Paris, France: If there was ever a town in Europe that screamed beauty more than this one, the rest of then at least they would not have the same reputation as Paris has. From the crowded Eiffel Tower to simply looking over the town at the top of one of Paris many homes, its a town that is the pure definition of beauty, elegance and amazement. Its here that we find two men, Le Gentleman Masque (The Masked Gentleman), spending time in his hometown, and his tag team partner, The Beard. As the days draw close to their first ever Tag Team Championship match at All or Nothing, they decide to make the most of their last few days before the show, by getting into the mind of their opponents, and themselves. We see the team referred to as The Bearded Gents relaxing around a cozy living room at The Gents manor, sitting by a lit fireplace, each sitting in two giant red chairs that face each other. A glass of the wine in the hand of lovable big man named for his notable Facial Hair, and a glass of champagne in the hand of the chivalrous masked man.
Beard: So Gent, any particular reason you had me come to France with you?
Finishing up a sip of champagne, The Gent puts his glass aside to turn full attention to his partner.
Gent: Well, when you had us dress up as Saboteur and Saxton, we got into the head of our enemy. However, ever since joining as a tag team, I felt as if such a tactic was important, but I need as if there were but a few things left skipped over for making sure we have the same mindset. I know about your personal life, Beard. Ive been to your house, met the women you were in love with. If simply due to my mysterious nature, however, I feel as if Ive still not let you in on my personal life. This is the town I grew up in, this is the mansion that I grew up in. When I was a boy, when I was scolded by my father, I sat in this very seat while my dad sat in yours.
Beard: Im going to guess you guys werent getting drunk, though.
A slight pause from The Gent as a wide grin comes across his face.
Gent: You would be surprised the age we start drinking in France, Beard.
Beard: Riiight. I remember hearing about that. So, how is it growing up in France?
The Gent places his hand on his chin for a second, thinking
Gent: Well, I guess despite living my life here, I cant truly tell you everything. I spent almost my entire teenage life in Paris from behind bars. Really, once I was old enough to explore this city on my own, I wasted it by spending my time as a juvenile delinquent. What I can say is for my time I did spend before my massive screw up, there was never really a dull moment. Perhaps it was the perk of living in a big city, the fact my parents were rich, or that I was an easily entertained kid. Either way, its an oddity that I ended up the way I did, robbing for sport. Thankfully, Im not one for illegal activity anymore.
Beard: Uh
Gent? The way we first met is you were stalking me to make sure that I returned to wrestling.
A blank silence fills the room after Beards comment.
Gent: Well...other than that. In my defense, at the time you were rejecting most if not all calls to do with WZCW at the time.
Sighing, Beard takes another drink from his wine glass.
Beard: Ill tell you whats odd. Somehow past that, we managed to still come together to form a group. We even managed to challenge for the tag team titles. I havent challenged for those belts since
Gent:
Since your partner was The Local Talent?
Nodding, Beard simply shrugs.
Beard: To tell the truth, I wasnt sure if I would ever get a partner again, but, teaming with you again
well heck, its been a blast. You may not see me as trusting enough of you, but I can guarantee that if I didn't trust you, I dont think we would have made it this far. I couldn't have done it without you.
Gent: and same to you. my friend. To think we had made it as far as we did. We've had many hardships, The New Church, the then incredibly recent partnership of Fairy Glitter Armageddon. It's not simply a right to have gotten the oppurtunity to face these men. It was a privilege that put our friendship to the test. By all purposes, it prepared us for this match. In the end, simply to know that together we had made it this far has made the entire journey worth it. From the time I had convinced you to stay until this moment right now, you have been the tag team partner of a lifetime.
Standing up, Gent pulls up his partner from out of his seat, as well, both men still with their drinking glasses in hand.
Gent: A Toast! To the Bearded Gents!
Raising his glass of champagne in the air, The Beard looks at the glass of champagne, contemplating his decision.
Beard: What the hell?
Raising up his glass slightly just to match The Gents height, the two men clash their glasses to give the always familiar clinging noise, before drinking out of their glasses once more.
Beard: To the Bearded Gents!
Gent: May we only put in our best effort like we have done to reach this pot at the end of the rainbow, and increase our best effort tenfold!
Beard: Hear, hear.
Gent: To think we may be this close. 2012 was a big year. We both made our debuts.
Beard: I got to wrestle at Kingdom Come for the tag team titles.
Gent: I got to face Rush for the Eurasian title, and later on his partner in crime, Sam Smith.
Beard: I almost quit wrestling
and then you drag me back into it and I began to realize how much I had almost given up by doing it.
Gent:
and now its 2013. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for both of us. I--
Pausing mid-sentence, The Gent starts to have an idea.
Gent:
Beard?
Beard: Gent?
Gent: I think I have it.
Confused, Beard starts to question what he means.
Beard: The opportunity of a lifetime?
Snickering, Gent shakes his head at Beards comment.
Gent: No, my good friend. What I meant was the personal thing about me that I felt I owed you at least part of that.
Taking a deep breath, he grabs his famous mask, and takes it off, only to put it to the side. Beard, in astonishment, finishes up his glass of wine before dropping it on the ground, smashing it in shock.
Beard: Huh. I gotta say, if just for the fact you wore it all the time, I was expecting you to have some sort of bad injury, deformity
or just you were really ugly. Honestly, you could use little facial hair, but for what its worth, Im not sure why you need the mask in the first place.
Smirking at Beards joke, The Gent glances back over at the mask, picking it back up to look at it from his hands.
Gent: Its not like I feel I have to wear it. Frankly, I wish to wear it. To me, a mask when you dont need one means that you are confident enough, youre willing to actually detract from yourself for the sake of entertainment. To a child, what impression does just an everyday Frenchman show to a superhero. I know it may sound cliché, however Ive always wanted to capture that. I may not have any superhuman abilities. For that, I may just be known as a vigilante, but I only wish to capture the same amount of feeling in people that the superhero comics Ive read when I grew up.
Standing up onto his chair into a triumphant manor, he keeps his eye on his partner.
Gent: Of course, to do that Id need to stand up and live up to the names I so admired rather than unsuccessfully emulating them. In 2012, I dropped the ball on more occasions that I wish to speak of. When I had the chance to face Drake Callahan, I had walked away as a man who had almost had it, yet almost wasnt having it. When I faced Rush for the Eurasian title, all it took is a simple distraction and the night I challenged the big, bad WZCW legend was the night I walked away empty handed. When I faced Sam Smith, who came back and is now in the prime of his life, our contest ended in me once again ending up with Smith victorious by the end of the night.
Finishing up his glass of wine, he throws it to the side, breaking the glass entirely.
Gent: It wasnt so much losing to these men. To have a back-and-forth battle with any of these men made me feel like I had fit in, regardless of who won or loss. Yet, without a goal to strive for, I would be lost in WZCW. If it had been a personal goal, maybe I would have accomplished it by now
but my goal from the beginning was simply to show the FANS of WZCW that I belong. I personally wish more than anything to fit in with the Action Saxtons or Saboteurs of WZCW, and from what Ive done in 2013, I have faith this year I can truly feel like my name can reach the same level as the Barbosas or S.H.I.T.s of WZCW. Ive made it to the semi-finals of a competition and Im happy to say that last show I had a victory over a man I had always considered a legend in his own right, as well as an inspiration. I can finally be the hero Ive wanted to be. Even if its only one person I can be their Batman or Spider-Man, its good enough for me.
Entering the room, is none other than The Gents butler, Liam Banks, carrying a small plate with two additional cups of Wine and Champagne.
Liam: Excuse me, sir. I heard you two breaking your glasses. I assumed you would like another glass? Would you like me to clean up the spill?
Giving a respective bow of their heads, both Beard and Gent take their glasses.
Gent: Thank you. Sorry about that, Liam. No need for cleaning up, I shall clean it up.
Liam: Very well, anything else you need?
Gent: Were good. Thank you, Sir Liam.
Leaving the room, The Beard focuses back on his tag team partner.
Beard: I see. Well then, one last toast?
Gent: Sounds good to me. Tonight, we celebrate how far we have come as a team, but tomorrow, we will have the biggest night of our careers. I believe theres a phrase for something such as this in yiddish, but I dont wish to sully it and say the wrong word. What was it again?
Beard: L'chaim ?
Gent: Thats it! Lchaim.
Grabbing his mask, The Gent puts it back on before toasting one more time, The two take a drink from their glasses.
Gent: To All or Nothing.
