FADE IN: on Fanueil Hall Market Place, in Boston, Mass. We find the waterfront nearby, setting a background for one Larry Tact, a man who has been absent from the circuit for some time. Tonight he wears casual attire; stonewashed blue SilverTab jeans, a metallic gray button-down shirt, and his golden blonde hair tied back. Some small boats pass by every now and again on the water, but Tact is resting with his back against the railing, looking calm and focused on us.
LARRY TACT: “It’s been around two years since I left the circuit. It doesn’t seem like so long, mostly because I haven’t been entirely away from wrestling. In fact, some might say that I was smack dab in one of the ‘heartlands of wrestling,’ last year, as my brother and I did a tour of Japan. Great place, never get tired of authentic sushi, Tokyo-style crepes, and a bowl of udon in Nagoya.”
“Late last year, though, we headed back to Stateside, and took up on an offer right around here, in Boston, from an old associate. Turns out our training had paid off, as we continue to carry on a prestigious New Era, which everyone should be watching. But I’m not really here to talk about our other ventures…”
“Fact is, I wasn’t necessarily going to come back to this circuit. The FWC has been a great place, with constant challenges and plenty of memories for me… but last time I was here, I got dealt a pretty bitter pill to swallow. Then again, one reason I went overseas was because of that… incident. I had to see if I still did have it. I wanted to know that what happened wasn’t due to my performance.”
“And now I’m back.”
He gives a little smirk.
“But I’m not here to flaunt the Tact Legacy that continues writing chapters. I’m not here to proclaim how I’m going to roll past Alex Austin, and on to Round 2, in a breeze. I’m not even going to guarantee that I’ll win.”
“Alex Austin, you had some things to say, and I can‘t say I can absolutely refute them. Not at the moment. See, you’ve caught me at a time when I’m likely viewed as somewhat… vulnerable.”
He shrugs.
“For one, I’ve been gone for some time, and now I’m showing up to compete in a tournament against someone I’ve never faced before. On top of that, it’s someone who appears serious about competing, and not just flinging insults my way for being a veteran.”
“In return, I’ll tell you this. I can see why people talk about you in NFW. I can understand your confidence, that fire you feel, and maybe it burns in your eyes. I’ll find out soon enough, when I stare straight into them and find out who you truly are. Because that’s where everything is revealed, in the ring. Our true natures come out, and we see who deserves to advance.”
“Having said that, this isn’t the time when you should be expecting to ‘steal’ anything, or have anything ‘stolen.’ Shawn Hart? Yeah, we go back. I’ve been there, done that, had my hand raised. But I don’t steal victories… I don’t have to. What I do is overwhelm. I adapt to control. I give my best, no matter if it’s a curtain jerker or a Champion on the opposite side of the ring. And it’s a formula for success, that‘s made me one of the best this circuit… this industry… born witness to.”
“But I don’t like to get in the ring with the curtain jerkers, not really. I want the Champions, Alex. I want the top tier, the best in the world, the people who tell you they’d rather DIE than lose. Those are my peers, Alex…”
“Those are the people I beat.”
“And that’s the level I’m prepared to face. So Round 1, I’m looking forward to the fire you bring. I welcome the wrestling challenge you’re throwing down to me.”
He shakes his head.
“Truth is, though, I was never expecting someone who just wanted to hit me with weapons, or do anything but wrestle. Because this is the Prodigy Classic Championship. For anyone who knows the history, this isn’t a tournament that should really accept anyone but those who appreciate the craft of wrestling.”
“For me, it’s something else, too. This is my first opportunity, in two years, to show that I still have a place here. This is where Larry Tact returns to the circuit, and opens the next chapter of the Tact Legacy on a winning note. So don’t get any ideas about my lacking a reason to show up with anything but the best wrestling this industry has been treated to, in two years.”
“I don’t say that without knowing the level that plays in these parts, only the know-how to get done what I need to, at the rate I want to. And if there’s one thing I can guarantee you, Alex, it’s that Larry Tact will not bring anything less than the skills and prowess of a Champion.”
“So while I won’t say I’m going to walk in and lay you out for a Round One victory… the opportunity I NEED is staring in front of me. The chance to show the world that Larry Tact is back and has only gained a step. And in a tournament like this, first impressions can go a long way.”
“The brackets, the buzz, it says everything you need to know about the expectations. Hornet Vs Manson. Marx Vs Manson. The finals? Hornet Vs Melton. Hornet Vs Hart. Hornet Vs Anarky. Hornet Vs High Flyer. Manson Vs Anarky. Manson Vs Hart. Manson Vs Impulse.”
“Larry Tact is only seen as middle of the pack, or the top of the middle. Solid, but not the one expected to break through.“
“There’s nothing but opportunity waiting to be claimed. This is the time for the Tact Legacy to take that next step, to a place that removes the name Larry Tact from ’the pack,’ and places it squarely in contention with Hornet, Melton, Manson, Hart, and Anarky. It’s time to take that next step… Alex Austin, I can’t afford to relinquish that opportunity to you. I won’t allow you to slip by.”
“Because, as far as we go? You put it best… Shawn Hart ’stole’ a victory from you. That’s what you call it, because you aren’t ready yet. You can do some fancy maneuvers, and exhibit good, sound technique. You can get a high profile name like CVS to train you. You can do all the preparations you want.”
“But in the end, the only way I lose this match is if I allow you to slip by. You’ll need breaks, because that’s the role of the underdog. And with the opportunity for me to elevate my legacy that much further, by simply tactilizing like never before? You‘ll just have to earn your way by, and when you face one of the best wrestlers in the industry, your light at the end of the tunnel is a blip rapidly shrinking.”
“Or, I could put it to you like this. The breaks will come in your bones. And there will be no mistakes, other than all those who think they can comfortably bank on people like Hornet, Manson, Anarky, Hart, and Melton to advance deep into this tournament, or go all the way. Because once they meet Larry Tact, I will personally make sure to dash in a tactful surrender.”
“But your despair comes first, Alex. I make my first impression with you, in the ring, Round One. Like you said… that is where it begins…”
“For you, that’s also going to be the Humbling end.”
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with some Chowder, a lobster roll, and a 42-ounce Prime Rib. Durgin Park-- classic.”
He grins and walks away from the dock, heading towards the nearby Durgin Park restaurant.
FADE OUT.