Post by nbonhagen on May 5, 2024 23:08:35 GMT
[INT. GARAGE - DAY]
[In a dimly lit room, NATHANIEL “NATE” BONHAGEN paces back and forth across a concrete floor and a shallow pool of sickly yellow light; a lackluster illumination that spills from a single, dirty bulb. His hands clasped together at the small of his back, Nate's pacing takes him through the light’s edge as he passes, never quite fully defining his features for the viewer. A flicker of his eye in the direction of the camera as he crosses is the only indication he's aware of the presence of the recording device and the silence is marred only by the soft scuff of Nate's heel as he pivots every few seconds. When he speaks, he does so without pausing his pacing, or turning his gaze in the camera’s direction.]
[Nate glances at the camera as he passes through the light and tilts his head.]
[Nate looks more fully at the camera as he passes through the light, though his steps never slow.]
[Nate gives an unapologetic shrug as he strides through the illuminated patch.]
[Nate pauses in his pacing and looks past the camera at his sister LILY BONHAGEN with a pained expression.]
[Nate rolls his eyes, but resumes his pacing.]
[Nate shakes his head as he strides through the illuminated patch.]
[Nate halts his pacing once more, fixing his gaze past the camera.]
[Nate shakes his head slowly, disagreeing with his sister’s outlook.]
[The shot pulls in tighter, restricting the field of view and boxing in Nate’s torso as he steps into the light, such as it is.]
[Nate clenches his right hand into a fist, and gazes thoughtfully at the roughness of his thick, scarred knuckles.]
[Nate returns his gaze to the camera, relaxes his fist, and clasps his hands behind his back again.]
[Nate pivots to his left and walks off camera; the shot pulls back to the original frame of reference, and Nate returns to pass through the pool of dim light once more before speaking again.]
[Nate stops in the pool of light, and reaches out to take hold of the chain dangling beside the bare bulb.]
[Nate pulls the chain as he speaks the titular phrase, causing the scene to]
[FADE IN]
[In a dimly lit room, NATHANIEL “NATE” BONHAGEN paces back and forth across a concrete floor and a shallow pool of sickly yellow light; a lackluster illumination that spills from a single, dirty bulb. His hands clasped together at the small of his back, Nate's pacing takes him through the light’s edge as he passes, never quite fully defining his features for the viewer. A flicker of his eye in the direction of the camera as he crosses is the only indication he's aware of the presence of the recording device and the silence is marred only by the soft scuff of Nate's heel as he pivots every few seconds. When he speaks, he does so without pausing his pacing, or turning his gaze in the camera’s direction.]
NATE
The National Pro Wrestling Association's first televised show is nearly upon us; a special feature exhibition event before the regular season kicks off. Nearly thirty men and women across both conferences will compete for a guaranteed spot in the playoffs; there's no denying that this is a career-making opportunity.
The National Pro Wrestling Association's first televised show is nearly upon us; a special feature exhibition event before the regular season kicks off. Nearly thirty men and women across both conferences will compete for a guaranteed spot in the playoffs; there's no denying that this is a career-making opportunity.
[Nate glances at the camera as he passes through the light and tilts his head.]
NATE
For some, it's also an opportunity to impress the commissioner of their respective conference, for others, an opportunity to show off; whether that be their talent, their mettle, or their ego varies from person to person. For me…
For some, it's also an opportunity to impress the commissioner of their respective conference, for others, an opportunity to show off; whether that be their talent, their mettle, or their ego varies from person to person. For me…
[Nate looks more fully at the camera as he passes through the light, though his steps never slow.]
NATE
For me, it's a learning opportunity; a chance to glean as much first-hand knowledge of the competition as I can in such a frenzied environment. I only hope the rest of the regular season is more structured; with the number of exhibition matches thus far that have all strayed deeply into the realm of clusterfuck territory, I worry Spencer Adams may be channeling the assorted spirits of Seth Lerch. Hopefully things will be a little different once Howard Black takes control of booking the Eastern Conference, though I expect a hiccup or two in the vein of Zione Redington before he fully adapts and comes into his own.
For me, it's a learning opportunity; a chance to glean as much first-hand knowledge of the competition as I can in such a frenzied environment. I only hope the rest of the regular season is more structured; with the number of exhibition matches thus far that have all strayed deeply into the realm of clusterfuck territory, I worry Spencer Adams may be channeling the assorted spirits of Seth Lerch. Hopefully things will be a little different once Howard Black takes control of booking the Eastern Conference, though I expect a hiccup or two in the vein of Zione Redington before he fully adapts and comes into his own.
[Nate gives an unapologetic shrug as he strides through the illuminated patch.]
NATE
I'm not here to talk about the pitfalls and stumbling blocks of running a promotion, though; I'm here to talk about how the twenty-some-odd other athletes that will be in the ring with me are little more than stumbling blocks on my way to running roughshod over this promotion. Ugh, really, Lily?
I'm not here to talk about the pitfalls and stumbling blocks of running a promotion, though; I'm here to talk about how the twenty-some-odd other athletes that will be in the ring with me are little more than stumbling blocks on my way to running roughshod over this promotion. Ugh, really, Lily?
[Nate pauses in his pacing and looks past the camera at his sister LILY BONHAGEN with a pained expression.]
LILY (off screen)
(mildly vexed)
Yes, really. Keep going.
(mildly vexed)
Yes, really. Keep going.
[Nate rolls his eyes, but resumes his pacing.]
NATE
Some of you may take the time to say a few words about every competitor, maybe give a quick blurb as to why you’re superior. Some of you will likely spend your entire runtime talking about nothing but your own past glories. Both are fool’s errands. Certainly there’s information to dig up on some of the established names involved in this contest, but what of the untested rookies? Pretty hard to dig into someone’s background when it basically amounts to “nobody knows”. No, trying to speak on each individual will leave half your promo as “I couldn't find anything on this guy, so I'm gonna win ‘cause he sucks”, and while that might have worked in the days of Action Wrestling, I doubt it will be sufficient here.
Some of you may take the time to say a few words about every competitor, maybe give a quick blurb as to why you’re superior. Some of you will likely spend your entire runtime talking about nothing but your own past glories. Both are fool’s errands. Certainly there’s information to dig up on some of the established names involved in this contest, but what of the untested rookies? Pretty hard to dig into someone’s background when it basically amounts to “nobody knows”. No, trying to speak on each individual will leave half your promo as “I couldn't find anything on this guy, so I'm gonna win ‘cause he sucks”, and while that might have worked in the days of Action Wrestling, I doubt it will be sufficient here.
[Nate shakes his head as he strides through the illuminated patch.]
NATE
By the same token, the Corey Black method of simply talking about oneself ad nauseum isn't likely to do any favors in this first bout, either; after all, regardless of any accomplishments elsewhere, we're all rookies in the NPWA. Reciting a laundry list of titles held in XWF, or how many times you've come so close to unifying the TRIAD, how many times you were the standard-bearer for any given promotion… these things are a waste of breath, because none of that is relevant here. Simply put, if it didn't happen in the NPWA, then it may as well not have happened. Whether you're a veteran of the sport, or a newcomer like myself, we all start out on equal footing in this rumble, but only one will stand tall on a pile of bodies at the end. Ugh, Lily, do you have to write such clichéd tripe?
By the same token, the Corey Black method of simply talking about oneself ad nauseum isn't likely to do any favors in this first bout, either; after all, regardless of any accomplishments elsewhere, we're all rookies in the NPWA. Reciting a laundry list of titles held in XWF, or how many times you've come so close to unifying the TRIAD, how many times you were the standard-bearer for any given promotion… these things are a waste of breath, because none of that is relevant here. Simply put, if it didn't happen in the NPWA, then it may as well not have happened. Whether you're a veteran of the sport, or a newcomer like myself, we all start out on equal footing in this rumble, but only one will stand tall on a pile of bodies at the end. Ugh, Lily, do you have to write such clichéd tripe?
[Nate halts his pacing once more, fixing his gaze past the camera.]
LILY (off screen)
Fuck you; we both know I'm the better wordsmith, but if you think you can do better, we can edit this out and you can–
NATE
No. No edits, no camera tricks, no post-production bullshit; I'm not John Gable, and this isn't a Hollywood soundstage. The footage should be raw and unfiltered; let any refinement come from our conduct.
LILY (off screen)
If that's what you want. I'm just trying to sell you as the most dangerous man on the roster, let alone the Eastern Conference.
Fuck you; we both know I'm the better wordsmith, but if you think you can do better, we can edit this out and you can–
NATE
No. No edits, no camera tricks, no post-production bullshit; I'm not John Gable, and this isn't a Hollywood soundstage. The footage should be raw and unfiltered; let any refinement come from our conduct.
LILY (off screen)
If that's what you want. I'm just trying to sell you as the most dangerous man on the roster, let alone the Eastern Conference.
[Nate shakes his head slowly, disagreeing with his sister’s outlook.]
NATE
I don't know that I am, personally. And even if I were, this isn't the late Nineties; promo work is more cerebral in our generation.
LILY (off screen)
(scoffs)
Like you’d know.
NATE
I know enough to know that the hackneyed bit of playing a stereotypical street tough ain't gonna cut it. Besides, that's not who I am.
LILY (off screen)
Then who are you, Nate? Introduce yourself to the folks at home, and tell them why you're going to win this rumble.
I don't know that I am, personally. And even if I were, this isn't the late Nineties; promo work is more cerebral in our generation.
LILY (off screen)
(scoffs)
Like you’d know.
NATE
I know enough to know that the hackneyed bit of playing a stereotypical street tough ain't gonna cut it. Besides, that's not who I am.
LILY (off screen)
Then who are you, Nate? Introduce yourself to the folks at home, and tell them why you're going to win this rumble.
[The shot pulls in tighter, restricting the field of view and boxing in Nate’s torso as he steps into the light, such as it is.]
NATE
You can call me Nathaniel Bonhagen, or “Nate” if you're feeling familiar; it makes no difference to me. As for why I'm going to win this rumble… well, I honestly don't know that I will. I'm certainly going to try, but it seems pretty stupid to guarantee a victory when I know very little about most of the people involved. Can I win? Of course; anyone can, that's the nature of the match. I'm just glad that I'm not the sole focus of the other competitors; the most I've been able to fight at once consistently is four people, and these are vastly different circumstances, since I'll be trying to avoid causing grievous bodily harm. As much as possible, anyway; I take no responsibility for accidents, or the stupidity of my opponents, which I'm certain is boundless in some cases. I’ll apologize in advance if I seem to work a little stiff in my first few matches; I’m still refining my technique, since I’m only fighting for victory, not survival. Which is not to say that I’m a reckless sack of walking violence; I may be a nameless rookie who literally walked in off the street, but I am a trained wrestler, among other things.
You can call me Nathaniel Bonhagen, or “Nate” if you're feeling familiar; it makes no difference to me. As for why I'm going to win this rumble… well, I honestly don't know that I will. I'm certainly going to try, but it seems pretty stupid to guarantee a victory when I know very little about most of the people involved. Can I win? Of course; anyone can, that's the nature of the match. I'm just glad that I'm not the sole focus of the other competitors; the most I've been able to fight at once consistently is four people, and these are vastly different circumstances, since I'll be trying to avoid causing grievous bodily harm. As much as possible, anyway; I take no responsibility for accidents, or the stupidity of my opponents, which I'm certain is boundless in some cases. I’ll apologize in advance if I seem to work a little stiff in my first few matches; I’m still refining my technique, since I’m only fighting for victory, not survival. Which is not to say that I’m a reckless sack of walking violence; I may be a nameless rookie who literally walked in off the street, but I am a trained wrestler, among other things.
[Nate clenches his right hand into a fist, and gazes thoughtfully at the roughness of his thick, scarred knuckles.]
NATE
An incredible amount of energy can be packed into an unbelievably small space, and if you calculate the right moment, the right conditions, you can harness that energy to create something wonderful or unleash untold devastation. This first real bout is one of those moments; the conditions ripe for multiple avenues of both creation and devastation.
An incredible amount of energy can be packed into an unbelievably small space, and if you calculate the right moment, the right conditions, you can harness that energy to create something wonderful or unleash untold devastation. This first real bout is one of those moments; the conditions ripe for multiple avenues of both creation and devastation.
[Nate returns his gaze to the camera, relaxes his fist, and clasps his hands behind his back again.]
NATE
The creation of reputations, the devastation of egos. The creation of stars built on the devastation they leave in the ring. I can’t promise the kind of hardcore ultraviolence that would cause an FCC crackdown; it would definitely be more my speed, but we don’t want our first show to go the way of XIII, or Liberation Frequency, and get banned for excessive bloodshed. We all want to create one of those “you had to be there” moments, but if it comes at the cost of the Supreme Court ordering the destruction of all video associated with the event, well that’s just bad for business. Besides, I’m not a blood-crazed sadist; I don’t like to fight, I’m just exceptionally good at it and I have a working knowledge of anatomy. I know how to efficiently take down several people, but even still, I’m going to have to expend a lot of energy to outlast however many competitors are left when I hit the ring. The only saving grace the rest of the entrants have is my intention to adhere to the spirit of the competition, not just the letter of the rule book; see, the smart play is to just not get in the ring until there’s only one guy left. I can’t be eliminated before I officially enter the match, after all. And though I’ve been taught to always take the surest path to victory, that strategy defeats the purpose of the sport itself. I may sometimes be described as cold, calculating, and ruthless, but this is a contest, and I am not a cheater.
The creation of reputations, the devastation of egos. The creation of stars built on the devastation they leave in the ring. I can’t promise the kind of hardcore ultraviolence that would cause an FCC crackdown; it would definitely be more my speed, but we don’t want our first show to go the way of XIII, or Liberation Frequency, and get banned for excessive bloodshed. We all want to create one of those “you had to be there” moments, but if it comes at the cost of the Supreme Court ordering the destruction of all video associated with the event, well that’s just bad for business. Besides, I’m not a blood-crazed sadist; I don’t like to fight, I’m just exceptionally good at it and I have a working knowledge of anatomy. I know how to efficiently take down several people, but even still, I’m going to have to expend a lot of energy to outlast however many competitors are left when I hit the ring. The only saving grace the rest of the entrants have is my intention to adhere to the spirit of the competition, not just the letter of the rule book; see, the smart play is to just not get in the ring until there’s only one guy left. I can’t be eliminated before I officially enter the match, after all. And though I’ve been taught to always take the surest path to victory, that strategy defeats the purpose of the sport itself. I may sometimes be described as cold, calculating, and ruthless, but this is a contest, and I am not a cheater.
[Nate pivots to his left and walks off camera; the shot pulls back to the original frame of reference, and Nate returns to pass through the pool of dim light once more before speaking again.]
NATE
Depending on the order of entry, I may become desperate the longer the match wears on; maybe not hold back as much. Some rules may get bent, but I can assure you that I won’t break any. I can’t make that same guarantee for anyone I face, though; the damage I can do to a body just by bending it the wrong way in the right places can be enough to break a person’s spirit. I know what I’m capable of, I just need to find the right level of application to be successful without crippling half the roster, and the entire promotion by extension. As I’ve said, this will be a learning opportunity for me. You’re all going to learn something, too; the reason I chose the entrance theme that I did. It was a tongue in cheek suggestion from my sister, but I took it quite seriously. Not for the title, or the shredding guitar, no. Truth be told, I went with it because of the memes; I’m sure you’ve seen them. On Sunday, May Nineteenth, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, you’re going to get a live demonstration of those memes.
Depending on the order of entry, I may become desperate the longer the match wears on; maybe not hold back as much. Some rules may get bent, but I can assure you that I won’t break any. I can’t make that same guarantee for anyone I face, though; the damage I can do to a body just by bending it the wrong way in the right places can be enough to break a person’s spirit. I know what I’m capable of, I just need to find the right level of application to be successful without crippling half the roster, and the entire promotion by extension. As I’ve said, this will be a learning opportunity for me. You’re all going to learn something, too; the reason I chose the entrance theme that I did. It was a tongue in cheek suggestion from my sister, but I took it quite seriously. Not for the title, or the shredding guitar, no. Truth be told, I went with it because of the memes; I’m sure you’ve seen them. On Sunday, May Nineteenth, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, you’re going to get a live demonstration of those memes.
[Nate stops in the pool of light, and reaches out to take hold of the chain dangling beside the bare bulb.]
NATE
A colossal clash approaches; from the outside it may seem like a multitude of people vying for one spot, but from another perspective, it’s just one person fighting against overwhelming odds to snatch a narrow victory from the jaws of defeat. And we all know what’s about to happen when the Doom music kicks in.
A colossal clash approaches; from the outside it may seem like a multitude of people vying for one spot, but from another perspective, it’s just one person fighting against overwhelming odds to snatch a narrow victory from the jaws of defeat. And we all know what’s about to happen when the Doom music kicks in.
[Nate pulls the chain as he speaks the titular phrase, causing the scene to]
[CUT TO BLACK]
[END]