Post by Virgil Barrick on Apr 24, 2022 13:02:43 GMT -5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| Project: Underground XI |---
---\ Final Chapter /---
---| The Smooth Operator |---
---\ Virgil Barrick /---
---| Doomed To Ask for A Drink |---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| VIRGIL |---
---\ Mixing It Away /---
The shooting droplets of rain volley and pepper the large screen window of the coffee shop and bar. Roaming pairs of peering lights scan pass side to side as cars solider on at command from the lazy traffic lights hanging over them. Barrick sits contemplatively in the corner booth at the back, his well-groomed mustache lost in more of an unkempt beard. Still very neat by normal standards, but a stark difference of pristine for him.
Eyes tired and shadowed, he takes a gulp from the hot coffee, a small metal flask next to it, wincing crows feet at the abrasive flavour. To one ear he holds his phone, listening with a dwindling interest as he busies himself noting the trivial details of the hobbled walk of the waitress from red blisters on the back of her heels.
VIRGIL BARRICK: "Yeah".
?: "You're better than this, Virgil. I know you are. It's time to hang it up...".
"....".
"Come home...please".
"...I gotta go..."
"No, wai-" -zzzzt-
His attention is drawn to the enigmatic person who stepped through the door. Tall, chic clothing and hat well protected from the umbrella they were closing down. Walking directly up to his booth, Shroud flashed him their usually unreadable smile.
SHROUD: "May I?"
He thought about saying no for a moment, just to see what reaction might follow. But, he relents and gestures to the padded seats across from him in the booth. Shroud removes their coat and elegantly takes the seat.
VIRGIL BARRICK: "How did you find me?"
SHROUD: "Bit of Luck".
VIRGIL BARRICK: "Don't be offended if I don't believe that".
SHROUD: "None taken".
"Wanted to see how you were".
"How do you think?"
"If I did, I would be assuming how you think, Mr. Barrick. And that is not my place. I can only operate on what I see, and what I'm told. Mr. Raith told me about your little exchange recently, and so, here I am to get the real take on it".
"What more is there to know? Should have bigger concerns than me anyway".
"Now you're the one assuming what I think. We're practically made for each other. What did you tell Raith the last time you spoke?"
Virgil takes another sip of coffee, doing his best to completely mask the gritty flavour mixed in with the alcohol on his breath from Shroud. The waitress painfully walks up to the booth with her small notebook in hand. He silently thanks the moment for a break in the uneasy tension when talking to Shroud.
WAITRESS: "What can I get you?"
"Boilermaker, please".
It wasn't his drink that made him grimace this time. Boilermaker. Something that clearly touched a nerve with him as he watched in a dazed focus as the waitress wrote it down. Beer with a shot of whiskey. Shroud and the waitress exchanged some words but he wasn't paying his usual attention, eyes falling back to the redness of her feet as she walked away. He didn't know why. His vision panned back to Shroud, trying to cover up the briefest of weak points. They knew more about him than he had hoped. The return expression was light, wordlessly inviting him to continue before their interruption.
"Raith told me about a potential...downsizing of his roster. He's had it out for the tall guy since I showed up. Hell, that's why he hired me, so I was told. He makes overtures of wanting to get rid of him, whether that be his plan to get more from him, or to actually give him the cut or not, I don't know anymore. I use that as a moment to see if my place is being brought into question. After all, if he wants to be rid of him, and my position is reliant on his staying...you know that wouldn't be in my best interest".
He pauses for a moment, trying to gauge a reaction, or any form of agreement from Shroud. But instead, nothing.
"He pushes back for a moment, but I let my stance be known that I want to stay, and that he should keep me"
"But then..."
He sighs for a moment as the waitress returns with Shroud's poison of choice. He averts his eyes to see the flickering red and green lights over the road. Shroud takes a small sip, listening intently. He struggles to force his words out as his mind thinks it all over again. Some rare hesitance.
"But, that's all for naught since I might be out of here soon anyway. In the end it didn't matter how well I did the job asked of me, or the job I took upon myself to be more than my past life. It didn't matter the waves I was making to be something there...because it's all getting torn down, and nothing left behind. What's happens to a wrestler who loses their home? I'm not some big shot who can hop over to another island on a whim. Can talk a big game but it doesn't mean you're any bigger drop in the pond....
"And now, Roland has even more reason to cut me loose, because why would he need me, a wrestler with no platform. I was signed to Tetran Kai under a Project: Underground contract. Specifically. Won't mean anything when the curtain falls. Nothing, not a piece of it...It's not even worth trying to salvage anything from what's left because I go from toppling people touted as futures of the business, and now all that's left is two matches and a fucking clown".
"When I was younger I wanted to fight. Put it down to parenting or social circumstance or not, that is what I wanted to do. And as much as I tried to explain it to anyone who would pretend to really listen to me, they would never see that of me. All they saw was an antisocial, violent child who was already ruining their life for themselves before they hit puberty"
"This one kid, I accidentally fractured his skull by shoving him against the wall. Of course I didn't mean for it to be that, I didn't mean that for any of them. But, because I was me, that was it. No hope in getting help, just a juvenile delinquent. The mum of that kid tried to have me locked away after they ended up in the hospital".
His frustration is palpable as he grips the coffee hug, finally having to release his hand with the burning sensation pulsing through the nerves in his fingers, finally feeling the shooting pain. But still, Shroud remained stoic, but immensely engaged in his words.
"Do you know what that kid is doing now?"
"What? No. It was one moment, and that was that. We were probably arguing over something stupid. I just need this to be me. If I have to go while it's out of my control, then that's gonna be hard, you know".
"For someone that will take a fight to anyone, I wasn't expecting you to take umbrage with fighting a carnival mascot. If anything, that's where your talent can be put to good use. Clowning on the clowns, so to speak"
"That it for what it is and enjoy it. You're up against an entertainer, probably with a penchant for violence as much as your innocent pre-pubescent self. Did you like fairground when you were younger, Virgil?"
."Fuck no. If you see any from England you'll understand they don't have the rosy, happy charm they're always painted to be".
"So like all the American ones then, very good".
They both share a small chuckle in the moment before continuing with their drinks. He didn't imagine to be finding himself at ease around Shroud, but the force of personality they represented was enough to temper his well-up disdain for his whole situation. The mug carefully clinks back to the table as the smile of laughter gradually fades from his face a little, glancing out to the lights as a furious driver honks their horn, shouting obscenities to some other motorist at the crossing. A question dawned on him as he asked it, even though he knew the answer for himself. An assumption, but an instinctual one. The phrasing that followed from his lips sounded more akin to a statement than the question. Already framed as fact.
"...I'm not gonna be kept around, am I..."
This time it was Shroud's turn to take an aback to his words. Another assumption, but this time they couldn't masquerade as anything but truthful in such a candid setting, after hearing the release of his anger. Very long-held anger.
"...I haven't motioned to retain you, no".
They wanted to apologize for that stance, but elected to not play that card.
"All I can say is for you to make the most of the matches that you have left, Virgil. Treasure them in whatever form they take. If the world is burning down, then make it all about you when the roof falls in. Control what you can about it, keep it close. If you want to destroy the clown car, then destroy the clown car. Make it a vehicle for your anger, I'm sure you'll do that anyway. Everyone else on that roster will be feeling the same, with the train tracks having a definite end, its makes something of people".
"You can use to to see who you really are".
"Don't consider it an indictment on you. It's part of what we do have a crime of existence. Right place at the wrong time. Raith gets in his own way as much as he can help sometimes".
"Dismantle them harder than before, while it still lasts, huh. You know that doesn't come with a comfort when it all goes at the end. But, I get you're all in a tough situation".
"We have no contract offers to grant you. It's unfortunate, in this evolving industry, we're on quicksand half the time and we don't even know it".
Shroud downs their drink and grabs their coat, standing up from the booth and looking back at the disheveled form of Barrick.
"Look, it's nothing guaranteed....but in the circumstances, it's better than nothing".
They produce a small business card from their coat pocket and slide it across the table to Virgil. He inspects it carefully, a perplexed frown on his face.
"Finance?"
"It's unorthodox for someone of your talents, and a marked downgrade from what you could have, and currently are achieving. But I want to at least offer you more than what Raith will inevitably expect you to swallow. If you want to stay on this circus ride we call an industry, give them a call".
"Also, as a courtesy from me, I'd like for you to be present for the next 'meeting' over Tetran Kai's direction. You don't need to be there of course, I won't force it on you now. If you want to be there to see, then you are welcome".
"Good night, Mr. Barrick".
He watches as they disappear out the door, the small bell hanging over it ringing sweetly as the rain poured down. He scans over the card again, considering what they said as a potential warning...but also a lifeline.
CHAZZ INGRAM
HEAD FINANCIAL OFFICER
TETRAN KAI GROUP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1,916 words]
---| Project: Underground XI |---
---\ Final Chapter /---
---| The Smooth Operator |---
---\ Virgil Barrick /---
---| Doomed To Ask for A Drink |---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---| VIRGIL |---
---\ Mixing It Away /---
The shooting droplets of rain volley and pepper the large screen window of the coffee shop and bar. Roaming pairs of peering lights scan pass side to side as cars solider on at command from the lazy traffic lights hanging over them. Barrick sits contemplatively in the corner booth at the back, his well-groomed mustache lost in more of an unkempt beard. Still very neat by normal standards, but a stark difference of pristine for him.
Eyes tired and shadowed, he takes a gulp from the hot coffee, a small metal flask next to it, wincing crows feet at the abrasive flavour. To one ear he holds his phone, listening with a dwindling interest as he busies himself noting the trivial details of the hobbled walk of the waitress from red blisters on the back of her heels.
VIRGIL BARRICK: "Yeah".
?: "You're better than this, Virgil. I know you are. It's time to hang it up...".
"....".
"Come home...please".
"...I gotta go..."
"No, wai-" -zzzzt-
His attention is drawn to the enigmatic person who stepped through the door. Tall, chic clothing and hat well protected from the umbrella they were closing down. Walking directly up to his booth, Shroud flashed him their usually unreadable smile.
SHROUD: "May I?"
He thought about saying no for a moment, just to see what reaction might follow. But, he relents and gestures to the padded seats across from him in the booth. Shroud removes their coat and elegantly takes the seat.
VIRGIL BARRICK: "How did you find me?"
SHROUD: "Bit of Luck".
VIRGIL BARRICK: "Don't be offended if I don't believe that".
SHROUD: "None taken".
"Wanted to see how you were".
"How do you think?"
"If I did, I would be assuming how you think, Mr. Barrick. And that is not my place. I can only operate on what I see, and what I'm told. Mr. Raith told me about your little exchange recently, and so, here I am to get the real take on it".
"What more is there to know? Should have bigger concerns than me anyway".
"Now you're the one assuming what I think. We're practically made for each other. What did you tell Raith the last time you spoke?"
Virgil takes another sip of coffee, doing his best to completely mask the gritty flavour mixed in with the alcohol on his breath from Shroud. The waitress painfully walks up to the booth with her small notebook in hand. He silently thanks the moment for a break in the uneasy tension when talking to Shroud.
WAITRESS: "What can I get you?"
"Boilermaker, please".
It wasn't his drink that made him grimace this time. Boilermaker. Something that clearly touched a nerve with him as he watched in a dazed focus as the waitress wrote it down. Beer with a shot of whiskey. Shroud and the waitress exchanged some words but he wasn't paying his usual attention, eyes falling back to the redness of her feet as she walked away. He didn't know why. His vision panned back to Shroud, trying to cover up the briefest of weak points. They knew more about him than he had hoped. The return expression was light, wordlessly inviting him to continue before their interruption.
"Raith told me about a potential...downsizing of his roster. He's had it out for the tall guy since I showed up. Hell, that's why he hired me, so I was told. He makes overtures of wanting to get rid of him, whether that be his plan to get more from him, or to actually give him the cut or not, I don't know anymore. I use that as a moment to see if my place is being brought into question. After all, if he wants to be rid of him, and my position is reliant on his staying...you know that wouldn't be in my best interest".
He pauses for a moment, trying to gauge a reaction, or any form of agreement from Shroud. But instead, nothing.
"He pushes back for a moment, but I let my stance be known that I want to stay, and that he should keep me"
"But then..."
He sighs for a moment as the waitress returns with Shroud's poison of choice. He averts his eyes to see the flickering red and green lights over the road. Shroud takes a small sip, listening intently. He struggles to force his words out as his mind thinks it all over again. Some rare hesitance.
"But, that's all for naught since I might be out of here soon anyway. In the end it didn't matter how well I did the job asked of me, or the job I took upon myself to be more than my past life. It didn't matter the waves I was making to be something there...because it's all getting torn down, and nothing left behind. What's happens to a wrestler who loses their home? I'm not some big shot who can hop over to another island on a whim. Can talk a big game but it doesn't mean you're any bigger drop in the pond....
"And now, Roland has even more reason to cut me loose, because why would he need me, a wrestler with no platform. I was signed to Tetran Kai under a Project: Underground contract. Specifically. Won't mean anything when the curtain falls. Nothing, not a piece of it...It's not even worth trying to salvage anything from what's left because I go from toppling people touted as futures of the business, and now all that's left is two matches and a fucking clown".
"When I was younger I wanted to fight. Put it down to parenting or social circumstance or not, that is what I wanted to do. And as much as I tried to explain it to anyone who would pretend to really listen to me, they would never see that of me. All they saw was an antisocial, violent child who was already ruining their life for themselves before they hit puberty"
"This one kid, I accidentally fractured his skull by shoving him against the wall. Of course I didn't mean for it to be that, I didn't mean that for any of them. But, because I was me, that was it. No hope in getting help, just a juvenile delinquent. The mum of that kid tried to have me locked away after they ended up in the hospital".
His frustration is palpable as he grips the coffee hug, finally having to release his hand with the burning sensation pulsing through the nerves in his fingers, finally feeling the shooting pain. But still, Shroud remained stoic, but immensely engaged in his words.
"Do you know what that kid is doing now?"
"What? No. It was one moment, and that was that. We were probably arguing over something stupid. I just need this to be me. If I have to go while it's out of my control, then that's gonna be hard, you know".
"For someone that will take a fight to anyone, I wasn't expecting you to take umbrage with fighting a carnival mascot. If anything, that's where your talent can be put to good use. Clowning on the clowns, so to speak"
"That it for what it is and enjoy it. You're up against an entertainer, probably with a penchant for violence as much as your innocent pre-pubescent self. Did you like fairground when you were younger, Virgil?"
."Fuck no. If you see any from England you'll understand they don't have the rosy, happy charm they're always painted to be".
"So like all the American ones then, very good".
They both share a small chuckle in the moment before continuing with their drinks. He didn't imagine to be finding himself at ease around Shroud, but the force of personality they represented was enough to temper his well-up disdain for his whole situation. The mug carefully clinks back to the table as the smile of laughter gradually fades from his face a little, glancing out to the lights as a furious driver honks their horn, shouting obscenities to some other motorist at the crossing. A question dawned on him as he asked it, even though he knew the answer for himself. An assumption, but an instinctual one. The phrasing that followed from his lips sounded more akin to a statement than the question. Already framed as fact.
"...I'm not gonna be kept around, am I..."
This time it was Shroud's turn to take an aback to his words. Another assumption, but this time they couldn't masquerade as anything but truthful in such a candid setting, after hearing the release of his anger. Very long-held anger.
"...I haven't motioned to retain you, no".
They wanted to apologize for that stance, but elected to not play that card.
"All I can say is for you to make the most of the matches that you have left, Virgil. Treasure them in whatever form they take. If the world is burning down, then make it all about you when the roof falls in. Control what you can about it, keep it close. If you want to destroy the clown car, then destroy the clown car. Make it a vehicle for your anger, I'm sure you'll do that anyway. Everyone else on that roster will be feeling the same, with the train tracks having a definite end, its makes something of people".
"You can use to to see who you really are".
"Don't consider it an indictment on you. It's part of what we do have a crime of existence. Right place at the wrong time. Raith gets in his own way as much as he can help sometimes".
"Dismantle them harder than before, while it still lasts, huh. You know that doesn't come with a comfort when it all goes at the end. But, I get you're all in a tough situation".
"We have no contract offers to grant you. It's unfortunate, in this evolving industry, we're on quicksand half the time and we don't even know it".
Shroud downs their drink and grabs their coat, standing up from the booth and looking back at the disheveled form of Barrick.
"Look, it's nothing guaranteed....but in the circumstances, it's better than nothing".
They produce a small business card from their coat pocket and slide it across the table to Virgil. He inspects it carefully, a perplexed frown on his face.
"Finance?"
"It's unorthodox for someone of your talents, and a marked downgrade from what you could have, and currently are achieving. But I want to at least offer you more than what Raith will inevitably expect you to swallow. If you want to stay on this circus ride we call an industry, give them a call".
"Also, as a courtesy from me, I'd like for you to be present for the next 'meeting' over Tetran Kai's direction. You don't need to be there of course, I won't force it on you now. If you want to be there to see, then you are welcome".
"Good night, Mr. Barrick".
He watches as they disappear out the door, the small bell hanging over it ringing sweetly as the rain poured down. He scans over the card again, considering what they said as a potential warning...but also a lifeline.
CHAZZ INGRAM
HEAD FINANCIAL OFFICER
TETRAN KAI GROUP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1,916 words]