YOUR THOUGHTS?
Against a backdrop of bricks, we find Simon Tillier backstage, looking snazzy in his pressed suit and dress shirt, with microphone poised in hand.
Simon Tillier: Hey, PRIMEates! After PRIME aired its second Pay-Per-View since returning, Great American Nightmare, I was thinking of what I could do to up my game. Fortunately, Matt Mills had a pretty darn good idea, if I do say so myself. He brought up the breaking news we heard this week that a longtime PRIME veteran, Dusk, will be announcing his retirement. With that announcement set for later on tonight, Matt suggested I try and get some feedback from wrestlers who weren’t around for PRIMEs initial run. I thought that was a way to stand out, so I’m here to find some comments.
The camera zooms out and we find Simon has taken post not too far from the Argyle position, where wrestlers would be coming and going as they made their entrances and exits to and from the ring. Simon looks around and, lo and behold, he finds a wrestler who is coming down the hallway from his match: Larry Tact, holding a white towel to his head and partially obscuring him. Even so, Simon’s eyes perk up and he walks over maybe a little too eagerly.
Simon Tillier: Larry Tact, I see you’re coming back fresh off the show opening triple threat match. Since this is your first run in PRIME, I wanted to get your comments on Dusk, who has been a longstanding member of PRIME, and is announcing his retirement later tonight.
Unsurprisingly, Larry doesn’t stop and we can see him shooting an irritated look Simon’s way. The intrepid journalist sends back a smile and keeps in lock-step with Tact while he continues down to the end of the hallway.
Simon Tillier: In fact, Larry, you’ve been one of the quietest wrestlers backstage in PRIME. I don’t believe we’ve heard from you at a single ReVival. With Dusk leaving after tonight, breaking your silence with a few thoughts would certainly be soundbite worthy.
Tact stops at the end of the hallway, looking down the hallway to his left, then his right, perhaps to make a decision on where to go. Or, maybe he was checking to see if anyone else was in the area. He then glowers down at Simon.
Larry Tact: You must have some nerve, coming here to ask me for my thoughts on Dusk. My thoughts on Dusk? What about thoughts on the match I just had! Am I such an afterthought to you, larvae reporter, that you decided I wouldn’t mind giving comments on a guy who’s not even showing up to work much longer? I bust my ass out there every show I’m on, and I already hear enough nonsense from the fans. Now, I have to come back from the ring and hear you’re more interested in my comments about Dusk?
Simon doesn’t bat an eye, holding the mic steadily as he captures Larry’s words like they mean everything in that moment. For him, he is focused on his ability to give them a platform, and not flinch if what’s said is meant to intimidate or back him off. He holds his ground even as Larry looks truly pissed off. After a couple beats, Tact smirks.
Larry Tact: That may be the smartest answer you could give, Simon. Maybe you can tell me this: What is it about Dusk that makes him special? His innate talent of holding this place hostage to keep him around to do, what exactly? If anything, now he sounds like an angsty teenager, wanting to take his ball home after Phil Atken took a Universal title shot out of the hands of defeat – I mean, Dusk. This man embarrasses Defeat itself, and that’s why he’s going to leech more airtime away from a more deserving wrestler, like me. I’m owed more credit around here, after what’s happened to me in my matches. Regardless of the number of opponents I face, I’m always having to fight some handicap towards victory. It’s a travesty that someone like Dusk, a perennial runner up, gets the amount of respect he does. I deserve twice as much respect for my efforts alone, much less my abilities. Now get out of my face.
Larry promptly turns and walks away from Simon down the hallway. Simon looks quite pleased with himself for unlocking an achievement and scoring an interview with Larry Tact.
Simon Tillier: Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve heard first from Larry Tact! He’s got interestingly strong words towards Dusk, and equally for how he’s feeling about his position in PRIME. Back to you.