Post by Anthony Bailey on Mar 13, 2012 1:04:26 GMT -4
Authentic passion can never be contained. On one hand I want to focus every fiber of my being to the sport that I cherish so dearly…but on the other, I want to make way for other ventures. Truthfully, I never saw myself rubbing elbows with Hollywood personalities. But this is America, where anything and everything’s possible with a little hard labor…or at least that’s what I’ve been told for the past twenty-one years.
{{The scene opens to the inside of an opulent high-rise office building located in downtown Miami, FL. The office belongs to none other than up and coming filmmaker Carlos Vega, whose independent films have received various rave reviews over the last few years. Vega is on his way to becoming a household name as a few major motion picture studios are now in pursuit of him for future blockbusters. Anthony Bailey, who recently met Carlos at a networking event, strolls into the office wearing a black Tessori Milan two-piece suit and holding a large stack of fastened papers. Carlos, wearing a plain white T-shirt and blue jeans, rises from the chair at his oak desk to greet Anthony with a firm handshake. Having a seat across from Carlos, a confident Bailey begins to speak.}}
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: What’s going on with you man?! How have you been?
Carlos Vega: I’ve been good! I can’t complain. Work is steady and that’s always a blessing.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: That’s wonderful! That’s never a bad thing.
Carlos Vega: Exactly. Especially when you have a wife and kids and you are the sole provider.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: I hear you on that. I’m not there yet personally but I know exactly where you are coming from. I could never be upset with somebody who’s simply handling their business…
{{Carlos smiles.}}
Carlos Vega: Oh and speaking of business…I’m a man of business and we both know why you’re here, so tell me…what’s this project that you are aspiring to do all about? I was trying to get the gist of it over the phone when you called me but it seemed sort of unclear at the time. Are the ideas for it more organized?
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Here…why don’t you take a look for yourself…
{{Anthony hands the papers, which appears to be the script, to Carlos as Carlos begins to glare over it. After a brief pause, Anthony continues to talk.}}
Like I said before, I want to do a film based on the life of fallen music mogul Lou Pearlman. The film would chronicle his early life all the way until his prison sentencing.
Carlos Vega: What’s the motivation behind all of this Anthony? I’ve seen your work in APW and you have a bright future ahead of you if you keep a good head on your shoulders. I’m not really familiar with how the professional wrestling business operates, but to be honest with you, Hollywood is as scummy as it gets. As a friend, I’d suggest that you stayed away from this town. It’s not all glitz and glamour…and the politics?! Heh! Don’t even get me started on that!
{{Anthony smirks.}}
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Well that’s the thing Carlos. I want to bring light to the problem of evil that exists in this world. It’s not the fact that I have some crazy obsession with Lou Pearlman or what occurred in his life, I just feel that it is my duty to expose the evil that he did in hopes of shedding light on the rampant immorality in our society. My vision is bigger than wrestling and having some referee raise my hand after I win a few matches here and there…I desire to change the world!
Carlos marvels at the disposition of Anthony’s heart. Many young men his age are more concerned with partying, looking good, and attempting to bed as many girls as possible. He was more into the personality of Anthony than the objective for his film.
Carlos Vega: Now, I’m not one to prohibit the aspirations and the dreams of the young and the zealous, but kid…evil is everywhere. I respect your goals and will support you every step of the way, but this seems a little too far-fetched. Besides, who would want to play the role of Lou Pearlman?! The guy is a snake! The stigma that role might carry might not allow that actor to ever work in this town again!
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: I’m a step ahead of you because I already have the perfect guy to play the role.
Carlos Vega: Well if Robert Downey, Jr. is willing to wear a fat suit and go through tedious hours of make-up for this project, then I’m game!
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: But wait…this guy is better than Robert Downey, Jr.
Carlos Vega: Really??! What A-List actor could this be? And you do know that it would have to be an A-List actor right? The wrong actor would make this bomb at the box office because I doubt the general movie buff would pay nearly ten bucks to watch the life of Lou Pearlman for an hour and a half.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: It’s Chaz Dillinger.
{{Carlos looks confused.}}
Carlos Vega: Chaz Dillinger??! You mean, your colleague and upcoming opponent at the Rasslemania thing? Have you been smoking something kid? That guy isn’t an actor!
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Wait…but have you seen any promos by Chaz Dillinger?
Carlos Vega: No but I’m definitely familiar with who he is.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Then, you wouldn’t understand where I’m coming from. The guy is quite the actor! You should see how he comically parades around in front of a camera thinking he’s God’s gift to professional wrestling. It’s funny but sad all at the same time.
Carlos Vega: Comically? Wouldn’t this film be a drama though? I don’t need him to make me laugh, I need him to be able to cry on cue and deliver believable lines.
Anthony’s confidence begins to fade as he realizes Carlos isn’t going along with the idea and as excited about it as he is. Anthony is as adamant as they come but he’s struggling with the idea of still chiseling away at the unyielding foundation of the filmmaker or if he should throw up his hands and wave the white flag.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: I wish you were able to see things how I’m seeing them in my head right now. Lou Pearlman and Chaz Dillinger have so much in common. They both grew up to become some of the biggest and wealthiest conmen this country has ever seen. Dillinger wouldn’t have to even get in character to play this role, he already is the character! A crook is who he is at the core of his very being.
Carlos Vega: Bailey, I like you I really do but this project is just too risky to take on. I doubt that I’d even make a small fraction of profit on my return. I’m all for helping out people because you’ve got a good heart but if you want to work with me, you’re going to have to bring me another script. I’m sorry.
{{Carlos hands Anthony the script back.}}
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: It’s all good, I understand. Thank you for meeting with me though. I know you are a very busy man so I appreciate you taking the time out to talk about this.
Carlos Vega: No problem, anytime. Call me the next time you are in town…maybe we can do lunch or something.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Sounds good to me…
{{Anthony and Carlos both rise from their chairs and they shake hands once again. Anthony exits the office. He continues to walk until he reaches the midway point of the vacant hallway. He leans up against the bare wall and begins to speak once again.}}
I grew up constantly hearing the saying “Everything happens for a reason,” so after what just happened in there with Carlos, that’s the automatic default my mind went to. I don’t blame him though. Maybe I’m just meant to keep this whole thing that’s going on with Dillinger strictly confined to the squared circle. It would have pained and nauseated me to work with him in any other capacity besides APW but I truly felt in my heart that he could pull off this movie role if I had the proper backing to produce it. I could always arrange things with a different filmmaker but Carlos is the one who I envisioned helping me take this on.
I guess America will just have to see Chaz Dillinger for who he really is and not in a fat suit wearing heavy make-up and bossing around look alikes of The Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Though he seems to do that quite often with his crew of people like DeSean Covington. My mother would also always say, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” and given Chaz’s flock of simpletons, I’d say the future doesn’t look too bright for America’s Most Wanted.
Twelve days…only twelve days left for Dillinger to prepare for this bout. And after Asylum, my hopes are that he approaches this third match more humble than ever before. The first time around he defeated me but, had it not been for Bacon sneak attacking me from behind, I would have left Dallas a victorious man. I could sit here and rant and rave about how I had you beat and how Bacon ended up saving your behind but unlike you Chaz, I’ve never been one to dwell in the past. Cherish the past?
Yes. But pondering on the days of old is worthless in my opinion, especially if you have yet to truly live. Anthony Reese Baily truly exists because I am here before your eyes walking, talking, inhaling, and exhaling, but at twenty-one years of age, I have my entire life ahead of me. While Chaz kicks back with DeSean and relives his lame University of Minnesota frat parties, I’m laying the foundation for my future. That’s why your future is so bleak Dillinger, it’s because you’re so stuck on the past that it’s virtually impossible for you to propel forward.
{{Anthony repositions himself to shift his weight more towards his right side.}}
You can plot and scheme all your wretched little heart’s desires about how you will become the next Tap Out Champion, but at the end of the day, I have nothing to worry about. Not because I’m undermining your athletic skill level or that I’m ignoring our first two encounters, but it’s kind of like I’m competing against a man who never was. A man who never truly came into his own. The Chaz Dillinger of the future is nowhere to be found and the one of the present is facing forward but his legs and feet are positioned in a one hundred and eighty degree angle just dying to return to the “glory” days. And if you’d truly be honest with the public Dillinger, those glory days of yours probably never existed. Nostalgia is one thing, but when you are more concerned with reliving the emotion you felt when your old man gave you your first million dollars than being a standup Champion for a great company like APW, then it’s obvious that your priorities our out of alignment.
Does Dillinger have the capacity to be the Tap Out Champion? Yes, just like Lou Pearlman had the capacity to be the next top caliber music industry executive like Jimmy Iovine or Quincy Jones. Why do I think that it would be so believable of you playing the starring role in my film? Because to me, you are none other than an incarnation of that man himself. You are just as shrewd and conniving as he is and you aggravate my nerves. But how did a guy like Pearlman lose it all? Where did Lou fall short? He was very well on his way into the music business hall of the fame wasn’t he? Too bad he cashed a check with his talent that his character was unable to cash. Chaz Dillinger also falls into this category.
He has the financial means, he has the superstar look, the loyal entourage, the talent, and a lot more going for himself. I could go on and on but it’s evident that he has all the makings of a true Champion but his moral fortitude is deficient. His lack of courage and bravery is what caused him to be right in the middle of that ring Sunday on Asylum and on the verge of tapping out to The Promise. With wide eyes revealing that he was in excruciating pain, America’s Most Wanted could have become America’s Most Humbled in front of the numerous fans in Dallas and the multiple viewers tuning in on The Food Network.
Chaz, that is all I’m aiming to do to you at Rasslemania…I just want to humble you. If that means that I must embarrass or annihilate you in front of a vast amount of people at the biggest pay per view of the year, then so be it. Winning the Tap Out Title in the process would just be the icing on the cake. I would depart Indianapolis knowing that I humbled a man who thought that he was everlasting but finally realized that he was a mere mortal. I would leave that place humbling a man who has all the money in the world but won’t be able to buy an ounce of peace after he lost to an enemy of his at a widely televised and well known event. Humility brings us low Chaz and you haven’t even scratched the surface of humility’s infinite depths but that will end on March 25th.
The likes of Kid Dynamo, Dan Quinn, Rhonda Vixen, and even Bacon have failed to advance this far into the tournament. Chaz, you and I proved to the world that we have what it takes to go far. But now we are both left at a pivotal fork in the road. While you are busy worrying about your stocks and bonds or having a dame like Helena on your arm to validate you amongst your “elite” circle of peers, my eyes are fixed on the prize. I also have a gorgeous woman on my arm but she’s not there for validation or to help me gain publicity…she’s there to celebrate with me when I am crowned the new Tap Out Champion of Action Packed Wrestling. And this is not just about Rasslemania, this is about beyond. I’ve had my eyes fixed on the prize since being a kid in the suburbs of Tampa, Florida. On March 25th the globe will witness the true underdog story of Anthony Bailey.
{{The scene fades to black as Anthony continues to walk down the hallway and to the elevator.}}
{{The scene opens to the inside of an opulent high-rise office building located in downtown Miami, FL. The office belongs to none other than up and coming filmmaker Carlos Vega, whose independent films have received various rave reviews over the last few years. Vega is on his way to becoming a household name as a few major motion picture studios are now in pursuit of him for future blockbusters. Anthony Bailey, who recently met Carlos at a networking event, strolls into the office wearing a black Tessori Milan two-piece suit and holding a large stack of fastened papers. Carlos, wearing a plain white T-shirt and blue jeans, rises from the chair at his oak desk to greet Anthony with a firm handshake. Having a seat across from Carlos, a confident Bailey begins to speak.}}
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: What’s going on with you man?! How have you been?
Carlos Vega: I’ve been good! I can’t complain. Work is steady and that’s always a blessing.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: That’s wonderful! That’s never a bad thing.
Carlos Vega: Exactly. Especially when you have a wife and kids and you are the sole provider.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: I hear you on that. I’m not there yet personally but I know exactly where you are coming from. I could never be upset with somebody who’s simply handling their business…
{{Carlos smiles.}}
Carlos Vega: Oh and speaking of business…I’m a man of business and we both know why you’re here, so tell me…what’s this project that you are aspiring to do all about? I was trying to get the gist of it over the phone when you called me but it seemed sort of unclear at the time. Are the ideas for it more organized?
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Here…why don’t you take a look for yourself…
{{Anthony hands the papers, which appears to be the script, to Carlos as Carlos begins to glare over it. After a brief pause, Anthony continues to talk.}}
Like I said before, I want to do a film based on the life of fallen music mogul Lou Pearlman. The film would chronicle his early life all the way until his prison sentencing.
Carlos Vega: What’s the motivation behind all of this Anthony? I’ve seen your work in APW and you have a bright future ahead of you if you keep a good head on your shoulders. I’m not really familiar with how the professional wrestling business operates, but to be honest with you, Hollywood is as scummy as it gets. As a friend, I’d suggest that you stayed away from this town. It’s not all glitz and glamour…and the politics?! Heh! Don’t even get me started on that!
{{Anthony smirks.}}
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Well that’s the thing Carlos. I want to bring light to the problem of evil that exists in this world. It’s not the fact that I have some crazy obsession with Lou Pearlman or what occurred in his life, I just feel that it is my duty to expose the evil that he did in hopes of shedding light on the rampant immorality in our society. My vision is bigger than wrestling and having some referee raise my hand after I win a few matches here and there…I desire to change the world!
Carlos marvels at the disposition of Anthony’s heart. Many young men his age are more concerned with partying, looking good, and attempting to bed as many girls as possible. He was more into the personality of Anthony than the objective for his film.
Carlos Vega: Now, I’m not one to prohibit the aspirations and the dreams of the young and the zealous, but kid…evil is everywhere. I respect your goals and will support you every step of the way, but this seems a little too far-fetched. Besides, who would want to play the role of Lou Pearlman?! The guy is a snake! The stigma that role might carry might not allow that actor to ever work in this town again!
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: I’m a step ahead of you because I already have the perfect guy to play the role.
Carlos Vega: Well if Robert Downey, Jr. is willing to wear a fat suit and go through tedious hours of make-up for this project, then I’m game!
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: But wait…this guy is better than Robert Downey, Jr.
Carlos Vega: Really??! What A-List actor could this be? And you do know that it would have to be an A-List actor right? The wrong actor would make this bomb at the box office because I doubt the general movie buff would pay nearly ten bucks to watch the life of Lou Pearlman for an hour and a half.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: It’s Chaz Dillinger.
{{Carlos looks confused.}}
Carlos Vega: Chaz Dillinger??! You mean, your colleague and upcoming opponent at the Rasslemania thing? Have you been smoking something kid? That guy isn’t an actor!
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Wait…but have you seen any promos by Chaz Dillinger?
Carlos Vega: No but I’m definitely familiar with who he is.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Then, you wouldn’t understand where I’m coming from. The guy is quite the actor! You should see how he comically parades around in front of a camera thinking he’s God’s gift to professional wrestling. It’s funny but sad all at the same time.
Carlos Vega: Comically? Wouldn’t this film be a drama though? I don’t need him to make me laugh, I need him to be able to cry on cue and deliver believable lines.
Anthony’s confidence begins to fade as he realizes Carlos isn’t going along with the idea and as excited about it as he is. Anthony is as adamant as they come but he’s struggling with the idea of still chiseling away at the unyielding foundation of the filmmaker or if he should throw up his hands and wave the white flag.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: I wish you were able to see things how I’m seeing them in my head right now. Lou Pearlman and Chaz Dillinger have so much in common. They both grew up to become some of the biggest and wealthiest conmen this country has ever seen. Dillinger wouldn’t have to even get in character to play this role, he already is the character! A crook is who he is at the core of his very being.
Carlos Vega: Bailey, I like you I really do but this project is just too risky to take on. I doubt that I’d even make a small fraction of profit on my return. I’m all for helping out people because you’ve got a good heart but if you want to work with me, you’re going to have to bring me another script. I’m sorry.
{{Carlos hands Anthony the script back.}}
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: It’s all good, I understand. Thank you for meeting with me though. I know you are a very busy man so I appreciate you taking the time out to talk about this.
Carlos Vega: No problem, anytime. Call me the next time you are in town…maybe we can do lunch or something.
Anthony "The Promise" Bailey: Sounds good to me…
{{Anthony and Carlos both rise from their chairs and they shake hands once again. Anthony exits the office. He continues to walk until he reaches the midway point of the vacant hallway. He leans up against the bare wall and begins to speak once again.}}
I grew up constantly hearing the saying “Everything happens for a reason,” so after what just happened in there with Carlos, that’s the automatic default my mind went to. I don’t blame him though. Maybe I’m just meant to keep this whole thing that’s going on with Dillinger strictly confined to the squared circle. It would have pained and nauseated me to work with him in any other capacity besides APW but I truly felt in my heart that he could pull off this movie role if I had the proper backing to produce it. I could always arrange things with a different filmmaker but Carlos is the one who I envisioned helping me take this on.
I guess America will just have to see Chaz Dillinger for who he really is and not in a fat suit wearing heavy make-up and bossing around look alikes of The Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Though he seems to do that quite often with his crew of people like DeSean Covington. My mother would also always say, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” and given Chaz’s flock of simpletons, I’d say the future doesn’t look too bright for America’s Most Wanted.
Twelve days…only twelve days left for Dillinger to prepare for this bout. And after Asylum, my hopes are that he approaches this third match more humble than ever before. The first time around he defeated me but, had it not been for Bacon sneak attacking me from behind, I would have left Dallas a victorious man. I could sit here and rant and rave about how I had you beat and how Bacon ended up saving your behind but unlike you Chaz, I’ve never been one to dwell in the past. Cherish the past?
Yes. But pondering on the days of old is worthless in my opinion, especially if you have yet to truly live. Anthony Reese Baily truly exists because I am here before your eyes walking, talking, inhaling, and exhaling, but at twenty-one years of age, I have my entire life ahead of me. While Chaz kicks back with DeSean and relives his lame University of Minnesota frat parties, I’m laying the foundation for my future. That’s why your future is so bleak Dillinger, it’s because you’re so stuck on the past that it’s virtually impossible for you to propel forward.
{{Anthony repositions himself to shift his weight more towards his right side.}}
You can plot and scheme all your wretched little heart’s desires about how you will become the next Tap Out Champion, but at the end of the day, I have nothing to worry about. Not because I’m undermining your athletic skill level or that I’m ignoring our first two encounters, but it’s kind of like I’m competing against a man who never was. A man who never truly came into his own. The Chaz Dillinger of the future is nowhere to be found and the one of the present is facing forward but his legs and feet are positioned in a one hundred and eighty degree angle just dying to return to the “glory” days. And if you’d truly be honest with the public Dillinger, those glory days of yours probably never existed. Nostalgia is one thing, but when you are more concerned with reliving the emotion you felt when your old man gave you your first million dollars than being a standup Champion for a great company like APW, then it’s obvious that your priorities our out of alignment.
Does Dillinger have the capacity to be the Tap Out Champion? Yes, just like Lou Pearlman had the capacity to be the next top caliber music industry executive like Jimmy Iovine or Quincy Jones. Why do I think that it would be so believable of you playing the starring role in my film? Because to me, you are none other than an incarnation of that man himself. You are just as shrewd and conniving as he is and you aggravate my nerves. But how did a guy like Pearlman lose it all? Where did Lou fall short? He was very well on his way into the music business hall of the fame wasn’t he? Too bad he cashed a check with his talent that his character was unable to cash. Chaz Dillinger also falls into this category.
He has the financial means, he has the superstar look, the loyal entourage, the talent, and a lot more going for himself. I could go on and on but it’s evident that he has all the makings of a true Champion but his moral fortitude is deficient. His lack of courage and bravery is what caused him to be right in the middle of that ring Sunday on Asylum and on the verge of tapping out to The Promise. With wide eyes revealing that he was in excruciating pain, America’s Most Wanted could have become America’s Most Humbled in front of the numerous fans in Dallas and the multiple viewers tuning in on The Food Network.
Chaz, that is all I’m aiming to do to you at Rasslemania…I just want to humble you. If that means that I must embarrass or annihilate you in front of a vast amount of people at the biggest pay per view of the year, then so be it. Winning the Tap Out Title in the process would just be the icing on the cake. I would depart Indianapolis knowing that I humbled a man who thought that he was everlasting but finally realized that he was a mere mortal. I would leave that place humbling a man who has all the money in the world but won’t be able to buy an ounce of peace after he lost to an enemy of his at a widely televised and well known event. Humility brings us low Chaz and you haven’t even scratched the surface of humility’s infinite depths but that will end on March 25th.
The likes of Kid Dynamo, Dan Quinn, Rhonda Vixen, and even Bacon have failed to advance this far into the tournament. Chaz, you and I proved to the world that we have what it takes to go far. But now we are both left at a pivotal fork in the road. While you are busy worrying about your stocks and bonds or having a dame like Helena on your arm to validate you amongst your “elite” circle of peers, my eyes are fixed on the prize. I also have a gorgeous woman on my arm but she’s not there for validation or to help me gain publicity…she’s there to celebrate with me when I am crowned the new Tap Out Champion of Action Packed Wrestling. And this is not just about Rasslemania, this is about beyond. I’ve had my eyes fixed on the prize since being a kid in the suburbs of Tampa, Florida. On March 25th the globe will witness the true underdog story of Anthony Bailey.
{{The scene fades to black as Anthony continues to walk down the hallway and to the elevator.}}
