12-19-2018, 12:59 AM
(Act 30 features two new characters in the past and then something over the weekend. Also second scene begins an arc about the relationship between Dante and the other character.
By the way, my I's and U's stick so some words look weird. That's why. I gotta buy some spray.
Good luck and Enjoy!)
In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.
That's never applied to me.
Because I've always had both of my eyes opened.
But when I look out. At this city. Las Vegas. City of sin. I wonder. How many of them are blind and how many don't know where they're going.
There's only one thing worse than being blind.
That's having sight, but no vision.
Ironic coming from Helen Keller.
But between the casinos, the strip clubs, the women who only provide a temporary feeling of affirmation and the general depravity and desperation to find something of value, it's hard to decide who is who and which is which. How many of them know that not of this is going to last and that all of their problems will remain in the morning? Or the fact that they're draining their financial security, their future on the approval of people they will never know on a personal level?
Knowledge is power.
The difference in any situation is knowledge. The one who holds the most wields the most power. Size doesn't matter. Looks doesn't matter. Age doesn't matter. Everything you all think matters, at the end of the day, is irrelevant in comparison to knowledge. I might not have as many friends as you or have as may followers as you on Twitter, Facebook, etc. But that's not because of anything tangible. It's not because you're a better human than me. For some of you, you just want to be seen. So the more friends you have, the more you can say that you're known.
But there's a difference.
Being smart and being wise.
It's easier for a wise person to gain knowledge than it is for a smart person to gain judgement.
Being smart is the process.
Becoming wise is the product.
Being smart is knowing you need people to open doors for you in the future. Childhood friends that eventually become your employer. College friends that eventually become lovers, recommendations, connections that get you where you want to go. Being smart is doing whatever you can to befriend people.
Being wise is knowing that the more people in your circle, the greater the chance you find a knife in your back?
Can you distinguish who is who?
Here's a scenario. A month ago.
Saturday, November 3rd, 2018.
Me, standing in front of an apartment door, knowing who awaited inside.
Me, knowing I wasn't the intended guest.
Instead, that would be the man standing a few feet away from me.
Tall, well groomed, dressed to the nines, clear shades. The only thing missing from this is a shit eating smirk from ear to ear.
Instead, his lips are pressed together. His expression is flat. His jaw is shut. His eyes, though covered by the shades, are unmoved. It's a paradox. He wears the clothing of one of the blind that parades themselves in the casinos downtown, but he walks around, like a blank space.
I know this because I've bee watching this man for he past few months,
Everywhere he goes, I've been a spectator. Every match he's had this summer. San Fran, San Jose, LA, Vegas, Reno, I've made sure I have a first hand view. I study his movements, what he does out of the ring. That consist of being a Lyft driver, being the security of a local club or a bouncer, an escort, a bodyguard. That's all I know about him. That's all I've seen.
Where he's from...
His motivations...
His background..
His family.
I do't know anything.
I only know that he's going to be my ticket to this next step in my life.
Being smart is waiting for the right moment to capitalize.
Being wise is understand when you made a mistake but use it to your advantage.
I remember looking in his direction before I turned the knob and gave the door a push. The door creaked open and the welcoming party was there to greet us.
Jack Parker.
Hannah Budde.
Mika Kozlov.
And finally....
Dante McCaffery.
Jack was seated on the couch, leisurely; hands inside his leather jacket. Mika sat on the arms rest a few inches away from him. Ms. Budde across from them, where the glass table resided, with her red heels giving her an added boost. And then there was Dante...back turned us all, peering out of the window that granted him a view of the city. The visual wasn't lost on me. With his black suit jacket ad black matching pants, he wanted to play the game where you project yourself as a big time player.
He's only twenty five. He has more maturity to go.
But like I said, age doesn't matter.
The man turns his head towards me. He wants me to walk in first.
What a gentleman, I suppose.
So that's what I do and with each step, I glare at Jack, I glare at Hannah. i wasn't the one they were planning to see. Mika's eyes travel to the man behind me. I'm not surprised with what I have seen about her. The lights were a bit dim. I don't know f that was by design or because Dante hasn't been bothered to change out a light bulb. Combined with the night sky, it's almost as if he doesn't want to be seen.
Or maybe that's what he wants us to believe.
I choose to give a small smirk. I'm already an uninvited guest. But yet, I'm not insecure with the position that I hold. Even swimming in a pool with new sharks. I know what I possess and I know what I have to do.
"You wasn't kidding Jack when you said this guy was a looker." Mika licked her lips while staring directly at the man behind me. I turned my head and he still had the same, expressionless look on his face.
Impressive, I will say.
Weaker men would have succumb to Mika's charm at first glance. I can understand why. The way her leather pants hugged her curves and how her red, strapless top exposed the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra, it's clear that she wants you to look at her first and foremost before you get to anything else. She wants you to fantasize about her so she can already build real estate in your head.
This man though...he stands firm, back straighten, eyes towards the room. He doesn't flinch from this position ad merely shoves his hands inside his pockets.
"And stylish too. What's your name?"
"LEO."
He finally spoke up, firmly.
"LEO, huh?"
"Just LEO."
Jack chimed in and Mika smirked. And at that moment, Mika turned her attention to me for the first time. She stands up and moves a step forward.
Her eyes traveled from my eyes.
To my face.
To my body.
To my legs.
And back up again. She then puts her chin underneath her left knuckle and glares at me, longingly.
"Dante, I thought you told me there was only going to be one person coming, not two."
Jack folds his arms.
"We did but...."
His eyebrows arch up when he looks in my direction. Ms. Budde's eyes narrow.
"Who are you?"
She asked, harshly. It seemed so natural. That must be how she always greet people. She then looks to the man.
"We didn't tell you to bring any guest."
That's where I step in.
"Don't crucify him. He didn't bring me. I decided to tag along. It's only fair considering we share the same interest here."
Now Ms. Budde is the one folding her arms, though she's easy to read. Her nostrils flared immediately after I spoke.
"Woman, we don't even know you from a hole in the wall. What the hell are you talking about? And who the hell are you?"
I chuckle.
They want to be in control.
"My name is not important. But what is important is the fact that you two made an offer to someone that I had been keeping a close eye on. Someone who I was personally paying attention to. I am new to the professional wrestling business but I'm not new to professional wrestling."
I close my mouth. And speak again.
"I know friends who are currently involved in this business and while I've never been the athletic type, I've always wanted to find a way in. I am well educated. I have a Masters in Business and Communications. I say this not to impress any of you but to simply establish who I am. Because that degree? Doesn't mean a fucking thing to you. But what it does mean is that I know an opportunity when one presents itself. And this man, was that opportunity."
"Yeah, yeah that's nice and all. But, we don't need your life story ok?"
I smirk.
But not because I waned to be inviting.
Jack's ignorance...I see why he's called the Bastard.
But this is not the place for me to feed his ego by reacting.
"This man was going to be my opportunity in. Because while I can't wrestle myself, I can lead. And I've seen people who just as successful out of the ring as those in it. Laura Steinback comes to mind. I know you all know her. But...how convenient that the night I got to make my move, you Jack and you Hannah..."
"That's Ms. Budde to you."
She wants control.
"My apologies. Ms. Budde...came underneath me and snagged LEO from under me."
"And that's why you came here? To call foul? Is that why you made LEO here drag you along?"
She has a perception of me that's not accurate to who I am. I can't let that continue. I present to her a straight face and make sure she's making eye contact with me.
"On the contrary. I came because if you're going to take LEO and my opportunity, then you'll take me too."
Ms. Budde let out a dismissive sound, as if she was writing me off. Jack had this incredulous look on his face as if I had just said that I could fly. Mika takes a step back, sizing me up. A strange reaction, I think.
"So you think just because we were quicker to the draw with LEO here that we should feel pity for you?"
Jack chuckled harshly.
"Get real. We're not a charity case."
"Nor do I need your charity."
"Then why are you here then? Huh? What did you think was going to happen? What were you thinking?"
Ms. Budde starts walking closer to me.
"Did you blackmail LEO to come here? If you did, it wasn't worth it."
"I didn't need to blackmail. I don't need to resort that low. All I told, all I asked him, was did you guys offer him a spot in your...Network. We didn't even get on the same plane. I simply fond out the day he was coming here and came here at the exact same time."
"So you're a stalker?"
"Far from it. I just do my due diligence. I look into everything and make sure I never go into anything blind. That's what the Network...that's what you guys pride yourselves on right?"
I turn to everyone in the room.
"Network...my mistake. I meant...Black Noah."
"How do you know that name?"
Immediately, finally, Dante decides to join in the living room. His piercing green eyes lock on mine as if he's trying to study me. Jack perked up a bit also. I got his attention now.
"Does it matter?"
"Who told you?
He looks towards Jack and Ms. Budde.
"Did yo-"
"Don't look at me. I didn't say anything."
"They're telling the truth. No one in this room told me yor true name."
"Who did?"
Does he really think I would tell that easy?
"Does it matter? If I told you, it woldn't change the fact that I know. Besides, it doesn't take that much to dig for something if you know where to look. Knowledge can always be found but it takes someone willing to do whatever it takes to find it."
Jack and Ms. Budde keep their eyes on me. Mika just has this wry smile on her face. Dante looks at me, waiting for me to say something next.
"See the minute I knew I was coming here, I made sure I knew what I was walking into. In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king. You all thought I was here because I was upset that you guys took away my chance to manage LEO here. If anything, I have myself to blame. I should have made my move quicker but I didn't expect anyone to covet him. That's my mistake. I shold have seen that coming given what LEO is capable of. But I'm not beating myself up becase when one doors closes, another one opens."
......
"I'm not here to compete. I can't compete with any of yo. Yo work for the biggest wrestling promotion n the world. You can throw more money to him that I can even imagine. I can't promise him a chance to be on national TV. And that's where I say you have me best. But, it would be foolish of me to jst simply be upset over something that I had no control of. And so, I'm here because I, like LEO, want to be included. I want to be in Black Noah."
There was a eerie silence that echoed throughot the room. I cold hear my thoughts clearly.
"And what do you want to accomplish? We don't have spots for managers. Not to mention, you might know or real name, bt that doesn't mean give you a claim to join. We don't even know what yo have to offer."
"That's fair, Dante. Yo're a business man, like your family. I figured you of all people wold understand turning lemons into lemonade. After all, this wasn't what you wanted right? You thought you wold be at the head of your family's business. You and your sister Catherine..."
Dante's eyes lit up. With each piece of knowledge that I reveal, the more control I gain. I don't even think everyone in this room knows what I know.
"Only to find out they used your inheritance to fund their illegal activities."
"How do you know? Did you get that from the news?"
"The FBI bust? Sure. That's not nothing new. Your family were local celebrities. It was a big story at the time. Everything else...I found ot on my own."
I survey the room.
"I can reveal more of what I know but that wouldn't prove anything. What I'm saying is that Black Noah could use someone who can find these pieces of information. Most people wouldn't do what I do because they don't kow how. They don't know how to take advantage of the situation. They can't play with the cards dealt to them. We all want the same thing. To profit from ths business. To control and have the power. Knowledge is the key to power and while I'm sure you have your resources, I'm willing to bet they're not as accurate as me. I'm willing to bet that no one cold acquire information like me. Yo got LEO. I can't compete. Bt if you let me leave this room withot a deal in place, then I'm just going to move on to the next opportunity and who knows what I'll tell."
Ms. Budde gritted her teeth.
"For someone that sad they don't blackmail, t seems like you're trying."
"Not at all. Saying absolutes is not blackmail. I know what I'm capable of and I know if I keep looking, I'll find my niche and I'll succeed. I told you things that no one knows except for people in yor bubble. If I had a direction, a purpose, who knows what else I could do"
Ms. Budde turns to Jack, who then trns to Dante. What was interesting was that Mika couldn't take her eyes off of me. It made me wonder was she trying to see what I was made of...or was she trying to seduce me.
"I like her."
I have Mika's vote. LEO doesn't change hs expression at all. Dante whispers something to Jack. Ms. Budde just listens. Eventually, he looks back at me.
"Black Noah is a system broken down in three tiers. Inners. Outers. And Customers. Inners are everyone in this room. We are the pillars of this entire thing. We are the ones that handle the main business. Everything goes through us. Outers..outers are people who work for us. Oters are who we offer to customers when they come to s for help."
"So like Xander Valentine. Savali?"
I knew the answer. But I wanted them to know that I knew everything about them. Dante nods.
"Yes. Customers can ask for your services in which the payment is decided between you and them. However, again, everything goes through s. We have the final say as to who gets assigned to what. Now for you and LEO....you two would be Outers. I hear that you're a jack of all trades LEO. You drive, provide protection, wrestle. That's good because that makes yo flexible. I can't promise that yo'll wrestle all the tme f that's what yo're seeking, but I can promise that the money will be worth it."
LEO removes his hands out of his pockets.
"It doesn't matter what is required of me. Whatever I'm asked to do, I'll handle it without a problem. No questions asked."
He sounded so sure of himself and the way he proudly stood only backed that up. Mika smiled.
"Simple and to the point. I like that."
"That's good to hear. As for you..."
"Emila. That's my name, by the way. Emla.
That's the name I gave them.
"Given your talents...I think it would be best to see them first hand for ourselves. If yo are what yo say yo are, then I want yo to prove it. There's something I cold use your skills for. Someone to look into. If you find what I want you to find, then I'll bring yo aboard. But for now, consider this your trial run. One month."
Dante glares at me.
"One month is all I need. Tell me what you need me to find and I'll find it in two weeks."
"We'll see about that."
____________________________________________________________________________________
You know that I can't tell you what that was, right?
I hope you all understand.
And if you can't?
That's between you.
That has nothing to do with me.
All I'll say is..I proved my worth.
And now I'm into the fold. Black Noah. As an Oter.
The difference between me and LEO is that I'm not on the frontlines.
In fact, I'm a ghost.
Within the last month, Black Noah as merged with Lara Stenback's Beauty Factory. And yet, a month in and I haven't met her once.
That's because I'm not suppose to.
While LEO has quickly made himself poplar, I do my work behind the scenes.
Laura hasn't been introduced to me because I'm off the grid.
Dante wants to make sre I'm under his close eye.
I think he sees me as someone who can go undetetched if everything goes wrong.
You don't know how to respond if you never knew that Black Noah secretly had someone who could find info on you just like that.
That's fine by me.
I rather not be on TV. I rather not be known. That gives me more flexibility. More creativity.
It protects me from a potential situation where Dante finds me expendable.
Being smart is aligning yourself with a system that guarantees you money.
Being wise is having a back up if everything goes to Hell.
Like now. I find myself sitting in a bar that belongs to the one Cindy Todd not to have fun or enjoy a beverage. But to be an eye witness in case someone happens. that's what Dante told me. He wanted someone in case Cindy had any ideas of doing something to him. He was thinking ahead. Trying to at least.
He walks through the door, minutes after I placed my sit here. I turn my head briefly to him before lookng back to the bartender. I grab hold of the vodka in my heads and enjoy the contents. Jst as I do, I see a raven haired woman, dressed in a black tank top and black leather pants enter through the door that was located right next to the sink. That was Cindy Todd.
I had seen pictures of her. But never in person.
I lower my head. If I look long each, that'll give her enough of a clue as to why I'm here. Everything from this point is between and Dante. My job is done.
Our leading man walks forward closer to the bar, where Cindy stands behind the bar, eyeing hm. Music was blasting through the PA systemd and there were a few people dancing on the dance floor. Dante pushed through all of them until he was by the counter. Emila was a few seats away, but she didn't pick her head up. The only one person in his view was Cindy.
The last time they met face to face was a year ago. Before World Hazard through dinner. It wasn't the most pleasant dinner to say the least. His eyes scanned down towards her body before back p to her green eyes. Her lips were pressed together, not making it clear as to how she was feeling about seeing Dante.
With one subtle head nod, Dante pushed through the same gate and went through the door in which Cindy had opened for him. From there, the two of them were in her hallway, with her office straight ahead. To his left, Cindy's heels clicked on the brown wooden floors. Finally stepping into her office, she closes the door behind them. Cindy then appears back in view and stands in her chair across from her wooden table. Dante pulls up a chair as well.
Now seated, his eyes never drifted away from hers. And hers never drifted away from him. She keeps her body firmly rooted in her chair as does he. He maintains a straighten expression. She does the same. The air was thick. Which what exactly, he didn't know. That's why his shoulders were closed together. He had scenarios in his head as to how this would go, but he didn't expect this...whatever this is. It's been two years since she officially cut him off and so much as happened between the two.]
"You look good."[Cindy broke the ice. Dante's shoulders slightly dropped, as did his eyes.]
"Is that all?"
"You tell me. What else did you expect me to say."[Dante used his hands to straighten out his black suit jacket.]
"It's been a while and I know when you want to talk, it's not to compliment me."[Cindy adjusts her posture in her chair and lifts her chin upward.]
"That's true but...that doesn't make my comment less true."[Did you all catch that? A small, little smile shows up on her face.]
"Because it is. You look good."[Her voice was as silky as Velcro. Enough to trigger new thoughts n hs head. His eyes briefly travel below her head before looking back p.]
"Yo always look good."[Cindy leaned back in her chair, keeping her eyes on him.]
"Now, you wanted to talk to me. And I have a good idea as to what."[His voice was frm, direct, to the point.]
"So let's talk abot it."[Both remain silent. Cindy then leans forward, extending her body closer to Dante.]
"Then yo know what I want from you."[This time, her eyes grew narrow and that soothing voice transformed into an harden, unyielding presence.]
"I know you're doing well for yourself. Your Network has been a success. You merged with one of the most powerful women in the entire industry, You're the Wrestler's Spotlight on SCW.com. Everything that you have said you would do, you have done."[She then tilts her head towards him.]
"I'm not surprised. I knew what you were capable of the day we met. I saw a man that could become one of the smartest men in professional wrestling. You were smart, you were ruthless and you didn'tcare who got in your way. That's why I personally took you under my wing. I only do that to people who I see have clear potential. None of what you're doing surprises me. I knew what yo cold do."[She leans back and locks her hands together.]
"With that said...Kennedy."[Immediately, Dante's upper lip moved pward and his eyes moved arond in a circle. Cindy spots this and leans closer.]
"Don't make that look. Don't make that look at me."
"What look?"
"You know what yo're doing. You wanted to get down to the bottom of why I wanted to talk to yo, so here t s. You know how I feel about her. You know what I've told you before."[Dante crossed his arms and moves his eyebrows closer together.]
"She literally gets in my way, every fucking time. Whether it was PUNK HAZARD, or a year ago when she stick her nose in my business after my match with Amy. Or even now. She keeps getting in my way."
"Yo keep putting yourself in position to be n her way."[He turns his head away from her.]
"You keep provoking her and don't tell that you don't. Yo attack her friends, yo've attacked her family, yo know that she's going to respond if yo do these things."
"So what am I suppose to do huh? I'm just suppose to let her attack me? I'm suppose to let her get n the way of what I'm trying to accomplish? Once pon a time, we were on the same side. We were on the same page. Ad then she decided to act like a spoled btch to where Mr. D threaten to fire her and then she changes a new leaf?"
"You don't know what she's been through?"
"And? I've gone through shit too. That doesn't make her special. That does't make her unique. And that doesn't mean that she can just continue to try and ruin what I have built. Ruin what I have done. Cindy, if she tries to disrupt what I'm trying to build, I have to make sure that I protect what is mine. She does nothing for me. My bills aren't paid worrying about her. I have to protect what I have built. I have to protect my own."[Cindy leans back in her chair ad stares into the distance.]
"So do I."[Dante's eyes grow a bit bigger as he leans in..]
"Am I not included in that?"[Cindy drops her head and then turns to him. Her green eyes were large and alert.]
"Would I not be considered one of yours?"[Neither move a muscle. They only resort to glaring at one another, eyebrows close together. Cindy briefly retreats in her chair, but not losing eye contact.]
"You didn't save my life. She did."[Dante's mouth opens slightly. It was't because of what she said. He knew about this. But the way she delivered it,..the way she was looking at him. She wasn't angry or upset or even antagonist. It was one of the few moments where Cindy appeared to him, contrite. Human.]
"I owe her my life, Dante. I don't owe you anything. I'm proud of what you've become. And honestly, when you sent Max here in the summer, I wanted you to be there. I was disappointed that you didn't come because as much as yo want to beleve so, I don't want to see you fail. The fact that you are a success means that what I taught you worked."
"But as I one of your own? Am I?[His voice cracked a bit. His eyes floated around hat he heard it. He then retreated a bit. He wasn't in control of this and this was his initial reaction.]
"Cindy, I appreciate what you taught me. All the lessons you gave me but....I love you, Tamara, your family, all of it. But there's a reason why I have't gone back. You told me going after Abigail wouldn't work. And you were right. She's with Katelyn now. You knew gong after her was futile. And I know how much you enjoy that."
'Is that what you believe Dante?"
"Am I wrong? Am I?"[Dante's voice raised up a bit. Cindy lets out a sigh.]
"I didn't want to tell you that I told you so. I had foresight. I knew that Abi, eve Hannah now...that's not who you wanted. That's not who you desire the most."
.........
.......
"What happened with World Hazard last year? That wasn't me demanding a better match. That was me knowing you wanted to spite me because you thought that I wanted to just sit here and tell you that everything you thought you knew you didn't and that I was right. Dante, let me tell you this now, that's not what I wanted. An that's not how I think of you."[He looked at hr before looking away. He pressed his lips tightly.]
"I always told you...I would always be here when have no where to turn. No where to go. And that is still true, Dante. I did't lie."[Cindy then leans in.]
"But if you don't stop attacking Kennedy...then I have to do what I have to do ad if it gets to that point?"[Cindy glares at him.]
"Then I'm going to have to crumble your empire. And you'll know it's not because I want to...it's because you forced my hand."[Cindy leans back in her chair before lifting up from it. She slowly walks aroud the desk before getting to the door. Dante turns in his seat towards her.]
"I wold't give anyone else this warning. I did for you. Remember that."[She soon starts to head out of the room. Dante looks around and lets ot a lod nose. His eyes drifted all over the place. His mouth was open. How many times have we seen this ladies and gentleman?
Not many that I know of.
Bt, that'll conclude Act 30.
Tl next time.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
[A camera pans open to Dante McCaffery's face . We see nothing of the background, which means that he's holding the camera.]
Dante: Yo want to think this is a fucking game Max. You want to believe that I'm the one to play with. Unlike most people in SCW, I know you're not stupid. You're careless. You're reckless. You don't see the bigger picture. You live for moments where you can make yourself feel good. But you're not stupid. I know that abot you. And I also know what matters to you. See, we weren't close. We were partners. We worked together. We tried to make money together. That's all it was and while everyone will make a narrative and say that I stabbed you in the back, the truth is, what you and I has was simply business. And for every fucking idiot listening to this, Max has admitted to that himself.
[Dante frowns.]
Dante: he has said it himself that he didn't have this..this idea that we were friends or that we were close. None of that. We were very clear to one another the day we met and the day we decided to work together what this was. And that's why I don't understand why yo want to come after me Max. I don't get why yo can't just fucking go one with your life and enjoy however long your career will be until yo cripple yourself.
Because that's where yo're headed.
The way yo wrestle isn't sustainable. The way you wrestle isn't going to last. The way yo jmp off shit and the lack of fcks given, yo won't make it to 30. It's fun now and yo got all these people cheering yo on...but when until yo can't jmp as high. Wait until your body starts to break down. Wait until your body doesn't recover like it does now. Everyday is going to be like hell and the thing is, you will have no one to blame bt yourself.
[Dante pases.]
Dante: I saw this coming and that's why, when yo were hrt, I called yo. And I tried to convince yo to think abot the big picture. I wanted yo to think abot how yo fcked over me, Jack, Mka, Violet, every one of s at RTG becase yo wanted to have a moment. wanted yo to remember how embarrassed yo made s look when yo tried to jmp off the turnbuckle and rned the True Love Twns' chance at the Tag Team Titles. And all you told me was that even though you knew you fucked up, that you couldn't change. That this was who you were. That you couldn't change who you are.
And when yo sad that, that's when I knew we codln't work together.
But you're mad.
You're angry.
Yo want revenge. Becase yo think led to yo.
Max, I was the last person that gave yo a chance. And then you told me to go fck myself basally.
And what happened, happened.
[Dante looks at the camera.]
Dante: I'm not the one to play with, Max. I don't play games. You of all people, know how deep I can pull. You should know the resources on my side. All the people that want to get their hands on yo. So yo can keep trying to attack em and call me oUt because I can play the long game. And I ca take yo ot.
Yo know what else can do?
Beat Derek Adonis.
Something yo couldn't last week. Yo had your TV title shot. Yo earned it by pinning me two weeks ago and what dd yo do? Yo lost. Yo had a chance to prove that yo can do something by yourself and yo couldn't do t. And while normally, things like titles don't get me p n the morning, Max, Derek, this s different. This is completely different.
[Dante strokes hs chin.]
Dante: And before yo throw yor shit at me Derek, just know if you ever think about handing me your DVDs or books, I will fucking burn them, right in your face. I don't want your shit. These people might, and the people of Cleveland might line up for your KABLAM shit. But those people want anything to forget the fact that everyone outside of their city knows that it's the shithole of America.
And we can even stretch it out a bit, Derek. There might be people around the world who buy into your shit, but keep in mind these are the same people that think Kanye West or fckng..whatever celebrity wold be a good Presdent. Yo might have something that catches them now Derek and yo got them, bt how long s that gong to last?
Everything comes to an end.
Except for me and the"Network." Because we're ot blt on trends, we're blt to profit off whatever trends come yesterday, today and tomorrow. And yo, Derek, have ever profited off me n the past. Remember last year? There was a Sx Man Tag. t was me, Max and Edward Adams against yo, Manvel and someone else. Ether way, we punted that match. We wanted to make a statement and so Max jmped on top of yo with a steel char. Yo won and got yor TV title shot and guess what?
Yo won.
Yo became the TV champion. Thanks to me.
When yo look at t that way, I contributed to a bt of the KABLAM success.
{Dante looks around.]
Dante: But I don't hear any thanks yous. Not that I expected it. And now, a year later, yo are a two time TV Champion and last week you did me a favor by denying Max a taste of championship. Maybe yo say that makes us even but I disagree because I want more. Seeing Max fail isn't something I desire. I don't give a fuck what he does but he gets in my way, I'm going to end his career. With that said though, Max said two weeks ago that I don't like to get my hands dirty. That I pretend to be a pro wrestler.
And he's wrong.
I don't talk about how many times I had to wrestle in order to get here because t doesn't matter. But, Derek, his words got me thinking. I've gotten two chances at this belt. One was almost three years ago and Kennedy Street ruined it by kicking Ace Marshall in the balls. The second time was two years ago, in my hometown of Montreal an I lost to AJ. And I would be lying if I said that didn't stick with me.
I didn't want to lose in my hometown but I did. And now he has that over me forever.
Two years later, another chance has come before me. I can win the TV title against the man that Max couldn't even beat. Think about his face if he saw me holding that title up high? What would be going through his mind if he saw that TV title wrapped around my waist? What would he do if he had to admit that I was better than him?
He would lose it.
He would feel a certain way.
I do't play games. And I won't with neither of you. Me winning the TV title only adds to the Beauty Network. It only adds to the amount that we all can profit off of. When weigh the pros and cons of beating yo Derek and not beating yo, it speaks for itself. And while my stance of titles remains the same, even I can't lie and say that tomorrow night is just another night. Because tomorrow night, I can continue to gain everything that I've wanted.
Power.
The power is behind the Beauty Network. Regardless of how SCW is spilt, we have the one person who has the one thing that everyone wants. Siena Swann is the World Champion and thus, already, we have SCW on a gravitational pull. Dark Fantasy, Ace Marshall, Gio, everyone is split because they know that we control everything. So winning the TV title Derek, only adds to the leverage that we have.
That is something I can't let slip through my fingers.
Especially given how corrupt SCW management is at this moment. When I win the TV title, it will make me and the Beauty Network even more bulletproof. It'l make Max realize this is a game that he can not win. And it'll make everyone realize that I am someone that does what he says he's going to do.
Tomorrow night, in Cleveland, Derek Adonis. It's time I collect on the favor gave yo last year.
That title that I handed to yo? Is coming with me.
By the way, my I's and U's stick so some words look weird. That's why. I gotta buy some spray.
Good luck and Enjoy!)
In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.
That's never applied to me.
Because I've always had both of my eyes opened.
But when I look out. At this city. Las Vegas. City of sin. I wonder. How many of them are blind and how many don't know where they're going.
There's only one thing worse than being blind.
That's having sight, but no vision.
Ironic coming from Helen Keller.
But between the casinos, the strip clubs, the women who only provide a temporary feeling of affirmation and the general depravity and desperation to find something of value, it's hard to decide who is who and which is which. How many of them know that not of this is going to last and that all of their problems will remain in the morning? Or the fact that they're draining their financial security, their future on the approval of people they will never know on a personal level?
Knowledge is power.
The difference in any situation is knowledge. The one who holds the most wields the most power. Size doesn't matter. Looks doesn't matter. Age doesn't matter. Everything you all think matters, at the end of the day, is irrelevant in comparison to knowledge. I might not have as many friends as you or have as may followers as you on Twitter, Facebook, etc. But that's not because of anything tangible. It's not because you're a better human than me. For some of you, you just want to be seen. So the more friends you have, the more you can say that you're known.
But there's a difference.
Being smart and being wise.
It's easier for a wise person to gain knowledge than it is for a smart person to gain judgement.
Being smart is the process.
Becoming wise is the product.
Being smart is knowing you need people to open doors for you in the future. Childhood friends that eventually become your employer. College friends that eventually become lovers, recommendations, connections that get you where you want to go. Being smart is doing whatever you can to befriend people.
Being wise is knowing that the more people in your circle, the greater the chance you find a knife in your back?
Can you distinguish who is who?
Here's a scenario. A month ago.
Saturday, November 3rd, 2018.
Me, standing in front of an apartment door, knowing who awaited inside.
Me, knowing I wasn't the intended guest.
Instead, that would be the man standing a few feet away from me.
Tall, well groomed, dressed to the nines, clear shades. The only thing missing from this is a shit eating smirk from ear to ear.
Instead, his lips are pressed together. His expression is flat. His jaw is shut. His eyes, though covered by the shades, are unmoved. It's a paradox. He wears the clothing of one of the blind that parades themselves in the casinos downtown, but he walks around, like a blank space.
I know this because I've bee watching this man for he past few months,
Everywhere he goes, I've been a spectator. Every match he's had this summer. San Fran, San Jose, LA, Vegas, Reno, I've made sure I have a first hand view. I study his movements, what he does out of the ring. That consist of being a Lyft driver, being the security of a local club or a bouncer, an escort, a bodyguard. That's all I know about him. That's all I've seen.
Where he's from...
His motivations...
His background..
His family.
I do't know anything.
I only know that he's going to be my ticket to this next step in my life.
Being smart is waiting for the right moment to capitalize.
Being wise is understand when you made a mistake but use it to your advantage.
I remember looking in his direction before I turned the knob and gave the door a push. The door creaked open and the welcoming party was there to greet us.
Jack Parker.
Hannah Budde.
Mika Kozlov.
And finally....
Dante McCaffery.
Jack was seated on the couch, leisurely; hands inside his leather jacket. Mika sat on the arms rest a few inches away from him. Ms. Budde across from them, where the glass table resided, with her red heels giving her an added boost. And then there was Dante...back turned us all, peering out of the window that granted him a view of the city. The visual wasn't lost on me. With his black suit jacket ad black matching pants, he wanted to play the game where you project yourself as a big time player.
He's only twenty five. He has more maturity to go.
But like I said, age doesn't matter.
The man turns his head towards me. He wants me to walk in first.
What a gentleman, I suppose.
So that's what I do and with each step, I glare at Jack, I glare at Hannah. i wasn't the one they were planning to see. Mika's eyes travel to the man behind me. I'm not surprised with what I have seen about her. The lights were a bit dim. I don't know f that was by design or because Dante hasn't been bothered to change out a light bulb. Combined with the night sky, it's almost as if he doesn't want to be seen.
Or maybe that's what he wants us to believe.
I choose to give a small smirk. I'm already an uninvited guest. But yet, I'm not insecure with the position that I hold. Even swimming in a pool with new sharks. I know what I possess and I know what I have to do.
"You wasn't kidding Jack when you said this guy was a looker." Mika licked her lips while staring directly at the man behind me. I turned my head and he still had the same, expressionless look on his face.
Impressive, I will say.
Weaker men would have succumb to Mika's charm at first glance. I can understand why. The way her leather pants hugged her curves and how her red, strapless top exposed the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra, it's clear that she wants you to look at her first and foremost before you get to anything else. She wants you to fantasize about her so she can already build real estate in your head.
This man though...he stands firm, back straighten, eyes towards the room. He doesn't flinch from this position ad merely shoves his hands inside his pockets.
"And stylish too. What's your name?"
"LEO."
He finally spoke up, firmly.
"LEO, huh?"
"Just LEO."
Jack chimed in and Mika smirked. And at that moment, Mika turned her attention to me for the first time. She stands up and moves a step forward.
Her eyes traveled from my eyes.
To my face.
To my body.
To my legs.
And back up again. She then puts her chin underneath her left knuckle and glares at me, longingly.
"Dante, I thought you told me there was only going to be one person coming, not two."
Jack folds his arms.
"We did but...."
His eyebrows arch up when he looks in my direction. Ms. Budde's eyes narrow.
"Who are you?"
She asked, harshly. It seemed so natural. That must be how she always greet people. She then looks to the man.
"We didn't tell you to bring any guest."
That's where I step in.
"Don't crucify him. He didn't bring me. I decided to tag along. It's only fair considering we share the same interest here."
Now Ms. Budde is the one folding her arms, though she's easy to read. Her nostrils flared immediately after I spoke.
"Woman, we don't even know you from a hole in the wall. What the hell are you talking about? And who the hell are you?"
I chuckle.
They want to be in control.
"My name is not important. But what is important is the fact that you two made an offer to someone that I had been keeping a close eye on. Someone who I was personally paying attention to. I am new to the professional wrestling business but I'm not new to professional wrestling."
I close my mouth. And speak again.
"I know friends who are currently involved in this business and while I've never been the athletic type, I've always wanted to find a way in. I am well educated. I have a Masters in Business and Communications. I say this not to impress any of you but to simply establish who I am. Because that degree? Doesn't mean a fucking thing to you. But what it does mean is that I know an opportunity when one presents itself. And this man, was that opportunity."
"Yeah, yeah that's nice and all. But, we don't need your life story ok?"
I smirk.
But not because I waned to be inviting.
Jack's ignorance...I see why he's called the Bastard.
But this is not the place for me to feed his ego by reacting.
"This man was going to be my opportunity in. Because while I can't wrestle myself, I can lead. And I've seen people who just as successful out of the ring as those in it. Laura Steinback comes to mind. I know you all know her. But...how convenient that the night I got to make my move, you Jack and you Hannah..."
"That's Ms. Budde to you."
She wants control.
"My apologies. Ms. Budde...came underneath me and snagged LEO from under me."
"And that's why you came here? To call foul? Is that why you made LEO here drag you along?"
She has a perception of me that's not accurate to who I am. I can't let that continue. I present to her a straight face and make sure she's making eye contact with me.
"On the contrary. I came because if you're going to take LEO and my opportunity, then you'll take me too."
Ms. Budde let out a dismissive sound, as if she was writing me off. Jack had this incredulous look on his face as if I had just said that I could fly. Mika takes a step back, sizing me up. A strange reaction, I think.
"So you think just because we were quicker to the draw with LEO here that we should feel pity for you?"
Jack chuckled harshly.
"Get real. We're not a charity case."
"Nor do I need your charity."
"Then why are you here then? Huh? What did you think was going to happen? What were you thinking?"
Ms. Budde starts walking closer to me.
"Did you blackmail LEO to come here? If you did, it wasn't worth it."
"I didn't need to blackmail. I don't need to resort that low. All I told, all I asked him, was did you guys offer him a spot in your...Network. We didn't even get on the same plane. I simply fond out the day he was coming here and came here at the exact same time."
"So you're a stalker?"
"Far from it. I just do my due diligence. I look into everything and make sure I never go into anything blind. That's what the Network...that's what you guys pride yourselves on right?"
I turn to everyone in the room.
"Network...my mistake. I meant...Black Noah."
"How do you know that name?"
Immediately, finally, Dante decides to join in the living room. His piercing green eyes lock on mine as if he's trying to study me. Jack perked up a bit also. I got his attention now.
"Does it matter?"
"Who told you?
He looks towards Jack and Ms. Budde.
"Did yo-"
"Don't look at me. I didn't say anything."
"They're telling the truth. No one in this room told me yor true name."
"Who did?"
Does he really think I would tell that easy?
"Does it matter? If I told you, it woldn't change the fact that I know. Besides, it doesn't take that much to dig for something if you know where to look. Knowledge can always be found but it takes someone willing to do whatever it takes to find it."
Jack and Ms. Budde keep their eyes on me. Mika just has this wry smile on her face. Dante looks at me, waiting for me to say something next.
"See the minute I knew I was coming here, I made sure I knew what I was walking into. In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king. You all thought I was here because I was upset that you guys took away my chance to manage LEO here. If anything, I have myself to blame. I should have made my move quicker but I didn't expect anyone to covet him. That's my mistake. I shold have seen that coming given what LEO is capable of. But I'm not beating myself up becase when one doors closes, another one opens."
......
"I'm not here to compete. I can't compete with any of yo. Yo work for the biggest wrestling promotion n the world. You can throw more money to him that I can even imagine. I can't promise him a chance to be on national TV. And that's where I say you have me best. But, it would be foolish of me to jst simply be upset over something that I had no control of. And so, I'm here because I, like LEO, want to be included. I want to be in Black Noah."
There was a eerie silence that echoed throughot the room. I cold hear my thoughts clearly.
"And what do you want to accomplish? We don't have spots for managers. Not to mention, you might know or real name, bt that doesn't mean give you a claim to join. We don't even know what yo have to offer."
"That's fair, Dante. Yo're a business man, like your family. I figured you of all people wold understand turning lemons into lemonade. After all, this wasn't what you wanted right? You thought you wold be at the head of your family's business. You and your sister Catherine..."
Dante's eyes lit up. With each piece of knowledge that I reveal, the more control I gain. I don't even think everyone in this room knows what I know.
"Only to find out they used your inheritance to fund their illegal activities."
"How do you know? Did you get that from the news?"
"The FBI bust? Sure. That's not nothing new. Your family were local celebrities. It was a big story at the time. Everything else...I found ot on my own."
I survey the room.
"I can reveal more of what I know but that wouldn't prove anything. What I'm saying is that Black Noah could use someone who can find these pieces of information. Most people wouldn't do what I do because they don't kow how. They don't know how to take advantage of the situation. They can't play with the cards dealt to them. We all want the same thing. To profit from ths business. To control and have the power. Knowledge is the key to power and while I'm sure you have your resources, I'm willing to bet they're not as accurate as me. I'm willing to bet that no one cold acquire information like me. Yo got LEO. I can't compete. Bt if you let me leave this room withot a deal in place, then I'm just going to move on to the next opportunity and who knows what I'll tell."
Ms. Budde gritted her teeth.
"For someone that sad they don't blackmail, t seems like you're trying."
"Not at all. Saying absolutes is not blackmail. I know what I'm capable of and I know if I keep looking, I'll find my niche and I'll succeed. I told you things that no one knows except for people in yor bubble. If I had a direction, a purpose, who knows what else I could do"
Ms. Budde turns to Jack, who then trns to Dante. What was interesting was that Mika couldn't take her eyes off of me. It made me wonder was she trying to see what I was made of...or was she trying to seduce me.
"I like her."
I have Mika's vote. LEO doesn't change hs expression at all. Dante whispers something to Jack. Ms. Budde just listens. Eventually, he looks back at me.
"Black Noah is a system broken down in three tiers. Inners. Outers. And Customers. Inners are everyone in this room. We are the pillars of this entire thing. We are the ones that handle the main business. Everything goes through us. Outers..outers are people who work for us. Oters are who we offer to customers when they come to s for help."
"So like Xander Valentine. Savali?"
I knew the answer. But I wanted them to know that I knew everything about them. Dante nods.
"Yes. Customers can ask for your services in which the payment is decided between you and them. However, again, everything goes through s. We have the final say as to who gets assigned to what. Now for you and LEO....you two would be Outers. I hear that you're a jack of all trades LEO. You drive, provide protection, wrestle. That's good because that makes yo flexible. I can't promise that yo'll wrestle all the tme f that's what yo're seeking, but I can promise that the money will be worth it."
LEO removes his hands out of his pockets.
"It doesn't matter what is required of me. Whatever I'm asked to do, I'll handle it without a problem. No questions asked."
He sounded so sure of himself and the way he proudly stood only backed that up. Mika smiled.
"Simple and to the point. I like that."
"That's good to hear. As for you..."
"Emila. That's my name, by the way. Emla.
That's the name I gave them.
"Given your talents...I think it would be best to see them first hand for ourselves. If yo are what yo say yo are, then I want yo to prove it. There's something I cold use your skills for. Someone to look into. If you find what I want you to find, then I'll bring yo aboard. But for now, consider this your trial run. One month."
Dante glares at me.
"One month is all I need. Tell me what you need me to find and I'll find it in two weeks."
"We'll see about that."
____________________________________________________________________________________
You know that I can't tell you what that was, right?
I hope you all understand.
And if you can't?
That's between you.
That has nothing to do with me.
All I'll say is..I proved my worth.
And now I'm into the fold. Black Noah. As an Oter.
The difference between me and LEO is that I'm not on the frontlines.
In fact, I'm a ghost.
Within the last month, Black Noah as merged with Lara Stenback's Beauty Factory. And yet, a month in and I haven't met her once.
That's because I'm not suppose to.
While LEO has quickly made himself poplar, I do my work behind the scenes.
Laura hasn't been introduced to me because I'm off the grid.
Dante wants to make sre I'm under his close eye.
I think he sees me as someone who can go undetetched if everything goes wrong.
You don't know how to respond if you never knew that Black Noah secretly had someone who could find info on you just like that.
That's fine by me.
I rather not be on TV. I rather not be known. That gives me more flexibility. More creativity.
It protects me from a potential situation where Dante finds me expendable.
Being smart is aligning yourself with a system that guarantees you money.
Being wise is having a back up if everything goes to Hell.
Like now. I find myself sitting in a bar that belongs to the one Cindy Todd not to have fun or enjoy a beverage. But to be an eye witness in case someone happens. that's what Dante told me. He wanted someone in case Cindy had any ideas of doing something to him. He was thinking ahead. Trying to at least.
He walks through the door, minutes after I placed my sit here. I turn my head briefly to him before lookng back to the bartender. I grab hold of the vodka in my heads and enjoy the contents. Jst as I do, I see a raven haired woman, dressed in a black tank top and black leather pants enter through the door that was located right next to the sink. That was Cindy Todd.
I had seen pictures of her. But never in person.
I lower my head. If I look long each, that'll give her enough of a clue as to why I'm here. Everything from this point is between and Dante. My job is done.
Our leading man walks forward closer to the bar, where Cindy stands behind the bar, eyeing hm. Music was blasting through the PA systemd and there were a few people dancing on the dance floor. Dante pushed through all of them until he was by the counter. Emila was a few seats away, but she didn't pick her head up. The only one person in his view was Cindy.
The last time they met face to face was a year ago. Before World Hazard through dinner. It wasn't the most pleasant dinner to say the least. His eyes scanned down towards her body before back p to her green eyes. Her lips were pressed together, not making it clear as to how she was feeling about seeing Dante.
With one subtle head nod, Dante pushed through the same gate and went through the door in which Cindy had opened for him. From there, the two of them were in her hallway, with her office straight ahead. To his left, Cindy's heels clicked on the brown wooden floors. Finally stepping into her office, she closes the door behind them. Cindy then appears back in view and stands in her chair across from her wooden table. Dante pulls up a chair as well.
Now seated, his eyes never drifted away from hers. And hers never drifted away from him. She keeps her body firmly rooted in her chair as does he. He maintains a straighten expression. She does the same. The air was thick. Which what exactly, he didn't know. That's why his shoulders were closed together. He had scenarios in his head as to how this would go, but he didn't expect this...whatever this is. It's been two years since she officially cut him off and so much as happened between the two.]
"You look good."[Cindy broke the ice. Dante's shoulders slightly dropped, as did his eyes.]
"Is that all?"
"You tell me. What else did you expect me to say."[Dante used his hands to straighten out his black suit jacket.]
"It's been a while and I know when you want to talk, it's not to compliment me."[Cindy adjusts her posture in her chair and lifts her chin upward.]
"That's true but...that doesn't make my comment less true."[Did you all catch that? A small, little smile shows up on her face.]
"Because it is. You look good."[Her voice was as silky as Velcro. Enough to trigger new thoughts n hs head. His eyes briefly travel below her head before looking back p.]
"Yo always look good."[Cindy leaned back in her chair, keeping her eyes on him.]
"Now, you wanted to talk to me. And I have a good idea as to what."[His voice was frm, direct, to the point.]
"So let's talk abot it."[Both remain silent. Cindy then leans forward, extending her body closer to Dante.]
"Then yo know what I want from you."[This time, her eyes grew narrow and that soothing voice transformed into an harden, unyielding presence.]
"I know you're doing well for yourself. Your Network has been a success. You merged with one of the most powerful women in the entire industry, You're the Wrestler's Spotlight on SCW.com. Everything that you have said you would do, you have done."[She then tilts her head towards him.]
"I'm not surprised. I knew what you were capable of the day we met. I saw a man that could become one of the smartest men in professional wrestling. You were smart, you were ruthless and you didn'tcare who got in your way. That's why I personally took you under my wing. I only do that to people who I see have clear potential. None of what you're doing surprises me. I knew what yo cold do."[She leans back and locks her hands together.]
"With that said...Kennedy."[Immediately, Dante's upper lip moved pward and his eyes moved arond in a circle. Cindy spots this and leans closer.]
"Don't make that look. Don't make that look at me."
"What look?"
"You know what yo're doing. You wanted to get down to the bottom of why I wanted to talk to yo, so here t s. You know how I feel about her. You know what I've told you before."[Dante crossed his arms and moves his eyebrows closer together.]
"She literally gets in my way, every fucking time. Whether it was PUNK HAZARD, or a year ago when she stick her nose in my business after my match with Amy. Or even now. She keeps getting in my way."
"Yo keep putting yourself in position to be n her way."[He turns his head away from her.]
"You keep provoking her and don't tell that you don't. Yo attack her friends, yo've attacked her family, yo know that she's going to respond if yo do these things."
"So what am I suppose to do huh? I'm just suppose to let her attack me? I'm suppose to let her get n the way of what I'm trying to accomplish? Once pon a time, we were on the same side. We were on the same page. Ad then she decided to act like a spoled btch to where Mr. D threaten to fire her and then she changes a new leaf?"
"You don't know what she's been through?"
"And? I've gone through shit too. That doesn't make her special. That does't make her unique. And that doesn't mean that she can just continue to try and ruin what I have built. Ruin what I have done. Cindy, if she tries to disrupt what I'm trying to build, I have to make sure that I protect what is mine. She does nothing for me. My bills aren't paid worrying about her. I have to protect what I have built. I have to protect my own."[Cindy leans back in her chair ad stares into the distance.]
"So do I."[Dante's eyes grow a bit bigger as he leans in..]
"Am I not included in that?"[Cindy drops her head and then turns to him. Her green eyes were large and alert.]
"Would I not be considered one of yours?"[Neither move a muscle. They only resort to glaring at one another, eyebrows close together. Cindy briefly retreats in her chair, but not losing eye contact.]
"You didn't save my life. She did."[Dante's mouth opens slightly. It was't because of what she said. He knew about this. But the way she delivered it,..the way she was looking at him. She wasn't angry or upset or even antagonist. It was one of the few moments where Cindy appeared to him, contrite. Human.]
"I owe her my life, Dante. I don't owe you anything. I'm proud of what you've become. And honestly, when you sent Max here in the summer, I wanted you to be there. I was disappointed that you didn't come because as much as yo want to beleve so, I don't want to see you fail. The fact that you are a success means that what I taught you worked."
"But as I one of your own? Am I?[His voice cracked a bit. His eyes floated around hat he heard it. He then retreated a bit. He wasn't in control of this and this was his initial reaction.]
"Cindy, I appreciate what you taught me. All the lessons you gave me but....I love you, Tamara, your family, all of it. But there's a reason why I have't gone back. You told me going after Abigail wouldn't work. And you were right. She's with Katelyn now. You knew gong after her was futile. And I know how much you enjoy that."
'Is that what you believe Dante?"
"Am I wrong? Am I?"[Dante's voice raised up a bit. Cindy lets out a sigh.]
"I didn't want to tell you that I told you so. I had foresight. I knew that Abi, eve Hannah now...that's not who you wanted. That's not who you desire the most."
.........
.......
"What happened with World Hazard last year? That wasn't me demanding a better match. That was me knowing you wanted to spite me because you thought that I wanted to just sit here and tell you that everything you thought you knew you didn't and that I was right. Dante, let me tell you this now, that's not what I wanted. An that's not how I think of you."[He looked at hr before looking away. He pressed his lips tightly.]
"I always told you...I would always be here when have no where to turn. No where to go. And that is still true, Dante. I did't lie."[Cindy then leans in.]
"But if you don't stop attacking Kennedy...then I have to do what I have to do ad if it gets to that point?"[Cindy glares at him.]
"Then I'm going to have to crumble your empire. And you'll know it's not because I want to...it's because you forced my hand."[Cindy leans back in her chair before lifting up from it. She slowly walks aroud the desk before getting to the door. Dante turns in his seat towards her.]
"I wold't give anyone else this warning. I did for you. Remember that."[She soon starts to head out of the room. Dante looks around and lets ot a lod nose. His eyes drifted all over the place. His mouth was open. How many times have we seen this ladies and gentleman?
Not many that I know of.
Bt, that'll conclude Act 30.
Tl next time.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
[A camera pans open to Dante McCaffery's face . We see nothing of the background, which means that he's holding the camera.]
Dante: Yo want to think this is a fucking game Max. You want to believe that I'm the one to play with. Unlike most people in SCW, I know you're not stupid. You're careless. You're reckless. You don't see the bigger picture. You live for moments where you can make yourself feel good. But you're not stupid. I know that abot you. And I also know what matters to you. See, we weren't close. We were partners. We worked together. We tried to make money together. That's all it was and while everyone will make a narrative and say that I stabbed you in the back, the truth is, what you and I has was simply business. And for every fucking idiot listening to this, Max has admitted to that himself.
[Dante frowns.]
Dante: he has said it himself that he didn't have this..this idea that we were friends or that we were close. None of that. We were very clear to one another the day we met and the day we decided to work together what this was. And that's why I don't understand why yo want to come after me Max. I don't get why yo can't just fucking go one with your life and enjoy however long your career will be until yo cripple yourself.
Because that's where yo're headed.
The way yo wrestle isn't sustainable. The way you wrestle isn't going to last. The way yo jmp off shit and the lack of fcks given, yo won't make it to 30. It's fun now and yo got all these people cheering yo on...but when until yo can't jmp as high. Wait until your body starts to break down. Wait until your body doesn't recover like it does now. Everyday is going to be like hell and the thing is, you will have no one to blame bt yourself.
[Dante pases.]
Dante: I saw this coming and that's why, when yo were hrt, I called yo. And I tried to convince yo to think abot the big picture. I wanted yo to think abot how yo fcked over me, Jack, Mka, Violet, every one of s at RTG becase yo wanted to have a moment. wanted yo to remember how embarrassed yo made s look when yo tried to jmp off the turnbuckle and rned the True Love Twns' chance at the Tag Team Titles. And all you told me was that even though you knew you fucked up, that you couldn't change. That this was who you were. That you couldn't change who you are.
And when yo sad that, that's when I knew we codln't work together.
But you're mad.
You're angry.
Yo want revenge. Becase yo think led to yo.
Max, I was the last person that gave yo a chance. And then you told me to go fck myself basally.
And what happened, happened.
[Dante looks at the camera.]
Dante: I'm not the one to play with, Max. I don't play games. You of all people, know how deep I can pull. You should know the resources on my side. All the people that want to get their hands on yo. So yo can keep trying to attack em and call me oUt because I can play the long game. And I ca take yo ot.
Yo know what else can do?
Beat Derek Adonis.
Something yo couldn't last week. Yo had your TV title shot. Yo earned it by pinning me two weeks ago and what dd yo do? Yo lost. Yo had a chance to prove that yo can do something by yourself and yo couldn't do t. And while normally, things like titles don't get me p n the morning, Max, Derek, this s different. This is completely different.
[Dante strokes hs chin.]
Dante: And before yo throw yor shit at me Derek, just know if you ever think about handing me your DVDs or books, I will fucking burn them, right in your face. I don't want your shit. These people might, and the people of Cleveland might line up for your KABLAM shit. But those people want anything to forget the fact that everyone outside of their city knows that it's the shithole of America.
And we can even stretch it out a bit, Derek. There might be people around the world who buy into your shit, but keep in mind these are the same people that think Kanye West or fckng..whatever celebrity wold be a good Presdent. Yo might have something that catches them now Derek and yo got them, bt how long s that gong to last?
Everything comes to an end.
Except for me and the"Network." Because we're ot blt on trends, we're blt to profit off whatever trends come yesterday, today and tomorrow. And yo, Derek, have ever profited off me n the past. Remember last year? There was a Sx Man Tag. t was me, Max and Edward Adams against yo, Manvel and someone else. Ether way, we punted that match. We wanted to make a statement and so Max jmped on top of yo with a steel char. Yo won and got yor TV title shot and guess what?
Yo won.
Yo became the TV champion. Thanks to me.
When yo look at t that way, I contributed to a bt of the KABLAM success.
{Dante looks around.]
Dante: But I don't hear any thanks yous. Not that I expected it. And now, a year later, yo are a two time TV Champion and last week you did me a favor by denying Max a taste of championship. Maybe yo say that makes us even but I disagree because I want more. Seeing Max fail isn't something I desire. I don't give a fuck what he does but he gets in my way, I'm going to end his career. With that said though, Max said two weeks ago that I don't like to get my hands dirty. That I pretend to be a pro wrestler.
And he's wrong.
I don't talk about how many times I had to wrestle in order to get here because t doesn't matter. But, Derek, his words got me thinking. I've gotten two chances at this belt. One was almost three years ago and Kennedy Street ruined it by kicking Ace Marshall in the balls. The second time was two years ago, in my hometown of Montreal an I lost to AJ. And I would be lying if I said that didn't stick with me.
I didn't want to lose in my hometown but I did. And now he has that over me forever.
Two years later, another chance has come before me. I can win the TV title against the man that Max couldn't even beat. Think about his face if he saw me holding that title up high? What would be going through his mind if he saw that TV title wrapped around my waist? What would he do if he had to admit that I was better than him?
He would lose it.
He would feel a certain way.
I do't play games. And I won't with neither of you. Me winning the TV title only adds to the Beauty Network. It only adds to the amount that we all can profit off of. When weigh the pros and cons of beating yo Derek and not beating yo, it speaks for itself. And while my stance of titles remains the same, even I can't lie and say that tomorrow night is just another night. Because tomorrow night, I can continue to gain everything that I've wanted.
Power.
The power is behind the Beauty Network. Regardless of how SCW is spilt, we have the one person who has the one thing that everyone wants. Siena Swann is the World Champion and thus, already, we have SCW on a gravitational pull. Dark Fantasy, Ace Marshall, Gio, everyone is split because they know that we control everything. So winning the TV title Derek, only adds to the leverage that we have.
That is something I can't let slip through my fingers.
Especially given how corrupt SCW management is at this moment. When I win the TV title, it will make me and the Beauty Network even more bulletproof. It'l make Max realize this is a game that he can not win. And it'll make everyone realize that I am someone that does what he says he's going to do.
Tomorrow night, in Cleveland, Derek Adonis. It's time I collect on the favor gave yo last year.
That title that I handed to yo? Is coming with me.