Post by Maxwell Mason Stone on Feb 28, 2024 23:30:00 GMT -5
OOC: This continues a major story event for Maxwell Mason Stone that took place in MONSTERS
The scene opens on a closeup of a nondescript cellphone, the name on the phone screen reads “MMS”. As we scroll up we find ourselves looking at the closeup of a mouth and lower face…
Mouth: ”Max, it's me… Where are you man? This is getting kind of worrying now, I know you're around because I saw you hand Enigma yet another loss but being this quiet right after everything that's happened up at the Pines isn't a good look, especially when we've got The Rogues’ Gallery to go up against next, the handsome brothers were damn challenging but the TPW Duos Champs are something else brother… Look, call me when you've got this ok? Ok…”
We see a finger that isn't Devlin's, hang the call up and as we pan back even further we notice Devlin is sitting in a small, uncomfortable, hard wooden chair to which his wrists and ankles are bound. He nods to the big, ugly Eastern European goon standing in front of him who merely grunts as another, much smaller and not as ugly but still, Eastern European man dressed in a very expensive suit rounds the grunt wagging his finger at Devlin…
Man: ”Well Mr. Debonair we've done you a favour and now it is time for you to do as you promised… Or that will be the last telephone call you ever make.”
Devlin: ”This absolutely cannot be the final call I make…”
Man: ”And why is that?”
Devlin: ”Did you not just hear my message man? I told him to call me back… Also why do you keep calling me Debonair? And who are you?!”
Man: ”Because you are Fred Debonair. And I am Yuri Ivanov. You, stole from me and before I do anything, I wanted to know why…”
Devlin raises an eyebrow, purses his lips and relaxes…
Devlin: ”Look… Yuri, I'm not Fred Debonair, I'm Devlin Knight. I've not been Fred Debonair for a very long time. I'm also very aware of your reputation and I'm not stupid enough to have stolen anything from you… I'm currently in the mood of my life, about to win the WGWF Intercontinental Title and claim the scalps of the TPW Duos Champs in one week, so why would I risk it infuriating the head of the Bratva’s second division?”
Devlin’s upper lip curls back as he lets Yuri know he means business… There is a click from behind and everyone cocks their guns in that direction.
Voice: ”I can vouch for him… This bloke isn't a threat to you, Yuri, but I bet he can be of help… I bet he can find the con artist using his old, dead name to steal from you…”
A small smile crosses Devlin's face as his old friend Abe Greenberg comes into view. He's tapping a long handmade Katana along his side…
Yuri: Abe? Haven't seen you in a while, last I'd heard you'd been lost in the Battle of the Western Wastelands a year ago…”
Devlin raises an eyebrow hearing “Battle of the Western Wastelands” and tries to process the situation. Before his mind can grasp it however, he realizes he's been untied and is standing with Yuri’s hands on his shoulders…
Yuri: ”Okay, any friend of Abe’s is a friend of mine… He tells me you're going to make good on the promise of finding out who stole from me…”
Devlin: ”Yes, yes I am. In fact the second you say I'm free to go I will take Abraham here and we're going to seek out the man I'm pretty sure is using my old name and bring him straight back here!”
Yuri: ”You're free to go…”
Devlin straightens his top, grinning from ear to ear at Yuri and Abe…
Mouth: ”Max, it's me… Where are you man? This is getting kind of worrying now, I know you're around because I saw you hand Enigma yet another loss but being this quiet right after everything that's happened up at the Pines isn't a good look, especially when we've got The Rogues’ Gallery to go up against next, the handsome brothers were damn challenging but the TPW Duos Champs are something else brother… Look, call me when you've got this ok? Ok…”
We see a finger that isn't Devlin's, hang the call up and as we pan back even further we notice Devlin is sitting in a small, uncomfortable, hard wooden chair to which his wrists and ankles are bound. He nods to the big, ugly Eastern European goon standing in front of him who merely grunts as another, much smaller and not as ugly but still, Eastern European man dressed in a very expensive suit rounds the grunt wagging his finger at Devlin…
Man: ”Well Mr. Debonair we've done you a favour and now it is time for you to do as you promised… Or that will be the last telephone call you ever make.”
Devlin: ”This absolutely cannot be the final call I make…”
Man: ”And why is that?”
Devlin: ”Did you not just hear my message man? I told him to call me back… Also why do you keep calling me Debonair? And who are you?!”
Man: ”Because you are Fred Debonair. And I am Yuri Ivanov. You, stole from me and before I do anything, I wanted to know why…”
Devlin raises an eyebrow, purses his lips and relaxes…
Devlin: ”Look… Yuri, I'm not Fred Debonair, I'm Devlin Knight. I've not been Fred Debonair for a very long time. I'm also very aware of your reputation and I'm not stupid enough to have stolen anything from you… I'm currently in the mood of my life, about to win the WGWF Intercontinental Title and claim the scalps of the TPW Duos Champs in one week, so why would I risk it infuriating the head of the Bratva’s second division?”
Devlin’s upper lip curls back as he lets Yuri know he means business… There is a click from behind and everyone cocks their guns in that direction.
Voice: ”I can vouch for him… This bloke isn't a threat to you, Yuri, but I bet he can be of help… I bet he can find the con artist using his old, dead name to steal from you…”
A small smile crosses Devlin's face as his old friend Abe Greenberg comes into view. He's tapping a long handmade Katana along his side…
Yuri: Abe? Haven't seen you in a while, last I'd heard you'd been lost in the Battle of the Western Wastelands a year ago…”
Devlin raises an eyebrow hearing “Battle of the Western Wastelands” and tries to process the situation. Before his mind can grasp it however, he realizes he's been untied and is standing with Yuri’s hands on his shoulders…
Yuri: ”Okay, any friend of Abe’s is a friend of mine… He tells me you're going to make good on the promise of finding out who stole from me…”
Devlin: ”Yes, yes I am. In fact the second you say I'm free to go I will take Abraham here and we're going to seek out the man I'm pretty sure is using my old name and bring him straight back here!”
Yuri: ”You're free to go…”
Devlin straightens his top, grinning from ear to ear at Yuri and Abe…
…The scene transitions to Devlin sitting in the front seat of a car, with Abe, looking extremely confused and worried…
Devlin: ”How am I supposed to grab who stole from him and bring him back here? I don't even know where “here” is, I'm pretty sure we're not in our Universe…”
Abe: ”We're not…”
Devlin: ”I can't find Max and we've got this damn S.E.X Cup Semi-Final against the current Duos Champions, Rogues' Gallery, in less than forty eight hours. Two men who couldn't be the furthest in polar opposites to Max and myself but at the same time have so much in common…”
Abe: ”So who exactly are they? Never heard of em…”
Devlin: ”You've got one guy who claims to be from Area 51, Duncan McKnown aka Superunknown tries to be something enigmatic by hiding behind a mask, so cliché… Then the other guy, Jeremy the Wicked, is from wrestling privilege but not by birth, or bloodline he was adopted…-”
Abe: ”Like you then…”
Devlin: ”I guess, yeah…”
Abe: ”And he has traversed time, space, dimensional relativity, just like you…?”
Devlin: ”Abe man c'mon where are you going with this??”
Abe: “You travel through time, space, dimensional relativity… Those two, doing the same… Both you and this Jeremy guy, being adopted into the business… I mean the connections are palpable brother…”
Devlin: ”If you think that means I'm just gonna walk into this match with a blind eye to the station though and Max… Ah damnit, Max, I still need to find him…”
Abe: ”He's over there…”
Devlin looks over to where Abe is pointing, it's a bar named “High Tide”. He looks back and sticks his thumb towards the building,,,
Devlin: ”He’s in there?”
Abe: ”Go in, go to the toilets in the back, the second stall says “Out of order.” The coordinates are set, you'll be back there in no time…”
Realization dawns on Devlin's face and it lights up in the darkness of the car as he fist bumps Abe’s outstretched fist, climbs out of the car and runs toward “High Tide” across the way…
Devlin: ”How am I supposed to grab who stole from him and bring him back here? I don't even know where “here” is, I'm pretty sure we're not in our Universe…”
Abe: ”We're not…”
Devlin: ”I can't find Max and we've got this damn S.E.X Cup Semi-Final against the current Duos Champions, Rogues' Gallery, in less than forty eight hours. Two men who couldn't be the furthest in polar opposites to Max and myself but at the same time have so much in common…”
Abe: ”So who exactly are they? Never heard of em…”
Devlin: ”You've got one guy who claims to be from Area 51, Duncan McKnown aka Superunknown tries to be something enigmatic by hiding behind a mask, so cliché… Then the other guy, Jeremy the Wicked, is from wrestling privilege but not by birth, or bloodline he was adopted…-”
Abe: ”Like you then…”
Devlin: ”I guess, yeah…”
Abe: ”And he has traversed time, space, dimensional relativity, just like you…?”
Devlin: ”Abe man c'mon where are you going with this??”
Abe: “You travel through time, space, dimensional relativity… Those two, doing the same… Both you and this Jeremy guy, being adopted into the business… I mean the connections are palpable brother…”
Devlin: ”If you think that means I'm just gonna walk into this match with a blind eye to the station though and Max… Ah damnit, Max, I still need to find him…”
Abe: ”He's over there…”
Devlin looks over to where Abe is pointing, it's a bar named “High Tide”. He looks back and sticks his thumb towards the building,,,
Devlin: ”He’s in there?”
Abe: ”Go in, go to the toilets in the back, the second stall says “Out of order.” The coordinates are set, you'll be back there in no time…”
Realization dawns on Devlin's face and it lights up in the darkness of the car as he fist bumps Abe’s outstretched fist, climbs out of the car and runs toward “High Tide” across the way…
MEANWHILE…
HIGH TIDE BAR
Playa Del Luna, CA
“Ugh, that guy is here again…”
A group of college aged kids enter the bar tonight and look across the room in disgust. They talk amongst each other and discuss migrating to another watering hole but land upon staying here for one drink. The bartender lines up some coasters.
Bartender: Don't worry about him, he's harmless.
One of the preppy looking college kids chuckles and the others laugh.
Preppy Kid: Oh, you said harmless. I thought for a sec you said homeless.
They all laugh with each other as we make our way across the room and over to the subject of their conversation. He's completely disheveled with his unkempt beard, wildly messy hair and nondescript black hooded sweatshirt. He gulps down the remains of his glass and treks toward the bar. He slides right next to the preppy looking kid who shows immediate discomfort. Maxwell Mason Stone stares at the kid and his friends slowly start to back away.
MMS: Where are you guys going? Why are you leaving your friend here to fend for himself?
Nobody really knows what to say. The preppy kid is now heavily perspiring and doesn't know what to do in this situation. Stone starts to laugh.
MMS: Maybe you should find yourself some better friends. Ones that won't back away from you when the heat gets a little hot.
Stone laughs to himself and the prep nervously laughs along.
MMS: But then again maybe I should look in the mirror and apply that logic to myself, yeah? Look at me, drinking my sorrows away… and we all know I got plenty of those! Maybe I should stick to my commitments to MY friend and get outta this damn bar and get myself back in shape to fight alongside my homeboy Devlin so we can win that cup like we said we were going to do.
The group of kids look at him blankly as does the bartender. Stone pulls a wad of cash from his pocket and slams it down on the bar top.
MMS: One more for me and whatever the hell they're drinking tonight.
Stone steps away from the group of kids and patiently waits for the bartender to take their orders so he can get on with his bender. He's lost count of the days since the horrific events of Paradox Pines took place but he estimates he's been down here somewhere on the California coast for about a week. Stone stares into the bottles behind the bar and his mind starts wandering.
“Drop your weapons, now!”
“Don't shoot us! We did nothing wrong!”
*POP*
*POP*
“You okay?”
Stone snaps out of it as the bartender places another glass of whiskey in front of him and asks him a simple question.
MMS: I, uh… I don't know.
Stone grabs the drink and walks away towards the back of the bar. He sits down at a table and takes a small sip. One of the college kids has made their way over to the touch screen jukebox and browses the song selection. One of the friends from across the bar yells.
“Play something good! None of that country crap.”
Stone pulls out his cell phone and places it on the table and presses the button to power it on. The phone goes through the process of coming to life through its various animations and loading screens. Maxwell stares off into space and sips away at his drink like he's done every night, only taking a break to go fight in Las Vegas. The phone rapidly shakes on the table as the hundreds of notifications flood in. Text messages, missed calls, social media pings. He looks down as they zoom by, each only remaining long enough to catch a brief glimpse before being shoved aside by another.
Suddenly the squeak of the bathroom door is heard and as Max turns toward it, we see Devlin Knight walk out pushing his belt through a final loop, sweeping his hair across his head. Max almost drops his jaw as Devlin spots him nodding and sits on a stool next to him. Devlin orders a rum and whatever Max wants.
Devlin: Man I've been looking for you everywhere and I mean everywhere…
MMS: Man, where did you come from?!
Devlin: Well you see Max, when two people love each other, th… Oh, oh you mean right now? Bathroom…
MMS: Dev, I've been here all damn day, I'd have seen you walk in.
Stone takes a sip of his drink and looks towards Devlin with an intense stare. He then looks towards the restroom.
MMS: You know… we’ve talked about portals… time travel… I always just thought you were a little out there and it was a fun fantasy kind of thing you had. But you just popped out of thin air in a bathroom and I’m starting to think you’re not full of it? I know I’m three sheets to the wind right now but surely that happened?
Devlin nods and knocks back his rum, whilst Max finishes his own drink. Devlin pats him on the shoulder and begins to head out of the front door, where Devlin notices it's pissing down with rain. He pulls the hood of his jacket up and turns back to ask where Max’s car is and just sees him standing in the rain, a look of sheer disbelief but at the same time a connection… Another realization.
Devlin: Sorry I've missed you so many times man but I was with Doctor Lee when I saw what happened, she's great by the way. But as I left her office I saw the news and tried calling you loads and then I had… Max??
Devlin turns to see where he is, as the rain continues to lash down. Max just stands still and stares ahead, not quite at Devlin but in his general direction.
MMS: Did you know your people were coming to Paradox Pines, Devlin?
Silence, Devlin clears his throat…
Devlin: Look Max, I don't…-
MMS: DID you know?
Devlin: Max it's not as sim…-
MMS: YES OR NO DEVLIN?? DID YO-
Devlin: YES ALRIGHT?! Yes I knew they'd be paying your dad a visit, but I only found out a few nights before it happened and tried to reach you AND him, I had nothing to actually do with what happened, Max… And something must have happened! Someone must have gone rogue or something because that Poop I saw on the news? That… That massacre?! That isn't what we're about, we don't do violence…
MMS: You just go stealing people's property, eh?
Devlin now looks slightly taken aback and confused…
Devlin: What are you talking about??
MMS: Haven't you figured it out yet, Dev? Everything I've told you about Paradox Pines, my dad, his research from all those years ago? Your best friend Colonel Foster and her operation stole my father's work and you're riding shotgun.
Devlin: Nah that's bullshit, I've known Foster for years, way before this project Max. She came on board late! Hell, she turned up after me.
Now it's Max's turn to be slightly confused…
MMS: Yeah well, someone did it and right now Devlin, you're complicit…
Devlin: Man you son of a…
Devlin walks up to Max who squares up but Devlin just grabs him by the lapels of his jacket, looking for car keys but all he finds is a room key for a local motel a few blocks away in his inside pocket, he grabs it as Max takes a swing which Devlin ducks, hoisting Max over his shoulder.
Devlin: You've been through a hell of a lot, Max, but I promise you when I came back here to atone I meant that and I will speak to Colonel Foster tomorrow but right now we're getting you to bed and we can approach this another time…
Sleep it off and get a hold of me tomorrow. We've got a match to win…
THE NEXT EVENING…
“Welcome everyone to High Tide open mic night! We’ve got a lot of performers for you tonight. First up we have Maxwell and Devlin who I believe are doing some kind of spoken word? Give it up for them.”
The bartender puts the microphone back on the stand and the crowd of beat poets, comedians, musicians, storytellers and other Bohemian types give their applause. Maxwell Mason Stone and Devlin Knight take the stage.
MMS: Good evening, High Tide. I've seen some of you here before so allow me to introduce myself officially. My name is Maxwell Mason Stone and this is my tag team partner, Devlin Knight. Some of you might be a little tired of seeing me here every night but rest assured you’ll have a break from me in just a few days when we head down to beautiful San Diego to take care of some business. Me and Devlin here plan on knocking through all the rest of the competition that Thunder Pro Wrestling has to offer and then we’re going to take those beautiful Duo’s Belts away and add them to our collection of hardware.
Members of the crowd murmur to each other. Most look confused.
MMS: The prestigious Duo’s titles are in the hands of a team that is rapidly crumbling as the weeks go by and they don’t even realize it’s happening. Hey Devlin, you’re well aware that I’ve got a bit of a dark side, yeah?
Devlin: Yes, I’m aware. You’ve got a couple of ‘em, don’t you?
MMS: Yeah, I’m a complete mess up here.
Maxwell points to his head.
Devlin: You're not the only one either Max, I too house a little… Darkness if you will.
MMS: Well it turns out our friend Jeremy the Wicked has a little bit of the same thing going on. He’s our happy little boy gleefully pining for a bygone era that he was never a part of. He just wants the world to love him and celebrate what he can do between those ropes. 24 years old with his entire career ahead of him and here he is with a little bit of gold around his waist. What was your career like at 24, Devlin?
Devlin: At 24? Wow, I think at that point, I'd been leading the premiere stable in the RWF and was likely one half the RWF Tag…-
Maxwell gives Devlin a seriously reprimanding look.
Devlin: At 24? Brother I was so green! I didn't know what was up from down, everything looked ten times bigger than it actually was, and the noise seemed to accentuate in my ears. I had to have eyes in the back of my head and never knew who I could trust…
MMS: I remember that time too. Every match was the most important thing in the world. When you’re young and just getting cooking in this industry, you get so laser focused on what’s in front of you that you don’t stop to look at what’s off to the sides or creeping behind you and unfortunately for our friend Jeremy, he’s never realized that he’s being completely played by his tag team partner.
Devlin: Ahh the tag team partner… Superunknown, you know this guy enjoys a bit of meditation, right? Only I don't believe he partakes and does it like I do, if you know what I mean? Oh no, Superunknown is a sneaky little bastard, Max. You know the kind of stuff he's pulling don't you? Superunknown is using those meditation sessions in order to speak with Jeremy’s dark half… He's playing with the shadow realm more so than he'd prefer to actually battle alongside his own partner! You know I think where Jeremy the Wicked is green with inexperience, Max, Superunknown is green, with envy! Envious of what this young warrior is capable of.
The crowd now couldn’t look more confused at the show taking place on stage. A guy with a guitar gets out of his seat and goes to the bar to settle his tab.
Devlin: As I say, Jeremy the Wicked appears that although he is a brute he is still clouded by his inexperienced nature and I've seen it with him in previous matches where he allows his boyhood charm and ego to switch off his discipline. How do things work out for you once you find yourself no longer in control of the match, hoss?
As Devlin speaks, Maxwell takes a long gulp out of his glass of neat whiskey and takes notice of the crowd looking bored and restless. He shifts his attention to the guitar guy at the bar getting ready to walk out.
MMS: Hey you, over there with the guitar. What’s wrong? Are we not good enough for you?
Guitar Guy: I’m uh… I’m just gonna go.
MMS: Why? We haven’t heard you play yet. Me and Devlin will now shut up and we’ll have you come up here and play for this crowd!
The guitar guy stands still and doesn’t quite know how to react. Stone jumps off the stage and quickly walks over to the guy and shoves him towards the stage.
Devlin: Max…
MMS: C’mon! We wanna hear you play! Mister badass with the guitar over here wants to serenade us all. Play some Black Hole Sun! Maybe some Even Flohhhhh-hooooooo.
Guitar Guy slides past Max and takes off running out of the bar. Max starts applauding sarcastically.
MMS: Well that was no fun. All I wanted was a little grunge in here tonight but instead you’re stuck with us talking about what we’re going to do to a couple of 90s cosplayers who have gotten in our way.
Maxwell stops talking and a blank stare falls upon his face. The room gets awkwardly silent. Maxwell takes a step but falls over and catches himself on a bar table.
Devlin: Yo, you good?
Maxwell pulls his hood over his head and stares down at the floor.. Devlin approaches to check on him.
Devlin: I think it’s time we get you some help, man…
MMS: I’m fine. We’re all fine.
Maxwell looks up, his expression completely stoic and his tone of voice calmer. Devlin takes a step backward in surprise.
MMS: And all will be fine when we spread like wildfire and take what is rightfully ours. First we take out the Rogues Gallery. Then we take the S.E.X. Cup. Then the Duo’s Championship. And then I take the ultimate prize…
Maxwell closes his eyes and tries to take another step but he stumbles around and falls forward but this time he falls straight into the floor. The bar patrons all gasp and Devlin rushes over to help him.
Devlin: You’re not okay, brother.
Maxwell looks around at the room and raises his eyebrows.
MMS: What the hell just happened?
