MD33 - Corey Payne/Byakko vs William Teach/Steven Kurtesy (KFAD qualifier)

[Phoenix]

Despite the week's layoff of being referees for the Tag Contender's Tournament, Teach N' Kurtesy have been itching to get back into action. They take on the team that gave quite a show against Second Coming, Corey Payne and Byakko.

However, Chuck Myles has named this match with a stipulation, whoever gets the pin will be placed in the King For A Day Elimination Chamber, a match where the winner will earn a title shot that he can cash in at any time. Which of these four men will try and beat the other three to claim that precious spot?

Deadline is Monday 14th December 23:59 EST

 

[Viola Moonlight]

Stacey Madison is seen exiting an elevator with a piece of paper in her hand. She reads the paper and checks the floor number, then proceeds down the corridor to a waiting room. As she approaches the desk, she looks around snobbishly at the various people waiting... a man with a hoodie rocking back and forth in his seat, a female wearing a very old and dirty wedding dress with bouquet in hand crying, and a circus clown looking very beaten down with a half empty vodka bottle in hand who occasionally gives his monkey a sip. Madison reaches the counter and is about to talk to the receptionist, but sees Leon Kensworth heading out of the building with an appointment card in hand. Stacey glares at him weirdly and Leon just keeps walking on. She turns her attention to the girl sitting behind the counter.

Stacey Madison: Excuse me, I am here for a scheduled interview that starts in 1 minute.

Receptionist: Ah, Stacey Madison is it? Your err... "scheduled interview" will be in room 5 today. Just take a left at the corridor over there and it should be down the end.

Stacey gathers her things and begins to walk off.

R (whispers): Yeah, you're welcome.

Stacey, either unable to hear what the receptionist said or using selective hearing, follows the instructions given. As she passes room 4, Dr. Brooks is seen arguing with Cory Bowen.

Cory Bowen: Hey, narrator... my name is Milenko, not Cory Bowen.

Dr. Brooks: Who are you talking to? Here, have a citrus-flavoured lollipop. There you go, isn't that much better?

CB: I like lollipops.

Dr. B: Yes, you do like lollipops...

Madison keeps walking on very confused. Stacey finally finds room 5 and is about to knock on the door, but Sandy Deserts jumps out of nowhere and scares Stacey.

Sandy Deserts: Hello Stacey, remember me?

Madison: The girl who has been forgotten, yeah sure I remember.

Deserts: Excuse me?

Madison: Oh, y'know... the one who wasn't even considered for the Vixen's Gauntlet match a few weeks ago, the one who the entire wrestling world has outcasted from its memories... you're name isn't synonymous anymore honey, its unknown.

Deserts is extremely angered by this and is about to attack Madison when the door of Room 5 swings open, revealing Kurtesy. He looks over at Deserts. She realises she is being watched and puts her fists down.

Steven Kurtesy: Sandy, remember what we talked about when we get angry?

Deserts: Yes doctor.

Kurtesy: Can you do what I have asked of you then?

Madison is seen snickering to herself at how Deserts is being treated like a baby. Deserts gives a death stare to Madison and leaves. Kurtesy and Madison turn their attention to each other.

Madison: Well, aren't you going to invite me in?

Kurtesy: Err... the door is open isn't it?

Madison walks into the room and takes a seat at Kurtesy's desk chair. Steven closes the door and notices this, but decides to use his special analysis chair to sit on instead to avoid any conflict.

Kurtesy: Would you like a beverage of any sort?

Madison: No thank you, I value my job.

Kurtesy goes to the cabinet on the side and pulls out three glasses alongside a bottle of Wild Turkey. He pours all three glasses to the brim. Before Stacey can re-iterate, Kurtesy takes all three to his chair and sits down. He quickly skulls one, puts the glass down and begins to drink the second one.

Madison: You remind me a little of Drake Callahan, expect you're the higher class version. Wow... I can't believe I just complimented you.

Kurtesy: I'm not sure whether being called a rich drunk is a compliment...

Madison (interrupting): I mean, how is that I am still seeing you on a WZCW payroll?

Kurtesy: We get paid now?

Madison (facepalms): Oh jeez, you are so ignorant. I am ashamed to be interviewing you.

Kurtesy: And how does that make you feel?

Madison (frustrated): Quite frankly, I absolutely hate people like you who come into this company and treat everything as if it were a joke. Everytime someone talks to you, the only thing that comes out of your mouth is comedic or a cocky, self-righteous rant! On top of that, you haven't even earned anything here.

First, you get given a Tag Team championship match on your debut match where somehow you miraculously won. Then, you have the opportunity to challenge for the EurAsian title, but thank GOD David Cougar knows better. You were assigned to become a special referee and you abused your powers by allowing Heavy Artillery to win and in turn, firing two stars more talented than you. Now, you have the opportunity to get a spot in the King For A Day match at Kingdom Come!?!?!?! I can understand why Teach gets a shot because the idiot actually work hard for it, but you!!!

Kurtesy: That sounds like my life story in WZCW to me.

Madison lets out a scream. She gets up off the chair and jumps onto the patient's couch, grabs a pillow, puts it straight into her face and continues to scream. Kurtesy just sits there and watches. He takes out his notepad and writes down a few things. He switches his notepad for the last glass of alcohol and a newspaper, waiting for Madison to finish. Stacey stops screaming, lets go of the pillow and her face expresses exhaustion. She looks up at Kurtesy until he turns to look back at her.

Kurtesy: Are you done?

Madison (rubbing head): For the sake of my sanity, please... enlighten me.

Kurtesy drinks the last of the alcohol, places it on the table and gets up. He slowly walks over to the window, with Madison lifting her head slowly to watch him walk away. Kurtesy just stares outside the window, concentrating.

Kurtesy: Life's a bitch Stace, and everyone in this life must make do with what they are given. If you look outside the window, I can show you what I mean.

Stacey, confused at this side of Kurtesy, does so and stands by the window gazing outside.

Madison: All I see is a bunch of people.

Kurtesy: And all have their stories to share. Unfortunately, not all stories are as heroic or interesting like some have had. Take for instance, that woman sitting on the park bench with her son. Her name is Caitlan and as you can see, she is a mother. She is only 19 years of age and she has to mother a child, Bradley, who right now is 5 years old. Caitlan had to abandon her school life to take care of him. Her parents kicked her out of the house and Bradley's father is still nowhere to be found. She works multiple jobs at minimum wage and begs people for money sometimes just to stay afloat, because she never got the proper education. She has no home, no nothing... not even the church would help her because she broke God's laws.

Now, let's compare this with the scenario of that well-dressed man walking along with his brand new cellphone. That's Gus and he is a very successful businessman who is now Vice President of that huge corporation across the park. The reason why he is successful is because his father owns the place, and made others jump through hoops just to advance his son up the rankings. He gets loads of money for sitting on his ass all day doing nothing, and is a petty snob because of it. I know all this as everyday I see the same situation take place, sometimes from the comfort of this room or down there with the rest of them. Let's take a look at what happens when two different lives interact.

The camera shows Caitlan sitting miserably on the bunch about to cry, with Bradley trying to console her as best he can. Gus walks past on his cellphone. Caitlan puts her head in her lap and begins to ball her eyes out. Seeing this, Bradley walks over to the man and tugs on his suit pants. It appears as if Bradley has asked for some money, but the man shoves the little boy aside with his leg that knocks him over. Brad begins to cry and Caitlan rushes over to console him, with Caitlan still teary eyed.

Kurtesy: You'd think that something out there would come along and help out that poor woman out?

Madison: If you are such a good doctor, why don't you go down there and help her out?

Kurtesy simply points outside to where Caitlan and Bradley are. Madison looks down once again. Another woman is over with Caitlan and Bradley, trying to console them. The woman points to the building Kurtesy and Madison are in and helps them up. Caitlan immediately hugs the woman tightly as a thank you. The woman looks up and it is revealed to be Sandy Deserts. Sandy takes the hand of Bradley and helps Caitlan toward the building.

Kurtesy: Sometimes, it is not something that we hope for to come along to save us... but someone to lend a helping hand, someone to care about them. When given that opportunity to grab that outstretched arm, you better be ready to take it and make the most of it.

Madison: This is quite touching and all, but does this have a point?

Kurtesy: Unbeknown to many, I too was in that same position. I too was kicked out of my home, but at a much earlier age. I wasn't even out of grade school when it happened to me. I was a wanderer of the streets, using anything I could find to keep me alive. Sometimes, I had to break the law to survive... stealing warm clothes for winter, pickpocketing small candies for energy... don't even get me started on what I had to do to get a good looking set of clothes for job interviews. But then, a stranger, like Deserts, came to me and offered me a scholarship to study a science at University. I took the offer and studied my heart out, whilst trying to keep my jobs. From the money I saved, I took it upon myself to become a wrestler. The rest is all history.

What I am trying to say is that I have already paid my dues in life and karma was just repaying me back. I was given a chance to follow my dream of becoming a wrestler and now I am a defending champion. Now, it is my time to pass on the helping hand to others who need it more than I... this is why I have become a doctor. From now on, I have to work towards everything by myself, unless it concerns my tag team championship belts naturally. And that is exactly what I am going to be doing when I step forth into my match this week on Meltdown. The helping hand does not have the stroke on me anymore... this is my chance to prove to you and everyone else that I am not a one trick pony that needs help from others to achieve success. Sure, it's a tag team match with my partner, Teach. Sure, it could be said that I could use him to gain the victory and not earn it one on one. But you know what, hardly anyone has seen what I am capable of in that ring. Up until I told you, no-one has understood how much of a hard worker I am and how determined I can be if I really want something.

Madison (yawning): That's truly inspiring...

Kurtesy: Alright... sticks and stones may break people's bones, whereas names will never hurt.

Madison: What?

Kurtesy: Explaining what I am going to do with words are essentially names, its useless. So, looks like I have to go downstairs before my match and gather some sticks and stones. I will show everyone that Dr. Steven Kurtesy is someone other than a gaining a cheap laugh from. I will show everyone that I don't need a tag team partner to make myself a success in this prestigious company. I WILL show that I can make a submission specialist tap out like Corey Payne. I WILL show that I can earn the respect that legendary warriors have like Byakko. I WILL show... that I truly deserve an opportunity to become King... For A Day.

There is a short silence.

Madison: Well, it seems like my time is up. I guess I shall see you later Doctor.

Madison goes to the door and exits the door, closing the door with Kurtesy still inside thinking about what he has just said. Madison walks through the corridors, back through the waiting room and gets to the elevator. As she presses the down button, the elevator doors open with Sandy Deserts, Caitlan and Bradley. Caitlan is crying with tears of joy, Bradley running happily and Deserts helping Caitlan along. Deserts and Madison stare at each, Madison with a shocked look on her face and Deserts with a smile.

Deserts (whispering in Madison's ears): And so, it begins...

The scene ends with Deserts leading the two along, and Stacey in the elevator watching on as the doors close.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Teach sits alone, in casual dress, in his locker room. The light is on and he is sitting, looking at the wall.

The Tag Team title belt is on the bench next to him as he starts to moan. He bends over double and clutches at his head yelling out.

He stamps his feet and rocks back and forth, as if a demon has possessed him. He gets up and sits down, not able to decide whether to cross his legs or not, doing both in quick succession.

He is the portrait of a madman. Were one to walk in at that precise moment, one would think he were going insane.

He suddenly snaps to attention and whimpers weakly “I’m so bored”

Teach rises, picking up his belt and flinging it over his shoulder, sighing to himself and walking out of the door.

The corridor which he finds himself in is dark.

He turns on a light switch. Now the corridor he finds himself in is well lit and pleasant.

Teach waves to Zander, who is making himself a cup of coffee.

He continues down the corridor, muttering to himself “I guess I should find someone to interview me”.

He walks past a room to hear screams and the sound of banging, with the cries of Becky Serra cutting through the air “Blade! Stop.... You don't want to get in more trouble... Just, please, focus on your next match.”

Still, he walks on.

Teach sees James Baker eating a Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich, he sees Mr. Baller walk out of his locker room with a baseball bat in hand.

None of it matters.

He is a man possessed by boredom.

No one can reach him in this place.

He wanders down the corridor, his sneakers squeaking on the linoleum as he slinks, belt on his shoulder, sighing to himself.

Is this what he was going to become?

A footnote in the history of WZCW?

Even Stacey had stop coming for interviews. Why?

Teach ‘n’ Kurtesy were old news.

Was Carmen Bratchney going to demolish someone new?

Was Trevor Steel going to pull another prank on David Cougar?

Was Titus going to find who attacked him?

Did anyone give a damn about William Teach anymore?

Eventually he finds that he has backtracked to his own locker room.

Ignoring the time space paradox he had found himself in, be able to return to his room whilst walking in a straight line, in
San Antonio of all places, he sits on his bench and sighs.

If one were to venture into the mind of William Teach, what would one find?

Pop culture references?

A pining for victory in the ring?

That embarrassing moment in the 7th grade when Rachel Schneider came up to him and told him his fly was undone?

Sure.

You might find all of these things.

You might find a deep respect for a man such as Steven Kurtesy, and no respect at all for someone like Criminal Karnage.

But if Teach were aware that someone was looking at him, staring at him in his most desperate of places, what would he do?

He would put on a show for you.

He would do anything he could to make you laugh, to make you say "Wow".

Anything to make you believe that what he does is as real to him as the air he breathes.

But when that adrenaline runs out and all you have left is a man who is empty, sitting alone without reason.

He has but one desire.

And that is to want.

More than anything, William Teach has no purpose, and his greatest wish is to desire something more.

Something outside this life that he has.

That’s why, in his head, he told himself, over and over.

” I will make damn sure that either Teach or Kurtesy become King for a day”.

There is a burning desire in him to make sure it happens, because it is all he has left. He loves being Tag Champion and he loves teaming with Kurtesy.

Why does he want to win?

Because it is direction.

It is something for him outside of the monotony of matches.

It is a pipe dream that he must reach.

It is desire, at its fullest, something that he does not have now.

Because when he sees another match come up on WZCW.com, he doesn’t feel happy. Another day another dollar, was this why he joined?

He wanted more than anything to desire.

A desire to desire, a quaint idea no matter how you look at it.

But for now he sits alone on his bench, looking at the Tag Team Title on his lap, staring at his own reflection, as the lights dim on his dreams and in his head.

 

[The Prototype]

The setting is the Tyson James Training Facility. Leon Kensworth walks into the gym with the purpose of getting an interview. He searches through the gym until he finds a wrestling ring. In it, the team of “Prototype” Corey Payne and Byakko are having a tag team match with two very large men. It seems to be a spar, but it looks like all four fighters are going all out, and definitely not taking it easy.

Payne is in the ring, exchanging shots with one of the large men as Byakko and the partner of the large man are standing in their respective corners, cheering their partners on. Payne starts to get the upper hand, hands speeding up as Prototype’s opponent’s start slowing down. Payne nails a Superman Punch, which deeply staggers his opponent. Payne leans down and picks the staggered man up across his shoulders, looking for the Protoslam. When Payne’s other opponent sees this, he enters the ring and tries to break this up. Byakko retaliates by hitting the entering man with a spinning heel kick. Payne hits the Protoslam and follows it up with the Protolock, making the man submit instantly. Corey releases him and goes back to his corner, along with Byakko, to a round of applause from other gym members. Payne and Byakko high five and start a conversation about their match. Kensworth approaches the pair.

Kensworth: Hey, Corey, Byakko. (looks over at the two men Payne and Byakko just took care of) Nice job!

Payne: Thank you.

Kensworth: Corey, can I talk to you for a second?

Payne: Sure. (turns to Byakko) I’m gonna talk to Leon for a second. Go ahead and start our next exercise without me.

The masked Byakko smiles and nods before walking off. Payne puts on a white Tapout shirt and wipes his face with a towel. Leon and Corey walk over to the office of Tyson James (Corey’s uncle and the owner of this gym) and settle into some chairs. The interview begins.

Kensworth: Last Meltdown you and Byakko teamed up in the first match of a four team tag tournament to determine who will face the WZCW Tag Team Champions, William Teach and Dr. Steve Kurtesey, at WZCW’s biggest pay per view, Kingdom Come. Your team put up a good showing, but you were defeated by the more experienced Second Coming. You and Byakko get to show off your tag team skills again, as you face Teach and Kurtesey this week on Meltdown. This match will be a King For A Day match qualifier. Whoever gets the pinfall or submission in this match qualify. What are your thoughts on this?

Payne: Last week, Byakko and I were narrowly defeated by Second Coming, eliminating us from the tournament. But as one door shuts, another door opens. Like you said, WZCW management put us in a King For A Day qualifying match. William Teach and Steve Kurtesey are great tag team competitors. When they are on the same page, they are nearly unstoppable.

But I don’t think that they will be on the same page. The allure of becoming King For A Day is irresistible. Most people in WZCW will do anything to be in this match. I believe that this will be Teach and Kurtesey’s downfall. Their egos will be their downfall.

Kensworth: This may sound smart, but what if you and Byakko fall victim to the “allure” of King For A Day?

Payne: (chuckles) Byakko and me- we have an understanding about what we will do when we both have a chance for the pinfall.

Kensworth: And what is this understanding?

Payne: Well that, (smirks) that my friend, is a secret that you will discover at Meltdown. I will just tell you right now that my complete focus right now is on winning this match and going to Kingdom Come as a participant in the King For A Day match. And leaving Kingdom Come as… King For A Day. And anyone that gets in my way, especially Teach and Kurtesey, will FEEL THE PAIN!

With that, Payne leaves the office and goes to join Byakko in their next exercise as the camera fades… to… black.