On camera

The following is footage from security footage within the HWA training facility

The scene opens back at the HWA training center where some of the students from the other day asked Maniac to come back and help them with their techniques, he stands in the middle of one of the many training rings with one of the students while others have gathered around to watch.

Maniac: Ok, so the most important thing is to be relaxed. If you’re relaxed it’s easier to what I like to call “flow” with your opponent, here let me show you.

Maniac beckons the student forward and they circle around each other for a moment before tying up.

Maniac: From here you have a few possibilities, foot stomp or shin/knee kick…

Maniac pretends to do both to demonstrate his point.

Maniac: And from there you can hit the DDT, knee, elbow, etcetera. Or you can go the classic route…

Maniac slowly twists the students arm as to not hurt him and to demonstrate his point. From there he slowly goes into a hammer lock…

Maniac: From here you can hit a modified Russian leg sweep, modified back suplex, or...

Maniac grabs the student gently in a headlock.

Maniac: The good ol’ headlock, and from here I like to hit one of the most effective moves there is…

Maniac playfully starts rubbing his knuckles on the students head.

Maniac: The noogie of death!!!

He lets go of the student and bursts into laughter and is soon followed by the others students.

Maniac: Haha and don’t forget to have fun out there, don’t get me wrong being disciplined is a key factor and winning is great but you can’t take it so seriously.

The student standing next to Maniac snickers.

Student: Was that your approach back when Senester was in charge?

Maniac chuckles as he turns to face the student.

Maniac: Of course, just like any job you gotta have some fun otherwise you go crazy. What’s your name?

The student beams as he straightens up.

Student: It’s Jared, Jared James Addams but my friends call me J.J. It's also my ring name…

He trails off thinking he said to much but Maniac smiles and nods.

Maniac: J.J. Addams…kind of catchy. But let me tell ya something J.J…

Maniac steps closer to the young man so he’s directly in front of him.

Maniac: Though times were A LOT different and much more stressful I still had TONS of fun, like for example when I stabbed Senester in his leg after the Alliance kidnapped him. Oh the good ol’ days, packed FULL of good times along with sprinkles of agony, pain, defeat, loss, and pure misery. But those things build character, makes you stronger physically and mentally.

J.J. simply nods and Maniac smiles as he clasps J.J. on his shoulder.

Maniac: You guys keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be called up in no time. That, or you’ll all have a bunch of offers from all over the world. Just remember what I said and remember to always stay true to yourselves, this business has a way of corrupting you one way or another. Trust me I know, and it’s hard to come back from that to rebuild burnt bridges.

The students nod and Maniac thanks them for their time and they thank him for his as he shakes their hands as the scene fades.
__________________________________________________

On camera

The scene opens in the media room of the HWA training facility, Maniac sits in a metal folding chair in the middle of the room with his arms crossed. He’s watching one of the TVs mounted to the wall as the news station its tuned to reports on the current grisly scene.

Reporter: Just outside the city limits of Los Angeles the authorities received an anonymous tip that led them to a disturbing find…

The scene switches from the reporter to the building she standing outside of, it’s run down and some parts of the roof have holes in it but it still served its purpose as an unofficial hangout for the biker gang. The scene switches back to the reporter and she continues…

Reporter: It was here that police found the local biker gang that’s terrorized many in Los Angeles notably HWA wrestler Hans 'The Baron' von Richtoven and his wife, former HWA color commentary Vanessa von Richtoven in literal pieces. Authorities said that parts were thrown everywhere and one officer even said, and I quote “The amount of blood that was pooled in that place made it look like Charles Mason’s dream home”. This biker gang is also known to have associations with current HWA wrestler Erica Martinez which authorities have said they will look into and every lead they receive.  More on the story as it develops, this is Sara Weathers reporting.

The channel goes to commercials and Maniac turns to the camera which once again has Meredith behind. Maniac shakes his head, arms still crossed as Meredith adjusts her shot.

Meredith: What are you shaking your head at?

Maniac stares at Meredith but doesn’t answer, his silence louder than any words and his eyes like daggers piercing through her. She can’t explain it but there’s a calmness about him that is off putting.

Meredith: Oh, Erica.

Still staring Maniac simply nods his head before standing up and walking over to a window that overlooks the city. He simply stares out the window for a moment taking in the beautiful city before turning his focus to the window itself. Maniac unlocks it, opens it, then pulls out his cigarettes and removes one putting it in his mouth and lighting it. He takes a deep drag and holds it in for a moment, savoring not only the flavor but the calmness the nicotine sends throughout his body.

Meredith: You know you can’t smoke in here, the Parkers are going to have a fit when they find out.

Meredith motions at the camera she’s holding and at the security cameras on the ceiling in which Maniac simply shrugs and continues to smoke.

Maniac: Yeah well they can fine me, I’ve got bigger things on my plate right now.

Maniac continues to smoke despite the pain it causes his lip from where Erica bit it, he takes one more long drag before Meredith breaks the silence.

Meredith: How’s Mandy doing? I heard she was transferred to a specialist or something.

Still facing the open window Maniac smirks, he knew that the real Mandy was safe but the fake one somehow escaped.  He had no doubt that she had help from other CIA agents who may or may not know that Mandy is from an alternate universe. Either way it was a loose end that Maniac would have to eventually tie up but for now his focus was on Road To Ruin and more specifically his match against Erica. Maniac finishes his cigarette and flips it out the window, turning toward Meredith and walking away leaving the window open to air out the room. Maniac smiles as he returns to the folding chair he was sitting in.

Maniac: Mandy is doing well, thanks for asking Meredith, as for her transfer I’m not sure either. Being that I’m not her husband or immediate family they wouldn’t tell me anything which is frustrating as Hell but I trust she’s in good hands and someone will call me with an update soon. But let’s not beat around the bush any longer Meredith, you know why we’re here.

Meredith simply nods and readies the camera while Maniac leans up in the folding chair, resting his hands on his knees.

Maniac: Do you feel it Erica? Your world collapsing around you as you helplessly scurry around trying to keep the walls from falling in on you. But you can’t keep up can you my dear? Oh no, and that’s because the house you live in is one of fire. It’s one of hatred, lies, and deceit…the house of the demon. You’ve given yourself to it completely and for what? What has that demon REALLY done for you Erica except amplify all your stress and self-doubt by taking all your problems and multiplying them ten fold?

Maniac shakes his head as he leans back  in the chair.

Maniac: I’m not going to sit here and pretend I’m a righteous man because everyone knows I’m not, I’ve taken part and done my share of horrible things. But you? You take the cake Erica, you’ve gone all out on this suicide mission you’re on to skyrocket to the top but really all you’re doing is running around in circles and burning bridges. But you can’t see that can you? That demon won’t let you, it wants to keep you in the dark and keep you blind to the truth. Don’t worry though Erica for I will show you the truth and set you free as promised.

Maniac reaches behind him and pulls out a dagger, the handle is pure gold and has a cross on it along with different color stones embedded into it. The blade itself is made of steel and it glistens in the light of the room, Maniac holds it up and turns it around to show the daggers full details.

Maniac: The truth is, whether you want to hear it or not Erica that you’re nothing more than a scared little girl who feels like she never had the full love and support you craved. And when you grew into an adult all your insecurities and doubts grew along with you, festering within you always driving you crazy. It grew and grew more and more each day, especially when you had to go and clock in to do your nine to five routine just to BARELY squeeze by. And when finally given the chance you showed what you thought was your “bad side”, you thought you were going to show dominance but what you really revealed that night Erica was fear. That’s right, you were scared that you didn’t have what it takes and that just maybe you wouldn’t be able to keep up so what did you do? You attacked them, tried to cripple them so that you’d have an easy ride to the top of the division. And when that didn’t happen then what?

Maniac holds his hands up palms up with his shoulders shrugged as he asked the rhetorical question.

Maniac: You went to seek answers from the shadows, messing with forces you had no business messing with. You sat under its learning tree for wisdom, strength, and guidance and in the process ended up being swallowed up by the darkness.  I watched the security footage from that night Erica and I know that you didn’t want this, that it took you forcefully and made the two of you one. I know that at first you fought and resisted it with all you might bit in the end it used your fears and insecurities to corrupt you, and after that you fully embraced it with no hesitation. THAT’S why I cut ties with you Erica, but like I said earlier fear not because I have the key to your freedom in my hand.

Maniac once again shows off the dagger.

Maniac: I have to admit Erica that it kills me that to free you I’m going to have to send both you and DreamMaster to Hell, much like it did Peter Parker to destroy Eddie Brock when he destroyed the Venom symbiote. But it was necessary to save humanity and just like you Eddie couldn’t let go, now I know we’re talking about fictitious characters but the similarities are there are they not? Humanity’s definitely at risk here, I mean just look at what happened to your biker friends. Did you help it lure them in? Did you help it take them apart? Can you even sleep anymore Erica? If not because of the demon it’s from a guilty conscience, because underneath that tough exterior is that scared little girl I was talking about. The one who’s lost her way and unfortunately found herself on the Road to Ruin, and at the end of that road she’s going to find both her savior and executioner patiently waiting to lead her to a place where she can FINALLY be at peace.

Maniac stands up from the chair and slowly starts walking towards the camera.

Maniac: And after it’s all said and done and I set you free take comfort in knowing that I too will be coming to that same place when it’s my time so save me spot for me because your Maestro will be seeing you again…now AND later.

Maniac gives a sad smile knowing he spoke the truth, that he too were damned many years ago and then walks away as the scene fades to black.