Creation of a Man, Pt. 4

[Tommy Knox]

//- Creation of a Man, Chapter 14, Pt. 4 -\\

Saturday 10:28 PM [October 8th, 2011]
Brooklyn, New York

The atmosphere is alive inside of a small Italian restaurant in downtown Brooklyn, New York. From a distance the red lights with the name can barely be made out clear. It’s Saturday night, a dark and chilly one. The stars are out and the moon can be seen shinning off in the distance. A few thin, wavy clouds are hovering in the sky but barely covering up the beautiful view at all.

In front of the restaurant it becomes clear that the sign reads; “Luigi’s”. Below the sign is a big window at the front of the restaurant. A few tables are placed right in front of the rather large window filled with guests. Hardly a single seat is empty in the joint tonight, business must be good. In the back of the restaurant, in the corner, Jon Plex and an unknown person can be seen sitting at a distant table away from all the others. The two sit in privacy enjoying their meals and discussing business.

“Mikey, your uncle is up to something.” Jon says as he takes a drink of his wine.

Could it be? Could the unknown person be the one and only Michael Salieri, the nephew of Tony Salieri? Indeed it is. Placing his glass of liquor on the table he looks Jon in the eyes and tilts his head forward. “I know what the old man’s up to. He’s just making one for last run in the business, a big one from what I hear.”

Jon looks surprised and quickly responds. “You know about this?”

“We’ve been discussing this business move for months now, Jon. You’re being brought in as our personal trainer. I’m here to oversee the business in Tony’s absence and help when needed. Hell, I may end up giving APW a shot if Tony can talk me into it. I’m just taking things slow now. Business outside of wrestling is booming.” Michael says as he cuts a piece of his veil.

Silence fills the room for a brief moment as Jon scratches his head and looks back up at Michael. “I know I’m the head trainer of this whole operation but I have no fuckin’ idea what is going on. I was being told that you were going to be assisting me with Knoxville in the ring. I had no clue you were on the edge of falling back in the game.”

Chewing his meat, Michael places the fork and knife down as he grabs his drink and washes it down. Clearing his throat he leans back with a look in his eye as he answers. “I’m here to help shape and mold Knoxville with you Plex. I’m also weighing the options in my head about lacing up the boots once more. Right now that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’ve properly prepared Tommy for his match this evening in Hong Kong. We need him ready for next week and tonight will surely let us know.”

“He’ll be ready Michael, that’s for sure. I have been pushing him to the limit each and every fucking day and night, all fucking week long.” Jon quickly interrupts to make himself heard. “That bullshit last week with Manhattan won’t happen again. Every dog has his day and Manhattan had his. I will guarantee you right now that Tommy will kick the ever living shit out of him tonight at Asylum. Manhattan has done nothing but prove he’s no competition for Tommy. The one I’m worried about is Kash standing on the other side of the ring.”

Nodding his head Michael finishes his drink as he slams the glass on the table signaling for another. He wipes his mouth for a moment just before turning his head to the side and cracking his neck. “Don’t worry about Jason. He’ll come around sooner or later. You just better hope that Tommy is ready to make an impact. That’s not just coming from me, its coming straight from T. I haven’t heard from my uncle tonight, what the fuck do you have Tommy doing today for preparation? After all, it is Sunday morning there in Hong Kong…”

Sunday 10:28 AM [October 9th, 2011]
Hong Kong, China

The morning is still early outside of the hotel in downtown Hong Kong. Around the back, secluded from the public, Knoxville sits by the pool as if he were waiting for someone, something. A nicely rolled joint is tucked behind his ear as a cigarette hangs from his mouth, half burnt to the tip. As always, his shades mask him from the outside world. Wearing a sleeveless shirt, his tattoos shine slightly as if they had lotion applied to recently. His jeans are tattered black boots are dirty.

Entering poolside from the other end of the building, Tony Salieri makes his presence felt as a camera man follows behind. Dressed in a black suit with silver pinstripes, white shirt and red tie he quickly moves in on Knoxville. Noticing, Knoxville takes one last drag from the cigarette as he inhales and flicks the butt across the yard landing in the pool. He looks straight up and exhales as he says softly under his voice.

“Here we fuckin’ go…”

“Tommy! There you are, son. I’ve been looking all over for you. I thought I told you I had a shoot scheduled for you this morning. You were supposed to show up at the lobby twenty minutes ago.”

“Sorry Mr. Salieri, I must have forgotten. I just crawled out of bed ten minutes earlier. My bad, let’s do this.”

“I’ll deal with you later. Take the joint out from behind you ear and tighten up. We’re ready to shoot.”

Knoxville walks around for a moment and grabs the joint from his ear. He looks down at it for a second before pulling out his pack of cigarettes and placing it inside. Tossing them on the ground beside his backpack, he walks towards the camera with no emotion on his face.

“Let’s get this over with. I prefer to let my talent speak for me in the ring. I’ve never been one to let his mouth write checks that his ass can’t cash.”

The camera begins to roll as Salieri motions for Knoxville to walk towards the picnic table and take a seat. As he slowly approaches, with his back to the camera, he wastes no time and gets straight down to business.

"I’ve been many places, but I have never been to Hong Kong. Later today, six of us will get in the ring, divided and forced to partner in teams. I’ve never been much for teams, except back in the great days of Influential Minds. Times have long changed since then. I’m not the same rookie in the ring. I’m not the same noob to the business. Plain and simple, I’m not the same kid I once was. Things are different this time around. I’ve just skated along my whole career goin’ through the motions. The bullshit ends here, the bullshit ends in APW. After this little square dance tonight, we all find ourselves thrown in the ring together once again. Unlike tonight though, its winner take all. No teams, no bullshit. The World Heavyweight championship is on the line, resting on that pedestal, waitin’ for me to wrap it around my waist. Some of you people think I don’t deserve to be in this matchup, you all can kiss my ass. Just sit back and watch exactly why I am in this match and just how hard I am willing to fight to get what’s at stake.”

Stopping in his tracks, Tommy sits at the bench of the picnic table and leans back, spreading his arms across the top.

“For the past two weeks I have been pestered with the likes of Mr. Manhattan White. You can mention my name all you want Manhattan but at the end of the day, we both know I’m the one who will need to have his foot surgically removed from your ass. Last week you had a horseshoe up there but this week I’m kickin’ that bitch straight out that dirty little cock sucker of yours. I can promise you that there will be no draw, there will be no luck, there will be only one man with his hand raised in victory and you’re lookin’ at him. You sit there and compare us like we have anything whatsoever in common. Quit reaching for the stars, we’re nothing alike. I’m here to get back on top and I’ll be damned if I let a little pretty boy like you slow me down. There’s not enough room for us both. I will fuckin’ OWN you, step aside.”

Looking down, he laughs to himself for a moment before looking back at the camera, gaining control of himself.

“Heh… women these days, let them have a couple great accomplishments and they forget their place in this MAN’S WORLD. You had me actually listenin’ to what you had to say. Do you want to know what caught my attention? You know nothin’ about me or what I represent sweetheart. Shit, after I heard what you had to say I made damn sure not to smoke before this jerkoff with the camera arrived. Look me in the eyes, mamcita. It doesn’t matter what state of mind I’m in. I can in fact do exactly what you said, what you wanted to hear come from these lips. The only difference is I can damn sure fly all over that ring better than you, doll. Just be lucky that I’m in your corner this week. Afterwards, we can go back to the hotel and I’ll show you exactly where you place is and how to keep that big mouth of yours shut. Next week though, you can expect me to come at you with nothing held back. Girl or not, I don’t give a fuck. You see a bitch, you slap a bitch. My pimp hand has been feelin’ way strong here lately…”

Standing to his feet, Knoxville moves in a little closer to the camera and slides his shades to the end of his nose. He looks into the camera with a look of hatred in his eyes.

“Morrison, don’t sit there and lie to everyone, lie to me or try to pretend to believe your own bullshit. You could never do any of those things you mentioned earlier in the week. You just don’t have the balls. I used to hang guys like you upside down, by their feet and dunk their heads in the shitter. Actually, that looks like somethin’ I’m sure you’re soft ass would enjoy. You’re no different than those other losers. You can come and piss in my locker while I’m nowhere in sight, but remember this. I will shit all over you entire PATHETIC world bitch! I just feel sorry for my bro, Kash. He’s the one who has to babysit and keep the circus freaks in check. Influence or not, he has his hands full. Although him and I don’t exactly see eye to eye at the moment, I’ll do him a small favor. I’ll knock you out of that match and consciousness before it even gets started. Be a man and quit livin’ in Neverland. You pose no threat, seriously dude. You’re nothing more than a stepping stone on my way to the top, a small one at that. Do yourself a favor and step aside with Manhattan. Maybe you could get him to play dress up with you too, fairy.”

“Now, let’s get to the two who actually catch my attention. Casteel, I’ll get my chance to wrap my hands around your neck next week. I just want to clear the air and give my little buddy Kash a piece of my mind…”

Before he can continue, Salieri steps in and holds his arm in front of Knoxville.

“Cut it, we’re done here.”

Salieri and the camera man walk away as Knoxville sits there in silence with anger written across his face. He pulls the pack of cigarettes from his pocket and grabs the joint, placing it between his lips. Without hesitation, he pulls his lighter out and with the flick of his thumb, we have flame. Taking nice slow drags from the joint, his lungs fill up with smoke as the cherry burns bright orange on the tip. Like an eruption, Knoxville coughs loudly as Salieri shakes his head without even looking back or acknowledging the situation. It is what it is, camera time is over.