Post by Peter Vaughn on Jul 16, 2022 16:45:20 GMT -5
~The picture comes up on a beautiful stretch of highway. The scenery goes on for miles and miles, allowing you to see far into the distance. We can hear the sound of powerful engines approaching, disturbing some of the local wildlife. They take flight, as a motorcycle pulls into view in front of us. We see Bam Miller, expertly making his way down the highway, revving the engine as he puts on more speed. He is a true professional. A second motorcycle then comes into view… shakily shifting back and forth on the asphalt as Peter Vaughn works to keep the monster under control. Bam can be seen slowing down and looking backwards, laughing at Vaughn’s struggles.~
Bam: Vaughn you’ve got to be in control. You are the rider, not the one being ridden on.
Vaughn: Easy… for you… to say…
~The two men continue down the highway, as a gas station pops up on the right side. Bam signals to pull in, and they do so, with Vaughn managing not to hit the gas pump as he stops. He lets out a relieved sigh, removing his helmet before getting off the bike. He starts to fill up, as Bam does the same on the other side.~
Bam: You’re improving but you still need to know how to put Two Fingers on the Clutch. Two fingers is all anyone needs to effectively modulate the clutch lever.
Vaughn: Doing my best, Bam. I’ve just always been more of a pick-up truck kind of guy.
Bam: This whole trip was your idea, I would’ve been ok with riding shotgun in the truck and drinking Miller Lite until I passed out but you insisted on riding the bikes.
Vaughn: Well, I know your motorcycle’s one of your most favorite things in the world, and I thought it’d help us be stronger partners if I rode too.
Bam: Maybe it will, whenever you actually become a rider. But I've got faith in you, because I've seen worse guys than you become a biker.
~Bam laughs again as he goes towards the store, with Vaughn shaking his head, looking annoyed. In the meantime, a couple more bikers have pulled in behind them. Neither appear extremely friendly, sporting their “Freedom Fighters” gang jackets.~
~They get off their cycles, looking over at Vaughn and pointing at him. Vaughn turns towards them, taking them both in.~
Vaughn: You got a problem, boyos?
Bobby: I was just telling Otto here that you’ve got an awfully big bike for such a twerp. I’m surprised they removed the training wheels for you.
Otto: Does your friend back there have to help you onto it every time, or do you have a stepstool?
~The two thugs share a series of snickers at Vaughn’s expense. Bam, still inside the store, can be seen looking out as he buys a six-pack of beer. He tells the cashier to hurry. Vaughn, though, doesn’t seem concerned.~
Vaughn: You seem to like to judge things by their size. Has that been a long-time problem for you? Compensating for your own shortcomings?.
~That shuts down the laughter, as the two men step forward.~
Bobby: Oooh, a tough guy, huh? You know who you’re talking to, chump? We’re part of the Freedom Fighters, the toughest new gang in this county.
Vaughn: Let me guess, you guys fight for the freedom to be unemployed assholes? To ride everywhere and act tough so you don’t cry yourself to sleep at night?
~Bobby and Otto glare at Vaughn now, furious that he’d be willing to speak to them like that without any fear. Bam comes out of the store, walking back towards them.~
Bobby: It’s geeks like you that give us real riders a bad name.
Otto: You know, I think it’d be better if someone took that bike away from you… for your own safety, of course…
~Otto steps forward, as if to reach for Vaughn… who immediately steps into a superkick, catching Otto right in the jaw!! The bigger man falls backwards, stunned, as Bobby jumps into the fray, grabbing Vaughn from behind. Bam looks down at the beer and shrugs.~
Bam: I hate to waste a good Miller lite but fuck it!
~He pulls one beer off the six pack and launches it, hitting Bobby in the back of the head! The beer sprays out, going everywhere, as Bobby staggers towards the approaching Bam, who nails him with a punch. Vaughn, taking advantage of the situation, drops on top of the recovering Otto, shoving his face into the concrete and giving him Insult to Injury! Otto yells out, feeling the heat of the hot concrete. Vaughn ends his misery, pulling him up and delivering the Keyholder to knock him out. Behind him, Bam has given Bobby Miller Time, taking him out as well. He gets up and walks over to Vaughn, shaking his head while smiling.~
Bam: I can’t leave you alone for two seconds, without starting a fight without me… How selfish.
Vaughn: I left one for you! And they started it… well, I mean, they were the ones that laughed first, so, that still counts, right?
Bam: Yeah, well, lucky they were alone, because the Freedom Fighters are a big gang and I only brought one brick with me on this trip.
Vaughn: I don’t care how many there are. Bring them all on, we’ll take them all out.
Bam: Oh I like your confidence Vaughn and looks like we get ready to see how you thrown down as a biker to a test.
~Bam points down the highway, with Vaughn turning to look. There’s a large cloud of dust coming from the motorcycles that just came onto the road, making their way towards them. There are at least a dozen motorcycles. Vaughn studies them, counting away.~
Vaughn: Okay. I stand corrected. Time to go.
~Vaughn runs over to his bike, pulling out the nozzle and throwing it to the side. Bam does the same, but takes his time to chug a beer first, tossing it at the bikers. The two of them peel out from the gas station just as the gang arrives. Some stop to help their fellow bikers, while the rest head off in pursuit.~
I’ve checked off a lot of amazing achievements over the past year. World Titles, Supercontinental Titles, Tournament victories, Game Genies. Wins over some of the best in the world.
But I’ve still yet to be a tag-team champion.
I can’t say that it haunts me or anything. I usually prefer to do things my own way. But I’ll admit, it’d be nice to add that checkmark to my resume. This is my golden opportunity, with the perfect partner in Bam Miller. We were basically born to be Multiplayer Champions. I’d say it was fate calling us to the gold, but I don’t believe in fate.
The tournament won’t be a cakewalk, of course. There are some intriguing teams in this one, including our first round match-up. Two young stars with their whole futures ahead of them… maybe.
First, we have Paul Freedom, my ‘partner’ from the PPV. Paulie, even you have to admit that I carried you & Alix to victory. Without me, Alix’s face would be shattered, and you’d be a bloody mess on the concrete. You’re welcome, by the way. I will say, there’s potential there. Someday, I think you’re going to be a dangerous force in the industry. It’s just not going to be on this day. You’re just not ready yet, kid. No shame in that. It took me years to get as incredible as I am now.
Freedom isn’t just given in this business, kid. It’s earned. And you haven’t earned it yet.
Then we’ve got Jack Sullivan. Jackie came up a little short at the PPV, unable to get that Final Boss Championship. I suppose you weren’t ready for that gold yet, either, no matter what your lineage. Sucks when you can’t make the jump doesn’t it? Sorry, it’s not getting any easier, because Bam’ll be cracking your skull into next week. Or, y’know, the week after. He hits pretty damn hard.
Maybe you can survive that hit, Sully, and keep on with your treasure hunt. But you know what? This Mechanic will be ready and waiting for my chance to send you up shit’s creek. But don’t go sweating like a hooker in church, Sully. I won’t be looking to end your career. I’m just going to put it in neutral for a bit, send you back to chasing other singles titles.
Because that’s where you both belong: in singles competition. You’re no tag-team.
You have to trust in your partner. Bam & I have that trust, through many times working together in other federations. Freeball and Sully? Far as I know, they’ve barely even had passing conversations before. How can there be trust?
You have to know what the other person is thinking. I know instinctively when Bam’s primed to bust somebody up, and vice versa. These two? They barely are able to think for themselves, much less for a partner.
You have to work as a team. Bam & I know that it’s all about the victory, and we’ll share in the glory. Paulie & Jackie, though? They’ll probably treat this like they would a singles match, each wanting to stay in the ring as long as possible. That will cost them the tournament, more than anything.
Basically, kids, you don’t have the synergy that we have. You’re not a team. You’re a forced partnership, and it’s going to spell your downfall.
~We pick up where we left off, as Bam and Vaughn are flying down the highway. Strangely, the adrenaline burst of the fight & pursuit has helped Vaughn be more in control. Even with the improvement, though, the biker gang is still gaining on them. Bam, knowing the area better than Vaughn, signals for them to take the next dirt road. The sign hanging from the side, barely still upright, reads “Shakespeare, 2 Miles”. They fly off in that direction, Vaughn trusting that Bam is taking him the right way. A few minutes later, they reach the town of Shakespeare… or what’s left of it.~
Vaughn: So, Bam… this place is as dead as the playwright… what the heck, man…
Bam: I got this Vaughn, we got them following us right into a trap, these clowns won’t know what hit them until it's all over.
~Vaughn looks skeptical, but he’s never been fond of running from any fight. Bam parks his bike and leaves it, with Vaughn having no problem ditching his right next to it. They disappear into one of the structures, as the motorcycle gang pulls up. The apparent leader steps off her motorcycle, pointing around at the buildings.~
Leader: Find these bastards and drag them out here!
~The gang members nod and start separating, checking out the various buildings. We see two of them going into one of the smaller buildings, with one flicking his lighter to be able to see. They step in, with the door staying open long enough to see both men get yanked out of view. The sounds of cracks and thumps are heard. The camera moves inside, giving us a view of Bam and Vaughn standing over the two men, rubbing their sore knuckles.~
Vaughn: I get it. We break them down two at a time. Nice plan, Bam.
Bam: I just wanted a good fight and kick some ass real quick but the real plan is to cut the snake off the head. We eliminate the leader and her followers will be lost and then BAM! We are in charge.
Vaughn: I don’t have any problems taking out someone who wants to fight us. But you sure knocking her out will work?
Bam: All biker gangs have laws and codes they must abide by and this is one of them. It’s almost like prison rules you beat the biggest and hardest dog in the yard and then you become the one running things.
Vaughn: Fine. Let’s just get this taken care of. I’ve got better things to do than hanging out in this Tombstone rip-off.
~We go back outside, where we see more of the gang members circling around. Some are carrying various weapons that they’ve either brought with them or picked up off the ground. The heavyset woman is waiting near the bikes, glaring at everyone.~
Gang Member: No sign of them so far, Jax.
Jax: They have to be here somewhere! They wouldn’t just leave their bikes! Keep looking!
~The man grumbles under his breath, but turns and walks away. Jax angrily turns to the motorcycles of the two men they were chasing, kicking at one of them to knock it over.~
Vaughn: Well… that wasn’t very bright.
~Jax spins around, seeing Peter Vaughn standing there in front of her. Behind him, we can see another gang member on the ground. The rest of her gang is too far off to intervene, but she doesn’t back down, immediately pulling a switchblade out of her pocket.~
Jax: What’s stupid is you coming out of hiding just because I kicked your bike.
Vaughn: See, that’s the problem. That one there? That wasn’t MY bike…
~Confused, Jax turns to her right… as a brick comes flying in, cracking her right in the head!!! The brick shatters, but it still does enough damage, as Jax collapses to the ground. Bam Miller stands over her, furious at the treatment of his bike. He walks over to it, picking it up off the ground and checking to make sure there are no new scratches. Vaughn, meanwhile, takes in all the yells from the biker gang, who have spotted them. They come running up, a good half dozen or so, at least, surrounding them. Vaughn smirks at them.~
Vaughn: So, boys & girls, as you can see, we’ve taken out your leader. Sorry, guess we win the game.
~One of the guys remaining scoffs, spitting on the ground.~
Gang Member: You think that’s our leader? We hate that bitch! We only listen to her because she’s the DAUGHTER of our leader! And you know what? He’d skin us alive if we let you walk now.
~More weapons come out, as the gang moves in. Bam gets to his feet, stepping over next to Vaughn, who sighs, then seems to shrug.~
Vaughn: I guess it’s Plan B, then?
~Bam smirks at Vaughn and does a little lunatic laugh.~
Bam: This was always the plan, Vaughn.
~Bam then hefts a piece of pipe from the ground and begins swinging. Vaughn leaps forward as well, and the brawl is on, with it being a battle of the numbers vs. the fighting spirit of the two CCPE men.~
This is why Bam and I make such a good team.
Neither of us cares about the numbers. Neither of us give a shit about the odds. We're just going to dive in headfirst and annihilate anyone in our way.
I wonder if Freebie or Sully ever have those urges? Sully, I wouldn't be surprised. Freedom, though, he seems like the kind of guy who would rather drift off the side of the road to avoid that 18-wheeler in the opposite lane, rather than just moving over a few inches. I saw it first-hand at times, the boy looked a little skittish. I mean, it's something to work through, I'm not saying it's not fixable.
In the old days, I'd say Paulie just needs to become a man. But that's sexist towards Sully there, who's tougher than he is, so I'll just say Paulie needs to toughen up and move forward. Will Sully be able to drag him along against us? I guess we'll see, won't we?
I'm sorry, Paulie, but I can't help but see you as the weak link on your team. You're the one we're going to isolate and pound away on when we've got you in the corner. You're the one Bam is going to be choking out as I'm talking with the referee. You're most likely the recipient of a Miller Time or a Pounce. Of course, maybe you'll show me something in there. Maybe you'll last longer than we expect.
Leaving Bam & I to end up knocking out Sully while you're busy chilling out and resting on your side of the ring.
But hey, you'd be able to claim you weren't pinned. Some people really care about that sort of thing, after all.
Personally, I don't care how we defeat the FreeJack duo. If we get a pin, a count out victory, a DQ because Sully couldn't control herself, hey, whatever happens on that front, I can live with it. I'd rather knock someone unconscious, but I'll take a win however we can, because the main goal is to just take another step forward in the tournament. It's time for us to represent CCPE and add some more gold to its short history.
Once we win the gloves, maybe we'll circle back around and give FreeJack another try. I'd have no problems beating down everyone in the tournament more than once. I'm sure Bam would enjoy himself as well. The best way to get someone to take you seriously is by leaving a bloody trail in your wake. And believe me, there's going to be a trail of destruction as we move through this contest of champions. This tournament is going to be such a blast. Figuratively, and you never know, could be literally as well.
We're going to be standing tall, FreeJack. Prepare for one or both of you to take the Plunge.
~The picture comes back with Miller and Vaughn searching through a couple of backpacks. Bam reacts first, pulling out a couple of beers.~
Bam: Jackpot! Daddy’s found his babies, here Vaughn you take one.
~He tosses a beer to Vaughn, who smiles through a split lip. They both seem to be nursing some wounds, but nothing too debilitating. Around them, we can see the unconscious bodies of all of the biker gang members. There is only a twitch here and there of a leg or arm. The two men crack their beers open and take a drink… with neither looking too happy.~
Vaughn: Ugh…
Bam: Fuck me! This beer ain't nothing but warm piss now. What kind of jackass would do this to beer?
~Both throw the beers away, disappointed. They start back towards their motorcycles, getting them upright and sitting down. As Vaughn gets out his helmet again, he glances over at Bam.~
Vaughn: So who do you think the actual leader is?
Bam: Probably some jackass from Arlington, Massachusetts. Heard they got a lot of Freedom clowns from up there.
Vaughn: Well, I doubt we’ll ever hear from them again. Freedom Fighters, hah!
~The two men drive off, heading away from the ‘ghost’ town. Behind them, we can finally see one man stirring. He reaches painfully into his pocket and pulls out a phone, dialing someone.~
~The camera shot switches, showing a phone ringing on a table. A large hand reaches in, answering it.~
Voice: Speak.
~There’s a muffled sound from the phone, presumably the guy telling him what happened. Once he finishes, the man’s voice is heard again.~
Voice: Stay there.
~The phone is hung up, as we see the man’s hand pressing a speed-dial. It rings only once before it’s answered.~
Voice: Get everyone ready. EVERYONE. We head out in 10 minutes.
~The man hangs up before getting a response. He tosses the phone away, as the camera moves around to see him as he’s smoking his cigar.~
Man: They’re gonna pay.
~The man puts out his cigar by driving it into his hand, ignoring the pain, before getting up and storming out. The shot fades.~
