[The following is a voice-over]
"I must say, it was nice to get a small breather from the life of Brandon Barajas. That man drinks more alcohol than a forgotten 80's rocker. Nothing wrong with imbibing some delicious adult beverages now and then I suppose. However, I was overjoyed when he called me last week and informed me that he has an opportunity to battle it out for the MWA World Heavyweight Championship at Nemesis. All he has to do is make it past Nightmare and he will be in the fabled Hellmouth. It is quite an exciting time in the B2 camp indeed. He has invited me over to his home for a bit of fun and frivolity. Join me, won't you?"
Chapter 2 - Where Can You Find A VCR at 3am?
[I first got the call from B2 about a week ago at some ungodly hour. I could tell that his speech was a bit slurred, so I knew he was celebrating something.]
"Hello?"
"Noel! It's the B man."
[I looked at my clock and noticed it was quite late. Usually when he would call me at this hour, I would already be awake and preparing breakfast. However, I have made the States my home for this documentary, so I was only an hour ahead of his 2am call.]
"It's good to hear from you Mr. Barajas. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Your pleasure is owed to the fact that I am about to embark on a delicious journey of awesome. Heard the news?
[I had no idea what he was talking about. My mind was still groggy from the sudden call, but I didn't want B2 to think I wasn't in the know.]
"Why yes, yes I did! And I was very excited to hear the news."
"I know, right? I never thought I would be in this situation so early in my career. Max had to wait nearly a year."
[He must be talking about the MWA World Heavyweight Championship. Is it possible that the two would be battling it out for the title? I didn't want to assume, so I let him continue.]
"Think of it, Noel. You have the opportunity of potentially recording what could be the underdog story of the year. As soon as these qualifiers are done, six will remain to fight it out in the Hellmouth!"
[When he said 'Hellmouth', it sent a shudder through my body. I have only seen the match a handful of times, but it has always been a battle to be remembered. The situation was beginning to form in my mind.]
"Is Maximum Violence involved?"
"Of course he is. You don't think he would miss out on an opportunity like this, do you?"
"Right, I was foolish to ask. Do you know who you are facing?"
"Nightmare...a man I have known since I was a boy."
[I knew who he was talking about, but I was fairly certain he was a bit confused.]
"Is this a Nightmare different from the one already in the MWA?"
"No! I used to have 60 minute iron man matches against him back in the 90's. He would win some, but I would win more. Now we battle yet again. And I want you to be there by my side."
[Goodness, the thought of accompanying B2 to the ring for his match against Nightmare would indeed be an honor for me.]
"When do you need me there?"
"Well, I'm going to Max's place in Albuquerque to watch the eclipse. Why don't you join us and we will plan everything from there."
[I told him I would be there and hung up the phone. I was so glad to hear how great things were turning out for B2. He is one of the hardest workers you will ever see out there. So, I went to Albuquerque to watch the eclipse with the fellas. Even though the ales I brought were frowned upon, we ended up having a great time. Max and myself even shared a moment of lambasting B2 while he was inebriated. Just some harmless fun amongst friends. After all that fun, it was back to business as usual. I followed B2 around recording his training regime and night life. It was about midnight when Barajas approached me at the bar.]
"Are you ready to do this?"
[I was a bit confused, and I told him so.]
"The match, you old goat! We battle tonight!"
"Tonight? But I thought your match wasn't until Monday?"
"No, you fool! I have it all set up. Get us a cab, and prepare yourself for Nightmare!"
[I knew better than to argue with B2 when his blood was boiling. So I did what was asked of me. I had a cab come by and pick us up. Now, I thought we were heading straight for the airport, but the cab took us back to the hotel room. I assumed it was to pick up our belongings. I then found out that this wasn't the case as the cab drove away after B2 and myself exited the vehicle. I started inside, but realized that Barajas had stopped. For the first time since I've been with him, I saw fear in his eyes.]
"Everything alright?"
[It was almost as though he was in some sort of trance. I thought it was the liquor, but this was genuine. I placed a hand on his shoulder.]
"Barajas, are you ok?"
"What? Yeah...yeah I'm fine. It's been a long time since I've faced Nightmare. I guess I'm a bit apprehensive. Just give me a minute."
"Alright. I'll go on in and wait for you in the lobby. Take all the time you need."
[I headed inside. Inside the lobby I saw this lovely girl working at the front desk. I had never seen such a beauty work the night shift at a hotel before, so I decided to go make some small talk.]
"Hello, sir. What can I do for you?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just waiting for a friend."
[We shared an awkward silence. I know how this game is played. I extended my hand.]
"Name is Noel...Noel Standish."
[She shook my hand. Even something as simple as this gesture sent my heart racing.]
"I'm Michelle. It's a pleasure Mr. Standish."
['Mr. Standish'..she knew how to play on my heartstrings.]
"Michelle. That is a lovely name. 'Michelle, ma belle. Sont des mots qui vont tres bein esemble.'"
[She looked confused.]
"You know, the old Beatles song? 'Michelle ma belle. These are words that go together well.'"
[She smiled. I knew that one would win her over!]
"Well, if you will excuse me Mr. Standish, I have work to do."
[Apparently I wasn't winning her over with my McCartney-esque swooning. I had to use the last ace I had up my sleeve.]
"You know, I happen to have some tickets to the next MWA show at The Garden. If you like, I wou--"
[I was stopped mid-sentence by a hand on my shoulder. Well, it was more like a slap.]
"I'm ready."
[He couldn't have come at a worse time! I nearly had my hook set in this young lady, and I was trying to reel her in.]
"Could you give me just another minute? I'm right in the middle of something B2. This lovely young lady and I were ju--"
"That's a dude, Standish."
[I was shocked that B2 would slander such a beautiful woman!]
"That's absurd! I think I'd know if she was a man."
"Hey 'Michelle', pre-op or post?"
[I turned to my potential date for the MWA show, and she had the guiltiest look on her face. There was true doubt in my heart now.]
"....pre."
[Barajas began to laugh hysterically. I must say, I wasn't amused.]
"C'mon Noel. We have bigger fish to fry. Sorry my friend was such a bother Mike."
"That's Michelle.."
"Whatever!"
[After a heated exchange in the elevator, we made our way to the ballroom of the hotel. I felt like I was in that movie "Ghostbusters". Before we entered the ballroom, B2 stopped.]
"Now, behind these doors is Nightmare. I know you've never faced such a task before in your life Standish, but I need to know that you are going to be there in my corner and not run off like some scared bitch."
"B2, there is no way I would leave your side in the face of battle. You saved me from making a big mistake, so it's the least I can do."
"Alright, because it might get a little hairy in there. Are you ready to do this?"
"You bet!"
"I said ARE YOU FUCKING READY TO DO THIS?!"
"Let's fucking do it!"
[I was shocked at my use of language, but B2's pep talks usually brings that out of me. He slowly opened the door, and I was shocked at what was laid out before me...]
[A board game?! All this build up to play a damn board game? I was shocked. Apparently Barajas noticed as well.]
"I know, it's a pretty formidable opponent, isn't it?"
"I...I thought that we were going into battle against Nightmare?"
"We are! See? I got it all set up and ready to roll."
"But...but this is a board game."
[Barajas looked quite offended by my words.]
"It is so much more than that. Check it out."
[He walked over to the set up and pulled out a VHS tape.]
"You play against The Gatekeeper. If you don't beat him within 60 minutes, the game is over and your Nightmare begins!"
"Barajas, I was under the assumption that you and I were going to enter combat against your opponent at BattleZone, not some board game from the 90's."
"You know what they say about people that assume Standish."
"What's that?"
"It makes you look like a fucking idiot."
[I'm not sure that's what they actually say, but I didn't have time to object. Barajas' face was suddenlly sagging with sadness.]
"Everything alright?"
"No...no it isn't. We need an ancient artifact to bring this battle to fruition."
"What do we need?"
[Barajas walked up to me, a look in his eyes more serious than I have ever seen.]
"...a VCR."
[I had finally had enough of this.]
"Shouldn't we be focusing more on your match against Nightmare instead of your fixation with the board game Nightmare?"
"Why should I be worried about him? I'd be shocked if he even showed up. I'm more afraid of this guy.."
[B2 picked up the box and flipped it around.]
[The man was quite hideous looking. B2's eyes peeked over the top of the box.]
"Now tell me that isn't the face of fear. Nightmare don't got shit on The Gatekeepah!! Now, are you ready to play the game?
"Well, I--"
"ANSWER MEH!!!"
[Barajas nearly gave me a heart attack.]
"Sorry, he does that a lot in the game. Always gets me. Now, you go down to the front desk and you ask that man-woman if there are any 24 hour pawn shops, and get me a VCR."
[I walked out of the ballroom feeling confused, frustrated, and a bit nauseated. And so my quest began for the VCR...]
"But that is a story for another time.."
