Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 16:22:50 GMT -5
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… This is it. It’s been close to a year since I last stepped out into a WFWF arena. The stagehand next to the majestic black curtain is waving for me to step into position. Walking through the gorilla position, I can’t help but take a long deep breath. Would they accept me back? What if they forgot about me?
The stagehand is yelling for my presence as the lights in the arena dim down to black. I walk towards him and clutch the black curtain in my hands. It sends chills down my spine. The chills are not coming from the cold, they are coming the fans. The stagehand pats me on the back as I push through the curtain and start walking to the top of the ramp amongst the darkness.
The fans remain is a hush as I can hear the small murmurs from the Columbus crowd wondering just who is standing at the top of the ramp. The brightness of the spotlight catches my eye as my hooded body is exposed to the fans for the first time in nearly a year.
The focus of the crowd switches from me to the giant screen above me, where my name is finally revealed. The nerves in my body drown out the sound from the crowd as I remain on top of the stage with my head down. I need to get rid of these nerves. Shaking my arms does the white noise of Thunderstruck by AC/DC fades out.
All alone now without any strobe lights or any entrance music, I reach up to my hood and slowly take it off. My face is fully revealed for the first time in months. Looking around me, the memories of fighting in front of the same capacity crowd rush back to me. The nerves tingle up and down my spine as I remain frozen at the top of the ramp.
It’s been a long road back to be in this very spot. I’ve spent weeks in a jail cell. I’ve faced judges and lawyers. I’ve beaten the demon known as addiction. I am here for my Encore…
Let’s drop the gimmick. Dave Demento is gone along with his "dependency on booze". David James is now here. David James will take over the world.
… and he’s just getting started.
...//||\\...
WFWF Headquarters
01-20-2016
“It's certainly a surprise to see you here.”
Truthfully, it is. The last time I was in this office was over a year ago and things didn’t end so… pleasantly, to say the least.
“What do you want Dave?”
Geez. Lila seems harsher now than a year ago. She has loose papers all around her desk, and they seem to be contracts of sorts.
“I want a second chance.”
She cuts me off. How rude of a businesswoman.
“Let me get this straight. You walk into my office in jeans and a japanese tee shirt without an invitation and you expect me to roll out a contract for a man who just got out of prison?”
Well, when you put it that way…
“And not just any man who went to prison… a man who heavily criticized my brand of wrestling and tried to “save it”. Mind you, you couldn’t even save yourself since you went off your rocker and nearly killed that poor woman. Which brought horrible publicity to my company.”
Pretty sure it’s Trace’s company, but go on. I’m coming to the conclusion that Lila really doesn’t like me. Or maybe its her time… uh, I’m not going to go there.
“Yes.”
Great Dave, you only reply with one word. Come on, this isn’t prison, you don’t need to be a hard headed silent prisoner. Let loose.
“I want a second chance.”
F*ck. Prison did a number on me. I need to read a dictionary or some sh*t. Hell, I need to learn how to speak with real people again. This isn’t going so well…
“I’d be crazy to let you come back to the federation.”
“What’s crazy is that you still deal with Trace Demon’s bullsh*t with a smile, a wave, and a nod. You were all so empowering when I first met you, now you’re just becoming his bitch.”
That didn’t go over so well. She glares at me with the look of a woman’s scorn. Every man knows that look. The look where you know you’ve stirred the pot by telling the truth. Yeah… Not pleasant.
Silence drowns out the room as she puts her head down and signs off on some papers. I’ve struck a chord and I need to return to this place. I need to redeem myself to everybody walking this earth.
“... I’m sorry.”
I really do feel bad about what I just said. She tries her best to run this company but it must be hard with a douchenozzle like Trace having final say.
“Dave… If you insult me again, I’m going to have security come in and escort you out.”
“Understood.”
“Take a seat.”
I walk over to her desk and sit down across from her. The papers are everywhere, she must be busy. I’m surprised she’s letting me sit down. I really need to redeem myself.
“... Are you clean?”
“Yes.”
“Last time you had a drink, or did a drug.. smoked even?”
“Night of the crash.”
“Nothing in jail?”
“Nope.”
“Good.”
She scribbles something down on her pad of paper.
“Is everything settled in court?”
“Yes. I’ve faced the lawyers and the judges already.”
“Will you f*ck up again?”
Blunt. I like it. This reminds me of the Lila Sleater of old.
“... No.”
She throws her pad of paper in one of her many drawers before leaning back in her chair. Her eyes remain fixated on me, especially on the little scar that runs down my cheek.
“It’s from a piece of glass that broke in the car. Windshield to be exact. Reminds me of the accident every day.”
“Do you feel ANY remorse for what you did? You nearly got yourself killed and you were on my tag champions. You really f*cked me over Dave.”
“Yes. I am sorry.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Harsh. I understand, it's not easy to trust somebody who just got released from prison.
“Listen Lila. That night has been eating me alive ever since I stepped foot in prison. I’ve felt sorry for everybody I f*cked over by doing something as stupid as drinking and driving. And I didn’t think I’d get this opportunity to apologize to the world and to show them who I truly am.”
I take off my watch to display my “Demento” tattoo that used to be clean and slick on my inner wrist.
“You see that scar? The cliché in every movie, song, freaking roleplays that people do on the Internet of dropping the soap actually happens. The second day of prison was shower day. The guards don’t give two sh*ts about you when you are in there. That night I tried to end the gimmick. Those slashes there, I had to kill Demento.”
She’s speechless.
“Luckily, whatever God is out there, decided to keep me in prison. I was expecting the afterlife. No, I was wishing for the afterlife… but I was given a second chance to live my life. I was granted another spin to win… I was giving the chance to redeem myself and to live MY life.”
“I am not here as Dave Demento. For all I care, Dave Demento died the night of the crash. He was the only fatality that night… I am here as David James, sober, clean, and lifelong fan of professional wrestling. I need to show you, my fans, however little I have any more, and my colleagues who I really am…
I just need this second chance.”
She remains silent, flipping her pen through her fingers.
“You get a rookie contract. And the first time we catch you drunk, smoking, or under the influence of any drug, we will let you go.”
“Deal.”
“Sign here.”
She hands me the pen and with no hesitation I sign my real name on the dotted line.
“Welcome to the WFWF, David.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t f*ck this up.”
...//||\\...
I’m glad they bought it.
Hook, line, and sinker.
Redemption? Why would I need that?
I already know that I am a God among these men. Well, that is what she said.
That accident that nearly killed me was real, but the reason as to why I lost control has not been revealed.
I was intoxicated that night, I’ll admit that. However, I have always been able to handle my liquor and drive under the influence. It may be illegal, but hey, if you could do it wouldn’t you? I could f*cking go two hundred miles per hour while drunk and still make it home safely.
The real reason why I crashed my car is because that beautiful chick Amber gave the best goddamn road head.
She was godly, with her soft touch and her moisturized lips bringing me to the heavens.
I was speeding (Do you really think I was focusing on my speed when her glorious boobs were hanging out?) and passed a cop. Naturally, I tried to slow down and coast along the highway without being caught.
… but the brakes gave out and the car flipped over. It had nothing to do with me being intoxicated.
It had everything to do with her.
Do I feel bad for the injuries it caused? Of course. It was never meant to be that bad.
Do I feel bad for the publicity it caused? No, not really.
Any publicity is good publicity. While I was in the slammer, everybody was STILL talking about me. I didn’t even have to show my face in public and my name was still being talked about by nearly every wrestling fan around the world.
It went something like this:
FAN 1: “Oh, Josh Dean just won the WFWF World Championship?”.
FAN 2: “Eh, no one cares about that. When is Dave Demento being released from jail?”
And a little something like this:
FAN 1: “Drakz and Trace Demon are f*cking each other in the ass while wearing the World title around their waists?”
FAN 2: “Who cares! Dave Demento is in jail. I wonder if he shanked anybody yet?”
Better yet..
FAN 1: “Cam Nitta is returning to the WFWF!”
FAN 2: “Who?”
I had to return to this place. I have some unpleasant unfinished business.
I just need to keep my poker face. Nobody can find out why I am really back. Nobody can find out who really bailed me out of jail.
In the end… I will be the one standing tall. Because like it or not, I am the “Architect” of my own destiny.
...//||\\...
Penthouse of a Very Expensive Apartment in Downtown New York
02-08-2016
“I told you that running with the story would be best for your image.”
“The reaction was iffy though.”
When I walked out to the audience for the first time the reaction was a bit… sketchy? I think that’d be the best word to describe it.
“I just wasn’t really feeling it when I walked out.”
“You’ll get there eventually David, you’re just coming back.”
She seems genuine when she talks. Her short white hair defines her intelligence and her experience in this field. I am grateful she found me when she did.
“I know, I know.. I was just hoping for something more favorable.”
“I’ve gotten you this far David. You know you can trust me.”
“You’re right Janice.”
She is right.
“You’re my pet project David. That’s why I signed you to Janice Carter Enterprises on the spot back in Cincinnati.”
“It’s hard to believe that was close to two years ago.”
Cincinnati. April 30th. A few days before WFWF Reborn. That was the day I was truly reborn. That was the day Janice Carter saved my career. But that’s a story for another day.
“And look how far you have come. You won the International championship, the WFWF Tag Team championship, and you cemented yourself as a star.”
“... That’s all good and fine, and I thank you for it, but HE is still getting the spotlight. I carried that team and yet he was still in the main event matches while I played second fiddle. Hell, he just won the World title..”
She cuts me off knowing that I am a bit flustered at the thought that my “best buddy” has hogged the spotlight.
“David, the plan is just getting started. First, we have to build up his trust. He can not know anything about us before we strike. Remember, the concussion, the daughter, the overall head trauma? His sympathy is setting him up to where we want him.”
At the bottom of my foot with my hand raised in victory?
“Yes, David. I know what you’re thinking. In the end your hand will be raised in victory.”
Soon, HE will find out the true me.
“Now David. I want you to play up this whole accident like I know you can. Here. I’ll ask you a few questions and just play the storyline like we had described earlier.”
I nod my head signaling that I am ready. I need this. I need Janice Carter to teach me her ways of becoming who I am not.
“Do you feel bad for causing the accident?”
Not really.
“Yes.”
“How did jail change you?”
I didn’t go to jail. Janice bailed me out as soon as she could.
“I found God and really learned the error in my ways. I will donate most of my paycheck to anti-drinking and driving establishments.”
“Nice touch… Why are you coming back to the WFWF?”
To save it from the hands of the devil.
“To save myself from the hands of the devil known as addiction. Wrestling is now my only addiction and will help me stop drinking.”
I take a sip of my chilled Whiskey on the rocks. Janice cracks her signature grin.
“I think you’re ready David. There is no way you can f*ck this up.”
I stand up with a smile on my face and shake Janice’s hand. Her tight firm grip reminds me that I am stronger than HIM. Soon, the world will be mine. As I walk away, Janice taps me on the back showing that she is proud of me.
“Amber is in the room down the hall. I’m glad you followed along with Amber and I’s plan, David.”
I’m glad Amber and Janice came into my life. The love I have for Amber is real. And when I do conquer the world, she will be there right beside me.
...//||\\...
MGM Grand Garden Arena
02-06-2016
The sound of fans in the arena quiet down to nothing and are replaced by the sound of the WFWF crews disassembling the ringside area. However, my focus is on on specific area: the trainer’s room. As I open the door, I see my former roommate sitting on the table getting stitches. As Janice said, I need to act concerned.
“Hey Penny… how ya feeling?”
She leans against the wall with an ice-pack pressed on the top of her head. Good. She deserves to be in pain. After all, she is a woman in a man’s world.
“I’ll live.”
“A few months ago I didn’t think we’d be having this discussion… It’s nice to see you.”
She drops her head into my shoulder. What the f*ck are you doing, lady? I don’t need your sweaty hair on my shoulder. F*ck. I really hate having to act all nice.
“It’s good to see you too, dude. I’m sorry I haven’t been around.”
“It’s fine. I had some… interesting company for the past few months.”
She looks up and grins. She bought what I was going for. Sympathy points for me.
“Ohh, did you get a boyfriend?!”
If I just look at her without saying anything the awkwardness will kick in. She’ll think I’m joking around and being all buddy buddy.
“You said you had interesting company. And you were surrounded by a lotta bad boys. It’s not hard to put one and two together.”
Time to be nice Dave. Eventually Penny will go tell HIM that you’re still a good “dude”.
“Oh Penny… you’re still the sarcastic a*shole, I see. I missed ya.”
“I’ve missed you too, bud. But seriously though, how are you?”
Time to lie…
“I’m good. I’m in a much better place than where I was. I really missed this place and I’m glad to be back.”
She smiles. She’s buying it.
“Things are going to go back to the way they were. I know it’s hard to believe, but you’ll see. We’re all still family.”
“Yes we are, Penny. And in the end, we can still save this place.”
Or I can save this place from the disastrous damage you and HIM have done to this place. Like this place sucks, even worse since HE returned and took my spotlight.
“Anywho Penny. Just wanted to check in and say hi. I best be going, I have a meeting in New York and I can’t be late.”
“Okies. Cya Dave.”
I pat her on the back. I couldn’t bring myself to give her a hug, that’d be disgusting. It’s onwards and upwards from here. I have everybody eating out of my hand. Just the way Janice, Amber, and I want it.
...//||\\...
Cam Nitta. Lucas Crowe. A former National champion and the current National champion.
And two men that stand in my way of taking over the world of professional wrestling.
You know, it sickens me that I have to restart at the bottom of the ladder when I should be going face to face with the men like Drakz and Trace Demon. Hell, I should be facing off against people like Phillip Schneider and Michael Kyzer.
In all honesty, I would beat any of those four men handedly.
But to hell with it, I will fight you two men.
Cam Nitta. We get it, you are some ninja flippy sensation who just can’t win the big one. Your only success here in the WFWF are the Abe Vigoda (RIP Old Man) Memorial Cup and the National championship. Congratulations, you are able to beat a bunch of jobbers.
Let’s face it. Mak Cross carried you.
You couldn’t even carry his bags and the only reason why you main evented a pay-per-view against Phillip Schneider and Scarlett Quinn was because Mak Cross earned that opportunity for you guys.
You can try your best at winning, but your best is just not the same as my best, Cam. In the end I will be standing over you with a smile on my face and my hands in the air to show that I am indeed the winner.
Cam Nitta, welcome to David James’ serenity.
And then we have Lucas Crowe. Y’know, you’re not the first Crow I’ve dealt with. But you will certainly be the last.
I should be scared of you. You’re what? Six foot ten and three hundred pounds? Congratulations, you’re a candidate for diabeetus. Oh and you’re from Detroit as well? Even better. You’re a poor candidate for diabeetus.
All jokes aside, Lucas. Mister “Motor City Mercenary”, you are not the first giant I have faced. I have taken down Tugarin Zmey. I have taken down Randel Benjamin. I’ve taken down so many giant men that you may as well start calling me David…
… oh wait. You already do. Mister Crowe, you will be entering into my house. The house that Demento built. And when I beat you, I just want you to know that I am better than you and that I will not be gunning for your championship.
I am above the National championship. I am a two-time International champion and a former Tag Team champion. I’m on the road to redemption to capture the title that has escaped my grasp: the WFWF World Heavyweight championship.
You two men are just the stepping stone to bigger things.
Don’t feel to bad when I beat you guys in the middle of my ring.
Sadly, there will be no Encore after the match for you guys. On this one night, the Con will defeat the Crowe and the Cam because I am just that damn good.
But don’t worry. When I have to put my good guy face on for the media and the cameras, you know damn well I will praise the both of you. It’s what I have to do in order to finally show HIM just how good I am.
You’re just the first chapter in my return.
Tata for now.
