time: late evening; eighty thirty p.m.

day: october seventh; oh-five.

place: bailey's bay; engel residence.

(No call. No notice. Nothing. I can't believe this, did these guys just forget about the whole deal and drop her off somewhere? I don't know. I wish I'd get some call. I wish someone would let me know. I need certainty. I need to know if she's still alive. I've got their money ready, I just don't know where to meet them. But, I'm going to find out where they are. One way or another, I'm getting her back.)

(It was a nice day today. I did some training and sparring with Dustin in the early morning. It felt good to get back in the ring and back to my daily life, if it was only for a couple of hours.)

(Dustin's too quick when I've got injuries. Not really a fair bout, but he took it easy on me. It's not like it would affect his match, he's got nothing to worry about.)

(Maybe I don't either, then maybe I do. Maybe Ashley is one hell of a wrestler and this will be one of the hardest matches I've had in awhile. Even harder than my match against Murdock. We'll see. Still, the one thing that will remain the same is that I'll be her hardest opponent. I'm one of the few wrestlers today that can always and will always bring that to the table, win or lose.)

(And it's a great feeling.)

(What'd I do for a normal life again. You just wouldn't know. You couldn't possibly understand.)

(I'm sitting at my kitchen table, watching the moon glisten its light on the plants and trees we have scattered in our backyard. I bring the videocamera out of its corner and grab the remote that was attached to it. I put a fresh videotape in the camera, grabbing the tape from a nearby stash. I put it in, set it up in its rightful place, and I take my usual seat. I hit record. Glory.)

VIRUS: Let me reiterate what I tried to say in my last appearance, Ashley. My "game", as you so eloquently put it, had to be that way because you gave me next to nothing to work with. You said...what? Five lines? If that. What the fuck am I supposed to do? Sit here and talk about the weather? No thanks. I'll let Vern handle that area.

And I really don't know why you thought I rode into PHW on a donkey...with miracles pouring out of my ass. What the hell are you on, woman? I rode into PHW undetected and now I'm getting some recognition. Why is that so hard to believe? Because I'm some half-dead 90210 reject? Yeah, that doesn't even make any sense, like most of what you babbled on about.

But here I am, trying to comprehend what you were ranting about and explaining to the good people who are watching this why you are as dumb as I say you are.

Please, don't ever put my name and Justin Timberlake in the same train of thought ever again or you'll crawl out of Infamy with only one leg. I swear to God.

(What a fucking joke. How anyone can try to compare me to that talentless piece of shit, I don't know. Stupidity at its best.)

VIRUS: Well, at least we have something in common, Ashley. You and I have both built our careers out of proving people wrong, if you actually have. I really haven't looked into what you've done, who you've faced; so you could be lying to me. I don't like liars. Liars tend to have their arms snapped pretty fucking quick. And just, let me point out some contradiction in what you said. You look around and see people praising me for what I've done, yet I look around and see no one praising you for what you've done. Can you put two and two together? I have support. I have recognition. I have history.

You have...an ovary. That's about it.

So you see, since there are people talking about what I've done, there must be SOME reason why, correct? Ask anyone, sweetheart. It's not that they buy into the hype, it's that they're certain I'm set out to be one of the best wrestlers around, once again. And I'll do everything and anything within my power and control to do so. People know me and they know what I'm capable of, that's why they talk.

It's not hype, it's fact.

(A simple grin. She has no idea what she's in for.)

VIRUS: Anyway. Can I point out yet another contradiction you've made? It'll only take a second, really; it's just that obvious. You said there's a chance I'll be going back on the air and doing the classic copy and paste?

What copy and paste? I'm on the air, it's live. I'm speaking. There are no copying and pasting. Seriously, Ashley; stay off the drugs. Or maybe the birth control is driving you crazy, who knows.

And hey, since we're on the topic of promo and substance, why do you think I did what I did in my last appearance, Ashley?

Is my fault that it didn't have much substance, or yours?

You're the one who wasted air time by using four worthless lines, not me.

And why the fuck would I sit here, call you a whore, and say you've slept your way into the federation? Jesus. You really have no idea who I am, do you? I might come off as an egotistic asshole, but I know where to draw the line between being a prick and being a retard. Calling you those things and making irrational accusations that you fucked Kendrick to get in here or you're a lesbian is just flat-out dumb and anyone who does that should be castrated.

Why would I make that same mistake now, since you've already stated it would be a bad move? Do you honestly believe I'm that dumb and gullible to fall into such a trap? I hope you think that way when we're in the ring, because it'll just make it so much more fun for me. I can't wait, Ashley.

Insult your hair? What? Who the fuck cares. Your hair doesn't concern me. Your sexual orientation doesn't concern me. Whether or not you had a gang-bang with the PHW staff in order to get in here doesn't concern me. What concerns me is what kind of wrestler you are, what kind of potential you have, and what kind of intellect we're looking at here.

As far as I can tell, it's not looking good for you.

(Not good at all. I smile to the camera...a serious smile, if there was such a thing.)

VIRUS: Yes, you in fact list the other route of shutting up, yet you know I won't do that. Why even bother to bring it up, then? Just so you can waste another two minutes of my time? You suck.

Who's Ted DiBiase and why should I care? Anyone?

Bueller?

Stick a fork in her, she's done.

(I give one last stern look into the camera, before reaching for the remote and turning it off. I take the tape out of the camera, placing it on the kitchen counter. I tuck the camera back in its usual spot and walk into the family room.)

time: late evening; ten p.m.

day: october seventh; oh-five.

place: tucker's town police station, bermuda.

(I walk into the Tucker's Town Police Station...full of relaxation and quietness - or so you think. One man has startled this community, or even country, recently with his blatant disregard for the law and peace. I come up to the lady at the front desk, letting her know I need to see an inmate. She nods and gets one of the security guards to check me for weapons, drugs, or anything out of the ordinary. He designates me as "clean" and lets me through the gate. Your typical four or five booth setup, with the phone for communication and a double-panel bulletproof glass wall to separate the visitors from the inmates.)

(I take my seat in my designated booth, feeling a bit uncomfortable. People party on Friday nights, I visit inmates. It's the way the world works. Suddenly, the door on the other side opens and in walks a disoriented man with long black hair down to his lower back, his left arm in a sling. He has a full grown beard and decked out in a navy blue Bermuda jail jumpsuit. He takes his seat on the other side, across from me. I can tell he recognizes who I am.)

The Inmate: Matthew.....well you're certainly the last person I expected to see here.

VIRUS: Yeah, yeah. I bet. Listen, Lex...what you did recently, I really don't care. I'm not here to lecture you or curse you about your demented life. I need...your help.

(I start to sweat a little bit.)

Lex Demise: My help? You? The great and mighty Matthew Engel needs the help of lowly me? Oh the irony....the bitter bitter irony. Before I even consider helping you.....answer me a question, how is that daughter of your's doing?

VIRUS: You did it, didn't you? You son of a bitch. How the fuck could you? After so long of our family not having to deal with you, how the hell could you do this? What's the point? Joe doesn't even wrestle anymore, we never consult with you. And what the fuck are you going to do with two and a half million when you go to prison?

Lex Demise: Temper temper. I just asked a simple question, didn't I? Oh that's right, someone went and kidnapped Alexia. Tsk Tsk, silly me. You know, Alexia and I shared so many.....intimate....moments during our time together. It really is sad to see someone make her suffer some more....and to see her physically hurt simply because her father is a jingoistic moron who thought he could play John Wayne. And to answer your question, no, I didn't take her. If I did, I would have been on telelvision bragging about it long ago.

VIRUS: I was always partial to Roy Rogers. And don't even bring up your "times" with Alexia, okay? I'm sick enough as it is. But you know what's funny, Lex? Her kidnapping was recent...not even a week and a half ago. How long have you been in Bermuda?

Lex Demise: Three days.

(I laugh to myself. Yeah, right.)

VIRUS: Why don't I believe you?

Lex Demise: You believe me, you just don't want to admit you believe me.

VIRUS: Besides breaking the law, what the hell are you doing here then? Why? It's just so fucking coincidental to me that my daughter gets kidnapped and you show up in Bermuda right after it happens. Don't you find that a little strange?

Lex Demise: I was hear to stop that snot-nosed weasal Nova from spoiling my plans. I made the mistake of not assuming that Dustin's security would be tightened after I shot the little sniveling bastard. Not to mention they want to try and prosecute the untouchable. Consider this....a minor setback.

VIRUS: Never would have figured you to make mistakes. However, Joe did beat you and your games that you played with him, so this isn't the only time Demise has been "setback". If you're not behind this, Lex, I need to know who is. Straight up. No bullshit.

And maybe you can get out of here sooner than you think.

(He won't buy that. I know him too well, but it was worth a shot.)

Lex Demise: First of all....what makes you think that I know who's behind it. And secondly, I set my own terms for my help. Compared to my life, Prison is a cakewalk....and I know for a fact that no single judge in the states would even think of sending me for longer than a few months.

VIRUS: I can make it a few weeks. You ready to play ball?

(An unsettling pause.)

Lex Demise: You don't back down...I would think of all people you and your family would like to see me pay for my crimes against you....but if you want my help, then you pay MY price.

First, you'll deliver me a message.

Secondly....when I get out of here, you will owe me a favor. A day may come when I call on this favor, or it may not. All I can say is that this favor will not directly adversely affect you, your wife, or your daughter. Anything else, is fair game.

Or....you can try and go gung ho Eric Hartman on them again, but I don't think that Alexia would look good without a foot.

VIRUS: You watch your fucking mouth. I'm not jumping through hoolahoops for you, Lex. This favor bullshit? Not going to happen. I'm getting you out of prison earlier than you could ever do, so consider that your fucking favor. And what message?

Lex Demise: Did you not understand me? I could care less about getting out of here any faster. I'm perfectly at home here....and I'll get out in my own time. And furthermore, if you don't get my help, you're left with no choice but to pay that ransom to get your precious little girl home. And then when I DO get out....well....let's just say that just as I don't forget my friends, I don't forget my enemies either Engel..

So the choice is yours. Either get my help on my terms and spare yourself the heartache and anguish later, or take your chances.

Do we have a deal?

VIRUS: I'm thinking. Why, you got some hot date or something? Chill out, you're in prison.

Fine. Deal. I'll deliver your message and I owe you a favor. What's the scoop, Lex? I want everything.

(He grins from ear to ear. I can't even possibly fathom what he's got up his sleeve.)

Lex Demise: Here's what I know. Your daughter is being held by a extreme right-wing fringe group. I'm not sure of their name, but they're derivatives of the Aryan Nation, probably a splinter group like the American SS or Sons of the Fuhrer. Needless to say, they need money to maintain their activities....the normal way they do this is by identity theft, but that has become increasingly expensive and risky. Extortion is a better and cheaper....and much more effective....way of earning funds.

As to why they chose you and your daughter.....pure and simple rotten luck on your part I'm afraid.

VIRUS: Are you shitting me, Lex? The whole point of this is for you to tell me something I DON'T KNOW. Or you can kiss your favor and message good bye. I didn't come down here for review.

Lex Demise: They're located in northern Maine. Again, I don't know their name for certain, but that's where they're holding your daughter. Their compound is relatively undefended, an FBI/ATF strikeforce should be able to get in their with little problem.

Go see Nitro in Massachusettes, he's holding a few documents for me that should help give the FBI/ATF more evidence to go in there. Needless to say, the testimony of an insane lunatic won't completely hold up in court.

The name of the man who runs the group is Samuel Tristan....an ex-con I did business with once. Cheated me at a game of poker.

VIRUS: Oh, how sad - a known felon cheated you in a game of cards. Shucks, I bet you didn't see that coming. Is there anything else, Lex?

Lex Demise: Unless you wanna get into their tax records. Knowing how they operate, it'd be best if you surprised them with the ATF and FBI. Contact the FBI from Nitro's place, no doubt they have surveillance on you back in the states, but they wouldn't expect you to call the FBI from there because....as far as they know....my association with Nitro ended long ago. Arrange a meeting for the ransom, get the drop on them, and you should be fine. I've given you the details, it's all a matter of execution on your part now.

VIRUS: Don't you worry about that. It will be taken care of, with or without the help of the federal government. I appreciate the information, now what message would you like delivered?

Lex Demise: Tell Dustin this....All the bars in the world can't protect him from me forever. His insult to me, his senseless and mindless actions against my soulmate will be avenged. One by one....everything he holds dear will be ripped away from him when he least expects it. Every time his daughter closes her eyes and goes to sleep, she will have nightmares of me. Every time he looks into his beloved Enika's eyes, he will see me staring back. Every time he walks around a dark alley, I could be waiting there. I helped make him....I will help break him.

And as for my favor....well....I think I'll keep that one for a rainy day.

(He can't be serious...)

VIRUS: Lex, I'll deliver that message and even though it's not intended for me, I assure you you won't touch him. Or his family. Your days of that nonsense are over. Do you honestly think you'll be able to destroy his family like you did to Joe? You took everything from him, man. I can't stand by and let that happen to Dustin.

Lex Demise: I never expected you too. But the only reason Dustin even has that family is because of luck. The only reason he's out there and I'm in here is because of blind, clueless luck. One switch the wrong way, and he'd have my life.It is because of luck he stands where he is now.....and eventually as it is with all things, his luck will run out. Now, if you'll excuse me, I do believe visiting hours are over.

VIRUS: Don't drop the soap.

(With that, I hang up the phone and shoot Lex one last stern look. I get up from the chair and walk out of the room, escorted by the guard. I leave the police station. Looks like I've got some traveling to do.)