Post by rocketmanedh on Nov 5, 2019 14:24:11 GMT -6
The scene opens up over the Las Vegas strip at night. The camera slowly passes the iconic hotels located on the strip. A down shot is shown, revealing the cars and people down on the street, scurrying from hotel to hotel. The camera pans to the ground where it settles on Ed Houston and Bob Black crossing the street. They both have bags in their hands, filled with touristy knick-knacks from around the strip.
Bob: “Isn’t this city awesome?”
Houston: “I mean, I guess so. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of gyms around here.”
Bob: “This is the Las Vegas strip! Why would there by any gyms here?”
Houston: “I don’t know man. Strippers need to work out.”
Bob: “No. No. No! We are not going to spend our time in Las Vegas just in the gym.”
Houston: “Man, you are hard to please. First, I’m not spending enough time in the gym and now once Barrows moves off of you, you want to do everything but go to the gym.”
Bob: “That’s not true. I just want to see the sights here. It’s Vegas, baby!”
Houston smiles: “Calm down. I’m messing with you. Mostly anyway. Fine, where do you want to go?”
Bob: “Why don’t we go where the wind takes us?”
Houston rolls his eyes. “That doesn’t even make sense. A rocket could produce enough force but the wind?”
Bob ignores Ed as he makes an exaggerated motion over to the Planet Hollywood casino to this left.
Ed sighs but follows him inside.
As they walk inside, Bob throws his arms in the air, taking in the number of machines and tables in front of him. “See! This is what I’m talking about.”
Houston: “God I feel like I’m in Miami.”
Bob: “Great! You love Miami.”
Houston: “Not this part of Miami.”
They walk over to a large bar area. Next to it are many flat screen televisions, tuned to different sporting events. Scores and odds flash on a ticker underneath. Ed and Bob have found themselves in the Planet Hollywood sports book.
On a screen to the side there are a list of odds for GCWA Homecoming.
Bob: “Oh look cool. You guys made the big leagues. Odds!”
Houston: “Come on, Bob. I don’t want to see them. You know how those odds are, just wild guesses.”
Bob: “I want to see them!”
Houston: “Why?”
Bob: “Maybe there’s someone with good odds. Maybe there’s someone on that list that’s like a lottery ticket. Might be worth throwing a couple of dollars down.”
Houston: “Nah. I’ll pass. I don’t want to go for that easy money. You know how I am. I took a walk at even getting an advantage in a championship match.”
Bob shrugs: “Suit yourself, Ed. I’m going to take a look.”
Ed turns to one television that has squirrels racing dogs on it. He watches intently as Bob Black meanders towards the desk. He returns a few minutes later with a ticket in his hand.
Bob: “You’re not going to like your odds.”
Houston shrugs: “I don’t need to see them. I told you, it doesn’t matter what they think.”
Bob: “I think you should take a look.”
Houston relents after a minute. “Fine. I’ll go take a look. What did you put money on?”
Bob: “Oh a couple of different things. I even got a parley going. I told you this place is great.”
Houston: “I’m sure you could have found any bookie in Texas.”
Bob: “Probably but they always give you the worst odds.”
Ed walks over the table. He places his bag on the desk and looks to the side where the board is. The Rocket Man waits for a minute as the list scrolls up. He immediately sees himself listed as a 10-1 underdog. Ed can’t believe it. He looks at the guy working the counter in shock.
Houston: “Those odds can’t be right.”
The guy looks on the board: “Oh those? Yeah those are right.”
Houston: “I’m a 10-1 underdog?”
The guy shrugs. “I don’t know who you are.”
Houston looks upset. “I can’t believe that! I’m fine going into this match as an underdog, but 10-1. Jesus.”
The guy still doesn’t understand what Ed’s talking about. “I’m sorry, Sir but..”
Houston: “Oh you and all those bettors, throwing money down on TIO will be sorry. Come on, let’s go Bob.”
A look of glee comes across Bob’s face, almost like this was his plan all along.
As soon as Ed turns he into a man, causing him to drop his drink.
Ed gasps. “I’m sorry about that man. Here, get yourself another drink.” Ed hands him a $20. He grabs the bag on the table and runs out of the sports book area. The man looks upset as he tries to wipe the drink off of his face. He heads over to the bar area.
The camera focuses in on a bag left on the sports book table before the scene fades to black.
In this industry everyone is looking for their lottery ticket. They want to walk in to the casino, throw a quarter in the machine and walk out never having to work again. That is what The Incredible One is trying here in GCWA so it’s only fitting that we get to battle in Las Vegas. It sounds weird at first, a multi-federation legend trying to take out the plucky underdog. How does that equal striking it rich? If you look at our history, you would think those roles are reversed and maybe in the mind of the fans, I’m the one grasping for the lottery ticket. But I don’t look at it that way. TIO’s actions since joining GCWA clarify that he sees me as the one he must take down to make a name in here. He could have gone straight for The Big Bifford like Eric Dane did. He could have ended Derek Mobley’s career before Biff got his massive hands on him. He could have retired Lurrr, knocking out GCWA’s other biggest legend, but instead it was my dream he ended. Despite all that he’s accomplished elsewhere, he has seen the surrounding narrative change. I went from a guy who watched on the sideline as he won championships in Boardwalk, to the guy competing for those championships in GCWA. He went from the guy that always had his hand raised to a guy that fizzled out of OCW in the span of a few months. Our roles in the GCWA universe became flipped. I was the star suddenly, TIO became a planet that was so abused by asteroids and space that while it was once lush it had become desolate and uninhabitable. Part of me will never forgive him for costing me my shot, but another part of me understands why he did what he did. In space, the only constant is chaos, so while it will take TIO years to overcome what he’s become, he did what made complete sense in his jealous mind. He attacked. He thought if he could bring me down then maybe he could cope with being a shell of himself. He might justify it by saying he had to do it, that the Barrows’ made the choice for him. That he would be a fool not to do it. He saw that slot machine spinning and as the first two rows showed cherries, he reached out and took his shot at undeserved riches.
It is now my job to show him that in this industry, the only success that really matters is the one that is earned through hard work. I didn’t get blasted into the main event of Homecoming. I won my way there. When my back was up against the wall, I got the job done. Now I have to do the same in Las Vegas although the stakes are higher. Two out of three falls will determine if TIO’s get rich quick scheme pays dividends. I have two chances to defend my dreams of being a world champion and to show that if TIO hadn’t gotten involved, I would have been the center of the GCWA universe. I know it won’t be easy, the only other time we faced off TIO beat me, but that should work in my favor. Since he’s been here, TIO has proven that he’s fine with taking the easy way out. When he’s pushed to his limit, I expect him to go crashing back to earth. I will stay flying. My entire career has been about avoiding the dumb luck, quick cash out. It has been about building a foundation and it has come naturally. In NASA, if you didn’t have that foundation, you would be a quick out. The training I’ve received and the discipline I’ve built up over the years will be the difference in our match at High Rollers. I’ll give TIO a flight lesson to show him what it takes to succeed here. As he hears the final countdown, he’ll realize that you can’t kill The Rocket Man’s hopes and dreams and he’ll realize that TIO and the Barrows have a problem.
Bob: “Isn’t this city awesome?”
Houston: “I mean, I guess so. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of gyms around here.”
Bob: “This is the Las Vegas strip! Why would there by any gyms here?”
Houston: “I don’t know man. Strippers need to work out.”
Bob: “No. No. No! We are not going to spend our time in Las Vegas just in the gym.”
Houston: “Man, you are hard to please. First, I’m not spending enough time in the gym and now once Barrows moves off of you, you want to do everything but go to the gym.”
Bob: “That’s not true. I just want to see the sights here. It’s Vegas, baby!”
Houston smiles: “Calm down. I’m messing with you. Mostly anyway. Fine, where do you want to go?”
Bob: “Why don’t we go where the wind takes us?”
Houston rolls his eyes. “That doesn’t even make sense. A rocket could produce enough force but the wind?”
Bob ignores Ed as he makes an exaggerated motion over to the Planet Hollywood casino to this left.
Ed sighs but follows him inside.
As they walk inside, Bob throws his arms in the air, taking in the number of machines and tables in front of him. “See! This is what I’m talking about.”
Houston: “God I feel like I’m in Miami.”
Bob: “Great! You love Miami.”
Houston: “Not this part of Miami.”
They walk over to a large bar area. Next to it are many flat screen televisions, tuned to different sporting events. Scores and odds flash on a ticker underneath. Ed and Bob have found themselves in the Planet Hollywood sports book.
On a screen to the side there are a list of odds for GCWA Homecoming.
Bob: “Oh look cool. You guys made the big leagues. Odds!”
Houston: “Come on, Bob. I don’t want to see them. You know how those odds are, just wild guesses.”
Bob: “I want to see them!”
Houston: “Why?”
Bob: “Maybe there’s someone with good odds. Maybe there’s someone on that list that’s like a lottery ticket. Might be worth throwing a couple of dollars down.”
Houston: “Nah. I’ll pass. I don’t want to go for that easy money. You know how I am. I took a walk at even getting an advantage in a championship match.”
Bob shrugs: “Suit yourself, Ed. I’m going to take a look.”
Ed turns to one television that has squirrels racing dogs on it. He watches intently as Bob Black meanders towards the desk. He returns a few minutes later with a ticket in his hand.
Bob: “You’re not going to like your odds.”
Houston shrugs: “I don’t need to see them. I told you, it doesn’t matter what they think.”
Bob: “I think you should take a look.”
Houston relents after a minute. “Fine. I’ll go take a look. What did you put money on?”
Bob: “Oh a couple of different things. I even got a parley going. I told you this place is great.”
Houston: “I’m sure you could have found any bookie in Texas.”
Bob: “Probably but they always give you the worst odds.”
Ed walks over the table. He places his bag on the desk and looks to the side where the board is. The Rocket Man waits for a minute as the list scrolls up. He immediately sees himself listed as a 10-1 underdog. Ed can’t believe it. He looks at the guy working the counter in shock.
Houston: “Those odds can’t be right.”
The guy looks on the board: “Oh those? Yeah those are right.”
Houston: “I’m a 10-1 underdog?”
The guy shrugs. “I don’t know who you are.”
Houston looks upset. “I can’t believe that! I’m fine going into this match as an underdog, but 10-1. Jesus.”
The guy still doesn’t understand what Ed’s talking about. “I’m sorry, Sir but..”
Houston: “Oh you and all those bettors, throwing money down on TIO will be sorry. Come on, let’s go Bob.”
A look of glee comes across Bob’s face, almost like this was his plan all along.
As soon as Ed turns he into a man, causing him to drop his drink.
Ed gasps. “I’m sorry about that man. Here, get yourself another drink.” Ed hands him a $20. He grabs the bag on the table and runs out of the sports book area. The man looks upset as he tries to wipe the drink off of his face. He heads over to the bar area.
The camera focuses in on a bag left on the sports book table before the scene fades to black.
In this industry everyone is looking for their lottery ticket. They want to walk in to the casino, throw a quarter in the machine and walk out never having to work again. That is what The Incredible One is trying here in GCWA so it’s only fitting that we get to battle in Las Vegas. It sounds weird at first, a multi-federation legend trying to take out the plucky underdog. How does that equal striking it rich? If you look at our history, you would think those roles are reversed and maybe in the mind of the fans, I’m the one grasping for the lottery ticket. But I don’t look at it that way. TIO’s actions since joining GCWA clarify that he sees me as the one he must take down to make a name in here. He could have gone straight for The Big Bifford like Eric Dane did. He could have ended Derek Mobley’s career before Biff got his massive hands on him. He could have retired Lurrr, knocking out GCWA’s other biggest legend, but instead it was my dream he ended. Despite all that he’s accomplished elsewhere, he has seen the surrounding narrative change. I went from a guy who watched on the sideline as he won championships in Boardwalk, to the guy competing for those championships in GCWA. He went from the guy that always had his hand raised to a guy that fizzled out of OCW in the span of a few months. Our roles in the GCWA universe became flipped. I was the star suddenly, TIO became a planet that was so abused by asteroids and space that while it was once lush it had become desolate and uninhabitable. Part of me will never forgive him for costing me my shot, but another part of me understands why he did what he did. In space, the only constant is chaos, so while it will take TIO years to overcome what he’s become, he did what made complete sense in his jealous mind. He attacked. He thought if he could bring me down then maybe he could cope with being a shell of himself. He might justify it by saying he had to do it, that the Barrows’ made the choice for him. That he would be a fool not to do it. He saw that slot machine spinning and as the first two rows showed cherries, he reached out and took his shot at undeserved riches.
It is now my job to show him that in this industry, the only success that really matters is the one that is earned through hard work. I didn’t get blasted into the main event of Homecoming. I won my way there. When my back was up against the wall, I got the job done. Now I have to do the same in Las Vegas although the stakes are higher. Two out of three falls will determine if TIO’s get rich quick scheme pays dividends. I have two chances to defend my dreams of being a world champion and to show that if TIO hadn’t gotten involved, I would have been the center of the GCWA universe. I know it won’t be easy, the only other time we faced off TIO beat me, but that should work in my favor. Since he’s been here, TIO has proven that he’s fine with taking the easy way out. When he’s pushed to his limit, I expect him to go crashing back to earth. I will stay flying. My entire career has been about avoiding the dumb luck, quick cash out. It has been about building a foundation and it has come naturally. In NASA, if you didn’t have that foundation, you would be a quick out. The training I’ve received and the discipline I’ve built up over the years will be the difference in our match at High Rollers. I’ll give TIO a flight lesson to show him what it takes to succeed here. As he hears the final countdown, he’ll realize that you can’t kill The Rocket Man’s hopes and dreams and he’ll realize that TIO and the Barrows have a problem.