Post by Ratball Slade on Oct 27, 2021 21:01:56 GMT -5
The camera turns on to darkness with a slight shuffling sound. We then see Percival Burque as he removes the lens cover. Ratman is not his normal cheery self as a sunken frown can be seen on his face. Ratman had set up his camera in the center of his personal makeshift training ring. He walks over to the corner and slumps down next to an assortment of things. Next to him on the apron is a Gas Station Slurpee and a package of hotdogs. Papercut is laying on the middle turnbuckle just above Burques head, pouting. Percival takes the lid off the slurpee and takes a large gulp, then after putting the slurpee back down, picks up a hotdog and takes a bite. Ratman begins to speak with his mouth full.
Ratman: I failed… The way of the rat has failed me, Larry, and all of his adoring fans…
Ratman continues to finish his hotdog before pulling out the second hotdog from the package and begins eating it as soon as the first is gone.
Ratman: What more could a rat have done? While I was trying to find out if dearest Uncle Larry was okay, I was thrust into this Round Robin tournament in Lance’s place. After all that, Mr. Darling has put me into this tournament, but is my heart even in it? Why did he choose me? Maybe he felt the tournament needed a little bit of wrestling supreme? Maybe, Mr. Darling is himself a secret rat lover? Or perhaps, it was to honor Larry?
Percival finishes his second hotdog, takes another swig of his slurpee, and then pulls a third hotdog from the package.
Ratman: I don’t know… what would Papa do?
A small bit of clattering can be heard off screen.
Rasputin: God Damnit Percy, I’m right here!
Rasputin’s words seem to fall on deaf ears as Ratman continues to speculate. Ratman finishes his third hotdog and goes for the fourth and fifth, this time grabbing two at once. Ratman begins taking bites out of both at the same time.
Ratman: I suppose he’d just be the tough and gruff old man he is and whip me into shape.
Rasputin: Percy, I am right ‘ere!
Ratman continues to ignore Rasputin. Ratman stands up and moves the camera back into the corner of the ring. With hotdogs in his hands and mouth, he begins to run the ropes. He speeds up rapidly until suddenly he starts gagging and falls forward. Ratman then begins holding his throat trying to gasp for air.
Rasputin: Oh for the love of…
Rasputin comes into frame as he climbs the side of the ring and picks Percival up to his feet. Ratman’s hands are still around his throat as he continues to choke, when Rasputin violently slaps the back of Burque and a large chunk of unchewed hotdog comes flying out of his mouth. Ratman struggles to breathe even more as the air has just been completely knocked out of him. Percival drops to his hands and knees.
Ratman: *pant* *pant* Thank you… *pant* papa...
Rasputin shakes his head at the downed rodent man.
Rasputin: Why are you getting so worked up over this man? He don’t even like you, Percy!
Ratman: He does papa… *pant* *pant* You’ve never understood rat... *pant* communication…
Rasputin: Fine. But if you’re gonna train, yuh’ shouldn’t be doin it with hotdogs in your mouth boy.
Ratman nods his head, understanding what Rasputin is telling him. Ratman crawls over to the ropes and clambers up to his feet.
Rasputin: Now gimme those hot dogs and start running again.
Rasputin snatches the hot dogs from Ratman’s grasp. Ratman initially looks sad but nods and begins to turn his frown into a look of understanding. Ratman looks over to the ropes and begins to run. He gets faster and hits the ropes harder. This continues for almost half an hour.
Rasputin: Remember Percy, you’re quick. Quicker than any man I’ve ever known. So long as you keep building your endurance you could outlast anyone. You can use this speed and endurance to your advantage in a major way. When I was your age, I threw everything into overpowering my opponent, but I realized pretty quickly that there was always gonna be a bigger stronger opponent. I had to turn to the extreme lifestyle and that ended up ruining me.
Ratman is taking in deep breaths after running for so long. There are visible dark red and slightly bloody lines across Ratman’s back.
Rasputin: You keep training and just maybe you can leave this sewer some day and really make a name for yourself.
Ratman holds his hand up to Rasputin.
Ratman: NO! That is not my goal. Do I want to be big and famous? Yes! Do I want to make lots of the green paper? Also yes! But I’m not doing it to leave… I want to make this place nicer. Not only for us but for the rats as well. I want to make many places like this all across the world. Where we, the dirty no good sewer dwellers, can finally have a true home.
Ratman begins to tear up a bit before wiping them away.
Rasputin: Percy…
Ratman: So yes papa, I am a little worked up right now. But only because I love you, I love Papercut and I love Uncle Larry as well as all the rats in the world. A dear friend of mine was hurt and inadvertently because of that I have an opportunity I never thought I could get. I don’t want to waste it papa… I can’t lose this opportunity.
Rasputin approaches Percy and gives him a hug. This startles Ratman who is not used to the physical affection from Rasputin.
Rasputin: I don’t know how I raised a boy with such a big heart but I’m glad I did, Percy. Win or lose, what you fight for is what matters. It’s something I wish I had learned a long time ago. I’m proud of you.
Papercut jumps to the ring mat from his perch and approaches the two men. Papercut scurries up Ratman’s body and rubs his head on Ratman’s cheek.
Papercut: *squeak*
Ratman lets out a sigh of relief and walks over to the camera to turn it off.
The camera is turned back on with Ratman in frame holding the camera so that it’s pointed at his face. We see every disturbing blemish in great detail as he walks through the isles of a grocery store. He can be seen drinking a slurpee in one hand as he sets the camera down into a cart, angling it upward to keep himself in frame but giving it fairly limited visibility.
Ratman: Hello, I decided to give a glimpse into some of my day by day life.
As Ratman walks along you can see people he passes holding their noses and getting sick, trying to keep their distance from the man.
Ratman: I may have gone overboard on the hotdogs so I needed to go get more. The rats love these little intestine meat sticks after all. Many people assume that because of the way I am that I get made fun of or that people don’t like me, but that’s just simply not true. So I figured, why not show you all?
Ratman makes his way to the meat cooler as he starts loading his cart with packages of hotdogs. He takes another sip of his slurpee, and then decides to put one more package into his cart.
Ratman: I save a fortune on buns, let me tell you. The rats don’t have opposable thumbs so they don’t even need them! To be fair, I’m not so sure they’d use the buns even if they did have thumbs.
Ratman begins making his way to the front of the store. People continue to audibly gag as he passes by, including a child who begins to cry.
Ratman: Someone should really take care of that child! You know, children can be very delicate. You gotta be careful what you expose them to.
Ratman continues making his way to the front where he gets in line at one of the registers. Multiple people let him pass as they make their way to different checkout lanes. Ratman gives a polite thank you to each person who moves out of the way, quickly finding himself in front of the line. An elderly woman running the register begins to greet Ratman happily until the odor drifts to her nose.
Elderly Cashier: Hello there sir, *gag* oh my…
Ratman: Hello my dear madam! Easy checkout today! Just a lot of hotdogs!
As Ratman begins unloading the hotdogs from the cart, the woman walks away and a heavyset man takes her place. Ratman hasn’t looked up to notice yet, talking to himself why putting the hotdogs on the conveyor belt.
Ratman: First I went overboard eating them, now I wonder if I’m buying too many?
Heavier Cashier: Hey buddy!
The cashier speaks in an upbeat tone to Ratman as he continues moving the dogs.
Ratman: Well, if it isn’t my favorite cashier! Just some hotdogs today sir!
Heavier Cahier: I saw you on TV last week! You were amazing! I’m so sorry about that one guy.
Ratman lets out a sigh. The cashier finishes ringing up the hotdogs as they talk.
Ratman: It happens in this line of work. I just gotta hope he is okay.
Heavier Cashier: Well sir, I hope so too. If you like him, he must be a good guy. Your total is $146.78
Ratman pulls out a wad of cash, hands it to the man, and begins grabbing the bags and putting them into his cart, not waiting to receive the change.
Ratman: Thank you! Keep the change!
Ratman finishes grabbing his bags as he waves to the man and begins heading for the door while being followed by a large man with a security badge.
Ratman: You see all my fellow rats, I get by alright. Nothing to worry about!
Ratman then leans over to turn the camera off as he exits the store.
The camera feed resumes, now set up by Ratman’s throne. Ratman has a bag packed up next to the chair. His mischief is scurrying around but much less chaotic than normal. Ratman can be seen sitting on his throne.
Ratman: Now that Papercut and I’s spooky season costumes are complete, I can address the adoring fans awaiting my next match. My last match, I gave it my all and we came out on top, but at a cost nearly too large to pay. I did my best to prove to Uncle Larry that I could do it for him! However it seems someone else has noticed. I, Ratman, have been officially recognized for my talents by the one and only Mr. Darling. However unprepared I may have been for my inclusion into the round robin, I will bring my all to the ring and have been training day and night! This is an opportunity I cannot waste. Win or Lose, I will make sure I am recognized as the true Wrestling Supreme!
Ratman raises a finger into the air as he says this, then lowers it again to rest on his chair. Papercut climbs onto the armrest and faces the camera.
Papercut: *squeak squeak*
Ratman: Just right, Papercut. My first opponent is a very strong individual. Brandon Hendrix, I have no doubt in my mind, will underestimate me just as everyone does. But this rat has heart and I will prove it! You have much to prove just as well after what I’m sure was a very disappointing loss for you. However, while you may have my condolences, you will not have my mercy. Ratman has much to prove. Not only to you but the adoring fans, Mr. Darling…
Ratman takes a brief moment and tips his head down.
Ratman: ...and Uncle Larry.
Ratman lifts his head back up confidently as he puffs up his chest.
Ratman: Brandon, I have been trained by who I see in my eyes as the greatest wrestler to live. My papa, Rasputin, the Extreme Grandpa as he was at one time known. I will continue the legacy that he has so graciously passed onto me. A legacy, not of winning. A legacy, not of the extreme. But a Legacy of fighting with all your heart. If he believes in me, then that is all I need to defeat you. You will be my toughest challenge to date. It’s not even close. We both have so much to prove here that some may even call this match combustible!
Ratman pets Papercut who leans into the palm of Ratman’s hand.
Ratman: I have done so much to get here. I won’t be another lost rat in the world. I refuse to be. We all scratch and claw for the opportunities we get. Well scratching and clawing is all a rat knows. Just being in that ring with you, I am proving so much to myself and everyone else, that a rat can make it. So Brandon, you hit your Fall of the Guard. You lock me into the Tap Out or Pass Out. But I will prove just how far this rat can go.
Ratman jumps to his feet on the chair with exuberance. The sudden shake almost knocks Papercut off balance.
Papercut: *SQUEAK*
Ratman: I, Ratman, Wrestling Supreme, will succeed! This tournament shall be a fun one now that I am involved, so be ready! All of you, not just Brandon but Emmanuel and Tara as well! Prepare for trouble!
Papercut does a little hop.
Papercut: *Squeak*
Ratman: This mischief is on it’s way to the top!
Ratman steps down from the chair and looks directly into the camera
Ratman: And Uncle Larry, I dedicate this tournament to you! Team Ratmen is number one!
Ratman blows a kiss into the camera and then runs in a circle before grabbing the camera to turn it off.
