An Angry Encounter and An Unexpected Visit. (B2B#1)

The scene is set in the backstage area of the Kansas City Repertory Theater. The last Unstoppable has just gone off the air, the ring completely clear and the audience now empty. Many of the MSW roster members are either licking their wounds or packing up and heading out for the night, most of them looking forward to their upcoming matches at Back to Basics. However, there are still at least three men remaining behind: Robert "Badger" Garland, "The Revolutionary" Frank Washington, and Travis Rech, who looks recently attacked and almost as angry as his client. Garland and Washington are face to face, Rech off to the side while Garland continues to yell at his tag team partner, and mortal enemy...

Robert Garland - You just couldn't stay out of my way, huh?! Even after I told you to sit down, and shut up, you had to chase Rech away from the ring and stop me from weakenin' The Bonecrushin' Phailous! Here I am, trying my hardest to play nice and you, like always, are trying to fuck everything up! Is this how you repay my kindness Frank? Is this how you want to play this shitty game?!

Frank Washington - For someone who wanted a No Disqualification match with Salman Van Dam you sure needed an awful lot of help to defend your pride and honor, if it wasn't for Bobo here you would've been choked unconscious!

Frank motions his thumb over at Travis Rech.

Frank Washington - As for "playing nice" do you think I believe that crock of shit for a single second?! Ever since MSW opened its doors you've made it your life's work to make my life a living hell; ambushing me at every corner, leaving me to die in tag match after tag match! And now I'm supposed to believe you suddenly have my back with the belts on the line? I never wanted you as a partner to begin with for this whole tournament, the fact that we made it to the finals is nothing short of a miracle. The Bonecrushing Phailous may be our opponents at Back to Basics, but trying to take them out the show before isn't the right way to win the belts... not that you'd known anything about that.

Garland looks completely irritated, Rech going to step in for Garland as Garland holds his arm out and motions for Rech to step back. Rech seems confused, but complies with his client's wishes; Garland now addresses Washington once more.

Robert Garland - And what would you know about the right way to do anythin'?! They've forgotten, and maybe even you've forgotten, but I'll never forget the cut-throat liar that I'm constantly forced to work with day in and day out! If you weren't gettin' better at hidin' your true identity, I would've expected you bein' the one to swing that chair! Instead, I have to do everythin'! I have to further move down the path of bein' the bad guy, just so you can continue to protect your falsified image! I've done had it with you Frank! If I wasn't so honor bound, I wouldn't even show up at Back to Basics!... Not even for the joy of just standin' there while you get your face re-arranged!

Frank Washington - Honor bound... HONOR BOUND? Yeah because you were sooooo honor bound when we went against Deacon Cash and Stefan Wallace, especially when you paid Daniel Bane off to lay me out in the middle of the ring after he interfered in a match in which you didn't even make a single effort to tag into! Or how about when we went against the Gentlemen's club when I was wrestling in yet another glorified handicap match until TJ Bryce blew it for his team when he goaded you into a match, you and I both know you had no intentions of getting involved in! And, if it wasn't for that you would've been content to stand on the sidelines again. You want to no show our tag team match? Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out! I'm sure I could find a tag team partner that would not only have my back but would be thrilled to have an opportunity at tag team gold.

Frank shakes his head with a wry smile on his face as his words were dripping in sarcasm in regards to Robert Garland of all people being "honor bound".

Frank Washington - You're so consumed with your witch hunt that you fail to see that you've become everything that you crusade against, everything you absolutely hate and despise. I was a bastard years ago and I've done a lot of things I wish I could take back but I'll be damned if I'm going to let the past drag me down any longer! You have become The Revolutionary Turncoat you've been hunting rigorously these past few months...

Robert Garland- Ha! That's a good one! You should have been a comedian instead of the jackass that you grew up as! I remember when we would travel together Frank, you always seemed shady even back when we were drivin' between venues and pit stoppin' for gas and cheap food! I should have seen your true character way back then! Back when we would hang out as kids and watch the biggest names in wrestling on that crappy ass television, with that cable connection your dad was siphoning from the neighbors! That's right, your whole family's just a pack of thieves isn't it? Why blame you when you come from a whole lineage of lying cheaters?! You're just another branch on that garbage family tree that -

Suddenly, Frank halts the conversation with a hard right hand to Garland's face. Garland is knocked back and sent to a seated position up against the wall, Washington remaining quiet as Garland looks angered and holds his head in pain. Rech looks on, with a shocked expression, Garland outwardly showing his rage before Frank starts to speak again...

Frank Washington - You leave my family out of this you gutless son of a bitch! Are you happy with yourself?


If looks could kill Garland would comfortably be six feet under right now as Frank glared daggers down at his fallen rival.

Frank Washington - This is what you've been trying to do for the last several months right? Get a response out of me, get me to "snap" so you can parrot to the world with your shady carsalesman of a manager that you were right all along? That's the game you're playing right?! I'm going to say it one last time, and you can either grow a set of balls for the first time since getting out of prison or you can just sit there wallowing in your pity party screaming about how life isn't fair and slowly fade away into obscurity. We can fight one on one right here, right now, and put ourselves through absolute hell to put our issues to rest at long last. No Danny Stevenson, no Drew Stevenson, no Giant, no MSW security, just you and me until we drop. Try to end my career, try to enact the street justice your heart craves and finally accept my challenge!

Frank extends his arms to sides as he shouts loud enough for his voice to bounce off and echo through the hallway.


Frank sneers out of pure disgust as Garland refuses to budge an inch, still looking into his rival's eyes with pure hatred.

Frank Washington - Exactly what I thought, you can't stand the thought of a fair fight, face to face! Stay out of the tag match, stay out of the ring, and stay out of my life!

With that Frank walks away, Rech looking to help Garland up as Garland's eyes still hold the same amount of hate as the did before. With Washington getting further and further away, Garland catches his bearing. Garland brushes himself off, Rech about to ask how he's doing before Garland also takes off in silence. Rech is left to follow close behind, Garland with an almost sad expression as the two make their way to the outside parking lot...


The once great training school has seen better days, Robert Garland's dojo now limping towards it's final moments. The flames licking at each and every surface one can imagine, Garland himself standing outside the fire with a half drunk beer in hand and a serious look on his face. Just then, a rogue spark spins out of control, The Badger not paying attention as the flames are now sent licking at his boots. As if caught in the moment, Garland ignores the flames until they climb higher up his legs and also start to spread towards nearby lots of land. Garland remains stoic, the flames now climbing to his chest, his body finally giving out as he slumps over and loses control of his lower half. With a final glance upon his burning home, Robert Garland can only manage a few final words...



In a hasty fashion, Garland springs to life and is now lying awake and shaken up. His breathing remains heavy as he looks around at his location, before holding his head in pain. The remains of his gym, from that fateful day, are still holding in place. The floors below are more rickety than usual and the ceiling looks ready to collapse at a moment's notice... But the structure of the building, much like its primary resident, is still trying its best to hold itself up.

Garland seems to spend a bit more time recovering from the nightmare, the early morning drifting through one of the broken windows. Sleepily, Garland removes the blanket that covers him as he rises off his cot, Garland now placing both feet on the floor as he yawns a bit before fully getting up. Garland slowly heads over to a nearby locker, opening it up with his special code and grabbing a fresh pair of gym clothes. Sloppily, he tosses his current dressings onto the floor, heading towards the barely working shower and turning it on as he removes himself from the rest of the world and prepares for another day of training... At the same time, an unfamiliar car pulls up outside of the aforementioned location. The vehicle looks moderately expensive, a member of Garland's past parking in the nearby yard and opening her door before looking upon her destination.


Garland continues to clean up on the inside, the woman moving closer to the building on the outside. As Garland is almost finished, he hears a somewhat unfamiliar knocking, Garland curious and getting dressed. Moving towards the door, and expecting his manager, Garland moves to open it with his usual and emotionless face. Upon the door opening fully, Garland's face quickly changes to shock as he looks completely overwhelmed, a punk rock styled woman standing in the way with a familiar looking smile on her face.



Garland complies, in an uncharacteristically hasty fashion, as he holds the door and welcomes his guest. Nikki makes her way inside, Garland closing the door and looking around frantically for something to break the ice. Garland spots the nearby fridge, a satisfied smile washing over his face as he pops it open... Only to find beer cans! Garland, not one to back down, looks further inside but finds nothing else. With a sigh, he reaches in and pulls two of the cans out before closing the fridge behind him. Nikki makes her way over to a barely standing table, Garland now following her as she pulls up a seat and seems to make the place her own. Garland arrives at her side, also pulling up a dirty looking chair and placing both drinks onto the table top... Nikki looking on with a disapproving glare.

Nikki Lynn - Really? You can't even offer a bottle of water?

Robert Garland - ...Sorry. I drank the last bottle in the middle of the night... It's not like I was expectin' guests anyway. I mean... The only person who even still comes over is Rech, and you know him...

Nikki Lynn - Yes, I know him. He's moved on to designer suits and fancy watches from his days of being a homeless man dressed in rags. However, you're still the same as always. You would think by now you would have moved on from here... Especially since you lit the place up those few years ago. You have to have enough money for at least an apartment by now, and yet you're still living like a dog... Some things never change, do they?


Garland take a sip of his drink, Lynn looking on with a curious expression. The two remain quiet, both seemingly feeling awkward until Lynn elaborates on her earlier statement.

Nikki Lynn - So... You and Washington, huh? Tag Team Championship contenders? Who would have ever seen that coming?!

Robert Garland - Is this really what you want to talk about after all these years? Please! Everythin' in my life recently has been Washington this, and Washington that. For once, I'd like to take a break, especially with havin' to see that bastard as soon as I have to.

Nikki Lynn - Oh really? So, you're serious about this whole thing then? You're really going out there to try and win those titles with the man that treated you as bad as he did?! Heh... Like I said, maybe some things are changing. Maybe you're finally putting some of that anger that used to consume you behind. Maybe you're finally growing up a bit... Maybe... You're not busy later tonight?

Lynn looks much more comfortable, Garland still drinking while Nikki finally joins him. Nikki pops the can that Garland gave her open, a smile now on her face as she seems a bit flustered now having asked her ex-fiance out. The two of the continue to sit, Garland looking at the ceiling as Lynn waits for an answer.

Robert Garland - ...He's such a piece of shit, you know? Frank Washington, I mean... That bastard orbits more false pride than our solar system has planets. The dude's got an ego the size of the sun and he's also blown his own wrestlin' skills so far out of proportion that some of his opponents seem to psyche themselves into a loss before even steppin' into the ring. He's a dirty scumbag... He's a traitor, he's a backstabber, and he's a liar...

But maybe... He's still that same old friend I used to have deep down inside. And, as bad of a guy as I may have become, I'm not one to leave an old friend to get torn apart by a pack of hungry wolves... If anyone's goin' to tear him apart, it's gonna be me and it's gonna be for my own agenda! Leavin' him high and dry against two high caliber guys like Johnny B. and Yugo? That does nothing for the case I'm trying to present. I mean... Hear me out, here.

Let's say he goes out there alone in that title match at Back to Basics. Let's say Washington rallies the crowd behind him and puts his body on the line while The Bonecrushin' Phailous picks him apart and Robert Garland refuses to show... What would that do to this whole situation? He'd become even more a hero to those goddamn sheep than ever before, and any chance I'd have of puttin' a stop to his shenanigans will go - Poof! - Right out of the window. That's the kind of scene he wants, and that's the kind of satisfaction that I'll refuse to give him... I made a promise to have his back at Back to Basics... And I always make good on my word. However, after that bell rings at the end of the match, any sign of partnership will be over! After we face off against the strength and skill that is The Bonecrushin' Phailous... After we win the MSW Tag Team Championships... We're gonna end this rivalry for good, and we'll see that snake shed his skin and resort to, once again, bein' that cowardly jerk-off that the both of us remember.

I can't be past this until I know for sure if he's actually become that changed man that he keeps goin' on about... And I can't know that he's tellin' the truth until we're both beaten bloodied, with our backs against the wall, and Frank either resorts to his old ways to get one over on me... Or shows to me, first hand and with no more filter between his thoughts and actions, that I've been wrong this whole time. Until then? This can't end between us. Until that moment happens, I'll never be able to move on... Until then, I'll always be that same bitter and angry man that you've grown to know.

Nikki doesn't seem happy with Garland's speech as she lowers the can back onto the table and shakes her head. With the atmosphere once again feeling awkward, Lynn picks herself up and starts to head towards the door, Garland remaining sitting and taking another sip with a cold look in his eyes. Before leaving, Lynn removes a pen from her pocket and a small card alongside it. She scribbles for a bit on the back of it, leaving it on the table before kissing Garland on the cheek and asking one final question...

Nikki Lynn - Why can't you let yourself be happy? ...Call me if you change your mind.

With that, Lynn takes her leave. Garland moves to pick up the card, Lynn's current cell phone number written down on the back of what appears to be the address to a local hotel. Garland presents a heavy sigh, tossing the beer can on the ground and looking at the almost full drink Lynn left behind. With a quick fit of anger, Garland knocks the drink off the table and lets it spill out on the floor. Finally, Garland thinks twice, but pockets the number and heads over to one of his weight benches. With a lot on his mind, Garland begins to work out as his mind keeps running and his thoughts continue to conflict...

Once we win that championship gold?... Only then will I accept your challenge... Only then will I agree to finish this feud that's been years in the makin'. Only then will we find out which one of us is really The Best of The Best as we take our war Back To Basics...