Post by Haunting Curse on Apr 23, 2024 5:49:22 GMT -6
We open to a close shot of Professor Charles Birch. He peers into the camera through thin silver spectacles.
Birch: Greetings, Miss Taylor. Upon reflection, my previous speech was a little... direct.
The camera pulls back to reveal the Professor is sitting in a tall leather armchair, presumably in his countryside home. There is a fireplace in the background, where the flames dance and flicker and we hear an occasional crackle. Birch is wearing a buttoned white shirt beneath a blue wool jumper. The corners of his mouth curls upwards into a weak smile.
Birch: You see, there is a part of me which hopes my discovery is as powerful as the Amazon legends promise. But I'm a historian, not a sports agent. It's not my place to rally Haunting Curse nor denigrate its opponents. I am simply here to study and comment on its behaviour. These videos are meant to warn those tasked to compete against it. Naturally I want to see Haunting Curse demonstrate its prowess - for educational purposes - but not at the expense of someone's livelihood or long-term health.
He shakes his head from side to side for effect.
Birch: I've now realised it is all too easy to be cajoled into the partisan nature of professional wrestling. I confess I felt a pang of disappointment as you pinned Konstantine in Duluth. Haunting Curse was battling with ZERO at ringside, unwilling or perhaps unable to change its focus. Upon my return to England, I pondered the implications; was the monster ZERO mistaken for a rival ancient spirit? Did the Curse believe that ZERO had to be defeated before an offering could be claimed? NEXTGEN #010 was a fascinating event but it certainly offered more questions than answers.
The Professor leans closer into the camera as his tone of voice softens.
Birch: If Haunting Curse did perceive ZERO to be a greater adversary, one could argue it was a miscalculation. You are the NEXTGEN Champion, Miss Taylor, and I commend you for escaping Duluth unharmed. But the Curse will not underestimate you again. Folklore across the globe has tales of those who use cunning to defeat giants, and the Amazon is no different. It will surely be familiar with the trickster, a foe not physically imposing but nonetheless dangerous.
He pauses briefly to clear his throat.
Birch: Now I am not suggesting you cheated to win the title - you did what any sane competitor would - but to the Curse, you're a pilferer. You stole a treasure meant to honour its return to humanity... a force buried in the dirt, forgotten for centuries, now awakened. With thousands gathered to bear witness like the bloodletting ceremonies of the ancient world, NEXTGEN #010 was supposed to be a formality. When it finally realised its tribute had been taken by another, it was too late.
With a small sigh, the Professor sinks back into his chair.
Birch: It will no doubt rellish the opportunity to correct that. I'm very interested in observing how Haunting Curse will operate under the "Hardcore" stipulation of this match. Both the Aztecs and Mayans were known to use clubs in warfare, and while Haunting Curse almost certainly predates them, these civilizations could have been influenced by a common ancestor - a lost tribe that followed the Curse. The modern people of the Amazon often mentioned its cruelty and barbarism in stories passed down through the generations, therefore one can expect it will be well acquainted with the blunt weapons on offer in Oshkosh.
The Professor stops again to contemplate the mysteries of his discovery.
Birch: But as much as I would love to uncover such a connection between the Maya and Haunting Curse, I don't particularly want it splattered with blood. You may believe permitting the use of weapons gives you an equalizer against a larger foe - and that may be true - but it also carries a far greater risk. If the Curse connects with a bat or something equally brutal... well, it could cause a severe contusion, perhaps even permanent damage. I appreciate this is a violent sport and such injuries come with the territory, but I don't want something like that on my conscious - not when you have such a bright future ahead of you.
He forces another brief smile and clasps his hands together to conclude.
Birch: So just be careful, dear... because the Curse is REAL.
Birch: Greetings, Miss Taylor. Upon reflection, my previous speech was a little... direct.
The camera pulls back to reveal the Professor is sitting in a tall leather armchair, presumably in his countryside home. There is a fireplace in the background, where the flames dance and flicker and we hear an occasional crackle. Birch is wearing a buttoned white shirt beneath a blue wool jumper. The corners of his mouth curls upwards into a weak smile.
Birch: You see, there is a part of me which hopes my discovery is as powerful as the Amazon legends promise. But I'm a historian, not a sports agent. It's not my place to rally Haunting Curse nor denigrate its opponents. I am simply here to study and comment on its behaviour. These videos are meant to warn those tasked to compete against it. Naturally I want to see Haunting Curse demonstrate its prowess - for educational purposes - but not at the expense of someone's livelihood or long-term health.
He shakes his head from side to side for effect.
Birch: I've now realised it is all too easy to be cajoled into the partisan nature of professional wrestling. I confess I felt a pang of disappointment as you pinned Konstantine in Duluth. Haunting Curse was battling with ZERO at ringside, unwilling or perhaps unable to change its focus. Upon my return to England, I pondered the implications; was the monster ZERO mistaken for a rival ancient spirit? Did the Curse believe that ZERO had to be defeated before an offering could be claimed? NEXTGEN #010 was a fascinating event but it certainly offered more questions than answers.
The Professor leans closer into the camera as his tone of voice softens.
Birch: If Haunting Curse did perceive ZERO to be a greater adversary, one could argue it was a miscalculation. You are the NEXTGEN Champion, Miss Taylor, and I commend you for escaping Duluth unharmed. But the Curse will not underestimate you again. Folklore across the globe has tales of those who use cunning to defeat giants, and the Amazon is no different. It will surely be familiar with the trickster, a foe not physically imposing but nonetheless dangerous.
He pauses briefly to clear his throat.
Birch: Now I am not suggesting you cheated to win the title - you did what any sane competitor would - but to the Curse, you're a pilferer. You stole a treasure meant to honour its return to humanity... a force buried in the dirt, forgotten for centuries, now awakened. With thousands gathered to bear witness like the bloodletting ceremonies of the ancient world, NEXTGEN #010 was supposed to be a formality. When it finally realised its tribute had been taken by another, it was too late.
With a small sigh, the Professor sinks back into his chair.
Birch: It will no doubt rellish the opportunity to correct that. I'm very interested in observing how Haunting Curse will operate under the "Hardcore" stipulation of this match. Both the Aztecs and Mayans were known to use clubs in warfare, and while Haunting Curse almost certainly predates them, these civilizations could have been influenced by a common ancestor - a lost tribe that followed the Curse. The modern people of the Amazon often mentioned its cruelty and barbarism in stories passed down through the generations, therefore one can expect it will be well acquainted with the blunt weapons on offer in Oshkosh.
The Professor stops again to contemplate the mysteries of his discovery.
Birch: But as much as I would love to uncover such a connection between the Maya and Haunting Curse, I don't particularly want it splattered with blood. You may believe permitting the use of weapons gives you an equalizer against a larger foe - and that may be true - but it also carries a far greater risk. If the Curse connects with a bat or something equally brutal... well, it could cause a severe contusion, perhaps even permanent damage. I appreciate this is a violent sport and such injuries come with the territory, but I don't want something like that on my conscious - not when you have such a bright future ahead of you.
He forces another brief smile and clasps his hands together to conclude.
Birch: So just be careful, dear... because the Curse is REAL.