Post by David Troy on Oct 16, 2022 2:43:50 GMT
“How many stories talk about some kind of paradise, with streets paved in gold?”
Cold open.
David Troy greets us, hunched over and sitting on a locker room bench. He looks like he’s just finished a workout; tired, but smiling, his body coated in sweat.
“That’s all I could think about going into Golden Road; that long march into Pollo Road’s biggest show to date, that quest to crown the first-ever World’s Cruiserweight Champion. And as I prepare for the road ahead, all I can think about is the faces awaiting me in that ring.”
A deep breath.
“Reo Ojima.
“MEZA.
“Takashi Shinobu.
“And the World’s Cruiserweight Championship.”
David stretches his arms, the sweat on his body giving some shine to the assorted tattoos on it.
“The road here was long and winding. And the destination isn’t any easier. But that prize at the end? Makes it all worth it. Not just that gold, but also the satisfaction of facing down the biggest and brightest names in this company…
“…and winning.”
David smirks as he balls his fists for us all to see.
“Takashi Shinobu. Last month, you and I went down to the wire. Saved by the bell, as it were, our battle was cut short only by the clock. But because of that, we both walk the Golden Road. You and I fought valiantly, and we somehow both walked out with our hands raised.”
The Fox Among the Lions shakes his head.
“We won’t share that same fate this time. Not when the name of the game is survival. Only one man can walk out of that ring in Minneapolis with the gold, and to do so they have to survive the onslaught of three others. Do you have what it takes to survive, Takashi?
“How about you, MEZA? I’ve been watching you since this iteration of Pollo started, and I’ve seen you show the world just what a menacing presence you are in that ring. Pure aggression made flesh, the last guy you wanna be caught in his sights with nowhere to go.”
A grin and a derisive chuckle.
“I’ve heard THAT story many times. Many forces of nature have decided I was in their way, and they all were neutralized. Not always with ease, but in the end, I was the one left standing. Don’t get me wrong, MEZA; you’re strong and tough. A real force of nature. And if you were able to beeline right into me, I’d be toast!
“But I know how to not let that happen. And I know how to trip you up and set you up for a beatdown. And that’s why I’m not afraid of you. Or Shinobu. And ESPECIALLY not the Final Boss himself.”
A pause.
“Reo Ojima. One of the most experienced guys in the game. A man who eats, sleeps, BREATHES this sport and has for longer than a lot of guys today have been ALIVE. And frankly, I think he’s the most dangerous of my three opponents at Golden Road; he and I are a lot alike.
“We’ve been around that ring for years. Learned a lot of lessons in and out of it, and now we’re at the point where those lessons are more powerful tools for us than any muscles. There’s a name in the biz for old-timers like Reo and me; they call us ‘maestros.’ We wrestle with guile. We’re not the prime athletes we once were, so we count on strategy, cunning, and sheer guts. I might fight a little more fairly these days, and Reo is way more ruthless, but other than that? We’re not much different.”
David rises to his feet.
“Everyone in this match is a threat and a challenge. We’re all heavy hitters in one way or another, and there’s no doubt the first man to raise that title will be worthy. But if I had to put my money on the biggest threat, it would be Reo. So I’m not going to take any of you lightly. Not knowing the road we all took, that brought us to Minneapolis.
“Only one of us can be crowned champion in Minneapolis; and let’s just say?”
He chuckles one more time.
“It won’t be the first time that happens to me.
“See you there, boys.”
David Troy smiles as he walks away from the frame.
Cut.
Cold open.
David Troy greets us, hunched over and sitting on a locker room bench. He looks like he’s just finished a workout; tired, but smiling, his body coated in sweat.
“That’s all I could think about going into Golden Road; that long march into Pollo Road’s biggest show to date, that quest to crown the first-ever World’s Cruiserweight Champion. And as I prepare for the road ahead, all I can think about is the faces awaiting me in that ring.”
A deep breath.
“Reo Ojima.
“MEZA.
“Takashi Shinobu.
“And the World’s Cruiserweight Championship.”
David stretches his arms, the sweat on his body giving some shine to the assorted tattoos on it.
“The road here was long and winding. And the destination isn’t any easier. But that prize at the end? Makes it all worth it. Not just that gold, but also the satisfaction of facing down the biggest and brightest names in this company…
“…and winning.”
David smirks as he balls his fists for us all to see.
“Takashi Shinobu. Last month, you and I went down to the wire. Saved by the bell, as it were, our battle was cut short only by the clock. But because of that, we both walk the Golden Road. You and I fought valiantly, and we somehow both walked out with our hands raised.”
The Fox Among the Lions shakes his head.
“We won’t share that same fate this time. Not when the name of the game is survival. Only one man can walk out of that ring in Minneapolis with the gold, and to do so they have to survive the onslaught of three others. Do you have what it takes to survive, Takashi?
“How about you, MEZA? I’ve been watching you since this iteration of Pollo started, and I’ve seen you show the world just what a menacing presence you are in that ring. Pure aggression made flesh, the last guy you wanna be caught in his sights with nowhere to go.”
A grin and a derisive chuckle.
“I’ve heard THAT story many times. Many forces of nature have decided I was in their way, and they all were neutralized. Not always with ease, but in the end, I was the one left standing. Don’t get me wrong, MEZA; you’re strong and tough. A real force of nature. And if you were able to beeline right into me, I’d be toast!
“But I know how to not let that happen. And I know how to trip you up and set you up for a beatdown. And that’s why I’m not afraid of you. Or Shinobu. And ESPECIALLY not the Final Boss himself.”
A pause.
“Reo Ojima. One of the most experienced guys in the game. A man who eats, sleeps, BREATHES this sport and has for longer than a lot of guys today have been ALIVE. And frankly, I think he’s the most dangerous of my three opponents at Golden Road; he and I are a lot alike.
“We’ve been around that ring for years. Learned a lot of lessons in and out of it, and now we’re at the point where those lessons are more powerful tools for us than any muscles. There’s a name in the biz for old-timers like Reo and me; they call us ‘maestros.’ We wrestle with guile. We’re not the prime athletes we once were, so we count on strategy, cunning, and sheer guts. I might fight a little more fairly these days, and Reo is way more ruthless, but other than that? We’re not much different.”
David rises to his feet.
“Everyone in this match is a threat and a challenge. We’re all heavy hitters in one way or another, and there’s no doubt the first man to raise that title will be worthy. But if I had to put my money on the biggest threat, it would be Reo. So I’m not going to take any of you lightly. Not knowing the road we all took, that brought us to Minneapolis.
“Only one of us can be crowned champion in Minneapolis; and let’s just say?”
He chuckles one more time.
“It won’t be the first time that happens to me.
“See you there, boys.”
David Troy smiles as he walks away from the frame.
Cut.