 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
When Jake was approached about sitting down with Alice Hart, he was torn with emotions. He wanted to show his wife that he believed in their family, but at the same time wanted to protect them as well. He didn't want to put them through any unnecessary trouble, if he could avoid it.
Mentally, Jake was swayed by the combination of everyone around him telling him that it was best that he, as cliche as it sounds, "give peace a chance." His lawyer, his family, and of course Roeper, believed Alice meant what she said, through her lawyer, and that she wanted to make amends, for the betterment of her family. It was a difficult decision, but one Jake knew he needed to do. When it came time to meet with Alice, Jake's mind was riddled with emotion. Part of him wanted to lash out, part of him wanted to simply ask her why, and part wanted to simply make her hurt as much as she made him hurt. He felt he deserved the right to inflict the same amount of pain that she and Ron had done to him. Thankfully, his lawyer had done everything possible to keep it from happening, by prepping Jake, and doing everything he can to try and keep Jake in the smartest mindset possible. As Alice and Jake had their "back and forth" with one another, Jake was able to ask the types of questions that he wanted answers to, but at the same time not be completely angry, over the top, and hateful toward her. Deep down, Jake felt like he was being honest, and being fair to her, about how he felt, and what he believed in his mind. Jake's actions, thus far, have truly impressed many people there, including Alice herself. She truly believed that Jake would take the initiative to truly lay into her, and make her feel like he felt, but he didn't. The civility is something everyone feels is a good start. After admitting to Jake that she's still willing to allow him to take any and all time that he feels he needs, to figure things out, the room continues to sit in silence. It's an uncomfortable period of time that truly begins to feel like many, many, minutes. The whole time, Jake continues to sit, staring at Alice with a very emotionless look in his eye. In his mind, he's toying with the idea of actually believing what Alice has said up until this point. The problem is, he's torn. He is really to a point where he genuinely wants to believe her. In his mind, if Roeper can have her mother back in her life, it'd be something that would, possibly be something that would give her SOME sense of normalcy to her life. As everyone continues to sit, waiting to see if Jake is going to say anything else, Jeff finally realizes that Jake probably has way too much going through his mind to come up with something to say, and decides to get answers of his own... Jeff Starr: So Alice... Here's another question for you. How do you HONESTLY feel about Jake? Jake looks over at his father with an initial sense of confusion. After the initial confusion, he quickly realizes that his father is merely trying to see if she'd ultimately begin to have the same negative feelings and emotions toward Jake, that Ron has. When he and Roeper initially got together, Ron initially gave Jake the idea that working with him on having a bond, and coming together as a family was a desire of his. That quickly showed itself to be fake, and turned into Ron expecting Jake to turn into him, and adopting his lifestyle. Jake sees, in his father's eyes, that he doesn't wasn't it happen again.
Alice quickly turns to look at Jeff, to answer. Alice Hart: Jeff, I love him. I legitimately love him. I may not agree with every decision he makes, but never once would I expect him to agree with every decision that I make. I only have one concern when it comes to Jake. That concern is that he takes care of my daughter and granddaughter. If he does that, then I have absolutely no problems with him at all. If I ever worried that he wasn't taking care of them, the first thing I would do is confront him about it, and talk to him. I am not here to tell him how to raise his family. I'm not here to try and convince him that I know better than him, about his family. The only time I'd ever say anything is if I felt that their safety was in legitimate jeopardy. Jeff Starr: Ok... Alice Hart: I have never once worried about Jake mistreating Roeper or Mara, and I do not suspect that it will ever change. Jeff nods slightly.
Jeff Starr: ... And I don't suspect that it would either. Jake quickly chimes back in, and offers his opinion.
Jake Starr: ... And I can guarantee that it won't. Roeper, too, feels the need to offer up her two cents.
Roeper Hart: Mom, Jake would never do anything bad to Mara or myself. Especially to Mara. Nobody in this world means more to Jake than his baby girl. Alice nods, acknowledging what her daughter is saying.
Alice Hart: I know, honey. I have never doubted Jake's love for his family... Ever! The only thing I ever questioned was what he chose as his profession in his life, and what he did to support his family. The only reason I ever questioned that is because I wasn't raised in that type of lifestyle. Honey, just because I feel like I might do something differently than Jake, or you for that matter, won't mean that I will try and convince either of you to do things my way instead. It's not my place. You guys are your own family, and have every right to do things as you see fit. Roeper nods.
As Jake hears off this, his mind continues to feel this desire to believe her, more and more. There is a stronger and stronger belief that Alice is actually being genuine to him, and his family. It is a feeling that he has not had in a long time, and it is a feeling that legitimately begins to scare him. Part of his mind is thinking that he's falling for a very good ruse. He wants to buy into the fact that things are finally getting "right," but something still has him wanting to keep that wall up. It's also something that continues to eat away at him more, and more. As Jake's mind tears in multiple directions, Jeff looks down the table toward his son. Jeff Starr: Jake, it sure sounds like Alice is saying all of the right things, son. What do you think? Alice's view shifts back to Jake, as Jake continues to have his eyes affixed right on Alice's.
Jeff Starr: Jake? What are you thinking, bub? Jake Starr: Honestly, I'm not quite sure. Everything sounds like what it should, if this is real. Seriously, the more I hear, the more I like. Something, and I don't know what it is, just has me concerned... Jake turns his head slowly, to look down the table at his father.
Jake Starr: ... I don't know if it's the fact that Ron has caused me so much pain, that it has me completely distraught... I don't know if it's the fact that I feel that it is just too good to be true... Hell, I don't know if it's just because I'm too fucking stubborn to believe that there is something good there. I just don't know... Alice's gaze at Jake turns from concerned and worried about what he was thinking, to a much more loving and understanding look.
Alice Hart: Jake...? Jake's head and eyes turn back to Alice.
Alice Hart: ... I understand... And honestly you do have every right to be confused about all of this. Jake turns back to the one person he's always trusted, more than most, his father.
Jake Starr: What do you think, Dad? Jeff takes a deep breath, and organizes his thoughts before responding to his son.
Jeff Starr: Son, honestly, there's something about this situation that just has me believing that it is just "right." You have to consider the fact that Alice truly went through all the proper channels in order to get to this point. I won't lie... It is as if everything looks like it's a perfect storm, and I can completely understand where you would have reservations about it being legit. Truthfully, if I were in your shoes, I would probably have a ton of reservations as well, but I am trying to come at this with a completely open mind, and not think that this is just some elaborate joke on them... Having said that, everything I am seeing looks to be very legit. Roeper quickly looks down the table at Jake as well.
Roeper Hart: Babe, I agree with Jeff. I have done everything I can to try and detach myself, emotionally, from everything to think about it. I also know I have probably haven't done a very good job of doing so, but I have definitely tried, and I believe this is all real. Jeff Starr: ... And son, the worst case scenario here is that we all do our best to build this relationship, we turn out to be wrong, and we all ultimately move away from both Alice and Ron, period. That really is the worst that can happen. The best case scenario is that Mara ends up with at least one grandparent to get to know on Roeper's side of the family. Jake gulps down some of the saliva in his mouth, and slowly begins to nod. After taking another deep breath, he slowly turns his head back toward Alice. Alice mimics Jake's head movement, turning slowly back toward jake as well.
With their eyes locked on one another, Jake runs his tongue along the fronts of his top row of teeth, and subsequently sighs again. After making a sucking noise with his mouth, sucking in air behind his teeth, he asks a very poignant question to Alice, preceded by a slight head raise. Jake Starr: So... What do you think? Alice is a bit confused.
Alice Hart: What do you mean? Jake Starr: I honestly want to know what you're thinking. Alice Hart: Well... I'm thinking that I want to be part of your family... This family. I wouldn't be here, if I didn't. All I want is an opportunity to show that I am not Ron, and that all I care about is my family. You, Roeper, Mara, Jeff, Denise, all of you, are all members of that family. That is what I want, and that is what I am thinking. This is the most important thing to me, and I am willing to go to the ends of the Earth to make it happen. Jake nods some more, as his mind continues to jostle with itself. After yet another sigh, showing his concern and frustration, he responds.
Jake Starr: Alice, I'll be honest, and it's pretty weird for me to say this, but I believe there is a definite possibility for things to be fixed here. The more I hear, the more I start to believe that this isn't some glorified form of deception. I can't say how long it's going to take me for me to fully be able to have you around my family, but I think that it's definitely an option. After hearing Jake's admission of giving Alice a chance, whether it's now or in the near future, brings a smile to the face of Roeper, almost immediately. The same response comes from everyone else at the table as well. Roeper looks at her mom with the happiness easily showing through, and the feeling of excitement running through her body, knowing that eventually, her mother will be coming back into her life.
For Jake, he truly doesn't know how long it'll take him to truly allow Alice around his family again, and start the process of bringing the families together again. When it happens, it'll be another adjustment for Jake, putting the emotion aside once again. Even with all of that, Jake does feels a bit excited that they are giving this a shot. He feels that the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and it could lead to something much greater in the long run. There's also a sense of curiosity in Jake's mind about how everything progresses, especially with the looming mediation with Ron about to happen. Jake Starr: ... And so begins the another chapter in my career in Supreme Championship Wrestling. It's one that closely mimics that of the first chapter I ever wrote, but unlike the first, it is way too long overdue. It's a chapter that I have been waiting on for over a year, and it's a chapter that has reinvigorated my career, in a sense. It's a moment that has given me a new life, and truly shown me that, even though I truly thought that everything was ending for me when I was slumping, I was wrong, and I was able to bring it all together for this moment... Jake looks at the Adrenaline Championship draped over his shoulder.
JAKE STARR IS A CHAMPION AGAIN! Jake smiles, and then pats the belt.
See, when I started that slump, I truly thought there was writing on the wall. I thought it was coming to the point where I was going to have to accept the fact that I would no longer have a chance to compete with the "big boys" anymore. Sure, I'd have some matches against them here and there, but when it came to having chances to become a major player in the organization, I felt there would be noting for me. I was a shell of a human being. I was nothing like I once was. I wasn't the force that I had built myself up to be. Then something changed... There was some point in all of that, that really gave me a moment to realize that the tide may be changing, and things could begin to turn to my favor. What it was, I don't know, but something inside me told me to fight on, and believe that it was possible to fight my way out of the slump, and ultimately do something special yet again.. ... And I did it! ... And I did it, even when people were hoping against it! Does that story sound familiar? Does the notion of people not wanting me to achieve my goals, and me going out there and shutting them up, sound like something that has seemingly happened in the past? If it does, then congratulations... You have figured out that history has begun to repeat itself in Supreme Championship Wrestling. You are now one of those people who is ahead of the curve. You are one of those people who now know what is destined to come next! See, when I won the Adrenaline Championship the first time, it wasn't enough for me. It was a nice start, but it wasn't where I ultimately saw myself ending up when the dust settled. It was my starting point. The same goes for now, too. Jake stretches his neck out to each side, and takes a deep breath. While being a champion again means a lot to him, there is a greater cause to fight on for, in his mind.
So what do I mean? What is my greater cause here? Why is it I'm not just going to stick with the Adrenaline Championship, and defend it proudly? The truth is, I will do that. I will go out there, and try to best my first reign, and make history in SCW yet again, but there's something else that needs to be accomplished as well, much like there was when I was the Adrenaline Champion before. It's something I was very open and honest about when I showed up in SCW, and confronted Shawn Winters, and also as I approached Rise to Greatness, with Thirteen. The World Championship of Supreme Championship Wrestling! Jake begins to pace back and forth.
When I walked into Rise to Greatness, the only reason I wasn't in the main event was because I didn't win the battle royal at Taking Hold of the Flame. It wasn't because I was passed over, or the SCW committee had decided someone else had a resume better than mine, because let's face it, nobody did. Christy Matthews decided to WEASEL her way in, and look what happened to her. Look how she faired at Rise to Greatness, by NOT earning her way into that main event. Look how much of a BUST she proved herself to be. The World Championship Match had it's contenders through technicalities, and now, it's time for the technicalities to all go away, and the true contenders to step up... It's time for SCW to acknowledge those who have deserved a chance, and it's time for Jake Starr to get what he deserved. BUT... We can't just make it easy on me, can we? It can't be like when Exeter was champion, after Rise to Greatness, and Jake Starr was given his chance, could it? Of course not! That would just be silly, if you ask anyone but me. If you ask me, I've proven myself. If you ask me, I've shown just how worthy I am of a shot at the World Championship, out right. I've bent over backward, and much like post-Rise to Greatness 2009, I've shown the whole fucking world who the most logical choice out there right now is. But that's not the case, this time. It's kind of where history has decided to take itself a little bit of a left turn. So instead of getting what I want given to me, and having people say, "you earned this," I have to go another route. I have to, instead, earn it again. In a sense, I think it's actually the right call. As much as it may annoy me to some degree, or make me wonder why I don't get the same blessings as others, I think it's a fitting decision. Like I said earlier, Christy just happened to get in on a whim. She didn't earn that specific shot. Hell, if you ask me, she hasn't earned much of anything. She's been the beneficiary of the times. I don't want people to say that about me. As much as I believe I have done everything in my power to PROVE that I'm the true number one contender, there are enough nay-sayers who would say otherwise. There are enough of those pieces of garbage out there, that if Jake Starr is given an inch, they throw their hands into the air, and try and lynch whoever DARED to give me a break or an opportunity. So... With that being said, BRING ON BREAKDOWN! At Breakdown, the powers-that-be have decided that, rather than just naming a number one contender, kind of like they did with Adam Allocco, they have elected to have Breakdown turn into a giant tournament to decide who is truly going to walk into Apocalypse as the NEW number one contender, and the person with the next chance to dethrone the great Shilo Valiant. It's a concept that has been done many times, in many organizations, but each time, if you ask me, it gives that group of people a chance to put the doubt to rest. It gives each of those competitors a chance to show why they truly want it more than everyone else. And as much as I would love to have it just bestowed upon me, I would much rather be able to win it, and shove it ALL back in the faces of EVERYONE who has EVER doubted me, or what I'm capable of doing. I guess the next question is, who are these people who have all been given the honor of being in this tournament? Who, outside of myself, has the opportunity to come out of the shadows, and once again rise to the top of the pecking order? Well, if you ask me, it's quite the "Who's Who" of superstars. We have the two revered, former, World Champions, the disgraced World Champion, the home wrecker, the manly woman, the, "Oh My God She Finally Became World Champion," former World Champion, the aspiring superstar, and myself. Jake begins to count his fingers, to see if that covers everyone.
... Seven... And eight! Yep, that encompasses everyone! Now, if I look at these people, I begin to realize that pretty much everyone here I have some kind of history with. For some, I have beaten them across every ring we've shared together. Katie Steward and Lucas Knight are both prime examples of this. Both have tried their best, on multiple occasions, to try and take me down. Lucas, once, even ran away, vacating his championship, because he was so scared... Or at least that's what I like to tell myself, to help boost my own ego. Regardless of why he ran away that time, I still took his Underground Championship, and it was a backyard of his that he liked to think he was King of. More importantly, he felt that I wasn't even in his league. But that all changed once we battled. When I walked in there, in his eyes, I was inferior. When I beat him at his own game, he couldn't deny what I was capable of, and the lengths I would go in order to win. He witnessed first hand that Jake Starr does NOT stop. He got to go back to his brethren in Infamous, and tell them that Jake Starr was a force to be reckoned with. Most importantly, Lucas Knight had to admit defeat. Katie, on the other hand, has been that one thorn in my side, hoping to use me like she has wanted to use everyone else. Every opponent she faces is the one that is going to help catapult her even further into the limelight. Every opponent is that one person who will help prove Katie Steward isn't one of the biggest blowhards in SCW, and simply the ABSOLUTE BEST at blowing smoke up everyone's asses. The problem is, she does prove she's a blowhard, and she continues to show everyone that she is, in fact, just continually blowing smoke. Now don't get me wrong, Katie went out there, and she won the World Championship, and yes, Katie did beat Shilo, Masquerade, and Shawn Winters to do it, but look how long it lasted. Look how well it went for her. She simply went out there, and for as much boasting as she did about being so wonderful, she fell. She fell quickly. I don't doubt she could shock us all, and climb back up to the top, but honestly, I don't expect it. I won't let this be her time either. See, I've never lost to her, and I will not begin now! Syren and Brittany Lohan are two others I know very well. Syren and I have never, and will never, see eye to eye, and truthfully I think she's kind of a ho! In Brittany's case, she's just a very manly woman, still hoping to find a date. Whether it's a man or a woman, I honestly don't know, but she is desperate to feel the love tonight. Both of these ladies are out for their time in the sun as well. Syren has made a living as one of the most dominant members in the Tag Team Division. Hell, she's only lost once there, and if you ask me, it's because that BEYOTCH of a partner of hers carries the team, but that's beside the point. She is dominant in her element, and that is the Tag Team Division. The caveat there is, and we all know it, I'm the one whom caused Dark Fantasy to have their ONLY loss. It's one of those badges that Greg and I wear with pride. That doesn't stop the world from thinking highly of her either. They think it's just the first step for her, and they think she could be great. The problem is, she has NEVER once decided to try and take that step. She lives in her little tag team Utopia, and thinks that it truly is where she's happiest. So this could be a defining moment for her. She could have that "perfect draw," that we each want, and just blitz through everyone. On the other hand, she could simply lose early, and embarrass herself. It would ratify the notion that she's a one-trick pony. So, the question is, do I worry about Zoe? Yeah... I do... To a point... I know she has a horde of friends behind her, and a brood that will go out of its way to help her. At the same time, that brood loves Lucas. They'll be torn, and their allegiance could have to come full circle. They've been trying to decide what side they're on for a while, and this could be that moment where they have to choose. So part of me worries, part of me doesn't. Part of me wants another chance to knock that group of, whatever moniker they're under right now, down. Hell, they've changed undies and flags so many times, I don't know who is on who's team. Nevertheless, I know that if I cross paths with any member of Infamous or the Order of Chaos, I'll have to fight that person, and whoever is peeking over my shoulder as well. The same can't be said with Brittany, though. She is one who I have a little less history with, and one where I still feel a bit wronged by her. She had a chance to take Christy out, after everything she did, and she blew it. Yeah, I have had a chance to get my revenge out on her, but I still feel if she had done her job, maybe things with that Challenge Series would have been different? Maybe it would have given me my Rise to Greatness moment? Maybe I could have been the guy to take Shilo Valiant down? I don't know. I just don't. All I know is that she lost, and it's something I haven't forgotten. Jake inhales deeply through his nose, holds it for a couple of seconds, and slowly exhales through his mouth.
That only leaves three people left... With Shaun Cruze, I see the guy who I could conceivably say is the true competition for the title of "Number One Contender," if we're just bestowing it on someone. He's beaten me, and I've never had a chance to remedy it, one on one. He's been showing up, and beating people that have turned a lot of heads. The problem is, he's had his chance. He got his chance to vie for the World Championship. In fact, it was at Apocalypse that he got it, just last year. So now he's hoping to make it back to back? No, I don't think so. See, very few have ever beaten me, especially in SCW. Even fewer have ever been able to say I didn't get even. So Cruze is one of those guys I DESPERATELY want to get my hands on. I want the chance to show the world that he beat me once, and it was ONLY because I was still getting my footing. It wasn't because he was better, it was because I wasn't at my best. So if, at Breakdown, he gets in my way, I will have my revenge, and then the suits can begin toying with that fun rubber match. Jake pauses, and begins to feel the pressures of the match beginning to weigh heavily on his shoulders.
And that, my friends, leads me to the final two in this party. It's the two that, honestly, I have the most history with, and the two who I have crossed paths with many times, all having something to do with the World Heavyweight Championship. Tommy and David... The Brotherhood, the Social Misfits, the Next Level plus Jake, whatever you want to call us, we're all involved in this. We've all gone through hell and high water to get to a point where someone with power looked at us and said, "they deserve a slot." It's something that will put friend against friend, almost inevitably, unless all, or two of us royally screw the pooch. Somewhere in there Jake Starr, Tommy Valentine, and David Helms will cross paths. It's something I don't like, but I understand. We've been there before, too. At least I have with both of them. I'll be honest, I don't know if their paths have ever crossed, like theirs have with me. With Tommy, he and I have had this World Championship between us on multiple occasions. Each time I thought it would be the moment where our friendship was pushed beyond its breaking point, and greed would overcome us. Each time, I was wrong. He had taken the championship from me, at Tactical Warfare, and I from him, when Lucas ran away... Ok so it was kind of a free for all at that point, but like Tactical Warfare, whoever won, got the belt, ergo, I took it from him. So Tommy and I have this understanding with one another, when dealing with matches where we oppose one another. I know he's going to bring everything he can to get his chance at greatness, and he knows the same of me. So if we cross paths, then ultimately the winner will be congratulated by the loser, and we'll move on. Lastly, we have David. We have the last man to take the World Championship from me, and the only man who I truly feel has "had my number" in our encounters. He beat me at the End of the Year Special, and then he beat me again when I got my rematch. It was a hard pill for me to swallow. He and I were on the outs, with his friendship with Zoe, and my friendship with Rachel, and the two of us hurled comments and insults at one another that looking back, were probably a tad harsh. The deal is, now is a different time. If he comes around and crosses my path in this tournament, then he knows I'm going all out. He knows how bad I want this, probably as well as anyone. Jake stops pacing, and throws his hands to the side, after turning toward the camera.
So there you have it folks. Those are the "players" in this tournament, and those who I look at, each, respectively as those who now stand in my way of getting back where I have been open and honest about wanting to get back to. Some are long time friends, and some are long time foes. Regardless of who I get stuck facing at any point, they all will embody the same foe. They all will be obstacles. They all will be people who are out to take what I feel I have earned, and am out to earn again. Each and every one of my opponents need to understand that Jake Starr is out to be World Champion again. I don't care who I have to go through, and I don't care who I have to topple to achieve my dream. I will do it. I will go to whatever lengths I have to go to because I want it that bad. When it comes to this championship, and this dream, I cannot have friends. I cannot have foes. I can only have opponents who stand in my way, who must be beaten. Afterward, they can be friends or foes, again. So I hope they all realize this is not personal, and I won't be letting anything from the past dictate how I feel. All I will use from the past is my experience being in the ring with these people, and what I learned from those times. Face it... At Breakdown, the lovers, the haters, the criticizers, everyone will witness the day where Jake Starr OFFICIALLY gets his chance to vie for the biggest prize in the industry, once again. It'll shut everyone up, and make people realize that, not only am I back, I'm back with vengeance, and supremacy on my fucking mind! Fin |
|
|||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||