Off camera

We open as the ambulance leaves the arena to take Maniac to Mount Nittany Medical Center, as it leaves Maniac slips in and out of consciousness as the closing events of his match replays in his head. The last thing he remembers is Jeremy hitting him over the head with a chair, dragging him back down to the ring, and handcuffed him to the ropes. After that he knew nothing but darkness and now it’s difficulty focusing and pain, Maniac looks around the ambulance and sees the two EMTS  but who is that third guy? For a moment he thinks it’s Butch but laughs at the though, Maniac squints eyes focusing as hard as he can until the face became clear. Maniac’s eyes widen in surprise and one name escapes his lips.

Maniac: Lunatik?!?!?

Maniac passes back out as the scene fades.
__________________________________________________

We open in a room within Mount Nittany Medical Center where Maniac lies in a bed with wires connected to him keeping an eye on his pulse and heart rate. Lunatik sits in a nearby chair on his phone reading what everyone is saying about Ringmaster when suddenly Maniac jerks awake sitting upright in the hospital bed which causes Lunatik to jump and nearly drop his phone. He quickly gets up and heads over to Maniac who is looking at him like he’s seeing a ghost which causes Lunatik to chuckle.

Lunatik: Don’t adjust your TV set it’s me live and in person my friend, the loony one is back.

It’s Maniacs turn to chuckle this time as a smile spreads across his face.

Maniac: It’s good to see you again dude, and please don’t take me wrong but what are you doing here and what the hell happened?

Lunatik frowns as he pulls out his phone and pulls up the replay, fast-forwarding to the end of his and Stu-E’s match. Maniac watches as Jeremy attacks and beats him near to death in the ring, only to be saved by Lunatik, Wolfy, and even Sean Parker himself even though Maniac knew he was out there from Jeremy and not Maniac at all. After it’s done Maniac just sits back and sighs.

Maniac: It seems young Jeremy seeks my attention, unresolved issues I take it.

Lunatik: You think? Jesus dude he almost killed you. He’s out for revenge Maniac, and he’s got numbers on his side. That’s where I come in, I couldn’t sit by and let my friend get beat down by some young punk ass throwing a hissy fit just because his boyfriend got put on the sidelines, like you said it was Matt’s decision to do what he did and he’s paying the consequences. I’m here to back you up, I know you have that Wolfy guy helping you but I figured another pair of hands wouldn’t hurt. Sorry you didn’t win Ringmaster and the HWA Championship dude, I know how bad you wanted to win.

Maniac smiles as he nods his head.

Maniac: Thanks dude, I appreciate that. It’s ok, though I wanted to be this year’s Ringmaster and the first HWA Champion of the new era its not the end of the road. When one door closes another one opens, I’ll get another shot at Stu-E and the HWA Championship.

Lunatik: Definitely dude, and who knows maybe we’ll meet in the ring to see who gets the next shot. Of course dude we’re homies, lock it up.

Lunatik smiles and holds out his fist which Maniac bumps with his own fist. After a few minutes Lunatik’s smile fades and he steps back with a serious look on his face.

Lunatik: I have to ask, is what that demon said true? Did you really kill Antonio’s ex-wife?

Maniac’s own smile fades as he sighs and shakes his head.

Maniac: Yeah, it's true. I’m not going to sit here and make excuses, but I regret it everyday and if I could take it back I would but I can’t. And now all this shyt that’s been going on since Erica embraced that demon it’s all my fault and I HAVE to end this. Wolfy and I were so close until that that C.I.A prick showed up and took the skulls.

In his peripherals Maniac sees Lunatik giving him a confused yet horrified look.

Maniac: There are two skulls, one is Antonio’s ex-wife and the other is Mandy’s younger sister. They are what’s keeping the demon here but we can’t just destroy them, there’s a specific ritual that must be done while destroying them. The problem is that neither myself or Antonio know what the ritual is, and the people who do won’t tell us either because they refuse, are dead, or just vanished.

Lunatik: Well now you have someone else to help, so what’s the plan?

Maniac considers the options for a few moments before answering.

Maniac: First I need to rest, then I’m going to check out of this hospital, and then we’re going to Havoc and show Jeremy, the rest of the brat pack, and everyone else that the New Age Psychos are back!

Lunatik: Fuk yeah dude!

The two are suddenly interrupted by Mandy who suddenly bursts into the room and rushes over to Maniac hugging him and checking to see if he's ok. Lunatik excuses himself and gives the two some privacy as the scene fades.