Melinda: Hello Antonio! I trust the morning finds me well.
Antonio Romano: I’m always pissed when the morning finds me at all. I’d much prefer to sleep the sun away. Creatures like me thrive in shadow.
Melinda: You know Antonio, this is a non-smoking building!
*Antonio smiles and takes a drag. He runs his hands through his hair and then takes another drag.*
Antonio Romano: It’s ok. I don’t mind!
Melinda: Heh! So then...yesterday we were going to chat about your past weren’t we?
Antonio Romano: I’m pretty sure you were going to give into your animal temptations and ravage the wrestling icon and I was going to show you why everything I do is too good to be true!
Melinda: Be serious Antonio!
Antonio Romano: Call me Yoda!
Melinda: Why would I call you that?
Antonio Romano: I don’t know. It’s just that after a name becomes popular usually parents start naming their kids after it, like during the 90210 days a bunch of kids were named Dylan and Brenda. I always thought some parents should name their kids Yoda!
Melinda: How bout I just call you Antonio?
Antonio Romano: Whatever rocks your socks lady! Antonio or the Wrestling Icon will be fine!
Melinda: So as I was saying, I believe we were going to talk about your past!
Antonio Romano: Fine killjoy. What part of my scintillating past would you like to confer with me about?
Melinda: At the beginning I suppose. How far back can you remember?
Antonio Romano: Well I can’t say I recall the day my dad ejaculated but I do remember living on Staten Island in New York City. It was me and my pain in the ass younger brother.
Melinda: How far apart were you guys?
Antonio Romano: My younger brother is five years younger than me and comes from some one-night stand my mom had with the guy who delivered our pizzas. She wins the award for crappiest mom ever by the way.
Melinda: And she raised the both of you?
Antonio Romano: Well if by raised you mean she gave us pizza and Smarties then yeah I guess. She wasn’t ready to be a mom. She was too busy being a ####, you know? Our grandmother raised us. She was my dad’s mom. She hated my mom and blamed her for driving her sons away. Always said one day she’d find our dad and bring him back but couldn’t leave us without someone to raise us.
Melinda: Do you still talk to you family members?
Antonio Romano: Well grandma passed, and then my mother and father divorced. And, my little brother is…well he’s around! Look I’m confused! At Havoc I have to step inside the ring with Senester so can we speed this up because I have to eliminate another pest from my life, I have to shut some idiot up once and for all and show them that the I am the most dominating man in this business and earn my way to that HWA World Championship! How is this going to help?
Melinda: That’s what we’ll find out! Tell me what was your grandmother like?
-------------------------------------------------
INTERLUDE 1
*Suddenly the scene changes. We are inside a small house on the corner of Craig Avenue and Johnson Avenue in Staten Island, New York. The house is falling apart but it’s cleaned enough. The TV is blaring in the living room, but no one is in there. The camera enters the kitchen and we see a small boy trying to reach up to see the pots on the stove. He has messy black hair and is wearing red, Spider-Man pajamas with feet in them. An older lady with a head full of curly gray hair glances down at him and smiles.*
Grandma: Go ahead and grab a chair Antonio! You can climb up and see what grandma is cooking!
*The little boy smiles with glee and rushes over to get the chair. He turns it around and climbs up on it and stares down at the pots.*
Antonio Romano: Whatcha making grandma?
Grandma: Dinner! I figured we’d have some raviolis tonight with the garlic bread you love. Plus I’m going to make that chocolate cake that you and your brother love. Last time I made it your brother wanted to eat the whole thing.
Antonio Romano: What’s the occasion grandma? Did mommy get arrested again for being a prostateteic?
Grandma: A WHAT? I know what word you’re trying to say.....where did you hear a word like that young man?
Antonio Romano: I heard Santino call mommy that the last time she got arrested and they were arguing. What’s it mean grandma?
Grandma: Never you mind it’s no language for a ten-year old to be using. Language like that will keep you out of heaven. Do you want that?
*Antonio shakes his head to let her know he would not. She rubs his head and then ties a blue apron around her.*
Antonio Romano: Is that a new apron Grandma?
Grandma: Yeah....I decided to treat myself when I was at the supermarket. Black has always been my favorite color in the whole world and so when I saw it I knew it had to be mine. Does it suit me?
*Antonio gives her the thumbs up sign.*
Grandma: You know Antonio, not that your pajamas don’t suit you, but isn’t it a little late to still be in them?
Antonio Romano: NO WAY! Spider-Man is only the coolest hero ever! His real name is Peter Parker but he is too cool for that name so he has a heroic name! I’m tired of being Antonio so I’m going to become a superhero and come up with a cool name that strikes fear into bad guys!
Grandma: But Antonio is a good name, your mother gave you that name. Do you hate her that much you would change your name?
Antonio Romano: I’m just going to pick my own name! A cool name!
Grandma: Oh yeah, like what?
*Antonio shrugs and glances around the room. He sees and old hat on top of a broomstick that is resting on the side of the fridge. The hat has the letters "M.A.N.I.A.C." printed on it.*
Antonio Romano: Maniac! My name will be Maniac!
*Antonio’s grandmother looks around and spots the hat. She giggles.*
Grandma: The Manhattan and New Jersey Inner-Acting Circle! I used to work there. Heh! Well, I suppose Maniac is a good name too. It suits you as much as my black apron suits me. Black has always suited me. It’s just the most wonderful color that our lord ever created. Your new name is a grand idea little one!
Antonio Romano: I’m not little! Everyone calls me that because I’m the shortest in my class.
Grandma: Don’t worry. You’re father and my brother was both very tall men. I’m sure one day you’ll sprout up. For now you just enjoy being the smallest kid in your class One day you’ll be tall!
Antonio Romano: More like Never! Hey grandma...god loves us right?
Grandma: Of course he does. He loves us all!
Antonio Romano: Then why didn’t he give us a better mommy? And why did he make my daddy go away?
*A look of saddened pain crosses his grandmother’s face and she takes a deep breath as she stirs the raviolis.*
Grandma: This will be ready soon. Go get cleaned up before your mom and brother get home.
Antonio Romano: OH MAN DO I HAVE TO? He is so annoying; he always pulls my hair too!
Grandma: You were no better when you were his age little one. Make him up something to drink too. No soda though until dinner. Maybe some juice!
Antonio Romano: I don’t even like juice!
Grandma: Juice makes you strong like a superhero. Think of it as super powered Maniac Juice! And don’t hit your brother.
Antonio Romano: Fine! I’ll go.
*Antonio grabs two cups of juice and starts to walk into the other room. He stops at the bottom of the stairs as the door suddenly bursts open and his mother and brother enter screaming at each other.*
Sara Romano: I will not have a son of mine talk to me like that. You’re only a child and already you cut school and curse out your teachers. I had to leave the bar and explain to everyone that my own child was a delinquent.
Santino Romano: Oh I’m surprised you could even hear what I did wrong since you were so busy rubbing up against the principal. "Oooh I so love a man with power", "Oooh let me see your office...I bet it’s big." Like I don’t know what you were doing in there for so long. Do you know what’s it’s like to have the whole school call your mom a #####?
Sara Romano: I was in there trying to bail my ####-up son out of trouble. You’re just like your father, last name and all.
Santino Romano: No I’m not because I’m not stupid enough to fall for your bullshit and I’m not fortunate enough to have a car to leave in.
Grandma: Ok that’s enough from both of you. Santino you go wash up right now. We’re having that cake you love. And after you’re done you and I are going to have a long talk on the proper attitude to have at school.
*Santino doesn’t dare defy his grandmother and quickly goes to the bathroom to wash up. Sara stares at her mother-in-law.*
Sara Romano: Honestly I don’t know where he gets it from!
Grandma: Save it! Your lipstick is smeared and your shirt is on backwards. You were at the bar again when you should have been out looking for a job.
Sara Romano: I make good money!
Grandma: Whoring yourself out to whoever has an itch to scratch doesn’t qualify as a job young lady. You’re twenty-six years old....it’s time to act like an adult. You will burn in hell as a #### and maybe you don’t want to be saved but you will not mess up the lives of these children. Do you understand that? Now go and get ready for dinner...I’ll have no more of this yelling in my house. I’ve half a mind to spank you like the spoiled child you act the part of!
*From the top of the steps, little Antonio Romano watches the events unfold and tears stream down his small, blue eyes.*
End Of Interlude 1
-------------------------------------------------
Melinda: Maniac?
Antonio Romano: Yup....Maniac! That’s the name I choose to give myself as a kid, not knowing that years down the road I would use it to start a new life…and a legacy. But I haven’t used that name in awhile. Let’s stick with Antonio shall we?
Melinda: Good enough. So your mother and younger brother fought a lot then?
Antonio Romano: Only four or five times a day. Heh! I swear they hated each other to the depths of their very souls. He blamed her, as everyone did, for driving our father away and she hated him for being the thing that ruined her fun and carefree life. They hated each other almost as much as I hate Senester as World Champion. But at Havoc I’ll do my mother proud and prove one more member of her family is a crazy bastard. I’ll pluck Senester’s skeleton right out from inside his skin. He will scream so loud that I’ll flashback to that day my brother and mother were arguing in the hallway. On that day Maniac was born. Now years later he has come all the way to the HWA! Years of travel have only taken me to another battlefield. But I’m not a kid anymore and Senester is going to suffer like I have suffered for many years. He will feel my rage.
Grandma: Is this how you were taught to treat people? Is this the word of the lord little one?
Antonio Romano: WHAT THE HELL? This isn’t real…you’re dead. Melinda?
*Antonio rubs his eyes and suddenly glances back at the chair. His grandmother is sitting in the chair with her black apron on. She smiles.*
Grandma: Well, did I call it or what? I told you one day you’d be tall. Grandma knows best Maniac!
Antonio Romano: Don’t call me that! Maniac died awhile back just like you did. What are you doing here? How are you here?
Grandma: I’m in you Antonio! Nothing can erase my memories. Not even the blackness in your heart. Is this what the little boy in his pajamas turned into, a sideshow freak that gets off at the pain of his enemies and friends?
Antonio Romano: I have no friends! They were only there to take the fall for me but they couldn’t even do that shyt right. Fuking morons!
Grandma: That mouth? How do you expect to join me in heaven with a mouth like that Antonio?
Antonio Romano: I don’t! Heaven is a lie. Your god is a lie told between jokers and spoken in jest. He doesn’t exist and neither do you! You died...I remember. I was at the funeral. You died and you left us with that #### as our only parent. I was only a little kid and I remember I didn’t understand how you could be so mean to leave us with that b###h! I had no concept of a stroke. I was mad as hell with you.
Grandma: Mad enough to talk to lead pipes? Mad enough to try and end someone’s life in a wrestling match. That isn’t the little Antonio I know!
Antonio Romano: But it’s what he became. Even cute little Anakin turned into Darth Vader in the end.
Grandma: Actually in the end he turned back to good!
Antonio Romano: Touché! But this isn’t Star Wars. This is real life. And in real life Antonio goes to Havoc and destroys Senester, getting that much closer to becoming the HWA World Heavyweight Champion, crushing anyone that gets in his way.
Grandma: Is that what you want? More blood on your hands?
Antonio Romano: As long as its blood from that self centered #### then I don’t mind. That prick has been running his mouth like he is god’s gift to wrestling while I suffer. Now he will suffer.
Grandma: And more of your soul will perish in the fire.
Antonio Romano: It’s already gone grandma, sold long ago for a catchphrase or two and some brutal fights. There’s nothing left to save here grandma. The blood never washes off of these hands. They will be stained perpetually. You’ve still got the black apron....
Grandma: And your brother? Or are we going to pretend that what happened never happened?
Antonio Romano...I don’t know bro but I know from here on out nothing can ever be the same again.
Melinda: I’m sorry Antonio but I didn’t catch that last part.
*Antonio’s eyes snap towards Melinda as he realizes where he is.*
Antonio Romano: What? I’m sorry I missed what you said.
Melinda: I was asking you how you got along with your mother once grandmother passed on!
Antonio Romano: Oh we got along splendidly. Many a joyous time was had. We were all about the shenanigans. Hell I remember the day we buried my grandmother. The family went out to eat and console each other but my mom had a meeting with some banker guy she was blowing so she skipped it. One of our uncles dropped us off and my brother was supposed to stay with the family the whole time. He was older by then but he stormed out when the family wouldn’t stop asking questions. They were curious about how we were doing and he got upset and took off to go deal with everything and my mom got home around ten that night. She was a little pissed at a tiny change I had made.
Melinda: What happened?
-------------------------------------------------
INTERLUDE 2
*We are back at the house on Staten Island as Sara Romano fumbles with her key and pushes the door open. Her face is worn and tired looking presumably from all the drugs and alcohol and three years worth of again since we last saw her. She opens the door and a little red headed boy runs up to her.*
Santino Romano: Mommy, mommy come quick! Look what Maniac did....its funny!
Sara Romano: Jesus fuking Christ can’t a lady walk in the fuking door without you pestering her? And stop calling him Maniac it only encourages him! His name is Antonio! Santino...Santino get mommy a beer will ya? Santino? Listen you brat I’ve had a hard day working to support your lazy ####ing ass now get up of your shitter and get me a cold one you ungrateful scumbag.
Santino: NO! Come see what Maniac did.
*He grabs his mother’s hand and guides her to the bathroom down the hall. Santino pushes the door open and Sara Romano’s mouth drops in horror. Inside is Antonio standing on a milk crate with his head over the sink. He has a bottle in his hand and he pours some over his hair. He stands up and his hair is even blacker then before.*
Sara Romano: What the #### did you do?
Antonio Romano: I dyed my hair black. Black is the most wonderful color ever invented Mom!
Sara Romano: You look like a ####ing freak show! Change that shit back right now!
Antonio Romano: You’re a freak. I’m not changing it. I’m Maniac now. Black was grandma’s Favorite color and now she’ll smile at me forever because she’ll love my hair.
Sara Romano: I said change it back you waste of life. Change it back right now or I’ll beat the shit out of you Antonio.
Antonio Romano: NO! Black was grandma’s favorite color and my hair should be black. She would like it. And I’m not Antonio....I’m Maniac and I’m going to save the world from evil people like you.
*Antonio walks towards the door and shoves his mother outside. He closes the door and locks it. Outside the door his mother slams her body up against it and screams.*
Sara Romano: Listen you little #### you open this fuking door right fuking now. I’ll break it down and when I get in there I’ll stab you in the throat you bastard. I never should have had you. You should have died at birth and saved me the frustration. Now open this door Antonio and open it right fuking now!
-------------------------------------------------
END OF INTERLUDE 2
Melinda: So what happened then?
Antonio Romano: Eh that stupid b###h banged on the door for hours and drank till she passed out. Santino took her upstairs and then got the key and opened the door. I was asleep in the bathtub. He told me my hair looked cool and called me "slugger", like he always did then helped me to bed. My mom forgot everything and we went through it again each day for the next week. Then she gave up. I add hair dye to it almost every day to make sure all of it is black.
Melinda: Did your mother really threaten to stab you in the throat?
Antonio Romano: Only on days ending in the letter Y! She was fuking nuts man! I think she must see me on TV down in hell and be proud. I grew up dark just like her. She would have loved the way I am now, ruthless, cold-hearted, willing to hurt anyone to get what I want. And I hope she is watching the execution of Senester at Havoc I will brutalize him so badly that children everywhere will cry for weeks. I will make him bleed from places he didn’t know he had and I will enjoy dismantling him. I will erase the pain from my past. His defeat and that title will take away the pain.
Melinda: For how long? How long until you need to hurt someone else to take away the pain?
Antonio Romano: Who cares? If destroying Senester brings me even a second of respite than it will be worth it. That’s all there is in this world is tragedy and crisis. Just those and the fools caught in them. You are either the executioner like myself or you are victims like Senester will be and my brother was.
Melinda: What happened to your brother?
Antonio Romano: He came down with a case of sheer stupidity. There was this kid he had gone to school with named Jordan Tranglano! They didn’t like each other but they tolerated each other. The day after my brother’s birthday party he was hanging out eating some cake and I was watching him. I was only thirteen but I had gotten used to that. I had left high school in my last year to work in construction. With me paying bills we rarely saw mom at all. On that day my mom stormed into the house and she was a bloody mess. My brother and I took her upstairs and Santino came down with this stupid lead pipe that he had. He had used it in a street fight once and said it brought him good luck. He told me that Jordan had paid for mom’s special services but when the bytch wouldn’t swallow he beat her senseless. She was still our mom so after all their fighting that moron went to go beat the shyt out of Jordan.
Melinda: And what happened?
Antonio Romano: Jordan shot him and nearly killed him before he could even take a swing.
Santino Romano: And don’t think that didn’t piss me off. I was all ready to break his head open with that pipe and suddenly a see a flash and it’s all over. I nearly had him! And then the bastard claims self-defense and gets off because I had a weapon.
*Antonio looks up in shock and sees his younger brother sitting in the chair. Santino is wearing a ripped t-shirt and jeans. His hair is long and wavy. He smiles and seems carefree as he talks.*
Antonio Romano: You nearly had shyt. He shot you four times before you even got near him. Your stupid ass nearly died without as much as a peep.
Santino Romano: Yeah but I’m pretty sure part of my hand smacked him in the face. Revenge I tell you!
Antonio Romano: What the fuk do you know about revenge?
Santino Romano: What do you know about it big brother?
Antonio Romano: I am the master of revenge Santino. I will get revenge on ANYONE who dares to fuk with me. Next I’ll add Senester’s name to that list, he will never get to enjoy being the HWA World Champion because I am going to take it from him. This match will be his last.
Santino Romano: Oh goodie.....more blood on your hands.
Antonio Romano: Who the hell are you to lecture me? I am just imagining this! Some asshole beat our mother, raped her and filled you up with lead and then walked away Scot-free. You’re not even here…you’re a figment of my imagination.
Santino Romano: I’m still your brother and you should still listen to me.
Antonio Romano: Fuk that shit…I’m the wrestling icon and I don’t have to listen to shyt. Fuk off and quit buzzing in my ear.
Santino Romano: Look I’m pulling for you to defeat Senester. But use your heart to fight not your hatred.
Antonio Romano: My hatred makes me strong!
Santino Romano: Your heart could make you stronger!
Antonio Romano: Like when you fought with your heart against Jordan?
Santino Romano: I wasn’t fighting with my heart…I was fighting with my hatred! Look at all the joy that has gotten me! You can beat him and free yourself from this darkness all in one swoop!
Antonio Romano: No thanks! I like the darkness and it likes me. We’re good buddies. At Havoc Senester will see the darkness. It will devour him.
Santino Romano: And our mother? That night....
Antonio Romano: That night never happened! It is a figment in your mind as you are in mine. Shed no tears over it.
Melinda: Shed no tears over what?
*Antonio suddenly realizes he said that out loud to the doctor and shakes his head.*
Antonio Romano: I mean about my brother. It was a long time ago and I’ve since gotten over it.
Melinda: You haven’t mentioned much about your brother, just the few details from the story of your past. Tell me about him.
Antonio Romano: I’m sorry doc but I think I rambled through our time.
Melinda: What? Oh yes you’re quite right! Our time is up for today. But you will come back will you not?
Antonio Romano: By order of the HWA Management my ass will be here.
*Antonio shakes her hand goodbye and she smiles at him. Antonio gives her an odd look but shakes it off and heads outside. Ashley runs to him as soon as she sees him and plants a kiss on his lips. Antonio kisses her back.*
Ash: How did it go today sweetie?
Antonio Romano: Kind of boring.
Ash: What did you talk about?
Antonio Romano: Mostly useless crap. They kept bring up old stuff that didn’t matter.
Ash: Um...."they"? Who is "they"?
Antonio Romano: I meant to say "she"! I am just really tired. Same as yesterday ok? You go and get the car and I’ll go tell the secretary that I’ll be back.
Ash: Ok sexy....don’t take long cause I miss you.
*Ash hugs him and then goes out the door and down the stairs to the outside. Antonio breathes deeply and turns to head to the secretary’s desk. He sees his brother Santino standing right in front of him.*
Santino Romano: Think about what I said slugger. Don’t let the sins of the past haunt you forever. Beat Senester on your own terms not the past’s terms!
Antonio Romano: And don’t bring a pipe to a gun fight. Yeah, great advice bro! Now get out of my way.
*Antonio storms past Santino and suddenly his grandmother is standing in front of him.*
Grandmother: Antonio your hatred is consuming you again. Deep down in there still lies a little boy in Spider-Man pajamas. Don’t let the blood of Senester wash him away from you. Find a way to rise above. Look to the lord...
.
Antonio Romano: The lord is dead. He was buried eons ago and left to rot in a grave of his own making. There is no cause and effect, no rhyme or reason. There is only pain and those feeling it. Giving the pain dulls the ache. Pray for Senester as he feels the pain of years screaming out at him from under the shroud of humanity. Amen Grandma!
*Antonio glowers at her and she looks like she has something to say but she looks at Santino and holds her tongue. They vanish and Antonio walks forward but suddenly stops in shock! He is standing face to face with his old friend David. He hadn’t given much thought to David since he had been killed on the train awhile back.*
Antonio Romano: YOU!
David: Afraid so Antonio! Look I know you never gave a damn about me but I did join you to gain from you just like you wanted to gain from me. But before I died I started to see a new world and make friends. I had made piece and I had basically come to a new understanding in the world, I’ll be pulling for you to beat Senester but you should listen to your family. Forget that night…let it go as I had to let go of the night, win the match and step out of the shadows.
Antonio Romano: And if I stay in the darkness?
David: Hahahahaha! Well, then we’ll see each other again Antonio. And we can talk about your brother.
Antonio Romano: Fuk you!
David: I don't know bro but I know from here on out nothing can ever be the same again. Hahahahaha!
*David vanishes and Antonio is left alone. The secretary is staring at him so he tries to play it like he isn’t spooked. He tells her about his next appointment and quickly rushes to the door. He glances around the empty room and once again meets eyes with the secretary. He forces a smile and exits quickly.*
TO BE CONTINUED....
Message Thread
« Back to index