Post by EmbodimentOfFear on Feb 6, 2015 20:37:38 GMT -5
“Come in, come in, have a seat, please.”
Travis Pierce gestured Phrixus towards the chair opposite him, across the desk. The Embodiment of Fear stared at the Creative Director for a moment before complying.
“I suppose congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you. They are, aren’t they? I think I’ve done quite the job so far. Infinity is looking good, isn’t it? You’re in pretty good position in the Challenge. I expect you’ll have a nice run.”
“What do you want?”
“To business, then. Well, it’s like you were getting at a moment ago, I’ve got a new job here. I’m taking some time to work on positive rapport and relationships.”
“You’re concerned about our past conflicts.”
“You mean the Chain match I whupped you in back in mid-2008? Or the string of big PPV tag matches later that winter where you couldn’t take the Tag Titles away from me? I mean, yeah, you got us in Maniacal Multiple Massacre at the end of all that, but that was attempt number, what, four? Maybe it was you that Fusion learned it from.”
Pierce leaned forward in his chair.
“See, I know my history too.”
Phrixus nodded.
“These victories, your new position...they give you power over me?”
“Well, I am the Creative Director, after all. I’m in charge now.”
Phrixus nodded again, and his head tilted ever so slightly.
“Do you feel in charge?”
Phrixus shifted in his seat, and Pierce shifted uncomfortably to mirror him.
“I’m certain, Travis, you find the position to be bespoken for you. I’ll be honest with you, after Morgan filched your company from you last year, as much as your arrogance may have deserved it, the turnaround is something of a justice.”
“I think you’ll approve of my next idea, leading up to the Melee.”
“Yes, I read your interview. The Streak of Success. Not quite the original idea you’re making it out to be, is it?”
“UGWC is going to be more competitive than it ever has been before, Fear. I’m bringing us into a new era.”
“Yes, you have quite the burden of responsibility on your shoulders.”
Phrixus stood to leave.
“Do try not to cock it up now, yes?”
February 4
The analysts look at this year’s Global Challenge and they speak of it as the most wide-open in the event’s history. What they really mean is that the field of competitors is the weakest in history, a plausible argument given the inclusion of participants with limited successes such as Harley Addams and Gian Jones, unremarkable championship reigns such as Seito Risa and the Natural Born Killer, even participants with limited UGWC experience such as Ichabod, or someone who is making his very debut in the case of Mark Stone.
Three years ago I won a Global Challenge where the prize was the World Heavyweight Championship itself, from a field that could be considered to be the strongest entrant field in history, yet at the time of the tournament, only Donovan Hastings and myself were former holders of the top title in UGWC, and Alex Kiseragi a former Global Champion from the GIW parent promotion. Hastings was eliminated in the qualifying round, as was the still unproven Ezekiel Pax, upset by a young kid who had made his debut only the week before, by the name of Remi Monroe. Ultimately, I eeked my way past Kiseragi in the semi-finals before defeating the upstart John Russo in the finals.
My point is that to say this is an unpredictable event is to make a gross understatement.
Phrixus stood with his arms crossed at the baggage claim at Heathrow, and the faintest of smiles crossed his face as he recognized the step of the man who now stood alongside him.
“Robert.”
“Scared.”
“I trust your trip made you sufficiently cranky.”
“The damned fool didn’t shut up the entire flight about his stonking ideas for further global expansion.”
“Your new colleague?”
Ooley scoffed.
“You don’t know what to call him now, do you?”
Ooley scoffed again.
“I’m sure you’ll be throwing a spanner in his works soon enough.”
Ooley picked his bag up off the conveyer.
“Ol’ Bob will throw something at him, that’s for sure.”
He unzipped his bag and pulled out his favorite bat.
“Careful with your friend there in Manchester, Robert. You wouldn’t want to be detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure.”
February 6
There is an annual tradition in this country, The Queen’s Speech. It is a televised address on Christmas Day when the Queen chronicles her feelings on the past year. For many British families, it is a part of their holiday celebration to sit in front of the television at 3pm and indulge the Queen mother her soapbox moment.
The holiday season may have passed, but I find myself in the giving mood.
And so this Monday in Manchester, I will present The Fear’s Speech, in the form of the Global Challenge. Each round part of an opus, a section of a manifesto, as I unfold a mission statement for the coming year.
And the first item on my agenda is Eden Morgan.
Travis Pierce gestured Phrixus towards the chair opposite him, across the desk. The Embodiment of Fear stared at the Creative Director for a moment before complying.
“I suppose congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you. They are, aren’t they? I think I’ve done quite the job so far. Infinity is looking good, isn’t it? You’re in pretty good position in the Challenge. I expect you’ll have a nice run.”
“What do you want?”
“To business, then. Well, it’s like you were getting at a moment ago, I’ve got a new job here. I’m taking some time to work on positive rapport and relationships.”
“You’re concerned about our past conflicts.”
“You mean the Chain match I whupped you in back in mid-2008? Or the string of big PPV tag matches later that winter where you couldn’t take the Tag Titles away from me? I mean, yeah, you got us in Maniacal Multiple Massacre at the end of all that, but that was attempt number, what, four? Maybe it was you that Fusion learned it from.”
Pierce leaned forward in his chair.
“See, I know my history too.”
Phrixus nodded.
“These victories, your new position...they give you power over me?”
“Well, I am the Creative Director, after all. I’m in charge now.”
Phrixus nodded again, and his head tilted ever so slightly.
“Do you feel in charge?”
Phrixus shifted in his seat, and Pierce shifted uncomfortably to mirror him.
“I’m certain, Travis, you find the position to be bespoken for you. I’ll be honest with you, after Morgan filched your company from you last year, as much as your arrogance may have deserved it, the turnaround is something of a justice.”
“I think you’ll approve of my next idea, leading up to the Melee.”
“Yes, I read your interview. The Streak of Success. Not quite the original idea you’re making it out to be, is it?”
“UGWC is going to be more competitive than it ever has been before, Fear. I’m bringing us into a new era.”
“Yes, you have quite the burden of responsibility on your shoulders.”
Phrixus stood to leave.
“Do try not to cock it up now, yes?”
* * * * *
February 4
The analysts look at this year’s Global Challenge and they speak of it as the most wide-open in the event’s history. What they really mean is that the field of competitors is the weakest in history, a plausible argument given the inclusion of participants with limited successes such as Harley Addams and Gian Jones, unremarkable championship reigns such as Seito Risa and the Natural Born Killer, even participants with limited UGWC experience such as Ichabod, or someone who is making his very debut in the case of Mark Stone.
Three years ago I won a Global Challenge where the prize was the World Heavyweight Championship itself, from a field that could be considered to be the strongest entrant field in history, yet at the time of the tournament, only Donovan Hastings and myself were former holders of the top title in UGWC, and Alex Kiseragi a former Global Champion from the GIW parent promotion. Hastings was eliminated in the qualifying round, as was the still unproven Ezekiel Pax, upset by a young kid who had made his debut only the week before, by the name of Remi Monroe. Ultimately, I eeked my way past Kiseragi in the semi-finals before defeating the upstart John Russo in the finals.
My point is that to say this is an unpredictable event is to make a gross understatement.
* * * * *
Phrixus stood with his arms crossed at the baggage claim at Heathrow, and the faintest of smiles crossed his face as he recognized the step of the man who now stood alongside him.
“Robert.”
“Scared.”
“I trust your trip made you sufficiently cranky.”
“The damned fool didn’t shut up the entire flight about his stonking ideas for further global expansion.”
“Your new colleague?”
Ooley scoffed.
“You don’t know what to call him now, do you?”
Ooley scoffed again.
“I’m sure you’ll be throwing a spanner in his works soon enough.”
Ooley picked his bag up off the conveyer.
“Ol’ Bob will throw something at him, that’s for sure.”
He unzipped his bag and pulled out his favorite bat.
“Careful with your friend there in Manchester, Robert. You wouldn’t want to be detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure.”
* * * * *
February 6
There is an annual tradition in this country, The Queen’s Speech. It is a televised address on Christmas Day when the Queen chronicles her feelings on the past year. For many British families, it is a part of their holiday celebration to sit in front of the television at 3pm and indulge the Queen mother her soapbox moment.
The holiday season may have passed, but I find myself in the giving mood.
And so this Monday in Manchester, I will present The Fear’s Speech, in the form of the Global Challenge. Each round part of an opus, a section of a manifesto, as I unfold a mission statement for the coming year.
And the first item on my agenda is Eden Morgan.