The scene opens out on to a view of Logan Neilson’s penthouse apartment in New York City. The door opens as Logan and Ally Wilkinson step in, the former carrying a duffle bag slung over one shoulder. The dark rims around his eyes and the crumpled look of his clothing show that he’s not long off the flight back from Scotland.

He stakes a few steps into the room, drops his duffle bag onto the couch, sighing as he does so indicating he’s glad to be home.

(Ally): …. And then I said “Oh my god!” …

Logan absent-mindedly nods in agreement as she continues to update him on her week. He hones in on the TV remote, picking it up and quickly searching through his Tivo, before stopping on Ronnie McNeil’s promo and pressing play.

He watches on in bemusement as McNeil talks about Logan. Ally quietens down and also watches the TV, a confused expression etched on her face. They both watch in silence for a few minutes as the recording comes to an end. They turn to face one another simultaneously; an expression of mild amusement on Logan’s somewhat in contrast to utter bafflement on Ally’s.

(Ally): Wha-? Did you get any of that?

(Logan): Yeah, pretty much just an over-educated way of telling me tae shut up ’cause he’s such a hard man.

A look of realisation sweeps Ally’s face.

(Ally): Ah, so he’s trying to be like Senester?

(Logan): Ha! Aye pretty much. Just a pretentious prick, trying tae amaze people with his flashy poetic pish. Yet he confuses ability with ambition.

Ally giggles.

(Ally): Aw, are you not impressed then?

Logan shakes his head.

(Logan): Naw. If the lad spent half the time training as he does reading the dictionary… then I might be impressed.

He flops onto the couch as a grunt of irritation comes from the back of his throat.

(Logan): He gets all cheesed off that I dare to think I could beat him, when it was him that challenged me! What does he want me tae say? “Oh sorry Ronnie, I dinnae accept yer challenge. Yer just too mighty fur poor wee me”?

He scoffs dismissively as Ally moves his duffle bag and sits next to him.

(Logan): I tried tae be respectful, but #### that. The man’s a tremendous twat and am gonnae wipe that smug expression of his face.

Ally coughs a little to interrupt Logan from his rant.

(Ally): If that annoys you, am guessing you haven’t heard his deal with TNT?

(Logan): Nooo. Why?

Ally takes the TV remote from him and plays another one of Ronnie’s promos. As Ronnie’s discussions with TNT progress, Logan’s expression changes from mild annoyance to sheer disgust and then onto blind hatred.

Ally looks sideways at him edging away as if he might literally explode. And quietly says.

(Ally): You okay honey?

Logan takes a deep breathe.

(Logan): Am on the verge of hulking out, like…. If you weren’t here I’d actually be green and destroying a bunch of shit.

Ally doesn’t know whether to laugh or not. Logan gets to his feet and starts to pace trying to quell his anger in front of his girlfriend.

(Ally): I know, it’s so terrible, all those people…

(Logan): ARGH! I KNOW I CANNAE BELIEVE HE JUST ASSUMES HE’LL BEAT ME!! What a f*cking cock!! Guaranteeing those shit sticks the All Star before he’s even fought me! I’ll tear him a new f*cking arsehole! That way he can spout even more shite than before!!

(Ally): What? But what about all those people that got killed?!

Logan looks at her for a moment as registers her words.

(Logan): Oh aye… He’s even more of a #### now!!! Am gonnae bowling pin him in the red eye! Like a …f*cking… Jedi!! Fate salutes me does it? Aye well, it f*cking BUMS you!!

Ally tries in vain to stifle her laughter but can’t. Seeing this, Logan himself can’t help but smile and chuckle in response.

(Logan): Christ sake, I need a beer. You want a drink?

The scene fades out momentarily, as white writing comes up…

Ten minutes later.

The words darken into nothingness as the blackness then fades out, back onto the sitting room, and a more relaxed atmosphere, as Logan and Ally sit beside one another on the couch, sipping their respective drinks.

The camera moves in, as snippets of conversation and light laughter become audible.

(Logan): Oh well, Hamilton away next week, so hopefully do a wee bit better. So how’s Talon been? You and him catch up and stuff?

(Ally): Yeah he’s good. I managed to stop him hearing your inappropriate comment from the other day.

She gives him a knowing smile.

(Logan): Heh, oh aye. Am sure he would have seen the funny side of it.

Ally rolls her eyes sarcastically.

(Ally): Oh yeah, just like Butch Parker did when you dated his sister!

(Logan): Oh aye, speaking of him. Has he been saying much in my absence?

(Ally): Yeah, you can watch it, only if you promise to stay calm!

Logan holds his hands up in protest.

(Logan): Aw harsh! I was calm… considering.

Ally gives him a look that only girlfriends can.

(Logan): Okay, I promise.

He grabs the remote before Ally can change her mind and searches for Butch’s most recent promo, before pressing play.

Logan sips his bottle of beer as he watches Butch address Eddie, Talon, Ronnie and then finally himself, before the recording comes to an end.

(Logan): Meh that wasnae that bad. He didnae seem impressed wi Ronnie’s patter either.

(Ally): Yeah, it seemed worse when watching it with Talon obviously.

Logan nods.

(Logan): Aye. I like how he has a rant at Ronnie about him being a total tool, then tells me he doesn’t hate him. Like that matters, Butch is a twat but am confident he’ll call this match fairly.

Ally’s eyebrows rise.

(Ally): Really? Even after what he’s been insinuating?

(Logan): Aye, he’s just trying tae keep me guessing. Trying tae play mind games. Am sure he’d rather face me in the ring than jump me or sneak attack me.

(Ally): Why do you think that?

Logan shrugs.

(Logan): He might be Senesters new b###h but he still has his pride. He thinks he can take me easily as it is, he’d get nothing out of jumping me during this match, except coming across as a coward.

(Ally): Yeah, I suppose. But given what he has done to Vanessa and Jason, there’s no telling how low he might sink on the night. He can’t be trusted Logan.

(Logan): Aye I know that. I’ll be very wary of him, don’t worry about that. But like he has said, this match will be epic, and that’s what I want, am sick and tired of being part of nothing matches with guys who cheat their way through their careers. I want a chance to excel and illustrate what I can do!

(Ally): Okay honey, I think most people know what you can do. You have to be careful though, there’s a difference between being brave and being stupid.

Logan goes to retort but finds himself speechless. He looks into Ally’s eyes a slight smile appears on his face.

(Logan): F*ck, well that’s me telt!

He sticks his bottom lip out and makes it shake, mimicking a crying child. Ally, well aware he’s trying to make her feel guilty folds her arms across her chest.

(Ally): Don’t give me that look; I just want you to be safe.

(Logan): Aw I know hun. Yer a wee angel, but dinnae worry. I’ll be fine.

She smiles slightly as Logan rubs her arm comfortingly.

(Logan): How about I phone for Chinese food and we fire on a movie. Take our mind of it.

(Ally): Yeah sounds good. I’ve missed you this week.

Logan hugs his girlfriend with one arm and gets his cell phone out with his free hand and prepares to phone the local Chinese take-away as the scene fades to black.