Post by Jack Diamond on Oct 24, 2018 20:46:32 GMT -5
October 23rd 2018
Canton, Ohio
Jack Diamond: TAXI!
The scene opens up outside of the Akron-Canton Airport. A frantic Jack Diamond stands on a crowded sidewalk, desperately trying to flag down a cab. He had every intention to drive back home in his Range Rover tomorrow but the shocking news article about Bobby left him in a panic. What the hell was going on?
Jack Diamond: What does the champion have to do to get a fucking ride? I miss Uber...
Having made the decision to save time by flying back to Ohio and having his vehicle delivered later, Jack had failed to realize he would need a way to get around once here. Unfortunately for him, he left his phone lying on a mountain side in the North Carolina mountains. With no way to phone a friend or book an Uber he was at the mercy of the small cab companies here in the Akron area. The X*Crown champion is clearly stressed out. Having gone from mourning the loss of his grandma to seeing the shocking headline it has been a whirlwind of emotions. Not having his mobile phone created other problems for him. He has been disconnected from the world temporarily. No way of checking with anyone that could tell him about the wreck.
Jack Diamond: Christ... I could have driven up here in the time it's going to take me to find a rid- Oh... fucking finally!
A small orange taxi pulls up along the curb a few feet in front of Jack and blows its horn. Jack walks over and opens up the door and flops inside with a sigh.
Jack Diamond: Man, I didn't think I'd ever find a ride. Take me to The Diamond Lounge, please.
Jack buckles up and waits for the car to begin to drive but it doesn't happen. Instead the driver's eyes narrow as he stares at Jack through the rearview mirror. Jack, sensing there is a problem and assuming there is a language barrier begins to get a little agitated.
Jack Diamond: Um... el casino? Rapido?
Nothing. Jack leans up and sees the drivers name badge hanging from the dash. Seeing the name "Mohammed Cisse" he begins to feel ashamed of the asinine comment he just made. He really should be more aware of his surroundings and the guilt shows on his face after he only had just seen the guy out of the corner of his eyes and made a poor judgement call on what he thought was a driver of Latin decent. As he looks he notices the driver is of middle eastern descent.
Jack Diamond: Oh... ummm... dang, what is the word.. Biser? Bashar? Bisquick? Shit... how the hell do I say faster in Arabic?
Taxi Driver: Faster? I speak English, you know?
The color from Jack's face drains. Could this get any more awkward. Not only does the champion come off racially insensitive but a bit foolish as well.
Jack Diamond: Man... I'm sorry, I meant no offense. I need to get to the Diamond Lounge.
Taxi Driver: You... Jack Diamond
Jack was in the process of checking his watch when the driver caught him by surprise mentioning his name. He shouldn't have been surprised, I mean he is the face of the XHF after all.
Jack Diamond: Ah, yeah that's me man. The Ace of-
Taxi Driver: You wrestler?
Jack, a little annoyed that the driver interrupted him, trying to switch to answering this question. Of course he is a wrestler. Does this guy know him or not?
Jack Diamond: Uh, yeah... I'm in AWF. I am the XHF X--
Taxi Driver: AKEED!
Jack Diamond: Bless you.
Taxi Driver: I don't need your blessings! Akeed!
Jack Diamond: You keyed what? Your keys are right there in the switch dude, please let's get going. I need to find out what's going on with my friend.
Taxi Driver: No... Akeed ibn Umar Al-hayba. He wrestle. Best wrestle. He win X*Crown!
Jack Diamond: Who? X*Crown? I'm sorry but is that even English?
Taxi Driver: You fight Akeed. Akeed will shut funny man, Jack Diamond, up.
The driver gives a menacing grin through the mirror and it finally hits Jack what the man is saying as he begins to pull off from the sidewalk. One of Jack's opponents is named Akeed. Unfortunately Jack hasn't really gotten around to learning about him as the fed he represents is just an afterthought for Diamond. Who the hell does this guy think he's talking to?
Jack Diamond: Hey fuck you buddy...
The driver slams on the brakes sending Jack's face smashing into the headrest of the front passenger seat. The driver begins to go ahead, whipping Jack back against the seat, holding his nose.
Jack Diamond: Shit... what the hell?
Taxi Driver: No, fuck you! I'm no buddy.
Jack Diamond: Ease off man...
Taxi Driver: Akeed, great champion. You see. Akeed not transitional champion like Jack Diamond!
Jack Diamond: Transitional Champion? What the... who the hell thinks I am a transitional champ? I'm the two time X*Crown champion, an Icon, the best of the best!
Taxi Driver: Akeed think Jack Diamond is transitional champion. Jack Diamond's time is over. Jack Diamond need to get over his self. Akeed is the new champion.
Jack feels the red creeping onto his face as the anger starts to burn. All he wants to do is get back to the lounge and find out what is going on. Yet, here he sits, listening to some jackoff praise one of the nobodies in his match this Sunday as if it is supposed to impress Jack... as if it's already a done deal.
Jack Diamond: Listen, Mohammed Jack, leans up to look at the name again Sissy, heh... figures, I am not sure where you are getting your information from. They say you guys get a completely different narrative on what is happening here in America and I didn't believe it.. until now. Let me explain something to you, this Akeed guy... the guy you think is so great and will be the next X*Crown champion? He is nothing to Jack Diamond. Just another flash in the pan looking to make a name for himself by being on a poster with yours truly. Transitional champion? Ask yourself this... if I was a transitional champion, do you really think I would be a two time champion? Do you think I would have won at Night of Champions? Don't you think I would have "transitioned" the belts to someone that actually mattered? The fact of the matter is this, IF... and that's a big IF I lose the championship at End of Days it would have to be a perfect alignment of the planets or some shit. Even then, your little IKEA, Acura, Achoo...whatever the fuck his name is will not even come close to sniffing my titles. No, if I'm not worried about Jackson Steele, or Price, or hell even Raiden Ishimori... this relative nobody from a nobody federation does not worry me. My time is over? Do you know where the fuck you are taking me right now? You are taking me to one of the most talked about attractions in this area..The Diamond Lounge. That place has my fucking name on it. That place says that in this day... at the time.. it is Jack Fucking Diamond time. There is a reason my name is at the top of the marquee, that is because you exist right now...In MY TIME! All six of my opponents are only being talked about right now because they are being shined on BY MY TIME! My time is over? Fuck that... I hope you watch what I do in Ireland this weekend. I can assure you that millions of people will be tuning it... not to see Al-haybed... but to see the Ace of Spade do what he does best and that is to walk in the champion and leave at the end of the night with ALL EIGHTEEN BELTS...
Screeching tires. Jack smacks the back of the front seat again
Taxi Driver: GET OUT! YOU DISRESPECT ME, YOU DISRESPECT AKEED!
Jack Diamond: Ow, you crazy fuck! Gladly...
Jack gets out of the car and slams the door shut. The driver is going off on a tirade and Jack walks towards the sidewalk. He is talking about "infidel" this and "infidel" that. He rolls his window down and tells at Jack for payment. Jack reaches in his pocket for his wallet and pulls out a hundred dollar bill before angrily walking towards the driver window, balling the bill up into a ball and throwing it at the driver's face. The driver honks the horn at Jack and yells something that Jack can't make out before peeling out in a cloud of smoke. Jack throws a middle finger up at the cab as he spins away
Jack Diamond: Yeah, fuck you too buddy! under his breath crazy Afghan...
Jack looks around. He notices where he is. He isn't too far away from The Diamond Lounge, but not quiet walking distance.
Jack Diamond: Oh come on... this day... I need a phone so I can call for a ride.
Jack looks up the sidewalk and sees a guy about his age walking with his son in the opposite direction. Jack trots off after them
Jack Diamond: Sir! Sir! Excuse me!
The man looks back and stops on his tracks before tapping his son on the shoulder. The boy spins around and his eyes get huge.
Father: Whoa! Jack Diamond! We are huge AWF fans! Can we get a photo?
Jack gives him a half-hearted smile as the father pulls out a smartphone from his pocket. Jack walks over and he and the dad crouch down so that they are on the kids level. The dad goes to put the phone back up and thank Jack but Jack interrupts.
Jack Diamond: Hey, actually... do you mind if I use your phone real quick? Mine is MIA at the moment...
Father: Uh, sure! Man, that really is awful about Bobby...
Jack Diamond: Yeah, you're telling me. I'm trying to figure out what's going on.
The man unlocks his phone and brings up the dial pad before handing it over to Jack. As Jack takes the phone, the man searches his pockets for something, anything to possibly get Jack's autograph on. Jack stares down at the phone. Shit...
Jack Diamond: Ah man, I don't know anyone's number... they are all saved in my phone. Son of a-
Father: No worries Jack, here just dial 411. Directory assistance can probably help connect you.
Jack nods and dials 4-1-1 and hits send. Maverick! That's who he will call. He will know what's going on and can get to him quick.
411 Operator: Thank you for calling directory services. City and State please.
Jack Diamond: Canton, Ohio...
411 Operator: First and Last name please.
Jack Diamond: Oh no... what the heck is Mav's name?
411 Operator: I am sorry, I did not understand. First and Last name please.
Jack Diamond: Maverick?
411 Operator: I am sorry. There is not listing for that name in Canton, Ohio. First and Last name please.
Father: Seriously? You don't know Mavericks real name? It's Jason Mavis dude...
Jack Diamond: Jason Mavis!
411 Operator: Thank you... Connecting to "Jason Mavis" in "Canton, Ohio"
Jack lets out a sigh of relief as the man looks on incredulously at Jack. Jack covers the microphone on the phone and shrugs at the guy
Jack Diamond: What man? I always call him Mav....
Father: He's your friend! I guess it's true what they say about it being the Icons AND Maverick
Jack cuts his eyes at the guy and gets ready to lash back at him but he hears the connection on the other end and waves the guy off sarcastically.
Jack Diamond: Mav! Listen, it's Jack...
...
Jack Diamond: No, I know man. I heard the news and rushed home but I left my phone in North Carolina.
...
Jack Diamond: Yeah. I'm in town. There was a stupid ass cab driver that I had it out with and he kicked me out of the car a little too far out.
...
Jack Diamond: No shit, listen I need a ride. Do you mind riding up and giving me a lift? I need you to fill me in on this bullshit
...
Jack Diamond: Thanks man... I'm at the corner of Glenwood and Whipple.
...
Jack Diamond: See ya then.
Jack ends the call and hands the phone back to the guy who is trying to hold in his laughter at the fact that Jack didn't even know Maverick's real name. Jack sees this and frowns but the guy pats him in the shoulder
Father: No worries Ace, your secret is safe with me. Hey, before you go.. could my son get your autograph?
Jack Diamond: Yeah, yeah sure. I do appreciate you doing me a solid with the phone...and what is your name little fella...
The man excitedly hands Jack a piece of paper and a pen that he had on him. Jack bends down to one knee and looks at the boy, really for the first time. The kid, who can't be more than eight or nine is all smiles even with the little dribble of snot running down from his nose. Of all things, he is wearing a Jackson Steele shirt. One from his AWF days. Jack tries to hide his disgust.
Young Boy: Jackson, sir!
Of course it is... Jack begins to write on the piece of paper as he continues to talk to the young kid.
Jack Diamond: Jackson eh? Is that why you are wearing a Jackson Steele shirt? Jack looks up at the dad Please tell me he doesn't know ALL about Jackson Steele The dad shakes his head quickly with a small look of panic on his face Ah, thank God.. phew.
Young Boy: Jackson was my favorite wrestler before he left AWF.
Now wait a minute... Jack was in AWF when Jackson was still there. Man, fuck this little kid. Not in a Jeffrey Viper kind of way, but in a "what the fuck is everyone smoking today?" kind of way. Jack hands the piece of paper over to the boy and his eyes light up.
Jack Diamond: I'll tell ya what, little kid, I know a lot of people liked him before he got scared of competition and ran off. He showed what kind of man he is by turning his back on little Jacksons everywhere. I'm sure you know, but I have to fight Jackson this Sunday. Just for you, I'm going to go into that match and make it a point to embarrass Steele. How's that sound, champ?
Young Boy: That sounds awesome!
Jack Diamond: Good, good... here let me get that...
Jack had tussled the boys hair a bit as he was standing up, young Jackson all smiles, before Jack once again noticed the snot. Jack reached down and helped the boy use his shirt to wipe the snot off his upper lip. As Jack released the shirt, it was too perfect. There was the face of Jackson Steele, covered in a gooey, sticky bodily fluid. A laugh escaped Jack.
Jack Diamond: Yeah, ha, that looks about right.
The father laughs with Jack, knowing exactly what it looked like. Jack shook the fathers hand and thanked him for letting him use the phone. He then gave the little boy a high five and the two of them went on their way. A half minute later the blacked out R8 came roaring down the road coming to a screeching stop next to the sidewalk where Jack stood. Finally, Jack could get some answers. He walked over to the car, wiping his hands on his pants to try and rid them of any germs the young boy may have had. The passenger window rolls down.
Maverick: Jackie-boy! Get in, we need to discuss things...
Jack Diamond: Shit, how is he?
Jack asks the question he has been dreading hearing the answer to ever since he seen the headline. As he gets in the car and shuts the door, Mav hits the button to roll the window up thus muting any answer we were hoping to here. As Maverick revs the engine hits a quick u-turn to head back towards the Diamond Lounge...the scene fades to black.
