Post by bloodiedfox on Aug 15, 2021 4:50:30 GMT -5
The cat prowled through the humid summer night. The noise of the city played on in the background: traffic, music, voices covering every emotion, even gunshots muffled by distance. No particular destination in mind, the feline wound its way to an alley. About halfway down it jumps effortlessly onto a garbage can, the reason becoming clear as it brushes up against the form of a man leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. Long blonde hair tied back into a ponytail, revealing a face that somehow seems both young and old in the same moment, the man looks down at his new company and smiles faintly, reaching out and gently stroking the purring cat with his free hand.
You and me both, mate; you and me both.
Quite what he means by that is unclear. For a few moments all that is heard is the cat and the city. Then the man begins to speak again, as though to an audience that only he can see.
It's a bugger when people don't understand. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, and yet here we are again. Ah well.
He chuckles and takes another inhale of his cigarette, holding the smoke in his mouth for a beat before puffing out a smoke ring.
Tell me something, Jaguar. Why haven't you killed someone? Why haven't you broken into a house and stolen? Why haven't you forced yourself on someone sexually? Is it because those things are illegal, or is it because you know those things are wrong?
He flicks the remains of the cigarette away, then turns slightly, looking out now to whoever is watching this.
The truest measure of a man is who he is in the dark, when he can act with impunity. Now I don't know you, Jaguar, but from what you've revealed of yourself so far you seem a decent chap. If every law on the books went away tomorrow, what would you do? Would you run rampant, indulging in every dark and profane desire? No, I don't think you would. I think you'd still be the same moody masked man cutting a promo on me, and that is what my point is. That is what anarchy as I represent it is.
Now I don't blame you for the assumptions you made about me. The world we live in, the culture that dominates, is as self-propagating as any other in history. That which opposes it must be crushed by any means necessary. Sometimes that's as overt as war, and sometimes its as subtle as the constant whisper of media and religion. Man must be leashed, Man must be chained, or Man will turn feral. There is no morality but that which is imposed by law or by God, whichever name you call them by. You talk about how we come into this life pure, yet you support a system that holds the opposite view as its core justification for existence.
I'm not naïve, Jaguar. I know there are bad people in this world, and there always will be. That's why its the responsibility of good people to hold them in check. The rule of law doesn't change that. Hell, if anything it makes it worse! To steal is wrong, but if theft is the only way a homeless man can eat then surely the greater wrong lies in the system that put him in that position. This world has enough resources of every kind that no-one should go without, but the laws you insist we need uphold inequality!
The ire in his voice has been rising. He realises and forces himself to pause. He takes a deep breath, and exhales it in an amused sigh.
Fuck, got myself ideology ranting again.
He shakes his head.
At the end of the day, what I believe isn't of all that much importance. Maybe one man can change the world, but when that one man is an English guy wrestling in Tijuana? Not so much. I guess I just wanted you to understand where I'm coming from, Jaguar. Like I said, I don't think you're a bad guy. Hell, maybe after the show we can go for a beer and talk and find some common ground. At the show though? We fight, and you will find out that it isn't dreams that matter, but the simple reality that Adam Tyrell can kick the arse of anyone who steps to him.
His eyes flick down to the cat, who has been enjoying the pets he's been receiving this entire time. The cat gives a mewl of surprise as he's picked up and placed on the Englishman's shoulder.
Come on, let's see if I can remember what the Spanish for tuna is...
He steps out of sight, as we fade to black.
You and me both, mate; you and me both.
Quite what he means by that is unclear. For a few moments all that is heard is the cat and the city. Then the man begins to speak again, as though to an audience that only he can see.
It's a bugger when people don't understand. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, and yet here we are again. Ah well.
He chuckles and takes another inhale of his cigarette, holding the smoke in his mouth for a beat before puffing out a smoke ring.
Tell me something, Jaguar. Why haven't you killed someone? Why haven't you broken into a house and stolen? Why haven't you forced yourself on someone sexually? Is it because those things are illegal, or is it because you know those things are wrong?
He flicks the remains of the cigarette away, then turns slightly, looking out now to whoever is watching this.
The truest measure of a man is who he is in the dark, when he can act with impunity. Now I don't know you, Jaguar, but from what you've revealed of yourself so far you seem a decent chap. If every law on the books went away tomorrow, what would you do? Would you run rampant, indulging in every dark and profane desire? No, I don't think you would. I think you'd still be the same moody masked man cutting a promo on me, and that is what my point is. That is what anarchy as I represent it is.
Now I don't blame you for the assumptions you made about me. The world we live in, the culture that dominates, is as self-propagating as any other in history. That which opposes it must be crushed by any means necessary. Sometimes that's as overt as war, and sometimes its as subtle as the constant whisper of media and religion. Man must be leashed, Man must be chained, or Man will turn feral. There is no morality but that which is imposed by law or by God, whichever name you call them by. You talk about how we come into this life pure, yet you support a system that holds the opposite view as its core justification for existence.
I'm not naïve, Jaguar. I know there are bad people in this world, and there always will be. That's why its the responsibility of good people to hold them in check. The rule of law doesn't change that. Hell, if anything it makes it worse! To steal is wrong, but if theft is the only way a homeless man can eat then surely the greater wrong lies in the system that put him in that position. This world has enough resources of every kind that no-one should go without, but the laws you insist we need uphold inequality!
The ire in his voice has been rising. He realises and forces himself to pause. He takes a deep breath, and exhales it in an amused sigh.
Fuck, got myself ideology ranting again.
He shakes his head.
At the end of the day, what I believe isn't of all that much importance. Maybe one man can change the world, but when that one man is an English guy wrestling in Tijuana? Not so much. I guess I just wanted you to understand where I'm coming from, Jaguar. Like I said, I don't think you're a bad guy. Hell, maybe after the show we can go for a beer and talk and find some common ground. At the show though? We fight, and you will find out that it isn't dreams that matter, but the simple reality that Adam Tyrell can kick the arse of anyone who steps to him.
His eyes flick down to the cat, who has been enjoying the pets he's been receiving this entire time. The cat gives a mewl of surprise as he's picked up and placed on the Englishman's shoulder.
Come on, let's see if I can remember what the Spanish for tuna is...
He steps out of sight, as we fade to black.