Post by Mark Hunter on Mar 22, 2021 16:06:12 GMT -5
THE PRESENT
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“I'd much rather be someone's shot of whiskey than everyone's cup of tea.” ― Carrie Bradshaw
Unaired Footage
Larkfield, Kent, England
March 13th, 2021 - 20:46
Mark opened the door to his hotel room, the bag and title belt sliding off his shoulders as he entered. Mark’s body felt exhausted, almost lifeless, he made his way to the bed, not even bothering to turn the light on as he entered. Despite it not being that late, clearly his first instinct was to crash on the bed, which he promptly did. Lying back, looking at the ceiling, he obviously had a lot on his mind and needed to get some sleep. He closes his eyes in hope of relaxation.
A constant noise.
The quiet ring of the phone in Mark’s trouser pocket, still with eyes closed he pulls it out.
"Hello?"
The phone line cuts off to a beeping sound.
"Jesus," Hunter says aloud, throwing the phone aside and hearing it slide against the wall. It was bad enough that he had a phone call while trying to sleep, but missing it. Jesus, he sure as hell didn't need that. At least with it now in two pieces on the floor he wouldn't get anymore calls. He knows if it’s more than just the battery coming out, he'd regret that in the morning, it was drastic but shit, it worked.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
A subtle, almost gentle knock on the door made Hunter bolt up in bed.
Fucking hell.
Mark thumbled with the nightstand by the side of the bed, switching on a lamp, the room quickly becoming light causing him to strain his eyes from the sharp pain of uncomfortableness. Groggily he stands moving towards the door.
"Hey stranger," Holly says, helping herself in as Mark opens the door, "I had a great time the other week with you at the bar."
Mark shakes his head. For the first time he looks closely at her, her straight hair from then now had slight curls, her body masked by a long black coat. So much for just being the girl from the bar.
"So did I," Mark replies scratching the back of his head, "but what the hell are you doing here?"
"Well when you turned me down that night and didn't call I wondered what exactly I did wrong. Because, well, trust me guys always call back. But I guessed you were taking a little longer than most. So imagine my surprise when I see you on a wrestling show watched by my son, then find out from a friend you are staying in the area again."
Mark smirks and shrugs his shoulders.
"By the way," she grins, "my son really hates you."
"Guess I'm doing my job well. Where's your son now?"
"With his other mom."
"Oh."
Wait... what?
"Huh?"
She walks towards Mark, slowly unbuttoning her jacket.
"Long story," she says, trying to be sultry and intoxicating.
Mark steps back and raises his left hand, “I've tried to be really fucking clear, I’m not interested… I love someone else and am not willing to fuck up anymore. Whether that be with you or anyone else.”
“Bastard, you aint nothing special.” It comes out as a sharp hiss. Holly shoves the hand away and storms back out of the door barging past the man standing there, a man Mark is somewhat pleased he saw watching the scene from early on because god knows what he’d have done otherwise.
The man is Steve Martyn, the brother of Jelena, Mark Hunter’s now ex girlfriend.
Steve stares at Mark looking unfazed by the scene, “You have a real way with women Markus, I’m staying in room seventy-one, you need to meet me downstairs for breakfast tomorrow.”
Before Hunter gets any chance to respond, Steve is gone.
Why the fuck is Steve in England?
Why the fuck is Steve in the same hotel as me?
Why am I so fucking nervous?
So much for sleeping.
Unaired Footage
West Malling, Kent, England
March 14th, 2021 - 09:54
“God Forgives”
“What did you just say?”
He stared deep into the eyes of the cashier inside the Costa Coffee Shop with narrowed eyes piercing into her own soul. Mark stood there in front of the counter frozen in time when he heard the words "God Forgives". How? It's been a few rough few weeks ever since his match with Dickie Watson. His right leg has a hidden knee brace after a bad landing in said match, Mark’s been determined to keep it hidden through fear of needing time off and losing his spot. Mark hasn't been himself. Losing to The Commonwealth in Italy gave a big blow to his heart, and more over his confidence. Not to mention Dickie acting like a tag match win is in some way revenge for taking the title, it pissed him off that anyone could value the Grand Championship so little. More importantly Mark desperately needs to win against Indy Darling. He needs it more than ever now, and it's pissing him off to even have to work with a guy he’s dispatched already.
What was it going to take? He's a fighting man. A very proud fighting man who will not stop until he gets what he wants. Revenge I suppose. Revenge on Dickie Watson for causing an injury, or revenge on Indy for screwing him over by being a shit tag partner. Mark Hunter despite being champion has never been this down in his life or career where he’s starting to lose his mind, and question his own purpose in Professional Wrestling. So much was happening so fast, and all Mark could now think about was revenge. It didn't even matter anymore. It’s all getting the best of him, and it's killing him on the inside.
Everyone in the Costa restaurant noticed his firm tone bouncing off the walls like an alarm of a bomb coming their way. Whether it’s the couples sitting together on the black high chairs around the high round tables or the teenagers sitting in the corner couches grubbin' on the chips & salsa near the windows. Mark snapped back into reality, and rubbed his head like he had a serious bulging headache kicking the shit out of his brain.
“I said that'll be 3.95”
“I'm sorry. I thought I heard something else.”
He dug into his right back pocket, and removed his wallet. She took the card he handed to her, and slid through the register to pay for his Standard Latte. After receiving back his debit card, he waited on the side. What the hell man? Mark hearing voices in his head again? He knew he wasn't going insane but life is pulling him away from his own humanity. Hearing even the gossip of teenagers made him think it was about Dickie getting the win over him. He quickly grabbed the Latte, and stormed out of the restaurant shoving people out of his way to just continue on with his schedule. Already inside his rented BMW, Mark started the car, and just moved onto traffic to be alone somewhere. He didn't even feel comfortable in his own hotel room. Fresh air was needed, and needed badly.
Maybe some music would help. Traffic wasn't too bad. Mark was really going through a lot, and he listened keenly on the radio. “Fun, Fun, Fun” by Status Quo hit the radio.
He punches down on the dashboard, and it shut off. Eyes taken off the road, both feet were slammed on the brake pedal, and the car came to a skidding halt at the intersection which almost hit a pedestrian. Mark was sweating from head to toe, and breathing very heavy. The pedestrian flipped him off, and he was frantically staring all around him. Not even safe in his own car, he parked in the parallel parking section of the road, and quickly got out of the car. He needed to just be alone, and what better place than to just sit down in an open park on a bench not occupied away from all of the civilians, and locals.
“What the hell is wrong with me?”
He stared into the sweaty, and almost pale looking palms of his hands. Very intensely thinking about what to do. His whole world was crashing down, and he's really losing his mind. Now Indy could be next in line to seal the deal. If this happened, there's no telling the end result of his own morale. Everything is just coming down with the weight of the universe on his shoulders, and it may be just time to hang up the boots. He stuffed his face deep into his hands, and sighed. Disappointed with his own performance, and beating himself up for not getting the job done. This was supposed to be his time, his moment. Even the news from Steve Martyn earlier in the morning about Jelena hadn’t fixed anything just yet.
“What the fuck is wrong with me?!”
A few people took notice but kept on walking. That's what happens in any populated area. People just go on with their way, and don't give a fuck. He quickly gets off the bench, and just keeps walking around to cope. Two feet down, he saw a guy hold up a very attractive looking girl in his arms, clearly meaning to do damage. Mark quickly rushed, and shoved him off and to the ground while the girl stood behind him. The big rough dude gets back to his feet, and chuckles while dusting himself off.
“Wrong fucking decision shitstain.”
He quickly tries to right hook Mark in the jaw but of course, Mark ducks under it, and holds onto the right arm to flip him over. The guy lands on his back against the concrete, and quickly gets elbowed in the jaw as a warning shot to stay down. I guess Mark should be grateful the guy wasn’t a southpaw… he’d been knocked out for that simple reason not so long ago. Mark got off his defeated foe, and dusted his blue jeans off while rubbing the soles of his black converses. The young woman is shocked, and traumatized.
“You alright?”
“Yeah...I just need to go.”
“Who was that dude?”
“My ex. He’s a cheating prick.”
Woah. She left with tears in her eyes, and Mark was dumbfounded by that comment. Thank God he stepped in or else what the situation could turn out to be. He kept walking, and reflected on that situation more, and more until reaching up the end of the park into this wooden little hut that was just empty. He sat on the entrance curb to the wooden hut, and looked ahead at the park filled with kids, and families having a blast. It reminded him of the dreams he had wanted to share with Jelena. That was always his rock, his stone, his solid ground to build his foundation. Was that his answer or was it something else? Just what was it? He looked up to the blue, and sunny sky then back to the park.
“What is going on with my life? What is it? I thought I'm doing well. My training is fine. The knee brace works perfectly. What the hell is going on then? I should be on top of the world. FUCK MAN!"
He took up a small pebble, and threw it away out of frustration.
“I just don't know what to do. I really don't.”
A voice was heard from inside of the abandoned, and empty hut.
“I thought so too.”
The old man walked out with a walking stick to help him. Dressed in old time clothing of brown, and white color nature. He stood beside Hunter who looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“I'm sorry. Who are you?”
“The question is....what are you going to do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean. I was in your shoes too. I didn't know what to do when they took this hut away from me for recreational purposes. I thought my world was going to end too."
Mark blinked.
“So how did you cope with it?”
The old man smiled, and giggled.
“I took time to look around me. Just because I lost my hut didn't mean I lost everything. We're in a world, a beautiful world where anything is possible. No need to sulk, and despair. There's a saying. Yesterday is history, tomorrow's a mystery but today is a gift.”
When Mark looked to the sky, grey clouds were advancing in to cloud the sun. It started drizzling but the hut entrance had a roof under it. He continued watching the rain pour, and then back to the old man who willingly walked in the room leaving him behind.
"That is why it's called the Present."
Aired Footage
West Malling, Kent, England
March 14th, 2021 - 10:12
Mark stared at the man walking in the rain, and continued to ponder on what he meant. Why would he just walk into the rain? He'll get sick, and the more he wondered, the clearer it became.
“...Present...Present. The present. Of course. It doesn't matter whether I win or lose. It's about what I do now. God, I am such an idiot. I've been so focused on the past because I was too damn angry about Dickie Watson when I should be focused on now. I have the chance to get back on track, and back where I should be. The top of the world. Sitting here moaning, and groping won't do a damn thing because I'm better than that, and better than Indy Darling. I have a match against another champion, and I'm here being a little bitch instead of going, and doing something to improve my training in kicking everyone's favourite asshole. No. I'm tired of being that guy in the back seat as I've said before. I may have been demoted to driver's ed but I still got that street king in me to take the clutch. It's time I do something, and do it for real. So this time in Serbia I have a chance at REAL redemption against a man I’ve beaten before, Indy Darling. I guess you can say we're both looking to just get the fuck on with our lives after going through different shit, and just continue on our paths but I clearly have nothing to fear from Indy other than the glare from his glasses getting into my eyes. What is Indy to me anyways? He's just another guy with a massive inferiority complex who really doesn't mean shit to anyone anymore.”
“Indy is that guy who's good but he's not me. I know deep in my heart I am better than him at everything especially in the ring. Sure. I've had a few setbacks however it would be fair to blame Indy for the most recent, but we all lose sometimes right? Okay, let me remind you all however… in ONE ON ONE competition I have lost just once EVER!!!”
“The past is the past though, and I can't go back in time, I can however create time for the future. I can continue to make history, and continue to make dominance my most obvious trait, it starts with Indy Darling who was unlucky enough to even be booked against me after screwing up and costing us last time out. If he thought the first time I beat him was bad, clearly he doesn't know me at all.”
“Indy. You can do what you do best. Talk about what you’ll fail to achieve. Ultimately we’ll both be looking to tear each other apart, and both looking to do it in the most humiliating way ever but I need this more than you, I am better than you and this business needs Mark Hunter more than Indy Darling, I am getting off my ass to continue fighting. Do you know what it's like to get up, and fight back? Of course you don't. You've never experienced really being up in the first place but I can assure you it's an amazing feeling everyone wants to have. When you get back up, you know you're a capable fighter. Honor, respect, morality. Everything. It shows the character you have.”
“You'll be getting put down for good before ever being up Indy. You're little bitchy fairweather friends aren't gonna be there to protect you either. Yeah! In the tag match I took the fall against Dickie Watson! I'm man enough to admit some of the blame attached to your failures as a partner but it's in the past, and all I can do is focus on the future, and the future is Mark Hunter beating Indy Darling. I've seen what you can do first hand, and I've seen the weak ass so called saints you put down but those people are not me. They are not Mark Hunter, and that's why I'm going to kick your ugly little teeth down your throat, and watch you choke on every last fucker.”
“Some more truth for you, people don’t hate me because I'm an asshole like everyone including me says. You all hate me because I'm an asshole who's not afraid to get dirtier than my enemies. In other words, I'm everything you've all always wished you could be. I'm the asshole who can do bad things all for the right reasons and still be respected by the people that actually fucking matter and I'm that sadistic motherfucker who has a loyal following due to ALWAYS shooting straight about who and what I am… it’s just some ignorant fucks out there seem to think when i’m an asshole to them it’s somehow different.”
“You know what your biggest problem is Indy? This is the first time where you really have to look yourself in the mirror and ask if you're really good enough to overcome a guy who’s put you down before, can you do anything about a man who could do the things you do ten times better. You know the truth Indy? I solved your puzzle on debut. The puzzle of a young competitor who was holding a belt and receiving all these opportunities so early in their career. I'll explain it to you so you'll know how well I know the dilemma you're going through. You started out in the company winning enough matches, shutting off the outside noise. The spotlight was on you when you became the X-Factor Champion and not to mention, all eyes were on you. The critics said this guy would become a future Grand Champion, they even praised you to be the future legend. Why? You're the top prospect. You have all the things a top star has. Looks, fame, drive, talent. It's like entering into your first day of High School as a senior and walking down the halls with everyone's eyes on you behind their lockers. The jocks make their cat calls, the nerds want to be your study slave and the cheerleaders invite to their team.”
“It's all beautiful.”
“Being the talk of the town until you realize that there's always going to be a person better than you. Mark Hunter. That name tears your fucking head apart every time you read it in the papers or you see it online. I’m everything you can't handle due to the fact I’m the one who’s been pushed bigger than you. Deep down inside, you want to be like me. Whether hated or loved, you want to reach my level. I saw your puzzle the moment I stepped foot into Project Honor and I saw how unscrambled the pieces were when I challenged you. This is your chance to fix that damage. Your chance to finally put down the fucking critics saying you're a niche market and decide to change the course of history. Shame you can’t do it.”
“Friday the twenty sixth in Serbia marks the day that the critics won't have anything to say. I haven't lost a damn step. I just needed a moment to get myself back in the right frame of mind. So Indy, thank you for letting me down as a partner. I'm not happy about it but that defeat helped awaken me. The real me!”
Mark gets up from the curb, and stands in the pouring rain raising his hands high. Eyes closed, he smiles as he feels the water dripping against his face.
“I took a tumble down into the dirt, and now I'm back under the clouds pouring rain on me. Indy, I'm not afraid of anything you can do, and I'm damn sure not going to back down either. This is my time. I haven't been so prepared, and eager to win until now but it's the perfect time for what I do best, and that's defeat someone one on one in a wrestling ring.”
“And Indy. It’s time to accept the absolute best you can be, is not good enough, I'm so clearly better than you!!”