Post by Jonny Fly on Sept 26, 2013 11:39:01 GMT -5
August 8th, 2013
Jonny Fly is sitting in his office at The Flyciety’s headquarters (I told you the name would change), the warehouse across the East River in Brooklyn. We zoom in as Fly talks on his cellphone.
Fly: You’re kidding me?
…
Fly: How have they gone down?
…
Fly: Unfucking believable. How accurate are these things?
…
Fly: Oh, for fuck sake. Alright, let me let you go. Thanks, Steve.
Fly hangs up the phone and pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts. Eventually he gets up from his seat. Briskly, he exits his office and walks the length of the catwalk to the steel staircase taking him to the bottom level of the warehouse-like building. On the ground floor, Fly takes a right and walks toward the back of the building where Adolfo Carrion Jr. has set up his campaign headquarters. Carrion is sitting at his desk with his back turned to Fly. Several staffers surround him, but noticing Fly, they scatter.
Fly: Your numbers are still down.
Carrion turns with a surprised look on his face.
Carrion: That means the new strategy didn’t work. I thought it had a chance.
Fly nods slowly, almost agreeing with the defeatist comment.
Fly: Let’s go for a walk.
Carrion: I can’t, if you’re right about the poll numbers there’s work to be…
Fly: It wasn’t a question.
Carrion nods obediently and gets up to his feet.
Carrion: Okay, fine. I’ll follow you.
Fly leads Carrion back through the ground floor of the warehouse to the main entrance. Fly pushes through the door and takes a left. He walks toward the river with Carrion at his side.
Fly: Alright, I’m done pushing you. It’s clearly not working. You’re not getting the job done this way. It’s your time to talk. Tell me what it’s going to take to win this election.
Carrion: Honestly, I don’t know. It’s too late to change my stance on key issues. That’ll make me look worse than I already do. I’m working twenty hour days running this campaign and getting our message out to the people of New York City. We’re at an impasse. I just need time to figure this all out, but I’m not giving up yet.
Fly: That’s fine. No problem.
Carrion: What? Really?
Fly: Yes. Look, all I’ve been trying to do is light a fire under your ass. I’m a competitor. I want to win, and I want you to want to win. I want you to approach every day like you don’t have any other choice but to win. At the end of the day though, we need to figure out how to get that done. So, perhaps a different approach is in order.
Carrion: I think that’s a good idea.
Fly and Carrion are on the edge of the river and looking out over the water. Fly’s gaze turns to the city in the distance.
Fly: You know, for all the progress we’ve made as a society in the past hundred years, underneath it all we’re still the same people. We’re collectors, Adalfo. Throughout history people have spent so much time, money, and energy locating, acquiring, and displaying their ‘collections.’ It goes all the way back to cave drawings, showing tools and weapons that the earliest humans had made. It’s a psychological impulse that’s ingrained into all of us. It’s nature. Collecting things offers a sense of ownership, control, and pride. I’m just a human being, albeit one with a higher level of understanding. Every single person in this world wants to gain something, to collect something. I can’t help it that the items that I wish to gain are power, wealth, and control. Adalfo…
Fly turns to the mayoral candidate.
Fly: I want to collect the city of New York. I’ve never aimed small. There is nothing too big for me. I’ll take the whole fuckin’ world if I can get it, but I’m starting with that city.
Fly is now pointing across the river to the New York City skyline.
Fly: It’s not going to be a ‘clean,’ process, and you know that by now. Let this be a lesson in life though, nothing is accomplished cleanly. I’m standing here and leveling with you. Now you know where I’m coming from and what my motivations are. Now, it’s your turn to level with me. I want you on board with me. What is it going to take to win this election?
Carrion: Honestly, considering the circumstances, I think we need to manufacture some stories that portray me in a different light. I’m thinking…
Carrion takes a deep, long sigh before finishing his comment.
Carrion: …that I’m not going to win this election on policy. That leaves character. I have to win on character. We need to plant negative publicity on my opponent and positive ones on myself. It’d be nice to come up with something that makes me look like a hero. Saving some old lady from a mugging, stopping an attempted carjacking, something along those lines. The people of New York City used to trust me. I need to reposition myself not as the champion of policy, not as the idealist who is going to fix all of their problems, but as the only candidate fit and able to lead this city.
Fly smiles and smacks Carrion on the shoulder.
Fly: NOW we’re talking. I’ll make some phone calls and make this happen.
Just as Fly finishes his statement, his cell phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out and reads a text message.
“FBI on the way.”
Fly looks at the phone and scratches his chin. He quickly types in a phone number and writes up a text message to another contact. Carrion watches him suspiciously.
Carrion: What are you doing?
Fly finishes the text and puts his phone back in his pocket.
Fly: Good news. You’ve just earned your kids back. They’ll be waiting for you back at your house. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off and go catch up with them?
Carrion: Are you sure?
Fly: Yes. Go. Now, please.
Carrion nods his head, smiling just a bit. He heads off back toward the warehouse. Fly remains where he’s standing. An entire minute passes. Carrion is long gone, but a black Ford Explorer has just pulled up behind Fly. The female FBI agent we’ve seen previously is the first one out of the car and walks toward Fly flanked by two other agents.
Agent Williams: Mr. Fly. It appears we meet again.
With his back turned to the FBI agent, Fly smiles. Slowly, he turns around.
Fly: It’s like we’re meant to be.
Agent Williams: Can I ask why you’re out here?
Fly: I’m enjoying the view, of course. Now you’re turn. What brings you to my humble place of business?
The agent does a half-turn and looks back at the warehouse.
Agent Williams: What business is that, again? You wouldn’t happen to be running the Carrion campaign out of there would you?
Fly: Where the hell did that come from? I assure you the only thing that goes on in there is the business of being Jonny Fly. If you’d like, I could give you a tour. Each tour comes complete with your very own Jonny Fly action figure, manufactured on site. If the action figure doesn’t do it for you, maybe instead, if you ask nicely of course, you could get action from the real thing. What do you say?
Agent Williams: Maybe another time. I’m here because I have reason to believe that you were involved in the kidnapping of Adalfo Carrion Jr.’s children.
Fly: Wow, Ms. Buzzkill. Here I am offering you a private tour of my facility and you respond with that. Do I even dare ask if you have proof?
Agent Williams: I’m not ready to disclose that.
Fly: That means you don’t have anything. That’s just rude. I’m out here enjoying a walk and you roll up and pull this shit, that’s bad form. The standards at the bureau have really gone to hell.
Agent Williams: I have a 30 page file on you, Mr. Fly. I know everything about you. I know that you’re involved in this, and I came here to tell you in person that this time you won’t be getting away with it. That’s a guarantee.
Fly: You could have just called to tell me that. Here, let me give you my phone number…just in case you need it next time, or you’re lonely, or both…
Fly smirks and pulls a pen from his pocket. He looks toward the other agents with Williams.
Fly: Would either of you two have something for me to write on? Paper, business card, pair of white panties, anything?
Just as Fly asks the question, the agent’s phone buzzes. As she looks at the screen our camera flips behind her so that we can read the text message she just received.
“Carrion’s wife just called. The kids are back at the house. They say they were on vacation. No other details yet. Don’t know what to make of any of this.”
The agent looks at the message and then back up at Fly.
Fly: Good news?
The female agent scowls and puts her phone back in her pocket.
Agent Williams: Don’t even think about trying to leave town. This isn’t over.
Fly: Leave town? No chance, I love this city.
Fly repeats the last line for effect.
Fly: I. Love. This. City….and I’m not going anywhere, Agent Williams.
Fly and Williams briefly lock eyes in a staredown, before the female agent turns and leads her men away. As they retreat to their vehicle, Fly refocuses his stare across the river as the scene dissolves.
August 11th, 2013 – Audio File Entry
Fly: I just finished watching Slam. It sucked.
There’s a pause in the audio.
Fly: Truthfully, I don’t think any show could be successful with Eric Price yelling on television seven different times in a fuckin’ two-hour stretch. Has anyone heard of the word stale? The WCF, or whatever the fuck it’s called right now, used to be THE place to wrestle. Now, it’s just a playground for an infantile douchebag, his one-hundred pound ginger bodyguard, and their crew of lackeys to fill their own personal desires of being ‘important’ and being on television every_single_fucking_second.
Fly: I’m not a bitch, so I don’t know what it’s like to feel something shoved down my throat, but I’d speculate the feeling would be something similar to watching two hours of Sunday Slam these days. Did I see any great wrestling? Fuck no. I saw a main event featuring Steeltoe Joe and Jonathan Jakobs. I didn’t even know Jonathan Jakobs was still alive, and in a main event nonetheless? Whose dick is he sucking to get that draw on the highest viewed show on television? The best wrestler in the damn company is being subjected to serve as a special guest referee. Yeah, Eric Price is some ‘genius businessman’ all right. It’s definitely his business acumen that doesn’t want good wrestling stealing ratings from his endless rantings about Ana Valentine, and not his vagina. Suuurree.
Fly: …also, side-bar about Ana, if you’re wondering, I would totally hit it.
Fly: …moving on. My point in recording this is to make the simple statement that I no longer find enjoyment in watching WCF. It’s a fuckin’ clown operation. There wasn’t one inspiring match in the damn show. In fact, instead of a real Television Title match I was treated to…whoknowswhatthefuckwhat. S-Pac? Cheetah Fighter? Someone get me an Ambien. In fact, get me an entire bottle so I can overdose on that shit. I have no idea what the hell is going on over there, and in a way, I’m glad I don’t.
Fly: For some odd reason though, that trainwreck of a product has made me miss wrestling. Perhaps the sentimental side of me knows what my presence could do for the WCF. Someone over there needs to clear house. I’m not talking about the overplayed ‘standing up to management’ bullshit. You’re not going to overthrow Bravado on Twitter. I’m talking about someone grabbing the fuckin’ place by the balls and beating down every one of those idiots prancing around acting like they’re so damn special. You do that in a ring. That’s always where a wrestler makes his most profound statement.
Fly: I miss being that guy.
There’s another pause in the audio.
Fly: Long before I took on Seth Lerch and removed him from WCF, I took on a much greater foe. I took on, well, everyone. I signed with the company and immediately went on television to tell everyone that things would be changing. It didn’t matter who I faced, they were going to fall. First, it was the rookies. Then, the always prideful veteran midcarders. Lastly, it was the main eventers and Hall of Famers. I beat them all. I turned the WCF upside down from the inside. Unfortunately, that art seems to have died. There’s nobody out there making a name for themselves, making a statement, and beating down the old guard.
Fly: Has Price destroyed the place so badly that everyone’s pride has vanished? The WCF appears like an individual on life-support, but nobody seems to be in a rush to push the meds. Part of me wonders if I could make a difference, or if Price and company’s ego would just try to toss me back onto the street in jealousy. The other part of me enjoys where I’m at now, and wants no part of that drama. I’ve been thinking lately about exploring other companies. Surely some fledging group would throw every dollar in their safe at the chance to land Jonny Fly. But…
Another pause.
Fly: Then I saw that XIII is coming up. I remembered my last appearance at XIII, and my blood began to boil. The fire came back. The HATRED came back. It’s almost perfect, is it not? It’s a show I can wrestle on without having to deal with Bravado and their nails-on-a-chalkboard act. It would allow me to achieve one of the last few items on my wrestling bucket-list; facing Jay Price at XIII, PUNISHING Jay Price at XIII. So, I placed a call to Corey Black and had the match booked. Jonny Fly is coming back to WCF, one night only, to give Jay Price a first-hand reminder that while he’ll always be able to proclaim he defeated Jonny Fly…it was nothing more than an anomaly. Furthermore, my appearance at XIII should serve as a reminder to all of the Wrestling Championship Federation that while I may be gone, I will never be forgotten.
Fly: Then again, maybe I should just come back, ignore the bullshit, win War, win another World Title, and tell everyone in charge to go fuck themselves if they get in my way.
…AND one last pause.
Fly: Yeah. That sounds more like me, doesn’t it?
Fly words fade away and the audio is cut off.
August 13th, 2013
Tom: So where are we going exactly?
We’re inside Jonny Fly’s Jaguar XK and looking directly at Fly as he’s driving. Sitting next to him is Tom Salemone, with a puzzled look on his face.
Fly: Carrion has asked me to follow his wife today and learn more about whom she’s been seeing, but we’re not going to do that.
Tom: Why not?
Fly smiles and turn his head to look at Tom.
Fly: …because I already know who she’s seeing.
Fly reaches into his pocket and pulls out the galapagos turtle card given to him by Carrion.
Fly: It’s our guy.
Tom: Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Is he trying to ruin the plan?
Fly: Self-control when it comes to women isn’t exactly his thing. This is a conquest, nothing more. So far, it hasn’t interfered with what we’re trying to accomplish.
Tom: What have you been telling Carrion?
Fly: That we haven’t seen her with anyone, yet.
Tom: Do you think he’s going to buy that forever?
Fly: No, but that’s why we’re going for this ride. We need to find a patsy. We need to give him someone to blame, and then we need to take care of the problem for him.
Fly pulls over the car in the Manhattan business district. He begins scanning the patrons walking alongside the street.
Fly: He’s a mayoral candidate; he’s not going to believe his wife is sleeping with just anyone. This man needs to be well-dressed, wealthy, and important.
Fly and Tom begin to scan the streets. After a few moments Tom points down the sidewalk at a man walking toward the car.
Tom: Him.
Fly nods his head slowly.
Fly: I think that might just be a winner.
August 14th, 2013
Fly: We’ve found him.
The scene begins at The Flyciety’s warehouse just outside the City of New York. Aldolfo Carrion Jr. is working at his desk and turns to face Fly upon hearing the previous words. As he turns he sees Fly with Tom behind him holding a business man in restraints. The man appears considerably roughed up and has dried blood on the side of his face and under his nose. He’s gagged, but not blindfolded.
Carrion: Him? That’s the guy?
Fly turns and motions for Tom to bring the man forward.
Fly: Caught him in the act yesterday. Spent the night interrogating him, but didn’t get much. What would you like me to do with him?
Carrion takes a step forward and comes face to face with the man he believes has been sleeping with his wife.
Carrion: Did you really think you could get away with this? With the microscope I’m under, did you really think I wouldn’t find out?
The man furiously shakes his head and tries to speak, but his gag prevents it.
Carrion: I don’t care what you have to say. You’ve destroyed my family. You could have destroyed my credibility to the voting public. You fucked up, and it’s going to cost you dearly.
Carrion takes a step backward and motions for Fly to follow him. The two of them walk out of earshot from Tom and the man.
Carrion: What do you plan to do with him?
Fly: Like I said, that’s at your discretion. You asked me to look into it, I found the guy. Where we go from here is your call. I’ll have done whatever you want done.
Carrion looks past Fly and makes eye contact one last time with the man. He looks to ground in thought. After a few seconds he raises his head.
Carrion: You were right.
Fly: What’s that?
Carrion: Nothing in this world is accomplished cleanly. Get rid of him. I don’t want to know how, just get rid of him. He deserves it.
Fly smiles and nods his head.
Fly: You’ve come a long way Adalfo. That’s the right call. I’ll take it from here.
Fly looks over to Tom and simply nods his head. Tom nods his head in response and begins to lead the man toward the exit and out of the warehouse. A trip to the Williamsburg bridge is in his future.
August 23rd, 2013
Reporter: The body of an unknown man was found washed up on the bank of East River Park last night…
Our scene has begun at the New York City FBI Headquarters in Federal Plaza. We’re staring at a door labeled ‘Agent Hutchins.’ A sound is heard behind us, and the female agent we’ve seen in previous scenes has appeared behind us. She knocks on the door and a deep male voice greets her.
Hutchins: Come in!
The agent steps into the office and takes a seat across from Agent Hutchins desk. Hutchins is looking off to the left at a television on the wall where a breaking news story of a man found washed up at East River Park is being covered. Hutchins shakes his head in disgust at the story and looks back toward his guest.
Hutchins: Ah, Agent Williams. Thank you for coming in.
Williams: Sir, no disrespect, but I was investigating a lead in a case when you called me to come in. What is this about?
Hutchins: I’ve heard about your investigation. Tell me if I have this right, you’re investigating a claim from Adalfo Carrion’s wife that their children have been kidnapped, when I just saw all of them together at an election debate yesterday?
Agent Williams doesn’t say anything.
Hutchins: I’ve heard you’re even investigating Carrion for campaign improprieties. Has your investigation turned up anything, Agent Williams?
Williams: Not yet.
Hutchins: Of course not. Let me remind you that your job isn’t to have hunches or create witch-hunts.
Agent Hutchins points toward the television.
Hutchins: SEVEN bodies have washed up in the Hudson River over the past three months. Yet, my office is using resources to investigate a kidnapping, in which the kids and father say never happened, and a politician without a shred of evidence that implicates him in being involved in something illegal.
Williams: Sir…
Hutchins: No, Agent Williams, I really don’t want to hear it. You will end your investigations and turn over all of your files to me. Then, you and your team will begin investigating the Hudson River murders.
Williams: Sir…I believe Jonny Fly is involved.
Hutchins mood immediately changes. His posture softens and draws in a deep sigh. He speaks softly.
Hutchins: Why do you believe that?
Williams: He was spotted with Carrion the day before his wife reported their children were missing. Just last week I received intelligence that Carrion’s campaign was operating out of a warehouse across the river registered in Fly’s name.
Hutchins immediately gets to his feet and paces behind his desk, thinking through what to do with the information he’s just been given.
Hutchins: We’ve played a dangerous game with Fly over the years. We’ve given him immunity for crimes we know he’s committed in order to chase bigger fish. We’ve brought him in to help with cases, and we’ve mostly ignored his misdeeds in the process. Any other individual who has done the things he has done would be imprisoned forever. Instead, he prances around acting like he’s untouchable and never misses an opportunity to put himself on our radar. Fly has an insatiable thirst for a way of life that directly conflicts with what the bureau stands for.
Agent Williams nods along, agreeing with her superior. Hutchins turns back toward her.
Hutchins: It’s about time to end this. I’m tired of Fly. Continue your investigation until you’ve concluded that he’s either not involved, or he’s behind bars for a long time.
Williams: What about Carrion? If he’s involved with Fly…
Hutchins: Forget Carrion. Don’t be naive, Agent Williams, every politician is corrupt. Every last one of them. Your job is to go after Fly.
Williams: Yes, sir.
With that, Agent Williams gets up from her seat and exits the office.
August 30th, 2013
The scene begins at Jonny Fly’s mansion in New York City. Fly is outside on the patio lounging by the pool. He’s joined by a female acquaintance soaking up some of the last summer sun and getting an early start on the coming Labor Day holiday. The chorus of “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent is heard and Fly immediately lifts his head up from his lounge chair. He rolls over to his right and grabs his phone from a small table next to him. Fly sets the phone one speaker and sets it back down on the table.
Fly: I wasn’t expecting this call.
A prominent and noticeable voice is heard through the phone.
??: I wasn’t expecting Adalfo Carrion to begin rising in the polls.
Fly: Yeah, he seems reinvigorated after the untimely death of his wife’s secret lover. I’m not sure I’m the one who deserves blame for that.
??: Jonny, she wanted it. The woman is a freak, and you know I can’t pass up a fine woman like that. You know how it goes.
Fly: You’ve made my job more complicated than it needed to be.
??: Soon enough, you’ll have your reward. That is, if Carrion quits rising in the polls.
Fly: If you’re calling to question where we stand, trust me, everything is under control. Carrion has to believe that I’m trying to push him to victory. He has to believe that I will do anything to win, and I will force him to do anything to win, or else he falls apart and the plan falls apart with him. I’m in his head, playing him like a fuckin’ fiddle. You’re the politician, and I’m the guy who’s giving you the City of New York on a silver platter. You stump for votes, and I’ll stump Adalfo Carrion Jr.
??: I think it’s time to end this, Fly. Crush him.
Fly: Okay. I suppose it’s that time. Give me two weeks.
??: Deal.
Fly: I think now would be a good time to discuss an amendment to our arrangement.
??: Oh? Why is that?
Fly: I’ve had to bring in another party to complete the plan.
??: Another party, for what? Do they know about me?
Fly: They don’t, and won’t. I brought in someone for a job that I can longer do, safely. That’s all I’ll say about it. However, I’m not entirely fond of this individual cutting into my stake.
??: Then you should have thought about that before you hired him, Fly. Our arrangement was solid.
Fly: If I don’t hire him, then Carrion’s eventual fate leads to me in prison. If I go to prison, I’ll sing like a fuckin’ bird. I’ll take EVERYONE with me. I did what has to be done, for both of us.
There’s an extended pause on the other end of the phone.
??: Alright, this should be interesting. What is your amendment?
Fly: We discussed previously simple legalization of gambling, prostitution and certain narcotics. That’s no longer enough. I want the City of New York, under your leadership, to give out licenses to own gambling establishments to only one man, me. I want the city to restrict the opening of brothels, with the exception of those under the umbrella of The Flyciety. I want the city to mandate that all purchases of narcotics come from city-sponsored labs, labs in which my people run. I want a monopoly over all of these soon-to-be booming industries in New York City.
??: Ah, you want to be the kingpin of all kingpins. Well hell Fly, you give my half and I’ll make your world golden.
Fly: You’ll still get your half. With the extra money this arrangement will provide, I can take care of my other guy. Plus, I’ll throw you in some free hookers.
??: Now Jonny, I’ve never had to pay for sex. Quite the opposite truly, they’re usually the ones doing the giving.
Fly: So, we have an agreement?
??: I look forward to the day I take over my throne as New York City’s…godfather. When that day comes, I’ll return your favor by giving you the empire you seek.
Fly: Good. I’ll be in touch.
With that, Fly hangs up the phone and the scene slowly fades away.
Present Day
Brown: You mentioned that you just went into a wrestling ring for the first time in a long time last month. Also, of course, you faced Nathan von Liebert at XIII. What else have you been up to since we last saw you?
A twinkle is seen in Fly’s eyes. He doesn’t respond initially to the question, he just smiles.
Brown: Since you haven’t been wrestling, how have you passed the time?
Fly: Just enjoying my retirement, of course.
A sly smile curls on Fly’s lips.
Brown: A retirement you’ve stated that you interrupted specifically to get revenge against Jay Price at XIII. Of course, that match transformed into facing Nathan von Liebert. Yet, it didn’t stop at just that. You’re…back…completely, right?
Fly: That’s right. Like I said earlier, it’s actually quite hard to walk away from something that you’re GREAT at doing. Really, I just decided there were a couple more things I still want to accomplish. First off, I want to win War. The timing of this comeback was entirely about putting my name into the hat for the biggest match of the year. I haven’t had the pleasure of participating in War previously, and I wanted that experience. I want to get into the ring with entire company and WIN. I still want to win more World Titles, I still want to be inducted in the WCF Hall of Fame, and I still want to get into that ring every week, win, and add to the legacy of Jonny Fly.
Brown: Really? Legacy is something that’s important to you? After all, in your retirement speech you basically said ‘screw everyone.’ It didn’t seem like someone concerned about how people view them.
Fly: Hank, you can go down the WCF roster and read off dozens of wrestlers who’ve stepped into the ring with me, some multiple times, and failed. That’s the legacy I want. I want wrestlers and fans alike to realize that what they’re witnessing when I’m in the ring. They’re witnessing perfection, or at least the closest possible thing to it. When it’s said and done I want each and every future wrestler to use what I’ve done as a benchmark for their own career. I want everyone to break into this industry and want to be the next Jonny Fly.
Brown: That’s something you’ve spoken a lot about during your career, wanting to be a benchmark.
Fly: That’s true. The other word I use a lot is hierarchy and right now the hierarchy in the WCF is muddled. There is no alpha wrestler on the WCF roster. From what I’m to understand, in the last six months we’ve went from Eric Price, to Sarah Twilight, to Steve Orbit, and now to Nathan von Liebert. For a while Price and Twilight had decent runs, but in a historical context they did nothing. Who did they really beat, other than each other? Jeff Purse was the only decent wrestler in the bunch, and Purse has already gotten his revenge for those losses. The WCF needs a wrestler that can lead by example. It needs someone to push others, or be left behind and subjected to midcard purgatory. The woman running this company doesn’t operate that way, she only does whatever makes her feel ‘powerful.’ That person has to be me, Hank. I’m the only one capable of being that guy. I’m the guy who can put Twilight, Nathan, and Eric Price in their place. That’s what drives me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want this company back in terms of being its owner. I don’t care who’s running the place. I want this company back…as the throne I sit proudly on top of.
Brown: You want to be the World Champion.
Fly: That’s right. I want my fourth World Title belt. Just like I was the quickest wrestler to three World Titles, I’ll be the quickest wrestler to four. This time I don’t want that belt for a couple of months. I want it FOREVER. I want to top my own run from last year. I want to win War and take the belt all the way to the Main Event of One, and further. I want the return of the ‘Era of Jonny Fly.’ I want, one by one, every single wrestler in this company to realize that I am the measuring stick, that I’m the pinnacle of this entire industry. …and they will, Hank. If there were ever any questions on how long my comeback was going to last, or if I was serious, let that be the answer. Jonny Fly is here to stay.
Brown: Tell me honestly, who do you think has a chance to stand in your way and win War?
Fly: Nobody. I mean it, nobody. Those aren’t just words either. Look, let’s start with the current World Champion. We just saw that matchup; Nathan von Liebert is no match for me. The rest of the roster is dotted with men and woman who’ve I’ve made a career out of turning into flyjobbers. If you want me to talk specifically about some of the wrestlers I’ll be facing, that’s fine. Let’s start with Logan. I have some respect for Logan when it comes to War. Don’t get me wrong, since I joined the WCF Logan has never lived up to his hype. He’s a fuckin’ puppet to his own mind. He’s like a chameleon on LSD. He’s always morphing into another gimmick to try to keep the little sliver of relevance he has left. Can someone name the last big match Logan has won? Anyone? I respect his experience in this match, his history in it, and his knowledge on what it takes to win War. However, I don’t respect the wrestler in him. He’s a remnant of the man who was Mr. WCF. I hope Logan hears this; I want him to hear me when I say…Logan no longer has what it takes to win this match. I don’t need to justify that comment any more than that. I said it, it’s out there. He can do what he wants with it. Maybe it’ll light a fire under him and he can eliminate some people in my way. Whatever.
Brown: What about Sarah Twilight and Eric Price?
Fly: I predict anal sex before the third competitor arrives.
Brown: Wait…what?
Fly: Twilight would be the one with the dick, just so we’re all clear.
Brown: Uhh…I’m not sure we can even…you know…air these comments…Sarah is my boss and all…
Fly: Well, you asked the question I mean, I think that prediction is more likely than either of those two winning War.
Brown: Uh, okay. I mean both are decorated wrestlers looking to regain the World Title belt themselves. You’ve faced both of them previously, they were good matches…
Fly: They were blowouts, Hank.
Brown: I’m not sure that’s accurate.
Fly: Whatever, I won. That’s really what this all comes down to. At the end of the day, it’s going to a long and trying match for every one of us. The person who is going to win this match is the motherfucker who is too damn stubborn to quit. Price and Twilight…they’re not going to last. They don’t have that extra level within them to win this match, with the talent that’s going to be in it. I’ve wrestled them, I know them, Hank. They’re not going to get past me. They may not get past each other.
Brown: War usually has surprise entrants each year. Is there another wrestler out there that you think could show up as a surprise and worry you?
Fly: If I felt that way, I don’t even know if I would be in this match. First off, I think I’ve made it abundantly clear over my time in WCF that I don’t think there’s another wrestler better than me, past or present. In fact, I’ve made it clear that such a mindset doesn’t belong in this industry. What’s the point of thinking someone is better than you? If that’s the way you feel going into a match, then go the fuck home. One of the things that have made me so good is I’ve never given a shit about whom I was facing. You could put me in a handicap match against the entire WCF Hall of Fame, and I’m going to approach it the same way, and I’m going out there to win. Surprise entrants don’t worry me, the Masked Man doesn’t worry me, when my number is called I’m going out there and I’m going to be the toughest motherfucker to eliminate in the twelve year history of this match.
Brown: Well, there’s one more big name that came out in the last couple of weeks who will be joining you in the ring at War. It’s a man you know very well. How do you feel about, for the first time ever, the possibility of facing off against Bobby Cairo?
Fly smirks, his trademark arrogant smirk, and the scene slowly fades away.
Jonny Fly is sitting in his office at The Flyciety’s headquarters (I told you the name would change), the warehouse across the East River in Brooklyn. We zoom in as Fly talks on his cellphone.
Fly: You’re kidding me?
…
Fly: How have they gone down?
…
Fly: Unfucking believable. How accurate are these things?
…
Fly: Oh, for fuck sake. Alright, let me let you go. Thanks, Steve.
Fly hangs up the phone and pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts. Eventually he gets up from his seat. Briskly, he exits his office and walks the length of the catwalk to the steel staircase taking him to the bottom level of the warehouse-like building. On the ground floor, Fly takes a right and walks toward the back of the building where Adolfo Carrion Jr. has set up his campaign headquarters. Carrion is sitting at his desk with his back turned to Fly. Several staffers surround him, but noticing Fly, they scatter.
Fly: Your numbers are still down.
Carrion turns with a surprised look on his face.
Carrion: That means the new strategy didn’t work. I thought it had a chance.
Fly nods slowly, almost agreeing with the defeatist comment.
Fly: Let’s go for a walk.
Carrion: I can’t, if you’re right about the poll numbers there’s work to be…
Fly: It wasn’t a question.
Carrion nods obediently and gets up to his feet.
Carrion: Okay, fine. I’ll follow you.
Fly leads Carrion back through the ground floor of the warehouse to the main entrance. Fly pushes through the door and takes a left. He walks toward the river with Carrion at his side.
Fly: Alright, I’m done pushing you. It’s clearly not working. You’re not getting the job done this way. It’s your time to talk. Tell me what it’s going to take to win this election.
Carrion: Honestly, I don’t know. It’s too late to change my stance on key issues. That’ll make me look worse than I already do. I’m working twenty hour days running this campaign and getting our message out to the people of New York City. We’re at an impasse. I just need time to figure this all out, but I’m not giving up yet.
Fly: That’s fine. No problem.
Carrion: What? Really?
Fly: Yes. Look, all I’ve been trying to do is light a fire under your ass. I’m a competitor. I want to win, and I want you to want to win. I want you to approach every day like you don’t have any other choice but to win. At the end of the day though, we need to figure out how to get that done. So, perhaps a different approach is in order.
Carrion: I think that’s a good idea.
Fly and Carrion are on the edge of the river and looking out over the water. Fly’s gaze turns to the city in the distance.
Fly: You know, for all the progress we’ve made as a society in the past hundred years, underneath it all we’re still the same people. We’re collectors, Adalfo. Throughout history people have spent so much time, money, and energy locating, acquiring, and displaying their ‘collections.’ It goes all the way back to cave drawings, showing tools and weapons that the earliest humans had made. It’s a psychological impulse that’s ingrained into all of us. It’s nature. Collecting things offers a sense of ownership, control, and pride. I’m just a human being, albeit one with a higher level of understanding. Every single person in this world wants to gain something, to collect something. I can’t help it that the items that I wish to gain are power, wealth, and control. Adalfo…
Fly turns to the mayoral candidate.
Fly: I want to collect the city of New York. I’ve never aimed small. There is nothing too big for me. I’ll take the whole fuckin’ world if I can get it, but I’m starting with that city.
Fly is now pointing across the river to the New York City skyline.
Fly: It’s not going to be a ‘clean,’ process, and you know that by now. Let this be a lesson in life though, nothing is accomplished cleanly. I’m standing here and leveling with you. Now you know where I’m coming from and what my motivations are. Now, it’s your turn to level with me. I want you on board with me. What is it going to take to win this election?
Carrion: Honestly, considering the circumstances, I think we need to manufacture some stories that portray me in a different light. I’m thinking…
Carrion takes a deep, long sigh before finishing his comment.
Carrion: …that I’m not going to win this election on policy. That leaves character. I have to win on character. We need to plant negative publicity on my opponent and positive ones on myself. It’d be nice to come up with something that makes me look like a hero. Saving some old lady from a mugging, stopping an attempted carjacking, something along those lines. The people of New York City used to trust me. I need to reposition myself not as the champion of policy, not as the idealist who is going to fix all of their problems, but as the only candidate fit and able to lead this city.
Fly smiles and smacks Carrion on the shoulder.
Fly: NOW we’re talking. I’ll make some phone calls and make this happen.
Just as Fly finishes his statement, his cell phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out and reads a text message.
“FBI on the way.”
Fly looks at the phone and scratches his chin. He quickly types in a phone number and writes up a text message to another contact. Carrion watches him suspiciously.
Carrion: What are you doing?
Fly finishes the text and puts his phone back in his pocket.
Fly: Good news. You’ve just earned your kids back. They’ll be waiting for you back at your house. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off and go catch up with them?
Carrion: Are you sure?
Fly: Yes. Go. Now, please.
Carrion nods his head, smiling just a bit. He heads off back toward the warehouse. Fly remains where he’s standing. An entire minute passes. Carrion is long gone, but a black Ford Explorer has just pulled up behind Fly. The female FBI agent we’ve seen previously is the first one out of the car and walks toward Fly flanked by two other agents.
Agent Williams: Mr. Fly. It appears we meet again.
With his back turned to the FBI agent, Fly smiles. Slowly, he turns around.
Fly: It’s like we’re meant to be.
Agent Williams: Can I ask why you’re out here?
Fly: I’m enjoying the view, of course. Now you’re turn. What brings you to my humble place of business?
The agent does a half-turn and looks back at the warehouse.
Agent Williams: What business is that, again? You wouldn’t happen to be running the Carrion campaign out of there would you?
Fly: Where the hell did that come from? I assure you the only thing that goes on in there is the business of being Jonny Fly. If you’d like, I could give you a tour. Each tour comes complete with your very own Jonny Fly action figure, manufactured on site. If the action figure doesn’t do it for you, maybe instead, if you ask nicely of course, you could get action from the real thing. What do you say?
Agent Williams: Maybe another time. I’m here because I have reason to believe that you were involved in the kidnapping of Adalfo Carrion Jr.’s children.
Fly: Wow, Ms. Buzzkill. Here I am offering you a private tour of my facility and you respond with that. Do I even dare ask if you have proof?
Agent Williams: I’m not ready to disclose that.
Fly: That means you don’t have anything. That’s just rude. I’m out here enjoying a walk and you roll up and pull this shit, that’s bad form. The standards at the bureau have really gone to hell.
Agent Williams: I have a 30 page file on you, Mr. Fly. I know everything about you. I know that you’re involved in this, and I came here to tell you in person that this time you won’t be getting away with it. That’s a guarantee.
Fly: You could have just called to tell me that. Here, let me give you my phone number…just in case you need it next time, or you’re lonely, or both…
Fly smirks and pulls a pen from his pocket. He looks toward the other agents with Williams.
Fly: Would either of you two have something for me to write on? Paper, business card, pair of white panties, anything?
Just as Fly asks the question, the agent’s phone buzzes. As she looks at the screen our camera flips behind her so that we can read the text message she just received.
“Carrion’s wife just called. The kids are back at the house. They say they were on vacation. No other details yet. Don’t know what to make of any of this.”
The agent looks at the message and then back up at Fly.
Fly: Good news?
The female agent scowls and puts her phone back in her pocket.
Agent Williams: Don’t even think about trying to leave town. This isn’t over.
Fly: Leave town? No chance, I love this city.
Fly repeats the last line for effect.
Fly: I. Love. This. City….and I’m not going anywhere, Agent Williams.
Fly and Williams briefly lock eyes in a staredown, before the female agent turns and leads her men away. As they retreat to their vehicle, Fly refocuses his stare across the river as the scene dissolves.
August 11th, 2013 – Audio File Entry
Fly: I just finished watching Slam. It sucked.
There’s a pause in the audio.
Fly: Truthfully, I don’t think any show could be successful with Eric Price yelling on television seven different times in a fuckin’ two-hour stretch. Has anyone heard of the word stale? The WCF, or whatever the fuck it’s called right now, used to be THE place to wrestle. Now, it’s just a playground for an infantile douchebag, his one-hundred pound ginger bodyguard, and their crew of lackeys to fill their own personal desires of being ‘important’ and being on television every_single_fucking_second.
Fly: I’m not a bitch, so I don’t know what it’s like to feel something shoved down my throat, but I’d speculate the feeling would be something similar to watching two hours of Sunday Slam these days. Did I see any great wrestling? Fuck no. I saw a main event featuring Steeltoe Joe and Jonathan Jakobs. I didn’t even know Jonathan Jakobs was still alive, and in a main event nonetheless? Whose dick is he sucking to get that draw on the highest viewed show on television? The best wrestler in the damn company is being subjected to serve as a special guest referee. Yeah, Eric Price is some ‘genius businessman’ all right. It’s definitely his business acumen that doesn’t want good wrestling stealing ratings from his endless rantings about Ana Valentine, and not his vagina. Suuurree.
Fly: …also, side-bar about Ana, if you’re wondering, I would totally hit it.
Fly: …moving on. My point in recording this is to make the simple statement that I no longer find enjoyment in watching WCF. It’s a fuckin’ clown operation. There wasn’t one inspiring match in the damn show. In fact, instead of a real Television Title match I was treated to…whoknowswhatthefuckwhat. S-Pac? Cheetah Fighter? Someone get me an Ambien. In fact, get me an entire bottle so I can overdose on that shit. I have no idea what the hell is going on over there, and in a way, I’m glad I don’t.
Fly: For some odd reason though, that trainwreck of a product has made me miss wrestling. Perhaps the sentimental side of me knows what my presence could do for the WCF. Someone over there needs to clear house. I’m not talking about the overplayed ‘standing up to management’ bullshit. You’re not going to overthrow Bravado on Twitter. I’m talking about someone grabbing the fuckin’ place by the balls and beating down every one of those idiots prancing around acting like they’re so damn special. You do that in a ring. That’s always where a wrestler makes his most profound statement.
Fly: I miss being that guy.
There’s another pause in the audio.
Fly: Long before I took on Seth Lerch and removed him from WCF, I took on a much greater foe. I took on, well, everyone. I signed with the company and immediately went on television to tell everyone that things would be changing. It didn’t matter who I faced, they were going to fall. First, it was the rookies. Then, the always prideful veteran midcarders. Lastly, it was the main eventers and Hall of Famers. I beat them all. I turned the WCF upside down from the inside. Unfortunately, that art seems to have died. There’s nobody out there making a name for themselves, making a statement, and beating down the old guard.
Fly: Has Price destroyed the place so badly that everyone’s pride has vanished? The WCF appears like an individual on life-support, but nobody seems to be in a rush to push the meds. Part of me wonders if I could make a difference, or if Price and company’s ego would just try to toss me back onto the street in jealousy. The other part of me enjoys where I’m at now, and wants no part of that drama. I’ve been thinking lately about exploring other companies. Surely some fledging group would throw every dollar in their safe at the chance to land Jonny Fly. But…
Another pause.
Fly: Then I saw that XIII is coming up. I remembered my last appearance at XIII, and my blood began to boil. The fire came back. The HATRED came back. It’s almost perfect, is it not? It’s a show I can wrestle on without having to deal with Bravado and their nails-on-a-chalkboard act. It would allow me to achieve one of the last few items on my wrestling bucket-list; facing Jay Price at XIII, PUNISHING Jay Price at XIII. So, I placed a call to Corey Black and had the match booked. Jonny Fly is coming back to WCF, one night only, to give Jay Price a first-hand reminder that while he’ll always be able to proclaim he defeated Jonny Fly…it was nothing more than an anomaly. Furthermore, my appearance at XIII should serve as a reminder to all of the Wrestling Championship Federation that while I may be gone, I will never be forgotten.
Fly: Then again, maybe I should just come back, ignore the bullshit, win War, win another World Title, and tell everyone in charge to go fuck themselves if they get in my way.
…AND one last pause.
Fly: Yeah. That sounds more like me, doesn’t it?
Fly words fade away and the audio is cut off.
August 13th, 2013
Tom: So where are we going exactly?
We’re inside Jonny Fly’s Jaguar XK and looking directly at Fly as he’s driving. Sitting next to him is Tom Salemone, with a puzzled look on his face.
Fly: Carrion has asked me to follow his wife today and learn more about whom she’s been seeing, but we’re not going to do that.
Tom: Why not?
Fly smiles and turn his head to look at Tom.
Fly: …because I already know who she’s seeing.
Fly reaches into his pocket and pulls out the galapagos turtle card given to him by Carrion.
Fly: It’s our guy.
Tom: Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Is he trying to ruin the plan?
Fly: Self-control when it comes to women isn’t exactly his thing. This is a conquest, nothing more. So far, it hasn’t interfered with what we’re trying to accomplish.
Tom: What have you been telling Carrion?
Fly: That we haven’t seen her with anyone, yet.
Tom: Do you think he’s going to buy that forever?
Fly: No, but that’s why we’re going for this ride. We need to find a patsy. We need to give him someone to blame, and then we need to take care of the problem for him.
Fly pulls over the car in the Manhattan business district. He begins scanning the patrons walking alongside the street.
Fly: He’s a mayoral candidate; he’s not going to believe his wife is sleeping with just anyone. This man needs to be well-dressed, wealthy, and important.
Fly and Tom begin to scan the streets. After a few moments Tom points down the sidewalk at a man walking toward the car.
Tom: Him.
Fly nods his head slowly.
Fly: I think that might just be a winner.
August 14th, 2013
Fly: We’ve found him.
The scene begins at The Flyciety’s warehouse just outside the City of New York. Aldolfo Carrion Jr. is working at his desk and turns to face Fly upon hearing the previous words. As he turns he sees Fly with Tom behind him holding a business man in restraints. The man appears considerably roughed up and has dried blood on the side of his face and under his nose. He’s gagged, but not blindfolded.
Carrion: Him? That’s the guy?
Fly turns and motions for Tom to bring the man forward.
Fly: Caught him in the act yesterday. Spent the night interrogating him, but didn’t get much. What would you like me to do with him?
Carrion takes a step forward and comes face to face with the man he believes has been sleeping with his wife.
Carrion: Did you really think you could get away with this? With the microscope I’m under, did you really think I wouldn’t find out?
The man furiously shakes his head and tries to speak, but his gag prevents it.
Carrion: I don’t care what you have to say. You’ve destroyed my family. You could have destroyed my credibility to the voting public. You fucked up, and it’s going to cost you dearly.
Carrion takes a step backward and motions for Fly to follow him. The two of them walk out of earshot from Tom and the man.
Carrion: What do you plan to do with him?
Fly: Like I said, that’s at your discretion. You asked me to look into it, I found the guy. Where we go from here is your call. I’ll have done whatever you want done.
Carrion looks past Fly and makes eye contact one last time with the man. He looks to ground in thought. After a few seconds he raises his head.
Carrion: You were right.
Fly: What’s that?
Carrion: Nothing in this world is accomplished cleanly. Get rid of him. I don’t want to know how, just get rid of him. He deserves it.
Fly smiles and nods his head.
Fly: You’ve come a long way Adalfo. That’s the right call. I’ll take it from here.
Fly looks over to Tom and simply nods his head. Tom nods his head in response and begins to lead the man toward the exit and out of the warehouse. A trip to the Williamsburg bridge is in his future.
August 23rd, 2013
Reporter: The body of an unknown man was found washed up on the bank of East River Park last night…
Our scene has begun at the New York City FBI Headquarters in Federal Plaza. We’re staring at a door labeled ‘Agent Hutchins.’ A sound is heard behind us, and the female agent we’ve seen in previous scenes has appeared behind us. She knocks on the door and a deep male voice greets her.
Hutchins: Come in!
The agent steps into the office and takes a seat across from Agent Hutchins desk. Hutchins is looking off to the left at a television on the wall where a breaking news story of a man found washed up at East River Park is being covered. Hutchins shakes his head in disgust at the story and looks back toward his guest.
Hutchins: Ah, Agent Williams. Thank you for coming in.
Williams: Sir, no disrespect, but I was investigating a lead in a case when you called me to come in. What is this about?
Hutchins: I’ve heard about your investigation. Tell me if I have this right, you’re investigating a claim from Adalfo Carrion’s wife that their children have been kidnapped, when I just saw all of them together at an election debate yesterday?
Agent Williams doesn’t say anything.
Hutchins: I’ve heard you’re even investigating Carrion for campaign improprieties. Has your investigation turned up anything, Agent Williams?
Williams: Not yet.
Hutchins: Of course not. Let me remind you that your job isn’t to have hunches or create witch-hunts.
Agent Hutchins points toward the television.
Hutchins: SEVEN bodies have washed up in the Hudson River over the past three months. Yet, my office is using resources to investigate a kidnapping, in which the kids and father say never happened, and a politician without a shred of evidence that implicates him in being involved in something illegal.
Williams: Sir…
Hutchins: No, Agent Williams, I really don’t want to hear it. You will end your investigations and turn over all of your files to me. Then, you and your team will begin investigating the Hudson River murders.
Williams: Sir…I believe Jonny Fly is involved.
Hutchins mood immediately changes. His posture softens and draws in a deep sigh. He speaks softly.
Hutchins: Why do you believe that?
Williams: He was spotted with Carrion the day before his wife reported their children were missing. Just last week I received intelligence that Carrion’s campaign was operating out of a warehouse across the river registered in Fly’s name.
Hutchins immediately gets to his feet and paces behind his desk, thinking through what to do with the information he’s just been given.
Hutchins: We’ve played a dangerous game with Fly over the years. We’ve given him immunity for crimes we know he’s committed in order to chase bigger fish. We’ve brought him in to help with cases, and we’ve mostly ignored his misdeeds in the process. Any other individual who has done the things he has done would be imprisoned forever. Instead, he prances around acting like he’s untouchable and never misses an opportunity to put himself on our radar. Fly has an insatiable thirst for a way of life that directly conflicts with what the bureau stands for.
Agent Williams nods along, agreeing with her superior. Hutchins turns back toward her.
Hutchins: It’s about time to end this. I’m tired of Fly. Continue your investigation until you’ve concluded that he’s either not involved, or he’s behind bars for a long time.
Williams: What about Carrion? If he’s involved with Fly…
Hutchins: Forget Carrion. Don’t be naive, Agent Williams, every politician is corrupt. Every last one of them. Your job is to go after Fly.
Williams: Yes, sir.
With that, Agent Williams gets up from her seat and exits the office.
August 30th, 2013
The scene begins at Jonny Fly’s mansion in New York City. Fly is outside on the patio lounging by the pool. He’s joined by a female acquaintance soaking up some of the last summer sun and getting an early start on the coming Labor Day holiday. The chorus of “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent is heard and Fly immediately lifts his head up from his lounge chair. He rolls over to his right and grabs his phone from a small table next to him. Fly sets the phone one speaker and sets it back down on the table.
Fly: I wasn’t expecting this call.
A prominent and noticeable voice is heard through the phone.
??: I wasn’t expecting Adalfo Carrion to begin rising in the polls.
Fly: Yeah, he seems reinvigorated after the untimely death of his wife’s secret lover. I’m not sure I’m the one who deserves blame for that.
??: Jonny, she wanted it. The woman is a freak, and you know I can’t pass up a fine woman like that. You know how it goes.
Fly: You’ve made my job more complicated than it needed to be.
??: Soon enough, you’ll have your reward. That is, if Carrion quits rising in the polls.
Fly: If you’re calling to question where we stand, trust me, everything is under control. Carrion has to believe that I’m trying to push him to victory. He has to believe that I will do anything to win, and I will force him to do anything to win, or else he falls apart and the plan falls apart with him. I’m in his head, playing him like a fuckin’ fiddle. You’re the politician, and I’m the guy who’s giving you the City of New York on a silver platter. You stump for votes, and I’ll stump Adalfo Carrion Jr.
??: I think it’s time to end this, Fly. Crush him.
Fly: Okay. I suppose it’s that time. Give me two weeks.
??: Deal.
Fly: I think now would be a good time to discuss an amendment to our arrangement.
??: Oh? Why is that?
Fly: I’ve had to bring in another party to complete the plan.
??: Another party, for what? Do they know about me?
Fly: They don’t, and won’t. I brought in someone for a job that I can longer do, safely. That’s all I’ll say about it. However, I’m not entirely fond of this individual cutting into my stake.
??: Then you should have thought about that before you hired him, Fly. Our arrangement was solid.
Fly: If I don’t hire him, then Carrion’s eventual fate leads to me in prison. If I go to prison, I’ll sing like a fuckin’ bird. I’ll take EVERYONE with me. I did what has to be done, for both of us.
There’s an extended pause on the other end of the phone.
??: Alright, this should be interesting. What is your amendment?
Fly: We discussed previously simple legalization of gambling, prostitution and certain narcotics. That’s no longer enough. I want the City of New York, under your leadership, to give out licenses to own gambling establishments to only one man, me. I want the city to restrict the opening of brothels, with the exception of those under the umbrella of The Flyciety. I want the city to mandate that all purchases of narcotics come from city-sponsored labs, labs in which my people run. I want a monopoly over all of these soon-to-be booming industries in New York City.
??: Ah, you want to be the kingpin of all kingpins. Well hell Fly, you give my half and I’ll make your world golden.
Fly: You’ll still get your half. With the extra money this arrangement will provide, I can take care of my other guy. Plus, I’ll throw you in some free hookers.
??: Now Jonny, I’ve never had to pay for sex. Quite the opposite truly, they’re usually the ones doing the giving.
Fly: So, we have an agreement?
??: I look forward to the day I take over my throne as New York City’s…godfather. When that day comes, I’ll return your favor by giving you the empire you seek.
Fly: Good. I’ll be in touch.
With that, Fly hangs up the phone and the scene slowly fades away.
Present Day
Brown: You mentioned that you just went into a wrestling ring for the first time in a long time last month. Also, of course, you faced Nathan von Liebert at XIII. What else have you been up to since we last saw you?
A twinkle is seen in Fly’s eyes. He doesn’t respond initially to the question, he just smiles.
Brown: Since you haven’t been wrestling, how have you passed the time?
Fly: Just enjoying my retirement, of course.
A sly smile curls on Fly’s lips.
Brown: A retirement you’ve stated that you interrupted specifically to get revenge against Jay Price at XIII. Of course, that match transformed into facing Nathan von Liebert. Yet, it didn’t stop at just that. You’re…back…completely, right?
Fly: That’s right. Like I said earlier, it’s actually quite hard to walk away from something that you’re GREAT at doing. Really, I just decided there were a couple more things I still want to accomplish. First off, I want to win War. The timing of this comeback was entirely about putting my name into the hat for the biggest match of the year. I haven’t had the pleasure of participating in War previously, and I wanted that experience. I want to get into the ring with entire company and WIN. I still want to win more World Titles, I still want to be inducted in the WCF Hall of Fame, and I still want to get into that ring every week, win, and add to the legacy of Jonny Fly.
Brown: Really? Legacy is something that’s important to you? After all, in your retirement speech you basically said ‘screw everyone.’ It didn’t seem like someone concerned about how people view them.
Fly: Hank, you can go down the WCF roster and read off dozens of wrestlers who’ve stepped into the ring with me, some multiple times, and failed. That’s the legacy I want. I want wrestlers and fans alike to realize that what they’re witnessing when I’m in the ring. They’re witnessing perfection, or at least the closest possible thing to it. When it’s said and done I want each and every future wrestler to use what I’ve done as a benchmark for their own career. I want everyone to break into this industry and want to be the next Jonny Fly.
Brown: That’s something you’ve spoken a lot about during your career, wanting to be a benchmark.
Fly: That’s true. The other word I use a lot is hierarchy and right now the hierarchy in the WCF is muddled. There is no alpha wrestler on the WCF roster. From what I’m to understand, in the last six months we’ve went from Eric Price, to Sarah Twilight, to Steve Orbit, and now to Nathan von Liebert. For a while Price and Twilight had decent runs, but in a historical context they did nothing. Who did they really beat, other than each other? Jeff Purse was the only decent wrestler in the bunch, and Purse has already gotten his revenge for those losses. The WCF needs a wrestler that can lead by example. It needs someone to push others, or be left behind and subjected to midcard purgatory. The woman running this company doesn’t operate that way, she only does whatever makes her feel ‘powerful.’ That person has to be me, Hank. I’m the only one capable of being that guy. I’m the guy who can put Twilight, Nathan, and Eric Price in their place. That’s what drives me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want this company back in terms of being its owner. I don’t care who’s running the place. I want this company back…as the throne I sit proudly on top of.
Brown: You want to be the World Champion.
Fly: That’s right. I want my fourth World Title belt. Just like I was the quickest wrestler to three World Titles, I’ll be the quickest wrestler to four. This time I don’t want that belt for a couple of months. I want it FOREVER. I want to top my own run from last year. I want to win War and take the belt all the way to the Main Event of One, and further. I want the return of the ‘Era of Jonny Fly.’ I want, one by one, every single wrestler in this company to realize that I am the measuring stick, that I’m the pinnacle of this entire industry. …and they will, Hank. If there were ever any questions on how long my comeback was going to last, or if I was serious, let that be the answer. Jonny Fly is here to stay.
Brown: Tell me honestly, who do you think has a chance to stand in your way and win War?
Fly: Nobody. I mean it, nobody. Those aren’t just words either. Look, let’s start with the current World Champion. We just saw that matchup; Nathan von Liebert is no match for me. The rest of the roster is dotted with men and woman who’ve I’ve made a career out of turning into flyjobbers. If you want me to talk specifically about some of the wrestlers I’ll be facing, that’s fine. Let’s start with Logan. I have some respect for Logan when it comes to War. Don’t get me wrong, since I joined the WCF Logan has never lived up to his hype. He’s a fuckin’ puppet to his own mind. He’s like a chameleon on LSD. He’s always morphing into another gimmick to try to keep the little sliver of relevance he has left. Can someone name the last big match Logan has won? Anyone? I respect his experience in this match, his history in it, and his knowledge on what it takes to win War. However, I don’t respect the wrestler in him. He’s a remnant of the man who was Mr. WCF. I hope Logan hears this; I want him to hear me when I say…Logan no longer has what it takes to win this match. I don’t need to justify that comment any more than that. I said it, it’s out there. He can do what he wants with it. Maybe it’ll light a fire under him and he can eliminate some people in my way. Whatever.
Brown: What about Sarah Twilight and Eric Price?
Fly: I predict anal sex before the third competitor arrives.
Brown: Wait…what?
Fly: Twilight would be the one with the dick, just so we’re all clear.
Brown: Uhh…I’m not sure we can even…you know…air these comments…Sarah is my boss and all…
Fly: Well, you asked the question I mean, I think that prediction is more likely than either of those two winning War.
Brown: Uh, okay. I mean both are decorated wrestlers looking to regain the World Title belt themselves. You’ve faced both of them previously, they were good matches…
Fly: They were blowouts, Hank.
Brown: I’m not sure that’s accurate.
Fly: Whatever, I won. That’s really what this all comes down to. At the end of the day, it’s going to a long and trying match for every one of us. The person who is going to win this match is the motherfucker who is too damn stubborn to quit. Price and Twilight…they’re not going to last. They don’t have that extra level within them to win this match, with the talent that’s going to be in it. I’ve wrestled them, I know them, Hank. They’re not going to get past me. They may not get past each other.
Brown: War usually has surprise entrants each year. Is there another wrestler out there that you think could show up as a surprise and worry you?
Fly: If I felt that way, I don’t even know if I would be in this match. First off, I think I’ve made it abundantly clear over my time in WCF that I don’t think there’s another wrestler better than me, past or present. In fact, I’ve made it clear that such a mindset doesn’t belong in this industry. What’s the point of thinking someone is better than you? If that’s the way you feel going into a match, then go the fuck home. One of the things that have made me so good is I’ve never given a shit about whom I was facing. You could put me in a handicap match against the entire WCF Hall of Fame, and I’m going to approach it the same way, and I’m going out there to win. Surprise entrants don’t worry me, the Masked Man doesn’t worry me, when my number is called I’m going out there and I’m going to be the toughest motherfucker to eliminate in the twelve year history of this match.
Brown: Well, there’s one more big name that came out in the last couple of weeks who will be joining you in the ring at War. It’s a man you know very well. How do you feel about, for the first time ever, the possibility of facing off against Bobby Cairo?
Fly smirks, his trademark arrogant smirk, and the scene slowly fades away.