Post by Kaz on May 10, 2014 15:10:58 GMT -5
[Segment 1 - How To Act Around Eccentric Hispanic Billionaires - Off Camera]
I sat in the business class section on my flight to Madrid, Spain, reflecting on all that had happened over the week. Patrick had finally started talking to me again, I lost my chance at the Trio’s Cup, and Jayden Thunder might be dead…but I felt at peace with myself. This upcoming week’s Slam has me in the best mood…I finally get another chance at Marina Valdivia. She got the upper hand on me three weeks ago, but this time was going to be different. I feel like a new Colin Marshall.
I looked up as a man approached me from the aisle. He was an aging Hispanic man, who’s gray hair showed years. He wore a pair of glasses that made his face stand out above the crowd. He got to my row and looked at me for a second with his hands shoved in to his pockets, but then took the seat next to me. His suit was fine, a white suit with black and gold trim, something that clearly cost him a couple thousand dollars. What he was doing in business class was beyond me. He sat for a moment until the flight attendant walked by, whom he silently raised his hand to as she was passing.
Attendant: Yes, Mr. Picardos?
Mr. Picardos: Two Rabuele tonics please for my friend and I here.. Thank you Ms. Avein!
Mr. Picardos ordered the drinks and then looked at me. I must have had a look of confusion on my face because Mr. Picardos was on to the next, lightning fast.
Mr. Picardos: Hello Colin Marshall…my name is Rabuele Picardos, eccentric Hispanic billionaire.
Colin Marshall: Wha…how do you kn…
He held up his hand and gently shushed me.
Mr. Picardos: I bet you’re wondering how I know who you are?
I gave him an incredulous look.
Mr. Picardos: I saw you on television Colin…it wasn’t really that hard.
I face palmed, knocking myself for being such an idiot. I forgot, in the midst of everything going on, that I was being broadcast on live television and pay per view for the world to see. He held out his hand for me to shake it, which I did.
Mr. Picardos: When I saw you Colin…I saw something special. I saw the way you performed against Terry Roberts, a veteran in the game. He had you down so many times…but you refused to quit. You pushed through the pain and suffering and took what was rightfully yours. The victory.
I was still taken aback. It felt good to be noticed by someone I wasn‘t acquainted with.
Mr. Picardos: But I have to tell you…I’ve been a little disappointed in your performance these last couple of weeks.
My heart sank like a stone. The elation I had just felt instantly dropped to the back of my mind…this feeling was much more intense than the happiness was experiencing moments before.
Mr. Picardos: It’s ok, Colin. I know why. It’s because your heart wasn’t in it. I could tell just by the way you were fighting. Your match against Marina Valdivia…that’s where it started. You slipped up. Something caused you to forget what you were fighting for. What was it?
I didn’t know where to start. I was still getting to the bottom of the story myself…but I began telling this random stranger, for no reason whatsoever, my story leading up until now. He seemed struck with awe, from my night in Vancouver to my fight with Jayden Thunder. I left out the part about me talking with myself…That would stay locked away in the vault of my mind.
Mr. Picardos: Wow…what an incredible journey for one so young. Colin, we’re not so different, you and I. I remember when I was your age. Just a boy, trying to prove himself. It took me a long time Colin., and by the time I realized, I still hadn’t taken off my tighty whiteys.
Colin Marshall: The journey will be long and arduous, Mr. Picardos, this I know. But this Sunday, I get a chance at redemption. To get my heart back in to the game.
Mr. Picardos: Please, call me Rabuele…and why this Sunday?
Colin Marshall: This Sunday is my chance to restart. I have another match against Marina Valdivia…but I’m not looking for vengeance, Rabuele. I’m taking this chance to prove once and for all that I have what it takes to make it in this business. Last time, I let too many things interfere with keeping my focus on what was at hand. Marina saw her opening and she took it. This weekend, I’m going to come at her full force and nothing is going to stop me from winning. I have to win this time.
The drinks finally arrived and Mr. Picardos handed me one.
Mr. Picardos: Colin…when this plane lands I’m going to make a phone call. That phone call will be to the Pacha…a famous Madrid nightclub. I will be reserving a private room. I want you to come by and meet some friends of mine. I want to make you an offer that will make you a very rich man.
Colin Marshall: Hold on…what?
He held out his glass.
Mr. Picardos: I want to propose a toast Colin. This toast is to new friendships and new opportunities. Please come by Colin. It would work in both our favors, I promise.
I hesitated for a moment, but eventually agreed. He reached in to his pocket and pulled out a bill fold and handed it to me. He got out of his seat and stood in the aisle.
Mr. Picardos: In there is five thousand euros, cash. That is just a small taste to whet your appetite. There is also an identification card that will help you get past the very selective bouncers at the club. Go find a nice hotel to stay in and tell them Mr. Picardos sent you. There will be a limo waiting for you at the airport.
My head was swimming, this all being to much to take in at once. I pocketed the cash and card and turned to Mr. Picardos.
Colin Marshall: I’ll stop by Rabuele. But I really have to ask you…why me? You could have been anywhere in the world and chosen anyone else…but why me?
Mr. Picardos: Colin, did you think this meeting was chance? I see a fire inside of you. You have what it takes to be a champion. I want to help you succeed. A little push in your favor and we both make a pretty fair deal. I’ll let you know the specifics when you come to Pacha tonight. Do you have a suit?
I grit my teeth in to a strained look as Mr. Picardos reached in to his pocket. He pulled out another fat stack of cash and handed it to me.
Mr. Picardos: Get yourself a nice suit, meet us at midnight and please, be punctual, Colin.
I nodded to him as he walked off and swept the curtain in to first class aside. He turned back around and looked at me with his stunning eyes as the curtain closed.
[Segment 2 - Robert, King Of Lizards - Off Camera]
Driver: Are you Colin Marshall?
I nodded and he took my bags from me, putting them away in the trunk of the limo. He opened my door for me and I climbed in to the limo, the cool blow from the A.C. tickling my sweaty face. It was a little hot in Madrid at about a stiff eighty-two degrees with no breeze. I let the vent blow on to my face as the driver opened his door and took his seat.
Driver: And where can I take you, Mr. Marshall? You have me all day, so I'm at your whim, sir.
Colin Marshall: What’s your name?
Driver: My name? It’s Horace, sir.
Colin Marshall: Well, my name is Colin so you can drop this Mr. Marshall stuff, ok? And I’m going to call you Horace…is that all right?
Horace: That’s fine by me, Mr. Colin.
Colin Marshall: Eh…that’s close enough. Alright Horace…where can I buy a suit around here? I have to look sharp for Rabuele’s fancy business meeting tonight.
Horace: Well, Mr. Colin…I know just the place.
Colin Marshall: Can you roll up the privacy window? I need to make a phone call, Horace.
Horace: Absolutely, Mr. Colin.
The window began to steadily roll up and I was left alone. I felt a deep rush of energy as I was transported to the hazy dream world. The scene was blurry as usual as I tried my best to make out the tree lines and shapes around me.
?: You rang?
I was face to face once again with my subconscious. This time he stood wistfully to the side, ready to answer my inevitable questions. He folded his hands behind his back and cocked his head towards me.
?: You’re wondering how I feel about this man…this Rabuele Picardos. Well, like you Colin…I’ve only just met him.
I still felt nervous. I didn’t know enough to make any final decision.
Colin Marshall: Well, what if he’s just setting me up? You know, just putting me on some mad rat race to see if I can get the cheese at the end?
?: Like I said…it’s your call. I think you’re smart enough to know when to quit. See how this plays out and if you feel like it’s getting too dangerous…get out of the hot seat. You promised him you would at least stop by Pacha this evening, so don’t make us a liar Colin.
He smiled, clicking his tongue as he did. I caught a waft of wintergreen, which triggered a smile on my face. One I couldn’t lose.
?: Don’t be so quick to jump the gun, Colin. We’ll never make any friends if you do that. Go out…have some fun and maybe meet a nice woman?
I couldn’t help but to think about it. It had been a while since I actually had some fun and did something to let off some steam. Maybe I could have a few drinks, a couple of dances, and just let it go in Madrid.
Colin Marshall: You’re right…Maybe I should stop by. He said we both stood to make a sweet deal off of it. He seemed like a nice enough guy. I’ll stop by, listen to the deal, and have a few drinks with my new friend Rabuele.
?: That’s the spirit, Colin!
The dream world began to come more in to focus, like a Polaroid that was finally showing up. His face seemed clearer…somebody, I recognized.
Colin Marshall: You know…I haven’t really called you anything yet.
?: How about Robert?
There was something to the name that made it fit like a glove.
Colin Marshall: Robert? All right, Robert it is.
A voice cut through the mild fogginess, bringing me back in to reality.
Horace: Here we are, Mr. Colin. Viajes El Corte Ingles…
[Segment 3 - Madrid, Baby - Off Camera]
Several hours later, I had a fucking marvelous suit picked out and adorned. Black with white trim jacket and pants, a nice vest, a sexy tie, and the most polished dress shoes you’ve ever seen in your life…Mr. Picardos would be proud.
Colin Marshall: How do I look Horace?
Horace: You look fantastic, Mr. Colin. Are you ready for your meeting with Mr. Picardos?
I looked at my phone to check the time. It was already eleven and I didn’t want to be late.
Robert: Punctuality, Colin.
I chuckled as I put the finishing touches on my suit and Horace and I headed out the door. Horace pulled the car around and we were off to Pacha. The butterflies in my stomach were reminiscent of my first cab ride to the Sullivan Arena in Alaska. I remembered that night perfectly, almost photographically. I remembered the way I felt looking up at that arena. The lights and the marquee showing me my future. I recalled my match with Terry Roberts. My finest hour yet. I then recalled my loss to Marina a week later. A lapse of my own judgment. I was cocky going when I stepped in to the ring with her, a mistake I wouldn’t make twice.
About twenty minutes from the hotel, we were parked outside of a packed street named Calle’ Barcelo’.
Horace: You’ll have to walk from here Mr. Colin. The street is too packed.
Colin Marshall: It’s all good, Horace. Hey, I’ll call you when I’m done. We’ll go find some breakfast or something.
We said our goodbyes and I stepped out of the car. The street was packed with people clambering to get in the club. There was all sorts of people, from European hipsters to American tourists trying to have a bit of fun. I finally pushed my way through the street and to the front door of the club. The bouncer looked at me scrupulously. I showed him the identification card and he let me through without a hitch. I stepped through the steel reinforced doors and in to the Madrid nightlife. The hip-hop music blared throughout the huge club. Everything was a blur of lights and fog, with people bumping and grinding against each other.
?: HEY COLIN!
I turned to see a Hispanic man, about my height, with a slick head of hair and a creepy smile.
?: FOLLOW ME THIS WAY!
He motioned for me to follow and I did. We waded through the packed crowd, eventually coming to a set of stairs which the bouncer allowed us past without a problem. As we climbed the stairs, the blaring music eventually receded in to the background. The strange man shook my hand vigorously and spoke to me with a slight lisp.
?: Mr. Marshall it’s so good to finally meet you. My name is Miguel Vibora, one of Rabuele’s amigos. We’re just up ahead in a private room.
We approached a fine wooden door with a sleek golden handle.
He turned the handle and slowly opened the door.
Miguel Vibora: Welcome to your future, Colin…
[Segment 4 - Change is in the Wind - On Camera]
(The scene opens on Colin Marshall wearing his ring gear, complete with a swank white leather jacket, standing in an interview area with Hank Brown. Hank is holding a microphone up to his own lips and begins to speak)
Hank Brown: Hello and welcome back to Sunday Night Slam! I’m here with “The Real Deal” Colin Marshall and Colin, tonight you face Marina Valdivia, the women who defeated you in your second match. You both suffered similar losses last week, getting eliminated in the first round of the Trio's Cup Tournament. This week, she seems to be revitalized with a newfound spirit and more than ready for this match. What’s your strategy going in to a bout like this?
(Colin swipes his shoulder length dirty blonde hair back and begins to answer the question)
Colin Marshall: You know Hank, it’s a question a lot of people have been asking me lately, but more so, something I’ve been asking myself. Last time we squared off, I underestimated Marina and it cost me a victory and, more importantly, forward momentum. The only thing I could take solace in was latching on to a group of guys that were just as bitter as me…and that only cost me more in the end. These kinds of things happen and every once in a while, a person is challenged to change. Whether that change is for better or worse is up to yourself. This time when I step in to the ring with Marina, I’m bringing a new attitude. She'll need to bring her A-Game again, because I'm feeling the best I have in a long time!
(Hank looks pleased with the answer and moves on to the next question)
Hank Brown: Last week, you turned on your partner Jayden Thunder and left him for the Savage Political Action Committee to decimate in the ring. What was your motive behind this? Why turn on your partner?
Colin Marshall: Jayden Thunder turned on me long before that. What he got in the ring was nothing like what he did to Kaden Black or myself. He deserved every bit of it and I don't regret a thing. Jayden was a psychopath that needed to be put down.
Hank Brown: If you’re victorious here tonight Colin, what’s in the future for “The Real Deal”?
Is this match just another stepping stone?
Colin Marshall: Absolutely not. This match against Marina will be a very important match for me. If I win here tonight, I can finally stop looking to the past. I’m not sure what the future holds in store, Hank. I want to be successful here in the WCF, by any means. I want to claim my fame, whether it’s by winning tournaments or gold. I don’t have the road mapped out yet but if I can keep my eyes on a prize, the rest will fall in to place.
Hank Brown: Well, you heard it from “The Real Deal” Colin Marshall, a man with a newfound purpose, a force to be reckoned with perhaps? We’ll see here after his match with Marina Valdivia. I’m Hank Brown and this is WCF!
(The scene fades to black)
