Post by Bobby Barratt on Jan 15, 2018 20:01:44 GMT -5
This roleplay followed the death of Shawn Rossdale. Founder of ICW and a man that after months of feuding, became the best friend of Bobby in their way to dominate ICW. The death occurred as a result of Shawn and Bobby going out drunk to beat down Chaos Kid ahead of their contest that night. Shawn was drunk and ended up crashing his car, leaving Bobby to compete that night after the death was announced on air.
"Cos all of the stars
Are fading away
Just try not to worry
You`ll see them some day
Take what you need
And be on your way
And stop crying your heart out..."
We open in a Funeral Parlour in Stillwater, MN. Crowds of people have turned out. From the close family of Former ICW Owner Shawn Rossdale, friends from all over England, as well as familiar faces of the ICW roster. From the huge, intimidating figure of Duke Kosloff, flanked by his Fireborn Connection pals Chaos Kid and Lucas Rieter. The less imposing figure of ICW newcomer Billy Shaw who for the reason of taste has left his briefcase at home. Former Hollywood icon Bret Stetson, who seems to be playing the "face" of the affair, schmoozing with the friends and family. That seems his kind of gig. Even current ICW Champion Jack Diamond has attended, despite his numerous differences in recent times with Shawn. This isn't a time to feud...This is a time to grieve.
We cut to outside of the parlor. Hundreds of fans, perhaps more line the streets, dressed in black. Sure, Shawn McGregor Rossdale may not have been the most popular guy on TV each week, but what he was is the guy that took a risk. He took every dollar he had and decided he was going to revolutionise the Wrestling business. He gave us ICW, he gave those fans something to tune into each week and he gave every man in that room a job. We were entertained.
The scene jumps back inside to the far end of the room. Bobby Barratt cuts a very solitary presence. Gone is the ego, the bravado and the toughness that unified the Shooting Star and Ironman Championships last week...This is a shell of a man. A man that had to watch the closest thing he had to a friend in this business fly through a windshield and take his last breath. These guys had their ups and downs, but they came through it, stronger as a unit and no matter what acts a man commits...No one should have to suffer a fate like that.
Hey baby. How you holding up?
Jenny approaches from the entrance. She had held back behind Bobby to greet some of Shawn's family. They still had a great relationship, despite how Shawn and Jenny split.
It's just not fair...One minute we were kings of the road. We were united in our goals, our relationship had never felt stronger and we felt alive. The next minute....
Bobby loses his compusure. Taking a second to regain his calm. For a man who just lost his best friend, he sure is holding it together.
It's ok, baby. Let it out. This is a safe place to grieve.
You know in all of the years I have been a part of this business, this is the first time in a long time I have been able to consider anyone...a friend. Shawn was my friend...I said it. We fought like Cat and Dog, but at the end of the day, when the blood had been shed, the sweat had dried into the mat and the lights were down....We realised how alike we were. We realised that our strive to do what it took is what made us bitter enemies and better friends. You saw that, right baby?
Of course. It took a while, but I saw it. You two would have been a hel-.....heck of a team, you know?
With that, people sat. Bret returned to his seat...Jack sat next to Dakota Paige...Duke, Chaos and Lucas sat together and for just a moment...It all felt like nothing had happened. Not one single, solitary drop of bad blood flowed through that room. Rather than being people who were constantly at war with one another, everyone was at that moment...United.
Tears flowed as the service progressed. Songs were sang, prayers were read. The minister gave a detailed biography as best as he could gather from Shawn's family of his life. From his rise to stardom in NWR, to his injury. His personal life in taking over the family business and using it as collateral to open ICW. People laughed, people cried, people hugged.
At this point in the service, I would like to invite anyone who would like to share to please do so.
A middle aged woman rises. She wipes her eyes delicately as to not ruin her makeup before taking a deep breath and approaching the stand. She proceeded to read out a poem she felt would describe how Shawn would feel about this whole affair.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
-Mary Elizabeth Frye
This was Bobby's chance. The chance to tell everyone what Shawn meant to him...But not one person in this room, no matter how united, would want to hear what he had to say. He was despised by every person in that room except for the man at rest.
Go on...You know you have a lot to say. You always do!
Jenny was blatantly trying to cheer Bobby up. He smiled politely through the pain, the anguish and the hurt that he was feeling, but didn't move. He couldn't. It was taking every bit of self control he had not to break into a million pieces.
He was the only man in that locker room I could trust, you know? I have no idea who to turn to now...
With that, the minister drew things to a close. People started filtering out past Bobby and Jenny. Bobby noticed someone approaching him. Through the tears he was trying so desperately to hold in, all he could make out was a black suit. Quite well fitting, but other than that, fairly standard funeral attire. Bobby drops his head slightly, as to avoid being noticed if at all possible, but it was too late. The man stops in front of him. Seconds seem to last forever as if he is expecting Bobby's gaze to meet his. The man starts to speak, but the words are muffled. Bobby is concentrating so hard...This whole day is going in such a blur it all feels almost dream like.
Look man, I know (inaudible…) I know I’m the last person (inaudible...) but just know that I’m thinking of you and Jenny. (inaudible...) honor.
Bobby wants to speak. He wants to show this man what taking this moment of his time means to him right now...He just can't. He stares at the other guys shoes as he struggles with his emotions. After a few long seconds, the man walks awkwardly away.
That was awfully big of him, you know? After all you guys have been through...
Huh, what? Who was that guy?
Really? You didn't recognize Jack Diamond? Or were you too busy staring a hole through the floor?
I'm sorry. I'm just not in the right place, right now. My best friend died last week and rather than sit by his side and comfort him like I should have, I took off. I went to win a wrestling match. I don't care what the prize is...Was that the right thing to do? Is that what a friend does?
Baby, look at me! You know Shawn as well as I do. ICW was his baby and you were his guy, his protege, if you will. Now this sounds like a big cliche...But you taking down Chaos, unifying the titles and doing him proud...That's all he wanted from you!
The emotion overcomes Bobby as the last few guests filter out of the room. The minister escorts Shawn's remaining family outside to start their grieving process. Bobby and Jenny are alone.
Baby...I want you to wait outside for me. I have some things I want to say to Shawn.
Jenny obliges. A quick peck on the cheek and she is gone. Bobby approaches the casket, which is still in waiting, curtains open as per family wishes. He rests one hand on the solid wooden top of the casket. It feels so heavy, so robust.
Hey man, it's me. You know some of the last words you said to me were about how I was always the chosen one and I never had to use you to "get in". The real truth is I didn't realise it until it was too late...But I needed you, brother. Just not in the way I first thought. When I went out to that ring and brought home those titles, last week...You were in my heart, You'll always be in my heart. Every match, every time that music echoes out over an arena, every time I get my hand raised in victory. That starts this week at Rising Tide. I don't know whether you know it, but me and GB Armstrong are taking on Duke and Chaos for the straps. I promise you I'm going to do all I can to bring those titles home, brother. I love you, man...even if you will always be the cuck!
With that, Bobby takes a step back, pulling a black velvet bag out of his jacket. He opens it and pulls out the original ICW Shooting Star Championship he had locked away. His tears splatter across the metallic plates as he takes on more look before draping it across Shawn's casket. Bobby taps his hand on the top affectionately before turning and walking away with the heaviest heart in the world, right now.
He heads outside to the waiting Jenny. They embrace tightly and Bobby feels for at least one second, that the weight of the world is off him. Jenny's sweet embrace lessened his burden so much he could cry. This lasted what felt like forever, until Bobby saw Duke Kosloff out of the corner of his eye with a bottle of Premier Russian Vodka in his hand, taking huge gulps from the bottle while talking to Chaos Kid. Chaos notices Bobby's lazer glance and tries to get Duke to put it away.
Really? Don't they teach fucking boundaries in Russia? He knows what happened to Shawn and what caused it! Have some fucking respect you prick!
What's up?!
Jenny surveys the scene. She knows Bobby is about to unleash all his pent up emotions on Duke, even if it does result in a huge beatdown at the hands of the others.
Oh no! Duke!! Come on, man! Put that away. Time and a place!
Duke laughs, turning his back to Bobby and Jenny. He really is a monster. Chaos looks uncomfortable.
You know what, baby? Forget it. All of that anger, that pain...Give it to them come this weekend! You're beaten, bruised and right now, pretty broken. You know you don't win that fight now. Let's go home, prepare for the weekend and do it the right way....
Bobby doesn't look convinced.
For Shawn.
The fire disappears from Bobby's eyes. The waves of emotion come crashing down on him mentally again and he almost collapses into Jenny. She steadies him and guides him towards the black limo that was hired out for today. The door opens, they both hop in and the driver moves away before this whole situation breaks down as the scene fades.
"Cos all of the stars
Are fading away
Just try not to worry
You`ll see them some day
Take what you need
And be on your way
And stop crying your heart out..."
We open in a Funeral Parlour in Stillwater, MN. Crowds of people have turned out. From the close family of Former ICW Owner Shawn Rossdale, friends from all over England, as well as familiar faces of the ICW roster. From the huge, intimidating figure of Duke Kosloff, flanked by his Fireborn Connection pals Chaos Kid and Lucas Rieter. The less imposing figure of ICW newcomer Billy Shaw who for the reason of taste has left his briefcase at home. Former Hollywood icon Bret Stetson, who seems to be playing the "face" of the affair, schmoozing with the friends and family. That seems his kind of gig. Even current ICW Champion Jack Diamond has attended, despite his numerous differences in recent times with Shawn. This isn't a time to feud...This is a time to grieve.
We cut to outside of the parlor. Hundreds of fans, perhaps more line the streets, dressed in black. Sure, Shawn McGregor Rossdale may not have been the most popular guy on TV each week, but what he was is the guy that took a risk. He took every dollar he had and decided he was going to revolutionise the Wrestling business. He gave us ICW, he gave those fans something to tune into each week and he gave every man in that room a job. We were entertained.
The scene jumps back inside to the far end of the room. Bobby Barratt cuts a very solitary presence. Gone is the ego, the bravado and the toughness that unified the Shooting Star and Ironman Championships last week...This is a shell of a man. A man that had to watch the closest thing he had to a friend in this business fly through a windshield and take his last breath. These guys had their ups and downs, but they came through it, stronger as a unit and no matter what acts a man commits...No one should have to suffer a fate like that.
Hey baby. How you holding up?
Jenny approaches from the entrance. She had held back behind Bobby to greet some of Shawn's family. They still had a great relationship, despite how Shawn and Jenny split.
It's just not fair...One minute we were kings of the road. We were united in our goals, our relationship had never felt stronger and we felt alive. The next minute....
Bobby loses his compusure. Taking a second to regain his calm. For a man who just lost his best friend, he sure is holding it together.
It's ok, baby. Let it out. This is a safe place to grieve.
You know in all of the years I have been a part of this business, this is the first time in a long time I have been able to consider anyone...a friend. Shawn was my friend...I said it. We fought like Cat and Dog, but at the end of the day, when the blood had been shed, the sweat had dried into the mat and the lights were down....We realised how alike we were. We realised that our strive to do what it took is what made us bitter enemies and better friends. You saw that, right baby?
Of course. It took a while, but I saw it. You two would have been a hel-.....heck of a team, you know?
With that, people sat. Bret returned to his seat...Jack sat next to Dakota Paige...Duke, Chaos and Lucas sat together and for just a moment...It all felt like nothing had happened. Not one single, solitary drop of bad blood flowed through that room. Rather than being people who were constantly at war with one another, everyone was at that moment...United.
Tears flowed as the service progressed. Songs were sang, prayers were read. The minister gave a detailed biography as best as he could gather from Shawn's family of his life. From his rise to stardom in NWR, to his injury. His personal life in taking over the family business and using it as collateral to open ICW. People laughed, people cried, people hugged.
At this point in the service, I would like to invite anyone who would like to share to please do so.
A middle aged woman rises. She wipes her eyes delicately as to not ruin her makeup before taking a deep breath and approaching the stand. She proceeded to read out a poem she felt would describe how Shawn would feel about this whole affair.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
-Mary Elizabeth Frye
This was Bobby's chance. The chance to tell everyone what Shawn meant to him...But not one person in this room, no matter how united, would want to hear what he had to say. He was despised by every person in that room except for the man at rest.
Go on...You know you have a lot to say. You always do!
Jenny was blatantly trying to cheer Bobby up. He smiled politely through the pain, the anguish and the hurt that he was feeling, but didn't move. He couldn't. It was taking every bit of self control he had not to break into a million pieces.
He was the only man in that locker room I could trust, you know? I have no idea who to turn to now...
With that, the minister drew things to a close. People started filtering out past Bobby and Jenny. Bobby noticed someone approaching him. Through the tears he was trying so desperately to hold in, all he could make out was a black suit. Quite well fitting, but other than that, fairly standard funeral attire. Bobby drops his head slightly, as to avoid being noticed if at all possible, but it was too late. The man stops in front of him. Seconds seem to last forever as if he is expecting Bobby's gaze to meet his. The man starts to speak, but the words are muffled. Bobby is concentrating so hard...This whole day is going in such a blur it all feels almost dream like.
Look man, I know (inaudible…) I know I’m the last person (inaudible...) but just know that I’m thinking of you and Jenny. (inaudible...) honor.
Bobby wants to speak. He wants to show this man what taking this moment of his time means to him right now...He just can't. He stares at the other guys shoes as he struggles with his emotions. After a few long seconds, the man walks awkwardly away.
That was awfully big of him, you know? After all you guys have been through...
Huh, what? Who was that guy?
Really? You didn't recognize Jack Diamond? Or were you too busy staring a hole through the floor?
I'm sorry. I'm just not in the right place, right now. My best friend died last week and rather than sit by his side and comfort him like I should have, I took off. I went to win a wrestling match. I don't care what the prize is...Was that the right thing to do? Is that what a friend does?
Baby, look at me! You know Shawn as well as I do. ICW was his baby and you were his guy, his protege, if you will. Now this sounds like a big cliche...But you taking down Chaos, unifying the titles and doing him proud...That's all he wanted from you!
The emotion overcomes Bobby as the last few guests filter out of the room. The minister escorts Shawn's remaining family outside to start their grieving process. Bobby and Jenny are alone.
Baby...I want you to wait outside for me. I have some things I want to say to Shawn.
Jenny obliges. A quick peck on the cheek and she is gone. Bobby approaches the casket, which is still in waiting, curtains open as per family wishes. He rests one hand on the solid wooden top of the casket. It feels so heavy, so robust.
Hey man, it's me. You know some of the last words you said to me were about how I was always the chosen one and I never had to use you to "get in". The real truth is I didn't realise it until it was too late...But I needed you, brother. Just not in the way I first thought. When I went out to that ring and brought home those titles, last week...You were in my heart, You'll always be in my heart. Every match, every time that music echoes out over an arena, every time I get my hand raised in victory. That starts this week at Rising Tide. I don't know whether you know it, but me and GB Armstrong are taking on Duke and Chaos for the straps. I promise you I'm going to do all I can to bring those titles home, brother. I love you, man...even if you will always be the cuck!
With that, Bobby takes a step back, pulling a black velvet bag out of his jacket. He opens it and pulls out the original ICW Shooting Star Championship he had locked away. His tears splatter across the metallic plates as he takes on more look before draping it across Shawn's casket. Bobby taps his hand on the top affectionately before turning and walking away with the heaviest heart in the world, right now.
He heads outside to the waiting Jenny. They embrace tightly and Bobby feels for at least one second, that the weight of the world is off him. Jenny's sweet embrace lessened his burden so much he could cry. This lasted what felt like forever, until Bobby saw Duke Kosloff out of the corner of his eye with a bottle of Premier Russian Vodka in his hand, taking huge gulps from the bottle while talking to Chaos Kid. Chaos notices Bobby's lazer glance and tries to get Duke to put it away.
Really? Don't they teach fucking boundaries in Russia? He knows what happened to Shawn and what caused it! Have some fucking respect you prick!
What's up?!
Jenny surveys the scene. She knows Bobby is about to unleash all his pent up emotions on Duke, even if it does result in a huge beatdown at the hands of the others.
Oh no! Duke!! Come on, man! Put that away. Time and a place!
Duke laughs, turning his back to Bobby and Jenny. He really is a monster. Chaos looks uncomfortable.
You know what, baby? Forget it. All of that anger, that pain...Give it to them come this weekend! You're beaten, bruised and right now, pretty broken. You know you don't win that fight now. Let's go home, prepare for the weekend and do it the right way....
Bobby doesn't look convinced.
For Shawn.
The fire disappears from Bobby's eyes. The waves of emotion come crashing down on him mentally again and he almost collapses into Jenny. She steadies him and guides him towards the black limo that was hired out for today. The door opens, they both hop in and the driver moves away before this whole situation breaks down as the scene fades.