''One's'' Double Date

[Level-Two]

''One's'' Double Date

The Sindicate's stock on the market spoke for itself - stagnant. Progress over the past three weeks for the Sindicate Inc. arguably was uneventful perhaps even insignificant. And while this isn't a battle they lost nor are ready to lose their heated rivalry with ''NobleHart'' a tag team that literally holds true to the moniker ''half (a) man and half amazing'' had the Sindicate on the defense holding ground rather than on the offense taking it.

''So... what are YOU going to do to TAKE it!?'' - He could still recall Felipe plea in his head, it was almost as clear as the first time he heard it as he stepped up to a podium.

''I...''

He started and stumbled just as quickly before surveying the crowd of well-dressed sophisticated individuals. The press conference was broadcasted by Sindicate Inc live on television and he was the guy, the last speaker to close the show and sell the Sindicate to an entire nation.

''I... believe in Kurt Noble!'' The audience let loose an audible gasp. The LeWinter sisters who stood off to the side exchanged looks between themselves that expressed their angst – however, he continued. ''Yeah, that's right. I said it, I believe in Kurt Noble!''

''I believe he's an inferior human being and competitor to yours truly. I believe he's a coward more focused on carrying a deadbeat tag partner around rather than his own championship with any tact or pride. I believe Kurt Noble is nothing more than a fraud that will be exposed at the hands of the Sindicate!''

''Oh, I believe in Kurt Noble...'' He said with a smile as the crowd let out a sigh of relief and a rowdy round of applause. ''The question is... do YOU believe in Kurt Noble?''

''I do.'' He added once again. ''And as such, I have decided to withdraw my name from the experts arena this year. This year, I will not be competing in the experts annual tournament all because I believe in Kurt Noble.''

Level delivers the news with a great deal of pleasure as he watches Felipe come into his field of vision flabbergasted at Level-One's change of direction. After all - this wasn't on the script!

''I believe that if President Jeff truly wants to feed into the delusion that Kurt Noble is the best thing APW has to offer the world on our behalf then he should be put under scrutiny and forced to survive the confines of the utmost rigorous of tests. I believe that change can only come with sacrifice and I am willing to sacrifice my own chance at glory to help see the undeniable truth through.'' He said glancing up at the lights before turning his head in the direction of his Sindicate associates.

''Don't believe me?'' He teased. ''Felipe, wasn't it YOU who said that the Sindicate needed to do something big?''

Before he could say anymore his microphone was blocked off by the enormous paw print of Oglev who said, ''Эта речь твоя закончилась, друr’’ or ''This speech of yours is over, friend.'' In English - Level proceeded to exit stage left to a chorus of boos. The Sindicate's supporters wanted more but the peasants never get what they ask for.
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''I admit – you have a pretty big pair on you.'' Johnny Rebel said catching Level-One off guard in their greenroom as he watched him throw a journal into his duffel bag he had been writing in seconds before. ''What's in the book?''

''You know if you looked anything like Chris Hart, I'd think you were coming onto me.'' Level-One said ignoring his question all together. He realized Johnny wasn't in a jovial mood and quickly his smile faded.

''What's your deal, Johnny?'' Lester asked and later added, ''You know if you lived up to your own name maybe you could have done what I did out there yourself.''

''Sorry, I must have been busy following the plan.'' Johnny retorted. ''You know, the one that revolves around the Sindicate rather than yourself?''

''Oh right, that one.'' He arrogantly replied shrugging his shoulders. ''Come on, Johnny. This isn't our first rodeo, alright? That entire speech was made with your best intentions in mind.''

''Sure didn't sound like it.'' Johnny Rebel argued as Level-One rolled his eyes, exhaustively. ''You gave a five minute speech endorsing Kurt Noble as if he was running for political office and to top it all off dropping out of the experts tournament? How does less odds in our favor help the Sindicate?''

''Easy...'' He snarled. ''Our odds of running into each other in the brackets went from slim to none to statistically impossible if anything I was looking out for the Sindicate by removing myself from it, willingly.''

''So what? You don't think I could beat you if we matched up?'' Johnny Rebel said crossing his arms as Level-One hustled to the door wanting no part of the discussion but had been blocked off. ''You think you're better than me, don't you!?''

''You're dealing in the realm of fantasy booking now, Johnny.'' Level-One said with disgust. ''Listen, let's just forget this. I am not going to let your immaturity spoil what the Sindicate has here! We're a team.''

''A team?'' Johnny asked as Level-One pushed him aside and headed towards the door. ''Are we really a team or just two men working towards the same goal?''

This had Level-One stopped dead in his tracks as he dropped his duffel bag to the floor like a sack of potatoes before turning around to face his ally turned adversary in the moment.

''I don't know but maybe it's none of the above!'' He countered offensively. ''I mean, we're here arguing with each - other while Kurt Noble and Chris Hart are hitting it off color coordinating their goddamned ring attire for their so called special night and at this rate we might as well just hand over our titles to them and call it a night.''

''I am not ready to do that...'' Johnny replied.

''Then we have come to some sort of agreement then, haven't we?'' Level-One sneered. ''Let's not give the little people what they want to see, eh?''

''Never!'' Johnny confirmed. ''This seems like a really hard sell – how are you going to explain all this to Felipe?''

''I don't.'' He flatly replied as Johnny raised an eyebrow. ''Listen, I don't know if you've realized this but Felipe DeLoren is a man with his own selfish intentions and desires and I am not sure if he has our best intentions in mind, anymore.''

''Really?'' Johnny said lowering his tone as if Felipe was nearby. ''Are you sure, man? If anything, I think it's those girls who are stirring up trouble internally.''

''Kia and Violet?'' Level-One asked shaking his head side to side. ''No, I think you can trust them. They are the only thing keeping this ship together.''

''Well without Felipe there wouldn't be a ship.'' Johnny Rebel hurried to his defense. Level-One shrugged his shoulders as Johnny followed him out the greenroom and down a hallway towards the parking lot. ''So, what do you think he's up too?''

''Not sure.'' Level-One admitted his ignorance. ''I just get the feeling he's been trying to stir us up, trying to get us to go against each other.''

''Counterproductive much?'' Johnny’s sarcasm showed.

''Exactly.'' He confirmed. ''I think he’s been trying to sabotage us you know - as a tag team? He sees this as nothing more than a distraction from the undisputed championship. He wants one of us to hold it and I don’t think he cares about which one of us that is.’’

‘’Hey!’’ Johnny Rebel said interrupting with the flow of the conversation. ‘’Would you like to join me and Sarah for a little double date tomorrow night? I know us and our lady friends aren’t on the best of terms but I figure it won’t hurt to break some ice.’’

‘’Um, okay? Sure?’’ Level One raised an eyebrow at the odd interruption. ‘’Anyways, as I was saying, Felipe…’’

‘’Hey, sorry champ but I don’t think I have much time to chat right now. Listen, you meet up with us tomorrow night and we’ll discuss this over dinner, alright?’' Johnny said nudging Level-One on his shoulder on his way out. ‘’Wear something nice.’’

Johnny Rebel quickly marched off leaving Level One in a phase of confusion. He tugged on the collar of the suite he was wearing and vocalized his parting thoughts. ‘’What the….?’’
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‘’Come on Lester not over dinner.’’ Johnny Rebel said as he exchanged a shady look with Sarah. Johnny leaned over to Level – One and whispered, ‘’You know how the ladies get when we constantly talk about wrestling, right?’’

‘’Yeah, I hear you.’’ He mumbled he was clearly annoyed.

‘’So where’s Patricia?’’ Johnny raised the million dollar question.

‘’She’s late, I guess.’’ He explained. At this point he was that awkward third wheel and wanted no part of it, anymore. ‘’Well, I’ll let you guys get some time in to yourselves. I’ll sit right over and there and air out my own grievances about the food.’’

‘’You haven’t even eaten anything yet…’’ Sarah interjected.

‘’Yeah, whatever.’’ He said quickly making his break for it and taking an empty seat of his own staring across at the empty one in front of it with disappointment.

‘’At every point in a man’s life he’ll look across him and see what he’s lost but within the confines of this tedious process if he’s lucky he may find a lifetime of strength in a moment of weakness.'’

[/b] - Unknown

''I don’t believe in Chris Hart.''

‘’His ‘’talent’’ is exactly like my god – it doesn’t exist. His talent is imaginary – a paper tiger. It is a mere theory that hasn’t yet been proven a fact to the human eye. Chris Hart is not whom he says he is. So what is he you ask? He’s a wrestler but only one by name. After all, any schmuck over the age of 18 can legally wrestle a match but what separates the men from the boys is success. Thus today, we take the time to explore how a boy’s failure got him an invite to the big date.’’

He stops and tilts his head in the direction of Johnny Rebel and his lady friend Sarah who are chatting it up, seemingly unaware of the pair of eyes locked onto them.

‘’Fame, we all know what it entails even if you haven’t lived it. In this business when you reach the top of the mountain or anywhere near it – everyone within a ten mile radius is swept into the frenzy with you. These cameras that follow us daily make’s the entire experience that much more intimate. Hell, you’re even with me right now! I digress – the point is there are many people out there who want what you have and will do just about anything to get it.

And while I am sure Chris Heart’s ‘’relationship’’ with Kurt Noble originally started off on an innocent foot and best intentions in mind – there isn’t a doubt it my mind that at some point the relationship led astray. While I can’t say what has occurred behind closed closet doors as I was not there to witness it first hand, I believe that Chris Hart tugged on his so called friends heartstrings and emotionally bribed him into vouching for him. As a result of backstage politics Kurt Noble was able to secure his friend a luxurious spot on the APW’s roster - such a despicable act undermines the APW’s scouting process entirely. What is most telling about this is the lack of outrage as I have heard not a single cry against a blatant show of bias and unprofessionalism which continues to go unaddressed by the APW top brass.

No, instead we commend Kurt Noble for taking this loser up off the unemployment line and under his wing despite being an untested entity in the ring. Well, I don’t commend Kurt Noble for his unprofessional behavior. However, you are even worse than him! A true friend doesn’t accept favors he knows he can’t return! If you ask me to borrow let’s say… $8.50!? Well then I expect you to TURN it down if you’re too broke to pay me back! Mind you, a man of my stature doesn’t deal in the realm of small change but it’s the principle that matters and unfortunately for you Chris, it seems like you slept through that lesson!

You see Chrissy, when Kurt Noble vouched for you – when he extended a helping hand your way – that meant he believed in you, Chris and can you really say you’ve lived up to your expectations!? Can you REALLY say you’re anything more than a liability to him and his standing as the undisputed champion?

Go on, Chris… lie to yourself. At least it’s something we can expect from you.’’

He snarls as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cellphone. Level-One looks straight across from his own seat at the empty chair staring back at him. Unimpressed he sends his ex – girlfriend Patricia another text message holding out for her tardiness. He continues to address Chris Hart as if he could hardly be bothered to do so.

‘’This is real life, Hart. There aren’t enough pages in life’s big ass black book to write everyone a happy fucking ending. In life there are winners and then there’s you and that’s the way life always has been always will be and there isn’t anything the future foresees you doing to change it. You constantly look at Kurt Noble thinking you have what it takes to be him but no matter how hard you try, your nothing more than his cheap imitator.’’

‘’Come on Chris Noble… show us your favourite Kurt impression!’’

‘’Surely, I can’t be the only one that has picked up on the similarities between you and Kurt beyond your color coordinated ring attire!? See, I had the misfortune of sitting through your promos as of late and while nothing notable was ever achieved nor a single fuck was given – I couldn’t help notice that the productions was awfully similar. The camera angles – the formatting and selective editing – the color scheme – even down to the people you surround yourself with are identical. The last thing the APW needs is a Kurt Noble extended promotional video by the way of Chris Hart week after week! You know for a guy that walks and talks like Kurt Noble, you should probably get your priorities straight and wrestle like him too… only then you wouldn’t be such a complete and utter failure, Chris.’’

‘’Chris, not even Kurt Noble believes in you.’’

‘’Hypothetically speaking even if you were to win this match and take our tag titles – do you really think you would change anything? No, you wouldn’t because win – lose –draw you don’t have a single bone in your body to hold me or Johnny’s back against the canvas longer than three seconds, do you? How does it feel to know that the only shot you have at even winning depends on whether or not Kurt Noble is having a good a night? How does it feel to be SO useless that the only chance at you winning depends on whether or not YOU can survive long enough without being pinned by one of us and being exposed as the weak link Kurt Noble has ALWAYS known you to be?’’

‘’Chris you can curtsey down to the ring with Kurt with your stupid entrance music and the referee will announce your silly little tag team moniker and you can relieve your glory days one more time but once that bell rings, it’s over. You’ll be living out flashbacks in your head long enough for us to physically kick them from your skull, permanently. Chris each time your fragile body is forced to crawl to the aid of the man who has ALWAYS had your corner for a tag, you’ll be forced to watch him prosper in ways you can’t nor ever will. You’ll watch Kurt Noble be the star and undisputed champion he is and he will give it his all but in the end I regret to inform you it simply won’t be enough. With his pride swollen and his body aching, he’ll look to you – his friend - but as he makes his final desperation tag you two will cross eyes and realize that in his heart he knows it’s the end and that this is just one of those tests he was always meant to fail.’’

‘’I’m sorry if you were naïve enough to think you could save the APW from something it didn’t need saving from – perhaps your insecure projections would be better placed elsewhere, Chris.’’ He said before he raised an eyebrow. ‘’How can you possibly save APW when you can’t even save yourself?’’

‘’As for Kurt?’’ He started before humbly biting his tongue and lowering his head. He leaned over towards Johnny Rebel and Sarah who were at tables a few feet away and whispered casually excusing himself. Frustrated his date was nowhere to be seen he quickly hustled into the bathroom.

‘’His name is worth mentioning in a more fitting environment.’’

‘’Oh, please don’t allow my feelings towards you personally speak to your in ring ability which deserves quite some praise but as person, Kurt? I’d sooner eat cake out of one of these dirty urinals then to taste your humble pie. You’re the worst kind of arrogant – one whom is passive aggressive rather than out in the open and in your face and the fans simply eat it up, don’t they? Truth is you haven’t met a person in life you thought you weren’t better than. You don’t respect the Sindicate anymore then Chris Hart respects himself and if you truly thought we are the threat your fear mongering led a nation of morons to believe then you would have found yourself a real tag team partner to challenge us! However – you seem to be under the impression that you could defeat us with anyone in your corner. I’d go as far as to say the only reason Chris Hart is there in the first place is to fulfill the stipulation of what qualifies as a tag team’’

‘’Though, I’d reckon you’d be better served protesting to the sports commission to allow a bag of potatoes to take your corner at Test for the Best – it’d be just as effective.’’

‘’I digress.’’ He said with a sigh before someone in the bathroom dropped a deuce. ‘’Point is, you’re a piece of a shit Kurt. You and everyone else portray the Sindicate as cowards, why? As far as I can see the attack on Chris Hart was nothing more than pre-emptive action done onto a rival faction that declared our grounds a warzone. Also withstanding the last thing a coward would do is bring the fight to the enemy, cowards avoid confrontation.’’

He paused and looked at himself in the mirror with a toothily grin on display.

‘’You know, kind of like you Kurt?’’

‘’Oh, you thought we wouldn’t notice? I knew there was a much bigger incentive in it for you in all this. You declare war on the Sindicate on the behalf of Chris Hart was nothing more than a rouse that would not only allow you to keep Chris Hart content with his mediocrity but also give you an opportunity to call yourself a champion rather than actually being one. You lied to your fans and fiend urgency as if we were about to ruin the APW any day now and you had to stop it immediately or the APW would be beyond repair when the truth of the matter is the only thing we are a threat to was; you.’’

He turns around and looks at a bathroom stall with words written across it – each one of them being derogatory terms. He shakes his side to side and he makes his way out the bathroom. ‘’Kurt if there was one word that would describe you best it would be a simple one; selfish.’’

‘’Your rule as undisputed champion while short lived and untested is of the most tyrannical variety something of the likes the APW has never seen before. With guys like me you know what you’re getting but you? You don’t show your emotions – your intentions are hardly read and you’ve earned the loyalty of the people who are blind to your ways. Ironically, the APW does need saving but you are far from the hero that will make that pipe dream a reality.’’

‘’A year ago at Test for the Best, I was busy defending my undisputed world title. The only thing I had to fight for was for everything I had to lose and on that night I lost it, Kurt. You don’t know how that feels, do you? Imagine defending your title on a night that you know a rematch clause is invalid because they are already busy finding their next undisputed title contender and it could be months upon months before you would receive your chance at vengeance!''

''Imagine it.’’

‘’Imagine still not receiving that chance at vengeance to this very day, a year later?’’ At this point he re – joins his table for one. While seated he hears Johnny Rebel and Sarah whisper about him but he doesn’t pay them much attention. ‘’Now imagine this…’’

‘’Imagine watching a so called ‘’champion’’ masquerading as a brave soldier in a war who would have avoided the entire draft if it wasn’t for the spoils. Imagine having to oppose someone who rather than stand for a cause of their own seeks to instead stand against yours out of pure jealousy and envy.’’

‘’Stop.’’ He said waving his hand. ‘’You don’t need to imagine anymore.’’

‘’For I live it every day and I hate it. I HATE knowing that there is a gravitational pull within this universe that leads us in favor of Kurt Noble. I HATE having to put that much more effort into EVERYTHING I do because people look at EVERYTHING he does with a pair of rose colored glasses on! I HATE having to surround myself around people I wouldn’t in a million years JUST so I can even the fucking playing field!’’

‘’Hey dude! Come on!’’ Johnny Rebel protested.

‘’Sorry, I’m on a roll.’’ He said catching himself mid thought. ‘’A year later here you are calling yourself a champion just like I did but you won’t lose a bit of sleep. You don’t have to approach this match knowing that you have something to lose. You don’t have to approach this match knowing that they have already found your replacement long before they even know who it is.’’

‘’However, Kurt my hate has led me to philosophy I truly believe we both are going to hold onto for the rest of our lives when the dust settles and our careers are complete.’’ Level-One lectured before leaning back in his chair comfortably at this point he realizes Patricia had stood him up. Still, he never relents. ‘’Kurt, I’m sick of being stood up.’’

‘’I believe this is nothing more than a test and that your sole existence on earth was to take me to task. I believe the deck isn’t rigged against me but instead for me and with it comes the Skeleton key to unlocking my true potential.’’

‘‘I believe the reason why you aren’t defending your title is because you Kurt Noble - you don’t have anything to prove to the world, anymore.’’

''Kurt, now comes the part where you can take my belief too.''

‘’This is the test for the best and I already know you aren’t it.’’[/font][/b]
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