We come back from commercial break to open up the Speak Easy Episode 3, however, the set up is somewhat different. Centre of the ring stands a podium with Thomas Archer behind it, nearer the corner is a recliner in which Capo lounges, counting a roll of notes, presumably from Mr Archer.
Archer taps the microphone boom a few times before clearing his throat.
Archer: First off, thank you to the generous Mr. Genovese for giving me this platform on which to speak and I would like to thank the fans for buying all of that glorious Invictus merchandise. Now, onto business… I am here to publicly apologise for the offensive images of B-17 that many young consumers will have had burned into their brains.
Capo is heard snickering in the background, forgetting he has his microphone lapel on.
Archer shakes his head.
Archer: Invictus does not stand for such broad exhibitions of a living coloured nature and we will seek to rebuild our brand image… Which is why we have hired a man who will be teaching B-17 how to be a proper fan favourite and a lion of the people. No more will little Bubba be waking up at night wondering if B-17 really was pointing at him during his favourite Turmoil programming, no more will he have to wonder if that headband contains lice, if the thing on top of B-17’s head is going to come alive and devour him… Such savagery is not what we stand for… We stand for peace, justice and the American Way… Of capitalism.
[B]The camera pans to Capo in the reclined chair. He clears his throat…
Capo: How does something like this even happen...What was going on in his head? Doesn't he know this is a family show---most of the time…
Archer: Perhaps the creature on his head became sentient and added a new deviant element to his thuggery.
Capo:. Please explain how this happened. Who approved this??
Capo looks to the production crew and whispers---Is Ashley Blain going to show up? Get her on the phone….
Archer: The creature known as Ashley Blain is tending to the bar, or it should be. As for approving B-17’s despicable actions… He says he shouldn’t have to lock the door to his own room and that being naked is where he draws his inspiration from. And that if he…
Archer appears to throw up slightly off camera….
Archer: And that if he, and I quote…”Chooses to lie naked on the hotel room floor wrapped only in a transparent shower curtain, clinging to my damp body, in order to heighten my sexual and wrestling powers then--” ...
Archer throws up again…
Archer: We should not judge him. Perhaps condemn him… Maybe put him on some sort of register… But judge him, nay, we must not.
Capo coughs...chlorpromazine...cough cough…
Archers phone receives a message.
Archer frowns as he digs out the phone.
Archer: What has he done now...
Capo sits with a confused look on his face…
Capo: This new generation of kids are weirdos. Back in the day, a damp body in shower curtains meant some poor schmuck got wacked.
Capo: Nowadays it’s all for some weird thrills….I blame the drugs..
Capo: So what else you guys have going on??
Archers expression brightens…
Archer: I can exclusively reveal that Invictus Industries has completed the signing of the hottest new face of Turmoil. He will single handedly revolutionise our shattered image and perhaps, his greatest challenge, ensure that B-17 can be re-released into the public domain. This man… Is none other than… What the hell is that?!
The titantron comes alive with B-17 peeling a banana slowly, sensually, carefully he goes to pop it in his mouth and stops. He pauses, before dipping it into a tub of melted chocolate, then whipped cream.
B17 suddenly becomes aware of the camera man standing behind him: Wh-- this is my locker room! I have to lock that too now? Get the bingo out!
The feed dies, replaced with a “technical difficulties” message and we cut to commercial, abruptly ending the Speak Easy.
The camera pans to the announce team.
What the hell.
Umm... I don't know how I feel right now.
??????: THIS SHOW STOPS NOW BECAUSE I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY AND I WILL NOT LEAVE THIS ARENA UNTIL I’VE SAID IT!
You can see Valkyrie making her way to the ring, while an OCW referee is running after her in an attempt to stop her from interrupting the show. He tries to drag her back to the backstage area, but as soon as he gets his hands on her, she turns around and sticks her fingers in his eyes. The man is forced to his knees, crying in pain.
Valkyrie: I’m sorry, I didn’t want to do this… I’m the hero of this Fairy Tale, I swear!
She takes a few steps back and then hits him with a roundhouse kick that knocks him out. She quickly gets to the ring and pick up a mic.
Valkyrie: I… I… I was…
The mic drops, as Valkyrie puts her hands over her eyes and starts crying heavily. The crowd is confused and nobody really knows what’s going on.
She looks like she hasn't slept in 30-some hours: her eyes are filled with tears, her hair is completely messed up and her clothes are covered in dirt and mud.
She takes a deep breath and then picks the microphone up again.
Valkyrie:I was… Last Wednesday I got attacked in the parking lot by someone… by a monster. When I woke up, I found myself alone in the woods, stuck inside a wooden shack in the middle of nowhere. I…remember one word... “Idùn”...”Idùn”... it was written in blood all over the floor.
Valkyrie: I ran for my life… I spent almost three days in the forest… I couldn’t find my way back. I… I got out alive somehow…I…
She’s breathing heavily and struggling to find her words
Valkyrie: I haven’t slept in days, my clothes are still covered in mud. I should’ve gone straight to the police or to the hospital. But no. I’m here because I have something to say.
Valkyrie: I can… I can understand those who say that I’m too small to fight, I can put up with those who say that I’m likely to spend more time in the injured list rather than the active roster. What I can’t tolerate is the management giving screen time to that psycho bitch, Riley, who was behind all of this and not only she is still here competing, but she was also given my spot for Turmoil 197 with her ShowBlitz friend Genevieve.
Valkyrie: I know for sure ShowBlitz set this up. It was just a prank for you two, wasn’t it? You were laughing at me while I was scared to death.
She wipes off a tear from her face.
Valkyrie: Before you ask, I can make things right by myself. CJ was the only that stepped up, but he can’t fight this battle for me: I’ll have to do it on my own. As the Ancients said, light shines brightest when it’s surrounded by darkness.
Valkyrie: To the monster that attacked me last week, I’ve got something to tell you: I may be your Idùn, but you are not as smart as Loki. I know that you are back there with the rest of the roster, just like you were at the Morgan Museum in New York this Sunday. I’ll find out who you are and make sure you will never see the light of day ever again.
Valkyrie: As for Riley, Stixx and Genevieve, or “ShowBlitz”, as you call yourselves. Joining OCW was supposed to be a dream come true, but you made it a living hell for me, ever since day one.
Valkyrie: I know that I’m not the only woman in this roster but apparently they are all too scared to come out and fight alongside me. And I can’t really blame them: Turmoil is indeed Showblitz territory, you three made this very clear over the past few months. But there’s one thing I haven’t told you yet...
She faces the camera, takes another deep breath and then she simply smiles.
Valkyrie: This is still my Fairy Tale… Fairy tales ALWAYS have a happy ending, and so will mine.
Valkyrie: It doesn’t matter how many times those ShowBlitz skanks are going to injure me, it doesn’t matter how many times they are going to torture me with their mind games, it doesn’t matter how many times I’ll be outnumbered in the ring. I will survive all of that. And just like in all the myths I have been reading, the hero will win and the villains will lose...
Genevieve music hits, as she makes her way to the stage
Genevieve: Yah Yah Yah, Cry Me A River Justina Limber-Fake…
Crowd starts to laugh as Genevieve’s crazy, sarcastic personality enters into the ring
Valkyrie: I KNEW IT!
Gene: You knew what? Paahlease….This ain’t Blair Witch...It’s OCW and around here b****** get buried for free.
Gene flexes for the crowd as mixed emotions fill the room.
Valkyrie: You were behind all this, I know it!!
Gene Listen, stop trying to crack the case. Eww…..I don’t even like the outdoors. Look at me, I’m fabulous…
Gene poses for the cameras with a hand on her hip, and swings her hair into motion...Some Boos come in…
Gene: New Growth Bishes….New Growth…
Valkyrie: You think I like the outdoors? I had to spend three nights, alone, in the woods. Hope you and your friends had a good laugh, while you were stealing my spot on the card of Turmoil 197.
Gene: Listen Hun-tey...NobodyCares B…..While you were out in the Catskills or wherever camping and getting kidnapped, we were out here like the big homie Capo likes to say: Shining in all the Glory….
Valkyrie: You and Capo are just criminals… Neither of you deserve screen time. These kids in the audience deserve to see role models like me competing, not the three of you Showblitz skanks: the criminal, the stripper and the psychopath
Gene: listen to you….Half of these people can’t even spell psychopath…
Boos come in as Gene starts to heckle…
Gene: how about I do you a favor and show these kids how to properly bury somebody….. ALIVE!!
Valkyrie: You see the dirt and the sand I have all over my clothes? I’m going to use it to bury YOU tonight. Bring it.
The bell rings
Valkyrie vs Genevieve
The camera pans to the announce team.
That was intense.
Yes it was.
As the camera cuts to the next scene we see Justin Jehst sitting on a plush leather two seater in a nice hotel room sporting a pink dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, and black pants and shoes. He sits with a mimosa in one hand and a copy of the most recent OCW Magazine in another.
As he flips through the pages he stops and puts his mimosa down.
Jehst: OCW Power Rankings, huh? Let’s see where the “Hollywood Mauler” fits in…
As he scans down the page with his eyes and index finger he reaches the bottom of the list without seeing his name mentioned and leans back surprised.
Jehst: Seriously? The fans didn’t vote for the Jehst Man?! This thing must be rigged. I shall call the editor immediately!
As he reaches for his phone it begins to ring.
Jehst: I guess that will have to wait. *Answers phone* Hello?
Barry: Justin, it’s Barry.
Jehst: Barry, you old coot! How are you?
Barry: I’m good, Justin, how are you?
Jehst: Currently nursing my ego; did you see the latest OCW Power Rankings? I’m not even mentioned!
Barry: Justin, don’t let those “fan voted” polls discourage you. They’re not a true representation of what the fans think.
Jehst: You’re right, Barry.
Justin tosses the magazine aside onto the couch.
Jehst: I know I’m doing the right things! I know the fans love me! They cheer for me, they buy my merch, heck they even add me on the Playstation Network just to game with the Jehst Man!
Barry: You’re on the right track to stardom, Justin, just keep doing what you’re doing. The doubters can’t ignore you forever.
Justin sips his mimosa.
Jehst: You’re damn right, Barry!... Hey, uh, any news on mumma?
Barry: She’s here in a local jail facility, they’re still sorting out her charges. Don’t worry, she’ll be locked up for a long time.
Justin inhales and exhales deeply.
Jehst: Good to hear, Barry. And I just want you to know I appreciate all your help…with everything. I couldn’t have gotten through it without you.
Barry: It’s my pleasure, Justin. Good luck with things from here on out. You were born to do great things in this industry, I can feel it.
Justin takes another sip.
Jehst: Well, I’m about to sink another mimosa and take a long hot bath to relax. I’ll talk to you soon old friend.
Barry: Good bye, Justin.
The scene slowly fades to black as Jehst hangs up the phone.
