Post by Donovan Basch on Apr 4, 2018 22:13:19 GMT -5
BaschTech Headquarters
Oceanside, California
The interior of Donovan Basch’s office is sparsely decorated… dark, rich woods set against black walls, with a massive oak desk dominating most of the space in front of the far wall. West Coast Genesis South Bay Champion Danielle Basch sits on the edge of said desk, an open bag from the local Burger King sitting beside her as she gazes at her husband, West Coast Champion Donovan Basch. Donovan reaches into the bag, pulling out a Rodeo King burger. As Danielle looks on, he unwraps the burger, taking a moment to inspect his meal before taking a massive bite.
Danielle: Donny, I really wish you didn’t try to work through lunch…
He finishes chewing the food in his mouth, swallowing before looking up at his wife.
Donovan: Dearest, you know full well why I’ve been doing that lately….
He points toward the door, where through the double glass doors that open out to the rest of the executive floor, they can see the massive forms of Nathaniel Basch’s private security detail stationed nearby. Upon seeing the hired muscle, Danielle rolls her eyes.
Donovan: Between our two offices, this is the only place where we can truly enjoy our lunch in peace.
Danielle: I suppose you have a point. I’d still prefer eating somewhere a little more… relaxing.
Donovan: Nixy, any time I can simply BREATHE without my father’s two eagle-eyed brutes watching my every move is relaxing….
Danielle slowly nods her head.
Danielle: I suppose you have a point. Well, I guess I’d better dig in; nothing’s worse than a cold Whopper….
Danielle reaches into the bag, pulling out her own burger. As she unwraps it, she takes a look at it and frowns.
Danielle: Son of a bitch!
Startled by Danielle’s sudden outburst, Donovan sets his food down, a look of concern on his face as his eyes turn their focus to his bride, whose face is contorted in disgust.
Donovan: What’s wrong?
Danielle: That new intern you hired?
Donovan: You mean Ethan?
Danielle nods her head.
Danielle: Remind me to never send him out to get lunch again. I distinctly remember telling him… NO ONIONS. And… LOOK!
She lifts the top bun of her burger to reveal the offending vegetable, resting atop a layer of pickles, held in place by smeared ketchup. Donovan starts to chuckle.
Danielle: What’s so funny?
Donovan: There’s a quick fix for this, you know...
He smiles, then reaches over to peel the pungent white rings from Danielle’s food, then stuffs them into his own mouth. As Danielle cringes, Donovan chuckles.
Donovan: There… no more onions.
Danielle shakes her head, groaning.
Danielle: Between this and the pile of onion rings on your own burger, you are SOOOO not kissing me without brushing your teeth….
Donovan: Fair enough. Besides, I have some... other business to attend to. Something outside of BaschTech business.
Danielle says nothing, only giving him a knowing nod and a smile before the couple enjoy the rest of their lunch.
Scene opens inside the conference room, which is empty, save for a single occupant, whom we can only see from behind, sitting in a high-backed leather chair. The rest of the room is swathed in black, save for a oval table made of white birch, flanked on either side by several black leather chairs. The sound of liquid being swallowed can be heard shortly before the sound of crunching plastic, as if a water bottle is being crushed. Indeed, a moment later, such an object can be seen being tossed into a nearby recycling bin.
The chair turns to reveal said occupant to be none other than the CEO of BaschTech, as well as the reigning West Coast Champion, Donovan Basch. He steeples his hands under his chin, his face a mask of annoyance.
Donovan: Well, Ms Lark, you certainly enjoy running your mouth, but without the benefit of thinking first. If you think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done to my wife, you’re sadly mistaken. Now, my wife prefers to fight her own battles, and as you found out recently, she’s more than capable of doing so. Of course, now West Coast Genesis Management has seen fit to place you in my path, which is… to put it mildly… unfortunate for you.
He stands up, his massive frame towering over the table as he rests his hands on the surface.
Donovan: You’ve made it clear as crystal that wins and losses mean little to you, if anything. You see your matches more as opportunities to cause mayhem, rather than steps forward in your career. To you, the wrestling ring is just another playground, and not a place to better yourself. That’s where our viewpoints differ. I didn’t become the West Coast Champion by treating my opponents as “playthings.” I did it by being as ruthless in the ring as I am in the boardroom.
A sneer creeps across his face as his piercing blue eyes stare into the camera.
Donovan: I may be the standard bearer for West Coast Genesis, but I have no intention of resting on my laurels, little girl. But your match with me isn’t about improving your standing within my domain. It’s more of a lesson in what happens when you try to buck the system in order to get ahead.
You pride yourself in your penchant for sadism, but I’m giving you fair warning that, as far as destruction goes inside the squared circle, you and I are NOT equals. You gleefully go about doling out your punishment with no thought as to the consequences, whereas I am infinitely more calculating in what I do.
You may see this as a game, Ms. Lark, but take a good look around.
Donovan holds his arms out, glancing around the room.
Donovan: Does it look like I’m in any mood to play?
He shakes his head, placing his hands on his hips.
Donovan: Face the facts, little girl… this is one game you won’t be able to play. You are in MY world, and in my world, YOU will be the one that has to play by MY rules. And if you think you’ll be able to do otherwise….
He lets out a dark chuckle as one corner of his mouth curls upward in a derisive smirk.
Donovan: Then I’m afraid you’re not going to have a very good night.
The camera slowly starts to zoom in on his face as he continues to stare into the camera. Eventually, the scene slowly fades to black.