Post by JMav/JGold/RNorth/MKarloff on May 13, 2018 9:41:53 GMT -5
MARTIN KARLOFF
Costumes
Costumes
There is nothing but darkness. There is an echo. A faucet is dripping somewhere.
"I'm not a monster, Julianna. I'm just a man. I put my boots on one foot at a time like everyone else in the back. It's just fun to put on a costume you know? Playing pretend is fun but in a way we all put on costumes don't we? In the face of trauma we put on a fake smile and try to work through it because the truth of the matter is that the World cares little for our trauma. We are all spokes on the wheel. The wheel keeps spinning no matter what bad things happen to us and we have to make the tough decision to rejoin the World before we are actually ready. Good for you, Julianna. Good for you for facing your trauma... but perhaps you'll be facing it in a way you hadn't anticipated. It's fun to put on a costume, Julianna." A creepy but somewhat mischievous voice says in the darkness.
We hear something. The familiar sound of a hand pulling on the drawstring of a light bulb. The solitary light bulb in the room turns on and illuminates Martin Karloff, dressed in new ‘war paint’ that echoes perfectly the appearance of the Nite Staker.
"I know I'm having a blast." Martin says before smiling in that Nite Stalker way. Clearly he has been studying.
“It’s so very brave of you to be here, Julianna. Putting on a brave face for everybody even though no matter what happens in this match once it ends I will be going home to a bed warmed by the love of my wife while you go to a bed devoid of warmth with perhaps only the lingering scents of what you had been fooled into believing was love. We are all very proud of you. Let’s give her a hand!” Martin says. He starts clapping and more lights turn out and we zoom out to see the Faceless are all around Martin, all also in Nite Stalker costumes, his familiar face paint over their usually feature-neutral white masks.
“It’s easier to read people than everyone seems to think. Generalizations are easy to make. I’ve been compared to Matt Shields but few people consider I’ve been doing the Horror Film thing since well before Matthew thought he was an actual King due to brain trauma and that unlike Matthew I do not owe large sums of money to various Asian prostitutes. Many people may compare me to my former trainer Johnathan but those people are stupid and should consider consuming thumb tacks the next time they think they might have a thought. However I am capable of accepting some of the fault for how I am perceived. Can you do that, Julianna? Are you capable of accepting blame? Are you capable of looking at what happened between you and young James and saying ‘perhaps if I were a better person this all would have blown over and I would not be alone’? Perhaps you could squeeze in a few moments of self-reflection between tweets about Jessica Sears who you seemingly have an unrequited obsession with. Many people have interpreted this obsession as romantic but anyone with any degree of observational skill can see it for what it really is. See, Jessica has a caring lover, a supportive family, and leagues of drooling nerdy virgins who would give anything to just place their hand on a chair she had been sitting on just to feel a little of the warmth that had radiated from her bottom. I mean, I find that pathetic but in your case I can see where that jealousy comes from. She has all that and what do you have? Allow me to provide you with a striking visual aid.” Martin says. He motions to the Faceless. One of them places a block of wood in front of Martin. Another hands Martin a large sledgehammer, and a third sets a Nintendo Gamecube on the block of wood. Martin takes a mighty swing and pulverizes the video game console into shards of plastic and circuitry. The Faceless clean the mess up for him quickly and take the hammer from him.
“Anger does not make you a better fighter, Julianna. If anything it makes you sloppy. Anyone claiming to be ‘using’ anger would be doing leagues better as a fighter if they just let that anger go. I’m not angry at you Julianna, even if it is your goal to ‘make me your bitch’ which is… perhaps one of the more laughable notions I have come across in my recent memory. Insult my family all you wish. They will be there to greet me and hug me after I return home from this match because they love me no matter what happens in the ring. You may never know that love. All I can feel for you is pity, Julianna. I can tell how you want to be perceived….but the entire world of Professional Wrestling instead looks at you, shakes their heads, and says ‘What a shame.’ ‘If only she learned her lesson.’ ‘If only she were a nicer person then maybe things like this wouldn’t happen to her.’ You are quick to blame your upbringing despite the fact you are an adult woman and could distance yourself from said family at a moment’s notice. You are paying a professional and seeking help. That is amazing. Good for you. I have done the same in the past but allow me to enlighten you to something your Therapist may not say to your face.” Martin says. He clears his throat.
“Everything bad that has happened to you has been your fault, It is likely never going to get better, and the most likely outcome is that you are going to die alone screaming at walls about the backside of a woman who is more successful than you and cares about you maybe 1/100th of the amount that you care about her.” Martin says. He twirls in his trenchcoat a bit.
“You know I like this costume a lot. I think maybe I might wear it for our match. Just please don’t become confused and try and lay hands on me on an improper manner, I am a married man after all. Just remember Julianna. We all feel really sorry for you but personally? I’m so so proud of you for facing this trauma. Good for you. I know it’ll be hard but know that I’ll do my best to take you out quick so you can go back home.”
A pause. Martin reaches up and grabs the string dangling from the light bulb.
“Alone.”
Martin smiles and pulls the string.
Darkness.