"A SLICE IN VENICE"

 

Shawn and Evan step out of the pizzaria onto the Venice streets both with slices in hand, Shawn takes a large bite of his and makes a face of utter disappointment. “You know Evan I was really hoping for some sort of amazing life changing pizza experience here. But this…. Is… less than satisfactory pizza my dude.”

Blane looks at Shawn and just shakes his head. “Gotta try and open your mind….. Although this is most definitely not what I expected.” Blane takes another bite of the pizza and chokes it down with a very sad face.

“What I wouldn't do for a slice of Lorenzos. Just a big old Honking piece of pizza, good sauce, good cheese, perfectly crispy doughy crust.” Shawn's stomach growls in disappointment.”Isn't Italy supposed to be the birthplace of pizza bro? What even is this?” Shawn bites down and an audible crunch is heard, followed by a look of disdain on Shawns face. “I just don't get it.”

Evan pulls his phone out. “Ok Google, Where was the birthplace of pizza?” The google search browser pops up on his phone with every little piece of history on pizza. “Huh….. Here it says it is in Naples, Italy. Most actual pizza is brick oven cooked and nothing like home…..”

“Explains the weird burnt bubbles and shit.” The two wander down the Venice streets making their way towards the arena. “Tell me you're not one of those pineapple on pizza people.”

“Trust me, don’t hate pineapple on pizza. Put it on BBQ chicken pizza with some bacon, and you got yourself a pizza from the gods.” Evan responds, sounding snippy. “Wait, where are we heading?”

Shawn pulls his phone out of his pocket to check the GPS and in a very exaggerated Italian accent says “Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium, I figured we would go check this place out before everyone gets here. The beauty of Tommy handling travel is that we can actually sight see and such before the event, but I always like to see the venue ahead of time. That cool with you? Also… I bet you eat Papa John's Pizza don't you… Barbeque chicken pizza. BLECH.”

“Papa Johns? Are you kidding me? That stuff is gross. The best pizza is right under your nose, You live right by it too. It’s in the Cherry Hill Mall! When we get back stateside, and we can head back home for a bit, meet me there and I'll show you.” retorted Evan. “Honestly, I know we got here early, but don’t you feel you should be getting some work done in the ring? Like we were flying for a bit, I know me personally after long flights I like to get some training done.” Blane suggests.

Shawn grins. “You think you can handle this old man?” Shawn raises his fists and dances around Evan on the sidewalk jokingly. The two black eyes from training with Dan Sawyer still very evident, his nose even slightly crooked.”I think I should see a trainer first but yeah, let's get in the ring once we get to the arena. I'm pretty sure my nose is broken, and Tommy didn't even seem to care. Guess I deserve it though after busting the room up in Tombstone.”

Blane walks in front of Shawn “Hold on. This is gonna hurt like a bitch.” Blane grabs Shawns nose with a pop, resets his nose. “Yeah…. Sorry about that, it's whether I did it or the medics did it, either way it was gonna hurt the same. Oh, and trust me….. What Sawyer did to you is a cakewalk. I could do much worse.” Blane says as he cracks his knuckles. “It's been awhile but I when you're ready, I’ll show you a couple things.”

Shawn grabs his face and drops to his knees tears pouring down his face. “Thanks.” He whimpers. “At least the medics would have had Ice for me after the fact.” Shawn stands back up regaining his composure. “This Pizza is in the mall. You're trying to tell me it has the best pizza in the area?” Shawn begins walking again, blood dripping from his nose.

Blane pats Shawn on the back then says “Oh yeah, the place is called the Bistro. It’s literally in the middle of the mall, just hanging out. They got a lot of great things. Chicken parm pizza, taco pizza, you name it. By the way try holding your head back it will help with the bleeding.”

The two turn the corner and the arena appears in front of them in all of its massive glory. Shawn tilts his head back as they continue to walk but the blood instead begins to run down the back of his throat. “That was terrible advice!” Shawn spits out blood and wipes his mouth. “Were here, put on some shit to scrap in and I'll meet you in the ring after I stuff some cotton up in my nose.”

Shawn now wearing his tights but shirtless pulls out his phone and begins streaming to Facebook while walking towards the ring to spar with Evan. “Hello friends… me again.. Just wanted to give you all a little update. I've made it to Italy, this is my first stop on the Warfare European tour. Hi Mom. Yes I'm eating well, I'll call you later you don't need to check up on me in the comments while I stream. Okay Love you too.... Now back to business. Mr Griffen your silence speaks more words than you have. Are you afraid of a little old spyder? That's okay everyone has their fears.” Shawn stops looking at the live comments again. “No JoJo, I'm not going to call him Darryl or quote Boondock Saints. Let me cut my own promo…. Peter, I heard you were here already as well and that you were bitching about being in Europe for your birthday. I'm surprised you're still excited to celebrate your birthday. Don't women usually start pretending to be the same age after a certain point? No this year I'm turning 25 for the 15th year in a row. You go around talking about your dick so much it's really started to make me wonder. What if his dick isn't his at all, maybe it came from the back of a Spencers.”

The dark corridor starts to fade behind Shawn as he walks out onto the pitch towards the ring where Evan is waiting. “Okay everyone time to beat the ring rust out of Blane.” Shawn flips the camera onto Evan who presents his middle finger. “Evan this is a family friendly stream. My grandparents are watching this.” Shawn flips the camera back on himself. “Wish me luck everyone and remember don't end up on your back and if you do. Look to the skies.”