A private jet, cruising through the air at three hundred plus miles an hour is where today's story starts. The camera switches from the outside, to the inside to see James Huntington-Hawkes III sitting in a white leather seat, wearing a baggy hoodie and huge headphones. A television screen in on in front of him as James looks very unimpressed. Simpson steps up next to him and places a champagne glass full of orange juice in front of James on a table. James picks up the glass and sips from it before putting it back on the table and taking his headphones off in anger.
JHHIII: This is too cold Simpson! Make me another!
Simpson nods and picks up the glass, before turning away.
Simpson: As you wish sir.
Simpson walks away, moving through the seats and out of view. James puts his earphone back on over his head, his mind in thought as the plane glides gently through the air. Simpson returns less than a minute later, placing a glass, the same in style as the first, on to the table in front of James. James reaches out, wrapping the fingers on his right hand around the glass and picking it up, placing it to his lips. James sips before putting it back down on the table.
JHHIII: Much better. Thank you Simpson.
Simpson: You're welcome sir. Is there anything else I can get you sir?
JHHIII: An explanation might be nice.
Simpson: On what sir?
JHHIII: On why I'm sitting on a plane at this time, heading down to a place called Atlanta, Georgia. It sounds like a redneck place full of stupid people, drinking things out of jugs instead of glasses, because they haven't got glasses there yet.
Simpson: As I have explained Master James, we are taking you to the home of a wrestling legend, the man who worked with Mr Ward to help turn him in to a world champion. The same man who lead another to Roulette glory. It took a lot of effort to get him to agree with this sir, he doesn't really train many people anymore.
JHHIII: I already have a trainer Simpson, I do not need another one, especially one that I'm already better than!
Simpson: Sir, who told you that you were better than the legendary Austin Parker?
JHHIII: Nick Jones did on Twitter! He told me that I was better than him and that he was a broken down, past it wrestler. I think maybe I should train him.
Simpson: Sir, I think Mr Jones may have been pulling your leg.
JHHIII: Why would he do that? He's Nick Jones! He's a former heavyweight champion Simpson. He wouldn't lie to me.
Simpson: If you say so sir.
JHHIII: I know so. Why would he lie to me Simpson? He says he knows this Parker man and that I have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Simpson turns away, gazing thoughtfully out of the plane window. He quickly turns his attention back to his young charge.
Simpson: Mr Parker is an excellent trainer sir, he knows how to make champions.
JHHIII: I am a champion, duh!
James picks up the roulette title that's sitting next to him and holds it up for Simpson to see.
Simpson: I know sir, but we have a very tough challenge on Sunday, a very tough challenge. Mr Rex is not an easy man to defeat, so Mr Parker will help you get ready for this one.
JHHIII: Well why am I doing the traveling here? One minute I'm in Beverly Hills, the next I'm going to the back end of America. It's not cool Simpson!
Simpson: Mr Parker rarely trains outside of his own home.
James eyes widen.
JHHIII: I am not going in to a basement with a creepy cowboy I've never met before! I've seen those movies and I just won't do it Simpson.
Simpson: I believe Mr Parker's training area is set up in a barn.
James face changes to disgusted.
JHHIII: A real barn? With chickens and horses and hay?
Simpson: Maybe hay sir, but I highly doubt chickens and horses will be a part of this training area.
JHHIII: This better be worth it Simpson. I was going to take this week easy, I was going to actually give Thatcher Rex a chance, make it a lot more interesting. Then he starts flapping his mouth like a horse and gets his little female friends to call me uncreative, when she's not even in SCW! She probably works for a little poor federation where twenty second promos get aired! She can't call me uncreative while no one's ever heard of her.
Simpson: I'm sure it was just friends supporting friends.
JHHIII: It doesn't matter what it was Simpson, because I don't take kindly to people talking about me like that! I'm better than that. I've got more creativity in my little finger than Thatcher Rex has his entire body. It made me mad Simpson, so just for that, Thatcher Rex gets to pay for it. Maybe he should tell his little group to just be quiet, because now he's gotta pay for it.
Simpson: If you say so sir.
JHHIII: I just did.
James bounces his fist off the table, causing his drink to jump in the air, but landing in tact.
Simpson: I'm sure Mr Parker can help you reach your goal sir. He is very highly skilled in this wrestling business. One of the best trainers around.
JHHIII: But I'm still better than him.
Simpson: If you believe Nick Jones sir...
JHHIII: I do Simpson. I'll just go there and teach him a few things and leave with him saying he's learned something and me, I'll leave that place vowing never to return to that place.
Simpson: As you wish sir.
James smiles and picks up his orange juice glass but the plane suddenly drops, causing the juice to fly in to James' face and down his shirt. James stays frozen, his mouth open wide.
Simpson: I'll get a towel sir!
JHHIII: Hurry Simpson! It feels colder than it is!
Simpson darts off
*******
Let's have a change of scene, shall we?
A limousine pulls up outside the gates of a ranch in Atlanta, Georgia, old wooden sign posts form the top of the gate. The driver cuts the engine and steps out of the car, walking to the back door and opening it. Simpson steps out of the car, shortly followed by James. James looks around in disgust at the grassy fields laid before his eye. The limo driver shuts the door and moves to the front of the car, stepping back inside. The engine fires up again and the car moves away.
JHHIII: You've brought me all the way here to train.... here?
James looks around at two barns, and a nice looking ranch house, slowly shaking his head at what he sees before him
Simpson: Indeed sir, this has been the training ground for many wrestling superstar. Many of the current roster often comes to this very ranch to sharpen their skills with a technical master such as Mr Parker. He is very well known for his hard training techniques. It's enough to whip anyone in to shape for any type of match. Mr Parker has seen and done it all in wrestling.
JHHIII: And yet he still lives out here? Why can't he afford a real house?
Simpson: It's the lifestyle Mr Parker chose.
JHHIII: It's a bad choice Simpson.
In the distance, the sound of hooves against dry mud can be heard. A horse appears in the distance, charging towards the direction where James and Simpson stand. James shades his eyes as the horse gets closer, stopping in front of James and Simpson. The two look up to see Austin Parker sitting on horseback.
JHHIII: I know you! You bumped in to me at an SCW show.
Austin: Other way around kid. You bumped in to me.
JHHIII: I did not!
Simpson: Mr Parker, so wonderful to see you again.
Austin: Howdy Simpson. How bout you take that skinny ass kick to that barn over there. Your workout partner is waiting there already.
JHHIII: I'm not skinny! I'm perfectly built.
Austin: If ya was a woman, I'd agree.
JHHIII: Simpson! This is not funny! I want to go home, or at least a place with running water!
Austin: This place has running water, you think the horses like that bottled water crap? Just get over to the barn already and stop waiting mah time.
James reluctantly looks at Simpson, who gives him a reassuring nod. Simpson pushes open the gate and starts to walk towards the barn.
Simpson: Mr Parker will make you a better wrestler sir.
JHHIII: I can't see why we can't do it in a place with lights and more modern stuff than this.
James and Simpson get to the barn. Simpson pushes the door open and much to James' surprises, lights fill the wooden building. Bales of hay rest around the building, stacked on two levels, with an old looking ladder leading up to the second floor. A man stands in the center of the ring, his back towards the door. Austin appears behind James and Simpson.
Austin: You already know Bo Dreamwolf.
James jumps as Austin intentionally speaks down his ear. Former SCW Roulette champion, Bo Dreamwolf turns around and walks towards the edge of the ring to where the trio have just walked to. Bo extends his hand to Simpson, reaching out and shaking it.
Simpson: Mr Dreamwolf.
Bo: Mr Simpson.
JHHIII: Is it just me or is it weird to hear someone calling you Mr. Simpson.
Simpson: It does happen rarely sir.
Bo looks at James, but James just stares right back at Bo.
JHHIII: I know who you are. The Indian trained by a cowboy.
Simpson: Native American sir.
JHHIII: Ok, ok, the Indian trained by the native American.
Simpson: Other way around sir.
JHHIII: Really?
Simpson: Yes sir.
JHHIII: Oh the native
Austin: Enough!
Austin's voice echoes around the building.
Austin: Just get in the ring with Bo already.
James steps up the makeshift steps and in to the ring, looking at Bo laughing.
Bo: Something funny?
JHHIII: I remembered something then.
Bo: Would you like to share?
JHHIII: You lost YOUR title to Primetime! Ha!
Bo: You lost yours to a teddy bear.
Austin: Double ha.
James' face turns to anger
JHHIII: That wasn't funny.
Bo: Are you sure you want me to do this Mr Parker? He doesn't look like he's worked out in a while.
JHHIII: I don't need to work out!
James strikes a bicep pose
JHHIII: Just feel that right there!
Bo steps up and takes the kid's bicep in his hand. Bo waits a moment, then pats the kid's back.
Bo: Make a muscle.
James growls at Bo.
JHHIII: I could lift that hay over there!
Bo: No, you can't.
JHHIII: This isn't a casino, you won't win this bet!
Simpson: Sir...
JHHIII: No, I got this Simpson.
James jumps out of the ring and towards the hay. Austin walks to his side.
Austin: I wouldn't do that if I was you.
JHHIII: Why not? I'm a big boy.
Austin stoops down to stand face to face with James.
Austin: Compared to who?
James grits his teeth
Austin: Get back in the ring.
James let's out a soft grown and moves back towards the ring, climbing back up the make shift steps and in to the ring. James looks at Bo and the two circle, Bo steps in but James raises his hand in front of him, stopping Bo in his tracks.
JHHIII: Wait!
Bo: What?
JHHIII: I don't wanna face you, I wanna face him.
James points at Austin
Simpson: Sir.
JHHIII: No Simpson, I think I can beat him.
Austin: And who told you that?
JHHIII: Nick Jones.
Austin bursts out laughing.
JHHIII: What?
Austin: That's the best laugh I've had in ages.
Austin steps up in to the ring and looks at James.
Simpson: I think you should reconsider this one sir.
JHHIII: I don't, I think I can teach him a thing or two.
Simpson: Sir...
As James turns to face Austin, Austin plants a huge shot in to James' eye, sending the kid on to his back. James rolls out of this ring looks up at Austin, holding his eye.
JHHIII: You punched me!
Austin: Barely even grazed ya.
JHHIII: You hit me!
Austin: Welcome to the world of wrestling kid!
JHHIII: That wasn't a move! You hit me!
Austin just stares at James with a smile on his face.
JHHIII: Well screw this and screw you!
James walks out of the barn, but quickly, his voice can be heard.
JHHIII: Whoa!
SPLAT!
The sound of James falling in to something is heard outside, seconds later, James walks in the barn, covered in...
JHHIII: What the hell is this?
Austin: Around here, we like to call that horse shit.
James looks sick as he throws his hand down to the ground, sending manure flying in the direction of the ring.
JHHIII: I'm out of here!
James walks out of the door, leaving Austin, Bo and Simpson laughing.
*******
Back on the private plane, heading in the opposite direction, a beat up looking James sits slumped on the leather chair, covered in... well, you saw. A black eye forming under his left eye is seen and his hair messed up, looking nowhere near the rich kid attire you usually associate James with. Simpson sits across the aisle, his hand partially covering his face as the smell moves through the cabin. James sighs sadly.
JHHIII: I can't wait to get back home Simpson, today has been the worst day of my life.
Simpson: I hope you've learned something from today.
JHHIII: Yes, I learned not to listen to that Nick Jones guy. He lied to me Simpson. He told me I could beat up Austin Parker and instead, Austin Parker gave me a black eye.
Simpson: Sir, I did try to tell you that Mr Jones may have been playing a joke on you.
JHHIII: It doesn't matter Simpson, now I have to focus on the old dinosaur man. The same dinosaur man that wants to go and meet people, people who carry germs, people who are disgusting, people who smell.
James sharply looks at Simpson
JHHIII: Do not say a word Simpson.
Simpson: I wasn't going to say anything sir.
JHHIII: Right. Anyway, this man is gone out and been around these random strangers, who probably took the bus to see him. He better make sure he gets rid of those germs before getting in that ring with me, I don't want to catch anything from him or those people. Simpson, make him shower before he wrestles me!
Simpson: I don't think I can make him do that sir. Mr Rex's own personal hygiene is his own concern.
JHHIII: Fat load of use you are. He seemed to think he was all special cause people showed up to see him, but if I did that, you'd have to hire out whole stadiums to fit the people in to come and see me, real stadiums, that holds thousands Simpson, not a damp little store, that's made to look busy because it's so tiny.
Simpson: Indeed sir.
JHHIII: I like that kid who told the old man that he was gonna get his wrinkly old butt kicked by me, that guy speaks the truth, we should find him and send him something. That kid knows true talent, he knows talent like me. This dinosaur man fools no one trying to be hip, he fools no one trying to still be able to handle younger talent like me.
Simpson: Sir, that young gentleman over stepped the mark in my opinion. One has to respect the amount of work Mr Rex has put in to this business. Without superstars like Mr Rex, talented individuals would not have followed him in to this business to make a name for themselves. Mr Rex has helped pioneer the way for others to follow.
James looks at Simpson, for a second, the tired face of the Prince Brat turns to anger.
JHHIII: And that is why your opinion doesn't matter Simpson! Because it's a pointless opinion! That guy was right. Rex is an old dinosaur that shouldn't be in a wrestling ring with the younger generation. He's had his time and now he needs to shuffle off quietly in to the sunset and let people like me take over.
Simpson: We will have to beg to differ on that one sir.
JHHIII: No we won't Simpson. He implied I paid that person to trash him, when all that kid was doing, was saying what the whole world wants to say to Thatcher Rex. Everyone wants to tell Rex that it's time to give it up and take up shuffleboard and dominoes and all the other old man games, but didn't have the guts to tell him like I do. That guy should be given a medal. In fact Simpson, do just that, find out who he is, track him down and give him a medal.
Simpson: As you wish sir.
JHHIII: Also, while you're at it, track down that Diamondback guy and tell him he sucks and after Sunday, both he and Thatcher Rex will have a new hero. Me! I will be their hero, they can look up to me and see me win all the time! Cause that's what champions do, and I am a champion Simpson.
Simpson: Indeed you are.
JHHIII: This guy Rex was a bit stupid in his promo thing Simpson. He said I have to prove myself as champion, implied I had to prove myself but I won this belt, therefore, my worth is proved. He wins one match and becomes challenger, who really does need to prove themselves Simpson? Who really does need to prove to the world that they're good. It's not me Simpson, the whole world know I don't stink!
Simpson: Well...
JHHIII: I mean in the ring!
James snaps towards Simpson
JHHIII: I don't suck in the ring Simpson, I'm the youngest legend in the game! If I was a fluke, Giani would have beat me, cause Giani has talent and Rex doesn't, but I beat Giani! I beat him! I won! I won! I won!
James stomps his feet on the floor.
JHHIII: But I bet you dino man couldn't beat Giani, Giani would eat him for breakfast. Giani would slaughter him. I've proved my worth to SCW. I wasn't hiding in my mansion, I was relaxing, planning, I want you to tell him that when you see him Simpson.
Simpson: I will make a note of it.
JHHIII: Good! He thinks I was begging Goth, but was a tactic Simpson! A tactic to make Goth think he was gonna win and bam! I beat him. Goth couldn't deal with me. Goth couldn't beat me and I know Thatcher can't beat Goth. I earned this belt by making good use of everything around me. I earned this by beating people. A real champion uses everything around him to try and keep the title. A true champion thinks of a plan B and C. Speaking of which, is plan B in place?
Simpson: Yes sir, it is.
JHHIII: Yay! See, nothing can stop me Simpson, cause champions think like me. Champions plan like me and I planned it well Simpson. You know I'm getting under Thatcher's skin cause he's going low brow by cursing. Cursing is a sign of being common street trash and not being smart enough to use better words. I bet I can say a word Thatcher doesn't know the meaning of.
Simpson: What word sir?
JHHIII: Vocabulary
Simpson: What makes you say that sir?
JHHIII: Cause all he does is talk like a common man. Swears and insults blatantly, because he's too stupid to be clever with them. His vocabulary is so limited, it's almost sad that you can see his education was a poor one. Even if I didn't have all this money, I'd still be great, but I'd have to involve myself with people you associate with Thatcher Rex to try and be great. Just because I went a different route to greatness, doesn't take away the fact that I truly am great. Just because I could afford training by doing legal things, doesn't make me any less of a wrestler than he is. He thinks I look down on people because I have money, but he looks down on me for the exact same reason. He thinks I look at people differently because I could buy his entire home state, but he looks down on me because I can. If I gave Thatcher one million dollars tomorrow, he'll claim it wouldn't change him, but I bet he will look down on everyone he meets, I bet he will change his friends faster than a cheetah.
Simpson: He seems very grounded sir.
JHHIII: Everyone seems grounded till you give them more than they've had before Simpson. He thinks looking down on me because I have money, fame and success has already put the title on his lap and already celebrating it in his mind, but not the way it's going to go. He can sit and day dream about how he's gonna celebrate, but that too will be a waste of time. The simple fact is, I'm a champion, I have beat bigger and better to win and keep this title, I will beat bigger than this old man. I will be a champion forever.
James slumps in his chair.
JHHIII: I don't care what kind of match it is, all I know is that I will beat him Simpson. It doesn't matter what it takes cause his mouth, his potty mouth and constant stream of junk that falls from it, has made me want to beat him Simpson and come Sunday, I will.
James' tone seems quiet than usual.
JHHIII: He's been talking a lot Simpson, he's got his little friends to imply I'm boring, and I know there's only one way I will shut him and his silly little friends up, and that's by beating him without your help. I will beat him without a doubt. I will make sure that every word that's fallen out of his mouth, he will eat, he will chew and swallow them all. This title gives me respect Simpson and when that wheel stops spinning and people stop holding their breath, it truly doesn't matter to me what it lands on, because I came for this title knowing the full story. I came to it knowing at eighteen years old, I could end up in something that could really, really hurt, but I did it anyway. Maybe people need to respect that fact, rather than nit picking pointless little things, thrown at me to distract me.
James looks directly at Simpson, a look in his eyes of sheer grit and determination.
JHHIII: While he's making stupid jokes about being a kid, about having baby's nuts, having a unhealthy obsession with my private parts, I'm getting ready to show him that just like Goth, just like Giani, I pull people in to a comfortable zone where I force them in to making mistakes. While Thatcher Rex is coming up with cutest lines, I'm working on ways to win.
Simpson is slightly taken back by this oddly mature tone James is showing.
JHHIII: I couldn't hit puberty? Thatcher Rex couldn't beat an egg.
James slumps back in his chair, his eyes determined. He closes his eyes as the scene fades out.
