Twist of Fate: Part III

[Jimmy Zane]

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”  

― Albert Einstein 

It’s pay per view week. A week Jimmy Zane is all too familiar with but hasn’t experienced in quite some time. But this isn’t any ordinary pay per view week, is it? Oh no, this is something much bigger. It’s Roulette time. An over the top rope battle royal to determine the number one contender for the Imperial Championship.

TALK ABOUT PRESSURE!

I mean, I bet ever anus in the locker room is puckered up so tight that you couldn’t get a greased BB up their ass with a cannon. I am sure Gib has tried that on occasion, once upon a midnight dreary, but I can’t confirm nor deny the allegations that it did or did not result in success. What I can confirm, however, is that Jimmy is in a ball of knots. I can also confirm it’s NOT because of the Roulette match! There is only one emotion strong enough to bring even the strongest man to his knees. One emotion to ball you up so tight inside that you feel sick.

IT’S GOT TO BE LOVE!

(What’s love, got ta do, got ta do wit it?)

Jessica finally agreed to go on the road and go on this exciting adventure with Jimmy. An adventure from city to city through the wresting business as he works towards his ultimate quest of becoming the IWF Imperial Champion. Standing atop the business for the very first time in his long and colorful career would be the icing on the cake.

With High Stakes just days away, I can tell you that I am as nervous as they come, and I am not even in the match. Just watching it is a rush, I couldn’t even imagine being in it. I can tell you, however, that with an open heart, and open mind, and nothing really to lose, Jimmy Zane is going to be a dangerous competitor in that ring. I am sure there are a lot of people overlooking Jimmy in this match in favor of the mainstays in IWF. For those of you out there who are in that boat, I gotta warn you…

DON’T SLEEP ON ZANE!

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[As the scene opens, the sun reflects off the delta creating a mirroring effect on the walls of Jimmy Zane’s apartment in New Orleans. The reflections dance with the changing tides as he gets dressed to go running, as is his daily morning ritual before breakfast. He ties his shoes and walks into the bedroom. In the bed, with her no-no bits covered by a sheet, lays the love of his life, Jessica. He smiles and leans down kissing her head. He turns and walks out of the room and quietly sneaks out the front door. He stretches on the sidewalk for a few moments before placing his earbuds in and starting his morning jog.

His iPod blasts some retro rock that he has been into lately. Mostly Metallica, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and the always awesome Led Zeppelin. As the classic tunes echo in his hears, it’s not enough to drown out the combination of his heavy breathing and his rapid heartbeat. He continues to run, thinking to himself.]

I can’t believe I lost last night. To Happy and Hexx of all freaking people. Jesus, I must really be losing a step in my old age. What the hell was going on out there anyway? This damn Barber guy. SONOVABITCH!

[The anger and frustration of losing begins to eat at him as he pushes harder. The sound of his feet hitting the pavement begins to increase as he moves faster, pushing his body to the limits.]

If that would have been a singles match, I would have won. I hate relying on people in any match. Most people just let you down. This freaking Barber guy may talk a big game, but all I see is a goddamn joke. All talk, no action. You can bet your ass he is going to make up for this loss in a big way. A REAL BIG WAY!

[Jimmy pushes harder, now running all out. His breathing becomes more and more labored. As he reaches the park, he finally runs out of steam and puts on the brakes. As he slows to a walk, his text alert goes off in his ear. He pulls his iPhone out of his arm sleeve, he reads the message.]

Hey Lover! Just woke up, about to head back to my place and do some packing. See you later. XOXO 

[Jimmy smiles to himself as thinks about the fun they will have together on the road. All the sites, the experiences, the sounds, and everything that goes with it. He beams outwardly as he tucks his iPhone back in the arm band and hits play. After catching his breath, he takes off running towards his place. He runs off into morning sun as the scene fades to black.]

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HAPPY AND HEXX?

HEXX AND HAPPY?

PHIL AND HEXX?

PHILAPALOOZA?

What the hell happened? Barber, you let me down. Yeah, I don’t know you. You don’t know me. You got a chip on your shoulder, I get it. But we were supposed to be a team last night. We were supposed to be a cohesive unit. And what happened? I relied on you to help get the job done…

AND YOU FAILED!

We went down to two of the most epic jobbers this business has ever seen, because of you. I have a big fat mark in the loss column, because of you. And now, I have to listen to those two moronic freak shows brag and celebrate a victory over me..

BECAUSE OF YOU!

Listen, hockeypuck! I am going to give you the opportunity to redeem yourself. I don’t do this often, but after last night, it’s going to happen. I am going to get with the powers that be and see what we can do about getting a rematch with those two halfwits. This time, you have two choices. Either go out there prepared to beat their asses and walk away a winner, or just get your ass kicked. Yeah, you talk big about Florida, but really, other than old people and hurricanes, nobody goes to Florida on purpose.

NOBODY.

And as for you, Happy and Hex…err..Phil…or whatever. Celebrate it up! Super Bowl Champions! World Series Champions! NBA Champions! All celebrated LESS than you guys last night. But hey, live it up. A dream come true, I am sure. You were celebrating more than two tween girls who just won tickets to a One Direction concert. My God, men! Show some sort of self respect.

A LITTLE?

MAYBE?

DOUBTFUL!

Look, guys. I chalk it up to lightning in a bottle. Flash in the pan. Whatever other metaphor or cliché you want to use in this instance, that’s you two guys, and that’s your win last night over me and Barber. It won’t happen again because lightning will NOT strike twice. The laws of physics are against you. Then again, the laws of physics are against you wearing tights too, but that always seems to happen. DAMMIT! Now my whole theory is blown.

DAMN YOU PHYSICS!

*shakes fist*

Moving on. This week is High Stakes. The Roulette Match. A shot at the Imperial Title on the line. What a way to make the worst, or best depending on how you look at it, come out. It’s going to be insane. Every guy in that match would sell his mother as a five dollar hooker to win that match! Some of their mothers are already five dollar hookers, so they would sell them for two bucks just to win. It’s a sad situation, to be sure, but hey, I guess their mothers have got to make a living, right?

I SAY, AM I RIGHT?!

I am not going to stand here and rant and rave about how I am the best. I am not going to drone on and on about how I am going to defeat all these guys in this match because I know I deserve that shot. No, that’s not going to happen. Why, you ask? Well, because we all know it’s just not true.

I am NOT the best.

I am NOT deserving.

I am NOT an elite performer anymore.

But I will tell you what I am. I am as solid as they come in the ring. I am smart. I am saavy. I am driven. I liken myself to that crafty veteran pitcher who reinvents himself because his skills have diminished a bit, and he wants to keep playing. I CAN win this match because I have the wherewithal to pay attention to everything and everyone around me. Make no mistake about it, I can still be at the top of my game on occasion. It’s pretty much like the saying goes..

I’M NOT AS GOOD AS I ONCE WAS…

BUT I’M AS GOOD ONCE AS I EVER WAS!

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[The scene fades in on the apartment of Jessica. She is packing a bag, slowly folding everything as she places it into the rolling suitcase. Her friend Julia is sitting in a chair next to the vanity watching her. The look on Jessica’s face is filled with confusion and concern. Picking up on it, Julia tries to break the ice.]

Julia – Jess, this is a good thing. You are stepping out into a much bigger world than we have ever dreamt of. This is going to be so awesome for you!

Jessica – I know, but I haven’t really ever went anywhere outside of New Orleans, and I am not sure I even want to.

Julia – What are you talking about? Go see the world, dumbass!

Jessica – (laughing) It does sound fun.

Julia – Of course it does! And just so you know, I would go in a heartbeat! I mean, your man is a professional athlete, and he wants you with him. That says a lot about how he feels about you. Most professional athletes would prefer their women stay at home so they can mess around. Jimmy wants you with him to share his experiences. That’s just….well…..awesome.

Jessica – You’re right. It is. Thanks Jules!

Julia – Hey! That’s what friends are for! Now finish packing and get over there. I gotta run a few errands, but I will come back by before you leave out, ok?

Jessica – OK!

[Jessica and Julia hug for a moment before Julia leaves. Jessica sees her out and then goes back to her room. She sits on the edge of the bed next to her suitcase, staring down at what she has packed. That same look of concern and confusion floods her face again as the scene fades to black.]

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