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Prolouge
Price of Doing Business

7/7/2007
WFWF Veni, Vidi, Vici
Boston, Massachusetts

"Stay professional." I sighed as I pulled up to the back entrance. "It won't be much longer."

Slamming the rest of a Red Bull, I exited my Mustang. This is the day sh*t would get very complicated in my career. I still can recall the event like it was yesterday, because honestly I'm still haunted by it as I reflect on it now. Word spread that WFWF lost what was turning into an expensive bidding war for my services, and as part of my serverance package I was required to 'work' the remainder of my contract. We'll just call it working because it's the polite way of saying collecting a paycheck, which is what I actually did.

In reality, I wanted to leave without a fuss despite garnering massive attention. It could've saved being cordial to people's sappy goodbyes, especially when I knew they would undoubtedly run me through the mud once I left. It also beat listening to an upstart go on about how a match with me would make their career. At that point I cared about everything except wrestling, yet it's still in my nature to show up for a commitment. What I remember most was feeling exhausted, but months of double bookings has a tendency to wear even the most strapping men down. I procrastinated on signing my contract simply because I didn't want to choose one or the other. All I could think about by the time the ink dried was taking a well deserved vacation and recharging. However, the eyes in Boston Garden were on me at every turn as I made my way through the hallway toward the production desk, with a tense vibe penetrating the locker room prior to heading out for my match with Thunder. It was almost like they were unsure I would do business, which was never an option.

"We're going on second?" I blurt aloud as I look at the show layout sheet. "Wow, talk about a slap to the face."

"It's because you're leaving."

My peripherals spot EBR casually leaning against the wall, reading a magazine.

"Are they trying to bury me?"

"Pretty much, that's par for the course around these parts."

"Don't they see Thunder's getting shafted in the process?" I ask, leaning up against the equipment crate. "Not to mention the damage they're doing to the title itself."

"He'll be ok." EBR retorts. "Thunder knows this is the only game in town for him, so he'll take whatever he's given and like it."

"I have a feeling there's a but coming."

"There is." He replies, flipping the page. "But I can see where you're coming from about the belt. You won it in the main event of a show, and now it's been reduced to basically a throwaway match. If I'm being real with you, I can't begin to tell you why and don't really care what their reasoning is either. I do have a theory though."

"Ok, let's hear it."

"Do you follow baseball?"

"Yeah, got season tickets for the Braves this year."

"Ok, well baseball follows the same practices as wrestling. Every major sport does." He begins. "All these promoters want to build a stacked roster and pay as little as possible for it. Look at a guy like Ramirez for the Marlins, do you think he'll actually stay with them?"

"I'd like to think there's some attachment on both parts."

"You keep thinking that." He says with a smirk. "I'm willing to bet my signing bonus he bolts the first chance he gets."

"They've got a talented team though."

"Loyalty can be bought, you've proven that."

"Touche." I concede, dipping my head slightly. "That's what it looks like, but to be fair I cut my teeth there."

"I understand that." E says with a slight chuckle. "But maybe you've outgrown them."

I'd never piss on EBR's insight because he's been around the block a lot longer than me, and a verteran of his caliber deserves that consideration. However, I do believe he's a little off in his notion that I've outgrown anything. At this point in my life, I couldn't even rent a car without someone co signing for it. It'd be downright arrogant to think my evolution has taken me above a globally televised company. I believe there's a difference between wanting to be top dog and proclaiming yourself irreplaceable.

"Listen, something similar happened with Alex and I." He states, not taking his eyes of the magazine. "We were Tag Champions last year before his contract ran out. He chose not to resign, and the titles were 'retired'."

"But they brought back the belts..."

"I know." He interrupts with a smile. "That was just to get them off us, because no one in that division was beating us."

"That why you left?"

"Yup, it told me where I stood with them."

"I'm getting a pretty good deal by comparison."

"Mhmm but you're also willing to play their games, I'm not."

"Why not stay away then?"

"Because management isn't going to learn how bad they f*cked me over unless I show them by beating the current roster." E says, finally looking up from his magazine. "I know what my value is and Alex knows his. Being a proven commodity helped me because whatever they shelled out to bring me back, I could make and then some anywhere else."

"How much did they pay you?"

"That's not important." He says, turning to face me. "What matters is you took the money, and that's not necessarily a bad thing."

I'm convinced this was E's way of helping me justify, but there's still the issue of actually going through with the job. It's something of an unwritten rule for a departing champion to drop their title on the way out, though WFWF has a history of champions going against that tradition and leaving management scrambling to pick up the pieces without a physical belt. WFWF had been good to me in lieu of the turmoil I caused behind closed doors, so I could at least do them a solid and pave the way for their next rising star. Thunder was still a ways off from reaching the pinnacle of his talent, but allegiance has a way being rewarded with opportunities. This time it was in the form of a test run with a belt that could allow him to grow and make mistakes, but also as a sign of good faith that if he continued to be a workhorse then greener pastures were in his future. I had no reservations about giving him the rub, because I was always taught to respect a company's business model even if I disagreed with it.

"So why do I feel so sh*tty about it then?"

"Because you're a good kid that carries himself with integrity. It's not your fault WFWF didn't measure up on their end."

"I guess you're right." I say, dropping my head. "So, what now?"

"I can't answer that because it's not my career." E replies, folding the magazine and stuffing it in his back pocket. "I know what I'd do if it were me in your shoes."

"What?"

"I'd make them regret not fighting harder to keep me."

****

It seems as though everything worked out after all. When I returned a year ago to the hero's welcome, I'll admit I was a bit apathetic about taking on the grind of professional wrestling again. Knowing how easily it took joy from my life, I had to learn to love it once more. But, Mr. Prodigal Son needed to re-earn his stripes and I did by throwing myself head first into the flames. Somewhere between losing to Drakz and getting my back carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey by Schneider, I decided what transpired couldn't be accepted. So I did something about it by rediscovering that passion for my craft, and the results are undeniable. Standing in the ring and going blow for blow with our sport's titans should've proved to everyone I wasn't a flash in the pan or that I lost a step. Being recognized as THE person on WFWF's roster who would succeed in 2015 merely showed what was already common knowledge, that this stage was inevitable.

The Sakura.

The Headliner.

Finally, a platform that fits the attitude I've taken into each match since my epiphany, because I've always felt anything I involve myself in is the best by comparison. So needless to say, I think I've done pretty well for myself overall. Ironically, I do think it's time to step up my game a couple notches.

See this isn't about looking ahead or giving myself congratulations, because the second I look past what's in front of me I'll slip up. No this is about Tokyo, and the chance to put two chapters in my life to rest. I've had a good career thus far, but a good career isn't good enough. I know that regardless of what I do until it's time to hang the boots up for good, in some people's eyes I'll be defined as the guy who valued money over greatness a long time ago. What those people need to understand is that I lost sight of my worth, and for the first time in my life I had to do some soul searching to realize that I'm a rare breed of athlete. Consequently I've dedicated the last half of my career to helping others discover their own grandeur by pushing them to their limit, or breaking their will completely. Both options are unavoidable in this game, and many of the young guys better commit that to memory before they end up a punchline. I vowed to raise the bar in which a WFWF wrestler measured themselves, and I don't consider that a laughing matter.

The true revolution is happening right now, and I've been at the center of it all.

SOS is only the beginning, a catalyst designed to shake this company's culture at it's very core. It's my job to take the idea of what makes an everlasting impression and show it in a different light. But in order to complete the mission I've set in motion, I must make good on this opportunity to open doors for those who have the talent to walk through them. But I digress, because talent only goes as far as the ability to harness it. I think it goes without saying that Tokyo is the most important match in mine, Bishop, and Ahriman's respective careers from completely different perspectives. The common denominator is that we're all scared of walking away empty handed. Those nervous feelings aren't going to stop anytime soon either, and I know the only way to succeed is by embracing the moment all of us are going to share. WFWF is nearing the precipice of something truly unique and needs that little boost to carry us to promised lands, where there is no doubt what company is the big leagues.

Put your faith in me, and I'll get us there.

Josh Dean Presents
Manifest Destiny

Part 1:
Crossing Boundaries
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

"Josh!" Cam says as he opens the door. "Come on in man!"

"Thanks for the invite." I say as we embrace. "You sure I'm not imposing?"

"Nope, life's been pretty standard since the baby was born."

"How's Sarah?"

"You weren't kidding when you said they grow up quick." He chuckles, motioning for me to follow him. "I swear, every time I come back from a show, I feel like she's gotten another year older."

"Which is why I'm glad the boys travel with us." I say with a wink. "I don't want to miss a thing."

"Really, you're quoting Aerosmith?"

"It seemed appropriate."

"True. Well consider this a little getaway." Cam states, opening the refrigerator before asking. "You want a beer?"

"Cam, when have you ever known me to turn down a drink?"

"Not very often." He says, tossing me a bottle of Innis and Gunn. "But with Dave's legal trouble, I figured it was better to ask."

"Yeah, I've been earning some frequent flyer miles these past couple months with the amount of trips I've made to Arizona." I assert, taking a drink of the unfamiliar ale. "Hey, this is pretty damn good."

"You've never had this brand?"

"Nope, he usually had Molson."

"And he calls himself Canadian." Cam quips, cracking his own bottle. "I'm kidding. So are you trying to talk to the judge?"

"Not just that."

Cam flashes me a confused look. While he's a good friend and avid supporter of SOS, his own family life keeps him from being completely in the loop with all of our crises. It may be better this way, because I've seen where he's willing to thrust himself into battle to defend a friend's honor. I mean he took a barbed wire kendo to the dome protecting Shawn, and I don't know a whole lot of people who would do that for little more than a thank you in this business. I may be a glutton for punishment, but Cam had the good sense to walk away from active competition with most of his health still intact.

We've been meaning to do this for a while now, just a chance to hang out and be normal people. I feel sometimes I get so caught up in being a beacon of stability for others that I neglect myself. Cam was able to see it in Miami, and honestly his comments were spot on that night regarding my mentality against Joey Raid. I fancy myself a pretty transparent guy, but I wasn't aware of how much others could see it.

"You know I paid for the girl's medical bills, right?"

"I do now."

"Yeah, it was a good thing I did." I state, taking another drink. "Dave would've fried."

"How is he?"

"Well he's serving time."

"Sh*t, how long."

"A year, and that's because she came out of the coma." I say, leaning on my elbows against the bar. "Her testimony really saved his ass because getting him to help himself was like pulling teeth."

Dr. Remke told me in so many words that Dave was going through a deep depression due to his deflating trip to Calgary. But the most unnerving part was that despite my predicting his struggles, the rate which his spiral occurred was stupifying. I took him in during the legal proceedings so he could be monitored not just in his sobriety, but also to prevent him from becoming a hazard to himself. I still think my being hard on him at the accident caused Dave to shut himself off from anyone willing to lend a hand, and even though Cam isn't caught up to speed on the details yet he can sense a bit of guilt on my part. If he only knew how much.

"She kept talking about the past haunting her."

"Interesting- go on."

"Ok, but before I do I want to know what tricks you have up your sleeve."

"The truth, Dave." I say, leaning forward. "You give us that and we'll find the angle."

"I just don't know if I want to fight this anymore."

"You can't give up, because no one else is quitting."

"You guys are just wasting your time, because this sh*t is hopeless." Dave says, lowering his head. "We're stretching at best."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because let's say she wakes up, what's to say she won't throw me under a bus."

"Because Amber knows any information on the night in question could incriminate her." Martin says, pulling a file from the police report and handing it to Dave. "Look at this photo from the aftermath."

I lean over and point at a particular section of the photo. "I know you accidentally photobombed this picture, but Martin thinks we can use it."

"Wait, is that..."

"Yeah, it's your fly unzipped and your c*ck half hanging out."

"Goddamnit!" Dave blurts out, turning the photo over. "Well, that sure as hell didn't flatter me."

"No, but it could very well break the case open."

"Yeah, by making me look impotent."

"Dude, would you rather clear your name or worry about someone talking about your junk?"

"What is it you always say Josh, image is the money maker?" Dave begins, sitting up straight in his chair for the first time since we started this meeting. "What if something like this went public?"

"The judge, jury, and D.A. are the only ones that'll see this." Martin says, reaching for the photo. "You should concern yourself with keeping your nose clean."

"Yeah, how about if one of those people decide they want to stick it to me?"

"We'd know who to narrow it down to." I say nonchalantly. "Don't you see what this proves?"

Dave's giving me a blank stare, and it's obvious he's still trying to process all of this scandalous information. I'm hoping if nothing else, this allows him reprieve from his guilty conscious. I expected Dave to assume full responsibility for the wreck, which would explain a lot about his current attitude. Even then, he doesn't know that I've been digging into Amber's life for clues.

"We have a chance to get you acquitted of the charges." Martin asserts, closing the file. "We just need to know if there's any connection to that photo."

"I'd rather ruin my life than Amber's." Dave says before slumping back into his seat. "She has a future, I don't. Hell, the company has already moved on. I mean, you're getting probably going to get a title shot now."

"Nothing's set in stone..."

"Oh come on Josh, I can see it." He interrupts. "Lila would have to be brain dead to deny you, as hot as you are right now."

"True, I have some bargaining chips." I say, taking a swig of my water. "I just need you to be patient while we sort this out."

Dave sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair. I didn't anticipate the opportunity that eventually found me, and quite frankly it would be foolish of me to stifle myself while the trial played out. It could be months, possibly years depending what each side has in store and how long they want to prolong everything. But this meeting, while tense, has proven productive in that I've made it my personal goal to avenge Dave by being a thorn in Bishop's side. Even without the heavy artillery, I will lead SOS in regaining everything stolen from us.

Cam takes a sip of his beer, taking a moment to formulate his response.

"Did you really use my catchphrase?"

"Yeah, but it fit the circumstance considering a title shot hadn't been discussed at that point."

"I want my royalties."

"Ok." I quip. "What's your going rate, fifteen, twenty percent?"

"I'll give you a pass because we're friends." He takes a drink before continuing. "Seems like Dave called it."

"As crazy as it sounds, Dave still watched the show."

"Is he having a hard time letting go?"

"Don't you think we all do?"

"Probably." He says, walking back over to the refrigerator. "At least I can still be a part of the action, even if I'm more or less a bystander."

"I reckon we have different takes on retirement."

"What's yours?"

"It ate at me, because I felt as though I didn't really give my best." I begin, cracking the cap on another beer. "When I left WFWF, I wanted to be treated like a star and did very little to warrant it. That bidding war was the worst thing that could've happened to me."

"I don't see how, in fact it's pretty cool you had two big organizations willing to pay you big money."

"Yeah, and I became entitled because of it." I say, dropping my head. "And I didn't like that person I became."

"Is that why you got so invested in this girl Amber?"

I ask myself everyday why I depleted so many of my resources for this one girl, who may or may not be playing games. Was I wrong to call in a favor with my one FBI contact and hold a twenty year old cold case over his head? Was it worth trudging through countless hours of photographs and financial records when the verdict was already predetermined?

"Yeah, I guess it was."
****

6-21-15
Banner Good Samaritan Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona

"It's really simple, just like we practiced."
"Mom, I don't feel comfortable lying to the police and a judge."

"Oh my poor, naive little girl." Janice says, stroking Amber's cheek. "You're just telling them a story."

"Yeah, the one you want me to tell." Amber says, leaning back in her bed. "I'm sorry mom, but I can't be involved in this anymore."

"Can't or won't?"

"What difference does it make?"

"Because I remember you thoroughly enjoying the perks my schemes brought."

"That is until you went too far." Amber asserts. "You're doing the same thing to Dave you did with Chad."

"Oh spare me!" Janice cries, feigning distress. "Are you telling me you've developed a soft spot...for a wrestler of all people?"

"So what if I have?"

"That's disgusting, Amber." Janice bellows, dropping her voice out of awareness. "And here I thought you had better taste in men."

"No, what's sickening is you extorting rich men and using me as bait." Amber retorts, trying to keep herself calm. "Dave did nothing wrong except get behind the wheel..."

"Let me guess, he was a complete gentleman." Janice interrupts. "Chad was too, and we saw how that went."

"That's because he got tired of you being a freeloader."

"You watch your tounge, young lady." Janice demands, shooting up from her chair. "Part of that ten million I got him went toward paying for you to go to culinary school."

"Only what you had to pay."

Now you're probably asking yourself how am I able to hear what they're saying. Some call it camouflage, I call it hiding in plain sight. It's one of the advantages of being an average build man with long hair, a prototype that's a dime a dozen. I've been camping outside Amber's room for the past hour or so after tracking Janice here. The previous conversation I had with her left me feeling like she was only looking out for number one, and Dave was a carefully selected target. The only variable I couldn't figure out was Amber, and that was largely due to her medical induced coma. It's pretty easy to see where she stands on the matter now, though it's difficult to break away from a life of hustling when someone has leverage. I know first hand that an escape attempt usually doesn't bode well. I wouldn't put it past Janice Carter to sacrifice Amber's safety even further if it meant swimming in the cash as a result, though she should know every word is being recorded. It may not be admissible, but I intend on using this damming confession to hang her ass in court.

Sometimes protecting your best interests means protecting more interests than your own.

"You ruined Chad's life, Mom." Amber declares, and I can tell her adrenaline's pumping. "When is it going to be good enough?"

"We can't afford to stop now, not with the lifestyle we're living."

"No, you can't stop."

"Well why should I watch a bunch of trust fund brats running around and blowing their inheritance while I struggle to put food on the table?"

"That sounds really good, except we were never poor."

"You're welcome..."

"Of course you want thanks." Amber interrupts. "But I'm the one in the hospital because of your latest stunt."

"I told you to cause a minor fender bender, not completely total the vehicle."

"I didn't want to do it in the first place."

"Still didn't stop you from blowing him." Janice leans in very close, putting her hand on Amber's cheek. "Now I didn't make those connections with Lila Sleater to get information on the Saviors of Salvation's whereabouts just so you could f*ck it up by falling in love with him."

"It's my life, and if I want to see Dave I will."

"I hope you can keep your legs closed for that long, because your new boy toy is going to rot." She says, comfortably leaning back in her chair. "I'll see to it, and I'll make sure Josh Dean loses everything too. You're not going to disgrace me by becoming a wrestling groupie like Bethany."

"Is that so?" I finally interject before stepping in the doorway. "Now Janice, let's not say things we can't take back."

Janice turns to face me, trying to hide the flabbergasted look painted on her face.

"Hello Mr. Dean, to what do we owe this obnoxious invasion of privacy?"

"It's not very private when everyone within earshot can hear you bragging about getting one over on the police." I say, taking a step inside the room before turning my attention to Amber and asking. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore."

"I bet." I chuckle. "You know, there's a lot of people back east worried about you."

"Really?"

"Absolutely, for the right reasons too."

"I don't know what to say...."

"I do, how about get out." Janice interrupts with a scowl on her face that could burn through lead. "You can see she's ok, so there's no reason to drag her through all these painful memories again."

"I'm sorry, I'm doing what?"

"You're trying to butter her up and make me out to be the bad guy..."

"I don't have to make you look bad." I say, keeping my hands in my pockets. "You've done enough of that on your own."

I pause, taking another step toward Amber's bed. Janice is fuming at this point, and I can't tell if her vitriol is because of my presence or the fact she got caught. It's not my problem either, because I'm legitimately happy to see Amber pull through. Now if I could just get Janice out of the room, Amber and I can clear up a couple of details about that night. I'm sure it's been made known that Dave's only shot of a reduced sentence resides with her. I can harvest at least a sliver of hope however, based on what I heard earlier. Maybe Amber wants to have a life that isn't surrounded by collusion, and I could be just what she needs to achieve it.

"Tell me something Amber, when's the last time someone asked you what you wanted?

"You don't have to answer that..."

"Actually I do." Amber interrupts, glancing at her mother. "To be honest, I don't remember."

"I'm here to remind you that you're selling yourself short if you keep being your mother's looks."

"Hey!"

"What?" I shot out before turning to address both women. "You know it's true. Cosmetic surgery can't keep up with time."

"When I said we'd see each other again, Mr. Dean, I was hoping that you'd be a little more polite."

"Then I apologize for not showing my southern charm." I quip, rolling my eyes. "I don't play nicely with people who set out to destroy me."

"That was taken out of context."

"How stupid do you think I am, Janice?" I ask, shuffling around in my pocket. "Because insulting my intelligence just gives me more incentive to watch you burn."

"Mom, he's got you beat." Amber says, crossing her arms. "Mr. Dean..."

"Call me Josh."

"Josh, I want to thank you for all your help. Maybe we'll get to chat more in depth once I'm released."

"Looking forward to it."

"Could you tell Dave that I never meant for this to happen."

"Done."
****

I never liked snakes.

Now don't get me wrong, they obviously serve a purpose in eliminating rodents and other vermin. That makes them very dangerous, if history and science hasn't already taught us that. Let's look at the factors.

The Garden of Eden. No, that'll just give you a sense of pride, being compared to the same serpent that started the fall of man. I'll never confuse you for being the most eloquent speaker, which is pretty evident considering the brass couldn't wait to get you out of the commentary booth. But you've got the lying part down pat though, I'll give you that Sam. Because see, you've managed to convince one person that you have a chance of walking out of Tokyo with more than an a well deserved ass kicking. One person is all it takes to start a revolt against everything SOS has built since our inception.

It's too bad it's just you.

And maybe that's way you want it, this whole going into business for yourself kick you're on. I applaud you for taking matters into your own hands Sam, but it still doesn't change the fact that you can't beat me in a high pressure situation. You're not equipped to handle it, but I look to remedy that. See, I can help you rise above what you are. Because despite being second rate at pretty much everything you've ever done in your life, I think you can do better. How you got in this title match shows me that you know you want better. Since you keep coming back for more, you must be down for playing the long game.

This is going to take some patience, something I have in droves. I waited seven years to come back to WFWF, so what's it going to hurt beating up on you one more time? This time Sam, I'm going to make you regret bringing your bullsh*t to my door. I know you look at me and you see your ticket up the card, but understand that I'm the wrong pets to try and make a name off. That was what I wanted to show Daniel Kirkbride, and you stole that opportunity from me. You took closure from my mind, and now I won't rest until you're forced to lie awake at night with a belly full of unfinished business. I want it to eat at you like it has me. I want you to look on helplessly as I reign supreme in front of eighty thousand plus, and go on to the only main event worthy of our fan base.

I want you to make realize that you f*cked up when you went after my family.

Because like any snake Sam, you change your skin to cover your needs. But I've been watching you like I have everyone else, and this tour de force you've been on doesn't fit how a guy like you operates. It's too desperate for someone as 'cunning' as you. Consequently, you've uncoiled and used up all your venom to kill one in the process. You should've kept playing the lackey Sam, maybe take a page from Bishop's book. It would've saved you a lot of trouble. By instead your ego has gotten in the way of your safe haven, and I'm going to show you just how are unprepared you are for an athlete of my caliber. Zmey's not there to bail you out when your arm gets snapped by a man who has a date with our mustache twiddling champion looming.

So thanks, you just made my job easier.
****
Part 2: Family Matters
McGurk Residence
Phoenix, Arizona
6-23-2015

"I have to say, I'm impressed with the man you've become Josh."

"I appreciate it." I say as Vanessa hands me a glass of lemonade. "I had a lot of growing up to do."

"I'm sorry we couldn't come to your wedding."

"Don't sweat it, I know you were busy." I say, taking a sip of my lemonade. "Nikki loves the China set you got us for a wedding gift."

"So how long has it been, two...three years now?"

"Something like that."

"That's far too long." Vanessa says, curling up on the sofa. "Besides, I want to see the baby!"

"You will, just be ready for a three foot tornado."

"I remember when Scarlet was that young." She says with a tearful eye. "Now she's all grown up and in another continent."

"Is she happy?"

"I think she's getting there."

"Hey, that's a start."

"Scarlet needed to get away, from the states." She sighs. "From us."

"She knows you're only a phone call away." I say, sitting my glass down on the end table. "That'll never change."

"You finally understand now."

"Yeah, I do." I assert, crossing my feet. "It's getting Big Daddy to come to terms with it."

"You know Wayne, he's set in his ways."

"It's not a matter of refusing to change, Vanessa."

"What is it then?"

"Flat out denial."

Vannesa's eyebrows perk up. It's as shocking to her hearing it as it me saying it. I've always envisioned Vanessa as the voice of reason when Wayne would go into his shell, but what happened with Penny and Scarlet devastated both of them. I'm hoping that a visit will ease some of the tension between the two of them, a sign of good will on my end. There's still a lot of hostility involved, especially with Wayne and I pray Vanessa can act as a buffer. He's always been overprotective of Scarlet, unfortunately a teenager has to come of age eventually. I'm already starting to see it with Drake.

"Can you blame Wayne though?"

"As a fellow parent, no." I say, running my fingers through my hair. "As a colleague, you have to admit he didn't do her any favors."

"When Scarlet won the title, Wayne was so worried that she wasn't ready to carry the company that he couldn't get out of her way." Vanessa says with a slight cough. "And I don't have the heart to tell him he was wrong, even if it came from a good place."

"Maybe it should come from someone who's had a little distance."

"Are you suggesting that you do it?"

"I've never slighted you guys, so I'm as good of a choice as any."

"I agree he needs to get past this, but I know you're going to have a hell of a time."

"I've been in worse negotiations." I quip. "I did business with Ben Vega."

"He take you to a strip club?"

"Yeah, a cheap one at that."

"That means he likes you."

"Well Penny didn't." I say before taking a big drink of my lemonade. "I still think it's the only reason she signed with me."

"That can't be the only reason."

"Probably not, but it didn't make things peachy when I told her I was coming here."

"I don't want to see you fighting with Penny."

"Well I can't live with myself if I don't try." I say, scratching my beard. "You guys mean too much."

Penny was mad as a hornet's nest when I told her my intentions to talk to the McGurks. We had just got back on the road after our pit stop at Raven's. I honestly didn't expect to see her sprawled out on the couch, but at seven o'clock in the morning you catch what sleep you can. It probably helped that we bought among the highest grade weed either of us have ever smoked. She's none the wiser that what was supposed to be a twenty minute detour turned into an hour. But that's another story.

We've talked about trying to mend fences, but I never put anything to action until recently. It's probably a good thing I didn't carry my gun on the trip to Cincinnati, otherwise Penny would've shot me.

"Almost done."

"Yes!" I exclaim, looking out the side mirror to merge into traffic. "This'll get us wanting something to eat within the next hour."

"Why didn't we just stop before we got on the road."

"Making up for lost time. We spent too long at Raven's."

"You know, I like her." Penny says as she lights up the blunt. "I think I'm going to start going through her."

"She'll never f*ck you over." I say as Penny passes me the blunt. "I know that for a fact."

"How?"

"Because we go way back."

That's a bit of an understatement, but I'm not going to divulge into that can of worms just yet. I am glad they hit it off, because it saves me from flirting with temptation nearly every time I go to reup. That in itself is a little bittersweet because I do care for Raven, but I made a vow to Nikki that I plan on keeping. Penny doesn't seem to mind doing that end of business, so why not let her?

I pass the blunt back to Penny and she lay her head on the headrest before asking. "So did you ever tap that?"

"Really, we're going to talk about my sex life now?"

"Better than always talking about mine." She says with a giggle. "You and Nikki seem like you're pretty conservative in bed."

"We stay satisfied if that's what you're implying."

"I mean in your wild days." Penny says as she passes me the blunt. "C'mon, I know you had them."

"I did, a long time ago."

"You mean to tell me that you and her never did the horizontal swirl?"

"I have a list, and I'm not going to tell you who's on it."

"My bad dude." She says, hanging her head and closing her eyes. "I didn't mean to make it awkward."

"I'm cool, you just came a bit out of left field."

"We're just two dudes talking."

"You're a girl though."

"Who likes girls, or were you not privy to that information?"

"No, I'm well aware." I say with a smirk. "There's no need to bring some skeletons out."

"Well if you didn't, you should've." Penny says, taking a big toke. "If I had your d*ck I would've."

"Nice to know it'd be safe in your possession."

"Anytime." Penny says, passing me the blunt. "So how's Dave's girl?"

"Doc said that she should start turning a corner soon." I say, hitting the blunt and sliding it between my fingers. "I couldn't fully pay attention because I got a phone call."

"Anyone I know?"

"Yeah." I reply before handing the blunt to her. "Vanessa McGurk."

Penny goes into a coughing frenzy, nearly fumbling the blunt as she looks at me and shrieks. "What!"

"Yeah, I'm supposed to go see them during my trip to Phoenix next week."

"Why?"

"Just to catch up, maybe talk about Scarlet." I reply with a sigh. "And you."

"Josh don't..."

"Penny this is getting f*cking ridiculous!" I assert, hitting the blunt once it's passed. "You two were best friends, and now you're too scared to fix it because Wayne might have a b*tch fit."

"The man acts like I'm dead to him."

"Maybe, but I'm not." I calmly pass the blunt over to Penny, who needs it way more than I do at this moment . "He'll listen because I can relate to him now."

I had to explain my case to Penny to ease her mind. I think having among the highest quality weed either of us have ever smoked helped. Vanessa agrees with my stance as she just nods her head along with my story. We both are cognizant enough to comprehend who really needs to communicate here, and I pray she can act as a peacemaker in the event sh*t gets out of control. Wayne can become emotional and isolate himself in his little bubble at the mere mention of Scarlet. I hope she can still work the magic, because I can't pull a miracle off by myself.

"You know as well as I do it's our only option."

"Well you're going to get your chance." She says as the garage door opens and Wayne enters. "Hey, Josh just got here."

"Wayne!" I say before shaking hands with my old mentor. "Let's talk."
****

You know, I've always felt a certain... ownership for the International Title. I know that has to sound asinine, considering it's been over eight years since I've held that title. My reign as champion, all thirty four days of it, was nothing impressive to say the least except for the meteoric rise I was on in route to capturing it from CBT. No successful defenses and truth told, that alone would make it largely forgettable, right? Well if you think that, there might be some validity to your point. That's why I've always thought of Daniel Kirkbride as sort of kindred spirit in more ways than just our faith. I look at this kid and I see the same rise up the card, even the same stumbling blocks along the way. I've taken a great interest in Daniel, mostly because over the past year we've split a head to head series one apiece. I've gained a lot of respect for him due to his talent, tenacity, and fighting spirit.

Until he dropped me on my face in front of my hometown.

Now I have this urge to knock him down a couple pegs. Sadly, that'll never happen.

Realistically, that's who this match was supposed to come down to. Sure you and Sam are involved Joe Joe, but you know as well as I do you don't have the talent or determination to be anything other than what you currently are. So you need to take your mind off him for a minute and finally listen to someone who actually cares, because what awaits you in Tokyo is tough love. You were destined for greater things Joe Joe, brighter lights, bigger paychecks, all the things you suddenly want which in its own right is a bit strange. But I digress, because it's about damn time you joined the party. There's only so long you can fly under the radar before someone eventually takes notice. But the way this match is designed means one of us will walk away with a mere consolation prize.

It won't be me, simply because I have fate and momentum at my side.

But let's look into that for a second, because I"m getting bored of pointing out your bad habits. You have no interest in correcting them, so why should I really bother?

I care because it could've easily been you in this position Joe Joe. In fact, when you won the title I thought the same thing everyone else did, that you were finally going to be the guy who held the World Heavyweight Title above his head at Battleground. What should've been a natural fit never came to fruition because somewhere along the way you stopped trying. You became Yukio Blaze, and we both know what I did in response to his lack of motivation when I left him face down and nearly decapitated. Well I'm afraid history's fixing to repeat itself Joe Joe, as if I didn't already have motivation. But look no further than Dave Demento for the reason why I'm going to send you home empty handed.

See Joe Joe, I hold two people directly responsible for his incarceration and you just happen to be one of them. With all this talk of revolution, you went against your own gospel to save your title reign by coercing Lila to save her job with this move. And as a result of the stipulation and Dave's own tunnel vision, you cost me my hard earned title because he was more worried about finishing what you started. Now I'm going to avenge my brother by costing you what you hold dear.

That's called a receipt because you have to pay for your sins. There's no other way for this to go.

This is bad news for your apathy, Joe Joe. I have two falls and a massive stage available in order to make you regret your decisions. And I'm going to take my time with it, demoralizing you every step of the way before costing you the last chance you're going to have at fulfilling those people's prophesies. If you come back at all after all this, you're never going to have the same confidence again.

And that my friend is irrevocable damage, courtesy of The Architect.

You're nothing more to me than a speed bump in the way of achieving WHAT I KNOW I'M CAPABLE OF! I came back for nothing less than excellence and I have a nasty tendancy to get what I want. I look around at this company's layout, the foundation is weak and in dire need of an overhaul. I will rectify the situation, even if it means setting the roof on fire and sending the whole thing crashing down on your head.

I'll do it if that's what it takes.

Failure is not an option to me.

And you'll fall into obscurity where you belong in front of eighty thousand people. Then you'll be forced to wonder how you can recover when everything goes wrong.

Too bad you'll have no choice but to figure it out.