[Suddenly, the CSWAtron lights up and the crowd pops huge as Python shimmers into view backstage with Rachel, who will be accompanying him to the ring for the first time tonight. Python is jumping and snapping his head from side to side, loosening and psyching up while Rachel sits on the couch, watching. She looks a little worried as she watches Python prepare for the match. He catches the look immediately.]
[PYTHON]: What�s up? Why do you look so nervous?
[RACHEL]: I dunno�
[PYTHON]: What? Got stage fright?
[Python grins as Rachel just squirms a little and shrugs]
[RACHEL]: I guess�
[PYTHON]: Ah, there�s nothing to be afraid of. You just have to stand there. I got the hard part.
[RACHEL]: But� I dunno� I�ve never done this kind of thing! I�ve never been in front of a group of people, let alone a stadium full. What if they don�t like me?
[Python shakes his head and runs a hand through his spiky, red-tipped hair. He walks over to the couch and sits down next to Rachel, choosing his words carefully.]
[PYTHON]: Hey, lemme tell you a story. This goes back to about three, four years ago when I was first debuting for an indy fed. I was in my late teens, of course, so I was pretty cocky for someone who was going out there inexperienced. I was already planning out my title shots and hall of fame acceptance speech. Of course, I figured I could take this jobber no problem. That�s what they gave me for my first match, a lower carder to test me out. So I go out there, thinking I�m all bad, swagger down to the ring, climb up on the apron, and I slipped on my ass.
[Laughter ripples through the crowd and a small grin begins to creep across Rachel�s face]
[PYTHON]: I ignored, got up, laughed it off. It was all good. Try to jump over the top rope, caught my foot, fell on my face this time.
[More laughter from the crowd]
[PYTHON]: Got up, tried to redeem myself by jumping up and posing on the top rope. I slipped, ended up straddling myself on the top rope. The bell rang and I was already beaten. I got my ass kicked and lost the match.
[Rachel covers her mouth and tries not to laugh, but fails. The fans are howling as Python nods and grins.]
[PYTHON]: Yeap, yeap, go ahead. Laugh it up. Not one of my more graceful days, but the point is that�s what happens when you go out there thinking you�re better than everyone. You�re cocky. You�re the best thing to ever grace God�s green earth. You end up making a fool of yourself. I went back to training after that, got picked up by a few bigger feds, kept my chin up the whole time. Fought my way up instead of falling my ass down and 11 championships and 5 feds later, here I am. The point is it�s ok to be nervous sometimes. It�s ok to be scared.
[Rachel�s head slowly begins to droop, but Python gently puts his finger under her chin and lifts it again. She smiles bravely up at him, hanging on his every word.]
[PYTHON]: As long as you just go out there and do your thing, you�ll be fine. Trust me.
[RACHEL]: I do.
[PYTHON]: Now, I�m not forcing you to come out there with me, so if you want to stay back here and watch the match on T.V., I�m sure I could get the janitor to come keep you company or something�
[Rachel laughs and climbs to her feet. The crowd pops as Python puts out his hand and Rachel jokingly shakes it.]
[PYTHON]: Besides, I�m sure they�ll love you! Isn�t that right?
[Python quickly winks to the camera and the crowd cheers their approval. Rachel laughs as Python looks in the direction of the arena and puts his hand to his ear.]
[PYTHON]: Come on, I can�t hear you! Rachel�s ok, huh?
[CROWD]: Yeah!!!
[PYTHON]: Come on!
[CROWD]: Yeeeaaah!
[PYTHON]: LET�S HEAR IT!
[CROWD]: YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAH!!!
[PYTHON]: Alright!!! Let�s do this, huh!?
[RACHEL]: I�m right behind ya!
[PYTHON]: That�s more like it!
[Python throws the door open and dashes out, pounding the wall to psyche everyone up with Rachel close behind, grinning excitedly�]