Heroes and Villains [Card CoaC #2]
Mar 13, 2022 18:49:56 GMT -5
theshootfighter1963 and robriot like this
Post by Teeps on Mar 13, 2022 18:49:56 GMT -5
Chris Card: Am I a hero?
Chris Card is sitting in the Halifax Public Gardens. It’s a bright, sunny afternoon, the sky is clear and the weather is cold enough to let little clouds of vapour form on each exhaled breath. The clothes, as always, are immaculate from the shoulders of his black suit and the ever familiar black tie, his skull and spade logo displayed proudly facing outwards, right down to the tips of his leather Oxfords. There is a thoughtfulness and airy note to his voice as he speaks.
Chris Card: To some, certainly. Those fans of mine who will fill out the Scotiabank Centre certainly find heroism in my acts. The OED defines a hero as, “A person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Note the “or” there. Though there is a noble dignity about praising a future opponent, complimenting them on their strengths and potential, nobility has never been my strongest suit. Achievements however, I have a laundry list of them. Up to and including my current status as CWA World Heavyweight Champion, I have achieved much across my career. And courage? When you’re as even tempered as I am, he said immodestly, then it is easy to face any danger with the same casual air as one would go about strolling down to the corner shop for a bar of chocolate.
The shot cuts to a different angle suddenly. And all the colour, all the vibrant greens of a late winter early spring day are gone, replaced only by the faded greys of a monochrome shot. Everything seems more sinister, more turbulent by the camera’s effects yet Card’s voice barely modulates, remaining consistent through both camera angles.
Chris Card: Am I a villain? I have done many things in my career that people more upstanding than myself have regarded as classless. I have never run up against a rule I could not bend for an advantage. I have stepped upon the hopes and aspirations of others in order to gain a personal edge, whether it is in the wrestling ring or in my business career. For those who study the Bible, many of whom would be innately angry that I’m using their holy book to make a pint in a wrestling promo, Matthew 19:24. “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Well, I’m certainly well enough off to fail that test. But by my nature, I shall thought experiment this quandary and point out that nobody ever stated the precise dimensions of the needle in question. So, one twenty foot wide needle hole later and I’m through on a technicality.
Back to colour. Card leans back against the bench and takes a few seconds to gather his thoughts before continuing. He takes a breath or two, watching the mist form, far from the usual heeavy cigar smoke that can frequently be seen emitted from his mouth.
Chris Card: “Canadian Hero.” That appears to be the new moniker thrust upon me. I never presume to apply my own nicknames. Technical Perfection? That has always been aspirational for me. I was bestowed that title two decades plus ago and I have used it as both a marketing slogan and a goal to strive for. Perfection in this industry takes hard work and rigorous study. “The Real Man’s Wrestler.” “Big Match Card.” I did not come up with any of these. But I did earn them. I pout in hours at the gyms and the dojos. I have a room in my house in Toronto dedicated to film study. I watch my opponents because I respect them. And… And…
Black and White. Now Card’s tone becomes a little darker, a little more scathing as he moves to the topic of his upcoming opponent.
Chris Card: And I am so often denied that courtesy in return, to my opponents’ detriment. If you had paid enough time to even attempt a cursory amount of research on who I am, Jay then you would would not have read me so wrong. You would know that I don’t fear anybody. Not through some false bravado, not because I am some all conquering titan of the sport. I don’t fear people because fear is unproductive. I don’t fear people, I respect their abilities. I work out how to solve the problems they will cause and then I will act on them. Meanwhile you bluster about destiny, a topic that I leave well alone to the… more interesting members of my extended family. Destiny doesn’t win you wrestling matches, Jay. Sure it can plot a career trajectory if you’ve been spoon fed wrestling your entire existence. But it’s hard work and skill that wins wrestling matches.
Colour. Now Card’s voice seems to brighten and turn a little more authoritative. Teacherly, almost. Maybe even a touch patronizing but that edge is buried under a heap of Card’s peerless emotional control.
Chris Card: Because you seem to have declined to do your research, Jay, let me tell you where I have been while I’ve not been in the NPW locker room. You’re not fighting for an NPW belt, Jay. You’re fighting for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship. And I have been defending that belt, for NPW, in Japan and the US. And though I have mastered many skills in my quest for wrestling glory, bilocation is not one of them. Perhaps if you’d watched me connect my instep full flush with the side of Aryen Angel’s head or choked out Satoshi Watanabe you’d be a little softer with your criticism. If carrying the network title abroad and defending it for the honour of NPW makes me a bad leader then mark me down for the temerity of making NPW look like the best federation within the bounds of the CWA.
Black and white. Accusatory. Still in the customary calm meter, never raising volume but spoken with the precise cutting tone of the “bad cop” in the police drama.
Chris Card: Tell me, Jay. Tell me if you believe your own hype. Because the finality, the certainty of which you state you’re going to beat me reveals more about you either way than it does about me. You’re either incredibly naïve, thinking that just because of your heritage you cannot be stopped. Or you’re using the word fear like a smokescreen, projecting it on to me to hide your own nervousness. I have a minor in psychology, Jay. I know how humans think. I know what makes the minds of my opponents tick. And braggadocio is either a sign of way too little genuine confidence, which is bad or way too much which is far worse. Either path leads to mistakes. And mistakes against me? You get zero. If I see your concentration dip, either through hesitance or because you overcommit to an opening you’re convinced is there and in reality just isn’t? Swinging the momentum in an instant… is my Calling Card.
A brief pause for thought as the colour returns before Card begins to start wrapping up.
Chris Card: Are you a hero, Jay? Your skill in the ring is obvious to all. Your victory in the Cruiserweight tournament was exciting and genuinely fun to watch. You are someone the crowd have previously and should in future get behind. You are naturally talented. At some point in the future you’ll have a shot at this belt and you will win it. Might be this event. I certainly hope it won’t.
Black and white again. Now as Card deeply questions his upcoming opponent’s motivations he closes the case like a high profile lawyer looking to out argue a skilled defence counsel. Which in this case is himself.
Chris Card: Are you a villain, Jay? Trying to strike fear into my heart. Telling me I should be afraid. Calling me a coward for fulfilling my obligations to the Network in other federations. Bragging without a shred of humility that you are going to win and that there’s nothing I can do about it. Telling me you’re going to break me when I have told people straight since day one on this network that I only inflict what pain is strictly necessary to win. That heady mix of arrogance and threats? Go ask Dusty Griffiths what that makes you.
For the final line, the black and white camera swings round until the shot of Card is the same as the colour one. Then, slowly, all the colours fade back into the right half of the screen, bisecting it between the faded and the radiant.
Chris Card: Am I a hero? A villain? No. I’m Chris Card. And I’m very…
Dramatic pause.
Chris Card: VERY good at what I do.
Chris Card is sitting in the Halifax Public Gardens. It’s a bright, sunny afternoon, the sky is clear and the weather is cold enough to let little clouds of vapour form on each exhaled breath. The clothes, as always, are immaculate from the shoulders of his black suit and the ever familiar black tie, his skull and spade logo displayed proudly facing outwards, right down to the tips of his leather Oxfords. There is a thoughtfulness and airy note to his voice as he speaks.
Chris Card: To some, certainly. Those fans of mine who will fill out the Scotiabank Centre certainly find heroism in my acts. The OED defines a hero as, “A person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Note the “or” there. Though there is a noble dignity about praising a future opponent, complimenting them on their strengths and potential, nobility has never been my strongest suit. Achievements however, I have a laundry list of them. Up to and including my current status as CWA World Heavyweight Champion, I have achieved much across my career. And courage? When you’re as even tempered as I am, he said immodestly, then it is easy to face any danger with the same casual air as one would go about strolling down to the corner shop for a bar of chocolate.
The shot cuts to a different angle suddenly. And all the colour, all the vibrant greens of a late winter early spring day are gone, replaced only by the faded greys of a monochrome shot. Everything seems more sinister, more turbulent by the camera’s effects yet Card’s voice barely modulates, remaining consistent through both camera angles.
Chris Card: Am I a villain? I have done many things in my career that people more upstanding than myself have regarded as classless. I have never run up against a rule I could not bend for an advantage. I have stepped upon the hopes and aspirations of others in order to gain a personal edge, whether it is in the wrestling ring or in my business career. For those who study the Bible, many of whom would be innately angry that I’m using their holy book to make a pint in a wrestling promo, Matthew 19:24. “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Well, I’m certainly well enough off to fail that test. But by my nature, I shall thought experiment this quandary and point out that nobody ever stated the precise dimensions of the needle in question. So, one twenty foot wide needle hole later and I’m through on a technicality.
Back to colour. Card leans back against the bench and takes a few seconds to gather his thoughts before continuing. He takes a breath or two, watching the mist form, far from the usual heeavy cigar smoke that can frequently be seen emitted from his mouth.
Chris Card: “Canadian Hero.” That appears to be the new moniker thrust upon me. I never presume to apply my own nicknames. Technical Perfection? That has always been aspirational for me. I was bestowed that title two decades plus ago and I have used it as both a marketing slogan and a goal to strive for. Perfection in this industry takes hard work and rigorous study. “The Real Man’s Wrestler.” “Big Match Card.” I did not come up with any of these. But I did earn them. I pout in hours at the gyms and the dojos. I have a room in my house in Toronto dedicated to film study. I watch my opponents because I respect them. And… And…
Black and White. Now Card’s tone becomes a little darker, a little more scathing as he moves to the topic of his upcoming opponent.
Chris Card: And I am so often denied that courtesy in return, to my opponents’ detriment. If you had paid enough time to even attempt a cursory amount of research on who I am, Jay then you would would not have read me so wrong. You would know that I don’t fear anybody. Not through some false bravado, not because I am some all conquering titan of the sport. I don’t fear people because fear is unproductive. I don’t fear people, I respect their abilities. I work out how to solve the problems they will cause and then I will act on them. Meanwhile you bluster about destiny, a topic that I leave well alone to the… more interesting members of my extended family. Destiny doesn’t win you wrestling matches, Jay. Sure it can plot a career trajectory if you’ve been spoon fed wrestling your entire existence. But it’s hard work and skill that wins wrestling matches.
Colour. Now Card’s voice seems to brighten and turn a little more authoritative. Teacherly, almost. Maybe even a touch patronizing but that edge is buried under a heap of Card’s peerless emotional control.
Chris Card: Because you seem to have declined to do your research, Jay, let me tell you where I have been while I’ve not been in the NPW locker room. You’re not fighting for an NPW belt, Jay. You’re fighting for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship. And I have been defending that belt, for NPW, in Japan and the US. And though I have mastered many skills in my quest for wrestling glory, bilocation is not one of them. Perhaps if you’d watched me connect my instep full flush with the side of Aryen Angel’s head or choked out Satoshi Watanabe you’d be a little softer with your criticism. If carrying the network title abroad and defending it for the honour of NPW makes me a bad leader then mark me down for the temerity of making NPW look like the best federation within the bounds of the CWA.
Black and white. Accusatory. Still in the customary calm meter, never raising volume but spoken with the precise cutting tone of the “bad cop” in the police drama.
Chris Card: Tell me, Jay. Tell me if you believe your own hype. Because the finality, the certainty of which you state you’re going to beat me reveals more about you either way than it does about me. You’re either incredibly naïve, thinking that just because of your heritage you cannot be stopped. Or you’re using the word fear like a smokescreen, projecting it on to me to hide your own nervousness. I have a minor in psychology, Jay. I know how humans think. I know what makes the minds of my opponents tick. And braggadocio is either a sign of way too little genuine confidence, which is bad or way too much which is far worse. Either path leads to mistakes. And mistakes against me? You get zero. If I see your concentration dip, either through hesitance or because you overcommit to an opening you’re convinced is there and in reality just isn’t? Swinging the momentum in an instant… is my Calling Card.
A brief pause for thought as the colour returns before Card begins to start wrapping up.
Chris Card: Are you a hero, Jay? Your skill in the ring is obvious to all. Your victory in the Cruiserweight tournament was exciting and genuinely fun to watch. You are someone the crowd have previously and should in future get behind. You are naturally talented. At some point in the future you’ll have a shot at this belt and you will win it. Might be this event. I certainly hope it won’t.
Black and white again. Now as Card deeply questions his upcoming opponent’s motivations he closes the case like a high profile lawyer looking to out argue a skilled defence counsel. Which in this case is himself.
Chris Card: Are you a villain, Jay? Trying to strike fear into my heart. Telling me I should be afraid. Calling me a coward for fulfilling my obligations to the Network in other federations. Bragging without a shred of humility that you are going to win and that there’s nothing I can do about it. Telling me you’re going to break me when I have told people straight since day one on this network that I only inflict what pain is strictly necessary to win. That heady mix of arrogance and threats? Go ask Dusty Griffiths what that makes you.
For the final line, the black and white camera swings round until the shot of Card is the same as the colour one. Then, slowly, all the colours fade back into the right half of the screen, bisecting it between the faded and the radiant.
Chris Card: Am I a hero? A villain? No. I’m Chris Card. And I’m very…
Dramatic pause.
Chris Card: VERY good at what I do.
