Post by Mr.Ego on Jul 3, 2016 22:35:43 GMT -5
Tuesday, June 28th - Miami, Florida
"It absolutely boggles my mind that you still don't see it."
The scene opens to show Simon Wellington seated in the living area of the house of one 'Vain' Alan Wallace. He watches as Vain glances up at him, and then back down at his phone, as he continues going through his emails.
"Look Simon, I know that in your mind, Nottingham could pass as the exact body double of Al Swearengen, but I'm sorry…I just don't see it."
"Not even remotely close to what I am talking about, Alan."
"The crazy notion that Ms. Morgan may secretly have the hots for you?"
"What?! I've never even entertained the notion, Alan. I've never uttered anything of the sort."
"Sure, sure…until you've hit the second bottle of moscato. Then all bets are off."
"I don't have any idea what it is that you are speaking of…"
"The ring on the dining room table that was left due to you not using a coaster, and then not cleaning up after yourself? Rest assured, Mr. Wellington, I saw it."
"Can we please get back to the conversation at hand, Alan?"
"I assumed that's the conversation we've been having, Simon."
Simon lets out an audible sigh, causing Vain to begin smiling.
"Ok then, Simon, I'd be more than willing to ask what in the hell it is that you are referring to…just as soon as you make an attempt to be more clear in what it is that you are referring to?"
"I'm talking about the current predicament that you find yourself in, Alan."
Vain leans back in the recliner that he is seated in, and brings his right hand up to his face, stroking his jaw.
"I'm sorry, Simon…predicament?"
"You know exactly what I am referring to, Alan. Your status in this company, and how your own actions have put you there."
A tinge of anger crosses the face of Vain, but just as soon as Simon had seen it, it was gone. Instead, Vain continues smiling that shit-eating grin of his, as he motions towards Simon.
"Please, Mr. Wellington…enlighten me."
Wellington quickly gets to his feet and begins pacing back and forth.
"Have you forgotten who you are? Have you forgotten what it is that you bring to this industry? Dammit Alan, you were the best UGWC Heavyweight Champion of the World that this company had ever seen. You defended it against the best of the best in this entire profession, and you continually came out on top. The lone time that you didn't, you were sure to right that wrong the very next chance that you got, when you toppled the other three members of 'The Syndicate'."
"And then…Travis Roberts."
Simon has gone over to the bar area and begins pouring himself a drink. Scotch, neat, just as he likes it. Vain watches him in silence.
"You and Roberts tore the house down in your first encounter. 'Match of the Year' candidate, it was. The best two men in the business, going at it for the most prestigious championship in the industry. And at the end of the night…after the performance that the two of you put on at 'Horizons'…everyone knew that UGWC in 2016 was going to reach new heights with 'Vain' Alan Wallace as its champion."
"The problem with that wasn't so much that Travis Roberts beat you at 'Infinity'. The problem is that after suffering that loss, you all but disappeared."
Vain shifts in his seat, looking somewhat uncomfortable, but he doesn't say a word. He awaits Simon to finish his scotch and continue.
"Now I don't know what it was that you were doing after losing the title at 'Infinity', because you never answered any of the plethora of calls, texts, or emails that I left for you. Maybe you were traveling around the world, doing media sessions for the company that you carried on your back for the better part of a year? Maybe you just needed time to recharge your batteries after going full throttle ever since coming out of retirement two years prior? Or maybe you just came down here to Miami and sulked like a petulant child over the loss of your precious title. Honestly, it really doesn't matter at this point."
Simon pours another drink.
"Everyone suffers loss in this industry, Alan. No matter the run that any of us has been on over the years, there are nights where you square off against someone that just performs better than you. It's not a detraction of what you've done to that point, and it doesn't mar what you will do in the future. You pick yourself up, you dust yourself off, and you move on."
"Only you haven't moved on, and I for one think it is a fucking travesty."
Simon plops down on the sofa to the right or Alan, and polishes off his second glass of Johnny Walker Blue. Vain glares at him for a few moments.
"It's a shame that you don't view the UGWC Cooperative Titles with more respect, Simon. It saddens me a great deal."
"Oh fuck the Cooperative Titles, Alan! They're beneath you, and you know it."
Vain is taken aback by the outburst from his advisor, but silently he's proud that Simon is finally telling him like it is.
"The Cooperative division is where singles wrestlers with nothing else going on go to languish until they can somehow insert themselves back into the running for either the Cross-Hemisphere or World Heavyweight Championships. Both, which, you have carried on multiple occasions."
"You were the World Heavyweight Champion, Alan…and now you're relegated to fighting on Day Two of Wrestlestock, in a fucking gimmick match, to see if you can become a Cooperative champion, yet again. It took a Herculean effort from Travis Roberts at Infinity for you to lose that World Title. How is it that upon your return, you haven't come anywhere close to even sniffing the World Title scene?"
"I know you, Alan. Regardless the relationship between yourself and Killian King, I know that the Cooperative Titles are not what you have your eyes on. My only question is when are you going to stop sitting on the sidelines, and go out and take what is rightfully yours?"
"You've chosen the route that you're currently on…and it's only tarnishing the legacy that you have worked so hard to put into place. And it's a damn shame, in my humblest of opinions."
Many moments pass, as Vain formulates his response, and Simon wishes he hadn't had that second glass of Johnny Walker. Finally, Vain breaks the silence.
"Maybe I see more than what you think I see, Simon. Maybe I've already thought about each point you just brought up. Rudely, I might add."
A look of worry crosses the face of the man formerly known as 'The Scholar'. Vain continues.
"Maybe I've already decided when the prime time to strike is. Or, maybe, I'm perfectly content with where I currently sit in the hierarchy of the UGWC landscape. Either way, Mr. Wellington, your opinions are dually noted."
Vain rises and disappears into the kitchen. Reappearing with a bottle of VOSS, he uncaps it and takes a few gulps. Replacing the cap, he makes his way back over his recliner and retakes his seat.
"Now that we have all of that out of the way, about that other thing I emailed you about the other day…"
Simon sits with a confused look upon his face for a few moments before realization hits him.
"Wait…I thought that was a joke? You were serious?!?!"
"Of course I was serious, Simon. As a heart attack."
"I would advise against it, Alan…but you've never been known to listen to me before. It'll take some time, but I can get the information you're looking for."
"Excellent. That is what I wanted to hear, Simon."
Simon nods, and then rises to his feet. Making his way to the door, he opens it, before Vain speaks one last time.
"Oh, and Simon…I heard you loud and clear, but you worry too damn much."
"Does that mean what I think it means?"
Vain leans back in his chair and smiles, before diverting his attention back to his emails.
==================================
Friday, July 1st
Having just knocked thrice, Vain stands on the porch, waiting for the door to be opened. It doesn’t take long for the door to open, and Vain to smile that trademark grin he is known for.
"It has been quite a long time, my friend. How have you been?"
No sooner than Vain has gotten the words out, he is punched square in the mouth. The force knocks him onto his rear. Boot are heard on the wooden porch, and they stop at the head of 'Vain' Alan Wallace. The person kneels down, before the camera pans up to see who it is.
Jason Ingalls.
"You have a lot of damn nerve showing your face here, Alan Wallace. A lot of damn nerve."
"Hello to you as well, Mr. Ingalls."
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't put you in a hole on the property, and forget that you ever existed."
"Well…then you would be no better than the devils you used to associate with, Mr. Ingalls. Didn't Chaos and company do that very thing to you at one point? Do you really want to follow in their footsteps, after trying for so long to distance yourself from their ways of life?"
Ingalls rises to his feet.
"You make a valid point, Alan. Let me think about that for a moment."
Ingalls stomps the chest of Vain, causing him to roll over on his left side and gasp for breath.
"I've spent months wondering what I would do if I ever saw you again, Alan. Months of 'what ifs', and lo and behold, I suddenly find myself with that opportunity presented to me. And everything that I envisioned doing to you is right here in front of me. And my only question is…at what point does it stop?"
Vain is up his all fours, as he is trying to get back to his feet. Jason Ingalls lands a hellacious kick to Vain's stomach, almost lifting him off the ground, and sending him into another coughing fit.
"I trusted you, Alan. When everyone else turned on me, you were the one person I felt I could go to. The one person I felt I could trust to have my back. And you ruined that with your 'Ugly Stick'."
Another stomp to the chest, and another coughing fit from Alan Wallace.
"I just want to know why."
Ingalls gives Vain the chance to allow his breath to return, as he stands over him with his fists clinched. Finally, Vain speaks.
"I wanted to see if you had what it took to make it in this business. And you failed, Jason. Horribly."
Ingalls stands in silence for a few moments, before reaching down and grabbing Vain by his suit jacket. Yanking him up to his feet, he begins straightening out the wrinkles in the jacket.
"I'm intrigued, Alan. Go on."
"Look Jase, I realize that it was stupid of me to come here. Especially after what all happened between us. Specifically, what I did to you back in January. But dammit, someone has to say it…so here goes…"
"Quit being a pussy, and get back to what it is that you want to do with your life."
The statement seems to almost knock Ingalls back a step, as he attempts to process what it is that he just heard.
"Look Jase, I did consider you a friend. Still do, as a matter of fact. When all that shit went down with you and 'The Syndicate' though, you needed to be punished. You deserved to be punished. And as your friend, I wanted to be sure that you would never do anything like that again. What Ms. Morgan ended up doing, however, was much worse than I had ever been led to believe. A beatdown by Killian and Zane was all that I had signed up for; you being handed over to the Devil's Most Wanted? That was all Eden Morgan, Jase."
Vain adjusts his tie, as Jase eyes him suspiciously. Vain continues.
"As for the 'Ugly Stick' incident…it was about me making a statement. You, unfortunately, bore the brunt of that. It was nothing personal though. It simply served a purpose. That purpose? To see if you had what it took to make it in this business."
"The wrestling world is cutthroat as hell, Jase. If the Eden Morgan situation didn't fill you in on that fact, nothing will. Simply put, I wanted to see how you would react to being 'turned on' by a man you considered a friend."
"What you should have done is, come hell or high water, vowed to not stop until you had gained revenge on the man that had attempted to take you out. You should have vowed to get even with me. Instead, you came here. And hid away from the world. Like a pussy."
Ingalls quickly wraps his right hand around the throat of Alan Wallace, and begins squeezing. Vain continues talking.
"After everything you had learned from me, I expected the backlash of my actions. Instead, you let me down. So now I come to you again, to see where your head is at…"
Ingalls begins squeezing harder.
"So…tell…me…Jase……….where…do…we…go…from…here?"
The camera focuses in on the face of Jason Ingalls, as he ponders the question just asked of him.
==================================
Wednesday, July 6th - Patriot's Point, South Carolina
Jason Reeves: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another edition of ‘Straight Shooter’. I am your host, Jason Reeves, and my guest today is a man that needs no introduction. However it is written in his contract that I must, so here goes: He is one-half of the next UGWC Cooperative Champions; he still holds the long-since defunct HSW World Championship; and he is the greatest World Champion is this - or any millennia... He is ‘the Money Maker’ himself, and he truly is ‘Vanity at its Finest’…he is ‘Vain’ Alan Wallace!”
"Vain may not like you that much, Reeves, but you sure do know how to make an introduction."
Jason Reeves: "Felt natural, if I must say. Kinda like I had said it before."
"Sounds like you need better writers, Reeves. There is so much more that can be said of 'Vain' Alan Wallace."
Jason Reeves: "Trust me when I say, I have heard a lot of things said about you, Vain. Most of it in a derogatory fashion. Hell, I think I've even said some of those things…"
"Come again?"
Jason Reeves: "Not important. What is important is that in two short days, you will find yourself in a match that you are quite familiar with. In August of 2013, you found yourself as a participant in the Prison Break match, where you came up short. Do you think that experience will help you at Day Two of this year's Wrestlestock event?"
"Vain remembers that night all too well, Mr. Reeves. That was the night that 'Mr. Ego' was forced to team up everyone's least favorite Aussie - Mr. Hippity-Hop himself, Jordan King. Honestly, Reeves, that very well could have been the low point in my career. Sure, I've lost Word Title matches…and I was stuck in a feud with someone like Kurt Brady…but being forced to team with Jordan King is by far the worst thing that has ever happened to me in this industry."
Jason Reeves: "How so, Mr. Wallace?"
"Even if you polish a turd, it's still a turd, Mr. Reeves. Sure, Jordan King was provided the luxury of teaming with 'Vain' Alan Wallace…but he was still just Jordan King. God himself couldn't have succeeded with those odds stacked against him."
Jason Reeves: "If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Jordan King that kept you from winning Cooperative gold that night?"
"You aren't mistaken, Reeves. King did cost me the Cooperative Titles that night. Which is why I saw fit to send him into early retirement. You don't screw over 'The Vain One', and not have him even the score. King felt he was ready to involve himself in an all-out war with Alan Wallace. Three years later, I've held Cooperative gold, Cross-Hemisphere gold, and World Title gold. And the only title that he has won is 'Most Boring Twitter User of the 21st Century'."
Jason Reeves: "So you feel your partner this year gives you a greater chance of emerging victorious in the Prison Break match?"
"Why wouldn't I? Killian and I have already reigned supreme as the Cooperative Champions. Twice. We also ruled the wrestling landscape as the greatest ensemble of talent ever assembled when we were affiliated with Zane Scott and Eden Morgan in 'The Syndicate'. He became a grandslam champion in the matter of one calendar year. And he's one of the toughest bastards I've ever had the misfortune of facing in the ring. Honestly, I think 'Sex and Violence' 'Hugs and Fisticuffs' are the odds-on favorites to begin yet another reign as UGWC Cooperative Champions."
Jason Reeves: "Well the current champions are the ones that ended your second reign, after a mere thirty-five days. I think they will have a lot to say about who walks out as Cooperative Champions."
"Have you even been paying attention to what has been going on recently within UGWC, Reeves? It's obvious that you haven't, else you wouldn’t make such an asinine statement."
Reeves attempts to interject, but Vain cuts him off.
"I take nothing away from either Hastings or Dredd. Hastings has been a multi-time champion in almost every division that UGWC has, and he has been the face of UGWC ever since it came into existence. And Dredd has been on a tear the last few months. He eliminated 'Yours Truly' from the Massive Melee Match, and he has more than earned his shot at Travis Roberts, in a match that will determine the World Championship. But everything they have going on…that will lead to their downfall in this year's Prison Break match."
"Hastings is so hell-bent on righting whatever wrong he feels Kill did to his children, that successfully defending the Cooperative Titles is the furthest thing from his mind. He is focused only on destroying 'The Gentlemen's Savage', and restoring honor to his family name. He's all but forgotten that I am in the match as well. And I, possibly even more than Killian, is who Donovan should concern himself with most."
"I was the one who brought respectability back to this company, just by signing my name on the dotted line and becoming a member of the roster."
"I was the one who helped propel Donovan to the pinnacle of this profession, during his last run as the World Champion."
"I was the one who disassembled 'The Puppet Masters' in its entirety, bringing an end to their reign, as well as Donovan's perceived untouchable status as it's standard-bearer."
"I was the one who has redefined the Cooperative, Cross-Hemisphere, and World Title divisions, simply by out-performing any and all comers, for the last two years."
"Donovan can focus on Killian all he wants. At the end of the night, it will be 'Vain' Alan Wallace who - once again - causes Donovan's entire world to come crumbling down, yet again."
"It's what I do."
Jason Reeves: "You seem to be forgetting 'The Monster' known as Dredd.
"One simply does not forget about a man such as Dredd. He is much too big, much too strong, and much too unpredictable to simply ignore the fact that he is also in the match. But regardless of how big, strong, or unpredictable he is…there is one thing that he is not: stupid."
"Dredd realizes that on the last day of Wrestlestock, he has the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that, for a fifty-plus year old, simply doesn't present itself every day. On July 10th, Dredd will find himself standing across from Travis Roberts, with the UGWC World Title on the line. Now tell me, Reeves, should he go all-out in a Prison Break match for the Cooperative Titles, when he is so close to capturing a title that he has yearned for, for years?"
"I understand that he isn't known to let up during matches, but at the same time, he's never found himself in this position before. Hell, I was the highlight of the night for almost a year and a half before even getting the opportunity to square off in a one-on-one match for the World Title. A match that I won, mind you. I held that title for almost all of 2015, Reeves, and even in putting on stellar matches night in and night out, I have yet to even be mentioned for a World Title match since I've been back. There's far too much talent for people to be just given anything in this company. The fact that Dredd has said opportunity? He would be wise to do everything in his power to ensure that he is one-hundred percent for that match against Roberts."
"The Cooperative Championships be damned."
Jason Reeves: "Maybe you're right, Vain. Even still, you also have Jet Somers to contend with in the Prison Break match this year. And his opponent…the current World Champion previously mentioned, 'The Blessed One' Travis Roberts."
"That match is the last match that Roberts wants to be in, trust me on that. He's a smart man, and he's a talented man. I know that first-hand. And even though he holds the ideal of being a champion to high regard, he doesn’t give two shits about the Cooperative Title match. His focus is his World Title defense two days later. As it should be. Do he and Somers have the talent to win? Sure they do. Do they have the desire? That is the question, at least as far as Somers is concerned."
"Jet Somers is the consummate Cooperative Champion. To hold them that many times over the years is a testament to how much he respects the division, and the sanctity of the Cooperative division itself. And he has been that way since he won the Cooperative Titles for the first time back in 2010, when he and Hastings beat 'The Saints of Los Angeles' and 'Freak Show Central'."
"But this is a different Somers."
"I still don't think he has come to terms with the fact that Travis Pierce turned on him, severing any working relationship they may have had. Since that's happened, he's tried his damndest to fill the void that was left when Pierce decided that he was tired of carrying Jet's dead weight. He attempted to fill that void as a member of a biker gang, but nobody ever viewed him seriously in that role. Now he's attempting to latch onto Travis Roberts with this whole "Greatest Thing Since The Wright Brothers" schtick. Nobody is buying it, either…least of all, Travis Roberts."
"Somers may want that horribly named team to start gaining traction amongst our fans. That would be Roberts' worst nightmare."
Jason Reeves: "Even if all that you have said is true, all four of those men still have the talent to emerge victorious in the Prison Break match. Throw in a yet-to-de-determined team, and two men who have both had extended layoffs would have the lowest odds of winning in that match. And yet here you sit, telling me that you and Killian are the team to beat. How can you be so sure?"
"Because I'm 'Vain' Alan Wallace, and they are not."
Jason Reeves: "That is an extremely arrogant way to view things, don't you think, Vain?"
"Helllllloooo??? 'Vain' Alan Wallace. It's kinda in the name, you idiotic twit."
Jason Reeves: "You're going to have to have more than just name power if you want to come out victorious in this match, Vain."
"My ability in the ring has allowed me the luxury of having some semblance of 'star power' in this industry, Reeves. Whether it be in Cooperative matches or in Singles matches, 'Vain' Alan Wallace always delivers when he steps foot in the ring. Some of our newer entertainment professionals may not know what Vain can do in that ring, and some of the older entertainment professionals may have forgotten what Vain can do in that ring, but it doesn't change the facts."
"Fact is, 'Vain' Alan Wallace excels when in the spotlight. And there is no bigger spotlight than Wrestlestock. Regardless of what day we are performing on, when that bell rings, I'm gonna enter that ring and do what I do best. Win."
"And there's nothing that any of our opponents can do about it."
"You're welcome."
With that, Vain rises from his seat. He takes the microphone off of his shirt and tosses it at Reeves, before turning and disappearing from view.
FIN
"It absolutely boggles my mind that you still don't see it."
The scene opens to show Simon Wellington seated in the living area of the house of one 'Vain' Alan Wallace. He watches as Vain glances up at him, and then back down at his phone, as he continues going through his emails.
"Look Simon, I know that in your mind, Nottingham could pass as the exact body double of Al Swearengen, but I'm sorry…I just don't see it."
"Not even remotely close to what I am talking about, Alan."
"The crazy notion that Ms. Morgan may secretly have the hots for you?"
"What?! I've never even entertained the notion, Alan. I've never uttered anything of the sort."
"Sure, sure…until you've hit the second bottle of moscato. Then all bets are off."
"I don't have any idea what it is that you are speaking of…"
"The ring on the dining room table that was left due to you not using a coaster, and then not cleaning up after yourself? Rest assured, Mr. Wellington, I saw it."
"Can we please get back to the conversation at hand, Alan?"
"I assumed that's the conversation we've been having, Simon."
Simon lets out an audible sigh, causing Vain to begin smiling.
"Ok then, Simon, I'd be more than willing to ask what in the hell it is that you are referring to…just as soon as you make an attempt to be more clear in what it is that you are referring to?"
"I'm talking about the current predicament that you find yourself in, Alan."
Vain leans back in the recliner that he is seated in, and brings his right hand up to his face, stroking his jaw.
"I'm sorry, Simon…predicament?"
"You know exactly what I am referring to, Alan. Your status in this company, and how your own actions have put you there."
A tinge of anger crosses the face of Vain, but just as soon as Simon had seen it, it was gone. Instead, Vain continues smiling that shit-eating grin of his, as he motions towards Simon.
"Please, Mr. Wellington…enlighten me."
Wellington quickly gets to his feet and begins pacing back and forth.
"Have you forgotten who you are? Have you forgotten what it is that you bring to this industry? Dammit Alan, you were the best UGWC Heavyweight Champion of the World that this company had ever seen. You defended it against the best of the best in this entire profession, and you continually came out on top. The lone time that you didn't, you were sure to right that wrong the very next chance that you got, when you toppled the other three members of 'The Syndicate'."
"And then…Travis Roberts."
Simon has gone over to the bar area and begins pouring himself a drink. Scotch, neat, just as he likes it. Vain watches him in silence.
"You and Roberts tore the house down in your first encounter. 'Match of the Year' candidate, it was. The best two men in the business, going at it for the most prestigious championship in the industry. And at the end of the night…after the performance that the two of you put on at 'Horizons'…everyone knew that UGWC in 2016 was going to reach new heights with 'Vain' Alan Wallace as its champion."
"The problem with that wasn't so much that Travis Roberts beat you at 'Infinity'. The problem is that after suffering that loss, you all but disappeared."
Vain shifts in his seat, looking somewhat uncomfortable, but he doesn't say a word. He awaits Simon to finish his scotch and continue.
"Now I don't know what it was that you were doing after losing the title at 'Infinity', because you never answered any of the plethora of calls, texts, or emails that I left for you. Maybe you were traveling around the world, doing media sessions for the company that you carried on your back for the better part of a year? Maybe you just needed time to recharge your batteries after going full throttle ever since coming out of retirement two years prior? Or maybe you just came down here to Miami and sulked like a petulant child over the loss of your precious title. Honestly, it really doesn't matter at this point."
Simon pours another drink.
"Everyone suffers loss in this industry, Alan. No matter the run that any of us has been on over the years, there are nights where you square off against someone that just performs better than you. It's not a detraction of what you've done to that point, and it doesn't mar what you will do in the future. You pick yourself up, you dust yourself off, and you move on."
"Only you haven't moved on, and I for one think it is a fucking travesty."
Simon plops down on the sofa to the right or Alan, and polishes off his second glass of Johnny Walker Blue. Vain glares at him for a few moments.
"It's a shame that you don't view the UGWC Cooperative Titles with more respect, Simon. It saddens me a great deal."
"Oh fuck the Cooperative Titles, Alan! They're beneath you, and you know it."
Vain is taken aback by the outburst from his advisor, but silently he's proud that Simon is finally telling him like it is.
"The Cooperative division is where singles wrestlers with nothing else going on go to languish until they can somehow insert themselves back into the running for either the Cross-Hemisphere or World Heavyweight Championships. Both, which, you have carried on multiple occasions."
"You were the World Heavyweight Champion, Alan…and now you're relegated to fighting on Day Two of Wrestlestock, in a fucking gimmick match, to see if you can become a Cooperative champion, yet again. It took a Herculean effort from Travis Roberts at Infinity for you to lose that World Title. How is it that upon your return, you haven't come anywhere close to even sniffing the World Title scene?"
"I know you, Alan. Regardless the relationship between yourself and Killian King, I know that the Cooperative Titles are not what you have your eyes on. My only question is when are you going to stop sitting on the sidelines, and go out and take what is rightfully yours?"
"You've chosen the route that you're currently on…and it's only tarnishing the legacy that you have worked so hard to put into place. And it's a damn shame, in my humblest of opinions."
Many moments pass, as Vain formulates his response, and Simon wishes he hadn't had that second glass of Johnny Walker. Finally, Vain breaks the silence.
"Maybe I see more than what you think I see, Simon. Maybe I've already thought about each point you just brought up. Rudely, I might add."
A look of worry crosses the face of the man formerly known as 'The Scholar'. Vain continues.
"Maybe I've already decided when the prime time to strike is. Or, maybe, I'm perfectly content with where I currently sit in the hierarchy of the UGWC landscape. Either way, Mr. Wellington, your opinions are dually noted."
Vain rises and disappears into the kitchen. Reappearing with a bottle of VOSS, he uncaps it and takes a few gulps. Replacing the cap, he makes his way back over his recliner and retakes his seat.
"Now that we have all of that out of the way, about that other thing I emailed you about the other day…"
Simon sits with a confused look upon his face for a few moments before realization hits him.
"Wait…I thought that was a joke? You were serious?!?!"
"Of course I was serious, Simon. As a heart attack."
"I would advise against it, Alan…but you've never been known to listen to me before. It'll take some time, but I can get the information you're looking for."
"Excellent. That is what I wanted to hear, Simon."
Simon nods, and then rises to his feet. Making his way to the door, he opens it, before Vain speaks one last time.
"Oh, and Simon…I heard you loud and clear, but you worry too damn much."
"Does that mean what I think it means?"
Vain leans back in his chair and smiles, before diverting his attention back to his emails.
==================================
Friday, July 1st
Having just knocked thrice, Vain stands on the porch, waiting for the door to be opened. It doesn’t take long for the door to open, and Vain to smile that trademark grin he is known for.
"It has been quite a long time, my friend. How have you been?"
No sooner than Vain has gotten the words out, he is punched square in the mouth. The force knocks him onto his rear. Boot are heard on the wooden porch, and they stop at the head of 'Vain' Alan Wallace. The person kneels down, before the camera pans up to see who it is.
Jason Ingalls.
"You have a lot of damn nerve showing your face here, Alan Wallace. A lot of damn nerve."
"Hello to you as well, Mr. Ingalls."
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't put you in a hole on the property, and forget that you ever existed."
"Well…then you would be no better than the devils you used to associate with, Mr. Ingalls. Didn't Chaos and company do that very thing to you at one point? Do you really want to follow in their footsteps, after trying for so long to distance yourself from their ways of life?"
Ingalls rises to his feet.
"You make a valid point, Alan. Let me think about that for a moment."
Ingalls stomps the chest of Vain, causing him to roll over on his left side and gasp for breath.
"I've spent months wondering what I would do if I ever saw you again, Alan. Months of 'what ifs', and lo and behold, I suddenly find myself with that opportunity presented to me. And everything that I envisioned doing to you is right here in front of me. And my only question is…at what point does it stop?"
Vain is up his all fours, as he is trying to get back to his feet. Jason Ingalls lands a hellacious kick to Vain's stomach, almost lifting him off the ground, and sending him into another coughing fit.
"I trusted you, Alan. When everyone else turned on me, you were the one person I felt I could go to. The one person I felt I could trust to have my back. And you ruined that with your 'Ugly Stick'."
Another stomp to the chest, and another coughing fit from Alan Wallace.
"I just want to know why."
Ingalls gives Vain the chance to allow his breath to return, as he stands over him with his fists clinched. Finally, Vain speaks.
"I wanted to see if you had what it took to make it in this business. And you failed, Jason. Horribly."
Ingalls stands in silence for a few moments, before reaching down and grabbing Vain by his suit jacket. Yanking him up to his feet, he begins straightening out the wrinkles in the jacket.
"I'm intrigued, Alan. Go on."
"Look Jase, I realize that it was stupid of me to come here. Especially after what all happened between us. Specifically, what I did to you back in January. But dammit, someone has to say it…so here goes…"
"Quit being a pussy, and get back to what it is that you want to do with your life."
The statement seems to almost knock Ingalls back a step, as he attempts to process what it is that he just heard.
"Look Jase, I did consider you a friend. Still do, as a matter of fact. When all that shit went down with you and 'The Syndicate' though, you needed to be punished. You deserved to be punished. And as your friend, I wanted to be sure that you would never do anything like that again. What Ms. Morgan ended up doing, however, was much worse than I had ever been led to believe. A beatdown by Killian and Zane was all that I had signed up for; you being handed over to the Devil's Most Wanted? That was all Eden Morgan, Jase."
Vain adjusts his tie, as Jase eyes him suspiciously. Vain continues.
"As for the 'Ugly Stick' incident…it was about me making a statement. You, unfortunately, bore the brunt of that. It was nothing personal though. It simply served a purpose. That purpose? To see if you had what it took to make it in this business."
"The wrestling world is cutthroat as hell, Jase. If the Eden Morgan situation didn't fill you in on that fact, nothing will. Simply put, I wanted to see how you would react to being 'turned on' by a man you considered a friend."
"What you should have done is, come hell or high water, vowed to not stop until you had gained revenge on the man that had attempted to take you out. You should have vowed to get even with me. Instead, you came here. And hid away from the world. Like a pussy."
Ingalls quickly wraps his right hand around the throat of Alan Wallace, and begins squeezing. Vain continues talking.
"After everything you had learned from me, I expected the backlash of my actions. Instead, you let me down. So now I come to you again, to see where your head is at…"
Ingalls begins squeezing harder.
"So…tell…me…Jase……….where…do…we…go…from…here?"
The camera focuses in on the face of Jason Ingalls, as he ponders the question just asked of him.
==================================
Wednesday, July 6th - Patriot's Point, South Carolina
Jason Reeves: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another edition of ‘Straight Shooter’. I am your host, Jason Reeves, and my guest today is a man that needs no introduction. However it is written in his contract that I must, so here goes: He is one-half of the next UGWC Cooperative Champions; he still holds the long-since defunct HSW World Championship; and he is the greatest World Champion is this - or any millennia... He is ‘the Money Maker’ himself, and he truly is ‘Vanity at its Finest’…he is ‘Vain’ Alan Wallace!”
"Vain may not like you that much, Reeves, but you sure do know how to make an introduction."
Jason Reeves: "Felt natural, if I must say. Kinda like I had said it before."
"Sounds like you need better writers, Reeves. There is so much more that can be said of 'Vain' Alan Wallace."
Jason Reeves: "Trust me when I say, I have heard a lot of things said about you, Vain. Most of it in a derogatory fashion. Hell, I think I've even said some of those things…"
"Come again?"
Jason Reeves: "Not important. What is important is that in two short days, you will find yourself in a match that you are quite familiar with. In August of 2013, you found yourself as a participant in the Prison Break match, where you came up short. Do you think that experience will help you at Day Two of this year's Wrestlestock event?"
"Vain remembers that night all too well, Mr. Reeves. That was the night that 'Mr. Ego' was forced to team up everyone's least favorite Aussie - Mr. Hippity-Hop himself, Jordan King. Honestly, Reeves, that very well could have been the low point in my career. Sure, I've lost Word Title matches…and I was stuck in a feud with someone like Kurt Brady…but being forced to team with Jordan King is by far the worst thing that has ever happened to me in this industry."
Jason Reeves: "How so, Mr. Wallace?"
"Even if you polish a turd, it's still a turd, Mr. Reeves. Sure, Jordan King was provided the luxury of teaming with 'Vain' Alan Wallace…but he was still just Jordan King. God himself couldn't have succeeded with those odds stacked against him."
Jason Reeves: "If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Jordan King that kept you from winning Cooperative gold that night?"
"You aren't mistaken, Reeves. King did cost me the Cooperative Titles that night. Which is why I saw fit to send him into early retirement. You don't screw over 'The Vain One', and not have him even the score. King felt he was ready to involve himself in an all-out war with Alan Wallace. Three years later, I've held Cooperative gold, Cross-Hemisphere gold, and World Title gold. And the only title that he has won is 'Most Boring Twitter User of the 21st Century'."
Jason Reeves: "So you feel your partner this year gives you a greater chance of emerging victorious in the Prison Break match?"
"Why wouldn't I? Killian and I have already reigned supreme as the Cooperative Champions. Twice. We also ruled the wrestling landscape as the greatest ensemble of talent ever assembled when we were affiliated with Zane Scott and Eden Morgan in 'The Syndicate'. He became a grandslam champion in the matter of one calendar year. And he's one of the toughest bastards I've ever had the misfortune of facing in the ring. Honestly, I think 'Sex and Violence' 'Hugs and Fisticuffs' are the odds-on favorites to begin yet another reign as UGWC Cooperative Champions."
Jason Reeves: "Well the current champions are the ones that ended your second reign, after a mere thirty-five days. I think they will have a lot to say about who walks out as Cooperative Champions."
"Have you even been paying attention to what has been going on recently within UGWC, Reeves? It's obvious that you haven't, else you wouldn’t make such an asinine statement."
Reeves attempts to interject, but Vain cuts him off.
"I take nothing away from either Hastings or Dredd. Hastings has been a multi-time champion in almost every division that UGWC has, and he has been the face of UGWC ever since it came into existence. And Dredd has been on a tear the last few months. He eliminated 'Yours Truly' from the Massive Melee Match, and he has more than earned his shot at Travis Roberts, in a match that will determine the World Championship. But everything they have going on…that will lead to their downfall in this year's Prison Break match."
"Hastings is so hell-bent on righting whatever wrong he feels Kill did to his children, that successfully defending the Cooperative Titles is the furthest thing from his mind. He is focused only on destroying 'The Gentlemen's Savage', and restoring honor to his family name. He's all but forgotten that I am in the match as well. And I, possibly even more than Killian, is who Donovan should concern himself with most."
"I was the one who brought respectability back to this company, just by signing my name on the dotted line and becoming a member of the roster."
"I was the one who helped propel Donovan to the pinnacle of this profession, during his last run as the World Champion."
"I was the one who disassembled 'The Puppet Masters' in its entirety, bringing an end to their reign, as well as Donovan's perceived untouchable status as it's standard-bearer."
"I was the one who has redefined the Cooperative, Cross-Hemisphere, and World Title divisions, simply by out-performing any and all comers, for the last two years."
"Donovan can focus on Killian all he wants. At the end of the night, it will be 'Vain' Alan Wallace who - once again - causes Donovan's entire world to come crumbling down, yet again."
"It's what I do."
Jason Reeves: "You seem to be forgetting 'The Monster' known as Dredd.
"One simply does not forget about a man such as Dredd. He is much too big, much too strong, and much too unpredictable to simply ignore the fact that he is also in the match. But regardless of how big, strong, or unpredictable he is…there is one thing that he is not: stupid."
"Dredd realizes that on the last day of Wrestlestock, he has the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that, for a fifty-plus year old, simply doesn't present itself every day. On July 10th, Dredd will find himself standing across from Travis Roberts, with the UGWC World Title on the line. Now tell me, Reeves, should he go all-out in a Prison Break match for the Cooperative Titles, when he is so close to capturing a title that he has yearned for, for years?"
"I understand that he isn't known to let up during matches, but at the same time, he's never found himself in this position before. Hell, I was the highlight of the night for almost a year and a half before even getting the opportunity to square off in a one-on-one match for the World Title. A match that I won, mind you. I held that title for almost all of 2015, Reeves, and even in putting on stellar matches night in and night out, I have yet to even be mentioned for a World Title match since I've been back. There's far too much talent for people to be just given anything in this company. The fact that Dredd has said opportunity? He would be wise to do everything in his power to ensure that he is one-hundred percent for that match against Roberts."
"The Cooperative Championships be damned."
Jason Reeves: "Maybe you're right, Vain. Even still, you also have Jet Somers to contend with in the Prison Break match this year. And his opponent…the current World Champion previously mentioned, 'The Blessed One' Travis Roberts."
"That match is the last match that Roberts wants to be in, trust me on that. He's a smart man, and he's a talented man. I know that first-hand. And even though he holds the ideal of being a champion to high regard, he doesn’t give two shits about the Cooperative Title match. His focus is his World Title defense two days later. As it should be. Do he and Somers have the talent to win? Sure they do. Do they have the desire? That is the question, at least as far as Somers is concerned."
"Jet Somers is the consummate Cooperative Champion. To hold them that many times over the years is a testament to how much he respects the division, and the sanctity of the Cooperative division itself. And he has been that way since he won the Cooperative Titles for the first time back in 2010, when he and Hastings beat 'The Saints of Los Angeles' and 'Freak Show Central'."
"But this is a different Somers."
"I still don't think he has come to terms with the fact that Travis Pierce turned on him, severing any working relationship they may have had. Since that's happened, he's tried his damndest to fill the void that was left when Pierce decided that he was tired of carrying Jet's dead weight. He attempted to fill that void as a member of a biker gang, but nobody ever viewed him seriously in that role. Now he's attempting to latch onto Travis Roberts with this whole "Greatest Thing Since The Wright Brothers" schtick. Nobody is buying it, either…least of all, Travis Roberts."
"Somers may want that horribly named team to start gaining traction amongst our fans. That would be Roberts' worst nightmare."
Jason Reeves: "Even if all that you have said is true, all four of those men still have the talent to emerge victorious in the Prison Break match. Throw in a yet-to-de-determined team, and two men who have both had extended layoffs would have the lowest odds of winning in that match. And yet here you sit, telling me that you and Killian are the team to beat. How can you be so sure?"
"Because I'm 'Vain' Alan Wallace, and they are not."
Jason Reeves: "That is an extremely arrogant way to view things, don't you think, Vain?"
"Helllllloooo??? 'Vain' Alan Wallace. It's kinda in the name, you idiotic twit."
Jason Reeves: "You're going to have to have more than just name power if you want to come out victorious in this match, Vain."
"My ability in the ring has allowed me the luxury of having some semblance of 'star power' in this industry, Reeves. Whether it be in Cooperative matches or in Singles matches, 'Vain' Alan Wallace always delivers when he steps foot in the ring. Some of our newer entertainment professionals may not know what Vain can do in that ring, and some of the older entertainment professionals may have forgotten what Vain can do in that ring, but it doesn't change the facts."
"Fact is, 'Vain' Alan Wallace excels when in the spotlight. And there is no bigger spotlight than Wrestlestock. Regardless of what day we are performing on, when that bell rings, I'm gonna enter that ring and do what I do best. Win."
"And there's nothing that any of our opponents can do about it."
"You're welcome."
With that, Vain rises from his seat. He takes the microphone off of his shirt and tosses it at Reeves, before turning and disappearing from view.
FIN