WRONG PART OF TOWN
ReVival 19.
We’ve just witnessed Paxton Ray and Jacob Mephisto do everything in their power to rip one another apart. Unfortunately, the man whose head everyone wants to pop off (that’s Paxton Ray in case you were unclear) still has it attached by some stroke of luck.
Backstage though, Dusk stands outside the locker room door of someone who has a vested interest in Paxton Ray. A person that Dusk may have, once upon a time, smashed a chair into their skull.
Keep in mind, this was a very long time ago, and many many things have changed since then.
He looks at the door, which reads King Blueberry, and sighs.
Like, legit huge sigh.
Dusk: [mumbles] What am I doing here?
He then looks to his left and there is a large cart with something on it, though we are unable to see what that something is as there is a large black drape over it.
Dusk then looks back at the door, shrugs his shoulders, and knocks on the door.
The door to the locker room of King Blueberry (and presumably Justine Calvin). What purpose does he have to be knocking on their door, especially with a main event match coming soon against the Alabama Bruiser himself?
That’s a great question.
Before we can answer that question though, the door opens and there stands a mildly irritated woman with her back to the scene, completely unaware of what’s going on in the hallway.
Justine Calvin: We can have that conversation later, Jared, but right now I have a match in a few minutes, and I’d like to spend those trying to focus.
She turns, and almost plows into the Lost Soul.
Justine Calvin: Oh. Hi, Craig.
Dusk: Oh, um, hi Justine.
King Blueberry: (from off-camera) Look, I’m not trying to complicate things here, or…
When King Blueberry steps into view behind her, his mask is askew, not fully covering his face. He pulls it down into place as soon as he realizes they have company, quickly ducking back into the room to make sure that he’s well and truly hidden. The ruse has been obvious for some time, and the use of his real name is commonplace in PRIME, but if you were to ask Jared Sykes whether he’s ready to take that stupid costume off the answer would still be no.
Justine glances back over her shoulder, and then turns to Dusk.
Justine Calvin: Good luck.
Dusk: Thanks.
She taps him on the shoulder before starting off down the hall. After a few feet she turns, now walking backwards towards her destination.
Justine Calvin: You’re gonna need it.
Dusk: Yeah, I usually do. Good luck on your match.
And then she’s gone, leaving a very confused blueberry behind in the locker room. Now fully hidden, he pokes his face out into the hallway taking in the surroundings.
King Blueberry: This is about the smoke machines, isn’t it? Or maybe the memes? Look, if I’d known that “Dusk superkicks the World Trade Center” was going to blow up that big on Reddit… Well… I probably still would have Photoshopped it, but still.
Dusk looks over at Sykes and shakes his head.
Dusk: I don’t know what Reddit is. My daughter just had to explain to me what Jabber is. Are you on that thing? [beat] What am I saying? Of course you’re on that thing. Anyways, Jared. Long time no talk. I think last time we really saw each other, you know, had a conversation, I don’t think it went that well. Not here to do that again.
The Blueberry rubs at a spot on his forehead. If he weren’t wearing a mask, the camera would be able to see a scar that runs not far beneath his hairline. It’s one of a small collection, but this one in particular came at the hands of the man across from him on a day when Dusk wielded a chair and Jared decided that he would take a bullet for Alexandra Pierce, shoving her out of the way and eating the full brunt of the impact.
It, like the scar that serves a souvenir, is one of many decisions he’d no doubt like to take back.
King Blueberry: Cool. Well, then I guess I can cross you off the list of people who I figured want to beat my ass. In fairness it’s not the best list to be on if you’re looking for exclusivity. Lotta names on that list.
He sighs as he offers a glance down the corridor in the direction his partner disappeared.
King Blueberry: Lotta names. So then to what do I owe the pleasure?
Dusk: Well…
Dusk clears his throat, his mind having traveled to place that he hadn’t gone to in a while (read: Alexandra Pierce). He then looks over to his left.
Dusk: I brought you something.
He then looks back over at Jared.
Dusk: So, I’m retiring. Started to take a look at the random stuff I’ve accumulated and somehow I’ve accumulated quite a bit of these and I noticed your… affinity… for them so I thought I would bequeath them to you. Seeing as how you probably need something positive in your life considering all of… that.
The that he is referring to of course being what happened to Rhine, his current blood feud with Paxton Ray.
Dusk: Who knows. Maybe you can use these against a certain somebody.
King Blueberry: Okay, I’ll admit you’ve got me curious. But if whatever’s under that cover over there turns out to be Jimmy Bonafide’s old gun collection…
He sucks in a breath through his teeth.
King Blueberry: Well, I know wrestling law is pretty lax, but I think I’d still go to jail for that.
Dusk: Two things. One, my employment contract specifically prohibits me from having anything to do with guns on the property. Something something 2007. We’re not going to talk about it. Second, not going to say I don’t blame you. But, no, not guns. Something that could serve a dual function.
Dusk then looks over to his left, grabs the curtain, and yanks it off the cart. To reveal…
SMOKE MACHINES!
Dusk: Ta-da?
The masked man steps out into the hall and paces a slow circle around the cart, taking it all in. A thousand ideas dance through his brain, some of which aren’t suitable for broadcast no matter what rating PRIME operates under.
King Blueberry: My electric bill is about to be so high.
A grin creeps across his lips.
King Blueberry: I’ve definitely got some ideas for these. Might need to clear space where I store all the office chairs.
Don’t ask. The less said about that collection, the better.
He picks up one of the smoke machines and tests its weight.
King Blueberry: You think one of these would survive impact? Like, hypothetically let’s say I was going to try to hit a man with it. You think it would hold up, or are we looking at a one-shot situation? You know, scientifically speaking, of course.
Dusk: Scientifically speaking, I think you could use one and bludgeon an asshole from Louisiana multiple times. Per each smoke machine. Scientifically speaking. Hypothetically.
Dusk then winks. Very obviously. As if he’s never had to wink before in his life. He then grabs the cart and wheels it into Jared’s locker room.
Dusk: Want to talk about Paxton? And everything? I have a fair bit of experience fighting asshats. Though, I guess with the group we’ve run with in the past, you would have some of the same experience as I do.
He then finds a chair and sits down in it.
King Blueberry: That’s a loaded question. I’m… I dunno. Still trying to figure all this out. I was one of the loudest voices in picking that fight, and in getting him back here to have it. Now he’s here, and if I’m being honest…
He shrugs.
King Blueberry: I don’t know how to reconcile it. What happens if he and I cross paths tonight? What happens if someone else I know gets there first? And the worst one, what happens if something happens because of it? I forgot what this feels like, and am suddenly reminded that it sucks.
Dusk nods his head.
Dusk: I’ve been there. Not there. Normally the guys I’ve fought haven’t paralyzed someone just because they could. But, I’ve definitely ran into that spot where the animosity against someone is so strong that the mere sight of them unleashes unholy war. My piece of advice? Holding in your feelings isn’t the way. You’re fortunate that you have someone like Justine in your corner. Because she could help you process your feelings if you let her in.
Beat.
Dusk: You want to do right by Jon and that is commendable and honestly, expected. Just realize you get truly one shot at Paxton. Don’t waste it. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. Bring a smoke machine to the fight. And don’t stop until you have nothing left in your bones. Make your one shot count and you won’t have these ‘what-ifs’ floating in your mind. Now– what the fuck?
The fuck of Dusk’s comment reveals itself to be one-half of Winds of Change, Sid Phillips, randomly looking through Jared Sykes gym bag. It doesn’t take long for him to be joined by Joe Fontaine and Coral Avalon.
Sid Phillips: Wow, that’s a lot of stuff. I mean. None of it’s good for powerbombs, but…
Coral Avalon: Knock that off, Sid.
Coral shakes his head and looks over at Dusk and Jared.
Coral Avalon: Sorry about this. One thing led to another, and… well. Here we are.
Sid Phillips: Curse the blood of bears, for they have no soul to be cursed in its place!
Coral Avalon: …Yes. Of course.
By the way, Joe Fontaine found the popcorn. Applause!
Joe Fontaine: Well, I didn’t think we’d wind up here of all places. We interrupting something? Oh, it’s a bunch of smoke machines!
Joe goes over to the cart of smoke machines. He doesn’t touch them with his greasy popcorn hands, but he’s definitely in awe of them.
Joe Fontaine: Ooh. Vintage. They’re not like all of those company-mandated smoke machines we all got a few months ago. Hey, Sid, Avy, you gotta check these out.
Coral Avalon: No.
Dusk stands up and walks over to Joe.
Dusk: Those are the real deal. Circa 1940, because you know, I’m old.
He then looks at the popcorn.
Dusk: What do you need popcorn for?
Joe Fontaine: Eating.
He pauses, and holds out the bucket.
Joe Fontaine: Want some for the road before you go fight a very big and very mean head of security who I think might have killed at least two guys? Maybe three?
Dusk looks at the bucket of popcorn and then at Joe.
Dusk: Nah, I’m good. [beat] And I’ve heard it’s four. But, that assumes I haven’t killed a few guys in my lifetime.
He then looks over at Sid.
Dusk: Learn any new moves yet? Or are we still on the powerbomb-and-elbow combination?
Sid Phillips: What’s an elbow?
Coral looks like he’s in pain, or maybe about to cry a little.
Coral Avalon: Sid, we talked about this.
Sid Phillips: We did?
Coral Avalon: It’s that thing you do with your arm when you’re not powerbombing someone.
Sid Phillips: Oh. Right. That’s an elbow. I forgot.
Dusk smiles and looks over at Jared.
Dusk: These are your people. And I have no doubt they’re not here for me, but for you. Plus, you heard Joe. I’ve got to fight a very big and very mean head of security. That’s taking up much of my mental capacity.
He then walks over to Jared, placing his hand on Jared’s shoulder.
Dusk: You’re going to do the right thing when you come face-to-face with Paxton. I know it. Because you were always the best of us. Also, the weirdest, but definitely the best of us.
He then looks back at Coral and the Winds of Change.
Dusk: Not sure if that is really saying much though.
Coral Avalon: I only play a berry on YouTube, I’ll have you know.
Dusk: I find that hard to believe.
King Blueberry: Well then. Here’s hoping I don’t let anybody down. Gentlemen, it’s been… a lot.
He steps away from his perch and begins the trek down the hall. His partner’s got a few minute head-start, and though she may not be keen on his presence for her first singles match in PRIME there’s nowhere else that he’d rather be.
Dusk follows behind him, though going in a different direction.
Thus, leaving Coral Avalon and the Winds of Change all alone in the locker room of Jared Sykes. Obviously, that’s a well thought out idea.
Coral Avalon: Okay, seriously. How did following you bring us here of all places?
Joe Fontaine: Secret Enemigo tunnels.
Coral Avalon: …I’m sorry I asked.
And with that can of worms randomly opened, NEVER to be closed again, we cut to Anna Daniels, punting random people in the head because that’s what she does.