Post by Metrodamus on May 19, 2012 15:10:17 GMT -4
Delikado vs. Chris Hart
Thursday Night Overdrive
“I don’t notice a difference.”
The crowd roars as Chris Hart sends Michael Harris thundering into the canvas and hooks the leg. Yelling at each count, they erupt as the bell sounds and Chris lifts himself to his feet. Amongst the throng of cheering fans stand Amy Noble and too her left, a man not seen on APW television in months, Mr. Robert Banks, former manager of Kurt Noble. “He’s not the same anymore Robert” Amy says as the cheering is interrupted by a chorus of jeers as Delikado floors him from behind.
“Maybe that’s a good thing. I always said that if he matured he’d become a force to be reckoned with” states Banks to the shock of Amy.
“He was a force to be reckoned with Robert” Amy espouses.
“Hardly, if anything he was a detriment to Kurt’s career. I don’t know many people who had his stature who ended up being relegated to second tier status by teaming with a neophyte to the world of wrestling during the prime of his career. It took him a full year and a grueling experience in Siberia to recover from that Amy” Robert bluntly says as he stares back at the ring as Chris uses his head as a battering ram, smashing it into the mouth of Delikado bloodying him.
“That’s crap and you know it” Amy says in defense of Chris, drawing a derisive snort from Robert.
“We were both there Amy. How many matches did Chris record the pin fall in?” rhetorically says Robert as he presses his thumb and forefinger together indicating zero. “Outside of going bat-shit insane and needing to be restrained by a strait-jacket how many people took Chris Hart as a serious threat to them as opposed to Kurt Noble?”
Faced by seemingly damning facts, Amy shoves her hands deeper into the pockets of her blue jeans as she stares down at Chris smirking in the ring. “Regardless of that, Kurt’s always said …”
“Kurt says a lot of things Amy, I’m sure you know that by now” interrupts Robert. “For someone who has long stated that he lets his actions do the talking, he sure loves to run his mouth. Naturally it’s part of his charm when he’s got someone reining him then he’s nearly unstoppable; we witnessed that at Rasslemania but look at the position he’s placed himself in now.”
Robert’s cocked eyebrow draws the ire of Amy Noble as she frowns at him, knowing full well what he is insinuating. “I had naturally assumed even that that was the reason you had called me – that it wasn’t to do with the Noble’s pet wrestler” Robert montones as Amy looks at him, the fury rising in her eyes at the venom expressed towards Chris Hart.
“Then why did you come all this way?” asks Amy, mustering as much disdain as possible in her tone.
Robert turns and looks back at the ring at Chris walking up, slapping hands with a few fans whose attentions are not focused on the high-definition screens showcasing the actions in the back, before disappearing through the curtain into the back.
“I have my reasons.”
Thursday, May 10th
Four Hours After Overdrive
“You sure have a way with people.”
Seated in the hotel room of Kurt Noble, Chris Hart stares across at his former partner with a cold pack on the back of his neck. “I know, right?” Kurt says with a chuckle as he reaches into the mini-fridge and grabs two Gatorades before turning around and tossing one to Chris. Chris cracks it open, taking a long drink getting about a quarter of it down before setting it down next to him and reaching into his bag as Kurt takes a seat.
“He’s scared of me Chris” Noble states as Chris continues to root around in his bag, looking for something buried near the bottom. “I could feel it when he came out and looked me in the eye, I could feel it every time he hit me – he had something extra on those blows Chris. It was like he knew he had to give it more because I had his number.”
The smirk on Kurt’s face grows, beginning to resemble that of Chris’ as he removes his head from his duffel bag and comes out with a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka. Kurt furrows his eyebrow at Chris as he unscrews the cap and begins to pour the contents into the Gatorade bottle. “You’re really enjoying this being twenty-one deal?” Kurt states as Chris screws the cap back onto the Gatorade and begins to mix the contents with a smile as he offers it towards a declining Kurt Noble.
“Just don’t tell Amy” Chris says with a wink as Kurt can only shake his head. Chris takes a swallow before placing the bottle back into his duffel bag, making certain to bury it back at the bottom out of site. “So what are you thinking for la belle province?”
Kurt stares at Chris, not sure what to make of the last statement. As Chris turns and looks at him, spotting his confusion, he clarifies his statement. “The beautiful province. Quebec, Montreal, Mayhem?” Kurt nods finally understanding as he rubs his left hand pensively.
“I don’t think anything Chris. I know that come next Sunday I’m going to step into the ring and show everyone the real CJ Gates; selfish, egotistical, a man who can’t be trusted. More importantly though I’m going to show CJ why he was wrong to throw everything we had down the drain, why everyone ‘believes’ in Kurt Noble” promises Kurt eliciting a smile from his former partner in crime.
“Little haughty are we?” Chris jests as he takes another drink from the beverage, his face staying etched in stone despite the stinging on the back of his throat.
“Hardly” replies Kurt. “You know the feeling as well as I do though. It’s like I can’t be beat, lest of all by Benedict Arnold himself. I know CJ Gates inside out Chris, anything he can throw at me I’ve seen and I know exactly what I’m going to do to counteract it.”
“Couldn’t he say the same thing about you?” asks Chris as the pensive demeanour is replaced in an instance by the cock sure smile again.
“Sure he could but he’d be wrong Chris. I learned from the best at hiding things from even my closest friends, inside … and outside of the ring.” Kurt chuckles as Chris can’t help but raise his middle finger at him in response before breaking into a large grin. “What about you though? It’s got to be a big night for you?
“Fuck bitches, get money” Chris says as his grin grows larger.
“Isn’t that what got you into this predicament in the first place?” comments Kurt as Chris chuckles at the absurdity of the situation involving him and Delikado.
“Maybe …” alleges Chris before he is interrupted by a knock at the door of the hotel room. Kurt gets to his feet as Chris knocks back another gulp of the blue mixture. Checking the peephole, he promptly pulls the door open.
“Ames!” jubilantly cries Noble as he wraps his arms around his surprised wife Amy.
“You remember I exist?” she jests playfully as Noble grins. “I figured you were too busy causing Mayhem in the crowd to remember to come get me after the show ended.”
“Sorry” apologizes Noble as he stares at her sheepishly. “Between the tongue lashing from Madea and trying to make amends with the fans it was late.
“I know” understandingly says Amy causing Kurt to furrow his brow in confusion at the distinct change in attitude from over the past few months.
“What’s going on Amy” asks Kurt. Amy shakes her head for a moment apologetically and whispers something inaudibly in Kurt’s ear before striding past him into the room.
“Good evening, Kurtis” Robert Banks says as he steps into the doorway immediately causing Kurt to frown.
“You’re not supposed to be here Robert” Kurt bluntly states but gets no reaction from his former manager.
“It’s good to see that some things haven’t changed” Robert matter-of-factly says. “I understand Kurt however I’m not here to see you this evening.”
“Then why did you come to my hotel room?” asks Kurt confused.
“Your wife seems to think that there’s someone else that could utilize my services this evening and we naturally assumed that given he’s not in his hotel room, this would be the first place to find him” Robert says, implying at who his target is. Immediately Kurt turns and looks over his shoulder at Amy standing in the door way to small living room in the suite, talking casually to Chris Hart.
“Did she seriously?” Noble asks concerned.
“I was as shocked as you are” casually remarks Robert. Kurt pauses for a moment as silence ensues between the two men.
“We’ll leave you two alone” Kurt says to Robert before turning back towards Amy. “Ames, do you want to come with me for a minute?”
Amy nods understandingly before turning and bidding adieu to Chris. Exiting the room, Amy bids Robert well as he strides into the living room area and immediately the face of Chris turns sour. “Look what the cat dragged in” says Chris, venom oozing off every word.
Robert is unabashed as he takes a seat across from Chris. “A pleasure as always to see you as well” he passively states as Chris takes the last drink from the Gatorade bottle. Promptly he begins to root in the duffel bag again and when he produces the bottle, it elicits a smile from Robert Banks. “It isn’t the vice that makes someone a successful wrestler, it’s something called talent.”
Chris merely shakes his head as he unscrews the bottle of Vodka, ignoring the barb directed his way, and doesn’t bother pouring it into the Gatorade bottle instead taking a ‘personal chug.’ “What the hell do you want?” Chris mutters as he puts the bottle down next to him, well within reach.
“I’ve got my reasons” Banks replies, keeping as much as possible under lock and key.
“Still a secretive bastard. Let me tell you something Robert, you failed once before trying to drive a wedge between Kurt and I, you’re not going to be successful this time either” Chris tells Robert.
“That’s not why I’m here. As much as I still can’t fathom why a successful wrestler like Kurt would associate himself, let alone team, with an ingrate such as yourself to the detriment of his career …”
“Detriment?” a flabbergasted Chris interrupts. “Three weeks ago we walked into Legacy Plazza and defeated the best tag team in the world at High Stakes. Since I’ve come to APW Kurt’s become the Undisputed Champion. I wouldn’t call that a detriment.
“Yes, and how much did you really have to do with that” Robert lectures. “Who won the match for Noble-Hart at High Stakes? I didn’t see you do anything when Kurt pinned CJ Gates at Rasslemania. Nothing has changed since I saw you last Chris, you continue to cling to Kurt Noble as it’s the only way you’ll ever amount to anything – and in the process you’re weighing him down.”
Chris stares at Robert, instead of being caked in ire, his face is somewhat twisted. “Right, but tell me something then Robert. Name one person who’s always been there for Kurt? Sure as hell wasn’t Amy; whining at home about how Kurt was more focused on the Undisputed Championship than her. Where have you been the past six months Robert? I know President Jeff said you couldn’t manage Kurt but there’s nothing stopping you from picking up the phone and calling him; nothing’s been said about you dropping by the hotel and visiting him once or twice either. I don’t think CJ Gates has been there for him either, unless you think everything that’s happened the past month is just ‘boys-being-boys’.”
“That’s immaterial” says Robert. “Friends ultimately mean nothing in this business Chris. Look at yourself for Christ’s sake. The only time you’ve ever been relevant is when you were running around doing your best Aleister Crowley impression trying to take down the wrestling world, friendless.”
“You’re wrong” Chris responds.
“Am I?” Robert asks rhetorically. “I think over the past month your record would show that maybe I’m more correct than you think. Everything I’ve seen on television is that you’re focused on everything but the task at hand. Hell, even that bottle there tells me everything I ever thought about you is correct.
“And that would be?” challenges Chris.
“That you’re weak!” returns Banks. “You’re incapable of facing even the smallest challenges head on Chris and it dates back a long time. There’s a reason you looked to form a tag team with Kurt instead of venturing out on your own in singles competition. It’s because you knew you’d be exposed as a second rate wrestler.”
“A second rate wrestler that four months prior had taken Kurt to his limits and then some” answers Chris.
“An injured, nearly crippled, Kurt Noble” adds Robert Banks. “If Kurt had been even close to one hundred percent he’d have wiped the floor with you.”
“…”
“Beyond that though” Robert continues, “you come here and as soon as you step into the ring with wrestlers that have even a modicum of talent, Johnny Rebel, Slade Craven, even Michael Harris you get uncovered as a two-bit, side show. There’s a reason everyone acknowledges that you’re Kurt’s ‘pet wrestler’. It’s not meant to be derogatory or demeaning Chris, it’s simply the truth.”
Chris shakes his head as he grabs the bottle and takes another drink from it. “And now you’ve resorted to a crutch, something to get you through the pain that comes as you slowly realize that you’re a small fish in the big pond. You thought that beating Michael Harris would prove those thoughts wrong but it hasn’t Chris. It’s still there in the front of your mind that something was different, almost as if he pitied you this week – or that he didn’t take your challenge seriously. You faced him when there was something on the line, when he needed a victory and was motivated to give it his all, and you ended up on the losing end.
“That pity is worse than anything they could do to you, isn’t it Chris? You’re used to their being this mystique about you, the residual effect of being seen by Kurt Noble as an equal and it causing people to give it everything you’ve got. You’ve never been someone that they’d ever overlook, hell, people have even considered you as a measuring stick before but now you’re just the pity opponent. You’re someone that’s getting thrown into the ring as a warm up for the top competitors before they’re big matches. You’re somewhere they don’t care about wins or losses against, but not getting hurt prior to the match that actually means something.”
“…”
“It’s why, for the life of me, I can’t fathom why Delikado would decide to show up and put himself in the ring with you” Banks carries on. “I’ve known Delikado a long time, I’ve seen him step into the ring and defeat some of the best wrestlers in the business, including Kurt Noble, and no one mistakes you for one anymore Chris. I’ve been watching the past six weeks as Delikado has made a mockery of you week in, week out, and the only thing I’ve noticed is that there’s been no fight from you. Sure you’ve come back at Delikado, you’ve smashed him in the face with the microphone, you smashed him in the face with your head this week but I’ve seen you do more than that Chris.
“It’s because you’re weak, Chris. Hell, even two years ago you wouldn’t have taken that lying down. I remember you getting split from ear to ear basically, had a scythe pressed into your throat, and you came back swinging from the heels. I remember when you got pushed to far it took a strait jacket to restrain you but now you just pace back and forth in the ring because you don’t want to get embarrassed.
“The truth is though Chris; you’ve already done enough to embarrass yourself. You’re performances over the past month have been pitiful, Delikado running around the arena professing knowledge of an illegitimate arrangement between Amy and yourself is making a mockery of both you and the Noble family, the fact that you’re not strong enough to confront this head on and instead resorting to the bottle is a letdown to every single person who ever supported your fantastical pursuit of greatness.
“If I were you Chris; I’d quit while you still had some semblance of respect. I’d pack your bags tonight and fly back home. I’d go back to being the recluse you were three months ago because maybe then someone, somewhere, will still believe that you’ve got some potential. They’ll take a look back at all those years ago and remember when people were hyping you as the next Kurt Noble and they’ll take a desperate chance on you. It’s such a fallacy Chris, judging based on potential, making decisions to promote someone who has an opportunity to be great as opposed to someone who already is but someone will make that mistake if you quit.
“If you don’t though, if you got to Montreal and compete at Mayhem, that’s going to be the end for you. When Delikado kicks your teeth in, he’s going to also slam shut the door on your career. Everyone’s going to realize that you’re nothing but an imposter, that you don’t belong on this level, and most damning of all, that you’re the epitome of our society today. Broken! Empty! Promises!”
Chris stares at Robert as he takes a drink from the bottle, leaving it about half full. Swallowing, he immediately raises it to his lips and takes another drink as he continues to fix Banks with his glare. Swallowing, he screws the top back onto the bottle, before the cocksure smirk retakes its rightful place on his face. “You’re wrong” jibes Chris. “Always have been, always will be.”
“I would think not” Robert responds.
“Of course you wouldn’t” affirms Chris as he raises the bottle. “But you are Robert. I’m not weak, this isn’t a crutch for some deep seated insecurity, it’s a necessary evil for dealin’ with your bullshit.
Robert harrumphs at Chris as he takes another swig from the bottle. “But seein’ as how I’ve had to listen to your shit, why don’ you listen to mine. Next Sunday, why don’ you get yourself a ticket to Mayhem. Why don’ you watch as I kick the mother fuckin’ shit out of Delikado. Why don’ you watch as I prove that all your self-righteous ideas are bullshit. Why don’ you watch as I prove that you are nothin’ more than a pompous, arrogant, cunt!”
Robert doesn’t blink at the harsh remarks from Chris. “I don’t know, I think it’d be better if I spare you the embarrassment of proving me right” he flatly states.
“Then why don’ you get the fuck of my room!” Chris snarls, the mass consumption of alcohol in a brief period of time beginning to take effect.
“Very well” Robert says as he gets up to his feet. “Good luck next week.”
Robert strides to the door as Chris remains seated, not showing a remote interest in seeing him to the door. Hearing it swing open, Chris leans back into the chair before delivering his parting blow.
“You’re just jealous you can’t ride Kurt’s coattails any longer!”
Sunday, May 20th
One Hour Before Overdrive
“Mesdames et Messieurs, bienvenue à Chris Hart TV.”
Chris Hart sits on a stool in front of a camera, the Mayhem poster behind him as he resides deep in the bowels of the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
“Unlike the programming presented by my comrade Delikado, this feature presentation will not have the drunken servant of Fidel Castro throwing champagne bottles at taxi drivers, it won’t have scenes from the remake of Jurassic Park featuring a crazy Cuban attempting to ride a dinosaur, and more importantly, it won’t set the Fire Marshall’s on us because we firebombed the basilica. No, instead it’s simply going to be my chance to finally set the record straight.
“Over the past month Delikado I’ve been forced to question everything. I’m not afraid to admit that you managed to affect my psyche: that your mind games worked on me. Week after week I was left questioning myself as the losses mounted up. Did I belong in Action Packed Wrestling? Was I capable of competing at this level? Were my aspirations of becoming the best attainable?
“And then I’d lose another match, and you’d assault me from the blind side and I’d begin to think that the answer was no to each and every single one of those questions. You had me beat Delikado, I was certain of it. I didn’t see that come Mayhem there was any way that I could beat you. In my mind you were simply better than me. At Mayhem I could fight, I could give it everything that I had but at the end of the day I knew it wouldn’t be enough, that at the end of the match the last thing I’d see was a black boot coming at my face and then nothing until I came too staring at the arena lights as the referee had your hand raised in the air.
“I’m not afraid to admit Delikado that you had me contemplating quitting, that I thought about just walking away from it all. I’ve said all along that I don’t need wrestling, that this industry doesn’t define me and that it wasn’t worth dealing with the bull shit. I was ready to walk away Delikado, you beat me, you destroyed every ounce of caring I seemingly had for this business. It was easier to just walk away then to face you down.
“It would’ve been easier to walk away because then no one would’ve cared about everything you said about Amy and I. It wouldn’t have been such a scandal if it were to be brought to light that your promulgations were true. I wouldn’t have to come to the arena week in and week out and listen to the boys in the back wondering if it were true. I wouldn’t have to listen to Kurt tell me that he knew the truth and that I shouldn’t worry about you, that I was just giving you more power by embracing your psychological assault. If I had walked away from this Delikado then I wouldn’t have had to listen to Amy tell me that she wasn’t concerned about what other people thought of her, that she knew she became fair game as soon as I joined Kurt in Action Packed Wrestling.
“You had me beat Delikado, the same way you’ve beat so many other people and that’s when I figured it out. You’re nothing Delikado, you’re a sad old man who’s pushed everyone away from him that ever cares. You surround yourself with others that deal with you because they’re looking for money, acceptance, or they’re indebted to you in some shape or fashion. You’re weak Delikado, you’re an alcoholic, you’re a convict, simply put Delikado, you’re deplorable.
“You thrive on creating internal strife, on conflict. The only thing that allows you to get your jollies now-a-days isn’t a blue diamond shaped pill, it’s seeing the emotional turmoil you can cause other people to go through. It’s about being jubilant when you know that without doing anything to them you’ve forced them to contemplate what would have otherwise been unthinkable.
“Everything is about you Delikado. You’re a psycho-social narcissist. You’re over-inflated sense of self-worth is all encompassing. You’re pursuit of an imagined present relationship between Amy and I is driven by your need to be the center of attention, to be the person that everyone looks at and goes ‘I know that guy.’ Your narcissism leaves you focused on one thing, it’s not about being victorious in the ring, it’s not about championship gold, it’s not even about getting your own rocks off, it’s about being famous.
“So here’s what I’m offering you Delikado, a chance to indulge your narcissism. I’m offering you an opportunity to finally get that which you crave so desperately, a chance to become famous. I’m not giving you proof that there’s a relationship between Amy and I because it doesn’t exist. Instead, I’m going to give you the opportunity to become famous by stepping into the ring against me and putting on the show of a life time. There’s not a single person in this company Delikado who can offer you that opportunity because quite frankly there’s no one else in this company that’s going to want to beat you bad that they’re willing to do anything, and I mean anything, to get that victory.
You see Delikado, I thought you had me beat for the past month and a half. Every time I thought of Mayehm, of you, it made me queasy because I’d never felt so helpless. I’d never been in a situation where someone had beaten me so easily and then I realized that you hadn’t done a single thing to me. Every single blind side attack paled in comparison to some I received so it wasn’t your physical acumen, no it was a psychological barrier and in the match that has no effect on me, it can’t pin me or make me submit. You didn’t have me beat Delikado …
“I had myself beat.
“And I hated it!
“You see Delikado, no one has ever been able to do that to me. No one has been able to make me question my self-worth, my standing in the wrestling world like you were able to. I forgot about why I came back, what I wanted to become, where I was going to end up. You were in my head Delikado, but you aren’t any longer.
“You see Delikado, I’m relishing this opportunity to face you. This is just another step on my ladder to the top. Every single person that has been watching the past month and a half wonders how exactly I’m going to beat you, they’ve seen how effortlessly you dominated me but what they don’t realize is that was a zombie, that wasn’t the Chris Hart you’re going to face at Mayhem.
“Instead you’re going to face the Chris Hart they’re used to seeing: the one who at Survive and Conquer shocked the world with his performance coming off the bench, the man who at Rasslemania was the sole survivor and carried Team Overdrive to victory. You’re going to come face to face with the man who’s capable of putting on a show every time he steps into the ring, who gives the people exactly what they want to see.
“I’m going to make you famous Delikado. I’m going to give you the match of your life tonight. When everyone leaves this evening they’re not going to talk about how Kurt Noble defeated CJ Gates to retain the Undisputed Championship, they’re not going to talk about what happened between Michael Callahan and Sally Talfourd, instead they’re going to still be in awe about the performance of Delikado and Chris Hart.
“They’re going to marvel at everything we managed to do. They’re going to look at it and say that in a year from now they’re going to be able to trace our career arcs back to this single match, but more importantly they’re going to talk about how at the end of the match it was Delikado looking up at the lights.
“They’re going to remember that every time I’ve been counted out, that I haven’t been given a chance at victory that I’ve shocked the world and left with my hand raised. They’re going to realize that when push comes to shove that there isn’t a single person that can best me in the ring.
“And do you know why that is Delikado? It’s because I am the best in the business, not Kurt Noble, not CJ Gates, and definitely not you. Because when the bright lights come on, when the stage is the biggest, that’s when I shine. That’s when you’re mental tactics are ineffective Delikado, that’s when everything you’ve said about Amy and I doesn’t matter, and that’s when you get exposed for what exactly you are Delikado …
“A coward!
“A coward who has so far refused to face me head on.
“A coward who at Mayhem is going to finally get his comeuppance.
“At mayhem Delikado, I’m going to make you famous. I’m going to do you a favor; I’m going to give in to your narcissism. I could’ve quit Delikado and you would’ve had nothing but unlike you I don’t get joy from seeing that happen. Instead, I get joy from kicking your ass all the way back to the God-forsaken island you come from.
“At Mayhem Delikado, you’re going to become famous.
“Why?
“Because you’ll be another person that inevitably lost to the greatest wrestler in the world today.”
With that, Chris gets to his feet and clicks off the camera as it immediately cuts black.
Thursday Night Overdrive
“I don’t notice a difference.”
The crowd roars as Chris Hart sends Michael Harris thundering into the canvas and hooks the leg. Yelling at each count, they erupt as the bell sounds and Chris lifts himself to his feet. Amongst the throng of cheering fans stand Amy Noble and too her left, a man not seen on APW television in months, Mr. Robert Banks, former manager of Kurt Noble. “He’s not the same anymore Robert” Amy says as the cheering is interrupted by a chorus of jeers as Delikado floors him from behind.
“Maybe that’s a good thing. I always said that if he matured he’d become a force to be reckoned with” states Banks to the shock of Amy.
“He was a force to be reckoned with Robert” Amy espouses.
“Hardly, if anything he was a detriment to Kurt’s career. I don’t know many people who had his stature who ended up being relegated to second tier status by teaming with a neophyte to the world of wrestling during the prime of his career. It took him a full year and a grueling experience in Siberia to recover from that Amy” Robert bluntly says as he stares back at the ring as Chris uses his head as a battering ram, smashing it into the mouth of Delikado bloodying him.
“That’s crap and you know it” Amy says in defense of Chris, drawing a derisive snort from Robert.
“We were both there Amy. How many matches did Chris record the pin fall in?” rhetorically says Robert as he presses his thumb and forefinger together indicating zero. “Outside of going bat-shit insane and needing to be restrained by a strait-jacket how many people took Chris Hart as a serious threat to them as opposed to Kurt Noble?”
Faced by seemingly damning facts, Amy shoves her hands deeper into the pockets of her blue jeans as she stares down at Chris smirking in the ring. “Regardless of that, Kurt’s always said …”
“Kurt says a lot of things Amy, I’m sure you know that by now” interrupts Robert. “For someone who has long stated that he lets his actions do the talking, he sure loves to run his mouth. Naturally it’s part of his charm when he’s got someone reining him then he’s nearly unstoppable; we witnessed that at Rasslemania but look at the position he’s placed himself in now.”
Robert’s cocked eyebrow draws the ire of Amy Noble as she frowns at him, knowing full well what he is insinuating. “I had naturally assumed even that that was the reason you had called me – that it wasn’t to do with the Noble’s pet wrestler” Robert montones as Amy looks at him, the fury rising in her eyes at the venom expressed towards Chris Hart.
“Then why did you come all this way?” asks Amy, mustering as much disdain as possible in her tone.
Robert turns and looks back at the ring at Chris walking up, slapping hands with a few fans whose attentions are not focused on the high-definition screens showcasing the actions in the back, before disappearing through the curtain into the back.
“I have my reasons.”
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Thursday, May 10th
Four Hours After Overdrive
“You sure have a way with people.”
Seated in the hotel room of Kurt Noble, Chris Hart stares across at his former partner with a cold pack on the back of his neck. “I know, right?” Kurt says with a chuckle as he reaches into the mini-fridge and grabs two Gatorades before turning around and tossing one to Chris. Chris cracks it open, taking a long drink getting about a quarter of it down before setting it down next to him and reaching into his bag as Kurt takes a seat.
“He’s scared of me Chris” Noble states as Chris continues to root around in his bag, looking for something buried near the bottom. “I could feel it when he came out and looked me in the eye, I could feel it every time he hit me – he had something extra on those blows Chris. It was like he knew he had to give it more because I had his number.”
The smirk on Kurt’s face grows, beginning to resemble that of Chris’ as he removes his head from his duffel bag and comes out with a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka. Kurt furrows his eyebrow at Chris as he unscrews the cap and begins to pour the contents into the Gatorade bottle. “You’re really enjoying this being twenty-one deal?” Kurt states as Chris screws the cap back onto the Gatorade and begins to mix the contents with a smile as he offers it towards a declining Kurt Noble.
“Just don’t tell Amy” Chris says with a wink as Kurt can only shake his head. Chris takes a swallow before placing the bottle back into his duffel bag, making certain to bury it back at the bottom out of site. “So what are you thinking for la belle province?”
Kurt stares at Chris, not sure what to make of the last statement. As Chris turns and looks at him, spotting his confusion, he clarifies his statement. “The beautiful province. Quebec, Montreal, Mayhem?” Kurt nods finally understanding as he rubs his left hand pensively.
“I don’t think anything Chris. I know that come next Sunday I’m going to step into the ring and show everyone the real CJ Gates; selfish, egotistical, a man who can’t be trusted. More importantly though I’m going to show CJ why he was wrong to throw everything we had down the drain, why everyone ‘believes’ in Kurt Noble” promises Kurt eliciting a smile from his former partner in crime.
“Little haughty are we?” Chris jests as he takes another drink from the beverage, his face staying etched in stone despite the stinging on the back of his throat.
“Hardly” replies Kurt. “You know the feeling as well as I do though. It’s like I can’t be beat, lest of all by Benedict Arnold himself. I know CJ Gates inside out Chris, anything he can throw at me I’ve seen and I know exactly what I’m going to do to counteract it.”
“Couldn’t he say the same thing about you?” asks Chris as the pensive demeanour is replaced in an instance by the cock sure smile again.
“Sure he could but he’d be wrong Chris. I learned from the best at hiding things from even my closest friends, inside … and outside of the ring.” Kurt chuckles as Chris can’t help but raise his middle finger at him in response before breaking into a large grin. “What about you though? It’s got to be a big night for you?
“Fuck bitches, get money” Chris says as his grin grows larger.
“Isn’t that what got you into this predicament in the first place?” comments Kurt as Chris chuckles at the absurdity of the situation involving him and Delikado.
“Maybe …” alleges Chris before he is interrupted by a knock at the door of the hotel room. Kurt gets to his feet as Chris knocks back another gulp of the blue mixture. Checking the peephole, he promptly pulls the door open.
“Ames!” jubilantly cries Noble as he wraps his arms around his surprised wife Amy.
“You remember I exist?” she jests playfully as Noble grins. “I figured you were too busy causing Mayhem in the crowd to remember to come get me after the show ended.”
“Sorry” apologizes Noble as he stares at her sheepishly. “Between the tongue lashing from Madea and trying to make amends with the fans it was late.
“I know” understandingly says Amy causing Kurt to furrow his brow in confusion at the distinct change in attitude from over the past few months.
“What’s going on Amy” asks Kurt. Amy shakes her head for a moment apologetically and whispers something inaudibly in Kurt’s ear before striding past him into the room.
“Good evening, Kurtis” Robert Banks says as he steps into the doorway immediately causing Kurt to frown.
“You’re not supposed to be here Robert” Kurt bluntly states but gets no reaction from his former manager.
“It’s good to see that some things haven’t changed” Robert matter-of-factly says. “I understand Kurt however I’m not here to see you this evening.”
“Then why did you come to my hotel room?” asks Kurt confused.
“Your wife seems to think that there’s someone else that could utilize my services this evening and we naturally assumed that given he’s not in his hotel room, this would be the first place to find him” Robert says, implying at who his target is. Immediately Kurt turns and looks over his shoulder at Amy standing in the door way to small living room in the suite, talking casually to Chris Hart.
“Did she seriously?” Noble asks concerned.
“I was as shocked as you are” casually remarks Robert. Kurt pauses for a moment as silence ensues between the two men.
“We’ll leave you two alone” Kurt says to Robert before turning back towards Amy. “Ames, do you want to come with me for a minute?”
Amy nods understandingly before turning and bidding adieu to Chris. Exiting the room, Amy bids Robert well as he strides into the living room area and immediately the face of Chris turns sour. “Look what the cat dragged in” says Chris, venom oozing off every word.
Robert is unabashed as he takes a seat across from Chris. “A pleasure as always to see you as well” he passively states as Chris takes the last drink from the Gatorade bottle. Promptly he begins to root in the duffel bag again and when he produces the bottle, it elicits a smile from Robert Banks. “It isn’t the vice that makes someone a successful wrestler, it’s something called talent.”
Chris merely shakes his head as he unscrews the bottle of Vodka, ignoring the barb directed his way, and doesn’t bother pouring it into the Gatorade bottle instead taking a ‘personal chug.’ “What the hell do you want?” Chris mutters as he puts the bottle down next to him, well within reach.
“I’ve got my reasons” Banks replies, keeping as much as possible under lock and key.
“Still a secretive bastard. Let me tell you something Robert, you failed once before trying to drive a wedge between Kurt and I, you’re not going to be successful this time either” Chris tells Robert.
“That’s not why I’m here. As much as I still can’t fathom why a successful wrestler like Kurt would associate himself, let alone team, with an ingrate such as yourself to the detriment of his career …”
“Detriment?” a flabbergasted Chris interrupts. “Three weeks ago we walked into Legacy Plazza and defeated the best tag team in the world at High Stakes. Since I’ve come to APW Kurt’s become the Undisputed Champion. I wouldn’t call that a detriment.
“Yes, and how much did you really have to do with that” Robert lectures. “Who won the match for Noble-Hart at High Stakes? I didn’t see you do anything when Kurt pinned CJ Gates at Rasslemania. Nothing has changed since I saw you last Chris, you continue to cling to Kurt Noble as it’s the only way you’ll ever amount to anything – and in the process you’re weighing him down.”
Chris stares at Robert, instead of being caked in ire, his face is somewhat twisted. “Right, but tell me something then Robert. Name one person who’s always been there for Kurt? Sure as hell wasn’t Amy; whining at home about how Kurt was more focused on the Undisputed Championship than her. Where have you been the past six months Robert? I know President Jeff said you couldn’t manage Kurt but there’s nothing stopping you from picking up the phone and calling him; nothing’s been said about you dropping by the hotel and visiting him once or twice either. I don’t think CJ Gates has been there for him either, unless you think everything that’s happened the past month is just ‘boys-being-boys’.”
“That’s immaterial” says Robert. “Friends ultimately mean nothing in this business Chris. Look at yourself for Christ’s sake. The only time you’ve ever been relevant is when you were running around doing your best Aleister Crowley impression trying to take down the wrestling world, friendless.”
“You’re wrong” Chris responds.
“Am I?” Robert asks rhetorically. “I think over the past month your record would show that maybe I’m more correct than you think. Everything I’ve seen on television is that you’re focused on everything but the task at hand. Hell, even that bottle there tells me everything I ever thought about you is correct.
“And that would be?” challenges Chris.
“That you’re weak!” returns Banks. “You’re incapable of facing even the smallest challenges head on Chris and it dates back a long time. There’s a reason you looked to form a tag team with Kurt instead of venturing out on your own in singles competition. It’s because you knew you’d be exposed as a second rate wrestler.”
“A second rate wrestler that four months prior had taken Kurt to his limits and then some” answers Chris.
“An injured, nearly crippled, Kurt Noble” adds Robert Banks. “If Kurt had been even close to one hundred percent he’d have wiped the floor with you.”
“…”
“Beyond that though” Robert continues, “you come here and as soon as you step into the ring with wrestlers that have even a modicum of talent, Johnny Rebel, Slade Craven, even Michael Harris you get uncovered as a two-bit, side show. There’s a reason everyone acknowledges that you’re Kurt’s ‘pet wrestler’. It’s not meant to be derogatory or demeaning Chris, it’s simply the truth.”
Chris shakes his head as he grabs the bottle and takes another drink from it. “And now you’ve resorted to a crutch, something to get you through the pain that comes as you slowly realize that you’re a small fish in the big pond. You thought that beating Michael Harris would prove those thoughts wrong but it hasn’t Chris. It’s still there in the front of your mind that something was different, almost as if he pitied you this week – or that he didn’t take your challenge seriously. You faced him when there was something on the line, when he needed a victory and was motivated to give it his all, and you ended up on the losing end.
“That pity is worse than anything they could do to you, isn’t it Chris? You’re used to their being this mystique about you, the residual effect of being seen by Kurt Noble as an equal and it causing people to give it everything you’ve got. You’ve never been someone that they’d ever overlook, hell, people have even considered you as a measuring stick before but now you’re just the pity opponent. You’re someone that’s getting thrown into the ring as a warm up for the top competitors before they’re big matches. You’re somewhere they don’t care about wins or losses against, but not getting hurt prior to the match that actually means something.”
“…”
“It’s why, for the life of me, I can’t fathom why Delikado would decide to show up and put himself in the ring with you” Banks carries on. “I’ve known Delikado a long time, I’ve seen him step into the ring and defeat some of the best wrestlers in the business, including Kurt Noble, and no one mistakes you for one anymore Chris. I’ve been watching the past six weeks as Delikado has made a mockery of you week in, week out, and the only thing I’ve noticed is that there’s been no fight from you. Sure you’ve come back at Delikado, you’ve smashed him in the face with the microphone, you smashed him in the face with your head this week but I’ve seen you do more than that Chris.
“It’s because you’re weak, Chris. Hell, even two years ago you wouldn’t have taken that lying down. I remember you getting split from ear to ear basically, had a scythe pressed into your throat, and you came back swinging from the heels. I remember when you got pushed to far it took a strait jacket to restrain you but now you just pace back and forth in the ring because you don’t want to get embarrassed.
“The truth is though Chris; you’ve already done enough to embarrass yourself. You’re performances over the past month have been pitiful, Delikado running around the arena professing knowledge of an illegitimate arrangement between Amy and yourself is making a mockery of both you and the Noble family, the fact that you’re not strong enough to confront this head on and instead resorting to the bottle is a letdown to every single person who ever supported your fantastical pursuit of greatness.
“If I were you Chris; I’d quit while you still had some semblance of respect. I’d pack your bags tonight and fly back home. I’d go back to being the recluse you were three months ago because maybe then someone, somewhere, will still believe that you’ve got some potential. They’ll take a look back at all those years ago and remember when people were hyping you as the next Kurt Noble and they’ll take a desperate chance on you. It’s such a fallacy Chris, judging based on potential, making decisions to promote someone who has an opportunity to be great as opposed to someone who already is but someone will make that mistake if you quit.
“If you don’t though, if you got to Montreal and compete at Mayhem, that’s going to be the end for you. When Delikado kicks your teeth in, he’s going to also slam shut the door on your career. Everyone’s going to realize that you’re nothing but an imposter, that you don’t belong on this level, and most damning of all, that you’re the epitome of our society today. Broken! Empty! Promises!”
Chris stares at Robert as he takes a drink from the bottle, leaving it about half full. Swallowing, he immediately raises it to his lips and takes another drink as he continues to fix Banks with his glare. Swallowing, he screws the top back onto the bottle, before the cocksure smirk retakes its rightful place on his face. “You’re wrong” jibes Chris. “Always have been, always will be.”
“I would think not” Robert responds.
“Of course you wouldn’t” affirms Chris as he raises the bottle. “But you are Robert. I’m not weak, this isn’t a crutch for some deep seated insecurity, it’s a necessary evil for dealin’ with your bullshit.
Robert harrumphs at Chris as he takes another swig from the bottle. “But seein’ as how I’ve had to listen to your shit, why don’ you listen to mine. Next Sunday, why don’ you get yourself a ticket to Mayhem. Why don’ you watch as I kick the mother fuckin’ shit out of Delikado. Why don’ you watch as I prove that all your self-righteous ideas are bullshit. Why don’ you watch as I prove that you are nothin’ more than a pompous, arrogant, cunt!”
Robert doesn’t blink at the harsh remarks from Chris. “I don’t know, I think it’d be better if I spare you the embarrassment of proving me right” he flatly states.
“Then why don’ you get the fuck of my room!” Chris snarls, the mass consumption of alcohol in a brief period of time beginning to take effect.
“Very well” Robert says as he gets up to his feet. “Good luck next week.”
Robert strides to the door as Chris remains seated, not showing a remote interest in seeing him to the door. Hearing it swing open, Chris leans back into the chair before delivering his parting blow.
“You’re just jealous you can’t ride Kurt’s coattails any longer!”
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Sunday, May 20th
One Hour Before Overdrive
“Mesdames et Messieurs, bienvenue à Chris Hart TV.”
Chris Hart sits on a stool in front of a camera, the Mayhem poster behind him as he resides deep in the bowels of the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
“Unlike the programming presented by my comrade Delikado, this feature presentation will not have the drunken servant of Fidel Castro throwing champagne bottles at taxi drivers, it won’t have scenes from the remake of Jurassic Park featuring a crazy Cuban attempting to ride a dinosaur, and more importantly, it won’t set the Fire Marshall’s on us because we firebombed the basilica. No, instead it’s simply going to be my chance to finally set the record straight.
“Over the past month Delikado I’ve been forced to question everything. I’m not afraid to admit that you managed to affect my psyche: that your mind games worked on me. Week after week I was left questioning myself as the losses mounted up. Did I belong in Action Packed Wrestling? Was I capable of competing at this level? Were my aspirations of becoming the best attainable?
“And then I’d lose another match, and you’d assault me from the blind side and I’d begin to think that the answer was no to each and every single one of those questions. You had me beat Delikado, I was certain of it. I didn’t see that come Mayhem there was any way that I could beat you. In my mind you were simply better than me. At Mayhem I could fight, I could give it everything that I had but at the end of the day I knew it wouldn’t be enough, that at the end of the match the last thing I’d see was a black boot coming at my face and then nothing until I came too staring at the arena lights as the referee had your hand raised in the air.
“I’m not afraid to admit Delikado that you had me contemplating quitting, that I thought about just walking away from it all. I’ve said all along that I don’t need wrestling, that this industry doesn’t define me and that it wasn’t worth dealing with the bull shit. I was ready to walk away Delikado, you beat me, you destroyed every ounce of caring I seemingly had for this business. It was easier to just walk away then to face you down.
“It would’ve been easier to walk away because then no one would’ve cared about everything you said about Amy and I. It wouldn’t have been such a scandal if it were to be brought to light that your promulgations were true. I wouldn’t have to come to the arena week in and week out and listen to the boys in the back wondering if it were true. I wouldn’t have to listen to Kurt tell me that he knew the truth and that I shouldn’t worry about you, that I was just giving you more power by embracing your psychological assault. If I had walked away from this Delikado then I wouldn’t have had to listen to Amy tell me that she wasn’t concerned about what other people thought of her, that she knew she became fair game as soon as I joined Kurt in Action Packed Wrestling.
“You had me beat Delikado, the same way you’ve beat so many other people and that’s when I figured it out. You’re nothing Delikado, you’re a sad old man who’s pushed everyone away from him that ever cares. You surround yourself with others that deal with you because they’re looking for money, acceptance, or they’re indebted to you in some shape or fashion. You’re weak Delikado, you’re an alcoholic, you’re a convict, simply put Delikado, you’re deplorable.
“You thrive on creating internal strife, on conflict. The only thing that allows you to get your jollies now-a-days isn’t a blue diamond shaped pill, it’s seeing the emotional turmoil you can cause other people to go through. It’s about being jubilant when you know that without doing anything to them you’ve forced them to contemplate what would have otherwise been unthinkable.
“Everything is about you Delikado. You’re a psycho-social narcissist. You’re over-inflated sense of self-worth is all encompassing. You’re pursuit of an imagined present relationship between Amy and I is driven by your need to be the center of attention, to be the person that everyone looks at and goes ‘I know that guy.’ Your narcissism leaves you focused on one thing, it’s not about being victorious in the ring, it’s not about championship gold, it’s not even about getting your own rocks off, it’s about being famous.
“So here’s what I’m offering you Delikado, a chance to indulge your narcissism. I’m offering you an opportunity to finally get that which you crave so desperately, a chance to become famous. I’m not giving you proof that there’s a relationship between Amy and I because it doesn’t exist. Instead, I’m going to give you the opportunity to become famous by stepping into the ring against me and putting on the show of a life time. There’s not a single person in this company Delikado who can offer you that opportunity because quite frankly there’s no one else in this company that’s going to want to beat you bad that they’re willing to do anything, and I mean anything, to get that victory.
You see Delikado, I thought you had me beat for the past month and a half. Every time I thought of Mayehm, of you, it made me queasy because I’d never felt so helpless. I’d never been in a situation where someone had beaten me so easily and then I realized that you hadn’t done a single thing to me. Every single blind side attack paled in comparison to some I received so it wasn’t your physical acumen, no it was a psychological barrier and in the match that has no effect on me, it can’t pin me or make me submit. You didn’t have me beat Delikado …
“I had myself beat.
“And I hated it!
“You see Delikado, no one has ever been able to do that to me. No one has been able to make me question my self-worth, my standing in the wrestling world like you were able to. I forgot about why I came back, what I wanted to become, where I was going to end up. You were in my head Delikado, but you aren’t any longer.
“You see Delikado, I’m relishing this opportunity to face you. This is just another step on my ladder to the top. Every single person that has been watching the past month and a half wonders how exactly I’m going to beat you, they’ve seen how effortlessly you dominated me but what they don’t realize is that was a zombie, that wasn’t the Chris Hart you’re going to face at Mayhem.
“Instead you’re going to face the Chris Hart they’re used to seeing: the one who at Survive and Conquer shocked the world with his performance coming off the bench, the man who at Rasslemania was the sole survivor and carried Team Overdrive to victory. You’re going to come face to face with the man who’s capable of putting on a show every time he steps into the ring, who gives the people exactly what they want to see.
“I’m going to make you famous Delikado. I’m going to give you the match of your life tonight. When everyone leaves this evening they’re not going to talk about how Kurt Noble defeated CJ Gates to retain the Undisputed Championship, they’re not going to talk about what happened between Michael Callahan and Sally Talfourd, instead they’re going to still be in awe about the performance of Delikado and Chris Hart.
“They’re going to marvel at everything we managed to do. They’re going to look at it and say that in a year from now they’re going to be able to trace our career arcs back to this single match, but more importantly they’re going to talk about how at the end of the match it was Delikado looking up at the lights.
“They’re going to remember that every time I’ve been counted out, that I haven’t been given a chance at victory that I’ve shocked the world and left with my hand raised. They’re going to realize that when push comes to shove that there isn’t a single person that can best me in the ring.
“And do you know why that is Delikado? It’s because I am the best in the business, not Kurt Noble, not CJ Gates, and definitely not you. Because when the bright lights come on, when the stage is the biggest, that’s when I shine. That’s when you’re mental tactics are ineffective Delikado, that’s when everything you’ve said about Amy and I doesn’t matter, and that’s when you get exposed for what exactly you are Delikado …
“A coward!
“A coward who has so far refused to face me head on.
“A coward who at Mayhem is going to finally get his comeuppance.
“At mayhem Delikado, I’m going to make you famous. I’m going to do you a favor; I’m going to give in to your narcissism. I could’ve quit Delikado and you would’ve had nothing but unlike you I don’t get joy from seeing that happen. Instead, I get joy from kicking your ass all the way back to the God-forsaken island you come from.
“At Mayhem Delikado, you’re going to become famous.
“Why?
“Because you’ll be another person that inevitably lost to the greatest wrestler in the world today.”
With that, Chris gets to his feet and clicks off the camera as it immediately cuts black.
