Post by C.J. Gates on Dec 22, 2012 15:50:55 GMT -4
Harvey: These two men have been fighting through this grueling match for some time now.
Level One hauls C.J. Gates up and whips him into the ropes, catching him right in the jaw with a big boot. He then signals for the end as he picks Gates up off the canvas and scoops him onto his shoulders.
Harvey: This could be it!
Chase: You're damn right it is, Harv!
Harvey: Darkness Shine!
Level One plants Gates to the mat, smiles and then makes the cover.
ONE...
TWO...
-KICKOUT!
Harvey: Gates kicks out!
Chase: How!?
Level One glares at the referee before stooping to pick Gates up but C.J. fires a punch into the gut of the bigger man. He fires two more, but Level One raises a knee into Gates side. He whips Gates into the ropes and on the rebound, Gates ducks the clothesline, turns and drops Level One with the a shoulder jawbreaker.
Harvey: Market Crash out of no where!
Gates is slow to his feet and by the time he's up, Level One isn't far behind him. Before Level One can get to his feet though, Gates moves in and hits a second shoulder jawbreaker. As quickly as he can, Gates climbs up to the top turnbuckle and leaps off.
Harvey: Gatecrasher connects!
Chase: No! Not this way!
Gates covers.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!
Ferrari: Here is your winner, and new number one contender to the APW Undisputed title, C.J. Gates!
Gates is slow to his feet and is met by the referee who raises his arm high. Gates basks in the cheers from the crowd for a few moments. He closes his eyes, soaking it all in before they snap open.
"Was it just a dream?
"Will it only be a dream?
"Level One would have everyone believe that my beating him would be nothing more than a dream, a hallucination from taking one too many drugs. He would tell you that there is no way in hell I am going to beat him while I'm awake. While we're inside that ring at Christmas Chaos.
"Of course he'd be lying, but that's simply because Level One thinks that no one can match him. Even his Sindicate running buddy, Terry Marvin, is beneath the artist formerly known as Lester Only. The reason I know Level One is lying, is because I am very capable of winning this match this week. I know it, the fans know it...
"And deep down, even Level One knows it.
"He knows it and he's afraid. Can't say I blame him, really. He's got his image to protect, after all, and it probably wouldn't look good if resident nice guy C.J. Gates waltz's in there and beats you one, two, three.
"That's why he needs to cheat to beat me.
"That's why he needs to smash me in the face with a camera.
"It's not because he's trying to send a message, it's because he's afraid of what I could do. He's afraid of the wrinkles I could put in his plans when I win. He's afraid of looking like a washed up has been after spending all of his time piling dirt on me in the early stages of my time in the UWO.
"And he won't change.
"Because if he tried to, we'd all know he was lying. Trying to force some sort of alternate reality onto everyone.
"The real reality is that a dream me beating Level One can come true. It will come true.
"Just wait and see."
The scene opens with an aerial shot of the APW ring, the camera circling around, always focused on the center. The arena surrounding the ring is empty, and eventually the camera stops on an APW logo.
In rapid fire succession, various clips are shown of various APW Mega Stars being attacked with weapons, being turned on by partners, or attacking others with weapons. At the very last shot - a shot of Biggs caught in the ropes from the last edition of Overdrive - a man screaming loudly can be heard.
More rapid fire clips can be seen, this time of brutal beatings. Each one is followed by the close up of a bloodied face.
A darkened figure wearing what looks to be a cowboy hat can be seen standing with its hands on its hips. As the camera moves forward, a light begins to fall over the figure, slowly revealing him to be none other than C.J. Gates.
Clips of C.J. Gates saving people from getting attacked, standing up against individuals like Terry Marvin, Kurt Noble and Level One. After that the Christmas Chaos logo appears on the screen.
A clip of Level One smashing a camcorder into the face of C.J. Gates, followed by another clip, this time of Level One smashing the billion dollar briefcase over Gates' head.
Clips of Gates flying off the top rope with a Gatecrasher, hitting a Market Crash and a Dropping DOW can be seen, followed by him standing with his arms raised in victory.
The APW Undisputed title appears over the Christmas Chaos logo, shining in light.
Another darkened figure, this one much bigger, can be seen. The camera slowly begins to move towards him.
Closer still, and the figure removes his hands from his hips and folds them over his chest as its feet are lit up.
As close as the camera will get, allowing a light to wash over the entire figure, revealing it to be the winner of the Turkey Bowl, Level One.
Gates and Level One are face to face now, two separate images positioned together.
Level One hitting a Darkness Shine and then in a different clip, Gates hitting another Gatecrasher.
One more shot of C.J. Gates standing tall, this time with his arms folded over his chest.
The shot stops on the smiling face of C.J. Gates, with his cowboy hat pushed up slightly. After a few moments, the screen goes black and Vincent James can only shake his head.
"What the hell was that?" James asks C.J. Gates, who is sitting on the other couch in the office. "You planning on making movies now?"
"That was just something the PR department cooked up," Gates chuckles. "They figured they would try and add more fuel to this fire that is burning between Lester and I."
"Don't let Level One hear you saying that," James says. "He might point out that he was right all along."
"About what?" Gates asks. "About needing to make this match watchable? Knowing him, he already thinks that, so this video won't do much more then what has already been done."
"Or it might just allow him to believe that you think that too," James reasons.
"I didn't make it," Gates shrugs. "I had no say in it. I'm sure someone was just being funny about the whole situation and made that little video. I'm not going to condemn anyone."
"Even if you lose?"
"Even if I lose. Look, it's not like this video is going to be the difference between me and Lester. As technologically savvy as Lester wants to be, as popular and famous as his thinks he is, the video won't suddenly rocket him to the moon."
"I guess," James says. "It's a shit video after all."
Gates chuckles and nods. The two remain seated in silence for a few moments before James speaks.
"You worried?" James asks.
"About what?"
"The match," James answers. "Are you worried about what's going to happen at Christmas Chaos."
"Yes and no," Gates says. "I'm worried only because it's Level One, and as much as I know I can beat him, this is still a man who outweighs me by about fifty pounds and stands eight inches taller than me. He's bigger then me, so of course I'm worried that he could wind up killing me inside of that ring." Gates pauses and then shakes his head. "But I'm not worried about the match itself. I'm not worried that I'm not going to live up to my expectations, or that I'm not going to be able to win the match. I know I can win, it's just a matter of going out there and doing it."
"So you're only worried that he might kill you."
"He's already tried once," Gates says.
"That's true, but he had Terry Marvin helping him then."
"That doesn't mean he won't have Terry Marvin helping him at Christmas Chaos," Gates says. "That's how people like them operate. If they can fit it into the confines of the rules, then they will take full advantage over it."
"Yeah, but Level One thinks he can beat you with both arms and both legs tied behind his back. Why would he enlist the help of Terry?"
"He might not actively have Terry to help him," Gates explains. "But I'm sure they've made a little pact that if one of them gets into a hairy situation, or can't put away their opponent, all they have to do is set off their bat signals and the other one will come running out to help them, saving them from what they see as disaster."
"Well, they see it as disaster because they're all in," James says. "They either want to win or not be in the match at all."
"They want to go big or go home?" Gates asks with a smirk.
"Basically," James chuckles. "So why don't you see losing as a disaster? Especially this week when you're facing Level One in a match that you've been waiting for."
"Who says I'm not?" Gates says. "Normally, sure, losing isn't a disaster. Normally, I'm all about the fans and making sure that they have the best match they can have to watch. And I'm still about that right now, but this week, a loss would be a disaster. And not because I wouldn't be the number one contender either."
"Then why?"
"Because then Level One would have the bragging rights," Gates sighs. "He'd be able to hold it over my head and after everything that has happened, he'd rub it in like a God damn cockroach. But in the same sense, a loss for him is probably more likely a disaster for him then me."
"Because he'd realize his destiny didn't come through?"
"That, and because he'd realize that everything he's said about me, as small as he's made me out to be by saying that this match needed a little bit extra to be watchable, losing to me would make him look like a weak little school girl."
"Which is your game plan."
"To make him look like a school girl?" Gates asks. "If you mean that by beating him, then yes."
"Well, naturally," James shakes his head. "I do hear though, that Level One is out for blood."
"Of course he is, it's Level One," Gates says. "If he wasn't out for blood I'd be worried that I wasn't facing Level One."
"Yeah, but this time he's out for more than normal."
"And you know this how?"
"Twitter."
"Twitter," Gates chuckles. "Level One has taken to twitter to voice his thoughts on the match."
"Probably, but I heard that he was out for blood through his celebrity contacts. A lot of them are looking forward to the match."
Gates scoffs. "Celebrity contacts. Sometimes I wonder just how many of those contacts can be believed."
"Jealous?"
"No, not jealous, just curious," Gates sighs. "He's backed by one rich man in Felipe, so sometimes I wonder whether Level One is actually friends with all these celebrities, or if they're just getting paid to write a simple tweet. Then again, with technology these days, I wonder if it's real accounts at all, or if they're just being faked to make Lester look famous."
"You really think so?" James asks.
Gates shrugs. "It's possible. I just don't buy the schtick, that's all. But then again, I was never too worried about it to begin with. I'm focused on the match, not everything going on around it. The hype, sure, it's big, but I'm not going to worry so much about whose saying what and doing whatever else. I'm focused on Level One and I'll be damned if I stop being focused on him."
"You really want this win."
"Not the win, the match. It's all I've been thinking about, all I've been focused on. Ever since it was announced that Level One and I would face off, I've been making sure that everything lines up this week, that I would have no distractions on my mind."
"Which is why you went and talked with Vannah, right?" James teases.
"I was trying to gain some insight into Level One from her," Gates reasons. "After all, she learned from him, so she might not some of his weaknesses."
"And what did you get?"
"Nothing," Gates admits with hesitation. "She wasn't really in the mood to give out information on him."
"But she was in the mood for something right?" James teases again.
"We're losing sight of the big picture!" Gates exclaims. "The big picture of me and Level One doing battle inside of the ring, fighting for the opportunity to become the number one contender, but also fighting for more than that. Fighting so that I can prove a point about Level One being in over his head in this situation."
"But is he?" James asks. "I mean, he's a former four time World champion in APW alone."
"Yes, but he still sees me as an imbecile. As a lower life form. As someone who couldn't wrestle his way out of a paper bag. But he's wrong. I'm much more than that, but to prove it, I'm going to have to beat him."
"And this is where Christmas Chaos comes in?"
"Exactly."
"Like I said before, it's a lofty goal," James answers.
"I don't know if lofty is the right answer," Gates begins. "But there aren't many people who are actively looking forward to a match against Level One to prove a point. There aren't many people who are working this hard to get a win over him."
"And if you don't win?"
Gates pauses. "If, for some reason, I am unable to beat him, then I still want to make sure that I can prove myself against him. I want to be able to shut him up for good. To show him that he's not the only competitor around here."
"Which is possible for you," James says. "I mean, in all your losses this year, at Pay-Per-Views anyways, you've been so close to victory. At Rasslemania, you nearly had Kurt Noble beat, but even in losing you proved that you could hang with the best of the best on the biggest stage."
"And I plan to do that again."
"Against Level One, right?"
Gates shakes his head. "At Rasslemania when I take on Terry Marvin or Biggs for the Undisputed title."
"You've just got to get by Level One, first."
"It's a monster that I know I can slay," Gates says. "He's not unbeatable. He's not unstoppable. And after Christmas Chaos, I am going to be ringing in the new year in style. I am going to be known as the number one contender to the Undisputed title, all at his expense."
James nods his head. "If no one gets in your way, like say, Terry Marvin or Johnny Rebel."
Gates looks over at James and sits up on the couch. "Rebel. I'd never put him into the equation this time around."
"You were the one saying that he and Level One had a history, and that Rebel really didn't care much for you. How do we know that this entire match wasn't a set up to try and wrangle you into some sort of trap. You know, make you think that Rebel was working against Level One when really they were all working together to form some sort of coalition against everything in the APW."
"And if that's the case, that's something that I am going to have to fight against," Gates says. "I'm not adverse to it."
"But it could cost you."
"I'll be ready for it. Just like I'm ready for Level One, I'll be ready for whatever anyone else has to throw my way."
"Hopefully it's not too tall of an order," James says.
Gates grins. "It's going to be like old hat for me. Overcoming adversity, fighting the odds. But first and foremost, I've got to worry about Level One."
"And then you can move up to Level two?" James asks with a smirk.
"Oh, you're just a comedian aren't you?" Gates chuckles. "Puns will get us no where.
"But preparation will get me everywhere."
"'I can't beat you'.
"'You'll never beat Level One'.
"Those are lines I've heard all the time, each and every week. My entire APW career was summed up in that. When I started, it was every critic out there comparing me to everyone. I've got talent but I'm not as good as Sally Talfourd or Level One. Then I beat Sally, and it became just you and me. 'C.J. Gates is a great talent, but he'll never be as good as Level One'.
"Every critic was saying so, everyone except for me. Because while everyone doubted me, and while everyone was comparing me to the measuring stick that was Level One, nobody really understood. Nobody really took a look at what they were doing. They just kept writing me off, giving me back handed compliments, but always keeping you in the foreground.
"Maybe that made me bitter. Maybe that left me with something to prove. Maybe that left me with this desire to make sure that you were shown first hand that C.J. Gates is more than just a stale piece of three week old meat. More than just a nobody with a stale persona, a horrible way of being, and a lack of excitement inside of the ring. Maybe I wanted to prove to everyone out there that they were wrong. And I've tried. I tried to make those sentiments go away, but even when I was the champion, people questioned it.
"Just like you're questioning me now. I guess some part of me can't blame them, but not everyone will beat everyone in their careers. I'm sure there are one or two people that have given even you a hard time, Lester. Or, at the very least, a few people that have left you scratching your head, looking for answers.
"Of course, they probably don't constantly compare you to anyone since, if what you've said is true, then you're much older than you let on. And I'm sure that because of that, most of those comparable people have long since died, left the business, or disappeared in total obscurity. So yeah, you're able to walk with your head held high and no one remarking, since those remarks wouldn't be proven.
"But because you've decided to stick around as long as you have, I've got to put up with them. Leading up to this week, it was all I heard. Will he, won't he, can he, might he. It drove me crazy to sit here and listen to them all because I know that I am better than you, I know that I am able to beat you. I know that, given the chance, given a proper chance, I can pull out the victory and stun the shit out of you and everyone else.
"Thing is, when that happens - because it will - people won't be left in shocked silence. They won't be awed so thoroughly that they can't say anything. They're going to be cheering. They're going to have raised their arms in elation at the fact that yours truly finally slayed the giant that nobody said he could beat. I could get all cliched and start calling this a David versus Goliath match, but it's much better just to go with the good versus evil comparison. And whenever good triumphs over evil, everyone wins.
"Just like everyone is going to win after Christmas Chaos, because it is my goal to make all of those words go away. Sure, some people out there might still see it as a crock of shit, as an impossibility, but those people are the ones sipping from the same glass as you. Those are the ones that are telling me I can't slay the dragon. The ones who, like you, are claiming that this entire thing is just the happily ever after ending to a fairy tale.
"Thing is, Lester, that when the cover of the book is closed, when the fat lady sings, or when 'the end' flashes up on the screen, it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean that the ending is predetermined for you to win. It doesn't mean that I am destined to fail. It doesn't mean that we're suddenly going to go back to some reality.
"Because this is reality.
"And in this reality, things aren't summed up in a book. People don't take what you say as gospel, until the entire thing has been played out. Sure you see success for you in your tarot cards, but until we actually go through with the match, nothing can be said for sure. It's all just speculation.
"Which brings us to this weekend.
"It brings us to the eve of what could be the biggest night of 2012. The eve of what could be the most exciting night on the calender year. Or at least that's what it's become in my head. That's the way that I am treating this because right now, I'm working under the assumption that the other Pay-Per-Views didn't match up. They didn't match the magnitude of this one because a match against you, for the number one contendership, is as big as it gets.
"Oddly enough, I can hear your ego inflating already, but trust me, I don't say that to make you think more highly of yourself, or to continue on your God complex idea. I say it more because this match is what will help define what 2013 will become. A victory here will set me up perfectly for 2013.
"A win over your will not only show everyone that I can slay the dragon, but it will also give me that Undisputed title shot that I've been looking for. That chance to actually turn myself back into the man that I was in 2011.
"The competition has been heightened this year and while I slipped slightly, I've made the necessary adjustments to get back to that point. To reach the level that I was at when the calender last changed years. The fact that I participated in the elimination chamber and had a damn fine showing, the fact that I am getting this opportunity. Those are just two reasons to show that I have made some grand adjustments. I have managed to fight my way back up to the top and now, you're the only thing that stands in my way, Lester.
"And it would make all of the hard work worth it to come out on top at Christmas Chaos.
"I'll admit that you've put in hard work too, Lester, but the difference is the way we've gone about it. I know, you only see me as the model citizen of APW, the man who won't get his hands dirty. You don't see me as anything more than the person that kids can look up to if they want to be known as a goodie two shoes. You see me as having no backbone, no danger, no anything, save for playing by the rules.
"Which is fine, but I'm sure that you are going to be in for a surprise when things change. As I've said before, I might not be the one to break the rules, but if the rules are set out before me, if things are brought into play, there's a good chance that I will go along with the flow. Basically, that means that if I you are going to be bringing weapons into play, Lester, then I might too.
"Though none of this matters to you, does it? You don't care about anything that doesn't have Level One's name wrapped around it. If I'm not talking about you, building you up to be the monster that you've been trying to portray yourself as for months, then you just tune it out.
"You're too busy plotting ways to cheat. You're too busy trying to think up ideas to put you over the top, to cement yourself in the annals of APW. After all, you've held the title the longest, you've held it the most, You've got it into your head that your royalty, no matter how many times people state the truth. They state how you aren't untouchable, how you can be beaten, and those statements are backed up by the fact that you need to resort to cheating to beat me.
"You still pinned my shoulders, fair, I'll concede that point, but I won't concede the points about how you needed to cheat to achieve that. How you needed to do whatever you needed to do. It's like, somewhere inside, you aren't comfortable with your abilities. You aren't sure of what you're going to be able to do.
"So you cheat.
"But we've already been down that road before.
"So let's change our direction from cheating in the match to what that match represents. After all, it was your hundredth victory, wasn't it? That was the moment when you finally achieved three digits to your win column. The moment that you don't want any of us to ever forget. You keep hammering it down our throats, constantly telling us how much that means to you. But what you've decided to gloss over is that I'm not that far behind you.
"Since I've been wrestling, I've amassed over weighty wins. Eighty. Not exactly one hundred, but it's not ten either. I've done my time in this business, and I've made sure to earn my stripes. And I'm sure that when you take your next extended leave because things aren't going your way, maybe, say, after I beat you at Christmas Chaos, I know I'll catch up to you.
"But of course, I'm not at Level One's one hundred, so it's meaningless to you, right Lester. As if we're all supposed to hear what you say and take it as the truth. Even though one night can change the course of someone's destiny, we're supposed to worry about what has happened in the past?
"One night, Lester, that's all it takes. You could be on top of the world right now, cuddling your billion collar briefcase, only to have me swoop in and take you down a notch. One moment of weakness for me to exploit to come out on top. And that night is Christmas Chaos. You're in denial right now, but soon enough you will understand that everything I've said, is capable of being reality.
"Will be reality.
"We're living in a world free of fairy tales right now, Lester. A world where you are not God, and a world where your friends are only there when it benefits them. You've managed to get to where you are right now through crooked referees, loads of money paying people off, and a support system that is as crazy as the notion that I'm just some John Doe.
"And all of this brings us to this weekend.
"You have problems with me, and I have problems with you. This is where we settle those issues. This is where we settle the score. I know I can beat you, I know that you don't believe that, but I also know that I can prove you wrong. Then, you can make up all the excuses you want, you can spit as much venom as you want, but it won't change the fact that I beat you at Christmas Chaos. It won't change the fact that you will have to wait in line with your briefcase before you can challenge the champion for the title.
"There's no more need for words, though, because the moment is nearly upon us. Soon enough, everything will become clear, and soon enough you will realize that I am more than just a nobody.
"I am more than just a waste of space.
"I am more than just a generic nice guy.
"I am C.J. Gates.
"And soon enough, I will be the number one contender.
"This isn't the end for me, Lester. This is far from it. You might want this story to end, but for me, it's only beginning. Just like when you and Terry failed to kill me, I have been given another chance.
"And I am not going to waste it.
"It's time to put up or shut up.
"It's time to go big or go home."
Level One hauls C.J. Gates up and whips him into the ropes, catching him right in the jaw with a big boot. He then signals for the end as he picks Gates up off the canvas and scoops him onto his shoulders.
Harvey: This could be it!
Chase: You're damn right it is, Harv!
Harvey: Darkness Shine!
Level One plants Gates to the mat, smiles and then makes the cover.
ONE...
TWO...
-KICKOUT!
Harvey: Gates kicks out!
Chase: How!?
Level One glares at the referee before stooping to pick Gates up but C.J. fires a punch into the gut of the bigger man. He fires two more, but Level One raises a knee into Gates side. He whips Gates into the ropes and on the rebound, Gates ducks the clothesline, turns and drops Level One with the a shoulder jawbreaker.
Harvey: Market Crash out of no where!
Gates is slow to his feet and by the time he's up, Level One isn't far behind him. Before Level One can get to his feet though, Gates moves in and hits a second shoulder jawbreaker. As quickly as he can, Gates climbs up to the top turnbuckle and leaps off.
Harvey: Gatecrasher connects!
Chase: No! Not this way!
Gates covers.
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!
Ferrari: Here is your winner, and new number one contender to the APW Undisputed title, C.J. Gates!
Gates is slow to his feet and is met by the referee who raises his arm high. Gates basks in the cheers from the crowd for a few moments. He closes his eyes, soaking it all in before they snap open.
-----------------------------------------------------
"Was it just a dream?
"Will it only be a dream?
"Level One would have everyone believe that my beating him would be nothing more than a dream, a hallucination from taking one too many drugs. He would tell you that there is no way in hell I am going to beat him while I'm awake. While we're inside that ring at Christmas Chaos.
"Of course he'd be lying, but that's simply because Level One thinks that no one can match him. Even his Sindicate running buddy, Terry Marvin, is beneath the artist formerly known as Lester Only. The reason I know Level One is lying, is because I am very capable of winning this match this week. I know it, the fans know it...
"And deep down, even Level One knows it.
"He knows it and he's afraid. Can't say I blame him, really. He's got his image to protect, after all, and it probably wouldn't look good if resident nice guy C.J. Gates waltz's in there and beats you one, two, three.
"That's why he needs to cheat to beat me.
"That's why he needs to smash me in the face with a camera.
"It's not because he's trying to send a message, it's because he's afraid of what I could do. He's afraid of the wrinkles I could put in his plans when I win. He's afraid of looking like a washed up has been after spending all of his time piling dirt on me in the early stages of my time in the UWO.
"And he won't change.
"Because if he tried to, we'd all know he was lying. Trying to force some sort of alternate reality onto everyone.
"The real reality is that a dream me beating Level One can come true. It will come true.
"Just wait and see."
-----------------------------------------------------
The scene opens with an aerial shot of the APW ring, the camera circling around, always focused on the center. The arena surrounding the ring is empty, and eventually the camera stops on an APW logo.
"In a world filled with corruption and deceit..."
In rapid fire succession, various clips are shown of various APW Mega Stars being attacked with weapons, being turned on by partners, or attacking others with weapons. At the very last shot - a shot of Biggs caught in the ropes from the last edition of Overdrive - a man screaming loudly can be heard.
"In a land where lines are crossed on a daily basis..."
More rapid fire clips can be seen, this time of brutal beatings. Each one is followed by the close up of a bloodied face.
"One man stands against what is wrong..."
A darkened figure wearing what looks to be a cowboy hat can be seen standing with its hands on its hips. As the camera moves forward, a light begins to fall over the figure, slowly revealing him to be none other than C.J. Gates.
"One man stands up for what is right..."
Clips of C.J. Gates saving people from getting attacked, standing up against individuals like Terry Marvin, Kurt Noble and Level One. After that the Christmas Chaos logo appears on the screen.
"At Christmas Chaos, that man will do what he does best..."
A clip of Level One smashing a camcorder into the face of C.J. Gates, followed by another clip, this time of Level One smashing the billion dollar briefcase over Gates' head.
"At Christmas Chaos, he will fight against the evil that is spreading throughout the APW..."
Clips of Gates flying off the top rope with a Gatecrasher, hitting a Market Crash and a Dropping DOW can be seen, followed by him standing with his arms raised in victory.
"And in doing so, he will recapture an opportunity that is long overdue..."
The APW Undisputed title appears over the Christmas Chaos logo, shining in light.
"He will become the number one contender to the Undisputed title. And all that stands in his way is one man..."
Another darkened figure, this one much bigger, can be seen. The camera slowly begins to move towards him.
"One monster..."
Closer still, and the figure removes his hands from his hips and folds them over his chest as its feet are lit up.
"One degenerate..."
As close as the camera will get, allowing a light to wash over the entire figure, revealing it to be the winner of the Turkey Bowl, Level One.
"At Christmas Chaos, their battle will become epic, but only one man will stand tall..."
Gates and Level One are face to face now, two separate images positioned together.
"Only one man will succeed..."
Level One hitting a Darkness Shine and then in a different clip, Gates hitting another Gatecrasher.
"And that man, will be the White Knight of APW..."
One more shot of C.J. Gates standing tall, this time with his arms folded over his chest.
"That man is C.J. Gates."
The shot stops on the smiling face of C.J. Gates, with his cowboy hat pushed up slightly. After a few moments, the screen goes black and Vincent James can only shake his head.
"What the hell was that?" James asks C.J. Gates, who is sitting on the other couch in the office. "You planning on making movies now?"
"That was just something the PR department cooked up," Gates chuckles. "They figured they would try and add more fuel to this fire that is burning between Lester and I."
"Don't let Level One hear you saying that," James says. "He might point out that he was right all along."
"About what?" Gates asks. "About needing to make this match watchable? Knowing him, he already thinks that, so this video won't do much more then what has already been done."
"Or it might just allow him to believe that you think that too," James reasons.
"I didn't make it," Gates shrugs. "I had no say in it. I'm sure someone was just being funny about the whole situation and made that little video. I'm not going to condemn anyone."
"Even if you lose?"
"Even if I lose. Look, it's not like this video is going to be the difference between me and Lester. As technologically savvy as Lester wants to be, as popular and famous as his thinks he is, the video won't suddenly rocket him to the moon."
"I guess," James says. "It's a shit video after all."
Gates chuckles and nods. The two remain seated in silence for a few moments before James speaks.
"You worried?" James asks.
"About what?"
"The match," James answers. "Are you worried about what's going to happen at Christmas Chaos."
"Yes and no," Gates says. "I'm worried only because it's Level One, and as much as I know I can beat him, this is still a man who outweighs me by about fifty pounds and stands eight inches taller than me. He's bigger then me, so of course I'm worried that he could wind up killing me inside of that ring." Gates pauses and then shakes his head. "But I'm not worried about the match itself. I'm not worried that I'm not going to live up to my expectations, or that I'm not going to be able to win the match. I know I can win, it's just a matter of going out there and doing it."
"So you're only worried that he might kill you."
"He's already tried once," Gates says.
"That's true, but he had Terry Marvin helping him then."
"That doesn't mean he won't have Terry Marvin helping him at Christmas Chaos," Gates says. "That's how people like them operate. If they can fit it into the confines of the rules, then they will take full advantage over it."
"Yeah, but Level One thinks he can beat you with both arms and both legs tied behind his back. Why would he enlist the help of Terry?"
"He might not actively have Terry to help him," Gates explains. "But I'm sure they've made a little pact that if one of them gets into a hairy situation, or can't put away their opponent, all they have to do is set off their bat signals and the other one will come running out to help them, saving them from what they see as disaster."
"Well, they see it as disaster because they're all in," James says. "They either want to win or not be in the match at all."
"They want to go big or go home?" Gates asks with a smirk.
"Basically," James chuckles. "So why don't you see losing as a disaster? Especially this week when you're facing Level One in a match that you've been waiting for."
"Who says I'm not?" Gates says. "Normally, sure, losing isn't a disaster. Normally, I'm all about the fans and making sure that they have the best match they can have to watch. And I'm still about that right now, but this week, a loss would be a disaster. And not because I wouldn't be the number one contender either."
"Then why?"
"Because then Level One would have the bragging rights," Gates sighs. "He'd be able to hold it over my head and after everything that has happened, he'd rub it in like a God damn cockroach. But in the same sense, a loss for him is probably more likely a disaster for him then me."
"Because he'd realize his destiny didn't come through?"
"That, and because he'd realize that everything he's said about me, as small as he's made me out to be by saying that this match needed a little bit extra to be watchable, losing to me would make him look like a weak little school girl."
"Which is your game plan."
"To make him look like a school girl?" Gates asks. "If you mean that by beating him, then yes."
"Well, naturally," James shakes his head. "I do hear though, that Level One is out for blood."
"Of course he is, it's Level One," Gates says. "If he wasn't out for blood I'd be worried that I wasn't facing Level One."
"Yeah, but this time he's out for more than normal."
"And you know this how?"
"Twitter."
"Twitter," Gates chuckles. "Level One has taken to twitter to voice his thoughts on the match."
"Probably, but I heard that he was out for blood through his celebrity contacts. A lot of them are looking forward to the match."
Gates scoffs. "Celebrity contacts. Sometimes I wonder just how many of those contacts can be believed."
"Jealous?"
"No, not jealous, just curious," Gates sighs. "He's backed by one rich man in Felipe, so sometimes I wonder whether Level One is actually friends with all these celebrities, or if they're just getting paid to write a simple tweet. Then again, with technology these days, I wonder if it's real accounts at all, or if they're just being faked to make Lester look famous."
"You really think so?" James asks.
Gates shrugs. "It's possible. I just don't buy the schtick, that's all. But then again, I was never too worried about it to begin with. I'm focused on the match, not everything going on around it. The hype, sure, it's big, but I'm not going to worry so much about whose saying what and doing whatever else. I'm focused on Level One and I'll be damned if I stop being focused on him."
"You really want this win."
"Not the win, the match. It's all I've been thinking about, all I've been focused on. Ever since it was announced that Level One and I would face off, I've been making sure that everything lines up this week, that I would have no distractions on my mind."
"Which is why you went and talked with Vannah, right?" James teases.
"I was trying to gain some insight into Level One from her," Gates reasons. "After all, she learned from him, so she might not some of his weaknesses."
"And what did you get?"
"Nothing," Gates admits with hesitation. "She wasn't really in the mood to give out information on him."
"But she was in the mood for something right?" James teases again.
"We're losing sight of the big picture!" Gates exclaims. "The big picture of me and Level One doing battle inside of the ring, fighting for the opportunity to become the number one contender, but also fighting for more than that. Fighting so that I can prove a point about Level One being in over his head in this situation."
"But is he?" James asks. "I mean, he's a former four time World champion in APW alone."
"Yes, but he still sees me as an imbecile. As a lower life form. As someone who couldn't wrestle his way out of a paper bag. But he's wrong. I'm much more than that, but to prove it, I'm going to have to beat him."
"And this is where Christmas Chaos comes in?"
"Exactly."
"Like I said before, it's a lofty goal," James answers.
"I don't know if lofty is the right answer," Gates begins. "But there aren't many people who are actively looking forward to a match against Level One to prove a point. There aren't many people who are working this hard to get a win over him."
"And if you don't win?"
Gates pauses. "If, for some reason, I am unable to beat him, then I still want to make sure that I can prove myself against him. I want to be able to shut him up for good. To show him that he's not the only competitor around here."
"Which is possible for you," James says. "I mean, in all your losses this year, at Pay-Per-Views anyways, you've been so close to victory. At Rasslemania, you nearly had Kurt Noble beat, but even in losing you proved that you could hang with the best of the best on the biggest stage."
"And I plan to do that again."
"Against Level One, right?"
Gates shakes his head. "At Rasslemania when I take on Terry Marvin or Biggs for the Undisputed title."
"You've just got to get by Level One, first."
"It's a monster that I know I can slay," Gates says. "He's not unbeatable. He's not unstoppable. And after Christmas Chaos, I am going to be ringing in the new year in style. I am going to be known as the number one contender to the Undisputed title, all at his expense."
James nods his head. "If no one gets in your way, like say, Terry Marvin or Johnny Rebel."
Gates looks over at James and sits up on the couch. "Rebel. I'd never put him into the equation this time around."
"You were the one saying that he and Level One had a history, and that Rebel really didn't care much for you. How do we know that this entire match wasn't a set up to try and wrangle you into some sort of trap. You know, make you think that Rebel was working against Level One when really they were all working together to form some sort of coalition against everything in the APW."
"And if that's the case, that's something that I am going to have to fight against," Gates says. "I'm not adverse to it."
"But it could cost you."
"I'll be ready for it. Just like I'm ready for Level One, I'll be ready for whatever anyone else has to throw my way."
"Hopefully it's not too tall of an order," James says.
Gates grins. "It's going to be like old hat for me. Overcoming adversity, fighting the odds. But first and foremost, I've got to worry about Level One."
"And then you can move up to Level two?" James asks with a smirk.
"Oh, you're just a comedian aren't you?" Gates chuckles. "Puns will get us no where.
"But preparation will get me everywhere."
-----------------------------------------------------
"'I can't beat you'.
"'You'll never beat Level One'.
"Those are lines I've heard all the time, each and every week. My entire APW career was summed up in that. When I started, it was every critic out there comparing me to everyone. I've got talent but I'm not as good as Sally Talfourd or Level One. Then I beat Sally, and it became just you and me. 'C.J. Gates is a great talent, but he'll never be as good as Level One'.
"Every critic was saying so, everyone except for me. Because while everyone doubted me, and while everyone was comparing me to the measuring stick that was Level One, nobody really understood. Nobody really took a look at what they were doing. They just kept writing me off, giving me back handed compliments, but always keeping you in the foreground.
"Maybe that made me bitter. Maybe that left me with something to prove. Maybe that left me with this desire to make sure that you were shown first hand that C.J. Gates is more than just a stale piece of three week old meat. More than just a nobody with a stale persona, a horrible way of being, and a lack of excitement inside of the ring. Maybe I wanted to prove to everyone out there that they were wrong. And I've tried. I tried to make those sentiments go away, but even when I was the champion, people questioned it.
"Just like you're questioning me now. I guess some part of me can't blame them, but not everyone will beat everyone in their careers. I'm sure there are one or two people that have given even you a hard time, Lester. Or, at the very least, a few people that have left you scratching your head, looking for answers.
"Of course, they probably don't constantly compare you to anyone since, if what you've said is true, then you're much older than you let on. And I'm sure that because of that, most of those comparable people have long since died, left the business, or disappeared in total obscurity. So yeah, you're able to walk with your head held high and no one remarking, since those remarks wouldn't be proven.
"But because you've decided to stick around as long as you have, I've got to put up with them. Leading up to this week, it was all I heard. Will he, won't he, can he, might he. It drove me crazy to sit here and listen to them all because I know that I am better than you, I know that I am able to beat you. I know that, given the chance, given a proper chance, I can pull out the victory and stun the shit out of you and everyone else.
"Thing is, when that happens - because it will - people won't be left in shocked silence. They won't be awed so thoroughly that they can't say anything. They're going to be cheering. They're going to have raised their arms in elation at the fact that yours truly finally slayed the giant that nobody said he could beat. I could get all cliched and start calling this a David versus Goliath match, but it's much better just to go with the good versus evil comparison. And whenever good triumphs over evil, everyone wins.
"Just like everyone is going to win after Christmas Chaos, because it is my goal to make all of those words go away. Sure, some people out there might still see it as a crock of shit, as an impossibility, but those people are the ones sipping from the same glass as you. Those are the ones that are telling me I can't slay the dragon. The ones who, like you, are claiming that this entire thing is just the happily ever after ending to a fairy tale.
"Thing is, Lester, that when the cover of the book is closed, when the fat lady sings, or when 'the end' flashes up on the screen, it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean that the ending is predetermined for you to win. It doesn't mean that I am destined to fail. It doesn't mean that we're suddenly going to go back to some reality.
"Because this is reality.
"And in this reality, things aren't summed up in a book. People don't take what you say as gospel, until the entire thing has been played out. Sure you see success for you in your tarot cards, but until we actually go through with the match, nothing can be said for sure. It's all just speculation.
"Which brings us to this weekend.
"It brings us to the eve of what could be the biggest night of 2012. The eve of what could be the most exciting night on the calender year. Or at least that's what it's become in my head. That's the way that I am treating this because right now, I'm working under the assumption that the other Pay-Per-Views didn't match up. They didn't match the magnitude of this one because a match against you, for the number one contendership, is as big as it gets.
"Oddly enough, I can hear your ego inflating already, but trust me, I don't say that to make you think more highly of yourself, or to continue on your God complex idea. I say it more because this match is what will help define what 2013 will become. A victory here will set me up perfectly for 2013.
"A win over your will not only show everyone that I can slay the dragon, but it will also give me that Undisputed title shot that I've been looking for. That chance to actually turn myself back into the man that I was in 2011.
"The competition has been heightened this year and while I slipped slightly, I've made the necessary adjustments to get back to that point. To reach the level that I was at when the calender last changed years. The fact that I participated in the elimination chamber and had a damn fine showing, the fact that I am getting this opportunity. Those are just two reasons to show that I have made some grand adjustments. I have managed to fight my way back up to the top and now, you're the only thing that stands in my way, Lester.
"And it would make all of the hard work worth it to come out on top at Christmas Chaos.
"I'll admit that you've put in hard work too, Lester, but the difference is the way we've gone about it. I know, you only see me as the model citizen of APW, the man who won't get his hands dirty. You don't see me as anything more than the person that kids can look up to if they want to be known as a goodie two shoes. You see me as having no backbone, no danger, no anything, save for playing by the rules.
"Which is fine, but I'm sure that you are going to be in for a surprise when things change. As I've said before, I might not be the one to break the rules, but if the rules are set out before me, if things are brought into play, there's a good chance that I will go along with the flow. Basically, that means that if I you are going to be bringing weapons into play, Lester, then I might too.
"Though none of this matters to you, does it? You don't care about anything that doesn't have Level One's name wrapped around it. If I'm not talking about you, building you up to be the monster that you've been trying to portray yourself as for months, then you just tune it out.
"You're too busy plotting ways to cheat. You're too busy trying to think up ideas to put you over the top, to cement yourself in the annals of APW. After all, you've held the title the longest, you've held it the most, You've got it into your head that your royalty, no matter how many times people state the truth. They state how you aren't untouchable, how you can be beaten, and those statements are backed up by the fact that you need to resort to cheating to beat me.
"You still pinned my shoulders, fair, I'll concede that point, but I won't concede the points about how you needed to cheat to achieve that. How you needed to do whatever you needed to do. It's like, somewhere inside, you aren't comfortable with your abilities. You aren't sure of what you're going to be able to do.
"So you cheat.
"But we've already been down that road before.
"So let's change our direction from cheating in the match to what that match represents. After all, it was your hundredth victory, wasn't it? That was the moment when you finally achieved three digits to your win column. The moment that you don't want any of us to ever forget. You keep hammering it down our throats, constantly telling us how much that means to you. But what you've decided to gloss over is that I'm not that far behind you.
"Since I've been wrestling, I've amassed over weighty wins. Eighty. Not exactly one hundred, but it's not ten either. I've done my time in this business, and I've made sure to earn my stripes. And I'm sure that when you take your next extended leave because things aren't going your way, maybe, say, after I beat you at Christmas Chaos, I know I'll catch up to you.
"But of course, I'm not at Level One's one hundred, so it's meaningless to you, right Lester. As if we're all supposed to hear what you say and take it as the truth. Even though one night can change the course of someone's destiny, we're supposed to worry about what has happened in the past?
"One night, Lester, that's all it takes. You could be on top of the world right now, cuddling your billion collar briefcase, only to have me swoop in and take you down a notch. One moment of weakness for me to exploit to come out on top. And that night is Christmas Chaos. You're in denial right now, but soon enough you will understand that everything I've said, is capable of being reality.
"Will be reality.
"We're living in a world free of fairy tales right now, Lester. A world where you are not God, and a world where your friends are only there when it benefits them. You've managed to get to where you are right now through crooked referees, loads of money paying people off, and a support system that is as crazy as the notion that I'm just some John Doe.
"And all of this brings us to this weekend.
"You have problems with me, and I have problems with you. This is where we settle those issues. This is where we settle the score. I know I can beat you, I know that you don't believe that, but I also know that I can prove you wrong. Then, you can make up all the excuses you want, you can spit as much venom as you want, but it won't change the fact that I beat you at Christmas Chaos. It won't change the fact that you will have to wait in line with your briefcase before you can challenge the champion for the title.
"There's no more need for words, though, because the moment is nearly upon us. Soon enough, everything will become clear, and soon enough you will realize that I am more than just a nobody.
"I am more than just a waste of space.
"I am more than just a generic nice guy.
"I am C.J. Gates.
"And soon enough, I will be the number one contender.
"This isn't the end for me, Lester. This is far from it. You might want this story to end, but for me, it's only beginning. Just like when you and Terry failed to kill me, I have been given another chance.
"And I am not going to waste it.
"It's time to put up or shut up.
"It's time to go big or go home."
