The Russian Nightmare: Ep.3
We enter scene with Alexi driving his car. He is sweaty and tired. In the passenger seat is his bodyguard, N. Alexi wears black athletic shorts and a black beater style tank top. N is wearing Jeans and a black fit tee shirt.
So. Is your wife doing well?
N nods, not speaking.
Ah, well that's good...
N nods again, with a reason unknown. Suddenly Alexi's phone rings, playing the Soviet National Anthem. He answers to hear his agent, Carl's voice.
Oh thank God, Carl. What's up?
A look of relief overtakes Alexi's face.
I just called to ask how your workout went.
Well I set a new personal best on Squats and Snatch.
Good, good. And your in-ring training?
Alexi gets a grin on his face.
N is a beast to work out with. What must you weigh, 350?
N nods his head in agreement.
Good to hear. You're making it to my wife's dinner, right?
Yeah, but I still don't know what it has to do with my image.
It doesn't. We invited you. Jeez, don't be thinking about work ALL the time.
Alexi gets a stunned look on his face, considering Carl's work on focusing Alexi. He tries to speak but Carl interjects.
Sounds good. See you in an hour, bye.
Alexi has an astonished look on his face. He turns to look at N, who gives an emotionless look through his shades. Alexi breaks out laughing and pulls up to an apartment.
We're here. Thanks for the workout. Be seeing you later.
N gets out and walks into the building. Alexi lets out a chuckle.
That guy needs to learn to talk.
He continues laughing and drives off. The camera cuts off.
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The camera returns, and we see Alexi sitting at a dinner table with his agent and a strikingly beautiful young lady.
The dinner was spectacular, Mrs. Berg.
Thank you, Alexi. And please, call me Katie.
It really was, dear.
Carl leans over and pecks his wife on the cheek with a kiss. She promptly blushes.
So, Carl. Why did you neglect to tell me that this was simply us spending time together and not business?
I didn't want you thinking you could bring buddies around.
What buddies? The only real friends I have are the one you know.
Oh, is that the sweetheart Erik who came around asking for you to work with Alexi?
That it is. He's a nice fellow. Why didn't you bring him?
I didn't think...I didn't know I could.
Well why not?
Both Katie and Carl laugh at the joke they've pulled. Alexi looks between them in confusion. Katie then promptly yells...
ERIK! Come out!
Alexi looks over to the living room in shock to see his friend emerge from it. All three laugh, excluding Alexi.
What is this?
Relax, man. They invited me last minute. I had already eaten, but I couldn't turn down an opportunity to see my good old Russian buddy.
Alexi rises to his feet and approaches Erik with a stern look on his face. He breaks into laughter and grasps Erik in a hug.
Long time no see!
You been too busy working!
We'll have to arrange a day off so we can hang out. I'll have to convince my hard-assed agent to give me one.
They look over at Carl, and Alexi winks. Carl grins and nods.
But hey, I got something I came to talk to you about. Congratulations on your first win a couple of weeks ago. I told you getting an agent would turn things around. First week with him whispering in your ear and you came out on top of that Ruiz guy.
What can I say, he's a genius. Have a seat with us.
Both men sit down back at the table, where Carl is whispering in Katie's ear.
Something you want to tell us?
I was just telling her that it was about to get serious.
What do you mean?
He looks at Erik in confusion.
You lost again last week.
Yeah, so? Everyone loses.
You do it too much. And the stakes were too high. You gotta get a title. That's where the big bucks are. That's what's gonna get you at the top. You need titles. Did you ask for a rematch.
I did for him. We can't give it to him. He never lost the belt. He would have to win contendership.
Well do I get a number one contenders match?
Yes and no.
Alexi looks back and forth between Erik and Carl.
Yes you get a number one contender's match. No, not for the Rampage title.
World Title?!
Alexi's face lights up in excitement.
No. North American Title.
And you have to bring your A plus game. You got 5 people to beat. and most of them have never been in a WKF ring. Which means we don't know what they can do.
So? You think I can't beat a bunch of newbies?
Carl gets a stern look on his face.
None of them are newbies. They have experience. Moon, Mendez, Chaos, they've all been in other federations.
And Chucho and Welfare have had matches in WKF already.
So? I can beat them?
Erik bows his head, reluctant to say what he will.
You seem to fold under pressure. You couldn't get the Rampage title. There's some pretty high stakes on this match too. Are you sure it isn't too much?
Too much? For the Russian Nightmare? You must be kidding? There's no such thing as too much pressure for me.
Then explain your loss for the Rampage belt.
Alexi looks down, then around the room for a minute before answering.
I lost because he was better than me on that day. He beat me on that day. But I have been training hard. I know what that loss means. I know what it feels like to lose with something hanging in the balance. I can't afford to lose again. Ruiz is a chump and he'll go on to get smashed by--
Hold up. That intensity is what we need in a promo for you. Save the energy. I'm scheduling an interview tomorrow. Give me that intensity, alright?
Uh, okay. You got it.
The camera fades out with Alexi and Erik leaving the house and getting into the car.
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We again check into a scene that shows Alexi sitting down in a chair next to Candy Lebebe. The interview seems to be getting under way.
So Alexi, what can you tell me about your new agent?
Carl's a great guy. At first, I hated what he wanted to do. But look at me! I mean, the style, the charisma, the confidence. It's all because of what he's been doing. The first interview was hell. I hated talking in front of people. I hated the autograph signing. But now, now I'm a true people's wrestler. Granted, they're all losers. They're overweight, ignorant Americans. But hey, people are people, right?
Um, right. what about your title match last week?
Well, I lost. I bet you all know that, and were happy to hear it. But I learned something. Even wrestlers have off days. But I know that I have to make sure that I have my off days in the middle of the week. I can't jeopardize losing on Carnage any more. I can't even dream to risk losing at the Showcase of on Pay-Per-Views.
Speaking of the showcase, you're a part of the Six Pack challenge for the North American Number One Contender spot. Thoughts?
Well, I'm glad Carl got me the spot. I don't like fighting hardcore like in the Rampage belt class. I like to technically crush my opponents. I like to outwrestle them, rather than to outcrazy them. I don't like using chairs. I don't like no count-outs. I want to win by beating my opponents at what the real sport is. I want to beat them by wrestling until they can't wrestle anymore. And that's exactly what I'm going to do on Friday. I'm going to wrestle Chaos, Mendez, Moon, Hiroshi, and Welfare. And they're going to have Russian Nightmares. They will cry in their sleep in pain from what I do to them.
Which would you rather face for the title, Bobby Beach or Eric Snow?
I want to face Snow. Sure, Beach is a decent guy, but he's too full of himself. I want to face Snow because he wrestles like a guy who has been doing it for 15 years. He knows what he's doing in the ring. And I want to face someone like that. I want a real challenge. Frankly, Beach is a pretty face and some muscles. But Snow, he's got a heart for the sport. He is what the business is about. He and I, we could put on a clinic. You say that some of the classics are clinics? You don't know a classic. Snow/Arilenko is an instant classic. Hell, just as a warmup, I'd like to challenge him to a real wrestling match. You know, collegiate? In fact, whether he wins the title or not, I want to face him in that match. Curtis better be watching, because next week, Snow and Arilenko will meet for the first time in the squared circle for a collegiate match.
Thank you for your time.
She smiles at Alexi and leaves. Carl walks in and takes her seat.
Good job. And I like the challenge at Snow. But are you sure you know what you've gotten yourself into?
I've been wrestling since I was seven. I know how to do it. Plus, I need to keep in shape somehow.
Carl grins. Both men get up and shake hands.
See you in the gym tomorrow?
You got it, champ.
Both men leave in their respective directions.
Fade to black.
