The scene opens to the “Sake Taru Lounge”, the world's first and only rotating Sake Lounge. Sat some 354 feet above the cityline, atop the red steel of the traditional, Japanese drum styled, Kobe Port Tower.
The majestic, midnight, waterfront view of Harborland and being the only lounge in the country where you can find all varieties of sake made in the “Nadagogo'' region have undoubtedly made “Sake Taru” the premiere destination for Kobe’s upper echelon of celebrity, athlete and socialite alike.
Slumped at the bamboo bar in thick plumes of his own “Seven Star” cigarette tobacco smoke, a cemetery of Kobe Beef soaked culinary and an endless array of empty Saki glasses, “The Gourmet Ghoul of Kobe”, Hito-Gui has found his way back home to Japan once again.
Patron: My my my, what a mess. They weren’t kidding when they called you a binge eater Hito-Gui!
Even the most opulent of Taru’s patrons are enamored by the aura emanating from their homegrown Puroresu.
Inebriated by a medley of his city's finest Ginjoshu rice saki, nicotine and the marbleized fat, the opaque, hollow, eyes of Hito-Gui lacadiscially rise just enough to peer over the outer rim of his designer Masunga sunglasses before inching a plate of Wagyu the patrons way.
Hito-Gui:You're looking a little pale Tomodachi.
Hito-Gui: You're going to have to eat better if you want to stay healthy.
The patron appreciatively smiles at the genuine gesture from one of Japan’s most exalted icons known for reasons both accomplished and nefarious, before raising a palm towards the dish in a manner of rejection.
Patron: Oh no, that is quite alright. Save it for yourself. I don’t eat Wagyu.
Patron: I’m Vegan.
The patron lips reflexively curl in repulsion
Coming from the most extremely affluent and respected lineage in Japan, “The Gourmet Ghoul”, Hito is a black sheep in the Gui family. An intellectual demon that finds solace in the slaughter. Tempting to tame that would be almost as impossible.
The rotted mind and unpredictable nature of Hito-Gui is only exacerbated by his uniquely refined palette and complete intolerance for any disrespect of his superior tastes.
Hito-Gui: You see, here is the thing… There is something Hito-Gui likes to do even more than eating Wagyu.
Retrieving a traditional 12” Tanto from the breast pocket of his gaudy pastel pink, hand sewn Noriyuki suit jacket, a horrific and unnaturally wide sneer nearly extends from ear to ear.
Hito-Gui: And there is nothing like the sense of power and the look of anguish you get from turning on some idiot who trusts you wholeheartedly and they finally give up hope.
Hito-Gui: There it is.
Hito-Gui: There is only one way to atone for your offense!
With a swift swipe a shower of Saki, glass and Kobe Beef cascades to the bamboo floor below as Hito-Gui prepares to “cook”.
Hito-Gui: Yubitsume!!!
Hito-Gui’s empty eyes nearly rocket from their sockets with excitement as his cool, calm and collected demeanor continues to drastically deteriorate.
Hito-Gui’s silk shirt sails through the air in one direction as he happily Kabuki dances on his designer sunglasses before placing a pristine white cloth dinner napkin where he just previously dined.
Hito-Gui: You know what time it is.
Hito-Gui: Put your left hand on the napkin Tomodachi…
Left with little to no recourse, the sobbing patron reluctantly obliges Mr.Gui.
Hito-Gui: Don’t be a Kuso Onna, its just a pinky knuckle.
Hito-Gui: “Oyabun” Pato will be pleased with your offerings.
The scene fades to the traditional black and showering of Sakura Tree petals synonymous with LOTUS and the clack of steel and sickening screams of a grown man.
TAG TEAM TURMOIL
CUTLASS vs. R.o.C
The camera opens to Verde walking through the expansive halls of the OCW backstage area. He’s passing by doors, looking at the nameplates until one of the doors opens and a familiar face begins to exit.
It’s the Scot known as Fraser, but as he exits the locker room a massive confetti bomb explodes opposite his door, shooting confetti all over the Sanctum leader.
He angrily turns around and enters the locker room, slamming the door behind him. Verde, having seen all this, quickly runs to the remnants of the bomb, crouching down and reading that all of the confetti strips were emblazened with the word BELIEVE!
With a sigh, Verde stands up and turns to the door. He hesitates, before knocking on it. A visibly irritated Sheldon Tremblay whips open the door, looking Verde up and down, before slamming it shut again.
Verde pauses, considering his options, but hesitantly knocks a second time. He’s greeted by Tremblay’s irritated face once more, but before Tremblay can shut it Verde sticks a foot into the locker room.
Past Tremblay, Verde can see Fraser wiping confetti and some other substance off of himself with a towel and his hands, mumbling curses to himself.
Tremblay: What the bloody hell do you want, Chris? Your “Partner was already here and had a … surprise for us as you probably know!
Verde pauses, taking a deep breath, before raising his hands in protest. Observing the situation more, he realizes that it looks incredibly bad for both he and Deaver.
Especially with him showing up right afterward, but being a man of good conscience, he couldn’t just walk away and let the two European blokes be mad at them for something he had nothing to do with.
Verde: I was coming by because I wanted to talk to you guys… about Joe… and after seeing what just happened, I realize that I REALLY need to talk to you guys about Joe.
Tremblay: There’s no more time for talking! I have respect for you I really do but there is a point where we have to draw a line in the sand. That point, Chris, was reached today!
Tremblay’s face begins to redden with anger as Fraser begins to walk over to the door, resting a hand on Tremblay’s shoulder.
Fraser: Now calm down lad, at least hear the little bloke out. I’m sure there’s an explanation rooted around ‘here somewhere. Come on in, let’s talk.
Verde enters the locker room as Fraser grabs chairs and sits them in the center of the room. Two for himself and Tremblay, then one across for Verde.
Fraser sits, turning the chair around so he can rest his still confetti’d arms on the back. He motions for Verde to speak.
Verde: First.. Uh… I’m really, really sorry. I can’t say it enough. As much as we want to face you guys… Joe’s got his own… methods of dealing with things. I don’t agree with it in the slightest, which is probably why he acts without consulting me whatsoever.
Tremblay: Chris I have a feeling this guy is dragging you through every mud puddle available. You have experience with partners like this… have a talk with him or leave him be you hurt yourself more than helping him.
Fraser rubs his head as he shakes his head in a fatherly disappointed way. He stands up from the chair and makes his way closer to Verde. Fraser places a hand on Verde’s shoulder as he looks down at him.
Fraser: Listen lad, you and I both know about something. You’re hiding from something, now I can’t tell ye what to do and what not to do. But yer a grown lad, you need to rein in that “partner” of yours before something bad happens to you, him, or both.
Fraser takes his hand off Verde’s shoulder as he walks back over to Sheldon and stands behind him facing Verde.
Fraser: I like ya Verde, although that little mask ya got going on? Get rid of it. We all know who you are lad, let the boy die so the man can be born. You deserve better than straggling around with a cunt like Joe Deaver.
Fraser: But unfortunately, these “antics” of your teammates must be repaid. So whether it’s you, or Deaver. One of you will go against Sheldon next week.
Fraser:
And hey who knows, if you can surprise us maybe we’ll give you a crack at our Tag Team Championships. Mainly just so I can throw Deaver around but that’s not for now.
Sheldon stands up from his chair as he gives a heat seeking look at Verde. The agitated youngster of Sanctum exhibiting his frustration with one half of The Believers.
Sheldon: Chris, gutes Gespräch aber bitte verlasse diesen Raum JETZT!
Fraser chuckles as he placed an arm around Sheldon and notions toward Chris to leave the locker room.
Fraser: We’ll be seeing ye soon Mr. “Verde” take care now lad.
Verde stands and heads for the door. At the very least, things seemed okay? A match was reasonable, and it allowed both parties to vent their frustrations.
Verde: Right, right. I come here to apologize and I feel like a father just told me to find myself. The hell’s going on anymore? I’ll keep in mind what you said, and I look forward to seeing you guys in the ring, one way or another. I’ll get out of your hair for now.
With that, the masked man exits, gently shutting the door behind him and leaving the two Sanctum members to their own devices.
We catch C-Note and FloJo backstage after their tag team match.
C-Note lashes out and kicks over a garbage can, clearly frustrated at his performance earlier.
C-N: What the *bleep* was that? I can’t believe we lost to some bullshit Dating Game rejects.
FloJo: Relax. I know it sucks losing to hott garbage but your victory is coming.
FloJo: If it makes you feel any better, that guy treated you like a legitimate threat.
FloJo: Although to be frank, you could've tagged me into even the playing field.
C-Note composed himself, taking the time to consider what FloJo said.
C-N: Ashley ain't on your level so I didn't want you to even waste your time with her and who would have guessed her PTSD groupie would have held it together long enough to pick up a win.
He starts to get agitated again.
C-N: This should have been our moment to show the mass the right way to get stuff done but they stole it from us.
FloJo: Relax. He clearly didn't want another lost on Moore's record so…it just had to be us.
FloJo: listen we clearly can work well as a unit.
FloJo: I don't like having "friends" ( look at what I've done to that naive MMA girl) but if we team up again…we'll need a name.
FloJo: how does "Paid in Full" sound?
C-Note nods his head.
C-N: Truly Glorious! I like it.
C-Note to walk off but turns back.
C-N: And like my boy, Drake says “No New Friends”.
C-N: But I am always open to making new business associates if our interests are aligned, and clearly we both have some unfinished business.
FloJo: sounds good to me.
The two-part ways with their unspoken agreement to make things right in the future.
