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Post by Laura Phoenix - HBIC on Nov 13, 2020 1:56:02 GMT -5
PWS: Apex Presents: Tuesday Night RiotTuesday November 24th, 2020Live from the NEW PWS ArenaNew York, NYDouble Debut MatchMickey Collins vs. Dante ExodusCard is Subject to ChangeRPs are Due by Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 11:59pm EasternMinimum is 300Maximum is 5000Segments are Due by Monday, November 23, 2020 at 11:59pm Eastern
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Post by lastchancecollins on Nov 22, 2020 22:57:26 GMT -5
(OOC: Apologies, this is my first time ever writing with a new character) ---- All this energy callin' me Back where it comes from It's such a crude attitude It's back where it belongs
You know, they say everyone, at some point, should get a second chance. That's usually if they screw up. I don't really consider myself a screw-up, but I have been granted another chance. A last chance to get things right.
My name is Mickey Collins.
But I guess I should break down how I got here.
The exact moment I realized Apex Wrestling was interested in me...
----
"Why?"
I stared at the email, laptop perched in my lap, wondering why in the world a televised wrestling company, even a smaller one like PWS: Apex, would be showing interest in me. But as I stared at the notification in my Outlook inbox, it was hard to deny that they were. It wasn't even that they wanted me for a job guy. I'd been grinding doing that run for the better part of a decade. What company saw me losing to fellow Ohio lifers and thought, "that's the guy I need on my roster?"
"Hey Clarissa, you're not going to believe this."
I met my wife back in high school. Yeah, that old tale. You know how it goes. Stayed together until we graduated, she went to college while I went to wrestling school. We both graduated and got married, then had two boys. Oh and the entire time I was getting my face smashed in trying to make something of myself in this business.
She walked up and peered over my shoulder, resting her hand on it as she did.
"You...Mick, you said you were done with this."
"I was. I know. But this is actually, a big time place."
I heard a sigh and I can't say I blamed her. We've got the two boys and contrary to popular belief, jobbing for a living doesn't pay as well as you'd think. I promised I'd get out, and once the pandemic hit, I basically had my excuse. It's not as though the Ohio wrestling scene would miss me, after all.
"Why'd they want you?"
Anyone else would be insulted, but I knew Clarissa was blunt. And again, she wasn't wrong.
"I have no idea. I don't even know how they'd even hear of me."
"Does it pay well?"
"Best pay I've ever had doing this. Maybe more if I, you know, finally string some wins together."
She came around in front of me and sat in my lap, before wrapping her arms around me. You wouldn't believe how many perfectly normal conversations we had like this.
"I know this is your dream, babe, but...I can't be the one supporting this family forever. I still want the boys to go to college. I'd like to get out of this house into something meant for a family this size."
"I know. You're right. I shouldn't even consider it."
She smiled and leaned in to give me a kiss, before pulling back again.
"You need to learn to let me finish a thought once."
She nodded behind her at the laptop, still showing the email with the job offer.
"You know I'm never gonna be the wife that nags the wrestler into quitting. I'm doing what I love, you should be able to. But listen to me, Mickey Collins."
I looked her in the eyes, as using my full name usually got my attention.
"We can't keep going on like this. You have to make something of this run. Learn new moves. Train harder. Do whatever it is. Make this a success."
"I will. And trust me. I know you're right. This is my last chance. It has to be. Either I make it now or I get...I don't know, an office job."
----
That's my origin story. I'm a guy with a career winning average of .000. I've fought and clawed my way to the bottom from whatever is underneath the bottom. And Apex gave me a chance. Maybe someone back there saw something in me. Maybe they just want me to make their guys look good. But there is no way I'm going to let this go to waste.
So I'm headed to New York, a city I've never been to, to wrestle Dante Exodus, a wrestler I've never met. It's okay. I know you haven't heard of me. And you know what? There's a pretty good chance you'll beat me. I'm not gonna sit here and blow smoke up my own ass by pretending otherwise. The odds of me getting my first win ever by beating a higher class of wrestler are pretty slim.
But I've got a family. They depend on me. And even the higher pay I'll be getting here will help. Even the exposure to other companies will help. But I can't just let that be all there is. For Dante this is just another match. A debut in another company. This is everything. But Tuesday will be the fourth most important night of my 34 years, behind the birth of my sons and the day I married Clarissa.
Growing up in Cleveland, I've been a Browns fan as long as I can remember. There was a phrase I learned early and it always stuck with me. "Wait 'til next year." That's because even though they had some success, they've never been to the Super Bowl. I relate a lot to that. I've never been to the Super Bowl either. Hell, just being on TV Tuesday night, letting my kids see me in a place that's clean and not some repurposed high school gymnasium is probably my Super Bowl. But I'm tired of waiting until next year. I'm so tired of it, I named a finishing move I may not even use after it.
Dante, you look like a badass dude. You got that sour look on your face, all those tattoos. That's all I really know about you. But there's something you should know about me. I'm hungry and I want this more than you ever could.
I'm going to work hard, keep my nose clean and give you a fight. Maybe not the biggest in your life, but it will be the biggest in my life.
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Post by dante on Nov 22, 2020 23:21:01 GMT -5
The First Chapter
Friday, November 13 4:00 pm New Orleans, Louisiana
(The scene opens with Dante sitting in his appartment in New Orleans. He’s sitting on the couch watching television, when his phone starts to ring. He looks down and sees it’s a New York number calling, so he decides to answer it.
Dante: Hello?
Voice: Yes, this is Steve with PWS:APEX, trying to reach Mr. Dante Exodus.
Dante: This is he.
Steve: Hey Dante. How are you doing?
Dante: I’m doing alright.
Steve: I was calling to let you know that we have decided to have your debut match on the next Riot, which takes place on November 24th in New York City. The company will arrange a flight for you to the city the weekend before the show.
Dante: Okay, sounds good. Who’s my opponent?
Steve: Another debuting superstar, Mickey Collins. Management is looking to see what the two of you can do together. They were impressed by the footage they have seen of you, but they want to see how you do in front of a larger audience and on tv. It’s important to set the right impression to begin with with the crowd.
Dante: I’m sure I’ll do fine.
Steve: Well, you’ll also have some archery led promo time the day of the show, or you can choose to be interviewed on camera by one of our interviewers. That will be an opportunity to introduce yourself to the crowd at home. A chance to tell them about you and where you come from.
Dante: I get it.
Steve: We look forward to seeing you here in NYC. I’ll call you next week with more details.
Dante: Alright.
Steve: Have a good weekend.
Dante: Yeah, you too.
(Dante ends the call, as he sits back and lets out a sigh.)
Dante: This could be the break I’ve been looking for.
(He pulls his phone back up and scrolls to another name in his contacts list and presses the call button. It rings a couple times, before a young woman answers.)
Woman: Hello?
Dante: Hey Maria, how are things?
Maria: They are okay. Just been hanging out with Amber.
Dante: How’s she doing?
Maria: She’s good. She’s looking forward to seeing you the weekend after Thanksgiving.
(Dante lets out a sigh.)
Dante; That’s actually why I’m calling…
Maria: You better not be backing out on her…
Dante: Not at all. I’m just wanting your opinion on something.
Maria: My opinion?
Dante: Yeah, cause it involves her.
Maria: What is it?
Dante: I got a big time wrestling gig coming up. A nationally televised company.
Maria: Okay, when is it?
Dante: The 24th.
Maria: Two days before Thanksgiving...where is it?
Dante: New York City…
Maria: Oh...you know you’re going to have to quarantine after you get back.
Dante: I guess I was hoping I could still see her.
Maria: Would you really risk getting your daughter sick like that?
Dante: Maria, I haven’t been able to spend a holiday with my daughter in over five years.
Maria: I just don’t think it’s wise. Maybe we can see what we can do about Christmas.
Dante: Can I at least talk to her now? Let me be the one to tell her all this.
Maria: Yeah, hold on.
(Dante waits for a few moments, before a young girl comes on the phone.)
Amber: Hello?
Dante: Hey babygirl.
Amber: Hey Daddy. How are you?
Dante: I’m good. How are you doing?
Amber: I’m good. Looking forward to Thanksgiving.
Dante: So I need to talk to you about something.
Amber: What’s up?
Dante: So I just got the call that I’m getting a big wrestling deal coming up. I get to be in a big time company.
Amber: That’s awesome!
Dante: Yeah, the only thing is the first show I’m going to be part of is two days before Thanksgiving in New York City.
Amber: Oh….soooo, we won’t be able to see each other that weekend?
Dante: I’m sorry Amber. I can call them back and see if I can get the match moved back.
Amber: No, you’ve been working so long for this. You have to go for it. I wish I could watch it.
Dante: You know how your mom feels about that.
Amber: I know...can we at least FaceTime on Thanksgiving day?
Dante: Absolutely. As long as your mom is okay with it.
Amber: She will be. You’ll have to tell me all about New York and your match.
Dante: Looking forward to it.
Amber: What do you have planned for the rest of the day?
Dante: Just gonna do some training and some research on my opponent. What about you?
Amber: Just hanging out. I think we are doing tacos for dinner.
Dante: Sounds good.
Amber: Well you better get to training. I gotta get back to some school work.
Dante: Alright, keep up the good work in school.
Amber: I will. Good luck in your match. I love you.
Dante: Love you too.
(The call ends and Dante puts his phone down.)
—————————————————-
Tuesday, November 24 10:00 am New York, New York
(The scene opens with Dante sitting in front of a black background, with his head down. He slowly brings it up to look at the camera.)
Dante: So, it all begins tonight. I face a man that has been in this business for quite some time, always striving for that next moment, hoping that one day, the moment would belong to him. He’s been looked down on and disrespected throughout his entire career. Some said he would never make it, he just didn’t have what it takes. Just by being here, he has proved them wrong. I needed to say all this so that you understand that I have nothing but respect for Mickey Collins. You have to have an enormous amount of heart and willpower to keep doing this for this long when others tell you to stop. I truly do hope you find all the success you want in PWS, it just won’t start tonight.
(Dante looks down and closes his eyes for a second, before lifting his head back up.)
Dante: Mickey Collins and I have some things in common. We are both looking for our break on this business. We are both students of the game, studying all we can in hopes to have an upper leg against our opponent. But that’s where the similarities end. Tonight, Collins and I will go head to head out in the ring. After that, he’ll go back home to celebrate the holidays with his family. He’ll get to go home and hug his two boys, lay down at night with his supporting wife. I’m sure things have been hard on the family, given the world situation going on right now, and given the fickle nature of our business.
(Dante sits back in the chair and takes a deep breath before continuing.)
Dante: You see, for me? There will be no going home to a Thanksgiving dinner. I won’t get to go home and hug my daughter. I don’t have a significant other to show me support. I have to support myself. I have lived a life full of heartbreaks and losses. The absolute best day of my life was the day my daughter was born, but the rift between her mother and I caused that to slip away. This is a way to get back where I need to be in order to stay in her life. She is the reason I do all this. She’s the reason I bust my ass to get where I need to go. I said before that you and I have some things in common Mickey. You call yourself “Last Chance.” Well this is my only chance. So I get you’re going to come at me with all you got. Trust me, I get that. But it’s not going to be enough. You can go home even if you don’t win. Sure, it will be disappointing, but at the end of the day, you have a job that will pay the bills, and you have your family.
(He pauses for a moment, letting out a sigh.)
Dante: I HAVE to win this match. I have to make sure to make an impact. This HAS to work, so to accept anything less than success is simply not an option. You may have spent years just sliding by, but I can’t afford to do that.
(Dante clasps his hands together, leaning down and looking directly into the camera.)
Dante: like I said, I do hope you succeed in PWS...you just won’t get off to a win in your first match. I want you to bring everything to the match. I want us to go out there and give one hell of a show, make them remember our names. I trust you to give me a fight, but in the end, you will feel et Irae, the Wrath.
(He stares intently into the camera, as the scene fades.)
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