“When it came to highschool I always had somewhere more important to be than class.”

“Runnin’ errands for Uncle Frankie always took precedence over runnin’ track, you know? An’ although my attendance record weren’t good, I ain’t too sure roll call for the FIST a’ DEFIANCE match was much better, capiche?”

Alceo Dentari sat at his dark wooden desk, which no doubt cost a pretty penny, and clasped his hands together. Almost like he were interviewing a man opposite for a position within his organisation.

“Seems like for every guy that came down ready an’ willin’ to make a name for himself, there were two more just happy to be collectin’ a paycheck, an’ I can’t exactly blame ‘em?” He said with a shrug, “They knew they didn’t have no chance a’ winnin’ that belt ‘cause they knew who’d be stood across the ring from ‘em.”

Dentari gestured to his sides, at which stood his ‘Associates’.

“Russell an’ Murdoch, Gorillas one an’ two, Laurel an’ Hardy, Pinky an’ the Brain, call ‘em what you want, it don’t change the fact that these guys are the real deal in that ring.” He said confidently, “An’ if it weren’t for Dan Ryan comin’ outta nowhere, and two a’ The Untouchables miraculously drawin’ numbers right next to each other... well, we’ll get to that at a later date.”

The two associates nodded along silently to Dentari’s recollection of the FIST match.

“See, that belt should be wrapped around my waist right about now, an’ not in the hands a’ some coward too chickenshit to fight his own battles against Jimmy Kort.” Dentari continued, “The holder a’ that belt is supposed to represent the heart an’ soul a’ Defiance, Edward White sure as shit ain’t that, ‘cause I ain’t never known a’ nothin’ to live without it’s heart for over a year and not die.”

“An’ it works two ways an’ all, Edward White ain’t driven by Defiance neither.” Alceo said shaking his head, “Nah, the only thing drivin’ Edward White is the almighty Dollar.”

“In fact, I come up with a little business venture for you, White. Somethin’ you might be interested in investin’ in. Wanna hear about it?” Dentari asked. “It’s a series a’ books, called ‘Where’s White?’ They got page after page a’ photos taken from Heritage an’ Evolution shows, an’ all the reader has to do is look through ‘em an’ find Edward White.”

“Twist is, ole Eddie White ain’t in none a’ ‘em.” Alceo Laughed “Not until the last volume anyway.”

His associates laughed along as well, although both seemed to have to force it, making the whole scene sound like any episode of Anger Management.

“An we don’t have to stop there,” He continued, “There’s a whole world a’ potential for sequels. ‘Where’s Bronson’ instantly springs to mind.”

“Some ain’t gonna be too good though,” Alceo said, “Take mine for example.  I was right there every show, top a’ the table an’ center stage, main eventin’ ESEN specials, an’ provin’ to the world that I was the best Defiance had to offer. I’d be right there clear as day on every damn page.”

“I weren’'t sittin’ at home with my feet up, or on a ward in some godforsaken hole laid out in traction.” He continued, “I was the one sendin’ people home, an’ I was the one puttin’ ‘em in the hospital.”

“I know yous remember that Box,” Alceo said with a chuckle, “So yous an’ your Moral Majority better stand someplace that ain’t in my way. ‘Cause if yous don’t, if yous really wanna put yourself between me an’ the belt that I alone embody, let’s just say there’s gonna be an ER somewhere havin’ a real busy night, capiche?;”

“An’ Eddie?” Dentari said, “I ain’t gonna tell yous that you’re writin’ checks your ass can’t cash, I ain’t gonna give yous nothin’ you can take to the bank, I’m just gonna leave yous with this.” Dentari said almost in a whisper, “I don’t care how deep your pockets are, or how far your portfolio stretches, yous gonna hafta spend every cent you got to even stand a chance against me this week.”

“‘Cause I am the heart, I am the soul, I am DEFIANCE!”

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