The scene opens up inside of the Gambino’s Ink, a tattoo parlor just on the outer limits of Miami, Florida. Jimmy Gambino, the owner, was bored out of his mind as he watched while his two clients, Bull Connor and Ape Simmons, played a card game in the back storage room. Ever since he, Bull, and Ape had been released from the Wrestling Kings Federation, he had nothing to do really other than a few tats a day and even that got boring after a while. They had tried their hand in a few indie feds here and there, but it got to be a bit hectic after a while. He sighs and goes back to watching as Bull won another hand, when the bell on the door rang, signifying that somebody has just entered the parlor. Whoever it was had decided to walk up to his desk and tap his buzzer to get his attention. They tapped it a few more times, irritating all three men.
Bull: JIMMY! GO SEE WHO IT IS!
Jimmy glares at Bull in annoyance
Jimmy: Why the fuck should I get it!?!
Bull: Because it’s your damn tattoo parlor, and you ain’t doin’ jack right now other than watchin’ us play cards. What if it was a customer man?
Jimmy muttered something under his breath, then gets up from his seat and walks out of the storage room. Jimmy walked through the short hallway and up to his desk, but to his annoyance, no one was there in the parlor. He looked around for a moment, even going up to the door and looking out of it, and still saw no one. He sighed in annoyance, before slamming the door shut and walking back to the storage room, where Bull had apparently won another hand.
Bull: So, who was it?
Jimmy: Nobody. Just some punk who was playin’ ding dong ditch I guess. Lucky I didn’t catch him or else I’d-
Ape snorted and cut Jimmy off as he picked up his cards from the table
Ape: You’d what? Run around screamin’, and then call us to take care of it like always?
Bull started laughing at the insult, while Jimmy glared at Ape. Before he could respond however, he was cut off once again, this time by a different voice.
????: (In a very dry, deadpanned manner) Ah ha ha ha ha, hahaha, ha, ha, ha, oh, a-hee-hee, ha ha, oh, hee ha, ahaha.
All three men turned towards the door, Bull and Ape both standing up in case things got violent, but then froze when they saw who the voice belonged to. It was Syn, accompanied by his protégé, Alisyn, and his brother, Kai, all standing in the doorway. Syn, who had most of his face covered by the black and grey hoodie he was wearing (Something Syn has done seemingly every time he’s out in public, Jimmy noticed), gave a very blank look as he stared at them.
Syn: And I thought that my dear brother had a very dull sense of humor.
Ape glared at Syn and starts shaking in anger at being mocked, before he starts to walk very menacingly towards him. Jimmy stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
Jimmy: Yo, calm down man! We’re all friends here, right?
Syn raised a brow in amusement at the word “Friend”, while Ape had calmed down. Syn and his companions waited a few moments, before Ape finally came around.
Ape: Yeah man, I guess you’re right. (Ape turns back to Syn) Sorry about that, I got a bit carried away there.
Syn waved off the apology
Syn: It’s not a problem. You wouldn’t be the first person to, uh, threaten me with bodily harm in recent times.
Ape chuckled at that, while Jimmy turned his attention back to Syn with a questioning look
Jimmy: So, Syn, what brings you here bro? You want another free tattoo or somethin’?
Syn smirks and clasps his hands together while Alisyn and Kai both take a seat. Syn and jimmy had an odd “arrangement” that spawned while Syn and bull had worked in a wrestling promotion together. Bull and jimmy had done several “Dirty Deeds” for Syn, and Syn repaid them in full. While it was in no way a friendship (Syn himself doubted if he even knew the meaning of the word anymore), it worked out well for both sides.
Syn: If it’s not too much for me to ask of you, Jimmy. My adorable little protégé (Syn places a hand on Alisyn’s shoulder, getting a small smile from the young woman) has met all of my standards I the ring, as well as out. As a token of her, uh, graduation, I told her she could have a congratulatory gift of her choosing; (Syn walked over to one of the shelves, looking over the various equipment with a curious gaze) and she chose to get a tattoo.
Jimmy nods in satisfaction at the answer and gives Alisyn a small smile, before gesturing towards the main part of the building.
Jimmy: Well now, let’s find out what design suits you best, doll.
Alisyn looks to Syn for an answer, and gets a nod of approval to go with Jimmy, before leaving the room. Jimmy went to follow after her, but is suddenly grabbed by the shoulder by Syn, who has a very dark look on his face. Jimmy flinches at the look as Syn leans next to his ear and begins to speak.
Syn: Jimmy, before you “Help” Alisyn, let me remind you that not only is she someone whom I have under my guidence, but she is still a young woman, 19 if my memory is correct. (Syn’s grip tightens, causing Jimmy to yelp out in pain) So, with that in mind, I would do my absolute best to avoid any of your more…undesirable traits, while in her presence. Am I clear?
Jimmy nods frantically, earning snickers from both Bull and Ape, as well as a small smirk from Kai, before Syn lets him go and he scurries out of the room. Bull can no longer hold it in and begins laughing uncontrollably, banging his hand on the small table as he does so. Syn shakes his head in amusement as he takes the seat nearest to the door, watching the game unfold as Bull wins another hand.
Bull: So, Syn (Syn turns his head slightly, looking straight at Bull) I hear that you went and joined some indie fed ran by some chick. Is it true?
Syn turns back to the table, his eyes focused on the deck of cards in the middle.
Syn: While I wouldn’t classify the promotion as being entirely “Independent”, you’ve heard right. Although I question how the company is ran at times, but that’s a complaint in progress that I’ve more than brought to Phoenix’s attention. (Syn steeples his fingers as he contemplates for a moment) Hmm, now that I think about it, Phoenix and I never did finish our little…argument.
Ape curses as Bull manages to win another hand, before bull turns his attention back to Syn.
Bull: So, what’s been happenin’? Any blood on your hands yet?
Syn chuckles darkly at the question, then answers.
Syn: No no, not at the moment Bull. It would be so (Syn pauses, thinking of the right word to use in this instance) non-impactful if I were to just go on a genocidal rampage this early. (Syn smirks) That, and it would be too easy for my at this point and time. I’ve had a hand in ending no less than 5 careers in the last 11 months, so I’ve more than proven myself in that regard. I want to end something more precious than a career. Something that’s beautiful and seemingly everlasting in this organization, which means an immeasurable amount in value, sentimental or otherwise, to someone. (Syn leans forward slightly, a sinister grin on his face as he has Bull and Ape’s undivided attention) I want to destroy a legacy.
Ape lets out a low whistle and Ape gives Syn an appreciative glance, while Kai remains stoic about his older brother’s desire, not showing the slightest change in emotion since arriving. Ape broke the momentary silence as Bull dealt out the cards.
Ape: That’s all well and good man, but how the hell do you plan on doin’ that?
Syn swiped a card from the deck that Bull and Ape and began playing with it, the smile never leaving his face.
Syn: By beating the bearer of our industry’s most well known legacy: Christopher Flair. (Syn continues playing with the card, a frown forming on his face) While I don’t particularly care about becoming the World Heavyweight Champion, I cannot and will not allow that tainted lie that he accepts to be a victory over me to stand, and it would be an offense in the highest degree if I even entertained the notion. It’s not out of hatred that I want to do this, mind you, but I want to see the look of absolute devastation and loss in his eyes once I take everything he works for, everything he stands for, and everything that he cherishes, and light it ablaze right before his very eyes.
By now, Bull and Ape had abandoned their card game after Syn had begun speaking, and were left speechless after he was done. There was an uncomfortable stretch of silence that followed, before Alisyn and Jimmy re-entered the room, Alisyn with her arm bandaged, and Jimmy looking immensely proud of himself.
Jimmy: Well, its finished! I gotta tell ya Syn, your girl has an eye for design and – (Jimmy notices the silence in the room) – did I miss somethin’?
Syn stands up, the card still in hand, before speaking.
Syn: Nothing, Jimmy. Just some interest on my future plans.
Jimmy nods in understanding, chalking this up to Syn’s eccentric behavior. Syn lays the card back down on the table and motions for Alisyn and Kai, gives Jimmy a brief farewell, and the three take their leave. Curious as to why Syn held on to the card for so long, Jimmy picked it up and looked at it, before he chuckles in amusement.
Jimmy: (Still chuckling)Typical Syn.
Jimmy tosses the card back onto the table, and it lands face up: It was a Joker card. The camera fades to black as it zooms in on the single card laying on the table.