We come back from the break to Stacy Clark in the ring, sat on top of a fancy barbers chair, across from her is an empty one and between the two is a podium with a jug of water and two glasses.
Clark: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, Mark Reese.
The Camera Pans To The Ramp!
Clark looks at Mark as he takes a seat, seemingly checking the seams of his suit.
Reese: Dang it…
Clark: Thank you for joining me Mark, but… Why the suit?
Reese: Well ma'am when I heard it was an interview I remembered my pop telling me that you always dress smart, then I realised you were of the female type and I remember mom telling me you should always dress nice when meeting a girl.
Clark smiles a little and shuffles her paperwork.
Clark: This isn’t a date Mark.
Reese laughs nervously.
Clark: It’s also not that kind of interview. So if you’d like to get started.
Reese: Sure, whenever you’re… Hold on…
Mark continues to inspect his suit, noticing the rips. He sighs and looks around at the crowd before an idea comes over him. Without another word he rips off both arms and throws them to the crowd, who bemusedly, catch them and celebrate.
Reese: That felt good… Barbecue good.
Stacy waits patiently before coughing politely.
Clark: So, Mr Reese… You’ve been a man of action and few words but tonight, that’s all going to change, but first, let me ask about your background. Where did it all begin?
Reese: Well Stacy, the best place to start is the beginnin’ after all. So in Scottsbluff there’s only two things you can do, you work the farm or you work the rail… Now me… These hands got so strong because I worked both. Tossin bails, and tossin’ rails.
Clark: I don’t think I need to ask then where your wrestling style came from, you’re something of a human catapult, so why OCW?
Reese: Well, me and my brother used to love watching wrestling, it was watching guys like Dupree, Pugh, Mugen and the rest of them coming through the ranks and clawing their way to the top that made me think ‘if they can do it, why can’t I?’ And here I am, except I don’t wanna claw my way to the top, I wanna chuck everyone else off the ladder and I’d like to think I’ve made a good start.
Clark: Now you mentioned your brother, what about your family, how do they feel about you chasing your dreams?
Reese: I cannot thank God enough for such supporting, loving and caring people every time I get done in that ring my mamma calls me up and asks if I’m alright, do I need chicken soup, that sorta thing. She’s a good person, my daddy, well he’s dead but I know he’s happy.
Clark: That’s great Reese is there anything else you want to say before we finish up?
Reese: I got two things Stacy, I hope that’s okay… One, you’re looking great how about I take you to Arby's for dinner and two… For all of you that think I’m just some dumb farm boy, that I’m just a flash in the pan, gone in two months ham and egger, I’ve got three words for you…. It’s slam time!
Clark smiles a little.
Clark: Thank you, that’s all we got time for, ladies and gentlemen, Mark Reese!
Reese stands up from his stool and begins to pose like the wrestlers of long ago, mimicking all of their body building poses as we move on to the next part of the show.
Our audio can’t make out what we’re hearing coming down the hallway. But it sounds like it’s a few men talking and laughing amongst each other. The camera zooms in closer to the corner of the hallway as their voice gets closer.
First to make their appearance from around the corner are The New OCW Tag Team Champions K D’Angelo and Tyson Wagner. They are followed by The OCW Pride Champion Bobby Minio and The Future OCW Heavyweight Champion H2O.
Harvey passes a locker room door that intrigues him. Bobby looks at the direction H2O’s thumb is pointing to. His eyes then open wide and Bobby puts both of his hands up to excuse his dear friend
Bobby walks away with the rest of The Inception. H2O knocks on The Former OCW Lightheavyweight Champion’s door.
The door opens and both Drago and Harvey have a stare down for a brief moment. Then Harvey bends the side of his face with his personable smirk.
H2O: Hey Drago! H2O figured he could stop by and be the first to say sorry.
Drago is conflicted. His initial reaction is to shake Harvey’s hand. But after their previous encounters, Drago is hesitant to do so.
Drago: Uh….Thanks?
H2O: Thanks?
H2O: (Chuckles) Me feeling a bit perplexed. Bubba know what Harvey sorry about?
Drago stands there unmoved by H2O’s mockery of him and Blackbeard.
H2O: After all this time Harvey thought that’s how only pirates talk? Tisk..tisk. H2O gets it now. That’s how dropouts talk.
H2O: But at least when Blackbeard dropped out he didn’t dropout to a rookie!
Drago slams the door behind him and gets into the face of The Future OCW World Heavyweight Champion.
H2O meets him halfway and deletes the smile off his face immediately.
Drago: You have strange way of say sorry to people, make fun of way I’m talk. Reason I’m talk like this is because I’m not from this country. Figure you would know and respect this, considering how diverse this place is.
Drago: I’m don’t know what your game is but know this. If you think you trying to get under my skin, you barking up wrong tree. I’m happier than I ever been.
Drago is about to turn back to head into his locker room, but he stops himself.
Drago: Speaking of dropout, maybe you should go back to high school? I foreign, but at least I’m don’t talk about myself in third person. You should look at glossary in textbook or something, is call “Point of View”.
Drago rolls his eyes and walks back into his locker room, closing the door behind him. Harvey stands alone with his thoughts while staring at Drago’s door.
A smile returns to H2O’s face as he strokes his goatee. Harvey walks away as the scene fades.
Quartz and Rust Cohle come into frame to a mixed reaction from the crowd. They make their way down the hall in a very despondent manner, relative to the typical arrogant CQC aura we’re used to.
Rust: I still don’t understand why I am not getting my shot tonight. We should have our rematch now! Screw waiting for Road 2 Glory.
Rust: No match again for Rust Cohle. I have all this energy. I just need to punch someone.
As the two men continue down the hall, Cohle continues murmuring about being left off the Supershow card, on his way to the ring for Quartz’ match with Pride Champion Bobby Minio… Quartz suddenly interrupts him without skipping a beat.
Quartz: What? Eager to get pinned again so soon?
Cohle stops in his tracks, but Quartz continues walking.
Rust: What did you just say to me?
Quartz removes his PRISTINE SUNGLASSES, slicks his hair back and takes a deep, annoyed breath, turning back around to face his tag team partner.
Quartz: I said… Are you eager to get pinned again so soon.
Rust: Tch. Surely you aren’t implying what I think you’re implying.
Quartz opens his mouth to respond but instead just shakes his head and turns back around, making his way to the ring. Cohle, persistently follows behind.
Rust: You think that I am the reason we lost that match? Is your blue eye making you blind now?
Quartz: …
Rust: Quartzy, we have a rematch with Inception and we’re getting those titles back. Mark my words.
Quartz: …
Just before the two men reach the apron, Quartz stops and listens to his partner.
Rust: And right now, we’re going to go out there and destroy another member of Inception.
Quartz: I.
Rust: Aye?
Quartz: No… You said we’re. It’s not we. It’s I. I am going to go destroy another member of Inception. I'm going to go represent TTT and Ijitu Quartz, gah' dammit.
Rust Cohle stands dumbfounded.
Quartz: Why don’t you just stay back here? I don’t need you at ringside.
Rust: Are you serious right now? Well then, go Superhero Quartz.
Quartz places his PRISTINE SUNGLASSES back on his face and waits by the curtain… Looking back at Rust Cohle.
Suddenly, over the PA system… CQC’s theme does not play… but Ijitu Quartz' own theme rocks the RIOT arena. The camera pans back to Rust Cohle looking around, hearing that his partner has chosen his own theme over their usual tag team theme.
Cohle scoffs and throws his hand towards Quartz, gesturing him off.
Rust: Whatever, man. Bonne chance, débile. And by the way, don't you think you are going to get away with that so easily.
Quartz looks back one last time at his tag partner walking away, before throwing the curtain open and heading to the ring for his match…
BOBBY MINIO vs QUARTZ
The scene fades into the home of Justin Jehst as he sits at his desk, his crutches leaning up against the side of it. He sits weary, his head in his hands and his eyes closed, breathing slowly and deeply. The stress levels since Certified Greatness have not leveled out at all for the Hollywood man.
A moment passes before Rosita, his housemaid, walks into frame.
Rosita: I brought you a coffee and a sandwich; you feeling any better?
He looks up and smiles gingerly.
Jehst: Thanks, Rosita. Not really no. My girlfriend, who is also my agent and publicist, has moved out and isn’t returning my calls. My career is in a landslide. People who don’t even know me are accusing me of horrible things I haven’t done. So no...not better at all…
She makes her way around the desk and puts her hand on his shoulder.
Rosita: Elsa will be back. She will see this is all a lie in the end, don’t you worry.
Jehst: I appreciate the optimism, but if Capo keeps these mind games up I’m afraid I’ll lose everything. I just don’t know how Capo got that photo with Gene and I when I was in the Poconos...
Rosita: Let me ask you; was that you in the photo that Capo showed the crowd?
Jehst: Yes, I was there. I had music playing over the home speaker system. I remember I’d just had a sauna and was fixing myself a smoothie before I headed out for a media blitz for “Bang Bang Brazil”...I just don’t remember seeing or hearing Gene in there at all.
Rosita: Well, I hate to say this but the evidence is pretty damning. It’s your word against that photo, and most people believe what they can see with their own eyes.
Jehst: I know, you’re right, that’s why this is so frustrating.
He takes a sip of his coffee before putting the mug down and looking at Rosita.
Jehst: I’m just getting to that point of not knowing what to do, y’know? I wanted this to all just stop. I wanted me and Capo to make amends, put this all behind us. But now it’s gotten to the point where I don’t know if I can forgive and forget.
He reaches across the desk and picks up a framed A4 size plaque. Holding it with both hands he looks at it, letting out a brief half-smile before returning to his sombre demeanor.
Jehst: This was our first draft for “Bang Bang Brazil”... This is the stuff I want to remember with joy and pride. But he’s sullying everything with his unrelenting resentment.
Rosita: Maybe you need to sit down with him and talk about - - -
Jehst: - - - The time for talking is over!!!
Justin stands and hiffs the framed script at the wall, shattering it and giving Rosita one hell of a fright. They both stare at each other, hearts racing.
Jehst drops back down to the desk chair and sinks his face into his hands once again.
Jehst: I’m sorry, Rosita, I just - - -
She slowly approaches him.
Rosita: It’s ok, Justin. You just need someone to believe in you; and I do.
Rosita: Who believed in me when I was fresh in this great country? When I had four mouths to feed and no job? You did. You gave me a chance, you believed in me.
Rosita: So I don’t know what games Capo is playing here but I need you to know; I’m on your side, I believe you.
Jehst: That means a lot, thank you. I’m gonna finish this coffee and sandwich and get a rehab workout in. I need some stress relief or I’m gonna end up throwing something else into the wall.
Rosita: There’ll be a warm bed and a night cap mimosa waiting for you when you get home. Don’t push yourself too hard, ok?
Jehst: I won’t. I’ve gotta make sure everything in this Hollywood Hunk body’s working at 100% before I step in the ring with Cap… I’ll see you in a bit. Thanks for everything.
Rosita: My pleasure. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Jehst.
Jehst picks up his coffee as Rosita begins to walk away and out of the room. The scene fades to black.
ARIES vs AUSTIN LEE
The scene opens up on a subway car where Jackman is sitting riding the subway in New York City.
Jackman looks over at a young couple with a little boy who is holding a B17 action figure.
Boys Mother: stop staring at that man over there Billy.
Billy: I know him.
Boys father: you don’t know that man.
Billy gets up from his seat and walks over to Code Jackman. He then reaches in his pocket and pulls something out.
Billy’s father gets up quickly
Billy’s father: I’m sorry he is bothering you, sir.
Billy finally takes the note out of his pocket and hands it, Jackman.
Code Jackman still with a puzzled look on his face doesn’t show any emotion to the boy as he grabs the note.
Billy: I’m sorry you lost. Just know I didn’t want this action figure. This is the one my dad wanted to give me because he likes bingo. I am not a fan of his. I wanted yours.
Jackman began to show emotion towards the young boy.
Code Jackman was starting to say something when the boy started to walk away with his dad.
Billy: Code, I believe in you.
The subway reached its stop and Billy and his family left the subway car. The only person left on it was Code Jackman.
