Post by Gerard Angelo on Nov 13, 2022 10:14:34 GMT -5
The Hargrave Institute.
It was a privately funded research institute dedicated to the progress of Mankind. At least that was what their mission statement was. The reality was something much more insidious. Human testing and cloning were just a few of the heinous things described in this unpublished article Gerard’s mother wrote shortly before her death. Gerry had downloaded all of his mother’s files from the laptop to move them to his own before chucking the relic back into the depths of the attic. Gerry hoped that was the last time he’d have to face those ghosts.
As his private jet flew over the western United States, Gerard was researching the Hargrave Institute. He took a sip from his glass of scotch as his finger moved the mouse’s wheel to scroll down the page on his laptop. Gerry figured if he couldn’t find anything relating to his mother’s work about the Institute then they had to be the guilty party. Everything about them on Google was squeaky clean though. Breakthroughs in cancer research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's dominated the headlines for them. Yet he could find nary a whisper of who was behind the funding around the time of Evelyn’s death. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he took another long sip of scotch. There had to be something.
Gerard decided to revise his search to the history of The Hargrave Institute. There had to be something linking everything together. There had to be something for Gerard’s sake. He was in too deep to give up now but he had been grasping at straws lately. The leads were drying up quickly. Gerry continued to scroll through pages and links, his eyes quickly scanning across paragraphs. Nothing caught his eye as he continued to scroll. Then something made a brow raise. The Hargrave Institute had an investment from Angelo International. His hand clenched around the rocks glass. Somehow, someway, it always led back to him. Gerard shut the laptop and down the rest of his scotch. He would be back in California within an hour.
=====
There are very few constants in life. Death, taxes, Gerard Angelo wins. I’m running out of adjectives to describe just how extraordinary my run is here in Action Wrestling. John Cedrone came into our match with a ton of momentum like a freight train speeding down the tracks. A huge win in Trios, another win beating that random Samoan dude who says things sometimes. Everyone asking “what if?” What if Cedrone with all this momentum knocks off the World Champ in the first round?
Ask stupid questions, you get stupid answers. Which was a big resounding no. I have momentum myself. You know, my ten-month undefeated streak. I have the momentum of a planet, a celestial body hurtling through space. A freight train’s got nothing on that.
I handled my business last week but look at the rest of the tournament. Half the favorites are already eliminated. Dandy’s SoundCloud rapper looking ass is gone. Jill and her pancake booty are out. We’re down to the elite eight folks and we’re just getting started. That brings me to the man of the hour.
Been a little bit, CJ. After our epic clashes over the United States title, I thought I would see a lot more of you. I thought we’d be fighting tooth and nail over the World title I have in my possession. When I first got here, CJ, you were being touted as the next big thing, the next breakout star here in Action Wrestling. Everything was aligning perfectly for you. You just had to take the one final leap.
And that’s when I crashed the party. I came in and took the entire place by storm, shaking the company to its very foundation. I won the tournament you created, the Trials of Despair, to earn a shot at the US Championship you held. In a way, I should thank you. You helped launch my career here. I proved in a short few weeks that I wasn’t the same type you see get that AW contract and rest on my laurels. I proved I was for real.
I must've shaken you a little too, CJ, because you pulled a fast one on me at Revolution. Yeah, I didn’t forget that little rule change you added. Threw me off my game and you pinned my shoulders to the mat. Despite the underhanded tactics, you’re the only person in Action Wrestling that knows what it’s like to beat Gerard Angelo. The one blemish I can’t erase from an otherwise sterling record.
I’ll be honest with you, it still fucking eats at me. Even though I proved that when everything is fair and honest, I win ten times out of ten, that loss has stayed with me. I’ve used it as fuel though. I’m not the same wrestler you stepped into the ring with at Revolution and Battlebowl. That was me still working back into the business after a year off. You pushed me past my limits, CJ. But that was then.
Now? I stand here as a wrestling god. The face of the business as a whole. I ascended to a completely different plane of existence the rest of you couldn’t even begin to comprehend. I’m the Action Wrestling World Champion.
What happened to you after we last met? You got your shot at Dandy at XIII. And you fucking missed it.
Couldn’t be me.
After that, CJ, you decided that instead of capitalizing on your near-infinite potential, you’d rather be the Robin to Spencer’s Batman. And not Dick Grayson Robin, I’m talking Jason Todd.
You should be a fucking threat to anyone holding a strap. Instead, you let yourself become something Spenny can latch onto to make sure he doesn't get carried out into the sea of irrelevancy. You were one of the hottest things going on here in ADub. Now you’re just the other guy in Cringe Shit. Oops, I meant King Shit. Freudian slip I guess. What am I talking about though? You guys did win the Tag Titles. Impressive and I will give you props.
Except since being champions, you guys have had a couple of cupcake defenses. I guess Spencer is teaching you how to politic your way through the company. No shame in the game. Whatever it takes, right?
=====
Gerard pulled his Jaguar around the carport, coming to a stop in front of his father’s mansion. He popped out of the car, walking up the steps to the front door. Before he could even raise his hand to the doorbell, the double doors opened, revealing his father’s butler Charles.
“Hiya Chuck,” Gerry said with a grin as the elder man gave him a look of disdain.
“Master Gerard, so good to see you,” said Charles unconvincingly. Gerard continued to grin.
“I wish I could say the same, sourpuss. Is Sean here?”
“No, Master Sean is out to dinner with your father and stepmother. They are due back any moment.”
“Cool. I’ll wait for them,” Gerard said, brushing past the butler, ignoring the shiver that went down his spine when he said “stepmother”. Gerard made his way down the hall heading towards his father’s study. He entered and shut the door behind him. Gerry ignored the moments and nostalgia around the room, making a beeline for the glass desk and the computer.
Gerard slipped into the leather chair and moves the mouse, waking the computer from its slumber. Gerard typed in the first password that came to mind. SINATRA61. It worked. Gerard started looking through the computer, hunting for anything related to the Institute. His father liked to keep important files close to him. A “just in case” if you will.
Gerry dug deep into the computer’s files for what seemed like an eternity when he finally stumbled across a file entitled HARGRAVE. He clicked on it but the file was encrypted. Gerry tried the same password from before but was denied access. He pondered what his father would use for encryption. He tried some of the usual things. DIMAGGIO, RUTH, MANTLE. All were denied. He was probably being less obvious if it was something this important. He typed in EVELYN. Access was granted. Scumbag, he thought to himself. Gerard didn’t have time to go through all the information. He pulled a flash drive from his pocket, plugged it into the computer, and started to download the contents of the file. He watched as the loading bar moved, tapping his fingers impatiently. That’s when the door opened and Gerard lept to his feet.
“Gerry, my boy!” As he entered the room, Tony Angelo exclaimed, “What a pleasant surprise! We’ve been trying to contact you for weeks now.”
“Yeah, sorry. I’ve been busy with Action and all that,” he lied to his father. Tony just smiled as he moved closer. Gerard didn’t want him to see the computer so he closed the distance and embraced Tony. He seemed none the wiser and returned his son’s hug. They broke the hug as Sean entered the room and the brothers embraced.
“Good to see you, man.”
“Yeah, you too,” Sean said with a grin, “Did Dad tell you the big news?”
Gerard looked to his father who was about to speak before Katia entered the room. She was wearing a form-fitting dress that was typical of her except for one notable difference. Her usually flat tummy bulge out the front of the dress. Tony walked over and put an arm around his wife, grinning.
“You’re gonna be a big brother again, son,” Tony said, still with a toothy grin, “We’re just about twelve weeks.”
Gerard felt the color drain from his face as he did some quick maths in his head. Katia just gave him a smile that answered all his questions.
“Congratulations,” He managed to choke out, feeling his legs wobble, grabbing onto the desk.
“You okay bro? You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine,” he lied again, “Just tired from all the traveling. I just need to lie down for a bit.”
Gerard managed to snag the flash drive from the computer before he stumbled out of the study and into the hall. He walked down it a bit before he stopped and held onto the wall, taking in deep breaths.
“Do you want me to help you to your room, darling?” came the accented question from behind him.
“I think you’ve done enough in my room, thanks,” he sneered back.
“You weren’t complaining when it was happening,” the model replied, crossing her arms over her chest. Gerard turned and glared at her.
“I wasn’t in any state of mind to be making decisions that night,” He argued, “Besides you don't take any precautions?”
“Darling, I am married woman. No need for all that.”
“Yet here we are.”
“Hey, it could still be your father’s,” Katia said, getting close enough to put a well-manicured hand on Gerard’s chest, leaning in to whisper, “Or it could be yours.”
Gerard pushed her away gently.
“Do you think this is a game?”
“I’m having fun,” Katia replied with a coy smile, “It’s good for a child to have multiple father figures.”
Gerard turned, pushing two fingers into his eyes as he walked down the hall, trying to put distance between himself and the witch. He felt the nausea flow through his body. He took another step and felt his knees buckle. He remembers the floor rising up to him suddenly, a vase shattering as a flailing hand tried to grab it for support. The world went black.
=====
The thing is CJ, all of this should eat at you. You had a chance to be where I am. You had a chance to hold this spot in which I’m firmly entrenched. The top guy. Now you’re just the latest guy Spenny has carrying his bags.
I took the spot that was meant for you. Not only that but losing to me was the catalyst for your fall. It’s almost serendipitous for you, CJ. We meet here in the second round of Wrestler of the Year, the only person who has had an answer for the best in the business. You get a chance to prove you’re still the guy the entire company once recognized as heir apparent. It’s like one of those feel-good moments in film. You couldn’t write it any better.
Except I’m a dose of fucking reality. I’ve been wrestling the best Action has to offer since I debuted. Iron sharpens iron and I’m battle-hardened. Every accolade and success I’ve had here has come from me standing on my own two feet. Your last few accolades came with you leaning on others like a crutch. Out there in the ring, CJ, it’s just you and me. No Spencer to tag in, no Cedrone to cheer you on like a beta cuck. And I already proved that even when you are at your best, I’m still that much better than you. You’re a shell of the man I face off with in a classic at Battlebowl. It’s like the Luminary has just given into despair.
I’m fighting for history here. I’m going to become the second-ever person in history to win the US title, the World title, and WOTY all in a calendar year. I’m going to be the first person to start the tournament as champion and win as champion. I’m competing with the ghosts left by legends and Hall of Famers. You’re still trying to find your footing after I stepped on your neck to get to the top. Like I told your buddy, John, there are levels to this shit.
I want the real CJ on Monday. I don’t want this watered-down sidekick version. I don’t want Cringe Shit CJ Phoenix. I want the Luminary of Despair. I want the CJ that pushed me to my limit all those months ago. I want the man that made me dig deep and bring out my final form.
You better bring your best because I always do.
I am going to do everything within my power to advance. We’re only here on Earth for a short time in the grand scheme of things, CJ. What you do in that time, that’s what lasts forever. I’m going to leave a legacy that stands until the sun swallows the Earth. That’s all that matters to me. Making sure Gerard Angelo lives forever.
Are you gonna be the one to do the impossible twice, CJ? Are you up to the challenge to beat the absolute best? Beat the unbeatable twice?
Nah.
Clash is gonna end how it usually does.
A Hollywood Ending.
It was a privately funded research institute dedicated to the progress of Mankind. At least that was what their mission statement was. The reality was something much more insidious. Human testing and cloning were just a few of the heinous things described in this unpublished article Gerard’s mother wrote shortly before her death. Gerry had downloaded all of his mother’s files from the laptop to move them to his own before chucking the relic back into the depths of the attic. Gerry hoped that was the last time he’d have to face those ghosts.
As his private jet flew over the western United States, Gerard was researching the Hargrave Institute. He took a sip from his glass of scotch as his finger moved the mouse’s wheel to scroll down the page on his laptop. Gerry figured if he couldn’t find anything relating to his mother’s work about the Institute then they had to be the guilty party. Everything about them on Google was squeaky clean though. Breakthroughs in cancer research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's dominated the headlines for them. Yet he could find nary a whisper of who was behind the funding around the time of Evelyn’s death. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he took another long sip of scotch. There had to be something.
Gerard decided to revise his search to the history of The Hargrave Institute. There had to be something linking everything together. There had to be something for Gerard’s sake. He was in too deep to give up now but he had been grasping at straws lately. The leads were drying up quickly. Gerry continued to scroll through pages and links, his eyes quickly scanning across paragraphs. Nothing caught his eye as he continued to scroll. Then something made a brow raise. The Hargrave Institute had an investment from Angelo International. His hand clenched around the rocks glass. Somehow, someway, it always led back to him. Gerard shut the laptop and down the rest of his scotch. He would be back in California within an hour.
=====
There are very few constants in life. Death, taxes, Gerard Angelo wins. I’m running out of adjectives to describe just how extraordinary my run is here in Action Wrestling. John Cedrone came into our match with a ton of momentum like a freight train speeding down the tracks. A huge win in Trios, another win beating that random Samoan dude who says things sometimes. Everyone asking “what if?” What if Cedrone with all this momentum knocks off the World Champ in the first round?
Ask stupid questions, you get stupid answers. Which was a big resounding no. I have momentum myself. You know, my ten-month undefeated streak. I have the momentum of a planet, a celestial body hurtling through space. A freight train’s got nothing on that.
I handled my business last week but look at the rest of the tournament. Half the favorites are already eliminated. Dandy’s SoundCloud rapper looking ass is gone. Jill and her pancake booty are out. We’re down to the elite eight folks and we’re just getting started. That brings me to the man of the hour.
Been a little bit, CJ. After our epic clashes over the United States title, I thought I would see a lot more of you. I thought we’d be fighting tooth and nail over the World title I have in my possession. When I first got here, CJ, you were being touted as the next big thing, the next breakout star here in Action Wrestling. Everything was aligning perfectly for you. You just had to take the one final leap.
And that’s when I crashed the party. I came in and took the entire place by storm, shaking the company to its very foundation. I won the tournament you created, the Trials of Despair, to earn a shot at the US Championship you held. In a way, I should thank you. You helped launch my career here. I proved in a short few weeks that I wasn’t the same type you see get that AW contract and rest on my laurels. I proved I was for real.
I must've shaken you a little too, CJ, because you pulled a fast one on me at Revolution. Yeah, I didn’t forget that little rule change you added. Threw me off my game and you pinned my shoulders to the mat. Despite the underhanded tactics, you’re the only person in Action Wrestling that knows what it’s like to beat Gerard Angelo. The one blemish I can’t erase from an otherwise sterling record.
I’ll be honest with you, it still fucking eats at me. Even though I proved that when everything is fair and honest, I win ten times out of ten, that loss has stayed with me. I’ve used it as fuel though. I’m not the same wrestler you stepped into the ring with at Revolution and Battlebowl. That was me still working back into the business after a year off. You pushed me past my limits, CJ. But that was then.
Now? I stand here as a wrestling god. The face of the business as a whole. I ascended to a completely different plane of existence the rest of you couldn’t even begin to comprehend. I’m the Action Wrestling World Champion.
What happened to you after we last met? You got your shot at Dandy at XIII. And you fucking missed it.
Couldn’t be me.
After that, CJ, you decided that instead of capitalizing on your near-infinite potential, you’d rather be the Robin to Spencer’s Batman. And not Dick Grayson Robin, I’m talking Jason Todd.
You should be a fucking threat to anyone holding a strap. Instead, you let yourself become something Spenny can latch onto to make sure he doesn't get carried out into the sea of irrelevancy. You were one of the hottest things going on here in ADub. Now you’re just the other guy in Cringe Shit. Oops, I meant King Shit. Freudian slip I guess. What am I talking about though? You guys did win the Tag Titles. Impressive and I will give you props.
Except since being champions, you guys have had a couple of cupcake defenses. I guess Spencer is teaching you how to politic your way through the company. No shame in the game. Whatever it takes, right?
=====
Gerard pulled his Jaguar around the carport, coming to a stop in front of his father’s mansion. He popped out of the car, walking up the steps to the front door. Before he could even raise his hand to the doorbell, the double doors opened, revealing his father’s butler Charles.
“Hiya Chuck,” Gerry said with a grin as the elder man gave him a look of disdain.
“Master Gerard, so good to see you,” said Charles unconvincingly. Gerard continued to grin.
“I wish I could say the same, sourpuss. Is Sean here?”
“No, Master Sean is out to dinner with your father and stepmother. They are due back any moment.”
“Cool. I’ll wait for them,” Gerard said, brushing past the butler, ignoring the shiver that went down his spine when he said “stepmother”. Gerard made his way down the hall heading towards his father’s study. He entered and shut the door behind him. Gerry ignored the moments and nostalgia around the room, making a beeline for the glass desk and the computer.
Gerard slipped into the leather chair and moves the mouse, waking the computer from its slumber. Gerard typed in the first password that came to mind. SINATRA61. It worked. Gerard started looking through the computer, hunting for anything related to the Institute. His father liked to keep important files close to him. A “just in case” if you will.
Gerry dug deep into the computer’s files for what seemed like an eternity when he finally stumbled across a file entitled HARGRAVE. He clicked on it but the file was encrypted. Gerry tried the same password from before but was denied access. He pondered what his father would use for encryption. He tried some of the usual things. DIMAGGIO, RUTH, MANTLE. All were denied. He was probably being less obvious if it was something this important. He typed in EVELYN. Access was granted. Scumbag, he thought to himself. Gerard didn’t have time to go through all the information. He pulled a flash drive from his pocket, plugged it into the computer, and started to download the contents of the file. He watched as the loading bar moved, tapping his fingers impatiently. That’s when the door opened and Gerard lept to his feet.
“Gerry, my boy!” As he entered the room, Tony Angelo exclaimed, “What a pleasant surprise! We’ve been trying to contact you for weeks now.”
“Yeah, sorry. I’ve been busy with Action and all that,” he lied to his father. Tony just smiled as he moved closer. Gerard didn’t want him to see the computer so he closed the distance and embraced Tony. He seemed none the wiser and returned his son’s hug. They broke the hug as Sean entered the room and the brothers embraced.
“Good to see you, man.”
“Yeah, you too,” Sean said with a grin, “Did Dad tell you the big news?”
Gerard looked to his father who was about to speak before Katia entered the room. She was wearing a form-fitting dress that was typical of her except for one notable difference. Her usually flat tummy bulge out the front of the dress. Tony walked over and put an arm around his wife, grinning.
“You’re gonna be a big brother again, son,” Tony said, still with a toothy grin, “We’re just about twelve weeks.”
Gerard felt the color drain from his face as he did some quick maths in his head. Katia just gave him a smile that answered all his questions.
“Congratulations,” He managed to choke out, feeling his legs wobble, grabbing onto the desk.
“You okay bro? You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine,” he lied again, “Just tired from all the traveling. I just need to lie down for a bit.”
Gerard managed to snag the flash drive from the computer before he stumbled out of the study and into the hall. He walked down it a bit before he stopped and held onto the wall, taking in deep breaths.
“Do you want me to help you to your room, darling?” came the accented question from behind him.
“I think you’ve done enough in my room, thanks,” he sneered back.
“You weren’t complaining when it was happening,” the model replied, crossing her arms over her chest. Gerard turned and glared at her.
“I wasn’t in any state of mind to be making decisions that night,” He argued, “Besides you don't take any precautions?”
“Darling, I am married woman. No need for all that.”
“Yet here we are.”
“Hey, it could still be your father’s,” Katia said, getting close enough to put a well-manicured hand on Gerard’s chest, leaning in to whisper, “Or it could be yours.”
Gerard pushed her away gently.
“Do you think this is a game?”
“I’m having fun,” Katia replied with a coy smile, “It’s good for a child to have multiple father figures.”
Gerard turned, pushing two fingers into his eyes as he walked down the hall, trying to put distance between himself and the witch. He felt the nausea flow through his body. He took another step and felt his knees buckle. He remembers the floor rising up to him suddenly, a vase shattering as a flailing hand tried to grab it for support. The world went black.
=====
The thing is CJ, all of this should eat at you. You had a chance to be where I am. You had a chance to hold this spot in which I’m firmly entrenched. The top guy. Now you’re just the latest guy Spenny has carrying his bags.
I took the spot that was meant for you. Not only that but losing to me was the catalyst for your fall. It’s almost serendipitous for you, CJ. We meet here in the second round of Wrestler of the Year, the only person who has had an answer for the best in the business. You get a chance to prove you’re still the guy the entire company once recognized as heir apparent. It’s like one of those feel-good moments in film. You couldn’t write it any better.
Except I’m a dose of fucking reality. I’ve been wrestling the best Action has to offer since I debuted. Iron sharpens iron and I’m battle-hardened. Every accolade and success I’ve had here has come from me standing on my own two feet. Your last few accolades came with you leaning on others like a crutch. Out there in the ring, CJ, it’s just you and me. No Spencer to tag in, no Cedrone to cheer you on like a beta cuck. And I already proved that even when you are at your best, I’m still that much better than you. You’re a shell of the man I face off with in a classic at Battlebowl. It’s like the Luminary has just given into despair.
I’m fighting for history here. I’m going to become the second-ever person in history to win the US title, the World title, and WOTY all in a calendar year. I’m going to be the first person to start the tournament as champion and win as champion. I’m competing with the ghosts left by legends and Hall of Famers. You’re still trying to find your footing after I stepped on your neck to get to the top. Like I told your buddy, John, there are levels to this shit.
I want the real CJ on Monday. I don’t want this watered-down sidekick version. I don’t want Cringe Shit CJ Phoenix. I want the Luminary of Despair. I want the CJ that pushed me to my limit all those months ago. I want the man that made me dig deep and bring out my final form.
You better bring your best because I always do.
I am going to do everything within my power to advance. We’re only here on Earth for a short time in the grand scheme of things, CJ. What you do in that time, that’s what lasts forever. I’m going to leave a legacy that stands until the sun swallows the Earth. That’s all that matters to me. Making sure Gerard Angelo lives forever.
Are you gonna be the one to do the impossible twice, CJ? Are you up to the challenge to beat the absolute best? Beat the unbeatable twice?
Nah.
Clash is gonna end how it usually does.
A Hollywood Ending.
