Post by Mack O'Connor on Jan 28, 2021 4:35:41 GMT -6
Thursday
January 28th
Mack O’Connor sits in a small office. Specifically, he sits in a small chair in front of a desk. Behind the desk sits a woman, named by her desk placard naming her: Leah Kreitz, Parole Officer.
Mack shifts uncomfortably as Kreitz stares at him.
So we both know there were some discrepancies regarding your parole.
Mack shifts again.
Yes. And look, I apologize for what I said to your secretary over the phone. I was emotional at the time and I can honestly tell you that I didn’t mean to explode like I did.
Look, all I need is paperwork from your employer to show that you are required to travel through different states. Normally parolees are required to stay within one state, but there are indeed these rare exceptions where travel is necessary. As long as you can provide that proof, than we don’t have a problem.
So I just need to email you the itinerary?
Sure. That would work for now.
Great.
Kreitz types on her computer for a moment, then casually glances at Mack.
Unless you have any other questions, you are free to go.
That’s it? You seemed so adamant on the phone that this was a serious issue.
It is a serious issue. But we’ve worked out most of the problem.
I see.
Anything else?
Nope. I think that’s it.
Great. Then just send me those documents and we can clear this up.
Yep. Thanks.
----------
Moments later, Mack walks out of the building. Just as he lights up a cigarette, a familiar face joins him: Treat Cassidy.
How did it go?
Good.
Good. So I went over everything. I went over the video footage and the other information you gave me. You don’t have to worry about any criminal case for pulling out the shank on James Raven. Since GCWA is an entertainment company first, we have a very convincing argument that you pulled the shank for entertainment purposes. Since you never actually connected the shank with Raven to cause harm, they can’t counter that you actually assaulted him. So we’re most likely clear in that regard.
Mack seems both pleased and annoyed simultaneously.
Great.
I do appreciate you calling me. Regardless of everything that’s happened in the past, I am seriously happy to know that you do understand that I simply want the best for you.
Mack stands in silence, taking a drag off of his cigarette.
I won’t push the issue though. I know this is all still very fragile. I understand that. And I’m more than happy to work on it. And I’m sure that you you’re willing to work on it with me.
Mack takes another drag, staring off into nothing.
So, what do you say, Mack? Can we officially call me your agent again?
Treat extends his hand, hoping Mack will accept it and shake it in agreement. Instead, Mack stares at Treat’s hand for several moments. He then takes another drag off of his cigarette.
I didn’t call you, Treat.
Treat looked confused.
Well, yes. I know you didn’t personally call me to come down here. But a representative of GCWA did call me on your behalf, so I came right down. It was obvious you asked them to call me. So here I am.
Mack recalled asking an orderly to make that call. Still, he didn’t want to admit it to Treat.
I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.
Seriously?
Why would I call you, Treat?
Treat straightens his tie.
Well, because… Although we don’t always see eye to eye, I’ve always had your best interest in my heart. And I’ve worked based on that. And despite our differences, you know that. You know I’ve worked to support you.
Mack stares at him for a moment, taking another drag off of his cigarette.
I don’t know, Treat. You haven’t always seemed to have my back.
It may seem that way, and I know there’s nothing I can say to prove otherwise.
Very true.
Treat: So… You really didn’t have someone call me?
Nope.
Treat looks genuinely upset.
Who would order someone to call me?
Mack thinks for a moment.
----------
The Accelerator sits in his wheelchair behind his large, fancy desk. Are we at his home? His office? Somewhere in a GCWA arena? Hard to tell… But this office is big and fancy.
There’s a knock on the door. The Accelerator looks up from his work.
Come in.
A suited bodyguard walks in first. He slowly approaches the desk.
You have a visitor, sir.
Who?
A Mack O’Connor. I believe he’s a member of the organization you own.
Yes, he is. Let him in.
The bodyguard nods. He walks back to the door and leaves. A moment later, Mack O’Connor walks through the door. He takes his time, taking in the fancy nature of the office. He eventually sits in a chair in front of the desk, staring at the Accelerator who sits behind it.
Mr. O’Connor.
Mr… Accelerator.
What can I do for you?
Mack scratches the stubble on his chin, thinking of the right words to say.
I trust that you will be completely honest with me, right? I don’t think you have a reason to lie to me.
The Accelerator shrugs.
You just said it: I have no reason to lie to you.
Okay, great.
Mack fiddles with his thumbs for a moment, thinking of the diplomatic way to say what he wants to say. Then he just shrugs, as if saying “Fuck it.”
Okay… Did you contact Treat Cassidy?
The Accelerator smiles.
Is that a yes?
Yes. I contacted Treat Cassidy.
Mack leans back in his chair, almost in disbelief.
And why the fuck would you do that?
Ace thinks for a moment.
I know it seems like an extreme course of action. But I felt like it was necessary.
Why the fuck would you think that it was necessary?
I don’t know you very well, Mack. Sure, I pulled you out of prison. And I admit that I did that for my own selfish reasons.
Yeah, we’ve talked about that. But shit, if you ask Betsy Granger, you would think that your daughter was the one pulling the strings.
So we agree that Granger isn’t the most rational individual.
In that we do agree.
But back to the case at hand…
Mack leans forward.
Yes. I’m assuming you know that I cut off Cassidy months ago. Many months ago. So many months, in fact, that I don’t even remember what specific month it was.
Okay.
So? Why?
The Accelerator clears his throat.
Look, Mack… GCWA isn’t what it used to be. It’s always evolving and changing. And Cassidy knows how to keep up with the ever changing landscape. So I thought I’d give him a call to help you with your legal trouble.
But were you aware that I refused to work with that motherfucker again?
I know you had choice words for him… But I still thought it was worth reaching out for your own good.
Man… Fuck you.
That sentiment is unnecessary,
Mack stands up, turning to leave.
(Mocking the Accelerator) “That sentiment Is unnecessary.”
Mack slams the door behind him.
----------
You know what? I’m irritated. I honestly am irritated. I didn’t ask for any of this shit. Twice now I’ve been put in this situation. Twice! I’m just serving my sentence, minding my own business… Then bam, someone comes and pulls me out. They pulled me out and threw me right into competition. The first time I defeated Duce Jones, then went on to beat Ed Houston to become the GCWA Champion. And what did it get me? Scorn. It got me the disrespect of everyone in the organization. All because they thought I was given some short cut. They chose to view the situation as if the game was rigged to allow me to win, as if I was given some advantage. In reality, I was given a chance to fight for my freedom. And so I fought for it. And I won. And for many months, I continued to fight for that freedom.
Mack takes a breath.
And as I predicted, I eventually lost. And so I went back behind bars. I knew it was bound to happen, and I dealt with it. Then, as I said, someone came and pulled me back out. I was fine just serving my time but someone reached their arm in, grabbed me, and yanked me back into the game.
Mack shakes his head.
And this is what I get for it.
Mack stares ahead for a moment, then continues.
I’m tired of this shit. I know how people look at me. And ultimately, I don’t care what they think they see. When I’m required to fight, I fight. And I fight hard. And I fight my best. And more times than not, I’ve come out on top. But the haters still make their way out. Haters like Betsy Granger. Someone so focused on so irrelevant criticisms of me, I honestly don’t even know how to address it.
Mack puts a cigarette in his mouth, taking a quick drag.
I don’t even know what to think of Betsy Granger anymore. One moment, I have the most respect for the woman. She wins the Righteous Rumble the same night I beat her man to win the World Title. Sure, I felt a little guilty for my part in emasculating James Raven that night… But at the end of the day, I would assume that he would support his woman and her drive for the World Title. And I was right. But I could never anticipate what kind of dumb shit they would get into…
Mack takes another drag.
I… I don’t even know how to address Granger now. I understand the fair share of responses due to emotions… But now? I simply don’t know what to say. The woman has completely lost her mind. I can’t blame her really… Anyone allying herself with the likes of these people would probably need a psych evaluation. Warstein is a sociopath on the verge of shooting up a college campus. Both Jacksons are on their way to sexual harassment lawsuits. And Raven? He may not face legal trouble, but I can only imagine the stress he’ll have to face when Granger realizes he’s been cheating on her. Sure, I don’t have any proof he’s been cheating… But once you look at her behavior, how can you not conclude that he’s been cheating on her? She’s a looker, but she’s a fucking psychopath. Poor James is struggling and dying inside, and this bitch is exploiting him. She’s using his friends, like Warstein, for her own personal gain. I can only imagine what she has planned for Raven once she’s done using him and his friends. I mean, let’s be real for a moment… How has she raised in the ranks so fast? Ask her, and she’ll say that she’s simply worked hard and put in the hours. But so has so many other people…. So why hasn’t Warstein rised in the ranks? Why hasn’t Noah? Why hasn’t Jackson? Why is she the only one that has benefited from her relationship to Raven? Personally, it sounds like a whole new controversy. But that’s not why I’m here.
Mack takes another drag.
I’m here because I take advantage of every chance I’m given. And the Accelerator gave me another chance, you know? So I’m here to compete. I’m here to fight and keep myself out of prison. Some people can take that information in and empathize with my situation. Others conjure up strange visions of fighting alien invaders and saving Earth.
Mack leans forward.
I’m not exaggerating. That happened.
The Uber driver shrugs.
Okay, man. whatever. I’m here.
Mack glances out the window: His house in San Gabriel Valley.
Lovely.
