Post by Homeland Security on Sept 9, 2016 12:21:45 GMT -5
The scene begins and we see Luke Savage walking through a dingy looking bar. He’s dressed in a pair of jeans and a sleeveless flannel shirt and he sporting a set of sunglasses on his face. He’s glancing back and forth through the crowd and appearing to be looking for somebody as he makes his way up to the bar. The guy behind the bar notices Luke and nods at him.
Bartender: What can I get ya?
Luke: Name’s Luke Savage, I’m lookin’ for somebody. Goes by the name of Theodore Justice. Teddy if you’re a friend of his. I heard he was here doin’ business.
The bartender appears to think for a moment and then shakes his head.
Bartender: Sorry, never heard of him. Nobody by that name here. You sure you got the right place?
Luke nods his head and smiles sarcastically, evidently not believing the bartender.
Luke: Look, on any other day I’d think you’d be tellin’ the truth. I mean this dump here? This place goes against everything I know about my cousin. The Teddy Justice I know wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like this. However, that Teddy went and pissed in another man’s car last month so now I’m willin’ to bet he’s here somewhere. My information was pretty solid. So if you could just check with your boss or whoever it is that pays you every week to come in here and mix these shitty drinks, that’d be great. Otherwise, things might start to get real ugly up in here. And I know that’s hard to believe considerin’ how damned good lookin’ I am…but you don’t want to test me.
The bartender just rolls his eyes and picks up the phone.
Bartender: One moment.
After a short conversation the bartender hangs the phone up and looks back at Luke.
Bartender: Well what do you know? Mr. Justice is here after all. Right back through those doors. End of the hallway, last door on the right.
The bartender motions to a door in the back of the room marked ‘Private’ and Luke heads in that direction. After walking through the doors Luke is met by a large man wearing a suit. He pats Luke down and then motions towards the end of the hallway. Luke heads down the hallway and pushes his way through the last door and walks into another room. The room is dimly lit with just a single light fixture hanging from the ceiling above a table in the center of the room. In the center of the table is a huge stack of money and several men are sitting around the table with playing cards in their hands. Among the men is none other than former NAW superstar Theodore Justice. Luke spots his cousin as he walks further into the room and he gets a surprised look on his face as he sees Teddy with a cigar in his hand and a mixed drink in front of him. Teddy glances up at Luke and flashes a smile before continuing on with his hand.
Teddy: Ok so we’re all in, pot’s good…let’s see em’ boys! Full house, jacks over sixes.
Teddy slaps his hand down and then one by one the other men follow. Ace high flush, four threes, four sevens, and then finally a queen high straight flush to take the pot. The man celebrates and reaches in to slide the money towards him. The other men sigh and let a few curse words fly, but Teddy just shakes the winner’s hand with a smile and stands up.
Teddy: Good game buddy.
Teddy then walks over to Luke and greets him.
Teddy: Hey cuz, what brings you to a place like this?
Luke looks back at Teddy, appearing a bit puzzled.
Luke: I could ask you the same thing. Is that whiskey?
Teddy looks down at the drink in his hand.
Teddy: Yeah, I think it is. Pretty damned good whiskey too. Why, you want one?
Luke: No I’m good. I just want to know what in the hell you been…wait, what kind of whiskey? Jack? Because if it’s Jack…no, no never mind. I don’t want one. You almost had me there for a second. No, I don’t want a damned drink…I want to know what the hell’s been goin’ on Teddy?
Teddy: What do you mean?
Luke: What do I mean? Where the hell you been? We have a job to do. We started somethin’ in the NAW. Remember? I’m just wonderin’ when you plan on comin’ back so we can finish it. Things are startin’ to get pretty interestin’ in the tag team division. Those straps are gonna look damned good on us.
Teddy’s smile slowly vanishes and he begins to look much more serious. He sets down his drink and his cigar on the table and glances off to one of the men.
Teddy: Hey Jerry, I’m gonna head out and talk to my cousin for a second. I’ll be right back and we’ll talk business, don’t let my drink get cold.
One of the men nods his head and Teddy motions for Luke to follow him through a door in the back of the room. The two walk out onto a covered balcony overlooking a large metropolis. Luke walks out to the rail and glances out at the sight of the city, a little bit taken back by the sight.
Teddy: Beautiful isn’t it?
Luke looks over at Teddy, again appearing a bit puzzled.
Luke: Yeah, I guess. It’s just a city.
Teddy nods his head.
Teddy: That it is. But soon it’s going to be something much bigger.
Luke: Yeah well, whatever. So are you gonna tell me what the hell’s goin, on now? First off, I thought you were a much better poker player than that? I mean, goin’ all in with just a full boat?
Teddy smiles.
Teddy: I know. Trust me though, sometimes it’s not about the end result of the game…but instead the influence you build in getting there. That was chump change. I just greased the wheels of future business is all.
Luke: Yeah, well speakin’ of business, where the hell have you been? Why the disappearin’ act?
Teddy: Well, I had quite a few loose ends to tie up lately. Some in Japan, some in Iceland, some in Russia, some back in Texas, and others right here in this building. There were a lot of people invested in my NAW career, and well, as you can see…it didn’t turn out as successful as I’d hoped. So debts had to be settled and new deals had to be formed. But things are once again a well-oiled machine, stronger than ever now I might add.
Luke: Well that’s great, but when in the hell are you comin’ back to the NAW?
Teddy hesitates for a moment before answering.
Teddy: Coming back? What do you mean? There’s nothing left for me there.
Look glares at Teddy.
Luke: Nothin’ left? What about a wrestlin’ career?
Teddy laughs.
Teddy: Come on Luke, what kind of career do I have waiting for me in the NAW? Going back to playing curtain jerker for the rest of the roster? I don’t think so. You seem to have that covered yourself, you don’t need me.
Luke grits his teeth and balls a fist up in anger and Teddy quickly defuses the situation.
Teddy: Relax cuz, I was only joking.
Luke stays silent but he appears to have calmed down.
Teddy: Look…I played ball with the NAW for a long time and the game just got old. It got stagnant. I’m no longer that same guy who used to walk out to the ring every show and just do his job with a smile on his face, no questions asked. That company man bullshit got me nowhere. I’ve evolved since then.
Luke: Yeah, I can see that.
Teddy: Well don’t let your eyes deceive you Luke. I may be experiencing the more primitive things in life that I denied myself before but inside this head still resides one of the most intelligent minds on the planet. When I first arrived on the wrestling scene I proclaimed that I wanted to revolutionize the industry and that still holds true. However, it just won’t be from inside a wrestling ring.
Luke thinks for a moment.
Luke: Won’t be from inside a wrestlin’ ring? What are you talkin’ about?
Teddy pats Luke on the back.
Teddy: Oh don’t you worry, you’ll find out soon enough. As will the entire world. But enough about me, let’s talk about you. I read somewhere online that you’re wrestling Bohannon at Revenge huh? That’s gonna be one hell of a fight. Bohannon is no slouch.
Luke raises an eyebrow as he looks at Teddy.
Luke: Oh so you do still pay attention to the NAW happenin’s?
Teddy smiles.
Teddy: Of course I do. I mean, everybody has to poop sometimes am I right? Might as well multitask and catch up on some reading on my phone while I’m at it.
Luke: Yeah well the last time you were droppin’ a deuce did you read that before I wrestle Bohannon at Revenge, I have to contend with Tim Stone on Meltdown next week?
Teddy: Wait, Tim Stone? That guy really exists? I thought he was a myth? Kind of like Santa Claus but way less cool. I mean I always seen his name on cards and whatnot…but I’ve never actually seen the guy in person. You know, you could make history this next week if you can actually get Tim Stone to show up. You’d be like the guy who proved to the world that bigfoot is real, or that aliens really exist.
Luke: Very funny, but I’m takin’ this fight seriously. Word is that Stone is for real this time and he’s ready to make a statement. I ain’t fixin’ to be caught off guard by underestimatin’ the guy. In fact, I almost got a little preview this past week when he came out and stopped me from puttin’ the boots to Bohannon. That showed some guts I guess. Although, he got knocked the hell out by Crimson North afterwards who was barely even standin’ after just getting’ choked out himself, so I can’t imagine Tim Stone’s gonna be able to take too many of my bombs when I’m comin’ at him fully fueled.
Teddy: Well don’t get ahead of yourself. Bohannon doesn’t forgive and forget that easily. I’d expect to see him sometime during your match if I were you.
Luke: That’s fine with me, the more the merrier. I’m actually lookin’ forward to tradin’ punches with Bohannon.
Teddy: Looking forward to trading punches with Bohannon? Good luck with that one. Been there, done that. Not as enticing as you think. That guy cost me a lot of time and money in dental work.
Luke: Well, you’re a little more high maintenance than I am. In any case, that fight’s on the back burner for now. First I take care of Tim Stone on Meltdown.
Teddy: Yeah well, I wish you the best of luck with that. But you know, what is wrestling either one of those two clowns going to do for you? You could always walk away from that place and just forget all about Time Stone and Bohannon and the tag team division. Join me in my new business venture and together we’ll take this city. What do you say?
Luke scoffs at Teddy’s proposal.
Luke: Walk away from the NAW? Why would I do that?
Teddy looks confused.
Teddy: Why wouldn’t you? It’s a sinking ship. In fact it’s not even a ship, it’s more like a rubber lifeboat with a bunch of patches holding it together.
Luke: Yeah well what the hell do you know? You walked away. The place is a whole different company than it was when you left.
Teddy: Oh I highly doubt that. But in any case, if you want to stick it out there then I can respect that. You’re much more loyal than I am. But just know that another opportunity will always be waiting for you elsewhere should you ever want it.
Luke: Well thanks Teddy, but I've also evolved...and I fought hard to do it. So now I’m NAW til’ the end. I have alot invested there and when I start somethin’ I intend to see it through no matter what. So if you ain’t fixin’ to come back me up in the NAW and finish what we started then that’s fine…I already have a plan B in motion. It’s just that you brought me into the NAW so I figured I at least owed you the courtesy of offerin’ me an explanation before I replaced you.
Teddy chuckles.
Teddy: Please, you don’t owe me a thing Luke. If anything, it’s me who owes you. You’re the one who was spending week after week in that place trying to snap me out of that self righteous stupor I was in so I could open my eyes to what was really important. It just took me a while to stop and do that. And now that I did…now I know what it is I was meant to do. So for that I am grateful. So here’s to the next chapter...and our constant fight for evolution.
Teddy offers up a handshake. After some thought, Luke accepts.
Luke: Yeah well, I didn’t mean for you to up and leave…but whatever. I’m happy to have helped I guess.
Teddy: So, Time Stone huh? Is there anything you need for this match? An extra sparring partner? Maybe some footage of one of Tim Stone’s old matches? The guy is pretty elusive, but I know a guy who knows another guy...
Luke stops Teddy.
Luke: No, I’m good. I’m going to create my own match footage of Tim Stone. Footage that shows me kicking his ass all over that ring and then leaving him lying on the canvas for the backstage goons to clean up. And to take a page out of your quote book…“it ain’t gonna be personal, it’s just gonna be business”.
Teddy smiles and pats Luke on the back again.
Teddy: Well said. Now what do you say we go in and get you one of those whiskeys?
Luke thinks about it for a moment but then decides that he better stick to the task at hand this week.
Luke: You know what, I’m gonna take a rain check on that. I’ve gotta get going…I got some business of my own to attend to back in Texas before I hit the gym for Meltdown.
Teddy nods and the two begin to head back into the building. Luke glances over at Teddy as they get to the door.
Luke: Well, maybe just one. I do have a long flight ahead of me...
The two walk through the doors and the scene fades.
Bartender: What can I get ya?
Luke: Name’s Luke Savage, I’m lookin’ for somebody. Goes by the name of Theodore Justice. Teddy if you’re a friend of his. I heard he was here doin’ business.
The bartender appears to think for a moment and then shakes his head.
Bartender: Sorry, never heard of him. Nobody by that name here. You sure you got the right place?
Luke nods his head and smiles sarcastically, evidently not believing the bartender.
Luke: Look, on any other day I’d think you’d be tellin’ the truth. I mean this dump here? This place goes against everything I know about my cousin. The Teddy Justice I know wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like this. However, that Teddy went and pissed in another man’s car last month so now I’m willin’ to bet he’s here somewhere. My information was pretty solid. So if you could just check with your boss or whoever it is that pays you every week to come in here and mix these shitty drinks, that’d be great. Otherwise, things might start to get real ugly up in here. And I know that’s hard to believe considerin’ how damned good lookin’ I am…but you don’t want to test me.
The bartender just rolls his eyes and picks up the phone.
Bartender: One moment.
After a short conversation the bartender hangs the phone up and looks back at Luke.
Bartender: Well what do you know? Mr. Justice is here after all. Right back through those doors. End of the hallway, last door on the right.
The bartender motions to a door in the back of the room marked ‘Private’ and Luke heads in that direction. After walking through the doors Luke is met by a large man wearing a suit. He pats Luke down and then motions towards the end of the hallway. Luke heads down the hallway and pushes his way through the last door and walks into another room. The room is dimly lit with just a single light fixture hanging from the ceiling above a table in the center of the room. In the center of the table is a huge stack of money and several men are sitting around the table with playing cards in their hands. Among the men is none other than former NAW superstar Theodore Justice. Luke spots his cousin as he walks further into the room and he gets a surprised look on his face as he sees Teddy with a cigar in his hand and a mixed drink in front of him. Teddy glances up at Luke and flashes a smile before continuing on with his hand.
Teddy: Ok so we’re all in, pot’s good…let’s see em’ boys! Full house, jacks over sixes.
Teddy slaps his hand down and then one by one the other men follow. Ace high flush, four threes, four sevens, and then finally a queen high straight flush to take the pot. The man celebrates and reaches in to slide the money towards him. The other men sigh and let a few curse words fly, but Teddy just shakes the winner’s hand with a smile and stands up.
Teddy: Good game buddy.
Teddy then walks over to Luke and greets him.
Teddy: Hey cuz, what brings you to a place like this?
Luke looks back at Teddy, appearing a bit puzzled.
Luke: I could ask you the same thing. Is that whiskey?
Teddy looks down at the drink in his hand.
Teddy: Yeah, I think it is. Pretty damned good whiskey too. Why, you want one?
Luke: No I’m good. I just want to know what in the hell you been…wait, what kind of whiskey? Jack? Because if it’s Jack…no, no never mind. I don’t want one. You almost had me there for a second. No, I don’t want a damned drink…I want to know what the hell’s been goin’ on Teddy?
Teddy: What do you mean?
Luke: What do I mean? Where the hell you been? We have a job to do. We started somethin’ in the NAW. Remember? I’m just wonderin’ when you plan on comin’ back so we can finish it. Things are startin’ to get pretty interestin’ in the tag team division. Those straps are gonna look damned good on us.
Teddy’s smile slowly vanishes and he begins to look much more serious. He sets down his drink and his cigar on the table and glances off to one of the men.
Teddy: Hey Jerry, I’m gonna head out and talk to my cousin for a second. I’ll be right back and we’ll talk business, don’t let my drink get cold.
One of the men nods his head and Teddy motions for Luke to follow him through a door in the back of the room. The two walk out onto a covered balcony overlooking a large metropolis. Luke walks out to the rail and glances out at the sight of the city, a little bit taken back by the sight.
Teddy: Beautiful isn’t it?
Luke looks over at Teddy, again appearing a bit puzzled.
Luke: Yeah, I guess. It’s just a city.
Teddy nods his head.
Teddy: That it is. But soon it’s going to be something much bigger.
Luke: Yeah well, whatever. So are you gonna tell me what the hell’s goin, on now? First off, I thought you were a much better poker player than that? I mean, goin’ all in with just a full boat?
Teddy smiles.
Teddy: I know. Trust me though, sometimes it’s not about the end result of the game…but instead the influence you build in getting there. That was chump change. I just greased the wheels of future business is all.
Luke: Yeah, well speakin’ of business, where the hell have you been? Why the disappearin’ act?
Teddy: Well, I had quite a few loose ends to tie up lately. Some in Japan, some in Iceland, some in Russia, some back in Texas, and others right here in this building. There were a lot of people invested in my NAW career, and well, as you can see…it didn’t turn out as successful as I’d hoped. So debts had to be settled and new deals had to be formed. But things are once again a well-oiled machine, stronger than ever now I might add.
Luke: Well that’s great, but when in the hell are you comin’ back to the NAW?
Teddy hesitates for a moment before answering.
Teddy: Coming back? What do you mean? There’s nothing left for me there.
Look glares at Teddy.
Luke: Nothin’ left? What about a wrestlin’ career?
Teddy laughs.
Teddy: Come on Luke, what kind of career do I have waiting for me in the NAW? Going back to playing curtain jerker for the rest of the roster? I don’t think so. You seem to have that covered yourself, you don’t need me.
Luke grits his teeth and balls a fist up in anger and Teddy quickly defuses the situation.
Teddy: Relax cuz, I was only joking.
Luke stays silent but he appears to have calmed down.
Teddy: Look…I played ball with the NAW for a long time and the game just got old. It got stagnant. I’m no longer that same guy who used to walk out to the ring every show and just do his job with a smile on his face, no questions asked. That company man bullshit got me nowhere. I’ve evolved since then.
Luke: Yeah, I can see that.
Teddy: Well don’t let your eyes deceive you Luke. I may be experiencing the more primitive things in life that I denied myself before but inside this head still resides one of the most intelligent minds on the planet. When I first arrived on the wrestling scene I proclaimed that I wanted to revolutionize the industry and that still holds true. However, it just won’t be from inside a wrestling ring.
Luke thinks for a moment.
Luke: Won’t be from inside a wrestlin’ ring? What are you talkin’ about?
Teddy pats Luke on the back.
Teddy: Oh don’t you worry, you’ll find out soon enough. As will the entire world. But enough about me, let’s talk about you. I read somewhere online that you’re wrestling Bohannon at Revenge huh? That’s gonna be one hell of a fight. Bohannon is no slouch.
Luke raises an eyebrow as he looks at Teddy.
Luke: Oh so you do still pay attention to the NAW happenin’s?
Teddy smiles.
Teddy: Of course I do. I mean, everybody has to poop sometimes am I right? Might as well multitask and catch up on some reading on my phone while I’m at it.
Luke: Yeah well the last time you were droppin’ a deuce did you read that before I wrestle Bohannon at Revenge, I have to contend with Tim Stone on Meltdown next week?
Teddy: Wait, Tim Stone? That guy really exists? I thought he was a myth? Kind of like Santa Claus but way less cool. I mean I always seen his name on cards and whatnot…but I’ve never actually seen the guy in person. You know, you could make history this next week if you can actually get Tim Stone to show up. You’d be like the guy who proved to the world that bigfoot is real, or that aliens really exist.
Luke: Very funny, but I’m takin’ this fight seriously. Word is that Stone is for real this time and he’s ready to make a statement. I ain’t fixin’ to be caught off guard by underestimatin’ the guy. In fact, I almost got a little preview this past week when he came out and stopped me from puttin’ the boots to Bohannon. That showed some guts I guess. Although, he got knocked the hell out by Crimson North afterwards who was barely even standin’ after just getting’ choked out himself, so I can’t imagine Tim Stone’s gonna be able to take too many of my bombs when I’m comin’ at him fully fueled.
Teddy: Well don’t get ahead of yourself. Bohannon doesn’t forgive and forget that easily. I’d expect to see him sometime during your match if I were you.
Luke: That’s fine with me, the more the merrier. I’m actually lookin’ forward to tradin’ punches with Bohannon.
Teddy: Looking forward to trading punches with Bohannon? Good luck with that one. Been there, done that. Not as enticing as you think. That guy cost me a lot of time and money in dental work.
Luke: Well, you’re a little more high maintenance than I am. In any case, that fight’s on the back burner for now. First I take care of Tim Stone on Meltdown.
Teddy: Yeah well, I wish you the best of luck with that. But you know, what is wrestling either one of those two clowns going to do for you? You could always walk away from that place and just forget all about Time Stone and Bohannon and the tag team division. Join me in my new business venture and together we’ll take this city. What do you say?
Luke scoffs at Teddy’s proposal.
Luke: Walk away from the NAW? Why would I do that?
Teddy looks confused.
Teddy: Why wouldn’t you? It’s a sinking ship. In fact it’s not even a ship, it’s more like a rubber lifeboat with a bunch of patches holding it together.
Luke: Yeah well what the hell do you know? You walked away. The place is a whole different company than it was when you left.
Teddy: Oh I highly doubt that. But in any case, if you want to stick it out there then I can respect that. You’re much more loyal than I am. But just know that another opportunity will always be waiting for you elsewhere should you ever want it.
Luke: Well thanks Teddy, but I've also evolved...and I fought hard to do it. So now I’m NAW til’ the end. I have alot invested there and when I start somethin’ I intend to see it through no matter what. So if you ain’t fixin’ to come back me up in the NAW and finish what we started then that’s fine…I already have a plan B in motion. It’s just that you brought me into the NAW so I figured I at least owed you the courtesy of offerin’ me an explanation before I replaced you.
Teddy chuckles.
Teddy: Please, you don’t owe me a thing Luke. If anything, it’s me who owes you. You’re the one who was spending week after week in that place trying to snap me out of that self righteous stupor I was in so I could open my eyes to what was really important. It just took me a while to stop and do that. And now that I did…now I know what it is I was meant to do. So for that I am grateful. So here’s to the next chapter...and our constant fight for evolution.
Teddy offers up a handshake. After some thought, Luke accepts.
Luke: Yeah well, I didn’t mean for you to up and leave…but whatever. I’m happy to have helped I guess.
Teddy: So, Time Stone huh? Is there anything you need for this match? An extra sparring partner? Maybe some footage of one of Tim Stone’s old matches? The guy is pretty elusive, but I know a guy who knows another guy...
Luke stops Teddy.
Luke: No, I’m good. I’m going to create my own match footage of Tim Stone. Footage that shows me kicking his ass all over that ring and then leaving him lying on the canvas for the backstage goons to clean up. And to take a page out of your quote book…“it ain’t gonna be personal, it’s just gonna be business”.
Teddy smiles and pats Luke on the back again.
Teddy: Well said. Now what do you say we go in and get you one of those whiskeys?
Luke thinks about it for a moment but then decides that he better stick to the task at hand this week.
Luke: You know what, I’m gonna take a rain check on that. I’ve gotta get going…I got some business of my own to attend to back in Texas before I hit the gym for Meltdown.
Teddy nods and the two begin to head back into the building. Luke glances over at Teddy as they get to the door.
Luke: Well, maybe just one. I do have a long flight ahead of me...
The two walk through the doors and the scene fades.