Post by Johnny Reb on Nov 1, 2010 11:28:11 GMT -5
The week leading up to Helloween has been a long one; an arduous journey down a road Johnny never thought to walk again. Not since the last time. But history has a funny way of repeating itself; a hundred iterations of the same event, with only slight variances in detail.
For the last seven days, Don Jesus Luis de Guadalupe has kept Johnny Reb sequestered, away from the distractions of the media, the fans, and any other outside influence. Together, the two have spent long hours preparing; plotting out a strategy, and of course, training hard.
Today, however, is different.
Today, Chuy has organized a small, intimate press conference in the privacy of his own hotel room. Heavy drapes have been drawn across the floor-to-ceiling windows, with two chairs arranged informally before them. There are only about half a dozen reporters, most of them local. Shutters click and the room is filled with a quick succession of bright flashes as Johnny and Chuy make their entrance.
Don Jesus: Gracias, all of you, for coming. Today marks a turning point for Bernardo here. Regardless of what may happen tonight, el Confederacion Nuevo is officially no more. Tonight, Bernardo takes on his former partner to determine, once and for all, the true WCF tag team champions.
He gives Johnny a slight nod and takes his seat. Reb remains standing, looking out at the small group of reporters with a thoughtful expression on his face.
Johnny: Thanks, Chuy. Now, as y’all know, me an’ Mr. Henry have, over the past year, done what no one else in this company could – or would: We took a pair of languishin’ titles from relative obscurity an’ complete disinterest all the way to main event status.
We withstood onslaughts from some of the biggest names in tag team competition at the time: the Big Time Jerks, Cash Money Nightmares… Well, I reckon that’s about it. There ain’t really been anyone else worth mentionin’. Point is, me an’ Doc completely revolutionized the tag team division. Granted, we suffered a few minor setbacks along the way, but it only made us stronger in the long run.
An’ now…
Here, Reb pauses to take a breath, letting it out slowly as he gathers his thoughts.
Johnny: Now, Mr. Henry has gone an’ done what no outside entity could ever have accomplished. He betrayed me, an’ tore asunder the partnership we worked so hard to build…
He stops and glances up as a reporter’s hand shoots into the air. The young man – he can’t be any older than twenty-one or so – doesn’t even wait to be acknowledged before launching into his question.
Reporter #1: But, Johnny… didn’t you do the exact same thing to him a couple of years ago?
Reb scowls at the query and shakes his head.
Johnny: That was a diff’rent comp’ny, a diff’rent time… We weren’t a tag team then. It ain’t the same at all…
Reporter #1: The circumstances might be different, but it boils down to the same thing. The only real difference is that you’re on the receiving end this time. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.
Johnny: What exactly are you implyin’?
Reporter #1: I’m not implying anything. I’m flat out telling you, you had this coming.
Still frowning, Johnny opens his mouth to reply. Before he can say anything, though, Chuy rises from his chair to intercede on his behalf.
Don Jesus: No, no, no… you don’t understand. Bernardo here is not the man he was then. He was …misguided at the time. Now, his moral fiber is much more intact. Unlike Bernardo…
The reporter, unfamiliar with Chuy’s habit of calling everyone “Bernardo”, furrows his brow in puzzlement.
Reporter #1: Wait, what?
The aging Mexican ignores him and continues on.
Don Jesus: You see, Bernardo –
Johnny: He means Doc…
Don Jesus: Yes. Bernardo is not acting on the advice of el Jefe; his actions are entirely his own. Considering his behavior, this is really for the best. After we defeat Bernardo and his partner tonight –
Another reporter, a balding man with wisps of iron-gray hair, interjects.
Reporter #2: Do you really think you two stand a chance? I mean, no offense, but Tank by himself is bigger than the two of you put together. Henry couldn’t have picked a better partner. Between his, um, tactics and Tank’s sheer size and power… It’s kind of a foregone conclusion.
Johnny puts up a hand to forestall whatever his mentor is about to say.
Johnny: Let me field this one. Tank may be huge, an’ there ain’t no question that Doc’s a… well, let’s face it, he’s a low-down, dirty cheater. I ain’t sayin’ it’s gonna be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. But in the end, honor, nobility, an’ pure, unadulterated skill will overcome any amount of rule-breakin’.
Now, I reckon, if Doc wants to spit in the face of everythin’ we’ve accomplished as a tag team, that’s his business. What’s important now is that me an’ Don Jesus here, we’re ready for anythin’ they can throw at us. Between us, we got the experience an’ the talent to prevail, no matter what.
Chuy nods in agreement.
Don Jesus: After that unpleasant incident with the contract signing, we all know what sort of man Bernardo really is. It is with that occasion in mind that I have prepared Bernardo for this match tonight.
Reporter #2: Yes, but what about you, Mr. de Guadalupe? You haven’t wrestled in decades. How can you expect to perform adequately against younger, stronger competitors?
The former luchador frowns.
Don Jesus: That is a stupid question. You think I just sit around and watch Bernardo while he works out?
Reporter #2: Well, kind of…
Don Jesus: No. Not this week. Maybe usually, but that’s just how good I am.
Chuy gives the reporters a cocky smile.
Don Jesus: But don’t take my word for it. You must watch. Tonight, at Helloween, Bernardo and I will walk out tag champions.
Now, enough talking. There is much yet to do, and little time to do it. Everybody leave!
The reporters turn to go, grumbling amongst themselves at the abrupt ending of the press conference.
Don Jesus: Not you, Bernardo! You stay.
Johnny stops at the door, giving Chuy a sheepish grin.
Johnny: Aw, I just wanted a little break. Fresh air…sunshine… y’know…
The older man rolls his eyes in exasperation.
Don Jesus: You can take a break after we defeat Bernardo. Come, there is more work to be done…
And, as the door shuts behind the last of the reporters, the scene fades out.
For the last seven days, Don Jesus Luis de Guadalupe has kept Johnny Reb sequestered, away from the distractions of the media, the fans, and any other outside influence. Together, the two have spent long hours preparing; plotting out a strategy, and of course, training hard.
Today, however, is different.
Today, Chuy has organized a small, intimate press conference in the privacy of his own hotel room. Heavy drapes have been drawn across the floor-to-ceiling windows, with two chairs arranged informally before them. There are only about half a dozen reporters, most of them local. Shutters click and the room is filled with a quick succession of bright flashes as Johnny and Chuy make their entrance.
Don Jesus: Gracias, all of you, for coming. Today marks a turning point for Bernardo here. Regardless of what may happen tonight, el Confederacion Nuevo is officially no more. Tonight, Bernardo takes on his former partner to determine, once and for all, the true WCF tag team champions.
He gives Johnny a slight nod and takes his seat. Reb remains standing, looking out at the small group of reporters with a thoughtful expression on his face.
Johnny: Thanks, Chuy. Now, as y’all know, me an’ Mr. Henry have, over the past year, done what no one else in this company could – or would: We took a pair of languishin’ titles from relative obscurity an’ complete disinterest all the way to main event status.
We withstood onslaughts from some of the biggest names in tag team competition at the time: the Big Time Jerks, Cash Money Nightmares… Well, I reckon that’s about it. There ain’t really been anyone else worth mentionin’. Point is, me an’ Doc completely revolutionized the tag team division. Granted, we suffered a few minor setbacks along the way, but it only made us stronger in the long run.
An’ now…
Here, Reb pauses to take a breath, letting it out slowly as he gathers his thoughts.
Johnny: Now, Mr. Henry has gone an’ done what no outside entity could ever have accomplished. He betrayed me, an’ tore asunder the partnership we worked so hard to build…
He stops and glances up as a reporter’s hand shoots into the air. The young man – he can’t be any older than twenty-one or so – doesn’t even wait to be acknowledged before launching into his question.
Reporter #1: But, Johnny… didn’t you do the exact same thing to him a couple of years ago?
Reb scowls at the query and shakes his head.
Johnny: That was a diff’rent comp’ny, a diff’rent time… We weren’t a tag team then. It ain’t the same at all…
Reporter #1: The circumstances might be different, but it boils down to the same thing. The only real difference is that you’re on the receiving end this time. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.
Johnny: What exactly are you implyin’?
Reporter #1: I’m not implying anything. I’m flat out telling you, you had this coming.
Still frowning, Johnny opens his mouth to reply. Before he can say anything, though, Chuy rises from his chair to intercede on his behalf.
Don Jesus: No, no, no… you don’t understand. Bernardo here is not the man he was then. He was …misguided at the time. Now, his moral fiber is much more intact. Unlike Bernardo…
The reporter, unfamiliar with Chuy’s habit of calling everyone “Bernardo”, furrows his brow in puzzlement.
Reporter #1: Wait, what?
The aging Mexican ignores him and continues on.
Don Jesus: You see, Bernardo –
Johnny: He means Doc…
Don Jesus: Yes. Bernardo is not acting on the advice of el Jefe; his actions are entirely his own. Considering his behavior, this is really for the best. After we defeat Bernardo and his partner tonight –
Another reporter, a balding man with wisps of iron-gray hair, interjects.
Reporter #2: Do you really think you two stand a chance? I mean, no offense, but Tank by himself is bigger than the two of you put together. Henry couldn’t have picked a better partner. Between his, um, tactics and Tank’s sheer size and power… It’s kind of a foregone conclusion.
Johnny puts up a hand to forestall whatever his mentor is about to say.
Johnny: Let me field this one. Tank may be huge, an’ there ain’t no question that Doc’s a… well, let’s face it, he’s a low-down, dirty cheater. I ain’t sayin’ it’s gonna be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. But in the end, honor, nobility, an’ pure, unadulterated skill will overcome any amount of rule-breakin’.
Now, I reckon, if Doc wants to spit in the face of everythin’ we’ve accomplished as a tag team, that’s his business. What’s important now is that me an’ Don Jesus here, we’re ready for anythin’ they can throw at us. Between us, we got the experience an’ the talent to prevail, no matter what.
Chuy nods in agreement.
Don Jesus: After that unpleasant incident with the contract signing, we all know what sort of man Bernardo really is. It is with that occasion in mind that I have prepared Bernardo for this match tonight.
Reporter #2: Yes, but what about you, Mr. de Guadalupe? You haven’t wrestled in decades. How can you expect to perform adequately against younger, stronger competitors?
The former luchador frowns.
Don Jesus: That is a stupid question. You think I just sit around and watch Bernardo while he works out?
Reporter #2: Well, kind of…
Don Jesus: No. Not this week. Maybe usually, but that’s just how good I am.
Chuy gives the reporters a cocky smile.
Don Jesus: But don’t take my word for it. You must watch. Tonight, at Helloween, Bernardo and I will walk out tag champions.
Now, enough talking. There is much yet to do, and little time to do it. Everybody leave!
The reporters turn to go, grumbling amongst themselves at the abrupt ending of the press conference.
Don Jesus: Not you, Bernardo! You stay.
Johnny stops at the door, giving Chuy a sheepish grin.
Johnny: Aw, I just wanted a little break. Fresh air…sunshine… y’know…
The older man rolls his eyes in exasperation.
Don Jesus: You can take a break after we defeat Bernardo. Come, there is more work to be done…
And, as the door shuts behind the last of the reporters, the scene fades out.
