STAR STRUCK: PROLOGUE [AWF #2]
Jun 30, 2020 22:32:35 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Jun 30, 2020 22:32:35 GMT -5
PYRO:
Go away.
The lump under the pile of blankets grumbled, reluctant to leave the sanctuary of his bedroom, or the relative warmth of his bed. The knocking continued, despite his best effort to ignore it.
PYRO:
Slava!
He threw his head back and bellowed, expecting his partner in all things to have already answered. The knocking continued, more insistent this time.
PYRO:
FOR FUCK'S SAKE!
His feet hit the floor, noticing the coolness of the hardwood beneath the bare soles. Someone had been playing with the thermostat again. Someone would need a talking to.
Shirtless, Pyro padded to the door, the camera following along from behind. He was still half-asleep, barely with it and he'd already undone the security latch before a large, beefy hand appeared in front of his face, keeping the door from opening.
ENIGMA:
Tvoya maska!
(Your mask!)
Pyro immediately snatched a hoodie from the hook beside the door and threw it over his head, disappearing from sight while the big, bald man fiddled with the door. He couldn't figure out how to activate the camera to see who was out there so he finally shrugged and opened the door.
ENIGMA:
Hello, friend!
A camera crew stood at the bottom of the steps, milling around with their equipment. A pimple-faced intern stood in the doorway with a clipboard in hand.
INTERN:
Oh, hi. Are you... Peter... uhhhh... Vlad... uhhhmm... Vladimir-
ENIGMA:
Pyotr Vladimirovich?
The kid nodded. The mountain of a man nodded. The kid turned and gestured for the crew to climb the steps and Enigma stepped back like a gentleman and let them walk right in.
PYRO:
Who was at the-
The last word fell from his lips as something almost forgotten, the train of thought derailing with a huge path of wreckage. At least he looked presentable in his mask, now wearing the hoodie, partway zipped to maximize how well his chest looked in the morning sunlight.
PYRO:
...door?
INTERN:
We're here, sorry just a little late, we had a bit of trouble finding the place.
The masked man looked at Enigma who was staring at the equipment like a kid on Christmas morning.
PYRO:
Might help if I knew who 'we' are...
INTERN:
Oh my God, I'm so sorry. You must've forgotten. This was all set up through your secretary. A Mr. Slave?
PYRO:
Slava.
He corrected automatically, wheeling around and storming over to the big man. Hands on his hips, he glared. When the mountain didn't move or even look away from watching a man set up a boom mic, Pyro slapped him hard across the chest, leaving a red mark.
PYRO:
What did you do? Who are these people?
INTERN:
We're from CraveTV. It used to just be a Bell Canada thing but then HBO bought it or something so now…
PYRO:
What?
INTERN:
We're like… a streaming service. Anyhow, we're from a new show, and we chronicle-
PYRO:
What?!
INTERN:
We left you a message last night, reminding you that we'd be shooting today.
Pyro glanced over his shoulder, at the answering machine resting on the counter. He could see the blinking light from here. He didn't even realize the thing was still connected, that they still had a landline phone that worked in this house.
PYRO:
Oh. What are we shooting?
INTERN:
Wow, so like you don't even know. Ok, my name's Carson Bilson, and I'm the host of what's gonna be this Fall's top new show. It's called STAR STRUCK.
PYRO:
WHAT?!
INTERN:
Star Struck. It's like, where we bring in a fan, and let them hang out with their favorite star for like the whole day, and we record it and stuff. Let people meet their heroes...
CAMERA GUY (under his breath):
...and find out what big douches they are.
Enigma closed the door, looking joyful even though Pyro shot him a withering glare.
PYRO:
I am not a fan of reality TV.
ENIGMA:
Carole Baskin... killed her husband, whacked him…
PYRO:
That is different, Slava.
INTERN:
So, like do you guys want us to set up here?
PYRO:
So, I suppose I'm obligated to go through with this, aren't I?
ENIGMA:
We did not have press. We did not have a match in Calgary like you promised. This is next best thing. We will become viral, like pandemic... but not deadly.
PYRO:
Where's the fan?
INTERN:
There were some problems in wardrobe or something. He's on his way.
PYRO:
Fine. I'm going to take a shower. Don't touch anything, or I'll break your fingers.
He stormed from the room, slamming the bathroom door hard enough to rattle the windows. The kid turned to Enigma.
INTERN:
So, uhhhh... what's the thing here? Are you guys into drag or something?
ENIGMA:
Like RuPaul? I like him. He is very nice. Very pretty lady.
INTERN:
No... but like... what's the deal here? Who are you guys?
ENIGMA:
We… wrestle. Sometimes together. Sometimes with others. They are going to pay us again and we will be rich beyond our wildest dreams.
The kid nodded as though that made perfect sense, gesturing to the cameraman.
INTERN:
Told you they were X-Tube guys. This one's obviously a bear. Pay up, man. I fuckin' knew it.
ENIGMA:
I wrestled a bear once. I do not recommend...
TO BE CONTINUED ON EPISODE 1 OF STAR STRUCK
COMING SOON TO CRAVETV AND HULU.
