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DeathMerchant · (07-31-2013)

The cool night air cut through his jacket and chilled him to his bones. He didn't mind though, He had enough on his mind to keep from thinking bout being cold. After walking about four blocks he spotted a bar where the lights were still on and judging from the noise coming from inside, Was still open. Death Merchant decided a nice cold beer would do him some good. He walked in and sat down at the bar and waited for the bartender to come over. Then it hit him like a rock. He looked around, The place was empty! The tables were all covered with white sheets and the chairs were all stacked along the wall. A pool table sat along one wall, Also covered up. He felt like he was losing it. Just a few moments earlier he had heard noise coming from inside here and thought the place was open. Yet here he was all alone. He was contemplating this when he heard a voice speaking to him.

Bartender
What will it be my friend?

Death Merchant turned around startled by the voice when he saw the bartender standing before him holding an empty glass.

Death Merchant
Where did you come from? You weren't there just a moment ago. Where are all the people? I could have sworn I heard people in here just before I came in.

Bartender
Care for a shot of 'The Juice'? I hear it does wonders for the soul?

Death Merchant
No thank you, My soul is fine just like it is. How about a Bud Light and a shot of Jack.

Bartender
One Bud Light and Jack coming right up. I have always been here, We have all been here. Just take another look around.

At that instant the noise level in the bar doubled. There were a couple guys shooting pool and arguing about who had solids and who had stripes. A lady at one table was trying her best to let a guy who was bothering her know that she wasn't interested. At another table a couple was arguing because the guy thought the woman was spending too much time watching everyone else and ignoring him. Death Merchant was perplexed. He didn't know what to think. He turned back around to find the bartender gone again. In front of him was a bottle of Bud Light and a shot glass of Jack Daniels. He downed the shot and took a long swig from the beer. He had no sooner sat it down when he heard the bartender speaking again.

Bartender
I hope you find everything to your liking. We don't get many strangers in here much. As a matter of fact, Your the first one in years. Your a wrestler aren't you? Got a big match coming up?

Death Merchant still wasn't sure about this place but decided to play along.

Death Merchant
Yeah, I'm a wrestler alright. Got a big match coming up on Wednesday against some pretty tough competitors.

Bartender
Tough matches can cause some severe lack of sleep. Who will you be going up against?

Death Merchant
That's just it, I won't really know until the time comes. It could be one of a number of people. Whoever is lucky, Or unlucky enough to get that far. Then after that I will have to wrestle another person to get the chance to wrestle for the United States Championship.

Bartender
Sounds like a gauntlet match. Those can really test you like no other.

Death Merchant looked at him perplexed.

Death Merchant
How do you know about that type of match? I never even heard of it myself until I was in it.

Bartender
Why would you sign up for a match that you know nothing about? Isn't that a little dangerous?

Death Merchant
That's just kind of how I roll though. I like it when there is some danger involved. X-Treme rules where anything goes.

Bartender
Oh yes, So your excited about that and can't sleep right. Well, If you like I have some camera equipment set up in the back room there if you want to say a few words about it and burn off some of that excitement. It's usually used on weekends when we have live music here. The Janis and Jimmie Experience will be here Saturday Night. we'll have a full house then so you better show up early if you want to get a seat.

Death Merchant
Shit man, That might just do the trick. What is this place anyway and How did you know?

Bartender
Lets just say that it's always here, Come on.

Death Merchant followed him into an adjacent room where he saw a stage setup with a microphone on it and a video camera in front of it. A spotlight suddenly came on illuminating the area as a red light began to flash on the camera.

Bartender
Go ahead, I believe everything is ready. You can say and do whatever you want. You won't bother anyone. I'll be right in at the bar if you need anything.

Death Merchant watched as the bartender left the room. He walked over to the camera to make sure it was on then got onto the stage and grabbed the microphone.

Death Merchant
Hello out there XWF. Let me start off by saying it doesn't matter who I will be facing in my first match of the gauntlet because whether it is Tony Santos, Jason E. Smith, Chris Legend, Mystica, Alexandra Callaway, Matt Ward, Mr. Natural, Or Sebastian Duke. I will tear through whoever it is like a raging storm through the heartland.

Death Merchant turns and sees a bottle of Jack Daniels sitting on a stool next to him. At first he wondered where it came from but then didn't even bother as he opened it and took a long drink before continuing.

Death Merchant
After the first match is completed I will take on none other than Peter F'N Gilmour. This guy is out there, Waayyyy out there. Some may say he's nuts but I know better. He is nothing more than the picture of a fool. Foolish thoughts and foolish deeds lead to nothing but trouble for him in the ring. Don't get me wrong, He may be a tough guy and a self proclaimed bad ass but I'm just a little badder and a little tougher than he is used to. I am bigger, Stronger, Quicker and meaner than either of my opponents and will prove it when we step into that ring. These type of matches are the $h!t I live for, X-Treme rules and anything goes means I will be an unstoppable force on the way to the United States Championship.

Suddenly he hears 'Orion' by Metallica playing somewhere in the building as red strobe lights begin flashing on the stage. He looked on his shoulder and saw the same spider that had been there earlier, Bouncing up and down to the beat as if it were dancing. He took another long drink from the bottle.

Death Merchant
To sum it all up for those who still don't understand. Come this Wednesday a new dusk will fall on the XWF. A time of darkness that will engulf the whole federation. The time for the Death Merchant and the AoD is at hand. You see, I come from a long line of psychos. It's in my blood. I will stop at nothing to accomplish what I set out to do. Like my possible opponents I like to fight and I like to hurt people. This life is all I know and those who step into the ring with me will find out just what I am talking about. Get ready, Don't bother saying your prayers because they won't help you! I will be victorious and NO ONE will get in my way!

Death Merchant replaced the microphone on the stand and grabbed the bottle of Jack before he stepped off the stage to turn the camera off. He walked out into the other room to find it as empty as it was when he first entered. Sheets covered everything just as it had before. He didn't understand it, Was he losing his mind. He walked out the front door and stepped into the bright sunlight that burned his eyes. He turned around to face the bar and noticed that the place was completely boarded up. The door he had just come through and the windows. A stranger passed by and saw him looking strangely at the building and spoke to him.

Stranger
If your looking for a drink you won't get one there. That place has been closed for years. From what I hear a bartender snapped one night and shot everyone in the bar including himself. The place has been closed ever since.

Death Merchant started to motion towards the bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand and it too was gone. He shuddered as he felt the goosebumps cover his skin. He turned back towards the hotel and made his way back to his room.

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