OOC - Just a warning, this RP is very long. I had so many ideas flow to mind throughout writing it that added to my character's background, so I had to go for it! Apologies for the writers, but alot of people know me as "the bomb guy" with my TTs, so it was just natural that I did it for an RP too. If you wanna know what my character is all about, then read this
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It remains to be seen what the future will hold for the newest wrestling company that has emerged from the rich soil, like a flower blossoming underneath the sunlight. To date, it has been business as usual for this fledging company, one that has already signed an array of exciting, of passionate, and unique superstars to its booming roster. The potential is extraordinary, but such a statement cannot be held above what expectations these superstars have individually placed upon their shoulders. The burden will separate the strong from the weak, the disciplined from the erratic, the determined from the unfocused, and such pressures will take their toll on many. The demand may be great, but such adversity has already been felt by one superstar in particular for just about his entire existence. He was the twelfth man to pen a World Wrestling Icons contract, going by the name Dominic Armstrong.
A camera is switched on, and the first sight we see is a quiet homestead that seems to be sitting comfortably, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The house is established out of wood, surrounded by trees that keep the heat from bursting through the windows, like a dog crashing through the backdoor when called for its dinner. As the camera approaches the homestead, the front door is seen slowly opening. Not a creek is heard to disturb the calm nature of the area, rather the opposite, as if the very foundations of the home are at one with the habitat surrounding it. As the door is seen closing, a man has emerged from the back wearing jeans and an undershirt that is covered by a flannelette jacket, with sunglasses protecting his eyes from the harsh sunlight. The man is the aforementioned Dominic Armstrong, who walks down the porch steps with a grin of satisfaction etched across his face, as if to say this is how he dreamed his life to be.
Dominic fiddles through his pocket for his keys as he begins to round his car, suddenly noticing the camera creeping up on him.
Dominic Armstrong: Whoa, this is a little unexpected. I didn't think you guys were coming for the interview until tomorrow?
The man behind the camera, who is pulling double duty by revealing himself to be conducting the interview too, responds.
Interviewer: Actually, we called you a couple of hours ago regarding the change, but I'm afraid we got no answer.
Dominic's head tilts back as he stares at the cloudless blue sky, again with the grin etched on his face. He looks down at the ground and scratches his head.
Dominic Armstrong: You'd think having a nap on the lounge in the middle of the day wouldn't cause me any embarrassment, but sometimes the world works in mysterious ways. Maybe next time I'll think otherwise.
Interviewer: We did leave a message on your answering machine though.
Dominic Armstrong: ...or maybe I should check my answering machine next time, huh?
Interviewer: Haha, well, maybe... so are you able to do the interview, or is this time inconvenient for you?
Dominic Armstrong: No, it's fine. I'm not up to anything today; in fact I was just making my way in town as I'm out of milk and a few other essentials. Jump in, we can get some of it done on the way there and back.
The camera shoots Dominic fiddling with his keys and unlocking the car door. He swings the car door open and hops in, shutting it behind him. The Interviewer, camera in hand, does the same on the opposite side of the car, getting into the passenger seat. The first shot of the car is Dominic clicking his seatbelt, while the camera pans around to show a clean, two-seater as the engine suddenly begins to run. The car slowly takes off before the brakes are slammed on, causing the Interviewer to swing the camera in the direction of Dominic, who sits in the driver's seat, again with the grin etched across his face.
Dominic Armstrong: Oh yeah, I almost forgot something. It's not often I have passengers in my car, so it's my duty as the driver of this vehicle to ask... have you got your seatbelt on?
Interviewer: Of course, it's a habit for anyone to put their seatbelt on when they enter a car.
Dominic Armstrong: But that's just it, not every parent teaches their children the fundamentals of life. It sounds to me as if yours did, but for others... well, putting on a seatbelt can be a little more complicated than that.
The car now begins to make its way down the rugged driveway as the Interviewer senses the information goldmine and immediately proceeds with the interview from there.
Interviewer: I'm guessing that you are one of those people you mentioned. Correct?
Dominic Armstrong: Yep, I sure was.
Interviewer: Is that a place I can go to?
Dominic Armstrong: It depends what you'd like to know.
Interviewer: Well first of all, where do your parents live?
Dominic Armstrong: Don't know. I haven't seen them since I was ten years old, barely even old enough to remember their faces.
Although the harsh terrain can be heard conflicting with the car's tyres, the mutual silence between the two men is evident.
Dominic Armstrong: Look, you don't need to feel sympathetic or like you've crossed the line or anything of the sorts. Growing up without the two most important figures in a human's life is something I've been accustomed to for a very long time, to the point where I sometimes think I was just dropped on the face of the Earth from some wierd, alien-like planet!
Interviewer: Do you really think that?
Dominic Armstrong: Come on, do you really think I'm that silly? I was kidding.
Interviewer: Of course, that's what I thought. Anyway, tell me about your upbringing.
Dominic Armstrong: Or lack thereof? Well, there's not much to tell really. I don't remember very much from before the age of ten, other than the fact I grew up here in Lincoln County, Nevada, and what my parents looked like. A part of me doesn't care to recall any of those memories considering my parents took off on the day of my tenth birthday, which isn't exactly the thing you want to remember your parents as doing.
Interviewer: No, of course not. That's very harsh.
Dominic Armstrong: It was, but this brings me to the other part of me that thinks I must've had a very fruitful first ten years on Planet Earth. Although losing my parents at such a young age would cause any child to ball their eyes out and throw a tantrum or whatever, I really didn't do that. I actually recall waiting for them to come home for the next week, and then just immediately got on with my life. I know, it sounds like a strange, maybe even selfish thing to do, but it turns out it was the correct decision to be made.
Interviewer: Personally, I don't think I'd have the resilience to do something like that at ten. I would've cried my eyes out every night if my parents did that.
Dominic Armstrong: Hey, I've grown up thinking I should've done the same, but there was something I was taught by my parents that prepared me for a situation similar to that. Sometimes I wonder if their plan was to always leave me on my tenth birthday, but I can't say I stay up at night thinking that thought. It's just good to spit out random crap stuck in my mind, whether it bores you or not. But hey, what's this interview for, right?
Interviewer: Very true.
The car suddenly stops as Dominic waits at the intersection for a car to pass before he may advance.
Interviewer: So without parents in your life, how did you survive?
Dominic Armstrong: To be honest, nobody actually knew I was living by my own for a number of years.
Interviewer: You're kidding! Years?! How many?!
Dominic Armstrong: I think about four or five. My parents drove straight through the middle of the town when they left me, so many of the townspeople just assumed I was in the car with them. I didn't help my cause by boarding up most of the windows to make it appear as if the house had been abandoned, but I had a reason for that.
Interviewer: What was that?
Dominic Armstrong: First of all, I'd like to remind you I was ten, so hearing noises out the front of your house in the middle of the night would scare the crap out of any child. Sitting curled up in the corner night after night with a frying pan in your hand, watching the shadows projected on the floor move across and disappear for a few seconds isn't your ideal situation. So, I collected whatever wood boards we had lying around, found my father's hammer and some spare nails, and I made it look as if the place was deserted. Thankfully not much crime takes place in this town, so nobody actually broke in looking to squat or steal any junk left behind, but if they did, let's just say they'd have the outline of a frying pan printed on the side of their face.
Dominic pokes the side of his head twice before putting his hand back on the steering wheel.
Interviewer: Did you ever find out what those shadows were?
Dominic Armstrong: *sigh* Yes, but it's a little embarrassing. When I eventually returned to the house, I took down the boards and worked out that it was just the trees. I know, sounds lame right, but may I remind you again that I was ten.
Interviewer: Ah, fair enough. So you said you lived on your own until you were about fourteen or fifteen, so what happened around that time?
Dominic Armstrong: There's only so long you can sneak around in the middle of the night and breaking into shops before the entire town begins to get suspicious. The day eventually came where I was caught, but thankfully I didn't get in any trouble. Lincoln County is a town that one generation after another grows up in and rarely leaves, so most of the townspeople recognised my face, even though my clothes were worn out, not to mention tight fitting, but also covered in dirt, as well as my face. When you don't have the money to pay the bills, you don't benefit from the wonders of electricity and water.
Interviewer: So how did you end up getting caught?
Dominic Armstrong: I can show you. It was at this shop.
The car is now parked at the kerbside, in front of a small general goods store that has managed to adapt well with the changing times. As Dominic and the Interviewer leave the car, an elderly woman who's leaving the shop approaches Dominic.
Elderly Woman: My my Dominic, don't you look handsome this afternoon?
Dominic Armstrong: Well that may or may not be true, but what is true is how youthful you continue to look. Your 82nd birthday may have been last week, but I still think you'd pass for 40.
Elderly Woman: Oh if only I were that age again. I miss my dancing days, but these things happen. Oh, Dominic, who's your friend with the camera? My, isn't he a cutie.
Dominic Armstrong: Haha this is a friend of mine that's interviewing me for that wrestling promotion I was telling you about.
Elderly Woman: Ah yes, World Wrestling Entertainment was it? Yes, I think that was the one. Well, did you make it or not?
Dominic Armstrong: It's World Wrestling Icons, Glenda, and I did make it.
Glenda: Oh that's wonderful, you deserve it, good on you. I know how hard you have worked for this and I am happy you have achieved this, not with any help from your cousins either.
Dominic Armstrong: Yeah, well, the less said about them the better. Anyway, I've got to keep moving, get home safely won't you?
The Elderly Woman, or Glenda, smiles and nods her head as she turns her body and begins to inch her way across the pavement. Dominic then advances forward to the shop, opening the door and walking in, as the bell on the door rings to signal his entrance. He grabs his sunglasses and folds them closed, placing them in his shirt pocket, before approaching the counter where a man in his early fifties stands. The man walks from around the counter as he and Dominic embrace, patting each other on the back. Dominic throws his arm over the man's shoulder while turning to face the camera.
Dominic Armstrong: If there's anybody I can call family, it's this man right here. He was the one who caught me breaking into the shop's back door over a decade ago and basically taught me everything I know and understand about life. If it wasn't for him taking action and catching "The Ghost of LC", then who knows what would've happened to me. Who knows what life I would have now, so if anything this man is my real father.
Man: I wouldn't go that far, although I always wish I had a son. So, Dom, what’s with the camera?
Dominic Armstrong: Well my friend here is interviewing me for the World Wrestling Icons, getting a little more insight into the lives of the guys on the roster. I'm explaining to him how I grew up, so I was wondering if it was okay if we went to the back so I could explain what I spent my teenage years doing.
Man: Of course, go right ahead.
Dominic pats the Man on the back and advances through the shop. The Interviewer follows as Dominic rounds a few corners and reaches the back door, which he opens and walks through, closing it once the Interviewer has stepped through.
Dominic Armstrong: As I said earlier, my first five or so years of living alone consisted of me choosing to break into shops and steal the essentials. The only downside of being abandoned so young was that I found it hard to trust any authority figures, which is why I never asked for help of any sort. I chose to do everything on my own, whether that was providing for myself or memorising every aspect of this town like the back of my hand. You'll be surprised at how consistent some people are when it comes to their day-to-day actions, so I learnt to avoid human interaction. I know it may sound sad, but I was a kid going about life the way I thought was best, and we all know that children don't have the best ideas.
Interviewer: Can you tell me how you managed to do it for so long?
Dominic Armstrong: I was accustomed to the same ritual that I never processed even getting caught, but sure enough I did, and to this day I'm very thankful for it. It took the town months to realise that their businesses were somehow being short changed, but it took them just as long to figure out that somebody was managing to steal the same items repeatedly each month and get away with it without leaving a trail of evidence. I actually practised picking locks when I realised exactly how I was to provide for myself, which still surprises me to this day that I was able to. If you ask me to pick a lock right now, I probably wouldn't be able to do it, but somehow I managed to do so for years, cleanly might I add. I probably left my fair share of fingerprints all over the place, but my monthly break-ins weren't of a high priority to the authorities, so there was a lot of luck on my side too.
Interviewer: I guess your luck ran out the night you were caught. Tell me about that night.
Dominic Armstrong: Yeah, I guess you're right. Well the night was just the usual monthly break in. Pick the lock, creep in, grab what I wanted, lock the door and go back home. I didn't account for anybody changing up their usual ritual, which is where Sam, the owner of this store, comes into play. He was sick of nothing being done, so he sat in the corner every night for a week, watched in the dark and waited for something to happen. Sure enough I did my usual thing, the lights flickered on and I just froze. I heard footsteps and feared for the worst, but that was until I heard Sam say my name. I can remember him saying something along the lines of "You're that young Armstrong boy, aren't you?", so I nodded in reply. It didn't take him long to realise I was abandoned, so I stayed at his house closer to the main area of the town for the next few days before I had the courage to apologise to the town for what I did. Everybody was so accepting and decided not to press charges.
Interviewer: That was very nice of them. What happened next?
Dominic Armstrong: It was very nice, and that's why this town has a special place in my heart. For the years that followed, up until I turned nineteen, my home was the upstairs apartment of this store. Sam provided me with everything I needed - a warm bed, food, water, a shower, even a TV, something that had been quite unfamiliar for me for years. There was always one sitting in the corner at home, but I obviously had no electricity, so I couldn't watch it. After that, I moved back into the house, which was infested with rats, so it took a little cleaning before it became respectable again. It was my decision to go back and live there again, but Sam wasn't going to let me do so without power and water. He originally paid the bills for me while I worked at the store to pay him back, and every night I would go home, cook myself a dinner on the stove, and kick back and watch TV. On my days off I socialised with some of the townspeople, and one day one of them asked if I was watching the Monday night wrestling war between Raw and Nitro, which I had no idea about.
Interviewer: So what were your first thoughts?
Dominic Armstrong: I feel in love immediately. There were some guys my age that laughed at it because they felt football was a real man's sport and that wrestling was for, and I quote, "pussies" because it was fake. I didn't care; I just loved the fact that two men would put it all on the line like that for something that was scripted. It was entertainment in front of thousands and thousands of people, with millions watching at home every Monday night. My life consisted of seeing very few people each day for years, so I set about changing that, hoping one day I got the opportunity to do what they do. For years I'd work at this store for Sam, take the bus straight from the bus stop across the street to the next town, spending half my wage on bus tickets to the town to train and then back home to sleep. I knew that this is what I wanted to do, and now I'm finally going to achieve that dream next Monday night.
A look of relief comes across Dominic's face while he looks at his feet, envisioning what he was put through and how he triumphed over adversity to achieve his dream. Dominic turns and walks back into the store, where Sam is already waiting with the usual essentials Dominic comes in to buy. Dominic reaches into the back of his pants, pulls out his wallet and hands Sam the cash before the two share personal words. Sam eventually goes back behind the counter as Dominic and the Interviewer leave the store and walk over to the car.
Interviewer: So as you mentioned, your first match will be next Monday night, and based off what I have heard through the grapevine, it's not the match you wished to call your debut, is it?
Dominic Armstrong: No, not really. I mean, not because it's a tag team match or anything, but it's just who my partners are. If there's one thing in this world that I despise with every fibre of my body, it's the other side of my family. I spent years scratching and clawing each and every day just to survive, I worked tirelessly to get to the position I found myself in now, while the other side of my family just sat across the state border in California, knowing full well I was all alone... and they did nothing to change that.
Dominic looks past the camera as his tongue rolls around in his mouth and a sour look on his face, fists clenched and smoke billowing out of his ears. Dominic then opens the car door and gets into the car, which the Interviewer proceeds to do as well. It's started up as Dominic begins to make his way back home.
Interviewer: I sense a lot of resentment towards the other side of your family, but I can understand why. If you don't mind, could you tell us a little more?
Dominic Armstrong: I don't want to, but I will, because everybody should know what those pathetic cousins of mine grew up with. Let me start off by saying that their parents, my so-called Aunt and Uncle, they basically showered in money. My Uncle was a Senior Executive for some global corporation based in Los Angeles, while my Aunt was considered one of the best Lawyers that the country had ever produced. Not only were the two of them selfish, but they gave Casey & Johnny every-fucking-thing they ever wanted. My cousins have never had a job in their worthless lives, they lived off their parent's money and were handed everything, even an education. I was given NOTHING, and while I was left to fend for myself for years, going to sleep in ripped, dirty, ragged clothes, they were being fed with golden spoons, they were running around doing whatever the hell they wanted and getting away with it. It makes me sick to even think about it!
Interviewer: How did you find all of this out?
Dominic Armstrong: They told me. Every time I'm even in the same area as them, they make it their mission to rub it in my face and abuse me for the life I lived. They claim I'm not a real Armstrong, that I'm just an embarrassment, but any person with common sense knows that if push came to shove, if money accounted for nothing, if you had to do everything for yourself, they wouldn't have a clue in the world. I hold onto that thought every time their names are mentioned, because I have one thing on my side that they will never have - pride. I look back at my life and I'm proud of how I fended for myself at such a young age, virtually doing so my entire life. I worked my ass off to get signed to World Wrestling Icons, but all they did was buy their way in. They bought the best trainers that wrestling has, they were taught everything because they had the money, yet I didn't have that luxury.
Interviewer: So do they actually have a clue how to handle themselves in the ring?
Dominic Armstrong: I hate to say it, I really do, but I've seen what they can do and they work together like no tag team I've ever seen before. Believe me, I watched teams like The Hardys, The Dudleys and Edge & Christian light up anything they touched, purely because they wanted to entertain their fans and give them their money's worth, but Casey & Johnny do it because they want the glory and the success. They couldn't give a crap about the money as their parent's will give them whatever they asked for anyway, but they just want their names to be remembered throughout history just to boost their egos. I want that to happen to me too, but because I've strived to become one of the best for the things I could do to help the world. Don't get me wrong, a part of me wants my name to be remembered in history as well, but my motives are incredibly different than theirs.
Dominic and the Interviewer have now arrived back at Dominic's house as they get out of the car. They close their doors as Dominic locks the car and holds his keys in his right hand and the groceries with his left.
Interviewer: Well Dominic, on behalf of World Wrestling Icons, I thank you for taking part in this interview and allowing the fans to gain an insight into your upbringing and your goals for your time in WWI. I do have two more questions though - will you and your cousins be able to co-exist? And what do you think of your opponents for Wreckage, Mike All-Kast and The Billion Dollar Duo, Brad Cash & Clint Roode?
Dominic Armstrong: First of all no, I don't think my cousins and I will be able to co-exist. I guarantee that they'll hog the spotlight and attempt to prove a point to everybody, including myself, that they're the best in the business. Although, on the other hand, their ego will be too strong and they wouldn't even dare to throw a match just to toy with me. They will do everything they possibly can to make sure they win, but they'll look to do it without me. As for my opponents, all I see are three men who carry similarities to my cousins. Cash & Roode think they're above everybody because they have money, which is exactly what Casey & Johnny think. With All-Kast, apparently he's a guy too focused on his looks and "picking up chicks", again something Casey & Johnny pride themselves on.
Dominic shakes his head and isn't impressed in the slightest.
Dominic Armstrong: If I have my way next Monday night, not only will I have my hand raised after the tag team match, but there will be five men flat on their backs, egos bruised and pride smashed to pieces after I'm done proving to them that no amount of money and hair gel will trump desire and heart. That may sound corny, but I don't care. I'm allowed to be corny because I'm living, breathing proof of what those two characteristics can provide you with if you just believe. On Monday night, I'm sending a message to the entire world, to the entire locker room that I want to be known as the best. I'll show management why I should've been included in the championship tournament and not forced to team up with my cousins, I'll show the entire world that money and good looks can only get you so far, but it will never get you everything you've ever dreamed of. I'll step inside that ring when the lights are shining brightly, but at the end of the night, Mike All-Kast, The Billion Dollar Duo AND my cousins are going to have their lights shut off. On Monday night, it's Lights Out!
With that, Dominic turns and walks back towards his house. He approaches his porch steps, jogging up them before entering his house. We are once again met with the tranquil setting we began the interview with, but the camera shuts off soon after. Memories have been rehashed, lives have been touched, and messages have been sent. All that awaits Dominic Armstrong is Monday Night Wreckage, the place where he will prove to the entire world that dreams really do come true.
