Off camera

We open to Maniac and Mandy on the couch of Maniac’s bus as they relax and watch some TV. Maniac has his bong loaded and ready and is smoking out of it as the couple watches the latest going on in the HWA. When the get to Erica’s latest promo Mandy gasps in shock and Maniac almost chokes to death from the hit he just took as he watches Erica have her way with the homeless man live on camera.

Maniac: What the actual fuk?!?!?

He puts down the bong and after taking a drink is able to finally quit coughing. Mandy is still shaking her head with her hand covering her mouth. After a few moments she removes her hand from her mouth.

Mandy: Oh my God baby, what does she think she’s doing?

Maniac shakes his head.

Maniac: I don’t know Mandy bear but I know this HAS to stop. She went to far hurting Michelle and now this…

Before he can finish his sentence Maniac sees Antonio standing off to the side beckoning him to come over so Maniac excuses himself and walks over to Antonio.

Maniac: What is it Antonio?

Antonio: I couldn’t help but overhear what you were saying and I couldn’t agree more, that’s why I went ahead and sent a small team lead by Sammy to the house in Old Town, Maine. This can’t wait any longer Maniac we…

Maniac holds a hand up, cutting Antonio off.

Maniac: Hold on, you sent Sammy with some unknown thugs to end this? Did you check them out and make sure they were clean?

Antonio: Of course, I’m not un fottuto idiota he has Delilah with him.

Maniac can only stare in shock for a moment but then thinks back of how she took care of his Kevin problem. He simply shrugs his shoulders and goes to respond but is cut off by the ringing of his phone. Maniac pulls the phone from his pocket and notices that it says “restricted number” on the screen and almost doesn’t answer but something tells him he should so he hits answer at the last minute.

Maniac: Tacoma taxidermy, you snuff em’ we stuff em’.

Both Maniac and Antonio recognize the gruff, no nonsense voice of Mandy’s father CIA agent Frank Banks on the other end.

Frank: Cut the bullshyt clown, I want to talk to Antonio.

Maniac and Antonio exchange a glance before Maniac responds.

Maniac: I’m sorry Frankie, I’m in the driver’s seat right now so you’ll have to leave Antonio a message.

Frank: First off my name is Frank you little shyt, and secondly…

You can hear the sound of rustling followed by the familiar screams of Sammy and Delilah. Once again Maniac and Antonio exchange a glance, only this time it’s one of a combination of shock and worry for their friends. After a few minutes of listening to screams Frank resumes talking.

Frank: Now that I have your attention maybe now you’ll listen. You’re going to back off with your snooping around otherwise your little friends will be sent back to you in pieces, next whatever information you have on project DreamMaster you’ll bring to me and exchange it for the safe return of your friends and if I don’t think it's all there I will personally execute your friends in front of you before I finish you off. Do you understand me?

Maniac grits his teeth to help keep himself under control for the sake of their captured comrades.

Maniac: Yes Frank, I understand. When and where would you like to meet?

Frank: That’s better, the meeting will be wherever Ringmaster is going to be. I’d hate for you to miss it even though I doubt you’ll even get past round one, I’ll call you with further details once the location is announced…and one more thing clown.

Through still clenched teeth and a steadily rising temper Maniac answers.

Maniac: And what’s that Frank?

Frank: Leave my daughter out of this, I see her at the meeting or ANYWHERE near it and your friends are dead.

Before he can respond Frank hangs up on his end leaving Maniac in silence and he returns his phone to his pocket.

Maniac: Fuk me, could this get any worse?

As if answering his question Maniac gets a notification on his phone, alerting him of a new video uploaded on the HWA YouTube channel. Once he sees who it is he simply shakes his head.

Maniac: Fuk me SIDEWAYS, of course!

Maniac starts watching the video as the scene fades.
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On camera

The scene opens in Wapato Park where we find Mandy and Maniac walking one of the many trails that stretch all throughout the park with Greg in tow as usual manning the camera. As they walk the trail they take the time to admire every beautiful part of nature there is to see, only stopping once the trio knew they were alone. Greg takes the microphone out of his back pocket and hands it to Mandy so the interview can begin.

Mandy: Mandy Banks here broadcasting on the HWA YouTube channel and we’re here with Maniac at Wapato Park who I’m glad to report is finally able to move around without the help from his wheelchair.

Mandy shifts her gaze from the camera to Maniac.

Mandy: Now Maniac we’ve seen some beautiful sights here but there are things to talk about, here recently both Hans Von Richtoven and Tobias Clarke have shared their opinions about you. How do you respond to Hans’s recent comments and Tobias’s tweets clearly referencing you?

Mandy holds the microphone up for Maniac to speak into.

Maniac: Well Mandy let’s start with my tag team partner for round one in Ringmaster, Toby those were some hilarious tweets you posted on X. However as you can see I no longer need the wheelchair, I’ll be more than happy to let you borrow it though as I’m sure you’ll need it come after Ringmaster. No thanks needed buddy, just trying to make sure I look out for the “future” of this company.

Maniac winks and smirks, the sarcasm in his voice apparent when saying that last sentence.


Maniac: Now Hans, apparently you’re having a hard time in believing that I’ve changed. It’s also apparent that you think I’m lying about all of this as well, as if I’m playing some sick game. Well Hans allow me to let you in on a little secret…

Maniac motions for Greg to get closer with the camera and he does as Maniac gets closer too as if he was whispering something to Hans himself.

Maniac: I don’t care Hans.

Maniac leans back from the camera, shrugging his shoulders.

Maniac: I’m tired of trying to convince you and everyone else that I’ve changed, so I’m going to keep winning matches legit like I have been since being freed from that demon. I’m going to keep winning all the way to the finals of Ringmaster and then I’ll win that last match and cement my place in history along with the elite whom have already win Ringmaster from previous years. So you can keep twisting my words and not believing what I’m saying, go ahead don’t believe me all the way to the end when I’m crowned Ringmaster AND HWA Champion. Standing there talking about how you “owned” what you had done, yeah you owned it alright. You owned it all over Red Dragon’s face with that barbed wire bat of yours at Blood Sweat and Tears.

Maniac laughs and reaches into his own back pocket and pulls out a water bottle, quickly opening it and taking a few good drinks of water.

Maniac: Speaking of Ringmaster that brings me to Erica and DreamMaster, I don’t want your help to win I can do it on my own. I will NOT have my championship reign tarnished by having your help to win it demon. As for you Erica since you obviously aren’t going to willingly give up the demon then I’m afraid this is where we must go our separate ways, I’m cutting any and all ties which means you no longer have access to my home or any part of the property, or any of my workout equipment. I hate to see you going down this dark path Erica, I know I’ve been down it myself but I just can’t anymore. I’m sorry Erica but this for the best, I hope you use this moment to realize all the bad things that demon is doing to you personally and professionally. Think about it Erica, that’s all I ask.

Maniac lowers his head for a moment looking down at the ground before returning his gaze to the camera.

Maniac: I’m sorry I got you mixed up in this Erica, it’s my fault you’ve been swallowed by the darkness and I swear I’ll get you out of this just please hold on.

Maniac opens his mouth to say more but can’t so he simply shakes his head and walks off as the scene fades to black.