(Butch): It’s open!
In walks Antonio Romano, dressed in a fine black pinstriped suit with his hair slicked back. He has bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and stress and he carries a bottle of Peptobysmal. He holds his hand out for a shake and gives a weary, tired smile.
(Antonio): Butch Parker, it's been too long, old friend. How are you?
Butch looks oddly at Antonio, his brow furrowing slightly. He hesitantly shakes Antonio’s hand.
(Butch): Antonio, I’m presuming? It has been a long time. What’s the deal? Maniac having a nap?
Antonio sighs, opening the bottle of peptobysmal and takes a swig from the bottle. He recaps it and sits down in a nearby chair.
(Antonio): He's actually unaware of this meeting and I'd like to keep it that way. Listen let me start by apologizing for my Art of War appearance, I was hoping Mr. Miller would listen and help me stop Maniac but he wouldn't listen. I understand this though, in the middle of battle you tend to lose yourself in it sometimes. Something the both of us are familiar with, right Butch?
Butch raises his eyebrows slightly, nodding subtly, acknowledging Antonio’s point.
(Butch): I guess you could say that. So what can I do for you, Antonio?
(Antonio): I know Maniac has caused quite a...stir around the HWA as of late, especially with that despicable Erica Martinez woman but for Maniac this is all about acceptance. Look, growing up, all Maniac had was me and Santino and when we grew up and Santino went off on his own it was just Maniac and I. When he came back to the HWA all he wanted to do was do the veteran thing and connect with the new generation and reconnect with the old generation that came to the reunion and those who stuck around. But that didn't happen, Butch, did it? They pushed him away like garbage, and yes he was hasty with the whole you not returning his call. He shouldn't have cut that damn promo I told him that but you know how Maniac is. Look, all I'm saying is acceptance goes along way...especially when you're really not even real. That's something else that eats him alive, he knows he isn't real. He HATES not being whole and adding on being pushed away and disrespected, how else did you expect him to react?
Antonio uncaps the peptobysmal and takes a big drink before returning the cap.
(Butch): Are you kidding me, Romano? He’s been nothing but a pain in my arse since he returned. He insulted me, my wife, my roster members. I get things probably weren’t rosey for him or you in the time HWA wasn’t dominating the ratings again but he came in and took a shit on everything our Academy worked their arses for. I have no sympathy for him, Antonio, no sympathy whatsoever. Whether he’s real or not, a part of you or not, he’s still been in the driver’s seat and been responsible for a lot of headaches since the Reunion Show. You know, once upon a time I actually considered him a friend. I don’t know what’s changed in him, whether it’s being cooped up for years inside your head. I don’t know. I appreciate you’re trying to make me…understand him but I’m sorry, Antonio. I just can’t.
Antonio nods his head.
(Antonio): I get it Butch, I really do. I know what's changed in him, it's the DreamMaster. He's not what you think he is Butch. He is pure evil that was summoned in a sick ritual that neither I nor Maniac will EVER forget. There was a time when my associates dabbled in the occult, and when I was young unfortunately I was the item of possession. Jesus, Butch, they slaughtered a poor little girl and I was forever marked by this Beast. He's taking over maniac's mind commanding him to do his bidding, there is a ritual that can stop him and end all this madness but there's only one person who knows it...a mutual friend we both used to work for, you know the one that currently resides in some prison somewhere…
Antonio stares at Butch, hoping he makes the connection. Butch though is still trying to process what Antonio is telling him, unsure as to what to believe.
(Butch): You’re going to have to be more specific, Antonio. You’re not the only one with a rogues’ gallery behind bars.
Antonio chuckles.
(Antonio): Fair enough, its our old friend Senester. He bought the book from which the ritual came and then had anyone else who knew the ritual killed. Now he's the only one who knows it and I just need to know which prison he's at.
Butch doesn’t look like he’s in the mood for talking anymore.
(Butch): Firstly, I’m not sure I’m entirely convinced by this. Secondly, I have no idea where…he is. I don’t even know if he’s in prison or if he's just exiled himself somewhere; truth be told I haven’t given him a second thought since we opened the Academy.
Antonio begins to get irritated, reopening the Pepto-Bismol and downing the rest of it before putting the cap back on and tossing the empty bottle in a nearby trash can.
(Antonio): Why would I lie to you Butch? What do I gain from that? Maniac is ruining my business too, Romano Enterprises is suffering and I am on the brink of losing it to my rotten brother. We need to find out where Senester is at or at least try to track where all his possessions are and find that book. Please Butch, I'm at my wit's end here and I don't know what else to do.
(Butch): I’m not saying you’re lying, Antonio but you’ll forgive me for being hesitant to believe a story from a known paranoid schizophrenic that some demonic ritual was performed that somehow enabled him to be possessed with an otherworldly entity. Secondly, why would I have the faintest idea where…he is? When Wisdom and I took over the reigns of this company, the business transaction was conducted by Elizabeth Shevington. She was the executive shareholder that he handed financial control over to before everything went tits up. When the sponsors started pulling out and our network deal went under forcing us to abandon everything, he disappeared entirely. I wouldn’t even know where to begin and, quite frankly, I wouldn’t want to. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.
Antonio frowns and sighs, standing up he reaches into his inner suit pocket and pulls out a tarot card. He tosses it on Butch's desk and it is revealed to be the death card.
(Antonio): That's not just for you, it's for me too. For the HWA, Romano Enterprises, and everyone else once Santino gets his hands on the technology we hold. Goodbye Butch, nice knowing you.
Antonio gives a sad smile and turns to head to the door. Antonio opens the door then turn to Butch before leaving.
(Antonio): Tell me Butch, which would be worse - to live as a monster, or to die as a good man?
Antonio gives him another sad smile as he leaves, shutting the door behind him. As the door shuts behind him, Butch falls back in his seat, taking a deep breath. He stares at the ceiling for a moment before sitting back up. He picks up the tarot card Antonio left on his desk and looks at the black knight figure on the card, holding a black flag with a symbol for harvesting on it. Butch stares at it for a long moment, twirling it between his fingers before angrily crushing it in his hands and he tosses it into a trash can as the scene fades to black.
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