Post by #MrEXODUS on Jan 20, 2013 6:26:43 GMT -6
Playing For Keeps
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This was it... one on one with an opportunity to secure the last spot in the Winter Road Semi-Finals. As a fighter, and professional wrestler, these are the moments that define you. The opportunity to step into the ring against your foe, knowing that they have everything riding on this opportunity, much like yourself, and duking it out one-on-one to prove who the better man is... to prove who wants it more... to prove who is worthy of challenging for a Heavyweight Championship.
It's the situation that Johnny Cannon finds himself in, of course coming as no surprise to the Brit or his entourage. Nonetheless, the loquacious, yet skilled Briton has done just enough to get to this point. But just enough won't be good enough to beat someone the likes of Abby Park, not with the fulfillment of all of her aspirations and goals hanging in the balance. A 1-1 record has been sufficient enough to get Cannon within an arms reach of the Winter Road Semi-Finals, but he'll have to put force his greatest effort in order to get there.
And a man with his talent is capable of doing just that. A man with all the attributes and abilities needed to get the job done, is capable of putting forth such a performance.
It's the situation that Johnny Cannon finds himself in, of course coming as no surprise to the Brit or his entourage. Nonetheless, the loquacious, yet skilled Briton has done just enough to get to this point. But just enough won't be good enough to beat someone the likes of Abby Park, not with the fulfillment of all of her aspirations and goals hanging in the balance. A 1-1 record has been sufficient enough to get Cannon within an arms reach of the Winter Road Semi-Finals, but he'll have to put force his greatest effort in order to get there.
And a man with his talent is capable of doing just that. A man with all the attributes and abilities needed to get the job done, is capable of putting forth such a performance.
Monmouth Coffee
The Borough, London
January 19, 2013
[/color][/center]The Borough, London
January 19, 2013
We find ourselves in one of the most popular coffee shops in all of London. It's a cornerstone in the lives of all the business types during the morning, and for the students and common-folk throughout the rest of the day. It's essentially "heaven on earth", thanks to it's impeccable service, and great selection of tasty beverages and breakfast cuisine. And so it's here we find high profile, international commodity Johnny Cannon. His attire is relaxed and modest for the day, a breath of fresh air from the overly stylish wardrobes he's known for dawning, not to say that the outfit wasn't expensive. He sits in a booth in the corner of the shop, wearing a pair of shiny leather loafers, chinos, and a dress shirt with the top button undone, while his black cardigan rests on his chair. Cannon takes a sip of his cream filled cappuccino as Goodrich takes a seat across from him, placing his iPhone and chocolates down on the table before peering out at the window.
"It's nice to be back in good Ol' London.. I was getting rather homesick. Quinn turned his attention away from the pedestrians and passer-byes outside. "The California lifestyle is not really my cup of tea." He said, as he fiddled with his phone.
"Rubbish. How could you not enjoy the warm weather, and the bikinis? I've chatted up more women than I can count on my hands!" Cannon said enthusiastically, before taking another sip of his drink. "Don't get me wrong, London is my home, but there's nothing like a place where there's scrummy gals as far as the eyes can see."
"Your father would box you around the ears if he heard you say that mate..." Goodrich said with a laugh as he shook his head.
"Hold on a second, now I believe in monogamy, but I also believe in a dirty good time." Cannon chuckles for a moment, before taking a glance at the foot traffic outside the window. "But seriously Goodrich, you might have to get adjusted to Cali life. Considering the length of my contract with Exodus, it might be wise for us to grab an apartment in the area. It's easier than hotel hopping."
"But you love hotels. Actually, if I'm not mistaken, I recall you saying, 'hotels are better than houses because you can move from one to the other without the fear of ex girlfriends finding you.' Yeah, that sounds like something you would say." He said, beginning to eat his chocolates.
"I say a lot of things when I've had twenty pints and the curry. Can't really put much stock into that stuff." He explained with a casual shrug of his shoulders
"Ah but the words of the plastered are the thoughts of the sober." Goodrich said with a satisfied smile, seemingly having gotten the best of Johnny in the conversation.
"Be that as it may, it's in our best interests. I'll be the Exodus Heavyweight Champion soon Goodrich. I don't want to be carrying around that thing in hotels for some twit to try and knock off!" He boasted.
"Already looking ahead are we?" He said raising an eyebrow whilst dangling a piece of chocolate in is fingers.
"I'm always looking ahead, two and three steps to be specific. That's what makes me better than everyone else. The fight is ninety percent mental." He said assuredly, grazing his finger across the brim of his hot cup of cappuccino. "And I'm one hundred percent more shrewd and intelligent than these blokes Quinn. I'll let you do the math."
"No one's ever questioned that mate, however it's best not to overlook the present, because the moment could pass you right by." He popped the chocolate into his mouth and hung his head to the side, having dropped some knowledge on his client.
"If you think I'm not focused and keyed in on this next match, you've gone mad Goodrich. I'm not pissing around with this gal Abby. There's something about her... I can't quite put my finger on it." He pondered momentarily as the nature of their conversation became more serious.
"Maybe it's her big knockers." Goodrich said with a straight face, before eating some more chocolates. Cannon stared at him as he laughed hysterically, wondering how Quinn could keep the grave expression on his mug.
"I'd certainly like to put my fingers on those." He continued to laugh, going as far as to wipe a fake tear before taking a moment to compose himself. "But seriously, she's got an edge about her. She's caught my eye over the past month."
"Don't let her catch you on your arse too, or at least not while your wrestling." He urged him.
"That'd be most dreadful, so I'll try my best to make sure that that doesn't happen. I prefer to be on top in both cases anyway..."
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Jonathan Sr.'s Home
Bermondsey, London
January 19, 2013
[/color][/center]Bermondsey, London
January 19, 2013
With Goodrich holding their suitcases, Cannon rings the doorbell. After a few moments, the door is opened, and the two of them are invited in by Cannon's father, whom quickly embraces his superstar son. Quinn drops their luggage near the coat-rack before closing the door behind them. The three made their way into the living room, where a sports special covering Manchester United was on the television. Goodrich and Cannon made their way toward the sofa, while Jonathan Sr. had taken a seat in his recliner chair, lounging back.
"It's been so long little Johnny. I don't get to see you much, unless I'm looking on the television. The damn clicker is busted, I told Sharon to buy a new one... it all goes in one ear and out the other. The woman's bloody crazy." He began to ramble, staring at the soccer highlights and not even making eye contact with his son or his guest.
"Where's mum at anyway?" He inquired, helping himself to a croissant that laid on a plate on the table in front of him.
"I don't know Johnny, I believe she gone out with her friends for the day. I don't know what kind of fun women her age could be getting into you know. She knows you home yeah?"
"I gave her a bell earlier. Didn't have much time to talk you know... I'm busy and all." He said taking a bite of the croissant.
"With the wrestling yeah... make sure you hang with your mother when she gets in then?"
"Yeah." He took another bite, before wiping crumbs off the side of his mouth.
The three of them sat awkwardly in silence for a few minutes before Goodrich spoke up. "Mr. Richards, did you know Johnny's got a big match this week?"
"Does he now eh. Johnny you've been giving people a good ol' hurting have you? Just like your old man eh? Remember when I used to tell you the stories about when I was a bare-knuckle boxer? I used to give em' a good bruising back in the day. I've got the proof right here yeah?" Richards points to his beat up knuckles, smiling as he goes down the nostalgia trip.
"Yes I remember. Those were my bedtime stories." Cannon said rolling his eyes, un-amused.
"You know you could have been better than your old man if you would've stuck at it eh? But you wanted to be an actor and everything. I'm not really one for all the cameras and such. If you would've stayed here, you could be running the pub with your old man and making a living then?"
"I've made a pretty good living pa. I've made a lot of money doing the things I love. And like Goodrich said, I've got a big fight this week." Cannon said pridefully, trying to impress his father.
"He's in a tournament match Mr. Richards. Which is why we're here. We'd like to know if you still have the room where Johnny used to record?"
"What? The little studio yeah? Sharon kept it intact. I told her we should turn it into a den so I could watch the soccer games in peace but she doesn't listen... it all goes in one ear and out the other. The woman's bloody crazy." He began rambling again, much to Cannon's frustration.
"Well I need to use the studio. I have to put out a promo for my match." Cannon said as he and Goodrich got up from the sofa.
"I can watch yeah?" Richards asked, as he gradually rose up from his recliner. "Follow me then."
The three men walk into a small recording studio. It has red walls where the paint has visibly faded, and looks rather damp. Most of the ceiling tiles have been pushed to one side to allow room for wires and miscellaneous things. Goodrich and Richards make their way behind the camera as Johnny strolls onto the stage. The camera flickered on and focused calmly pulled up a seat. He folded his left leg over his right, and calmly began to do the things he was born to do, the thing he was better than everyone else at.
"Fancy meeting you here." Cannon said with a devilish grin. "But then again when I give it some thought, I've been looking left, right and center for some quality competition, and here I've found it in you love. So I'm not a bit surprised that the two of us have been forced to meet the other's acquaintance. Maybe it's fate of some sorts that we have to cross paths and all love. " Johnny rubs his eyes, and then washes over his face with his hands before sitting upright.
"And you've got a lot of endearing qualities about you love. You've got some things that have caught my attention, much like me to you. You've got every ounce of god given talent tightly packed in your little frame, and you take no prisoners. Something we have in common. We've both had a crack at Fiona Rourke, and for different circumstances, have been unable to squash that little Pixie along with her fantasies and sorts. Another thing we have in common yeah?" Johnny pauses to nod and shrug his shoulders. "And if I'm not mistaken, we're both even in this Tournament love. Guess we're a lot alike when you look at the picture."
"But then again, when you really look at the big picture, that's when the similarities come to a halt. That's because I'm going to be moving into the semi-final round love, and you'll be moving into my rear view mirror." Cannon boasted confidently, and with a smug grin that faded away as quickly as it surfaced.
"Are you nervous love? You should be. Not necessarily because you'll be fighting me, but because of the moment. This is your biggest match. The pressure has risen to substantial proportions, hanging over your head like a great big ceiling ready to plummet and crash down on top of you. I don't blame you love. I remember a long time ago when I was in your position, long before I was a marquee superstar, and a household name. I remember when I faced opportunities such as these. You feel like your arse over elbow. You feel the doubt creeping in, and the whispers of all the skeptics get louder and louder as the pressure mounts. And this pressure that you face now, it's not just any pressure love. This is THE pressure... the pressure to move to the next round of the Winter Road Tournament... the pressure to make good on an opportunity to compete for a Heavyweight Championship, an honor, privilege and opportunity many people NEVER get to have. Will you crack under that pressure Abby?" Cannon slowly rose to his feet, nodding as his own words echoed in the back of his mind.
"You probably will, but don't let that discourage you. Don't worry your pretty little head love about blowing your big chance. Don't start doubting, and second guessing yourself and all the things that got you here. You've got a lot of stuff these other blokes don't have. You've got moxie, ambition, and drive. These wankers would bite your arm off to have those things. So don't bother wondering about whether this match will make or break your career love. You and I both know that when it's all said and done and the dust finally settles, you will have proven that you can go toe to toe with the best fighter on the planet. You'll have proven that you can go blow for blow with Johnny Cannon love. So don't go off your trolley, worrying about if you'll squander this opportunity you have at becoming World Champion. Don't worry about blowing it love. Truth is, you've got all the makings of a future champion. Honestly, some day, the opportunity will present itself again."
"Somewhere down the line, after you follow the yellow brick road and ask the Wizard for another chance, you'll get one. Unfortunately for you, I'm not ready to head back to square one. Unfortunately for you, you're facing Johnny Cannon baby, and you'd be bloody mad to think you're going to throw a spanner in the works doll. My parade is only beginning to start... and I'm not going to let you rain on it love." Cannon shook his head dismissively.
"And don't get me wrong love, I'll be facing tremendous pressure as well. I've got the pressure to live up to my billing. I've got the pressure to prove without a shadow of a doubt that I'm the pound for pound, greatest fighter and wrestler that has ever lived. I'VE GOT THE PRESSURE... of bringing the Exodus Pro World Championship back to London, to show off to my friends and family, to prove to them that I'm worthy of being a champion. That's the kind of pressure that could drive a man bloody insane." Cannon paused for a moment, taking a breath as he adjusted the collar of his shirt.
"But I'm good with pressure love, in fact, I welcome it. I take that negative, and I transform it into a positive, and use it against my adversaries. All the pressure to be great, I just channel that, and then unleash it upon people with cold, and calculated strikes. And it's what I'll be forced to do to you. I wish it didn't have to come to this Abby, you're a nice gal. You're somebody I can respect in this cess-pit. But this is a fate we cannot advert. And so like every obstacle that has ever been placed before me, I must hurdle you. And if I cannot, I must simply run through you, because that's what I must do in order to fulfill the goals I have set out for myself. I must win the Winter Road Tournament. I must be crowned and coronated as this promotion's FIRST World Champion. That's because it will give me the unrivaled and unquestioned distinction of "Best In The World". And it's no secret that the best wrestlers from all parts of the free world are on the Exodus Roster. There's no doubt in my mind about that love. So winning the championship, would prove that I'm the greatest. I already believe, and know that I'm better than everyone else. It just won't be unanimous until I have that championship around my waist." Cannon motioned around his waist, putting on the invisible championship so to speak.
"Do you get what I'm saying love?"
"If you do then more power to you. That means you're sharper than most of these morons. That means you recognize and understand the points that I've made, and more importantly realize, that my victory can be the only outcome of our choice encounter."
"But if you don't. Then that means I'll have to hammer it into your little skull, and force feed the truth to you. That means I'll have to take you down a few pegs, knock you down a few notches, so that you understand your place in the fabric of the world. And your place is on your arse, with everybody else, on the outside looking in while I take my crown and my place at the top of the mountain love. And that's because I'm Johnny Cannon, and I'm the bees knees, and if you try to get in my way, I'll break yours." His eyes narrowed, his gaze now cold and foreboding.
"Abby, I know how much an opportunity like this means to you. It's like you've been dreaming of becoming a princess your whole life, and now you're one step away from being invited to the royal ball. You're one step away from being able to lose your slipper at the gala, and get your happily ever after."
"But you're not. The only way you're getting a happy ending is if you pay for one, and that's illegal... "
"But you sure can try love. And I know you will, so best of British luck to you, you're most certainly going to need it.
Cannon took a breath, and smiled, the ending of his declamation satisfactory enough for him. He looked into the camera with a utmost confidence before placing on his designer shades and giving a two fingered, 'V' shaped salute with his backhand facing the camera.
FADE
