Post by ____ on Sept 4, 2010 14:03:13 GMT -5
For hundreds of years, European sailors ventured westward, looking for the fabled Northwest Passage to the Orient. Though they never discovered the path, what they accomplished was all the greater. Vast amounts of land, ripe with foliage and opportunity for expansion, a new frontier for the merchandizing folks. Now four hundred years later, the land to the west is the worlds preeminent super power, a land of freedom and the envy of many. For the residents, it is simply a Kingdom of Pride.
Yet it is this Pride that in many respects has nearly brought the nation to ruin. A soaring debt controlled by foreign powers, the continual rise of price and demand for consumer goods. The mercantile system that the original confederates overthrew now being used by there descendants at the expense of budding nations. Most disturbingly, the pride of the Kingdom in many ways has created a false impression of what is good. No longer is fear of the Lord and mortal law enough to keep people on the straight and narrow.
After a visit to the land of the rising sun though, a nation who doesn't experience the same freedoms as the Kingdom, Chris Hart stands in front of the Cookeville Community Center refreshed, ready to take down Christian Kane and restore the natural order. That those who walk the line reap the rewards, while those who cross it simply damn themselves to a life of nothing.
Raekwon: “Welcome back Chris.”
Turning back before entering, Chris sees Raekwon Carter striding towards him away from his Aston Martin. The week in the sun had done wonders for Chris, a tanned glow to his skin and the limp he had acquired from the beat downs at the hands of Adam Abel and Christian Kane less noticeable.
Chris: “Thanks.”
Raekwon: “So, how was it?”
Chris: “Perfect. I got a chance to sit in the sun and relax for the first time in months. Got to wrestle in front of thousands once again, but most importantly I got to work with Tokato again.”
Raekwon: “Tokato?”
Chris: “Tokato Sakaruba. He was around in the Inoki days but never got the notoriety of him or Giant Baba. He basically made Chris Hart the most feared man in wrestling. When I went off the map for months, it was to Japan to train with him in his dojo.”
Raekwon: “He's that good.”
Chris: “He's the best. If you ever want to increase your foot hold in the wrestling world, building up your own little army of the best, he's the man you need to train them.”
Raekwon: “I'll be sure to remember that.”
Filing the information away, Raekwon holds open the door as Chris Hart ducks into the back entrance of the Cookeville Community Center and heads towards the locker room, Raekwon following right behind him. Weaving towards the back entrance, Chris walks right past the champions locker room only to duck in to the empty communal one. Taking a seat in front of the locker with his name on it, he looks at Raekwon who's shaking his head.
Chris: “What?”
Raekwon: “You go through hell and back to become a champion yet you don't use the perks! You walk past your locker room to change here in the communal one, you don't take a champions bonus in order to help the company and you decide it's prudent to just wear a set of blue jeans when they offer to buy you a suit.”
Chris: “I don't need those things Raekwon. They're not necessary for my success, or the companies. Besides, it's fine sitting in here and shooting the shit with the guys before the show.”
Raekwon: “I know, but I watched you before in Illinois, when you received that blazer you just about cried. You spent all your time in Kurt Noble's locker room instead of the communal one and now you've done a one eighty.”
Chris: “I don't know, maybe it's my loyalty to Kurt. He's staked a lot in this company and I don't need to exploit for more.”
Raekwon: “It's not exploiting if you earn it Chris. He's told you more than once to take it, that it's not going to effect him one way or the other. Besides, anything you get in extra compensation he can write off against any profit he makes in regards to taxation.”
Chris: “I know, I'm not an absolute idiot but you need to make a profit to get tax write offs and let's not fool ourselves. It takes time for a wrestling company to make a profit. They didn't do it back in Illinois until after Kurt and I returned to action in January of this year.”
Raekwon: “Still ...”
Chris: “Luke 18: 14 Raekwon.”
Raekwon: “For everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Chris: “Exactly. People are getting tired of hearing about greedy professional athletes and how they make ten million but argue over five hundred thousand dollars. It's refreshing to see someone who's comfortable in what they make and is willing to forego the extras. It's building a reputation here in Tennessee that will reap rewards later. I'm losing fifteen hundred and a locker room Raekwon, but people here about it, I likely make thirty thousand in sponsorships.”
Raekwon looks at Chris, trying to wrap his head around the idea. In today's 'me-first' possessive culture, the idea of not taking what is being given seems utterly asinine and yet the number thirty thousand comes back to him, the dollar signs flashing in his eyes.
Raekwon: “Tell me again why you need me?”
Chris laughs at the answer and just shakes his head as he reaches into his duffel bag and pulls out his signature wrestling shorts, three pink hearts on the right side.
Raekwon: “Anyways, I actually came by this evening because I needed to speak to you about something. I've had Tessa on the hop all week and we've found a couple of places that are interest in using you as is, but some more lucrative ones who feel you've got too much of a 'boyish' look to you. They're not looking for someone who appears to be eighteen, they want someone that can appeal to the 18-25 demographic and for that, they need a different look.”
Chris looks at Raekwon with a confused look on his face.
Chris: “And how does that effect me? I can't change what I look like over night and before you mention plastic surgery, that's not an option considering my career choice.”
Raekwon: “True, but not entirely. I've been on the phone with one of my contacts and Los Angeles and she says that she thinks she can make things work for you.”
Chris: “Great, I still don't see how this effects me though. We're just talking a hair cut and a little base to accentuate the jawline.”
Raekwon: “That, but she also feels that the blond hair doesn't work for you, figures black would be a better color all things considered. She also says you'll need a bit of a tan ...”
Chris: “If you're asking me to go Jersey Shore, we can find other opportunities.”
Raekwon: “No, not to that extent. Just something to give you a little more color, something that won't make the black hair appear out of place.”
Chris: “Alright. So am I going to California, or is she coming here.”
Raekwon: “That was a reason I wanted to talk to you. I wasn't sure if after the trans-pacific flight less than three days ago you'd want to go cross country again.”
Chris: “I don't mind going to California.”
Raekwon: “Great, I figured you'd say that so I'll make it worth your while too.”
Chris: “How?”
Raekwon: “Well, I remember looking through your I-Pod and came across some Selena Gomez. I figured you're a fan and she's shooting a video there on Tuesday and with your dance experience I figured a role in that video might be something you'd be interested in.”
Chris smiles at Raekwon, who extends a hand towards him.
Raekwon: “Now that that's settled, I need to talk to Kurt before heading to New York. Rumor has it that he's fired Scott Boras and could be in need of a Sports Agent.”
Chris shakes his head as he takes Raekwon's hand and shakes it firmly. Turning away from Chris, Raekwon heads out the door as Chris Hart shakes his head.
Chris: “Amazing ... simply, amazing.”
And on that note, we fade.
Yet it is this Pride that in many respects has nearly brought the nation to ruin. A soaring debt controlled by foreign powers, the continual rise of price and demand for consumer goods. The mercantile system that the original confederates overthrew now being used by there descendants at the expense of budding nations. Most disturbingly, the pride of the Kingdom in many ways has created a false impression of what is good. No longer is fear of the Lord and mortal law enough to keep people on the straight and narrow.
After a visit to the land of the rising sun though, a nation who doesn't experience the same freedoms as the Kingdom, Chris Hart stands in front of the Cookeville Community Center refreshed, ready to take down Christian Kane and restore the natural order. That those who walk the line reap the rewards, while those who cross it simply damn themselves to a life of nothing.
Raekwon: “Welcome back Chris.”
Turning back before entering, Chris sees Raekwon Carter striding towards him away from his Aston Martin. The week in the sun had done wonders for Chris, a tanned glow to his skin and the limp he had acquired from the beat downs at the hands of Adam Abel and Christian Kane less noticeable.
Chris: “Thanks.”
Raekwon: “So, how was it?”
Chris: “Perfect. I got a chance to sit in the sun and relax for the first time in months. Got to wrestle in front of thousands once again, but most importantly I got to work with Tokato again.”
Raekwon: “Tokato?”
Chris: “Tokato Sakaruba. He was around in the Inoki days but never got the notoriety of him or Giant Baba. He basically made Chris Hart the most feared man in wrestling. When I went off the map for months, it was to Japan to train with him in his dojo.”
Raekwon: “He's that good.”
Chris: “He's the best. If you ever want to increase your foot hold in the wrestling world, building up your own little army of the best, he's the man you need to train them.”
Raekwon: “I'll be sure to remember that.”
Filing the information away, Raekwon holds open the door as Chris Hart ducks into the back entrance of the Cookeville Community Center and heads towards the locker room, Raekwon following right behind him. Weaving towards the back entrance, Chris walks right past the champions locker room only to duck in to the empty communal one. Taking a seat in front of the locker with his name on it, he looks at Raekwon who's shaking his head.
Chris: “What?”
Raekwon: “You go through hell and back to become a champion yet you don't use the perks! You walk past your locker room to change here in the communal one, you don't take a champions bonus in order to help the company and you decide it's prudent to just wear a set of blue jeans when they offer to buy you a suit.”
Chris: “I don't need those things Raekwon. They're not necessary for my success, or the companies. Besides, it's fine sitting in here and shooting the shit with the guys before the show.”
Raekwon: “I know, but I watched you before in Illinois, when you received that blazer you just about cried. You spent all your time in Kurt Noble's locker room instead of the communal one and now you've done a one eighty.”
Chris: “I don't know, maybe it's my loyalty to Kurt. He's staked a lot in this company and I don't need to exploit for more.”
Raekwon: “It's not exploiting if you earn it Chris. He's told you more than once to take it, that it's not going to effect him one way or the other. Besides, anything you get in extra compensation he can write off against any profit he makes in regards to taxation.”
Chris: “I know, I'm not an absolute idiot but you need to make a profit to get tax write offs and let's not fool ourselves. It takes time for a wrestling company to make a profit. They didn't do it back in Illinois until after Kurt and I returned to action in January of this year.”
Raekwon: “Still ...”
Chris: “Luke 18: 14 Raekwon.”
Raekwon: “For everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Chris: “Exactly. People are getting tired of hearing about greedy professional athletes and how they make ten million but argue over five hundred thousand dollars. It's refreshing to see someone who's comfortable in what they make and is willing to forego the extras. It's building a reputation here in Tennessee that will reap rewards later. I'm losing fifteen hundred and a locker room Raekwon, but people here about it, I likely make thirty thousand in sponsorships.”
Raekwon looks at Chris, trying to wrap his head around the idea. In today's 'me-first' possessive culture, the idea of not taking what is being given seems utterly asinine and yet the number thirty thousand comes back to him, the dollar signs flashing in his eyes.
Raekwon: “Tell me again why you need me?”
Chris laughs at the answer and just shakes his head as he reaches into his duffel bag and pulls out his signature wrestling shorts, three pink hearts on the right side.
Raekwon: “Anyways, I actually came by this evening because I needed to speak to you about something. I've had Tessa on the hop all week and we've found a couple of places that are interest in using you as is, but some more lucrative ones who feel you've got too much of a 'boyish' look to you. They're not looking for someone who appears to be eighteen, they want someone that can appeal to the 18-25 demographic and for that, they need a different look.”
Chris looks at Raekwon with a confused look on his face.
Chris: “And how does that effect me? I can't change what I look like over night and before you mention plastic surgery, that's not an option considering my career choice.”
Raekwon: “True, but not entirely. I've been on the phone with one of my contacts and Los Angeles and she says that she thinks she can make things work for you.”
Chris: “Great, I still don't see how this effects me though. We're just talking a hair cut and a little base to accentuate the jawline.”
Raekwon: “That, but she also feels that the blond hair doesn't work for you, figures black would be a better color all things considered. She also says you'll need a bit of a tan ...”
Chris: “If you're asking me to go Jersey Shore, we can find other opportunities.”
Raekwon: “No, not to that extent. Just something to give you a little more color, something that won't make the black hair appear out of place.”
Chris: “Alright. So am I going to California, or is she coming here.”
Raekwon: “That was a reason I wanted to talk to you. I wasn't sure if after the trans-pacific flight less than three days ago you'd want to go cross country again.”
Chris: “I don't mind going to California.”
Raekwon: “Great, I figured you'd say that so I'll make it worth your while too.”
Chris: “How?”
Raekwon: “Well, I remember looking through your I-Pod and came across some Selena Gomez. I figured you're a fan and she's shooting a video there on Tuesday and with your dance experience I figured a role in that video might be something you'd be interested in.”
Chris smiles at Raekwon, who extends a hand towards him.
Raekwon: “Now that that's settled, I need to talk to Kurt before heading to New York. Rumor has it that he's fired Scott Boras and could be in need of a Sports Agent.”
Chris shakes his head as he takes Raekwon's hand and shakes it firmly. Turning away from Chris, Raekwon heads out the door as Chris Hart shakes his head.
Chris: “Amazing ... simply, amazing.”
And on that note, we fade.
