OFF CAMERA
~Flashback~
Nine Months Ago.
“I am not going to hit you...”
Our ‘hero’, Tyler George-Michael West is standing in the middle of the ring. He is wearing a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off and the collar widened. He crosses her arms across his chest and most would be pretty sure he was pouting.
The person he is talking too is none other than Kahlan ‘Bliss’ Fischer. Owner of Olympia in Las Vegas as well as multi-time champion and newly divorced MILF. Ty had found it exceptionally hard not to stare at her well endowed chest that threatened to spill out of her sports bra or her perfectly curved ass in those pair of lululemon yoga pants. She is as equally unimpressed with Ty’s protest.
Bliss: “I didn't say you would succeed at it, I said try to hit me...”
He smirks
Ty: “You’re kidding right?”
Bliss raises a perfect blonde eyebrow at the younger man.
Ty: “You actually want me to hit you? I can't hit a woman.”
Bliss gives an annoyed chortle.
Bliss: “Listen stud. I have gone up against men who are both equal and bigger than you in my career. Get over your old fashioned, fake chivalry and let me train you. I swear you are worst than my son and he’s two!”
Ty has a hard time believing this woman was ever pregnant. Her abs are perfectly sculpted. Not a single stretch mark or wrinkle maring her tanned skin.
Ty: “Okay, but you can't get mad if I hit you.”
He sets up. He goes to throw a punch to which Bliss deflects. He goes for a kick only for her to catch his foot and give it a shove backwards. This pushes Ty off balance and he lands on his ass in the middle of the practice ring. Bliss has a satisfied look on her face.
Bliss: “The Lesson is to never underestimate your opponent. Especially based on assumptions or stereotypes.”
Ty nods as Bliss offers her hand to help him to his feet, which he accepts. He quickly notes how soft the skin on the back of her hands is before quickly taking a step back.
Bliss: “If you do, that person could knock you for a loop. It is like rolling dice. You never know what number you will get. It only takes one mistake for someone to capitalize and take you down.”
Ty nods enthusiastically, although he had to admit his attention is diverted. Bliss isn't blind though. However, she had grown used to the kind of gawking, vacant expression that Ty had on his face as many men she encountered reacted the same way. She had used it to her advantage in numerous mixed gender matches during her in-ring career. She moves to the far corner, grabbing her water bottle.
Ty: “So why did you quit doing in-ring competition anyway? You are still young. Healthy...”
Bliss offers a smirk.
Bliss: “A few reasons. I have a bum knee. Two failed marriages have diminished my self confidence and I am basically my Son’s everything since his dad fucked off. If I got seriously injured, he would end up pawned off on my brothers and sisters. I can't do that to them. Jeremy has his life starting finally and a teen step-son to deal with. Peter has the twins. Justin has his two and another on the way. Jake lives in Jamaica and his boyfriend isn't ready for kids. Jules is starting her life with Jay. I don't think she even wants kids and well Jo is only 13. I mean Clark would be taken care of but putting the burden of a two year old on someone...”
Ty blinks. It was more than he actually wanted to know about his trainer.
Ty: “Would you be insulted if I said I was an only child with no aspirations to be a father?”
Bliss sighs.
Bliss: “Sorry. Just been a long time since I have really been able to talk to anyone.”
Ty: “A gorgeous woman like you? I find that unbelievable.”
Bliss gives a bit of a blush before she clears her throat.
Bliss: “No flirting. I am here to train you, not be your newest conquest. Get up. Now, try again and get any of those reservations out of your head about me being a woman.”
Ty gets to his feet and puts himself into a strike-ready pose.
~End Scene~
ON CAMERA
Sunday Night
After the show
Ty West is filmed from behind. His wet hair pulled back in a ponytail. He is alone, his manager, Chester, obviously had left hours before. He hefts a large duffle bag over one shoulder and starts to walk down the hall.
“Hey, pretty boy. What the fuck was that tonight eh? I didn't train you to play stupid, immature games.”
Ty stops at the familiar female voice. He turns, smirking. The camera spins around as Bliss Fischer, the woman who trained him walks down the hall towards him. Her six inch heels click on the floor. She stops directly in from of the smirking Ty.
Ty: “What? It was just a bit of fun.”
Bliss doesn’t seem impressed.
Ty: “It was funny...”
Bliss rolls her eyes while sighing deeply. This causes Ty to hang his head.
Ty: “Alright... I guess I went too far?”
Bliss smirks again.
Bliss: “Bingo! Look, I understand better than anyone how it feels to be superior to your opponent but you took unnecessary risks tonight and it nearly cost you your debut win.”
Ty holds up a finger. (He will regret this in a minute.)
Ty: “But I won...”
Bliss moves quickly, grabbing both his wrist and the finger and starts pulling. Ty immediately lets his duffle bag drop to the floor as Bliss pulls him down to her level.
Ty: “Ow! Kahlan, is this really necessary...”
Bliss leans down to his ear.
Bliss: “Yes. Don’t listen to that asshole, Chester. He has no idea how wrestling works. He is just an agent. You wanna use your looks and charisma to get attention while still rising up the ranks to be the hottest thing this place has?”
Ty manages a nod.
Bliss: “Then listen to me. Chester can handle all the publicity shit. Let me help you with your image.”
She lets him go and he steps backward, rubbing his wrist and pouting.
Bliss: “You can be fierce without being a fucking asshole or a goody-two shoes like Matt Reece.”
Ty looks confused.
Ty: “Who?”
Bliss annoyingly waves him off.
Bliss: “Nevermind. Just a guy that can do no wrong. Anyway, you get what I’m saying right?”
Ty nods.
Bliss: “Good. Now, it looks like you already have yourself a title opportunity. A ladder match against a bunch of losers. I am not going to let you make the same mistakes I did when I had a similar opportunity. Come, we can go talk out of sight of the prying eyes of the paparazzi.”
She takes Ty’s arm and then looks directly at the camera and winks.
~End Scene~
ON CAMERA
The West-Ward Blogicles
Season 2, Entry #2 -- “New Heights”
“Thank-you to my new followers. And an even bigger thank-you to my devoted West-enders who have been with me from the beginning. As you know this is my new season for my online video blog. My first season detailed my adventure in being in ‘Frontline’ The dramatized version of a World War II Soldier’s diary and then my training to be a Wrestler with the one and only Kahlan “Bliss” Fischer.”
Ty West has the camera facing himself as he records. (Mostly so that he can make sure he looks good at every opportunity, who needs to get caught with fly-aways or heaven forbid, a errant piece of organically grown, non GMO, piece of spinach in his teeth from his super green protein shake). He smiles and is satisfied that there is nothing out of place.
Ty: “I am very excited to announce that yours truly has been put into his first title match already. It is the title they call the “Roulette” because whenever it is defended, the rules are determined by a spin of a wheel. Not unlike a roulette wheel in a casino. You get it right? Because the company is called Sin City?”
He chuckles at his own joke.
Ty: “So in preparation of this great opportunity I want to take time to talk about the match and the people who will be participating. But first...”
He spins the camera around to show that he is standing next to an eight foot ladder. He is outside but one cannot tell where.
Ty: “This will be my obstacle. A ladder. I will have to climb to the top of it to claim the title. I won't have to pin a single person and as my trainer has said, no goofing around either. Speaking of Nick Steen though...”
Ty flips the camera back around.
Ty: “What I said last week hasn’t changed. Regardless of my childish prank, I still ended up coming out as the winner. Maybe this time, Steen will roll up his sleeves, try a little harder. Maybe he will even try to best me first to recover what he has left of his dignity. I won’t say that he will lose again. But I do know that he still won't be able to get one over on me either. Nick Steen is not going to be the next Roulette Champion.”
Ty offers a shrug of his broad shoulders.
Ty: “This is not arrogance speaking, it's facts.”
He sets the camera up somewhere stationary with a view of the ladder. Ty now has to shout for the camera to pick it up.
Ty: This ladder also represents the ranks in a company and people like me, Steen and Quinton Cross are being offered an escalator ride to the top. Unlike others who have had to climb the ladder one step...”
He climbs the first rung.
Ty: “By one step...”
He takes another rung up.
Ty: “At a time...”
He is half way up by now.
Ty: “Sometimes you get your foot on the ladder only to be shoved off or you could be near the top only to come crashing down. Which is why this stipulation is perfect for a title as unpredictable as the Roulette.”
He leans forward, high enough up that he can lean his torso over the top of the ladder.
Ty: “The view from up here is rather dizzying and overwhelming but out of everyone in this match, I think the title and I could be mutually beneficial to each other. See, having a title at only my second professional match is going to do a lot for my reputation, while having a guy like me holding it is going to have all eyes on it and in such, eyes on SCW. Publicity is never a bad thing. And I am sure Mark & Christian would enjoy the increase in profit at having more people coming to shows and buying merchandise. When Kris Ryans held this title, it had the same effect. More eyes on SCW, more eyes on him...”
He smirks.
Ty: “The guy has a triad now because of this title... I mean that is THE dream! But I digress. This title in the hands of the dull Joshua Acquin would make ratings nose dive into the negatives. And Quinton Cross? The man cannot complete a sentence without some racially demeaning stereotype that is positively groan worthy.”
Ty rolls his eyes.
Ty: “And not to be someone that would make comments about someone’s weight, but honestly I really have a hard time seeing him being able to climb up a ladder without huffing and puffing. The man is not at his ideal BMI. He really should look into a healthy alternative diet and plenty of exercise. If I lost two matches in a row I know I would be doing everything in my power to re-strategize my plans for success. Speaking of which, why would they put him in a match for a title when he has failed to secure a victory? Just curious.”
He finishes the climb so he can sit on the top step, letting his feet dangle.
Ty: “Caleb Storms. To be completely honest, it does remind me of this adult film star I knew. Rayne Storms. She had these piercing grey eyes, like a stormy sky.”
He daydreams for a moment before shaking his head.
Ty: “This kid has potential. His first run in this biz and he secured a title but since then he has been in a bit of a dry spell. Who knows, maybe he is thinking this is his great opportunity to shine, or it could just be another misfire. Caleb beat Nick & Raynin. Cool beans, but who hasn't beat Nick? But then when he and Sam Merlowe went head to head with Courtney and Fenris...”
Ty makes the “Whomp Whomp” loser tune from the price is right. (And did a mighty fine imitation at that)
Ty: “Plus did you see his little interview before his match... seems like his minor success in another company has swelled up his head a little. But that's fine. Let it swell big enough to lift him up into the stratosphere till it pops. When he finally does come back down to earth, the match will be over.”
He sighs a little.
Ty: “Chris Crippler. Yeah I know this dude. He has been around a LONG time. Like this guy was old when I was a kid even. Sure, he is still in good shape for a guy about to collect old age security. I just don't think he has the right image. I mean think about it, he is a legend in the independent circuit and has held main event status only to come in and be playing down here in the sandbox with the little kids. It's embarrassing to be treated like your experience means zilch. Or maybe the owners are telling us something? Like maybe he has deteriorated and a second tier title is all he can manage?”
Ty climbs down far enough so he can jump down to the ground. He picks up the camera to wink into it.
Ty: “But of course, I am only speculating on everything. In the end, the winner will be who can make it to the top first. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself by saying that I have all the right stuff in all the right places... but I am not going down easy if I go down at all.”
He smiles once again, showing his perfect capped teeth.
Ty: “But, I shall leave you with these thoughts for now my beautiful West-enders. Make sure to cheer your favorite new star on Sunday.”
He blows a kiss to the camera, gives a wave and the screen goes dark.
~End Scene~
OFF CAMERA
Ty’s Las Vegas Condo
Two champagne flutes clink.
Ty: “I am glad you gave me some pointers.”
Across from him, Bliss Fischer swallows her mouthful of alcohol and nods.
Ty: “Using the ladder during my live blog was great. I think I really have this on screen persona nailed.”
Bliss’s eyebrow goes up in question.
Bliss: “Persona? Like an acting role? Meaning what?”
Ty sets his glass down.
Ty: “Meaning that it is just like any other role that I have played. If people are going to use my acting and modelling against me then, I will just be the person they expect. Then when they try to tear me down, I play the crowd. Get them to love me, back me up.”
Bliss sets her own glass down on the table.
Bliss: “So it's all just an act then? You are just playing the part. Tell me something Tyler, if this was all just an act, does anyone know the true you?”
Her expression is that of someone deeply wounded. Her trust had been shaken. For her, wrestling had never been just a stage to perform on. It had been her passion, her first love.
Ty: “Maybe not? I have been Ty West since I was young. Just a doll. I don't know who I really am. I can be anyone in a heartbeat and I do it well. Maybe in all of this, I never gave myself the opportunity to figure out who I am.”
Bliss eats it up like candy, little does she know, this too was an act. There was some truth to his words though. The real Tyler West had never really been let out of his cage. And one might even believe, he himself had no idea that his whole life had been a stage, on which he was constantly having to perform.
Bliss frowns, walking back toward him. She looks up into his eyes.
Bliss: “Ty, I know what it's like to have to hide who you really are. All because you are afraid of the consequences. I struggled to keep my anger issues at bay for years. Maybe you should see a therapist. It helped me a lot.”
Ty had seen many over the years, but they had all come to the same conclusion. He had a lot of repressed feelings about his Dad walking out. But the other thing they all said was that unless he was willing to open up, there was nothing they could do to help him.
Ty: “Thanks Kahlan, but I have tried that road before and it hasn't helped. I am just not one to trust others with the deepness of my soul. If I ever will.”
Bliss shakes her head, a smirk now replacing her frown.
Bliss: “You have this way of speaking...”
He chuckles.
Ty: “I took a lot of classes. Eloquence, etiquette and manners were all on the repertoire. Unfortunately, it has not really helped me gain any advancements in my acting career, but the women swoon more. That is until they realize it makes them feel inferior and they leave.”
Bliss: “What is the longest relationship you have ever had?”
Ty laughs.
Ty: “I wouldn't call any of them relationships. Flings at best. I am too selfish to be a good boyfriend.”
He was quoting. They had all used something similar and it never took long for them to figure it out.
Bliss: “Maybe you just haven't found the right one yet.”
Ty: “Are you offering to try, Ms. Fischer?”
His voice is smooth, cool. It was another of his skills. He takes a step in so that their bodies are very close. She looks up at him for a brief second before she immediately backs up.
Bliss: “No. I am not in the market to train a new guy to be on my arm. You are not the only one with commitment issues Ty. I think I should get going, I told my sitter I wouldn't be too late. Just... focus on that match right now, just watch... everything else will naturally follow suit.”
She grabs her purse and pulls out her car keys.
Bliss: “I’ll see you tomorrow for training. Thanks for the drink.”
She leaves without looking back. Ty moves to his black leather sofa and sinks into it. He is disappointed but only in himself. Not because he couldn't seduce her, but that he had even tried. He couldn't help it. He found her to be very alluring and he knew she was equally attracted to him but hooking up with Kahlan Fischer was probably not the best idea he had ever had.
His thoughts then wander off into two weeks ago when he had met one of the bombshells backstage and he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. He knew it probably would never manifest into anything, to her... he was a nobody.
~End Scene~
