Zero vs Lehew vs Miller

[EZieba]

Unified World Heavyweight Title Match:

Zero (C) vs 'Career Ender' Chris Lehew vs John Miller

 

[tylerdurden]

Keeping the peace...

(Fade to the shot of a stone gargoyle poised in front of a cloudy gray sky. The inanimate creature almost seems as if it’s about to spring into action as the camera pans down and zooms out. The wider shot reveals that the scene is a church in the London area. The beautiful 19th century architecture seems to be showing signs of wear and tear, small cracks forming about its structure. At the base of this large gothic building, upon the large steps going up to the doors, sits a lone man. The camera zooms in to reveal that it’s none other than The Steel City Icon, John Miller. His facial features are hidden for the most part, shrouded in the dark shadow created by the church and the brim of his ballcap. Miller wears a pair of dark blue jeans, tan timberland boots, a black FDNY hooded sweatshirt, and a black GXW fitted ballcap. As the camera zooms in, Miller lifts a hand to his mouth, holding a cigarette limply between his fingers. He pulls a Zippo from his pocket, igniting it. John lights his cigarette and takes a drag off of it as the cameraman approaches. He takes a seat beside Miller, facing towards him. John continues staring out into the streets of London, never turning to address the camera directly. Smoke slowly escapes his lips as he begins speaking.}

Miller: Seems we have a situation on our hands.

{John rubs his dirty blonde goatee in contemplation.}

Miller: After almost 9 months, Dan Ryan has been dethroned as Global Xtreme Wrestling’s World Heavyweight Champion. I have to admit, the events that transpired at Fallout caught me by total surprise. On one hand we have the loss to Chris Lehew. On the other, we have the start of Zero’s reign. Both equally surprising… just not equally satisfying. You see, I was glad you took the strap off of Ryan, Zero, really I was. But it put me in a situation I could have never imagined. Case in point… the upcoming triple threat match. But this is what it’s about right? Zero/Lehew/Miller… for the world title. I don’t think GXW could have delivered a better Christmas gift to the U.K. this year.

{Miller takes another drag off his cigarette. He pauses for a few seconds, then exhales the smoke.}

Miller: Rewind to a few days ago. Here I was, bent, twisted, cut, bruised… laying in my dressing room. My mind starts to wander… “what to do now?”. So in the short term, I turn on the monitor. Just in time to see Zero being hoisted above a sea of GXW wrestlers. Then I see the World Title draped over his shoulders. “Hmmmm. Interesting.” For the few minutes my attention was totally fixed on the monitor, the pain seemed to subside when I picked the tacks out of my arms. The body didn’t hurt anymore. The physical pain went away… but what remained… was much worse. While I was happy for you Zero, I knew what was about to happen. The worst case scenario, if you will. As I try to pull my eyes away from the monitor, you… Lehew… step out from the back. And why wouldn’t you want to, right? You’re the number one contender. You’ve gotta show the champ what’s in store for him.

{Miller shakes his head silently, taking another hit off his cigarette. He sighs and runs his free hand over his hat, adjusting it on his head.}

Miller: In a way Zero, I almost prayed you didn’t win the title that night. I had lost to Lehew already. I knew he was next in line. All that was left was a champion for him to challenge. And you stepped up to bat.

{Miller turns, addressing the camera directly.}

Miller: And now, we have a situation on our hands which I don’t think anyone can control. Zero and Lehew, for the World Title. The ultimate conflict. Something that could very well rock the foundation of wrestling as we know it. But who better to control this conflict than… the steel city icon? You see guys, I was thinking. What’s the easiest way to stop a war? Do it yourself.

{Miller grins and again takes a hit off of his cigarette.}

Miller: An unnecessary amount of blood has been spilt between the two of you. Granted, you have your reasons for this conflict. I saw what the world saw. I saw two men destroying one another. And now we’ve got more fuel for the fire. The World Title hangs in the balance. Well here’s the plan. I take the strap… and I save you two from ripping each other apart. It’s as simple as that. It’s for your own good, and the good of the company. Chris, I poked fun at the fact that if you won the title you’d eventually have to defend against Zero. But what’s taken place has provided us with a situation I don’t think even you or I could have imagined. GXW is the home of Xtreme… but what we don’t need, is two of the top competitors this company has to offer killing one another. Right now it’s just a match for the world title. Soon it’s gonna’ escalate, and soon GXW will be pushed past the point of no return. Which is why I’ve gotta’ stop things where they are.

{John takes the cigarette and flicks it into the street, small sparks flying as the glowing end bounces off the pavement.}

Miller: I’m not going to sit here and make promises as I’ve done before. I’ve learned it gets you nowhere. What I AM going to do, is tell each and every fan out there that I’m gonna give this my best shot. I will give each and every single ounce of fight I have left in my body. I will devote all my strength, all my effort, to ensuring that things are taken care of here in GXW. I can only say that I’ve been to hell and back, and I’m still kickin’… so don’t lose faith. Zero, I admire you greatly for what you’ve done. Your comeback has been an inspiring story for the guys in the back, and the fans as well, I’m sure. But what I’m gonna’ try and do will end up saving you from ever having to go through it all again. If you and Lehew go at it again…

{John takes a pause, looking away from the camera, then back again.}

Miller: Let’s just say I don’t even wanna’ think about it. You two are the best GXW has to offer. Which is all the more reason for me to control these matters. You’re assets to this company. Lehew… I know you and I got off on the wrong foot a long time ago. Just don’t take this as me blowing smoke up your ass, alright? I realize you two are top prospects here. And if I’m guessing correctly, I’m thinking that’s the reason I’m even involved in this match. Chris, you beat me fair and square. You tossed my ass onto a bed of {beep)ing thumbtacks. I’m not gonna’ lie, it hurt like a {beep}.

{Miller chuckles slightly and smiles.}

Miller: You gained the title of Number One Contender. And things would have probably been all fine and dandy, if Nate hadn’t won the World Championship. I believe I wouldn’t even be here right now if things had unfolded differently. But now, GXW finds itself staring down the barrel of a loaded gun. Anything could have happened. There was a 1 in 6 chance we’d be looking at Zero vs. Lehew. I can just hear the collective “oh {beep}” coming from the offices as Zero won that title. So they’ve called in the peacekeeper.

{John laughs at the irony of the situation.}

Miller: So I’VE been thrown back into the mix… I’ve been reinserted into the title scene. Others may question why… but I think I’ve got the reasons down. I know my purpose… I know what I have to do. And I’m going to give it my all. I’m not a machine… I’m not undefeated… I’m {beep}ing human. I’ve lost my fair share, and I’ve won a few as well. Hell, I’ve lost to both you and Lehew, Zero. Cleanly. No bull. But things happen, things change, and the chance is always there. That’s why we’re even having this match.

{John stands up and puts his hands into the pocket on his hoodie. He takes a breath of air, then looks around the street.}

Miller: What goes on between you two is up to you. You do what you want to do. You hate each other? Do things the hard way. Just don’t expect me to stand by and let it all happen when I’m in that ring. At Battleground: Britain, I’m gonna show London how we do things Steel City style. I’ve got one more chance… I’ve got one more opportunity… and I’m taking it. It’s like they say… if at first you don’t succeed….

{Miller stops mid sentence, smiles slightly, then turns around. He begins walking off into the distance as the camera fixes on him, then loses focus. The scene fades to black.}

 

[SFZero]

The Fall and The Fire

In the lays of night we lay our scene, silently observing in a darkened living room. What furnishings are visible in the dark tell us more about the location than an image of the building's exterior. Cramped spaces; a small television, its insectile antennae wrapped in ancient looking tin foil; a ragged couch missing three of its four legs; truly, this must be a cheap apartment, somewhere in Urbana.

The pieces begin to fit as we take in the prone figure stretched out on the slouching couch, his features illuminated by the glowing television set.

His dark blonde hair is spread out wildly on the arm of the couch which he uses as a pillow, its strands knotted and unkempt. He is clad in only a pair of dark gray sweat pants and a faded "CRAZY..NOT STUPID" t-shirt. His name is Zero.

Or maybe it's Nate Logan. The two are synonymous and antithetical at the same time. A proverbial yin and yang. The man who captured the dream, the Global X-Treme Wrestling Unified World Heavyweight Championship is sleeping. But his rest looks anything but peaceful.

He tosses and turns, writhes and cries out, his actions seemingly mirroring those happening on the television set. As the tape in the VCR rolls on, it's clear that he is dreaming...rather, reliving...these horrible images.

"Greed" by Godsmack cues up as "Career Ender" Chris Lehew struts on to the stage, a smirk upon his face. He slowly makes his way down the ramp to the ring, the crowd erupting in boos. The intensity of the booing is so strong in fact, that one hot-headed fan tries to leap over the barricade to get at Lehew with a broken beer bottle, but security drags him off.

He cries out in his sleep, his voice cracking and weak.

Zero: Chris...

Zero sprints down the ramp to meet Lehew, the ref starting the match as soon as he reaches the ring. The crowd's cheers raise in volume as Zero gains a quick advantage, spearing Lehew into the corner. Both men get to their feet at the same time, and for one second that seems to stretch on indefinitely, they simply glare into one another's eyes, the hatred tangible.

Our anti-hero jerks back and forth, his closed eyes squinting farther shut as his nightmare continues.

Zero picks a steel baseball bat, out of a garbage can of hardcore goodies, then swings it into Lehew's gut with all his strength. Lehew rolls out of the way just before it hits him, the bat rattling off the steel chair. Lehew backs off, raising his hands up at Zero like a pseudo-shield.

JG: Lehew better watch himself. Zero looks about ready to snap.

Zero charges at Lehew with the bat, screaming like a madman, but Lehew deftly side-steps, causing Zero to flip over the barricade and tumble into the crowd. As Zero slowly gets to his feet, Lehew darts forward, leaping onto the barricade, then flying off with a flying bulldog onto Zero, slamming his face onto the floor.

Zero: No...no...why...why...

But dreams cannot give new answers to old questions, and on the lonely protagonist suffers.

Both men struggle to their feet at the same time, glaring at each other for a few second before Lehew lunges forward, Powerbombing Zero through the table. Lehew walks into a nearby door, disappearing. Zero slowly gets to his feet, a look of intense pain on his face as he touches his back. The pain turns to confusion as he notices that Lehew has vanished.

Zero: Chris! Chris...come...back...where did...you go...

Where indeed. Certainly not in the kalidoscopic dream realm that holds the World Champion as its prisoner.

Zero gets to his feet grabbing a nearby trash can and slamming it down on Lehew's prone form, causing a huge dent in the metal. He throws the can to the side, pulling a table out from under the ring. He sets it up, testing it for strength.

GM: What’s he up to now?

He then reaches under the ring again, pulling out a large bag. He opens the bag and empties it on the table, revealing its contents are nails, tacks, screws, and various unpleasant little metal things.

JG: I have a bad feeling about this, Garrett…

Finally, he pulls a metal gas can from under the ring, looks at it pensively for a moment, then his eyes narrow and he pours the gasoline all over the table, emptying the can, then tossing it over his shoulder. He pulls something out of his pocket-- it's not visible at first, but as the small orange glow appears in his hand, it's obvious that it is a match. He hesitates for a moment, but then tosses the match down onto the table, igniting it in a massive flame.

Zero: Ohhhh....nooo....stop...

Zero lifts two knees simultaneously into Lehew's chin, locking an arm around his neck for Zero Hour, but Lehew drives a hand up, grabbing Zero by the throat and shoving him backwards, still holding the choking grip. Zero crashes through the skybox's plate glass window, hanging over empty space, held aloft by Lehew's choke.

Zero: NO! NO! PLEASE! CHRIS! CHRIS! DON'T! DON'T DROP ME CHRIS!

Zero fights and claws at Lehew, trying to get back into the skybox and to get the grip off his neck, but Lehew holds him firm. Finally, Zero's hands slowly fall to his sides, and he lowers his head, his chin-length hair falling down over his face. The silence before was nothing. There is no sound in the arena. And then Lehew lets go.

It is said that the truest sound of despair is not made by the mouth, but by the heart. This theory is now proven wrong by the sudden ear-piercing cry from Logan.

Zero: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Zero falls, almost in slow motion, over the fans, over the sea of people, over the barricade, and crashes into the flaming table, splintering it into a million pieces. He does not move, even as the flames begin lapping at him. Lehew limps down the steps, the fans who before took shots at him and slapped him on the back part as he comes by, few get near him, even fewer look at him. Lehew climbs slowly over the barrier, pulls Zero's motionless body from the wreckage, turns it over, and covers him. The only sound in the arena is the bell ringing, announcing Lehew the winner, and new Television Champion.

Zero: Ohhh...Chris...the fall...the fire...why...

The tape runs its course, clicking off to throw the room into pitch darkness. The sound of squirming on the couch slowly and surely subsides, the choking black miasma of the nightmare fading away, leaving only one last gasping cry.

Zero: Chris...

Fin.[i/]

 

[tylerdurden]

Nightmares...

{Fade in from black. This particular shot reveals a bench, alone in a park, along the Thames river. A street lamp pours forth a cascade of light upon this object, which is occupied by a solitary figure. A fog creeps through the scene, encompassing the surroundings and blocking most of the background from view. The cameraman positions himself behind the figure, which appears to be John Miller. The Steel City Icon, if you will. Miller leans forwards in the bench, not resting, not showing a sign of comfort. He rests uneasy, running a hand over his sandy blonde hair. Before the camera even makes it around to the other side of Miller, he begins speaking.}

Miller: Lehew. Logan. Two men who have left their respective marks on our business. Two men who seem to rise to the top on each and every occasion. Men... not puppets. Not toys. Two MEN... acting out their own wills and aggressions. Not for the sake of others, but for their own hatred and contempt for one another. These men have overcome insurmountable odds, yet the biggest task placed before them comes right now, right here. A world title match... with myself right smack-dab in the middle. An interesting predicament, to say the least.

{John pauses, shaking his head slightly. He leans back in the bench, resting his arms upon the back of it. We can now see that John is dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt and a pair of jeans, as usual.}

Miller: Logan... I know this haunts you. Was gaining that title a blessing? Was it worth it? That's the question you've got to ask yourself. That's what everything comes down to. Right now you're at center stage, Zero. You're the man of the hour, if you will. But unfortunately, you've got two men right there on your doorstep ready to step up in your place. You took the strap from perhaps the greatest champion this business has ever seen, Zero. You dethroned Dan Ryan and ended his reign as Global Xtreme Wrestling's World Champion. And now, you've taken on the responsibilities of the position. The burden, rather. The conflict with Lehew, it was subsiding. You were getting away from it, weren't you? Everything was alright. Then that one night changed everything. Your greatest enemy, staring you down, preparing you for the challenge you're about to face. But perhaps the biggest problem you have is not with Lehew, now is it? Not when it comes to the strap... no, there's something else you've got to worry about now. Now it's just not Lehew anymore. It's me. I'm right here, ready to take that strap from around your waist. But listen... before we jump to conclusions... I'm not here out of some vendetta. I'm not here because I have any ill will towards you. I'm here, because my goal is, and always has been one thing, and one thing only. I stated in my recent promo that I'd keep the peace in this match. And there's really only one way I'm ever going to accomplish that. By becoming the World Champion. Logan... I respect you as a man. I respect you as a wrestler. But the title you bare is one I have strived and fought for for quite some time. Not to discredit your quest for the gold, my friend... but I too, have shared that very dream. I too, have spent nights awake, tormented. While the object of my nightmares is the ever elusive World Championship, I don't think I can say the same about you. I don't know you Zero. I don't know Nate Logan. But what I do know, is that Chris Lehew just about killed you on a previous occasion. That can NEVER be good for the mind, body... or soul. I can't sit here and say I know what you're going through, because I don't. But I can tell you I've been in a situation of similar circumstance. You see... you've got your demons, I've got mine. Everyone's got something that eats at them. Everyone's got an achille's heel. Yours, appears to be Chris Lehew. Mine... well... we just won't go there.

{The cameraman repositions himself around the other side of Miller, focusing on John's face. His eyes narrow as he stares off into the night sky... remember days of old with his once tag team partner, Inferno.}

Miller: So just how in the hell are we going to avoid the unavoidable? Well we're not. But here's the thing, Logan. All battles you have waged with Zero, all the confrontations, everything that's ever occurred between the two of you, none of it will have mattered once the score's been settled, will it? But how are you going to settle the score Nate? Are you gonna' injure Lehew? Are you going to get a pinfall over him? Or is owning the World Title enough retribution? Indeed, I would not want to be in your shoes right now. The decisions you have ahead of you could very well shape your future and Lehew's as well. All I know is that I've got my own decisions to make. Like I said... I've got to set things straight around here. I can't have you and Lehew going off killing one another while the title hangs in the midst of things. I figure that we can kill two birds with one stone, though. I get to accomplish my lifelong dream... and I get to ensure that GXW is headed down the right path. It's nothing against your reign, Logan. Or possibly YOURS for that matter, Lehew. No, what this is about... is the strength of this company, the strength of that title, and the strength of the man holding it. You're a strong individual Zero. But how long can you stand an assault from the likes of Chris Lehew? Any champion would have a problem with the task. It doesn't make it any easier that you and the man have shared a feud that reaches further back than even I'm sure of.

John takes a moment to pause and light a cigarette. He takes a slow drag off of it and continues speaking.}

Miller: Nate... I used to be haunted by a man not unlike the way you are now. I spent countless nights thinking about how I was going to overcome the obstacle of hatred I was feeling. I thought... and thought... and thought, until one day it all became so perfectly clear. You're never going to be satisfied, my friend. You see... my enemy... was Dan Ryan. He was the Continental Champion at the time. At the height of my rage... the height of my passion towards taking him out... I dethroned him as the title holder. I was the king of the world. Or was I? Shortly thereafter.... Dan Ryan became the World Champion. And the thirst for redemption reers its ugly head again. So my point to you, Zero, is that no matter what occurs, you're never going to find what you need. Beating the living snot out of Lehew isn't going to accomplish the task. I know you feel a hatred inside you that has brewed for the past year. I can't ask you to ignore what Chris Lehew has done to you in the past. But what I can ask of you, is to remain focused. At Battleground: Britain, Chris Lehew is not the only thing you have to worry about. I will be there, in that very ring, with my one goal in mind. And I will stop at NOTHING, to achieve it. I'm going to throw every single thing I have at you... I'm going to push myself past any limits I've ever reached before. Why? Because right now... this title needs it more than ever. This title needs me... and so do the fans of Global Xtreme Wrestling. The name of this pay per view is fitting... for a war will surely be waged on that day in January. Britain WILL host this battle... and will hopefully see the end of it.

{With that closing remark, John stands up from the bench. He takes a drag off his cigarette and stares out across the river, his mind wandering into deep thought.}

The ultimate confrontation lies ahead. The future of GXW depends on the actions of three men. And now, John Miller is one of those men. The actions he takes could stop an onslaught, could prevent unnecessary bloodshed... could very well save the careers of two promising superstars. And whether they agree at the current point in time or not, it's got to be done.

{John looks down to his feet and then back to the river. He takes a deep breath and begins walking off into the park, the camera losing sight of him. Fade to black.}

 

[Gypsypm5k]

John who?

Fade in on a shot of the Career Ender himself, Chris Lehew. The shot is tightly focused on his face and neck, very little of his surroundings visible. It’s obvious that he hasn’t shaved in many days. Stray locks of raven black hair fall into his steel gray eyes. He grins widely, the camera lens reflecting in his sparkling white teeth. Slowly, he begins to speak.

Lehew: Well it looks like I’m mister popular in the GXW nowadays. Kick a few losers ass and suddenly they’re kissing your ass on live television. Break a zero’s back and suddenly he’s having wet dreams about you. Never in my wildest dreams did I see something this happening. My how things have changed. No one gave me a second glance in my entire career. No one gave a *beep* about me. No on respected me. But suddenly I do what I always do—beat someone I have a perfect record against—with a special stip, and everyone cares. They’re all watching me. All talking about how good I am. That’s one thing Nate and I have in common… possibly the only thing. No one cared about either of us till we nearly killed each other, and even then barely anyone cared. But now all eyes are on us. We’re the ‘guys to watch’.

Lehew shakes his head slowly.

Lehew: What happened, Miller? Two weeks ago you were mocking me, mocking my relationship with Nate Logan, mocking my in ring ability, talking me down. Now you’ve kissed my ass twice in a row. I’m still the same person. All I did was kick your ass… again. I’ve still got the same ring ability, the same history, the same tendency to rant. The only difference now is I’ve got a chance to destroy my enemy for the title you’ve tried to win for as long as I can remember. How you got involved in this, I do not know. Last I checked I was the number one contender, not you. Your little story of how you’re the ‘referee’ brought in to keep us from killing each other is BS. As if you’re going to stop me if I feel like running Zero over in a car. Like you’ll stop Zero from attacking me with a metal bat. Anything I do to Nate, I’ll do to you. If I were you I wouldn’t even show up. You never know what’s going to happen when you throw Lehew and Zero in the ring together.

He smiles again, the camera slowly zooming out to reveal Lehew’s surroundings. He sits in front of a disgustingly ugly and dilapidated lime green Edsel. Lehew runs a hand over the hood of the car, a sadistic grin on his face.

Lehew: How do you like my new car? Does it look familiar, Nate? It was your first car. Picked up pretty cheap, thought you might want to see it. But Zero… this is the last time you’ll ever see it.

Lehew reaches off screen, pulling back a sledge hammer. He immediately turns around, smashing the wind shield out, and then going to work on the body of the car. After he does significant damage, the shot pulls wider again. Lehew and the car sit on the edge of a cliff. With a grunt, Lehew begins to push the car backwards, slowly at first. As the car picks up speed, Lehew’s grin widens. Eventually the car soars over the edge of the cliff and out of view.

Lehew: You see, Zero. I’m bored of just giving you bad memories. You can forget new memories. You can ignore what I do with you. Short term pain is exactly that—short term. I’m bored of it. I’ve moved on to bigger and better things. I’m going to destroy the few good memories you still have. If you think this was bad… you aint seen nothing, yet.

Lehew turns from the camera, walking off screen.

Lehew: Hope you didn’t leave anything of value in the trunk…

 

[SFZero]

Sometimes I Wonder

OOC-Please forgive the tardiness of this RP. My parents up and decided not to pay the internet bill this month, so I'm temporarily without net. I'm currently in a library, but I should have access by the end of the week.

The scene fades in unobtrusively on the interior of Nate Logan's Charlotte, North Carolina apartment. The dark, shrouded tableau that it appeared to be during the night is much changed in the light.

Obscenely messy, but by no means disorganized, the apartment seems to operate by its own code of cleanliness and order. Items are scattered across the floor, but they are situated in such a way that one cannot help but think that this is it's designated place.

The cheap, low-grade plastic blinds have been raised up, letting the soft, warming mid-morning sunlight into the main room. A small stereo plays music, but the sound is too quiet for aural identification.

Sitting on the arm of his antediluvian sofa, the comforting sunlight being absorbed into his dark blonde, chin length hair is none other than Zero himself.

He is garbed in a pair of nearly obliterated blue jeans, the holes around the knees grown to such proportions that the lower section of the jeans is held on by only an inch or two of fabric, and a dark blue t-shirt emblazoned with the word "Watershed."

The area around his reddened eyes is cloaked with black; it's obvious he hasn't been sleeping well for quite some time. Yet despite the weariness of his features, his piercing blue eyes still maintain their cold magnificence, perhaps even regality.

Zero: Fate couldn't have scripted it better. All it took was one night to take the stable balance of power in Global X-Treme Wrestling and shake it to ruin, like the proverbial snow globe. Instead of the "parliamentary procedure" that existed in GXW; the challenger challenges the champion, they wrestle, one loses, and everyone lives happily ever after, we're presented with a much different and volatile situation.

He purses his lips for a moment, then a slow smile creeps over his features. Strangely enough, it seems to be a smile of pride.

Zero: We've been called insane. Murderous. Detrimental to the company. Two men who would kill each other on national television if given the chance. And it's all true. Every last bit. And we're damn proud of it. As the man said...we're the best there is at what we do...and what we do isn't very nice.

A pause.

Zero: And so here we are. An overseas pay-per-view in England, of all places. And my first title defense since becoming the World Champion. Not only am I facing my arch-nemesis, but a man named John Miller.

Logan glances out the window for a moment, collecting his thoughts, and then turns back to the camera.

Zero: Miller, we've crossed paths before. I don't have a specific problem with you that I can think of. In fact, I think you're a pretty cool guy. However, you're now threatening the most important thing in my life, and that's the World Championship. And that means you're just as bad as Chris in my book. For all your talk about "keeping the peace" and doing this "for the good of the company," I'm sure you had most of the world convinced. But not this zero. I'm not a moron, I can see through your facade. You're in this for one thing. You're in this for John Miller. All you're interested in is the fifteen pounds of gold I have sitting on my bedroom floor. You're just as much of a self-centered ass as any of these other pompous fools who think they're the savior of GXW.

A moment of anger passes over Nate's features as he continues.

Zero: And you say that you can identify with my situation? That you know where I'm coming from? F*** you. You don't know #####, John. I don't care what kind of a little namby-pants, kayfabe bulls*** FEUD you had with Dan Ryan. I don't care how many times you beat his ass, or he beat your ass. Because when it was all said and done, it was just that...a FEUD. Do you know what it's like to spend your ENTIRE LIFE terrified that someone might just up and KILL YOU?! And you can IDENTIFY with that, John?! F*** you.

Nate Logan takes a deep breath, calming himself down.

Zero: Speaking of the devil. Chris...we're in a rather interesting situation again. It seems cyclical, doesn't it? For all the wealth, all the power you have...I have something you want. First it was the Television Title, and now it's the World Championship. You said it right six years ago, I'm nothing but a zero. But this zero has something you're positively lusting after. And it's going to be different from the Television Title, Chris. You had to BREAK my BACK to tear that title from my hands. If you want the World Championship, Chris....you're going to have to kill me. I don't give a f*** how many of my memories you tarnish and throw off cliffs...I don't need them anymore. Because I have the future. And in the very near future...once pawns like John Miller are out of the way...it's going to be just like old days. You...me...and a whole lot of collateral damage.

He stops, seeming to pass into deep thought. He looks toward the camera, and though he is speaking to the entire nation, one can almost feel that he's speaking a secret, just to Chris Lehew.

Zero: And Chris...sometimes I wonder. For all the s*** you've put me through. Every day of high school that I wanted to slit my wrists...every insult that's ever left your lips to nail me in the face...every drop of blood I left in the ring at your feet...every day I was curled into a ball, crying because I couldn't move my legs...for all you've done to me, Chris...sometimes I wonder.

He turns his head, looking out the window.

Zero: Maybe you're the only one who understands me after all.

Fin.