The scene opens backstage with Justin Jehst walking back from his match with Tyler Steel. He clutches at his back and side as he walks with a slight limp, surely a result of his missed dive. Elsa follows close behind, trying to help him walk properly.
As he wanders down the corridor he is approached by Jim Black.
Jim: Justin, is it ok if I get a few words on your match with Tyler Steel?
Justin winces as he stands up straight to answer the question.
Jehst: Ask away, Jim.
Jim: Well, I just wanted your thoughts on the match you just had with your fellow rookie tonight?
Jehst: He gave me a hard time out there. I wasn’t expecting such a little guy to be so resilient; I tip my hat to him.
Jim: What happened at the end there?
Justin points to his hip and back he is clutching.
Jehst: Oh you mean this? Well, I tried giving him the audition of his life with the ReCaster, but that guy just wouldn’t stay down. I had to try something a little left-field.
He winces again and readjusts his posture.
Jehst: Sometimes you gotta put the blockbuster aside and go for the art film, y’know? But that backfired; he was too quick. He rolled me back into the ring and hit the Steel Compactor on me for a second time which took the wind out of me and put me down.
Jehst: It was a rookie mistake. I should’ve stuck to the game plan, but that’s something I’ll have to take back and learn from.
Jim: Where do you go from here?
Jehst: I can’t say it was easy to swallow that loss, but he’s beaten some top stars here. I’m still searching for my big break, and I know top stars have to work hard to earn their place. I’ll keep fighting like Rocky and work for my spot at the top.
Jehst: Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta go and put some ice on this bruise.
Jim: Rest up, Jehst. We’ll see you back in that ring soon I’m sure.
Elsa helps Justin slowly walk off away from the camera as we are left with a shot of Jim before the camera fades out.
The camera pans to the announce team.
Man he was so close!
FIGHT JEHST FIGHT!
Previously recorded
Moments after RIOT 510
"I was quiet, but I was not blind."
Is he dead already?
He ain't said nothin' since it ended.
Oh my, I hope for the best, of course.
We told you.
Maaan, I definitely did.
Such a bittersweet ending.
Unfortunate as it be. His mental state was never capable of keeping up.
Lights flick on in a locker room and a figure can be heard walking slowly as a door closes shut behind him. The view pans around the locker room as the footsteps continue. The black and blue colored boots are briefly seen.
"There is no illusion greater than fear."
Submit. You're finished.
Finished just like he was.
You weak, man. Weak.
A pity. Ending laying outside the ring. Again.
Submit.
Submit.
Submit. Your time is done.
The voices continue over one another, eventually blurring together into an incoherent static like noise. The boots stop suddenly in front of the view of the camera. In a wall mounted mirror, the figure is revealed to be Quartz.
Quartz stands facing the mirror with a totally blank expression on his face. He is holding a black OCW t-shirt in one hand and the PRISTINE SUNGLASSES in the other.
"When we don't know who to hate, we hate ourselves."
The voices and all other sounds halt. Ijitu Quartz's expression has changed from blank and emotionless to awake...energetic.
Quartz steps back from the mirror and peers around the room. His head barely moves, only his eyes shifting around, observing his surroundings.
Quartz drops the black t-shirt on the ground and raises the sunglasses up to observe them. After several moments staring at the sunglasses... Quartz suddenly crushes them inside his hand, dropping them on the ground besides the t-shirt.
Quartz: Nice set up we have here. Your purpose has been filled. Thank you.
Quartz raises his arms and begins to scowl slightly as he investigates them closely.
Quartz: Hm. I can see your lack of motivation has caused this... unacceptably doughy frame. This must be corrected at once. Time is not on my side.
Quartz continues as he turns his gaze at the floor. He stares at the mangled pair of PRISTINE SUNGLASSES on the floor beside his feet.
Quartz: It has been an interesting -- albeit disappointing end. I'm sorry that you couldn't handle it.
Quartz: You tried so hard to prove to everyone what you could never prove to yourself.
Quartz: You spent your time here trying to prove to him that you were better than he was. That you wouldn't give up like he did.
Quartz: Hiding behind these sunglasses. Hiding behind the tearing down of others. Hiding behind your inability to show true strength to these people.
Quartz: The whole time, it wasn't the ones inside that ring that were your enemies...
Quartz: Your biggest enemy was yourself, Ijitu. Your worst fear was revealing that weakness that he showed.
Quartz: Hiding these insecurities ultimately proved to be your undoing. This expectancy that simple willpower would suffice.
Quartz: It is clear to me that these distractions removed your attention from where it needed to be. This was assumed from the start, however.
Quartz: It's not your fault. I think you know that. You just weren't meant for this... This life.
Quartz pauses for a moment before looking back up into the dim lighting in the room. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.
Quartz: Don't worry. Get some rest. You deserve it.
Quartz: My mission has just begun. Operation Phoenix is a go. I must debrief with Cohle at once... Let's put this behind us.
Quartz stomps his left foot down on the PRISTINE SUNGLASSES, further crushing them into a mess of pieces. The sound of the crunch echoes through the room as Quartz removes his elbow pads and wrist tape.
As he walks from the room in a hurried, more energetic pace, the camera stays behind. The view of the crushed sunglasses and t-shirt hold their place in the foreground.
The door falls shut and the camera turns to black simultaneously. The sound of the door closing echoing loudly... before silence falls over the room.
The camera pans to the announce team.
......
Dark times are ahead!
Ashley Moore vs Lotus FloJo vs Valkyrie vs Ashley Blaine
The camera pans to the announce team.
HOLY CRAP!
SHE GOT IT, SHE GOT IT!
The OCW Universe stirs, anxiously awaiting for which of their favorite superstars will arrive next.
Growing impatient, the crowd begins to chant: “OCDub! OCDub! OCDub!”
Five more minutes pass…..
At this point the Turmoil crowd has gone cold. The arena visibly begins to empty, with people beginning to make their way to the concourse.
Voice: “Where the hell is everybody going?
Telos: I don’t know who told you people it was time for a bathroom break, but I’d suggest you get back to your seats NOW.
Boos reverberate throughout the arena as Telos paces around the ring.
Telos: It’s a shame. I’ve been in OCW for a while now, and I’m just now making my first appearance on OCW’s best show, TURMOIL!
Some of the jeers briefly turn to cheers, evoking a smirk from the man with the mic. He continues….
Telos: Wait, let me clarify: This is my first time on OCW’s best SECONDARY show, TURMOIL! Ahahaha!
Telos: I was expecting a warmer welcome from this crowd, you know, since you people aren’t used to seeing a presence such as mine on a regular basis.
Telos: I mean, hell, the best thing about this B show is the women’s division! Which is fantastic, not a slight to those ladies at all.
Telos: You all can get on your little phones, on the forums, read Rudo’s garbage reviews, but the fact of the matter is, TURMOIL doesn’t have a draw like Telos.
As he pauses, a new chant is rolling through the arena like a wave.
Telos: Oh. You guys like Cyborg over here too huh? I’m not really surprised. Garbage show, watched by garbage fans who have garbage taste. (laughs)
Telos: In that case, I’d like to personally invite you all to watch and/or attend Savage Lands. So I can prove to you all that the real talent is across town. And maybe Cyborg should be over here with the rest of you watertrash failures.
Telos throws the microphone out of the ring, and ignoring the crowds taunting walks up the ramp and out of sight.
We go to a brief commercial before our next segment….
