*The scene opens in a small room in the F.B.I. Building; Maniac is sitting in a chair leaning forward onto the table. In his right hand he has a cigarette and he is resting his head in his left hand, every so often he takes a deep drag off the cigarette not really paying attention to anything just staring like he is in deep thought which is soon interrupted by special agents Jack Richardson and Charles Monroe who come into the room with folders and they take a seat across from Maniac who sits up, taking another deep drag from the cigarette.*
Jack Richardson: Mr. Romano, we have a few questions that we would like to ask you.
Maniac: Questions? What kind of questions?
Charles Monroe: Well for starters where were you when Paige disappeared?
*Maniac shakes his head.*
Maniac: I was working, I am a professional wrestler and my job calls for me to travel all over the country.
Jack Richardson: Mr. Romano we are aware of your current occupation, we are also aware that you are wanted for many other alleged crimes.
*Jack takes one of the folders and drops it in front of Maniac and opens it.*
Jack Richardson: Antonino Romano, born September second, nineteen eighty-five in Sicily, Italy. Wanted on charges of multiple counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering, Money Laundering Conspiracy; Money Laundering; Aiding and Abetting; Securities Fraud; Kidnapping, Conspiracy to Commit Extortion, Narcotics Distribution, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering; possession of illegal firearms, and Extortion.
Maniac: Those are all alleged, I have never been convicted of anything. The only reason I came here was to find out what happened to my ex wife, not to be harassed by the F.B.I again.
Charles Monroe: Not yet, and if you don’t cooperate with us Mr. Romano then we will make sure that you are.
*Maniac leans forward, sneering at the agents.*
Maniac: Is that a threat? I thought that the last time I had one of you guys fired that you learned NOT to harass me. I’m done talking to you clowns, I want my lawyer.
*Maniac sits back and smirks, crossing his arms. The scene fades for a moment and when we come back we see Maniac leaving the F.B.I building with a huge smile on his face. His lawyer comes up to him also with a big smile on his face.*
Michael Hammond: I’m glad I was able to help you out again Antonino, if you need anything else just give me a call.
*Maniac shakes his hand and watches him walk off as the scene once again fades to black and when we come back we are inside the F.B.I building with the two agents that were interrogating Maniac. They watch as Maniac and his lawyer part ways and each eventually leave.*
Jack Richardson: What an arrogant prick, thinks he can come in here and talk to us like that. I can’t wait until we nail this ba*tard.
Charles Monroe: Well with the evidence we have I’m sure it will be enough for a warrant and we can finally bring in Antonino Romano and charge him with everything.
Jack Richardson: Do you think it’s enough to hold up in court?
Charles Monroe: Yeah, it will be and I’m sure if we asked around there will be plenty of people who will be willing to testify against him, especially the people he works with.
*The two agents watch Maniac leave as the scene fades to black.*
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-Off Camera-
*The scene opens in Maniac’s home in New York; he is walking back and forth in his living room talking on his cell phone to an unknown person.*
Maniac: Yeah they tried to press me but I played it smart and called Hammond
…
Maniac: Don’t worry, they don’t have anything on me and there is absolutely no way that they can tie Paige’s disappearance to me or any of our associates.
…
Maniac: Yeah, I figured they would search Romano enterprises so I had everything moved here to my personal vault.
…
Maniac: It was no problem; everything is going to be just fine.
…
Maniac: Ok, talk to you soon.
*Maniac hangs up the phone and heads to his bar to get a drink.
He pours himself a scotch and sits at the bar; taking gulps at a time before refilling the glass and doing it all over again. After about five or six times of refills Maniac sets the glass down and rubs the back of his neck.*
Maniac: Never in a million years did I ever think that the feds would be this close; I have to play this one carefully or else I’m going away for the rest of my life.
*Maniac fills his glass once more before sitting it down and walking off as the scene fades to black.*
------------------------------------------------
-On Camera-
*The scene opens up on a shot of a well lit room. The walls are all a dark red, and the only real sign of life in the room is a Poker Table in the center of the room, which has a few people sitting at the table. One of the men sitting at the table is famed Poker Player, David Negreanu who has a WPT hat on, and is leaning back in his chair, looking as calm as possible, as he once again glances at his cards. On the other side of the table, wearing a pair of sunglasses, and dressed in his usual custom-made suit, sits Maniac. Maniac tilts his cards up again, showing he has pocket Kings. Maniac glances once more at the center of the table, of which four cards have already been dealt (7D KD AH 7C). Maniac glances again over at David and then pauses to raise his sunglasses and look at David.*
Maniac: David, this is supposed to be for charity. The President didn't think this much before deploying the M-Bomb.
*David chuckles and then shrugs and reaches down, pushing all of his chips forward.*
David Negreanu: Well, when you put it that way Maniac, All In.
*Maniac raises an eyebrow, a smirk on his face as he chuckles, and then glances back down at his cards. However as Maniac is looking, a redheaded lady appears at his shoulder.*
Redhead: Maniac, can I talk to you for a minute?
*Maniac glances over at her, and then very openly looks her up and down and smiles. Glancing back at the table, Maniac speaks over his shoulder.*
Maniac: Sure beautiful. Just let me finish embarrassing David boy first.
*The girl opens her mouth to reply, but then seems to think better of it and steps back, watching as Maniac looks over at David and smiles widely.*
Maniac: OK David, time to finish you off. We're about even on chips, right?
*Both men look over at the dealer who nods his head and looks to Maniac.*
Dealer: Mr. Negreanu currently has the chip lead with Six Hundred Thousand to your Four Hundred thousand.
*Maniac nods and then looks back at David and smiles.*
Maniac: Then I'll call you, AND I'll put up Two Hundred Thousand of my own money so we're completely even. Whoever wins this, wins the lot. Sound fair?
*Negreanu looks down at his own hand and then back at Maniac and nods again, with a chuckle.*
David Negreanu: Sure Maniac. It would be my pleasure to take your money off you.
*Maniac shakes his head and then pushes his chips forward, and pulls out a check book. He writes out a check for Two Hundred thousand, and signs it, but leaves the Recipient empty so David himself can cash it for whomever he'd like. Maniac then places it on top of his chip pile, and smirks as he flips over his Pocket Kings, staring intently at David's face and waiting for the horror to dawn.*
Maniac: Gotcha.
*The dealer burns and turns the last card, revealing the Ace of Spades. Maniac reaches forward to rake in his chips, but David holds up a hand and stops him.*
David Negreanu: Sorry Maniac, not this time.
*Maniac raises an eyebrow in puzzlement, and then winces as David turns over an Ace/King! Now it’s David's turn to chuckle, and the sheer enjoyment in his voice is infectious as he speaks up so everyone can hear him.*
David Negreanu: This time, you got aced!!!
*A round of laughter can be heard and Maniac gets up, still smiling and reaches across to shake David's hand. Maniac then turns away and strolls away from the table, allowing David the chance to count his winnings and chat with the press. Maniac is halfway across the casino floor, and heading for the door, when he hears the click-clack of heels, and the redhead from earlier steps in front of him.*
Redhead: Awww, are you a sore loser, or did you just forget about me?
*Maniac smirks as he looks at her, and then stops and looks back across the casino floor. When Maniac realizes no-one is watching he turns back to the redhead and jerks his head towards the entrance.*
Maniac: I didn't forget about you. I just didn't want to talk about Santa Claus at the table.
*The Redhead's eyes widen, but Maniac seems to ignore her walking toward the entrance again. After a few moments the Redhead jogs and catches up to Maniac, who is almost to the door.*
Redhead: How did you...
Maniac: Know you wanted to talk about Santa Claus? If you paid attention, you'd know I pride myself on my knowledge of almost everything that concerns me. Just because he hasn’t been seen or heard of until just recently, doesn't mean I don't keep an eye open for whatever he's doing. I'm not stupid; I know he wants to make an impact by beating me at Fatality and he’s going to pull out all the stops but what he obviously doesn’t know is that I’ve been doing this for a lot longer than he has.
*By now they are at the entrance and Maniac wastes little time strolling over to his limo. The driver spots him coming and walks over, opening up the passenger door. Maniac pauses at the door, seeing the red-head falter. He steps aside and waves her in, an eyebrow raised.*
Maniac: Hop in. We can talk in private, and I can drop you back off anywhere you want.
*The Red-head smiles widely, and steps between Maniac and the door. She pauses, very deliberately sliding her ass backwards against Maniac's crotch as she looks over her shoulder at him.*
Redhead: Can I trust you not to take advantage of me?
Maniac: Sorry, I don't play like that. You’re probably someone’s girl, and I'm not stupid enough to step in-between a couple.
*The redhead looks back over her shoulder and then sighs and gets into the limo. Maniac looks over at his driver and nods, allowing the man to head back to the front of the limo. Maniac steps into the limo, and then closes the door, and the scene fades to black...when the scene fades back in Maniac's limo is just pulling up to a pair of Mansion Gates. The back door opens, and out steps Maniac, holding the door open and letting the Redhead step out next with a smile. She heads into the mansion and waves goodbye as she heads inside. Maniac then steps back into his limo, closing the door and the limo screeches off as the Redhead turns back towards the mansion and heads through the gates. The scene now switches to inside Maniac's limo, with Maniac pouring himself another glass of Scotch, a smile wide on his face. After a few moments pause, Maniac looks up at the camera with a smirk.*
Maniac: So, here I am, alone at last. I've had a busy night, and having to deal with a lady who has so many screws loose, her head is likely to pop off at any moment doesn't help. But finally, finally I get the chance to respond to your little 'promo' from earlier Santa Claus. I have to admit Claus; I was impressed from the display you showed in your promo. You have a lot of balls and I’ll give you credit for that but what I am confused about it where do you get your information? You have been misinformed Claus, unlike you or any of the other buffoons in the back I don’t give a rats ass what those idiot fans think about me. See Claus, you talk about all this pain and suffering, about getting ready to beat me, simply to enjoy beating me. But in reality, we both know you won't win at Fatality. You’re not good enough to beat me one-on-one Claus, and you know it. Say what you will but I know you have seen in that ring and it makes you scared because you know, inside that squared circle, I'm untouchable. I am what you only wish you could be Claus. I am a competitor, a man who has no fear, and will wrestle against anyone.
*Maniac takes a drink of his scotch and continues.*
Maniac: You talk of me being inferior, me trying to hide my true self behind this face paint that I wear because I am afraid of people seeing my supposed acne? Hey, Einstein, not sure if you've noticed, but I've gone without my face paint before and NEVER had any complaints from ANYONE about acne. If you are going to insult someone Claus make sure you know what the f*ck you are talking about next time because you only make yourself look like more of an idiot then you already are. You know, there was one thing I did agree with in your obsessive babbling is the part about my mother. Yeah, she was a ##### that is no secret. The woman has been around the block more times than Mrs. Claus but the only thing you were wrong about was my mother being impregnated by a bum, see my father was not a bum Claus he was a great man who was a thousand times more of a man then you wish you could be. Then you babble on about climbing to the top of the ladder but you and I both know that’s not going to happen because I'm not just good Claus, I'm the f*cking Man! I could pimp slap Jesus, and all God would do is tell him he deserved it. And so while you’re wallowing in self-pity and delusions of grandeur, do remember I've been Champ here plenty of times since pretty much when you arrived. At Fatality I get the joy of embarrassing you, beating you, and taking the first step towards my Destiny. Those lies you told about me has put the bullseye on your back Claus, and that just means I get to take my fist and break your face. I may not get a title shot, but I get to prove something even more important. I get to show you that just being a champion don’t make you the best.
*Maniac finishes his glass of scotch, pours another one, and then continues.*
Maniac: See, you ask any casual viewer of the HWA who the best wrestler in the company is. You ask ANYONE who the standard bearer for the HWA is. They won't say you, Claus. They still remember you as that little bi*ch that spent weeks trying to drag yourself up a level, and found yourself jobbing relentlessly and eventually disappearing instead. No, when people think of HWA's Standard Bearer, they think of me. At Fatality It’s about who truly is the best the HWA has to offer. And for all your talk, your grandeur, you know you’re not. The last match I remember you winning were against Bryan Deas, I mean come on who hasn’t beaten Deas? That doesn't make you the best. That just makes you lucky, and me? I have a real tendency to end peoples Lucky streaks. I've stepped up time and time again, always enjoying it, always rising to the challenge. And at Fatality, I will do it again. I will step up, put you in your place, and claim my spot as the Top Dog in HWA. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Whine, b*tch, moan or complain. When that final bell rings, it'll be you looking at the roof, and me with my hand rose in victory. You say this is the beginning of my descent, the start of my extermination. Unfortunately Claus, your half-right but it’s not my extermination, but yours. First, you'll be proven to be a failure against me. And then you will eventually drift off into nothingness again and hopefully stay that way. And just like that you'll be gone, barely a foot-note in HWA's books. While I will go on to achieve my Destiny, to get my Cinderella Story. And all anyone will remember about you? Well, they'll remember that at Fatality, when the final bell rang, Santa Claus had been shown a very important lesson. It’s a lesson for anyone that wants to test their mettle against me really. Whenever someone steps up, I will knock them down. And I'll do it with a smile on my face, a song in my heart, and a phrase on my lips…VIOLENCE IS GOLDEN!!!
*Maniac smirks and finishes his drink as the scene fades to black.*
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