Act IV - The Restoration

The Restoration is an advanced skill - one that only the truly experienced and learned magician can use to great effect.

In this beginning, a magician will destroy the object of attention, rendering it wholly incomplete and destroyed. Over the course of the performance, the magician will summon their ‘powers’ in order to conclude with the object of attention returned to its whole and original state.

While seemingly a simple performance, there is - of course - a high degree of danger the more ‘lively’ the object is. A miscalculation with a saw and an assistant may, indeed, be cut in half! Care and attention to detail is of the greatest foundation for this skill!


Sally closes her eyes, “No, we don’t have the time. We’ve got a show in …”

“In a week, yeah,” Matt reaches for his water, “But still.”

“Maybe,” Sally sits up now, at full attention, “Maybe look into it for me?”

Matt, in a sign of confidence, nods, “Will do. I’ll arrange it all.”

————— [ The Olivian Apartments, Seattle, Washington ] —————

“So what does that mean?”

Sally turns on her heels with all the shock and confusion that comes from being told you have no match on the next show.

“It means you have extra time to prepare for the Honour Cup,” Matt - Sally’s manager - scrambles for a reason, “Look at the bright side: You’ll probably be the most prepared competitor in the tournament.”

“I’ve been preparing for this for more than anyone else,” Sally finds herself a seat, “Since the day I returned, I knew the Honour Cup would be a lynchpin for all this. All that I’m fighting for … the Honour Cup will be crucial. You know that as well as I do. You were part of the conversations … the planning …”

“And now you’re going to be even more ready,” A sigh of relief from Matt, thinking he’s defused the situation, “Just keep on looking at the silver lining.”

*Ding*

That now iconic sound of an iPhone message breaking up any conversation sounds.

“Yes, because, you know,” Sally reaches for her phone, “There’s really only the silver lining to being left off an Exodus supershow. Because I definitely don’t have a match!” Sally slides open her phone, her eyes scanning and her fingers speeding across the screen. “I guess Sally Talfourd isn't EXODUS Kingdom 2 calibre talent? Oh … this is interesting.”

Matt’s attention is caught, “What’s that?”

“Oh, nothing,” Sally’s frustrations give way to a smile, “Just a friend. Wants to organise a lunch or a catch-up or something.”

“Well,” Matt rests back in his seat, happy that the conversation has moved on from the glaringly obvious point that he has failed to secure a match for his client for the next month, “Why don’t you catch up with them. Make a thing out of it?”

“Yeah …” A wild idea appears! “Yeah, maybe I will. I might even be able to kill two birds with one stone come to think of it. Did you manage to make contact with … him?”

There’s a moment of silence between the two, a moment Matt had hoped wouldn’t come, but had somehow expected, “Yes, I did. Remember last time? When you asked?”

“Good, excellent,” Sally looks like she’s ready to leave now, “Well, book the tickets for tomorrow. 2 adults …”

“I don’t think I can make it, Sally,” A hint of nervousness in Matt’s voice, “I mean, on such short notice …”

“Oh, sorry Matt: You’re not coming. I’ll go with my friend. He’s in the business, so I’m sure he’ll appreciate a visit to Magic Wrestling.”

————— [ Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Sumida, Tokyo, Japan ] —————

Which fades away to a shot of Sally walking along the streets of her next town. Such is the life of the wrestler - they travel from town to town, a night here and a night there. If you’re not careful, you can get a little lonely in this world of wrestling. Anyway, Sally walks the streets of Calw, in Iowa.

We’re in Ryōgoku Kokugikan, 2003, with our most adorable Sally just starting to learn her way around a wrestling ring. Our lady works for a very small touring company - BBW - which has just taken part in a big, international spectacular wherein Sally was victorious in a showcase match with her American partner: Doug Talfourd. Some keen-eyed fans may remember that being the night when Sally Talfourd first met Chris Strike and being floor with awe and amazement.

It’s still at the time when Sally is destined to become the Sally that we all know and love. She’s not ‘The Last Magician’. Well, at least not yet.

But why are we here though?

For the origins of Sally Talfourd.

To find out how the world was gifted the Last Magician.

Matt, only a few weeks into what will become a decade-long (or more) partnership, is in tow alongside her. She casts a glance to Matt, a smile to start the episode - the same start she will be giving years and years later. Of course, this all happens at exactly the wrong time as she bumps into some on-coming pedestrian.

“Oh!” Sally is startled, a little embarrassed, “Gomen nasai (Sorry)!”

“Iie, goshinpainaku (No, don’t worry),” He replies, an honest hand on his heart “Nichigainai bukiyou (I am clumsy).”

Sally untangles herself from this gentleman, giving him a look-over just to make sure it was worth her while. There is little to see though - what makes up the man is hidden behind a tan overcoat, and what is of his face is hidden behind some big, round sunglasses (the style John Lennon made famous) and a fedora hat pulled down low and collar turned up

Before she can inquire any more, he gives her a pat on the shoulder to snap her to, “Dewa, mata chikai uchini (See you again).”

And off he goes, leaving Sally and Matt to ponder curiously about the man. Any other man, and Sally may well have gone on her way. She may have not paid him another thought or moment of attention. But this man ... there was something about this man. Some would say a ‘presence’, others would say an ‘aura’. Sally, however, is left with nothing to say as the whole exchange is quite curious. The two watch as he leaves, rounds the corner as seemingly has disappeared from both their lives - the whole event a minor footnote to this day which will be drowned out by those that are far more important and mentionable.

However, little do our protagonists know that this is one of those far more important and mentionable days.

As Sally shakes her head, bringing herself back to the moment, she gives an altogether strange and queer look at Matt. A cocked eyebrow says that she’s intrigued, but that look in her eyes suggests that she really is lost in the occasion. But a shrug of the shoulder finishes it all, and she is off.

“Sally!’ Matt, with a quick look back behind him, catches something on the ground before he can chase after Sally, “Did you drop this?”

As Sally stops to turn, Matt quickly takes up a white piece of paper, though upon touch it’s not quote paper. Card - 12pt thickness. Precisely 3.5 inches by 2. A business card. Matt goes to turn it over, but Sally is quick to take it. If it’s hers, she’s not likely to want Matt looking it over. If it’s not, then she’s all the more curious to set eyes on it. Now a furrowed brow, an inquiring look, and then a ‘hmmm’ that may come from the throat but certainly originated in the mind all draw everyone in the curious case of the card.

“What’s it say?”

Say shrugs, “It’s for some wrestling school …"

“But what does it say?” Matt says, a little urgency creeping into his voice.

“Well,” Sally studies the card, “It says ’Magic Wrestling. School not for everybody. For unusual people only. 121.’”

Sally can’t help but flip it over. In that instant, if your eyes were quick enough to catch it, you would see the emblazoned red lettering of just that: Magic Wrestling ... School not for everybody ... unusual people ... and then, below it all in the centre: 121. What could it all mean? The card is indeed a curious thing. Finding nothing on the back, Sally goes back to the front to re-read. Better to check and be safe than not and be sorry. But, still, those words glare up at her.

She looks back up to Matt, again all quizzical. “D’you think it was that guy? That we bumped into?”

“You bumped into him.”

“Whoever. What does that matter?” Sally looks back to where the man walked away from, “He was pretty unusual.”

“Yeah, he was weird.”

Sally looks taken aback at that, “I didn’t say weird. I said unusual.”

“What’s the difference?” Matt smirks, as if it even matters.

“Well, he was unusual. He seemed interesting. On the other hand,” Sally looks back at the card, examining it again, “You’re weird and I’m not in the slightest interested in you.”

“Hey!”

Sally looks up with a cheeky smile. The same smile we will see hundreds of times more. She carefully flicks the card in her fingers, then looks around.

“There’s no address?” Matt’s now intrigued, “Nothing saying where …"

“Nope. Just that: ‘Magic Wrestling. School not for everybody. Unusual people only. 121.’”

“121?” Matt mumbles a repeat, “What’s that for you think?”

“What’s any of this for?” Sally looks up, as confused as anyone else, “A business card? For a wrestling school? With no contact stuff on it? It’s all a bit unusual if you ask me.”

“Yeah…” He mutters to himself as he turned to walk off, “Weird…"

Sally frowns at Matt’s back, then carefully slide the card into her front pocket, “Unusual.”

————— [ Seoul, South Korea ] —————

Sally finds herself in her element, in Seoul. Night has set, and the really interesting people have hit the streets. Some of the most stylish, well-dressed, beautiful people you will ever see lit by the neon signs of adverts and club signs.

Sally, here on a bit of business and a bit of pleasure, is more interested in simply finding the right place and the right time. No raging nights, no parties, nothing like that. Tonight, it’s time to just look around and take in the sites that she misses more than she sees.

After some walking and some looking, she can’t help but stop into a cafe where everyone is dressed as if it were 5-star dining. Sitting there, a cup of coffee cooling, Sally flicking through her photo, a voice catches her attention from over her shoulder.

“My Last Magician. Oh how I’ve been waiting for today.”

————— [ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV ] —————

Well, here we are. Back on the stage to put on the performance of my 2015.

You see, there isn’t much of a bigger, brighter, better stage than when you’re part of the Honour Cup show. It is, in itself, the greatest and highest accomplishment that Exodus has. You see, you can win the World Championship at just about and supershow. And The International title? San Diego Bay title? Pacific Coast title?

Whenever any of these titles are on the line, someone decent enough can win it.

Yes, it takes skill. A decent amount of skill.

And yes, it takes talent. A decent amount of talent.

But do you know what it doesn’t take to win any of those titles?

Honour.

I mean, just take a look at the World Champion … the International Champion … the San Diego Bay Champion … where is their honour? No honour in what they do. Nothing in what they do in each and every match. Their words, their thoughts, what they stand for … where is their honour?

No, the opportunity to demonstrate honour - the kind of honour that Exodus deserves and needs - comes once a year. There’s Christmas, Easter, one’s birthday and the Honour Cup. Once a year, anyone who thinks that honour is something worth fighting for come out to perform.

And, thus, I’d like to introduce myself to that stage.

This tournament has seen some great and worthy competitors over the years. Some of the greatest that Exodus has seen have come and fought, some have even won. But … where are they? Where are they, now that the fight is getting tough?

Who shows the fans that there is someone to believe in? Where is someone to show the fans that honour is still alive here and that someone wants what’s right? Where is Exodus’ hero?

I know who the fans should be looking to. I know who the fans should be able to rally around. But, no: They have become self-obsessed idol-worshippers who are only concerned with titles.

The fans have no one. They have no one to believe in.

I can’t say I’m their last hope. I mean, there are … others, I guess. Not necessarily in my match … but they’re somewhere, right?

I’m bookended by a self-obsessed elitist, self-centred and driven to to personal success and a bitter, violent women hell-bent on pain. Two people who couldn’t represent honour any more than those that we’re hoping to replace.

And please, don’t take that the wrong way DeMarcus and Michio. There’s a time and a place for egos and for self-obsession and dishonour. Trust me, I know. It’s a great coping mechanism in difficult times, and it can get the win at the unlikeliest and desperate times. And trust me when I don’t say I’m judging you for any of that.

It’s not your fault you find yourself in Exodus where that kind of behaviour is, well, encouraged. It’s not your fault that you can thrive like that in Exodus. It’s not your fault that honour has been lost here.

It’s Exodus’ fault that all this has happened. And, well, it’s Exodus’ fault that you’ve been thrown in against me: The last person fighting for honour in this company. Unfair on you both? Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t think it’s unfair, personally. I think only the most honourable of people should make it to the very end - to within arm’s reach of the Cup itself!

And if it means I have to be the firewall between the viruses that threaten Exodus and the chance that maybe, with my efforts here to win the heart of Exodus back … then so be it.

Tonight will be a benchmark that will be hard to meet. I intend to make sure that only the best in Exodus get through to that final match - whether it’s me or not. I will put my everything into this match as I have put it into every match. There’s not been a match in Exodus that I’ve been part of where I’ve coasted. Not that I’m expecting you both to think that of me. But it’s worth mention so that you know just how hard I am going to make this.

If you can get past my best, good: You will deserve to have a chance at that Honour Cup. If you can’t, then that Cup deserves better than you. And the same goes with that semifinal: Whoever is in it, whoever wins it, whoever has anything to do with it … there’s going to be a degree of quality there that suggests the winner deserves it.

The Honour Cup is everything, right now. This is the key to saving Exodus. Saving it from its own supposed defenders. Saving it from the family. Saving it from this threat and the next threat and the next threat. Honour is that force that transcends time and the forces that seek to destroy Exodus. No matter what threats come, the fans will know that the Honour Cup is a refuge of respect and prestige and honour. The that Honour Cup will bring the saviour that Exodus needs each time things get dark.

It’s happened in the past, and it will happen again. This year? Perhaps? If I have any sway over it, it will be this year. That I will raise my hand in victory and give Exodus everything it needs to save itself. And, well, we can all see that that’s not going to be an easy fight. While Strike and Collins and Kane distract themselves with each other, mara is building her fortress from which to launch her final attach on Exodus.

And let’s not ignore the fact that a certain fallen God and once vanquished Monster has stepped out of the shadows. As if he is happy to fight for Exodus, right?

The fans need someone to rally around. They need someone that they can trust to fight for what they want. What they need. What they expect. They need someone to break this cycle at the top of people bickering and arguing and half-try to make Exodus a better place.

How great has Exodus been under the guidance of Chris Strike? I love him like a brother, but even he has to admit that under his watch, the family has grown, their threat has grown and mara is ready to strike.

And before him? Abby Park? And then Strike? And then Furor himself!

The recent state of Exodus leaves much to be desired. The Honour Cup is my first step in fixing all this. It’s needed a defender for such a long time. Was Andreas the last? Fiona when she was a Rourke? I don’t have a memory that goes back far enough.

But I do have a belief. A belief that Exodus needs something right now. It needs someone. It needs someone who stands up for honour and all that is good.

It needs someone that will be able to inspire the people and put fear into Exodus’ enemies’ hearts.

It needs me to do what I do, and to let the cards fall after they’ve been thrown in the air.