Post by Jack Manson on Dec 15, 2007 6:48:49 GMT -6
::The scene opens up in a rather trendy café. The members of the public on their lunch time breaks are beginning to queue up at the sandwich bar on the opposite side to where Jack is sat. In the seated area it is pretty empty except for the odd lonely diner, or a small group of teenage friends chilling the holiday season away by drinking steaming hot mugs of… Whatever it is kids these days drink. As the noise begins to pick up due to the orders flying in quick and fast, the camera pans round slowly and we see that Jack Manson is sat with his manager Tony in the distance next to the large window, chatting about the title match he‘s earned against his rival, Ricky Johnson, amongst other things. The two of them seem to have been talking previously and we catch them mid-conversation::
[blue]T: So this is the big one. Another shot at becoming the National champion. The pressure is on now and you need to step up to the plate and grab that opportunity with both hands.[/blue]
[red]JM: I know, damn Tony, you’re talking as if this is the first time I’m fighting for gold. Don’t forget I was the first National champion in nCw.[/red]
[blue]T: Don’t you think I know that? You keep telling me. But that’s history now, yeah okay so you were the first champion, but so was Lance Ryan, Dr. Pepper, The Hollands, and Reckless Jack. They all became the first champions of their respected titles. But I don’t hear them going on about it all the time. It’s time you stopped focussing on the history of things and began concentrating on the present and future. The future of this business, the future for you, for me, and for all you stand for.[/blue]
[red]JM: Whoa easy Tony, I only go on about it because I still can’t believe it myself. To be part of the history books in this great company is a great feeling to me. To know that no matter what happens now, I’ll be in the record books for eternity.[/red]
[blue]T: That’s not the be all and end all though. Say, hypothetically speaking, you were found of drug usage or some other tainted act, you could have your entry in the history books wiped. So just because you’re there now, doesn’t really mean you’ll be there forever.[/blue]
[red]JM: Not if I can help it. And come on, steroids? Performance enhancing drugs? I’m not Seth Dribble, I have a good head on my shoulders, you know that.[/red]
[blue]T: I said hypothetically speaking. Now come on, you’re not focussing properly. This Sunday is your chance to become a two time National champion. And Johnson isn’t gonna lie down without a fight and just hand you that title.[/blue]
[red]JM: Obviously, but come on, the guy isn’t in my league, never was, and never will be. Fact. He’s just keeping that title warm for me. And this Sunday I’ll be taking it back. Mark my words. And besides, I’ve got a little pay back to give Johnson for leaving me high and dry against the Hollands the other week. It was written in the cards that he would do something like that, and I knew it myself.[/red]
[blue]T: Well why didn’t you walk away instead of taking a beating from Dave and Milo?[/blue]
[red]JM: Out of respect. Respect for the Hollands, for the fans that paid their hard earned cash to watch a show, and respect for myself. If I had walked I wouldn’t of been any better than Ricky, and I couldn’t allow myself to become a coward like that. [/red]
[blue]T: Hell I would’ve took the high road if that happened to me, but I admire your courage.[/blue]
[red]JM: Cheers. But don’t worry, I’ll be getting my revenge on the Hollands one day as well. I respect them both, but that won’t stop me wanting to right the wrongs of that match.[/red]
[blue]T: Since you’re getting screwed left right and centre by partners these days maybe you should keep to sticking solo. If you were to go after the Hollands it would be difficult to find a trusting partner here. First RJ, then Lance, and now Johnson. Fair enough with Johnson holding the title you want it was never gonna be a match made in heaven between you two. But I don’t like this going on, back stabbing and treachery are things I hate, and you’ve been subject to it more than once. I just feel, as your manager, you should stick to yourself and not rely on anybody. For the time being.[/blue]
[red]JM: It took long enough but I’ve learnt my lesson. But that’s not to say there aren’t any trusting souls in nCw. I’ll keep my eyes peeled but I agree with you for once on this matter. And anyway, I never said I would go against the Hollands as a team did I? They are strong together, but as single competitors they are prone to mistakes, hence Milo losing the National title to Johnson. A massive upset if ever I saw one.[/red]
[blue]T: But that’s what you need to focus on Jack, it wasn’t a fluke that Ricky won that belt. I’ve been watching this kid, he keeps his head down and gets the job done. Johnson doesn’t concern himself with what other people are doing, who they’ve teamed up with, or their achievements. And it’s things like that that you should be doing more of.[/blue]
[red]JM: You want me to become more like Johnson?[/red]
[blue]T: Attitude-wise maybe a little. Like I said, he doesn’t concern himself with others. Without them kinds of distractions he’s free to concentrate on his own goals.[/blue]
[red]JM: Next you’ll want me to get a perm, a guitar, and a top hat and run around calling myself Slash.[/red]
[blue]T: Come on don’t you stupid. I’m serious. When you were with Lance and NWS, you weren’t just looking out for yourself, you were looking out for your team mates. But now you’re on your own again I can already feel the hunger and edginess inside you building up. It’s time to step out of the limelight for a while, take hold of these opportunities, and stop worrying about other people. If you manage to succeed in that, then it won’t be long before Fox is booking you in World title matches.[/blue]
[red]JM: I don’t need to become like Ricky Johnson to earn shots at titles, What I need to do is beat people like him. I beat him once to earn this shot, and I’ll beat him again at Metamorphosis. That’s a rather fitting name for a show. The act of changing. That title will be changing hands, it’s destiny. I‘m gonna teach Johnson a lesson in how to be a proper champion. He will be the victim to the new face of ultra violence once again.[/red]
[blue]T: Let’s just hope you’re right.[/blue]
[red]JM: Come on, the guys a coward. He’s running scared here. He lost to me once, that shook his confidence to breaking point. Johnson knows I’m better than him. I proved it once before and I have no qualms about proving it to him again.
::Manson smiles as he takes a sip of his mineral water. As he swallows he glances at the clock on the wall and realises the time::
[red]JM: ****! I’m gonna be late. Listen I’ll catch you later Tony, I’ve gotta dash.[/red]
[blue]T: Where’re you goin?![/blue]
::Manson stands up, grabs his coat from the opposite chair and quickly puts it on. He fumbles in his pockets for change and places the money of the mineral water on the small tip plate::
[red]JM: I got a date.[/red]
::And with that Manson is off like a shot. Tony watches as he hurries out of the café and into the street. Outside Jack is walking rather quickly to his car. The winter wind is biting his face like a group of rabid dogs. He puts his head down into the wind and it whooshes through his hair, blowing out the fine styling he managed this morning. Passing the usual hustle and bustle of the crowd in the streets he turns the corner to a car park. After a quick glance round he finds his motor and walks over to it. His mobile phone begins to ring but, knowing the wind will make it hard to hear the person talking, he let’s the voicemail take a message. He reaches his car and is soon inside, rubbing his hands together for warmth. Manson turns the ignition and the car and radio come to life. His attention is grabbed by the weather report::
::It’s been a good old fashioned winter day today, the winds coming from the South the main culprit for the cold. But don’t worry, later this evening the wind will eventually die down by dinner-time and all of you who are going to the carnival tonight, make sure to wrap up warm as it will still be chilly::
[green]Carnival? Hmm, bit old fashioned but it could be fun. And anyway, it’s not a real date, just two friends meeting up and spending some time together. Oh yeah, the phone rang.[/green]
::Jack reaches in his pocket for the phone and flips it open, showing a missed call. He hits reply and the phone begins ringing. A woman answers on the other end::
[teal]TT: Hey, thought you were ignoring me for a bit there.[/teal]
[red]JM: Course not. Listen, about tonight. What say we go to a carnival instead of dinner?[/red]
[teal]TT: A carnival? Are you crazy? Have you been outside today?[/teal]
[red]JM: It’s only a bit of wind. Besides the weather report said it should die down by tonight. Come on it’ll be fun. Hit a few of the stalls, eat some candy floss, decide which rickety old ride looks the safest before riding it, get a hotdog or burger…[/red]
[teal]TT: Okay, okay, Carnival it is. Sounds great. Pick me up at eight.[/teal]
[red]JM: No problem. See you soon. Oh, and wrap up warm, it’s gonna be a chilly night.[/red]
[teal]TT: You said the wind would die do…[/teal]
::Jack hangs up and smiles as he pulls out of the car park and drives off home::
*Later that evening*
::Jack and Tanya are outside the carnival entrance. True to his word, the weatherman was right and the wind had indeed died down. The downside was it was really nippy outside so both Jack and Tanya were wrapped up in warm clothing. Jack in thick, black cargo pants, a trendy t-shirt, a jumper, and finally a long black coat and Tanya in warm trousers, a thick jumper, and on top of it a warm parker-like coat::
[red]JM: See, it’s not that bad. And look, everyone else isn’t taking any notice of the weather so neither should we.[/red]
::Jack was right. Stood in a crowd they soon noticed people of all ages laughing and smiling as they entered the carnival. The usual circussy/carnival themes were being played from all the different stalls, the lights strung across the tents and stalls flashed on and off in a random order, the smell of candy floss and fatty food was dominant, but by god did it make you want to eat as much as you could of the stuff. Carnivals always got you in a happy mood, or at least it did for Jack and Tanya. As they entered the carnival after paying their admission fee the atmosphere gripped to them tightly and they had huge childish smiles on their faces as they looked around in wonder. Okay so it wasn’t a Disney land resort, but it certainly had a working-class charm to it::
[red]JM: What should we do first then?[/red]
[teal]TT: Let’s have a walk around, see what’s on offer.[/teal]
[red]JM: Good idea.[/red]
::Tanya linked her arm with Jacks as the two wandered through the crowded area. Many of the touts and gypo’s were shouting for their attention to come and try their luck at the rigged games. Most of the time Jack simply smiled awkwardly, shook his head, and gently pulled Tanya as he walked away. It wasn’t that he was low on cash or anything, he probably had more in his wallet than what most of the travelling carnivals family put together had in theirs. He agreed with himself that he would have a few games on the stalls later. But for the time being the two of them would be walking and taking a look about::
[teal]TT: So are you gonna win me a teddy tonight then?[/teal]
[red]JM: Would you really want one of those fake Disney teddies meant to look like Tigger, or Pooh? They’d fall apart in minutes.[/red]
[teal]TT: Yeah well, I still want one. You dragged us here so you can win me one.[/teal]
::They both smile as they carry on walking::
[teal]TT: You’re working on Sunday night aren’t you?[/teal]
[red]JM: Yeah, how’d you here?[/red]
[teal]TT: I watch the show from time to time, see how you’re doing.[/teal]
[red]JM: Oh really? Well, thanks, I guess.[/red]
[teal]TT: Are you nervous about it?[/teal]
[red]JM: Me? Nervous? Nah of course I’m not. It’s Ricky Johnson I’m going against, not a whole army. I’ve been through enough already in that business to not be nervous before a match.[/red]
[teal]TT: It’s a title match right?[/teal]
[red]JM: Right. The National title.[/red]
[teal]TT: Cool, well I’ll be rooting for you at home.[/teal]
[red]JM: Why don’t you root for me in person, at the show? I could get you a good seat, right at the front if you want?[/red]
[teal]TT: Wow, that’d be great Jack, thanks.[/teal]
[red]JM: Least I can do for a fan.[/red]
::Tanya playfully shoves him and they both laugh. The smell of a nearby hotdog van wafts through the air and catches the scent of Tanya and Jack, setting off their stomachs instantly. They agree to get some food and queue up::
[red]JM: I love carnival food, it’s so wrong but so right.[/red]
[teal]TT: Shouldn’t you be watching what you eat, blah, blah, in preparation for your match?[/teal]
[red]JM: Please, Tony’s had me on a strict eating regime the last few months, I miss the big fat, greasy hamburgers. So tonight, I’m gonna treat myself. I’m gonna order the biggest burger on the menu, with cheese, onions, and lashings of ketchup. A good British style burger.[/red]
[teal]TT: Sounds good, I’ll have the same.[/teal]
[red]JM: Good lass.[/red]
::Within minutes the two of them are happily walking along, eating their burgers. The conversation is flowing well, but Manson’s mind is firmly stuck on Sunday’s match against Johnson. He tries to throw Ricky out of his head but he won’t leave. Tony’s words were also still fresh in Jack’s memory. Should he really start being more like Ricky Johnson? Stop caring about other people, keep my head down, and get the job done? Maybe, but Manson was no copy cat fighter. If he was to take Tony’s advice then he would do it his own way, in his own time::
[green]Do I focus too much on people I work with rather than achieving my own goals? True I got screwed over three times the last few weeks, something I ain’t pleased about. But it’s not like I ever let NWS take over my life. We created NWS to stop having to worry about our own backs, to fight safely in the knowledge that it would always be a fair fight with my team mates behind me. It doesn’t matter now, it’s done and dusted. History.[/green]
[teal]TT: So, whaddya say? Shall we?[/teal]
[red]JM: Hmm?… Sorry, I was miles away for a moment there. What was the question?[/red]
[teal]TT: The ferris wheel, wanna ride it? Looks pretty big, we’ll see how big this carnival really is.[/teal]
[red]JM: Yeah okay, let’s go.[/red]
::After a slight queue the two of them sit inside on of the cages on the ferris wheel and sit patiently for it start rotating round::
[red]JM: This should be fun, I bet the view from up there is breath taking.[/red]
[teal]TT: And I bet it’s bloody cold up there as well.[/teal]
::Jack was right, the view was fantastic. You could see for miles, and the carnival was pretty big so that impressed him a bit::
[red]JM: Know what we should do next?[/red]
[teal]TT: What?[/teal]
[red]JM: Go see a fortune teller. Let’s get our fortunes read.[/red]
[teal]TT: Come on you don’t really believe in all that do you?[/teal]
[red]JM: I dunno, sometimes they can be spot on. Like your horoscopes in the paper. Sometimes they couldn’t be more wrong. But other times they are spot on. At the very least it’ll be interesting to see what the teller comes up with.[/red]
[teal]TT: Do you really want to know the future? What if it’s not good?[/teal]
[red]JM: Least you can be prepared for it then, not matter what it is.[/red]
[teal]TT: Well I’m not going in, but you can.[/teal]
[red]JM: Ha ha, wimp. Fine, I’ll go in. But you can wait outside.[/red]
[teal]TT: Alright, deal.[/teal]
::After riding the ferris wheel Jack and Tanya walk round, looking for the fortune teller’s tent they passed a while back. After searching for a good ten minutes they finally find it. Adrenaline runs through Jack’s stomach as nerves and excitement surface in him::
[green]What if I do hear some bad news? It could be true, but then again it could be another scam from the gypo’s. Come on, don’t puss out now. Get in there and get your fortune told.[/green]
::They both walked up to the tent entrance, a shoddy looking sandwich board stood next to the door and scrawled in chalk was the name “Madam Star”. Jack and Tanya look at each other with a puzzled look on their faces when they suddenly hear a voice from inside calling out to them::
[orange]MS: Young man, if you want to come in then come in. If not please move on as you’re obstructing the other customers.[/orange]
::Startled, Jack is about to apologise when he realises he would be talking to an empty door. Instead he winks at Tanya and enters through the drapes. He walks round a dark corridor in an almost black setting except for the light from outside shining in. Hearing some kind of strange chanting he follows the noise until he reaches a web of beads on strings hanging from the doorway in front of him. He enters and sees the old crone sat against an old, wooden table. Scattered around the small, cramped room are various novelty items to try and add to the mysticism of it all. He greets the old gypsie woman and sits on the chair opposite her at the table. In front of her is a clear crystal ball. The woman smiles an almost toothless grin, her scraggy grey hair matted against her forehead from under a thin fabric hood::
[orange]MS: Welcome, sir. What can I do for you this fine winter evening?[/orange]
[red]JM: Er… I’m not sure really.[/red]
[orange]MS: Well how about I read your fortune? Since that is why you came in here is it not?[/orange]
[red]JM: Yeah, I guess so.[/red]
[orange]MS: It’s $2 for a brief reading, $5 for a full one. Which will it be?[/orange]
[red]JM: I might as well go the whole hog and have a full reading.[/red]
::The old woman’s eyes light up under her heavy bags as Manson hands over the $5 note. She places it under the table somewhere and clears her throat::
[orange]MS: Give me your hands.[/orange]
::Jack holds his hands out, palms up. The gypsie holds them in hers and leans forward, peering at them intently. She looks deep in thought as her eyes follow the contours and wrinkles of Jack’s skin::
[orange]MS: I see… I see… A good short term future for you. You will be a success story in your career. Tell me, what do you do?[/orange]
[red]JM: I’m a wrestler. You should know that.[/red]
::The crone ignores Manson’s sarcasm and continues looking at his hands::
[orange]MS: Yes… Mmmm… A good future lies before you. But like I said, it’s only a short term thing.[/orange]
[red]JM: What’s that supposed to mean? What else does it say?[/red]
[orange]MS: For that, I will consult my crystal ball.[/orange]
::The woman lets go of Jack’s hands and begins to rhythmically run them around the crystal ball. She closes her eyes and hums to herself incoherent noises as Jack looks on, strangely curious at what’s happening::
[orange]MS: The short term future for you does indeed look very bright. Money will enter your life, glory, fame.[/orange]
[red]JM: I have a big fight this Sunday against a man named…[/red]
[orange]MS: Ricky Johnson. I know. [/orange]
::She casts a glance at Manson that tells him not to doubt her ability::
[green]Is this the real deal? How the hell did she know that? Couldn’t have seen it on TV, gypsies don’t have cable.[/green]
[orange]MS: The ball is showing me something through the haziness. You are stood tall, you’re holding something in your hand. I can’t quite make out what it is.[/orange]
[red]JM: Could it be a belt of some sort?[/red]
[orange]MS: I can’t see, maybe.[/orange]
[red]JM: So I win on Sunday then?[/red]
[orange]MS: I can’t give you a definite answer to that question my son. However, your good luck is only short term. You are going to run into some kind of trouble.[/orange]
[red]JM: Trouble? What kind of trouble?[/red]
[orange]MS: A struggle. You will be forced into decisions that go against your beliefs. Not by somebody, but by something. Something inside. You won’t be able to resist… This time.[/orange]
[red]JM: … [/red]
[green]She’s crazy.[/green]
[orange]MS: Don’t be dismayed though, you’ve dealt with this thing before and came out on top. You will eventually win this struggle. But I can’t say when that will happen.[/orange]
[red]JM: What about afterwards? In the far future…[/red]
[orange]MS: Thankfully the long term future seems rather bright for you. I see a retired man, with his wife and three children living happily together in a big home.[/orange]
[red]JM: Family?! Me? Can you make out who it is?[/red]
[orange]MS: Sadly, I cannot. Ahhh, the haze is getting stronger… The image is fading…. Fading…[/orange]
[red]JM: Faded?[/red]
::The gypsie nods and smiles. Manson bids the old woman farewell and steps out the poorly lit room into the dark corridor again. He stops and contemplates the information he just received::
[green]Well, whatever happens, happens. I’ll get through it. It’s not like I believed any of that stuff anyway.[/green]
::Jack walks out the tent and is quickly greeted by Tanya who fires about twenty questions his way on the experience. He retells the crones words and she listens intently::
[teal]TT: Married and three kids huh?[/teal]
[red]JM: That’s what she said.[/red]
[teal]TT: Didn’t think you were the committing type.[/teal]
[red]JM: Me either, but according to the powers that be, I am. Come on, lets get some candy floss. You can’t come to the carnival without buying some candy floss.[/red]
[green]She couldn’t of meant… Of course she did!!! JACK![/green]
::The two walk off together as the scene fades to black::
[blue]T: So this is the big one. Another shot at becoming the National champion. The pressure is on now and you need to step up to the plate and grab that opportunity with both hands.[/blue]
[red]JM: I know, damn Tony, you’re talking as if this is the first time I’m fighting for gold. Don’t forget I was the first National champion in nCw.[/red]
[blue]T: Don’t you think I know that? You keep telling me. But that’s history now, yeah okay so you were the first champion, but so was Lance Ryan, Dr. Pepper, The Hollands, and Reckless Jack. They all became the first champions of their respected titles. But I don’t hear them going on about it all the time. It’s time you stopped focussing on the history of things and began concentrating on the present and future. The future of this business, the future for you, for me, and for all you stand for.[/blue]
[red]JM: Whoa easy Tony, I only go on about it because I still can’t believe it myself. To be part of the history books in this great company is a great feeling to me. To know that no matter what happens now, I’ll be in the record books for eternity.[/red]
[blue]T: That’s not the be all and end all though. Say, hypothetically speaking, you were found of drug usage or some other tainted act, you could have your entry in the history books wiped. So just because you’re there now, doesn’t really mean you’ll be there forever.[/blue]
[red]JM: Not if I can help it. And come on, steroids? Performance enhancing drugs? I’m not Seth Dribble, I have a good head on my shoulders, you know that.[/red]
[blue]T: I said hypothetically speaking. Now come on, you’re not focussing properly. This Sunday is your chance to become a two time National champion. And Johnson isn’t gonna lie down without a fight and just hand you that title.[/blue]
[red]JM: Obviously, but come on, the guy isn’t in my league, never was, and never will be. Fact. He’s just keeping that title warm for me. And this Sunday I’ll be taking it back. Mark my words. And besides, I’ve got a little pay back to give Johnson for leaving me high and dry against the Hollands the other week. It was written in the cards that he would do something like that, and I knew it myself.[/red]
[blue]T: Well why didn’t you walk away instead of taking a beating from Dave and Milo?[/blue]
[red]JM: Out of respect. Respect for the Hollands, for the fans that paid their hard earned cash to watch a show, and respect for myself. If I had walked I wouldn’t of been any better than Ricky, and I couldn’t allow myself to become a coward like that. [/red]
[blue]T: Hell I would’ve took the high road if that happened to me, but I admire your courage.[/blue]
[red]JM: Cheers. But don’t worry, I’ll be getting my revenge on the Hollands one day as well. I respect them both, but that won’t stop me wanting to right the wrongs of that match.[/red]
[blue]T: Since you’re getting screwed left right and centre by partners these days maybe you should keep to sticking solo. If you were to go after the Hollands it would be difficult to find a trusting partner here. First RJ, then Lance, and now Johnson. Fair enough with Johnson holding the title you want it was never gonna be a match made in heaven between you two. But I don’t like this going on, back stabbing and treachery are things I hate, and you’ve been subject to it more than once. I just feel, as your manager, you should stick to yourself and not rely on anybody. For the time being.[/blue]
[red]JM: It took long enough but I’ve learnt my lesson. But that’s not to say there aren’t any trusting souls in nCw. I’ll keep my eyes peeled but I agree with you for once on this matter. And anyway, I never said I would go against the Hollands as a team did I? They are strong together, but as single competitors they are prone to mistakes, hence Milo losing the National title to Johnson. A massive upset if ever I saw one.[/red]
[blue]T: But that’s what you need to focus on Jack, it wasn’t a fluke that Ricky won that belt. I’ve been watching this kid, he keeps his head down and gets the job done. Johnson doesn’t concern himself with what other people are doing, who they’ve teamed up with, or their achievements. And it’s things like that that you should be doing more of.[/blue]
[red]JM: You want me to become more like Johnson?[/red]
[blue]T: Attitude-wise maybe a little. Like I said, he doesn’t concern himself with others. Without them kinds of distractions he’s free to concentrate on his own goals.[/blue]
[red]JM: Next you’ll want me to get a perm, a guitar, and a top hat and run around calling myself Slash.[/red]
[blue]T: Come on don’t you stupid. I’m serious. When you were with Lance and NWS, you weren’t just looking out for yourself, you were looking out for your team mates. But now you’re on your own again I can already feel the hunger and edginess inside you building up. It’s time to step out of the limelight for a while, take hold of these opportunities, and stop worrying about other people. If you manage to succeed in that, then it won’t be long before Fox is booking you in World title matches.[/blue]
[red]JM: I don’t need to become like Ricky Johnson to earn shots at titles, What I need to do is beat people like him. I beat him once to earn this shot, and I’ll beat him again at Metamorphosis. That’s a rather fitting name for a show. The act of changing. That title will be changing hands, it’s destiny. I‘m gonna teach Johnson a lesson in how to be a proper champion. He will be the victim to the new face of ultra violence once again.[/red]
[blue]T: Let’s just hope you’re right.[/blue]
[red]JM: Come on, the guys a coward. He’s running scared here. He lost to me once, that shook his confidence to breaking point. Johnson knows I’m better than him. I proved it once before and I have no qualms about proving it to him again.
::Manson smiles as he takes a sip of his mineral water. As he swallows he glances at the clock on the wall and realises the time::
[red]JM: ****! I’m gonna be late. Listen I’ll catch you later Tony, I’ve gotta dash.[/red]
[blue]T: Where’re you goin?![/blue]
::Manson stands up, grabs his coat from the opposite chair and quickly puts it on. He fumbles in his pockets for change and places the money of the mineral water on the small tip plate::
[red]JM: I got a date.[/red]
::And with that Manson is off like a shot. Tony watches as he hurries out of the café and into the street. Outside Jack is walking rather quickly to his car. The winter wind is biting his face like a group of rabid dogs. He puts his head down into the wind and it whooshes through his hair, blowing out the fine styling he managed this morning. Passing the usual hustle and bustle of the crowd in the streets he turns the corner to a car park. After a quick glance round he finds his motor and walks over to it. His mobile phone begins to ring but, knowing the wind will make it hard to hear the person talking, he let’s the voicemail take a message. He reaches his car and is soon inside, rubbing his hands together for warmth. Manson turns the ignition and the car and radio come to life. His attention is grabbed by the weather report::
::It’s been a good old fashioned winter day today, the winds coming from the South the main culprit for the cold. But don’t worry, later this evening the wind will eventually die down by dinner-time and all of you who are going to the carnival tonight, make sure to wrap up warm as it will still be chilly::
[green]Carnival? Hmm, bit old fashioned but it could be fun. And anyway, it’s not a real date, just two friends meeting up and spending some time together. Oh yeah, the phone rang.[/green]
::Jack reaches in his pocket for the phone and flips it open, showing a missed call. He hits reply and the phone begins ringing. A woman answers on the other end::
[teal]TT: Hey, thought you were ignoring me for a bit there.[/teal]
[red]JM: Course not. Listen, about tonight. What say we go to a carnival instead of dinner?[/red]
[teal]TT: A carnival? Are you crazy? Have you been outside today?[/teal]
[red]JM: It’s only a bit of wind. Besides the weather report said it should die down by tonight. Come on it’ll be fun. Hit a few of the stalls, eat some candy floss, decide which rickety old ride looks the safest before riding it, get a hotdog or burger…[/red]
[teal]TT: Okay, okay, Carnival it is. Sounds great. Pick me up at eight.[/teal]
[red]JM: No problem. See you soon. Oh, and wrap up warm, it’s gonna be a chilly night.[/red]
[teal]TT: You said the wind would die do…[/teal]
::Jack hangs up and smiles as he pulls out of the car park and drives off home::
*Later that evening*
::Jack and Tanya are outside the carnival entrance. True to his word, the weatherman was right and the wind had indeed died down. The downside was it was really nippy outside so both Jack and Tanya were wrapped up in warm clothing. Jack in thick, black cargo pants, a trendy t-shirt, a jumper, and finally a long black coat and Tanya in warm trousers, a thick jumper, and on top of it a warm parker-like coat::
[red]JM: See, it’s not that bad. And look, everyone else isn’t taking any notice of the weather so neither should we.[/red]
::Jack was right. Stood in a crowd they soon noticed people of all ages laughing and smiling as they entered the carnival. The usual circussy/carnival themes were being played from all the different stalls, the lights strung across the tents and stalls flashed on and off in a random order, the smell of candy floss and fatty food was dominant, but by god did it make you want to eat as much as you could of the stuff. Carnivals always got you in a happy mood, or at least it did for Jack and Tanya. As they entered the carnival after paying their admission fee the atmosphere gripped to them tightly and they had huge childish smiles on their faces as they looked around in wonder. Okay so it wasn’t a Disney land resort, but it certainly had a working-class charm to it::
[red]JM: What should we do first then?[/red]
[teal]TT: Let’s have a walk around, see what’s on offer.[/teal]
[red]JM: Good idea.[/red]
::Tanya linked her arm with Jacks as the two wandered through the crowded area. Many of the touts and gypo’s were shouting for their attention to come and try their luck at the rigged games. Most of the time Jack simply smiled awkwardly, shook his head, and gently pulled Tanya as he walked away. It wasn’t that he was low on cash or anything, he probably had more in his wallet than what most of the travelling carnivals family put together had in theirs. He agreed with himself that he would have a few games on the stalls later. But for the time being the two of them would be walking and taking a look about::
[teal]TT: So are you gonna win me a teddy tonight then?[/teal]
[red]JM: Would you really want one of those fake Disney teddies meant to look like Tigger, or Pooh? They’d fall apart in minutes.[/red]
[teal]TT: Yeah well, I still want one. You dragged us here so you can win me one.[/teal]
::They both smile as they carry on walking::
[teal]TT: You’re working on Sunday night aren’t you?[/teal]
[red]JM: Yeah, how’d you here?[/red]
[teal]TT: I watch the show from time to time, see how you’re doing.[/teal]
[red]JM: Oh really? Well, thanks, I guess.[/red]
[teal]TT: Are you nervous about it?[/teal]
[red]JM: Me? Nervous? Nah of course I’m not. It’s Ricky Johnson I’m going against, not a whole army. I’ve been through enough already in that business to not be nervous before a match.[/red]
[teal]TT: It’s a title match right?[/teal]
[red]JM: Right. The National title.[/red]
[teal]TT: Cool, well I’ll be rooting for you at home.[/teal]
[red]JM: Why don’t you root for me in person, at the show? I could get you a good seat, right at the front if you want?[/red]
[teal]TT: Wow, that’d be great Jack, thanks.[/teal]
[red]JM: Least I can do for a fan.[/red]
::Tanya playfully shoves him and they both laugh. The smell of a nearby hotdog van wafts through the air and catches the scent of Tanya and Jack, setting off their stomachs instantly. They agree to get some food and queue up::
[red]JM: I love carnival food, it’s so wrong but so right.[/red]
[teal]TT: Shouldn’t you be watching what you eat, blah, blah, in preparation for your match?[/teal]
[red]JM: Please, Tony’s had me on a strict eating regime the last few months, I miss the big fat, greasy hamburgers. So tonight, I’m gonna treat myself. I’m gonna order the biggest burger on the menu, with cheese, onions, and lashings of ketchup. A good British style burger.[/red]
[teal]TT: Sounds good, I’ll have the same.[/teal]
[red]JM: Good lass.[/red]
::Within minutes the two of them are happily walking along, eating their burgers. The conversation is flowing well, but Manson’s mind is firmly stuck on Sunday’s match against Johnson. He tries to throw Ricky out of his head but he won’t leave. Tony’s words were also still fresh in Jack’s memory. Should he really start being more like Ricky Johnson? Stop caring about other people, keep my head down, and get the job done? Maybe, but Manson was no copy cat fighter. If he was to take Tony’s advice then he would do it his own way, in his own time::
[green]Do I focus too much on people I work with rather than achieving my own goals? True I got screwed over three times the last few weeks, something I ain’t pleased about. But it’s not like I ever let NWS take over my life. We created NWS to stop having to worry about our own backs, to fight safely in the knowledge that it would always be a fair fight with my team mates behind me. It doesn’t matter now, it’s done and dusted. History.[/green]
[teal]TT: So, whaddya say? Shall we?[/teal]
[red]JM: Hmm?… Sorry, I was miles away for a moment there. What was the question?[/red]
[teal]TT: The ferris wheel, wanna ride it? Looks pretty big, we’ll see how big this carnival really is.[/teal]
[red]JM: Yeah okay, let’s go.[/red]
::After a slight queue the two of them sit inside on of the cages on the ferris wheel and sit patiently for it start rotating round::
[red]JM: This should be fun, I bet the view from up there is breath taking.[/red]
[teal]TT: And I bet it’s bloody cold up there as well.[/teal]
::Jack was right, the view was fantastic. You could see for miles, and the carnival was pretty big so that impressed him a bit::
[red]JM: Know what we should do next?[/red]
[teal]TT: What?[/teal]
[red]JM: Go see a fortune teller. Let’s get our fortunes read.[/red]
[teal]TT: Come on you don’t really believe in all that do you?[/teal]
[red]JM: I dunno, sometimes they can be spot on. Like your horoscopes in the paper. Sometimes they couldn’t be more wrong. But other times they are spot on. At the very least it’ll be interesting to see what the teller comes up with.[/red]
[teal]TT: Do you really want to know the future? What if it’s not good?[/teal]
[red]JM: Least you can be prepared for it then, not matter what it is.[/red]
[teal]TT: Well I’m not going in, but you can.[/teal]
[red]JM: Ha ha, wimp. Fine, I’ll go in. But you can wait outside.[/red]
[teal]TT: Alright, deal.[/teal]
::After riding the ferris wheel Jack and Tanya walk round, looking for the fortune teller’s tent they passed a while back. After searching for a good ten minutes they finally find it. Adrenaline runs through Jack’s stomach as nerves and excitement surface in him::
[green]What if I do hear some bad news? It could be true, but then again it could be another scam from the gypo’s. Come on, don’t puss out now. Get in there and get your fortune told.[/green]
::They both walked up to the tent entrance, a shoddy looking sandwich board stood next to the door and scrawled in chalk was the name “Madam Star”. Jack and Tanya look at each other with a puzzled look on their faces when they suddenly hear a voice from inside calling out to them::
[orange]MS: Young man, if you want to come in then come in. If not please move on as you’re obstructing the other customers.[/orange]
::Startled, Jack is about to apologise when he realises he would be talking to an empty door. Instead he winks at Tanya and enters through the drapes. He walks round a dark corridor in an almost black setting except for the light from outside shining in. Hearing some kind of strange chanting he follows the noise until he reaches a web of beads on strings hanging from the doorway in front of him. He enters and sees the old crone sat against an old, wooden table. Scattered around the small, cramped room are various novelty items to try and add to the mysticism of it all. He greets the old gypsie woman and sits on the chair opposite her at the table. In front of her is a clear crystal ball. The woman smiles an almost toothless grin, her scraggy grey hair matted against her forehead from under a thin fabric hood::
[orange]MS: Welcome, sir. What can I do for you this fine winter evening?[/orange]
[red]JM: Er… I’m not sure really.[/red]
[orange]MS: Well how about I read your fortune? Since that is why you came in here is it not?[/orange]
[red]JM: Yeah, I guess so.[/red]
[orange]MS: It’s $2 for a brief reading, $5 for a full one. Which will it be?[/orange]
[red]JM: I might as well go the whole hog and have a full reading.[/red]
::The old woman’s eyes light up under her heavy bags as Manson hands over the $5 note. She places it under the table somewhere and clears her throat::
[orange]MS: Give me your hands.[/orange]
::Jack holds his hands out, palms up. The gypsie holds them in hers and leans forward, peering at them intently. She looks deep in thought as her eyes follow the contours and wrinkles of Jack’s skin::
[orange]MS: I see… I see… A good short term future for you. You will be a success story in your career. Tell me, what do you do?[/orange]
[red]JM: I’m a wrestler. You should know that.[/red]
::The crone ignores Manson’s sarcasm and continues looking at his hands::
[orange]MS: Yes… Mmmm… A good future lies before you. But like I said, it’s only a short term thing.[/orange]
[red]JM: What’s that supposed to mean? What else does it say?[/red]
[orange]MS: For that, I will consult my crystal ball.[/orange]
::The woman lets go of Jack’s hands and begins to rhythmically run them around the crystal ball. She closes her eyes and hums to herself incoherent noises as Jack looks on, strangely curious at what’s happening::
[orange]MS: The short term future for you does indeed look very bright. Money will enter your life, glory, fame.[/orange]
[red]JM: I have a big fight this Sunday against a man named…[/red]
[orange]MS: Ricky Johnson. I know. [/orange]
::She casts a glance at Manson that tells him not to doubt her ability::
[green]Is this the real deal? How the hell did she know that? Couldn’t have seen it on TV, gypsies don’t have cable.[/green]
[orange]MS: The ball is showing me something through the haziness. You are stood tall, you’re holding something in your hand. I can’t quite make out what it is.[/orange]
[red]JM: Could it be a belt of some sort?[/red]
[orange]MS: I can’t see, maybe.[/orange]
[red]JM: So I win on Sunday then?[/red]
[orange]MS: I can’t give you a definite answer to that question my son. However, your good luck is only short term. You are going to run into some kind of trouble.[/orange]
[red]JM: Trouble? What kind of trouble?[/red]
[orange]MS: A struggle. You will be forced into decisions that go against your beliefs. Not by somebody, but by something. Something inside. You won’t be able to resist… This time.[/orange]
[red]JM: … [/red]
[green]She’s crazy.[/green]
[orange]MS: Don’t be dismayed though, you’ve dealt with this thing before and came out on top. You will eventually win this struggle. But I can’t say when that will happen.[/orange]
[red]JM: What about afterwards? In the far future…[/red]
[orange]MS: Thankfully the long term future seems rather bright for you. I see a retired man, with his wife and three children living happily together in a big home.[/orange]
[red]JM: Family?! Me? Can you make out who it is?[/red]
[orange]MS: Sadly, I cannot. Ahhh, the haze is getting stronger… The image is fading…. Fading…[/orange]
[red]JM: Faded?[/red]
::The gypsie nods and smiles. Manson bids the old woman farewell and steps out the poorly lit room into the dark corridor again. He stops and contemplates the information he just received::
[green]Well, whatever happens, happens. I’ll get through it. It’s not like I believed any of that stuff anyway.[/green]
::Jack walks out the tent and is quickly greeted by Tanya who fires about twenty questions his way on the experience. He retells the crones words and she listens intently::
[teal]TT: Married and three kids huh?[/teal]
[red]JM: That’s what she said.[/red]
[teal]TT: Didn’t think you were the committing type.[/teal]
[red]JM: Me either, but according to the powers that be, I am. Come on, lets get some candy floss. You can’t come to the carnival without buying some candy floss.[/red]
[green]She couldn’t of meant… Of course she did!!! JACK![/green]
::The two walk off together as the scene fades to black::
