Monday August 31st
Las Vegas local hospital
The last time O’Malley remembered being in this much pain, was just following his near fatal car accident that left him temporarily paralyzed. His match against Ben Jordan very well could have done the same, as it ended in a draw when neither man could get up by the ten count after falling from the top of an ambulance. He was out cold for some time, but thankfully he had no signs of a concussion. Just a battered and bruised body, and a now humbled ego.
The sun is just beginning to shine through the window of his hospital room, as it’s early morning. As he opens his eyes and looks around, a blurred figure across the room almost startles him. But as his focus improves, he sees that it’s his wife, Darcy, fast asleep in a chair across the room. She is, of course, wearing a mask as the hospital had made it mandatory.
O’Malley: Darc? Darcy, wake up.
His voice is hoarse, and it’s painful to even speak. But she hears him and she jolts up, rushing over to his side.
Darcy: Oh. Oh, thank God. I’m so glad you’re awake.
O’Malley: What...what are ye..doin’ here?
She raises her eyes, shocked he would ask, even considering they had spoken much over the last several days.
Darcy: Why would you ask that? I’m your wife and you just very nearly got yourself killed in that match against Ben last night. Why wouldn’t I be here?
O’Malley laughs and he instantly regrets it, as he holds his ribs from the shoot pain running through them. He glances down and see that his ribs are all bandaged up, compliments of that Millwall Brick.
O’Malley: Oh? Yer me wife now? Does that mean yer done lyin’ to me?
Darcy: Can we please not get into this here? You’re banged up pretty good, and there will be plenty of time to talk about this later at home.
He raises an eyebrow as he stares at her.
O’Malley: Home? Whoever said anything about me comin’ home right now?
Darcy: Baby, come on. Don’t be this way. I know you think what I did is about Owen, but it’s not. I want him back in your life just as much as you do. I even…
She suddenly stops herself before she finishes that sentence and he stares at her.
O’Malley: Ye what, Darc? What did ye do now?!
Darcy: Calm down, my love. You’ll only—
O’Malley: What the feck did ye do, Darcy?!
She jumps back and holds her hands up. She hadn’t planned on telling him this way, but she had no choice now.
Darcy: Before you get mad, I had the best of intentions. I went to Misty’s parents’ house and spoke to her mother.
O’Malley: Christ almighty! Ye did what?!
Darcy: Shhh. Keep your voice down. It’s early.
O’Malley: I don’t feckin’ care! What were ye thinkin’ goin’ there?!
Darcy: I was hoping I could get through to them. Show them I’m not his awful person they’re making me out to be, but more importantly I was hoping I could help you see your son.
O’Malley’s head drops back against the pillow behind his head. He lets out a growl despite the pain and a nurse finally walks into the room to see what is going on.
Nurse: Is everything alright in here? Other patients are still sleeping…
O’Malley lifts his head and looks at her.
O’Malley: Everything is fine. My apologies. We’ll try to keep it down.
The nurse looks to O’Malley then to Darcy and just nods slowly before she turns and walks out, closing the door behind her.
O’Malley: Ye shoulda told me before ye went there, Darc. That wasn’t a good idea.
Darcy: How was I supposed to tell you? You left and wouldn’t speak to me. I don’t know what more I can do…
O’Malley: Ye can tell me whatever the hell it is I don’t know.
He looks right into her eyes, his look pleading with her. She shakes her head.
Darcy: I...I don’t know what you’re talking about.
O’Malley: Christ, Darcy. Yes, ye do. Ye and I both know there’s somethin’ yer keepin’ from me, and I wanna know what the hell it is. I ain’t stupid.
Darcy: Can…can we please not do this right now? It’s not imp—
O’Malley’s head drops back again and he brings his hands up, gripping at his hair.
O’Malley: Jaysus, and I thought men were supposed to be the ones with communication problems. Just..go home, Darc.
Darcy: What? O’Malley, this is all gone on long enough.
He shakes his head.
O’Malley: No, it feckin’ hasn’t. If yer not ready to tell me what the hell I need to know, then I don’t want ye here. Get yer arse outta here, and go back home.
She narrows her eyes angrily before she spins around and goes to grab her purse.
Darcy: You know what? Fine. I might as well play the part everyone has painted for me. Forgive me for being a loving wife and checking on you when you’re hurt. And forgive me for trying to help you get your son back.
O’Malley: Yer definition of helping generally feck’s this up even more, Darc. Ye need to realize that.I can’t argue with ye anymore. It’s makin’ me head hurt worse.
He lays his head back and sinks down lower into the bed. Darcy just shakes her head and walks towards the door. Before she walks out she turns and looks back to him, a heartbroken look on her face.
Darcy: I thought we were stronger than all of this, O’Malley. After everything we’ve lost, and what it took for the both of us to find our way back to one another...Maybe I was wrong.
She then walks out without another word. O’Malley lifts his head and looks towards the door, something in particular she said confusing him.
O’Malley: Everything we’ve lost?
But he shakes his head and refuses to try and figure it out. He then closes his eyes and drifts off back to sleep.
All O’Malley wants to do is to get back to the hotel and crash for the night. While the pain he is feeling is nowhere near what he had felt following his match against Ben Jordan, being up and moving around most of the night had his injuries screaming at him once again. Thankfully he was not booked on either show, and didn’t have to put his body through anymore torture. His mind, though? That was a different story, because this mess with Darcy was still weighing on him.
But he needs sleep, and then he will start to figure it out tomorrow. As he walks out of the Orleans Arena, heading through the parking lot, he spots someone waiting by his car. It wasn’t anyone he knew, but a shady looking fella, and O’Malley stopped dead in his tracks. He dropped his bag, preparing to fight, but the man just steps away from his O’Malley’s car, holding an envelope in his hand as he approaches O’Malley.
Man: Shane Finnigan O’Malley?
O’Malley glares at him with his hands clenched into fists.
O’Malley: Who the feck are ye? And how do ye know me full name?
The man grins and then holds the envelope out to O’Malley. O’Malley takes the envelope reluctantly, having no clue what it holds.
Man: You’ve been served. Have a nice night.
And that was that. The man just walks past O’Malley, having done his job without a hitch. O’Malley stares down at the envelope and then turns around and watches the man get into another vehicle and leave. He turns his attention back to the envelope and rips it open. He unfolds the paperwork inside and as he reads it, his eyes go wide.
O’Malley: A feckin’ restrainin’ order?! Ye gotta be feckin’ kiddin’ me?!?!
He debates ripping it to shreds, but he knew it wouldn’t matter at this point. Misty’s parents had filed a restraining order against him, and he knew exactly why. So much for thinking about all of this tomorrow. He had to go see Darcy tonight. He didn’t want to, but this situation just became even more complicated. He reaches down, picks up his bag and heads to his car. He throws his bag in the backseat, along with the restraining order, and jumps behind the wheel. Moments later he’s speeding out of the parking lot, heading towards his and Darcy’s home.
A little while later…
O’Malley pulls his car into the driveway, quickly putting it in park and killing the engine. He grabs the restraining order from the backseat and then gets out of the car, storming his way to the front door. He didn’t care if Darcy was possibly sleeping, he had to hash things out with her tonight, and the mess that she had caused. Lucky for him, she’s wide awake, currently drinking her way through a bottle of wine in the kitchen when he bursts through the front door. He sees her in the kitchen and holds up the restraining order.
O’Malley: Do you know what yer stunt last week has done, Darc?! Do ye?!
Darcy quickly looks to him and the paperwork in his hands. She slowly finishes off her glass of red wine before standing up, holding out some paperwork of her own.
Darcy: Hello my darling husband. It’s nice to see you again, my love. And, yes, I know what it did, because I have one of my own.
O’Malley: Yer...yer feckin’ drunk?!
Darcy turns around and pours the rest of the bottle of red wine into her glass. She picks it up and spins around to face him again.
Darcy: So what if I am?! I’m not pregnant. I’m not doing damage to a growing child in my uterus. I’ll drink if I damn well please.
O’Malley: Do ye know how much this situation with Owen and Misty’s parents’ just got more complicated because of what ye did?! What is wrong with ye?!
Darcy laughs as she takes a drink of her wine, nearly spilling it in the process. She sets the glass back down on the table and glares at O’Malley.
Darcy: That’s right. I’m the God-damned problem, as always! Everything is always my fault. Face it, O’Malley, had it been you to go over there and not me, they would have still had these restraining orders put in place regardless. But we’re not in this situation because of me, anyway.
She stumbles forward, leaving her glass of wine on the table and trying to make her way to the front living room. But O’Malley blocks her way.
O’Malley: What exactly is that supposed to mean?
Darcy: It means, my love, that you were the one who left him in the care of your dearly departed dead first wife’s family in the first place, when you could have brought him to Ireland with you. But, sure, eeeeeeveryone wants to blame me for you not being with your son right now.
O’Malley’s jaw drops, shocked at what Darcy just said to him. She puts the back of her hand against his arm and shoves herself past him as she continues on her to the living room. O’Malley’s eyes narrow furiously and be turns around, following her.
O’Malley: Boy, if I’da known all it took to get ye to open up and tell me how ye really feel was a good amount of liquor, I woulda done that a long time ago! Tell me, what else have ye been hidin’ from me?! Don’t stop there, Darcy. Spill it all out, darlin’!
Darcy holds a finger up in the air and spins around, pointing it at him. She looks as though she’s about to do just what he wants, but even in her inebriated state, she’s able to stop herself.
Darcy: Why did you come here? What? Did you just want to make me feel like shit that much more?! I really don’t need this shit from you tonight, O’Malley. Just go back to the hotel.
O’Malley: Yer unbelievable, Darc. Truly. It’s right on the tip of yer tongue, and yet ye still can’t tell me whatever it is! Yer just lettin’ our marriage fall apart—
Darcy: THIS ISN’T MY FAULT! WHY CAN’T YOU TAKE THE BLAME FOR ANYTHING, O’MALLEY?! ALL OF THIS IS YOUR FAULT!
O’Malley just stares at her. He had never seen her like this, and as angry as he is, it killed him to see her this way. But until she was honest with him, they didn’t stand a chance at surviving. The ball is in her court.
O’Malley: Maybe if I knew what the feck yer blamin’ me fer, I’d understand. But thanks fer making shite even more complicated, just when I didn’t need it.
Darcy: If you could get your head out of your own ass and think, you might be able to figure it out on your own.
Darcy drops down on the sofa, grabbing the TV remote and turning it on. She begins channel surfing, not saying another word as O’Malley just turns and heads towards the door, walking out of the house, again. Once he gets back into the car and starts the engine, he sits there for a moment, quietly wondering how they had gotten to this point. His marriage was crumbling, and there wasn’t a thing he could do to stop it.
Friday September 11th
Golden Ring Casing- Las Vegas
Grand Re-Opening!
Today is the day that many have been waiting months to finally arrive. While The Golden Ring Casino owned by Daniel J Morgan had been used a few times for the occasional SCW or SCU shows during the pandemic, today is the day it finally re-opens to the public. Under a strict twenty-five percent capacity limit of course so they could better adhere to social distancing guidelines. Modifications and adjustments have also been made to gaming tables to protect his employees. Food will be consumed in designated areas, and alcoholic beverages may be ordered but not consumed at the bar. Those are just a few of the restrictions in place.
Daniel wanted the re-opening to be a big affair. Well, as big as it could be under circumstances, but he wanted it to be important. And what better way than to hold a “Grand Re-Opening” ceremony of sorts, complete with a ribbon cutting. One might think that Daniel himself would perform the ribbon cutting, but guess again. He has chosen someone else to do the honor, and can you guess who that might be?
No, not Fenris? Nope, not Alex Jones or Griffin Hawkins, either! The man he has chosen is none other than fellow GO Gym graduate and double champion, O’Malley! What? Why is that so surprising? Well, O’Malley is asking himself the same question at the moment as he stands next to Daniel behind the large red ribbon just outside the casino.
A long socially distanced line of people, all wearing masks as required by state mandate and Daniel’s employees strictly enforcing, waits eagerly to enter. O’Malley holds a large pair of scissors to cut the ribbon and he watches as Daniel steps forward for the big moment.
Daniel: I’m not gonna waste too much time because I know you’re all eager to get in and gamble away your money, but I just want to quickly thank you all for being here for the long awaited re-opening. And thank you all for being respectful and following the rules put in place for you to be here.
People clap and cheer, including O’Malley, before they quiet down and let Daniel continue.
Daniel: To kick off the re-opening, I have invited the man standing next to me here to do the honors. He’s the current SCU Underground Champion and SCW Roulette Champion, so I thought he’d like to do the honors. Everyone, please welcome O’Malley!
For the first time, well ever, O’Malley hears nothing but cheers. It’s probably just for the casino reopening and not him being here to cut the ribbon, but he doesn’t question it. He steps forward, pulls the scissors open, holding them just over the ribbon.
Daniel: Go for ir, O’Malley. Let’s get this place back in business.
With a single snip, O’Malley cuts the ribbon and everyone cheers even louder. Photos are taken Daniel leads O’Malley inside the casino while his employees take over getting everyone inside safely.
O’Malley: Thanks again fer choosin’ me to cut the ribbon. I’m still confused on why ye asked me to do it though.
Daniel: Why wouldn’t I? It’s not like no one knows who you are.
O’Malley nodded and the two watch as people begin filtering into the casino.
O’Malley: True. I just meant that no one particularly likes me. Ye coulda chosen Evie, Carter or Ari if ye wanted someone who was a champion. I’m sure some of them will give ye hell about choosin’ me.
Daniel: Let them. It’s my casino and I make the decision. I know it ain’t no secret you don’t really get along with anyone else that Gabriel and Odette have trained, but you’re all a stubborn bunch. I see you’re trying lately, though. So I’m not gonna hold it against ya.
O’Malley: Christ, I’m not used to people sayin’ anythin’ like that. I’m so used to bein’ judged or given hell fer one thing or another. But I appreciate it.
Daniel nods.
Daniel: Anytime, mate. Now that bird of your’s? She’s another story…
Daniel chuckles but when O’Malley’s eyes look away, he realizes he’s gotten on a sore subject.
Daniel: Guess I shouldn’t have brought her up?
O’Malley: Don’t worry about it. Just goin’ through some shite right now, and tryna work through it. Ain’t easy, though.
Daniel: Never is. On that note, ya sound like ya need a drink or two. Why don’t you enjoy some on me, and just tell whoever helps ya that it’s on the house. If they have any problems they can come find me. I’ve got a few things to go and take care of.
O’Malley nods, showing appreciation through his eyes as Daniel can’t see him smile through his mask.
O’Malley: Thanks, Daniel. Appreciate it.
Daniel: No problem, mate.
Daniel then heads off to attend to more casino business. O’Malley looks and starts walking around, looking for somewhere to order his first drink. As luck would have it, Dani Weston almost passes by him, as she was working for the reopening.
Dani: Fancy seeing you here, O’Malley. You never struck me as the gambling type.
O’Malley chuckles and shakes his head.
O’Malley: Nah, I’m really not. Daniel asked me to be here to cut the ribbon. Thought I’d stick around fer a bit. And he actually said to enjoy a couple drinks on the house.
Dani: Did he now?
Dani searches around and spots Daniel and the two make eye contact. Daniel gives her a thumbs up and she nods.
Dani: Fair enough, then. I can get your order from the bar and bring it to you in the food and drink area, or you can head on over there yourself if you like?
O’Malley: I’ll wander my way over there. Thanks, love. And congratulations on the engagement, by the way.
Dani looks down to her engagement ring and her eyes light up.
Dani: Thank you, O’Malley! I’m not sure if it has really sunk in yet, but it helps looking at the ring and being reminded. I’m pretty happy.
O’Malley: As ye should be. Ain’t nothin’ like a happy marriage with the love of yer life.
He tries his best to hide the fact that his marriage is anything but happy at the moment, so as not to spoil Dani’s happy occasion.
Dani: I really appreciate that. You know, you really should let more people see this side of you, O’Malley. You’re not the bad guy you make yourself out to be.
O’Malley: Try tellin’ that to Fenris. Or Carter and Ari.
Dani laughs.
Dani: I’ll gladly tell Fenris. I’m sure you two could get along if you tried. As for Carter and Ari? Just keep doing what you’re doing. They’ll come around eventually. There’s gotta be something you can do to get on their good side.
O’Malley: We’ll see. I ain’t holdin’ me breath. Anyway, I won’t hold ye up any longer. I’ll let ye get back to work. See ye around, Dani.
Dani: You know where to find me! Catch ya later!
Dani then skips off and gets back to work helping casino patrons. Huh, O’Malley though. Two civil conversations in a row. Maybe there was hope after all. He’d think about it later, but right now, he wanted to take Daniel up on his offer for some free drinks. And then this week, it was on to the Going Home Show for SCW prior to Violent Conduct.
Welp, this is it. The last episode of Climax Control before Violent Conduct VI. The Going Home Show, which usually proves to be nearly as action packed as the Supercard itself. Minus a few matches, of course. But me point remains the same. And what would a Going Home Show be without one hell of a main event, right?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure Christian Underwood had the right idea bookin’ this one, but it’s slightly flawed. It has all the makings to turn into a complete shite fest, and the reason bein’ because of all the ego that is on both sides. I mean, Champions versus Challengers? Meself, Teddy Warren and Alex Jones teamin’ up against Miles, Vinnie and Jack? Christ this ain’t gonna be fun. It’s a set up fer the champions to fail, because Jackie Boy aside, I’m sure Vinnie and Mile can attempt to work together to get the win. Me team, though? Ain’t a snowball's chance in hell, I’ll tell ye that much.
Do I want to lose this match? Absolutely not. Because no matter what I say, a loss is a loss when it all boils down to it, but I ain’t likin’ our chances, if I’m honest. Alex Jones is a right annoyin’ prick these days ever since he won that belt off Griffin Hawkins, and Teddy Warren? Well, all Jack, Vinnie or Miles has to do is look at him scary enough and he’ll be pissin’ his pants again! If I gotta carry the team to a win, I will, but I guess we’ll see what happens.
I ain’t much concerned with Jack or Vinnie. My message ain’t bein’ sent to them. Regardless what happens, Jack is still movin’ on to face, and feckin’ hopefully beatin’ Alex fer the World Heavyweight Title. I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true. Ain’t no one more annoyin’ as top champion than Alex Jones has been these last few weeks and Jackie Boy better get the job done. He’s already got enough braggin’ rights over me, so what more needs to be said?
If I didn’t have the Roulette Title, I’d love to move on to go up against Jack fer that top belt. Earn a bit of redemption and finally right that wrong of him beatin’ me, but that just ain’t gonna happen. So I’ll let Jack keep those braggin’ rights, cuz he’s earned them. As fer Vinnie boy, though? Christ, do I really need to fight this fella again? Tag team match or not, I’m just...I can’t wrap me head around it.
Good Vinnie. Bad Vinnie. Neutral Vinnie. Happy Vinnie. Sad Vinnie. Loco Vinnie. Who the feck is he?! I’ll tell ye who he is...one damn terrible actor, because that crazy shite he’s claimin’? No one buys it. All he’s makin’ himself out to be is a joke, and not someone to take seriously. I mean, he couldn’t even keep the Internet Title past his first defense! How seriously should ye take the guy?!
Answer- not very. But, I’m sure somehow, he’ll go up against Teddy, put on some scary persona and win that title back and the game of Internet title hot potato will continue! It’s sad what the other title scenes are turnin’ into, while me? I actually know how to keep me title, and I plan on another successful defense against Miles Kasey. Poor kid actually thinks he stands a chance.
This is your chance to prove it, Miles. This match is yer chance to prove to me, and everyone watchin’, that ye actually have a chance at taking me Roulette Championship belt and earnin’ your first championship in SCW. Odds aren’t in yer favor kid. In fact, they’re sorely stacked against ye.
Everyone wants to win this match, and no one wants to lose. Ye don’t wanna be the one to be pinned in this one, because that loss would look worse fer ye. Ye want to go into Violent Conduct on a high note, but let me tell ye something, Jack and Vinnie won’t hesitate to throw yer arse under the bus to make themselves look better. Especially Jack. I’d tell ye not to mess this one up, but on that team? Yer the weakest link, boy-o. I might not like me chances with the team I’ve got, but I’m holdin’ out hope that ye’ll be the one to bring that team to the ground.
Then again...I’d love the opportunity to pin Jack and earn some redemption points. Vinnie is another story because I just hate bein’ around that fella at all, but I’m lookin’ forward for a little bit of a preview of what’s to come against ye, Miles. I can’t wait to show ye just how much of a prick I can be. Oh, yeah, I heard that one boy-o. I ain’t about to forget it, either.
But while the three of ye will be fightin’ not to lose, the three of will be fightin’ to win. Alex Jones will want to get that pin, over whoever the hell he can pin. Not just Jack. Teddy Warren? Well...he probably won’t care too much, but I’m sure he wants to prove himself. And me? I ain’t gonna lie. I’d love to get the win fer this team. And I know I’m capable.
But can we co-exist? Can we get along enough to make it happen? Could Alex Jones accept someone else gettin’ the victory and not him? I mean, he claims he’s a feckin’ God, so naturally he thinks he’s the best. But that win of his was a damn fluke. It was Griffin’s mistake, but he won’t hold that title much longer, anyway. Point is, would he ruin it fer me and Teddy just to get the victory his way?
I wouldn’t hold it past him. Then again, I wouldn’t hold it past any one of you other fellas in this match, because THAT is the real evil genius behind this bookin’. It ain’t to make for a great match. It’s to see who will be the one to cause it to implode! Christian can’t lie. He knows what’s gonna happen. Hell, I’ll be the first to admit that if Teddy and Alex do somethin’ to piss me off? I’ll gladly let them fend fer themselves. I want to win, sure, but I don’t wanna deal with the bullshite, either. Any other match, alright. But this one. Nah, it really ain’t worth it.
But I’ll play nice as long as I can. I’ll do what so many don’t expect of me and try to get along with the two other arseholes, because it’s what needs to be done. I just make no promises on how long I’ll let it go on.
Once this match is over with, I can worry about more important matters like keepin’ Miles away from me Roulette Championship belt, and then movin’ on to the next in line. I may not be the World Heavyweight Champ, but I’m damn sure on my way to provin’ meself as the best in SCW regardless of what title I carry.
This Sunday is just the next match in that journey.
See ya Sunday, fellas!
