Los Angeles, California - Club AKBAR
Saturday, July 24
Night has not yet fallen on the city of Los Angeles where in just one day, the Sun Princess cruise will set out from the Port of Los Angeles, embarking on a week-long tour of luxury, culminating in the event that will make the wrestling community brave the scorching temperatures of the summer months, namely Sin City Wrestling’s annual spectacular; Summer XXXTreme IV. Many of the men and women who set foot inside of the ring, risking body and soul for the entertainment of the fans, would best be thought to focus solely on what was to come, but there are a great many whose thoughts are on other endeavors - more charitable ones where they can put their names to even better use in order to help those so sorely in need of aid.
The weekend is prime time for life to hit the various clubs in Los Angeles, and despite the still relatively early hour and the fact that night has not yet blanketed the city in twilight and stars, there is still a long line of men and women waiting anxiously outside of this staple establishment to the gay community in this the “City of Angels.”
The KTLA emblem showcases itself on the screen of the television camera as the young woman stands before the line that stretches from the front door and around the block, eager faces, young and old, for the charitable event that will soon make the news around California, and the wrestling community the world over. As the camera passes over them, recording for stock footage of this news worthy event, there are some who chose to ignore the presence, while others take part in that ritually annoying habit of waving into the camera while posing and making faces as so many are known to do.
The woman introduces herself, stating, “Karrin Berg, KTLA News. I am outside of AKBAR, one of the predominantly known clubs in downtown LA, that caters to the gay community. Only tonight, they and many more are coming together to bring help to a very worthy cause.”
Rock superstar and gay friendly icon, Cyndi Lauper, says into the camera, “True Colors is an organization that works to end homelessness among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. We want to create a world where young people can be their true selves.”
Karrin says, “Cyndi Lauper is just one of the many celebrities who will be devoting their time and effort here tonight, lending a hand with AKBAR’s own and the community itself to raise both funds and awareness to bring children thrown out of their homes off of the streets.”
The camera picks up a shot of openly gay screen legend, Sir Ian McKellan speaking with Cyndi and the pair chuckling and she throws her arms around the older gentleman in a warm embrace. SCW notables such as Sam Marlowe and Amy Marshall are also seen.
Karrin goes on, “Ian McKellan was among the first of stage, screen and the music world, anxious to do their part. There are even those who call the ring of professional wrestling their stage whom will be taking part in the festivities this evening, among them the World Tag Team Champions, Jamie Dean and Ben Jordan.
Ben walks into the shot, dressed in black suit pants and a buttoned up white shirt, with short sleeves. A bright smile on his face as he looks around the gathered crowd and towards Karrin.
"Hi, Karrin." He says with his cockney accent filling the cool air.
"Ben." Karrin starts "What does it mean to be a huge part of this worthy event?"
"Well..." Ben starts, his fingers moving over his chin "It's great to be a part of this amazing charity event, and I hope it raises a lot of money for people in this community. I do wanna say this is the start of a few charity events Jamie and I will be doing. It's great to play a part in trying to end homelessness for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth communities, but I don't think it's fair to leave out older people or the straight community, so Jamie and I will be doing a lot of work to end homelessness in all walks of life and this is just the beginning."
Ben smiles towards Karrin as she asks her next question.
"What made you want to be involved in something outside your own comfort zone?" She asks with an innocent look.
"You mean what made me want to be involved in something outside my sexuality?" He asks back, causing a shrug and nod from the reporter. "I don't see sexuality, race, gender or anything like that as a disadvantage to anyone. I see people, the human race all trying to live their lives the best way that they can within their means. I don't like the divide in the world and I don't see this as something I would hide from because of sexuality. It's a charity event, we aim to make a ton of wonga from it and I'm excited to be involved and behind the bar with a music legend and taking as much cash as we possibly can."
Ben looks towards his watch.
"But I need to start taking some money from people, so I better get myself where I should be." Ben says as Jamie appears next to Ben.
Ben looks at Jamie and places his hand on his shoulder.
"This nice reporter lady wants a few words with ya, JD." Ben informs him "I better get into those lovely people who wanna hand over the money"
Ben strolls off, leaving Jamie standing with Karrin.
Karrin speaks, “And Jamie, I understand that this charity has a special ‘personal’ meaning for you?”
Jamie nods, “It does. Although I never had to go through what so many of these young men and women have, I do have a very good friend who has. He was only seventeen when he was kicked out of his home, and living on the street or in shelters. A couple of friends and I started talking to him and we got him off the street, put a roof over his head and got him back into school. He’s nineteen now and going to University. Really proud of him.”
Karrin says, “He was lucky to have someone like you watching out for him. A lot of other boys and girls are not so lucky.”
“No, they’re not.” Jamie answers. “But that’s why we’re here tonight, so that we can do something for them. It’s why I have plans of my own hopefully in the coming year. All we can do is try to be there the best we can.”
“Any hints on what those plans of yours are specifically?”
Jamie bites his bottom lip with a smile but answers her question with a slight shake of the head. “Afraid not. At least not yet. I’m still getting the groundwork done and only a handful of people know what I got cooking on the back burner. I don’t want too much to get out on the off chance I fall flat on my face. All I can do is hope and pray -- and get it inside so I can get Ben’s shirt off and raise the stakes tonight!”
Jamie laughs as Karrin bids him farewell with a silent wave and he turns and jogs for the entrance to AKBAR.
Towards the DJ desk we go, where a man usually in front of a band, sits looking at the wonderful modern technology in front of him, SCW wrestler Alex Rush. From behind the bar, a barman gives Alex a wave.
"Is that fella giving me the finger?" Alex asks himself.
As if a lightbulb appears above his head, Alex clicks his fingers to himself.
"Oh yeah, that's right!" Alex says as starts to fade out the music and grabs a nearby microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for that moment you've all been waiting for. It's the man from Cockneyland, joining the lovely funky haired Cyndi Lauper behind the bar, welcome Ben Jordan!"
Alex turns up the music as Ben Jordan appears from the side door of the bar, his hand in the air, waving to the crowd as a rush for the bar starts to ensue.
"Bloody hell." Ben says with a curved lip "It's like closing time at me old local."
Ben looks at the onrushing crowd and looks towards Cyndi with a plea-like look on his face, causing the music legend to walk towards him. She leans forward, talking in his ear.
"Don't worry, the rush will fade away soon." She tells him reassuringly.
Ben nods as he turns to the nearest customer, a young man with spiked blonde hair.
"What can I do for you mate?" Ben asks the young man
"What couldn't you do for me." The man replies with a wink "But right now, I think I'll take a shot of vodka."
"Gotta remind meself to think before I open my gob here, don't I?" He says as he reaches under the bar, pulling up a shot glass and putting it on the bar.
He turns to the back bar, looking for the vodka bottle, but a call gets his attention.
"Think fast Ben" Cyndi's voice is heard saying.
Ben turns to see the vodka bottle flying out of Cyndi's grasp and towards Ben. Ben reaches his left hand up and catches the bottle with his left hand, causing a slight appreciative gasp. Ben looks towards the crowd and throws the bottle in the air, the bottle spinning as Ben flips his left hand over and the bottle lands on the back of his left hand. He flips his left hand back and the bottle spins in the air again and lands on his elbow, standing up straight. He quickly flips his left arm and the bottle flies to his right side. Ben reaches up, catching the bottle by the neck in his right hand and pouring a shot of vodka into the shot glass. The gathered crowd clapping in appreciation.
"Anything else boss?" Ben asks with his accent reaching above the music.
"No." The man starts "Well not yet anyway."
He places the money on the bar and smiles at Ben.
"Keep the change." He tells Ben.
"Thanks mate." Ben starts "All tips going towards the charity so tip well"
Ben turns around, moving towards the bar and grabbing the tip jar next to the till. He presses the computerized screen and hits the vodka tab and the till flies open. Ben puts the money in the till and takes the chance, dropping it in the tip jar. He spies a piece of paper and a pen nearby and a smile crosses his face. Ben takes the pen and writes something down, before grabbing some nearby tape. He tapes the note to the tip jar and moves it to the bar. The camera zooms in to the note.
'TIP WELL TO SEE JAMIE DEAN IN A THONG!'
Ben smiles wickedly at the camera as the crowd start to gather round.
"If I can make some cash for charity, so can he." Ben says with a wink.
He watches the crowd around reaching into their pockets, the tip jar quickly filling up, causing Ben to smile as he turns to the next guy.
"And what can I get you mate?" He asks
"I have a challenge for you." The thirties something man says.
"A challenge?"
"Yes, if you can pour a beer with no foam" The man says "I will put one hundred bucks in that tip jar."
Ben smiles at the man.
"A gay man that don't like head." Ben says with a chuckle "You sir, are a rarity"
“A scintillating wit like that and you’re ‘not’ gay?” The man sighed, a brief look of resignation on his face before he smiled. “”It’s official. You ‘must’ be British!”
Ben can't help but smile at the man.
"Feisty geezer." Ben says "But challenge accepted. Get ya money out."
Ben moves towards the beer tap and pulls out a shot glass from under the bar and before the man can speak, Ben pulls down the beer tap and keeps the glass straight, just pulling a splash into the glass, not giving it time to foam and slides it in front of him.
"Hey!" The man says, as his friends around him start to hide their laughs.
Ben smiles at the man.
"Didn't say what glass, mate." Ben says with a wink "I grew up in a pub and had that bet before. Usually, I was the one on the other end of that bet, but a bet’s a bet, ain't it boys?"
Ben looks around the man's crowd of friends, nodding at the man.
"Oh if you didn't have those eyes." The man says as he puts the money in the tip jar.
"Tell ya what." Ben says "I'll buy ya a drink."
"That's nice of you." The man replies.
Ben lifts the shot glass of beer up and places it closer to the man.
"Don't drink it all at once now." He says with a smile, his infectious accent taking the sting out of the situation and causing the man to laugh. "Have a great night lads."
"Hustling people out of their money." Cyndi's voice says to Ben from his side.
"For a great cause." Ben replies innocently.
"Good work." She says as she squeezes his arm and turns to serve other customers.
Ben shakes his head, smiling at the camera before clicking his fingers and causing the scene to freeze and the music to stop.
"Alright people." Ben starts as he smiles down the camera "I gotta get this done now because I'm having way too much fun here and might forget."
Ben puts his thumb up to the camera.
"I gotta talk about Summer XXXTreme IV" He says with confidence "Because we got one heck of a big match again. Eyesnsane and Jon Dough, two geezers we've crossed swords with before."
Ben looks around the room.
"Ok, bad analogy considering where we are." Ben says biting his lip "Two guys we got to have a great match with not so long ago. It was our biggest challenge in a while to be fair and you two have no clue how close you came to taking the belts from us. Like really bloody close and since then, look how far you've come. Won a tournament to get back here to be in a match for the belts at a supercard of all things, and got better and better as you two went along. The rise in you two has been nothing short of amazing."
Ben scratches the side of his head.
"Probably shouldn't use terms like rise round these parts either?" He questions himself "Anyway, you two have been brilliant since then but Jamie and I have kept a much closer eye on you than before we got in the ring with you. I think we know why we actually had a close run thing with you and that's cause you was unknown to us. Now ya not lads, we've had first hand experience of being in the ring with you, we've had time to look at you closer against different teams and we're confident that going into this one with our eyes more open will show that we've grown too and that we won't repeat our mistakes from the last match with you two."
Ben holds up his hand.
"Don't get me wrong." He says firmly "I know you're gonna bring it all, I know you'll be up for the challenge and to make sure that lightning don't strike twice where we walk out with the belts again, but this is a rare one where it will. I'm enjoying these titles around my waist, I'm loving being a champion lads and I'm gonna make sure I fight to keep them as much as I possibly can. I'm gonna do all I can to make sure we stop you again. It's really not personal with you guys because you are the bollocks, but the titles mean a lot to me, they're almost like family and I'll fight to keep them close to me like family. Sorry Elders, it's not gonna end any differently for you this time as it did the last. Me and Jamie are going to walk out with the belts."
Ben clears his throat.
"It's been fun talking about you guys, but I need to get back to work." Ben says with a hint of sorrow "But you lot be good and I'll speak to ya again soon."
He smiles down the camera.
"Laters people"
Ben clicks his fingers and the scene unfreezes and the music starts to play once more. Ben looks around the room.
"I wonder what Jamie is up to?" Ben asks himself before looking down the camera "Don't you?"
“Hey Jordan!” At the call of his name, Ben turns around to find his tag team partner standing amidst a crowd of patrons, with a few celebrities such as Josh Hutcherson and "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts. Well! Speak of the devil! Jamie has been busying himself going throughout the crowd, eliciting donations from anyone who was not paying close attention to the handsome Brit behind the bar, and those numbers are few and far between.
“Yeah? Wot?” Ben calls over the noise of the nightclub, not an easy task to do when mixing a Bloody Mary (or attempting to) while Alex Rush’s music beats down across the entirety of the spacious club.
“I just auctioned off your shirt for $200!” Jamie calls with a smile, and those nearby that overhear the exchange meet this announcement with a symphony of cheers and catcalls. Ben looks back and forth between Jamie and Cyndi who is snickering behind her hand.
Ben shakes his head, “You’re joking.” But when Jamie holds up a handful of cash, Ben groans, “You’re ‘not’ joking!” Ben marches the length of the bar counter to where his tag partner is standing and leans heavily against it. “Alright you lot. Who did it?”
Jamie jets a thumb back over his shoulder, and Ben follows the gesture to find Jamie’s friend, and Ben’s lesbian admirer, Kathy Greene, who raises her mug of beer in a salute.
Ben shakes his head, “Why am I not surprised?” He then takes a step back and says, “Thank you for the donation, but there is nothing you can do to make me have to take my shirt off…” But his words are cut short by the fact his shirt was suddenly growing cold -- and wet? He turns his head only to find Cyndi with the bar gun in hand and she is spraying his shirt down with cold water! Ben stares at her as Cyndi draws the ‘gun’ back and blows across the nozzle as if it’s a smoking gun.
Ben sighs audibly and proceeds to unbutton his shirt to much fanfare around him. He then gives the shirt a toss across the bar, and much to no one’s surprise, the bidder Kathy snatches it out of midair. Ben then looks at Jamie and a smirk breaks out on his face.
Ben says, “I guess what’s good for the goose, ya arse!”
“What does that mean?” Jamie frowns and the smile on Ben’s face speaks volumes as he points to the note on the tip jar. Jamie takes one look at it, then at Ben and shakes his head. “Well played Mister Jordan, well played!”
And before you know it, Jamie is up on the bar counter, butt bare to the world, doing the whole Coyote Ugly thing for all to see in a tiny t back. Suddenly everything freezes.
Jamie says, “Pause, freeze? Thanks Ben, I owe you one.”
“So, Jon Dough and Eyesnsane, huh? Well I can’t say as I’m surprised. I also can’t say that it isn’t deserved. The first time we defended the titles against the Elders, Jon and Eyesnsane took us to the limits and beyond before we were able to retain. It took everything we had to walk away with the belts still around our waists, and I have a sneaky suspicion that it’s going to take even more this time around. Why? Because to come so close only to lose can only make our challengers that much hungrier for the gold, and thus that much more dangerous. To come so close only makes a wild animal more dangerous, and the last time we wrestled, Ben and I found out just how wild those two animals are inside of the ring. We fought them tooth for claw, and still they kept coming back for more. And even after that loss, they didn’t let it get them down. They got right back on the horse and plowed through that tournament to earn another chance at the championships, and on a much grander scale to boot! That act alone speaks volumes for their credibility and Ben and I openly salute them.”
“But you know something? Ben and I did it before, and we’re going to do it again. Why am I so confident given the challenge we face? Because we’re great champions and even greater show offs. We’re not about to lose the championship on a stage like Summer XXXTreme IV! It’s the hottest event SCW has going for it all year round, and on a cruise? I love cruises! No way am I losing on one!”
“Now I would close this out by wishing you both luck, but luck comes good and bad, and I’m afraid for the plonkers who want to take the titles away from Ben and myself? That luck is going to be all bad!”
“Okay, can we lay off the time freeze now Ben? You can freeze a cheek off in these thongs!”
Everything in AKBAR suddenly picks up, and Jamie hops down from the bar counter, the sides of his thong stuffed with cash, as he ducks behind the bar, joining Ben who jumps back.
“Whoa ya flighty geezer!” Ben holds his hands up. “Wotcha think you’re doing!?”
Jamie laughs, “Nobody to blame but yourself Benjamin! Besides, I have to cover for Cyndi.”
In answer to Ben’s silent question, Jamie points back toward the huge dance floor with a stage where Cyndi is set to perform with Alex Rush leading the band.
<audio controls="controls">
<source src="http://www.geocities.ws/scwmaterial/Cyndi%20Lauper%20-%20That's%20What%20I%20Think.mp3" />
<source src="yourURL.ogg" />
<!-- fallback -->
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
flashvars="audioUrl=yourURL.mp3"
src="http://www.geocities.ws/scwmaterial/Cyndi%20Lauper%20-%20That's%20What%20I%20Think.mp3"
width="650 height="100 quality="best">
The performance ends and there’s much cheering and applause from all as drag queens move around the crowd, collecting tips and donations!
Karrin Berg says, “But of course, the highlight of the night took place at the end of the evening…”
Christian Underwood, special MC for this auction event, stands atop the stage with microphone in hand, calling aloud, “Okay! Who’s ready to bid for some Grade A Beefcake!?” And he is met with enthusiastic cheers and applause as he continues, “Then let’s bring the first of our two bachelors, Jamie Dean, out to the stage!”
“Confident” by Demi Lovato plays and Jamie emerges out onto the stage wearing a suit and tie and carrying a can of aerosol whipped cream. Jamie proceeds to strut about the stage, posing and gyrating to much appreciation until the song ends and he tilts his head back and sprays the whipped cream into his mouth and waggles his eyebrows. He hops down off of the stage and walks around several of the tables set up on the dance floor, where guests and patrons are seated, and proceeds to do the same to them. Jamie approaches men and women alike, patrons of AKBAR, and tilts their heads back to give them a “taste”. He even approaches the refined Master Killy of the Elders, and it takes some coaxing on his part and the community but she too, allows it. Finally Jamie hops back onstage with a smile on his face and Christian begins…
“Okay, let’s get this night started!” Christian calls out. “Can I get an opening bid?”
“$500!” Someone calls out and Jamie makes a comically affronted face.
“$500!” Christian says. “Great start but c’mon ladies and gents! We can do better than that!”
“$1000.” Master Lilly speaks up and heads turn in surprise to the usually reserved lady, none more so surprised than Jamie is himself.
“Okay, that ups the stakes!” Christian smiles as he moves about the stage, with the aid of the professional drag queens, getting the bids from the audience. “Now let’s raise some serious money for the kids, people, and who knows what the night will bring?”
“$1500!” Sam Marlowe intervenes, immediately followed up by an unidentified gay male, saying, “$2000!”
Lucy Seraphina surprises some by calling out, “$3000!”
But Master Lilly surprises again with “$3500!”
“$4000!” Kaylee, the mistress of Steve Ramone, announces.
“4500!” Zelda Clark shoots to her feet, then starts to calculate in her head how she might raise the funds.
Unnecessary as Master Lilly stands up on her feet and announces, “$10,000!”
There is scattered murmurs and chatter amidst everyone in the crowd as Jamie pulls a ‘fainting act’ onstage, and Christian shakes his head as mouthing ‘Wow!’ before he regains his composure and says, “$10,000!” Have we any more bids? No? Ladies and gents, $10,000 is our winning bid to Master Lilly!”
There are cheers and applause as Jamie steps down offstage with a smile and hands Lilly a long stem rose and has a seat -- on her chair as he picks her up and sits her on his own lap. Christian then prepares to move on…
He says, “And if Mister Dean was the main course, that makes the next man out here the dessert! Let’s hear it for Ben Jordan!”
And Ben is the recipient of much whistles and cheers as he looks stunning, emerging onstage to "Blame it on the Boom Boom" in a classic black tuxedo. He takes a polite bow with a smile to all sides of the stage, before he gets a wicked little grin on his face, turns his back, and bows - giving all a great view! Christian fans himself and as Ben turns around and stands with a smile on his handsome face, he clasps his hands behind his back and waits.
Christian says, “Okay ladies, gents, boys and girls! This is our last chance to raise funds for some kids in need so make it worth Ben’s while!”
The first to stand up is Sam Marlowe, buddy to Ben and Jamie both, as she says, “$1000!” And she is almost cut off quickly by Evie Baang, raising the stakes to an immediate, “$2000!”
Having lost her last attempt, Zelda Clark is up and calls out, “2500!” and is followed by a number of young men calling out bids, “$3000!” and “$3500!” prompting Zelda to stamp her foot and cry out, “Oh come ON!”
The bidding continued as Mikah raises a hand and says, “$4000!” to which Evie Bang beats with $4500!” and Sam overtakes with a bid of $5000!
Watching on, Ben casually leans over to take the mic from Christian and says, “If it helps any, I’ll gladly make out with the winning bidder?” To which Christian grabs the mic back and says, “$6000!”
Ben shakes his head and laughs, “Sorry mate! I’d sooner be staked naked to an anthill, covered in honey!”
Sir Ian McKellan immediately pops up to his feet and calls, “$8000!” and is greeted by much cheers and laughter, including from Ben himself as Ian puts on a comical innocent face and sits back down. Ben turns to Christian who shrugs, “That counts!”
“$9000!” Mikah calls out, matched right away by Evie who calls out, “”$10,000!”
“”$10,500!” Sam calls, and Evie turns to her, determined.
“$11,000!”
“$12,000!”
“$12,500!”
“$15,000!” Sam barks, and there is a collective gasp from all around at the amount! Evie glares hard at Sam before she slowly, reluctantly, has a seat.
“$15,000!” Christian calls. “Any other bids? No?” Christian smiles at Ben and says, “Congrats, Hotpants. You’ve just been purchased!”
A smile crosses Ben's face as he raises an eyebrow towards Sam Marlowe. He leaps off the stage and moves towards her as the auction attendees start to stand and move around. He walks towards her, moving through the crowd before reaching her.
"Fifteen grand?" Be says with a laugh "Did ya win the lottery or something?"
"No" Sam starts "But it is money well spent."
Ben scratches the side of his head as he looks his shorter friend.
"Telling ya Ginge" Ben says in a hushed tone "Wouldn't it have just been cheaper to gimme a bell and say pizza's on the way and the beer is extra cold? Woulda got me over for a lot cheaper price."
"It's all for a good cause." Sam says "Besides, you mentioned that the winner gets to pick the date."
Ben nods his head slowly in agreement.
"I did." He says calmly "Anything you like... Well, that's on a giant boat at least. Can't go mountain climbing, not real mountains anyway."
"Good" Sam replies with a mischievous smile on her painted lips "Because I got plans for you Ben. Could be a night you won't forget..."
Ben tilts his head sideways, looking at Sam with a cocked eyebrow.
"Say what? Don't like it when ya like that" Ben says slowly.
"You'll see..." Is the only reply Sam gives.
What could Sam Marlowe be planning? What attracted Master Lilly to Jamie Dean? Do SCW overpay their wrestlers? So many questions and no time for answers. Join us next week to see just how these dates play out. We hope you've had as much fun watching this as we did making money for a good cause. Now you guys be good and we'll see you again soon!
</color>
