OFF CAMERA
~Flashback~
19 years ago... (1999)
CRASH!
A seven year-old Tyler George-Michael West covers his ears as a priceless crystal vase flies through the air and shatters against a doorframe. It sprays glass everywhere, especially all over the tall, muscular blonde man standing near the front door.
Blonde: “Virginia! What the fu...”
Virginia Contessa West shushes him
Virginia: “Do not swear around MY son.”
Blonde: “OUR son, Virginia or did you forget I was there the night he was conceived too?”
She laughs but it is not because that was a legitimate joke, but a joke that this man was here, seven years later trying to take credit for her boy.
Virginia: “That was also the last time you stayed for more than an hour. You told me you weren't ready to be a Dad. So now I am a Dad and a mom, he doesn't need you, Ted.”
Teddy Michael Ricci was a large man. He had tried out for the NFL in the early 90’s and was looked over due to his lack of a college education. His hands were large enough to cover someone’s face and he could sprint faster than most, but not enough to beat out his competition. So in his depression and desperation, he had developed a penchant for gambling and whatever quick paying pyramid scheme he could.
Teddy: “That was when he was a baby. But he’s a kid now. I can teach him to be a man. This modelling shit is going to turn him into a pansy, or worse, gay.”
Virginia laughs again.
Virginia: “What if he was gay? Why would that matter? It’s a new era Teddy. Just watch, in the next few years being Gay will not be a reason to hide. Besides, he is not gay. So you can take your homophobic fears and shove them up your...”
She looks over at Ty and stops herself and then looks back to Ted.
Virginia: “Just get out. And don't come back either. I don't want anything from you. We are doing just great without you.”
Teddy shakes his head.
Teddy: “I am not going to just let you win, Gina. Expect to hear from my lawyer.”
Teddy looks at his son, the boy looks frozen in fear. He had no idea who this man was or why he was yelling at his mother. The look on the boys face, makes the angry state on Teddy’s change. He grimaces before leaving. Virginia rushes to her son, hugging him tightly.
Virginia: “Don’t worry about him, baby. He won't come back.”
***End Scene***
ON CAMERA
Vlog entitled: “Roulette Blues: A Rant by Ty West”
Posted: Sunday, April 29, 2018
***Disclaimer: This particular vlog is not part of Ty’s ongoing series, instead it is a spontaneous addition meant for Ty to get some grievances off his chest.***
Ty’s livid, red face appears on screen. His hair is a mess and his eye are wide and bloodshot. He takes a deep breath but it is easy to see that he is not at all happy about how his match went down this evening.
Ty: “So let me first take a few minutes to address things that were said last week about yours truly. Especially by ‘Mr. SCW’ as he calls himself. Funny title for a man who has only held a title he needed a partner to get. Not even the internet or this one... the Roulette...”
Ty is not his normal, comical and jovial self. He cuts right to the chase.
Ty: “No. And he claims to deserve it more than any of us in the match did? But could not give any evidence to back this theory up. Is it because he has beat a bunch of worthy contenders?
NO. Is it because he is known for making us Rookies hurt?
NO. I feel great actually. Sometimes it is not about who deserves it. Well not in the true sense of that word. Worth is measured on who came out the winner.”
He grimaces at that, but continues with his point, obviously saving his opinion of that
particular part of the match for last.
Ty: “You could have a tenure as long as my arm but if you fail? Constantly? How can you say you are the most worthy of this title?
You can't. The proof is that out of everyone in that match, at least actually scheduled for that match, I came the closest to actually winning it.”
Ty: “These are truths that you need to come to terms with, Joshua. One of those is that as long as you keep your head firmly lodged in your anal cavity you will never be able to see that you are not actually worthy of anything, least of all the title of ‘Mr. SCW.’”
Ty rolls his eyes. (Right now, he is more genuine than he as ever been, although many might not know whether or not it is true given that he wore a different face everytime he appeared in front of a camera.)
Ty: “Now as for being upset that I got a match for the Roulette title in my second match in SCW... well, what is that saying... ‘Don’t hate the player, hate the game?’ I didn't ask for a title match. That was at the discretion of our bosses. They obviously had a very different opinion than you, about who they thought should get an opportunity. And I proved that the chance they took including me in this match, was not misguided.”
He takes a moment to compose himself and to think about what he had to say next.
Ty: “And let’s now talk about someone else with a huge chip on his shoulder, Caleb Storms... if there were so many things that make you think I was not worth your time, why were you so scared to voice them? If anything, I think you actually had nothing to say and it was some lame attempt to intimidate me. I guess you didn't really notice the size of me compared to the size of you? And they try to say you’re a decent guy... I think you are full of it. Try a gentle laxative. I can recommend some good ones if you are interested. Should help you get rid of all that air in your head too.”
He taps his forehead. A bead of sweat drips down and makes its way down the side of his head. He wipes his face with a towel and takes a second to take two deep breaths but when he pulls the towel away, it has not lessened his anger at the entire situation.
Ty: “Having an ego is like having an addiction. It eventually starts changing your personality and the people who know you best, fail to recognize you anymore. But please, continue to hide behind that mask of someone you are not. Sooner or later, your true colours are going to shine through. In the end though Caleb, it was me that made his way to the top.. Who was a mere heartbeat away from accomplishing something... in his second match here, that you were not able to do in your time before and after full circle. Oh!...before I forget...”
He finally lets a smirk out as the thought comes to him.
Ty: “Just one final piece of advice. Don’t go bragging about losing in the second round of a tournament. It really isn't that impressive.”
With this he shrugs and his shoulders shake in a silent chuckle, then before you can really enjoy his amusement, the dark look returns to his clear, blue eyes.
Ty: “As for you Jon... or Matt... Whatever. Whatever the hell name you use. It doesn’t matter. You of all people are not worthy of that title you now have. A title that is not going to be with you for very long I might add. You have now made five men very angry and they are all going to be gunning for you... well four... since I doubt that Cross is going to be getting up from that brutal attack... ouch... sorry bruh.”
He visibly winces as he thinks about the attack that Crimson did on Cross. He seemed to just be relieved it wasn’t him.
Ty: “Let’s look at it like this. You should have been stripped of that briefcase the moment you failed to re-sign with SCW. What makes you think that you still deserve to use that when you couldn’t even be bothered to be an official member of the roster? And on top of that, you ride in on the coattails of a man who is obviously a very disgruntled employee and hope that it gets people to like you. You are just like every other lowlife lackey in history. You can’t shine on your own so you gotta stand in the light of others. I'm sure that Ben Jordan does not need yours or anyone else’s help expressing himself, so get the fuck off his star and find your own. Another thing, you already decided you knew better than the owners here, stop trying to pretend that the five of us in that match do not deserve the chance to redeem ourselves. I hope Ben Jordan super kicks you in the head and tells you how much of a loser you are. NOW that, would be true entertainment. And you really want to prove you deserve that title? I guarantee that one on one, you don’t stand a chance against me. So please, take this as me issuing you a challenge. You think you have the balls to be a champion? Then why don’t you put that title on the line at Into The Void VII. Then we will see your true colours. I am betting yours is more yellow than green.”
He grins but it is almost scary. (In fact we *the narrators* feel that this is the first time we have even seen Tyler this angry.) Then, his face changes, slowly fading and the red in his checks fades out. He smiles genuinely as the burden is lifted away.
Ty: “Woo... felt good to get that all off my chest, but now let's move on to happier topics. Like that I am going to be your new SCW Roulette Champion. I plan on continuing what Kris Ryans started. Making the Roulette title relevant again, you know? I am not going to be a flavour of the week. And on top of that, I will be a fighting champion. Give me whatever and I will prove that my becoming a champion was not a fluke but a true testament that I am in my element here in SCW. I know that when I face for that title, I am going to come home with it and the evil that is that man in a rip-off mask is just keeping it warm for me. See, I don’t need to hide behind masks or have alter egos. I am who I am and I am not afraid to show all of you that. This is why you
need me to face Jon-Matt and do the things I promised I would. I will make the Roulette Great again!”
He holds up his fist as the scene fades to a dark screen with blue words across it.
“Make the Roulette Great Again!”
***
OFF CAMERA
Ty’s Las Vegas Condo
Monday, April 30, 2018
~Evening~
“Son!”
The voice on the other end of the phone gives Ty cause to groan inwardly. The only reason Teddy ever called was because he needed something, usually money.
Ty: “Ted. What’s up?”
Teddy’s tone of voice changes immediately.
Teddy: “I wish you would call me Dad.”
Ty almost laughs. After the hell Ted put his mother through for years, he was far from earning that title. Ty gets right to the point.
Ty: “Why are you calling?”
There is a sigh from the man on the other end. It is obviously fake and Ty rolls his eyes.
Teddy: “Look, I just need a small loan. You know how hard it is with this economy. I can’t even get a job at a gas station because of my age.”
It was the same song and dance every few months. Teddy would call claiming that there were no jobs for him and Ty would relent and give him money. Chester had yelled at him repeatedly saying that Ty would never see that money again.
Ty: “How much?”
Teddy: “Twenty-five.”
Ty rolls his eyes.
Ty: “Twenty-five hundred? Okay I’ll transfer it.”
Teddy: “No. Twenty-five
thousand.”
Ty nearly drops the phone.
Ty: “I don't have that kind of money just lying around! I had to use my savings while I was training and my earnings with SCW are not nearly the same as what I got doing modelling or stunt work. Why the hell do you need Twenty-five K?”
Teddy sighs on the other end.
Teddy: “It was a sure thing. I was told this horse couldn't lose. I was going to have enough to really get my life in order...”
Ty shakes his head.
Ty: “Let me guess, it wasn't a sure thing at all.”
Teddy: “I’ll pay you back. I swear.”
Ty had heard similar things all throughout his childhood and into adulthood.
Ty: “No, Teddy. I am not bailing you out this time. You made your bed, now you have to lie in it.”
There is a panic in Teddy’s voice now.
Teddy: “They’ll kill me Tyler...”
At first, it tugs at his good nature but Chester was right, he had to cut him off before Teddy ruined his career. Ty just ended the call. The man was just a sperm donor. Everything Ty was today it was because of his mother. Virginia West had sacrificed everything for him. Although he still felt guilty over hanging up on him. He looked at his phone, considered for a fleeting moment calling him back. He types into his phone a number and quickly sends a text with a smile on his face. He doubted she would text him back though.
***End Scene***
ON CAMERA
The West-Ward Blogicles
Season 2, Entry #3 -- “The Spy I loved... to beat”
Ty: “?
??!”
Ty West is holding a Russian language book and is squinting his eyes trying to pronounce the word.
Ty: “Or in English... Hello! This is of course your favourite new SCW superstar, Ty West and all of you are my wonderfully talented west-enders and might I add also of good taste. Today, I am attempting to learn a few words in the native tongue of my next opponent. Unfortunately, I have to wait on being able to wipe that moulded smirk of the face of that jerk and title stealer Jon Dough.... Dough... like playdough right? So I can reform his face into a ball and smash if flat....
Ty balls up his fist and slams it into his other palm. He looks angry only for it to fade just as quickly as it appeared. He looks up at the camera quickly, shaking his head.
Ty: “Sorry... just a bit of repressed feelings there, but anyway... I am facing Maxim Seraphina. Well Maxie, I can call you Maxie right? Good.”
He acts as though his opponent would be okay with the more feminine nickname before continuing on with what he was saying.
Ty: “Well Maxie, I might not be very good at Russian and I might not be an Assassin but I am a pretty accomplished fighter. I know I haven’t been in a wrestling profession for very long but I have plenty of experience in Judo, Taekwondo, Krav Maga and Karate. Add on to that, the fact that I was trained by a pretty accomplished star. Who by the way I have since learned was trained by Electra Styles... you know, that chick that won the bombshell title a few years ago? Yeah her. Yeah so, since this job is not about actually killing people, I think you might be at a bit of a disadvantage here. Plus...
Ty whispers this to the camera, putting his hand up to his mouth as though he were trying to keep his words on the down low.
Ty: “If I were a russian assassin I probably wouldn’t want to go around admitting that... just saying. Especially since a lot of people are not exactly happy with the Russians right now. Just be glad you are not Korean... or Syrian. That might be worse... but anyway...”
He offers a shrug and then continues.
Ty: “So I hear through the grapevine that your real aspiration is mixed doubles. I used to play mixed doubles with this really attractive blonde, who just happened to also be Russian... Small world. Then she went on a marry this ugly Spanish singer. Oh well... not like I wanted to settle down anyway... But yeah... you Russian folks must really like mixed doubles!”
He offers a wide smile showing all of his perfect white teeth. (God, we really love those teeth, whoever did his dental work is a genius!)
Ty: “I am certain that you probably don’t have anything against me personally. I don’t have anything against you either. You didn’t steal my opportunity... one that I rightfully should have right now so you are definitely not someone I want to destroy but I do know that I will not let any of that affect the way I am in that ring on Sunday night. You know why? Because every win I get, just gives further reasons for Mark and Christian to give me that match against Jon. But I am not going to do what he did and steal someone else’s shine to get myself in a place I don’t belong. No, my win against you, Maxim is going to be 100% legit. That’s right, I plan on pinning you
or... making you tap... depends on how I feel when the moment is right and holding up my hand in victory and then walking away. But that is where my quarrel with you ends, sir. I will not be finding you backstage, to get in your face. I won’t be tracking down your car and sabotaging it. I won’t be lurking around your dressing room so I can plunge a poison dagger into your back. So I am kinda hoping you will pay me the same amount of respect when it comes to that. WE both want similar things. A rightful chance at gold. Just, not in the same divisions. So I can respect that. I can actually enter this match with a clear head, only focused on a win.”
(When Ty puts his mind to something, I mean really puts his mind to it, there is a direct correlation to the quality of his work. If I were that Russian dude, I might actually be scared... well at least scared after that rant video anyway... everyone should be scared, that dude was lit.)
Ty: “I am not naive enough to think you are not looking for exactly the same thing. In fact, if you weren’t looking to win I would probably call you an idiot. But you aren’t an idiot, right Maxie? You have to be pretty smart to be an assassin. I mean in Dungeons and Dragons you had to have like an Intelligence number of like 15 or something to be an assassin so if I were to translate that to real life I would say you were pretty damn smart, am I right? And to have that accomplishment at only 26? Jesus, good on you... I guess... If they have assassin awards you should be nominated or something. “
(of course at this point, it is impossible to tell if most of what Ty is saying is in Jest, sarcasm or sincerity. Or maybe even a mix of all three. He is such a talented actor that is really hard to know for sure)
Ty: “I was once up for an award. It wasn’t anything as spectacular as an academy or a Tony. Just like a guild award for my role as a priest in a hallmark movie. And certainly not as exciting as an assassin award. What do you think they might call that? Like ‘Killer of the year’? Or Top guild member? Sounds exciting nonetheless. I hope if I'm right, you definitely are nominated at least.
(Note to selves: Look up whether Assassins really do have awards... just to quench our curiosity)
Ty: “But really, I have a lot to get ready for. I mean, you probably do too, right Maxie? I would hate to think you just came into our match unprepared because you thought your assassin skills was going to make it an easy...
kill. You can guarantee that I will be playing at least a few hours of Assassin’s creed... and maybe even some online DnD. I will also be adding, Kill Bill...
both volumes, John Wick and Mr. & Mrs. Smith to the lineup to watch as well. I mean the last one might be more because Angelina is hot as...”
He stops himself, a faint blush coming to his cheekbones but he coughs, clearing his throat and continuing with his thought.
Ty: “Well you get it. So I look forward to seeing you on sunday, Maxim. Hey... I just thought of something... I think there might be a magazine named after you... and I'm pretty sure that Russian babe was on the cover once... see... coincidences... everything is god damn connected. It’s amazing. Anyway...
?!
{Goodbye, My Friend} and see you soon West-enders!”
***END SCENE***
OFF CAMERA
Local Coffee Cafe in Las Vegas
Tuesday Morning
Ty West, (such a beautiful man) is sitting at an outside table. He has his laptop open and surprisingly, a pair of reading glasses almost at the end of his nose as he scours through some article on the screen in front of him. There is some commotion as a boisterous male voice fills the small patio and someone sits in front of him.
Chester: “So did you happen to catch that little review from Mark’s piece of ass?”
Ty looks up from the screen and rolls his eyes.
Ty: “I browsed through it, why?”
Chester smirks.
Chester: “Didn’t you see the part where she is practically admitting she has a lady boner for you?”
(Ty hates the crude language that Chester often uses, especially when it comes to women)
Ty: “She complimented me and it appears that she may be a West-ender. So what? I have a lot of fans now. Why is this a big deal for you?”
Chester reaches forward and closes the laptop. Ty nearly gets his hand caught. He gives Chester an annoyed look.
Chester: “Because, an on screen romance with a woman rumoured to be a former bombshell champion just might be another way to boost your ratings. More ratings, more eyes on you and then when your five year agreement is up with me, you’ll have enough attention to get the roles you really wanted.”
Ty shakes his head.
Ty: “I am not going to try and date someone that I am not interested in.”
Chester gives a curt laugh.
Chester: “Really Ty? I remember that Russian chick. She was hot as fu...”
Ty gives him a look.
Chester: “She was smokin’ but we both know she had the intelligence of a soggy sock. You weren’t really interested in her, it was all about publicity. Just like this would be all about that as well. Why don’t you get the chicks number and text her, or something. Or send her some flowers to her desk so everyone will see it on camera.”
Ty: “No. Absolutely not. I am not here to create a soap opera. I am here to win matches. And frankly, I don’t even care if it gets eyes on me for some future movie deals. I told you... after these five years... I want to quit this. All of this. I want more...”
Chester rolls his eyes this time.
Chester: “...Than this provincial life... yeah yeah
Belle... you want your white picket fence and 2.5 kids with a little wife that makes you pancakes.”
Ty: “I love pancakes... but that’s besides the point. In five years I will be thirty-one. I don’t want to be doing this sort of thing into my forties and still be yearning for my future. So no. I am not calling... or texting or sending flowers to Christina. Besides... I kinda have a crush on someone...”
Chester is chuckling.
Chester: “She is never going to give you the time of day. Even if you win a title that won’t matter.”
Ty smiles anyway.
Chester: “You are stupid. Anyway... I got another appointment. A very influential brand has approached me about possible endorsement. Just imagine having a sponsor...”
Chester’s eyes, as always, are filled with dollar signs. Ty waves him off.
Ty: “You have fun with that. Can I finish reading my article now?”
Chester stands.
Chester: “Just... at least give what I said some more thought. It doesn’t have to mean anything. Who knows, maybe the chick needs the attention too and you can just do something only in front of the cameras... who is going to know any different, right?”
Chester than turns, and walks off the patio to his corvette. A little silver thing that is parked next to a fire hydrant. His front wheel is actually up on the curb as well. Ty thought, but only for a second, about if maybe he should fire his brazen agent but then the waitress arrives with his tea and he loses that thought to other things. He picks up his phone and types another text to this unknown crush.
You wouldn’t believe what I have been through today. But if you ever want to hang out, just let me know. He then looks at his phone, hopefully for a reply but when none comes, he turns his phone face down on the table and opens his laptop again.
