Post by Donovan Basch on Jan 21, 2018 3:54:47 GMT -5
Scene opens in Donovan Basch’s home office. Much as he was days ago, he is at his desk, his face aglow in the light of his computer monitor. This time, however, his mood is nowhere near as light as it was when he was preparing to wrestle for the West Coast Championship.
As Donovan leans back against the backrest of his chair, a dark, brooding expression on his face, he stares at the screen, which is replaying the ending of his championship match against Julianna DiMaria. While the official is preoccupied with securing the turnbuckle pad in the corner of the ring, Julianna uses a steel chair to knock her challenger unconscious, thus retaining her championship. As Donovan continues to watch the footage, which shows the referee completely overlooking the foreign object that is still in the ring, his face contorts into a hate-filled sneer.
His grim reverie is interrupted by a knock at the door. As the camera pans over, Donovan's wife, South Bay Champion Danielle Basch enters the room.
Danielle: Are you STILL watching that clip?
Donovan: Yes, I am.
A look of concern takes over Danielle’s face as she puts her hand on his shoulder.
Danielle: Are you all right?
Donovan: I'm fine.
He tries to turn his chair so as to not look at her directly in the eye, but Danielle sees right through the act. She moves to stand where she can look him in the eye, her hands planted firmly on her hips as she glares at him.
Danielle: What you are…. Is a terrible liar. You've been fuming mad ever since Ascension, and you have me worried.
Donovan: There's no need. If anything, I should be worried about you. After that attack...
Danielle cuts him off.
Danielle: Never mind what happened to me. I’ll deal with that little problem myself. Donny, I'm not the only one who's concerned….
She turns towards the doorway as the sound of heavy footsteps can be heard coming up the hallway.
Danielle: With that in mind, you have a visitor.
Suddenly, the doorway is filled with the massive frame of Donovan's wrestling trainer, Jason Perry.
Jason: Danni thought you might need someone to talk to that isn't quite so close to the situation. Besides, this bottle of Johnny Walker won't drink itself…
As Jason comes in, Danielle takes it as her cue to leave the room.
Danielle: I think I'll make myself scarce. Oh, and Donny?
Donovan turns to look at his wife, his eyebrow raised in curiosity.
Donovan: Yes?
Danielle: I'll see you… later.
With a wink of her eye, she departs. With just the two men there, Jason surveys the room. He nods his head, clearly impressed with the way Donovan has things set up.
Jason: Nice office. Where's the liquor cabinet?
Donovan arches an eyebrow in annoyance. Jason holds up the bottle in his hand.
Jason: Neither of us are going to drink this straight from the bottle, right?
Donovan: (sighing) To the right of the bookcase…
Jason crosses over to the indicated spot and retrieves two glasses. He sets them down on the desk, opens the bottle, and pours each of them a healthy measure of the potent liquid. He slides one of the glasses over in front of Donovan. Picking it up, he cautiously takes a whiff of the contents before sampling it. The moment it reaches his lips, he grimaces.
Donovan: What's in this, battery acid?
He recoils from the sensation in his mouth as the liquid burns his taste buds.
Jason: Just for color….
Jason chuckles, then takes his own glass and takes a healthy quaff.
Jason: So, about the match with DiMaria…
Donovan was in the middle of raising his glass again when the mere mention of his rival stops him cold.
Donovan: ……..
Donovan doesn’t say anything; he just stares at his mentor and growls.
Jason: I'm not a mind-reader, man. Tell me what's on your mind right now….
Donovan: What's on my mind right now…. Would very likely land me in a prison cell.
That… woman…. Denied me something I had worked so hard for. If I ever see that incompetent official again, I'll….
Jason cuts him off.
Jason: What you're going to do is shut up and focus. The ref isn't the problem… at least, not the entire problem.
Look, this was your very first title match, right?
Donovan: Right….
Jason: There will be other title opportunities, Donovan. Do you think that I won every single title match I'VE ever been in? FUCK no I haven't. Did it sting my pride when I lost? You bet your ass it did. Especially when I got screwed over for a championship. But I got over it….
Donovan: How did you do that?
Jason: Two ways. First, I picked apart the match until I could pinpoint where I could fix a problem….
Donovan: And the second way?
Jason grins evilly.
Jason: By making the next dumb motherfucker that stepped into the ring with me regret ever lacing up a pair of wrestling boots.
Slowly, Donovan's expression begins to mirror his mentor’s.
Donovan: You know… considering who I'm facing next, that's actually pretty sound advice…
Jason: Good.
Donovan: But, Jason….
Jason: Yeah?
Donovan: If you've ever thought about a career as a motivational speaker, I wouldn't suggest it…
Jason shakes his head.
Jason: Smartass….
Both men begin to laugh as the scene fades out.