This is the sign that the camera first sees when the scene unfolds. It pans across to see the face of Butch Parker in the driver's seat of his metallic-coloured Porsche 911 Turbo. Prior to his discharge from hospital, the doctor was forced to drain almost a litre of congealed fluid from the inside of Butch's infamous injured knee that has plagued him almost his entire career. He warned Butch that any attempt to do any strenuous activity such as training or driving could potentially result in him being forced to retire.
(Butch): Fine. Whatever. Wouldn't be much use in the ring anyway.
The doctor didn't say anything about being able to drive or fly though. As a result, despite the tightness he feels in his knee when he sits without extending his leg for a prolonged period of time, Butch made the decision fly back home to Scotland in order to get away from the hustle and bustle of the media back home in California. Wisdom had agreed to give Butch some time to himself and she would fly out with Evina later in the week.
As Butch drives into the small picturesque village of Cairneyhill, the first building is a church. This building will be well-known to old school HWA fans as the same church that former HWA superstar and rival of Butch, Thane Givens vandalised ten years ago before desecrating the grave of Butch's deceased older brother David.
Butch indicates he's going to turn left and drives into the sparsely populated parking lot. As he kills the engine after applying the car's breaks, Butch remains in his car for a moment; leaning his forearms on the top of the steering wheel. He stares out of the windscreen at the beautiful landscape in front of him, almost lost in thought before a tap on the driver-side window snaps him back to reality. Butch regains his composure after gaining his bearings upon seeing the figure outside his car. He forces a small smile, not quite the mirror expression of the man standing outside, positively beaming at the sight of Butch. The dog collar around the man's neck is a dead giveaway as Butch climbs out of the car.
(Reverend): Butch Parker as I live and breath!
(Butch): Reverend, how are you? It's been a long time.
The reverend, still smiling broadly at seeing Butch for the first time in years, wastes no time in pulling him into a tight hug which Butch reciprocates.
(Reverend): You know, same shit; different. I'm a minister so people moan to God; God moans to me. The world keeps on spinning. More to the point how are you? And don't say "fine" because I will punch you.
The reverend says the last part of his sentence with a smile which Butch replicates half-heartedly. He allows a deep lungful of air to gush loudly out of his mouth and doesn't answer immediately.
(Butch): I don't know, Tam...I really don't know.
Immediately recognising this is not a state of mind he's used to seeing Butch in, the Reverend places a comforting hand on his shoulder and begins walking towards the entrance of the church.
(Reverend): Come inside. I've got a bottle of Grey Goose in my office I've saved for times such as this.
This time an involuntary light snort of laughter escapes Butch's nos.
(Butch): You read my mind.
As Butch follows the Reverend inside the church, the scene temporarily fades to black; fading back in inside the confines of the Reverend's office. Butch is sitting in a chair directly facing the Reverend's desk whilst the the latter brings out a bottle of Grey Goose vodka from underneath along with two glasses. He uncorks the lid and pours two modest-sized measures; taking a sip from his glass whilst sliding the other across to Butch.
(Reverend): I know this is about losing your title, Butch; this defeatist feeling you're having.
(Butch): It's more than that, Tam. I've lost championships before and I've never felt like this. I've lost big matches before and never felt like this. I've always been able to take them on the chin and move on. But this is different.
(Reverend): Because the guy is a wanker?
Another tiny smile tugs at the corners of Butch's mouth at the Reverend's description of Michael James but it quickly disappears.
(Butch): Because...because he was...
Butch doesn't finish his sentence, instead he snatches his glass and takes a long couple of gulps from his glass of vodka and lounging back in the chair. He rubs his eyes with the index finger and thumb of his left hand before rubbing the sides of the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
(Reverend): because he was what, Butch?
(Butch): Because he was right! The whole f***ing time he was right. I thought I could get past the first time because I knew I had the chance to put him away and his little cronies did his dirty work for him. But I really thought I had him this time; the thought of the match ending with any other outcome apart from me walking out the winner didn't even enter my head. But everything he said from the start was true. He is better than me. I'm not the unconquerable figure I thought I was. He did gave me the most embarrassing defeat of my career. And all the time he continues to insult men, he insults my wife, my daughter, my whole family and I can't even defend them. What does that say about me?
(Reverend): It says you're man enough to face up to reality. You know what's happened and you're not shying away from it. You need to let go of this dented pride bubble you've cocooned yourself in and face up to this new challenge and that's breaking that bastard's will and show him he's not the unconquerable figure he thinks he is.
(Butch): That's the thing though Reverend...I don't think I can. Michael James was right - he's broken me. My knee is shot to shit; I can't think straight. I can't even look at myself in the mirror because I'm disgusted by what I see looking back. I'm a shadow of the man I used to be Reverend. I'm a disgrace to my profession, to Wisdom, to Evina, to my name.
(Reverend): Have you spoken to any of your family about this? Wisdom? Diana? Sean? What about your friends, Hans, Heinrich, Matthew?
Butch murmurs a negative answer whilst draining the glass of the remnants of its transparent contents.
(Butch): What's the point? I can't compete at the same level I could before; my career is over never mind this stupid best of three series. It was different with Michael Dredge when we did ours; don't ask me how, it just felt different. I came out of that feeling vindicated. This time...I feel beaten, for the first time in my career I feel like I'm done. Maybe I should leave, before I end up embarrassing myself.
(Reverend): Right Butch, now come on. I know you're feeling down but even you can't believe what you're saying. I know your pride has taken a bit of a bruising but I know you can come back from this. You've done the right thing by coming home and spending time with your family and clear your head. Honestly, in a few days you'll have a much more promising and upbeat outlook on things.
From his reaction Butch doesn't seem at all buoyed or convinced by the Reverend's pep talk. He merely exhales deeply through his nose and runs a hand through his chestnut brown hair.
(Butch): We'll see. I'm going to go the now, Tam, I want to visit David's grave before I head to see Diana and the kids and put on a brave face.
(Reverend): You know Diana will see right through it, right?
(Butch): Probably, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
(Reverend): Well I know you're not a religious man brut if you need someone to talk to; you know where I am.
(Butch): Thanks, Tam. I appreciate it. Thanks for the drink too.
(Reverend): My pleasure and there's plenty more where that came from.
(Butch): See you around.
Butch shakes the Reverend's hand and gives a quick man-hug before leaving the office. The scene then fades to black with Butch heading out to the graveyard to pay his respects to his late older brother until finally it cuts out completely.
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