Post by Dante Q on Dec 31, 2012 16:42:58 GMT -6
Have you ever seen what a construction site office looks like? Well, that's what this office looks like. A desk, with a blonde woman sitting behind. Bits of wrestling paraphernalia occupy the faux oak walls. Opposite that desk sits Alex Brooks patiently waiting for his name to be called to go into a meeting with whoever is inside that office behind that door. The little engine is dressed in a blue suit with a white shirt and blue tie that almost, but not quite, matches his suit. He is wearing a black pair of shoes that are polished so well you can see your reflection in them. His arms are folded on his lap and a nervous tapping of his right index finger is apparent. That blonde behind the desk? She's not really do anything, she's texting or possibly sexting who knows. The point is, she's not looking at Alex – and Alex is more interested in that door opening than her.
A small buzzing sound is heard on the desk. The blonde looks around and finds something on her desk, which is mess of paperwork that she probably doesn't care to much about. She looks at it.
“Hey you.” says shouts across the room.
“Yes” responds the intrepid Alex Brooks, with the eagerness of a beagle pup.
“You can go in now.”
Alex nods, and jumps up like a grasshopper and trots across the room, like a teenage boy, who knows he is about to pop his cherry. Alex goes to knock on the door.
“It's open.” a disembodied voice from the other side yells.
He grabs the copper door knob and opens the door. The actual office doesn't really look any different to the waiting room. Well, except for the fact there is a fat, bald man sitting behind the desk instead of a reasonably attractive young blonde women. The fat bald guy directs Alex to seat in front of his desk. The two shake hands as Alex sits down.
The fat man behind the desk is first to speak. “Welcome, Kiddo.”
“Thankyou, Mr. Howard.”
“It's Dougie, kiddo.”
“Thank you, Dougie. Thanks for the opportunity to work with you.”
“It's alright, kiddo, I couldn't resist the chance to work a star that is in the national spotlight. It's not everyday a Exodus Pro superstar's resume turns up in the mail delivery.”
Alex nods nervously.
“I'm just grateful that you are willing to give me a chance to compete.”
“Kiddo... Kiddo... Kiddo... Thank you.”
Dougie Howard slides a piece of paper across the desk. “Here sign this.”
“What is it?”
“Your contract, Kiddo.”
Alex Brooks blindly picks up the pen and signs.
“Now! Now that you're officially a member of KA-POW! lemme tell you a few things, Kiddo.”
“Ok.”
“You didn't have to talk there, Kiddo. Look I know you're from Exodus Pro and they are big game and shit. Hell, I think there broadcasts even make it there backwater town. So I'll let you work for Exodus if you gotta a booking that clashes with a KA-POW! show. And if ya got a gig at that place in Las Vegas which I just found out about, well ya can go there too. Cause they got an interweb show or somethin'. But anything else. It's KA-POW! first baby. Sound fair?”
Alex Brooks looks a little perplexed. “Sounds fair.”
“SHH! You don't need to be talking. I need to be talking, Kiddo. So, now, lemme tell ya what you'll be doing here in KA-POW!”
“Ok.”
“SHH! What did I say?”
“Don-”
“SHH! SHH! SHH! Like I was sayin' I know your a good guy down there in the big town of Las Vegas. But here in KA-POW! You're gonna make the fans hate ya guts.
“But-”
“SHH!”
“I.”
“SHH”
“Don't.”
“SHH!”
“That.”
“SHH!”
“Will.”
“SHH!”
“Work.”
“SHOOOOOOOSH!”
Alex Brooks looks at his feet.
“Do you know where we are? Stop. SHH! Before you say anything I know you know where we are. It was a god damned rhetorical question. We're in LaPorte Shitfuck City, Iowa. And I'm the most interesting thing is backwards burgh you have ever found. So when I say I want you to be a bad guy. Well I know what I'm talking about. You understand?"
The now suddenly dumbfounded Alex Brooks says and does nothing.
“You can talk now, Kiddo.”
“Ok?”
“Alright. Good. Now like I was sayin', Kiddo. You're gonna make the fans hate ya guts. I don't need the boring-as-cows chewin grass Alex Brooks. I need the Mirror Universe Alex Brooks.”
“Mirror Universe?”
“Yeh, Mirror Universe. See, what's gonna happen is your gonna debut on our next show as normal Alex Brooks and the tag team known as The Wizards of OZ are gonna kidnap you and take you their manager The Wicked Witch of Northern Iowa. What she'll do is cast a spell and send you to the Mirror Universe. And then on the show after that you'll come back as Mirror Universe Alex Brooks. Ya like, Kiddo?”
“How will people tell me from Mirror Universe me?”
“Easy. Grow some facial hair.”
Dougie Howard reaches under the desk and pulls out a red T-Shirt and shows Alex the front. It reads “The Real Brooks.”
“And wear this.”
Dougie tosses the T-Shirt to Alex Brooks.
“Can you do that, Kiddo.”
“I don't know.”
Mr. Howard frowns.
“Well work it out, because that contract you just signed without reading, says that if you break your terms with me you have to repay the full term of wages and fifty percent of your Exodus Pro income while the contract term is still active.”
Alex' jaw drops and the owner of KA-POW! just laughs.
“Shoulda read it, Kiddo.”
Brooks shakes his head “How do you I go from being a bad guy here to being a good guy everywhere else?”
“I don't really care, Kiddo. Blame in on a Sea Monster that lives in San Diego . Call it the neon lights is Las Vegas. I don't give a shit. But when you're here. You are from the Mirror Universe. Now git outta here.”
The unscrupulous Dougie Howard extends his hand to shake, which the ever polite Alex Brooks accepts. Dougie squeezes Alex' hand just a little bit too much to show who is in charge. Alex Brooks walks out and closes the door behind him.
***
Blonde-hair, blue eyes, Justin Beiber like looks. It can be only one person, Alex Brooks and he his standing in front of the Exodus Pro banner.
“You know sometimes there are things that scare the living hell out of me. Things like Spiders, a jet engine crashing through the roof of my bedroom. Omar Wise.”
“Yes, you scare me, Omar. Right to my core. I look at what you did to J-Swag last week on Episode two of Exodus Pro. I saw how you handled Justin Brooks in the ring in the Main Event and that scares me too. You're big. You're bad. You're as mean as an angry badger. And this week I have to face inside that ring. I have to work out a way not combat that fear inside of me, Omar. Otherwise, when you and I actually come to locking up, you'll catch me, kill me, skin me and probably hang me on a meat hook for the whole world to see.”
Alex Brooks shifts nervously on the stool and swallows noticeably.
“I don't know what is worse right now, what I have seen you do. Or what I imagine you could do. I know that the imagery in my mind is far worse than what will really happen. But I am certain that you will do your best to channel all the rage that you feel into you fists so you can unleash it upon me with a force and fury unrivalled by anything but E.Honda's hundred hand slap and he's a video game character. So I realise something, right now. I have to move around that ring and find my moments to attack you. Because if I let you catch me.”
“I'm dead.”
“And I doubt there is anything on this planet that can change that fact. So my best opportunity to beat you, which I will find a way to do, is channel something from the play book of Cassius Clay and float like a butterfly around that ring and sting like a bee when the right moment sticks its head up. It was clear when that tape of you surfaced from New York, that you were going to be the biggest and baddest man to enter an Exodus Pro ring. I saw what you did to Dump Truck. I've seen what you've done to Magnus Gunner and Justin Brooks. And I'm telling you now, I want to stay the hell away from that torture rack of yours, because I am certain that the moment you get me and start stretching you will come close to snapping me in half.”
“You're over four hundred pounds of pure hate, when I compare myself to you – I'm lucky if I add up to more than a forearm. But, that physical difference between us, it isn't going to stop me from finding the right moment to bring you down. The fear I have for what you can do to me, it isn't going to stop me from finding a way to overcome you. I was afraid of the bogeyman once. I lived in fear that he would strike from underneath the bed. But, you know what – I'm not afraid of him any more, so with a little bit of will power and fortitude. I'm sure I'll get over you.”
He shuffles again.
“I can accept you're a silverback when it comes to Exodus Pro, the biggest of the apes. But, that would stop me from getting to the fruit that I want. And that fruit is victory at the end of the Winter Road. If I've got to swing from the tree tops to get there, then that is what I'm going to do. It's funny, really, Omar. It's funny how you and I are basically polar opposites when it comes to personality and physicality, but when it comes to experience in the ring, we are not all that different. Both of you and I have taken the opportunities that have been presented to us and we have run with the ball. You've pounded through the offensive line, where I've streaked down the sideline and caught the hail mary pass, but the point remains the same – when we've been trusted with the ball we've scored. Sure, both of us have suffered losses here in Exodus Pro and neither of us are wearing straps around our waists. But, we've done something more important than both. We've put butts in seats.”
“They've come to see you the pick angry best that hates the world and they've comes to see you put down.”
“They've come to see me, the kid, who proves that anyone can achieve anything. They come to see me, so they can live their dreams.”
“And this week on Exodus Pro – they will come to see me put you down. Unfortunately, for me, that is easier said done. But it's not going to stop from trying.”
“It just remains to be seen whether you catch me or not. If you can, well, you've probably got this thing sewn up. Because, let's be honest here – I'm not going to win a fist fight if we get into you. But, if this game is turns into a game of cat and mouse, well that gives me my best chance of winning this. History shows you haven't got the cardio to chase me all not long. I just got to keep running until you fall down.”
“Not the best way to win. But if its what I need to do. Its what I need to do.”
“And I need this win to stay alive on the Winter Road.”
Alex Brooks gives the thumbs up.
Black.
A small buzzing sound is heard on the desk. The blonde looks around and finds something on her desk, which is mess of paperwork that she probably doesn't care to much about. She looks at it.
“Hey you.” says shouts across the room.
“Yes” responds the intrepid Alex Brooks, with the eagerness of a beagle pup.
“You can go in now.”
Alex nods, and jumps up like a grasshopper and trots across the room, like a teenage boy, who knows he is about to pop his cherry. Alex goes to knock on the door.
“It's open.” a disembodied voice from the other side yells.
He grabs the copper door knob and opens the door. The actual office doesn't really look any different to the waiting room. Well, except for the fact there is a fat, bald man sitting behind the desk instead of a reasonably attractive young blonde women. The fat bald guy directs Alex to seat in front of his desk. The two shake hands as Alex sits down.
The fat man behind the desk is first to speak. “Welcome, Kiddo.”
“Thankyou, Mr. Howard.”
“It's Dougie, kiddo.”
“Thank you, Dougie. Thanks for the opportunity to work with you.”
“It's alright, kiddo, I couldn't resist the chance to work a star that is in the national spotlight. It's not everyday a Exodus Pro superstar's resume turns up in the mail delivery.”
Alex nods nervously.
“I'm just grateful that you are willing to give me a chance to compete.”
“Kiddo... Kiddo... Kiddo... Thank you.”
Dougie Howard slides a piece of paper across the desk. “Here sign this.”
“What is it?”
“Your contract, Kiddo.”
Alex Brooks blindly picks up the pen and signs.
“Now! Now that you're officially a member of KA-POW! lemme tell you a few things, Kiddo.”
“Ok.”
“You didn't have to talk there, Kiddo. Look I know you're from Exodus Pro and they are big game and shit. Hell, I think there broadcasts even make it there backwater town. So I'll let you work for Exodus if you gotta a booking that clashes with a KA-POW! show. And if ya got a gig at that place in Las Vegas which I just found out about, well ya can go there too. Cause they got an interweb show or somethin'. But anything else. It's KA-POW! first baby. Sound fair?”
Alex Brooks looks a little perplexed. “Sounds fair.”
“SHH! You don't need to be talking. I need to be talking, Kiddo. So, now, lemme tell ya what you'll be doing here in KA-POW!”
“Ok.”
“SHH! What did I say?”
“Don-”
“SHH! SHH! SHH! Like I was sayin' I know your a good guy down there in the big town of Las Vegas. But here in KA-POW! You're gonna make the fans hate ya guts.
“But-”
“SHH!”
“I.”
“SHH”
“Don't.”
“SHH!”
“That.”
“SHH!”
“Will.”
“SHH!”
“Work.”
“SHOOOOOOOSH!”
Alex Brooks looks at his feet.
“Do you know where we are? Stop. SHH! Before you say anything I know you know where we are. It was a god damned rhetorical question. We're in LaPorte Shitfuck City, Iowa. And I'm the most interesting thing is backwards burgh you have ever found. So when I say I want you to be a bad guy. Well I know what I'm talking about. You understand?"
The now suddenly dumbfounded Alex Brooks says and does nothing.
“You can talk now, Kiddo.”
“Ok?”
“Alright. Good. Now like I was sayin', Kiddo. You're gonna make the fans hate ya guts. I don't need the boring-as-cows chewin grass Alex Brooks. I need the Mirror Universe Alex Brooks.”
“Mirror Universe?”
“Yeh, Mirror Universe. See, what's gonna happen is your gonna debut on our next show as normal Alex Brooks and the tag team known as The Wizards of OZ are gonna kidnap you and take you their manager The Wicked Witch of Northern Iowa. What she'll do is cast a spell and send you to the Mirror Universe. And then on the show after that you'll come back as Mirror Universe Alex Brooks. Ya like, Kiddo?”
“How will people tell me from Mirror Universe me?”
“Easy. Grow some facial hair.”
Dougie Howard reaches under the desk and pulls out a red T-Shirt and shows Alex the front. It reads “The Real Brooks.”
“And wear this.”
Dougie tosses the T-Shirt to Alex Brooks.
“Can you do that, Kiddo.”
“I don't know.”
Mr. Howard frowns.
“Well work it out, because that contract you just signed without reading, says that if you break your terms with me you have to repay the full term of wages and fifty percent of your Exodus Pro income while the contract term is still active.”
Alex' jaw drops and the owner of KA-POW! just laughs.
“Shoulda read it, Kiddo.”
Brooks shakes his head “How do you I go from being a bad guy here to being a good guy everywhere else?”
“I don't really care, Kiddo. Blame in on a Sea Monster that lives in San Diego . Call it the neon lights is Las Vegas. I don't give a shit. But when you're here. You are from the Mirror Universe. Now git outta here.”
The unscrupulous Dougie Howard extends his hand to shake, which the ever polite Alex Brooks accepts. Dougie squeezes Alex' hand just a little bit too much to show who is in charge. Alex Brooks walks out and closes the door behind him.
***
Blonde-hair, blue eyes, Justin Beiber like looks. It can be only one person, Alex Brooks and he his standing in front of the Exodus Pro banner.
“You know sometimes there are things that scare the living hell out of me. Things like Spiders, a jet engine crashing through the roof of my bedroom. Omar Wise.”
“Yes, you scare me, Omar. Right to my core. I look at what you did to J-Swag last week on Episode two of Exodus Pro. I saw how you handled Justin Brooks in the ring in the Main Event and that scares me too. You're big. You're bad. You're as mean as an angry badger. And this week I have to face inside that ring. I have to work out a way not combat that fear inside of me, Omar. Otherwise, when you and I actually come to locking up, you'll catch me, kill me, skin me and probably hang me on a meat hook for the whole world to see.”
Alex Brooks shifts nervously on the stool and swallows noticeably.
“I don't know what is worse right now, what I have seen you do. Or what I imagine you could do. I know that the imagery in my mind is far worse than what will really happen. But I am certain that you will do your best to channel all the rage that you feel into you fists so you can unleash it upon me with a force and fury unrivalled by anything but E.Honda's hundred hand slap and he's a video game character. So I realise something, right now. I have to move around that ring and find my moments to attack you. Because if I let you catch me.”
“I'm dead.”
“And I doubt there is anything on this planet that can change that fact. So my best opportunity to beat you, which I will find a way to do, is channel something from the play book of Cassius Clay and float like a butterfly around that ring and sting like a bee when the right moment sticks its head up. It was clear when that tape of you surfaced from New York, that you were going to be the biggest and baddest man to enter an Exodus Pro ring. I saw what you did to Dump Truck. I've seen what you've done to Magnus Gunner and Justin Brooks. And I'm telling you now, I want to stay the hell away from that torture rack of yours, because I am certain that the moment you get me and start stretching you will come close to snapping me in half.”
“You're over four hundred pounds of pure hate, when I compare myself to you – I'm lucky if I add up to more than a forearm. But, that physical difference between us, it isn't going to stop me from finding the right moment to bring you down. The fear I have for what you can do to me, it isn't going to stop me from finding a way to overcome you. I was afraid of the bogeyman once. I lived in fear that he would strike from underneath the bed. But, you know what – I'm not afraid of him any more, so with a little bit of will power and fortitude. I'm sure I'll get over you.”
He shuffles again.
“I can accept you're a silverback when it comes to Exodus Pro, the biggest of the apes. But, that would stop me from getting to the fruit that I want. And that fruit is victory at the end of the Winter Road. If I've got to swing from the tree tops to get there, then that is what I'm going to do. It's funny, really, Omar. It's funny how you and I are basically polar opposites when it comes to personality and physicality, but when it comes to experience in the ring, we are not all that different. Both of you and I have taken the opportunities that have been presented to us and we have run with the ball. You've pounded through the offensive line, where I've streaked down the sideline and caught the hail mary pass, but the point remains the same – when we've been trusted with the ball we've scored. Sure, both of us have suffered losses here in Exodus Pro and neither of us are wearing straps around our waists. But, we've done something more important than both. We've put butts in seats.”
“They've come to see you the pick angry best that hates the world and they've comes to see you put down.”
“They've come to see me, the kid, who proves that anyone can achieve anything. They come to see me, so they can live their dreams.”
“And this week on Exodus Pro – they will come to see me put you down. Unfortunately, for me, that is easier said done. But it's not going to stop from trying.”
“It just remains to be seen whether you catch me or not. If you can, well, you've probably got this thing sewn up. Because, let's be honest here – I'm not going to win a fist fight if we get into you. But, if this game is turns into a game of cat and mouse, well that gives me my best chance of winning this. History shows you haven't got the cardio to chase me all not long. I just got to keep running until you fall down.”
“Not the best way to win. But if its what I need to do. Its what I need to do.”
“And I need this win to stay alive on the Winter Road.”
Alex Brooks gives the thumbs up.
Black.