Post by Johnny Magnum on Sept 3, 2011 19:58:09 GMT -5
[Act I]
- Once Upon a Time in California-
- Once Upon a Time in California-
The winds of the harmonica mixed with the cadence of a tapping foot soothe us into our scene. The sun fades behind the mountains, extending its rays out into the orange sky. A cool wind blows, forcing the long blades a green grass to dance to its flow. The grass, rich in green, stretches on and on till it hits the range of mountains which the sun drifts towards. Parked off to the left of this extraordinary image, is a glistening black car. As the camera draws near, the more clear it becomes. A man, with flowing locks of blond hair rests on it, his hands by his face, his fingers bending, his hands gliding the harmonica they wield across his lips. His eyes closed as he is lost in his own creations, Johnny Magnum leans against the side of his black 1969 Dodge Charger. Magnum's eyes slowly open as he plays his final notes. He lowers the harmonica, grasping it in his hand. He twirls it around in his fingers, staring at it, admiring it. He drops it to the dirt beneath his feet and watches as it bounces from end to end, listens as its metal frame cling and clacks against the tiny rocks. He uses his legs to force himself away from the car and to an erect position. He takes off his suit jacket and throws it on the hood of the car. He unbuttons the top and sleeve buttons on his shirt, places his hands in his pockets and begins to walk away from the vehicle down the long dirt road leading to the town's lights.
Earlier that Evening...
The same 69 Charger pulls into a packed parking lot. A large banner hangs from the gymnasium of the high school "Class of 2001: 10 Year Reunion." Inside, kind music plays over the speakers as people walk about the auditorium, socializing pleasantly and awkwardly with their former classmates. One glance across the room and nothing seems out of the ordinary, however at closer inspection we see that peoples true colors have bled out over the past decade. Large woman wear "SRV CHEER" t-shirts, two sizes too small. Men in letterman jackets have large beer guts. On the other end of the spectrum, we see handsome men and beautiful women, dressed in the highest class of attire, socializing amongst each other, examining one another through the frames of their prescription glasses. As the doors to the gym open "Good Times Bad Times" by Led Zeppelin picks up. Johnny Magnum steps in to the gym and looks around at his classmates, his entrance going unnoticed. The expression on Magnum's face changes almost instantly from miserable to happy as he realizes its possible people won't notice him after all. He heads over to a refreshment table. located in the center of the auditorium.
Johnny Magnum:
I'll take a Miller, please.
The young man working the counter grabs Johnny his bottle of beer, opens it for him and hands it over. Johnny turns around and bumps into a attractive brunette haired woman.
Johnny Magnum:
Woops, my apologies.
The two's eyes meet for a brief, longing second.
Woman:
It's quite alright, ... errr...
The woman looks at his coat but sees no name tag.
Woman:
I'm sorry, and a tad bit embarrassed, I don't remember you. Paige Robertson, and you?
She extends her hand.
Johnny Magnum:
It's Johnny.... Crane.
The two begin chatting. A genuine smile beams off of Magnum’s face as he laughs, his eyes showing a passion we usually only see in him inside of the squared circle. The scene fades to black.
Johnny Magnum:
I'll take a Miller, please.
The young man working the counter grabs Johnny his bottle of beer, opens it for him and hands it over. Johnny turns around and bumps into a attractive brunette haired woman.
Johnny Magnum:
Woops, my apologies.
The two's eyes meet for a brief, longing second.
Woman:
It's quite alright, ... errr...
The woman looks at his coat but sees no name tag.
Woman:
I'm sorry, and a tad bit embarrassed, I don't remember you. Paige Robertson, and you?
She extends her hand.
Johnny Magnum:
It's Johnny.... Crane.
The two begin chatting. A genuine smile beams off of Magnum’s face as he laughs, his eyes showing a passion we usually only see in him inside of the squared circle. The scene fades to black.
[Act II]
- The Best, The Greatest, The Roy -
- The Best, The Greatest, The Roy -
Smoke pours from the hand rolled cigarette, held loosely between fingers of a hand. The camera follows the lead of the rising hand as it pans up. Lips wrap around the butt of the cigarette as the man inhales the smoke, long and deep. He exhales it into the night sky. The camera pans out more, revealing the man to be Johnny Magnum. He wears his white dress shirt and black dress pants, the shirt unbuttoned all the way showing a white t-shirt underneath. Magnum leans against the wall of a closed store. A street lamp shines down onto him, casting a spotlight over him. The night has grown old, Magnum's eyes have grown tired. He flicks the cigarette into the street, it bounces across the pavement leaving a trail of embers behind it, that quickly fade into ash. A gentle rain begins to fall from the clouds, Magnum looks up into the heavens, allowing rain to splash on his face. A few moments go by, before Johnny runs across the street. He opens the door to seemingly the only open place on the strip, a small vacant restaurant. Johnny sits at a table located next to the window and stares out it. Getting lost in his thoughts as he watches the rain fall and hit the window, he is startled when the waitress calls out to him.
Waitress:
Hello, how may I help you?
Johnny Magnum:
Uh, I'll take a cup of coffee. Black.
Magnum stares up at the waitress with his tired, blood shot eyes and gives a loose smile. She smiles back at him and goes off to fetch his coffee. She comes back within moments and fills Magnum's cup. He smiles and nods to thank her and grasps the cup in his hands, but leaves it on the table. He stares down at it, dozing off, fighting himself to stay awake. He looks up and spots something across the room that causes his eyebrow to shoot up. At the front of the restaurant, hunched over the bar counter, sits a man... a black cowboy hat perched on the top of his head. Brown hair come out the back of the hat. Magnum's eyes focus in on the man, a confused look on his face. As Johnny continues to stare, he wonders, is this who he thinks it is? The man at the bar slowly, but surely turns around revealing the smiling face of Roy Rowe. Thunder cracks and lightning flashes as his face is revealed. Johnny doesn't smile back or wave, he simply gazes on as if he's just seen a ghost. The Roy spins off the stool and slowly walks towards Johnny's table. He motions to the chair across from Magnum, as if to ask if he's welcome to sit. Magnum barely finds the strength to nod. Roy takes his seat, still smiling.
Roy Rowe:
Gee, you look like you've seen a ghost. You all right, buddy?
Magnum stares off into space, not looking up at The Roy.
Roy Rowe:
That whole thunder and lightning thing. That was pretty cool.
Johnny doesn't make eye contact with Roy, despite his pleas. He mutters the only words he can find.
Johnny Magnum:
Why are you here?
Roy Rowe:
Because you are.
Johnny Magnum:
What do you want?
Roy Rowe:
For you to just relax. Take a deep breathe. Inhale.
Roy deeply inhales, moving his hands up. As he exhales, he speaks.
Roy Rowe:
Exhale. Come on, man, whatever happened to us? Ever since, well, certain incidents I feel like we've become alienated from one another. Why can't we just be friends?
Johnny Magnum:
You know why.
Roy Rowe:
Because of our match? Magnum, Magnum, Magnum... we've talked about this. After Sunday, what's done will be done, ok? So let's just talk. Not about the match. Tell me, what's new?
Johnny Magnum:
Went to my high school reunion tonight. Met a girl.
Roy Rowe:
Haha, way to go, how was she?
Johnny Magnum:
It's not like that, man.
Roy Rowe:
Yeah? Well, you know well this business and personal relationships blend.
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah.... I know.
Magnum's last words are spoken uneasily, he breaks eye contact as he speaks them and takes a sip of his coffee. Roy raises his eyebrows and leans back in his chair, he removes his hat and places it on the table.
Roy Rowe:
You feeling alright, man?
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah, of course, I'm fine. Finally got that car fixed up, runs like a dream.
Roy Rowe:
Good job, man... you've been working on that for a while.
Johnny Magnum:
Well, the unemployment line does have its perks, haha.
Roy chuckles and shakes his head a little.
Roy Rowe:
You really think so? I've been itching to get back into that ring... I need it. You know what that's like, I'm sure.
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah, man.
Magnum's words again come off uneasy. Roy again seems to take note, but doesn't make a thing of it this time.
Roy Rowe:
Ready for Sunday?
Johnny Magnum:
Ready as I'll ever be, what about you?
Roy Rowe:
You kidding? I haven't missed a beat, kid. You got your hands full.
Magnum chuckles, as does The Roy.
[/b]Waitress:
Hello, how may I help you?
Johnny Magnum:
Uh, I'll take a cup of coffee. Black.
Magnum stares up at the waitress with his tired, blood shot eyes and gives a loose smile. She smiles back at him and goes off to fetch his coffee. She comes back within moments and fills Magnum's cup. He smiles and nods to thank her and grasps the cup in his hands, but leaves it on the table. He stares down at it, dozing off, fighting himself to stay awake. He looks up and spots something across the room that causes his eyebrow to shoot up. At the front of the restaurant, hunched over the bar counter, sits a man... a black cowboy hat perched on the top of his head. Brown hair come out the back of the hat. Magnum's eyes focus in on the man, a confused look on his face. As Johnny continues to stare, he wonders, is this who he thinks it is? The man at the bar slowly, but surely turns around revealing the smiling face of Roy Rowe. Thunder cracks and lightning flashes as his face is revealed. Johnny doesn't smile back or wave, he simply gazes on as if he's just seen a ghost. The Roy spins off the stool and slowly walks towards Johnny's table. He motions to the chair across from Magnum, as if to ask if he's welcome to sit. Magnum barely finds the strength to nod. Roy takes his seat, still smiling.
Roy Rowe:
Gee, you look like you've seen a ghost. You all right, buddy?
Magnum stares off into space, not looking up at The Roy.
Roy Rowe:
That whole thunder and lightning thing. That was pretty cool.
Johnny doesn't make eye contact with Roy, despite his pleas. He mutters the only words he can find.
Johnny Magnum:
Why are you here?
Roy Rowe:
Because you are.
Johnny Magnum:
What do you want?
Roy Rowe:
For you to just relax. Take a deep breathe. Inhale.
Roy deeply inhales, moving his hands up. As he exhales, he speaks.
Roy Rowe:
Exhale. Come on, man, whatever happened to us? Ever since, well, certain incidents I feel like we've become alienated from one another. Why can't we just be friends?
Johnny Magnum:
You know why.
Roy Rowe:
Because of our match? Magnum, Magnum, Magnum... we've talked about this. After Sunday, what's done will be done, ok? So let's just talk. Not about the match. Tell me, what's new?
Johnny Magnum:
Went to my high school reunion tonight. Met a girl.
Roy Rowe:
Haha, way to go, how was she?
Johnny Magnum:
It's not like that, man.
Roy Rowe:
Yeah? Well, you know well this business and personal relationships blend.
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah.... I know.
Magnum's last words are spoken uneasily, he breaks eye contact as he speaks them and takes a sip of his coffee. Roy raises his eyebrows and leans back in his chair, he removes his hat and places it on the table.
Roy Rowe:
You feeling alright, man?
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah, of course, I'm fine. Finally got that car fixed up, runs like a dream.
Roy Rowe:
Good job, man... you've been working on that for a while.
Johnny Magnum:
Well, the unemployment line does have its perks, haha.
Roy chuckles and shakes his head a little.
Roy Rowe:
You really think so? I've been itching to get back into that ring... I need it. You know what that's like, I'm sure.
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah, man.
Magnum's words again come off uneasy. Roy again seems to take note, but doesn't make a thing of it this time.
Roy Rowe:
Ready for Sunday?
Johnny Magnum:
Ready as I'll ever be, what about you?
Roy Rowe:
You kidding? I haven't missed a beat, kid. You got your hands full.
Magnum chuckles, as does The Roy.
Johnny Magnum:
Look, whatever happens...
Roy Rowe:
Mag, we discussed this. I know, it's going to get ugly, but...
Johnny Magnum:
No, no... let me finish.
Magnum glares up at Roy. Their eyes lock.
Johnny Magnum:
Four years ago when I came to this place, you were the one that accepted me. All those car rides and hotel adventures, they really meant a lot to me. When I was in a rut, be it professionally or personally, you always lent me your ear and advice. I'm thankful for that. The man, Johnny Magnum, that sits before you today... you had a large part in building. And I'd like to think I had a lot to do with the direction your career took, as well. Which is why this match... it's amazing to me, man. After Sunday one of us won't be allowed to wrestle... ever again. We'll be destroying a foundation we helped build and, whether we're man enough to admit it, we'll be losing a large chunk of what makes us... us. You can't sit here and tell me things will be the same after Sunday, I just won't believe it. Whichever way the dice falls, an era will end. All those car rides, the pranks, the laughs, the tears... they'll be gone. Roaming the halls of SNME won't be the same without the presence of The Roy. Who am I going to go for when I need advice? Who's going to be there for me? We don't have just some platonic relationship, man. We're brothers. Closer than. I love you, man. And I just wanted you to know that... that whatever happens Sunday, I'm still going to love you like a brother. I'll cherish all you've done for me till I breathe my last breath. Thank you, man.
Roy nods and smiles contently at Magnum's words, showing the seldom seen soft and human side to him that SNME rarely, if ever sees. Magnum looks down into his cup of coffee, he moves the cup around, stirring the liquid inside.
Johnny Magnum:
I also wanted you to know... well, to be the first to know that...
Johnny looks up from his cup, but stops his words as he does. He scans the restaurant to find that The Roy nowhere in sight. His mouth drops and his face grows sad as he stares off into space. The waitress' voice knocks him out of his trance.
Waitress:
You alright, hun?
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah, I'm fine.
Waitress:
Would you like some more coffee?
Johnny Magnum:
No. No, thank you. Was there someone else here?
Waitress:
Not since you came in, no. You sure you're feeling alright?
Johnny stands up and pulls his wallet out, he hands the waitress a ten dollar bill.
Johnny Magnum:
Yeah, thanks. You have a good night.
Johnny quickly paces out of the restaurant, a smile on his face.[/size][/center]
[Act III]
- Fool in the Rain -
(A Journal Entry)
- Fool in the Rain -
(A Journal Entry)
I can't help but count down the seconds that pass until the fourth of September. I'm excited. An era will end indeed, and I couldn't be more ready. Roy wants a fight, and a fight he'll get all right. I need this match... it's what I've always needed. At least I think. I've never known exactly what I've needed, and only recently figured that out. That maybe what I've wanted all along, isn't always what I needed. After four years of standing in the rain, I'm ready to turn around and go home. I'm done waiting for love to come and find me, and ready to go find it. I've realized what I am after these four years... I'm just a man... and just a fool. A fool waiting on the wrong block. This Sunday, I stop waiting... and I take.
- Johnny Magnum Crane
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Ya'll can comment, just don't tell me I blew it. *cue someone telling me I blew it* I knew exactly what I was doing with this. I also did not ask Roy if it was cool he be used in this RP, but whatever. Here it is.