We open to Maniac back at Romano estate finding him in the study. He nervously drinks from his glass as he paces the floor back and forth, occasionally running his free hand through his hair. Havoc, specifically the closing moments of it weighing heavily on his mind still.
(Maniac): What the fuk is he thinking? Face the DreamMaster?!?!?
He takes another big drink.
(Maniac): Just when I think I'm out of the darkness, I get pulled back in...
He finishes his drink and heads over the bar to make another, when there's a knock at the door and without awaiting a response Erica tentatively sticks her head in.
(Erica): Maestro?
She swings the door open wide enough for her knee walker to fit in as she holds the door open with one hand and maneuvers inside. She sees Maniac and can tell instantly that he's troubled. The folds of skin on his forehead being the first of several glaring indications.
(Erica): I let myself in, would have been here sooner but fuking plane was delayed. Que pasa?
Maniac hears her come in and is instantly bombarded by memories and other actions as of late on her part, his thoughts now shifting to her yet equally as vibrant and consuming as the previous predicament. He turns to her and takes a drink.
(Maniac): Erica, have you been listening to anything I've been saying? What's with you and that ass-hat Toby tormenting Wolfy? Your tirades as of late, and let's not even mention your little meltdown at Vanessa's announcement...
(Erica): Maestro…whose side are you on? Have you met that pinche cuidador del zoológico ? You know what we should do? We should fuk him up. He comes in here with his pinche animals and starts bullying people around. I ain’t no fuking Skinky Skank. Who is he to call us out of our names? He’s got kids doing it, grooming their little asses to be just like him. Like its entertaining to poke fun at people. Tobias was just speaking some truth, and he gave him a taste of what he deserved.
Erica finds herself over to one of his nice comfy chairs and carefully lowers herself into it from her walker. It was great to finally sit down, and she reaches in her bag for her cigarettes and lights one taking a nice drag before blowing smoke rings.
(Erica): Y esa otra puta….I don’t give a shit about that bitch, #### her. I’ve listened to everything you said…I haven’t gone near them. She’s the one who got her big girl panties on and thought she’d try and show me up with her little announcement… She’ll probably miscarry again anyway, then her ass will be crying because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut and everybody knows she’s pregnant. No hiding it this time. Whatever… #### ‘em!
She takes another drag of her cigarette running her hand through her hair. Maniac takes a breath and then takes a drink from his glass as he walks over and sits in another chair next to her.
(Maniac): I'm on your side, Erica, and you know this. I haven't met Wolfy yet, but he seems nice. I know, the nickname is out of line, but in all fairness, you did come at him first. Listen, you're above that…if you have a problem, settle it in the ring. I'll help you train when you're healed, but there will be NO jumping anyone.
Maniac takes out his own cigarettes, lighting one and inhaling deeply.
(Maniac): And don't even joke about pregnancy…Vanessa has been through enough in her past, not mentioning what we've done to her.
Erica turns looking at Maniac. She’s a bit annoyed that he’s so intent with leaving Hans and Vanessa alone, yet she promised to do so and has upheld that, but it doesn’t mean she likes it and can’t comment on it, but he seems to be taking issue with her speaking her mind for some reason and she decides to leave that topic alone focusing back on Wolfy.
(Erica): I didn’t start shit with that dude, Maestro. He came in here with wild animals on the loose in our locker room. He’s not even a wrestler, Hans picked him up off the streets basically and got him signed…how is that fair to anybody? Look what I had to go through to get to where I am. Look at those fuks at the academy, they might be worthless but at least they’re busting their asses…he just comes in and gets signed. They have it out for us Maestro, you know they do.
Erica gets up and carefully walks over to the bar getting a drink. She grabs a bottle and pours herself a neat one, taking a sip letting the mellow burn coat her throat and feel amazing as she smacks her lips.
(Erica): And that Sean shit. Don’t tell me they aren’t playing favoritism. Did anyone document me since December when Hans tried to paralyze me? No! They showcase his ass all over Havoc like he’s somebody, him and that little kunty Michelle. She’s a liar you know. I told you about that time I saw her in the shower at the arena fingering herself. That bitch ain’t pure and saintly, she’s packaged more weenie that Oscar Mayer. I’m so sick of this…we have to do something about this shit. Ring Master is coming up and I’ll be ready. Escúchame Maestro…
Erica walks back over to the chair and sits down, turning towards Maniac with excitement in her eyes.
(Erica): Tu y yo, you and me Maestro…I’m going to do whatever it takes to get you to the top. This is your time, you’ve talked about that championship gold since you returned last year before anybody else even mentioned titles it was “You” that had this on your radar. Whatever it takes, you’re going to win this, you’re going to be HWA Champion again and then they won’t have a choice but to give us the respect we deserve.
Maniac studies her for a moment while he smokes his cigarette. When she finishes talking, he’s done with his cigarette and puts it out. He takes another one out and lights it. She's beyond help now, and he knows it, but he refuses to give up on her.
(Maniac): You're right, you know what you're doing, and I trust you one hundred percent to do the right thing. I know you'll take what I'VE been teaching you and apply it in your own way. As for Ringmaster...
Maniac smiles and takes another drag off his cigarette.
(Maniac): I appreciate that, Erica, but how about instead you win it for yourself? Think about it, "The Mexican Nightmare" Erica Martinez, the NEW HWA Champion. As your Maestro, nothing would make me prouder. If anyone can do it, I know you can.
It hadn’t escaped her the emphasis he put on “I’ve been teaching you,” nevertheless she smiled, she was comforted his support, and she reached over touching grabbing him by the hand.
(Erica): Maestro…mi padre, when he died, I had to step up for my family, for my madre, mi hermano…. it was only me. When I came to HWA they promised so much, and took and took and gave so little. They act like Sean, and Matt, and Jeremy and Michelle, and Sarah rebuilt this place all by themselves but no one ever mentions Erica Martinez. I laid just as much groundwork as those pendejos if not more.
You came in with an olive branch and they spit in your face. I saw what you were offering and I took it. You taught me that I couldn’t wait for their accolades, and probably shouldn’t expect them. You showed me that I needed to take what I wanted and have no apologies. You’re a father figure to me. You don’t know what it means to me that you believe in me, that you stand with me.
Erica squeezes his hand once more and let’s go as she fights back tears.
(Erica): To hear you say I could be champion is more than I could ever dream of, but I can’t think of a better way to say thank you than seeing that title put around your waist again. My leg is almost ready to go, and now that I know I have your support I’m ready. Settle it in the ring, just like you said. We can stomp Wolfy’s little face in and send his little animals to the pound. We can show the world that Sean is nothing more than a privileged fuker with a silver spoon in his mouth and I’ll put Michelle down with ease. She’ll regret ever leaving her little Mormon city and go crawling back to it. Tu y yo Maestro…we’re gonna take over and no one can stop us.
Its nearly titillating. She almost has a crazed gleam in her eyes thinking about what they’ll do to people. Everyone who ran their mouth about them, forcing them to shut up and bow down. It’s a beautiful vision.
(Maniac): You, me, even Mandy who gets dogged around…we’re going to get the respect we deserve.
Maniac's smile is a sad one, but he smiles nonetheless and puts his other hand over hers.
(Maniac): Erica, all that stuff about not waiting and taking what you want. The shortcuts, cheating, cheap shots, sneak attacks, all that was DreamMaster. I don't believe in all that crap, I believe in settling it in the ring and doing it cleanly. Look, let's not worry about Ringmaster right now. Blood, sweat, and Tears is on the horizon, and I...
He can't finish his words…he just stares off into space as he finishes his drink. Erica looks at him with a bit of confusion.
(Erica): You just said you support me, what's the deal Maestro? You know...maybe, maybe DreamMaster had it right, look what you did last year...you were unstoppable. You put Matt out the ring. Everybody thought he was the next big thing and you broke his ass. He'll never wrestle again, and that's what he gets. Look at his ass now…####ing “coaching” at the academy from outside the ropes.
Erica chuckles thinking about seeing him at during Before the Bell at Havoc.
(Erica): The shortcuts, cheating, cheap shots, sneak attacks…we're only doing what they've done to us all along. Just because the stupid fans cheer them doesn't make them right or better. Don't let them play with your mind now Maestro, not when we're so close. I won't allow it, I won't let you go down and people walk over you. You're a fuking legend, you deserve respect, and I'm going to make sure you get it and anyone that gets in our way is going to fuking regret it.
Erica leans back in her chair taking another sip and the last of her drink. She gets up and goes for another taking his glass as well for a refill. Maniac stands and walks over to her, grabbing her arm and spinning her around.
(Maniac): He was right about what Erica? You call that unstoppable? That was cowardice, that demon has corrupted your mind. Listen to yourself, talking about hurting people and other despicable things that he's done…that's not the way. I appreciate what you're trying to do but no one is walking all over me, you just don't understand right now but when you get to my point in your career there comes a time where you start teaching the new generation and passing on your knowledge and experiences to help them be the best they can be. Not by blindsiding them or attacking them with weapons or a bus.
Maniac takes a breath before continuing, trying desperately to reach and reason with her. Still the dark cloud and question remained from before she even walked in the room.
(Maniac): This request that Jeremy made for BST, I don't want to do it, but I have to. It's the least I can do for him, and if it means jumping back into the darkness, then I'll do it. Besides, who else can handle DreamMaster possessing them? Santino's too slow, but I know why he took DreamMaster in, the power and ancient knowledge that comes with it. Everything he knows and experiences you know while he possesses you. It's like living two lives at the same time, which you think I'd be used to something like that, but with DreamMaster, it's completely different.
Erica raises her voice just slightly, not so much in anger but more in trying to express her point, her own desperate plea to him.
(Erica): Si, si Maestro...I call that unstoppable. He was right about everything. Mirame, mirame Maestro...you think I'm going to magically reach your legendary status by playing nice, by being phony like Michelle. My last name is Martinez, but it's Parker and his friends that get everything handed to them....and you know it. What chance do I have walking their little straight line....Rules for thee and not for me bullshit?
No gracias! We pave the road, we set the speed limit, we say where it turns, and we say where it ends. Blood, Sweat and Tears, I'm glad Jeremy called him out, I can't wait. I can't wait to see you do to him what you did to Matt, the less of them the better. Take that power Maestro, take what is yours, that's not corruption...estas vindicación….vindication Maestro, and we deserve it.
Maniac looks at her in shock, taking in what she just said. DreamMaster had his claws deep into her, but he refused to give up regardless of how warped her train of thought had become.
(Maniac): Erica, I know how it is around here, the politics are ridiculous. It's like you're actually working for Congress or, even worse…the White House. Trust me when I say if you want to beat the system, you have to play the game. Prove yourself in the ring legitimately, and you cannot be denied. You will get everything you have coming. That's no bullshit. That's how I got to where I am today, not by that garbage DreamMaster taught you. I believe in you, Erica. You just got to believe in yourself. You can do this by getting in the ring and winning the right way, and I will help you every step of it.
She heard his words, but they weren't sinking in. They couldn't penetrate the animosity that had grown inside her. It went beyond the past years at the academy into recent recognition as a talent of a once again major promotion, her whole life had been an uphill battle. But this…they did this, all of them, Butch, Red Dragon, Hans, all her so-called academy peers. It was Maniac who had been there for her and now something was wrong with him. They had gotten to him, made him feel less, made him feel the need to walk their walk. She had to stand up for him, protect him like he did for her. Sean, Michelle, Jeremy, Sarah, Butch, Wisdom, that ####ing Mr. Miyagi and Hans...they were not going to win this time. Their conspiracy would not stand. She was done playing second fiddle and she wasn't going to watch her Maestro succumb to their favoritisms and schemes to stay on top. She had to do something. She looked at Maniac in resignation but was resolved inside.
(Erica): Si Maestro. Entiendo, entiendo todo!
She goes silent leaving things on his last word. She knew he would not give up on her, and she sure as fuk wasn't going to give up on him. Not when he needed her the most. Maniac sat back down and she walked over to him kissing him on the forehead. He had returned to his own deep thoughts and their conversation was over. She swallowed the last of her drink, grabbed her walker and exited the room leaving him to his thoughts as the scene faded to black.
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