Brand- Hettie. Is it safe to assume this isn't a social call?
Hettie- Mr. Brand I know I'm not supposed to be seen with you after the business with Jackie and Starlett, but I had one of my "dreams". I thought you would want to know about this.
Brand- I believe the "business" as you called it is a thing of the past. I burned a bridge there but hopefully someday it can be rebuilt. Sit down Hettie. I've rarely seen you so shaken.
Hettie- I'm sorry Mr. Brand. It's just that ever since I called you awhile back about those devilish playing cards, my dreams have become more vivid and terrible.
Brand- Hettie, rest assured, I have the Dead Man's Hand situation well in hand. Your warning was timely and I have an associate that is helping me keep tabs on that to keep it from getting out of hand.
Hettie- But Mr. Brand, this was a new dream. It's set in the near future. I can't so much tell when, but the things I seen put a scare in me.
Brand- Why don't you sit back, have a drink and tell me the whole story.
Hettie- Alright sir. It starts in Philadelphia.
**********
Future Shock
***************
[We close in on the office of the majority owner of the MWA. Outside the office three massive security men and Director of Security, Kael Bloodblade stand ready as three men approach. John Solomon and his World Tag Champions, IceBerg and Reiver, seek an audience with the big boss before their upcoming tag title match. Kael is unimpressed.]
Kael - Johnny, you know the deal. The big man only sees people by appointment unless he personally invites you. You and the freak brigade here ain't on my list. Now if Reiver there will loan me that tender little morsel of his, Ophelia . . . . Olivia, whatever her name is. We might work a deal.
[Reiver's hand snakes out, grabbing Kael by the throat. Immediately security energizes their stun batons and Solomon convinces Reiver to stand down.]
Solomon - Reiver, let me handle this! IceBerg, control your brother!
IceBerg (sternly) - Stephano, calm down! Now is not the time!
[The 6'10" giant releases his grasp of Kael who smiles, knowing he has touched a nerve.]
Kael - Now get the fuck out of here! Before I have the boys set their little cattle prods to "ass ream".
Solomon (aside to Kael) - Kael, I'm sure the boss will want to see me. What can it hurt to ask? Tell me your room number and I'll personally provide you with some female companionship for the night.
Kael (pausing to consider) - All right, I'll check with him. But this time make sure the girls are quality! One of those skeezers you sent me last month gave me crabs.
[Kael speaks into his headset and gets an answer.]
Kael - All right, he'll see you. But just you. Your goon squad goes away. No exceptions!
[Solomon agrees and sends the C.U.L.T. away and enters the room. The first sight he sees is the comely body of a scantily clad blonde relaxing on a leather couch. Behind the desk sits the powerful body of the man in charge of the MWA. In front of him on the desk is a glass display case which holds an ordinary looking set of five playing cards. 2 black aces, 2 black eights and a five of diamonds make up the Dead Man's Hand and it is in the possession of the owner of the MWA, LJ Black! The woman on the couch, Miss Cheshire puts her arms around LJ as they give Solomon an audience.]
Solomon - LJ, I'll get straight to the point. This match tonight. I want a change in the stipulations. Revenant and Griggs haven't proved themselves as a team.
LJ - John, now is hardly the time to have this conversation. We are moments away form the biggest PPV of the year. FutureShock in my hometown of Philadelphia will be the biggest show in the MWA's history. The match is happening. I will add a stipulation that should be to your likeing though. The match will be in a Hellmouth Cage, but with a twist. . . . . last team standing. We don't get a winner until someone can't continue. And if you really want to get on my good side, you could put that son of a bitch, Revenant out of the business. Permanently! He will pay for what he did to me and my family!
[Solomon nods his assent and leaves as Cheshire kneels down in front of the massive LJ and our camers fade to our broadcast team for the start of FutureShock!]
*****************
[We fade in on our announce booth and see the broadcast crew for the MWA. Blaine Dalton heads up the group and speaks on cure.]
Dalton - I'm Blaine Dalton and you're not. Welcome to FutureShock from the sold out LJ Black Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With me are my broadcast partners, former 2 time MWA World Champion Tommy Knuckles and international superstar, Merde!
Knuckles- Foist thing off I need to say that I'm doin' this PPV under duress hea. I had things to do and places to be this week. Not hea in the city where if ya ask for directions someone sticks a pipe up yer ass! And those are the women. And anotha thing, no one told me I'd have to work with this fuckin' frog! I been wrestling this shlamiel for like a decade and he still can't touch me. There's a reason I'm a 6 time former World Champ and you're nothing but a loser.
Merde- Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. Zhe Merde has never been zhe world champ because he can't find zhe time in hees beezy schedule. Zhe people steel no who ees zhe people's champ.
Dalton- This is classic fellas but we have a timetable to keep and it's time to get to the ring.
*************
[The dressing room of the Heritage Tag Champs, Sierra and Mary Jane. They are sitting with Stephen Clay the Millenium Champ, who has stopped in to invite them to an all night party at his suite.]
Clay- C'mon ladies. You only live once right?
Sierra- Stephen we both know that you only want to get us in bed for a threesome. Why don't you just give it up. It isn't going to happen. MJ and I are going to defend out titles and then it's time to party. But three people in a bed isn't our idea of a good time.
Mary Jane- Yeah Stephen. We'll use the bed and maybe we'll let you watch.
Sierra- You tramp. I don't let anyone watch while I'm having sex.
Mary Jane- I hope when you call me a tramp you mean it in the nicest possible way.
Sierra- Of course babe.
[A knock at the door which Sierra answers. She is shocked to see who stands before her.]
Sierra- You?!? I told you I never wanted to see you again Joe.
[Standing there is Lifeless Joe holding a duck. She slams the door.]
*************
[The office of the union president. The dark haired young man approaches and sees that the door bears a guard. The man is known well to him. They have been partners and something akin to friends. And they have also been fierce enemies. Now they both find themselves in uncharted territory for them. After careers filled with sin they are both on the side of angels. But an uneasiness still is present between them. Brian Dunkel looks into the blue eyes of "Archangel" Steve Hughes and old rivalries rush to the surface as Hughes bars him entry.]
Archangel Hughes - No on sees him! He needs to be alone right now.
Dunkel - Steve, I'm in no mood. This is important. I need to see him. Alone.
Hughes - Over my dead body! I still don't trust you!
Dunkel - It doesn't matter if you do or not! He does. You know you're portection of him is great but I don't get it. What did he ever do for you?
Hughes (pause) - He forgave me when I couldn't forgive myself. He redeemed me. I owe him my loyalty. But you don't know anything about that do you? Loyalty is a foreign concept to you. I'd pray for you if I thought it would help.
Dunkel (flustered) - This is pointless. You'll never give me a chance because I gave you that little scar. People change Steve! Even me!
Hughes (fingering the four inch scar running through his left eyebrow to his upper cheek, courtesy of a brutel match with Dunkel in the past) - You'll understand if I don't take your word for it.
[While the two men jaw back and forth, the door opens and the face of Union President, Jackie Sweets appears. He wears dark glasses and walks with a blind man's cane.]
Sweets - Guys I'm blind not deaf. I had my headphones on and I could still hear you over New Edition. You two could wake the dead. You wanted to see me Brian?
Dunkel - Yeah, Sweets. But you're guardian angel here is such a prick!
Hughes - Just because I don't think you've changed . . .
Sweets - Steve, please. Calm down. I need to talk to Brian. It's alright. Besides you need to prepare to defend the Heritage Championship tonight. The Colorado Bulldog has proven himself and you know that Jonah N Cherry will be ringside. You need to focus.
Hughes- You're right Jackie. But I won't be far away.
[Hughes leaves and Sweets slowly makes his way to the couch. Dunkel sits beside him. ]
Sweets- You ready for this? We're all counting on you. Brian Richman has been almost unstoppable. It's gonna take everything you.....................
Dunkel- I don't need a pep talk. I know what I have to do. I just needed to know that I have your support.
Sweets- You do. You've come a long way Brian. Don't let me down.
Dunkel- Well I gotta go prepare..................... thanks. Thanks for believing in me.
[The two me, long time enemies but more recently friends, share a hug and Brian leaves. He closes the door to the hallway and looks dead in the eyes of a ghost.]
Dunkel- You?!?!?
[We go back to the ring.]
************
[ The dressing room of Jack Griggs and his tag partner, Revenant. Once a full head of jet black hair would have topped Jack Griggs. Now his hair is a golden blonde and short, a blonde goatee scratches his chin. He looks to Revenant who bounces a toddler on his leather clad knee. The child claps merrily, unfazed by the latex mask of revenant. Suddenly the door lurches open and two women come in dejected. Fyre plops down on a leather couch holding a towel to her bleeding head. The other woman, Trin Litrell, all but unrecognizale now with jet black hair and multiple body piercings, walks over to her man, Revenant, and takes the child from him.]
Trin- There lil Shane. Mama's back. Come on you little rascal.
[ Trin settles in next to her man as Griggs surveys the scene.]
Griggs- So I don't see the Heritage Tag Straps and judging by the nasty gash on Allarra's heasd I'm gonna
guess that Mary Jane and Seirra were up to there old tricks.
Frye- Fuckin bitches! I swear I will kill those two for this.
[ The door opens again and L.J. Black walks in flanked by Kael Bloodblade and his crack security force.
Revenant immediately places himself in front of Trin and little Shane.]
LJ- I can't believe you were stupid enough to bring our child here Trinity. This is my town! I own this
building. and I own the law.
Revenant- That may be. But you take one step closer and the scales of justice will swing once again and
this time I won't spare your life as I did in the past.
LJ- The servant of justice routine is passe Revenant. It's as stale as the day you showed up here. Now with my men here to back me up, I'll take back what's rightfully mine. My son.
[ Trin steps between the two men holding her son.]
Trin- LJ don't do this. I have custody of Shane. You can't do this! He is just a little boy.
[ Griggs steps up and stands by his friends as does Frye.]
LJ- Fine! For now. But when you boys go to your match for the World Tag Title, their won't be anyone
to stop me. I will get a judge to recind the custody order. Money talks after all. And who has more money
in the world than the devil in the flesh, LJ Black.?
[ LJ's laughter is cut off by the sound of a door slamming. Jaws drop as standing behind LJ, Kael and company is Barrett Brand, former owner of the MWA. Flanking him are Bronze, Brian Ogreton, Earls Bickelsbottoms, and CS Bunger.]
Brand- I know I do. And maybe it's time to use that money for good again.
LJ-But...............but you can't be here. The MWA is mine. Lock, Stock, and Barrel. I won it fair and square. I have the Dead Man's Hand!
Brand- LJ, you only have the MWA because I allowed it. I have enjoyed the time away but it appears
all good things must come to an end. By the end of the night the reasons for my return will be obvious. If I may add, there's a new sheriff in town.
LJ- This can't be happening.
Bunger- It is ya little shit!!! Play time is over. and Barrett promised me first crack at you're ass. I'm thinking a Tennesse strap match. You and me bitch.
LJ- Are you behind this Trinity!?!? I swear I'll make you pay!
Brand- Trinity had nothing to do with this LJ. The time has come. And I promise that I will make sure that you never get young Shane Black!
LJ- His name is Nathan! Nathan dammit. Not Shane!
[ We go back to our broadcast team as LJ rushes off angry.]
**************
Dalton- No! This is not happening!
Knuckles- Yeah boy, Barretts back in town. Now maybe we can get some action in this beg
Merde- Eet ees a shocking turn of events.
************
[Blayze Alexander sits in the dark, his bald head shining from the light of a single bulb in the boiler room. He speaks to his only friend, a picture of his old enemy, Dante.]
Blayze - So close. So close to my lifelong goal. And you helped me, Dante. You made me hungry again. I'm almost sorry I killed you. It was you or me you know. All the things you did to me. You drove Mary Jane away. I'm alone without her. But tonight in the Hellmouth I can gain so much back. My redemption.
[A voice in the dark]
Voice - So you think that will be enough?
Blayze - Come out! Show yourself! I'm not afraid of you. Nothing can hurt me!
[The man steps into the light to reveal the Fallen God Dan Divine.]
Divine - Nothing but the pain in your heart. But I can teach you to live with that pain and cherish it. Join me. Join my Hell's Army.
[Figures step forward in the dark and a few faces are familiar. Jack Blood, Bastion and Trevor Gillette can be seen.]
Blayze - I think I will.
[The lights go out.]
***************
[The dressing room of Josh Swanson who is preparing for his match tonight with his good friend John Patrick, fresh off his victory over Malice, sitting beside him.]
Patrick - Calm down, Josh. You act like this match is a retirement match. This is to make you the number one contender to Richman's World Title. So what if it's in a Hellmouth Cage? You're a wild and crazy risk taker. How many other guys can fly around the ring at 260 plus like you do and are built like a brick shithouse?
Swanson - It's just that for the first time since Jen's death I feel good about myself. The fans are even starting to cut me some slack. Now tonight I gotta step in a flaming cage with Ran Smith, K-Fresh and Blayze Alexander. Shit, Blazye has never lost a Hellmouth match and you know the Wild Boyz will stick together. I just feel like the odds are stacked against me.
[Suddenly a voice booms out in a Texas drawl. Sean McBride has returned to the MWA after a lengthy absence.]
McBride - Then change the odds, Josh! You don't like the rules change, the game! You're a former MWA World Champ. Act like it!]
JP and Josh (together) - Sean!
JP - What are you doing here?
McBride - You know the Modern Day Legend never stays far from home for very long. You boys should be dominating this place. Well, McBride is back to give you a little motivation.
*************
[The locker room of the Wild Boyz, Ran Smith and K-Fresh. Ran is on the celly with his baby's mama, Whitney, as she has called from Ocean City, Maryland. Ran has his young son, Tyrese, with him for tonight's big event. Tyrese is watching Fairly Oddparents when K-Fresh charges in, bleeding from a cut over his eye while Ran arranges his wire rim glasses.]
K-Fresh - God damn mothafuckas! Trying to keep the Foundation down. LJ Black's gonna pay for this shit!
Ran - Watch your fuckin' mouth in front of my boy, Fresh. Or I'll bust ya head on the other side so you bleed even!
K-Fresh - Shit dawg, where wuz yo ass? Blayze hit me with a 20 pound sledgehammer while fuckin' Reiver and IceBerg held me down. And LJ took a shot with a chair. Any other man would have died but I scared those bustah's off. All the while you're playing Romper Room with Junior.
Tyrese - Daddy, Unca Fresh is telling fibs again.
RAn - I know, son. Uncle Fresh has a bad habit of exaggerating.
Tyrese - Exas . . . exagertule . . . exag . . .
Ran - Exagerrate son. It means makin' shit up.
K-Fresh - Fuck you, Ran! I ain't lyin'!
Ran - Damnit Fresh! I just told you not to curse in front of my kid!
K-Fresh - You know your problem, Ran? You gone soft. Like wet toilet paper. You ain't the Hard One. You knocked up that white chick and nutted an Oreo. Now you got no street cred.
Ran - Nigga please! If you're trying to pump me up it's working. I'll bust yo ass in the Hellmouth and get real blood in you're eye. You think I ain't know BBQ sauce from blood? Wipe that shit off nigga.
Tyrese - Daddy, Unca Fresh is making a mess on the carpet.
K-Fresh - Fine! You wanna half ass it tonight go ahead. But you need to decide what's inportant. The Wild Boyz, the NSA or your little coffee and cream family. I'm out bitch!
[K-Fresh storms off.]
**********
[Jackie Sweets hears the doorknob turn and absently looks in the general direction of the doorway, as if he could miraculously see anything. His other senses attempt to compensate and he smells the scent of Pine Needles and musk. Player cologne. Only one man has ever worn that scent by choice.]
Sweets- Johnny? Is that you?
[Johnny Grrrrr stands in front of his old friend wearing a shiny red shirt and leather jacket]
Grrrrr- Who else? You never really believed I was dead did ya?
Sweets- No not really. I gues I was just sure that I would feel it if you were gone.
Grrrrr- So the last few have been hard for you. Blind, an office job and your skank is giving up her naked body on the silver screen and munching carpet 24/7. Tough break.
Sweets(reminded of his luck)- Thanks Johnny. I was beginning to move on but that really puts a new perspective on it. Oy vey, I'll never get out of therapy.
Grrrrr- Ahh you're better of without that hoor. There's plenty of Yaks in the sea.
Sweets- So why are you back? Surely not to bring me joy.
Grrrrr- LJ Black and I have some issues to deal with. I can't wait til he sees my face. Gawd I'm hungry. Chocolate Rhubarb snack pie anyone?
[Sweets considers the tasty snack and thinks of the runny bowels it will cause and accepts anyway as we go to the ring.]
***********
Dalton - We now have that segment everyone loves, Ken Katan's Kuts, with the biggest crossover star in the world today, Ken Katana!
[Ken's theme plays as he comes to the ring.]
Katana - Thank you for that resounding welcome. I know you have been waiting a long time to hear from my guest tonight. He is the cream of the crop in wrestling. The story of his life is being made into a big screen movie as we speak and I, Ken Katana, am a special consultant. Please welcome The Original Bad Ass, "Renegade" Brian Richman!
[BA's intro] Long brown hair, black trench coat and a beard now adorn the body of the MWA's World Champion.
Katana - Brian, welcome. Tonight is a big night as you defend the MWA World Championship against Brian Dunkel. This is a true dream match for everyone involved. It's like the final confrontation between Neo and Agent Smith. It has something for everyone, drama, action, intrigue, mystery. It's been years in the making and tonight President Black has declared there must be a winner. How do you feel champ?
Richman (mostly ignores Katana's pandering) - I feel like tonight a huge obstacle will be removed from my path. I've dominated the MWA the past year. I've destroyed Griggs, Ran Smith, Tim Worthington, Stephen Clay and Steve Hughes. No one else can claim that kind of winning streak. Those men are the best of the best! And they all went down to either the Richtor Scale or the Example (Tazmission)! Dunkel is all that's left. Dunkel used to be a name in this sport but that was then, this is now, and I'm an impatient man.
Katana - Well, after you beat Dunekl, which I'm betting the farm on, who's next as the saying goes?
Richman - There is nothing left! I'm the perfect example of the perfect champion. I'm the template, the blue print that champions should be built from.
Katana - I have to say I like you so much better now then a few years back. Now you have style. Back then you were so wishy-washy unitl you became the "Renegade" we know today.
Richman - It all started at Rising Sons '03. My life changed. But I have no regrets. It made me the champion I am today.
[Suddenly a voice booms over the LJBlacktron. It is the voice of the "Infamous" Kevin Rollins.]
Rollins - Well, then it's too bad the death of Melissa made you the man you are today. Because the man you are is an asshole!
[The fans go nuts as the 7 foot Rollins steps out onto the rampway. He basks in the adulation of the fans who haven't seen him in sometime.]
Richman - Her name was Meredith.
Rollins - Her name is pathetic if this is what her death inspired you to do. You've turned on the fans, Sweets, Griggs. Shit! Anyone who gave you a chance you stabbed in the back.
Richman - They don't matter to me! Not anymore. When Meredith died the World Title became all I cared about. I don't need thier friendship. All I need is the big prize!
Rollins (considering) - Well, then maybe I'll take it from you and then it will just be you and your bitter ass!
[Rollins charges the ring and Richman and he go at it until security pulls them apart as we got to the back.]
*********
[ Moments after Johnny Grrrrr has left , we find Sweets sitting alone listening to a roar of over 20,000 fans and it brings back memories that rush into his head. The door opens and someone enters.]
Sweets- Johnny is that you dog, You forgot something.?
[ The smell of Love Spell perfume and plumeria body spray waft through the room. Sweets sits up
startled.]
Sweets- St.......Starlett? Starr is that you? Is this a joke?
Starlett- No joke Jackie. I'm back and this time you won't push me away.
Sweets- What......I don't know what....
[ Starlett walks over to Jackie and kisses him passionately.]
Starlett- Just shut up Jackie.
************
[The dressing room of Fyre and Trin Litrell. Trin comes back in with Revenant and sees the body of her best friend Alarra aka Fyre sprawled out on the floor. Revenant turns her over and they see her throat has been slashed and she is severely bleeding. Beneath her body is the playing cards of the Dead Man's Hand, covered in her blood. Trin rushes to the baby crib more afraid then she has ever been.]
Trin- Shane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Shane Black is gone and Fyre manages to say a phrase before loss of blood makes her black out.]
Fyre- It ......was..........LJ.
[In the dark recesses of the LJ Black Spectrum, LJ holds tight his son and rocks him back and forth.]
LJ- You and me Nathan. You and Daddy. No one can come between us. Brand can take back the MWA, the cards may be useless and Johnny Grrrrr can return from the grave. But nothing will ever separate you from me. You are after all the Devil's son.
[We fade out on the scen of LJ clutching his crying child.]