As a member of Elite, Paul London seemed to be the most approachable. Even if his group's goal was the ultimate demise of the top wrestling company in the world. He seemed to be fairly down to Earth. His other cohorts carried their mental instability or violent quirks with them wherever they went. But Paul looked to be just a tad bit different. He was engaging and charming. He was best friends with Brian Kendrick but the two were very much opposites. Other than a few common recreational activities. The "normal" one of the outfit was currently at a photo shoot for an article on "The Best Dressed Athlete's" for Maxim magazine. Since the publication was directed towards horny males, their were also a couple of bikini clad models running around to rub elbows with. Indeed, a perk. London was wearing a dark colored suit with a matching top hat that had a pair of golden goggles wrapped around it to give him a steampunk kind of look. It wasn't difficult to be the best dressed member of Elite. CM Punk and Brian Kendrick looked as though they typically threw on whatever they found on the floor. And Tiffany..well..the least said the better in her case.
He was scheduled to meet Ted Dibiase in a title contest for the Path To Glory Championship after defeating two other men. Paul finds no need in hitting the gym or seeking out advice from scholarly veterans of the wrestling industry. His goal is a simple one. Return the title back to the clutches of Elite. It's understood that the revitalized Ted Dibiase will not go down without a fight. He's riding on a successful defense at the last pay per view and is certainly confident in his abilities. Ah, but so is Paul. Two combustible elements were ready to clash.
Paul had been very cooperative with the photographers. As the cameras ceased flashing he was praised for his pleasant demeanor. They probably worked with a lot of demanding prima donnas.
| Paul London | Just glad to be here. Really.
Paul began to walk off when he was approached by one of the magazine's writers. A thin older gent in a suit with a pencil thin mustache. He smoked a cigarette and didn't look unlike director John Waters.
| Writer | Paul, can I get a few words from you for an article?
| Paul London | Of course you can.
Paul nodded in a gracious manner.
| Writer | Excellent!
| Paul London | Do you follow the product?
| Writer | I do. I love the athleticism.
Paul had a sneaking suspicion that the "athleticism" wasn't the only thing this guy was fond of.
| Paul London | Ask away.
| Writer | Now, in your company the EBWF, you are part of a group known as Elite. And, as I understand, you are trying to take over. How is that going for you and why would you want to do something like that?
| Paul London | It's going pretty well actually. After Sacrifice, which all of your readers will have ordered by the time they read this, we'll have three titles. And why? Well, why not?
| Writer | Fair enough. You are going to be going up against Ted DiBiase. Well, the son of Ted DiBiase to be very specific. But a very talented, young guy. He has the Path To Glory Championship which you are going to be trying to take away from him. But he is also a former World Champion and he has Paul Heyman in his corner. Wrestling fans will remember Heyman as the mastermind of ECW and one of the best eyes for talent in your business. Is this going to be an uphill battle?
| Paul London | I'm not expecting this to be easy. Ted is on top of his game at the moment. And having a mad genius like Paul Heyman on his side is going to give him even more of an edge. Plus he has the pedigree and all of that stuff. But when my back is against the wall I can do some pretty reckless things. Crazy things, I would say. I had to beat two other guys at once to get this chance so I'm not looking to walk out of there empty handed. Not to mention that CM Punk, our World Champion, thinks of that belt as his. And, with all due respect, Ted sort of robbed him for it. So, in that sense, I have a lot of pressure. But I'm a pressure performer. I just don't let it show. I'm as cool as a cucumber.
| Writer | Elite has a lot of former members of the group known as 'The Family'. Ted Jr was a big part of that group. Is there any reason why he wasn't considered to be a member of this new faction?
| Paul London | Good question. He might make a good addition. Heyman too. We could use them. But, sadly, I don't think it's meant to be. After Ted's role in stealing that title away from Punk I think they want him dead, so to speak. And I'm going to carry out that order. Nothing personal. Just business.
| Writer | Your in ring style can at times be very dangerous. Is their anything your afraid of?
Paul stared intently for a moment upon hearing this question. This topic seemed to be of particular interest to him.
| Paul London | Is there anything that..you're afraid of?
| Writer | Oh, god, spiders. I can't stand them.
| Paul London | Interesting..but to answer your question..no..fear doesn't help you get titles around your waist. Fear won't help pin Ted DiBiase.
| Writer | Mm. I wouldn't mind seeing you with that gold around your waist.
Really? Was this guy hitting on him? Clearly, he was a homosexual. That wasn't an issue. London was no homophobe. But it struck him as deeply unprofessional. Something would have to be done about this. London's expression was blank before he softly chuckled.
| Paul London | That isn't going in the interview, is it?
| Writer | No. This is strictly between us.
What an utterly vile creature. But all was not lost. This guy was unknowingly about to help him prepare for his title encounter.
| Paul London | Come to my trailer in about an hour. I'll give you an exclusive.
The writer seemed awestruck by this proposal. A young, handsome wrestler was willing to..with HIM? He burned out his cigarette and grinned as Paul strolled away. This was going to be an interesting afternoon.
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| Writer | Mmmph!
An interesting evening indeed. The writer had found him taped securely to the wall of London's trailer with even more tape firmly over his mouth. He was in a standing position like a fly caught in a web and his muffled yelps were barely audible. Paul sat in front of him, rubbing his chin as he discarded his top hat.
| Paul London | You know, you remind me a lot of Ted DiBiase. I'm not trying to say he's "light in the loafers" or what have you. I'm not John Cena, I'm not making a gay joke. What I mean is, you both want stardom. And you want it by any means possible. You for instance, want to hook up with a wrestler. Ted, on the other hand, helped out Wes Ikeda in his little plot to make Elite look bad. Just for a shot in the spotlight.
Paul took a seat in a chair and frowned.
| Paul London | But this is what you get when you mess with us. When you try to make us look foolish. When you go after something you just don't deserve. You're going to have to pay, my over eager little friend. Just like Ted's going to have to pay. I'm his executioner. I've been sent to collect his head. And his title. And I'm going to do just that. And you..well..you get to help. You get to help put me in the mood.
London quickly held up a finger so his message wouldn't be misinterpreted.
| Paul London | But probably not in the way that you're thinking. I've no qualms with your sexual orientation. I don't swing that way myself. But I don't discriminate at times like this.
The dark haired contender stepped over to a table and scooped up a burlap sack. It was filled with something that he had obtained in the last hour.
| Paul London | The look you are about to have in your eyes? The sweat that is about to run down your face? I'm going to be visualizing Ted DiBiase. The look of panic and fear I'm about to see on your face is the same one I'm going to drag out of him. Thank you for help. Sincerely. Oh. And I wouldn't tell anyone about this. I think it might hurt your reputation if anyone comes to find how unprofessional you were behaving..
London lifted the stitch covered brown bag and dumps it over the head of the unfortunate writer. A ton of small, white spiders begin to cover him. They are probably harmless. But they are still spiders. And the man has an overwhelming phobia of them. He squirms. He tries to scream. And London, emotionless but with wide eyes, just stares at this anguish.