We see a room full of news reporters and journalists who are crowded around a small platform. Austin Reynolds is front and centre on the platform, the complete focus of attention.
“And that’s why I’m going to beat Titus at Meltdown.”
In the past, Austin has stayed after his obligatory press conferences to answer additional questions or to fulfil other press-related duties. Today, he cannot get off the stage quickly enough. He scuttles away like a cockroach evading capture. But today, the relentless Stacey Madison is on his tail and she has an exhausted looking cameraman in tow.
“Austin, what are you saying? I thought you respected Titus, this is a bit if a change in tune for you isn’t it?”
Stacey has caught up but Austin is walking quickly.
“Titus is the representative of everything that is wrong with WZCW at the moment. He doesn’t take anything seriously, brushes off loss after loss and takes every bump in the road with a pinch of salt because he doesn’t care. I care, I take every loss personally because I know that when I lose, ratings suffer, but what do I get for it?”
Austin stops, turning suddenly and Madison nearly crashes into him. Austin glares at her and shakes his head. Madison takes the chance to ask her own question and chooses to ignore the somewhat rhetorical query posed by Austin.
“You tagged with him before Kingdom Come and talked him up in public beforehand.”
Austin snorts sarcastically.
“Titus and Ricky gave me half assed efforts in that match and they both let themselves down at Kingdom Come as well!”
“You talk of them letting you down but you got yourself DQ’d last week in your match.”
Austin walks away once more but Madison is persistent and squirms around him, proving to be an obstacle between Austin and a clear route of escape. The cameraman follows them both.
“You lost Austin; surely you let yourself down then?”
“I beat Constantine last week; I took everything he had and then I beat him over the head with his precious briefcase. I’ll do the same to Titus if I have to this week. And if Ricky feels like he wants a shot, then he knows where to find me but I’ll just do the same to him. These so-called superstars need some perspective banged into them. They need to get serious and realise that this business is their life. This is what defines them. In this world, they can be gods.”
The camera approaches Austin and gets a bit close. The Ratings Winner turns around and shoves the cameraman away with a furious look on his face. Stacey ignores this little incident and again she asks her own question.
“Titus is a two time World Champion but his activities outside of WZCW are almost legendary. I’m certainly not his biggest fan but he is the one WZCW superstar who can claim to be legitimate in wrestling and out of it.”
“So he won a few trinkets for some two-bit schtick films. He became a hero in Keystone by wearing a mask of all things. Titus is clueless; that so-called legacy isn’t going to define him. He’s a two time World Champion, that should define him!”
Austin walks past Stacey but the minx catches up again.
“I would kill to have the opportunities that he has had!”
“In the acting world?”
Stacey seems surprised that Austin could be so upset about film roles but Austin sneers at the suggestion of it.
“God no. I’m talking about the second Lethal Lottery, the Kingdom Come II main event, even the All or Nothing match last year! He has these opportunities dropped onto his plate. Those achievements, those fluke wins, define Titus Avison. Not four Oscars for some cheesy film roles.”
“The simple truth is I know I am better than Titus, the world knows it. Since losing the World Title, Titus has become a stain of insignificance on the history of WZCW. I took Titus’ record as Elite X Champion and I was the dominant member in the longest running tag team champions ever. I have done more for WZCW than Titus ever has!”
Austin punches the wall with the bottom of his fist.
“My successes define me and my successes will be remembered as more significant than his. Let the actor go back to Hollywood because the Ratings Winner is going to leave a defining mark on the face of the legend that is Titus Avison.”
Stacey glares at him but despite that, Austin storms off.
“Jeez, I wonder what has got his goat. Or who?” She flicks her hair back. “Ok, let’s go find a rookie to torment. They're so desperate to flirt.”
