*We open on Maniacs bus. Kevin is sitting at the bar dressed in shorts, sneakers, and one of his Kevin Legacy t-shirts. He sips on a Jack and Coke as he watches Mandy pace back and forth. Mandy is dressed in shorts, sneakers, and a black HWA t-shirt. Mandy continues to paces back and forth in worry and after a few moments Kevin clears his throat.*
Kevin: You know if you keep pacing like that soon enough you'll have you're own little track.
*Mandy stops and walks over to Kevin, sitting on the barstool next to him.*
Mandy: I can't help it, I'm so worried about Maniac. Butch really pissed him off and then he stormed out, his eyes looking like they were on fire.
Kevin: That's not good, listen Mandy I mean no disrespect when I ask this but how much do you care for Maniac?
*Mandy looks at Kevin with a confused look.*
Mandy: I care for him alot, why?
*Kevin nods, taking another drink.*
Kevin: I ask because I know it's hard sometimes being his "essentrics". You know, at first like everyone else I thought it was just some stupid gimmick he came up with but I soon found out that it wasn't.
Mandy: I know, he may be schizophrenic and yes that comes with a big set of problems but I know he and I can overcome them together. Plus he's got great friends like you, Antonio, and Greg.
*Kevin smiles, fighting the urge to lash out.*
Kevin: Right, but Mandy I feel I should tell you a little story. The story of when I found out that Maniac is no gimmick, the same night I met...him.
Mandy: DreamMaster?
*Kevin nods, chugging the rest of his drink.*
Kevin: It was years ago, I'd just broke in the wrestling business on the indie circuit but was recruited by Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. I was the opening match and of course, I lost. But then it came time for the main event, and our boy Maniac was in said main event which he won by the way. I was in the back, watching the show on a monitor with few of the other guys I came into PWG with and then after the main event was over here comes Maniac...
-------------------------------------------
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
2004
*We're backstage of an Pro Wrestling Guerrilla show, we see a younger Kevin Armstrong crowded around a monitor watching the the show with a few other guys. They all talk about what they'd do differently in each match, as well as tease each other about how'd they just end up losing. When it came time for the main event they were all silent, though it was just a simple singles match it ended up being a brutal and bloody match. After the match was over they watched Maniac on the monitor walk up the ramp, arms raised in victory while laughing with a huge smile on his face. The crowd is in a mix of cheers of boos but that doesn't stop Maniac from celebrating. He turns and heads through the curtain and the group turn and see Maniac walking towards them. They all quickly turn back towards the monitor, as not to seem obvious they are watching. All except Kevin, he continues to stare forward like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. As he makes his way to the back to get the gash on his head looked at Maniac sees one of PWG's newest talent staring. Maniac stops, narrowing his eyes.*
Maniac: What the fuk are you looking at kid?
*Kevin stares for a few more minutes, in shock before he speaks.*
Kevin: I'm looking at you Maniac, great match man.
*The group that was pretending to watch the monitor collectively turn, not believing what they just heard. Maniac stares at the kid, his expression not changing. Just when the group thinks Maniac is going to rip off Kevin's head he instead throws his head back, letting out a loud laugh. *
Maniac: Thanks, what's your name kid?
Kevin: It's Kevin, Kevin Armstrong. But in the ring I go by Kevin Legacy.
Maniac: Kevin Legacy huh? Does sorta have a ring to it. I'm heading to get my head looked at, walk with me Kev.
*Maniac continues walking and Kevin can't believe what'd he just heard. He quickly catches up to Maniac and they continue to talk. *
Kevin: So, what's your real name if you don't mind me asking?
*Maniac chuckles and continuing to look forward as they talk, Maniac answers.*
Maniac: Maniac is my real name.
Kevin: Come on, we're all friends here. No need to be all kayfabe with me, trying to be the Undertaker or something?
*Kevin laughs and Maniac suddenly stops, quickly turning and grabbing Kevin by his shirt with both hands and lifts Kevin in the air.*
Maniac: I TOLD YOU, MY NAME IS MANIAC!
*Kevin holds his hands up.*
Kevin: OK, ok, it's Maniac...got it.
*Maniac breaths heavily while still holding Kevin up, deciding what he wants to do. All of a sudden Maniac jerks his head to the right. Kevin follows Maniacs gaze but sees nothing or noone*
Maniac: What do you mean put him down? This little shit...
*Maniac is obviously cut off, he stops talking mid sentence and stares as if he's listening to someone talk.*
Maniac(sighing): Fine, have it your way.
*Maniac gently puts Kevin down, removing his hands.*
Maniac: Luck smiles upon you kid, Antonio likes you.
*Kevin looks around confused.*
Kevin: Uhhh, Antonio?
*Maniac sighs again, this time shaking his head. He moves closer to Kevin so only he can hear what Maniac says.*
Maniac: Yeah, Antonio. He's the more reasonable one of us.
Kevin: Us?
*At first Kevin doesn't get it, but after a few moments it hits him like a ton of bricks.*
Kevin: You're a schizophrenic? No offense dude but shouldn't you be on some meds and/or talking to a shrink or something?
Maniac: Don't like meds, they make me a different person.
*Maniac chuckles.*
Maniac: As for therapy, not my thing. Antonio however thinks it helps so of course he's talking to some quack about his past, his feelings, blah blah blah.
*This time both Maniac and Kevin laugh.*
Maniac: You're all right Kev, you know I seen your match. You've got alot of potential kid, you keeping doing what you're doing and you'll be at the top one day.
Kevin: Thanks Maniac I appreciate it that.
*The two continues to the trainer area where Maniac has his head looked at. As the trainer is stiching up Maniacs head he's being particularly rough. At first Maniac ignores it, thinking that it was a mistake but after awhile he realizes that it's not.*
Maniac: Hey doctor Frankenstein, why don't you take it easy?
Trainer: Should have thought about that in your match asshole.
*The trainer once again pulls hard on the stitches and as if he'd flipped a switch Maniacs eyes suddenly turn red, not just red but they looked like a raging fire that couldn't be extinguished. Kevin barely catches Maniacs hand grabbing the trainers throat, his hand moving like lighting. Maniac pulls the trainer close to his face, staring him directly in the eyes. As Maniac begins to speak Kevin can hear two distinct voices talking at once. One is Maniacs and the other sounds like a growl, almost demonic.*
DreamMaster: He asked you to stop.
*Still sitting, DreamMaster throws the trainer across the room and he crashes against the wall before hitting the floor in a heap. DreamMaster hops to his feet, first looking over at Kevin who has backed himself against a wall. As DreamMaster approaches Kevin he shrinks down, trembling in fear and holdinghis hands out in defense.*
Kevin: Hey, I'm a friend remember? Antonio likes me.
*DreamMaster stops right in front of Kevin, staring at him for a few moments then nods. He turns his attention back to the trainer, slowly making his way to the man still lying on the floor. The trainer begins to stir, trying to yell out for help only to find he can't talk. DreamMaster approaches the man, kneeling down next to him. The man begins to shake violently, tears streaming from his eyes. DreamMaster lifts his hand, rubbing the man's back in comfort before speaking again*
DreamMaster: Shush now, it's ok. Soon your pain and sorrows will be no more, for I will take them and bare them on my shoulders. For this is my burden...my dark gift to the world.
*DreamMaster continues to rub the man's back before grabbing his spine, twisting it violently. The man squirms in pain, reaching his arm back but DreamMaster swats it away. As this is going on Kevin is still shrunk against the wall, eyes wide in fear. He shakes his head back and forth as he mutters to him.*
Kevin: No, no, no
*DreamMaster continues to squeeze and twist at the man's spines until there is a violent crack and the man goes limp. DreamMaster stands, looking down at his work and smiles in satisfaction. He turns his gaze once again on Kevin who meets his gaze still stunned by fear. DreamMaster once again makes his way over to Kevin, stopping right in front of him before kneeling down.*
DreamMaster: Don't EVER cross us Kevin.
*Unable to speak, Kev simply nods.*
---------------------------------------------
Off camera
*We're once again back on the bus and Kevin had just finished his story. Mandy, still sitting on the barstool next to Kevin is in complete shock. Her mouth hangs open and Kevin simply nods, taking a drink of his freshly made Jack and Coke.*
Kevin: Yeah, my expression exactly. Thought you should hear that story though, just so you know what you're getting yourself into.
*Kevin finishes his drink then sits the glass down. *
Kevin: Well, I gotta get going. Got some things to take care of.
*Kevin stands up, still noticing Mandy's expression hasn't changed. Kevin smiles, putting his hand on Mandy's shoulder.*
Kevin: Hey, don't worry. If DreamMaster recognized me I'm sure he will recognize you too...hopefully.
*Kevin turns and leaves, leaving Mandy in her thoughts. She just sits there for a moment, still stunned from the story she was told. After a moment she snaps herself out of it, shaking her head.*
Mandy: No way, I know he'd recognize me too.
*Mandy gets up and heads over to the remote. She picks it up, hesitant at first but then pushes the button for voice recognition*
Mandy: Show me the DreamMaster.
*The remote dings and an electronic voice is heard. *
Remote: OK, showing you the DreamMaster.
*Mandy sits down on the couch as she begins watching the madness and violence from the past unfold before her.*
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