Fade in
* We open with a slow fade on the exterior of a highly established law firm. The cameras move inside and cut directly to the second floor of the building. The HWA viewers gradually move down one of the long hallways until reaching a room with an open door. Once inside the room we gain view of a four men sitting at a long table. Two of the men are practicing lawyers. One of the lawyers are joined by their client, Justin Parks, the co-founder of Brass Knux Broadcasting who was recently attacked while visiting a HWA house show. The angle changes positions to show practicing attorney Hunter Wallace staring across the table at Justin Parks with a very annoyed look on his face. The cameras pan away from Wallace to show the HWA All Star Champion Michael James sitting next to his attorney. We seem to have arrived in the middle of the meeting *
Lawyer #1: It states here in fine print that by having your client here acting on his own when he assaulted Mr. Parks, it puts the entire blame and responsibility--
Hunter Wallace: We’re clear on that part.
* James leans towards his attorney and whispers something in his ear. The lawyer representing Parks seems interested about the details of their dialogue. James moves away from Wallace and looks at the lawyer. He scoffs and turns away with a disgusted sneer on his face *
Lawyer #1: Once again Mr. Wallace, I can assure you the standing of your client’s ego is not the issue here.
Hunter Wallace: No, I think it is. Because this is Mr. James’ personal reputation you're putting at stake. I don’t know how you do business but anytime someone risks the established character of one of my clients I tend to take it VERY personally.
Lawyer #1: Just as we take the personal health of Mr. Parks very seriously. You both need to consider the consequences of this particular situation and understand how serious we are about collecting a fair settlement.
Michael James: Pardon me, Mister?
Lawyer #1: Jennings.
Michael James: Right. Whatever. You mind if I step out for a second? I gotta take a piss.
* The lawyer releases a frustrated sigh and directs his sight towards Michael James *
Lawyer #1: That’s fine. Just don’t be gone very long. We still have a lot to cover.
Michael James: Sure.
* James casually stands up and makes an exit from the room. A cross fade transition cuts the scene to an area directly outside of the building. A few seconds later Michael James slowly moves into frame. He places a cigarette between his lips and lights the tip with a Zippo from his pocket. James takes a deep drag and releases a cloud of smoke from his mouth. He sits down on a nearby bench and inhales another drag from his cigarette. Out of nowhere, a soccer ball rolls along the ground until stopping at his feet. He looks down and picks up the ball just as a small girl comes chasing after it. He tosses the ball to the girl and smiles as she turns away in direction of a nearby playground *
Michael James: A soccer ball. It's round and bumpy. It has some deformations but it's still suitable for its use. It's kicked around as a sport. That is what our careers are all about. The management tells us what to do, when to do it and how to do it. We must either oblige or leave the company premises. We're kicked around most of our careers until we reach a certain point. I'm where I'm at for a reason and it’s not because I've been kicked this far or because of constant complaining. I don't need a guiding hand other than my own. I’ve proven that since day one. If everything was so easy and this was a perfect world then everyone would get what they want. There would be no need for competition and hardly anyone would gain respect for their accomplishments. Bryan Deas currently finds himself in the center of a war he can’t possibly win. So, what does Ballsack do? He makes a soap opera about it. When you start to lose matches at a continuous pace it means you need to change your approach. If you keep doing the same things and losing then you have to do other things. Change your approach. It's not a perfect world and not everything happens to satisfy your needs. Walk in and demand respect. It has taken me time to get here and for a piece of shit like Bryan Deas to walk up and try to defeat me, it will take far more than anything he has in his arsenal to get the job done. From where he’s sitting I’m sure it seems so easy. Everything does. Until the day you are forced go out and do everything you talk about. That’s where incompetent people like Bryan Deas always seem to fall short.
* He exhales a cloud of smoke from his nostrils while the sun causes a glare from the tint on the lenses of his sunglasses *
Michael James: Unfortunately for my opponents, that has always been my strong point. I said I was going to make history at Blood, Sweat and Tears and now I’m the best All Star Champion the company has ever seen. Success comes natural to me the same way failure and humiliation comes natural to Bryan Deas. It’s not something that anyone can change so what’s the point in trying? Born a loser, die a loser. If that’s how he wants to be viewed by the general public then I encourage his decision. Just like every castle needs a jester, the HWA needs a clown to kick around and that just happens to be the only purpose he has left in his career. He won’t admit it but even Bryan knows I’m telling the truth. Otherwise, why haven’t we heard a word from him since I kicked the shit out of him on Havoc? It’s no mystery. He’s scared. Just like Butch Parker, Stu E Price, Judas Mercury and every other douche bag on the active roster. But you know what? I don’t blame him. If I was in his situation I would be scared of me too. He’s going to be facing the only undefeated champion in the HWA who could easily, and I quote, outperform his sorry ass blindfolded. I’m beyond the regular dose that Deas is accustomed to and that isn’t a very safe place for him to be. To be honest it isn’t a safe place for anyone. But Deas isn’t just anyone, is he? No, he’s a completely different breed of dumbfounded stupidity. I didn’t think it was humanly possible compared to the moronic ramblings of the Parker family so sometimes life can surprise you. I always followed the principle of preparing for the unexpected. Maybe if Butch had done that at Blood, Sweat and Tears he wouldn’t be making excuses for his inexcusable loss of his final opportunity at the World Heavyweight Championship.
* James brings the cigarette to his mouth and takes another drag. A few seconds later he exhales the smoke and reaches inside of his jacket. He pulls a small flask from his pocket. He unscrews the top and takes a swig of Sake. He places the top back on and slides it back into his pocket before anyone notices *
Michael James: Personally, I don’t buy his bullshit. He had more than enough time and opportunity to compete for the title prior to Blood, Sweat and Tears. And what was the outcome? He couldn’t get the job done then either. You know how many times I had to face Judas Mercury to win the All Star Championship. Once. You know how long it took me? Less than ten seconds. If Butch is the man he claims to be then why couldn’t he do the same against Senester? It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. Butch is exactly like Bryan Deas. He can’t handle active competition. He can’t handle the threat of facing someone who is obviously better than he will ever be. I don’t have that problem. Unlike those weak assholes I’ll face anyone at anytime without excuses. I welcome fresh competition. Coming from my point of view it’s just another way to showcase my abilities and that’s why I’m the champ. If I was someone like Bryan Deas or Butch Parker I would just be another meaningless face with zero potential. But I’m not just another face. I’m the one you see at the top above everyone else that reads “All Star Champion”. Those mother####ers are below me for a reason and it isn’t because of some bullshit popularity contest. I’m listed as the best because I am the best. Like it or not that’s just the way it was meant to be. If people want to change the course of productivity they are more than welcome to try. Judas Mercury had his shot on the last edition of Havoc and everyone saw what happened there. He failed the same way Deas is going to fail at the same attempt towards an unattainable prize. It might not be fair but I don’t give a shit. I’ve never been considered a man of equality and I’m not going to start now. I’m an asshole. I’m brutal and careless. But more importantly, I’m a champion above all the rest.
* He takes the final drag from his cigarette and tosses it aside. He takes the flask from his jacket and takes another swig as he stands up. He walks out of frame and a cross fade cuts back to the room where the meeting is being held. James enters the room and takes a seat *
Jennings: It makes no difference what purpose he had talking to Mr. James. A backstage pass includes the right to all unrestricted locations in the building, correct?
Hunter Wallace: That’s right.
Jennings: Were the public dressing rooms restricted?
Hunter Wallace: Of course not.
Jennings: So Mr. Parks’ presence shouldn’t have been a distraction to Mr. James or anyone else in attendance on the night in question. The point we’re missing is that Justin was assaulted by your client with deadly intent for no purpose other than his own amusement. He wasn’t acting in self defense and the tape we have clearly proves that.
Michael James: How long have you been practicing law, Jennings?
Jennings: What?
Michael James: I asked you a question. How long have you been practicing law?
Jennings: I don’t see how that has anything to do with the case between you and Mr. Parks.
Michael James: I’m curious.
Jennings: Six and a half years. Why?
Michael James: Okay. Let me ask you something. You ever heard of something called a confidentiality agreement?
Jennings: Of course I have.
* James reaches forward and opens a file folder. He removes a copy of a waiver that was signed by Mr. Parks upon his purchase of the backstage pass. He hands the copy to Jennings *
Michael James: Why don’t you take a look at that and tell me what you think.
* Hunter’s eyes widen with sudden relief as he looks at James with a confident glare. Jennings gradually reads over the waiver. A few seconds later he drops the waiver on the table and looks at his client with an expression of frustration *
Jennings: Is this your signature?
* Justin looks over the waiver *
Justin: Yes.
* Jennings hangs his head in shame before looking back at Justin *
Jennings: I want you to read that line right there. Go ahead.
* Justin picks up the copy of the waiver and starts reading under his breath *
Justin: Pending agreement between consumers of purchased pass releasing HWA of all physical and legal ramifications that may occur—
Jennings: Do you know what that means, Justin?
Justin: No.
Jennings: By signing that waiver you basically gave Mr. James here legal permission to do anything he damn well pleased. That’s what a confidentiality waiver is. You agreed to the terms of their rules while visiting the backstage area.
Justin: Wait a second. What?
Jennings: Nothing. I’ll explain it to you later.
* Jennings looks across at Hunter and James with a humiliated expression on his face. He stands up and prepares to exit the room *
Jennings: I’m sorry to have wasted your time gentlemen.
* Jennings begins packing up his briefcase as Justin carefully gets out of his seat. He picks up his briefcase and makes his exit from the room as Justin follows behind him with the aid of a crutch. Hunter at James with a satisfied grin *
Hunter Wallace: He signed a confidentiality agreement? Why didn’t you say something before?
Michael James: I thought it would make a nice surprise.
Hunter Wallace: Yea, right. Next time just buy me a hooker or something.
Michael James: I would but I quit talking to your wife a long time ago.
* Michael James and Hunter Wallace have a quick laugh to celebrate the moment of their legal victory over Justin Parks *
--------------------------
03/26/2013
Black Eye Entertainment | Production Studio
Chicago, Illinois
--------------------------
* We open inside of what appears to be a large room constructed into a custom production studio. A large desk is placed near the center of the room that is covered with multiple monitors that are hooked up to a few high end computers. There is a large green screen covering the back wall with a tripod and DSLR camera setup placed several feet placed in front of the screen. We hear the flick sound of a lighter igniting a flame. A small smoke stream drifts into the frame along with the presence of Michael James. He has the All Star Championship strapped around his waist and a finely rolled blunt resting between his lips. He inhales a drag from the blunt and moves forward towards the desk. He uses the computer to change the background of the green screen to a custom black image decorated with Japanese font. He turns on one of the soft box lights facing the back wall. He powers on the video mode of the DSLR and walks back into frame *
Michael James: Last week on Havoc, Bryan Deas made the mistake of testing my patience. Not a good idea. He had to learn that the hard way. He could have done the smart thing by laying low and keeping his mouth shut but he didn’t do that. You know why? Bryan Deas is not an intelligent man. And that’s exactly why he is constantly making an ass out of himself. If he was a smart man he would have known better to get in my face. If he was a smart man he would have left well enough alone. But like I said before Bryan Deas is not a smart man. He doesn’t make wise decisions and he doesn’t have the personality of someone worthy of this championship. On Havoc he ####ed up by putting his hands on my property. I reacted the same way any self respecting champion would. I made him pay for his mistakes. A lot of people may not agree with the way I do business but I don’t really care.
* The camera begins to run an automatic panning cycle. The frame moves closer to James causing the lens to move out of focus. The autofocus feature corrects the image and adjusts the color of the image *
Michael James: If I was here to please everyone I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t be undefeated and I wouldn’t be wearing this title either. Basically, I would be Bryan Deas. The laughing stock of the HWA. It might not be the self portrait he envisioned when he first stepped foot into this industry but that’s just how things work out for imbeciles like him. If you walk around your entire career with your head stuck up your ass bad things are bound to happen. You’re going to lose some matches and some self respect in the process. The biggest problem with Deas is that he has no actual credibility to speak of. Running your mouth about things that will never take place doesn’t equal respect. Winning matches and earning championships equals respect. Bryan wouldn’t know anything about that because he isn’t a champion. He’s an idiot.
* A static feed interrupts the promo. When the noise clears the frame runs a snippet from a promo cut by Butch Parker *
You won’t even address Senester by name or call him out because he would drop you like a bad habit without so much as batting an eyelid.
* The snippet cuts out with a static feed. The noise clears and we cut back to Michael James. He inhales a drag from the blunt *
Michael James: You really want to know why I refuse to disrespect the World Champ, Butch? Because he’s my FRIEND, you clueless ####ing douche bag. Just take a second to pull your head out of Wisdom’s tainted snatch and think about it. Why else have we been working together against you, Price and Bryan Deas? Did you think it was a coincidence or does making half assed accusations just come natural to you? Whatever the case may be it makes no difference to me. You’re the one making yourself look like a complete idiot. I’m the one winning matches and championships while you’re sitting on your ass collecting dust. When I said your time is done I wasn’t joking around. I’m the new face of the HWA. Not you. I’m the future of the company. Not you. I’m undefeated and untouchable. What type of value does your current record hold? None. You know why? All you ever do is make excuses for not being able to compete and I think it’s ####ing pathetic.
* The camera angle moves down until stopping on a close up of the All Star Championship face plate. It appears to have been recently refurbished to fit the custom taste of Michael James *
Michael James: I don’t need you and the HWA doesn’t need you. Why would a company depend on an unreliable douche bag that does nothing but make excuses for matches he can’t promote? It’s an endless cycle of pointless bullshit and it all comes from one source. Butch Parker. The man who failed to win the World Heavyweight Championship on three different occasions. That’s who you are now. You’re a washed up hack full of bullshit excuses and empty promises. You might not like it but life can’t always be sunshine and rainbows. If you want your happy ending then I suggest you do something about it, asshole. Otherwise things are just going to keep getting worse for you as time goes on. You’re going to continue losing matches to people like Senester and the Personification of Perfection because we are simply better than you, Butch. At this point in your career what possible plan of attack could you pull from your apparent state of desperation? Are you going to bore us all to death with your usual incorrect quotes and predictions? Yes, that’s what I thought.
* The camera keeps a locked frame of his face in frame as James takes a moment to appreciate his own humor about the idiotic routine of Butch Parker *
Michael James: Go ahead and spit what you’re going to spit because we’ve seen it all before. You’re going to disagree with everything I’ve said and then you’ll have Wisdom lift up her three chins long enough to insult me a few times. You’ll say I’m nothing and that I have to prove myself when the truth you fail to realize is that I have nothing left to prove to you. As far as you’re concerned Butch, I never did. I’ve done everything I said I was going to do from the moment I signed with the HWA. What about you? What have you done lately? So far I haven’t seen you do a ####ing thing but lose matches and make predictions about me that never come true. Congratulations. You’re a prophet with zero percent accuracy. You might as well be a damn genie with down syndrome. Better yet, why don’t you just quit now and save yourself the embarrassment of another loss? We all know that’s what you’re going to do anyway. Talk a lot of senseless shit, make an ass out of yourself and then lose to whoever it is you’re booked against. That’s what you do, Butch. That’s who you are and there’s nothing you or Wisdom can do to change that. You said you were going to beat Senester for the World Championship and that didn’t happen. You said I was going to lose the All Star Championship to Judas and that didn’t happen either. What’s next? Is Bryan Deas going to take over the world with Miss Elizabeth and Elton John? You’re like a living edition of the national enquirer, Butch. Nothing you say will ever come true. And that includes your hopes and dreams of one day holding a championship of any kind in the HWA. That’s my territory you defeatist piece of shit.
* He exhales a cloud of smoke from his nostrils. He removes his sunglasses and he places them inside of the outer pocket of his jacket. James looks directly towards the camera lens and takes another drag from the blunt. He receives an alert on his cell phone. He removes the phone from his jacket and checks his inbox to find a notification from the HWA management team. He downloads the attachment and watches the most recent promo cut by the HWA World Champion, Senester. He begins to laugh while watching some of the things he had to say about Bryan Deas *
Michael James: I couldn’t have said it better myself, champ. I honestly think the most amusing part about the whole thing is the fact that Deas actually asked for this one sided massacre. First he took claim on a title he has no business with and then he deliberately pissed me off just to see what my reaction would be. Well, now he knows better. Or maybe he doesn’t. Maybe he truly is as stupid as his material makes him out to be. Just like you I’m not in this business to evaluate the source of their ridiculous problems. I’m in this business to be the source of their problems and so far I’ve done a pretty good job. And I don’t think you need to worry about Deas coming anywhere remotely close to the World Championship anytime soon. After he loses to me on Havoc we won’t be hearing from him for a very long time. You and I are the flagship names in this company and that’s exactly why assholes like Butch Parker want us to be at each others throats. They want to limit the competition to nothing but a bunch of mid card clowns who only feel the need to be active at their own convenience. They want to play mind games with the both of us and just like you I’m not buying their bullshit. What those idiots need to understand is that we didn’t become champions on some roll of the dice. This isn’t our first barbeque and if they want to play mind games that won’t be a problem. You already beat Butch Parker so anything he has to say is completely irrelevant. No one cares and no one believes his constant lies. I’m sure he will just react to your words the same way he usually does but I know you’re prepared for that. As the world champion you have to be ready for anything just like I have to be ready to protect my championship.
* James looks down at the All Star Championship resting securely around his waist. He directs his attention back to the camera lens with a confident smirk on his face *
Michael James: I was ready when I beat Judas Mercury and I’ll be ready when I beat Bryan Deas. And if Price wants to take my advice and grant us a shot at the tag championships I will be prepared for that as well. Anytime gold is in question you can bet your ass I’ll be ready. Bryan Deas only wants to give fifteen percent when the rest of us are giving one hundred and ten. Is that the kind of behavior that allows undeserving assholes to have championship opportunities they haven’t earned? Who knows? It makes no difference to me because I earned my championship. Judas had the chance to take it back and he couldn’t get the job done. I’m the champion because I’ve proven to be championship material. What has Deas proven to be? Nothing. That’s what. Apparently Shevington enjoys giving out title shots like food stamps so hopefully this match will be the reality check she’s been waiting for. I don’t appreciate being placed in the same class as someone like Deas. He’s below me and everyone knows that. If Shevington wants a stellar performance of mindless violence at the expense of Bryan Deas then I will be more than happy to give it to her. I’ve always been a company man and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.
* He reaches around his back and unsnaps the strap of the All Star Championship. He holds the title up with one arm so the faceplate is facing the camera *
Michael James: In case you don’t know by now Deas, I love this championship. I love being the champion and I’ll be damned if you’re going to be the one to take it away from me. You can barely stand on your own two feet without needing assistance from Parker or Price so how the #### do you expect to be recognized as a champion? I stand tall because that’s the kind of person I am. From the moment of my arrival it was clear to everyone that I was going straight to the top. At Blood, Sweat and Tears, I made history by defeating Mercury to win this championship. Less than a month later I beat him a second time with the title on the line. How many times am I going to have to defeat Bryan Deas until he takes his rightful place at the back of the line? Hopefully it won’t come to that. Hopefully I can manage to break his other leg and take him out of the game all together. But as we all know things don’t always turn out the way we might expect them to. Maybe this time it will be a blessing in disguise and I will break his neck instead. All I know is whatever happens in this match I am going to make sure it’s entertaining for me. He may think this is all about him and his plastic opportunity at the All Star Championship but we all know that’s bullshit. People could care less about the loser of the match and that’s just another reason why no one cares about Ballsack Bryan Deas.
* James carefully drapes the All Star Championship over his shoulder. He takes a drag from the blunt and removes it from his mouth before looking back towards the camera lens *
Michael James: Just remember one thing, Bryan. You asked for this. If you can’t live with the consequences of your own mistakes it won’t be any problem of mine. I’m happy where I am and if I have to end your career to keep my undefeated record in tact then so be it. That’s how I earned the right to call myself the Personification of Perfection. What about you? How did you earn your moniker? Oh, that’s right. You didn’t earn it. Just like you never earned the right to face me for my All Star Championship. But no matter because after you lose to me on Havoc it will be the last time you ever get a shot at my title. After you blow this opportunity I’m going to put you in my rear view the same way I did Judas Mercury. Just remember Deas, you brought this on yourself.
* A static feed cuts out the image and ends the promo *
Message Thread
« Back to index