Post by defunctlies on Jan 11, 2009 3:14:16 GMT -6
The scene opens on Jack Hammond sitting, once again, in his car. It is however, stationary in what appears to be a darkened alleyway somewhere in Calgary, a dim light illuminating the highflyer's face somewhat. He stares out into the night quietly, his face neutral as he seems to be pondering something before suddenly breaking out into a quiet chuckle and then looking at the camera.
"It seems that despite the quite wearying speeches I've made so far this week, and the casual threats of violence against kittens, I've been accused of not taking this Sunday's headline event at Metamorphosis, a match for the World Championship, seriously. That I've been too 'lackidasical' and 'casual'."
Jack cocks an eyebrow before frowning with mock-indignation.
"Now that's just mean. I've worked hard to be the slacker that I've strived to be in each of my promos, achieving just the right level of laziness and indifference, but I'd like to think I've worked a little harder this week, considering the seriousness of this week's match."
He turns his head and points to his head, or more specifically, his hair.
"See? I've had my hair trimmed up to look neater and everything and I've only passed out from too much beer once this week."
Jack smirks before reclining in his seat somewhat his face becoming slightly shadowed in the dim light.
"Now Xavier, surely you've seen one of my promos before and you may have noticed that I tend not to be all doom and gloom if I can help it. I tend to find a slight air of levity keeps my confidence up, hence the kittens and cracks about my secret fantasies involving my wife and various other elements that make my eyes water."
He chuckles before pausing, as if measuring his next words.
"Xavier, you seem to be demanding that I 'take this seriously'. You want me to be the person I was last week when I beat down Adam Knite, the man I was when I went toe-to-toe with Falcon and managed to pull one over on him; The man you think I should be."
Jack nods slowly to himself.
"Well, you don't have to worry. Unlike a few people in this business, I'm not going to suddenly change my work ethic overnight and disappoint. I can guarantee that this Sunday, I will not be bringing any jokes, or the casual attitude I have when I'm talking to the camera. However Xavier, since you seem to demand it, I'll indulge you if you really want me to."
His shadowed face seems to grow a little colder as he talks now.
"I've no doubt that this Sunday will be the most important night of my life. It doesn't tend to get any more important when the biggest title in this business is on the line and over 17,000 of people are watching, baying for blood, not to mention the hundreds of thousands watching at home. Crazed fans who want to see a match they will not soon forget and with one man finishing the night with his arm raised. Xavier, do you have any idea how much I want to be that man? To walk away with my first title? To have my name immortalised as a World Champion?"
There's a smirk.
"Actually, I think you do. One month ago, you beat Steve Awesome in a Caged Death match. You showed how much you wanted to be the best and with that drive and fire, you became the best. I know our match at Meta is just a 'regular' title match, but quite frankly, who cares? So long as we each get a good piece of each other and we can determine who is the better man."
Jack pauses.
"Am I that better man? Well, instead of being 'nice' or 'lazy' by dodging that question, I think I'll indulge Xavier a bit more; I am the better man. I believe without a shadow of a doubt I will walk away this Sunday as the new nCw World Champion. It's not simply about confidence, luck or skill. It's not about being the underdog, the favourite or the 'choke-artist'. It's not about affiliation, friends or enemies. It's about belief in my actions, trust in my abilities and the desire to win. I close my eyes and see myself raising that title over my head, the crowd chanting my name."
He grins.
"To be honest, it's a bit more enticing than my wife in chocolate underwear."
Jack chuckles and leans forwards, his face no longer as serious as it comes back into the light.
"So I hope that's cleared up things a bit."
His smirk is replaced by a confident grin.
"I want to give all those people a spectacle as well, Xavier. I respect you enough to make sure I don't bring anything less than my best, and I know you will do exactly the same. And it's just like you say; there will be no distractions, nobody to rely upon except ourselves. Just two guys who are fighting to decide not only who is the better man, but who is the best. Is it still you, Xavier? Or are you willing to let a short bloke who grew up on an estate in Birmingham, a rookie, less than a year of experience under his belt and only a handful of wins trump you this Sunday?"
Jack's grin widens.
"Well, part of me is hoping 'yes'. It would make said short bloke quite happy, but since I'm back in 'nice' mode, I don't want to decide, I don't want to know until I step into that ring this Sunday."
Jack nods.
"The only thing I do know is that it's going to be a hell of a lot of fun finding out."
He reaches forwards and twists the key in the ignition, the engine growling behind him, a few moments later turning to a roar as he depresses the throttle and shoots off into the night as the scene fades to black.
"It seems that despite the quite wearying speeches I've made so far this week, and the casual threats of violence against kittens, I've been accused of not taking this Sunday's headline event at Metamorphosis, a match for the World Championship, seriously. That I've been too 'lackidasical' and 'casual'."
Jack cocks an eyebrow before frowning with mock-indignation.
"Now that's just mean. I've worked hard to be the slacker that I've strived to be in each of my promos, achieving just the right level of laziness and indifference, but I'd like to think I've worked a little harder this week, considering the seriousness of this week's match."
He turns his head and points to his head, or more specifically, his hair.
"See? I've had my hair trimmed up to look neater and everything and I've only passed out from too much beer once this week."
Jack smirks before reclining in his seat somewhat his face becoming slightly shadowed in the dim light.
"Now Xavier, surely you've seen one of my promos before and you may have noticed that I tend not to be all doom and gloom if I can help it. I tend to find a slight air of levity keeps my confidence up, hence the kittens and cracks about my secret fantasies involving my wife and various other elements that make my eyes water."
He chuckles before pausing, as if measuring his next words.
"Xavier, you seem to be demanding that I 'take this seriously'. You want me to be the person I was last week when I beat down Adam Knite, the man I was when I went toe-to-toe with Falcon and managed to pull one over on him; The man you think I should be."
Jack nods slowly to himself.
"Well, you don't have to worry. Unlike a few people in this business, I'm not going to suddenly change my work ethic overnight and disappoint. I can guarantee that this Sunday, I will not be bringing any jokes, or the casual attitude I have when I'm talking to the camera. However Xavier, since you seem to demand it, I'll indulge you if you really want me to."
His shadowed face seems to grow a little colder as he talks now.
"I've no doubt that this Sunday will be the most important night of my life. It doesn't tend to get any more important when the biggest title in this business is on the line and over 17,000 of people are watching, baying for blood, not to mention the hundreds of thousands watching at home. Crazed fans who want to see a match they will not soon forget and with one man finishing the night with his arm raised. Xavier, do you have any idea how much I want to be that man? To walk away with my first title? To have my name immortalised as a World Champion?"
There's a smirk.
"Actually, I think you do. One month ago, you beat Steve Awesome in a Caged Death match. You showed how much you wanted to be the best and with that drive and fire, you became the best. I know our match at Meta is just a 'regular' title match, but quite frankly, who cares? So long as we each get a good piece of each other and we can determine who is the better man."
Jack pauses.
"Am I that better man? Well, instead of being 'nice' or 'lazy' by dodging that question, I think I'll indulge Xavier a bit more; I am the better man. I believe without a shadow of a doubt I will walk away this Sunday as the new nCw World Champion. It's not simply about confidence, luck or skill. It's not about being the underdog, the favourite or the 'choke-artist'. It's not about affiliation, friends or enemies. It's about belief in my actions, trust in my abilities and the desire to win. I close my eyes and see myself raising that title over my head, the crowd chanting my name."
He grins.
"To be honest, it's a bit more enticing than my wife in chocolate underwear."
Jack chuckles and leans forwards, his face no longer as serious as it comes back into the light.
"So I hope that's cleared up things a bit."
His smirk is replaced by a confident grin.
"I want to give all those people a spectacle as well, Xavier. I respect you enough to make sure I don't bring anything less than my best, and I know you will do exactly the same. And it's just like you say; there will be no distractions, nobody to rely upon except ourselves. Just two guys who are fighting to decide not only who is the better man, but who is the best. Is it still you, Xavier? Or are you willing to let a short bloke who grew up on an estate in Birmingham, a rookie, less than a year of experience under his belt and only a handful of wins trump you this Sunday?"
Jack's grin widens.
"Well, part of me is hoping 'yes'. It would make said short bloke quite happy, but since I'm back in 'nice' mode, I don't want to decide, I don't want to know until I step into that ring this Sunday."
Jack nods.
"The only thing I do know is that it's going to be a hell of a lot of fun finding out."
He reaches forwards and twists the key in the ignition, the engine growling behind him, a few moments later turning to a roar as he depresses the throttle and shoots off into the night as the scene fades to black.