Post by (Temorarily) haVoc on Jan 23, 2022 14:58:52 GMT -5
A brown podium emblazoned with an Action Wrestling logo is sitting slightly off-center on a press conference stage. Just off, nearest the exit… there’s a silver machine that looks almost like a space-age refrigerator.
There’s a murmur in the press junket below, with members of the media all standing with notepads in their hands. Most of them set up their iPhone 2021’s (or whatever they’re called) because those cameras probably have more capabilities than every DSLR combined, not to mention every old-school on-the-shoulder video camcorder with a cassette deck you would see in the 80’s - and as the music charts suggest, retro is in.
Reporter 1: Does anyone know what this is about?
Nobody knows what this is about.
Finally, chatter begins again as an older, African-American gentleman wearing a wifebeater that is one size too small emerges from behind the backdrop. He is a little wide-eyed with the cameras in his face.
Man: My name is Danny Carruth and my boy Kenny is a wrestling superstar for Action Wrestling.
The reporters look at each other with puzzled looks on their faces. One of them actually vocalizes the word “who?”
Danny: I ain’t gotta convince ya. I’ll let my boy do the convincin’. Get on out here, boy!
“On Sight” by Kanye West starts up and after a few moments, this nervous boy walks out from behind the curtain.
He almost trips over his own feet until his dad points him to the podium, giving him a shove in the back out of frustration. Kenny is blinded by the lights as the camera flashes start to strobe with more frequency. The reporters are all just about losing their goddamned mind - there’s no way this little nerdy stagehand is actually Kentrell “Dark Kent” Carruth.
Boy: I’m Dark Kent. Kentrell Carruth.
He looks over at his dad for moral support. His dad just stares at him, like he wants to beat the shit out of him.
He points at the reporters and whisper-screams “TALK! TELL THEM!”
Kentrell: I’m sorry I lied to Action Wrestling. I just always wanted to be a superstar but, well - look at me.
Kentrell: I’m a fraud. I just like science and superheroes. And there are so many superheroes in Action Wrestling!
His little smile lights up.
Kentrell: Teo Blaze! And Lissie Hope! I want to be a superhero like Spencer Adams! So that’s why I came up with this hair-brained idea of being a dark hero. Dark Kent was born -
Reporter: Hold on, hold on, hold on. I can’t believe no one has asked this yet. I know I’m not the only one wondering - but what the actual fuck is going on?
Kentrell looks over at his dad who now stares at the reporter like he wants to murder him.
Danny: SIT YOUR HAPPY LITTLE ASS DOWN, BOY, AND LET MY BOY DO THE TALKIN.
Reporter 1: I’m just saying -
Danny: YOU AIN’T SAYIN’ A GODDAMN THING.
Reporter 1: Rae Carruth was a better father than you.
Danny: GET THE FUCK OUT.
The reporter is walked out by a big, beefy security guard. The reporter turns to look back at Danny.
Danny: Boy, get on with it. Tell these people how you do Dark Kent shit so we can go cash this check.
Kentrell: When I was a young kid, I made this – chamber. And it helps me, it gives me confidence. It morphs me into the man you all know and love. It helps me become Dark Kent.
Reporter 2: This is really hard to believe. Can you demonstrate for us?
Danny: YOU CALLIN’ MY BOY A LIAR?
The reporter quickly fades into the crowd. Kentrell looks very eager to show them what he’s built.
Kenny: INTO THE VOID I GO! (*WHEEZING LAUGH*)
Kenny steps into the vault - Danny seems way too giddy to lock him in. And after it smokes and shakes, and every reporter is in disbelief, the door opens back up -
DarkKent: Guess I gotta match to win.
He flicks a cigarette and exits through the curtain.
