Happiness is a Warm Duck Hunt Gun

[Ashlee]

The excitement had been short lived. Colt Cabana had come to EBWF for the Aftermath pay-per-view, and as he had been warned it all fizzled out. CM Punk returned, and Cabana had served his purpose. Since then, he'd performed at house shows, and for whatever reason had been granted one crack at number one contendership. He didn't even capitalize on that. He won on a fluke, once again finding himself in the middle of someone else's feud. He supposed he should feel lucky. He wasn't toiling away in matches in Japan that only indy marks would see. At the same time at least that stuff was fulfilling.

Phil told him this would pass. That he'd eventually get his shot, but he wasn't sure this was it. Trent Barreta was way over, and even though he new they'd have one hell of a much, there probably wasn't much of a chance that he was going over Trent Barreta tonight. Barreta was on fire, and Colt was anxiously awaiting his turn. He'd just turned 32, and this had been his greatest opportunity to date. He had to take it. He didn't even care that one of his oldest friends in the business had helped him get the gig. Punk was too nice of a guy to say it, but Colt knew that he had something to do with it. Then there was Jessica. She was hands down the sweetest girl that Punk had dated in the 14 years that Colt had known him. So many had been stuck up, high maintenance, and taken the whole "diva" thing a few steps too far. He wondered how much her "assistant to the director of talent relations" title had to do with the fact that he was at least getting matches. Yes. Somehow he thought they had something to do with it. Perhaps he didn't give himself enough credit, but he didn't have any other reason to believe otherwise.

Now he found himself here, in a make shift office, backstage at the Honda center. He was waiting for Stephanie McMahon, and he had asked for this meeting personally. He thought he might be making a mistake, and he knew that Phil would be pretty pissed off at him, but… he had to do what he had to do. When Stephanie finally showed up, she sat directly across from him. He leaned forward in his chair to shake her hand, and when he leaned back, he put his right ankle to his left knee, crossing his legs.

Colt Cabana: Stephanie, thanks for seeing me. I wanted to have this meeting as quickly as possible because my 30 option is coming up soon…

Stephanie McMahon: Oh?

Colt Cabana: …I'm not sure EBWF is a very good fit for me. I'd like to go ahead and take that option to terminate my contract without a penalty.

Stephanie was silent for a moment.

Stephanie McMahon: I've honestly never had that happen before. I… can I ask you what led you to this decision? I know we're off to a sort of slow start, but I was hoping this shot at Trent Barreta would have you in your element.

Colt Cabana: I'm happy to perform Sunday night. I just… you know, Punk has had so much success here, and Bryan has done so much in WWE. Hero is in FCW now - Jimmy Jacobs has signed here, and is already getting things started. I sort of feel like I had found my niche in Japan, and anything else I do here will just be… nothing in comparison to what Punk is doing. I think I have to go back and be somebody in Japan.

Stephanie McMahon: Well, I commend your dedication to the sport, because I would certainly hope we pay better than Japan. I understand needing to be happy. I just think we could make you quite happy here.

Colt sighed deeply.

Colt Cabana: I'd like the opportunity to thank Mr. Ikeda for the opportunity. If I'm to believe things about his history, he'll understand why I need to do what I need to do. Could I maybe, make an appointment with him.

Stephanie nodded quietly, and then met his gaze.

Stephanie McMahon: Scott, I think it's important that you know that this Punk and Cena thing is absolutely out of control. It was both a perfect and inconvenient time for you to come on board. On one hand, you fit in perfectly. On the other, we're all quite worried about John. We're worried about what he's capable of, and more so what he's willing to do to the people Punk cares about. A lot of what's been going on has been with you in mind. Could I speak to Wes? Perhaps, extend your option another sixty days and see where this goes. I would hate to lose you here in EBWF. I think you could be a remarkable asset.

Colt Cabana: But…why?

Stephanie McMahon: Wes is really pushing for a program with real wrestlers, of which you are one. I would hate to lose you without having ever really seen what it is you can do. My father didn't give you that chance. I'd like to. I'm just asking for a little more time, please.

Colt Cabana: As long as you can assure me that if this isn't working out by the end of July I can walk away, then okay. As long as I can wrestle, I'll be fine.

Stephanie McMahon: You have my word.

Colt shook her hand again. He thanked her, and got up to leave. He made his way to the door, and pulled it open. He immediately had a microphone shoved in his face.

Matt Striker: Ladies and Gentlemen, Colt Cabana.

Colt Cabana: Wow, you guys sure give a lot of notice.

Matt Striker: Care to give us some insight into your conversation with Stephanie McMahon.

Colt Cabana: No, not really. We were just talking about my match with Trent Barreta at Death Before Dishonor for the Breakout Championship.

Matt Striker: Colt, a lot has been said about your friend CM Punk, and the role you played last month in his war with Jo…

Colt Cabana: No disrespect, Matt, but that was last month. This is now, and I'm on my way to Championship Gold! That brings me to Trent Barreta. The Breakout Championship has been around his waist for 2 months, and all he can do is play Mega Man! Way to go! I see you pulled some strings and got the big boss man to perform on your new entrance music. Wes Ikeda doesn't seem to me like the type of guy who would perform on a track for a loser, but starting Sunday Night, that's going to be exactly what you are.

I guess that's good though. I suppose that will give you more time for your awesome vintage video games, and your little nerd girlfriend. You're young, you're some weird hipster, and since you've become the Breakout Champion you've done zilch! You've done absolutely nothing to cement any kind of future for yourself. You think walking around with a gold belt in one hand and a Super NES controller in the other is doing anything for you? What's next for you Trent? You had an opportunity! You had an open door, and Sunday night, it's all going to slip away when I take that from you. Then the door will be open for me. Then it will be my time, and I won't squander it playing video games and locking myself in my mom's basement with a bonus size bottle of lotion and an internet connection…. very often.

Trent, when I was a young buck coming up in this business I did everything I could to prove that I was a man's man. I was doing everything I could to prove that I was a man in a man's business, fighting like a man! I have never had a major championship in a world renowned promotion, and this is my chance. I get here to find that after all the hard work I put in coming up, I don't get extended the same courtesy. I'm not here facing a man, I'm facing a man child. Well, it's time for Colt Cabana to break out of the pack, and I'm sorry Trent, but it looks like I'll have to do it at your expense. It should be okay for you though, happiness for you isn't a gold belt, it's a warm duck hunt gun.

Without another word, Colt turned away from Matt Striker and walked out of the frame.

OOC: Dohko, still catching a groove for Colt. Forgive the poor showing.

[Juan Ramirez]

Loved the title and how you're getting us to know the character.