Time spent at Valerie Stern's temporary corporate offices was generally, not a positive experience (except for the other 51 weeks of the year, when they would revert to janitor Juan Bolivar's make out spot). Today however, Atomic Welfare wasn't in the line to give Valerie a ‘Piece of his mind', today Atomic Welfare had been particularly interested in getting the fixtures.
After the Majestic Cup and what would be referred to as ‘The Banana Juice incident' at every autograph signing, wrestling convention, and dinner table for the rest of his career and possibly beyond it; Atomic Welfare was in need of some good news, and more importantly a good win. Being in a country where waving the British and American flags down to ringside did not get the usual reaction had probably not helped any with his focus at Friction, but he‘d settled in a little. Admittedly he'd been fairly confident of a return to form anyway, but a rookie... Oh there's very little a man who's been around the block prefers to tussling with a rookie.
Touring the Indy circuits, you take a lot of crap. You take a lot of crap but it puts you right, it's what this business is based on, and Atomic Welfare had no problem getting a little Hardcore Holly.
Away from the States, away from BioCare - maybe this could be what joining TCW was supposed to be all about. Maybe this could be a good old fashioned wrestling match.
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Jude: "...and so this week at Havoc I will oppose any move that will tie welfare spending to atomic energy research or profits!"
Jude grinned, he still had it...
Unfortunately his triumphant body language had not conveyed to the group of vendors and stadium employees seated in the front row, that Jude had completed his promo. He gestured a small bow...
...Aaaaand, yes. Yes, they got it this time and gave a lazy applause, Jude was happy to indulge their commendation, indicating his thanks with a full, swooping bow.
Jude: "Thank you all, we'll meet again tomorrow... and I want feedback and notes, so think about it tonight. "
The crowd sat, rather unamused, and seemingly still unaware that Jude was done with whatever the hell he had been trying to show them.
Jude "Ok... Go,"
Jude indicated to the exits.
Jude: "And another $20 for you all tomorrow!"
Jude indicated 20, first flashing 10 fingers twice, then paused. Perhaps too confusing?
He then contemplated flashing two fingers, indicating a multiplication sign and then ten... Or maybe two and then a zero. While the dilemma continued the Stadium Staff who were rather happy with their last 20 minutes of employment had already begun to shuffle off, and by the time Jude decided to draw the figure in the air, they all had their backs to him, walking up the isles to go back to the preparations for the show.
Jude: "Bollocks..."
Jude indicated up to the sky boxes hurriedly, wanting to get his exit in before his focus group left. He was rather tickled as the soft chords of ‘Moon River' got a few of his apathetic attendees heads turning back to the ring and Jude strolled out of the ring, raising his hand and rotating it in a rather poncy wave.
His first promo... It wouldn't go down as official but Jude was very happy with it, and after a little feedback, he might be able to persuade someone to give it a primetime airing. The powers that be might not like the message of arms reduction and the decentralisation of state power while ensuring the democratic distribution of welfare funds, but you can always count on the entertainment business to place a ratings winner above a political hot potato. As Jude wriggled his way through a deceptively difficult curtain, he almost bumped into a rather large and already flummoxed man, made even more so by the twisting figure who had his way out of a stage curtain just in front of him while on his way back to the hotel from Valerie Stern‘s office.
Jude bit his lip, a little embarrassed, and took a step back from the man. A lesson Jude had already learned long ago was to not stand eyes-to-pectorals with another man - it made one‘s physical inferiority rather obvious. Jude brushed his hands down along his brown waist coat, apparently smoothing away the embarrassment.
Jude: "So emmmm... Nice to meet you! I'm new!"
Jude immediately stepped forward again, forgetting himself and eagerly extending a hand. Perhaps this was a chance for some feedback? This positively freakish specimen must be a comrade in the upcoming performance.
The response was full of confusion.
Atomic Welfare: "Hi. Are you aloud to be here? Were you playing Moon River? I'm not really sure who told you that you could, but If Stern asks I'm telling her tha-"
Jude: "Oh, sorry, I should've before.... Em, I'm a wrestler here, and correct, I was trying out my theme and such-"
Atomic Welfare caught the thought ‘You're a wrestler...?' before it made it into the real world, and decided to be more diplomatic - albeit slightly so.
Atomic Welfare: "Your entrance music is ‘Moon River'...?"
Jude: "Ha-Ha! Rip roaring tune isn't it. Gets me across nice and quick to the audience"
Atomic Welfare: "Gets what across?"
Jude: "Ohhh that I'm a tad sentimental, a bit of a romantic, empathetic to lost causes and wish I had the chance to marry Audrey Hepburn and take her far away from all her worries and Hannibal's horrible acting... How I hate it when his plans come together."
Atomic Welfare: "I'm sorry, whose plans?"
Jude: "Hannibals. But the important thing is, I think it's about time to make Jude a name, and good theme music goes along way with people-"
Atomic Welfare: "You're Jude?!"
Jude stopped, rather surprised. But very happy, and perhaps a little smug as his grin returned... his star had begun to rise, perhaps this youngster wanted an autograph.
Atomic Welfare: "Uhhh, I don't know what to tell you, but I'm Atomic Welfare."
Atomic Welfare wasn't afraid to tell the rather spindly Jude they would be opponents in a few days, but given his experience of TCW encounters, he half expected Jude to pull out a chair shot and a couple of suplexes, but Jude wasn't the average wrestler - he was barely even a wrestler.
Jude: "I love it. ‘I am Atomic Welfare'... perfect."
Jude looked him up and down, spotting the British and American tattoos, made visible by the wife beater Atomic Welfare was wearing.
Jude: "The overblown, buff Anglo-American power structure. ‘I am Atomic Welfare'... brilliant, can I use you in my promo? Oh! you must have heard it! Did you like it?"
Atomic Welfare: "I have no idea what you're talking about... What I am talking about is that my name, is Atomic Welfare. I am a person who wrestles under that name."
Jude paused as his entire focus group results evaporated, and he reassessed his position.
Jude: "So we're...?"
Atomic Welfare: "Yes..."
Jude: "Oh..."
Atomic Welfare: "Did you think you were fighting a concept...?"
Jude: "See! This is the kind of thinking I need! Do you think you could give me some tips? Look, I'll buy you a drink - it's all on me, I just need some help."
Atomic Welfare: "You want to drink?"
Jude: "And talk!"
Atomic Welfare: "Not cripple me before the match?"
Jude: "...Is that something I‘m supposed to do?"
Atomic Welfare considered it. The guy seemed fairly odd, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility he wanted some advice. Plus, it wasn't like he couldn't take the guy if he tried something.
Atomic Welfare: "Ok, look if you‘re buying - I‘ll give you an hour or so."
Jude was thrilled, and they began to walk off to find a place. Jude momentarily considering putting his arm around his husky new friend as they went, but after looking at his face again... he decided against it.
Atomic Welfare: "First things first... This theme song..."
Jude: "What about it? Come hell or high water, we're not ditching my Audrey."
Atomic Welfare: "It's just that... when they say theme music is supposed to express your persona... they don't really mean personal issues with rejection or your favourite films..."
Jude: "Tell me more..."
As they walked off through the fire exit Atomic Welfare thought, maybe... just maybe this would be civil, and maybe... just maybe he could still turn this into a good old fashioned wrestling match.