Post by Staff Guy on Apr 15, 2021 17:52:48 GMT -5
The Family Business |
Dane Preston, Miss Michelle |
[ We cut to a loud and smokey bar, glasses clinking, the usual vulgar language from the usual suspects. Off in the corner, in a dark and secluded section, Dane Preston is sitting with Michelle Moore, whom he had only just abducted from ringside. It’s clear that Michelle doesn’t want to be there, but Dane isn’t exactly keeping her there against her will. ]
[ Miss Michelle ]: What do you want, Dane? Why did you bring me here? I'm not in the mood to fuck and if I was, it wouldn't be you, so WHAT?!
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: Ha, you’ve got the body of a 25 year old, but I know witchcraft when I see it. Also, I get enough output from Allison and Bella, so thanks but no thanks.
[ Miss Michelle ]: So why then, is this just another way to get to my husband? Through me? How original.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: In a manner of speaking, yes. But not entirely.
[ A server walks over and sets down a couple of glasses. Michelle rolls her eyes as she takes her glass and slowly sips at it. ]
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: As I’m sure you’re already aware, Allison and I have been charged with keeping the Riggs family legacy alive in the business. I want you to know, I do things differently than your brother. While yes, he was the one who built the name, you, Allison, Jason and Shane have added layers and depth to the strength of the family name. You and me, apparently we have a date…
[ Miss Michelle ]: This is not a date, Dane…
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: I’m referring to International Incident. You and I are facing each other.
[ Miss Michelle ]: News to me.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: Yea, I get that. Listen, this match between you and me, it’s not personal. But it will create tension between Bran and me. That’s the only reason I agreed to face you in my first match back. I’d rather it be JMont, so I can knock his triflin’ ass out, but to say no to one of the best women in the business, I’d have to be outta my skull.
[ Miss Michelle ]: You married into this family, kiddo. That ship has long since passed.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: And so did my former brother in arms…
[ Miss Michelle ]: Touche.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: The point is, there are going to be more unknown variables appearing in OPW at some point, and I’d prefer to see the family on good terms. Think of it as the enemy of my enemy is my friend. You, I don’t want bad blood with. Your husband and I, well, we have our shit to work through, and we need to see this through to the end.
[ Miss Michelle ]: Well, don’t be surprised when he walks away from this war of yours with his head held high. Call me biased, but I think he’s better than you.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: He’s always thought the same thing. But the difference between us is that while he wants to prove which of us is the superior, I just want to prove to the world, but mainly to your brother, that both Brandon and I were meant for this business. The decision to banish Brandon shows how shortsighted and hot headed Damon can be. I never saw Brandon as my competition or a threat, I saw two guys who got on well, ready to take the business by storm.
[ Miss Michelle ]: This is all fine and well, but this all sounds like an issue for you to take up with my husband. I don’t see where I fit into all of this.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: Well, I’m glad you mentioned that. You and Allison have business of your own to resolve. We don’t have to see eye to eye, we don’t have to get along with each other, but at the very least, we can learn to co-exist peacefully.
[ Miss Michelle ]: What’s your angle, Preston? What’s your endgame?
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: Sorry?
[ Miss Michelle ]: You were trained by Damon Riggs and VooDoo, they always have an agenda. You learned from them, what’s your agenda?
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: Simple. Peace within the family. Less people looking to attack each other. We have enough of those incidents occurring as it is without family taking each other out.
[ Miss Michelle ]: Sounds noble, but I don’t buy it.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: I’m not Damon, I can’t stress that enough to you.
[ Miss Michelle ]: So you keep telling me. That’s also something that a snake in the grass would say…
[ Dane takes a long pull from his mug, gently setting it down before scratching at the short whiskers on his cheeks. ]
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: Damon really did a number on your trust, didn’t he?
[ Miss Michelle ]: Just like I did a number on your wife? Brutally, yes. He’s a control freak. Everything needs his approval. I was sick of it. I couldn’t live my own life without him trying to interfere. Lord knows how badly he lost his shit when he found out about me and Brandon being together. He took that as a personal attack against him.
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: Yeah, still does. That much will never change. And I’ll let the jab about attacking Allison slide, that’s business you two need to address eventually. For now you and I are working on some sort of peace talks. My beef with Brandon is my beef. Your beef with Allison is your beef. Yes, we’ll back each other up when it comes to the numbers game, but we don’t fight each other’s fights. I just want to reiterate, you and me, this isn’t personal.
[ Michelle uses her thumb and forefinger to move the small cocktail straw around in her cup as she looks down at the brown liquid and ice. ]
[ Miss Michelle ]: I have no beef with little Allie. Whatever problems she inherited from her daddy against me are her problem, not mine. And look, just because you spit some cute little bull crap about wanting to bring the family together, to end all the strife, doesn't mean I trust you. You are a snake and always have been. You keep telling me and everyone who will listen that you are not Damon, but be honest with yourself Dane, you are the spitting image of him. Deny it as you wish, but I know it, Brandon knows it and eventually so will everybody else.
[ She rises up to her feet in front of the table and Dane with her cup in her hand. ]
[ Miss Michelle ]: You keep saying that this match that we have at International Incident isn't personal, but you know... I really don't know. But I do know one thing, whether it's business or personal, it will be my pleasure to kick your ass..
[ She smiles that million dollar smile, her beautiful blue eyes literally lighting up as she takes her hand and tosses her drink in Danes face. ]
[ Miss Michelle ]: Now it can be just business. But, for what it’s worth, thank you Dane. In one night you’ve made more of an attempt to reconcile the family than my brother has...
[ "FXR" Dane Preston ]: That’s because I’m not...
[ Miss Michelle ]: You’re not Damon, so you keep reminding me. Still, you’re his star pupil and married to his daughter. Me seeing you as anything less than an extension of him will take some time.
[ Shaking his head as Michelle leaves, her drink still running down his face, Dane can’t help but smile and chuckle. Raising his hand to get the server’s attention, Dane lifts his empty mug and holds up 2 fingers. ]