[FADE IN. “The Dragon” is standing in front of an EPW – Black Dawn backdrop. He’s dressed casually, wearing khaki trousers, a black Bill Hicks T-shirt with the quote “I don’t mean to sound bitter, cold or cruel but I am so that’s how it comes out”, and a dragon belt-buckle. His thumbs are in his pockets but he looks rather non-plus. In fact, you might even think he’s laughing on the inside]
Karl: Awww. Baby got his feelings hurt because someone doesn’t like him. Boo hoo.
Stop sounding like Layne, Stalker. It doesn’t suit him so heaven knows you can’t pull it off.
And Erik. Nice to finally meet you. Aggression must’ve been the most time we’ve spent in the same part of the building, and we were both there on the first show. As I recall, you and Ivan beat Blitz, and I beat Mike Diamond. It was a fun night back then, but you and I never got more than a “hello” in. I guess we’re just two very different people who would never mix if it weren’t for work.
Which is fine by me. No offence but I got over egos thinking they were the be all and end all of the business years ago, back before Ivan got you two fired for sexual harassment on live TV. What a night that was, everyone in the back in hysterics watching as Dan told off a monster-sized man and a comparative midget. Well, compared to Dan and Ivan.
But enough about the past. It was fun back then but it’s got nothing to do with how at Black Dawn, I’m going to have to prove three things. One, that Layne Winters isn’t as good as he thinks he is. Two, that I’m able to become better than I’ve ever been no matter the challenge in front of me. And three, repeating number one but with your name substituted for Layne’s.
What, you honestly think you can get me to think differently about the world? You think I take life or the world seriously? If you do somehow beat me and Layne at Black Dawn it’s not going to shake my foundation. Life doesn’t take anybody seriously so there’s no point in taking life seriously. No point worrying about whether you’re fulfilling your role as the second or third string bad-guys in Empire Pro Wrestling, because life – doesn’t care.
Neither do I, but for different reasons. You see, Erik – you, Stalker, Omega if he ever gets released from the
place where the nuts hunt the squirrels, don’t scare me. Gangs never did. I know that most people are social animals and take pleasure from just being within a group, but that doesn’t mean I have to take a trio like you seriously. To me you’re three people who’re scared of not being seen as great, almost identical to Layne. You’re worried that if you don’t band together, Anthology or Hope are going to take all the top spots, all the titles, and the three of you will be left fighting for scraps from whatever table you can get near.
Yippee. Another group who can’t hack it on their own and are going to come back at me with some sort of statement like, “no, we’re great, we banded together because we’re great and we don’t care what anyone says, we’re going to run this town and you’re a poopy head.” So before you start ranting and raving because I don’t see you as a threat, remember that childish tantrums like the one Layne threw in Las Vegas and you and Stalker tried to pull at Aggression don’t impress me. Beating me in the ring doesn’t impress me.
Being a strong, open-minded person impresses me. Which, you don’t appear to be.
But maybe I’m wrong. After all, you two, three, are rottweilers. Big, mean, vicious, hungry beasts just waiting for a chance to strike and show their strength and power.
Unfortunately, Erik, that metaphor doesn’t really hold true. The image is good – hungry, with a strong bite that doesn’t let go. But a Rottie has a heart of gold and today is generally used to help people rather than hinder. They’re also rather aloof in the presence of strangers, like a pampered poodle. So, if you want to say you’re soft and pampered like Anthology, congratulations. If you wanted to say you’re kind and considerate and wouldn’t harm a fly, congratulations.
If you meant that you’re mean hungry and vicious and that everyone should get out of your way – I’d’ve used something like a Pit Bull, or Japanese Tosa, or one of the other dogs that’s banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Rottweilers just aren’t scary.
And neither are you, or Stalker. Sure he got rid of Rocko – but Rocko let him get under his skin. Stalker’s annoyed me, and I’m going to deal with him, but he’s the same sort of minor annoyance that… I don’t know if you remember Derek Stoltz or X?
[He laughs to himself remembering those two matches]
Karl: Good times. But, seriously, Erik, Black Dawn isn’t going to go the way you hope. There is no mystery or will of the cosmos, except in your head. It’s a little heaven you’ve created for yourself, where you’re better than you are. Yes, you’re athletic. Yes, you and Ivan were a top class tag team before Nathan came back into the picture and ruined you. But that’s all you are. Not a prophet, not some kind of outlet for the powers of the universe.
You’re just a man. The same as me, the same as Layne, the same as Sean Stephens or the guy wearing the Goofy costume at Disneyland Paris. And if you need reminding of that, well – I’d be more than happy to do that job. The fact I have to do the same to Layne Winters makes no difference to me.
Yes, there's a chance I'll lose. I admit that. But - the thing about dragons? Even if they never existed, the memory has lasted all around the world, because of their strength, their determination, their power and their nobility. They've come into out collective concious and stayed there. But most importantly, about Dragons?
When you think you've got one beaten, is when they're at their most dangerous.
[FADE OUT]