The Grand Opening [NoC X*Crown RP #8]

[Jack Diamond]

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July 28th 2018

The Diamond Lounge - Canton, Ohio

8:34PM

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The night is finally here. The Diamond Lounge. It truly is amazing how much you can achieve in a little over three months if you have enough determination, and enough money. It was in the middle of a dusty field just of I-77 about three and a half months ago when the plan to build Diamond's "command center" was shared. That afternoon, Jack Diamond stood beside one of his best friends, Jenny Stackhouse and enlightened her to the fact that he had been running around and putting together plans for his casino and hotel to be built. In the days, weeks and months that would follow, Diamond made sure crews were working around the clock, pouring concrete, erecting steel (no, not that Steele, get your mind out of the gutter) and moving land to make this dream a reality. While the contractors worked tirelessly to get Diamond's vision just right, a lot was going on away from the construction site as well. The Icon's got rid of dead weight and in the process got even stronger, despite what others would have you believe. They decided to take the war right to the front office of the AWF, capturing title after title. Unfortunately, not everything has been good. For every high, the Icon's have seen a low. But nothing lower than realizing that the initial dream... is unobtainable. Nothing is lower than watching one of your best friends be buried.

The scene is crazy. The event center that Jack had built, one that seats eight thousand people, is absolutely jammed pack. The Black Keys, who got their start thirty minutes up the road in Akron, are performing. Jack has spared no expense to make this grand opening a success. Honestly, why wouldn't he? If a man is willing to drop the kind of cash he did just to test drive a vehicle, you can imagine what he will sink into his home away from home. As the band plays one of their old hits "I Got Mine," the camera zooms out to show the concert from high above in a luxury box. Jack Diamond stands there in one of the finest italian suits he has with a huge smile on his face watching the scene below.

Bobby Barratt: I could get used to this.

Diamond turns around to see his fellow Icons, Bobby Barratt and Maverick. The two of them look nothing short of amazed.

Jack Diamond: Well by all means, get used to it. This is our place. The name out front may say "Diamond" but it's all for the Icons.

Diamond steps over to a nearby bar and grabs a couple bottles of beer out of a cooler and hands one to Bobby, one to Mav, and then opens one for himself before passing the bottle opener around.

Maverick: You've really fucking outdone yourself here Jackie-boy!

Jack Diamond: Man you haven't seen anything yet Mav. This is just the event center... concerts, stand up acts, hell even wrestling... it will all be held here. The Black Keys is just a start. Any show that you guys want to check out, this luxury box is yours. Fully stocked bar, private waitress, you name it. This, however, is just a small piece of this place. Wait until you guys see the VIP area down in the casino.

Bobby Barratt: Well, what are we waiting for mate? Show us around!

The Icon's finish their beer and Diamond leads them over to the elevator in the back of the luxury box. Down to the ground floor they go, navigating their way out into the massive lobby. If the scene from above looked crazy, it is exponentially more so down here. The event center is in the same complex as the casino and there are people traveling back and forth between the concert and trying their hand at their games of choice. As Jack, Bobby and Mav make their way through the lobby, they are met with deafening cheers.

Jack Diamond: Soak it in boys, that cheer is some genuine shit. They may despise us at times, but you let the think they are getting something for free...they treat you like a damn god.

Maverick: That sign says Spa, damn man, is there anything this place DOESN'T have?

Jack laughs as he pats Maverick on the back.

Jack Diamond: Spa, Restaurants, Night Club, Swimming Pools, Food Court... it's a lot. 

Maverick: Fucking hell man. 

Jack Diamond: But this... this is the bread and butter...

A security guard opens the door to the casino for the three of them. They are met with the sounds and sights of a gaming area that would give any place on the Vegas strip a run for its money. There are poker rooms to the right, High roller lounges to the left. Along the walls to the left and right are a huge array of slot machines with their flashing lights and exciting sounds. One side for smokers, one side for non-smokers. Many of them in both sections are occupied at the moment. Between the two sections of slots are table games galore, you name it it's probably there. There several different bars mixed in, beverage stands, places to stop and watch sports on any of the hundreds of televisions hanging about.

Maverick: I think I'm going to go blow off some steam with a couple hands of Blackjack.

Maverick pulls out a wad of cash and heads to one one of the casino cages to get some chips. Bobby looks around at all the people and has a bit of a frown on his face.

Bobby Barratt: Man, this place is really cool Jack. I haven't been inside of a casino since...

Jack Diamond: The West Virginia trip!

Bobby nods his head as he continues to look around. Months ago, Bobby, Jack and Jenny all went to a casino in West Virginia to see what was so appealing about this lifestyle to Jack. That night Bobby would lose a lot of money, Jack's money... but Jenny won big. The joy on her face that night brought happy memories to both Jack and Bobby..but not having her here to share this moment...

Bobby Barratt: It just isn't the same man. she would be here if it wasn't for AWF putting the lives of people in danger. 

Jack Diamond: I know. That's why we are fighting back. They are all going down, Felix, the dom, Brad- oh what the fuck, how'd he get in?

Even with as loud as it is in the casino, a voice rings out that immediately catches Jack's attention. Bobby looks in the same direction and tenses up.

Terry Bradshaw: What do you mean we are almost out of money? These machines are only twenty-five cents! 

Loud and obnoxious, Terry Bradshaw looks at Copycat who search through his fanny pack.

Copycat: I don't think that's how they work. When you bet the max it's actually one dollar at a time. That's what the "How To Get Rich At Slots" book I was reading earlier said. 

Terry Bradshaw: I thought you were reading a book about how to get rich sluts? Anyways, hurry up and give me more money.

Copycat: You've spent it all, and I didn't even get to play the Wheel of Fortune game.

Terry Bradshaw: Whatever, let's go get some hookers and blow. They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Copycat: But we are in Ohio, not Vegas. I don't think they have women of the night here...

Terry Bradshaw: WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS! What part of that don't you understand?!

Terry stands up from the slot machine and pulls out hundreds of dollars rolled up in a rubber band. Copycat looks on with a bit of sadness in his eyes.

Copycat: Wait, if you have all that money why were you spending mine?

Terry Bradshaw: Why would I waste my money on slot machines? Now come on, let's find the hookers. Which way to the strip?

Copycat: I don't think there is a strip.

Terry Bradshaw: Have you not ever been to Vegas? You've got some learning to do my boy! 

Terry slaps Copycat on the back and he flinches. Jack and Bobby stare on from a distance and as Bradshaw makes Copycat following so that they can find "the strip" Jack just shakes his head.

Jack Diamond: What an idiot.

Bobby Barratt: Which one? 

Jack Diamond: Good point, it's people like that though that will line our pockets here at the casino. It's just unfortunate that it's people like that we have to rely on to write our checks in AWF. 

Bobby Barratt: Yeah, we have to end them.

Jack Diamond: We will man. Speaking of which, I've been thinking lately that we should look into brining on someone else into the Icons. Strengthen out numbers back up but do it right this time.

Bobby Barratt: I mean, it's definitely something I can think about. Now, come on show me this night club and VIP area.

Bobby heads off towards the club in the back of the casino. Jack just stands looking on for a few seconds and then catches up. As they walk they chat about tomorrow night's Night of Champions.

Bobby Barratt: You've got to get your X*Crown back man.

Jack Diamond: I have every intention of doing just that. What about you man? You really ready to step into the ring with that chick?

Bobby Barratt: Like I've said... she knew what she was getting into when she made the challenge. When I beat Yuki that moves me one step closer to being a legend around here.

Jack Diamond: Legend huh? Seems to be a lot of those floating around these days.

Bobby Barratt: What?

Jack Diamond: There seems to be a lot of people calling themselves-

Before Diamond can finish his thought, Maverick runs in and drapes his arm around Jack's shoulder.

Maverick: This place is awesome!

Jack Diamond: How'd you do? 

Maverick: Broke even...

Bobby Barratt: Sounds about right.

Maverick: Fuck off, what is that supposed to mean?

Bobby Barratt: Where is the State of Ohio title?

Maverick cuts his eyes at Bobby and gets ready to fire up on him.

Bobby Barratt: Don't get your panties in a wad Mav, I'm just messing with you. Jack and I both know you won that match. It was clear to everyone, the draw was just another bullshit way for AWF management to try and get us to "learn our place."

Jack Diamond: He's right. Don't sweat it. If Bobby and I had been there that shit wouldn't have happened. But look at it this way, you'll get another shot whether by their own decision or by force and next time Seth won't be so lucky. 

The three of them head into the night club area of the casino. A massive dance floor accented by flashing lights and loud music await them. There is a nice crowd of people in there dancing and having a good time. There is another huge bar and Jack walks up and asks the bartender for a bottle of scotch. He hands the bottle to Bobby who looks down with approval on his face.

Bobby Barratt: Macallan 25? Oh shit!

Maverick: Now we are talking!

The three of them head towards the side of the club where a roped off section awaits. A bouncer lets them in and they go down a couple steps and behind a mirrored wall where there is a huge VIP area. Leather sofas, another private bar, and several big screen tvs await them. Jack takes the bottle of scotch and pours them all a glass as they sit down on a couple of the sofas.

Jack Diamond: Neat hang out spot right? I see us conducting a lot of business here in the VIP. Oh speaking of, here...

Jack pulls out two magnetic cards from his jacket and hands one to Bobby and one to Maverick. They look at them, Bobby flipping his over in his hands.

Bobby Barratt: Slipping us the room key? What do you take me for, I'm not that kind of girl

Jack Diamond: Ha, fuck off! No, those are your access cards. Gets you into the luxury box in the event center as well as in here if I'm not with you. It also will get you into the office area in the other side of the casino, where my mian office is. That office area will also lead up towards my living quarters.

Maverick: You are going to live here?

Jack Diamond: I might as well. Dakota and I have been staying in hotels for months, the only difference now is I own this entire hotel. Why WOULDN'T I make me a penthouse suite? You guys will have to check it out soon, it overlooks the whole property. 

Bobby Barratt: Fair play. I can't say it enough, this place is really nice man. Jenny would have loved it.

Maverick: To Jenny!

Mav lifts his glass of scotch up into a toast and Bobby raises his as well.

Jack Diamond: To Jenny

The three of them take a drink and have a moment of silence for Miss Stackhouse.

Bobby Barratt: I guess the only thing missing here is the X*Crown. You ready for that hellacious match tomorrow?

Jack Diamond: You damn right I'm ready, I'm bringing those titles back where they belong. This time I'm emptying the damn vault too. I'm going to bring all the titles here and put them on display. They belong somewhere nice instead of that old ass vault at the XHF Headquarters. 

Bobby Barratt: Speaking of Minnesota... when does the flight leave?

Jack Diamond: In a couple hours. we've got plenty of time. I'll have my driver get us there in time. 

Bobby Barratt: Driver? Moving on up!

Jack Diamond: Wait until this thing really takes off, before you know it we will have our own Jet, boys. 

Bobby Barratt: Now you're talking. Might be better luck for us than a helicopter...

The three of them bust out laughing. Outside the VIP area the music is blaring. Jack stands and walks over to the mirrored glass where he can look out across the dance floor but the people on the dance floor can't see him.

Jack Diamond: It's a new era fellas, The Diamond Lounge. This is going to change everything for us. You thought we made some good money in the wrestling biz... you haven't seen anything yet. To Taking this Icon shit to the next level!

This time it's Jack's turn to toast. Bobby and Maverick both raise their glasses.

Bobby Barratt: Icons!

Maverick: Icons!

Voice: Icons!

The three of them turn around towards the voice just entering the VIP area. The camera pans around, fading to black as the scene comes to an end.