Post by Damon Graves on Jul 28, 2024 21:07:48 GMT -5
July 26th
Somewhere in Los Angeles
Late Afternoon
Scene opens with an exterior shot of an opulent mansion nestled high in the hills above Los Angeles. We can see the modified Harley-Davidson motorcycle belonging to Damon Graves sitting next to a black Hummer H1. The shot dissolved to a new shot showing Damon sitting at a covered table by the pool, conversing with a man that long-time wrestling fans would recognize as former multiple time World Champion “Devastator” Jason Perry, one of Damon’s mentors from early in his career.
Damon: Thanks for seeing me on such short notice, Dev.
Dev: Not a problem, Damon. You know my door is always open for you. Wanna beer?
Damon: I’d love one. The traffic between here and Palos Verdes was a fucking nightmare…
Dev: I'll bet…
Dev reaches down at his feet to open a cooler and pull out a pair of beer bottles.
Dev: Hope you don’t mind Stella Artois…
Damon gratefully takes the offered beverage. Both men open their drinks and take a healthy pull.
Damon: Thanks, I needed that.
Dev: Thought you might. I can hazard a guess as to why you’re here. You’re thinking about your match at Prime against Aurora, am I right?
Damon sighs.
Damon: Yeah, you’re right. I need some advice. I mean, you and Alicia faced off more that once. How did you guys deal with the aftermath?
Dev takes a long pull on his beer before answering.
Dev: Damon, I can’t speak for you and Aurora because I’m not either one of you. I can only speak from my own experience. When Alicia and I faced off, there was always the uncertainty that it would change our relationship for the worse. But you know what? Once the match was over, we dusted ourselves off, patched ourselves up, and life went on. The sooner you can get over that hump, the better off you’ll be. You and Aurora are as solid a couple as anyone I’ve seen, so I think you’ll be just fine once the match is done.
During all of this, Damon sat there, absorbing every kernel of wisdom from his mentor.
Damon: Thanks, Dev, I really appreciate this.
Dev: Anytime… by the way, does Aurora know where you’re at? Making her worry is just gonna piss her off.
Damon: Yes, she knows I came out here.
Dev: Good. Now then, I hope you planned on staying for dinner. Alicia and the kids will wanna see you too. Even as we speak, she’s making homemade tortillas for carne asada tacos.
Damon: Twist my arm, why dontcha?
Dev: Nah, that's Aurora's job…
Both men laugh uproariously. Before they can continue, a sound clip of Harley Quinn’s iconic line “Puddin’” keeps coming from Damon’s pocket.
Damon: Speak of the devil….
He pulls his cell phone from his pocket and taps on the screen.
Dev: Dev: Everything OK?
Damon: Yeah, she just wants to remind me that we’re heading out to Tallahassee first thing in the morning.
Dev: No worries, that’s what private jets are for. Just make sure to lay off the tequila tonight.
Damon: Will do.
Scene fades as the two men head inside the mansion.
Later That Evening
Scene fades back in with a shot of the poolside area, only now it’s lit up for nighttime swimming. Damon is now by himself at the table, a plate of tacos and a bottle of water within reach. Damon looks up at the night sky in contemplation for a bit before turning and facing the camera. He grabs the water and opens it.
Damon: Well, I’m a man of my word. After the one beer, I’ve haven’t had a drop of booze, because I want what I’m about to say to be completely from the heart, without alcohol clouding things up.
He takes a drink.
Damon: Aurora, almost from the very beginnings of our careers, we’ve been a unit. As a tag team, we’ve struck more gold than Fort Knox, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. But all of that success as a tag team has been a bit of a double edged sword. Too many knuckle-dragging fuckwits have wanted to dismiss both of us as “just tag team wrestlers”. But we both know thats a load of shit, right? We may not have had as many singles matches, but both of us have proven that we can survive just dandy on our own. Hell, you’ve had plenty of 5-star matches against people whose resumes are longer than my arm.
And me, I’ve had my fair share of success. I COULD brag about winning the NGW Young Lions Championship and never losing it, but that kinda reeks of desperation. Not as big a flex as you would think. Therein lies the rub, Harley. After SO many people kept referring to me as the “lesser” Graves over the years, I’ll admit, it got to me. It kept gnawing at my gut like an ulcer. Frankly, I’m sick to fucking death of it.
He takes another drink.
Damon: When we came to Florida Wrestling Prestige, I think it’s fair to say that both of us were glad to break out of the tag team mold. We could both prove our worth as singles wrestlers and make the doubters eat crow until their heads explode. And when the brass put together the tournament for the Prestige Championship, I know I was stoked to have a chance to hold gold again.
Buuut…
Fate has a way of sticking its dick into things. Both of us tore through the tournament brackets like a pair of Mack trucks, but even then, I still kept hearing the neck-breathers comment about how you had better quality opponents, while I got fed a bunch of cupcakes. As much as we both know that’s a batch of crap, there’s still a SMALL sliver of truth to it. While I was the first one to congratulate you when you came out on top over guys like Dead Eye, I have to admit, I was jealous. I wanted to be in those type of high profile matches.
At Prime, I get my wish… kinda.
Yeah, I’m in a high profile match, probably the highest profile match in my career thus far, but it’s against YOU. I can’t begin to guess what’s going on in your head right now, but my head’s a fucking mess right now. I’ve gotta step in the ring and throw down against the woman who’s meant the most to me in my entire life, the woman I love with all of my heart. Do I love the idea of being a champion more than I love you? Fuck, no! But, I can’t simply lay down and let you walk all over me. Call it male pride or whatever, but I’ll be damned if I don’t give you everything I’ve got. So I’m just going to put my feelings aside and let the chips fall where they may. We both knew that eventually, we’d have to face off against each other one on one. The fact that a championship is up for grabs makes it that much more important.
So, Harley, once Prime has gone off the air, we’re gonna turn Tallahassee on its fucking ear with a celebration, because FWP will crown its very first champion, and the record books will show the name Graves as the very first Prestige Champion….
DAMON Graves.
Damon reaches down and picks up one of his tacos and takes a bite.
Damon: Damn, what the hell does Dev lace these things with, crack?
A voice rings out behind him.
Voice: No, I put that in the tortilla dough…
Damon turns to see one his other trainers, Jason’s wife, Alicia Perry.
Damon: Seriously, I could sit and eat these all day. I just feel bad that Aurora isn’t here to enjoy them, too.
Alicia smirks.
Alicia: You forget, I’m a Latina mom. I ALWAYS make sure that there’s enough food to feed to feed an army. I’ve already set some aside to take with us.
Damon stands up and gives Alicia a hug.
Damon: Thanks, she’s gonna love them.
Alicia: I’m sure Jason will appreciate that. Now, when you’re done, Darion wanted to know if you’re up for playing Mortal Kombat 1. He’s always looking for a friendly opponent to play against..
Damon chuckles.
Damon: Why do I have the sinking feeling that I’m walking into a slaughter?
Damon picks up his plate and bottle of water. Scene ends as they make their way back inside.
