Checking Up On His Partner (AVA RP)

[The Dunne Deal]

Writer's Note: Raymond James is the sole property of Maverick. All rights reserved.

Location: Coventry, UK

On a rain drench afternoon, a group of flats comes into view The street is quiet until a cab pulls up. It stops in front of one of the flats, and we see Wellington Dunne step out of the cab.

Dunne - "Thanks man, take care."

He pays the driver and heads to the door. We can hear the cab drive away. Dunne knocks on the door. After a few seconds, Raymond James answers the door.

James - "Dunne, how did you...?

Dunne - "I have my ways, can I come in?"

James - "Um... sure come in, can I get you something to drink."

Dunne - "No, I'm fine."

James - "Then why are you here?"

Dunne - "You know why, James, don't play stupid."

James - "The tag match?"

Dunne - "Well, yes that, but I want to know, how you are feeling."

James sits down on the coach.

James - "I'm OK. My ankle hurts a bit, but I should be good to go."

Dunne looks unamused.

Dunne - "No not physically, you idiot, mentally how are you doing mentally."

Dunne points at his head.

James - "Why the fuck do you care, huh?"

Dunne - "Why do I care!! Because you're my partner damn-it! because unlike Caffrey I actually give a shit about you. That's why!"

James looks taken aback at this revelation.

Dunne - "Look I saw that match, and to be honest you tapped faster than a pool boy in a UFC match against George St. Pierre."

James looks at Dunne, with a look that could kill.

Dunne - "Don't look at me like that, I don't blame you, the CAL hurts like a bitch. I should know."

James - "And how the fuck would you know? Huh? You weren't in the match, you were in some stupid Battle Royale, a Battle Royale you invented, a Battle Royale you didn't even win. So please tell me, friend, how in the fucking hell would you fucking know?"

Dunne - "Because I've been in the hold myself!!"

Dunne snaps back.

Dunne - "I've been in it myself."

James looks on in confusion.

Dunne - "Remember when everyone, was looking into Tony's history trying to find a weakness, a chink in his armor."

James - "Yes."

Dunne - "And how they brought up his time in GWA, and how he that company's last International Champion?"

James - "Yes, Dunne, get to the point."

Dunne - "Who do you, think he beat to become that?"

James - "I don't know, Dylan Black?"

Dunne laughs at this answer.

Dunne - "No, Me."

James - "But how did you become champ in the first place, I mean your not exactly winning in AXW, is that why you joined up with Caffrey when you joined up."

Dunne - "No, that's not why I joined up with Caffrey, I joined up with him because he was the only one I knew when I came here, plus he warned me about GWA going under before it happened. I sort of owe him my in-ring career to him. Let's just I'm biding my time. Tony will get his, eventually, but not now. Also if you make a crack at my record again. I'll throw your own front window."

James apologizes.

James - "Sorry."

Dunne - "It's ok, it's a bit of a sore spot for me right now. But, that's not the issue, and neither is how I got the belt. Here's the thing about Tony. He's a great guy, a talented wrestler, one of the best on the mic I've seen in years. But his biggest issue is his ego. Friend or foe, Tony will rub every win he gets in your face. It's kinda sickening."

James - "Yeah, but..."

Dunne slaps James across the face.

Dunne - "But nothing!! Damn it, James! You are the Platinum Star! You are a former Undisputed Champion! You are one of the best in this company. So start fucking acting like it. Quit moping around like a kid whose puppy got killed, and fucking grow a fucking pair. Who the fuck cares if you tapped? I don't, Who the fuck cares if you weren't champion for very long? I don't. All I care about is winning those Tag Titles. All I care about is shoving Dylan's head so far up Jeffery's ass he can see his father's uvula. I care about taking out those high-flying masked morons out of the picture. Those idiots shouldn't even be in this match, and the only reason they are is because Chaos is a whiny little bitch-a-loid. All I care about is shutting up all the naysayers that say I can't get it done. But, I need your help to do it."

Dunne sits back down.

Dunne - "Look if really want to leave the AVA, I can't stop you. But I can't see you beat yourself up like this because of Caffrey. Look, what you do is all on you, but I need to know if you are going to be with me. I need to know if you're on the same page."

James "Yeah, but..."

Dunne - "But... James, you ever see the movie 'Cool Runnings'?"

James - "The one about the Jamaican bobsled team, not since I was little but yeah. Why?"

Dunne - "Remember how when they got to the Olympics, that no one thought they belonged, but they proved them all wrong. That's us right now, both The Vipers and The Nihilists don't believe we are in the same league as them. And here you sit like Junior after his father told him to come home, and here I sit like Yul telling you that you are not your father, or in this case Caffrey's bitch. So stop whining and help me win those titles."

Dunne offers his hand.

Dunne - "Win or lose, you're still my friend, no matter what path you take. Remember that."

James - "I will, Dunne, I will."

The two men hug.

Dunne - "Let's get this."

James - "Let's."

Dunne grabs his coat and leaves.

Dunne - "See you at Diamonds, James, don't disappoint me."

Dunne closes the door behind him.