Taking it all in (o2a)

[samson]

Marcus Samson steps into The Lounge of 11Penn Plaza, taking in the sights. It was very well built, elegant and cozy. He nods as he watches the people enjoying themselves and walks around a bit.

I think I could get to liking this place.

He makes his way over to the bar and orders a drink, nothing too fancy.

I'll just have a Bud Light please...

Paying the bartender, he takes a swig of the beer and heads over to an open seat, relaxing himself after a long trip to New York and finally settles himself in.

[Jon Payne]

Payne walks into the Lounge. So different from the places he's been before, this place had some real elegance going on. He takes a look around and notices one unmistakable presence in the corner. A mountain of a man comparible to the size of his good friend XXL. He makes out the face and decides to head over to him.

[glow=limegreen,2,300]Hey...you're Marcus Samson, right?[/glow]

[samson]

Marcus looks up and low and behold, Jon Payne of all people is asking him who he is? That's a surprise...

Yeah, I am. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know who YOU are though. So I'm guessing that your part of the XWA now, huh?

[Jon Payne]

[glow=limegreen,2,300]You'd guess correctly then. Needed a change of pace, personally. This XWA thing is gonna pick up steam faster than a few people I used to associate with who were full of hot air.

I guess that's the reason why I decided to come here instead of stay where I was, to match wits and skills with some new opponents...because the ones I was dealing with before really didn't have either.

Well, not all of them anyway.[/glow]

[samson]

Marcus takes another sip of his brew as Jon speaks.

Got nothing to say about that, man...but I do believe that XWA ain't having any of that immature bullshit you're talking about. Part of the reason I jumped on the bandwagon. I was close to heading for Toronto myself but...what can I say, the opportunity to be a part of something new was too inticing.

Hey man, have a seat...I'll you a drink!

[Jon Payne]

Jon obliges and sits across from Samson.

[glow=limegreen,2,300]No drink for me, not yet. Anyway...I'm done with it. A waste is a terrible thing to mind. Let's talk about you...I've seen some of your indy matches, man. You're a match for any one of the big men in the industry right now.

I think it's good to see so many indies jumping into federations now...take some of the spotlight from the glory hogs who don't deserve it.[/glow]

[samson]

Um...guy...I thought you said you were DONE?

Samson laughs and sips another sip of Bud.

There's a lot of new talent popping up here though from all over the world. I can't make anything out about any of 'em yet. You, Hayley and XXL are the only ones with any kind of history in the "bigs". Well...those Fierharts, too.

You're not alone in the whole "new challenges" department, buddy. Believe me.

[Jon Payne]

[glow=limegreen,2,300]I heard that one of them might have joined, but two Fierharts...here? Interesting.

Not gonna be long before we start to get a real feel for things here. From what I've been hearing, the first show is close to happening, REALLY close.[/glow]

[samson]

Good.

Samson slams down the now empty bottle of beer.

I'm sure as hell gettin' ansy waiting around for things to pick up. I'm ready to start busting some skulls already. HEY!!! ONE MORE BUD OVER HERE!!!

You sure you don't wanna drink, Payne?

[Jon Payne]

[glow=limegreen,2,300]Sure, why not? I'll have a Corona Extra.[/glow]

Jon leans back in his seat.

[glow=limegreen,2,300]So Marcus, what made you become a wrestler? I heard you were an Olympic powerlifter before, right?[/glow]

[samson]

Yeah...
LEMME GET ONE OF THOSE GIRLY KEY LIME BREWS TOO FOR THE LITTLE GUY!!!

Samson laughs again.

Sorry, just bustin' your chops, buddy. I was a powerlifter, but there's no fun in a job that you only go to work for every four years. Did championships and a few World's Strongest Man comps too, but those get old. Any 300+ lbs. guys with a 500lb dead lift can lug a log over and obsatcles course. I wanted a rwal challenge. It was either wrestling or Mr. Olympia for me.

Imagine me posing in some Speedos next to a bunch of European narcissuses who're probably getting off on the fact that they're half damn naked in front of millions. Ick...

[Jon Payne]

[glow=limegreen,2,300]................

That's why Blaise loves watching that stuff. Um...good career move right there, I wouldn't want to have to kill you too, heh heh...[/glow]

A waiter arrives with their two brews. The slice of lime sitting innocently at the lip of his Corona.

[glow=limegreen,2,300]And Corona's ain't girly...[/glow]

[samson]

So long as you didn't order one of those Canadian brews, we're square. Damn they think their so freaking special cuz they have a few good wrestlers...well...

...they might have a reason for that, but I'll tell you this much, lushing out is a purely AMERICAN artform. Let's see 'em do that with their freakin' MOLSONS!!! Might as well be drinking water!

With that Marcus takes a BIG sip of second Bud Light.

[Jon Payne]

[glow=limegreen,2,300]Amen to that, brother...you know? You're an OK, guy there Samson. Then again, it could just be the alcohol.[/glow]

[samson]

You're right on both fronts there, my friend.

Samson takes another swill.

I better take it easy, though...last thing I need is to take a drug test and come up positive for anything. Bad enough every big man nowadays is accused of shooting or popping 'roids.