Post by Jack Diamond on Oct 23, 2018 7:21:49 GMT -5
Monday, September 11th- 3:03PM
It’s been a cool, rainy day in Manchester. Jack Diamond and Dakota Paige are having a drink inside of The King’s Arms Ale House on Bloom Street, a recommendation from the front desk concierge at The Lowry Hotel where the two of are staying this week. Since arriving a few days ago, they have been able to roam the city unnoticed for the most part, thanks to having to wear attire suited for the rainy conditions. So far they have just been enjoying each other’s company while taking in some of the local museums, something that Dakota has a passion for. Jack, on the other hand, could not care less as long as he gets to spend time with Dakota, as those moments have been few and far between as of late. Diamond, enjoying one of the house Ales stares across the table at Dakota as she expertly drinks down a wonderfully cold Lager. How did he ever get so lucky?
Diamond: Well aren’t you just a pro?
Dakota: Don’t hate just because I can outdrink you. And probably out fight you! Ha!
Diamond smiles, he never gets tired of the teasing back and forth between the two of them. It’s the thing that drew him in since day one and the thing that he missed most as Dakota was back home with her sick father.
Diamond: Yeah, whatever. Maybe I’ll let you pin me later!
Dakota: Now you’re talking.
The two of them share a laugh together as she motions to the barkeep for another drink. Diamond just shakes his head and chuckles a bit.
Dakota: So, did you see where Chaos Kid is dedicating his earnings in this match to the victims of the Manchester Arena attack from earlier this year? That’s really noble of him.
Diamond: Of course it is. I don’t think it’s ever been a question of whether or not Chaos was a decent guy, I think the question is does he really have the heart to be in this business? I mean, who gives up a title just because people are saying he cheated to win it? Do you know how many titles someone like Bobby Barratt would have to give up if that was the rule for if you cheated to win? He wouldn’t be Shooting Star Champion, I’ll tell you that much.
Dakota: It always comes back to Bobby huh?
Diamond: Sorry, it just chaps my ass that he thinks he deserves another shot at my title. I have proven to him time after time that when it’s for my belt, he just doesn’t measure up. It’s the same thing that I will prove to Chaos Kid Tuesday night.
Dakota: It’s so cute when you get worked up, your nose crinkles a bit.
Jack looks across the table, realizing that the ale is hitting him a little quicker than he thought and he was almost in full on promo mode to Dakota. Is wrestling always going to be a part of their conversations? It’s just easy to talk to her bout this stuff as she’s went down similar roads.
Diamond: Sorry, I just get worked up. He runs his mouth non-stop. I need to focus on Cha-
Diamond looks to the left where a red faced man has walked up to the table. Jack initially went to reach for his wallet thinking it was the barkeep bringing Dakota’s drink but he realized it was another patron. Just by looking at him, one that clearly has had a little too much to drink.
Patron: You…you’re that Jack Diamond fella, ain’t ya? Yeah…Boys it’s him! He’s that bloke who thinks he’s king sshhhit cos he won a few fights, like!
Diamond: I think you should go walk it off man. You’ve obviously had a little too much to drink and we wouldn’t want a scene here, would we?
Patron: You know what, son? Us Brits are tougher than you think. Without that home advantage, you’re sshhhit! Barratt, Chaos even fooking Maverick…what? He’s Irish, he counts! They could all take you here!
Dakota: Please, just let us be. We are trying to have a quiet drink before heading back to our room. What is your problem?
Patron: No one asked you to speak, cunt.
Diamond jumps up, the word making him almost cringe and the alcohol making him want to rip this idiot in half. He hasn’t been in the country but for a few days and it already looks like his overseas trip may be cut short do to the legalities of what he is about to do. Just as he steps up to the guy, Dakota reaches over and grabs his arm.
Dakota: Jack, please. Let it go. He’s drunk, he isn’t worth it. We have other things we need to be focused on.
Patron: She wears the pants in this couple, this one right here. Listen, Me and the boys…those guys over there…we got the fight on here on Tuesday. We’re going to be watching from the bar! Pop by when you lose that belt. You’re going to need a pick me up and we know a place you can get a good score.
Diamond looks over to Dakota, she looks a bit worried at the intensity of the situation. The last thing Jack needs is the bad publicity that would come from laying this local drunk out a couple nights before possibly the biggest match of his career. He shakes her arm off and storms out of the pub to jeers from the local crowd. As he stomps up the sidewalk Dakota runs out to catch up with him.
Dakota: Jack, sweetie, wait!
Diamond: What the fuck was that? I should have laid that moron out! Disrespecting me, you like that.
Dakota: Calm down, you need to be focusin-
Diamond: I AM FOCUSED! YOU THINK I’M NOT FOCUSED?
Dakota jumps a bit at the ferociousness in Jack’s voice. He’s never been like this to her and has her shaken. Jack sees this, the fire that burnt in his eyes fades a little, and his pulse slows a bit.
Diamond: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. It’s just, that shit really bothered me. Everyone is counting me out. These idiots here think this match is as good as done and that Chaos is already the world champion.
Dakota: They are just trying to get under your skin, to give Chaos an advantage, don’t let it mess with what you’ve worked hard at accomplishing.
Diamond: I’m not. Just because I’m not meditating in a forest somewhere without a shirt on, I’m not prepared? Just because I’m not receiving phone calls from a washed up trainer, I don’t have an edge in this match? Get out of here. That punk comes into MY fed and wins a couple matches and thinks he really can go one on one with me? No, that’s now how it works. I tried to be respectful, to give him his credit and this is how I get repaid? Heckled in some second rate pub by a drunk wanker? They don’t see the blood and sweat I pour into my work. Just because the American media wants to show my humanitarian work and not my workout regiments does not mean I haven’t busted my as day in and day out to make it to the top of this company and stay there!
Dakota: I know, listen let’s just go back to the hotel and-
Diamond: What the hell is this prick doing?
Diamond cuts Dakota off as he looks over her shoulder and down the sidewalk. About twenty yards down the road sits a very nice red car with a camera pointing in Jack’s direction. The occupant, one of those sleazy reporters that try their best to get any scoop that will match their narration whether it’s in the correct context or not, points his camera in Jack and Dakota’s direction. Before Dakota even knows what’s going on Jack takes off up the sidewalk towards the car.
Diamond: HEY! What the hell are you filming?!
The reporter with the camera doesn’t even budge, filming Jack the whole way as he rushes toward him. As Jack gets to the side of the vehicle, the reporter just points the camera in his direction.
Reporter: ICW Champion, Jack Diamond. It looks like you are having words with your girlfriend. Trouble in paradise?
Diamond: Trouble in- what? Is that thing filming? Give me that…
Before the reporter can pull the camera back into the window, Jack snatches it and holds it out in front of him.
Diamond: What’s up Manchester! It’s THE champion, Jack Diamond here. You want an exclusive interview? I’ll give it to you straight, no chopping up what I say to fit a hidden agenda. Chaos, I know you are watching. Let me start out by saying this, you are out of your league.
Dakota has made it to Jack, who motions her to take the camera. A bit reluctantly she takes the camera and points it at her man. Jack, leans in towards the car.
Diamond: What’s your name man?
Reporter: Mi-Mi-Michael…
Diamond: Well Mi-Mi-Michael, you make sure this gets show all over this dreary ass country. Chaos Kid… The hometown hero, the man who literally walked through fire to get noticed in ICW. Let me tell you something, and listen closely… It doesn’t matter. None of it. Am I supposed to feel sympathy for you that you had to learn to walk again? That you overcame all odds to get back into this business? Should I respect you for that? If you think I should, then you are in the wrong business kid. We’ve all had to deal with shit on our way to superstardom in this business. Just because you moped around in some steel on wheels until you pulled yourself up and started walking again does not mean you worked harder in this thing than I have. It may show that you are tough, hell it may even show that you have a lot of courage, but I still question your heart. Your willingness to do whatever it takes. You see, for far too long I’ve let the media portray me as a heartthrob, a fan favorite, and man of the people. I love all of that, I do. I enjoy the cheers, the chants, the adoration but trust me when I say I don’t fucking need it. No, I don’t need it. You see I expect to get booed this Tuesday. I will embrace it. But the truth is I will enter that match and do whatever I have to do to walk out with my belt. Throw you through glass? Done. Rip your heart out? No questions asked. The Diamond Club may love me, and me them, but The Ace has always done whatever he damn well pleases. That’s the difference between us Chaos. You care too much what people think, much like when you forfeited the Iron Man title. If you are going to be like that, then you might as well have stayed in that chair. So this whole “lucky to not know you before the accident”? To hell with that, I say if you had more heart then, bring it…bring every damn thing you have because this Tuesday when it’s all said and done, you are looking at the REIGNING ICW World Champion!
Diamond takes the camera from Dakota, handing it back to the sleazeball in the car. He pats him on the shoulder, puts his arm around Dakota and they head off down the sidewalk towards their rental car.
Dakota: Did you get it all out of your system?
Jack looks at her, laughs a bit and pulls her in a little closer. For the first time in weeks, Jack feels like The Ace of Spades, the best damn thing in Icon Championship Wrestling. Will it be enough? The scene fades out.