The Onset of Paragon
VIII. Mr. Mortale’s Neighborhood 3: Returning to The Old “Hood”
Okay...where was I last time? Oh yea, I was enjoying a nice day with my wife, in front of my lovely house, in the “peaceful and quiet” neighborhood of Manhasset. Now incase you all haven’t noticed, Manhasset is a very nice suburban neighborhood. It’s a place filled with nice houses, well manicured lawns, and everyday people. People who work, and earn their, trying to make a better future for their children. Wanting to bring their children up in a nice peaceful and environment, which they can watch their kids grow up in a safe place...and I’m no different. As I too chose to follow that route, and live in a place where my kids can grow up in a safe environment....or which I thought was a safe environment.
Now ask yourself a question...when you walk into a nice neighborhood, like mines, do you expect something to be wrong with the place? Don’t understand? Well, let me elaborate then. When you first step into a suburban neighborhood, in which all of the houses are three story one family homes...all of them looking in great condition. All the lawns are well manicured...thanks to the day laborers who don’t get paid jack shit....and then you the neighborhood filled with nice families. Where the father is head of the household, the misses stays at home, while the kids go off and go to school...typical life of a suburban family, living the suburban family life, right? Of course it is! Then what could possibly be wrong with it?
Well, it’s quite simple. Not everyone in this particular neighborhood lives that lifestyle. Some of you might want to jump the gun and point me as one of those people who don’t...well that’s too bad, because I do....well, to a certain extent. But there’s no time to get into what I do. I’m just here to squash this bullshit Utopia that my wife has built up about this “oh so lovely” place, where we are raising our family.
Now last time, you all might remember me talking to a nice Jewish man named Arnold. Really, the man came over with his Yamaka, his pitched voice, and nerdy smile. I thought to myself “Typical Jewish dude”. He reminded me of the Jewish kids I used to rob back when I was a teen. So he was no threat to me at all. I was just getting prepared to be bored to death about useless shit with talks about his kids...my kids, his wife...my wife, his job...my job, and the ever so frustrating topic...politics. I was getting ready for that, until that his phone started ringing. Man it was better than hearing the bell ring for my victory last week against Shawn Hunt.
He has a conversation on the phone, and his voice changes from Jewish and nerdy, to mean asshole drug cartel. And come to find out...that’s what the nice Jewish man across the street is. A fucking drug cartel...and just when I thought I got away from drug dealers, one just somehow manages to live my neighborhood, on my block...What a great world we live in today huh...?
I’m really complaining about it...I’m just in a little bit of shock. As this man tried to come off to me, and my wife, as a nice guy who just wants to take care of his family. He does take care of his family, but he’s not doing it by any good means. Then when I bump into him later on that day, he had blood stains all over his shirt, and was rushing to change out of his clothes...do I still think he’s a nice Jewish guy?
Well, it’s funny, because it turns out that he’s not even Jewish!! Ha ha! He’s just another Italian dude from Red Hook, Brooklyn. It turns out Arnold was just a man who decided to make his way through hurting others. So he might be a drug cartel, but he’s a drug cartel for a reason. He get’s to watch people kill themselves as they take drugs, and then when people owe him money, he kills them himself...and remember the Jewish thing is only a front. As he goes to the Synagogue’s and scams the congregation out of their profits. It’s terrible, but hey...I don’t give a shit. He just decided to confide all of this in me. Which I didn’t think was necessary.
Now you might think that I’m done with all of this ranting about Arnold do you? Well, I am actually. But that’s not the end of the complete atrocity of, how my wife puts it, “ a wonderful place, of love a happiness”...she’s referring to the neighborhood. For one, their’s a White Supremacist that lives just two houses away from me. His kids had to the nerve to yell out some obscene, and racist, language to my boy as he was walking home from school. All because my son is half white, and obviously my son whooped the little racist boys ass. Then his father comes over, Swastika tattoo and all, and get’s into it with my wife. It was a terrible scene...then it got worst, after I broke his nose and jaw...no court date yet, and I doubt it will come to.
Then I have a pimp that lives across the street from me, and lives right next door to Arnold. He’s an African American male, and he looks nothing like the flashy, very animated pimps, that you would normally see on T.V. He’s nothing like “A Pimp Named Slick Back”, he’s just Rick....that’s his name. Rick does have a “pimp” name, but there’s no need to mention it. The only problem I have with this guy is that he’s trying to get my wife....very insulting....his own neighbor. He thought she was single, since I’m never home, and thought she was struggling, and unhappy....you know, the things that a pimp looks for in a woman. Then when he found out that I was in the picture, he stepped off a bit...just a tad bit. I’m pretty sure that he’ll show up once in a while.
Either way...I just don’t get it. Even though Middle Village wasn’t the best neighborhood in the world, Manhasset definitely isn’t an better. Just when you think it’s safe to bring your kids up in an environment where everyone around you are all living in positive lights, you’re suddenly proven wrong. And I was oh so very wrong about this one. There is more things that are totally wrong with this place, and I don’t really want to talk about it anymore. The image of the suburban neighborhood has been tainted, thanks to those who somehow managed to find myself being around. I kind of makes me wonder if Middle Village has gotten any better....
October 4th, 2008
8:33 PM
Middle Village, Queens, NY
We now open up the scene to a dark evening out in nice suburban neighborhood. The neighborhood looks quiet and refined. All of the street lights are on, since it’s a very late night, and no one is outside at this time. It’s a breezy autumn night, and it’s quite obvious that no one wants to be outside in this particular weather. The neighborhood itself, is filled with tow story, one family homes, that have a very elegant look to them. All the houses are lined up neatly, and the environment looks to be controlled. Then on one particular street, everything seems to be even more quiet, than the entre neighborhood...dead looking if you will. Then we begin to focus on a particular house. One with a green gate, and nice brick steps leading to a white door. This place looks familiar...who’s house could this be?
Then all of a sudden the door opens, and a tall man steps right in front of the door. The man just stands there, and doesn’t move, and looks into the sky, as if he is lost in thought. Then as we get closer, you begin to see that this man is old, and has streaks of grey hair in his hair. He has a long and scruffy beard. Even though he’s looking up, staring into space right now, he still has a look of mean old man. The man then snaps out of his daze and then takes a step out onto the brick steps that leads to the door. The old man is sporting a pair of blue jeans, a thick black sweater, and slippers. Then man then takes a few steps and takes a slowly begins to crouch, to sit down on the brick steps. Then when the man finally sets down on the brick steps, he slowly puts his head down, as if he’s pondering about something. And the old man sits on the brick steps and continues to ponder on the brick steps.
Then all of a sudden...an engine can be heard rumbling down the west end of the street. This grabs the old man’s attention, as he jerks his head up. Breaking his concentration. The man looks to the west end of the street and sees a car driving down, full speed ahead. The man can’t tell what car it is, but he doesn’t car either, as a sudden look of anger comes across his face. the car starts getting closer and he begins to see what’s the color of the car that’s coming. Now, he’s unable to fully recognize it, and he just assumes that it’s a dark colored car. The car then get’s closer, and closer, and then the car stops right in front of the old man’s house. The driver then parks the car in between. Then old man finally clarifies his assumption, it was a dark colored car. A black car at that...and it’s a BMW.... A black BMW? It could only mean one thing....
The door on the driver’s side suddenly opens, and then a tall man can be seen stepping out. The driver in the car then get’s and turns around and looks at the house where the old man is sitting. The old man looks at the man at the car in shock. Then you can finally see Maximus’s face come into view. Maximus doesn’t look so enthused to see the old man sitting on the brick steps. Actually, Maximus doesn’t look happy at all seeing the old man sitting on the steps. Maximus then closes his car door, hits the alarm to lock the doors, walks inside of the gate, and begins to advance towards the old man. Maximus then stops and looks at the old man, who’s sitting down looking back at him. Both he and Maximus are locking eyes, with extreme tension, as if they have a strong hatred for each other. Maximus finally speaks.
Maximus: Dad...
Terry Sr: Junior...
Maximus then begins to grin slowly, but Terry Sr doesn’t. Terry Sr begins talking in a deep, and harsh voice.
Terry Sr: What do you want?
Maximus: Where’s ma?
Terry Sr: Not here...now what do you want?
Maximus: Where did she go?
Terry Sr: She went to Aunt Jackie’s place for the night...what do you want?
Maximus keeps on ignoring Terry Sr’s primary question.
Maximus: Why did she leave? Did she finally realize that you’re a douchebag?
Terry Sr grins, but still speaks in his deep and harsh tone.
Terry Sr: Always the one to start a fight huh boy?
Maximus: I’m not starting a fight with anyone. Just asking a question.
Terry Sr: Hm...whatever...She left because I kicked her ass out. Does that answer your question?
Maximus: Yes it does...it just let’s me know that you’re a fucking douchebag.
Terry Sr: Go fuck yourself....
Maximus then starts laughing, and then turns around and begins to walk away.
Terry Sr: Where are you going boy?
Maximus then stops and slightly turns his head in order for his father to hear him
Maximus: I’m going to get ma.
Terry Sr’s voice is now sounding a little bit excited
Terry Sr: From where?
Maximus: From Auntie Jackie’s...the place where you told she was staying for the night, retard.
Terry Sr: Wow....when was the last time you were here?
Maximus: The day a punched you in the face....remember?
Then a sour expression comes across Terry Sr’s face
Terry Sr: Yea...I remember.
Maximus then fully turns around, and a large grin can now be seen across his face
Terry Sr: Well, never mind you. You won’t be able to get to your mom, because your Aunt Jackie moved.
Maximus: Aren’t you going to tell me where she lives now?
Terry Sr now get’s the sound of excitement back in his voice
Terry Sr: Well, I was going to...until you brought up the day you sucker punched me...you little prick. I’m sure that’ll wipe off the little grin on your face.
Maximus actually it does...the grin that was on Maximus’s face suddenly comes off quickly. Maximus then looks a bit upset at his father.
Maximus: I really fucking hate you....
Terry Sr suddenly begins to grin
Terry Sr: Oh wow, just loving words from the great “Maximus”...ha!
Maximus then begins to clench his fist, and begins to advance towards his father, with anger in his system. His father just sits still, and doesn’t move.
Terry Sr: Come on “Maximus”, show your daddy what you can do....
Maximus then get’s closer and closer. Maximus then finally get’s in front of the steps and looks his father dead in the eyes. Then all of a sudden, Maximus un-clenches his fist, and then a calm look comes across Maxi’s face.
Maximus: Even after all of these years, you still manage to piss me off. But not today pop....not today.
Terry Sr: Not gonna hit your old man? Even when he’s sitting down? Don’t be a pussy T.J. Give your daddy nice right hand...right in the kisser.
Maximus then begins to grin again
Maximus: No thanks...I think I’m going to find ma, and bring her over to my house. You’ll just never change huh? You’re still the old prick from before. Later...dad.
Maximus then turns away and begins to walk off, heading back to his car. Then all of a sudden, his father calls out to him
Terry Sr: Not much has changed! They found your old friend Archer dumped in the East River last week.
Maximus then stops and quickly turns around
Maximus: What?
Terry Sr: Oh...looks like I finally got someone’s attention...you heard what I said. They found your old friend Sean in the East River last week. You know...the boy that killed that muscle head in our yard a few years back.
Maximus: It happened in front of my eyes...so I could I forget that?
Terry Sr: I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t. You see, a lot has changed around here boy. Ever since you decided to run off to bumble-fuck vile, in Long Island, a lot things have gone crazy around the peaceful neighborhood known as Middle Village....ha!
Maximus then get’s closer, as he now becomes intrigued by his fathers words.
Maximus: Go on...
Terry Sr: Okay, well first off. We all found out where Sean ran off too. He went down to Maryland with that faggot partner of his...Archer right?
Maximus: Yea...Archer.
Terry Sr: It turns out that the boys were laying low for a while, doing odd jobs, for the wrong people, for a great price. Those boys didn’t come back to New York for five years. They changed their appearance and everything. They were recognized around the City as full fledged gangsters.
Terry Sr then reaches in his pocket, and then pulls out a flask. He takes a sip and then continues talking.
Terry Sr: Then that short loud mouth...the one who I had to choke out a couple of times...
Maximus: Richie?
Terry Sr: Yea...that little prick. It turns out that he joined the mafioso too. A real killer that kid...he popped a few guys down on Metropolitan Ave, three years ago.
Maximus: Then what happened?
Terry Sr: Nothing...the guy didn’t get arrested. No one wanted to testify against him. Richie made all the people around here shit there pants...except me of course.
Maximus: Yea...right...
Terry Sr: Eh...fuck you. Anyway, when Richie found out that Archer and Sean were back in town, Richie found them both, and managed to kill Archer. Sean somehow managed to get away. It wasn’t any shoot out or anything, it was execution style my boy...your friend was ruthless....
Maximus: Well, Allen was shot in front of us....
Terry Sr: Oh...that was the muscle head’s name huh? Well his family moved out of the neighborhood anyway! I think they went to some hick ass state...California, I think.
Maximus: Okay....that’s it?
Terry Sr then takes a huge gulp out of his flask and continues talking
Terry Sr: No I’m not done!!
Maximus: Then go on...
Terry Sr: Oh yea...right...so Sean get’s away and goes to his people. Sean’s people, don’t like Richie’s people. They ignore each other, but Richie still guns after Sean. Richie goes insane, and tries to kill Sean many times. Then things get bad, when Sean’s boss...Arnold I think his name is...
Maximus: Arnold?
Terry Sr: Yea...Arnold. What!? He fuck you up the ass or something!?
Maximus get’s a little quiet, but then looks confused.
Terry Sr: Arnold, had Richie killed. Just for the mere fact that he felt that Richie was messing with his business. It was Sean and a few other guys, but it was Arnold who had plotted the situation.
Maximus: Oh really...
Terry Sr: Yes...really!
Terry Sr then takes a another gulp out of his flask, and continues talking.
Terry Sr: Everyone in the neighborhood cried for that little shit!! I didn’t! I hated that cunt!
Maximus just looks at his father, like the stupid drunk that he is.
Terry Sr: Yea...all of your old friends are dead...except for that tall douchebag....what was his name?
Maximus: Stephen...
Terry Sr: Yea...he’s alive for now. Working as a District Attorney, not a good thing. Those Mafioso boys are gonna get him soon. Then your horny friend Eric...got killed by a bitch! Ha! Can you believe that!
Maximus: No way...
Terry Sr: Yes way....he met the wrong girl. He fucked her, fucked her friend, fucked her mom, fucked her dog....in the end he fucked himself!! The bitch slit his throat in his sleep! Ha ha!!
Maximus: And you think it’s funny?
Terry Sr: Honestly Terry...I don’t give a fuck...
Terry Sr then takes another quick gulp out of his flask. Maximus then looks at his father, unfathomed by the stories.
Maximus: Well, that’s great to know.
Terry Sr: Well, that’s not it. Then the last two guys....Fling and Shwin...
Maximus: King and Darwyn....
Terry Sr: Yea...those two are doing a life sentence. Those two were doing a few hits on a couple of people in the past few years. Then they got busted....life terms for the both of them.
Maximus: Man that sucks...
Terry Sr: No it doesn’t....
Maximus: How so?
Terry Sr: Well, while all of your friends are either dead or in jail, you’re the one living. With a nice little toy car, and ugly smut whore as a wife. Life doesn’t suck for you “Maximus”. You’ve managed to outlive your dear old, good for nothing friends. Be happy...for once in your life.
Maximus: Well just to let you know...I am happy. Happy that I got away from this place. Mst importantly, I got away from you...
Terry Sr: Oh yeah...blame it on the old man, who busted his ass everyday to feed you!!!
Maximus: Only a woman would say something like that...take your drunk ass in the house.
Terry Sr then get’s up to his feet, and then begins to stumble as the alcohol starts to take it’s effect.
Terry Sr: Make me!! Fucking make me!
Maximus: Stupid old man...
Maximus then begins to walk away slowly towards his car. Terry Sr, is still carrying on in a drunken rage.
Terry Sr: You’re just like the rest of them! A fucking nobody! You hear me you piece of shit! A nobody! You’re better off dead or in jail then wasting your time hugging sweaty men for a living!
Maximus ignores his father, as he keeps walking. Maximus then finally makes it to his car, and then looks back over to his father once more. Maximus then begins to chuckle as he looks at his father. Old, drunk, and beat down. Maximus then get’s in his car, starts the engine and then begins to drive off.
Terry Sr: Yea that’s right boy, get the fuck out of here! Get out of my neighborhood! Mine! Mr. Mortale’s neighborhood! Me!! FUCKING ME!!
Terry Sr then takes his flask and throws it in the air. Terry Sr then drops to his knees and then onto his hands. Then you can see his body shaking, and hear heavy sobs. Terry Sr continues crying in front of his own house. Then we go back to Maximus, who’s still driving looking for his mother. Maximus continues driving and suddenly goes into deep thought....
IX. Twilight of Vigilance
Wow...is the only word that I can start off with...to think a few months ago, I would have never thought that I would be stepping in the ring with an old ally of mines. The man that everyone knows...and somewhat loves...Zach Rizza. Now it’s no mystery to vast majority of you as what my relationship was with Zach Rizza. But for some of you who weren’t here yet, allow me to explain....but only briefly. As some of you might know, or remember, the Legend Lee Stone, decided to take me under his wing, as he was to reform his stable, the Vigilantes. Along with Christian Connolly, Alex Cutwright, and...Zach Rizza.
Now I remember what we, Vigilantes, were all about, and what had intended on doing. We wanted to prove to everyone that we were the best stable in the entire XWF. Not the Tribe, not the Black Order, and not....who ever else was around at that time. Basically it was just us three stables, battling it out, every single week. What was going on back then was known as the “war”, which was declared on the XWF, and us especially. We had the idea of what was to come, and we were expecting the worse. And the worse did come to worse, as it came to an abrupt end All due to the fact that the other stables lacked commitment, and trust. Which was funny, as we were the only stable who actually had that.
So I can sit here and say that we, the Vigilantes didn’t have any problems with each other. There were no beefs, no feuds, and all did what we had to do....we’ll I did what I wanted to do. I went and got myself arrested. What a great accomplishment that was...no not really. Compared to what Christian and Zach went on to accomplish, I guess we can all say that I was the one who failed.
But no worries...because I was also the one who redeemed myself.
So when I came back, Zach left, and C2 and Lee retired...ending the best stable that this company had. I carried on, doing what I have to do, and making myself my number one priority. Now Zach is back in action, and yet he’s still proving that he is one of the best wrestlers in the company today....just like me.
Is that why C2 booked us in a match? To see which one of us is the better wrestler? Who, out of the two of us, who wasn’t in the limelight...like C2 and Lee Stone...is now the better wrestler? Surely all of you will go on ahead and pick the “Big Tyme” as he is a former Universal Champion right? He beat the great Jem Williams...solidifying his status as a main event performer in the XWF. If you want to go by his list of accomplishments, compared to mines, then you are all going to be in for a rude awakening. As I can honestly say this...Zach’s accolades don’t mean shit to me..
It’s great to see what he has accomplished here in the business, but is that really suppose to scare me? To some others it might, but not me. Why be the man who couldn’t even defeat James Raven when he was just fresh off of Impact? As I stood there, as his ally, and watched him lose to James at such an early stage of his career, it pretty much disappointed me to admit that this man was my ally...surely now everything is a different story, as we are now working in different times. Times change, and people change. James has gotten better, and so have I. Has Zach though? That’s the real question. As we all know that he left the moment he won the Universal title. With an impressive win...or decimation as I would like to call it...against Kore and Eric Anderson last week, I can’t say that I’m impressed with the “Big Tyme”.
Quite frankly...I’ve never been impressed with Zach. Now don’t get upset with me right now because I’m maligning an old ally of mine. Hey...times change, and so does personal feelings and business relationships. Any connection that me and Rizza had, is long gone. Which I can say that I’m satisfied about. As I finally get the chance to show him, and prove to myself, that I am better than him...and believe me, I will.
It’s funny how my memory comes into play when an old enemy comes into the picture. Now I can go back to a couple of years ago when I first came into the XWF and how I began to start feuds with Fred L, and Axel Hawk. I can also go on about how I remember my first match with Daniel Malcolm...sweet memories. But the one thing that stands out in my mind was when me and were both in the Hart title picture...so you know that this was a long time ago, since Zach was there. To make a long story short, I won the Hart title for a second time, and I managed to injure myself during the match. Next night, I vacate the title, and go off to rehabilitate. Then out comes Zach, with a nice little attack on poor old Maxi-puss...Kudos to Chad for such a great word by the way. With his attack, he helped manage to keep me out some more. With my time away, I managed to build up some resentment for Zach. The years have gone by, and yet I have not been able to get my revenge on Zach, by finally proving to him that I’m a better wrestler than him. Tomorrow night I will do just that, and make no mistake about it.
So forget about the Vigilantes, forget that me and Zach were never ally’s in the first place. Just see it as me, getting in the ring ans taking down another superstar who thinks he has it all made for himself. When in reality he has absolutely nothing. A piece of Tag Team gold is something right? Of course it is....it’s absolutely remarkable....but not impressive. So Zach can go ahead and defend his gold, while I’ll continue to move on and defend mine. But tomorrow night, Zach will know what it’s like to step in the ring with me...after all of those years that has went by...Zach will know, and I doubt that he’s going to like it. Sure...facing Jem, and winning the Universal Championship has really, and truly, added to his credibility, but he’s still just Zach to me.
The stable war is over...and our stable in general is now gone to pass. It just leaves the two of us, to show the entire XWF who’s the better of the two. We all know that James is better than Krazzy Kidd, we all know that rage is better than Lunatic...well that’s just blatantly obvious. And I personally feel that Fuzz was the most talented member of the Black Order. Now after the Twilight of Vigilance...Zach and I are the only two who still remain active. Right now it’s up to me to answer the question, who’s better between Zach and I. It is also up to me to prove to everyone that Zach isn’t better than me...if there were those of you out there who were thinking that. Make no mistake about...come tomorrow night, I most definitely will. Come tomorrow night, I will continue to prove that I am unstoppable, and that I am the best wrestler in this entire company. Regardless if he’s my old ally or not, can Zach Rizza stop me? I don’t think so....
