Searching For What's Needed - P1

[petervaughn]

"Take me down to the river bend
Take me down to the fighting end
Wash the poison from off my skin
Show me how to be whole again"

- Castle of Glass, Linkin Park



I have a dream now.

It's a simple dream, a dream that many have had during their boring, meaningless lives. A dream of revenge. I will never forgive the three men who turned their backs on our deals at House of Cards. Thaddicklus and Zumballa will both pay in time for breaking their word. But the first example? The man who I first approached to be my ally? Dylan Thomas is going to deeply regret his decisions that day.

In my mind, I see a betrayal like this costing at least two broken bones, maybe three. There will definitely be a concussion involved. Maybe an inner ear issue from the multiple hits that land on the side of his pretty boy head, leaving him unable to stand without his old maid holding him up. Maybe pop a few fingers so he has trouble holding his kid at night, making her think he doesn't care enough about her. There are a lot of possibilities.

At the end, it doesn't really matter what the damage is. I will be victorious once again, continuing to build the greatest Craze Champion career of all time, and Dylan Thomas will be left believing his career is completely... worthless.

---

*We begin things in a very solemn setting. It is a grand church, one that clearly lives well off the contributions of its members. The rose window alone is incredible. The light shines through, sending different colors spiraling across the sanctuary. One of those beams of light is followed along by the camera, showing that it lands on the edge of a dark brown coffin. It appears to be a decent coffin, maybe not an expensive one, but it's adequate. The preacher stands near the coffin at the pulpit, speaking to the small audience in attendance.*

Preacher: Everyone will remember Jacob Matthew Vaughn as a kind man, a hard worker who did everything he could to keep his family clothed, fed, and with a roof over their heads. He did God's work without complaint, and lived a long, wonderful life before being called home to God. I believe his surviving family would like to say a few words?

*The crowd looks over towards Peter "The Janitor" Vaughn, who is in a very nice suit that must have been purchased by the man next to him, Jonathan Barrows. He gives Vaughn a sympathetic nudge, getting Vaughn to go up the steps. The preacher backs away, giving Vaughn room, but Vaughn stops next to the casket, looking at it. He slowly reaches out a hand towards it, as if waiting for a grip to be returned. After a few seconds, Vaughn turns away, his face extremely hard to read The preacher comes up next to him, reaching out and putting a hand on his shoulder. Vaughn immediately spins, shoving down the preacher, causing a gasp from the audience.*

Preacher: Oof!

Jonathan Barrows: Peter!

*Vaughn look down with fury in his eyes, ready to strike with a balled-up fist. But he slowly releases it, seeing the frightened older man seated in front of him. Barrows hurries up the steps, but Vaughn pulls away from him, going downwards.*

Jonathan Barrows: Hold on, Peter, wait...

*Vaughn doesn't stop, heading out the back doors and disappearing from sight. Barrows hurries after him as the preacher sighs, always unsure what's going on in the mind of bereaved family. A couple of others in the sanctuary approach to help him up as we slowly fade out.*

---

*We go backwards in time, way back, judging by the family that's sitting around the dinner table. Mainly, we're focused on a very young Peter Vaughn, as he's happily getting himself situated at the table, putting a piece of paper towel into the neck of his shirt for a bib. Laughter can be heard as Vaughn grabs at his plate.*

Voice: Hold your horses, Peter! We have to pray first!

*Peter lowers his head respectfully, although he's clearly ready to chow down.*

Voice: Lord, we thank you for another day on this Earth. Bless this food to nourish us and fill us all. Please be with us once again in the days to come as we continue to do your will. Amen.

*The prayer done, Peter looks up expectantly as a hand comes into view with a platter of some sort. The food, seemingly some kind of poor man's meatloaf, is scooped out. A spoonful is placed in front of Vaughn, taking up only a quarter of the plate. Peter digs in happily, though, as any growing boy would. We jump away again.*

---

*We return to more recent times, judging by the people walking by wearing masks. I'm not talking Halloween masks, either; those would be preferred. But the Pandemic continues, so people are still having to be careful in spite of vaccinations. Two of those people are not wearing masks, however. Standing in the nearby parking lot are Vaughn and Barrows. The clothes have changed, so it's a different day. Judging from the conversation being had, this is extremely recent.*

Jonathan Barrows: I'm just saying, attacking Lily Lopez like that didn't help matters. Who'Re seemed pretty unhappy that they had to take her to the hospital.

Peter Vaughn: That just tells me that my message was received. Lopez was just the first, Jonathan. Who'Re may not like it, YOU may not like it, but I'm going to make sure OCW knows that they have to respect The Janitor.

Jonathan Barrows: I just think a lot's been happening with you, Peter. You lost your father, you got betrayed, and you took the lack of awards pretty hard. I just don't know if you're looking at things with a clear mind.

*Vaughn grins, but it's not one of those pleasant "that's funny" grins. This is more of a "I could use a good bloody bar fight" kind of grin, one that has Barrows slipping slightly backwards, prepared if needed to defend himself. But Vaughn won't put his hands on Barrows, his 'friend'. He's got better targets.*

Peter Vaughn: I've never seen things clearer, Jonathan. I've got a lot of targets to take down the rest of 2021. The first is obvious: Dylan Thomas. Mr. "Perfection" who got his ass handed to him at House of Cards because of his broken oath.

Jonathan Barrows: You know, I tried to call Lissandra about that, but they didn't respond. Apparently they feel like they followed the letter of their promise to you...

Peter Vaughn: The plan was that WE WORK TOGETHER!! And if he had done as Lissandra promised, we'd both be champions right now, and maybe I'd be facing someone more worthy of me. Someone like Xavier Lux.

Jonathan Barrows: Well, for now, you've got to defend against Thomas at Under The Lights. It'll probably be a straight one-on-one match between you, which should make it easy for you to score the victory.

Peter Vaughn: That's right. Once the sun sets, the matches are supposed to get more extreme, aren't they? If it's not dark yet when we begin wrestling, I'm going to take my time breaking down Thomas. If he doesn't tap out like a chihuahua at the back door needing to shit, then I'll make sure we make it to the hardcore portion of the night.

*Barrows looks unhappy with this, as he'd rather Vaughn have a 'sane' match for once. But he doesn't say anything about it.*

Jonathan Barrows: Should we head inside? The guy's probably waiting for us.

Peter Vaughn: Might as well.

*The two men walk forward, as the camera turns, showing that they were standing in front of what appears to be a lawyer's office building. We drop away.*

---

*We're once again with young Peter Vaughn, as he's sitting in his small bedroom, working on some last-minute homework. The door opens, but we can't see who comes in behind him.*

Voice: Time for bed, Peter. We need to turn the lights off.

*Vaughn nods, used to the restrictions to power usage. He flips off the light, promising himself to work on the homework on the bus tomorrow. He then goes over to his worn bed, laying down as someone tucks him in.*

Voice: Good night, my precious boy...

*There's the sound of a kiss on the forehead, even as the camera pans away, showing us a torn-up wall for a moment before fading out.*

---

*We're inside the lawyer's office now, apparently in a conference room of some sort. You can tell it's a smaller town office, as the table isn't that big or imposing. Barrows sits on one side, with Vaughn on the other.*

Jonathan Barrows: So why are we here again?

Peter Vaughn: Something about the will. I can't see much money coming my way, and the car was sold long ago to help pay for my dad's medical expenses, so you'd think it'd be straight-forward.

Jonathan Barrows: Hopefully it's quick, then, so I can get back to business. I've got a lot to prepare before next week. Maybe a few endorsement deals for you, which will help you get the attention you're craving.

*Vaughn doesn't respond, as he's too busy staring at his right hand. He's opening it and closing it, as if visualizing someone's neck in his grasp.*

Peter Vaughn: I'm going to kill him, you know.

*Barrows immediately looks up from his phone, where he'd been checking an email or two.*

Jonathan Barrows: What??

Peter Vaughn: Maybe not in a literal sense. It depends on how the match goes. But I will certainly kill the career of Dylan Thomas. I plan to show the man what it means to back-stab me, to make an example of him. When I'm through with Dylan, people will be calling Lord Allton the mobile one.

Jonathan Barrows: I'm all for getting revenge on him, too, Peter, but remember, we don't need to take things too far...

Peter Vaughn: "Too far" is no longer in my vocabulary, Jonathan. I want to make Dylan suffer... and I can think of multiple ways I can make that happen. One way in particular comes to mind...

*Before Vaughn can continue this thought, the door swings open, with the lawyer walking into the room. He looks just like every small town lawyer you've ever seen. Barrows stands to greet him, but Vaughn stays lost in his own thoughts.*

Lawyer: Thank you both for meeting me. This should be pretty brief.

*The lawyer & Barrows shake hands, with the lawyer reading the room and not trying to shake with Vaughn. He gets out a small manila folder, pulling out a sheet of paper and an envelope.*

Lawyer: I've been instructed by Mr. Vaughn's estate to let you know, Peter, that you are the only heir. Mr. Vaughn's checking and savings accounts, such as they are, are available to you, as well as any mementos from Mr. Vaughn's room. Also, I'm instructed to give you this letter, which was to be read after Mr. Vaughn's passing.

*The lawyer puts the letter on the table, but Vaughn doesn't look too interested in grabbing it. Barrows shrugs and reaches over, picking up the envelope, with the lawyer looking a little concerned.*

Jonathan Barrows: Don't worry, I have power of attorney.

*This seems dubious, but the lawyer lets it go, turning and leaving the room as Barrows begins to read the letter. He looks startled, whispering under his breath, enough that it even breaks through Vaughn's visions of destruction.*

Peter Vaughn: What is it, Jonathan? He leave me a surprise fishing boat or something?

Jonathan Barrows: No, he... he wanted...

Peter Vaughn: C'mon, spit it out so we can get out of here. Things to do, remember?

Jonathan Barrows: Your father... he wanted to tell you... that he thinks your mother is still alive...

*Vaughn looks up in shock, then reaches out, snatching the letter away from Barrows. He reads through it once, then twice, looking over the words with wide eyes. The picture cuts out.*

---

*We take one final trip to the past, this time showing young Peter Vaughn running up the stairs of his old building. It's too reckless, as he trips on a board that sticks out, causing him to fall and hit his knee. He grabs at it, crying at the agony he's feeling. More steps can be heard approaching, and a woman appears, sitting next to Peter and cradling him.*

Lady: Oh, my poor dear! Don't worry, Mommy's got you. It'll be okay. It'll be okay...

*The mother holds Vaughn, comforting him, as we slowly fade out.*

---