Post by soulreaver on Aug 2, 2020 21:18:36 GMT -5
‘Quick Wit’ Johnny Class and Soul Reaver huddle around the screen of a laptop that Johnny has set down on the hood of his car. Watching Reaver lean over to the screen is quite comical
Class: “I had my guy whip this up. What do you think?
Reaver nods in his approval of whatever was on the screen. He rubs his hands together and moves back from the car. The cameraman sneaks in and we finally get to see what they were looking at.
Class: “Pretty nice, eh?”
Johnny keeps the laptop open for a few more seconds and then closes it as he turns back to Soul Reaver.
Class: “My therapist says that if you want to achieve something you have to be able to envision yourself doing that thing. I did a lot of envisioning when I wanted to get with that chick, Cindy, if you know what i mean.”
Johnny Class imitates jerking off which gets a big belly chuckle from Soul Reaver.
Class: “All jokes aside, this is the goal Reaver. And a gold strap would look good on us. I know it would bring out the blue in your eyes and it would grow the bulge in my pants…. Man, I am on one today!”
Soul Reaver laughs as Johnny gathers up the laptop, a briefcase and some papers that he had on the trunk of the car. He puts his stuff in the trunk and then locks his car up.
Class: “I know you hate these things, but they bring good money. And if you become champion- I mean when you become champion, they’re going to make you do more of these. All you have to do is sign some autographs and take some pictures. That’s it.”
Reaver being a man of few words shrugs his shoulders. The men walk off as the screen transitions to the next scene. A small-ish group of APW fans have gathered for a Soul Reaver autograph signing. These are mostly 20-30 year old dudes looking to sell the autographs online. A few amongst the crowd have Soul Reaver merch on and one guy is even cosplaying as Johnny Class. Reaver and Class walk through a door and make their way to the front of the crowd. They get a small applause from the crowd. Johnny waves and smiles as if he were walking the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere. They stop in front of the table and Johnny begs the fans to quiet down. The three guys cheering go silent.
Class: “Ladies and gents. I know you’re here for a chance to get your pictures and other memorabilia signed by ‘Quick Wit’ Johnny Class and the largest professional athlete in the world, Soul Reaver. We will get to that, I promise. But first, I figured since you’re here and the APW cameras are here, that we could talk a little bit about our upcoming match with Andrew Barnes.”
The mention of Andrew’s name brings the biggest reaction yet from the crowd. Johnny claps and nods along with the crowd.
Class: “I know, I know. We’re excited to be in action again. Beating Jaice Wilds was so easy that it left us feeling a little unfulfilled. I mean there aren’t many people that will truly push Soul Reaver and actually challenge him, but Jaice didn’t even put up a fight. We told you that he was garbage.”
This comment draws some heat from the crowd.
Class: “Did you see the match? How would YOU describe his performance.”
The Johnny Class cosplayer shouts out “Overrated Trash!’ and this draws more boos. Johnny smirks at the crowd.
Class: “I suppose that there are some Andrew Barnes sympathizers in the group, eh?”
Johnny pauses again and the crowd cheers again.
Class: “I get it. Simple minded people like you love guys like Barnes. He’s young, good looking, well spoken, and is absolutely jacked. He’s everything you’re not and for some reason that makes you fawn over him. Like I said, I get it. But those of us with half a brain see Andrew Barnes for what he is. Barnes is a dime a dozen nobody with daddy issues. Andrew Barnes the second isn’t going to amount to anything in APW or anywhere he goes. Sure he’s got the ‘look’. But so does every other half wit in this place. Having muscles means you spend a lot of time in the gym and that is it. Muscles do not a good wrestler make. Just ask Vonn Ricther. That dude is the walking embodiment of a roid raging freak and Soul Reaver made him look silly just a few weeks ago. Now I don’t think Barnes is juicin’. He’s not that big. All I am saying is that muscles and a pretty face only get you so far when there are 20 other dudes just like you in every wrestling company in the world. Guys like Andrew Barnes will fade into past and in five years you won’t be able to tell me if Andrew Barnes was a professional wrestler or a member of One Direction.”
Groans erupt from the crowd.
Class: “Whether you want to admit it or not, you know that I am right. Andrew Barnes is forgettable. He shows up in a new place, whines about his daddy, beats a few other nobodies and then fades into the annals of time. Soul Reaver on the other hand is different. None of you will ever forget the time when you were in the same room with this man. The image of this massive human being will be seared into your brains until the day you die. It’s not too late to abandon the Andrew Barnes ship and pledge allegiance to a wrestler that is actually going to amount to something in APW.”
This brings big boos from the small crowd. Johnny Class is loving every minute of it. He smirks at the crowd and then turns towards one of the cameras.
Class: “Andrew, I’m sure you’re watching. If you have any common sense you already know everything I said is true. You know that you’re nothing special I know you’re riding high after beating Oblivion. That seems like a huge win. But beating Oblivion doesn’t carry the same weight that it did in the past. Soul Reaver and I should understand that better than anyone. Beating Jaice Wilds used to be a huge accomplishment. It used to matter. Now it’s a forgone conclusion. With that said Andrew, we weren’t exactly impressed with your victory. You struggled to beat Oblivion. It took everything you had. You left the arena battered and bruised. If Oblivion was able to push you to your limits, what exactly do you think is going to happen when you look across the ring and see this man?”
“Soul Reaver is the biggest wrestler in the world. You’re going to feel every single blow, and trust me Andrew it’s going to hurt. Believe it or not, I know what it feels like. One time Soul Reaver sneezed and in the process his elbow grazed my cheek! I was hospitalized for three days! What do you think is going to happen when Soul Reaver hits you full force? Here’s a better question to ponder. What are you going to do when he doesn’t let up. Punch after punch leads to his soul crushing bear hug. Do you really think you’re going to have the fortitude to get up and keep going. Andrew, you may have a backstory fit for the protagonist in a movie. The kid that grows up trying to restore pride to his family name after his father shit on it for 30 years. The kid who wants to prove that he is better than his old man is a movie that has been made a thousand times. But this ain’t Hollywood. This isn’t a movie. You’ll never amount to anything more than your old man did. I am sure when he was your age and getting into the business that he thought he was going to make it big. But Andrew your father ended up as nothing more than the butt of jokes that the boys tell in the lockerroom. That is your destiny Andrew. I know you have big plans for yourself. I know you think that you’re going to be somebody in APW. But the only thing you’re going to be is another victim left in Soul Reaver’s wake.”
Boos ring out as Johnny pauses. A guy in the front row really starts yelling at Johnny Class
Fan: “Bullshit! That’s bullshit!”
Class: “What are you? President of his fan club? You’re just as pathetic as Andrew.”
The fan steps towards Johnny Class but Soul Reaver moves slightly forward and the man fades back into the crowd. Johnny laughs. He yells “Anyone else want to try Soul Reaver?’ to the crowd and fortunately no one steps up to the impromptu challenge. Johnny straights his jacket and then turns back to the camera.
Class: Andrew, the more I think about it I actually do think there is a way for you to not end up just like you father. You can even do it this Monday night. You can show the world that, unlike your father, you know when to quit. You want to be better than your old man? Do that. On Monday night throw in the towel before Soul Reaver inflicts any long lasting damage. There is no need to extend your beating. Take a few licks so that you can say you survived a match with Soul Reaver and then end the damn thing. None of your fans want to see you ripped to shreds by Reaver. Hell, I don’t even like you and I don’t want to see that. But something tells me that you won’t do it. Because you’re more like your father than you want to admit. Like your old man you’re going to beat the dead horse that is your career for way too long. Andrew, this is your chance to be different. This is your chance to change careers and do something that you might actually be good at. Hell Andrew, we’re always looking for good car washers at First Class Cars. I know the owner pretty well.”
Johnny winks at the camera and then turns back to the camera.
Class: Lets get this over with. Reaver and I have a plane to catch.
Johnny and Reaver take their places behind the tables and we see the autograph session commence. Slowly the screen fades to black.
…
Soul Reaver: “When are you going to let me do some talking. I had some real zingers ready for Andrew.”
The cameras are no where in sight. Reaver and Johnny are in a small private plane. Johnny had his seat reclined with his eyes closed. He opens them and laiughs.
Johnny Class: I’ll let you do the talking when you stop using words like zingers.
Even Reaver laughs at this but then he clears his throat.
Soul Reaver: “But really, when do I get to speak? Barnes said that I look weak by letting you control me,
Johnny Class: First of all, I don’t control you. We’re partners. And this situation keeps you looking mysterious and brooding. Youre the silent monster that doesn’t need to talk. You let those giant fists of yours do the talking.
Soul Reaver: Yeah, I guess you’re right. But still. You’ve got to let me get a line or two in soon.
Johnny Class: Deal. Now let’s get some shut eye. You need a blanket?
Soul Reaver shakes his head as he slowly reclines his seat.
