AGGRESSION 65: TV TITLE MATCH: Rich Mahogany (c) vs. Larry Tact
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Starbreaker
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Holding Steady.
FADE IN.
(We are inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Every disappointed Indiana Pacer fan has long-since vacated the premises, after enduring the second consecutive loss of a home-and-home versus the re-revitalized New York Knicks. The arena cleanup crew-- doing the real dirty work, and undoubtably receiving some of the least recognition for it-- has got noticeably more trash to pick up after this one. They take it like Champs, though, going about their jobs and milling about the stands.
One connected fan has been granted access to remain in the stands. But rather than being a disheartened Pacers' fan, he is a reveling Knicks die-hard. The #2 Jared Jeffries jersey would probably hint at that. He has a white t-shirt under the blue, with orange-and-black trim, road jersey and blue jeans. His golden blonde hair is mostly covered by a Knicks wool hat. A London Fog raincoat rounds out the ensemble.
Larry Tact sits in Section 16, mid-court seats, looking up at the scoreboard that still reads, "Knicks 102, Pacers 88." He gives a nod and rests his arms on his lap.)
LARRY TACT: "What tests the mettle of men? Where do we find out what makes us successes, or failures? How accurate are the day-to-day gauges... the short-term analyses... the straw polls? And when does the bigger picture finally overtake those snapshot evaluations, when we live in a society that constantly needs instant gratification and immediate results?"
"The New York Knicks have been a roller coaster franchise this season. But before their appearance in the Playoffs last season, it had been near a decade since they've held any solid relevance in the Association. Even this season, they've been considered anything from a fringe contender to go deep in the Playoffs, to a traveling disaster that was spiraling out of the Playoffs and closer to extra draft lottery entries."
"In New York, there has been 'MELOdrama' that started things... followed by the streak of 'Seven Deadly LINS' of 'LINsanity'... then another plunge and resignation. Now we're back trending up on the coaster, with three wins. But if they drop the next two, the disaster alarm may start sounding again."
"Point is, we all go through similar peaks and valleys. We're all susceptible to being struck by high highs and low lows. But in the end, what people remember is the bigger picture."
"Where did you end up when all's said and done?"
(He shrugs.)
"EPW isn't much different, when you consider how the pieces have been shifting since Russian Roulette. For me, since my return even, I've scaled up in tag team matches, then dropped down at Russian Roulette. Last Aggression I leveled things out and now, I have another shot at turning things for the better."
"But while it's another title shot, the opposition is not exactly honorable and respectful. I'd say slick and seedy are two better words to describe our EPW Television Champion."
(He chuckles.)
"Rich Mahogany has about as much honor and respect as everyone's bounty program front man, Gregg Williams. And if you need any convincing of that, look no further than the eight-man tag match at Aggression 64."
"I believe Neely had it right when he said Mahogany was, 'going for an upgrade,' in trying to pin his own teammate in the match, so he could nab the Intercontinental Championship."
"I have to say, Rich, as someone who went as far as popping his shoulder back in to try and best Impulse for that title... then seeing you try and steal it away from him, during that tag match... seeing your name across from mine on this card brought a little smile to my face."
"It has nothing to do with confidence, either. I'm not looking at you as a slouch. On the contrary: methods aside, you beat the Television Champion. I won't go throwing stones in regards to how you did it, because that's no different than looking at one loop or incline of the roller coaster ride. The bigger picture shows that you are the current EPW Television Champion."
"More importantly, you're the opponent set to stand across from me at Aggression. I've heard plenty of people looking up-and-down the card this week, and talking up other matches. There's been World Champion participants commenting on Intercontinental Championship matters, and Tag Championship matters, and vice versa. I realized while watching that clusterf**k of a tag match, last week, that there's a particularly strong, incestuous crossover of chatter going on lately. I don't know, though; maybe that's right up your alley, Rich. I'm pretty sure there's been a lot of things up your alley that I want no part of, too."
"This would be no different. I've got my eye on the bigger picture, no doubt about that. The landscape is definitely shifting in EPW, since Russian Roulette. But Larry Tact has not been shaken. In fact, I think I'm the only one who lost at Russian Roulette and did not suffer some repercussion to my mentality-- sanity?-- or my view of the bigger picture."
"It seems like a lot people slipped, or altogether leaped, off whatever wagon they were riding on. But that's neither here nor there; when the time comes-- and it most likely will-- where I find myself facing someone who took a turn on the coaster, and couldn't keep steady, I'll address them."
"What you need to keep in mind, Rich, is that I'm going to do what I've basically been doing for most of my EPW career. I'm going to walk into Detroit... walk into Aggression 65... and find the story of our match be, 'Is Larry Tact serious about this match?'"
"Keep in mind, it won't be, 'Can Rich Mahogany retain the Television Championship?' And that's not a knock on you, Rich... at least, not from me. It's just that, when people look at me, there's a bit of controversy that forms. It isn't about whether I'm a great wrestler or not-- I'm one of the best in this industry. That's a fact, grounded in years of matches, and longevity. No, the controversy is that, in EPW, there have been some matches where people see Larry Tact as having been off his game. I won't make excuses, I just lost some matches. But people like to get the rumor mill running. Especially when you're fired amidst said rumors."
"Unfortunately for you, I've been silencing any and all speculation, one match at a time, since I've been back. Because I haven't given much reason for anyone to think I'm not bringing the passion I've always known I've had. It even seems like that very passion has been bleeding over into the stands, and there's a little reciprocation at work. Maybe there's something to that, too, because the loss I did suffer, for the Intercontinental Championship, has not been a real setback."
"It's been part of something bigger. It's a piece of something that I'm starting to take hold of, again, and embrace. Sometimes the people watching don't mind a loss, even if it eats at the person who lost on the inside. But that vulnerability, that small misstep, can be an endearing thing. Because the fact is, there are no Supermen or Superwomen in this world. We're all just working towards making the most of our strengths, and minimizing the weaknesses."
"Which is why the methods you used to gain that Television title don't phase me, Rich. I've seen it before; EPW has seen it before. For Adrian Willard, maybe he was caught off guard, but you and everyone else saw the difference between me and him, last Aggression. And as far as I'm concerned, your tactics are commonplace in this industry. So is your personality."
"I don't need to make a big deal out of your antics because I've already overcome them. You aren't special, Rich, other than the fact you hold the status of EPW Champion. Once I take that, you'll just be another man in a pack of men, jockeying to prove they've got the biggest balls and therefore deserve attention from the brass."
"What separates us is that I've never gotten my opportunities by asking, or by comparing myself to others. I've forced people to grant me the opportunities, or created them myself, through my actions. I don't give people the option to point to me and say, 'He doesn't deserve it,' because I earn it in the ring."
"And that's why the rumors remain just that: rumors. Because when people start questioning if I've got what it takes, they find themselves backpedaling shortly thereafter, when I put on a five-star classic... when, even in a losing effort, I steal the show... and when I take someone's title."
(He stands up from the seat.)
"What tests the mettle of men? Their reaction to adversity."
"Where do we find out what makes us successes, or failures? For me, it's in that ring."
"How accurate are the short-term gauges? Small sample sizes don't mean much. How often do one or two matches make a career?"
"And when does the bigger picture finally overtake the straw polls, and the need for instant gratification? Well, judging by what I'm hearing from every arena we go to, people haven't given up on me yet. Aggression 65, Larry Tact gives them a little reward for their patience, and not succumbing to the instant gratification mentality that people like Rich Mahogany have."
"You got that title quick and dirty, Rich... but you may find this title defense a prolonged agony. And by the end, I'll make sure you're ready to submit.... your Tactful Surrender."
(He walks across the row, to the aisle, and heads for the exit.)
FADE OUT.
FADE IN.
(We are inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Every disappointed Indiana Pacer fan has long-since vacated the premises, after enduring the second consecutive loss of a home-and-home versus the re-revitalized New York Knicks. The arena cleanup crew-- doing the real dirty work, and undoubtably receiving some of the least recognition for it-- has got noticeably more trash to pick up after this one. They take it like Champs, though, going about their jobs and milling about the stands.
One connected fan has been granted access to remain in the stands. But rather than being a disheartened Pacers' fan, he is a reveling Knicks die-hard. The #2 Jared Jeffries jersey would probably hint at that. He has a white t-shirt under the blue, with orange-and-black trim, road jersey and blue jeans. His golden blonde hair is mostly covered by a Knicks wool hat. A London Fog raincoat rounds out the ensemble.
Larry Tact sits in Section 16, mid-court seats, looking up at the scoreboard that still reads, "Knicks 102, Pacers 88." He gives a nod and rests his arms on his lap.)
LARRY TACT: "What tests the mettle of men? Where do we find out what makes us successes, or failures? How accurate are the day-to-day gauges... the short-term analyses... the straw polls? And when does the bigger picture finally overtake those snapshot evaluations, when we live in a society that constantly needs instant gratification and immediate results?"
"The New York Knicks have been a roller coaster franchise this season. But before their appearance in the Playoffs last season, it had been near a decade since they've held any solid relevance in the Association. Even this season, they've been considered anything from a fringe contender to go deep in the Playoffs, to a traveling disaster that was spiraling out of the Playoffs and closer to extra draft lottery entries."
"In New York, there has been 'MELOdrama' that started things... followed by the streak of 'Seven Deadly LINS' of 'LINsanity'... then another plunge and resignation. Now we're back trending up on the coaster, with three wins. But if they drop the next two, the disaster alarm may start sounding again."
"Point is, we all go through similar peaks and valleys. We're all susceptible to being struck by high highs and low lows. But in the end, what people remember is the bigger picture."
"Where did you end up when all's said and done?"
(He shrugs.)
"EPW isn't much different, when you consider how the pieces have been shifting since Russian Roulette. For me, since my return even, I've scaled up in tag team matches, then dropped down at Russian Roulette. Last Aggression I leveled things out and now, I have another shot at turning things for the better."
"But while it's another title shot, the opposition is not exactly honorable and respectful. I'd say slick and seedy are two better words to describe our EPW Television Champion."
(He chuckles.)
"Rich Mahogany has about as much honor and respect as everyone's bounty program front man, Gregg Williams. And if you need any convincing of that, look no further than the eight-man tag match at Aggression 64."
"I believe Neely had it right when he said Mahogany was, 'going for an upgrade,' in trying to pin his own teammate in the match, so he could nab the Intercontinental Championship."
"I have to say, Rich, as someone who went as far as popping his shoulder back in to try and best Impulse for that title... then seeing you try and steal it away from him, during that tag match... seeing your name across from mine on this card brought a little smile to my face."
"It has nothing to do with confidence, either. I'm not looking at you as a slouch. On the contrary: methods aside, you beat the Television Champion. I won't go throwing stones in regards to how you did it, because that's no different than looking at one loop or incline of the roller coaster ride. The bigger picture shows that you are the current EPW Television Champion."
"More importantly, you're the opponent set to stand across from me at Aggression. I've heard plenty of people looking up-and-down the card this week, and talking up other matches. There's been World Champion participants commenting on Intercontinental Championship matters, and Tag Championship matters, and vice versa. I realized while watching that clusterf**k of a tag match, last week, that there's a particularly strong, incestuous crossover of chatter going on lately. I don't know, though; maybe that's right up your alley, Rich. I'm pretty sure there's been a lot of things up your alley that I want no part of, too."
"This would be no different. I've got my eye on the bigger picture, no doubt about that. The landscape is definitely shifting in EPW, since Russian Roulette. But Larry Tact has not been shaken. In fact, I think I'm the only one who lost at Russian Roulette and did not suffer some repercussion to my mentality-- sanity?-- or my view of the bigger picture."
"It seems like a lot people slipped, or altogether leaped, off whatever wagon they were riding on. But that's neither here nor there; when the time comes-- and it most likely will-- where I find myself facing someone who took a turn on the coaster, and couldn't keep steady, I'll address them."
"What you need to keep in mind, Rich, is that I'm going to do what I've basically been doing for most of my EPW career. I'm going to walk into Detroit... walk into Aggression 65... and find the story of our match be, 'Is Larry Tact serious about this match?'"
"Keep in mind, it won't be, 'Can Rich Mahogany retain the Television Championship?' And that's not a knock on you, Rich... at least, not from me. It's just that, when people look at me, there's a bit of controversy that forms. It isn't about whether I'm a great wrestler or not-- I'm one of the best in this industry. That's a fact, grounded in years of matches, and longevity. No, the controversy is that, in EPW, there have been some matches where people see Larry Tact as having been off his game. I won't make excuses, I just lost some matches. But people like to get the rumor mill running. Especially when you're fired amidst said rumors."
"Unfortunately for you, I've been silencing any and all speculation, one match at a time, since I've been back. Because I haven't given much reason for anyone to think I'm not bringing the passion I've always known I've had. It even seems like that very passion has been bleeding over into the stands, and there's a little reciprocation at work. Maybe there's something to that, too, because the loss I did suffer, for the Intercontinental Championship, has not been a real setback."
"It's been part of something bigger. It's a piece of something that I'm starting to take hold of, again, and embrace. Sometimes the people watching don't mind a loss, even if it eats at the person who lost on the inside. But that vulnerability, that small misstep, can be an endearing thing. Because the fact is, there are no Supermen or Superwomen in this world. We're all just working towards making the most of our strengths, and minimizing the weaknesses."
"Which is why the methods you used to gain that Television title don't phase me, Rich. I've seen it before; EPW has seen it before. For Adrian Willard, maybe he was caught off guard, but you and everyone else saw the difference between me and him, last Aggression. And as far as I'm concerned, your tactics are commonplace in this industry. So is your personality."
"I don't need to make a big deal out of your antics because I've already overcome them. You aren't special, Rich, other than the fact you hold the status of EPW Champion. Once I take that, you'll just be another man in a pack of men, jockeying to prove they've got the biggest balls and therefore deserve attention from the brass."
"What separates us is that I've never gotten my opportunities by asking, or by comparing myself to others. I've forced people to grant me the opportunities, or created them myself, through my actions. I don't give people the option to point to me and say, 'He doesn't deserve it,' because I earn it in the ring."
"And that's why the rumors remain just that: rumors. Because when people start questioning if I've got what it takes, they find themselves backpedaling shortly thereafter, when I put on a five-star classic... when, even in a losing effort, I steal the show... and when I take someone's title."
(He stands up from the seat.)
"What tests the mettle of men? Their reaction to adversity."
"Where do we find out what makes us successes, or failures? For me, it's in that ring."
"How accurate are the short-term gauges? Small sample sizes don't mean much. How often do one or two matches make a career?"
"And when does the bigger picture finally overtake the straw polls, and the need for instant gratification? Well, judging by what I'm hearing from every arena we go to, people haven't given up on me yet. Aggression 65, Larry Tact gives them a little reward for their patience, and not succumbing to the instant gratification mentality that people like Rich Mahogany have."
"You got that title quick and dirty, Rich... but you may find this title defense a prolonged agony. And by the end, I'll make sure you're ready to submit.... your Tactful Surrender."
(He walks across the row, to the aisle, and heads for the exit.)
FADE OUT.