THE TACTILIZING VIGIL OF DUSK
Elsewhere backstage, we are in a darkened room. Suddenly, candles begin to light on either side of a red carpet, creating a pathway. As the candles light on either side, pair by pair, steps are illuminated leading upwards to a marble podium, not unlike what athletes step onto at an Olympic medal ceremony. The candles surround the podium step at the top, and we hear a voice speak up, unseen.
“In the past couple of months, we’ve seen a host of events pass that have changed the landscape of PRIME. Vicious attacks. Questionable transactions. Existential crisis. Survivors. Rivalries reignited from eras past, and fresh ones that have sparked anew in this era, and will require an extra mile to put the issue to rest.”
Stepping into the dim candlelight now, standing a pace behind the podium step, is a fit looking man, lean and wiry muscles showing underneath chain mail covering his torso, and black tights with a gold “T1” insignia on either hip. He has black boots with gold laces accenting, and golden blonde hair framing his solemn expression.
Larry Tact: What we will witness within the hour, however, is unique to all of those events. We’re on the precipice of a true act of mercy…the end of Dusk!
BOOOOOOOOOO!
The PRIMEates can be heard expressing their displeasure as Larry flashes a shit eating grin that would even repel feces.
Larry Tact: I know I’m excited, and I’m sure the PRIME faithless are ready to cheer for their legend. They see me and him, and they feel the choice is as clear and easy as could be between us. They do so because they think, like Dusk himself, that I’m the one who’s put himself into a bad position. You all really believe that Dusk has nothing to lose, since he’s gone after this match, one way or another. It goes to show how short-sighted the Faithless are.
Larry pauses and points down to the podium step.
Larry Tact: You see this as the winner’s circle because you’ve been conditioned to. You see a bad motherfather like me, and your brains automatically feel revolted because I’ve done things to Dusk that he couldn’t stop, nor see coming. You dislike me out of nothing more than convenience… but you miss what I’ve been exemplifying all along.
A laugh comes from within his gutteral chambers that makes his shoulders reverberate.
Larry Tact: You all, just like Dusk, lack graciousness. You’re anything but humble. You’re selfish, as is your legend. While it’s true, you need to be selfish to succeed, this man has not done anything of note, by his own admission, to warrant your adoration and admiration. I’ve been criticized by Dusk for interrupting his final words to send himself off into a post-career that would be as forgettable as his career, and like all of you watching, he Misses. The. Point.
Larry scoffs and shakes his head with a disgusted look.
Larry Tact: I can encapsulate that selfish and crude attitude by the simple fact that these people would slurp up your words and allow you to do as your dull imagination pressed, no questions asked. Why? Well, it’s what the Faithless would do. But that’s not good enough for PRIME, Dusk. In fact, it’s a slap in the face of all this place has done for you. PRIME – no, WRESTLING – is all about big moments and making an impact. To go out with some vanilla words that literally any of these living festering boils in the stands could spout? What’s memorable about that?
BOOOOOOOOOO!
Larry Tact: I did you a hugr favor, and in fact, one that NOBODY else in the back cared enough to do for you. I restored your fire, your spotlight, and tonight I’m giving you a chance to shine for one last time. Believe me, as someone who left for years, I can tell you that the phone may ring, but it won’t be with a deal juicy enough to convince you to come back if you really are set on retiring. The sole reason you’ll ever return is if you have the fire to do it yourself. I’m giving you an opportunity to let that fire course through your broken down body one last time. Unfortunately for you, I don’t intend for you to be physically capable of competing after I’m finished with you. When all is said and done, my future is the one people will be looking at. I’m the one who will extinguish your spotlight, and allow mine to shine brighter than ever.
Larry takes a couple steps back into the darkness, until we see neon blue bathe him in a halo of light, his arms crossed over his chain mail covered chest.
Larry Tact: I have every intention of making this Dusk’s Last Stand in every sense of the term. You won’t be standing, much less wanting to step foot in another arena, ever again. I’ve had this stipulation in mind for some time, which is why I embraced facing The Anglo Luchador for the Intense Championship. I wanted to feel everything of that dangerous environment, so I could be fully prepared to bury you in it tonight. Winning the title would have been a fine bonus, but as it turned out, Ms. Troy ensured we would not have to trifle with rules and regulations.
He steps forward again and takes a knee, running his hand over the marble step.
Larry Tact: Which makes this here, a candlelit vigil for you, Dusk. I’m paying my disrespects for the man who will soon be laying flat on the ground, unable to answer to his own name, much less a ten count. This is your career’s tombstone, Dusk.
He lifts the slab up into an upright position, and we see it reads:
HERE LIES DUSK (2022)
PRIME INTENSE CHAMPION (2x)
FAN FAVORITE
EXTINGUISHED BY LARRY TACT
Larry rises up and smirks, spreading his arms wide.
Larry Tact: You may wonder why I’m not wearing a face mask to shield my nose, Dusk, after The Anglo Luchador damaged me. It’s because I don’t fear your targeting, Dusk. If you think a broken nose is going to leave me down, you’re as dead wrong as your career is dead on arrival here. I’ve got far more in store for you, and it adds up to the star of Dusk being broken into unrecognizable shards. For one night, perhaps Dusk will be as good as he ever could be. I hope the PRIME Faithless soak that all in.
Because in the end, no matter how many scenarios you want to run, it still leads to your tactful surrender – in body, mind, and soul. Your time has come, Dusk.
Burn bright and die.
Larry walks off camera, and we see a golden ‘T1’ light up under the halo of blue light, overshadowing the ‘tombstone’ if Dusk.