Off camera

The scene opens at the Thirsty Beaver Saloon, a local and popular bar in Charlotte, North Carolina. Maniac sits at the bar, pounding away shots of Jack Daniels and each time he does asks for another. The bartender shakes his head at the amount Maniac has consumed and holds his hand out.

Bartender: I think you've had enough.

Maniac: I'll say when it's enough...another.

Maniac taps his first two fingers on the bar as he says it, not giving in. Wolfy walks into the bar and sits down next to Maniac.

(Wolfy): I’ll have a Yuengling bud… So how you doing Maniac? How you feeling?

Maniac glances over at Wolfy and then back at the bartender, who brings Maniac another shot and Wolfy’s drink. He leaves the bottle of Jack for Maniac and then looks to Wolfy with a look of concern.

Bartender: Look after him, he’s been through Hell, and it’s far from over.

He looks over to Maniac.

Bartender: It’s on the house. I hope it helps.

The bartender walks off, and Maniac raises the shot glass in cheers before drinking it.

Maniac: Just peachy Wolfy, how about you? You know, word on the grapevine is Toby just got his thirteenth rabies shot.

(Wolfy): HAHA! Yeah. I can’t tell if he’s foaming from the mouth from anger or rabies. Either way I have a feeling an example of him was made. However you okay? Drinking pretty heavy, and not in a celebration kind of way.

Maniac chuckles as he opens the bottle and takes a swig.

Maniac: What’s to celebrate Wolfy? That “victory” I had at Road To Ruin?

Maniac laughs and takes another drink.

(Wolfy): Fair enough.. have you gotten word on Erica’s condition?

Maniac shakes his head.

Maniac: No, nobody will tell me where she’s at, not even her family will talk to me. It’s probably for the best, though, pal. She doesn’t want anything to do with me. I failed her miserably, Wolfy…what am I doing?

Maniac looked at Wolfy when he asked the question, then turned back forward and took another drink from the bottle.

(Wolfy): Look Maniac… You can’t beat yourself up like this… It’s going to kill you… Trust me I know… I know you have a past, but so do I. Everyone who grew up like we did does. However you can’t even take full blame, everyone tried to warn her over this demon. Including yourself. We both did bad things during our life, I know, but one thing I learned is one way we can make up for that is keep your chin up and do what’s right and help others and make our presence worth something while we can. Don’t kill yourself over this when for one this wasn’t entirely your fault and for two you could be help for someone else or even for Erica down the line.

Maniac shakes his head. How could he help anyone? He goes to take another drink, and in the mirror behind the bar, he seems them. Mandy’s sister, Antonio’s ex-wife, and Kevin. They’ve been popping up a lot lately, staring at him, judging him. Maniac puts the bottle down and stares into the mirror, Kevin is holding a bar napkin with a single word on it. Maniac has to focus hard, but after a few minutes, he sees it. Not a word, a name. J.J. Maniac’s eyes widen, and he sits back, almost falling off the barstool. Still looking in the mirror, Maniac can only choke out one word.

Maniac: Why?

Wolfy doesn’t notice the man

(Wolfy): Woah! You okay? Why what?

Maniac shook his head before looking back at the mirror, and they were gone. Maniac steadies himself and looks at Wolfy.

Maniac: I’m good, sorry about that. I’m wondering why I came back. If I hadn’t, none of this would have happened. And who knows, maybe Erica would have worked through her issues and not did what she did.

Maniac shrugs and takes another drink. Wolfy takes a drink looking very closely at Maniac as he knows something is up

(Wolfy): You really can’t blame yourself man it’s not your fault… Speaking of all this.. Do you think it’s over? With DreamMaster and all?

Maniac: If I hadn’t come back, that demon wouldn’t have had free reign over the HWA. Matt would still be here, and who knows, maybe they would have gotten that pure wrestling idea to actually work. As for your question, I really hope so. I know I said it was over at the media scrum, but deep down, I have this bad feeling that it’s not over yet.

(Wolfy): Sadly if HWA was nothing but Pure wrestling I wouldn’t of made it here nor would the next generation that will come in with the same idea as me. Protect others. As for DreamMaster.. I don’t know. I would like to think he’s gone I pray to god he is… but I have a bad feeling.. I don’t know.. Maybe it’s in my head maybe it’s because I’m use to evil coming back…

Wolfy goes into a whisper where only Maniac can hear him.

(Wolfy): I don’t know if it’s a form of something with the brain like a form of PTSD or whatever but… I also feel him nearby.. Sucking energy from my past feeding on it on my worries of it all.. I don’t know…

Maniac nods in agreement

Maniac: I feel it too, like it’s waiting in the shadows with the other skeletons in the closet, biding it’s time.

Maniac looks up and once again sees the three ghosts in the mirror, Kevin waves the bar napkin in the air before tapping   the top of his wrist as if he was wearing a watch. Maniac knew that meant time was limited for whatever this was, but why this kid? Maniac shakes off the thoughts and takes another drink.

Maniac: We need to train, to be ready just in case. What do you say we have some more drinks and then we head to the training center?

Wolfy takes a sip of his beer

(Wolfy): Sounds great bud! I can always go for drinking and training! Just can't drink to much. Last time I drank to much German beer I woke up wearing lederhosen covered in bratwurst... Theirs even a video of me yodeling...

Maniac laughs and finishes off the bottle.

Maniac: Yeah, I saw it. Haha, you looked like a drunk William Shatner.

Maniac laughs harder, smacking his hand on the bar.

(Wolfy): Well I felt like William Shatner shot me with his phaser the next day when I dealt with the hangover. Gosh even the light from the Flashlight Fish was to much to deal with. HAHA!

Maniac continues to laugh along with Wolfy, and after the laughter dies down, Maniac takes out his pack of cigarettes and removes one, putting it in his mouth and lighting it. He takes a deep drag and holds it for a minute before releasing the smoke.

Maniac: Good one buddy, you ready to hit the road and head to the training center?

(Wolfy): Sounds good to me! I'm ready to hit the road need the training for Havoc!

The two friends stand up and start heading to the exit, as they do Maniac suddenly starts to yodel and do a goofy dance causing everyone to stare. Wolfy shakes his head and walks off as the scene fades.
__________________________________________________

On camera

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

The scene opens a few days later, where we find Maniac and Wolfy walking into the HWA training facility. They are both fresh, sober, and ready to train for their upcoming matches at Havoc. As they walk in the all the students stop at once and stare at Maniac and Wolfy. After a few uncomfortable minutes, a slow clap begins to start from within the student body, and it builds from there, turning into thunder within the building. Those who aren’t clapping are pounding the apron of the ring with their hands, the students who are inside are stomping on the mat. Maniac smiles, looking over at Wolfy and then back at the students nodding in thanks.

(Wolfy): Woah buds what ya’ll cheering for? Their a cool snake around?

Wolfy looks at Maniac confused.

(Wolfy): What they clapping for? This is new for me. I’m use to people cheering when I have my animals with me not like this.

Maniac chuckles, putting his arm around Wolfy’s shoulders.

Maniac: This, my friend, is a form of respect and admiration within the wrestling community. Congratulations pal, you’re a fuking superstar now.

Maniac ushers Wolfy forward and the two shake hands, and tell stories about their experiences in their matches. After it’s all done, the two are up in the media room, ready to record their promo for Havoc. Maniac hits record and sits back, looking over at Wolfy, motioning him to start them off.

(Wolfy): Hey Their Buds! How are ya’ll doing? Because I know I feel great after that victory against Lazy Butt Goblin a victory that will be forever sketched in the history books as the first match for the next generation, and wildlife took the victory and poaching and bullying lost! I will forever be here to fight for that as well. However the question is what is next. Well what’s next for me is a match I’m looking forward to. Not because I hate the guy matter of fact I can’t wait to shake his hand at the match I see him as a good buddy. However friend or not. Bring you A game bud because I’ll definitely bring mine, because this will be the last Havoc of 2024 and holy lizard I want to go out with a gator roar!

Maniac nods.

Maniac: You and Lunatik are going to tear the house down, I can’t wait for that! However, before I talk about my match against Sean, I have a question. How in the flying fuk did Toby get a title match? I mean, like my friend Wolfy just said, he whooped Toby’s ass all over that Zoo match and came out victorious, and Toby gets a shot? Hans and Sean put up one hell of a fight, and I could see one of them, if not both, getting another shot…but fuking TOBY?!?!?!?

Maniac holds his hands up in the air palms up for emphasis as he finishes his sentence. He puts them down and takes a few breathes before reaching down and grabbing a bottle of water and taking a drink before continuing.

Maniac: Anyway, Sean, it seems that it’s you and me in the ring on New Year’s Eve. Look, I know you and everyone else hate my guts, and you guys have every right to. But if you guys think I’m going to just quit, then you’re all the crazy ones. Believe it or not, Sean, we ALL share a passion… and it’s the HWA. If I had it my way, I would have never left the HWA, and who knows, maybe things would have turned our differently. Maybe it'd be all of us rallying against Wolfy, Toby, and everyone else. Haha, wouldn’t that be something?

Maniac sighs.

Maniac: But we don’t always get what we want, do we Sean? Even if you get a second shot at it, sometimes it just slips between your fingers. Make no mistake, no opportunities are slipping between my fingers at Havoc, and I’m going on to challenge Stu-E for the HWA World title. Oh, by the way, congrats, kiddo. Marriage is a big step, I wish you the best of luck.

Maniac raises his water bottle in cheers and takes a drink. Wolfy laughs about Tobias Clarke getting the title shot.

(Wolfy): I’m not worried about Lazy Butt Goblin and that title shot. During that zoo match he did nothing but prove he couldn’t hold up. However if he does weasel himself another win I have no issue beating his arse around the ring a second time and taking that title away from him, because we know he’s going to do nothing with that title but use the power of the belt to abuse people. It’s about time the title belongs not to a man anyway. But to the zoo, because when I win that title eventually I will use that title to promote zoos and help wildlife. And I refuse to be told I don’t deserve the title because I have the guts to even make the title like a hardcore title you could go after me 24/7 I will not back down. I will never back down title or no title. Unlike Lazy Butt Goblin I proved and will continue to prove I belong here.

Maniac: You know Wolfy, it’s funny, usually when you win the big one that’s when you usually go to Disneyland but Sean just couldn’t wait could he?

Maniac chuckles.

Maniac: Just messing with you Sean don’t get your assassin cape in a bunch. Seriously though, I know you’ve got to be just as annoyed about Toby getting a title shot as I am. I mean, we all won our matches and…

Maniac’s eyes widen, and he puts his hand over his mouth.

Maniac: Oops, I mean almost all of us did… but it’s okay. Enjoy your trip, buddy. Get your pictures with Mickey and the gang, and I’ll see you in Iowa.

Maniac winks and finishes off his bottle of water.

(Wolfy): Lets be honest though. Lazy Butt Goblin has no chance. He finally got in a big match he lost. For god sake the mans scared of a bunny to the point he had to harm one instead of letting it go.

Maniac laughs and shakes his head.

Maniac: I’m just curious about the train of thought that led Butch and Wisdom to give that shytball a title shot. I wonder if Sean has seen the new card, I wonder who else has seen the card and what they think. What if he paid them off? I wonder how much he had to give Butch and Wisdom for a title shot. What do you think, Wolfy?

(Wolfy): Probably didn’t have to pay anything. After how we smelled after our match, him crapping himself, and him crying eating ice cream in his urine bath.. All he had to do was threaten to hug them. For god sake I might of smelled like Al Weezy’s belly button but he smelled like Rosie O’Donnell bathing in sewage. I’m pretty sure I seen him walk past a couple people and a lady went bald and a man lost his eye brows.

Maniac: No doubt, the both of you looked and smelled like you were fighting in a barnyard when a bomb went off in it. On a serious note, I want to reach out to Erica’s mother. Please get ahold of me. Let me know how Erica is doing. Hopefully, she is recovering peacefully. I know she’s a fighter, and I hope that her and her alone come back. But that’s all I got for now, I gotta find J.J. Sign off for us, Wolfy.

Maniac stands up and walks off out of camera view.

(Wolfy): See ya’ll buds!

Wolfy gives a wave before waking off as the scene fades to black.
__________________________________________________

Scene opens.

(Off Camera)

We see Wolfy arriving home after spending time with Maniac. Wolfy walks in his home, locks the door then heads to his bedroom. We see a nice bedroom with photos of zoo animals on the walls and a dog bed next to his king sized bed. Wolfy walks up to his dresser and sighs as he takes his hidden Glock out of his khaki shorts and puts then puts it on his dresser. He then looks up at the mirror that is hanging above his dresser and inside the reflection of the mirror he sees Professor Hoff standing behind him.



(Wolfy): What the hell!?



Wolfy grabs the Glock from his dresser turning around fast pointing the Glock right at Professor Hoff's head.



(Prof. Hoff): Oh uh.. I wouldn't do that if I were you.



A look of confusion and anger comes across Wolfy's face



(Wolfy): You moron. This is Ohio stand your ground state. Yet you have the nerve to break in my home and say I can't shoot you?! What damn game you getting at?!



(Prof. Hoff): You don't want to shoot me because I know what you did before wrestling... before zoology... Kill me and word gets out..



A look of concern comes across Wolfy's face.



(Wolfy): What the hell are you talking about?



(Prof. Hoff): Don't play stupid Mr. Chris The Tamer Hoff... You really didn't think I would of found out? Now lower your gun.. What do you think the zoo's would think? The fans? The Kids? You don't want that do you?



Wolfy's face turns into nervousness as he lowers his pistol

(Wolfy): What... What do you want?



Prof. Hoff takes out a flasks full of liquid that is a shiny red color.



(Prof. Hoff): I want you to drink this.



Wolfy looks at the flasks with disgust



(Wolfy): Are you kidding me?! You want me to willingly take another experiment from you of all people? You must be mad!



(Prof. Hoff): You got that right! I am mad! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Now you're going to drink this or I swear to you everyone will know. We both know eventually this past will catch up to you. Maybe even end you. However we both know I speak, not only will the past catch up sooner... Everyone is going to have a whole knew perspective of you! HAHAHAHAHA! Now drink it!



Wolfy looks terrified, mad and sad all at the same time.



(Wolfy): What's it going to do to me?...



(Prof. Hoff): Don't worry it's only gonna make you more animalistic.. HAHAHAHAHA!



Wolfy is just staring at the flasks for a bit not wanting to take the flask



(Prof. Hoff): Ops a timer was just set Chris if you don't drink in ten seconds everyone will know! HAHAHAHAHA! Just imagine how precious little kids will feel...... HAHAHAHAHAHA!



Wolfy starts reaching for the flasks looking very scared and upset however before he could grab it Wolfy's front door opens and closes with someone coming inside and Wolfy looks at his bedroom door



(Unknown voice): Honey it's me!... Wolfy where are you?



Wolfy looks back where Prof. Hoff was standing to see he is no longer there and has disappeared.. Wolfy looks around nervously.



(unknown voice): Honey?!



(Wolfy): Coming!



Wolfy walks out and the scene ends.