On camera

We open at Seven Grand, a popular bar here in the city of Angel’s where people like to come and have some drinks, enjoy some music, and if you feel like it play some pool. It’s here we find the New Age Psychos sitting at a table enjoying some drinks in the middle of a friendly conversation...

Maniac: I’m telling you, it was an accident, man. Did you not watch the damn replay?!?!?

Ok, maybe not so friendly….

Lunatik: Accident or no accident he knew what he was doing. Trying to take out the competition.

Maniac sighs and takes a drink.

Maniac: Seriously? Who said Grandpa and his barbwire escort were next in line? Look, I agree he should have been more aware of his surroundings, especially swinging that bat around, but just because he and Puff the magic dragon pops up wanting title shots DOESN’T automatically make them first in line.

The two finish their drinks and Maniac motions for two more, which are promptly brought to them.

Lunatik: Look you weren’t there you didn’t see how he looked at me after he hit me. Like he knew that I’ve already surpassed him and he’s on his last legs. Well that’s fine I’m going to help him finish his career.

Maniac starts to say he saw it all on the replay of Havoc but decides against it. He takes another drink before continuing.

Maniac: Fair enough, buddy, and you’ll get your shot at Havoc. While they are both impressive singles competitors, we have the advantage of being a seasoned tag team with plenty of experience. We just have to keep our cool and not let them get under our skin… or should I say your skin? Wait? Did Rob already get under your skin with his barbed wire bat?

Maniac can’t help but smirk as he takes another drink.

Lunatik: Funny. That’s ok I have something for him

Maniac: What’s that? A secret weapon, perhaps?

Maniac looks over at the camera and winks. Lunatik smiles and puts a 2x4 wrapped in barb wire on the table.

Lunatik: Mick says hi by the way.

Maniac: Nice dude, makes me want to bust out the ol’ lead pipe and wrap it in barbwire just for the hell of it. And at Havoc, we’ll show them how the New Age Psychos get it done right in the great state of Washington!!

As Maniac says the last line, he smiles and gives a thumbs up, just staring at the camera. After a moment, there is something said off camera, and Maniac looks up, shrugging his shoulders.

Maniac: What? I’m just trying it on.

Maniac looks back at Lunatik

Maniac: Anyway, I know we got this, Looney. These two may be veterans, but this is OUR  house, and I’ll be damned if two outsiders come in and jump the line.

Lunatik: Damn straight. I hope those two are prepared cause I’m going to cause them pain.

Suddenly a guy who’s clearly drunk yells out “Hey I didn’t know the freak show was in town.” He starts laughing with his buddies. Maniac laughs, smacking Lunatik on the arm.

Maniac: Hey  Looney, look, I didn’t know they were airing the next season of The Joe Schmo Show here in Los Angeles.

Maniac takes another drink, not taking his eyes off the men. Lunatik laughs and takes a drink too.

Lunatik: Or maybe it's more like the rejects from Jackass.

Maniac laughs harder and finishes his drink.

Maniac: Hey boys, this has been fun, but we are in the middle of a promo…

Maniac points at Greg holding the camera.

Maniac: Drinks on me, fellas, enjoy.

Maniac turns back to Lunatik.

Maniac: So where were we?

Lunatik: Well we were discussing our opponents at Havoc. But where are we with the search for Senester.

Suddenly the drunk guy and his buddies walk up to Maniacs and Lunatik’s table and looks at them. “You guys don’t look so tough“ Maniac sighs, looking at the camera.

Maniac: Here we go...

Maniac turns back and looks at the man and his friends.

Maniac: Looks can be deceiving. You are aware that my friend and I are professional athletes, right? Tell them, Looney.

Lunatik grabs his 2x4 and grins at the guys.

Lunatik: “Maybe we should give our opponents a sneak preview of what to expect at Havoc.”

Maniac shrugs.

Maniac: They do say actions speak louder than words…

Maniac doesn’t get to finish as one of the guys advances towards Maniac, who responds without thinking about it. He quickly jumps from his chair and grabs the guys outstretched arm with his left hand. Then, with his right, he punches the man in the face, dropping him instantly. Maniac jumps in the middle of the others and starts swinging.

Maniac: BARFIGHT!!!

Lunatik also jumps in. He hits one of the guys with a shotgun dropkick sending him flying. Maniac grabs a nearby bottle and breaks it over the leaders head before grabbing him with both hands on either side of his shirt and gives the man a vicious head-butt. The New Age Psychos brawl it out until all the men are down and not getting back up, Maniac looks around triumphantly as he pats Lunatik on the back.

Maniac: That was fun, but we better get going before the LAPD shows up. The last thing I need is Alexis’s bitch of  detective girlfriend on my case.

Lunatik: Yeah let’s go. We still need to discuss Senester.

The two quickly leave the bar, and outside Maniac flags down a cab and has it drop them back off at The Suicide Kings headquarters, where the two friends go inside, grab something to drink, and sit down to discuss their plans.

Maniac: Ok, I’m going to be honest. I was hoping we’d never have to talk about him again or anything related to him, but here we are. Now, I know you’re not going to want to hear this, but my honest opinion is that if we’re going to beat him, everyone needs to band together for this. We need to put all our bullshit aside and come together, and yes, that includes Jeremy, Sean, and the rest of them. Especially the fellow veterans who have been through this before, we need to guide the new generation through this. Otherwise, Senester is going to tear the HWA apart because we both know this is about more than some Netflix series.

Lunatik: You’re right we are going to need everyone. I just don’t know how we’re going to get them to listen to us. Hell most of them think he’s dead.

Maniac nods and takes a drink.

Maniac: Yeah, well after Havoc, I’m pretty sure they all know that he’s alive and well, unfortunately.

Maniac sits back and sighs.

Maniac: It’s going to be difficult, but we have to try. We have to try for the sake of the new generation so they can continue to thrive here without his shadow cast over the place.

Lunatik: I agree. Hopefully he won’t influence any of them like he tried with us. Sorry I wasn’t there for you when he kidnapped you. I had to go into hiding after the attempts on my life.

Quick flashes of his time within the walls of  Dark Horse Towers re-emerges, and Maniac quickly shakes them off.

Maniac: It’s ok, I understand. Hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

Maniac chuckles.

Maniac: Seriously though, Looney, after this tag team match at Havoc, you need to squash this bullshit beef you have with Rob. Both he and Travis would be very helpful in our fight against Senester.

Lunatik: Fine if he wants we’ll squash it.

Maniac leans forward.

Maniac: Seriously dude, none of that “he gave me this look,” shyt. Plus, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about backing off on Jeremy. No more teasing or taunting or anything like that. We need to move on from that and concentrate on more important things.

Lunatik rolls his eyes.

Lunatik: Ok fine I'll back off. But you know he'll never forgive you for the whole Matthew situation."

Maniac nods his head as he sits back again and finishes his drink.

Maniac: Yeah, I know, but can you really blame him? Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. You’d be pretty heated, too, if someone put your boyfriend on the shelf. How’s he doing, by the way? Still training German Sheppard breed dogs only?

Maniac can’t help but smirk.

Lunatik: Honestly I don’t know. Nobody has heard from him.

Maniac: That’s too bad. Hopefully, he calls you or texts. I’m sure you’re worried sick about your boy toy like Rob worries about the glare off that dome of his.

Maniac can’t contain it anymore and bursts out laughing.

Lunatik: Wait are we talking about Matthew? Cause you know that I’m not gay.

Maniac laughs harder, slapping his hand on the table.

Maniac: I was wondering when you were going to catch on, seriously though I can’t wait for this tag match it’s going to be great.

Lunatik laughs

Lunatik: Asshole but yeah you’re right it’s going to be great.

Maniac: Yeah, but we need to talk about something, Looney. It’s Wolfy he’s in trouble…

Maniac shoos off the camera and starts talking to Lunatik silently as the scene fades to black.