The crowd sort of pops, but is still mostly confused at his new look and strange manner of speaking.
Cort: I wasn’t supposed to be here tonight, but I hope the good people in production can forgive me, because I have a special message JUST for YOU!
He pulls a sheet of paper out of his pocket, unfurling it to present to the cameras.
Cort: As you all know, I have passed my social sensitivity course! I am now 100% conscientious, accepting, and most of all… rated E for everyone! I’ve realized all of my mistakes… how many people and cultures I’ve hurt with my insensitive comments. From now on, I will do my level-headed best to make up for my--and my people’s transgressions. Because as Sensation says, nobody likes a colonizer! The mean old sergeant is no more… meet the new, improved, Social Justice Marshall!
He smiles, holding the certificate above his head. He walks around the ring, brandishing it at each corner, while the crowd boo. When he gets back to the center of the ring, he holds it above his head again… and tears it in half! He throws the pieces down, followed by the manbun wig and fake beard.
Cort: That’s what you wanted me to say, right, Jay? You wanted me to bow down and be a good little soldier so as to not interfere with the pomp and circumstance of your milestone shows?
Cort: Well, too bad! Because that’s not what SERGEANT CORT MARSHALL is about! SERGEANT CORT MARSHALL does not mince words! And he knows for a fact you don’t want him to, either! If anybody pays to come see me, they pay for god’s own truth as written in the bible of Smith and Wesson! Or maybe they just pay to see Discount Dale Gribble get his ass beat! Who knows! But what I do know is that I will not, now or ever, allow myself to be censored by the powers that be. That means you, Jay… and anyone else who thinks that I’m gonna stop doing what I do!
As Cort lowers the mic and makes his way to leave the ring, the Tron showing the OCW logo changes to pitch black. After a second or two, an orange glow is seen which outlines a man in a black hoodie with his head down with the hood over his head. The only distinguishing characteristic about him that can be seen is that he has a big beard.
The orange glow gets considerably brighter for a moment and a crackling sound is heard for a moment, but just as quickly, the glow dims again and the crackling sound is replaced by the sound of someone exhaling, followed by a small cough.
Unknown Person: What a shock, a corporate sponsored sensitivity course that lasted maybe a day or two didn’t work on the headstrong Cort. News flash...those ‘classes’ are for if you really screw up, Sensation and OCW can’t be sued, & everyone is aware of that fact. So, your little act of rebellion is just as fake and phony as you think the mainstream media is. However, your political views are not why The Steve has decided to grace you with his presence tonight.
The crowd lets out a loud, but relatively quick cheer for The Steve as The Steve continues speaking.
The Steve: The Steve is here to address something different. The Steve was watching Riot 499, and he saw you disrespecting the ones that came before him and made OCW what it is today. Instead of embracing the veterans that will be at Riot 500 and being able to sit under the knowledge tree, you decide to mock us and act like we don’t have anything left in the tank.
The Steve pauses, and the orange glow gets brighter again, but only for a brief moment, before the sound of an exhale is heard.
The Steve: The Steve must remind you, that while his best days may be years behind him, he is not the octogenarian that you make us legends out to be. The Steve is just north of 40, and while that does mean he may be a little slower, he is still more than capable of caving your face in with The Steve.
The Steve: However, The Steve isn’t the drugged up hothead he once was. Old The Steve would have prerecorded this video and would have ambushed you by now. New The Steve wants to give you a chance to come to your senses.
The orange glow returns for a moment.
The Steve: The Steve will be at Riot 500. He will be there to celebrate OCW’s momentous accomplishment, to reminisce with the other legends that will be there, and to meet and impart some wisdom with the current stars.
The Steve: Hopefully, you will have come to your senses by then, and show us the proper respect that we have earned. If The Steve is disrespected again though, he will not be afraid to show you why OCW relies on its legends.
The tron goes black for a moment before the OCW logo returns. Cort stares at the now empty tron for a moment before he heads back up the ramp with purpose.
