Post by Dionysus on Aug 12, 2016 22:17:46 GMT -5
[The following scenes take place between cards. The scene: outside of a darkened gym, save for one light on inside. The camera pans back to show a man standing out in front, holding a cane. There are others with him that can be heard through a murmur; four darkened silhouettes, two of which are small.]
: This is the place?[Another round of murmurs]
: Good. Let us meet our new act...[The gentleman with the cane approaches the door and lets himself inside, the others following closely behind him.]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Camera cuts to inside the gym, where Dion Necurat is working out frustration on a training dummy. Armed with a sword and shield, he slams the dummy into a wall, hacking into the dummy with the sword, then bashing relentlessly until it breaks away into pieces, yelling in fury. Breathing heavy, Dion drops the shield and sword to the ground. He turns to fetch his water bottle, noticing the group of men standing in the entry way. The man in front is clapping slowly, almost methodically. Dion takes a drink from the bottle, grabbing a towel nearby to wipe the sweat off.
Necurat: Gym's closed. Read the sign.
: I am aware. We are not here for a workout.[The man with the cane walks over to Dion, the group behind him standing still. He extends a hand, keeping his other on the cane.]
: My name is Albert Divine. I have an offer for you.Necurat: Yeah? And what might that be?
Divine: I offer you...my services, as a manager and trainer. It is obvious you need it.
Necurat (with fury): And what makes you think I need YOUR help, carnie?
Divine: *laughs* Oh my boy, wouldn't you like to know. Look at your track record. In your debut match, you were pinned. At your first pay-per-view event, you were pinned. Last week, you were pinned against men obviously beneath you. It is almost as though you are not even trying. And the truth is...you're not.
[As Divine speaks, Dion grows angrier. Near the end of Divine's speech, Dion steps into his face, his rage fully exposed.]
Necurat: YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT?! *calming down* I should be a better opponent than this. I know I can be a better opponent than this. But it has been years since I have competed at a serious level. My moves are stale, the gimmick is tired, and my drive has been lost. There is nothing you can do for me. So just leave.
[Dion turns away, heading toward the showers. Divine, however, remains where he first stood.]
Divine: The road to success is not an easy one. My life was ruined when I lost my only source of livelihood. Yet here I stand, with a support network to help me when I need it. What can I offer you, Necurat? I can offer what you don't have...a family. I can provide you with the tools needed to succeed. You need to learn new techniques? I can teach you. You need a new way to reach the audience? I have many techniques. You need a new motivation? Why not this; instead of doing this for anyone else, do this because you KNOW, deep down, this is what you need in your life. It is not about the money, the fame, the admiration. This...this is your dream.
[The camera cuts to facing Dion, who does not turn to look while Divine speaks. Divine pauses, pointing toward the showers.]
Divine: Of course, the choice is yours. You can continue to wallow in self-pity and continue to allow opportunity to pass you by while others undeserving take your place. If so, then by all means, hit the showers. You will be no more in this industry. ...However, if you want a chance at redemption...a real chance to show your talents...then come with me. Step right up...and I will lead you to the truly greatest show on Earth.
[Dion begins to contemplate everything that Divine has said. He had worked his entire career without needing an ally, why start now? However, he also needed to start proving he was worth what Seth pays him...and perhaps a necessary change was needed. Dion turned to face Divine.]
Necurat: If I do this...will I be able to retain my old persona?
Divine: Whichever you are most comfortable with.
Necurat: (pauses before speaking) ...I have a fatal four-way next week. I will consider this my last chance to prove myself. If I can win there, it will prove I am worthy to compete. I will not do anything underhanded. So long as you accept that...
[Dion walks over to Divine, stops just short of being face-to-face, and slowly extends a hand.]
Necurat: ...Then I will take whatever help you are willing to provide. I accept your terms.
[Divine lets out a light chuckle, shaking Dion's hand.]
Divine: Well then, we have no time to lose. Your new training begins tonight. Your fatal four-way will be your true test...but considering one is a cocky upstart, another is an international disappointment, and that the only interesting part of the last is in his name alone...I believe you have a real chance. *He gestures to the group behind him. One is a middle-aged clown, the other an elderly man with plenty of muscle, and two dwarves in matching tumbler gear* These are your new coaches. Ironsides *pointing to the older man* will work with you on conditioning. Giggles *pointing to the clown* will help develop your character. *places a hand atop one of the dwarven tumbers* and Tuck and Roll here will help with your endurance and speed.
[Dion looked to each person. An odd group, but each man seemed genuine. He could trust them. He looked back to Divine.]
Necurat: And you?
Divine: Why...I'm only here to provide the montage music.
[The man called Ironsides handed Divine a boombox, hitting play. A few seconds went by before Light Up the Night began playing through the speakers. The song carries over through an entire training montage. Early on, Dion is beaten relentlessly by Ironsides, outpaced by Tuck while carrying Roll on his back, and Giggles was unable to keep a gimmick to stick to Dion. Near the end of the week, however, Dion was able to powerslam Ironsides, set a new mile record while carrying both Tuck and Roll, and made Giggles laugh so hard he needed to change his clown costume. The day before the next Slam came, and Dion met with his new family. Divine clasped him on the shoulder, as though he were a proud father.]
Divine: I am intrigued by you, Necurat. You had your doubts, but stuck through the training to the end. I believe you are ready to take on your foes.
Necurat: Thank you, Albert. I will not let you down.
Divine: I count on it. I will join you ringside to observe, nothing more. Before then, though, we need a new name for you. Urban Gladiator is nice, but considering our group, it would be better to fit a theme...but what to call you...
Ironsides: The Comeback Kid?
Tuck and Roll: The Red Giant!
Giggles: The Crimson Curtain?
Divine: All excellent options. But I think one fits best most of all...
[Divine steps aside, revealing a table with a box on it. The box looks like a birthday present, complete with cheesy bow. He gestures to Dion to open the box. Dion steps forward, unknoting the bow, and lifting up the lid. Reaching inside, Dion pulls out...a pristine lion pelt. He pulls the pelt all the way out; it is long enough to cover his back.]
Divine: Dion Necurat, The Crimson Liontamer.
[Dion hangs the pelt over his shoulders, giving himself a chance to try it out. He turns to Divine, extending his hand. Divine takes it, and gestures to the others.]
Divine: Dion, my boy...welcome...to The Side Show...
