Post by Andrew Jacobsen on Feb 2, 2013 23:44:30 GMT -6
”I’m not going to talk about The Ace. I’m not going to talk about the Dragon’s Den or the National Championship. Some people might ask me why I’m speaking at all, then. After all, that’s what this is about. That match, with that man, for that title. But it’s about more than that for me. It’s about righting a series of wrongs…it’s about showing attention, even if far too delayed, to people that deserved it. And it’s about credit. Giving it where it’s due. This is my mea culpa. This is my confession, my plea bargain…this is my sincere apology.”
“I’ll start with someone who deserves better from the entire world, but especially from me…Emma. I’ve been a damned fool. I let who I thought—and think, frankly—The Ace is cloud out the fact that you’re a rational, intelligent woman who can make her own decisions. I tried to lord over what you did and who you associated with, like I had the right to make the rules about how you lived your life. Of course I don’t. Nobody has the right to tell you what to do and who to be but yourself…and you should never be ashamed of those choices.”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself at all. You’re blessed with a combination of athletic talent, strength, intelligence and beauty that most women would kill for. I mean that sincerely…Emma, you’re beautiful. I don’t think that you’re desperately seeking validation that much, so much so that Jake Conway saying a few nice things is suddenly going to radically change who you are…but I know that my behavior, and the behavior of people like me, is shutting you off to the world. You’re growing cold. Bitter. Just like I was.”
“And I want to give you a chance to stop that before it starts. I want to offer a hand to you…as a friend. As someone who cares. As someone who loves you. Emma, you’re my best friend. You’re the older sister I never had, the friend that kept me sane through high school, the one that was always there to hear me bitch and piss and moan about life. And you never questioned me about it. You were always supportive…I guess I took you for granted. I won’t make that mistake ever again. I promise you that.”
“But you’re not the only one I’ve hurt. I haven’t just hurt my friends…I’ve hurt family. Callie, I…I should have been proud of you. I know I’ve given you all sorts of grief in the past about not being as much as you could be. You have so much potential, and I just wanted you to tap it. I shouldn’t have questioned you…I took what should have been a moment of celebration, and because of a few stray comments and my own reflexive paranoia, it’s become a rift that I’m not sure I can heal. Certainly not now. But I want to extend my hand and try to start that healing.”
“I don’t want to drive you away, Callie. You’re my family. I would go through hell for you. And I’m going through hell because of what I did to you. I pushed you away from me, heard insults in every phrase…you took offense to my actions, and at least some of that is justified. I’m not laying the blame at your feet for anything, Callie…it’s at mine. I made this the way that it is…and dammit, I’m going to set things right. Unfortunately, the road to right starts with me doing a whole lot of wrong.”
“And I know that probably sounded like a pile of empty platitudes. I’d be skeptical in your shoes. But trust me when I say this…I want to make amends. First, though, I need to win this one match. I know you’ll probably both be with Kathy in Jake’s corner. Nothing’s changing that. But I want you to know that I’m done ignoring the world. If they say stop…when you tell me something…I will listen. I’ve been tone-deaf for a long, long time. It’s about time I stopped obsessing and started listening. You can hear a lot of amazing things if you just stop and take the time to hear them.”
“I’m taking my time. And I’m going to hear the sound of victory…and, just maybe, the sound of redemption. Here’s hoping.”
Open on Chad Lights sitting in a chair in front of an NCW backdrop. Another chair sits across from him, and Chad is ever the consummate professional as he calmly addresses the camera, confidence resonating in his voice.
”Ladies and gentlemen, the feud between Andrew Jacobsen and The Ace over the National Championship started as a mere struggle for championship supremacy. It’s taken on a drastically more personal dimension, with both Andrew’s sister Callie and his long-time friend Emma Danielson siding with The Ace. Joining me at this time, a man for whom “a full plate” would be an understatement, the NCW National Champion, Andrew Jacobsen. Andrew, good to have you.”
Chad stands and shakes the hand of Andrew Jacobsen, who walks into shot wearing semi-formal clothing and carrying the National Championship belt over his shoulder. Both men sit down, and Andrew folds his hands as Chad begins addressing him.
”Andrew, I understand these have been a tense few weeks. Between The Ace’s actions last week regarding your sister and Emma Danielson’s revelations, plus the return of your former associate Danielle Chase, it seems there’s quite the maelstrom of activity swirling around you and your title right now. I suppose the first question is how are you managing to hold yourself together in the face of all of these events?”
Andrew sighs, running a hand through his hair, and speaks as evenly as he can, his demeanor suggesting collected calm.
”To be honest, Chad, I barely am keeping it together. This match is arguably one of the biggest matches of my career, and it could be a make-or-break match for my career.”
Chad blinks, picking up on that immediately.
”What exactly do you mean, make-or-break for your career?”
Andrew shrugs, glancing over at the belt that rests on his shoulder before looking back at Chad.
”I’m starting to develop a stigma, Chad. I’m getting a reputation as the kind of guy that can’t get the job done. I can win titles, but I can’t hold onto them for more than a month. I need this win because without it, that reputation will solidify. I don’t want that to happen, obviously, so my solution is to cut the argument off at the knees, so to speak. I win here, that should kill a lot of doubts.”
Lights nods, following up swiftly.
”Some have said that the personal situation has come to overshadow the in-ring competition between you and The Ace. Do you agree with that assessment?”
Andrew nods, smirking bitterly as he does so.
”I honestly believe it has. I think that more of a deal is being made of the personal missteps I’ve made and he’s made than the fact that two incredibly talented wrestlers are going to be in the most brutal environment in NCW, wrestling for the National Championship. It’d be nice if that got a little more attention, partly because I feel it’s disrespectful to both of us to turn it into a tawdry soap opera and partly because I’m sick of only hearing about that.”
”What would you say to the accusations that you present a façade to the fans of NCW by playing the hero in public and pushing away your loved ones in private?”
Andrew sighs again, rubbing the bridge of his nose and exhaling slowly. He looks back up at Chad, shifting the belt slightly.
”I’d say that there’s more truth in those accusations than I’d like there to be. I’ve been a hostile and forceful individual, and it hasn’t been to my benefit in any way. I want to apologize to those I’ve hurt, and ask for forgiveness…but I know it’ll be slow coming if it ever comes. I’ve hurt those I care about. There’s no changing that. What I can do is try to make amends moving forward and not forget the painful lessons I’ve learned.”
Chad nods, pausing before speaking again, clearly hesitant to even broach the subject.
”There have been a lot of rumors floating around regarding the relationship between The Ace and Emma Danielson. As a close friend of Ms. Danielson, can you give us any insight into the veracity of those rumors?”
Andrew shoots Chad a dirty look, replying in a very tense, angered tone of voice.
”Chad, I told you I didn’t want this to turn into a soap opera. I’m not letting it turn into a gossip tabloid either. I’m not going to speculate on a damn thing. All I can tell you is that Emma Danielson is a grown woman and I trust her to make the right decision for her life and career. Now, was that all?”
Chad shakes his head, looking away briefly.
”Two more questions. First, do you have any comments or predictions for the pay-per-view?”
Andrew relaxes slightly, glad to be off the subject.
”Yeah. I’m going to predict that Captain Howdy pulls out the surprise win on the preshow, Doc…”
Andrew looks guilty at the mention of that name, but he quickly recomposes himself.
”…Doc’s going to surprise Will Washington, my upset of the night goes to Seth Evans knocking off Alex Jones to become the new X Champion, and as for the World Title match…well, I predict that Verona walks away by the skin of his teeth still World Champion. I’ve got a sick feeling in my gut, but that’s just how it goes.”
Chad nods, grinning as he delivers the last question.
”Alright. And your Super Bowl pick?”
Andrew blinks, surprised, but chuckles, leaning back and rubbing the back of his neck.
”Well, uh…I gotta go with the Ravens. Seeing the Ray Lewis story close out with a second ring is just too powerful of a draw for me.”
Lights nods, standing, and Andrew does the same. They shake hands again, Chad looking Andrew in the eyes.
”Thank you for your time, and good luck. Ladies and gentlemen, Andrew Jacobsen.”
Fade out.
“I’ll start with someone who deserves better from the entire world, but especially from me…Emma. I’ve been a damned fool. I let who I thought—and think, frankly—The Ace is cloud out the fact that you’re a rational, intelligent woman who can make her own decisions. I tried to lord over what you did and who you associated with, like I had the right to make the rules about how you lived your life. Of course I don’t. Nobody has the right to tell you what to do and who to be but yourself…and you should never be ashamed of those choices.”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself at all. You’re blessed with a combination of athletic talent, strength, intelligence and beauty that most women would kill for. I mean that sincerely…Emma, you’re beautiful. I don’t think that you’re desperately seeking validation that much, so much so that Jake Conway saying a few nice things is suddenly going to radically change who you are…but I know that my behavior, and the behavior of people like me, is shutting you off to the world. You’re growing cold. Bitter. Just like I was.”
“And I want to give you a chance to stop that before it starts. I want to offer a hand to you…as a friend. As someone who cares. As someone who loves you. Emma, you’re my best friend. You’re the older sister I never had, the friend that kept me sane through high school, the one that was always there to hear me bitch and piss and moan about life. And you never questioned me about it. You were always supportive…I guess I took you for granted. I won’t make that mistake ever again. I promise you that.”
“But you’re not the only one I’ve hurt. I haven’t just hurt my friends…I’ve hurt family. Callie, I…I should have been proud of you. I know I’ve given you all sorts of grief in the past about not being as much as you could be. You have so much potential, and I just wanted you to tap it. I shouldn’t have questioned you…I took what should have been a moment of celebration, and because of a few stray comments and my own reflexive paranoia, it’s become a rift that I’m not sure I can heal. Certainly not now. But I want to extend my hand and try to start that healing.”
“I don’t want to drive you away, Callie. You’re my family. I would go through hell for you. And I’m going through hell because of what I did to you. I pushed you away from me, heard insults in every phrase…you took offense to my actions, and at least some of that is justified. I’m not laying the blame at your feet for anything, Callie…it’s at mine. I made this the way that it is…and dammit, I’m going to set things right. Unfortunately, the road to right starts with me doing a whole lot of wrong.”
“And I know that probably sounded like a pile of empty platitudes. I’d be skeptical in your shoes. But trust me when I say this…I want to make amends. First, though, I need to win this one match. I know you’ll probably both be with Kathy in Jake’s corner. Nothing’s changing that. But I want you to know that I’m done ignoring the world. If they say stop…when you tell me something…I will listen. I’ve been tone-deaf for a long, long time. It’s about time I stopped obsessing and started listening. You can hear a lot of amazing things if you just stop and take the time to hear them.”
“I’m taking my time. And I’m going to hear the sound of victory…and, just maybe, the sound of redemption. Here’s hoping.”
Open on Chad Lights sitting in a chair in front of an NCW backdrop. Another chair sits across from him, and Chad is ever the consummate professional as he calmly addresses the camera, confidence resonating in his voice.
”Ladies and gentlemen, the feud between Andrew Jacobsen and The Ace over the National Championship started as a mere struggle for championship supremacy. It’s taken on a drastically more personal dimension, with both Andrew’s sister Callie and his long-time friend Emma Danielson siding with The Ace. Joining me at this time, a man for whom “a full plate” would be an understatement, the NCW National Champion, Andrew Jacobsen. Andrew, good to have you.”
Chad stands and shakes the hand of Andrew Jacobsen, who walks into shot wearing semi-formal clothing and carrying the National Championship belt over his shoulder. Both men sit down, and Andrew folds his hands as Chad begins addressing him.
”Andrew, I understand these have been a tense few weeks. Between The Ace’s actions last week regarding your sister and Emma Danielson’s revelations, plus the return of your former associate Danielle Chase, it seems there’s quite the maelstrom of activity swirling around you and your title right now. I suppose the first question is how are you managing to hold yourself together in the face of all of these events?”
Andrew sighs, running a hand through his hair, and speaks as evenly as he can, his demeanor suggesting collected calm.
”To be honest, Chad, I barely am keeping it together. This match is arguably one of the biggest matches of my career, and it could be a make-or-break match for my career.”
Chad blinks, picking up on that immediately.
”What exactly do you mean, make-or-break for your career?”
Andrew shrugs, glancing over at the belt that rests on his shoulder before looking back at Chad.
”I’m starting to develop a stigma, Chad. I’m getting a reputation as the kind of guy that can’t get the job done. I can win titles, but I can’t hold onto them for more than a month. I need this win because without it, that reputation will solidify. I don’t want that to happen, obviously, so my solution is to cut the argument off at the knees, so to speak. I win here, that should kill a lot of doubts.”
Lights nods, following up swiftly.
”Some have said that the personal situation has come to overshadow the in-ring competition between you and The Ace. Do you agree with that assessment?”
Andrew nods, smirking bitterly as he does so.
”I honestly believe it has. I think that more of a deal is being made of the personal missteps I’ve made and he’s made than the fact that two incredibly talented wrestlers are going to be in the most brutal environment in NCW, wrestling for the National Championship. It’d be nice if that got a little more attention, partly because I feel it’s disrespectful to both of us to turn it into a tawdry soap opera and partly because I’m sick of only hearing about that.”
”What would you say to the accusations that you present a façade to the fans of NCW by playing the hero in public and pushing away your loved ones in private?”
Andrew sighs again, rubbing the bridge of his nose and exhaling slowly. He looks back up at Chad, shifting the belt slightly.
”I’d say that there’s more truth in those accusations than I’d like there to be. I’ve been a hostile and forceful individual, and it hasn’t been to my benefit in any way. I want to apologize to those I’ve hurt, and ask for forgiveness…but I know it’ll be slow coming if it ever comes. I’ve hurt those I care about. There’s no changing that. What I can do is try to make amends moving forward and not forget the painful lessons I’ve learned.”
Chad nods, pausing before speaking again, clearly hesitant to even broach the subject.
”There have been a lot of rumors floating around regarding the relationship between The Ace and Emma Danielson. As a close friend of Ms. Danielson, can you give us any insight into the veracity of those rumors?”
Andrew shoots Chad a dirty look, replying in a very tense, angered tone of voice.
”Chad, I told you I didn’t want this to turn into a soap opera. I’m not letting it turn into a gossip tabloid either. I’m not going to speculate on a damn thing. All I can tell you is that Emma Danielson is a grown woman and I trust her to make the right decision for her life and career. Now, was that all?”
Chad shakes his head, looking away briefly.
”Two more questions. First, do you have any comments or predictions for the pay-per-view?”
Andrew relaxes slightly, glad to be off the subject.
”Yeah. I’m going to predict that Captain Howdy pulls out the surprise win on the preshow, Doc…”
Andrew looks guilty at the mention of that name, but he quickly recomposes himself.
”…Doc’s going to surprise Will Washington, my upset of the night goes to Seth Evans knocking off Alex Jones to become the new X Champion, and as for the World Title match…well, I predict that Verona walks away by the skin of his teeth still World Champion. I’ve got a sick feeling in my gut, but that’s just how it goes.”
Chad nods, grinning as he delivers the last question.
”Alright. And your Super Bowl pick?”
Andrew blinks, surprised, but chuckles, leaning back and rubbing the back of his neck.
”Well, uh…I gotta go with the Ravens. Seeing the Ray Lewis story close out with a second ring is just too powerful of a draw for me.”
Lights nods, standing, and Andrew does the same. They shake hands again, Chad looking Andrew in the eyes.
”Thank you for your time, and good luck. Ladies and gentlemen, Andrew Jacobsen.”
Fade out.