The Beresford Apartments
Vancouver, BC
Wednesday 16th April 2009
“So, Lethal Lottery?”
Benjamin Doi sits on a sofa, right next to his friend, August Joyce. The two men are sat playing video games in Augusts apartment.
“Yup.” August keeps his response quick so as to not put him off his stride.
“Sounds…. lethal.”
“Yup.”
“Can I ask a question?” Ben says, looking over at August.
August is still concentrating on the game. “Yup.”
“Ok, first off, you gotta stop sayin dat befo I kick yo ass. And, second, what the hell is a lethal lottery?” Doi sounds genuinely confused.
August pauses the game and turns to his friend. “It starts as a tag team tournament. Random pairs go up against each other. The winning teams then all go into a battle royal to face off against each other. Winner gets a title shot….. Were you not watching last week?”
“The match was last week?!” Ben says in surprise.
“YES! Thanks for the support, friend.”
“Sorry.” Benjamin looks sheepish and embarrassed. “So what’s in store this week?”
“Defending the title against Sean Atwood.”
“Again?” Bens tone is a mix of disappointment and surprise. “Reckon you can take him?”
“Haven’t I already ‘taken him’ enough?” August stops for a moment and re-thinks what he just said. “That sounds very gay, doesn’t it?”
“Just a lil.” Benjamin nods. “But, seriously, you guys have faced each other so many times recently. Do you think he’s got you figured out? He’s had more chance than anyone to scout all your moves, build up the perfect defence and offence for you.”
August stops and thinks about it for a few moments. “You know what, maybe you’re right. Maybe I shouldn’t be thinking ‘oh, it’s Atwood again, here comes another title defence.’ Maybe I should be thinking ‘God, I hope he hasn’t figured me out yet’.”
“Exactly.” Benjamin is nodding again. “So, why exactly are we sat here playing video games? Why aren’t you getting ready for the match?”
“Damn it.” August tosses the controller across the room onto another chair.
Benjamin doesn’t get why his friend just did that. “What?”
August turns to Ben and smiles. “I hate it when you’re right!”
Outside the Arena
Sunday 19th April 2009
August Joyce is stood next to Mitch Weinberg, right outside the arena which is set to play host to BattleZone this week. August is wearing his usual long black coat, open to show a smart white shirt and blue jeans. Around his waist is the MWA Millennium Title, gleaming under the light from the camera.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s become a tradition here on MWA Online to interview our Millennium Champion outside the arena the night before a title defence. So let me bring in August Joyce… August, good to speak to you again.”
“Good to be here, Mitch. You’ve become somewhat of a good luck charm for me. I like to keep the same routine when I’m on a winning streak. And seeing as I’ve had several successful defences of this belt so far, I’m going to keep coming to the arenas and talking to your good self.”
“Well that’s good to hear.” Mitch says with a smile. “It seems like a lot of those defences have involved the same man, Sean Atwood.”
August nods. “Sean Atwood has become a thorn in my side. A few days ago I was thinking, has Atwood not had enough of me? Has he not lost to me enough in recent months? Have the booking committee got nothing better for me? But then I stopped to think… and I realised something.” August shakes his head. “I’ve been thinking about this match all wrong. I shouldn’t be cocky, I shouldn’t be sure that I’ll beat Atwood again to keep hold of this belt. Just because I’ve done it several times before, doesn’t mean I’ll simply do it again. Each time Atwood and I step between the ropes to face each other we learn a little more about the other. Atwood wanted to inflict pain on me, physical pain. That didn’t work and he changed his tact, trying to actually win the belt. That didn’t work either. But the fact that he changed, he learned, shows that he’s getting to know me and my way of wrestling. If he keeps this up he may just do enough to defeat me.”
“You say that, but you don’t sound overly concerned.” Mitch says, confused.
“No, I am concerned. But I’m also pleased. I’ve changed Sean Atwood, as much as he would deny it, his matches with me have changed him. His attitude in the ring. Maybe if he was fighting someone else he’d slip back to the old Atwood. But against me he tries his damn best. And I’m kinda proud about that, I’m worth someone’s best.”
“Do you think Atwood has the chance to become Millennium Champion?” Mitch asks.
“Yes.” August nods as he answers simply before expanding on his thoughts. “This is the MWA. Anything can happen. Anyone can become a champion and any champion can lose the belt. Atwood seems to be growing in this challenger role. But I’ve been growing too. I’ve been getting used to having this belt around my waist and I’ll be doing my best, giving my all, to make sure it stays there.”
“Atwood says he’s like a caged animal, ready willing and able to dethrone you as champion because he has nothing left to lose. Do you agree with this?”
“Sean Atwood has a career so many people would love to have. He has a well paid job at times of financial crisis. He has friends… or a friend at least. He, apparently, has other business ventures outside the MWA. He has his health, he is alive. So I’d say Sean Atwood has much to lose.”
“So you’re not afraid of this so called ‘caged animal’?”
August shakes his head. “No I am not. I’ve faced all manor of opponents before, so I know what to expect from a man who says he has nothing to lose. I know that every man has his limits, and every now and again I like to put these limits to the test. You want to go high risk? Try it, see if all your bones remain intact. You want to cut me open? Try it, see if I don’t bust you open myself. You want to take this belt away from me? Try it, see if you’re still able to walk away.”
“Strong words there from August Joyce…” Mitch says as he turns to face the camera.
August places a hand on Mitch’s shoulder. “I’m not done…” Mitch turns back to face August and holds the microphone in front of him again. “Sean Atwood, Nightmare, you and I have had a series of matches against each other already. Each time has been different, but each time the result has been the same. Tomorrow, on BattleZone, we go one-on-one again. You say you’re going to destroy me, going to take my title and leave me broken and battered. You want to cause me pain. But what if you fail? Then who’s going to be destroyed? You’ve thrown all you have at me and I’ve sailed through it. Tomorrow you’re going to try a different approach and will throw all you have at me once more. And if I still walk away as Millennium Champion? Now that’s gotta hurt!”
August smiles wickedly into the camera before walking out of shot.