It's Happening [Rumble RP #2]
Apr 11, 2023 22:50:10 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, bloodiedfox, and 1 more like this
Post by Jack Diamond on Apr 11, 2023 22:50:10 GMT -5
April 1st 2023 - Diamond Club Gym - Las Vegas, Nevada
Incredulously, Jack looks down at his phone. He read the message several times, thinking that it had to have been some weird April Fools joke. With it coming from Dakota though, and Jack knowing they aren’t exactly on joking terms, he was dumbfounded.
Look, I don’t know what is going on and quite frankly I don’t care. I was at an appointment yesterday though and everyone was staring and pointing. When I heard what they were saying, it was about you being seen with someone’s ex-wife. Josie, or something, was the name. I really hope this isn’t true. After all we’ve been through…
Jack squints, wondering what the hell she is talking about. Josie? Jack clicks on the search bar and searches for “Jack Diamond + Josie.” When the results come back, he sees that it’s someone named Jodie. Dana “The Drone” Daniels, a name that Jack recognized from the Rumble announcement, was standing in what looked like the Wish.com version of a wrestling ring in what had to have been the world’s smallest flea market. Jack pushed play on the grainy video footage and listened to what Dana droned on about, not sure whether to be upset at what he was seeing or laugh at it.
Jack notices Austin walks in and he holds his phone up, Austin looks down at it and chuckles.
Austin Kade: I watched that last night. Dude has it out for you in a major way!
Jack puts the phone away and shakes his head. He looks back up at Austin so that he can read his lips to assist with the little bit of hearing he has.
Jack Diamond: I don’t know who the hell he is. Or her…
Austin Kade: Well, he knows you.
Jack Diamond: Apparently. And now ‘Kota has heard about it and is asking questions.
Austin gives Jack a questioning look.
Jack Diamond: In text… she texted me. Still has a long way to go if she can ever talk again, but I think the surgery went well. It should have, I paid for the best reconstruction surgeon I could find.
Austin nods. The injuries that he and Dakota sustained in Jack’s dealings with Poena, and Tug’s for that matter, had taken their toll. Tug stayed loyal to Jack through it all and in Austin’s darkest moment, that was what he kept coming back to. That’s why he came back.
Austin Kade: She’ll come around; I know it.
Jack smiles a half-hearted smile, wishing he could be so naive.
Jack Diamond: I hope. But if ole Double D keeps running his mouth about me being with other women… I’m afraid she may be inclined to believe them. Enough about that though, have you heard anything from YOUR surgeons yet? They say that they should be able to repair the tissue and cartilage enough to put Cochlear Implants in.
Austin shrugs.
Austin Kade: You know how doctor appointments are these days. Said it could be weeks to a couple of months before they get me in. I’m getting used to not being able to hear much. Peaceful.
Jack Diamond: Yeah, until you find out that in this day and age, people can nag you through text messages just as well…
Austin laughs and walks over to where he had dropped his bag. He goes into it and pulls out a piece of paper. He walks over to Jack and holds it out to him. Jack takes it and looks at it. He contemplates for a moment and shakes his head.
Jack Diamond: I don’t know man, it’s different now. Yes, you are talented as hell, but it’s just… different. I know what this business can do to a person… hell, look what it’s ALREADY done to you. If you hadn’t looked me up…
Austin Kade: I wouldn’t know how much I love this industry. Please, I really want to finish my training and what better way than to be your first official member.
Jack thinks it over again, still hesitant.
Jack Diamond: I… we have to figure out your hearing. It’s a liability in the ring. Sorry but I have to be blunt about it.
Austin Kade: So, you ARE going to actually do it?
Jack pauses. He had been on the fence, and he realized that Austin giving him the piece of paper was a test to see where Jack’s head was.
Jack Diamond: Well-played. Yes. We will do it. Together. You’ll continue your training if and only when the implants are put in. Until then you will help me get this place ready. You will be a part of it. The Diamond Training Facility!
Austin claps his hands together in excitement. Jack can’t help but smile. It’s a huge undertaking especially being the Tap Out champion and seeking a third X*Crown reign, but Jack knows in his heart of hearts that it’s time to give back to this business.
Jack Diamond: There’s a lot of work to do behind the scenes that I need to handle but the facility itself… I mean we are ready to go I think. I always had something like this in mind when I built my Hotels. Anyways, I need to make a phone call and clear some stuff up, feel free to get a workout in.
Jack starts to walk away but turns back to Austin.
Jack Diamond: I’m really happy to have you back around, son.
Before Austin can reply, Jack turns and heads outside the gym, phone in hand.
April 7th 2023 - Diamond Club Conference Room - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jack Diamond: Please give Ace a hug for me and tell him that Daddy loves him, and I hope he has a very Happy Easter! I hope you guys got the stuff I left from “the Bunny”.
Jack pauses, knowing he will get no response on the other end but breath. He listens intently though trying to figure out what every airy sound means. Was it a mad, happy, or sad noise? Was it a sigh, a laugh, it was just too damn hard to tell.
Jack Diamond: I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. I had some meetings at Headquarters with some of the XHF brass. Then I came over here to the casino to check in on things. It’s been a long time since I've been here personally.
Another pause, another hush. Diamond Club is only the brand it is because of the hard work that Dakota had put into it. Through all of Jack’s troubles, all of his domestic and international trips, she had held the business down. It was her hard work that had all of the Hotels capable of handling a training facility of the magnitude that Jack wants to have.
Jack Diamond: Well, I have to get off of here for a press conference. Happy Easter ‘Kota. I love you guys and will hopefully see you all soon!
Nothing. Jack hangs his head and pushes the End Call button. He takes a deep breath and enters the room, taking a seat at the head of the conference table. Clicks and flashbulbs from cameras go off as Jack looks around the room.
Jack Diamond: Thank you all for coming today. I know you all have seen things, heard things, and you may have tons of questions, or you may have already conjured up your own idea of what I’m doing, and I’d like to speak on some of it.
Jack sees a couple hands go up in the crowded room and smiles.
Jack Diamond: I’m not going to take any questions today though, I’m a super busy man at the moment and time is of the essence. In the coming weeks and months, I can promise you all that we will have plenty of time to hash it out.
Jack reaches for a water bottle and takes a sip.
Jack Diamond: First and foremost, I just got done with a few meetings across the street and I’d like to formally announce to all of you that I am going to be opening a new wrestling school. It will be headquartered at the Vegas Diamond Club. More details on this will come out very soon and I won’t bore you all with anything else about it right now. Now, the reason why I called you all here today. The XHF Rumble. Man, just walking through the hallways at Headquarters pumped me up. All the promotional posters, everyone is hyped up over there… It's fun stuff. If you are an XHF fan, this marks the beginning of a fun couple of months on the Network.
Jack looks out the window over towards the XHF Headquarters, about to get lost in thought but shakes it off quickly.
Jack Diamond: As I was about to leave and head over here, I saw the elevator that leads down to the Vault.
Jack carefully studies all of those in attendance for any reaction. He received what he was counting on, not much. He smiles.
Jack Diamond: I know that doesn’t mean a lot to you guys, but boy does it mean a lot to me. See, the Vault is a… safe haven of sorts for the holder of the X*Crown. An exclusive club, if you will, population one. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I was staring across to that restricted area, knowing I don’t have access.
Jack taps the table with his index finger for emphasis.
Jack Diamond: I…want… access. I NEED access. It’s simple, win the X*Crown right? See, that’s what old Jack thought. I could come and go as I please because I will always be in the Crown discussion, right? Wrong. I couldn’t have been more wrong and as the days tick on, as the calendar pages flip time and time again, I realize I’m getting closer to hanging my boots up first lacing them. This Rumble may very well be one of the last shots I have, and I am going to make damn sure I don’t squander that chance away.
There is a spark in Jack’s eyes. I renewed focus and determination that quite honestly hasn’t been there in a long time.
Jack Diamond: It’s funny how much of a thief time is. One day you are breaking into the business and the next you are planning your dealings for “after.” Well, make no mistake about it, the businessman in me will not allow me to go through life without a future plan, but there will be no talks about “after” anytime soon. I feel like I am still very much in my prime even as the big four oh approaches in July. I feel like despite who enters with what esteem, what championship, what entry spot, I have just as much if not more chance of walking out the new X*Crown Champion than any of them.
Jack sees one of the reports shift in his seat and recognizes him as an XHF Homer. The smartest of the smarks and Jack can’t help but chuckle a bit under his breath.
Jack Diamond: Now, I know most of you have seen clips by now of my ring time after the last Tap Out show. You all heard what I had to say about the current champion, Dylan Black. Please understand now, before anything is twisted, that I have no ill will towards Dylan. I’ve liked the kid ever since he showed up in ICW. I just don’t think he’s a good leader. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s talented. He’s amazing, wouldn’t be holding those titles if he wasn’t. I just think this company needs a better representative to be the face of the place. I think that person is me and I have every intention to show it later this month.
Jack stands up and walks over to the window, looking again out at the XHF Headquarters where they’ve just installed a new Rumble billboard. Dylan Black is front and center and if you squint just right, you see Jack in the background. Jack walks back over towards the table, pointing out the window before leaning forward onto the table.
Jack Diamond: I’m sick of being in the background. I’m sick of everyone thinking I’m just a silly ole “Wacko Jacko” and I don’t belong anymore. That needs to be... No, that WILL be me front and center when May gets here. You’ll see and hear things from all the competitors in the Rumble over these last few weeks. They’ll take personal shots at each other. They’ll formulate a thought in their minds on why they will win the match. You’ll see some people that disturb you, like Natasha…
Jack holds out his arm, feigning a shiver.
Jack Diamond: The Goddess of Death… I’ve not had much run in with her since my run ins with Card years ago. She’s… the real deal. You’ll see things that make you look at your phones or whatever device you are on and think “what the hell am I looking at?” You may even look at someone like Copycat and think “Aw, the XHF really does a lot for Make-a-wish” but keep in mind that man has been in many X*Crown matches, and many rumbles! At the heart of it all, you will watch the Rumble on the 30th and realize how many damn good wrestlers we have, and if I’m being a little biased just how many of them are housed in Tap Out Wrestling. Then you will see me, Jack Diamond, and say “wow, with all those great Tap Out wrestlers… he’s the champ. With all those great Network stars, he shines the brightest. He’s the real deal.” You're goddamn right I’m the real deal. Then when you flip that calendar one more time to May, you will see that Jack Diamond is the newest three-time X*Crown Champion.
Jack stands up and points out the window one more time.
Jack Diamond: The next time I come to Minnesota… my face will be dead center of that billboard. With that, thank you all for coming out today, please keep an eye out for more details on the school and uh, make sure you are watching April 30th. It’s going to be fun.
Jack doesn’t wait for any applause and completely ignores some of the hands as they go up. He gets into the hallways and checks his phone. There is a text from Dakota.
Thanks for the call. Ace really misses you. I know you are busy right now and please know that I’m proud of the things you are putting together. I’m sorry for being so cold and distant lately and for the accusatory message last week. I hope things work out in your favor the next few weeks but when you get a moment, you should come see us. All Ace says is “da-da this, da-da that. Everytime he sees your picture he gets excited. It’s… heartbreaking. Thanks again though for all you continue to do.Ace will be excited when he wakes up Sunday. Have a Happy Easter.
Jack smiles as he puts the phone away. The scene comes to an end.
