Prologue:
Jack was of course, unseccessful in winning King for a day, despite a firm confidence he would. Now he must work with the consequences of perhaps getting overconfident in his own abilities and no longer having anything to work with. Now, he steps into the ring as ordered by the King for a Day, Austin James Mercer. Jack is obviously not happy about this, and now we see what happens as he’s continually pushed to the edge.
Outside the ring, Jack appears to have scared off Cosmo, Jason’s morphine dealer in order to better help Jason break his addiction, but now, he seeks to take things more seriously than before as he looks to regroup and refocus his energies on his family. --
Grand Flamingo Casino
Las Vegas, NV
Jack sits in the owner’s chair, it is his day at the Casino, but everyone is there as well, both Jason and Brian also sit at the board room conference table. At the end of the table, is an unfamiliar man dressed in a suit. He’s a bit older and balding, and the suit looks a little ill-fitting, but otherwise he’s okay looking. Jack reads through some papers in front of him before actually addressing the man. He peers up and then eyeballs the man, reading what is most likely his information.
Jack: Jimmy? James?
Jimmy: Jimmy is fine.
Jack: Alright Jimmy, I’m going to give to to you straight, I need a guy. I need to guy to be here full time. I need a guy who can hanlde this while I’m away, while Brian’s away and while Jason is away. I can’t be here full time, so I need somebody I can rely on.
Jimmy: I can do that.
Jack: Can you? See, a lot of people say they can do things, even if they can’t. You gonna tell me you’re a perfectionist too? That you work too hard? Don’t give me the job interview Jimmy, I need it straight okay?
Jimmy: I’m not quite sure what you mean. I’m being straight with you.
Jack: I have my doubts, Jimmy. That’s what I mean. I need to know, hell, WE need to know we’ve got a guy here, who isn’t going to run off with the money, a guy who isn’t going to try and fuck us out of money at all. A guy who runs a tight ship and can handle business when it comes to business. We need a guy who can be us when we’re not here. And also... A guy who is going to do what he’s told. Now, if you can be that guy, you need to tell me you can be that guy. If not... then I think we’re done here.
Jimmy leans forward in the chair, folding his hands on the desk.
Jimmy: Mr. Washington, I don’t have to bullshit you. I’ve been in the casino business for a long time. I’ve worked for a lot of men, who did a lot of things. Things I don’t know about, because I didn’t need to know about them. Because that wasn’t my job. My job is to do what the job I’m being given is, not to be in everybody’s business.
Jack: Good. Good.
Jimmy: I’m more than good. I’m the best at this, you want experience, I can give you experience. You’re hiring me to do a job, and that’s what I’m going to do. It’s as simple as that, my friends. You can either take it or leave it.
Jack smirks, looking at his family and nodding in approval.
Jack: Well, I guess there’s only one little test we have left to do then.
Jack stands up from the table, and Brian and Jason flank him. They make their way towards Jimmy, and then Brian pulls out a pistol and aims it squarely at Jimmy’s forehead.
Brian: What if this is happens? What are you going to do.
Jimmy didn’t even blink. He wasn’t startled or scared, just took off his glasses and sighed, cleaning them as he sat there. He put them back on and looked up.
Jimmy: You want a sob story or are you going to shoot me? Because if not, then I think we’re done here.
Jack looked at Brian, who relented. He put the gun back in his jacket pocket and nodded.
Jack: Well, I think we found our man. Welcome aboard, Jimmy.
Jimmy stood up and shook hands with all three Washington’s and shrugged.
Jimmy: So, when do I start?
Jack: When can you start?
Jimmy: Whenever you need me, Boss.
Jack: That’s a good man. Also... looking over your stuff there, there’s a bit of a gap between when you worked last.
Jimmy smirked.
Jimmy: Oh, I was working, but just....getting paid under the table and all.
Jack: I see. That wouldn’t happen to be in the.. Import/export business would it?
Jimmy broke into a chuckle.
Jimmy: Lucky guess I’d say.
Jack and crew shared a laugh until Jack grew very serious.
Jack: Yeah... where... exactly? And who did you work for?
Jimmy: A nice hispanic lady. Really fine work she did.
Jack grew suspicious and glared at Jimmy.
Jack: It wouldn’t happen to be a Hispanic lady by the name of Ana Sofia... would it?
Jimmy looked confused for a moment.
Jimmy: No, but I heard about here, she’s a bit of a pain to deal with. So I heard. No, my Boss was out of California. She uh... went away for a while after she did some business in New York. I mean, that’s where she started.
Jack: Oh?
Jimmy: Yeah, They called her Jazzy B. Maybe you heard of her?
Jack: Can’t say that I have. How’d you get mixed up with her?
Jimmy: I helped her get her feet wet out in California. Lots of stuff comes in there, she needed to get started.
Jack: I see.
Jimmy: Hey... if you need it, I can... maybe hook you up with her.
Jack: No thanks, but I’ll keep it in mind. Samantha will see you out.
Once again, the three Washington’s shook hands with Jimmy, who was escorted out by Samantha the secretary. Jack sat down as Brian lit up a cigar.
Brian: I think that went well.
Jack: Yeah?
Brian: Yeah. I mean, good thing that it wasn’t the Mexicans with this guy, huh?
Jack: Yeah.
Jack went back through the papers, and combed through them to find the information he needed. He sat in silence for a moment.
Jack: What department did we put Bobby in again?
Brian: I think he’s in the warehouse now.
Jack: Good.
Jack picked up the phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, it was answered.
Jack: Bobby? Hey... Bobby, I got something I need you to take care of for me...
--
On Camera:
Click. Jack is clearly annoyed, and he is pacing. He just looks like the smallest thing could make him explode as he starts.
Jack: I’m getting really tired of this stupid game. I’m sorry, but the facts are in that I am the only one worthy of a world title match, and the fact that Austin Mercer decided to do this shit instead of anything else is absurd. Though, I have to give credit where credit is due, if I was in his shoes, like I should have been, I would probably have done the same thing. But let’s just understand the facts. I actually beat a credible opponent in order to get into the King for a Day match, while Alexander Raven has basically a bye, and neither Miles nor Austin could actually beat one another. And yet, all three of them were rewarded. If there needs to be any more evidence shown that I am getting royally shafted, there it is. I should have been king, but now, because three asshats were allowed to just to be in a match they didn’t deserve, the law of averages kept me from getting what is rightfully mine.
So yeah, I’m getting really tired of this stupid game.
I continue to have to jump through hoop after hoop after hoop, and everyone else just gets by by doing the bare minimum. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills at this point and it’s starting to piss me off.
You may be sitting there thinking I’m pissed off about this, and you’re DAMN RIGHT I AM. I have done everything that has been asked of me, and still I sit here, on the outside looking in. So, I guess at this point, you must be asking, what I’m going to do about it, and the answer is simple, I’m going to eliminate all the other people standing in my way, because obviously, I need to get the point across that I am at the top of the list here in SCW, and I shouldn’t be tolerating this disrespect. Because it’s high time I put my god damn foot down because otherwise, I’m going to keep getting jerked around and have the carpet yanked out from under me at every turn. Jack is clearly angry as he continues.
Jack: So now, I have to wrestle Bill Barnhart, well isn’t that special? This must be a big old important day for you, huh Bill? You and your wife are probably howling at the moon you’re so ecstatic about this. You get to rub elbows with greatness for a few moments on Climax Control. Now, I want you to get a lot of sleep, I know you’re going to have butterflies in your stomach, you’re going to be all anxious, because this is the closest you will ever get to being at the top of this company. Being in the ring with me is an experience, but I want you to be at your best. I want you fresh and ready to go, because I’m going to be honest with you here Bill, this will not be a long night for either one of us. Because while this might be exciting for you, I’m just going to let you know... you are going to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
I don’t have time to sit here and try and go in the ring with you and brawl with your big dumb ass. I have more important things to do. I have a World championship to chase, and you’re just in the way. So, this can be really easy for you Bill. You can come out on Sunday, and take this ass whooping and move on with your life, and tell your kids, or … jesus you might have children... I mean, your cat or dog or... relative whatever, you can tell them all about how you once were in the ring with the best thing going today. The face of the franchise. You can tell everybody that, it’ll be a quick night of work, and a lifetime of memories.
We can do it that way, and trust me, that’s the way I’d like to do it.
Or, because I know how stupid and stubborn you are, we’re going to have to do it the hard way, aren’t we? Jack rubs his face, clearly exasperated about this whole thing.
Jack: But you know deep down you don’t want it the hard way, Bill. You don’t want to make this a problem. But I know your pride is going to make you make a dumbass decision. You’re going to want to make this difficult. You’re going to try and do something you know you shouldn’t do. But here’s the thing Bill, you really don’t want to do that. Because you know I’m already pissed off. You know I’m already over this, and you know I’m fully capable of doing some pretty bad things to you, don’t you? You are well aware of what I’m capable of doing and yet, you’re going to try and make this difficult for the both of us.
That’s what I don’t get, but I know it’s going to happen. You’re going to already be dealing with me pissed off, and I’m trying to cut you a break by just making this quick and easy, but I KNOW, I KNOW that you’re going to make this difficult. So what I’m going to do is appeal to you right now and tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way, and I want you to think about all the things that you enjoy doing, Bill. Think about all the nice things you have, think about the quality of life you have currently.
Because if you make this difficult, I can, and I will take all of that away from you.
See, I wasn’t mad at you particularly Bill. I’m mad at the situation. Hell, I’m generally annoyed about everything. But the choice you are making here is going to be very hazardous to your health. I will not hesitate to take you apart if you choose to make this something more than it should be. I wasn’t going to take out ALL of my frustrations on you, but if you keep thinking the way you’re thinking, I will. And then, you know what happens, Bill? Then we both have a long night. It means I have to do more work, and you have to spend more time in pain on the canvas, getting crushed under my boot. And truth be told, I don’t know if I really want to do that, but you’re going to make me do that, aren’t you?
So, I’m gonna give you a couple of days to think about it. Go fishing or hunting of whatever it is you do. Enjoy yourself, Bill. Enjoy what you do, because it might very well be the last you get to do it, without some kind of physical assistance. I want you to look at your wife and think about how much you enjoy being able to hold her and be able to do all the things you do with her, and then imagine what it’s going to be like to not be able to do those things again. Because that’s where you’re heading Bill. That’s where this is all going. Do you really want that? I know you don’t, so don’t make me the bad guy in this situation Bill. Jack finally stops, as if coming to a realization and rubs his face again, finally shrugging.
Jack: You know, the more I think about it, the more I realize I just wasted my breath trying to talk sense into you. I really did. I just wasted my time because you’re hard-headed. All that time I just appealed to you and gave you fair warning, was a waste of my time. Because I know you’re going to make this difficult, and I know you won’t listen to a word I just said to you. So you know what? Fine, Bill. I just don’t want you to say that I didn’t warn you. I don’t want anybody to come at me, after what happens on Sunday like I’m the bad guy. I want it to be known right now that I did not want this to be something bad, but now, it’s going to be something bad. It’s going to be me, beating Bill Barnhart unmercifully for a few minutes more than I even need to. It’s going to be me taking Bill Barnhart apart and then leaving the pieces lying in the ring. I’m going to dismantle Bill Barnhart, and he only has himself to blame for this. For everything that’s about to happen to him, he only has himself to blame.
I guess he could blame Austin James Mercer, but he sucks anyway, so I doubt it’ll even phase him. But the vast majority of the blame for me having kicked the shit out of Bill Barnhart and leave him in the state I’m going to leave him in, is going to be Bill’s fault. So Bill, if you can’t be a good example, you’re just going to an example. You’re going to serve as warning for the rest of the locker room that I’m not playing any more games.
Just remember, you asked for this.
At Climax Control you will find out exactly why I am what I say I am.Jack shoos the camera away as we fade to black.
Click. Face. Of. The Franchise.
