Bruise Li Backstage vignette

[The Camera opens on a shot of Bruise Li jumping rope. He hops with grace as the rope whips through the air in a blur. A few feet off to the right, Master Swee Ensowa is flipping through the a wrestling magazine, on the cover is a picture from Continental Chaos featuring Yellow Girl and El Lobo in the bloody aftermath of their match, with a caption "Can the Wolfpack Survive?". Master Swee has a frown on his face as he is reading. Periodically he glances at Bruise, and grunts approvingly of Bruise's training. Finally after a few more minutes of reading, throws down the magazine in disgust.]

Master Swee: There's only one brief mention of us in this rag. [Master Swee picks up the magazine, flips through a bit, finds what he was looking for, and clears his throat, and begins to read.] "The general manager, Leon Hart was sent to the hospital after performing double duty as a competitor against Bruise Li, and as a referee in the human car wreck that was Theram vs. Kauluani." [He throws the magazine away again.] They don't even discuss your match!

Bruise: [still jumping rope, without missing a beat.] It okay they not discuss, I lose that one. They should discuss match with Daxx!

Master Swee: Yes, you performed admirably. (And you're still saying his name right) You showed resilience, cunning, and the devastating power of the Touch of Death! There is a certain poetic justice to Daxx being defeated by the Touch of Death.

Bruise: Yeah, [he laughs a moment, before stopping both laughing and jumping rope.] Why?

Master Swee: He's always talking about feeding on souls and so on. Death is sort of a theme with him.

Bruise: [Stares blankly] Oh, okay.

Master Swee: Just trust me, it works.

Bruise: So who next?

Master Swee: I believe we need to get you a match against Yellow Girl, as she could've beaten the champion. So defeating and dominating her would be an excellent way to further establish your rightful place as a top title contender. But there are others as well, Double, Paulley, Theram and newcomers like the Great Mac and

Bruise: [Starts singing] Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce... *THUD*

[Master Swee has thumped him in the head, and Bruise rubs his skull.]

Master Swee: Great Mac, not Big Mac.

Bruise: Sorry, I hungry.

Master Swee: You can eat after you finish your workout. Which reminds me, get jumping! [Bruise resumes jumping rope] You still never got to battle the Silent Man, so that is something to look forward to as well. But all these great matches in your future aren't enough. We need something dramatic to happen. You need a rival, a feud. Being the most Dangerous man in the UNWA just isn't enough.

Bruise: Somebody kill you, then I go on quest to avenge death!

Master Swee: I'd prefer something that didn't involve my death. Besides, nobody here could beat me, let alone kill me.

Bruise: I could fight against BBC. Damn the Man! Fight the power!

Master Swee: That's been done, and it seems like it is still being done by approximately half the roster. That's not a good way to set yourself apart. Besides, rebelling against authority just tends to make life more difficult.

Bruise: [Somewhat hopeful] I could get girlfriend! Women make drama!

Master Swee: That's not a bad idea, but most of the ladies of the UNWA are spoken for.

Bruise: I be smooth with ladies! I just say that I let them pin me!

Master Swee: As dramatic as a sexual harassment suit might be, it's probably best to avoid legal trouble. So you might want to refine your approach.

Bruise: I say "I'm big in Japan...and in the pants!" That work everytime!

Master Swee: Somehow I doubt that.

Bruise: Okay, it not work yet, but it will. Soon!

Master Swee: We should come up with something. Maybe an opportunity will present itself for something memorable, in the meantime, just keep training, and keep fighting, and keep winning, and we'll be okay.

Bruise: Yes Sifu. Should I say catchphrase now?

Master Swee: I really don't see how it remotely applies to anything we've been discussing... [Bruise begins to get a downcast look upon his face.] ...But if it makes you feel better, [Bruise nods] go ahead. Just don't stop the training. Just direct it at your hypothetical rival

Bruise: To High pathetical foe, YOU CAN'T STAND THE DANGER!

[The camera fades out.]

OOC: If somebody is interested in developing some sort of storyline, either some sort of rivalry, or an alliance, or if there's a female character (either wrestler or secondary character) interested, Bruise could make some attempt at a clumsy courtship, or some triangle.

"Oh I thing I can stand the danger just fine" comes a voice from off camera, "I've faced danger so many times in my past that I've lost count."

The camera pans across from Bruise Li to show Captain Parkes leaning against the door frame with a slight smirk on his face, "Now it appears that you and I have a couple of things in common. We both hate Frankie D and want to beat his brains in for dis-respecting us, and we both want the MemberState Championship belt."

Captain Parkes moves in to the locker room slowly whilst twisting his neck from left to right slowly
"Now the way I see it only one of us can be Champion," he continues once he reaches the benxh and picks up the magazine that Master Swee had thrown down just moments ago, "However we have other rivals to consider and take care of. I took Theram out of the picture last Sunday thanks to an assist from our GM. But I think we need to take out the Wolfpack tonight at the same time to take Yellow Girl out of the title picture and to state our claim to El Lobo's title. So the question I have for you is not if you can stand the danger. But can you work with a pirate as a partner?"

[Master Swee looks Captain Parkes up and down, he nods approvingly, but still seems somewhat suspicious.]

Master Swee: You have brought up an interesting proposition, and have some valid points. There is much to be gained through working together. But you will understand if I am somewhat skeptical of your motives. After all, while at the moment our interests align, my pupil did defeat you before, so who's to say this isn't some kind of trick to remove Bruise from contention?

[Captain Parkes can put in some explanation here if he wants, whether it's true or not.]

Bruise: I think it good plan. And, you know what Friday is?

Master Swee: I'm afraid to ask.

Bruise: International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Master Swee: What does that have to do with anything?

Bruise: It a sign! Hint from universe!

Master Swee: (Sighs) Your reasoning astounds me sometimes.

Bruise: Thank you, Sifu.

Master Swee: I suppose you can take it as a compliment. Well, Captain Parkes, despite my instincts to never trust a pirate, my Pupil here wants to give you the benefit of the doubt, and because it is his career, all I can do is go along for the ride.

[Captain Parkes can respond here.]

Bruise: To Elbolo and Hello Curl, and all of the oonwa! ["unwa"] I say one more thing. [Bruise pauses for dramatic effect, before smiling, covering one eye and shouting like a pirate.] YOU CAN'T STAND THE DANG-ARRRRRR!!

[Master Swee and Captain Parkes are left in stunned silence staring at Bruise as the camera fades out.]

(OOC )

(OOC) I've re-posted what you wrote Bruise but with my replies to the open sections you left for me.

[Master Swee looks Captain Parkes up and down, he nods approvingly, but still seems somewhat suspicious.]

Master Swee: You have brought up an interesting proposition, and have some valid points. There is much to be gained through working together. But you will understand if I am somewhat skeptical of your motives. After all, while at the moment our interests align, my pupil did defeat you before, so who's to say this isn't some kind of trick to remove Bruise from contention?

"Well at some point it time we will have to meet each other again to determine which of us meets El Lobo. However that time won't be until we have removed the others from our path and brought much pain and suffering to El Lobo. And as for you beating me in the past. You got lucky that day, I wasn't on form."

Bruise: I think it good plan. And, you know what Friday is?

Master Swee: I'm afraid to ask.

Bruise: International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Master Swee: What does that have to do with anything?

Bruise: It a sign! Hint from universe!

Master Swee: (Sighs) Your reasoning astounds me sometimes.

Bruise: Thank you, Sifu.

Master Swee: I suppose you can take it as a compliment. Well, Captain Parkes, despite my instincts to never trust a pirate, my Pupil here wants to give you the benefit of the doubt, and because it is his career, all I can do is go along for the ride.

"And what a ride it's going to be. All the way to the MemberState Title."

Bruise: To Elbolo and Hello Curl, and all of the oonwa! ["unwa"] I say one more thing. [Bruise pauses for dramatic effect, before smiling, covering one eye and shouting like a pirate.] YOU CAN'T STAND THE DANG-ARRRRRR!!

[Master Swee and Captain Parkes are left in stunned silence staring at Bruise as the camera fades out.]

I must admit to having greatly amused with myself with Dang-ARRR! Usually I tend to have a punch line in mind, and then develop backwards, but that just came naturally to me when I reached the conclusion. Much like Bruise, it just hit me, and I had to get it out there.

(OOC: Dang-ARRR! really cracked me up, that was funny. )

(OOC) Yeah I found it funny as well. I guess it does suit the characters as well.