Full Circle.
Fade in: on an "NEW RAUCOUS: 3 Years!" anniversary show backdrop. In front of this is Larry Tact, seated on a steel folding chair. He finally appears fully healed up from the scars of the PCX match at BattleBRAWL II, and looks refreshed and ready to get down to it.
TACT: "There's more than one parallel to be drawn from what lies just ahead. Three years... in wrestling terms, that can be a long while. Three years have come and gone since the inauguration of this promotion. When the New Era of Wrestling began, there were plenty of questions as to who would rise up and take command. Heck, people were debating which teams would survive Battle Bowl Mania. And having had time to think back on all that's happened, while a lot has certainly changed... this match may be something that has not."
"Don't get me wrong... we four have changed over the years. Marx and I have been World Heavyweight Champions. Spectrum has also become a Champion, and probably found his calling in other ways, as well. Peter File... (coughs)... well, maybe he's changed the least. Nevertheless, we all find ourselves back here, now, on anniversary night. Back in the same match we were in nearly three years ago."
"I half expected a nostalgia-fest for the past couple weeks. Surprisingly, it's been pretty quiet. Maybe that is nostalgic in itself. We four didn't let our talking override our actions last time, either... just another parallel one can draw from the past to the present."
He leans back against the chair, arms folding across his chest.
"This time we aren't pitted against each other for a title, but one of us already holds the prize. And it isn't me. Like I said, Marx, we've both held the World Title since the last time we four tangled. You have it now, and I've been making my way back up to it. You've got a rare, golden opportunity that a Champion should jump at: you can stop things right here. You can cut me off right now, with a win at Raucous."
"But I'm sure you know it'll be easier said than done."
He leans forward, crossing arms over knees.
"I'll retract some of what I said last week because you cast away Hart from the title. You gave an emotional performance to get back what, honestly, was the next closest thing to robbed from you. I have to commend that kind of effort, even if it was done in a pretty unorthodox manner. It wasn't exactly the respectable wrestling match, but you do what you gotta do."
"Problem with those unique matches is... I don't think it leaves you in a great position now. You've got to come in against three opponents whom you know will give you plenty of fight. You know you won't have that same emotional rush that propelled you last week. And above all..."
He gives a smug chuckle.
"... You've never beaten me. You've given great tries, but trying is only that. I've bested you in Royales. I've bested you one-on-one. And with all of this coming together at one time, well... forgive me if I don't see myself in an advantageous position. And you set up to be run over by myself."
"Don't worry, though. You may just get another chance... when we face off for the belt you're presently toting around. I won't make any guarantees, but after Raucous... I think you'll see it, too."
Grinning, he crosses a leg and leans back against the chair.
"Because who's going to stop me if not you, Jonathan? Spectrum, while he no doubt has the ability, has also been absent for a long time. And while I do actually credit him for having an indomitable spirit, I'm not about to let him come in and jump right back into a place I've been working up towards for the past year. No... even if Spectrum's been keeping the rust off in the ring... he wasn't able to beat me the last time we faced off. And he will not be able to surmount me this time, when I have not just kept up, but improved on my ring game. We were better than any team in NEW history, no doubt about it. If there were any doubters, I'd partner with him again to prove them wrong. But I have a legacy all my own, and when Spectrum comes in to try and halt my progress, our success as a team is set aside. He becomes another threat to my continuing the legacy I am paving, and I will go through him."
"Which leaves Peter File. Unlike most people, I know not to underestimate this Peter. What most don't understand is, as far as Peter File is concerned, there's a certain way of thinking...."
He smirks.
"On the one hand, he's certainly endowed with the capability of shooting off at the critical time. The thing about Peter File's matches, however, is that he still falls into the same funk. Once he... reaches his peak, he seems to, well... (shrugs) sputter out. No second wave. He seems to exhaust himself building up to that first... climactic attack. I guess you could say he exhibits an... endurance problem. I, on the other hand, have the ability to recharge again and again. I can keep up for multiple rounds, and just plain outlast. And so the difference between us was clear in the past, and is clearer still in the present."
"Now, if this were another situation, I'd refer Peter to some medications that might help... but of course, we're talking about wrestling. Bottom line... I've dispatched File before in the ring and, endurance dysfunction and all, he will be shot down again in this match."
He leans forward intently, hands on knees, on the edge of the seat.
"There are parallels to be drawn this anniversary, Marx. It's still every man for himself. People continue to question whether I have what it takes. But this time they wonder, "Is Larry Tact still as dominant as he was three years ago?" ... "Can Larry Tact become World Champion again?" Because there is a precedent, and it was set with this match."
Standing, he comes around to stand behind the chair, hands still on the back.
"We four stand opposed in the ring, once more. A win will keep me in this hunt for the World Title, once more. In a sense, everything has come full circle."
"Which will make this match all the more fitting. Because for the critics... anyone who contests my viability... and the three who stand in the ring with me this coming Raucous... history is about to repeat itself. Larry Tact will once again be the one to survive this Battle Royale."
"And then, Jonathan Marx... there will be only one more standing between us."
"One more match...."
"One more humbling... before you will..."
"Be..."
"TACTILIZED...."
"Once again."
With a snap, he shuts the steel chair. Fade out.
