Viola Moonlight
I'm Literally Just Here for WZCW
Deadline: Wednesday, 22nd of August (11:59pm Central Time)
AS52: Connor Reese vs. Ace Stevens (Non-Title)
- Thread starter Viola Moonlight
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Ace Stevens
Conversation
Conversation
"Hey! What's happening?"
"I, um, er... what? Who is this?"
"It's Chuck."
"You're gonna have to help me out here."
"Chuck Myles."
"Chuck Myles? Chuck Myles, Chuck Myles, Chuc... Chuck Myles! Hey, how are ya'? I thought you were dead!"
"Haha... not quite yet."
"So what can I do for ya'? Lemme guess, Ty Burna's put me in some ridiculous match-up."
"Erm, Ty Burna doesn't run things anymore."
"What? Why? How? Who did they get to replace him?"
"Seriously? Did you not watch Redemption?"
"Watch it? I was on it! Did you not see me, taking names and kicking ass? Still undefeated, and still undisputed as the Mayhem champion of the world."
"Yeah... no. But it's Chris K.O. in charge now. And he's allowed me to retain some of my powers."
"Yeah, good for you..."
"Such as the power to make matches."
"Oh, so you're gonna put me in some ridiculous match-up. So who's it gonna be? Who's gonna be the next man to feel my wrath? Who's gonna be the next man to step into my crosshairs? Who's go-"
"OK, stop. It's Connor Reese."
"Who?"
"Don't play dumb. I know you know who Connor Reese is. He's the guy who almost took your belt at Redemption."
"Oh. Wait, that guy? THAT GUY? I've got a stalker problem at the moment, and I'm still more angry with this."
"Problem?"
"Well you know how this business is about entertaining?"
"Yeah, I'm fuly aware of how the business works."
"Well I'm entertaining. And I make people around me entertaining too. But dude, I'm not a miracle worker. He's quite possibly the most boring man to ever live. And I'm including Stevenson Marquel, Leon Kensworth and Joe Biden in that assessment. Oh yeah, it just got political. But hey, I'm not gonna tell you how to do your job better, Chucky-boy. I just think there would be better people for me to face. You know, in the best interests of the company. Like hey, what's Drake Callahan doing these days?"
"He's the world champion."
"Really? I did not know that. Maybe if you want to set a match up..."
"I'm not putting you in a match with the world champ."
"So what? I'm gonna be stuck in a never-ending cycle of matches with Stevenson Marquel and other unworthy opponents? Is that what you're telling me?"
"Oh yeah, Stevenson Marquel. Thanks for reminding me about that. What ever will we do about you and Stevenson Marquel? You gave him quite a whack."
"Hey! He deserved it."
"For what?"
"Um... I don't know. I'll think of a reason at some point."
"Well the bottom line is he got carried away by EMTs, and you kept a hold of your title. Not exactly fair is it?"
"You wanna talk fair? Cool beans. Let's talk fair. How is it fair that I have to defend my title next week against Connor Reese?"
"The match is non-title."
"How is it fai- wait. What?"
"It's non-title."
"OK. But how is it fair that I am constantly in these hardcore matches?"
"You're the Mayhem champ?"
"OK. But how is it fair that depite being the greatest Mayhem champion of all-time, I'm still slumming it on Aftershock?"
"The match will be on Ascension."
"Well. That's a start."
The Hotel room: the night before Redemption
The 'couple' arrive at their room, opening the door to reveal the owner and chairman of STA.
"Ah, you've arrived. Connor, we need to talk about your match." Connor closes the door. The look the boss is shooting him gives the distinct impression that this conversation is not to be overheard.
Before Connor can respond, his handler is already speaking. "What about his match requires discussion, Sir? Over the last week Connor has been undergoing more intense physical and mental training than he has ever before. I do not doubt his ability to win."
"And therein lies the problem, Kara." The arrogant mastermind responds.
"I don't follow, sir."
"He means he wants me to throw the match. Isn't that right boss?"
"Yes." The bastard clearly sees no need to mince his words.
"No. Is that all?"
"Why would you want your poster boy to throw a title match?"
"No Connor, that is not all. Remember your place when you address me." He turns his head to Kara. "And the reason I want Connor to do so is that winning the title at this stage of his career would be bad business. If Connor wins the title tomorrow, he will not have the support of the fans. They will see him as a person who has earned nothing and is where he is because of politics. Which he is, of course but that is hardly the sort of thing that should be common knowledge. If the fans do not believe he has earned his title shot, they will not pay for products associated with him. That is unacceptable if we are to make money."
Connor rubs the bridge of his nose and sighs. He does not want to be dealing with this after a long flight, the night before the biggest match of his career. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"You to neither win nor lose the match."
"No pins or submissions for or against Connor. I understand and will make sure that Connor complies with your plan to the best of my ability." She's sharper than she looks, at least.
"Right, got it. We done here? I'd like to get some sleep tonight."
"See that you do Kara. Connor, do not disappoint me." He stands and walks towards the door, the pair stepping aside to allow his exit. As soon as it closes Kara locks it.
"What an asshole! Asking you to throw the match like that..."
"He's right though." Connor responds, sitting on the bed.
"Of course he's right. He's always bloody right! But that doesn't mean I have to like the idea."
"Preaching to the choir, Kara."
"Right, of course." she replies almost distracted before turning to face him. "Connor, don't do it."
"What?" He's genuinely surprised at his handler's attitude.
"I wouldn't. If you win it's because you're the best man in the match and can earn the respect and support of the fans by defending your title. I grew up in this business Connor. Believe me when I say that Alexander's way is not the only way and when you play the game like he wants you to someone's going to get hurt."
"Thanks for your advice Kara, but I don't want to talk about this anymore." She nods and he looks around the room. "There's only one bed."
"Yes, I'm sure you've noticed it's a double bed. I don't know about you, but I'm not sleeping on the floor." She gives him an appraising look. "We're adults, not horny teenagers Connor. I think we can manage to control ourselves."
She was right.
36 hours later: Alexander's office
Four people are sat in the dimmed office watching a recording of WZCW Redemption.
The video is paused as Ace Stevens' arm is raised by the referee, Reese angrily approaching.
"Explain yourself Connor. I was explicit in my instructions to you. Throw the match, do not attempt to pin anyone. But yet, you did."
"Well sir..."
"I want an unbiased account Connor. I am not interested in justifications or excuses." He continues as if Reese had never opened his mouth. "Let us start with your submission to Cooper."
That one was simple enough to explain away, at least. "I deemed attempting to escape or counter the hold to be a worse decision than tapping out. I could have done so, or even stayed in the hold until Jacobs entered the match. However, that would have looked suspicious if I was not going to attempt to win. By tapping out I gave the impression that I was conserving my energy for the rest of the match."
"I would have preferred you to do just that and given the impression that you are a fighter who will not stop fighting, no matter the situation, but your explanation was acceptable." Well that was one thing he avoided punishment for. "And the Extinction Event?"
"Jacobs left himself open. It would have been more suspicious if I hadn't attempted to pay him back for the half crab." Schwartz looks across pensively. Silently Reese prays that she keeps her suspicions about his story to herself. It would be hard enough to convince the boss that he hadn't decided to abandon the plan without her chiming in.
"No Connor. You could have pulled your strike, or misplaced it so that Jacobs was able to remain conscious. You neednt have even re-entered the ring at all, acted like you were exhausted from the match and avoided the situation entirely."
"What do you want to hear, sir? That I saw an opening to win the match and I took it, regardless of your plan?"
"Is it the truth?"
Reese shoots a subtle glance at Kara. Schwartz smirks a little, making connections her boss seemingly hasn't. Inwardly Reese gulps. "Yes. It was not my plan to try and win, but when the opportunity handed itself to me on a silver platter I decided to take it."
"Very well Connor. You shall not be punished for this." That was a surprise. He had been given extra time in the circus last time he had disobeyed the instructions of this man. "You are lucky that your performance earned you some fans. The general consensus is that Ace Stevens stole your victory and there is a not insignificant portion of them who are calling for a one on one match between you two for the Mayhem Title."
Internally Reese was celebrating. His gambit had paid off, not in the way he had intended but he was off the hook, at least. "And you intend to arrange to give them that match?"
"Give it to them? Oh no Connor, I intend to make them pay for it. All you need to do is make them want to see it. I am going to call in some favours in WZCW and line up a non title match on Ascension or Meltdown. You are to win this match at any cost. From there you are going to 'campaign' for the match to happen at Apocalypse, fan the flames so that the fans are begging for it. Once they are crying for Ace's blood, you have my permission to win the Mayhem title."
"Will I need some time in the Circus to prepare for my match against Stevens?"
"Oh, I think not. Besides, you need to look at your best. Sascha has managed to negotiate for you to shoot some promotional material for the next week. You fly to Los Angeles tomorrow evening."
More flying. Joy of joys. "Is there anything more you wanted to discuss, sir?"
"No. You may leave us."
Eight days later, one day before Ascension 52 - Hotel Suite in Tampa
It had been a long week. Four days shooting adverts for the sponsor - a moderately successful sporting goods firm looking to attract a new demographic followed by a flight from one coast to another. The money for the deal was more than worth the exhaustion he was fighting off with the coffee in his hand. Hearing footsteps behind him he turns to hand Kara her own cup, while he does he notices the shirt she's wearing. "Peace and Wub? You're an Amber Oh fan, I take it."
She accepts the coffee. "Thanks. And of course I am. Who watches ROSE and isn't a fan of her?"
"I agree. I'd just have thought you'd be a bigger fan of Shaymin or Laura..."
"Brennan? No, I respect both of them and their talent, but they just aren't quite my thing. It's interesting that you named those two. Is this about suggesting you try to win the Mayhem title?"
"Partially." To avoid elaborating he points at a box lying on a table. "That's for you, by the way."
She frowns and puts her cup down and walks over, opening the shoebox and placing the new shoes upon the table. "Connor, these are beautiful. But why?"
"We're supposed to be dating, so I got Sascha to make a dinner reservation for us tonight. She should also have arranged for suitable clothes to be delivered."
"If that's how you ask someone out, I'd hate to see how you break up with them." She responds dryly, walking back over to her coffee. "But it's a good idea, and if nothing else eating out at a good restaurant would make a nice change."
He smirks at her. "Just remember Kara, we're adults, not horny teenagers so we'll have to control ourselves." She snorts into her cup, hearing the words thrown back at herself.
"Very funny Connor. Now let's get some breakfast."
The 'couple' arrive at their room, opening the door to reveal the owner and chairman of STA.
"Ah, you've arrived. Connor, we need to talk about your match." Connor closes the door. The look the boss is shooting him gives the distinct impression that this conversation is not to be overheard.
Before Connor can respond, his handler is already speaking. "What about his match requires discussion, Sir? Over the last week Connor has been undergoing more intense physical and mental training than he has ever before. I do not doubt his ability to win."
"And therein lies the problem, Kara." The arrogant mastermind responds.
"I don't follow, sir."
"He means he wants me to throw the match. Isn't that right boss?"
"Yes." The bastard clearly sees no need to mince his words.
"No. Is that all?"
"Why would you want your poster boy to throw a title match?"
"No Connor, that is not all. Remember your place when you address me." He turns his head to Kara. "And the reason I want Connor to do so is that winning the title at this stage of his career would be bad business. If Connor wins the title tomorrow, he will not have the support of the fans. They will see him as a person who has earned nothing and is where he is because of politics. Which he is, of course but that is hardly the sort of thing that should be common knowledge. If the fans do not believe he has earned his title shot, they will not pay for products associated with him. That is unacceptable if we are to make money."
Connor rubs the bridge of his nose and sighs. He does not want to be dealing with this after a long flight, the night before the biggest match of his career. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"You to neither win nor lose the match."
"No pins or submissions for or against Connor. I understand and will make sure that Connor complies with your plan to the best of my ability." She's sharper than she looks, at least.
"Right, got it. We done here? I'd like to get some sleep tonight."
"See that you do Kara. Connor, do not disappoint me." He stands and walks towards the door, the pair stepping aside to allow his exit. As soon as it closes Kara locks it.
"What an asshole! Asking you to throw the match like that..."
"He's right though." Connor responds, sitting on the bed.
"Of course he's right. He's always bloody right! But that doesn't mean I have to like the idea."
"Preaching to the choir, Kara."
"Right, of course." she replies almost distracted before turning to face him. "Connor, don't do it."
"What?" He's genuinely surprised at his handler's attitude.
"I wouldn't. If you win it's because you're the best man in the match and can earn the respect and support of the fans by defending your title. I grew up in this business Connor. Believe me when I say that Alexander's way is not the only way and when you play the game like he wants you to someone's going to get hurt."
"Thanks for your advice Kara, but I don't want to talk about this anymore." She nods and he looks around the room. "There's only one bed."
"Yes, I'm sure you've noticed it's a double bed. I don't know about you, but I'm not sleeping on the floor." She gives him an appraising look. "We're adults, not horny teenagers Connor. I think we can manage to control ourselves."
She was right.
36 hours later: Alexander's office
Four people are sat in the dimmed office watching a recording of WZCW Redemption.
Redemption said:
The video is paused as Ace Stevens' arm is raised by the referee, Reese angrily approaching.
"Explain yourself Connor. I was explicit in my instructions to you. Throw the match, do not attempt to pin anyone. But yet, you did."
"Well sir..."
"I want an unbiased account Connor. I am not interested in justifications or excuses." He continues as if Reese had never opened his mouth. "Let us start with your submission to Cooper."
That one was simple enough to explain away, at least. "I deemed attempting to escape or counter the hold to be a worse decision than tapping out. I could have done so, or even stayed in the hold until Jacobs entered the match. However, that would have looked suspicious if I was not going to attempt to win. By tapping out I gave the impression that I was conserving my energy for the rest of the match."
"I would have preferred you to do just that and given the impression that you are a fighter who will not stop fighting, no matter the situation, but your explanation was acceptable." Well that was one thing he avoided punishment for. "And the Extinction Event?"
"Jacobs left himself open. It would have been more suspicious if I hadn't attempted to pay him back for the half crab." Schwartz looks across pensively. Silently Reese prays that she keeps her suspicions about his story to herself. It would be hard enough to convince the boss that he hadn't decided to abandon the plan without her chiming in.
"No Connor. You could have pulled your strike, or misplaced it so that Jacobs was able to remain conscious. You neednt have even re-entered the ring at all, acted like you were exhausted from the match and avoided the situation entirely."
"What do you want to hear, sir? That I saw an opening to win the match and I took it, regardless of your plan?"
"Is it the truth?"
Reese shoots a subtle glance at Kara. Schwartz smirks a little, making connections her boss seemingly hasn't. Inwardly Reese gulps. "Yes. It was not my plan to try and win, but when the opportunity handed itself to me on a silver platter I decided to take it."
"Very well Connor. You shall not be punished for this." That was a surprise. He had been given extra time in the circus last time he had disobeyed the instructions of this man. "You are lucky that your performance earned you some fans. The general consensus is that Ace Stevens stole your victory and there is a not insignificant portion of them who are calling for a one on one match between you two for the Mayhem Title."
Internally Reese was celebrating. His gambit had paid off, not in the way he had intended but he was off the hook, at least. "And you intend to arrange to give them that match?"
"Give it to them? Oh no Connor, I intend to make them pay for it. All you need to do is make them want to see it. I am going to call in some favours in WZCW and line up a non title match on Ascension or Meltdown. You are to win this match at any cost. From there you are going to 'campaign' for the match to happen at Apocalypse, fan the flames so that the fans are begging for it. Once they are crying for Ace's blood, you have my permission to win the Mayhem title."
"Will I need some time in the Circus to prepare for my match against Stevens?"
"Oh, I think not. Besides, you need to look at your best. Sascha has managed to negotiate for you to shoot some promotional material for the next week. You fly to Los Angeles tomorrow evening."
More flying. Joy of joys. "Is there anything more you wanted to discuss, sir?"
"No. You may leave us."
Eight days later, one day before Ascension 52 - Hotel Suite in Tampa
It had been a long week. Four days shooting adverts for the sponsor - a moderately successful sporting goods firm looking to attract a new demographic followed by a flight from one coast to another. The money for the deal was more than worth the exhaustion he was fighting off with the coffee in his hand. Hearing footsteps behind him he turns to hand Kara her own cup, while he does he notices the shirt she's wearing. "Peace and Wub? You're an Amber Oh fan, I take it."
She accepts the coffee. "Thanks. And of course I am. Who watches ROSE and isn't a fan of her?"
"I agree. I'd just have thought you'd be a bigger fan of Shaymin or Laura..."
"Brennan? No, I respect both of them and their talent, but they just aren't quite my thing. It's interesting that you named those two. Is this about suggesting you try to win the Mayhem title?"
"Partially." To avoid elaborating he points at a box lying on a table. "That's for you, by the way."
She frowns and puts her cup down and walks over, opening the shoebox and placing the new shoes upon the table. "Connor, these are beautiful. But why?"
"We're supposed to be dating, so I got Sascha to make a dinner reservation for us tonight. She should also have arranged for suitable clothes to be delivered."
"If that's how you ask someone out, I'd hate to see how you break up with them." She responds dryly, walking back over to her coffee. "But it's a good idea, and if nothing else eating out at a good restaurant would make a nice change."
He smirks at her. "Just remember Kara, we're adults, not horny teenagers so we'll have to control ourselves." She snorts into her cup, hearing the words thrown back at herself.
"Very funny Connor. Now let's get some breakfast."
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