Equals

[Sam]

Havoc and Corbin reach a bar in downtown Missouri. They enter to an completely empty bar, the bartender looks at both of them as they examine the scene.

Havoc: Quiet...just the way I like it.

Baron: Well, you know I'm an antisocial bastard so this suits me.

Havoc: You got that right, me and you both. People just...bother me.

Havoc walks straight to the bar and orders 2 drinks and 2 shots of vodka and walks over to a booth towards the back of the room. Making sure he picked the darkest part, he sat down and placed one half of the drinks on one side in front of him and the others on the other side, where he instructed Baron to sit. Baron does as instructed he sits and moves the shot glass around with two fingers.

Baron: The last few weeks have been… screwy. I've been off my game

Havoc looks Baron up and down, swallows his pride along with his shot.

Havoc: I will take full responsibility for that. Listen, I could sit here and pretend that what I did was for the best for both of us but we all know by fucking now I was a selfish prick. For that, I apologise. Seths gone, I ain't talked to Leva in ages. Your all ive got left Baron mate, I can survive on my own physically but...mentally man. I dont think i’d last very long, sure I was supposed to be your mentor but...teaching you, was keeping me sane for once. I missed you man, this is me being the guy I know I can be to you. You’re not my “protege” or whatever bollocks we used before. You...are my friend. One of the only people I truly trust and I nearly threw that all away.

Havoc takes a drink out of his beer as he looks down on himself.

Baron: Selfish pick or not I've been thinking about this. You've done me a favour man. Do you know how much fun I'm going to have mutilating the small fish around these parts? As for personal responsibility? That's a load of crap. You may have stabbed me in the back in the eyes of some but how can I blame you for seizing an opportunity? No, we're good. I am responsible for my own well being. But, if we're going to team up I guess you are going to have to be a little responsible. Partners?

Baron does both of his shots in quick succession and wipes his mouth.

Havoc: Impressive. Damn right we’re partners in this. Now...how would you like to go get your new belt?

Havoc smiled and drank his drink, already grabbing his coat.

Baron: One minute.

Corbin drinks his beer down in a couple of mouthfuls then stands.

Baron: Now I'm ready.

Both men exit the bar in quick fashion, thanking the bartender on the way out.

St Louis, Missouri.

Havoc and Corbin pull up to a white house with a large front garden. Havoc steps out of the passenger and looks at it with a smile.

Havoc: Welcome to Casa Del Havoc!

He signals Corbin to get out the car and walks up the pathway.

Corbin: Nice very… homely very.. you're full of suprises

Havoc: Whats the first lesson I taught you? You gotta have a cloak. A guard against all the suspicions. Does this house look suspicious to you? No of course it doesnt, its a 3 bedroom house in St. Louis, it looks like a retiree’s home. According to all the neighbours im just a wealthy athlete.

As Havoc approaches the door, a woman exits the door.

Amy: Jim! I thought I heard someone was coming up! I was just finishing watering the plants. Ralph and Rita are all fed too! They’ve been very good!

Havoc puts on a fake smile and approaches Amy, giving her a hug.

Havoc: Oh Amy! You’ve been such a great help, I hope you helped yourself to food and stuff, I kept it stocked for you and the pups. Whats mine is yours!

Amy: Oh! You’re so sweet! And I see you have company.

Havoc: Oh yeah this is..

Amy interrupts suddenly.

Amy: I know who he is duh!

Amy walks over and extends a hand to Corbin. Baron gives the woman a very false smile and the world's most awkward polite handshake.

Baron: Good to?… meet you? Amy.

Baron looks from Amy to Jimmy desperate for guidance like the Corbin of old. He continues to shake the woman’s hand the whole time.

Havoc: Okay, we better get inside. Ain't seen the pups in ages. I’ll drop you a text if we need anything, yeah?

Amy lets go of Corbins hand and nods.

Amy: Anytime Jim. Nice to meet you Baron.

Amy walks off over the lawn and into her own garden next door. Havoc walks into the front door to be greeted by two Jack Russell puppies, he plays with them for a minute.

Havoc: She’s the neighbour. She looks after the house while i’m on the loop and TV. It’s nice to have your own actual place you know, I couldnt stand hotels all the time. You need somewhere you call home you know? Listen, crash here for the next few days before Survivor Series. It’s in Kansas so we’re good for driving there. Sound good?

Havoc continues playing with his puppies.

Baron: Makes sense. I mostly do the whole hotel thing. Or stay with the occasional rat but the less about that the better. Stability is good. Especially for the likes of you and me.

Baron reaches down and pets one of the dogs before kneeling to give it a proper scratch.

Baron: I would never have guessed this was what your down time looked like.

Havoc looked intrigued.

Havoc: So tell me, what were you picturing?

Baron: Not this. I would have thought something less... well maintained. I'm impressed though. Seems a lot more peaceful than my down time hangouts. A helluva lot more discreet.

Havoc: I put up with people all day long. You think i’m gonna be outside with people on my downtime too? Hell no, i’m gonna be here in the quiet planning my next move. Come on, I got something to show you.

Havoc stands up and walks through a door, Corbin follows. They enter a living room and see a huge mantel piece, on it sits the EBWF Intercontinental Championship, 2 EBWF Tag Team Championships and a EBWF Tag Team Classic trophy. Havoc removes one of the Tag Belts and looks at Corbin.

Havoc: It’s all yours if you want it. Gonna have to earn it though. Orton and Edge coming up.

Corbin examines the belt before taking it and weighing it up.

Baron: Of course I want that belt. Orton and Edge aren't exactly what I would call a smooth transition. They're united so we are going to have to be the same. There should be no problem though, right? We're on the same page? I am going to earn this before I take it

Corbin lays the belt back down.

Baron: Then again…

Corbin picks it up and shoulders it

Baron: You have enough gold to be carrying around.

Baron: This would normally have been the part where I asked you about the plans but if this is going to be a success then things will need to go down differently from now on. Edge and Orton, they have experience in their side. They've been a team forever so we're going to need more than youth on our side.

Havoc: This team, you and I, isnt going to be Jimmy Havoc and Baron Corbin anymore. You are my equal now Baron. I ain't the only one holding two pieces of gold anymore. If theres one thing we have over Orton and Edge its unity. They constantly go off and do singles stuff, even sometimes against each other all in the name of greed. They will gladly stab each other in the back over and over again till one of them ain't got no more room. They’re two huge egos who cant hold for much longer. We are and always have been a unit. Sure we each have singles gold but we’ve always been stronger together and thats a fact. Rated RKO were in the Tag Team Classic and they just didnt do anything and suddenly they get a titleshot? I dont get it. They arent a good enough team to face us Baron, it may be overconfidence but im damn sure certain we can take them.

Baron: You're right. They are the old guard, they don't deserve a shot at either of us but honestly? Who does? What we've done in a short time is given the EBWF a wake up call. Sadly the tag division is asleep. You did your part in putting a spotlight on the division but for some reason we still have nobody else worthy. It's not overconfident when you are the cream of the crop. When we're good, and I'm glad to say we are now good then there is nothing that can stand in our way. I look forward to running those two through.

Havoc: Edge is an odd one. He never wrestles on TV. He’s basically dead at this point anyway and now he has to wrestle on a PPV. He’ll have some ring rust for sure. Edge is one of the greatest opportunists off any generation. If he see’s even the slighest openings, he’s damn well gonna take the quickest shortcut there. We both need to be aware of where we are going wrong and where we can plug holes if necessary. We need to stay on our toes with Edge, sure he’s old as fuck but he’s still got his wits about him for. Enough so that he could upset the applecart and take the titles away from us...and surely you dont want to lose that so soon?

Baron: I have no intention to drop either of my belts anytime soon. You are 100% right on that one. On the flip side - you do Edge too much credit. Ultimate opportunist? I think you've taken that crown now. I won't dwell on that any longer but I will say - it's good to have you on my side. You're a sneaky bastard in the ring but I think, or hope you're more trustworthy than Randy or Edge. I trust you. I wouldn't feel this level of confidence if I was in their position.

Havoc smiles.

Havoc: Thank you! I’d like to say I do my best given any chance. Orton though… at the moment is unhinged. He pulled a Ziggler and attacked some backstage interviewer. Some stunt he pulled because apparently Ikeda wants him to retire, thinks hes done in the ring. Which could mean 2 things; 1) he actually is done in the ring and actually isnt a threat anymore or 2) he’s got more to prove now than ever. Either one is dangerous because it means we have to be on our guard. Whether you have your opinion on if he’s too old or he’s got nothing else...he’s still Randy Orton at the end of the day. He is one of the all time greats now...but it’s time for the old timers to let the new blood flourish. I doubt they gonna just hand the torch over so I would like to cut there arms off and take that fucking torch if thats okay? I know how much you like flames so, that might be something right up your street mate. The only reason he’s still here is because he pulled an Haitch. Married into the family, hes Ikeda’s buddy now, his inner circle and they get what they want. We need to prove to Ikeda that Orton is in fact done and if that means retiring him ourselves then so fucking be it...you ready for it? Its gonna be a war Baron but...I dont think i’d have it any other way.


Baron: Do you even need to ask? Violence is one of my hobbies. Retiring Randy would be another badge of honor, I am happy to bring down that inner circle but I'm also a little more willing to play the game. I don't want to settle for mediocre any longer. We hold the belts, the bargaining chips. I want more than bloodshed. I want prestige. I want, no need to be remembered in history, to be part of and make history. Randy might have gotten his place politically but he is, or at the very least was great. We can't underestimate a man with nothing to lose.

Havoc: No, you’re right. We have to be careful with this one because this could legit make us if we win. You cant break The Broken but we can damn sure make fucking history.

Havoc holds his fist out for a fist bump.

Havoc: I know how much you like your gyms and shit so. Basement, personal gym. All yours for whenever you need it. I felt it fit the athlete stereotype but I just dont use it like, ever. If you also feel the need to...release your urges, theres also a room for that too. I have the key, just let me know...okay?

Baron: Tempting. I have a lot of stored up tension that could probably do with being released but I think that can fuel our efforts in the ring. Plus, this is a nice place, I wouldn't want to get carried away and accidentally turn your playroom to Ashes. Seriously, I think the best use for my urges is to kick back and channel them later

Havoc: Alright then, you do you Baron. Make yourself at home.

Havoc pats Corbin on the back, smiles and walks out the room.