[Not very high above the city lights, he stood on the ledge of the four storey building at about the second storey, clinging nonchalantly to the brickwork along the side of the building. He would occasionaly glance downward to see the people walking about in any old direction, I guess it never really matters, just as long as they get where they need or want to go. With the frosty evening air thoroughly chilling everything imaginable, Marcus stood up at a higher altitude than most and braved the cold with his jacket bundled tightly around him.]

[He wasn't sure when exactly it was that he had started coming up here, and he really felt as if this would most likely be the last time he'd set foot on this ledge. Access to this ledge was easy to come by, the rundown building it was attached to was in a lesser part of town, one that usually saw most of the really bad happenings go down. Being up here made anyone feel as if they weren't part of that world, they were part of something all their own.]

[The sad truth was, after Marcus was done up here, he had to go back down into the world he tried to escape from up here. It was always the same as soon as he got through the lobby doors leading to the streets; He'd either be confronted with some homeless man looking for a buck, or he'd see something that remind him of why it was he was up there in the first place. But this time felt much different, he didn't want to go back down there this time around, at least not the way he always did...]

Gaines: Here I am, my mind drifting over all of the events in the past year, some good, some bad. Recalling my very first match in the GWA, a four corners match. I remember hearing about each of the competitors I was to be facing through some GWA scout, hearing about how one was some champion in some other wrestling promotion, another was relatively unknown, and then hearing about the final man: Ryken.

It was enough to make just about anyone sick, I couldn't even begin to count how many times the guy had used the word "Legend" or "Champion". It was enough to make anyone intimidated, naming numerous titles and awards, telling hour long stories about past glories, I had heard enough about it, and I was already wondering what to expect from this walking time capsule, the true testament to what a hall-of-famer was.

And then seeing the tall bony man, it was more like seeing a twig, but I'd seen skinnier, and much shorter fighters who were capable of just as much if not more, and I knew never to underestimate someone just because of size. And I was right to, as the match went on, out of the corner of my eye whenever I wasn't fighting the man myself or indisposed, I would watch Ryken carefully, seeing what he would do under certain forms of pressure. The final image of the matches' events are enough to make me shudder to this very day, how could I have been so foolishly careless?

"Kevin: Outside.. Luciano powers Tyson some ten feet with an Overhead Slam!! He gets up on the apron.. OHH!! MARCUS GAINES TURNS AWAY FROM RYKEN AND NAILS LUCIANO WITH A SUPERKICK THAT KNOCKS HIM OFF THE APRON!!! Luciano sails off the apron and his head hits one of the chairs below!! Marcus grins and turns back to Ryken.. UHH!! RYKEN RUSHES UP BEHIND MARCUS.. DAIKYOU DDT!! Ryken goes through the motions.. and he's got it locked on!! ATTAINING A HIGHER EXISTENCE!!! THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME!! Marcus is fighting it.. but it's no use!! There's the tap.. and the bell!!!"

Gaines:That one mistake was enough to make me realize never to let it happen again. But after that there was always high regard held in Ryken's favour, even if it wasn't mutual. To me, Ryken's achievements were like the level at which to beat, everytime Ryken accomplished a feat in the GWA, I saw it as one more step in the ladder that he had to climb over to make something of myself. And thus, I'm constantly finding myself living in this man's shadow, even if it was only a level at which I've set for myself, it was always there regardless.

Sure, I could put on that carefree exterior that always saved me from thinking anything legitimate, but inside, it pains me to see that I'm not living up to the standards Ryken had set. And it truly hurts to think I haven't earned anyone's respect other than a few loser wrestler's I've beaten along the way. Every matchup I've had, I've been thinking, Splash Williams? Is he Ryken? No? Blech. Johnny Viscous and Jimmy Jackson? Are they Ryken? No? Oh well. It was all no big deal unless it was Ryken. And the shadow continued to grow, enveloping me, making me wish I could somehow prove myself worthy of this man's legendary status.

Voice: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize this ledge was taken.

[Marcus looked away from the edge at where the voice had come from, a short bald man peered around the side of the building at him. Astonished, Marcus nudged away from the man just as he was in fact making his way around the corner towards him.]

Man: So what are you up here for?

[Marcus exhaled deeply just for the sake of seeing his breath swirl into the blackness of nightfall. He looked down over the edge to escape having to look this man in the eye, something he couldn't do to anyone when he went up here.]

Gaines: Oh, I'm just up here to clear my head.

[He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked at the man, a sympathetic look on the man's face made Marcus wonder what exactly was about to happen, if anything.]

Man: That's rough. That's what I told my wife. "Just going up there to think." She believed me to, poor woman. I couldn't bear to tell her the truth, it'd just eat me up inside. But there's quite a large insurance claim on me, she won't be well off, but it's the least I could do in compensation for her having to put up with me all of these years.

[He chuckled, anyone with half a brain could tell it was fake, he raised his head up as if to look into the sky, but it was clear he didn't want Marcus to see him at the brink of tears. Marcus could only smile, just now catching a glimpse of what exactly this man was indeed plotting.]

Man: Well, I won't take away anymore of your time. [Puts his hand on Marcus' shoulder and edges his way carefully around Marcus.] Have a... a safe trip, okay? And pray that it doesn't hurt too much.

[Marcus nodded as the man disappeared around the corner and probably out of his or anyone else's life for good. Marcus took a second look at the empty ledge where the man once stood, then shrugged, it wasn't like he knew him or anything anyhow.]

Gaines: Ah well. It won't matter in twenty minutes anyhow. Ugh... this is really depressing and morose, isn't it? Oh yeah, Julius Stryker... who the hell does this guy ACTUALLY think he is? Is he under the impression he's something far more important than an instructional booklet to a sports videogame? The guy's a loser, and yet he's the only one that doesn't know it. That's one of the most pathetic things I've ever heard. Gee, I wonder how it is he actually won a title? Was it through the help of Saiaki? Or was i through hard work that finally paid off? Oh, I wonder which it could POSSIBLY be.

This guy rides in on other people's coatails and doesn't seem to realize he's doing it. Why the hell is he constantly mentioning the Outlaw, I wonder? Why is he constantly mentioning this SWA thing half the time... I have nothing to worry about fromt his guy, he's the one guy that no matter what, I'll always feel superior to even if I'm either partially or fully lobotomized. And yet, for some stupid reason, Debra is constantly worrying about this guy. Is there something I've missed in evaluating him? Does he have a third nipple he hides on his foot or something?

He comes back to GWA, ruins my moment by way of quite possibly the most far-fetched and ridiculous method I've ever seen, and acts as if he still has some chance of redeeming himself for losing so badly to me the last fricking time. I'd probably be doing him a favour by crippling him before he gets to make himself look even stupider than he did then. Facing him was probably going to be my most triumphant moment, aside from crippling that little bastard, Barret. The deck was stacked almost unfairly in my favour, and yet... somehow he manages to scrape by with his title still around his waist, by all means that title is rightfully mine! I can still see how it all went down...

"Kevin Gaines: Oh lord!!!!!!! Did you hear that. I think he just broke Strykers leg.

"Gaines looks to the crowd again and this time starts to the top turnbuckle. Gaines raises both hands in the air and gets ready to come off to end the match. When out of nowhere Reina comes out and hits Gaines across the back. Gaines falls forward and hits the ladder. Reina gets in the ring and clubs the ref over the head and and then wraps the chucks around the neck of Gaines."

Gaines: And yet somehow, that isn't enough. Had I been given more time before the he-bitch interfered I would have crippled the little f*cker. And again I come up short of any true recognition for what I am, or for what I can do. Out of the three people that bother me the most, Stryker is the one that has no relevance to anything whatsoever. Ryken? Sure, I can handle living under his shadow simply because he's earned his place, but Stryker? The guy leeches off others to get to places he sure as hell doesn't belong, and obviously, he can't get there on his own merit.

In retrospect, it's like there is some clique that these people belong to. There are a few wrestlers that seem tied together no matter where they go... The little tramp Mei Hima-whatever-the-hell-her-name-is, The Stryker b!tch, and the other three corpses. I think, that if things were a little different, I'd be forced to take each and every one of them out personally so they'll all shut their mouths about things they've never done. This little pay-per-view shindig Stryker has set up, does he think that partnering me up with not only Goliath, but quite possibly the best Big man in the sport, Chris Damm is such a wise idea? Sure, they have some sort of mystery partner, but a chain is only as good as it's weakest link now isn't it? And which link does Stryker think we'll be breaking in at the pay-per-view?

[He sighed heavily, looking up into the starry sky, watching the twinkling of each singular rock floating somewhere in space, too far away to comprehend for anyone who wasn't Stephen Hawking or Carl Sagan, or even Ray Bradbury for that matter.]

Man: Hey, sorry to bother you again buddy, but do you have a smoke?

[Marcus shook his head much to the chagrin of the small bald man who was peeking aroudn the corner at him through rounded glasses that he must've only recently put on.]

Man: Oh well, I'll make do I guess. I always have... I was just hoping for one last cigarette ya' know? Before I take the leap I mean. I guess I'll have to use my jacket like I do at work whenever I run out.

[Marcus looked at him sharply, had his ears deceived him?]

Man: Nah, it's not what you think...

[Marcus sighed a sigh of relief, the last thing he needed was his hearing to go on him or things would get even more interesting.]

Man: Yeah, I only smoke the jacket, I don't inhale.

[Marcus watches him raise his sleeve, a marvel of charred remains, it looked tattered, like an old smoking jacket would, the only problem was this guy actually smoked his jacket when he ran out of Camel's.]

Man: Not to worry, I guess. I'll ask the guy on the next ledge over, then.

[Marcus looks at him sharply.]

Gaines: Guy on the other ledge?

[The short man shrugged.]

Man: Yeah, sure didn't you know? This building and the next one over are prime for jumping. You're lucky, you got a small enough ledge to keep it all to yourself. I got the one with the guy who has some bad B.O. He's going over soon so I don't have too much longer.

[Marcus turned sideways, he didn't want to have to look at this man or hear from him again, he was actually starting to wish he'd just jump already and leave Marcus alone to his thoughts.]

[Seeing Marcus turn his back made the man realize he was an unwanted conversationalist. And went back around the corner, to eventually make his fate. Marcus stared back down over the edge...]

Gaines: Oh yeah, and then of course there's Reina. I have a lot of respect for her despite the fact that I hate her guts and don't really respect her. Her, I'm forced to live under her shadow not because I try and measure up to her or anything, but because I relate with her somewhat. She seems similar to me in a lot of ways. It seems as if I'm never paid my dues because Reina is always there to collect them before I can.

I try my best to get away from her, I just want to forge my way into wrestling on my own, I want to stay as far away from that nose minor as long as I can. But she seems to somehow get involved in my affairs before I can settle them on my own. The damn Stryker match was going my way, I never said anything to her, I didn't even set foot in her little bubble, yet she has to come to the aid of this worthless sack of cat piss, Stryker.

I've made some considerable headway so far in the GWA, and yet it means squat as long as Reina is there to steal my thunder. If I win a belt of some kind, it's assured that on the same card or in one upcoming, she'll win a title that one-up's the one I've got. In any match I'm in, it doesn't matter how much heat or whatever is generated for it, she'll somehow find a way to outdo it even if it isn't her intention to do so. And the fact that I've been made a fool of by her is the final straw that broke this particular donkey's back. Like I could ever forget the humiliation I suffered at the little nymph's hands...

"Reina grabs the chair and lifts Gaines head off the mat.

Kevin Gaines: What the hell is she doing?

Tyrone Tranza: Looks to me like she's sticking his head in the chair so that the back of it rests on his throat."

Gaines: Like I could forget that little mishap. I rue the day I ever went into that match unprepared. I mean, it isn't like I didn't get her back, but I still figure I could have done a bit more than what I in fact did do in that match. If she thinks this rematch is going to be a walk in the park she's got another thing coming. I don't forget when something doesn't go my way, I'm sure she'll find that out soon enough when I run her damn head into a ring post.

And even then, as if anything I do will be good enough. When the media circus, if there indeed is one surrounding this match picks up, the odds are, all eyes will be focused on her, every camera will be rolling, and zoomed right in on her beedy little eyes, and every reporter will want to know what she plans to do after she wins. Which is funny because I don't want to settle for second best, not now, not ever. Every demented little smile she makes drives me to the edge, just like where I am now.

[He leaned back against the building to ensure his own safety, the sounds of police sirens interrupted the solace of this place, cutting through the quiet like a knife through warm butter. He shrugged off the notion of the sirens, hoping to forget about what was below for as long as he could, but they got closer, and closer still until two squad cars stopped just below the building where he now rested atop the ledge.]

Man: Marcus Gaines. I'm here to help.

[Startled, Marcus turned to meet the man with the voice, a well dressed man stood halfway on the ledge, and halfway inside the building. He clutched the side of the building tightly as he looked at Marcus with wide-eyed concern.]

Man: It's okay. I called the police. I've been listening to you for a while... and I'm here to talk about your problems.

[Marcus scratched his head, trying to figure out what exactly this man was talking about.]

Man: Listen, I know you think this will solve everything, but the truth is it will only cause more problems. I, myself have been down this route before, it isn't a very bright tunnel you must be walking down at this moment... but please stop before you do anything, okay?!

[Marcus raised his hands in a mock defence.]

Gaines: Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was doing anything punishable under law! Is it okay if I just sit up here awhile unencumbered by the likes of you, though?

[The man brushed his mane of rather long hair out of his face as it blew freely in the wind, clustering it in lumps over his head revealing his baldness to Marcus.]

Man: Listen, Marcus. I know you think I'll fall for that old routine. But I've been doing this for a long time, everyone in your position asks to be left alone, it's a subtle cry for help, trust me!

[Gaines shoves his hands into his pockets and bundled up tighter underneatht he winds icy onslaught, of course it would be colder higher up than lower.]

Gaines: Okay! I trust you. Is it okay if I at least sit down on the ledge then? I've been up here for a while.

[The man's face brightened, and Marcus sat down, his legs dangling loosely over the edge, the blood rushing to his toes giving him warmth where there was no warmth before.]

Man: That's good. That' perfect. Now we can talk. You know Marcus, I've seen you wrestle on GWA... you're great. I mean, you've got a lot of things going for you... but I guess it's true that celebrity causes more lives to be ruined than it does to make them better. But I assure you, you've got some things upcoming that are sure to make your life much more interesting. I see you've got a rematch with Reina Saiaki... you've got to be proud that the GWA executives have enough faith to grant you that much.

[Marcus' eyes rolled, and he nodded insincerely.]

Man: Marcus, don't give me any attitude, we can talk about stuff. Come on, please? I know I can help you. Just tell me why you are trying to kill yourself?!

[Marcus shot the man a surprised look, his face turning chalk white.]

Gaines: Kill myself? What the hell are you talking about?

Man: Uhm... You're up here to jump off the ledge and kill yourself, right?

[Gaines could only stifle a chuckle high into the air before looking at the man incredulously.]

Gaines: Hell no. I'm up here spitting loogies, hopefully onto people's heads. I HIT YOU WITH ONE BEFORE YOU CAME IN THE BUILDING FOR GOD'S SAKE!

[The man raised his hand to his head and felt along the top of his artificial hair, running his hand along the finely combed wig his face turned to one of disgust as he raised his hand and looked at it in the moonlight. Quickly rubbing his hand along the leg of his pants, he looked shocked at Marcus.]

Man: Well, this is a wig, no wonder I didn't feel it. SO WHAT THE HELL WAS ALL THIS TALK ABOUT ENDING IT ALL UP HERE?!

[Marcus laughed again.]

Gaines: Trust me, I sure as hell didn't mean end it all by jumping off a second story balcony. You realize there's people up here who actually plan to commit suicide, right? You could easily justify coming up here to save them.

[Blowing a raspberry, he tucked himself back into the building, keeping his head poking out of the window to look at him.]

Man: Funk that. I have a week left until I officially retire, you think I'd waste my time on some nobody when I can make myself famous off of celebrity suicide attempts? Thanks for nothing. Good luck on Wednesday, I hope you break a damn leg or something.

[Marcus swung his legs merrily, reveling in the freedom the open air allowed. He chuckled again as he heard a short scream on the other side of the building, followed with a faint thoud, and the sounds of the sirens driving off in the opposite direction. His mind recounting all he had cited this evening, and remembering that he was in fact going down the building differently, he was going down with the mindset that he was in fact in no one's shadow but his own, and beating Reina was going to be the start of a new era in Marcus Gaines' mind.]