Post by darkdisciple on Apr 7, 2012 22:44:37 GMT -5
Apostle heard the news from the NYCCW commercial, Destination Hardcore would be him against Chris Cable in a fist fight. There was certainly no love lost between Cable and himself, but they weren't enemies, at least they weren't in Apostle's mind. The match itself would be interesting. It would be a show for the fans to be sure. Cable was all about toe to toe brawling, and Apostle had been trained in Russian Hand to Hand combat during his time with the GSG-9. A quick review would be enough to prepare him for the match, after that, it was all about his psychology going into the ring.
As Apostle turned off the TV in his hotel room, he noticed a piece of paper on the floor just inside his door. Picking it up, he found it was his monthly invoice for his hotel room. Glancing it over, his face darkens as he mumbles to himself.
Damn, that's a lot... I can't keep this going on much longer.
Apostle grabs the phone and punches the front desk button.
Yes, I need a taxi to the NYCCW Headquarters please... yes... thank you very much
Apostle looks around the room briefly before grabbing some papers together and throwing them into his gym bag. He grabs his jacket and heads out the door.
------Half an hour later, at the NYCCW HQ Building--------
Apostle exits the taxi and heads inside the gigantic building in downtown NYC containing the NYCCW corporate structure. Apostle wasn't fazed by all of the glitzy and sterilized feelings about the corporate world, he had always been a strong capitalism believer, and he knew especially in the world economic crisis, anything that gave so many people jobs was a good thing. At the same time though, he had met plenty of businessmen who made him want to bathe afterwords. Slimy wasn't dirty enough to describe what some people could be like. Of course, there really wasn't any place Apostle hadn't run into those kinds of people. Even in the ring itself there were plenty of scumbags. But Apostle wasn't here to ponder the existence of scum, he was here because he hadn't gotten a paycheck since coming to the NYCCW.
He walked up to the front desk, where an older lady sat behind a computer pounding furiously away at some mundane task Apostle had little reason to care about.
Excuse me, I'm here about collecting my salary?
The lady glanced at him somewhat annoyed, she looked him up and down briefly before turning back to her computer.
Name?
My real one? Or my ring name?
The woman glares at him.
Either one is fine sir.
It's Apostle Kried
You a wrestler?
Apostle almost thinks it's a joke, but he manages to keep himself from laughing. What did she think a guy his size did in a wrestling company?
Yes ma'am, I think I would be considered a wrestler.
The woman furiously worked on her computer a few seconds before glaring at Apostle again.
You aren't on the roster.
Apostle couldn't keep himself from sighing. He was starting to really get pissed off about this whole mess, but he did his best to keep his cool. He didn't need another reason for people to think he was on steroids.
Why, would I not be on the roster?
You tell me? Everyone on the roster gets paid every week, you aren't there. Are you sure you're in the right place, you look like the kind of person who gets lost easily.
Yes, I'm sure I'm in the right place. I'm on Brightlights every week, I've got a match at the Pay Per View, and I still ahven't gotten paid for my first match. Look, is there anyone upstairs I could talk to to figure this out?
I'm sorry, only NYCCW employees or affiliates are allowed upstairs.
But I'm an employee! I work here! Look...
Apostle reaches into his gym bag and pulls out some papers.
Here's a copy of my contract, here's the account statements from the account I'm supposed to be receiving my salary to, see, there's no money coming in there. I'm not getting paid!
Alright, I'll call upstairs, but if you're lying, we'll find out.
The lady grabs her phone and dials a number while Apostle flings himself down on one of the seats in the lobby. This whole thing was far more stressful than Apostle thought it should have been. After a few minutes, the lady glares over at him, still looking at him like a crook, but she at least had good news.
Alright, Mr. Farmer says he knows you, you can go talk to him in office 1437, that's the 14th floor.
Thank you, I've got it.
What a surprise, she mumbles as Apostle walks past her towards the elevator. Apostle tells himself she's probably having a crappy day, so he manages to keep from getting angry. He makes his way into Carl Farmer's office, it's a nice one, a window with a decent view of the city. Carl meets him at the door.
Hey there Kried, how're you doing?
Pretty good, bit of a stressful day so far, but I'm trying to look on the bright side of things.
Always a good idea, but what brings you here? Something about Destination Hardcore? Your match?
No, no I'm fine with all of that, it's just that I haven't actually... you know... been paid since I got here, apparently I'm not listed on the payment roster. I've got a hotel room to pay for, and I have to eat too, plus I'm trying to support my family back home and all of that. So... it sort of has reached that point where I need to actually try and insist that I get paid.
I see, yeah... yeah I see where you're coming from. That's absolutely terrible that it's happened, and to be honest, I'm really happy you're even still with us, most guys probably wouldn't take this for as long as you have.
No, it's not a problem, I'm really enjoying myself here, but you can help figure this out right?
Unfortunately...
You're kidding me!
Well, see I'm just part of the booking team, in charge of match creation and such... you need someone who has the ability to access the payroll system.
And who has such access?
Well, the owners would, so you could talk to AJ or Creek.
Where are they?
No one knows, we haven't seen them for a few months, rumor is the got married and took off.
Married... to each other?
Well, some say so, others say not, it's all rumors. Point is, you probably aren't going to be able to talk to either one of them.
Alright... who else would be able to help me out with this crap?
Your only other option would probably be Will Turner. He's the GM, so he's got access to all of that too.
Oh... you mean the guy I've been calling flabbypants on twitter ever since he got here?
Yeah, so your chances probably aren't too good there either...
So you're telling me I'm screwed?
Well... I'll tell you what Apostle, you're a good kid... you really are. So I'll take this before the board at the meeting tonight. We might not be able to get you on the pay roster, but I'm pretty sure I can get you what you were supposed to get for the last couple of months. I know it's not ideal, but it should help you out until we can actually figure out this whole mess.
Well... I guess it is better than nothing... I do appreciate if Mr. Farmer...
Call me Carl, and don't worry about it. You just keep worrying about what you do in the ring, and we'll figure this out and keep you taen care of. Now, here.
Carl grabs a pad of blank paycheck receipts from his desk and tosses one onto his printer. He messes around on his computer for a bit and the printer prints some information out on the receipt. He then hands it to Apostle.
Take that downstairs to Mary in financing and ask her to cash it immediately. It's a bonus from the booking department for a grand, for putting up with all of this and still doing your job exceptionally well. That should cover any immediate bills you have.
You don't have to do all of this for me Mr. Farmer. I haven't earned this!
I said call me Carl, and trust me... you have. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a booking meeting soon. See you at the Pay per view kid.
Apostle follows Carl's directions, and ends up with the thousand dollars in his bank account. As he heads out of the finance department, he sees Rye Payne and Stytch in an argument. Correction... he sees Rye doing his best to push Stytch over the edge.
Apostle doesn't know either one very well, other than Rye is an Arschfotze and Stytch is arguably a family man. Metallica Evans was also there, somewhere between very nervous and trying her best to look like she didn't give a damn.
Apostle headed over to try and diffuse the situation so he could tell Rye to stop sending him spam emails about joining the fledgling company he had created. Apostle knew well enough what happened when you started trying to wrestle in multiple places at once. He had paid his dues as a freelancer in Europe, he wasn't about to start doing it again.
It was then Stytch tried to walk away from the situation. Apostle wasn't paying enough attention to hear what it was that Rye said to send Stytch over the edge, but he was paying enough attention to see Stytch about to get himself sued with a well placed blow. Moving quickly (relatively speaking) he managed to restrain Stytch long enough to calm him down to the point where he said
Kried, let me the f*** go
Okay, so clearly calm wasn't the right word for it, but Kried manages to talk Stytch down, or maybe the fact that he's practically twice as big as Stytch helped, but Rye was far from done with being an Arschwischer
How about we settle this little argument at the next Bright Lights? Me and Metty here versus you two wankers.
'Wankers' is not a word in Kried's English vocabulary, but he's pretty sure it's not a compliment. He looks down at Stytch and sees an almost giddy twitch going through his entire body. Stytch looks up at him and gives what must have been a nod of agreement, because Stytch's next words echo Kried's thoughts exactly.
I’m game
Kried nods in agreement as well.
Ja, I'm in.
Rye storms off dragging Metallica with him. Kried watches them go, deciding that it is now an appropriate time to contemplate scum. After a minute he looks down at Stytch, the mask makes it incredibly difficult to read emotions, but Stytch's voice reeks of what might have been confused for nervousness, but Apostle hears nothing but respect and awe.
Looks like we’re partners
Apostle smiles at the masked man, though the thought of getting to drag the smarmy Schwachkopf known as Rye Payne around the ring turns it into a smirk.
So it seems... interesting. This has been a hell of a day.
Kried suddenly snatches the bottle of smoothie out of Stytch's hand. He glances at it momentarily before tossing it in a nearby trash can.
What the f...
Kried whirls around, the smirk slowly growing into his trademark toothy smile.
I can't let my new partner drink garbage like that now can I? There's a nice little cafe across the street from here. Very European, want anything?
Your sister and twenty minutes?
Kried smile flashes away for a nanosecond... then he catches that it was a joke and chuckles.
Your wife must be a saint.
That's one word for it...
Hurmn...
Apostle walks towards the elevator and pushes the button, he turns back and sees Stytch glancing around.
Hey, incredible flying pumpkin man, or whatever you call yourself, you coming or what?
Stytch immediately joins Kried as the elevator doors open, as if he was just waiting for the invitation.
As the elevator doors open at the bottom floor, Stytch bolts towards the cafe, calling back over his shoulder.
You're paying!
Apostle smiles again, looks like this new team might be an interesting ride. The smile fades...
Wait... what? Paying?!?
Apostle smiles and shakes his head as he trots across the street as well. Good thing he got that bonus.
------------------At theCafe Pub------------------
So, apparently Apostle's English skills need work, and when he said Cafe, he meant a Irish/British Pub. Cut him some slack already.
Stytch is polishing off a plate of Fish 'n Chips, while Apostle is content with his Bangers and Mash, since... German's actually do love sausage as much as they say.
So I've heard bits and pieces, but what exactly is your story? I'm actually kinda curious. From what I've heard it's been a hell of a ride for you to get here.
Yes... but I don't think it's anymore than what everyone has to go through. I've taken my journey this far, and I plan on keeping with it till it ends...
A very profound way to dodge the question. Come on, I'm your partner, tell me.
Later maybe, we've got more important things to worry about. Right now you need to focus on Destination Hardcore. We can worry about bright lights after that.
Hmm... you're worried about a fist-fight with Cable?
He almost beat me last time, I plan on being far more prepared this time. And you should focus on Rye Payne
Yeah yeah... train for your matches and study your opponent and all that crap they teach you in wrestling school. Sometimes you've just gotta get in the ring and wing it.
Fair enough, I'll stick with what I've won with in the past.
And I'll kick Rye's ass two weeks in a row.
Alright then... one quick question though... how the hell did you eat with that mask on?
Well, you see...
The scene fades as the new partners (and quite possibly new friends) fade to small talk.
As Apostle turned off the TV in his hotel room, he noticed a piece of paper on the floor just inside his door. Picking it up, he found it was his monthly invoice for his hotel room. Glancing it over, his face darkens as he mumbles to himself.
Damn, that's a lot... I can't keep this going on much longer.
Apostle grabs the phone and punches the front desk button.
Yes, I need a taxi to the NYCCW Headquarters please... yes... thank you very much
Apostle looks around the room briefly before grabbing some papers together and throwing them into his gym bag. He grabs his jacket and heads out the door.
------Half an hour later, at the NYCCW HQ Building--------
Apostle exits the taxi and heads inside the gigantic building in downtown NYC containing the NYCCW corporate structure. Apostle wasn't fazed by all of the glitzy and sterilized feelings about the corporate world, he had always been a strong capitalism believer, and he knew especially in the world economic crisis, anything that gave so many people jobs was a good thing. At the same time though, he had met plenty of businessmen who made him want to bathe afterwords. Slimy wasn't dirty enough to describe what some people could be like. Of course, there really wasn't any place Apostle hadn't run into those kinds of people. Even in the ring itself there were plenty of scumbags. But Apostle wasn't here to ponder the existence of scum, he was here because he hadn't gotten a paycheck since coming to the NYCCW.
He walked up to the front desk, where an older lady sat behind a computer pounding furiously away at some mundane task Apostle had little reason to care about.
Excuse me, I'm here about collecting my salary?
The lady glanced at him somewhat annoyed, she looked him up and down briefly before turning back to her computer.
Name?
My real one? Or my ring name?
The woman glares at him.
Either one is fine sir.
It's Apostle Kried
You a wrestler?
Apostle almost thinks it's a joke, but he manages to keep himself from laughing. What did she think a guy his size did in a wrestling company?
Yes ma'am, I think I would be considered a wrestler.
The woman furiously worked on her computer a few seconds before glaring at Apostle again.
You aren't on the roster.
Apostle couldn't keep himself from sighing. He was starting to really get pissed off about this whole mess, but he did his best to keep his cool. He didn't need another reason for people to think he was on steroids.
Why, would I not be on the roster?
You tell me? Everyone on the roster gets paid every week, you aren't there. Are you sure you're in the right place, you look like the kind of person who gets lost easily.
Yes, I'm sure I'm in the right place. I'm on Brightlights every week, I've got a match at the Pay Per View, and I still ahven't gotten paid for my first match. Look, is there anyone upstairs I could talk to to figure this out?
I'm sorry, only NYCCW employees or affiliates are allowed upstairs.
But I'm an employee! I work here! Look...
Apostle reaches into his gym bag and pulls out some papers.
Here's a copy of my contract, here's the account statements from the account I'm supposed to be receiving my salary to, see, there's no money coming in there. I'm not getting paid!
Alright, I'll call upstairs, but if you're lying, we'll find out.
The lady grabs her phone and dials a number while Apostle flings himself down on one of the seats in the lobby. This whole thing was far more stressful than Apostle thought it should have been. After a few minutes, the lady glares over at him, still looking at him like a crook, but she at least had good news.
Alright, Mr. Farmer says he knows you, you can go talk to him in office 1437, that's the 14th floor.
Thank you, I've got it.
What a surprise, she mumbles as Apostle walks past her towards the elevator. Apostle tells himself she's probably having a crappy day, so he manages to keep from getting angry. He makes his way into Carl Farmer's office, it's a nice one, a window with a decent view of the city. Carl meets him at the door.
Hey there Kried, how're you doing?
Pretty good, bit of a stressful day so far, but I'm trying to look on the bright side of things.
Always a good idea, but what brings you here? Something about Destination Hardcore? Your match?
No, no I'm fine with all of that, it's just that I haven't actually... you know... been paid since I got here, apparently I'm not listed on the payment roster. I've got a hotel room to pay for, and I have to eat too, plus I'm trying to support my family back home and all of that. So... it sort of has reached that point where I need to actually try and insist that I get paid.
I see, yeah... yeah I see where you're coming from. That's absolutely terrible that it's happened, and to be honest, I'm really happy you're even still with us, most guys probably wouldn't take this for as long as you have.
No, it's not a problem, I'm really enjoying myself here, but you can help figure this out right?
Unfortunately...
You're kidding me!
Well, see I'm just part of the booking team, in charge of match creation and such... you need someone who has the ability to access the payroll system.
And who has such access?
Well, the owners would, so you could talk to AJ or Creek.
Where are they?
No one knows, we haven't seen them for a few months, rumor is the got married and took off.
Married... to each other?
Well, some say so, others say not, it's all rumors. Point is, you probably aren't going to be able to talk to either one of them.
Alright... who else would be able to help me out with this crap?
Your only other option would probably be Will Turner. He's the GM, so he's got access to all of that too.
Oh... you mean the guy I've been calling flabbypants on twitter ever since he got here?
Yeah, so your chances probably aren't too good there either...
So you're telling me I'm screwed?
Well... I'll tell you what Apostle, you're a good kid... you really are. So I'll take this before the board at the meeting tonight. We might not be able to get you on the pay roster, but I'm pretty sure I can get you what you were supposed to get for the last couple of months. I know it's not ideal, but it should help you out until we can actually figure out this whole mess.
Well... I guess it is better than nothing... I do appreciate if Mr. Farmer...
Call me Carl, and don't worry about it. You just keep worrying about what you do in the ring, and we'll figure this out and keep you taen care of. Now, here.
Carl grabs a pad of blank paycheck receipts from his desk and tosses one onto his printer. He messes around on his computer for a bit and the printer prints some information out on the receipt. He then hands it to Apostle.
Take that downstairs to Mary in financing and ask her to cash it immediately. It's a bonus from the booking department for a grand, for putting up with all of this and still doing your job exceptionally well. That should cover any immediate bills you have.
You don't have to do all of this for me Mr. Farmer. I haven't earned this!
I said call me Carl, and trust me... you have. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a booking meeting soon. See you at the Pay per view kid.
Apostle follows Carl's directions, and ends up with the thousand dollars in his bank account. As he heads out of the finance department, he sees Rye Payne and Stytch in an argument. Correction... he sees Rye doing his best to push Stytch over the edge.
Apostle doesn't know either one very well, other than Rye is an Arschfotze and Stytch is arguably a family man. Metallica Evans was also there, somewhere between very nervous and trying her best to look like she didn't give a damn.
Apostle headed over to try and diffuse the situation so he could tell Rye to stop sending him spam emails about joining the fledgling company he had created. Apostle knew well enough what happened when you started trying to wrestle in multiple places at once. He had paid his dues as a freelancer in Europe, he wasn't about to start doing it again.
It was then Stytch tried to walk away from the situation. Apostle wasn't paying enough attention to hear what it was that Rye said to send Stytch over the edge, but he was paying enough attention to see Stytch about to get himself sued with a well placed blow. Moving quickly (relatively speaking) he managed to restrain Stytch long enough to calm him down to the point where he said
Kried, let me the f*** go
Okay, so clearly calm wasn't the right word for it, but Kried manages to talk Stytch down, or maybe the fact that he's practically twice as big as Stytch helped, but Rye was far from done with being an Arschwischer
How about we settle this little argument at the next Bright Lights? Me and Metty here versus you two wankers.
'Wankers' is not a word in Kried's English vocabulary, but he's pretty sure it's not a compliment. He looks down at Stytch and sees an almost giddy twitch going through his entire body. Stytch looks up at him and gives what must have been a nod of agreement, because Stytch's next words echo Kried's thoughts exactly.
I’m game
Kried nods in agreement as well.
Ja, I'm in.
Rye storms off dragging Metallica with him. Kried watches them go, deciding that it is now an appropriate time to contemplate scum. After a minute he looks down at Stytch, the mask makes it incredibly difficult to read emotions, but Stytch's voice reeks of what might have been confused for nervousness, but Apostle hears nothing but respect and awe.
Looks like we’re partners
Apostle smiles at the masked man, though the thought of getting to drag the smarmy Schwachkopf known as Rye Payne around the ring turns it into a smirk.
So it seems... interesting. This has been a hell of a day.
Kried suddenly snatches the bottle of smoothie out of Stytch's hand. He glances at it momentarily before tossing it in a nearby trash can.
What the f...
Kried whirls around, the smirk slowly growing into his trademark toothy smile.
I can't let my new partner drink garbage like that now can I? There's a nice little cafe across the street from here. Very European, want anything?
Your sister and twenty minutes?
Kried smile flashes away for a nanosecond... then he catches that it was a joke and chuckles.
Your wife must be a saint.
That's one word for it...
Hurmn...
Apostle walks towards the elevator and pushes the button, he turns back and sees Stytch glancing around.
Hey, incredible flying pumpkin man, or whatever you call yourself, you coming or what?
Stytch immediately joins Kried as the elevator doors open, as if he was just waiting for the invitation.
As the elevator doors open at the bottom floor, Stytch bolts towards the cafe, calling back over his shoulder.
You're paying!
Apostle smiles again, looks like this new team might be an interesting ride. The smile fades...
Wait... what? Paying?!?
Apostle smiles and shakes his head as he trots across the street as well. Good thing he got that bonus.
------------------At the
So, apparently Apostle's English skills need work, and when he said Cafe, he meant a Irish/British Pub. Cut him some slack already.
Stytch is polishing off a plate of Fish 'n Chips, while Apostle is content with his Bangers and Mash, since... German's actually do love sausage as much as they say.
So I've heard bits and pieces, but what exactly is your story? I'm actually kinda curious. From what I've heard it's been a hell of a ride for you to get here.
Yes... but I don't think it's anymore than what everyone has to go through. I've taken my journey this far, and I plan on keeping with it till it ends...
A very profound way to dodge the question. Come on, I'm your partner, tell me.
Later maybe, we've got more important things to worry about. Right now you need to focus on Destination Hardcore. We can worry about bright lights after that.
Hmm... you're worried about a fist-fight with Cable?
He almost beat me last time, I plan on being far more prepared this time. And you should focus on Rye Payne
Yeah yeah... train for your matches and study your opponent and all that crap they teach you in wrestling school. Sometimes you've just gotta get in the ring and wing it.
Fair enough, I'll stick with what I've won with in the past.
And I'll kick Rye's ass two weeks in a row.
Alright then... one quick question though... how the hell did you eat with that mask on?
Well, you see...
The scene fades as the new partners (and quite possibly new friends) fade to small talk.