(Butch): Hey babe, can’t stop, I need Maniac’s contract.
He looks over at Wisdom, not having noticed she was on the phone.
(Butch): Shit, sorry, didn’t see you on the phone. Everything okay?
Wisdom places the phone to her chest and covers the mic.
(Wisdom): It’s just Matthew. I’ll call you back, Butch is home… no, of course not, thanks for letting me know.
Butch is still trying to find Maniac’s contract.
(Butch): Is everything alright?
(Wisdom): Em, yeah, just something to do with some new students at the gym he wants to get some steer on but you rushed out before he could ask you. Also, they’re in the right in front of you.
(Butch): What?
(Wisdom): The contracts. I’ve signed them all, they’re in front of you. I signed Maniac’s but left it aside for you.
Butch is frantically looking through piles of documents but can’t find it to the point he’s getting frustrated. Wisdom smiles and she rolls her eyes. She walks over and lifts up Maniac’s contract straightaway as Butch is pouring through documents trying to find it.
(Wisdom): There it is! Honestly, I love you Butch Parker, but sometimes you are such a man!
Butch’s eyes light up and he snatches the document from Wisdom’s grasp before planting a big kiss on his wife’s lips.
(Butch): Thank you, you’re a lifesaver! Can’t stop, gotta run. In fact, have you signed the other ones?
(Wisdom): Yes, I just told you that, Mr Scatter Brain! They’re all there!
Butch grabs the rest of the documents and puts them under his arm.
(Butch): Sorry, my head’s up my arse today. I’ll drop them off at Jerry’s office afterwards.
(Wisdom): After what? What’s happened?
(Butch): I have a meeting with Maniac, he’s got some camera person from our staff following him around like a puppy and wants to talk.
(Wisdom): Well, don’t do anything silly, mister. He’s already been pushed your buttons.
(Butch): I’ve got it under control, trust me. I won’t be long, I’ll be home after the kids finish school. Sorry, I know you’ve had a trying day, I got your voicemail and I promise we’ll have a night-in just us later but I need to sort this first.
(Wisdom): I’ll hold you to that, mister.
Butch leans over and gives Wisdom another kiss before dashing out the door again. As the scene fades to black.
The scene fades back in with Butch and fellow HWA veteran, Maniac. He’s being filmed by HWA employee, Mandy, who has been tailing Maniac for the past few days, filming his journey back to being a HWA superstar. We’re in the business quarters of the current HWA Training Academy, in Butch’s office. Butch is sat in his chair and Maniac across from him on the either side of his desk. Mandy is diagonally-positioned from Maniac, filming the entire interaction however she looks very nervous. Maniac sits looking at Butch, his face transfixed with a confident smile, slightly obscured by his straggles of long black hair, falling in front of his face, creating what would normally be an intimidating presence. Butch remains expressionless though, unfazed by his former adversary’s look.
(Maniac): So…
Maniac looks around Butch’s office and motions behind him into the main body of the Training Academy with a nod of his head.
(Maniac): This is where all the magic happens eh? Quite the setup you’ve got going on here.
(Butch): Thank you. We’re moving into new, bigger premises, hopefully, by the end of the month.
(Maniac): No students in today? No Sean or Matt?
(Butch): No, we closed up earlier to give them some time off.
(Maniac): Such a shame! I would’ve loved to have seen them train! How are they anyway? Both of them made quite the splash at the show!
Butch remains pokerfaced, his emerald green eyes fixated on the blue of Maniac’s.
(Butch): They’re both fine.
(Maniac): No one has seen your nephew since the show. I hear he viciously attacked AC James! Good on him! I knew he’d listen to reason.
Butch feels his blood starting to boil and it takes everything with him to remain calm and unaffected.
(Butch): It has not been confirmed what exactly happened to AC James and you know that. We don’t need people spreading potentially false information until we know otherwise.
Maniac laughs uncontrollably. As he talks, he’s still laughing.
(Maniac): Okay boss, keep telling yourself that. Am I allowed to call you boss?
Butch leans over his desk, placing the tips of his fingers onto a document. He slides it across towards Maniac, keeping his fingers gripped on it. Maniac’s eyes widen through his hair falling in front of his face. He leans forward to grab it but Butch pulls it back just out of his reach.
(Butch): That depends. Maniac, you’re a veteran of HWA. You and I know each other very well. You’ve had victories over and vice versa. We’ve had our share of championship and main event success. But if you’re going to be part of this roster, there’s no bullshit. There isn’t going to be Texas Death Matches, we’re not going to be another GCW-type company with people using pizza cutters as weapons.
Maniac laughs again, throwing his head back.
(Maniac): Pizza cutter! Hahaha! I’m more of a staple gun kinda guy!
Maniac laughs again but Butch doesn’t look amused.
(Maniac): It’s a joke! My god man, lighten up!
He turns and looks at the camera being held by Mandy and acts like Butch can’t hear him, talking in a more hushed tone.
(Maniac): He’s so serious since he became the big boss!
(Butch): I am serious, Maniac. You’re not going to be working for Senester, anymore. I was serious when I said what Wisdom and I want this new era of HWA to be about. Buff, Deas, Stu-E Price even Fallen and Draconis, they all buy into what we want to bring our viewers when I spoke to them all individually. You all have a chance to bring what made HWA so popular before from a wrestling standpoint and help our younger roster with less TV experience adapt and thrive. Because, your eccentricities aside, you are a draw and you are still very popular.
(Maniac): My eccentricities?
Maniac’s demeanor instantly changes.
(Maniac): What the f**k do you mean, eccentricities?
He stands up from his chair, pressing his palms on his side of Butch’s desk. This prompts Butch to stand up as well. Although the size difference is evident, with Butch towering a good four inches over him, Maniac isn’t fazed.
(Butch): Don’t try and twist things and read more into that.
(Maniac): I know what goes on in my head, Butch! Don’t f**king trivialise it! You did that before when you accused me of abandoning HWA before! I’m not a greedy man, Butch! I may be nuttier than squirrel shit…
Maniac points an accusatory finger in Butch's direction before continuing.
(Maniac): ...But don't presume to know anything about my...
Maniac uses air quotes to emphasise the next word.
(Maniac): "eccentricities”
Butch nods his head in acknowledgement.
(Butch): Fair enough, my apologies.
He motions to Maniac to sit down as he does. Maniac remains standing for a moment but eventually adopts a more relaxing posture and takes a seat. Butch places his hand back onto his desk on top of Maniac’s contract. He grabs a pen from a pencil holder on his desk and clicks the back of it.
(Butch): Now, as I said before, I need your trust, Maniac. That you’re here for the right reasons, that you’re not going to turn Havoc into your personal horror show. You’re a fantastic wrestler and like I said, a great draw. You’ll sell merchandise with no issues. I just need your trust that you’ll buy into what Wisdom and I want for this era of HWA. Can you do that?
Maniac doesn’t respond straightaway. He looks at the contract on the desk and back to Butch.
(Maniac): Can I make one request?
(Butch): Depends on the nature of the request.
(Maniac): I want a match with Matt Miller. At the first Havoc back on air. Just me and him, one-on-one. The kid’s got skills but I want to see for myself what your star student can really do.
A look of surprise appears on Butch’s face. After a long moment of silence and contemplation, Butch leans over the desk and signs off on Maniac’s contract. He slides the paperwork along to him as well as the pen.
(Butch): Just sign there and you’ve got your match with Matt for the first Havoc.
Maniac takes the document and reads over it, taking a rare moment to part his long hair away from his face so he can properly read the details.
(Butch): It’s a three-year deal with an option to renew early. Twenty-five percent royalties for any merchandise sold with your name or image printed on them. Health and dental included and you have a $5000 expenses monthly budget you can use for travel and accommodation. We’ll also put you in touch with our apparel designers if you would like new ring gear made and if you want to stick with your entrance music, we need to speak to Legal about royalties needing paid to any bands we currently don’t have the licence to play.
Maniac nods along and after a moment, takes the pen and signs his name, sliding his contract back to Butch.
(Maniac): There you go… boss!
Maniac extends his hand out to Butch. He looks at the outstretched hand for a moment before extending his own and he grips it tightly. Maniac grins fanatically again.
(Maniac): This is going to be fun! Just wait till I get my hands on your little protege!
Butch stares daggers into Maniac.
(Maniac): I’m kidding! I’m looking forward to the match!
(Butch): Just don’t bullshit me, Maniac and don’t take me a for mug. Everyone on this current roster has my trust until they give me a reason not to and I’m including you in that bracket. The minute you try and pull any shit with me, just remember, I’m not retired yet. Understood?
Maniac’s grin dies down ever so slightly as he absorbs Butch’s words. He may be joking around but he stares right back, not wavering for a moment.
(Maniac): I know I don’t intimidate you, Butch, but don’t think that the prospect of facing you in the ring puts the shits up me either. Remember I’ve beaten you before as well. In all seriousness, I want this, I want to be World Champion again and I will prove it, starting with Matt Miller.
(Butch): Don’t underestimate me, Maniac and don’t underestimate Matt either. He’s young but he’s got a shit ton of experience. He’ll surprise you.
Butch and Maniac let go of their handshake, holding each other’s gazes for a moment before Butch looks over at Mandy.
(Butch): Now, you're little friend over here.
Butch motions to Mandy who is still filming the entire interaction. She suddenly looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights. Before Butch can continue, Maniac holds his hand up then extends his arm diagonally behind him directed towards Mandy.
(Maniac): Hold on, Butch. Mandy has had nothing to do with any of this. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I encouraged her! Just go easy.
(Butch): That as may be, she's still an HWA employee and instead of doing what she is paid to do, she's been following you around like it's some sort of reality show.
Mandy suddenly speaks out. The words came out before she even had a chance to stop them.
(Mandy): Please don't fire me, Mr Parker Please! I need this job, I love my job! I thought this would be good to get an insight into what Maniac is like, he thought it might convince you to give him a contract.
(Butch): Miss...
(Mandy): Cash, Mr Parker, Mandy Cash.
(Butch): Miss Cash. I'll just call you Mandy.... Mandy... Whilst I admire your proactive nature and practicality, you cannot just decide what you're going to do when you're inside your contracted hours. You're being paid as a camera person and I expect you to be fulfilling all the duties within your role when you're being paid to, understand?
(Mandy): Yes, Mr Parker, of course. Just please, please, please don't fire me.
Butch smiles and motions towards Mandy in a calming manner.
(Butch): Mandy, I'm not going to fire you. I'm going to do two things.
Butch holds out a fist with his thumb up signalling the first thing.
(Butch): I am going to warn you. Do not take HWA equipment off-site for your own personal use or there will be repercussions.
Butch keeps his fist held out but this time extends his index finger to join his thumb, indicating the second thing.
(Butch): I'm going to promote you.
Mandy’s eves widen in shock.
(Mandy): You are?!
(Butch): Yes. You clearly have a flair and a knack for sports journalism, have you studied it?
(Mandy): Yes, Mr Parker, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State.
(Butch): Impressive. Well, here’s your chance to put your degree to good use. You will act as an interviewer for non-Havoc and non-pay-per-view events and segments, specifically for our YouTube channel and our social media platforms.
Mandy’s eyes widen even more and her faces lights up, tears forming in her eyes. Butch notices and keeps talking.
(Butch): However, you will run any of the content you intend to share past either myself, Wisdom or Terry, our chief staff member and editor, before it is passed to our media team to upload. You will be given our personal contact information and I will speak to Wisdom about revising the terms of your employment. If you impress in this role, we may even upgrade your responsibilities to Havoc and other show appearances.
Mandy cannot quite believe it. Tears are streaming down her cheeks as she tries to keep the camera steady, realising she’s still filming.
(Mandy): Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod! Thank you so much, Mr Parker! You won’t regret this I promise!
(Butch): Don’t make me either. Now I’m going to have explain to my wife why we suddenly have a new YouTube segment and another interviewer on the payroll.
(Mandy): I swear, I won’t let you or Mrs Parker down, Mr Parker!
(Butch): Well, let’s see what you’re capable of first. Now if you’ll both excuse me, I need to get these contracts to my lawyer to go over the finer details. Maniac, you’ll hear from him in the coming days. Mandy, you’ll be contacted by HR before the end of the week regarding the changes to your contract too.
(Maniac): See! I told you all I wanted to do was talk! It all worked out in the end!
(Butch): Yeah, well, just remember what I said, please.
(Maniac): You got it… Boss! Come on Mandy, let’s go!
Maniac laughs again as Mandy follows him out of Butch’s office, camera in-hand. Butch watches the two of them leave the building and he locks up after them. He goes back to his office and picks up Maniac’s contract, looking at the three signature from him, Wisdom and Maniac.
(Butch): I hope you know what you’re doing, Butch….
He puts the contract in a folder with those of Buff, Deas, Fallen, Draconis and Stu-Price and takes his out his phone, firing a quick message to his attorney to let him know he was on his way. He himself heads out of the door of the Training Academy, locking the door and setting the alarm. As he drives away, he doesn’t notice Maniac still lingering one the street corner.
(Maniac): Oh, Butch, this is going to be fun!
Maniac laughs maniacally once more as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
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