PROMO: Encores, Entries and Franchise Education

[Guest realitycheck]

And now, a promo to shill my PPV match, among other things.

 

I'm sorry about the length of this, by the way, but I HAD to include some promos from Smarkdown that were never posted, because they're really freaking important. So please bear that in mind while you read.

 

===

 

In a rather nondescript hotel room in a rather nondescript hotel next to a rather nondescript road somewhere in very descript Washington DC, there is… well, not much to describe. The room itself is dark, with the exception of a small reading lamp next to a chair, and the flickering, inconsistent light of the television. A figure is sitting in the chair, using the light from both the lamp and TV to scribble absently in a small book he holds… he doesn’t even bother to look up at the TV, which is replaying the latest edition of SWF Smarkdown.

 

With the exception, of course, of the segments that have reference to him…

 

"... no, too green"

 

"This guy looks good, eh."

 

"Possibly... I don't know...."

 

At a table sit Annie Eclectic and CIA, pouring over manilla folders containing dossiers of different SWF/JL superstars.

 

"Hey Annie, how about this one?"

 

"Well, if they brought back the jobber title he could compete..."

 

"Oh hey, that's harsh eh"

 

"Truth hurts..."

 

More folders pile up off the table as rejected prospects fall to the floor.

 

"Look," says Annie, "I know I'm new to the group but it's obvious we need more help."

 

"I'm still not sure on this idea, I mean we do have HVille Thugg helping..."

 

"Or SO we think," interjects Eclectic, "Mags and Thugg do have a long history, but not in the good sense. Yeah, he helped me get some revenge on JD way back, but he wasn't too keen with Drazon himself. We both hate Stubby, but we can't assume he's on our side always."

 

"Good point, eh" confirms the Canadian Intelligence Agent, "But hey, you have friends... even family that could..."

 

"Allison's out of the SWF. Period."

 

"...Alright, you have -friends- then, that could help I'm sure. Can't you think of anyone? Sydney Sky?"

 

"Bad blood there, CIA"

 

"Erek Taylor?" asks CIA.

 

"After the XF9 fiascos, Erek probably isn't the best guy to be calling on here." states Annie.

 

Annie rests her head on her hands wearily as CIA lolls his head back. Silence engulfs the room for what seems like hours but in reality is only seven minutes and forty two seconds...

 

"Hey, Annie... Weren't you in touch with someone when you were coming over to our team? Who was that?"

 

Eclectic blinks. "What do you mean?"

 

"Oh come on, eh. You know WHO I mean. Former Carnie leader, wore a camoflague jacket..."

 

"... Zenon. Alex... ZENON! Z! Gah, why didn't we think of him before?"

 

"Heh, you're a quick one, eh?" The Intelligence Agent smirks, half-sarcastic.

 

"So... when do you figure we should ask him?" Annie pauses.

 

"Ask? ASK?" CIA balks. "Where's the fun in that? Annie, get the keys to the Love Rollercoaster... I think I have a couple pies under the seat."

 

Annie smirks, nods, and grabs the keychain off the coffeetable, darting out of the locker room... and then popping her head back in. "Wait! What happens if he doesn't want to come?"

 

"Heh." CIA smiles. "He HAS to come... he never technically left! Now, I'm checking with Mags... I think you know your mission, eh?"

 

In his hotel room, Alex Zenon sighs. And then frowns. He thought he had managed to sever himself from the Carnival… he thought he made it clear to Annie, when he talked to her in that eventful phone conversation, that he wanted the Midnight Carnival, and hell, everything that was associated with him over that summer, to stay right where it was… in the past.

 

Alex’s frown deepens. Listening to his own thoughts, they were actually kind of surprising. He wouldn’t have even considered thinking this way some four months ago. Of course, considering all that had happened, a dampened attitude wasn’t surprising. But still, why didn’t he want to rejoin with the Carnies? It’s not like he couldn’t help them. It’s not as if the dumb pranks and general silliness didn’t fail to cheer him up. He certainly didn’t have any problems with the people in the stable. Maybe…

 

Maybe it was because of that egging thought in his mind. That premonition that the one man he was so truly scared of… angry with… frustrated about would return. Maybe he didn’t want to drag anyone else down into the fight he was sure would happen, the moment their paths crossed.

 

Shaking his head, Alex stops. He was getting too pessimistic for his own taste. Plus he was thinking too fast to write these thoughts down, anyway. Tearing his eyes away from the TV screen, he goes back to scribbling into the book, not looking up again for a while. Past Ced verus CIA… through most of El Luchadore Magnifico versus Bayawolf… and finally looking up again when another segment catches his eye. He smirks.

 

“Hello, fans!” Ben Hardy greets, with full-on toothy grin. “I’m here, tonight, with Alex Zenon, number one contender to the ICTV title. Alex, if I can, I’d like to ask you a few questions about tonight’s match…”

 

Alex brushes his auburn over his ears and out of his eyes, before shrugging his shoulders. “Shoot, Ben.”

 

“Alrighty, then! Well, first and foremost, can I get your opinions on the ICTV champion?”

 

“Well… he’s a freak, Ben.” Zenon deadpans.

 

“Ah… yes, I think most of the audience and myself had gathered that, Alex.”

 

“Right, right, well. To be totally honest, what am I really supposed to say about Orochi?” Asks Alex. “I mean, he’s a disturbed, frightening individual with a scary God complex. He dismantled, what, Ced Ordonez? Mak Francis?” Alex pauses. “Hell, he put some serious hurt on Tom Flesher!” Alex finishes with a grin, which Ben returns, about as cheezily and with as much falsified emotion as you can imagine.

 

“So, with credentials like that, you can understand if I’m a little paranoid about facing Orochi. I mean, I played a lot of video games while being away from the fed, but I didn’t beat King of Fighters ’97 once! Hell, my name isn’t even Kyo Kusanangi. I ought to be worried.” Alex finishes with a smirk, as Ben gives him an empty look.

 

“Uh… right.”

 

“S’matter, you can’t tell that’s a joke?”

 

“Well… yes.” Ben starts, before narrowing his eyes. “Though I would think you’d take a threat like Orochi more seriously than this.”

 

“Please, Ben.” Zenon looks almost insulted. “I wasn’t afraid of Silent, I wasn’t afraid of WarGames, and I’m sure as hell not afraid of Thothochi.”

 

“Ah, point, point.” Hardy concedes. “Alright then, moving along… I suppose it would be useless to ask if you think you can beat Orochi, then?”

 

Alex looks down, considering his response. “Well, Ben, that’s actually a good question. Afraid to face him? Of course not. Think I can beat him? …well, that’s a bit of a different matter. The two times I challenged Silent, lord knows I wasn’t afraid of him. But… despite being brave, in the back of my mind, in that little pocket that always speaks reason, I knew I couldn’t beat him.” Pause. “At least, I knew I couldn’t beat him THEN, anyway.”

 

“I see.” Hardy nods, absently. “So, do you have any different motivators for wanting to beat Orochi? He was allied with the Midnight Carnival in the summer, a stable you were a part of…”

 

“…and perhaps I’d like to beat some sense back into his for how he’s fallen? For what he’s become?” Alex finishes Ben’s question for him… and then scoffs. “Hardly, Hardy. Thoth was a cold, quiet and distant of a human being I’d even met over the summer. He wasn’t my friend, if that’s what you’re insinuating. He only really spoke to those he respected with anything more than meaningless small talk, and he only really respected those who had—and those he knew who COULD—beat him. It was his own personal code of honor, I think.” Alex pauses. “Shame certain other parts of the family lacked that discipline…”

 

“Okay…” Says Ben. “That really doesn’t answer my question, though.”

 

Alex gives a glare to little man with the microphone. “Ben, have you ever considered that I just really, really want the ICTV title? Maybe part of the reason is because he DOES look like such a dork on national TV? Maybe part of the reason is guilt by association? Or bloodline, as things were.”

 

Ben blinks. “Pardon?”

 

“Maybe I want to beat him because he’s Silent’s brother, Hardy. Maybe part of the reason is because Orochi has beaten Silent.”

 

Watching that, Alex’s brow furrows. He’s starting to get obsessed with him… even if that statement is still true. “Still, he hasn’t bothered me at all,” Alex thinks. “Even if he is pre-occupied with his brother… maybe Silent and I can just leave each other well enough alone.”

 

Yeah, right. Alex closes his eyes, and absently writes a few more lines into his book, not looking up again until he hears the fateful line…

 

“Mr. Zenon. I have been instructed by my… ah… producers to ask you a question of the utmost importance. Of stunning, groundbreaking relevance!”

 

Alex looks less than convinced. “Right. Hit me, Ben.”

 

Hardy smirks. “Alex… what’s your favourite type of pie?”

 

Alex blinks. And then glares at Hardy. “What the HELL kind of question is that supposed to be!? Are you trying to be The Rock now, Hard--”

 

“Bombs away, eh!”

 

And with that fear inspiring battle cry, Alex Zenon looks to one side to see the small shadow rapidly closing in on him… and hit full on in the face by the projectile, as it splatters a yellow-ish, gelatin substance all over one side of his face.

 

A yellow-ish, gelatin substance, that is flanked by two delicious and flaky crusts. Or, was, anyway.

 

“Bullseye!” A feminine voice calls out from off-screen, complimenting the Canadian accented one that issued the war cry. Next to Alex, Ben tries (and fails) to stifle his giggles, whist Alex himself stands and looks stupid for a few seconds, with pie stuck to the side of his head. He sighs, and realizes what just happened.

 

“Lemon Meringue.” He starts. “That’s not very funny, you know. I mean, everyone knows the best type of pie to throw is--”

 

*SPLAT!*

 

A second pie comes flying in from offscreen, and ‘spluts’ on the side of Zenon’s face, making a lovely pair. Alex’s face falls completely.

 

“…Banana Cream.” Sigh. “Yeah, now you’ve got it.”

 

From the right of screen, the Midnight Carnival’s own Annie Eclectic and CIA, the Canadian Intelligence Agent step into the shot and exchange a high-five. “Great shot, CIA!” Annie lauds, as Drew takes a bow.

 

“It’s all in the wrist, eh?” CIA holds up a hand for emphasis. “Though you weren’t too bad yourself with the Lemon Meringue…”

 

“Yeah, thanks a lot.” Alex grumbles, stepping in between the two. “Any particular reason you two wanted to hit me with pie?”

 

“Well, Z, we just wanted to give you a month’s belated welcome back!” Annie smirks.

 

“Yeah!” The Canadian echoes. “You don’t think the Midnight Carnival would dare forget Alex “Z” Zenon, eh?”

 

“Riiight…” Alex sounds less than convinced. CIA picks up on it.

 

“Well, that’s not totally right.” CIA begins. “The interview was scheduled only to talk about your ICTV title match, but we figured we just had to spice it up with a few Carnie questions.”

 

“AND,” Annie interrupts. “A proposition.”

 

Alex blinks. “Oh no. I know where this is going, and I--”

 

“Alex…” beings the “Hardcore Queen,”

 

“…we want you to return to the Midnight Carnival.”

 

Dammit. Alex sighs. "Well, guys, I'm flattered, but I really don't think I--"

 

"We were prepared for that response!” Shouts CIA! “You CAN'T refuse this one, Zenon! For you see… you never really left!”

 

"...pardon?"

 

"The Carnival!” The agent continues. “You never actually left, if I remember correctly. As a matter of fact, I think you're still recognized as the last active leader!"

 

Alex blinks. "What!? Oh, come on! ELM has to have taken that by now! I mean--"

 

"Well, he hasn't. So come on! You don't have a choice in the matter!" With that, Annie grabs Alex by one arm, whist CIA takes the other, beginning to drag him off and away.

 

“Oh! And uh, sorry about the pie. And your hair. And your jacket… eh…” CIA trails off.

 

“I’m sure.” Mumbles Alex.

 

“Oh, but don’t worry!” Annie smirks. “The Carnie locker room has a shower! I think CIA needs one anyway… you can take it togeth--”

 

“AUGH.”

 

And with that, Alex is fully dragged out of camera range, as Ben Hardy shrugs, stepping back into full-view. “Well, uh, I guess that’s it from my end. Stay tuned, folks!”

 

“Heh, heh… I’m glad EBN is replaying the show. I can’t believe that was blacked out nation wide! Just think, if not for this, no-one would know you re-entered the Carnival!”

 

“Yeah, how unfortunate.” Alex drones… before taking a double-take and realizing there’s someone else in his hotel room. “GAH~!!”

 

In the doorframe, Annie Eclectic gives a small wave. Alex clutches at his chest and hyperventilates. “D… dammit, woman. You scared me!” Alex pauses. “How the hell did you get in here, anyway?”

 

“Well, if you wouldn’t leave your door unlocked…” Annie rolls her eyes, and her wrist, extending her hand toward Alex. Zenon sheepishly laughs and scratches the back of his head. “Well, I--”

 

“Now, don’t worry.” Annie dismisses him, cutting him off. “Anyway… besides watching Smarkdown, what’s up? Getting prepared for your PPV match with Mak?”

 

Alex lips instantly curl into a smile. “Now, Annie, why would I be doing something like that?”

 

“Well… he is a very viable threat. It would probably put him next in line to face Orochi or Nathaniel, depending on who wins that one.”

 

Alex scoffs. “Mak? Please. Annie, let me tell you something… I faced Mak before in the JL, in the height of the sWo era. He’s hardly as “franchiseable”, or whatever the hell he calls himself, as he admits.”

 

“Despite the fact he beat you in the fist match you had?” Eclectic eggs, with a smirk.

 

Alex sits in silence for a few moments, and then sighs. Without a glance away from the “Hardcore Queen”, he sets the book he was writing into down, and speaks. “You make a point, but… meh. Maybe I’m just still senile about how horrible and lopsided that goddamn feud with the sWo was.” Alex’s face hardens, slightly. “But still, the fact remains! I don’t think Mak’s even half as good as he parrots himself to be. He’s like Flesher, but ten times the calories, half the talent, the same bloody ego, and none of the gold.”

 

Annie adopts a more serious face. “Obviously, you and Drew have very different opinions on Mak… Alex, I don’t think it’s fair to judge him on what he’s done in the JL. Besides, he’s done more in the WF than you ha…” Annie stops at Alex’s cold stare.

 

“Yeah, right. What’s he done, exactly? He’s stood by Tom and looked good. Then he had to face Tom, and looked like shit. Now there’s no Tom, and what exactly has he done?”

 

“Sounds like someone else around here…” Annie murmurs, readjusting her lean against the door frame. “Still, Zenon. I hear he’s been humbled by the SWF… AS a matter of fact, Drew and he had a talk, recently…”

 

“Oh, GOD.” Alex’s face darkens. “I don’t even want to hear that!”

 

“Always the team player, I see…”

 

Alex shrugs, but keeps speaking. “Eh… it guess it doesn’t make a lick of difference. I’m not the leader of this stable anymore, anyway.” Beat. “None the less, I’m not concerned about Mr. Francis in the slightest. He’s still a kid, he’s still a swaggering, sunglass wearing, pompous smartass of a card-carrying sWo member…” Alex bitterly grumbles, as he rises from his seat… before locking eyes with Annie. “And as far as I’m concerned… he’s still green as grass.” Zenon finishes with a smirk, as Annie can’t help but giggle. “Meh… anyway, I’m getting some ice, and seeing if the diner’s still open for some coffee. You want any?”

 

“Sure.” Annie nods, as Alex heads off. Looking at him walk away, Annie thinks… perhaps he wasn’t the best candidate to bring into the Carnival?

 

No… he’s just having one of those “moods”. Much like the time they spoke over the phone… and much more frequent than he ever had before. Still, she doesn’t like them at all. Annie nods internally. She likes him better when he’s losing at darts.

 

Still standing in the door frame with a bored expression, Eclectic looks through the hotel room for anything interesting. Her eyes pass over the room several times… before finally settling on the end table next to the chair Alex was sitting in. The one where that book he was writing in earlier rests. Well… it couldn’t hurt to take a peek. After all, who knows? Maybe Alex is actually a good writer. Stepping into the room, Annie leans over the table, reading the cover of the book…

 

2002, 12 Month Day Planner and Diary.

 

Alex keeps a journal? Maybe looking wouldn’t be such a good idea. They do, after all, contain private thoughts that the people writing them usually don’t intend to ever have read.

 

…

 

Oh, what the hell? Just one peek can’t hurt. After all, why write something if it’s never intended to be written? Picking up the book, Annie flips to a random page…

 

April 13th, 2002…

 

Dear Diary,

 

Wow, to think, over a month in the SJL already! At the rate I was going on the indie scene, I didn’t think I’d ever get hired. I still haven’t gotten a shot at a title or anything, but that’s cool. I’ve helped Tom to the European Title, and helping someone else achieve is enough for me. It’s nice of him to actually not grumble all his responses to me when we’re talking, now. He’s also got a couple BIG matches coming up, so I figure he wouldn’t mind if I helped him with a training regime!

 

Yeah, okay, so I don’t know a whole lot about personal training or whatever. Heck, I don’t even touch weight sets. But I did watch that one Rocky movie! Running up a bunch of steps and drinking eggs is enough for me, so it ought to be good enough for anyone. I think. Well, at least Commissioner Edwin’s supportive of the idea.

 

Anyway, later today, I have to face Shawn Brody in a submissions match. Crud, it’s hard to believe what an ass Brody is, considering--

 

“Annie?”

 

Eclectic gasps, and quickly shuts the diary, hearing Alex’s voice from down the hallway. Turning around, she steps away from the table, hiding any of her actions. “Yes?” she replies.

 

“The diner’s closed, eh?”

 

“Oh. Okay. Well, don’t worry about it.”

 

“Yeah…” Begins Alex. “I guess I’ll just get that ice now, huh?” Zenon starts off again, as Annie breathes a sigh of relief. Getting caught would’ve been rather difficult to explain. She stands in the room for a few moments, before her eyes drift toward that small table again…

 

Well, true, it wasn’t all that interesting of a story, that one she flipped to. But surely Alex had to have some more interesting things to say. About finally beating Tom? About joining the Carnival? WarGames? And he certinally HAD to have something to say about Silent.

 

…

 

With a quick look to check for Alex’s return, Annie sprints over to the end table, picking up the diary, before slowly walking back to her own hotel room…

 

C’est fin.

[Guest Kibagami]

(Y)age @ this. As Z said, the Smarkdown promo is really freaking important, and it's tied nicely into the rest of this. Zenon tearing down Mak instead of preparing for the PPV match is a nice way to further establish his tweener-dom, and the introduction of the diary is something I know Z's been looking forward to for some time now. Great stuff.

 

K.

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

Wow.

 

Wow.

 

Wow.

 

Good to see the diary aspect finally introduced, and the promo had loads of subtle [and obvious, you pie-mongers] humor in it, while still keeping a rather serious tone. I'm looking forward to Mak vs Z, and I'm looking forward to Orochi vs Z even more...

 

...and I'm looking forward to the eventual Silent vs Z EVEN MORE.

 

But, eh... this now replaces Thoth's promo, as it gains the "Best Promo TNT's Read Since 'In The Fade' Award"! Congrats you literary genius Carnie guy, you.

[Guest realitycheck]

Fuckin' A.

 

I've got TNT's "Best Promo Since Edwin's," biznatches, and be damned if you're stealing it from me! It's so coveted, that...

 

that...

 

 

that...

 

 

...fuck, this is an award from TNT. What the hell is wrong with me!?

 

::hangs head::

 

-Z

[Guest Ace309]

DUDE.

 

I'm IN this.

 

Oh, and it was well-written and emotionally important, too. Plus the whole storyline development thing.

 

BUT I'M IN IT~!

[Guest kelloggs]

Wow, do I really even need to do a promo to hype up the match after this monstrousity? I still would like to see my border run request, but that promo = bringing the serious quality.