Post by Chris Callum on Aug 9, 2019 0:23:22 GMT -5
VOICEMAIL FROM: ZACHARY PAGONIS
Chris Callum leaned over in his bed and let his eyes adjust to the cell phone. It was past three in the morning, but something had forced him to wake up. It wasn’t the phone… it was a dream. A dream that wasn’t really a dream, but more like a feeling. Pins in his stomach. Something dark growing in there and it hurt. Dread. He played the message.
“Hey Chris - it’s Zach! Listen man I wanna get you to sit down with me and talk about your big return to Galveston. How are you going to manage that and Valor’s crazy touring schedule? I gotta know man. Give me a call. We can get it edited and tossed onto the website in a few hours. I’m just really excited the company is back on its feet. See ya brother.”
The phone went back into sleep mode. Darkness enveloped him once again.
He held the phone tightly as he processed the information. The company. Galveston? Was GIW back? How was that even possible?
He opened Twitter.
GIW was back. Right before War Games. Right before his match with Cosmo.
“Aspen Chaud announces the return of Galveston Island Wrestling. Big names like Bronx Valescence and Alexis Terry set to return to the company,” the tweet read.
In an instant he was filled with rage. He shot out of the bed and went to punch the wall… or kick over the bedside table… or something! But he stopped himself and began to pace. His breaths were short and deep. He pulled open the curtains on the window of his home and looked out on the Galveston Beach.
She was here. Miles away from him. And she was starting a wrestling company in his city. Where he started. The only place he would ever feel at home.
He called Aspen Chaud.
It rang. He tried to control his breathing.
It rang again. She is an audacious cunt, isn’t she?
Again. GIW can’t reopen without him. He never lost the title. It’s HIS company.
Once more. He has too many other things to worry about…
“Hello Chris.”
Silence. He thought of so many words but couldn’t choose one to say. Not even one. She could hear his quivering breath on the other end of the line, he knew it. He tried to control it.
“Don’t cry about it, Chris.”
He clenched his teeth to hold back a scream.
“If you want back in to GIW, you have to let me back into your life.”
A long silence fell between the two. Finally, Chris pulled his thoughts together and turned them into words.
“You started a company just to fuck with me?”
She snickered on the other side of the line.
“No. I started a company because you need to be put in your place. There's money to had... fame and fortune to be won... and I'm going to do it without you... Unless you decide to come back home. With me.”
He said nothing. He couldn’t believe it. Truly, he did not think she would stoop this low.
“It’s your choice. I’m sure you’ll take great pleasure in watching Bronx Valescence and Alexis Terry lead the charge in the new and improved Galveston Island Wrestling. Meanwhile, you’ll be wrestling cage matches in Brazil with the rest of the monkeys. Your dream comes true.”
The call ended.
He should never have called her. Why did he call her? What did he expect would happen?
His phone buzzed again.
TEXT FROM ALEXIS TERRY:
“Lets get drunk like old times! Nightcap at my place and everyone wondering where you at. WERE GOIN HOME!”
No, Alexis. He wasn’t going home.
Now, he had to stay.
He had to beat Cosmo.
He had to win War Games.
I had to shove it in Aspen Chaud’s face.
---
“I know you all want to hear about Galveston.”
The camera focuses in on Chris Callum as he stands in front of a backdrop with the Valor logo printed on it. He looks frustrated - we can see it in his eyes. He takes a deep breath.
“That place means everything to me. It is where I became the man I am today. I broke records. I made a lot of money. I brought that company to the top. Galveston Island Wrestling, once upon a time, was the Apex. And I did it all with Aspen.”
The memories were vivid, even still. Those months as Undisputed Champion. Breaking the record title reign. The world hated him and he loved it all.
“Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. All of the shit I had to fight through… all of the shit she made me fight for, even when I didn’t really believe… that brought me here to this moment. In this moment I have the opportunity to decide the man I will truly be remembered as. I’ll go down as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, or as the man who needed Aspen Chaud to bring him to the top.”
Callum shrugs, throwing his hands into the air.
“I decided I wanted to press my luck. For the first time in my career I want to be a star without Aspen pulling the strings, so I kicked her to the curb. And she’s furious. In her eyes, we need each other. Separately we are nothing, together we are everything. That’s what she told me. That’s what she truly believes.”
He remembered the look in her eyes. The ice. In that moment she was so cold and so empty.
“But now that she’s out on her own, she wants to do anything she can to get me crawling back to her. That includes spending her own money to open up Galveston Island Wrestling for one last run. I can see the gears turning in her head. She wants me to lose War Games, to lose to Cosmo Cooper, and then come running back to Galveston Island Wrestling - my home - when I have nothing left here in Valor. That’s what Alexis Terry is doing. That’s what Bronx Valescence and Luke Jones are doing too.”
He laughed.
“I’ve always been stronger than those people. I can make it out here on my own. I showed everyone that when I went toe to toe with Brodie. She was at her best two weeks ago. She gave it everything she had. I got beaten worse than I have ever been beaten in my career. But somehow, some way… by hook or by crook… I emerged the victor.”
Callum cracked a smile and extended his hands out wide.
“And I’m still standing. And I’m still fighting. I’m not going down. I’m not going away.”
He meant it. Leaning forward, he spoke directly to the camera.
“Aspen… open up GIW. I’m not rooting for you but I’m rooting for the company. Hopefully some kid gets their big break there I did. I’m sure you’ll find someone to sink your claws into that is willing to carry you around for years and years just like I did. I’m sure someone will step out in front of the camera and spit out your words every week just like I did. But it will never be me. Not again. I’m done with it.”
He stepped back.
“I remember not too long ago when I would stand in front of this camera and say what Aspen told me to say about Cosmo Cooper. ‘Tell the world how he wronged you’, she said. Over and over again she said it. Leaning into my ear and whispering so loudly I couldn’t hear anything else. For a while I think I believed it. I thought Cosmo Cooper owed me something. But I put myself in his shoes. And he was right. There comes a time when you have to move on.”
Callum nodded.
“He moved on from me. I moved on from Aspen. Now we really are just men alone in this sport. We only want one thing - to be Apex.”
Once again, Callum took a step toward the camera.
“Cosmo. Our date with destiny is coming soon. I think you and I both would like it to be sooner than it is. One on one. Free man versus free man. Soon - but we have to worry about War Games.”
His voice became quieter. He knew the dangers of the match. The cage. Enemies in every corner - even enemies on his own team.
“Two weeks ago I went to war with Brodie and now I have to do it all again with you, and Bishop Church and Mike McGuire and Katya Djurdjevic standing on the other side. It’s almost cruel isn’t it… that I have to face The Apex, The Tag Champs, and a girl who turns into a super hero every time she gets near me just before the biggest match of my career. I hate to say it, but I think we are the underdogs in this one. I haven’t been an underdog in a long, long time.”
Callum chuckled. Suddenly there was lightness in his voice.
“I kind of like the feeling. The chip on my shoulder… the butterflies in my stomach. I assume you’ll be feeling that way when you step into the ring with me one on one.”
He held up one finger.
“War Games will just be a preview of the things I’m going to do you. A cage and two rings are just enough for me to make a big point at your expense. Cosmo - I need to show the world that I don’t need Aspen. Hell, I need to show them that I don’t you. The only way for me to do that is to embarass you. I told everyone to watch and see what I was capable of against Brodie. If they didn’t, then they can see it this week.”
The pace quickened.
“Partners be damned, Cosmo. Danny Rizzo, Kaven Drell, and Cross Recoba all think they’re next in line for you. They’ve tried to put their names in the mix but it’ll never stick. Whatever happens, I’m going after you. If get you… if I hurt you… I’m the winner.”
A beat. Callum stepped back.
“It’s the Blitz Anniversary Cosmo. Time to celebrate everything you did for this company over the last year - and it’s been a lot. But this anniversary will be your last one. Because next year, we’ll all be celebrating me. You’ll just be a footnote on the books that will be written with my name on all the other pages. It’ll read something like…”
He spoke carefully, as if reading the words.
“Cosmo Cooper, former Apex Champion and protege to Chris Callum… Championship run falls apart at War Games.”
A moment passes. Callum smiles.
“Good luck kiddo. Keep your eyes on me. Blink and you’ll miss all the fun.”
Fade to black.
Chris Callum leaned over in his bed and let his eyes adjust to the cell phone. It was past three in the morning, but something had forced him to wake up. It wasn’t the phone… it was a dream. A dream that wasn’t really a dream, but more like a feeling. Pins in his stomach. Something dark growing in there and it hurt. Dread. He played the message.
“Hey Chris - it’s Zach! Listen man I wanna get you to sit down with me and talk about your big return to Galveston. How are you going to manage that and Valor’s crazy touring schedule? I gotta know man. Give me a call. We can get it edited and tossed onto the website in a few hours. I’m just really excited the company is back on its feet. See ya brother.”
The phone went back into sleep mode. Darkness enveloped him once again.
He held the phone tightly as he processed the information. The company. Galveston? Was GIW back? How was that even possible?
He opened Twitter.
GIW was back. Right before War Games. Right before his match with Cosmo.
“Aspen Chaud announces the return of Galveston Island Wrestling. Big names like Bronx Valescence and Alexis Terry set to return to the company,” the tweet read.
In an instant he was filled with rage. He shot out of the bed and went to punch the wall… or kick over the bedside table… or something! But he stopped himself and began to pace. His breaths were short and deep. He pulled open the curtains on the window of his home and looked out on the Galveston Beach.
She was here. Miles away from him. And she was starting a wrestling company in his city. Where he started. The only place he would ever feel at home.
He called Aspen Chaud.
It rang. He tried to control his breathing.
It rang again. She is an audacious cunt, isn’t she?
Again. GIW can’t reopen without him. He never lost the title. It’s HIS company.
Once more. He has too many other things to worry about…
“Hello Chris.”
Silence. He thought of so many words but couldn’t choose one to say. Not even one. She could hear his quivering breath on the other end of the line, he knew it. He tried to control it.
“Don’t cry about it, Chris.”
He clenched his teeth to hold back a scream.
“If you want back in to GIW, you have to let me back into your life.”
A long silence fell between the two. Finally, Chris pulled his thoughts together and turned them into words.
“You started a company just to fuck with me?”
She snickered on the other side of the line.
“No. I started a company because you need to be put in your place. There's money to had... fame and fortune to be won... and I'm going to do it without you... Unless you decide to come back home. With me.”
He said nothing. He couldn’t believe it. Truly, he did not think she would stoop this low.
“It’s your choice. I’m sure you’ll take great pleasure in watching Bronx Valescence and Alexis Terry lead the charge in the new and improved Galveston Island Wrestling. Meanwhile, you’ll be wrestling cage matches in Brazil with the rest of the monkeys. Your dream comes true.”
The call ended.
He should never have called her. Why did he call her? What did he expect would happen?
His phone buzzed again.
TEXT FROM ALEXIS TERRY:
“Lets get drunk like old times! Nightcap at my place and everyone wondering where you at. WERE GOIN HOME!”
No, Alexis. He wasn’t going home.
Now, he had to stay.
He had to beat Cosmo.
He had to win War Games.
I had to shove it in Aspen Chaud’s face.
---
“I know you all want to hear about Galveston.”
The camera focuses in on Chris Callum as he stands in front of a backdrop with the Valor logo printed on it. He looks frustrated - we can see it in his eyes. He takes a deep breath.
“That place means everything to me. It is where I became the man I am today. I broke records. I made a lot of money. I brought that company to the top. Galveston Island Wrestling, once upon a time, was the Apex. And I did it all with Aspen.”
The memories were vivid, even still. Those months as Undisputed Champion. Breaking the record title reign. The world hated him and he loved it all.
“Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. All of the shit I had to fight through… all of the shit she made me fight for, even when I didn’t really believe… that brought me here to this moment. In this moment I have the opportunity to decide the man I will truly be remembered as. I’ll go down as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, or as the man who needed Aspen Chaud to bring him to the top.”
Callum shrugs, throwing his hands into the air.
“I decided I wanted to press my luck. For the first time in my career I want to be a star without Aspen pulling the strings, so I kicked her to the curb. And she’s furious. In her eyes, we need each other. Separately we are nothing, together we are everything. That’s what she told me. That’s what she truly believes.”
He remembered the look in her eyes. The ice. In that moment she was so cold and so empty.
“But now that she’s out on her own, she wants to do anything she can to get me crawling back to her. That includes spending her own money to open up Galveston Island Wrestling for one last run. I can see the gears turning in her head. She wants me to lose War Games, to lose to Cosmo Cooper, and then come running back to Galveston Island Wrestling - my home - when I have nothing left here in Valor. That’s what Alexis Terry is doing. That’s what Bronx Valescence and Luke Jones are doing too.”
He laughed.
“I’ve always been stronger than those people. I can make it out here on my own. I showed everyone that when I went toe to toe with Brodie. She was at her best two weeks ago. She gave it everything she had. I got beaten worse than I have ever been beaten in my career. But somehow, some way… by hook or by crook… I emerged the victor.”
Callum cracked a smile and extended his hands out wide.
“And I’m still standing. And I’m still fighting. I’m not going down. I’m not going away.”
He meant it. Leaning forward, he spoke directly to the camera.
“Aspen… open up GIW. I’m not rooting for you but I’m rooting for the company. Hopefully some kid gets their big break there I did. I’m sure you’ll find someone to sink your claws into that is willing to carry you around for years and years just like I did. I’m sure someone will step out in front of the camera and spit out your words every week just like I did. But it will never be me. Not again. I’m done with it.”
He stepped back.
“I remember not too long ago when I would stand in front of this camera and say what Aspen told me to say about Cosmo Cooper. ‘Tell the world how he wronged you’, she said. Over and over again she said it. Leaning into my ear and whispering so loudly I couldn’t hear anything else. For a while I think I believed it. I thought Cosmo Cooper owed me something. But I put myself in his shoes. And he was right. There comes a time when you have to move on.”
Callum nodded.
“He moved on from me. I moved on from Aspen. Now we really are just men alone in this sport. We only want one thing - to be Apex.”
Once again, Callum took a step toward the camera.
“Cosmo. Our date with destiny is coming soon. I think you and I both would like it to be sooner than it is. One on one. Free man versus free man. Soon - but we have to worry about War Games.”
His voice became quieter. He knew the dangers of the match. The cage. Enemies in every corner - even enemies on his own team.
“Two weeks ago I went to war with Brodie and now I have to do it all again with you, and Bishop Church and Mike McGuire and Katya Djurdjevic standing on the other side. It’s almost cruel isn’t it… that I have to face The Apex, The Tag Champs, and a girl who turns into a super hero every time she gets near me just before the biggest match of my career. I hate to say it, but I think we are the underdogs in this one. I haven’t been an underdog in a long, long time.”
Callum chuckled. Suddenly there was lightness in his voice.
“I kind of like the feeling. The chip on my shoulder… the butterflies in my stomach. I assume you’ll be feeling that way when you step into the ring with me one on one.”
He held up one finger.
“War Games will just be a preview of the things I’m going to do you. A cage and two rings are just enough for me to make a big point at your expense. Cosmo - I need to show the world that I don’t need Aspen. Hell, I need to show them that I don’t you. The only way for me to do that is to embarass you. I told everyone to watch and see what I was capable of against Brodie. If they didn’t, then they can see it this week.”
The pace quickened.
“Partners be damned, Cosmo. Danny Rizzo, Kaven Drell, and Cross Recoba all think they’re next in line for you. They’ve tried to put their names in the mix but it’ll never stick. Whatever happens, I’m going after you. If get you… if I hurt you… I’m the winner.”
A beat. Callum stepped back.
“It’s the Blitz Anniversary Cosmo. Time to celebrate everything you did for this company over the last year - and it’s been a lot. But this anniversary will be your last one. Because next year, we’ll all be celebrating me. You’ll just be a footnote on the books that will be written with my name on all the other pages. It’ll read something like…”
He spoke carefully, as if reading the words.
“Cosmo Cooper, former Apex Champion and protege to Chris Callum… Championship run falls apart at War Games.”
A moment passes. Callum smiles.
“Good luck kiddo. Keep your eyes on me. Blink and you’ll miss all the fun.”
Fade to black.