On/En G(u)ard(e)

Scene I: New York City, NY - the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel, the Empire Room - Friday, August 29, 2003

Tonight was undoubtedly one of the most nerve-wracking nights of my life...second only to my wedding, Edward's birth, and perhaps also the creation of Robert Lancaster, then "Goodlife," Investment Enterprises.  I had assembled several hundred people into the Empire Room of the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel here in the heart of New York City, for a dinner that I hoped would show the world that I was more than a wrestler and a businessman, but a philanthropist, who truly cared about the people of this world.

Yet I cannot help but feel a bit trepidatious.  I knew the Dark Power still ruled my life, and controlled it to its every whim, and I braced myself for any events which may befall this dinner tonight.

I had received word that Michael Xavier, better known to the world as Adam-X, had arrived in the hotel just this afternoon, and would be leaving almost immediately at the conclusion.  He had prepared a speech, a short address rather.

We hadn't met yet or exchanged words since his arrival, but he promised we would go over things before the evening commenced, at about 7:30 PM or so.

I myself am a bit concerned about how our encounter will go.  It would be the first time since the Jacobins made their inaugural declaration to the world that we would meet.  Seamus had some very strong words for him, which I took in stride.  I can understand them completely, even if I may not share and agree with their content with as much intensity as I once did.

Odd what can bring two people together.

He was fighting a battle against alcohol.  As I did.

He now fights a battle against the Darkness, as I do, and hopefully shall continue to do so, in the future.

Constantine and Napalm's seeming defection was quite unsettling.  Just as the Darkness seemed to grow weaker, just as it seemed the light was starting to pierce the black heart of that faction, new blood, new darkness was added.

I never knew much about Napalm, and Constantine, save for a brief encounter after a Wildfire a good while back with the latter.

But their addition to the Darkness was formidable.  And I knew that the Wildfire that awaited myself and Seamus, and Wright, would not be a pleasant one.  Blood would be spilled, that I was certain of.

And as the Jacobins all knew and pledged, blood would have to be shed, even our own, if we were to be victorious and set ourselves free of the yoke of Darkness/Authority oppression.

Libertas an mortis, indeed.

And although the road would be paved with blood along the way, gold had once again placed itself in the path of myself and Seamus Finnegan.

The CSWA Tag Team Championship was an inticing bait, and the match against 187 would be the obstacle that is in need of clearing before we reach that level once again of tag team domination.  Both Bravo and Tate were at the height of their game though.  No doubt about it.  And a chance for some vengeance on the part of that savage, irresistably uncouth and lecherous bastard Longshanks may taint the outcome.  

But we have Wright, we have Scythe Meister.  Our insurance is well paid, and will stop at nothing should anything, or anyone, seek to interfere.

After this and having been on Letterman, I vowed to myself to train, train, train.  I needed to be in top physical shape, and that meant no more liquor, no more cigars, no fats, until after Wildfire.

I would have to get used to such a regiment, particularly with "Last Man Standing" closing in so quickly.  And I intended to be on it...and I intend to be the last man standing.  And should that Dark Force see fit, I shall be wearing two championships around my waist at the conclusion of that night, and I shall establish myself as one of the new dominant forces within the CSWA.  All others be damned.  

It was the dawn of the Jacobin onslaught.  And I would make an example of the entire CSWA, and the CAL, and show just what I am made of, at anyone's expense...even that of my teammates.

I sit at one of the luxuriously decorated tables, wearing Christian Dior black tuxedo, thinking of the prospects.

Lancaster vs. Finnegan, Lancaster vs. Wright, Lancaster vs. Meister?

Shit.

But.

Grin.

Do whatever is necessary...by all means necessary.

"Mr. Lancaster?"

"Oh," I turned to see the head of conference services of the Waldorf=Astoria, standing above me, he too decked out in a fine tux.  "Yes."

"It's almost 7 PM sir...we'll be opening the doors and letting in the guests any moment now, you may want to take your place at the podium in a few moments."

I nodded my head.  "Very well, thank you Mr. Allens."

I sighed and pulled out a prepared statement I had written at my condo in the Trump International, to welcome the guests, and various other speakers who would grace the stage after dinner was served.  I had ensured that no expense be spared.  I wanted this evening to be memorable.

I hovered near the podium as requested as 7 PM hit, and the guests started to file in to the immaculately decorated and prepared Empire Room.  Some I had spoken to personally on the phone, from the city's cultured grouping, and from groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, amongst others.  Some were total strangers, who had the goodness to donate $1000 to these charities to wage a relentless war against alcoholism.

Slowly, slowly, the room filled to capacity.  Seamus arrived fairly on time, and of course, sober, and took his place near the stage.  His presence was greatly appreciated, seeing as this was yet another bond we shared.  Jeff, I don't know where he was. I tried leaving messages on his phone, but I suspect all this nonsense envolving the Authority is occupying his time and mind.  I totally understand anyway.

I had sent out feelers to lots of other CAL superstars, but only Seamus and Adam-X had RSVP'ed...disappointing, but again, understandable.  What am I to do anyway.

I checked my Rolex again.  Shit, 7:30 already.  Time for me to make my introduction.

The chatter of the crowd was loud for such a gathering of only a few hundred people, but most settled fairly quickly.  I freshened my mouth and cleared my throat.

Here goes...

"Ladies and gentlemen...distinguished guests...and those of generous soul...welcome to the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel.  Tonight, we're here gathered for a common reason, and in support of one another.  Many of us know the pains and conflict alcohol can create in our lives.  Some of us, know this pain all too well, personally.  No need for me to mention my own history, for those of you who have followed my professional career..."

A few audience members laughed.  I suppose only some remember the glory days of the CWF.

"But we're here tonight as a group, as a community, in order to declare war against alcoholism.  To teach those in this city, and around the world, that alcoholism is and will be stopped through education, and prevention.  And tonight," I looked up from my cards, "I truly hope that this will be yet another step on the road to eliminating this plague.  Again, welcome, eat, drink, and be merry...well, don't drink..." again more laughs.  Thank God.  "And enjoy yourselves.  On behalf of all the charities represented here tonight, thank you for making a difference."

Short, and to the point.  I stepped away and received a fair amount of warm applause. I sat down next to Seamus, and immediately went for my water.  The glass' contents vanished within seconds.  Seamus chuckled.

"Ye okay there lad?  Need a wee nip of brandy or somethin'?"

I couldn't help but laugh.  "No thank you, although I wouldn't put it past you to be the only one to have smuggled in booze to a no booze allowed dinner!"

We laughed together and sat down to a simply delicious meal.

The hours ticked away quickly as I was once again approached by Mr. Allens, noting that Adam-X was expected at the podium in about five minutes.  

Holy shit, I hadn't even talked to him yet.  I excused myself from the table and got up as the hired orchestra continued to play light jazz music as they had done so all night.  I found him finally, at a corner table, sitting almost anonymously with a few good spirited public citizens who had donated their hard earned money.

"Michael?"

He looked up from his coffee, and smiled.  "Robert."  He continued to smile.

I laughed to myself quietly.  No use arguing with him or asking where he was earlier.

"You're up now my friend.  Ready?"

"Sure, let's give this a whirl."

At least he was more relaxed than me.  I escorted him up, he himself wearing a fine suit, looking all the part, and walked up to the podium as the orchestra silenced itself.  I spoke again as he stood next to me.  I grinned at Seamus, as if to tell him to behave - jokingly of course - and began.

"Ladies and gentlemen.  I'd now like you to welcome a colleague of mine.  To the world he's known as Adam-X, one of the premier athletes of our sport.  In the past I could never imagine myself standing next to him at this time, but here we are.  We have put our mistrust aside, and we're joined here tonight with you for this special cause, to fight that something which we both have fought.  Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Xavier."

The audience clapped loudly, as I stepped back and applauded.  Michael patted the air to thank the crowd as the applause slowly hushed.  I was on edge almost, waiting to hear what words he would speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen.  First I would like to thank Mr. Lancaster for his kind words tonight and also with the opportunity to come before about this topic.  While Robert and I have not gotten along well in the past, I must say that I feel it is an honor to share the stage with him tonight."

I nodded my head in definite agreement and mutual respect.

"A few weeks ago, I stood before a sold out arena only a few nights after fighting for my life, and I said the hardest words possible to escape my throat.  That I am an alcoholic.  That one word, that is actually very easy to say in the English language was the hardest word I have ever had to speak, because I had to realize for the first time, that I had a problem.  In our business, people are made to be larger then life hero's and the darkest of villains.  I have been one of those heroes for many years of my career.  Like I told that crowd, there are no real heroes.  There are normal human beings and people that are put into extraordinary situations that shine as bright as the sun itself, or those who fall hard and crumple beneath the pressure.  Over the years, I went from being a hero to my fans, to falling under the pressure."

"The pressure was heavy and so much, that I turned to the bottle to give me the courage to keep being the hero.  In reality, it is because I could not handle the day to day situations that we are called to do in our lives.  In reality, it was not something that just appeared one day.  For years, I partied and drank heavily. It was the lifestyle but now that I am looking at things with eyes open, I know that it was the disease.  The hardest part of being an alcoholic, it realizing that you have let the drink over take everything important.  Many people don't know it or refuse to admit it..."

Not a whisper could be heard...all eyes, and ears were glued to the stage, as they remained for the next few minutes.  By the end, he had a received an incredibly long and respectful ovation, one that I gladly shared with the ensembled guests.  We shook hands and he returned to his seat.  I didn't catch sight him hardly after he returned to his seat.

The rest of the evening blurred by in a fury of conversations with people I've never met, nor will I ever again most likely, about topics that at times were scarcely important.  It was nearly 11 PM and the last of the guests finally left the Empire Room of the Waldorf=Astoria.  I thanked Mr. Allens for arranging and conducting the evening perfectly - it was truly flawless.  Michael ended up leaving fairly soon after giving his address, despite it receiving a rousing cheer.  Seamus decided to head back to his hotel room early to give his wife a call, seeing as they spoke every evening when they were apart.  I was hoping to get a drink...ironically, now that I think of it - but how soon I forgot the pleasures of marriage.

I was exhausted.  And in need of rest.  I too then departed from the Empire Room.

I thought how nice it was to put that mistrust aside that I once had for Adam-X, once, and hopefully, for all.

Mistrusting another man was not something I particularly enjoyed doing.  Although necessary at times, I find it far more satisfying to earn a man's respect, or even fear, than having an exchange or relationship based on mistrust.

Humanly mistrust was not my greatest concern any longer.

As I walked out, no sooner than ten seconds from when I stepped out, I found a chandelier dropped and burst in a cascade of crystal and glass.  I shielded myself from the fragments with what little time I had.  I lay on the ground, feeling the blood running down my cheek.

Immediately security and other officials from the hotel rushed to the scene to check on what had happened.  I received only minor cuts, and was fine otherwise...

It would seem the Darker Power was trying to reassert itself, powerfully.

I somehow doubt they approved of my attempt at helping humanity.  I was to hurt humanity.  This was the only feeling I had as I was escourted by medical officials to receive treatment from my cuts, as police suddenly crawled around the outside of the Empire Room.

I was later interviewed by the finest of New York City, but had no information whatsoever to give them.

I knew this was no act of man, no mere coincidence.

I shall be on my guard now.  And humanity...whether in the CAL, the CSWA, or elsewhere.

Must be on theirs.


http://www.geocities.com/culturalexorcist/wessex/lancaster.html

Jacobins


Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1