"The Sensation" Danny Starr


	Demons No More...
	SPACEIn the prime of my growing success, It all came to a halt right after winning the Last Man Standing tournament. Between recovery, celebration, and getting my own head straight… I found myself at a complete pause in the HWA. My inactivity noticed greatly at first.. But as time went on, the name Danny Starr became vacant in the minds of people like Kevin Hurts and Kevin Conner. As I remained inactive it seems Neil lost his touch with supremacy long enough to let this New Generation of Wrestling take affect upon the HWA’s surface. SPACEWe all know Conner is known for his cocky attitude, but nobody would have guessed Kevin Conner would grow to such an arrogant ego brained specimen with the false confidence to actually believe he is a worthy World Champion. But as Kevin Conner lost touch with reality… President Sett brought him back down to earth with one name… Danny Starr. Not only that name, but the information that Conner will face Danny Starr for the World Title at Pride. As Conner prepares for the fight of his life, I fear I am to fight my own battles at home. However, unlike fighting another human being… what I must fight has no form, or shape… SPACEThis fight will not come to blows for blood… this fight will result in complete annihilation so help me God. This will be the final battle in the war I’ve been waging against my own self… my own mistakes… my own nightmares. So far the victories have been on my side… but these nightmares will now take human shape, for they are actual humans… Barely humans… God couldn’t have created such monsters in flesh, but the Devil… he designed and manufactured each evil part of these walking demons… I may own these men a lot… but I must free myself of their hate; of their evil. SPACEThe echoes of dark metal clanking shut startles me as I continue to walk down the narrow corridor of cages built for people who have killed… have robbed… have raped… have lied. I can hear the taunting from the prisoners as I walk past them like scrolling threw the memories of my past’s demons. Calling out to me as if persuading me to join them in their homes behind bars strong enough to hold the biggest of men. SPACEI try to keep my mind organized for my entire purpose of being here, but I can’t help but think back to my sinful wrongs… all of the court rooms I have sat in… the juries I bribed, the judges I extorted… to think, if I was a normal human-being… I would be here just as these animals are but because of my wealth and power… I escaped a sure fate of life in this entrapment called the New York State Prison. Some of the most ruthless live here now… the most vile villains known to man today are in my presence. SPACEThe guard who escorted me, a rather large fellow wearing a gray uniform, slowed down and peered ahead as if trying to peak into a cell. I slowed my pace and waited for his direction. Guard: Here’s your man… RANDOLPH! Wake up sunshine, you got a visitor. SPACEHearing the name again sent shivers up my spine. Suddenly the memories came back to me… the murders… Dan Randolph was the most vile serial killer in our time… being caught and convicted for over 100 murders… all killed based on his own philosophies. SPACEI couldn’t see him yet, but as the guard unlocked his cage… I slowly walked in… Dan Randolph: What visitor? Did they find more bodies? SPACEI closed my eyes and shook my head before stepping further into his cell… As we became visible to each other… I could see a smile on his face form. Dan Randolph: Well, well, well… If it isn’t my favorite employer. Did you come to bail me out you rich mother fucker? Danny Starr: No, I didn’t… Dan Randolph: Such a shame… I wasn’t finished my masterpiece yet… The cops can hardly keep up with me… they should’ve found at least half of them so far. Danny Starr: There will be no bailing you out; no transfers… no parole… nothing. Dan Randolph: You promised me… Danny Starr: That was 3 years ago… when I was a different person. Dan Randolph: A promise is a promise… Do you want to be the 301st to my list? SPACEThe guard steps in with a slap jack in a blatant manner staring down Randolph. Randolph leans back on his bed as he begins to laugh. Dan Randolph: How much did you pay him, Starr? Another little lap dog to work for you… Danny Starr: I haven’t paid him anything… Dan Randolph: Well that would be a first… not paying someone for anything… it’s almost as if it’s un-believable. Danny Starr: Well, believe it, Dan. And also believe it when I say there will be no salvation for you… never again will I aid to your deceitful ways… never will I offer you a loop hole so you can end up back on the streets to add to your ‘list’. From this day forward, you are cut off. SPACERandolph stares blankly for a good 5 seconds before looking away. He lets out a smirk and an almost coughing-like chuckle before lunging up in the air grabbing my neck in a strangle. I fall back on the ground as he is on top of me trying to get a fastened grip on my throat, but before he is able to, the guard restrained him with the slap jack… Randolph began laughing against as he lay stinging on the floor face-down. He looks up at me with a demonic look… saliva dripping from his lips to the dirty cement floor. Dan Randolph: There will be a very swift retribution when I get out of here, Starr… Danny Starr: Get out of here? SPACEI climb to my feet and fix my shirt collar. Danny Starr: Let me tell you something, you roach… the day you get out of here is the day Ryan Maxem kisses a girl… Dan Randolph: Make your little jokes, Starr… SPACERandolph is cut off by the guard laughing at my joke. Danny Starr: You get it? ‘Cause he’s homosexual? Guard: That mother fucker aint kissing NO girls, haha! Dan Randolph: ENOUGH! SPACEAn interruption heard and echoed through-out the entire state of New York. Dan Randolph: I will get out of here… and when I do… whether it be in the UBW… or the HWA… or your own mansion… I will finish the list with your name. SPACEI then put all joking aside and moved closer to my once friend… face to face looking him directly in the eyes. Danny Starr: The cocaine must have made you crazy, my friend… If you come anywhere near my mansion or environment… You’ll wish you never left this rat pit you call home. Thank god your brother didn’t turn out like you… SPACEI turned away and began to walk out of the cell… Randolph made another attempt at attacking me from behind but never made it due to a swift punch in the gut from the guard. I turned around to see the commotion and saw a doubled over Dan Randolph falling to his knees as he coughed up blood. SPACE1 down… 1 to go. I awaited the guard to finish locking up that poor excuse for a human being’s cage and he began leading me to my second checkpoint. I couldn’t help but fear this next visit… if Dan Randolph reacted that way and he was a friend… imagine how an acquaintance with nothing to lose will react. We walk along that same corridor… my feet get heavier with every step closer to our destination… knowing what awaits… knowing who… awaits. Once again… the guard stops at a cell… Guard: Grimes… Grimes: What… Guard: You have a visitor… Mr. Danny Starr is here to see you. Grimes: It’s about time… Let him in. SPACEWhat makes this a lot worse is that I made promises to both of these men that when things cooled down I would pay for their exit from prison. That explains why Grimes seems so enthused to let me in… see how enthusiastic he is after I break the news… to let me out. SPACEI step inside with the prisoner and former co-worker in the GWA… Danny Starr: Jakob Grimes… Jakob Grimes: Mr. Starr… took you long enough, Christ! Danny Starr: Well, things never cooled down… until now. Jakob Grimes: It was worth the wait… so when is the day? Danny Starr: Well… What is your sentence? SPACEGrimes pauses… wondering how that’s relevant to his release date, but thinks back and answers me. Jakob Grimes: I have a life sentence… When am I getting out? Danny Starr: I’m sorry… Jakob… Jakob Grimes: What? What are you saying, Starr? Danny Starr: I can’t do it… I can’t… Jakob Grimes: We had an agreement… I kill your father, you get me out of prison… that was the deal. Danny Starr: There is no deal… Jakob Grimes: I don’t think you understand, Mr. Starr… You owe me something… Danny Starr: There’s just no can do, Jakob… I’m a changed man… I’m not the old Danny anymore. Jakob Grimes: The hell you aren’t… the eyes don’t lie and in your eyes I see satan himself… Danny Starr: That’s just your reflection… SPACEI could hear the guard behind me chuckling over my comment. Jakob Grimes: This isn’t fair, Danny… I thought you were a man of your word… Danny Starr: I am, Jakob… but I refuse to help put another murderer back on the streets… Jakob Grimes: You’re already on the streets, Danny… you are the source of these evils… I was just the one with balls… Danny Starr: What else could I possibly do that’s rational to make up for this breaking of our deal? SPACEJakob stops and thinks for a good few seconds… Jakob Grimes: I want… 2 million dollars… and any restaurant food I want at any time delivered to my cell. Danny Starr: That’s it? And you’ll be humble? Jakob Grimes: What the fuck else am I going to do in here? At least this way I can die happy… Danny Starr: It will be done… just do me another favor… I beg of you. Jakok Grimes: What? Danny Starr: Don’t tell Randolph I did this for you… Jakob Grimes: Whatever… but I better get a damn McFlurry by noon or I’m going to be fucking pissed. SPACEI smiled and nodded in reassurance before looking to the guard. I raise my eyebrows as an indication I am done here and he reads it clearly. I begin walking out of the cell as the guard grabs the door to shut it… Jakob Grimes: Oh, and Mr. Starr… SPACEI stop and turn to face Grimes once again… staring the devil directly in the eyes. Danny Starr: Yes… Jakob Grimes: I want that McFlurry… Danny Starr: You’ll get your McFlurry… good day, Jakob. SPACEAs I walked back in the same steps I followed, I reached in my pocket for my cell phone but quickly remembered they confiscated it at the front gate. I did however keep my check book with me… and began writing out the 2 million dollar check with a pen inside of the booklet. I turned to the guard and told him to make sure the warden got my demands… any food he wants… and this 2 million dollars will pay for it. Danny Starr: After he dies, if there’s any money left over… tell the Warden to use it on some deoterant for these animals… I think my nose has lost touch with its sense of smelling. Guard: Yes sir… Danny Starr: Good day. SPACEDriving home from the airport I couldn’t help but think back to what Grimes had said… saying I was the murderer who is still on the streets… perhaps I should be the one behind the bars… my family name has no respect now as it is… Abusive John Starr… murdered in prison… Patricia Starr burned alive while she lay in her room during a house-fire… both caused by me… I am the murderer… I am the devil… SPACEBut I changed… I know I’ve changed… I can feel the change in me… I couldn’t imagine taking it to that level again, to kill… I couldn’t imagine hurting another human being to that point. But the tendency is, and always will be there… record shows the tendency is there… SPACEBut to change… people can do it; it doesn’t happen over night, it can take years… 3 years in fact. 3 long years in Peru… isolated from the common world. A chance for me to reflect all my mistakes and overcome my inner demons… that alone is the war I still wage. One day I will over-come… I will win in the long run, but the road that lead to this hard fought victory… it’s of blood and vengeance. SPACEMy thoughts were sharply interrupted by a rumbling of my car… the usual that still haunted my vehicle. It felt as if rolling on square tires, up and down violently as I try desperately to control the car. Danny Starr: I really should have this looked at… SPACEIt continued until I approached my mansion’s gates… I used the remote to open them and I rolled the 300 M inside. As I turned the wheel to a sharp right, I could hear the grinding of my axle’s friction against the tire rod. Danny Starr: Jesus… SPACEI parked the car and exited the vehicle.. Almost as if on cue, my cellular phone rings… I shut the door behind me and reach into the pocket of my Armani dress pants pulling out the ringing phone. I flip the top up and read ‘Eric Rayne’. Danny Starr: It seems Satan is sending all of his henchmen today… SPACEI answered it. Danny Starr: Hello… Eric Rayne: Danny Starr, long time no talk, my friend! Danny Starr: Friend indeed… What mischief do you have in store for this phone call, Eric? Eric Rayne: No mischief… I am calling to congratulate you on your Last Man Standing Victory… I knew you would over-come the odds! Danny Starr: Thank you… is that all you wanted? Eric Rayne: Look, I’ve been thinking Danny… I made some mistakes, I most certainly know this… in fact, as a man, I could tell you everything I did was wrong… and I’m very apologetic for it. Danny Starr: Eric, With all due respect… Eric Rayne: Yes… Danny Starr: Do you really expect me to fall for your devious words? With a split tongue the words just roll out of your mouth… I considered you my role-model for many years… and I was your protégé… do you really think I’m gullible enough to not only fall for your false promises, but accept you back to leading me in a direction you desire? Eric Rayne: Danny, I’m a changed man… Danny Starr: I’ve heard it before… don’t you have a 30,000 dollar bottle of wine to drink? Or a best friend’s wife to sleep with? There has to be something on your agenda that’s more important than manipulating Danny Starr every chance you get. Eric Rayne: All I want to do is help you succeed… Danny Starr: You aren’t helping me succeed… you are helping me become everything I’m again… You. Eric Rayne: Not too long ago you aspired to me like me… you idolized the very ground I walked on… and now you claim to seek other ends? There is no other ends for you, Danny… you are meant to be powerful in the worst way… you aren’t destined to be a good person; a changed person… you are, and forever will be cursed to be remembered… and people aren’t remembered for their success, Danny… they are remembered by their actions… Danny Starr: My actions will define my path… Eric Rayne: They already have… everything has lead to one thing, and you know exactly what it is… Danny Starr: No… Eric Rayne: You’re a blue blooded, egotistical, power-hungry Starr… your father has nothing on you. Change what his negatives were and become the most superior person on the face of the planet. Danny Starr: That’s not what I want… Eric Rayne: That’s exactly what you want… what you always wanted. Fame and Glory… Respect and Power… An empire and the only way to get it is by following me… because I have it. Danny Starr: The High Society is dead… that was your empire… you have nothing but a dream now… a dream that a much younger, and better version of you will revive your roman empire… there will never be a High Society again… you can put your trust in that. Goodbye Eric, for the last time. SPACEI hung up the phone in a furious way… murmuring to myself how pathetic and relentless Eric Rayne must be to continue bothering me about the High Society… I mean honestly, they don’t even have a building anymore… Steven Fury burned it down when I…. Wait a minute… SPACEWithout hesitation I ran to the side of the house which led to my backyard. In the backyard was a shed I had built for Mark Crow to keep his tools in… I saw where it stood in the shade hiding from the glaring sun. I ran to its entrance and kicked at the lock… 1 time, 2 times… 3 times a charm and it busts… releasing the hold. SPACEI open the doors and begin searching… and ultimately finding exactly what I’m looking for. I grab the handle and pull out of the small shed… I look down, smelling the gasoline like sulfur in my nostrils… then looking up to set my sights on the beloved… Hall of Sensation. SPACEI smirked at the thought of burning that evil building... filled with the last remaining traces of the High Society... all of the torment and suffering... all of the frames on the wall... the Hall of Sensation is pure evil... and the last demon is that of one I created myself... SPACEI walked towards the Hall of Sensation and kicked the head off of the statue hiding the key... using my one free hand to pick it up and insert it into the lock, twisting and unlocking the main entrance... SPACEI felt a cold breeze shoot up my spine as if the devil himself was warning me to get out of his domain... but I ignored his threats and began pouring gasoline all over the bloody walls... the portraits of fallen enemies... the framed portraits of Heather... my mother and father... Darren Copeland... Judge and HD... SPACETheir ghosts haunted me no more... I directed what was last of the gasoline towards the doors of High Society's room... I ran out of gas just as my cell phone began to ring. I answered it quickly without looking to see who it was. Danny Starr: Hello?! Michael Diamond: Ah, so you are alive. SPACEMichael laughed at his own joke as it played a pivotal reference to his, once, dire situation just a few months ago. Michael Diamond: You wouldn't happen to be hiding from me now, would you Danny? I mean, I see that your car is out front but no one appears to be answering the door. And being the fool that I am, I seem to have misplaced the spare key you entrusted to me oh so long ago. I contemplated kicking the door down, you know... making a dramatic entrance and all but I figured it was best of me to call first, just to ensure you were... indeed... home. Danny Starr: Hiding? No... I'm in the backyard... SPACEI hung up on Michael... only because I was in the middle of finally reaching closure in this chapter of my life... a very big chapter I am ready to close. The smell of gas was getting into my lungs... it was making me nauseated, but it was a good pain... knowing the smell of destruction... the smell of killing a burden... SPACEI walked to the outside doorway where I could easily escape if I had to, reached in my pocket looking for matches... I couldn't find any... I could have sworn I had some because I was smoking a cigar after lunch... but now I have nothing to start this fire... SPACEI throw the gas container into the Hall of Sensation as I begin to turn around to head to my Mansion for matches... When I run chest-first into Michael Diamond who had ran from the front to find me. SPACEA smirk came across Michael's lips as the two friends had finally reunited since their fateful meeting in the ring, a unwelcome rendezvous courteous of Eric Rayne. Michael Diamond: Hey there Champ! SPACEMichael winked, for-telling Danny's future victory over Kevin Conner at Pride, and gave him a friendly pat on the arm. SPACEAs if something supernatural pulled his gaze away, Michael's vision fell on the Hall of Sensation. Michael Diamond: Taking' a walk down memory lane? SPACEI looked back to gaze upon what Michael's eyes have located as I continue to search threw my pockets... Danny Starr: Not a walk... SPACEI feel something deep in the pocket, square-shaped... Ah yes, the match book. I pull it out and hold it in front of my face, almost displaying it to Michael before opening it... I see one last match hanging from the flap, rip it off and strike it letting the flame grow to a decent size as I look at Michael, smiling... Michael Diamond: What are you... SPACERight then and there, I cast the lit match into the doors of the Hall of Sensation, watching the floor engulf in flames. SPACEMichael watched all of this go down in shocked awe, not exactly sure what to make of any of this. For as long as Diamond could remember, the Hall of Sensation had been my pride and joy. It had chronicled my greatest achievements inside the ring, and out. As I threw the match into the door, Michael watched as the flames spread quickly... too quickly. Michael Diamond: Danny! What the hell are you doing!? Have you lost your mind!? SPACEMichael moved in close, as if hoping there was something he could do to douse the flames but the fire was well beyond out of control. It was at that point that Michael's gaze fell on something that his foot had brushed up against, a red gasoline can. Slowly, Michael turned back towards me. Michael Diamond: I... I don't understand. Why...? SPACEI kept watching the flames eat away at the 20 year old building... my pride... my entire career was inside that building and I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of it being burned before my very eyes... at my own hands. I turned to Michael to answer his question... Danny Starr: No more pain... no more victims... no more evil. I will not harbor such tragedy I once considered pride... SPACEI turned back to the fire as Michael listened to my rant. Danny Starr: Never again will my accomplishments be based on the torment of other human beings... nor will I cherish the portraits of people I ended... people I killed and hurt. No more villainy... no more vengeance... SPACEMichael could understand where Danny was coming from now. For whatever reason, Diamond had never seen this a cage of torment... of suffering. Sure, Danny had ended careers once and for all but on some strange level, Michael had viewed that as a medal of honor to hold. SPACEPerhaps that was the darkness in Diamond's soul that made him think that; the darkness that both he and Danny had to fight everyday. For so long, Michael had traveled the road of redemption alone - doing anything in his power to atone for his actions of years past. But no matter what he did, nothing ever seemed to be enough. SPACEAnd now Danny, too, was walking this same path. With the destruction of the Hall of Sensation, it was like Danny was killing the darkness within. If only it were that easy. Michael looked to Danny, then back to the burning building. Michael Diamond: So is this where it ends? Danny Starr: Is this where what ends? Michael Diamond: Come on Danny, you and I have been running from our pasts for how long now? It's like karma, everything - eventually - comes full circle. Destroying the Hall of Sensation is only going to give you temporary release from all of this. SPACEMichael turned away from Danny, focusing in on the burning picture frames and everything else concealed within the fire. Michael Diamond: I've been down this road before. I tried to kill off everything I hated about myself back then... tried to isolate myself away from all temptations. But the things that we did... SPACEMichael stopped, the memory of it all almost too painful to bear. Danny Starr: Were my fault... SPACEMichael quickly turned back to Danny, regret in his eyes. Michael Diamond: No, that's not what I'm saying! I followed you, we all did! And we did so because we all believed in something back then. We all have our burdens to carry, Danny. And I don't want to become one of yours. SPACEMichael turned back to the fire, looking upon its blaze in sorrow. Michael Diamond: It only gets harder from here, Danny. I want you to know that if you need me... I'll be there. You won't have to walk this road alone. But at the same time, I'm like a double-edged sword. Just being around you, it's going to remind you of the things that we did. I can't do that to you. Danny Starr: You followed me... exactly. I was the one who devised all of those... those tragedies. It was me and I forced you, I forced Cass... I forced everyone to do my deeds... Like a captain to his sinking ship... I should be in there... SPACEI begin walking towards the flames... SPACEMichael looked up, Danny's words ringing in his ears. Taking just one step forward, Michael could already feel the heat of the flames on his face. Reaching out, he grabbed ahold of Danny's arm. Michael Diamond: Danny, wait! This isn't the answer! Danny Starr: I flew to New York today... Michael Diamond: What... what does that have to do with anything? Danny Starr: I visited the state prison in New York... I visited Dan Randolph... and Jakob Grimes... SPACEThose names, names of people from their darker days, seemed to strike Michael like a physical blow. He hadn't even thought about those individuals for a long time. Michael Diamond: Why? Why would you visit them? Danny Starr: They were demons from my past... I told them they were no longer in my contract… no longer needed in my life… and that I will no longer be paying their removal from prison. Michael Diamond: Then that part of our lives is over Danny, it's all said and done. Let them rot in their cell, let them atone for their sins. SPACEMichael was losing his grasp on Danny's arm as "The Sensation" grew closer to the flames. Michael Diamond: Danny... please... this isn't the answer. Danny Starr: You're right... my ultimate ending will be in that sulfur and fire... but Satan won't have me yet... SPACEI step back from the fire and look at Michael. Danny Starr: I'm going to do things right... fair, respectful... I'm going to win the World Title and for the first time in my career... I'm going to do it like a real man... that will be my way of winning the war against myself. SPACEMichael breathed a sigh of relief as he shook his head, a smirk coming across his face. Michael Diamond: Yes, well... this real man needs a drink. How 'bout you? Danny Starr: Now that you mention it... I think I still have one of Eric Rayne's 30,000 dollar bottles of wine... Haha SPACEMichael laughed to himself at the mention of Eric Rayne, his emotions of hatred still running deep for the man that almost cost him their friendship. Michael Diamond: Well, as long as Eric Rayne is buying... SPACEMichael turned to head back into the mansion, but remembered the fire. Michael Diamond: What... uh... what do you want to do about that? SPACEI heard Michael's question and remembered the fire as well... we both turn and see it has over-taken the entire mass of the building and is burning fast... I look at Michael with a blank expression... Danny Starr:...Let it burn. SPACEMichael and I took one last glimpse at the blaze and turned to face the back of my mansion. We began walking towards the side to enter through the front. I unlocked the door and Michael walked in first… I stopped and took a whiff of the February air… and smelled nothing but burning wood. Burning souls… burning hellfire and brimstone.