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The room was dark, a single flashing strobe light illuminating a dark corner of what could vaguely be made out to be a locker room backstage in an IWF arena. James Carpenter, dressed in his in-ring attire of wrestling shorts, wrist bands & knee pads & wrestling boots, was sparring with the large punching bag placed in the very corner.
Dramatic Voiceover:
Strength. Stamina. Skill. What truly makes a fighter?
The strobe light had a very slow, deliberate effect on the workout. Almost like those "Tap-Out" commercials where everything was in slow motion. Carefully situated to capitalize on every heavy strike, every series of elbows & backfists. James Carpenter was having a very focused work out as the voiceover continued to be manufacturered throughout the room.
Dramatic Voiceover:
Mind. Body. Soul. Mastery is key to victory.
As more knees, forearms & kicks came raining down upon the punching bag, the facial expressions dramatized the physical exertion and seriousness that James Carpenter was bringing towards his preparation to his first big match by himself on IWF.
Dramatic Voiceover:
Intensity. Impact. In-
REEEAAAKKK!
Suddenly, the lights turned on in the Triple A dressing room. There she was, wrestling talent scout Katie King, staring in confusion as the camera panes over aross the room. Andrei Evans was sitting behind a lage black studio with a voice changing microphone as he was narrating the promo taking place.
"Razzle Dazzle" Katie King:
What in the world are you guys doing in here?
Andrei looked sheepishly from side to side before shooting up and turning off the strobe light that was still flickering against the wall. He walked up to Razzy D now with a look of frustration on his face due to the interruption of their project.
Andrei "Crossfire" Evans:
Razzy D! We were shooting a promotional fight video in here!
Razzy D couldn't figure out whether to be perplexed, impressed, embarassed or a mix between the three. She gave a curious look once over to James Carpenter, who moved towards the iron benches and placed a towel over his head as he drank from a bottle of water to rest.
"Razzle Dazzle" Katie King:
And....why? We don't have any sponsorships or interviews coming up.
Andrei appealed once again over to his tag team partner. Pointing towards him, he explained the situation going on in further detail.
Andrei "Crossfire" Evans:
James said that's what all the MMA fighters do before a big match. I was just tryin' to help him.
Carpenter, as if somehow able to see that he was being pointed out by Evans, chimed in after a few heavy laborious breathes. Sweat glistening off his body, his tone met with the same serious demeanor that his workout had portrayed.
James "K-9" Carpenter:
Two weeks ago I said I wanted Shawn Hayes one on one. Apparently, IWF management listened, and are giving me part of my wish. Except now I gotta deal with yet another variable thrown my way. Devin Cross. I have to be prepared to fight two men, and I won't have Andrei there with me this time to back it up.
Both Razzy and Andrei seemed genuinely confused as to this sudden change of tone and attitude of their good friend. Normally it was K-9 who was the laid back, calm and collected one of the three. But now he seemed to be in a completely different mind set. One of utter and complete focus.
Andrei "Crossfire" Evans:
Is he always this stone cold focused before a one on one fight? It's kinda creepin' me out.
Andrei cocked and eyebrow as he continued to ponder exactly what is going through his partners head. Razzy D thought she understood the mind set going through Carpenters mind, so she walked over towards her client and stood inf front of him so that he would have to look at her crazy lime green died hair & neon raver type attire.
"Razzle Dazzle" Katie King:
I appreciate your focus and determination, James. Beating Hutt Anderson last week was no easy feet for you guys. This week, you guys know what Shawn Hayes is capable of. And Devin Cross has proven with Ricky Jackson that they can beat some of the best tag teams IWF has to offer. He's a dangerous high flyer and he brings a style of wresling that neither of you are used to yet. I'm glad to see you taking the game seriously.
James shot back a glance at his manager, staring her straight in the eyes. They both met with glances of determination and understanding. Razzy was a fighter too, she knew what it was like to be in this kind of "zone". But Carpenter had at least one thing to correct her on.
James "K-9" Carpenter:
I always take the game seriously. But in my own special way. I'm always laid back, calm, nonchalant. Because I know Andrei and I make a great team. We can take anything if we put our minds to it. But I'm by myself this week. Even with Evans in my corner, I'm going against two hungry jackals. I'm in for a fight. And when there's a fight, you need a whole new mind set.
Katie King nodded her head in acknowledgement, but there was one variable that none of them could of ever imagined or considered. The variable that which Andrei Evans was about to present. A variable that would bring even the most focused fighter down to their knees.
Andrei "Crossfire" Evans:
Aighty then.....wanna get some ice cream?
And with that, James Carpenter shot up from his seated position with a wild childish look of excitement in his eyes. He ran over to his locker and started gathering some street clothes as he exclaimed his agreement.
James "K-9" Carpenter:
Fuck yes! What are we waiting for?!
K-9 and Crossfire then burst from the room, their voices capable of being heard as they skipped along the halls singing "We all scream for ice cream". All that was left in the scene was Razzle Dazzle, her arms over he chest as she flipped her hair back. Slightly allowing herself to laugh in private at her unique, enthusiastic, and overall very special friends.
"Razzle Dazzle" Katie King:
Oh boys.......can't live with em, can't live without em.....
