As Cactus walks to out to get ready for the Watering Hole, he passes Seb Abbott in the halls.

Cactus: Seb!

Seb: Cactus!

Cactus: It’s a new year Seb, how are things?

Seb: Things are well Cacti. I’ve heard about some of the changes with you and the Club. I’d hope that doesn’t change things too much.

Cactus: Not a thing! I am pretty sure those changes are the reason that they stuck you and I on the card tonight, but you know what - we don’t have to give them what they want.

Seb: I want your best, Cactus.

Cactus: Boy, stop! You’ll get all I have out there but it will be with respect and we’ll still be cool as hell in my book when it’s done.

Seb: Let’s make that happen.

Cactus: We will entertain the masses. Look, I’ll see you out there when it’s showtime. Time for some Watering Hole action.

Cactus gives Seb a wink and slaps him on the back as he leaves for the Watering Hole which is seconds away from airing. Cactus realising this starts to hurry.

The Watering Hole opens with a new set. Two plush chairs stand alongside a table with a minibar set. Two mics sit on each side of the table. A small baby goat is tied to the table as Cactus enters the ring pours a small drink as he picks up his mic.

Cactus: Men and women, boys and girls, welcome to the most anticipated, most watched, most inspiring show on Turmoil. Welcome to your very first edition of 2017. Welcome to …

Cactus: The Watering Hole!

Crowd pops with excitement.

Cactus: I have missed you guys also and a Happy New Year to everyone.

Cactus raises his drink in a toast to the crowd before taking another sip and placing it back down on the table.

Cactus: It’s a brand new year and as most of you heard earlier tonight - it’s a brand new beginning.

The crowd begins to chant, “Who’s the goat”, “Who’s the goat”.

Cactus: The goat? Well, that’s a good question. Her name is, well, G.O.A.T. And yes, it stands for what you think it stands for.

Cactus: You see over the past few months I’ve had the great opportunity to team with the Gentleman’s Club. It was more fun than I could imagine to watch us grow into one of the most impactful forces in Turmoil.

Cactus: But

Cactus pauses briefly.

Cactus: All good rides must come to an end. With a new year comes new beginnings - even for Cactus Gauge. And this Cactus will have to grow on his own for a bit.

Smatterings of boos ring out.

Cactus: Now, now, don’t be dismayed. There is always a possibility that The Club will one day ride again, but for now - it’s time to go solo.

Cactus: It’s time - well - it’s time for ShowTime and Cactus Gauge is ready to shine. It’s time for this show to embrace what we do - we put people over. It’s time that I embrace what I do - I help people reach their full potential on this show.

Cactus: That’s also why G.O.A.T. is with me. She’s our mascot. Our mascot for helping people find their greatness and reach their full potential.

Cactus: But before we continue on about G.O.A.T. and move on to the feel good, I’ve got some old business to finish - The Butcher.

Cactus: Butcher. Don’t think for a second that I forgot about the last time I fought in this ring. The Club may have screwed me over getting another opportunity at you, but you won’t be able to hide behind your mask forever. You’re not Bane and I am sure in the hell aint no Batman. I’ll gladly drop you off to Spine Town and knock that memory back loose again to remind you of the bumbling, drooling, diaper filling manimal that you used to be. You’re day - meathead - is…

B-17 struts around the ring with mic in hand, smile on his face he claps politely for Cactus who seems shocked yet flattered by the warm response.

B17: I had to make an appearance, all this talk of inspiring people and finding their true potential...I was so moved by your words because I understand what you are trying to do. Truly.

B-17 comes to a stand still and gazed lazily out at the crowd.

B-17: As an Action Hero I inspire millions.

Crowd boos.

B-17: I've always shown people that they can reach for that American Dream, but it will take work. Just like in AfterShock when I bled to save the town from certain destruction, it was proof that all these people can avoid devastation and ruin by trying just a bit more to be an Action Hero.

Cactus: It really sounds like they enjoyed it.

Bingo gives Cactus a sarcastic smile.

B-17:...But I'm also a realist and I accept the truth, not everyone is meant to be a star, some are meant to just play a supporting role. You know, a C level star.

The crowd boos heavily again.

B-17: No, no, no. That's a good thing. We all have a part to play. All movies need a star, but some are more fit for a support role, wouldn’t you agree? We need our A listers, a few B listers, and of course we need the C listers. Now. I’m the A lister, I’m the star. I sell out movie theaters around the globe. Austin? He might be the B lister, he might be the D lister, I don’t know. But Cactus, do you know your role?

Cactus: You’re pretty good at these monologues. Impressive. I’ll admit. My role here in this company has been, well, fuzzy at best. But I am a voice for these people. I am needed more than another gold-crazed super star who is making promises of beating up everything that walks.

Cactus: No, not me. I am more than shock value. I am more than a flash in the pan. I am here to stay. I am here to help people recognize their way.

B-17 laughs and takes a step forward: Impressive, but you talk about these...D listers and how you want to help them reach their full potential, but what about your potential? All you’ve ever been is the guy, behind the guy, behind the bitch.

Cactus laughs: Boy stop. As I’ve stated earlier, this Cactus is solo now. If you want to gauge just how much potential I do or don’t have - we can make that happen.

B-17 draws himself up to full height and tenses, Cactus does the same: I’ll keep my eyes on you. I hear the next showing is tonight, Seb Abbott, a former co-star, good luck. And be sure to keep your eyes on my award winning role.

B-17 drops the mic and exits the ring. As he is leaving Cactus leans on the ropes for one last comment.

Cactus: Hey B, You’re more than welcome to be my guest of honor. The popcorn can be my treat.

The camera pans to the announce team.

	I want popcorn, give me some Sanders.
	New year, new diet.

Lil' Hudsy signals for a mic from a member of staff, and is promptly handed one. He waits for the crowd to quieten down, and without any real warning, begins to rap.

Lil' Hudsy:
My Sunday name's Hudson King,
I'm the real King of Queens,
Grandma taught me "Be polite",
& "Always eat your greens,"

Just because I am a rookie,
And I dress a little kooky,
Doesn't mean my shit is dookie,
You gon' wan' take a lookie.

I go to church every Sunday,
Keeps me on a straightened path,
Don't assume that makes me soft,
You don't want to feel my wrath.

Had some darkness on my timeline,
Then God gave me a lifeline,
Got the chance of a lifetime,
Jesus cheering from the sideline.

I don't need no other forces,
Need no tag team or a stable,
I make do with what I got,
Like we did with basic cable.

So when you me see do my thing,
I'll be flying round the ring,
Making sure people will know,
the name of Little Hudson King.

As Hudsy finishes his verses, he raises the mic up and drops it... before catching it with his opposite hand, and giving it back safely to the member of staff who gave him it.

His theme music, 123 Victory (Remix) by Kirk Franklin, hits as he leaves the ring and exits up the ramp to cheers from the crowd.

The camera pans to the announce team.

	I go to church every Sunday too.
	I been eating my greens just like Hudsy.

	I wish I could rhyme like Hudsy.
	Same. B-17 is in action next as he takes on a man that has said it's going to be his year and that man was Wrex.

B-17

vs

Wrex

The camera pans to the announce team.

	Ouch.
	He's going to feel that one in the morning.

Chase Hatton and Graham Hatton were visually distraught. Ashley Blain didn't ask why however as they barged into her office in a huff.

Chase Hatton: NOT BOOKED! This is an outrage!

Blain just sat quietly in her chair. She didn’t offer a response and just watched on as Chase Hatton and Graham Hatton continued to throw a tantrum.

Graham Hatton: We can’t believe this. Don’t get us wrong we are very grateful for allowing us time to grieve but we expect to be treated fairly!

Chase: YEAH!

Blain turns her head to look at Chase.

Graham: YEAH!

Blain turns her head again.

Chase: YEAH!

Blain: Ok. I hear you...I will keep an eye open for future opportunities.

She offered this novelty comfort with little enthusiasm, but the roster was once again guessing about the whereabouts of certain employees. Sarah Jessica Henry had recently gone missing, and she had only glanced at the application pile lately, but it was stacked and yet she didn't see many new faces around.

Graham: Thank you!

The brothers storm out of the room and don't stop until they got to the stairway.

Graham let out a stifled laugh: Dude, she totally bought it!

Chase: Damn right, you were perfect, talking about being treated fairly!

Graham: Bro, saying it was an outrage! Inspired!

Chase and Graham gave a bro five to each other.

Chase: Got to be careful though, don’t actually want to get booked!

Graham: Oh yeah, got to straddle that fine line. Don’t want to get fired, don’t want to get booked. Got to do enough to make them believe that we should be kept around.

Chase: Yeah, yeah...we should go get some donuts for her!

Graham: Dude, that rockin bod, she don’t eat donuts! Bill Ding does though...

Chase: Riiiiiighhhhtttt. What about Ho Hos?

Graham: Seb Abbott.

Chase: Nutty Bars?

Graham: Loki.

Chase: Zebra Cakes?

Graham: Jackson.

Chase: Cosmic Cupcakes?

Graham: Mugen.

Chase: Little Brownies?

Graham: Dennis.

Chase: Honey Buns?

Graham: Sophia.

Chase: Cloud Cakes?

Graham: Trance.

Chase: Trance?

Graham: Yeah, think about it. Owl. Flying...through the clouds.

Chase offers another high five that Graham takes. The broskis make their way down the the steel steps.

Chase: Luckily we can get all of this at Wal-Mart across the street where The Butcher got his Monster Mask from.

The camera pans to the announce team.

	I don't think that's where Butcher got his mask from guys.
	They might regret that one.

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