There is an eerie silence in the locker room before Sean decides to break it.
(Sean): Are we gonna talk about how much a fooking disaster last night was then? Between you and Maniac turning Chicago into a scene from The Wild Bunch, Maniac assaulting Sarah, Legion and Fallen costing me my match and Deas attacking Jeremy and leaving him with a broken leg and his throat so bruised he can barely talk , it’s dealer’s choice…
Sean mops his face with his hands as Michelle discreetly places a comforting hand on his shoulder. Sean darts his eyes over to Matt.
(Sean): What the hell were you thinking, Matt? Coming back to the arena after you just hard surgery?
Sean throws his hands up in frustration.
(Sean): I mean I know I’m a hothead at the best of times but for God’s sakes, look what happened! You thought you’d be Billy big baws and take matters into your hands?!
(Matt): What? Like what you did with AC James?!
Sean and Matt both stand up and walk towards each other.
(Sean): Mate come on, really?
Matt almost immediately realises his comment was too far and he holds his hands up.
(Matt): Sorry fella. Besides, Maniac got what he had coming to him, so he did. You’ve all seen what he’s like? The way he’s spoken about all of you, what he did to Sarah, trying to practically kill us! So please read me the riot act, Sean, alright? I got enough of that from Sensei when he bailed me out this morning, so I did…
(Sarah): Was he pissed? I bet he was super pissed!
(Matt): Remember that show in Fresno? That, but ten times worse.
The group collectively lets out a “whoa!”
(Sean): Have you seen Butch yet?
Matt shakes his head.
(Matt): Not yet, fella. Sensei told me to lay low and stay quiet until I’m told otherwise. Maniac’s gonna have a field day with that, so he is.
He imitates Maniac’s voice.
(Matt): “Butch and Wisdom don’t care about you, Matt, you’re just a lap dog, Matt, blah blah blah” go fook yerself ya doo-lally gobshite! Sorry Michelle…
Matt looks over to Sarah.
(Matt): I didn’t get a chance to thank you for standing up for me, Sarah and I’m sorry about what happened to you, so I am.
(Sarah): Please! That asshole got what was coming. It felt good to put him in his place!
Matt looks over to Jeremy. He’s looking very somber, playing with the velcro straps of his leg brace.
(Matt): Hey, how you holding up, big man? I’m so sorry that all this crap has affected you too. If I hadn’t came back, Deas wouldn’t have done all this.
Jeremy starts to speak but nothing but a raspy incoherent utterance comes from his mouth. He rolls his eyes thoroughly annoyed at the inability to effectively communicate and pulls his phone out holding it up to the gang. They all grab their phones as he types.
(Jeremy): Deas would have jumped me regardless of whether you were there or not, I just might have had a little backup. From what I saw, Draconis just watched and walked away. I thought I'd have at least got a little of his respect in our match but we see what kind of man he is. Fuking asshole just clocked out for the day and couldn't care less.
(Sarah): We saw what he did, or didn't do rather. He was more concerned with showing off for his damn kid than showing some sportsmanship. To hell with his ass too, to hell with all of them.
(Matt): Exactly, Sarah! It’s clear all these veterans want to make a statement and they want to make an example of us. The only one that seems as if he has anything resembling morals is the English lad, Stu-E, he’s alright, so he is. But the rest of those fockers, Maniac, Fallen, Legion, that hack Deas, even Draconis, that oversized shitebag showed his true colours, so he did. Point is, they all want to mark their territory by thinking they can bulldoze over…
Matt makes a circling motion with his finger to indicate everyone.
(Matt): … all of us…they think we’re just these young newbies so they do. Yeah, a few of us have more experience than others but every single one of us cut his or her teeth under Sensei Matthew, under Butch, under Wisdom! We’re the core of this company and we need to start showing it, so we do!
Sean nods in acknowledgement.
(Sean): Too right mate, that’s what I’m talking about. But Butch and Wisdom aren’t gonna just allow things to descend into anarchy. After what happened, I can’t even imagine what’s coming.
(Matt): Look, I’m not suggesting we roll up in a tank with DX t-shirts or start laying traps throughout the arena. All I’m saying is when we get pushed, we push back.
Matt looks over at Michelle.
(Matt): Michelle love, look whatcha did when you stopped being pushed around by Alexis and fight back and what happened? She respected you!
(???): I wondered why my ears were burning.
The group turns around and sees Alexis walk into the dressing room in her gym gear, her hair tied up in a bun.
(Alexis): Oh, I’m sorry was this meant to be a private meeting?
(Sarah): It was but since you're here...
Sarah walks over to Alexis going face to face and looking her up and down.
(Sarah): I'm not trying to have eyes on the back and all sides of my head; there’s enough bullshit going down so I need to ask you something right here, right now. You saw Havoc...where do you stand girlfriend?
Alexis’ smile disappears and she also looks Sarah up and down raising an eyebrow.
(Alexis): I’m standing right in front of you… girlfriend!
There is long staredown between Alexis and Sarah before Sean, steps in.
(Sean): Okay ladies, let’s cool it, shall we? I’m sure Alexis didn’t come in to pick a fight…
(Alexis): Easy, Hot Scot, back in your lane. But you’re right, I didn’t come here to pick a fight. I don’t know what…
Alexis gestures to the group.
(Alexis): … this is but I was serious last night.
She looks over to Michelle.
(Alexis): Michelle, you showed a lot of heart last night. I was serious in everything I said and did. I wasn’t about to go easy on you, I’m here for a reason and that’s to be the best and like I said before, that can only happen if everyone around me is pushing themselves. Look, what happened before, could I have handled it better? Probably. But I promise you, all I wanted to do was help and toughen you up. And if there’s one thing in this world I hate, it’s a bully. But what I won’t abide are misogynists and men who think they can put their hands on a woman without consequence…
Alexis turns back to Sarah.
(Alexis): … So if you’re asking me where I stand…if that pig, Maniac, those lowlife degenerates Dorksiders or anyone else tries to make an example of you or impose their will…they’ll get a Black Rose Bloodbath from me. Does that answer your question?
Sarah turns away from Alexis and she looks back at Matt, Sean, Jeremy and Michelle.
(Sarah): I may be starting to like this girl.
She looks back at Alexis and nods her into their space as she's goes back where she originally was.
(Michelle): Guys, what are we really talking about here? We already look out for each other right? But we can't always be there like last night showed us. Maybe if we talk to these veterans and get them to see how hard we've worked, that there may not have been an HWA for them to come back to without us...maybe they'll be more open to being good sports. Maybe we have to put ourselves in their shoes, they’re older but still have something left...maybe they just feel like we took their spots.
Jeremy with frustration on his face forces himself to speak. His throat is killing him and he holds it as his very hard and raspy voice manages to say what he's thinking.
(Jeremy): That's not it Michelle. I get that you're trying to find the good in everybody but they don't give a damn, there's no good in man that goes around crushing innocent people’s throats.
(Sarah): And you heard what Fallen and Legion said about you Michelle, those filthy Hills Have Eyes bastards have nothing decent on their mind either. I'd have busted his goddamn balls if he said that nasty shit to me.
Michelle looks a little defeated, her head turned down.
(Michelle): I just think that if we just give each other a chance, we can all get along. Butch and Wisdom won’t have to worry about people breaking the rules and fighting. What’s wrong with that?
Sean squats down and puts his hand on Michelle’s, reassuringly stroking the back of it with his thumb.
(Sean): I’m with Sarah on this one, hun . I love how you want to see the good in everyone but they’ve shown nothing but contempt for every single one of us. In my eyes, we’re beyond anything that resembles reconciliation. It’ll just come across as weakness. I’m not saying we go and run rough shot on them and start interfering in matches but letting them know we won’t be pushed around is a start.
(Matt): Sean’s right, Michelle, so he is. We’re in a business where we get paid to hurt each other. It’s different for you guys, you came through the Academy. I was doing this for three years before I joined HWA. Y’know what it was like in a WWE locker room? In a New Japan locker room? It’s sink or swim. You get pushed, you push back or you get squashed and I don’t want to see anyone here get squashed.
(Sean): Look at me. I got manipulated by someone who used me to get to Butch. I was a teenager! I got pushed around and had to learn as I went. I got pushed around and I hesitated and paid for the price. It took a medical miracle and tough love from Uncle Butch and Sensei Matthew to get my head right.
(Michelle): So what are we supposed to do? We can't be by each others side all the time can we?
Jeremy holds his phone up again and starts texting.
(Jeremy): We push back like Matt said. We've never gone looking for a fight, well aside from last night with Matt but I think it’s safe to say he’s learned from that. That will have to satisfy your moral compassion Michelle. But they're bringing it to us and I have no intention of being sent to the hospital every week.
(Michelle): I guess so, I just don't know what that means exactly. I don't want yiu guys to think I don't find this disturbing...I do....it's just...I don't know. I was maybe hoping we might talk with Butch and Wisdom or Sensei and get some advice.
(Sarah): Eh eh, were not sitting at the kiddy table here, they're bosses but they can't fight this for us, like they braid we'd just look weak running to them. I know the guys are ready to throw down if they have to, and I'm not about to let any man try and intimidate me...those days are long gone baby....Alexis...I'm pretty sure will do what she needs to.
(Michelle): So that leaves me....I'm the weak link I guess. I'm sorry guys.
Michelle looks a little sad as if she's let them all down.
Sean kneels down in front of Michelle. He tilts her chin up gently with the top of his index finger.
(Sean): Hey, you are not the weak link. You’re the one that keeps us grounded, you keep our morale compass in check and see the bigger picture. You’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for, Michelle.
(Michelle): I just don't want to see you guys get hurt becuase of me. Look what happened to you Sean, Fallen and Legion wouldn't have been bullying you if it wasn't for me.
(Sarah): Yes they would, that's what these people do, if they weren't picking on you and Sean it would have been any of us. They're ass wipes!
(Sean): Bullies only respond to strength, Michelle. And if I’m gonna get hurt, I’d rather I did it standing up for myself and for all of you.
Alexis smirks, after sitting back and watching the scene unfold.
(Alexis): You’ve got some spunk in you guys, I kinda like it…but you need to come out of that shell of yours Michelle. I respect your beliefs or religion or whatever it is you believe in, each to their own. But you can’t let it dictate your actions here, sweetheart. You’ve proven you’re tough in the ring and it’s time you proved outside it.
(Matt): I gotta agree with Bodybuilder Barbie here, Michelle. You’re not the link weak by any means, so you’re not, but yer going to have to adopt yer mindset, so you will. We’ll always have your back though, so we will and we-
Suddenly, there is an awkward hush over the room which catches Matt off-guard. Everyone’s eyes automatically track behind where Matt is sitting. He notices and cranes his neck, turning around and his eyes widen momentarily and his shoulders sink. In the doorway stands Butch Parker, arms crossed over his massive chest. He looks at Matt.
(Butch): My office, now.
Butch doesn’t allow for any response, he simply turns around and walks out. The gang all share collective glances as Matt gets up, sighing deeply.
(Matt): Well folks, it’s been nice knowing you, so it has.
Matt walks out of the dressing room, following Butch to his office as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
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