Post by Joe Everyman on Oct 6, 2013 21:55:18 GMT
The scene slowly opens up inside of what looks to be a psychiatrists office. There is a man sitting on a chair facing away from the camera, looking at the couch. After a few silent moments, the door slowly swings open and Joe Everyman walks into the room. He looks nervous, most nervous that he usually is. He looks around the room for a few moments, his eyes wandering to every possible nook and cranny of the room. After a few moments, he walks over to where the man sits and sits down on the couch.
Joe Everyman: Sorry if I seem a little nervous... I've never done one of these before.
Psychiatrist: Don't worry, my boy, this is a safe environment. Joe, I presume?
Joe Everyman: Yes... Riley, right?
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Riley, Doctor Griffiths, whatever you like. You may go ahead and lay down if you'd like to.
Joe Everyman: Uh, sure...
Joe kicks off his shoes and lays down onto the couch and stares up into the ceiling.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: First off, I want you to tell me why you are here. I know you have been having some issues, but I want to know the main reason first.
Joe Everyman: Well... I kind of acted rashly last week and got myself into a big championship match this week, against another client of yours.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Yes, against Mister Kane... I saw.
Joe Everyman: And well... I just feel like I made a bad decision. Everything that Roberto Verona has been doing to me has started to get under my skin and I just snapped. I wanted a rematch... but, at the same time, I didn't want it against Spike. I acted out of my head for a moment, and now I have to fight a man who I consider to be my friend for a belt that means so much to the both of us.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I see. I think you fear that if you beat him, he would take it personally.
Joe Everyman: Yeah, that's part of it. To be honest, I would love to have the title back... but, I am so happy that Spike is champion again. He deserved it more than Lex or myself.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: ...but?
Joe Everyman: ...but, I still feel like it should be mine again.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And are you willing to go through Mister Kane to do that?
Joe Everyman: I guess I have to.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Guess?
Joe Everyman: Well... yeah. The Imperial Championship is something that is very important to me, but my life means more to me. Verona is trying his best to ruin my life.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Do you really think he ruined it... or do you think you did, and he just extended it?
Joe sits up from the couch and looks at the doctor. Riley raises an eyebrow and keeps looking at Joe.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I'm just trying to get an objective finish on this, all aspects need to be viewed.
Joe lays back down and closes his eyes.
Joe Everyman: It might have been me.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Might?
Joe Everyman: Yes... might. I got screwed out of having my championship longer than I did, and then I turned to an old friend for help, and it made my life a lot worse than it was going. It was about fifty fifty.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: You can view it like that. From a third party stand point, it seems to be like the alcohol was masking your fear of letting people down again. You worked hard for years to finally win a World Championship, and you did. They were happy, you were happy, but then you lost it. I feel as though you were afraid you were revert to your old ways, and you tried to mask that part of your thought with the alcohol.
Joe doesn't answer. He lays on the couch, eyes still clinched shut.
Joe Everyman: Yeah... you're probably right. Winning that belt was so huge for me. I know that I say all the time that I fight for my family, to make sure they are safe... but, I needed something for myself.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And then you kept doing something for yourself, after you lost the belt.
Joe Everyman: I did. And I hate it.
Joe finally opens his eyes, looking back up at the ceiling.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Do you think you can stop the abuse on your own?
Joe Everyman: I know that I can.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: When?
Joe Everyman: After I've finished what I started.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And what would that be?
Joe Everyman: Beating Roberto Verona.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: In a fight?
Joe Everyman: In anything. Focusing on him might be selfish. It's causing me to drink more. It's causing me to lose sleep. It's causing me to be more reckless... but it's something I have to finish. I have to take him down.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Do you think you can in due time?
Joe Everyman: I've never been so sure of something in my entire life.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Are you sure that you will beat Mister Kane?
Joe Everyman: ...I don't know. I know that he will do anything to keep his belt, no matter what I try. And I know he will put me down if he has to. I think I can win, I just... I just don't know.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Then it sounds like you're more conflicted than he is.
Joe Everyman: I know I am. I want to fight him, and I want to win... but I don't want to hurt our friendship, and I hate giving in to Verona's demands. I know that no matter what happens, he will get his jollies from this. And I know that Verona will have a card up his sleeve too... there's no way he will allow me to walk out as champion.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: What if he does intervene?
Joe Everyman: Then I'll go backstage and beat the hell out of him.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Wouldn't he fire you if you did that?
Joe lets out a sigh, knowing the doctor is right.
Joe Everyman: Yeah... I know he would. I just want this to be over.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: It will be. Prove to everyone that you can stand strong in the face of adversity. I say to a lot of my patients that they can't let their demons control them. Your demons are your alcoholism, your fear of failing, and as of right now, the physical demon of Mister Verona. In time, they will pass, and you will be able to move on.
Joe Everyman: I really hope so... I just want my life back.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And you will. You will have to fight this week, because you will be released if you don't. Mister Kane will have to do the same. Don't worry about the result. Worry about what this fight can bring for you. It will help further your career, it will get your rematch, it will help preserve your career and it will help your quest against Mister Verona. And I know someone in my position shouldn't say this... but, go with your gut. Do what you think is right.
Joe Everyman: Yeah... I know that you're right. And I will.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Good lad.
Joe Everyman: Is there anything else you want to discuss?
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I think this is ok for this first session. This is un-timed, so it's up to you.
Joe Everyman: No... I think this is ok. There's something else, but I need to go about it myself.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And what is it?
Joe Everyman: I need to go apologize to my fiance... I need to make sure she's ok.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Good idea.
Joe Everyman: Thank you, Doctor Griffiths... I'll probably be back next week.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I look forward to it.
Joe stands up and hastily puts his shoes on, shakes the doctor's hand and walks out of the room in a quick pace. Riley begins writing something into Joe's file as the camera pans back and fades to black.
Spike... I want to keep this really short this week. I know that you are conflicted, and I know that you are going to bring it this week... and I'm going to as well. I don't know if I can beat you, but I'm sure going to try. To be, the Imperial Championship is only second to what my real goal is right now. My real goal is taking down that tyrannical bastard, Verona.
And if I lose, then maybe I can get a rematch against you when I don't have so much shit going on in my life, if you felt so gracious. I know how determined you are this week, and that's fine. But I'm still going to fight. I don't know if I can beat you or not, but I will fight. Win or loss, this is a step closer to getting my hands on Verona.
But to answer your question Spike... I want you to fight. I want you to fight as if you were defending your life. I don't want you to back down and pussy out, costing me my job. I want you to come out and fight to keep your title. Even though there is mounds of bullshit going along with this match, I still have to know if I can beat you or not. That's the right thing to do.
You can be a dick about the circumstances if you wish, but I don't care. I'm working towards a goal here, a goal so big and important to me, not even an Imperial Championship match can make me waver. I've been in the spotlight now... I've felt what it's like. I would love it again, but it is not my goal.
My goal is having Roberto Verona under my boot in a bloody pile of human wreckage. I would never wish that upon you, Spike. And I already had your allegiance against him once, but I won't need it now. What I need to do against him is something I have to walk alone.
This week though, we will both come out and fight. I know that you think you are the better man, but I know I'll surprise you. Nobody in the history of professional wrestler has there been someone more dangerous than I in a big match situation. I will come out and try to win, no matter what happens, and I expect the same out of you. That is what's right, for you to just fight.
And I will do the same.
And hopefully after this is all over, win or loss... you'll still consider me to be your friend.
Joe Everyman: Sorry if I seem a little nervous... I've never done one of these before.
Psychiatrist: Don't worry, my boy, this is a safe environment. Joe, I presume?
Joe Everyman: Yes... Riley, right?
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Riley, Doctor Griffiths, whatever you like. You may go ahead and lay down if you'd like to.
Joe Everyman: Uh, sure...
Joe kicks off his shoes and lays down onto the couch and stares up into the ceiling.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: First off, I want you to tell me why you are here. I know you have been having some issues, but I want to know the main reason first.
Joe Everyman: Well... I kind of acted rashly last week and got myself into a big championship match this week, against another client of yours.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Yes, against Mister Kane... I saw.
Joe Everyman: And well... I just feel like I made a bad decision. Everything that Roberto Verona has been doing to me has started to get under my skin and I just snapped. I wanted a rematch... but, at the same time, I didn't want it against Spike. I acted out of my head for a moment, and now I have to fight a man who I consider to be my friend for a belt that means so much to the both of us.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I see. I think you fear that if you beat him, he would take it personally.
Joe Everyman: Yeah, that's part of it. To be honest, I would love to have the title back... but, I am so happy that Spike is champion again. He deserved it more than Lex or myself.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: ...but?
Joe Everyman: ...but, I still feel like it should be mine again.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And are you willing to go through Mister Kane to do that?
Joe Everyman: I guess I have to.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Guess?
Joe Everyman: Well... yeah. The Imperial Championship is something that is very important to me, but my life means more to me. Verona is trying his best to ruin my life.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Do you really think he ruined it... or do you think you did, and he just extended it?
Joe sits up from the couch and looks at the doctor. Riley raises an eyebrow and keeps looking at Joe.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I'm just trying to get an objective finish on this, all aspects need to be viewed.
Joe lays back down and closes his eyes.
Joe Everyman: It might have been me.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Might?
Joe Everyman: Yes... might. I got screwed out of having my championship longer than I did, and then I turned to an old friend for help, and it made my life a lot worse than it was going. It was about fifty fifty.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: You can view it like that. From a third party stand point, it seems to be like the alcohol was masking your fear of letting people down again. You worked hard for years to finally win a World Championship, and you did. They were happy, you were happy, but then you lost it. I feel as though you were afraid you were revert to your old ways, and you tried to mask that part of your thought with the alcohol.
Joe doesn't answer. He lays on the couch, eyes still clinched shut.
Joe Everyman: Yeah... you're probably right. Winning that belt was so huge for me. I know that I say all the time that I fight for my family, to make sure they are safe... but, I needed something for myself.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And then you kept doing something for yourself, after you lost the belt.
Joe Everyman: I did. And I hate it.
Joe finally opens his eyes, looking back up at the ceiling.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Do you think you can stop the abuse on your own?
Joe Everyman: I know that I can.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: When?
Joe Everyman: After I've finished what I started.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And what would that be?
Joe Everyman: Beating Roberto Verona.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: In a fight?
Joe Everyman: In anything. Focusing on him might be selfish. It's causing me to drink more. It's causing me to lose sleep. It's causing me to be more reckless... but it's something I have to finish. I have to take him down.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Do you think you can in due time?
Joe Everyman: I've never been so sure of something in my entire life.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Are you sure that you will beat Mister Kane?
Joe Everyman: ...I don't know. I know that he will do anything to keep his belt, no matter what I try. And I know he will put me down if he has to. I think I can win, I just... I just don't know.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Then it sounds like you're more conflicted than he is.
Joe Everyman: I know I am. I want to fight him, and I want to win... but I don't want to hurt our friendship, and I hate giving in to Verona's demands. I know that no matter what happens, he will get his jollies from this. And I know that Verona will have a card up his sleeve too... there's no way he will allow me to walk out as champion.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: What if he does intervene?
Joe Everyman: Then I'll go backstage and beat the hell out of him.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Wouldn't he fire you if you did that?
Joe lets out a sigh, knowing the doctor is right.
Joe Everyman: Yeah... I know he would. I just want this to be over.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: It will be. Prove to everyone that you can stand strong in the face of adversity. I say to a lot of my patients that they can't let their demons control them. Your demons are your alcoholism, your fear of failing, and as of right now, the physical demon of Mister Verona. In time, they will pass, and you will be able to move on.
Joe Everyman: I really hope so... I just want my life back.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And you will. You will have to fight this week, because you will be released if you don't. Mister Kane will have to do the same. Don't worry about the result. Worry about what this fight can bring for you. It will help further your career, it will get your rematch, it will help preserve your career and it will help your quest against Mister Verona. And I know someone in my position shouldn't say this... but, go with your gut. Do what you think is right.
Joe Everyman: Yeah... I know that you're right. And I will.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Good lad.
Joe Everyman: Is there anything else you want to discuss?
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I think this is ok for this first session. This is un-timed, so it's up to you.
Joe Everyman: No... I think this is ok. There's something else, but I need to go about it myself.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: And what is it?
Joe Everyman: I need to go apologize to my fiance... I need to make sure she's ok.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: Good idea.
Joe Everyman: Thank you, Doctor Griffiths... I'll probably be back next week.
Dr. Riley Griffiths: I look forward to it.
Joe stands up and hastily puts his shoes on, shakes the doctor's hand and walks out of the room in a quick pace. Riley begins writing something into Joe's file as the camera pans back and fades to black.
Spike... I want to keep this really short this week. I know that you are conflicted, and I know that you are going to bring it this week... and I'm going to as well. I don't know if I can beat you, but I'm sure going to try. To be, the Imperial Championship is only second to what my real goal is right now. My real goal is taking down that tyrannical bastard, Verona.
And if I lose, then maybe I can get a rematch against you when I don't have so much shit going on in my life, if you felt so gracious. I know how determined you are this week, and that's fine. But I'm still going to fight. I don't know if I can beat you or not, but I will fight. Win or loss, this is a step closer to getting my hands on Verona.
But to answer your question Spike... I want you to fight. I want you to fight as if you were defending your life. I don't want you to back down and pussy out, costing me my job. I want you to come out and fight to keep your title. Even though there is mounds of bullshit going along with this match, I still have to know if I can beat you or not. That's the right thing to do.
You can be a dick about the circumstances if you wish, but I don't care. I'm working towards a goal here, a goal so big and important to me, not even an Imperial Championship match can make me waver. I've been in the spotlight now... I've felt what it's like. I would love it again, but it is not my goal.
My goal is having Roberto Verona under my boot in a bloody pile of human wreckage. I would never wish that upon you, Spike. And I already had your allegiance against him once, but I won't need it now. What I need to do against him is something I have to walk alone.
This week though, we will both come out and fight. I know that you think you are the better man, but I know I'll surprise you. Nobody in the history of professional wrestler has there been someone more dangerous than I in a big match situation. I will come out and try to win, no matter what happens, and I expect the same out of you. That is what's right, for you to just fight.
And I will do the same.
And hopefully after this is all over, win or loss... you'll still consider me to be your friend.
Well howdy there pardner.