[Clouds fill the sky, overcast brings on darkness and raindrops drip from the trees as fog rolls over the rain-covered road. A continuous squeak echoes through the forest on either side of the road. It’s the sound of someone jogging down the road; a gray hooded sweatshirt and gray sweatpants covering their body. This person continues their jog down the road until they come to a rotunda overlooking a town. The jogger stops next to the guardrail and looks at the tiny lights that can be spotted through the fog; like little fireflies in the night. The person takes several deep breaths as they continue to stand and watch over the town. He raises his arms and slides his hood back; revealing himself to be Southern Heritage Title contender Doug Gavelon.] [As he continues to overlook the fog-covered setting, he begins to think about the road he’s traveled to arrive at this destination.]~Hmm. I’m there again. I finally made it back to the top. Soon, I will be the top champion again. I remember the last time, back in World Pro, when I beat that big, tough b*st*rd Grendel. Going toe-to-toe; dropping him on his head with the Reign of Fire; the shock of the crowd as they realized that I’d beaten their champion. The commentary on that match was excellent with Toby O. cheering like a madman when I got the pin. Who was that girl who did play-by-play? Oh yes, Candice Calloway. Considering Toby got a job here, I’m surprised she hasn’t shown up. Oh well, I guess it wasn’t to be.~[Doug takes a final deep breath; fully calming himself. He continues to scan the horizon.]~Well, while I’d like to stand here all day, reminiscing and looking at the scenery won’t win me the belt. Time to head to the weight room before I take care of my promo.~[Doug lifts the hood back over his head and turns around; asking himself something as he starts to jog in the opposite direction.]DG: I wonder if the coward and the lapdog are taking this even a quarter as seriously as I am.
[Doug jogs his way back down the road with his shoes sloshing on the wet pavement; soon disappearing through the fog.]Later that day…
[With his training finished for the day, it’s time for Doug to speak his mind about the upcoming match. Due to him making a slight detour en route, the camera crew grows restless inside the media facility of the Boys and Girls Club; waiting to move their equipment to Missouri until next week. They spend their time by re-re-checking the camera and checking their wrist watches. Finally, Doug enters the room; still wearing the gray sweat suit and holding a carrying case in his hand. The crew looks at it with a look of confusion.]Camera man: Hey, Doug, what’s in the case?DG: Let’s see: hard surface; cube shape; three feet by three feet; cage door. It’s a lollipop.
[The camera man, already perturbed at Doug’s lateness, just rolls his eyes. Doug shrugs his shoulders and chuckles.]DG: Sorry, man, but you asked the wrong question.
[Doug opens the door and pulls out three objects: a leash, a bowl and a Rottweiler pup. The reveal causes a look of bewilderment in the eyes of the questioning camera man. Doug’s smile grows as he attaches the leash to the dog. He sets the bowl so that it‘s just out of reach of the dog; leaving it unable to eat its contents.]DG: The right question is not “What?” but “Why?”
Camera man: Uh…alright. Why then?DG: To make my point.
Camera man: And what point would that be?DG: That my opponents at School of Hard Knocks consist of a lowlife coward who has to hide behind his lawyers to keep on top and a guy who has the ferocity of an animal but the will power of a weight watcher. I plan to explain that here today.
Camera man: And how are you doing that?[Doug raises his hand as if to signal “Enough with the questions.”]DG: You’ll soon see. Now, let’s get this over with. Little Ase here is getting anxious.
Camera man: You named the dog Ase?DG: Why not? Not only does he have the attitude of my outspoken opponent but he also looks a bit like him, too. I couldn’t have asked for a better look alike unless I ran into a litter of mutts on my way here.
[The camera man, now concerned with what Ase’s reaction might be, just takes a deep breath before moving around to the back of the camera. He first pulls in and focuses on Doug’s smirking face as the camera starts to roll.]DG: Can you feel it? Can you, the people watching at home, feel it? That…feeling that’s in the air; complex and yet simplistic.
[Doug lifts his head and closes his eyes as if taking it all in; breathing in deeply. He soon opens his eyes and looks back into the camera.]DG: That’s the feeling of anticipation. Anticipation for not only the biggest night in the history of RCW but the biggest title match as well. In one corner, you have the chump who would be champ, The Phil. In another corner, you have a weapon which will seem like a water pistol once this match comes around in Ase. Finally, you have the man who will top them all and walk out of School of Hard Knocks II as the Southern Heritage Champion…Doug Gavelon, yours truly.
[The camera man pulls back the shot to reveal to the viewing audience the matters that Doug has brought with him. Little Ase continues to struggle; trying to reach for his bowl. Doug, calmly, continues to hold onto the leash and make sure that he can’t reach it. He also continues to chuckle at the hardship facing the Rottweiler pup.]DG: Easy there, Ase.
[Doug’s smile turns to sadistic as he mentions the dog’s ominous nomenclature.]DG: As you can see here, I’ve found an exact facsimile of one of my fellow opponents. Just look at him, folks: not only does he have the possibility to inflict the damage that Ase can but his deep, dark appearance even resembles the man. In fact, he’s like the real Ase in every way…
[Doug violently pulls back on the leash which launches Little Ase far away from the bowl. Dejected, the dog lowers its head and lies down at Doug’s feet.]DG: …including the lack of control over his life. With the real Ase now has the ability to speak, it’s also apparent that Tarja is in control. He serves as her supposed perfect weapon to destroy without pity or remorse. He exudes such great power and yet he can’t find the strength to be a man by stepping out on his own. Sure, Tarja, her guidance and her interference, did lead him to the title before but how many successful title defenses did Ase have? None. He lost that title to Jeffrey Hollywood and took a sabbatical from this company to hide his shame. And do you know why, Ase?
[Doug leans forward in his chair; the camera focusing solely on Doug’s face again.]DG: Because Hollywood had a brain and a heart and easily used them both to defeat you. He used his raw emotion and his ring intelligence to take the Southern Heritage Title on that night. It didn’t matter that you were the stronger man on that night because it was proven that brutality alone won’t get you the win; you need control over yourself in both mind and spirit if you want to win consistently.
[Doug lowers his head and chuckles again as if thinking “What’s the point in explaining astronomy to a brick wall?” He lifts his head back up and continues.]DG: I’m sure this won’t sink in on you, Ase, because Tarja has run your life for so long that you consider what I’m saying as hollow words. You see me as another weakling on your path to another title. That’s how you operate: like a machine. You’re a cold, calculating machine, Ase, and that’s your major downfall. That’s why you will fail in this match because until you learn to utilize this…
[Doug points to his head.]DG: …and this…
[Doug moves his hand and points to his heart.]DG: …will this ever matter.
[Doug points to his bicep. After a few moments, he moves his hands back to his lap.]DG: Just like Rocky had his Drago, Doug Gavelon has his Ase. People fear you because of the pain you inflict on others and love me because I represent the very best in people. And when we clash, I will expose your weaknesses and leave the entire Family Arena cheering my name as I reign victorious. It wasn’t always like this. In fact, I was a lot like you at one point, Ase. If Tarja’s influence hasn’t completely infected your feeble mind, I’m sure you remember our days in World Pro and the night that I became champion. Those were the days when I didn’t care who I hurt and was satisfied with inflicting as much damage as possible without cause or concern. I was like a machine. And like any machine, yourself included, I broke down and failed to uphold my status as champion. Not only did I lose control over my life but I also lost the title during my first defense. However, Ase, what the two of us did after our losses is what’s shaped us. While you chose to retreat further into madness, I realized that I needed to better myself and I did. I stopped relying on strength alone and used my heart and mind to once again become the only wrestler that matters; in name and in reality. So, while the people treat you like a boogeyman or a tragic figure for being a neutered fool, both the people in the seats and in the back know that I am the next champion. You will see their foreshadowing come true in our Cage Match and just like my little friend here…
[Doug lowers his head to draw attention to the slumping dog in front of him before staring back up at the camera.]DG: …you’ll have no choice, Ase, but to bow at the feet of the new king. I understand this aspect about you, Ase, because while I was “sitting on my a**“ like you believed I was, I was studying you; your wrestling style and your psyche. I found it interesting that while you did destroy Alex Crowe, it took you quite an effort. I’m sure you’ll say that Crowe was able to push you to your limits but that’s a cop out. As great a guy as Crowe used to be, he’s still the same guy who used to do card tricks around here: has some talent, can push some lesser quality guys to a great match but can’t hold a candle to the top tier guys. I know this because I beat him, handily. When I did, I was the Natural Champion. It was a Non-Title Match because he still hadn’t earned a shot at my title. So, Ase, if you got pushed to your limits by a guy who not only didn’t deserve a Natural Title Match and that I beat the hell out of when he had his chance, what does that say about you? Go ahead and give me an excuse where you’re not blowing smoke out you’re a** and we’ll see who’s telling the truth at School of Hard Knocks.
[Doug takes the leash and guides Little Ase back into his carrier. He closes the door behind him.]DG: As for my other opponent, despite his idiotic banter with Joe every time those two “grace” us with their presence on camera, Phil has the personality of a flat surface.
[Doug reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. He slowly unfolds it to reveal that it’s a picture. In fact, it’s a picture of Phil along with another man; taken from early in Phil’s career.][Doug can barely hold in the laughter as he continues to hold the picture up.]DG: Then again, considering that big, pink singlet he’s wearing, he has enough personality to do what everyone else does: laugh at him and his career.
[Doug lowers the picture, face down, onto his left knee.]DG: You see, Phil, for the longest time I was frustrated knowing that you were champion and I finally realized why: from the decisions you’ve made off-camera to the matches you’ve had in front of one, your career in RCW has been a joke. I could go into my opinion and the opinion of everyone in the wrestling industry again about how you became a two time Southern Heritage Champion but I’ll sum it up by saying that you proved your lack of intelligence at Hog Heaven 2. Instead of simply showing up and watching the clock run for a match between Eno and Jose and you would’ve kept your title for another couple of months; no battle royal necessary and just one continuous reign. Instead, you pulled out this ridiculous reveal as, supposedly, being the real El Bastardo del Talon and allowing yourself to be stripped of the title earlier in the night just to unmask.
[Doug shakes his head in disgust.]DG: That just shows the lack of respect Phil has for this business, this company and the Southern Heritage Title, especially. That whole episode was a huge disgrace because Phil has no concept of basic intelligence. What’s even worse is that two other morons thought it would help their career to dress up at El Bastardo themselves. Of course, we all know what happened to them. I destroyed Tweetles Dumb and Dumber and earned my title shot for School of Hard Knocks. Now, they realize what I’ve realized for some time now: that any association with Phil will automatically lead to the implosion of your career. Sadly, they found out the hard way.
[Doug leans back in his chair and stretches his arms on the backrest. He allows the picture of Phil to fall to the floor.]DG: Then there’s his supposed comedy where he likes to refer to recent Natural Title history as my friends, foes, and I “c*rcle j*rk*ng” the belt around. He continues this idea about some sort of conspiracy as we all had a history with each other. That just shows that even Phil can give conspiracy theorists a bad name. If all you have to go by for a conspiracy that each opponent knew each other from before then that’s the weakest idea for a conspiracy I’ve ever heard. Next thing you know, Phil will start in on his theory of a silver bullet.
[Doug leans forward again; clasping his hands together and resting them on his knees.]DG: The truth is, Phil, that everybody knows everybody in this business from one point or another. You, Ase, and I all wrestled in World Pro at one point. Does that mean that when I win, it’ll be the result of some conspiracy that the three of us have come up with? I think not. It’ll be because I’ve proven that I’m the better man and that you don’t deserve to be recognized as a champion. As for your “c*rcle j*rk” comment, I know that the only reason you said it is to try and get over with the internet marks who believe they‘re “in“ on everything. You think that by saying it, the hardcore fans will somehow understand you better and except you because, despite what you say in front of a camera lens, you crave attention and acceptance, Phil. In reality, the fans don’t believe you and don’t trust you because they have no reason to do so. In fact, my guess is the only reason you even said it is because you do it at home. Let’s face it, both Ase and I have a woman at home while you hang out with Joe all the time. So, leave your vices at home and bring what little wrestling talent you have to the ring.
[Doug picks up the picture from the floor and looks it over. He laughs to himself again. He looks back up at the camera to continue.]DG: As for your “appearance” at the last Southern Dynamite, I know why you didn’t show up. I could say something about you being gutless or frightened but I don’t believe that’s the entire reason. You like trying to be different; a unique person in life and in the ring. The only problem is that your “style” simply doesn’t get over. The people beg for the day when not only will you lose your title but end your career as well. That day is August Second, the place is the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri, and the man to end your reign and your life in the cage is me.
[Doug leans over and pulls the dog’s bowl so that it’s right below him. Then, he starts rotating the picture in his hands and tearing it apart; piece-by-piece. Doug makes sure that they fall into the bowl. It becomes apparent that some sort of liquid is held within the bowl.]DG: Then again, Phil, maybe there was a little bit of fear in you that night. For a “champion”, you’re not exactly the most confident person. I mean, during your first title reign, everyone considered it a lucky night if you even had the guts to visit with the boys in the back. During your second title reign, you did everything you could to avoid having to face a top contender until Ase got his hands on you and destroyed you. Once that happened, your aura of invincibility that you’d made up in RCW by just shooting your mouth off and beating lesser opponents or using underhanded tactics to beat the top contenders had been shattered. This supposedly unstoppable “champion” had been torn apart as easily as paper.
[Doug rips a huge piece from the picture after that last comment; a huge smile across his face.]DG: Now, during your current reign, you’re willing to just walk out on matches or get disqualified either because you’re too ignorant to respect your opponent or your too afraid about what they might do to you. In fact, you haven’t been seen since Ase beat the hell out of you at Southern Dynamite last month. I sure hope you have the guts to show up for the cage match because I don’t want any excuses or loopholes present for you to find so you can taint my great victory.
[Doug rips the final pieces apart and they fall down into the bowl.]DG: Piece-by-piece and bit-by-bit, your career has been falling apart, Phil. For every idiotic comment you’ve made, for every conspiracy theory you’ve held and for every time you’ve tried to be “unique” in your promos, you haven’t concentrated enough on the wrestling aspect of your career.
[Doug reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pack of matches. He pulls one out of the pack.]DG: Your insecurities continue to grow as my wrestling prowess has grown even stronger than before.
[Doug strikes the match and holds it up for the camera to see.]DG: So, only now will you see that while you left your wrestling “talent” by the wayside…
[Doug throws the match down into the bowl. It ignites the, obvious, starter fluid and the torn pieces of Phil’s picture.]DG: …the unique ways you’ve done promos and stuffed them down our throats will consume you.
[Doug, again, leans forward and rests his hands on his knees.]DG: So, I hope everyone comes to enjoy the epic event which will be School of Hard Knocks. There, you will see, without a doubt, the most intense and barbaric cage match ever thought possible. You will witness the destruction of a supposed Perfect Weapon. You will witness the end of the life and times known as Phillip Shane Abernathy. You will witness the ascendance of the only wrestler that matters to the top of RCW. You will witness the greatness that is Doug Gavelon.
[The camera man turns the camera off and immediately grabs a fire extinguisher. He puts the fire out as Doug continues to calmly sit in his chair. The camera man tosses the extinguisher to the side after the fire dies out.]Camera man: Have you lost your mind? What the hell was that all about?DG: Like I said, I was proving my point. Now that my point’s proven, I have to get home. It’s getting late anyway.
Camera man: Yeah, thanks a lot. I’m the one who has to clean this mess up.[Doug rolls his eyes as he picks up the bowl. He looks over and notices a garbage can.]DG: Don’t be so melodramatic. If you would’ve just waited a few moments and not jumped around like a chicken with his head cut off…
[Doug dumps the bowl into the garbage can.]DG: …I would’ve done that and the problem would’ve been solved.
[Doug grabs the dog carrier and proceeds out the door. As the door closes behind him, the camera man just hangs his head.]Later still…
[As this day draws to a close, Doug returns home with his new edition to the family. All of the lights are turned off and Tiffany has long since gone to bed. Doug walks into the bedroom and sees that she’s still asleep. A smile develops over his face as he sets the carrier down and opens the door.]DG:
[whispering] Go say “hi” to Tiff.
[The pup leaps out of the carrier and cautiously makes his way onto the bed. He moves over to Tiffany and starts licking her face. As she wakes up and the smile appears on her face, Doug gets the reaction he was looking for. Tiffany looks over and motions for Doug to join her.]Tiffany: You finally got us a dog. I’m so happy. What did you name him?[Doug walks over while she speaks and sits next to her at the foot of the bed.]DG: I named him Ase. I think he looks a bit like him.
[Tiffany lets out a huge laugh as she continues to pet the dog.]Tiffany: I’m sure he liked that one. So, how did the training go today?DG: Great. If this keeps up, I’ll have no problem taking that belt.
Tiffany: Well, we’ll have another new edition around here then. If this keeps up, we won’t be able to even move around here.[Doug chuckles as he leans in and passionately kisses Tiffany. He then leans down and lifts up her shirt so that her stomach is visible. He tenderly kisses her stomach and caresses it.]DG: So, how are you doing?
Tiffany: Oh, I’m fine. I’m just worried about you. I mean, considering what happened the last time, you may be in for some tongue-lashings when Phil and Ase hear about this.[Doug just shakes his head.]DG: I don’t care about that. I’ve learned from my mistake and I have enough room in my life for a wrestling career and a family now.
[Doug leans in and kisses Tiffany again. Doug then immediately gets up from the bed and picks the dog up. Tiffany looks at him confused.]Tiffany: Now, what are you doing?DG: Just letting the dog out.
[Doug takes the dog and puts him just outside the bedroom door with the carrier. He then closes the door so that Little Ase can’t re-enter. Tiffany smiles as she realizes Doug’s intentions.]Tiffany: Are you looking to have twins or what?DG: What? I heard you can still have sex till your third trimester or something like that.
Tiffany: I’ll keep that in mind. Now come here.[Doug smiles and jumps onto the bed next to his love and the mother of his future child. As they lovingly embrace, Doug has a thought in the back of his head: “With the way things are now, there’s no way I’m allowing myself to lose that title match.”]
