Modern War / In Your Head

[T-Marv]

Throughout history, this embattled world of ours has been witness to an ENDLESS supply of wars. Some of those wars have been absolutely Justified…they’ve been to protect a group of people or a very fundamental idea. The casualties of said wars knew exactly what they were sacrificing for. These wars are unfortunate but necessary.

Then there have been wars started for petty and insignificant purposes…. One man’s greed, one man’s hate. The people fighting in these wars, the people giving their lives for a purpose that they don’t truly believe in are wasted commodities. These wars are tragic, unwarranted and unnecessary.

There is a new war raging in this very instant in history. Sure, it’s not between two massive countries with an unlimited supply of cannon fodder soldiers to line the dirt of the battlefields. It’s not being fought with great missiles of destruction. It’s not even being fought in back rooms and dark alleys with shadows as the weapons themselves. This war is being fought out in the open…it is being fought between two people in the middle of a wrestling ring.

However, don’t explain away this conflict by coming to the mistaken conclusion that it only involves Kurt Noble and Terry Marvin. You see, this battle is about more than just a belt, about more than just a couple bruises and scrapes to a few innocent bystanders. This is a battle for the soul of every single wrestling fan on this planet. Some may say that this may be THE WAR TO END ALL WARS!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

In this war, as in all wars, there are certain questionable tactics used by each side. Though there are no true RULES to war, history has dictated a certain code of honor where combat is concerned. When this code has been broken, there have often been post war consequences carried out by the “winning” side! Then again, as we all know, HISTORY is dictated by the winner!

As for our war. I believe the tactics can be summed up in one phrase.

The Snowball Effect: The process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger (graver, more serious), and perhaps potentially dangerous or disastrous

No doubt we have seen that happen in our particular war….

”Who the hell are you anymore?” The tears welled up inside Faythe’ eyes cannot hide the rage and fury behind them.

The man she’s screaming at so pationatly is her Husband Terry Marvin who stands by seemingly unfazed by her venomous tone.

”What kind of bullshit question is that? I’m the same ‘Give Everything I’ve Got’ competitor that I’ve always been. If you don’t agree with my methods…..” Terry is quickly cut off by a sharp look in his direction.

”Your METHODS? Do you mean your BRUTALITY? Of course I don’t agree with your methods. What good is beating the living snot out of a couple of grandparents? And then, you threatened Amy after all that poor girl has been through?”

Terry seems to be in a very defensive stance right now. ”I am not about to defend my actions. I did what was necessary. I did what NEEDED to be done.”

Faythe’s rage builds in her eyes. ”What needed to be done? You honestly believe that don’t you? You truly think that your actions are 100% justified?”

Terry’s demeanor is calm and unfazed. ”Of course it was! Kurt Noble forced my hand. Kurt Noble brought this all about himself. Kurt Noble is the one and only reason for anything bad that has happened to him and those stupid enough to be around him! ”

Faythe looks absolutely disgusted now. ”You’ve lost it. You have completely gone off the deep end. What the hell happened to the man I married?”

Terry just smiles from ear to ear. ”He’s standing right in front of you babe.”

She shakes her head viciously. ”No!” She’s so angry her voice cracks. She has to choke back tears. ”No, you’re some other entity dressed in Terry’s skin! You’re not my husband… you’re a monster!”

She screams this at him, really trying to drive the point home. Perhaps this tirade will knock some sense into him, she hopes. Maybe she can reach that part deep down inside his soul that still remembers the way things used to be. Or perhaps not!

Terry just tilts his head for a second, looking at the ground as he contemplates what she said. Faythe relaxes a bit thinking that her words hit home. But then terry looks up with an empty, emotionless look in his face that causes Faythe’s heart to drop.

”You’re DAMN RIGHT I’m a monster. And who exactly do you think made me this way? Do you think this is something that just happened. Do you think I just “became” this way out of the blue? I tried to do things the right way….but those fans, those people LAUGHED at me. They didn’t hate me, didn’t love me… I just didn’t exist. Do you know what it’s like to feel like you don’t exist? It’s cold, it’s empty, it’s DEAD! But now, I have finally taken matters in my own hands. I will do anything, EVERYTHING it takes to accomplish my goals. Kurt Noble wasn’t going to sign that contract, wasn’t going to give me what I earned. So I did what I had to do…and I’d fucking do it again in a heartbeat.”

Faythe just shakes her head, unable to comprehend what is coming out of his mouth. Though it’s against her better judgment, she decides to argue with him just so she can gain some grasp on how deep his insanity runs. ”But, if he didn’t sign, then he would have lost the title and it would have been handed to you right there. It would have been his loss, your gain. I mean, that’s what this is all about isn’t it? You just want the title.”

He bursts out into laughter so suddenly that it causes Faythe to jump and raise her hands in defense. He shakes his head and his face is one of pity now as if he is ashamed of Faythe’s naivety.

”No Faythe. I don’t JUST want the title. I want to watch the look in Kurt’s eyes as I dethrone him. I want to hear the heart break of every single member of the crowd when the ref awards it to me. I want to see the soul be sucked out of his body when he realizes that he’s no longer the cream of the crop. I don’t just want Kurt’s title, I want to be the one to WIN it from him! I want to be the DOWNFALL of Kurt Noble, I want to be his END!”

Terry smiles a wicked, vicious smile that would cause old women to weap and children to hide in terror. For Faythe, however, it caused her heart to long for the warmth of the man she loves.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

As you see, it’s clearly easy to justify any means if the ends are important enough. In this backwards world we live in, everything is up for interpretation. However, underhanded tactics used in warfare are simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to analyzing this particular war. So much more goes into choreographing the complete and total annihilation of your enemies!

Allies… No matter the battle, there is nothing like turning your head and having the assurance that somebody is there to get your back. Nobody can win a war alone, no matter how much it feels like you are. Hold on to your allies. Don’t be like our subject Kurt Noble and turn ever single person who ever cared about you into a bitter enemy who no longer wants even the slightest thing to do with you!

Everyone needs a wingman….or wing woman for that matter.

No man is his own Army.

The tension is palpable in the room as Terry and Faythe stand face to face, looking about as much of a husband and wife as Tom and Jerry!

”Your hatred of Kurt Noble has gone too far! You don’t care who you hurt do you?”

Terry’s face suddenly softens as he lets out a sigh. ”That’s not true. I have never intentionally tried to hurt you.”

She scoffs at this. ”YEAH! You sure have a funny way of displaying that. I come second to you. I have always come second to you.”

Terry is at a loss for words, something that happens about as often as a solar eclipse. He can’t argue that she was on the backburner when he tried to keep the Overdrive title. There’s no doubt that she’s been a second thought when it comes to the Undisputed Title.

”Maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t outwardly show you how I feel as much as I should! But you look me in the eyes right now and tell me that my winning this title doesn’t mean as much to you as it does me!”

She’s taken aback by this. Of course she didn’t. All she truly wanted was for Terry to be happy and successful. Being the Undisputed Champion won’t affect her feelings for him one single bit. But maybe that’s not what he’s saying. Maybe his happiness was all that mattered to her, and maybe that Title brought the happiness that he desired, that he longed for. She seemed lost in thought about this idea.

Terry smiled at her hesitation. ”I know that you will love me unconditionally. But just think about it. All the work, all the late nights, all the pain and suffering…. Do you really want that to be all for nothing. Do you want your sacrifices to be futile? Or do you want to be standing behind your husband as he stands atop the world? Face it Faythe, there’s no more glorified thought than you sitting in the throne next to me as the presents worship at our feat!”

Faythe couldn’t argue much. The thought was extremely appealing to her. She’d be the most powerful woman in APW, and they’d be unstoppable. She’s been out of the limelight since she the days of CFW had come and gone! It would be nice to be more than just a face in the crowd again. Still, this doesn’t justify all his actions.

”You’re right… this means a lot to me too, BECAUSE it’s your goal, your destiny and I will do everything in my power to support you no matter what. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna like every single thing you do, and that doesn’t mean I’m not going to keep nudging you to the right path.”

There, that should ease her conscious for now.

Terry just smiles and puts his arm around her, kissing her forehead. ”I will promise you this much. I will be a thousand times better of a husband than that clueless oaf Kurt Noble. I don’t have to keep you hidden away in the shadows when I’m at ringside. I will display you proudly like a queen deserves, because I know that you’re smart enough to not get yourself in predicament after predicament, which is way more than can be said about Amy Noble!”

Terry smiles at his flattery, knowing that Faythe is on board. The fact of the matter is that he would have said ANYTHING to get her on his side…. However that doesn’t mean he isn’t telling the truth. Fact of the matter is, all he can see is the match, the war in front of him. He had just secured his biggest supporter and main ally…. He is winning the war!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Methods….Check.

Allies….Check.

The war is ready to be waged until there is only side left standing.

However, one must be curious as to why this has exploded into the massive, destructive strife that it is easily becoming. Why has a contest between two men for one giant trophy turned into the next apocalyptic disaster?

It’s because the cause of this conflict doesn’t boil down to the simple matter of earthly possessions.

One can point at the attack of Amy Noble as the root cause of this violent outbreak. It certainly fueled the vicious streak that has since consumed Kurt Noble and nobody would blame him if that were the sole reason.

But once again, It goes much deeper than that.

The embrace between Terry and Faythe seems to last days before they break off and engage in one of those kisses that they write about in fairytales. Finally the embrace is broken and as they stare at each other, Terry can see questions in the eyes of his beautiful wife.

”What are you thinking babe?”

She starts a bit realizing that he was reading her face. She’s a little timid to ask, but she really wants to know. ”Why is this so important to you?”

Terry is astonished that she’d even think to ask that. ”You know the answer to that. Ever since my first failed attempt here, it’s been my goal, my dream to claim the top prize, to stand on the top of the mountain and raise my hands to the God who blessed me so and be able to look down at all the fools who said it would never happen, to see them all beneath me quivering in fear and awe!”

”NO NO, I get that. I’ve seen the look in your eyes before when you had destiny in your sights. There was nothing you wouldn’t do, no price you wouldn’t pay to accomplish your goals. But this time… this time feels different. It’s less ambition and more…. Hate.”

Terry’s eyes fall a little bit as he tries not to show his true emotions in front of Faythe. However, he knew how fragile their relationship was right now. He had to tell her the truth. He saw the damage Kurt Noble did when trying to keep things from Amy. That wasn’t going to be him.

”Of course it’s hate! I hate Kurt Noble… I hate him with a passion. I want to see him writhing in pain as his life slips slowly away! I want to destroy his happiness and everything else about his pathetic little life. I want to RUIN Kurt Noble!”

”But Why?”

Terry paused. He knew the answer but did he want to admit it. ”Cause he’s a fraud!” Nice avoidance. ”He’s an egotistical prick who cares about nothing but his career, his success and his title. He sacrificed his family, his wife, everything to make himself a superstar.” Terry snarled in rage.

”And you haven’t?”

”BUT THEY STILL LOVE HIM!” There it is, the jealousy coming out. ”They call for my head, but they worship that sad little prick! And when he’s not throwing those who care most about him under the bus, he’s pandering to the every wish of those FOOLS!”

He continues to fume and no consoling from Faythe is able to bring his boiling point down.

”Call it jealousy, call it envy, call it whatever you want. I hate Kurt Noble. I hate everything he stands for. I hate the fact that he’s the King of APW. That’s why this is so important to me. That’s why I’ve been making his life a living hell. He deserves to be alone, deserves to lose EVERYTHING! And I deserve to be the man to TAKE IT ALL!”

He is visibly worked up as he breathes heavy and tries to calm down.

The war has begun. It has been fought in the trenches. It has been fought in the locker rooms. It has been fought in the airwaves. It has been fought in the home and in public.

Both sides have taken damage, both sides have lost. But one side is in position to claim the final battle. One side has positioned his troops in such a way that victory is assured. Now it comes down to one thing, and one thing only…. Who wins and Who dies!

“The object of war is not to die for your cause
but to make the other bastard die for his.”
- George S. Patton

-----------------------------------------------------------------

August 22, 2012 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Calgary Tower

*CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP*

The sun slowly sets off in the distance as the sound resounds in the open air. We see an almost overhead shot of the city of Calgary. The scene turns around to see “The Real Show” Terry Marvin standing at the edge of a guardrail that is his last defense from a 627 foot drop with a briefcase hanging from a strap around his neck. He stares at the camera with his back to the setting sun as he smiles.

”Well, Well, Well….. Kurt Noble I must say that you’ve been on the ride of your life lately haven’t you? I mean, you came into APW with nothing but the brightest hopes surrounding you, sticking your nose right into the limelight like the prodigal son that you often pretend to be. The last time something had that much hype surrounding it, “The Blare Witch Project” stunk up the theatre circuit causing more suicides than a Noble-Hart television appearance.

But you Kurt, you didn’t disappoint did you. I mean look… you rose to GREAT heights didn’t you? Sure, you had to slide a few knives into the back of friends and loved ones along the way, but what’s success with a few unnecessary sacrifices? And here you are, Undisputed Champion….Tag Team Champion….and most beloved superstar in the world…..WHOOPS, guess I’m a little late on that last one!”

Terry laughs out loud a little bit.

”Aww, don’t worry Kurt. I mean sure, fans of yours are turning from you in droves after you showed that the only thing important to you was holding onto that title no matter the cost, even the well being of those closest to you.

But surely here in your hometown, you’re still loved, honored and revered right? ”

Terry just smiles and shakes his head. He holds up a newspaper to the camera. The title reads “CALGARY JOURNAL.” The camera zooms in on a headline.

A Noble Fall?

”You see, this paper questions your recent actions in which you have failed to avenge your wife, threatened bodily harm and even murder against other human beings, and even allowed two elderly friends of yours to be injured so critically that they most likely will have to watch your epic defeat from hospital beds, likely with smiles on their faces. ”

Terry shakes his head ashamed of Kurt’s actions, or lack thereof.

”Apparently the Kurt Noble “Who could do no wrong” has faded away, replaced by this shell of a man who doesn’t give a DAMN whose life he destroys. But don’t worry Kurt, at least you’ve managed to hold on the that thing that really matters…. The Undisputed Championship. I mean, after all you’ve given up….it would be a shame to disappoint the global wrestling community and rendering all of your heinous acts nothing more than futile? ”

Terry gasps as he puts his hand over his mouth.

”Oh WAIT! That’s what I’ll be doing at Shockwave! Silly me.”

He smiles brightly before folding the paper up and tossing it over the edge of the tower.

”But what does a simple community paper know? Let’s move on to the big boys shall we?”

Terry pulls out another paper and flips through it to the sports section. He holds up a copy of the “CALGARY SUN” to another article with a headline and a chart next to it.

Whose Fault Was It?

”Ah, this is one of my favorites. I don’t read much because, well…I have a life. However, I have photocopied this particular gem and would have the entire thing tattooed to the inside of my eyelids if possible. Even though the author of this has no love for yours truly and questions the fact that I should be swinging a chair in the first place, He doesn’t place the blame on me.

Neither do more than SIXTY percent of the readers who clearly think that allowing their wife to be in the building, allowing her to come to the ring in the first place and putting themselves in such a position was attune to swinging the chair itself! ”

He smiles as he folds the paper up.

”Now that is harsh Kurt. Even your own people think you let everyone down. It won’t be the first time I’m sure!”

Terry laughs as he tosses the paper over the side as well.

”Though your hometown fans have lost their trust in your character and personality, surely they still keep their faith in your athletic ability correct?”

Terry smiles a sly, knowing smile as he pulls out one more paper. This one is easily noticeable as the “CALGARY HARALD.” Terry displays one more headline.

Can NobleDrive avoid being cancelled by The Real Show?

”Never mind what I said about the last headline. I want to have sex with this one! You see this gentleman feels that I have been playing recent ‘mind games’ with you and that they’ve had quite the effect.”

Terry fakes a look of concern on his face.

”Well gee Kurt, I didn’t mean to drill inside your head and scramble that giant egg rattling around in your skull. I mean, the only thing I ever wanted was to have a fair fight with you to really test my ability…..”

Terry tries to hold it in, but bursts out into laughter as he tosses the paper up in the air, letting it spread and float down into the darkening night sky.

”AWWWW… is poor wittle Kuwt letting the big bad meanie kick you off your game? I think it’s time to face the facts Kurt. The reason you’re so put off by me and everything I do is because there’s a little voice in the back of your head that is SCREAMING at you. It’s telling you what the world already knows. It’s telling you that this is the END Kurt. That your reign has run it’s course and you’re in the middle of one hell of a Chess game, one that you CERTAINLY cannot win! All your Pawns are running away from you, and your Queen doesn’t trust you!”

Terry smiles as he looks into the camera.

”Oh but wait… You somehow managed to bend the rules just a little bit and grab yourself another queen didn’t you? That’s right, Kylie Demens….wow what a catch you got there Kurt. Sure, she’s a little bouncy in the head, but I’m sure she’s even more bouncy in the bed isn’t that right?”

Terry leans in to the camera extremely close and whispers quite loudly.

”Come on Kurt, just between the two of us, you’re tapping that aren’t ya? After all, your wife is a little too banged up to get even more roughed up in the sack, am I right?”

He laughs as he backs off a bit and shakes his head.

”Well, at least you got one filly in your life who trusts you with everything in her heart? I guess it’s true that behind every good man is a GREAT woman. And I’m sure you trust her with your life don’t you Kurt? I mean, after all, she has done EVERYTHING for you and she is the one person you can trust right?”

Terry frowns and shakes his head with a small laugh in his throat.

”OHHH, I’m so sorry Kurt, that was the wrong answer. You see, I didn’t just come up with that stunt to use your friends and loved ones as bait off the top of my head. I’m a brilliant man, but I just can’t quite seem to see past you ego to find out what really makes you tick! However, Kylie seems to have some great insight into the mind of Kurt Noble.”

He smiles brightly.

”See Kurt, we made a little arrangement. I would take out that which stands in her way…namely your two social security recipients and the wife who ALREADY was on her way out, and she’d make sure that I got what I wanted, or what she thought I wanted. WHOOPS, guess you bet on the wrong horse Kurt. You see, Kylie just wants you as her man….you being the Undisputed champion isn’t a necessary part of her equation. She’s more than HAPPY to trade that little belt for the man she’s ‘CRAZY’ for!”

Terry laughs loudly and shakes his head.

”You really are a blithering IDIOT aren’t you Kurt? Don’t you see by now that I’m always THREE steps in front of you? Don’t you realize how predictable you are? And no matter what you do, I will always have an answer for it. It’s how I’ve lived my entire life…spent my entire career!

For you to think that I wouldn’t do everything humanly possible to knock you off your high horse was a WILD oversight on your part Kurt. You came into this thinking you were going to cake walk over this next challenge like it was no big deal. But I’ve been preparing for this longer than you will ever know Kurt. I’ve had this moment, this plan in my mind since I first stepped in the ring and dispatched legend after legend to get to this point!

YOU are way out of your league CHAMP!”

Terry smiles again and takes a step toward the camera.

”I have done a lot in my career. I have dealt with my fair share of assholes, idiots, and tough guys. However, the ones who have given me the hardest time, the fiercest battles are the ones who imagine themselves to be untouchable, to be immortal. They have confidence aplenty and their arrogance fuels them one hundred percent! They have no fear, and it’s because of that they are so successful!

But when I break them down to their very basic elements, I tinker around and find out what makes them tick and slowly deconstruct them until there is nothing left but one little thing I’ve chosen to leave alone. For you Kurt, it’s rage…anger….frustration. You’re so pissed at me, you don’t even realize everything I’ve taken away. But you will. You will see soon that I have left you with nothing, that I have destroyed you!

Just like all the other over cocky individuals that have bowed at my feet Kurt, your demise will be so sweet and tasty that I will savor it for years and years to come. The look in your eyes when you realize that the man standing in front of you truly is GODS GIFT TO WRESTLING…just delectable! ”

”Let’s not pretend what this is really all about Kurt, what that title really means. You have envisioned yourself to be this superstar who owns this planet! You have cut yourself off from all reality. Lucky for you, I am here to help you GET REAL!

You’re a LIAR Kurt. You’re a fraud who comes out here and pretends to be something other than what you really are. Problem is, the illusionary walls you’ve built around you are slowly crumbling down and your true self is showing through. I may be a lot of things Kurt….but a liar, fraud, and fake are not among them. I admit I’m an arrogant ass with an ego the size of Jupiter who would sell his own mother down the river for a leather strap with gold plating. I am the TRUTH Kurt. Nothing more, nothing Less!”

Terry shakes his head as he walks away from the night sky to the entrance back into the Tower. He stands there as the cool air blows through his hair stinging his face ever so slightly.

”Everybody thinks I’m the villain of this story. Everyone passes the blame on me for everything that happens. Sure, maybe I am the bad guy. Maybe I’m the devil who’s come to drag the APW and all that it holds dear down to hell with me. Maybe my winning of the Undisputed Championship will mark the beginning of the end of existence.

However, does that really make you the good guy? Does that make you an angel? Does that make you the hero? Or does it make you just another false idol that these people pray too until their eyes are opened by someone who isn’t trying to use them, who isn’t trying to fool them, who has been nothing but TRUTHFUL to them!

I am the GREATEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO WRESTLING, Kurt. I am the man who will lead the APW into a new era….the SHOWTIME ERA.

The days are getting colder. The nights are getting longer. This majestic season is coming to an end. But it will not leave quietly. For the Summer of the Real Show has one last burst of heat and fire left to go out with one hell of a bang. And when the fire finally burns out and the summer fades to fall, that cold wind will start to blow. And when it does, do you know what that means for the candle that is Kurt Noble and his epic title reign?”

Terry throws his hands up in the air and a bit of ash and smoke flies out of them.

”POOF! Nothing but smoke and embers!

You can feel it can’t you Noble. You can feel the chill running down your spine, the brisk wind blowing through your hair. That cold, is the end of your title reign. It is the end of our rule over APW.

Our battle will be bloody, vicious, and violent. But when it’s over, it’ll be you that’s left out in the cold.

Get ready Kurt… Soon the door closes on your career!”

Terry walks in and slams the door and we see writing on it.

IT’S SHOWTIME