Marcus Kendall Verse 1: The New Beginning
"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible" - T. E. Lawrence
Four Days before Vortex 19...
It all seemed like a lifetime ago....even though it's only been three years. I was on top of the world and had the crowds I performed in front of in the palm of my hands....life couldn't be any better or so it seemed to the people who surrounded me every day.
"Some said I wasn't gonna show up, at least that was the talk was about. But I show up to the showdown when the show's on to show off for all of the crowd!"
My words were like anthems to people, a tool so powerful that it got people to believe that they were living vicariously through me on the stage and pits I performed in. Battle Rap was my platform, it was my outlet just to show how damn creative and talented I could be. I thought I was unstoppable and to be honest at one stage I was.
"The giant was asleep..."
Yes he was. I had fooled and tricked myself into a lie. Trying desperately to seek my parents approval whilst going on my own path. I never wanted to be a rap artist, that just wasn't what my goal in life was deep down. But I wasn't prepared to lose my family and sacrifice them to follow a dream that seemed like a pipeline away....at least not then.
"But I'm not here to take your title Tony....I'm here to take your corpse!"
I did love Battle Rap though....that feeling of going on stage and ripping into someone with wordplay. That feeling that you are taking someone's life away with words. I was good at that, it was what my real talent was at the time. I did not enjoy being in the studio writing songs, it just wasn't comfortable for me. I'd rather be battling Tony for the title of being the best battle rapper in the UK rather than recording an album to potentially go solo and mainstream.
"What? You didn't think there was any space in my graveyard left?!"
I wanted that title badly, after years of battling both in the UK and internationally I felt for the longest time I was the best in the game and needed to prove it to myself. It was something I wanted to accomplish and felt like a big goal at the time....damn what a fool I was.
"And the winner of this battle.....and NEW BRUK Champion!..."
I did it.
I had beaten my long term rival Tony to solidify myself as the best in the game. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. People came up to me all night to congratulate me....
"You bodied him!"
"Congratulations Marcus!"
"Is there any space in that graveyard left now?"
"Mainstream here we come?!"
I was told things like this all night. It was always flattering when fans and friends alike recognized my ability and accomplisments. It certainly was an ego boost, but I never got cocky or over confident...at least in my own mind *laughs* there are others I'm sure who would disagree. If only those people knew what my life was really like outside of battling....maybe they would have been able to stop me before the worst happened....
****************
Jordan: Look bruv, I'm telling you! This is a big deal yo! We could make some heavy money with this deal!
Marcus: What the fuck are you thinking dude?! These guys are linked to the Bethnal Green Crew, we could get axed at any moment!
Jordan: Relax Marc, these guys aren't part of that set up, it's cool they've vouched for us. They aren't working with any specific se-
Marcus: They are the main suppliers to the BGC, are you fucking blind?! If they find ou-
Jordan: They won't find out! And besides this isn't a gang related deal, this is strictly business you heard! I'm cutting you in on this deal because you're my friend and I know you need the money.
Marcus: This isn't how I envisioned myself making money...look I don't know about you but I need get out of this shit real fast. I can't accomplish all the dreams I have with all of this...being a part of the gang and criminal lifestyle. This isn't me at all, I need to get out of the ELB and start making it on my own. And you need to as well! This isn't worth it!
Jordan: You know we can't back out now, if we leave the East London Boys they will come after us. Especially you, you're like the most well known underground rapper in the city, the ELB would thrive on a hit like that, just feel lucky you have them as an ally and not an enemy.
Marcus: I really don't give a shit at this point. I have friends, I have connections and there are plenty of people in the ELB who I'm close enough with that they will stand up for me if need be.
Jordan: Are you fucking blind yourself boss?! The moment you leave the ELB that friendship is out of the window.
Marcus: Then they weren't my fucking friends then were they?!
Jordan was right though, it wouldn't be easy to leave the ELB without repercussions....and this deal...I could smell this was a trap a mile away but I couldn't leave my best friend all on his own to fend with the BGC. He would get killed.
Marcus: Okay I tell you what, I'll help you out with this one last deal as a favour to you. But after that that's it. No more drug related bullshit and no more gangbanging. I'm walking away from this, from the ELB and I'll take whatever consequences I face...even if it means the end of my life. I can't live like this anymore. I can't keep using this to escape from the problems I face in my own life.
Jordan: Okay....I promise, I won't get you involved in any more deals after this. I promise....we cool?
Marcus: Yeah we're set, just make this quick okay?
Bethnal Green....as a gang member of the ELB, the only reason you go into the centre of that town is for a fight but now we're going in there on the pretense of getting a drug deal done. Strictly business? Does Jordan really believe that? I can see he has his head down and he is shaking as we are walking. Something is not right....even Jordan seems worried...
****************
Dealer: Ah so you decided to show and with a brother I might add.
Jordan: Let's just get this done, you have the blow?
Dealer: I do, do you have the money?
BGC Member: Well well if it isn't some ELB pussies trying to make damage over in our ends. Good job luring them in boss, we'll deal with it from here.
Marcus: Shit, I told you something wasn't right with this Jordan! You set us up!
Dealer: No! I swear I didn't have a clu-
Then it happened all so fast. Our dealer got smacked over the back of the head with a pipe and both me and Jordan got rushed. The rest of the incident was a blur, I was fighting off several BGC members, I had punched out a few but there were too many. I saw Jordan get taken down by one guy and both were struggling with each other. In the mean time I was getting punched out by two guys whilst trying to cover myself. I finally managed to kick them both away and tried to run when another guy smashed a baseball bat straight at my shin which shattered my leg. It was the most pain I had ever felt in my life. It was then when I saw it. Jordan was stabbed in the chest.
Marcus: JORDAN! NO!
I was kicked once again in the stomach and my mouth covered. My life flashed before my eyes as the BGC member pulled out a knife. This was the end I thought, all my hopes and dreams gone within in an instance until...
BGC Member: Oh shit! It's the ELB, there's loads of them! Let's get the fuck out of here!
Someone must of heard of the deal we were setting up in Bethnal Green and knew it would be trouble. The guys that held me down decided to run and leave me. I could not even move my legs but thanks to my brothers I was saved and lived to fight another day. I was unbelievably thankful that my life didn't end right there whilst I still had a chance to get out. But Jordan....
Jordan....
Jorda....
Jord......
Jor....
****GASP****
???: Marcus! Time to get up! Your big day has arrived!
It was a dream.....It was all a horrible horrible nightmare...my damn mind playing on me before the big day. The title match against Tony, the drug deal set up, Jordan getting stabbed.....no...no this was real. Very very real. Jordan had passed three years ago, my tattoo on my stomach in memory of him is still here and I'm lying still shaking from what transpired. I miss him so much but why was I dreaming of this now? Why? The biggest event of my life is coming up and I've spent years trying to put my former life behind me...
???: Marcus, I'm not telling you again! Don't make me come there and chuck a pillow at you!
Sarah... My housemate of two years and my biggest supporter when it comes to my professional wrestling dream. She's been there for me more than any other person. It's amazing to think we met because of my first wrestling trainer and that he is even cool with me living with his daughter. Not only that but our relationship is..somewhat complicated. She has a boyfriend yet I'm the one living with her. I would have thought she would have moved in with him months ago yet it seems he does not want to live with her yet....it doesn't help that I've developed my own feelings for her.
Sarah: I swear I will wack you so hard with this Pil-
Marcus: Okay! Okay! Your point has been made, I'm getting up!
Sarah: *laughs* You're so easy to persuade.
Marcus: I don't need much persuading, I got a big few days ahead of me.
Sarah: You seem awfully serious, what's up? You getting nervous?
Marcus: A little bit of nerves is good, its not that....its just...I didn't want to bring this up. I dreamed about Jordan...about when he was killed. It's got me thinking about who did it. I can't help but think Tony had something to do with this. I'm almost sure Jordan told him about it and that he was gonna get me on it. Jordan was never good at keeping quiet..
Sarah: Marcus, I thought you wanted to let go of the past....you can't change anything now. What are you going to do? Go out and find the truth? Kill those responsible? Will any of that bring him back? Will it help you with your new career?
Marcus: I know I know....
Sarah: Besides, you have an audience waiting for you. You can't let them down, whatever happened to "Some said I wasn't gonna show u-"
Marcus: Sarah!...Now it's you bringing up the past, I told you that I wanted to leave all that behind...
Sarah: I'm sorry....I just love that slogan you do...I'll run you to the airport, its the least I can do. I really hope this works out for you.
Marcus: I don't hope it does, it has to work out. My life depends on it.
Sarah then gave me a kiss on the cheek....I could only assume it was for luck and the fact she was gonna miss me. That was strangely comforting to know...
The Day of Vortex 19....
Berlin, Germany.....In all honesty, this was not the sort of place I expected to make my PWC debut. I always imagined it being in my home city of London or some city in the states. But this is as good a place as any. I've been here for three days now. I've tried to keep a relatively low profile, tried to chill out and relax, enjoy the city and prepare for the show. I have not had a single person recognize me thus far which is very refreshing and comforting...everywhere I go in London people want to either take pictures with me or kill me. It's good to feel like a normal human being again, but I know that won't last. Arriving at the O2 Arena has given me butterflies and a little bit of the nerves, oh how I miss that feeling. I haven't that for a long while...
Brittany Page: Mr Kendall, good to see you've arrived.
Marcus: Please honey, call me Marcus, no need for the formalities. And you are?
Brittany: I-I'm Brittany, The General Manager's As-Assitant. Danny is waiting for you to be interviewed.
Marcus: Are you alright? You seem startled.
Brittany: No I'm fine! Honestly! Well it's just that I've heard a lot about you and you scare me a little...your past life and all...damn I'm sorry I shouldn't men-
Marcus: Don't worry about me, the only people that should be worried are the other wrestlers. Relax, I won't cause you any trouble...I promise. Well I best find that Erikson guy, talk to you later.
Brittany: By-Bye!
Wow, she seemed startled. She must have seen a lot of wrestlers come and go over the years and she's scared of me? That's quite flattering in a sense that I've made that impression. But I wish people wouldn't judge me from my past...
Danny Erikson: Aha! Marcus Kendall! Heard a lot about you. Are you ready for the interview?
Marcus: Ready as I'll ever be.
Erikson: Okay, camera's are set. We're going live in three, two, one....
The Interview...
Danny Erikson: Hello everyone, Danny Erikson here and joining me at this time is the debuting Marcus Kendall! Now Marcus with you facing three other men in the rookie fatal four way, the question on everyone's mind is is there any space in that graveyard le-
Marcus puts his hand in front of Danny's face as an indication to stop
Marcus: It seems as though you have done your research Danny....that is commendable. However tonight you won't be getting much in the way of corny catchphrases or slogans. All you need to know is I am here. And it's been a long journey to get to this point, considering you've done research into my past you know of the road I took and the choices I have made, some of those choices I am not particularly proud of but they all make up who I am today. Life is about choices Danny and for every choice you make there is a consequence. Take today for example, today I finally decided to follow my real dream of becoming not only a professional wrestler but a PWC star. Today I finally decided to grow up as a man and make my own decisions without anyone's approval or anyone pushing me in a certain direction. This is what I've wanted to do my entire life and this is what I need for my existence to have any sort of meaning.
But enough of the sentimental crap, let's get down to what I'm mean't to be doing and that's decapitating people's heads off. Starting with you Whisper, San Antonio's answer to a Luchadore crackhead. It is clear you are unstable to say the least and as an opponent that makes you dangerous but that also means that as a wrestler you are just as much of a danger to yourself. I have no doubt I couldn't figure out what's in that confused mind of yours but what I have heard is that you like to lick things.... Well in that case you might want to rethink your career because there is an industry out there where you can lick plenty of things to your heart's content whilst the evidence is all filmed on cam. And I can tell you its not going to be walls, TV's or any Mexican wrestling mask that you choose to wear on any particular sunday but it certainly will provide you with the tools you need to fix that little crackhead mind of yours. No, I'm going to spell it out for you because you're so wacked out that its all part of the fun because whilst some of this audience has already clicked on what I am referring to, you're probably thinking of licking windows and fruit. I hope for everyone's sake you don't make it to the arena and are too busy talking to yourself because the last thing anyone needs is any of your saliva all over their asses!
Now on to you Mike Damage, or better known as Harley Race Jr. It is honorable of you to have so much credence to the past and for that I have respect for you but with all due respect if Harley Race were to look at you he'd be laughing his eighty year old head off wondering what the hell kind of ass kissing generation that he spawned. It is guys like him who were innovative and different for their time, they didn't spend their time trying to relive past glory days that they were never a part of or were never born to see to begin with. That's the difference between us both, you're a duplicator who copies those who were great, my entire life I've been an innovator and in every walk of life I've been in I've been changing the game and reinventing what it MEANS to be great. You call yourself a throwback? I call you out of touch. The only damage you'll be doing is either boring these people to death or be receiving the biggest ass kicking in your entire life!
And last but not least there is you....Max Killings. That Punisher jock sniffing jackass! It is no secret that I'm not the biggest fan of pigs but vigilantes like you who were not good enough to work within the system and therefore try to implement their own values, own morals, own beliefs on to the people are by far the biggest scumbags walking the face of this earth. It is people like you that make society fear marshall law and the idea of a police state because no matter how much fun I make about you it is clear that you are an extremely dangerous human being with dangerous philosophies. But if you think that means that you will not have to bring anything but your best then you are mistaken. Because in order to even stand a chance of beating me you're gonna have to bring Whisper's Mexican wrestling mask and every single weapon you have! You are quite frankly the absolute
Bane of my existence. You may think you're a
Marvel for forcing your agenda down people's throats. But the
joke is on you, we all know that The Punisher isn't a part of
DC no! You'll be deceased. Because this is the PWC bitch this ain't
Justice League!
Danny Erikson: Wow! So it seems as though your rapping days aren't over after all.
Marcus Kendall: No Danny, that wasn't me rapping...but my creative side will never leave me, I am an entertainer at heart. What you will see however is the true nature and character of Marcus Kendall. You see the giant was truly asleep for years but now he has awoken. Danny, you wanted to know if there is any space in my graveyard left? Well let me answer that question. Whisper, Damage, Killings...if there is only one thing you should remember it is this. I am not here just to take the win, I'm here to take your corpse!
Fade to Black