Climbing The Ladder - Printable Version

****Scene Opens****

It's dusk there is very little light shining as the sun is slowly fading away giving way to the night sky. The battle between night and day goes on for a few more minutes before nightfall wins as it always does. Even though it’s getting dark the temperature is still a blistering 88 degrees with 65% humidity. Most people would be in the air relaxing. But down here not very many people have air. Only the elite or high class. Most people go out at night because that’s the only part of the day they can enjoy. Robert Main stops for a moment before sitting down on some steps.

The camera stays in close not showing much of the background only the steps Robert is sitting on and the steps behind him. Robert takes a moment and removes his backpack and places it at his feet. As he’s bending down to unzip his black hiking bag he notices the steps are very worn. He scratches his lightly bearded face for a moment before moving on and opening his bag. He grabs a black bath towel with the XWF logo as plain as day on it. Robert stands up and takes his orange tank top off before wiping his body down dripping in sweat then places the towel over his shoulders. He turns around placing one foot on the step in front of him and looks up. As he is looking up the camera slowly pans out revealing the location.

Roberts is standing a few flights of stairs away from Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado mountain in the dense Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the very beautiful city of Rio at the very height the statue stands 2300 feet above sea level. The hike its self isn’t an easy one. Most people now days travel to the top by escalators. The easy way to say the least. Robert turns back and picks up his backpack slinging it over one of his shoulders before making his way up the last few flights of stairs. As he comes to the top of the steps Robert again stops and stares up at the amazing statue for a moment he is taken back by the construction.

The statue was built between 1922 and 1931. Standing 98 feet tall and 92 feet wide is a feat in its self. The statue because of its height and being on top of a mountain gets struck several times a year by lighting. The weight of the statue is astronomical weighing in at 635 metric tons. Many locals wonder how the statue keeps standing throughout the years. But here it stands. The statue is a beacon of hope for many. A symbol is known worldwide. It’s a cultural icon.

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Some people come here to pray. Others come here to ask for forgiveness for their sins. The question on Roberts mind is why exactly is, he here? He’s always been on the same page with the man upstairs. Following a very grey area when it comes to doing what you’re supposed to and being the bad guy like he loves being. When it comes to wrestling Robert takes no chances and never second guesses what he is doing. The way that he looks at it is simple. It’s is job to be a wrestler! Everything else that comes with it is personal reasons.

Needing to be the best in the world is personal. Maybe even selfish! Coveting championships? That too may be selfish. The question is not as easily answered. Does wanting to be the best and show the world who and what you are mean you are selfish? Or are you determined? Self-motivated? Having that burning in your gut isn’t a bad thing it’s just what drives you. It’s what makes you tick! On the flip side, it can also drive you mad. Make you do things that maybe over the line that some people just wouldn’t cross.

Robert ponders to himself looking around at the night sky for a few moments watching the full moon rise slowly upward lighting the way to the unknown. Robert then smiles for a moment the moonlight glistening off his face. Robert knows who he is! He doesn’t need anyone to tell him otherwise man, woman, child or even! Robert stops and looks up again at the statue before taking a few steps forward. Robert knows being up here at night is prohibited. But what he is about to do could land him in prison for years to come. No one on Earth could talk him out of the trouble he would be in. Others have tried this very thing! Some have accomplished it while others died.

Suddenly a military police officer walks from behind the behemoth statue and stares Robert dead in his eyes. The office just watches for a moment with his forest green eyes before stomping loudly towards Robert. The office stops just about a foot in front of Robert and once again stares Robert in his eyes. Both men stand there staring at one another listening to the sound of silence. Robert knows what he is doing is wrong. But he won’t stop. The air around him suddenly feels like a cage.

Robert looks down at the officer's black combat boots wondering to himself if he is going to go to jail or just run like hell. Robert slowly makes his way back up to the officer’s eyes before noticing his dark blue uniform and black assault rifle now in the officer’s hands. Police down here are one of two ways they are strict and don’t put up with any crap. Trying to clean up their cities make it a good place to live and not have people scared to walk the streets. Or they are as corrupt as they come. They break the laws themselves to line their own pockets with cash. Robert bets the ladder.

Officer~~~ Você sabe que é ilegal estar aqui à noite? Você deve deixar esta área agora ou eu vou te levar para a cadeia! Não tente nada estúpido. Vamos!

Main: Whoa, whoa, whoa! You need to calm down man! I got something that might change your mind? I’m going to reach into my pocket of my shorts here and grab some money! I’m going to give that money to you and I want you to walk away and leave me alone! Do you even understand English?

Robert starts to move his right arm and hand towards his pocket of his black Nike shorts when the officer places the assault rifle right into Robert's chest, pushing Robert back. Robert knows this guy will shoot him if he makes the wrong move. It happens all the time down here. Once it happens you just get tossed into a ditch and forgot about like yesterday’s trash. Robert pulls out a roll of USD! All of a sudden the officer pulls the gun away from Roberts’s chest and quickly puts it on his back and takes a huge step back.

Robert grins from ear to ear knowing he has the officer pegged as he rolls off 500 dollars in cash and hands it to the officer. The officer quickly takes the money and places it in his uniform before letting Robert know a few critical things

Officer~~~Obrigado muito obrigado senhor! Só faço coisas assim para minha família sobreviver. Ver que nós fazemos muito pouco dinheiro aqui. Antes de ir que eu só quero que saiba que você estará sozinho e sem supervisão. Eu vou embora! Só muito cuidado aqui se alguém vir aqui e te vê. Você pode estar em um monte de problemas, é ilegal estar aqui à noite. E por favor não escalar a estátua. Muitas pessoas têm o escalou e caíram para a morte! Mais uma vez obrigado senhor! Boa noite!

Main: He understands English? But can’t speak it? Go figure!

Robert smiles and waves to the officer as he walks down the steps into the darkness. Robert watches the officer until he disappears out of sight. He turns around making a b-line towards the back of the statue. On the back side of the statue, there is an opening blocked off. Robert smiles as he looks around and hops over the barrier and heading inside. Before heading into the statue too deep. He moves his dark curly hair out of the way and places his go pro on his head and turns on his headlamp so he can see where he is going.

The floor is littered with trash and the walls covered in graffiti. He watches his head as he heads further into the statue and then stops at a ladder. Robert looks up and grabs the rungs of the ladder pulling himself up each rung. He thinks to himself 93 feet to the top? Climbing this ladder is much like the invisible one in the business. You always start at the bottom scratch and claw your way up. It’s never easy. You go through hell sometimes. The bumps and bruises seem to never go away. It’s a long hard climb to the top. As he’s climbing trying to keep cobwebs out of his eyes he thinks of his last match. Nothing happened.

I was a total domination like he said it would be. Robert knows he didn’t get to show very much in the ring. Only one of his signature moves that almost put Snow out of the business for good! Easy wins don’t come around very often. There hard to come by. You take what is given to you. That’s really all that you can do. But this week is different. This week there is more on the line. With Lethal Lottery coming up there couldn’t be a better time to prove who he is and all his capabilities. Triple threat elimination match! He’s been there before. But this time there is a kicker. This time the Television Champion will be in the ring with him. Now all bets are off. Beating the Television Champion in a match would not only thrust Robert to the top in line for a shot at the Television Championship but show everyone he means business

Jim Caedus just won the belt a few weeks ago! Congratulations are in order but that isn’t the way Robert operates. Robert has watched closely over the past few weeks and everything Jim has done. In the time he’s done it is very impressive. Jim reminded Robert of a Viking! The way he wrestles and moves. Very powerful. Almost graceful. Beating him would be no easy feat. About half way Robert takes a moment hanging there looking down at the darkness below him. But then there was Jim’s last match. 15 minutes isn’t a lot of time to win a match.

Having that time limit put a hold on a lot of the things most would like to do. Planning would be critical. He couldn’t get the win! He was almost beaten! Now wrestling a few nights later how will he do? Where will his mind be? His body healed? Roberts not sure. He does know that Jim has to be second guessing everything. His Championship win? Was it luck? Maybe fate? How do you go on knowing you were beat but saved by the bell? That has to be eating Jim alive? The doubt that’s in his head? Questioning how long he can remain champion? So much clouded thoughts and judgment he has to be lost! Robert respects Jim and knows although he is the champion Jim has only proven he can win the belt not defend it. Facing Robert “The Omega” Main is a much different can of worms altogether!

Robert starts the climb again continually thinking in his head. A triple threat match isn’t easy at all. But the added bonus elimination style makes things more interesting. Then there is Seraphina! The third person in all this mess of a match. The speed bump. He knows having three people in the ring can be chaotic all Robert has to do is not get pinned down to the mat. But Robert has to pin Jim. It’s a must. Seraphina is more of an unknown. Robert Knows what he’s getting with Jim. Seraphina not so much. It makes things a bit more complicated but not unsurpassable be any means. Robert finally gets to the top and sees a lid. He pushes the reinforced concrete up and slides it over to the side. Robert slowly peeks his head through the opening at the top of the statue and looks out.

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Main: Holy Jesus

Robert smiles and pats the statue on his head for a few seconds looking down over the city below Robert can see everything. The Orange lights from the city and the cars moving slightly below moving about like ants. The ocean can be seen off in the distance as well. The water is calm with boats docked in the bay. The view is breathtaking. Up here you feel like you’re unstoppable. Robert then climbs out on top of the statue and raises his hands in the air. He keeps his hands in the air while taking a few very deep breaths. Before pulling his go pro off his head turning it around pointing it at himself

Main: You know I don’t even like heights. But here I am looking out over the world! Time to live a little? Triple threat elimination match! I like my odds! Jim, Seraphina! Looks like us three have a date with destiny! Jim the Television Champion. Seraphina? I have no damn clue! Listen I’m going to make this short and sweet. I don’t want to slip and fall to my death and give you two an easy out or anything. Jim, I’ll be blunt here with you. I want a title shot! That being said this match is the perfect set up for that to happen. I bet you may be a little confused by my statement. Let me clear that up for you really fast. I pin your ass I jump to the top of the list. Leapfrog! And Jim I will pin you! I will get my shot at that Television Championship! When I do! It’s mine! Wednesday night Warfare. I win!