Vikram: So, what do we have on him?
Know your enemy and yourself and you can win a hundred battles without jeopardy. Analyzing his opponents was a situation that Vikram is accustomed to, but the playing field is very different this time round.
We are at Vikrams new plush and swanky apartment at New York City. Shirish, Vikrams friend and manager, is with him. Vikrams relaxing on a sofa while Shirish is pacing around. They have a soft board on the wall facing them with and on it theres a photograph of the man Vikram will be facing on Ascension 87, Frankie Woods.
Shirish: Nothing much. This guy used to work at a carnival and is a loner. But---
Vikram: I dont understand what these fuckers at WZCW are thinking!!!!
Vikram throws his arms up in the air out of frustration and continues.
Vikram: Im an international athlete, WZCWs first ever dual sports superstar. Now, I know that these Americans are too stupid to understand and appreciate a beautiful game like cricket but what about the rest of the world? Theres a kid who says that he wont ever play again till he sees me take back my decision to retire. Girls all over the country are crying over me, and you know how they cant even distinguish between a drive and a hook.
I should be in the main event challenging Matt Tastic for the Heavyweight Title. Hell, itll be great for business. I'll bring in an audience that has had no interest in wrestling so far. The main event is where I belong. Instead, Im wrestling a clown---
Shirish: Hes not a clown, Vikram---
Vikram: What!? I would have respected him a bit had he been one. At least, that way he would have been a performer. So Im wrestling some, popcorn seller---
Shirish: LISTEN TO ME VIKRAM!!! This is serious business. Frankie has severe psychological issues and a leading city psychiatrist personally handles his case. Hes highly unpredictable and violent.
Vikrams just flabbergasted at this piece of information.
Vikram(shouting): When were you going to tell me this? Youre telling me that they are putting me in the ring with some deranged lunatic!!! This is no way to treat a superstar like me...What kind of place is this??
Shirish (concerned): Maybe you should have never left cricket, Vikram. Pro Wrestling is a dangerous sport and it messes up your life. I know that the fixing allegations hurt you---
Vikram gives Shirish a look that frightens him. Despite being friends, they havent really talked about it as they know that it is a touchy issue. Vikram, due to his colorful character, had been involved in numerous controversies throughout his career but this was the biggest one till date. He had been accused of getting bribes to underperform in matches which had ultimately led to him quitting the sport. Vikram had claimed that he had done so because he was hurt that no one believed in his innocence. Some fans had believed that but others were of the opinion that Vikram was guilty.
For more details regarding this issue, check Vikrams sample RP.
Shirish: Believe me, I know youre innocent and you would have surely proved that. Why take this risk Vikram? Is it all really worth it?
Theres silence in the room for a while. Shirish is worried that he may have touched a raw wound. Vikram takes a deep breath to compose himself and speaks again.
Vikram: No. Cricket was the love of my life but what I said at the interview, is true. The game does not deserve me, the fans do not deserve to be treated to a talent like me anymore. Its not a game anymore, its become a media circus.
As much as this Frankie guy can hurt me, thats nothing compared to the pain Ill feel if I decide to go back. I wont be able to live with myself.
Frankie may be psychotic, Shirish, but Ive got my own darkside as well. Somewhere that Im myself scared to go to. But the anger has helped unleash it, and Frankies going to be its first victim.
Vikram looks straight at the camera.
Vikram(angrily): Welcome to my playground, Frankie!!!!
