Post by Mr.Ego on Jun 2, 2018 17:13:52 GMT -5
Hard Coppi
Grey Coppi: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this installment of 'Hard Coppi'. I am your host, Grey Coppi, and in a few short days, the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition will bring to the masses another installation of its Massive Melee pay per view event. Massive Melee has been the source of countless hours of entertainment over the years, and this year will prove to be no different. With names like Zane Scott, Dave Rydell, Le Bord di Deiu, and Magdalena Lockheart, just to name a few, this year's Melee battle royal match is quite possibly the biggest that we have ever seen. Who will win the right to go on and fight for the UGWC World Championship? That, truly, is the question."
Grey takes a sip of water, and then continues.
Grey Coppi: "One name that has not been mentioned as a possibility for winning the Melee battle royal, is a man who helped to bring stability back to the World Title scene a few years ago, 'Vain' Alan Wallace. He is a man who has been embroiled in a feud with one-time friend Eden Morgan, but who has largely been moving along relatively unnoticed for the better part of the last two years. Alan Wallace, welcome to 'Hard Coppi'."
The camera focuses in on Vain, who is seated across from Grey. The two men shake hands.
"I'll pretend that I didn't hear that last remark, Grey. Thank you for having me. The pleasure is yours, I'm sure."
Grey Coppi: "Now Alan, we are here for an in depth interview, and as such, I might be asking some questions that prove to be uncomfortable. Are you going to be ok with that?"
"I suppose if I am not, you will be the first to know, Grey."
Grey Coppi: "Touché, Mr. Wallace. My first question tonight, is do you think that your career has turned out how you envisioned, when you first broke into the business?"
Vain is slightly taken aback, raising his eyebrows at the question.
"Well, that could be a loaded question."
Grey Coppi: "I mean no disrespect, Mr. Wallace, but in my humble opinion, it certainly could have turned out better. Taking a look back at your career, even you have to agree that what it has currently become is not what the company envisioned when they signed you back in 2013. You were the hottest wrestler in the industry during your heyday in Headstrong Wrestling, and you became the hottest free agent when that company closed its doors temporarily in 2008. When they reopened, 'Vain' Alan Wallace was nowhere to be seen, and in the four-plus years before you reemerged in UGWC, you were the most sought-after entertainment professional in the world. When you signed your UGWC contract, it was the biggest story in the industry for months. And while you have had more than your fair share of success over the last few years, where you currently stand within the company is far from where a person making the money that you make should be. What are your thoughts on that?"
And it was at this moment, that 'Vain' Alan Wallace began to second-guess his decision to appear on the show 'Hard Coppi'.
=====================================
A Visit From an Old Friend
The room illuminates due to the flash of lightning just outside the window, and the crash of thunder that immediately follows it rattles each of the windows. The rain begins beating down harder, as additional flashes of lightning keep the room maintained in a semi-perpetual state of dimness. A moan comes from the bed, followed by a mumbled garbling of what is possibly bits of a conversation.
"Mmmm…. Can't help I'm pretty…. Hmmmm"
As the storm continues raging outside, another flash of lightning and immediate crash of thunder rouses 'The Money Maker' from his slumber.
"I'm not sure about you, Celeste, but sometimes I do not think living in Miami is worth it."
He stretches as he rolls over onto his back, his eyes fluttering open a few moments after not getting a response. Turning his head towards her side of the bed, he not only sees that he is alone in the bed, but also that Celeste's side of the bed is still untouched. Pushing himself up on his arms, he slides himself back, leaning against the headboard. Rubbing at his eyes sleepily, he begins looking around the room for any sign of his better half.
"Hey babe, where are you?"
The only sound that greets him in response is the sound of the rain pounding down upon the roof, interrupted intermittently by the sound of thunder as the storm continues to rage on. The look of confusion upon his face only grows, as a cold chill sends shivers down his spine. With a shrug, he lays back down, rolling onto his right side, as he attempts to go back to sleep.
"Probably still perusing social media. Girl has a problem."
No sooner than he gets the words out, his breathing begins to slow, as he starts to drift off to sleep once more. He's jolted awake by another crashing sound, but this one is different from those of the storm. This is a clanging sound, followed by the sound of what Vain thinks might be footsteps. Startled, he quickly jolts up into a seated position, rubbing at his eyes again as he scans the room.
"Hey babe, I know we've talked about the whole 'whip' possibility, but at no point did I ever say that I was into chains."
The sounds continue getting closer, yet Vain is unable to make out anything in the dark. With a sigh, he reaches over towards the light that resides on the table beside of the bed.
"Storm rages all night, the incessant flickering of the lightning keeping me from getting my beauty sleep, and yet when I need it, it's over. Good old Miami…"
Vain attempts to turn on the light, but his attempts are fruitless. The electricity has most likely been knocked out due to the storm.
"Sigh… typical."
Vain swings his legs around, his feet plopping down onto the floor. Running his fingers through his hair, he takes a deep breath, but that breath gets caught as the hair begins standing on his neck.
Voice: "Alan Wallace."
Slowly, Vain raises his head, looking into the direction he thinks the voice came from. Seeing nothing, he begins shaking his head from side to side.
"It's way too early in the morning for this…"
The rest of the words get caught in his throat, as a chill once again sends shivers down his spine.
Voice: "Alannnn Wallllaacceee."
A rare uncertainty begins to consume Vain, as his eyes dart back and forth.
"H… Hello?"
A flash of lightning illuminates the room just enough for Vain to see a face directly in front of his. He jerks himself backwards, definite fear in his eyes.
"Jesus Christ!"
The power kicks back on, the light that Alan attempted to turn on moments ago, shining brightly as it illuminates the entire room. For such a small lamp, it really does its job. That's why you do not buy Dollar General lightbulbs, folks. Consider that your Public Service Announcement, folks.
The figure standing before is very familiar to him, yet somewhat not. Slightly tilting his head to the side, Alan looks the figure up and down. He notices the ghastly haze to the figure, as well as what looks to be chains draped over its shoulders. However, it is the face that Vain stares at the longest.
"Jordan?"
JK: "Alan Wallace, there is something that I need to tell you, mate."
"You have a cell phone, Jordan. Use it. That is a much better option than breaking into a man's home in the middle of the n-"
JK: "Mate, you do not understand. I do not have much time. You must listen."
Vain begins to chuckle, as he once more runs his fingers through his hair.
"Before we go any further, I think there are some questions that need to be asked, Jordan. For starters, why are you in my house? Secondly, what's up with the facial pigmentation, Powder… the sun permanently set in Australia, and it just not make the news? Thirdly, it's eighty degrees at three-o-clock in the morning, and you're wearing a long-sleeved jacket that appears to be made of down feathers and horse hide… who told you that was appropriate attire for Miami when it's nearing June? And lastly, what's with the chains draped across your shoulders… wouldn't a feather boa be lighter, as well as more fashionable?
JK: "The chains represent the sins that I bear, mate. They represent the weight that I must carry, based upon the decisions that I made during my career."
"Well, you did spend the bulk of your time carrying the likes of Cockatoo and Langford. Fortunately for those tiny shoulders, you didn't carry them to great heights, but I'm sure it was still rather uncomfortable."
JK: "Now is not the time for jokes, mate. I'm here to provide a warning."
Vain is confused, as he pushes himself towards the edge of the bed, looking up at his visitor.
"No offense Jordan, but if your supposed warning is similar to all of the warnings that you gave me when I was dragging your ass kicking and screaming towards greatness, then could we just part ways now? I need my rest, and might as well lay down, since your warning is likely to put me to sleep anyway."
JK: "Alan Wallace, your very actions have you on a path to destruction. A path that you may never be able to come back from, especially if you do not change your ways, mate. It is a path which, if you do not begin making changes now, will cause the death of your entire career."
Vain looks at him blankly, the apparition of Jordan King appearing to become slightly irritated.
JK: "Mate, that's what this is all about. What you see before you… it's a representation of my career. You know, ghost-like… no longer a thing… it's dead. All of that."
A look of realization hits Vain like a ton of bricks, causing him to begin nodding at the remark.
"Ahh, I see now. However… why….. this?"
He emphasizes the word 'this', by motioning towards JK.
JK: "Well mate, compared to what you have done over the years, had I accurately represented my career here tonight, it would have merely been a speck in the grand scheme of things. You never would have noticed it, Alan Wallace, because it wouldn't have been anything worth noticing."
"Well that's true."
The two say nothing for more than a minute, before Jordan continues.
JK: "As I was saying, your current trajectory has you heading towards a giant fall, mate… but it isn't too late. Tonight you will receive three visitors-"
"The morning would work better, Jordan. It's late, and I'm kinda tired from all of the boring conversation that I'm being subjected to right n-"
JK: "THREE VISITORS, Alan Wallace. Be sure to listen to everything they have to say, for you might just learn something, mate."
With that, the apparition turns and begins clanking his way towards the door. Just before disappearing through it, Vain calls out to him.
"Jordan!"
Jordan turns, a look of hope across his ghostly face.
"Make sure you lock up on your way out. And stop calling me mate, you idiotic twit."
With that, Vain plops back down onto his bed and rolls over to his side, seemingly fast asleep in no time at all.
=====================================
Hard Coppi
"No offense, Grey, but I don't believe that what I make has any bearing on my current standing within the company. Don't forget, I was the one that made the World Title relevant again, after years of it being passed around like the common cold. And when I held that championship, I did so with nothing but the respect and the dignity befitting of a true World Champion. And when I was unable to retain against Travis Roberts, he took up the same fight that I fought for almost the entirety of 2015, and not only matched the champion that I had been, but far exceeded it. Is that not something one should be proud of?"
Grey Coppi: "I am definitely not saying that, Mr. Wallace. The dedication that you showed while defending that championship on a regular basis was something to behold, and I am proud to say that I help to cover it during my tenure here. With that said, it seems as if you have done nothing but tread water since that time. While you have had multiple runs with the Cooperative Titles, none of them have stood out like your World Championship reign did. Why have you seemingly been unable to attain that same level of success since losing to Travis Roberts?"
"It's no secret that I gave everything I had during my reign as the World Champion. It's no secret that I took great pride in being the face of this organization, and being the man that all others aspired to be. And it's no secret that when I lost to Travis Roberts, it was a crushing blow to the mystique that I felt I had managed to build for myself. However, at the time, I was perfectly content to sit back and allow others the opportunities to do the same. I was perfectly content to team with Killian, as the two of us made the Cooperative division ours. I was perfectly content to watch others attempt to do what I could not do in February of 2016, and that was defeat Travis Roberts. I watched each one try, and I watched each one fail. By the time Battleground rolled around that year, I knew that if there was to be anyone capable of dethroning Roberts during the pinnacle of his career, it would be 'Vain' Alan Wallace. I won Battleground to earn that right, and the final battle between Wallace and Roberts occurred at Horizons that year. And as we all know, I failed. That loss, more than anything, stung the most."
Grey Coppi: "There is no shame in losing to Travis Roberts. Everyone in the profession who has had the opportunity to face him in the ring has lost to him at least once. It's more what has occurred since, Alan. Since that loss to Roberts, you have done little more than spin your wheels, so to speak. Sure, there were Cooperative Title reigns, but you have largely been forgettable since that time. Why?"
"Complacency. That's truly the only thing that I can say about it. Complacent… comfortable… whatever term you wish to use, it probably fits. I'm definitely not proud of it, but if I'm being honest, I feel into a proverbial rut. And with the relationship between Killian and I being what it was, it was easy to just go with the flow. It was easy to not think of what could have been, and focus solely on what was. Looking back, it was a foolish way of viewing things."
Grey Coppi: "Speaking of Killian King, I would like to focus on your association with him for a few moments, if you don't mind."
Vain slightly nods, before slowly exhaling as he looks down at the floor.
=====================================
The Past Revisited
He feels a set of eyes on him, as if they are glaring into his soul. Not bothering to open his eyes, he inhales deeply.
"Jordan, if that is you again, you better have at least brought me a water this time."
A low laugh is heard, stiffening Vain where he lays.
Voice: "Oh, it isn't Jordan, Wallace. It is someone that you know much, much better."
Slowly, Alan opens his eyes, and for the first time notices what feels like someone sitting on the side of the bed. Slightly turning his head to the side, he sees his visitor, and immediately recognizes him.
"Well look at that. You finally made your way into my bedroom, Martin. Is it everything that you dreamed it would be?"
Voice: "Who is this Martin that you speak of, Alan Wallace?"
Before his very eyes, the figure morphs into something completely different. A mask now covers its face, and the pressed dress shirt that it had been wearing is replaced by a 'Jan Wnek Fan Club' turtleneck. In its hand is a Venti Mocha Latte, with two sugars, two creamers, extra vanilla crème flavoring, and light whipped cream. The short-hand order written on the side of the Starbucks cup is all written under one word that is underlined.
'Hipster'.
Vain decides to roll away from his visitor.
"Not tonight, Holden. I've got a headache."
When a response doesn't come, Vain turns back towards his visitor.
"You can explain that joke to your other personality on your own time. I'm going back to sleep."
Orson: "Scoff."
At the utterance of the word 'scoff', Vain's surroundings immediately change. Instead of being safe and snug in his own bed, he and Holden Orson are seated in an arena, but they are the only ones in the seats. Vain immediately realizes where he is in time as soon as he looks at the ring.
April 7th, 2014. UGWC Arena.
Within the ring stands 'Vain' Alan Wallace and Celeste Worth. Vain smiles at the visual, which appears to shock the visage of Orson.
Orson: "You obviously understand what is about to take place in that ring, and yet you are amused by it?
"Actually… yes, I am. Thanks for asking, Graber."
Orson: "Orson."
"To-may-to, to-mah-to."
Vain watches intently as the wedding ceremony begins. He takes in all of the pomp and circumstance… the people in attendance at ringside… and the aftermath that ensued. All the while, the smile never leaves his face.
Orson: "What did she ever do to deserve that treatment, Wallace? Don't get me wrong… far be it from me to act as an expert when it comes to women-"
"You can say that again, Graber."
Orson: "What?"
"Nothing. Please proceed."
Orson: "Scoff."
Vain looks around, but this time the setting doesn't change. He looks at Orson in confusion. Orson immediately knows what Vain is going to ask, before he even asks it.
Orson: "It's the power of the Venti. As you can see, I am now out."
"Such a pity."
Orson: "As I was saying, far be it from me to act as an expert when it comes to women, but I image that their wedding day is the one day that they look forward to… that they plan for… that they dream about their entire lives. And in a few short minutes, you brought all of that crashing down. In the span of a few short minutes, you absolutely crushed the person that you supposedly loved the most in this world, and for what? Because you could? Is that the type of person that you are, Wallace?"
"Spare me the dramatics, Graber. Why did you bring me here?"
Holden looks back towards the ring, the adaptation of that which happened over four years ago dissipating before his very eyes.
Orson: "You used that poor girl for everything you could. You manipulated her at every turn. You talked her into doing your bidding for your every whim for all of those years. And when you had your fill… when you were done chewing her up, you callously spit her out in front of the entire world."
"That's a fairly long-winded description of what occurred from your vantage point, but ok, sure."
Orson: "Are you proud of those actions?"
"It served a purpose, Graber. Unlike your current gimmick."
Orson: "You know you're no better than that which you detest the most, right?"
Vain turns and looks at him, confused.
"Pardon?"
Orson: "What you did to poor Celeste… is it that much different than what Eden Morgan did to Jason Ingalls?"
Vain thinks on the matter for a moment.
"Well, I didn't get one of Celeste's brothers killed; instead, I hired him as a production assistant for 'The Vain Vault'. I also didn't hand Celeste off to one of her sworn enemies, to be held in captivity and tortured for almost a full year; instead, she started pursuing her own endeavors, making a career for herself. Other than that though, yeah, totally the same, Graber."
Vain rolls his eyes with the last statement, as he begins eating from a box of popcorn that somehow found its way into his hands.
Orson: "You honestly do not see that, based upon previous actions, as well as upon your current trajectory… you don't see that you and Eden are on similar parallels?"
Vain smiles as he turns back towards Orson.
"What if I told you that it was all her idea?"
Orson: "Scoff."
"Scoff if you must, but it's true, Graber. Everything that occurred all those years ago with regards to the wedding? All Celeste's idea. She had seen the route that my career at the time was taking, and she knew that things needed to change. She knew that I need to solely focus on myself… solely focus on what I needed to do in order to become one of the greatest that this business had ever seen… and she offered up herself as a sacrifice for that to occur. Celeste has always been the person that has respected my abilities the most in life. So all of this…"
He motions towards the now empty ring, where moments ago they had watched a replay of the 'jilt' of the century.
"It was all her idea."
Orson: "And her parents? And the money they spent?"
"Collateral damage. Besides, she's never really liked them all that much anyway. It's what she and I initially bonded over together."
Vain rises from his seat.
"If there's nothing else, do you mind if we get back, Graber? I have an early morning planned."
No sooner than the words came from his lips, he found both himself and Holden Orson standing once more in his bedroom.
Orson: "So… she not only knew, but she planned all of it?"
"Ding, ding, ding. If I had a prize, you would win it, Graber. Kudos."
Orson: "But what of the venom and arguments? What of the Redneck Water Torture Match? What of Nicole?"
Vain laughs loudly, holding at his side, as he attempts to catch his breath.
"We've had relations with Nicole for years, Graber."
Orson: "You mean…"
"Two for two. You're good at guessing games. Yes, Celeste and I both know Nicole very well."
Orson is at a loss for words, with Vain simply standing there smiling at him.
"See what all you missed while you were holed up in Le Bord's burned out house of worship in Kansas?"
After he makes the comment, Vain slaps the Orson visage on the ass like the two are celebrating a World Series-winning Grand Slam in the bottom of the ninth. Orson's eyes go wide, as he watches Vain make his way towards his bed.
"Hey Graber…"
Holden says nothing, a lump caught in his throat, as Vain takes a seat on his bed.
"Get out. And lock up behind you."
Vain lays down and rolls over, leaving Holden's ghost of 'Alan Wallace's Past' to his own thoughts. Questioningly, Orson finally responds.
Orson: "Scoff?"
=====================================
Hard Coppi
Grey Coppi: "The names King and Wallace were synonymous with Cooperative greatness. The name 'Sex and Violence' - or 'Hugs and Fisticuffs' for our younger audience members - was a name that drew attention for not only your prowess within the ring, but with the dignity that the two of you carried yourselves with outside of it. Knowing how close the two of you were, and knowing that it was you who originally brought Killian King into the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition, how surprising was it to you when he attacked you at Wrestlestock 2017? What went through your mind during that attack?"
"You mean aside from the imprint of the steel grating of the stage?"
Grey Coppi: "Well, yes."
"Quite simply, I was crushed, Grey. Killian was the one person in life who I never thought would turn on me. He was the one person in life who I thought would have my back no matter what, and I, his. He was the one person in life who I never thought would have thrown away years of friendship, for a piece of ass. Suffice to say, I suppose you never truly know what is in someone's heart."
Grey Coppi: "Killian's actions at Wrestlestock resulted in a half-year-long feud between the two of you, that resulted in a match at Horizons, due to your winning Battleground. It was the second straight year that you won Battleground, but instead of choosing to fight for the World Championship once more, you instead decided to focus on gaining your revenge on Killian, and then you chose for it to occur during a 'Valhalla Burial' match. And the end result was the forced retirement of Killian King from the industry. What do you have to say about that?
"Simply put, if I had it to do over again, I would have chosen another course of action. We likely still needed to settle things between the two of us once and for all, but frankly, the match itself was too much. No matter how much hatred we may have had for one another at that time, Killian and I had still been closer than brothers for many years. It was my actions that led to his injuries… that led to his retirement. And ultimately, I am forced to live with the fact that my decision… that my actions… forced the retirement of one of the best entertainment professionals to ever step into a UGWC ring. And I do so every day, with a heavy, heavy heart."
Grey Coppi: "And yet here we are, only one-half-year later, and you are spiraling along the same path, this time with Eden Morgan. And as we saw at 'No Holds Barred'… it seems as if once again, you will stop at nothing to gain your ounce of flesh. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Vain sits silently for many moments, before looking up and locking eyes with Grey.
"There is so, so much I could say about Eden Morgan. Where should I begin…"
=====================================
Presently Unassuming
Vain begins to grow restless in his sleep, the smell of smoke stinging at his nostrils. Opening his eyes, the image of a bearded face accompanying a bald head greets him. He almost yelps at the sight.
"What the!"
"Oh, spare me the fuckin' theatrics, Wallace", 'The Drunken Buzzsaw' sneers, as he takes a step back. "Get the fuck up, we've got shit to do."
"Excuse me?"
"I said get your ass up outta that fuckin' bed", he begins, taking a puff of his Marlboro, "or you're gonna have a big fuckin' problem."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
Chaos begins to chuckle, but the smile on his face is nothing if not sinister.
"Oh, you will, and you're gonna like it", he says, finishes his cigarette and then flicking the butt at Vain. "Or don't like it, and take an ass whipping. Either way, you're fuckin' coming with me."
The scene suddenly changes, showing both men standing on the street. Chaos throws his leg over the seat of his baby, and kick starts it to life. He looks over at Vain.
"Get your ass in gear, ya dumb fuckin' twat", he spits, as he takes a helmet and flings it at Alan. "I don't got all fuckin' night."
Realizing he isn't getting out of this proverbial - and apparently literal - nightmare, Vain puts the helmet on, before walking around to get on the back of the bike. Chaos stops him.
"The fuck do you think you're doing", he asks astonishingly. "Like fuck you're riding bitch on my bike. Don't get me wrong, you're a complete fuckin' bitch, but I'll be fucked if you're wrapping those fuckin' cock-strokers around my fuckin' waist as we head down the road. Get the fuck in the side car now, clown!"
Alan does as instructed, barely getting completely seated before Chaos takes off down the road. The two men ride in silence for, what Alan assumes has to be at least an hour, but upon passing the same exact road sign for at least the fifth time, Alan decides to break the verbal silence between the two, yelling in order to do so.
"You realize we've passed that same sign multiple times now, right? It's almost like we aren't really going anywhere."
"Sounds like your pathetic excuse of a career right now, honestly", Chaos responds, smiling as the statement provides him a sense of satisfaction. "Been that way for over two years now, right? Too bad it hasn't been longer."
The bike suddenly stops, with the setting changing to the DMW Clubhouse. Vain is no longer seated in the side car, but on the leather sofa in the family area of Chaos' place of business, as well as his main residence. In front of him, little Hayleigh plays dolls with her mother, as Chaos walks up beside of him and slaps him on the shoulder, digging his fingers into the muscles as hard as he can. Vain winces.
"Why are we here, Mr. Anthony?"
"Best place for me to make my point, considering I know how you're gonna likely respond", he answers, releasing his grip on Vain's shoulder, before pulling a Chadweiser from his pocket and cracking it open. "Because you're so goddamned transparent it's pathetic."
Alan sighs, but asks the question that Chaos likely knows is coming.
"So, how am I going to respond, Chad?"
"Well, you'd likely start by telling me that your career has more headway than mine", he begins, as he takes a seat next to Vain. "Then I'd smack the shit out of you just because I can."
"You think-"
Vain is interrupted as Chaos connects with a backhand to his face.
"Shut the fuck up", he grits out, glaring at one of the people in this business that he despises the most. "As I was saying, you'd make that asinine statement, because obviously if you look at the fact that you still have a career, then yeah, it's got more headway than mine does. You know, since I'm retired now. But frankly, are you really that much better off than I am? If you're being completely honest with yourself, which I know is next to fuckin' impossible for a fuck like you."
Vain doesn't say anything, preferring to merely sit and listen, as Chaos turns his attention towards his daughter. He watches for a few moments before resuming the conversation, never taking his eyes off his pride and joy.
"When the doctors told me I couldn't wrestle anymore", he begins, before tipping the beer in his hand and draining the remnants, "I was fuckin' pissed. Wrestling and the club is all I had for over two decades. Hell, it's because of wrestling that I even have the club. And in the blink of an eye, it was all taken away. I spent months wondering what the fuck I was gonna do… wondering who the fuck I was… wanting nothing more than to get my revenge."
"Sounds about right."
Chaos' head snaps around, a look of warning being given to Alan Wallace. Vain decides not to press his luck, motioning for Chaos to continue.
"I couldn't see the forest for the trees" he says, a smile forming on his lips as he looks back at his daughter. "Until I finally did. You see, my wrestling career might have been brought to a screeching halt, but I finally realized that the rest of my life had been waiting there the entire time. Waiting… for me to finally see it. So while I might not be able to do what I'm known for, like definitely didn't fuckin' stop. If anything, it sped up, sending me in multiple different directions trying to keep up with that little one."
For the first time, Vain really looks at the pride and joy of Chaos' life, and even he can't help but smile. The carefree attitude, the way her curls hung down in her face as she was leaning over playing with whatever babydoll was her toy of the week. Somehow, Chaos had helped bring into this world a beautiful little girl, and Vain was amazed by that. It makes him think of what life would be like if a little Alan or Alayna were running around, but his thoughts are quickly brought back to his current reality by the voice of 'The Drunken Buzzsaw'.
"And yet you continue sputtering to remain relevant, in an industry that is very quickly passing you by", he says, causing Vain to slowly turn and look at him. "The great Alan Wallace… one of the greatest champions in UGWC history… and yet here you are. Unable to defeat Travis Pierce to retain your Cross-Hemisphere Title; unable to think of anyone but yourself, and in the process, costing Jessica Mathis at her chance of holding gold; unable to put together any sort of momentum to get out of the mediocrity in which you constantly fuckin' swim right now. Don't get me wrong, Wallace… I love seeing you fail, but what in the absolute fuck is wrong with you?"
"I had my reasons for doing what I did at 'No Holds Barred'."
"Oh, that's right", Chaos exclaims, as he mockingly slaps his forehead with his own hand, "you had your reasons. You had delusions of grandeur regarding Edie. You had this notion that you and Edie were going to have this epic feud, and you could right whatever fuckin' wrongs you think she's responsible for. I totally forgot about that!"
Vain attempts to respond, but Chaos cuts him off.
"You know nobody cares, right", he curtly states, and it stings Vain just like a slap in the face would. "Nobody gives a shit about you and your fuckin' vendetta, you arrogant fuckin' douche. Nobody's fuckin' world revolves around you, Wallace. Hell, Edie doesn't even care. Not really. And you better be thanking whatever being you fuckin' believe in for that, because if she did care… if she grants you what you claim to want for Wrestlestock… she's going to fuckin' embarrass you, Wallace. And she might very well end you."
"You're free to your opinions, however wrong they might be."
Chaos laughs.
"You aren't as big of a fuckin' deal as you claim to be, Wallace", he states, as he cracks another beer. "Maybe at one time, sure, but that shit was years ago. And now? Now nobody fuckin' cares about you, because you haven't given anyone a reason to care. You think Le Bord di Deiu gives a rats ass about your house, or about what Edie supposedly did to Killian King? No, she's too busy making a name for herself in what you think is your company, and quickly becoming one of the greatest champions of all time. Do you think the #CoolKids give two shits about whether or not you 'gifted' them a win during the Prison Break match, all because you decided that playing with fire while you pulled at your dick was a better idea? No, they've been too busy winning matches, and setting themselves up for a match against Edie and Jet. Even your buddy Zane… do you think a man once known as 'The Personification of Hate' gives even one ounce of a flying fuck about your personal problems, when he has aspirations of regaining the World Championship? Face facts, Wallace… nobody gives a fuck! And the sooner you come to realize that, the better off you'll be. Or continue being an idiotic dumbfuck for all I care. I never liked you anyway."
Chaos rises from his seat, walking over towards Xandy and Hay-Hay. He turns and looks back.
"Fucks sake, I've even grown bored with you, and you haven't even really said anything" he says, as he takes a seat beside of Xandy on the floor. "Get the fuck outta my house. I'm done with you."
In the blink of an eye, Vain finds himself laying once more in his bed, his eyes fluttering open as he questions what he ate that led to this horrific nightmares.
=====================================
Hard Coppi
"Eden Morgan is a horrible, horrible human being."
Grey sits there for a moment, waiting on Vain to continue. When he doesn't, Grey clears his throat before continuing.
Grey Coppi: "Is that all you have to say regarding Eden Morgan?"
"Shouldn't it be? Everyone associated with the entertainment professional industry knows the type of person that she is. Is there really a need to continue to rehash the sheer ugliness that is Eden Morgan? Besides, if there are people - yourself included - who feel that I haven't been focused enough on the right things over the last couple of years, would it not be better for me to focus on everyone involved in the Melee, and not just one, singular person?"
Grey Coppi: "Sure, it most certainly would be better, Alan. My question to you is, are you capable of doing so? Because frankly, I don't think you can. I don't think you have what it takes to channel your anger into something constructive, thus relegating the possibility of your winning the Massive Melee battle royal slightly better than zero. I don't think you are tough enough mentally to push the need for revenge aside, long enough to focus on defeating upwards of twenty or twenty-five other people. I don't think you have what it takes to be the star of UGWC anymore. I don't think you have it anymore, Alan."
"Is that so?"
Vain leans forward in his seat, glaring at Grey.
"Just who in the hell do you think you are, to question me?!
=====================================
Moving Forward
"Come now, Alan, it's time to go."
Vain opens his eyes, rays of sunlight illuminating the room, as Simon Wellington steps in through the doorway.
"I thought that you would be ready by now. We leave for Cleveland within the hour."
Sluggishly, Vain sits up in bed, swinging his legs over the side.
"My apologies, Simon. I didn't sleep well at all last night."
Simon has begun packing a bag for Alan, and responds without looking at his client.
"Is that so? Nightmares about what you've become?
Vain looks at him curiously.
"How'd you know?"
Simon quickly is at the side of Alan's bed, glaring at him eye-to-eye, his normally vibrant baby blues a cold, dreary gray.
"Because everything that you were, and everything that you had become… that future is now, Alan."
The scene quickly morphs into a small gymnasium, where approximately fifteen people are in attendance, seated around a smaller-than-normal wrestling ring. Already in the ring is a boy of about nineteen, pimply-faced and wide-eyed, his lanky body looking out of place in the squared circle. His opponents entrance music hits, and Vain immediately grows pale. Ghostly white, in fact.
"No. It can't be."
"Can't it?
A man looking a lot like Alan Wallace, only thinning on top, and approximately fifty additional pounds around his waistline, comes hobbling out through the curtain. The reaction he receives is nil, as he slowly makes his way down to ringside.
"The byproduct of a person who only cared for himself… who only cared for revenge, no matter the cost to himself, or those around him. A fitting ending to a career which started off as bright as could be, but fizzled into nothingness. All due to his own actions. His own decisions. His own predisposition to viewing only the surface, and never searching within."
Vain is at a loss, not knowing what to say. Simon seems to take great pleasure in what his client is witnessing.
"Your only care was revenge, and what did that get you, Alan? Eden Morgan embarrassed you in front of the entire world, and you never recovered. Pushed further down within the pecking order of things, names like Rydell, Vaughn, Necron, Pierce, and Scott rose to ascension, while the name Wallace languished in mediocrity until the company was forced to hand you your 'Future Endeavors' paperwork. Names like Cotton, Somers, Blackwell, and Dynamo became the new stars of the industry, while the name Wallace lost his only friend, as well as the love of his life. Names like Mathis, Lockheart, Bunny, Deimos, and Payne went on to become champions, some of which now are enshrined in the Hall of Fame, while the name Wallace allowed his anger and ego to fester, lost his focus, and found himself in no demand, ultimately leading to the pitiful display that you see before you."
Vain hangs his head in shame, unable to witness the utter embarrassment happening before him any longer. Simon turns and leans towards his client.
"And the name Eden Morgan? She became the biggest name in all of entertainment, crossing over and becoming just as huge of a star in Hollywood, as she ever was in wrestling. While the name Wallace is now only met with abject silence, and muffled snickering."
Vain's head snaps up, the look of dejection from moments ago being replaced with a look of anger.
"No."
Simon laughs at the response.
"What do you mean, 'no'? This is your future, Alan Wallace, based solely off of the path that you yourself laid."
Vain turns and grabs Simon by the shirt, lifting him off the ground.
"No, you insolent little shit. This is not my future. Far from it. I am far too much of a fixture in this business to allow my career to delve into this shoddy display of ineptitude, regardless of how much my yearning for revenge on Eden Morgan may be at the forefront of my mind. No, this is all pure bullshit. A dream, nay, a nightmare, brought on by drinking VEEN water chilled imperfectly to a dastardly forty-nine degrees."
"Is that so, Alan? Are you sure?"
"You damn right I'm sure. Firstly, no matter how my war with Eden Morgan goes, I am still too damn good to be mired into complete ineptitude. And secondly, and most importantly, my genetics are too great to wind up having hair like that poor sonofabitch!"
Maniacal laughter comes from his advocate, before he begins to slowly dissipate into sand.
"Maybe you're right, Alan Wallace. Then again…"
Before he finishes, Simon is gone, and Vain has sat up like a shot in his bed. Walking into his room is Simon Wellington.
"I thought that you would be ready by now. We leave for Cleveland within the hour."
"Fuck you, Simon."
Vain rises to his feet and walks over to the master bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Simon looks around for a moment, his palms angled towards the ceiling as he slightly raises his arms in the air.
"What did I do?"
=====================================
Hard Coppi
"Quite frankly, I am sick and damn tired of people treating me like an afterthought. I'm sick and damn tired of people forgetting just who in the hell I am. And mostly, I am sick and damn tired of people like you questioning a man who led this company to new heights, merely a year and a half after I came out of a half-decade of retirement!"
"You sit there and point your pointy little fingers at me like you're somebody within this organization. You sit there and question my resolve… my dedication to my craft… all because I willingly stepped aside and allowed others the opportunities that would have come my way, had I not willingly taken a back seat. You have the nerve to think that you are important enough in this industry to get my thoughts regarding what Zane and I did to Mathis and Deimos last week, and then you sit there and have the audacity to point-blank tell me that you don't think I have what it takes to be the man that I've always been?"
"Pardon my language, Coppi, but fuck you."
"You think someone like Jessica Mathis has what it takes to eliminate me in the Melee? Lightning won't strike twice for her, Grey. Not at my expense. She isn't ready, and she proves that each and every time the lights shine the brightest. I tried to help her… I tried to elevate her to a greatness that we all know she would never have been able to attain on her own. And in doing so, I sacrificed myself. I sacrificed my reputation, first by aligning with her to begin with, and then by watching as she did nothing but drag my name through the mud, ultimately topping it off by attacking me after my match a few weeks ago. And then last week, you feel as if Zane and I owe you, of all people, an explanation for our actions? No, we didn't owe you a damn thing, Coppi. Frankly, the fact that you didn't understand our actions only further serves the notion that your best days are far behind you, and maybe it's high time that you found a different line of work."
"Or maybe it's the #CoolKids that will ultimately be my undoing in the Melee, right Coppi? You know them… they're the social media darlings who have made quite a name for themselves due to winning the Cooperative Titles at 'No Holds Barred'. A win they achieved due to my decision. A title reign they are currently enjoying, solely because it was I that allowed it to begin with! In all honesty, maybe they should spend less time whoring themselves out on Twitter, and take a few moments to genuinely thank the one person that is responsible for all of the success that they currently enjoy within UGWC: 'Vain' Alan Wallace."
"Maybe Lindsay Bunny will be the one to next make a name for herself at the expense of Alan Wallace? I mean, she showed so much potential during her loss to an 80's reject that doesn't understand proper internet etiquette, that maybe the rest of us should just eliminate ourselves, to stave off any sort of embarrassment we might incur?"
"Maybe one or both of the former members of 'The Piercing Weapons' will revitalize their stagnating careers by being the ones to give Alan Wallace yet another comeuppance? It would allow Pierce at least one more instance to hang his hat on for the next three years, and would allow Jet Somers the opportunity to add something to his resume that doesn't include 'being <insert name of DMW associates> bitch."
"Maybe it will be Dave Rydell? He's been MIA for much of the last few weeks, I'm sure its high time that he makes his triumphant return, bellowing to the masses about how it's 'his time', and about how he's going to prove to the world that he's 'championship material'. I'm sure in the weeks that he has been sulking in his bar, wondering where he went wrong during his last attempt at winning championship gold, he's been telling himself over and over that 'next time, it's going to happen', or about how he's going to be the next World Champion. Typical Rydell… always the bridesmaid, never the bride… and too damn stupid to know the difference."
"Or maybe it will be your precious little Eden Morgan? Maybe she will prove her worth in that ring, and stop cowering like a little bitch when she's around me? Maybe she will own up to what her actions have caused all of us, and meet me in the center of the ring, and may the better wrestler win? Or maybe she will continue her current path of manipulation and seething contempt, and continue conning people like you into believing everything that comes out of her mouth?"
"Or maybe it will be someone that I actually respect? Maybe Zane Scott or Kem Dynamo or Maggie Lockheart will be the one to stand tall at the end of the night, and if either of those three have their hand raised at the end of the night, I will congratulate them like the gentlemen that I am, because they will have earned it. But no matter who it is, whether it's Zane, or Maggie, or Phrixus, or a #CoolKid, or even an Eden Morgan… no matter who I come across during that match is going to fucking know just who Alan Wallace was… is… and forever will be. And anyone who doubts that…"
"I'll gladly prove each and every one of them wrong."
'Vain' Alan Wallace is more focused now, than he has been for the better part of the last two years. And when I'm focused, I'm one of the best in the business. It's just a fact of life."
"You're Fucking Welcome!"
With that Alan rises to his feet, jerks the microphone off of his lapel and throws it at Grey, and storms off the set. Grey, obviously frightened, takes a moment to compose himself, before looking into the camera.
Grey Coppi: "That is all the time that we have here tonight. Thank you for tuning in, and good night."
FIN
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