Post by Dave D-Flipz on Apr 16, 2023 1:58:18 GMT -5
Sarah: STRONG!
Dr. Chaos: Well that was a surprisingly respectful and calm, dare I say solemn, gathering. And in Boston! Who knew!?
Death Trap: Just because Gravedigger is from here doesn’t make the whole city a bunch of arrogant jerks…
Mistress Discipline: …Are we supposed to be familiar with this person?
Dr. Chaos: YOU KNOW THE MONSTER TRUCK? I thought I’d have to get Mary to let me sneak into that Tomas guy’s garage to meet him! HOOK ME UP!
DT blinks at them in confusion. He is completely out of his element here.
Death Trap: No uh … Gravedigger was my former best friend? From ECF? Big rival, the two of us basically put each other on the map?
Chaos lowers her excitement levels and scrunches her face in disappointment.
Dr. Chaos: Ah, phooey! What good are you!?
The fearsome foursome (most of the fear is of Chaos herself…) are in Boston on One Boston Day taking in the memorial service for the Boston Marathon Bombing ten years prior (God I feel old, I was here for that…)
Mistress Discipline: Perhaps we should refocus our attention onto the memorial for this tragic event. I cannot even begin to fathom what some of these people are feeling right now.
Dr. Chaos: I still don’t see how what Kira is doing is any less awful … but yes you’re right Mistress. We are here to take in the local culture and pay our respects.
The four of them begin to move through the crowd away from the Copley/Boylston area to find a less crowded area. The end up inside the Boston Public Library. Sarah is immediately drawn to the upcoming events board. They are going to be in Boston for a few weeks, they might as well take a look. They happen upon the Boston in 100 words poster.
Sarah: Poetry?
Mistress Discipline: According to the flier, they have a competition and choose thirteen youths and thirteen adults who had the most entertaining stories.
Death Trap: GD was telling me about this, this is the third year. They post the winning stories in public with artwork commissioned for each story. We saw one from last year on that green line train.
Dr. Chaos: Yeah, I was more concerned that the walking time prediction to get here said 25 minutes so we took the train to get here quicker … and got here in 45…
Mistress Discipline: The point is, that Bostonian residents are encouraged to write original stories of one hundred words describing everyday life in the town.
Death Trap: It’s a very interesting way to learn about the local culture. The gripes, the favorite places, the legends. I think it’s pretty nifty. And they have residents from all over the world. There was one about getting banh mi in Chinatown in the first wave. Every town has its little myths and legends.
Dr. Chaos: Speaking of local legends, did you see who was at the bell ringing ceremony earlier? According to the crowd, some of those people were champions.
Death Trap: 2013 World Series Red Sox. David Ortiz is the master of ceremonies or whatever for the marathon on Monday too. The man helped revive baseball in this city. As a former baseball player I have to respect the man. Even if he ate my team alive. Often. He’s a prime example of a local legend man. Hall of Fame, the first one who was a primary DH instead of a fielder, he was that good with the bat. And a true leader for that team. He was there when they broke the curse.
Mistress Discipline: I do recall him speaking after the marathon attack. He had the people in the palm of his hand. A truly commanding and soothing presence.
Dr. Chaos: This sounds like the kind of guy that fifty years down the line, dads will be telling their kids while exaggerating all he did.
Death Trap: Hero worship will do that. But Ortiz deserves it.
"Boston … a city with a lot of history. A city known for winning … sometimes. Comes in spurts. Seems like they go decades with nothing … then bam, the Celtics win a bunch. A few years later the Bruins get in on it. Then the Sox break a curse that existed for 86 years … if you believe in that kind of thing."
We see DT sitting in a side room of the library. The sun coming in the window says it’s now after lunch as he records a promo while his wife and manager … and manager’s daughter … enjoy the library. After all … Mistress IS a librarian.
"I guess not every legend gets to be the good kind. Boston’s own three time X*Crown champion … Dylan Black. Now with 300% more human limbs. Dylan, I’m going to do something unusual and actually give you the credit that you are due. Entering this as the reigning champ, getting to come down last, fresh as you can be after trying to win the titles I helped make relevant. I wish you and dear ol’ dad would have come out for a challenge. We could have torn the house down."
DT stops and thinks for a minute. He then raises an eyebrow.
"Oh no wait, last time you did that thousands of people supposedly died and half a city block burned. Allegedly. According to Kira’s records. So you know, your mileage on the fact check may vary."
DT huffs in anger at bringing up his new favorite punching bag, Kira’s business acumen.
"But I digress, the hometown villain. Here’s the thing, Dylan. Whether I like it or not, you are one of the best in the business right now. You don’t hold that title for that long … and win it twice more … without being fucking good. And to think, I thought so little of you when you were teaming with that lousy partner of yours."
He lets that linger for a minute.
"Yeah, Dackle. That guy."
Beat
"We hear a lot of talk in XHF about legends. And let’s be fair, it’s only about half true. Not everyone who was in the original run of XHF deserves to be a legend. Like my buddy Funaki, or the Hurricane. And not everyone who DIDN’T get the chance to run with us in 2002-2008 deserve to be cast aside from the conversation. Dylan … you are the prime example of a Network legend. And Boston could be proud … if you weren’t such an insufferable prick. The only reason you don’t get more hatred is because you had to hang around Jeffrey Viper unwillingly for a year or so. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy."
DT leaps up to his feet and walks towards his camera setup.
"See, I’m gonna level with you. I don’t like you. But… I am jealous. You are younger now than when I won my first title in XHF. Sure I was ECF world champ by your age but they lasted all of three years. You however, seem to get opportunity after opportunity. And you mostly earn them too. Admirable. And somehow you manage to make the most of them. Winning the tag titles with a sack of beef jerky and lawsuits riding a dolphin for a partner. Winning a world title under a different identity … with an entire made up family you somehow paid to go along with it and … did they actually die? Not gonna lie the amount of possible deaths you are involved in is frightening. Even your partner has no contest on that."
DT gets right into the camera, so it focuses in on his face, the bruises from the fight with the Black Knife Cabal fading but visible.
"What I wouldn’t have given to have had what you have, Dylan. I am a living legend … and you’ve done it in a quarter of the time. I eliminate you from the X*Crown match and somehow you end up taking the title from Rob before I ever got a shot at it again. How many allies did you have despite your backstabby tendencies? Jesse Jamester isn’t the only ghost in your closet, and yet you still manage to have people to call on for help. Dylan Black … the honorary icon … the unwilling Viper … the masky boi … the extremely violent messiah … the super frienemy … I’m sure I’ve missed a few. I can’t figure out if you’re good at manipulating people, or people see the talent and just cling to you to try and get some of what you get. For all your bluster about Kira and his AWFUL business sense … how often did he put you forward as his representative? For all the malice you have to the GUNS and Magnus, you won that title on the back of THEIR endorsement. Also Zoran, but he’s his own monster for another day."
DT backs off and gestures in exhaustion with the litany of things there is to say about Zoran.
"Dylan, you may be the local Boston legend in the making. But your story has been told. You’ve done what you wanted to, needed to. You’ve cemented your legacy. You have a whole career ahead to add to it. Me? I’m on the back end of forever. I’m the elder statesman (well one of them…) … I am the one who needs to prove to himself and everyone in this rumble that I am the legend I was designated when I returned to XHF in MCCW. I have earned some of that respect. But I want that accolade to MEAN something. I want these people in this fine city to have a new legend to cheer for. A new favorite to be a role model for the kids and teens. I want someone’s 100 words to reminisce about seeing Death Trap fight the good fight and do the improbable. Win the rumble after all this time, become three time X*Crown champion. And I’m not gonna lie … I’d love to be able to retire holding the record for longest tag title reign … AND X*Crown reign. I want my … REAL … family to be able to look up to me. And that means your legend has to hit a downturn in Foxborough."
Dr. Chaos: OH! Sarah let’s read the upcoming events later, there’s an ADORABLE tea room over there! Let’s go get some snacks, I’m getting hangry.
When Chaos gets hangry, people best move out the way. The group travels over to the Courtyard Tea Room. They sit down and order up some of the local tea on … tap? Brew? Brew.
Mistress Discipline: I adore the fine china they are using here. So rustic and historic. I hear there is a tea party museum, we should go visit that later as well.
Dr. Chaos: OH YEAH! You can dump the tea into the harbor! Well an inflatable box meant to stand in for tea. But then there is a tea flight! But we can do that Tuesday, after the holiday is over.
A smart looking tea pot is brought over and the four are treated to a delightful tea experience.
Death Trap: The Italianate Garden eh? Man it’s beautiful. Why does a library have this much historic art and architecture? It’s wonderful.
Mistress Discipline: I do not think it is actually Italian. If I had to assume, and I hate to assume, it appears to be Italian Renaissance stylization. It works.
Death Trap: Everyone wants to be Italian, Mistress. It’s a common thing to see.
Sarah: Cannoli?
Dr. Chaos: Take the cannoli, leave the gun.
Sarah smiles and puts the lemon wedge that came with the tea in her mouth, mimicking the orange that Don Corleone used. Sarah rapidly spits it out and her mouth contorts into a sour puss if there ever was one.
Sarah: SSSSOOOOOOOUUUUUUUURRRRRR!
They all laugh and sip their tea.
"Speaking of legends, there is the famous one popularized by Scorsese or Coppola. The Italian Mafioso. For some reason everyone loves a good mafia story. I hear there are even games you can play based on the mafia. Video games, movies, party games of social deception … and then there are those who just want to live the legend. Hey Cross. I don’t think we’ve met beyond that initial foray into Call to Arms when you were the only man standing at the end against myself, Mistress, Yamaguchi, and Justice. If I recall … you didn’t fare so well in that one. Fox got the only elimination in that match, yes? Hey, I’ll give you the credit, your skills are pretty top notch. And congrats on your first world title win. HKW steeped in history. A legendary federation if there ever was one. If only I had any hope that you would represent them fairly and with class. Look, I get that Marty isn’t EXACTLY exuding class out of every pore."
DT looks behind him at the Disney backpack Sarah was given as part of the gifts for the wedding that “not Marty” sent to them.
"As a fellow Italian, maybe not born in the homeland but second generation, I can understand your desire to keep up appearances and if the stereotype helps you gain an advantage then go for it! Cross, you have a ton of talent. And you have my congratulations on your successful federation. Jack Diamond, Jason Long … you have some good talent under your guidance. It must be tough for them to trust you won’t steer the ship aground… After all, I recall another known scoundrel, famous for cheating and using people, teaming up with assholes … started a company and tried to put on a positive face … even had me fooled for a while … Well to quote the Who, we won’t get fooled again."
DT grabs a bottle of water from Sarah’s backpack and guzzles half of it before turning back to the camera.
"And a submission expert as well. A crafty ring veteran. Hey let me ask, do you ALSO have me a flyer for an old folks’ retirement home? Quail Park is getting pretty expensive these days. I figure someone with your connections … a real made man … could possibly find me a better deal. Oh and Caf- I MEAN … Cross! …"
DT smirks. Oh he went there.
"I respect your talent, the same way I do the original version. But being an Italian version of Anthony Caffrey isn’t going to endear you to anyone. I can see the sniveling in your actions. Hell you were one bout of cabin fever from giving us a cookie recipe! No … no wait … your baking made Mistress vomit. Sorry. The legend of the emperor hangs high over your head Recoba. I want to know why I should think anything more of you than I did of him. What do YOU bring to the table that he couldn’t? Eh? Perhaps when I win this rumble I will tour the belt over there and let you look at it on the timekeeper’s table while I defend against some true legends … like Jack Diamond. Or whichever Jason Maverick we have these days."
DT sneers and sits down hard.
"I’ll give the respect due to you in the ring. I will abide by your abilities. But you need to respect that Death Trap is every ounce the living legend you are striving to be. I’m the best damn submissionist in the game today. At 43, I have more stamina than half your roster of young kids. I can outlast your entire roster. And don’t worry I’ll get to Jackie boy some other time. Just know this Cross. I have no love lost for the ‘legendary’ Anthony Caffrey. Your wanna be mafia vibe isn’t going to make me think any more of you. I want you to bring it to the ring. I want you to lay it all on the line. I want you to watch as Death Trap steadily eliminates Aiden Merric. Eliminates Thespian. Eliminates Random. Goes to a legendary war with your champion Diamond. And then I want you to take a seat on the floor after I eliminate you, and watch as I hold the title over my head. Hey … you got the checkbook … make me and Mistress an offer, we aren’t tied down anywhere. But I’ll soon be holding down the gold."
He steps out of the camera eye and grabs it. He carries it to the door with him.
"Legends are made all the time gentlemen. Whether it be BEEEEEF the modern day Atlas, Hercules, or Samson … Lord Dominicus the Loki-esque crafty veteran, Cross Recoba, the swift and cunning Hermes, or Dylan Black … the Lazarus who regained his humanity and rose again. All you need to know is Death Trap … is the conquering hero. The crafty yet strong, resilient yet dominant … let’s go with Theseus … I slay monsters. And you, Cross, Dylan, are just the next monsters in line to be taken down. XHF Rumble … where legends rise."
He exits and slams the door and greets his team outside in the lobby, Sarah has taken out a book on Norse myth by Neil Gaiman.
Fade
Dr. Chaos: Well that was a surprisingly respectful and calm, dare I say solemn, gathering. And in Boston! Who knew!?
Death Trap: Just because Gravedigger is from here doesn’t make the whole city a bunch of arrogant jerks…
Mistress Discipline: …Are we supposed to be familiar with this person?
Dr. Chaos: YOU KNOW THE MONSTER TRUCK? I thought I’d have to get Mary to let me sneak into that Tomas guy’s garage to meet him! HOOK ME UP!
DT blinks at them in confusion. He is completely out of his element here.
Death Trap: No uh … Gravedigger was my former best friend? From ECF? Big rival, the two of us basically put each other on the map?
Chaos lowers her excitement levels and scrunches her face in disappointment.
Dr. Chaos: Ah, phooey! What good are you!?
The fearsome foursome (most of the fear is of Chaos herself…) are in Boston on One Boston Day taking in the memorial service for the Boston Marathon Bombing ten years prior (God I feel old, I was here for that…)
Mistress Discipline: Perhaps we should refocus our attention onto the memorial for this tragic event. I cannot even begin to fathom what some of these people are feeling right now.
Dr. Chaos: I still don’t see how what Kira is doing is any less awful … but yes you’re right Mistress. We are here to take in the local culture and pay our respects.
The four of them begin to move through the crowd away from the Copley/Boylston area to find a less crowded area. The end up inside the Boston Public Library. Sarah is immediately drawn to the upcoming events board. They are going to be in Boston for a few weeks, they might as well take a look. They happen upon the Boston in 100 words poster.
Sarah: Poetry?
Mistress Discipline: According to the flier, they have a competition and choose thirteen youths and thirteen adults who had the most entertaining stories.
Death Trap: GD was telling me about this, this is the third year. They post the winning stories in public with artwork commissioned for each story. We saw one from last year on that green line train.
Dr. Chaos: Yeah, I was more concerned that the walking time prediction to get here said 25 minutes so we took the train to get here quicker … and got here in 45…
Mistress Discipline: The point is, that Bostonian residents are encouraged to write original stories of one hundred words describing everyday life in the town.
Death Trap: It’s a very interesting way to learn about the local culture. The gripes, the favorite places, the legends. I think it’s pretty nifty. And they have residents from all over the world. There was one about getting banh mi in Chinatown in the first wave. Every town has its little myths and legends.
Dr. Chaos: Speaking of local legends, did you see who was at the bell ringing ceremony earlier? According to the crowd, some of those people were champions.
Death Trap: 2013 World Series Red Sox. David Ortiz is the master of ceremonies or whatever for the marathon on Monday too. The man helped revive baseball in this city. As a former baseball player I have to respect the man. Even if he ate my team alive. Often. He’s a prime example of a local legend man. Hall of Fame, the first one who was a primary DH instead of a fielder, he was that good with the bat. And a true leader for that team. He was there when they broke the curse.
Mistress Discipline: I do recall him speaking after the marathon attack. He had the people in the palm of his hand. A truly commanding and soothing presence.
Dr. Chaos: This sounds like the kind of guy that fifty years down the line, dads will be telling their kids while exaggerating all he did.
Death Trap: Hero worship will do that. But Ortiz deserves it.
"Boston … a city with a lot of history. A city known for winning … sometimes. Comes in spurts. Seems like they go decades with nothing … then bam, the Celtics win a bunch. A few years later the Bruins get in on it. Then the Sox break a curse that existed for 86 years … if you believe in that kind of thing."
We see DT sitting in a side room of the library. The sun coming in the window says it’s now after lunch as he records a promo while his wife and manager … and manager’s daughter … enjoy the library. After all … Mistress IS a librarian.
"I guess not every legend gets to be the good kind. Boston’s own three time X*Crown champion … Dylan Black. Now with 300% more human limbs. Dylan, I’m going to do something unusual and actually give you the credit that you are due. Entering this as the reigning champ, getting to come down last, fresh as you can be after trying to win the titles I helped make relevant. I wish you and dear ol’ dad would have come out for a challenge. We could have torn the house down."
DT stops and thinks for a minute. He then raises an eyebrow.
"Oh no wait, last time you did that thousands of people supposedly died and half a city block burned. Allegedly. According to Kira’s records. So you know, your mileage on the fact check may vary."
DT huffs in anger at bringing up his new favorite punching bag, Kira’s business acumen.
"But I digress, the hometown villain. Here’s the thing, Dylan. Whether I like it or not, you are one of the best in the business right now. You don’t hold that title for that long … and win it twice more … without being fucking good. And to think, I thought so little of you when you were teaming with that lousy partner of yours."
He lets that linger for a minute.
"Yeah, Dackle. That guy."
Beat
"We hear a lot of talk in XHF about legends. And let’s be fair, it’s only about half true. Not everyone who was in the original run of XHF deserves to be a legend. Like my buddy Funaki, or the Hurricane. And not everyone who DIDN’T get the chance to run with us in 2002-2008 deserve to be cast aside from the conversation. Dylan … you are the prime example of a Network legend. And Boston could be proud … if you weren’t such an insufferable prick. The only reason you don’t get more hatred is because you had to hang around Jeffrey Viper unwillingly for a year or so. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy."
DT leaps up to his feet and walks towards his camera setup.
"See, I’m gonna level with you. I don’t like you. But… I am jealous. You are younger now than when I won my first title in XHF. Sure I was ECF world champ by your age but they lasted all of three years. You however, seem to get opportunity after opportunity. And you mostly earn them too. Admirable. And somehow you manage to make the most of them. Winning the tag titles with a sack of beef jerky and lawsuits riding a dolphin for a partner. Winning a world title under a different identity … with an entire made up family you somehow paid to go along with it and … did they actually die? Not gonna lie the amount of possible deaths you are involved in is frightening. Even your partner has no contest on that."
DT gets right into the camera, so it focuses in on his face, the bruises from the fight with the Black Knife Cabal fading but visible.
"What I wouldn’t have given to have had what you have, Dylan. I am a living legend … and you’ve done it in a quarter of the time. I eliminate you from the X*Crown match and somehow you end up taking the title from Rob before I ever got a shot at it again. How many allies did you have despite your backstabby tendencies? Jesse Jamester isn’t the only ghost in your closet, and yet you still manage to have people to call on for help. Dylan Black … the honorary icon … the unwilling Viper … the masky boi … the extremely violent messiah … the super frienemy … I’m sure I’ve missed a few. I can’t figure out if you’re good at manipulating people, or people see the talent and just cling to you to try and get some of what you get. For all your bluster about Kira and his AWFUL business sense … how often did he put you forward as his representative? For all the malice you have to the GUNS and Magnus, you won that title on the back of THEIR endorsement. Also Zoran, but he’s his own monster for another day."
DT backs off and gestures in exhaustion with the litany of things there is to say about Zoran.
"Dylan, you may be the local Boston legend in the making. But your story has been told. You’ve done what you wanted to, needed to. You’ve cemented your legacy. You have a whole career ahead to add to it. Me? I’m on the back end of forever. I’m the elder statesman (well one of them…) … I am the one who needs to prove to himself and everyone in this rumble that I am the legend I was designated when I returned to XHF in MCCW. I have earned some of that respect. But I want that accolade to MEAN something. I want these people in this fine city to have a new legend to cheer for. A new favorite to be a role model for the kids and teens. I want someone’s 100 words to reminisce about seeing Death Trap fight the good fight and do the improbable. Win the rumble after all this time, become three time X*Crown champion. And I’m not gonna lie … I’d love to be able to retire holding the record for longest tag title reign … AND X*Crown reign. I want my … REAL … family to be able to look up to me. And that means your legend has to hit a downturn in Foxborough."
Dr. Chaos: OH! Sarah let’s read the upcoming events later, there’s an ADORABLE tea room over there! Let’s go get some snacks, I’m getting hangry.
When Chaos gets hangry, people best move out the way. The group travels over to the Courtyard Tea Room. They sit down and order up some of the local tea on … tap? Brew? Brew.
Mistress Discipline: I adore the fine china they are using here. So rustic and historic. I hear there is a tea party museum, we should go visit that later as well.
Dr. Chaos: OH YEAH! You can dump the tea into the harbor! Well an inflatable box meant to stand in for tea. But then there is a tea flight! But we can do that Tuesday, after the holiday is over.
A smart looking tea pot is brought over and the four are treated to a delightful tea experience.
Death Trap: The Italianate Garden eh? Man it’s beautiful. Why does a library have this much historic art and architecture? It’s wonderful.
Mistress Discipline: I do not think it is actually Italian. If I had to assume, and I hate to assume, it appears to be Italian Renaissance stylization. It works.
Death Trap: Everyone wants to be Italian, Mistress. It’s a common thing to see.
Sarah: Cannoli?
Dr. Chaos: Take the cannoli, leave the gun.
Sarah smiles and puts the lemon wedge that came with the tea in her mouth, mimicking the orange that Don Corleone used. Sarah rapidly spits it out and her mouth contorts into a sour puss if there ever was one.
Sarah: SSSSOOOOOOOUUUUUUUURRRRRR!
They all laugh and sip their tea.
"Speaking of legends, there is the famous one popularized by Scorsese or Coppola. The Italian Mafioso. For some reason everyone loves a good mafia story. I hear there are even games you can play based on the mafia. Video games, movies, party games of social deception … and then there are those who just want to live the legend. Hey Cross. I don’t think we’ve met beyond that initial foray into Call to Arms when you were the only man standing at the end against myself, Mistress, Yamaguchi, and Justice. If I recall … you didn’t fare so well in that one. Fox got the only elimination in that match, yes? Hey, I’ll give you the credit, your skills are pretty top notch. And congrats on your first world title win. HKW steeped in history. A legendary federation if there ever was one. If only I had any hope that you would represent them fairly and with class. Look, I get that Marty isn’t EXACTLY exuding class out of every pore."
DT looks behind him at the Disney backpack Sarah was given as part of the gifts for the wedding that “not Marty” sent to them.
"As a fellow Italian, maybe not born in the homeland but second generation, I can understand your desire to keep up appearances and if the stereotype helps you gain an advantage then go for it! Cross, you have a ton of talent. And you have my congratulations on your successful federation. Jack Diamond, Jason Long … you have some good talent under your guidance. It must be tough for them to trust you won’t steer the ship aground… After all, I recall another known scoundrel, famous for cheating and using people, teaming up with assholes … started a company and tried to put on a positive face … even had me fooled for a while … Well to quote the Who, we won’t get fooled again."
DT grabs a bottle of water from Sarah’s backpack and guzzles half of it before turning back to the camera.
"And a submission expert as well. A crafty ring veteran. Hey let me ask, do you ALSO have me a flyer for an old folks’ retirement home? Quail Park is getting pretty expensive these days. I figure someone with your connections … a real made man … could possibly find me a better deal. Oh and Caf- I MEAN … Cross! …"
DT smirks. Oh he went there.
"I respect your talent, the same way I do the original version. But being an Italian version of Anthony Caffrey isn’t going to endear you to anyone. I can see the sniveling in your actions. Hell you were one bout of cabin fever from giving us a cookie recipe! No … no wait … your baking made Mistress vomit. Sorry. The legend of the emperor hangs high over your head Recoba. I want to know why I should think anything more of you than I did of him. What do YOU bring to the table that he couldn’t? Eh? Perhaps when I win this rumble I will tour the belt over there and let you look at it on the timekeeper’s table while I defend against some true legends … like Jack Diamond. Or whichever Jason Maverick we have these days."
DT sneers and sits down hard.
"I’ll give the respect due to you in the ring. I will abide by your abilities. But you need to respect that Death Trap is every ounce the living legend you are striving to be. I’m the best damn submissionist in the game today. At 43, I have more stamina than half your roster of young kids. I can outlast your entire roster. And don’t worry I’ll get to Jackie boy some other time. Just know this Cross. I have no love lost for the ‘legendary’ Anthony Caffrey. Your wanna be mafia vibe isn’t going to make me think any more of you. I want you to bring it to the ring. I want you to lay it all on the line. I want you to watch as Death Trap steadily eliminates Aiden Merric. Eliminates Thespian. Eliminates Random. Goes to a legendary war with your champion Diamond. And then I want you to take a seat on the floor after I eliminate you, and watch as I hold the title over my head. Hey … you got the checkbook … make me and Mistress an offer, we aren’t tied down anywhere. But I’ll soon be holding down the gold."
He steps out of the camera eye and grabs it. He carries it to the door with him.
"Legends are made all the time gentlemen. Whether it be BEEEEEF the modern day Atlas, Hercules, or Samson … Lord Dominicus the Loki-esque crafty veteran, Cross Recoba, the swift and cunning Hermes, or Dylan Black … the Lazarus who regained his humanity and rose again. All you need to know is Death Trap … is the conquering hero. The crafty yet strong, resilient yet dominant … let’s go with Theseus … I slay monsters. And you, Cross, Dylan, are just the next monsters in line to be taken down. XHF Rumble … where legends rise."
He exits and slams the door and greets his team outside in the lobby, Sarah has taken out a book on Norse myth by Neil Gaiman.
Fade