Post by Chris Madison on Oct 1, 2013 7:04:34 GMT -4
"It seems like every time I take one step forward, I slip up and fall two steps back..."
"I don't know what it is but I just can't seem to get anything going. I can't seem to get any momentum flowing my way."
"Another Overdrive and another disappointing loss. While most saw my effort this week as admirable, I saw it as a failure. I'm not here to get an atta boy. I'm not looking to impress people with a hard fought effort. I'm here to win. I don't care if it's against some rookie just catching his big break or the world heavyweight champion. Any outcome besides a victory is a personal failure."
"I went into Helsinki fully expecting to shock the world and beat Johnny Rebel. That didn't happen..."
"But Helsinki wasn't a terrible loss. More of a moral victory. Another one up on the Space Cowboys. I'm sure they game planned and strategized for every possible attack that the Black Hand may try. So much so, they took NewGen Rising a bit too lightly. That in itself is almost as satisfying as having a hand in another one of your losses."
"Oh and how did that smoke feel as it traveled through your body down to your lungs? Burns doesn't it? Chokes as it slides down your windpipe? Biggs and CJ, you two need to understand that there are consequences for everything you do. All this could have been avoided if you had just let us take care of our business. But now your knee deep in shit and that little voice sits on your shoulder, whispering in your ear, telling you that you may have bit off more than you can chew!"
"We are the Black Hand. As long as there is breath in my lungs I will not allow APW to become the same stale wrestling programming as every other company."
A blacked out Chevy Avalanche pulled into the parking lot of The Warehouse training facility, creeping up towards the building as a mob of people huddled near the front door. The truck rolls to a stop a mere fifteen feet from the entrance of the facility. The driver door swings open and Chris Madison leaps out to the concrete floor. He leans back into the truck and pulls out his gym bag, tossing the strap over his shoulder.
He shuffled his way towards the pack of bystanders. He lets out a discouraging sigh as he reads their faces during his approach. Madison flips his black Oakley sunglasses that shielded his eyes from the bright sun to the top of his head. He places his hands on his hips and shook his head while his girlfriend Maria met him with firm embrace, wrapping her thin arms his tight physique. Her hands clasped one another at the small of his back and she squeezed ever so gently.
"Not really the welcome I was expecting. Why is everyone so gloomy?" Madison's question was met with silence from the group of trainees standing outside. "Did I miss something", he asked while prying Maria apart from him.
Doe eyed and innocent, Maria softly whispered, "Promise you're not going to lose your cool?"
Chris's heart sank down to his stomach as his eyes pierced through the crowd with a look that could kill. "Where is he", he demanded to know.
Maria quickly tried to plea with her enraged boyfriend. She put her hands up on his chest trying to prevent him from walking onto the training faculty but to no prevail. "Chris go easy on him!"
Chris pulled open the front door and noticed the broken glass as he walked through. Tip toeing through the carnage his face a steaming red. Doing his best Brad Pitt impression from the movie Troy, Chris stood a few feet from the doorway and screamed, "Nick!" Receiving no response Chris took a long breath before digging deep and yelling even louder, "NICK!"
He stood still with Maria by his side, huffing while trying to keep his blood from boiling over. Maria stood about a step back with one hand folded over the other and her head bowed down, anticipating a harsh altercation. Peaking out of the corner of his eye towards the back office.
He shot his head up, focused on the knob of the office door while the sounds of someone ruffling around breaking up the intense lull. Nick shoved the door open and stumbled out, tripping over the mounds of destroyed office decor. He locked eyes with his brother and immediately searched for an escape plan. Feeling trapped like a lab mouse caught in a maze, he quickly reverted to a backup plan.
"Chris I'm sorry..." He dropped to his knees, pleading with his brother. "I'm really sorry!"
Chris approached his brother with his fists balled up, chewing on his bottom lip. More embarrassed by his brother than angry, he grabs him by the collar of his shirt and yanks him to his feet. "First of all...stand up like a man. Face the consequences of your actions like a man. Second, what the fuck did you do now?" Chris released a hold of Nick but immediately followed it with a slap to the back of his head.
Nick sniffled as he was thrown to his feet. He rubbed his nose with his forearm and kept quiet as he stared at Maria. Chris instantly made the connection and bent down, whispering in her ear. Nick nervously watched on and waited for her to exit back through the front door. Chris peered back and saw that they were alone. "Well..."
"I fucked up Chris. I thought for sure that I could make it up to you, get your money back..." Nick lowered his head and stopped talking, knowing the tongue lashing he was about to receive.
"Stop pussyfooting around it! What did you do", Chris interrogated his younger sibling. Before Nick answered, Chris looked behind him and saw the damage through the doorway of the office.
He stormed passed Nick and made it to the doorway by the time Nick finally offered up an explanation. "I placed another bet..." Chris turned his attention away from the wreck that was his office and back to Nick. "St. Louis was getting three and a half against San Francisco at home. Did you see what Seattle did to them last week? I thought it was a lock."
"You've got be kidding me Nick. After we both got knocked unconscious just a few weeks ago. I told you to lay low until you go to Japan." Chris took a moment in an attempt to calm himself down. "How much this time?"
"Another ten..." Nick blurted out, ashamed of himself. "And I was supposed to pay up last night."
Chris placed his hands atop of his head, interlocking his fingers and walked away from his brother. "So they came here looking for their money? They came to my place of business for your screw up?" At this point the only thing restraining Chris from mounting Nick and punching his face into putty is that they're brothers. "I should have taken Frankie's advice and just bought you out. I should have nipped this before it grew into a bigger problem. But that's on me. That's what I get for putting some trust into my family."
The lecture hurt Nick worse than any form of physical violence ever could. All he wanted was Chris's approval, and he's been messing that up one day at a time. "I can make this right. I can fix this..."
Chris let out an uncontrollable laughter that turned an intense situation awkward. "And just how do you plan on doing that when you needed me to bail you out the first time", Chris scoffed at the notion, finding it completely ludicrous.
Nick frantically tried to conjure up some brilliant scheme but just seemed lost. "What if I cash in the airfare to Japan...that's at least a start." Nick's poor plan didn't even merit a peep out of Chris. He just glared at Nick, baffled by his continuing turmoil.
"There's no way your cashing in those tickets. After we clear this up you have to go to Japan just to lay low for a bit." Chris made his way back to the doorway of his office to survey the damage. Broken glass from display cases which enshrined championships won from previous companies was sprinkled along the floor. A filing cabinet was flipped on its side with all three draws ajar; their contents scattered amongst the carnage. His desk was broken in half, as if someone took a sledgehammer to it. Chris was in a state of shock, puzzled by his brothers constant miscues. "How much for the interest, this way I don't show up with the wrong amount this time..."
Nick uttered "another ten", just loud enough for him to hear.
Chris looked backwards as he navigated through the disaster area acknowledging Nick's inaudible mumblings. "Speak up! I'm not in the mood for your games today!"
"Another ten", he repeated, this time a bit more sternly.
"You know what, maybe it would be wise if you just got out of my face." Chris knelt down and picked up one of his championships. After wiping away small shards of glass, Chris vigorously briefed Nick on how the next couple of days would play our. "You ready for my simple instructions? Go to your apartment. Sit there. Do absolutely nothing. On the thirtieth Frankie is going to pick you up and take you directly to the airport. If you need anything from now until then call Frankie. If you run out of milk, call Frankie. If you need to pick up food, call Frankie. If you don't have enough toilet paper to wipe your god damn ass, call Frankie!"
Chris's specific instructions were met with Nick trying to get a word in. "But", he muttered before getting cut off.
"No buts. Consider yourself on lockdown. You're on house arrest. I don't want you to even have the slightest opportunity to fuck your life up any worse than you already have!" Chris panted with a crazed look in his eye, showing Nick that he was far from joking.
Maria had stepped away so the brothers could hash out their differences. With a spidey-sense like gut instinct she moseyed over to them and placed her hand gently on Chris's shoulder. Her touch seemed to have an instant calming effect on Chris. "Frankie will stop by your place later to check up on you", Nick quickly learned as his big brother turned his back to him one final time.
"You okay babe?" Maria playfully batted her eyes while draping her arms around Madison's neck. She slid her hands down to his shoulder and could feel the tension in his back. "Babe! You need to loosen up. Here have a seat", she said while guiding him to the chair in the office. She proceeded to massage his shoulders and upper back amongst the remnants of the shambles.
"Oh that feels good." Madison closed his eyes and leaned back slightly while extending his legs out in front of him. "He's just so aggravating. I give him all the opportunities in the world to succeed despite his injury. And this is the thanks I get. Children can't be this difficult."
She nodded while whispering, "uh-huh", giving Chris an outlet for his frustrations.
"I just don't know what to do with him." Chris began opening up as if this was a therapy session. "He's got no idea how good he's got it. I mean in today's economy, you're lucky you've got a job. He's a partial owner of a flourishing business. He's got a good core of people who genuinely care about him. Yet he keeps destroying his life one day at a time. I wouldn't be surprised if there was more than just the gambling..."
Behind Chris, Maria was a nervous wreck. She chewed on her lips as her eyes danced around the office. Yet her voice oozed confidence, "I'm sure he'll straighten out. Sometimes you just have to let people hit rock bottom before they can pull themselves back together."
Madison sat up and spun around in the desk chair. "That's how I feel about the Black Hand right now", Madison explained while getting lost in Maria's crystal blue eyes.
A look of concern took over and Maria's brow scrunched up as she looked passed Chris. The glass on the crunched as footsteps were heard in the distance. "Who's that", Maria asked while pointing towards the front entrance.
A curious, yet protective Madison guided Maria behind him as he walked out of the office to confront the approaching person. "You've got to be kidding me", he mumbled under his breath.
Maria poked her head out to get a better look as the footsteps got closer. "Do you know him", she asked.
"That's my father..." Madison let out a stressful sigh and placed a hand over his face, rubbing his forehead. "This day just keeps getting better..."
"Do you want me to stick around", she offered as any good girlfriend would.
"No", he quickly answered. "I guess start cleaning up the office. I'll be back in a few."
Madison walked towards his father and met him halfway. His father was in his mid sixties. His gray hair slightly wavy and slicked backwards like Chris normally groomed his. Silver wire framed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose. "Chris", the old man shouted while approaching.
Chris begrudgingly responded, "Pop..."
"It's good to see ya...I had no idea you were back from Japan." The two hugged, patting each other on the back. His father looked around the warehouse as the trainees began filing in to proceed with their daily routines.
"Yeah and you didn't know when I left..." Chris nodded and waved as the people filed in.
His father looked back at the front door before inquiring about what happened. "Vandals", he asked.
Madison was short and concise with his father, dreading the altercation all together. "Yeah something like that."
Continuing to poke around his father followed up with, "police have any idea who did it?"
Madison laughed and shook his head at his father who stood there, nervously in front of him. "Goes to show you how much you really know me pop. Like I'm gonna let the cops get involved. I'll handle it my way."
"Oh, I see. Still holding a grudge with authority. Have to do it your way..."
Chris cut him off, raising his hand and pointing towards his father. "Yeah, I guess I got that from you."
His father took a deep breath and rubbed his hands together, trying to peer behind Chris. "Nick still hanging around?"
"Don't", Chris hollered. "You leave Nick alone!"
The old man shoved his hands into the pockets of a light jacket he was wearing. For a moment the men stood together in an awkward silence. Finally the purpose of the visit was revealed. "I heard you have a big title match coming up. I was wondering if you needed a hand getting prepared. It could be like the good ole days!"
Regardless of his parenting skill, there was no denying his ability as a trainer. His methods were unique and controversial but did train his sons to be the best amateur wrestlers Long Island had seen in quite some time. Yet Chris wanted no part of it. "I'm good. I've got all the right people in my corner."
His father chuckled as he removed his hands from his jacket and the ugly nature showed its nasty face. "Who your weak brother? That pack of delinquents you run around with? Half of them are in the match with you! You don't think Tommy and his little gal pal won't team up on you once you get rid of his real threat?" He turned his back to his son for a moment. "That's always been your problem Chris. You're too trusting of the wrong people. All the ability in the world. You'd rather be a wolf then a lion. You'd rather run around in a pack then be the king of the jungle!"
"Is your life really that empty that you'd try to goat me into wanting you as my trainer? I know Tommy better than most in APW. If he and Niobe want to go that route I'm fully capable of handling it." Chris stopped and shook his head, disappointed in himself that he would even allow this discussion to continue.
"I know you can handle it! That's exactly why I want to help you. Come on, what do you say?" His father extended his hand hoping that his son would accept his offer.
"You're pathetic!" Chris pushed the old mans hand out of the way. "I do this on my own. Everything gets handled in house...and that means you're not involved! Sorry but I'm not going to be your rise back to relevance!"
In a last ditch effort he tossed up a Hail Mary by laying down the guilt trip. "I'm sorry you feel that way. Together, as father and son united, we could have been great."
"That line of bullshit may have worked when I was young and gullible but not anymore! I don't need my fathers approval like some sniffling piss-ant. All my pieces are in order and I am walking out of Moscow the champ, putting to rest all family unrest!" Chris fought back all of his urges to drop his father. Instead sent him away with an insincere embrace.
-------------------------------------------
"Jeff you've really outdone yourself."
"All these weeks of The Black Hand poking and prodding, trying to get rise out of you. You never faltered or tipped your hand. Touché!"
"This week I guess we may be able to chalk one up to you. What better way to deal with a nuisance group of wrestlers who refuse to fall in line like good soldiers than dangling a shiny championship in front of them. We are selfish by nature. Any wrestler who tells you otherwise is a complete liar. We strive for success. We yearn for glory. And there is no greater achievement than a championship belt buckled around your waist. So now I sit here with a dilemma. How do I handle having to face two of my own teammates with the APW Overdrive Championship on the line?"
"Easy, we unite...unite as one to make sure that no matter what, under no circumstances does The White Knight of APW walk out champion!"
"CJ there is no end to this match that leaves you walking out the APW champion. It's ran through my head since Jeff dropped the bombshell. There's no way you survive against the three of us. So In all reality, Jeff has led you to the slaughterhouse. You versus the three founding members of the Black Hand. It's unsettling isn't it? Making you a bit queasy? It was only a few weeks ago that you failed to be able to beat Niobe. A match that I'm sure everyone saw as an easy victory for you. Now add Tommy and I to the mix. Forget winning the championship, you'd consider yourself lucky if you walk out of Moscow on your own will!"
"Since Biggs dragged you into the mix I have been that proverbial thorn in your side. I've cost you matches, I've orchestrated attacks, and I've destroyed your personal belongings. From an outside perspective one would think there is a deeper issue between you and I. Shockingly, that's not the case. This is just an instance of wrong place at the wrong time. I have no issue with you. No my beef is with your burnt out partner; you're just a casualty of war."
"Seeing as you seem to be the White Night around here, it's only fitting that you fight his battles for him. Like a damsel in distress, he hollers and you come running. It's actually quite endearing. But what I don't get is why? Why subject yourself to a constant five on two? Any intelligent man would be smart enough to realize those aren't good odds. I don't care how deep your friendship is, it's not worth getting your ass handed to you week after week!"
"Please save me the boring hallmark card bullshit! There's no way you'll stand by his side no matter the odds. I don't honestly believe you would take a bullet for your friend. At some point there's a line. A line that you won't cross. A line where you put your foot down saying enough is enough, kick Biggs in the ass, and tell him to man up and fight his own battles. You have challenged me to find that line. I will push you to that brink! I will make you question the boundaries of your dear friendship!"
"Then the real questions come to fruition don't they? After CJ Gates is eliminated from this match what happens to the Overdrive championship? Will Madison and Niobe lay down so Tommy can retain? Will one of them rise to the challenge and try to dethrone Tommy Knox? I can't speak for Niobe. Their relationship is on completely different levels than mine. But Tommy knows me. He knows what motivates me. When we started the Black Hand we were three individuals looking to make a change in this industry. We are not one man and his group of lackeys."
"With the championship on the line Tommy knows I'm going to do what's best for me, even if that means I have to choke him out! I will not let anyone stand in they way of my own personal success."
"While some might see that as a blaring weakness of the Black Hand, I assure you the exact opposite. We knew that eventually this day would come. We've prepared for these circumstances. If I were to beat Tommy or Niobe ended up shocking the world as the new Overdrive Champion, nothing changes. We remain united for the cause. We march on and prove all of the weak and meager who are clamoring for us to fall apart at the seems that the Black Hand can not be broken! Our agenda remains the same regardless of who holds the belt!"
"All that matters is the belt remains Black Hand property..."
"And I'm sure when looking at it you can't help but think Tommy has this in the bag. Hell he's the one who finally ridded this place of that whiny, self-absorbed, megalomaniac, Evan Harrison. He did you all a favor and got no hero's welcome for it. He lowered his head and forged forward. There are whispers that Tommy lost a part of himself in that ladder match. Regardless of what everyone says, I'm preparing for the best Tommy Knox there is. The vicious, cruel, slimy, violent, son of a bitch that I know he can be. You can't allow yourself to prepare for someone at their worst. You only set yourself up for disappointment. If I put my guard down and expect Tommy to come in this match as lethargic as he's been as of late...I might as well kiss my championship dreams goodbye."
"I can't do that...I won't allow myself...I've already blown a few early chances at championship gold. I pushed AC Smith to his limits and came up short. I was knocking on the door in the tag team division with Niobe as my partner and unfortunately on that night NewGen Rising was the better team. Well third times the charm right?"
"I'm not letting this one slip by...not for Gates...not for Niobe...and not for Knox! My tireless quest to hold championship gold once again can't be stopped! Consider this a forgone conclusion. Bet the house because I can taste gold!"
"Sincerely, your future APW Overdrive Champion!"
"I don't know what it is but I just can't seem to get anything going. I can't seem to get any momentum flowing my way."
"Another Overdrive and another disappointing loss. While most saw my effort this week as admirable, I saw it as a failure. I'm not here to get an atta boy. I'm not looking to impress people with a hard fought effort. I'm here to win. I don't care if it's against some rookie just catching his big break or the world heavyweight champion. Any outcome besides a victory is a personal failure."
"I went into Helsinki fully expecting to shock the world and beat Johnny Rebel. That didn't happen..."
"But Helsinki wasn't a terrible loss. More of a moral victory. Another one up on the Space Cowboys. I'm sure they game planned and strategized for every possible attack that the Black Hand may try. So much so, they took NewGen Rising a bit too lightly. That in itself is almost as satisfying as having a hand in another one of your losses."
"Oh and how did that smoke feel as it traveled through your body down to your lungs? Burns doesn't it? Chokes as it slides down your windpipe? Biggs and CJ, you two need to understand that there are consequences for everything you do. All this could have been avoided if you had just let us take care of our business. But now your knee deep in shit and that little voice sits on your shoulder, whispering in your ear, telling you that you may have bit off more than you can chew!"
"We are the Black Hand. As long as there is breath in my lungs I will not allow APW to become the same stale wrestling programming as every other company."
Saturday, September 28th, 2013
The Warehouse Training Facility, Long Island, New York
12:00 P.M.
The Warehouse Training Facility, Long Island, New York
12:00 P.M.
A blacked out Chevy Avalanche pulled into the parking lot of The Warehouse training facility, creeping up towards the building as a mob of people huddled near the front door. The truck rolls to a stop a mere fifteen feet from the entrance of the facility. The driver door swings open and Chris Madison leaps out to the concrete floor. He leans back into the truck and pulls out his gym bag, tossing the strap over his shoulder.
He shuffled his way towards the pack of bystanders. He lets out a discouraging sigh as he reads their faces during his approach. Madison flips his black Oakley sunglasses that shielded his eyes from the bright sun to the top of his head. He places his hands on his hips and shook his head while his girlfriend Maria met him with firm embrace, wrapping her thin arms his tight physique. Her hands clasped one another at the small of his back and she squeezed ever so gently.
"Not really the welcome I was expecting. Why is everyone so gloomy?" Madison's question was met with silence from the group of trainees standing outside. "Did I miss something", he asked while prying Maria apart from him.
Doe eyed and innocent, Maria softly whispered, "Promise you're not going to lose your cool?"
Chris's heart sank down to his stomach as his eyes pierced through the crowd with a look that could kill. "Where is he", he demanded to know.
Maria quickly tried to plea with her enraged boyfriend. She put her hands up on his chest trying to prevent him from walking onto the training faculty but to no prevail. "Chris go easy on him!"
Chris pulled open the front door and noticed the broken glass as he walked through. Tip toeing through the carnage his face a steaming red. Doing his best Brad Pitt impression from the movie Troy, Chris stood a few feet from the doorway and screamed, "Nick!" Receiving no response Chris took a long breath before digging deep and yelling even louder, "NICK!"
He stood still with Maria by his side, huffing while trying to keep his blood from boiling over. Maria stood about a step back with one hand folded over the other and her head bowed down, anticipating a harsh altercation. Peaking out of the corner of his eye towards the back office.
He shot his head up, focused on the knob of the office door while the sounds of someone ruffling around breaking up the intense lull. Nick shoved the door open and stumbled out, tripping over the mounds of destroyed office decor. He locked eyes with his brother and immediately searched for an escape plan. Feeling trapped like a lab mouse caught in a maze, he quickly reverted to a backup plan.
"Chris I'm sorry..." He dropped to his knees, pleading with his brother. "I'm really sorry!"
Chris approached his brother with his fists balled up, chewing on his bottom lip. More embarrassed by his brother than angry, he grabs him by the collar of his shirt and yanks him to his feet. "First of all...stand up like a man. Face the consequences of your actions like a man. Second, what the fuck did you do now?" Chris released a hold of Nick but immediately followed it with a slap to the back of his head.
Nick sniffled as he was thrown to his feet. He rubbed his nose with his forearm and kept quiet as he stared at Maria. Chris instantly made the connection and bent down, whispering in her ear. Nick nervously watched on and waited for her to exit back through the front door. Chris peered back and saw that they were alone. "Well..."
"I fucked up Chris. I thought for sure that I could make it up to you, get your money back..." Nick lowered his head and stopped talking, knowing the tongue lashing he was about to receive.
"Stop pussyfooting around it! What did you do", Chris interrogated his younger sibling. Before Nick answered, Chris looked behind him and saw the damage through the doorway of the office.
He stormed passed Nick and made it to the doorway by the time Nick finally offered up an explanation. "I placed another bet..." Chris turned his attention away from the wreck that was his office and back to Nick. "St. Louis was getting three and a half against San Francisco at home. Did you see what Seattle did to them last week? I thought it was a lock."
"You've got be kidding me Nick. After we both got knocked unconscious just a few weeks ago. I told you to lay low until you go to Japan." Chris took a moment in an attempt to calm himself down. "How much this time?"
"Another ten..." Nick blurted out, ashamed of himself. "And I was supposed to pay up last night."
Chris placed his hands atop of his head, interlocking his fingers and walked away from his brother. "So they came here looking for their money? They came to my place of business for your screw up?" At this point the only thing restraining Chris from mounting Nick and punching his face into putty is that they're brothers. "I should have taken Frankie's advice and just bought you out. I should have nipped this before it grew into a bigger problem. But that's on me. That's what I get for putting some trust into my family."
The lecture hurt Nick worse than any form of physical violence ever could. All he wanted was Chris's approval, and he's been messing that up one day at a time. "I can make this right. I can fix this..."
Chris let out an uncontrollable laughter that turned an intense situation awkward. "And just how do you plan on doing that when you needed me to bail you out the first time", Chris scoffed at the notion, finding it completely ludicrous.
Nick frantically tried to conjure up some brilliant scheme but just seemed lost. "What if I cash in the airfare to Japan...that's at least a start." Nick's poor plan didn't even merit a peep out of Chris. He just glared at Nick, baffled by his continuing turmoil.
"There's no way your cashing in those tickets. After we clear this up you have to go to Japan just to lay low for a bit." Chris made his way back to the doorway of his office to survey the damage. Broken glass from display cases which enshrined championships won from previous companies was sprinkled along the floor. A filing cabinet was flipped on its side with all three draws ajar; their contents scattered amongst the carnage. His desk was broken in half, as if someone took a sledgehammer to it. Chris was in a state of shock, puzzled by his brothers constant miscues. "How much for the interest, this way I don't show up with the wrong amount this time..."
Nick uttered "another ten", just loud enough for him to hear.
Chris looked backwards as he navigated through the disaster area acknowledging Nick's inaudible mumblings. "Speak up! I'm not in the mood for your games today!"
"Another ten", he repeated, this time a bit more sternly.
"You know what, maybe it would be wise if you just got out of my face." Chris knelt down and picked up one of his championships. After wiping away small shards of glass, Chris vigorously briefed Nick on how the next couple of days would play our. "You ready for my simple instructions? Go to your apartment. Sit there. Do absolutely nothing. On the thirtieth Frankie is going to pick you up and take you directly to the airport. If you need anything from now until then call Frankie. If you run out of milk, call Frankie. If you need to pick up food, call Frankie. If you don't have enough toilet paper to wipe your god damn ass, call Frankie!"
Chris's specific instructions were met with Nick trying to get a word in. "But", he muttered before getting cut off.
"No buts. Consider yourself on lockdown. You're on house arrest. I don't want you to even have the slightest opportunity to fuck your life up any worse than you already have!" Chris panted with a crazed look in his eye, showing Nick that he was far from joking.
Maria had stepped away so the brothers could hash out their differences. With a spidey-sense like gut instinct she moseyed over to them and placed her hand gently on Chris's shoulder. Her touch seemed to have an instant calming effect on Chris. "Frankie will stop by your place later to check up on you", Nick quickly learned as his big brother turned his back to him one final time.
"You okay babe?" Maria playfully batted her eyes while draping her arms around Madison's neck. She slid her hands down to his shoulder and could feel the tension in his back. "Babe! You need to loosen up. Here have a seat", she said while guiding him to the chair in the office. She proceeded to massage his shoulders and upper back amongst the remnants of the shambles.
"Oh that feels good." Madison closed his eyes and leaned back slightly while extending his legs out in front of him. "He's just so aggravating. I give him all the opportunities in the world to succeed despite his injury. And this is the thanks I get. Children can't be this difficult."
She nodded while whispering, "uh-huh", giving Chris an outlet for his frustrations.
"I just don't know what to do with him." Chris began opening up as if this was a therapy session. "He's got no idea how good he's got it. I mean in today's economy, you're lucky you've got a job. He's a partial owner of a flourishing business. He's got a good core of people who genuinely care about him. Yet he keeps destroying his life one day at a time. I wouldn't be surprised if there was more than just the gambling..."
Behind Chris, Maria was a nervous wreck. She chewed on her lips as her eyes danced around the office. Yet her voice oozed confidence, "I'm sure he'll straighten out. Sometimes you just have to let people hit rock bottom before they can pull themselves back together."
Madison sat up and spun around in the desk chair. "That's how I feel about the Black Hand right now", Madison explained while getting lost in Maria's crystal blue eyes.
A look of concern took over and Maria's brow scrunched up as she looked passed Chris. The glass on the crunched as footsteps were heard in the distance. "Who's that", Maria asked while pointing towards the front entrance.
A curious, yet protective Madison guided Maria behind him as he walked out of the office to confront the approaching person. "You've got to be kidding me", he mumbled under his breath.
Maria poked her head out to get a better look as the footsteps got closer. "Do you know him", she asked.
"That's my father..." Madison let out a stressful sigh and placed a hand over his face, rubbing his forehead. "This day just keeps getting better..."
"Do you want me to stick around", she offered as any good girlfriend would.
"No", he quickly answered. "I guess start cleaning up the office. I'll be back in a few."
Madison walked towards his father and met him halfway. His father was in his mid sixties. His gray hair slightly wavy and slicked backwards like Chris normally groomed his. Silver wire framed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose. "Chris", the old man shouted while approaching.
Chris begrudgingly responded, "Pop..."
"It's good to see ya...I had no idea you were back from Japan." The two hugged, patting each other on the back. His father looked around the warehouse as the trainees began filing in to proceed with their daily routines.
"Yeah and you didn't know when I left..." Chris nodded and waved as the people filed in.
His father looked back at the front door before inquiring about what happened. "Vandals", he asked.
Madison was short and concise with his father, dreading the altercation all together. "Yeah something like that."
Continuing to poke around his father followed up with, "police have any idea who did it?"
Madison laughed and shook his head at his father who stood there, nervously in front of him. "Goes to show you how much you really know me pop. Like I'm gonna let the cops get involved. I'll handle it my way."
"Oh, I see. Still holding a grudge with authority. Have to do it your way..."
Chris cut him off, raising his hand and pointing towards his father. "Yeah, I guess I got that from you."
His father took a deep breath and rubbed his hands together, trying to peer behind Chris. "Nick still hanging around?"
"Don't", Chris hollered. "You leave Nick alone!"
The old man shoved his hands into the pockets of a light jacket he was wearing. For a moment the men stood together in an awkward silence. Finally the purpose of the visit was revealed. "I heard you have a big title match coming up. I was wondering if you needed a hand getting prepared. It could be like the good ole days!"
Regardless of his parenting skill, there was no denying his ability as a trainer. His methods were unique and controversial but did train his sons to be the best amateur wrestlers Long Island had seen in quite some time. Yet Chris wanted no part of it. "I'm good. I've got all the right people in my corner."
His father chuckled as he removed his hands from his jacket and the ugly nature showed its nasty face. "Who your weak brother? That pack of delinquents you run around with? Half of them are in the match with you! You don't think Tommy and his little gal pal won't team up on you once you get rid of his real threat?" He turned his back to his son for a moment. "That's always been your problem Chris. You're too trusting of the wrong people. All the ability in the world. You'd rather be a wolf then a lion. You'd rather run around in a pack then be the king of the jungle!"
"Is your life really that empty that you'd try to goat me into wanting you as my trainer? I know Tommy better than most in APW. If he and Niobe want to go that route I'm fully capable of handling it." Chris stopped and shook his head, disappointed in himself that he would even allow this discussion to continue.
"I know you can handle it! That's exactly why I want to help you. Come on, what do you say?" His father extended his hand hoping that his son would accept his offer.
"You're pathetic!" Chris pushed the old mans hand out of the way. "I do this on my own. Everything gets handled in house...and that means you're not involved! Sorry but I'm not going to be your rise back to relevance!"
In a last ditch effort he tossed up a Hail Mary by laying down the guilt trip. "I'm sorry you feel that way. Together, as father and son united, we could have been great."
"That line of bullshit may have worked when I was young and gullible but not anymore! I don't need my fathers approval like some sniffling piss-ant. All my pieces are in order and I am walking out of Moscow the champ, putting to rest all family unrest!" Chris fought back all of his urges to drop his father. Instead sent him away with an insincere embrace.
-------------------------------------------
"Jeff you've really outdone yourself."
"All these weeks of The Black Hand poking and prodding, trying to get rise out of you. You never faltered or tipped your hand. Touché!"
"This week I guess we may be able to chalk one up to you. What better way to deal with a nuisance group of wrestlers who refuse to fall in line like good soldiers than dangling a shiny championship in front of them. We are selfish by nature. Any wrestler who tells you otherwise is a complete liar. We strive for success. We yearn for glory. And there is no greater achievement than a championship belt buckled around your waist. So now I sit here with a dilemma. How do I handle having to face two of my own teammates with the APW Overdrive Championship on the line?"
"Easy, we unite...unite as one to make sure that no matter what, under no circumstances does The White Knight of APW walk out champion!"
"CJ there is no end to this match that leaves you walking out the APW champion. It's ran through my head since Jeff dropped the bombshell. There's no way you survive against the three of us. So In all reality, Jeff has led you to the slaughterhouse. You versus the three founding members of the Black Hand. It's unsettling isn't it? Making you a bit queasy? It was only a few weeks ago that you failed to be able to beat Niobe. A match that I'm sure everyone saw as an easy victory for you. Now add Tommy and I to the mix. Forget winning the championship, you'd consider yourself lucky if you walk out of Moscow on your own will!"
"Since Biggs dragged you into the mix I have been that proverbial thorn in your side. I've cost you matches, I've orchestrated attacks, and I've destroyed your personal belongings. From an outside perspective one would think there is a deeper issue between you and I. Shockingly, that's not the case. This is just an instance of wrong place at the wrong time. I have no issue with you. No my beef is with your burnt out partner; you're just a casualty of war."
"Seeing as you seem to be the White Night around here, it's only fitting that you fight his battles for him. Like a damsel in distress, he hollers and you come running. It's actually quite endearing. But what I don't get is why? Why subject yourself to a constant five on two? Any intelligent man would be smart enough to realize those aren't good odds. I don't care how deep your friendship is, it's not worth getting your ass handed to you week after week!"
"Please save me the boring hallmark card bullshit! There's no way you'll stand by his side no matter the odds. I don't honestly believe you would take a bullet for your friend. At some point there's a line. A line that you won't cross. A line where you put your foot down saying enough is enough, kick Biggs in the ass, and tell him to man up and fight his own battles. You have challenged me to find that line. I will push you to that brink! I will make you question the boundaries of your dear friendship!"
"Then the real questions come to fruition don't they? After CJ Gates is eliminated from this match what happens to the Overdrive championship? Will Madison and Niobe lay down so Tommy can retain? Will one of them rise to the challenge and try to dethrone Tommy Knox? I can't speak for Niobe. Their relationship is on completely different levels than mine. But Tommy knows me. He knows what motivates me. When we started the Black Hand we were three individuals looking to make a change in this industry. We are not one man and his group of lackeys."
"With the championship on the line Tommy knows I'm going to do what's best for me, even if that means I have to choke him out! I will not let anyone stand in they way of my own personal success."
"While some might see that as a blaring weakness of the Black Hand, I assure you the exact opposite. We knew that eventually this day would come. We've prepared for these circumstances. If I were to beat Tommy or Niobe ended up shocking the world as the new Overdrive Champion, nothing changes. We remain united for the cause. We march on and prove all of the weak and meager who are clamoring for us to fall apart at the seems that the Black Hand can not be broken! Our agenda remains the same regardless of who holds the belt!"
"All that matters is the belt remains Black Hand property..."
"And I'm sure when looking at it you can't help but think Tommy has this in the bag. Hell he's the one who finally ridded this place of that whiny, self-absorbed, megalomaniac, Evan Harrison. He did you all a favor and got no hero's welcome for it. He lowered his head and forged forward. There are whispers that Tommy lost a part of himself in that ladder match. Regardless of what everyone says, I'm preparing for the best Tommy Knox there is. The vicious, cruel, slimy, violent, son of a bitch that I know he can be. You can't allow yourself to prepare for someone at their worst. You only set yourself up for disappointment. If I put my guard down and expect Tommy to come in this match as lethargic as he's been as of late...I might as well kiss my championship dreams goodbye."
"I can't do that...I won't allow myself...I've already blown a few early chances at championship gold. I pushed AC Smith to his limits and came up short. I was knocking on the door in the tag team division with Niobe as my partner and unfortunately on that night NewGen Rising was the better team. Well third times the charm right?"
"I'm not letting this one slip by...not for Gates...not for Niobe...and not for Knox! My tireless quest to hold championship gold once again can't be stopped! Consider this a forgone conclusion. Bet the house because I can taste gold!"
"Sincerely, your future APW Overdrive Champion!"
