At the End of the Road... to Gold.
OORP: My apologies go to EPW and Adam, for not getting into this match. I'm posting an RP out of respect, but I admit I don't really feel like I deserve this title shot right now.
FADE IN: on Larry Tact, sitting on his plush, burgundy cushioned sofa in his Manhattan suite, looking relaxed and smirking. He sports a pair of black slacks; a white dress shirt, the first couple buttons undone; and a blue tie with darker blue stripes crossing it, hanging loosely around his neck.
LARRY TACT: "Troy Douglas, EPW... take a good look at your NEXT Intercontinental Champion! Because not very long from now, there will be nothing that can prevent that from being the case. Specifically.. there's really little that Troy Douglas will be able to do about it."
He laughs a bit.
"I hear guys like Shawn Hart coming forth, spouting off like the little b**ch he is... saying I shouldn't be given the shot at the Intercontinental title. Really, Shawn? You don't think I should get the shot? Let me tell you something, Hart... I've beaten your comedic little ass before. If you need a refresher course on that, just keep WHINING. But if I were you-- which, if I were, I'd have long ago sliced myself wide open-- then I'd just keep the pacifier stuck in your fat mouth."
"Really, though, Shawn Hart isn't a factor here. He will be merely another spectator, when all's said and done... bearing witness to you, Troy, being soundly beaten. I'd say beaten at your own game... but in wrestling, there's really no comparison between us. You're going to regret stepping up to this level, Troy."
"We're currently in a period of political transition, right now; the old regime has a couple months' time left, but the new regime is already stepping in to make the necessary transfer of power go smoothly and seamlessly. They'll get to work right away, as we keep hearing."
"Well, Troy... to make sure I, too, start off running, in my effort to raise the EPW Intercontinental Championship to a level of prestige you never could... I made sure to get the festivities out of the way. There's no need to wait, anyway, because the outcome isn't in doubt... which is why I just got back from my victory party!"
"Don't mind that, though, Troy. Don't think I believe you're a talentless fraud of a Champion. It's not that complicated, even. You try, I can believe that. Try as you might, though... you just aren't meeting the necessary standard. And, so, you will be replaced by someone who can perform at or above that standard."
"When the time comes, Troy... and you feel yourself worn out, spent from the match. When your body is crying out, "No more!" but that resilient spirit of yours refuses to give in... I'll do the right thing. I'll deliver the final blow, with haste."
"I'm only doing what's right for you, Troy. Really. I'll make sure your body isn't broken-- just that spirit of yours, which endangers your health."
"I promise, when the match is over, and you look up at me being strapped with that Intercontinental Title... you'll at least know, 'I've still got another match in me!' You won't need to worry that it's the end, Troy."
"Only the end of your title reign. And many people will be relieved for that."
"You'll feel that familiar sense of loss, Troy. It'll be a bit rough at first, sure.. but don't worry, you've gotten past that before. You know how to deal with failure. It isn't so much a problem for you, at this point... not so much as the status quo."
"I'm not after you, Troy, just that title. So I won't draw out your fate at Unleashed. I'll make the Humbling blow quick for you, because I'm ready to get started as Intercontinental Champion."
"And as transition Champion, Troy... make sure to keep that belt nice and warm for me, okay? Thanks, Champ."
FADE OUT.