Polly Playtime vs. Shaun Cruze

[Kemal Yilmaz]

2 RP Limit for singles

3500 Word Per RP

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET SUNDAY, May 3, 2026

[Shaun2025]

INNER THOUGHTS – OFF CAMERA

There is a lot to be said for desire and hunger. In fact, I find it is the cornerstone for any successful competitor. When you begin your journey, no one is up to speed with the intensity of competition, especially in a company where you must excel like Supreme Championship Wrestling. Unfortunately, the issues start when individuals believe that hunger is enough, because it very rarely is. A successful competitor in SCW must have a multitude of facets, in depth rarely seen on a wider scale. That is where people fall short, the fact they believe they have ‘enough’ when the reality is that they are probably not even close. Polly Playtime is one person who thinks that because she has worked ‘hard’ for five years or so, she is worthy of the accolades and championships. She truly believes that people returning to the business, just like myself, are the ‘relics’ as she calls them that are holding her back. She thinks that if it wasn’t for me, she’d be at that lofty position she thinks she has earned. It sounds stupid, I know even thinking it sounds ridiculous, but that is her opinion, and of course she can have it. In her mind, she is right, and doubles down on it weekly. What she doesn’t understand however is the damage it is doing, and that me being here has nothing to do with her being a Champion. No, the reason she isn’t champion is because when given the opportunities, she has failed to follow through, and the thing is, deep down she knows it. Otherwise, someone like her would have never taken the assistance of someone who wants SCW for his own. The hubris, pun intended, is what dictates how successful these people are. They believe themselves undeniable, and that nothing can stop them from achieving their goals. Of course, again they are incorrect, neither of them understands the business like I do. Nor do they understand that my return had nothing to do with holding anyone back. My return is necessary, and although they don’t get that, Frank knows the ‘Impact’ I can still make. The return of the Impact Player, whenever I reach that plane will be obvious, and right there, if she doesn’t get it after our match at Hubris, she will surely understand when I hold the SCW World Championship aloft. I know that now is my time, I understand the work necessary, Polly simply does not. And THAT is why once more, she is destined to fail. Failure… another aspect of life that I have come to finally understand and am working constantly to ensure it never happens again.

PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA

(The contracts had been checked and signed, and now everything was full steam ahead, and EMERGE 2.0 finally started to look like reality. Shaun was unbelievably excited to be a part of it and was wondering when he had ever considered passing up this opportunity. No dates had been set for its triumphant return, and nothing concrete posting on social media, but that was to come and then by the end of the year, EMERGE would once again hit the internet, streaming all over the world as it tried to take its place as a competitor to SCW. As well as all that, his relationship with Angyalka had grown, not in a romantic way, but as they once again grew a friendship that was benefiting their daughter Dorothea. With plenty of time on his hands, Shaun was rebuilding the link with his daughter, who was also enjoying having her father back in her life. After the shitstorm, it finally seemed like Shaun was back on the up, something that you could see in his face as he watched his daughter with her friends on the playground not too far from Angyalka’s house. If this was his life now, he was content with that… more than content. Dorothea comes running over, eager to tell her dad something.)

Dorothea: Daddy, did you see me jump off that swing?

Shaun: I did yeah

Dorothea: It’s like when you jump in the ring isn’t it?

Shaun: It’s better than when I do that. But be careful yeah, I don’t want to have to explain to mummy that you have hurt yourself.

Dorothea: Because then she will box your head?

(Shaun laughs)

Shaun: Exactly…

(The two share a hug, then Shaun notices Dorothea looking at something and hears a voice.)

Voice: Shaun? Shaun Cruze?

(Shaun turns around but doesn’t recognize the woman. She is brunette, in her late thirties, and is dressed casually in a blouse and skirt, a jacket completing the look.)

Shaun: Yeah, that’s me… what can I do for you?

(She doesn’t say anything, but looks at Dorothea, as if she didn’t want the little girl to hear what she had to say. Shaun picks up on this and turns back to Dorothea holding her shoulders.)

Shaun: Why don’t you go back and play with your friends huh? Like I said though, be careful… I don’t want to be boxed around my head.

(Dorothea laughs and does as she is told, making her way back over to the swings, as the woman walks around the bench and takes a seat. After she straightens out her skirt, Shaun speaks.)

Shaun: So, what can I do for you?

Woman: I think it’s more what I can do for you Shaun.

Shaun: Look lady, if you’re looking to hook me up with some kind of business deal, I’m afraid I’m not as wealthy as you think I might be. The divorce and…

(The woman holds up her hands and shakes her head in protest.)

Woman: No, not at all, that not why I am here. Let me try and explain.

Shaun: Please do, because I’m trying to spend a nice day with my daughter and her friends and it won’t be long before they are demanding ice-cream.

Woman: I shall be as brief as I possibly can

Shaun: I’d appreciate that.

(Shaun settles in, not sure what it was that he was about to find out, but eager to understand why she was here.)

Woman: My name is Natasha, and until about six months ago, I was Drew’s girlfriend, sorry fiancée.

Shaun: Oh, I didn’t even know he was engaged.

Natasha: Yes, and had things gone better, we would already have been married. Things were going great. He was loving, attentive, his business interests were all going well, but then something changed. He changed. I got a little suspicious that something was wrong, I knew his passwords to his bank accounts because he trusted me, and it was then that I found out that he had literally nothing left.

Shaun: Excuse me?

Natasha: All the money he had made and gone, his businesses bankrupt. He literally had nothing.

Shaun: OK, I knew he didn’t have the funds to start up EMERGE and that’s why he came to me to help.

Natasha: I’m afraid I’m not finished. I confronted Drew about all of this, and he claimed it was just a temporary hitch and that he had money in some other offshore accounts he’d set up. Not legal, but at least it was a lifetime, and he’d get back on his feet. And sure enough, the accounts were replenished and everything seemed ok. I trusted him, and knew that he was a good businessman ultimately. Things continued the way they were before, Drew started being his old self again and I firmly believed we were back on track. Then, about six months after that, I answered the door to two guys who were looking for Drew and when I said he wasn’t there they beat me up… put me in hospital. I didn’t realize immediately what was going on, I thought it was just some home invasion or something and somehow, I’d pissed them off. But when Drew came to visit me at the hospital, he told me everything.

(She pauses for a moment, recalling the event obviously still raw to her. Shaun offers her a sip from one of the juice cartons he’d brought with him which she accepts, before she continues after a drink.)

Natasha: Drew hadn’t got any other accounts, he had borrowed the money from a loan shark, one of the most ruthless in the city. And those guys had come round to take payment, however they saw fit. I went mad, not just that he’d lied to me, but had put me in danger and that was the last time I saw him.

(Shaun was starting to get a bad feeling about this whole situation, but it seemed like Natasha had still not finished her story and he didn’t want to interject, not yet. When she hesitates, however, Shaun does speak, without wanting to make assumptions.)

Shaun: I honestly can’t believe he did that to you. In my experience Drew has always been a stand-up kind of guy. I mean, you’re his ex… I’m not saying you are, but you could be making up this story to get back at him.

Natasha: I can’t make you believe me Shaun, but I can assure you that everything I have told you is true. I can only give you the facts before it’s too late

Shaun: What do you mean by too late?

(Natasha takes the deepest breath, and it seems like only now is she getting to the most important part and that everything before was just a precursor to what she was about to tell him. Shaun allows her that time, although she feels irritated by the dramatic pause.)

Natasha: I got out of the relationship, because if he could lie to me about that, what else could he be lying to me about right? Not only that, but they had also given me a real beating and selfishly I didn’t want to be around when they came back. I moved out, and although he tried to call me, everything when quiet and I rebuilt my life away from the city. We still had the same friends, and as always some took his side, and some took mine, but occasionally I was fed little bits of information. This was when I heard about you. One of my friends told me that he was getting into business with you, and that you were opening a wrestling company again, EMERGE, I think they called it. Drew was excited, because he felt like he would finally be able to pay back his debts. But Shaun, I’m sorry to say this to you… his debts are far more than anything this company could make in the next two, maybe three years. And I promise you, these people would not wait for that money that long. And the most important thing you should know, is they don’t care how they get their money back. If they find out that you are associated with Shaun, they will come for you too. And I wasn’t sure whether to come and meet with you, but now knowing you have a daughter, I’m glad I did.

(Shaun pauses, compiling his own thoughts on the matter, going through many situations that may occur off the back of this information. The most prominent, of course, was her final comments as it sounded like these people would not be averse to hurting Shaun and his family to get what they wanted. He needed to speak with Drew, as soon as possible.)

Natasha: Shaun, I know this is a lot to take it, but I want to say it again. I’m not some jilted ex, looking to ruin something that Drew has made for himself. In fact, I still care about him and would be happy if he got himself out of the mess he was in… maybe he had. But I couldn’t live with myself if someone else got hurt off the back of his actions, especially now I see the family you have built for yourself. I just want you to be clear, Drew isn’t in a great place, and I don’t think he’s paid his debt.

Shaun: I need to find out

(Natasha nods, agreeing with the sentiment, before getting to her feet.)

Natasha: I hope it all works out for you Shaun, you seem like a nice guy, and I hope Drew hasn’t dragged you into anything.

Shaun: Me too and thank you for taking the time to seek me out.

Natasha: Take care Shaun.

(And with that she is gone, a multitude of questions forming in Shaun’s mind, but him happy to ask the man himself rather than interrogate Natasha who had already been through enough. As he thinks about that, Dorothea comes back over, her friends in tow.)

Dorothea: Who was that lady, Daddy?

Shaun: Just a fan kiddo… someone who’s watched me wrestle.

Dorothea: And what did she want?

(Shaun smirks, she had her inquisitive nature from her mother.)

Shaun: Just an autograph…

(Dorothea smiles, turning to her friends who already knew he Dad was once famous, perhaps still was.)

Shaun: Anyway, you guys all played out. How’s about some ice cream huh?

Kids: YEAHHHHH!!!

(Shaun laughs, getting to his feet and leading the kids behind him like a modern-day pied piper. He’d get to the bottom of what Drew was playing at, but first and more importantly, he was going to be a father. The rest could wait.)

PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA

(Shaun had rang Drew’s number several times, and on every occasion after he had left a message, he had gotten increasingly frustrated with the situation and more suspicious. In his mind, he wanted to give Drew the benefit of the doubt, but every time he didn’t get an answer, that thought process had lessened. After the fifth occasion, Shaun had bit the bullet and jumped in his car, driving through the streets of Los Angeles and towards the arena, now pulling up inside the car lot and killing the engine. He steps out of the car and looks at the place, which not surprisingly was all quiet. He walks around, and to the rear entrance, knowing that if Drew was here, the door would be slightly open like it always was. On this occasion, however it wasn’t, a chain lock stopped entry.)

Shaun: That’s weird.

(Shaun had never seen the chain lock before in his life and certainly didn’t have the key. However, the chain wasn’t particularly thing. Shaun looks around and finds a metal pipe, putting it between the chain and then twisting, and with a little effort it breaks. Shaun then tries the door which does indeed open, no keys in the lock. Shaun steps inside the darkness and tries the light switch which he knew was on his left. Nothing happens. Without the light he couldn’t see a thing so goes back to the car and pulls out a torch, clicking it on. He then makes his way back to the building, and once again steps into the darkness which is this time illuminated by the beam of light coming from the torch. He walks through the deserted corridors, turns a corner into what would soon be the EMERGE arena, and then gasps.)

Shaun: What the fuck?

(The building looked exactly the way it did when he had first stepped into the place. In fact, there were no signs that any work had been done at all. For a moment, he wonders if he is in the right building, but quickly removes that thought walking further into the building. He scans the place with the torch light, trying to find something that he recognizes but to no avail.)

Shaun: What the hell is going on?

Voice: I’d like to ask that very same question Sir.

(Shaun spins around, straight into another beam of light coming from a police officers own torch. Shaun covers his eyes from the glare, and as the officer gets closer, accompanied by his partner, his eyes start to get more accustomed to the darkness and the officer points his torch slightly to the left.)

Officer: Can I ask what you are doing here Sir?

(Shaun doesn’t immediately answer, still trying to piece together what is going on, and almost ignoring the cops.)

Officer: Sir?

(Shaun breaks from his trance, turning with a smile on his face.)

Shaun: I’m sorry officers, I’m just looking for someone, and I thought he might be here.

Officer: In an old, abandoned building? You do realize this place was locked up for a reason right, to keep squatters out?

(Shaun laughs, a laugh that immediately annoys the officer, though he does his best to remain professional.)

Officer: Some funny Sir?

Shaun: No, No, sorry. It’s just that I own the place. Me and my partner are looking to turn this into a wrestling arena. My name is…

Officer: Just one second, you say you own this building.

Shaun: Yes, I just told you, me and my partner…

(The officer cuts him off again.)

Officer: Yeah, I got that part. I’m more interested in your statement that you own this building. Sir, no one has owned this building for years and in fact it is due to be demolished. As far as I can remember, this has been city property and right now as far as I am concerned, you are trespassing.

Shaun: Excuse me?

Officer: Well, the lock outside is broken which you have obviously forced…

Shaun: I needed to find someone

Officer: Yeah, you said… I think it might be best if you come down to the precinct and explain yourself.

Shaun: But…

(Shaun stops himself, resigned to his fate. Drew wasn’t there, and no matter how much he protested, he knew how this looked and wasn’t up for causing a fuss. What he did want to know was what was going on, and where all the work that they had done with the place had gone. With a final look around, Shaun heads back in the direction of the exits, the police following him, thankful that at least he hadn’t been arrested, or at least not yet. He gets in the police car, still staring back at the building.)

INNER THOUGHTS – OFF CAMERA

Can you imagine being someone like Polly Playtime? I can’t. The more I look at her, the more I see someone who has sold her soul to the devil, and yet still believes that things will be on her ‘terms’. The ignorance is real. She isn’t any different to anyone else. The reason she has taken this stance is clear. Whereas I turned away, she chose to embrace, but in doing so, took away any chance for her to be what she clearly wants. Respected. So desperate is she to be respected, she jumped at the chance to join Frank, whereas I refused. So desperate is she for success, she hasn’t given any thought to where this is truly going. So ignorant is she to the reality, that even if she does succeed it will come at a price, she mindlessly makes her comments, not comprehending the truth. No matter what she achieves, and no matter what she does, she won’t achieve anything because Polly Playtime was a talent. It’s a shame it really is. She has chosen what I wouldn’t, the short cut. Instead of thinking of what she was about to undertake she remained narrow-minded. Polly Playtime is just the latest to fall for the devils’ wiles, no realizing that even he was putting in place a back up plan. Yes, Polly Playtimes success will come at a great price, but perhaps being successful will be enough. I think not. The complaints will continue, the woe is me attitude instilled forever… that will never go away. In the chase for success, deciding to choose a ‘certainty’, Polly Playtime has only served to do the exact opposite of what she desired, destroy her career, and if she thinks I will stand here and be a part of it, she is very mistaken. I’m going to make it clear, the only way to success is hard work, and doing better. Not selling your career to a man who’s only concerns are his own.

[Jay Gold]

Part 1 of 2.

Season 7 / Episode 33 / Patience Is Gone (Part 1 - Her Stag Cruise)

[Shaun2025]

PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA

Officer: OK, so let’s go over this again.

(Shaun sighs. He’d been here a couple of hours already and the whole situation was starting to annoy him. All he wanted to do was get out of here and locate Drew so he could find out what was going on, but the Police were still going on about breaking and entering a building that he was certain in some respects belonged to him. He couldn’t explain anything else because he didn’t know.)

Shaun: Do we have to?

Officer: Just trying to ascertain the facts, I’m sure you understand that.

(Shaun rolls his eyes making his thoughts clear but starts talking regardless not wanting to delay this anymore than it already was.)

Shaun: My partner and I…

Officer: That’s Mr. Bryant, yes?

Shaun: That’s right. We were going into business with each other, bringing back a company that Drew used to own.

Officer: A wrestling company?

Shaun: Yes. The building you found me in was going to be our arena where we would put on our shows and stream them around the world.

Officer: OK, so what were you doing there tonight?

Shaun: I needed to talk to Drew, and he wasn’t answering his calls.

Officer: So, you don’t know where he is?

Shaun: No.

Officer: So, when you saw the place was locked up, you broke the chain… correct? You don’t deny that?

Shaun: No, because I thought Drew had just done that for safety. I fully intended to replace the lock tomorrow.

Officer: So, why did you need to talk to Mr. Bryant?

Shaun: Like I said, I just wanted to go through a few things with regards to the launch.

Officer: Couldn’t that wait till tomorrow, or when he answered your call

Shaun: I guess, but when I have something in my mind, I like to deal with it there and then.

(Shaun was holding back on the real reason for wanting to see Drew, eager to find that out for yourself.)

Officer: And, if I have this right, you and Mr. Bryant were going to ‘rent’ the building for free from someone called ‘Kai’ but you don’t know his second name?

Shaun: I hardly knew the guy, he was Drew’s contact, so no, I didn’t know his second name. I only knew he owned the building, and Drew knew him so that was good enough for me.

Officer: We’ve checked the records Mr. Cruze, and the building has been in possession of the city since 2016… ten years. Going back prior to that, there is no one of that name who ever held the deeds to this building. If what you are saying is correct, then it seems like this ‘Kai’, if he exists, was trying to play a scam on you both. Do you think that might be possible?

(It could have been and was looking increasingly like it.)

Shaun: I don’t know, that seems a little farfetched don’t you think?

Officer: Happens far more often than you’d realize Mr. Cruze.

(The officer pauses to look at his notes, which gives Shaun an opportunity to speak.)

Shaun: Am I under arrest?

(The officer puts his notebook on the table and looks at Shaun with suspicion. He didn’t know who Shaun was when he entered the building, but he had certainly found out from his colleagues. Having a celebrity on a string was amusing to him, and although he knew that charges wouldn’t be pressed, he was enjoying Shaun’s irritation.)

Officer: Not yet Shaun… just a few more questions to ask

Shaun: Like?

Officer: Putting a wrestling company can’t be cheap?

Shaun: No, it isn’t.

Officer: So, how come you have that kind of money still, considering you have just divorced that beautiful wife of yours?

(He was now obviously baiting him, trying to get a reaction that he could tell the guys about later. Even the officer sat next to him who had been silent throughout and showed very little emotion, raised a smile at that comment. In the past, Shaun would have probably snapped and got himself into a great deal of trouble, but these days Shaun knew better than losing his temper.)

Shaun: Ah you know Officer, when you have been as successful as I am, even losing half your fortune leaves quite a chunk to play with. I’m sure you wouldn’t know that considering the pittance you are probably on.

Officer: Why you…

(Just as the officer is standing, another guy walks in, wearing a suit.)

Officer: Chief, I…

Police Chief: We’ll talk later Hudson… I’ll take it from here.

Officer: But…

Police Chief: That is an order Hudson.

(The two officers skulk out, and once they are gone, the Chief holds out his hand. Shaun had spoken with Chief Wilson on many occasions, Shaun even giving him tickets to show back in the day, the Chief a big fan.)

Police Chief Wilson: Good to see you again Shaun, sorry about Hudson, he’s a bit of a wildcard. I only just found out you were being questioned in here. So, we both know you’re not into breaking and entering so what was going on?

Shaun: Like I told your officer, I was just looking for someone.

(Even though he knew the chief, until he knew more about what was happening, he didn’t want to get anyone else involved, especially the cops. Their help could antagonize and he didn’t need that right now.)

Police Chief Wilson: Nothing else untoward going on?

Shaun: No, if there was, I’d tell you.

Police Chief: I’ve dealt with the Cruze family enough to know that more than likely isn’t the case. Your brother was a nightmare for it… thankfully Owen has a good head on his shoulders. If you’re in trouble Shaun, you can tell me and I’ll do all I can to help you out. You know you can trust me.

Shaun: I know, but it isn’t anything I can’t sort myself once I find Drew. I just need to get out of this place.

Police Chief: Well, I can’t stop you from leaving Shaun, you’re free to go.

Shaun: Thank you…

(Shaun gets to his feet, but the chief stops him.)

Police Chief Wilson: If you need anything, don’t be a vigilante. I know what you Cruze’s are like.

Shaun: Not me Chief… I’m too old for that.

(He shakes the chief hand and after collecting his belongings leaves the station, pulling out his mobile phone. The first thing he does is check his calls to make sure Drew hasn’t called back, but there is nothing. Then, he brings up his banking app, using facial recognition to open it. He then goes into accounts, and his eyes widen… a whole lot of zeroes and nothing else. All his money had been taken, sunk into a business account for a venture that was becoming increasingly likely didn’t exist.)

Shaun: FUCK!!!

RECORDING – ON CAMERA

(The scene opens with Shaun sitting in his hotel room, on a balcony overlooking the beautiful city of Melbourne, scene for the latest PPV event as we hurtled towards Rise to Greatness season, stopping off at Taking Hold of the Flame along the way. His return to SCW had been a mixed bag of results, but he knew that this period of the season tended to bring out the best in him, or at least it had in the past. If the Impact Player was going to show himself, it was going to be in the here and now. As far as he was concerned, he hadn’t yet had a poor match. He’d gone toe to toe with some of the brightest talents in the company, even overcoming the current world champion. Any ring rust had been shed a long time ago. But he wasn’t back to his best, though he felt it was coming. With every passing match, he had felt closer to breaking off the shackles of what had brought him back and reinventing himself in front of the SCW Universal. Although he was called a ‘relic’ he certainly didn’t feel like one, if anything what he felt was readiness, a readiness to give those fans that had returned with him, that moment they had enjoyed in the past. His latest assignment was with someone whose belief system was fundamentally flawed. Someone who alleged that he was to blame for all her strife. The moment this match had been signed, Shaun had two thoughts. Eliminate another on his way up the ladder, whilst opening her eyes. Putting that mirror in front of her so she had no choice but to look at herself, before smashing it right between her eyes. Beliefs were ok, disrespect was something he could never allow. And it was that disrespect he intended to shove right back down her throat. With a raise of his glass of Jack Daniels, and a sip to moisten his dry throat he starts to speak, his voice as always confident, and precise.)

“Let’s kick off this narrative by making something abundantly clear to you Polly. You are nothing like as important as you think you are. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not alone in that, there are others in this company that believe they own the place, but you, you are a special kind of something who thinks that now you are on the pay roll of good old Frank, everything else is going to fall into place. The fun girl image has been shed, and now you want to come across as some kind of bad ass, showing disrespect to anyone who you encounter, all because you think you have backing in your corner. Tell me Polly, how certain are you that if Frank had to choose, it would be you he would pick? If you say you are definite in that opinion, then I’m certainly going to call you out on that, just like I would if you claimed that you ‘don’t care’. This whole thing, everything you are doing, is because you DO care. You DO care about being a superstar around these parts, and having the same status as the bigger names, or in my case the ‘relics’. You do care about having a championship belt around your waist and having the respect of the fanbase and your colleagues. But Polly, it’s a tale as old as time, it goes back as far as I can remember and beyond. You’ll never claim that respect you believe you already deserve, by taking the short route to that success. You’ll never have the same status as Dawn Lohan if you cannot show that you can do it on your own steam. Polly, I don’t care if you’ve had meeting after meeting, confirmations coming out of your ears as to how that’s not going to happen. I don’t care that you believe that everything that happens from here on in and by your own actions. In the background, pulling those strings, you are going to be receiving that assistance, until you’re not. Until he gives up and moves onto the next chump who decides his words are gospel. I could have taken that route Polly, we could have been in the same group right now, but I didn’t. Why? Because if I had, this return wouldn’t have had the meaning that it will. I never needed to take your spot Polly, because the moment I stepped back into this company the unstoppable momentum started, and believe me, if I didn’t believe I could be World Champion again, I wouldn’t say it. I’m here, not for the lip service from the fans, or a journey down memory lane. I’m here to work damn hard to put myself on that pedestal that Gavin Taylor, at least for the moment, resides. If you think I’m taking your ‘spot’ sweetheart, think again, because even with the leg up, you are not even close to my ballpark. Why do you think Frank came kissing my ass… long before he dropped his lips onto yours?

But do you know the real irony to all this Polly? You are a talented individual within these corridors who was more than highly thought of before you took this current trajectory. You’re not a no mark without talent, in fact very few people like that get signed to this company, such is its reputation. I’m not sitting here getting drunk on JD, this will be the only one to relax, because I think our match is a foregone conclusion. A few weeks ago, I spoke about hunger, and how I had to match mine with yours and then some. I spoke about how you are more than capable of producing a shock at Hubris. You say I disrespect you, but I challenge you to evidence anyone else who has given you those props. You’re good, I’m going to have to work for it. Maybe I’ll have to overcome some of Franks little games at the same time. Who knows? You didn’t NEED Frank in your corner; you COULD have achieved it all by yourself. You most certainly had the talent to cause a problem to most on this roster. But the reason you fail isn’t because of anything I have done. My return hasn’t dropped you back on the ladder of success, far from it in fact.”

(He taps his temple.)

“What hold your back, is the same as so many individuals who believe they are going to claim it all when they walk into this company. Those that haven’t been given an arm around the shoulder, or mentored into the whys and wherefores of this amazing company. Mentally, you are weak. You have a skewed opinion of how this business works. And with that skewed opinion, you constantly, and consistently make the same mistakes against whoever you face. Tell me Polly, when was the last time you blamed yourself for your situation? When was the last time you self-reflected instead of putting the blame on everyone else including me.”

(He takes another sip of the whiskey, hesitating for a few seconds to look over the skyline.

“Let’s elaborate, shall we?”

(His gaze then comes back to the camera, a grin clearly forming.)

“Tell me Polly, what does it feel like to be playing second fiddle to Dawn Lohan, who has for most of her career played second fiddle to her sister Brittany. You must admit, there is a certain irony that is happening, why else do you think Dawn for also accept Frank’s good graces. I know, I know, Frank has given you assurances that isn’t going to happen, you are his primary focus. But come on Polly, I know you’re not stupid. We both know what happens if he must make a choice. Dawn is a former World Champion, he’s been gagging to have one of those in his books, that’s why he came to me. He’s virtually creaming every time the two of them are on camera together. Dawn snapped her fingers and you would get cast aside. The whole world knows it, and you know it too, but you try to put it to the back of your mind. Just one in a long line of mistakes you have made, while trying to put the blame on us ‘relics’ that know how this industry and indeed this business works. Did you ever wonder why I didn’t accept Franks help? I’ll tell you… because I knew how it would end.

Moving on to something you said prior to Breakdown, something that I fixed on so that I could bring it up right here. This whole whining because I didn’t receive title opportunities. I think you will find that the opposite is the reality. I mean don’t take my word for it, go back to the archives if you wish. Rewatch what I said to Kemal, Amelia and Glory. I was quite clear, though obviously not clear enough for you. I stated with clarity that I didn’t belong in that match but would do everything I could to make the most of the opportunity. Yep, that’s right Polly, in direct contradiction to your claims, I was whining BECAUSE I got a title shot, because I didn’t believe I’d earned it. Now, I know the concept is alien to you, so allow me to explain. My end goal is for sure the World Championship, but am I ready now? No. I couldn’t beat David Stryker, I couldn’t beat Syren, I couldn’t beat the three contenders. If I was ready, I wouldn’t have lost those matches, and well beating Gavin Taylor was only by DQ and isn’t that big a deal, beating the worst Champion in SCW history, but I digress. Just another mistake on the resume, another example of how far you must go to even be close to how good you think you are.

But there is more.

I kind of touched on it earlier, but this whole lack of respect. I’m starting to think you are having some lucid dreams. Because I was nothing more respectful, even though in my eyes, respect is something you earned. Even after you’d showed me the animosity, I still went as far as to say I was more than willing to fight my way to the top, and that this return was anything but a walk down memory lane. I never expected handouts, and I never accepted them. The short cut… remember that? You can blame me all you like for taking your spot, but the sad facts are that if you were as good as you claim, I wouldn’t have been able to. I could argue that my record in this company had spoken for itself, but never once have I referred to what happened a decade ago unless asked. Remember when I said the Impact Player was yet to arrive… that was me admitting that I still had a way to go. So, although I could have answered your comments towards me in kind, I resisted. Although I could have called you out as nothing more than the runt of the litter, I kept my composure. Only when it became clear you were acting like nothing more than an envious little child did it become clear you me that your ego needed to be shattered. You needed to be reminded that Shaun Cruze in his current guise may not be as good as he once was, yet he was still more than capable of giving you a good hiding. Hey, if you were as good as you claim, maybe I wouldn’t have been asked back. Perhaps if you were capable of carrying this company, I’d still be sat at home watching. But I’m not, and why? It’s because the board believed I had more to give. More to give to company that whether you like it or not, will always have a place for someone like me. I’ll make a prediction right here Polly, bookmark it if you want. But I reckon I’ll do me during this return that you will in your entire career. The reasoning for that? All the aforementioned. And I’ll predict that your response will only confirm that.”

(He picks up the glass and stands, facing the camera, the city behind him.)

“So, Polly, in closing I’m going to leave you with this little takeaway. I note that you are not going to ‘go away’. And that’s cute, and more than a little endearing. Fact is, I don’t want you to go anywhere, I just want you to learn from your many mistakes. I want you to stop blaming others, and look within, because that is where the problem resides. Do that, and you’ll be a better competitor, but in the meantime, let me just say this final thought. At Hubris, in front of the amazing Australian crowd, I won’t be looking to end your career. No, all I’m going to do is make sure you are taken out of my business and shown that staying away from me is always the best policy. I’m going to come to that ring and make sure that you are left with no other conclusion, than there are levels to this shit…”

(He raises the glass towards the camera and downs the contents.)

“And that although you are good. Even with the backing of Frank the Douche Canoe, you are levels below mine.

The way it’s gonna stay.”

(He walks off camera, as the scene slowly fades.)

[Jay Gold]

Part 2 of 2.

Season 7 / Episode 34 / Patience Is Gone (Part 2 - The Memorable Cruise)