Searching For What's Needed - P2
Aug 15, 2021 10:14:10 GMT -5
Marcus Welsh, Dylan Thomas, and 2 more like this
Post by petervaughn on Aug 15, 2021 10:14:10 GMT -5
"Bring me home in a blinding dream
Through the secrets that I have seen
Wash the sorrow from off my skin
Show me how to be whole again"
- Castle of Glass, Linkin Park
Vincenzo should feel honored. He got to be number one for once.
I know full-well what a backstabber like Dylan Thomas is thinking. He'd like nothing better than to have all his goons show up at Under The Lights and attack me. When you look back across Dylan's career, that's how he always got victories. I know he likes to talk like he's a 'good guy', now, but a snake can't change its spots and a leopard can't change its skin. Or something like that.
I wanted to paint a little picture for Dylan and his 'friends' he pays off. I wanted them to see just what they're getting into. Now when Tank is ordered to head for the ring, and he sees me there, waiting for him, maybe Tank will feel a little hesitation and what might happen to him. Maybe Lord Allton might think about the state of his arms, that they still work at least. Maybe Lissandra will consider dumping her man and beating a hasty retreat back home to Mommy, taking her little bundle of joy with her.
It's not safe being around Dylan Thomas right now. The deal-breaker is just beginning to suffer. I won't put him down until he's reached the point of despair, when he doesn't think he can go on. Then maybe I'll be merciful and end his run in the OCW, maybe even let him crawl back home and try to rebuild his shattered life. Then again, mercy doesn't sound like much fun, does it?
*The picture begins with a shot of a long, dusty road trailing off into the distance. We slowly lower down to see Peter Vaughn walking along said road, keeping his eyes forward on the goal in front of him. He seems to be searching for something, although it's not immediately clear what he's looking for at first. As Vaughn continues to walk, we begin to hear whispers of a voice.*
Voice: Peter...
*The sound makes Vaughn even more alert, as he shoots glances in every direction with frantic intensity.*
Voice: My Peter...
*A figure seems to begin appearing ahead on the road. Seeing this, Vaughn begins to run that direction. He begins to close the distance, approaching the figure, who still can't be seen due to the sunlight behind her. Suddenly, though, Vaughn's feet begin to sink into the dirt. He looks down, shocked, as a sinkhole seems to be opening up all around him. He starts trying to jump, to get away, but it's expanding so fast...*[//i]
Voice: Peter!!
*Vaughn tries a final lunge, reaching out his arm to try and grab the figure... but it's too late. He falls, screaming in both rage and agony, as he disappears into the black below.*
*Vaughn darts awake, gasping for a second as he tries to recover his bearings.*
Person: Hey, buddy, you okay?
*At the sound of another voice, Vaughn spins in his seat, grabbing the figure next to him. He starts to lift them up, putting all his strength into preparation for attack.*
Person: Whoa, ZOINKS, HELP!!!
*Vaughn stops, finally registering the male voice in front of him. He looks up at the goatee'd man, who clearly looks terrified. Vaughn lowers him down, taking in the fact that the rest of the people on the bus are staring his direction, wondering if the lunatic is about to take them all out. The bus driver can be seen looking back through his mirror.*
Bus Driver: What the hell's going on? Do I need to pull over?
Peter Vaughn: No.... everything's... everything's fine...
*Vaughn lets go of the man and sits back down, with the man quickly hurrying off to find another seat, taking his dog with him. And who can blame him? The bus driver shakes his head, checking out the mileage on the board.*
Bus Driver: You're lucky we're almost there.
*This sounds like an excuse, as the driver really doesn't want to have to deal with someone like Vaughn, either. But Vaughn lets it slide. He's even a little remorseful, knowing that he lost it against someone who really didn't deserve it. He has to save that energy for people like Dylan Thomas. He sits quietly now, ignoring the whispers and grumbles going on around him. He thinks back, remembering a different time...*
*We return to the slight haze of a flashback. Young Peter Vaughn is seen, hurrying up the stairs, but being careful on the one step that's tripped him up before. He has a very worn backpack strapped around his shoulder, likely carrying his books and whatever else kids carried in those days. He hurries down the hall to his apartment, using his key to get in, only to find the top chain lock applied. Confused, he listens for a moment.*
Mrs. Vaughn: You have to go. My son's home from school.
*Vaughn, knowing that his mom has heard him, waits in the hallway for a minute, watching in case any drug dealers or gang thugs appear. He's good at running, if needed. That's what his parents have taught him. The door finally opens, and a man in a suit nods at Peter as he heads on by. Vaughn heads inside to where his mother is straightening up.*
Peter Vaughn: Who was that, Momma?
Mrs. Vaughn: Not anyone you need to worry about, sweet pea. Let me get a snack ready for you, I think we have a few things left.
*Like any kid, the thought of snacks drives anything else from Peter's mind as he goes to get settled in.*
*The bus comes to a stop, jolting Vaughn from his memories. He gets off, given a wide berth from the rest of the passengers. The sign says he's at the Kansas City bus depot. Vaughn starts walking, knowing his destination isn't too far away from the station. He pulls out his cell phone, making a quick call.*
Jonathan Barrows: Peter? Where are you?
Peter Vaughn: Just arrived in Kansas City. This is the furthest I've been able to track her, so hopefully the city has some more information.
Jonathan Barrows: I know we've talked about this, but is this really the best time to be seeking out your mother? After what happened on Piledriver, I'm worried that there's a lot of people searching for you.
Peter Vaughn: Like Dylan would have the guts to come seek me out when I'm not in the OCW Arena. He knows that out there, I'm not restrained by OCW rules.
Jonathan Barrows: ... You do know there are laws against assault and murder in the real world, right?
Peter Vaughn: Sure, sure... if you get caught...
*Vaughn continues on his way, giving a wide berth to a red-headed hooker standing on the corner in a purple dress that shows off a lot of leg.*
Jonathan Barrows: Anyhow, we've also got Zybala's Dystopia coming up. Are you sure you want to be there? It sounds like another Zybala trap, that invite he gave you...
Peter Vaughn: If it's a trap, I'll be happy to set it off. And if it's not... if I could actually be a Hall of Famer...
Jonathan Barrows: Just don't get your hopes up. Don't forget, Zybala is a deal-breaker just like Thomas.
Peter Vaughn: And just like Zybala, Thomas is going down hard and bloody. I'm almost here, I'll call you back in about 30 minutes.
Jonathan Barrows: Wait, there's more to...
*Vaughn hangs up the phone, as he's approaching a government building. He seems to know exactly where he's going.*
*We see Vaughn and his mother walking along the street, knowing exactly where they're going. They stop in front of an old-fashioned downtown movie theater. Vaughn looks up, excited at going to see a movie by himself. Mrs. Vaughn leans over to him, handing over a few bills.*
Mrs. Vaughn: This should be enough for the show, as well as to get some popcorn or a snack.
*Vaughn's face brightens even more. He gets to see a movie, AND buy snacks? This doesn't happen very often in his family. He thanks her, ready to go, when she reaches down and gives him a strong hug.*
Mrs. Vaughn: I love you. Don't ever forget that.
*She then turns and walks off, as Vaughn looks after her for a moment, unsure. But he looks at the money he has in his hand and smiles, turning back to go into the theater.*
*We join Vaughn now as he's managed to work his way into a government office. The lady behind the desk in front of him looks at him through thick glasses. The way her hair's done... we just have to call her Velma.*
Velma: Who are you again?
Peter Vaughn: My name's Detective Jack Puffer. I'm currently working on a missing person's case.
Velma: Puffer. Right. I've... heard of you. But you don't look quite like I would expect from a detective.
Peter Vaughn: Don't profile, ma'am. It makes us all look bad.
Velma: Right, sorry. So what's the name of the person you're looking for?
Peter Vaughn: From what I've been able to find out, she began using the name "Sandra McKenzie" at some point. I found a reference to her here in Kansas City, but nothing further than that.
Velma: Just one second...
*True to her name, or her nickname as it is, Velma flies through the computer, typing rapidly. After a little while, she finds what she's looking for.*
Velma: Okay, I have Ms. McKenzie's information, as well as a forwarding address she submitted to the city. I assume this is what you want. So... what are you willing to do to get it?
Peter Vaughn: Whatever it takes.
*Velma smiles at him, lowering her glasses, as we cut away again (thankfully).*
*We flash back once more, this time to later in the evening. Vaughn is outside the theater now, having enjoyed watching the latest flick and munching on some good popcorn. He even got an extra candy bar by a generous movie-goer. Vaughn made sure to stay far away from that guy in the theater, though. Now he's just waiting, waiting for his mom to return so they can head home. Waiting, waiting, waiting. But she's now overdue. After a few more minutes, Vaughn opts to just start walking home himself, not knowing what's going on. He gets back to the apartment safely, having avoided a few trouble spots, and heads upstairs, ready to razz his mother for forgetting about him. But as he goes inside the apartment, all he finds is his father, who's apparently crying. Vaughn stops, shocked at the sight, as his father looks up to him and slowly reaches out.*
*We see a slightly disheveled Vaughn making his way out of the building. He gets out his phone again, taking a few seconds to breathe before he hits redial.*
Jonathan Barrows: So, you get what you were looking for?
Peter Vaughn: I got it. Now I just need to get out of here. You willing to buy me a plane ticket, or am I hopping a bus again?
Jonathan Barrows: I can get you one to fly you back here for training. We've still got a lot to prepare for, to keep you champion.
Peter Vaughn: I can come back for now, but I'll need to head out to Huntsville soon. That's where she ended up, as far as I can tell.
Jonathan Barrows: Huntsville? In Alabama? Don't they have a hurricane bearing down on them right now??
Peter Vaughn: It's probably just going to be a tropical storm. Who names a hurricane Fred, anyway?
Jonathan Barrows: That still doesn't make it safe, Peter...
Peter Vaughn: I'm not worried about safety. I'm going to find my mother. I'm going to defeat Dylan Thomas. I'm going to become World Champion. And I'm going to rule the wrestling world.
Jonathan Barrows: All good goals, but one thing at a...
*Vaughn hangs up the phone again. He hears the sound of a siren approaching, and starts quickly walking in another direction, leaving the area.*
*We switch to Barrows' perspective, as he looks at his phone for a moment.*
Jonathan Barrows: He hung up. Again.
*Barrows sighs, shaking his head at how things are beginning to go.*
Jonathan Barrows: I have to say, this isn't going where I thought it would when we turned everything around. I'm starting to get worried where we're going to end up. Peter is... erratic. Unstable. I honestly don't know if I can control him anymore. Anything can happen.
*Barrows looks off to the side, as a shadowy figure can be seen moving in the darkness.*
Voice: It is how it will be. If Vaughn needs another treatment, we will do it. He's grown too important to us. Do your best. Keep him in line.
*Barrows nods, looking a little miserable at the thought of what's to come. We fade out.*