Everlong - Endgame

[Joe Everyman]

Everyone has an angel. A guardian who watches over us. We can't know what form they'll take. One day, old man. Next day, little girl. But don't let appearances fool you, they can be as fierce as any dragon. Yet they're not here to fight our battles, but to whisper from our heart. Reminding that it's us. Its everyone of us who holds power over the world we create.

You can deny angels exist, convincing ourselves they can't be real. But they show up anyway, at strange places and at strange times. They can speak through any character we can imagine. They'll shout through demons if they have to. Daring us, challenging us to fight.

And finally this question, the mystery of who's story it will be. Of who draws the curtain. Who is it that chooses our steps in the dance? Who drives us mad? Lashes us with whips and crowns us with victory when we survive the impossible? Who is it, that does all of these things?

Who honors those we love for the very life we live? Who sends monsters to kill us, and at the same time sings that we will never die? Who teaches us what's real and how to laugh at lies? Who decides why we live and what we'll die to defend? Who chains us? And who holds the key that can set us free?

It's you. You have all the weapons you need.

Now fight!

The scene slowly opens up against where they last left off. Joe and Melanie are sitting on the couch, both holding the envelope in front of them. Joe looks at it and smiles while Melanie immediately mirrors him after.

Joe Everyman: Oh my god... we're gonna have a little boy.

Melanie Brooks: I always wanted a son. And, it seems like that's what Aurora always wanted too.

Joe Everyman: It's what we both wanted.

Joe takes his hand off of the envelope and puts it around Melanie's shoulders. She looks up at him and smiles.

Melanie Brooks: Now we just need to figure out a name for him. Do you have any in mind?

Joe Everyman: Well... yes, I had one. I didn't know if you would be hip to it or not.

Melanie Brooks: Well, what is it?

Joe Everyman: James. My family has had a tradition of naming the first born boy be named a J name, and I figured it could be a great way to honor my brother too. What do you think?

Melanie Brooks: I love it.

Joe Everyman: You're not just saying that?

Melanie Brooks: Of course not! I really love it. I think it could be a good fit for him.

Joe smiles again before resting his head on the back of the couch again.

Joe Everyman: This all seems so real now. We're going to have a baby together.

Melanie Brooks: We are! I feel full of joy every single day because of it. And-

Suddenly, Melanie's cell phone starts ringing. She stops her sentence and pulls it out.

Melanie Brooks: It's, uh... my doctor. What could he be calling about?

Melanie connects the call and raises it to her head.

Melanie Brooks: Hello, Doctor Jones? Yes, he's here... um, yeah, why? ...yes, I suppose we could come in. When? ...now? Well, yes, we could come in. Ok, thank you... bye.

Melanie hangs up her cellphone and looks at Joe with a slightly concerned look.

Joe Everyman: What is it?

Melanie Brooks: Um, Doctor Brown wants us to come in and have my ultrasound again. He said he felt weird about it before, and wanted to recheck. I hope nothing is wrong...

Joe Everyman: I'm sure there's not. But, let's get going.

Melanie Brooks: But what about Curtis' retirement party in Dallas?

Joe Everyman: I'll get a later flight. I'm sure he'll understand.

The scene then slowly fades to black.

Curtis, even when we're on the eve of a grand battle, you always know how to tug at my heartstrings. I don't know how you do it either. Right when I'm ready to get angry, you somehow turn around my emotions. Not many people have been able to do that in my life. But, you and I have always had the connection. That's why this match will be so great. We have the best charisma together of any other match on the card. And really, we have the most on the line. Sometimes, an inner-feud means more and is more powerful than the biggest championship. And in my eyes, that's how this match will go down. The World Championship isn't on the line, and yet, I feel like something bigger is on the line. Something that that championship could never eclipse. Something that nothing could ever hope to eclipse. We've had our struggles, our turmoils, our failures... and yet, here we stand. We've been compared to each other our entire careers. We are one in the same in so many aspects. No other wrestler in this company can say that about another. Verona and Alex tried. Ace and Adam tried. Spike and Angel tried. And none of them could go a candle to that which we share. Even now, we prove that. We may not be in the spotlight, but we are at the head of the conversation. So many are talking about this match. We were the new age so long ago, and now, it's time for this age to end. And the people realize that. They know how big this match is going to be. They know what's truly on the line. This will be the end of an age, but the beginning of a new age. And age that will carry the banner of Curtis Kanyon. No matter where I go, no matter where I stand, a portion of it will be because of you, Curtis. No matter where I end up, you'll be there in spirit.

---Later That Night---

Several hours after Joe and Curtis belted the strains of Total Eclipse of the Heart, the night has started to die down. Joe and Curtis sat alone at a table, several empty drink glasses spread across the table.

Joe Everyman: No matter what happens tomorrow, here's to us.

Joe raises his glass and clangs it against Curtis'. They both drink and place their glasses onto the table.

Joe Everyman: And Curtis, I was going to tell you this earlier, but I've got some big news.

Curtis Kanyon: What is it?

Joe Everyman: I'm gonna have a son.

Curtis Kanyon: You are? I'm gonna be an uncle?!

Joe Everyman: Well... no. But, I wanted to ask if you wanted to be his godfather.

Curtis Kanyon: I... I would be honored!

Joe Everyman: Thank you, Curtis. I knew I could count on you.

Curtis Kanyon: So... what's the little tyke's name going to be?

Joe Everyman: James.

Curtis Kanyon: Oh... well... that's an alright name...

Joe Everyman: That's not the end of the news.

Curtis looks up at Joe with an almost joy filled look.

Curtis Kanyon: What else is there?

---Earlier in the Day---

Joe sits in a chair across from the table that Melanie is sitting upon, while the doctor uses his wand to conduct the ultrasound.

Doctor Brown: This is what I had to check out again. I had my doubts, but now I'm sure.

Melanie Brooks: What is it, doc?

Doctor Brown: Well, you looked at the picture extensively, right?

Melanie Brooks: Of course. We both did.

Doctor Brown: And you didn't notice anything weird?

Joe Everyman: Weird... how?

Doctor Brown: Just listen. Do you hear his heartbeat?

Melanie Brooks: Yes, I do.

Doctor Brown: Do you hear the second one?

Melanie covers her mouth with her hand, not being able to speak. Joe leans forward in his chair and stares right at the doctor.

Joe Everyman: The second... what?

Doctor Brown: The second heartbeat. You two are going to have twins.

Joe's eyes widen as he looks over at Melanie, who is still completely awestruck. She can't help by release a few tears while listening to the two heartbeats beating together.

---Later That Night---

Joe Everyman: Well... it's not just one. We're having twins.

Curtis Kanyon: You... you are?!

Joe can't speak, but can only nod towards his friend.

Curtis Kanyon: That's amazing! Way to go, buddy!

Joe Everyman: I want to name him Curtis.

Curtis' joy suddenly stops, causing him to look at Joe.

Curtis Kanyon: You... you what?

Joe Everyman: Melanie thought I should name him after someone who meant a lot to me. And I wanted to honor you just as much as I wanted to honor my brother.

Curtis, the normally fun loving, joyous man, suddenly comes to a halt.

Curtis Kanyon: I... I don't know what to say. This is an honor, Joe.

Joe Everyman: I knew you would like it. But, there's one more thing.

Curtis Kanyon: If you say it's triplets, I'm going to lose it!

Joe Everyman: No no, just twins. But, I wanted to ask you to be the best man at my wedding. I couldn't think of anybody I wanted to start up there with me more than you. What do you say?

Curtis can't say a word. Instead, he lunges forward and wraps his arms around Joe and even squeezes a little bit. Joe hugs back.

Curtis Kanyon: This may be the alcohol talking, but I love you, man!

Joe Everyman: Love you too, buddy. Now, we've got a huge night ahead of us. Let's say we turn in. We've got a lot of work to get done.

Curtis Kanyon: Yes, that's a splendid idea. I'll see you tomorrow night.

Joe and Curtis both stand up from the table, noticing a snoozing Ron Gibson on the ground next to them.

Joe Everyman: Good night, Curtis.

Curtis Kanyon: Night, Joe. Oh, and one last thing.

Joe Everyman: What is it?

Curtis Kanyon: Well, uh... BANG!!!

Joe squeals like a little girl.

Joe Everyman: NOT IN THE FACE!

Curtis can't help but laugh heavily from this.

Curtis Kanyon: You better not do this tomorrow night!

Joe Everyman: Don't... don't worry, I won't. Good luck tomorrow night. And let the best man win.

Curtis Kanyon: And I'm your best man, so I get to win! SCORE!!

Curtis then bolts away from the table and out of the screen.

Joe Everyman: ...I really need to choose my words more carefully around him.

Joe shakes his head and smiles again as the scene slowly fades to black.

I guess this is truly the end of my last promo here in nCw. I wanted to go on a huge last word type of rant, but I don't think I could really do it justice. There's so many people here that I need to thank, and so many that I could forget in a speech like that. This company has been my life since two thousand and six. Seven years is a long time for anything. This company has been everything to me. It gave me my first REAL shot. XHF was nothing compared to this place. This was the first place I won a legitimate championship. I won three National Championships here. I got divorced from the wrong woman and met the right woman because of this place. I go to bed sore most nights because of this place. I've had many sleepless nights because of this place. I've bled, sweated, cried and lost years off of my life because of this place. And now, at the end of the line, I can say truthfully that I wouldn't change a single moment of it. I accomplished so much because of this place, in the ring and outside of it. I built and destroyed relationships. I lied and told the truth. I was injured. I was thrust to the top, and torn down just as quickly. In the end, maybe that will be my legacy. I was truly the everyman. And that's exactly how I wanted it.

So many have been placed into the Hall of Fame. And while I may never make it in, I still think I deserved it. I had one hell of a career here, and only took a week off when I was hurt, which was only twice. I've bled nCw for seven years. And now, it has to end. It's just... I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.

To me, these might have been the good old days. Or maybe, even bigger days lie ahead of me. I don't know where this great trip of life is going to take me. I could be carried to success. I could be buried and tossed to the gutter. I don't know, and I know that mystery about life. I never could have predicted how my career here would have gone. I remember walking into this place seven years ago, hoping that I could make a name for myself. And that's exactly what I did. I left a lasting memory on the minds of millions of people across the world. That too, will be my legacy.

A long time ago, Lance Ryan said something about me. I took what he said to heart every since that day. He said, people look at Joe Everyman and see a man that has always seemingly been on the cusp of something great, but someone that has always fallen short when the opportunity arose. Joe Everyman’s name really sums up exactly who he is. He represents every man, woman and child in the world that has a dream, a dream that people laugh at when they express it, a dream that may in fact seem impossible to the majority of people. Those people however are what are generally called the unbelieving public. These are your atheists that believe that there can be no God because he cannot be seen in the world around us. These are your hurting teenagers that feel as though they cannot live any longer because their lives will always be horrible. They believe this because bad is all that they have ever seen. These are the people that will undoubtedly look up to Joe Everyman when all is said and done. These are the people that will stand up and cheer because Joe Everyman is once again restoring faith in people that have little to believe in. To this day, I've lived this every single day. I pushed myself to prove what he said to be true. I never let the down talkers question my heart. And now, look where I am at. I proved Lance right every single time I stepped into the ring. He will part of my legacy as well.

No matter what, my legacy will be me. Everything that is built into me. My career. My wife. My children. My failures. My successes. My lows. My highs. My friends. My everything. All of it will be remembered for me. So many of us affect the lives of others, and we affect their lives just as much. I know that I have affected countless amounts of people's lives through my time here. I gave people hope. I gave people someone to cheer for. I gave them a man who was just like them, someone who had to fight through life the hard way. I was never given anything. I had to fight, tooth and nail, for everything I ever accomplished. And I wouldn't change that for the world either. My story here will be of a happy one. And even though my story is ending, the last chapter does not have to be sad. This company was everything to every single one of us who ever wrestled inside it's arenas. This company will be our legacies. And the endings will be happy.

Curtis, I wish you all of the luck in the world this Sunday, and for everything you do in your life from here on out. I hope your wife and you live happily ever after. I hope you give your children the best childhood you can give. And I hope they grow up to be just like you. Your legacy will be so much more than what you did in this company. Your legacy will be of one of the greatest men to ever live. Curtis, you are my friend and my brother. This Sunday will be our final battle. And even though it is the end of your era, it is only the beginning of another chapter in my book. We will make sure that your final chapter ends on a good note. And yeah, I would like that big hug after our match. I think it would be a fitting end to what we did here over the years.

But now, the time for words are over. Curtis, you never questioned my heart; you only strengthened it. But now, it's time to put all of this on the line. It's time to give nCw the send off it deserves. Now, the only thing left to do is fight.

Ready

Set

Go

All of the time we've lost
All of the love we gave
And now these hands are tied
I can't help thinking
That I was in the daze, I was losing my place
I was screaming out at everything
Waiting for the walls to come down
Before my moments starts of fade
But everything that's perfect falls away