When Opportunity Knocks
Apr 8, 2018 0:55:16 GMT -5
Kyle Shane, Dominator / Mortimer, and 1 more like this
Post by Gerard Angelo on Apr 8, 2018 0:55:16 GMT -5
Hollywood and the Wrestling business. The two are more similar then most people in each industry would like to admit. Massive egos populate the landscape. Both have people that will shake your hand then shove a knife in your back if it got them a step ahead like it was nothing. Both were worlds where your demons if not kept in check would consume you.
But both had their perks. Fame. Money. Women or Men, or both. Whatever you fancy. Legions of fans chanting your name. Doing everything the could to just breathe the same air as their heroes.
Wrestling did have one thing on Hollywood though. That rush you get as soon as you step out of the curtain in front of that live audience. It was better then any drug or alcohol you could get. Hell, it was better then sex sometimes. Its the reason why so many wrestlers try to hold on to every shred of relevancy in this industry. It why this business is as cut throat as they come. Because the feeling is addicting.
Gerard mulled these thoughts over in his head as he laid out by his massive olympic sized swimming pool at his Miami home. The Hollywood Hero, dressed in a pair of swim trunks and shades, laid back on a lounge chair. He flicked the ash from the end of his cigarette, the warm breeze of the afternoons air carrying the gray ash away. He scratched his beard. His PCW debut had gone well. He won, though not as he drew it up. He winced as the thought of the match made his shoulder twinge again. Yukio had done some number on his shoulder. Though, he had to admit, the training staff had been world class. They even sent him to a hospital for X-rays. Thankfully they came back negative. Just some bruising. Which meant he was cleared for the next Trauma, and the Iceman Invitational. Smart move by PCW management to put him in the prestigious tournament. His fame was doing wonders for Pure Class even after just one match. The social media numbers were off the charts. PCW was number one trending world wide on Twitter last Thursday. Youtube numbers for his match against Hiroshi Yukio are closing in on 2.5 million views. Hell, Yukio was the most googled Japanese athlete since Shohei Ohtani. Those numbers aren’t by coincidence.
Gerard took another drag of his cigarette before leaning down and putting it out in the bronze ashtray on the paving stones. But living in the past never helped anyone. He had a busy week this week. He had to work Trauma, fly back to Miami to film more episodes of Miami PD, fly back to Charlotte to do a meet and greet for PCW, fly back to Miami for more filming, then head back to Myrtle Beach for the show.
“Well, no one ever said greatness came easy,” Gerard said to no one but the breeze in the air.
At that moment Gerard’s iPhone rang. He sighed and grab it off the ground where it was laying next to the ashtray. He looked at the screen and it read, Jimmy. He slide his thumb across the bar to answer the phone.
“Jimmy,” Gerry said as he answered his phone, trying not to sound annoyed. He never liked being bothered when he was reflecting, “What can I do for you?”
“How’s your shoulder feeling, bud?” His agent asked, concern for his client obvious in his voice.
“I’m fine, same as when you called me this morning,” Gerard said rolling his eyes.
“Well, good, can’t have PCW’s new golden goose on the shelf after one fight right?”
“Match, not fight.” The Hollywood Hero sucked his teeth, trying not to get annoyed by his friend and agent’s lack of knowledge for his passion. It wasn’t his fault, the man came from a different world.
“It’s all the same, champ.” Rothenberg says rather dismissively. Angelo’s brow furrows.
“Alright, what do you want, Jim?” Gerry’s impatience and annoyance starts to bubble over.
“Fine, fine. I need to to fly out to L.A. tomorrow. There are a couple of studio execs that sent me some projects for you. They even told me to bill them for the food. Idiots!”
“Bro, I already told you, I’m not taking any new shows or movie deals while I’m doing the wrestling thing.” The frustration builds up in the actor/wrestlers voice. “I barely have enough time between the show and PCW.”
“I know, I know. But they wanna go to Morgan’s and they will pick up the tab. Let’s get some free food and drinks off these guys. You owe me.”
Gerard groans and silently curses to himself. “Fine, I’ll go.”
“Good. Pick you up at the airport at four. Ciao.” He said as he hung up. Gerard smacked his phone against his forehead a couple of times, hating how easily he gets guilted into doing things for his friends. He laid back on the lounge and cursed Jimmy for a few minutes before the text alert on his phone goes off. He looks and its from Sean, his brother. Gerry opened it and it read, ‘LOL bro you need to check this clip on YouTube of what that Stacy chick said about you. The one your facing at Trauma.’ Angelo opens the link and watches the video of the interview. He frowns as she gets to the end.
Rookie? Gerard scoffs. Obviously Miss Jones doesn’t like to do her homework. He grabs his pack of Parliaments off the ground, along with the lighter, and opens it. Gerry pulls out a cigarette and lights it, taking a long drag. He closes the YouTube app, and opens Twitter. The Man Without Peer starts to type up a tweet.
Obviously #StacyJones doesn’t know how to do her research. Calling ME a rookie?? LOL sweetheart I’ve been wrestling for YEARS. Gerard Angelo. Google me. Former World Champion. You should make sure you know #FACTS before you speak. Oh, and I beat a actual wrestler, you jobber. #TIIT #PCW
————
The door to the limo shut behind Gerard as soon as he climbed in. Our hero adjusts his shades and straightens out his black Armani suit as he settles in. He smiles across at his brother Sean, similarly dressed in a blue suit. Jimmy Rothenberg sits next to him, wearing an ill fitting, old, gray suit. The short, chubby, man smooths out the little bit of hair he has on his balding head. Gerard looks at his agent.
“Jim, how much money do you take from me every month?” Gerry ask with a grin. “Buy yourself a new suit. You look like a cartoon hobo.” Gerry and his brother laugh as James fixes his stained tie.
“Hey, if it ain’t broke, right?” The overweight man says. “I’m not spending money on a suit unless this one rips.”
“With the way you eat, it probably will tonight.” Sean Angelo says with a smirk as he runs and hand threw his sandy blonde hair. Gerard laughs as the two brothers make jokes at the Hollywood agents expense. Jimmy rolls his eyes, but he’s used to it with these two, knowing it’s all in good fun. The younger Angelo brother pats Rothenberg on his shoulder before turning to his older brother.
“So, Gerry,” Sean raises an eyebrow and smirks at his brother. “How bad did that chick piss you off calling you a rookie?” He laughs, watching his brother scowl.
“You know it pissed me the fuck off. I’ve worked hard to leave a lasting legacy in the wrestling business, and she doesn’t even have the decency to even look me up?” Gerry growls and rubs his temples.
“You know, I heard Morgan’s has kobe lobster.” Jimmy says looking out the window, not really paying attention to the brothers conversation. “It’s lobster that’s only fed kobe beef. Most expensive lobster on the West Coast.”
Gerry rolls his eyes and ignores his agent as Sean continues speaking. “Like who even is this chick? Why haven’t I ever heard of her?” Sean taps his chin thinking. “She’s really hot though. I would do nasty things to her. Like unspeakable things, you know?
The Miami PD star rolls his eyes. “Is that all you think about, ever? Banging chicks?”
“What else is there to think about?” Sean shrugs. “Chicks dig me.”
“Maybe you could use all that energy and go find a job?” Gerard says seriously.
Sean laughs. “Why when you make enough money for the both of us?”
“I also hear they have a forty ounce prime rib, stuffed with fired oysters, and toped with a champagne cream sauce.” Jimmy is almost drooling, thinking about the food instead of the conversation.
“I’m surrounded by idiots.” Gerard groans and rubs his face. His brother keeps going on though.
“After you beat her, you should try and bang her.” Sean strokes his stubble covered chin. “I would definitely try.”
The eldest brother rubs his face again, fighting back the urge to scream as he wonders who he pissed off in a past life to be stuck with these two all the time. He turns and looks at the window, the limo moving slowly in the L.A. traffic.
“Ger, you should definitely give Stacy my number after the match.” Sean smiles wide, loving his idea. “You can even do something cool after you pin her. Like crumple up the paper with my number on it and shove it in her mouth like the Million Dollar Man.”
“Oh yeah, Sean, I’m really gonna do that,” Gerard says sarcastically as he rolls his eyes. “I’ll be like, ‘Hey, I just beat you, and this is crazy. So here’s my brothers number, so call him maybe?’ Sound good?”
Sean’s eye go wide. “Dude, that’s amazing.” Gerry rolls his eyes again and gives his brother a swift kick in the shin. Sean cries out and grips his knee, rolling out onto his side on the limo’s bench seat, clutching his leg to his midsection.
“Stop being an idiot!” The Hollywood Hero yells as the limo pulls up to a stop in from of Morgan’s Steakhouse. Jimmy gets excited and claps his hands together like a small child about to get ice-cream, the drool almost pouring down his double chin. He turns and smiles at his client.
“I’m eating everything!”
————
Gerard puts down his fork and it clanks on plate. The large round table is littered with dishes and glasses, both are covered with remnants of the delicious food that Morgan’s prepares daily. The restaurant was busy as always, but the big shot studio executives had gotten a great table in the back for the Angelo party. The soft classic music playing over the sound system did little to drown out the murmur of voices from the rich and elite that dined here. Not that Morgan’s was exclusive, but if someone with a nine to five wanted to eat here, they would have to take a second mortgage out on their house.
Gerry lifted the glass containing his fifth Kettle and club to his lips and drained the rest of it, setting it down as the ice clinked against the glass. The meal was incredible as always. There was lobster bisque to start, rich and delicious. Next came oysters and clams, fresh and delightful. The salad was fresh arugula and candied beets topped with goat cheese and walnuts with a mustard vinaigrette. Gerry had gotten a filet and a dry baked potato. Delicious and cooked to perfection like always. He looked to his left and rolled his eyes. His brother was tearing into the meat on the bone of the oversized ribeye he had gotten. His face was covered with char and meat juices, the white napkin tucked into his collar almost completely covered with food. Well thankfully it didn’t get on his suit, Gerry thought as he turned to his right to look at Jimmy. His agent was breaking open the last lobster claw on his plate. The balding man pulled the sweet meat of the crustacean out of the claw and dunked it in the massive ramekin of extra butter he ordered before swiftly shoveling it into his mouth. Gerard sighed. He needed new friends. Jimmy burped and set his lobster shell down.
“So, now that we’ve eaten,” Jimmy says in between licking the butter off his pudgy fingers, “We should get down to business.” He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out his cell phone.
“Jim, I told you, we’re just here to get free food on some studios dime.” Gerard says annoyed, being this the fifth time he’s said this in the last two hours they were eating. “I don’t care what script they have I’m not doing it.”
It’s Jimmy’s turn to roll his eyes. “Relax, hot shot, I just HAVE to run these by you or I won’t be able to put this meal on the studio’s tab. Do you think I can afford all of this?”
Gerard folds his arms over his chest. “With the amount of money I pay you, you should pick up the tab every time. Just get on with it then.” He huffs and looks around for the server, trying to get another drink for this. The only sound coming from the table at the moment is Sean ripping chunks of meat from the bone with his teeth. Rothenberg finally speaks.
“Alright, I have three scripts they want to see if you’re interested in. One is a horror movie called Silent Woods.”
“No thanks.” Says the Hollywood Hero, eyes darting around the room, still searching for the server. “Horror movies are for actors on the decline.”
Jimmy rolls his eyes. “Next, and this is a big one, they want to try and sign you to a multi-film deal for an action franchise. Apparently they want you to play the leader of a mercenary group.”
“Tell them I don’t wanna do the Expendables. Stallone likes to sure everyone. Where is the damn waiter?” Gerard drums his fingers on the white table cloth, resigning himself to the fact that his buzz was going to be killed by the time his agent was finished with this mundane task. He really hated doing this. He didn’t even want to become a full time actor in the first place. He had dabbled during his full-time in ring career, but that was mostly for shits and giggles. Not to mention it was extra money and the women were even looser then a lot of the ring rats you see at shows. But after his knee injury and subsequent retirement, acting was the next best thing. Gerry couldn’t bring himself to be a commentator or a trainer. The wound was too fresh. Maybe it was selfish but he was too proud to be around something he loved so much and couldn’t participate in. Hollywood had grown on him though, and the lifestyle was pretty much the same. Money. Women. Drugs. Alcohol. Except instead of the boys, they were replaced with beautiful, albeit fake, people.
“And then the last one they want you to play Lou Gehrig.” Jimmy’s voice snaps Gerard out of the introspection he was doing. He raised an eyebrow looking at his balding, overweight, agent in that old suit.
“They bought the rights to the Gehrig movie?” Gerard asked incredulously. This was a role he’s been chasing for the last three years. Gerry had read the script and fallen involve with he role, not to mention he was a Yankees fan in his personally life. The movie was about the life of Lou Gehrig and it spoke to Angelo.
“Yep.” Jimmy says with a sly grin at his client. “You want me to have them mail you the script?”
Gerry nods. “Yes of course. You know this is the movie I’ve wanted to do since I got out here.”
“Oh I know.” The agent laughs. “It’s why I saved it for last. I’ll call them tonight.”
Gerard smiles, for once excited to read a movie script. He stares off into the distance thinking about until he is furiously tapped on the shoulder by his brother.
“Ger, isn’t that Jenny?” The blonde Angelo asks his older brother, point off to the front of the restaurant. Gerard looks and his heart leaps into his throat suddenly fearful. Standing in front of the restaurant, one blue eye scanning the the room, the other covered by a cascade of platinum blonde hair. All five foot five of her seemingly poured into a tight, red, mid thigh length dress, showing off way more then it covers. Gerard slinks down in his chair, nearly hiding under the table.
“Bro, why the fuck is she here?” Gerard asked, panicked. This girl was his stalker. It started out innocently enough, he had met her at a party in Beverly Hills. She seemed nice enough at first. Funny, gorgeous, seemingly down to earth. But apparently if you don’t call her right away the next morning, you wind up with a brick through the windshield of your Porsche. Now two years, three restraining orders, and one fake pregnancy later, he’s being stalked.
“Someone probably took a picture of you and posted it on Twitter or Instagram that you were eating here.” Jimmy says keeping a wary eye on the crazy blonde. “You need to stop having sex with crazy women, Gerry.” He shakes his head. Gerard looks up and scowls at his agent.
“Like I knew she was fucking crazy.” The Hollywood Hero huffs. “Besides, could you say no to that?”
“More like she would say no to him first.” Sean interrupts with a laugh.
“This is no time for hilariously accurate jokes, Sean. I need a way out.” Gerard looks around, searching for an exit that doesn’t lead past Jenny. All of a sudden they make accidental eye contact.
“Gerard!” He voice yells out and she starts to power walk towards them as best she can in pumps. Everyone is staring now as she shoves a bus boy out of her way, the tub full of dirty dishes he was carrying flying everywhere and crashing on the ground. Gerry looks from Jimmy to Sean before he stands and turns around, running for the kitchen.
“I'll see you guys at Jimmy’s!” He yells behind him, yanking open the door to the kitchen, nearly taking out a waiter with a tray of food. The Man Without Peer dodges prep cooks and get cursed at in Spanish as he reach the back door, shoving it open. He leaps down the two cement steps and runs down the alley into the warm evening air of Hollywood.
———
Video from Gerard Angelo’s Twitter. Posted Saturday, April 7th, 2018.
Gerard holds the phone infant of him, smirking at the camera. He’s dressed in a dress shirt and slacks, his cornflower blue tie loosened. He’s sitting in a high-backed leather office chair, a big wood desk littered with papers and and MacBook Pro behind him.
“The Icemann Invitational Tournament. One of the most prestigious events, not just in PCW, but in the entire wrestling world.” Gerry stares into the camera as he says this, his face turning serious. “I’m no stranger to winning big tournaments, but this one might be the most important of my career so far. Not only is this year’s event paying tribute to the late Icemann himself, but I can use the TIIT to make my mark on PCW, and get a shot at ANY championship I desire.”
The former Golden Boy smirks again. “You all could see your hero become the Underground King. You could see your hero become the North American Champion. Hell I could walk right in here and become the World Champion in no time at all. But, first I have to deal with the uninformed Stacy Jones.” He scowls into the iPhone camera. “I think your broken neck messed with your brain Stacy. Did you really start talking about me without doing any research? In fact, how the hell do you not know who I am? I am a MASSIVE star. Not only in Hollywood, but I’m a living, breathing, wrestling legend. Now, I’m not one to live in the past, but this seemed warranted for you, child.”
Gerry spun his chair around until the camera view became a wall covered in a rather large collection of championship titles and plaques. Gerard gestures to them with his free hand. “I’m no rookie. I’ve forgotten more title wins then you have victories. I’m a former World Champion, god dammit. I’m Gerard fuckin’ Angelo, and you will show me some damn respect. Or I will beat it out of you.” Gerry growls into the camera, his eyes filled with fire. “You can talk about coming back from your injury all you want. How you overcame all the obstacles set in front of you. How you beat the odds to even step foot in the ring again.” Gerry holds his hand to his chest in a mocking fashion. “Save it for your special on the PCW Network. This is MY time. I didn’t come all the way back from my own injuries to be some footnote. I don’t work my ass off every single day to be fodder to a third rate wrestler. I’m the star and you’re just and extra in my movie.”
He smirks one last time. “See you Sunday, girl.”
Video ends.