Outside the building, with a dour expression on his face, is Sean Parker. He shifts his bag on to his other shoulder, taking a deep breath in as he stands outside the door. He’s been standing there about ten minutes, not sure whether to go in or not. He knew there would be questions about his disappearance during the show and what happened to AC James but he wasn’t sure if he was up for answering any. He also knew the longer he stayed away, the harder it would be. It was only a matter of time before Butch would call. He only turned up today because he knew he had went to sort out something with Maniac.
Back inside, as the training session continues, the four friends chat amongst themselves.
(Michelle): You sure your head is okay for training, Sarah?
(Sarah): Oh yeah, I’m fine, honestly, it was just a bang on the head. I’m just so sorry we couldn’t have our match.
(Michelle): Don’t be sorry, there’s no telling what might’ve happened if we’d had the match anyway.
(Sarah): I know but look what happened after! I mean Brandi Rhodes attacked you, Wisdom beat the snot out of her and Butch almost ended up fighting with Cody Rhodes!
(Michelle): Let’s be honest, if we did a pool on what we thought would’ve happened, I don’t think any of us could’ve predicted that!
(Matt): Speaking of things we couldn’t predict, has anyone seen Sean since the show?
(Jeremy): I texted him a buncha times but he’s not responded, he’s not even read them.
(Michelle): Hey, Sean!
They all turn around and see Sean walking through the training area and they all light up.
(Matt): Hey fella, where you been hiding?
Sean doesn’t immediately answer, he keeps his head down as he makes his way to the locker room. The four of them exchange confused glances.
(Jeremy): We’re all in agreement that was weird right?
(Matt): One hundred percent.
Michelle hops off the ring apron, dabbing her face dry with a towel before heading towards the locker room.
(Michelle): I’m going to go check on him.
(Sarah): Because you have a crush on him!
Michelle spins round giving Sarah a “shoosh” expression. Jeremy turns to Matt.
(Jeremy): Did you know Michelle had a crush on Sean?
(Matt): News to me, so it is fella. I thoughtcha said you were going to tell her how ya felt?
(Jeremy): I was. Then I sorta kinda wussed out…
(Matt): Then I sorta kinda suggest you get a shifty on. Sean has that Scottish brooding lion appeal Butch has that seems to drive women scary and Sean’s like a boy next door version of him.
(Jeremy): If you’re trying to make me feel better, you’re doing a terrible job.
Matt smirks.
(Matt): Right, enough chit chat let’s get back to work.
The camera cuts to the locker room area where Sean is sitting on one of the benches as he finishes up lacing his boots. After he finishes up, he leans back against the metal lockers and he stares at the ceiling. A moment later and Michelle walks in.
(Michelle): Hey you, everything alright?
Sean snaps back to reality and sits up straight.
(Sean): I’m fine, why?
Michelle gives him a look as if it to say “seriously?” She plonks herself next to him on the bench.
(Michelle): You’ve barely showed up to training since the show. You disappeared halfway through and showed up randomly out of nowhere later on. Everyone’s worried about you.
(Sean): Everyone thinks I attacked AC James you mean.
(Michelle): I didn’t say that. We’re just worried about you, Sean. It’s not like you to act like this. You’re usually first one in, last one out, directing everyone, keeping them on the straight and narrow… it’s cute…
(Sean): Please, I can feel everyone staring at me, judging me…
(Michelle): Sean, I promise no one is judging you. We all care about you and just want the old you back.
Michelle leans in, puts her arm around Sean’s shoulders gives him a kiss on the cheek before wiping it away with her thumb.
(Michelle): Now will you please get your ass out there and show Jeremy how to do a German suplex off the middle rope because I think Matt’s going to be blow a cork… no pun intended…
Sean forces a fake smile at Michelle’s bad joke.
(Sean): Fine, I’ll be right out.
Michelle gives him a smile before turning around and heading back out to the training area. When she’s out of sight, Sean sighs loudly, letting his head fall into his lap. He waits a moment and decides to make an appearance before anyone else comes and checks on him.
Back in the training area, Sean is warming up as Matt and Jeremy work on their sequence. Jeremy is perched on the top turnbuckle of one of the training rings, his back to the ring. Matt is on the second turnbuckle, his arms around Jeremy in a waistlock. Matt goes to excite the avalanche German suplex they were trying earlier but Jeremy can’t quite land on his feet and topples back, falling on to his butt. He slaps the canvas in frustration.
(Jeremy): Goddamnit!I can’t get the elevation right to land on my feet!
(Matt): It’s fine, we’ll keep working out. Maybe Sean can help? He’s bigger than me, he’ll be better at giving you that extra momentum. Hey Sean!
Sean turns his head to see Matt shouting on him. He sighs through his nose.
(Sean): What?
(Matt): Can you come help Jay with this avalanche German suplex spot we’re working on? We do this bit where I nail this German from the top rope, he lands on his feet and I come back with an Asai moonsault. It’ll look really neat. The crowd will love it.
(Sean): Fine.
Matt senses Sean seems a little off still.
(Matt): Hey, you alright fella?
(Sean): I’m fine.
(Matt): You sure?
(Sean): I said I’m fine. Let’s get this done.
(Matt): Okay, sorry! Jay, climb up, fella.
Jeremy leaps up effortlessly on to the top turnbuckle and gets into position. Sean climbs up, initiating the reverse waistlock and then he launches Jeremy like he was an empty packet of chips over his head and across the ring, so much that he actually flips over and crashes down on to the mat, the wind driven out of his lungs as he gasps for breath. Jeremy angrily reacts as he tries to get back to his feet.
(Jeremy): What…what…what the f**k was that?!
(Sean): What do you mean what the f**k was that? You botched the landing! Not my fault you can’t even stick the landing.
(Jeremy): I didn’t… I didn’t botch anything, you just went into business for yourself!
(Sean): F**k you!
(Sarah): Hey, Sean, that’s not nice, come on!
(Sean): Who asked you?
(Matt): Come on Sean, mate, that’s not on.
(Jeremy): What the f**k is your problem, man?
Sean and Jeremy are now nose-to-nose, squaring up to each other, Jeremy still smarting from the landing he took from Sean’s German suplex but he does his best to hide his pain.
(Sean): My problem? Right now, you’re my f**king problem!
Hearing the commotion, HWA Head Coach Red Dragon rushes over to try and calm things down. He immediately steps between Sean and Jeremy, planting his hands on both of their chests, pushing them apart.
(Red Dragon): Boys, boys, come on now, let’s settle down. What’s going on?
(Jeremy): I’ll tell you what’s going on, Sensei. Your precious number one student here has a stick up his ass for some reason and went into business for himself.
(Sean): What the f**k what did you say?
Sean tries to square up to Jeremy again but Red Dragon stops him; his larger frame preventing Sean from getting near him. He keeps Sean at arm’s length with his outstretched arm and turns to look at Jeremy.
(Red Dragon): Jeremy-san, go take a walk.
Jeremy holds his hands up and backs off, walking away. Red Dragon turns his attention back to Sean.
(Red Dragon): And you. I don’t know what’s going on with you, what happened at the show and where you went but you need to sort your shit out, do you hear me?
Sean doesn’t respond, he just stands there, his chest heaving.
(Red Dragon): I said, do you hear me? Sean? SEAN?
Suddenly, Sean lashes out, clocking Red Dragon with a straight right hand, uncharacteristically catching the fourth Dan karate grandmaster off guard and he topples back on to the mat, more surprised than hurt. Both Sarah and Michelle yell out in surprise.
(Michelle): Sean! What the hell!
Sean looks around and sees an ocean of faces staring at him in disbelief before he storms off, running out of the front door. Matt goes to follow him but Red Dragon stops him.
(Red Dragon): Don’t!
Matt stops dead in his tracks, turning around.
(Red Dragon): Leave him be. Let him cool off.
Matt does as instructed and instead helps Red Dragon back to his feet. There is an awkward silence among the students who don’t know what to say or how to react. Dragon senses it too.
(Red Dragon): That’s enough excitement for one day, I think. You guys have trained enough today. Go home, chill out. And not one word of this to Butch, am I clear?
(Everyone): Yes, Sensei.
(Red Dragon): Good. Go get changed and get outta here.
Matt, Sarah, Jeremy and Michelle make their way to the locker room as Red Dragon pulls out his cell phone. He dials a number and waits for the caller to answer.
(Red Dragon): Hey, Wisdom? It’s Matthew… yeah something happened at the gym today… we need to talk about Sean…
The conversation fades out of earshot as the scene closes out.
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