We see
Austin appear excitedly through the door of his Chicago apartment. He is on the phone and talking excitedly.
Its happening Dom.....No Im not going to tell you over the phone.....Ill see you in a bit.
Austins fiancée
Hayley bustles in with a pair of shopping bags in each hand. He immediately rushes over and hugs her.
Ive got the best news!
Err...yeah me too. But you first. She places her bags down and goes to sit down with him.
Well you know I had that title shot at Redemption, the triple threat? The match of the night? Where I didnt get pinned?
Baby I was there. I dont think Ive seen do better. I was gutted that you didnt go over.
I know. As if it wasnt enough that I made Beckford look incredible, Karnage came out looking like a star and maybe, just maybe, looked like a credible champion.
Baby. Austin is talking so excitedly that Hayley has to remind him to get to the point.
Yes darling.
Whats your news?
Dominic walks in, just as Austin is talking.
Oh yeah! I got a title shot against Karnage next week, one on one.
Aww thats brilliant. You totally deserve that.
Bitch! You couldnt tell me that over the phone?
Dominic! Dude! Austin and Hayley are both taken aback and their enthusiasm is cancelled out by Doms cutting sarcasm.
Look, Im excited. This is a huge match. Ive been screwed out of a shot like this since Kingdom Come, even before when Blade intervened in my debut.
You say intervened, I say interfere in a match that he had nothing to do with. That right there cost you a match that you were going to win. And then there was the fact that he dodged you in the Elite X league. Karnage has had Austin Reynolds after him for weeks and finally, finally, it is happening.
What seemed to be a damning comment from Dominic is tempered by clear support for his best mate. The three friends sit back on the comfy chairs that are in the open plan space in Austin and Hayleys apartment.
Yeah its been coming and its not the only thing. The Elite X title has been repeatedly taken away from me and surprise, surprise, last night was no exception. Its pissed me off to no end, so Karnage is going to have to figure out how to take me out one on one. No potential allies to help him, no other challengers to hinder me.
Austin is calm and measured and is not talking about the encounter as hurriedly as he normally does.
The Elite X title is my destiny. When I found my way to WZCW, the Elite X title was there, placed in front of me as a teaser, a mere taste of what is to come. That was no misfortune.
Karnage needed a second chance to become champion, as if having a one on one title shot at the biggest stage isnt enough. Frankie Smith only had the belt until Kingdom Come because of Blade. I will not need a second chance to beat you one on one.
I have been waiting for weeks for this one on one shot. Karnage is going to realise that he and his reign is simply a fluke, transitional to put the belt onto someone who will give the belt the exposure that it deserves. And he wont be able to dodge me any longer.
It certainly seems like Austins experiences since joining WZCW have tempered his attitude without affecting his confidence.
A reprobate like him doesnt deserve to hold that belt and the fact that he is giving an old cellmate the time of day is shocking to me. It disgusts me that he has even been near the belt.
It is clear that Austin is more confident than ever.
The champion needs to be in the highest rated segments and the most talked about matches. I promise to not only deliver that, but surpass the level that the whole Elite X division has been held back at for the last year.
Dominic sits forward slightly.
Austin. You know that guy who showed up with Karnage.
Yeah. The guy with the weird top lip.
Yeah he looks like he is trying to fold it over his nose. Anyway, thats not what I wanted to tell you.
Dominic hands his friend an A4 brown envelope. Austin pulls out a series of photos.
I did some digging and this guy is a bit unusual to say the least.
Ha!!
It turns out this schmuck Marty, turns his hand to alternative activities.
Karnages best friend is a cross-dressing dancer who prances about to Flashdance?
Thats beyond classic. By this point Hayley has gotten hold of the pictures and is giggling too.
I bet that jail cell got all sorts of hot and bothered at night.
Maybe thats why he has been in a bad mood. He missed his nightly shag. I mean, being Elite X champ isnt going to make for losing the love of his life.
Austin hands the photos back, barely able to hold back his laughter.
I know Karnage is going to be pissed but damn, the sooner I beat him and pin his fat ass, the sooner I can relieve his burden and let him go on holiday with his boy toy.
Hayley leans in and hugs him tightly.
And forgetting everything else, Redemption, Beckford...the Elite X title is going to look a million times better around that sexy waist of yours.
Yeah, I know!
Oh and one more bit of good news before your match. She leans in and whispers into his ear. Austins eye light up and he has a joyous smile on his face.
Really? She nods and hugs him tighter again.
Oh this weeks going to get better and better.
