At Long Last

[Pennyworth]

The scene opens in the familiar tableau; Richard Pennyworth, resplendent in a bespoke suit, sitting behind a dark mahogany desk with golden nameplate. A computer monitor to one side shows a screen watching the current stock prices of a number of companies. But by far the centerpiece is the PWA Heavyweight Championship, given a place of honor directly in front of Pennyworth himself, folded in such a fashion as to display the faceplate towards the camera while hiding the straps.

PENNYWORTH: Indulgence is a privilege earned. Bear with me a moment.

He takes a deep breath, staring at the back of the belt. He takes out a cloth and polishes a couple of spots on the top of the faceplate.

PENNYWORTH: Fifteen years. Fifteen years of clawing, of scratching, of working my ass off. Fifteen years of being ignored, passed over time and again. Fifteen years of failure. FINALLY, I have done it. I have clawed my way to the top of the heap, stepped over the chattel and morass of lesser men to claim what I have always deserved. After fifteen years, I finally stand alone as what I have always deserved to be, the man among men, the Heavyweight Champion.

PENNYWORTH: And it's about time I got a shot. I'd all but given up. Constantly overlooked by the men who ran the promotions I was in because they all thought the same way Akira Wyld did. I bought my training, so I didn't deserve a shot at the top. That I wasn't good enough on my own. That natural talent and a well-known name was more worthy of a championship title shot than hard work and long hours.

PENNYWORTH: After fifteen years of being held back, I finally forced my way in. I claimed for my own what has been denied me for so long. I stepped up to the plate...and I hit it out of the park. When I was, at long last, granted a championship match, I did what only I ever thought I could. I took my shot, and I came out victorious. I AM PWA Heavyweight Champion, and there's nothing anyone in the PWA Armada can do about it. And after all this time...

PENNYWORTH: After all this time, just when I finally thought I was past all of that...I spent some time during the break reviewing what some of the other guys had been saying leading into King of Deathmatch. And do you know what I saw? I saw Brian--I'm sorry, "TIGER" Fury complaining that I was getting a shot. But not just that I was getting a shot. That I was ALSO main eventing the show. As if this ridiculous hardcore exhibition was even close to being what should be called wrestling.

PENNYWORTH: Fury, look, I get it. You've been around as long as I have, and as far as I know, you've never held a belt like this one. But the difference between you and me, big man, is that I am willing to go and prove that I have what it takes. You...you decided that instead of going for the belt, you wanted to get cut open. To play with barbed wire. To wrestle surrounded by fricking explosives. Fury, you will NEVER be a real wrestler as long as you continue to degrade yourself by these absurd excuses for a match. You'll never be the headliner in a PPV if you choose to sink to these lows time and again.

PENNYWORTH: So, Fury. This is my proposition for you. At the first Assault of the season, if you are man enough to fight in a REAL match, I'll step in the ring across from you. One on one, none of this 'hardcore' bullshit. If you can beat me in a technical match, fair and square? Well, then I'll have to consider giving you what you really want -- a shot at MY title.

PENNYWORTH: No that THAT is out of the way, allow me to address the other elephant in the room. I've been told that after our match, Robert MacElroy had to be rushed to the hospital after passing out, and that he fought our match with an injury. If that's the case, well...I honestly wish him a speedy recovery. But the rumblings I have heard about my championship win being tainted because of this? Allow me to address the PWA Armada directly. Robert MacElroy was cleared by the doctors. He chose to fight despite his supposed injury. And if the Money Clip was a little more effective than it would have otherwise been because of that? Well, that's just the way it goes in this business. No excuses.

PENNYWORTH: Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important business to see to before my next training session.

Scene fades to black as Pennyworth polishes the belt one more quick time before turning to his computer...

[BG05]

*** Brian Fury is seated in a folding chair in front of a PWA banner holding a microphone. A camera is pointing at him and begins recording as he speaks. Fury shakes his head and looks at the camera. ****

Fury: Pennyworth....you just don’t get it. I heard what you said about me. I heard you gloating about winning the PWA championship....and you still don’t get it. Let me make it clear for you....

You were running your mouth about me! You got in front of the camera and talked about me wrestling in barbed wire matches and being hardcore. First of all, I take on all comers in ANY situation because I don’t run from challenges. I don’t take weeks off at a time....like YOU! I show up each and every week and beat the very best that this sport has to offer. But let’s talk about the REAL issue. Let’s pull back the curtain a bit and talk straight!

The fact of the matter is not only do I prove myself in the ring to the fans and the wrestlers, I have to try to prove my to the promoters! I have to put myself in match after match, spilling blood all over the ring for the CHANCE to get what you just waltz in and get with your money! It’s OK for me to be on posters and help sell tickets to make them money. What happens when I ask for a fair shot? What happens when I prove my worth in the ring? I get told, “Next time you’ll get a shot!”. Every time I do what needs to be done, that opportunity is taken from me. I’m not whining, I’m just stating FACTS!

Here’s another FACT: You’re a FRAUD! For all of your talent you claim to have you don’t do anything but WHINE about you finally getting what you deserve. You didn’t earn anything Pennyworth!! All you did was throw money around like your rich buddies Felicity and Lori to cut the line. Some of us take PRIDE in earning what we get. We don’t have to have things handed to us.

You want me to prove myself to you? I don’t need to! I already pinned you. What I will do is take the match against you and beat your ass from one end of the ring to the other! You talk a good game but deep down you know you stole the title. You’re not a champion, you’re an opportunist! I’ll see you in the ring, chump. I don’t want your respect.....I want your BELT!

*** Fury tosses the microphone over his shoulder and walks away. The scene fades to black. ***