Forever Unscarred RP: Enter the 36 Chambers

{Located in the remote desert; the Anointed. Alex Sean and EBR, anyways. They sit on two perpendicular wooden logs, staring in different directions at the rough, remote terrain. They sit their calmly as the wind slightly blows, waiting for Matthew Werner to reappear to film their latest chapter in his documentary. Both men have different looks on their faces. Any one could tell that EBR is simply in the process of waiting; the undesired feeling that there’s no logical reason to start anything productive with the preexisting knowledge that it could be cut short. Of course, as each minute ticks down he realizes he made the wrong choice, prompting him to unwillingly succumb to his boredom. Alex Sean, on the other hand, sits with a perplexed and complicated look on his face, pondering. He speaks.}

Sean: You know… it’s kind of interesting. If you ever read the Bible, both new and old testaments, you’d probably notice a startling revelation in the subtext.


EBR: What?


Sean: You see, when God created this earth, and more specifically man, he created him in his image. Throughout the beginning of time, God watched over man, guided him, and led him both morally and spiritually. Not only did God lead man however, but he also judged man if he were to break any of his sacred commandments. It was only until the crucifixion where any of that changed. With the entrance of Christ and his death on the cross, it was no longer about following God’s commandments or else. Christianity, from the crucifixion, to now, and all the way until Revelation, was then decided by one sacred rule that you must follow; Believe in God and Jesus Christ, and you will be granted entrance into God’s kingdom.


EBR: … You’re not gonna become all Born-again Christian are you?


Sean: My point is, when you look at it in those terms, it seems to me that the time between the Crucifixion and Revelation is the loneliest of all. This time is lonely because God isn’t directly watching down us, not watching our every step and thought. While that leniency makes living a devout life easier, it leaves us in the cold and dark… It’s like this quote I read one time; “In both birth and death we are alone, but neither in creation or death do we seem to live in as much solitude as we do in life". It’s that gap in the middle that leaves us at our most alone and isolated.


EBR: What’s this all about?


Sean: I’ve just been thinking recently.


EBR: Thinking about what? Us? The Anointed?


Sean: The Revolution; Our revolution more importantly. I have to ask; Have you really thought about where this is all going?


EBR: To be honest… Well, let’s face it; I’m not much of a leader. Truthfully, I’ve sort of just been following your lead so far.


Sean: I see.


EBR: I don’t mean to break your balls, but the last time you spoke to me like this was right before the last time you left the XWA.


Sean: It’s just… you know, I had it all figured out. I still do, honestly. The Anointed, our revolution, it’s all true and makes sense and I believe in it wholeheartedly, but I saw something today that made me think something about myself.


EBR: And pray tell, what is that?


Sean: Do you remember earlier tonight when Matthew was filming our segment and you were sort of going off about yourself and the WFWF?


EBR: Yeah, why?


Sean: While you were talking, I was just sort of sitting there thinking. Thinking and looking into the fire. Something kind of interesting happens when you set a fire on sand; Over time the sand begins to burn and crystallize. After a while, crystallized sand almost… reflects. As I looked into the fire I began to think about how long it had been since I had looked at my own reflection. You probably know this already considering your past, but as life goes on and you do more things you regret, you start staring at your reflection less and less… almost, in a sense, in fear of the man that will be looking back at you. But as I stared into that fire I saw an image of a man I haven’t seen in years. Not the man I am today, but the man I was… that I haven’t been in a long time.


EBR: What… “Alex Showtime”?


Sean: In a sense. I looked into that fire and saw his pale skin, his platinum hair, hell even his green contacts leering back at me. It was startling, to say the least. And by seeing that image, it made me realize something that I’ve been denying for all these years.


{EBR gives an inquisitive stare towards Alex Sean.}


Sean: I realized that no matter how many years go by, no matter how old I get or much I change physically, that side of my personality still exists, and will always exists. That side of my personality, Alex Showtime if you will, lives in me forever as the better or worse but always equal half of my psyche. He’s the one that needs to fight, that keeps coming back, that keeps wanting more.


EBR: Well Alex… let me be honest… Maybe that’s a good thing.


Sean: What do you mean?


EBR: I mean, maybe that is your better half. Rather than fighting within yourself, maybe you should just let yourself rest and exist as one. Think about it from a career standpoint. If you allowed yourself to be yourself and let that side of your mind run free, you could be… incredible. You take that fighting spirit and mix it with the fundamental skills you’ve acquired over the years, and you could become truly the greatest of all time in all aspects. Not to mention the money you could make.


{Alex Sean lets out a slight chuckle, then reaches into his pocket and grabs a pack of cigarettes.}


Sean: You know man, I always compare myself to the greats; Frost, Destroyer, The Shape, Raider… But you’re honestly more like them than I’ll ever be.


{As Sean speaks, he reaches inside the carton, pulls out a cigarette, lights, and inhales.}


EBR: Well… Thanks man… I appreciate that.


Sean: That wasn’t a compliment. I’m gonna be real with you E; The greats, they all… we all have our time as the best, we all have our time to shine. You run down the list of the greats, the ones I mentioned before, Kyzer, myself, you… We’ve all had our time in the spotlight where we’re winning and succeeding in every way imaginable. But E, have you ever seen Frost, or Shape, or Lenore or any of these greats once they’ve run their course and are no longer on top? Because I’ll tell you, it’s never because they become less talented or not as great. The truth is, skill can last only as long as passion and drive. And while that side of our personality, my Alex Showtime, their Frosts and Raiders and Shapes, give us that passion and drive, it eventually digs our own graves. Buried into our own mind’s eye, never living and existing forever. Once that dark side of our personality takes over, we are left into a pit of misery and pain. Because the truth is, we all get involved in this for one reason or another, and usually it’s to fill a void of something we never had. With you, it was the future that your lifestyle didn’t offer, with me it was the father and the appreciation for who I was that I craved. But all of this… belts, victories, feuds… It won’t do it. And once we lose all of that, we’re left with nothing but the beast inside us. The beast inside us that forever craves more… and more… and more, and no matter how much it’s been fed, it still wants more, even when we have nothing to offer. I realized tonight when I saw my reflection that this is my inevitable fate, the one shared by all those who came before us, and all those who have come after us.


{In rare form, there is a long moment of silence between the two. Sean inhales deeply on his cigarette while EBR, remaining propped up in a seated position, stares down at the ground.}


EBR: So does this mean that you’re leaving?


Sean: I’m not sure… honestly… I really don’t know.


EBR: Well you know what man, I get where you’re coming from and maybe you’re right about that all, but this isn’t all about you. You aren’t just doing this for yourself I hope. You said that this was for the WFWF, for revolution, for me, fo…


Sean: I’m not telling you this for me. I’m telling you all of this as a warning, E. Because whether you believe it or not, I’ve walked the same road you’re on. It’s the same road we’ve all walked. And if you continue down this path, I swear to you EBR, you’ll fall into the same void. Unless you do something about it, you share our fate.


EBR: Well the way you make it sound it’s inevitable, so what’s the point in even fighting it?

Sean: Because you’re different from all of us in one sense; When you started wrestling, you did it to give yourself a future. The life you led in Toronto gave you no chance at that, but by becoming a wrestler you had at least an opportunity. And while my void cannot be filled by wins and losses, and the same can be said for the greats before us, yours can… yours has. You have a future outside of this. You’ve made your money and could probably never have to work another day in your life. In your town, you’re revered as a hero who came from the streets hustling and climbed his way to a superstar. You’re not the kind of man to burn out; you’re the kind of man who goes out at his best. It’s like… did you hear Jay Z’s new record?


EBR: Yeah, why?


Sean: Before he put out Kingdom Come, he was revered as possibly the greatest of all time. He was admired by all rappers and fans alike. Now once he’s come back and left himself vulnerable to criticism, the backlash has been immense. Fans and rappers alike have criticized, mocked, and called him out. You’re in that same position E. You came back, you left yourself open to the public once again, and now you have these meager nobodies, these CBTs and Kurt Burtons calling you out trying to make their name at your expense. It’s your choice to listen to it, or accept it for what it truly is.


{EBR gives a puzzled stare as Sean pauses to flick his cigarette butt into the darkness.}


Sean: Bullshit. It’s all bullshit. That’s why our revolution can never work. Ideally, it’s perfect, but it’ll suffer the same fate that the work Raider and Shape did to save the company in 2002, that Dazz did in 2004, that we’re doing now. Eventually it all goes to shit. We may have saved the WFWF and given them… a year, tops, of success, but eventually guys like Johnny Michaels come along and things up.


EBR: Be that as it may, you need to think about something. You need to consider Calvin. This might all work for us, hell I know I can go on without you and you can definitely go on without me, but Calvin needs us.


Sean: Truthfully… All we can really do for Calvin is serve as a platform for when he does what… well, eventually he’ll have to do.


EBR: What’s that supposed to mean?


Sean: Eventually Calvin will do what Mikael did, what you did, what DGX did, hell what I did. Eventually he will feel the need to make his own name at the expense of another. Once that day comes, he will do what he has to do to accomplish that.


EBR: Are you saying that we… I shouldn’t trust Calvin?


Sean: I’m saying that when the time comes, you’ll be left with the choice to forgive him for his actions and allow him his chance to shine, or utilize his actions to benefit yourself.


EBR: And which is the right choice?


Sean: I couldn’t tell you, to be honest. All I can say is that whichever choice you make will leave you to bear with the consequences for the rest of your life.


{With his last word, the image of Alex Sean’s faint silhouette fades into complete blackness as his voice echoes throughout EBR’s ears.}

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{EBR stands on the outside of CBT’s office, straightening the collar on his light blue shirt as he lightly knocks on the door. He slowly opens it after a brief pause, quickly discovering CBT, feet on his desk, talking on the phone…

….He knew EBR was coming. EBR begins to wonder why CBT would schedule a 2:00 PM meeting and seemingly go out of his way to ignore him, but he’s never been the best at deciphering people’s actions, no matter how strange and contrived they appear to be.}

CBT: {Motioning for EBR to sit down}…Yeah, yeah…I know we have to start making budget cuts, but that would require a long, ardible process...

{Ardible. EBR knows CBT meant arduous, but either he lacks the education or political experience to know the difference. In fact, he's pretty sure ardible isn't a word, and for a brief moment EBR wonders if the person on the other line caught his mistake. In which case, either the person on the other line is too sympathetic to point it out, judging from the gleeful nature of CBT's disposition...}

CBT: {CBT Chuckles} Oh of course, of course, for sure! But hey I'm gonna have to le... well about that see...

{... Or the person on the other line has had enough experience to know how to play inexperienced promoters. EBR imagines being in that position, knowing what he knows now, and nods his head in assurance of his clear superior wisdom to that of CBT's. With that EBR sits down, beginning to notice his surroundings. It has all the obvious young promoter-isms you'd expect; a desk cut of the "finest" mahogany, at least that's what the person who sold it to CBT probably said. Along the walls are framed posters of various WFWF events, all carefully with CBT's face in the center or near-center as well as pictures of himself shaking hands with celebrities, rock stars, and famous wrestlers, perhaps to impress someone to think of him in comparison to the people he is photographed with. Various papers and memos, already signed and sealed by WFWF execs but spread about his desk to give the impression of a long, hard day in the office. Around the edge of the desk, where CBT's feet lay, there is a large, LCD monitor glowing from recent activity. Anybody who didn't know the difference between one promoter and the next would assume that this computer contains highly important and classified files, but more than likely, judging from the off-green hue it illuminates, is mostly used for computer Solitaire. It's all too familiar to EBR. He's been at that desk, maybe not the same one, but certainly one just like it. He's had the office with posters and pictures and memos on the desk. In fact, the only thing stopping EBR from calling CBT on his card game is an unspoken code between promoters to never call one's bluff on the matter, call it a matter of allowing oneself to preserve dignity.}

CBT: Yes, but maybe you're right. I think it will be worth the long and arduous process. {CBT responsively laughs} No I see entirely what you're saying, entirely.

{EBR notices his change of vocabulary; maybe he did call him on it. Or maybe CBT caught it himself during the conversation and wanted to make it seem like his grammatical error never occurred. Then again, EBR isn't even entirely sure there's actually another person on the phone in the first place. He doesn't recall hearing anything from the other line before entering the office, and doesn't recall CBT saying much before he walked in. This seems to him like a typical, shallow, power-play tactics to make wrestlers feel unimportant and insignificant; pretend to be having the "important conversation" on the phone, almost to the point of resolution. Then, once you've been there for a minute or two, wrap up with a "I'd love to talk now, but EBR is sitting here..." and leave you with the slight feeling of shame of interrupting something more important than what you have to talk about. This, however, seems too shallow for even CBT in EBR's eyes.}

CBT: Well I'd love to talk now, but EBR is sitting here and we have a meeting. Alright, thanks... yeah, bye.

{As CBT hangs up the phone, the sight of a drinking bird on the edge of his desk quickly draws EBR’s attention. This does not go unnoticed by CBT.}

CBT: You like it? It goes up and down and drinks the water!

EBR: Yeah, I’ve seen that episode of The Simpsons…

CBT: You know, this bird kind of resembles my meteoric wise to WFWF owner? It’s actually a long and interesting story.

EBR: Oh…I’d love to hear it.

{He’s lying. No one would want to.}

CBT: Well, I actually called you in for a specific reason, so maybe we can discuss it some other time?

{EBR dodged a bullet.}

CBT: Before I go on however, I feel the need to quickly address some things. First, I would like to congratulate you on what’s thus far a very impressive return. You’ve looked good out there, I’ll tell you that much. Of course, not as good as you once looked, but that comes with age doesn’t it?

EBR: I dunno, I’m only 27-

CBT: I mean, I remember watching several of your classics back in the day. Each one stole the show. You were something special.

EBR: You remember the “EBR Emporium”?

CBT: Yeah. That was a great move.

{EBR stares blankly at CBT, wanting to call him on his ignorance, but decides to continue.}

EBR:...Well then, of course you recall my epic and legendary matches with Raider, The Shape, and Frost?

CBT: Who doesn’t? Hell, I watched you vs. Raider just last week.

{It’s a struggle for EBR not to acknowledge that none of those matches occurred.}

CBT: Me and you are a lot alike, Eric..-I can call you Eric, right?

{In five years no one has ever called EBR by his real name. The fact that it’s someone he doesn’t know or like is just the icing on the cake.}

EBR: Of course.

CBT: We both strive to be the best. We both live with the chip on our shoulders, that chips that tell us to succeed over everyone else, the chips that…

{As he begins a long and monotonous speech that is now associated with CBT, EBR begins to wonder what is that truly lead him here. It was just two weeks ago. EBR and Alex Sean; the Anointed. Everything was coming into fruition. They were on their quest, their mission to improve the WFWF. To bring the WFWF back to the stability. It was simple really. First act, exposing the Total Apocalypses of the world; the men who leave and return simply for fame and the one last grasp at the success they already left. Second act, by defeating..no..humiliating the Revolutions of the world; the mediocre rookies who claim to be the best, who challenge far superior individuals. Then when push comes to shove, they get beaten in mere minutes with ease. Of course, three years ago EBR fell into both categories. But see, that was different. He was young, naïve, unaware of how the business of the WFWF works. If there was anyone to help EBR, to guide him, he would never have become the man he did. There would be no cheap shots, no cocky guarantees, no egotistical talk shows. But he learned a long time ago you can’t change the past. The reputation will always stay with you, no matter what you do from then on, good or bad. So EBR returns, not to put himself over, not for fame, not to be remembered, but to guide. But no one would listen.

From day one the Anointed was the black eye of the WFWF. Sure, maybe Alex Sean and Calvin Lee were deserving of such backlash, but how does EBR fit into that? What did he ever do wrong? Maybe he attacked Master of Destruction. But so what? No one liked Master of Destruction anyways. Well, until a group lead by Alex Sean got to him and he became the lesser of two evils. But anything can be spun around to make someone with a questionable past look bad. Do they tell you it wasn’t personal? Do they tell you he apologized? No. It’s convenient for EBR to be the bad guy. It’s what the WFWF wants him to be.}

CBT:…Regardless, that’s not why I called you in. With the sudden, and quite frankly {rolls eyes} immature departure of Alex Sean, you’ll agree that we now have some issues regarding the Tag Team Titles that you wear around your waist.

EBR: Well, I figure we could just give the second one to Calvin Lee. Logically, it’d make sense.

CBT: Actually, Reverend Shadow and I decided that the Tag Team Titles will be retired due to inactivity within the division.

EBR:…Oh.

CBT: See, the Tag Team Titles were once a glorious thing of the past. Los Hobos, Holocaust, UIA, the Masters of Execution. The list goes on. But now? The Revolution are surely rising stars, but c’mon, the Anointed? I mean this with the most respect, but it’s not exactly “must see” wrestling. Let’s put it in perspective. At Superbrawl while I was putting out a Match of the Year candidate with a member of the Hall of Fame, you and Alex were facing MOD and Total Apocalypse, rehashing old issues that really, have no place in today’s WFWF. The WFWF is about the future of wrestling. It’s about guys who have adapted to the current, fast paced style which the WFWF became. Guys like me. Now, I’m not saying there’s no place for you in the WFWF, but there’s no place for a stable like the Anointed. Alex Sean? {Taps chest} I beat him. I’m sure you understand my point.

{This said point flies over EBR’s head. What was it anyways? That the Tag Team Titles are retired? That the WFWF through its mediocre years of 2004 and 2005 were somehow better? That he can sit there and indirectly bash and mock EBR? That he beat Alex Sean? None of it’s exactly clear.}

EBR: Well, I understand what you’re saying…kind of, but why retire them now and not two weeks ago? I understand you just became the owner, but everything regarding the Tag Team division was fine. It just seems kind of, I dunno, out of the blue to scrap them with no precedent.

CBT: Well, we both know you’re only saying that because you’re a little mad that your title is getting retired. But don’t worry; I have big plans for you. Just watch Felo-De-Se. I think you can once again be a name in the WFWF, you just have to start doing things a different way. Just need to adjust. That’s not me being condescending, it’s just the truth. See, it’s not easy being owner. I have these priorities I never dreamed I…

{Who the hell is CBT to be talking shit? What the fuck has he ever done? He calls EBR in here and specifically begins talking down to him, at the same time praising him? Is this not the same guy who along with Reverend Shadow was calling the Anointed out a week ago? Nice logic, asshole. Oh, but he’s owner now. Suddenly he’s better than he used to be. Suddenly his word means more. No, it means nothing. CBT means nothing. CBT IS nothing. He sucks. His office sucks. His friends suck. His mom sucks. The name Felo-De-Se sucks. The Tag Team Titles suck. EBR doesn’t even want them; they’re worthless to him. He only took them to humble the Revolution. But it’s the principle. It’s his. Until now, apparently.}

CBT:…A great man once said, with great power comes great responsibility…

{Is he still going on? What the fuck is he even talking about? Does he just get off hearing himself speak? In two minutes he’ll bust in his pants.}

CBT:…So, you can understand where I’m coming with this, I hope?

{No response.}

CBT: Anyways, I’m a busy man, so I believe we should be wrapping up. {He stands up} I‘d like to thank you for coming…{Extends hand} And I hope there’s no hard feelings.

{Now’s EBR’s chance. Tell him how he really feels.}

EBR: Um…{Biting his tongue, figuratively}…no, of course not. {They shake hands as EBR swallows his pride and dignity} You’re just looking out for the WFWF’s best interest, I understand.

{Pussy.}

CBT: Good luck in your match tonight. You might need it; after all, Kurt Burton is a rising star. He can only go up. While you? You’re already at the top, in your own mind at least. You can only go down. I’ll see you later, Eric.

{Ungraciously, EBR is shown the door. As he walks out, he wonders how he got here. This isn’t why he came back. To be talked down to by a caricature of a man. Three years ago he would of chewed CBT’s head off; probably reduced him to tears, if not pitiful whimpers. But now? That wasn’t a meeting. That was a verbal molestation by someone less superior. The WFWF is going down the drain quicker than he thought. But what’s the point of trying to save it? Incompetence kills. The WFWF is dying. But that’s not him being condescending. That’s the truth.}