"And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." (I Samuel 16:23)
(Senester): Report! Where are we at with things?
(Counsel): We’re having some difficulties my lord. I believe many saw this shift of power as an opportunity to distance themselves away from Dark Horse, and yourself. We’ve been pushing, but against heavy resistance.
(Senester): You’ll just have to push harder then, won’t you?
(Counsel): That may be difficult…this is election season. All the horses are lining up at the gate. Everyone from court judges, to congressman, to senators and presidential hopefuls are calculating their every move with intense precision from now through the end of next year.
(Senester): Be that as it may, I’m relying on your vigilance. For all their posturing, a moment of weakness is all it takes to bring them to their knees. Find out what allies we have left. Find out which have turned, and those who oppose us altogether.
(Counsel): Our maneuvers must be well calculated. Suspicions can’t be aroused.
(Senester): Suspicions? What do I care of suspicions? People can have them all they want, there is nothing to tie me with anything or anyone. I will not be mistaken again in error. Use every industry resource under Dark Horse, medical, financial, science, technology, and your own legal of course. When you squeeze this planet, I had better see blood. HWA was the smallest under Dark Horse in every way, but it was my favorite and I will have it back.
The limo pulls into the hangar next to Senester’s jet. The driver remains where he is while outside staff attend to the door. Senester steps out, then turns and leans his head back inside.
(Senester): Do not fail me!
He turns and heads to the jet, and soon enters where he is greeted by the pilot and co-pilot.
(Pilot): Your guest is awaiting you my lord, and we should arrive back in Seattle in just under two hours.
Senester simply nods to him in acknowledgement as he walks up the steps and enters taking a seat and addressing someone we cannot see just yet sitting across from him.
(Senester): I trust your trip was satisfactory?
(??????): It suited me just fine. Now what is this about? I was assured by our attorney’s we wouldn’t have any further contact.
(Senester): I’m afraid my dear, I must alter that arrangement. I understand this may open up old wounds for you, no pun intended, but there is something you must do for me.
(??????): You must be kidding me. I don’t want to do anything for you. I only came because…
(Senester): You came, because I paid you to come. Make no mistake Mrs. Valdez, you’ll do exactly what I say for the compensation you know you’ll receive.
Senester reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out an envelope handing it to Valdez. She looks opens it, looks, and starts to tear up.
(??????): I don’t know what to say.
(Senester): It’s quite simple really, I wish you to tell your story, nothing more.
(??????): Tell my story…and then you’ll leave me alone?
Senester stands from his seat and walks over to her. He yanks her up by the hair and she yelps out loud in fear.
(Senester): You wish to be left alone?
With his other hand he yanks the envelope from her. He grabs the phone next to him calling up to the pilot.
(Senester): There’s been a change of plans. Arrange public transport for our guest back to Seattle, and recall my limo.
(Ms. Valdez): No…Please!
(Senester): No?
(Ms. Valdez): I’ll do it.
She reaches out for the envelope.
(Senester): No I think not. You declined this offer, another must be made. One for half its sum.
Surprise gives rise in her face but she tries to conceal it quickly shrinking back into herself in reluctant acceptance, nodding. Senester calls the pilot alerting him that they will proceed as originally planned and the jet begins to taxi to the runway, and is soon in the air.
A attendant comes over standing at the ready.
(Senester): Escort our guest to the back, she has work to do.
As she departs to the back of the jet Senester watches an updated report on the breaking news that took place at the Parker home in Santa Barbara, CA, just days ago.
(Senester): What an unusual set of circumstances you have on your hands Butch…that poor lion, dead on your property, the word “rampant” etched within its flesh, and a snake deep within its belly. Did you know that the lion is one of the most sacred animals on earth? From Greek Gods, to Egyptian Deities, to a number of religions around the world…the lion is such a revered creature. I needn’t give you a history lesson on it. You were born and bred with an outline of the relationship your lineage has had with its visage for centuries. No doubt you wonder the message being sent. How………..haunting a matter. I am also to understand that Evina witnessed this unfortunate event. No doubt not unlike any other parent you will try to protect her from the wilds of the world, its truths, and its evils. What lie will you have conjured to shield her I wonder? “No, no, sweetie, the lion is fine. They are making a movie” or perhaps it was “That poor lion was on his way to the jungle and got lost, those nice men down there are helping him find his way back.”
Senester laughs out loud, amused by the infinite number of stories that could be contrived for Evina’s benefit.
(Senester): Are you a man of the arts Butch? Do you know Shakespeare? He wrote of King Henry IV, “Uneasy lies the head, that wears the crown,” You no doubt find that statement to be no less true now, than it was in the late 1500’s when those words were written. Tell me my king, how wears the crown of the HWA upon your brow? My crown? Not a fortnight old…how does it press down upon your skull? Fear not, I shall avail you of this encumbrance in due time. I will regain what is mine.
From the back the attendant returns handing Senester a small memory drive. He looks at it with a malicious smile.
(Senester): …and I shall expose you for who you are. Your child will know her father. Small is her mind now, yet so malleable in its tender age. In years to come, when your bones have turned to dust the war between Parker and God shall rage on. I will unravel each thread you have woven constructing her brain and your every truth shall be unveiled. Be it thirty, or sixty years from now I shall dance with the woman on your grave. Her children, and her children’s children and all thereafter shall know the history of their forefather. The legendary Houdini himself was a mere novice to the trickery mastered by yourself. He tricked but small audiences, while Butch Parker has fooled the world for decades into believing he was someone other than who he claims to be. Once upon a time you may have been that man Butch Parker, but long has he departed. It is as Nietzsche said, “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.” I have gazed into you for many years now, and the eyes of God are not that of man. You have never fooled me, never have, and you never will.
Senester calls over the attendant. The man stands at his side and he looks at the small drive in his hand.
(Senester): Send the transmission.
Miles away in Santa Barbara it’s as if he can hear the screams of a little girl at the sight of what sees playing in room.
The video footage that is transmitted across world-wide media is shown.
(Ms. Valdez): Hello Evina Parker, my name is Anjelica Valdez. You don’t know me, but a few years ago I was a beautiful young woman, much like you’ll be some day. I was a pre-med student, engaged to be married, and I had a promising future. That was my old life…
Crying is heard and the photo on the screen is moved aside as Anjelica Valdez is now seen in person on the screen.
(Ms. Valdez): …this is my new life. This is what your father did to me. I was working at a Red Cross facility the night your father and Senester raided it. Not only did he murder people, but as a result of his actions…a fire broke out and I was stuck behind the emergency doors. Your father burned over 80% of my body, stole vital resources from that facility, and left me to die. My fiancé left me, friends left me, my career was gone before it started, and I’ve spent every day since struggling physically and mentally just to live.
Anjelica starts crying uncontrollably and begins to scream.
(Ms. Valdez): I hate you Butch Parker! You did this to me. Was Jerry’s life worth it? Was what you did to save your sister worth condemning me to this misery? The needs of the many are not outweighed by the needs of the one…not for you. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, friend or foe, but Senester is right your daughter must know the truth. Your father did these things Evina, and there is no way around this truth. He did it of his own free will. He made a deal with the devil knowing full well what he was doing. I understand your reasons why Mr. Parker, but I will never forgive you. I will never forgive Senester for putting you in that situation. Helping your sister didn’t give you the right to destroy other people’s lives in the process. Hopefully, your daughter will never know what it feels like to look in the mirror and be disgusted by her own image. She’ll never have to go to bed at night and wake up screaming because she thinks she’s still on fire. She won’t be shamed by her melted skin forced into long sleeve clothing and pants to cover up as much as she could. She won’t have to endure the pain and suffering I have and will continue to the rest of my life. She’ll be stared at for being the daughter of a celebrity, not for making people uncomfortable to look at it and be around. I’m not as strong as other people with disabilities or deformities Mr. Parker. Those who can carry on their lives and be grateful just to be alive. Limbless soldiers who take up sports. Burn victims like myself who showcase beauty from the inside. They are but a select few and don’t speak for the vast majority of us that far outweigh them. I hate you. I hate you for making me, hate myself. When you left me to die, I wish you had made sure that I did.
She continues crying, dabbing at her eyes with a Kleenex. She looks off to the side at someone else in the space with her.
(Ms. Valdez): I don’t have anything else to say. Please, cut if off. Tell him I’m done…I did what he asked….I’m done.
She continues crying as the footage ends. Back in the front of the jet Senester is smiling to himself.
(Senester): Ms. Valdez’s story is just one of so many isn’t it Butch. So many things you’ve done in your life and all you’ve ever had to say is a pitiful sorry to your victims….at least to those who survived. Your results have always justified your means. I’ve always liked that about you, it’s something to be embraced not lied about. Look into your daughters eyes, turn your face to the world and tell them Butch, tell them that you would you do it all again without a single thought. If you could turn back time you’d do whatever you could to have saved your son’s life. You’d stand beside me once again to rid your sister of cancer all over again. But if you’re going to tell the truth Butch, tell it all. Tell them the reasons behind your actions. You’d saved Diana’s life so you wouldn’t have to raise your niece and nephew. So you wouldn’t have to put your own career and life on hold. Everything you’ve ever done has been so wonderfully selfish. How many have stood beside you, support you, and where are they now?
Undoubtedly one of the greatest wresters in history and you brought your nephew Sean not only into the wrestling world but its greatest and most competitive promotion without so much as teaching him a wristlock. AC James nearly crippled him for life. He’s lucky to have regained his ability to walk. Then there was my Baron, Hans von Richtoven. Do you think he fled HWA because of me? No, he left because of you. Years ago I brought him to see you as you were, using him as your stepping stool, an umbrella to shield you from the rain. When he shred your leg with that barbwire bat he was ripping away your flesh so everyone else could see the man underneath the facade. Yet, someone you managed to bring him back into your fold a humbled “friend” though deep down you know he keeps you at a cautious distance. How about your Japanese “friend,” we all remember what happened to Black Dragon, or Red Dragon, Craig, or whatever the hell his name was. Admit it, he was just another scout ship for Butch Parker’s road to glory. The man lay comatose for four years as I recall because of you, and I enjoyed the way that you couldn’t have cared less. Sure you threw a few dollars to his medical care, one must keep up appearances, but what I loved most was how you were there when he opened his eyes. How he looked at you as if you had sat vigil the entire time, and was none the wiser…brilliant Butch, just brilliant.
Tell Evina and the world about your one time protégé Nick Shaw. Another poor soul brought in “under the wing” of Butch Parker then left to his own devices. Three long years in HWA and he didn’t manage a single championship. You had of course already beaten every one he faced, but somehow you hadn’t managed to divulge how he might be as successful against certain opponents. Shaw joined HWA in 2005, do you remember? Do you remember what was going on in your career at the time Butch? You were suspended from ring competition. While you sat on the sidelines you used your so-called protégé to help take out your trash, only he wasn’t very adept at it. The moment your suspension was lifted he was an afterthought, just as he should have been. We could go on and on and talk more about poor Ross, talk about Callisto, ICE and Blush. We could talk about the people you’ve crippled, the men and women you’ve killed, the crimes you’ve committed, but I don’t want to tell everything. More importantly than rehashing the past, I want to hear you say it. I want you to look into your daughter’s sweet little face and tell her who you really are.
Tell her now Butch, tell her while she is still young and will love you nonetheless because she does not know yet what these things mean. Evina needn’t suffer nightmares. There is a simple solution to this situation. You know what it is I speak of, but choose wisely…anything from glory to grief await you.
Senester looks out the window as the jet begins to make its descent into Seattle and the scene fades to black.
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