Post by Dave D-Flipz on Feb 23, 2021 22:02:35 GMT -5
*We open on Death Trap sitting in the locker room he’s been assigned. With the KGB and Society having their own facilities, the room is pretty barren of actual talent, since it seems like everyone around is either an Amazon, a KGB, or a SNB. Death Trap is sitting in a corner of the room with his laptop on the table. He is apparently on a zoom call*
"Hey, I can safely report that even in a pandemic, Memphis still has some fantastic ribs. That dinner hit the spot."
"I do not see how that is relevant to this discussion. You are procrastinating from important tasks at hand Death Trap!"
"That has never stopped me from succeeding before. I operate my best under pressure."
*His phone rings ... he glances at it. A.V.A. is calling. He grunts in annoyance and declines the call*
"May I ask who continues to call you? That is the fifth time your phone has gone off and you continue to glance at it in annoyance."
"Ah it’s this intern for SWAT who keeps nagging me about putting a piece to camera like … twice a night."
"You have only been in that arena for an hour … what do you mean ‘a night’?"
"IT FEELS LIKE IT’S BEEN DAYS! This guy just keeps nagging me. He calls me by my real name too. ‘Dave where’s that promo?’ ‘Dave, I’m waiting!’ ‘Dave, Armand is gonna kill you.’ Ugh, it’s like he doesn’t understand patience is a virtue and quality takes time!"
"Death Trap, if I may, why exactly ARE you still in SWAT? The reason you went there was to pay back your imagined debt to Radu Matei for the incident with the Legos and Zoran Sainovic. Fine, I get it. But Zoran is dead, possibly twice over. And now Radu is gone. And it seems like you have had nothing but problems since you arrived there. That Rally Jackson fellow and his … ribbing … with the camera? The scaffold match? The Legos and thumbtacks against Armand in Japan? I just fail to see why you feel you need to do it."
"Look Discipline, it’s hard to explain. And with my MCCW title gone and the fed on another hiatus thanks to Ronnie … I needed SOMETHING. I don’t wanna step on your toes in Fireside. And if there was ever a place that needed someone of my caliber it’s SWAT."
"Need is a strong word. Can’t y’all just let it burn down?"
*The camera moves to see a one on one call between DT and Mistress Discipline. MD is now looking over her shoulder to her roommate.*
"Chaos, that is not Death Trap’s style. You know better than that!"
"UUGGGGH! I HATE HIS STYLE! I wanna see fire and carnage! Let that company kill itself! It’ll be great ratings! BURN!!"
"That’s not fair Chaos. The fans of this company are committed…"
"THEY SURE AS HELL SHOULD BE COMMITTED!"
*Mistress places her hands on her friends shoulder and gentle pulls her friend away from the camera so that it shows more then up one nostril.*
"Death Trap, the point is, SWAT is doing nothing for you. They are a leech on your popularity. And all you have gotten from it is severely injured, left out to dry, and – do recall- almost murdered! My question is, why do you keep going back when they clearly lack a safe work environment? There is no nostalgic connection, you owe them nothing, and nobody on that roster anymore even knows you, never mind being your friend to back you up. And that Armand is dangerous."
*Death Trap sits back in his chair. He seems in thought. He sighs and leans back.*
"Look, I’m not saying it’s the smartest career move I’ve ever made. But it’s something I need to keep doing. Look at the state of this place since Armand got here after driving RSW into the ground. At least with the old KGB it was typical wrestling politics. But between Zoran stabbing everyone and Armand hiring out actual murder clowns."
"WHAT!?"
*The shout startles DT who falls backwards in his chair and to the floor of the locker room.*
"Murder clowns??? Like … they who shall not be named? What is WRONG with that guy? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
"… Ow."
"It’s bad enough he sent that big ole heifer of a clown to Fireside to try to attack us. But he has MORE of them? The fan club ratings will tank! You need to get your butt back to our Mistress here in Philly. Where it’s safe! You’re not a spring chicken! Do you want to look like Radu? Scars aren’t nearly as sexy when they explode every time you move!"
*DT rolls to his feet holding his lower back and back of his head. He sits the chair back into position and plops his butt right back into it.*
"She is not exactly wrong. MCCW will be back shortly and you can return there. Surely you are in the running to get a shot at Soul Hunter and become the first three time champion. The Gold Rush is coming up."
"Look I don’t expect you both to understand. It’s a personal thing. It’s been a hang up for me since the day I broke into the business. This is something I need to see through. These fans deserve better from their favorite wrestling promotion. SWAT was around before the network and I want it to keep going. But it can’t survive in this stranglehold the KGB and Society have on it. There’s no room for other stars and at SOME point OSHA is going to get involved and Mongo is willing to accept a LOT of shit … most of it literal … but lawsuits aren’t one of them. He’ll shut this place down or boot it out. That’s a lot of good talent on the streets. Or worse, he’ll try to be clever again and have their champion buried under a literal mountain of man meat and ruin their reputation for years to come!"
"Oh hun, you need to get over that. Nobody who isn’t a boomer remembers that. It’s dated and tired. Just like the brass at SWAT."
*DT looks at the screen … nettled … bristling with mild indignation*
"Mongo will never be allowed to live that down. Ok?"
*We hear some light rustling through the computer as Mistress again pushes Chaos off screen. We hear a thud.*
"Ow! My tushy! Who left this replica model of the Chemistruckinator on the floor?"
"Hey y’all!"
*DT stares at the screen*
"She … still has the kid from Thailand or Taiwan or wherever we were for End of Days?"
"Regrettably yes. She seems to have taken a liking to being a den mother for Sarah while I am not booked in Fireside, and her managerial tasks are easier. Also, she seems to come back from every CAR promo event or race with an unhealthy obsession with the driver for the scientist team."
"What is up with that? They are all over the place. I don’t get what everyone sees in them. I dunno maybe it’s something you have to be at an event for because it seems like that’s when everyone comes around to liking them. I preferred the ghost car, reminded me of Scooby Doo."
"ANGRY MAD CHEMISTS ARE LIFE!"
"YAH! CHEMY LIFE!"
"I … have so many questions …"
"Well you can just wait with them, this is not one of my pieces to camera so I am not going to explain the intricacies of my manager’s … unusual situation…"
"Sarah wait! No don’t touch that!"
*Mistress has a worried look on her face, DT also now seems concerned*
"Maybe you should go check on them?"
"Do not change the subject mister. We are here to talk about your sudden desire to get yourself killed. Need I remind you, we will someday have a chance to challenge for those tag team titles and I will not team with a zombie!"
*DT rolls his eyes*
"Look I understand your concern but I am not afraid of that weasel Von Krauss. He is the brains, not the execution, behind that operation. Zoran was ten times the fighter and leader he’ll ever be. And his gaggle of clowns don’t frighten me either. And I include Frostbite and Eddie D in that as well."
"Ok, let us examine the situation then. You are booked in a match where the only way to win is to completely incapacitate your opponent so they get stretchered out of a steel cage. You are not exactly well-versed in hardcore scenarios. You are a technician."
"I’m a technician who refuses to stay down and who has proven time and again I can handle this group of opponents. Hell even in that 8 man screw job I was not incapacitated. I just couldn’t lift that many people at once. This match, that wouldn’t help. Look, I get that Armand is going to cheat. He can claim up and down the show how he is doing it alone, but we ALL KNOW that never happens. But I’m not worried about the normal gaggle getting into the cage. Because they have to get in without me stopping them first and as we’ve seen … I can more than choke Armand out long enough to dispatch the goonies."
*He waves his hand dismissively*
"I don’t even have to change my normal style. I have proven in MCCW, J-ROK, and here in SWAT that I am more than capable of handling more punishment than they can dish out and keep coming. I am more than capable of choking them all out. And in this match the only difference is they can’t tap out. I may not like it … but I am no stranger to entering a match with intent to harm. If that’s the way Jonnie wants the KGB dispatched, then I’ll go into the match holding nothing back. And I’ll bend Armand every way I know how until none of his joints work, none of his muscles respond, and no air gets to his lungs. I will choke him the fuck out. It’s kind of what I do. I am more disciplined, focused, and experienced than him. And despite my distaste for the hardcore antics … I’m no stranger to them. I was in ECF after all."
"I can see I am not talking you out of this. I still do not understand why you are going through with this orchestrated hit on your career. The Society and KGB want complete autonomy and control and seem destined to eliminate everyone else in their efforts to fight each other. El Combatiente is gone, Radu is gone, Soutter is dabbling in talk show hosting, and there is not another person willing to stand up to the KGB or Society that is not some new act or a ReVenant."
"Yeah, I’m alone. I get that. But it’s not new. I took down the EWF invasion and single handedly saved ECF. I took down the EWO and singlehandedly saved ECF again. I singlehandedly took Mongo Corp out of commission for a LONG time. This hero thing may not be why I signed up to wrestle, or what I really want to do. But it is kind of my thing. The fans need someone, ANYONE, to stand up for them and protect their interests. And that someone is me. I’m going to be the savior they need to maintain their line of entertainment. I will prevent Armand from running this place into the ground like he did RSW. And stop him from moving on and doing it to every company on the network. Because I am the only one who can."
"*Sigh* Just … watch your back. Most of Armand’s goons are just that. But between Eddie D, Frostbite, and now Eric Dane … they can do some damage."
"Let them. Damage doesn’t scare me. Because anything they can do to me I’ll give back 100 times over. Because I’m the god damn Main Attraction. And stealing their shine is what I do."
*A loud commotion begins to blast through the speakers*
"WEEE Y’ALL!"
"SARAH WAIT! Get off that toy car this instant! WATCH OUT FOR THE SPICE CABINET!"
*A loud crash is followed by Mistress diving off her chair out of the way of a ceiling fan falling on the table and the call cuts out*
"And now … I have even more questions."
"Hey, I can safely report that even in a pandemic, Memphis still has some fantastic ribs. That dinner hit the spot."
"I do not see how that is relevant to this discussion. You are procrastinating from important tasks at hand Death Trap!"
"That has never stopped me from succeeding before. I operate my best under pressure."
*His phone rings ... he glances at it. A.V.A. is calling. He grunts in annoyance and declines the call*
"May I ask who continues to call you? That is the fifth time your phone has gone off and you continue to glance at it in annoyance."
"Ah it’s this intern for SWAT who keeps nagging me about putting a piece to camera like … twice a night."
"You have only been in that arena for an hour … what do you mean ‘a night’?"
"IT FEELS LIKE IT’S BEEN DAYS! This guy just keeps nagging me. He calls me by my real name too. ‘Dave where’s that promo?’ ‘Dave, I’m waiting!’ ‘Dave, Armand is gonna kill you.’ Ugh, it’s like he doesn’t understand patience is a virtue and quality takes time!"
"Death Trap, if I may, why exactly ARE you still in SWAT? The reason you went there was to pay back your imagined debt to Radu Matei for the incident with the Legos and Zoran Sainovic. Fine, I get it. But Zoran is dead, possibly twice over. And now Radu is gone. And it seems like you have had nothing but problems since you arrived there. That Rally Jackson fellow and his … ribbing … with the camera? The scaffold match? The Legos and thumbtacks against Armand in Japan? I just fail to see why you feel you need to do it."
"Look Discipline, it’s hard to explain. And with my MCCW title gone and the fed on another hiatus thanks to Ronnie … I needed SOMETHING. I don’t wanna step on your toes in Fireside. And if there was ever a place that needed someone of my caliber it’s SWAT."
"Need is a strong word. Can’t y’all just let it burn down?"
*The camera moves to see a one on one call between DT and Mistress Discipline. MD is now looking over her shoulder to her roommate.*
"Chaos, that is not Death Trap’s style. You know better than that!"
"UUGGGGH! I HATE HIS STYLE! I wanna see fire and carnage! Let that company kill itself! It’ll be great ratings! BURN!!"
"That’s not fair Chaos. The fans of this company are committed…"
"THEY SURE AS HELL SHOULD BE COMMITTED!"
*Mistress places her hands on her friends shoulder and gentle pulls her friend away from the camera so that it shows more then up one nostril.*
"Death Trap, the point is, SWAT is doing nothing for you. They are a leech on your popularity. And all you have gotten from it is severely injured, left out to dry, and – do recall- almost murdered! My question is, why do you keep going back when they clearly lack a safe work environment? There is no nostalgic connection, you owe them nothing, and nobody on that roster anymore even knows you, never mind being your friend to back you up. And that Armand is dangerous."
*Death Trap sits back in his chair. He seems in thought. He sighs and leans back.*
"Look, I’m not saying it’s the smartest career move I’ve ever made. But it’s something I need to keep doing. Look at the state of this place since Armand got here after driving RSW into the ground. At least with the old KGB it was typical wrestling politics. But between Zoran stabbing everyone and Armand hiring out actual murder clowns."
"WHAT!?"
*The shout startles DT who falls backwards in his chair and to the floor of the locker room.*
"Murder clowns??? Like … they who shall not be named? What is WRONG with that guy? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
"… Ow."
"It’s bad enough he sent that big ole heifer of a clown to Fireside to try to attack us. But he has MORE of them? The fan club ratings will tank! You need to get your butt back to our Mistress here in Philly. Where it’s safe! You’re not a spring chicken! Do you want to look like Radu? Scars aren’t nearly as sexy when they explode every time you move!"
*DT rolls to his feet holding his lower back and back of his head. He sits the chair back into position and plops his butt right back into it.*
"She is not exactly wrong. MCCW will be back shortly and you can return there. Surely you are in the running to get a shot at Soul Hunter and become the first three time champion. The Gold Rush is coming up."
"Look I don’t expect you both to understand. It’s a personal thing. It’s been a hang up for me since the day I broke into the business. This is something I need to see through. These fans deserve better from their favorite wrestling promotion. SWAT was around before the network and I want it to keep going. But it can’t survive in this stranglehold the KGB and Society have on it. There’s no room for other stars and at SOME point OSHA is going to get involved and Mongo is willing to accept a LOT of shit … most of it literal … but lawsuits aren’t one of them. He’ll shut this place down or boot it out. That’s a lot of good talent on the streets. Or worse, he’ll try to be clever again and have their champion buried under a literal mountain of man meat and ruin their reputation for years to come!"
"Oh hun, you need to get over that. Nobody who isn’t a boomer remembers that. It’s dated and tired. Just like the brass at SWAT."
*DT looks at the screen … nettled … bristling with mild indignation*
"Mongo will never be allowed to live that down. Ok?"
*We hear some light rustling through the computer as Mistress again pushes Chaos off screen. We hear a thud.*
"Ow! My tushy! Who left this replica model of the Chemistruckinator on the floor?"
"Hey y’all!"
*DT stares at the screen*
"She … still has the kid from Thailand or Taiwan or wherever we were for End of Days?"
"Regrettably yes. She seems to have taken a liking to being a den mother for Sarah while I am not booked in Fireside, and her managerial tasks are easier. Also, she seems to come back from every CAR promo event or race with an unhealthy obsession with the driver for the scientist team."
"What is up with that? They are all over the place. I don’t get what everyone sees in them. I dunno maybe it’s something you have to be at an event for because it seems like that’s when everyone comes around to liking them. I preferred the ghost car, reminded me of Scooby Doo."
"ANGRY MAD CHEMISTS ARE LIFE!"
"YAH! CHEMY LIFE!"
"I … have so many questions …"
"Well you can just wait with them, this is not one of my pieces to camera so I am not going to explain the intricacies of my manager’s … unusual situation…"
"Sarah wait! No don’t touch that!"
*Mistress has a worried look on her face, DT also now seems concerned*
"Maybe you should go check on them?"
"Do not change the subject mister. We are here to talk about your sudden desire to get yourself killed. Need I remind you, we will someday have a chance to challenge for those tag team titles and I will not team with a zombie!"
*DT rolls his eyes*
"Look I understand your concern but I am not afraid of that weasel Von Krauss. He is the brains, not the execution, behind that operation. Zoran was ten times the fighter and leader he’ll ever be. And his gaggle of clowns don’t frighten me either. And I include Frostbite and Eddie D in that as well."
"Ok, let us examine the situation then. You are booked in a match where the only way to win is to completely incapacitate your opponent so they get stretchered out of a steel cage. You are not exactly well-versed in hardcore scenarios. You are a technician."
"I’m a technician who refuses to stay down and who has proven time and again I can handle this group of opponents. Hell even in that 8 man screw job I was not incapacitated. I just couldn’t lift that many people at once. This match, that wouldn’t help. Look, I get that Armand is going to cheat. He can claim up and down the show how he is doing it alone, but we ALL KNOW that never happens. But I’m not worried about the normal gaggle getting into the cage. Because they have to get in without me stopping them first and as we’ve seen … I can more than choke Armand out long enough to dispatch the goonies."
*He waves his hand dismissively*
"I don’t even have to change my normal style. I have proven in MCCW, J-ROK, and here in SWAT that I am more than capable of handling more punishment than they can dish out and keep coming. I am more than capable of choking them all out. And in this match the only difference is they can’t tap out. I may not like it … but I am no stranger to entering a match with intent to harm. If that’s the way Jonnie wants the KGB dispatched, then I’ll go into the match holding nothing back. And I’ll bend Armand every way I know how until none of his joints work, none of his muscles respond, and no air gets to his lungs. I will choke him the fuck out. It’s kind of what I do. I am more disciplined, focused, and experienced than him. And despite my distaste for the hardcore antics … I’m no stranger to them. I was in ECF after all."
"I can see I am not talking you out of this. I still do not understand why you are going through with this orchestrated hit on your career. The Society and KGB want complete autonomy and control and seem destined to eliminate everyone else in their efforts to fight each other. El Combatiente is gone, Radu is gone, Soutter is dabbling in talk show hosting, and there is not another person willing to stand up to the KGB or Society that is not some new act or a ReVenant."
"Yeah, I’m alone. I get that. But it’s not new. I took down the EWF invasion and single handedly saved ECF. I took down the EWO and singlehandedly saved ECF again. I singlehandedly took Mongo Corp out of commission for a LONG time. This hero thing may not be why I signed up to wrestle, or what I really want to do. But it is kind of my thing. The fans need someone, ANYONE, to stand up for them and protect their interests. And that someone is me. I’m going to be the savior they need to maintain their line of entertainment. I will prevent Armand from running this place into the ground like he did RSW. And stop him from moving on and doing it to every company on the network. Because I am the only one who can."
"*Sigh* Just … watch your back. Most of Armand’s goons are just that. But between Eddie D, Frostbite, and now Eric Dane … they can do some damage."
"Let them. Damage doesn’t scare me. Because anything they can do to me I’ll give back 100 times over. Because I’m the god damn Main Attraction. And stealing their shine is what I do."
*A loud commotion begins to blast through the speakers*
"WEEE Y’ALL!"
"SARAH WAIT! Get off that toy car this instant! WATCH OUT FOR THE SPICE CABINET!"
*A loud crash is followed by Mistress diving off her chair out of the way of a ceiling fan falling on the table and the call cuts out*
"And now … I have even more questions."
