Punishments and Challenges
Posted by Butch Parker w/ Matt Miller
on May 24, 2023, 5:51 am, in reply to "
What do we do now?"
Butch waits in his office at the HWA Training Academy in Santa Monica when the scene fades back in. He paces back and forth as Matt Miller walks in. He goes to start speaking but Butch holds a hand up that reflexively quietens him. (Butch): I’m not going to go over old ground here, Matt. I know Sensei Matthew spoke to you already in Chicago. Butch stops pacing and leans back, the palms of his hands pressing on the desk behind him. (Butch): What the hell is going on, Matt? You've never acted this brashly before? Has Maniac got under your skin THAT much? Matt doesn't respond straightaway. He takes his time to word his answer carefully before he speaks. (Matt): Boss, we've never had any one like these veterans in HWA before, well you know, since it's just been us, y'know? Trying to make examples of us to make their point. Look at my head, boss. Matt points directly to his surgically-repaired head wound. (Matt): Maniac did that because I embarrassed him, because I rejected his offer to "teach" me, because he wanted to make a statement. I thought if I returned the favor and showed him that I'm not going to let him walk over me, it would make him think twice about trying anything like he did again. Butch chews on his bottom lip. His eyes fixate on Matt's head wound for a moment. (Matt): Look, boss, I know you've been in this position yourself before. It's on the HWA Network, the brawl you had with Thane Givens in Bloomingdales back in 2004 when you were trying to protect Blush? And I know the situation is different now because you're in charge and- Butch cuts Matt off mid-sentence. (Butch): You're right, I am in charge, Matt. And I'll give you some insight. I was your age when that happened with Thane all those years ago. And do you know what he did before that? He desecrated the grave of my brother - Sean's dad - on live television and also cost me the HWA World Championship. So yeah, did I believe I was justified in brawling through a retail outlet to get revenge on Thane for what he did? You bet your arse I did. And you know what happened? I got a criminal record, my work visa almost got revoked and I got fined one hundred thousand dollars. I was lucky to see the inside of a HWA ring again, let alone get the opportunities that were continually afforded to me after that. But just because I acted like a brash, unhinged lion all those years ago, doesn't automatically mean I can condone what happened. It’s not a case of do as I do, it’s so as I say! Do I understand what you did? Of course I do! Matt, I know how manipulative, how unbearable Maniac is, believe me. He and I battled on numerous occasions back in the day and every time he opened this mouth, all I wanted to do is ram my fist into his face just to shut him up and believe me, I still feel like doing that. But I can't, because I’m his boss. And, as a businessman, as a CEO, as Head of Talent Relations, I can't excuse or ignore the behavior displayed by any member of the roster just because I might have acted similarly as a member of the roster 20 years ago. Everyone has to be accountable for their actions, Matt. Matt's hands are on his hips and he looks dejected, as if he's accepted his fate. Butch recognises it and places a hand on his shoulder. (Butch): Matt, you've been an incredible talent for us since you arrived back in 2015. I know you could have easily went to any promotion after things went pear-shaped for us and that appreciation will never go away. But you and Sean, Matt, you’re my leaders. I need you guys shining for me, setting the examples. I don't expect you to lay down and take your licks when an asshole like Maniac decides to make an example of you. But you gotta pick your battles, son, play the long game. I know Sensei Matthew has been trying to get you in the right mindset and I think you've probably misinterpreted what he was trying to teach you. I know who trained you, Matt. I know Devitt or Balor, whatever you refer to him as, instilled a certain mindset into you and Sensei Matthew has shaped that since he took you under his wing. You need to reset your mindset, think back to the disciplinary teachings instilled in you. However tempting it is to pummel Maniac's face into the ground, brawling outside the arena isn't the way to do it. Now... Butch begins to pace back and forth across his office again. (Butch): …There's no point in benching you or removing you from active competition because you're not medically-cleared to compete right now anyway. But I will be fining you, Matt. You can come to the arenas and travel with Sean and everyone else, but you are not to go anywhere near Maniac. Am I understood? (Matt): Yes, Boss! (Butch): I mean it, Matt. If you so much as look at him, I will suspend you without pay and I will not hesitate to terminate your contract on the basis of gross misconduct. Believe me, I have grounds to fire both you and Maniac and the only reason you and Maniac still have jobs is I because I believe this whole situation can be rectified in the right way. And don't think Maniac is getting off Scot-free either. Believe me, I will be addressing him personally once l'm done here. And don't worry, one way or another, you'll get your chance to settle whatever this is that's going on between you and Maniac...now go on, get out of here. (Matt): Thanks, boss. As Matt leaves Butch's office, his phone vibrates in his pocket. He pulls it out and sees a message from Hans. After reading it, he lets out a sigh from his pursed lip and shakes his head lightly as he massages his temples with his thumb and forefinger of his left hand. He stands up straight and moves over to sit himself down at his desk and sets his laptop sat atop his desk to record a video message. Clearing his throat firstly, he begins to talk. (Butch): Maniac, Maniac, Maniac. You have a lot to answer for you after what happened at Havoc. You think just because Matt attacked you first, that gives you grounds and justification to do what you did? You almost killed three members of my roster with that stunt you pulled with your bus. The only reason you aren't still in jail being charged with the murders of Matt Miller, Sarah Callahan and Michelle Learner is because Matt just happens to have the reflexes of a cat and, for reasons known only to the Almighty himself, they decided not to press charges. But if you think that means you're out of the woods, you've got another thing coming, pal. You know, I really don't know where this air of arrogance or self-entitlement is coming from, Maniac, I really don't. You're a contracted employee, you have codes of conduct to adhere to and apply to the way you conduct yourself as an employee of the Hardcore Wrestling Alliance. Wisdom will be addressing any code of conduct breaches in due course but believe me, Maniac, if you think, after what you pulled in Chicago that I don't have grounds to fire you, then I'd suggest you get rid of whatever lawyer either you or Antonio have hired, because they don't know what they're talking about. I know what kind of man you are, Maniac. I know you're not the model employee and quite frankly, I don't expect you to be. But what I do expect is a bit of respect for the house! The reason I agreed to sign your contract and bring you back is because of your history with this company. I know what it means to you, I can see how passionate you are about what you do. But HWA isn't Gotham City, you are not the Joker, running unchecked and unchallenged and I sure as hell ain't Batman, cleaning up your mess every other day and throwing your ass back into Arkham. This is real-life, Maniac. You cannot attempt to maim and murder people, threaten your boss's life and expect to carry on like nothing happened! You will be fined the equivalent to the damage you caused in Chicago which, at the last count, was almost two hundred thousand dollars. Until I decide otherwise, when we eventually decide to bring any form of Championship competition back to HWA, you will not be afforded any Championship opportunity of any kind. I have already reiterated the following to Matt but for the sake of consistency, I will repeat it. You two will not be in the same room together, you will not speak to each other, you will not contact each other. You will not utter the other's name on HWA programming unless I allow it. If you decide to lay a hand on each other for the foreseeable future, again, until I authorise it, both of you will be fired. Sue me for breach of contract all you want, but I will see to it you never see a cent. I also know you've challenged Hans to a match but he is not tied down to a talent contract. He is a member of our staff and a coach for our training academy. As much as you'll try and twist this into me trying to protect him, I cannot just authorise a match with Hans, even if he wants it. Quite frankly, I'd love to see Hans wipe that smug smirk off your face. Hans is the only Quintuple Champion in HWA history. He is a former World, All-Star, United States, Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion and has been on the winning side of matches more times than you've had psych evals. But I cannot, on a whim, authorise this match. I will consider it though after a conversation with Hans, Wisdom and our legal team. However... Butch stops for a moment and stands up, tilting the screen of the laptop back so he is still in full view. (Butch): I may co-own this company but I am, in no way, shape or form, retired. So, if you really want to roll back the years and take a violent stroll down memory lane, Maniac, I’ll hold your hand and walk with you! Butch stops the recording and shuts his laptop. He pulls out his phone and sends Wisdom a message. He hits send and walks out of his office as the scene fades to black.
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