Jumping Through Hoops.

Subject: Jumping Through Hoops. Thu May 26, 2011 7:26 am

The scene fades to a nicely decorated office. The camera pans to a desk, where Bobby Lashley sits, going through some paperwork. Lashley is dressed in a black suit with an open collared white shirt. He seems busy with his work until a loud slamming noise is heard. Lashley looks up angrily and gets up out of his seat, staring furiously at whoever just barged into the office.

THE BOSS... LITERALLY
BOBBY LASHLEY
Hey! You can't just barge into my office like this! Who the hell do you think yo-

Michael Tarver comes onto the screen dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt clearly marked 'The Upgrade'. Tarver shoves Lashley back down into his seat and stares angrily at him, veins popping from his forehead.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
Who do I think I am? I'm the man you screwed out of The International Championship... And yes I CAN barge into your office, motherfucker.

The crowd pop loudly as Tarver pushes all the paperwork off Lashley's desk, then grabs him by the collar and pulls him close.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
Lashley, Things have been going REALLY badly for me for a few now... Seems like someone is trying to degrade me, humiliate me and embarrass me here on Genesis. Wait a second, You know what happened a few months ago? Oh yeah, you became the General Manager of Genesis... There wouldn't happen to be any kind of connection between my bad luck and your sudden promotion, now would there? I have a slight suspicion that you're behind all this political bullshit that's going on behind the scenes... And if I find out you are, I won't hesitate knocking your ass out right here... Right now. You've got ten seconds to explain the situation to me, Bobby... Or this nice office you got here is gonna be turned upside down... And you along with it.

Tarver lets go of Lashley and steps back. Lashley looks at The Upgrade nervously and fixes his shirt collar.

THE BOSS... LITERALLY
BOBBY LASHLEY
Ok, Mike, ok... I'll explain it all right now.... SECURITY!

A big, burly guy bursts through the door dressed in a standard security uniform, ear piece included. Tarver looks pissed off.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
H, you sneaky motherfu-

Lashley raises his hand and cuts Tarver off.

THE BOSS... LITERALLY
BOBBY LASHLEY
Escort Mr. Tarver from my office please, Bill. He has a match he should be getting ready for.

The security guy nods.

GENESIS SECURITY
BILL
Yes, Mr. Lashley.

Bill grabs Tarver by the arm as Tarver looks angrily at him.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
Big mistake, motherfucker...

KILLSHOT! Bill hits the cold hard floor, unconscious. Lashley jumps up out of his seat as Tarver chases after him, grabbing him and shoving him up against a trophy cabinet. The glass cracks slightly with the impact, and Tarver gets right in Lashley's face. He stares at The Boss for a moment and droplets of sweat pour down his forehead.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
One more chance Lashley, you tell me what the fuck is going on around here or I'll put you on the ground just like ol' Bill over there.

Lashley shuts his eyes for a moment, pretending this is all a bad dream, then he opens them, realizing Tarver is still there.

THE BOSS... LITERALLY
BOBBY LASHLEY
ALRIGHT, ALIGHT, CALM DOWN MIKE! LET ME GO!

Tarver shakes his head.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
Not a chance, Mr. Lashley... Spill it, or I spill you.

Lashley nods in compliance with Tarver's statement.

THE BOSS... LITERALLY
BOBBY LASHLEY
I had nothing to do with Austin taking the belt! I swear! And I'm only doing what I'm told when it comes to booking you in matches!

Tarver raises an eyebrow.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
Who the fuck is giving you orders, Lashley?

Lashley shakes his head.

THE BOSS... LITERALLY
BOBBY LASHLEY
I can't tell you, Mike, I just can't.

Tarver stares at Lashley, completely furious, then throws him to the ground and punches the trophy cabinet, shattering the glass. He then walks over to Lashley's desk and flips it, smashing the ornaments and scattering loose paper everywhere. He looks down at Lashley, who has scrambled up against the wall.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
I'm not gonna play your fuckin' games for much longer, Bobby. Tonight is the last night. You put me up against I guy I beat last week, and some new aspiring rookie? What the fuck is this?

Tarver looks into the camera, and intense expression on his face as he speaks.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
Randy Orton. I showed you last week why you should steer clear of me on this show. I warned you to stay the fuck out of my way, but no... You didn't pay any attention, did you? You think you can just waltz onto Thursday Night Genesis... MY show, and make a name for yourself? You think that you can give me a RKO and pin me for the three count? Let's evaluate this situation, Orton. I beat you and two other men last week... This week, there's one less man... Those seem like pretty good odds to me, Randy. So tell me, who are you putting your money on? Well I know one thing you can put money on... That's me, taking this fist and driving it into your jaw with such force that you'll be sidelined indefinitely. Is that simple enough for you to understand? No? Let me put it this way: Get in my way and I knock your ass out, motherfucker.

Tarver turns back to Lashley and raises his fist, causing The GM to flinch and fall back to the floor. The crowd cheer wildly as The upgrade turns back to the camera.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
The other Randy. Randy Donovan. I'll say this, kid, but don't expect me to say it again. I've seen your shit, and it was impressive as hell. You might just have what it takes to be a big time player here on Genesis, but unfortunately for you... ...Tarver points over to Lashley... This motherfucker scheduled your debut on the wrong night, against the wrong guy. I see a shitload of potential in you, Donovan, and it'll be a shame to halt your momentum when I beat you tonight... But I'm gonna give you a little piece of advice. Up here in the big leagues, we don't make mistakes... The ones who make mistakes fall right down to the bottom of the heap, and you've already made one mistake... You've underestimated me. You're right, you should keep one eye on Orton at all times, that fucking snake can end a match in a matter of seconds... But you should keep the other eye on me, Donovan... Because I can end a match in 1.9... ...Tarver raises his fist and smirks slightly... That being said, welcome to Genesis, and I'm sorry it's not gonna be the warm welcome you were expecting.

Tarver turns and checks on Lashley again, then turns back to the camera.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
One more order of business before I hit the ol' dusty trail. Stone Cold Steve Austin. I know it's you giving the orders to that stupid motherfucker over there in the corner. ...Tarver points at Lashley again... Listen up, trailer trash, you might have the Genesis GM so scared that he won't do anything about it, but you don't fucking scare me. I won't keep jumping through these hoops forever, Austin. Sooner or later, it'll just come down to you and me... And then I'll hit you with the full force of a fuckin' freight train... You can throw up all the fuckin' obstacles you want... You can convince Lashley to put me up against the entire Genesis roster, I don't give a shit... Nothing... NOTHING is gonna stop me from hunting you down and tearing you a new asshole... Do you fuckin' understand me? You can't hide from me forever, Steve... Soon I'm gonna run out of hoops to jump through... And then...

Tarver turns and looks at Lashley, then starts to walk towards him.

THE BOSS... LITERALLY
BOBBY LASHLEY
No... NO MIKE! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DO-

KILLSHOT! Lashley is laid out, unconscious on the floor of his office. Tarver turns back to the camera.

THE UPGRADE
MICHAEL TARVER
...Then I'm coming to get my gold back.

The crowd go wild with cheers and 'Tarver' chants as The Upgrade stares into the camera one more time with his famous look of intensity, then walks off-screen. The door is heard slamming behind him as the scene fades.