Off camera

Scene opens at Paddy’s Bar & Grill which is located in the historic Powers Building on the corner of SW 1st & Yamhill, Paddy’s Bar & Grill offers an inventory of over 600 spirits on an impressive liquor wall where people enjoy traditional Irish cocktails, draft Guinness, hearty scratch-made meals and great bar snacks in one of Portland’s longest-serving spots. We find Maniac still wearing his black Dickie pants, black sneakers, and his new HWA T-shirt. He’s sitting at the bar enjoying a Miller High Life draft beer as he casually looks between the various big screen TVs that are each playing a different sport. As he looks between the TVs Maniac notices a man wearing an all black suit with a white undershirt complete with black shoes, a dark pair of shades, and a black fedora hat. A cold shiver creeps up Maniac’s spine which causes him to look away from the man only to find another man similar to the one he just seen except he’s not wearing a hat.

Maniac: Hmmm, that’s weird.

He says to himself before taking another drink, then turns to face a different TV and spots yet another man similar to the other two he just seen. His gut tells him something isn’t right but doesn’t want to let them know that he’s on to them, so he decides to test them. Maniac calmly and casually finishes his beer, sits down the glass, and then goes to stand up from the bar only to notice the dark suited men start to stand too. Instead of oddly walking away or just running Maniac pretends to be drunk and plops back down on the barstool, watching as all the men get the same uncomfortable look on their faces before sitting back down. Maniac chuckles and shakes his head as he speaks aloud.

Maniac: Whew, guess I had one to many.

Maniac chuckles again as he shakes his head and looks around as if he’s trying to clear his head, he had no doubt in his mind these were MIB agents. He remembered how they dressed and noted that these guys dressed the same, so he assumed that they were too. That, and the fact that Maniac just raided some secret CIA base in an alternate universe to rescue Mandy. Not mentioning the fact that Mandy shot and killed the alternate Mandy before they left, so there’s that too. Maniac wondered if this was retaliation for all that or just another assassination attempt, didn’t matter though because they’re here and so is he and they’re surrounded by tons of innocent people. He had to get out of here and away from the people so the MIB agents would follow, that way Maniac could dispose of them properly. His solution came when the female bartender(and a HUGE HWA fan, especially Maniac’s) who had been flirting with him since he got there came walking over with a smile on her face.

Bartender: Hey there champ, you ok?

Maniac smiles and nods.

Maniac: Yeah, just had one to many and stood up to fast. Is it cool if I just sit here for a few and chill out?

The bartender smiles and nods before walking off for a few minutes, when she returns she slides Maniac a cold can of Mountain Dew and a folded up piece of paper. She smiles again and even gives Maniac a wink.

Bartender: On the house just incase you get thirsty again, and that’s my number just incase you want to call me while you’re in town. I’m off in five by the way if you want to hangout.

She gives him the same look Mandy does that told him what her intentions were and Maniac swallowed hard, he felt guilty for flirting with the bartender but this was his only way out. Besides, it’s not like he’s going to sleep with the woman just leave with her to avoid major bloodshed. He’d have to do this carefully, he didn’t want to hurt her feelings but didn’t want her and everyone to die. Maniac smiles as he slips the piece of paper in his pocket, feeling the spear of destiny he had in there just incase. He pops open the can and then raises bin cheers to the bartender before taking a drink.

Bartender: My name is Brandy by the way, so what’s the deal between you and that Mandy chick? Are you two broken up or what?

The question catches Maniac off guard and he momentarily chokes on his pop, coughing and spitting Mountain Dew across the bar. Brandy laughs as she retrieves a towel and cleans up the mess, tossing it aside somewhere behind the bar after she was done and then turns back to Maniac who has finally stopped coughing. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and catches his breath before answering.

Maniac: Honestly Brandy, Mandy and I are still engaged but are temporarily separated. While we’re having our problems, I’m staying faithful to her. No offense Brandy, you’re a beautiful young woman but Mandy is the only woman for me.

Maniac leans in closely so only Brandy can hear him.

Maniac: Honestly, I need your help. Those customers out there, all sitting at random tables but all dressed the same. They’re not business men, they’re bad people who are waiting for their chance to kidnap me. All I’m asking is when you leave let me leave with you, I’m afraid that if I resist they’ll just open fire and I don’t want anyone getting hurt.

Brandy starts to look around but Maniac quickly stops her.

Maniac: Don’t look, you’ll let them know that we’re on to them. Please Brandy, help me.

Brandy just looks at Maniac for a few moments then answers.

Brandy: Ok, what’s the plan?

Maniac thanks her and then proceeds to tell her the plan while from a distance the team formed from the two different government agencies sits and watches as Maniac flirts with the bartender. While they’re not close enough to hear what they are saying but they can tell they’re flirting, they watched as she passes Maniac a Mountain Dew he didn’t ask for and a piece of paper with what they assumed was her number on it. That, and the fact that the bartender has been smiling and giggling like a schoolgirl since they’ve been talking. After about five minutes the bartender is off work and she makes her way around the bar to where Maniac is sitting and he stands, smiling as he offers the bartender his arm which she gladly accepts. They watch as the two walk out together, talking and laughing as they walk out the door and head towards her car. Once they’re in the car and gone the team one by one get up and leave, eventually all meeting back at the unmarked van they had parked down the street. They make sure that they haven’t been followed by anyone and when they’re sure the coast is clear they take off, at first there’s silence in the van until one agent breaks it by asking the agent in the passenger seat a question.

Agent: So, were you able to get the tracking device planted on him?

The agent in the passenger seat doesn’t answer or even look back at the agent who asked him the question, he just simply nods and the van falls back into silence. We fade back to Brandy and Maniac who are driving down the road, Maniac periodically checks the rear-view windows to make sure that they’re not being followed and when he’s satisfied that the coast is clear he leans back and let’s out a breath.

Maniac: Whew, that was close. Thanks for helping me out Brandy, I owe you one.

Brandy smiles as she nods her head.

Brandy: Yes you do and I know exactly how you can pay me back.

The doors suddenly lock and when Maniac goes to unlock it he finds that it won’t unlock, he looks at Brandy who simply keeps driving as Maniac bangs on the windows in panic as the scene fades.
___________________________________________________

On camera

The scene opens inside the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, we’re in the basement that has been converted for self defense classes. There are mats all-over the floor and a group of ladies are sitting in folding chairs off to the side of them, after a few minutes Brandy comes walking in wearing gray sweatpants, a matching shirt, a pair of faded black sneakers, and a whistle around her neck. As she gets closer to the women Brandy brings the whistle up to her lips, quickly blowing it twice to signal the beginning of the class.

Brandy: Ok ladies, as you know Leroy who usually volunteers for us is out right now. But good news, the doctors said they they can save his testicle so he’ll be returning after a full recovery. However, I’m was able to find us a replacement for today. Today ladies, we have with us from the Hardcore Wrestling Alliance the new HWA Champion…Maniac!!!

Meanwhile, while Brandy was talking to her class Maniac is standing just outside the door leading to the basement. He’s all geared up in a padded suit and an athletic cup for extra protection, he’s holding the catchers mask in his hand that’ll be used to protect his head and face as he stands there wondering what the Hell he's doing. He’s lost in thought as he looks through the glass window in the door, surveying the number of women in there ready to kick his ass. He catches Meredith smirking from behind the camera and she gives him a thumbs up, not being able to tell if it was sarcastic or not Maniac just gives a nervous wave. There were a lot of women out there, probably a lot of angry mom’s who hate his guts for all the things he's done, especially to the women of HWA. Could he do this? Could he take the wraith of a room full of Karen’s and soccer moms? Did Brandy just say something about being able to save a testicle? To late, he’s just been introduced and that’s his cue.

Maniac: Ok, here we go.

Maniac tucks the catchers mask in his arm and walks through the door, heading towards Brandy and the group of women who some are staring in disbelief while some look at him like Mandy does and the rest are looking at him in utter disgust. He stops just a few feet away and offers the women a friendly wave and smile.

Maniac: Hello ladies, hello again Brandy.

Brandy can see the other women looking at her, wondering just how she came to know this man. Brandy sighs as she shakes her head and rolls her eyes.

Brandy: We met at my job, he was a customer and I ended up helping him out. So he owes me one, and this is the favor.

She smiles, giving no further details and knowing that they won't get anything more out of her the group of women get up to begin. Maniac puts on the catchers mask and walks to the center of the mats where he’s joined by Brandy who  goes through the vulnerable points and demonstrates them, along with what to do if the perpetrator comes up behind you before letting each woman come up and try themselves. Each was given a different scenario where Maniac was someone different and each were given a chance to demonstrate what they learned when Maniac “attacked them” from front and behind. After the class was over Maniac sat in one of the folding chairs with a half empty water bottle in one hand, he’s breathing heavily and feels like he was just in a handicap match even though he was wearing a padded suit. He’s just sitting there staring into space, glad that this favor was over. Sometimes, being the champ can be painful…

Brandy: You ok champ?

Maniac jumps at the sound of her voice, he didn’t hear her approach him. Maniac instinctively drops the bottle of water and covers up, panic in his voice.

Maniac: I DON’T HAVE YOUR PURSE! NO PURSE!

Brandy steps back and throws her hands up.

Brandy: Easy, class is over champ. It’s all right.

Maniac slowly uncovers and sits upright.

Maniac: Oh, so we’re even now right?

Brandy puts her hands down and smiles, nodding her head.

Brandy: Even Steven, you’re an alright guy Maniac. Now that you’re free from the demon that is, I hope you can find the peace you’re looking for. You take it easy, and good luck at Havoc I’ll be rooting for you. And my girl Sarah of course, I’ll tell her you said hey.

Brandy giggles and walks off towards the door and that’s when he sees it, hanging above the door is a portrait of Sarah Callahan and Brandy together. Maniac just stares at it for a few moments before he begins to chuckle which eventually breaks out into full laughter, he throws his head back and just laughs at the odds of him running into someone who knows Sarah. After it’s out of his system Maniac wipes the tears from his eyes and then grabs his water bottle, taking a big drink as Meredith approaches him.

Meredith: I got to admit Maniac, I didn’t think you’d have the guts to go through with this. So, feel like an interview?

Maniac smirks and finishes off his water, sitting the empty bottle down at his feet he sits back in the folding chair.

Maniac: Always Meredith, there are things to discuss aren’t there?

Meredith: Indeed, first off I’d like to bring up something William Draconis said in his promo. He was talking about  his match with your friend Lunatik and he transitioned into mentioning you, saying, and I quote, “So at Havoc I will step in that HWA ring against Mr. Lunatic the buddy to Maniac and our new heavyweight champion. I have learned that I will not take you lightly in our match but after it I will be seeing you Maniac because you are holding something that should be around my waist.” What’s your response to him?

Maniac: Well Meredith, it seems to me that William believes that just because he won the men’s battle royal at Fatality it automatically means he’s the next HWA Champion.

Maniac shakes his head.

Maniac: Sorry silly Willie, I’m not letting go of this title for awhile. Just like everyone else who comes for it, you’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers. This is MY redemption and I’ve fought long and hard for it, and it won’t be taken away by you or anyone else.

Meredith: Moving on, recently one of your opponents for Havoc was interviewed by Roderick back at the HWA Academy. Hans von Richtoven had some words about you and your upcoming match which seems like it’ll be a handicap match now. He started by saying, and I quote, “I commend our new champion. You can’t be the arsonist and the firefighter at the same time. I’m glad to see him pick just one for a change.” But before that he did also note his dislike of you, your comments?

Maniac chuckles.

Maniac: Well shucks Hans, I appreciate you recognizing my efforts. It is more satisfying to put out fires rather than start them, maybe you can get through to Jeremy and explain that to him. You don’t have to feed me quotes Meredith, I seen the promo. Look Hans I get it, I’ve done terrible things and everyone hates me for it but that’s not me anymore. Just like your not the same Baron you were back in the day when you worked for Senester and Dark Horse Towers, people change.

Maniac stands, grabbing the empty water bottle and walking it over to the trash can he throws it away.

Maniac: You know Hans I’m just as disappointed that Stu won’t be at Havoc but it is what it is, it won’t stop me from winning. Oh come now Hans, don’t be coy. You figure that the odds are in your favor being it’s a handicap match and you have your pal Jeremy as your tag partner. Well Hans, as you and everyone else know I defy the odds. I’ve never let odds or anything else tell me what I can or cannot do, and while it’s been a rocky path I’ve came out on top as HWA Champion. Jeremy I hope you’re alright man, wherever you are. I wasn’t kidding or bullshytting when I said I could give Matt his career back, please come talk to me. Ok, I got to get this padded suit off I’m burning up.

Before Meredith can say anything Maniac has turned around and headed out the door to get changed as the scene fades to black.