Post by Rated R on Sept 24, 2016 9:05:28 GMT -5
Two shows. Two shows straight that I've been left lying because of cheap shots. First Ahriman, going after my leg and stopping everyone from seeing me win the WFWF Tag titles. Real heroic move that. Then Yukio Blaze, the so called random hero, attacking me from behind for absolutely no sensical reason, not that Yukio has ever had any sense. You spoke to his wife recently? Nah, me neither, gets a bit difficult to hold a conversation with someone that doesn't exist.
Two shows straight I've been cheap shotted and I've got to say I'm already pretty sick of it. But then what else do you expect from these people? They know they could never get the job done head on so they've got to go the cheap route. And why? Because they fear me, they fear what I'd do to them if they actually tried to fight me one on one, they fear how humiliated they'd be getting beat pillar to post by the WFWF’s resident bad guys. They're so scared of The Villain that they've turned themselves into one. Figures.
Now they think they've got one up on me, they think because they've left my lying or taken me out of a match I clearly would have won that they've won the battle. Maybe they have, I don't tend to think small enough to worry about battles. See, I fight wars, and wars aren't won by the cheap. They're not even won by the strong or the brave. Wars are won by the smart, and I'm the smartest man around here.
You want an example?
How about the fact that I own you all? How about the fact that no move is made in this company without me knowing about it? How about the simple fact that not one of you are here without me? Your contracts? Your likenesses? Your rights? I own them all.
At the end of the day it's simple.
I own you.
< *** >
Puzzles
A Trace Demon Joint
I've been doing this a long time and one of the most important lessons that I've learned is that good allies are very hard to find and even harder to keep around. Of course my definition of ally is probably a little different to most. For them it's someone they trust, someone they work with, someone who'll have their back when the chips are done. All sounds a bit sad to me.
See I can't buy into that view of things. I don't trust people. People fail, they let you down. People like Mumford and Sons and support Trump. In short people are idiots and only someone who wants to fail would trust an idiot.
No, in the end an ally is simply someone who comes in useful and who, at the end of the day, you can keep in check. Anything more is a bonus, anything less is substandard. Which is why when I find a man as useful as this I like to make sure that we're on level ground. Recent events run the risk of rocking the boat and if suddenly this little relationship finds itself becoming a risk to my goals… well, let's cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we.
Trace Demon: Water?
Lucas Crowe: You got anything stronger?
Lucas Crowe has proven himself time and time again to be a very useful tool in my armoury. Everyone should have a great equaliser when things get a little too rocky. Right now Crowe is mine.
Trace Demon: Sorry, just the water. I live clean nowadays.
Lucas Crowe: Sounds boring.
Trace Demon: I find ways to pass the time.
So far I'm not seeing any red flags, but that whole David Brennan thing can't have been an easy pill to swallow, got to make sure that's not going to cost me. Too many variables in play as it is right now without adding a rogue wrecking ball into the equation.
Lucas Crowe: Haha I bet, I heard about you and Anders daughter. Not a bad way to pass the time if you ask me.
Trace Demon: And where'd you pick up the nugget of info?
Lucas Crowe: Anders mentioned it, right about the time he was raving to me about how I shouldn't trust you and should kick you to the curb.
Still haven't spoken to Anders since the whole sleeping with his daughter and immediately humiliating him business. Actually, haven't tried. More actually, don't really care.
Trace Demon: And?
Lucas Crowe: Man who you're screwing doesn't make a damn bit of difference to me. End of the day we’re colleagues, not friends, right?
The mans got his head screwed on straight. I appreciate that. Too many people take me screwing their girlfriend / wife / daughter / mom (just the once, I swear she was hot) personally.
I wonder if it's too late to trademark God of F**k?
Lucas Crowe: Still, got to be honest, bit surprised to hear from you.
Trace Demon: We've got a match, wanted to make sure we were both on the same page about our game plan.
Lucas Crowe: Yeah, yeah, I get that. Just after the whole tag title thing I figured you'd just forgotten about me is all. That maybe you'd lost my number or something? Why else would you go to Brennan over me, right?
And there it is, the chip on his shoulder, just waiting to rear its head at the most inopportune time. Kind of like crabs. Well, so Drakz tells me anyway.
Trace Demon: And here I was thinking you were smart enough not to fixate on something so small.
Lucas Crowe: Hey, I get it, Brennan was the smart choice. The man knows how to get it done, plus he wouldn't hesitate to do some proper damage to Drakz.
Trace Demon: Hey, last thing I want is Drakz getting hurt, we're all on the same team nowadays remember?
Was that believable? That was believable right? Yeah, yeah, totally believable.
Lucas Crowe: Sure, all I'm saying is I get why you picked him, just would have appreciated a courtesy call is all. Being that we’re colleagues.
You know what's got me this far? You know what's won me all those titles, what's made me the owner of the WFWF, what’s made me the most important man in the WFWF?
Trace Demon: Lucas…
It's not my strength or my charisma or my family friendly personality. It's always been about one thing. Brains. At the end of the day you can be the biggest or strongest dog in the fight, but if you don't have the brains to solve the puzzle that is your opponent, then you've got nothing.
Trace Demon: You were my first choice.
Lucas Crowe: What?
Right now I've got a lot of opponents, a lot of puzzles to solve, but even if I have to do it one by one, they will be solved.
Trace Demon: I wanted you to take my spot, of course I did. Brennan's a loose cannon, a wild card, emphasis on wild. You think I'd rather have someone like him in there than someone I know would have got the job done and would have done it properly? What do you take me for?
Lucas Crowe: Then why was I stuck in some nothing tag team match while Brennan got all the glory? Sure, temporary glory but still.
Now after my unfortunate, ahem, injury took me out of the tag match I saw an opportunity to solve the one puzzle that I've been overlooking because of its seeming insignificance.
Trace Demon: Look, I don't want to cause problems for you Lucas, let's just forget about this and-
Lucas Crowe: What happened Trace?
At the end of the day no problem is so insignificant that it shouldn't be dealt with, no puzzle is so small it shouldn't be solved. After all…
Trace Demon: Fine, fine… but let me get someone to find you that drink. Thing could take a while.
Even a bug needs to be squashed.
< *** >
There's a lot of people in the world that I don't like, far more than those I do. It's a side effect of being so smart and strong I suppose. Means you can see how stupid and weak everyone else is. But still, it's easy enough to tolerate the majority of these idiots because they have no influence or effect on the world. And then there are people like him, people who have somehow found a way to interfere with things far too big for them to ever really comprehend.
A bug with poison in its fangs, but a brain too small to realise what it could do with it.
Justin Tyme.
It's with the utmost regret that I've had to come out to Tyme’s little compound. I spend most of my time finding ways to avoid irritants, but sometimes to solve a puzzle you have to get your hands dirty. Of course to get to the organ grinder (now there's a good metal band name) you've got to get through the monkey, and in this case the monkey is a rather large Russian.
Trace Demon: Where's the boss man at? Believe he's expecting me. Tyme obviously, not Putin. One manly Mann riding animals is enough for me.
Steelheart: I don't like you.
Trace Demon: I appreciate the honesty. Now, boss man, where's he at?
He doesn't budge from his position in the door which, given the size of the guy means I'm stuck outside like a Jehovah's Witness. I try sliding in beneath his arm but as it turns out I'm no gymnast, maybe the Russian can point me in the direction of a coach, they're good at that right?
Trace Demon: Come on, budge, the real men have business to talk. Well, it's just Tyme, but still. I mean you do speak English right? I feel having a henchman who doesn't understand the language might be a problem, y’know?
Steelheart: I should crush you where you stand American.
Trace Demon: Okay one, bit rude, I'm Canadian. Two, I'd really like to see you try.
He gets up close, trying to scare me. Breath stinks, wish I had a mint to offer. God I hope he doesn't try to kiss me, he's really not my type.
Steelheart: You scared little man?
Trace Demon: Do I look like I scare easy?
Justin Tyme: Steelheart, enough! Let him in.
The big guy steps aside with a scowl, letting me pass. I flash my biggest smile his way in appreciation.
Trace Demon: Your name is ridiculous.
I make quick step of it to avoid a knife in the back and follow Tyme into the sitting room. Tyme heads to the drink cabinet.
Justin Tyme: What can I get you?
Trace Demon: I'm good.
Never take drinks from strange men people, not unless you want to wake up sticky.
Justin Tyme: Oh come on, you're a guest, let me get you something.
Trace Demon: Still good.
I collapse down in one of the tacky seats. I almost forgot how bad Tyme’s sense of style was.
Justin Tyme: Lucas hasn't been taking my calls the past couple of days, you know anything about that?
Trace Demon: Why would I? I don't have tabs on your boy, figured that was your job.
Justin Tyme: Just seems strange that right after he has a meeting with you he suddenly goes off the grid.
Trace Demon: What can I say, coincidences happen.
Justin Tyme: I don't believe in coincidences Trace.
Trace Demon: Well then you are leading a very boring life.
He takes the seat opposite me, drink in hand, thinking the alcohol will bother me. I place my feet up on his expensive glass table, knowing it'll bother him. You'd think the guy would know by now not to play games with me. Doesn't matter, he soon will.
Justin Tyme: Myself and Lucas have done more than enough of your dirty work to garner a little respect by now, maybe it's time you start showing me some.
The laughs involuntary, this guy's a real joke.
Justin Tyme: What's so funny?
Trace Demon: Well, what exactly have you done for me? Crowe sure, that kids more than earned my respect, but you? What have you really done Tyme, other than stand around and look… well, look like that.
He's gritting his teeth, I can see it from here. The guy likes to hide behind his rich, confident facade, but I know that look anywhere. That's the look of a little kid who's tired of being pushed around, but is just too damn small and weak to do anything about it. It must be so sad being oh so pathetic.
Justin Tyme: You wouldn't even have Crowe if it wasn't for me. He doesn't work for you, he works for me, he does what I say, when I say it. If I tell him not to show up this week then where will you be, eh Trace?
Still winning, I mean have you seen who I'm facing, come on now. You can't put a wannabe Phillip Schneider and a never-was Joe Bishop against the real deal, it's just not fair.
Trace Demon: Go on then.
Justin Tyme: What?
Trace Demon: Go ahead, call him, tell him not to show. I can wait.
If he was a smart man he'd pick up the phone even though he knows Crowe isn't going to pick up. But he hesitates, which means he's lost already.
Trace Demon: That's what I thought. Here’s the thing Tyme, you like to think you’re the big smart man because you’ve got all this money to throw around but guess what? You’re not even the richest guy in the room right now, and let’s not get started on how stupid you’ve been. Actually, let’s, I rather enjoy it.
Justin Tyme: Don’t push me Trace, you won’t like what happens if you get on my bad side.
Trace Demon: What, I’m not there yet? But I’ve been trying so hard.
He remains all scowly, but I can tell he’s laughing inside.
Justin Tyme: You’re not here to talk strategy, are you Trace?
Trace Demon: What gave it away? Was it my lack of spreadsheets? I can go print out some spreadsheets if it makes you feel better, excel is a very underrated part of my game.
Justin Tyme: I warned you before Trace, do not underestimate how difficult I can make things for you.
Trace Demon: That’s actually what I’m here to talk to you about. See, Lucas did come by to run through our gameplan for this little match Lila’s put together, but don’t ask me how it happened but we got onto the subject of David Brennan.
Come on, take the bait Tyme, it’s no fun otherwise.
Trace Demon: Well you know, your boy was understandably a bit hurt over not being picked to take my spot in the match.
Justin Tyme: As he should be, you made a big mistake there.
And he’s on the hook.
Trace Demon: Oh, I didn’t make a mistake. I wanted to pick Crowe, but you made that impossible.
Justin Tyme: What?
Trace Demon: You came into my office and you threatened my Tyme, you told me I’d regret, well, something or other, honestly I can’t remember, but I do remember the threat. I don’t like being threatened, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Couldn’t just let it go because then the next guy will think he can threaten me and get away with it. That’s what we call a slippery slope.
Justin Tyme: So you picked David Brennan over Lucas out of what, spite?
Trace Demon: You can call it spite. I call it a lesson. You know, to show what happens when you cross me. Now I get that it’s probably a little extreme, but I think it’s good for people to learn these lessons, don’t you? I mean the American education system is just so bad at teaching people things like this. Luckily your boy agreed with me. Well, I think he agreed with me, he was quite busy saying some very mean things about you.
Justin Tyme: What the hell have you done?
Sometimes people spend so long thinking that you can’t put a square peg in a round hole that they just don’t think about the fact that you could just carve that square into a circle. After all, it doesn’t matter how you solve the puzzle at the end of the day or what kind of damage you do, all that matters is that you’ve won.
Trace Demon: I just told Crowe the truth, that it was your fault that he wasn’t in the match. And, if I’m being totally honest with you because we’re friends y’know, that you’re becoming somewhat of a liability to his career and that maybe, only maybe mind you, it was time to consider cutting you loose.
Justin Tyme: He wouldn’t dare. He needs me.
Trace Demon: I mean sure, maybe. Just give him a call and ask… oh wait, you can’t, he’s not talking to you, is he? That’s not a good sign for a relationship.
Have you ever seen a man get so angry that it looks like his head is going to explode? Well I have, and it’s f*****g glorious.
Justin Tyme: God damn it! Steelheart, get this bunghole out of my sight! And get me Speedwagon on the phone, we need to find Crowe right now!
Speedwagon? Steelheart? Who in the world is naming these guys? Actually that’s probably a pot and the kettle situation, right? I’ll keep quiet.
Trace Demon: Now there’s no need for name calling Tyme, I’m sure you can smooth it out. Just send the guy a nice fruit basket? Or a hooker, hooker’s are always good.
But he’s gone, charging off into the other room, screaming and shouting down the phone. Who to? Who knows? Who cares? My work here is done.
Steelheart: Mr. Tyme wants you to leave now.
Trace Demon: No bother big man, I’ll be on my way out. Now you tell your boss that it was a pleasure seeing him, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again very soon. Well actually, maybe not. Oh, and here-
I pull out a twenty for all his hard work and tuck it into his jacket pocket.
Trace Demon: You buy yourself something pretty.
It’s fun being me.
< *** >
Let me tell you it feels good to be back. It’s been too long, right? Far too long. Blame Ahriman, if it wasn’t for his blatant assault then this reunion would have come that little bit earlier. But still, good things come to those who wait, and oh have I waited. But still, we’re not quite there yet, are we? Still one more merry song to dance to before we get to the big show so it’s a good thing I’ve got my dancing shoes on, ain’t it.
Now there’s a lot of questions about whether me and Crowe are going to be on the same page after the whole David Brennan incident. Well don’t worry, things are just peachy between me and our esteemed International Champion. Can’t say the same for him and his old man, but still, that’s not my problem is it? Nah, I like to keep to my own business, let everything else work itself out. Life’s just easier that way. Sadly though there’s a few people out there that don’t share that way of thinking and just love to poke their noses where they don’t belong. Lila, Samael, Yukio, the list goes on, but they’re all gonna learn their lesson soon enough.
Right now though there’s other things to think about though. I bet Lila thinks she was pretty smart when she picked my opponents this week. But what can you say, she’s got a habit for being wrong about things, why stop now, right?
So let’s look at what we’ve got. Firstly Ante Whitner. Now, honestly I’ve not got much of a problem with Ante, but come on, people think this guy’s a threat because he ran with Kyzer for a bit? Mate, I’ve got the superior part of that dynamic duo on my side as it is, not to mention the fact that I knocked both you and the big bad scary Michael Kyzer out of a tag tournament while carrying Dean’s trainwreck of a wife on my back. You think you’re going to do any better now? When I’ve got Crowe, a guy who’s already beaten you, on my side and you’ve got Joe Bishop? Joe Bishop!? Seriously Ante, I’m going to give you a word of advice, just because I don’t entirely hate you yet. Stay home, practice your little Phillip Schneider cosplay some more. This match really isn’t worth the beating you’re going to get.
And Joe. Oh Joe, you poor kid. Here you come on your big grand return to the WFWF and a few matches in you already find yourself face to face with your worst nightmare. We’ve got history, ain’t that right boy? How many times have I beat you? Two? Three? Couldn’t tell you for sure, losers blend together after a while. How many times have you beat me? Zero. That one I can say with some certainty. But still, it really is a shame that we’ve got to do this again. I mean I thought you were smart, I thought I’d taught you better. See I haven’t forgotten the potential I saw in you, that’s why I took you under my wing in my way against Lila Sleater. And you were a good soldier, you preached the word of the Final Revolution just fine. But, and it pains me to say it, it just wasn’t enough was it?
Now I don’t like admitting when I’ve failed, so it’s a good thing it doesn’t happen all that often, but I failed with you. I mean I guess at the end of the day it wasn’t my fault you were such a lost cause, but I tried, I really did. I tried to make you into someone that mattered, I tried to pass on my wisdom but at the end of the day it just wasn’t enough. Not even I could turn you into a player here in the WFWF, so if I couldn’t do it then you sure as hell don’t have a chance now you’re running on your own, do you? It’s always a shame seeing so much talent given to someone who is just oh so hopeless.
I guess it’s good that you and Ante have found each other at last. Makes a lot of sense when you think about it right? Two hopeless losers who’ll forever live in the shadows of the people who actually matter working together to, well, hopelessly lose to people who actually matter. Life goes full circle, and we all move on. Me to Superbrawl to win the WFWF World Championship and you two to… well, to continue being hopeless losers. Some things don’t change, it’s just the way of the world.
Two shows straight I've been cheap shotted and I've got to say I'm already pretty sick of it. But then what else do you expect from these people? They know they could never get the job done head on so they've got to go the cheap route. And why? Because they fear me, they fear what I'd do to them if they actually tried to fight me one on one, they fear how humiliated they'd be getting beat pillar to post by the WFWF’s resident bad guys. They're so scared of The Villain that they've turned themselves into one. Figures.
Now they think they've got one up on me, they think because they've left my lying or taken me out of a match I clearly would have won that they've won the battle. Maybe they have, I don't tend to think small enough to worry about battles. See, I fight wars, and wars aren't won by the cheap. They're not even won by the strong or the brave. Wars are won by the smart, and I'm the smartest man around here.
You want an example?
How about the fact that I own you all? How about the fact that no move is made in this company without me knowing about it? How about the simple fact that not one of you are here without me? Your contracts? Your likenesses? Your rights? I own them all.
At the end of the day it's simple.
I own you.
< *** >
Puzzles
A Trace Demon Joint
I've been doing this a long time and one of the most important lessons that I've learned is that good allies are very hard to find and even harder to keep around. Of course my definition of ally is probably a little different to most. For them it's someone they trust, someone they work with, someone who'll have their back when the chips are done. All sounds a bit sad to me.
See I can't buy into that view of things. I don't trust people. People fail, they let you down. People like Mumford and Sons and support Trump. In short people are idiots and only someone who wants to fail would trust an idiot.
No, in the end an ally is simply someone who comes in useful and who, at the end of the day, you can keep in check. Anything more is a bonus, anything less is substandard. Which is why when I find a man as useful as this I like to make sure that we're on level ground. Recent events run the risk of rocking the boat and if suddenly this little relationship finds itself becoming a risk to my goals… well, let's cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we.
Trace Demon: Water?
Lucas Crowe: You got anything stronger?
Lucas Crowe has proven himself time and time again to be a very useful tool in my armoury. Everyone should have a great equaliser when things get a little too rocky. Right now Crowe is mine.
Trace Demon: Sorry, just the water. I live clean nowadays.
Lucas Crowe: Sounds boring.
Trace Demon: I find ways to pass the time.
So far I'm not seeing any red flags, but that whole David Brennan thing can't have been an easy pill to swallow, got to make sure that's not going to cost me. Too many variables in play as it is right now without adding a rogue wrecking ball into the equation.
Lucas Crowe: Haha I bet, I heard about you and Anders daughter. Not a bad way to pass the time if you ask me.
Trace Demon: And where'd you pick up the nugget of info?
Lucas Crowe: Anders mentioned it, right about the time he was raving to me about how I shouldn't trust you and should kick you to the curb.
Still haven't spoken to Anders since the whole sleeping with his daughter and immediately humiliating him business. Actually, haven't tried. More actually, don't really care.
Trace Demon: And?
Lucas Crowe: Man who you're screwing doesn't make a damn bit of difference to me. End of the day we’re colleagues, not friends, right?
The mans got his head screwed on straight. I appreciate that. Too many people take me screwing their girlfriend / wife / daughter / mom (just the once, I swear she was hot) personally.
I wonder if it's too late to trademark God of F**k?
Lucas Crowe: Still, got to be honest, bit surprised to hear from you.
Trace Demon: We've got a match, wanted to make sure we were both on the same page about our game plan.
Lucas Crowe: Yeah, yeah, I get that. Just after the whole tag title thing I figured you'd just forgotten about me is all. That maybe you'd lost my number or something? Why else would you go to Brennan over me, right?
And there it is, the chip on his shoulder, just waiting to rear its head at the most inopportune time. Kind of like crabs. Well, so Drakz tells me anyway.
Trace Demon: And here I was thinking you were smart enough not to fixate on something so small.
Lucas Crowe: Hey, I get it, Brennan was the smart choice. The man knows how to get it done, plus he wouldn't hesitate to do some proper damage to Drakz.
Trace Demon: Hey, last thing I want is Drakz getting hurt, we're all on the same team nowadays remember?
Was that believable? That was believable right? Yeah, yeah, totally believable.
Lucas Crowe: Sure, all I'm saying is I get why you picked him, just would have appreciated a courtesy call is all. Being that we’re colleagues.
You know what's got me this far? You know what's won me all those titles, what's made me the owner of the WFWF, what’s made me the most important man in the WFWF?
Trace Demon: Lucas…
It's not my strength or my charisma or my family friendly personality. It's always been about one thing. Brains. At the end of the day you can be the biggest or strongest dog in the fight, but if you don't have the brains to solve the puzzle that is your opponent, then you've got nothing.
Trace Demon: You were my first choice.
Lucas Crowe: What?
Right now I've got a lot of opponents, a lot of puzzles to solve, but even if I have to do it one by one, they will be solved.
Trace Demon: I wanted you to take my spot, of course I did. Brennan's a loose cannon, a wild card, emphasis on wild. You think I'd rather have someone like him in there than someone I know would have got the job done and would have done it properly? What do you take me for?
Lucas Crowe: Then why was I stuck in some nothing tag team match while Brennan got all the glory? Sure, temporary glory but still.
Now after my unfortunate, ahem, injury took me out of the tag match I saw an opportunity to solve the one puzzle that I've been overlooking because of its seeming insignificance.
Trace Demon: Look, I don't want to cause problems for you Lucas, let's just forget about this and-
Lucas Crowe: What happened Trace?
At the end of the day no problem is so insignificant that it shouldn't be dealt with, no puzzle is so small it shouldn't be solved. After all…
Trace Demon: Fine, fine… but let me get someone to find you that drink. Thing could take a while.
Even a bug needs to be squashed.
< *** >
There's a lot of people in the world that I don't like, far more than those I do. It's a side effect of being so smart and strong I suppose. Means you can see how stupid and weak everyone else is. But still, it's easy enough to tolerate the majority of these idiots because they have no influence or effect on the world. And then there are people like him, people who have somehow found a way to interfere with things far too big for them to ever really comprehend.
A bug with poison in its fangs, but a brain too small to realise what it could do with it.
Justin Tyme.
It's with the utmost regret that I've had to come out to Tyme’s little compound. I spend most of my time finding ways to avoid irritants, but sometimes to solve a puzzle you have to get your hands dirty. Of course to get to the organ grinder (now there's a good metal band name) you've got to get through the monkey, and in this case the monkey is a rather large Russian.
Trace Demon: Where's the boss man at? Believe he's expecting me. Tyme obviously, not Putin. One manly Mann riding animals is enough for me.
Steelheart: I don't like you.
Trace Demon: I appreciate the honesty. Now, boss man, where's he at?
He doesn't budge from his position in the door which, given the size of the guy means I'm stuck outside like a Jehovah's Witness. I try sliding in beneath his arm but as it turns out I'm no gymnast, maybe the Russian can point me in the direction of a coach, they're good at that right?
Trace Demon: Come on, budge, the real men have business to talk. Well, it's just Tyme, but still. I mean you do speak English right? I feel having a henchman who doesn't understand the language might be a problem, y’know?
Steelheart: I should crush you where you stand American.
Trace Demon: Okay one, bit rude, I'm Canadian. Two, I'd really like to see you try.
He gets up close, trying to scare me. Breath stinks, wish I had a mint to offer. God I hope he doesn't try to kiss me, he's really not my type.
Steelheart: You scared little man?
Trace Demon: Do I look like I scare easy?
Justin Tyme: Steelheart, enough! Let him in.
The big guy steps aside with a scowl, letting me pass. I flash my biggest smile his way in appreciation.
Trace Demon: Your name is ridiculous.
I make quick step of it to avoid a knife in the back and follow Tyme into the sitting room. Tyme heads to the drink cabinet.
Justin Tyme: What can I get you?
Trace Demon: I'm good.
Never take drinks from strange men people, not unless you want to wake up sticky.
Justin Tyme: Oh come on, you're a guest, let me get you something.
Trace Demon: Still good.
I collapse down in one of the tacky seats. I almost forgot how bad Tyme’s sense of style was.
Justin Tyme: Lucas hasn't been taking my calls the past couple of days, you know anything about that?
Trace Demon: Why would I? I don't have tabs on your boy, figured that was your job.
Justin Tyme: Just seems strange that right after he has a meeting with you he suddenly goes off the grid.
Trace Demon: What can I say, coincidences happen.
Justin Tyme: I don't believe in coincidences Trace.
Trace Demon: Well then you are leading a very boring life.
He takes the seat opposite me, drink in hand, thinking the alcohol will bother me. I place my feet up on his expensive glass table, knowing it'll bother him. You'd think the guy would know by now not to play games with me. Doesn't matter, he soon will.
Justin Tyme: Myself and Lucas have done more than enough of your dirty work to garner a little respect by now, maybe it's time you start showing me some.
The laughs involuntary, this guy's a real joke.
Justin Tyme: What's so funny?
Trace Demon: Well, what exactly have you done for me? Crowe sure, that kids more than earned my respect, but you? What have you really done Tyme, other than stand around and look… well, look like that.
He's gritting his teeth, I can see it from here. The guy likes to hide behind his rich, confident facade, but I know that look anywhere. That's the look of a little kid who's tired of being pushed around, but is just too damn small and weak to do anything about it. It must be so sad being oh so pathetic.
Justin Tyme: You wouldn't even have Crowe if it wasn't for me. He doesn't work for you, he works for me, he does what I say, when I say it. If I tell him not to show up this week then where will you be, eh Trace?
Still winning, I mean have you seen who I'm facing, come on now. You can't put a wannabe Phillip Schneider and a never-was Joe Bishop against the real deal, it's just not fair.
Trace Demon: Go on then.
Justin Tyme: What?
Trace Demon: Go ahead, call him, tell him not to show. I can wait.
If he was a smart man he'd pick up the phone even though he knows Crowe isn't going to pick up. But he hesitates, which means he's lost already.
Trace Demon: That's what I thought. Here’s the thing Tyme, you like to think you’re the big smart man because you’ve got all this money to throw around but guess what? You’re not even the richest guy in the room right now, and let’s not get started on how stupid you’ve been. Actually, let’s, I rather enjoy it.
Justin Tyme: Don’t push me Trace, you won’t like what happens if you get on my bad side.
Trace Demon: What, I’m not there yet? But I’ve been trying so hard.
He remains all scowly, but I can tell he’s laughing inside.
Justin Tyme: You’re not here to talk strategy, are you Trace?
Trace Demon: What gave it away? Was it my lack of spreadsheets? I can go print out some spreadsheets if it makes you feel better, excel is a very underrated part of my game.
Justin Tyme: I warned you before Trace, do not underestimate how difficult I can make things for you.
Trace Demon: That’s actually what I’m here to talk to you about. See, Lucas did come by to run through our gameplan for this little match Lila’s put together, but don’t ask me how it happened but we got onto the subject of David Brennan.
Come on, take the bait Tyme, it’s no fun otherwise.
Trace Demon: Well you know, your boy was understandably a bit hurt over not being picked to take my spot in the match.
Justin Tyme: As he should be, you made a big mistake there.
And he’s on the hook.
Trace Demon: Oh, I didn’t make a mistake. I wanted to pick Crowe, but you made that impossible.
Justin Tyme: What?
Trace Demon: You came into my office and you threatened my Tyme, you told me I’d regret, well, something or other, honestly I can’t remember, but I do remember the threat. I don’t like being threatened, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Couldn’t just let it go because then the next guy will think he can threaten me and get away with it. That’s what we call a slippery slope.
Justin Tyme: So you picked David Brennan over Lucas out of what, spite?
Trace Demon: You can call it spite. I call it a lesson. You know, to show what happens when you cross me. Now I get that it’s probably a little extreme, but I think it’s good for people to learn these lessons, don’t you? I mean the American education system is just so bad at teaching people things like this. Luckily your boy agreed with me. Well, I think he agreed with me, he was quite busy saying some very mean things about you.
Justin Tyme: What the hell have you done?
Sometimes people spend so long thinking that you can’t put a square peg in a round hole that they just don’t think about the fact that you could just carve that square into a circle. After all, it doesn’t matter how you solve the puzzle at the end of the day or what kind of damage you do, all that matters is that you’ve won.
Trace Demon: I just told Crowe the truth, that it was your fault that he wasn’t in the match. And, if I’m being totally honest with you because we’re friends y’know, that you’re becoming somewhat of a liability to his career and that maybe, only maybe mind you, it was time to consider cutting you loose.
Justin Tyme: He wouldn’t dare. He needs me.
Trace Demon: I mean sure, maybe. Just give him a call and ask… oh wait, you can’t, he’s not talking to you, is he? That’s not a good sign for a relationship.
Have you ever seen a man get so angry that it looks like his head is going to explode? Well I have, and it’s f*****g glorious.
Justin Tyme: God damn it! Steelheart, get this bunghole out of my sight! And get me Speedwagon on the phone, we need to find Crowe right now!
Speedwagon? Steelheart? Who in the world is naming these guys? Actually that’s probably a pot and the kettle situation, right? I’ll keep quiet.
Trace Demon: Now there’s no need for name calling Tyme, I’m sure you can smooth it out. Just send the guy a nice fruit basket? Or a hooker, hooker’s are always good.
But he’s gone, charging off into the other room, screaming and shouting down the phone. Who to? Who knows? Who cares? My work here is done.
Steelheart: Mr. Tyme wants you to leave now.
Trace Demon: No bother big man, I’ll be on my way out. Now you tell your boss that it was a pleasure seeing him, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again very soon. Well actually, maybe not. Oh, and here-
I pull out a twenty for all his hard work and tuck it into his jacket pocket.
Trace Demon: You buy yourself something pretty.
It’s fun being me.
< *** >
Let me tell you it feels good to be back. It’s been too long, right? Far too long. Blame Ahriman, if it wasn’t for his blatant assault then this reunion would have come that little bit earlier. But still, good things come to those who wait, and oh have I waited. But still, we’re not quite there yet, are we? Still one more merry song to dance to before we get to the big show so it’s a good thing I’ve got my dancing shoes on, ain’t it.
Now there’s a lot of questions about whether me and Crowe are going to be on the same page after the whole David Brennan incident. Well don’t worry, things are just peachy between me and our esteemed International Champion. Can’t say the same for him and his old man, but still, that’s not my problem is it? Nah, I like to keep to my own business, let everything else work itself out. Life’s just easier that way. Sadly though there’s a few people out there that don’t share that way of thinking and just love to poke their noses where they don’t belong. Lila, Samael, Yukio, the list goes on, but they’re all gonna learn their lesson soon enough.
Right now though there’s other things to think about though. I bet Lila thinks she was pretty smart when she picked my opponents this week. But what can you say, she’s got a habit for being wrong about things, why stop now, right?
So let’s look at what we’ve got. Firstly Ante Whitner. Now, honestly I’ve not got much of a problem with Ante, but come on, people think this guy’s a threat because he ran with Kyzer for a bit? Mate, I’ve got the superior part of that dynamic duo on my side as it is, not to mention the fact that I knocked both you and the big bad scary Michael Kyzer out of a tag tournament while carrying Dean’s trainwreck of a wife on my back. You think you’re going to do any better now? When I’ve got Crowe, a guy who’s already beaten you, on my side and you’ve got Joe Bishop? Joe Bishop!? Seriously Ante, I’m going to give you a word of advice, just because I don’t entirely hate you yet. Stay home, practice your little Phillip Schneider cosplay some more. This match really isn’t worth the beating you’re going to get.
And Joe. Oh Joe, you poor kid. Here you come on your big grand return to the WFWF and a few matches in you already find yourself face to face with your worst nightmare. We’ve got history, ain’t that right boy? How many times have I beat you? Two? Three? Couldn’t tell you for sure, losers blend together after a while. How many times have you beat me? Zero. That one I can say with some certainty. But still, it really is a shame that we’ve got to do this again. I mean I thought you were smart, I thought I’d taught you better. See I haven’t forgotten the potential I saw in you, that’s why I took you under my wing in my way against Lila Sleater. And you were a good soldier, you preached the word of the Final Revolution just fine. But, and it pains me to say it, it just wasn’t enough was it?
Now I don’t like admitting when I’ve failed, so it’s a good thing it doesn’t happen all that often, but I failed with you. I mean I guess at the end of the day it wasn’t my fault you were such a lost cause, but I tried, I really did. I tried to make you into someone that mattered, I tried to pass on my wisdom but at the end of the day it just wasn’t enough. Not even I could turn you into a player here in the WFWF, so if I couldn’t do it then you sure as hell don’t have a chance now you’re running on your own, do you? It’s always a shame seeing so much talent given to someone who is just oh so hopeless.
I guess it’s good that you and Ante have found each other at last. Makes a lot of sense when you think about it right? Two hopeless losers who’ll forever live in the shadows of the people who actually matter working together to, well, hopelessly lose to people who actually matter. Life goes full circle, and we all move on. Me to Superbrawl to win the WFWF World Championship and you two to… well, to continue being hopeless losers. Some things don’t change, it’s just the way of the world.
I dont know good luck 
