An image of a hockey game is seen. The faint sound of a crowd can be heard in the background of an announcer as he talks about the action on the ice.  The Ottawa Senators can be seen moving up the ice dressed in their away jerseys.  Sitting across from the screen is Connor Murphy who brings a bottle to his lips.  Beside him is a young girl who is watching him through her lashes.

“You want to say something princess?” asks Connor with his eyes still on the screen. 

“Maman says that you are wrestling again,” says Bijou, the daughter of Vixen Staggs.  “She says that you have a title match and are a choker when those matches happen.”

Connor sputters as liquid shoots out from his lips.  “A choker…VIX!!”

From the other room, a laugh is heard before the soft whistling as Vixen leans out of the doorway between the rooms.  “Yes?” she taunts softly.

Connor’s eyes narrow slightly as Bijou’s widen and she giggles behind her hand.  “Ain’t funny,” answers Connor as he leans forward and sets the bottle on the table in front of him.  On the screen, the sound of the announcer talking about how Tim Stutzle was chirping at the bigger Detroit player which pushes at the smaller Stutzle with a cross check. 

Almost in sync, Connor rises to his feet and gets in the face of Vixen.  The two stand toe to toe, Connor glaring, and Vixen with a calm demeanor and a cocky smirk on her face.  Neither see Bijou who gets to her knees on the couch, bouncing toward the arm of it.  It begins to sound like the announcer is doing the play by play of the interaction between Connor and Vixen. 

“So, what are you going to do about it hmmm?” inquires Vixen as she verbally crosschecks Connor who puffs up somewhat.  Vixen can see she is getting under his skin.

“What a chirp Gord.  What will he do?” says the announcer on the screen.

Connor leans over Vixen in a threatening manner.  “Maybe I should show you just how much I am going to do about it,” responds the man as his hands clench and unclench with each breath. 

Behind him, Bijou begins to stand up on the couch and puts one foot on the arm of the couch.  Vixen sees her and backs away slightly which has Connor a bit surprised.  Thinking his weak response has Vixen on the ‘ropes’, his mouth curves into a smug grin that is quickly wiped away as Bijou launches herself off the couch and onto the back of the man, quickly wrapping her legs around his midsection and her arms around his neck in an attempt at a sleeper hold.  “Don’t you dare hurt my mommy!” she yells as Connor reacts to the sneak attack by staggering to the side.

“Hey…that’s cheatin’ Princess,” says Connor as he ‘fights’ the hold.  Bijou bounces on his back a bit to try to get a better hold in.  Vixen can’t help but laugh as Bijou holds on like a little spider monkey as Connor tries to fight out of the hold.  He staggers to the couch and very gently lays back with his body half on Bijou pinning her.  Vixen moves behind the two as Connor fakes fading out.  Vixen raises his hand and he lets it drop.

“One…” taunts Vixen with a wink at her daughter who is now giggling as her mother raises the hand once more.  “Two…”

The arm drops and Bijou lets go slightly as she realizes she is pinned to the couch.  Vixen raises the arm once more and it seems to drop slightly before stopping and then being raised high as Connor gives Vixen his own wink.  He keeps Bijou pinned down and then looks up at Vixen.

“Count the pin Vix…” he taunts as Bijou begins to complain.  Vixen laughs and counts the three.  Connor gets up and reaches for the bottle with a cocky grin.  Vixen just shakes her head and swats at the arm of Connor as Bijou gets up and pouts on the opposite arm of the couch.  “Careful Vix…I already beat her and well…you just might be next…”

“Ostie Connor, you are so lucky you are at my house and not the Dungeon or else I would prove just how much your cockiness would be smacked out of you,” taunts Vixen as the horn ending the period for the hockey game which catches the attention of the two.

“Intermission…gotta use the facilities,” says Connor as he gets to his feet and disappears down the hallway leaving Vixen and Bijou to watch him depart.

~*~*~*~*~

Connor Murphy stands leaning against a building, a small electronic cigarette in his hand.  He plays with it slightly as he sighs.  Bringing it to his lips, he inhales the flavoured air into his mouth, the scent of vanilla wafting in the ‘smoke’ of his exhale.  He looks ahead of himself and begins to speak.

“Hey, I have to get something off my chest before I start talking about my match at the Supercard.  See, I have to admit something that I haven’t been able to admit to anyone, not even Vixen who has been helping me come back.  I wish I didn’t have to but…” starts Connor in a slight quiet voice.   “I have to admit that I am fighting more than just opponents in the ring.  Given all that has been going on and all the crap that I am dealing with is messing with me up here.”

His fingers in the shape of a gun tap gently at his temple as he winces.  “I have no where to run from the voices in my head talking shit to me…about me…adding to all the talk from everyone in the company and in my life that is dropping on my head and shoulders.  And like a man I have to deal with it silently and it is so heavy.  I have had to be the one that talks with a smile and act like it doesn’t affect me with each loss or fades for the few moments post win,” admits Connor as he drags once more on the e-cigarette.

“Just once I wish I could let everyone inside my head to see what I am living with,” he states.  “But no, that ain’t me and now that I have shared that little secret, let’s keep it between us ok?” Chuckling at the thought of the shared ‘secret’ with no one, Connor ducks his head as his other hand runs along the back of his neck. 

“I also have to do something that I should have done at the last supercard and apologize to Aiden Reynolds for being so quiet when I faced him for his Roulette title.  In that match, he definitely was the better man and I am man enough to admit it.  I didn’t give it my all at the time and now that is disrespectful in my book so look man…” offers Connor with a pursing of his lips.  “I am sorry.”

Thinking more, Connor begins to smile.  “But guess what Aiden…once again I earned the opportunity to face you for that Roulette title at Blaze of Glory.  It is almost like I am getting a do over and do you know what that means?  Let me tell you.  I won a triple threat to face you but this time the only difference is that it isn’t going to be three men in the match this time.  It is going to be you on one side of the ring and yours truly on the other side.  Mano e mano for that Roulette title.”

Connor looks up, a light making his eyes squint slightly. 

“I want you to know Aiden that I am serious as a heartattack when it comes to this match.  I have been taunted about not being serious when it comes to matches.  I have been shown to be a man who chokes when the chips are down.  But that is going to change at Blaze of Glory.  Ican’t tell you that I am going to win because look at you, a very tough opponent who has beaten some of the greats here in SCW.  Hell, look at the fact that you are a champion and I ain’t,” offers Connor before inhaling another drag from the e-cigarette.  “Well I ain’t right now.   But you have to admit that at any time someone could win when they are the underdog.  Or a champion can have an off night.  Either way, it just means that we are going to step into the ring with one purpose.”

Connor stops and pockets the electronic cigarette and grins slowly.  Pushing away from the wall, he pushes his hands into his pockets and addresses the air as if musing and talking to himself.

“I am pretty sure that your purpose is to keep that pretty shiny Roulette title around your waist by defending it and pinning my shoulders to the mat,” offers Murphy. 

“Mine is much more simple…beating you and taking my place with my first single title win here in SCW.”

Connor laughs as he nods his head.

“And all I can add to that is a very Canadian statement Aiden…” says Connor.

“Sorry…Not sorry!”

Connor turns and walks away with a soft chuckle and shake of his head.

A man and a woman can be seen chatting as they walk into a gym where another man can be seen working out alone dressed in only a pair of high top converse and shorts. 

Dressed in fatigues and a black tee, Vixen Staggs crosses her arms over her chest as she watches the man work out.  Her companion leans over and shakes his head. “Don’t tell me Vix,” he says in French.  “Is that Connor Murphy?”

Vixen keeps her eyes on the man throwing punches at the heavy bag that sways slightly with each strike.  She responds in the same language as her friend.  “Yeah, that is him.  The crazy thing is that I think he is doing this just to get on my nerves,” she adds with a slight laugh that doesn’t really sound all that happy. 

Looking confused, the man also crosses his arms over his khaki shirt.  “Why?” he asks which only has Vixen turn her eyes to him.  “I mean Vix, don’t you think that he is working out for something other than driving you fou?”

“I am sure he is but…” she begins only to notice that Connor Murphy has stopped throwing punches and is leaning on the bag watching the two talk across the gym as if he has been hearing the conversation.  Sighing, Vixen moves towards the office near where the heavy bag is located and is about to pass Murphy without talking to him but Murphy holds up a hand to stop her.

“Hey Vix, can we talk?” asks Connor as he wipes his forearm over his forehead to wipe away the sweat.  She rolls her eyes upward but nods yes.  Connor smiles slightly as he also nods.  He begins to speak softly.  “I was wondering about what it is going to take to get you to forgive me and help me...”

“I told you Connor that I forgave you,” Vixen says with a deep slow breath. 

“Yeah but I am looking for your help,” Connor says in exasperation.  “I got serious about it Vix.  With you getting me ready for my matches, I could be unstoppable,” adds Connor as he flexes his fingers into a fist. 

Vixen can hear the frustration creep into his voice but only turns slightly.  A slow half grin crosses her lips.  “And..?”

“What the hell are you expectin’ from me to even consider training me again,” demands Connor as he slams the fist against the wall.  Vixen only raises one eyebrow as Connor realizes what he had done and then sheepishly opens the hand to rub it against his cheek.  “I’m sorry but I am trying Vixen and it is just getting to me that even when I try I am suffering with having to deal with the fact that I am getting nowhere.  But if you were helping me, it could mean that I would be able to challenge all these guys in SCW.  Matter of fact, it might help me the most this week.”

“What’s this week?” questions Vixen as she finally turns to look Connor directly in the eye.

Connor’s chest swells and a cocky grin begins to cross his face that he just as quickly wipes away.  “I have a steel cage match for a title and I need to win this.”  Connor turns away from Vixen and runs a hand through his hair.  “This could really be something I actually stand a chance at winning and well I think that I would be better at it if I was trained by one of the best when it comes to this type of match.  I used to watch you and saw what you did as the GRIME Nightmare champion.  A steel cage match is something you were great at.  I was just your run of the mill brawler that could stand toe to toe with anyone and throwing punches.  I NEED to be taught how to handle this.”

Vixen can’t see his face but the look of her friend is telling a story as he looks first at Connor then nods at Vixen before speaking up.  “Hey Vix, I think that he’s telling you that your help is something he wants and it is taking him a lot to ask for it.”

“Guertin,” begins Vixen as she steps towards the man in the military colours.  “You have no idea what he has done but here you are talking him up like this,” growls Vixen as she steps between the two men.  Vixen has eyes for only the soldier but tosses a hand towards Connor.  “This man got cocky.  He’d be a grunt in the field that would be the first to fall.  All he had to do was follow my orders.  But no, he thought he was better.  Ostie…if you had one of your men do that, what would you do?”

The soldier looks over the shoulder of Vixen and then at Connor who is letting his head droop.  “Well if you are asking me, I would make it a learning opportunity.  Don’t you think he has realized he fucked up?  Give him an opportunity to prove to you how much it would mean to him,” says Guertin.  “Only right Vixen.”

“Fine…” says Vixen as she turns to Connor.  “So who are you facing and for what title?”

Connor looks up through the damp hair over his forehead.  “I am facing Kevin Carter in a steel cage for the Internet title.”

“Tabarnak…you are going to definitely need my help,” Vixen spits.  “He’s so full of himself that you will need to really train.  So fine, you will have my help this week but just this week for now.  If you listen and do what I say, I might take you back as someone that I am willing to train.”

Connor looks hopeful as Vixen heads towards the office.  Guertin watches as she stops and then points at Connor.  “And before you start, you better thank him,” says Vixen as she points to the soldier.  “It’s his fault that you are going to be suffering this week.”

Connor looks shocked as Guertin laughs.  “Now that is the Vixen I know.”

~*~*~*~*~

A pair of eyes look into the camera as they are playing hide and seek through a fringe of hair.  The camera begins to pull back to reveal the face of Connor Murphy who is smiling with a sick look of contempt on his face and a sneer.  His mouth begins to move only to have the sound of Kevin Carter’s voice escape him.  To the side is a television that is playing Carter on a loop.  Connor’s lips move in sync with the words of Kevin Carter talking down about an opponent.  Suddenly, Connor brings a hand up with a remote and he shows the camera that he is hitting the mute button.  Suddenly the room becomes quiet and Connor starts to speak.

“Have you listened to Kevin Carter when he speaks?  I mean I get it, he yaps about how he thinks he is King Shite of Turd Island and that he doesn’t stink.  Yeah so he’s good, he is full of himself and he deserves to be that way.  After all, he is a champion you know,” says Connor.  The sneer he had has changed into a grin that is more familiar to the Irishman.

“I have to ask myself why,” Connor muses as he once more steps closer to the chain link that frames his body.  “After all, he isn’t really anything special if you ask me.  Sure he’s buddy buddy with Jimmie and all that.  Speaking of Jimmie, when I get in that cage with Kevin before the bell rings I want to ask him if he has talked to Jimmie about me.  I am sure that he has said that I am nothing or rather a Nobody…” Connor says with a laugh and sigh at the memory.  “But I also wonder if Jimmie told him about one of the first people to beat him in the ring.  Not to toot my own horn or anything but I seem to remember a Climax Control where you know who beat J2H in the middle of the ring.” 

Connor moves closer to the fencing and then reaches up to curl his fingers into the chain links.  Leaning his head against the steel of the cage, he rolls his neck just enough to push against the steel that begins to dig into his forehead.  “I think that I have found something that is cooler than you Kevin Carter,” he teases as his fingers on his right hand trail along the links.  “Steel like this is colder.  Well, it starts that way.  And believe me that I know what I have learned just standing here putting my skin against it.”  Connor drags his hand along it again as if trying to rub some warmth into the steel.    “It is cold, impersonal and solid when you touch it and it seems that nothing will warm it up.”

Connor’s last word comes out as a hiss as he quickly pulls his hand away from the steel.  He looks down into the palm of his hand that has a thin ribbon of blood pooling on it.  Looking down at it dispassionately, Connor begins to chuckle.  “Wow, not even Sunday and already blood has been drawn.  That was quick…” states Connor as he looks up at the camera and holds up the hand as the blood begins to flow down his hand and onto his wrist.  He puts the hand on the steel and curls his fingers against the cage once more, his blood staining the chain link. 

“I guess I should be talking about the fact that you have probably talked about me and how I am something or other.  And I could be here talking about how this match is going to descend into a blood bath given that it is in a steel cage.  But we both know exactly what we are getting ourselves into when we step into the ring and just exactly what is at stake.  This match is going to be for your newly won Internet title.  A chance that I am being given and why I am being given it escapes me right now.  Have I deserved it?  Probably not.  Did I ask for it…hell no.  Am I going to use it…DAMN straight!”

Connor once more pulls the hand that is bleeding away from the steel and sees just the slightest bit of steam come off the chain link and smiles.  “Will you look at that…the steel isn’t cold anymore,” he muses.  “Guess that means that if I bloody you on the steel, a bit of your heat will be transferred to the cage.  Connor looks up to the top of the cage as the camera pulls away to reveal the wall of the cage as it is ready for installation on Sunday.

“I know that in San Fran we are stepping into the ring that will be surrounded by a steel cage.  And that there is only one way to win that pretty Internet title that rests on your waist and that is escaping the cage Kev.  And from the sounds of it, this match is going to be bloody for sure,” says Connor as he brings his bloody hand up to look close at it before running it along his forehead and then looks hard at the camera.  “I want you to know Kevin that I am ready willing and able to bleed when it comes to this match.  Pain heals…chicks dig scars…yadda yadda…”

Connor laughs at his own comment. 

“Let me be clear Kevin Carter.  This match is not going to be for the faint of heart.  I am coming into this match clear-eyed.  I have heard stories about you Carter.  I have seen the bastard that you are and to be honest, you are just an older grizzled J2H if I am honest.  You whine the same, you bitch the same, hell, if I didn’t know better I would say that you sucked just the same but neither of you suck in the ring, I will give that to you.  Sadly, I am coming into this match as the underdog, I get that too.  But what I am also coming into this match as someone who has a drive to prove something.  I am coming into this match to shut you the fuck up because I am tired of hearing the shit falling out of your mouth week in and week out…” growls Connor, the bloody handprint smeared over his forehead has dripped into his eyes that have a wild glint in them.

“It’s only days away, Kev and I don’t know about you but I am sooo ready for this.  And the bonus I am going to get when I leave you a bloody mess in the middle of the ring is that I am going to be the new Internet champion, which will make you a transitional champion now wouldn’t it?  A paper champion that is going to fold like origami on Sunday,” jokes Connor.

Connor turns to walk away but stops and turns to the camera.  He holds up the hand with the bloody that has dried into a rusty smear and waves at the camera before raising it like it is being raised in victory.  He leans in close and addresses the camera in a low voice.  “Just showing you what I will look like when they announce me the winner and new Internet champion on Climax Control.”

Connor leaves the camera’s view as his hand trails across the chain links of the fence leaving the camera to focus on the cage and then blinks into darkness. 

Timeline:  Six months ago

A man dressed in boots, a pair of dark pants that ride low on his hips and a white tee under a rather beat-up leather jacket walks towards a pair of doors with a bag tossed over his shoulder.  The look in his eyes show someone being nostalgic but the smile that is crossing his face shows just how enthusiastic he is to enter the building.  Reaching out with his free hand, Connor Murphy pushes at the door and strides inside.

Stopping on the threshold, Connor takes a long slow breath in, the scents of sweat and hope with a whiff of dreams mixing with the sounds of flesh meeting canvas, a jump rope smacking against the floor in a regular swishy beat.  Connor’s eyes slowly close then snap open as he exhales.  “I remember this…” he murmurs as he takes a step forward only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

“Good thing you do Connor,” a feminine voice answers as Connor turns to take in a woman who looks older but still dangerous. 

“Vixen!” exclaims Connor with a large grin as he drops the bag to the floor and opens his arms to take her into a hug that is stopped by a hand against his chest. 

“Oh no you don’t,” growls Vixen who shakes her head, the long dark ponytail swishing against her shoulders.  “I am still angry with you disappearing and then out of the blue having my brother call me to help you get back into ring shape.   Ostie, Connor, you could have called me yourself!”
Looking sheepish, Connor ducks his head when Vixen brings up his disappearing.  “Yeah I didn’t think you would want me to tell you that I was quitting,” he states in a low voice.  “I mean you helped me train to be in that ring and I felt that I let you down by giving up.  And you know that I ain’t good with sayin’ goodbye.”

Vixen glares at Connor who keeps stealing looks at her.  “That is no excuse.  I thought we were family and here you are now wanting me to train you again.  How long is this going to last huh?” questions Vixen as she crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head in a questioning look.  “Tell me why I should agree to train you again?”

Connor’s head shoots upward.  “But Dev said…” he begins only to have Vixen’s eyebrow rise as a sneer passes over her lips.  “I mean Dev told me that you said you would.”

“I told Dev I would think about it,” answers Vixen.  “Now I want you to tell me why I should.  Return on my investment in you needs to really be honoured.  You going to cut and run when things get tough?  Will I be wasting my time?”

Each question makes Connor wince in shame.  He holds up his hand to stop her and then reaches for the bag at his feet.  “I get it Vix, I’ll leave and find someone else to train me,” he says before turning to leave.  Sighing and cursing in French under her breath, Vixen reaches out and puts a hand on the arm of Connor who has a small smile flitting over his lips knowing that he has her.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t train you Connor but I wanted you to tell me that this time it isn’t going to be a waste of my time,” Vixen states.  “So come on…let’s see what we are working with.”

Connor turns back, the grin gone but a look of honest respect on his face.  “I won’t let you down Vix,” he promises before holding up his hand with fingers raised.  “Scout’s honour.”

“You never were in Boy Scouts Connor,” taunts Vixen as she moves further into the Staggs Dungeon before she turns back to Connor who is still standing there.  “Well…” she growls which causes a large grin to cross Murphy’s face.  He begins to follow her as the rest of the gym watches as she stalks toward the ring.  “So, you want to get back into wrestling eh?  Fine Connor, let’s see what you got?”

Connor looks confusedly around the gym then back at Vixen who has slid inside the ring.  “Okay, who am I going to be sparring with?” he asks as he drops the bag and reaches inside for a pair of gloves.  “I mean I know I am rusty and all but seriously, some of these kids might give me a challenge I guess,” he adds with cockiness.

Vixen smiles as she shakes her head.  “Pauvre Connor,” she begins as she rolls her neck slightly.  “If I am going to be training you…then it is me you will be sparring with.  Unless you are afraid of being beaten by a girl,” she taunts.

“That ain’t right Vix, I am not allowed to put my hands on any bombshells in Sin City Wrestling, we both know that,” Connor argues.  “And anyways, it has been a while since you have been out of the spotlight so would it be a fair fight?”  Connor climbs the ring steps and is about to slide between the ropes when he is grabbed by Vixen into a reverse headlock and dragged into the ring where he is pulled into a reverse dragon sleeper hold that he quickly tries to fight his way out of. 

Vixen wrenches back slightly before laughing and letting the hold go.  “Voyons donc,” she mutters before turning to address Connor and pointing at him as he rubs his neck.  “You are going to need a  lot of work if you are going to get ready to be in the SCW ring.  Let’s try this again shall we?”

Connor gets to his feet as Vixen taunts him.  The two begin to circle before locking up…

~*~*~*~*~

Timeline:  2 weeks ago

Connor Murphy crawls towards the corner of the ring and lays his arms on it as his head droops between them.  His body is covered in sweat and his hair is plastered to his forehead.  A few drips of sweat colour the canvas in the corner.  In the middle of the ring, bouncing on the balls of her feet, Vixen Staggs nods slowly as she moves to the corner.

“Hey Connor, all good?” she taunts as she crouches beside Murphy who flops onto his rear and leans back into the corner and wipes at his face.

“When did you reenlist Vix?” he demands as he tries his best to get his breath back.  “You don’t seem to have lost a step at all.”

Vixen smiles.  “Guertin comes down regularly to train.  Says he needed more competition than what the VanDoos gives him,” jokes Vixen.  “And believe it or not, I did come back once and was the Nightmare champion in SCU.  Figured I would stay in shape you know…have a legacy to protect.”  Getting to her feet once more, she reaches down and offers Connor a hand that he waves off as he reaches up and pulls himself to his feet with the ropes.

Vixen watches him walk across the ring towards the bottles of water set on the ringsteps.  Grabbing one, he wrenches it open and after taking a sip, allows some of the water to trail down his beard onto his chest in an effort to cool down.  Vixen tsks at the water that drips on the canvas then back up at Connor who is slowly recapping the bottle to set it down on the mat.  He moves back towards Vixen and then stepping in front of her, he crouches into position but Vixen just watches him.

After a full minute of neither one moving, Connor straightens with a surprised look on his face as Vixen nods.  “I think you just might be ready for the next step mon ami.  That means a full on match against someone else that you can go hands on with.  So, I heard that you have a match at Climax Control this week.  That will be the test to see if you are ready,” she offers with a smile.  “I think you are there but only time will tell.  You will do well however, you need to remember something…”

Connor appears to be listening but his eyes glaze slightly causing the smile on Vixen’s face to falter before she moves closer and brings a hand up to slam it against the head of Connor.  “What the hell was that for Vix?” Connor questions as he raises a hand to rub against his ear to stop the ringing that the strike from Vixen had caused.

“That is for thinking that you were ready and getting cocky,” responds Vixen.  “It just might be proof that you aren’t ready.  Connor, you haven’t stepped back into an SCW that you remember.  The pond got smaller with all the big fish and you right now are nothing more than a barbutte at the bottom.  Don’t set yourself up to be cooked.  Think smarter.”

Vixen moves slightly to once more slam a palm against the head of Murphy but he catches it and with a cocky grin, spins Vixen into a hammerlock and moves right up to he ear.  “Won’t happen again Vix, I am going to be serious about this run and make you proud,” Connor says before releasing Vixen then backing away quickly to avoid the contact from the forearm of Vixen who stumbles when the contact is missed.

Vixen is about to turn and strike out stops when she realizes that Connor has dropped to the mat and rolled out of the ring.  She moves to the ropes and rests her arms on the top rope.  “Where do you think you are going?” she asks which causes Connor to stop and turn with a smirk.

“I’m going to Climax Control…”

~*~*~*~*~

Timeline:  Present day

“Did you think that last week I would do what I did and beat Justin Smith?” asks Connor as he walks into the frame of the camera.  “I came back and in my first match back, I beat him like I said I would.  And this week, I have a chance to be in a match for the Roulette title.  Good god, can you imagine that?”

He grabs a chair out of frame then turns it and mounts it and rests his arms over the back of it.

“I am pretty sure that no one thought that I could do that and then this week be put in a match that could hold championship gold implications.  I can hear em now, who the hell does this guy think he is to be put in a match like this?” ponders Connor as he looks directly into the camera.  Turning to the right, he sighs.

“That’s right, yours truly is going to be given the chance to fight my way into a roulette championship match and to get there, all I have to do is beat the Troll and Bill Barnhart to do it.  I have to ask myself though…should I be put in this situation?” Murphy questions to himself before turning back to the camera.  “I answered in the following way.  Damn right I deserve to be in the match to try and get to the Roulette title.  And if it means that I have to fight my way through the Troll, then that is what I will do.  I heard that he was some kind of mama’s boy who lives in her basement and talks a good game like the keyboard warrior that everyone seems to say that he is.”  Connor tilts his head slightly.  “But I digress.  See I heard stories when I was preparing for my return about the Troll.  Things like he really isn’t someone that should be taken seriously on the one hand and then not to doubt him because he can get a fluke win a time or two.  So there will be no underestimating him.  But I also want him to realize that I have his number and when I have my hand raised at the end of the meeting, there will be no hard feelings from me because I won’t be the one flat on my back.”

Connor looks cockily to the side in an effort to hide a smirk but isn’t successful as he brings his hand up to wipe over his smile. 

“Then there is the other man in this match…Bill Barnhart.  Former Roulette champion and all that.  I don’t know him that well but that is okay because you don’t need to know someone to beat the hell out of them.  And if we are being honest, he also really isn’t one to overlook either.  The only difference is that he is starting to sound the same over and over again.  And he is a one trick pony in my opinion.   Talks about how he is not going to lose because he is rough and tough and all that crap that I have heard time and again,” muses Murphy.

“Whether or not it is the Troll or Bill Barnhart, the only thing I see are roadblocks on my way to the championship and if I have to beat them down to get my shot at Roulette gold, you can guaran-damn-tee that is what I am going to do.  No apologies and no regrets gentlemen.  You have to know that I am coming for the gold in SCW and it starts with me standing tall in the ring after our match to move onto the Roulette title match,” states Murphy as he stands and pushes the chair over and moves into the lens of the camera with a smirk.  “My promise to myself.”

Without a blink, Connor moves out of frame as a faint sound of his theme beginning to be heard as the camera spins to try and find Murphy as the scene fades out.

 Sitting on the plane, Connor Murphy keeps his eyes closed as the rest of the roster boarded.  He had come aboard earlier that everyone else, scoping out a seat near the end of the plane.  Resting his legs into the larger space, he appears to be asleep in a rather comfortable position in his worn denim and tee.  A pair of Doc Martins with scuffs and scrapes complete the look of the rather scruffy man.  No one approaches him in his seat which suits him just fine.

Once the flight is up in the air, Connor’s eyes crack open as he peers down the aisle of the plane to take in the others sitting in front of him.  Seeing a familiar redhead only a few seats away, he smirks and sits up straighter.

Connor Murphy:  Psst…Hey Sam…psst.

Sam Marlowe sits up and looks back as she reaches up to her ears to pull a pair of earbuds from her ears.  Raising her eyebrow, she gives a glimpse to others before looking directly at Connor who offers her a smile and beckons her to sit closer.  Shaking her head, she reaches down and unbuckles the seat belt and moves to sit across the aisle from Connor who shoots her a teasing pout.

Sam Marlowe:  Its not you…I have to be careful of being close to anyone.  This virus is a bit more dangerous for me is all.  But what did you want to talk to me about?

Connor leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

Connor Murphy:  I wanted to ask you if you would help me out with something.  Considering that you are pretty much the only one that I really know here on this flight.  Been a while since I have been a regular roster guy and you could be considered a teammate so to speak.

Sam Marlowe:  I am not on a team here in SCW…well not counting the Blast from the Past but I ain’t going any farther in that tournament.  

Connor Murphy:  I know but you trained with Vix and since she and I are almost family, I thought that would make us family too, at least teammates.  Besides, I ain’t one to want to do an interview without Pussy who usually likes to keep me on my toes but she ain’t here.

Sam looks towards the front of the plane where she knows that Pussy is sitting but then turns back to Connor with a shrug.  Connor notices then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a battered smartphone that has seen better days.  He holds it out to Sam who reaches across the aisle to grab it with a curious look on her face.

Connor Murphy:  Would you mind filming this promo for me.  I have some things to say but I don’t want to look like I am talking to myself you know.  It is bad enough that people see me as this hard drinking zero fucks given irish rogue, wouldn’t want them to lose that, now would I?

Sam can’t help but laugh at the image Connor paints.  She looks down at the screen and finds the icon for the camera then holding up the phone begins to film Connor who leans back in the airplane seat as if it were some kind of throne as he begins to speak.

Connor Murphy:  Connor Murphy promo number one in three two one…

Sam slowly raises an eyebrow as Connor makes a clapboard of hands.  With a wink as Sam moves slightly closer, he speaks up.

Connor Murphy:  That’s right, I’m back and just when you thought it was safe to come back to the ring…What can I say, I have sat back and didn’t ever think that I would want to come back to the ring considering that everyone seemed to write me off.  And maybe that was the problem, everyone writing me off like I was nothing or nobody…

Connor waggles his eyebrows as he invokes the Nobodies which has Sam looking confused.

Connor Murphy:  Before your time love.  Nevermind.  Anyways, I disappeared from the ring and was happy spending my time out of the limelight.  Gave me time to spend with family training away from Sin City Wrestling and honing my craft back in my hometown.  See, no one knew where I was and I could just be who I wanted to be in the ring.  I was helping others develop talent.  Now I happened to be approached by someone that told me something that set my teeth on edge.  And that was there was someone that was coming back and did I want to do something about it.  

Connor steeples his fingers in front of his lips to tap them slowly before addressing the phone again.

Connor Murphy:  I heard there was a certain delusion of grandeur spotlight sucking full of himself boy got back in the ring thinking that he was all that and a bag of nuts…

Sam holds up a finger to interrupt but Connor stops her.

Connor Murphy:  I know that is a bag of chips but that is giving Jimmy way to much credit.  Besides, seeing what he keeps posting on social media, I realized that he needed to be put right back into reality.  So, two weeks ago, I got me to the UK and I did something about it.  I put him on his back in the middle of the ring.  He hadn’t even seen me coming.  

Sam Marlowe:  Won’t he say something about how you had to attack him from behind or something?

Connor Murphy:  Of course, I knew he would do that.  See, that is what he does.  Goes whining about how he got attacked from behind because he can’t take that someone would be good enough to drop him legit.  And if you remember that night, I waited for him to turn around before I attacked him so he would know exactly who it was that dropped him in the middle of the ring.  And as much as that burned him, it wasn’t enough for me.  See, Jimmy does what he wants because he thinks he is untouchable.  I proved that wrong.  And do you know what else…

Sam shoots him a questioning look as Connor rubs his hands together in glee.

Connor Murphy:  He got predictable.  See I knew that if I got under his skin, the first thing he would do is run to Christian Underwood and tell him that he wanted a match against me.  And do you know what he did…he ran to Christian Underwood and demanded a match against me.  And that is where we are going to be this coming Climax Control.  Part of me wanted to deny him the match…Prove to him that nobody jumps when he bitches that he had his little feelings hurt.  Big little man was butthurt so much that he deserves to have me in that ring.  And that is why I signed the contract.

Connor set his left ankle on his right knee and then puts a hand on the Doc Martin to rub a thumb over a scuff mark as he gathers his thoughts.  Sam continues to film while also yawning slightly that she covers with her free hand only to blush as she realizes that Connor is watching her.

Connor Murphy:  Am I boring you love?

Sam quickly shakes her head negatively then sits straighter.  Connor nods then winks as he lets Sam off the hook and begins to speak again.

Connor Murphy:  Now I am sure that Jimmy is all about talking about how good he was and how no one is better than him and that probably he is all about talking how he ran me out of the company.  Yeah, he will definitely try to say that.  He doesn’t know anything else to say.  

Connor sits up and then puts a smirk on his face as he raises his voice to a falsetto.

Connor Murphy:  I am J2H and I am the end all and be all.  No one has ever been better than me and no one ever will be.  That fake irish paddy isn’t even good enough to shine my shoes let alone breathe the same air as I do.  He’s proof that the roster is third rate and lower.

Connor begins to cough as the voice he is faking cracks.  

Connor Murphy:  Listen, between the two of us, Jimmy is right.  He doesn’t back down from a fight but he also doesn’t have a humble bone in his body.  How many times has he talked about how good he is.  How everyone is nothing to him.  He can’t see the fact that all his hype is something that he has built up so he is able to defeat people before they even get in the ring.  Good thing I am not getting into the ring with him for a match.

Connor Murphy:  I ain’t going to be getting in that ring for a match.  Nah, that would be too easy for Jimmy.  I ain’t a wrestler so when it comes down to it, I am getting in that ring for a fight pure and simple.  Jimmy ain’t the one that is worried because he isn’t going to be ready for what I am bringing to the ring.  I have had it to here…

Connor holds his hand to just above his eyes.

Connor Murphy:  With the tone of Jimmy’s.  Yeah you held the title for however long.  You beat every one you faced and that is cool too.  But Jimmy…Sunday ain’t going to be your past with how good you are and how you will win.  The two of us haven’t been in the Sin City Wrestling ring for a while so the question is going to be who has the most ring rust.  Might be me might be you but one thing is certain.

Connor stops as the captain speaks over the intercom telling the passengers to return to their seats as a small ping announces the fasten seatbelt signal.   Sam stands but is stopped by Connor who motions for her to continue to film him.  She looks towards the stewardess who is approaching her and mouths the word hurry.

Connor Murphy: Sunday night is going to be a good time for you to realize that you aren’t the man you used to be Jimmy.  Because that will be when I am in the ring beating the hell out of you and enjoying myself way too much.

Connor smirks as Sam moves her finger over the stop button as the stewardess can be heard to tell her to return to her seat.  She hands the phone back to Connor then moves to her seat and sits back down to fasten her seatbelt again.  Connor looks up at the stewardess and offers her a flirty smirk.

Connor Murphy:  Hello love, would you mind bringing me something to drink.  I think I can hear my friend Jack calling from the galley…

The stewardess can’t help but laugh at the flirting Connor before heading to the galley and reappearing with a small bottle and glass.  The scene fades out on the stewardess leaning over Connor to pour the drink as Connor winks at her and smiles as he nods to the seat across from him inviting her to stay and chat.

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The Staggs Dungeon is preparing for Climax Control.  In the ring, Vixen can be seen looking over the gym, her arms on the top rope as cameras are being set up.  Suddenly, a door cracks which gets the attention of Vixen whose curious look changes to a smile as Connor Murphy walks into the room.  Dressed in a Connor Murphy religious experience tee, jeans and a black leather jacket, he smirks at his friend.

Connor Murphy:  Look at you Vix, still beautiful as ever.  Still married?

Vixen Staggs:  Yes and very happily I might add.  What are you doing here Connor?  Last I heard you were back in Ottawa.

Connor Murphy:  Seems Vix that rumours of my being in Canada were not completely true.  See I decided that I needed to do a little bit of mischief and now here I am.

Vixen narrows her eyes as Connor moves closer to the ring and then rolls inside it.  She watches as he moves to the corner and then climbing slightly, he sets himself onto the top turnbuckle and looks down at Vixen who had moved towards him.

Vixen Staggs:  What do you mean mischief?

Connor Murphy: Well I signed with JT Midas’ company and then I kind of kicked someone’s ass which means I have a match this week on Climax Control.

Vixen looks incredulous before tilting her head questioningly.

Vixen Staggs:  Whose ass Connor?

Connor Murphy:  Jimmy’s…

Vixen Staggs:  Jimmy?  I don’t remember a Jimmy…

Vixen’s eyes widen as Connor nods, his face lighting up with laughter.

Vixen Staggs:  James Huntington Hawkes…that is who you call Jimmy?  What were you thinking Connor?

Connor Murphy:  It was more instinct than thinking Vixen.

Vixen Staggs:  That is for sure.  But what possessed you to do something that crazy.  You haven’t wrestled in like years.  How do you expect to fight him with the ring rust you must have?

Connor Murphy:  Thanks Vixen, would have thought you had my back in all of this.  Besides, he hasn’t wrestled either.  I think my odds are pretty good this week.  And for your information, I managed to get the drop on him two weeks ago so I am pretty sure that he thinks was a fluke and I can’t wait to prove him wrong this week.  

Vixen shakes her head as she hears the door open.  Turning she is surprised by Pussy Willow who has entered the gym and then looks around to find the pair in the ring.  Pussy is dressed in jeans and a blouse with a small mask over her mouth and nose.  Vixen rolls her eyes as she moves to the ropes and slides between them to drop to the gym floor as Pussy gets closer.  

Connor Murphy:  Pussy darling, glad you could make it today.  I missed you.

Pussy Willow:  Long time no see Connor.  So I got your message that you wanted to do an interview and that you wanted me to be the one to conduct it so here I am.  Now where would you like to do it?

She looks around as Connor remains on the turnbuckle.  Pussy raises her eyebrow then moves to the ringsteps near where Connor is sitting.  As she moves along the apron, Connor jumps to the mat then sits on the middle rope to help Pussy get into the ring.  Once inside, she moves to the middle of the ring as if there were a crowd of fans and it was the show itself.  Connor moves to join her as she pulls the mask from her face as she begins to speak.

Pussy Willow:  I am here with Connor Murphy who we have not seen in an SCW ring for at least three years…

Connor Murphy:  Except for two weeks ago when I was in the ring kicking the rear end of Jimmy 2H.  

Pussy Willow:  that’s right, two weeks ago you attacked J2H in the ring.  Then last week, J2H went to Christian Underwood demanding a match against JT Midas at the supercard but he wanted you this week in the go home show.  Why?

Connor Murphy:  Why what?  Why does Jimmy want me this week in the ring or why did I attack him?  

Pussy Willow:   Why did you attack him?   It isn’t like the two of you have wrestled in a long time.

Connor Murphy:  I did it because Jimmy decided to open his mouth and toot his horn one too many times.  I used to hate listening to the bragging he did when he was an active wrestler.  Hell he was good but oh my god he was boring as hell.  I used to mess with him just to give him some kind of personality other than dead bore.  Remember that duck I got him…he kicked it into the wall and he got so pissed I thought that vein in his forehead was going to burst for sure…

Connor begins to laugh at the memory as Pussy laughs softly before wiping the tears from her cheeks..

Pussy Willow:  Okay so you decided to attack J2H.  You must have known he would want a match.  Are you going to give him one?

Connor Murphy:  That’s why I signed on the dotted line last week darling.  

Pussy Willow:  And do you think that you are going to be able to beat him in a wrestling match?  I do have to remind you that he is a hall of famer and he was a strong champion and well you didn’t really do anything like he did.

Connor lays his hand over his heart with a faked look of pain.

Connor Murphy:  Oh that hurts Pussy, for all that it is true..still hurts.

Pussy Willow:  Don’t be silly Connor.  J2H can legitimately claim all the things he says.  What can you say to counter that?

Connor Murphy:  One of the few losses that Jimmy has was against me…and two weeks ago, he had nothing to answer the beat down I gave him in the middle of the ring.  So maybe he can talk a good game but I don’t know if he is as ready as I am.  I am betting he is counting on my having more ring rust than he does because I haven’t been in a ring for longer than he has.  Sad to say that isn’t true because I may not have been in the spotlight but I haven’t stopped wrestling like he did.  So when he is relying on the fact that I might have ring rust, he is going to be not so pleasantly surprised when I lay a beat down like he has never felt before on him.  Which is what I am fixing to do on Sunday.  

Pussy Willow:  Are you saying that you are going to beat J2H?  

Connor Murphy:  I am saying Pussy love that I am going to step into the ring and I am going to remind Jimmy that no matter how good someone is, there is always someone that might just be that much better.  I hope Jimmy is confident about the match this week because if he is, then it is going to be that much more satisfying when I get the win and leave him counting the ringlights.

Connor points up at the lights over the ring which has Pussy looking up.  She again looks at Connor and is about to say something when Vixen appears in the gym once more to offer Pussy an apologetic look.

Vixen Staggs:  I hate to interrupt but I am going to have to ask for you guys to leave so we can get the Dungeon cleaned for Climax Control.

Pussy and Connor nod and leave the ring.  Connor leans over and puts his arm over the shoulders of Pussy and smiles.

Connor Murphy:  Can I escort you back to the Saxon hotel…six feet apart of course.

Pussy laughs and nods as Connor waves at Vixen then holds open the door for Pussy to lead him out of the gym before he peeks back inside.

Connor Murphy:  See ya Sunday Vix.

 Now Playing:  Warrior's Code by the Dropkick Murphys

The sounds of a bar tap filtering a dark brew into a glass is amplified in the rather dingy and quiet bar.  At two thirty in the morning, a rather disheveled dark haired man can be seen sitting in front of the tap with a wreath of cigarette smoke swirling around his head as he inhales from the short cigarette in his fingers.

On the other side of the tap, a barman pushes it upwards before sliding the now full glass over the golden wood at the man who reaches for it with the hand holding the cigarette.  His buddy leans on the bartop and gives Connor a smirking smile.

Devlin Lefebvre:  Vixen told me that you were coming home.  But she said it wasn’t until closer to the end of September.  It ain’t that I am arguing but man, Ottawa and Winnipeg aren’t that close if you know what I mean.

Connor looks at his friend and pulls the glass closer then sips at the beer before smiling as he points with his fingers at Devlin.

Connor Murphy:  What, I can’t help my best friend christen his newest possession.  Listening to you talk about this place, it is your baby and that makes me Uncle Connor.

Devlin laughs as he moves to the register and taps a few buttons.

Devlin Lefebvre:  Well then Uncle Connor, what has you here in Ottawa with a big match happening for you on Sunday in Winnipeg?  And before you ask, Vixen told me that too.  She says that you aren’t yourself.  Care to talk about it?

Devlin raises an eyebrow as Connor shoots a look of disgust at his friend before lifting the glass to his lips again, draining the glass a third before setting it down.  Taking another long drag on the cigarette, he stubs it out and then points at Devlin.

Connor Murphy:  Part of me doubts why I am still worried about Sin City Wrestling. I can’t help it, I think night after night and ask myself…Self, what the hell are you doing?  

Devlin Lefebvre:  Do you really care that much about it Con?  I mean you had opportunity after opportunity and threw them away.  Don’t tell me you didn’t because I know you Connor and I could see you holding back.  I remember when we were younger and you and I ran the roads…those were some fun times.  You were born to fight.

Connor gets a faraway look in his eyes as a half smirk crosses his lips. Devlin can see this and points to the doorway.  

Devlin Lefebvre:  Use to be that someone look at you funny would get a beat down.  Half the time I was right behind you saving their lives by holding you back.  Now I see you in that wrestling company and you ain’t you.  Calisse, you need to snap the hell out of whatever funk you are in and start being the kiss my ass fighter we both know you are.

Connor Murphy:  Yeah, I don’t know where that man is anymore.  You want to know the bad part of that though?  Everyone sees me as a joke or less that they are because I don’t have the title in my sights.  Hell I have heard every one of those jack offs talk down about me and I have stepped in the ring and every time I do, I come up this short…

Connor’s fingers are held out in front of him only a few inches apart.

Connor Murphy:  I mean Dev, I am the losingest championship challenger that the federation has.  

Devlin Lefebvre:   So win a fucking title then.

Connor has the glass against his lips drinking the beer as his friend says that which causes him to choke and cough beer all over the bar.  Devlin looks down at it as he lunges out of the way of the liquid.

Connor Murphy:  You say that like it is some kind of easy task.  If that was the case then I would have beat Jimmy or Despy or Goth when I faced ‘em.  You don’t wrestle so back off barman.

Devlin Lefebvre:  I may not wrestle Con but Vix does and from what I know and she has said,  you are making yourself the joke.  She saw the kind of fighter you are and she told me that you should have titles galore.

Connor Murphy:  Yeah yeah, Vixen the cheerleader.  

Devlin begins to swipe a damp cloth over the bar cleaning up the spilled liquid from his friend.  Connor watches him for a moment, draining his glass and holding it out towards his friend who takes it and pours him another but holds it back.

Devlin Lefebvre:  My sister is many things but she sees something more in you.  Seriously Connor, win a fucking title and quit being a pussy.  

Connor Murphy:  I will have you know that I am not a pussy!

Devlin scoffs as he pours himself a drink.

Devlin Lefebvre:  Sure you aren’t.  You were up for the roulette title and almost won it in that six pack challenge.  Then you got a shot at the Internet title and what happened?

Connor Murphy:  Despayre beat me…

Devlin Lefebvre:   Despayre barely beat you.   And J2H, you almost pinned him too when you faced him for the Heavyweight title.  Every time you go for one of those titles you pull up short.  Why is that?

Connor looks at Devlin, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thinks about it.  As he does, his hands move to the pack of cigarettes in front of him pulling out the cancer stick and lighting it to let the smoke curl around his ruffled hair.  One final drag before he replies drifts slowly out of his mouth.

Connor Murphy:  I think it is because I don’t care about titles.

Devlin Lefebvre:  You don’t care?  What the…

Connor Murphy:  I don’t need those titles to prove who I am Dev.  Besides, anyone I have ever faced for the titles needs them to define who they are.  Take for example the gauntlet match that happened to fill the Heavyweight title.  I remember everyone bitching about how they deserved to be champion.  Hell I saw people saying they weren’t going to try for the title and then what happened?   Those people pull a quick one and went for the title.

Devlin Lefebvre:  And what did you do?

Connor Murphy:  I said fuck it and that I wasn’t going to go for the belt and I didn’t.  I didn’t need it to define me then and I don’t need it to define me now.  

Devlin shakes his head as if he is unable to process what he is hearing.

Devlin Lefebvre:  Come again?  You don’t need the title?

Connor Murphy:  Nah, besides, I am having more fun just messing with the champion Jimmy.  Last week I sent him and his girl a stuffed dog that talks.  A couple of weeks back I sent Jimmy a Shirley temple on the boat and I remember getting him a robot duck that told him it loved him and he kicked it into the wall and broke it.  He even destroyed a gummi bear I got him as a gift.

Connor can’t help but begin to laugh at some of the antics that he pulled as Devlin shoots him a look of confusion.

Devlin Lefebvre:  What sick kind of jokester are you playing at?  Maybe that is why you haven’t won a title…you don’t take it seriously enough.

The laughter dies quickly as Connor sobers for a moment in contemplation then begins to nod slowly.

Connor Murphy:  You know what…you are right Dev.  I don’t take it seriously enough.  I need to focus on getting in that ring and beating the bejesus out of Steve Ramone and Samuel Devereux this week.  I do that and I am one step closer to getting another shot at Jimmy and oh what fun I can have with him then.  

Devlin shakes his head at his friend who is starting to rub his hands together, a softly taunting evil laugh escaping him as he then reaches for his glass and brings it to his lips.

Devlin Lefebvre:  That is seriously twisted Con.  What you need to do is…

Connor Murphy:  Listen Dev, I know what I need to do.  But first I am going finish my beer then I am going to the room you are letting me have and catching up on my sleep then I am going to Winnipeg to win the match to face Dmitri for a chance to piss off J2H by taking his title.

Devlin watches as Connor leans back and drains his glass before slamming it on the counter top and with a smile at his friend, Connor heads towards the stairs to the entrance before stopping to turn back to Devlin.

Connor Murphy:  Well are you coming or not?

Devlin nods before throwing the bar rag towards the sink behind the bar then joins his friend at the entrance to the bar as the two of them leave the building and quickly disappear after locking up.

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Connor Murphy:  This is it, the time when I need to straighten up and fly right in the face of my opponents and give the the old verbal kick in the groin going into the match on Sunday at Climax Control.  That time honoured tradition known to smarks and kayfabe fans as the match focus promo.  Now let me tell you that as much as I love to talk, I ain’t about being all serious when it comes to shit like this.  But people are telling me that I need to make a better impression on my opponents.  So bear with me because this just might be a bumpy ride.

Connor straightens as he runs a hand through his hair as his face takes on a serious look.

Connor Murphy:  This is serious, very serious.  I have to face Steve Ramone and Samuel Devereux in a triple threat match on Climax Control for an opportunity to face Dmitri one on one to face J2H in a match for his title.

The serious look on Connor’s face cracks just slightly before he can’t hold back his laughter anymore and is doubled over to hold his midsection as he laughs.

Connor Murphy:  Seriously, I didn’t think I could say that with a straight face.  Now that I got that out of the way let me talk about the match this week and what I see coming from it.

Connor Murphy:  First off we have to see that I am facing Steve Ramone, someone that whines and moans about having to have things given to him by Mark Ward.  Hell he even offered his mistress as a “head” secretary to our friend Hot Stuff …

Connor makes his fingers curl in air quotes at that comment.

Connor Murphy:  And already he is probably talking about how he should have beat Rage for the Internet title and if…no when he loses the match this week, he will go to Mark and beg for another shot at Rage and his title.  Why not just cut out the match we both know you aren’t going to win and go directly to Mr. Ward and in your best asskissing voice demand the rematch against Rage.  Did you want me to do it for you…

Connor coughs into his hand and then looks directly into the lens.

Connor Murphy:  Mark Ward sir, Steve Ramone wanted me to ask you to give him a shot at Rage for the Internet title.  He has somehow realized that he forgot to get some chapstick and well, doesn’t want to chafe your rear when he begs once more to make a return to relevance by facing Rage.  I ain’t one to kiss ass and I sure as hell don’t want to start now but the fact that Steve Ramone thinks he can step in the ring with the big boys is playing on my heartstrings and I just want to help the little guy out.  So think about it Mark Ward.  Think about how your little Stevie would be as Internet champion.

Connor looks upward in contemplation, then his face changes to one of confusion.

Connor Murphy:  I just can’t picture it.  I guess we will have to just hope for the best for Stevie.  And Samuel Devereux…sir, I have to tip my hat to you and the fact that you have so much going on yet are able to get in that ring and take a chance on possibly winning a chance to get one step closer to the Heavyweight title so early in your career in SCW.  I mean you are about to be a father and I did work with your wife and I know that she has a greater partner in you than she did with me.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I know how tough you are and how well the whole Angel Clan are able to wrestle and I have a helluva lot of respect for you but I ain’t going to pull any punches when it comes to the match this week.  And if it means I have to fight you one on one or fight both you and Steve Ramone, then that is what I am going to do.

Connor’s face breaks into a grin as he once more runs his hand through his hair forcing some of it to flop over his forehead.

Connor Murphy:  I have to start to take this serious enough to realize what I should have known all along.  And that is just because I don’t think I need to wear a title to be someone, I need to win said title to get what I deserve and that is respect from the people that see me as a joke.  After Climax Control, the joke is going to be on them because I am going to be telling them point blank, three little words that will sum up my attitude that is starting now.  So Steve and Samuel, best of luck on Sunday.  And to all the superstars of SCW and especially Jimmy Two Aitch…I got three words for ya…

He motions the camera closer then leans forwards almost conspiratorily as he whispers the three fateful words.

Connor Murphy:  Póg mo thóin.

Connor turns and walks away as the image fades slowly to black.

 Voice: ~muffled~ How the fuck do people do this?

The small opaque window is pushed open to reveal a long tubelike structure where a pair of legs in blue jeans and dark boots can be seen exiting.  Other windows seem to be quiet and blanked to keep out the glaring light of the hallway of the capsule hotel where Connor Murphy was trying to get some sleep.  Having to stay in Japan for the duration of the tour was making him edgy and tense.  Looking along the hallway, he rubs his hand through a mess of dark hair that hangs lankly in his eyes.

Connor Murphy:  How am I going to get any sleep in that little bit of a closet?  

Giving the door a slam, Connor moves off in disgust and leaves the corridor and towards the door.  Faces appear in the doors to watch him leave.  One face in particular spies out of the window and seeing Connor brush past the row of capsules, a door swings open to reveal Pussy Willow who leans out and swings her legs out and drops to the floor and begins to follow the man out of the hotel.

Once outside, Connor pulls out a pack of cigarettes and pulls out one slim cigarette and lets it dangle from his lips as he tucks the pack back into his pocket then begins to pat himself down for a lighter.  Suddenly a flame blazes in front of his face which drives him back in surprise.

Pussy Willow:  Relax Connor; I am not trying to burn your face off.

Connor gives her a glare as he slowly inhales the smoke from the burning end of the cigarette and then lets it slowly filter from out of the side of his mouth.  She watches as Connor contemplates the interviewer as he slowly drags another inhalation from the cancerstick.

Pussy Willow:  It isn’t like that either Connor.  I am not here for an interview or anything.  I just couldn’t help but notice how you seemed to be spooked by the capsule room you were in.

Connor nods slowly as he curls a finger around the cigarette and pulls it from his lips as a smile slowly begins to creep across his face.

Connor Murphy:  If I didn’t know better, I would say you are stalking me.  But after all we have been through, you have earned it I guess.

Pussy rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest.

Pussy Willow:  Yeah yeah.  

Connor smirks again and leans back against a small wall.  Pussy moves to stand beside him and hangs her head only to give him a sidewise glance.

Pussy Willow:  So since the two of us are out here and I don’t have and cameras or microphones…

Connor looks her over as she holds her hands out to show that she didn’t have anything held.  Slowly Connor contemplates as he inhales once more.  As the smoke filters out from his lips he begins to speak.

Connor Murphy:  Since you ain’t packing I guess I can finally speak from the heart huh?  

Pussy Willow:  I have always wanted you to speak from the heart Connor.  What makes this different?

Connor smiles almost sadly as he flicks the cigarette ash into his hand.  

Connor Murphy:  You see Puss, the Connor you see at shows, which is a different Connor, a goofy clown Connor out to get a laugh or piss J2H off.  And it’s working if what he says is to be believed.  I am pretty much the only one that has gotten under Jimmy’s skin enough for him to really worry about me.  It’s like I got him by his balls…and not in that nice touchy feely sorta way.  

Pussy Willow:  Okay, that is way too TMI for me.

Connor Murphy:  I know I know but it has to be said Puss.  J2H is worried about facing me.  Hell, if I didn’t know any better I think he thinks that I am a threat but he is just building himself up to look like his balls have dropped enough to make him a man who can actually say that he is the best and you know, maybe he’s right.

Pussy offers a shocked look at Connor who appears to be serious.  Curious, she tilts her head quizzically.

Pussy Willow:  Are you serious Connor?

Connor returns the look in all seriousness for about all of ten seconds before his face breaks out in a grin.

Connor Murphy:  Nah…I ain’t serious because we both know that I couldn’t give two sh*ts about what the hell J2H thinks about me or how much bass is in his talk.  All I know is that on Climax Control I was given a shot at the title that I said I didn’t want right now and maybe I might take advantage of it and maybe I might just say screw it and mess with Jimmy’s mind.  Truth be told, I might just take this opportunity to have fun with Jimmy.  After all, he seems to think that he is the end all of the division…a two bit lightweight with delusions of grandeur.  

Pussy smirks herself at Connor’s observation.

Connor Murphy:  Now that I said my piece I need a drink.  I’d invite you with me but you have too many clothes on for my tastes right about now.  Later toots.

With a smirk, Connor pushes himself off the wall and heads towards the bright lights of the street leaving Pussy to wonder just what happened.

 A table and two chairs sit in the middle of an empty room.  Looking around it reveals nothing as bare walls reflect the blinding glare of the bare light bulb.   Slouched in one of the chairs is a figure whose dark hair flops over his forehead.  One hand plays with a cigarette as the other flicks a lighter which send soft little clicks of flame upwards.  Dressed in a pair of dark denim jeans, black army boots and a dark tshirt that has seen better days, the man slowly watches as the door opens to reveal a man and woman.  They move into the room and the man lets a folder drop onto the table as the woman takes a seat across from the dark haired man slouched in the other chair.  

Man:  Do you realize why you are here?

The man seated in the chair looks up and a slow smirk starts to curl his lips as his eyes light up.  The woman only raises one eyebrow as Connor Murphy leans towards the table and brings his hand up with the cigarette to let it slide between his lips.

Woman:  This is a non-smoking building sir.  

Connor looks at her and then with a shrug, he pockets the lighter but leaves the cigarette to dangle from his lips.  He turns his attention to the man standing with his hands in fists resting on the table.

Connor Murphy:  No sir, why don’t you enlighten me.

The man growls slightly as he flips open the folder to show papers with writing on them.  He takes a finger and lets it trail along the words as he scans them.

Man:  Says here that you are in for attempted robbery according to this.

Connor sits up and leans towards the paper to read for himself the statement on it.  He can’t make out the scrawl of the words but can’t help but smirk wider at the comment at the bottom.

Connor Murphy:  You mean to tell me that you actually believe the crap that is written there?  I mean really?  Attempted robbery?  Of what huh, the Heavyweight title?  Don’t you have better things to do than annoy me with this?

The man glares as the woman smiles slightly at Connor who leans back after offering her a wink.  The man flips the pages again reading the folder.  He slams it closed then moves towards Connor to put his finger right into the face of Murphy who turns a sneer up to the man.

Connor Murphy:  Listen, I didn’t like it when pulled me in here on some flimsy excuse of an attempt to prevent me from the beating I am about to deliver at Blaze of Glory.  But you don’t move that finger out of my face, we are going to have a problem you and I.

The man watches Connor’s eyes narrow slightly as he curls his finger into his fist and jams it into his pocket.  The woman leans forward, her fingers laced together as she sets them on the table.

Woman:  Mr Murphy…

Connor holds his own hand up without looking at the woman at first.  Slowly he turns his head to offer her a smile.

Connor Murphy:  You can call me Connor.

The woman smiles condescendingly at the man who balls his fist at his side then moves behind the woman to lean against what looks like a mirror.  Connor focuses on the woman, totally ignoring the man.

Woman:  Connor then.  Now Connor, we have you here because we need to get to the bottom of this.  We have this young man saying that you are attempting to rob him of something he values highly.  And we have you saying that it isn’t true.  We have a job Mr…Connor and that is to get the facts and only the facts.  Would you care to tell us your side of the story hmmm?

Connor leans back, the cigarette still dangling for a split second before his hand moves up to pull it out of his mouth.  With it stuck between his two fingers he points at the man.  

Connor Murphy:  I’ll tell ya what I know but I ain’t going to if he doesn’t stop glaring at me.  I don’t think that is very nice do you?

The man straightens and moves menacingly towards a smirking Connor only to have the woman restrain him.  The two talk in hushed tones, the woman calmly and the man showing his agitation.  Connor can’t help but smirk more as she gets the final word.  As she does, Connor again brings the cigarette to his lips, the lighter somehow magically in his hand and ignited as it rises towards the cigarette.

Woman:  Do I have to remind you Mr. Mur…Connor that this is a non-smoking building.

Connor looks at her before letting the lighter stop midway to the tip of the cigarette.

Connor Murphy:  What are you going to do?  Arrest me for smoking?

Man:  Damn right we will!

The woman glares up at her partner and shakes her head angrily.  Turning to smile at Connor, she reaches across the table to grasp at the hand holding the lighter and pulls it away from him once it flamed out.  A slight gasping intake of breath is the only indication that she had burned herself on the hot metal of the lighter as she sets it aside.  

Woman:  Connor, why don’t you tell us your side of this story.  We have a statement here from a J2H indicating that he suspects that you are going to try and steal his title.  Is this true?

Connor takes the cigarette from his mouth and tucks it behind his ear as he thinks about what she has just said.  He can’t help but chuckle as he lets his hand wipe at the smirk on his face as he tries to take this seriously.

Connor Murphy:  Are you telling me that Jimmy 2H had you pull me in here because he thinks that I am going to try and steal his title?  I thought Travis Nathaniel Andrews would have been behind this for me trying to rob him of some spotlight he thinks he deserves.   Hmph, I guess James really is afraid of me and what I might be doing at Blaze of Glory.

The man looks at Connor with interest, his eyes lighting up.

Man:  So you mean that you are admitting to committing this crime?  I knew it…

The man reaches for a pair of cuffs that clink as they are pulled from a back pocket.  The woman tries to stop him but the man is too quick for her and slams one of the cuffs against the wrist of Connor who rises quickly to his feet.  Yanking his hand away from the man, Connor rushes around the table to stand behind the woman who steps between him and the man intent on finishing the arrest.

Connor Murphy:  I ain’t admitting to the crime of attempted robbery you jackass.  I am telling you that it is a crime that you believe that little bastard’s lies.  This is his desperate attempt at trying to keep me from winning his title that he knows I am capable of doing so being arrested for attempted robbery would be the least of my worries.

Man:  You had better realize that I can see right through you and I am not too thrilled that you think you shouldn’t be rolled for something we both know you are more than likely planning.  I should beat you down here and now!

Woman:  What about innocent until proven guilty hmmm?

Connor Murphy:  Yeah, where’s a video camera when you need one huh?

Connor’s comment drives the man to lunge towards him with his hands curled into stiffened fingers that itch to wrap themselves around Connor’s neck.  The only prevention is the woman who steps up to her partner and puts her hands on his chest to hold him back.  The two hold a whispered conversation that Connor pretends to ignore.  He moves to sit back down, the cuff dangling from his wrist as the man stomps towards the door and yanks it open angrily.  Standing in the open doorway, he motions for another person to join the woman in the room.

Woman:  My partner is going to get coffee, can he get you anything?

Connor Murphy:  How about a bottle of beer and some pretzels?

The man sneers as the woman lowers her head, shaking it slightly her hair hiding a slight smirk.  The man pointedly ignores Connor’s request as he softly speaks to a uniformed officer who nods once then turns to leave.  Connor only smirks as he lounges back into the chair once more.  The man closes the door then leans back against it as the woman again looks up at Connor.

Woman:  So Connor, where were we?

Man:  He was admitting to wanting to steal…

Connor glares as he leans forward to point at the woman.

Connor Murphy:  Like I said, I am not going to rob James.  Get it right, he has to defend that title, hell, he was the one that made the challenge so as a matter of fact that would mean that he is offering it up to be taken, actually giving it away in a sense.  And I ask you…to give away the title, is that a crime?

The man’s look of anger fades slightly as the common sense of what Connor is trying to say begins to influence his thoughts.  The woman crosses her legs as she leans towards Connor.

Woman:  Continue sir.

Connor pauses for a moment, collecting his thoughts before beginning to speak.

Connor Murphy:  Take for instance all the crap that James has been saying about me.  Talking about how I was only able to join Sin City Wrestling because of Vixen Staggs and her pillowtalk with her husband.   And if that wasn’t enough, he had the nerve to say it was because I wanted to bang her that I would talk to Vix...

The man leans forward at the lewd comment, his mouth slightly agape as if the slightest suggestion of copulation was titillating him.

Man:  Well…did you?

Connor Murphy:  I grew up with Vixen and her brother is my best friend.  Of course I wanted to but I didn’t act on it.  I mean really…keep your mind a little higher than the gutter for once.  Vixen is more like a sister to me if you really must know so that is totally off the table.

The man straightens as he wipes at his lips, hiding the slight spot of drool with a hand covering a cough so blatantly faked that the woman’s eyes roll before she turns back to Connor.

Woman:  So Connor, if you are only going to be facing this man in the ring, why then would he have us pick you up for attempted robbery?

Connor Murphy:  Maybe the question you have to ask yourself is why in the hell is James 2 H needed to get you involved.  If you ask me it is because the boy is desperate.  After all he understands what this is going to mean if I walk into that match and win his title.  It is going to mean that he is nothing more than a fluke, a flash in the pan that only managed to get the win because he was at the right place and the right time.  See, he keeps boasting about being the man of the hour by winning that gauntlet.  Yeah so he won one match that happened to be for a title.  Big deal.  

The woman and man share a look as Connor rubs his hand through his hair as his fingers wrap themselves around the cigarette and brings it forward again.  The woman’s eyebrow rises slowly as Connor sets it between his lips and lets a grin pass over his face.

Connor Murphy:  The lighter is still in my pants doll, don’t worry..I know, non-smoking building and all.  Guess I just need to have the feel of it there as I talk.  So where was I?

Woman:  Something about a big deal winning the title in one match…

Connor nods as his tongue moves over the bottom lip to the side of the cigarette.

Connor Murphy:   Yeah, the big deal of winning one match, so the brat prince managed to be lucky for one day.  One match is all that it takes and I hope that he realizes that it might only take me one match to take that title off of him.  And if I do I want him to know that I am having my one match.  And if I don’t win after that, at least I was able to shut him up.  Because in reality that is what everyone wants.

Man:  Not everyone.  He has to have fans.

Connor chuckles slightly as his body ripples from the hilarity he is fighting back.

Connor Murphy:  Oh yeah he has a fan or two at least one or two on twitter.  Oh don’t get me wrong, there are a bunch of groupies that only love him because he looks like a certain Canadian singer but if you ask me, I don’t see it.

Woman:  What do you mean you don’t see it?

Connor motions for his interrogators to move closer.  As they do, he brings his hand up to motion them even closer.   Looking around the room as if trying to hide a secret, Connor begins to whisper.

Connor Murphy:  I think that they think he looks like Bieber.  I tell you, I don’t see it.  Bieber is so much more mature and better looking.

The woman sits back with a look of shock on her face.  The man smirks at the comment and nods knowingly.   Looking at the woman, the man begins to take over the questioning.

Man:  So we know you seem to think that Mr. Huntington-Hawkes isn’t telling us the whole truth about this title he keeps harping about.  But I tell you that he is convinced that you are about to steal it.  Or at least take it from him and he wants to prevent that in the worst way.  I mean seriously.  I believe the quote he used was “Put that sonuvabitch away for good and I’ll make it worth your while.”  Now I could do that and he could end up fixing me up nicely but I want you to prove to me that I don’t want to do that

Connor can see that the man wants him to offer him more than what James 2H was.  Connor leans back and puts his feet up on the table and gives the man a smirk.

Connor Murphy:  What do you want me to say, ain’t like I got the money to match James.  Hell maybe I don’t even have the moves or the fan or shit like that.  But what I do have is my self-respect.  Hell I can sit here and listen to him talk through you about how he is the champion and that he deserves to be.  About how I talk all goth like and dark like some emo kid.  Shit like that makes me laugh.  

Woman:  How can you say that?  What do you mean?

Connor Murphy:  I mean he’s talking about me not wanting to do his little game of being in the face of everyone in the company.  Going out to the ring talking the talk, again I have to just really call bullshit on that.  Yeah I don’t do the ring thing.  So what if I decide that I want to get into my zone rather than make a spectacle of myself for the fans.  I don’t have to go out and make myself be a carbon copy of the brat prince by saying all the stuff he does.  See, when I talk about having self-respect, I mean I don’t go out and whine like a little bitch about how I don’t want the title and when I win it I will give it up like he did.  

The man looks uncomfortable as Connor spears him with a glance as his hand rises and thumps against his chest.  

Connor Murphy:  I speak from the heart.  I don’t like the mind games and the excuses that James uses.    Point blank and straight shooting is the only way I know how to do this.  I don’t rely on anyone.  I don’t need a groupie to stroke my ego.  I don’t need the adoration of a unicorn wannabe stalker who keeps suggesting he is her everything to feed my confidence.  And I sure as hell ain’t cocky enough to believe that I can’t be beaten like he keeps suggesting.  Anyone can be beaten just like he proved at My Bloody Valentine when he won the title.  

Crossing his arms over his chest, the man sniff in disbelief at the comments that Connor is making which only makes Connor shake his head as he gets to his feet.  As he does, the woman rises as well as the man moves to stand in front of Connor.

Man:  What do you think you are doing?

Connor shoots him a look as he holds up the cigarette in his fingers and waves it in the face of the man.

Connor Murphy:  You are either going to let me smoke this in here or we can go outside and finish our little conversation.  Your choice big man…make me break the law or follow it.

The woman smirks from behind Connor’s back as the man growls and then motions at the cuffs.

Man:  If that is what we are going to do, then you need to have these on.

Connor lets his lips compress together before bringing up his hands to enable the man to cuff him properly.  Once he is cuffed, he offers an elbow to the woman and smiles.  She slides her arm through his as the pair exit the room.  The man follows behind as they work their way from the interrogation room and into the parking lot.

Once outside, the woman leans against a patrol car as Connor puts the cigarette into his lips and reaches for the lighter in his pocket.  Bringing both hands up as he sparks the cigarette and then sucks in a slow burn of smoke.  Blowing it out just as slowly, he leans beside the woman who begins to talk again.

Woman:  Well, if we are to believe Mr Hawkes, you are in the match and this Travis character is in the match too.  But listening to Mr Hawkes, he seems to think you are more of a threat than Mr. Andrews.  What are your thoughts about that sir?

Connor leans towards the woman using his shoulder to give her a friendly nudge.

Connor Murphy:  I would say he’s probably right.  But I didn’t say that.  Matter of a fact, Travis ain’t really registering on my radar because I don’t really worry when I step in the ring.  James does because I want to shut him up in the worst way but Travis Andrews…What has he done in Sin City really?  I mean I know I haven’t been memorable to most of the roster because I tend to come up a little short…

The man chuckles and mutters ‘a little short’ with a snigger that gets Connor’s attention.  The man wipes at his smile and turns away as the woman shakes her head at him.  

Connor Murphy:  As I was saying, Travis just doesn’t worry me at all because he is just as cocky as the champion is.  And if you ask me that is just asking for trouble you know.  I mean I could kick his ass just as easily and totally cut James out of the title picture all together.   Yeah, can you picture that happening, me kicking the crap out of Travie and pinning him to win the title.  I wonder if James even thought of that?

Woman:  Oh I am sure that has crossed his mind once or twice.  

Connor Murphy:  You’re probably right.  James couldn’t be that dumb even though he’s got Melody Grace rubbing off on him or rubbing him or some such nonsense.   Watching those conversations on Twitter…would make anyone sick to their stomachs.    

The man once more wipes at the drool on his lips at the suggestion of wrestler porn action.  Connor inhales another long drag from the cigarette then putting his fingers along the filter, he pulls it away to let the smoke trickle from his lips as he contemplates the glowing ember at the end before flicking it towards the man who jumps to avoid being burned.  

Connor Murphy:  So I suppose now that I am done my cig we can go back inside.  

The woman stands again as Connor moves towards the station and begins to climb the stairs.  He stops at the top of the stairs as the pair follow behind him.  He watches as they get to the stair just below where he is standing and as they look up at him, he smiles.

Connor Murphy:  I just thought of something.  You two ain’t got me for anything you know.  James wouldn’t be desperate enough to have me charged with anything because he knows that I am a threat and that his title reign wouldn’t be legit if he didn’t beat me in that ring.  And Travis wants to prove once and for all that he is some kind of significant contribution to the company and here I am just walking into the match with only one thing on my agenda.

The man looks at Connor with a cocky smirk on his face as he crosses his arms once more.

Man:  Oh really, and what could that be?

Connor Murphy:  I’m just looking for a fight plain and simple…like the one that is going to happen in about five seconds…

Connor swings at the man sending him to the pavement with a double ax handle to the jaw.  The woman reaches for something in a pocket as Connor is surrounded by officers and men.  Fighting his way through the group he is about to make his escape when the woman steps in front of him and holds up her hand, a small black instrument in her grip.  Connor moves closer as her finger presses inwards and the soft twang of the leads being released and the umph of pain that escapes Connor on their impact.  Suddenly the thrum of electricity is heard as Connor is taken down and begins to twitch uncontrollably…

Connor jolts awake in his own bed, shivers still working their way through his body as if the dream was real.  On the dresser across from his bed, the snow of the television is barely heard as he runs a hand over his now sweating face.  Self consciously laughing at himself, Connor swings his feet out of the bed and onto the floor.
 
Connor Murphy:  It was a dream…holy hell.  

Looking at the clock, Connor sees that it is only four am and then with a groan falls backwards onto the bed as he reaches for the remote.  The last thing seen in the room is Connor’s hand pointing the remote at the television and pressing a button.  As the room goes dark, Connor’s voice breaks the silence of it.

Connor Murphy:  Won’t be a dream on Sunday for sure…

 The sound of chuckling can be heard coming from a rather sparse apartment.  The typical wall decorations that one would expect are nowhere to be seen as if the room was in the middle of dressing.  The furniture scattered around the room was eclectic and mismatched.  The large, plush recliner indicated comfort and relaxation while the square couch wasn’t inviting at all.  In the middle of it, Connor Murphy stood his cell in his hand as he looked around at the mess of his livingroom. Taking in the boxes of leftover Chinese slowly congealing and the bottles of a rather boisterous party resting on the table, Connor smirks as he listens to whoever it is on the phone.

“I know sweetheart but I couldn’t wait to get back to Vegas.  Dev said he was going to throw me a bash for winning against Alexis and Steve.  Tessa love, you know I wish you were here but Dev couldn’t wait,” Connor explains.  He rubs his hands through his hair making it stand more on end.  Dressed in only a pair of rather baggy flannel pajama pants and nothing else, Connor sighs and nods as he listens before ending the conversation.  

“I’ll see you when you get back,” he says as he pulls the phone away from his ear and presses release.  As he hangs up the phone the door to one of the bedrooms opens and a young blonde woman walks out in a barely there dress that had seen better nights on better floors.  Connor swallows and self-consciously tries to cover himself.  

The girl only giggles and then with a quick wave, she moves towards the kitchen area and looks around for a coffee maker or kettle.  “I don’t suppose you have anything to make coffee do you?” she asks with a confused look on her face as her hunt proves fruitless.  

Still standing in the living room, Connor shakes his head slowly with a shrug.  “I ain’t seen the need to get anything like that,” he says as he scratches at his bare chest then as if almost realizing that he was nearly naked, he moves to grab a shirt out of his room.  As he opens the door, a redhead is reaching for the other side and squeaks in surprise.  Connor staggers back slightly then motions her through the door before disappearing himself into the room.  Through the open door he can hear the two women begin to chatter about coffee and breakfast.

Taking a moment to confirm that his bed was now empty, he opens the closet to reveal a row of tees and button up flannels.  Grabbing a worn greyish tee with his image on it, he throws it over his head and struggles to get his arms into it.   Catching a look at himself in the mirror, he smirks then brushes his hands down his head to flatten out his hair into some semblance of order.  

Walking back into the living room, Connor spies his friend Devlin Lefebvre smirking as he has an arm over the shoulders of each of the girls.  Connor can see the lack of sleep has given Dev a haunted look with sunken eyes that are in total contrast to the rather large “shit eating” grin on his face.  Looking from the blonde to the brunette, Devlin spares a glance for his friend.  “Mindy and Cindy here are going to get ready then the four of us are going out for breakfast,” says Dev as he gently gives the girls a push toward the bathroom.  The brunette turns and gives him a wrinkled nose look as she puts one hand on her hip.  “My name’s not Mindy silly, it’s Mandy!” she exclaims which only causes Devlin to walk over and put a knuckle under her chin and offer her a rather charming smile.  

“Mindy, Mandy..Cindy Candy…both of you are the sweetest things,” he jokes as once again he points them towards the bathroom and offers each a soft pat on their bottoms.  With a giggle, the two of them disappear into the other room as Devlin turns to his friend. “Do you think she picked up on the fact that I forgot who she was?” he asks worriedly.  

“Nah, no clue whatsoever,” answers Connor as he grabs at the fridge door and pulls it open to reveal a rather sparse selection of beer and water bottles with a lone bottle of ketchup and half a loaf of moldy bread that he pulls out with two fingers before tossing it out.  Rubbing his hands along the flannel to clean them, Connor swipes at a water bottle and slams the door shut.  As he does, he hears the shower start.  “So Dev, what do we have planned for this week?” he demands as he turns to find Dev reading his cell phone in the plush recliner.  

Devlin looks at the man then waves the phone at him.  “Looks like you got an email here to do an interview on a public access television show.  Email says they want to talk to you about the Blast from the Past match you have this week.  What, you don’t get time off?”

Connor shakes his head and moves to the couch to sit down.  “Life of a wrestler…” he mumbles at his friend before sipping at the drink.

Devlin nods as if he completely understood the comment before once again looking at the phone.  “So you never said who you were facing,” adds Dev.

“Despnphsyl,” mumbles Connor as he looks away.

“Huh?” replies Dev with a quirked eyebrow.

“Despy and Crystal,” enunciates Connor with an aggrieved look on his face.  “I’m facing a spoiled movie starlet and a perpetual motion manchild that I have faced before and who kept me from winning the Internet title when I faced him.  That little guy is all over the place and about as easy to catch as a streak of lightning.”

“You can catch him Con,” vows Devlin.  “He’s gotta face you in the ring and when he does come at you, kick the crap out of him and ground him.  If he can’t bounce around, he can’t fight back,” says Devlin.  “Ground the monkey and you got it made in the shade.  Speaking of shade…those girls are taking an awfully long time in the shower, maybe I should check on them,” he offers as he pulls himself out of the chair and moves at a slow pace to the bathroom door, his eyebrows waggling as he shoots a glance back at his friend.  Opening the door, he calls out to them.  “Everything ok in here?”

A feminine giggle escapes the room as one voice can be heard to complain that there wasn’t anyone to wash their backs.  Devlin looks at his friend and then putting his hand over his heart, he turns back to the girl.  “I am so willing to lend a hand ladies,” he offers beform motioning with his other hand to Connor to join him.  Dev walks into the bathroom to be greeted with more giggles.  

Connor pulls himself off the couch then moves slowly to the bathroom.  About half way, Devlin’s voice urges him to hurry as Mandy or Cindy was waiting.  Stopping only to pull the tee over his head Connor moves into the bathroom as his friend can be heard to say that they were there to help.

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Connor stands outside of a small nondescript building in downtown, a pair of sunglasses covering his eyes and a cigarette hanging from his lips.  Dressed in a pair of jeans with an NXT Rogue world tour shirt hidden under an open leather jacket Connor looks relaxed as he takes the cancerstick from his mouth then lets it drop in front of him only to stifle it with one twist of his boot.

“Excuse me, are you Connor Murphy?” asks a smaller man who moves up to Connor.  Connor turns and nods only to be waved into the building.  “We’ve been waiting for you.”

Connor follows him into the building and into a studio that has a homemade set with the words “Point/Counterpoint” in white against a rather blinding swirl of color.  Connor walks further into the studio only to see an image of a bear on a television screen.  Recognizing Angel, Connor turns quickly to look for the bear.

“Mr. Angel is not in the studio Mr. Murphy.  He sends his regrets but he did send the responses to the questions that I am going to be asking the both of you concerning your match at Climax Control in Tempe,” says the little man who moves towards a camera and begins to discuss the lighting and set up of the set.

Connor moves towards the desk and picks up the small nametag that is resting in front of the chair where he is to sit.  Sitting in the folding chair, Connor twists slightly and puts his feet up to wait for the start of the show.  As he does, the host of the show appears in a rather loud and checked suit jacket with a contrasting tie.  Moving to sit between Connor and the screen, he looks up at the camera.

“So are we ready to start the show Dex?” he says in a Ron Burgundy voice of a seventies newcaster.   At a nod from his director, the journalist runs his hands over the patently fake moustache gracing his upper lip.  “Then let’s get this show on the road shall we?”

Connor pulls his feet down as the camera focus on the newcaster who gargles quickly with an amber liquid that he swallows before checking his breath.  Once he smiles at the scent of whiskey covered in mint is achieved, he motions for the cameraman to begin to film.

“Good evening and welcome to Point Counterpoint Sin City Wrestling and tonight my guests are the image of Angel, the manager of Despayre who sadly could not be here,” says the journalist while a laugh track cheers before he continues, “and his client’s opponent in the match, Connor Murphy.”  The track changes from cheers to boos which makes Connor look around then glare at the announcer.  “Tonight I am going to get the point, counter point between these two.  Since Angel and Despayre could not be here, I have sent the questions to them before tonight and have received their responses..”

The announcer smirks into the camera as he waves the papers in his hand then straightens out the papers in front of him.  As he does, Connor looks over to attempt to read the responses that even from his view can be seen to be written in purple crayon.

“Our first question I guess we should be asking is just what do you think your chances will be when the two of you face off in the ring.  I mean the last time the two of you were in a match against each other you were fighting for the Internet title which,” the newscaster pauses to glance at the notes on the paper. “Despayre won handily.”

“Whoa whoa whoa,” says Connor as he holds up his hands to argue the comment.  “Despayre didn’t win handily.  If I remember correctly, I managed to give him the fight of his life.  I almost took his title that night and this week I have a chance to kick him out of the tournament,” adds Connor before leaning back to cross his arms over his chest as he smirks at the image of Angel.  As he does, the sound of a fax machine can be heard in the back behind the announcer who turns and pulls out the sheet.

“According to this, Mr. Angel does agree with Connor but his version is slightly different.  He acknowledges that Despayre sometimes thinks that he doesn’t deserve the wins because he is going to be beaten by opponents and I have to remind him that he is a winner,” reads the announcer as a track of “aww” can be heard from the sound board.  Connor can’t believe the onesidedness of the interview as he leans forward.

“Listen I am giving it to Despy, that little energizer bunny is a tough little ball of fluff but in that ring something happens to me when I get inside of it.  I tend to get into the mood to fight and when that happens, well, might not be a good thing for Despy,” says Connor with a smirk.  Only moments later, the fax once more goes off and another message comes through.

“According to this message, Mr. Angel says that Despayre is like that too.  He can be funloving but when it comes to matches, however he knows how to get down to business too.  Have you seen the other men he has faced…bigger men and tougher men than Connor there…I mean here.”

Rolling his eyes, Connor motions at the fax machine then at the screen.  “Listen, I am debating this match over a public access show against a bear for…” Connor’s expletive filled response is bleeped out in the studio which makes him cover his ears in pain.  “Who was the nimrod that contacted me for this shit?” he demands as the laugh track once again boos him.  Ignoring them, he pulls out his cell phone and swipes his fingers across the screen and begins to scroll through his emails.  Suddenly he stops then looks up at the people in the studio that are desperately trying to avoid his eyes.  Narrowing his eyes, he glares at the studio occupants and holds up his phone.  “Who is Despyfan#1?”

The producer of the show smirks as he holds up his hand.  “I am and I am totally making you look bad by making you do this while we have someone sending those faxes to us from the other room…”

Connor throws up his hands and then glaring at the producer, he pulls at the microphone that is attached to his shirt and tosses it at the desk before walking off without another word.  The newscaster looks right into the camera.  “As you can see, Connor Murphy is a volatile maniac that is going to be humbled by Despayre in the semi finals of the Blast from the Past Tournament.  We gave you the exclusive and I for one think that…”

The newscaster is interrupted by the fax machine going off again.  He reaches over expecting another sending from the other room but instead is looking at a drawing of a very angry growling bear.  Looking up at the screen he notices that the image has changed to reveal the chair empty as the sounds of claws can be heard walking away accompanied by a few well placed growls before the chick of coins into a jar can be heard off screen.

“This says that Despayre will no longer respond to any requests from you about appearing on your show in the future.”

Connor leaves the studio angrily, his hand rummaging in his pocket for a cigarette.  Just as he makes his way to the front door, a scream of what sounds like someone dying can be heard carrying on the air towards him.  “Wonder what happened there,” he comments almost to himself as he pushes open the door and disappears outside.

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A man can be seen sitting in a chair, one leg over the arm as he slowly swirls a glass with an amber liquid topped with a cream colored foam in it.  The man, with a mop of unkempt dark hair and the stubble of a couple of days shadowing his chin, smirks as if no one else is in the room.

“Blast from the Past tournament,” he begins before facing the camera to reveal it is Connor Murphy who is talking.  Behind the camera, Devlin can be seen watching the small screen of the camcorder.  “This is the farthest I have made it in the tournament and don’t get me wrong, I know I am one hell of a wrestler but seriously, I can’t claim all the glory.”

Swilling at the glass that he brings to his lips, he licks at the remnant of foam stuck to the peachy fuzz on his upper lip.  

“I have to believe that my partner is one heck of a wrestler as well.  Melanie Gabrielle is a former champion that still is in the title picture like the warrior that she is.  I gotta give that girl props for helping me get this far.  And I gotta give props to the people that I faced who made me that much better.  I mean seriously, if it wasn’t for them, I would have been in the first round and out of the tournament like that,” he volunteers as he tries to snap his fingers.  The lack of skill reveals that his blood alcohol might not be one hundred percent pure…

“This week I am in the semi finals,” he begins with a smirk as he holds up the now half empty glass to toast the camera.  “And my opponents this week are Crystal Millar, silver screen queen…” Connor snickers as he motions to his crotch area with his empty hand as his glass filled one moves to tap at his nose.  “And ‘her’ partner Despayre.”

Devlin nods and laughs at Connor’s comment which makes the camera move up and down shakily.  “Too funny Con,” says Dev who reaches for his own glass to take a large sip.

Connor looks sagely at the camera only to let out a soft belch before starting to talk again.  “Despayre, one hell of a wrestler or monkey or whatever you call him.  I have faced him a bunch of times and he has beaten me every time…well most of the time it was in tag matches.  And I have to give it to him that he can pull out the win from anywhere.  But maybe, maybe it won’t come down to him and me Dev.”

Devlin can be heard to murmur into his drink.  Connor nods like he understood the comment.  “I know, I have to realize that I am probably seen as the missing link…”

“Weakest link,” interrupts Devlin as he moves the close up button.

Connor stops and shoots Devlin a questioning look.  “Huh?”

“It’s weakest link Con,” says Devlin.  “Missing link is like between monkeys and men.

“The way Despayre wrestles, maybe he is the missing link?  After all he is all over that ring like some kind of squirrel monkey,” says Connor with a shrug.  “But either way, I have to give it to the little man, he’s one hell of a monkey in that ring.”

“That’s what Adams keeps saying when he calls Despayre’s matches.  But seriously Con…”

Connor holds up his hand holding the now empty drink.  “Dev, I ain’t worried about the match.   I got this match scouted well and if I don’t win then I can shift my focus.  And if I do win, I can still shift my focus slightly.”  Connor smiles as he fights to stand up then stumbles towards the kitchen.  Yanking open the door of the fridge, he looks inside then leans against it to shout at his friend.  “Dev, you finished the bottle?  What the f..”

Connor claps a hand over his mouth as he notices that Devlin has pointed the camera in his direction.  “Language Connor, kids could be watching,” teases Devlin.  Connor glares at his friend then slams the door shut and sets the glass on the counter before leaning his hands on it and smirking into the camera.

“Despayre, I bet you aren’t worried about this match,” Connor says.  “You will probably think back to our other matches and other fights and that’s ok.  I tell you, manchild, you go.  But this tournament is not about just you and me, it is about Crystal and Mel, our partners.  And maybe it will come down to those two or it may come down to us.  And if it does, fine.  But I need to promise you something little man.  One way or another in this tournament I have done some things that have been considered firsts.”

Looking harder into the camera, the genial smile on Connor’s lips freezes slightly.  “One of the firsts is that I made it past the first round, the second is that I have made it to the semifinals and the third just might be that I am going to beat you for the first time in my career.  With no title on the line, just the two of us on opposite teams and when the two of us are in the ring I have to tell you that I ain’t going to hold back one bit.  And if I win, I win.  If I lose, I lose.  But one way or another I am going to prove to everyone that I am where I am supposed to be and that is in the top tier of wrestlers in Sin City.”

Connor leans forward once more and smirks into the camera, his good humor restored.  “Win lose or draw Despy, it is going to be a pleasure to face you across the ring because you are one of the measuring sticks that people measure themselves against.  And granted that I ain’t been able to get past you with a win, there is always a first time for everything.”

Devlin once more sends the camera view into a close up of Connor’s face, focusing on his eyes that reveals the slow sobering of Connor Murphy.

“Just one last message for my partner Mel, I am going to be ready at Climax Control so fear not, I won’t let you down because I know you won’t be letting me down,” he says before moving into the living room once more.  “That’s enough Dev, my throat’s dry and you drank all the juice.  Let’s find us a bar to wet our lips and find the next Ms Right Now.”

The friends start to laugh as Devlin presses stop the sets the camera down.  The two reach for the keys to the apartment and exit as the scene fades out.

 Supercard aftermath…

Sitting on a crate outside the backstage area after the match where he had lost the titles with Tim, Connor looks at his partner who is leaning against the crate beside him.  Connor can see how distant Tim is and debates whether or not to comment.  Reaching into the his hoodie, Connor pulls out a pack of cigarettes and offers it to Tim who pulls out a cigarette and lights up before handing them back.

Taking the slightly crumpled package into his hand, Connor pulls the final cancer stick out and sets it between his lips, his lighter flashing as it sparks then flickers with a flame that makes the end of the cigarette glow.  He lets the smoke curl around his head and smiles at the familiar burn.

Tim Staggs:  Look man, I’m sorry about tonight.  I thought that I had…

Connor holds a hand up stopping Tim and then letting his hand fall onto the shoulder of his younger partner.

Connor Murphy:  Whoa, don’t even go there Tim.  Maybe it is better that we lost tonight.  After all you have a lot on your mind with coming off the pills and Grimm and all the shit that you are going through.  Gives you time to deal with it yanno, away from the pressure of being champ.  

Tim smiles slightly at that as Connor takes another long inhale of the cigarette.  The pair stands there smoking and watching the night and the activity around them.

Connor Murphy:  But I have to tell you Timmy, I saw that you signed up for the Blast from the Past tournament.  You sure that is something that you think you are up to?  Especially when Grimm and that looney is fucking with your mind?

Tim only nods as he takes a final drag of the cigarette then sends the butt flying through the air, the faint glow the last the pair sees.  Connor can understand Tim’s reluctance to talk about Grimm and that woman so doesn’t push.  Before any more can be said, Tim pushes off the crate and turns towards the locker rooms.

Tim Staggs:  You coming?

Connor shakes his head with a smile.  

Connor Murphy:  Nah, I got something to say to Benny Boy then I am heading to the hotel.  We’ll talk soon.  Take care of yourself kiddo.

Smirking, he reaches across the space between them to ruffle Tim’s hair like he was a little boy which only makes Tim protest and swat at Connor’s hand.  The two Nobodies share a hard gripped handshake that Connor uses to pull Tim close.

Connor Murphy:  If you need me, all it takes is a call and I’ll have your back.

Tim Staggs:  I know Connor, I know.  Hopefully I won’t need to use it.

With that, the pair separates each headed in their own direction.  Connor makes a quick stop at the locker room and grabs something before quickly disappearing around the corner and out of camera view.

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Blast from the Past teaming…

The hotel in Paris wasn’t the best.  But for Connor, the only reason he needed it was for the place to collapse after meeting up with his partner for the Blast from the Past tournament.  Being randomly teamed up with Melanie Gabrielle for the tournament gave him a good chance at making a run for the tournament and lead him to a chance at facing the champion for the Heavyweight title.  

The meeting went well, considering that he had a face to face in the bar owned by his partner’s family member.  He smiled drunkenly into the mirror that mocked him as he stood in the foyer of his room and fought with his boots.  Finally he reaches down and yanks at the laces that are tangled in Gordian knots.  Mumbling an expletive, he moves into the room and collapses on the bed to look up at the ceiling.  

Suddenly the Dropkick Murphys can be heard as Connor fights to find his cell phone.  Pulling it from his front pocket, he presses the answer button and without bringing the phone to his ear, calls out hello into the receiver.

Pussy Willow:  Connor Murphy, I was wondering what you are doing and if it would be possible to talk to you about the blast from the Past tournament.  I can come over right now if you like.

Connor smirks and shakes his head.

Connor Murphy:  I don’t think so toots, too much water between us.

Pussy Willow:  What are you talking about?  You aren’t in Vegas or California?

Connor Murphy:  Nope, in Paris enjoying the view of my hotel ceiling right about now.  It’s like…

Squinting his eyes he lifts his arm up to peer at his bare wrist then rolls with a groan to look at the clock radio on the table beside the bed.

Connor Murphy:  Half past put me to bed time.  

Pussy Willow:  But Connor, I wanted to ask you about the tournament and the fact that you are teamed up with Melanie Gabrielle.

Connor Murphy:  Well if you don’t mind doing this over the phone I will be more than willing to talk.  Hell if I was allowed to cut a promo drunk, I would so be on Facebook live or whatever the hell that app is.  So Pussy, why don’t we do this and then you can let me sleep this prehangover off before I need to be at the airport.

For a moment the line is silent.  Connor pulls the phone away from his ear to look at it.  He can hear Pussy agree to the interview so he smiles and very precisely points his finger and hits speaker then lets the phone drop on the bed beside him.

Connor Murphy:  Okay Pussy…shoot!

Pussy Willow:  Well I guess the first question has to be how do you feel being tagged up with Melanie Gabrielle in the tournament?  She is a former champion and is a very tough competitor.

Connor resumes looking up at the ceiling as he thinks a response for the question.

Connor Murphy:  Teaming up with Melanie Gabrielle is like getting a free pass to an insiders chance at something great.  I mean have you seen the way the girl is able to kick ass like a professional?  

Pussy Willow:  But she lost her match at the supercard when she challenged for the Bombshell tag titles.

Connor Murphy:  Yeah I saw but then again, I lost my match at My Bloody Valentine too.  So just means that both of us are looking for redemption.  And the best way to get that is winning this tournament.  And from our discussions today over some beer and this meady thing, the two of us are on the same page when it comes to what we have planned.

Pussy Willow:  And just what do you have planned Connor?

Connor Murphy:  WE plan to win Pussy.

Connor smirks then yawns.  On the other end of the line Pussy can be heard to hum slightly as she is contemplating her next question.  Connor rolls on his side and tucks his arm under his head.

Pussy Willow:  So Connor, we heard that that you will be facing Derek Thorne and Mercedes Vargas.  Thoughts?

Connor Murphy:  Yeah Derek Thorne, I know him.  Tough as nails and ready to kick ass just like I am.  So I think that it will be one hell of a match..

Pussy  Willow:  And Mercedes?

Connor Murphy:  She is the problem for Mel.  I ain’t allowed to touch her am I?  

Connor yawns again and lets his eyes close as Pussy again hums as she thinks of another question.

Pussy Willow:  So Connor…

Connor Murphy:  Zzzz

Pussy Willow:  Connor?

Pussy keeps calling out Connor’s name as he sleeps on, snoring loudly.  Rolling over, Connor hangs up the phone as Pussy is calling his name as the scene fades out.

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The image of Connor Murphy can be seen flickering on a screen and he begins to talk.

Connor Murphy:  I am sitting here and I thought about my match this week for the Blast for the Past tournament and I have to tell you that I am looking forward to this match against Derek Thorne and Mercedes Vargas.  People are probably going to be saying that Mel and I won’t stand a chance since we have to face the new Bombshell Internet Champion and Derek Thorne, someone who hasn’t been in the ring for over a year.  I am going to let Mel handle Mercedes but I am going to direct my thoughts to Derek.

Derek, I remember you and I know the pair of us were like family thanks to Spike and Vixen and NXT.  And I know the pair of us are both ready and willing to fight.  And I am looking forward to getting in the ring with you.  And I am very ready to stand toe to toe with you and just have a blast trading punches.

Win or lose, I will be enjoying the match one way or another.

With a smile he reaches and presses a button that sends the image to snow.

 Smoke curls around a hoodie covered head as Connor Murphy stands outside of the hotel, the dark held at bay by a rather weak florescent bulb.  Not your normal hotel to say the least as the young man inhales another burning drag of the cigarette hanging from his lips.  Beside him Tim can be seen resting on the half wall advertising the hotel.  Connor can’t help but shake his head at the blank stare on the face of his partner and reaches up to pull the smoke from his lips and rests his hand on the shoulder of Tim.

Connor Murphy:  You know what Tim, I gotta tell you that those meds you are on, totally taking you to another place.  Do you think you really want to go there?

Tim turns his cold eyes to Connor, a ghost of a smile cracking the intense look on his face.

Tim Staggs:  Whatever place it is, starting to feel like home to me.

Connor can’t help but wince at that comment.  This Tim wasn’t the Tim he joined the Nobodies to tag with.  This was a different Tim, a distant Tim…a Tim that needed to be jolted out of whatever this drug was making him.

Connor Murphy:  Don’t you think maybe you might want to ditch the dozy drugs and get back to the Nobody everybody knows and loves?

Tim Staggs:  Loves?  Really Connor…sounds more like you are on drugs.

The young Staggs chuckles at the irony of the joke before dragging more smoke into his lungs.  Exhaling slowly, Tim once more faces forward, his eyes focused on something that Connor just can’t see.

Tim Staggs:  Besides Con, keeping the fear at bay is a good thing.  Not feeling is a good thing and keeping the monster inside calm is the best thing of all.

Connor Murphy:  Maybe what we need is the monster considering who we are facing this week and defending our titles against.  Let’s let the monster come out and play.  Point you in the direction of Raab and his Frankenbride and let you do what you do best.

Tim smirks slightly at that comment before the smirk fades to be replaced by the ever present blank look that Connor has been seeing recently.  Sitting beside his partner as he flicks his butt into the night air, Connor begins to stare off into the distance.  Tim spares him a glance from the corner of his eye.

Tim Staggs:  You don’t seem happy…

Connor Murphy:  I ain’t.  I’m more worried about someone that I see as my brother.  Tim man these drugs are messing you up.  I get that Grimm did some ef’ed up crap to you but this shouldn’t faze you man.  You are a Staggs for sobbing out loud.  I fought beside your dad and you and the two of you are more alike than you would like to think.  Dude, if Spike was…

Tim shoots to his feet and turns on Connor.

Tim Staggs:  I ain’t my father!  He’d be stronger than me you are thinking I bet!

Tim turns abruptly to walk away but is stopped by Connor who is also on his feet and angered.

Connor Murphy:  If you would have let me finish instead of getting your underoos in a bunch you would have heard me say that if Spike was tough, you are just as tough.  Listen Mister Exposed Nerve, not everyone is against you you know.  Hell if you would stop and think for a minute that I am on your side you would realize that I am trying to help you not lose you.

Connor slams his hands onto the shoulders of Tim, shaking him slightly.

Connor Murphy:  I get it Tim boyo, you had a hell of a scare but you need to get over it.  You are one half of the tag champions.  And this week we are in a title defense against the Monstimals.  And if that ain’t a bitch, we got Ben Jordan wanting to face us for the titles with his friend Simon.  So I need you on the same frickin’ page but the way you been coasting through on that Xanax makes me think you ain’t there.  So are we or not?

Like some bulldog, Connor again gives Tim a slight shake that seems to wake him up slightly. Bringing his hands up between them, Tim lays it on the shoulder of Connor who leans in angrily, eye to eye with his partner almost willing him to snap.

Tim Staggs:  Yeah Con, we are on the same page.  I just…bringing up Dad is like a sore point with me right now.  

Tim’s voice falters slightly before his head falls and his red hair covers his face.  Almost guiltily, Connor releases Tim and steps back, body still tense but the anger draining from his face.

Connor Murphy:  I ain’t trying to be your dad.  We are partners and brothers.  We are a pair of Nobodies.

At that, the two share a grin as Connor moves beside Tim and puts an arm over his shoulder.

Connor Murphy:  Listen, I am going to take a hike and work off this pissiness, why don’t you go and relax.  We’ll train tomorrow.

Tim Staggs:  Nah, I’m good.

Connor holds up a hand.

Connor Murphy:  You may be but I ain’t and the mood I’m in now, you just might get hurt.  Take the out and we’ll get on it tomorrow.

Before he can argue, Connor spins him around and sends Tim staggering towards the hotel with a friendly shove and an airkick.  Tim catches himself and turns to say something but the hooded figure has moved off into the night.  Taking two steps towards his partner, Tim is stopped by Connor’s voice floating towards him.

Connor Murphy:  Don’t make me kick your ass boyo.

Tim’s snort of laughter joins the faint chuckle from Connor as he turns and heads inside the hotel while Connor disappears around the corner.



Only hours earlier Connor had dealt with his partner and now he had moved off to deal with his anger at the fact his partner was medicated into docility, was being stalked by this crazy lady on twitter (yes he was watching the social media but wasn’t doing his chirping on it) and now had to deal with facing Raab and his spouse in the ring.

Being tag champion was Connor’s first taste of gold in Sin City and to say that he liked it would be putting it mildly.  Winning the titles with Tim was something that no one had given either of them credit for doing but now these nobodies were somebodies. Or were they?

A small diner sign blinked a neon sign that was worn and half lit in some letters.  Pulling open the door, Connor walks inside to find a tired waitress leaning against the counter, her light purple hair pulled up in a messy French twist that was sprouting a couple of pens and a beat up old flower.  She warily watches as he moves further into the diner.  Sitting in a rather grubby booth, Connor looks at the plastic menu that is resting on the table beside a small little jukebox with tunes from the fifties. Connor flips through a few pages but recognizes nothing.

The waitress moves towards the booth with a pot of some kind of dark liquid that she is trying to pass off as coffee. Setting a cup in front of Connor, she splashes the hot drink into it.

Waitress: What will it be young man?

Connor looks at her, a crooked smile breaking across his face.

Connor Murphy: What do you have for killing a monster?

Waitress:  A monster? What in the ever loving hell are you talking about?

Connor's smile widens as he leans towards the woman as if taking her into his confidence.

Connor Murphy: Don't you recognize me?

Waitress: Should I?

Connor gives her a look of disbelief before grinning at her again thinking she hadn't really looked closely enough the first time. The waitress raises one eyebrow as she sets the pot of coffee on the table then leans closer to Murphy, her own face breaking into a flirty grin of her own.

Waitress: Listen young man, I don't know if you are trying to flirt for a free piece of pie or what but just because you are cute and all doesn't mean I would be that cheap yanno. The pie ain't free and neither am I.

Connor realizes his mistake and leans away from the waitress who mutters "I thought so" before grabbing the pot and sashaying back to the counter and behind it. Connor once more begins to look over the menu then takes a sip of the brew with a wince at the taste. Picking up the sugar, he pours a stream into the cup and picks up the water marked spoon to stir the drink.  Leaving it resting in the coffee, Connor pulls up the cup and takes another cautious sip.  As he does the bell on the door rings again and a rather dark brooding man walks inside, his hat slouched low over his face.

Trucker:  Hey Flo, coffee and lots of it.

The waitress had already anticipated the request and slid a cup of the black stuff across the counter.  From his table, Connor watches the man get to his feet and look around the diner, the trucker’s eyes coming to rest on Connor in his booth.  A half grin crosses his face as the trucker moves towards Murphy who begins to map out an escape route a moment too late.

Trucker:  I know you boy.  You’re that wrassler fella.  That Nobody ain’tcha?

Connor can only nod as he sizes up the trucker who smiles more and slides his bulk into the seat opposite the hooded Connor.

Trucker:  I caught your wrasslin’ the other day when I was home with the little woman.  She’s a big fan of you.  Can’t stand ya myself but then again, I only like looking at them beautiful women you got running around that company.

Connor Murphy:  Yeah I like to watch’em too.  

The pair chuckles uncomfortably before letting the laughter fade.  The trucker swigs at the coffee as Connor looks around for the waitress who is mindlessly watching a small black and white television behind the counter.  The trucker leans forward and puts both elbows on the table and stares at Connor.

Connor Murphy:  So…wife’s a fan huh?

The trucker grunts his reply as Connor nods.  

Connor Murphy:  But you, not so much.  I get that I guess.  

Trucker:  Like I said, wife’s the one who likes wrasslin’.  And I know she said that this week you Nobodies are facing two monsters.  So when I saw you in here, I figured that maybe I might come in and talk to you…you know, man to man and ask you what the hell you think is gonna happen when you face off with these monsters.

Connor smirks at the downhome honesty of the man and taps a finger on the table.  

Connor Murphy:  I think we are going to defend the titles and we are going to kick the crap out of Frankenbride and his monster.

Trucker:  Dude if that is what you got planned you might as well say good bye to those titles.  Monsters like the guys my woman says you’re facing are the type that just wants to see the world suffer.  You gotta be aware that the two of them are looking for that and you are the ones that are going to suffer.  You gotta fight harder and crazier than those two.  

Connor listens closely to the man as he speaks realizing that maybe just maybe he knows what he is talking about.

Connor Murphy:  You might be right…I have faced Raab  before and took him to his edge and beyond…

Trucker:  And if you ask me, I think the one that is going after you is the one that you ain’t had to deal with before.  Be ready for that and you got a world of crazy to deal with.

Connor smiles as a thought crosses his mind.

Connor Murphy:  I can do crazy…

The trucker nods as he picks up his cup and holds it out to Connor who grasps his own cup and raises it to clink dully against the truckers.

Trucker:  By the way, can you sign me a little something for the little woman.  Will get me in good.

Connor laughs and pulls a napkin from the silvered holder then begins to pat himself down for a pen.  When he can’t find one, the trucker pulls out a sharpie from some unknown pocket and writes his name across the papers white surface.  The scene fades out on Connor and the trucker talking as dawn can be seen coming from outside the window.