Los Angeles, California…just days after Havoc we find Senester engaged with a full schedule ahead of him at Dark Horse Towers. The first early hours were spent at the spa, a fairly routine period of time for immaculate grooming. Then, like his appearance…his dining habits required an extraordinary level of finesse by the house chef’s. It was an art to him. Something as seemingly simple as a cup of tea had to come with scrupulous elegance. One could not simply boil hot water, drop a tea bag into a cup and pour in sugar packets. His Green tea for example had to come from either China or Japan, and the time of day determined which he would have. If it were morning, the bold flavor of Japanese tea would be selected. The leaves must have been picked in the Fall season, and of the smaller young leaf variety, then prepared in the traditional Japanese fashion. It must be steeped in water no less than 180° and no more than 185°, for no less than one minute and no more than two, and there were entirely different requirements for his Chinese tea. His was a refined palate, and many a chef had met with unfortunate ends for their failure to satisfy.
The afternoon was approaching, and most business affairs were behind him and all along his thoughts shifted to Havoc, to that morning where he confronted Michael Dredge, to his match with Fallen, to joining Michael James as his tag partner, and of course…coming face to face with the green goodness in Butch Parker’s eyes. The media hounds had been barking non-stop since the show. Talk of some insignificant group of people who had been “run down like animals” according to the Los Angeles Times, outside the arena as he tried to enter. Dark Horse Legal had already been called regarding lawsuits. Any claims against him would be vigorously defended, those making them would not only be humiliated in court, but they would find themselves punished for their blasphemy.
The media buzzed about Sheik Shakir, and how a known terrorist who allegedly posed “a significant threat to national security” could have been released from prison and allowed back into society. Shakir was an enthusiastic devotee. His faith, and his devotion shined through his every word, and his every action even to his own detriments. He had told Shakir at Havoc that a resurrection was at hand, and while he knew Shakir had little comprehension of what he meant, he also knew that he would be crucial in seeing his will come to fruition. The situation between Shakir and Fallen was not to be ignored, but it must be handled delicately, and the return of William Draconis added yet another interesting element that might prove useful to him.
He headed down now to Dark Horse Laboratories. This vast underground world of cutting-edge science had seen countless projects over the years but few of the importance of Project LS-TW1 which had begun over three years ago. Curious excavations, that took he and his teams across the globe from everything to ancient text, to sun stones shrouded the project in mystery. He smirks, thinking of Ronnie McNeil’s foolish attempt at stealing the sun stone in transit. A large part of the project surrounded Talon Wilkinson. He never knew the magnitude of what his role in his grand plan was, but he played it perfectly. He knew he would, it is why he had chosen Talon and no one else. It is why he permitted the RWF invasion in 2008…a mere means to an end. So many in fact had assisted in this project in so many ways unknown to them. It was not without its share of complications, setbacks, and occasional failures, but time was on his side and patience persevered over all.
He enter the west laboratory where the next phase of the project was underway. A wall hosted a large screen that depicted a life size 3D model of Michael Dredge, on a panel to the left were medical data files of various sorts. He’s approached by a scientist and given a tablet.
(Scientist): Good afternoon my lord. If you take a look at the latest stats, everything is at peak efficiency. There are negligible variances in the mitochondria, but we’ve regulated it with enhancements to the DNA matrix.
(Senester): I assume the particles have all synthesized?
(Scientist): Yes of course.
Senester walks over to the screen and looks at it with keen interest.
(Senester): It won’t be long doctor, a landmark accomplishment in Dark Horse Sciences. You will be well rewarded.
With preparations well underway he leaves the laboratory, and heads to his office to facilitate other matters. He picks up one of the phones on his desk…
(Senester): Prepare the jet, we leave within the hour.
Indeed the hour is near past and we find Senester in flight…destination…Tennessee….. more specifically the ranch of Michael Dredge that he’s had under surveillance longer than most would imagine. He knew where Dredge was at all times these past years, his every move…….. and the further away Dredge thought he was from Senester the more mistaken he became. The fact of the matter was…Dredge wasn’t the reason for this journey. On his tablet he looks at a picture of Kate Katsume, Eve to Dredge’s Adam. He remembered the photo well. It was right after he plunged two swords in Dredge’s chest, and for some time thought her husband dead.
It was Dredge’s pathetic attempt to fake his own death in the hopes that he could disappear off Senester’s radar to protect his son, and his wife. Theirs is such an interested pair, how long they have come since it all began. Once upon a time, becoming Mrs. Kate Katsume-Dredge was the furthest thing from her mind. She had reluctantly been dragged by a friend to a local Havoc, and somehow amidst the chaos of the event Michael Dredge spotted her. He was always partial to Asian women, but she…she was a vision. When he saw her something broke through his rugged exterior that he had never allowed himself to feel, almost as if he left the door to his heart unlocked and she snuck in. He begins watching video from June 2006 during HWA’s tour in Japan…when Kate and Dredge had first met and began to pursue her…….
The scene opens up with Michael Dredge in his hotel room answering the door. Several real loud knocks are heard and he is seen in white boxers that says Big Dick Dredge on them. Dredge opens the door and spots an American Chinese woman in front of him. The woman is Kate Katsume as was reported on hwa.com and she looks rather upset as she smacks him across the face. She takes off down the hall towards the elevator and he gives chase.
(Dredge): Hey! What in the fuk is your problem? What kind of person knocks on someone’s door only to slap the shit out of them?
(Kate): The kind of person that gets her privacy taken away and her picture plastered all over the internet.
(Dredge): You act like that’s a bad thing. What’s wrong with getting a little fame to your name? Especially being seen with Big Dick Dredge.
(Kate): You're disgusting, now if you'll excuse me.
Kate pushes past Dredge and presses the elevator button hoping that it would open right up as she stands there waiting.
(Dredge): Hey… where in the hell do you think you’re going? Stay here and let’s talk I will try my best to be serious I promise.
(Kate): I doubt that being serious is in your being, besides you don't even know me, we met once!
(Dredge): Yeah my point exactly so what gives you the right to slap the hell out of me? Stop acting like a god damn bytch.... You sure aren’t a very nice person are you? Do you slap every guy you meet?
(Kate): No just jerks like you. The only reason I was at that stupid show was because my friend likes wrestling. Personally I think it's stupid.
(Dredge): Well thanks a lot for the support. You sound like the real jerk here you know that? Do you know who in the hell your talking to chick? I am Michael Dredge the HWA World champion!
(Kate): The what?
Dredge shakes his head in disappointment. She looks down at Dredge in his boxers and changes her gaze with a slight blush on her cheeks trying not to notice.
(Kate): What's wrong with this elevator...come on!
(Dredge): What is something hanging out? Let me show you what’s wrong with it......
Dredge punches the button panel on it busting it...
(Dredge): Now you don’t have to worry about it…. now we can sit here and talk. You got my attention when you went banging on my door and slapped me now what you gonna do with it?
(Kate): I'll take the stairs!
Kate heads for the emergency exit to the stairs and Dredge takes her by the arm with a somewhat sincere look in his eyes that she can't help but deny despite her instincts.
(Kate): What do you want, just leave me alone?
(Dredge): I tell you what ... How about I make it up to you... I dunno show you how I really am and show you what a real nice guy I am.... How about I take you out tonight and we start this introduction all over...Start it the right way this time....
Kate looks at Dredge, self-admittedly taken by his good looks, and the fact that he's standing there half naked.
(Kate): Well....
(Dredge): Well what baby? You not used to seeing a real man? Sure I got the perfect body.... But tonight I will show you what Michael Dredge is all about. After dinner tonight what you say we take a ride around town and see the city?
(Kate): Aren't we a confident one. Look, I'm sorry for smacking you but I don't appreciate my face being on your company’s website. None of you know me like that, I'm not even a fan. Let's just leave it at that ok? You have a good night.
Kate turns and makes her way to the stairs leaving Dredge standing there as she makes her way down the 12 flights. Dredge rushes back to his room and throws on some jeans, shoes and a shirt and races after her. He catches up with her minutes later as she descends on the fifth floor.
(Kate): You just don't give up do you?
(Dredge): Ok so is it official? You gona let me try and make it up to you right? You're in such a hurry to leave it’s like you don’t even want to give me a chance. What do you want me to do to make it up to you? I will do anything!
Kate thinks to herself.....
"He's so full of it, but he's cute, what's the harm in going on with him....no wait that’s just silly...look at him...he's a wrestler for crying out loud. Why did I even come here?...well..maybe a quick bite won't hurt I am kind of hungry...I hope he doesn't think he's going to get me in bed...I bet he does...sicko......no I can't go...but wait...ok...just for a little while"
(Kate): Well… okay, but I have to be somewhere in an hour so maybe just a quick bite?
(Dredge): Sure I will take you to the most expensive place in town. You won’t regret it I promise.
(Kate): I'm sure your well off but you don't have to try and impress me with a fancy meal.
(Dredge): Don’t worry about it... When your with Michael Dredge you get treated like your royalty.... This will be one day you will never forget for the rest of your life babe. That I promise you.
(Kate): That's what I'm afraid of.
They walk down the remaining flights of stairs and Dredge has a limo pull to the front of the hotel and they get in. She looks him over, somewhat amused with his charm and starts some small talk.
(Kate): So real or fake?
(Dredge): What? What the hell you mean real or fake? What are you talking about?
(Kate): Why are you looking at my chest? I was talking about wrestling! Is it real or is it fake?
(Dredge): It’s all real... at least in the HWA it is. We ain’t no WWE, we don’t put on a show for entertainment we put on a show just to beat the living hell out of one another. But I got a question for ya.... Are those Real or fake?
Dredge points at her chest.
(Kate): I don't believe in augmenting the natural body, does that answer your question?
(Dredge): Oh... you Chinese are weird.... but that’s cool I guess. So if this date goes well…. I could let you become my manager you know and we can take this relationship a little further.
(Kate): Excuse me...You Chinese? This Date? This relationship? Who the hell do you think you are? Driver pull over, I'm getting out.
Kate taps on the glass for the driver to stop and he starts to pull over.
(Kate): I should have known better, goodbye Michael.
The driver pulls over and she scoots over in the seat to open the door.
(Dredge): What the hell is the problem now? What did I do now? It seems I can’t say anything without getting into trouble with you.
(Kate): I can deal with arrogance, most men are, but a bigot I won't tolerate. Now if you'll excuse me I'll get out here.
(Dredge): I tell you what I’m not gonna stop you. You can go on ahead and get out. Your gonna be this uptight about shit then maybe we don’t need to see each other.
Dredge pulls out a bottle of Sake opens it up and takes a swig out of it.
(Kate): Suits me fine...goodbye.
Kate gets out of the car and starts walking to the corner to hail a cab. Dredge takes another swig of Sake then rolls down the window and throws it out the window. It suddenly starts to rain and she pulls her purse closer to her and tries to cover up as she waits for a cab.
(Dredge): God damn I’m so sick of being here in Japan this place ain’t worth a flying fuk!
Dredge then notices Kate standing out in the rain and shakes his head then opens the door.
(Dredge): Hey uhh.... You wanna get out of the rain? I tell you what .... Where you staying at and I will drop you off. No need to stand out in the rain like that.
(Kate): I'm fine thank you, a cab should by any moment. I think I've had as much of your foul mouth as I care to stand.
(Dredge): Hell I think I had enough of your damn mouth too. You Chinese are all the same.... thinking your better then Americans and all that shit.
Dredge slams his car door shut.
(Kate): (under her breath) Asshole!
Kate doesn't see any cabs coming and she just starts walking with a slight skip trying to hurry out if the rain.......
Senester pauses and thinks to himself…
(Senester): Neither of you could deny it…those so-called feelings you had for one another. The young sophisticated woman, and the rough redneck….Beauty and the Beast. He had tasted greatness..the little yet so much that I had given him. Gold around his waist, money in the bank, made peace with once bitter rivals, gained new allies, and thought himself “free” of me, his lord and master. What was left but love? What was left for his soul, despite his thoughts and outward actions to long for you Kate, the ultimate display of opposite attraction.
Senester continues the footage and presses play again…
Dredge tells the driver to pull up next to her. He rolls down the window as he pulls up next to her.
(Dredge): See where your attitude has got you? Out in the damn rain. Stop being so head strong, try and relax and have a good time… now get in the car. At least let me drive you to wherever you need to go Jesus fuking Christ. I hate seeing a lady having a bad day.
(Kate): Fine, you can take me to the Park Hyatt, that's where I'm staying.
Kate gets in the car but sits up front with the driver catching Dredge off guard.
(Dredge): Damn I must be a really bad guy. Who would have ever thought. Hey ummm you want any money? You know so you can get you something to eat since you won’t let me take you out. And.... Just so you know I’m not an asshole or whatever you think, but you don’t know me so you don’t have the right to say shit to me about my attitude. If I was such a jerk or asshole I would have left your ass out in the rain. I wouldn’t have tried to offer to take you out to eat. I wouldn’t be offering you money right now to go get yourself something to eat.
(Kate): Look, I'm sure you think you mean well. But I don't think you realize just how crude and offensive you are. Starting a conversation with "You Chinese people" is not the way to get someone to talk to you.
(Dredge): Well where I’m from that’s how we have always talked. I can’t help the way I am it’s just how I was raised. I’m from the south I’m from Nashville TN USA. Most of my family don’t like Chinese people or Blacks or Arabs. But I’m different…t I don’t look at the other races like they do. When I look at you I see a beautiful woman...a woman I that I would love to get to know and even possibly spending the rest of my life with. Look if you want me to change then I will do it for you. I don’t know why I’m doing this why I’m so willing to change for you. All I know is that I will try my best. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way I didn’t mean to. Now are you gonna give me a chance? Let me take you out and show you a good time even if it’s just for today and we part ways and going our separate ways.
Kate laughs...
(Kate): You make absolutely no sense you know that? First you're talking about spending the rest of your life with me...a stranger. And then you're talking about going our separate ways. I don't get you. Here's my hotel, driver you can pull over there. Look Michael, it was....it was interesting meeting you but we obviously don't have anything in common at all. Take care ok.
(Dredge): Before you go let me tell you what I meant because I don’t think you understand what I was saying. You are different then most women I have met. I used to look at every woman the same. But then we met today and you are not like what I had women pictured as. There is so many things that I like about you I can’t begin to go down the list. But all I’m asking is let me take you out to eat or give you money so you can get yourself something to eat. Hell I will give you a little extra spending money.
Dredge reaches into his pocket pulls his wallet out and pulls out 5 thousand dollars and hands it to Kate.
(Dredge): Look here is for all the trouble I caused you. Go have fun with the money… I see you don’t want to give me a chance. So just go have fun with that money and forget about this day. Erase it as if it never happened. Alright?
(Kate): My God, you really don't have a clue do you? What do I look like to you a hooker? I don't want your money. You know I don't know what you see in me, you don't even know me at all.
Kate gets out of the limo and closes the door. Dredge rolls the window down as she comes by.
(Kate): Thanks for the ride...goodnight!
She starts to walk to the hotel entrance and stops. She thinks to herself ..."This guy is clueless; he doesn't even know what he's saying. I kind of feel sorry for him...If only he were a bit more...(sighs)....Ugh... She turns around and walks back to the limo.
(Kate): Look, if you really want to talk, why don't you do this the right way. Pick me up at 7:00p.m. tomorrow, and try to be a gentleman. One racial slur or degrading comment and I'm done ok? And I don't like swearing either so please be respectful of that.
(Dredge): Wow... That’s gonna be hard... Ok you’re on... 7:00 pm it is...
Dredge pulls out another bottle of sake opens it starts to drink it down.
(Dredge): Alright I guess I will see you then. B efore you leave though what changed your mind? What made you decide you was gonna give me a chance?
(Kate): Because.... you called me the B-word, and you haven't made a great first impression yourself. I just want to see which one of us is right.
(Dredge): Heh.... Some reason to decide to go out with me to see who was right..... You know what I’m beginning to get highly pis.... I mean angry so let me get on out of here and I will see you tomorrow alright? Oh by the way.
Dredge grabs her hand… opens it, and puts 5 thousand dollars in it.
(Dredge): That’s just in case things go wrong …you didn’t entirely lose out.
Kate tries to give the money back but the limo takes off before she can. She tucks it in her purse and rushes inside out of the rain as the scene fades to black.
Senester stops the playback and its back to the picture of Kate on his tablet. He realizes that the jet has landed and is pulling into the hangar. Out the window he can see his limo waiting, then rubs his finger across Kate’s picture with a cold look in his eyes.
(Senester): I’ll see you soon Mrs. Dredge.
This visit he felt in many ways was long overdue, and in many more just in time. For he had allowed Dredge to stray, he allowed him turn his rivals into allies, and mend those old wounds between he and his enemies. Above all of that, he allowed him to fall in love with this woman. He has reached into Dredge’s soul and knows him better than Michael Dredge knows himself. Even in the dark days, there was always that glimmer of light, that beacon of hope on a distant shore, and he allowed it. It was what kept Dredge alive, kept him going, it was what always kept his body fighting when his mind had given up. That light that grew brighter the further away Dredge became from him. Michael Dredge belonged to him, and to no one else. It was time to put an end to this American Dream, and bring him back to reality, bring him home once and for all. Senester gathers his things and heads to the exit as the scene fades to black.
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