Off camera

We open as Maniac is leaving the HWA training facility, still smoking the cigarette he lit inside and slightly wet from the sprinkler system he heads to the waiting limo and as he approaches the door he sees that Antonio is standing there with his arms folded across his chest.

Antonio: That went well, I’m sure Butch can’t wait to do this now.

Maniac shrugs his shoulders as he takes another drag off his cigarette.

Maniac: Fuk him, did you see what an arrogant asshole he was being? Besides, it wasn’t a total bust was it? Butch not only agreed to help but he also confirmed our suspicions on what happened with Dark Horse Towers and its tech.

Antonio nods his head.

Antonio: That’s true, no wonder the bastardo is so cocky. He doesn’t realize that technology is going to be another target on his back after this goes down.

Maniac once again shrugs his shoulders and finishes his cigarette, tossing the butt on the ground.

Maniac: That’ll be his problem, he thinks he can fight them all then let him try. Maybe he’ll realize how fuked he is when they send him Wisdom’s head or something.

Maniac doesn’t say another word, only climbs into the limo leaving Antonio speechless. After a moment Antonio shakes off the shock and enters the limo as well as the scene fades.

On camera

The scene opens at the Santa Monica Pier where we find Maniac walking around and enjoying the various food and many other things to do as he tries to blow off steam from his meeting with Butch. He stops at the side of the pier looking out on the water and he stands there admiring how the sun reflects off the water. His thoughts turn to the upcoming Ringmaster and he can’t help but grin at the thought of not only winning but becoming the HWA Champion. He takes his pack of cigarettes from his pocket and removes one from the pack, putting it in his mouth and then lighting it and taking a deep drag. He holds the smoke in for a few moments before releasing it and begins.

Maniac: Look at this view, beautiful isn’t it? Almost as beautiful as that little training montage we got from Sean, I mean I hate to agree with Toby but Jesus Sean…and people call me conceited.

Maniac rolls his eyes and shakes his head as he takes another drag off his cigarette.

Maniac: You think you’re the only one who wants this you self centered little punk?  YOUR destiny Sean?

Maniac lets out a little chuckle.

Maniac: No, not by a long shot my guy. Just because your last name is Parker and your Aunt and Uncle just so happen to co-own the HWA DOESN’T  mean this one is in the bag for you. I mean you can keep giving us your sob back story all you want but it's not going to change the fact that you're not the only one who’s had it rough one way or another, I mean who hasn’t? I guarantee you there’s not one person in this tournament or on the roster that hasn’t, even Toby whether he wants to admit it or not. We get it you were tricked, beat up, and injured very badly almost to the point where everyone thought you were done for good…even you.

Maniac takes a few more drags off his cigarette.

Maniac: And then you go on this twenty minute rambling about being Patroclus And how you have this almighty perspective that nobody else has, are you kidding me Sean? Then, you’re going to stand there with that same stupid look that your lame ass uncle gets when he’s trying to be intimidating but really you both look like you’re having a stroke and claim that YOU are the only one that knows what it means to win? That YOU are the only one that has what it takes to win? I can’t speak for the other veterans Sean but me personally I think you need to take your head out of your ass and take a breath. We know what it means to win, especially this year. We know what it takes to win, how much you have to push yourself physically and mentally to win.

Maniac laughs and finishes his cigarette, putting it out in a nearby ashtray mounted atop a trashcan.

Maniac: You want to act like you’re some badass samurai fighting for some noble cause when really you’re a scared little boy with a repaired knee who’s unsure about himself in every aspect of his life. Sky Assassin? The only one calling you that is your ego Sean and at Ringmaster I’m going to take great pleasure in bursting your bubble.

Maniac takes out another cigarette and lights it, taking a drag then continues walking down the pier.

Maniac: You don’t own shyt Sean that’s the Parker ego talking, you still think that just because you and your friends kept HWA going when it was off TV that you built some kind of new house on top of old foundations. And once again you’re wrong, this will always be the HWA it always has been since the beginning no matter how much your Aunt and Uncle don’t want it to be. At Ringmaster I’m going to show you, everyone else in this tournament, the fans watching live and at home, Butch and Wisdom, EVERYONE that destiny is just an illusion. That what you believe is rightfully yours can be taken  and it will, Ringmaster is when I take your so called “destiny” and make it my reality.

Maniac continues his trip through the pier as the scene fades to black.