Surprises and other unforeseen circumstances

“It is well known that in war, the first casualty is truth - that during any war truth is forsaken for propaganda.” - Harry Browne

“I can’t help but be amused by the rants that Mia continues to go on about how her adopted family deserted her. You disappeared without so much as I'm going here for this reason. No, you simply dropped off the radar and no one knew where you were until my father called me and told me that you were here in Carnage. I don’t know who or what Jynx Hexxen is or even where you found him. The real question is how much brainwashing had to be done on that poor bastard to get him to take up your cause. Knowing you the way I do, it will all be revealed in a time of your choosing. Unless that is, someone forces your hand. Now see, that’s something I’m really good at.

See, when we were running the roads together as a unit. Shad, he was the leader of the group and the voice of reason. Me? I was kind of the moral compass of the team. I was and still am someone who challenges everything that I’m told and ninety five percent of what I see. I take nothing at face value Mia. I’ve learned those lessons the hard way. When a person operates on assumptions, that’s a huge mistake. That will get you in trouble every single time. What bothers me the most about this whole situation is not the impact that this has had on the friendships you have. No, people, we get past things like this with time and understanding. It’s the emotional toll of what you’ve done and what that’s done to my Goddaughter.

See, you have Chloe, I’m sure you remember Dorian’s daughter. The little girl that looked up to you? The same little girl that idolized you and had that whole hero worship thing going on. The way this might have affected her? Have you ever considered that? Can you focus on anything beyond the end of your own nose? The Mia Rayne I know, she would never have allowed this to happen, but here we are. At the end of the day, I know you can’t turn back. Not because you don’t want to, but because you’ve settled on this course of action. You’re committed to it with an almost fanatical abandon. The last time you went through something like this, we had to use Chloe as bait to trick you and deprogram you. I haven’t been able to get in touch with Dorian and Chloe, not that I think you care but it concerns me a great deal.”

{Dallas, Texas - Surprises.}

Off-Camera

Baltimore was a great town and all but I really needed to be back to Dallas. Texas was my home after all, this is where I’m at when I need to clear my head. My start in Carnage had not been a smooth one to say the least. As the losses added up, I could feel my confidence slipping away. That usually ended in one of two ways for me. A change in philosophy or a change of scenery. I chose the change of scenery, I’ve been down that other road before and it is all too easy to take that path. The real issue is the number of people that get hurt in the process. I wasn’t willing to damage my relationship with my family or friends for the sake of easy wins. So, here I sit on the balcony of my apartment overlooking the skyline in Dallas, Texas and watching the sun rise with a smile on my face and optimism in my heart once again.

Jimmy Allen, “Whoever said you can never go home again was obviously not from the lone star state.”.

It was only five in the morning but the breeze on the balcony was warm, not too warm mind you, the humidity though, it was rising. That meant storms were likely, that was fine by me, I loved to watch the lightning dance across the sky. The pending storm here and the one pending in Carnage, which of the two was likely to create more damage? Only time would tell the tale on that one. All I know is that I have to be ready for anything. The one thing I was ready for was another cup of coffee. I opened the slider and walked back in just as a call was incoming. I knew it was Pops based on the ringtone. “Badass” by Saliva echoed throughout the living room as I came in. I grabbed it off the side table and slid the bar to answer it.

Jimmy Allen, “Hey Pop, what’s going on?”

Mac Bane, “I need you back in Baltimore as soon as possible.”

I thought, that’s rather strange. I mean, Maggie was there should he need any help with anything.

Jimmy Allen, “Is everything okay? Maggie and Jules are okay aren’t they?”.

Mac Bane, “Nothing like that kiddo, no….I have a surprise for you. It’s going to help you with your investigation into the Mia thing. Have you ever met Mia’s sister Zephyr?”.

That question rocked me pretty good, I won’t lie, that was not what I was expecting. He was talking about ZQ after all.

Jimmy Allen, “Uhm...what exactly does that mean?”.

Mac Bane, “She was beaten pretty badly last night and dumped on my front porch in Baltimore.”

More shocking to my system, we hadn’t really told anyone where the new house was. Hell, I hadn’t even gotten around to telling Aeric where it was yet.

Jimmy Allen, “Okay, this is a lot to take in Pop, why do you need me in Baltimore exactly?”

Mac Bane, “Two reasons, first and foremost, because I asked you to.”

He obviously is doing well, he actually started laughing when he told me that. This of course caused me to laugh because he’s infectious like that sometimes.

Jimmy Allen, “And the second reason?”

Mac Bane, “You need to talk to Zephyr, she has a lot of good information for you. I think it will help to bring the answers you were looking for in more complete focus. There’s also a third reason. I’m going to Vegas for a couple of days and I need you here to help her. She’s been pretty badly abused by her own family. It wouldn’t hurt to have a friendly face around to help her.”.

Fade

{Baltimore MD - Ships passing in the night}

Security and safety measures of the airlines were borderline ridiculous these days. I did however make the next flight to Baltimore without too much of an incident. Someone, and it turns out he’s from L.A. decided to cough on me as I entered the airport. I don’t mean he was trying to avoid coughing on someone and got me by accident. No, he saw me enter the terminal and walked directly towards me. After coughing on me, he got what he deserved. When the TSA and local police asked me what happened. I explained it to them.

Police Officer, “So, your official response is that he didn’t observe proper social distancing….”

I cut him off before he can finish and with a smile that would be obvious even through a mask.

Jimmy Allen,”I socially distanced him, yes sir, that is accurate.”.

The officer was trying not to laugh, he holds up his hand for a second as he turns around. Facing opposite of me I could see his body shaking from the quiet laughter. He turned back around once he was done.

Police Officer, “He also claimed to have tested positive for Covid, correct?”

Jimmy Allen, “That was his claim at the time.”.

Police Officer, “We should have his test results by the time you land in Baltimore, you have a good flight Mr. Bane.”.

True to their word, by the time I had landed in Baltimore and taken my phone out of “Airplane” mode my phone was ringing.

Police Officer, “His test was negative Mr. Bane. Would you like to press charges? We can detain him on terroristic threat and assault if you would like?”.

Jimmy Allen, “I see no reason for me to press charges, although I’m sure, your local AG would probably have a different opinion on that score.”.

Police Officer, “Indeed she does, would you be willing to testify?”.

Jimmy Allen, “Of course, you already have my deposition but I can be back in Dallas early next week.”.

Police Officer, “Thank you Mr. Bane, I’ll let her know, and I’m sure she will be in touch.”.

I pressed the button to terminate the call just in time to see Pop clear security, shaking his head, he was likely frustrated with the hoops he had to jump through. I wave to him and he approaches.

Jimmy Allen, “Hey Pop, what exactly is in Vegas?”

Mac Bane, “Well, Amber has her first match in SCW and then after that, who knows.”.

He says in a light hearted tone. He’s got it bad for her and it’s easy to see. Well, easy enough for the rest of the world but maybe not for my father. He could be rather stubborn and even clueless at times.

Jimmy Allen, “Sounds like a good time to me. I mean watching Amber kick some ass is always fun. Mind if I ask you a question?”

He shrugs at me indifferently as he often does.

Mac Bane, “Might as well, you’re going to ask anyway.”.

Jimmy Allen, “How serious is this thing with Amber?”.

His response is not immediate, he stares at the ground for a moment, obviously collecting his thoughts. I guess a serious question does warrant a serious answer.

Mac Bane, “Honestly Jimmy, I’m not really sure. At least not yet, it’s all very strange to me right now. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see where it goes. I obviously care for her, in a way I didn’t think was possible for me to feel again.”.

I stop him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

Jimmy Allen, “Pop, be happy. That’s all your children want for you is for you to be happy.”

He smiles at me, clearly visible even through the mask he wears and pats me on the side of the head.

Mac Bane, “Thank you son, I do appreciate your understanding. Not to mention the patience you kids have shown me while I figure this thing out. Speaking of which, have you heard from your brother?”.

Jimmy Allen, “I’ve been trying to call Aeric for the last several days, but gotten nothing but his voice mail.”.

Mac Bane, “it’s not like him to not return my calls and I tried again before going through TSA but it says his voice mail inbox is full.”.

Jimmy Allen, “Don’t worry about Aeric, Pop, you know he can take care of himself. I’ll continue to try and get in touch with him. You focus on you, go have fun, and enjoy the time away from Baltimore.”.

We fist bump as he walks away to go catch his flight to Sin City and I sincerely hoped that Amber felt the same way about my father as he seems to feel about her. The fallout from something like that would be like nothing Carnage Wrestling had ever seen. Not many people remember what happened to Ken Davison, but I do, I remember the change that came over that man and forever changed him.

Fade.

{Baltimore MD - Undisclosed Hospital}

I had stopped by a local coffee house and picked up vanilla iced coffee, I bought a second one, just in case Zephyr liked coffee. I really don’t know a lot about the woman other than the fact that she’s Mia’s sister. Using the cardboard carrier, I begin making my way into the hospital. Getting the room number from a nurses aid, I made my way to the third floor. I pass by the nurses station for that floor and I’m waved down by a very attractive nurse. The name tag reads “G. Crabbits”. I’m thinking….no way...but I have to ask should the opportunity to present itself.

Nurse Crabbits, “Sir, who are you going to see? Have you been screened by anyone in the hospital?”

Jimmy Allen, “I’m here to see Zephyr Quinn and yes ma’am I was screened at the front entrance.”.

I handed her the document that the nurse in the lobby had given me as proof of having my temperature taken and the other protocols I had to go through just to get this far.

Nurse Crabbits, “Very well Mr. Allen, Miss Quinn is still unconscious but doctors expect her to come out of it at any time now.”.

Jimmy Allen, “Thank you for updating me on that, and by the way, what is your first name miss?”

She smirks at me, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Nurse Crabbits, “It's not Gladys if that was what you are thinking?”

I snicker a bit to myself as I continue towards Zephyr’s room. Saying over my shoulder…

Jimmy Allen, “Sorry, had to.”.

The condensation on the cups was now beginning to challenge the structural integrity of the carrier, so I slid my hand more completely under the bottom side of it to stabilize it. I enter Zephyr’s room as a nurse is taking her vitals.

Jimmy Allen, “How’s she doing?”

Nurse Crabtree, “She's a strong young woman, she should be fine. You’re James?”

Jimmy Allen, “Yes Ma’am, my father likely told you to expect me?”

Nurse Crabtree, “He did, even gave me your number in case you didn’t show up.”

I roll my eyes causing her to laugh. She was an older woman, probably in her mid fifties with a warm smile.

Jimmy Allen, “Of course he did.”

Fade.

{Undisclosed Location - “Another Opportunity”}

“In wrestling or in life, you only get so many opportunities to be successful. You have to strike when the chance to do so is presented. Otherwise, you’ll be just another footnote in history. In the case of Ebenezer, you don’t really seem to know anything about anyone. Despite your ranting and raving like a patient suffering from tourettes about how great you are. You didn’t know who the hell Danny B was? If you cannot at least respect the accomplishments of someone like that, then seriously, why the fuck are you here? Danny has a dossier that anyone would be proud of and you just shat on that for whatever egomaniacal reason you dreamed up while you were hating your mother. Problem is, that Danny was ready for you and when you went to finish the match? How’s the ribs feeling there smart guy? Bet that shit hurt huh?

It was your opportunity to make an impact, to take on a guy who’s won titles all over the globe and show everyone why they should fear your presence and respect your abilities. Like myself, you failed to produce. I say that in a way that should reveal the stark realities of both of our situations. You did everything right except for finishing him off, you wasted time playing to the non existent crowd. You chose to taunt a hall of fame performer instead of the task before you. How will this matchup be different than the last? I won’t bore you with my past accolades, but I’ll explain it this way. I’m a third generation wrestler, I grew up in this business. I traveled the globe with my father and have nothing but respect for every single person who laces up a pair of wrestling boots.

There is no need for me to pat myself on the back or to talk about everything I’ve accomplished. I let the things I do in that ring speak for me. This mini tournament is another opportunity for each of us to showcase what we are capable of. This is to challenge Mac Bane for the Baltimore City Championship. Yes, that man is my father and yes I know him probably better than anyone on this roster. To say I stand the best chance of dethroning him, is both an understatement and understood. I know he’ll be watching this tournament from ringside to see who eventually challenges him. I know your type Ebeneezer and no I don’t have anything to prove to him, only to myself. I don’t have to seek his approval, I’ve had that my entire life. Not that I expect you to understand that, healthy relationships don’t appear to be in your wheelhouse.

This match between you and I, it means a great deal to me. It should mean even more to you, seeing how you’re new here and all. Thing is Eb, you don’t mind me calling you Eb do ya? Cool, thanks for bearing with me. See Eb, everyone in this business wants to win. The difference between them and me? I have eaten, drank, and slept this business my entire life. It’s the only thing I know and the only thing outside of my family that matters to me. Due to your failing business outside of this industry, you need the money that comes with this way of life. I don’t, my family has built a brand in this industry that continues to grow and flourish. I don’t need any of this, I have to have this. If you ever grow to love what we do the way I do, I’m sure that last statement will make sense.

I’d love to spend more time talking shop with you Eb, but I got people to see and shit to do. I look forward to your profanity laced tirade about how you’ll dominate this match. Before you do that though, you should probably study up on who runs Carnage Wrestling though. Your last promo was so full of mistakes and pure dumbassery, it was really very sad. I would wish you luck, but...nah...not feeling that generous.

End