AS71: James Howard & Barbosa vs. Magnitudinis
- Thread starter Harthan
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FunKay the Inevitable
People Like Me, We Don't Play
If you are reading this, then you are likely wondering where my adventures are for this week. Truth be told Ive had a busy week. Between scheduled media appearances, trips to the gym, time with my lover and preparations for the tag team battle on Ascension, well time has simply slipped away from me these past few weeks. So Im afraid this week you wont read about how I slaughtered the three face beast in the heart of darkness itself or how I took down the wild man of EurAsia or how I once again evaded the faceless beasts of the watery depths. Im afraid these are all stories for another time. For this I apologise.
Do not fear though dear reader as there are plenty more stories worthy of your World Tag Team Champion supreme. Youll hear about the dreams and the idyllic world around them and about how I plan to defeat my latest foe, before shortly venturing forward to defend my gold alongside my beau, slaughtering the foolish ones who dare defy me. We shall stand on the brink of the Apocalypse and we will raise our trophies, defying the end and standing above all in our division, overshadowing even those you claim to be champions outside it.
These are the things to come and come they might but there is indeed one last thing I must note. There is a spectre, a shadow if you will that follows me and when I catch it full on at face value I see something terrible. I see something unspeakable. It is as if I can hold the image for a mere instant, but any longer and it rips itself clean from my memory. Its power is too great and its face is too disturbing even for a man of bloodshed such as myself to retain. I fear what it may mean, but I know one thing; darkness is coming.
Until next time this is your Elite signing off and reminding you; Aristocracy Reigns.
- Steven Holmes
Do not fear though dear reader as there are plenty more stories worthy of your World Tag Team Champion supreme. Youll hear about the dreams and the idyllic world around them and about how I plan to defeat my latest foe, before shortly venturing forward to defend my gold alongside my beau, slaughtering the foolish ones who dare defy me. We shall stand on the brink of the Apocalypse and we will raise our trophies, defying the end and standing above all in our division, overshadowing even those you claim to be champions outside it.
These are the things to come and come they might but there is indeed one last thing I must note. There is a spectre, a shadow if you will that follows me and when I catch it full on at face value I see something terrible. I see something unspeakable. It is as if I can hold the image for a mere instant, but any longer and it rips itself clean from my memory. Its power is too great and its face is too disturbing even for a man of bloodshed such as myself to retain. I fear what it may mean, but I know one thing; darkness is coming.
Until next time this is your Elite signing off and reminding you; Aristocracy Reigns.
- Steven Holmes
ÐаÑбоÑа
doesn't know REAL wrestling...
Secretary: Mr Barbosa? Doctor Rivers will see you now.
*Barbosa looks up from staring at the waiting room floor to the clock hanging on the wall.
12pm sharp.
It was nice to know that the self-serving hack of a quack they were dealing with was at least a punctual self-serving hack of a quack. Barbosa rises and walks over towards the door of the doctor's office.*
Barbosa: Thank you, miss.
Secretary: What do you mean "miss"?
*The backchat from the secretary leads Barbosa to look round at the reception desk. Behind it is a large man.*
Barbosa: Oh, we are sorry. We thought you were a
Secretary: Did the handlebar moustache not give it away?
*Barbosa looks sheepish, trying to find more words of apology as he reaches for the door handle and his escape route.*
Barbosa: We just assumed that that
Secretary: That what?
*Barbosa cringes under the stare of the annoyed male secretary but just as he is able to turn the door knob and slope away without saying anything more, something snaps inside him. Barbosa stands up straight, repositions the WZCW World Heavyweight title belt on his shoulder and takes a few authorative steps away from the door and back towards the secretary.*
Barbosa: We just assumed that in a psychiatric hospital with several individuals who pose serious physical danger to others, a large man with delusions of his own authority due to repeated bullying of the less fortunate would not be answering the telephone, making cups of tea and issusing threats from behind what he thinks is the safety of a desk and a plexiglass screen!
*The secretary stands up under this barrage of insults and meets Barbosa's maniacal stare. This movement leads to a smirk being added to Barbosa's face.*
Barbosa: So what are you going to do? Take on a confirmed maniac, who has some sort of title belt either for use as a weapon or because he is the champion of a martial art of some sort?
*Barbosa looks from side to side in search of something or someone.*
Barbosa: And with no help ? At the risk of your job, career and more than likely your health?
Who's a brave boy? Ready to graduate to the big boy pants are we?
*The secretary has clearly started to have second thoughts and the lack of orderlies to help protect him has shattered his façade of confidence and bravery.*
Barbosa: Not so brave now when the playing field is level, eh?
*The secretary sits back down.*
Barbosa: Just as we thought . Time to get this show on the road.
*Barbosa then walks towards the door of the doctor's office but refrains from taking his stare off the secretary, who is starting to do some cringing of his own, until he is through the door and has closed it.*
Barbosa: Good afternoon, Dr Rivers. It is nice to see you again.
Dr Rivers: Good day, Mr Barbosa. Did I hear a commotion outside?
Barbosa: No, not at all. I was just conversing with your secretary.
Dr Rivers: Then please take a seat.
*Barbosa moves towards the chair indicated by Rivers, sitting down and depositing the WZCW title belt on the table between him and the doctor.*
Dr Rivers: Before we being, having studied your particular symptoms of your conditions and your attempts to hide them for several years now, I want to make on thing perfectly clear .
*Barbosa leans forward with a look of puzzlement on his face.*
Barbosa: And what would that be, Doctor?
Dr Rivers: I will not tolerate this false united front you put forward in meetings such as this.
*All three Barbosas suddenly burst into the poker room for an impromptu meeting.*
Manic: He knows! He knows about us!
The Smoker: This was bound to happen. It was not like we were careful to hide it all the time. Not even in public places or on national television.
Manic: But what do we do? We cannot let the doctor see us.
The Smoker: Why not?
Manic: He might you know.
The Smoker: He might what?
Manic: He might cure us.
*The Smoker lurches to a halt for a second before seemingly shaking it off.*
The Smoker: We have no problem with that. Being cured of you two will just leave me to my own devices all the time.
Depressive: That is assuming that any of us constitute the real Barbosa.
The Smoker: What do you mean?
Depressive: It could be any of us. It could be all of us. Or it could be none of us.
*This stops the Smoker in his tracks as he starts to shake his head.*
The Smoker: Oh, no. No, no, no. We are not going back to that place again.
Manic: So what do we do?
The Smoker: Continue to lie. Put forward the united front.
Depressive: No.
The Smoker: Did you not hear us? He might try to cure us!
Depressive: In letting us leave here in the first place, Doctor Rivers admitted that there was little he could do for while we can be a mess, we are a functional mess. Trying to change us now might upset that balance.
The Smoker: But we are here in his office.
Depressive: That is due to his own self-serving nature. He wants to get his name up in lights. His work published in journals and he sees us as his way to do that. He will not jeopardise that by curing us.
Manic: That does not sound very doctorly.
Depressive: Plus, within these walls, we have doctor-patient confidentiality so as long as we do not pose a physical threat to him or anyone else other than in our capacity as WZCW champion, we will be safe.
The Smoker: So we are going to talk to him?
Depressive: Yes. All of us.
The Smoker: About what?
Depressive: Whatever the good doctor wants.
Dr Rivers: Mr Barbosa?
*Back in Doctor Rivers' office, Barbosa looks up from what was a brief stare at his feet.*
Barbosa: Yes, doctor?
Dr Rivers: Have you come to a decision?
Barbosa: We have.
Dr Rivers: And that is?
*Barbosa lets out a sigh and slumps back into his chair.*
Barbosa: We will cooperate.
Dr Rivers: All of you?
*Barbosa's eyes widen in fear.*
Barbosa: Y y yeah. All of us.
Dr Rivers: Good, good. Now we can make progress. However, I would like to be able to call you all by a different name rather by by your different personality traits.
*Barbosa snorts in derision.*
Barbosa: What like Larry, Curly and Moe? Groucho, Harpo and Zeppo? Tom, Dick and Harry?
*Suddenly, Barbosa bolts forward in his chair.*
Barbosa: Baggsie not being "Dick!"
Dr Rivers: No, no. I was not thinking of something so stereotypical.
Barbosa: You can call us Michael.
Barbosa: Seeing as how it fits our demeanour, you can call us Sonny.
Dr Rivers: This is good. Real progress.
Barbosa: But what about us? We do not know what name we want.
Barbosa: Seeing as how we have a Sonny and a Michael, how about Fredo?
*Barbosa smirks at his own joke only for it then to develop into a wide-eyed smile.*
Barbosa: Ooooh, we like that!
Barbosa: Oh for godssake
Dr Rivers: So we have a cold, calculating Michael, a passionate and aggressive Sonny and a fun-loving Fredo? It might be a little er ah, is plagarisitic the word?... but it does fit rather well.
Okay then, Michael, Sonny and Fredo, I would like to talk about the black out that brough you here. Have you any idea what caused it?
Barbosa: Joy.
Dr Rivers: You seem certain in that.
Barbosa: It and other strong emotions have done things like this to us in the past.
Dr Rivers: Like what?
Barbosa: It usually let another out.
Dr Rivers: There is another?
Barbosa: Yeah, but he used to just lie in the corner.
Dr Rivers: Where is he now?
Barbosa: Never returned from the dark place...
Dr Rivers: This dark place, was it
*Barbosa cuts the doctor off, sitting forward in an extremely aggressive manner.*
Barbosa: Let us make one thing clear, doc. We do not talk about the dark place.
Dr Rivers: But you must
Barbosa: We. Do. Not. Talk. About. The. Dark. Place.
*Doctor Rivers shuffles unfortably in his chair before writing a note in the case file. He then changes tact somewhat.*
Dr Rivers: Are you worried that further instances of strong emotion, losing your title for example, will lead to further experiences of the dar that place that shall not be named?
*Barbosa's aggressive posture does not relent, with a figure pointed at Rivers for added emphasis.*
Barbosa: NO! We are not worried about anything, especially not about losing this title belt! That will never happen! Not to Ricky Runn! Not to SHIT! And not to whatever hand-picked stooge Banks and Batemen decide to throw at us next.
We will make Ty Burna's year long reign look like our cup of coffee of a first reign!
*The pointed finger retracts and Barbosa starts to relax back into his chair, happy that his point has been made. However, before he can bask in the dramatic impact of his statement, Barbosa bolts forward again, shaking his head and gesturing wildly.*
Barbosa: YES! We are scared! Really scared! We do not want to go back to the dark place!
*As Barbosa's histrionics become more hysterical, despite being initially reticent, Rivers leans forwards in his own chair and reaches out a reassuring hand to try to calm his frantic patient.*
Dr Rivers: It is okay Fredo. It is okay. You do not have to go back there.
Barbosa: Really? Because we will give up the big shiny if it will help. Let Ricky or SHIT have it. Anything to make sure we do not have to go back there!
Dr Rivers: But what if the others are right and losing the belt would cause what you hope to avoid?
*Barbosa takes a couple of deep breaths, clearly thinking about what the doctor has said. Then without reverting from his wide-eyed look answers in an unusually decisive way.*
Barbosa: Then we will fight. Fight to the last and never give up the big shiny!
*Rivers nodds, taking this in and then after jotting a few more notes down, he reverts to silence and just looks at Barbosa as if he is waiting for something. In the silence, Barbosa slumps once more and it still a few minutes before the dead air is interrupted.*
Barbosa: We know what you want, doctor.
Dr Rivers: And what is that, Michael?
Barbosa: Our answer.
Dr Rivers: And that is?
Barbosa: Yes.
Dr Rivers: Yes what?
Barbosa: Yes, we are worried but not about the dark place per se. We worry about our inability to do anything about our internal reaction to such strong motions. It is the one part of ourselves that we have been unable to control, harness or redirect.
Dr Rivers: You fear losing control.
*It was a statement rather than a question.*
Barbosa: Doesn't everyone?
*Rivers ponders this and after a few more scribbles and moments of silence, he puts down his notes and leans forward to give his appraisal.*
Dr Rivers: Michael, Sonny, Fredo, we have made some good progress here but while we have much more to do having only scratched the surface, I do not want to force things too much and I understand that you have travel and preparations to see to for your next match.
*Barbosa straightens in his chair and then starts to stand up.*
Barbosa: Good. We can get out of here then.
Dr Rivers: But before you do, I have some homework for you.
*A look of suspicion crosses Barbosa's face before he exudes another outburst.*
Barbosa: Homework? Aw, man! You just said we had done good work! Can't you let us off just this once?
Dr Rivers: For our next meeting I would like to you bring someone along with you.
*Barbosa shrugs his shoulders.*
Barbosa: That doesn't sound so hard.
Dr Rivers: Someone who is not Scaled Humanoid Industrial Technology.
*Barbosa furrows his brow a little before again shrugging it off.*
Dr Rivers: Or some backstage worker from WZCW you have bullied into coming. Or a cardboard cut out of Hunter Kravinoff. And no ladies of the night.
*Barbosa slumps back into his chair once more and folds his arms like a petulant child.*
Barbosa: You are no fun. And how can we make friends in just a short time?
Dr Rivers: How about your tag team partner for this week? This
*Rivers quickly scans his notes.*
Dr Rivers: James Howard. My research tells me he is a champion much like you and Scaled Humanoid Industrial Technology.
Barbosa: We know nothing about him so how are we to
Dr Rivers: Good, getting to know Howard is part of the exercise and you could share your experiences of facing your opponents in recent months.
Barbosa: Don't get us started on that pair of lip-locking, ugly-bumping pair of failed super-villains again.
*Barbosa bubbles with anger and annoyance but rather than exploding in violence, he throws his hands up in what could be construed as something of a surrender.*
Barbosa: Fine. We will talk to Frankie Howard or whoever he is.
*Barbosa then jabs another finger at Rivers.*
Barbosa: We hope you are happy, doc. Oh, and by the way, your secretary has a death wish.
*With that, Barbosa grabs his title belt form the table and storms out of the office, leaving Doctor Rivers to ruminate on his first session with the WZCW champion, completely missing the veiled threat against a member of his staff.*
Dr Rivers: Very happy. American Journal of Psychology here I come!
*Barbosa looks up from staring at the waiting room floor to the clock hanging on the wall.
12pm sharp.
It was nice to know that the self-serving hack of a quack they were dealing with was at least a punctual self-serving hack of a quack. Barbosa rises and walks over towards the door of the doctor's office.*
Barbosa: Thank you, miss.
Secretary: What do you mean "miss"?
*The backchat from the secretary leads Barbosa to look round at the reception desk. Behind it is a large man.*
Barbosa: Oh, we are sorry. We thought you were a
Secretary: Did the handlebar moustache not give it away?
*Barbosa looks sheepish, trying to find more words of apology as he reaches for the door handle and his escape route.*
Barbosa: We just assumed that that
Secretary: That what?
*Barbosa cringes under the stare of the annoyed male secretary but just as he is able to turn the door knob and slope away without saying anything more, something snaps inside him. Barbosa stands up straight, repositions the WZCW World Heavyweight title belt on his shoulder and takes a few authorative steps away from the door and back towards the secretary.*
Barbosa: We just assumed that in a psychiatric hospital with several individuals who pose serious physical danger to others, a large man with delusions of his own authority due to repeated bullying of the less fortunate would not be answering the telephone, making cups of tea and issusing threats from behind what he thinks is the safety of a desk and a plexiglass screen!
*The secretary stands up under this barrage of insults and meets Barbosa's maniacal stare. This movement leads to a smirk being added to Barbosa's face.*
Barbosa: So what are you going to do? Take on a confirmed maniac, who has some sort of title belt either for use as a weapon or because he is the champion of a martial art of some sort?
*Barbosa looks from side to side in search of something or someone.*
Barbosa: And with no help ? At the risk of your job, career and more than likely your health?
Who's a brave boy? Ready to graduate to the big boy pants are we?
*The secretary has clearly started to have second thoughts and the lack of orderlies to help protect him has shattered his façade of confidence and bravery.*
Barbosa: Not so brave now when the playing field is level, eh?
*The secretary sits back down.*
Barbosa: Just as we thought . Time to get this show on the road.
*Barbosa then walks towards the door of the doctor's office but refrains from taking his stare off the secretary, who is starting to do some cringing of his own, until he is through the door and has closed it.*
Barbosa: Good afternoon, Dr Rivers. It is nice to see you again.
Dr Rivers: Good day, Mr Barbosa. Did I hear a commotion outside?
Barbosa: No, not at all. I was just conversing with your secretary.
Dr Rivers: Then please take a seat.
*Barbosa moves towards the chair indicated by Rivers, sitting down and depositing the WZCW title belt on the table between him and the doctor.*
Dr Rivers: Before we being, having studied your particular symptoms of your conditions and your attempts to hide them for several years now, I want to make on thing perfectly clear .
*Barbosa leans forward with a look of puzzlement on his face.*
Barbosa: And what would that be, Doctor?
Dr Rivers: I will not tolerate this false united front you put forward in meetings such as this.
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*All three Barbosas suddenly burst into the poker room for an impromptu meeting.*
Manic: He knows! He knows about us!
The Smoker: This was bound to happen. It was not like we were careful to hide it all the time. Not even in public places or on national television.
Manic: But what do we do? We cannot let the doctor see us.
The Smoker: Why not?
Manic: He might you know.
The Smoker: He might what?
Manic: He might cure us.
*The Smoker lurches to a halt for a second before seemingly shaking it off.*
The Smoker: We have no problem with that. Being cured of you two will just leave me to my own devices all the time.
Depressive: That is assuming that any of us constitute the real Barbosa.
The Smoker: What do you mean?
Depressive: It could be any of us. It could be all of us. Or it could be none of us.
*This stops the Smoker in his tracks as he starts to shake his head.*
The Smoker: Oh, no. No, no, no. We are not going back to that place again.
Manic: So what do we do?
The Smoker: Continue to lie. Put forward the united front.
Depressive: No.
The Smoker: Did you not hear us? He might try to cure us!
Depressive: In letting us leave here in the first place, Doctor Rivers admitted that there was little he could do for while we can be a mess, we are a functional mess. Trying to change us now might upset that balance.
The Smoker: But we are here in his office.
Depressive: That is due to his own self-serving nature. He wants to get his name up in lights. His work published in journals and he sees us as his way to do that. He will not jeopardise that by curing us.
Manic: That does not sound very doctorly.
Depressive: Plus, within these walls, we have doctor-patient confidentiality so as long as we do not pose a physical threat to him or anyone else other than in our capacity as WZCW champion, we will be safe.
The Smoker: So we are going to talk to him?
Depressive: Yes. All of us.
The Smoker: About what?
Depressive: Whatever the good doctor wants.
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Dr Rivers: Mr Barbosa?
*Back in Doctor Rivers' office, Barbosa looks up from what was a brief stare at his feet.*
Barbosa: Yes, doctor?
Dr Rivers: Have you come to a decision?
Barbosa: We have.
Dr Rivers: And that is?
*Barbosa lets out a sigh and slumps back into his chair.*
Barbosa: We will cooperate.
Dr Rivers: All of you?
*Barbosa's eyes widen in fear.*
Barbosa: Y y yeah. All of us.
Dr Rivers: Good, good. Now we can make progress. However, I would like to be able to call you all by a different name rather by by your different personality traits.
*Barbosa snorts in derision.*
Barbosa: What like Larry, Curly and Moe? Groucho, Harpo and Zeppo? Tom, Dick and Harry?
*Suddenly, Barbosa bolts forward in his chair.*
Barbosa: Baggsie not being "Dick!"
Dr Rivers: No, no. I was not thinking of something so stereotypical.
Barbosa: You can call us Michael.
Barbosa: Seeing as how it fits our demeanour, you can call us Sonny.
Dr Rivers: This is good. Real progress.
Barbosa: But what about us? We do not know what name we want.
Barbosa: Seeing as how we have a Sonny and a Michael, how about Fredo?
*Barbosa smirks at his own joke only for it then to develop into a wide-eyed smile.*
Barbosa: Ooooh, we like that!
Barbosa: Oh for godssake
Dr Rivers: So we have a cold, calculating Michael, a passionate and aggressive Sonny and a fun-loving Fredo? It might be a little er ah, is plagarisitic the word?... but it does fit rather well.
Okay then, Michael, Sonny and Fredo, I would like to talk about the black out that brough you here. Have you any idea what caused it?
Barbosa: Joy.
Dr Rivers: You seem certain in that.
Barbosa: It and other strong emotions have done things like this to us in the past.
Dr Rivers: Like what?
Barbosa: It usually let another out.
Dr Rivers: There is another?
Barbosa: Yeah, but he used to just lie in the corner.
Dr Rivers: Where is he now?
Barbosa: Never returned from the dark place...
Dr Rivers: This dark place, was it
*Barbosa cuts the doctor off, sitting forward in an extremely aggressive manner.*
Barbosa: Let us make one thing clear, doc. We do not talk about the dark place.
Dr Rivers: But you must
Barbosa: We. Do. Not. Talk. About. The. Dark. Place.
*Doctor Rivers shuffles unfortably in his chair before writing a note in the case file. He then changes tact somewhat.*
Dr Rivers: Are you worried that further instances of strong emotion, losing your title for example, will lead to further experiences of the dar that place that shall not be named?
*Barbosa's aggressive posture does not relent, with a figure pointed at Rivers for added emphasis.*
Barbosa: NO! We are not worried about anything, especially not about losing this title belt! That will never happen! Not to Ricky Runn! Not to SHIT! And not to whatever hand-picked stooge Banks and Batemen decide to throw at us next.
We will make Ty Burna's year long reign look like our cup of coffee of a first reign!
*The pointed finger retracts and Barbosa starts to relax back into his chair, happy that his point has been made. However, before he can bask in the dramatic impact of his statement, Barbosa bolts forward again, shaking his head and gesturing wildly.*
Barbosa: YES! We are scared! Really scared! We do not want to go back to the dark place!
*As Barbosa's histrionics become more hysterical, despite being initially reticent, Rivers leans forwards in his own chair and reaches out a reassuring hand to try to calm his frantic patient.*
Dr Rivers: It is okay Fredo. It is okay. You do not have to go back there.
Barbosa: Really? Because we will give up the big shiny if it will help. Let Ricky or SHIT have it. Anything to make sure we do not have to go back there!
Dr Rivers: But what if the others are right and losing the belt would cause what you hope to avoid?
*Barbosa takes a couple of deep breaths, clearly thinking about what the doctor has said. Then without reverting from his wide-eyed look answers in an unusually decisive way.*
Barbosa: Then we will fight. Fight to the last and never give up the big shiny!
*Rivers nodds, taking this in and then after jotting a few more notes down, he reverts to silence and just looks at Barbosa as if he is waiting for something. In the silence, Barbosa slumps once more and it still a few minutes before the dead air is interrupted.*
Barbosa: We know what you want, doctor.
Dr Rivers: And what is that, Michael?
Barbosa: Our answer.
Dr Rivers: And that is?
Barbosa: Yes.
Dr Rivers: Yes what?
Barbosa: Yes, we are worried but not about the dark place per se. We worry about our inability to do anything about our internal reaction to such strong motions. It is the one part of ourselves that we have been unable to control, harness or redirect.
Dr Rivers: You fear losing control.
*It was a statement rather than a question.*
Barbosa: Doesn't everyone?
*Rivers ponders this and after a few more scribbles and moments of silence, he puts down his notes and leans forward to give his appraisal.*
Dr Rivers: Michael, Sonny, Fredo, we have made some good progress here but while we have much more to do having only scratched the surface, I do not want to force things too much and I understand that you have travel and preparations to see to for your next match.
*Barbosa straightens in his chair and then starts to stand up.*
Barbosa: Good. We can get out of here then.
Dr Rivers: But before you do, I have some homework for you.
*A look of suspicion crosses Barbosa's face before he exudes another outburst.*
Barbosa: Homework? Aw, man! You just said we had done good work! Can't you let us off just this once?
Dr Rivers: For our next meeting I would like to you bring someone along with you.
*Barbosa shrugs his shoulders.*
Barbosa: That doesn't sound so hard.
Dr Rivers: Someone who is not Scaled Humanoid Industrial Technology.
*Barbosa furrows his brow a little before again shrugging it off.*
Dr Rivers: Or some backstage worker from WZCW you have bullied into coming. Or a cardboard cut out of Hunter Kravinoff. And no ladies of the night.
*Barbosa slumps back into his chair once more and folds his arms like a petulant child.*
Barbosa: You are no fun. And how can we make friends in just a short time?
Dr Rivers: How about your tag team partner for this week? This
*Rivers quickly scans his notes.*
Dr Rivers: James Howard. My research tells me he is a champion much like you and Scaled Humanoid Industrial Technology.
Barbosa: We know nothing about him so how are we to
Dr Rivers: Good, getting to know Howard is part of the exercise and you could share your experiences of facing your opponents in recent months.
Barbosa: Don't get us started on that pair of lip-locking, ugly-bumping pair of failed super-villains again.
*Barbosa bubbles with anger and annoyance but rather than exploding in violence, he throws his hands up in what could be construed as something of a surrender.*
Barbosa: Fine. We will talk to Frankie Howard or whoever he is.
*Barbosa then jabs another finger at Rivers.*
Barbosa: We hope you are happy, doc. Oh, and by the way, your secretary has a death wish.
*With that, Barbosa grabs his title belt form the table and storms out of the office, leaving Doctor Rivers to ruminate on his first session with the WZCW champion, completely missing the veiled threat against a member of his staff.*
Dr Rivers: Very happy. American Journal of Psychology here I come!
The hotel room in Cologne was a spectacular suite. I figured that if Im touring Europe I should at least stay in decent accommodation. Id missed out on the best suites however because of old moneybags himself, Stephen Holmes and his trophy girlfriend Celeste Crimson. To be honest their partnership impressed me. I was fully expecting her to be out of there the instant Holmes dropped the World Title but she was still there. I was just grateful that in the upper floors of hotels the rooms are pretty well soundproofed.
After losing to Vega on Ascension I hit the gym, hard. I wanted revenge but I had more pressing things on my mind. I checked my watch as I walked onto the balcony, 5pm in Cologne worked out to be around 8am in Frisco. I decided to wait a few more hours before making the call, I was surprised when the phone rang in my hand. The number wasnt in my phonebook and I didnt immediately recognise the code. I answered, making sure to listen carefully.
Hello? I said as cautiously as I could.
I want to meet with you, James Howard. You are our Homework. Came the raspy voice on the other end. I stopped for a second, unsure if I wanted the obvious question answered.
Whos this?
Barbosa.
Great. As if teaming with the lunatic wasnt bad enough it seemed some genius had forced him to interact with me before our match. Before I had chance to respond there was a sharp trio of knocks on the door. I opened it knowing full well hed be on the other side.
Come in. I said as I motioned him towards the sofa. He sat leaning forward as he laid his title on the coffee table, right next to my Eurasian title, his elbows perched on his thighs as he clasped his hands together. Whyve you come to visit me?
A doctor suggested it.
Which one? Kurtesy? Coberer? Zeus?
Rivers.
I did a spit take as I remembered the name. Rivers was the quack who analysed me before they let me join the company.
Rivers?
Barbosas shoulders slumped. His head retreated into his chest a little. You know him? he said, his voice retreating much like his body.
Yeah, I know that hack I said as I reached for a cigarette. You smoke?
Not always.
I put the packet back on the table and left them for him. I thought better of pressing the issue, he seemed uncomfortable enough already.
So were going to be teaming together.
Seems that way
Id love to put Holmes in his place.
Barbosa chuckled slightly as he seemed to relax a little. His eyes suddenly began exploring the room frantically, looking for something that likely was never there to begin with.
Is Is he upstairs? The words exploded from Barbosas mouth as he moved towards the balcony door.
I uh I would avoid that if I were you.
He stopped and turned. Why?
Well when I was coming in I saw Holmes and Celeste walking onto their balcony above. They were both grinning and wearing bath robes.
Oh.
Yeah, so unless you really want to see what Holmes looks like in the moment Id advise you stay inside. Also if you open the door it ruins the sound-proofing.
Barbosa sighed as he sat back down, his posture once again slumped, he paused for a second before standing. He stalked towards the exit, grabbing his title from the coffee table as he went. Well, thats the socialising I need to do done with. I will see you soon Howard.
I stepped in front of him. Woah there buddy. You just call me out of the blue from outside my hotel room ask me how I am and then waltz out of here. I get it you know. Youre crazy, or at least someone thinks you are.
Barbosa leant forward as he spoke, his voice becoming raspier with each word. I think that you must be
I didnt flinch, Id been the aggressor in this situation far too many times. Maybe I am. Do I look like I give a damn? Youve heard the story, I know youre far from an idiot. You know what I did, what I still do and why my title was sat right next to yours on that coffee table. You also know that the reason I can barely use the balcony on this room thats over 200 euros a night is Scrooge McDuck and Ivan Drago in a push up bra deciding that danger is a turn on.
Barbosa begin to lean back, his posture hadnt changed but he was now smirking wryly.
We are far more alike than either of us is willing to admit and those two Watership Down rejects upstairs need to be knocked down a peg or two. Those titles around their waist? They won those by because Saboteur got screwed. Were going to hand these two their first loss. We have to beat them.
Barbosa leaned back. Did these pep talks ever work with Stormrage?
No. I yelled but if I had good control of my anger I highly doubt your shrink would have sent you to see me rather than SHIT.
I dont doubt it.
Good. Then were on the same page. Two people with a tenuous grasp on sanity taking on a megalomaniac and his Barbie doll.
You do not have issues with fighting a woman?
Of course I do. I have never struck a woman in my life. Ive seen her in action, Im not going to sit around waiting for her to smack the taste out of my mouth before I begin to defend myself.
Good. Barbosa said as he adjusted his title on his shoulder. See you at Ascension. He made his way out of the door and was already out of sight by the time it closed itself. I went over to my suitcase and opened the front pouch. I pulled out an Xbox controller, customised with the Strikeforce logo and a 1up mushroom on each handle. Id had it custom made for Mikey months ago but it didnt arrive until just before I left for Europe. I threw it on the bed.
Goddamn it Mikey I whispered as I wandered onto the balcony looking resolutely at the ground. I tried calling Dinah. Voicemail. Hi Honey, I know its late I miss you. Call me back when youre able.
After losing to Vega on Ascension I hit the gym, hard. I wanted revenge but I had more pressing things on my mind. I checked my watch as I walked onto the balcony, 5pm in Cologne worked out to be around 8am in Frisco. I decided to wait a few more hours before making the call, I was surprised when the phone rang in my hand. The number wasnt in my phonebook and I didnt immediately recognise the code. I answered, making sure to listen carefully.
Hello? I said as cautiously as I could.
I want to meet with you, James Howard. You are our Homework. Came the raspy voice on the other end. I stopped for a second, unsure if I wanted the obvious question answered.
Whos this?
Barbosa.
Great. As if teaming with the lunatic wasnt bad enough it seemed some genius had forced him to interact with me before our match. Before I had chance to respond there was a sharp trio of knocks on the door. I opened it knowing full well hed be on the other side.
Come in. I said as I motioned him towards the sofa. He sat leaning forward as he laid his title on the coffee table, right next to my Eurasian title, his elbows perched on his thighs as he clasped his hands together. Whyve you come to visit me?
A doctor suggested it.
Which one? Kurtesy? Coberer? Zeus?
Rivers.
I did a spit take as I remembered the name. Rivers was the quack who analysed me before they let me join the company.
Rivers?
Barbosas shoulders slumped. His head retreated into his chest a little. You know him? he said, his voice retreating much like his body.
Yeah, I know that hack I said as I reached for a cigarette. You smoke?
Not always.
I put the packet back on the table and left them for him. I thought better of pressing the issue, he seemed uncomfortable enough already.
So were going to be teaming together.
Seems that way
Id love to put Holmes in his place.
Barbosa chuckled slightly as he seemed to relax a little. His eyes suddenly began exploring the room frantically, looking for something that likely was never there to begin with.
Is Is he upstairs? The words exploded from Barbosas mouth as he moved towards the balcony door.
I uh I would avoid that if I were you.
He stopped and turned. Why?
Well when I was coming in I saw Holmes and Celeste walking onto their balcony above. They were both grinning and wearing bath robes.
Oh.
Yeah, so unless you really want to see what Holmes looks like in the moment Id advise you stay inside. Also if you open the door it ruins the sound-proofing.
Barbosa sighed as he sat back down, his posture once again slumped, he paused for a second before standing. He stalked towards the exit, grabbing his title from the coffee table as he went. Well, thats the socialising I need to do done with. I will see you soon Howard.
I stepped in front of him. Woah there buddy. You just call me out of the blue from outside my hotel room ask me how I am and then waltz out of here. I get it you know. Youre crazy, or at least someone thinks you are.
Barbosa leant forward as he spoke, his voice becoming raspier with each word. I think that you must be
I didnt flinch, Id been the aggressor in this situation far too many times. Maybe I am. Do I look like I give a damn? Youve heard the story, I know youre far from an idiot. You know what I did, what I still do and why my title was sat right next to yours on that coffee table. You also know that the reason I can barely use the balcony on this room thats over 200 euros a night is Scrooge McDuck and Ivan Drago in a push up bra deciding that danger is a turn on.
Barbosa begin to lean back, his posture hadnt changed but he was now smirking wryly.
We are far more alike than either of us is willing to admit and those two Watership Down rejects upstairs need to be knocked down a peg or two. Those titles around their waist? They won those by because Saboteur got screwed. Were going to hand these two their first loss. We have to beat them.
Barbosa leaned back. Did these pep talks ever work with Stormrage?
No. I yelled but if I had good control of my anger I highly doubt your shrink would have sent you to see me rather than SHIT.
I dont doubt it.
Good. Then were on the same page. Two people with a tenuous grasp on sanity taking on a megalomaniac and his Barbie doll.
You do not have issues with fighting a woman?
Of course I do. I have never struck a woman in my life. Ive seen her in action, Im not going to sit around waiting for her to smack the taste out of my mouth before I begin to defend myself.
Good. Barbosa said as he adjusted his title on his shoulder. See you at Ascension. He made his way out of the door and was already out of sight by the time it closed itself. I went over to my suitcase and opened the front pouch. I pulled out an Xbox controller, customised with the Strikeforce logo and a 1up mushroom on each handle. Id had it custom made for Mikey months ago but it didnt arrive until just before I left for Europe. I threw it on the bed.
Goddamn it Mikey I whispered as I wandered onto the balcony looking resolutely at the ground. I tried calling Dinah. Voicemail. Hi Honey, I know its late I miss you. Call me back when youre able.
Bernkastel
Reaper of Miracles
I know what youre thinking, this week Im supposed to be facing the WZCW champion Barbosa, the man that defeated me at Kingdom Come, and the current Eurasian champion James Howard. Two formidable opponents, but the thought of facing them wasnt keeping me up at night. After all I was used to it. Steven had already seen to it that I couldnt get much sleep, even going to great lengths to show me just how much his stamina could last most nights. And while I very much appreciated the effort, Steven was currently incapacitated. Asleep next to me in the bed we shared. That left me with little more with nothing else to do but amuse myself with my most favorite toy in the world. It was pink on the outside with two red stripes running along the sides. I reached over and opened the drawer next to my nightstand and pulled it out. I grasped it firmly with one hand and swiftly turned it on with the other. The device began to hum before a soft glow illuminated the room. Ah my favorite toy
my trusty Nintendo 3DS.
Thats right. Nothing kept me going in the long lonesome nights like a little hand stimulus. Keeping one hand on the stylus I began to cycle through the menu screen. Oh the anticipation was killing me! I was just thinking about this the other day while sitting through a boring board meeting with Steven. Expertly my fingers grazed the smooth, hard plastic knob of the slide pro until I had finally found what I was looking for. The game selected I got ready to play.
The music startled me as I rushed to lower the volume. My game of choice? Pokemon X of course; the new one that had just come out a month prior. I had picked up my copies of both X and Y and had found very little time to play them. I had only just started my journey as a young girl setting out to conquer the world. Gleefully I smiled as I took in the surroundings of the fantastic looking graphics. Such interactivity!
I had to withhold my excitement as to not disturb Steven, but already I was failing. I had engaged in a battle that wasnt going my way and I quickly lost. I verbally swore as the wild pokemon all ran away from me as I repeatedly tried to throw my balls in their face like a noob with no training. I knew better than that; a wild pokemon had to be weakened before I could catch it. It was an interesting metaphor, as wrestling in WZCW kinda worked the same way. Barbosa wouldnt go down so easily, like a legendary pokemon that often took an entire team to defeat, fighting him was like chipping away at a mountain with a spoon. And there were days when I felt just like Magikarp; my feeble splash attack not doing shit. Oh how I longed for the day when I too would evolve into something monstrous and kick ass. Perhaps Barbosa had already seen that evolution and had defeated me at my best. If that was the case then what more could I give?
My fingers blazed over the screen as I concentrated. It baffled me that little kids as old as my son could probably play this game just as well as I could. I knew where I stood against Barbosa, and quite frankly I really didnt have much to say on the matter. I really wasnt over my defeat, but at the same time I wasnt chasing his title. It was like having to play against Trainer Red halfway through the game when you werent ready. Another defeat at his hands wouldnt hurt me because in the end wed both still be champions. And I suppose the same thing went for James Howard.
Years ago I had followed James during his rise and eventual teaming with Mikey Stormrage. I knew hed eventually break out on his own, so his current success didnt surprise me. I guess he was like Gold, not great enough to be Blue, but still outstanding enough to be considered a major player. Steven and me, I thought wed be more like Team Rocket. I had played through Pokemon Red long ago, so I knew how that story went. Red had flattened that organization much like Barbosa had flattened me, and had later gained the prize that Steven had held so dear. Lately I felt that it was all Steven and I could do to maintain our reputations.
Another battle won; another member added to my team. My journey was making progress. It was time to take on the gyms! On my first try I got steamrolled. Curse Viola and her damn bugs! She was no Erika. But yet her weaknesses werent as obvious. I remember the flames of my mighty Charmander burning her weakling grass types like nothing, but my poor Fennekin just couldnt hack it against Violas Surskist. I wondered if this was foreshadowing. Could Steven and I contend against the enemies wed be facing in the future, or would we be shamed once again?
We had just barely managed to stalemate Los Magnificos Dragones the week before. I had no doubt wed be seeing them again, and maybe another team as well. Barbosa and James Howard werent the combination to fear, but they were certainly too big an obstacle to simply be ignored. I saw two possible outcomes: one wed lose and risk looking vulnerable to the vultures that hovered overhead, or wed be able to win and look even stronger than we did before. And for me, a win in this situation meant survival. Los Magnificos Dragones, for all their talk, couldnt defeat us, and that was fuel to be used against them. At least this week, win or lose I could still say that I had faced the cream of the crop and still made it out with my pride.
I turned and glanced at the clock on my bedside table; it was already well past two in the morning. Serving Viola some much needed humility would have to wait, as my opponents in the squared circle were even more formidable. But now wasnt the time to rehash old feuds or start new ones. The only thing that mattered was survival and moving forward. When the day came that Steven and I had to place our titles on the line, then the world had better believe that I would evolve into something beyond what I had been before. Then I would do everything that I could to remain queen of this hill that I had conquered.
my trusty Nintendo 3DS.
Thats right. Nothing kept me going in the long lonesome nights like a little hand stimulus. Keeping one hand on the stylus I began to cycle through the menu screen. Oh the anticipation was killing me! I was just thinking about this the other day while sitting through a boring board meeting with Steven. Expertly my fingers grazed the smooth, hard plastic knob of the slide pro until I had finally found what I was looking for. The game selected I got ready to play.
[youtube]UNI2HVcuj7o[/youtube]
The music startled me as I rushed to lower the volume. My game of choice? Pokemon X of course; the new one that had just come out a month prior. I had picked up my copies of both X and Y and had found very little time to play them. I had only just started my journey as a young girl setting out to conquer the world. Gleefully I smiled as I took in the surroundings of the fantastic looking graphics. Such interactivity!
I had to withhold my excitement as to not disturb Steven, but already I was failing. I had engaged in a battle that wasnt going my way and I quickly lost. I verbally swore as the wild pokemon all ran away from me as I repeatedly tried to throw my balls in their face like a noob with no training. I knew better than that; a wild pokemon had to be weakened before I could catch it. It was an interesting metaphor, as wrestling in WZCW kinda worked the same way. Barbosa wouldnt go down so easily, like a legendary pokemon that often took an entire team to defeat, fighting him was like chipping away at a mountain with a spoon. And there were days when I felt just like Magikarp; my feeble splash attack not doing shit. Oh how I longed for the day when I too would evolve into something monstrous and kick ass. Perhaps Barbosa had already seen that evolution and had defeated me at my best. If that was the case then what more could I give?
My fingers blazed over the screen as I concentrated. It baffled me that little kids as old as my son could probably play this game just as well as I could. I knew where I stood against Barbosa, and quite frankly I really didnt have much to say on the matter. I really wasnt over my defeat, but at the same time I wasnt chasing his title. It was like having to play against Trainer Red halfway through the game when you werent ready. Another defeat at his hands wouldnt hurt me because in the end wed both still be champions. And I suppose the same thing went for James Howard.
Years ago I had followed James during his rise and eventual teaming with Mikey Stormrage. I knew hed eventually break out on his own, so his current success didnt surprise me. I guess he was like Gold, not great enough to be Blue, but still outstanding enough to be considered a major player. Steven and me, I thought wed be more like Team Rocket. I had played through Pokemon Red long ago, so I knew how that story went. Red had flattened that organization much like Barbosa had flattened me, and had later gained the prize that Steven had held so dear. Lately I felt that it was all Steven and I could do to maintain our reputations.
Another battle won; another member added to my team. My journey was making progress. It was time to take on the gyms! On my first try I got steamrolled. Curse Viola and her damn bugs! She was no Erika. But yet her weaknesses werent as obvious. I remember the flames of my mighty Charmander burning her weakling grass types like nothing, but my poor Fennekin just couldnt hack it against Violas Surskist. I wondered if this was foreshadowing. Could Steven and I contend against the enemies wed be facing in the future, or would we be shamed once again?
We had just barely managed to stalemate Los Magnificos Dragones the week before. I had no doubt wed be seeing them again, and maybe another team as well. Barbosa and James Howard werent the combination to fear, but they were certainly too big an obstacle to simply be ignored. I saw two possible outcomes: one wed lose and risk looking vulnerable to the vultures that hovered overhead, or wed be able to win and look even stronger than we did before. And for me, a win in this situation meant survival. Los Magnificos Dragones, for all their talk, couldnt defeat us, and that was fuel to be used against them. At least this week, win or lose I could still say that I had faced the cream of the crop and still made it out with my pride.
I turned and glanced at the clock on my bedside table; it was already well past two in the morning. Serving Viola some much needed humility would have to wait, as my opponents in the squared circle were even more formidable. But now wasnt the time to rehash old feuds or start new ones. The only thing that mattered was survival and moving forward. When the day came that Steven and I had to place our titles on the line, then the world had better believe that I would evolve into something beyond what I had been before. Then I would do everything that I could to remain queen of this hill that I had conquered.
- Status
