This would probably be the hottest situation I've ever been involved with. I was actually doing something that I probably have no business doing in the first place...but it was for a friend. Amanda needed my help and I promised her I'd do it. I made my way to the Ravencroft Hotel. I did my best to look inconspicuous..so I was dressed in a suit with my hair in a ponytail. Hopefully the owners of the company isn't there. I bring my briefcase with me as I walk into the hotel, some guests leaving, some checking in, and some men in suits talking with the staff.
I may be in way over my head.
I know if I am caught, I'm a dead man. I nod to the men in suits as I walk past them, going into the elevator. I take a deep breath, not knowing how everything is going to go down. I haven't felt this nervous in a long time..I was about to get info on the same family that has been in competition with my family for decades...if this gets out, who knows the damage this could do. The elevator opens as I walk into the main hall, looking around for a certain office. After walking down the hall until I come to the office that reads "Carter Ravencroft". I slowly knock on the door.
Griffin Hawkins: Mr.Ravencroft?..
I wait for a response...I then open the door...he's not in. Thank God he forgot to lock his office. I look around his office and it looks very impressive. Even I'm in awe at all the plaques and awards on the wall. His window has a nice view of the city. As much as I want to stick around and marvel at the office, I remember I have a job to do. Unfortunately his desk is locked, but I manage to pick the lock with a paper clip good enough to shimmy it open. I look in and so far there's only documents in it. Basic papers for the CEO of a hotel company. I looked and looked until I saw a check for 50,0000 addressed to one man....Vito Gambino.
My blood ran cold.
I couldn't say anything else, I just closed the desk, making sure its locked and left the office. As soon as I got outside the hotel, I quickly got back in my car and got out my phone, calling Amanda.
Amanda Ravencroft: Hello?
Griffin Hawkins: Amanda...I found out what your Dad had been hiding...
Amanda Ravencroft: Did you find the documents?
Griffin Hawkins: No but I found something more important...there's a check issues to Vito Gambino..
Amanda Ravencroft: Vito Gambino?....the head of the crime family?
Griffin Hawkins: Yeah..the same one.
Amanda Ravencroft: Are you sure that's what it said?
Griffin Hawkins: I saw it with my own two eyes.
Amanda Ravencroft: ..Oh my God..
Griffin Hawkins: Amanda..listen, I think it would be best if I pulled out of this..
Amanda Ravencroft: What?..
Griffin Hawkins: This is more dangerous than I thought..you have no idea the stories I heard about the Gambino family, they're all batshit crazy...each generation more nuts than the one before.
Amanda Ravencroft: But we have to focus..
Griffin Hawkins: I'm focusing on what matters! I'm doing what I gotta do today that keeps me alive tomorrow. If I get involved with these people, they could not just come after me, but my wife and my kids..I can't put them in danger.
Amanda Ravencroft: No one is asking you to get involved with them. This is about my Father..
Griffin Hawkins: Forget it Amanda..this is as far as I go.
Amanda Ravencroft: But Griffin...
Without saying another word, I hang up. Amanda was my friend...but I could not get involved with the Mafia if this is what it takes. The last thing I wanted was to put my family in danger. I really hope that this is the end of this favor Amanda wanted..
---------------------------------------------------
~Many years ago~
Every kid has dreams...some to be a basketball player, a fireman, a cop or a doctor. My dreams...were all shattered. In High School I picked up some bad habits which forced me to get expelled. My Father didn't believe in giving me a chance to go to rehab and decided maybe it's time I take my chances out there...kicking me out into the streets. No home..no family, nobody for me to depend on. Day by day, I did what I could to stay alive..stealing, eating out of dumpsters, sleeping in abandoned hotels...this was my life now whether I liked it or not. But one night changed things for me...as I was walking down the upper part of the city I encountered a mysterious man walking along. He had white skin, short brown hair..sort of pale white and a long black coat. I figure this would be my big chance to get something out of him. As I walked by, I bumped him on the shoulder.
"Hey, watch where you're going kid!"
Griffin Hawkins: Sorry sir..
I nod and go on my way, what he did know was that I had his wallet in my hands. I was lucky enough to pick his pocket as I bumped him. As I looked into his wallet I saw a quite a bit of 20 dollar bills in there. I figure I'd have enough to eat for a few days. But I didn't have time to enjoy my new riches, from around the corner I see the same man from before. How the hell did he catch up so quickly? I saw him look not too happy with me as he started walking towards me. I slowly began to back up.
Griffin Hawkins: Whoa..easy man..
"You must think I'm stupid don't you? You think you're gonna get away with stealing from me?"
Thinking quick, I start to run away, but I feel his cold grip on the back of my neck. His grip was strong...it felt like I had vices around my neck. He then took my arm and bent it back, bringing me to my knees.
Griffin Hawkins: Oh shit!
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip you apart.."
Griffin Hawkins: Please mister...I didn't mean to..
"Didn't mean to steal from me? I think you did. Do you know what they do to thieves in places like Nigeria and Saudi Arabia? They cut off their hand. Maybe I should do something like that to you!"
Griffin Hawkins: No please! Please mister I'm sorry!...I'm just a kid..
I was starting to lose feeling in my arm..my heart was racing a mile a minute, not sure what this psycho was gonna do to me. It felt as if my life was flashing before my eyes...then suddenly he let me go. I fell on the ground, thankfully my arm wasn't broken, but it still hurt like hell. I look up at him.
"What's a kid like you doing out on the streets this late?"
Griffin Hawkins: ....I was kicked out of my house by my Dad...I live out here.
"I see....so what's your name kid?"
Griffin Hawkins: ...It's Griffin sir...
He then helps me up.
Marquis Laveaux: Name's Marquis Laveaux. You look like you haven't had a nice meal in days...how about we get you something to eat?..as long as you don't steal from me again.
I wasn't sure what was happening...minutes ago he was ready to break my arm like a toothpick...now he wants to get food for me? It was weird..but I wasn't one to turn down a free meal.
Griffin Hawkins: Uh....sure...
We went downtown and he got me a slice of pizza...possibly the best meal I had in weeks. As I was eating he decided to break the silence.
Marquis Laveaux: So...how long have you been living on the streets?
Griffin Hawkins: Weeks now..
Marquis Laveaux: There's other ways to make money than stealing you know..you could get a job.
Griffin Hawkins: Nobody is gonna give a job to somebody with no prior work experience...I don't even have a home..
I must've sounded so pitiful to him.
Marquis Laveaux: ...It's probably going against my better judgement..but what if I asked you to move in with me?
I thought I was hearing things...I just tried to steal from him, is he out of his mind?
Griffin Hawkins: ..You...you mean stay with you?
Marquis Laveaux: I figured it beats the streets..
Griffin Hawkins: I don't get it...why are you taking me in after what I tried to do to you tonight?
Marquis Laveaux: Let's just say you remind me of myself when I was your age..you can move in tonight.
Griffin Hawkins: Oh man...thank you..thank you so much. I promise you you won't regret it...
Marquis Laveaux: Let's hope not.
And for the first time in my life..someone had actually shown concern for me and gave me a real home. I figured things would change for me...but little did I know the changes would effect my life in ways I never imagined..
---------------------------------------------
Cameras open up to an outside location...the streets. LA looks very busy tonight with everyone walking around. I sit outside what looks to be an abandoned apartment building...no one even setting foot in there. I sit on the stoop, dressed in black ripped jeans and a leather jacket with a Black Sabbath t-shirt on underneath. I look down at the steps, not even looking at the camera before slowly starting to speak.
"Pain...misery....sadness...I've dealt with it all. In my youth I have spent most of my time on the streets. I've suffered at the hands of friends...family..people I thought that I could trust. I had lost everyone..being forced to do what I can to survive on these streets. I did things I'm not proud of...but it kept me alive. I did what I had to do..knowing that the wolf is always at my door. I had to fight to survive on the everyday concrete jungle..today things are different. I have a family..a beautiful wife...two kids..a home...the only thing I ever wanted in life..an actual family and acceptance. I never thought that I would have to return to the streets. I never thought I'd see this place again, I figured that chapter of my life is closed...and the worst is over now. But recently....someone just had to remind me of all the pain and the horrors that I have seen and had to deal with on a daily basis. You brought me back here Steve Ramone...you brought me back to this hell....and now, you're gonna be the one who pays for it. You are gonna be the one who feels the pain of being broken and left alone. You gave me no choice but to go back to where it all began for me."
These streets almost feel like a second home to me...that didn't mean I wanted to come back...
"Why Steve...why did you have to bring me back here? Why did you have to make me return to my roots? This could of all been avoided...the first night I was here...you got in my face, you told me to stay out of your way and that SCW is your domain. And you saw fit to cost me a win and hand me my first loss in SCW when I had Samuel beat. You challenged me afterwards..not face to face of course...to a match at Violent Conduct IV, and I accepted...but only under my terms and conditions..a Street Fight. But you don't know me at all do you Stevie? I've been fighting for 15 years to get a family, to get a brand, to build my legacy. And you think I'm gonna come all this way just to let someone like you stop me? I don't think so. I'm not coming to the Gold Coast Casino on September 3rd to wrestle..I'm coming there to fight. Are you prepared for it? Are you really? Are you really prepared for the hellfire that I'm gonna unleash on you? I don't think you are. Because last week...oh man, you really showed your true colors. I thought for once in your miserable life that you would be a man and back up what you say...prove me wrong when I said that you were a coward. And what you do?...you show that I was right about you all along.
You couldn't even beat me down all by yourself..you needed your goons to help you. Is this what I can expect from you in the Las Vegas Street Fight? How are you going to take me out when you can't even do it without someone holding your hand? Pathetic. But you know what? Bring them with you...because that's only going to add to the body count. Me, I never needed anyone's help to win a fight..and I don't need anyone's help to beat you."
I clench my fists..getting angrier and angrier at the thought of Steve laughing about his so called accomplishment.
"Steve Ramone...you're possibly the biggest fraud the SCW has ever seen..for the last few weeks you've been running around telling lies that you're better than me, that I'm stealing the spotlight from you...you're saying all this for attention, hoping people will believe you. But I wanna hit you with some truth Steve...I came to this company because from what many tell me...this is the best place for competition. There is a whole locker room of people I wanna step in the ring with..including The World Heavyweight Champion Calvin Harris. So...what spotlight am I taking from you? Let's look at what you've done...yes you have quite the accolades here...three time Roulette Champion...former Tag Team Champion...I'm not knocking that at all. But the problem with you...is that you've gotten lazy. You've done nothing but coast on your accomplishments, calling yourself the hope for SCW. If you're the hope for dethroning Calvin Harris...then Sin City is screwed. But you have a chance to prove that you belong here in SCW...all you gotta do is beat me in this street fight. Think of it...you gaining a victory over what many consider the hottest free agent in wrestling today. That would be quite the feather in your cap...because from what we've seen from you lately...you haven't really done much of anything. But I hate to be the bearer of bad news..but this will be just another loss in your column...but not just any loss. This will be a major loss for you because I exposed you for the liar and the coward and the fraud that you are. But I think I get it..."
I slowly get up.
"I see why you're doing this Stevie Boy....it's not just the spotlight you're craving...you just want to be me. Hell, you're probably the biggest fan of Griffin Hawkins on the planet. You've been wanting to be me your whole career..it's written all over your face. But here is the reality of it all Ramone..you will never ascend to the heights that I have. It doesn't matter how many bars you close...how many women you go to bed with...or how many concerts you attend....you will always be in my shadow. As long as Griffin Hawkins is on this roster you will always remain nothing more than a backup singer on my stage. After Violent Conduct IV...I'll move on, I'll go on to have a successful career..winning some Championship gold...and you will have no choice but to sit in the back and watch it all happen. You have quite an impressive resume I'll give you that. But beating me will not be added to it. You'll never be able to beat me in this Las Vegas Street Fight. Because I am coming at you like a freight train...and you're standing in the middle of the tracks waiting to get hit. After Violent Conduct...you will know once and for all that there is only one Griffin Hawkins..and you couldn't be him if you tried."
Everything about Ramone angered me, I wanted to shut him up once and for all.
"A few weeks ago...you said...this was your domain, this was your territory, this is your yard. But when the time came for you to man up and fight me...you were on the other side of the world attending concerts and about to nail some chick that even I would've turned down in High School. This is supposed to be your domain..yet you're not there half the time to defend it...and when you are there, you need your little pals to do your bidding.
Wanna know what sets me apart from you Steve? I've never missed a match in my life. I never took a week off just to attend a metal concert. I am always here...from the moment I walk through those doors, I make sure that I give the people what they want, and that is one hell of a show. For 15 years I've been put through tables, slammed against cages, thrown off ladders, busted up from ear to ear...and not once did I complain or skip a show just for my personal gain. Well I hope you had so much fun in the UK attending the concert...because there won't be any music playing where we're headed. Where we're going is back to the streets...back where it all began for me. I'm coming to beat you down until you can no longer stand up."
I lean against the banister, looking at the camera man.
"The truth is Steve...I can't eat...I can't sleep...I can't even get my mail without thinking about what I'm gonna do to you. You kicked the hornet's nest on the last Climax Control when you and your buddies beat me down and left me for dead. Truth is....you guys should've killed me. You should have finished me off right there. Because I'm still here, i'm still breathing, I am still in your face...ready to unleash hell on you. The Sword of Damocles is hanging high above your head...and in about a week...it's gonna drop on you. I want to see to it that this is the most painful night of your life. And I'm not just saying this to sell a wrestling match...what I am saying is real. You've picked the wrong guy to jump on Steve....you fucked with the wrong guy. Because what I do to you..is something not even Stephen King can ever dream of. You're gonna bleed buckets and buckets of blood...you're gonna scream for mercy...and when you're on your knees begging me to stop...I'm not gonna show one ounce of remorse. Pain will be your mistress....defeat will be your new best friend."
I slowly walk down the steps.
"Of all matches I could've had with you...I could've chosen a cage match..a strap match...an I Quit Match...I could've chosen anything. But this goes beyond the ring....anyone who knows me...know that I don't do things halfway. I drive the point home every time...guaranteed. You wanna cost me matches? You wanna jump me with your gang? Well you better be prepared to pay the ultimate price. Because I promise you this Ramone...September 3rd will be the night that I put an end to you once and for all. There's a reason why this match is unsanctioned...because nobody knows what we're gonna do to one another. This could end up anywhere in Las Vegas..it's all legal. What I do to you...I won't even go to jail for it. Because after I beat you down like the bitch you are..you won't be able to sue me, nobody from your legal department will be able to take action against me, nobody from your family will be able to sue me for what I do to you. So you have seven days left....until the match of your life happens. What I suggest for you is to tell that wife of yours that you love her...because chances are you won't come home. Violent Conduct IV...Las Vegas Street Fight.....you're gonna get rocked."
I glare at the camera before walking away, ending the segment.