Pack Your Bags

[Vance Voltoro]

Tragic Engagement RP #3

Vance Voltoro

w/ George Riviera and Rebecca Stiletto

February 21, 2014 10:00am

[The scene opens up with our three characters standing by an old beat up Dodge Caravan outside of a non-descript apartment building. Vance is hastily loading his bags into the trunk of the vehicle while George and Rebecca stand on the sidewalk chatting away. The trunk lid gets closed with a large bang that startles the two bystanders. Rebecca turns towards Vance with an eyebrow arched and a confused look on her face]

Rebecca: “Vance baby, is something wrong today? You should be in a good mood considering where we are heading you should be pretty pumped up.”

Vance: “Sorry Becca, just got a lot of things on my mind right now with this upcoming fight. Just this trip to to Reno is tapping me out money wise and some other things have really pissed me off recently. Nothing towards you babe.”

Rebecca: “Well you just need to use that as motivation baby. You’ve worked your ass off just to get this fight in a professional federation and need to stay focused. What else has been pissing you off?”

[Vance sighs and walks around to the passenger side of the van, ignoring the question for the time being. He nods his head at George and gets into the vehicle. George just raises his arms in a gesture of confusion to Rebecca and goes to the drivers side to get ready for their trip to the airport. Rebecca shakes her head as the last one to enter the vehicle.]

George: “We all ready for this kids? In a couple of hours time we will be heading to Nevada! Can’t say I’ve ever been there before, I am anxious to check out some of the sights on our down time.”

Rebecca: “Yeah Mr. Riviera we may as well get a move on. You know how airports are nowadays. Gonna be a hassle to get through security with the likes of Vance…. No offense baby.”

[Vance ignores his female companion again and stares off into the distance. In his eyes it looks like he isn’t even there anymore. The big man seems to be battling some inner demons at the moment and no one really wants to bother him.]

George: “Leave him be for now girly. It ain’t worth the trouble trying to get through to him when he is like this. I’ve know the boy a long time and it is best to let it go. He will come around eventually and just needs to work some stuff out. At least it will make for a quiet drive to the airport.”

[George bursts out laughing and starts the vehicle. Rebecca looks like a child who just lost her first puppy. She obviously cares a lot for Vance and doesn’t know how to deal with him being unhappy. This is going to be a very awkward two hours in the van. George flips on the radio to an oldies station and starts tapping away to the beat on the steering wheel. At least someone is in a good mood today. Rebecca lays her head back and closes her eyes, trying to fall asleep for the entire drive.]

12:30pm

[The old Caravan rolls into the long term parking lot at the Halifax International Airport a few minutes later than they were anticipating. Traffic had been very heavy on the way in and George is very happy to be off the roads. Vance looks to have gotten over his mood on the drive in and has some energy about him.]

Vance: “I think it is startin to sink in guys. I can feel it in my core, ya know, that excitement before a big match. Eh Georgie?.”

George: “Been a long ole time since I had that feelin big fella. Seems like a lifetime ago for me. I’m glad I can live vicariously through you though. Makes me feel like I’m doin somethin important with my life now. Let’s get moving guys, we are runnin a bit late.”

[The team gets out of the vehicle and they all stretch out their stiff bodies from the drive. Vance pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one as he leans on the side of the van.]

Rebecca: “I didn’t realize you smoked baby, this is news to me.”

Vance: “It is an old habit that I thought I could kick. Only need em when I’m stressed out now Becca. Don’t be getting on my ass about this today, not today please.”

[Rebecca puts her hands up in a sign of surrender and walks to the back of the vehicle to help George unload. Vance pulls his headphones out from his coat pocket and switches his Ipod on. His head starts nodding almost immediately and he seems to visibly calm down. You can slightly hear the beat from the music coming from the headphones and see Vance mouthing some lyrics. He then decides it’s time to start freestyling.]

Vance: “Guess who’s back with the pap pap, going straight to yo brain, have you thinking that this motherfucker is insane. The game made a beast out of me, I’m a monster. You don’t believe what I’m sayin, I’m a stomp ya. Runnin with my AK-47, buck em, heated heavy. Bust up in your ass while I’m cruisin by in my Chevy. These other wrestlers ain’t have no clue, who they fuckin with. Yall talkin all this smack try to play me like a myth. I’ve been locked up, I’ve served my time. Now I’m runnin and gunnin, finna make your ass mine.

He calls himself the Garbage Man, ridin round in an old dirty truck like he has a plan. Thinkin he actin crazy, catchin bodies on the daily. Don’t none of that shit phase me, just gives me fuel to continue blazin. Cowards like you be the reason I be changin, takin shit too far cause you can’t take the words they danglin. Overreactin to a bunch of punks don’t make you dangerous. Just cause of that I’m a enjoy leavin you hangin. Take my time with this bitch ass stank. Plug my nose while I inflict pain on your body and your bank. You just think you can get away with what you’ve done? Think again little man, meet my machete that’s dipped in rum. Don’t no one deserve to die for runnin at you with just their tongue. You will regret that night in that deep, dark alley. When I’m done, you gonna be beggin me for mercy. Serve you with the worst beatin of your life, hell, in prison you be on your knees as my wife. So don’t you think that anything is good, you fucked up by drivin through that hood. Come the night of Tragic Engagement the devil in me comes out to get those poor souls some overdue payment. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Comin at ya with guns blazin, you disappear like magic… poof.”

[Vance steps his smoke out with a smug look on his face. He turns around to see his two closest friends staring at him like he had two heads.]

George: “What in the flyin fuck was that fella? When did you start rappin to the hippity hop crap?!”

Vance: “Been doing this most of my life Georgie, just put it on hold for awhile. It is part of who I am and where I’m from. Sometimes the beat just gets to me and I gotta go with it. It is like meditation to me, helps me get things off my mind. That fool has been buggin me for awhile now. He is gonna pay for what he has done.”

George: “Can’t say I understand any of it, but whatever floats your boat big fella. We really gotta head in now, flight leaves in about an hour and a half.”

Rebecca: “I’m soo excited!! I’ve never been out of the country before! Thanks for bringin me along baby.”

[Vance just smiles and nods at his girl. They start walking towards their terminal and the scene fades out.]

10:00pm

[An exhausted group is slowly making their way in a cab from the airport to their accommodations just outside of Reno, Nevada. Rebecca has fallen asleep in the front seat and George and Vance are talking animatedly in the back seat.]

George: “So I think we have your match strategy straightened out, now we just have to rest up and make sure you are ready. This Garbage man fella doesn’t worry me too much, it is that woman who is making me antsy. I know the type of person you are Vance, you can’t take it easy on her just cause she’s a female. You have to give it your all.”

[Vance pauses for a moment, clears his throat, and wipes off some sweat starting to bead on his forehead. He is not used to any kind of heat this time of year. What a difference in climate since they left the airport in Halifax.]

Vance: “I know what you’re sayin Georgie, but don’t worry about it man. This Kaylyn does not seem like the type of female I’d have time for anyways. She is that spoiled princess that I probably would have robbed for everything in the old days. Girls like her just get on my nerves. What the hell is she even trying to prove at this point? By the sounds of it she is set up for life and already had a wrestling career. Why come back at that point? Just don’t make no sense to me at all. Regardless of her reasons, I’m gonna take this cheerleader seriously. She is obviously more experienced than me and doesn’t seem to have any fear… well besides breaking a nail or getting dirty. Ha, maybe I should just throw Garbage Man into her and she’ll have a panic attack. That smelly bastard would probably freak her out more than anything. I can let the two of them duke it out while I sit back and conserve energy.”

George: “Come on Vance, gotta be serious here. This woman has had almost as many matches as I have. Just keep to the strategy we talked about and everything should work out. You gotta use your size to your advantage against her.”

Vance: “Yeah yeah old man, I understand. I’m the underdog in this match, and remember I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. She probably thinks cause I’m big that I’m slow and clumsy. She won’t believe what is comin to her when I step into the ring. We got this Georgie, piece of cake. I’ve never been in better shape or more focused on my training. This will just be a stepping stone to being at the top of the fed.”

[The cab arrives at their destination and pulls up to the valet area. Vance taps Rebecca on the shoulder and pays the driver. The group gets out of the vehicle as the cab driver gets their bags from the trunk.]

Rebecca: “Wow baby, this place is amazing! I’ve never stayed at such a fancy hotel before. You really went all out on this on eh?”

Vance: “Well I’ve never been here before either hun, figured we might as well enjoys ourselves in our downtime. Hey Georgie, you mind goin to check us in? I’m gonna have another smoke to calm my nerves.”

George: “No problem big fella, I’ll be back out in a few with our keys. We can’t be stayin up too late tonight. Rest is key to having a good match on Sunday. See ya kids in a bit.”

[George puts their bags on a hand cart and wheels them through the sliding glass doors and disappears into the hotel lobby. Vance gets a cigarette out of his pack, lights it, and inhales deeply. He exhales the smoke slowly and has a satisfied look on his face. Rebecca puts her arms around his waist and looks into his eyes.]

Rebecca: “Baby I hope you aren’t upset that I’m not gonna be there on Sunday. I just don’t think I can watch my man in such a state. I’d be too worried the entire time.”

Vance: “It’s okay Becca, I understand where you are coming from. It ain’t the end of the world. I just want you to be happy is all. And if that means you can’t watch me fight, no big deal. We have the rest of the weekend to be together. You can meet me after the match is over and have a celebration dinner. Cause you know I’m gonna do this. I’ve worked too damn hard not to win.”

Rebecca: “Aww thanks handsome, I knew you would understand. Maybe I can go out and do a little shopping while it’s going on. Get a little present to show off to the big winner.”

[She smiles at him seductively and kisses him on the cheek. Vance just laughs and continues smoking his cigarette. He can’t believe this is actually happening, it seems like a dream. The girl of his dreams is beside him and he is getting ready to fight his first professional match. Could life really get any better? In his mind everything was perfect.

George appears from the lobby holding two plastic cards and beckons them inside. As they make their way up the elevator no one says a word. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Everyone is nervous about this upcoming match and neither George nor Rebecca want to say anything that will upset Vance. They both know how quickly his temper can flare and want to keep him focused until it is over.

The elevator reaches their floor and the group walks out onto the landing. George strains his eyes to read the numbers on the wall and points down the right hand hallway. He leads them down to two side by side rooms and they all stop.]

George: “Well kids, this is where we say goodnight. It has been a long old day and I think the best idea is all of us to hit the hay.”

[Vance looks over at Rebecca and gets a childish look on his face. There is no way in hell either of them were gonna be sleeping tonight. He could just tell from the look in her eyes that tonight would exhaust him more than a full week of training. He winks at her and turns to his mentor.]

Vance: “Guess you are right Georgie, we will see ya bright and early for breakfast. Good night my friend.”

[The scene fades away as the young couple scramble to get their bedroom door open. They have been waiting for this for a long time.]