And so, we finally meet again.
* Fanatic RP for PrimeTime.
FADE IN…
"THE FOLLOWING IS A PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE FOR MR. ENTERTAINMENT, NEW ERA CHAMPION."
On the New ERA Cyberstrike studio. The set is still adorned with cut-outs and poster-size photos of the New ERA World Heavyweight Champion, Mr. Entertainment. We see figurines in a row at the rear, of Mr. Entertainment. The Cyberstrike banner has a background image of Mr. Entertainment posing after his Season Two title victory. We see speakers setup, currently silent, that played Mr. Entertainment’s theme, “That’s Entertainment,” in studio. However, no one is present.
And then we hear footsteps. A shadow creeps up on the studio floor, and we then see someone cross into view. He observes the set for a few seconds, then turns. Wearing a black shirt, black leather pants, and his hair tied back, Larry Tact leans casually on the desk typically occupied by Natalie Newman and Jason Tripp. He gives another glances back at the Entertainment-centric set before staring back at us through blue-lensed, silver-framed sunglasses.
LARRY TACT: “And here it is. The greatest achievement of Mr. Entertainment’s reign as New ERA World Heavyweight Champion! His example of what his reign, his New ERA means.”
He motions around the desk.
“Something you see surrounding others.”
He walks behind the desk.
“Something flashy.”
He holds one of the figures up and lets go of it. The figure hits the desk and chips.
“But also something frail, when it comes to facing some real force.”
He grabs hold of a banner and tugs it, causing a rip.
“Something… cheap.”
He looks at the desk in front of him and takes a seat in one of the chairs, hands clasp together in front of him. The camera focuses on him as it would one of the commentators.
“It’s funny hearing our World Heavyweight Champion speak, sometimes. He claims that his vision is the way for New ERA to survive. And yet, we’re well aware that New ERA is not quite the same as it used to be. Don’t get me wrong, the Boston and Worcester are great venues. But we’re not talking about Canadian tours and Cuba under the reign of Mr. Entertainment, are we?”
He shrugs.
“I’ll admit, though, Mr. Entertainment never said his reign was geographically the grandest of them all. But my point is this…”
“Mr. Entertainment, what exactly has your reign meant to New ERA? How is it so superior? Why does New ERA, as you’ve so staunchly insisted, need Mr. Entertainment? So far, your grand proclamations about your relevance to New ERA sound a lot like Harold Camping’s ramblings about the Rapture. And if it continues to follow suit, then ultimately, your prophecy just won’t be all its cracked up to be.”
“And just like the world goes on without a May 21, 2011 Rapture, New ERA will be as great as ever at PrimeTime, May 31, 2011, with Fanatic as World Champion.”
“And as far as Fanatic is concerned, this isn’t about proclaiming his is the greatest reign of all World Champions. I have taken the time to show New ERA what Fanatic is about. I didn’t demand he receive a World Heavyweight Championship match, right from the start, just because he is part of the Tact Legacy… a legacy that has set the standard in New ERA since its humble beginnings. I knew that Fanatic had what it took to win the title from day one of Season One.. but what would it have meant?”
“No, Fanatic needed to be groomed to Championship measure in New ERA. Just as I did, twice, he needed to work his way up. And through two seasons, he’s earned two Championship shots. And while he may have, just by chance, been eliminated in the BattleBrawl, that didn’t stop him.”
“Fanatic earned both his shots… by simply winning match, after match, after match.”
“And while you managed to squirm by my brother, albeit in his very first New ERA match, Fanatic has still managed to do something you’ve repeatedly failed to do on your own, Mr. Entertainment, even with the success you‘ve had.”
“Fanatic has gotten the fans behind him. He‘s drawn from their spirit, their enthusiasm, and it’s made a difference. Don’t believe me? Well the results are obvious and undeniable. In his first match, against you, he was only known to a few of his die-hard fans, who were among the Agganis arena. Now, as more and more of New ERA has become familiar with him, and shown their support, my brother has become better each week.”
“It’s called being a fan favorite, Mr. Entertainment. And not just in a studio with props, and bands, and little tricks and gimmicks to help you keep the crowd’s attention. My brother has won them over with one thing…”
He leans forward, hands on the desk.
“Wrestling. Better wrestling, each week, than his opponent.”
“So now, he’s come full circle, with the New ERA fans, to confront the one blemish, the one bump in the road. But this time, because he has now proven himself, and risen through the ranks, this rematch will be for the World Heavyweight Championship.”
“Fanatic will show you the difference between the last time you two met, and the present. My brother will show you just how much things have changed. He’s going to show you why the New ERA fans matter, and what they mean to him.”
“And he won’t need words for it. He’ll just need one thing…”
He removes the sunglasses, setting them down on the desk and revealing his solid olive green eyes.
“Wrestling. Yours and his, to show the difference to the world watching.”
“The reign of Mr. Entertainment has been marked by studio decorations… threats of doom to New ERA without him as World Champion… and the disparagement, the attempt at censoring the history of New ERA, keeping it confined to what amounts to a sliver of its true greatness.”
He chuckles.
“You’d think GOP were back at the top. But no, this is the way the supposed ‘most entertaining‘ man in New ERA runs things. This is what we’re to believe is the most entertaining way of conducting New ERA.”
“Well, when Fanatic becomes World Heavyweight Champion, we’re going to see a New ERA for sure. Because Fanatic’s reign won’t focus on himself, and constantly hearing him announce how great a World Champion he is. We won’t hear him needing to reassure everyone, especially himself, of how much New ERA needs him.”
“His importance, in those respects, will speak for themselves. The entertainment he provides for New ERA, as its Champion, will speak for itself. Because Fanatic’s reign will be prioritized by one thing…”
“Wrestling. Respecting wrestling, and respecting New ERA of Wrestling.”
“Will New ERA survive… without Mr. Entertainment as World Heavyweight Champion?“
“I don't need to answer that question. At Cyberstrike 11, the New ERA fans will answer for me.”
FADE OUT.
FADE IN.
(This message is, by all appearances, not pre-recorded. We find ourselves in a dimly lit room. Candles, in fact, are what mostly fills the room with light. Along with that, the moonlight from outside two wall-length doors, slid open and exposing the background to a field leading to an endless sprawl of trees in the near-to-far distance. The floors are covered in tatami mats. Panning over to a wall, one item rests against it. This is a life-sized cutout of Mr. Entertainment. Panning back over, we now see Fanatic standing and staring at the cutout. He has donned an ocean-blue bodysuit and white mask. From the forearms down, we see the blue fade into white, including his gloves and calf-length boots. The Mark of Fanatic-- that of an ‘infinity’ insignia-- has been woven in the same blue to the fabric of the mask.
The sight of the New ERA World Heavyweight Champion is a sight Fanatic takes in silence, before he speaks in his wispy, whimsical, but steady voice.)
FANATIC
“Who will be the New ERA World Heavyweight Champion, as we enter PrimeTime? That is you, Mr. Entertainment. Having said that .. it seems you have conducted yourself like anything but a Champion, since I challenged you for that title.”
“I approached you in the ring, and with clear indication, made my intentions known to New ERA of Wrestling. I would challenge you for your title, invoking the title opportunity that was granted to me .. for three consecutive victories. I made my challenge, and had no further need for further interaction, at the time.”
“The match was set accordingly. At PrimeTime I have been scheduled to face the New ERA Champion. However, you have felt the need to take some offense to my making use of an opportunity that I fairly and wholly earned.”
“You .. Mr. Entertainment .. rather than respect the opportunity I have earned, attacked me for it. You .. Mr. Entertainment .. rather than appreciate my upfront challenge to you, for the New ERA Championship .. have scoffed at the idea of anyone truly presenting you with a challenge.“
“And you .. Mr. Entertainment .. rather than acknowledge the work of one who has battled in the Agganis arena, including a losing battle to you .. Mr. Entertainment .. rather than acknowledge another who has earned the same amount of Championship opportunities, in this New ERA .. and rather than give equal consideration to one who may, come PrimeTime .. may, in fact, be your match .. you would instead inflict harm upon the one who has that Championship opportunity .. that being myself.”
(A pause.)
“Mr, Entertainment .. try as you may to cut me down .. and put distance between us .. I cannot help but inform you .. that is futile. For the distance that was once between us .. a distance, in fact, of a fraction of a second .. a distance which allowed you to be awarded our first battle .. that distance is no more. The pages of our first encounter have already been written .. and despite an unsatisfactory outcome .. I did enjoy the battle. Although I did suffer a consequence .. one that, in fact, I requested of my brother to follow through with .. it was a thrill to compete with one who now holds the New ERA Championship.”
“That is the difference between myself and you .. Mr. Entertainment .. is that I do not feel threatened prior to a competitive encounter on the squared battlefield. I do not feel threatened knowing what is required of myself .. what I may sacrifice. I respect it .. I need not attack prior to a battle. I am not afraid to give what is necessary .. and take what is needed .. at the time of battle.”
“I respect the needs of the Spirit of the Ring. I know she requires sustenance .. much like the rest of us .. but in an alternate form. Your actions, however, do not honor the Spirit. Rather .. you attempt to save yourself from the sacrifice .. you would sooner work to inflict harm prior to a battle .. so that you may not pay as much tribute. You .. Mr. Entertainment .. do not take the same enjoy of the spirit of competition.”
“This I cannot understand .. I would ask you to explain. For it is that very Spirit that I have seen in so many, over the years .. which aided in igniting a fire of passion for this sport .. one that never ceases to burn brightly. The fans of New ERA thrive and, in turn, contribute to the spirit of these battles .. they are thoroughly thrilled by the competition. And what better competition than a battle between two who have earned their Championship opportunities? Between two who have such little difference in record .. and, I would be so bold to say .. two who seem a match that could very well be the greatest of our current Season. Hence, two who should fittingly meet on the squared battlefield .. at the PrimeTime event.”
“However .. we are also two who seem to have different perspectives on our encounter. As I have stated, you seem less willing to face me at my peak. You have resorted to less than ethical means .. and, in fact, have gone so far as to use the symbol of your status, the New ERA Championship .. the Mark of the Ring, that is, a prime symbol of what we battle for .. to inflict harm upon myself and my brother.”
(He turns, facing us front and center.)
“And so, Mr. Entertainment .. while you will enter PrimeTime as New ERA Champion, without doubt .. I would pose this query .. who has conducted themselves more as Champion? I am prepared to face my opponent without raising a hand beforehand .. without being influenced by intimidation .. for I possess something far stronger .. a pure passion this sport brings, flowing through my veins.”
“You .. Mr. Entertainment .. need only understand this .. I am not merely one who dabbles in what he takes an interest in. I am not one who will take a passing interest in what he sets his sights on. There is a reason why they call me .. Fanatic …”
“And with my previous weeks’ obligations in the ring fulfilled .. with Cyberstrike 10 completed .. there is only PrimeTime. There is only one focus left for my sight to set upon .. and that is the New ERA Championship .. becoming New ERA Champion, via victory in battle versus you .. Mr. Entertainment.”
“There is a concentration collecting .. can you feel it? Perhaps not .. for it resides among the New ERA faithful, its fans .. not those you are quite as in tune with. However, I will inform you .. it is a concentration of focus .. what one might call, anticipation .. they are waiting .. eager .. anticipation builds. They want to see PrimeTime unfold .. they want to know where the pieces will fall .. who will emerge from this grandest of Season Two battles, staking their claim to victory.”
“And you .. Mr. Entertainment .. will know of their anticipation, and of the spirit they conjure forth .. for it will concentrate into a force .. one surging forth to meet you at PrimeTime, through this vessel. You will know as it washes over you .. the wave of the Craze .. as it comes to consume you .. and sweep up the New ERA Championship …”
“… all in a blur.”
(He falls silent and turns, considering the sights of nature's night beyond.)
FADE OUT.