Backstage again, this time in the Scumchester locker room, Megan Morgandaal is sitting by herself, the other members of the impromptu Scumciety all off doing their own business for the week.
She’s sitting with her phone in her hand, wearing a shirt that prominently displays her shoulders, and the wolf tattoo on her right shoulder in particular.
Tacitus enters the room, his own phone in his hand.
Tacitus: Alright, I’ve got a championship opportunity to get ready for, so how’s about we get this over with, huh?
Megan puts her phone down, and gives Tacitus a withering glare, which he reciprocates.
Megan: I don’t like that you know something I don’t.
Tacitus: What? About last week, the dad talk? Well, you could have just asked me what I was on about, but since you want to be that way about it—
Tacitus goes to turn and leave, only for Megan’s expression to quickly shift from glaring to pleading.
Megan: W-wait!
Tacitus, facing the camera, can’t help but smile into the lens, before turning to look back at Megan.
Tacitus: Yes, dear?
Megan: What do you know that I don’t?
Tacitus’ smile fades, and it’s clear that despite his joking and ribbing, he doesn’t take any particular joy in the knowledge he holds.
Tacitus: Are you sure you want to know? I mean… you ought to. The fact that nobody’s told you yet is a bit absurd, but it’ll definitely… it’ll change your life, and I don’t know if that’s for the better.
Tacitus: My old man and Jan were of the opinion that you should never know.
Megan:... Jake is hiding something from me?
Tacitus: …aye, he is.
Tacitus: Sorry you had to find out from me, but I guess… me and my old man never got to patch up before he passed. Pretty sure he died thinking I still hated him. Worst part is, in a way, I did. So I guess I just don’t want to see you end up in the same situation.
Tacitus: But if you really want to know…
Megan nods firmly.
Megan: I do.
Tacitus lets out a deep exhale, and sits down next to Megan on the locker room bench, running his hand through the red-blonde streak in his hair.
Tacitus: Whew… alright, then… so.
Megan: Are you going to say it or are you going to leave me in suspense until I’m old and gray?
Tacitus: We’re literally sitting in your old man’s locker room right now.
Megan: Wrex isn’t my ‘old man’, he’s my teacher. I’m not out here trying to look for replacement fathers like you are.
Tacitus looks a bit hurt by that, but brushes it off and continues.
Tacitus: I think you misunderstand what I mean. Your old man. Your dad. Your biological father. This is his locker room.
Megan seems even more confused than she was last week, and Tacitus just lets out a groan of frustration, standing up from his seat and making for the door.
Tacitus: We can talk more after I’m done dropping Kassidy Hayes on his neck.
A frantic Luis Bishop is scrambling through the inner workings of the backstage area of Madison Square Garden. Bishop walks past cameramen, audio guys and several wrestling hopefuls looking to get their shot.
When he turns the corner he finds exactly who he was looking for, sporting a finely tailored Thom Sweeney suit, the man turns around to reveal himself to be Christian Garcia.
Garcia notices his stern Scumchester mate and calls him over. The determined Bishop locks in on Garcia and speedwalks directly towards him.
Garcia spreads his arms to accept Bishop as he begins speaking.
Garcia: He-
Bishop: What’s going on with you?
Garcia’s once open arms meet in the middle as he tries to calm the steaming Bishop.
Garcia: … hijo, I’m fine. I’m more worried about you.
Bishop: First you blow me off for Gonzalo-
Garcia: Are we really doing this right now—
A shocked Garcia’s interjection fails to trip up Bishop as he keeps going.
Bishop: for some secret plan you’ve had for who knows how long, then you’re not even gonna be there for Wrex’s celebration. I’m starting to think that-
Garcia attempts to act fast and defuse the situation.
Garcia: Hijo, Luis, look, there’s a lot of stuff going on you don’t know about. We barely know each other. I’ve been in the ring with you a couple of times, we share a locker room most days, but that’s it. I can’t, and I probably won’t, tell you everything. I got my own shit going on.
Garcia: It isn’t anything you’ve done wrong. You’re doing great. You’re reaching new heights in your career, and you don’t need to be tag teaming with me right now when I’ve got my own stuff to take care of.
Bishop: Oh, so now we’re just changing room buddies?
Bishop: You got your own stuff going on? Well count me in!
Garcia: I get your enthusiasm but we’re at different points right now. It’s stuff that I’ve gotta deal with away from Scum
Bishop: Oh Ion’ think you heard me right. Your business is now mine and there’s only one way to settle this.
Bishop: Let’s have a match then. It can be on Ambition next week.
Garica: We’ve already had our match and having another one won’t help either of us
Feeling satisfied, Garcia turns around and tries to walk off before the furious Bishop grabs his shoulder and spins him back around.
Bishop: I am not asking for a match. I am telling you.
Garcia isn’t particularly impressed. Offering him a sad smile, the older man shakes his head.-
Garcia: You’re just mad, Luis. Take a breather.
Garcia turns back around and continues to walk away.
Bishop: It can be any type of match you want.
Bishop: Singles…Extreme Rules
Bishop: Even a Scum City Deathmatch.
Even the mention of the famous Scum deathmatch fails to catch Garcia’s attention
Bishop: It doesn’t even have to be wrestling. It can be whatever suits you best.
Bishop: I’ll even fight you in an MMA Match.
Bishop’s last comment tickles Garcia’s brain.
Garcia: …you’re funny, hijo.
With a smile, Garcia turns around as the scene goes to commercial.
ROOKIE DEBUT PAUL BOULET vs. VIKTOR KARMINE
A boxing ring bell can be heard as the cameras pan down into the GOAT Academy training area. Inside of the main training ring is Bobbi Bhaddi and Chance Williams. The cameras zoom in as Chance and Bobbi are sitting in the middle of the ring cooling down.
Chance: Extremely good session Bobbi. You’re improving more and more each time we train. I’m really proud of you.
Bobbi blushes as she stands up and begins stretching and looks at Chance.
Bobbi: I have you to thank for that, my sweet Chancy.
Chance: Well I have you to thank for helping me not get into a funk. Usually if something like this happens I tend to spiral and it’s just not good.
Chance: But I have you, and I’m so thankful for you.
Chance stands up and the two embrace in a hug and he kisses her on the cheek before they separate and get out of the ring.
Chance: Listen, before we go clean up I’ve been meaning to ask you. You were so worried and focused on me that I didn’t wanna bring the mood down…
Chance pauses for a minute struggling to continue.
Chance: You’re fully okay right? I mean.. that stuff with Aleksander. I could only imagine how scary it was. So I just wanted to check in was all.
Bobbi smirks at Chance and places a hand on his shoulder.
Bobbi: That incident with Aleksander is done. Am I fully okay? I mean would anyone be fully okay with that after such a short time?
Bobbi: He’s a creep and he’ll get what’s coming to him. I’m okay, you’re okay, and honestly that’s all that really matters to me.
The two begin walking toward the locker room area but before that they come across the GOAT Academy showcase. There are six shelves, three on the left, three on the right, and a center showcase in the middle.
Bobbi: This is what I want you focused on. We need to fill this up don’t ya think?
Chance looks at the showcase, the top left shelf has the North American Championship Christian Garcia brought to the academy during his short stint. The top right shelf has the International Championship Derek won last Summercide.
The middle right shelf also has the Golden GOAT Medal that Derek was awarded by Aries for his valiant victory from their Wrestlution 16 match.
Chance: I’d love to fill this up more. I’d love to have added the tag team championships into the case with Harris. But, life just doesn’t work like that.
A distant shout can be heard from behind Bobbi & Chance as they both turn around and see Derek walking toward them.
Derek: You’re right, life doesn't work like that. Is that why you wanna ditch me and tag with Luis Bishop instead?
Bobbi snaps at Derek as she snaps her fingers at him while talking.
Bobbi: Now you know damn well he has NO say in who he’s paired with Derek. You act like he can walk into EMPs office and just tell her what he wants! With ya clown ass behavior.
Chance: Bobbi stop. We’re all GOAT Academy here, it isn’t me vs him we just gotta talk it out is all.
Derek looks amused but annoyed at Chance but turns his attention toward Bobbi.
Derek: Excuse me shorty but I don’t know if you noticed but this is a GOAT Academy conversation. Just because you're with Chance doesn’t mean you part of this. You’re just an affiliate.
Chance: ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU! Bobbi, go clean up. I'll meet with you later alright?
Bobbi gives Chance a kiss on the cheek as she exits view of the cameras. Leaving just Chance and Derek with tension that could cut a knife.
Chance: What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you serious right now dude? This is the childish shit we’re gonna play right now? Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that.
Derek: So I can just get jumped by Parker and no call, no text, no help? Why weren’t you there? Oh wait, I know, you left the building to get some and forgot about me huh?
Chance: I’d never forget about you! You stayed Derek! You stayed and showed me you were serious about this place! You of all people should understand where I’m at right now man come on.
Chance leans on the case covering the empty center showcase.
Chance: Bobbi is right dude. I don’t have any say over that stuff. If it were up to me of course I’d have wanted to tag with you. But I just follow how the card looks. And the stuff with Parker? Im sorry. That’s on me, I’ve just been so preoccupied with Bolek it just… I screwed up.
With both men letting out their steam Derek puts a hand out for a fist bump
Derek: Nah I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have snapped on you like that guess i’m kinda just pissed that WE can’t represent the Academy.
Derek: You still the lil big homie, and if you needed help with Bolek i was only a phone call away I would’ve helped out.
Chance: I know man but I couldn’t have other people get involved with that. He fucked around with Bobbi and I just couldn’t have that on my mental. You know I’m here for you if you need help with Parker, right?
Derek: See I appreciate that. I’m letting you know now that you will see me actively trying to kill him for a while.
Chance lets out a chuckle while he looks back at the empty center of the trophy case.
Derek: Where’s he been anyway? Harris I mean.
Chance: Now that? We need to go get something to eat if we’re gonna talk about that. And I’m sure yo big ass is hungry right?
Derek rubs his stomach
Derek: You already know! But I feel we hungry for two different things and for you, it’s Bobbi and tag titles.
Chance smirks at Derek
Chance: I’m not gonna lie, that’s wild. It’s not just tag titles though, just any title to bring into that case would make me happy. Shit, we were called AT3. Maybe you’ll become that three someday big man.
Chance fist bumps Derek finally after an eternity.
Chance: Lemme go shower and I’ll meet you out front.
Derek: My arm was getting tired by the way.
Derek walks to the front door as he waits for Chance. The cameras panning down fading to black.
