[INT: A charity dining hall. Vox is standing at a podium with index cards in hand, preparing himself to speak to a full room. A large banner behind him reads "A Conspiracy of Hope and Peace."]
Vox: (to crowd, into microphone) I'd like to thank you all for the money and time you have spent today in coming here this evening. I hope your dinners have all been good, and your experiences even better.
*The camera cuts quickly to the crowd, sitting at their tables, some paying attention while others check their phones.*
Vox: I know it must be difficult to pay money towards a campaign as vague as "Hope and Peace". I have a hard time imagining many people who don't want these things. But, it's at the same time a very hard sell to get people to come in for it. *cracking a smile* I guess that's the power of being on TV! (Throws index cards over his shoulder)
*The crowd chuckles*
Vox: I'd like to open my little speech with an explanation on why I chose this name, "A conspiracy of hope and peace." All-time great basketball coach Phil Jackson ran a drill called "Conspiracy". He said that, at its core definition, conspiracy means to share breath. He would have all of his players lay on the ground until their breathing was completely in sync for 20 minutes. He needed them to be a perfect unit, one that shared everything. We can do that too.
*Crowd clamors*
Vox: No, we dont have to get down on the floor and breathe. But we can get ourselves together and fully understand the true meanings of hope and peace. If this room can do it, and we dont have to do it aloud, think of what we can do if these units go to another room, and spread it there? And on and on from there to other rooms, other buildings, other towns, other cities, other states, other countries, etc. This is not a new idea. And admittedly, it is odd coming from a man who fights for a living. But we can be the change the world needs. It may be hard to hear, but the world most certainly needs that change. We have a new bad guy every week. A new enemy to conquer
why? There is little true challenge in new enemies. The true challenge is in understanding that enemy, and making them a friend. That doesnt mean kowtowing to everything they want, it means truly understanding them. What makes them tick? What makes them happy? What makes them scared? What brings them hope? How can we conspire to peace with someone that is the opposite of us?
*The crowd goes silent, but in reverence*
Vox: Nelson Mandela once said I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brace man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Fear is our greatest enemy, and when we overcome it, it is by far our greatest triumph. Because this is going to be seen by a WZCW audience, I guess I should put on my wrestling hat for a moment.
*Snooty crowd member stares at Vox, pointing to his head snidely*
Vox: No sir, I dont actually have a hat to put on. Its a metaphor.
*Snooty crowd member turns his nose up, rises from the table and leaves*
Vox: I think that guy just came for the swordfish.
*Crowd laughs*
Vox: I have an opportunity for the opportunity to wrestle for the EurAsian Championship. I have to defeat a number of men, potentially, for this opportunity
for an opportunity
to happen. I need to hope that everything goes my way. This match has the potential to be chalk full of phenomenal competitors, some I have had the honor of battling before, and some I would be meeting for the first time. I cannot get too in depth about this sadly, but I can say one thing. We are all looking for the same prize, the same opportunity, that same ability to hope. I dont mean to sound brash, but I feel I will be the one who finds himself the victor.
*Vox pauses, and takes a drink of water.*
Vox: You might ask, what does any of this have to do with the message of A Conspiracy of Hope and Peace. I said hope a lot, so maybe its that? But Im talking about a fight. A competition of the fistic, grappling, and violent arts. Where can you find peace in that? The peace isnt in the fighting. The peace is the antithesis of the fighting. Fighting is the enemy of peace. It is the fear that Mandela once spoke about. The triumph that comes from the fight, win or lose, leads to more money being used to help sick children, single mothers, grown men that are trying to make a difference in their lives but dont have the means or the support to do so. The peace comes from the extension of the olive branch after everything is understood. Its the lending of the helping hand. Its the understanding that the branch may be snapped after it is extended, and the hand that is lent is slapped away. Its also the understanding that maybe you dont fully understand the person or people that you are trying to help. THAT is where our triumph will come from. Finding that Conspiracy of Hope and Peace in everyone. From the millionaire with the heart of gold but brain of rocks, to the main with so much grime stuck to his skin that he appears a color not found in nature. From the single mother who has the tenacity and grit to get herself to the top of the world, to the young person who sits in their room crying because they dont know what or who they are. We need to conspire with all of these people, and everyone in-between, to find our Much Better Tomorrow. Thank you all for your time. I hope you have enjoyed yourselves.
*Vox leaves to applause*