"Catastrophe! At The Courthouse." Part One.
METHODS OF MADNESS: I've been swamped this week with personal life, but I will definitely not give this up without a fight. This turned out really well, and I love the way I'm going. It's going to be an ongoing thread.

The feel of the wooden door was all to familiar for Zarek. He had been here plenty of times, walked up those stone steps time and time again, but never on such a good occasion as this one. Well, truth be told, jury duty was never considered as a good occasion, in the least bit, but atleast this time Zarek wasn't handcuffed while walking up the steps. There had been previous, slight, run-ins with the law when Zarek was younger, about eleven to be exact. Who never got into trouble as a kid? Zarek was a troubled kid, and times were rough around certain parts of New York. There was a time when jail seemed like the only future for Zarek, and that's exactly where he was headed. Walking up the steps, the BUD Vision strap on his shoulder, was a moment of satisfaction. It was a "Aha" moment, an "I did it" moment, it was a moment, indeed. It was almost awkward walking up the same steps without feeling the cold iron shackles against his wrists. The tight metal would grasp around his upperhand, holding on for dear life, sometime drying blood. It was a wierd sensation to have his hands free. For a second, Zarek had the urge to take off and run the opposite way, but he wasn't a criminal anymore, he wasn't here for that, he was on the otherside now.

He reached for the golden doorknob and slowly turned the knob. Opening the door, the familiar smells came rushing back in. Zarek was all to knowing of the wooden smells that lingered inside courthouse. There were already people there, lingering around for the next hearing, there to be a sketch artist, there to be a witness, whatever it was, they were there. The noise was crazy, as people all over the court room were chit chatting away about different events. Zarek overheard one lady talking about the case before, in which someone had killed a man, left the murder weapon there, fingerprints all over everything, even strands of hair, and was somehow seen innocent. Well, that's the justice system for you. Maybe they'll get him for the other hundred bodies that lie away rotting in his basement. As Zarek began walking through the court room, there was a group of four that seemed to be talking about a show they had seen on show that night, or rather, a show they hadn't seen the other night. Apparently, NBC had cancelled some great show, pulled in a lot of ratings, was destined to be the greatest show of all time, and replaced it with a reality show. Well, that's television for you, where fake reality shows carry more prestige than quality television series.

Television series, eh? Zarek wondered how people would view this last week's Hangover Card. Zarek had gone one on one with the company sleezeball Evan Pierce, and was sure for the win. Of course, notice the word sleezeball that was used to describe Evan, Evan had to call out his little buddies in order to get the win. It's a little pathetic when you have to call on your goons so they can come out and save you. That's Evan Pierce for you though, whenever he's getting his ass kicked, trying to find some way to cheat his way out of a lose. Then again, what would you do if you were humiliates three times in a row by Zarek Lyle? Each time Pierce claimed to be the better man, and each time Pierce claimed it was a fluke, so how would you feel if each time you were put in your place? I suppose that's exactly how Evan felt. Like the pathetic no talent wrestler that he really is. Sure enough though, he didn't prove anyone wrong. He may have officially beaten Zarek, but then again so has Leaky Format. Just like Leaky, Pierce had to call out his goons in order to get the win. If that's what a win means nowadays, then so beat it, the little weazel can have his little "win". Just know it wasn't real, will never be real, and Evan Pierce will never get one up on Zarek Lyle, by himself.

There was someone else on Zarek's mind though, someone more challenging to his abilities than the likes of Evan Pierce, someone way more imporant than Pierce, Zarek had Emerald on his mind, and why shouldn't he? Emerald has proven herself to be a tough bitch, and after these two monthes, she could possibly be the only one to take the BUDvision Championship off his waist Zarek isn't a dumb guy, and he knows a challenge when he sees one. Emerald, is a challenge, more of a challenge than the others he's defended against anyway. She had learned from BUD legend Novacaine, so she had to be worth something, atleast. Emerald had been promised a title shot, and a title shot is what she would receive, without a doubt. Zarek didn't make that deal with Emerald because Leaky was any sort of challenge, but he made it because he knew she deserved her shot, she had worked for it. Leaky was going to have his goons interfere, so Emerald on his side wouldn't hurt, and he needed new competition. Emerald would be a his toughest defense, and that's what the BUDvision division needs, tough competitors. It would be a match for the ages, without a shadow of a doubt.

Zarek had been standing there so deep in thought that he didn't even realize when the judge entered the room. The baliff came in close behind escorting the shackelled convicted killer, and a cop behind me, just incase he decided to get out of hand. Zarek didn't pay much attention to the officer at first, but looked the killer up and down. Hell, this guy even looked guilty. Why don't they just lock him up right now? Suddenly, the face of the officer caught Zarek's eyes. A familiar face? Definitely. A familiar face from the past, the era the Zarek wasn't particularly proud of. Great.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite little criminal, Mr. Zarek Lyle." He laughed at his remark. It really wasn't all that funny, but for some reason this guy believed himself to be hiliarious. "So, what brings you back to this place? In for another charge?" He laughed again, and again, not funny.

Zarek laughed all the same, attempting to see the humor in it. He never did, but decided to humor the old friend. "No, no, no, I've been out of that scene for a very long time now, notice how I haven't been back here in awhile. Nope, this time I'm here on the opposite end of the justice system. I'm not getting screwed over, this time I'm the one doing the screwing. Well, in a manner of speaking, of course."

The man laughed, and this time he had a reason too. Zarek couldn't tell if he was just humoring Zarek, like Zarek had done him, but it didn't really matter. "I hear yeah, I hear yeah. That last time you came here, six years ago, I knew that would be the last we ever saw of little Zarek." He sighed, and then noticed the shiny piece of gold on Zarek's shoulder. "I seen you got out of your old rut and actually did something with yourself, I like to hear that. BUDvision Champion, eh? I knew you'd be a wrestler one day. That punch to the face that day I arrested you for theft, said it all." He chuckled a bit, damn this guy thought the world was one big stand-up routine.

"Yeah, well, I did always have a passion for the wrestling world. If you remember, Sage and I would dress up like WWF superstars and proceed to beat the hell out of each other." A laugh from both of them this time, because that actually was funny. Zarek could just see it now, Sage dressed as Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Zarek dressed as The Undertaker, how unfitting these characters were. Ha.

The police officer sighed again, "To be honest, I'm a big fan of BUD, and knew you were BUDvision champ. I just thought if I rushed up to you and screamed out your name like a little girl, you would lose whatever respect you had for me as a kid."

The first thing that came to Zarek's mind was, what respect, but decided not to let the old guy down. "Ha. Of course I wouldn't. I have respect for all of my fans anyway. You think just because you pretty much worship the ground I walk on now, that I would view you any differently, not a chance." It came out kind of concieded, but Zarek didn't realize it until he had already said it. "Figuritively speaking, of course."

Zarek looked over at the judge, and realized he hadn't been paying attention the whole time, "We better pay attention. I don't want to send an innocent guy to jail." He whispered.

The case had been going on for quite some time now, long enough for another officer to bring in the next man on trial. Zarek had decided long ago that this guy was gulity, there was to much facts stacked up against him. I mean, you can't really bite someone's finger off and get away with it. I mean, all that DNA is right there on the guy's skin, he never really had a chance. Zarek began scanning over the next guy to be on trial. He was a bald man, and appeared to be wearing a track suit. He must have not done anything to severe, because otherwise he would be wearing the all to familiar orange color jumpsuit. He was sweating, a lot, and seemed to be freaking out. It was never an easy task to stand on trial knowing that you may be going to jail, or even prison, while complete strangers have to determine your fate. Hmm...this guy was a little iffy, but Zarek supposed he would be finding out about him eventually. He turned his attention back to the trial at hand when he heard a slight tapping noise.

"Hey." Said a voice that Zarek didn't really want to respond too. "Hey man." Zarek wasn't sure if the voice was trying to contact him, and besides, he was trying to listen to the events of the case. "Hey Zarek." Now he was addressing Zarek by name. Oh well, couldn't hurt to answer.

Zarek turned and realized that the officer right next to him had been calling him. Zarek looked to him in confusion and the officer responded, "I know you're trying to listen to this guilty guy, but I just had to ask you one question. What is it like dating Jade? I mean, she is so fine, the sex must be great." He whispered, with a big smile across his face.

Uhh...wow, that was a big inappropriate, but understandable. Zarek was half in the question, cause he had to get back to the trial. He shrugged the offier off with an answer of, "Oh yeah, sure, Jade's wonderful." Returning the smile, hoping that was the only question this guy had in mind.

The man sighed with happiness. "Ah, I knew it. You two make a great power couple. Wow, you are definitely one lucky man to have Jade at your side. I would do anything to have that." A slight pause. "Is she going to be in your corner during your match against Emerald at Four Twenty?" He inquired.

This caught Zarek's attention, and decided to fully turn to the police man. I mean, the guy was guilty anyway, right? So Zarek could direct his attention elsewhere. "Well yeah, if she wants too, I don't own her you know. If she wants to be in my corner, then she'll be there, but I will definitely be in hers, not like she needs me or anything. Jade and I both know that we don't need each other there, but enjoy knowing that the other is there, nonetheless." Zarek answered, satisfied.

"What about Abram? I know that him and Jade don't get along very well, will Abram be in your corner during your title defense?" He waited for the answer.

Zarek sighed before answering, "Normally, yes, Abram would be. He's my manager, it's what he's hired for, and it's what he is in this industry to do. But, at 4:20, Abram has himself a Buried Alive Match against that slimeball Evan Pierce. Abram and I have discussed it, and I don't expect him to be in my corner at 4:20. I mean, Abram has heart, he does, but he's no wrestler. There's a chance he could be taking a ride in that ambulance, so I don't expect him to be there. However, if by chance Abram does walk out of his match alive, then yeah, I suppose he'll be there. Like I've said though, no offense to him, but I don't expect him too."

He knodded in agreement, everyone knew he was dead."I don't blame you for not expecting him to be there. Abram's great at managing someone's career, but I don't expect him to be that much of a wrestler, I mean, especially because he is going up against the likes of Evan Pierce. As I remember last week, you couldn't get the best of Pierce either..."

Ha. Now, that one was funny. Maybe this guy really really does have what it takes to become some sort of stand-up comic. "Ha. That's a good one, really. Evan Pierce getting the best of me, wow, talk about hil-fucking-arious. You know, Evan Pierce can shove all his little comments he'll have throughout the week up his ass, because the truth is, he still couldn't one up me in fair compeition. Pierce says he defeated me in our first fair match? Bullshit. Fair my ass. If his goons running out to help him is fair, then yeah, that's fair. The honest truth is, I had Evan beat for the fourth time, and his butt buddies interefered. Now, if it was fair, then I would have won. Just hearing that Pierce won, you know that there had to be something up with that match. Pierce is a nobody who can't win a damn match by himself. Abram had every right to come out and smack the hell out of Evan with that 2x4. End of story."

The officer seemed suprised at Zarek's answer, which was surprising in itself considering he pretty much insulted Zarek,"Wow. Umm...you really only see parts of that on TV. Well, do you think that Emerald possess any of those disowning qualities that Evan Pierce possess. As in, do you think she'll cheat to get the win?"

 Wow, for a guy who considers himself a BUD fan, he sure doesn't know much about it's superstars. "No, no, no, no, no, not in the least bit. Evan Pierce doesn't compare, he doesn't measure up to the likes of Emerald. Emerald is the powerful woman type, you know? The type of woman that can do anything if she seats her mind too it, and definitely has the talent to back herself up. Emerald is the type of person that Evan Pierce dreams to be in his dreams. Infact, Evan Pierce has had a history of wishing he was girls. Kimberly Pain kicked his ass at BUDmania, and I know that Emerald could kick his ass as well. I just, can't express the differences between the two. Emerald has talent, Pierce doesn't. Emerald has class, Pierce doesn't. Emerald actually has the potential to become the new BUDvision, and Pierce isn't even close. I mean, I know it's been said that Emerald would do anything to capture the strap, but she would never stoop to Pierce's level to get the win."

It was turning into something of an interview and the officer was sort of pumping me for information, trying to get the DL of the wrestling world. "So you don't think that Emerald would stoop to her boyfriend's level at any point? Nova isn't exactly the most savory of characters, and I know he'll probably be at ringside during your match. Are you worried about him getting involved and costing you the match?"

Was this guy some undercover reporter or something? God. If he was, then I wouldn't have answered. "To be honest, I don't trust Nova, not in the least bit. You're right, he's not one of the most savory characters, and he's associated himself with Dante Cross as well. Don't get me wrong, Cross is great, but he's been known to do anything for the win, and I mean anything as in going outside the rules. I don't trust Nova, but I trust Emerald. As I've said before, she has class, and that's why I trust her to do the right thing."

He could tell that I was getting bored with this, so he began to back off,. "Well, I know you'll do whatever you can do get ahead in that match, and I understand that you have a touch eompetitor in Emerald. Ha, probably your toughest compeititor ever. I just want you to know that I'll be watching, and I wish you the best. No one is a better BUDvision Champion than you, no doubt."

"Hey, thanks dude, I appreciate it. In a match such as this, you never know who's on your side, so it's awesome to know I have atleast one fan. Do me one favor though, don't count Emerald out. She's definitely the one to take it from me, if anyone at all...." He knodded, and I returned it too him. Finally, he let me go and I could see that he was content with the information I had given him. I mean, damn, he better be, I pretty much gave him a whole damn interview. Anyway, he pulled away, seemingly content, and walked over near the person next on trial.

This court system was different, well, not really the system, but the jury. The jury didn't even need to leave the room for the jury's deliberation, and so they stayed in their seats, whispering to one another with their backs turned to the audience. Zarek has already casted his vote, so he turned back to people waiting for the result. The next man up, the bald man, caught Zarek's eye again. He was freaking out more than ever, sweating like crazy. The officer had moved over near him, ready to put him on the stand.

He began speaking loudly in his seat, not yelling just speaking loudly, "I didn't do it. I was set up. I never robbed that grocery store. I can't go to jail. They're lying..."

The guy was starting to catch some people's attention, and it was beginning to freak some people out, so the officer smacked him in the back of the head. He was quite for the next minute or so, possibly planning his next move, who knows, but he was definitely reaching his boiling point. Out of nowhere, the man lounged forward and grabbed the gun out of the officer's holster and grabbed the officer. Immediatly everyone suddenly knew what was happening. There were some screams as the man held the officer as a shield and pointed the gun in all ways. Nobody moved for fear of being shot.

He swayed the gun back and fowarth, towards anyone that would be considered a threat. "Shut up! SHUT UP! Nobody move!"

Oh shit. Here we go...