We fade into The Last walking backstage towards the corridor of the entrance to the ring. The bass of the arena music is thumping through the walls. Southern Dirty Cash’s music is fading out and the queue for The Last theme is moments away.
Aleksander Bolek is pacing, slapping his chest, ready to fight. Jynx is checking the surroundings looking hyper-focused. H2O stands near the curtain but suddenly stops and stiffens. He holds his hand out, cutting off the forward momentum.
H2O: Whoa, whoa. Hold up a second. Stop.
Bolek stops mid-stride, throwing his arms up in frustration but locking eyes with Harvey. Jynx looks at Harvey immediately.
Bolek: You ok Harvey? Music’s about to hit. Southern Dirty Cash is out there waiting for a beating. Let’s go!
Harvey points a finger at Jynx.
H2O: Jynx, we’re not going out there like everything is normal. Think about last week.
H2O: AC Cobra. The snake is still slithering around here somewhere. He took us both out last week out of nowhere. He’s blindsided us before and you know he’s getting ready to do it again tonight. I can feel it.
Bolek: (Growling) If Cobra shows his face in that ring I will personally beat his ass… we still have some unfinished business.
Jynx: (Surprised) What? Harvey, you want me to stay back here? You guys need eyes on your back out there.
H2O: No, I need you guarding the gate. You stay right here at the gorilla position, right at the entrance to the ring. You watch the curtain, you watch the aisles. If Cobra tries to slide out there to interfere, you cut him off before he can even think about stepping onto that ramp. Can you do that for us?
Jynx looks at the curtain, then back at H2O and Bolek. He nods slowly as he tightens his jaw.
Jynx: Consider it locked down. Nobody gets through this curtain but you two. Go take care of business.
Bolek slaps Jynx hard on the shoulder.
Bolek: Good. Let’s focus now Harvey.
The arena speakers erupt with The Last entrance theme. The crowd roars. H2O gives Jynx one final nod and then he and Bolek burst through the curtain into the bright lights.
Jynx steps back, planting his feet, his eyes scanning the backstage shadows, completely on guard.
At the far end of the hallway, in the shadows behind a wall, stands AC Cobra. He casts a grin on his face and walks away.
