Handlin' Heat In Mama's Kitchen

☾ They clunkered into the diner with fiery verve. But, the mud smothered upon the bottom tips of their jeans told a different story. Although they were in the streets of the city now, they clearly just came from somewhere on the edges of society. Mania situated a table for the pair, while Bezerk became preoccupied with the odd, varied paraphernalia splattered upon the walls. The gunk upon their jeans trailed into the restaurant, but the staff didn't mind. Everyone was welcome at "Mama's Kitchen."☽



MANIA.

“Sooo, I know you hate being told what to do -- but, you're like... There's no other way to say it: on a contract now. I mean, it's not like a prophecy or anything; but, y'know, if you want to keep yourself on the Roster there, you're gonna have to show up -- and, if you're gonna show up, you really should show up focused, right?”



BEZERK.

“Fuuuuuuuuuck, Mania. Chill. It's not like that big hunk of metal means anything. Look who's got it around their waist... I mean, if I've gotta be freakin' Peter Pan to get respect in the Locker Room, I'd rather walk around completely fuckin' naked to creep everyone out instead. I mean, c'man: I only finished wresstling school so that I can make BLOOD splatter. And, once I finally make "The Devil's Pet" my wittle kitty, I'll make that gigantic, fiery fur ball follow me down to the ring instead. Then, you can focus on all of the stupid business stuff instead --”



MANIA.

“Oh, shut up! You know I don't like doing this shit. But, if somebody didn't tighten your belt, you wouldn't have even graduated high school! And, yeah, yeah, yeah: I know you just wanna break people's spines for sport; but, you should still shoot for the stars. So, how about we concentrate? At the end of the day, the match has rules. And, although it's definitely a clusterfuck, you have a partner...”



☾ Rain dripped along the frame of the window adjacent to their table. Mania's eyes drooped with tiredness. His petulance wasn't exactly the cherry on top of a night chasing him through the fields near the shore. But, all of this lack of work ethic needed to come to an end. He wasn't a freelancer anymore. He needed to get things done. And he only had so much time to do it. After a kind waitress delivered their fizzy refreshments and two menus, she surveyed it briefly and looked him directly in the eye.☽



MANIA.

“Like, for example: the word behind the scenes is that Bam and Curtis are already coming up with a battle plan. I mean, this isn't a Battle Royale, Bez. It's -- uh... Well, to be honest, I'm not really sure how it works; but, they're on a different team and they're --”



BEZERK.

“Fuckin' Christ, don't marry me to her, Mania. She's just a partner. And, last time I checked, the Accent Championship -- or what-the-fuck-ever -- isn't the Tag Team Championship. It's a singles belt. -- Say little-goody-two-shoes and I end up becoming the last two? Guess her spine's gonna split in half, too -- that's my plan of attack. And, to be honest, it'd be fun to put little Dorothy Gale in her place. Hasn't the crowd had enough of Little Miss Sandra Dee rulin' the roost around here? Kasey retired -- we don't need another annoyin' little Barbie --”



☾ Mania shook her head. She knew that's not what things were like, but she didn't want to upset Bezerk. His attention continued to wane. The eclectic paraphernalia around "Mama's Kitchen" shook his span of attention. Mania ordered for him, as he managed to completely miss the presence of their loud, abrasive waitress. She shook her head again. He needed to find some way to respect his partner if he was going to make it through this juggernaut of a match.☽



BEZERK.

“Okay, fine, Mania. Should I bring a fuckin' wedding ring with me down to the match? Look: I don't even care if I walk out with that piece'a jewelry when everything is all said and done. I just wanna corkscrew a few people's heads off, come back with a few bloody ears, and shove a few people's pinky toes into their tight little assholes! I mean, these people don't even know what kind of a TSUNAMI is about to blow all up and through this place... They're all just frolickin' around Auntie Em's farm, jerkin' each other off -- but, I'm here to SHAKE IT THE FUCK UP! -- You know what I mean? Like, I love me some sweet, little puppies, too; but, maybe even TOTO will have to go down to the fiery pits of hell, when all is said and done... I mean, there's no tellin' what gonna happen once BEZERK'S entered the ring... But, yeah, I get it. I should "focus," or whatever. And, just -- GIVE UP on my search for my beloved pet. Fine. I mean, if that's what it takes for me to be able to make a butchery out of the entire roster... If that's what it takes for me to keep spreadin' the manic joy around the globe to all of these depressed, uptight drones... Then, I'll do it. I'll do it for the fans. But, listen to me, Mania, when I say... I don't want that shiny, honorable belt... Unless it's comin' with everyone's hot, steamy BLOOD splattered all over it...”