Post by Gerard Angelo on Jun 1, 2018 22:29:03 GMT -5
He remembered.
A young boy, about eight or nine, sits on the bench on a baseball field. He turns looking at the bleachers searching for someone in the sea of parents their to cheer on their children. He keeps scanning the bleachers, yet he doesn’t see the man. The boy looks up at the scoreboard and the inning reads 9th. He sighs and throws his hat down in the dirt.
He remembered.
A boy about twelve walks down a hall, tossing a football up in the air to himself. he’s wearing a Drew Bledsoe jersey as he walks into an office. A man with dark hair is talking on phone, leaning back in a leather desk chair as he talks about business. The boy smiles at the man.
“Hey dad, wanna have a catch?”
The man looks up at his son with cold, piercing, blue eyes. He doesn’t even answer him or stops his conversation, he just points back at the door. The boy turns around and slumps his shoulders, editing the office.
He remembered.
A young man about eighteen sits in an auditorium, looking out onto a huge crowd of people all here to see family and friends receive a great honor. He scans the crowd as the Valedictorian gives a speech. He sees his mother, who meets his eye and blows him a kiss, and his younger brother picking his nose. But he doesn’t see his father anywhere. The young man clenches his fist, angry, but honestly not surprised.
THUMP!
Gerard is snapped out of his sleep as his Uber car hits a pot hole. He looks around at the scenic views of suburban New Jersey.
“Oh sorry my man, I didn’t see that pothole.” Says Tommy, his Uber Driver. Tommy was a short, little, white kid in a wife beater with drug addict tattoos. But he was pretty cool, Gerry and him had a nice conversations about the NBA Finals. Gerard thought he was acting cool because he legitimately didn’t know who he was. He didn’t know how he felt about that to be honest.
“It’s cool man,” Says Gerard as he keeps looking out the window at all the massive houses in the area, “We’re almost here anyway.” Tommy nods and keeps driving, turning on the radio. Gerry leans back in passenger seat (he doesn’t sit in the back, that’s awkward) and thinks about the past few weeks. It had been super busy and stressful. Gerard was trying to get the Lou Gehrig movie off the ground, his estranged father had reinserted himself into his life, and last, but not least, he had his one on one date with Braddock finally. Gerard can finally put that goon in his place. He knew he was better then Braddock now he just needed to prove it to the world. He will get his revenge on the man that has derailed his PCW career to this point. The reason why he got eliminated in the first round. The reason why he wasn’t in the semi finals of the Icemann. It looked like he was gonna face two of his demons in one week.
The Chevy Impala that was the Uber car pulls up to a gate and stopped. Tommy whistled looking past it and up at the massive house on the hill.
“Damn cuz, who lives here?”
Gerard sighs and puts on his sunglasses before pulling up his hood. “My father.”
Gerry opens the door and hops out. He gives Tommy a fist bump before he turns to look up at the gate. The Uber driver backs out and heads back down the road. The Hollywood Hero walks up the the black iron gate and rings the intercom. Before Gerry can even say anything he hears a familiar voice come back.
“Ah, Mister Gerard. Your father is expecting you. Do come up.” The gates open as the voice says this, the motor swinging them inward. Angelo shrugs as he starts walking up the long driveway to his father’s castle. He reaches into his hoodie pocket and pulls out a pack of Parliaments and a Bic lighter. He lights one up, inhaling the sweet menthol poison as he looks around as the massive expanse of well manicured green grass that made up the property. He hadn’t been here in years and it all looked the same. It brought a ton of memories flooding back to Gerard of his adolescence. A cloud of smoke trailed behind him as he passed the large garage that was know to house his father’s various expensive cars and the like. He stepped onto the stone path that cute through the ocean of green grass that leg to the three stone stairs. Gerry flicked what was left of his cigarette into the bushes as he one hoped the stairs. Our hero stopped in front of the double doors, he went to go knock but paused as his mind started racing. He didn’t want to be here. Hell, he made a promise years ago that he would never let his father back into his life. But no, he had to be a good older brother. As he was thinks about turning and hit alining it back to Los Angeles as fast as possible, the double doors swung forward and he came face to face with a man he hasn’t seen in years.
“Mister Gerard. You are looking quite well, Sir.”
Gerry couldn't help but smile at the older man. His hair had turned thinning and grey from the thick black it used to be, and his mustache was more salt and pepper. His face and expression were the same, even with more age lines.
“How long has it been, Hathaway?”
“Too long, Sir.” The older man cracks a smile as he and Gerard clasp hands. Hathaway had been his father’s butler for as long as he can remember. Always dressed in classic servant clothing, the man had done more for Gerard during his childhood then his father. He didn’t know if Hathaway was his first name, last name, or even a made up one. Gerard had asked him once and he changed the subject.
“Please come in. We don’t want to keep your father waiting.” Said the butler as he ushered Gerard inside and shut the doors. Gerard looked around at the large house, vision of his childhood running through his mind. He looked at the big spiral staircase that led to his room. He looked down the hall where the kitchen was. It all looked the same, yet different at the same time. Gerry even remember the time he caught his father in his office with…
“This way, Sir.” Says Hathaway, tearing the actor/wrestler away from his thoughts as he leads him down the hallway. Gerard walks behind the older man, taking n all the sites of his former home.
“So do you know what my father wants, Hathaway?”
“I do not, Sir. I’m merely the help as you know.” Said the butler as Gerry rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses. The butler knew. He always knew everything. Gerard ket his mouth shut as he led him to the back of the house. The backyard was different from just the pool Gerard remembered. Now it held a large fully stocked bar, a grill pit, two large iron and glass round tables with chairs. There were still acres of untouched grass beyond this, it seemed as if his father had bought the rest of the land around him. Gerard continued to scan the area until his eyes fell on the gorgeous, curvy blonde lounging out by the pool. She was beautiful but she had to be in her early twenties.
“Well, at least I know me and my father have something in common.” Gerry said dryly. Hathaway smirked and turned around strolling back into the house and shutting the sliding door behind him. That’s when he heard something that sound like a whale breaching coming from the pool. Gerard looks to the side as he sees a man that looks like he was cut from a block of granite emerge from the pool. All six feet of him was ridiculously toned by hours in the gym, he seemed to be in better shape then Gerard himself. The skin stretched by those muscles was a dark bronze, giving him the look of a greek god. Even wet, his salt and pepper hair fell perfectly in place as he strides towards the Hollywood Hero. But the thing that always caught Gerard’s attention, and all of the people the man ever interacted with, was his eyes. Blue, cold, and intense, like a glacier. The man stopped infant of Gerard, smirking a familiar smirk as he toweled himself off. Gerry sighed.
“Hello, Dad…”
Anthony “Tony” Angelo was a well respected business man. He was also a very powerful man. He was the President and CEO of the Angelo Corporation, or AngCorp for short, which was a international conglomerate. The company made tech, weapons, had a hand in agriculture, and other things that couldn’t be talked about. Tony was self made. He created everything he had and earned it. If it was done legally or illegally was up for debate. He smiled at his eldest son as he eyes him over.
“You’re looking well, son.” His booming voice echoed across the pool and back yard. Gerard rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, and you’re looking like a leather couch. What did you want?” Gerard asked impatiently. Tony continued to smile at his son, which made Gerry even more frustrated.
“I can’t want to see my oldest son after years of not talking?” Tony asked, raising an eyebrow. Gerard crossed his arms over his chest.
“Every time you want to see me, something bad happens. So forgive me if I’m wary of you.”
Tony motions for Gerard to follow him as he walks over to the bar. Gerard follows begrudgingly. The patriarch of the Angelo family reaches behind the bar and produces two rocks glasses and a bottle of expensive scotch. He pours to glasses and hands one to Gerry. Gerry takes it and eyes it like poison. Anthony laughs as his son.
“What, do you think this is Game of Thrones, boy?” Tony laughs again and takes a sip from his glass. Gerry sniffs it anyway and swallows it in one gulp, placing the glass back on the stone bar. He wipes his mouth on his sleeve and looks back at his father.
“So what did you want? Sean made it sound urgent, and I know you’re not a man who had time to bring his son out here to exchange pleasantries.” Gerard raises his own eyebrow at his father as he waits. Tony sighs and places his drink back down.
“You were always the perceptive son. I’ll give you that. Marla.” Tony says looking over at the blonde girl sun bathing. He pulls an ear bud out and looks at the two men from behind her sunglasses. She smiles and stands up, walking back into the house as the two men both check her out.
“Who’s this one?” Gerard asked his dad. Tony smirks.
“Ah, lets say an intern.”
“Uh huh, and what happened to your current wife?”
“Karen is in Cabo if you must know.” Tony says, crossing his muscular arms across his broad chest.
“So, have you had a wife you didn’t cheat on?” Gerard asks.
“I never cheated on your mother…”
“That’s a fucking lie. Since I saw you do so.”
“For the last time, will you drop it?” Tony asks through gritted teeth. Gerry smirks, loving the fact he was able to push his fathers buttons. Even though he was telling the truth. He had seen what his father was doing with his then secretary. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his lighter and cigarettes. He let one up to his father obvious disgust.
“So, again, what did you want?” Gerard asks, blowing a big cloud of smoke into the air. Tony grits his teeth but starts to talk.
“Well, son, we haven’t been on good terms in a long time. And I want touching that. You are my eldest son, and the heir to my estate when I die.”
Please, I’m sure you’ll just find a new body to inhabit, Lucifer.”
“As I was saying, we need to reconcile. As much as you hate to admit it, you are my son and…”
Gerard puts his hand up, interrupting his father. He stares at the man into his cold blue eyes.
“What do you want? I’m not here to play games, dad. I know you want something from me.” Gerard blows some smoke out of his nose as his father smiles.
“Fine. Well, I have been doing some thinking about whats next in my life. Running AngCorp is great, but I want more. So I have decided that I am going to run for senate.” Tony looks at his son, expecting an answer. Gerard just starts to laugh, almost doubling over in deep belly laughter. Tony clenches his jaw, he was a man who liked to be the butt of any joke.
“What’s so damn funny, boy?
Gerry continue to chuckle, wiping a tear from his eye. “Sorry, you as a politician is just so perfect, since you’re so full of shit” He continues to laugh at his father as Tony seethe. Gerard goes to take another drag but his father rips the cigarette from his lips and tosses it.
“It’s not funny, boy. I’m still your father and I demand respect. I have big plans, and they start with being a senator.” He growls at his son as Gerry’s laughter has stopped. He stares at his father until his green eyes go wide in realization.
“Oh man, you want to be President, don’t you? Holy shit.” Gerard stares at his father as if this was the craziest thing he’s ever been told. Tony smiles evilly.
“That’s the plan, son. I plan on becoming the President of the United States of America. President Angelo has a nice ring to it, no?” Tony picks up his glass of scotch and takes a sip. Gerard just shakes his head.
“So, even though that’s the craziest thing I’ve literally ever heard, and trust me I read an article the other day that their could be megladon still alive, where do I fit into the pipe dream of yours?” Gerry rubs his bearded chin.
“I want you to campaign for me. You’re famous, well liked, very persuasive. You can get people on my side. Including all of your Hollywood friends.”
“So that’s what you want?”, Gerard asks, “You want me to campaign for you to further your personal goals? No thanks.”
“Don’t be a fool. Just think of the advantages you can have with your father as the most powerful man in the world. Hell, look at what Trump has been able to do.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure you’re real jealous of what your buddy Donnie is doing.” Gerard rolls his eyes getting ready to walk out. He starts to head towards the door when his father calls out.
“I also want to help you, Gerard.”
Gerry stops and turns.
“Help me with what?”
“I’ve been watching you, obviously. I’ve seen the beginning of your Pure Class Wrestling career. You’re wasting away at the bottom of the card, fighting with irrelevant clowns, when you should be in the finals of that tournament. That’s not you, son. You were raised to be a winner.”
Gerry grits his teeth, staring daggers at his father. “It’s just a minor set back. I’m gonna handle my business with Braddock next week. Then it’s onwards and upwards.” Gerard says this convincingly but he’s father laughs.
“You shouldn’t even be in this position in the first place. You’re better then that.” Tony finishes his scotch as he looks at his son thinking. “Did you ever think the reason why Braddock attacked you with out reason was because someone in power told him to?”
“That’s ridiculous.” Gerard said, but deep down he had asked those questions himself. “Why would the company that signed me want to hold me down?”
“Why does any of the ridiculous things that happen in your profession happen?” Tony asks. Gerard had to agree with that. Wrestling was an odd business that seemed to get more ridiculous year after year. The thoughts had crossed his mind but he would never let his father know that.
“Yeah, but I’m nothing but good for PCW. I bring more eyes to the product that wouldn’t otherwise be there. I can put on a great match with anyone. I’m not a trouble maker, well, anymore.” Gerard says, seemingly trying to convince himself more then his dad. Tony laughs.
“Maybe someone feels threatened by you and decided to call in a favor, or maybe got some whispers started. You’re a real winner son. You deserve accolades and championship matches, not fighting pyscho paths in cheap makeup. Someone is trying to hold you back.”
“Even if this was true, how would you even help me?”
Tony clasps his hands behind his back, looking out over his well maintained property.
“Recently, AngCorp started getting into the sports science field. The company we acquired wants to start applying analytics to combat sports. It’s been working in baseball and is starting to spread to the other major sports. We want to be the first to get a foothold into professional wrestling and MMA. And I figured since my son is already involved in wrestling. It’s a win-win for everyone.” Tony smiles as if he solved everything. Gerard doesn’t feel that way.
“So you invite me here to ask me to help you with your stupid idea to get into politics. Then you point out my current slump in wrestling and your solution for me is to turn me into a lab rat for another thing you can make money off? You can screw off, Tony.” Gerard turns and starts walking towards the house. Tony growls and reach out, grabbing his sons shoulder to impede his progress.
“Don’t turn your back on me, boy. I’m trying to help you out and you’re being ungrateful, like your entire life. You will…” Tony is interrupted by Gerard turning and smack his hand off his shoulder. Tony looks shocked as Gerard glares at him before walking back into the house. He watches his son walk away and his face broke out into an evil smile. He would get what he wanted, whether it be from his son or not. He always got what he wanted.
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Posted to Gerard Angelo’s Twitter account
So #Braddock, you wanna try and send me back to Hollywood, you cheap knock off of Vampiro? Don’t make me laugh. You are nothing but a cheap shot artist who happens to be a shitty wrestler. At #LivingALegacy, I will absolutely embarrass you live in front of the world so bad that you will never show your face in wrestling again. Your going to wake up in the hospital you fucking jobber. A star always shines through the darkness. And I am a bonafide STAR!