Once you have done something, it is history. [BloodMoney #1]
May 26, 2018 21:22:40 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Bobby Barratt, and 1 more like this
Post by Jack Diamond on May 26, 2018 21:22:40 GMT -5
May 11th 2018 - Just After Prestige Goes Off Air - Akron, Ohio
WHACK!!
It's hard to tell what feels worse; The cold concrete on my back, the stars fluttering around where my eyelids should be, or the piercing pain on my right brow. The air does not reach my lungs, even worse a heavy pressure reaches my neck, closing the connection off between my brain and the rest of my body. My ears are ringing but even through that shrill sound I hear a threatening tone. The voice and words may be distorted but the tone... that tone is menacing. My face burns as every ounce of energy I have left has gone straight to flight or fight mode. Then, as quickly as it started, the pressure is released. I gasp for air and am flooded with the sweet, sweet rush of oxygen. I try to open my eyes but my right eye does not work. The left, blurred by a the warm sensation I know all too well, I can almost taste the metallic that permeates my nostrils. As I finally feel the color in my face returning, I hear a loud clang of steel meeting concrete. It echoes in my head but not as much as the next ten words. Spoken with venomous intentions the words haunt me to my core:
"I don't need your answer, Jack....I'll see you there!"
May 12th 2018 - 2:57am - Canton, Ohio
The scene opens as a warm spring breeze blows across a balcony. The night below is calm. Clouds creep by in the dark sky blocking any shimmer from the stars above. The clanking of ice breaks the silence and the camera pulls back to see Jack Diamond staring out into the night. He set his glass down on a small table beside him, picks up the decanter and refills the cup. As he sets the scotch down he places his hands on the rails of the balcony and leans over looking down at the road below him. The lights of the cars are still a little blurred to Jack. He grips the rail tighter, almost forcing himself to squint and focus on the vehicles as they cruise by down below. The camera focuses in on Jack's face, a noticeable bump above his right eye covered slightly by a white bandage. He pick up his drink and takes a sip as the sliding glass door behind him opens with a small squeak. Dakota Paige steps out on the balcony and places her hand on his shoulder. The touch calms Jack as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
Dakota: There you are, it's almost three in the morning. What are you doing?
Diamond: I couldn't sleep. My head is killing me so I thought I'd pour a drink and step out here for some fresh air.
Dakota looks over at the decanter. From her judgement it appears Jack had more than just one drink. She shivers in the breeze and wraps her arms around his waist to warm herself up. Diamond looks down at her and kisses her on the top of the head.
Dakota: Rough night huh? Where the hell did that come from? The stuff with Rob Arnold?
Diamond: I've watched the footage that leaked after Prestige on AXW-TV. Then I watched it again. And again. Apparently Arnold wanted to send me a message and it has been received loud and clear.
Dakota: You think the beef he has with you is only about the attention you've gotten after the Rumble?
Diamond: Well, I think it brought it to a head. He walks around with that X Crown, representing all of the titles that have been merged into it, it can't be an easy gig. I, myself, have been vocal in making my intentions known since I got to AWF that my eyes are set on the global championship.
Dakota: Right, and all anyone has been talking about the last couple of weeks is how you should have won that rumble. You DID win it, only losing it because your leg hit first. In everyone's mind though you were the aggressor there and you put Arnold out of the match.
Diamond bends his knee a bit, stretching his leg out. It still bothers him a bit but it gets better every day. His match last night against Danny Ray proved that. It should have been a great night, instead he spent the evening getting stitched up at the hands of Rob Arnold. His victory over the Prestige Champion, at least until Bobby claims that title as his own, only stoked the fire on the buzz that surrounds Diamond. This shot from Arnold though, definitely a shot heard around the world. The XHF powers to be had no choice but to immediately book the match for Xtraction: Blood Money. Diamond looks down at Dakota and smiles.
Diamond: Yeah, he knows his title reign is on borrowed time. His actions tonight prove that he is worried, uncharacteristically so. Come on, let's go try to grab a couple hours of sleep, the next couple weeks are going to be busy.
Jack takes Dakota's hand and leads her back inside the hotel. He lays down in bed beside her and drifts off despite many things swirling in his mind. His thoughts become a jumbled mess of visions. There is the turmoil with the Icons over the last few weeks, the Rumble match where Jack was literally inches from winning his first major title since joining the XHF network, the rekindled relationship with Dakota Paige, the ongoing development in The Diamond Lounge, the assault by Rob Arnold... The assault by Rob Arnold...
May 12th 2018 - 9:03am - Canton, Ohio
Diamond opens his eyes. The sunlight pierces through the curtains and almost causes a groan of pain to escape Diamond's lips. He sits up in the bed, slowly and looks over to an empty spot where Dakota was hours before. He looks over to the bedside table and sees a water bottle, four ibuprofens and a note. He picks up the note and reads it.
Jack,
I've stepped out to get us some coffee. Take something for your bumps and bruises, shower and meet me at the fountain near your casino. See you soon!
XoXo
'Kota
Diamond smiles and tosses the note down on the bed. He picks up the handful of ibuprofen and downs it with some water. He stands up, stretching. He walks into the bathroom, turning on the shower head to let it warm up. He walks over to the sink and stares into the mirror. His face a purple mess. Rage boils inside of him but Diamond shakes it off. It's not the time or the place to get unhinged. He shakes the feeling and disrobes and steps in the shower.May 12th 2018 - 9:47am - Canton, Ohio
The scene picks back up in Canton, Ohio. The dusty field from a couple weeks ago is really springing to life. Sidewalks are poured, walls are being placed around the steel frames of the casino and hotel. In front of the main building, the sidewalk goes out into a big opening with benches and tables surrounding a huge fountain. A statue of a Diamond sits in the middle of the fountain with a beautiful display of water shooting out of the top. The morning breeze causes the mist to lightly reach Diamond as we walks over to a nearby table where Dakota Paige sits, checking her phone. Two coffees sit in front of her. Diamond walks behind Dakota and leans in and kisses her cheek. She smiles and looks up from her phone.
Dakota: How are you feeling?
Diamond: Like I got hit in the head with a chair.
Dakota: So a typical morning huh?
Diamond: Ha, I guess you could say that. Thanks for the coffee.
Diamond grabs his cup and sits down across from Dakota. He looks off to his right at the ongoing construction. The casino has been largely completed, the hotel is coming along nicely and it is starting to feel real. Diamond takes a swig of his coffee and smiles.
Diamond: This place really is going to be amazing once it is finished.
Dakota: Yeah, you've done a great job at getting this all together. Let's just hope that AWF doesn't fold after Blood Money.
Diamond: Fold? Do you honestly think that those misfits across the pond can compete with the talent we have here in AWF? I mean sure, Bradshaw and Felix are awful at running things at times but with it decided in that ring our guys should take it by leaps and bounds.
Dakota: Yeah but look at the Xtraction match... They didn't put you OR Bobby in it
Diamond: You have a point there but the two of us have important matches in our own right. I mean when Bobby follows in my recent footsteps and destroys that bumbling fool, Danny Ray, he becomes the Prestige Class champ. The title the AWF show is named after!
Dakota: Yeah but if the five guys in the main event lose, AWF is one hundred thousand dollars lighter and that could cripple the company.
Diamond: Look at this building sweetheart, I'm dropping just a bit more than a hundred grand in it. If this is where I'm going to lay my hat for the foreseeable future, do you really think I would let AWF fold on money problems? Maybe I become an invisible investor?
Dakota: With all the fumbling they have done with yours and Bobby's promotion lately you would willingly hand out cash to save them?
Diamond: If it meant not having to move to the UK then probably. I mean Bobby is my boy and all, but even he would rather set up shop here in America for business rather than over there at home.
Dakota: How sure are you that Bobby won't jump ship anyways? What with Rossdale being back from the grave and all? He was very close with Shawn in the ICW days.
Diamond: You are questioning Bobby's loyalty?
Dakota: I'm just saying... look at how he turned on you in a fit of jealous rage.
Diamond: That was the booze and drugs..and if I recall, you didn't help matters there. Bobby and I squashed that shit, the Icons are stronger than ever. Honestly having us here stateside and Rossdale across the pond makes it even better. We will rule the Network. Bobby takes of AWF, Rossdale takes of AXW and me?
Diamond takes another sip of his coffee before his grin gets even more pronounced than before.
Diamond: I will take the Network! You see, Bobby will have his Prestige title. Before you know it, he will also cash in that rematch with Steele and take the AWF title once again. I will walk into Blood Money on fresh legs and finish what I started at the Rumble. Rob Arnold wants to throw shade my way, upset that everyone is talking about how I ALMOST beat him for his championship? Imagine how much they will be talking when I become the newest X-Crown Champion!
Dakota: I have no doubt you will win this match, but Rob has faced some really good people lately, yourself included, and seems to find a way to win over and over again. Also if you win, you know you're going to be a marked man all across the network. You sure you're ready to handle that?
Diamond: First of all, if by good people you mean taking on some mental woman named Lethe or some idiot that pops off of the mouth on Social Media to get a match... Hironationrockz, what kind of name is that?... he better step his game up before stepping in that ring against me. Secondly, am I ready to handle the pressure of being X-Crown champ? Am I okay with being a marked man? Honey I have been a marked man ever since I got in this business. I was a marked man in ICW when I was the ONLY person to hold the world title. I've been a marked man here in AWF since coming in, my reputation precedes me. I have no problem walking around with an X on my back because I will wear an X over my shoulder when I leave Blood Money.
Dakota: I like what I'm hearing. I'll be honest with you, for a moment there I was afraid you had lost your spark. You've been the old Jack Diamond as of late and that could be very dangerous for AWF, Rob Arnold and all of the network.
Diamond: Let's just say now that your back I'm done living in the past and it's all about my future now. This casino, the Icons, that championship, us... It is all about building to the future.
Dakota: Us? Future? Now I REALLY like what I'm hearing.
Diamond stops and looks at Dakota. She gives him a coy smile and he can't help but to laugh a bit.
Diamond: When you came back I was able to stop looking at what could have been or what went wrong. That was all in the past. What is the saying? Once you have done something, it is history? Well, I've done a lot of good AND bad in my time but it's all history. What's next? Only time will tell but I'm tired of looking back, it's time to cement my legacy at the top of this business. That happens June 3rd.
Dakota: And I'm going to be in the front row to witness that!
Diamond: I wouldn't have it any other way.
Diamond stands and offers his hand to Dakota.
Diamond: Now, you've got me all worked up along with my appetite. Let's go get something to eat before I deal with the contractors here.
Dakota: Sounds good to me! I'm starving!
Dakota takes Diamonds hand and they stand up and head to Diamond's SUV. As Dakota gets in the vehicle, Diamond shuts the door and takes a look back at the construction.
Diamond: It all begins June 3rd...
Diamond puts on his sunglasses and walks around to the driver's side. He gets in and they pull out of the lot to find a restaurant. Diamond may be bruised and sore from his most recent interaction with Rob Arnold, but it doesn't appear to be slowing him down. What becomes the next piece of history in XHF? Will AWF or AXW fold because of financial stress? Will Terry Bradshaw finally find love in all the wrong places? Will Rob Arnold's title reign finally come to an end? All possible, but the safest bet is that Jack Diamond walks out of the XTraction event a winner and carrying a bit of extra weight around his waist. As Diamond's Range Rover fades from view, the scene fades along with it.
