Post by ____ on Jul 24, 2010 14:18:14 GMT -5
Glory. Defined as exaltation, praise, or honour, as that accorded by general consent, is the most sought after thing in the wrestling world. The climb to the top, to become champion is all about attaining the glory of being the best in the company. From their, they set their eyes on other horizons with an aim to higher glory, the best in the country, the America’s, the world. It is for this reason, that many view tag team wrestling as beneath them, or a backwards step in their pursuit. They do not attain any success as an individual, but instead it is shared with another person.
Yet is glory not the same, whether it is done as an individual or a team? Is the word not the same, the adulation still present? For many their greatest hour has come as a member of a tag team, their only taste from the chalice of highest praise shared with another. For Chris Hart, this holds true, his exploits with Kurt Noble formerly bringing him back to the forefront of public perception. Now, in Kingdom of Pride, he is seen as a threat to take home the Valiant Championship, to finally reach the pinnacle by himself, but without the initial success of a tag team, there would be no Chris Hart.
Chris - “Where are we going?”
Dragging Chris down the hallway of the Cookeville Community Center, John Parker doesn’t look back at Chris despite his protestations. Nearing the back exit, John finally stops as Chris shakes his head at the young buck.
Chris - “What was that about?”
John turns and looks at Chris, catching his breath while also trying to reduce the throbbing in his toe, the sprint following the foot stomp not doing anything to aid the injured Halux. Finally catching his breath, John merely shrugs his shoulders in response to Chris’ question. Shaking his head, Chris tries to figure out what exactly is going on with the young charge, and whether this tag team match is simply an excuse to not hire a baby-sitter.
Chris - “Alright, ignoring the mad dash down the hall way, you said we had things to discus?”
John - “Yes.”
Chris - “And what did you want to talk about?”
John - “Our match tonight against The Los Sexy’s. Now, because I’m British, I don’t speak Spanish but I assume you might know a little bit.”
Chris - “Que?”
John smiles at Chris who simply laughs at the young Parker.
Chris - “I speak a little bit, but between you and I, they’re loco. The Los Sexy’s? It makes no sense. Ave Marie? It’s Ave Maria. Latin Chick? It’s Latina.”
John - “Que?”
Chris - “Exactly.”
John - “ So we’re dealing with like, the Mexicool version of Wiggers?”
Chris - “Si Senor.”
John - “So you’re saying that last week I was savagely attacked by Vanilla Ice and Jamie T?”
Chris - “Sure.”
John - “That’s worse than losing to the French soccer team?”
As John says this Jimmy walks by, trying to recover from the Last Call to Cuba he suffered at the hands of Delikado. Stopping in his tracks, Jimmy turns to Chris and then to John.
Jimmy - “There is nothing worse than the French, not even communists like that repugnant Cuban. Socialist ignoramus’, the separation of state and the secular world infringing on the basic human rights to practice whatever religion they so desire. That and they employ pedophiles to represent their country in the beautiful game. They have no recourse, no conscience, I’m surprised Tito Capaci has not relocated there because it appears that they indirectly support child prostitution. They are no better than Cambodia, Thailand and other island Asian countries run by corrupt military regimes.”
Chris and John both turn and look at Jimmy, their stares vacant as Jimmy looks at the two of them.
Jimmy - “You both are absolute cunts, brainwashed by the mass media, programmed to reflect their viewpoints. Mindless drones, you are the reason we have such fools as Barrack Obama representing the most powerful economic power, his socialist policies only driving the United States of America further towards bankruptcy and a point where even Greece can claim their fiscal policies where better than the United States of America. It is on your heads that we continually allow criminals to walk free without recourse based on technicalities, on the theory that men are intrinsically good. Were we not created, fashioned in the image of a God that brought down sulphur rain upon Sodom and Gomorrah, who drove the armies of Egypt into the Red Sea?”
Chris - “I’m sorry I didn’t catch that?”
Jimmy looks at Chris before throwing his hands in the air and storming off, muttering furiously under his breath as Chris turns and looks at John.
Chris - “You don’t really hang out with those guys, do you?”
John - “Hey, it’s cheap entertainment.”
Chris - “I guess. Now, with that out of the way, I presume you’re not just worried with the faux Spanish of The Los Sexy’s?”
John - “After the savage assault last week, of course not, I want to beat them but I’m not worried about that.”
Chris - “Why?”
John - “Well, let’s see, I’m teaming with a guy who most feel will be the Valiant Champion after Return of the Kingdom. Not only that, he’s one of the greatest tag team wrestlers in the history of this sport. He comes from a family known for their excellence. How can I lose? I could probably just stand on the outside and watch you take care of them in five minutes.”
Chris smiles slightly at John all while shaking his head.
Chris - “You’re giving me too much credit.”
John - “No, not really. I watched last week when you beat Rage Rodriguez. You have special powers against the Mexicans.”
Chris blushes slightly, a measure of modesty having grown in him over the past year. He looks at John and in many respects, the wide eyed cockney reminds himself on some level of him at a younger age around the wrestling ring.
Chris - “Alright, but wouldn’t that be a hollow victory for you? I’m sure that you’d want a chance to get a measure of retribution on them all things considered.”
John pauses for a moment, his ingenious plan’s hole having been exposed.
John - “You’re right. So I’ll wrestle and you can watch from the sidelines.”
Chris - “Hey, I’ve got to keep sharp before next week.”
John - “Fine, I’ll beat them, take a break and let my toe rest and then you can tag me back in for the victory.”
Chris - “I’ve got an even better idea. Why don’t we just play this as a straight up tag match. Quick tags, keep the fresh man in the ring. If we go in expecting to be able to do whatever we want, we’re leaving ourselves open for an upset.”
John - “Come on, you heard them Chris. It’s like Beavis and Butthead but as Mexican’s instead of Cornholes.”
Chris - “I know, but I also saw them last week beat down some English bloke. Just because you talk like an idiot, doesn’t mean you wrestle like one, look at The Bronx Bomber.”
John - “Wait? Is that the guy that uses big words like dollop and repressed apprehension? That doesn’t sound like an idiot to me?
Chris - “Have you ever heard anyone besides him using them in conversation?”
John pauses for a moment, trawling the recesses of his mind trying to think of someone else. He draws a blank however and nods in the negative at Chris.
Chris - “Exactly, he’s a pseudo-intellectual who talks most verbose in an effort to deceive others. He acknowledges that he is not physically imposing, so instead uses a comprehensive vocabulary designed to mislead his opponent into assuming that he is a genius.”
John blankly nods his head in the affirmative at Chris, having understood very little of what he said.
John - “Alright, point taken. So quick tags, press the pace and make sure that we isolate them in our corner.”
Chris - “Basic tag team strategy.”
John - “And what if one of us gets in trouble inside of the ring?”
Chris - “Then you fight like a rabid dog to get to your corner and make a tag.”
John - “Alright …”
John is interrupted as a man in a UPS uniform strolls up next to him.
UPS - “Are you John Parker?”
John - “Yes.”
UPS - “I have a delivery for you in the back if you’ll come with me.”
Chris looks at John questioningly who can only smile back at him.
John - “Our failsafe.”
Chris - “Que?”
John - “Just in case the Mexicools turn out to be better than we expected, I figured I’d bring a weapon they would fear down to the ring.”
Chris - “What?”
John - “An electric fence.”
Chris can only shake his head as John nods at the UPS men who leads the way to the front of the Community Center, John following in tow. Chris watches them go as he shakes his head, rubbing his brow with frustration. He takes a seat against the wall on the floor and leans his head back, having a small rest until a shadow blocks the light and the voice of Kurt Noble is heard.
Kurt - “How are you doing Chris?”
Chris turns and looks at Kurt who just shakes his head.
Chris - “I guess I’m okay, all things considered.”
Kurt - “Why’s that?”
Chris - “I don’t know, maybe the fact that I’m teaming up with a kid who bought an electric fence might have something to do with it.”
Kurt takes a seat next to Chris as he laughs and Chris turns his head back towards the other wall, away from his former tag partner and current boss.
Kurt - “It’s okay, I’m sure you can handle it. Besides, it serves as good warm up for the Gauntlet next Sunday where you’ll have to deal with all sorts of things.”
Chris - “That’s just wrestling though, this seems more like babysitting.”
Kurt - “Yeah, but the onus is on you there and here. You don’t have to worry about just your opponent this week, you also have to worry about a partner.
Chris - “Yeah, but I’ll only have to worry about a single opponent at Return of the Kingdom.”
Kurt - “No, a number of them, at the very least two. You know just as well as I do that in a match like this, it’s survival of the fittest, not the strongest. You’re going to have to pace yourself, try to conserve as much energy for the final push.”
Chris - “I know. So what’s up? You obviously didn’t come here to counsel me.”
Kurt laughs at Chris with a smile.
Kurt - “Yeah, I just wanted to personally thank you for everything you’ve been doing over the past two weeks. I wasn’t concerned about hiring you to wrestle here because I knew you’d do well for us inside of the ring. Outside of it though, I wasn’t sure what to expect. You weren’t outgoing before hand, hardly ever did interviews, showed up to wrestle and then left.”
Chris - “I know, but there were others to take the lead before in doing that and the promotion was already settled. Here in Kingdom of Pride we need someone to be that guy and who better than me?”
Kurt - “Yeah, I know, I really do appreciate it. I know we’ve got the wrestlers here, but neither Jeremy or I were sure if we’d get the people to really promote things.”
Chris - “Yeah, I told you when I signed that I’d do my best to keep this thing going as long as possible. I don’t want to be hopping from Tennessee, to Florida, to Japan and back to Illinois. I want to settle down somewhere and I can’t do that if the promotions keeping opening and closing.”
Kurt nods his head and looks at Chris.
Kurt - “Well, if that’s the case then, I’ve got something for you.”
He reaches into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulls out a single key. Chris looks at it, and then at Noble questioningly.
Chris - “What’s that?”
Kurt - “I know you’re still looking for a house here, but one of our sponsors is Pulte Homes and they’ve built a community just to the North of here in Algood that hasn’t sold out. They’re willing to give you a lease on a house, no charge, in exchange for doing some advertising work with them. You were the first person I could think of.”
Chris looks at the key before smiling as Noble tosses it too him.
Chris - “Thanks.”
Kurt - “Hey, not a problem. If you can hang back after the show tonight, I’ll introduce you to Mr. Dugas.”
Chris - “Alright …”
Chris is interrupted by the noise of John Parker, storming back onto the scene. Chris looks at him and smiles as he can see the frustration on his face.
Chris - “Where’s the fence?”
John - “The blasted thing doesn’t fit in the arena.”
Chris laughs as John kicks the wall, anger consuming clear judgement as he immediately begins hoping around, re-aggravating the toe injury as Kurt Noble just shakes his head.
Chris - “See what I mean?”
Kurt - “Yeah.”
Chris smiles at Kurt who just shakes his head at a still hopping John, the last shot before the scene fades.
Yet is glory not the same, whether it is done as an individual or a team? Is the word not the same, the adulation still present? For many their greatest hour has come as a member of a tag team, their only taste from the chalice of highest praise shared with another. For Chris Hart, this holds true, his exploits with Kurt Noble formerly bringing him back to the forefront of public perception. Now, in Kingdom of Pride, he is seen as a threat to take home the Valiant Championship, to finally reach the pinnacle by himself, but without the initial success of a tag team, there would be no Chris Hart.
Chris - “Where are we going?”
Dragging Chris down the hallway of the Cookeville Community Center, John Parker doesn’t look back at Chris despite his protestations. Nearing the back exit, John finally stops as Chris shakes his head at the young buck.
Chris - “What was that about?”
John turns and looks at Chris, catching his breath while also trying to reduce the throbbing in his toe, the sprint following the foot stomp not doing anything to aid the injured Halux. Finally catching his breath, John merely shrugs his shoulders in response to Chris’ question. Shaking his head, Chris tries to figure out what exactly is going on with the young charge, and whether this tag team match is simply an excuse to not hire a baby-sitter.
Chris - “Alright, ignoring the mad dash down the hall way, you said we had things to discus?”
John - “Yes.”
Chris - “And what did you want to talk about?”
John - “Our match tonight against The Los Sexy’s. Now, because I’m British, I don’t speak Spanish but I assume you might know a little bit.”
Chris - “Que?”
John smiles at Chris who simply laughs at the young Parker.
Chris - “I speak a little bit, but between you and I, they’re loco. The Los Sexy’s? It makes no sense. Ave Marie? It’s Ave Maria. Latin Chick? It’s Latina.”
John - “Que?”
Chris - “Exactly.”
John - “ So we’re dealing with like, the Mexicool version of Wiggers?”
Chris - “Si Senor.”
John - “So you’re saying that last week I was savagely attacked by Vanilla Ice and Jamie T?”
Chris - “Sure.”
John - “That’s worse than losing to the French soccer team?”
As John says this Jimmy walks by, trying to recover from the Last Call to Cuba he suffered at the hands of Delikado. Stopping in his tracks, Jimmy turns to Chris and then to John.
Jimmy - “There is nothing worse than the French, not even communists like that repugnant Cuban. Socialist ignoramus’, the separation of state and the secular world infringing on the basic human rights to practice whatever religion they so desire. That and they employ pedophiles to represent their country in the beautiful game. They have no recourse, no conscience, I’m surprised Tito Capaci has not relocated there because it appears that they indirectly support child prostitution. They are no better than Cambodia, Thailand and other island Asian countries run by corrupt military regimes.”
Chris and John both turn and look at Jimmy, their stares vacant as Jimmy looks at the two of them.
Jimmy - “You both are absolute cunts, brainwashed by the mass media, programmed to reflect their viewpoints. Mindless drones, you are the reason we have such fools as Barrack Obama representing the most powerful economic power, his socialist policies only driving the United States of America further towards bankruptcy and a point where even Greece can claim their fiscal policies where better than the United States of America. It is on your heads that we continually allow criminals to walk free without recourse based on technicalities, on the theory that men are intrinsically good. Were we not created, fashioned in the image of a God that brought down sulphur rain upon Sodom and Gomorrah, who drove the armies of Egypt into the Red Sea?”
Chris - “I’m sorry I didn’t catch that?”
Jimmy looks at Chris before throwing his hands in the air and storming off, muttering furiously under his breath as Chris turns and looks at John.
Chris - “You don’t really hang out with those guys, do you?”
John - “Hey, it’s cheap entertainment.”
Chris - “I guess. Now, with that out of the way, I presume you’re not just worried with the faux Spanish of The Los Sexy’s?”
John - “After the savage assault last week, of course not, I want to beat them but I’m not worried about that.”
Chris - “Why?”
John - “Well, let’s see, I’m teaming with a guy who most feel will be the Valiant Champion after Return of the Kingdom. Not only that, he’s one of the greatest tag team wrestlers in the history of this sport. He comes from a family known for their excellence. How can I lose? I could probably just stand on the outside and watch you take care of them in five minutes.”
Chris smiles slightly at John all while shaking his head.
Chris - “You’re giving me too much credit.”
John - “No, not really. I watched last week when you beat Rage Rodriguez. You have special powers against the Mexicans.”
Chris blushes slightly, a measure of modesty having grown in him over the past year. He looks at John and in many respects, the wide eyed cockney reminds himself on some level of him at a younger age around the wrestling ring.
Chris - “Alright, but wouldn’t that be a hollow victory for you? I’m sure that you’d want a chance to get a measure of retribution on them all things considered.”
John pauses for a moment, his ingenious plan’s hole having been exposed.
John - “You’re right. So I’ll wrestle and you can watch from the sidelines.”
Chris - “Hey, I’ve got to keep sharp before next week.”
John - “Fine, I’ll beat them, take a break and let my toe rest and then you can tag me back in for the victory.”
Chris - “I’ve got an even better idea. Why don’t we just play this as a straight up tag match. Quick tags, keep the fresh man in the ring. If we go in expecting to be able to do whatever we want, we’re leaving ourselves open for an upset.”
John - “Come on, you heard them Chris. It’s like Beavis and Butthead but as Mexican’s instead of Cornholes.”
Chris - “I know, but I also saw them last week beat down some English bloke. Just because you talk like an idiot, doesn’t mean you wrestle like one, look at The Bronx Bomber.”
John - “Wait? Is that the guy that uses big words like dollop and repressed apprehension? That doesn’t sound like an idiot to me?
Chris - “Have you ever heard anyone besides him using them in conversation?”
John pauses for a moment, trawling the recesses of his mind trying to think of someone else. He draws a blank however and nods in the negative at Chris.
Chris - “Exactly, he’s a pseudo-intellectual who talks most verbose in an effort to deceive others. He acknowledges that he is not physically imposing, so instead uses a comprehensive vocabulary designed to mislead his opponent into assuming that he is a genius.”
John blankly nods his head in the affirmative at Chris, having understood very little of what he said.
John - “Alright, point taken. So quick tags, press the pace and make sure that we isolate them in our corner.”
Chris - “Basic tag team strategy.”
John - “And what if one of us gets in trouble inside of the ring?”
Chris - “Then you fight like a rabid dog to get to your corner and make a tag.”
John - “Alright …”
John is interrupted as a man in a UPS uniform strolls up next to him.
UPS - “Are you John Parker?”
John - “Yes.”
UPS - “I have a delivery for you in the back if you’ll come with me.”
Chris looks at John questioningly who can only smile back at him.
John - “Our failsafe.”
Chris - “Que?”
John - “Just in case the Mexicools turn out to be better than we expected, I figured I’d bring a weapon they would fear down to the ring.”
Chris - “What?”
John - “An electric fence.”
Chris can only shake his head as John nods at the UPS men who leads the way to the front of the Community Center, John following in tow. Chris watches them go as he shakes his head, rubbing his brow with frustration. He takes a seat against the wall on the floor and leans his head back, having a small rest until a shadow blocks the light and the voice of Kurt Noble is heard.
Kurt - “How are you doing Chris?”
Chris turns and looks at Kurt who just shakes his head.
Chris - “I guess I’m okay, all things considered.”
Kurt - “Why’s that?”
Chris - “I don’t know, maybe the fact that I’m teaming up with a kid who bought an electric fence might have something to do with it.”
Kurt takes a seat next to Chris as he laughs and Chris turns his head back towards the other wall, away from his former tag partner and current boss.
Kurt - “It’s okay, I’m sure you can handle it. Besides, it serves as good warm up for the Gauntlet next Sunday where you’ll have to deal with all sorts of things.”
Chris - “That’s just wrestling though, this seems more like babysitting.”
Kurt - “Yeah, but the onus is on you there and here. You don’t have to worry about just your opponent this week, you also have to worry about a partner.
Chris - “Yeah, but I’ll only have to worry about a single opponent at Return of the Kingdom.”
Kurt - “No, a number of them, at the very least two. You know just as well as I do that in a match like this, it’s survival of the fittest, not the strongest. You’re going to have to pace yourself, try to conserve as much energy for the final push.”
Chris - “I know. So what’s up? You obviously didn’t come here to counsel me.”
Kurt laughs at Chris with a smile.
Kurt - “Yeah, I just wanted to personally thank you for everything you’ve been doing over the past two weeks. I wasn’t concerned about hiring you to wrestle here because I knew you’d do well for us inside of the ring. Outside of it though, I wasn’t sure what to expect. You weren’t outgoing before hand, hardly ever did interviews, showed up to wrestle and then left.”
Chris - “I know, but there were others to take the lead before in doing that and the promotion was already settled. Here in Kingdom of Pride we need someone to be that guy and who better than me?”
Kurt - “Yeah, I know, I really do appreciate it. I know we’ve got the wrestlers here, but neither Jeremy or I were sure if we’d get the people to really promote things.”
Chris - “Yeah, I told you when I signed that I’d do my best to keep this thing going as long as possible. I don’t want to be hopping from Tennessee, to Florida, to Japan and back to Illinois. I want to settle down somewhere and I can’t do that if the promotions keeping opening and closing.”
Kurt nods his head and looks at Chris.
Kurt - “Well, if that’s the case then, I’ve got something for you.”
He reaches into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulls out a single key. Chris looks at it, and then at Noble questioningly.
Chris - “What’s that?”
Kurt - “I know you’re still looking for a house here, but one of our sponsors is Pulte Homes and they’ve built a community just to the North of here in Algood that hasn’t sold out. They’re willing to give you a lease on a house, no charge, in exchange for doing some advertising work with them. You were the first person I could think of.”
Chris looks at the key before smiling as Noble tosses it too him.
Chris - “Thanks.”
Kurt - “Hey, not a problem. If you can hang back after the show tonight, I’ll introduce you to Mr. Dugas.”
Chris - “Alright …”
Chris is interrupted by the noise of John Parker, storming back onto the scene. Chris looks at him and smiles as he can see the frustration on his face.
Chris - “Where’s the fence?”
John - “The blasted thing doesn’t fit in the arena.”
Chris laughs as John kicks the wall, anger consuming clear judgement as he immediately begins hoping around, re-aggravating the toe injury as Kurt Noble just shakes his head.
Chris - “See what I mean?”
Kurt - “Yeah.”
Chris smiles at Kurt who just shakes his head at a still hopping John, the last shot before the scene fades.