Post by The Dunne Deal on Jul 23, 2024 3:05:39 GMT -5
[The camera cuts to a backstage area, where Wellington Dunne and Cheez, collectively known as the "Tilted Cartridges," are seated. A small celebratory setup is visible in the background, with a modest spread of snacks and a couple of beverages on a table. The atmosphere is jubilant but slightly tense. Dunne raises his drink and speaks with a proud smile.]
Wellington Dunne: Well, we did it. One match down, and we're one step closer to winning the North American Cup and those tag team titles.
[Cheez sits next to Dunne, his eyes darting around the room, a slight maniacal giggle escaping his lips. Dunne notices and looks concerned.]
Wellington Dunne: Are you okay?
Cheez: [With a slightly crazed edge in his voice] Am I okay? Am I okay, you ask? No, I'm not okay. I'm sorry, I can't help but feel as if that win was given to us. And now I'm hearing rumors backstage about our next match being given to us as well.
Wellington Dunne: Well, it seems we're going to be one step closer to the championships and that North American Cup, like I said before.
Cheez: I know, I know that, and I should be excited that we're getting closer, but part of me hates this. Like, I'm sorry, I don't want to build my legacy in this business on rigged expectations and handouts. I want to feel like I earned it. I mean, sure, there are other teams in this tournament that we have to worry about, but is it wrong to want it?
[Cheez looks down, clearly conflicted. Dunne sits down next to him, trying to offer some comfort.]
Wellington Dunne: Maybe you're right, but I still believe in us. Hey, do your thing.
Cheez: [Confused] What thing?
Wellington Dunne: You know, you've always been the more analytical person in our tag team, so do what you do best. Go on your little laptop, pull up every profile for everyone else in this tournament, and tear them a new one, nerd style.
Cheez: [With a hint of sarcasm] Gee, thanks.
Wellington Dunne: What do you mean, thanks? You're talented, just like everybody else in this godforsaken company.
Cheez: Correction, in this business. See, there's what I actually want to do and what people expect me to do. You're saying you expect me to go on my laptop and do my little analytical research. It's like everyone expects me to do the same thing. They expect me to make game references that go over everyone's heads. They expect me to make cutesy little memes. They expect me to be in my little gremlin gamer cave, surrounded by empty bottles of Mountain Dew and my fingers greasy with Dorito dust as I type away on my keyboard in wrestling forums, complaining about how such and such tag teams are the worst tag team ever. [In a Simpsons Comic Book Guy voice] Worst. Tag Team. Ever.
Cheez: I mean, you're okay with the possibility of being handed the next match instead of actually earning it? That just proves to me the reason why you were the weak link of The Saga.
Wellington Dunne: Now hold on, man, you're going a little too far.
Cheez: No, Dunne, I'm not going far enough. You want to know why I'm pissed? You want to know why I'm angry? I'll tell you exactly why. I came to this company because someone told me that some of the best competition was here and if I wanted to elevate myself, to become better in this business, I had to come here. But you know what I found when I got here? I didn't find wrestlers. I didn't find performers. I found prima donnas and ass kissers. That's what I found. "Oh, I have a family legacy I have to live up to." [With a sneer] F*** your family and f*** your legacy. No one gives a s***. No one cares who your father was. No one cares what legacy of wrestling you come from or what banner you come from. Quit living in the goddamn past!
Cheez: I mean, let's just look at some of the things that have happened over the last couple of shows we've been involved in. Or I've been involved in since you're just here to help me with this tournament. The first match, we got a team that couldn't get along with each other, and one of those people in that team was the heavyweight champion at the time, and then she lost the belt to a man doing a musical. And now our next match, which is the one that may or may not be given to us, I don't know yet. Again, I'm just basing it off rumors. Again, I should be excited for this match. This should be the match I want to have because, hey, it's my chance to get some sort of revenge on two men who, since I joined this company, have made my life a living hell because they want to act like the same schoolyard bullies that used to pick on me in high school. "Oh, we're The High Rollers and we're better than everybody. We eat better, we live better, we drink better, we fight better, we f*** better." God, I feel like I'm quoting a damn Big Red commercial whenever I speak about them. [Dunne begins to hum the Big Red jingle] Don't even start.
Cheez: Here’s my question: if you're so much better than everyone else, how come you're not champion? How come you're not at the top of the card all the goddamn time? And what, you gonna throw the match with us because you don't think we're actually worth a match with you? I can talk about every other team in this tournament. I can talk about Bad to the Bone. I could say congratulations to Lord Dominicus for becoming champion, if he keeps it, that is. I could bring up The Empire—oh look, another group of people trying to live off a family legacy. I could talk about Rage and Cage, but I don't want to bore people by becoming a Dr. Seuss book by rhyming everything. I could talk about Imperial Catch Kings, but there's not much to talk about. I could talk about Cryptic Cabal, but again, I don't know enough about them to make fun of them. And I could bring up the Oblivion Death Squad.
Cheez: See, everybody wants to pretend that I'm the easy target, that we're the easy target. "Oh, well maybe they're going to let you win because they respect you." You can take that respect and shove it right up your ass because no respect has gotten me in my career. An uneventful reign with a tag team title for a company that doesn't exist anymore and not one but two failed attempts at the junior heavyweight championship. Respect doesn't win matches. And yeah, ODS brought it up. Tilted Cartridges is what happens when you pull a cartridge out of a game console to cause the game to be glitched because that's what we are. We are Tilted Cartridges. We are the glitch in your game. We are Tilted Cartridges. We are the hidden boss you stumbled upon. We are Tilted Cartridges, and we are the cheat codes of professional wrestling. And you have not yet unlocked all of our secrets.
[The camera zooms in on Cheez’s intense expression, then cuts to Dunne, who looks both concerned and resolute. Dunne takes a deep breath, composing himself before speaking.]
Wellington Dunne: Look, Cheez, I get it. I really do. But sometimes you have to play the hand you're dealt. We're in this tournament, and whether the odds are stacked in our favor or not, we have to make the most of it. We have to show everyone that we deserve to be here, that we can win these matches on our own merit.
Cheez: [Sighing] Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just overthinking things. But it's hard not to when everything feels so... predetermined.
Wellington Dunne: Then let's prove them wrong. Let's go out there and show them that we're not just some fluke. That we're not just getting handed victories. Let's make them see that we are the Tilted Cartridges, and we are a force to be reckoned with.
Cheez: [Nodding slowly] Yeah, you're right. We need to prove ourselves. We need to show them that we can win on our own terms.
Wellington Dunne: Exactly. Now, let's focus on our next match. Who are we up against?
Cheez: [Pulls out his laptop and starts typing] According to the bracket, we're up against the High Rollers next. Those two smug jerks who think they're better than everyone else.
Wellington Dunne: [Grinning] Perfect. This is our chance to shut them up once and for all. This is our chance to show them that we're not to be underestimated.
Cheez: [With a determined look] You're right. This is our opportunity to make a statement. Let's go out there and give them the fight of their lives.
[The camera cuts to a montage of the Tilted Cartridges training together, working on their moves and strategies. They are seen studying footage of their opponents, discussing tactics, and pushing each other to their limits. The intensity in their training is palpable, as they are determined to prove their worth.]
[The montage ends with Dunne and Cheez standing side by side, looking out at the wrestling ring, their expressions filled with determination and resolve.]
Wellington Dunne: We got this, Cheez. We just need to stay focused and give it our all.
Cheez: [Nodding] Yeah. Let's show them what we're made of.
[The camera cuts back to the backstage area where Dunne and Cheez were initially seated. The celebratory setup is still there, but now it's clear that they are ready for the next challenge. They stand up, and Dunne extends a hand to Cheez.]
Wellington Dunne: Together?
Cheez: [With a small smile] Together.
[They shake hands, a symbol of their partnership and shared determination. The camera fades to black, leaving the audience with a sense of anticipation for the next chapter in their journey.]
Wellington Dunne: Well, we did it. One match down, and we're one step closer to winning the North American Cup and those tag team titles.
[Cheez sits next to Dunne, his eyes darting around the room, a slight maniacal giggle escaping his lips. Dunne notices and looks concerned.]
Wellington Dunne: Are you okay?
Cheez: [With a slightly crazed edge in his voice] Am I okay? Am I okay, you ask? No, I'm not okay. I'm sorry, I can't help but feel as if that win was given to us. And now I'm hearing rumors backstage about our next match being given to us as well.
Wellington Dunne: Well, it seems we're going to be one step closer to the championships and that North American Cup, like I said before.
Cheez: I know, I know that, and I should be excited that we're getting closer, but part of me hates this. Like, I'm sorry, I don't want to build my legacy in this business on rigged expectations and handouts. I want to feel like I earned it. I mean, sure, there are other teams in this tournament that we have to worry about, but is it wrong to want it?
[Cheez looks down, clearly conflicted. Dunne sits down next to him, trying to offer some comfort.]
Wellington Dunne: Maybe you're right, but I still believe in us. Hey, do your thing.
Cheez: [Confused] What thing?
Wellington Dunne: You know, you've always been the more analytical person in our tag team, so do what you do best. Go on your little laptop, pull up every profile for everyone else in this tournament, and tear them a new one, nerd style.
Cheez: [With a hint of sarcasm] Gee, thanks.
Wellington Dunne: What do you mean, thanks? You're talented, just like everybody else in this godforsaken company.
Cheez: Correction, in this business. See, there's what I actually want to do and what people expect me to do. You're saying you expect me to go on my laptop and do my little analytical research. It's like everyone expects me to do the same thing. They expect me to make game references that go over everyone's heads. They expect me to make cutesy little memes. They expect me to be in my little gremlin gamer cave, surrounded by empty bottles of Mountain Dew and my fingers greasy with Dorito dust as I type away on my keyboard in wrestling forums, complaining about how such and such tag teams are the worst tag team ever. [In a Simpsons Comic Book Guy voice] Worst. Tag Team. Ever.
Cheez: I mean, you're okay with the possibility of being handed the next match instead of actually earning it? That just proves to me the reason why you were the weak link of The Saga.
Wellington Dunne: Now hold on, man, you're going a little too far.
Cheez: No, Dunne, I'm not going far enough. You want to know why I'm pissed? You want to know why I'm angry? I'll tell you exactly why. I came to this company because someone told me that some of the best competition was here and if I wanted to elevate myself, to become better in this business, I had to come here. But you know what I found when I got here? I didn't find wrestlers. I didn't find performers. I found prima donnas and ass kissers. That's what I found. "Oh, I have a family legacy I have to live up to." [With a sneer] F*** your family and f*** your legacy. No one gives a s***. No one cares who your father was. No one cares what legacy of wrestling you come from or what banner you come from. Quit living in the goddamn past!
Cheez: I mean, let's just look at some of the things that have happened over the last couple of shows we've been involved in. Or I've been involved in since you're just here to help me with this tournament. The first match, we got a team that couldn't get along with each other, and one of those people in that team was the heavyweight champion at the time, and then she lost the belt to a man doing a musical. And now our next match, which is the one that may or may not be given to us, I don't know yet. Again, I'm just basing it off rumors. Again, I should be excited for this match. This should be the match I want to have because, hey, it's my chance to get some sort of revenge on two men who, since I joined this company, have made my life a living hell because they want to act like the same schoolyard bullies that used to pick on me in high school. "Oh, we're The High Rollers and we're better than everybody. We eat better, we live better, we drink better, we fight better, we f*** better." God, I feel like I'm quoting a damn Big Red commercial whenever I speak about them. [Dunne begins to hum the Big Red jingle] Don't even start.
Cheez: Here’s my question: if you're so much better than everyone else, how come you're not champion? How come you're not at the top of the card all the goddamn time? And what, you gonna throw the match with us because you don't think we're actually worth a match with you? I can talk about every other team in this tournament. I can talk about Bad to the Bone. I could say congratulations to Lord Dominicus for becoming champion, if he keeps it, that is. I could bring up The Empire—oh look, another group of people trying to live off a family legacy. I could talk about Rage and Cage, but I don't want to bore people by becoming a Dr. Seuss book by rhyming everything. I could talk about Imperial Catch Kings, but there's not much to talk about. I could talk about Cryptic Cabal, but again, I don't know enough about them to make fun of them. And I could bring up the Oblivion Death Squad.
Cheez: See, everybody wants to pretend that I'm the easy target, that we're the easy target. "Oh, well maybe they're going to let you win because they respect you." You can take that respect and shove it right up your ass because no respect has gotten me in my career. An uneventful reign with a tag team title for a company that doesn't exist anymore and not one but two failed attempts at the junior heavyweight championship. Respect doesn't win matches. And yeah, ODS brought it up. Tilted Cartridges is what happens when you pull a cartridge out of a game console to cause the game to be glitched because that's what we are. We are Tilted Cartridges. We are the glitch in your game. We are Tilted Cartridges. We are the hidden boss you stumbled upon. We are Tilted Cartridges, and we are the cheat codes of professional wrestling. And you have not yet unlocked all of our secrets.
[The camera zooms in on Cheez’s intense expression, then cuts to Dunne, who looks both concerned and resolute. Dunne takes a deep breath, composing himself before speaking.]
Wellington Dunne: Look, Cheez, I get it. I really do. But sometimes you have to play the hand you're dealt. We're in this tournament, and whether the odds are stacked in our favor or not, we have to make the most of it. We have to show everyone that we deserve to be here, that we can win these matches on our own merit.
Cheez: [Sighing] Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just overthinking things. But it's hard not to when everything feels so... predetermined.
Wellington Dunne: Then let's prove them wrong. Let's go out there and show them that we're not just some fluke. That we're not just getting handed victories. Let's make them see that we are the Tilted Cartridges, and we are a force to be reckoned with.
Cheez: [Nodding slowly] Yeah, you're right. We need to prove ourselves. We need to show them that we can win on our own terms.
Wellington Dunne: Exactly. Now, let's focus on our next match. Who are we up against?
Cheez: [Pulls out his laptop and starts typing] According to the bracket, we're up against the High Rollers next. Those two smug jerks who think they're better than everyone else.
Wellington Dunne: [Grinning] Perfect. This is our chance to shut them up once and for all. This is our chance to show them that we're not to be underestimated.
Cheez: [With a determined look] You're right. This is our opportunity to make a statement. Let's go out there and give them the fight of their lives.
[The camera cuts to a montage of the Tilted Cartridges training together, working on their moves and strategies. They are seen studying footage of their opponents, discussing tactics, and pushing each other to their limits. The intensity in their training is palpable, as they are determined to prove their worth.]
[The montage ends with Dunne and Cheez standing side by side, looking out at the wrestling ring, their expressions filled with determination and resolve.]
Wellington Dunne: We got this, Cheez. We just need to stay focused and give it our all.
Cheez: [Nodding] Yeah. Let's show them what we're made of.
[The camera cuts back to the backstage area where Dunne and Cheez were initially seated. The celebratory setup is still there, but now it's clear that they are ready for the next challenge. They stand up, and Dunne extends a hand to Cheez.]
Wellington Dunne: Together?
Cheez: [With a small smile] Together.
[They shake hands, a symbol of their partnership and shared determination. The camera fades to black, leaving the audience with a sense of anticipation for the next chapter in their journey.]
