[C. Vincent] - Point of Views - [FoCuS]
Jan 12, 2021 0:48:56 GMT -5
lajohnnystylez, Miss Michelle, and 2 more like this
Post by Cam Vincent on Jan 12, 2021 0:48:56 GMT -5
It has been a thing in this business for years, no matter the “brand,” that in order to promote a major upcoming event, you have some of the people participating interact with those that they are doing it for. While OPW has made it known that they are a brand that walks to the beat of their own drum, this is something that does not change no matter what. The only difference between wrestlers now versus those of the “Good ol’ Days” is that previously, these events were still used as a shoot. Wrestlers would sit in character for hours doing their best not to break kayfabe. Nowadays since the entertainer role is more at the forefront, fans get to see the lighter side of the very people that in just a matter of days, hours or minutes will be trying to beat each for whatever reason with zero remorse.
In a room amongst many, we find Cameron Vincent sitting at a booth signing autographs, taking photos and making banter. He was the one chosen to be the “Face of FoCuS” for this event just like he was chosen to represent them in the tag title match this weekend via the Free Bird rules. While he understood the latter considering how stacked this card is with his stable members, he was pretty sure that he drew the short straw for the former. Cam himself knows, much like everyone else, that aside from the “Bold and the Brood-iful” Stephen Stratford, he’s probably the least likely of their rag tag group to lose themselves to the wiles of New Orleans.
Whatever fate it was that has Cam at this event, he doesn’t seem to be upset about it in the least. He’s actually quite surprised by the turnout of fans coming to his booth. It’s not because of lack of appeal since he knows he can sell out any show but because of the range of the fans. He’s had older fans tell him stories of how he was a favorite of theirs and that they are glad he’s back. He’s had younger fans tell him stories of how they watched and loved his matches from back in the day.
While there has been a lot to take in, everything has been so rapid as well. Fans are only allowed 5 minutes with the Stars in order to keep lines moving and the ushers are being pretty strict about it. Cam finishes signing and saying goodbye to the person in front of him. When they step to the side, he sees that his next fan is a little girl that can’t be any older than twelve. The little girl begins to approach with excitement once the usher tells her it’s clear to do so.
“What can I do for you?” he asks while taking a sip from a half empty water bottle in front of him. Knowing how much talking he has been doing, he motions to a staff member that he would like another bottle brought to him.
“I want an interview!” the girl said in both a fashion that relayed excitement but also let him know how serious she was about it.
“An interview?” Cam responds taken aback a bit. “Don’t think I’ve been asked that before. I’m also not 100% sure how much of an interview can be done in five minutes. How about a picture instead?”
“No! Well… maybe that too but I still want the interview.” At this point, it is abundantly clear that this little girl is not going to be content with anything less than an interview with Cam.
“I am so sorry!” another voice says. “She can be a little demanding, especially when it comes to her all-time favorite wrestler” the voice continues.
“I’m flattered but that can’t be possible. Based upon my guesstimation, she’s had more access to other top wrestlers than she has to me unless she’s just grown up watching my stuff from before…” The final words are carried off into the wind as Cam looks up and finally makes eye contact with the chaperone he had been talking to.
Cam has a sixth sense of sorts. Just from looking, he could tell that the person standing before him is about 5 feet 7 inches, one hundred forty pounds and quite possibly one of the most beautiful people he has ever laid eyes on. If he had to fathom a guess, they were around the same age as well.
“It’s partially my fault. I was your biggest fan growing up so when my little sister here showed an interest in wrestling, I kind of force fed her your matches.” the brown-skinned beauty standing before him said.
“So she was groomed into watching greatness.” Cam replied with a smirk.
“I guess she was.”
“I’ll tell you what,” he said, focusing his attention back to his young fan standing before him. “I have yet to turn a fan away and I don’t plan on starting now. I can’t give you the interview at this very moment but if you hang out and wait, once I’m done here, I’ll answer whatever questions you have.”
The young girl shrieked with excitement. “Awesome! We’ll be waiting right over there.” she says pointing to the wall that is next to a nearby concession area. “Don’t forget!”
“I won’t, I promise.”
The two fans walk off both giggling. Cam shakes his head and finishes his opened bottle of water before cracking open the next one. Once the two ecstatic fans are a safe distance, the usher gives the next person in line the okay to approach the booth. This process went on for about another thirty minutes approximately before they began to shut down the booths as the event was nearing its end.
After finishing his last photo and signature, Cam grabbed his duffle bag and headed over to the location designated by his little soon-to-be interviewer. As promised, the two were standing there eagerly awaiting his presence. He pushes through the crowd standing in between them, giving elbow bumps instead of handshakes and laughing with fans he comes across until he makes it to the two.
“Sorry about that.”
“Don’t mention it, you’re still a big draw in this business. I’m glad to see it."
“Thanks” Cam replies with a smile.
“You ready to do this?” Cam’s little interviewer injects, clearly impatient due to her excitement.
“Well before we start, how about you tell me your name. It would be nice to know who’s prying around.” he says.
“I’m Ella and she’s Nicole but everyone calls her Nikki.” she replies before diving straight into her questioning. “So coming off of a big win with FoCuS member J-Mont, how are you feeling about your upcoming match with the other Montuori brother and going against The Riggs Legacy and The Cure?”
Cam is clearly taken aback by the conciseness of the question given to him by this twelve year old. It is clear that she is taking this seriously and is quite possibly considering making this a career at some point. Being caught off guard, he rubs his head answering. He makes the mistake of making eye contact with Ella, who is both growing impatient and brimming with excitement at what is occurring.
“Honestly, I’m great. Couldn’t be any better. Me and Mont number one did exactly what we told Vincent Black and Johnny Stylez we were going to do. We stepped into that ring, looked them dead in their eyes and proceeded to break them… well at least Johnny. Black is a lot stronger. I’m pretty sure he took the loss a lot better and will use it as a measuring stick.”
Ella is staring at him with the “please continue” eyes. Nikki is paying attention as if she is reliving her younger years. Being a person of the people, Cam begins to slide into character even more.
“As for my match this week with Mont number two, I’m not expecting anything different. Is Paul a wildcard? Hell yea. Is he a liability? Absolutely not. If he was, him and Moore wouldn’t have brought the tag gold home to the family. This week, it’s me and him defending our baby and no… I don’t mean that goat. As for our opponents, this is clearly this week I make it my personal job to destroy The Riggs Legacy. I’ve only been back a couple of weeks and I’m tired of hearing the name Riggs. There’s really only one Riggs that matters and I wish management would quit using us to carry the B squad to relevance.”
“And what about The Cure?”
“What about them? I’m not going to waste my breath trying to speak on people I know absolutely nothing about. They weren’t around when I was last here and while they may be talented, they haven’t done anything that sticks out since I’ve been here. I will say this much though, even with what little I know of The Cure, I know enough to say they’re the second best time match. It’s unfortunate that second place is just the first place loser.”
The concession area in which they are standing has now become the scene of an impromptu shoot. Fans have gathered and are paying close attention to both the young interviewer and the person she is interviewing. Staff is in the vicinity trying to clear everyone out but Cam signals to them to leave the situation alone.
“What about after the Pay-Per-View? Any plans?”
“Aside from continuing to carry this business like I always have? Nothing in particular. Johnny boy can keep lining them up and I’ll keep knocking them down. If he’s feeling froggy, I’ll run through his punk ass like a hot knife through butter again. IF I had to choose though, there’s a title or two out there that needs a new home and what better place then right around my waist?” he says as his abdominal area.
“You vaguely mentioned a title, any in particular?”
“There’s the Prestige, the X-Tradition, the Imm-... well the Immortal is probably coming home with Dark and Stormy so I won’t list that one but you get the idea.”
The not so little gathering OHs and AHs at his response. Cam is in the zone. Ella is in the zone. Even Nikki is in the zone. Fortunately, she is within eye shot of a clock. After the shock of the time passes, she leans down and whispers to Ella that she should probably wrap it up with one last question.
Young Ella has a look of ponderance on her face before posing her final question. “If you opponents were standing right here, right now… what would you say to them?”
“There won’t be much talking going on if I’m being honest. The time for talking has passed. We’re now in the PtP stage…”
“P-t-P stage?” Ella inquires.
“Pillar to post. As in me and Paul kicking all four asses from one to the other. Now while I’m pretty sure my opponents have come out, opened their mouths and said a lot of the normal hoopla rhetoric, I’m also sure I really don’t give a game. It’s all the same, it always is. Nothing changes. It’s always them standing in front of the tens of fans they may or may not have and showing the world how they chew gum with the butts with pop shit. Let me ask you a question Ella, do you cook?”
“No. I’m twelve but Nikki cooks.” she responds confused.
“Well then let me share a recipe with both you and big sister Nikki. No need to write it down, it’s easy to remember. You take one part of people's opinion. You take one part of their hopes/dreams/aspirations. You water that down with what they claim they are capable of. You throw in a little of your awesomeness and season it with a nice boot. You heard me, I said a boot. You find one of them big wooden spoons.” Cam says now looking at Nikki. “Ah, I see that smile. You that spoon I’m talking about.” he says with a smirk before shifting his attention back to Ella. “You take that spoon. You stir everything up real nice. You find an oven, a bonfire, hell even a match would do. You warm it up briefly then turn that sumbitch sideways and STICK IT STRAIGHT UP THEIR CANDY… wait, I feel like that’s infringement waiting to happen. You’re a smart kid. Forget the recipe. You get the gist. Come Drugs, Sex and Rock-n-Roll… those tag titles are staying where they belong.”
As his words clearly strike a chord with those around him, Cam takes a swig from his water bottle as the fans continue to cheer as the arena staff finally get the okay to clear them out. Ella seems to be rather pleased with herself and the questions she asked. While Nikki is able to keep it together a little better than her sister, anyone with eyes can tell how elated she is as well.
“Well there you have it. Great questions by the way.” Cam is now signing a poster that he pulled out of his duffle bag to give his young fan. “Oh yea, sorry about the language. I got caught up in the moment.”
“It's all part of the job.” Ella retorts. “I wouldn’t expect any less.”
“She really is 12 going on 22.”
“That’s an understatement.” Nikki replies with a laugh looking down at her younger sister. “Hey, uh, Cam… this may be a little out of pocket but I have something I’ve been debating on giving you since I heard you’d be here.”
Confused, Cam remains speechless as Nikki reaches into a little backpack that she has been carrying around. Nothing is triggering him to be worried since all bags were thoroughly checked as patrons entered the building… he hopes. After fiddling around inside of her bag for a moment, Nikki pulls out what appears to be a business card and holds it in front of Cam.
“All of the numbers on this card come directly to me. I’d say that I would love to see you again but that’s a guarantee since we’ll be front row at the Pay-Per-View, so instead I’ll say that I hope to hear from you before… or after the event. Maybe even both.” she says with a grin and Cam takes the card from in between her fingers.
“Stalker much Nicole…” Ella says with a schoolgirl chuckle.
“Shut up and let's go!” her sister replies, trying not to show embarrassment.
Before the gravity of the situation that just transpired can fully set in, there is a faint vibration coming from Cam’s bag. He reaches inside of it, dropping the card in there and pulling his phone out.
“Home of the Whopper, what’s ya beef?” he answers. ”Paul who?” he replies next, clearly confused. “Oh, Paul Mont. What’s up dude?” Cam is now making his way towards the superstar parking lot. “Uh… where you at?”
He has now made it to the parking lot while his tag team partner is still on the phone rambling. Knowing what he knows about Paul Montuori, he grows more concerned with each part of this conversation.
“Who the fuck is we?” he asks part concerned, part irritated. “Did you say… goat?” a completely not shocked Cam asks. “On God, if that goat shits in my car Paul…” Cam is now clearly exasperated at the events transpiring before his very eyes. “What?... Shut up. I’ll be there.”
20 Minutes Later
“Killa Cam! Wadap doe?!”
“Wadap doe?” Cam replies in an inquisitive and mocking fashion.
“Hey Cam, what is up.. I don’t know if you’ve met GOAT yet. Killa Cam, GOAT, GOAT, Killa Cam.” Paul retorts
“Baaaaahhhhh..” the goat replies as well, as if he’s part of the conversation amongst friends
“Uh..”
A flabbergasted Cam stares in the back of his car utterly speechless at the sight of a goat wearing a beer hat and a “FBI Full Body Inspector” t-shirt with its neck covered in beads. Pauls has his arm around said goat as it sways from side to side, eyes almost rolling in the back of his head.
“I’ve got so many questions, but I won’t ask. Where we going?”
“Monte Carlo Motel off 10 and Chef Menteur. I sent you the pin.”
“Alright.. You know you can sit up front right?”
“Yeah, but GOAT doesn’t look too good. Might need to open the door fast. He can’t really grab things, on the account of not having any fingers..”
“Good point..”
Cam pulls off and begins to head towards the destination that Paul sent him. One can only wonder what is going on in his head but many would be correct in assuming its a combination of “what the fuck” and “has this really become my life?”
“Aww fuck GOAT. Let me help you with your seatbelt.” Paul says as he reaches over and puts the goat’s seatbelt on for him. “Kanye actually taught me about wearing my seatbelt. “Thank God I ain't too cool for the safe belt.” Changed my whole outlook on life. If Yeezy wasn’t too cool to wear it, and it saved his life, then that’d be enough for me ya know? These kats at the PPV wish they had a seatbelt to save them from the two of us. Killa Cam and Paul Montuori, tag partners, defending the OPW Immortal Tag Team Championships. Have we ever teamed before? Don’t matter. When two of the illest are teaming up, nothing else matters. I don’t even have to make any sense, people already know the deal. I’m automatically a shoo-in to win. Win all this shit. We’re a shoo-in to win. Riggs Legacy? Pft.. Those two and their papi have a win over FoCuS, but that’s because that Uce Chase was in the match. Whatever happened to him?”
Cam looks like he’s about to begin explaining to Paul again what happened with his protege, Chase Aiga but is rudely interrupted.
“Bahhh..”
“Yeah, I think he went back to Samoa.. Their little pappy won’t be around. Not this time. And without him, who are the Riggs Legacy? Slutty daughter who’s banging some old dood and some other Riggs no one cares about. Who is Jason Riggs? I’m still confused by that entire family tree. How many of them are there? And why do they keep reproducing? One is more than enough. Lucky for the world Dame lost his balls so he can’t pop anymore kids out.. And the fucking Cure. Again. Geez, how many times do I have to deal with those low lifes?”
“Bahhhhh..”
“Listen, I’ve already explained the loss to Apathy. It’s all Vhodka’s fault, that hussy turned her back on me. She cost me the match. Maybe it was one of those hashtag me too movements. All they had to do was tell me. Paul Montuori loves the ladies. I’m all about girl power. If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends. Make it last forever, friendship never ends.. I get it. The three of us could’ve had some fun before the match. I’m willing to throw any match, for the right price. Or the right favor. I’m a slut, what can I say?”
“Bahhhh..”
“You’re right. A reformed slut. I have a date with destiny, and she’s gotta fatty. I’m a new man, changed forever.. And no way she’s going to take me on as a client if I don’t go handle that bidness. Time to finally put the nail in the coffin of the Cure. After this, no more. No mas. Debts settled. Riggs Legacy, same for them.”
Not being able to go any longer without asking Paul the burning question, “You understand what that thing is saying?”
“GOAT? I mean.. Do we really understand what anyone is saying? Truly?” Paul, an intellectual, replies.
“Uh..”
“I’m just fucking with you. Of course I can’t understand what the fuck he’s saying, he’s a goat. The fuck I look like? Dr. Doolittle? But the Eddie Murphy first movie one, the Tony Stark one was kinda weird.. But come on Killa Cam, wouldn’t it be less funny if I didn’t? Roll with it..”
“Baaaahhh..”
“You might want to pull over. I think GOAT drank too much..”
“If that fucking goat throws up on my leather” Cam replies clearly agitated as he pulls over. Just as he stops, Paul opens the rear driver door. GOAT sticks his head out and starts to throw up.
“That’s what The Cure must’ve done the first time they smelled Apathy’s pussy. She just looks like she reeks. Like bologna and Funyuns.. Nah that’s wack, I’m better than tearing women down. It’s 2021 bay bay, we need to move forward as a society and start building up women. No bullying women on Twitter to the point where they shoot themselves so they don’t have to be in a match. No more dividing sisters by getting one to want to bang you and the other to hate you.” Paul turns a camera that nobody notices he’s had with him all night. “Bitch I heard you made out with some fucking wolf in a biker gang but you were too good for me? Shiiiiiiiiit.. Honey, jokes on you..”
“Excuse me? I’ll leave you AND that damn goat here…”
“Ah not you Killa Cam, I was talking to.. Ya know what, forget it. She knows what’s up. She knows her time is almost up, if she doesn’t lose the title at the PPV.. Just like The Cure’s time to be relevant is almost up. How many more losses can those bitches rack up before they become a joke? To be the Cure of OPW, you gotta cure some shit. Outside of getting help to beat me, what has Apathy or Scotty Riggs done? How did they even get in a match with the tag champs? Who have they beaten? Who has Riggs Legacy beaten? This place just hands out title shots willy nilly. At least the Caffeine Sluts earned a title shot. It’s a fucking wrap at the PPV. Riggs Legacy will have to stand on their own two feet. The daughter and the cousin/brother/uncle, whoever the fuck he is. And the Cure, Scottie Pippen and Apathy. This time all gloves are off, this time Paul Montuori is going to put in that work.. You done GOAT?”
Sitting back up in the car, “Bahhh..”
“I’ll take that as a yes. Vamonos Killa Cam before he shits in here..” Paul replies
After what seemed like forever to him, Cam finally arrives at the location he was given. The car pulls up as the door swings open before the car stops. Paul falls out, hitting the ground as GOAT comes tumbling over them. They both laugh as they lay on the ground.
“Alright GOAT, get off me. You reek like Apathy’s pussy after being ran train on by the whole Cure.”
“Y’all gonna be alright?”
“Yeah, we’ll be alright. Thanks for the ride.”
“Uh, sure…”
He shakes his yet again. This has been a theme of the past 20 or so minutes. He then rolls up his windows and speeds out of the parking lot, leaving Paul and his goat there. Just as he gets only one street light away, his phone rings again. Hesitant, he looks at the Caller ID showing on his dashboard before answering. The name says Shana Vincent and he releases a deep sigh of relief.
Shana was Cameron’s ex-wife and also his best friend. They’ve been friends even since before marriage and have stayed close post terminated nuptials. Even as much as they wanted to go their separate ways, they initially stayed in each other’s life for their daughter and later learned that though they didn’t work well together, they work well together. He reaches and hits the answer button on the display.
“Hey Shane.” This was his nickname for her ever since they’ve known each other. While she hated it at first, she has come to tolerate it.
“Whats up Kool Killa Cam?!” she responds laughing.
“Uh uh. Don’t do that.”
“Haha. So how’d the event go?” Shana asks inquisitively.
“It actually went pretty well. I got interviewed by a twelve year old.”
“Isn’t that against Child Labor laws or something?”
“She was a fan, Shane.” Cam’s responses aren’t as playful as they normally are when talking to Shana. He wants to tell her about everything that happened but also he doesn’t because down inside, he thinks that at some point the two can become one again, though she consistently states different. Shana also knows Cam well enough to know he’s hiding something and he’s waiting for it to come bite him in the ass.
“Cam…” There is it. The tone that he was hoping to avoid. “What are you not telling me?”
“The twelve year old has a sister and…”
“Go for it playa!” Shana responds. She seems really happy for Cam, which is unfortunate for him.
“I was afraid you’d respond like that.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I’m happy for you. You still got it apparently!”
“I never doubted I had it but what I want…”
“Let me stop you there,” she interjects. “I love you Cam and I always will but I don’t know how many more times I have to tell you. We are friends. We tried being more once and it didn’t work out. Let’s not ruin a good thing Killa.”
“And I’m not sure how many more times I have to tell you that’s not going to happen.”
“Hey, let me call you later. Our daughter is calling from college.” This was an excuse she used often, usually during this type of conversation. Shana knew well that Cam wouldn’t stop her in the off chance that their daughter WAS actually calling.
“Tell her to call her father once in a while for me.”
Shana chuckled before hanging up. The timing couldn’t have been any better as Cam arrived at the hotel he was staying at. He got out of the car, grabbed his back and tossed the keys to the valet. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone as he enters the building.