A Twist In The Myth (Part 2)
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[Location: The NEW compound of Maximum Violence - Albuquerque, New Mexico - November 1st, 2011]
[Due to Maximum Violence's recent jump in success and popularity, he has been able to afford the nicer things in life. Mainly, a new compound in the city he calls home, Albuquerque. He also moved Barajas out of his home and onto the compound as well. Always easier to handle business when your main man is within walking distance. The compound is vast, but modest. A two-story home sits atop a hill with a lake in the backdrop. Near the home is a kennel with two pure Blue Heelers, about 14 weeks along. With new toys also comes new ways to protect those toys, as his twenty acre spread is surrounded with a privacy wall. Outside on the patio sit Maximum Violence and B2, both enjoying one of their favorite drinks, Bombay Sapphire Gin.]
Barajas: Granted, I got started much earlier than you did, you can still hold your own when challenged to a game of the drink.
Max: Don't forget who taught you that if it comes in a plastic bottle, it's probably no good.
[Barajas laughs.]
Barajas: That's right! I always thought that, if you could get drunk for under five dollars, it was a good day.
Max: Believe me, you end up paying for much more if you go for the cheap shit. If you can't afford good alcohol, you probably shouldn't be drinking in the first place.
Barajas: I'll drink to that, but only because I'm rich now.
[Barajas takes a sip of his gin, and continues to stare into the glass.]
Barajas: What do you think of that Carolyn Baker?
[Max stops mid-drink and looks at B2.]
Max: What do you mean?
Barajas: I mean, she is one fierce competitor, don't you think? Hell, did you see what she did to Talbot at BattleZone?
Max: No, I was busy getting ready for my match against Tilmaio. And I thought you were out handling business. Turns out your were giving the creeper peepers to another wrestler.
Barajas: It isn't like that at all! You know I am always on the lookout for potential competitors. I am also on the lookout for potential officers.
Max: Officers?
Barajas: Sure. What good is a Campain without some seasoned and efficient officers by your side?
[Max finishes the rest of his gin, and sets the glass down.]
Max: I suppose you have a point. However, now is not the time.
Barajas: What do you mean?
Max: Well, it seems that my Campain is going better than expected. The last three people I have faced have all fallen in short order, and the first two haven't been seen on BattleZone since. Now that this tournament is for a shot at true gold, the last thing we need is the distractions of a woman.
[Barajas breaks the stare with his drink, and finishes it, reaching for the half-empty bottle and pouring himself another drink. The look on his face is that of concern.]
Max: I can't believe Pinex came out on my time to make his little announcement.
[Barajas face relaxes now that Max has changed the subject.]
Barajas: The nerve, right?
[Max looks at B2.]
Max: I think our champion has gotten a bit too big for his britches, wouldn't you say? But, he isn't the current target. Glory Braddock is. She could be a tough bridge to cross.
[Barajas smirks.]
Barajas: Listen to you! I haven't heard genuine concern in your voice since I told you your cousin was hot! Do you need to lie down sweetheart?
[Max looks away.]
Max: She has genuine passion. She has that drive to compete, and I can't fault her for that. But, as her passion is strong, her will is weak.
Barajas: What do you mean?
Max: She made a vow to work her way back up the ladder. Seeing as how she has had her chance to gain the MWA World Heavyweight Title, she felt the need to prove her worth by starting all over again. All she has done since I have been here is beat Yasmeen, and that's not saying much. And now she has the opportunity once again to possibly become the champion?
[Max returns his stare to Barajas.]
Max: Miss Braddock has been given a golden opportunity, but I'm afraid her journey ends with me.
[Barajas begins to feel a bit uncomfortable.]
Barajas: Christ man. Save it for BattleZone. You see, that's why I don't enjoy drinking with you. You get all serious and shit, you really muff up the flow of the evening.
[Max rises, but staggers a bit. After finally righting himself, he grabs his empty glass.]
Max: I'm going to bed Nancy. Try not to stay up too late. I want you to reserve a room at that hotel I love staying at in New Orleans.
[Barajas' face slumps.]
Barajas: I hate that damn hotel! Hotels are meant for slumber and respite, not for scaring the shit out of you.
Max: I love the ballroom.
[Max rests a hand on B2's shoulder.]
Max: Don't fret lady. Maybe your new crush will meet you in your dreams for some delicious ugly-bumping.
Barajas: Unprofessional!
[Barajas stands to fight for his wounded honor, but is cut down by the use of his legs leaving him. He tumbles off the patio and onto the grass of the backyard. With Barajas' new found comfort, he closes his eyes.]
Barajas: Never drinking again...
Max: Sleep it off Barajas. I'll sick the hose on you tomorrow.
[Max staggers into the house as Barajas enjoys his new bed.]
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[4 hours later]
[The twilight of the moon shines down on Barajas, still lying in the front yard. Suddenly, the sprinkler system in the yard turns on, sending wave after wave of cold water onto the lawn. Barajas suddenly sits up, as if awoken from a bad dream. He sees a figure in front of him, but can't make the figure out due to the sprinklers assaulting his vision. He rubs the water out of his eyes and realizes that it is a figure of a woman. She begins to walk through the water and towards Barajas as he stands.]
Barajas: What are you doing here?
Morrigan: Just wanted to check out the new place....really nice stuff.
Barajas: You think you are being cute right now? I could have the police here in minutes an--
Morrigan: And I'd be gone in seconds! You know why I am here Barajas, and I want what it mine.
[Barajas stares at the ground.]
Barajas: I can't do that for you Carrie. It's ju--
Morrigan: My name is Morrigan.
[Barajas looks up at her, his patience wearing thin.]
Barajas: Morrigan. What you are asking for is something that I, nor any other reasonable human, could deliver on. I tried, you know I have, but you are asking for the impossible.
Morrigan: You think what I'm asking for is too much..
Barajas: What I think is that you need to just forget about Max and this whole vendetta you hold against him.
Morrigan: HE ABANDONED ME!
[Morrigan walks up to Barajas, coming up to about his chest. She looks up, her fiery eyes being cooled by the water.]
Morrigan: He left without even considering me, and what I've done for him. What he's given up for his dreams is nothing compared to what I have sacrificed.
Barajas: I sympathize, but that is a problem of a forgotten time. That was so long ago, Morrigan. Can't you just let go?
[Morrigan looks down, trailing her fingers over B2's now soaked t-shirt.]
Morrigan: Maybe you can help me forget?
[Barajas grabs her hand and tosses it to her side.]
Barajas: Get your disgusting tentacles off of me. You need to get the hell out of here. Don't come around here anymore Carrie.
Morrigan: My name's not-
Barajas: Yes it is! Your name is Carrie Patton! And you, like the rest of us, has felt love's bitter sting. Most of us learn and move on, but you can't seem to do that, can you?
[Barajas walks past her, then turns.]
Barajas: If I see you around again Carrie, you will regret it. Don't you poison what Max and I have fought so hard to bring back to life. He is happy now, and you should be happy for him too. Can't you just be happy knowing you helped him keep it together during a crucial time in his life? When the fuck is it going to be enough?!
[He continues to walk away from her, leaving her in the drenched yard alone as the scene fades.]
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[Location: The Ballroom Of The Hotel Monteleone- New Orleans, Louisiana - Saturday, November 12th, 2011]
[The main ballroom of the Hotel Monteleone is bathed in a soft violet light. Inside the large room is a long dinner table. Seated at the dinner table is only one guest. Maximum Violence sits at the head of the table, a lovely feast set out before him with places set for many guests. He reaches for a large decanter, and begins to pour himself a modest glass of wine.]
[He rises.]
Max: ..I have been here two months, and look at all I've accomplished. People know my name all over the world again, and everything is as it should be. I have made good on every word that I have made, and destroyed every obstacle put in my path. That is why this table is so empty. This table is reserved for those who are strong enough to either fight with me, or by my side. These places should be filled with the greats, yet they are empty.
[Max dips a finger into one of the pies set out and tastes it.]
Max: I should be sharing these spoils of war, yet I enjoy them alone. No one has been able to silence me. Not the great Sean McBride, not the high-flying Bowden, nor the giant Tilmaio. All tried, and all failed in epic fashion. I have searched and I have searched, yet my quest and left me empty-handed. Am I truly the strongest warrior the MWA has to offer?
[He slams his fist on the table.]
Max: My Alliance is in peril. Wrestlers come to me thinking they are the ones to defeat me, and I prove them wrong every time. It seems that, instead of saving the MWA, I am destroying it. I had lost a lot of hope in this venture over the last few days. I thought to myself, "Who could possibly pose any sort of a threat to my Campain? Is there anyone out there that could offer me any sort of a worthy battle?"
[Max grabs his glass of wine.]
Max: Then I saw Glory Braddock win her match, and my eyes lit up. You see, I knew Tilmaio wasn't going to be much of a mountain for me to climb, and I am always on the eye for potential combatants. When I saw your hand raised, a rush of adrenaline went through my body. I knew that this was going to be the challenge that I was looking for! After weeks of the sub-standard, I finally get a World Class competitor to try and take me down.
[Max takes a long drink from his glass, and sets it down.]
Max: Then I remembered that your journey has been shrouded in failure from the start. My heart sank, and I knew that you would be just like the others. Easy prey...easy meat. When I look at you, all I see is another Sean McBride, or another Matthew Bowden. Someone who thinks they have so much potential, but in the end they are nothing more than fabrications. Your mate fell by the wayside, like everyone else. What makes you think your story is going to end any different? Do you not realize who it is you are facing, Glory? I know you are a strong girl, but are you a wise girl as well? Look at the last two months in the MWA. Sure, tournaments have begun, champions have thrown down their pitiful challenges, but there has been only one constant..me. You are going to bear witness to something miraculous Glory, and you are going to be part in a great becoming in the MWA.
[Max sits on the table.]
Max: And that's what you want after all, isn't it? You want your big shot at redemption. You feel this insatiable urge to right the wrongs and win what you think is rightfully yours. I applaud your passion, you definitely have people convinced that you are someone that should be avoided at all costs. I think that's great. You may have everyone else fooled, but you don't have me fooled. I know that, deep down, you are nothing more than a scared little girl, just trying her best to irk her way through this existence with as little pain as possible. Problem is, the fates placed you in my path, and my path has only one road. You either get out of the way, or become trampled underfoot. The things that I am going to show you at BattleZone aren't going to be nice, and they will shock you. You are going to be involved in the biggest fight of your life, and you are going to have to deal with me. You thought Steve Pinex was a challenge? He is a gentle rain compared to the grueling storm that is bearing down on you Glory.
[Max laughs to himself.]
Max: New Orleans knows a lot about storms. That is something that this city and I share: We have both been battered by ungodly storms, but survived them, and we still remain. You see, Glory? There is nothing you can do that hasn't been done to me already. I have been bruised, bloodied, broken, and left to rot by the best in this business. But, I always came back, and in the end, I would show them why I am the greatest warrior this sport has ever produced. Whatever you have left in your pitiful arsenal after Pinex and Yasmeen isn't going to be enough to stop me. I've seen you backstage. You walk around in constant pain. Yet, when you walk through that curtain, you shut it all out and try to give the people a show. Again, I admire that, but I have no room in my Alliance for someone who is weak. That is why you will fall like the rest of them. You don't have what it takes to weather my onslaught. You want redemption? You won't find it here. All that awaits you is pain..endless...beautiful...pain.
[He picks up his wine glass and drains it. Setting the glass back on the table, he rises.]
Max: I do know this, Glory. It is going to be one hell of a show. I know I wouldn't miss it for the world. Your road to redemption goes through me, and trust me, I don't think you're going to like where you are headed. It's time to gather what strength and courage you have left, and face me on the glorious battlefield. You will fight, and you will give it your all, but you will fail. And then it will be back to the end of the line, and I realize my goal of becoming MWA World Champion. Enjoy the use of your arms, Glory. You might not walk out of New Orleans with both of them in tact, Believe That.
[Maximum Violence walks away from the table, revealing a young woman sitting at the head of the table, her amber eyes burning a hole through the back of Max's head. She slowly begins to rise as the scene fades.]