Post by Virgil Barrick on Feb 26, 2022 18:00:58 GMT -5
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---| Project: Underground VII |---
---| Rebirth |---
---| The Smooth Operator |---
---| Virgil Barrick |---
---| Words That Kill |---
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---| The Double-Edged Sword |---
---| Project: Underground VII |---
---| Rebirth |---
---| The Smooth Operator |---
---| Virgil Barrick |---
---| Words That Kill |---
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---| The Double-Edged Sword |---
UNAIRED FOOTAGE
The scene opens with the thundering sound of a wrestling ring. Virgil Barrick slams down to the mat as Roland sweeps the leg. Both men trade technical transitions, with Barrick showing good promise, but it is evident that Roland could grapple circles around him in his young career if he wanted.
Applying a top wristlock while keeping Barrick, grounded, Roland is talking his new recruit through the methodology, showing him older European techniques on the mat, and ways to merge it with his bruising style and size.
The impact of the next slam snaps over in a seamless transition to Roland’s coffee mug thudding down onto his desk, the manager of Tetran Kai Dojo leaning back in his chair for a moment. The camera cuts to view over Roland’s shoulder, seeing the seated Virgil Barrick, dressed in a dark brown suit, as per usual. They’re both at ease and in mid-conversation as we pick up their comments.
ROLAND RAITH: “It’s going very well, very well. You should celebrate your progress. If I wasn’t your manager I’d say you were having a little too much fun out there in the ring”.
VIRGIL BARRICK: “It’s a level playing field for experience, that’s what makes it intriguing. I’m fortunate to be in a position where I enjoy what I do for the contractual obligation, and the personal progress”.
ROLAND RAITH: “And you’ll be on the main roster before long, looking at your track record. Apart from your loss to that Chloe XO person?”.
VIRGIL BARRICK: “I see my recent victories as having more than outshined that moment”.
ROLAND RAITH: “Indeed. You’re on the right track and there isn’t much more I could ask of you….which feels a little strange after having managed less consistent talent in the past. Do you think you can maintain this trajectory? You’re starting to run out of names you haven’t beaten on Project: Underground”.
VIRGIL BARRICK: “It’s all well in hand, sir. The next contender will be no more or less a challenge than the others that have put forward their effort. Only a matter of time until the medallions are available to be contested for, and it only takes ownership of one”.
ROLAND RAITH: “How so?”
Virgil pauses for a moment and leans in, strangely the tinge of glee in his voice and on his face fades as he elaborates with a steely, unwavering look of determination. Roland peered at him quizzically, but intently listening to his protege.
VIRGIL BARRICK: “If you own only one medallion, then you prevent everyone else from claiming the prize they all represent. Being the Underground Champion is only so when you have all of them in your possession. It’s like a bridge without a keystone, it’s little more than bricks and mortar to fall under its own weight without it”.
ROLAND RAITH: “And that double-edged sword would come back around to bite you too in your pursuit of them, Virgil”.
VIRGIL BARRICK: “Exactly. Which is why there can’t be any misplaced moves from now until then. You hired me to take as much spotlight as I can, and that’s what I’ll do. This time before the gates are open are more important than anyone else in the locker room realises. They’ll all talk about where it finally counts, forgetting that right now is what counts, nevermind tomorrow. While they’re all still finding their bearings in this sport, I’ll be climbing to the top. That way when any of them try to withhold a medallion from me, I’ll already have the advantage”.
“It was the same in the bodyguard game, funnily enough. If you can, assert yourself in the mind of your suspect before they do anything. Make them aware of you without them even realising why you’re there”.
ROLAND RAITH: “Before you punch their teeth in, very good”.
VIRGIL BARRICK: “Not always. Words that kill can be just as effective”.
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---| Future Proofing |---
The scene changes to show the purple ropes of Project: Underground, with the camera panning over from the purple brand’s logo on the ring apron, up to face at Virgil Barrick leaning over the top rope slightly, scanning over the floor seats of the arena. He speaks with a measured tone as he addresses his next fight.
VIRGIL BARRICK: “No matter how big a victory can be for your career, it will never be the peak of it. There will always be another fight to follow. As poetic as it could be to bow out at the perfect moment, it never works out that way. We all find a way to either ruin our moments, or become better. A reinvention of what grows obsolete for the changing times”.
“If we could suspend ourselves in whatever life we were living and forget the outside influences, I wouldn’t be standing in this ring speaking to you. I wouldn’t be the project of Project: Underground. I wouldn’t be this successful without adapting. Seeing a whole change of career and thriving for it. Sterling, Scar, O’Connor, Blade, they hadn’t progressed enough to overcome that. To develop past that”.
“What will happen when you reinvent yourself, Trafalgar?”
“If you haven’t asked yourself that question already, then you’ve already lost this battle with me. Prodigies come and go in any industry, across all fields. Will you emerge from the ashes a better man? Deep down, I truly hope so”.
“Listen. It’s a part of the journey to find yourself against the wall. Just something to accept and embrace. This might be your gig for the next twenty years….or you’ll move on to the next thing. Being good at something, it pales in comparison to where you really settle. Talent and cohesion are completely different things. I know it can sound rich, coming from me, who is yet to hit double digits on the match counter. But, that doesn’t undercut the weight of what I’m telling you. Wisdom doesn’t care what you’ve done in the ring”.
“Barring a loss that I own wholeheartedly in my debut, I have gone on to achieve only success. Project: Underground’s first ever triangle match saw me knocking off two of the more promising names to grace the purple ropes. They can like me or not, the state of play is the same…..”
“I am THE man to beat around here. There is no bias around it one way or another - right this moment, that is what I am. It would be strange for you or anyone else to try and dispute that, when it's happening before your eyes every time this show goes on air”.
“I didn’t earn that aura through chance. I came to Project: Underground for my own reinvention. Bottom line from the very start. That was MY rebirth to step between the ropes for the first time. No waiting around to find myself, grandstanding that can come around from the rookies who grow up in this business, soaked in the pitfalls that can come here. For me to grow stronger I need to be beaten by someone capable of doing it".
"Otherwise, I have already taken the next step. I am already leagues ahead. People who should be shining bright as future stars for Project: Honor have been brought crashing down to the real grit and grime of the earth….by me. There wasn't this tooth and nail fight to scrap over a first win, or a rising redemption after getting shown up by a superior talent. I have hit the ground running. And unlike you, I am reaping enough benefits to satisfy an entire roster”.
“Wisdom isn’t something that a lackadaisical attitude and athleticism will earn you, Trafalgar. Do you have it in you to apply your craft against someone who has been fighting without a safety net of a referee, or a medical team.
“I want to see the best for your career, Trafalgar. In those next twenty years, I want you to be everything that you can be. The zenith of your potential. It's not through some altruistic gesture to you, only that it will benefit both of us if you can hanging the ring with more than just the giant you managed to get on your second attempt. The question you should be asking yourself isn’t to reinvent yourself, because that won’t bring the success any of us are looking for. Now, the question is….”
“Do YOU want the best for YOUR career?”
“This is the very inception of you, where everything will inform your future. It matters even more now. If yes, then you need to beat me. We’re nestled in the middle of the card despite my recent record and your main event victory, so maybe they won’t remember it so glitteringly….But you will….if you can manage it. That’s what matters. I remember every victory to my name on this rise to the top of Project: Underground, because the other side of the table have been able to offer something”.
“This is your chance to make me believe in you, Mr. Law. Make me believe that you are really the future of this company, because if you aren’t….Every medallion that could fall into your lap will be gone. Not just to me, but to everyone that’s vying for YOUR spot right now".
“I want to remember the win over you too, Trafalgar. In the same vein I want you to remember the loss vividly. That way you can build upon yourself, and stick around. It's a fickle world out here, you need to adapt to survive. You'll need nothing short of your best effort in this trial. Give me your best..."
"...So don’t disappoint me”.
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