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A cold November chill fills the air as one of the biggest ice storms in history pounds the east coast.We find ourselves once again at Mourningwood Penitentiary. As Families and Friends are gathered together to share in this day of thanks, one place is the opposite. The video jumps from security camera to security camera until we reach what can only be described as darkness. A poorly lit hallway and the sounds of unabated misery.
The camera finally affixes on a huge steel door that looks more rusted than steel. We hear voices on the other end.
Voice: Happy Thanksgiving!
A familiar voice rings out
Our Hero: Another sad state of affairs.
Voice: Now now, you don't get to feel sorry for yourself you are almost out of here.
Our Hero: To tell you the truth, I should stay here longer. There is a reason I am here in the first place, I need this. This is what I deserve.
Voice: Haven't you suffered enough? what are you some kind of martyr?
Our Hero: Further from it, everything I have done, all the lives I have helped to ruin this is my penance.
Voice: Speak for yourself if I were you I'd be grateful to dump this place. Especially after what happened, you my friend are a dyed in the wool, god damned fool if you think otherwise.
Our Hero: It's not time yet. You don't know me so you wouldn't understand!
A loud voice rings out
2 Guards arrive at the giant steel door. One an older gentlemen about early to mid 50's his badge reads Coltrane. Another a younger fellow with an almost deer in the headlights look is with him, his badge reads Davis.
Coltrane: LIGHTS OUT IN 5
The cell goes silent.
Coltrane: You know son, I miss the old days.
Davis: It's only been 4 months man!
Coltrane: Doesn't change the fact that I miss them kid. This place has gone from a damn country club to a god damned super max.
Davis: The government dollars hard at work.
Coltrane: You said it!
Davis: And all it took as some kind of half baked escape plan. How does that work?
Coltrane: It's simple Davis, when that little guy escaped it set off a chain of unlikely events. You see that kid wasn't an inmate. The Warden tried his best to cover it up. But once the local media got a hold of it, the greatest crap storm this small town has ever seen hit. I'm talking 95% of the inmates here where trying to appeal there cases, it got bad. Warden packed up shop and this place got hit hard. This isn't some big city, we are a small community. We couldn't take that kind of a hit so the government stepped in.
Coltrane: And uncle same doesn't use a paintbrush, he uses a sledge hammer. We lost our minimum security holdings and a private company took over. Prison is a booming business now a days.
Davis: I didn't know it was that bad, the brass never said anything!
Coltrane: Are you living under a rock kid? The brass won't ever tell us anything but the proof is outside. In a matter of weeks we shipped out every white collar yuppie puke and seemingly inherited every cast off. I'm talking Butler, Cape Vincent, Edgecombe, Fulton, Coxsackie, Riker's, Clinton, Sing Sing, Downstate, Oneida, Hudson. The list goes on and on.
Davis: Yea we went from babysitters to riot control. Which begs the question.
Davis: What's up with him.
Davis points to the huge cell door housing Our Hero.
Davis: Why wasn't he on the bus for the transfer?
Coltrane: Your guess is as good as mine kid, all I know one minute he was on the list, the next he wasn't.
Davis: But isn't he in for some kind wall street crap?
Coltrane: Tax Fraud or something.
Davis: Someone must not like him, a tax jumper in here with these savages.
Coltrane: Fresh meat to say the least. It didn't help that as soon as all the transfers completed nearly everyone took a dislike to him.
Davis beings to think.
Davis: Any visitor's lawyers?
Coltrane: No one.
Coltrane: And to make matters worse he was part of the incident!
Davis: Was he?
Coltrane: Yep that's him.
Davis: I can't believe that happened. Wasn't he supposed to be released that day?
Coltrane: I think so, actually it was the following day. I only remember because he kept shouting "RENT'S DUE"
Davis: How long was he on the rack for?
Coltrane: He just got out bout 3 weeks ago, so that would make almost 4 months.
Davis: 4 months!!!
Coltrane: They tuned him up real bad I've never seen anything like it. His face looked like hamburger meat. I am pretty sure they cracked a few ribs. And he had one of those punctured his lung. Savages Davis just savages. I don't feel sorry for these guys, but this one. This one didn't deserve that, not for tax fraud. What they did to him was inhuman.
Davis: Isn't he some kind of hot shot millionaire.
Coltrane: Yep, money bags or not once you are in here you are nothing but a number. He signed his release, he isn't going to sue this place into the ground. I don't understand it, but I can respect it. Because of why he did what he did.
Davis: What do you mean.
Coltrane: I'm talking about Givens.
Davis: Givens?
Coltrane: Are you thick Davis, the rookie, Bernadette Givens!
Davis: Wait are you saying, this guy has something to do with Givens?
Coltrane: That guy is the reason Bernadette is on leave, and not worse! It happened so fast, she was making the rounds it was late.And you know the spot next to the rec center across from the infirmary, by D4 gate?
Davis: Yea that blind spot!
Coltrane: Well a few of them managed to swarm Givens during the shift change. He saw what was going down and got between them. Givens made the dash to the gate but he wasn't so lucky. I'll give him some credit he fought as hard as he could but it wasn't enough.
Davis: Why would a Con stick his neck out for a Guard getting jammed up?
Coltrane: Beats me kid, He told Givens she reminded him of someone he once knew or something. So we keep him here for his is protection, and well for the protection of the other inmates hehe.
Coltrane: Guys scrappy I will give him that.
Davis: Man something like that has got to change a man.
Coltrane: You can see it in his eyes. I don't know how to explain it but it isn't pretty.
Davis: I feel sorry for anyone who gets on his bad side. Coltrane we should head out.
Coltrane yells
Coltrane: LIGHTS OUT!
As the lights begin to shut off we get one more look at Our Hero's cell through a small Plexiglas window. We see only A sink a commode and a bed, along with Our Hero.
Camera Fades
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Intriguing |
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Wait... Its Thanksgiving? |
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Oh... Yeah. |
As the show rolls on, the crowd become more and more riled up. The camera pans around the backstage area, showing the OCW Hall of Famer Aries getting ready for his big match against one of OCW’s top talents, Tobin Frost. Completing three sets of push-ups, Aries rises to his feet and begins to shadow box. Throwing lefts, rights, ducking and dodging. As he prepares, Aries hears shouting in the distance. Two behemoth like figures approach the former World Champion. As they get closer, the camera gains focus. On the right we have Sid Harrison, and on the left we have Aries’ newest “client”, K. D’angelo.
Both men seem to be arguing as they approach their Hall of Fame manager.
Sid Harrison – “YOU'RE AN IDIOT!”
K. D’angelo – “IDIOT? Listen you prissy b**ch!”
They both stop short in front of Aries.
Sid Harrison – “I’M THE HARDCORE CHAMPION, YOU OVERSIZED MONGREL!”
K. D’angelo – “I’ll show you a mongrel, you stupid piece of…”
Aries – “WHOA! WHOA! Take it easy! What the hell is the problem here?”
Sid and K.D. both turn towards their manager and begin to tell him their troubles.
Sid and K.D. in unison – “He’s an idiot! No! You’re an idiot! I will break your face!”
Aries – “One at a time, please! What is wrong with you two? How can you expect to get anywhere in this company when all you do is bicker and fight?! Now…start again, but this time…just one of you.”
They both look back at each other, putting aside their differences for a moment.
Aries – “Sid…you start.”
Sid nods.
Sid Harrison – “You saw that match out there, Aries. He basically helped Raze! They wanted to get rid of me first but he shows why he is a big fat failure. I on the other hand, I do what I do best and got the job done!"
K. D’angelo – “WHY YOU PI..“
Aries – “K.D., please. Let Sid finish.”
K.D. stands silent for the time being.
Sid Harrison – “He maybe your client but it doesn't change the fact he's an IDIOT! I don't see what you see in him, but I aint going to question you. Just don't expect me to like it.”
Aries crosses his arms, and shakes his head in disappointment.
Aries – “Sid we are not a faction and we’re not a group. We…we are a family. Families…they fight. Most of them don’t even trust each other, and I don’t expect you two to do that. I don't even expect you to LIKE each other, but I do EXPECT you to respect each other. Do you see this belt?”
Aries points to Sid’s Hardcore Championship.
Aries – “This is what the BOTH of you should strive for. Not just the Hardcore Championship, but for gold! So what if K.D. wanted to capture that belt? And so what if Sid retained? You both WANTED to be the better man, did you not? You both WANT to be a World Champion…DON’T YOU?!”
Both men bow their heads and nod in agreement.
Aries – “Then stop fighting.”
K. D’angelo – “I hear what you’re sayin’, Aries, but I am HUNGRY.”
Aries – “And it’s okay to be hungry, my friend! However, K.D., you aren’t hungry. You’re STARVING. You’ve been here longer than I have, and what do you have to show for it?!”
K.D. sucks his teeth, slowly getting annoyed at what Aries is saying.
Aries – “Does that make you mad, K.D.? Does it anger you? You’re like a child in Ethiopia right now. You haven’t tasted gold in a LONG time. You single-handedly have the most potential in this company, yet somehow you squander it. You’re big, furious and a BEAST, yet you let these ingrates walk all over you, so good. I’m glad this speech is getting on your nerves.”
Aries walks up to K.D., and places his hand on his shoulder.
Aries – “You have what it takes to do big things, K.D. Don’t let things like this spoil your hunger. I promise you that I will help you. Whatever it takes. By the end of next year, K.D., you will have been OCW World Heavyweight Champion.”
K.D. smirks at the thought of holding OCW’s top strap.
Aries – “You like that, huh? You like that idea of being the World Champion? Then let this go. Sid was the better man tonight. Sid is still just a rookie. He has a lot to prove. You? You have to step up your game. You have to feed that hunger with bigger and better things. The potential inside of you is limitless, my friend. Over time…this company is going to give you what you deserve.”
Aries takes his hand off of K.D.’s shoulder, and looks in the direction of both men.
Aries – “Now if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen…I have a match to get ready for.”
K.D. and Sid both look at each other once more, and shake hands. They walk off camera leaving Aries to finish his preparations. Before his can continue, a hand falls upon Aries’ shoulder. Aries quickly turns around, smacking the hand off his shoulder. Much to his chagrin, Aries’ former tag team partner Jacob Trance is stood there smiling.
Jacob Trance – “Stephen! Old friend! How have you been?!”
Aries – “I—“
Jacob Trance – “Good! Good! You know something funny? I haven’t heard from you…since…I don’t know, a giant, angry Neanderthal attacked me in the gym!”
Aries – “I’ve been meaning to talk to you—“
Jacob Trance – “The same Neanderthal that…you just seem to be managing now!”
Aries – “I know what you’re thinking, Jacob, but—“
Jacob Trance – “But what, old friend? It wasn’t your fault? You weren’t behind it?”
Aries – “Jacob, would you shut up and listen? I DIDN’T have anything to do with K.D. attacking you in the gym. He did that of his own volition. Just because I manage him, doesn’t mean I tell him what to do.”
Jacob smirks.
Jacob Trance – “Is that so?! How coincidental for you!”
Aries – “Believe what you will, Jacob. K.D. wants what you have, and he wanted to take things into his own hands. I don’t necessarily agree with his tactics, but he did what he had to do. Now, are you done?”
Jacob Trance – “Okay, Aries. So let’s say you’re telling the truth. Why would K.D. know where to find me? Why would he wait until you went into the shower to attack me?”
Aries – “Damn it, Jacob! LET ME BE! K.D. did not attack you on an order from me. He attacked you because you’re weak. He attacked you because he could smell blood. K.D. is my chosen beast, yes, but I’m not his babysitter.”
Aries scoffs.
Aries – “You know something, Jacob. This is exactly why no one likes you. I’m kind of glad K.D. attacked you. I’m glad he beat the hell out of you. If it was me; I would have done so much more than wreck your ribs.”
Jacob Trance – “Is that so?”
Trance walks up to Aries, and gets into his face.
Jacob Trance – “Then why don’t you?”
Aries – “Because I don’t need to. Look at yourself. I may still be competing, but I’ve stepped down from my throne. You’re still trying to reach that pinnacle, aren’t you Jacob? The reason I’m managing K.D., and not even BOTHERING with you…is because K.D. can still make a name for himself. You? Jacob, you peaked. You can’t go any higher than this. THIS is it for you. THIS is all you’ll ever—“
Before Aries can finish, an angered Jacob Trance lands a right hook on the tip of Aries’ nose, sending him backwards onto the pavement. The road agents get ready to separate both men, but Trance backs away from the fallen Aries. They begin to help Aries up to his feet, as the camera quickly cuts away.
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Aries vs Tobin Frost
The bitter grasp of winter has come, throttling the very last breaths of summer, suffocating its existence. The cityscape is almost tundra on a cold and dark night, a night those with a normal state of life are jubilant to find themselves sage and secure in their shelters. On the streets the virtually dead shuffle, damned, hungry and cold. The cardboard city lingers, steam rising up from the sewers, bringing with it the fetid stench of the tepid waters below.
Amongst the rustling of newspaper and the musky scent of damp and sodden cardboard figures settle down without the knowledge that they will even wake from their slumber to see another daylight. A figure slumps in the doorway, looking far healthier than the malnourished creatures inhabiting the alleyway. There is a sense of danger, a feral force permeating from the man. His head is hung low, unkempt and matter hair obscures the individuals face as his chest heaves, sending crystalising water vapour up into the frosty air.
Slowly, he extends a leg, bulldozing the cast off shrapnel of the city, cigarette ends, needles and other discarded sundries. A wet and dark chuckle bubbles from his throat, followed by a sharp inhaling through his nose and a gob of spit flies from his mouth, splattering on the wall, slowly running down before it slows, starting to freeze over.
Man: "No one ever remembers how it is they come to fall, they simply remember and long for the previous highs and heavens they once experienced, once lived, endured. Society is a poisoned mess, like the torn husk of a cancer ridden body. Simply brimming with disease as it waits a final release to be spared, to be gifted mercy and presented with the end it so loudly calls for but like everything else, it never comes."
Man: "They find themselves surrounded in a vicious cycle, bound by chains too strong to break and find themselves to weak to simply give in to their fate. I to am one of these, the long departed but forever stranded."
The man lifts a solitary arm, grabbing at his mane, giving it a rough pull as he twists strands of hair in his grip.
Man: "All I can remember is the burning pain, the fire that couldn't be extinguished, a deep and unexplained betrayal of those who should have been kindred spirits. With no reason it came, and my sight was robbed, stolen like the sun during an eclipse. I remember it like it was yesterday, a demonic sludge turning my lifes blood black as I was drowned alive, suffocating as my lungs filled to the brim with your poison. I survived. You tried to drown this demon, I survived, I knew how to swim."
The man rises from the trash, discarding a bottle of Jack Daniels which shatters, in the distance a docile dog is awoken, barking in the night.
Man: "I survived..."
He trails off, hands delving deep within a trenchcoat as his back turns upon the camera and he departs into the city.
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