Equilibrium

Defining A Legacy

What do we have left if our careers are nothing but a joke?  I’ve been trying to ask myself that question over and over.  War Games has come and gone and I was nowhere near War Games…one of the very few not involved.  Now if those that weren’t involved don’t care about not being apart of it, that’s their business.  But me?  It sucked.  Knowing you’re one of the few wrestlers who weren’t part of a great show…it really highlights just where you stand in the grand scheme of things.  I’ve had plenty of time to really think about it and more time than I wanted to think about it.  Every day that has passed has just infuriated me.  I told myself I was done missing PPV’s…but here I was AGAIN missing another.  Everyone can chose to pass me by.  Everyone can choose to assume my best days are behind me…but the truth is my days as an active competitor in HOW are FAR from over!

Now then, where does Brian Hollywood go from here?  Hollywood is just bland.  Hollywood always “restarts” himself.  Hollywood isn’t reliable when it comes to reinventing himself.  The truth is why fix something that wasn’t broken when it worked for you before?  Perhaps all I need to do is really just take a hard look in the mirror and take a step back and figure out what worked the best for me.  So that’s what I’m going to fucking do.  I have a plan…I always have a plan.  But first, I get to fight an old adversary.  Doozer. 

Doozer, correct me if I’m wrong, but it would appear like you’re in the same boat I am.  That being said, I really can’t peg you or what you’re even about these days.  Egg Bandits.  Not Egg Bandits.  Best Alliance.  Not Best Alliance?  Really, I can’t figure it out.  What I can figure out is a way to take you to school when we hit that ring this Saturday Night.  I’ve been itching for a fight and I’m tired of waiting for one.  I didn’t come back to HOW and sit on the sidelines.  I came back to HOW to impact the world around me and continue my legacy.  If staying on the sidelines was the only thing I’d been doing, I would have said fuck it and left long ago.  But I didn’t.  That’s because I know there’s still something left in the tank and this is the best thing I know how to do.  Running a business outside of HOW has been profitable for me…but it’s the love I have for wrestling that keeps me motivated.  Besides, things have been rough in the business world of things…I don’t need to go into detail about it but I’ve been under siege.  So I got to thinking about my situation and maybe…just maybe I need to take something a little similar that’s happening to me and cause a little seize of my own in HOW.  Of course, I won’t go into detail about it….what fun would that honestly be?

So where does that leave us this week, Doozer?  You see, I can’t afford any more hiccups in this company anymore and I’m fucking DONE leaving myself vulnerable to be used as a stepping stone in HOW.  I was at my best when I was the one using people as stepping stones and maybe it’s high time to take that approach once again.  Being kind to people and giving them a chance just……just doesn’t do it for me.  I gave it a try…tried to be different for a change and look where its fucking got me?! 

I decided to take a little trip to get some “me” time and to really reflect where I stand with everything.  It’s been a long year for me and I needed to get away from everyone and everything just to clear my head.  I’m glad I did because I don’t remember the last time I ever did that.  It was definitely therapeutic for me that’s for sure.  So I’m going to show up this Saturday night with the intent to get myself back on track.  Doozer, what have you been doing with your time?  I guarantee you that you haven’t invested time like I have for when we clash in the middle of that ring.  I also know what it’s like being in the Best Alliance…if that’s even where you are anymore.  I feel very refreshed and who knows what would have happened if I didn’t.  All I know is that I’m READY to get back into that ring and tear shit apart.  I’m going to tear YOU apart, Doozer!  It’s what I do….it’s what I HAVE to fucking do.  Nothing personal….but I’m done being an afterthought and forgotten around HOW.  When I was HOW World Champion, or even holding all the singles championships at the same time, I didn’t do it feeling sorry for people.  I did it because I was fucking relentless and unforgiving.  It’s high time that I return to that Hollywood.  It’s all I know how to be.  It got the job done and if it gets the job done, then it gets the job done and I won’t be fucking sorry about it!

I don’t fucking need friends in HOW.  I’ve always been better by myself and not having to rely on people.  In fact, I feel like if you have friends, or have to depend on someone, it’s a waste of time and all it does is drag you down to the pit of HOW hell.  It’s not the place to be and the only hell I will be apart of is the hell I dish out on you, Doozer.  All you will be to me, is a stepping stone and just someone I’ll have to punish and defeat as I move on to the next one in HOW.  But this time, I’ll return to my roots and pick up where I fucking left off all those years ago.  If it works….fuck fixing it…and that’s my mentality going forward from here on out. 

Doozer, all you’ve been is a pain in the ass to watch.  There isn’t anything funny, nor important to your career.  All you’ll get from me is another Executive Promise from a man who simply doesn’t have the time caring about anyone else’s feelings.  What’s the fucking point of it?  It’s gotten me nothing but trouble and has been a waste of my valuable time.  In fact, that time wasn’t valuable at all.  What is it people say in the world?  Be kind to those who would ask the same in return.  Be kind and caring and help people and be a good person for society.  Fuck that shit.  I tried that and all it got me was a kick in the fucking ass and knocked down straight to irrelevantcy.  All I found is when you open your heart, you get hurt.  You waste time because in the end, those people you tried to help or put in the time to care for end up fucking you in the ass in the end.  So why care anymore?  I’m doing myself a favor, and I’ll be doing you a favor as well, Doozer.

In the end, all I will do and care about from this day forward is myself and anything I need to do in order to move forward and put myself in better position to being great again.  I will hurt you, Doozer, I will beat you within an inch of your life…all for the simple fact of moving up the ladder in HOW.  It’s all I fucking care about anymore.  You might find that cold and selfish…but me?  I find the solace in it.  In the end, it will not only be beneficial…but it will feel relieving.  I will turn off any feelings or emotion I feel inside and channel the only emotion that matters….anger.  Anything and everything else is just a waste of space and a waste of time to feel.  Above all else, it will be irrelevant.  Kindness and compassion never gets you anywhere in a cut throat place like HOW.  It’s all about how you when and what kind of an impact you can make here….well I remember the impact I used to make here and I will not rest until I once again make an impact MY way…because anything else is just fodder…

This Saturday night, Doozer, I get back on fucking track and I will do what I must to win.  Winning is the only thing that matters anymore.  It should have been like that since I came back to HOW.  I’m finished wasting my time with the extra curricular things involved with the rest of the roster.  Hate me all you want…but it will only make me stronger.  I thrive on being hated and I only use it as fuel to power me through all things HOW!  Hate and anger are the only things that matter and I’m not looking for brownie points on being the nicest guy in High Octane.  I’m only here to be relevant and make an impact and to win championships.  Anything else is purely a waste of time.

Try and make me feel any different, Doozer, and all I’ll do in response is to beat the living daylights out of you harder.  I’m not here to make friends or lasting relationships.  It doesn’t suit me.  The way forward and being the best in the world is the only thing that drives me.  You’ll find out just as much this Saturday, Doozer.  Mark my words…you can bet that as an Executive Promise..

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Equilibrium

Outside the now completely destroyed Hollywood Mansion

The scene opens up to a bright fiery rubble of the remains of what is left of Brian Hollywood’s mansion.  It’s hardly even recognizable and with what’s left is what the flames are stoking on as the fire burns the remainder.  Everything was lost.  There wasn’t anything left to salvage.  Brian Hollywood and Lukas Montana were thrown from the explosion as Lukas is the first one to come to.  He doesn’t really pay attention to the fire or the rubble and instead, rushes over to Hollywood who still looks like he’s down from the explosion. 

Lukas Montana: “Hollywood!  You alright man?!”

Lukas shakes Hollywood a few times before Brian starts to stir and come to.  Lukas helps him up as they both look like they’ve got scratches and open wounds as blood trickles down their faces.  Hollywood looks towards his now completely destroyed home as there’s no words.  His entire life had been ripped from its core as he stares for a good long minute.  Lukas tries to pat him on the back and try to show some comfort to Brian.

Lukas Montana: “Yo, Brian, you alright brother?  I’m sorry about your home…I wish I had answers for you…but I don’t.”

Hollywood shakes his head as it becomes clearer the only thing he feels is anger.  There is no remorse for his former home or even losing everything inside and its value.  Instead, Hollywood just had an answer for Lukas’s kindness.

Brian Hollywood: “It’s simple, Lukas.  It was the Chair.”

Lukas Montana: “You seem pretty sure about that…are you sure it wasn’t a gas leak or an electrical device?”

Brian Hollywood: “It was The Chair.”

Hollywood remained steadfast in his response.  He didn’t need any reassurance…he already knew.”

Lukas Montana: “And what makes you think it was him?”

Hollywood turns to Lukas and looks him cold in the eyes.  There was nothing left for Hollywood to feel other than anger.  All other feelings didn’t matter anymore.  There was too much that had happened and transpired in one day than Hollywood has ever dealt with in the last several years.

Brian Hollywood: “You and I BOTH fucking know it was him!  Everything that we’ve done we’ve done out of preparation!  Now, because Gerald and Buck interfered with my meeting with The Chair, this has happened!  That’s what happens when you cross The Chair.  That meeting was just supposed to be him and I.  However, Buck and Gerald aren’t the only ones to blame.  We should blame ourselves….myself more than anything.  I had a plan and I took that risk to cross the Chair and have you there waiting in the wings to expose him.  That one is on me…but it was far worse and taken out of context with the way Gerald and Buck got involved with things…and now Audrey is fighting for her life in the god damn hospital!  I don’t even know how she’s doing!”

Lukas Montana: “I know that, Hollywood.  But we have to take a step back and reevaluate things now.  I know that’s going to be hard for you to do…but it’s something that you have to do!”

Hollywood turns quickly and looks Lukas in the eyes up close.  Hollywood and Lukas are now almost nose to nose with Hollywood clenching his fists.  Lukas looks down to see them clenched and looks back up towards Hollywood.  The tension between them could be felt and it was heated.  There was no remorse or feeling in Hollywood’s eyes.  It was pure cold and it seemed like all life left Hollywood’s eyes.

Brian Hollywood: “I won’t let this go, Lukas.  The Chair struck and he struck and delivered an almost decisive blow to me.  I gambled and I lost.  I won’t fucking lose again.  Perhaps the only thing I really can do is to meet him head on and fight the way he fights.  He doesn’t play fair, so why the fuck should I?!  I’m done feeling the way I do and I’m done feeling sorry for myself.  I’m done losing shit in my life and if The Chair wants to take away and eliminate things in my life one by one, then maybe I should fucking start doing the same!  Perhaps it’s time to play by his rules…it seems to be the only way to move forward.”

Lukas sighs as he knows there’s nothing really he can say to stop Hollywood from doing what he wants to do.  He knows Hollywood has lost so much and he also knows Hollywood doesn’t want to lose anymore.  The only question that had remained was the how.  It was how they were going to take down the Chair or even to meet him face to face and fight the way he does.

Lukas Montana: “Alright Hollywood…we’ll play it your way.  But I want to be up front and strict of what I have to say.  This is something I used to do and I played the same game you are wanting to play when I tried to take you down.  Do you remember?  However, you stood to your roots and you came out on top.  You stood to your morals and you did it convincingly.  Now, the Chair may be a bad man…but you can never forget your roots and what you stand for.  If you lose that, you lose yourself.  I know this man  has taken a lot away from you…but we have to be smart about this.  He knows how you’ll react.  In fact, he’s counting on it.  He did his research and saw the way I was when I was at war with you and how you responded.  He’s counting on you to play the dirty game and I know there’s a better way.  You just have to trust yourself and you have to believe in yourself and let time be the factor in delivering him the defeat.  We were doing such a great job at accomplishing that and you are at your best when you play the long game.  You did it against me and it worked…I know it can work against him, too.”

There is a pause as Lukas looks straight into Hollywood’s eyes for the next several moments.  He doesn’t shift his ground or his glance.  Before long, Hollywood’s fists start to relax as he releases his clenched up fists as they finally rest to his side.  Hollywood lets out a sigh before he turns his head and looks back at the rubble of his former home.  Hollywood shakes his head as he looks back at Lukas and nods his head slowly in agreement.

Brian Hollywood: “Who would have ever thought…you of all people would help me keep my head on my shoulders honestly.  Perhaps you’re right.  However, we need a better battle plan if we are to rethink our next move against The Chair.  He blew up my home on purpose knowing I wouldn’t be in it.  That was a warning shot.  He takes his warning shots very seriously.  There are no mistakes when it comes to his work.  He rigged the mansion to blow when I was in close proximity but distant enough to where he didn’t harm me.  I take that very seriously.  I’m not a fucking fool…but we need to get even.  We need to hit him where it hurts.  It just so happens, I know the very thing.”

Lukas’s ears perk up and he raises his eyebrow towards Hollywood in intrigue.

Lukas Montana: “Oh really?  I thought you might.  I’m curious to hear what you’ve got planned.  I know Audrey being in the hospital and her life in jeopardy would harp on you….especially with everything going on with Gerald and Buck.  So what’s the plan?”

There is a slight pause as there was only one way to really attack the Chair on his turf.  There was only one answer and Hollywood knew exactly what it was.  They were already investigating and Hollywood had been working with Jasper Espinosa, a former men in SUIT’s hired hand turned confidant to Hollywood.  Hollywood looks back at Lukas as he reveals what must be done next at all costs.

Brian Hollywood: “We hit The Chair where it hurts the most.  We attack the Chair’s Lounge and we infiltrate by any means necessary!”

Lukas’s eyes widen as he takes in the news, but in reality, he isn’t extremely shocked.

Lukas Montana: “I had a feeling you were going to say something like that…so what about Gerald and Buck?  We can’t hit The Lounge without some help…even with Jasper’s alone.”

Brian Hollywood: “I’ll cross that bridge when we get to it….but for now, we need to find out everything we can and the location and the layout of The Lounge.  It’s time we hit him at the heart for a change.  It’s time for him to feel what it means to be vulnerable!”

Lukas nods his head in agreement with Hollywood as he knew there wasn’t any choice.  Both men take a deep breathe as they know what they were about to undertake wouldn’t be easy.  Risk is the name of the game and Hollywood was ready to take a big risk as the scene slowly fades to black.