on this planet that can break my spirit and make me bend my knee to the likes of you.”
“I’ve waited for this moment. I’ve fought and clawed my way to every single accolade I’ve ever had, all building up to this. And here we are. Andrew Jacobsen. Xander Famularo. One on one…for the World Championship. The crown jewel of this company…and the reason I became a professional wrestler.”
“I’ve wanted to be the champ since Day One. Ever since I knew what wrestling was, ever since that first match in 1988, I’ve wanted to one day become World Champion. I grew up with wrestling, I studied wrestling, I practically worshipped wrestling. No matter what I did, I always had that end goal in mind. And there wasn’t any way I was going to back down from that.”
“So when I finally got my break, did I go whining to management that I deserved a World Title match right away? No. I made my name first. I battled one of the best in one of the most grueling matches of my career, and I stunned the world when I took the X Division Title from him within three months of entering this company. I have main-evented Collision after Collision, fought through pay-per-view after pay-per-view, and all the while I’ve had exactly one goal in mind: to become World Champion.”
“Now maybe I don’t have quite the wrestling pedigree you do, Xander. Maybe my dad isn’t as big a star as your dad, maybe my family isn’t married into multiple wrestling dynasties. It’s me and my father, against the Famularo-Knite-Williams triumvirate of wrestling dominance. But it’s not about who you’re related to. It isn’t about who you know. You know just as well as I do that once you’re in that ring the only people that matter on the planet are you and your opponent. So one-to-one, just you and me…do you think you have what it takes?”
“Because there’s no doubt in my mind. I know I have what it takes to become World Champion. You know I have what it takes to become World Champion. You’ve said as much yourself. I’m not bogging myself down by trying to ‘mentor’ with someone that’s just going to use me and then toss me under the bus when things go south. I’m not posturing and trying to play the smug, cocky Young Gun. The only thing I’m occupied with is taking that World Championship from you and having my hand raised at the end of the night. That’s all I can think about. From the moment I knew that I’d be facing you, it’s been everything.”
“You’re emblematic of everything that’s going wrong with nCw. You eliminated Leonard Fox and put Kelly in power so that you could influence her decisions. And you have…which is why you’ve got that title around your waist. You lost any chance of seeming like an honorable competitor the moment you agreed to go out there and screw over Ricky Johnson. You lost all respect as a wrestler, and you painted a bullseye on your back the size of Texas. I’m the man who gets to take that shot, and as a promise from one man to another…I won’t miss.”
“I know this chance is once in a lifetime. You’ve made it clear you see me as vermin, a whelp standing up to your awesome power that needs to be slapped down. Xander, if I can be blunt, better men than you have tried to put me away and better men have FAILED. For helping drive a decent and rational woman to the extremes you have, for what you’re trying to impose on this company, for every single moment where you prove yourself and everyone in the Hierarchy no better than the man you eliminated…and for the look I saw in her eyes…I promise you, I will take that World Title from you. And I will show you what happens when you drive ME past the point of no return.”[/i]
Andrew walks out into the parking lot, looking around. He sees Danielle waiting by another entrance and walks towards her, waving. Danielle perks up upon seeing him and walks closer. The two turn and head off into the parking lot, coming closer together and walking side by side towards Andrew’s rental car. Danielle speaks after a few silent seconds of walking.
”So what’re you going to do?”
Andrew shrugs, walking up to the car.
”The same thing I always do. I’m going to get back up and keep fighting. I don’t care how many times they kick me, I’m never staying down.”
Danielle looks him in the eyes, drumming her nails on the roof of the car.
”That’s the problem, Andrew. This usually doesn’t end well. I guarantee Xander’s not going to be alone down there. I want to be there with you, Andrew. If nothing else, I want to be there so that she can’t interfere. This is your chance, and I don’t want anyone to ruin it.”
Andrew nods, smiling at her. His smile fades somewhat, though, when he thinks about the situation more.
”Dani, no offense but she’s…you know who she is. I don’t know if you’ll be able to take her out of the equation so easily.”
Chase chuckles to herself, shaking her head. She smiles coyly at Andrew, who’s surprised by the sudden shift in demeanor from Danielle.
”Oh, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve…don’t you worry. Andy, I’m more worried about you. I’ve seen what he can do, especially in Homeless Harold mode…if you get hurt out there, I am going to kick your ASS. Got it?”
Andrew snorts, nodding to Danielle, and opens his car door.
”Please. I’m not afraid of the six-four 285-pound wall of muscle and psychotic behavior, you don’t scare me.”
Danielle opens her door, grinning at him.
”I should. That’s your mistake. Now, let’s get out of here. You need some rest. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a very big week for you…”
They both get in the car, Andrew barely holding his laughter in, and the car pulls out of its space, driving away as we fade to black.
