Coming full circle.... once more....
[updated:LAST EDITED ON Apr-22-03 AT 08:58 PM (EST)](FADE TO..... to a dimly lit room with two chairs facing each other, one chair has a phone on it, the speaker button on it is lit. In the other chair sits a rather large, powerfully built man, the man we know simply as Maelstrom. He drops his head a bit, allowing his long black mane to hang listlessly forward, obscuring his features. At his feet lies the GLCW Heavyweight strap, coiled carelessly over his Timberland boots. He utters something inaudible as he leans forward to rest his elbows upon his knees, his long black mane continues to obscure his face as he stares at the GLCW strap on the ground. He continues mumbling something inaudible as he rocks back and forth slightly. As we creep closer, we begin to make out some of what he's saying......)
MAELSTROM: (mumbling faintly) ..... coming full circle.... coming full circle.....
(suddenly a voice is heard emanating from the speaker phone on the chair)
SPEAKER-PHONE: .... are you still there? I need to get this exclusive in before my midnight deadline.
MAELSTROM: (in a deep gutteral voice) Yeah.... yeah, I'm here....
SPEAKER-PHONE: Okay, lets see, you've managed to capture TOP BILLING and TITLES where ever you go. Just the very mention of your name sells tickets. Some even consider you a legend, an icon, yet it doesn't seem to phase you? I mean, you drag around the GLCW's most prestigious title as though it were nothing more than an after-thought.
MAELSTROM: Legend.... Icon..... God...... Titles..... Billing..... (sighs heavily) ... those things always seem to be the focus for a lot of guys..... guys like Ash.... guys like Morgan.... guys that obviously have the talent and drive to achieve it in time, but ironically enough, may never do so 'cuz they've yet to reach their impasse.... let alone breach it. If any of 'em ever do get to that stage, an' are able to handle it, THEN they'll truly realize that they've finally captured the most precious trophy imaginable. I've managed to capture the billing and a few straps along the way an------
(INTERRUPTED)
SPEAKER-PHONE: A FEW straps? You've captured titles in nearly every league you've entered.... in just your rookie year you not only became a SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION, but you held THREE of those World Titles simultaneously and were also ranked as the #10 contender to UCC Title! And that's not even including the countless regional titles you've captured. And what about this impasse you mentioned? What exactly is that all about?
(INTERRUPTED)
MAELSTROM: I don't dwell on that stuff, just the ends to my means. It just doesn't drive me the way it does most. I mean, when it comes down to it, WHO THE HELL CARES?! The UCC was one of the most corrupt organizations to ever exist in the wrestling industry so bein' ranked there kinda losses all its intended cache or value. As for the titles, it's an interesting foot-note an' it while it may increase the value of yer contract..... it really won't make any difference when you step through those ring ropes now will it? I mean, best it can do is give ya a psychological edge.... maybe! Even then, it still comes down to what yer ability can get ya..... not yer rep! At least in most feds that is.....
SPEAKER-PHONE: That's an interesting take on things. But you still haven't answered my earlier question about this impasse you speak of?
MAELSTROM: That's right, I haven't.... so move on to yer next question.
(a brief moment of uneasy silence passes until the next question is asked....)
SPEAKER-PHONE: Um, okay. (clears his throat) Well then, what about Stephen Morgan and his insistence that he WILL dethrone you as champion? What do you have to say about that? Do you think it's more arrogance than confidence?
MAELSTROM: No. Actually I believe it's probably a little of both. I do believe that he feels the necessary confidence to BELIEVE he has the ability to win, but at the same time I don't think he's as certain as he makes himself out to be. He carries an attitude, an' that's all good... HELL, my whole life is based on A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E! But attitude can only carry you as far as the ability to back up what ya claim.... an' he's making some really huge claims right now, actually more like guarantees.... guarantees 'bout dethroning me.
SPEAKER-PHONE: Okay.... that brings up my next question. Morgan has continually made some very inflammatory remarks regarding your intellect, or better put, your lack of it. He seems to be following Manson's example. Do you think he's making those comments just to get under your skin or do you believe he really believes it?
MAELSTROM: Whose to say? It could be both, it could be neither. Like ya said, he's doin' the same thing Manson did, an' we all saw what happened to him didn't we? (chuckles) In any event, I really don't care, if he wants to believe I'm just some sorta "all muscle an' no brain" type of opponent, then that's all on him.... he's ultimately gonna have to deal with having his boasts an' guarantees revealed as nothin' more than empty, hollow, pompous threats.
SPEAKER-PHONE: You've recently been drawing a lot of attention from the likes of Anarky as well as Manson, the UA and even some of your own tag team partners. Needless to say, you're creating a lot of heat from both sides of the camp. Doesn't that concern you? Do you think that you have drawn just a little too much attention from too many sources?
MAELSTROM: On the contrary.... there's no such thing as drawing TOO much attention. I welcome it.... hell, I EMBRACE IT! Like I've always said, if anyone ever has a problem with anythin' I say or do, an' I DO mean A-N-Y-B-O-D-Y..... all they have to do is step to me, I'm not a hard man to find.
SPEAKER-PHONE: I understand, but with all due respect, you have guys like ANARKY, MANSON, RABESQUE, THE UA, POE and NEMESIS who can headline anywhere in the world, cutting eyes at you. And Morgan, though he's a relative newcomer, he is by no means a pushover. And of course lets not forget any partners the GLCW may pair you with in future matches.
MAELSTROM: Yeah that's true (laughs faintly) but ya know what? THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL 'BOUT! I mean really, ya think I came all this way to get the easy matches against losers like Minion?
SPEAKER-PHONE: Hey now, come on. Minion is a LEGITIMATE contender. It's just a matter of time before he'll be contending for a title here in the GLCW.
MAELSTROM: (yawns then starts laughing) Uh huh.... Minion, a major contender? Sure, I suppose if a guy like him could beat a guy like Nevada Smith then anything is possible.... then again, Nevada Smith isn't much to speak of either..... so much for that theory eh?
SPEAKER-PHONE: Well, I don't agree with your assessment about Minion, or Nevada Smith for that matter, but you are entitled to your opinion. But getting back to one of my earlier questions.... WHAT about this impasse and talk of breaching it?
(Maelstrom drops his head into his hands, grasping at his temples as if warding off a sudden headache. He lets out a low groan as he shakes his head from side to side)
SPEAKER-PHONE: Hello, are you still there?
MAELSTROM
still groaning he begins to mumble faintly....) .... coming full circle... coming full circle....
SPEAKER-PHONE: Does this impasse have to do with some sort of ritual or belief or is it just a front?
(Maelstrom reaches out and .....)
SPEAKER-PHONE: How big of a part will it play in your title defense against Stephen Morgan? Does Morgan know anything about this impa----
(disconnects the phone..... He sits there motionless, elbows on knees, head dropped forward. With a heavy sigh, he shrugs his massive shoulders and sits back in the chair and lets his head drop forward. His long black mane drops listlessly and shrouds his features from us as he groans and stretches long and hard. He then stares pensively at the phone with the receiver off the hook and gives a curious look about the room, half expecting someone but finding no one. He pauses momentarily, deep in thought, then with an unconscious shrug of his shoulders he picks up the GLCW title and drags it in tow behind him as he leaves...... leaves us with questions unanswered...... leaves us with the sounds of the phone buzzing incessantly....... leaves us to simply..... FADE OUT.....)