Post by Mr.Ego on Oct 10, 2013 23:54:29 GMT -5
The television flickers to life, the volume turned up entirely too loud, allowing the sound of static to permeate the silence of the evening like a set of fingernails scratching on a chalkboard. Grumbling is heard, followed by footsteps. The sound of a DVD tray opening is heard, though the darkness of the room doesn’t allow for much to be seen. The tray is heard closing, and then the static goes back to its corner, to sit there and think about what it’s done.
As the pictures on the screen begin to appear, the light from the television screen illuminates a figure seated in a computer chair. Seated behind the desk is ‘Vain’ Alan Wallace, and with pen in hand, his study session is about to begin.
The mammoth of a man moves with the quickness of a cat. For someone his size, he was a whole lot faster than expected. Vain watches intently, studying every move of ‘The One Man Wrecking Crew’ Alex Stein. The minimal effort that this man used to throw people completely across the ring absolutely baffled ‘The Vain One’. Sure, everyone knows that ‘Mr. Ego’ is in pretty good shape himself, and he was always used to being one of the strongest wrestlers in the industry. While not always being the biggest, pound-for-pound, Vain was as legit as they come. But this? This vulgar display of power. Vain didn’t come remotely close to matching that. Not by a long shot.
This freak of nature seemed to be the complete package. Quickness, power, agility, size…Alex Stein didn’t seem to have a single weakness that could be exploited. Well, maybe he had one. His rage within the ring was as unmatched as his power. Problem is, rage can cloud a person’s mind, and leave them vulnerable. Vain begins jotting down notes, as he continues watching older Alex Stein matches. A thought he hadn’t realized he was thinking suddenly pops into mind.
[He might be a bitch, but damned if he wasn’t impressive back then.]
The confusion on Vain’s face is apparent even in the darkness. He looks to the right, and then to the left, shaking his head while scoping out both directions. He turns his attention back to the television, but his concentration on the match he is watching is broken yet again.
[Hey fuckhead, I’m right here. What’s the matter? Your eyes not working or something?]
Vain picks up the DVD remote and presses ‘Pause’, placing it back on his desk as he scoots his chair out. He looks around, struggling to see if someone has gotten into his home.
“Hello? Is anyone there?”
Silence. That is all that Vain hears. This disturbs him greatly, because he knows that he wasn’t imagining things. He speaks again.
“Is anyone there? You are in Vain’s house, and ‘The Vain One’ is not amused. Show yourself, or face the wrath of ‘Arrogance Personified’.”
Once again Vain is met with silence. That is, until…
[‘Suffer the wrath of Arrogance Personified? What the fuck is this, a bad B-rated movie? What, did Vain suddenly turn into Terry Bollea? Are you a Suburban Commando, too, dear Vain One?]
“Candi was right…these long nights are finally starting to get to Vain. It’s time for bed.”
[No, it’s time you got your angelic little ass back to work. Alex is a dipshit, but he’s a bad-assed dipshit. If you want a chance to beat him, you need to study him. And just so you and I are speaking the same language, let me dumb it down for your pretty little self, so that you understand. Study equals good. Bed equals bad. Study…good. Bed…bad. Comprende?]
“Vain doesn’t understand anything right now. Who, and where, are you?”
[Jesus Christ, why are the good-looking ones always so fucking stupid. Have you not been paying attention? Pyschotic breaks that lead to pro wrestlers talking to themselves is all the rage now. You should try it sometime, it’s very therapeutic.]
“The Vain One will take your word for it, Mr. Ghost Man.”
[Ehh, probably for the best anyway. Your retarded ass already talks in the third person. Throw a disembodied narrator into the mix, and motherfuckers will start talking in the 6th person, and only 5 of them will understand what’s going on.]
“Whatever you say, friend. Would you please get to the point though? Mr Ego has a lot of work to do.”
[Yes, that you do, fuckface. But you won’t find what you’re looking for on that disc. What you really need to see is the more recent shit. BAZINGA!]
With that, footage from Alex Stein and Zane Scott’s match against The Piercing Weapons appears on screen. Vain does a double-take, the confused look returning to his face.
“How in the hell did you do that? Are you some sort of magical wizard?”
[Well it all started when she receive hair on chest, and her vazhin hang like sleeve of wizard…]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
“That suit is to die for. It looks absolutely spectacular on you.”
“Every outfit looks spectacular on ‘The Money Maker’, you should know this.”
Vain stands in front of a full length mirror, looking at his reflection as he checks out the suit that was suggested to him by the unseen employee that is now standing off to the side, pathetically giddy about being able to serve someone like ‘Vain’ Alan Wallace. Vain begins nodding, a slight smile creeping across his face.
“Not bad…not bad at all. Vain is honestly somewhat surprised, however…he felt that it would be a mistake coming to someone like you for his designer clothing needs. You look like you know as much about fashion, as ‘The Vain One’ knows about being average.”
The employee comes back into view, his bald head glistening under the overhead lights.
“Why, whatever do you mean? This has always been a dream of mine. I absolutely adore the fashion industry.”
The Vain One performs a once-over…looking at the man from top to bottom, and then to top again.
“You might adore the fashion industry, but your fashion sense leaves something to be desired. Sweater vests are so 2000, Pete Gas…what, are you preparing for a night on the town, on the mean streets of Greenwich? Will Shane-O-Mac be there, too? And who told you that flip flops matched with toe rings were EVER a good idea?”
The employee hangs his head, mumbling his reply.
“It was big in Europe for a time. I just assumed that it would catch on over here, too.”
“Yeah? How’d that work out for ya?”
“Horribly, to be perfectly honest.”
“Look on the bright side, Baldilocks…you look to be nearing 40, so Vain is certain that a midlife crisis is right around the corner. When that time comes, get yourself a Harley and let the wind flow through your…eyebrows…as you enjoy the open highway. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet fellow like-minded individuals, and you can ride together, acting all badass and tough, in an attempt to make up for whatever “shortcomings” you’re hiding from the rest of the world.”
With that, Vain turns and begins heading for the exit. The employee speaks up from behind, inquiring about the suit. Vain laughs as he walks out the door.
As Vain walks down the street, a strangely familiar looking fellow is making his way towards ‘The Vain One’. He stops in the middle of the sidewalk, blocking Vain’s path. With a smirk, Vain speaks.
“Well well well…if it isn’t ‘Head Trainer for UGWC’ Jason Ingalls. Can you explain to ‘The Vain One’ why you are standing in his way, when it is obvious that he has places to go, and people to see?”
The look on Ingalls’ face says it all…he’d rather be doing anything else, instead of standing here talking to Vain. Alas, this is important.
“Don’t worry, I don’t want to be here any longer than you do, but this is important, Alan. I need your help.”
“Because Vain is curious about what you could possibly want from him, he will go along with this little charade for a few moments, and see where it leads. You should keep it interesting though, as Vain has little tolerance for people that waste his time.”
“It’s about Edie, Alan. I’m worried for her.”
“Why is it that you are worried about Miss Morgan, Jason? She is a former UGWC World Champion, and she won that championship in her first year in the business. She has all of the God-given talent a person in this industry could have, and quite honestly, is a whole lot tough than she looks. Vain can attest to that.”
“It’s not about her toughness, or her ability, Alan. It’s her brain. Her memory still isn’t back, and I’m worried for her. She’s already bought in to the rhetoric that her brother and his crew have been feeding her. I’m afraid the longer that it takes for her memory to return, the greater the chance that we won’t get the old Edie back.”
Vain stands there for a few moments, allowing Ingalls’ words to soak in. He finally speaks.
“Everyone has to evolve, Jason. Either support her, or remove yourself from her life, because she doesn’t need someone that is only going to half-ass their support of her.”
Vain brushes past Jason, slamming into his shoulder as he does. As Ingalls watches ‘The Vain One’ slowly fade from view, a commotion is heard from behind him. He turns around to see a large, bald man, running up the street, yelling something about a suit, and payment. As the man passes Jason, he shockingly asks…
“Chadwick?”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The gleam of your smile is absolutely mesmerizing.”
Vain is shown leaning against a doorway, his back to the camera. He is speaking to someone that is unseen.
“Vain doesn’t say this about a lot of people, but you might actually give ‘The Vain One’ a run for his money in the sex appeal department.”
The camera cannot pick up what might be being said back to ‘The Money Maker’, only catching Vain’s laugh in reply.
“Vain knows this. She is quite a handful. She always has been. It’s surprising that you’ve managed to put up with it for so long.”
More silence, as Vain listens intently. After a few moments, it is his turn to speak, once again.
“That’s always been her problem, though…she is extremely hot-headed. Those emotions are good up to a certain point, but past that line in the sand, and all anger and hatred will lead to is disappointment and delusions.”
More silence. One-sided conversations suck when you’re trying to eavesdrop. It’s a shame the disembodied voice already left. He was at least entertaining. Oh, sorry, Vain is speaking again.
“Vain feels it’s wise that you never allow her to hear your thoughts on that. If there is one thing that Vain knows without question, is she loves those two little ones more than anything else in this world. Whether her actions are the cause of recent events or not doesn’t take away from that.”
The clanging of a door opening echoes from down the hallway, followed by cursing.
“Who the fuck is in here?!”
The camera swings around to show Nate Korpi stomping up the hallway, heading in this direction. Vain doesn’t seem to notice.
“Just remember what ‘The Vain One’ said…keep those thoughts to yourself. Especially around her hellhound. He’s extremely loyal to her, and will not hesitate to defend her honor if he hears you speak like that.”
Just as Vain finishes this last sentence, he is spun around by the 6’8”, 283 pound, artist formerly known as ‘The Nordic Horror’. Korpi grabs Vain by the suit jacket and shoves him against the wall.
“The fuck do you think you’re doing here? How’d you get past security?!”
“Aren’t you ‘security’, nomad?”
Korpi smiles as he brings his face down to Vain’s.
“Do you really think it’s a good time for you to be smarting off at me, you egotistical little fuck?”
“Vain thinks you have it all wrong, Korpi. Vain was only here to see if he could lend a hand with this whole kidnapping thing.”
“And just why in the hell would we want your help, Alan?!”
Korpi almost sneers the name ‘Alan’, as his stare continues to bore a hole through ‘The Vain One’.
“Contrary to popular belief, ‘The Money Maker’ and Ms. Saint used to be friends. Just because we’ve had a difference of opinion as of late, doesn’t mean that Vain doesn’t still consider her to still be just that…a friend. And friends help friends in need.”
Korpi doesn’t look like he entirely trusts Vain, but he does release his grip on ‘The Vain One’s’ jacket.
“Besides…Vain has cornered the fiend that you really should be after. After the things he said about Jez, he’s the one that you should want to take your aggression out on. And as luck would have it…he’s right inside this room here.”
Korpi glares at Vain for a split second, before darting into the aforementioned room. A clearly loud ‘What the fuck’ is heard, as Korpi storms back out into the now empty hallway…Vain nowhere in sight.
“Dammit to Hell…”
Korpi storms off, as the camera maneuvers into the room to show…
Bronze Vain.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Alan…what are you doing?”
We are high above the arena, up on the catwalk. Vain stands with his back to Candi, who looks absolutely petrified to be so high up.
“You remember what happened at Kemper, right? Let’s get down. NOW!”
A chuckle is heard coming from ‘Mr. Ego’, but nothing more. Candi grows even more impatient.
“God dammit, Alan…come on! You’ve been quiet all day. What is going on with you?”
Vain suddenly turns and begins slowly moving towards her, causing her to shriek in terror. The fright is more that she can bear, and she faints on the spot. Vain kneels beside her, slowly stroking her hair, his breathing heavy.
“Another dastardly fiend, felled by the universally feared ‘whatthefuckaphobia’. Fitting, yet troublesome.”
Candi begins to come to, and as she looks up at Vain, she slaps him in the face. The force of the slap knocks the mask that he had been wearing off of his face. It bounces off of the cold steel, before sliding under the bottom rung, and falling more than 75 feet, to the floor below.
“WHAT.THE.FUCK!?!”
“Vain apologizes…he just wanted to see if he could truly understand the man known as Fear.”
“In a fucking Sting mask, Alan? Really?!?!”
“Why not, babe? Vain couldn’t think of any other persona that Deimos could have stolen his gimmick from.”
Vain helps Candi to her feet, as she shakes her head from side to side.
“Did you come up with anything else?”
“Yeah, one other thing. After seeing how you reacted…Vain really does think Deimos is the Boogeyman.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Sweet Lord at all of the racket. Does ‘The Vain One’ have any ear plugs?”
“It’s just a dog barking, Alan. Dogs bark…it’s what they do.”
Vain and Candi sit at one of the outside tables, at a little café. As Candi sips on her latte, occasionally turning the page of the Cosmo magazine that she holds in her hands, Vain continues to stew…constantly switching positions in his seat, his nerves seemingly shot.
“Who in the hell brings their noisy animal out in public like that? Doesn’t this woman know that people like Vain come here for the peace and quiet, to help unwind after a long day? The constant yammering of this mutt is harshing Vain’s mellow.”
Candi looks up from her magazine, her eyes only slightly showing from underneath the sunglasses that have slipped down on her face just a few inches.
“Long day, Alan? You had a long day? What…is it difficult to shop, and ignore your fans, now?”
Vain looks at her questioningly.
“’The Vain One’ has no idea what you just said, babe. This dog is so annoying that Vain can’t even hear himself think. ‘The Money Maker’ is going to go over here and give this lady a piece of his mind.”
Candi speaks in a hushed tone, making it impossible for Vain to hear what she is saying.
“Don’t give her too much, dear…I don’t think I can stomach your disorder getting any worse.”
“Did you say something to ‘The Vain One’, Candi?”
Startled, Candi sits up straight.
“Oh…n-no dear…I just said ‘have fun’.”
Vain scoffs as he begins making his way over to the vicinity in which the grating noise is coming from. As he approaches, the woman holding the leash to the dog turns around. She’s a petite blonde, pretty, and the look on her face suggests that she might be just as tired of the dog as Vain is. Vain speaks.
“Excuse ‘The Vain One’ for a moment, but is this your dog, Miss?”
“No, this most certainly is not my dog. I’d dog-watching for a friend, but what friend basically forces a person to watch a grotesque beast such as Cappy?”
“Not a good one, that’s for sure. Do you think you could shut him up? Vain is trying to relax.”
“Don’t you think that I am trying everyth…wait, did you say your name was Vain? As in, ‘Vain’ Alan Wallace?”
Vain smiles a beautiful smile, his soured mood suddenly lifted. Pretty girls have this affect on him…at least when Candi isn’t around, anyway. He speaks.
“In the flesh, doll…but just so you know, Vain doesn’t make it a habit of signing autographs unless he’s being paid. ‘The Money Maker’ will allow you to take a picture of him, however. And why would you not? This is Vain we’re talking about.”
Vain takes a step back, tilting his head back, as he laughs a gloriously beautiful laugh. At first, this little lady acts just like they all do…smitten by ‘Vain’ Alan Wallace. The incessant yammering of the mongrel ‘Cappy’, however, brings it to a rather sudden end.
“No, I’m not asking for an autograph or a picture. You are just getting ready to fight in a match against the owner of this four-legged terror I’m walking.”
Vain looks at her in confusion, but says nothing.
“Travis Roberts.”
“Who?”
Vix stares at him in surprise before answering.
“Travis Roberts? UGWC Superstar? Known by monikors such as ‘The Blessed One’, ‘The Headliner’, ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’, ‘The Most Influential Icon in Sports Entertainment This Millenia’? You know…Travis Roberts?”
Vain sadly shakes his head back and forth, a look of what might be sadness coming across his face.
“Sorry…Vain doesn’t know who you are talking about. You said he’s in UGWC? Really? Hmph…you’d think Vain would remember that.”
As Vix begins going into detail about who Travis Roberts is, Vain’s train of thought moves back towards the dog. ‘Cappy’, as he is called, has stopped barking…and is currently sniffing around. Once he finds a good place, he squats in order to do his business. The emotion on Vain’s face as he witnesses this ranges from shock, to horror, to fear, to anger. All the while, Vix continues her explanation…of which, Vain hasn’t even heard a word. As ‘Cappy’ finishes, he turns around and smells the area which he just defiled. It is then that Vain turns his attention back to the pretty little blonde.
“…and that’s Travis Roberts. What do you think now?”
With his face frozen in disgust, he replies.
“Shit. Vain thinks it’s shit.”
Vix begins to grow slightly agitated.
“Travis Roberts is NOT shit. You really are an arrogant asshole.”
“What are you talking about? And who the hell is Travis Roberts? Vain is telling you it’s shit…over there…and you need to pick it up. Disgusting!”
Vain turns and walks away, settling back down in the seat at the café.
“Did you have fun, Dear?”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vain sits up like a shot. He reaches over and turns on the light that is on the nightstand. He rubs the back of his head, as Candi rolls over and opens her eyes. She sleepily speaks.
“Are you ok, Alan?”
Vain is silent for a few moments, before looking down at her and speaking.
“Vain just had the weirdest dreams, babe. And you were there…and Alex Stein…and Eden Morgan…and Jezebel Saint…and Phrixus Deimos…and, shit, some guy that Vain has never heard of. ‘The Vain One’ can’t remember his name at the moment.”
At this point, Candi sits up in the bed. She positions herself to where she is facing Vain, her legs crossed Indian-style (or is that ‘Redskin-style’, Washington fans?).
“Are you ok?”
Vain thinks for a moment, and then breaks into a huge smile.
“Vain is better than ok, babe…because Vain has finally figured them all out. Because Vain can see a little of himself, in each of them.”
“Care to explain, so that I can go back to sleep, Alan?”
That is all the invitation that Vain needs.
“Like Stein, Vain understands what it’s like to be at the top of his profession, only to turn around and just leave. And then to come back with doubt hanging in the back of your mind…it can kill any type of momentum a person tries to attain. And while BATTLEGROUND might be Stein’s forte…there is no room for any type of doubt in this match. And his doubt will be his undoing.”
“Vain remembers being naïve like Eden Morgan, when he first broke into this business. And like Eden, Vain experienced vast amounts of success the moment that he stepped into that company. Like Eden Morgan, Vain surrounded himself with people that also wanted to be the best. And like PMN, the Covenant completely dominated for months. And like Eden Morgan, Vain has recently found himself at a crossroads. Unsure about the next step to take…trying like hell to understand the past. The thing that will hurt Eden Morgan at BATTLEGROUND, however, is the fact that she’s trusting people that may not have her best interest at heart. Whereas Vain doesn’t trust anyone. In that cell…the only person that a wrestler can trust is themselves. And Eden? Eden doesn’t even remember who she is anymore.”
“Vain remembers when he was impulsive, and just like with Jez, it always bit Vain in the ass. That’s why ‘The Money Maker’ grew to be more tactical when in the ring. Sheer abrasiveness and absolute anarchy will only get you so far, but if you can’t foretell an end to the madness, you’re destined to continue mingling with the crazies.”
“Phrixus Deimos claims to be the beacon of all that is right within this business. Vain did that, too. The difference is…Vain backed it up. Phrixus? Ever since he lost the Cross-Hemisphere Title, his career is at a crossroads. And if he doesn’t watch it, his star will fizzle out, and he will suffer a complete fall from grace.”
“The last participant…well…Vain will just step over him like he’s a pile of dog excrement, as ‘The Vain One’ makes his way to HORIZONS.”
As Vain finishes, he looks over to see Candi fast asleep beside him. Smiling, he kisses her forehead, before turning out the light.
“The journey begins at BATTLEGROUND, babe…and Vain can’t wait to head to HORIZONS, and take what is rightfully his.”
Scene fades.