Heads I win, Tails you lose
Mar 13, 2022 11:49:08 GMT -5
Karlie Nash, CJ Phoenix, and 4 more like this
Post by Teo Blaze on Mar 13, 2022 11:49:08 GMT -5
“Two sides of the same coin.”
The words that come from Teo’s mouth are accented by the foot traffic of a busy Tacoma street.
“Bit of a conundrum, isn’t it? We always think of duality as being opposites, two sides that cannot interact- and yet…I often find that when we look closer, these things are often one and the same.”
As if to illustrate his point, Teo removes a small silver dollar from his pocket, and begins absentmindedly flipping it as he walks.
“You look at Karlie Nash and Andre Jenson, and you think…there’s two stars who couldn’t be more different. One a conniving, backstabbing witch who has proven time and time again that she just can’t help getting into her own head, the other a loyal friend forced into a match by a General Manager trying to stir the pot for ratings.
Like I said, opposites.”
The ringing of the coin flip seems to hang in the air.
“And yet, what I see? I see two halves of the same coin. Because no matter how different they are? As far as this match is concerned? They’re challengers. And the thing about me that you have to understand is…I can be a competitive asshole sometimes.
See, Karlie Nash will tell you unapologetically how great she is. She’s a reflection of herself in a funhouse mirror- distorted and strange, looking fierce and frightening. She sees herself as a threat, as a beast. She deserves this belt!
But see…here’s the thing, Karlie. This isn’t a gold watch. This isn’t a reward for years of service. This isn’t something you get just because you’ve stuck it out longer than anyone else.
That little tidbit seems to be what you don’t understand. This belt. It does things to you. It makes you crazy. The chance to see your face up on that Cruiserclash billboard, the world watching you! You’d even take it away from your best friend!”
Teo pauses, nearly dropping the coin.
“Oh yes...It does things to you.
And Karlie Nash, I’m not sorry to say- you’re weak. You don’t even know what you’d do once you got this belt you seem to covet so badly.
And Karlie? That just makes me sad. You’ve got so many voices in your head telling you that you’re destined for greatness that you can’t even remember why you wanted it. You’ve invented churches, compounds, romances, partnerships. Hell, remember when you were going to help Nikki reach her true potential? Rinse, regurgitate, repeat!”
Teo breathes and adjusts his glasses.
“And then we have Andre. My friend. My multiple time savior. My partner.
And now, my challenger...We are like brothers. And you know what? Sometimes brothers fight. Sometimes they hurt each other. Sometimes they take it too far.
But I believe in that bond. I believe we can survive this.
But I’m not just your friend, Andre…I’m also the Cruiserweight Champion. And you want to know what he thinks?
He’s pissed. He sees a man who relishes in being an underdog, a would-be usurper whose most positive quality is an unerring belief in himself. A man who refuses to acknowledge that Teo Blaze was the best damn thing that ever happened to him!
He sees a man who he’s never beaten, a scalp he’s never taken, and he sees a challenger who is only in this match because he’s my best friend! Who only became a champion because I valued that friendship more than this title!
And then I felt it. I felt that competitive spirit. I felt that selfish asshole that the Gents hid for so long. The guy who has to know…who has to know if he can beat his best friend. That guy who has a burning need to be the best in the world!”
Teo exhales, pausing in front of a large billboard…a billboard showing the Cruiserweight Championship around his waist with a logo beneath it.
“That guy is always there. You know that, Andre. I’m two sides of the same coin. Friend…and Champion.
Either is enough to beat Karlie again. But for you…I’m going to need one more than the other.
So let’s see.”
A grin…wide and twisted.
“Well I’ll be damned.”