FRUSTRATION... [creative writing]
I!
I!
I!
I!
Massachusetts countryside blurs past. Steven and Callia in a Porsche Carrera. Top-down; sun in the eyes, hair in the wind, stereo blasts "THEM BONES".
I believe, them bones, are me.
Some say, we're born, into the grave.
April 2003. Yesterday, he buried Demon Knight and Yungstar. Now focus is on the Next Challenge.
STEVEN Callia...
I feel so alone, gonna end up a
Big ole pile a them bones.
STEVEN ...let's get Married.
CALLIA What, right now?
STEVEN Why not?
I!
I!
I!
I!
CALLIA I don't think I've even heard you mention marriage before.
Dust rise, right on, over my time.
Empty, fossil, of the new scene.
STEVEN Well then, let's do it.
She holds her pregnant belly, then her pendant - made by Destinee.
CALLIA I don't know...
I feel so alone, gonna end up a
Big ole pile a them bones.
STEVEN Whatever.
CALLIA Don't be mad.
STEVEN I'm not.
Smoky bar. Haze of recollection. 15th December, 2002. DEFIANCE is finishing, Apolo Jericho and Psychopath battle on the big-screen. Steven Carter wallows in a glass of absynthe. Arlen Emerson, a man he'd never met before, has taken his United States Title. He is mid-conversation.
STEVEN And I mean, I didn't know she was gonna lowblow me! I didn't think she'd actually suck me off, but I dunno, I wasn't really thinkin' at all, she was just so freakin' hot! I mean, I have no problem yankin' it out in front of everyone. It's just, COME ON. How can he do that?! Why would y-- fuck it, I'm gonna kick his bitch-ass! He'll see! You'll see! They'll all see!
Steven starts smacking himself in the head.
STEVEN Stupid IDIOT! I tell ya what, man--my name's Steven by the way.
He extends his hand, but the ashtray he's been conversing with simply glimmers under the light.
STEVEN Yeah, that's cool, you don't haveta tell me yo--u know who NEVER had their title stolen? Charlie Blaze! Him n' Liger are my heroes, man. and I tell ya what, Charlie Blaze never had no freeloadin' rookie take his Belt, no siree! And what does the guy want with it anyway?! It's the United States Title! He's Canadian! Don't they have their own Title?!
A pause, Steven listens to the ashtray..
STEVEN Yeah you're right, no one would wanna hold that Title. But come on! I wanna be a Legend! How the hell can I get that if I let Canadians take my Belts? Charlie Blaze, Charlie Blaze was... he was GOOD man. Like, yeah. God, I wish I could fight him, he's so old now I'd kick his ass and everyone would cheer me coz I just beat a legend. I suppose I could try and beat some of HIW's legends. But jeez! You seen the size of Demon Knight?! He's like, three people! Maybe I should tag team!?! YEAH! Me and you, well, not you, Arlen? No! Never! I'll die before I team with his ass...Oh! Chi! I beat him up a few days ago on Warzone, but he was pretty damn good for a short guy! I could team with him! We worked well against each other, the teaming abilities would be THROUGH THE ROOF. And yeah! We could, we could fight Charlie Blaze and Demon Knight! Oh hell yeah! How cool would that be?! Tag teaming's awesome, man. Y'know what else is awesome? Not having Canadians take yo-- holy crap, who's she?!?!
The ashtray has no answer, but Steven speaks of Callia. The Goddess glides through the cigarette smoke, it almost parts for her.
STEVEN She is... whoa. Shit, how do I look?
Glass glints under spotlights.
STEVEN Yeah you're right, fuck. Why am I nervous? I'm never nervous. Shit. Fuck. Okay. Okay. Okay, just go talk to her. What's the worst she can do?
Another shimmer.
STEVEN Well yeah, she could say that. It would kinda suck. A no I can handle, maybes just hurt my balls. I hate indecisiveness. Okay. I'm goin' in, nice talkin' to you, man.
Steven brushes his hair behind his ears, then pulls it out again, realising he looked better the first way. He takes a deep breath, calm and composed - he hopes. He approaches her and cracks a smirk, hoping this isn't going to turn into a car-wreck...
CALLIA ETIENNE!!!
Steven snaps back. Quick swerve. Just missed a giant truck.
Toll due, bad dream, come true.
I lie, dead gone, under red sky.
CALLIA Maybe I should have said yes!
No response.
I feel so alone, gonna end up a
Big ole pile a them...
CALLIA Etienne? Are you okay?
I feel so alone, gonna end up a
Big ole pile a them...
STEVEN I'm fine.
I feel so alone, gonna end up a
Big ole pile a them bones.
Callia looks at him, whispering in French.
CALLIA {I love you. I just need... I need time. I won't leave you. I won't ever leave you.}
[CARTER PLAZA..14/11/05..2:57am]
Steven Carter shoots up in bed, sweat soaks the sheets. Memories linger in his dreams. He looks over, Callia isn't there. She isn't there. Sturm is to blame. Fists clench, sheets are tossed aside and he's up like a flash. Grabbing a pair of navy bellbottoms he slides them on and leaves the bedroom. She was back in the country, but she still hadn't come home. He shook his head, dismissal. The iCam loomed on the shelf, but he ignored it, instead heading for the roof.
The cold night air cooled Steven Carter's sweating body. A gentle breeze was flowing through the city as he looked over the rooftops and contemplated jazz. He heard a voice whisper his name, he didn't turn to see who it was, because he knew the answer. Sister.
STEVEN Hey Mousey.
CHLOE Hey.
There was a pause. He knew where she'd been. He could smell Callia on her.
STEVEN How was Yellowknife?
CHLOE Good. Felt great to see Gabe again.
STEVEN And Callia? n' the kids? How're they?
CHLOE She's fine. And the kids are fine too. Mikey misses you.
STEVEN Yeah. I miss him too. How's Kay doin'?
CHLOE She's good. It was a bit weird though, speaking to her and Arlen, I never used to get on with them... not before.
STEVEN Well we know why that was.
CHLOE One of your opponents at Ultimate Destruction, I believe.
STEVEN Don't remind me.
CHLOE You need reminding.
STEVEN I wanna forget.
CHLOE You forget and he'll tear your spine out.
STEVEN I didn't do anything.
CHLOE You took his son.
STEVEN I took your son and gave him back to you. Reno was in no po--
CHLOE --and you think he sees it that way? You think he'll see what you were really doing? You got lucky with the six-man, this time you'll be locked in a cell with him. There's gonna haveta be some interaction, and if you're runnin' scared, you know what he'll do to you, Stevie. You're gonna have to face this at some point.
He breathes deeply, then exhales. Sigh of resignation.
STEVEN I know. I know...
.
© 2005 Machine Gun Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.