Post by Press1269 on Feb 20, 2020 14:44:33 GMT
The PAW camera picks up with a shot of Johnny Raike in the backstage area of the Pure Arena. The Titan of the Midway seems almost distracted, barely noticing a member of the production staff until he's almost swung his gear bag into the poor man. With a quick sorry Raike continues on his way, stopping in front of the Bombtrax locker room. Johnny pulls a compact out of his pocket and double checks his hair before knocking.
JOHNNY RAIKE: Hey, Press, you in? It's Johnny. Raike, not Sykes. I was hoping we could talk.
When the door opens, Press is standing there in a PAW T-shirt, and a pair of jeans. He raises his eyebrow at Johnny Raike, not expecting an audience from the Most Liberated Man In Wrestling. After a few seconds of scrutiny, he shrugs his shoulders and throws the door open, returning to his gym bag where it's obvious he's been laying out his ring gear for tonight's Main Event. The PAW Heavyweight championship rests comfortably on the end of the bench. He looks over his shoulder, and speaks in an even tone.
PRESS: What can I do for you Johnny?
Johnny enters, eyes quickly scanning for Flaming Youth. It's not a lack of trust on the Thigh High Thrillers part exactly, more a reflex. Not seeing him Johnny gives his full attention to the Pure Amusement Champion.
JOHNNY RAIKE: It's about our...let's call him mutual foe, Stevie. I'll level with you, for all the crap we've been through in eight shows, what with the invaders and the monkey and the Xaya-checkout, Stevie is the only one I actually worry could take this place down. What I saw in that title match scared me. Legit scared me. And I want to help those people.
Press nodded, throwing his black fingerless gloves down beside the championship belt. He turned to face Johnny, and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
PRESS: To be honest, I'd like to help them too. Problem is, they don't want to be helped. They are fanatics, and fanatics almost always can't be reached. Stevie is a potential problem for the company. What he did to you, getting the DVD banned, that was crazy. What he did to me at the Super Show, equally insane. But on the other hand, for every way that Stevie causes us a slight financial set back, he also garners a lot of attention. Like it or not, how many people do you figure are out there right now just to see what the 'Madman' is going to do next?
A flash of irritation passes Johnny's face, before he holds himself back.
JOHNNY RAIKE: And how many people couldn't get a ticket because of Stevie's fanatics? How many of us are going to have to fight off armies? Press, I'm all for ticket sales, hell I probably talk about it as much as our financial department. But I can't stand by and do nothing. There has to be something that would shake at least a few of the apples off the crazy tree, right? What if we...I dunno, send a Wicked 6 DVD to the FBI, see if any of those people are missing persons, or kidnap victims, or felons.
Johnny runs a hand through his hair, obviously feeling a bit tense.
JOHNNY RAIKE: I'm not sure how to solve an issue like this. I can't fight or fuck my way through this and those are my main talents.
Press chuckled at the quip, nodding in understanding.
PRESS: I understand your frustrations. He and I put the beating of a lifetime on one another, but even after I sent that chair back in his face it didn't shut him up. He's like a pariah, once he latches onto something, he doesn't let it go. The DVD idea is pretty good, but if you really want to stick it to Stevie, you have to take something away from him that he really cares about, and the only thing I see that he cares for more than my championship, is Lola. Unlike the others, she doesn't seem to be just some pawn he can pull the strings on. She's loyal of her own accord. Break that loyalty, and Stevie will finally have to look himself in the mirror, and ask if he's the real deal or not.
Johnny tenses as Press talks about breaking Lola. Did the Champ know what he and Lydia were trying? Did he need to be more careful?
JOHNNY RAIKE: Yeah. Yeah I've thought about what losing Lola might do to him. Might even have an idea, but it's going to be slow. Harris is smart, annoyingly so, if the dominoes aren't set just so...
The Sissyboy Savior shrugs.
JOHNNY RAIKE: I was pretty sure there were no easy answers, but hope springs eternal, yeah? I'm just hoping this one doesn't have to end in mass suicide or slaughter at the hands of federal agents. The world doesn't need another Ruby Ridge and I'm not talking about my drag act.
Raike shakes out his head and signs 'whatever'
JOHNNY RAIKE: I'll keep thinking, but we both have matches to get ready for. Kick his ass and watch for rotten fruit, eh?
Press smirked at the comment.
PRESS: I figured everyone would have heard about that by now. I tell you what, you go out and kick CJ O'Donnell's teeth down his throat, and I'll try and rip Stevie Harris a new asshole, and you and I can discuss shaping up our own title picture. Deal?
Johnny gives a close lipped, but genuine smile to the PAW champion. He extends his hand for a shake.
JOHNNY RAIKE: Deal.
Press returns the smile, along with the gesture, taking Johnny's hand and giving it a firm shake before nodding, and turning back to his ring gear.
JOHNNY RAIKE: Hey, Press, you in? It's Johnny. Raike, not Sykes. I was hoping we could talk.
When the door opens, Press is standing there in a PAW T-shirt, and a pair of jeans. He raises his eyebrow at Johnny Raike, not expecting an audience from the Most Liberated Man In Wrestling. After a few seconds of scrutiny, he shrugs his shoulders and throws the door open, returning to his gym bag where it's obvious he's been laying out his ring gear for tonight's Main Event. The PAW Heavyweight championship rests comfortably on the end of the bench. He looks over his shoulder, and speaks in an even tone.
PRESS: What can I do for you Johnny?
Johnny enters, eyes quickly scanning for Flaming Youth. It's not a lack of trust on the Thigh High Thrillers part exactly, more a reflex. Not seeing him Johnny gives his full attention to the Pure Amusement Champion.
JOHNNY RAIKE: It's about our...let's call him mutual foe, Stevie. I'll level with you, for all the crap we've been through in eight shows, what with the invaders and the monkey and the Xaya-checkout, Stevie is the only one I actually worry could take this place down. What I saw in that title match scared me. Legit scared me. And I want to help those people.
Press nodded, throwing his black fingerless gloves down beside the championship belt. He turned to face Johnny, and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
PRESS: To be honest, I'd like to help them too. Problem is, they don't want to be helped. They are fanatics, and fanatics almost always can't be reached. Stevie is a potential problem for the company. What he did to you, getting the DVD banned, that was crazy. What he did to me at the Super Show, equally insane. But on the other hand, for every way that Stevie causes us a slight financial set back, he also garners a lot of attention. Like it or not, how many people do you figure are out there right now just to see what the 'Madman' is going to do next?
A flash of irritation passes Johnny's face, before he holds himself back.
JOHNNY RAIKE: And how many people couldn't get a ticket because of Stevie's fanatics? How many of us are going to have to fight off armies? Press, I'm all for ticket sales, hell I probably talk about it as much as our financial department. But I can't stand by and do nothing. There has to be something that would shake at least a few of the apples off the crazy tree, right? What if we...I dunno, send a Wicked 6 DVD to the FBI, see if any of those people are missing persons, or kidnap victims, or felons.
Johnny runs a hand through his hair, obviously feeling a bit tense.
JOHNNY RAIKE: I'm not sure how to solve an issue like this. I can't fight or fuck my way through this and those are my main talents.
Press chuckled at the quip, nodding in understanding.
PRESS: I understand your frustrations. He and I put the beating of a lifetime on one another, but even after I sent that chair back in his face it didn't shut him up. He's like a pariah, once he latches onto something, he doesn't let it go. The DVD idea is pretty good, but if you really want to stick it to Stevie, you have to take something away from him that he really cares about, and the only thing I see that he cares for more than my championship, is Lola. Unlike the others, she doesn't seem to be just some pawn he can pull the strings on. She's loyal of her own accord. Break that loyalty, and Stevie will finally have to look himself in the mirror, and ask if he's the real deal or not.
Johnny tenses as Press talks about breaking Lola. Did the Champ know what he and Lydia were trying? Did he need to be more careful?
JOHNNY RAIKE: Yeah. Yeah I've thought about what losing Lola might do to him. Might even have an idea, but it's going to be slow. Harris is smart, annoyingly so, if the dominoes aren't set just so...
The Sissyboy Savior shrugs.
JOHNNY RAIKE: I was pretty sure there were no easy answers, but hope springs eternal, yeah? I'm just hoping this one doesn't have to end in mass suicide or slaughter at the hands of federal agents. The world doesn't need another Ruby Ridge and I'm not talking about my drag act.
Raike shakes out his head and signs 'whatever'
JOHNNY RAIKE: I'll keep thinking, but we both have matches to get ready for. Kick his ass and watch for rotten fruit, eh?
Press smirked at the comment.
PRESS: I figured everyone would have heard about that by now. I tell you what, you go out and kick CJ O'Donnell's teeth down his throat, and I'll try and rip Stevie Harris a new asshole, and you and I can discuss shaping up our own title picture. Deal?
Johnny gives a close lipped, but genuine smile to the PAW champion. He extends his hand for a shake.
JOHNNY RAIKE: Deal.
Press returns the smile, along with the gesture, taking Johnny's hand and giving it a firm shake before nodding, and turning back to his ring gear.