Off camera

Six days ago…

We open at Romano estate, more specifically we open to Higgins room where we find him laying in bed still recovering from his assault by Erica/DreamMaster. His face is still bruised but his cuts have been tended to and bandaged and he’s resting comfortably at both Maniac’s and Antonio’s constant request. There is a knock on the door and then it opens and Maniac enters holding a tray, fresh bandages applied on him as well and he pushes the door closed with his foot and makes his way to the bed where he lays the tray down on Higgin’s lap and sits down in a nearby chair.

Higgins: Thank you sir, you didn’t have to do that.

Maniac chuckles, shaking his head.

Maniac: It’s the least I could do, you’ve done so much for us so now it’s our turn to take care of you.

Higgins smiles and takes a bite of food which is scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and a glass of orange juice to top it off. His favorite dish and he relishes every bite. After a few delicious bites he looks over at Maniac and can’t help but frown, seeing the fresh bandages that already have a bit of blood soaking through.

Higgins: How are you, sir? I don’t mean to be intrusive but how is it you got those fresh wounds?

Maniac looks at his fresh wounds and smiles, sitting back in the chair as he takes in a deep breath and lets it out.

Maniac: Well Higgins, its actually a funny story. Fate is such a funny thing...
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One day earlier…

We open to Maniac just leaving the hospital, he’s being pushed out in a wheelchair by Mandy with Lunatik following close. As they approach the bus a black van with tinted windows suddenly comes roaring into the hospital parking lot stopping a few inches away. Maniac instantly knows who this is but before he can get the words out Lunatik has already stepped in front of Mandy and him. The van sits there for a moment before the side door slides open and out steps Frank Banks. He gives a cocky smile before approaching the trio.

Frank: Hello clown, not surprised to see you here licking your wounds after falling on your face at Ringmaster.

Mandy: That’s enough daddy, Maniac gave an excellent performance and the crowd widely approved. Not only did they show their appreciation at Ringmaster but have continued to do so on social media. Not only Maniac but everyone who competed that night.

Frank cuts his daughter a look that causes her to go silent and look down at the ground, she knew better then to speak out against him like that not only because she was his daughter but he was her superior at work and insubordination on either end would not be tolerated. Not going to stand having Mandy treated like that no matter who this guy was Maniac stands up from the wheelchair pushing past Lunatik and getting in Frank’s face.

Maniac: Back off asshole, I don’t care who you are. Father, superior, talk to her like that again and you’re going to be wearing your head up your own ass.

Maniac’s chest is heaving and Frank can see by the look in his eye that he’s serious even though he knew that if he touched Frank it would be signing his death warrant. Frank gives a nod, whether it was intentional or not he did it anyway out of respect that someone else cares for his daughter that much and would protect her with his life. He shakes off any thoughts of anything but business and clears his throat.

Frank: You know why I’m here, so let’s get this over with.

Frank raises his wrist to his mouth and whispers something into what Maniac assumes is a hidden microphone and after a few moments the passenger side window slides down and Maniac can see Sammy and Delilah sitting there hands bound by tape and tape over their mouths but otherwise unharmed. Frank looks back at Maniac who nods, motioning towards his bus.

Maniac: Lets step into my office then.

Maniac leads the way as he and Frank heads towards the bus and once they get there Maniac simply knocks on the door and it pops open. Once inside Maniac goes to the bar and makes himself a drink and offers one to Frank which he takes and Maniac makes the drink then gives it to Frank as he sits down at the bar. Maniac walks behind the bar to a safe, unlocking it with a key and opens it pulling out the folder containing all the information Frank was wanting he then turns around and drops it on the bar.

Maniac: There you go Frank, all the info I have on project DreamMaster as promised. I’ve got to ask though, what’s in it for you? Why make this deal with demons?

Frank laughs as he shakes his head and finishes his drink. He looks through the file and once he’s satisfied that it’s all there he gets up with the file in his hand.

Frank: There are just some things in life you don’t understand, you or your Mafia personality. Everyone has their place and it’s best if you remember yours.

Maniac grits his teeth, his anger starting to boil over.

Maniac: And where does Butch fit in with all this? I know with him acquiring all the tech and everything when Dark Horse Towers folded he’s got a part in this.

Frank’s eyebrows raise in curiosity.

Frank: Parker? Your boss? He’s a nobody just like you, interesting about the Dark Horse Towers info though. We’ve been wondering where it went, we figured Senester took it with him when he disappeared. I’ll have to look into that.

Maniac: And the skulls? What part do they play?

As soon as he said it he knew it was a mistake, Frank gives him a suspicious look as he steps closer to Maniac.

Frank: How do you know about those, they were redacted from all reports.

It takes him a moment but Frank puts the pieces together and realizes it was Maniac at the house in Old Town, Maine that day it blew up and he barely escaped with his life. But before Frank can react Maniac grabs his drink off the bar and chucks it as hard as he can at Frank’s face causing the glass to shatter on impact. Frank screams in agony as a mix of blood and alcohol fly everywhere and Maniac jumps over the bar tackling Frank to the ground beginning to punch him immediately. The two roll around in the broken glass for a moment before Maniac head-butts Frank in the nose causing him to release his grip. Maniac stands, grabbing Frank and pulling him up then kneeing him in the gut and throwing him into the bar. Maniac picks up a bar stool and goes to hit Frank with it but is kicked away, causing Maniac to go flying back dropping the bar stool in the process. Frank gets up pulling a knife that was tucked in his belt behind his back and Maniac is back on his feet as well with no weapons in hand but he smiles anyway.

Maniac: Let’s dance Frankie.
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The scene quickly flashes back to Higgins and Maniac.

Higgins: My goodness sir, a knife fight with no knife? That sounds outright dangerous, what happened next?

Maniac: Well if you would just hold on to your colostomy bag I’ll tell you.

Maniac looks over to where a camera would be, staring into it and shaking his head kind of like how Carol Burnett did…
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Cutting back to where he was in the story Maniac throws his head back in laughter which causes Frank to  charge in anger, wildly thrusting the knife at Maniac and swinging it like a madman. Frank  gets a few good shots in, cutting Maniac’s arms and hands but they’re all superficial wounds that would heal quickly. Maniac maneuvers so that they move away from the bar and towards the couch and Frank once again tries for the kill but Maniac moves at the last moment which causes Frank to almost tumble over the back of the couch. He quickly recovers and turns around to face Maniac but is met with a fireball directly to the face which causes him to drop the knife and fall to his knees. As he’s writhing in pain Maniac picks up the knife that Frank dropped and stands over him for a moment before kicking Frank to the floor. Maniac moves quickly and sits directly on Frank’s chest, stabbing the knife in his face causing another scream from Frank.

Maniac: Scream all you like Frankie, the walls are soundproof. Now, you and I are going to have a little chat…
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Once again we are pulled back to Maniac and Higgins.

Higgins: My goodness sir, you didn’t kill him did you?

Maniac doesn’t answer, just shrugs his shoulders as his eyes drift back over to where a camera would be and smiles raising and lowering his eyebrows as he does so...
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Back to the story and we are at the end where we find Maniac walking away from a random dumpster dusting his hands off as he does, he suddenly stops and turns around noticing that one of Frank’s legs are sticking out of the dumpster and you can hear an “oops” escape his lips as he walks back over lifting the lid and pushing the leg into the dumpster before letting the lid crash shut. He then turns around giving a thumbs up to a non-existent camera.

Maniac: No loose ends.
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We are back to Maniac with a smile on his face with thoughts of a job well done and Higgins with a look of shock on his face which Maniac chuckles and shrugs it off.

Maniac: Moral of the story is not only do I have the skulls now, but Sammy and Delilah are safe AND Frank won’t be a bother anymore. Now all I gotta do is figure out the ritual and we’re set.

Higgins says nothing as he is still in to much shock. Maniac smiles and walks over to Higgins patting him on the shoulder.

Maniac: Don’t you worry about it my friend, you just worry about getting better. And don’t worry about the house, Antonio and I will take care of it while you are getting better. Now I gotta go, many things to do. A demon to stop, beautiful girlfriend to fuk, and if I have time a promo to cut.

Maniac once again turns to the non-existent camera and winks, walking off as the scene fades.
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On camera

Current day

The scene opens on Maniac’s bus where we find Maniac sitting on the couch having a drink as he watches a replay of Ringmaster, he’s at the end of the Keys of the Kingdom match between Sean Parker and Stu-E Price. Even though he knows the outcome of the match he is still excited to watch it, on the edge of his couch taking random drinks but not taking his eyes off the screen taking in all the action and when it’s over Maniac jumps up cheering in excitement. He sits back down and takes another drink before beginning.

Maniac: That was one Hell of an event now wasn’t it? Lots of twists and turns throughout the night but all in all I’d say it was a good night. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Maniac you didn’t win Ringmaster why are you in such good spirits unlike Jeremy and Sean”? It’s like little orphan Annie said the sun will come out tomorrow, there will be other opportunities you just gotta keep dancing. And while Jake Houseman and his minions try and kill the music you just remember nobody puts Baby in a corner! You get out there and bust a move!

Maniac finishes his drink and sets the glass down on a table.

Maniac: Stu-E, congrats on winning Ringmaster and the HWA Championship dude that was AWESOME.  I mean really, I thought I had that brass ring but you cranked it up and got the win. But don’t get to comfy with that title Because as soon as I earn an opportunity I’m going to be taking that from you, I look forward to stepping in the ring with you again we had such a great match I know that the next one will be even better. I gotta be honest with you Stu, I’m just honestly glad that one of those cocky dikheads didn't win it. You know who I’m talking about, Sean, Jeremy, or especially Hans. If any of them won the title we’d never hear the end of it at least with you you have some dignity about it.

Maniac takes out his pack of cigarettes and removes one, putting it in his mouth and lighting it and taking a deep drag before continuing.

Maniac: Speaking of Jeremy, well what a display that was huh J-bomb? I mean to start off if we’re being honest it wasn’t me and Toby that beat you in the first round, you beat yourself Jeremy. Even before getting to the arena let alone stepping into the ring you had already defeated yourself with everything that’s been going on letting it distract you. I know you don’t want to hear this especially from me but your too emotional, you let your emotions control you in and out of the ring and it’s costing you more than you realize. I mean come on, you made it blatantly clear when you tried to beat me to death in the middle of the ring after my match with Stu-E. The HWA Fanverse can see that I’ve changed why can’t you and the others?

Maniac takes another drag from his cigarette and continues.

Maniac: It’s like you just can’t let go of the past, you all hold onto it like it’s some sort of security blanket you all cling to in hopes that it keeps the boogeyman away. I’m tired of apologizing and I’m tired of people expecting me to walk on eggshells because of my past. Well guess what? That’s NOT happening because I apologized a trillion times, I’m sorry Miss Jackson. (oh)

Still puffing on his cigarette Maniac grabs his glass and gets up, heading to the bar and makes himself another drink. He takes a few drinks before turning around, leaning on the bar and continues.

Maniac: Toby, glad to see you well rested and on the road to recovery buddy. You did SO well in your first Ringmaster I was rather impressed, not everyone can make it to the second round especially after having to carry ALL that dead weight the ENTIRE time. I mean if I had to carry your ego the entire time I’m not going to lie I more then likely wouldn’t of made it past round one. I’d be right there with J-bop steel chair in hand waiting for you to come backstage.

Maniac gives the camera a sarcastic look before taking another drink then finishing his cigarette.

Maniac: On a serious note I must address my former protégé, Erica. Oh Erica how naughty you have been, breaking into my home and brutalized poor Higgins, terrorized Vanessa and then Michelle. Your days are numbered you demonic bitch, I got your ticket back to Hell and it’s one way. Erica…no DreamMaster. This is between us, I’ll be at Havoc and I want  you to be there too so we can finish this little story of ours. Nobody else, just you and me in the ring and we’ll see what happens.

Maniac doesn’t say anymore, just stares into the camera finishing his drink as the scene fades to black.