MD 131 - Titus versus John Doe (Non-Title)

[Dave]

Deadline for RP submissions is Friday the 10th of June at 23:59

 

[Dave]

Deadline is extended by 24 hours.

 

[NSL]

Unknown time. Unknown place.​

The camera opens, recording a pitch black room. A faint humming can be heard...it's the only way to know you're actually watching anything at all for nearly two full minutes. Then a voice starts from somewhere in the depths of the darkness.

John Doe: You thought you could bend and twist and mold me to fit into your plan, forgetting is I that does the bending and twisting and molding. Everyone eventually fits into my plans. After receiving your phone call, Titus, I sat and thought about the masks that Vee wore, as well as yourself. Then, I realized...you no longer where a mask. Red Mask was both your literal and figurative mask. You put on the play as a good guy, but whenever some violence was needed, you dug deep, put on that mask, and became someone new. At Lethal Lottery, you revealed your true face to the masses. You embraced the darkness inside you. That is the only reason I decided to team with you last week.

Silence creeps in and takes over for a minute that feels like ten.

John Doe: I trusted that I was handpicked to be your ally because of our shared interest in unmasking Vee A.D.Z. and his demons, but you managed to throw me a curveball. And that is why I ended our allegiance in the manner I did. As thin as it was, there was still a mask covering your true intentions, and for that, you will pay dearly.

We both have business to attend to, before you can fully taste the pain I wish to inflict upon you, but this week, on Meltdown, you will see what happens to those who cross me. Sleep well, and keep that belt warm.

John gives way to the silence again, but after just a few seconds, the humming gives way to a monotonous beeping from somewhere that seems far off.

John Doe: That brings me to you. The doctors tell me you could be the cure to what ails me. That you could be the key to ending this path of terror I've been on. I could be a new man, if I could taste just one drop of you. The blonde of your hair resting against the pale softness of your skin. It almost makes a monster like me smile.

An eerie silence fills the air again, but is broken by a sickening chuckle from the depths of the darkness.

John Doe: It's okay. you don't need to say anything, love. As soon as you are better, and on your feet, we can work together on curing whatever ills are in my mind.

A pause.

John Doe: ...and body.

The camera, or whatever it's standing on, is picked up and turned, revealing a hospital bed. The blinds and curtains are both drawn shut, but a glimmer of moonlight is forcing its way through, draping itself across the face of a sleeping woman. From the darkness behind her, a tattooed hand reaches into the light, and slowly grazes its fingertips across her cheek, brushing her hair aside, revealing Saffron, Veejay's wife.

John Doe: I have business to attend to, ma'am. But I have a feeling we'll have time to finish this soon enough.

 

[Lee]

“We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.”
― André Berthiaume ​

Jeff You've heard legends of that man. The man behind the Red Mask. A man so heroic he once travelled to this town got me a week off work (paid) and met my son. He took us to Lethal Lottery and we had the time of our lives. Four years on the mask has been removed. I am Jeff Albertson on the Pawnee Indiana gazette here with Titus Avison.

We're not sat in an elaborate hotel room, instead we're sat in a huge park. The sun is shining and Jeff is sat on a bench with Titus Avison. It's noticeable by the EurAsian champions stance that he really doesn't want to be here.

Titus Hey Jeff, how's William?

During the Titus and Chris K.O. feud Titus took a visit to grant a fan some tickets. Jeff and his son William, the video footage was used during his then famous “What is a hero” speech. That was three years ago and a lot has changed since.

Jeff He's fine, he's a big fan of Theron Daggershield now.

Jeff pauses.

Jeff You broke his heart. How do you explain to an eight year old kid?

Titus Explain what? I'm the holder of the most sought after prize in WZCW. I have my ways of getting what I want. Whether that means I show my true self or not is not for you, it's for me.

Jeff Yeah but you don't have to be such a dick about it.

Titus Avison's face went as red as the mask he used to wear. He stood up, looked at Jeff straight in the eyes and shouted.

Titus A dick? A dick? I can be a dick if you want. I'll end this interview. I'll ring your boss and let them know that you insulted me and so couldn't get the interview. You'd be fired. You'd lose your job. Have no money. Have to move back in with your parents. William would lose his room as he'd have to share with you. Explain that one to him will you?

Yet you call me the dick.

Jeff I am...I am sorry. You're not a dick.

Titus Don't you forget it. Now are you going to interview me or just insult me?

Titus had now calmed down. He sat back down on the park bench but faced away from Jeff. The exasperation on the interviewers face was obvious but it had to be done. He sighs.

Jeff So let's talk about last week then. I assume this was all part of your bigger plan.

The sarcastic tone is obvious but Titus ignores it, pretending it was a legitimate question,

Titus Are you stupid? Of course it didn't go to plan. I had secured the services of John Doe because I know he's ruthless. I failed to factor in just how volatile he can be.

I was also pinned by Vee ADZ. That is not the plan of anyone in WZCW let alone the former two time world champion. It's embarrassing but it can be turned around.

Jeff Ah yes Unscripted is soon. I assume you'll have a match type planned. What is it?

Titus It's a top secret Titus Avison Stipulation Match. A TASM match for short. What would be the point in me letting my opponent know in advance. All I can say is it'll be PUREly obvious what I'll go for.

Jeff I see where you're going with that.

Titus Exactly. To think his parents will come all the way to watch him and they'll see that. That's embarrassing.

Jeff So John Doe this week.

Titus That's not a question but OK. Yes I have John Doe this week, he attacked me causing a loss. Good for him. He still thinks he's with Daddy dearest who has vanished from the face of the Earth. His ally Ramparte has moved on and now he's lost. He remembers that brief moment of seemingly being on top but he never was.

He was Dr. Zeus' pawn, used by him to allow him to stay world champion. The man who lost to me twice just before he defeated Daggershield. John Doe has severe Daddy issues but he's not thinking straight because of his obsession with the mask.

Jeff As a former mask wearer can you relate?

Titus Heck no. Once you lose the mask what's the point in putting it back on. People see who you are and there's no going back. Yeah I've put the Red Mask on a couple of times since but it confuses my opponents. I know who I am now, John Doe doesn't. He'll see it this week as to who I am.

Jeff Who is that? A five time Oscar winner? WZCW Hall of famer? Lethal Lottery winner? Two time world heavyweight champion? Former Elite X champion? Longest reigning EurAsian champion for three years?

Titus Something like that Jeff boy. You'll see at Meltdown. The world will see.

Titus laughs as the camera fades to black.