[Backstage]
[Adam-X walks the long corridor leading to the dressing rooms. A figure is in front of him moving against the wall and stretching. Adam-X knows who it is before he even gets there. Adam walks up by the man to reveal Nighthawk standing there getting ready for his match that night.]
ADAM-X: Hawk.
[Nighthawk smiles...and it is simultaneously warm with friendship and cold as ice.]
NIGHTHAWK: Adam.
ADAM-X: How is Annie doing?
NIGHTHAWK: Better and good. Susan and the baby?
ADAM-X: Doing great.
NIGHTHAWK: Good to hear. You know, it is good to see you again, bro. Sorry to see that you're reduced to being Alex's babysitter again, but hell it's your life. Though maybe Mace's life is what you should be concerned with. The kid's gonna get hurt thanks to his association with you. They'll break him, Adam. The Darkness will break him after he loses tonight. And he WILL lose...you know that, don't you? I'll be at my very best...and you know better than anybody that when I'm at my best, there's nobody better.
[Nighthawk grins again. Adam-X just stares at his former partner and friend. A grin on appearing on his face.]
ADAM-X: Oh you are done? Because I was waiting on you to take a breath. I am not here to babysit Alex. The kid is in control which is something I haven't seen you in lately. I am more or less here to make sure that us old school types don't go and allow things to go into DARKNESS shall I say. As for Mace. Well, you better walk softly rookie.
[Adam moves up and gets right in Hawks face. The two men are now just barely touching as they look at each other deeply, foreheads almost touching. Adam's words dripping out from him, each laced with coldness and reserve.]
ADAM-X: You have choosen a dangerous game this time PARTNER. I would hate to see something happen out there to Mace tonight because if it does, there will be FURY to be felt, rookie. After all, you know just how much I hate these games.
NIGHTHAWK: Enjoy the show. Tonight, I'm feeling a little Unstable...
[With that, Nighthawk walks off without bothering to wait for Adam's reaction. Adam looks at Hawk as he walks away down the corridor.]
ADAM-X: Always have to get the last word in don't you Hawk. Always the last word...
[A hearty laughter starts behind Adam-X that turns into almost a cackle. Adam-X turns around to see Ripper sitting on top of a large black equipment box with an evil smile across his lips.]
RIPPER: Amazing how he is always like that, always saying what he wants, and walking off so he can live in his little world without hearing or thinking of the consequences of his actions.
ADAM-X: What do you want Ripper? I mean, I didn't think that we were exactly on speaking terms nor did I want to be.
RIPPER: What do I want? World peace for one. I would love an ice cold one right now. And I am dying to know what exactly is in Colonel Sanders secret herbs and spices of his original recipe. Most of all, I want Mace to win.
[Adam-X looks at Ripper with a puzzled look at the last thing Ripper said.]
RIPPER: Trust me X-Man, I have no desire to have him in the Darkness just like I had no desire for Hawk to go making that idiotic stipulation. But if by some reason, I do have to take him under my wing, well, I know now what not to do. You can thank Alex for that one!
[With a wink of the eye, Ripper hops down from his box and walks off singing a little song as he steps down the concrete hallway. Adam-X standing there with his fists clinched. ]
ADAM-X: I am surrounded by mad men. Well, in all I have seen or done, what is one more for the mix.
[Adam-X turns and walks in the opposite direction from Ripper towards the Authority's dressing room.]
RIPPER: Hi Diddly Dee...a bad boy's life for me...
[Fade out]