Uncensored Idiocy....
Fade in: a pretty standard looking park. A walkway divides two sections of trees and small fields. A few benches are seen just to the side of the walkway, and the sun shines down on this clear day. Larry Tact is spotted with two other people, dressed in baggy, stonewashed blue jeans; black boots and fingerless gloves; and a sleeveless red shirt. He looks away from the other two and, upon seeing the cameraman, motions to him. The cameraman approaches the trio.
Tact: After hearing you speaking on our upcoming match, Killer, I couldn't help but contemplate your....well, you. I thought about what you did, what you said, and then thought on that question you asked. I decided that I'd invite two of my friends here to give a little demonstration of my own. But before I do that, let me make a few remarks to you, Killer.
Tact takes a seat on the bench -- arms resting on his knees -- with the camera centering on him.
Tact: I'm glad that you didn't answer my own questions to you, just yet, because you clearly showed that you haven't gotten all of what I said through that easy-bleed skull of yours. Fear can be a strong emotion, Killer. It can keep people from doing what they want...saying what they're really thinking...and can even force them off the path they want to take. I had to laugh when you starting talking about me and fear like you had a clue, cuz you demonstrated just how much you don't.
Tact's expression becomes more rigid and serious.
Tact: I never said I didn't fear anything. I don't know where you heard that. What I did say, though, is this: I...don't...fear...you. I don't fear Suicidal Killer. If you take that to mean I don't fear anything in this world, that's something you should state, rather than trying to put words in my mouth. I hope we're clear on that, though. I don't fear you, Killer. And like I said before...what have I to fear?
After a brief pause, Tact relaxes a bit and grins slightly as he chuckles.
Tact: And don't think putting holes in yourself will make me fear you. After seeing that display, I'm more inclined to pity you. I probably would pity you, but one of my pet peeves is that I don't show pity to people in this industry. In any case, Killer, you didn't provide me any reason to fear you. You just showed me the kind of uncensored idiocy I might expect from someone who was already eliminated from this tournament. Or maybe Peter File...but I don't think that's his type of thing.
Tact smirks and reaches down to grab his duffle bag. Opening it, Tact pulls out a bottle of Sierra Springs water and unscrews the cap.
Tact: Honestly, I don't know why you bother trying to flip the coin on me, Killer. I guess you won't admit it, but I can see that there's another reason you didn't answer the few questions I posed to you. Don't get me wrong, you worked around them for good reason...but it wasn't just because you didn't understand what I was saying, that you didn't answer my questions. Given your actions thus far, I don't think you're one to listen very well, much less care whether or not you comprehend what people are saying to you. But I see past the distractions you put up with the tacks...I see through your attempt to divert attention away from what's in plain sight, written on you with every word you put in my mouth...every tack you roll onto, like a hog rolling in the mud. Suicidal Killer, not Larry Tact, fears the questions of his opposition.
Tact takes a drink of water from the bottle and gives a refreshing exhale.
Tact: Nothing like a little Sierra Springs! (smirks) But don't be offended by the facts, Killer. It's just so obvious that you're a bit timid, a bit afraid of facing the questions I bring up to you. Unlike you, there's no way I'm putting any words into your mouth, because you showed, probably unknowingly, through your actions just how you feel inside. Besides, there's no need for me to stray from stating the truth. I'm more than up for this match, remember? I don't fear you, Killer.
Tact takes another sip of the water and then puts the cap back on, and replaces it in the bag.
Tact: And yeah, if you wanna call it a "Champion's blood" or whatever, I've got it in me.
Tact reaches back into the duffel bag and pulls out two title belts, holding one in each hand; one donning the RMWF logo, the other having the EWF logo. Both say "World Heavyweight Championship" on them. Tact drapes them across his knees and smiles.
Tact: See, I've been to the top before. I've worked up through the ranks and claimed the top prize before. And once I got them, nobody could take them from me. If you want to know more, just ask, but something tells me I won't need to provide anymore information. I brought them here, today, especially for you to see, Killer. Not cuz I think they matter to the rest of New ERA. Just because it might matter for you, to see them.
Tact picks up each belt and, one at a time, fits them around each of his shoulders. Tact looks at them, mocks 'polishing' them a bit with a hand, looks back and smirks before taking them off his shoulders and replacing them in the duffel bag. After zipping the duffel bag closed, Tact looks back up, and his expression is anything but joking
Tact: It's difficult for any wrestler to admit that they're going up against someone who could best them in the ring. It usually isn't believed to make for a healthy mentality. I imagine you have a more difficult time than the average wrestler. After all, you're so big and all that stuff..(chuckles)..but that and a bag of tacks won't get you past myself and El Arco Iris. Looking at you now, I can see you might just need a partner more than the average wrestler, too. Cuz Killer...you aren't getting past us on your own. Believe it or not, but you're going up against a pair that's only getting better. Say what you want...but EL ARCO IRIS and Larry Tact...are the ones in control. You don't run this show...you won't run this match. This is ours for the winning, and ours for the losing. Why? Well, quite simply, because we don't have issues with humility and humbleness. We listen before speaking. And I, for one, know when my opposition is slipping. And Killer...you slipped. At Raucous, you'll find out just how much it's going to cost you. Provided you don't fall before then.
Tact gets up and glances over in the direction of the other two who were with him, then back with a much happier expression.
Tact: But hey, Killer! As A.I. would say...don't be mad! Don't be sad! Cuz I've got just the thing to cheer you up. See, after seeing the show of unadulterated and uncensored idiocy you put on, I couldn't help but wonder if you knew what you looked like. So I figured that I would show you, through a different example, just how ridiculous you looked.
Tact walks over to one of the men, patting him on the shoulder. He has on a green scrub outfit, like that of a doctor's, and a white surgical mask dangling around his neck. He also has taped hands and wrists, as well as an eyepatch over his left eye. The man is shorter than Tact, with tanned skin and a full, gray beard and hair.
Tact: This is Cheapshot Ramon. Don't be fooled by his rugged exterior, though, because he's a scrappy fighter.
Tact then approaches the second man, much taller than he, and slaps hands with him. This African-American man is well built, with dreads that go down to his shoulders and hang around his face, framing it. He's got on black leather pants and a crimson sleeveless shirt.
Tact: And this is Predator. He just didn't want to miss seeing this, and he actually thought your display was pretty entertaining. Anyway, let's get the presentation started. Cheapshot, if you will.....
The camera focuses on Cheapshot, as he goes up to a garbage can, apparently full of weapons. He takes out a kendo stick, and proceeds to smack himself in the head with it. He then walks over to a tree and smacks the tree, only to have it come back and smack him in the head.
Tact (off camera): See, Killer? You were just making a fool of yourself, doing the whole tack thing with no purpose. Unless you thought it was amusing to try tying in my name with the word tack...which is kind of lame, honestly. I've seen better connections made in my life. In any case, now watch this, cuz this is what you're setting yourself up for.
Cheapshot tosses the kendo stick to Predator, who he then comes at in a seeming rage. Predator sidesteps Cheapshot, who runs into the garbage can and knocks out a bunch of weapons. Upon getting up, Cheapshot cleverly grabs hold of a steel chair as Predator comes behind him.
Tact (off-camera): See, maybe thought you could be real clever, and even if you didn't get A.I. and I with the first wave of "hardcore" toughness, maybe you could still pull something out and get us when we weren't looking. The problem with that is...
Predator smacks Cheapshot from behind with the kendo stick before he can even turn around, causing Cheapshot to fall onto the chair.
Tact (off-camera): ....we aren't going to sit around and just take that crap. We're going to do something about it! We're going to show no restraint, bring our best as well, and we won't stop and wait for you to make another move.
Predator doesn't bother waiting for Cheapshot to get up. Instead he starts beating Cheapshot mercilessly with the kendo stick. When the stick breaks, after a shot to Cheapshot's back, Predator gives it a look.
Tact (off-camera): And I, for one, know I can adapt in the ring. If one strategy isn't working out, I can use another....
Predator takes the hilt of the kendo stick, and starts ramming it into Cheapshot's back and neck repeatedly, but Cheapshot manages to somehow turn over and disarm Predator.
Tact (off-camera): And that's not to say you won't fight back. I expect you to be a challenge, because I was told joining New ERA would bring me new challenges. And even if you are slipping, Killer, you still pose a threat in this match. Plus, you've got a partner, so you won't be alone. But I never said this would be a cakewalk.
Cheapshot manages to kick Predator in the knees and stagger him a bit. He then takes the chair from the ground and nails Predator in the knee. Cheapshot then gets up and plasters Predator in the head with the chair twice, sending him down to a knee. Cheapshot then starts raking Predator's eyes and face with his taped hands.
Tact (off-camera): And despite your display, I have a feeling I'll be able to put some hurtin' into you. You have to know that we're both going to be taking punishment in this match. We're both going to be out to win, and that means giving and taking some damage. It's just who can endure, who can survive, like you noted.
Cheapshot begins hammering away on Predator with the chair, sending him to the ground eventually. Cheapshot begins celebrating, doing a little jig.
Tact (off-camera): But don't think you've won if you've got us in a bad spot. Like I said, we're not going to stop just cuz we're in a pinch. This is for the NEW World Heavyweight Title. And there's no higher prize in this promotion.
Predator starts to get up, and Cheapshot takes the chair up again, slamming it onto Predator's back, sending him down again. Predator, upon trying again to rise, sees Cheapshot bring the chair up, and lunges at him, punching the chair into Cheapshot's face. Cheapshot staggers back, dropping the chair, and Predator hits a running boot to the face of Ramon.
Tact (off-camera): It's not over 'til it's over, after all....
Cheapshot comes back at Predator, but Predator takes the chair up in his own hands and whales Cheapshot in the head, sending him down. Cheapshot manages to get up, slowly, but Predator grabs him by the throat and goes for a Choke Slam on Cheapshot, only to have Ramon poke him in the eyes to get free.
Tact (off-camera): Oh yeah, and if you don't get on the same page with your partner, and try going it as two individuals, rather than one team?
Tact suddenly comes in with one of his title belts, and as Cheapshot turns he gets blindsided by Tact with the belt, falling to the ground. Predator covers Cheapshot, and some random person comes sliding onto the grass, making a three count. Tact turns and holds the belt out.
Tact: Then your chances to get the NEW World Heavyweight Title will be all that much less.
As Tact puts the belt away again, Cheapshot stirs and Predator gets to his feet. When Cheapshot gets up, he looks at the person who made the count. The guy looks a bit scared, as Cheapshot starts raving at him. Predator puts a hand on Ramon's shoulder, but Cheapshot swats it away and then turns on the "referee," putting an Iron Claw submission on him. By this time a small crowd has formed, watching the demonstration, and they all look a bit alarmed at this. They then start to scatter as Cheapshot drops the "referee" and starts going after random park passerbys. Tact looks and sighs, shrugging.
Tact: See Killer, some people just don't understand the concept of being humble, even after a loss. I would hope you won't be that way, but I think you might just need to be humbled at Raucous, as well.
Predator catches up with Cheapshot, who turns into him. Cheapshot starts attacking Predator, but takes a quick knee and stumbles towards Tact. Ramon then charges Tact with lefts and rights, but Tact takes him down and puts him in a modified bow-and-arrow lock, affectionately dubbed the Tactful Surrender.
Tact: If you don't watch out, Killer, this could be you, too.
Tact releases Cheapshot after locking the hold in for a bit. Cheapshot gets up and shakes his head.
Tact: He's a little crazy...sometimes....
Cheapshot then seems to snap and goes after Predator again. Predator grabs Cheapshot by the throat, though, lifts him up, and Choke Slams him down onto the pavement. He then picks up the smaller man and puts him over the shoulder.
Tact: But teamwork prevails, just like it will at Raucous, when EL ARCO IRIS and I give you and your partner more than you can handle, Killer. Yeah, we will survive, because we're ready, we're prepared...and you're not. I know there's a lot to take in from this, Killer, but I don't expect you to get it all anyway. I only expect you to do the best you can. But realistically, it's just not going to be enough to take down this team at Raucous. A.I. and I, we're advancing to the Battle Bowl Finals, and that's....SIMPLY TACTILIZING!
Tact slings his duffel bag over his shoulder and walks down the park walkway with Predator, and Cheapshot slung over the shoulder. Fade out.
