Martin Karloff- Of Two Minds

Black screen. White text.

The following is a recorded conversation between Martin Karloff and Joshua Goldstein.



"Thank you for agreeing to speak with me, Joshua. You are a true friend."

"No problem, man. We haven't had a guys night since back when we were roomies."

"Yes. I remember those nights fondly. Eighties horror films, greasy pizza, and violent video games."

"It was one of the few times you weren't terrifying to be around. It was downright pleasant actually."

"Yes well. Didn't I seem more focused then? Even though I was..."

"Is this about Coda? Coda's a force of nature, duder."

"Not necessarily..."

"..."

"Okay yes, that match has been on my mind. Not to mention the fact that I seem to be the latest meal they are serving to Gavin Grimes. No matter, I intend to get in my licks at the very least."

"Aw, don't talk like that. I'm sure you have a chance at beating him just like anyone else does."

"Your positivity is childish, foolish, and not at all helpful."

"And as always I'm just gonna pretend you said 'Thank you' because we're buddies."

"I will not be successful so long as I remain as...indecisive as I have been."

"Indecisive?"

"Sometimes I feel like... I am of two minds. One half of me wishes to plan and strategize... The other half wants to throw all of that away and just brutalize my opponents.

"You know what this sounds like. You haven't said it out loud but you know exactly what it sounds like."

"No. It isn't like that."

'Have you been taking your meds?"

"Sometimes I forget to and-"

"Martin."

"...I ran out a month ago and didn't refill them. Didn't think I needed them anymore."

"Martin...Jeez. I'm one of the few people in Redemption who remember those two."

"Don't say 'Those two'. It was me, I was just unwell."

"You're afraid aren't you? You're afraid of admitting that you've just been playing Monster when you've had a leash on the REAL monsters this whole time."

"Do you want the leash off of them? Is that what you want?"

"Look, you want me to not sugarcoat things when I talk to you? Fine. The Manticore and The Phantom... people were afraid of them. I know that's what you want. The Monster Messiah has always seemed like you trying to recapture select bits of both of them but the Monster Messiah is a character played by you that is based on you. And if you have many more matches like the one you had with Coda? The Monster Messiah will be a parody of the prospect that Martin Karloff once was. I mean, I know this is an issue for you but you were always good about keeping the brutality in the ring."

"yes, but..."

"Martin. Buddy. I may not appreciate some of the stuff that those two did.. but they were capable of being happy even when Xaria wasn't around. I saw you backstage before she started accompanying you to shows. Heck, I was travelling with you. This had become a job for you. When we were training together we never thought we'd think of this as a job. I still don't."

"That's because you're a childish idiot. No offense."

"I'd take offense if I wasn't talking to the only person who had more toys than I do."

"It's film memorabilia."

"..."

"Oh shut up."

"Didn't say anything."

"You said enough with your silence."

"Uh-huh. Look talk it over with Xaria. As obsessed as you are with your wife you'd think you could maybe bring this kind of stuff up to her."

"She has been... she seems to have her mind on something else. Not sure what but she keeps insisting she's okay. I do not understand."

"Sounds like basic relationship stuff to me, Marty. Now are we gonna get caught up on Ash Vs. The Evil Dead or not?"

"Sounds groovy."

____________________________________________

"I will keep this brief." Martin says. He is sitting alone in the backstage dressing room he shares with his wife Xaria.

"Despite his boasting, Gavin Grimes remains flesh, blood and bone. Flesh tears. Blood spills. Bones break. He scoffs at any mention of him being anything less than untouchable. He would do well to remember how the Achilles tendon was named. There is weakness and insecurity in every boast. ANy who pass judgement on him are dismissed with a 'Lol' and ignored." Martin says.

"I respect Gavin Grimes. That respect has earned him extra effort that will cause him to wish I did not respect him nearly as much as I do. It would be disrespectful to not give him more fight than he ever expected. I will however adhere to my promise not to disembowel him. Though due to Gavin's flippant attitude, It wishes... I mean... I wish that perhaps I had not made such a promise." Martin says, taking a moment to clear his throat. His voice had briefly shifted into something more akin to a growl. Martin shakilly opens a bottle of water and takes a sip. He regains his composure though he seems to be have briefly been rattled by something.

"As I was saying... I have no Horror movie comparisons for you, Gavin. No equations I have been slaving away on either. All I can offer you is a man. A man who is capable and has something to prove. I understand this match was made to make you look good. I understand how I am viewed by management. But I'll be damned if I'm not leaving that ring without a piece of you." Martin says.

"I am...of two minds lately. I suppose that's how I will put it for now. The options available to me both...offer their own enticements. I have been trying to deny their hold on me for some time but I fear the time is coming when I can deny it no longer. I have to....I have to either..." Martin says.

"Plot and Scheme or..." Martin says, his voice cold and calculating.

"...Rip and Tear." He adds in that growl we heard earlier.

"What makes the grass grow?"

"Blood Blood Blood."