Christopher Martello calmly walked out of Phoenix’s office, breathing a sigh of relief as he walked in the direction of his dressing room. ACW’s first show had been a success...but it had one minor hitch. After the show was over, he and Lisa had to endure a half an hour rant from Phoenix on the very obvious disrespect shown to her by one wrestler in particular. Syn. The maniacal madman’s remarks on her ability to run a wrestling promotion had enraged her, to say the least. This thought caused Christopher to pause in the middle of the hallway in thought.
Christopher: But why though?
Of all the things he knows about the mysterious, anarchistic former World Champion, he knew he always had a purpose for every action he took while he was in the ring. But for the life of him, he couldn’t think of why he would intentionally get on Phoenix’s bad side on the first show. It wasn’t in what little he knew of the guy to reveal something like this so early. Christopher continued to ponder these thoughts as he entered his dressing room and got ready to leave. But before he could sit down, his cell phone began ringing. He absent mindedly picked it up and answered.
Christopher: Hello?
???: Hello, Chrissstopher.
Christopher recoiled in shock as he stared at the phone for a few moments, before he slowly put it back up to his ear and started to speak.
Christopher: S-Syn?
He couldn’t see it, but he was pretty sure that Syn was giving an evil smile on the other end.
Syn: Correct. And before you ask, the answer to your question is No. (Christopher looked confused for a moment) I won’t divulge in how it is I’ve acquired your phone number. I have my share of (Syn clicked his teeth loudly with his tongue, causing Christopher to flinch slightly) methods that I’d like to be kept secret.
Christopher started to nod in understanding, but realized Syn wouldn’t be able to see it, so he spoke instead.
Christopher: I understand...I think. But that wasn’t my only question. If you don’t mind, I’d like to do an interview for the next show.
He was met with silence on the other end, causing him to rethink his decision for a moment, remembering how Syn had a loathing for most interviewers and reporters (well, MALE reporters and interviewers, anyway.), when Syn finally spoke up.
Syn: Seeing as how the, uh, prohibition on me being near Female-Employees is still in place, you can have your interview with me (Christopher breathed a sigh of relief for a moment) but it will be at a time and place of my choosing. (Syn’s voice drops its cheeriness and becomes somewhat sinister) Is that clear?
Christopher shivers slightly at the evil tone, but tries not to let his fear show as he answers Syn’s question.
Christopher: Y-yes.
Syn: Ah, excellent. I’ll send one of my newest (Syn pauses) Disciples to find you when the time comes. You’ll recognize him easily enough.
Before Christopher can ask any more questions, the line goes dead, signaling that Syn had ended their conversation. He stares at the phone for a few moments, before he sighs and leaves the dressing room, his mind now focused on the impending interview with Syn.
-------------------------------------------------- (Charlotte, North Carolina. 4 days later) ----------------------------------------------
Christopher silently, for what seemed like the 1000th time in the last hour, wondered exactly what it was that he has gotten himself into as he followed his masked guide up another set of stairs. He had been called by Syn less than 24 hours after their conversation, and told that the interview would, for reasons not explained, taking place on top of a 10 story building in Charlotte, North Carolina. When he arrived in the city, he had been “Found†by Syn’s appointed guide for him. The man, only known to him as Cain (so far that’s the ONLY thing he’s told Christopher) had driven him to the area Syn had talked about, and decided to take the long way up. Cain paused, causing Christopher to stop as well. It seemed as though they reached the top finally. He silently stepped aside and opened the door, allowing Christopher to walk to the outside. As he did, he saw Syn, who was once again wearing a dark colored hoodie that kept most of his face well hidden, smiling in a very unpleasant manner.
Syn: Ah, it seems as though our guest has arrived. Now we can finally get this interview underway.
Christopher just nods in acknowledgement, before he pulls a recorder out of his pocket and presses the on button and begins to speak.
Christopher: First of all, I’d like to thank you for granting me this interview with you Syn (Syn gives a quick smirk), now onto my first question: in the opening minutes of Adrenaline’s debut, you had a very brief, but very interesting war of words with ACW’s owner, Phoenix. Why would someone of your reputation want to make an enemy of her on the very first broadcast?
Syn gave a very dark chuckle, before speaking.
Syn: Based off of how you worded your, uh, question, I assume that you have studied the very few tapes of me that are out there, have you not? (Christopher nods slowly, causing Syn to smirk) Good. Now, to answer your question, I confronted Miss Phoenix in the manner that I did to gauge her reaction. (Christopher looks confused for a moment) While I was a bit insulted that she didn’t truly notice my ability, I could care less about her placing me in a qualifying match or not placing me in a match and giving me the title outright. I’ve heard about her struggles and how misogynic viewpoints from the male authority figures around her may have had something to do with, and just wanted to see how our lovely employer reacts when she’s provoked, to test her if you will.
Christopher gives a slightly confused look at the answer, but decides not to dig any further and go onto the next question.
Christopher: Uh, thank you for that informative answer. On to my next question: You, along with Drew Alexander, Eric Snow, and Christopher Flair, will compete in the fatal 4 way match at Breaking Ground for the ACW World Heavyweight Championship, but on Adrenaline, the four of you will be facing off in a different manner. It will be the team of Eric Snow and Drew Alexander taking on yourself and Christopher Flair. Your thoughts?
Syn walked over towards the ledge of the building and gazed down at the city below, a small smile on his face as he answers.
Syn: Truth be told, I haven’t given the tag team match as much thought as I usually would. Not because of lack of interest, but because whatever it is that I need to know about my opponents and partner, I already know. (Christopher looks curious at this, but Syn doesn’t notice it) While I admittedly know very little of Andrews’, the match give me all the time I need to read him. The other two, however, I’m somewhat familiar with. Eric Snow and I were, at one point in time, in the same wrestling promotion. With his ability and the amount of success he was having, it was a foregone conclusion that one day he and I would face off.
Syn’s smirk turns sinister as he pauses for a moment, and then continues speaking.
Syn: And then we have my “Partnerâ€, “The Son of God†Christopher Flair. The only person in the company, other than myself, who knows Championship Success, and he comes from one of the most legendary lineages in our profession. Yes, I know of Christopher Flair and every bit of success he has obtained in this business.
Syn trailed off after that, deep in thought. His demeanor seems to change and abruptly turns around, startling Christopher as he gives a cold smile to him.
Syn: It seems, much like our last one I’m afraid, that our little interview must come to a premature end. Cain will escort you away from the premises.
Syn turned away from Christopher as Cain led the interviewer back down the stairs, before pulling out a phone. He dialed a number and placed it up to his ear as it rings, before the person on the other end picks up.
Christopher Flair: (In a tired voice) I swear to God that whoever you are, you have a damn good reason for waking me up at –
Syn cuts Flair off before he can continue.
Syn: Not exactly a morning person, are we Flair?
Syn was met with silence, causing him to give a sadistic smile. Finally, after a few moments, Flair starts speaking again, a small note of fear in his voice.
Flair: How the hell did you get my number?
Syn: Not a particularly important discovery on my part, but I have my ways at getting information. (Syn drops the false cheeriness from his voice and stares at the penthouse section of the hotel building in front of him) But I called to just relay a friendly little warning. I, as well as every other wrestling in the world, know that the Flair family is considered specialists in the art of playing dirty with their opposition. (Syn glares at the penthouse, as if waiting for something) While I myself am a crafty individual, I haven’t gained my notoriety by taking chances that could be avoided. With that in mind, I want you to consider this: Everything bit of information about you, down to the most useless and menial detail can be in my possession in a matter of moments. This means that if you were to think of trying something that would compromise me, there isn’t anywhere in the world that you would be able to hide from me.
Flair went to speak, but Syn once again cut him off.
Syn: Oh, and before you dismiss this as a feeble attempt at bluffing, a advise you to look outside for a moment, then tell me if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Syn waited a few moments, before smirking as he saw Flair cautiously approaching the window. It didn’t take him long to find spot Syn, causing his smirk to widen considerably as he saw the look of horror on Flairs face.
Syn: I don’t make idol threats, “Chrisâ€. I’m, if nothing else, a man of my word.
Syn ends the phone call and gives the still-stunned Flair a mock wave, before walking off, cackling evilly as the camera fades to black.
