Time for a change
Mar 24, 2024 12:29:39 GMT -5
edwarddubin0604, Jonnie Valentine, and 3 more like this
Post by Anthony Jordan/ Kalmin Watts on Mar 24, 2024 12:29:39 GMT -5
INT. CHEZ JORDAN IN MISSISSIPPI
“THE ROLE MODEL” ANTHONY JORDAN is clad in his velvet, burgundy smoking jacket as he leads BETH CLEO around his home. Beth is in a pink pant suit as she takes it all in. He stops in his study.
JORDAN
And this is my study. Please, take a seat.
Both take a seat in Jordan’s leather chairs. SCORPION appears from right and brings Beth a drink while Jordan receives his exotic Voss water.
BETH
Thank you.
(turns to Jordan)
Shall we get down to business?
JORDAN
(chuckles) I am all business, all the time.
BETH
Nowa Out had a less than favorable showing in Phoenix.
JORDAN
I think of it as “close but no cigar”. Regardless, it was inevitable. Bobby had some old business show up in Phoenix. He was not mentally into the match. Frankly, it was a sneaky move by Roscoe Law. He is going to pay for it in the Stretcher match.
BETH
It just seems like such a sudden deviation for Nowa Out, you especially. You seemed to be a big supporter of supporting Bobby in his dreams, but here you two are split up at Palm Springs Punishment.
JORDAN
Is that so unusual?
BETH
It could be. Sometimes teams get a taste for singles action and never find their way back together. It’s not the 80s. You get the money and glory is by competing as a singles wrestler.
JORDAN
Bobby needs to deal with Roscoe Law. I understand that. There are no hard feelings. If Roscoe Law is not put in his place now, then he can be a bigger problem later. This is just good business, Beth.
BETH
So why are you wrestling Tuxedo Mask instead of being in Bobby Nowa’s corner?
JORDAN
First, I do not run Hardkore World. I am on a talent contract, so I wrestle when I am told to do so. There was nothing I could do about that. Second, Bobby and I decided to avoid bad optics. If I was there, then Roscoe Law would blame me after he loses. We want to avoid that. Bobby does not need my help to beat Roscoe Law, and I do not need his help to beat Tuxedo Mask. We are confident.
BETH
Are you afraid you’re underestimating Roscoe Law?
JORDAN
No. I see nothing impressive about Mister Law. Regardless, Bobby is wrestling him. Bobby knows him. I am positive that he is taking the appropriate precautions.
BETH
So let’s talk about you. You’ve had an odd run in HKW. You managed Kalmin Watts to the top, managed Bobby Nowa in a mask when Kalmin was hurt, appeared to pick Bobby over Kalmin, then began tagging with Bobby. What’s your plan in HKW?
JORDAN
I wish I had one.
(laughs, which draws a polite chuckle from Beth)
I am a victim of circumstance. I had no idea Kalmin would get hurt. Instead of sitting around, I got to talking with Bobby and found we had a lot in common. Bobby wanted to return to Hardkore World, but wanted to boost his stock. He asked to wear the mask and compete as Kalmin. I saw no issue with that. If Bobby was a success, it would all transfer to Kalmin. Obviously, those good intentions were not well received.
BETH
Not at all.
JORDAN
And it all fell apart. Bobby took off the mask before he was ready. He was not quite ready for his return singles run, so I stepped back in to tag with him. We became quite a force, then Roscoe Law showed up.
BETH
So would you prefer to manage Bobby Nowa or be back in the ring?
JORDAN
I am prepared to adjust.
BETH
What does that mean?
JORDAN
I am the music maker. I am the dreamer of dreams.
BETH
That is an unsatisfying answer. Anyway, any thoughts on Tuxedo Mask?
JORDAN
Who?
BETH
Your opponent at Palm Springs Punishment.
JORDAN
Really?
BETH
Yes, you…what? You mentioned him earlier in the conversation!
JORDAN
Oh, right. Where do I begin? The guy does wear something that resembles a tuxedo, but not really a mask. Reconciling that has been the hardest part of the match.
BETH
So understanding his name is the hardest part of wrestling him?
JORDAN
His tape is average. As the kids say, he is a “weeb”.
BETH
He’s not some white kid from America. He’s actually Japanese. He can’t be a weeb.
JORDAN
Wow, this has been eye-opening.
BETH
He’s actually a lot like you. He likes moving merchandise. He sees himself as a hero.
JORDAN
That sounds pretty cool.
BETH
Now, he’s a light-heavyweight pretty boy. He can wrestle fast, which has given you problems in the past.
JORDAN
Maybe I should watch more tape. This guy could be trouble with a capital “T”, that rhymes with “P”, and that stands for “pool”!
(gives his goofy grin)
BETH
Sixty year old references may not move the needle in HKW.
JORDAN
I got to be me.
BETH
Less old, but still old.
JORDAN
Beth, I am not going to compromise.
BETH
When you were that 20-year old with an old soul, it was cute. More importantly, it was marketable. Now that you’re considerably older, the kids see you as an old guy saying old things. It’s not going to make money.
JORDAN
Winning makes more money than anything else.
BETH
Did you win in Phoenix?
(it’s a rhetorical question, so she continues)
Have you or your clients or partners been in the title scene since last August?
(rhetorical again)
The percentage of the audience who knows you and your past is shrinking. You have to win over the new fans.
JORDAN
And that is why you are here?
BETH
Exactly. You need image consulting, and I can provide that.
JORDAN
If you want me to hire you, what would you recommend I do?
BETH
Let Bobby do his own thing and start stacking some wins. You have to have success, and you’re talented enough to not have to rely on the Bobby Nowas of the world.
Jordan mulls this over as Beth continues.
BETH
Are you against hair transplant surgery? That’d shave some years off.
JORDAN
The point of plastic surgery is to let people think you never changed. With me, the cat is out of the bag.
BETH
Yeah, I don’t want you looking desperate. “Desperate” doesn’t play.
JORDAN
I know that. Right now, you want to be hired for telling me what I already know: win matches and do not look desperate.
BETH
That’s the tip of the iceberg. Take me on for a few months. I want to update your look, your clothes, your personality, and everything that’s part of your image. You handle the wrestling.
JORDAN
You are not going to make me look like Tuxedo Mask, right?
BETH
(laughs)
Oh no! That guy is a disaster. You’re working with a lot more than he has. Retro is kind of having its day. I don’t hate the smoking jacket as lounge wear, When outside of the house, a nice sweater vest is in. Hoodies and loose-fitting clothes are in, too. Hoochie daddy shorts should be in the rotation, too.
JORDAN
There is no style to any that.
BETH
It’s what plays, babe. Give it a shot.
JORDAN
Fine.
BETH
But start by beating Tuxedo Mask. All the hip clothes in the world won’t compensate for a loss.