Post by T-Robosaurus Rex on Jul 22, 2009 19:11:30 GMT -5
[The scene opens in a particularly unpleasant manner. The entire panorama is filled with the pale white complexion of Tate Levene’s substantial face. His eyes, as ever encircled by dark black makeup, look slowly from side to side, as his jaw munching up and down, lips covered with crumbs only parting occasionally to allow for his tongue to flick out and gather any escaping food. His cheeks resemble a cartoon squirrel hoarding nuts for winter before he swallows. The grinding of his jaw ceases as we hear the rustling of packaging, followed by Tate’s chubby hand obscuring haqlf of his face, filled with what seem to be Cheeto’s, which he then stuffs into his face, and the circle continues.
The scene then opens up and we are visibly in the interior of an office of sorts. The walls are panelled in dark oak, and bookshelves containing important looking leather bound tomes sit against them. A woman in her late thirties sits behind a desk, she is the typical Los Angele’s type, blonde, tanned, fake breasted and covered in makeup. Her desk sits facing three leather sofa’s, one directly facing her, the others at ninety degree angles from this one. The one directly in this young ladies eyesight is inhabited by the previously described ‘Skater Kid’ Tate Levene. To the left of the chunky self harmer sits a middle aged man, who is looking at Tate with disgust, as the receptionist gazes at Tate with daggers.
The other sofa is occupied by none other than ‘The Headliner’ Travis Roberts, free of the protective cast we have come to recognise him with, but as always with the trademark Aviators covering his eyes, and Unified Global Championship draped over his shoulder, as we have become accustomed to. He peers across the top of his glasses at his new agent, who obliviously continues to shovel the cheesy snacks into the void that passes as his mouth. As a stray snack falls from his mouth and onto the carpet of the office, ‘The Blessed One’ jabs out his leg and kicks Tate directly in the knee.]
Tate – ‘Mwumph...’
[The young man finishes his mouthful, swallows, licks the crumbs up and only then does he turn to face ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’, eyes wide with shock]
Tate – ‘What the fuck dude?’
Travis – ‘You are embarrassing ‘The Headliner’, what you couldn’t go half an hour without food? You had a steak before we got here. You have the dietary habits of a grizzly bear.’
Tate – ‘Fat Jokes? We’re really going there? You think I haven’t heard them before? It’s not my fault, it’s a disease...’
Travis – ‘Sure it is, ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t even want to speculate on what possible diseases you have. How much longer does ‘The Blessed One’ have to sit here like he needs some damn appointment?’
[Travis diverts his attention from Tate towards the secretary, who rolls her eyes and responds.]
Secretary – ‘Everyone needs an appointment Mr. Roberts, as I explained before not even the Unified Global Champion gets to turn up without one. You’re lucky I happened to have a cancellation a moment before you walked in.’
[Travis slumps back in the sofa in annoyance, and turns his attention away from the secretary and Tate, and mutters to himself]
Travis – ‘Probably one of BoolZ’s conquests...judging by his trophies close to one in three are...’
[At this moment a solid oak door behind the receptionist opens, and a dark haired woman in her late fifties comes out, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, she then walks out of the office. The secretary looks up at this moment and speaks.]
Secretary – ‘OK Mr Brown, you can go in now...’
Travis – ‘Yeah....like that’s gonna happen.’
[Travis springs to his feet and starts striding towards the door, glancing at Mr Brown challenging him to make an objection, and before the secretary can voice her disapproval Travis calls back to Tate.]
Travis – ‘Stay here Kid, ‘The Blessed One’ won’t be a minute.’
[By this point Travis is through the threshold, and swinging the door closed behind him. He enters the office beyond and is confronted by another dark oak panelled room, this time with just one couch and an armchair...a desk sits to the right, and a thick set man with dark black tightly curled hair sits behind it filling in some paperwork. He speaks without looking up]
?? – ‘Ah Kevin, nice to see you agai...’
[He looks up midway through his greeting and realises his mistake immediately when confronted by the sight of the Unified Global Champion.]
?? – ‘Well you’re not Mr Brown...’
Travis – ‘Brilliant observation, you must make a ton of money...’
?? – ‘So you must be that wrestler Charlene told me about, I have to tell you I don’t usually work with professionals from your industry...too high risk...’
Travis – ‘This wasn’t ‘The Blessed Ones’ idea, Travis Roberts damn lawyer said she wouldn’t go any further with my case until I’d seen you specifically...
[Travis walks over and takes a seat on the sofa]
Travis – ‘To be honest with you, ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t believe he needs this, hell Travis Roberts could easily find someone else to represent him...’
[Whilst Travis has been talking the man has got up from behind his desk and taken a seat in the armchair opposite Travis, who has unconsciously bean lying back on the sofa]
?? – ‘Why are you here then? Why not just get another lawyer?’
Travis – ‘Because ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t do things by halves, she is the best, ‘The Blessed One’ doesn’t hire second best...’
?? – ‘Isn’t the overeating teenager outside your agent?
Travis – ‘Travis Roberts thought you didn’t know who he was?
?? – ‘ I lied...I’m Dr Ziegler PhD, and various other letters, but they aren’t important, you can just call me Stanley, and if you weren’t already aware Travis, I’m the best at what I do.’
Travis – ‘That makes two of us, still ‘The Headliner’ is quite convinced this is a pointless exercise...’
Stanley – ‘Then I ask you again, why did you come today?’
Travis – ‘Who knows, ‘The Headliner’ didn’t have anything better to do, and it might have had a little something to do with what one of ‘The Blessed Ones’ housemates said earlier...’
Stanley – ‘And that was?’
Travis – ‘The Joka said ‘The Headliner’ was in ‘need of help’. Now when the likes of that deviant jester think something’s up, even the most intelligent person is gonna start to worry...just a little’
Stanley – ‘And why did he say that...’
Travis – ‘It may have had something to do with ‘The Blessed One’ threatening to shoves a dozen felines down the throat of an elderly woman...which in retrospect was something ‘The Headliner’ probably shouldn’t have pursued to the stage he did...’
[Stanley raises his eyebrows during this revelation and produces a small notepad and pencil from the top pocket of his shirt...to which Travis sits forward abruptly, and snatches it from the Doctor]
Travis – ‘No...if we’re going to do this, no notes, no records...just you and ‘The Headliner’ talking, this isn’t a session...’
Stanley – ‘OK...if that makes you more comfortable. So why did you do that?’
Travis – ‘What? The notepad?
Stanley – ‘No, why did you make the threat against the elderly?’
Travis – ‘It was more than a threat Stanley, ‘the Blessed One’ actually tried...’
Stanley – ‘I got that Travis, but let’s not focus on the act itself, what motivated it? What got you so angry?’
Travis – ‘That damn penguin basically sidelined the Unified Global Champion once again. Travis Roberts had just found out he wasn’t going to be blessing the GIW Arena with his in-ring prowess; instead he was going to be officiating a match no-one gives a damn about. Stanley, ‘The Blessed One’ doesn’t take well to being disrespected, when Travis Roberts joined GIW they treated him like some washed up old timer, but now that’s a distant memory, ‘The Headliner’ is by far the most dominant force in the company at the moment, yet they still disrespect the best thing they’ve got...’
Stanley – ‘Is it possible you’re over reacting? Many people would see this as a week off?’
Travis – ‘For a start Stanley, ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t want a week off, ‘The Blessed One’ was put on this earth to entertain, not be a spectator. In the past months Travis Roberts has fought on through cracked ribs, smashed fists, and countless other injuries, yet ‘The Headliner’ has shown the last thing he craves is respite.
But more importantly the disrespect is not just a one week thing. Where does ‘The Most Influential icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia’ start listing the injustices? How about Infinity? How about the penguin’s decision to have that leech of a wife of mine in the ring with Travis Roberts. It wasn’t bad enough that she was infesting his home with her pestilence, no, it was felt she should steal the spotlight from ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ on the night he would finally shatter the myth of the unbeatable RBI. When ‘The Blessed One’ showed the world that despite all his athletic ability and ring smarts, Randy Boolzian still just doesn’t make the right decisions, who was there to steal the spotlight, none other than the succubus that’s been hanging around ‘The TWiSteD Icons’ neck for far too long.’
Stanley – ‘Did she try to cheat you out of the win?’
Travis – ‘She was too busy fawning over her fallen idol, too busy hoping he’d make it out in one piece, to deny ‘The Blessed One’ of the victory that was rightfully his. Not that it mattered, moments after ‘The Headliner’ had triumphed more disrespect was doled out, in the shape of ‘The Dragon’ Alex Kiseragi.’
Stanley – ‘Yes I heard about this, the impromptu match.’
Travis – ‘Yeah, a guy who built his reputation on integrity and honour, ambushed ‘The TWiSTeD Guerrilla’ after his hard fought win. To be honest, that move backfired spectacularly, it was only a matter of time before ‘The Headliner’ would regain the Unified Global Championship, and everyone knew it. Instead of being bathed in glory, Alex Kiseragi found himself the focus of public scrutiny once again, this time though he had no claims of honour or integrity to excuse his diabolical lack of personality or skill, in many ways it was fortunate for ‘The Dragon’ that he failed to keep hold of that belt once again.’
Stanley – ‘So things worked out well for you, in the end...’
Travis – ‘When you are as smart as ‘The Blessed One’ things generally do. It worked out well for GIW as well, who better than ‘The Headliner’ to be the focal point of this company? Travis Roberts is by far the most marketable presence on the roster, as well as being the most talented, who else would to company want to show as their leading talent? Not ‘The Dragon’ that’s for sure, and Randy Boolzian would probably sell the title belt for a fistful of magic beans given the choice.
Therefore it deeply puzzles ‘The Highest Standard in GIW’ that the damn Penguin continues to tread the same path. Travis Roberts was under the impression Boss Penguin wanted to destroy ‘The Revolution’ and everything it stands for, yet here ‘The Headliner’ stands, still Unified Global Champion, still top of the pile. If the overgrown duck wanted to truly make ‘The Blessed Ones’ life difficult, he’d give him something different, he’d give ‘The Blessed One’ a true challenge...
Instead it is announced, that once again, GIW’s finest example of sporting excellence will defend his title against a kid that got lucky, not once, but twice. On two occasions in recent months the young man stunned the world by defeating Travis Roberts, surely it doesn’t take a logical mastermind to realise the odds of it happening again are astronomical. The last time it happened Kiseragi relied on the element of surprise, but this time he won’t have that advantage, what on earth makes anyone think the result will be any different than Horizons, or the Sentinel just passed?
The only logical explanation for this decision is to once again disrespect ‘The Headliner’. Rather than have Travis Roberts face new and credible opponents, to build the legendary title reign that ‘The Blessed One’ undoubtedly deserves, the decision has been made to make his run look like a joke. The plan is to confine ‘The TWISTeD Guerrilla’s’ third run as Unified Global Champion to the annuls of mediocrity in history.’
Stanley – ‘But you knew this before you started using cats as weapons?’
Travis – ‘Yeah...’
Stanley – ‘So , that didn’t trigger a violent reaction, it was the announcement of this week’s Sentinel that was the catylyst, so let’s explore that some more...’
Travis – ‘Why? It’s quite obvious that was just the straw that broke the camel’s back! The mounting cases of disrespect, it was bound to blow over one day...’
Stanley – ‘Hadn’t that already happened...I was told you had an altercation with a mirror a few weeks prior to Infinity...’
Travis – ‘What? How the hell do you know about that?’
Stanley – ‘Like I said, I’m the best at what I do. I don’t want to focus on that right now anyway, but my point is it is precise things that cause these outbursts, and we are here to get to the bottom of them, as they generally get channelled into unhealthy directions. You’ve been fighting adversity for the majority of your career, but these outbursts in your personal life have only occurred in the past few months. That’s why you came today Travis, not because your lawyer told you to, not because your housemate is a perverted psychopath, but because you don’t know what is happening to you...’
Travis – ‘How much do you charge by the hour, ‘The Headliner’ thinks you’re a great example of how gullible the general public are.’
Stanley – ‘Then prove me wrong. You could walk out of the door any moment you want, but you stay. If I’m wrong the only reason for you to stay here is to convince me of that.’
Travis – ‘What makes you think Travis Roberts has even the slightest interest in what you think of him? And people suggest ‘The Headliner’ has delusions of grandeur!’
Stanley – ‘Because you do care Travis, you care what people think, why else would you be so annoyed over the fact you are not fighting on Sunday, merely observing. Unless the fact two of your closest rivals are fighting over a belt that you hold close to you?’
Travis – ‘Look, the people deserve to see their Unified Global Champion in action, and to give the main event over to a match for a piece of worthless tin that hasn’t been recognised as a valid title in almost half a decade, is an affront not just to the title that sits upon ‘The Headliners’ shoulder, but every fan that tunes in to watch GIW.
The idea that ‘The Blessed One’ gives a damn is ridiculous, if the plan was to somehow bait Travis Roberts by making him watch two rivals fight over a belt that once meant so much to him, it was a misjudged tactic.
After Infinity ‘The Headliner’ thought Randy may have learnt a lesson about decision making. Instead he perplexes ‘The Blessed One’ by making a decision worse than many before, showing interest in the TFC Title. Honestly what do these two men look like to the outside world? They look like two individuals who couldn’t beat Travis Roberts when it mattered, who have decided to try and validate their existences by fighting over some hollow symbol...’
Stanley – ‘You’ve mentioned Randy Boolzian a couple of times now, didn’t you beat him at Infinity?’
Travis – ‘Yeah’
Stanley – ‘And he’s not your next opponent for the title, you said that was Alex. Yet you keep mentioning him, why do you think that is?’
Travis – ‘Considering BoolZ, until recently, devoted almost every breath he had to ruining ‘The Blessed Ones’ life, Travis Roberts wouldn’t imagine that it’s much of a surprise. The guy stole ‘The Headliners’ sink, screwed his wife, and attacked him on a daily basis. You’d call it repression if ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ didn’t mention him...’
Stanley – ‘Hmmm...until recently....and now, this has all stopped? Since you beat him he hasn’t tried to ‘ruin’ your life anymore?’
Travis – ‘So far.’
Stanley – ‘And how do you feel about that, relieved?’
Travis – ‘Don’t get ‘The Blessed One’ wrong, although Randy’s actions caused Travis Roberts some inconveniences, it wasn’t anything that kept ‘The Headliner’ awake at night. Relived would be a stretch...’
Stanley – ‘So you outburst with the OAP had nothing to do with Randy Boolzian?’
Travis – ‘What are you trying to suggest? You better be careful what you say next...’
Stanley – ‘Let’s get this straight before anymore visits, this is my office and I’ll say what I damn well please. I’m not intimidated by you, I can see right through the shield you put up to everyone else, so don’t try playing with me Travis, as I said earlier, I am very good at what I do. This is one place you will not win.’
Travis – ‘Yeah, The PhD really intimidates ‘The Headliner’, stop posturing and say what you were gonna say about BoolZ...’
Stanley – ‘Well how did it make you feel when Randy stopped coming after you? When he turned his attention to Alex Kiseragi? While we’re on the subject how does it feel that Alex Kiseragi’s attention is turned to Randy Boolzian? Aren’t they meant to be focused on you? Isn’t Randy supposed to be obsessed with gaining retribution for things in his past by destroying you? Isn’t Alex meant to be channelling all his energy into defeating you, the best in GIW, ‘The Highest Standard’? Does it feel like the end of Infinity, when your soon to be ex-wife cradled the defeated BoolZ in her arms, whilst ‘The Dragon’ celebrated his shock victory? Does it Travis? Tell me how it makes you feel, knowing....nobody cares?’
[Travis sits in stunned silence, staring at Stanley, and just as he forms his lips to respond, Stanley interrupts him]
Stanley – ‘Is that the time? I’m afraid we’ll have to pick this up when you make an appointment...
[Travis gets up from the sofa, silently and walks slowly towards the door, as he places his hand on the handles he turns and looks at Stanley, who has sat behind his desk and is now engrossed in a medical journal. Travis turns and hangs his head, asking himself a question...]
Travis – ‘Nobody cares?’
The scene then opens up and we are visibly in the interior of an office of sorts. The walls are panelled in dark oak, and bookshelves containing important looking leather bound tomes sit against them. A woman in her late thirties sits behind a desk, she is the typical Los Angele’s type, blonde, tanned, fake breasted and covered in makeup. Her desk sits facing three leather sofa’s, one directly facing her, the others at ninety degree angles from this one. The one directly in this young ladies eyesight is inhabited by the previously described ‘Skater Kid’ Tate Levene. To the left of the chunky self harmer sits a middle aged man, who is looking at Tate with disgust, as the receptionist gazes at Tate with daggers.
The other sofa is occupied by none other than ‘The Headliner’ Travis Roberts, free of the protective cast we have come to recognise him with, but as always with the trademark Aviators covering his eyes, and Unified Global Championship draped over his shoulder, as we have become accustomed to. He peers across the top of his glasses at his new agent, who obliviously continues to shovel the cheesy snacks into the void that passes as his mouth. As a stray snack falls from his mouth and onto the carpet of the office, ‘The Blessed One’ jabs out his leg and kicks Tate directly in the knee.]
Tate – ‘Mwumph...’
[The young man finishes his mouthful, swallows, licks the crumbs up and only then does he turn to face ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’, eyes wide with shock]
Tate – ‘What the fuck dude?’
Travis – ‘You are embarrassing ‘The Headliner’, what you couldn’t go half an hour without food? You had a steak before we got here. You have the dietary habits of a grizzly bear.’
Tate – ‘Fat Jokes? We’re really going there? You think I haven’t heard them before? It’s not my fault, it’s a disease...’
Travis – ‘Sure it is, ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t even want to speculate on what possible diseases you have. How much longer does ‘The Blessed One’ have to sit here like he needs some damn appointment?’
[Travis diverts his attention from Tate towards the secretary, who rolls her eyes and responds.]
Secretary – ‘Everyone needs an appointment Mr. Roberts, as I explained before not even the Unified Global Champion gets to turn up without one. You’re lucky I happened to have a cancellation a moment before you walked in.’
[Travis slumps back in the sofa in annoyance, and turns his attention away from the secretary and Tate, and mutters to himself]
Travis – ‘Probably one of BoolZ’s conquests...judging by his trophies close to one in three are...’
[At this moment a solid oak door behind the receptionist opens, and a dark haired woman in her late fifties comes out, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, she then walks out of the office. The secretary looks up at this moment and speaks.]
Secretary – ‘OK Mr Brown, you can go in now...’
Travis – ‘Yeah....like that’s gonna happen.’
[Travis springs to his feet and starts striding towards the door, glancing at Mr Brown challenging him to make an objection, and before the secretary can voice her disapproval Travis calls back to Tate.]
Travis – ‘Stay here Kid, ‘The Blessed One’ won’t be a minute.’
[By this point Travis is through the threshold, and swinging the door closed behind him. He enters the office beyond and is confronted by another dark oak panelled room, this time with just one couch and an armchair...a desk sits to the right, and a thick set man with dark black tightly curled hair sits behind it filling in some paperwork. He speaks without looking up]
?? – ‘Ah Kevin, nice to see you agai...’
[He looks up midway through his greeting and realises his mistake immediately when confronted by the sight of the Unified Global Champion.]
?? – ‘Well you’re not Mr Brown...’
Travis – ‘Brilliant observation, you must make a ton of money...’
?? – ‘So you must be that wrestler Charlene told me about, I have to tell you I don’t usually work with professionals from your industry...too high risk...’
Travis – ‘This wasn’t ‘The Blessed Ones’ idea, Travis Roberts damn lawyer said she wouldn’t go any further with my case until I’d seen you specifically...
[Travis walks over and takes a seat on the sofa]
Travis – ‘To be honest with you, ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t believe he needs this, hell Travis Roberts could easily find someone else to represent him...’
[Whilst Travis has been talking the man has got up from behind his desk and taken a seat in the armchair opposite Travis, who has unconsciously bean lying back on the sofa]
?? – ‘Why are you here then? Why not just get another lawyer?’
Travis – ‘Because ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t do things by halves, she is the best, ‘The Blessed One’ doesn’t hire second best...’
?? – ‘Isn’t the overeating teenager outside your agent?
Travis – ‘Travis Roberts thought you didn’t know who he was?
?? – ‘ I lied...I’m Dr Ziegler PhD, and various other letters, but they aren’t important, you can just call me Stanley, and if you weren’t already aware Travis, I’m the best at what I do.’
Travis – ‘That makes two of us, still ‘The Headliner’ is quite convinced this is a pointless exercise...’
Stanley – ‘Then I ask you again, why did you come today?’
Travis – ‘Who knows, ‘The Headliner’ didn’t have anything better to do, and it might have had a little something to do with what one of ‘The Blessed Ones’ housemates said earlier...’
Stanley – ‘And that was?’
Travis – ‘The Joka said ‘The Headliner’ was in ‘need of help’. Now when the likes of that deviant jester think something’s up, even the most intelligent person is gonna start to worry...just a little’
Stanley – ‘And why did he say that...’
Travis – ‘It may have had something to do with ‘The Blessed One’ threatening to shoves a dozen felines down the throat of an elderly woman...which in retrospect was something ‘The Headliner’ probably shouldn’t have pursued to the stage he did...’
[Stanley raises his eyebrows during this revelation and produces a small notepad and pencil from the top pocket of his shirt...to which Travis sits forward abruptly, and snatches it from the Doctor]
Travis – ‘No...if we’re going to do this, no notes, no records...just you and ‘The Headliner’ talking, this isn’t a session...’
Stanley – ‘OK...if that makes you more comfortable. So why did you do that?’
Travis – ‘What? The notepad?
Stanley – ‘No, why did you make the threat against the elderly?’
Travis – ‘It was more than a threat Stanley, ‘the Blessed One’ actually tried...’
Stanley – ‘I got that Travis, but let’s not focus on the act itself, what motivated it? What got you so angry?’
Travis – ‘That damn penguin basically sidelined the Unified Global Champion once again. Travis Roberts had just found out he wasn’t going to be blessing the GIW Arena with his in-ring prowess; instead he was going to be officiating a match no-one gives a damn about. Stanley, ‘The Blessed One’ doesn’t take well to being disrespected, when Travis Roberts joined GIW they treated him like some washed up old timer, but now that’s a distant memory, ‘The Headliner’ is by far the most dominant force in the company at the moment, yet they still disrespect the best thing they’ve got...’
Stanley – ‘Is it possible you’re over reacting? Many people would see this as a week off?’
Travis – ‘For a start Stanley, ‘The Headliner’ doesn’t want a week off, ‘The Blessed One’ was put on this earth to entertain, not be a spectator. In the past months Travis Roberts has fought on through cracked ribs, smashed fists, and countless other injuries, yet ‘The Headliner’ has shown the last thing he craves is respite.
But more importantly the disrespect is not just a one week thing. Where does ‘The Most Influential icon in Sports Entertainment this Millennia’ start listing the injustices? How about Infinity? How about the penguin’s decision to have that leech of a wife of mine in the ring with Travis Roberts. It wasn’t bad enough that she was infesting his home with her pestilence, no, it was felt she should steal the spotlight from ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ on the night he would finally shatter the myth of the unbeatable RBI. When ‘The Blessed One’ showed the world that despite all his athletic ability and ring smarts, Randy Boolzian still just doesn’t make the right decisions, who was there to steal the spotlight, none other than the succubus that’s been hanging around ‘The TWiSteD Icons’ neck for far too long.’
Stanley – ‘Did she try to cheat you out of the win?’
Travis – ‘She was too busy fawning over her fallen idol, too busy hoping he’d make it out in one piece, to deny ‘The Blessed One’ of the victory that was rightfully his. Not that it mattered, moments after ‘The Headliner’ had triumphed more disrespect was doled out, in the shape of ‘The Dragon’ Alex Kiseragi.’
Stanley – ‘Yes I heard about this, the impromptu match.’
Travis – ‘Yeah, a guy who built his reputation on integrity and honour, ambushed ‘The TWiSTeD Guerrilla’ after his hard fought win. To be honest, that move backfired spectacularly, it was only a matter of time before ‘The Headliner’ would regain the Unified Global Championship, and everyone knew it. Instead of being bathed in glory, Alex Kiseragi found himself the focus of public scrutiny once again, this time though he had no claims of honour or integrity to excuse his diabolical lack of personality or skill, in many ways it was fortunate for ‘The Dragon’ that he failed to keep hold of that belt once again.’
Stanley – ‘So things worked out well for you, in the end...’
Travis – ‘When you are as smart as ‘The Blessed One’ things generally do. It worked out well for GIW as well, who better than ‘The Headliner’ to be the focal point of this company? Travis Roberts is by far the most marketable presence on the roster, as well as being the most talented, who else would to company want to show as their leading talent? Not ‘The Dragon’ that’s for sure, and Randy Boolzian would probably sell the title belt for a fistful of magic beans given the choice.
Therefore it deeply puzzles ‘The Highest Standard in GIW’ that the damn Penguin continues to tread the same path. Travis Roberts was under the impression Boss Penguin wanted to destroy ‘The Revolution’ and everything it stands for, yet here ‘The Headliner’ stands, still Unified Global Champion, still top of the pile. If the overgrown duck wanted to truly make ‘The Blessed Ones’ life difficult, he’d give him something different, he’d give ‘The Blessed One’ a true challenge...
Instead it is announced, that once again, GIW’s finest example of sporting excellence will defend his title against a kid that got lucky, not once, but twice. On two occasions in recent months the young man stunned the world by defeating Travis Roberts, surely it doesn’t take a logical mastermind to realise the odds of it happening again are astronomical. The last time it happened Kiseragi relied on the element of surprise, but this time he won’t have that advantage, what on earth makes anyone think the result will be any different than Horizons, or the Sentinel just passed?
The only logical explanation for this decision is to once again disrespect ‘The Headliner’. Rather than have Travis Roberts face new and credible opponents, to build the legendary title reign that ‘The Blessed One’ undoubtedly deserves, the decision has been made to make his run look like a joke. The plan is to confine ‘The TWISTeD Guerrilla’s’ third run as Unified Global Champion to the annuls of mediocrity in history.’
Stanley – ‘But you knew this before you started using cats as weapons?’
Travis – ‘Yeah...’
Stanley – ‘So , that didn’t trigger a violent reaction, it was the announcement of this week’s Sentinel that was the catylyst, so let’s explore that some more...’
Travis – ‘Why? It’s quite obvious that was just the straw that broke the camel’s back! The mounting cases of disrespect, it was bound to blow over one day...’
Stanley – ‘Hadn’t that already happened...I was told you had an altercation with a mirror a few weeks prior to Infinity...’
Travis – ‘What? How the hell do you know about that?’
Stanley – ‘Like I said, I’m the best at what I do. I don’t want to focus on that right now anyway, but my point is it is precise things that cause these outbursts, and we are here to get to the bottom of them, as they generally get channelled into unhealthy directions. You’ve been fighting adversity for the majority of your career, but these outbursts in your personal life have only occurred in the past few months. That’s why you came today Travis, not because your lawyer told you to, not because your housemate is a perverted psychopath, but because you don’t know what is happening to you...’
Travis – ‘How much do you charge by the hour, ‘The Headliner’ thinks you’re a great example of how gullible the general public are.’
Stanley – ‘Then prove me wrong. You could walk out of the door any moment you want, but you stay. If I’m wrong the only reason for you to stay here is to convince me of that.’
Travis – ‘What makes you think Travis Roberts has even the slightest interest in what you think of him? And people suggest ‘The Headliner’ has delusions of grandeur!’
Stanley – ‘Because you do care Travis, you care what people think, why else would you be so annoyed over the fact you are not fighting on Sunday, merely observing. Unless the fact two of your closest rivals are fighting over a belt that you hold close to you?’
Travis – ‘Look, the people deserve to see their Unified Global Champion in action, and to give the main event over to a match for a piece of worthless tin that hasn’t been recognised as a valid title in almost half a decade, is an affront not just to the title that sits upon ‘The Headliners’ shoulder, but every fan that tunes in to watch GIW.
The idea that ‘The Blessed One’ gives a damn is ridiculous, if the plan was to somehow bait Travis Roberts by making him watch two rivals fight over a belt that once meant so much to him, it was a misjudged tactic.
After Infinity ‘The Headliner’ thought Randy may have learnt a lesson about decision making. Instead he perplexes ‘The Blessed One’ by making a decision worse than many before, showing interest in the TFC Title. Honestly what do these two men look like to the outside world? They look like two individuals who couldn’t beat Travis Roberts when it mattered, who have decided to try and validate their existences by fighting over some hollow symbol...’
Stanley – ‘You’ve mentioned Randy Boolzian a couple of times now, didn’t you beat him at Infinity?’
Travis – ‘Yeah’
Stanley – ‘And he’s not your next opponent for the title, you said that was Alex. Yet you keep mentioning him, why do you think that is?’
Travis – ‘Considering BoolZ, until recently, devoted almost every breath he had to ruining ‘The Blessed Ones’ life, Travis Roberts wouldn’t imagine that it’s much of a surprise. The guy stole ‘The Headliners’ sink, screwed his wife, and attacked him on a daily basis. You’d call it repression if ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ didn’t mention him...’
Stanley – ‘Hmmm...until recently....and now, this has all stopped? Since you beat him he hasn’t tried to ‘ruin’ your life anymore?’
Travis – ‘So far.’
Stanley – ‘And how do you feel about that, relieved?’
Travis – ‘Don’t get ‘The Blessed One’ wrong, although Randy’s actions caused Travis Roberts some inconveniences, it wasn’t anything that kept ‘The Headliner’ awake at night. Relived would be a stretch...’
Stanley – ‘So you outburst with the OAP had nothing to do with Randy Boolzian?’
Travis – ‘What are you trying to suggest? You better be careful what you say next...’
Stanley – ‘Let’s get this straight before anymore visits, this is my office and I’ll say what I damn well please. I’m not intimidated by you, I can see right through the shield you put up to everyone else, so don’t try playing with me Travis, as I said earlier, I am very good at what I do. This is one place you will not win.’
Travis – ‘Yeah, The PhD really intimidates ‘The Headliner’, stop posturing and say what you were gonna say about BoolZ...’
Stanley – ‘Well how did it make you feel when Randy stopped coming after you? When he turned his attention to Alex Kiseragi? While we’re on the subject how does it feel that Alex Kiseragi’s attention is turned to Randy Boolzian? Aren’t they meant to be focused on you? Isn’t Randy supposed to be obsessed with gaining retribution for things in his past by destroying you? Isn’t Alex meant to be channelling all his energy into defeating you, the best in GIW, ‘The Highest Standard’? Does it feel like the end of Infinity, when your soon to be ex-wife cradled the defeated BoolZ in her arms, whilst ‘The Dragon’ celebrated his shock victory? Does it Travis? Tell me how it makes you feel, knowing....nobody cares?’
[Travis sits in stunned silence, staring at Stanley, and just as he forms his lips to respond, Stanley interrupts him]
Stanley – ‘Is that the time? I’m afraid we’ll have to pick this up when you make an appointment...
[Travis gets up from the sofa, silently and walks slowly towards the door, as he places his hand on the handles he turns and looks at Stanley, who has sat behind his desk and is now engrossed in a medical journal. Travis turns and hangs his head, asking himself a question...]
Travis – ‘Nobody cares?’
