(Butch): Hey Babe…
(Wisdom): Hey yourself Mister…I’m just leaving the realtor and on my way over there, so what happened?
(Butch): You first, my story’s longer.
Butch says with a slight chuckle.
(Wisdom): I got the keys, and I was about to call the contractor when I saw your message. We can get them in right away now to start prepping, and they left a message earlier saying they’re happy to work with and around the designer on site so that’s going to cut down a good week on this for us.
(Butch): That’s great, I can’t wait for this to come together.
(Wisdom): Just remember what you promised, they have your designs and all the specs…you have to let them do their work…no micromanaging.
(Butch): I don’t remember promising anything, what I said was “I’ll try!”
(Wisdom): Mmm-hmmm. Anyway…how'd it go with Sean.
Butch recounts his conversation with Sean and his little blow-up. She listens intently without interrupting, but she's starting to boil inside. When Butch finishes she remains silent.
(Butch): ….babe, you there?
(Wisdom): Sorry, I’m here…I just…I’m going to call him right now.
(Butch): I told Matthew, I’d let him cool off, and…
(Wisdom): No! He doesn’t get to cool off. I was really hoping to leave this entirely in your hands from here, but I see what’s happening here now and I know what to do. I’m on my way in, I’ll see you in about 15 minutes babe. Love you!
Back at the training facility, Butch’s eyebrows raise as the call ends abruptly. Red Dragon standing in the doorway of his office.
(Red Dragon): Let me guess, that didn’t go well either?
(Butch): You uh…you might say she didn’t sound thrilled.
(Red Dragon): Right, then you all know where to find me.
Red Dragon heads out of the offices making his way back to the training area. Meanwhile, Wisdom is dialing Sean’s number and he picks up.
(Sean): I know what you’re going to say auntie, and…!
(Wisdom): No! You don’t! I’m just about at the office, and when I get there I expect you to be there.
Wisdom hangs up the call and continues her drive. At the same time, Sean is looking at his phone watching the “call ended” screen before stuffing it back in his pocket. He runs his fingers through his hair exhaling. He’s not far from the training facility and just got out of there needing to breathe, although the walk around the block was a temporary reprieve from him going back inside and dealing with things. Now, he had obviously raised Wisdom’s ire to add into the mix. He starts walking back, hoping that at least he could get some gym time in to sort things out a bit. About 20-minutes later he’s in the locker room changing out of his street clothes when Jeremy walks in, heading over to the fridge grabbing a bottle of water and takes a good swig.
(Jeremy): Session’s almost over man, you better hurry.
(Sean): It’s okay, I haven’t warmed up, I’d just mess up you guys flow and I’m not great company right now anyway.
(Jeremy): Yeah, we heard, but I'd say 500 pushups or more was warmup enough.
(Sean): Sorry man!
(Jeremy): Alright, have it your way. Catch ya later.
Jeremy heads back to training and as the door slowly swings back closed, Sean hears it. The heavy tap of Manalo Blahnik’s hitting the floor in a power walk down the hallway. Wisdom is heading down the hallway, her blonde hair in long, ribbon-like curls bounding to every steps across and down her shoulders. The footsteps are closer and sensing her about to pass the door heading to the training area he shouts out.
(Sean): I’m in here!
Wisdom stops, catching the door just before it closes. She opens it looking at Sean.
(Wisdom): In my office please!
Wisdom turns and continues down the hall to the office area. Still in a power walk, she enters her office, Sean not too far behind her. She drops her purse down on the floor next to her chair, her cell on her desk and is removing her sunglasses as Sean enters. She motions for him to sit down and he pulls out a chair from in front of her desk and takes a seat. She stares at him for a moment, knowing her well enough as he does…looking like she’s about to explode. She finally leans back in her chair and exhales through her nose.
(Wisdom): As your aunt, as family…I have to say I’m disappointed in your behavior Sean. I thought this was all about settled until Butch calls me and tells me about your little temper tantrum. I went to bat for you, Matthew the same, and you just flew off the handle anyway.
(Sean): I…
(Wisdom): I’m speaking, don’t interrupt me! Whatever is going on with you, you need to get it under control, and if you want to talk, really talk...you know where to find me or your uncle, or Matthew. Hell, go talk to your crew as long as you talk to someone and sort this out.
Wisdom then stands, looking down at him now quite seriously. The sternness is her voice very apparent.
(Wisdom): As your boss, I’m equally if not more disappointed. We are running a business, and there have been fewer critical times in this company’s history than right now. We’ve all busted ass to make this happen, you included. I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, but that man over in that office (pointing in the direction of Butch’s office) …he is your boss as well. Matthew is an HWA Official, the head trainer of this organization that has spent countless hours with you. Did you know he was very happily retired, and part of the reason he even agreed to come back was to help train you? He may have been happier than we were at your recovery. Having gone through a similar experience himself, he knew what it took for someone to have their career taken away from them, to get back on their feet and even further… to be able to actually get back in a ring again.
Sean whose had his head slightly down this whole time, looks up at Wisdom realizing the impact of this insight.
(Wisdom): Maybe we let a few things slide here and there and that’s on us, maybe we should have nipped this in the bud from the start but it ends here and now. If you think that because your name is “Parker” it gives you some right, some leeway to do and say what you want with no repercussions, then you are sorely mistaken. “Fine Me…Suspend Me…Fire Me”…is that what said? Is that what you want, cause I can do any or all of them right now? Let me tell you something Mr. Parker (she says with emphasis, pointing a finger at him) we have a great group of talent out there eager to make their name in this business, I’ve got a stack of applications for training recruits right here (she lifts up a large stack of papers on her desk then slams them back down) who are dying to get their foot in that door, and a number of former superstars resigning by the day. Each and every one of them will be held accountable according to the standards of this company that are well outlined…and so will you be as well.
Wisdom sits back down at her desk, for the first time since he entered taking her eyes off Sean looking at papers on her desk, one in particular. her voice now taken down a notch into a more somber tone.
(Wisdom): We just signed the rental agreement for the arena for Havoc. We were putting the card together and have Matt Miller vs. Maniac, Michelle Learner vs. Sarah Callahan in the match rescheduled from the reunion show, and Sean Parker vs. Jeremy Branson. Unfortunately, you force my hand. We’ll have to find a suitable replacement…because as of now, you’re off the card!
Sean looks up awestricken.
(Sean): What?
(Wisdom): This isn’t the HWA of old. You of all people know what we are about. Perhaps you’ll consider how your actions and behaviors affect this company as a whole.
Wisdom starts to get teary eyed, and Sean starts to see how deeply hurt she is.
(Wisdom): I know what this meant to you, to the fans waiting to see you, to your peers, but we’ve worked too hard Sean, too long and too damn hard to descend into anarchy. I won’t allow it. You’re not a child, and you’re not going to be treated as one. You have a talent contract like everyone else, and you’re expected to abide by it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other affairs that need my attention.
Sean stands from his chair, wanting to say something, but thinking better of it at the moment and simply heads to the door. Wisdom looks up from her desk, the first tear in the corner of her eye.
(Wisdom): I’m sorry Sean, I truly am.
Sean doesn’t turn around and heads out of her office. Wisdom gets up from her desk, wiping her eyes. She’s very emotional at the moment and slams the palm of her hands on the desk in frustration. A few minutes pass and Butch enters her office.
(Butch): They just told me you had already come in 10-minutes ago.
Butch notices her eyes red, and a little watery still.
(Butch): Hold on…what is it, what’s wrong?
Wisdom walks over to her husband and wraps her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. She exhales deeply, just wanting to be held by him. He’s already wrapped his arms around her, and she sighs. She lifts her face looking into those beautiful eyes of his. She brushes the stubble in his beard with her hand, tracing the grooves of his face with her fingers, a resigned smile comes over her face as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
« Back to index