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Supercard Archives / Team BJ Vs The Members Of The Elders
« on: July 29, 2016, 10:01:18 PM »
Night falls over the Princess Cruiseliner, just the sound of the waves crashing against the side of the boats steady hull can be heard. One man can be seen in the moonlight, just casually leaning on a rail, looking into the water as the ship moves steadily, cutting through the waves. The camera moves in closer to see the man as Ben Jordan, dressed in a tuxedo, the bow tie long opened and hanging around his neck. Footsteps can be heard on the wooden deck behind him and Ben looks back seeing Jamie Dean walking up behind him. Jamie stands next to him, his elbows on the guardrail.
“Hello mate” Ben says in a cheery voice. “How was your date tonight?”
“More fun than I thought it would be” Jamie responds with a smile.
Ben looks towards his tag team partner with a smile.
“I did kinda notice” Ben starts “I might have stumbled in to where you was when you was going full Coyote Ugly.”
A wide smile plasters itself on Jamie’s face.
“Oh...” Jamie’s voice trails off “You saw that?”
“I did”
“Well the night wasn’t all like that.” Jamie responds thoughtfully….
Dressed in a violet, button down dress shirt with dark gray jacket, tie and slacks, Jamie walks the halls of the ship, casually looking at the numbers on the doors to match the number on the card in his hand. In his other hand was a bouquet of orchids and lilacs (hey, anyone can give someone roses!). He stops, matching numbers at one in particular before he tucks the card in his suit pocket and reaches up to knock. He pauses in wait, and only a few seconds pass by before he hears the lock being unlatched and the door pulls open to reveal a picture of grace and beauty that even Jamie has to admit is very flattering.
Master Lily is indeed a vision. A woman of her years retained the youthful glow of beauty and even enhanced it with the way she carried and took care of herself. Dressed in a tasteful gown of creamy white silk that complimented her skin perfectly, Jamie nods in appreciation.
“I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who thought ahead to dress up?” He says, and his toothy smile is matched by the soft, subtle one of Lily’s own. Her eyes roam over the suit Jamie is wearing and she nods.
“You clean up well.”
Jamie says, “I’d say the same but you always look lovely.” He holds the flowers out for her to take into her hands. At the sight of them, her eyes light up. Perhaps it has been a long time since a gentleman has given her flowers, but she takes them into one hand and takes Jamie’s offered arm with the other.
She says, “I admit surprise. You certainly do know how to charm a lady.”
“Hey,” Jamie starts to say as he escorts her down the hall. “Just because I don’t like women, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to treat them.”
***
“I hope you didn’t go through too much trouble.” Master Lily says as Jamie assists her into her chair at the lone table on deck. This lady had told Jamie that he could choose what they did for this date, giving him full responsibility despite the fact she had been the one who paid ten grand for the honor. Taking that fact seriously, Jamie went all out. He had a suspicion that she did not go out on such encounters often, and was quite determined to ensure that she had a wonderful evening.
He spoke to those on the ship to arrange a private evening dinner on the deck, beneath the stars, which is where they are now. Both moon and stars are out, and the breeze was gentle but cool to the skin. On the table is a chilled bucket with a bottle of champagne, and plates of hot shrimp scampi are being delivered as they sit. Jamie had asked Song for an idea of what to have catered and this was her answer; one of Master Lily’s favorite dishes.
As the evening began, Jamie says, “You know, I had a friend or two warn me about tonight.”
“Oh?”
He nods, “They thought that perhaps you made the bid to get me alone and do lurid things to give your team the better of an advantage this weekend.”
“Ridiculous.” She answers back, but with a good natured smile as she drapes her silk napkin across her lap. “I have no desire for such things. I simply wish for a nice evening out with a handsome gentleman.”
“If you’ll indulge me,” Jamie starts to say. “Why did you place such a hefty bid then? I mean, do you…?”
He motions between the pair of them and Master Lily blinks in surprise before she smiles.
“Have a thing for you?” She shakes her head. “Charming as your appearance is, alas no. The simple fact is that you and Ben took part in a very noble cause, putting yourselves at risk. I did my part then, and also tonight to ensure that at least you will be in good health and spirits for your match against my Elders on Sunday.”
“You mean …?” Jamie leans in, his face marked with wonder. “... you actually want us to be at our best?”
Lily nods as she picks up her glass of champagne. “Of course. I have no desire for my team to get a cheap and easy win. What would it then say as them? I want you and they to both be at your very best. That is why I was there on Saturday.” She smiles and picks up her fork. “That, and the children.”
“Oh thank God!” Jamie falls back against his chair in seeming relief. “I thought I was going to have to put out!”
That remark stops Lily short, just before her fork full of shrimp scampi reaches her lips. Jamie shrugs.
“Hey ten grand is nothing to sneeze at!”
Jamie had been nervous, although you’ll never get him to admit it. Experienced at life as he is, he had never actually went on a date with a woman before, especially one that was as charming and graceful as the older Master Lily. Jamie always says there was something almost ethereal about Asian women and the beauty they possess. Master Lily was living proof and her casual conversation set him at ease as the evening slowly progressed.
Jamie glances up just in time to notice his date shiver from the cool, sea breeze and rub a hand along her arm. Without pause, Jamie is out of his chair and removing his suit jacket to drape over her shoulders to stay off the night breeze. Master Lily’s face is admittedly one of surprise as she watches Jamie take his seat again.
“You are nothing like what I expected.” She says. “A far cry from the man I saw dancing on the bar in just his under garments.”
“Oh I still do that.” Jamie smiles and gives her a wink as he takes a drink of champagne. “I just promised myself I’d behave tonight.”
She asks, “It doesn’t bother you when people stare at you so luridly when you do such things?”
Jamie answers, “I think I’d be more insulted if they didn’t.” He shrugs. “Besides, it’s all in good fun. It’s just my body. All they can do is look.”
Master Lily nods in silent appreciation when she glances at the clock on the exterior of the ship and she sighs. “It was a fine evening.” She says, turning her eyes to Jamie. “But perhaps it’s time to call it a night.”
“So soon?” Jamie frowns.”
“Well, it is after ten.”
Jamie chuckles openly, then notices her watching him straight faced and he clears his throat. “Oh, you were serious?”
Master Lily says, “You have something else in mind?”
Jamie tilts his head off side and says, “Don’t I always? C’mon.”
“What is it?”
Jamie pushes his chair out and stands up, offering her his hand, “Come on.” And she slowly extends her hand to accept it.
***
And that is where and how you now find Jamie Dean on the dance floor of one of the Sun Princess’s nightclubs, holding Master Lily against him in a slow dance to the DJ’s rendition of Hozier’s original hit “Better Love.’ Jamie and Master Lily are obviously not the only ones present, as many of the cruise’s guests, both fan and SCW star alike, were out having fun, whether it be dancing or drinking. At his date’s request, Jamie has not had one alcoholic beverage since their dinner together, and he doesn’t feel the need or desire for one. He is simply enjoying himself and living for the moment.
But all good things must come to an end, as does the song itself. Jamie and Master Lily separate when the music picks back up, playing Nick Jonas’s ‘Jealous.’ Jamie smiles and looks at Lily, exclaiming, “I love this song!” holding his hand out but the demure lady holds her hands up, shaking her head and saying, “I think I’d best sit this particular song out.”
Jamie cocks his head to the side (pun intended) and he huffs, “Have I taught you nothing this evening?” To her bemused expression, Jamie reaches up and pulls off his tie and gives it a toss, then turns and climbs up onto the bar counter, causing many to grab their drinks and many a fan to turn and watch as he begins to dance to the music.
“And that’s when I walked in” Ben says as we come back to the two standing looking at the Ocean.
“Well it was fun” Jamie replied with a casual laugh. “I suppose yours went better?”
“Mine was...” Ben stops for a few seconds. “Interesting. I turned up dressed like a penguin here and well, coulda got away with something completely different….”
*******
Ben Jordan walks down the halls of the cruise ship, looking for a certain room. Ben is wearing a black tuxedo, and white shirt, complete with bow tie, in between his fingers sits a red rose. He looks at the camera.
"Someone spends fifteen grand to hang out with ya, gotta look ya best."
He finds the door he's looking for a taps his knuckles on the wooden frame.
"Just a minute." Sam Marlowe's soft tones are heard saying from the inside of the room.
Ben straightens up his bow tie as the door opens to see Sam Marlowe dressed in a casual pair of torn jeans, and white short T-shirt, showing off her mid rift. She looks at Ben up and down with a smile, seeing him dressed up the way he is.
"I didn't order room service, did I?" She says with a smile.
"Oh, do you need more time to get ready?" Ben fires back with a cheeky grin.
"Why are you dressed like a penguin?" Sam asks.
"Well it's date night, you paid a lot of money for this" Ben starts "So I thought I better look the part considering I have no idea what we're doing"
Sam smiles, slowly nodding her head up and down. Ben hands her the rose.
"Well thank you." She says holding on to the flower "We should get going, it starts in twenty minutes."
"What does?" Ben asks with curiosity dripping from his voice.
"What we're going to do...."
Fifteen minutes later, the casually dress Sam and the over dressed Ben are seen walking through a crowd on the outside deck of the boat. Sunloungers, chairs and other seating equipment are shown as hot tubs are seen with people in, all pointed towards a three hundred square foot screen.
"Movie under the stars..." Ben says impressed "Good shout Ginge!"
The two walk towards two empty seats and sit down, their eyes on the screen. Ben turns his head towards Sam.
"What's showing?" He asks.
She looks back at him with a smile on her face.
"Legend."
A huge grin crosses Ben's face.
"I figured as it's about east London gangsters, you might like it." Sam tells him.
"I love it." Ben says enthusiastically "This is all about my home. I might actually get nostalgic and weep a little."
Ben overacting pouts towards Sam as she looks at him with a shake of her head.
"Prat"
Ben pokes his tongue out as Sam and the movie begins.
A little way through the film. The camera movies on to Sam and Ben, both sets of eyes on the screen as an iconic scene in the movie starts to play.
"Call yourself a fucking gangster? A shootout, right, is a fucking shootout! Like a Western." The cockney voice says on the screen. "Wankers! Fucking embarrassing. Waste of my time. Fucking waste of my time."
The man on the screen walks out of the pub setting.
"Well, your brother's done a runner." A smirking man on the screen says.
"Nah, he's just genuinely disappointed with you. That's all." Comes the response from another man, dressed smartly in a suit.
Sam nudges Ben in the arm, causing him to turn his attention.
"Hmmm?"
"I'm glad all cockneys are not like that." She comments.
"Nah, we're a right friendly bunch." Comes the reply from Ben.
He smiles at Sam as the rest of the scene continues.
"I got a little joke for you. You'll love this one." The smartly dressed man says "Paranoid schizophrenic, he walks into a bar..."
The man who left returns, nailing someone with a hammer to the back of the head, causing the audience members to wince.
"Was the east end really like that?" Sam asks Ben in a hushed voice.
"Was?" Ben says with a raised eyebrow. "Mate, it's still like it now."
"Seriously?" A shocked Sam asks
"Seriously." Ben replies firmly "It's evolved a bit. Back then, people were proper gangsters. Take The Kray twins there for example. I grew up hearing stories about them from the older generation, I even bumped in to a few people in me old man's boozer, older boys, who claimed to have run with 'em, and in fairness, they probably have. You stick a few bevies, or shorts down their necks and they talk about their old glory days. They told me about how The Krays only messed with people they saw as taking the piss or doing things the wrong way. They dressed smart and got involved when they had to. Today though."
Ben takes a deep breath.
"Today, they we're their trousers around their arses, can't talk proper English, overuse the words bruv and fam and would stab ya for looking at them in a normal way." Ben says "Proper bunch of mugs, these little gangster wannabes these days."
"Remind me to wear body armor if I ever visit there." Sam says half jokingly
"Will even get ya one of those riot shields" Ben replies with a laugh "In fairness, it's not that bad in some places but let's just say the gangs have got stupider and stupider. Call me daft, but I'd prefer the suit and tie over a hoodie any day of the week. I think you agree."
"Why's that?" Sam asks
"I see the way you're drooling over Tom Hardy there in a suit" Ben says with a cheeky grin "Now if it was a geezer in a hoodie, you wouldn't take any notice."
Sam's cheeks start to flush red as Ben grins at her.
"Uh, ummmm..." She stumbles out "Uh, shush Ben, trying to watch the movie here."
"Prat one, Ginge nil." He mutters to himself.
And so we move forward, the movie finishes, leaving the crowd satisfied. The crowd stand to leave and Ben looks at Sam, only one word leaves his lips.
"Pub?"
*******
The camera comes back to where Jamie Dean stands looking at Ben laughing, Ben looks to the night sky.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up buddy” Ben says with a grin
“You got dressed up like that and all you did was watch a movie” Jamie says with a laugh
“Mmmhmmm” Ben mutters “Then the nightmares began...”
*******
Music can be heard from outside the bar as Ben and Sam reach the door.
"We'll make this a quick one." Ben says, as he looks at Sam "Or I'll make a pint last for hours. Last thing I need is to be trying to give a best man speach with a hangover."
Sam nods her head in agreement.
"Sounds like a good idea" Sam says as the two walk in to the bar, Ben pushing the door open and holding it open for Sam.
Sam walks in to the bar and Ben turns his back to the bar.
"We need a selfie to remember this night." Ben says to Sam.
"Sure"
Ben takes his phone out of his pocket and quickly hits the buttons on the front, pulling up the camera. He ducks down next to Sam, his cheek against hers, both smiling, but their faces change as they look on the camera, spotting something happening behind them. They turn their heads, their eyes meeting in a state of confusion as they look at the phone once more, before slowly turning their heads at the same time and looking towards the bar to see Jamie Dean strolling along it.
"What the...." Ben slowly mutters under his breath.
The two watch on as Jamie shakes his hips from side to side, slowly grinding his hips from side to side before walking along the bar and crouching down, spreading his legs wide, his rear end just inches off the bar. He pulls his legs together and slowly pulls himself up straight, his hands running up his side, across his stomach and to his chest. Ben turns his head looking at Sam.
"Shall we just try and get a drink in one of the other bars?" Ben asks Sam.
Sam quickly nods her head as the two quickly make their way to the door, leaving Jamie to continue his date with Master Lilly.
*******
“And after seeing you do that last week and now this week.” Ben comments “I’m now scarred for life”
“Hey at least this time I was wearing clothes.” Jamie smiled.
Ben rolls his eyes at Jamie.
“I got a question for you.” Ben says slowly.
“No, she didn’t put out and I’m not converted.” Jamie quickly snaps back.
“I mean we gotta do the focus thing, right?” Ben states rather than asks “There’s no one around so do I have to do the snappy fingers thing?”
“No.”
“Oh in that case.” Ben says with a smile “You can go first. Have at it son.”
Ben points to the camera in front of them. Jamie looks at the camera and blinks in surprise, as if he wasn’t aware that it had been present the entire time. He casually shrugs and turns back to look out across the sea, gazing at the dark waters and the moon peeking from behind clouds shaded in colors of gray and royal blue.
Jamie says, “It’s hard knowing the right thing to say in these instances, you know? In a social setting I have no trouble, but what do you say at times like these when you don’t want to sound like a broken record?”
Jamie stands up straight, his hands gripping the rail of the ship as he looks up and watches as the clouds either pass them by, or they are passing by the clouds.
“I’ve seen Jon Dough a number of times. Hell, I’ve been in the ring with him before this a time or two. It’s strange to say that one of my first matches was against Jon, and it was by his own request.”
Jamie casts a glance back to his partner and gives him a nod.
He says, “Yeah. Someone actually requested to get inside of the ring with me.” He turns back to the sea and continues. “When Mark Ward told me that, I assumed the guy was either a perv or a hater. I mean, who else would want to get inside of the ring with me except for someone who either wanted to get his hands on me, or someone who wanted to ’get his hands on me’. Turns out, it was neither. Jon simply liked who I was and how I presented myself inside of the ring, unafraid to be myself. He asked Master Lily to get him the match and she did. I went in there not knowing what to expect but I found out fast why this guy was a contender, even being a rookie back then himself. He fights hard, is a striker and just plain tough nut to crack. The fact that he wears that mask isn’t even a hindrance like so many experts say would be when competing. It was like a second skin to him, and kept me from realizing whether or not I was hurting him or getting under his skin. But I came out on top -- pun not intended.”
Jamie casts a prideful glance back to his partner and Ben smiles, patting him on the shoulder.
Jamie continues, “But I think Jon really found his niche in tag team matches, just like I did. The fact that he won the tag titles twice just proves that. His team with Aaron Matthews came from out of nowhere, but his team with Lucian Frost?”
Jamie whistles while shaking his head.
Jamie admits, “Now that was a team ahead of its time, even if Frost did turn out to be a raging dick head at the time. Just the combination of the two made them a team to beat, and they were just plain fun to watch. All of this just shows that Jon is a force to be reckoned with as a tag team wrestler, and he showed us that once before. Now, he’s going to try to show us that again but with a different end result. But sorry Jon.”
Jamie shakes his head.
“I know having tasted gold before makes you hungry for more, but holding the gold at the time just makes you want to keep it all the more. And that’s what Ben and I intend to do, even at the expense of you and your fresh faced partner.”
“I think Eyesnsane has an appropriate name, but not for the pun intended. Is the guy nuts?”
Jamie shrugs with an impish smile.
“I’ve always been privy to the notion that sanity is in the mind of the beholder. I’ve been called nuts a time or two, usually by this guy standing right beside me.”
Jamie jets a thumb in Ben’s direction and the Cockney King chuckles and nods in admission.
Jamie goes on, “If someone asked me if I think Eyesnsane is just that, I’d say yes. But not for anything to do with his mental prowess or lack thereof, but more so for his fighting style and the things the man is willing to do in order to secure the win for Jon and himself. He showed everyone that very fact ever since he debuted, and Ben and myself learned it firsthand when he and Jon challenged us just a few weeks back. He fought tooth and nail to strip these belts away from our waists but alas, it didn’t happen then, and it’s not going to happen this Sunday. If you two gents thought Ben and I fought hard to retain on Climax Control, just how do you think we’ll be fighting in order to win at an event like Summer XXXTreme IV? This is my first Summer XXXTreme event, my first cruise, AND my first championship in SCW! There is no way in hell that I am going to settle for anything less than a win! Bring the fight to us! That’s fine! It’s what we want! A champion is only as good as his challengers and if we can beat a team that gives us a fight like you did weeks ago, it just makes us look all the better! And considering the fact that Ben and I are the best looking team in wrestling today? The Elders simply don’t stand a chance.”
"They never did mate" Ben says with a wink to his tag team partner. "And you're getting better at this talking malaraky"
He quickly straightens up his suit jacket and turns back to the camera.
"Alright people." Ben says, very heavy on his accent. "He is actually getting so much better, it's a hard act to follow now. As Jamie covered some stuff, I think I might have to cover some stuff said about us."
Ben rubs his chin, shaking his head.
"Eyesnsane..." A disappointed tone comes from Ben's lips "Did you really have to swoop that low, that you had to bring my past and personal life in to things mentioning Emma? Thought you was better than that. Well informed for a bloke who wasn't about at the time, so you know what this shows me?"
Ben waves his finger at the camera.
"That those mocking words, were words coming from the mouth of a desperate man. Clearly son, you have nothing else to go on, so my past is your target."
A disappointed look appears on Ben's face
"Shame on you." He says with a low tone. "Mocking me about my ex ain't gonna help you win the tag titles. It's actually pretty sad, and Jon Dough encouraging you to be a super dick?"
Ben shrugs in confusion.
"Really Jon?" Ben asks "You was one of the decent people round here, and you drop that low? What's going on with ya mate? You're better than mocking words about my past with people who don't mean a lot to me anymore, you're better than having to use my past against me when there's really nothing to use. Tell me mate, how is this going to help you get your hands on the prize?"
Ben stands as if he's waiting for an answer.
"Trust me." Ben says firmly "It's not gonna get in me head, it's not gonna make me hit a pit of depression, it ain't giving you two an advantage. Did ya just expect me to break down and cry?"
He looks at Jamie.
"Was I meant to be all sad and sit in the corner moping?" Ben asks.
Jamie shrugs his shoulders at Ben.
"If that's the best these two have at mind games, our title belts are in very safe hands." Ben says to his partner before turning back to the camera. "I'm glad you boys have had success elsewhere, winning titles and beating people, but these belts are not a set you're gonna add to your collection. They're not a set that you're gonna have."
Ben calmly smiles
"We can list off a lot of names too about former champions, but it ain't gonna do us any good or give us an advantage." Ben replies "And the simple fact you'd mock something done for charity shows that the belts are better off with us instead of a fucking salty pair like you."
Jamie's head turns towards Ben, his right eyebrow raised.
"Fucking salty?"
"Yeah, not sure where that one came from to be fair." Ben replies "Mocking who I am ain't gonna help ya Dave, telling me that you're gonna kick my arse.... Mate, you're not the first to tell me that or try, and yet hi, here I am."
Ben waves at the camera with a smile.
"I know ya name Dave, I said it earlier, but it doesn't matter what name you go by, you can be called Shirley for all I care, its down to what I can do in the ring. I may be a busy lad but I always got time to have a go at you."
He smiles.
"Doesn't matter what you've done elsewhere Dave." Ben starts "It's about the here and now, and we're better than you and the fact is, we always will be. It's why we have the belts, it's why we're the champs, it's why you failed the first time around. It's why you will fail the second time around and any other time around."
Ben clears his throat
"I honestly feel sad for Jon that he has to deal with that guy." Ben says to Jamie "Like really sad, because you can just see Jon getting sucked in to Dave's ways just to try and be cool."
Ben turns back to look down the camera.
"You think I need a wake up call Jon?" Ben starts "Based on....?"
Ben waits for a few seconds
"This guy is leading you down a bad path Jon." Ben says firmly "Trust me, after me and Jamie get done with this match and we still walk out with the tag team championships, do yourself a favour and step away from that geezer, the bloke ain't all there in the head. I like you Jon and it's gonna be painful to beat ya again, but it is what it is, and it is what will happen. Get ya arses ready for another defeat at our hands because we're walking in with the titles and walking out with them, and no crazy eyed son of a something is gonna stop us."
Jamie nods his head in approval.
"That should do it." Ben says to Jamie. "Anyway, reckon there somewhere around here that can 'give me a wake up call' before these two try?"
"How about the reception desk?" Jamie responds with a grin.
"Funny fucker you are" Ben says with a smile "I need you like an extra hole in the head."
Ben turns to the camera, quickly giving it a quick salute.
"Laters people."
Ben and Jamie walk away as the camera fades.
“Hello mate” Ben says in a cheery voice. “How was your date tonight?”
“More fun than I thought it would be” Jamie responds with a smile.
Ben looks towards his tag team partner with a smile.
“I did kinda notice” Ben starts “I might have stumbled in to where you was when you was going full Coyote Ugly.”
A wide smile plasters itself on Jamie’s face.
“Oh...” Jamie’s voice trails off “You saw that?”
“I did”
“Well the night wasn’t all like that.” Jamie responds thoughtfully….
Dressed in a violet, button down dress shirt with dark gray jacket, tie and slacks, Jamie walks the halls of the ship, casually looking at the numbers on the doors to match the number on the card in his hand. In his other hand was a bouquet of orchids and lilacs (hey, anyone can give someone roses!). He stops, matching numbers at one in particular before he tucks the card in his suit pocket and reaches up to knock. He pauses in wait, and only a few seconds pass by before he hears the lock being unlatched and the door pulls open to reveal a picture of grace and beauty that even Jamie has to admit is very flattering.
Master Lily is indeed a vision. A woman of her years retained the youthful glow of beauty and even enhanced it with the way she carried and took care of herself. Dressed in a tasteful gown of creamy white silk that complimented her skin perfectly, Jamie nods in appreciation.
“I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who thought ahead to dress up?” He says, and his toothy smile is matched by the soft, subtle one of Lily’s own. Her eyes roam over the suit Jamie is wearing and she nods.
“You clean up well.”
Jamie says, “I’d say the same but you always look lovely.” He holds the flowers out for her to take into her hands. At the sight of them, her eyes light up. Perhaps it has been a long time since a gentleman has given her flowers, but she takes them into one hand and takes Jamie’s offered arm with the other.
She says, “I admit surprise. You certainly do know how to charm a lady.”
“Hey,” Jamie starts to say as he escorts her down the hall. “Just because I don’t like women, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to treat them.”
***
“I hope you didn’t go through too much trouble.” Master Lily says as Jamie assists her into her chair at the lone table on deck. This lady had told Jamie that he could choose what they did for this date, giving him full responsibility despite the fact she had been the one who paid ten grand for the honor. Taking that fact seriously, Jamie went all out. He had a suspicion that she did not go out on such encounters often, and was quite determined to ensure that she had a wonderful evening.
He spoke to those on the ship to arrange a private evening dinner on the deck, beneath the stars, which is where they are now. Both moon and stars are out, and the breeze was gentle but cool to the skin. On the table is a chilled bucket with a bottle of champagne, and plates of hot shrimp scampi are being delivered as they sit. Jamie had asked Song for an idea of what to have catered and this was her answer; one of Master Lily’s favorite dishes.
As the evening began, Jamie says, “You know, I had a friend or two warn me about tonight.”
“Oh?”
He nods, “They thought that perhaps you made the bid to get me alone and do lurid things to give your team the better of an advantage this weekend.”
“Ridiculous.” She answers back, but with a good natured smile as she drapes her silk napkin across her lap. “I have no desire for such things. I simply wish for a nice evening out with a handsome gentleman.”
“If you’ll indulge me,” Jamie starts to say. “Why did you place such a hefty bid then? I mean, do you…?”
He motions between the pair of them and Master Lily blinks in surprise before she smiles.
“Have a thing for you?” She shakes her head. “Charming as your appearance is, alas no. The simple fact is that you and Ben took part in a very noble cause, putting yourselves at risk. I did my part then, and also tonight to ensure that at least you will be in good health and spirits for your match against my Elders on Sunday.”
“You mean …?” Jamie leans in, his face marked with wonder. “... you actually want us to be at our best?”
Lily nods as she picks up her glass of champagne. “Of course. I have no desire for my team to get a cheap and easy win. What would it then say as them? I want you and they to both be at your very best. That is why I was there on Saturday.” She smiles and picks up her fork. “That, and the children.”
“Oh thank God!” Jamie falls back against his chair in seeming relief. “I thought I was going to have to put out!”
That remark stops Lily short, just before her fork full of shrimp scampi reaches her lips. Jamie shrugs.
“Hey ten grand is nothing to sneeze at!”
Jamie had been nervous, although you’ll never get him to admit it. Experienced at life as he is, he had never actually went on a date with a woman before, especially one that was as charming and graceful as the older Master Lily. Jamie always says there was something almost ethereal about Asian women and the beauty they possess. Master Lily was living proof and her casual conversation set him at ease as the evening slowly progressed.
Jamie glances up just in time to notice his date shiver from the cool, sea breeze and rub a hand along her arm. Without pause, Jamie is out of his chair and removing his suit jacket to drape over her shoulders to stay off the night breeze. Master Lily’s face is admittedly one of surprise as she watches Jamie take his seat again.
“You are nothing like what I expected.” She says. “A far cry from the man I saw dancing on the bar in just his under garments.”
“Oh I still do that.” Jamie smiles and gives her a wink as he takes a drink of champagne. “I just promised myself I’d behave tonight.”
She asks, “It doesn’t bother you when people stare at you so luridly when you do such things?”
Jamie answers, “I think I’d be more insulted if they didn’t.” He shrugs. “Besides, it’s all in good fun. It’s just my body. All they can do is look.”
Master Lily nods in silent appreciation when she glances at the clock on the exterior of the ship and she sighs. “It was a fine evening.” She says, turning her eyes to Jamie. “But perhaps it’s time to call it a night.”
“So soon?” Jamie frowns.”
“Well, it is after ten.”
Jamie chuckles openly, then notices her watching him straight faced and he clears his throat. “Oh, you were serious?”
Master Lily says, “You have something else in mind?”
Jamie tilts his head off side and says, “Don’t I always? C’mon.”
“What is it?”
Jamie pushes his chair out and stands up, offering her his hand, “Come on.” And she slowly extends her hand to accept it.
***
And that is where and how you now find Jamie Dean on the dance floor of one of the Sun Princess’s nightclubs, holding Master Lily against him in a slow dance to the DJ’s rendition of Hozier’s original hit “Better Love.’ Jamie and Master Lily are obviously not the only ones present, as many of the cruise’s guests, both fan and SCW star alike, were out having fun, whether it be dancing or drinking. At his date’s request, Jamie has not had one alcoholic beverage since their dinner together, and he doesn’t feel the need or desire for one. He is simply enjoying himself and living for the moment.
But all good things must come to an end, as does the song itself. Jamie and Master Lily separate when the music picks back up, playing Nick Jonas’s ‘Jealous.’ Jamie smiles and looks at Lily, exclaiming, “I love this song!” holding his hand out but the demure lady holds her hands up, shaking her head and saying, “I think I’d best sit this particular song out.”
Jamie cocks his head to the side (pun intended) and he huffs, “Have I taught you nothing this evening?” To her bemused expression, Jamie reaches up and pulls off his tie and gives it a toss, then turns and climbs up onto the bar counter, causing many to grab their drinks and many a fan to turn and watch as he begins to dance to the music.
“And that’s when I walked in” Ben says as we come back to the two standing looking at the Ocean.
“Well it was fun” Jamie replied with a casual laugh. “I suppose yours went better?”
“Mine was...” Ben stops for a few seconds. “Interesting. I turned up dressed like a penguin here and well, coulda got away with something completely different….”
*******
Ben Jordan walks down the halls of the cruise ship, looking for a certain room. Ben is wearing a black tuxedo, and white shirt, complete with bow tie, in between his fingers sits a red rose. He looks at the camera.
"Someone spends fifteen grand to hang out with ya, gotta look ya best."
He finds the door he's looking for a taps his knuckles on the wooden frame.
"Just a minute." Sam Marlowe's soft tones are heard saying from the inside of the room.
Ben straightens up his bow tie as the door opens to see Sam Marlowe dressed in a casual pair of torn jeans, and white short T-shirt, showing off her mid rift. She looks at Ben up and down with a smile, seeing him dressed up the way he is.
"I didn't order room service, did I?" She says with a smile.
"Oh, do you need more time to get ready?" Ben fires back with a cheeky grin.
"Why are you dressed like a penguin?" Sam asks.
"Well it's date night, you paid a lot of money for this" Ben starts "So I thought I better look the part considering I have no idea what we're doing"
Sam smiles, slowly nodding her head up and down. Ben hands her the rose.
"Well thank you." She says holding on to the flower "We should get going, it starts in twenty minutes."
"What does?" Ben asks with curiosity dripping from his voice.
"What we're going to do...."
Fifteen minutes later, the casually dress Sam and the over dressed Ben are seen walking through a crowd on the outside deck of the boat. Sunloungers, chairs and other seating equipment are shown as hot tubs are seen with people in, all pointed towards a three hundred square foot screen.
"Movie under the stars..." Ben says impressed "Good shout Ginge!"
The two walk towards two empty seats and sit down, their eyes on the screen. Ben turns his head towards Sam.
"What's showing?" He asks.
She looks back at him with a smile on her face.
"Legend."
A huge grin crosses Ben's face.
"I figured as it's about east London gangsters, you might like it." Sam tells him.
"I love it." Ben says enthusiastically "This is all about my home. I might actually get nostalgic and weep a little."
Ben overacting pouts towards Sam as she looks at him with a shake of her head.
"Prat"
Ben pokes his tongue out as Sam and the movie begins.
A little way through the film. The camera movies on to Sam and Ben, both sets of eyes on the screen as an iconic scene in the movie starts to play.
"Call yourself a fucking gangster? A shootout, right, is a fucking shootout! Like a Western." The cockney voice says on the screen. "Wankers! Fucking embarrassing. Waste of my time. Fucking waste of my time."
The man on the screen walks out of the pub setting.
"Well, your brother's done a runner." A smirking man on the screen says.
"Nah, he's just genuinely disappointed with you. That's all." Comes the response from another man, dressed smartly in a suit.
Sam nudges Ben in the arm, causing him to turn his attention.
"Hmmm?"
"I'm glad all cockneys are not like that." She comments.
"Nah, we're a right friendly bunch." Comes the reply from Ben.
He smiles at Sam as the rest of the scene continues.
"I got a little joke for you. You'll love this one." The smartly dressed man says "Paranoid schizophrenic, he walks into a bar..."
The man who left returns, nailing someone with a hammer to the back of the head, causing the audience members to wince.
"Was the east end really like that?" Sam asks Ben in a hushed voice.
"Was?" Ben says with a raised eyebrow. "Mate, it's still like it now."
"Seriously?" A shocked Sam asks
"Seriously." Ben replies firmly "It's evolved a bit. Back then, people were proper gangsters. Take The Kray twins there for example. I grew up hearing stories about them from the older generation, I even bumped in to a few people in me old man's boozer, older boys, who claimed to have run with 'em, and in fairness, they probably have. You stick a few bevies, or shorts down their necks and they talk about their old glory days. They told me about how The Krays only messed with people they saw as taking the piss or doing things the wrong way. They dressed smart and got involved when they had to. Today though."
Ben takes a deep breath.
"Today, they we're their trousers around their arses, can't talk proper English, overuse the words bruv and fam and would stab ya for looking at them in a normal way." Ben says "Proper bunch of mugs, these little gangster wannabes these days."
"Remind me to wear body armor if I ever visit there." Sam says half jokingly
"Will even get ya one of those riot shields" Ben replies with a laugh "In fairness, it's not that bad in some places but let's just say the gangs have got stupider and stupider. Call me daft, but I'd prefer the suit and tie over a hoodie any day of the week. I think you agree."
"Why's that?" Sam asks
"I see the way you're drooling over Tom Hardy there in a suit" Ben says with a cheeky grin "Now if it was a geezer in a hoodie, you wouldn't take any notice."
Sam's cheeks start to flush red as Ben grins at her.
"Uh, ummmm..." She stumbles out "Uh, shush Ben, trying to watch the movie here."
"Prat one, Ginge nil." He mutters to himself.
And so we move forward, the movie finishes, leaving the crowd satisfied. The crowd stand to leave and Ben looks at Sam, only one word leaves his lips.
"Pub?"
*******
The camera comes back to where Jamie Dean stands looking at Ben laughing, Ben looks to the night sky.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up buddy” Ben says with a grin
“You got dressed up like that and all you did was watch a movie” Jamie says with a laugh
“Mmmhmmm” Ben mutters “Then the nightmares began...”
*******
Music can be heard from outside the bar as Ben and Sam reach the door.
"We'll make this a quick one." Ben says, as he looks at Sam "Or I'll make a pint last for hours. Last thing I need is to be trying to give a best man speach with a hangover."
Sam nods her head in agreement.
"Sounds like a good idea" Sam says as the two walk in to the bar, Ben pushing the door open and holding it open for Sam.
Sam walks in to the bar and Ben turns his back to the bar.
"We need a selfie to remember this night." Ben says to Sam.
"Sure"
Ben takes his phone out of his pocket and quickly hits the buttons on the front, pulling up the camera. He ducks down next to Sam, his cheek against hers, both smiling, but their faces change as they look on the camera, spotting something happening behind them. They turn their heads, their eyes meeting in a state of confusion as they look at the phone once more, before slowly turning their heads at the same time and looking towards the bar to see Jamie Dean strolling along it.
"What the...." Ben slowly mutters under his breath.
The two watch on as Jamie shakes his hips from side to side, slowly grinding his hips from side to side before walking along the bar and crouching down, spreading his legs wide, his rear end just inches off the bar. He pulls his legs together and slowly pulls himself up straight, his hands running up his side, across his stomach and to his chest. Ben turns his head looking at Sam.
"Shall we just try and get a drink in one of the other bars?" Ben asks Sam.
Sam quickly nods her head as the two quickly make their way to the door, leaving Jamie to continue his date with Master Lilly.
*******
“And after seeing you do that last week and now this week.” Ben comments “I’m now scarred for life”
“Hey at least this time I was wearing clothes.” Jamie smiled.
Ben rolls his eyes at Jamie.
“I got a question for you.” Ben says slowly.
“No, she didn’t put out and I’m not converted.” Jamie quickly snaps back.
“I mean we gotta do the focus thing, right?” Ben states rather than asks “There’s no one around so do I have to do the snappy fingers thing?”
“No.”
“Oh in that case.” Ben says with a smile “You can go first. Have at it son.”
Ben points to the camera in front of them. Jamie looks at the camera and blinks in surprise, as if he wasn’t aware that it had been present the entire time. He casually shrugs and turns back to look out across the sea, gazing at the dark waters and the moon peeking from behind clouds shaded in colors of gray and royal blue.
Jamie says, “It’s hard knowing the right thing to say in these instances, you know? In a social setting I have no trouble, but what do you say at times like these when you don’t want to sound like a broken record?”
Jamie stands up straight, his hands gripping the rail of the ship as he looks up and watches as the clouds either pass them by, or they are passing by the clouds.
“I’ve seen Jon Dough a number of times. Hell, I’ve been in the ring with him before this a time or two. It’s strange to say that one of my first matches was against Jon, and it was by his own request.”
Jamie casts a glance back to his partner and gives him a nod.
He says, “Yeah. Someone actually requested to get inside of the ring with me.” He turns back to the sea and continues. “When Mark Ward told me that, I assumed the guy was either a perv or a hater. I mean, who else would want to get inside of the ring with me except for someone who either wanted to get his hands on me, or someone who wanted to ’get his hands on me’. Turns out, it was neither. Jon simply liked who I was and how I presented myself inside of the ring, unafraid to be myself. He asked Master Lily to get him the match and she did. I went in there not knowing what to expect but I found out fast why this guy was a contender, even being a rookie back then himself. He fights hard, is a striker and just plain tough nut to crack. The fact that he wears that mask isn’t even a hindrance like so many experts say would be when competing. It was like a second skin to him, and kept me from realizing whether or not I was hurting him or getting under his skin. But I came out on top -- pun not intended.”
Jamie casts a prideful glance back to his partner and Ben smiles, patting him on the shoulder.
Jamie continues, “But I think Jon really found his niche in tag team matches, just like I did. The fact that he won the tag titles twice just proves that. His team with Aaron Matthews came from out of nowhere, but his team with Lucian Frost?”
Jamie whistles while shaking his head.
Jamie admits, “Now that was a team ahead of its time, even if Frost did turn out to be a raging dick head at the time. Just the combination of the two made them a team to beat, and they were just plain fun to watch. All of this just shows that Jon is a force to be reckoned with as a tag team wrestler, and he showed us that once before. Now, he’s going to try to show us that again but with a different end result. But sorry Jon.”
Jamie shakes his head.
“I know having tasted gold before makes you hungry for more, but holding the gold at the time just makes you want to keep it all the more. And that’s what Ben and I intend to do, even at the expense of you and your fresh faced partner.”
“I think Eyesnsane has an appropriate name, but not for the pun intended. Is the guy nuts?”
Jamie shrugs with an impish smile.
“I’ve always been privy to the notion that sanity is in the mind of the beholder. I’ve been called nuts a time or two, usually by this guy standing right beside me.”
Jamie jets a thumb in Ben’s direction and the Cockney King chuckles and nods in admission.
Jamie goes on, “If someone asked me if I think Eyesnsane is just that, I’d say yes. But not for anything to do with his mental prowess or lack thereof, but more so for his fighting style and the things the man is willing to do in order to secure the win for Jon and himself. He showed everyone that very fact ever since he debuted, and Ben and myself learned it firsthand when he and Jon challenged us just a few weeks back. He fought tooth and nail to strip these belts away from our waists but alas, it didn’t happen then, and it’s not going to happen this Sunday. If you two gents thought Ben and I fought hard to retain on Climax Control, just how do you think we’ll be fighting in order to win at an event like Summer XXXTreme IV? This is my first Summer XXXTreme event, my first cruise, AND my first championship in SCW! There is no way in hell that I am going to settle for anything less than a win! Bring the fight to us! That’s fine! It’s what we want! A champion is only as good as his challengers and if we can beat a team that gives us a fight like you did weeks ago, it just makes us look all the better! And considering the fact that Ben and I are the best looking team in wrestling today? The Elders simply don’t stand a chance.”
"They never did mate" Ben says with a wink to his tag team partner. "And you're getting better at this talking malaraky"
He quickly straightens up his suit jacket and turns back to the camera.
"Alright people." Ben says, very heavy on his accent. "He is actually getting so much better, it's a hard act to follow now. As Jamie covered some stuff, I think I might have to cover some stuff said about us."
Ben rubs his chin, shaking his head.
"Eyesnsane..." A disappointed tone comes from Ben's lips "Did you really have to swoop that low, that you had to bring my past and personal life in to things mentioning Emma? Thought you was better than that. Well informed for a bloke who wasn't about at the time, so you know what this shows me?"
Ben waves his finger at the camera.
"That those mocking words, were words coming from the mouth of a desperate man. Clearly son, you have nothing else to go on, so my past is your target."
A disappointed look appears on Ben's face
"Shame on you." He says with a low tone. "Mocking me about my ex ain't gonna help you win the tag titles. It's actually pretty sad, and Jon Dough encouraging you to be a super dick?"
Ben shrugs in confusion.
"Really Jon?" Ben asks "You was one of the decent people round here, and you drop that low? What's going on with ya mate? You're better than mocking words about my past with people who don't mean a lot to me anymore, you're better than having to use my past against me when there's really nothing to use. Tell me mate, how is this going to help you get your hands on the prize?"
Ben stands as if he's waiting for an answer.
"Trust me." Ben says firmly "It's not gonna get in me head, it's not gonna make me hit a pit of depression, it ain't giving you two an advantage. Did ya just expect me to break down and cry?"
He looks at Jamie.
"Was I meant to be all sad and sit in the corner moping?" Ben asks.
Jamie shrugs his shoulders at Ben.
"If that's the best these two have at mind games, our title belts are in very safe hands." Ben says to his partner before turning back to the camera. "I'm glad you boys have had success elsewhere, winning titles and beating people, but these belts are not a set you're gonna add to your collection. They're not a set that you're gonna have."
Ben calmly smiles
"We can list off a lot of names too about former champions, but it ain't gonna do us any good or give us an advantage." Ben replies "And the simple fact you'd mock something done for charity shows that the belts are better off with us instead of a fucking salty pair like you."
Jamie's head turns towards Ben, his right eyebrow raised.
"Fucking salty?"
"Yeah, not sure where that one came from to be fair." Ben replies "Mocking who I am ain't gonna help ya Dave, telling me that you're gonna kick my arse.... Mate, you're not the first to tell me that or try, and yet hi, here I am."
Ben waves at the camera with a smile.
"I know ya name Dave, I said it earlier, but it doesn't matter what name you go by, you can be called Shirley for all I care, its down to what I can do in the ring. I may be a busy lad but I always got time to have a go at you."
He smiles.
"Doesn't matter what you've done elsewhere Dave." Ben starts "It's about the here and now, and we're better than you and the fact is, we always will be. It's why we have the belts, it's why we're the champs, it's why you failed the first time around. It's why you will fail the second time around and any other time around."
Ben clears his throat
"I honestly feel sad for Jon that he has to deal with that guy." Ben says to Jamie "Like really sad, because you can just see Jon getting sucked in to Dave's ways just to try and be cool."
Ben turns back to look down the camera.
"You think I need a wake up call Jon?" Ben starts "Based on....?"
Ben waits for a few seconds
"This guy is leading you down a bad path Jon." Ben says firmly "Trust me, after me and Jamie get done with this match and we still walk out with the tag team championships, do yourself a favour and step away from that geezer, the bloke ain't all there in the head. I like you Jon and it's gonna be painful to beat ya again, but it is what it is, and it is what will happen. Get ya arses ready for another defeat at our hands because we're walking in with the titles and walking out with them, and no crazy eyed son of a something is gonna stop us."
Jamie nods his head in approval.
"That should do it." Ben says to Jamie. "Anyway, reckon there somewhere around here that can 'give me a wake up call' before these two try?"
"How about the reception desk?" Jamie responds with a grin.
"Funny fucker you are" Ben says with a smile "I need you like an extra hole in the head."
Ben turns to the camera, quickly giving it a quick salute.
"Laters people."
Ben and Jamie walk away as the camera fades.
