My View From The Mountain Top [EoD X*Crown RP #2]
Oct 23, 2018 20:18:01 GMT -5
Bobby Barratt likes this
Post by Jack Diamond on Oct 23, 2018 20:18:01 GMT -5
October 22nd 2018
The Diamond Lounge
Canton, Ohio
In less than a week thousands of violence-hungry fans will flood into Dublin's Croke Park to witness the end of days. No, not the end of days in a biblical sense but more so the end of the wrestling business as we know it. It two of the largest matches in XHF history, the Icons look to walk out with titles, briefcases, and a legacy that will never die. As the scene opens, Jack Diamond sits on the king size bed in his Penthouse above The Diamond Lounge. Beside him, an open but empty suitcase. Diamond doesn't look like his jovial self, or at least that is Dakotas summation. This morning, at the press conference, she knew he was having fun even with being a dick by not answering any questions. Ever since he got back from seeing Maverick and Bobby, his mood is... off
Dakota Paige: What has crawled up your ass?
The harshness that she asked this may normally be received as exactly that...harsh, not this time. It works perfectly to snap Diamond out of his trance.
Jack Diamond: Now wait a minute, nothing is going to come near my ass.
Dakota can't help but to burst with laughter. Earlier today she stopped Jack and showed him the latest hijinks of Ember Ferrari and watched as her man turned all shades of green when seeing the "movie ad" that Ember spoofed. More mind games to try and get into Jack's head. Are they working?
Dakota Paige: There you go, finally! Lighten up "Jackie-poo" you have been wound tight since you've gotten back.
Jack hasn't told Dakota about the revelation that Bobby is low on funds. Bobby wouldn't want Jack to talk about it much for one, and two, Jack isn't sure how to process the information. Sure, Jack had a feeling this was going on but to have it actually out on the table... it has caused some self reflection.
Jack Diamond: Do you think I've lost my way?
The question comes out of nowhere and takes Dakota by surprise. She goes to answer quickly but not knowing what is meant, nor know what to say, causes a stutter.
Dakota Paige: N- Wh- Huh?
Jack Diamond: I know I'm an asshole when I get behind those cameras... hell, I can even be a prick at times in my personal life. I just always thought I had a strong moral compass though especially when it came to taking care of those in my circle. Have I lost that though?
Dakota Paige: I've always thought you've done a good job being real with people. Arrogant? Yes, but I love that about you. You are always there for your friends though and that is admirable.
Jack always thought so. Now he isn't sure. This whole #fuckmoney started off as Jack and the boys poking fun at the IWC's attempt to bash Jack for dropping money on needless things. Best way to squash a meme's popularity? Embrace it. That is what Jack did. The profits from the casino were rolling in and the extra money was nothing more than a welcomed windfall that Jack had fun with. His intentions were for ALL of the Icons to have fun with it and knowing that Bobby has been struggling while Jack was tossing cash all over the place.... that sucks.
Jack Diamond: I hope so, maybe I've let things get too carried away. Maybe I shou-
Jack's thoughts are interrupted by his phone ringing. He picks his phone up and sees that it is his father. Odd, his dad is never one to actually reach out to Jack. Jack visits them every month or so and had already spoken to his mom a couple of weeks ago about visiting the family around the holidays. Jack picks up the phone and swipes to answer as Dakota walks over to the dresser to start packing for the Ireland trip.
Jack Diamond: Hey pops.... wait, slow down... what?
Jack goes silent as he listens to his dad on the other end of the line. His face drops and loses color and Dakota, immediately noticing this stop what she is doing... concern on her face. Jack goes to say something a couple times but not words come out. Finally, after what felt like an eternity but in reality was only a couple of minutes, Jack chokes out a couple of words.
Jack Diamond: I... I'm on my way. Yeah. I... I love yall too.
Jack ends the call and sits there just staring. Not at the floor, not at Dakota, not... at anything. Dakota walks over to him and kneels down so that the is level with him. The grip he has on his phone is reminiscent of a vice grip. Dakota, finally able to pry the phone from his hand, takes both of his hands in hers.
Dakota Paige: Jack?
Jack twitches a bit at the touch and looks at Dakota. He is visibly shaken. A tear escapes the corner of his eye and he sniffles twice before opening his mouth to talk. No words. He tilts his head and swallows back the lump in his throat.
Jack Diamond: It's... it's my Mommaw.... she... she passed away last week.
Dakota stands up and sits down beside Jack on the bed and catches him just in time as he falls into her shoulder and begins to sob. He has always spoken highly to her about his grandmother. That was always his rock, his guiding light. She wraps her arms around Jack and let's him grieve, she grieves with him. She wipes some tears from her own eyes.
Dakota Paige: What happened? Why... why are you just finding out?
Jack sits to and wipes his face. The flooded out eyes shimmer as he looks around, trying to process what he needs to be doing
Jack Diamond: I don't know... apparently she had a fall, then an infection and was hospitalized. She came down with pneumonia and just couldn't fight it all. They put her on a ventilator for a couple of days and thought she was pulling through. When they brought her off of the machine she just couldn't stay strong enough.
Dakota Paige: And they didn't call you?
Jack Diamond: They knew I had a lot on my plate with the casino and with End of Days coming up. She spoke to a few of the family the night before she passed and told them she was ready. She told them not to bother me and to tell me she is at peace and she loves me...
Jack begins to cry again, not being able to hold it in. He tries to gather himself the best he can as he stands and walks to his wardrobe and starts pulling out some outfits.
Jack Diamond: I just... I was just in town the other day before flying out to San Francisco. I... never called. I should have called and check on them all. What the fuck am I doing?
*Dakota walks over to him and rubs his shoulder, getting him to take a breath.
Jack Diamond: The only reason they called me today is because she had wanted to be cremated. They received her ashes today. She left in her will that she wanted me to have them to spread them in "our favorite spot." I... what do I do?
Dakota Paige: Just go. Take care of what you need to. I will help set everything up for your flight overseas and make sure all your stuff is packed.
Jack looks up. With appreciation, confusion, and sadness in his eyes he takes Dakota into his arms again and hugs her close.
Jack Diamond: Thank you. I need this time to pay my last respects. Meet you in Pittsburgh to fly out on Wednesday?
Dakota stands on her tiptoes and kisses Diamond on the cheek.
Dakota Paige: Sounds good, I'll have everything ready. Keep in touch and take care of yourself. I love you, Jack.
Diamond was halfway out the door on that last sentence. There is no mistaking how strong he feels about Dakota, hell he even has her running a big part of his business... the "L" word is few and far between with them, and it caught him off guard a bit.
Jack Diamond: I... you too...
As Jack pulls the door closed behind him, he leans against the wall. Why didn't he say it back? Stupid. There is way too much going on in his head right now. The XCrown, the icons, the casino, his grandmother, Dakota... oh sweet Dakota... he shakes his head and pulls out his phone to call in a chartered flight to North Carolina as the scene fades out.
October 23rd 2018
Great Smoky Mountains
Cherokee, North Carolina
The scene opens back up the next afternoon in a familiar setting. Instead of seeing the Smoky Mountains from our vantage point on the streets of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee we are high above the range in one of its peaks. The chilly, fall air cuts through the sun rays and ripples the sea of colors that surround us. The camera points down across the valleys, the hills and the lower cliffs. Amazing... structures below dwarfed at this height. As the camera zooms out, we see Jack Diamond standing at a scenic overlook, his arms propped against a railing. Beside of him a beautiful brass urn with painted lilacs wrapping around it. He tilts his head back, closing his eyes and breathing in a breath of fresh air. As the camera pans around he looks to his left, directly into the lens.
Jack Diamond: I was a little skeptical about asking you guys to be here today... I don't typically enjoy letting you all in on my personal life... but I think it's important for those Diamond Club members to share in the moment with me. It's important to me that everyone knows just how much I owe my success in life to my grandmother.
Jack looks back across the horizon, the afternoon sun painting everything gold. As he continues to stare at the scene before him, he continues.
Jack Diamond: I've never pretended to have a hard life. I never had to. The only thing I ever had to do was work hard in all I do. School, Training, Working, Business, Fighting... I dedicated so much into anything I was studying and trying to perfect it. For the most part, I did pretty damn good. Sure, my parents and my heritage helped pave the way for me to get a "head start" in life... but my grandmother instilled the outstanding work ethic in me. Had it not been for her, I would have just tried to skate by instead of being the best at everything I do.
Jack lays a hand on the side of the urn, closing his eyes and trying to send his energy through to the remains.
Jack Diamond: I never had to worry about making ends meet by working for a seedy film studio until I was on top. I sure as hell never had to worry about the Yakuza coming after me. I never pretended to be something I wasn't in Hope's to get a reaction out of someone or get an unfair advantage. All I've ever done is be me, Jack Diamond. It didn't matter if you threw me into a singles match, a tag match, a ladder match, or cage. You could create any crazy set up... castles made of glass, four ring circus, seventy plus in a rumble or the annihilation complex bull shit... I always showed up and exceeded everyone's expectations, and that is all because of my grandmother.
Jack picks up the urn and opens the top as he turns and step back over to the ledge of the scenic overlook. He's not speaking for the cameras now, instead he speaks from his heart.. to his grandmother.
Jack Diamond: Mommaw, thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for being my rock. You have had just as much hand in molding me into the man I an today as mom and dad has. For every birthday party at your house, for every time you took me on a vacation, for every punishment and praise you gave me... I hope you know that I appreciate everything. You provided me a home anytime I needed one. When things go tough, when I didn't think I had it in me, you helped me clear my head. You would bring me here, to this spot and we would clear out heads together. You taught me we were only specks of sand in this great universe so even when we think we have the worst problem ever, it is minuscule and can be overcome. You taught me to always carry myself with pride and dignity but to stay humble and honest in all of my dealings. I love you so much, Mommaw. Rest easy and until we meet again...
Diamond stretches his arms out and tilts the urn over and upside down and let's gravity do its thing. In an instant, the ashes of Jack's grandmother come rushing out in the October wind, flying with a dusty haze across the already foggy mountain range. As he he watches the remains float all across the Appalachians, a tear rolls down his face. Jack bends down and sets the urn on the ground next to the wooden post of the guardrail. As he wipes and his face and stands all in one swift motion, when he turns back to the camera the mood is different. He doesn't look sad anymore, and this is definitely not the usual happy-go-lucky, cocky Jack Diamond that we love to hate and hate to love. His demeanor has shifted to more anger with rage clearly boiling behind his bloodshot eyes. He steps in close to the camera, his voice a mixture of a whisper and pure venom...
Jack Diamond: I just lost my favorite person in the whole world. I just lost the one person that has always kept me grounded and humble... I feel sorry for anyone in my path next. I feel scared for my six opponents at End of Days. What you all have to ask yourself is this... if Jack Diamond has beaten and risen above every obstacle in his path before... what the hell is he capable of now? If Jack Diamond pushed the boundaries during his whole career... how big will the push be now that his moral compass is broken?
You see, I've heard everything that has been said. I know some folks have counted me out. Some think that I sit up high on a mountain top and have forgotten what it's like to be on the grind. To want it so bad you would do anything for it... well, rest assure that the only mountain top I set atop is this one. I don't look down nor do I look past anyone. Maybe I've been too quiet and given you all a false sense of security. Don't worry... and don't let the press conference fool you, I have plenty left to say.
To those of you who have been in the ring with me before... know that if you thought I was on top of my game when I sought after the xcrown it pales in comparison to my drive to KEEP my titles. To those of you who I've yet to be in a match with... run while you can. Just leave. Don't be another statistic in the "man, I was so close, but Jack Diamond is just too damn good" game. Ask Michael Storm what kind of damage I can do. Speak with Chris Card about coming out empty handed when you thought all the cards were in your favor. Talk to my brother, Maverick... whom I went to absolute war with. Yeah, listen to his tales of what he went through during and after that match and realize that if I can do that to my friend... I could not give two shits what happens to you lot.
Diamond's phone goes off, which given the altitude and difficulty finding a proper cellular signal, it surprises him. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out the mobile, trying to finish his train of thought.
Jack Diamond: This Sunday in Ireland... I'm... uh... I'm going to... wait.. oh shit, Bobby!
Jack, in a panic, drops his phone and it bounces and lands propped next to the lilac covered urn. The camera pans to follow Diamond and no sooner than he jumps into his Range Rover it roars to life and spins up dust and smoke in a screech as he slams it into reverse before barking away from the mountain-side. The camera moves back towards the ledge and zooms in down at the phone and urn left below. On the screen is a news headline:
Barratt's Famed Icon-1 Falls From The Sky
AWF Star Presumed Dead
The scene fades to black...
