*The scene opens after the end of Havoc; we are inside the lockeroom of Maniac with his lawyer Gerald Stern in mid-conversation.*
Maniac: Don’t worry that fat fu*k will be taken care of , you just keep doing your job and keep the F.B.I, D.E.A, and everyone else off my back.
Gerald Stern: Mr. Romano, as your lawyer I will keep you in the clear but I am not a wrestler and cannot be treated the way I was. That blob of a man attacked me for no reason.
Maniac: That will be dealt with, as for now what is our strategy for getting whatever evidence the F.B.I has against me dismissed?
*Gerald swallows hard and has a nervous look on his face.*
Gerald Stern: W…well that is going to be a problem.
Maniac: Why’s that?
Gerald Stern: Well because from what I know they have a set of fingerprints from two of the crime scenes that match yours.
Maniac: WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!! How the hell could they have gotten them? I made damn well sure that I left nothing behind. They’re bluffing, I want you to find out what they have, how they got it, and then make sure they can’t use it. Do whatever it takes.
Gerald Stern: Understood sir.
*Gerald walks out of Maniac’s lockeroom and Maniac shakes his head.*
Maniac: DAMNIT!!! I knew that bit*h was going to be trouble even after she was dead.
*Maniac walks off camera as the scene fades to black.*
------------------------------------------------
-On Camera-
*The scene opens up on a shot of an airport lounge. Many people are seated in semi-comfort, all awaiting the arrival of their loved ones. Two people are seen at the back of the room, the brunette is on her feet, continually pacing the carpet, her heels almost burning a hole in it. Her frequent glances at her watch display her nerves, while her blond sister is sitting down, trying to look uninterested with a magazine open in her hands, but the occasional quiver of the pages show she too is nervous. The two ladies are the DCW Tag Team Champions, The carpet munchers. Amber glances at her seated sister with a raised eyebrow.*
Amber: Where is he? He should be here by now! What if he collapsed on the plane or...?
Sophie: Amber, chill. He's fine. He took a beating a lot worse then this one just under a month ago, remember? Look how fast he bounced back from that. He probably got held up in customs for trying to smuggle in scotch from Scotland.
*Amber smiles and chuckles slightly, before opening her mouth to respond. She is cut off however, and her eyes quickly widen as people start filing into the room. Many of them are greeted quickly by loved ones, children reunited with their parents, husbands with their wives, but Amber's eyes scan the crowd looking for one face in particular. However as the crowd slows to a trickle, there is still no sign of him, and Amber starts to nervously bite at her nails. Sophie stands up and looks at the entryway, almost negligently slapping her sister’s hand away from her mouth.*
Sophie: Stop that. You'll ruin your nails.
Amber: Why do you care what my nails look like?
Amber: I don't. I just don't want to see you wearing scratching his eyes out with the ragged edge of one of your nails, might sour his disposition towards our proposal.
*Amber thinks about what Sophie has said for a second and then turns and looks at her sister, an eyebrow raised.*
Amber: Are you telling me, your just here to keep up appearances, so he will still buy out our contract?
*Sophie turns to her sister, a slight grin on her face.*
Sophie: Of course. Isn't that why your here?
*Amber rolls her eyes, but before she can retort, a third voice cuts in.*
Maniac: Well, I'm here for the view, if you girls wanted my opinion.
*Instantly Sophie and Amber turn, and see Maniac standing there! Maniac has a duffel bag over one shoulder, and is holding his ribs with the other. Amber instantly flies into a big hug on Maniac, causing him to wince, as he wraps his free arm around her. Maniac looks at Sophie, who has raised her hand to brush back some hair from her face. Sophie turns, ignoring Maniac, but the camera manages to pick up Sophie taking a sigh of relief. After a minute or so, Maniac speaks up.*
Maniac: Amber,Oxygen...is...becoming....a...issue.
*Amber instantly lets go, a look of concern on her face, as she looks at Maniac, whose face starts to lose its blue tint.*
Amber: Oh my god, I'm so sorr-
*Maniac holds his hand up, two of his fingers covering her lips.*
Maniac: It's fine. Don't say you’re sorry for giving me a hug. I enjoy being hugged, I just enjoy breathing too. It's a vicious circle.
*Amber giggles, staring straight at Maniac as she gently bites her bottom lip, while Sophie can be seen rolling her eyes. Maniac turns to her, a smile evident on his face as he raises an eyebrow.*
Maniac: It's good to see you too Sophie. Did you come out of an actual concern for my well-being, or just to make sure I didn't forget my wallet?
Sophie: Actually, I was shocked when they told me your EGO counted as carry-on...had to see it for myself.
*Amber quickly stifles a shocked gasp, as Maniac raises an eyebrow, a grin wide on his face at the reply from Sophie. Sophie for her part has a completely passive face, staring straight at Maniac with both awaiting the other to speak, but its Amber who speaks first.*
Amber: So, how bad are you hurt this time Maniac?
*Maniac tears his eyes away from Sophie and back at Amber. He shrugs slightly, and then grabs at his ribs, the shrug evidently enough to hurt them once more. He looks up at Amber, taking a deep breath before speaking.*
Maniac: A few bruised ribs that supposedly need plenty of time to heal. I just told the doctor he was signing my medical clearance to get back here, because nothing is going to stop me busting up that hack Ronnie McNeil.
*Sophie quickly swings her hand, slapping Maniac hard in the ribs. Maniac howls out in pain, dropping the duffel bag, and dropping down to one knee, his hand clutching at his ribs, as even Amber looks at Sophie in shock. Sophie sighs and rolls her eyes, looking down at Maniac who is glaring up at her.*
Sophie: Right now, a strong breeze would stop you from beating Ronnie McNeil. What is it with you mean, and your desire to look tough, while being complete idiots?
*Maniac grunts and winces loudly, slowly pushing himself up off the floor back to a standing position and then turns to glare at Sophie.*
Maniac: I'm not letting him escape me this time. He seems to think that he has this match already won, as if the past couple of times I beat him means nothing. I could have a broken freaking neck, and I'd still be wrestling this match. This is my chance to show him what a real World Champion is.
*Sophie sighs and then looks down at the ground, shaking her head. After a few moments, she glances up at Maniac, her voice coming out softly, her usual scorn being reserved out of a genuine fear for his safety.*
Sophie: Is the World Heavyweight Title really worth risking you entire career for? Is it worth entering the ring, knowing one bad bump could see you in hospital for life...or hell, in a coffin? Are you so full of pride, your going to risk dying just for a chance at the World Title?
*Maniac stares at her for a few moments, and then looks over at Amber. Amber tilts her head, clearly wanting to hear Maniac's answer as well, but Maniac doesn't say anything instead reaching down and picking up his duffel bag. He slings it over his shoulder again, and then looks back at Sophie, who has crossed her arms, still awaiting an answer. Maniac sighs, adjusting the duffel bag some more and then speaks up.*
Maniac: I might die. I might get beaten down again. I know the risks. But, then again, if I don't stand up to him, who will? If I don't make this stand, show him I'm not afraid to step up and face him, then he wind. Ronnie has to believe he can do this week in and week out, no fear of the consequences, because I wasn't man enough to step up and stop this right now. My ribs are busted, my back is bruised, I'm wincing with every step, and yet I will NOT let that bastard get away with disgracing the World Title. It's time he realized just where the line in the sand is, and I'm going to show him that he won't cross it. Not now, not ever. He's beaten me, he’s kicked my ass. And yet, I'm still standing. And that may just be Ronnie’s biggest mistake yet. If he thought he could take me out easily, then he hasn’t learned their lesson. Ronnie hasn’t studied hard enough. Ronnie thinks that he has me down to the tee but when it comes time to get in that ring I am going to show him that I am as unpredictable as ever. Ronnie thinks I fear him and I should be running scared but he’s dead wrong. I'm Still Standing. And for so long as I draw breathe, as a red, white, and blue American, it’s my patriotic duty to whoop his ass, and show him true American Superiority. Ronnie McNeil wants another war? He’s got one, and this time, I'm not just going to drop him like a bad habit and pin him. Oh no, I am going to make sure that Ronnie McNeil knows my name, I’m going to make sure that he knows what true pain is, and once again I am going to take away the gold that he holds oh so dearly. There will be no survivors, no chance for redemption. All there will be is pain and lots of it. You ask me, if I'm ready to die just for a chance at the World Heavyweight Championship? You’re dam right I am, I am going to do WHATEVER it takes to make sure that I walk away with the World Title around my waist. I am going to bring the World Title back to Dark Horse Towers and there isn’t a damn thing Ronnie McNeil or anyone else can do about it.
*Maniac pauses taking a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Sophie's face. There's a few more seconds silence, and then Maniac adjusts his duffel bag again, his face no longer showing any sense of humor.*
Maniac: So, what do you think Sophie? Should I stand aside, and let Ronnie McNeil have a free pass to do whatever he pleases? Or should we head on out of here, and I'll go make some Spiced lamb balls?
*Amber chuckles, and looks at her sister, who after a few moments pause, smiles as well.*
Sophie: I do love Lamb, and isn't it the Africans who have a habit of killing them?
*Maniac seems to take a few moments of mock consideration, rubbing his jaw with his free hand.*
Maniac: You might be onto something. Maybe he didn't come to America to attack me, but to hunt down Deas' Mom.
*There's a few seconds of laughter after that one, and then Amber links her arm in with Maniac's, and snuggles into the crook.*
Amber: Can we get out of here now? Please?
*Maniac looks over at Sophie, and smiles, before looking back at Amber.*
Maniac: Sure. Your Uncle has been ducking my calls, so its time I make our meeting face-to-face.
Sophie: And what makes you think Dear Ol' Uncle Alex will come meet you face-to-face? And what makes you think he'd let you sign us away, anyhow?
*Maniac smirks widely, and raises an eyebrow at Sophie.*
Maniac: Simple. I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
*Maniac smirks and he and the two ladies walks off as the scene fades to black.*
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