We Do Not Live In The Past. But The Past Lives In Us.
Auctioneer: Going... Going... Gone!
The wooden hammer of the elderly auctioneer drops and slams against the elevated lectern. The auctioneer scores off some details before him and then fixes his horn-rimmed glasses as he points into the crowded auction house. There, the self-satisfied grinning face of Constantine can be seen among the assembled masses. He raises a small bat with a number written across it. The auctioneer quickly scans it before noting the details on his collection of papers. At that, Constantine takes a stand and begins to slowly make his way through the seated row that flanks him.
As he finally reaches the end of the row, he looks up to see the contrasted duo of Alex Bowen and Justin Cooper. Bowen, is casually resting himself against the wall by the cashier, feeding himself with snacks as Justin Cooper gazes at him, mouth slightly ajar in amazement. Constantine continues past the crowd until he reaches the other members of his Empire.
Cooper: I've got to tell you, this isn't exactly where I would imagine being a week before All Or Nothing.
Constantine does not break stride for Cooper's comments, instead choosing to push past their position. Removing a long leather wallet from his breast pocket, Constantine finds himself at the cashier's window. Constantine fumbles around inside of his breast pocket again before removing a similarly sleek pen. Cooper and Bowen continue to watch Constantine as he begins scrawling across the paper before tearing off the sheet and hurriedly handing it to the middle-aged woman who sits behind the glass.
Constantine: Thank you.
In return, the middle-aged woman thrusts a set of keys back at him, which he immediately stashes away inside of his trouser pocket. The woman behind the glass flashes the number one contender to the Heavyweight Championship a genuine smile as Constantine turns away from her, rejoining Cooper and Bowen a few feet away.
Cooper: So are you going to enlighten us?
Constantine: Certainly, Cooper. But that was always going to be a benefit of aligning yourself with me.
Cooper attempts to remonstrate with Constantine but a quick raised hand from the number one contender is enough to silence him.
Constantine: Of course I will, Mr. Cooper. But for now, allow me to simply reassure you that everything I do, I do for the greater good of this Empire and WZCW.
Constantine's words seem to put Cooper at ease somewhat. His questioning disposition is quickly replaced by a casual exterior. Constantine replaces his possessions back inside his jacket pocket before turning his head to the relaxed Bowen, still feeding himself with snacks.
Constantine: Nevertheless, I'm glad you have both come. We have a lot of business to attend to and it simply couldn't wait. And, most importantly, it may help you with your upcoming battle with Barbosa and SHIT.
At that. Bowen stops eating and finally regains a completely vertical position. Throwing the snack away, Bowen gives Constantine his full attention, his face now plum-red with anger.
Constantine: I had a feeling that might get your attention. But again, I must stress for your patience. I understand that this has not been the most slick gathering we have had but I assure you of it's importance.
Cooper: That important that you're not going to tell us, huh?
The Australian's words bring a wry smile to the face of Constantine as he begins walking away from his Empire brethren. Bowen gives Cooper a hearty smile before following The Power Trip. Cooper raises his arms, a look of impetuous intrigue etched onto his features. Giving up on his futile stand, he quickly breaks into a jog to catch up with the two men in front of him. As Cooper catches up, he hears the familiar dulcet tones of Constantine once again.
Constantine: This past week was a terrible time for The Empire. What momentum I had gained from defeating Showtime and Triple X in a tag team match was unraveled on Ascension. And what momentum you had built up by constantly getting the better of SHIT and Barbosa was undone also.
The three men continue to walk as Bowen and Cooper trail somewhat behind Constantine, tossing intrigued glances back and forth as The Power Trip presses on.
Constantine: Although that particular battle was lost, we still have a war to win. A war that begins with your match against SHIT and Barbosa. What opportunity we had to dispose of them whilst the element of surprise was still working for us is now gone and what remains is a dangerous match against two ruthless opponents.
Constantine continues to walk, his destination becoming clearer with every step towards the nearby exit door.
Constantine: But I have every faith in you and The Empire. And do you know why that is?
The look on Bowen's face suggests that he has an answer formulating in the back of his mind. Instead of sharing this idea, however, he allows Constantine to continue his diatribe.
Constantine: Because SHIT and Barbosa are not a team. Calling them a team is an insult to people like us, who stand united with a common purpose formulated in our minds. No, one month ago, SHIT and Barbosa were as close to enemies as you are ever likely to see. Neither man seemed satisfied that they had dealt enough damage to the other and their expected feud ended with their near complete destruction. They still wear the battle scars.
Bowen and Cooper continue to follow Constantine until he reaches the exit. He quickly pushes the small metal bar that locks the door until a devastating ray of sunshine bathes the three men. Finding themselves in the street now, the sun blinding them, Bowen and Cooper begin to question the number one contender to the Heavyweight Championship.
Cooper: Maybe. But they still managed to get the better of us last week.
Bowen: Yeah, for all of their inexperience working as a team, they sure acted like one last week.
Constantine ponders the notion for a moment before rhyming of another of his signature responses with relative ease.
Constantine: All very true. And you have every right to be concerned. What you are walking into at All Or Nothing is not to be underestimated. As I said before, the team you face will be looking to prove a point. The Empire has made their lives a misery for the last month and now their chance for redemption has arrived. But consider this, what you stand for is far greater than what they could hope to symbolize. You stand for a greater good, a chance at a new hope for WZCW under a banner of equality and hope.
With that, a limousine pulls up beside the threesome. Constantine opens the door and beckons the other two men inside. Initially, the duo seem hesitant. Constantine has been anything but candid with them so far and their lack of trust seems to be evident.
Constantine: Like I said, gentlemen, the past is a very important feature in examining the present. And if you will let me, I would like to show you why that is. Perhaps, through this, you will see how the past misdeeds of SHIT and Barbosa could possibly be of advantage to you. But you will have to give me the chance to demonstrate.
Bowen and Cooper still seem hesitant but with a sudden display of surrender, Bowen makes his way towards the vehicle. Cooper remains on the pavement, silently contemplating his next move. Constantine waits patiently as Cooper lets out a sigh. With a slight shake of his head, Cooper moves past Constantine and into the car too. The Power Trip wastes no time in joining them as he swings the door shut, closing the three men inside.
Constantine: Indeed. What you face at All Or Nothing is a huge step forward in the evolution of this stable and can only be outweighed by the gargantuan challenge I must rise to. A challenge made even more difficult by the unexpected announcement of Austin Reynolds as the guest official. Whilst this was not something I had initially prepared for, the announcement seems to have worked in my favor.
Cooper and Bowen sit forwards in their luxurious leather seats, trying their best to concentrate on the words of The Power Trip.
Constantine: Austin Reynolds, as much as I expect him to the match fairly, has a score to settle with Showtime David Cougar. I ask you to cast your minds back so far as two years ago. What should have been one of the most exhilarating contests of skill in recent times was sullied as Showtime David Cougar battled to an historic win over Austin Reynolds to capture the Elite X Championship from him. If you recall correctly, you may remember that match finishing in controversial circumstances as Showtime Cougar engineered a plot to deceive Austin Reynolds.
Bowen and Cooper scratch nod their heads in agreement, the memory of such a well-known match fresh in their memory.
Constantine: In that Iron Man Match, I took the commands of David Cougar helped dethrone the reigning Elite X Champion. The memory of that match will never die in the mind of Reynolds. The paladin of WZCW has been bested by the diabolical plan of Showtime David Cougar. What Reynolds held so dear had been stole from him in the blink of an eye.
Constantine sits forward now, a stark contrast from his previously relaxed demeanor. A wry smile begins to form in the corner of Constantine's mouth.
Constantine: And now, Austin Reynolds has the chance to exact some revenge on Showtime. His vendetta against me is all but over. We have wrestled each other inside out and we have both settled our score. But the history between Showtime David Cougar and Austin Reynolds remains intact. There has been no retribution for Austin Reynolds as Showtime continually ducked him. Reynolds has never been able to put the memory of that fateful night to bed and get one over on Showtime. That is until now.
Simultaneously, Bowen and Cooper begin to smile, fully aware of the plan that has become so crystallized before them.
Bowen: So you think that Reynolds will help you win the World Championship?
Constantine: Do I expect Austin Reynolds to hand me an olive branch, simultaneously bringing one of the most underhanded Champions to his knees? The answer is no. But with a bit of luck, I will pant the seed of doubt into the mind of Showtime David Cougar and the seed of revenge into the mind of Austin Reynolds. Here we are, at one of the most important dates in the WZCW calendar and Austin Reynolds has the opportunity to rebuild his shredded credibility by ensuring that a devious villain pays correct penance for his history of abuse and callousness. Showtime's history reeks of taking advantage of unwitting participants, using them for his own selfish gain.
A reminiscent look appears in the eyes of the number one contender to the Heavyweight Championship.
Constantine: Cast you minds back, dear brothers, to Ascension 26, a night that will forever eat away at me. A night that should have seen my glorious coronation. A victorious Showtime David Cougar had win the Lethal Lottery only weeks before. With his Elite X Championship in hand, Showtime had the world at his feet. And with such a loyal friend in John Constantine to assist him in any and all battles, Showtime could have been a force to be reckoned with inside of WZCW. By simply handing that piece of gold to me, Showtime could have avoided all of this. He could have paid for his past sins by handing the Elite X Championship to someone who had deserved nothing more than gold. He could have rewarded a dear ally with gold. Instead, Showtime saw fit to spit on the success we had worked so hard to achieve. He seen his own selfish ends and handed discarded me with no hesitation. What should have been my glorious coronation was quickly turned into an undeniable and unforgivable act of treason.
As WZCW's King finishes his sentence, a venomous expression creeps onto his face. His tone is much more brutal now as his speech picks up pace.
Constantine: With one action, Showtime ensured that this day would surely come. He branded himself forever an enemy to my eventual cause. He stood in my way of glory and now he stands in that position once again. But the mistakes of my past will not define my future. Showtime's mistakes have finally caught up to him and now he stands in a ring trapped between his two greatest enemies.
The Power Trip stops for a moment, struggling to contain his anger. He sits back in his leather chair before looking out at the intrigued faces of his quite stable-mates. Quietly, he runs a hand through his hair and takes a moment to compose himself before continuing.
Constantine: I have come too far to fail. I have watched from a far as Showtime enjoyed the spoils of his successes. I have watched as he stepped over promising superstar after promising superstar to keep himself in his beloved spotlight. And as I watched, Showtime became a more unrelenting and uncaring monster, only believing that he was entitled to his success. The insult that Showtime Cougar delivered to me all those years ago has all but been forgotten by the World Heavyweight Champion and now it is the perfect time to strike, to remind Showtime that the Empire of John Constantine does not forget, it does not forgive!
Constantine reaches into his trouser pocket, picking out an old set of keys from deep within. He holds them up to his face, as if examining them thoroughly. He moves them away somewhat, allowing Bowen and Cooper to catch a glimpse of what he holds.
Bowen What is that?
Constantine's tone has shifted now to a more mysterious output.
Constantine: Showtime's has ran from history and my eventual redemption for too long and now, the pleasure of illuminating Showtime as a fraud and a villain falls into to my grateful hands. What I hold in my hand is irrefutable proof of the true Showtime David Cougar. This, gentlemen, is not just a key. It is the key to a new World Heavyweight Champion and a new WZCW...
Constantine's speech trails off as he continues to stare at the rusted key only a few inches from his face.
* * *
Constantine: Welcome, one and all, to what I would hope is an eye opening experience for you.
With his arms outstretched in an almost welcoming manner, Constantine seems pleased with himself. His pristine appearance is reflected against an altogether alien and contrasting background. The unknown place casts a suspiciously malicious shadow over proceedings, as Constantine struggles to keep his forced smile from becoming too disingenuous. Constantine lowers his arms, allowing a strange and eerie silence to fall. Around him, The small sitting room, it's features coated with a thick black coat of dust, tells a story of abandonment that no words ever could. In the middle of the room, WZCW's self-proclaimed King stands alone.
Constantine: For those of you wondering where I am, I urge patience on your part; for all will be made clear in time. But for now, I implore you to take a long and focused look at what surrounds me.
Constantine falls silent once again, allowing the tension to build. He slowly tips his head from one side to the other, methodically scanning the room.
Constantine: You see, where I am, is an extremely important detail in the story about to be told to you. It is a story of poverty and abjection. This tale would send one man down a path that he could never return from.
Constantine begins to slowly move around the premises, running his index finger along a tall wooden table that stands adjacent to his position.
Constantine: But this tale has been shrewdly concealed from us, lest we ever begin poking holes in the norm that has been crafted ever so delicately by the powers that be.
Constantine continues to pace around the empty room, randomly picking things up and inspecting them before screwing his face up and setting them back down in their initial positions. His tone has not changed from the very opening of his monologue, a slow and deliberate pace lends itself to the menacing actions and words of the sly Power Trip.
Constantine: Yes, this tale is one of woe and sorrow but it's very content is enough to bring what we hold so dear to its knees. It is enough even, to destroy everything that I, and others like me, have worked ever so hard to achieve.
The number one contender stops for a moment before picking up once again with more ferocity now.
Constantine: For weeks, I have wrestled with the decision to come here, to show you this place. And it is with a heavy heart indeed that I bring this information to you. This information is not to be taken lightly and so I must trust that you be fully convinced of my candor from the outset.
Constantine slows his pace down once again, silently tussling with the decision inside his head. Constantine lowers his head and closes his eyes for a moment, allowing the silence to overwhelm him.
Constantine: Two weeks ago, I told the world of the myth that is 'Showtime' David Cougar. I gave you the only information that you needed to push your Champion to his knees, disgraced and dishonoured. Somewhat foolishly, I expected a new age of professional wrestling, one free from lies and corruption. With your power, you could have accomplished this. But, you failed once more. You raised 'Showtime' David Cougar even higher than before. You placed him on such a pedestal that not even the collective force of The Empire could tear him down...
The Power Trip's speech begins to trail off as he takes a deep breath inwards, smothering his anger somewhat as he continues to pace around the shambolic surroundings, frustrated.
Constantine: And for a week, I was enraged that you could not see what I see. The wool, once again, had been pulled over your eyes by someone so glaringly insincere. I searched for answers, how could I show you the truth? How could I shine a light on the perpetuated myth that is David Cougar?
Constantine quickly turns on his heels, allowing a look of sheer revelation to cross his features.
Constantine: I realised, shortly after Ascension 59, that this lie had become reality in the eyes of the masses. And that, dear subjects, is what led me here; to expose your false idol and destroy his pedestal of lies with reality. I am no longer maddened by your complete lack of common sense. You are all so indoctrinated by the present that you simply cannot see the past. But when that past is shown to you with no camouflage to obscure the truth, you will have no alternative but to see what I see.
Constantine stops again, his usual rhythmic flow constantly interrupted.
Constantine: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is where our tale begins. The harrowing and delightfully ironic tale of Showtime David Cougar.
At that, Constantine allows a menacing and dastardly smile to cross his face, his fiery green eyes lighting up at the sheer thought of what lies ahead. After a moment, The Power Trip methodically raises his right hand to dust off his left shoulder as some falling dust lands upon it. Allowing the menacing smile to disappear from his features now, Constantine presses on with his monologue.
Constantine: Within these four walls, a young David Cougar was born to a family of depravity. It was right here, in this house, that David Cougar would grow up to be the man that you all know and love so dearly.
Constantine's nostalgic tone quickly turns to a venomous onslaught in the blink of an eye, his face and features screwing up with every syllable. The Power Trip bends at the knees, lowering himself to the place where a young David Cougar would sit, the same permanent look of disgust plastered upon his face.
Constantine: But more importantly, it is in this very spot that the uncaring and downright apathetic figure of the World Heavyweight Champion was created!
Constantine continues to look at the reserved spot as he regains his vertical basis. Looking around the small home, he finds what he is looking for. Moving to the edge of the room, The Power Trip pushes open a flimsy wooden door, revealing a minuscule bedroom, the very picture of depravity.
Constantine: Here, in this bedroom, a man struggled with himself. He struggled to act as a member of society and a guardian and, what's more, his continued struggle against drug addiction led to Showtime becoming the man he is today.
Constantine enters the room, continuing his slow and methodical evaluation of the property.
Constantine: Only meters away, Showtime would endeavor to be one of the wrestling greats. He would dream with every fiber of his being, that he would one day emulate the great wrestling superstars that he sat so attentively to watch. As his father clung to life in a nearby room, our fearless leader would block out his problems, concerning himself with his own ambitions and dreams. When his father needed him the most, he turned his back on him and thought only of himself.
At that, Constantine sits on the small and fragile bed, it's frame struggling to hold the weight of the number one contender after many years of abuse.
Constantine: But, think on it. Truly think about this. Is Showtime's past any worse than what we have to deal with? Is this any worse than dealing with a relative who is disabled or who constantly needs our help. Put yourself in Showtime's shoes if you will. What part of you would allow your own father, the man who brought you into this world, to struggle with something as harrowing as this on his own. What part of you would allow him to kill himself slowly with his addiction as you blocked out all of your woes?
The number one contender's questioning tone continues as he runs his left hand over the spot where Showtime's father would sleep. As Constantine continues, his gaze remains fixed on that spot.
Constantine: And in a situation such as this, would it not make you proud that you were trying to coax someone out of their addiction? If you were caring for someone who so desperately needed you, would you not take some satisfaction that you were at least trying to help them wrestle with their demons? When situations like these arise, they show the true mark of a man. And what did Showtime show himself to be?
Constantine's face now turns red with anger.
Constantine: He showed himself to be an uncaring brat, only concerned with his own well-being. As his own father worked rooms at Hollywood parties, simply trying to put food in the stomach of his own son, Showtime would dream of running from his problems. As his own father struggled with his own demons, desperately in need of someone reaching out to him, Showtime planned his escape to Canada. An escape that would ultimately lead him to WZCW and leave his father a shambolic loner with no hope to cling to.
With that, a sudden outpouring of hate consumes Constantine as he quickly stands; pulling the bed sheets from the dingy mattress. Constantine lets out a yell of anger as he begins to tear apart the wooden frame of the bed.
Constantine: This is the man who has pulled the wool over your eyes time and again, constantly altering his persona to fit whatever situation he finds himself in. No man has ever changed alignment so often as Showtime David Cougar!
Constantine's rage continues until the bed is completely destroyed. The Power Trip's face is a picture of anger as his fierce tone lends itself to his honest words.
Constantine: And this is the man who you Champion? Showtime, at his core, is an ungrateful little cur that has blighted this company ever since his first appearance. So desperate for validation and success, he likely left his own father to die, completely self-absorbed by his own dreams.
WZCW's King continues his tirade, his venomous tone never relenting.
Constantine: And I know that you may have trouble looking through the curtain at the troubled past of Showtime, especially when he has tried so hard to hide it from you. But here it is, proof that Showtime is not the man who he claims to be. Ask yourself, has Showtime ever reached out to anyone to help him deal with the troubles he has encountered? Have you ever heard him address his problems or even talk about what happened here? The answer, dear subjects is an almighty no.
With this, Constantine composes himself once again, fixing his tie and sweeping his hair back into its typical ponytail. The overwhelming outpouring of emotion shattered his façade but Constantine is quick to hide his frustrated and emotional side.
Constantine: But what happened here cannot be swept under the rug. The events that transpired in this household almost a decade ago cannot be forgotten. For they have shown the World Heavyweight Champion as he truly is, a man who will put his own desperate need for validation above everything else. Just like Showtime did to his ailing father, Showtime will turn on you. He will betray the faith and hope you have showed him when you when you need him most.
Constantine takes a deep breath before stepping back inside the living room once again. Making his way to the other side of the room, Constantine reaches another door. He further composes himself before opening it, revealing Justin Cooper and Alex Bowen. Beckoning them inside, Constantine seems more collected now. He shuts the door as Bowen and Cooper inspect the house for the first time.
Constantine: Like I have told you, the past will always find a way of catching up to us. In this household, a legacy was created for Showtime David Cougar. And now, in its place, a legacy of our own will be formed. The time for words is over and the time for action has come. My crowning achievements at All Or Nothing will herald in a new dawn for WZCW with me at the helm. The Empire will rise to a position of strength that will send a shiver down the spine of those who wish to stand against us.
The former politician moves towards the middle of the room, renewed by his cathartic actions only moments ago. He quickly places a hand on each of his compatriots shoulders, quickly moving his
gaze from one man to the other.
Constantine: Brothers.
The Power Trip looks at Cooper.
Constantine: Friends.
He spins his head to look at Bowen.
Constantine: The Empire has accomplished its first goal by revealing the true nature of the beast that we face. And at All Or Nothing, we will continue this movement. Courage, my brothers. For the fires of truth already burn bright thanks to us. Those who stand against us will be consumed by it and we will stand victorious.
Constantine continues to stare at his silent brethren but knows that his message is received loud and clear.
Constantine: In the ashes of the reign of David Cougar, a renewed and more powerful Champion will take the throne. As the final remains Showtime's tyranny is swept to the wayside, I will usher in the glorious era that Showtime has delayed for so long, and so my Empire begins!
