SCENE BEGINS
(Early one rainy morning in Tahoma. Outside of a local business establishment, "Valentine's Pub", a black Nissan 350Z pulls into the nearest parking space of a practically empty lot. Caitlyn Daymon steps out from the driver side door and looks the building over, noting the lights and the music humming from within. She comes to the door where a "CLOSED" sign hangs, but tries the handle anyway. It opens, and she enters.)
(In the homely atmosphere of Valentine's Pub, oldies music fills the well-sized room filled with tables, chairs, booths, a pair of pool tables, a few dartboards, a series of arcade machines, and naturally the long bar with stools against one side of the room. By oldies music, I of course mean Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots, and the like; bands only we old people are familiar with anymore. Caitlyn gives the room a brief scan until she is approached by a large man. He comes to her as though he was about to greet her as she entered, standing nearly seven feet tall in a black Tool t-shirt and jeans. The man known as Kyle Valentine, owner of the establishment, an imposing giant covered with tattooes and sporting long black hair, smiles down upon Caitlyn Daymon, and grimaces as he notices a flaw.)
Kyle Valentine
Wow... where'd you get the shiner, Sis?
Caitlyn Daymon
Comes with the job, Kyle.
Kyle Valentine
Bah... you outta be more careful! But seriously, you want me to kick someone's ass for ya?
Caitlyn Daymon
No, Kyle, that won't be necessary. I fight my own battles. But nevermind that now. Is he here?
Kyle Valentine
Yeah...
(Kyle throws a thumb over his shoulder, and Caitlyn peers around her elder brother's massive frame, noticing Daymon sitting along in a corner booth with a bottle of Wild Turkey and a shot glass to keep him company.)
Caitlyn Daymon
How much has he had?
Kyle Valentine
Eh, he's taking his time with it. Not enough to give you much more than a buzz, though.
(Caitlyn Daymon crosses the room to join her husband. Valentine meanwhile goes back behind the bar to clean up for the night. Caitlyn comes into the booth, sitting close to Rocko, who doesn't so much as look at her as she arrives. He seems lost in thought, two fingers toying with the shot glass on the table.)
Caitlyn Daymon
Hey...
Rocko Daymon
Hi, kid.
(He slides a black velvet box to her.)
Rocko Daymon
Happy Valentine's Day.
(Caitlyn appears slightly flustered as she takes the box and looks it over.)
Caitlyn Daymon
Jesus, Rock, you didn't have to...
(She opens the lid. Her eyes close as she lets out a sigh.)
Caitlyn Daymon
Thank you, Rocko. It's beautiful.
Rocko Daymon
Wanted to surprise you as you got off the plane, but I've been here all night. Not in any condition to drive.
(Caitlyn closes the box and sets it aside.)
Caitlyn Daymon
You're still bummed about the match, huh?
Rocko Daymon
Yeah... it really struck a chord, you know? I mean, ever since I came to WFW, I have yet to see victory. I honestly don't know what I'm doing wrong. I figured if I came here to think about it, I'd come to some sort of realization, but nothing's come...
Caitlyn Daymon
Well, to be honest, that match had a lot of errors... like the Inner Circle getting involved, or the fact that El Arco Iris did nothing to earn his spot in the match. You did everything you could, but the cards didn't fall in your favor.
Rocko Daymon
But this shouldn't be about luck. It's--
(He stops as he turns to look at her, and notices the black eye.)
Rocko Daymon
Jesus, did Karla give you that?
(Her hand briefly comes to her face and she looks away.)
Caitlyn Daymon
No, it just came from my last match. You've had your share, if I remember correctly. Part of the job, Rocko.
Rocko Daymon
Part of the job...
Right.
(He pours himself a new glass, drinks the shot, and pours himself another. He stops there.)
Rocko Daymon
I'd allow my entire face to be blackened if I could get from it a decent win.
(Caitlyn smiles.)
Caitlyn Daymon
Your good looks are hardly worth a single win, Rock.
Rocko Daymon
I'm desperate at this point. Normally, I have no problem with being in a slump, but when 75% of your entire career has been the same way, you'd understand the way I feel.
But it's not getting any better. Take a look at this.
(Rocko reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folding sheet of paper. He slides it over to Caitlyn in the same way he slid over her Valentine's Day present. She unfolds it and looks it over.)
Caitlyn Daymon
The Merrython line-up...
Rocko Daymon
Yep.
(Caitlyn skims it, and lets out a brief laugh as she sees the match of topic.)
Caitlyn Daymon
Wow... you're teaming with the Cruise Project? I hope Cam doesn't hold anything against you because of what Starr and I are going through in NEW...
Rocko Daymon
Well, I hold nothing against him. What you and Karla Starr do in another federation is between the two of you, and shouldn't involve us guys. What I'm really worried about is how well he's going to do with Melton. From what I hear, everything in this team isn't quite peaches 'n' cream.
Caitlyn Daymon
And it doesn't really help considering who you're up against. Benjamin, Dodd, and Rabesque? You're going to have your work cut out for you.
Rocko Daymon
Yeah... a technical trio. Simply being booked against any of these guys in singles competition is a serious challenge. But when you have the three of them set their differences aside and work together on one side? Jesus, I don't even want to think of what they're capable of...
First you have Benjamin, who I know well in terms of performance. Last time we met, I picked up the win, but you can never tell with this guy. He gets better by the day. If you aren't careful in the ring, he can flush all of your hopes and dreams down the toilet in a matter of seconds.
Then there's Dodd. Don't know him personally, but I know he's Empire Pro's reigning Intercontinental Champion. If you can so much as GET a belt in EPW, then you know you have skill.
And finally, Rabesque... who goes without saying.
(Caitlyn nods.)
Caitlyn Daymon
He's made quite a rep for himself in NEW.
Rocko Daymon
I'm sure he's made it so in every fed he's been in. And he doesn't stop with his own reputation. I mean, this is the guy who single-handedly made Christian Sands' career through one match at GWE's Battleground Britain. The man is so accomplished, he practically ****S champions.
And now I face a team of these three guys... moving on from two losses and a pitiful draw...
(Rocko downs the second shot of whiskey and remains silent.)
Caitlyn Daymon
So what's the battle plan?
Rocko Daymon
Ehh... same as it always is, I suppose: To do everything I can. But becuase that hasn't worked out for me lately, this week I'm going to do a little more than that. If my everything proves not to be enough, then I'll do more. I'll exceed all of my expectations, and hope my teammates will do the same, in order to go to any lengths for victory.
Cause *******it, I wanna win...
I'm tired of not getting the job done when I know I can finish it. I'm tired of seeing John Doe's face on the TV while he spouts off on how everything I claimed to be has failed to live up to everyone's expectations. I'm tired of being stuck in the same place while other people who have been in this industry fewer years than I have--people who I know couldn't ever take a good ass-kicking from me and live to show their face the following week--moving UP the ladder, above and beyond my level. I'm tired...
Hell... I'm just tired of a lot of things. But if any of it is going to change, I have to make it. Which is why when I step into the ring against Benjamin, Dodd, and Rabesque, with the Cruise Project in my corner (provided they get their act together for one night), I'm going to do everything I can to win, and if it isn't enough, I'll do more.
(He pours himself a third glass, drinks it, and returns to silence.)
Caitlyn Daymon
I have the week off. You'll have all the time you need to prepare.
Rocko Daymon
True... and every minute I waste, my opponents will only be that much more stronger. But I'm not gonna let that happen. I'm going to train, I'm going to work out, and I'm going to focus. I will psych myself for victory.
Caitlyn Daymon
...you about ready to head home?
Rocko Daymon
...yeah, let's go home.
Caitlyn Daymon
Okay... come on, big guy.
(Caitlyn helps Rocko onto his feet and out of the booth. Slowly, they walk together toward the door, Caitlyn making sure her husband doesn't stumble into anything or tip. His mobility seems keen for as much as he's had. The come to the door, and the two turn back to Kyle Valentine, cleaning a glass behind his bar.)
Caitlyn Daymon
Good night, Kyle. Don't stay up too late.
Kyle Valentine
You too, Sis. You two have a good day.
Rocko Daymon
Oh, and Kyle...
Kyle Valentine
Yeah?
Rocko Daymon
Happy Valentine's Day.
(Kyle smirks.)
Kyle Valentine
Yeah, yeah... cute, you little asshole. Get outta here.
(Chuckling, Rocko is led by his wife out of the bar and to the car.)
SCENE ENDS