Contemplation. Consideration. Credibility.
The scene opens on a dead end alley, a twilight sky blasting colors in the background. There is a ten foot brick wall, matching the gloomy color and tint of the alley, which is shaded from the explosive mix of colors above by the tall buildings enclosing it. Leaning against the wall is the dimmed figure of Larry Tact. The closest illumination perhaps comes from a street lamp nearer the main road, and so the pine green t-shirt and stonewashed blue jeans don't exactly make him stand out. His shoulder length blonde hair, on the other hand, gives some guidance for where to focus on, as his face is transfixed on what is ahead of him, arms crossed over his chest.
LARRY TACT: "Chaos, after watching your first response, I did sit back and consider what exactly
is at stake here... between us... in this BattleBRAWL match. I thought about my words, too; about the venue, the atmosphere of a PCX match, the stipulation in your hands; I contemplated what this match really meant for me. I gave it all consideration and
when I was done, Chaos... I saw the second appearance you made. And I thought a little more after that. And I can tell you, Chaos... I can
assure you... I really do believe in my conclusions. I have no doubts or regrets about what I'm both about to engage in. I can assure you, there is not an
ounce of me that doesn't look at this match with the
desire... and
embracing... of being a participant."
Pausing, he uncrosses his arms and hooks his thumbs in either side jean pocket.
"You see, Chaos, I have a mission that needs accomplishing. Upon my return and subsequent stay in New ERA, I have done what I always set out to do: accomplish goals I set for myself. A lot of people, a majority, would believe becoming the Champion is what needs to be the overriding goal of anyone who sets foot in a wrestling ring. And I won't deny that I have aspirations to be World Heavyweight Champion..."
"That shouldn't be a mystery to anyone, after the past eighteen months."
Chuckles.
"But what
can be a mystery to many, and what I have remembered
not to forget, Chaos... is that
the belt does not... DOES NOT... make the Champion. The Champion makes that belt worth having. Worth chasing. He, or she, who holds the title must give it...
credibility."
"And when I become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion again, you can damn sure know there will be PLENTY to chase."
"But you might be wondering where I'm going with this, as there is no title on the line. Well Chaos, I've been talking a bunch about myself here, and not all that much about you. This match, the way it came about, was not really about you though, was it? It was about me. It still is. This is about Larry Tact paving a legacy, and Juliet Marceau not liking it."
"So you were dragged into this. She thought up this GREAT idea of giving you a match you could maybe control at BattleBRAWL II... having you try to turn the intimidation around on me with the one variable in her control. She has placed her faith in the PCX style now, embodied in you, Chaos."
"But there's just one problem with that..."
Even in the dim light, the corners of his lips can still be seen turning upward.
"You've heard me say that I've given thought about how this match can affect me... how it will begin the writing of the next chapter in my legacy. There is no doubt this match is important to me. What I failed to mention before, though, was that I gave more thought to this than just how it concerns me. I'll spare you the cliche, but I believe in the importance of knowing your opposition. And for a match of this circumstance, under these conditions, and with all the spotlight aimed on me, well..."
"I didn't want you to forget, Chaos... what's on the line, here, for
you."
And a grin forming on his face.
"Which brings us full circle, back to contemplation, consideration, and... credibility. It's true, I would be better off winning this match. You can bet your last dollar and penny that I'll be holding nothing back, as is my custom with every time I set foot inside the squared circle. But among all the facts I've stated, there is one you need to embrace, Chaos. Whether I win or lose this match, it will not stop me from paving my legacy. That is something ongoing, ever-present, and beyond wins and losses."
"It is beyond matches alone, and you would have to literally kill me to stop that. Juliet Marceau has yet to comprehend that fact. Fortunately for you... it isn't something you really need concern yourself with. As I said before, what you
should be concerned with, in all honesty, is what is on the line in this match... for
you."
Pausing again, he nods and leans back, propping a leg up against the brick wall.
"This match has two stories to be told. On paper, this is a match I have been ordered into by Juliet Marceau. It is a non-title match under PCX rules where you, the PCX Champion, will choose the stipulation. Look deeper, however... if, as you said, someone gives it
thought... there is a second story."
"What you have here, Chaos, is your first real chance for
your cause. You believe the PCX Championship is one of a kind. Well... perhaps it is. At least for now, on this circuit, there is a lack of titles under such a unique domain. Regardless, there's no question that title holds little established
credibility as of yet. After all, who has really challenged you since the inception of the title? Take a look..."
"Throughout the tournament, you asserted your dominance, which was all well and good for you, but gave little to the title. I'll give Dallas Carter credit, he put everything on the line against you, and you did what you had to do. That gave things a bit of a jump. But since then... who? Trevor Cane? John Doe? I'm not saying they don't have fire in them, but they're inconsistent. They also lack the proven ability to perform at the proper level. In short... unique as the PCX Championship may be, you have not defeated anyone to give the title significant credibility."
He shrugs.
"It's a common problem. I would have faced the same obstacle during NEWs inception, and my World Championship reign. But if there's one thing LaRoque and Marceau know how to do, it's fill their pool with fish of all sizes. They brought in wrestlers who work their ***es off, and brought their prime efforts."
"Now, Chaos,
you have a chance to show everyone in New ERA that the PCX Championship deserves to have that kind of credibility. It isn't immediate. I'm not telling you that defeating me will bring the PCX up to the level of the World Heavyweight Championship. Nothing is that easy. But like my legacy, which has been contructed from
crucial matches and
touchstone points for years... it is a step. Another step in the right direction. But to do that, to take that type of step, you must be willing to put
everything on the line."
"So, then, don't forget the flip side of it, either. If you pledge yourself to this match, and push your advantage to the limit, and make a push to take that next step, then you also accept the consequences. If you lose this match, Chaos... then you take the plunge along with that title. You won't lose the title, no, but you'll lose what you have worked for to this point."
"Whether Marceau realizes it or not, she has created more than she bargained for with this match. She has unknowingly dedicated more than just another match, and another hitman, to try and halt the legacy of Larry Tact. She has brought a match to New ERA that truly is worthy of the BattleBRAWL history."
"Because I will not be intimidated by this PCX match. I am above that, and I thought you would realize as much, Chaos. But you would rather pump yourself up with thoughts of the stipulation, and how grand and grotesque you can make it. You pride yourself on being able to battle through red tape and claim a moral victory over the powers-that-be. And you relish in having that clause of dictating the rules."
"Well, let me tie up one more loose end for you, Chaos. I wore a mask not for why you said: to have the spotlight cast upon me. That would have happened, regardless. I donned the mask for the reason I stated: because when I took down the World Heavyweight Champion, there would be
no doubt I deserved a place at the top. And I did what needed doing. Yet, despite that, I am not demanding anything. I have not complained as you have, and sought out the advantage you want and have. I don't battle to gain advantages, because I don't need them to succeed. I've conquered the mountain without them, and I'll do it again."
Popping his thumbs out of jean pockets, he crosses his arms over his chest once more.
"And, knowing that, I can build my legacy further before reclaiming the World Title. Yes, it will be painful, and there will be blood. It won't be easy."
"I've accepted that long ago."
" There's a reason I've told you to take your precious advantage, that stipulation you make such a deal of, and push it. Push it like it means EVERYTHING for you."
"Because you'll need to put everything at stake if you want a shot at stopping me, and gaining that credibility, Chaos."
"Deny it if you want, but wouldn't someone
truly intimidated be the one to deny what's plainly clear..."
Uncrossing his arms, he kicks off the wall and gives a quick smirk.
"When you think about it."
And he walks off, the shot left capturing the contrast of bright, explosive sky colors with the darker, tangible concrete and buildings below. Fade out.
Words then appear on screen, each in succession of the other before, like a wave, the darkness consumes them one by one. The message reads...
LARRY TACT
CHAOS
BATTLEBRAWL II
