Happy Carousel

[Miles]

Many hours before the Aftermath event was set to take place, Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks could be found posted outside of the Pepsi Arena. They were stationed just outside of the entrance to where most of the talent could be found. Hawkins sat in a steel chair, idly tapping away at his i-phone while looking up stats about The Mets, his favorite baseball team. Reks paced back and forth, his dreadlocks pulled backwards and away from his face. He seemed very eager to get some in ring action.

Curt Hawkins: "You stoked, Reks?"

The pair typically just called themselves by their ring names, even when the camera's weren't rolling. It just seemed easier that way.

Tyler Reks: "Since I can't remember the last time I had a match? Yeah. Pretty stoked."

Curt Hawkins: "Ah, dude, you main evented a pay per view. That had to be a pretty good pay day. And all that stuff with Kendrick, you must have made at least a decent chunk of change."

The pay per view in question The Survivor Series, Team Kendrick vs Team Jericho. And the "stuff with Kendrick" was in relation to Reks' stint in the Midnight Gang and Elite.

Tyler Reks: "It was cool, I guess. But there were nine other guys in the match. I got to wrestle Sting. But I seriously think the boss forgets I work here. Did I tell you why I got hired in the first place?"

Curt Hawkins: "Nope."

Tyler Reks: "Because Kendrick told the creative team he needed someone in his group that 'looked like a rapist'. True story."

Hawkins tried to stifle his laughter but tossing his hand over his mouth but it didn't help contain it at all.

Curt Hawkins: "Harsh man."

Tyler Reks: "So, I've been getting paid to stand around and look menacing. Probably a dream gig for a lot of guys but it gets kind of dull after awhile."

Curt Hawkins: "Well, that's where I come in! We get those tag titles and you get more match time. Stock is on the rise. The creative team wants to kick start the division and I'd say we've got just as good of a chance as the rest of 'em."

Tyler Reks: "How are they anyway? Uh..haven't wrestled any of them exactly."

Curt Hawkins: "Ah, you know Trent and Zack are cool. I've wrestled JTG and I've got no problems with him. Never done much with the rest. But it's a TLC match. Just go out and do something cool and get yourself on a highlight reel or something."

Tyler Reks: "Like what?"

Curt Hawkins: "I dunno but make sure you do it to Zack or Trent. Put 'em through like..three tables at the same time. They're ALL about that stuff."

Hawkins snickered to himself. He was good friends with the pair off camera and would get a pretty good laugh if one of them had to take a crazy ladder or table spot.

Tyler Reks: "I can't buy a match and you're trying to get me heat. Wonderful."

Before Hawkins could respond, he was interrupted by the chime of his phone. He had received a text message.

Curt Hawkins: "They're ready to shoot the promo. Let's hit the road."

The pair gathered up their things and headed towards the parking lot.

------

In the Elitch Gardens of Colorado there was a carousel that had been created as far back as 1905. It played a military band organ and was still an attraction to this day. Mostly due to being so ancient. But today kids were being forced off by a pair of unruly, surly professional wrestlers. There were multiple animals to ride on and Curt Hawkins had selected a lion for himself. Lightly twirling his cane, he tossed some kernels from a bag of popcorn resting in his lap into his mouth. A young child, probably around nine, stared up at him which prompted the former Breakout Champion to toss a few into his face. He only chuckled darkly when the child ran off. Tyler Reks had selected a tiger to sit on and no one was coming near him. A large, beaded man with dreadlocks hanging in front of his face, eyes covered in sunglasses, was not exactly a welcoming sight.

Curt Hawkins: "Hawkins and Reks here. You're soon to be new Tag Team champions. You can thank us for reviving the division whenever you feel like it."

Tyler Reks: "You're welcome, by the way."

Curt Hawkins: "We're here on this big happy carousel because we like the symbolism it represents."

Tyler Reks: "We're all about symbolism. And metaphors."

Curt Hawkins: "You see, carousel's go around and around in a never ending cycle. They cycle forever on end. The tag team division is about to be Reks' and I's big, happy carousel. We're going to be champions for a very long time until everyone becomes sick of us. And even when you do? The carousel just keeps spinning. The division was hurting for awhile so how long do you think we should carry around those straps, Reks?"

Tyler Reks: "At least two years to undo all the damage."

Curt Hawkins: "Sounds about right. Because I liked being a champion. When I was The Breakout Champion it really helped my bank account. I liked staying in those nice hotel suites and getting all of that attention."

Tyler Reks: "Rightfully deserved attention, I might add."

Curt Hawkins: Yes, rightfully deserved. And no one deserves to be champions more than us. We showed up on the scene rand suddenly all these copycats start popping up. We're going to be putting our bodies on the line. Not only in a TLC match but against three other teams."

Tyler Reks: "We're going to have to talk about Ryder and Barreta."

This topic did not please Hawkins as his eyes considerably darkened and he cast his cane towards the camera.

Curt Hawkins: "Trent, I swear to god, I hate you. I seriously hope that if you ever find a woman to impregnate your child comes out deformed and crazy."

Reks gave a smirk and almost seemed surprised by his partners hostility.

Tyler Reks: "Damn."

Curt Hawkins: "I hope when you drive yourself home from the arena there's ice on all the roads. And you can think of me when you forget your seat belt and again when your head goes through the windshield!"

Whatever friendship they might have shared has been completely replaced by hate on Hawkins' side of things.

Tyler Reks: ..OK. Barreta, I don't hate you that much but I don't like you. I'm anxious to snatch that scrawny body of yours and send it straight through a table. Let's see how many extra lives you've got after that. And as for your partner?"

Hawkins quickly interrupted.

Curt Hawkins: "Zack you coward! We're supposed to go way back. We were supposed to be friends. Where did you pick up that knife you used to stab me in the back with, huh? Well, I've recovered from your betrayal and I pulled that knife out. And I'm going to shove it through those goofy sunglasses you wear and straight through your eye.

Hawkins seethed when he spoke about his former friends. Even if their friendships had dissolved because of his own actions. Reks decided now would be a good time to change the subject before his partner had a mental break down.

Tyler Reks: "..Uh..JTG and R-Truth. A complete nutcase and some hood rat. I never want to hear about "swag" or "Little Jimmy" again. So when I push you two off of a ladder and the hospital has to wire your jaws shut, I'll have done the world a favor."

It seemed as though if the subject were not about Ryder or Barreta, Hawkins was completely rational and normal.

Curt Hawkins: "Oh, those two idiots. Do you want to talk about conspiracies? What secret organization is keeping you two on the payroll? What shadow group gave you two incriminating photo's of Wes Ikeda that keeps you employed? Like Reks said, you won't be of much use after you fall twenty some feet and spend the rest of your week yanking out splinters."

Tyler Reks: "Which leads us to the champions themselves. The Queen's Men."

The Dreadlocked Demolition Man removed his sunglasses and pushed a few strands of hair away from his face.

Tyler Reks: "You boys have been doing so well because you've outsized your challengers. Well, guess what? I'm just as big as you are. Except I'm even stronger. And meaner. And there isn't a damn thing you can do that will scare me."

Curt Hawkins: "I mean, bravo that you two basically stole those titles from the hick and pretty boy that had them before you. Real impressive."

He gives a fake yawn, fanning his mouth before rolling his eyes.

Curt Hawkins: "But you aren't looking at The Corre. You're looking at the team that's going to end your reign. You're looking at THE team who--"

"..Had better not fail me.."

The unmistakable sound of Kane's voice was heard and the carousel suddenly stopped all movement.

"..Because I want those titles.."

Hawkins and Reks quickly stood from the animals they were riding on as Kane slowly lurched his way towards the carousel. No surprise entrance on his occasion. He was covered in a long dark coat. His hair covered his face and it was difficult to tell if he even had his mask on. He was dragging along a burlap sack that was staining the ground with a liquid dripping from it.

Kane: "Because if you don't succeed.."

Kane dropped the bag onto the carousel and it made a disgusting squishing sound. Flies swarmed around and some more liquid poured out. Only Hawkins and Reks could see what was inside but their faces turned pale from the sight of it.

Kane: "..Who says everything is scarier in the dark?"

After some low laughter, Kane headed off and Hawkins and Reks continued to stare on in a petrified state.