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.

 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.

 â€œBijou loves her teddy and Kit has this habit of…”

The drone of the voice was barely registering for Connor as he sits on the couch, four pairs of eyes watching him intently.  Dressed in a rather ratty worn pair of jeans and a Def Leppard tshirt, Connor slouches lower into the couch as Vixen continues to speak.

“Are you listening to me,” she demands as her hands move to her waist.  Behind her, Spike can be seen bouncing a laughing Bijou as Kit bounces in his exersaucer while Eden waves a toy at him.  Connor can only nod dumbly rather than risk the wrath of Vixen.  â€œGood, now Spike left the restaurant’s number on the fridge and we won’t be too late will we?”

“I have watched a kid or two Vix,” mutters Connor who looks to his left at Tim who shrugs and shakes his head in a ‘don’t look at me’ way that just doesn’t help.  Connor gets off the couch and moves to take Bijou from Spike.  â€œSpike dude, take your woman and go already.  If you don’t, her birthday will be over and she’ll be another year older.”

Spike doesn’t hand the young girl to Connor as he sees the look on Vixen’s face.  Without a word of warning, a sharp slap upside Connor’s head makes him duck as Bijou laughs in her father’s arms.

“Ow…what the hell was that for Vix?” demanded Connor as his hand rubs the sting from his ear and he offers a now smiling Vixen a glare.

“If you need to ask then you need to realize that you can’t insult someone like me.  I may be one year older but I can still kick your ass,” she boasts as she holds out her hands to Bijou who flops from her father to her mother.  â€œNow this is important Connor, Spike and I have not given the twins dinner so you need to feed them.  I set their food out in the kitchen.  And behave.  Tim, you get to babysit the babysitter and Eden gets to babysit you all.”

“Yay Mommie Vixen, I will take good care of them all,” promises Eden with a giggle.  â€œI’ll make Uncle Connor be good.  But if he isn’t, does he get a time out…and can I give him one?”

Connor swoops down and catches Eden in his arms.  â€œFor you princess, I am going to be extra special good, just you watch.”  He tickles her slightly making her squirm then bat at his hands helpless with giggles.  Setting her down, he turns to Vixen and Spike who have set Bijou down in her own exersaucer to play.  â€œSo off you go guys, enjoy and don’t worry about a thing.  I have everything under control…”

Guiding the married pair to the door, Connor keeps offering them a grin like he has nothing at all to worry about.  Finally he opens the door and pushes them outside.  Vixen turns to say something to Connor but he has slammed the door shut on the pair.  Before she can rush back in, Spike takes her by the hand and guides her toward s the car in the drive.

Inside the house, Connor turns to take in the twins playing and Eden watching him with Tim smirking in the background.  Rolling his eyes at his partner, he moves into the room further and reaches for the remote.

“I wanna watch The Little Mermaid,” says Eden holding up the cover of the DVD.  â€œAnd Mommie Vixen said I am the boss of you all!”

“But princess…”

“No butts Uncle Connor,” replies Eden as she holds out the DVD.  â€œMommie Vixen SAID I was the boss of you now play the Little Mermaid,” she insists.

“You heard her Connor, play the little Mermaid,” prods Tim with his own smirk that somewhat matches his sister’s.  Beaten two to one, Connor snatches at the movie and opening the case, shoves it into the player and presses play.  The twins in the meantime babble to each other, the sounds indistinguishable to anyone listening.  

As Eden’s attention is on the movie that is starting, Connor motions to Tim for a second.  â€œI gotta cut a promo for this week,” say Connor, “but how am I going to do that is I am sitting for Vixen.  I mean I gotta watch the kids…unless you…”

Tim holds up his hands in a sign of surrender.  â€œI can’t watch them because Vixen said I was to babysit the babysitter…” Tim starts to chuckle at that which only draws a glare from his partner.  â€œLook, why don’t you grab your smartphone and skype some shit or something.  I’m sure that you could talk about your opponent easily.  It ain’t like you don’t have much to say about him I am sure.”

Connor nods at what seems to be the most logical advice he was paying attention to.  Grabbing his smartphone, he moves to perch on the end of the couch and then putting on the camera, begins to record.

Listen up Grimm.  I know that you have decided that you want to have a little fun with my friend Tim and normally I wouldn’t have to say a God Damn thing…

“Don’t swear Uncle Connor,” admonishes Eden without turning from her favorite movie.

“Gotcha princess,” says Connor as he presses stop then record once more.

Listen up Grimm, this week I face you in the middle of the ring and I know that in the last few weeks you have been getting on my last nerve with the toying that you are doing with my partner and believe it or not, Tim may not need me to but I am going to enjoy kicking the crap out of you because I am not one bit afraid of the big bad you are trying to be.  Sure you look spooky but to me, that is nothing more than appearance.  Hell, if it makes you feel better, I can beat the boo right out of you.  

See, maybe you think you are big and bad but in reality, it doesn’t matter to me.  I ain’t afraid of no ghosts…

Connor smirks at Tim at the obvious Ghostbuster reference which only makes the young redhead roll his eyes and get to his feet to walk out of the room.  A faint slam can be heard from another part of the house as Connor shares a look with Eden.

So Grimm, I have been watching you and I can see that you have decided that you want to play with Tim, want to terrorize him in some way.  Well, he don’t scare that easy but you somehow managed to get under his skin and that affects me too.  Tim is like the little brother I never had and when you mess with one Nobody, you made an enemy of us all.  And like the good big brother I am, I am going to come to that ring on Sunday with some real bad intentions and I…

Suddenly, Kit begins to scream as Bijou grabs at his toy laying on his exersaucer.  Batting at his sister, Kit continues to scream as now Bijou adds her cries to the noise level.  Connor looks into the camera, the microphone picking up every shrill sound.

As much as I want to stay here and chat about the pain and suffering I am going to put you through Grimm, I guess you have been saved by the screams.  Just think…I wonder if your screams will be as loud as these…

With that, Connor presses stop and then leans down towards the twins to try and distract them enough to stop screaming.  Trying his hardest, Connor makes every funny face he can to try to get a smile but only succeeds in making the screams louder.  

“Eden, princess, can you please go and get the twins their food for me so I can feed them?” he asks as he picks up Kit and begins to bounce him on his shoulder which stops his screams.  Smiling at his success, Connor reaches for Bijou as a sudden gag is heard from Kit who begins to throw up on Connor.  Disgusted, Connor calls for Tim as Kit and Bijou once more start to cry and Eden moves closer to the television to hear her movie as we fade out.  

 Scene:  Nobody knows the trouble you’ve seen…

A man sits on a beach side cabana café watching the crystal blue waters off the coast.  At his elbow, a glass with an amber liquid sits and drips onto the coaster under it as a small stream of smoke trails around it from the exhalation of the man.  He is leaning back in a chair, his eyes covered by dark shades, his skin a pale shade of sunburn as he relaxes.  If you were watching the man, you would think he had no cares in the world.

If you knew the man, you would know how wrong you were…

Voice:  Connor Murphy, I hope this is your idea of a joke!

Connor sits up, his hand reaching for his sunglasses as a smile creases his face, the laugh lines deepening around his eyes as he takes in Pussy Willow dressed to kill in a light cotton dress that suggested innocence and sin all in one.  Slowly rising to his feet, Connor moves over to the opposite chair and holding out a hand, reaches to invite Pussy to sit down.

Connor Murphy:  Darlin’ this is no joke I swear.  I decided that there was things to say and the one woman that I could say them to is you and only you.  And that is why I called you here.

Pussy Willow sniffs angrily.

Pussy Willow:  If I had known it was you Connor, I so wouldn’t be here right now talking to you when I could be somewhere else.  After all, all you do is tease me and flirt then nothing happens…sometimes I think you are only using me because I am an interviewer and you need to get a message out.

Connor lays a hand over the faded shirt that is covering his chest.  Hanging his head almost apologetically, he sighs and nods.

Connor Murphy:  You are right Pussy, I have been very naughty and abusive of our friendship.  Let me get you a drink and the two of us will have a nice long natter about what is going to be happening on Climax Control then I will buy you dinner to make it up to you.  Deal??

Pussy lets a little smile cross her lips as she bites at her bottom lip.  Giving Connor a calculating look, she nods once before pulling out a small recorder and sets it on the table between them. While Ms Willow was searching for the small machine, Connor waved over the waiter motioning for two beer.  The young man walks to the table after drawing both glasses and sets them on the table.  Connor holds up a five dollar bill and then waves off the waiter with a grin.  The gleeful server murmurs ‘gracias’ as he backs away from the pair.  Ready for the interview, Pussy begins to speak.

Pussy Willow:  well Connor, this week on Climax Control you have a chance once again for the Roulette title in a match against the man that beat you for the belt at Summer XXXTreme, Goth.  I don’t know about you Connor but it seems to me that you are circling the titles and everytime you get close to winning only to miss the brass ring.  

Connor Murphy:  Well darlin’ that is kinda hurtful, true but hurtful none the less.  Can I help it if there are people that need to cheat to get where they need to be or win titles when they know they have no other option.

Pussy Willow:  Are you implying that Goth cheated to win the roulette title?

Connor just laughs as Pussy lifts her glass and sips at the beer suspiciously before he is able to control his mirth.

Connor Murphy:  Pussy love, I am not implying anything.  I am just telling it like it is.  See Goth knew that I was the only one that had any chance of beating him for the title and what happened hmmm?  He needed to use fire to beat me.  He wasn’t man enough to tough it out and took the easy win.  But that is fine because if he can sleep with himself for taking the shortcut, so be it.  Whereas I on the other hand know that I am someone that is willing to bleed to get what I want.  I am willing to go the extra mile to take what I have deserved since I got into this company.  I am the only one bat shit crazy enough to make that title something of worth once more.

Pussy Willow:  But Connor, to hear Goth talk about the belt, he says he is the only one that is worthy to be Roulette champion.  And given his track record, he has quite the win loss stats.  Not that you aren’t good enough but time and time again, you come up just short..

Pussy holds up her fingers only a few inches apart which makes Connor wince at the double entendre.

Connor Murphy:  Tis true, I do manage to beat myself up about that.  But something tells me that this night when I face Goth, it isn’t going to be the same.  At Climax Control, I am not focused on the one thing that everyone else thinks I should be.

Pussy Willow:  You aren’t focused on winning the title?

Connor Murphy:  That is the reward I will get after my match.  My focus is squarely on the man that burned me for the title.  My focus is on maiming him and making him realize that Nobody is going to let anything stand in the way of revenge.

Pussy looks at Connor in surprise as he leans forward, his hands clenched into fists.  Leaning forward herself, she lays her own hand over one of his fists.

Pussy Willow:  This is a different Connor Murphy talking.  I mean you usually talk tough but sitting here, I am getting the impression that something in you has changed.

Connor Murphy:  Oh I haven’t changed Pussy m’love.  I have just realized that I was taking things too easy.  I was treating all of this as a bit of a lark when it came to my matches and what I was doing in the ring.  I have learned that maybe I need to bring back the old Connor.

Pussy Willow:  The old Connor?  You mean the NXT rogue Connor?

A cynical smile crosses Connor’s face as he slowly shakes his head.

Connor Murphy:  I wish it was that simple but no.  That Connor wouldn’t be crazy enough for a Roulette title match.  That Connor would be suitable for the Internet title or maybe the tag titles. Let me tell you a story Pussy…

Connor lets his fingers unclench as he picks up his glass and drains it in one drink.  Setting it back on the table top, he motions for another as he begins his story.  Pussy listens in fascination.

Connor Murphy:  The streets of Ottawa can be rather cold where I grew up.  Lowertown was a sad, depressing little section of the city where gangs ran rampant and the boys needed to be tough.  The home I spent the most time in was a dirty rundown house on a side street.  My bedroom that I shared with three others looked out on a school yard what was decorated with graffiti.  I was thirteen when I was fostered there and sixteen when I was pulled out.  I was known as a delinquent.  I seem to remember my foster dad calling me bad seed.  But I was tough.  I fought my way into acceptance in that school yard.  

Connor pulls up his shirt slightly to reveal a jagged white scar traced along his abdomen.  Pussy looks closer.

Pussy Willow:  An appendix scar?

Connor Murphy:  I wish it was.  I still have my appendix, this was my initiation into that school yard.  I was fourteen and this is from a small knife that a bigger boy pulled when I had him on his back.  See, no matter what the case, when I get in that zone, nothing tends to stop me except something that takes a shortcut.

Pussy Willow:  I think I understand what you are talking about Con…

Connor Murphy:  No Pussy m’love, I don’t think you do.  When I was fourteen, I fought for my life and won.  I ain’t afraid to die.  Summer XXXTreme I burned but I survived and I learned.  Now on Climax Control when I have a chance to once again face Goth, this time I am not going to hold back.  I am not going to worry about sending him home to his little wifie a beaten and broken man because that isn’t what I have planned knowing that is something that won’t get to Goth.  No, beating him won’t cause the most pain…

The last comment is said almost to himself as Pussy tilts her head in confusion.

Pussy Willow:  You would cause him pain by beating him Connor.  A win will hurt won’t it?

Connor Murphy:  I could win Pussy, but what if I win by disqualification?  What if I win by Goth slithering out of the ring like the snake he is and by being counted out.  No, that won’t hurt him in the least.  The only way that I can hurt Goth, the only way he is going to feel the pain is if I take something he loves.

Pussy Willow:  Are you threatening to take his wife like Shipman did?

Connor’s harsh bark of laughter sets Pussy back slightly as he lunges towards the recorder.

Connor Murphy:  Come on Pussy, we both know that won’t hurt Goth.  His wife is not the first love of Goth’s life.  Oh he will say she is but I know that she is a distant third to the real loves of his life…the title and the spotlight.  There isn’t anything that you could say that will make me believe otherwise.  

Pussy Willow:  Very harsh words Connor.  What do you think that is going to do to Goth and how do you think he is going to react to your comments?

Connor Murphy:  I don’t really care anymore Pussy.  I am tired, damn tired of listening to Goth and his rants about how good he is and how he will be keeping the title because he is the best.  Do you know what I have to say to that darlin’?

Pussy Willow: No, what?

Connor Murphy:  On Sunday at Climax Control in that main event when all is said and done, there will be only one man standing and one man holding that title in his bloody hand and that man is going to be me!

Pussy Willow’s eyes widen in surprise at how vicious Connor sounds.  Taking a slow breath, she reaches across the table for the recorder.  The slight movement snaps Connor out of the frenzied trance he seems to be in.  The intensity on his face fades as a smile then crosses it.

Connor Murphy:  Now Pussy m’love, since I got that all off my chest, what say you and I hit this city and get dinner, my treat.

Pussy narrows her eyes slightly with concern.

Pussy Willow:  Are you sure?  I mean you do have to get ready for your match.

Connor Murphy:  I would rather take a beautiful woman out for dinner.  

Pussy Willow:  Well in that case, let’s go.

Scooping up her recorder, she hides it in her purse as Connor gets to his feet as well.  Motioning for her to go ahead of him out of the door, Connor and Ms Willow leave the café both intent on their now lowered conversation as the door closes behind them.

<img src=http://i59.tinypic.com/xcixab.jpg>

Scene:  Nobody knows your sorrow…

The quiet of the night is only broken by the sounds of a man walking along.  Connor Murphy has a black hoodie over a pair of ratty jeans and a faded Dropkick Murphys shirt.  Dark hair falls over his eyes as he squints into the faint light of the site of Climax Control.

Moving into the arena where Sunday he would be competing in the main event, he makes his way to the backstage area where he searches for and finds the wheel of matches.  A smile breaks over his face as he lets his finger trail along the curve of it, tugging gently that draws the faintest click of the indicator moving between spikes.

Connor Murphy:  Would you look at that.  Up close and personal I am with the wheel that will decide how I take your title on Sunday Goth.  I could sit here and spin and spin and spin this wheel and watch it click towards your fate.  

Connor reads along the curved surface, his finger tracing the match type as it is indicated by the arrow.  Spinning the wheel, he watches and listens as the clickety clack of the indicator slows and then stops at inferno match which causes a slight chuckle from the challenger.

Connor Murphy:  Lookie here, an inferno match, probably the one match you would want most of all seeing as you like playing with fire.  See, that is okay with me because since you last singed me, I have taken to playing with my own fire.  I keep lighting up the ring with my own brand of crazy.  I am like a pyro in search of pile of trash to burn.  And guess what, if I am lucky enough to get the inferno match on Sunday, I will have found it in you Goth.

Reaching once more for the wheel, Connor again spins it crazily.  His head spins slightly with the wheel as it slows then stops on another stipulation, this time the words spell out ladder match.

Connor Murphy:  Maybe we will be lucky and get this match Goth.  A match that will see your title taken out of your hands and hanging above the ring.  A match that will see the two of us beating each other bloody and black and blue, all for the chance to lay out our opponent and climb the ladder to glory.

Connor spins the wheel then he lets it slow but not stop before he spins it again.  He keeps spinning it over and over again as he speaks as if Goth is listening.

Connor Murphy:  It is not going to matter Goth what stipulation happens on Sunday.  It is not going to make a difference what match type is chosen for us to fight.  The only thing I am looking for is the chance to hurt you.  The only desire I have right now is to make you feel pain like you haven’t felt before.  My ONLY want is to put you down like some kind of rabid animal and let you watch as I lift the Roulette title over you and let Justin Decent make that announcement that is going to set your blood to boiling as it slowly drips on the canvas.

Stopping the wheel, Connor turns his back on it and looks into the darkness surrounding the backstage areas.

Connor Murphy:  I can hear you now Goth.  Talking and whispering and trying to convince yourself you are ready to take me out and prove once again you are the beast of Sin City.  I know what you must be thinking Goth, I can smell the wood burning from here.  You are thinking that I am a Nobody and that is all I am ever going to be.  While you are the elite as the Roulette Champion and there isn’t anyone or anything that will stop you.  And that will be where you are wrong Goth.

Connor brings a finger up and gently taps at his temple as a vicious smile begins to creep across his face.

Connor Murphy:  I’ve got it right here Goth…I have the strategy that is going to stop you and boy is it a good one.  I bet you want to know what it is, I bet you are going to try and convince yourself of how invincible you are.  But we both know Goth that you aren’t invincible hmmm.

Connor’s smile widens, the maniacal gleam lights up his eyes.

Connor Murphy:  I have beaten you before Goth, do you remember.  It may not have been for the title you were wearing at the time but I DID beat you.  And on Sunday, I am going to do it again and again.  This time though, this time it is for the title and this time I am going to take the title and there will be little to be done about it.  

Connor begins to walk away but stops when he realizes that his thought was not complete.  Holding up one finger, he turns back to the wheel then the darkness of the backstage area, his eyes seemingly focused on an unseen Goth.

Connor Murphy:  That is right.  The little that can be done is accept the fact that I am coming to beat the holy hell out of you and take your title.  

Connor smirks then turns and walks away softly singing a song for Goth.

Connor Murphy:  Nobody knows the troubles you’ve seen…Nobody knows your sorrows

Connor stops and turns.

Connor Murphy:  This Nobody knows the trouble you’ll see…This Nobody will know your sorrows

Connor rounds the corner and disappears, the sound of his singing carried back faintly until it fades.

 After Climax Control…

Connor Murphy is one pissed off Nobody if you were to ask him.  And it didn’t help that after the show, a cameraman came to get a soundbyte from the angered man.  Pacing in the hallway in a blood splattered hoodie and jeans, a cigarette dangling from his mouth and a bottle of some clear liquid held loosely in his hand, Connor agrees to providing a comment,

Connor Murphy:  Climax Control, a loss due to the fact that Acquin decided to put his nose in business that didn’t involve him.  And Ramone, that man was a short leash away from the shit kicking he deserved.  And then there was Raab the big burning baby attacking me from behind just because he could.    Bravo boys, you got my attention but seriously you gotta ask yourself if you really wanted it focused in your direction!

Connor takes a long healthy swallow of the alcohol in the bottle then once again faces the camera.

Connor Murphy:  Yeah, the wrong kind of attention if you ask me.  See this Nobody is violent and this Nobody holds grudges and this NOBODY is going to do his damnedest to bury all of you.  I had that match with Hardin until you all gave him the helping hand and beat me for him.

Cameraman:  Ummm Connor, I don’t think that is the truth…

Connor Murphy:  Who is giving this soundbyte, you or me?

Cameraman:  You of course.

Connor gets a very sinister look on his face.

Connor Murphy:  Then shut your trap and let me give you what you begged me for.  Now as I was saying tonight’s debacle was nothing short of a mugging.  And trust me when I tell you, Nobody is going to be getting some personal justice when it counts.  The next time I am in the ring for Sin City, you can better believe that will be the first time that I am going to start getting payback.

With that vow, Connor turns to walk away, the bottle in his hand raised to his lips as the cameraman turns the opposite way, a snicker escaping him as he does.  Connor stops, his body rigid as he turns his head to look at the unsuspecting cameraman then at the half empty bottle in his hand.  Quietly he walks back to the cameraman and taps him on the shoulder.  As he turns, Connor slams the bottle against the side of his head.  The sound of the breaking bottle is masked by the slamming of the cameraman’s body against the wall.  As Connor walks away, the cameraman slides down the wall to slump on the floor.

Samoan tag match…

Connor Murphy:  I am not getting into a skirt!

Connor Murphy is walking along the market place, his guide a young man who smirks at him as he holds up a native cloth and describes how it is to be worn.  Connor holds his hands up in defense as he backs slowly away.  As he does, he backs right into a woman who bitterly complains as she turns around only to roll her eyes at who it is.

Pussy Willow:  Oh god, its’s you Connor.  I’m sorry that I got in your way.

Connor lets a half hearted smile cross his face.

Connor Murphy:  Pussy m’love, just the person I was looking for.  I was wondering where you might have gone and what a Nobody like me would have to do to get your attention.  I need to send a message and since you and I have this oh so special relationship, there isn’t anyone that I would trust to get my message across.  So you don’t happen to have a camera in your bag there do you?

Connor starts to paw through her bag only to have Pussy slap his hands away.

Pussy Willow:  You want me to interview you here and now?  Connor, there is a time and place for this kind of thing.  

Connor Murphy:  Yeah, here and now!  Listen, I will make it quick and I won’t take up too much of your precious shopping time.  But I have to escape Man Friday here and I also have to talk about my match this week.

Pussy shrugs and sighs as she digs into her purse and pulls out a hand held camera to begin filming Connor.

Connor Murphy:  I don’t have much time to talk about my match this week because I have been fighting down my gag reflex at the fact that I am being put in a tag match with my opponent from last week to face Goth and TMZ..

Pussy Willow:  You mean TNA…Travis Nathaniel A.

Connor interrupts Pussy with a smile and a nod to acknowledge her correction.

Connor Murphy:  Yeah that useless no talent that can only do one thing and that is fuck things up for everyone like he always does.  Listen, it is bad enough that I am in a tag match with Hardin and luckily for us and especially him, Steve Ramone isn’t going to be there.  But to have to carry those other two in the match, I should have to be paid twice.

Pussy Willow:  Goth and TNA are good wrestlers though and you right now are not the best of friends with anyone but your running buddies in the Nobodies.

Connor Murphy:  You say that like it is a bad thing Pussy when that is farthest from the truth because the Nobodies are the voices of the voiceless.  We bring to light the stupidity and mediocracy of the talent in SCW.  Take for instance this tag match.  We have TMZ..

Pussy Willow:  TN…

Connor Murphy:  Yeah yeah,I know.  We have Travie who is a strutting bantam cock with a superiority complex and then we have Goth.  Our sad little wifieless clown.  What’s the matter Goth, Shipman got your wife?  

Pussy Willow:  That isn’t nice Connor, he is really upset with what Shipman has done.

Connor tries to look sympathetic.

Connor Murphy:  Goth, I have to sympathize with the fact your wife is becoming Swedish.  If I had to look at you every day I would definitely have Stockholm Syndrome too.  I mean maybe she is glad she was saved by Shipman.

Pussy Willow:  Oh my god Connor.  If you are going to be like that I don’t want to finish this interview at all.  You need to realize that being like this is so wrong.

Connor Murphy:  No Pussy, SCW and the world need to realize that it has to embrace the truth.  Embrace the fact that we, the Nobodies are the only ones that can be trusted.  That we are the ones that tell it like it is and how it will be.  And I am telling you that this week, I am going to stand in that ring and carry Hardin.  I am going to take the fight to Goth and Travie and when we get on that f’ckin boat I am going to beat everyone for the Roulette championship!

Pussy pulls the camera down as Connor crosses his arms over his chest to glare at the camera.

Pussy Willow:  Are you done?

Connor Murphy:  I’m done speaking but I am not done by a long shot when it comes to beating people this week.  I will finish that at Climax Control.

Without saying another word, Connor stalks off leaving Pussy to watch him walk away.

 Scene 1 – Las Vegas – Vixen’s old apartment

Voice:  Preparation is the key and I am going to be prepared for Into the Void!

The words echo around the room where one man can be seen slogging along on a treadmill that has seen better days.  Behind him is the image of a woman in a title belt smirking at the camera as she pulls the damp NXT shirt away from her body, in front of him a rather large bottle of water with a coating of frosted condensation.  Suddenly a knock on the door of the room draws the man’s attention which causes him to trip off the belt with a muttered curse.  Connor Murphy grabs the bottle and raises it slightly to his lips only to pause and shout out at the closed door.

Connor Murphy:  This had better be good.  If it is that nosy neighbour from the floor below, I am going to tell them to…

Grasping the door handle, Connor is about to yank it open when the lock clicks and the door is swung forward violently.  Using quick reflexes, Connor manages to dodge the door but is bowled over by the large bag of groceries in the arms of his best friend Devlin.

Devlin Lefebvre:  What the hell!!!  CONNOR!  What are you doing here and how did you get into Vixen’s place?

Connor Murphy:  Never you mind what I am doing here and how I got in.  What are you doing here and with all these groceries?  I got all I need but if you are going to take care of me, you have done your bit and now you can go.  I have preparations to make.

Devlin shakes his head and moves towards the kitchen with the bags.  Connor follows slowly as he sips at the beverage in his hand.  Devlin drops everything on the counter and begins to pull food stuffs out and puts them away with a smirk at the empty fridge and cupboards with the bare minimum in them.  Once he has put everything away, he motions to the spaces.

Devlin:  Preparations?  Oh sure.  I hope that your title shot preparations aren’t as empty as these cupboards were.  If that is the case, you don’t stand a chance of taking the title this week.

Connor chokes on laughter that makes him swallow the water in his mouth wrong.  Sputtering and coughing, Connor finally catches his breath as the water he managed to spit out soaks into his sweaty shirt.

Connor Murphy:  What are you talking about?  I have my title shot at Into the Void.  This week I am taking off to get ready for the match.

Devlin Lefebvre:  Oh no you don’t have this week off.  Lucky you get to get a match this week that could see you walking into the supercard as the champ…Champ.

Devlin’s smirk emphasizes the comment of Connor being a champion.  Connor’s eyes widen as he realizes what Devlin is saying.

Connor Murphy:  I got a title shot this week?  Against who?  

Devlin Lefebvre:  Against Raab.

Connor Murphy looks at Devlin suspiciously.  Devlin nods sagely, his smirk still visible.  Connor’s lips begin to curl into a matching smirk.

Connor Murphy:  I can’t believe that they are giving me the chance to win the title before I was planning to.  Well this is even better than Into the Void.  When did they announce this?

Devlin Lefebvre:  After the show last week.  Don’t you read the website?  Wait, they posted it probably when you were in the air so I’ll give you a pass.

Devlin laughs as he heads towards the couch near the treadmill as Connor gets back on and begins to run again. As he does, he watches Devlin who lays back on the couch and puts his hand behind his head.  The pair are quiet for the moment as Connor concentrates on the jogging along the belt, his hands moving in short punches.  Devlin turns slightly and pulls the remote to the television towards him and points it at the screen.  Suddenly it blinks on to reveal a movie playing of Lord Raab wrestling.  Devlin looks at Connor with one eyebrow raised.

Devlin Lefebvre:  Really?  Studying tape?

Connor Murphy:  Of course boyo, never know what I might learn.  And from what I have seen, he’s a big bad bully that no one will stand up to.  Or they try to stand up to him then fall short.  That ain’t gonna be me.

Devlin can only stare in disbelief at Connor who glares back.

Connor Murphy:  This ain’t my first rodeo when it comes to bullies Dev and besides, coming back off that injury, I’m hungry for my first taste of Sin City Wrestling gold.  So maybe it is a good thing that the taste will come before the supercard.  Lord Raab will be the appetizer to the main course of me being the champion at Arabian Fights.

Devlin Lefebvre:  Or maybe it is just a teaser for the bigger meal.  Either way, a title is a title is a championship and you man, you need to snatch it.

Connor Murphy:  From your lips to the wrestling god’s ears!

With that, Connor turns off the treadmill and joins his friend on a chair by the couch to watch a new match starting on the screen as the scene fades out.


Scene 2 – Doha Qatar-Hotel room

Inside a hotel room that is rather on the small side, Connor Murphy opens a laptop that has stickers of the Dropkick Murphy’s all over it.  Pressing the power button, the screen hums to life as Connor pulls on his Pog Mo Thoin tour tee and pulls a cigarette out of the pack beside the laptop.  Lighting it, he sucks in a long drag then blows the smoke upwards as he lets his other hand trail along the mouse pad at the bottom of the keyboard.  Suddenly the light for the webcam flashes and Connor can see himself in a small window on the screen.

Connor Murphy:  Here I am…sitting in my hotel room and getting ready for what might be the highlight match of the night at Climax Control.  See, I found out last week that I would be getting a title shot at the Roulette title at the next supercard, Into the Void 4.  Now I have to admit that I kinda got a little tickled about that.

Connor drags on the cigarette and with a smile again exhales slowly.

Connor Murphy:  And you know what, I thought about it and realized that my time was coming when I would be able to slide into that ring and stand with the big boys and fight off three others to get the gold.  Now I find out that this week’s Climax Control is where I really get to try the rarified air of championship matches when I go one on one with Lord Raab. And what exactly does that mean for Connor Murphy?  It means that theoretically I could be walking in a contender Sunday night and walking out a champion or walking out not at a hundred percent for the supercard.  If you ask me, I think it might be a little of column A and a little column B but one way or another, this is going to be the night that I make my mark on Lord Raab.  Because I guarantee that he ain’t gonna be walking out one hundred percent either.  My promise to him and to the fans.

Connor Murphy:  You see, I sit back and watch as everyone and I do mean everyone discounts me like I have nothing to do with even being in the title picture but trust me, I am going to claw and fight my way through that match and snag the title from that bully Raab.  I am going to show him just how hungry I am for gold and no matter what happens in that ring, I am going to take the fight to him and make Raab and everyone watch respect me.

Leaning back, Connor smirks at the camera before taking another drag of the cigarette then pointing at the camera.

Connor Murphy:  My promise to me and you and everyone in SCW.

With that, Connor again leans forward and presses stop on the webcam.  Opening up youtube, he uploads the video with a bit of laughter as the scene fades out.

 Connor Murphy, Irish rogue looked up from the fanned out cards in his hands.  Eyes narrowed, he takes in his competitor and then once again flicks a glance at his cards.  Looking back up, he leans forward and pulls the cards to his chest.

“Do you think you can bluff me?” he comments slowly as he spares a quick glance at his cards as if expecting them to change.  Finally, reaching for the dark coloured beverage at his right hand, he tilts up the shotglass and drains it quickly before slamming the glass on the table.  

“Okay missy, you got any threes?”

The camera turns to reveal Eden Staggs sitting across from Connor and giggling at him as she takes her own shotglass and imitates him by shooting it quickly then slamming it down on her side of the table.

“Go FISH!” she squeals excitedly as she waves her cards so that everyone could see.  Behind them, Spike can be seen checking on the turkey while Vixen leans against the counter, her hand resting on a slight rounding of her stomach.

“Connor, you shouldn’t be teaching Eden bad habits like that,” warns Vixen as she moves to sit beside Eden, ruffling her hair with a smile.  â€œBesides, what is this I hear that you are returning to SCW and NXT.  Didn’t you get the memo that Spike put an end to our stable.”

“I got the memo Vixie but that doesn’t mean I have to listen to it.  And teaming with Steve Ramone this week against ROAR will be just the thing to bring it back don’t ya think?” enquires Connor as he leans back as Eden once again fills the pair of shot glasses with grape juice.  Connor holds up his hand as he winks at Vixen.  â€œHey Missy, don’tcha think that we have had enough of the hard stuff?  Why don’t we drink this up and then you can go and roll Uncle Devlin.”

Eden nods with a very minx like grin.  The pair hold up the glasses and with a quick clink, shoot the grape juice like pros.  Connor even adds the wince to the end of his drink which only gets more giggles from Eden who then pushes back from the table.  â€œWhere is Uncle Devlin Mommie Vixen?” she asks.

Pointing towards the living room, Vixen directs Eden towards the hiding place of Devlin who is watching football with Timmy and giving him a lesson in CFL vs NFL vs college bowl games or so he thinks.  Eden rushes into the room and climbing on the arm of the couch near Dev, she puts her feet on his lap as she leans against his shoulder.

Back in the kitchen where Vixen is picking up the glasses as Connor grabs the cards, shuffling them into some semblance of order.  â€œSeriously Connor, you have been out for a while, so you have no clue what to expect with ROAR.  They have been close to the tag titles for a while now,” says Vixen.

“I don’t doubt that they are as good as you say but Vix, I ain’t been sittin’ on my ass for this whole time I have been away you know,” replies Connor as he pats himself down for a cigarette pack.  Finding it, he opens the package and slides a cigarette between his lips only to have it taken before he can light it.

“Not in the house Connor,” admonishes Vixen.

“Fine!” he exclaims as he snatches the cigarette from the pregnant woman.  â€œI hope you have twins and them two give you and Spike the same grief that you gave me when you were younger!”

“Well…speaking of being pregnant…I’ve got a surprise for everyone.  But that is for later,” says Vixen as Eden returns and leans against the table beside Connor who is shuffling the cards.  Lightly shaking a plastic bag filled with pretzel sticks, Eden smiles as she fixes Connor with a gaze.

“Wanna play again Connor?” she asks with a mischievous grin and a wink for her stepmother.  â€œI promise that I won’t take all your pretzels this time.”

“You’re on card shark,” he teases back as Vixen gets to her feet and with a slow shake of her head, heads toward Spike who opens his arms for an embrace to reveal the kiss the cook apron he has on as the scene fades out on Eden scampering onto the seat opposite Connor who is starting to deal out the cards.

“Okay Eden m’girl, time to learn a new game of cards called poker ,” he teases as he deals out the hand.