Post by Adrien | Adam on Sept 21, 2017 1:15:26 GMT -5
You were the first of us to get lost
But you were the one they never caught
A safe place to hide away, a spot in the dark
And it came between us, it all came between us
We drifted apart as if we never met at all
As if nothing was lost, as if we never met at all
Where are you sleeping now, and do you dream of me at all?
If so, are you dreaming now?
And how does anyone find anyone in this carousel of people?
Tuesday, September 19th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
It was four o’clock in the afternoon in our nation’s capitol. The Psychic Warrior had been left in some arena somewhere. John Kennedy Fitzsimmons stood in his place behind the bar of ‘DHS’. ‘DHS’ was a small bar/performance venue in Washington DC that Johnny has owned and semi-operated for eight years. It had that punk club look of being in a state of quasi-disrepair and that punk club smell of dried sweat and spilled beer that over time seems to settle into one signature aroma.
Johnny gets off of his barstool and slides a coaster under one of its legs. He sits back down. Still wiggling. He shrugs it off and pours himself a Killians Irish Red from the tap. Johnny looks at his watch. Then at the door.
A meeting of Generals in DC. Johnny rolls his eyes slightly at the cliche he found himself in. Still, he was glad to be in familiar turf for it. Another look at the door after his phone buzzes. He watches as the door opens.
“I thiiiiiink this is the place. Let’s see if he’s in here.”
The man many people knew as the Dropkick King steps into the building, spotting Johnny at the bar.
Adrien: “Ah, looks like I found the place. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.”
Cochrane hops onto one of the stools near Johnny, leaving one empty between them as a buffer.
Johnny: “I’d have known if you were lost. I have a few Hoodie Ninjas outside. I spy on people sometimes. Paranoid Conspiracy Theorist thing.”
Johnny takes a sip of his beer.
Johnny: “A drink? I could get you a virgin Screwdriver.”
Adrien: “If you have a Sprite, that would suffice. Conspiracy theories always fascinated me. I don’t sometimes read into them because I necessarily believe in them, but there are a few that I’ve always thought seemed plausible and even the ones that don’t always at least make you open your mind a bit more to everything going on around you.”
The barstool underneath Adrien wiggles a bit like Johnny’s but Adrien ignores it as sets his keys and phone down on the bar.
Adrien: “I don’t come to the capital a whole lot. I’ll admit, it took me longer than it should have to find the place.”
Johnny takes out the soda gun and pours Adrien a Sprite in a pint glass, setting it in front of him.
Johnny: “Yeah, well they wouldn't let me put the whole name of the venue on the front.”
Johnny gestures behind Adrien to the stage where a large banner reads ‘DIE HIPSTER SCUM’. Adrien nods his head, understanding the reasoning behind it.
Adrien: “For once, I’m glad my music taste is more Green Day than some more ‘in the weeds’ act based on the policy you have on hipsters.”
Adrien takes a bit of a sip of his Sprite.
Adrien: “You don’t have to be a psychic to know why I’ve asked you to meet with me.”
Johnny takes a long draw off of his beer before setting it down on the bar. He wants to pick his words carefully.
Johnny: “Even before The Destroyers were formed I knew their individual parts would be a problem. If the egos of Matthew Shields and Kayla Richards are allowed to run rampant, and they find success… Adrien, I’ve been doing this for twelve years now and I doubt I have another twelve in me. I want to leave this industry better than I found it, and if I allow them to… poison the minds of the next generation… then I have failed.”
There is a pause.
Johnny: “I don't even really know her, but I'm worried about Coda.”
Johnny finishes his beer. Adrien, for the moment, isn’t exactly sure what to say next. He wasn’t expecting Maverick to be so open and expressive about how he really felt about the goings on of the newly renamed New Generation Wrestling. Adrien starts with the final part of what Johnny said.
Adrien: “I know what you mean about Coda. She says she values respect and talent, but I’m with you in that she is definitely blind to what her Destroyer family really represents. I’ve watched Matthew Shields open his mouth and say literally anything he thinks he can get away with saying to try to paint a picture the way he wants the world to see it, even if reality is something far different.”
Cochrane takes a deep breath before sipping his Sprite once more.
Adrien: “I’ve been in this industry for twelve years as well. And also like you, I’ve got more than one someone I’m counting on to be that next generation, hopefully keeping the legacy of what I want this industry to really be about intact. And you’re right. The Destroyers threaten that dream.”
Johnny pours himself another beer. He was being mindful of his limit. His history of addiction was common knowledge but he still indulged in a drink or two on occasion.
Johnny: “So you got a plan or do you have ‘pals and a neato name’?”
This was not the wacky psychic fella from television. Johnny was being blunt. He knew Adrien would appreciate that, and he did, in fact, take this matter very seriously.
Adrien: “Evening their numbers was only a step. Defeating Matthew Shields in a match with a violent stipulation was only another step. And believe me, I want to see if something can be done for Coda. If I had my way, I would get her the hell away from them.”
Adrien finishes his Sprite before placing the glass back on the counter.
Adrien: “If we can’t save Coda, then we will just have to limit their influence. And you do that by beating them. They were in four matches on Convergence. They only won one of them. Three of their matches were championship matches, even. Somehow they got three championship matches on the very next show, but there’s nothing we can do about that. I want to keep Shields and Kayla away from that Heavyweight Championship because you saw what Champion Shields can do to a roster. And I’m positive that Champion Kayla would bring us the same problems, and I’m sure you are too. I’m not suggesting we partner up and you become one of us. I’ve always gotten the lone wolf vibe from you, Johnny, and there’s no disrespect that you weren’t invited to be in the Guardians intended. We share a common enemy, but I did not believe you were prepared to form a brotherhood with me based on some remarks you make on occasion. But I respect the hell out of your talent. And my message is this: we are both considered to be in the ‘heavyweight division’...whatever that means. I’m fine with Champion Yujiro. And I’m fine with Champion Johnny. I’m sure you would rather Champion Adrien than either of those two. What I want from you is to know that if we are in a situation to keep gold away from them so they can’t spread their influence any further, we can count on each other to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Johnny chuckles as he sips at his new beer.
Johnny: “Yeah. I'm the lone wolf with an army of Ninjas.”
He’s never really explained what the deal is with the Hoodie Ninjas. It's probably a stupid and overly long explanation that isn't worth the time.
Adrien: “I’ve never assumed that my read was one hundred percent accurate. Our interactions have been mostly limited.”
Johnny shrugs.
Johnny: “I get it. People are either afraid of me because I’m ‘unpredictable’ or just flat out don’t like me. It’s whatever at this point. Not much of a difference between a ‘Lone Wolf’ and a ‘Crazy Guy with no Friends’. You get used to it. Professional help is being sought. Ink blots get interpreted as vaginas. Life goes on. It’s odd having to explain to a shrink that the most you ever feel alone is in front of a crowd of hundreds or thousands of people.”
Johnny looks into his beer for a second. He’s shown too much of his hand and already regrets it. Maybe a few too many beers.
Johnny: “When I was just starting out in this industry there was this company I worked for that was being taken over proper military style by these cats called the Order of Chaos. After they took things too far I got invited to a newly-formed group created specifically to take down the OoC. We called ourselves the Apostles of Ares. I was young and stupid but I knew right from wrong. We sent the OoC packing and the group disbanded, only re-emerging once when there was a real threat to the company. I guess I was a little offended to not be invited to the party because when it comes down to it, I never feel more alive than when I’m in a foxhole.”
Adrien: “You can always get a good idea of what the goal of a group is based on their names. Order of Chaos is pretty straightforward. They wanted to cause anarchy in that locker room. They wanted disorder and confusion to run rampant. The Destroyers are in that same vein. What do they want to do? They want to literally destroy anything that is in their path. I saw this attitude from Shields before I even stepped foot anywhere near this company. It’s why I chose to come to Redemption...I mean NGW now...because I saw a purpose for me here. This madman was treating this entire roster like he was their ruler. Like he was their god. That didn’t sit well with me. And I knew that I could make a difference. I knew I could stop him. Then...he became a them.”
Adrien looks down at his fiddling fingers.
Adrien: “The plan was supposed to be for Stacy to be on this roster with me, supporting me while I try to fight this tyrannical egomaniac if I needed it. She’s gone now. But what turned into a single act of kindness when I saw someone I felt like I could help turned into something I didn’t expect. It turned into a friendship between me and the Young Cubs. I was sought out by Jazmyn Rain because she saw what I was fighting for and wanted so badly to accomplish the same goal, telling me that she respected the hell out of me for what I was trying to do. I didn’t expect the Guardians to happen. It just did. I was a man who was just doing what I thought was the right thing at every turn.”
Adrien looks back up at Johnny.
Adrien: “The name of your group, Apostles of Ares. That name says a lot about the group. Your use of the word foxhole solidifies that. Ares was the Greek God of War. You saw yourself as soldiers, prepared to fight and defend. You only came together during a time where there was no peace, trying to create order where there is chaos...no pun intended…”
Johnny: “And now I’m doing my best not to feel like an Officer sitting in a war room wishing he was back on the front lines.”
Johnny looks at his inner forearm. AoA in bold lettering with two crossed spears and a Spartan soldier helmet in front of the ‘o’.
Adrien: “I was in a bit of an AoA versus OoC situation a few years ago. I joined a company called EXODUS Pro. There were two big factions going on in that company. One of them was called LEGION. They hospitalized the general manager of the company, seeking to kill the company. The group that was fighting to keep them from accomplishing that goal was called the Seikigun. It means army in Japanese. My very first time in their venue, a LEGION member threatened me, warning me that associating with someone I knew prior who was in the Seikigun was a mistake that I would regret. It led to them ambushing me before I even had my first match there. It led to me being a key member of the Seikigun and we dispatched them shortly after.”
Adrien pauses for a moment before continuing.
Adrien: “I guess my main point here is that this isn’t my first rodeo. I know you’re not implying I don’t know what I’m doing, but I do want to assure you that I do. I’ve been in this business just as long as you. I’ve only got one World Heavyweight Championship less than you. And I’m not saying that you wouldn’t be a huge help from taking down the Destroyers, but I don’t want you standing beside me because you see my side as the lesser of two evils. I don’t want to make you fight alongside of us because of a common enemy without their being friendship and a brotherhood amongst all of us. Those three? They will be prepared to stand beside me even if something other than the Destroyers attacks me. If someone like Caroline O’Hara Burchill or Chuck Matthews went after me, they would have my back. I don’t want to settle for the enemy of my enemy dynamics. But the thing of it is, you don’t have to be a Guardian to help. It’s like I said before, if it comes down to some sort of situation where the two of us are standing between Kayla and/or Matthew winning that championship, I want to make sure that either I win or you win. If the Destroyers point their guns at you, you can bet that I will round up the team and charge that ring for you, Johnny. You said most people are either afraid of you or just don’t like you. I definitely don’t dislike you, Johnny. I wouldn’t have spent our match trying to motivate you to fight back if I did. I know that you are one of the best damn talents on this roster. But my question is this: are you in this to stop them or are you in this to be a part of a group that hopes to stick together like a family?”
Johnny takes a moment to think. He really didn’t like opening up but he had a ‘well here it goes’ look on his face.
Johnny: “I’m not gonna ask you to invite me to this thing. I’m just gonna lay down some truth. When I lost that match against Yuji I was in a bad place. Real bad. I know it didn’t seem like I was happy about it at the time but the way you pulled that fight out of me… And how you handled yourself when I pinned you. That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. It’s something I’m never going to forget. That’s why when the Destroyers came out I asked you if you were sure you wanted me to leave and I meant it. I was gassed after our match and didn’t know you had a plan but I said to myself ‘Yeah, I could see marching into certain oblivion with this dude.’”
Johnny stops and sips at his beer.
Johnny: “I mean, even if I HAVE won one more World Title than he has.”
Johnny smirks playfully. Adrien lowers his eyelids a bit.
Adrien: “Yeah, hold the four is greater than three over my head now. The day I get my fourth, I’m going to make sure you remember that.”
Adrien smirks back this time.
Adrien: “I appreciate that you were prepared to fight them with me. I had that plan all along. I even timed out how long it would take me to dropkick all four sides of a cage at my home gym to make sure I got them if they all tried to surround me. After an intense match like the one we had, I didn’t want to have a tired Adrien and tired Johnny trying to take down a fresh foursome. I didn’t like those odds. And I didn’t want to put someone I barely knew in harm’s way like that. This might sound cold and calculating the way I evaluated it, but I knew that the best way to handle that was to go about it using the cage to keep them at bay. And it ended up working better than I could have hoped.”
Johnny: “Nah, it was smart. Definitely the right move. Woulda known so too if I hadn’t been ignoring my visions after the Yuji thing.”
Johnny burps quietly.
Johnny: “Battle lines are being drawn. It may come to the point where everyone has to pick a side. Whatever happens...now I know which one of those sides has a… a friend on it.”
Adrien extends his hand out to Maverick after standing from his barstool.
Adrien: “And if the shit hits the fan like you think it will...or maybe see that it will...the four of us will fight alongside you, Johnny.”
Johnny stands as well. He takes Adrien’s hand and gives him a handshake...right before reaching over the bar and embracing him in a tight hug… that goes on for way too long.
Adrien: “I-”
Johnny: “Shhhhhhh… Don’t ruin it.”
Adrien blinks for a moment, patting Maverick on his back as the shock of the surprising move from the DC native wears off.
Adrien: “I appreciate this, Johnny. More than you know.”
Johnny releases the hug.
Johnny: “Yeah, this meeting of the minds has been nice. Let’s not wait too long to do it again. Also, that’ll be a buck twenty-five for the Sprite.”
Johnny is screwing with him but has a damn good poker face.
Adrien: “You don’t have a minimum for American Express, do you?”
Adrien was pulling out his wallet, unaware that Johnny just yanking his chain.
Johnny: “Oh sweety. Just a rib. Your money is no good here.”
Adrien shrugs as he puts his wallet back in the back pocket of his blue jeans. He looks at the stage across the bar.
Adrien: “Do I have to do Rancid or Operation Ivy covers to be accepted by the clientele of this establishment or would Adrien originals be acceptable?”
Johnny: “The crowd is pretty easy to please. They like this local band called ‘Fuck You Mel Gibson’ a lot despite the fact that they’re terrible and I’m their lead guitarist.”
Adrien: “Well, you have a music venue, and I have a recording studio a bit outside of New Orleans. I feel like we can help each other in more than just in the ring.”
Adrien smiles a bit.
Adrien: “Let me on your stage and we can get ‘Fuck You Mel Gibson’ in a studio where...well, Eddie can try to make you guys sound better than terrible.”
Johnny: “‘Better Than Terrible: The Johnny Maverick Story’”
Adrien: “I love it already.”
And like that, all the tension between Maverick and Adrien and the Guardians was gone. Adrien knew that if it came down to it, they could count on Maverick helping them, even if he wasn’t going to be a member of the group. It was a weight off Adrien’s shoulders that somewhere, in the upper echelons of the talent in New Generation Wrestling, Adrien had a friend.
All of the years, they start to blend
You marry the search, it never ends
If I were a hero in this world of villains
I could have saved you, maybe I could have saved you
We drifted apart as if we never met at all
As if nothing was lost, as if we never met at all
Where are you sleeping now, and do you dream of me at all?
If so, are you dreaming now?
And how does anyone find anyone in this carousel of people?
CLICK HERE TO READ THE PROMO HALF OF THIS PIECE!!
