SEMI FINALS: ALEX CROSS versus STEVIE HARRIS

We open to minutes after Stevie Harris is dragged backstage by a gang of security. His shirt in tatters, left eye swelled and face a mess of blood that’s began to dry, giving his hair a dirty appearance. They toss him into the change room he was afforded for the evening, one of them yelling at him that he has 15 minutes. Presumably to get cleaned up and get his stuff out of there. Stevie enters and the room is empty, no sign of Lola or the cage they had their guest tied up in. Instead, there is a change of clothes and a towel. A brief f with very little scrubbing to avoid reopening any cuts and a change into his regular clothes. Stevie and Lola had both scattered over the guard rail when the reinforcements arrived, getting separated in the crowd before Stevie was nabbed by a group of security.



Stevie knew that Sam Xayachuck had gone missing.



Stevie knew that Lady Munin was solely in charge considering everything that’s been happening.



Stevie knew that her pet, Alex Cross would be his next opponent.



Stevie knew that her pet, Alex Cross, would be instructed to make an example out of Stevie.



Stevie knew all this and it made Stevie very happy.



It wasn’t his intention. It didn’t start off as a planned action but the moment took hold like a passionate kiss and before you knew it, the clothes were off and the girl you just picked up at the bar is now nine months away from having your bastard child. Johnny Raike dangled, feet hovering above the ground. Harris was both the instigator and a keen spectator, watching on as the man holding the rope’s face filled with anguish and self-loathing. Whatever had taken a hold, it’s always been there and the question Alex Cross needs to ask himself is, is it settled or is it just getting its foothold?





“It was a wild night indeed. Adrenaline is coursing through these veins like never before. Johnny Raike, I knew you were going to push me. I knew you were going to test me in ways I didn’t think possible but I never once thought that what happened out there... after that match. Never had I imagined that. It was magical, the way my body began to act out the lords wishes. I could feel a divine spirit take control and I simply became just another face in the crowd, watching as my body committed such beautiful actions."


“Actions, unfortunately, come with consequences at times. Something as simple as a piece of rope fashioned into a handy knot has been OUTLAWED by the so called law makers in these parts. The good people of Louisiana will be outraged to hear that their cultural heritage is being spat upon in such a disrespectful manor. This great state has been a major producer of solid, sturdy American made rope and I’m just simply trying to support my All-American bretherin. This is an outrage and I hope they know that they can try to de-claw the tiger but the claws are only a small sample of its ferocious and deadly arsenal. Alex Cross is going to be looking to hurt me badly but let’s see how he does that when he’s backed into the corner and screaming for mercy. Screaming for the likes of his precious flower Munin to come to his aid. Screaming for the referees, the fans, the guys in the back who he tries to intimidate when he walks from his car to his change room before the show. Screaming for someone… anyone to help. I’m going to break him just like I did the others.”



“If I don’t, a man of his background will leave me in a wheelchair without even breaking a sweat.”



Security escort Stevie out of the Xayarena, partially pushing him along as he leaves. A look of sadistic ecstasy looms across his face, making it clear to anyone that looks at him that he’s the only man at the show who will not have any trouble sleeping later that evening. As they reach one of the exits, the door opens and with that, four of the security team shove him with force, causing him to stumble out into the open. Once he’s regained himself, Stevie looks back to see the faces staring him down, before he turns and makes his way out of the Amusement Park. It’s been a long day and by the time Stevie reached the outskirts of the park, where Lola sat in the ’85 Chevy Camero ready to haul out of there before the proverbial lynch mob came for them. “The irony” Stevie whispered under his breath as they drove off.



It wasn’t long until they arrived at the Harris Compound. The big looming gates slowly swung open as the latest man Lola had recruited. Stevie hadn’t wanted a return to the old ways but Lola convinced him it was best. A recent break in and the Ice Addict Ryan making threats against Stevie were enough to motivate him to implement the actions but what happened at Wicked 4. What happened to Johnny Raike. That was the catalyst to ramp up the operation over the coming days. One extra man quickly turned into a half dozen, all had been seduced once upon a time by Lola and in turn, she had told them about the wonders of Stevie. They were all amazed to meet the man, having all heard stories about his bravery and superiority and were more than willing to help create the beginnings of this beautiful community on the outskirts of New Orleans.



“My new friends, I would like to officially welcome you all” Stevie proclaims. Nearly a week on from the events that left Johnny Raike regretting certain life choices. They were all gathered around the family table, breaking bread together for the first time. Stevie at the end of the table, with both Lola and Bliss standing on either side of him as he stood to make his toast. “I must first and foremost apologise for my seclusion upon your arrival. I am thankful for each and every one of you but as you have no doubt heard and quite possibly seen, the little scrap I was in down at the Amusement Park has left me feeling a bit under the weather as the week has progressed.”



“Fear not though, as I now stand before you all a rested and recovered man. I stand before you all as a man ready to face another day and conquer another foe. Some may call my actions reprehensible… repulsive even. I call them the acts of a man who was put on this earth to inspire greatness. I saved Johnny from a life of floundering, a life of living one day to the next just as I will do for the rest of them. That boy, Alex Cross, he is another who needs a guiding hand which is exactly what he shall receive. Like any of you here today, he was a delinquent youth. A reckless youth, one who has grown up and made something for himself solely by the act of hurting those who stand in his way. What he lacks in charm, charisma and grace he more than makes up for with an impressive encyclopaedia-like knowledge of pain inducing, bone breaking manoeuvres. But that will also be his undoing you see. A man like that believes in a tap or snap in-ring lifestyle, proven by his return to the ring after suffering a near life ending assault at the hands of Unreal. He will continue to push on until those brittle bones break through the flesh, exposing himself to the world as a mere mortal with the ability to quit when the actions become too unbearable.”



Stevie looks around to his guests, all with a glass raised as they captivity listen in.



“It’s amazing isn’t it? The presence this Alex Cross has managed to garner for himself, a legitimate tough man of the sport when in fact he’s nothing. Nothing but a step on my ladder to true greatness, the Pure Amusement Championship. I started off not wanting to win the belt hoping to fight the best at their very best. I wanted to see what would happen when the competitors here were willing to give 110 percent for a chance to go down in the record books. Two wins into the tournament, two blood soaked, pain inducing matches in and I find my attitude shifting. The things I’ve done should not be in vein, they should be immortalised in the annals of history. When people think of Louisiana they should see a picture of Stevie Harris in their mind, ruling with an iron fist. When they think of Amusement Parks, they should see our community, flourishing under my reign. Men like Alex Cross have their place but when it comes to writing history, they’re the martyrs who paved the way. Sir Percival was a great knight in King Arthur’s court but like young Alex, the historians will look back on him with little detail, adding a paragraph here or there to pump up the illusion of depth in their knowledge.”



“This man wants to hurt me. In doing so, he wants to hurt us…” Harris looks down everyone at the table, making sure to maintain eye contact with each and every man until he made his way around to Lola. He turned, facing Bliss on the other side. He reached out and took her hand, gripping it tightly. “I will not let him hurt us.”



“I will not allow this vile scum to ruin the work we have put in to making the world a better place. Each of you have a seat at my table today and I will not allow that man to take away our opportunity to break bread as the good lord intended. With your help we will move forward, flourish and in time make this world a better place through our influence.”



Harris holds his glass up slightly higher. “To Alex Cross, may he forgive us for what we are about to do to him.”



Lola, Bliss and the men around the table toast this before sitting down to eat their first meal together. Tomorrow they ride to Purity.