No Ceilings (RP 1)

[Nathaniel Havok]

The Word Counter on here says "4246", but my Works Processor says "3900". Just putting it out there, in case I were to get DQed for being over the limit.

Monday; June 25, 2012; 2:55 P.M.
Dillinger Entertainment Studios - A Chaz Dillinger Enterprise
Los Angeles, California

As the scene comes in, we find ourselves following Chaz Dillinger through the structures of his enterprise. We enter an area labeled the “Mass Production Wing”, as indicated by a sign on the wall. We see countless printing press machines, assembly lines all moving at a high rate of speed, and people controlling them, wearing “D.E.S. work-shirts”. Chaz looks around the room with a smile on his face, once again remembering that he built this entire establishment.

Dillinger: Ahhhh… Would you look at this?

Chaz takes in a deep breath, letting it out as he continues to smile.

Dillinger: All it takes, is the will of a single man. To build an empire such as this, the desire to succeed is all that’s needed. My entire life, my father told me that if I wanted something bad enough, it could be mine. Based on the track record of my relatives, a “by any means necessary” attitude has proven to be the quintessential “x-factor” in our success. However, I can assure you, I was brought up better than that. My parents raised me to hold a high moral criteria, and I stand here before you a man amongst boys.

Chaz pauses.

Dillinger: I say this, because I don’t see a standard bearer anywhere on the Asylum roster. With Jason Kash flipping his lid, quoting Hannah Montana, and stalking Anthony Bailey like a one night stand bar hookup, I can’t help but wonder… Is this my chance? Is this the opportunity that Chaz Dillinger has been looking for? A chance to once again throw my name into the hat? A chance to one more time, get a shot at the hardware that Jason Kash continues to make a mockery of?

Last week, I showed the world that Chaz Dillinger is far from through. Not only did I defeat Calvin Ingram, but I was able to outlast my very own stable-mate. For a man who had “lost everything”, I sure did look like a million bucks last Sunday! So where does Chaz Dillinger go from here? I hate to sound cliché, but the only way for me to go is up. I have no ceilings, there’s not a mountain that Chaz Dillinger can't climb! And I’m not quoting Hannah Montana, I’m just telling the truth. Now, if that truth’s a bitch, and the bitch hurts, maybe some should realize that Chaz Dillinger never lost a single step. Because, while you may be able to momentarily halt me from proceeding in a forward motion, you can never truly stop greatness!

Chaz takes another look around. He notices a woman at one of the assembly lines, boxing shirts and preparing them for shipping. Chaz walks up to her, and watches her as she works.

Dillinger: This business, and all of what you see here right now, was built by Chaz Dillinger. There was no trust fund, no financial backing, no cosigners, nothing of the sort. Chaz Dillinger went to the bank, Chaz Dillinger took out the loan, and Chaz Dillinger built this dynasty from the ground up. I’ve worked very hard, busted my tail for years to be the success that I am today. At the young age of 24, I’ve already done more with my life, made more money, and seen more places than the average person will in a single lifetime. If I’m not a success story, then I don’t know who is…

But not only that, I have done so much more. I continue to give back, allowing others to realize the American dream! I employ those who need work, and I offer very competitive wages. This is no sweatshop. I would never allow someone to degrade me, by calling this a place of torture. My employees live happy, healthy lives. They work sensible hours, and take home hefty paychecks. Chaz Dillinger does his part for America, and he does his part with class, dignity, and respect. The man you see on television, isn’t the man who comes to this office for work in the morning. But at the same time, he is the same man. No one here would dare step on my toes, no one would even think about it. Here, let’s ask this young lady…

Chaz taps the lady on the shoulder, who continues to work, but listens in as her boss speaks.

Dillinger: Here we have the lovely Ms. Julia Black. Julia has been employed with Dillinger Entertainment for a little over a year now, and I’m sure she can attest to my previous statements.

Black: Yes, Mr. Dillinger. Everybody here enjoys their jobs, the benefits, the pay, and the hours. No toe stepping.

Dillinger: Do you feel like you’re stuck in a dead-end factory position, Ms. Black?

Black: There is plenty of room to move up in Dillinger Entertainment. I started out unpacking plain white shirts. Since then, I’ve moved up, gotten two raises, and even increased my benefits package. I love it here!

Dillinger: And there you have it. To be a success, all you need is a little bit of hunger in your heart. Ms. Black’s job might not look like much, but to her, she’s doing something with her life. And she knows better than to bite the hand that feeds her. I pay her a nice sum of money to ensure that all Dillinger Entertainment merchandise is carefully handled, and properly shipped. She does her job well, and I repay her by making sure she and her family are taken care of.

Chaz places his hand upon Julia’s shoulder, thanking her for her time. He walks away, and backs into a corner of the room. Away from his employees, he continues to address his audience.

Dillinger: Both Julia and I, we’re living the American dream. But while her ceiling might be held in the confines of Dillinger Entertainment Studios, like I said previously, Chaz Dillinger has no ceilings. Anything associated with Chaz Dillinger becomes a profitable endeavor. Wrestling merchandise, APW and Chaz Dillinger profit from. The Chaz Dillinger Hour, ratings and website hits go through the roof. And I could even expand outside of that! Television, movies, even music! Chaz Dillinger would be a chart-topper! Who needs Jason Kash quoting Hannah Montana, when he could be drawing inspiration from the Revolutionist?

Chaz chuckles, but is able to “get it together”, and continue.

Dillinger: I can’t help it, that I was dealt a good hand in life. I was set-up, bred for a successful journey. Anything I do, I will succeed. But that still doesn’t change that fact that my heart beats for, and always will beat for professional wrestling. It’s what I live for, and if I have my way, I’ll die inside of a wrestling ring! As a kid, this is all I wanted to do! I would sit by the television, mesmerized by now-legends in the sport. I grew up in one of the best eras that professional wrestling has ever had. And when I had my opportunity to break into the business, I took it. But not only did I take it… I took that ball, and I scored with it!

It wasn’t until recently, that people started questioning my abilities as a singles competitor. And now that I’ve proven myself once again, we can get back to business. If one win wasn’t enough, the two wins last Sunday night, should have definitely done the trick, as Chaz Dillinger moves on in the Test for the Best Tournament. And seeing as how I’m the only hope left for the T.R.I., it’s up to me to win it all! But that’s the way I like it, I do my best work under pressure. And with all eyes on me at the pay per view, I will undoubtedly move right past Mike Morrison!

Mike Morrison… A man who gets off on the pain and displeasure of those who opposes him. Sounds like a guy I could really get along with, but there’s far-more to this deranged human being, more than I would ever like to find out. He’s a certified nut-job, the kind of person who should be placed in a home, separated from the rest, and in the comfort of his own padded play-place. I know he doesn’t have a choice, but is this the guy that President Jeff wants to represent his company? Mike Morrison? Imagine him winning the tournament… Imagine Mike Morrison being pushed to the top of APW…

Radio shows, talk-show interviews, sponsorships… Mike Morrison isn’t capable of garnering good publicity for Action Packed Wrestling! I mean, I could see in in a condom commercial. He’d be a great prime-example of why you should use protection! But other than that, Mike Morrison shouldn’t even be allowed to affiliate himself with our company! People take one look at Mike Morrison, and they can’t help but laugh. He’s a joke, and nothing more than “part of the spectacle” that has become “sports entertainment”. I get it, he’s here for our amusement. He’s here to make people feel better about their lives, to entertain them, and to allow them a chance to escape their own reality while he’s on the screen. But people don’t want to see him! People aren’t going to place their hard-earned dollars down on the table, just to see some off-his-rocker wacko!

Chaz pauses for another moment.

Dillinger: They want to see Chaz Dillinger. But more than that, they’re ready to see Chaz Dillinger skyrocket to the top. They might boo me, they might not accept me for who I am as a person… But they can’t deny my abilities. Every man, woman, and child that watches APW television, knows that Chaz Dillinger is in a class all by himself. They know that Chaz Dillinger, on any-given-night can out-wrestle anyone put in front of him. They know damn-well that Chaz Dillinger can dominate the competition, whenever he steps between the ropes! And while Mike Morrison continues to self-destruct, I’ll swoop in and soundly crush his every hope and dream of ever moving past me!

For Mike Morrison to even move past his match with Chaz Dillinger, would be a crying shame. I find it absolutely absurd to even try and fathom Mike Morrison moving on to the semifinals! Besides making it this far, what else has he done in Action Packed Wrestling? What does he possess in his repertoire that could even remotely intimidate me? Nothing, that’s what! And there’s nothing that he can do, or say for that matter, that should persuade anyone else’s opinion to the contrary! It’s almost as if Mike Morrison has set himself up once again, for yet another letdown. Because in his heart, Mike Morrison knows that he’s only half the man that I am! And calling him “half the man” is a bold statement in itself!

Mike... Let’s lay it all out, and let’s analyze the data… You don’t measure up to me, as a man, in any way, shape, or form. Chaz Dillinger has it all, everything that you DON’T have. Now I’m not talking about the money, the women, or the fame. Brush that all aside for a moment, and focus on the two of us as individuals. In comparison to me, you’re nothing but a little boy. Mentally and physically, you’re in the league of 12 year old boys all around the world, just like I was previously talking about. And Chaz Dillinger? Well, Chaz Dillinger is a mans man. He’s a hard-working, self-motivated entrepreneur, who has continued to defy the odds since the day he was placed on this earth! I might have been born with a silver tongue, and a silver spoon in my mouth, but the fact of the matter is that I can still back it all up. Now, can you say the same?

Bottom line… It’s my duty to ensure that Mike Morrison fails in his attempts to come out victorious in this tournament. In my opinion, Mike Morrison’s victory would only bring negative vibes to our organization. APW as a whole, would be looked at as a joke. I for one, don’t intend on being looked at as a joke! I’m going to send that nutcase to the loony-bin, right where he belongs! That is, after I’m done sending him to the hospital. And trust me, give me the chance “lad”, and I will make sure you’re pissing in a bed pan for a long time to come.

Chaz lets out an evil laugh.

Dillinger: But when I win, who’s next? Who does that leave in Chaz Dillinger’s path to the finals? Looking at the brackets, it’s either going to be one of two people. It’s either going to be Johnny Knuckles, who we know I have a history with… Or it will be the one, the only, Sally Talfourd.

Another sinister laugh is given, as Chaz rubs his chin.

Dillinger: I’m going to assume that Sally has this one covered, that she’s capable of taking out this once-game APW…

Chaz acts like he’s choking for a moment.

Dillinger: And I use this term loosely… Megastar… I’m sure she’s just as confident in herself as I am, that she’s going to move along in the tournament, and have her date with destiny. But if not, that just makes it easier for me. Because if Johnny Knuckles somehow squeezes past the Last Magician, there’s no way he’s making his way past the Revolutionist! It’s apparent from our previous encounters that I’m better than Johnny Knuckles, in every single way! I’m not a brawler, and I’m not a street fighter. I’m a professional wrestler! And in the wrestling business, it pays to be such! Johnny Knuckles is the embodiment of what should and can be seen at your local YMCA. One steroid away from a catastrophic breakdown, proving my theory to be true, that Johnny Knuckles just isn’t right.

He doesn’t have the brains to outsmart Sally Talfourd, and he definitely doesn’t have the brains to outsmart me! Johnny Knuckles, in every sense of the word, you are a has-been. Your glory days are gone, long behind you! But you were broke, in need of some fast cash… So what easier way is there? It was a simple decision for you to come out of retirement, and come back into the APW fold. The problem is, you’re in the middle of ruining a very illustrious career.

Chaz scoffs.

Dillinger: You’re making a fool of yourself, you have no direction! Money is your motive, and your missing out on your “second wind”. If you ask me Knuckles, you’re tarnishing your legacy. And while you might be able to compete at a stellar level, everyone still knows that you’re not half as good as you used to be! Back in your prime, I would have had no problem with singing your praises. And although we don’t share the same style of in-ring combat, I still admire your guts and determination. However, your guts will be cut right out, if you step into the ring with me. And furthermore, your determination, will dwindle to nothing. Get past Sally, and you’ll be seeing me. Get past Sally, and you’ll be seeing your demise!

I pride myself on taking advantage of people like you in the ring! Case-in-point, do you remember what I did to Nathaniel Havok? Now, I might not have been the man that ended his career, but I was the man that kicked his ass last, and sent him packing! So take a look in the mirror, Johnny. Take a long, hard look into the mirror and ask yourself… “Do I really want to go through with this?”. Because Johnny, as God as my whiteness, if you somehow manage to sneak through the quarterfinals of the tournament next Sunday… You’re still going to have a snowballs chance in hell of making it to the main event. Because I’m the main event! I’m the new blood! And unlike you, Chaz Dillinger is here to stay.

How many more matches do you figure you’ve got left, anyway? How many more beatings can your already-stricken body take? Unlike me, you never took care of yourself. Always wanting to show how crazy you are, you’ll do anything for a pop from the crowd. Pandering to those mindless nincompoops has brought you nothing but pain and misery. Yet you continue to try and set standards each and every night, that you’ve never been able to set your entire career! Johnny, you don’t always have to be the “highlight of the night”, and you don’t always have to go for that “wow factor”. Winning should be your top priority, ever think of that? And besides, with Chaz Dillinger around, you’re no longer the highlight of the night. Because everywhere I go, that’s where the highlight is!

I understand why, though. I really do. But you’re a lot like Mike Morrison. Crazy, strange, and out of your damn mind. That’s why this tournament will be over for you, even before you realize it. By the time your damaged brain grasps the concept of you being eliminated, I will have already won it all! Be it by Sally, or be it at my hands, you’re still not making it to the final match. One way or another, you will be watching the main event from backstage. Or if you’d like, you can buy a ticket, just to make sure you’ve got a good view for the match…

Chaz drops his head, thinking to himself as he begins to rub his chin once again.

Dillinger: And then… There’s Sally Talfourd. I told you, didn’t I? From the minute I was given a second chance, I told you that this day would come. When I referred to your “date with destiny”, I wasn’t talking about some lesbian bimbo that you might find attractive. But I was talking about Chaz Dillinger. You know, the man that you’ve managed to beat two times in a row?

Chaz chuckles.

Dillinger: You know Sally, I’ve been known to forget about those lesser than I. But to my recollection, you, and Anthony Bailey are the only two people that have ever beaten Chaz Dillinger twice in singles competition. However, you’re the only person that has ever beaten me twice in a row. Bailey got his, and then he returned the favor. But when Chaz Dillinger attempted to return the favor to Sally Talfourd, things didn’t go exactly as planned. But this time, if you manage to beat Johnny Knuckles, it will be different. You and I, one on one, one more time. And one more time, is all that I need. It’s all I need Sally, because it will be a victory over you, that puts Chaz Dillinger in the main event of the Test for the Best pay per view.

Come to think of it, this will be the second pay per view in a row that Chaz Dillinger has been in one of APW’s main marquee match-ups. Last time, I fell short to the APW World Heavyweight Champion. But I can take refuge in the fact that it was Jason Kash who pinned me, and not Johnny Knuckles. You and I both know that Johnny Knuckles could never pin me! And as much as I think Jason Kash is a lousy excuse for a human being and a bad representation of that World Title, still better Kash than Knuckles. But what a feeling it will be, when I dominate you, show the world that Chaz Dillinger is indeed back on the map, and win the entire tournament. It will be a feeling like no other, a feeling that you’ve already felt once before.

I wont deny it… You’ve come back to APW guns blazing, looking as dominant as ever before. But I haven’t seen you anywhere near the World Title picture. I haven’t seen you even attempt to break through your ceiling since your return! What are you waiting for, an invitation? Well, I’ve got news for you, Sally! This isn’t a high school party, no invitations needed! If you want something, take it! I wanted a World Title shot, and I took it from Bulk Rogaine! In lamens terms, I didn’t wait for a damn thing! So I’m putting you on notice, giving you a chance to prepare, and to be at your best! Chaz Dillinger will represent Asylum in the finals of this tournament. And regardless of our past two encounters, this time, I won’t be the one that takes the fall!

Chaz makes his way out of the corner, and begins to walk out of the room. As we follow behind him, he shows us the courtesy of occasionally looking behind him as he talks.

Dillinger: I’ve studied you, Sally. God knows I spent many sleepless nights, wishing that I could put my hands around your neck just one more time. I’ve watched you, attempting to find a “chink” in your armor. And no, that wasn’t a racist joke that I just made.

Chaz passes by one of his employees, who politely steps out of the way, allowing Chaz and the APW cameras to walk past.

Dillinger: I’ve continued to search for ways in-which to beat you, and I’ve got a pretty good idea. But no one knows you better, than Level-One. No one has given you the challenge that he has, and since those days, you’ve been hesitant to be seen anywhere near his vicinity. So what should I do, go get tips and pointers from the man himself? Should I call him up, ask him what to do? No, I shouldn’t. I’m my own man, and I’ll be damned if anybody else is going to try and take the credit! But what I have done, is study your classics with him. You two had a heated rivalry, one that lasted way longer than it should have. But you just wouldn’t go away, would you?

So what are you going to do after I beat you, Sally? What are you going to do when I knock you out of this tournament, and represent the Asylum brand in the final match of the evening? The sad truth is, there’s nothing you really can do about it. Just like there’s nothing you can do that’s going to stop me. I’m tired of the questions, people always asking me if I can beat you. I’m sick of it, and it’s about time that I laid these questions to rest. This entire tournament for me, has been about getting back to you. But now, I see things a bit more clear. It’s not at all about Sally Talfourd. Plain and simple, it’s about Chaz Dillinger doing what is right for this business, and winning this tournament.

We stop at Chaz’s office, where he turns and looks into the camera again.

Dillinger: Sally… That ceiling I’ve been referring to… Yours… Is now paved with concrete. Because if you beat Knuckles, you’re going to suffer the same fate as everybody else, next Sunday night. Because while you cant break through cement… When you have no ceilings like myself, the sky is the limit.

Chaz immediately walks into his office, and shuts the door in the faces of APW cameramen, as the scene fades.