PROMO: Old Friends

[Guest Grand Slam]

Promo: by "Grand Slam" Mark Stevens

 

Part the First...

 

Grand Slam stands in a hotel hallway staring at a door marked 1605. In his right hand he holds a slip of paper with an address on it and he refers to it several times before stepping up to the door. His foot taps a plastic tray stacked with plates and used silverware sitting just outside the door, the obvious remains of a late room-service dinner last night. From the hallway at the end of the well-appointed hall, morning sunlight streams in casting long shadows on the rich colors of the deep rug.

 

Finally, the Heavy Hitter raises his left hand and knocks on the door, obviously nervous as to what will happen when it is answered.

 

There is a shuffling behind the door, then a muffled "holy shit." Finally, after another long moment, the door swings open halfway revealing a mussed, sleepy and beautiful Sarah Leavenworth, the hotel's robe hastily wrapped around her. She looks flabbergasted. "Well, well, well, look at what the cat dragged in!"

 

"Morning Sarah. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Grand Slam asks, a small smirk creeping across his face.

 

"Nothing except my beauty sleep. Unfortunately... What's up?"

 

"Well, I'd rather not talk about it standing out here in the hall. Can I come in?"

 

Sarah smiles and laughs. "You know, there was a time where that would have been a near irresistible offer Mark, but not anymore. Besides, you're a married man, as you pointed out so often back in the day."

 

Grand Slam laughs with her. "And I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted a time or two," his face sags a little and becomes serious, "but uh... this is a little more important."

 

Sarah chuckles and affects a mock surprise look on her face. "Oh c'mon! What could be more important than standing in a hotel hallway trading sexual innuendo with your old tag partner at 8 in the morning?" Grand Slam's face remains serious as he looks Sarah right in the eyes. "Uh-oh, I know that look." She sighs, then says "Sure, come on in. Do you want me to make some coffee?"

 

She opens the door all the way and turns, revealing the gorgeous suite to her visitor, as well as the unmade bed. Grand Slam steps inside and shuts the door behind him just as Sarah sits on the end of the bed, a concerned look on her face

 

"Yeah, coffee would be good..."

 

Part the Second

 

Grand Slam sits at a table in Sarah's hotel room a telephone receiver held to his head. The sun is shining straight down outside, indicating that the morning has passed. His glasses are tossed on a stack of papers in front of him, a laptop computer sits next to them, humming quietly. In the background, the door opens and a fully-dressed Sarah enters the room, a tray of food in front of her. "I got us some lunch..."

 

Without turning around, Grand Slam holds up his hand, asking for quiet. "I can barely hear you man. That cell phone sucks... Yeah, that was Sarah... No! What kind of question... fine. Anyways, can you be there? ... I know. ... I'm not sure. ... Okay. Yeah, I can get you the plane ticket, and I'll pick you up at the airport Saturday. ... No, the hotel is all you. ... All right then, its settled. I'll see you then. ... Okay ... bye."

 

The Heavy Hitter hangs up the phone and drops his head to the table. "Damn retirees. Pains in the asses... all of 'em."

 

Sarah walks over and flops in an overstuffed chair next to him, absently munching on a sandwich. "You are aware of the irony in what you're saying, right?"

 

Mark sits up in the chair and accepts an offered bottle of soda. After popping the top and taking a nice long pull, he looks at her and says, "Yeah. I know. This has been a frustrating morning."

 

Sarah laughs. "You have no idea big man." She looks at her watch. "I gotta meet the rest of XF9 for a workout. I'll be back by 5 or so, you wanna go grab some dinner tonight? Just for old times sake?" Mark looks at her quizzically. She chuckles again, "Just friends. I have commitments too, you know." She rests her hand casually on Mark's arm.

 

"No, I wish I could but I'm meeting Lynn at 3. She flying in this afternoon."

 

"Well bring her along. I think its about time we met. Tell some stories. Embarrass the hell out of you."

 

"Okay fine." He laughs. "But, for the record, this is a bad idea."

 

"Why? You think Lynn and I won't get along?"

 

"No, I think you'll get along a little too well and my ego can't stand that type of bruising."

 

Sarah whaps him on the back of the head and stands up. "You have any more calls to make?"

 

Mark takes a deep breath... "Just one, and I'm not looking forward to it..."

 

Part the Third

 

The room we see is dark. Shades are pulled over the windows, keeping the sun out. In the far end of the room, there is a huge set of workout equipment. A door nearby has light coming out from under it, accompanied by a little steam. Music plays in the room, very loud, bass heavy music that almost covers up the sound of a shower running.

 

The camera shifts just slightly as the phone starts to ring. Once, twice, three times, then an answering machine that just came into view picks up...

 

"Yo. You've reached the phone of Damien McKinney. I'm not answerin' the phone right now either 'cause I ain't here or I just don' wanna talk to yo' dead ass. So leave a message at the beep. Don't make me *69 you."

 

BEEP

 

"Hey Thugg, this is Mark Stevens. I need to talk to you about Saturday, so give me a call on my cell when you get a chance. This is important Thugg. You know the number. Thanks."

 

CLICK

 

The camera pans up to reveal the H-Ville Thugg walking over towards the phone, a confused but interested look on his face. Slowly, he picks up the receiver and dials a number from memory...

 

"Hey man, what up?"

 

END PROMO

[Guest Lerrin Breggan]

That was a very good promo Mark. The suspense has been built very effectively, and it really makes me want to find out what else is going on! I am excited to see the conclusion, so hurry up and tell us! hah

[Guest Ace309]

Very well-written, but it's not like I expected any less. The plot development was good, and I think we're all curious after reading that promo. Bravo.

[Guest kelloggs]

This was an excellently written promo. What else can I really say except you got me hooked. I await further devolpments in this whole thing. Guess I'll have to wait until the PPV.

[Guest Beingz0wningj00]

Stevens... do you really want to support someone who is going to get his ass knocked out at the PPV.

[Guest BA_Baracus]

PROMO (Stubby P. McWeed);

"Hmmm...

 

...those crazy announcers. Always up to something.

 

Mothernature says..."

[Guest redbaron51]

JD you are going to be Thugg's bitch.

 

anywho Mark just made a great series of promo's with a great plot

[Guest chirs3]

So... many... Canadians...

 

FINALLY had time to read the promo, and it's good to see that Mark still has it... though I still don't have much idea of what the hell is going on.

[Guest midnight_burn]

Very nice promo. It's got me hooked, and now i can't wait to find out what's going on.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

Booyah. Stupid Virginia computer problems have kept me away till now, but Mark, this is great. Ah, it's so good to have an active community.