Backstage we find the tv champion getting worked over by the doctor.
Seb: So how bad is it doc? I was good following that beating of that Guido geezer then biff my elbow looks like a fucken pit bulls ballsack.
The doctor poked Seb's elbow intrigued by the way it looked.
Doc: it doesn't look good, you'll need to be out of action for a couple of weeks. Two max if you relax and allow it to heal up properly.
Seb: And that entails what exactly? As you can see since the incident my bitches have fled, well one stayed but I have no idea why. Anyway I'm strapped for cash and have to crash on Corts couch so relaxing for two weeks is fine by me.
Seb paused a moment.
Seb: Can you put that two weeks in writing? Need to cover all bases you know and get paid at the same time.
The doctor shook his head at Seb and handed him a piece of paper obviously a medical certificate.
Doc: Yea sure here, now remember no heavy lifting for fourteen days.
Seb went to make a dick joke but was quickly ushered out of the makeshift medical bay backstage.
Once in the hallway he ran into Ginger, but was in no mood for the interns snarky attitude.
Ginger: so now that you have no cro-
Seb gave Ginger a don't argue and shoved him to the floor.
Ginger okay then ladies and gentlemen that's your television champion.
Seb walked off clutching the medical certificate and laughed, seemingly he was headed towards Malu’s office as the scene cuts out to the next segment.
***
Capo snuck his way through the dreary back entrance of The Roadhouse. He had to move discreetly about to avoid the the unwelcome eyes of those following him for “his protection,” who stared intently, watching like hawks to ensure he didn’t skip town.
He had received a note from Ashley Blain, an invitation, as she called it, to discuss the future business ventures between their corporations. But it couldn’t be during the day. She had suggested meeting during Turmoil, when giving the slip should be easier due to perception that he upheld his contract and was available at all times as a good rookie should be.
The note he received told him to enter at exactly 8:30 PM. So at 8:30 PM he slid the door open to a grinding scrape that echoed in his head. He was still undergoing the concussion handed to him by Seb, but nothing was going to stop Capo from handling business.
Blain was seated behind Archer’s desk. A kitten purred in her arms as Blain leaned back to observe Capo.
Blain: So good of you, on this night, to find yourself at my bar. It’s a good bar. You’ve found comfort and solidarity here. But never once have I been invited to your home for a cup of coffee. I feel that maybe we are not friends, but I would like to be friends. Doesn’t that sound nice?
Capo: Listen, I’m not sure what kind of sick, twisted person you may be but where I’m from you don’t just invite anyone over to your house.
Capo: What can I do for you Ashley? Time is money…
. Blain:I understand. You found paradise in OCW. You have skills, the crowd, they love you. You had it good, you were protected by your charm. You didn’t need a friend like me. But now, I think, you now know that charm needs influence, and influence needs to be taken by power.
Capo is in deep thought...While Ashley was talking he noticed that she was extremely buff. There wasn’t an inch on her body that was sexy…
Capo: Yah, power….influence...I need all of that...
Blain: I’m gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse. I’m gonna pay off a fraction of your debts, but you are going to have to do something for me, do it well and maybe I pay off more.
Capo: Listen Ash, I’m in a very delicate situation here. The sum of my debt is astronomical—However I’m not gonna bend over and let you fudge pack me for pennies either...
Ashley strokes the kitten and smiles, but soon drops the smile and throws the cat across the room:
Cat: MEOW!
Blain:Ok. I thought this whole Godfather thing would make it easier to talk to you, obviously not! So, I have a job for you and I'm not paying pennies. This is for Invictus, and they got funding.
Capo: Godfather?......What are you asking? I have my price, but also my balls…I won’t break them...This isn’t a movie Ash…
Highly agitated, Blain’s tone becomes very sharp and direct...
Blain: Listen here tough guy, you throw a 80s cocaine party at my establishment while I’m away on business. You insult my business associates...I would prefer to knock your lights out but apparently Seb beat me to it….And here I am offering you a deal of the lifetime and you’re trying show me the length of your penis!….I’ll pass….
Capo: Alright Alright already, Jesus Christ tell me what you want.
Blain: I’m going to give you 35,000 and you’re going to get B17 and Archer a movie deal. I already have a trailer. We need a full production crew and studio to begin shooting Pilots. You make this happen and I may throw in a little extra. Down the line, there will be more incentives.
Blain: Deal?
Capo: That’s all?
Blain: That’s it and that’s all!
Capo: Well because I think that’s a very generous offer, I’m going to not only make you a Head Director at Bad Guy Films, I’m also going to make you Partner. Likewise, I’m extending my hand on behalf of the Genovese family. If you, B17, Archer or anyone affiliated ever needs a favor—-there will always be someone there to get the job done.
The two shake hands as the scene closes….
The camera pans to the announce team.
Bombshell action!
Best part of the night.
Lotus Flojo vs Riley Quinn
The camera pans to the announce team.
Disappointed?
Not at all.
Valkyrie: I always thought wrestling was more than a sport: a metaphor for life, an eternal battlefield where good and evil, heroes and villains fight for what they represent.
Valkyrie: But lately, I've been watching some TV episodes and it was disappointing. Is this what wrestling has become? Cheap shots, F-words in promos and silicon barbies arguing on who's dressed better?
Crowd starts mumbling
Valkyrie: Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to be here in OCW. I mean, this is the big leagues, right? A dream come true. But when people ask me what I'm supposed to bring to this company, then this is what I have in mind.
She walks around the ring, carefully observing the crowd in attendance
Valkyrie: I get it, most of you here are adults. You enjoy violence, blood, weapons. You enjoy hearing f-bombs in promos, and you do enjoy cat-fights between poorly dressed strippers who pretend to wrestle.
Crowd goes YES!YES!YES!
Valkyrie: But look around you for a moment.
She points at a child standing in the front row.
Valkyrie: Are these the type of values we want for our children? Do we really want them to grow up thinking that swearing is cool and being a villain can help you get the championship you want?
She leaves the ring and approaches the kid in the front seat, asking him jump over the barricade and meet here inside the ring. He staggers a bit, but then he gets inside the squared circle with her.
Valkyrie: What is your name, kid?
She passes him a microphone
Kid: Alex.
Valrkyrie: Well, Alex. Do you know who Valkyries were?
He shakes his head
Valkyrie: They were Odin's chosen. Their role was to pick those who died in battle and bring them to Valhalla, if they were considered worthy.
Crowds starts to awkwardly mumble, and someone is chanting "Boring... Boring..."
Valkyrie: Instead of chanting that, why don't we give Alex some love, huh? He was brave enough to get inside the ring in front of you. He deserves a better chant.
Crowd goes Alex! Alex! Alex!
Valkyrie: Now that's better. Alex, as the Valkyries do, I get to choose if you will ascend to Valhalla or not, depending on how courageous you are. Tell me, what's your biggest fear?
He lowers the mic, trying to whisper in her ear. She listens and then smiles.
Valkyrie: Alex says his biggest fear is his math teacher. He thinks he's not good enough to pass the exam.
Crowd laughs
Valkyrie: Well, Alex. You were brave enough to grab a mic and stand here, in front of these people. When the exam day comes...
The crowd starts chanting Alex! Alex! Alex! again
Valkyrie: When that day comes, think of this moment. Think of this energy. Think of this people chanting for you.
She pulls down her golden armband and gives it to him.
Valkyrie: And think of me. Because I have decided that you are worthy of ascending and meeting Odin's warriors.
He leaves the ring, almost crying for the emotion.
The crowd applauds.
Valkyrie: You see. THIS is what wrestling should be. OCW doesn't need another Rookie who thinks she better than anyone, hotter than anyone, richer than anyone.
Valkyrie: OCW needs role models. OCW needs morals. OCW needs someone like me to purge the cancer that is killing wrestling.
She stares at the crowd in silence, then she puts a hand over her heart and closes her eyes.
Valkyrie: To Valhalla.
Music hits, she remains still for a couple of seconds, eyes closed. Then she leaves the ring.
***
Scene opens with Counter Culture standing around the backstage area after Flojo's match against Riley Quinn. FloJo appears to be annoyed at Cassidy for what happened after their Tag match against Showblitz.
Cassidy: Look Lotus, I'm sorry. But you gotta learn how to work with people...
Cassidy: I see how difficult it is but you'll never succeed here.
Cassidy:....Lotus?
Lotus: Tch. If I push harder...I could finally come out on top against these three.
Lotus: This ice pack...
Says Flojo while rubbing her neck.
Lotus: -sigh- You're right...I can't do this on my own.
Lotus: Having my shoulders being pinned does something with my self-esteem.
Lotus: Having people carry me through the match only to lose in the end...
Lotus: My fear is not even getting on the card for Lution or even Turmoil 200.
Lotus: The Showbliz are getting better and better each time.
Lotus: I got all these moves but can't hit any of them.
Cassidy places her hand on Lotus right shoulder
Cassidy: Don't worry about it.
Cassidy: Just try to put on good matches for now.
Cassidy: You'll get there...No...We'll get there.
Lotus smiles as she get's up from her pity party.
Cassidy: Better?
Lotus: Better.
Secne ends with duo walking back to the parking lot area, leaving the arena.
