Backstage, Dan Kilburn is conga'ing by himself down the hallway, with Shion using her little legs to jog right behind him. Dan has a huge smile on his face, chanting.
Kilburn: I am really awe-SOME! I am really awe-SOME!
Shion stops for a bit and tugs on Dan's shirt.
Kilburn: Hey, Shion! What's wrong cousin?
Shion nods her head keeping it down for a bit before bowing back up.
Shion: Umm... gomenasai Dan-kun... but.. what you just had done back at that ring there at the beginning of the night... giving Carpenter-kun that Television Title shot?
Kilburn: Yeah? What about it?
Shion: Don't you think that was a little... harsh?
Kilburn: Now Shion, if I had put you up against Carpenter, you wouldn't have any problems right? Even if you're a wittle bitty girl?
Shion shakes her head.
Shion: Umm... no Dan-kun, of course not. I can beat him easy.
Shion smiles.
Kilburn: That's because you got your head on your shoulders. People like this joke of a Television champion and her brother will whine over every little thing... oh my God, I can't win the title! Oh my God, I have to fight some crazy maniac who looks like Charles Manson and smells like one of the guys from Bum Fights!
It's not HVW Days of Our Lives, for crying out loud... where your World Champion drops a title because she winds up pregnant, it's TKOW. Last I checked, long as I've been here, I've never whined about a damn thing. I sure as hell don't give a shit what Adrian plans to do about this, and I sure as hell don't care about the repercussions of my actions... but others better watch out for theirs... because I handle myself just fine. For the rest of this pussy ass roster though... I'm not quite sure.
So now do you understand?
Shion nods and smiles.
Shion: Hai!
Kilburn: Good, now I need some nachos before the match. Where's the damn vending machine?
Shion and Kilburn exit away from the camera view, Kilburn walking and Shion using her little legs to catch up.
Tito: I find it difficult to believe that little Shion could defeat Carpenter. Kaycee has a better chance....
Tito shakes his head then looks back to the camera.
Tito: Well, ladies and gents, it's my duty here to welcome Carlos Diaz back to the announce position for the second Mass Khaos in a row! Carlos, how does it feel to be one of the select few to get a call-back as a frontrunner for a permanent announcer seat?
Carlos: Poppi, this is all pretty ironic actually…
Tito: Uh… why’s that?
Carlos: Because frankly, now I don’t need this job! HAHA!
Tito: Why not?!
Carlos: I just inked one hell of a phat contract in TWI, that’s why! I’m now managing one of the youngest new stars in wrestling. His name is Jamie Romino bitches, and he’s gonna be huge, you mark my words.
Tito: Well, your new young protégé aside, this is TKOW Carlos, not TWI…
Carlos: What, you callin’ me stupid like I don’t know the difference? Listen, if you can whore out your little pay per view all night, I can give some props to my buddy Jamie. Check your local listings for TWI’s next show on the 26th kiddies so you can see ME and…
Tito: Okay… okay… let's focus on TKOW now Carlos. That’s what you’re here for.
Carlos: If you insist. I’m still a lock for this chair though. I’m sure I’ll find a way to fit TKOW into my busy schedule also.
Tito: *sarcastically* Great…
Yuri Testkov: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR THE BEST OF 3 FALLS!!!
The lights dim in the arena and "Hardcore" by FEEL blasts through the loud speakers. Bob Lancelot walks through the curtain. He is shirtless and wearing black tights with orange lightning bolts on them. Claire Matthews follows Bob out to the ring, wearing one of her promotional "Weapons of Mass Distraction" T-Shirts and a short black skirt.
Yuri Testkov: FROM OXFORD ENGLAND, STANDING FIVE FOOT TEN AND WEIGHING TWO HUNDRED THIRTY POUNDS, "THE HARDCORE SUPERSTAR".... BOB.... LANNNNNNCELOOOOTTT~!
Bob slides under the bottom rope and climbs the far right turnbuckle. He then hops of the turnbuckle and awaits his opponent.
Carlos: Goddam, seeing Claire’s jugs is one hell of a step up from that atrocity I saw last Mass Khaos.
Tito: Indeed. Last time was an interesting show for both Bob Lancelot and his opponent here tonight, Jace Mingla. Bob suffered perhaps the most crushing defeat of his career, losing his title to Kaycee Tanner. Jace Mingla fared slightly better, doing away with Jonathan Doberman… with… uh… Communist John’s “help”…
Carlos: I can still taste bile in the back of my throat. Shut up about that, Poppi!
The ‘Tron flickers to life as the music cues to life simultaneously. The sound is like a synthesized banjo, a strange sounding “twang” that one gets the sense is building to something ominous. Some might recognize the song as “The Devil’s Rejects” by Rob Zombie. Suddenly, the top of the stage is bathed in massive gouts of blue and black flame. The ‘Tron shows grainy black and white images of militia and military shocktroopers marching in lockstep… from Communist Gestapo to Nazi SS are shown, all interspersed with each other and serving as a tribute to flagrant abuse of power. That’s when the lyrics kick in…
I am the bad one,
Distant and cruel one,
I am the dream that,
Keeps you running down,
With distraction,
Violent reaction,
Scars of my actions,
Watch me running out,
The song gets harder and by now the fire is creating a great deal of smoke at the top of the ramp way. Nonetheless, a large figure can be seen inside it, partially obscured…
Hell doesn't want them.
Hell doesn't need them.
Hell doesn't love them.
The Devil's Rejects [x2]
The video on the big screen is slowly getting more and more violent, slipping back and forth between the historical stock footage mentioned before and scenes of modern violence amidst the urban landscape. Yet, there is still more, because to the keen eye…interspersed amongst this collage of tragedy are brief flashes of other unrelated images…
….images of the devil…
Yeah, I am the brains,
Some say insane,
Blood is the rain,
That's what life's about,
In the great wide,
Head split and tongue tied,
Watch the sun die,
When you're running out,
The man in the smoke is starting to step to the fore, and the closer he gets the more obvious it becomes how powerfully built he is…
Hell doesn't want them.
Hell doesn't need them.
Hell doesn't love them.
The Devil's Rejects
The Devil's Rejects
With a massive explosion of fire, the blue and black flames create a wall of pyro, a twisting morass of heat and sickly looking fire. As soon as it flashes to life the wall fades…leaving a man standing visible at the edge of the smoke…
Yeah I am the knuckle,
Bow down and buckle,
Hold your breath,
Your world is running down,
Live for the family,
Die with the family,
All is the family,
My gun is running out,
….Jace Mingla steps out from the cloud, trailing tendrils of smoke just behind him and giving the illusion that he has just stepped out of darkness itself. He makes his way down to the ring with a quiet menace and air of authority.
Hell doesn't want them.
Hell doesn't need them.
Hell doesn't love them.
This world rejects them.
This world rejects them.
This world rejects them.
This world rejects them.
Jace slinks into the corner, arms clucthing the ropes and waits for the match to begin.
Tito: Carlos, what do you think about the interesting interactions we’ve seen between Bob Lancelot and Jace Mingla? It almost seems as though there is a mutual respect forming there.
Carlos: Well sure! They are both sick bastards that like playing mind games with their opponents.
Tito: Yeah, I get that, but Jace Mingla has been notoriously secluded since his return to TKOW… and Bob certainly hasn’t endeared himself to many people lately either. It should be interesting to see if this goes anywhere.
The bell rings and the match is underway. Bob and Jace measure each other and circle around the ring. Bob makes the first move, seemingly attempting to attack low and hit Jace with a fireman’s carry takeover. Jace dodges and Bob rolls back into a standing position. They eye each other warily for another moment before locking up. Jace pushes Bob back into the corner where the ref forces him to break it up. Jace finally does so, but as he breaks it he cuts into Bob with a vicious chop.
Carlos: Damn, they heard that shit in Mexico City I’ll bet!
Tito: Language Carlos!
Carlos: What, I can’t say “shit”? Wellll….SHIT SHIT SHITTY SHIT SHIT!
Tito: Are you done?
Carlos: Yes… wait… SHIT! Okay, I’m done now.
Tito: I wonder just how much Power is going to have to pay out in fines for that?
Carlos: Who cares?
Bob fires back with a couple shots to get out of the corner. He goes for a front kick on Jace, but Jace blocks and sweeps Bob’s other leg out from under him. Jace then goes for a stomp, but Bob rolls out of the way and counters with a drop toe hold to bring Jace to the mat. Bob jumps on Jace and locks in a front chancery, which Jace eventually breaks by getting to the bottom rope. Bob breaks the hold, but doesn’t allow Jace any breathing room, dropkicking Jace through the ropes and to the outside.
Tito: Bob’s really taking it to the Iceheart here. It looks like he’s taking Jace’s challenge to show him something seriously.
Bob rolls out of the ring and grabs hold of Jace by the back of his head. He tries to bash Jace’s head into the crowd control barricade, but Jace blocks and counters with a kick to Bob’s face. Bob is stunned, so Jace launches with another brutal kick to Bob’s gut that doubles him over. Jace takes control and hits a quick snap suplex on Bob, who grimaces in pain.
Tito: Ouch, those mats are only like half an inch thick!
Carlos: Yeah! Kinda like your di-
Tito: ENOUGH! Don’t even complete that sentence!
Carlos: Way to trample all over my fourth amendment rights to free speech, Tito.
Tito: Wrong amendment, Carlos.
Carlos: Whatever. I always sucked at sociology studies anyway.
Jace rolls in and out of the ring to break the ten count. He grabs hold of Bob again and irish whips him into the ring steps with authority! Bob’s back arches in agony and Jace follows that up with a running drop kick to Bob’s head, cracking his skull against the steps! At this point, Jace picks Bob up and rolls him into the ring for a pin!
1…
2…
NO! Bob kicks out!
Jace smiles a little and grabs a helping of Bob’s hair to lift him to his feet.
Tito: Jace seems pleased with Bob’s tenacity here.
Carlos: Or Jace is just a sadistic freako. Take your pick.
Bob breaks Jace’s hold on him and fires with a right hook that stuns Jace. Jace tries to fire back, but Bob counters and hits a thumb to Jace’s eye. The ref chides Bob for it, but Bob brushes him off and drills Jace with a 360-degree spinning clothesline, followed by a high leg drop, and then a leg bar! Jace fights for the ropes, and finally makes it. Bob keeps the hold locked in for a four count from the ref, just shy of getting disqualified. Bob picks Jace up and tries to tag him with a DDT, but Jace blocks and tries to roll Bob up!
1…
NO! Bob kicks out!
Bob recovers from the stun of the roll-up quickly and hits another thumb to Jace’s opposite eye, and the ref gets right in Bob’s face. Bob puts his arms out trying to sweet talk the ref, but then suddenly pushes past the ref and hits a running knee lift to Jace’s midsection, followed by a European uppercut that rocks Jace into the corner.
Tito: Wow! Great showing by Bob Lancelot!
Carlos: Yeah, especially being that he lost to a chick last Mass Khaos.
Tito: Not just any chick…
Carlos: Yeah, a really hot chick! What I wouldn’t have given to cop a feel of those sweet succulent milk orbs. Can you imagine it, Tito?
Tito: Well… I can honestly… BUT! Let's call the action, alright!
Carlos: Whats a matter, is little Poppi coming to life down there? HAHA! GET IT? I JUST IMPLIED YOU’RE GETTING AN ERECTION!
Tito: Thanks for spelling that out for us Carlos…
Bob hits a neckbreaker on Jace from out of the corner and goes for the pin.
1…
NO! Jace powers out! Jace kips up to his feet and Bob tries to lock up with Jace again, but Jace hits a knife edge chop to Bob’s throat. Bob stumbles and Jace grabs Bob’s face and drops him with a running STO, but Jace also lays on the mat a moment to collect himself. Finally, Jace gets to his feet and looks like he’s going to try the Liberation, but Bob fights out almost right away. Bob gets up to his feet, but meets a stiff kick to the face by Jace!
Carlos: WHOA! Somebody in the fourth row just got a souvenir, I think I saw one of Bob’s teeth fly over there!
Jace launches another kick to Bob’s chest, and then a roundhouse to the side of Bob’s head, but then Jace stumbles and shakes his head, leaning against the ropes.
Tito: Jace has a prolific history of serious head trauma, and I think the head drops are starting to take a toll.
Bob slowly and agonizingly gets to his feet, intent on capitalizing. He pushes Jace into the ropes, giving him some momentum for an Irish whip. Jace hits the ropes on the opposite side and Bob hits a spear with authority on the rebound! Bob goes for another pin, but Jace fights back immediately by kicking Bob in the head as he leans over for the cover, but it clearly hurt Jace to do so. Jace gets up slowly, holding his midsection. He grabs Bob’s head and props his neck on the ropes and starts throttling him on them. The ref counts down the illegal move and Jace relents, but not before stomping on Bob’s throat when he slumps to the mat. Jace then climbs to the top rope.
Tito: HIGH RENT DISTRICT!
However, Jace falters again for a moment, and Bob signals to Claire. Claire gets up on the ring apron and the ref rushes in to intercede. It looks like Claire is going to remove her top!
Tito: We might see some WMD’s!!
Carlos: Oh, please!!! For all that is holy let me see those ta-ta’s!!
Bob uses the distraction to get up and pitch himself into the corner, hitting Jace with a trio of straight punches right to the genitals! Bob then positions himself up on the top rope alongside Jace and drops him all the way to the mat with a double underhook DDT!
Tito: Craig’s Crippler from the top rope!! OH MY!!
Claire gets off the apron and the ref turns to see Bob covering Jace!
1…
2…
3!!
Yuri Testkov: THE FIRST OF 3 FALLS IS AWARDED TO BOB LANCELOT!
Tito: If this wasn’t a 2 out of 3 falls match Bob would have just shut out the Iceheart right there!
Carlos: Dayum, but did you see how that boyo got dropped on his head? Not good for Jace!
Bob quickly tries for another cover, hoping to get the quick win!
1…
2…
3..
NO! Jace barely kicks out! Bob looks somewhat frustrated that it wasn’t going to be that easy. Bob punches Jace a couple times in the head for good measure and goes for a small package, but Jace rolls with the momentum and counters the small package putting Bob in a pinning predicament!
1…
2..
NO! Bob escapes! The grapplers disentangle the rest of the way and Jace slowly backs off, shaking the cobwebs out of his head. Bob lunges at Jace, but Jace rolls out of the ring to collect himself. Bob follows him out and Jace promptly rolls back into the ring and, when Bob follows suit, Jace drops an elbow on Bob’s head and then another in quick succession! Jace retreats to the far corner to recover some more and Bob claws to his feet. He inches towards Jace slowly, but Jace surprises Bob by locking up with him out of the corner in a flash, and parlays that into a deep arm drag, followed by an arm bar. However, Bob inches his right toe under the rope, forcing Jace to break it up.
Tito: Jace is really fighting for a second wind. And he’s gonna need it after that devastating plunge from the top rope.
Jace again relents, getting up methodically, using the corner as a guide, and he hits a knee lift to Bob’s head as Bob climbs up to his hands and knees. Jace puts the boots to Bob a few times before picking him up and hitting a fisherman’s suplex into a pin!
1…
2…
3..
NO! Bob kicks out! Jace looks like he’s getting pissed. He violently pulls Bob to his feet and then barrels him into the corner with a series of shoulder thrusts, followed by reaching around his head and delivering a running bulldog to the center of the mat! Jace then continues the attack, grabbing Bob’s hair and just beating his head against the mat viciously!
Tito: The Iceheart’s noted sadism is really shining through now!
The ref brings a halt to this by threatening to DQ Jace. Jace stops and picks Bob up again and tosses Bob judo style practically across the length of the ring. Bob ragdolls near the opposite corner. Jace gets down on all fours, seemingly stalking Bob as Bob tries to get to his feet! When he does with his back turned to the Iceheart, Jace charges him, bringing both his knees crashing into Bob’s back and, in mid-air, grabbing Bob’s head and bringing him back into a back cracker to double the damage! Jace grabs hold of both Bob’s legs and goes for the pin!
1…
2…
3..
NO! Bob kicks out!
Carlos: That kick out looks like it kicked Bob’s ass!
Indeed, Bob is looking haggard. In a fit, Jace rises to his feet, stumbling a bit, before locking in the Liberation a bit slower than he usually does. Jace leans back into it all the way, nearly snapping Bob in two! Bob has no choice but to tap!
Yuri Testkov: THE SECOND OF 3 FALLS IS AWARDED TO JACE MINGLA!
Jace slinks into the corner to regroup for the briefest of moments. Bob gets to his feet, and as soon as he does Jace rushes Bob, but Bob sidesteps Jace and lands a knee to his gut, followed by a brutal European Uppercut! Jace falls back into the corner and Bob starts to set Jace up for a superplex!
Tito: These guys are taking a lot of risks in this match!
Carlos: That’s what sells tickets and puts asses in the seats though Poppi!
Jace starts fighting Bob off and he pushes Bob off the turnbuckle. Bob lands on his back and then scrambles to his feet, while Jace attempts a high risk maneuver of his own. Jace comes off the second turnbuckle with a flying lariat, but Bob catches Jace in mid-air with a drop kick! Jace goes down hard and Bob slides in for the cover!
1…
2…
JACE KICKS OUT!
Bob slams his fists on the mat with frustration and forces Jace to a vertical position. Bob hits a quick exploder suplex on Jace, sending Jace skidding across the mat. Bob then climbs to the top rope once again and lands a deep flying elbow to Jace’s sternum! Bob picks the legs up and covers yet again!
1…
2…
3…
WAIT! 2-1/2!
Carlos: Oh ho! Mingla just barely got his shoulder up! Mingla can’t lose to a guy who lost to a chick. Think of what that would do to his street cred!
Tito: Because you know all about street cred…
Carlos: Sure as hell do. More than you anyway… white boy listenin’ to Celine Dion in his car…
Tito: What?! I like her melodic sound and beautiful voice! I got her autograph at MegaBowl V!
Carlos: Freakin’ wanker…
Bob starts stomping on Jace, but suddenly Jace catches one of Bob’s boots and gets to his feet, hitting a lunging lariat on Bob. However, after that move, both men are on the mat and the ref starts a ten count. Jace Mingla is the first to stir at 7, and Bob shortly thereafter. Jace and Bob starts trading blows before Jace hits a decisive one that levels Bob, but Jace starts holding his head in pain and sinks to his knees. The ref begins to check on Jace and Bob starts crawling his way to the edge of the ring where Claire is waiting for him. Claire pulls something out of her cleavage and hands it to Bob.
Tito: Wait… what was that?!
Carlos: Couldn’t tell… too busy staring at the breasteses.
The camera closes in on Bob slipping on a pair of brass nuks!
Carlos: NIIIIIICE!
Tito: Bob certainly taking Jace up on his challenge to bring the pain and fight dirty! All Bob needs to do is tag the Iceheart once with those and it should be all over!
Bob climbs to his feet, but Jace quickly shoves past the ref and drills Bob in the small of the back with a vicious roundhouse kick! Bob howls in pain and Jace locks Bob in for an inverted suplex… the set-up for the Vindication! Jace rises Bob up, but while they’re in mid-air Bob smacks Jace in the head with the nuks! Jace completes the move, jacking Bob’s jaw and both men fall into a heap! Mingla lands on top of Lancelot... and both are out cold! The ref drops for the count!
1...
2...
3!
Carlos: Mingla boy did it!
Tito: He was just lucky he landed on top, Carlos.
Yuri Testkov: THE WINNER OF THE BEST OF THREE FALLS... JACE MIIIIIIIIIIIINGLLLLLLLAAAAA!!!
Claire rushes in to check on Bob, throwing Jace to the side. She kneels down and gives a little slap to Bob's face, then buries it in her bosom.
Carlos: What I wouldn't give to be Bob right now! MMMmhhmmmm mmmmmmm!!!
Carlos makes kissy noises.
The ref checks on Mingla, who is starting to stir as his music kicks over the arena's loudspeakers. Bob finally rouses up, still thinking he has to fight and tosses Claire to the side unknowingly. He tries to get up and then hears Mingla's music playing. He slams the mat with his hand.
Jace, blood running down his forehead from the nuks shot, crawls his way over to Bob, who is using the turnbuckle to try and pick himself up from a seated position. Jace gets up and demands a mic and his music is cut as he brings it to his lips to speak.
Jace: *trying to capture some breaths* Bob… you did everything… I asked. You are… one… lowdown son of a bitch! And… I love it…
Bob is on his feet now, considering Jace’s words.
Jace: We have some matters… to discuss… agree?
Bob smiles wide and shakes Jace’s hand. Claire gets back to her feet and joins her man, looking slightly confused. Bob shoots Claire a reassuring wink and the three of them make their way to the back, Claire helping to support Bob as Mingla's music plays again.
Tito: Looks like Bob really managed to impress Jace. Does that mean some sort of alliance is forming here?
Carlos: Probably. Anyhoo… it was your pleasure having me back, Tito, but I’m gonna jet before Communist John comes out and shows us his junk again.
Tito: *rolling his eyes* Totally. Good luck in TWI, Carlos. I… uh… hope to see you again…
Carlos: HAHA! Bull-SHIT you do! Peace, Poppi. I’m off to golden pastures!
Backstage, Dr. Cliff Hawke stands outside the door to a locker room. Lady Hawke and Matt Griffen step into view. Lady Hawke is in her wrestling gear and carrying her pad and pen. Griffen is wearing his ring attire--black leather pants, boots, gloves, plus a Section 8 muscle shirt.
Cliff: Oh, hey guys. Listen, I just got word that Jace’s kid was feeling sick. Now, I just checked him out and he seems alright, but I have to have a quick meeting with T.H. and I was wondering if you guys wouldn’t mind sitting with him for a bit, just to make sure he's okay until I can get back.
Lady Hawke and Matt look slightly surprised for a moment and Cliff smirks.
Cliff: I think it’ll help if you don’t think of it as doing a favor for Jace, but for his kid.
Matt: Hey… I’ve got no problem. If anything, I’m kinda curious to see how much of dad has rubbed off on the little guy.
Skye nods, pointing to herself.
Matt: Where is Jace anyway?
Cliff: *shrugging* We tried to track him down, but to no avail. Wherever he is, I think he’s off having a conversation with Bob Lancelot. At least, that’s what it looked like at the end of their match.
Matt: Lancelot? Hrm... weird.
Cliff: Yeah, will wonders never cease around here? Thanks again guys.
He starts to walk off, but turns back.
Cliff: Oh! Incidentally, for some added weirdness... Sam is actually a really nice kid. I think you’ll like him. Also, he’s blind in his left eye as a result of the surgery. So if he seems like he’s having a hard time focusing or tracking, that would be why. I wouldn’t mention it, he might be sensitive about it still.
With that, Cliff gives him a wave and mouths “thanks” one more time before departing. Matt and Lady Hawke look at each other. She writes on her pad, holding it up to him.
Matt: You don’t think Jace will be happy if he sees us with his child? He’ll deal. After all, he did leave him here while he's off doing whatever.
They enter the room, to see Jace’s teenage son lying down on a bench, his eyes closed. The cap he was wearing lies on the floor, revealing the savage surgical scar on his bald scalp. Sensing somebody entering, Sam’s eyes snap open. He sits up abruptly, and sheepishly grabs for his hat, placing it back on his head.
Sam: Sorry… kinda gross, huh?
LH shakes her head "no."
Matt: Not at all. I don't mind scars at all.
A mischievous grin crosses Griffen's face.
Matt: Besides, chicks dig scars, so I’m sure she thought it was awesome.
Matt gestures towards LH, who gives him a playful slap. Sam laughs and swings his feet onto the floor, leaning towards them intently. Matt pulls up a chair as Lady Hawke kneels down in front of Sam. She writes on her pad, the camera close enough and angled to see it as she writes, then shows it to Sam.
Writing on pad: I'd like to check your eyes, if that's okay with you?
He nods. Checking his pupils, LH leans in towards him. Sam gives a nervous laugh and pulls back a bit, noting she has scars on her face above her veil. Possibly wondering if her own scars bother him, she writes on her pad for him to see. Sam looks at her curiously.
Sam: Why do you write and not talk?
Matt: She's practically mute--lost her voice several years ago and it hurts when she tries to talk.
Sam: Oh...
LH shows Sam the writing.
Writing on Pad: I don’t bite. :) By the way, I'm Lady Hawke. You can call me LH if you like. That big lug there is Matt.
Matt smiles and waves at Sam when he glances at him.
Sam: Are you like, a nurse or something?
Lady Hawke nods.
Sam: But you’re wearing wrestling gear!
Matt: She does that too. She was a nurse before she started wrestling and she's kept up with it. She’s very multi-talented.
Another scribble runs across the pad.
Writing on Pad: How are you feeling now, Sam?
Sam: Okay, I guess. I just got kind of woozy in the hall.
More ink is spread across a page.
Writing on Pad: You had a very invasive operation from what I hear. You sound like a very brave boy, though, going through that at your age.
Sam: It wasn’t no big deal. Hey, are you guys friends with my dad?
A brief period of uncomfortable silence descends on the room before Griffen mercifully breaks it with a well thought out response.
Matt: Well, honestly, bud we don’t know your dad all that well. He’s always seemed like a private person and we never talked much.
Sam: Does anybody around here talk to my dad?
Again, Matt struggles for a response as Lady Hawke takes a seat next to him, offering Matt an apologetic look when Sam can’t see.
Matt: Well… sure. In fact, I think he’s talking to one of his friends right now.
Sam: That’s good. Because sometimes I worry about my dad. He doesn’t seem like he has too many friends. He used to have a girlfriend, but she’s gone now, which I kinda like because she always kind of freaked me out… like there was something wrong with her mentally, ya know?
Matt and Lady Hawke do a stellar job of biting their tongues, just nodding, and they let Sam keep talking.
Sam: He’s got a new friend now though. He’s a really old guy, but he seems nice. Kinda strange, but nice.
Matt: Well, that’s awesome, Sam. How about you, though? I’m sure you have lots of friends.
Sam: Eh, not really. I’m home schooled, so that makes it kind of hard. I pretty much just have Dad now, which is okay because I love him and I feel safe with him.
Hawke scribbles on her pad, showing it to him.
Writing on Pad: That’s wonderful that you have someone you can count on like that while you were sick.
Sam: Yeah, but it does get kind of boring sometimes. Actually, I was kind of hoping to meet some new people here…
Griffen grins and throws his arms wide.
Matt: Well, you just did!
Sam: …and I wanted to ask somebody about what it’s like being a wrestler.
Matt: Ah… you want to know more about what your dad does, huh?
Sam: Well, yeah, I guess… but I REALLY want to be one myself. I want to really make it big and my dream is to someday wrestle with my dad… like on one of those two people teams you guys do…
Lady Hawke grabs one of Griffen's hands and tags it with her other, looking at Sam with her brow raised in question.
Matt: Tagging?
Sam: Uh, yeah, that! I’d really love to do that.
Matt: I won’t lie to you Sam. This is a really tough business and sometimes… some of the people you run into aren’t the nicest people to be around…
Matt and Lady Hawke’s eyes meet, the names Phoenix and Carpenter almost visibly floating between them unspoken.
Sam: Well, I don’t really piss people off ever and I know I’m kinda small, but I still think I could do this. I have really great balance because I used to skate board all the time. Here, lemme show you!
Sam pulls down an iron clothes rod from it’s placement in the wall. He drags over a couple folding chairs and starts to place the rod between them.
Hawke looks concerned and scribbles quickly on her paper.
Writing on Pad: Sam, this probably isn’t a good idea.
Sam: No, it's okay. I do this all the time at home.
Sam gets up on the seat and starts to walk along the metal rod tightrope style. It's actually a very impressive showing until he puts his hand to his head and his balance begins to fail him. Matt and Lady Hawke leaps towards him, but Lady Hawke, being closer to him, drops her writing pad and steps in to catch him when he falls. She gently guides him to his feet and Sam looks up at her, before averting his eyes bashfully.
Sam: Thanks. I guess you were right…
Matt: You really should be more careful man. But…
Matt reaches over and rips a small piece of paper from LH's pad.
Matt: *grinning* You got a pen?
Lady Hawke rolls her eyes at him and hands him her pen. Griffen writes something on the paper and hands it to Sam.
Matt: Sam, that’s a number where you can reach us. If you have any more questions or even just want to talk about anything at all. Okay?
Sam looks ecstatic and he shoves the paper into his pocket.
Sam: Thanks guys! I really appreciate it. I’ll call you, but I won’t be annoying, okay?!
Suddenly, the door is thrown open and Jace Mingla rushes in. He scoops Sam into his arms, embracing him tightly as though he’s afraid the boy is apt to vanish at any moment.
Jace: I heard…
Sam: It’s all okay, I’m fine. I was just kind of dizzy. And I got to meet Dr. Cliff, Lady Hawke and Matt!
Jace disengages from Sam and looks at the couple with an air of suspicion.
Jace: Oh really…
Sam: Yeah, they’re all really nice. You should chill with them sometime…
Matt and Lady Hawke suppress a shudder at that as Jace continues to eye them coolly.
Jace: Well, Sam, we won’t bother them anymore. I think Matt has a match coming up in a few minutes anyway, right Matt?
Matt nods and restrains himself from shooting Jace an icy glare over his immaturity and defensiveness.
Matt: Actually, I do, but it was great meeting you, Sam.
Sam: I’ll call you guys when I get home.
Jace’s lip twitches with suppressed resentment towards Griffen with Sam’s final declaration. Matt and Lady Hawke make their way out of the locker room, disappointment evident on their features. Lady Hawke closes the door behind them. She mimics ripping up a piece of paper.
Matt: If he does, he’s an even bigger ass than I thought. *sighs* And now... out of the Iceheart and into the Fire.
Lady Hawke wraps Matt up in a hug, which he returns. Griffen doesn’t even need to speak the words. His face says it all as he hears his name over the PA system along with Phoenix's.
The camera cuts back to ringside where Tito sits alone at the announce table.
Tito: It will be difficult what to make of that for sure, especially given that Jace and A Violent Reaction were doing their best to kill Phoenix and beat down on the Birds 2 years ago! Wait... what's this? T.H. Power is on the stage and he doesn't have his music!
Power stands at the top of the ramp, flanked by Mike Oates. T.H. looks around the arena very seriously.
T.H. Power: May I have your attention, please?
The crowd jeers at Power and some even try to toss trash to the stage.
T.H. Power: This is damn important! I need you to all sit and shut up!
He is met with more jeers and badmouthing and heckling. Aello runs out from backstage, Trine on her heels. Some in the crowd begind cheering. She motions for the crowd to quiet, but they refuse. She takes the mic from Power and lets loose with a piercing whistle (one that would make Lady Hawke proud) that rings throughout the arena and has everyone covering their ears. Tito jerks the earphones from his head in obvious pain.
Aello: He has... something important... you should hear, even if you... don't like him... right now. Please be quiet... and listen!
She hands the mic back to Power and smiles a sad smile at him.
T.H. Power: Thank you, Aello.
She steps to his side opposite Mike, while Trine takes the back point.
T.H. Power: *quietly and seriously*
I received some disturbing news earlier at the end of the 2nd Meet Your Maker match tonight. I've been trying to get it confirmed and only minutes ago it was. Jason F'n Starr-
The TKOW crowd erupts in cheers at his name. Power lets them go on for a full minute, sighing and glancing over to Aello, giving a small shake of his head. Finally they die down a bit.
T.H. Power: Please! Let me finish!
The crowd goes quiet.
T.H. Power: Jason F'n Starr, TKOW's brightest star, the man... the champion who set the bar for all the superstars who have followed in his footsteps since. The man who dominated TKOW with the 1st full year's reign-
The crowd erupts again, starting a Jason Starr chant.
T.H. Power: Please... this is difficult enough. I need your full, undivided attention. Please hold your chant.
Tito: Something is definitely wrong, folks. The Boss is never this polite.
The crowd gives in to Power.
T.H. Power: As most of you fans know, the wrestling business has lost a number of stars and former stars recently to death. Sadly enough, TKOW has just now joined those ranks... As of a few hours ago... former TKOW Champion Jason F'n Starr... is gone.
There are some screams of "NO!" and "You're lying!" with more in the crowd jeering him, calling him all sorts of names and declaring it's a bad joke.
T.H. Power: I'm not lying to you or joking.
Aello moves to step in front of him, but he shakes his head.
T.H. Power: Therefore, to recognize this man, this hero of TKOW, I am dedicating New Era in honor of Jason F'n Starr. TKOW will be inviting all friends, foes, and former TKOW stars of his to make an appearance in his honor at a preshow at New Era... if not an entirely separate show just for him, where we will be memorializing him. I'll leave it up to you... his fans, his friends, his comrades to dictate what that will be. Thank you for your attention.
Power turns and walks quietly off stage, followed by Oates, Aello and Trine, the crowd falling silent.
Tito: *obviously upset* I can't believe it... TKOW Champion Jason Starr is dead... I just can't believe it. I... I'm sure we'll be finding out more in the days ahead. *sigh* I'm sorry folks, we have to take a break.
I just can't believe it...
**COMMERCIAL**
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