Date Uploaded: 14 May 2005
Chapter 5: And the Charade Begins
RAW. Pyrotechnics exploded around the stage and the crowd roared. Well, the part of the audience that wasn't covered with a tarp did, at least. Numbers were dwindling among spectators but the decline still wasn't as bad as some had predicted. TV ratings had remained neutral.
For those who were in TV land, however, could hear JR announcing this: "... The three members of Evolution have stated that they will have a special announcement in the ring tonight. We can only imagine what that'll be."
"Well after what happened with Randy Orton I'd say Triple H and the rest of Evolution is entitled to whatever they have to say," King said, immediately siding with the heel faction.
Before JR could say anything to that Evolution's music hit. A chorus of boos accompanied Triple H, Ric Flair and Batista as they walked down to the ring, all dressed in three piece suits. A few fans in the audience rolled their eyes and settled comfortably in their chairs. This clearly meant a long in-ring segment.
After the usual fanfare and the music and crowd died down, Triple H walked around the ring for a bit, microphone in hand. Finally he moved to address everyone. "For weeks people have been wondering, what'll Evolution do now that Randy is gone? Will he be replaced? Is he actually replaceable?" he gave a dry smirk to everyone, looking at Ric and Batista as if he clearly thought the questions ridiculous.
He continued, smile gone. "I don't know what show we've been watching, but Randy Orton didn't make up Evolution alone. In fact, the only time he became a definite somebody was when he was part of the group; now he's nobody. Nothing. Not even that belt, MY belt, gives him any identity. So, to make things clear to those of you who haven't been following, Randy Orton is MOST DEFINITELY replaceable."
Boos and jeers once more rose from the crowd. Backstage Eugene fidgeted, impatient in front of a monitor. He was scheduled to come out in a few minutes, but considering Triple H's capacity to take forever to state the simplest things, that few minutes could stretch to twenty. He decided he wouldn't let it come to that.
In the ring Triple H yet again continued. "So we go to the next obvious question; who will take his place? Who measured up and fit the standards of the most powerful faction this industry and the ones before it has seen? Who—?"
And he was mercifully cut off by the sound of Eugene's music. The audience seemed initially puzzled, but the moment they saw Eugene making his way out they lit up and cheered, even as JR wondered to King and the TV audience about what he was doing out here.
Ric didn't bother to hide his confusion. He just stood there with a bewildered expression on his face as Eugene entered the ring. Batista seemed strangely indifferent, or maybe he was just clever at being stoic. Triple H, as expected, was enraged. Eugene was a bit apprehensive as he grinned at them, knowing that he was testing Triple H's patience, but he wanted to hurry this segment along before the crowd fell asleep.
And so he smiled inanely, speaking into the microphone he brought. "You told me to meet you in the ring, right, Triple H? Remember earlier backstage, when you called me over and told me that—"
It seemed best to cut himself off right there as Triple H then looked mad enough to tackle him to the ground and ruin that Armani suit by beating him up. Fortunately Flair stepped in, imploring the Game to let him reason with the boy.'
"Now Eugene," Ric said off the mic, putting an arm around Eugene. "We went over this earlier, remember? You weren't supposed to come out until Hunter calls your name, isn't that right? Now tell me, did you hear Hunter say your name?"
Eugene looked suitably crestfallen. "No."
Batista spoke up in a low voice. "You may want to save the segment, Hunter," he said, noticing that the crowd had started to become restless.
"Right, right," Triple H growled, still annoyed but now resigned. He spoke into the mic again. "As I was about to say, Ric, Batista and I had settled on our man, and we invited him out to the ring… where he is right now. Eugene."
The crowd gave another pop, even if some members of the audience were wondering what the scam was. Eugene saw Triple H visibly relax, seemingly placated by how the crowd took to him.
Triple H went on. "Now Eugene, there are two reasons why we asked you to come out here tonight." Eugene obligingly gave him an exaggerated look of concentration that he bought completely. "The first is to apologize."
And at that the audience once more erupted into a volley of disbelieving jeers. One fan in the front row audibly yelled, "Like fuck he is!"
To his credit Triple H ignored it all and went on talking to Eugene. "That's right. I know our last encounter wasn't the, er, best, to say the least, but I'd really like to put it all behind us. Because if we can't then the second thing I'm going to ask you will be quite impossible."
While this was all very interesting, out of the corner of his eye Eugene saw Batista take a discreet look at his watch. He kept from grinning at that.
"On behalf of Evolution," Triple H went on (and on, and on, and on…), "I would like to extend an invitation to join our group to you, Eugene."
And the yelling started again, even JR and King had gone into their customary banter at their commentary table. A 'Don't do it, Eugene!' chant started somewhere in the middle and spread all throughout the arena. Eugene looked around for a while, pretending to be puzzled and concerned, and then lifted the microphone to reply. To his surprise he was interrupted when Jericho's music hit the air.
Now Eugene didn't have to fake looking bewildered. Jericho? He watched as the timer hit zero and the blonde Canadian stalked out in a hockey jersey, William Regal behind him. Eugene almost grinned again; Willie was playing it smart. He didn't have the solitary pull all alone so he got one of the most charismatic stars on the roster to accompany him. Eugene had to hand it to him. Triple H, meanwhile, was looking murderous.
"Eugene, I thought we had a talk about this," Jericho began, staying on the stage. "I even put it into the form of an amusing parody; imagine yourself as little Hansel, running around this forest called WWE. Evolution may look like that candy house in the middle of the woods, but when you open it up you'll find a hideous old crone with a huge schnoze who just begs comparison to Triple H. In fact, I believe that was his costume last Halloween."
Actually Jericho had done this at some point the past two days, and it had been all Eugene could do to keep from bursting out laughing. But great, just what he needed, another talker.
"Listen, jack-off, I don't see where this concerns you," Triple H told him curtly.
"It's called being a friend, assclown," Jericho snapped back. "What, is the concept too foreign for you?"
Regal took that moment to address Eugene. "Eugene, for the last time, please, I am imploring you to come to your senses!" Miraculously there were no cracks from anybody around at that statement. He was a little disappointed. That was so easy! But Regal continued. "Evolution is not the best path for you to take."
Now Flair spoke up. "Hang on just a minute there, Regal," he said, prompting a few 'WHOO!' shouts. "Don't you think this is all for Eugene to decide? Sure you were his mentor and partner and, yeah, so you may feel obligated, entitled even, to stick your nose in his business. But at the end of the day you have to realize that Eugene is a grown man and he doesn't need you as a babysitter."
"Oh, as opposed to you three attempting to mislead him right now?" Regal bit back.
Finally fed up, Triple H said, "Shut up." He turned back to Eugene (maybe he somehow realized they had gone way over their allotted airtime). "So, Eugene, what'll it be? Do you want to be a part of Evolution?" he asked in a voice that clearly said he had no other choice.
For the benefit mostly of the show Eugene adopted a confused manner. He looked between Regal and Triple H. Jericho stopped making faces at Evolution long enough to encourage the crowd to do another round of 'Don't do it, Eugene!' chants. Finally…
"You're my friend, Willie," Eugene said, choosing his words carefully. "But I want to be Triple H's friend too."
And it was settled. Even as Evolution congregated around him with fake smiles and the crowd groaned, Eugene saw Regal shake his head ruefully and turn away. His plan was in motion, but he felt vaguely sick to the stomach.
»»»
In Rem a large, extravagant banquet was being held at Lord Helmsly's estate. All the notable personages had been invited, even Lord Shawn Michaels the Heartbreaker, who held no love for Lord Helmsly. In fact, most of the aspiring despot's enemies were also around, either through curiosity, the food, or having nothing better to do. Only Ryan Orton was a noticeable absence.
Eugene sat at the head table in between Lord Helmsly and his beaming, not to mention near-intoxicated uncle, Eric Von Bishop. On the other side of Lord Helmsly was Lord Flair and Sir Batista, the former quite enjoying himself and the latter seemingly mildly bored.
Looking around, Eugene spotted Lord Kain the Unmasked leering over his own wife, encouraging her to eat up, insisting it was for the baby's good. Eugene shuddered a little at the thought of what a child like that would be like. Alan Snow sat with his former mentor, Sir Willem Regal, both talking in low, serious tones, but once or twice they would glance in his direction. It made him uncomfortable.
He focused on a cheerier sight. In the center of the floor space court jester Christian Cage was in the middle of his juggling act. It was a complicated trick involving him standing on one hand while juggling three pins in the other. Whether through lack of practice or distraction from the crowd (which was rather valid as Eugene did spot Lord Steven Richards shooting something at him by means of a small, cylindrical tube), Christian ended up falling flat on his face, the pins tumbling down on his head.
At once most of the assembly broke into raucous laughter, led by Sirs Sexton Hardcastle, Jericho of the Walls and the normally sullen Christopher Benoit. Eugene was laughing himself until Lord Helmsly stood up and called everybody to attention. Christian took that opportunity to slink off.
"All of you may be wondering why I invited you to my humble abode here tonight and, provided you're not drunk out of your minds yet, I shall tell you," Lord Helmsly began, looking like he may have consumed more than his fair share himself.
There were a few weak laughs. Lady Victoria visibly rolled her eyes.
Lord Helmsly carried on. "As you are all well aware I had been looking for a suitable man to take on the recently vacated position in my circle. I am pleased to announce that after ardous searching I have found the right man for the post. From henceforth, Ryan Orton's stature and duties will be handed to Eugene Dinsmore, nephew of our prefect, Eric Von Bishop."
At that Lord Helmsly's underlings and brown nosers cheered in approval, lifting their glasses for a toast. A few others, like Sirs Jericho and Benoit and Shelton Benjamin were too stunned to do anything. Eugene stood up to bow to the guests and to shake Lord Helmsly's outstretched hand. He saw two things as he did; Sir Regal frowning and excusing himself, and the concern on Gwendolyn Kim's face. He didn't like either of them. The banquet went well on into the night.
cont'd
I actually found an old, near forgtten outline for this story among my piles of papers. If I follow it accurately this story has about ten more chapters to go in the very least. Oy vey. I'll have more up soon, hopefully!
