"Once Upon a Happy Home..."
Jun 13, 2021 15:06:49 GMT -5
Miss Michelle, Vhodka Marie, and 1 more like this
Post by FXR Dane Preston on Jun 13, 2021 15:06:49 GMT -5
ONCE UPON A HAPPY HOME
Preston Residence; The Compound @ Parts Unknown, Wisconsin | Thursday, June 10th, 1:30PM
The weather was a beautiful 75° at the Compound. One and Two were watching the twins while Allison, Bella and I were enjoying a nice lunch on the terrace before I headed back out. Our phones began to vibrate as we were notified of an approved guest arrival for Allison Riggs, with no mention of the Preston name. I looked at her inquisitively, and she replied by shaking her head and shrugging.
DANE
“It had damn well better not be your 50 year old boyfriend, or I’m sending his old ass home with a broken hip.”
ALLISON
“He is not my boyfriend, and he knows that he is not allowed to show up at the Compound unannounced.”
DANE
“That arrangement in and of itself still bugs the fuck outta me…”
BELLA
“Um, yeah. Me too. Seriously Alley-Cat, that fuckin’ Meatball keeps calling me a slut. ME. Just because I want nothing to do with him.”
ALLISON
“I highly doubt that it’s him.”
No sooner had she uttered those words, when a white Rolls Royce limousine displaying NEW YORK license plates rolled up to the front of our house.
BELLA
“You were saying?”
ALLISON
“The balls on this guy,” she glanced in my direction. “He must have a damn death wish.”
Without a word I made a beeline for the front door, but as I stepped outside, I saw that everyone staying on the Compound had come to greet this unexpected guest. The driver got out and walked to the passenger door, opening it and reaching his hand inside. A pair of white Stiletto adorned feet with nude colored stockings emerge from the limousine, followed by an all white power suit and skirt, fur adorning the woman’s coat collar. A head of platinum blond hair and Prada sunglasses, my mother in law, Stellar Giuliani, the ex Mrs. Riggs made her grand entrance.
STELLAR
“All this to do for little ol' me? You shouldn’t have.”
I don’t think I have ever been happier to see this woman, and that’s saying a lot, because like the majority of folks on the Compound grounds right now, I cannot stand her. Stellar Giuliani had just removed her gloves as she approached us, swatting bugs away with the gloves along the way.
STELLAR
“Charming place you’ve all built for yourselves here.” She half smiled at Allison before giving me a brief glance and set her gaze back on my wife. “Hello daughter.”
ALLISON
“Hello egg-donor.”
STELLAR
“Oh, how cute.” With one glance at the audience that had amassed due to her arrival she continues. “Can we go somewhere more private, I would like to speak with you.”
DAMON
“Anything you wish to say to her, you can say right here in front of her family.” Damon had come out of nowhere and imposed his dominant will, as is his way. The disdain was practically dripping from the way he said ‘family’ to Stellar. “Or you pack up and head back to your ice castle.”
STELLAR
“Hello, Neanderthal.”
DAMON
“Hello, Soulsucking Prude...”
STELLAR
“Nice to see you still have a way with words. I had hoped this would be a private mother and daughter chat. It’s not for sensitive ears.” She looked directly at me when she said it.
JENNA
I hear approaching footsteps and glance over my shoulder to see Jenna walking up. “Oh, so now you want to play mommy, do you?”
STELLAR
“Hello, Trophy Wife.”
JENNA
“Please, just say what you came to say and then leave.”
STELLAR
“Fine.” She removed her sunglasses and looked Allison in the eyes. “I’ll cut right to the chase. The Montuori name carries with it much respect and honor in New York.”
DANE
“It carries no respect or honor here. What, did you come here to advocate on his behalf?”
STELLAR
“If you don’t mind, I was speaking to my daughter...”
DANE
“My wife.”
STELLAR
“For now.” Abruptly cutting me off, she addressed Allison once more. “I want you to consider how good it would be for all parties involved for the Montuori and Giuliani families to unite as one.”
DAMON
“All parties involved? No Prestons or Riggs were considered in any of this.”
STELLAR
“Oh please, do you think Allison would be entertaining Joseph Montuori’s advances if she was content at home with her felonious, cage-fighting, grease monkey husband? She deserves so much better than him.”
I never saw it coming, a closed right hand connected with Stellar’s jaw, dropping her to the ground instantly. The shock from the rest of the family was as unexpected as mine.
JENNA
“HOW DARE YOU!?!”
With a handful of hair, Jenna dragged Stellar to her feet and began screaming at her. I was holding Allison back from the fray, watching as Jenna went into full momma bear mode and was reading the riot act to my Evil Mother in Law. Then the shitshow began.
JENNA
“This, this is exactly the kind of behavior I expect from degenerates and scoundrels like the Montuoris and Stratford. But this is your daughter and her family that you’re trying to break up. For what, a larger kingdom in the big city? Not on my watch! I may not have given birth to that girl, but I AM HER ONLY MOTHER!”
DAMON
“One! Two!” Damon proceeds to look around for both of our masked bodyguards slash babysitters slash chefs slash butlers slash training dummies. “Where are they when you need them?!? Someone grab me a beer and some popcorn!”
ALLISON
“DADDY!”
DAMON
“Don’t you daddy me, Princess! Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to see Jenna kick your mother’s ass? This is the hottest thing I never knew I needed to see in my life. Who’s got the beers--”
KAL
“Here,” Kal handed Damon a beer. “Don’t say I never gave you anything.”
DAMON
“Thanks brother… Uh, wait a tick. Anyone seen Red?”
KAL
“Yup,” with his own beer he points the bottle to just outside the fray. “She’s about to murder your ex-wife, by the looks of it...”
DAMON
“Oh fuck me...”
Like lightning flashing across the skies, a tattooed, crimson haired blur streaked into the mix, tackling Stellar to the ground. Jenna backs away and heads towards us. We watch as VooDoo begins to circle Stellar, the same way a lioness would circle her prey before going in for the kill. She was toying with Stellar, who had just taken off her stilettos and slowly began to push herself off the ground. Stellar looked over at VooDoo with an evil and sadistic sneer plastered across her face.
STELLAR
“Well, well, so nice to see you too, VooDoo.” The hatred these two women had for each other literally hung in the air. “Always the friend, never the bride. Isn’t that right?”
VOODOO
“Much like... always the womb, but never the mother...”
Stellar lunged at VooDoo and swung her right hand straight for the face. VooDoo sidestepped and threw a knee into Stellar’s rib cage, sending her to the ground gasping for air, the sound of metal clattering was heard at the same time. I scanned the area for its source; platinum knucks encrusted with reverse mounted diamonds.
Stellar’s weapon of choice, many people we knew had been victim to those knucks. VooDoo knew exactly what they were and her eyes lit up the second she saw them. I pushed Allison towards Damon who grabbed her and Jenna as I rushed over and snatched the knucks away before VooDoo could get to them.
VOODOO
“Give those to me RIGHT NOW DANE!”
DANE
“No way, Voo. She deserves what she has coming, but you know that you’re better than that. Better than her. Show her.”
With a shrug of her shoulders, VooDoo stomped in Stellar’s direction and kicked her in the ribs to add insult to injury. The impact was sickening and it took a moment for me to realize why. I looked down at VooDoo’s boots; steel toes. Fuck, this was going to get ugly in a minute. I looked over at Damon and Kal and shouted at them;
DANE
“We need to get in there and break this up, right now!”
After what I said registered with them, we saw VooDoo positioning herself like a kicker does right before kicking a field goal. Only this ball would be Stellar’s head. An OH SHIT escaped both men’s mouths as Jenna and Allison broke away from Damon to break the fight up, too little, too late. Another sickening thud is heard when Stellar’s head snaps in recoil after a steel toed punt to the face.
Everyone goes quiet. VooDoo lets out a guttural scream, directed at an unconscious Stellar. Jenna calmly walks up and grabs VooDoo as Allison steps between VooDoo and her mother. Allison is trying to maintain her composure as she checks on her mom then turns her attention back to VooDoo.
ALLISON
“Jesus Christ, Aunt Voo, have you lost your mind?! I know there is no love lost between you two, but you could have killed her.”
VOODOO
“Sweet, Sweet girl,” she said as she calmly and slowly reached her hand down, caressing Allison’s cheek. “You should be one of mine.”
Allison’s eyes began to well up and she looked to her father, Damon stood straight and tall, a sudden thought striking him. As VooDoo approached, a soft smile crossed her face. I realized the smile wasn’t for me as I turned around to see Roger and Marie. Roger had his hand over Marie’s face as they made their way over to us. When Roger took his hand away Marie’s eyes lit up and she reached for VooDoo who graciously took her from Roger's arms.
VOODOO
“Would you mind telling me what in the h-e-double hockey sticks happened here, Preston? We were going to keep driving until I saw Jenna drop Stellar. All these years and now she lays the absentee mother out?”
DANE
“Stellar came here to convince Allison to leave me for Joe Montuori, to unite the Montuoris and the Giulianis. Jenna wasn’t having it. And then you happened...”
VOODOO
“It’s a pity I didn't get here sooner, but a damn good thing that I showed up when I did. Jenna doesn’t need to live with that on her conscience. What I did was issue a receipt that was long overdue. I promised her one day we would cross paths again and I would make her regret what she did to Damon and Allie. You know me, Dane, I am nothing if not a woman who likes to keep her promises.”
DANE
“You mean, threat.”
VOODOO
“Promises, threats, potato, potahto; same thing.”
DANE
“No, it isn’t, but you’d be hard pressed to hear me complain after some of the shit Stellar has put us through. Listen, I need to go check on Stellar and make sure Allison isn’t losing her mind.”
As I slowly walk over to Allison and Stellar, Bella joins me. In the distance I hear the sound of sirens approaching. Damon is already on the phone with Jack, no doubt working on heading off the impending lawsuit coming VooDoo’s way. Allison was calming down, Bella knelt down and gently laid Stellar’s head on her thighs, doing her best to keep Stellar’s body perfectly still. Allison quickly turned and buried her head in my chest as the fire department, ambulance and Sheriff rolled into the Compound.
While consoling Allison, Bella had left Stellar in the care of the paramedics and joined us in an embrace. For some reason, I had a hard time shaking what VooDoo said to Allison, and it looks like Damon was of the same mind. He and Jenna walked over to VooDoo and Roger, I couldn’t hear what was said but it was clear that there was a very emotional exchange between Damon and VooDoo, before the two families parted ways.
Church; The Compound @ Parts Unknown, Wisconsin | Friday, June 11th, 1:30PM
After yesterday’s fiasco with Allison’s mom randomly showing up and catching a beating from VooDoo, I needed some alone time in Church. I had only been in here about 15 minutes before people started piling in. Kal, Damon, Ang, Jenna, Allison and Bella all interrupted my solitude and suddenly the gym was more alive than it had been in a while. The fight yesterday must have jacked everyone’s adrenaline and they’re all here chasing the dragon trying to get another fix. So I climbed into the ring and set my phone up on the top turnbuckle. Might as well make use of the time while I’m here. Great lighting, perfect setting and the energy was in the air, so I turned on the camera and hit record.
“In life, the only things we can expect are death and taxes. I was also taught that there are certain boundaries that everyone expects to be respected. First, you never interfere in a man’s relationship or marriage. Second, you never bring a man’s kids into an issue you have with them, personally or professionally. Third, you don’t fuck with a man’s home. Fourth, you never fuck with a man’s ride, no matter how gorgeous or beat up, in most cases that’s a man’s means to provide for his family. Lastly, you never ever compromise a man’s paper chase.”
MEATBALL MONTUORI
“You have seriously begun to damage my CALM…”
“Since this whole tag team sham bullshit kicked off, you have been pushing buttons that you have no business pushing. Running off at the mouth writing checks that your morally bankrupt ass simply cannot cash. I have stood face to face with legitimate killers, mafiosa, gang bangers and druglords. But you, Joe? You, Joe Montuori, are something else entirely. You were the popular kid in high school, the star athlete. You had all the girls and all the things a spoiled mafia kid could have. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth and a golden stick up your ass. You had everything handed to you, even the keys to a Kingdom you had no hand in building. See, I know a great deal about you. I know a great deal more about your exploits outside the ring as well. Over the years, Kal and Damon amassed a treasure trove of information about all of the enemies of both of their respective families and inner circles. Your dossier is exceptionally thick given your history with both men. They tirelessly pieced together every piece of dirt they could dig up on you. They know about everyone you’ve ever fucked over. Everyone you’ve ever stolen from. Everyone who has ever taken the fall for you. They have contact information for every enemy that you have ever made. And I have access to all of it. Every. Last. Person. I know your weaknesses. I know every button to push, and I plan on pushing them all just to see your head explode.”
“Did you think that I would seriously sit back and let you cupcake with my wife and kids without having a plan to bring you down with? You must be out of your godsdamned mind if you think that I haven’t learned how to become a master of mind games. I don’t know how many times I have to remind you, I was trained by one of your biggest rivals, a man who dominated the spotlight while you enviously lived in his shadow. I was taught how to plant the seeds of dissent from within by the Femme Fatale herself...”
DAMON
“Less talk, more action Preston!”
DANE
“What the fuck did you just say?”
DAMON
“I said, quit your yammering and get to your training. You think that mouth of yours is going to beat Joe Montuori?”
DANE
“Would you like to trade places with me? Mister high and fucking mighty Damon HavoK Riggs?”
DAMON
“Is there a problem with me showing interest and trying to push the supposed successor to the Riggs wrestling dynasty?”
DANE
“I have a very big problem with you dangling that successor carrot in front of my face, acting like I haven’t already succeeded you. I’ve beaten your sister, put Paul Montuori in his place, orchestrated an assault on your old pal Joe Montouri and laid Tommy Kain out and beat his ass in the ring. Apparently, I’m also due a Southern Championship title shot after beating Kain, since he is a co-title holder. You’re retired. You have no sway or influence over this business or either Allison or my career. So unless you want to step in the ring and beat the brakes off Meatball Montuori for me, shut the fuck up and stop playing back seat wrestler.”
And there’s the Old Man’s temper, Damon climbs into the ring and gets right up in my face. I can already see how red his ears are and his face is slowly turning an even darker shade of red. His fists are balled up and he is grinding his jaw. I know what’s about to happen next, and I’ve been looking forward to it for a very, very long time.
DANE
“Alright Old Man, go ahead and hit m--”
Now we’re off to the races, I didn’t have a chance to finish my taunt before I took a fist to the mush. I staggered back a little, cocked back and threw an overhand right of my own, connecting with Damon’s jaw. Then came the flurry of blows being traded, one after the other. I waited for Damon to throw another punch and ducked under him, grabbed him by the waist and threw him with a German Suplex.
DANE
“GET UP, OLD MAN!”
Apparently I yelled so loud that everyone turned their attention to the ring and began to head our way. Heated brawls are commonplace here, but we’re not fucking heathens. When one person is getting their asses handed to them the families step in and separate the fighters. That is the only rule in the Church
Knowing it would add insult to injury, I paint-brushed Damon in the back of the head a few times. On cue he attempted a double leg pick up, which I am almost 100% certain would have ended with me on the business end of a huge spinebuster. When I felt Damon about to lift me up, I slapped a front choke on him and sprawled my legs out, spreading my body weight over a larger area.
DANE
“Do you see this JMont, you slimy, piece of shit!?! This is the same guy that handed your ass to you not that long ago!”
Maintaining a front choke on the Old Man, I rolled him over onto his back and planted a foot down. I waited for Damon to fight me off and try getting to his feet. I allowed him to get up to one knee, which gave me the chance to plant my other foot, reach under him with a free hand and snap him over in a capture suplex with so much impact that I bounced off the mat.
DANE
“Come on Damon…I thought you were badder than this. Tommy Kain put up more of a fight than you.”
I straddled Damon’s chest and dropped to one knee, grabbed his head and drove my right hand straight into his nose. One after the other I rained rights and lefts down on Damon’s face, he struggled to get his hands up and his face had bloodied sometime during the flurry of punches.
DANE
“Are you paying close attention, Meatball?” I back away from the fallen Legend, and gesture with both hands. “This is what you have to look forward to this week. I’m not some hack that just walked into the business like you keep making me out to be. EWA, aW, NEW, and now here. I’m going to prove to you and everyone else...”
“I AIN’T NO JOKE!”
“...and you’re about to find out why…”
DJ and JJ had climbed into the ring to create some distance between Damon and me, Shane came in and was checking on Damon. The Old Man began pushing them away and beckoned me to keep fighting. Not being the kind of person to disappoint, I obliged him with his own Sudden Impact superkick to the face, dropping him once more.
DANE
“I no longer need your approval. Along with my wife, WE are the new faces of the Riggs wrestling dynasty.” Damon struggled and tried to pick himself up again, so I shoved everyone else out of the way, picked Damon up, spun him around and drilled the back of his head to the mat with another 1SK. “STAY...THE FUCK...DOWN!”
ALLISON
“DANE! What the fuck is going on!?!”
I spun around and saw Allison climbing into the ring, so it looks like this lesson in humility had ended. She headed straight for her brothers, Shane, and her father who was still laid out. I went to a corner and just kicked back, crossing my feet as I watched everyone attend to the fallen patriarch of the Riggs clan. Allison came at me like a woman possessed, and immediately started hitting me in the chest. After a few hammer fists, I grabbed her and pulled her in close.
DANE
“I didn’t start the fight, but I made damn sure to end it. There will never be another, your father doesn’t have it in him anymore.” I was looking right at Damon as I said those words. He stared back at me, looking me dead in the face.
ALLISON
“I really don’t give a damn which one of you started it!”
DANE
“Why are you yelling at me!?! This is what our family does. We settle our differences the same way we would in the business. We fight it out…”
ALLISON
“Oh, you want to fight it out, is that it? Why don't WE fight it out? Is that what you want?”
DANE
“Now hold on just a damn minute… You know full well the kind of shit your dad puts me through. You know that the whole fucking reason we’re even in this mess with Joe and FoCuS is because of your dad.”
ALLISON
“Joe Montuori is the reason we’re in this mess. Technically, I am the reason we’re in this mess. I was the one who agreed to go ahead and be Joe’s tag team partner, so seriously, if you’re wanting to take that shit out on someone, take it out on me. Not my Old Man.”
DANE
“Okay, first, your dad initiated this shit and you are not fully to blame. I agreed to you and Joe teaming up, but I didn’t imagine how far Joe would take things. I still maintain the fact that your dad did not follow through and put Joe down properly. And that is what led us to this point.”
ALLISON
“So, you beat the shit out of him to prove a point to who? Joe? Him? Yourself? Me?”
DANE
“To prove a fucking point? To whom? What do you take me for, woman? Do you think I just walked up to him and started kicking his ass for no fucking reason? He interrupted my workout and started talking shit. I talked shit back and he didn’t like getting a taste of his own medicine and got pissed off. As per fucking usual. He’s the one that threw the first punch. The Old Man actually socked me in the mouth mid-sentence.”
ALLISON
“I bet you were daring him to hit you, mid-sentence too. Dane, it’s one thing to punch a person in the mouth, but it’s another thing to beat the damned shit out of him. I expect you to do that to Joe, but not my father. Or, do you have a thing for beating up old men now?”
DANE
“Well, now that you mention it, I’m about to beat Geriatric Joe’s ass, so you might be onto something there. But let’s not get shit twisted, Princess. Your father climbed into the ring with me, hit me first, and kept on coming. You know your Old Man, he’s ballsier than he is smart. Something we both have in common. I did to him what he would have done to someone else. Besides, I stopped and told his ass to stay down. Had you not shown up, he probably would have gotten up and tried to fight me again.”
ALLISON
“This is not something to joke about, Dane. Fuck. You beat up my dad. Mom and Voo beating up Stellar, I am glad I am all out of parents for people to fight. Even though he kept coming, why did you feel the need to keep putting him back down? You know how he is, you could have been the bigger man and walked away. But you lost control. Again. We’ve been working so damn hard to keep you in control and I am wondering if it’s even been working.”
DANE
“What the fuck am I supposed to do Allie? Your dad has always been hovering, overstepping, inserting himself in our relationship, our careers. He does not know how to NOT be involved. He’s retired, he’s no longer relevant to the business at hand. And I’m not going to turn the other cheek just so he can hit me again. I get that you’ve had a really shitty past couple of days. But I didn’t start that shit. I was just trying to shoot my promo when the Old Man stepped in the shit.”
ALLISON
“First and foremost, my father will always be relevant when it comes to this business at hand. You better slap some respect on that man’s name when you speak it, even if you’re talking shit about him. He paved the fucking way for men like you, men like Xavier, even fucking Stratford. If it wasn’t for men like him, there wouldn’t be men like you. And don’t you fucking forget it either.”
DANE
I put my hands up, it’s clear that she’s going to take her dad’s side in this. “Fine. You go right ahead and pretend your dad is Mr. Fucking Perfect. Act like he doesn’t put himself in precarious situations simply because he is Damon HavoK Riggs. Go ahead and make me out to be the bad guy. After today, there won’t be another fight, because like I said, he doesn’t have it in him anymore. I think we’re done here.” I’d had enough of this shit. I’m not going to be painted as the bad guy here.
ALLISON
“You’re right, we are done. I’m outta here. I’m not arguing with you anymore over this. But I will tell you one last thing… if you lay hands on my father ever again… I will lay hands on you.”
DANE
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Princess.”
I’ve said it a hundred times before, I’m braver than I am smart, but seeing Allison pouty and mad and trying to stifle a laugh at the same time is one of the hottest things to witness. She started balling and un-balling her fists like she wanted to hit me, when finally she just looks at me and gives me this evil glare, then growls at me like a damned Wolf and storms off. I’m left standing there looking like an idiot, in the middle of a bloodsoaked ring, knowing that I put down the one guy who made all of this possible for me, all because of Joe Montuori, the fucking Meatball himself.
Howling Wolf; Compound Airstrip @ Parts Unknown, Wisconsin | Saturday June 12th, 10:30PM
After Allison and I had our falling out, I needed to get away from everyone, so I hopped on my Ducati Monster and rode out to the airstrip to hide out on the old plane. This thing is like a flying triple wide RV and you could literally live in it. This is where I like to sneak off to with Allison and Bella, we don’t need to worry about keeping the volume down. A lot of fond memories in here from what feels like a lifetime ago. Me, Allie and Ani. We were going to take over the world.
Sadly, Ani went her way, but at least one of us did take over the world. I wouldn’t change my life, except for the bullshit with Joe throwing me off my stride. Thinking about the last couple of days, watching Jenna and VooDoo take liberties with Stellar and then me and Damon getting into yet another fight, I can’t help but laugh at how this kind of excitement happens in my life on the regular.
I remember doing pushups, sit-ups, dips, pull-ups and squats in my prison cell. Almost daily, for five long years. Never in all that time did I imagine that my life would be anything remotely close to what it is now. It also makes me think about how grateful I am to Damon, even if we fight A LOT, if not for him, none of this would be possible for me. He gave me the tools and the opportunity to use what skills I already had to make a life for myself. All of that has led to me being the guy to take Joe Montuori down a notch.
Heading into the conference room, I logged into the system and fired up the camera and dimmed the lights a bit. It was getting late and the bright lights were irritating me. Hitting the record button, I reached into a mini-fridge near the conference table and grabbed a couple bottles of water. Cracking my neck, then my knuckles, I open one of the bottles and take a large gulp. Running my fingers through my beard, I make a mental note of how long has gotten. Then I turn my attention to the camera and fire away.
“There has been a lot of action at the Compound the last couple of days. First I watched as one of my mentors and my mother in law beat the brakes off my monster-in-law. Then the next day I get into it with the Old Man and leave him laying in the ring like a broken husk of his former self. Each and every time I’ve thrown hands with Damon, I’VE WALKED AWAY VICTORIOUS. Unlike your soft, old ass, Joe. When I’m done with you I might catch a case for elder abuse. But I’ve got one of the best lawyers around thanks to my family connections. And don’t give me the ‘he has cancer’ or ‘he’s old’ bullshit. I’ve put Damon on his ass so many times over the years that I’ve lost count. While you on the other hand, well Hell, you couldn’t beat him with one foot out of the ring and the other on a banana peel on his way to his retirement. And you think you have what it takes to beat ME? Don't make me fucking laugh. You are so far beneath me, it’s fucking ridiculous. Sure, 15 to 20 years ago you were a force to be reckoned with and your name value alone was worth a fortune. But that was then, from now to the end of time, you will forever be remembered as…
Ouch, I’m sorry, you might need to get that 4th degree burn checked out. Let me give you a hand, this should be helpful; CLICK HERE YOU LITTLE BITCH. You brought all of this on yourself Joe. You saw an opportunity to get revenge on Damon and establish your dominance over me, but what you didn’t count on was the fact that I am every bit the formidable enemy Damon was. And you’re quickly about to learn why I tell people to…”
“FUCK AROUND AND FIND OUT!”
“In the time that you and your brother and countless others were away, I took this business over. Me, Murph, Allison, and Sarah. We had the time of our lives wreaking havoc and turning companies on their fucking heads. All the while you rested on your laurels, living high on the hog, sitting in a throne you did not earn, but which was handed to you. Now, speaking of thrones, I don’t know how much more clear I have to make this for you to get through that thick, grey matter filled skull of yours, but you will never take MY throne or MY girls. Allison and Bella are MY girls by choice, I didn’t buy their affections, I earned them. I built relationships with them both. I spent time, not money, on them. With Allison, we built my custom shop together, as a husband and wife team. For a wedding gift, I bought a rusted out husk of a Chevelle and the two of us rebuilt that ride from the ground up, together. There was no pig-headed, chauvinistic bullshit like what you peddle every time you speak to either Allison or Bella. When the time comes, Bella will receive the same treatment that Allison has. You have no clue what it means to be a romantic partner. You only know what it means to be a John, you pay for your time with your girlfriend of the evening, you get what you want and then you kick them to the curb and go about your business. That’s the life that you’re accustomed to; you offer money and people bend to your will. Sorry to break it to you, but Allison and Bella are not floozies, they don’t come when you flash dollar signs at them and beckon them. They will not be your girlfriends of the evening, the week, the month or even an hour. Why? Because they have fucking class, and THEY HAVE ME, that’s why. Unlike you, I don’t buy temporary pleasures and comfort, I build quality that gives me and mine comfort and pleasure that will last a lifetime.”
“It’s really quite sad that you can’t seem to accept reality for what it is, even when it’s literally staring you in the face, Joe. Both Allison and Bella come from powerful and wealthy families, Giulianis and Zanettis of New York. They can literally have anything their little hearts desire, whether their families bought it for them or I built it for them. Why in the fuck would they want some 50 year old hack of a wrestler on his way out the door who’s only skill is waving money to get what he wants? Especially when that 50 year old hack constantly refers to my girlfriend as a bitch and a slut, simply because she refuses to eat out of the palm of your hands.” I ball up my fists and raise them into view. “After all the bullshit you have put my family and I through, your old ass is about to get THESE HANDS. I can sit here and talk all godsdamned day about the fact that I’m going to beat you when we climb in the ring together. Consider, if you would be so kind, how I’m younger, faster, stronger, more skilled than you. I’m going to make damn sure you never think about interfering in another man’s family affairs ever again.”
“This whole game you’re playing, it makes you look sad and pathetic. You used to be somebody. You used to be a contenda. Now you are some has been running around trying to save his career and maintain what little relevance you have left, by attempting to attach yourself to MY wife. Years ago, you were so threatened by Damon Riggs that you attempted to sway his 14 year old daughter to your side. She didn’t budge then. The whole fucking world knows that you’ve been jealous of Damon all these years. No, I’m not talking about the money. I’m talking about the reverence, the success, the reputation, and his family life. Damon Riggs is retired, like all smart men do when their body doesn’t perform like it used to, so what are YOU waiting for? A written eviction notice from upper management? Ah, that’s it, you’re NOT so smart as you make yourself out to be, because if you were, you’d never have chosen this path. So tell us, what happened to you Joe? You were mister popular back in school. All the girls wanted Joe’s Monty Python. What changed? That’s right, girls grow into women, and women want a man with more substance than being a rich, pretentious, mafia goon. They want someone who is capable of showing respect to women other than their mother. In all the years I’ve watched you in this business, no woman at your side, it really does speak volumes about your character. And I mean how you comport yourself in day to day life, I’m not talking about the spandex tights or the catchphrases, or all the tough guy bravado. No, I mean the you that exists when there is no one else around. That’s your real character. And judging from what I’ve seen you’re a morally bankrupt, sexist meatball who’s biggest claim to fame is being kissed by Allison Riggs-Preston. Your second biggest claim to fame will come this week after the entire world witnesses you getting your ass handed to you on a silver fucking platter by the fastest rising star in the history of this promotion. The difference between you and me, Joe, is the fact that you came to play games...”
“WHILE I’M FIGHTING A FUCKING WAR!”
“...and you’re about to be the first casualty…”
“I’m going to put you down once and for all Joe. I’m going to do what Damon could not or would not do. At the same time, I’m going to be the catalyst for the implosion of FoCuS, and I’m going to watch as you run around screaming like a little bitch seeing the world as you know it crumble all around you. And there won’t be a godsdamned thing that you or ANYONE ELSE is going to be able to do about it. And you’ll only have yourself to blame. This could have all been avoided, had you maintained a professional working relationship with my wife from the onset of teaming up with her. But instead, you chose the role of a trifling ass, home-wrecking, money waving, blue pill popping, cradle robbing, pathetic excuse for a man. And I’m the fucking FiXeR of all your problems. I’ll be seeing you on Monday Night, be ready for the fight of your life, because I’m bringing my entire arsenal to take you down with. Locked and loaded. Click, click, boom.”
Taking another drink of water, I reach for my phone and shoot out a couple text messages. A couple of quick replies later, I set my phone down and smiled. I reach back and pull up the hood on my sweatshirt, the upper half of my face now hidden in the shadows. Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen, everything that has transpired has done so according to my design.
“FUCK YOU ALL!”