Post by Donovan Basch on Oct 14, 2017 3:31:25 GMT -5
Saturday, October 14th
Sometime in the early morning
Hotel Adagio
Scene opens with a shot from inside the suite shared by Danni LeBlanc and Donovan Basch. The sound of a lock being opened greets us, and a second later, the door opens and the two of them enter. Danni is definitely the more lively of the pair; Donovan looking just a bit… tired.
Danni: Well, that was a blast…. You sure you’re ok, Spidey?
Donovan: I told you it would take a lot of alcohol to get me to do karaoke…
Danni: Yeah, you did. I think people were taking bets to see how many shots you’d take before going up on stage…
Donovan looks over at his fiancee, not quite sure if she’s messing with him or not.
Donovan: Oh, really?
Danni: It was just a joke, you big silly. You did do a great job once you got up there, though. I told you that “Crazy Train” would be a great song for you….
Donovan: That’s debatable.
Danni: Oh, stop it, you. You killed it, Donny, so don’t tell me that you can’t sing.
Donovan: I never said that I can’t sing.. I just said that I can’t sing WELL…
Danni clutches onto his arm, an ear-to-ear grin plastered on her face.
Danni: Well, tonight proved you wrong, so deal.
The pair share a laugh as they take a seat on the sofa. Donovan drapes an arm over the back of the sofa as Danni curls up beside him. Her shoes fall from her feet as she rests her head on his chest.
Donovan: Which reminds me; YOU were the one that told me that you couldn’t sing. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more enchanting voice. It would seem that your affinity for mermaids is even more fitting.
Danni: I think you’re a little biased. I still don’t think I’m all that good. Alicia was a million times better than me. I WISH I had a voice like hers!
Donovan: Nonsense, Nixy! All bias aside, I still say you have a beautiful voice. As for the party, I will say this… If this were to happen again, I won’t be quite as reluctant to participate…
Danni’s face lights up.
Donovan: ...but this isn’t going to happen every weekend.
That lets the air out of her sails a bit, but doesn’t completely remove the smile from her face.
Danni: Hey, at least I got you to come out of your shell a little more. So, what did you think of the cake?
Donovan: You outdid yourself, Nixy. A “Friday the 13th” themed cake was perfect. Even the machete was edible…
Danni giggles as she drags a nail against the fabric of Donovan’s pants. A thin trail marks a winding path leading upwards from his knee.
Danni: Well, they weren’t going to let us bring in a REAL machete, no matter how much money we spent.
Donovan shrugs.
Donovan: Their insurance will only cover so much, I suppose. Anyway, it’s been a busy, fun-filled night. What do you say we turn in? After all, we’ve got a full day tomorrow.
Danni nods her head. She and Donovan get up from the sofa and head toward the bedroom. Just before they pass through the doorway, a playful smile spreads across her face.
Danni: Now, about those birthday spankings….
Donovan: DANIELLE!
Danni giggles as the bedroom door quickly closes.
Scene shifts to the bedroom, and a clock that reads 3:00 am. There, we find Donovan Basch sitting in a chair by the window, looking out through a gap in the curtains to the city below. A thick white robe covers his well-muscled shoulders as he stares out the window, his hand stroking his goatee.
Donovan: To say that I have mixed feelings about my match at Hype would be a gross understatement. On the one hand, I'm facing a reigning champion, albeit in non-title action. Victory would mean I gain some much-needed momentum on my journey toward the West Coast Championship. On the other hand, it's against someone that I consider a friend, even though I may seem a bit hard to read at times, and as such, it doesn’t always show.
Unlike SOME people I could mention, Ruby Lance epitomizes what a champion should be: poised, graceful, confident without being obnoxious. Truly, an inspiration to many. Once I become a champion, I can say with the utmost sincerity that I aspire to garner the level of respect that she has earned.
He glances across the room. Under the covers of the king-sized bed, his fiancee slumbers peacefully, a smile on her face as she rolls over onto her side. He shifts in his seat as he sees her hand move as if to reach out for him, and the resulting grimace on her face when her hand finds the empty space that would have otherwise been occupied by him.
Donovan: But that being said, I cannot afford to let that respect come between me and victory, Ruby. Yes, you are the current South Bay Champion, and as such, I will give you your due.
However, once we step through those ropes, friendship gets set aside in favor of competition. And while I don’t relish the idea of hurting a friend, if I don’t get in that ring and perform at my best, then am I truly deserving of the number one contendership for WCG’s primary championship?
It’s inevitable that I will have my match for the West Coast Championship. With a win over a former West Coast Champion under my belt, my claim on the title gets clearer day by day. But a win over a standing champion? Especially one like you? That would give me some serious bragging rights, and a certain “champ” will have to take notice.
Would this be a classic “David vs Goliath” match? Only if one looks at it superficially. I know what you’re capable of, Ruby. You wouldn't have accomplished half of what you've done if you weren't capable inside that ring. By the same token, you'd do well to realize what I'M capable of. While I'm not out to do any unnecessary harm, I cannot hold anything back. Even though the South Bay Championship is not on the line, I have to treat this match as if it were. Otherwise, why should I even bother?
He shrugs his shoulders, extending his arms at his sides.
Donovan: I'm sure you see my dilemma, Ruby; if I come at you with my full arsenal, I'll be seen as the villain. If I opt to show any restraint, I'm the fool. It's one of those “damned if you do, damned if you don't” scenarios. Perhaps it's my pride showing, but I can't let myself embrace the role of a fool. So, while I won't wholeheartedly claim the role of the villain in this case, I won't deny it either. Besides, it isn't as if I've never faced the negative opinions of the fans before. It’s the burden I bear upon my shoulders every time I step into the ring against those that manage to get close to me. And if Danni were awake, she’d likely make some sort of joke about how much weight my shoulders can carry.
A brief chuckle makes its way from the large competitor’s mouth as he once again glances at his sleeping bride-to-be.
Donovan: Regardless of what happens, please believe me when I say that this isn't personal, Ruby. But in order for me to get to where I feel that I deserve to be, I have to go through you to get there. Once this match is over, whatever the outcome, I have no problem raising your hand and giving you your proper recognition. During the match, however, my determination and will to win must supersede the respect I have for you.
And I expect the same from you as well, Ruby. I want your best, because I want our match to be the crowning jewel of West Coast Genesis’ time in the spotlight at the Square Circle Convention. In wrestling, it's a constant game of “Can You Top This”, and I want the rest of the roster to look on with no small amount of jealousy, knowing that we stole the show.
He stands up from his chair and takes a step toward the camera.
Donovan: Anything less is simply unacceptable….
Donovan continues walking forward, until his massive frame completely eclipses the camera’s lens. Though we can no longer see what is going on in the room, we can hear the groggy voice of Danni LeBlanc.
Danni: Everything alright, Spidey?
Donovan: Everything is just fine, Nixy. Go back to sleep….
The faint sound of lips meeting skin can be heard before the room goes silent.
Fade to black.