Break it down.
[OORP: Tact's buzzer beater reply.]
FADE IN: within the Cactus Rose Steakhouse, part of the Doubletree Hotel Tuscon at Reid Park. Golden colored walls provide a vibrance to the dining rooms; while green plates, black-framed pictures, and other wall decorations, as well as strategically placed plants in the rooms, contribute a more subdued and simplistic touch.
CUTTO: one of the dining tables, with an arched opening behind it, and a cactus hugging one side. Instead of seats at this table, there is a cushioned bench that allows for seating on two sides, one of which the camera is filming from. Leaning back on the back cushions of the other side, dressed in a ribbed black Kenneth Cole shirt, Mark Nason boots, and Guess Cliff jeans, is Larry Tact. All that remains of a freshly decimated dinner are on a plate in front of him, which isn't much more than steak juices. Tact's olive green eyes gleam in the dim lights of the restaurant, and a small grin accompanies him.
LARRY TACT: "It's been a longer week than I'd expected, and I'm not just talking about all the senseless banter of The First. It's unfortunate that I wasn't around to amuse myself with brushing off his petty remarks, given how easily First sets himself up for a fall..."
"While I was in town, I figured on taking up on an invite to guest speak at a Diversity Gala event in the area. I should have known better to go to one in Tuscon, though, considering it's proximity to the border. It basically boils down to two facts: the immigrants around here are fresh from their 'homeland,' so I guess general hygiene and healthy living practices aren't something they've picked up on yet. As a result, my second point... they bring along diseases festering in them."
"Here's a little 'Did You Know?' Around these parts of the country, you can throw a suit on some of these immigrant kids, instruct them on the right things to say to some panel, and BAM! Free money for your school, courtesy of the DoE wanting to promote 'diversity' for higher education!"
"Unfortunately, I guess they didn't bother to make sure their parents got their shots, because I woke up the next morning... well, you saw that spot of mine Edmunds 'stepped in' for. Yeah... H1N1 is a b**ch..."
"And here I thought coming here for Aggression wouldn't be as bad as the one in Mississippi... was THAT ever a mistake. I'm still not sure why Troy has us cater to these infested cesspools that have passed for States."
He frowns, momentarily recalling with visible disgust, then shakes his head of it.
"Of course, Edmunds stepped in and took up the mantle, further exemplifying how Anthology is going to take First and his HOPE, and kick it like Devin Barclay did that 39-yarder for OSU in OT... and quell their attempt at treading on Anthology's turf."
He looks down at the barren plate on the table.
"And thanks to some extensive massage therapy, spa treatments, a few 22oz. Porter House steaks... and, uh, that nasal vaccine, or whatever... I'm feeling back to full health and wellness. Oh and Ms. Troy, EPW offices should expect the bill in a couple days' time...."
He looks back up, smirking.
"Reasonably speaking, though... that bout of flu was about the only hope that HOPE had in this match. It's passed just like First's chances of victory. Edmunds summed it up pretty well; you're just delusional if you think you can come in here and dictate to Anthology what you plan on doing. You may have stolen the Intercontinental title from us, unfair enough. I'll credit you for picking the match that would see Jared and I unable to assist, considering we were going over what we later dealt out to Jungle Storm. I can't say I wouldn't have picked that exact same point to make a splash."
"Problem is, you suffer from a chronic case of mediocrity. Shawn Hart has the title, but what did he really DO to get it?"
"Nothing Anthology can't do to RECLAIM it."
"Not that we'll even have to make the odds so lopsided to get the job done."
"The only way Cameron Cruise won't get his title rematch is if Anthology decides to set our sights elsewhere... and make no mistake, that only means higher. It's all a matter of timing, though, and that time will come on OUR terms, and no one else's."
"Edmunds humored you with talk about who's beaten who and deserves what as a result, First, but the fact of the matter is this..."
"Your delusions have culminated in an asinine 'mission' to rid EPW of Anthology, which isn't going to happen until we've met our agenda. When I say no one dictates to us, that certainly includes those who can't make a career for themselves, and resort to surrounding themselves with others who might do it for them. Right now, you seem to top that list, First."
"HOPE doesn't stand for any cause that would bring that word to mind. It's members haven't 'banded together'-- and I use that term in the LOOSEST sense possible-- for unselfish reasons."
"You have all come together because, while you may have found a win here or there against us... SOMEHOW that hasn't caused us to implode. SOMEHOW... Anthology moves on and wins the next one. I know it must be utterly mindbending to you, First... but Anthology can suffer a defeat, and still come back strong."
"Because just as we've always said... Anthology doesn't exist solely to win matches and take Championships. Anthology doesn't exist for selfish reasons. We've come together for a greater cause. Our perspective is big picture."
"Don't tire yourself trying to wrap your head around that one though, First. You already know what's most important... the reason HOPE truly exists...."
"Despite your small success against us, the fact is that NONE of you... not Layne Winters, Anarky, Shawn Hart, or yourself... NONE of you can HANDLE Anthology. Win or lose individually, we still stand strong. We still continue our cause. And we prove your statements that you'll rid us wrong... an enduring humiliation that you can't accept and turn away from."
"And so, you needed some HOPE for your losing battle."
He chuckles.
"But as far as saying HOPE was here for EPW... I don't think you could have picked a more HYPOCRITICAL name."
He shrugs.
"But whether you've won against us on your own or not... whether you're lying to the fans or not... I'm not going to try convincing you otherwise. Believe me, between taking medication and vomiting in toilets for the past week, I've had PLENTY of time to dissect what you've said."
Looks away.
"Come to think of it, maybe listening to your spots only forced my stomach back into convulsions, and me back to the toilet..."
Shakes head, turning back to us.
"Either way, after listening to you all week, thinking over what you'd said, it still didn't hit me. For Anthology... why should we even give HOPE the time? What have you done to earn our attention?"
"Because you managed to steal the IC strap from us? No... that only shows how easily and willingly you come to play on OUR level... on Anthology's terms. And given what we've done in EPW already, you can bet you'll lose that game in the end."
"HOPE lacks its own identity. You've got no reason for existing other than the humiliation of failing to break up Anthology, and the unwillingness to humble yourself, accept your losses, and EARN a place in EPW. Sorry if you thought you'd get some long-lasting free ride to the top, First."
"But since you're in our way at Aggression, Anthology WILL help you along. We'll humble you and, this time... maybe you'll actually accept it and try to move on."
"I won't HOPE for it, though."
He calls for the check. FADE OUT.
FADE IN: outside the Cactus Steakhouse dining room, where there's a patio on which patrons may dine or lounge. Tact walks along the patio; one of his hands holding his half of the EPW World Tag Team Championship.
"Don't think I forgot about you, Fusenshoff. It's just that this match IS supposed to be the showcase of HOPE versus Anthology. Like I said before... you're just a bit player here... one that First and Ms. Troy fully intend on using to take a few extra shots at Anthology."
"I warned you not to lose your perspective. I told you I wanted you to show for the match, so long as it was for the right reason. When it comes down to it, though... I guess you don't mind being USED by others."
"You just went through dealing with Stalker tugging you around by the jock. At Russian Roulette, you finally rid yourself of the nuisance. And now, the very next show... you're going to buy into what First is talking about, and let yourself be jerked around again?"
"Are you sh***ing me?"
"What is it about being in these situations, Fuse? Do you LIKE it? Do you take some sort of enjoyment listening to people who don't have a clue, ranting about nonsensicle 'missions' and sh**? Stalker was no different than First..."
"Actually, that's not true. Reeves didn't care about winning matches, and he was a lot more brutal. Hell... maybe you were better off with him!"
He laughs.
"Honestly, Fuse... you may be a drunk, but you've still got more talent than First. Once upon a time, you were even on your way. You had the EPW Television Championship, and were considered a force that would have been able to go toe-to-toe with the top of the card."
"You would have had a place in the Main Event."
"Now?"
He shrugs.
"You're aligning with a guy who's already said his whole line of thought for forming his little group is due to Anthology... due to Cruise and Copycat humiliating him, and what was said in the aftermath of that humiliation."
"Beyond that, you're teaming with someone who leads a wholeheartedly greed-filled group. It's true they're quite the opposite of what Anthology stands to accomplish. We want to put down the people who degenerate this industry we love; walking around here like they own the ring, when they haven't earned a damn thing."
"You lower yourself by going along with the likes of the First."
He shakes his head.
"Having listened to what he believes, there's NO WAY I'd underestimate the First, because he fits the target profile to a tee..."
"Except First and the rest of HOPE haven't really done anything we haven't been able to handle and move on to further success from. So why, then, should we allow HOPE to somehow break our momentum? We've got a plan and it's worked for us to this point. Don't fix what isn't broken, especially when it's being suggested by a bunch of false prophets parading around their hypocrisy."
"The Intercontinental Championship was something that afforded us further control, but whoever says HOPE has taken our influence is dead wrong."
He pats his World Tag strap.
"We still have influence, and the gold that speaks to the masses. That will be maintained, or extended further. Jared and I beat the toughest of Anthology's adversaries at Russian Roulette. We've defended the tag straps and have a right to say we're two of EPWs best. Your only dispute to that would be saying, "They're just tag titles." Of course, that's an ignorance Anthology has to continue working to dispel, but in the ring you'll see how quickly that train of thought derails."
"It's comical how people keep deeming me somehow 'lower' than Cameron Cruise, or Copycat, or Wells, or Edmunds. Everyone jumps to criticize Anthology, but nobody can control themselves enough to listen, despite the fact we've largely had success, and it's gotten us control."
"We may not have all come together at the same time, but none of us is higher than another."
"We've divided and conquered, and will continue to do so, because we bring a selfless formula to a promotion, EPW, filled with predominantly selfish egos."
"And you've gone from Champion and force... to just another selfish ego in the fold, Fusenshoff."
He stops, coming to the pool outside the Doubletree. He sits on the diving board, swinging a leg over it so one is on either side, and lays the World Tag strap over it.
"Do you know why I agreed to stake Anthology's claim in the World Tag division with Wells, Fuse? Of course you don't, so listen up and maybe learn something."
"It's because I knew the Tag division was in shambles, and needed redemption. Yeah, the Forsaken held the tag belts for some time before Anthology arrived. Long title reigns aren't always a good thing, though. By the time we took the belts from them, the division was beat up and depleted, like some overf**ked p***sy."
"Not because the Forsaken had run through the division and proved their dominance... because they corrupted it and the World Tag Championship. Who wants to vie for a meaningless belt?"
"But Wells and I, we've been to the top already. We've been knocked off the top, too, and y'know what? Three days later you MIGHT have found us BACK on top again, like some religious revelation..."
"Not that I'm making comparions."
He winks, chuckling.
"In all seriousness, though, we've taken the lead, been on top of the mountain. We're no strangers to success. So when Anthology needed two to take the World Tag titles, that DIVISION.... and make it MEAN something again? To pump some life into it? Jared and I stepped up and said, "We got this..." because, we knew how to get it done."
The World Tag belt shimmers off the pool lights as he takes it in hand, holding it face-out to us.
"And now? We even provoked Dan Ryan and Big Dog out for a night to get us. Would they have given them a second thought six months ago? Did they show up back then?"
"Say what you want about Anthology, but we're bringing back some lost life to EPW, and there's no use denying what's right there in your face. It'll only cost you in the end."
He slings the belt over his shoulder.
"Here's the thing though, Fuse. Whether I think you're ignorant or not... worthy of the Main Event or not... wasting your talent or not.... you're still in this Main Event. You'll still BE in the ring with Anthology and First, at Aggression. And don't think we've overlooked THAT... for one second."
"I'm fully aware of what's in my face, and this week it's you and First. Thing is, I'd very much like to get you OUT of my face, so you're going to be getting plenty of my attention this match."
"Because my method of getting people out of my face?"
"Put them ON THE MAT... and down for the count of three. So I HOPE... you prepared as much as you bantered this week, First... Fuse. Otherwise, this won't even be a contest. It'll be a clinic... and you won't be long for... a tactful surrender."
"Either way, at Aggression, you'll both find your way... to an ANTHOLOGY state of mind."
"And you WILL.... BE... TACTILIZED!"
He stands up, smirks, and walks back towards the Doubletree.