The scene opens with Darrell relaxing at the home of his girlfriend,
Jade Camry. Still recovering from injuries sustained in CMW, Darrell flips
through one television channel after another, while swigging on one Pabst
Blue Ribbon after another. Not moving much from his perch on the couch,
Darrell's "vacation" is interrupted as Jade walks into the room
Jade: Watcha watchin' Honey?
Darrell: Nothing much, some old sitcoms...nothing
worth mentioning.
Jade: So when do you plan on getting back to
Crimson Mask?
Darrell: Never. I've been thinking... I'm going to
retire. I'll never track down Chad... I think its honestly time to hang up
the boots.
Her whole face broadens with a large smile that is
hard to miss. Not disguising her pleasure at that statement, she
nonetheless needs verification.
Jade(practically giddy): Really? You mean it?
Oh Darrell...
She wraps her arms around him and gives him a big
hug. Smiling, but also trying to look around her so he can see the
television, Darrell hugs her back.
Darrell: Yes, I've asked Thomas to come over here
today so I can break the news to him. He should be here any---
The door bell rings interrupting him.
Darrell: minute.
Jade: He is always prompt, I'll have to give
him that. Allow me to get the door, my retired hunk of man.
Jade gets to the door and shows Thomas Highway
inside. Curiously, he is smiling, too. Just as broadly as Jade, if not
bigger.
Highway: I came right over once I got your
message. What's your news...because I have news of my own. A little
present, if you will.
Darrell: Well, first, I want you to give noice to
CMW that I'm not coming back, even after I'm medically cleared.
Highway: Already done. They seemed kind of
upset at you anyway, so I thought it was best to begin the legal
separation with that company.
Darrell: Second, I want you to call a press
conference. I'm officially retiring, effective immediately.
Highway looks very surprised, but still keeps his
smile. Jade, wary of that reaction gets worried.
Jade: Why are you so happy, Thomas. You look
like the proverbial cat that caught the canary.
Highway: Oh, nothing that matters now... I had
something to show Darrell, but I doubt that he'll want to see it.
Darrell: I'm not playing any games...what do you
have?
Highway: Just a contract.
Jade: You're right...he doesn't want to see
it.
Curious, Music has to know....
Darrell: This ought to be good...where?
Highway: Nowhere special, just a little place
called Innovative Championship Wrestling. A guy by the name of Dirge has
already signed up.
Just then...an eerie silence falls upon the room,
no one speaks, as Darrell and Jade ponder the ramification of the last
statement, and Higwhay lets them absorb the bombshell... after a brief,
quiet period...the television breaks the silence first as a song starts to
play...
Welcome back
Everyone looks at the television, totally
stunned, until they see what show just came on...
...your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back to that same old place that you laughed about.
Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they’re turned around.
Who’d have thought they’d lead ya (Who’d have thought they’d lead ya)
Back here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)
Yeah we tease him a lot cause we’ve got him on the spot,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
Highway: That's a sign...
Darrell barely pays him any attention, he just
mumbles to himself in introspection...
Darrell: Dirge...ICW... settle all scores...
The joy drains from Jade's face as she knows the
inevitable outcome of this conversation... Jade looks at Darrell, who is
looking at her. She nods her head and smiles in an unbelievably supportive
fashion...
Darrell: Thomas, I want you to call a press
conference...to announce that I'm coming out of retirement.
Highway: Well, sincce I never actually called
one to ann...
Darrell: Never mind all that, now...there are so
many things to do...our budget is going to bigger for this job.
Highway: And why is that?
Darrell: Dirge, that's why. That blowhard is going
to force us to hire video editors, videographers, around the clock
staffers to translate and make sense out of his promos. Usually when he
cuts one promo, there is over ten hours of footage that couldn't be put in
a months worth of shows, and yet he expects it to go in one week. I want
that staff so they can edit and boil down all of that garbage into the
thirty second sound bite that it all deserves to be. Most of the time he
has nothing to say...but when he does say something...if you can stay
awake through the marathon..is "Me good, you bad." I'll have fun finally
tearing that overrated trash apart. Its time to settle the score with him.
We never got a chance to finish it last time...but this is a sign...this
is it. It is time he Face the Music!
Highway: That's the spirit! If you'll just sign
this contract I brought, I can get it to the proper people and get you
ready to get back to work.
Jade: I'll call the Goons...let them know we
are back in business...
Darrell: That would be fantastic...hey....Thomas,
you wouldn't happen to know if that one guy is there...you know, the one
that talks about Fu Manchu alot..
Highway: heheh...you mean Fubar?
Darrell: That's what I said...that guy.
Highway: Yeah, he's there, too.
Darrell: Jade, tell them to meet me at Sidelines
Sports Pub. I know how I want to make my entrance.
The scene fades out and back in at Sidelines
Sports Pub in Orlando, Florida. Fred, Low Down, Frank, and Deforest are
sitting at the table nearest the jukebox. Frank puts in his money and
makes a selection...pretty soon, the jukebox blasts with...
Oooh, Rock Me Amadeus!
Rock Me Amadeus by Falco blasts on the 'box,
and a large figure appears in the doorway of the bar. Making his way over
to the jukebox, the song blares on...
He was the first punk ever to set foot on this earth.
He was a genius from the day of his birth.
He could play the piano like a ring and a bell
And ev'rybody screamed:
Come on, rock me Amadeus.
At this point, Darrell reveals the crowbar in
his hands, and starts smashing the jukebox. Laughing hysterically, he
drops the weapon after the damage is done, and the song has...well...died,
and he sits down with his friends.
Darrell: Amadues, you may be a jukebox smashing,
take action, wear women's fashion, doctor has to cure that irritating
rashin' son of a gun...but this time, I'm gojng to beat you to the punch.
No matter what we have to do at Free For All...I'm coming out on top
faster than you can say, "I was unconscious...for how long?"
Pauses to swig some beer.
Darrell: Amadeus, you can sing, you can do whatever
you have to do...just don't get in my way. Step aside. You know, like last
time. I ruled ICW with an iron fist, and unless you want to be on the
receiving end of my iron fist, I suggest you keep singing, and don't try
and fight me. As for Dirge...I have something to tell you...Dirge. Please.
PLEASE. Get in my way. I hear you are already in ICW. That is my house.
I'm coming to kick you out. Your Reckoning is here, long-winded one. Time
to deflate your lungs as well as that over-sized head. Time for your Final
Punishment.
Vic stops rolling the tape, and the Goons settle
down for food and drink.
Frank: That was pretty short... are you shooting
some more?
Darrell: Not right now. From what I understand, all
we need to get in is some preliminary stuff...they are still in the
process of filling the roster and putting the company back together. I
don't need much...just sending a little message.
Fred: But you know Dirge will respond with a
message, too. Although he isn't known for "little" messages.
Low Down: Why did you start up with him so soon,
anyway...now we have to sit through his stuff...damn man, think about us
once in awhile, will you?
Darrell: The whole reason I'm coming back is TO
start something with him. This will be fun, guys. A piece of cake.
Deforest: You always say its a piece of cake...its
hardly ever a piece of cake.
Low Down: Oh yea of little faith...he knows what he
is doing.
Deforest: We might have to make a wager.
Vic: If there is a wager and you bet against
Darrell..I want in on that action.
Darrell: I'll put some money down, too.
Deforest: Hold it...I didn't say anything about him
losing...I'm just saying it wont be that easy.
Fred: Way to backpedal...hehehe..
Deforest: Kiss my---
Frank: Hey, lets just drink some more beer, okay?
We'll argue later over cards.
Low Down: Drink fast, I'm, in the mood to gamble.
Darrell: I wonder if Dirge will stay at the "table"
when teh stakes get high, or if he'll just fold as usual. Never mind, one
more round, and lets go set up the table.
The scene fades to black.
