Johnny Noble: Convicted

[Delikado/J-Noble]

The Noble namesake has always been surrounded with controversy. Me being the youngest of the Nobles and supposedly the most “in-experienced” has not changed that fact. Now, coincidentally my name has been the stage-front for all kinds of diabolic acts that have gone down in this Kingdom of Pride.

Imagine yourself forced into a corner and someone outright blamed you for an act you had no part in; they label you with the title of an attacker, a scheming opportunist, and even a coward. If you found yourself thrown in a company where you had all the power in the world to address the naysayers and go against your biggest critics, but you risked losing the respect you had. You risked giving your opposition, the anti-“you” athletes, more of a reason to denounce you and judge you every moment possible.

How would you respond?

What would you do knowing every action at this point carried consequences and ramifications in the long run of your career? You can be any sort of star: big or small, title carrier or title hopeful, but you’re still a man who has to recognize the effects of your actions. There’s no little button that’ll erase the previous week’s history.

There’s also nothing to erase what has NOT been said or done. The actions that did NOT happen still carry consequences and ramifications that will affect a man’s judgment one day. Therefore, it raises the question of what you should just “do.”

Take note of a man, an individual who has turned his thoughts and opinions in the direction of that “anti-you” belief. Take note of the Kingdom of Pride’s newly crowned Syndicate Champion, Kid Flanagan.

After last week’s Main Event, people backstage started to behave as if I had committed some evil atrocity. I don’t see what motivated such behavior, because I had a great time out there in that ring. As I later came to understand, the roster and the fans believed I was to blame for what happened to Kid Flanagan after the end of the Main Event. It was a company-wide belief and topic of discussion regarding the “Johnny Noble controversy” and “that damnable and cowardly Noble” when it came to what happened to Flanagan.

Now, I understand people’s opinions of me have evolved more and more into a negative one due to some of my bad calls in judgment and attitude toward other Pride wrestlers. Right now, anything I, as the top suspect, say or do is open to discussion by top officials as well as analysis regarding my legitimacy; even as I move to defend myself.

One way or the other, whether it benefits me or not, I will address this question of my involvement in Kid Flanagan’s unconscious form. It’s a matter now of what I can contribute most to Pride as my own man while the company falls deeper and deeper into disarray. I will not commit to simply playing along with the common “theory.”

Even a week later, facing off with Kid Flanagan being at the top of my “to-do list”, I know my role. I know what happened then and what has since happened in the present. Sure enough, I’m fighting my own battle this week. This is a battle for me and me alone, seeing as the majority has its own belief. And as a man who comes from a family of “believers”, I know it’ll stick unless I can not only gain a trust I had little of to start with, but also build to a point of credibleness.

As far as they know, I’m going to receive my just-desserts against Flanagan. But knowing what I know, people will have a hard time trying to stomach that conviction of me when the facts come out and erase the gossip.

Yes, there IS a button for that…



Johnny Noble: Convicted

We open up to find Johnny Noble sitting in his locker-room wearing his usual backstage attire and currently sitting down looking at his iPhone as it rests on the table in front of him. Standing nearby also looking at the iPhone is Johnny’s adviser Ethan Ames. He is dressed a bit nicer than Johnny in a suit/tie combo, but his expression is hardly much different from the stone-solid serious ones of young Noble. Johnny speaks into his iPhone as if he has already been in the middle of a conversation here.

Johnny: Kurt, I’m merely asking you to evaluate the situation from my point of view. Why would I attack Flanagan? What possible motive could I have?

The voice of the older Noble and the Co-General Manager responds through speakerphone and creates a slight echo in the roomy locker-room.

Kurt Noble*on speakerphone*: Listen, John. I have told you before that I’m going to do my best to not be one of those people who judges someone without proof, but this is a…delicate matter. Now, I don’t know WHY you would attack Flanagan, but it has been made crystal clear to me as well as many others in Pride that you are capable of actions like the ones that went down last week.

Ethan steps closer to the table and speaks out.

Ethan: And what are you trying to get at by saying that, Mr. Noble?

Kurt *on speakerphone*: Look, all I’m trying to say is, is that John’s resume in Pride, while possessing some great matches for someone so new to the business, has also been plagued with some less-than-pleasing performances that end up forcing members of our roster to step down for indefinite amounts of time.

Johnny sighs, knowing that as much as he’d like to wipe away those actions he committed, the facts are there.

Johnny: That is correct. If I may, though, what happened to Justin Kaard and his departure was of no fowl on my part. As for Chris Strike, I have made it publically known that I would wish to meet with him and settle all the bad blood issues that may exist between us. However, if he has in fact left Pride as well, then there is nothing more I can do regarding the resolving of that particular dilemma.

Kurt *on speakerphone*: So you want me to be okay with any and all your actions so far in Pride simply because you went about trying to fix the problems they caused, even though the victims of these attacks were already on their way out the door or had already left?

Johnny firmly squeezes his eyes shut and exhales deeply before responding back in a calm, yet sadly amazed manner.

Johnny: Damn it all, Kurt. Your refusal to recognize that your own flesh and blood is telling you the truth is something I would expect from them. It’s very disappointing, really.

Kurt *on speakerphone*: John, believe me. I don’t like seeing my brother being hung out to dry. But I have faith that if you give it time, the truth will come out and people will see that you didn’t attack Flanagan, as you’ve said. Until that happens, however, we must look at every possibility. Right now, the top possibility places you near the ring and Kid Flanagan as the most active competitor at the moment the blackout occurred.

Johnny looks briefly toward his adviser for support. Ethan, listening with his arms crossed firmly and squinting to the point he looks like a wise sage of knowledge, nods his head as a sign that Johnny should just go along with the facts that are being presented.

Johnny: Maybe so. But…it doesn’t take a man being 100% to assault another man in the shadows.

Kurt * on speakerphone*: Meaning?

Johnny: I mean we can’t forget that Josh Eagles and Tommy Hargrove were also at ringside as well.

Kurt can be heard “hmming” in thought on the other end. Johnny, waiting in the meantime, runs a hand through his hair and looks toward his locker at his wrestling gear set out for later on.

Kurt *on speakerphone*: No, we can’t forget them, and we won’t. But for now, all eyes are on you. After all, one of the biggest questions remains: if you had nothing to do with what happened to Flanagan, then what exactly were you grinning about out there after the attack ended and our Syndicate Champion was lying in a pool of his own blood…?

Johnny and Ethan both exchange looks and Johnny inhales sharply, as if he had completely forgotten about that part of the evening. Ethan takes the iPhone off the table and brings it up toward his mouth.

Ethan: Mr. Noble, would you give us a moment, please?

Kurt *on speakerphone*: Sure.

Ethan pushes a button on the iPhone making it so Kurt cannot hear this side of the line. Johnny rises to his feet as Ethan turns to him.

Ethan: John, I think I should handle the remainder of this call.

Johnny: What are you doing?

Ethan holds up a hand to stop Johnny from building up his level of worry by questioning the adviser.

Ethan: Listen. Your brother is right. Right now, this is a very delicate situation. Anything you say about Flanagan that sounds like remote bull and strengthens the people’s belief that you were the one behind this could have a negative impact on your career in Pride as well as through other promotions.

Johnny: Ethan, I am a man who can confidently speak for myself and I am a man who can defend myself in moments like this. You know that. But it’s the people who don’t know that; the fans and the men and women here on this roster. I’m still a mystery around here to them, an independent variable that can be manipulated by what goes on around me. If it eventually boils down to it that the people cannot accept that I have a somewhat harsh but realistic game plan in that ring, that the officials in charge don’t have the stomach to digest that I have selfless reasons for challenging authority…then that’s just how it is.

Ethan nods his head as Johnny stands before him with a natural look about him, indeed displaying that confident ability to defend himself here.

Johnny: It will all be attended to in time. And right now, I have to reaffirm that truth to my brother. I[/i] have to.[/color]

Ethan can't help but give Johnny a small smile of acceptance.

Ethan: Yes, sir.

Ethan hands the iPhone back over to Johnny, who takes it and presses the button to bring the General Manager back on speakerphone.

Johnny: Kurt?

Kurt *on speakerphone*: I’m here, John. Everything okay?

Johnny: Yes, everything is just fine.

Johnny slowly sits back down in the chair he was first seen sitting in while Ethan walks over to a small cooler and pulls a bottle of water from it. He sits down himself and takes a sip from the bottled water.

Johnny: So, I believe you were moving on to question why I was in fact smiling last week at the end of Oblivion as Kid Flanagan was lying bloodied like he was.

Kurt *on speakerphone*: Uh, yeah, yeah, I was.

Johnny blinks and rolls his neck with a small groan before speaking.

Johnny: Well, to be honest, Kurt, I don’t have a specific reason why I reacted as I did, but it is a good point to make. Obviously, if I had nothing to do with that attack, then why would I seem to be acting as if I was giving the event a positive reception?

Kurt *on speakerphone*: That’s what we’re trying to find out. It isn’t exactly normal for an innocent man to smile like he’s taking pleasure in the suffering of a fellow employee.

Johnny silently thinks for a few seconds, but not long enough for Kurt to really notice the break in this exchange.

Johnny: Let it be known that I did NOT take any sort of personal enjoyment at the Syndicate champion’s injured state. The thought of someone actually doing so revolts me, honestly. However, to see Flanagan as he was brought up a very crucial, if not brutal, fact about being a champion in this business: you must[/i][/u] always be prepared if you’re to be able to carry on with such vigor in your steps, the kind of vigor that comes with being a champion. Seeing the Syndicate champion, as new as he was to the honor, lying beaten and bleeding showed me that men in this company are not always what they seem. Flanagan was not ready to perform on the level he had been thrust into by becoming Syndicate Champion, and that is why he was caught off his guard and massacred in the center of the ring like he was at the end of the night. “Grinning” may have not been the best reaction to what took place, but it was mine, and I am not going to play it down or apologize for it.[/color]

With that all out there in the open now, Johnny leans back in his chair and waits for his brother’s response. The young Noble doesn’t look physically affected by what he has said in any way. He doesn’t look smug or arrogant like he might be suggesting he could do better; he doesn’t look ashamed at the kind of Champion Flanagan evidently is according to Johnny’s philosophy; he doesn’t even look proud of his statement. Noble is merely sitting by with the same serious and steady facial strength he has displayed since his debut. Ethan sits by with a face that’s hard to read, making it unclear as to whether he is in agreement with Johnny’s words or not. After a few tensely quiet moments, Kurt finally responds to what has been said.

Kurt *on speakerphone*: I suppose I don’t have to tell you that Kid Flanagan still holds you responsible for what happened to him and that a match was booked because of it.

Johnny laughs once.

Johnny: If Kid wants to hold me responsible for everything without proof and lash out for “revenge”, then he should expect no less than my head-on retaliation. That is all I can give him at this point.

Kurt *on speakerphone*: Understandable. And John, you should know that everything said here will be taken into account when Jeremy and I discuss this situation.

Johnny leans toward the iPhone, seeing the conversation is at its end.

Johnny: I appreciate it. I’m merely trying to remove this antagonizing mark on my head.

Kurt *on speakerphone*: Alright, I’m afraid I have to go now. I suppose I’ll call you back after Oblivion is over and we can discuss any further information that may arise.

Johnny: Good-bye, Kurt.

Johnny presses the button to end the call and then sits back in his chair, silently reflecting on everything that was said this evening. It’s clear the gears are spinning in Noble’s head as he places his iPhone back into his coat pocket.

Johnny: It’s clear now, Ethan. The Co-General Manager of this company is one of them.

Ethan slowly turns his head toward Johnny with lifted eyebrows of curiousness and surprise.

Ethan: Sir?

Johnny sighs deeply and shakes his head as he lifts his head up from the ground where he was looking and stares straight ahead at the Pride poster on the wall a few feet away.

Johnny: My own brother is abysmally flawed and a weak authority figure. His reactions here tonight prove he can be swayed by anything with even the tiniest of logic…a critical fall for the “Common Man.”

Johnny remains seated in silence after his rather harsh judgment of his older brother. Ethan remains seated as well with the same unreadable expression on his face and the water bottle in his hand slowly growing warmer in the thick air of the locker-room. With his thoughts on the Flanagan conspiracy made known now and the match with the Syndicate Champion already booked, Johnny Noble mentally rotates everything that has happened as the scene slowly fades out…

Johnny Noble: Convicted