Post by T-Robosaurus Rex on Aug 31, 2013 10:13:13 GMT -5
The Pacific Ocean rolls out as far as the eye can see, the sun is high in the sky, and the tanned and toned Californians and tourists fill the beach and the street that runs parallel to it. Beaches are strange places, very few places on the planet can attract as differing a cross-section of the populace as the beach, and in a matter of moments you can have gone from looking at a shapely and attractive member of the opposite hug, to having your vision filled by a group of sweaty, overweight bikers.
On the edge of the street stands a Tiki style Cocktail bar, you know the sort, bamboo furniture, masks and carvings adorn the walls of the open fronted establishment. The barman is a smiley man, welcoming anyone who walks into his shaded cliché of a bar with a broad grin. His waitresses have been employed clearly for their ability to look good in a grass skirt more than their mathematical or customer service skills.
The bar itself is relatively quiet, people choosing to enjoy themselves out on the sands rather than in this far-fetched alcoholic refuge. But there is a section, roped off from the general public, taking up a moderate section of the open air area, that has caused a fair amount of passers-by to turn their heads, this is because eD cASe (Formerly known as Bert from Sesame Street)is having an afternoon soiree with his biggest and most recognisable client, ‘The Blessed One’ Travis Roberts.
Travis is leisurely reclining in an armchair, watching as the various scantily clad sun worshippers walk past the bar, some recognise ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ taking the opportunity to catch a quick picture on their various smartphones etc, others have no idea who the crazy dude in a leather jacket sipping on a mojito is.
eD – ‘Sure you don’t regret passing up on the opportunity to return this week?
Travis – ‘What is there to regret about making the only decision that was viable in the circumstances?’
eD – ‘I don’t know, I just thought you might have missed the sensation, after being in front of all those fans last week, seeing they hadn't forgotten you, I thought you might have reconsidered waiting until Outlast.’
Travis looks over his Aviators at his agent and he sighs.
Travis – ‘You’d have thought in the many years we have known one another that you might, just might, have started to understand ‘The Blessed One’ in that time, but alas still a window licker you remain.’
eD – ‘And you’re still an insulting prick.’
Travis – ‘And that surprises you?’
eD – ‘Of course not.’
Travis – ‘Yet ‘The Blessed Ones’ motivations for not returning on Synergy leave you baffled and confused?’
eD – ‘I wouldn’t go that far, but I heard those fans, I was part of the atmosphere, I’m just surprised you haven’t got jacked up on the rush and want to get back in there as soon as possible.’
At this point Travis Roberts smiles a big smile, takes a sip of his Mojito and reclines in his chair, taking in the scenery before he responds.
Travis – ‘That’s because you, my friend like many, many, others, are not ‘The Headliner’. When you have the standing in the industry that Travis Roberts has, when you have been involved in events of the magnitude that ‘The Most Influential Icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia’ not only appeared on, but stole the show on, it takes truly exceptional things to make you excited.’
eD – ‘Isn’t UGWC, your home in the industry, special?’
Travis – ‘Synergy certainly isn’t…’
eD – ‘If you’re not excited I’m not sure why you’re making a return at all.’
Roberts shakes his head, takes another drink and looks his long time agent directly in his big eyes.
Travis – ‘Just because ‘The Blessed One’ doesn’t go rushing in like an ill-equipped white boy at a Wu-Tang concert doesn’t mean he’s not looking forward to what lies ahead.’
eD – ‘Look, all I’m saying is you could show a little more enthusiasm. You just seem disinterested…’
Another shake of the head, this time added with a cradling of the forehead in a hand. Travis slowly massages his temples before continuing.
Travis – ‘Travis Roberts is unsure what exactly you expected of him? Did you want him to holler in joy at the announcement that in his return to the sport he has been absent from for nearly three he would be partnering with Jordan King! That would instantly kill any credibility ‘The Headliner’ built up over the years, no-one would take him seriously ever again.’
eD – ‘It wouldn’t have been that bad, I mean you could have talked your way out of it, you always can.’
Travis – ‘That is only because ‘The Blessed One’ has always been acutely aware of the situations he allows himself to get into. It’s really. really simple to contemplate, if you want to be seen as a ‘Legend’ a ‘Star’ or even simply be ‘taken seriously’ you do not allow yourself to team up with Jordan King. There truly is only one way a career could take an even bigger hit to credibility than that…’
eD – ‘How?’
Travis – ‘To claim all those things, to be welcomed back by the fans who truly believe you are everything you claim, to be built up to being the apex of the industry, to make a glorious return…and then blow it by getting involved, voluntarily Travis Roberts would like to add, in a feud with Jordan King! Who in their right mind would choose such a thing? Even engineer it? It’s the epitome of a no win situation, if you get the victory, big deal, who can’t beat JK? And if you lose? Well that legacy might as well have come in a fortune cookie.’
eD – ‘So refusing to take part in Synergy was about JK?
Travis looks over his glasses once more, and once again a sigh comes out.
Travis – ‘No, it because it was Synergy. How many more times does ‘The TWiSTeD High Commander’, have to tell you?’
eD – ‘Then why are we talking about Jordan King?’
It’s not often you will see Travis genuinely surprised, but this is one of those times, he looks around his jaw wide open, looks up and down himself, and then holds his hand out in front of eD.
Travis – ‘Hi, Travis Roberts, longest reigning Global Heavyweight Champion in GIW history, wrestler, actor, musician, enjoys elaborating, nice to meet you.’
eD – ‘OK, OK…it’s been a while all right? I’m not sure how, but I forgot you like to talk cra…elaborate.’
Somewhere in between introducing himself to eD and eD speaking Roberts has let his mind wander, and he has become distracted by the passing sun dwellers. He sips on his drink and looks out into the blue sky, clearly revelling in the weather and his location. eD looks on impatiently...
eD – 'You are aware I have other clients.'
Travis snaps out of his state and look back sharply at eD...
Travis – 'No, you don't, Nathan takes care of the...'
He pauses for a moment and thinks...
Travis – 'The Undesirables.'
eD – 'You clearly didn't get a good enough look at Vix...'
Travis – 'Is that the pretty blonde...'
eD – 'That's the one, hardly undesirab...
Travis – 'The ones who's a fan of Jet Somers?'
Travis raises his eyebrow, and eD acknowledges defeat with a shrug of his muppety shoulders.
eD – 'I'm not sure why you still harbour such a disliking of Somers, he's come a long way in the past couple of years, he's not the man you once knew, ever thought of this whole experience as a fresh start.'
Travis – 'You're right, Somers is a changed man, 'The Headliner' hears it has been years since he last dressed up as a woman in public.'
eD – 'That was years ago, haven't you ever done anything you regretted?'
Travis – 'Sure, bringing up Jet Somers in this conversation is pretty close to the top of the list.'
eD leans forward and lowers his voice.
eD – 'An outsider, not me obviously, might suggest this hostility is down to all he has achieved in your absence.'
Travis almost, almost, drops his drink from his hand, as he secures his grip he removes his Aviators very deliberately and looks into eD's fuzzy eyes.
Travis – 'And they'd be wise to keep such thoughts to themselves in 'The Blessed Ones' company, lest they wish to be schooled.'
eD has obviously grown a pair of balls since we last knew him, rather than back down he probes further.
eD – 'He has won multiple Championships and has been pretty much the most consistent performer since you retired, it could be argued he's the face of the company.'
Travis – 'And what a raging success it has been in Travis Roberts' absence. The only reason Specter's plan worked is because these guys are desperate for anyone to resuscitate the brand, why else would they re-employ Boding?'
eD – 'Well they did get you as well.'
Travis – 'Sure did, but they'd have never agreed to some of the clauses in that thing, especially with what they're paying 'The Blessed One', but that proves Travis Roberts' point, had a thriving and successful company been held to ransom like that they'd have the lawyers out and be renegotiating the minute Synergy went off air. These guys are just happy 'The Most Influential Icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia' is back to rescue a company that has been relying on Jet Somers and the Beta Travis for entertainment for far too long.'
eD – 'The ratings have been fairly good recently.'
Travis – 'Of course they are.'
eD looks around, checking that the environment is still the same and he hasn't just woken up involved in another conversation.
eD – 'Umm.'
Travis – 'Do you really think that 'The Headliner' would return if the ratings were anything less than strong? A momentous occasion such as that deserves as big an audience as possible.'
eD – 'But your contradicting yourself, you just said that the company needed rescuing!'
Travis shakes his head, flicks his hair out of his eyes and places his Aviators back on his face.
Travis – 'For someone who has spent over a decade in this industry, you still don't know how it works do you?'
eD – 'I know enough to know that high ratings are a good thing.'
Travis – 'Only if they are sustainable, UGWC has had an influx of new talent over the past months, that injects interest and draws in new audience members, but the only way to keep them is to sustain their interest. If Jet Somers and his troop of performing monkeys continue to hold the sway they do now, things will change swiftly.'
eD cASe has witnessed first hand, on many an occasion, men spiral down a rabbit hole when trying to reason with Travis Roberts. Apparently many a physicist has been driven insane attempting to conceive the mapping of a black hole, eD considers that to be a task roughly on a kin with his role of wrangling 'The Blessed One' every day.
In short eD has learnt when to shut up and change the subject.
After both men finish their drinks Travis nods to the barman and strolls out from underneath the shade and into the bright sunshine and into the crowds on the walkway. The flow of pedestrians slows down as wrestling fans in the area swarm around 'The Blessed One' for autographs, he obliges and it is a good twenty minutes before they start walking again.
eD looks back at the dispersing crowd.
eD – 'Are they why you came back?
Travis – 'Sure 'The Most Influential Icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia' relishes not being able to walk to a local destination without adding half a day to the journey.'
They walk along in silence for a few more moments, Travis stopping every so often to sign another fans shirt/chest/random shit, before eD speaks again.
eD – 'Then why'd you do it?
Travis – 'Because otherwise someone will go to some blogger, or sports 'journalist' or whatever, and then before we've got 500 feet away there is an article online about how much of an asshole Travis Roberts is. Like that wasn't clear before 'The Blessed One' snubbed some entitled kid...'
eD – I wasn't actually referring to that, but since when did you care about what people write about you?'
Travis – ''The Blessed One' doesn't, but what 'The TWiSTeD Icon' won't stand for is repetitive journalism, new crap happens everyday go report on that, don't make Travis Roberts indirectly responsible for the dumbing down of the media. What were you referring to if not that?'
eD – 'I meant, why'd you say yes when I called? Why did you come back.'
Travis – 'Said it on Synergy, Travis Roberts wants back in.'
eD – 'No, there is more to it than that, you're Travis Roberts, it's never that simple.'
Travis – 'It really is.'
Once again it falls silent as the two men stroll down the beach front until they reach the new abode of 'The Blessed One' . It sits three stories high, with huge walls of glass facing out to the see, it is set a good thirty feet above the beach, with a staggered garden leading up to a large decked area with outstanding views of the ocean and the sands below. Both men climb the steps as the sun sets, and they both take a seat on the deck and look out.
A group of the fans that had gathered around 'The Headliner' have followed him down the beach and have decided to start an impromptu party, lighting a fire and partying as the sun disappears. Travis lights a pre-rolled sits back and inahales. He nods down towards the youngsters.
Travis – 'See them?'
eD – 'Sure.'
Travis – 'They know who 'The Blessed One' is, they recognise him in the street.'
eD – 'Of course they do, you're an Icon.'
Travis – 'But they don't know Travis Roberts, they just recognise that they should know.'
eD – 'You dominated for an era...'
Travis – 'Not theirs, maybe their older brothers, they might have caught the tail end of my career. But who really remembers GIW? How many of the fans at Synergy were there when 'The Blessed One' rode high on a show called Sentinel?'
eD – 'A fair few, it wasn't that long ago.'
Travis inhales and exhales deeply whilst gazing deeply up at the stars.
Travis – 'A year is a lifetime in this industry, nearly three is an eternity. Those kids down there, to them, Jet Somers, Tyvola, Eden Morgan, Moss Edwards, Zane Scott...those are the people they consider to be the Icons of today. Hell, when they hear the name Travis, they probably think Pierce...'
eD – 'C'mon, that's stupid, most of them think of you first, most of them know precisely what you gave for this industry and this company. To most of them, you are an Icon.'
Travis – 'But not all of them.'
With that Travis flicks his nearly dead pre-rolled into the air and walks into his home as it lands and slowly burns out on the ground.
On the edge of the street stands a Tiki style Cocktail bar, you know the sort, bamboo furniture, masks and carvings adorn the walls of the open fronted establishment. The barman is a smiley man, welcoming anyone who walks into his shaded cliché of a bar with a broad grin. His waitresses have been employed clearly for their ability to look good in a grass skirt more than their mathematical or customer service skills.
The bar itself is relatively quiet, people choosing to enjoy themselves out on the sands rather than in this far-fetched alcoholic refuge. But there is a section, roped off from the general public, taking up a moderate section of the open air area, that has caused a fair amount of passers-by to turn their heads, this is because eD cASe (Formerly known as Bert from Sesame Street)is having an afternoon soiree with his biggest and most recognisable client, ‘The Blessed One’ Travis Roberts.
Travis is leisurely reclining in an armchair, watching as the various scantily clad sun worshippers walk past the bar, some recognise ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ taking the opportunity to catch a quick picture on their various smartphones etc, others have no idea who the crazy dude in a leather jacket sipping on a mojito is.
eD – ‘Sure you don’t regret passing up on the opportunity to return this week?
Travis – ‘What is there to regret about making the only decision that was viable in the circumstances?’
eD – ‘I don’t know, I just thought you might have missed the sensation, after being in front of all those fans last week, seeing they hadn't forgotten you, I thought you might have reconsidered waiting until Outlast.’
Travis looks over his Aviators at his agent and he sighs.
Travis – ‘You’d have thought in the many years we have known one another that you might, just might, have started to understand ‘The Blessed One’ in that time, but alas still a window licker you remain.’
eD – ‘And you’re still an insulting prick.’
Travis – ‘And that surprises you?’
eD – ‘Of course not.’
Travis – ‘Yet ‘The Blessed Ones’ motivations for not returning on Synergy leave you baffled and confused?’
eD – ‘I wouldn’t go that far, but I heard those fans, I was part of the atmosphere, I’m just surprised you haven’t got jacked up on the rush and want to get back in there as soon as possible.’
At this point Travis Roberts smiles a big smile, takes a sip of his Mojito and reclines in his chair, taking in the scenery before he responds.
Travis – ‘That’s because you, my friend like many, many, others, are not ‘The Headliner’. When you have the standing in the industry that Travis Roberts has, when you have been involved in events of the magnitude that ‘The Most Influential Icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia’ not only appeared on, but stole the show on, it takes truly exceptional things to make you excited.’
eD – ‘Isn’t UGWC, your home in the industry, special?’
Travis – ‘Synergy certainly isn’t…’
eD – ‘If you’re not excited I’m not sure why you’re making a return at all.’
Roberts shakes his head, takes another drink and looks his long time agent directly in his big eyes.
Travis – ‘Just because ‘The Blessed One’ doesn’t go rushing in like an ill-equipped white boy at a Wu-Tang concert doesn’t mean he’s not looking forward to what lies ahead.’
eD – ‘Look, all I’m saying is you could show a little more enthusiasm. You just seem disinterested…’
Another shake of the head, this time added with a cradling of the forehead in a hand. Travis slowly massages his temples before continuing.
Travis – ‘Travis Roberts is unsure what exactly you expected of him? Did you want him to holler in joy at the announcement that in his return to the sport he has been absent from for nearly three he would be partnering with Jordan King! That would instantly kill any credibility ‘The Headliner’ built up over the years, no-one would take him seriously ever again.’
eD – ‘It wouldn’t have been that bad, I mean you could have talked your way out of it, you always can.’
Travis – ‘That is only because ‘The Blessed One’ has always been acutely aware of the situations he allows himself to get into. It’s really. really simple to contemplate, if you want to be seen as a ‘Legend’ a ‘Star’ or even simply be ‘taken seriously’ you do not allow yourself to team up with Jordan King. There truly is only one way a career could take an even bigger hit to credibility than that…’
eD – ‘How?’
Travis – ‘To claim all those things, to be welcomed back by the fans who truly believe you are everything you claim, to be built up to being the apex of the industry, to make a glorious return…and then blow it by getting involved, voluntarily Travis Roberts would like to add, in a feud with Jordan King! Who in their right mind would choose such a thing? Even engineer it? It’s the epitome of a no win situation, if you get the victory, big deal, who can’t beat JK? And if you lose? Well that legacy might as well have come in a fortune cookie.’
eD – ‘So refusing to take part in Synergy was about JK?
Travis looks over his glasses once more, and once again a sigh comes out.
Travis – ‘No, it because it was Synergy. How many more times does ‘The TWiSTeD High Commander’, have to tell you?’
eD – ‘Then why are we talking about Jordan King?’
It’s not often you will see Travis genuinely surprised, but this is one of those times, he looks around his jaw wide open, looks up and down himself, and then holds his hand out in front of eD.
Travis – ‘Hi, Travis Roberts, longest reigning Global Heavyweight Champion in GIW history, wrestler, actor, musician, enjoys elaborating, nice to meet you.’
eD – ‘OK, OK…it’s been a while all right? I’m not sure how, but I forgot you like to talk cra…elaborate.’
Somewhere in between introducing himself to eD and eD speaking Roberts has let his mind wander, and he has become distracted by the passing sun dwellers. He sips on his drink and looks out into the blue sky, clearly revelling in the weather and his location. eD looks on impatiently...
eD – 'You are aware I have other clients.'
Travis snaps out of his state and look back sharply at eD...
Travis – 'No, you don't, Nathan takes care of the...'
He pauses for a moment and thinks...
Travis – 'The Undesirables.'
eD – 'You clearly didn't get a good enough look at Vix...'
Travis – 'Is that the pretty blonde...'
eD – 'That's the one, hardly undesirab...
Travis – 'The ones who's a fan of Jet Somers?'
Travis raises his eyebrow, and eD acknowledges defeat with a shrug of his muppety shoulders.
eD – 'I'm not sure why you still harbour such a disliking of Somers, he's come a long way in the past couple of years, he's not the man you once knew, ever thought of this whole experience as a fresh start.'
Travis – 'You're right, Somers is a changed man, 'The Headliner' hears it has been years since he last dressed up as a woman in public.'
eD – 'That was years ago, haven't you ever done anything you regretted?'
Travis – 'Sure, bringing up Jet Somers in this conversation is pretty close to the top of the list.'
eD leans forward and lowers his voice.
eD – 'An outsider, not me obviously, might suggest this hostility is down to all he has achieved in your absence.'
Travis almost, almost, drops his drink from his hand, as he secures his grip he removes his Aviators very deliberately and looks into eD's fuzzy eyes.
Travis – 'And they'd be wise to keep such thoughts to themselves in 'The Blessed Ones' company, lest they wish to be schooled.'
eD has obviously grown a pair of balls since we last knew him, rather than back down he probes further.
eD – 'He has won multiple Championships and has been pretty much the most consistent performer since you retired, it could be argued he's the face of the company.'
Travis – 'And what a raging success it has been in Travis Roberts' absence. The only reason Specter's plan worked is because these guys are desperate for anyone to resuscitate the brand, why else would they re-employ Boding?'
eD – 'Well they did get you as well.'
Travis – 'Sure did, but they'd have never agreed to some of the clauses in that thing, especially with what they're paying 'The Blessed One', but that proves Travis Roberts' point, had a thriving and successful company been held to ransom like that they'd have the lawyers out and be renegotiating the minute Synergy went off air. These guys are just happy 'The Most Influential Icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia' is back to rescue a company that has been relying on Jet Somers and the Beta Travis for entertainment for far too long.'
eD – 'The ratings have been fairly good recently.'
Travis – 'Of course they are.'
eD looks around, checking that the environment is still the same and he hasn't just woken up involved in another conversation.
eD – 'Umm.'
Travis – 'Do you really think that 'The Headliner' would return if the ratings were anything less than strong? A momentous occasion such as that deserves as big an audience as possible.'
eD – 'But your contradicting yourself, you just said that the company needed rescuing!'
Travis shakes his head, flicks his hair out of his eyes and places his Aviators back on his face.
Travis – 'For someone who has spent over a decade in this industry, you still don't know how it works do you?'
eD – 'I know enough to know that high ratings are a good thing.'
Travis – 'Only if they are sustainable, UGWC has had an influx of new talent over the past months, that injects interest and draws in new audience members, but the only way to keep them is to sustain their interest. If Jet Somers and his troop of performing monkeys continue to hold the sway they do now, things will change swiftly.'
eD cASe has witnessed first hand, on many an occasion, men spiral down a rabbit hole when trying to reason with Travis Roberts. Apparently many a physicist has been driven insane attempting to conceive the mapping of a black hole, eD considers that to be a task roughly on a kin with his role of wrangling 'The Blessed One' every day.
In short eD has learnt when to shut up and change the subject.
After both men finish their drinks Travis nods to the barman and strolls out from underneath the shade and into the bright sunshine and into the crowds on the walkway. The flow of pedestrians slows down as wrestling fans in the area swarm around 'The Blessed One' for autographs, he obliges and it is a good twenty minutes before they start walking again.
eD looks back at the dispersing crowd.
eD – 'Are they why you came back?
Travis – 'Sure 'The Most Influential Icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia' relishes not being able to walk to a local destination without adding half a day to the journey.'
They walk along in silence for a few more moments, Travis stopping every so often to sign another fans shirt/chest/random shit, before eD speaks again.
eD – 'Then why'd you do it?
Travis – 'Because otherwise someone will go to some blogger, or sports 'journalist' or whatever, and then before we've got 500 feet away there is an article online about how much of an asshole Travis Roberts is. Like that wasn't clear before 'The Blessed One' snubbed some entitled kid...'
eD – I wasn't actually referring to that, but since when did you care about what people write about you?'
Travis – ''The Blessed One' doesn't, but what 'The TWiSTeD Icon' won't stand for is repetitive journalism, new crap happens everyday go report on that, don't make Travis Roberts indirectly responsible for the dumbing down of the media. What were you referring to if not that?'
eD – 'I meant, why'd you say yes when I called? Why did you come back.'
Travis – 'Said it on Synergy, Travis Roberts wants back in.'
eD – 'No, there is more to it than that, you're Travis Roberts, it's never that simple.'
Travis – 'It really is.'
Once again it falls silent as the two men stroll down the beach front until they reach the new abode of 'The Blessed One' . It sits three stories high, with huge walls of glass facing out to the see, it is set a good thirty feet above the beach, with a staggered garden leading up to a large decked area with outstanding views of the ocean and the sands below. Both men climb the steps as the sun sets, and they both take a seat on the deck and look out.
A group of the fans that had gathered around 'The Headliner' have followed him down the beach and have decided to start an impromptu party, lighting a fire and partying as the sun disappears. Travis lights a pre-rolled sits back and inahales. He nods down towards the youngsters.
Travis – 'See them?'
eD – 'Sure.'
Travis – 'They know who 'The Blessed One' is, they recognise him in the street.'
eD – 'Of course they do, you're an Icon.'
Travis – 'But they don't know Travis Roberts, they just recognise that they should know.'
eD – 'You dominated for an era...'
Travis – 'Not theirs, maybe their older brothers, they might have caught the tail end of my career. But who really remembers GIW? How many of the fans at Synergy were there when 'The Blessed One' rode high on a show called Sentinel?'
eD – 'A fair few, it wasn't that long ago.'
Travis inhales and exhales deeply whilst gazing deeply up at the stars.
Travis – 'A year is a lifetime in this industry, nearly three is an eternity. Those kids down there, to them, Jet Somers, Tyvola, Eden Morgan, Moss Edwards, Zane Scott...those are the people they consider to be the Icons of today. Hell, when they hear the name Travis, they probably think Pierce...'
eD – 'C'mon, that's stupid, most of them think of you first, most of them know precisely what you gave for this industry and this company. To most of them, you are an Icon.'
Travis – 'But not all of them.'
With that Travis flicks his nearly dead pre-rolled into the air and walks into his home as it lands and slowly burns out on the ground.