Topic of Discussion: Sanity and Future

Darkness covers the screen.

Royce: So, your reason to be here again, is what exactly? It has been some time since you pestered me last…

The monitors in the imaging room blare into a blinding white. Fans across the world tuning in are also blinded by a white luminance bleeding from the box of sounds and moving colors. Finally the intense light subsides and Royce is found leaning back on a tree trunk just outside his back door. Its dark and the grass of the courtyard is wet because with the nightly sprinkler system

Royce: ANSWER ME D*MNIT… I KNOW YOUR OUT HERE!!!

A raspy monotone voice emits, out of view of the camera.

Ambrose: What are you wanting from this sport Royce?...

Royce perks up with a confused look across his face, puzzled by the question.

Royce: You know what I want. To be the best… to be a household name… to rule without question…

Ambrose: You ask for a lot… Do you honestly believe it will be completed?

Royce: I will and I have. I have accomplished such a task in one life before this one. Do not think I cannot do this again. Do not doubt my ability. There is always a need for someone to look up to, to compare yourself to, to embrace and take as a king above the peasant. I will gladly accept this role. Who will stop me?... Steele?… Bah… Dream?…. Not going to happen… Miracle?… To caught up with Steele… Goth?…. I’d be more worried with Law’s goat… No there is no one that will stop me from getting what I want. I have no equal enemy but my self.

Ambrose: You are your own enemy Royce… There is no match for you…

Royce: There is none… This I know…

Ambrose: Good… Good… that is the thoughts I wish you to have.

Royce looks up his eyebrow arched.

Royce: Dream, I have beaten you before and it will be no different this time. Well, minus one thing. There will be no interference. No more sneak attacks…I will sincerely beat the living shit out of anyone individual who decides to make a guest appearance during my air time.

Ambrose: Yes.

Royce picks up some leaves and begins tearing them occupying his hands by gently ripping them apart.

Royce: You see Dream, the MTV belt is nothing without me. It sure as hell will be nothing in your hands. And what better way to open this year than with both of those belts resting ceremoniously in the rightful hands of the one individual that makes this companies ratings soar. The ignorant fans love me. No matter what I say to them. They buy my book, they buy my t-shirts, they buy everything I toss in front of their face and they love every minute of it. All I have to do is throw it out there. Hell they bought piñatas with James face on them a few months ago. Oh that was classic.

Royce leans back laughing at the memory of that ignorant marketing ploy.

Ambrose: And what about Angelcrusher? How are you going to take care of that problem?

Royce laughs for a moment. His laughter building and finally coming to a end.

Royce: Problem?... Are you serious? What problem? Hell the man is more of a comic relief than a problem. Hell I do not know anyone so damn insecure about their standing in a league. It seems like from the second he returned… if you can call it that… It has been nothing but a bitching session. Whine whine, I am not appreciated. I should be respected… I’m Rookie of the Year… me me me… Well damn boy, I haven’t heard such bitching since grade school. But I do find it amusing, all the talk behind stage. Every bitch and gripe you throw… It’s very entertaining. Are you that uncontrollably dependent on the outlook of the people in this league? Must be… Its rather sad… not for me mind you, I enjoy it. But for yourself. Oh well if it gets you off at night to have everyone appreciate you. Well keep up the good work. It looks like your making some headway.

Royce begins to laugh harder and has to roll over to the side of the tree in laughter. So taken by the entertaining ways of Crusher Royce forgets for a moment that Ambrose is still standing behind him. Or at least he believes him to be. Royce finally regains himself and sits back upright.

Royce: Well enough about you there Crusher. Don’t want to give you to much airtime, you may start bitching about getting to much talk. [Laughs]

Ambrose: You cannot win Royce… You will never be great…

Royce: Bullshit… I will dominate every match. I will become the legend of legends.

Ambrose: You cannot win them all.

Royce: I will damn sure try and I will keep this belt and I will continue on to take the CWR Heavyweight gold. It is only waiting for me to step up and take it.

Royce jumps up and walks up to the house and enters the front door. The camera follows him in as he reaches up and takes the MTV title off the case above the mantel. Royce grasps the gold tightly and buffs the face plant bearing his name with his shirt sleeve. He turns and walks back out the door and takes a seat on the front steps.

Ambrose: You can win but you cannot win Royce.

Royce: What the hell are you talking about you overgrown fur ball.

Ambrose: You may win that belt but you will not ever be satisfied.

Royce: I am not here to be satisfied. I will never be satisfied. But I will take that belt. And I will be temporarily satisfied. Why do you bother me with this gibberish?

No sound comes and Ambrose has yet to be seen on the video feed. Royce looks out across the yard behind the camera as if he is gazing upon a familiar face. His belt resting in his lap highly guarded against any dangers.

Royce: What is your purpose? Why are you here?

Still no sound comes and Royce’s vision is still sternly fixed upon something behind the camera. Curious and wishing for a great shoot, the cameraman pans about to catch a view of Ambrose but comes upon nothing but a green sunlight blared courtyard. The only upright shadow casting figures are trees and various large bush plants and a shed with a sealed door and a snaking sidewalk that winds its way toward some haunting area overgrown just inside the tree line of the woods behind the house. The camera swings the camera back on Royce and quickly pulls into focus, his eyes still set on a something beyond the view of the lens.

Royce: You know you hairy bastard. You attempt to confuse me but fail miserably. And when you do, you become very quiet. But a voice that whispers in the back of my head.

Royce shakes his head and walks into the house. He steps across the living room floor and takes a seat on the couch. Picking up a book he begins to read off some lines.

Royce: (I AM 1:7-1:8) I am however, the subject of conversation when not present…

I am the subject of conversation even when present. Oh how true this has become. (I AM 1:38) I am the ego that sets a mark and begins a trend. "Oh how to the point."

(Revelations 1:6) Simplicity and boredom are your themes in front of the scenes.

"This could fit well with you Crusher. Simplicity seems to be your strong point. "

(Revelations 1:11) Your career is seeming bleak. "You know this one can hold just as true for you. At least from how you continuously bitch about a unappreciated career."

(Revelations 1:14) All will be mine and there shault not be anything that can be done. "I rather enjoy this one. I believe it holds rather true. Or at least will be proven so in the near future."

Royce closes up the book and leans back. He sits the MTV title to the side and looks hard at the camera.

Royce: Till we meet in the ring Sandman. Sweet Dreams. And Steele, Crusher, Miracle, Goth or even you again Dream. If I am to meet one of … wait, when I meet one of you pitiful souls within those four fenced in walls, I suggest you have a good doctor waiting in the wings. I have heard metal can cause lock jaw.

FIN