Trial By Fire Tournament: BomberJake

[President Hudson]

5 RPs

Deadline is August 5th at 8 pm EST!

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[BomberJake]

The sun has just come up over Michigan. In a run-down motel on the outskirts of town, Tina Latina and BomberJake are asleep in, shockingly, the same bed. Tina is sleeping soundly, as is Jake, until the alarm goes off--the radio is playing, coincidentally, "ESPECIALLY IN MICHIGAN" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. BomberJake is startled by the alarm and falls off of the bed. The amount of noise begins to rattle Tina and she slowly rolls over to see Jake on the floor.

[ Tina Latina | "You're a bit paranoid, don't you think?" ]

Jake looks up to see Tina in the bed.

[ BomberJake | "I'm just a bit on edge and--hey, what're you doing here? I bought you a separate motel room." ]

[ Tina Latina | "I was getting lonely, Jake." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah, but us together in the same room… I thought we were taking every precaution so we wouldn't look suspicious." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, we can make an exception just this once." ]

Jake gets up from the ground, shuts off the alarm, scratches his rear ( to Tinas dismay ), and turns on the TV. The morning news is on, going through the most recent happenings. Their top story is that of a middle-aged man named Charlie being hit by a sports car in Indiana without a trace of evidence.

[ BomberJake | "Wow…" ]

Tina doesn't say anything, but sits up straight in the bed. The blanket barely conceals her bosoms under her lacy Victorias Secret bra and--oh, sorry, I'm rambling on about her figure. BomberJake and Tina watch intently as the news anchor says that there were no witnesses and that police are investigating the situation.

[ BomberJake | "Hey, couldn't they have just run your license plate and tracked you down lickity-split?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, you see… it's a rental." ]

[ BomberJake | "You rented a Lamborghini?!" ]

Tina curls the blanket closer to her chest.

[ Tina Latina | "Yeah…" ]

[ BomberJake | "But then they have your name and number and personal information at the rental place, right?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Actually…" ]

Tina bites her lower lip and looks to the side--she looks back at Jake, still biting her lower lip.

[ Tina Latina | "I used a fake I.D. and paid in cash." ]

[ BomberJake | "So they've got nothing?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well…" ]

They look back at the TV to see a group of cops asking questions to the innocent woman Tina posed as. This woman actually looks nothing like Tina and is rather overweight. BomberJake cannot stand to watch this woman in a mu-mu and shuts off the TV.

[ BomberJake | "Well… we just need to keep a low profile." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Easier said than done. You're in the spotlight every week--you're on TV in front of millions of fans. And they're probably looking at security camera tapes, trying to reveal my face." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah, but if we conceal things well, it won't get out of hand. Don't ever thing they have you figured out." ]

Jake walks over to the blinds which are closed and peeks outside. The streets are quiet--a woman is walking her dog down the street and that's all. Jake walks over to the bathroom and shuts the door behind him, though several farts can still be heard through the wall. Tina rolls her eyes and gets out of bed in some pink shorts--she throws on a tank top and walks over to the kitchen, preparing herself a pot of coffee. She looks at the local paper and flips to the sports page ( something most all women don't do ) and finds an article about the Hybrid Wrestling Federation coming to Detroit, Michigan.

[ Tina Latina | "Hey, Jake, listen to this. 'This October, Detroit will be the setting for TNAs Bound For Glory Pay-Per-View. In the new year, Detroit will be the site of WrestleMania 23. But Sunday, August 6, Detroit will house the wrestlers of the Hybrid Wrestling Federation for its second Pay-Per-View, Trial By Fire!'" ]

A rather large bowel movement echoes in the toilet bowl just as Tina finishes reading the sentence.

[ BomberJake | "Oh, shit… I'd better not move--keep talking, Tina!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "'Trial By Fire will feature an eight-man tournament, in which the winner will have complete booking power over the second HWF Lockdown after the Pay-Per-View.'" ]

Jake grunts from the bathroom and it sounds as if only one ear is listening, but Tina continues to read the article aloud.

[ Tina Latina | "'Detroit is home of celebrity greats such as Kid Rock and Eminem, but one particular HWF wrestler will feel right at home as Detroit is his hometown. And even though he recently lost the HWF United States Title, expect the home crowd to be cheering for Deamon Cohln!'" ]

[ BomberJake | "Crap!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "What?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Oh, sorry--talkin' to myself. Just, uh… don't go in here 'til I say so, okay?" ]

Tina shudders at the very thought and trys to focus back on the paper. She flips through a few pages, but then BomberJake starts talking.

[ BomberJake | "Detroit Rock City, Motor City, Motown, 8 Mile Road--it's all a part of this! I may not have seen '8 Mile', but I know enough that even with the crowd on your side, that won't win you a match. I hope Deamon knows that 'cause I'm ready to deliver if he makes it into the semi-finals." ]

[ Tina Latina | "But you don't know if you'll make it into the semi-finals. You're facing Flame." ]

[ BomberJake | "The boy's done his reseach on my winning streak, I'll give him that, but no amount of homework can prepare him for the quarter-finals on Sunday. Tina, darling, Flame and I have a few things in common. We were both in the World Wrestling Alliance and we were both Canadian Champions. But then there's a fork in the road. One of us will go one way and go on through the rest of the tournament, and the other will drive off a cliff. Now, if I had to guess, which I don't 'cause I already know how this'll work, but if I had to guess… I'd say that Flame will crash and burn--just look at his name, you know that's what's gonna happen." ]

Jake's finally finished in the bathroom, but is hesitant to open the door entirely, so he squeezes out between the door and the doorframe without showing any mess behind him. He turns the fan on and closes the door before looking into the camera.

[ BomberJake | "Flame… I could see… your acne. I could smell… your B.O. I could feel… your make-up, peeling off your face." ]

BomberJake puts a look of disgust on his face.

[ BomberJake | "Flame, don't you know the damage cigarettes do? But I guess that's why they call you Flame… just keep in mind, fags are bad for you." ]

Tina lets out a small chuckle off screen.

[ BomberJake | "And no, Flame, I've never woken up with a corpse in my bed--I don't practice necrophelia." ]

Jake looks rather repulsed, but you know that he's joking.

[ BomberJake | "Okay, I'll cut the crap, this is serious--you thought that look in my eyes was fear? BomberJake doesn't know the meaning of fear! You're starting off against ME in the quarter-finals, and you're already aware of my winning streak. Many have stepped up, but only one has succeeded. Do I fear him? Do I fear Shane Ralston? No, because I knew he couldn't beat me cleanly--he needed your promo to pick up the win. And I don't fear you. Y'know why, Flame?" ]

Jake pauses, as if waiting for an answer from the camera.

[ BomberJake | "'cause I live by many mottos, and one of 'em is 'Love Everybody, Fear No One'. I respect you as a wrestler, but there's nothing you can do to strike fear into my heart. Not even beating up a random person on the side of the road." ]

Staring deeply into the camera, Jake then takes his focus off of it and shifts his attention over to the door--he thinks to himself about the Pay-Per-View.

[ BomberJake | "Trial By Fire--I guess that suits you 'cause you're Flame, but when the fire spreads, it'll light a cord, but not just any cord… a cord that leads to a bomb, and that bomb will go BOOM!" ]

Tina Latina then walks into the shot and extends a cup of coffee to Jake.

[ BomberJake | "Tina, you know I'm not a caffeine freak. I'll pick up a chocolate milk at McDonalds or something…" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Just don't buy their Egg McMuffins--those things have more calories than a Big Mac and you need to stay fit for this Sunday." ]

[ BomberJake | "I know, there's tons to do. I've got some stiff competition going into this--there are seven other wrestlers in this tournament and Lord knows who I'll end up facing before I reach the top." ]

[ Tina Latina | "You're confident. I like a man with confidence." ]

[ BomberJake | "Some call it confidence, others call it cockiness, but no matter what it's called, the outcome will be the same. Who else is in this tourney?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Shane Ralston was in it, but then he backed down and out." ]

[ BomberJake | "I was right! I gave him a run for his money, and even though he won, he still couldn't get past his emotions for Nikki Law. See, what sets me apart from Shane is not that I won't back down, but that I don't back down. Alright, who's next?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Hey, don't go all Bill Goldberg on me." ]

BomberJake laughs and Tina takes a sip of her coffee before going through the list for another opponent.

[ Tina Latina | "There's that new guy, Dusk. He's set to face Ralston, but President Hudson's gonna have to find a replacement. Otherwise, Dusk would get a bye in the tournament." ]

[ BomberJake | "And we all know there are no free rides in the Hybrid Wrestling Federation! Wait… who are the other guys?" ]

Tina Latina opens the paper a bit further and reads down the list.

[ Tina Latina | "Riley Jones and Scotty Blaze square off against each other." ]

[ BomberJake | "How do all these n00bs get in this tournament?! The originals like myself had to bust our asses during the Omega Trials, but some mime calls me out and immediately gets a position in it!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I don't get it either, Jake. Blame the booker." ]

[ BomberJake | "They're just takin' the high road… well, these two… Riley Jones, 'The Rookie Sensation'--one thing's for sure, he's a rookie. And Scotty! Like the one from Austin Powers--he put up a fight against Summer, and he did get screwed out of a win, but I don't think he's ready for Trial By Fire." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Hmmm… the only two left in the quarter-finals are Deamon Cohln and 'Rockstar' Willie Bard, and from Bards promo, he doesn't look too sure about this first round submission match." ]

[ BomberJake | "Well then, I guess Deamon Cohln will finally get his long-awaited shot at me. It may not be for the title, which is a bummer for him--trust me, I've been in that spot before--but it'll make for a good match. Deamon just better watch what he says 'cause you and I both know that I don't quit." ]

[ Tina Latina | "But--" ]

[ BomberJake | "Never back down! Never give up! Never say die!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "What about 'never say never'?" ]

Jake looks over at Tina and raises an eyebrow. Tina has a satisfied smirk on her face and takes another sip of her coffee.

[ BomberJake | "Tina, what I'm trying to say, is that I don't say, 'I quit'. Deamon's tough as nails, I know, but he'll have a lot on his hands facing the United States Champ and the World Heavyweight Champ back-to-back." ]

[ Tina Latina | "But what if Willie Bard wins? I'm thinking he and his pal will come up with a submission move to make Deamon tap." ]

[ BomberJake | "In the rare case that Willie Bard would win, we'd have ourselves a champion versus champion match. But he'll be the one quitting--that's why I'm the World Heavyweight Champion and he's one rung under." ]

BomberJake walks over to night table next to the bed--the HWF World Title sits on it. Jake picks it up and slings it over his shoulder. He walks back to the kitchen runs some water in the sink. He splashes some in his face and dries his face with his t-shirt.

[ Tina Latina | "Don't let this tournament get to your head. The cards are stacked against you, but you've just gotta face the odds." ]

[ BomberJake | "Hey, this isn't the first time the odds weren't in my favour--I've been in a seven-man hardcore elimination match, battle royales, fatal four way ladder matches--and I've won 'em all. Once I'm in the finals, it'll be a piece of cake--who would I be facing? Dusk? Blaze? Jones? Ralstons replacement? These kids are on the other side of this tourney. They can't compete with me--this'll be the closest one of 'em gets a piece of me. The sad thing is they'll barely remember it when they're knocked out in the middle of the ring and I'm the last man standing." ]

[ Tina Latina | "This new found confidence is making you really sexy." ]

[ BomberJake | "We'll get to that later--get dressed n' let's go. I got stuff to do." ]

Tina smiles and walks back into the bedroom. She closes the door for her privacy and Jake turns back to the kitchen. Jake snatches his keys off the counter and puts them in his pocket--he looks at a receipt for the room and chucks it in the trash can. He finds a pair of sunglasses left over from the last person in this room. Just as he puts them on, Tina enters the room, fully clothed and ready to go.

[ Tina Latina | "We… are Bonnie & Clyde." ]

[BomberJake]

Mid-morning on a regular weekday, the sidewalks of downtown Detroit are busy as usual. Deep in the heart of the city, BomberJake and Tina Latina are taking in the finest cuisine Detroit has to offer. Well… maybe not the finest, but the finest you could get from a dollar menu--Jake has his chocolate milk and a few hashbrowns in a McDonalds. Tina sits across from him at the same table with her pancake still on its plate, uneaten. She got tired of trying to cut it with those flimsy plastic knives.

[ Tina Latina | "Jake, are you done yet?" ]

Jake grabs a plastic spoon and starts scooping bits of crumbled hashbrown into his mouth.

[ BomberJake | "I asked for hashbrowns, not dumplings." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, finish up--you know what we've gotta do." ]

Jake nods and shovels the last of his hashbrowns into his mouth. He chugs the rest of his chocolate milk and sticks the plastic and paper utensils in the garbage can next to him. BomberJake grabs a napkin and wipes his face clean before getting up from the table and slipping his jacket on--Tina stands up as well and Jake holds the door open for her. She puts on a pair of dark sunglasses, even though the weather is reasonably overcast.

[ BomberJake | "I'll go get the cart." ]

[ Tina Latina | "No--we can't get away with driving that. Besides, it's only a few blocks from here. We'll walk there, do what we have to do, walk back, and the cart will be right where we left it." ]

Before Jake can oppose the idea, Tina begins walking towards a crosswalk. The light turns green and she's already halfway down the street--Jake runs to catch up with her and they continue at the same pace.

[ Tina Latina | "You remember where we're headed?" ]

[ BomberJake | "'Where The City Shines'--the MGM Grand Detroit Casino." ]

[ Tina Latina | "You betcha." ]

[ BomberJake | "The stuff's in your purse?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "You betcha." ]

[ BomberJake | "Did you catch Flames promo?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "You betcha." ]

[ BomberJake | "I gotta say, I didn't get it." ]

Tina and Jake come to a stop at the big red hand of the crosswalk.

[ Tina Latina | "Flame? With his weird ritual? I go through that every time I enter Caesars Palace. No, seriously, is that supposed to be symbolic or something? The four corners like a wrestling ring?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Well, could be, but what I really didn't understand was the kissing of the breasts--boob worship?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "He's twisted. Just twisted." ]

The animated man lights up on the crosswalk and they cross the street, heading down another sidewalk.

[ BomberJake | "Yeah, and his brother's name was Stone? What's next, Ice?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I wouldn't know." ]

[ BomberJake | "Flame's my first opponent, and I'll get him out of the way in the tournament. It makes no difference that I became World Heavyweight Champion before he showed up. I've worked hard for what I've done and, like I said before, I don't quit." ]

[ Tina Latina | "All you have to do is make Flame tap out. Then he won't have to say, 'I quit'." ]

[ BomberJake | "Flame thinks I'm cocky heading into this tournament. But there's a differe--" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Not as cocky as cocky Scotty." ]

[ BomberJake | "Scotty? Why, what'd he say?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Oh, you'll see it later--most of it was bullshit anyways." ]

[ BomberJake | "Okay… well, as I was saying, there's a difference between what happened in the Omega Trials and what'll happen at the Pay-Per-View. Team Jake was getting the short end of the deal for weeks, being attacked by Summer McCoy and whatnot, but at Trial By Fire, there'll be no ninja to mess up the matches. There won't be that X factor to make me lose--I KNOW I'll beat Flame. Just you wait n' see." ]

[ Tina Latina | "If everyone plays by the rules, you'll win--otherwise, that referee better not let him get away with anything." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah, he'd better have a keen eye. But we won't find that out 'til later--right now, we're preoccupied." ]

[ Tina Latina | "It's just a short ways from here." ]

[ BomberJake | "Good. After this, we'll get to submission maneuvers, but we can cover the semi-finals and finals right now." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Yup--you'll be there once you put Flame away in the quarter-finals." ]

[ BomberJake | "They sure set up a big match at the beginning--this sort of thing is main event status." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, look at it this way--once you've handled Flame, it's smooth sailing from there." ]

[ BomberJake | "Sure will be. I'll be facing either of the only two wrestlers to have held the HWF United States Title, and then one of Deshauns posse." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Don't forget, Punks of Hardcores match was dropped from the card and Bryan Blade of the Streets Finest is taking Shane Ralstons place in the tournament." ]

[ BomberJake | "The finals will be a real rookie n' veteran match up. Dusk, Jones, Blaze, Blade… I tell you, this isn't what the fans want to see. These new guys should've been dispersed. It won't be difficult to break their legs n' make it so they can't be the last man standing." ]

[ Tina Latina | "I dunno about causing that much bodily harm--you don't need to send them to the hospital for them to be down n' out for ten seconds." ]

[ BomberJake | "You're right, but it's still fun to beat on these new guys. It's like initiation, y'know?" ]

Tina Latina doesn't respond as they finally reach the MGM Grand Detroit Casino. They enter through the large doors and walk up to a booth to buy chips. Tina opens her purse and pulls at a wad of cold, hard cash. Meanwhile, BomberJake wanders off to a bar where Scotty Blaze's promo is being played--Jake begins speaking back to the TV in the bar.

[ BomberJake | "Isn't B-Real a member of Cypress Hill? And I wasn't beaten by a firestarter--I was beaten because of a firestarter." ]

Tina looks over from the chips booth, but isn't done exchanging the money for chips. Jake's relatively quiet at the moment, but not for long.

[ BomberJake | "Scotty Blaze, get your names right, set yourself straight--it's Riley Jones, not Ricky Jones. Geez, you won't get very far if you don't know who your opponents are. What's that, Scotty? Dusk is eight n' o in one fed? Well, so am I! The World Wrestling Alliance! But lightning doesn't strike twice, my friend, and it won't happen here." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Jake! Shhh!" ]

[ BomberJake | "Dude, you think I could be in my forties?! Check the roster, dumbass! I don't care how young you are, how so-called experienced you are--you bring yours, I'll bring mine, and I'll teach you one hell of a lesson! Respect the vets! You're new to the Hybrid Wrestling Federation and you lost your debut match--what makes you think you're some hot shot? Some 'Street Legend'? I've seen gangsters come n' go, but mostly go." * cough * "Deshaun!" * cough * ]

Several people at the bar turn their heads towards BomberJake, unsure of what to think.

[ BomberJake | "Oh, great--I'm dealing with a drunken druggie. Like he can wrestle when he's puffin' the magic dragon--c'mon. This kid's a pothead, and he's seen all the movies--'Half Baked', 'Dazed & Confused', 'Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle'. He won't even know when the bell rings. You're lucky you're drunk--you won't realize your defeat when I beat your sorry ass into the mat. I know you can't get business done sober, but this is still drinking on the job." ]

Tina finishes getting the chips and walks over to the bar.

[ Tina Latina | "He just sits there with his Jack Daniels, ranting about everything wrong with wrestling." ]

[ BomberJake | "He should get off his ass and do something about it! Less talk, more rock!" ]

Tina stands with her arms crossed as Jake watches the promo.

[ BomberJake | "Just what we needed, another Muhammed Hassan. Another Konnan. You're gonna call me a gringo, aren't you? Aren't you?" ]

BomberJake waits for Scotty to say, "gringo", but Scotty just rambles on about nothing.

[ BomberJake | "He's got the same few insults--fruitcake, gay, retard--how 'bout you brush up on your trash talk? I don't care how drunk you are, judging me by my NAME is gonna leave you awestruck when I knock you out--that is, if you even make it to the finals! And I hope you do so I get a chance to slap your wasted body all over the ring!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Jake, settle down! There are cameras everywhere." ]

[ BomberJake | "Sorry, I just--Scotty, this fruitcake is a FIRST EVER WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION. Watch your mouth 'cause you're a beginner. And for the record, Bomberman is retro, and retro never goes outta style." ]

Scotty Blaze starts talking about Bryan Blade, reminding Jake of something to address.

[ BomberJake | "You four guys on the other side of the tournament were LUCKY! You were in the right place at the right time. Me, Deamon, Bard--we had to work for this! We had to lead our teams to victory to get our spots! We had to go in, week after week, defending titles and competing with the best of them for a position! I may be in a casino right now, banking on luck, but as far as Trial By Fire is concerned, it was several dog-eat-dog weeks for me." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Why do you want to have at it with Scotty Blaze so badly?" ]

[ BomberJake | "So I can knock his pot smokin', Jack Daniels drinkin', cocky ass down." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Save it for the ring, Jake. We've got bigger fish to fry." ]

With the chips in her purse, Tina Latina immediately starts strutting through the casino. Jake walks next to her, unfamiliar with the casino, but enjoying the sights and sounds of slot machines.

[ Tina Latina | "Y'know how you were talkin' about luck back there? How those four rookies were handed their spots for just being here?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, luck's on our side right now. The first title you ever won, the XCW Hardcore Title--you won it in a hardcore elimination match. How many people were in that?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Myself included, seven." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Precisely. And how many people, besides yourself, are in this tournament?" ]

[ BomberJake | "…seven…" ]

[ Tina Latina | "And what's your favourite colour?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Red." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Red. Seven. Roulette." ]

[ BomberJake | "Wait, roulette? But the odds of winning are one in thirty-six!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Yes, but the payout is thirty-six times whatever we bet, and we've got a cool grand in chips right here." ]

Tina pats her purse and just twenty feet away is the roulette table--she walks up to it and before Jake can do anything about it, she places the chips down.

[ Dealer | "Place your bets!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "A thousand dollars on red seven." ]

[ Dealer | "Bets are on!" ]

[ BomberJake | "This is insane! I don't know why I--" ]

[ Dealer | "Red seven! You're now $35'000 dollars richer." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Woohoo!" ]

[ Dealer | "What is this, Oceans 2? You didn't rig the table, did you?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "No, sir! And this is all we need!" ]

Both Jake and Tina thank the dealer, though Jake is surprised that they won. Tina picks up the chips and carries them away from the table towards the booth.

[ Tina Latina | "Did you see that? We were by no means the odds on favourite, but we won." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yes, but--" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Same thing goes for this tournament. I'd think twice about having Deamon Cohln as the odds on favourite--doesn't look like the Detroit crowd wants him around anymore." ]

[ BomberJake | "But you know what they say--'there's no place like home'!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I'm sure that's taken a whole new meaning for Deamon, for the worse…" ]

[ BomberJake | "But if he's not the favourite, then who is?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "No one. It's anyones ball game." ]

[ BomberJake | "…but it's a wrestling tourna--" ]

[ Tina Latina | "It's an expression!" ]

[ BomberJake | "Oh." ]

Tina takes a deep breath as they reach the booth--she hands the chips back to cash them.

[ Tina Latina | "What I'm trying to say is you have as good a chance as anyone to win this--Flame, Dusk, Riley, Blade, Cohln, Scotty, Bard--you've just gotta keep a level head, that's all." ]

[ BomberJake | "And in doing that, I'll surely make it to the finals! And then I'll get to take a n00b to school, y'know?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "…" ]

[ BomberJake | "Sorry--I've been watching too much Pure Pwnage."[/i] ][/color]

Tina receives the chips and puts them in her purse. Tina and Jake leave the casino, heading back to the golfcart the same way they came.

[ BomberJake | "Y'know, I'm not sure what Bards strategy is. His teen buddy seems to understand the importance of knowing submissions, but Bard's off to see the Warped Tour." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, that's at his loss--he won't last very long if he doesn't learn submissions soon. Which reminds me, you have to learn a few submissions. We'll get to that soon." ]

[ BomberJake | "Haven't forgotten, Tina. I just hope Bard has a good time at the tour, and from AFI to Zebrahead, he'd better not miss The Salads! Those guys rock! And God, I pray he doesn't have another skanking accident…" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I sincerely hope he doesn't either." ]

They appear to be walking at a faster pace than usual now that they have all this newly won money. They're already back on the same street with the McDonalds, which isn't too far in sight.

[ BomberJake | "God, I miss Charlie." ]

[ Tina Latina | "I miss him too, Jake, but we've gotta stay strong, from whatever comes of this." ]

[ BomberJake | "I know, it's just… I don't see why I'm not tearing you apart right now." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Jake, I may've been driving that car, but I never meant to hit him." ]

Just then, BomberJake and Tina are back at the McDonalds. All that's left to do is turn down an alley where the golfcart is parked.

[ BomberJake | "Then why did you run? Why did you leave him there, helpless?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Because I didn't want to be a part of 'CSI: Indiana', that's why!" ]

Just as Tina says this, they reach the alley, but Tina jumps back, hidden by the McDonalds. She drags Jake with her.

[ Tina Latina | "Jake! There are cops surrounding the golfcart!" ]

Jake peeks around the corner, and sure enough, there are three of Detroits Finest standing around the golfcart. There's nothing in the golfcart that interests them, but what interests them is that there is a golfcart parked in this alley designated for actual motor vehicles.

[ BomberJake | "They're gonna tow it! I told you we should've parked underground!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, we can't do anything about that now! We'll just have to get it out of the impound lot this evening!" ]

Tina looks at her reflection in the window of the McDonalds and straightens her outfit.

[ Tina Latina | "Follow my lead. We'll get back to the motel and then the impound lot later tonight." ]

Tina then walks past the opening to the alley with BomberJake next to her. The scene fades out to the police radioing for a tow truck.

[BomberJake]

Later that same night, outside of the impound lot, BomberJake and Tina Latina stand at a street corner, under a lamppost. Both are wearing trenchcoats, but Tina has accessorized with a bonnet. There is a slight wind coming in and a few drops of rain every now and then.

[ Tina Latina | "You ready?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Let's blow this popsicle stand." ]

[ Tina Latina | "…" ]

[ BomberJake | "I mean, let's get 'er done." ]

[ Tina Latina | "…" ]

[ BomberJake | "It's do or die!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "…let's just get the golfcart." ]

Tina looks down the street and begins crossing to the other side where the impound lot is.

[ BomberJake | "My thoughts exactly." ]

Jake follows Tina across the street and they reach the high fences of the impound lot. Jake pulls a pair of garden sheers out of a rather large pocket of his trenchcoat and cuts a hole in the fence. He chucks the sheers to the side and steps through the fence while Tina keeps on the lookout. It's quiet at the impound lot, those honking horns can be heard from the inner city. It isn't long before Jake comes racing through the hole in the fence, thus enlarging it with the golfcart. Tina stands there, calm as ever, and steps into the passengers seat. They then drive off down the road, through a green light, and on their way as far from the impound lot as possible.

[ BomberJake | "I swear, tomorrow, we'll get to the submissions." ]

[ Tina Latina | "I wish you hadn't made retrieving your golfcart a top priority." ]

[ BomberJake | "Well, I wouldn't have if I had some other form of transportation to the arena." ]

Tina sighs and shoot's darts at BomberJake.

[ Tina Latina | "Let's just be thankful that we got the golfcart back." ]

[ BomberJake | "We? I didn't see you risking your ass on low-quality security camera videotape." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Excuse me? I kept watch for anything and everything that could've appeared." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah, you got the easy job." ]

[ Tina Latina | "It's your golfcart!" ]

Tina looks off to the side at the buildings speeding by. Jake focuses on the road, visibly angered over this.

[ Tina Latina | "What happened to us, Jake?" ]

[ BomberJake | "What do you mean what happened to us?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "When I met you in the World Wrestling Alliance, we clicked. Things were just so natural! But now… now things aren't so good." ]

[ BomberJake | "Maybe we need some time apart." ]

[ Tina Latina | "But Jake, the thing is, I have nowhere to go." ]

[ BomberJake | "Bull!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I can't protect myself like you can! I can't escape the law like you can! Jake, you're… the best thing to ever happen to me." ]

In an abrupt change of mood, Tina kisses Jake on the cheek. Jake looks a bit surprised by it, but not the same way as before--BomberJake's not fainting at the wheel.

[ Tina Latina | "I'm sure we can work things out, I know we will!" ]

Jake doesn't say anything, but takes a deep breath. The rain's started to pour a little harder as Jake turns a corner towards a quieter part of Detroit.

[ BomberJake | "It's pressure." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Pardon?" ]

[ BomberJake | "There's just so much pressure on me right now--the pressure to do good, the pressure to learn submissions, the pressure to win this tournament--it's not us that's changin' us. It's everything that's happenin'. It's this Pay-Per-View tournament, it's all…" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Oh, Jake, don't let the pressure get to you mentally--you have this! You have what it takes to beat three guys in one night! Why, in the LAW, you beat the Jackyl, and then later the same night, you had no idea you'd be facing the then World Champion, Spaz, but you beat him too and regained the title! Better yet, that was the destruction of Spaz's stable, EVO!" ]

Jake takes another deep breath and starts driving slower than usual.

[ BomberJake | "…you ever see those junk car lots with the machines? The ones that pick up a car with a crane n' push 'em from all sides into a cube? That's what it feels like. I feel like a cube." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Oh, Jake…" ]

Tina scoots closer to BomberJake and leans on his shoulder.

[ Tina Latina | "You're not a cube. You're a good man, and you've got the gumption to get through this." ]

[ BomberJake | "I ain't good…" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Yes, you are!" ]

[ BomberJake | "I wasn't finished. I ain't good… I'm the best." ]

A smile widens across Jakes face, then Tinas.

[ BomberJake | "What say we go grab a pizza?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "So long as it's a thin crust vegetarian." ]

Jake looks at Tina with a raised eyebrow.

[ Tina Latina | "Oh, right, you're a man… we'll half n' half. You'll get meat lovers, I'll get veggie. It'll still be thin crust 'cause you could use that goin' into your match." ]

[ BomberJake | "See, that's what it's all about--compromise." ]

They both smile as they pull into the parking lot of a Pizza Hut, still open at this hour. Jake parks next to a rather old car from the 1900s, but still in good shape. The driver is just getting in his car to leave, but BomberJake has an idea.

[ BomberJake | "Sir, y'know what kinda car this is?" ]

The man rolls down his window and looks over.

[ Wealthy Man | "Why, that's no car. That's a golfcart." ]

[ BomberJake | "Not just any golfcart--a stolen golfcart." ]

Jake grins and the gentleman lets out a chuckle.

[ Wealthy Man | "Hey, y'know what kinda car this is?" ]

[ BomberJake | "A… four cylinder Ford Coupe." ]

[ Wealthy Man | "Nope. A stolen four cylinder Ford Coupe. My grandpappy found it in Lousiana! Said some bank robbin' couple owned it. It had a bunch of bullet holes in it, but he manages to bend the metal back." ]

Jake looks over in disbelief, thinking that could be the same Ford Coupe driven by Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

[ Wealthy Man | "Say, who's that pretty young lady over there?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Oh, this is Tina." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Hi." ]

Tina waves, but stays where she's standing, not eager to get too close to the man now driving a getaway car.

[ Wealthy Man | "You're mighty pretty." ]

[ BomberJake | "Well, y'know what they say--it's the face powder that gives a man interest, but it's the baking powder that keeps him home." ]

The wealthy man lets out a grand laugh and Jake chuckles as well until he looks over at Tina to see her not too pleased with the comment.

[ Wealthy Man | "Oh, that's rich. Well, I best be goin'--you two have a good evening and don't get in trouble!" ]

[ BomberJake | "No, sir, we shant! Drive safe!" ]

The man pulls out of the parking lot. As he drives away, his stereo is playing some fast tune on banjoes.

[ BomberJake | "I guess he kept their getaway music too." ]

This time, Tina laughs at Jakes joke as it's not at her expense. They walk into the Pizza Hut and take a seat in a booth--no waiter is around, so they talk as they wait.

[ BomberJake | "Y'know who I really don't like? Scotty Blaze." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, I know you hate what he said about you, but you can't hate him for cutting a promo." ]

[ BomberJake | "No, it's not just that. The way things are set up, I'd be facing one of these four new guys in the finals, but it's very anticlimactic to face a trainee in the last match of the night." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Maybe President Hudson wants this night to shine for one of the rookies." ]

[ BomberJake | "It won't shine very bright when they're on the mat with their lights out." ]

[ Pizza Hut Waitress | "Are we all ready to order." ]

Jake and Tina didn't notice the waitress, but they do now--ESPECIALLY Jake. The waitress stands four inches taller than Tina with her brown hair in a ponytail. BomberJake is almost at a loss for words 'til he remembers what they're ordering.

[ BomberJake | "One, uh… half n' half vegeta-meat lovers… pizza…" ]

Tina doesn't look too happy.

[ Pizza Hut Waitress | "What'd he say?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Yes, Jake--what did you say?" ]

Jake snaps to it, acting as if nothing happened in Jakes mind. He looks at the salt n' pepper shakers to take his eyes off of the waitress.

[ BomberJake | "One half n' half veggie n' meat lovers pizza." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Thin crust." ]

[ BomberJake | "Thin crust, please." ]

[ Pizza Hut Waitress | "Okay. It should be ready soon." ]

The waitress takes their order to the kitchen and BomberJake looks back at Tina.

[ Tina Latina | "What is wrong with you?" ]

[ BomberJake | "I… I forgot our order." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Oh…" ]

To Jakes happiness, Tina actually believes it.

[ BomberJake | "As I was saying about Scotty Blaze, I just can't stand that I could be facing him in the finals--the other three guys haven't shown up yet. Not Dusk, not Blade, not Riley--Scotty's practically gonna have a bye through his side of the tournament!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Relax. I'm sure they'll come around sooner or later." ]

[ BomberJake | "I hope so, 'cause I refuse to lose to some amateur with more bongs than brains!" ]

Tina lets out a shriek of laughter. Thankfully, Jake and Tina are the only people dining in the Pizza Hut.

[ Tina Latina | "Well said, well read, and well bred! THAT's your new motto!" ]

[ BomberJake | "I have lots of mottos. It'll just be one to add to the list." ]

Jake smiles and so does Tina, but they don't say anything for a few seconds.

[ BomberJake | "I mean, his entrance music is Cypress Hill, but it's the wrong song--his opening should be 'HITS FROM THE BONG'." ]

Tina laughs again, but this time, has something to say.

[ Tina Latina | "Maybe Riley Jones will set him back in the first round. Who knows, really?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Or maybe Bryan Blade will put him away in the second round--I don't know much about Dusk, but I know that somewhere in this tournament, Blade's gonna fall from grace." ]

[ Tina Latina | "You do know that he's Irish, right?" ]

[ BomberJake | "So long as he doesn't release a little bastard on me." ]

[ Tina Latina | "I thought he was the little bastard." ]

Jake finds this rather funny and lets out a hearty laugh.

[ BomberJake | "Since when did you get a sense of humour?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I dunno. I think it's contagious." ]

The waitress returns with the pizza, but Jake's all too interested in Tina to notice it. It takes a good half a minute of the pizza sitting on the table before BomberJake picks a slice. Rather than showing the entire time it took to eat the whole pizza, a sort of montage is shown where slice after slice is taken from the pan. Jake and Tina are shown laughing with mouthfulls of crust and cheese in their mouths. The montage cuts to the end of the dinner as the tray is taken away.

[ Tina Latina | "Jake, I just want to forget about the tournament. Forget about all those guys you could be facing. Flame, Willie Bard or Deamon Cohln, and then one of those four youngsters. The tournament still means a lot and it's very important, but I don't want it to control everything we do, Jake. Let's just be ourselves." ]

Tinas hands clasp around BomberJakes, but there's a sort of squishing sound.

[ BomberJake | "Sorry--got tomato sauce on my hands." ]

All they can do is laugh as both the hands of Jake and Tina are covered in pizza sauce. BomberJake hands Tina several napkins and wipes his own fingers with a few napkins of his own.

[ BomberJake | "I'm not too concerned about those three. Flame, well… I don't think many people know much about him, but no Flame Bomb is as explosive as The BOOM." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Let alone, any bomb." ]

[ BomberJake | "You got that right--I'm the real weapon of mass destruction! And Bard… he may be too busy with his ska music, but even if he is focused, will he be able to make me quit?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "You two both need to learn your submissions, so you're both on the same page, but if you stay one step ahead of him, there's no stopping you." ]

[ BomberJake | "And if I face Deamon, well… his heartrate will be through the roof--he's been waiting a month and a half to get his hands on me and he wants revenge. This'll be a rematch from One Ring where he put up more of a fight than T-Neff and Tuffy. He battled to get there and he saved every minute of it." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Hey, don't let him think he has the best of you--you're supposed to save that for me." ]

Tina winks at Jake and he smiles from ear to ear. The waitress returns with the bill, but Jake, in the joy of the moment, places two twenty dollar bills on the table, giving a rather generous tip. Without a word to the waitress, Jake grabs Tina by the hand and they laugh all the way out of the Pizza Hut. They had a great time, but when they get in the golfcart, Tina Latina merely wants to rest--she leans on Jakes shoulder as he drives them back to the motel, not too far from the Pizza Hut. Jake helps Tina out of the golfcart and they reach the door of their motel room.

[ Tina Latina | "Well, I had a wonderful evening, in spite of the time spent getting back your golfcart." ]

[ BomberJake | "Oh, please, don't mention it. The pleasure was all mine." ]

Tina laughs and looks up at Jake into his eyes.

[ Tina Latina | "So… you wanna come in?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Wait a second, this wasn't a date. I don't have to drop you off at your place… we're sharing the same room!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "That's right, but we can do what regular daters do after a good night out--they have a good night in, all night long!" ]

At that moment, Tina locks lips with BomberJake at the doorstep of their motel room ( admittedly, not the most romantic place, but when you're on the road all the time, it doesn't get much better than this ). When they're done, Jake doesn't say a word, but Tina grabs his arm with her left hand and the doorknob with her right--she pulls him into the motel room and shuts the door on the camera. It is then reopened briefly so BomberJake ( with Tina all over him ) can put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the doorknob.

[BomberJake]

The next morning, at the very same motel room, a camera takes you inside where BomberJake and Tina Latina are still in bed. Jake is shirtless, but awake, and has hit the snooze button a number of times, allowing Tina to get her beauty sleep. Her head rests on Jakes chest with one arm draped over Jake. Jake hasn't moved as not to disrupt her slumber and is enjoying this peaceful morning with Tina Latina under his arm.

[ BomberJake | "It's good to be me." ]

A few seconds after Jake says that, the alarm goes off again--Jake presses the snooze button, but it's too late. Tina's opening her eyes to the 10:30AM sunlight.

[ Tina Latina | "Oh, good morning, hunny." ]

[ BomberJake | "Aw, there's my girl--I trust you slept well." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Oh, God, was I snoring?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Heavens, no! You slept like an angel." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Oh, good. I don't want to develop another habit next to nail-biting." ]

Jake laughs and breaths in the morning fresh air. He swings his legs around the side of the bed and sits up--he stretches, refreshed from a night of "baking the strudel in the pie". BomberJake puts on a pair of socks and Tina Latina sits up behind him with the covers over her nude body. Tina yawns, but quickly covers her mouth with her left hand, while holding the covers with her right hand over her chest.

[ Tina Latina | "We'd best be getting up--we have a long day ahead of us." ]

Jake stands up in his boxers and grabs his pants, which are hanging over the back of a chair. As Jake's walking out of the bedroom, Tina cuts in.

[ Tina Latina | "Aren't we forgetting something?" ]

Tina taps her lips with her pointing finger.

[ BomberJake | "Before I kiss you, I'd better brush my teeth--I have the worst bed breath in the world!" ]

Tina laughs, knowing her kiss is coming, and Jake enters the bathroom. We hear the faucet run and Jake begins to brush his teeth. The camera stays between the doors of the bedroom and the bathroom as to provide privacy for Tina to get dressed and Jake to brush his teeth. However, Jake leaves the bathroom door open--when he's done, he spits the toothpaste out of his mouth, shuts off the tap, and looks into the mirror.

[ BomberJake | "Within less than 60 hours, the tournament will be over. The HWF will have separated the contenders from the pretenders. With booking power over the second Lockdown back, everyone wants to win. Many will compete, few will advance, but only I will win." ]

Jake turns the faucet back on and splashes some cold water into his face. He looks into the camera with water droplets running down his cheeks. He then reaches for a towel and pats his face dry. As he does, Tina emerges from bedroom in black Juicy Couture pants, a pink tank top, and a matching black zip-up sweatshirt.

[ Tina Latina | "Ready for training?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Not quite, but why are you dressed up?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I thought I'd run some laps while you're in the gym, learning submissions--may as well." ]

[ BomberJake | "Alright… let me find a shirt." ]

Jake leaves the bathroom and heads towards the bedroom, but doesn't forget to give Tina the morning kiss she was waiting for. He looks around the bed and finds his bag--he opens it and pulls out a Big Dogs shirt that reads "I Am The Big Dog" on the back. He returns to the hall where Tina is waiting at the door with her purse in her hands.

[ BomberJake | "Geez, you're quick." ]

[ Tina Latina | "No, you're just taking your time getting ready." ]

[ BomberJake | "Let me get my shoes." ]

Jake takes a seat on a chair on at the kitchen table and pulls his sneakers towards him.

[ Tina Latina | "Hey, y'know what TNA wrestler's from Detroit? Alex Shelley." ]

[ BomberJake | "That kid's great--he has overall wrestling ability." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Just like you, 'cept you're not training a 7' tall guy who botches every other jackknife powerbomb." ]

Jake laughs as he finishes tying his sneakers up.

[ Tina Latina | "Jake, I have a question, and I don't want you to be offended 'cause I've never been to where you're from, but what's Vancouver like?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Rain. Night and day." ]

Tina laughs and smiles as BomberJake stands up and gets to the door.

[ Tina Latina | "No, really--what I meant was, what is Vancouver known for? Like, Deamon Cohln's from Detroit and the D is known for Ford and D12, but there aren't many mainstream wrestlers from British Columbia other than you, so… who from the V-dot is really famous?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Trust me, no car company can help Deamon Cohln in this tournament. There are people from BC who think they're famous, like Bif Naked, but then there are others who actually are famous." ]

Jake and Tina make it out of the motel room and lock the door before entering the golfcart. BomberJake starts pulling the golfcart out of the parking lot before continuing.

[ BomberJake | "Ever heard of David Foster? He's won tons of Grammy Awards, has worked with the biggest musical artists in the business, and owns one hell of a mansion in Malibu." ]

[ Tina Latina | "But what about big events?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Aside from holding the Red Bull Flugtag once, there was Expo '86, and the greatest WWF Pay-Per-View of all time, Rock Bottom--Debra stripping, The Rock versus Mankind, and Stone Cold burying The Undertaker alive! It was the only Pay-Per-View released in the WWF Attitude Collection and it was held in my hometown at General Motors Place!" ]

It looks as though BomberJake really enjoyed that Pay-Per-View and takes pride in it. Tina doesn't say anything, but quietly giggles to herself.

[ Tina Latina | "Well, that kind of morbid action of burying a man alive doesn't seem to phase Flame." ]

[ BomberJake | "He's sick to his stomach with visions. By the way, how the hell do you film a vision? He caught one on tape in his promo and it bugs the crap outta me…" ]

[ Tina Latina | "The same way you get flashbacks or dreams in promos--all through the magic of video editing!" ]

[ BomberJake | "I suppose… y'know, it'd be really helpful if he'd explain who Felice and Gia are--not many of us are familiar with his mondo gothfest. I mean, I don't need some ring-around-the-rosie tactics before I go into every match! Standing at four points--it's like Magical Shopping Arcade, but that has more magic than this circle jerk!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "What I believe he's trying to do is summon spirits of focus and clarity, perhaps from planets or the moon, and Gia appears to be a leader, worthy of Flames praise." ]

[ BomberJake | "Well, whatever it is, it won't give him an edge this Sunday. I may not be in Mensa, but I'm smart enough to know that supposed spirits from the dead won't save Flame from submitting at Trial By Fire. Especially now that I'm learning submissions today." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Well, I'm sure you understood what he was saying at the end." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah, he finally made some threats! It took him long enough! This bat outta Hell grew a mouth and spoke--before, I couldn't decipher his sonic waves, but what he said was crystal clear." ]

[ Tina Latina | "I'm not sure where he's from, but if I had to guess, Hell's my top pick." ]

[ BomberJake | "Ah, but Tina, it's not where you're from--it's where you're headed. I entered the OTB and reached the top, but there's so much more that I can do! There's so much more ahead of me, so much left to conquer! Flame is someone to conquer and preparation starts now, 'cause we're here!" ]

BomberJake's right--they are there. They're at the gym. Tina Latina gets out of the passengers side and they enter through the double-doors of the gym. They are greeted by BomberJakes trainer for the day, Chuck.

[ Trainer Chuck | "Hi, guys!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Ahem." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "My bad, guys n' gals. My name's Chuck and I'm a trainer at this gym. And your names are?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "He's Jake, I'm Tina." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "It's nice to meet you both. So, who's my student today?" ]

Tina points to Jake before he can say anything.

[ Tina Latina | "It's definitely not me, Chuck--God forbid, I should get in the ring and break a nail." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Well, Jake, it's good to meet you!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I'm gonna go run around the track for a while--teach him well, Chuck!" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "He's in good hands, Tina!" ]

Tina waves them goodbye and heads over to the stairs to reach the track on the roof of the gym. Jake looks over at Chuck, who's already headed for the ring.

[ Trainer Chuck | "So, Jake, tell me what you know about submissions." ]

[ BomberJake | "Well, you can work on the neck with a rear naked choke, a full nelson, or Chris Benoits crossface. You could isolate an arm with a fujiwara armbar or a hammer lock. Or, you could work on the lower body with, say, a half Boston crab, Ric Flairs figure four leg lock, or the legendary Bret Harts sharpshooter." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Good, so you know the submissions that made those guys as famous as they are today." ]

Chuck climbs onto the apron and through the ropes, ready to get the lesson started. BomberJake slides in under the bottom rope and gets to his feet.

[ BomberJake | "I always liked Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Dream. I don't think he got enough credit for that 'cause he was always rotten to everyone." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "He did have a great submission, but now you've gotta find one that suits you well. May I ask, why are you learning submissions?" ]

[ BomberJake | "I'm heading into an eight-man tournament at the Trial By Fire Pay-Per-View in the Hybrid Wrestling Federation--I'm currently their World Heavyweight Champion, but with this tournament, the winner of it gets to book the card for the second weekly show back. If I lose, for all I know, the winner could book me against the entire roster with my title on the line and me fighting for survival! And what's worse is my first opponent in this tournament is a guy named Flame, and it's a submission match." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Sounds kinda like three stages of Hell, which sounds suitable for a guy named Flame." ]

[ BomberJake | "There's a lot at stake, there's a lot on the line, and I can't leave Trial By Fire without proving that I am the greatest!" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Tell me, what submissions does he have under his belt?" ]

[ BomberJake | "I haven't a clue--he hasn't mentioned any and I've never seen him wrestle. All I know is I need to make him tap!" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Okay, but--" ]

[ BomberJake | "And if I beat him, the next match is an I Quit match, so I'll need even more submission moves in my arsenal to make it to the finals!" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Jesus!" ]

[ BomberJake | "It's impossible just to focus on Flame--if I beat him, what am I gonna do when it comes time to face 'Rockstar' Willie Bard or Deamon Cohln in the semi-finals? And then the finals? I have to focus on all of these guys! I have to find their weaknesses and strengths!" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Well, what submissions are you interested in learning?" ]

BomberJake pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket and begins reading a few off of the list.

[ BomberJake | "Uh, an over n' under…" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Bad start, right there--that'll only temporarily prevent them from moving. It doesn't have enough pressure to make them tap and sleeper holds aren't the greatest in submission matches. You don't wanna make them fade out. You want to inflict excruciating pain on them to make them give up on the spot." ]

[ BomberJake | "Okay. I was thinking maybe a front face lock and then flipping over into a bridge with a chin lock, y'know?" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Ah, the bridging camel clutch--creative, I like it. I can see you've got the back muscle to hold a bridge, but we don't want to wear you out too. You wanna focus all your pressure and strength in one place to really make him submit. You could try a chin lock with the right knee driven into their back, serving as a post." ]

[ BomberJake | "Alright, alright. I was also looking at a freestyle bow n' arrow, or an Indian death lock." ]

Jake puts the paper back in his pocket and Chuck goes wide-eyed.

[ Trainer Chuck | "Indian death lock! Haven't seen that in a while! But keep in mind, Flame's gonna do we he can to reverse it, so you also have to learn the counters. For instance, you can prevent a full Boston crab by using your upper body strength to grab the head of your opponent--from there, you can monkey flip them." ]

[ BomberJake | "Wow! You know a lot about submission moves." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "That's why I'm training you. Let's get started--we'll lock up, try some grapples, and see how you do." ]

Jake and Chuck circle the ring once before BomberJake charges at Chuck--they lock up and Jake backs him into a corner before releasing the hold.

[ Trainer Chuck | "Okay, you have the strength, but from there, you have to turn it into something with more pressure. Let's try again." ]

Chuck and Jake lock up and Jake puts on a side head lock, but Chuck can easily push out of that.

[ Trainer Chuck | "Again--something more." ]

They lock up, but Jake releases one hand and gets a one-legged takedown. He holds onto Chucks leg and applies a half Boston crab, but Chuck manages to somersault out of it and puts BomberJake in an ankle lock.

[ Trainer Chuck | "You ever made anyone tap Jake?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Yes, ugh! In my last match in the World Wrestling Alliance, I made Eric Lee tap out with a Haas Of Pain!" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "You mean a modified inverted reverse figure four leg lock variation." ]

[ BomberJake | "Whatever!" ]

Jake turns over and kicks with both feet at Chucks chest--Chuck releases the hold and BomberJake chases after Chuck, but Chuck motions for Jake to take it easy.

[ Trainer Chuck | "You really wanna win this match, don't you?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Of course! Whoever loses this first match is doomed to months of 'you tapped out' chants in the Asylum. There're never any good 'out' chants--'you tapped out', 'you sold out', 'you lucked out'… why not 'you kicked out'?" ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "I'd even settle for a 'we marked out' chant, but that's not gonna happen. You said the semi-finals were I Quit matches, right?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Yes, sir. That means there are TWO opportunities for those chants to arise." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Hmmm…" ]

Trainer Chuck starts pacing back and forth around the ring.

[ Trainer Chuck | "There've been some great I Quit matches, the greatest being Bret Hart versus Stone Cold at WrestleMania 13. That had some great submission maneuvers, like the figure four leg lock around the steel post… but Austin never said, 'I Quit'. He passed out and the referee had to stop the match. It could be gruesome in the second round, so let's step up the game a little and see if you know some advanced ones." ]

They get back to the center of the ring and Chuck immediately charges for Jake's legs--Jake falls on his back and Chuck applies a neck scissors to BomberJake.

[ Trainer Chuck | "Submissions are the key to the first two rounds of the tournament. One way or another, your oppenent has to give up in both matches, and the best way to do that is with a submission move--you've gotta wear 'em down 'til they can't take it anymore. You gotta do this before you can use all your power moves in the last round." ]

Jake pushes at Chucks legs with his arms, but Chuck doesn't let go. Jake attempts to apply his own neck scissors, but Chuck squirms away. There's a look of agony on Jake's face, but he hasn't given up.

[ BomberJake | "For someone, it'll be one match too many… but not me. I'm ready to go through all three stages of Hell!" ]

Jake then somersaults backwards and gets to his feet with Chuck still holding the neck scissors. Jake slams Chuck back-first into the mat, causing Chuck to release the hold and allowing Jake to twist and contort their legs into the Indian death lock. Jake crawls towards a corner, dragging Chuck as for from any set of ropes as possible. Ultimately, with the pain in Chuck's calves, he is forced to tap out. Jake releases the hold and gets to his feet--he extends a hand to Chuck and helps him up. Both men are breathing heavily from it.

[ Trainer Chuck | "You know your stuff, kid… good luck in the tournament." ]

[ BomberJake | "Thanks, but I won't need luck now that I know how to strap on one mean submission." ]

The two shake hands in the middle of the ring, showing their respect for one another. Jake then walks to the ropes and jumps out of the ring, looking for a bottled water. Just then, Tina Latina reaches the bottom of the stairs, having finished her laps around the track.

[ BomberJake | "Welcome back to ground level! How was your run?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Great! And I assume your training went well!" ]

[ BomberJake | "Yup! I made Chuck tap!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Good for you!" ]

Trainer Chuck then climbs out of the ring and meets up with them.

[ Trainer Chuck | "He's already got a ton of submissions down and he can put on one mean Indian death lock. There's always room for perfection with technique, but if he makes little adjustments and tweaks it here n' there, he's got this tournament in the bag." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Thanks, Chuck!" ]

[ BomberJake | "Man, I feel like a kid being told what to do." ]

[ Trainer Chuck | "Don't take it as that, Jake. It's just to keep you on your toes n' not let the other guys gain anything over you." ]

[ BomberJake | "They surely won't, Chuck. Hey, tune in to the Pay-Per-View!" ]

They thank Chuck again and head towards the exit of the gym.

[ BomberJake | "Hey, let's go see a movie. I'm in the mood for somethin' funny." ]

The doors of the gym close behind them, but the camera focuses on Chuck. He pulls out a cellphone and dials a number.

[ Trainer Chuck | "Hello? Yeah, they're gone… uh-huh… I'll see you when you see them… bye." ]

Chuck hangs up, but the camera focuses on his now squinting eyes. He watches BomberJake and Tina Latina as they get into the golfcart and drive away.

[BomberJake]

Back in the motel room, the sun is setting--the afternoon turns to evening as BomberJake and Tina Latina are getting ready to catch a movie after a day of submission training. Tina is putting in her earrings while Jake is on the bed, watching yet another promo by Flame.

[ Tina Latina | "You gettin' ready, Jake?" ]

[ BomberJake | "Not yet--Flame cut another promo. He's trying to punk me out again--he calls me 'old school', but like I said, retro never goes out of style." ]

Tina walks out of the bathroom and stands in the hallway, looking into the bedroom at BomberJake.

[ Tina Latina | "Y'know, the rookies get three matches worth of rest between the quarter-finals and the semi-finals. You'll only get two, and your second n' third matches are back-to-back." ]

[ BomberJake | "Tina, you know I've beaten two men in one night--hell, I regained the LAW World Title that night. I kicked out of more finishers than anyone could imagine. Think about this--whoever's in the finals will have been worn out by submissions, and since Scotty's the only one who's said anything on that side of the tournament, it'll be a piece of cake putting that reefer away." ]

Tina takes a seat at the edge of the bed to watch the promo with Jake.

[ BomberJake | "Y'know what, I am just so sick of talking about Flame, but he's the only guy around I can rag on 'cause these other schmucks haven't come for this Canuck. Flame wouldn't even be in the finals if the Omega Trials didn't go to shit." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Yeah, that did turn out pretty bad--Summers group disbanded, you buried Saul Hudsen alive… Sean Rage, The Punks Of Hardcore, and Saldado Fortun got the boot…" ]

[ BomberJake | "I can't imagine how this could happen to so many teammates…" ]

[ Tina Latina | "Then LJ Andrews got put in a singles match and Shane Ralston left." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah--the Director of Authority had enough for two nights. He ran off with his tail tucked between his legs. He picked up his ball and went home!" ]

Tina laughs, briefly.

[ Tina Latina | "So after all of that, the Omega Trials left you, Deamon Cohln, and Willie Bard. You three are the only people from the Omega Trials in the tournament--the rest were wildcards." ]

[ BomberJake | "Or they just jumped guys like me and got their way in." ]

Jake rolls his eyes and Tina finds it slightly humourous.

[ Tina Latina | "Well, it won't be long 'til you and Flame get in the ring n' the talkin' stops--at Trial By Fire, it's put up or shut up." ]

BomberJake continues to watch the screen as Flame talks about his crazy magic scientology tribal voodoo crap.

[ BomberJake | "Honestly, how much of the world practices your Wicca shit? It's not a widely accepted religion." ]

[ Tina Latina | "He's an oddball." ]

[ BomberJake | "He's more than an oddball--he's off his effing rocker. And whoever said I was a super villain? I'm a good guy! I'm a hero! And the worst super villain he's ever heard of is the Hamburglar!" ]

The promo comes to the part where Flame calls Tina a bitch. Tina is outraged by this.

[ Tina Latina | "Who is he to call me a bitch?! Jake, you'd better make his ass tap at Trial By Fire!" ]

[ BomberJake | "Tina, you KNOW I'm going to--Flame will be screaming for me to let go with his face rubbing down on the mat! He'll be dying in the middle of that ring with no ounce of strength left to crawl to a rope! He'll be forced to give up if he doesn't pass out!" ]

[ Tina Latina | "And you've never tapped out or said, 'I quit' either!" ]

[ BomberJake | "And I'm never going to! I'm not worried about embarrassment or humiliation 'cause I'm not the one that'll be tapping out or giving up! I didn't lose at the last Pay-Per-View and I won't lose at this one!" ]

Jake looks deeply angered by this promo and shuts off the TV before it can finish. He gets up from the bed, grabs his keys, his coat, and heads for the front door.

[ BomberJake | "Let's go." ]

[ Tina Latina | "To the movie? But it doesn't start for another hour." ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah, but I got somethin' to take care of--I want you to look around, do some window shopping. I'll pick you up at 7 n' then we'll catch the flick." ]

Tina gets up from the bed and picks up her purse. Jake holds the door open for her and she leaves the room. Jake then shuts the door rather abruptly behind them. We cut to a short while later where BomberJake is pulling into the parking lot of a mall. Tina opens the passenger door and gets out, but holds the door open so she can lean in and talk to Jake.

[ Tina Latina | "Promise me you won't do anything irrational." ]

[ BomberJake | "I promise. It's just a little errand to run." ]

Tina nods and closes the passengers side door. Before she can get on the sidewalk, BomberJake's already speeding out of the parking lot. A camera mounted to Jakes golfcart focuses on Jake while he drives.

[ BomberJake | "Flame. I can see you almost missed my last promo. Thinking I don't know submissions--what was all that time I spent at the gym for, huh? For nothing?! Hell, the Haas Of Pain is in my repertoire! I made Eric Lee tap out with that at the last WWA show! You remember Eric Lee, right? Well, I don't 'cause he barely showed up, but he looked kinda like you. Weird make-up and facepaint… you two could be brothers! You guys with your facepaint--you're both clowns!" ]

When BomberJake says this, he imitates a happy clown, but only for a moment--that's as happy of an expression as you're gonna get out of Jake right now. But it reminds Jake of something…

[ BomberJake | "When the hell did I touch little boys? You talk to more kids than I do, trying to convert them to your Pagan witchcraft festival! And you look more like MJ than I do! I know, MJ jokes are so 2003, but with your make-up and your clown-like personality, impressionable third graders worldwide must flock to you!" ]

Jake lets out a shudder, trying to shake off the sick thought.

[ BomberJake | "Flame, I never said this tournament was gonna be easy. Why the hell do you think I spent my morning training and learning?! Where's your training? Standing in a circle and talking to a supreme being--that may help you mentally, but no yoga pilates Zen Buddhism dealy will provide you physical strength. Keep in mind, this won't be easy for anyone--not even you!" ]

Jake turns a corner and the tires screech, but Jake keeps driving. The road is a bit slippery as rain has recently fallen on the pavement, but that doesn't stop Jake from driving as quickly as he normally does.

[ BomberJake | "But there's something more than Eric Lee you should recollect in your memory--I mentioned it a second ago. The last WWA show, Last Stand. You didn't win… but you didn't lose. You and Tre Impact got counted out. But what's worse is not once before Last Stand did you show up to the arena--not once did you rear your painted face to the crowd, to the backstage crew, to the other wrestlers. Not once did you bother to show up…" ]

Jake breaths in the cool night air--it's chilling to his lungs just short of making Jake shiver. He looks in his rear view mirror, then back to the road. There is very little traffic in this part of Detroit, most of which are parked cars. Some teens are playing basketball on a court belonging to a public school nearby, but BomberJake just drives by without a second thought.

[ BomberJake | "Maybe that was a good idea, Flame. Maybe it's a good idea to do that now. Maybe it's a good idea to be like Shane Ralston, pick up your ball, and go home. Keep in mind, I won my match at Last Stand--you ended up with a draw. Flame, I've had my share of draws in my time, but I'm not about to create a bye in the tournament for someone to take! I play to win, and I'm going to." ]

Just then, one of the teens sinks a shot from the three point line. The swoosh of the ball going through the net can even be heard from where BomberJake is driving.

[ BomberJake | "Flame, with all this talk going on between us, you've gotten the impression that I'm full of myself… and this is coming from the same guy who just said that BomberJake isn't ready for him. The same man who's already predicting himself as the victor of this tournament. But what you don't realize is that there won't be a frickin' Stonehenge to bash my head into. And for Gias sake, Flame, practice what you preach ya hypocrite! I oughta get Deamon Cohln to bring back his religious gimmick n' smack the beeswax right out yo ears with a Bible!" ]

Okay--maybe there is a second time where BomberJake cracks a joke in this promo.

[ BomberJake | "But the thing is, Flame, that you think you're gonna win just as much as I KNOW I'm going to. Knowledge is power, Flame, and what I know is more powerful that something you can conjure up with your witch's brew. You can talk to the moon all you want, but it's not listening--you're dependent on some supernatural force to just put victory in your hands. Flame, it'll take your own strength to get anywhere in this tournament. If you don't work at it with your own body, you're gonna submit faster than the fans can say, 'you tapped out'!
See, we've both made guys tap in our promos, so who's to say who the winner will be? You know submissions, I know submissions--we both know submissions! I've never tapped before and you've never tapped before--we've both never tapped before! Simple as that! But what's not simple is winning this tournament. You're letting the cocky, arrogant Flame cover up your uncertainty, your anxiety. You don't have faith in yourself, you don't have confidence in yourself. You're putting your faith and confidence in something you don't even know exists. You're choosing for someone else to determine how well or how awful you compete in the tournament. But Flame, it doesn't take a god of yours to know how this tournament will go--it'll take a lot out of us both, but I won't lose this title! I won't lose this tournament! I won't lose to YOU!" ]

BomberJake slows down the golfcart and looks into the camera, rage in his eyes. His breathing becomes louder by the second. His aggravation, his aggression is visible on camera.

[ BomberJake | "The rituals, Flame… they're gettin' old! You can stop your Criss Angel Mindfreak bullshit! I know that a ritual is supposed to be practiced over and over, but this is overkill! You've overdone it, it should be over, you should be over! And it's game over for you at Trial By Fire.
Trial. By. Fire.
T. B. F.
Y'know what TBF stands for, Flame?
To. Be. FORGOTTEN.
No one will remember your name! Losers are forgotten, but winners are forever remembered.
Same goes for the rest of you guys--that pothead, Scotty. That reject, Deamon. That groupie-at-best, Willie Bard. And all those young pups comin' from the doghouse that're stepping into my yard! If you wanna step up the danger factor, we'll take it to the backyard! The junkyard! And just like Saul Hudsen, I'll take you all to the graveyard!" ]

Jakes voice becomes louder and angrier as he continues talking about the tournament. He even speeds up now, driving back towards the mall where Tina Latina is.

[ BomberJake | "Trial By Fire will be off the hook, off the wall, off the chain, off the CHART! But when it's all said and done, only one man will stand, and you're lookin' at him." ]

BomberJake then shoves the camera away and it faces some trees at an awkward angle. The tape keeps rolling and we can hear Jake and Tina talking.

[ BomberJake | "I'm back--see anything you liked?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "No, it was all too tacky." ]

[ BomberJake | "Ah, well, we'll go see that movie." ]

[ Tina Latina | "Jake…" ]

[ BomberJake | "Yeah?" ]

[ Tina Latina | "I have to tell you something about Flame…" ]

[ BomberJake | "Sure." ]

You can hear Tina Latina take a deep breath before she speaks.

[ Tina Latina | "…kick his ass." ]