"You just got served"
Jul 7, 2019 1:55:38 GMT -5
Post by OrochiGeese on Jul 7, 2019 1:55:38 GMT -5
*Arthur Wingate is sitting in his new office in the Peter Venkman Memorial Arena talking to Luke Kisiera. Both men appear to be testing out recently purchased leather office chairs.*
[Arthur:] "You don't spare on the expenses. A man can certainly get used to this."
[Luke:] "They have massage function too. I think you and Drake are going to need it after what Moreno pulled."
[Arthur:] "It does seem that way, doesn't it?"
[Luke:] "Clearly the no =-longer injured Monroe brothers have some next gen massage chairs at their compound."
*Arthur looks troubled by this but quickly smiles.*
[Arthur:] "Luke, I wanted to thank you again for all you have done for us. This feels like a new start for me as well. I've run events from this arena before but never as the primary occupant. It was always under Mills' license and we never had any priority over other companies he dealt with. Even when he let us train here regularly after the last tour concluded, I always felt him watching over us, looking for a reason to void our contract. But now this is our home again. I remember the feeling of home this building had before Geese sold it and we have recaptured it. Granted, I wasn't here for long-"
[Luke:] "Long enough to defeat me in 10 minutes."
*Luke laughs but Arthur looks surprised.*
[Arthur:] "You actually remember that?"
[Luke:] "Of course I do. That's when I learned that I had to take all of this seriously in my head as well as my heart. There was no question that I wanted to beat you, let alone survive that time limit, but I couldn't due to your superior ability and my inexperience. I had no strategy so I had no chance. Your decisive victory over me motivated me to train even harder and begin to understand pro wrestling from a different perspective than I did before."
*Arthur looks rather proud.*
[Arthur:] "I must say, out of everyone in this promotion over the past 10 years, you have shown the most growth in maturity. There are many on the roster who could learn a great deal from you-"
*There is a knock on the door. Arthur looks at Luke who nods that he doesn't mind the intrusion.*
[Arthur:] "You may come in."
*The door opens and we see a man wearing a suit and a cowboy hat.*
[Arthur:] "Hello?"
[Luke:] "Did you order wings, Arthur?"
[Man:] "Ahem, allow me to...re-introduce myself, sirs."
*The man takes his cowboy hat off and reaches behind the door to pick up a Halliburton briefcase.*
[Man:] "My name is Charles Langford."
*Both Arthur and Luke look very surprised to see him.*
[Arthur:] "Welcome, Mr. Langford. It has been a long time. I believe that you retired last year, in fact."
*Charles laughs and points, still holding his hat, at Arthur*
[Charles:] "Yes sir, you possess a very sharp memory, that can not be disputed. Due to my impending retirement being on my mind, a few years ago I decided to prepare for my life after the squared circle. I began pursuing a degree in the study of law and have recently been admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association. But I am not here on matters of my own. In fact, I come before you today, humbly as always, *Charles bows* as the legal representative of one Kurt Sanders."
*Arthur subtly turns the massage function of his chair on, masking his own sigh.*
[Arthur:] "And what would the legal representative of Mr. Sanders wish to discuss with me today?"
[Charles:] "Matters of the law, sir, of course. But I do not restrict my conversation to you alone, Mr. Wingate. No, it is with great providence that both of you fine gentleman are here today as I come before you baring a legal complaint."
*Charles opens up his briefcase and hands an envelope to each man. The two look at him for an explanation but he gestures for them to open what they have been given. After a few minutes, Arthur places the document on the table with more than a hint of frustration. Luke appears to either still be reading or to be frozen in thought from the letter.*
[Arthur:] "I see."
*Charles smiles at their reactions.*
[Charles:] "Now, I'm not some big city lawya, like you no doubt have in your employ. But it seems to me that two weeks ago, at the latest UBL event, workplace sexual harassment and assault undoubtedly occurred causing physical and emotional damage to my client. Kazuo Saji intentionally removed Kurt's undergarments and then assaulted him on his exposed posterior. I say with no enjoyment that your choice to name this tour 'Debased' was improperly fitting. To see an upstanding gentleman like Mr. Sanders victimized as he was certainly appeals to the most prurient tastes of man."
[Arthur:] "And you are suing Kazuo, Asako Matsuki, Matsuki Holdings, UBL, Luke, and myself as a result?"
[Charles:] "Quite correct, sir. Blame and punishment for a grave offense such as this must be fairly apportioned among all responsible parties. The law and my client must see justice done."
[Arthur:] "Justice? Are you aware of the circumstances which caused Kazuo Saji to come out to the ring in the first place? Your client and Jasper Woodruff, a former ally of yours, attacked their opponent after the match ended."
[Charles:] "Aware? I was furious with them. So, as a gentleman, I would demand that they be properly fined for such undistinguished behavior in that particular instance. However, the fact remains, sir, that assaults after the match are the norm in this promotion. Therefore, every man has reason to believe they can fall victim to one. But what Mr. Sanders endured is not something anyone signs up for when they agree to compete. There is no assumption of that type of risk. This isn't a tawdry bordello, after all. I implore you to understand the difference, sir! For I have no doubt that a jury will."
*Arthur takes a few seconds to gather himself.*
[Arthur:] "And the fine print?"
*Luke snaps out of his daze at this and looks closely at his copy of the letter, furling his brow trying to read it.*
[Charles:] "Ahh, the devil is in the details, isn't it?"
[Arthur:] "I'll have my...New York City lawyers confirm this but-"
[Charles:] "You may use laymen's terms. I prefer to parlance in the common man's vernacular, after all."
[Luke:] "Guh?"
[Charles:] "Keep up with me, boy, I'm talking regular mouth words. You riding the slow train to Santa Fe?"
[Arthur:] "Langford, unless you want a gentleman's duel with me, I'd suggest not insulting my friend here."
[Charles:] "I apologize, Mr. Kisiera. Nothing wrong with the scenic route, after all. Please go on."
[Arthur:] "Now, the fine print suggests a condition to absolve us all. It claims you will withdraw your lawsuit if Kazuo Saji is suspended from UBL for an entire calendar year dating from when the offense was said to occur."
[Charles:] "A fine reading. I believe that you now understand the true spirit of this proceeding."
[Arthur:] "Yes, I certainly do. The spirit is that Kurt Sanders has added the legal system to his set of tools for harassing and mocking his enemies."
[Charles:] "I do take issue with that characterization, sir. But I'd fight to the death to defend your right to say it. I'm a Southern man but an American first. You, being an English, might not understand my pride, especially during a week like this past one. But no hard feelings, you all fought with honor. Just don't blame me for the tea, that was the Yanks doin."
[Arthur:] "Yes, hip hip for the former colonies and dragging a 20th century Brit into your 250 year joke."
[Charles:] "That's mighty kind of you to say, sir. I'm obliged."
*Charles puts his hat back on just so that he can bow and remove his hat to Arthur.*
[Luke:] "Arthur...is this real? I mean, besides Riverboat Willy over here."
[Arthur:] "We will determine that. You don't have to sign or agree to anything."
[Luke:] "I won't. He is threatening to bankrupt everyone named in this complaint just so Kurt won't have to face Kazuo. This is cowardice and extortion. "
[Charles:] "Now there you go again using words that don't suit your level of book learnin or my client's fine intentions. But I won't hold it against you. The lazy mule to Laredo eventually gets there. Plus, I'm sure that you aren't in your right mind after seeing what Mr. Saji did to my client. I bet your girlfriend was harmed too. She seems the delicate type."
*Luke quickly rises from his chair but Arthur places a hand on his shoulder.*
[Luke:] "I'm okay, Arthur. Jean endured both Holly and Moreno calling her a 'cupcake' then outplayed each of them. And Sanders, he wishes he could get into people's heads like Holly could. So just to be clear, I'm not losing my cool. But I'm also not supporting any plan where Kazuo gets suspended just to play into Kurt's mind games."
[Charles:] "Boy, let's make this clear. I don't need you to support anything. Sure, you're on mah list, but it's Arthur who has the power to suspend Saji, provided Saji doesn't do the right thing and leave on his own accord. Yes, read further along if you will. If Saji makes the choice on his own to leave for a year, we'll drop the charges against everyone."
*Arthur encourages Luke to take a few deep breaths.*
[Arthur:] "Is there anything else?"
[Charles:] "It's all in the envelope. Oh and I'd think twice if you want to punish Mr. Sanders just for exercising his legal rights. Don't go taking away his Universal Circuit Title shot on account of this proceeding. We're gonna be keeping an awfully close eye on all of you from here on out. Its clear that some in this promotion can't be trusted. I just hope that awful proclamation doesn't apply to the gentleman in this room, as well. Good day and God bless America!"
*Charles bows once again, putting his hat back on as he stands upright. He smiles at both men then leaves, closing the door behind him. Arthur reads the piece of paper again while Luke stares ahead.*
[Arthur:] "My apologies. If you bought this arena a mere week later, you'd have no connection to this."
[Luke:] "No, I still would. When he defaced Jean's moon art at 'Lunar Eclipse of the Heart,' he crossed me too. Saji and Tetsu aren't the only ones dealing with Sanders. I won't back down and I know they won't either."
[Arthur:] "I have no doubt."
[Luke:] "We'll talk more later. For now, I'm going to go tell Jean about this."
*They shake hands and Luke leaves the room. Arthur calls Drake in and waits.*
[Arthur:] "You don't spare on the expenses. A man can certainly get used to this."
[Luke:] "They have massage function too. I think you and Drake are going to need it after what Moreno pulled."
[Arthur:] "It does seem that way, doesn't it?"
[Luke:] "Clearly the no =-longer injured Monroe brothers have some next gen massage chairs at their compound."
*Arthur looks troubled by this but quickly smiles.*
[Arthur:] "Luke, I wanted to thank you again for all you have done for us. This feels like a new start for me as well. I've run events from this arena before but never as the primary occupant. It was always under Mills' license and we never had any priority over other companies he dealt with. Even when he let us train here regularly after the last tour concluded, I always felt him watching over us, looking for a reason to void our contract. But now this is our home again. I remember the feeling of home this building had before Geese sold it and we have recaptured it. Granted, I wasn't here for long-"
[Luke:] "Long enough to defeat me in 10 minutes."
*Luke laughs but Arthur looks surprised.*
[Arthur:] "You actually remember that?"
[Luke:] "Of course I do. That's when I learned that I had to take all of this seriously in my head as well as my heart. There was no question that I wanted to beat you, let alone survive that time limit, but I couldn't due to your superior ability and my inexperience. I had no strategy so I had no chance. Your decisive victory over me motivated me to train even harder and begin to understand pro wrestling from a different perspective than I did before."
*Arthur looks rather proud.*
[Arthur:] "I must say, out of everyone in this promotion over the past 10 years, you have shown the most growth in maturity. There are many on the roster who could learn a great deal from you-"
*There is a knock on the door. Arthur looks at Luke who nods that he doesn't mind the intrusion.*
[Arthur:] "You may come in."
*The door opens and we see a man wearing a suit and a cowboy hat.*
[Arthur:] "Hello?"
[Luke:] "Did you order wings, Arthur?"
[Man:] "Ahem, allow me to...re-introduce myself, sirs."
*The man takes his cowboy hat off and reaches behind the door to pick up a Halliburton briefcase.*
[Man:] "My name is Charles Langford."
*Both Arthur and Luke look very surprised to see him.*
[Arthur:] "Welcome, Mr. Langford. It has been a long time. I believe that you retired last year, in fact."
*Charles laughs and points, still holding his hat, at Arthur*
[Charles:] "Yes sir, you possess a very sharp memory, that can not be disputed. Due to my impending retirement being on my mind, a few years ago I decided to prepare for my life after the squared circle. I began pursuing a degree in the study of law and have recently been admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association. But I am not here on matters of my own. In fact, I come before you today, humbly as always, *Charles bows* as the legal representative of one Kurt Sanders."
*Arthur subtly turns the massage function of his chair on, masking his own sigh.*
[Arthur:] "And what would the legal representative of Mr. Sanders wish to discuss with me today?"
[Charles:] "Matters of the law, sir, of course. But I do not restrict my conversation to you alone, Mr. Wingate. No, it is with great providence that both of you fine gentleman are here today as I come before you baring a legal complaint."
*Charles opens up his briefcase and hands an envelope to each man. The two look at him for an explanation but he gestures for them to open what they have been given. After a few minutes, Arthur places the document on the table with more than a hint of frustration. Luke appears to either still be reading or to be frozen in thought from the letter.*
[Arthur:] "I see."
*Charles smiles at their reactions.*
[Charles:] "Now, I'm not some big city lawya, like you no doubt have in your employ. But it seems to me that two weeks ago, at the latest UBL event, workplace sexual harassment and assault undoubtedly occurred causing physical and emotional damage to my client. Kazuo Saji intentionally removed Kurt's undergarments and then assaulted him on his exposed posterior. I say with no enjoyment that your choice to name this tour 'Debased' was improperly fitting. To see an upstanding gentleman like Mr. Sanders victimized as he was certainly appeals to the most prurient tastes of man."
[Arthur:] "And you are suing Kazuo, Asako Matsuki, Matsuki Holdings, UBL, Luke, and myself as a result?"
[Charles:] "Quite correct, sir. Blame and punishment for a grave offense such as this must be fairly apportioned among all responsible parties. The law and my client must see justice done."
[Arthur:] "Justice? Are you aware of the circumstances which caused Kazuo Saji to come out to the ring in the first place? Your client and Jasper Woodruff, a former ally of yours, attacked their opponent after the match ended."
[Charles:] "Aware? I was furious with them. So, as a gentleman, I would demand that they be properly fined for such undistinguished behavior in that particular instance. However, the fact remains, sir, that assaults after the match are the norm in this promotion. Therefore, every man has reason to believe they can fall victim to one. But what Mr. Sanders endured is not something anyone signs up for when they agree to compete. There is no assumption of that type of risk. This isn't a tawdry bordello, after all. I implore you to understand the difference, sir! For I have no doubt that a jury will."
*Arthur takes a few seconds to gather himself.*
[Arthur:] "And the fine print?"
*Luke snaps out of his daze at this and looks closely at his copy of the letter, furling his brow trying to read it.*
[Charles:] "Ahh, the devil is in the details, isn't it?"
[Arthur:] "I'll have my...New York City lawyers confirm this but-"
[Charles:] "You may use laymen's terms. I prefer to parlance in the common man's vernacular, after all."
[Luke:] "Guh?"
[Charles:] "Keep up with me, boy, I'm talking regular mouth words. You riding the slow train to Santa Fe?"
[Arthur:] "Langford, unless you want a gentleman's duel with me, I'd suggest not insulting my friend here."
[Charles:] "I apologize, Mr. Kisiera. Nothing wrong with the scenic route, after all. Please go on."
[Arthur:] "Now, the fine print suggests a condition to absolve us all. It claims you will withdraw your lawsuit if Kazuo Saji is suspended from UBL for an entire calendar year dating from when the offense was said to occur."
[Charles:] "A fine reading. I believe that you now understand the true spirit of this proceeding."
[Arthur:] "Yes, I certainly do. The spirit is that Kurt Sanders has added the legal system to his set of tools for harassing and mocking his enemies."
[Charles:] "I do take issue with that characterization, sir. But I'd fight to the death to defend your right to say it. I'm a Southern man but an American first. You, being an English, might not understand my pride, especially during a week like this past one. But no hard feelings, you all fought with honor. Just don't blame me for the tea, that was the Yanks doin."
[Arthur:] "Yes, hip hip for the former colonies and dragging a 20th century Brit into your 250 year joke."
[Charles:] "That's mighty kind of you to say, sir. I'm obliged."
*Charles puts his hat back on just so that he can bow and remove his hat to Arthur.*
[Luke:] "Arthur...is this real? I mean, besides Riverboat Willy over here."
[Arthur:] "We will determine that. You don't have to sign or agree to anything."
[Luke:] "I won't. He is threatening to bankrupt everyone named in this complaint just so Kurt won't have to face Kazuo. This is cowardice and extortion. "
[Charles:] "Now there you go again using words that don't suit your level of book learnin or my client's fine intentions. But I won't hold it against you. The lazy mule to Laredo eventually gets there. Plus, I'm sure that you aren't in your right mind after seeing what Mr. Saji did to my client. I bet your girlfriend was harmed too. She seems the delicate type."
*Luke quickly rises from his chair but Arthur places a hand on his shoulder.*
[Luke:] "I'm okay, Arthur. Jean endured both Holly and Moreno calling her a 'cupcake' then outplayed each of them. And Sanders, he wishes he could get into people's heads like Holly could. So just to be clear, I'm not losing my cool. But I'm also not supporting any plan where Kazuo gets suspended just to play into Kurt's mind games."
[Charles:] "Boy, let's make this clear. I don't need you to support anything. Sure, you're on mah list, but it's Arthur who has the power to suspend Saji, provided Saji doesn't do the right thing and leave on his own accord. Yes, read further along if you will. If Saji makes the choice on his own to leave for a year, we'll drop the charges against everyone."
*Arthur encourages Luke to take a few deep breaths.*
[Arthur:] "Is there anything else?"
[Charles:] "It's all in the envelope. Oh and I'd think twice if you want to punish Mr. Sanders just for exercising his legal rights. Don't go taking away his Universal Circuit Title shot on account of this proceeding. We're gonna be keeping an awfully close eye on all of you from here on out. Its clear that some in this promotion can't be trusted. I just hope that awful proclamation doesn't apply to the gentleman in this room, as well. Good day and God bless America!"
*Charles bows once again, putting his hat back on as he stands upright. He smiles at both men then leaves, closing the door behind him. Arthur reads the piece of paper again while Luke stares ahead.*
[Arthur:] "My apologies. If you bought this arena a mere week later, you'd have no connection to this."
[Luke:] "No, I still would. When he defaced Jean's moon art at 'Lunar Eclipse of the Heart,' he crossed me too. Saji and Tetsu aren't the only ones dealing with Sanders. I won't back down and I know they won't either."
[Arthur:] "I have no doubt."
[Luke:] "We'll talk more later. For now, I'm going to go tell Jean about this."
*They shake hands and Luke leaves the room. Arthur calls Drake in and waits.*