Meeting the Ace. RP3 for Blind Man's Bluff Match

[Bobby Barratt]

We open scene in the Diamond Lounge, VIP section. Bobby enters the room as the camera pans around the place. We see that Bobby's "Wall of Fame" is complete, with the replica X-Crown Championship belts all hanging in place alongside his other accomplishments. The mood lighting shimmers along the 24 Championship belts Bobby has won throughout his career since arriving in the USA. Everything from the ICW Shooting Star Championship to the X-Crown is included, giving a real feel of history when you look at it.

Bobby: Looks good, right? We find that displaying our achievements gives you that feel of who we are and what proof we have to back up the fact we are the best in the business. Did you know that when Jack had the plans drawn up for this place, that he wanted extra reinforcement put into the walls to support the weight of all the titles we planned to hang in here? 

Bobby approaches the wall, letting his eyes linger on each title belt as he walks by slowly.

Bobby: See that's the confidence we have in ourselves and each other. The fact we knew it was only a matter of time. The fact that Jack spared no expense to make sure that WHEN we won enough titles, that these walls would still be able to hold them is a testament to our aspirations for this business. We even contemplated displaying them in the lobby at one stage, but that just seemed tacky. People don't want to be reminded of everything they aren't. It's human nature. People by nature don't like to feel like they can't live Uncle Sam's American Dream! They want to believe they can achieve and walking out after a failed night of gambling and being presented by about 40 Championship belts....Well that just wouldn't go down well.

Bobby heads to the bar, pouring himself a Scotch. He sips at it, enjoying the taste and trying to savour each flavour note described on the bottle.

Bobby: That seems to be the issue now. So far, only one contender for my X-Crown Championship has reared their ugly head. Only one man has stepped up to speak out. The rest? Well they've kept their heads below the parapets. They don't want to be seen as someone who is the underdog, they don't want to be seen as someone that's so far out of their depth, not even a Lifeguard could save them. Me? I'm here. I'm putting myself out there, target on my back and I'm saying "COME AT ME!"

Bobby stretches his arms out wide, taking a dominant stance to make his point.

Bobby: Here I am, lads.... Drink it in. This is accomplishment and glory in it's finest, purest form. This is what happens when instead of sitting at home crying into a tissue about how you aren't getting your push, you go out and fucking GET what you want! Work for it! See a lot of these kids now, they're afraid of the grind, they're too fucking entitled and they think they'll go out and "grab life by the balls" or whatever they're saying between fucking dabs nowadays. Me? I was there every day, putting up the ring, paying my fucking dues. I kept my ears open and my mouth shut. I'd drive three or four hours to put the damn work in that I needed in order to become a success! For what? Nothing more than my fuel money and a sandwich, if I was lucky! Now we have a has-been former X-Crown Champion turned President of the USA in Curtis Kanyon, we have a rarely seen up and comer in Raiden Ishimori. Anyone heard from him yet? Nope! Chris Parsons of RSW... Never heard of the guy but apparently that fed whipped up a bit of trouble trying to hammer our a match? Don't care....A statue and a fucking Chef. Anthony Craig, the only man to peep out from safety and put himself out there. 

A sarcastic slow clap from Bobby.

Bobby: Well done, son. You were the one, the first to the post putting yourself out there. Will it help your chances? Maybe, who knows. Maybe you'll last past a few guys, the randomness of the draw might work in your favour, but sooner or later Craig, your lack of training and ring experience WILL catch up with you. You'll come across someone who's seasoned, someone who's been in the ring much more than you and knows their way around it. Sure, you might have jumped around in a few training rings and worked the odd house show, but have you any experience of working in a cage? I bet you don't! Trust me, the fact you've put yourself out there, I'm pulling for you, kid... But make no mistake, if I have to pull the trigger myself, I won't hesitate for a second! Just like anyone else in that match, if you stand between me and retaining my Championship...I...WILL...END YOU!! 

Bobby takes another sip from his drink, emptying the glass and slamming it down on the bar.

Bobby: January 27th.... Supremacy. One of the biggest XHF pay-per-views of the year. This is the stage, this is where you earn that recognition, this is the chance to prove yourself and catapult yourself into stardom... To quote a pretty big film from in the last year.

Bobby: This is the Greatest Show!

---

We come back and we are outside a large workshop looking building in Ardmore, TN. Bobby is seen carrying a black duffle bag as he heads in through the door to speak to a Receptionist. We don't hear the conversation, but Bobby is sent through to a meeting room, where none other than esteemed belt maker Dave Millican is sitting across the table from him.

Dave: Mr Barratt, it's a pleasure.

Bobby: Please, it's Bobby. A man of your stature in this game doesn't need to use Mister.

Dave: Well I appreciate the compliment, Bobby. So, what can I do for you today? Why the request to meet in person?

Bobby: Well as you can guess, I'm looking for a new title. I've recently come into a new Championship and try as I might, I just can't think of the best way to represent it, you know?

Dave: Yeah, I get that. 

Bobby: I also thought that since I'm somewhat of a perfectionist and you're an old schooler, I'd take a flight out here to get this hammered out in person, rather than pinging emails back and forth. That way it all gets sorted in person, done and dusted and we both walk away happy.

Dave: That makes a lot of sense. So what are we looking to "represent" here?

Bobby: Ok, so I'm part of the XHF Network based in Minnesota. It's got a unique set up, where it's not one solitary fed, but many feds working under the umbrella. 

Dave: I've heard the name.

Bobby: Well they have the X-Crown Championship. It's the overseeing "global" title, if you will. Made up of 18 different World Championships and rising each time a fed closes and decides to add the legacy of their title into the X-Crown.

Dave: This sounds like quite the project!

Bobby: See why I needed to see you in person?

Bobby laughs nervously.

Bobby: Anyway, I've worn each individual belt, I've worn combinations of them and I even wore EVERY title. 

Dave: Eighteen belts?!

Bobby: It didn't end well.

Dave: Wow.

Bobby: I just can't find the one that fits my personality, you know? So I've come to you to see if we can't get something that makes it all fit together. A way to represent the heritage and the legacy of those titles as well as representing me. I've got a drawing.

Bobby fishes a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and hands it to Dave. He squints, trying to make out the crude drawing before handing it back to Bobby.

Dave: Ok, I see what you're trying to do. You got the titles with you?

Bobby: Yeah. 

Bobby takes the title belts he picked out at the Vault and drapes them across the desk.

Dave: You've got permission to use these titles, or do you want me to recreate it?

Bobby: Full permission, provided nothing gets destroyed. So provided it can be reassembled when the time comes, then it's fair game.

Dave takes out a pencil and paper and starts sketching. A few minutes pass as Bobby tries to get a peek at what Dave is drawing before Dave sits back, looks at the paper and sighs.

Dave: Well I've done what I can and I think this design will work pretty well with what you're asking me to do. Can you leave these belts with me for... About Three or Four days?

Bobby: Not a problem. I can either come back to pick it all up when the job's done or I can have a Courier sort it out.

Dave: Yeah, I'll overnight them to you when we're done. I'll send the invoice through when we're done.

Bobby: Dave. It's been a pleasure. I look forward to this being completed.

Bobby gets up and shakes Dave's hand before heading for the door. The scene switches to Bobby walking out of the building.

Bobby: So now you're in on the secret. Dave Millican, the Ace of Belts is going to make me a custom X-Crown Championship. Something that captures the history and shows the world that Bobby Barratt is the man to beat. Let's see if this puts any fire under your arses. Maybe I'll be hearing from you soon, who knows! For now? Icon....Out!