What Does May First Mean To You? [Rumble RP #4]

[Jack Diamond]

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April 14th, 2023 - Summerlin South - Las Vegas, NV

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Cars slowly drive past as the scene begins. A few elderly morning joggers trot by Jack's SUV as he sits parked on the curb just outside the gated entrance to his home in Summerlin South. Well, what used to be his home. In an attempt to give Dakota her space without risking losing her and by proxy his soon to be three-year-old son, Ace, Jack had been staying at his hotel's penthouse suite while Dakota stayed in the house. Jack couldn't believe that he was nervous to walk into his own house. He had only talked to Dakota through text messages since the night he begged her to stay in Las Vegas instead of going to her parents' place in Montana. Still, she seemed a little more upbeat in the last series of messages so it should be fine or that's what he would tell himself. Then, as soon as he'd get ready to put the car in drive to pull up to the gate, he'd second guess himself. His phone chimes.

I see you on the camera. Are you coming up? Why are you parked out there?

Jack puts his head on the steering wheel causing the horn to blow. A mother pushing a stroller jumps and scowls at Jack who looks around embarrassed. After mouthing the words "I'm sorry" out the window he put the car in drive and rolled to the entrance. Dakota was already having the gate opened. Jack drove up his driveway and parked. As he got out of the car, he saw Ace standing at the glass storm door, excitedly bouncing around screaming what could only be "Da-da" over and over. Jack walks up the front sidewalk and opens the door, catching Ace as he practically leaps into his arms.

Ace Diamond: Da-da! Miss you!! Da-da home!

Jack kisses his son's head and smiles.

Jack Diamond: Daddy is home for a bit buddy, and I missed you too. Let's go find mommy.

Jack walks through the foyer and into the kitchen and dining room area. Dakota is perched on a barstool at the breakfast nook, looking at her laptop. She looks up and sees Jack carrying Ace and can't help but smile. Since she was wearing a specially designed mouth guard to limit movement of her reconstructed tongue while it continues to heal, she grabs a nearby pad and jots something quickly, sliding it to Jack.

He's been jumping around all day waiting for you.

Jack smiles. In part because of what Dakota wrote and in part because she's actually communicating to him in person and doesn't look like she wished he'd go away forever. Their last face to face wasn't as well received.

Jack Diamond: I would have been here sooner but was tying up some things at the office.

Dakota nods and turns her laptop around to show Jack. It was the Keller article. She jots down something.

Training Facility? Club?

Jack knew he should have already talked to her more about the school and his ideas as well as the brand update. She was still his business partner even though she hadn't made it easy.

Jack Diamond: Club… yeah. I figured rebranding from Diamond Lounge to Diamond Club would hit better with the younger generation. Lounge sounds boring. Slow. Club… it conjures up another image in one's mind. Plus, with the hotels and casinos growing so much in large part to your hard work… a Club encompasses much more than a Lounge in my opinion.

Dakota just shakes her head, but more in a joking way instead of in disagreement.

Jack Diamond: But yes, with that said The Diamond Club will be home to The Diamond Training Facility. What's more is I've acquired some interest so that once we get the school up and going, I'll be able to give those kids a chance to perform live using the Event Centers at each of the clubs.

Dakota lifts an intrigued eyebrow at that. Jack picks up on it.

Jack Diamond: I’ll run it out of the Vegas club most of the time so I’m close to Tapout headquarters but more importantly I'm close to you guys. However, having Minnesota and Canton on the books will give the students the experience of traveling as well so it’s a win-win. Then when the new clubs come online it will allow us to grow our experience as well as the exposure the students will get.

Jack waits on Dakota and then reads her note.

How’s Austin? Is he training?

Jack smiles. Because of the injuries and tense situation, the two of them haven’t even been able to truly discuss the bombshell news that was dropped on Jack at the hospital when he found out that he was Austin’s dad, stemming from a one-night stand Jack had shortly after he broke into the business. To be honest, Jack really hadn’t been able to process it himself, nor has he really talked to Austin much about it either. Such is the life of a wrestler on a journey to show he is still on top of his game.

Jack Diamond: He will be starting back up. Actually, I’m going to have him help me with tons of behind-the-scenes things. Give him a true education in the business so he can hopefully stay out of the ring as much as possible.

Dakota scrunches her face up, her eyes piercing Jack.

Jack Diamond: Yeah, I know. He’s pretty damn stubborn. I wonder where he gets that. I’m just kidding. I just want to look out for him after the Poena thing. Speaking of Austin, I owe you a conversation.

Dakota shakes her head. She writes the one word.

Later.

Jack nods.

Jack Diamond: I think the Diamond Training Facility will be great for us. I just need to focus on winning the Rumble in a couple of weeks. Who wouldn't want to be trained by a three-time X-Crown champion? Without winning, the idea could flop before it's even started.

Dakota had written down something and slid it to Jack.

That stinks!

Jack Diamond: Yeah, but that's not going to hap-

Dakota waved her arms to interrupt Jack. She points to Ace. Jack lifts his son up and does the smell test before quickly turning his head and stretching out his arms to hold his son as far away as he can.

Jack Diamond: Oh my god that is horrible!

Dakota makes a bit of a stifled laughter sound as Jack takes Ace into the next room to clean him up. His phone starts buzzing and he slips it out of his pocket to look at it, seeing a call coming in from his agent, Vince Silverman. Jack presses the answer button and wedges the phone between his ear and shoulder as he begins to remove Ace's diaper.

Jack Diamond: Vinny, talk to me.

Vince Silverman: Jackie-boy! Have you seen the latest?

Jack Diamond: No what's up?

Vince Silverman: Well for the most part it's still been quiet, but Cross did mention you.

Jack Diamond: That's so much shit!

Vince Silverman: I mean it wasn't too bad.

Jack Diamond: Huh? Oh… no I mean literally. It's so much shit. I'm changing Ace's diaper, sorry. Anyways, what did my favorite promoter have to say?

Vince Silverman: You’ll need to watch it for yourself, but he was keen on bringing up the fact that you had to use dirty tactics to retain your championship during the last show. He has decided that the near loss was due to either you taking on the Rumble match or all of the things you’ve had to deal with on a personal front because of that… that monster…

Jack Diamond: Has he now? What else?

Vince Silverman: He said um… when he wins the X*Crown, he’ll display it at the announce table while you are working for him so that you can see it.

Jack is quiet while he is finishing up with Ace. Their silence is awkward and uncomfortable.

Vince Silverman: Uh Jack… you there? Do you need me to issue any response? The media outlets are all calling trying to reach you.

Jack slowly stretches his neck side to side trying to relieve some tension.

Jack Diamond: I’m here. Yeah, I want you to put out a statement for me. I don’t have time nor the energy to deal with the media today. I just want to spend the next little bit with Dakota and Ace before I have to go to the event tomorrow.

Vince Silverman: Sure thing, give me one second… and record… ok, Jack, you let me know what’s on your mind and I’ll be sure to type up the statement to send it around the horn.

Jack Diamond: Cross Recoba. You are an intelligent man. You are a great businessman. I fear though, that your desire to grow your space at The Sands has made you overlook the very things that have made your company successful in the first place. The main thing being… me! You can rebut this I’m sure, but proof is in the paperwork so to speak. Let me ask you this. What does May the First mean to you, boss? I’ll give you a moment.

Jack puts Ace on his knee and starts bouncing him to calm him as he had gotten a little restless once Jack finished dressing him.

Jack Diamond: For most of the talent across the XHF, May First, Twenty-Twenty Three will be the day that either Dylan Black wakes up still on his quest to break his own record in regard to the length of his X*Crown reign… or one of roughly thirty other fierce competitors wake up as the new X*Crown Champion. Don’t get it twisted, it means everything to me that when I wake up on May First, it is Jack Diamond starting his third reign. There’s something else that I am hoping for that day. Has it sunk in yet? Tapout Wrestling Three… May First, Twenty-twenty Two. That was the day that my contract went into effect with Tapout. The business dealings that you completed at last year’s Rumble came to fruition on that night when we almost blew the top of your little ballroom with the announcement that Jack Fucking Diamond was signed to a full-time contract. We have done amazing things this past year, Mr. Recoba. I’ve headlined five shows for you counting the great display we put on for Tapout: End of Days. I’ve been the recipient of Match of the Night five times. I’ve earned a move of the night award for possibly one of the gutsiest displays you’ll ever find. I have went into global shows proudly wearing your fucking banner on my back! All of this while amassing arguably the best record and without a doubt the highest ranking in Tapout on my way to be your first champion. What has that gotten me in return?

Dakota has made her way into the room and gets Ace, motioning to Jack that she’s going to lay him down for a nap. He mouths “thank you” to her and motions that he’ll be done in a moment.

Jack Diamond: It’s gotten me to this point. Going into the Rumble, and potentially waking up the next morning as not only your Openweight Champion, not only a three-time X*Crown Champion, but also… a free agent. See, Cross, in all your dealings with IPW, Hardkore Wrestling, running and trying to grow Tapout and chasing the global high in the XHF as in-ring talent, you’ve failed to close on my contract extension. Yet you have the audacity to question my means of retaining my title as what? Me being distracted? Hi Pot, meet Kettle.

Jack realizes he was grinding his teeth and tries to relax his jaw, again stretching his neck to ease the tightness.  He just knew that his contract would have been extended at this point.  The frustration of it not happening flooded out of him.

Jack Diamond: You should know that I can handle being Openweight Champion and X*Crown Champion just fine. Think about the money you can make having someone like Jack Diamond defend his Openweight Championship AND X*Crown Championship on the same night if needed. I have no problem competing in two matches in one night, and for those who doubt that… ask Jason.

Vince Silverman:  Oh!

Jack Diamond: As for my family. My friends. The things and people that matter to me the most... Don’t worry about that. You should do well to worry about what matters to YOU most, boss. Continuing to grow Tapout into what we know it should be. The best company on the Network. It only gets there with me in the driver seat.

Vince Silverman: Yes sir!

Jack Diamond: You see, Cross. It’s as we’ve discussed in the past. You and I are similar in so many ways. It’s hard for me to not root for you. See, you NEED to win the X*Crown on the thirtieth. If you don’t, I am, and when I do my asking price is going to go up way higher than your little ballroom. If you don’t somehow lock me down before The Rumble, I’m walking out of that arena that night with all the chips and there will be at least six or seven places that would love to have Jack Diamond, X*Crown Champion, on their roster. Are you ready for that kind of bidding war in the midst of a huge expansion undertaking? We shall see.

Jack pauses long enough for Vince to get the message.

Vince Silverman: That… should definitely get me some phone calls. Wow.

Jack Diamond: And when it does, you get a deal done, Vinny, but you make sure I get what I’m worth, just as we’ve talked about.

Vince Silverman: Got it man. You just make sure you’re careful at tomorrow’s fight. If you get injured ahead of this Rumble, all that you just said is null and void my friend.

Jack Diamond: Don’t worry, I’ll be fine and after the GFC's event tomorrow night I will have already eliminated one of my Rumble opponents AND made myself even more valuable to Tapout.

Vince Silverman: That’s what I like to hear! I’ll touch base with you tomorrow. Later Jackie-boy!

Jack Diamond: Thanks Vinny.

Jack ends the call and stands up, stretching. He turns and Dakota is in the doorway, her eyes soft, a small smile on her face. She hands him a note that she had apparently written while he was on the phone.

Seeing you. Hearing the passion in your voice. I miss this.
When you get back, we should try to spend some time together.
Please take care of yourself these next two weeks, Jack.
Ace will miss you.
I will miss you.

There are tears in Dakota’s eyes as she watches Jack read the note. Jack leans in and kisses his wife on the cheek. She closes her eyes and Jack waits for her to open them and he stares intently into those beautiful blues.

Jack Diamond: I love you both and will miss both of you. I will see you in May First, kiss and hug Ace for me, please. I know he’ll be upset that I’m gone when he wakes up, but I promise this will all be worth it to him one day.

Dakota nods as Jack slips past her to head to his car. The scene comes to an end.