Yesterday, 06:27 PM
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
(As Dorothea had slept soundly in her bed last night, Shaun hadn’t left her side. Angyalka had welcomed the fact that Shaun wanted to be there considering the stories she had heard, but Shaun hadn’t managed to sleep a wink. Dorothea however was different, she had at one point even been snoring, something that had managed to put a smile on Shaun face… a rarity these days. When Dorothea had woken up however, it was like her ordeal had caught up with her and she had cried in Shaun’s arms, Angyalka thankfully not seeing her turmoil. By breakfast, Dorothea had managed to shrug it off, happy that it seemed like her Daddy was hanging around. Now, playing in the garden from which she had disappeared, and watched over eagle-eyed by both her parents, Dorothea was having fun with her dog that she had missed so much. Angyalka and Shaun, well they are thanking their lucky stars.)
Angyalka: She’s bounced back well
Shaun: She’s a tough cookie, just like her mom.
Angyalka: I don’t feel tough right now Shaun.
Shaun: You’ve been through a lot… I’ve put you through a lot. I’m sorry Angyalka.
Angyalka: This wasn’t your fault, Shaun.
Shaun: Maybe not, but you can’t deny I haven’t been the bane of your life for the last year, and Dorothea wouldn’t have been taken if she wasn’t a Cruze.
Angyalka: Perhaps not, but she’s home now, and she’s home because of you. Everything else… well, it’s the past and we need to put it behind us.
Shaun: You mean that?
Angyalka: We may not be married anymore, but there isn’t anything stopping us from being friends. I need you.
(The words seemed sincere, and after everything he had put her through, Shaun appreciated that more than she would ever know. He’d messed up the marriage through his own stupidity, but he would mess up the friendship that had now reformed.)
Shaun: I need you too.
(Angyalka holds out her hand and Shaun takes it, the two of them smiling.)
Angyalka: So, what do we do now? Do we go to the police?
Shaun: I can’t trust the police, and anyway what would we tell them. Dorothea just turned up out of thin air? Kai and Drew should be long in the wind now, but they were never really the problem. The problem is whoever this dude is who has a bug up his ass with my family.
Angyalka: And Drew didn’t give you any clues about who it could be?
Shaun: None. And if you’d have seen him, you would know why. He was scared shitless and if I’m honest so was Kai. I don’t know who this guy is, but he obviously isn’t someone we need to be missing with.
Angyalka: So, what are you going to do?
Shaun: The only thing I can do, try and find out what he wants with my family when he has pretty much taken everything already.
Angyalka: I don’t like it Shaun, he could come to the house while you’re not here, who knows that he would do?
Shaun: Well, if it’s OK with you, I’d like to hang around, at least until this is all over.
(Angyalka looks over at Dorothea, aware that Shaun moving back in could get confusing, but feeling reassured a little if he was there.)
Angyalka: OK, but we have a talk with Dorothea… make sure she understands that we are not getting back together.
Shaun: Agreed, we don’t want to confuse her anymore than she probably already is.
“Hey…”
(They both turn, Owen walking down the pathway to where they are sat.)
Owen: The housekeeper let me in, hope I’m not intruding
Angyalka: Not at all
(Dorothea sees Owen and runs over, giving him a massive hug, which Owen reciprocates, more than happy to see her.)
Owen: Hey Thea, can you just give me a minute to chat with Mom and Dad and then we’ll play, ok?
(She nods and runs off to prepare her toys. Once she is out of earshot, Owen takes a seat.)
Shaun: What’s going on Owen, you’ve got that look on your face?
Owen: You guys haven’t heard, have you? It’s been all over the news
Shaun: What has?
Owen: There was a shooting down at the industrial estate where we were last night. Drew and Kai… they are both dead Shaun.
(Angyalka’s eyes widen, Shaun’s do the opposite and close as he comprehends it all. Drew was once a friend, a close friend and this one hurt regardless of everything.)
Owen: Five men, including them… all dead. You reckon it’s our guy?
Shaun: It’s got to be
Angyalka: Shaun, we’ve got to go to the police and speak to Chief Wilson.
Owen: That’s the other thing.
Shaun: There’s more?
Owen: Yeah, Wilson has resigned and handed in his badge… last night after the shootings. Guess he blames himself.
Shaun: Wish I could feel sorry for him.
Angyalka: So, we go to whoever else is in charge, get them to give us some protection or something. He shot five guys, Shaun, five. With all the will in the world, you wouldn’t fight that off. We’ve got to tell them what we know… what good is your word when they are
Shaun: You’re right… Owen?
Owen: Hey, I’ve got your back whatever you decide Unc… you know that?
Shaun: OK, its…
(The phone rings, an unknown number. Shaun looks at Owen, and then at Angyalka, before taking the call, switching to speaker phone.)
Shaun: Who is this?
????: I think you know who it is, even if you don’t yet know my name.
Shaun: You’re the guy that had Kai and Drew murdered.
????: I am… I’m afraid I don’t take kindly to treachery. I hope Dorothea has settled back in ok; I’ll like to assure you that she was looked after well. I would never have hurt her; I just wanted your attention.
Shaun: You have it now.
????: Good, good. So, I think it is about time you and I met… Owen as well.
Shaun: And why shouldn’t I just go to the police and tell them what I know?
????: Because the reality is Shaun, you know so very little. I’m willing to reveal all, all you have to do is meet me. No tricks, no smoke and mirrors. Just you, me and Owen… I’ll even let you choose the venue. You do this… and this situation you find yourself in will truly be over. Don’t and… well, let’s not consider that right now.
Shaun: You know Sandy’s Bar?
????: I do.
Shaun: Tonight, seven o’clock. Just you.
????: You have my word.
Shaun: See you then
(Shaun hangs up the phone, turning to Angyalka who holds up her hands.)
Angyalka: I’m not going to stop you Shaun
(He turns to Owen.)
Owen: Let’s find out what this asshole wants with us.
(Shaun nods, smiling at Dorothea who looks over.)
Shaun: Let’s.
ON CAMERA
RECORDING
(The scene opens with Shaun, Bekah and Owen sitting around a round table, a picture of Orlando placed in the center. It is Shaun that opens the narrative.)
Shaun: Straight off the bat, if you think that we have set this up as some kind of ‘Knights of the Roundtable’ deal, you would be correct. Do we think of ourselves as Knights?
Owen: Nope
Shaun: Do we think that we are the only ones who have an opinion on what is right for this company?
Bekah: Nope.
Shaun: What we are, however, are the only individuals willing to do something about it. Now, don’t get me wrong, that isn’t a slight on Syren at all. That girl has always had a fire in her stomach to take it to any establishment, especially a flawed one. She has got her own problems to deal with, and we respect that and will have her back whenever she needs it. No, what we are doing isn’t fighting a good fight, we don’t think we have the moral high ground or are not without reproach. No, what we are doing, is taking a stand against all the pricks that walk around the SCW corridors, believing that this company owes them something. Syren, the most decorated individual in our company, Selena Frost, is not a million miles behind. The guy with the shit eating grin pictured on the table right there, Orlando Cruze. All with one thing in common. They wouldn’t be anything without this industry, and no matter how much we bleat about what it has taken from us, the fact is that it has given us so much more.
(He turns to Bekah, who takes the lead from there.)
Bekah: My Father was the Icon Orlando Cruze, one of the most well-known competitors of the last two decades, who really did do it all. When did it become so wrong, to want to be like the man who brought me into the world, to try and do the things he did. I’m a ‘Nepo Baby’ according to our opponents this week, because before I’d even thrown a punch, Freddy had already formed an opinion. He assumed I was ‘just a highflyer’. He was wrong. He assumed that I was looking to make a name for myself off the back of my dad. He was wrong. He banged on about racing and his personal life, without even considering that I might have one of my own. See, I don’t bitch about it, but I’ve not always felt the way I do now about my father. In fact, for a time I hated him with absolute passion. These two guys at the table right now, I despised them and wished them dead. My daughter, the one thing I care about over all others, I never want her to feel that way about me, or her dad. And although we are not together, they have a relationship, a good one. But whereas he provides in full, I was unable to. I had no skill to talk of… so I learned one. And in one year, one. I learned enough to take down someone who somehow believes he owns the place. The looks on his face… priceless. The applause and hugs from my daughter when I got home… everything to me.
(She then turns to Owen, who is already grinning.)
Owen: And that’s the thing, isn’t it? The fundamental aspect that this business has lost. You listen to EFN, and there is no brotherhood between them, they are nothing but a bunch of mercenaries, all with differing views on how the wrestling business should be. A confused group of individuals that don’t have the first clue what it takes to achieve something in this industry, or indeed how brave Bekah was for stepping up to the plate, knowing the bullshit that was going to be thrown at her. They’ve called us ‘Nepo Babies’ throughout the entirety of our careers, solely down to the fact of how important my father was to this and many other companies, and they’ve tried to brand it as if it is some kind of insult. All three of us came into this business with one goal. To be as good as my dad. And guess what, two out of us achieved that… one very likely to. Why? Because Shaun, Bekah, myself… we were not held back by the big looming shadow of the Icon, we were inspired by it. Who inspires EFN? Konrad Raab, which pretty much explains everything doesn’t it? Because there has never been an individual as confused as Konrad. So, when you claim that Bekah is yet another living off the big man’s name, if I would like you, I would hold your tongue and stop flapping your gums. Because already, after one match, Bekah has already managed to put one of you in his place. I know I speak for my family here when I say, we agree, none of us would be here if it wasn’t for Orlando Cruze. But it is way too simplistic to believe that we only achieved what we achieved because of him. It was our talent that gave us our accolades, not our surname. And if any of you idiots focused for a second, you’d understand that. Instead of being a rehash of everything your ‘mentor’ was.”
(He pauses, his point made. The attention and indeed the camera turning back to Bekah.)
Bekah: Imagine stepping into a match as a rookie and not caring which two members of EFN it is that going to step up to the plate, knowing that regardless, I have a bona fide Hall of Fame LEGEND in my corner. Imagine, if you would, just for a second, knowing that while it is understandable, however idiotic, to underestimate me, you will do the same to the Impact Player, a man who already spanked your asses once for breaking into the Impact Media offices, and yet you still failed to learn that lesson. See, I get it with me, I’m the little lady, who’s done nothing in this company of note to this point… but who does in one match and a Taking Hold of the Flame. But Shaun… thing is I really don’t need to be there because he could probably beat you on his own. That’s the size of your task, and you can’t even bring yourself to admit it. You’ll step up in front of the camera with total confidence, just like Freddy did, just like you always do… but with what justification. No, seriously, tell me, I’m intrigued. What have ANY of you done to bring about this confidence? Nothing. But that’s the thing, it’s not confidence, it’s hubris. And hubris, always comes before a crashing fall.
Shaun: Bekah’s right… somehow, you have resided in this little bubble of yours where you don’t have any peers, and to at least one of you, a woman wrestling the men, to you that’s just sickening. You ignore the fact that in the main, women have been World Champion’s throughout this year and try to explain that away with they get more opportunities. Seriously. One of the EFN conveyor belt got a dubious victory over Syren, don’t know which one and don’t care, and that somehow proves a point? Please. You should be happy that SCW gives everyone a voice, because the reality is, you don’t deserve to spout the crap that comes out of your mouth. Let me break it down for you… Syren, will forever be remembered for what she did in this company. Selena Frost, the same. I’m engineering a point here, because it’s not just this aspect, it’s that you don’t even appreciate the facts. And the facts are, the EFN is only relevant right now, to forwards what we intend to do. Us ‘Nepos’ are going to take this business and rid it of Frank Delarosso and anyone who remains associated to him. We are going to give the wrestling fanbase, the product that they have always deserved. Frank Delarosso wants one thing from you guys, obedience. You are nothing more than his first wave of attack dogs. THAT is what you have been lowered to. Is that really what you three wanted to be when you came together? Three, four… I don’t know you’re all one and the same. There is no doubt ability there, but like so many before you, you focus on the wrong things, making the wrong decisions. Stepping up to us was the wrong decision. And now, you may think otherwise, but you ARE going to be punished. TWICE. Once by us, and once by Frank Delarosso when you fail him. Again.
Bekah: So, is it starting to sink in now guys? Are you realizing the enormity of your situation? This isn’t just any match, between two tag teams’ intent on defeating the other. This is about the beginning of something special. We don’t intend to rewrite history, what is done, is done and there isn’t anything we can do about that. What are going to do is write our own, and create a legacy that this company, and indeed this industry will remember for all time. I got it, and I’ve been here five minutes, but do you get the true reason why we are here. It’s about our children, it’s about our parents, it’s about us. Again, it’s about legacy.
(Again, a momentary pause, as Owen leans forwards.)
Owen: I cannot stress this enough, to whichever two of you has decided to compete, do yourself a favor and recognize the task before you. Understand that everything you think about Shaun and Bekah is wrong, and that both are doing this for reasons that the three of you have yet to comprehend. Doing it for the Gold, it’s an honorable cause no question. Doing it for prestige, again many champions have found their way based on that logic alone. They won’t give up, not ever. A Cruze NEVER gives up. You will have to go to the ends of the earth to get this done, and thus far I have seen nothing that suggests you can other than bravado. You want to be taken seriously? Stop acting like the circus clowns. Oh, and remember, I’ll be at ringside so don’t try and cheat your way to victory, as is your only real chance, because I’ll be there. Front and center. And I’ll be more than happy to show any of you that Owen Cruze hasn’t missed a beat. You want to take this home Shaun?
(Shaun’s eyes narrow as he looks straight down the camera lens. There is a fire within him, not seen since his return to the company, as if he now understands that he has a purpose. They have a purpose. And that recently, something changed. It is with that fire cracking in his voice he speaks.)
Shaun: EFN, I’m going to level with you. Even during what you will call my ‘heyday’, when I claimed the World Championship as my own. I have never felt as strong as I do right now. With Bekah and Owen by my side, I don’t just feel like I can rise to the top of the mountain once more, I feel like we can help write a story that will define the Cruze name forever. My brother was an Icon, no question. My brother helped set the foundations for people like you to be able to compete. Now it is time for us, Bekah, Owen and me to write the definitive chapter in our history and achieve something that no one ever has. A purge of those who wish only to drive this industry in their flawed image. Individuals like Frank Delarosso who hand out favors to those that align with him like they are sweets. Don’t kid a kidder EFN, this whole narrative about Bekah being given opportunities, that’s the one reason you align with him. To be given those favors, because you haven’t achieved anything on your own. For the first time in your lives just be honest, you might find it refreshing.
But at Apocalypse, I’m sorry but the story isn’t going to be about you, although you will be a part of it. Remember the date, because it is a date that will go down in history as the beginning. I want you to trust me when I say everything that you think you know about us, throw it in the trash, because you don’t know a damn thing. What we have in store will change the outlook of Supreme Championship Wrestling forever. Now, you can scoff at that. You can scoff at Bekah’s experience and reasoning…
Bekah: Bring it on.
Shaun: But, as always, we are more than willing to let our actions do the talking. We don’t need to put things into existence; to manifest them, we MAKE them happen. And we don’t do that, by failing when faced with a bunch of egotistic reprobates like EFN. As always, we’ll respect your talent and I can assure you we are ready for anything you throw at us. But we will never respect you as individuals, and that may not bother you, it probably shouldn’t be fair. How can we respect people who have such an obvious disrespect for the people within our industry? At Apocalypse we send a message that even your feeble minds will be unable to ignore. The foundation stone of that which we WILL build.
(He looks around the table, smiling at both Bekah and Owen as they then all speak in unison.)
Shaun/Bekah/Owen: Legacy
(Scene fades)
(As Dorothea had slept soundly in her bed last night, Shaun hadn’t left her side. Angyalka had welcomed the fact that Shaun wanted to be there considering the stories she had heard, but Shaun hadn’t managed to sleep a wink. Dorothea however was different, she had at one point even been snoring, something that had managed to put a smile on Shaun face… a rarity these days. When Dorothea had woken up however, it was like her ordeal had caught up with her and she had cried in Shaun’s arms, Angyalka thankfully not seeing her turmoil. By breakfast, Dorothea had managed to shrug it off, happy that it seemed like her Daddy was hanging around. Now, playing in the garden from which she had disappeared, and watched over eagle-eyed by both her parents, Dorothea was having fun with her dog that she had missed so much. Angyalka and Shaun, well they are thanking their lucky stars.)
Angyalka: She’s bounced back well
Shaun: She’s a tough cookie, just like her mom.
Angyalka: I don’t feel tough right now Shaun.
Shaun: You’ve been through a lot… I’ve put you through a lot. I’m sorry Angyalka.
Angyalka: This wasn’t your fault, Shaun.
Shaun: Maybe not, but you can’t deny I haven’t been the bane of your life for the last year, and Dorothea wouldn’t have been taken if she wasn’t a Cruze.
Angyalka: Perhaps not, but she’s home now, and she’s home because of you. Everything else… well, it’s the past and we need to put it behind us.
Shaun: You mean that?
Angyalka: We may not be married anymore, but there isn’t anything stopping us from being friends. I need you.
(The words seemed sincere, and after everything he had put her through, Shaun appreciated that more than she would ever know. He’d messed up the marriage through his own stupidity, but he would mess up the friendship that had now reformed.)
Shaun: I need you too.
(Angyalka holds out her hand and Shaun takes it, the two of them smiling.)
Angyalka: So, what do we do now? Do we go to the police?
Shaun: I can’t trust the police, and anyway what would we tell them. Dorothea just turned up out of thin air? Kai and Drew should be long in the wind now, but they were never really the problem. The problem is whoever this dude is who has a bug up his ass with my family.
Angyalka: And Drew didn’t give you any clues about who it could be?
Shaun: None. And if you’d have seen him, you would know why. He was scared shitless and if I’m honest so was Kai. I don’t know who this guy is, but he obviously isn’t someone we need to be missing with.
Angyalka: So, what are you going to do?
Shaun: The only thing I can do, try and find out what he wants with my family when he has pretty much taken everything already.
Angyalka: I don’t like it Shaun, he could come to the house while you’re not here, who knows that he would do?
Shaun: Well, if it’s OK with you, I’d like to hang around, at least until this is all over.
(Angyalka looks over at Dorothea, aware that Shaun moving back in could get confusing, but feeling reassured a little if he was there.)
Angyalka: OK, but we have a talk with Dorothea… make sure she understands that we are not getting back together.
Shaun: Agreed, we don’t want to confuse her anymore than she probably already is.
“Hey…”
(They both turn, Owen walking down the pathway to where they are sat.)
Owen: The housekeeper let me in, hope I’m not intruding
Angyalka: Not at all
(Dorothea sees Owen and runs over, giving him a massive hug, which Owen reciprocates, more than happy to see her.)
Owen: Hey Thea, can you just give me a minute to chat with Mom and Dad and then we’ll play, ok?
(She nods and runs off to prepare her toys. Once she is out of earshot, Owen takes a seat.)
Shaun: What’s going on Owen, you’ve got that look on your face?
Owen: You guys haven’t heard, have you? It’s been all over the news
Shaun: What has?
Owen: There was a shooting down at the industrial estate where we were last night. Drew and Kai… they are both dead Shaun.
(Angyalka’s eyes widen, Shaun’s do the opposite and close as he comprehends it all. Drew was once a friend, a close friend and this one hurt regardless of everything.)
Owen: Five men, including them… all dead. You reckon it’s our guy?
Shaun: It’s got to be
Angyalka: Shaun, we’ve got to go to the police and speak to Chief Wilson.
Owen: That’s the other thing.
Shaun: There’s more?
Owen: Yeah, Wilson has resigned and handed in his badge… last night after the shootings. Guess he blames himself.
Shaun: Wish I could feel sorry for him.
Angyalka: So, we go to whoever else is in charge, get them to give us some protection or something. He shot five guys, Shaun, five. With all the will in the world, you wouldn’t fight that off. We’ve got to tell them what we know… what good is your word when they are
Shaun: You’re right… Owen?
Owen: Hey, I’ve got your back whatever you decide Unc… you know that?
Shaun: OK, its…
(The phone rings, an unknown number. Shaun looks at Owen, and then at Angyalka, before taking the call, switching to speaker phone.)
Shaun: Who is this?
????: I think you know who it is, even if you don’t yet know my name.
Shaun: You’re the guy that had Kai and Drew murdered.
????: I am… I’m afraid I don’t take kindly to treachery. I hope Dorothea has settled back in ok; I’ll like to assure you that she was looked after well. I would never have hurt her; I just wanted your attention.
Shaun: You have it now.
????: Good, good. So, I think it is about time you and I met… Owen as well.
Shaun: And why shouldn’t I just go to the police and tell them what I know?
????: Because the reality is Shaun, you know so very little. I’m willing to reveal all, all you have to do is meet me. No tricks, no smoke and mirrors. Just you, me and Owen… I’ll even let you choose the venue. You do this… and this situation you find yourself in will truly be over. Don’t and… well, let’s not consider that right now.
Shaun: You know Sandy’s Bar?
????: I do.
Shaun: Tonight, seven o’clock. Just you.
????: You have my word.
Shaun: See you then
(Shaun hangs up the phone, turning to Angyalka who holds up her hands.)
Angyalka: I’m not going to stop you Shaun
(He turns to Owen.)
Owen: Let’s find out what this asshole wants with us.
(Shaun nods, smiling at Dorothea who looks over.)
Shaun: Let’s.
ON CAMERA
RECORDING
(The scene opens with Shaun, Bekah and Owen sitting around a round table, a picture of Orlando placed in the center. It is Shaun that opens the narrative.)
Shaun: Straight off the bat, if you think that we have set this up as some kind of ‘Knights of the Roundtable’ deal, you would be correct. Do we think of ourselves as Knights?
Owen: Nope
Shaun: Do we think that we are the only ones who have an opinion on what is right for this company?
Bekah: Nope.
Shaun: What we are, however, are the only individuals willing to do something about it. Now, don’t get me wrong, that isn’t a slight on Syren at all. That girl has always had a fire in her stomach to take it to any establishment, especially a flawed one. She has got her own problems to deal with, and we respect that and will have her back whenever she needs it. No, what we are doing isn’t fighting a good fight, we don’t think we have the moral high ground or are not without reproach. No, what we are doing, is taking a stand against all the pricks that walk around the SCW corridors, believing that this company owes them something. Syren, the most decorated individual in our company, Selena Frost, is not a million miles behind. The guy with the shit eating grin pictured on the table right there, Orlando Cruze. All with one thing in common. They wouldn’t be anything without this industry, and no matter how much we bleat about what it has taken from us, the fact is that it has given us so much more.
(He turns to Bekah, who takes the lead from there.)
Bekah: My Father was the Icon Orlando Cruze, one of the most well-known competitors of the last two decades, who really did do it all. When did it become so wrong, to want to be like the man who brought me into the world, to try and do the things he did. I’m a ‘Nepo Baby’ according to our opponents this week, because before I’d even thrown a punch, Freddy had already formed an opinion. He assumed I was ‘just a highflyer’. He was wrong. He assumed that I was looking to make a name for myself off the back of my dad. He was wrong. He banged on about racing and his personal life, without even considering that I might have one of my own. See, I don’t bitch about it, but I’ve not always felt the way I do now about my father. In fact, for a time I hated him with absolute passion. These two guys at the table right now, I despised them and wished them dead. My daughter, the one thing I care about over all others, I never want her to feel that way about me, or her dad. And although we are not together, they have a relationship, a good one. But whereas he provides in full, I was unable to. I had no skill to talk of… so I learned one. And in one year, one. I learned enough to take down someone who somehow believes he owns the place. The looks on his face… priceless. The applause and hugs from my daughter when I got home… everything to me.
(She then turns to Owen, who is already grinning.)
Owen: And that’s the thing, isn’t it? The fundamental aspect that this business has lost. You listen to EFN, and there is no brotherhood between them, they are nothing but a bunch of mercenaries, all with differing views on how the wrestling business should be. A confused group of individuals that don’t have the first clue what it takes to achieve something in this industry, or indeed how brave Bekah was for stepping up to the plate, knowing the bullshit that was going to be thrown at her. They’ve called us ‘Nepo Babies’ throughout the entirety of our careers, solely down to the fact of how important my father was to this and many other companies, and they’ve tried to brand it as if it is some kind of insult. All three of us came into this business with one goal. To be as good as my dad. And guess what, two out of us achieved that… one very likely to. Why? Because Shaun, Bekah, myself… we were not held back by the big looming shadow of the Icon, we were inspired by it. Who inspires EFN? Konrad Raab, which pretty much explains everything doesn’t it? Because there has never been an individual as confused as Konrad. So, when you claim that Bekah is yet another living off the big man’s name, if I would like you, I would hold your tongue and stop flapping your gums. Because already, after one match, Bekah has already managed to put one of you in his place. I know I speak for my family here when I say, we agree, none of us would be here if it wasn’t for Orlando Cruze. But it is way too simplistic to believe that we only achieved what we achieved because of him. It was our talent that gave us our accolades, not our surname. And if any of you idiots focused for a second, you’d understand that. Instead of being a rehash of everything your ‘mentor’ was.”
(He pauses, his point made. The attention and indeed the camera turning back to Bekah.)
Bekah: Imagine stepping into a match as a rookie and not caring which two members of EFN it is that going to step up to the plate, knowing that regardless, I have a bona fide Hall of Fame LEGEND in my corner. Imagine, if you would, just for a second, knowing that while it is understandable, however idiotic, to underestimate me, you will do the same to the Impact Player, a man who already spanked your asses once for breaking into the Impact Media offices, and yet you still failed to learn that lesson. See, I get it with me, I’m the little lady, who’s done nothing in this company of note to this point… but who does in one match and a Taking Hold of the Flame. But Shaun… thing is I really don’t need to be there because he could probably beat you on his own. That’s the size of your task, and you can’t even bring yourself to admit it. You’ll step up in front of the camera with total confidence, just like Freddy did, just like you always do… but with what justification. No, seriously, tell me, I’m intrigued. What have ANY of you done to bring about this confidence? Nothing. But that’s the thing, it’s not confidence, it’s hubris. And hubris, always comes before a crashing fall.
Shaun: Bekah’s right… somehow, you have resided in this little bubble of yours where you don’t have any peers, and to at least one of you, a woman wrestling the men, to you that’s just sickening. You ignore the fact that in the main, women have been World Champion’s throughout this year and try to explain that away with they get more opportunities. Seriously. One of the EFN conveyor belt got a dubious victory over Syren, don’t know which one and don’t care, and that somehow proves a point? Please. You should be happy that SCW gives everyone a voice, because the reality is, you don’t deserve to spout the crap that comes out of your mouth. Let me break it down for you… Syren, will forever be remembered for what she did in this company. Selena Frost, the same. I’m engineering a point here, because it’s not just this aspect, it’s that you don’t even appreciate the facts. And the facts are, the EFN is only relevant right now, to forwards what we intend to do. Us ‘Nepos’ are going to take this business and rid it of Frank Delarosso and anyone who remains associated to him. We are going to give the wrestling fanbase, the product that they have always deserved. Frank Delarosso wants one thing from you guys, obedience. You are nothing more than his first wave of attack dogs. THAT is what you have been lowered to. Is that really what you three wanted to be when you came together? Three, four… I don’t know you’re all one and the same. There is no doubt ability there, but like so many before you, you focus on the wrong things, making the wrong decisions. Stepping up to us was the wrong decision. And now, you may think otherwise, but you ARE going to be punished. TWICE. Once by us, and once by Frank Delarosso when you fail him. Again.
Bekah: So, is it starting to sink in now guys? Are you realizing the enormity of your situation? This isn’t just any match, between two tag teams’ intent on defeating the other. This is about the beginning of something special. We don’t intend to rewrite history, what is done, is done and there isn’t anything we can do about that. What are going to do is write our own, and create a legacy that this company, and indeed this industry will remember for all time. I got it, and I’ve been here five minutes, but do you get the true reason why we are here. It’s about our children, it’s about our parents, it’s about us. Again, it’s about legacy.
(Again, a momentary pause, as Owen leans forwards.)
Owen: I cannot stress this enough, to whichever two of you has decided to compete, do yourself a favor and recognize the task before you. Understand that everything you think about Shaun and Bekah is wrong, and that both are doing this for reasons that the three of you have yet to comprehend. Doing it for the Gold, it’s an honorable cause no question. Doing it for prestige, again many champions have found their way based on that logic alone. They won’t give up, not ever. A Cruze NEVER gives up. You will have to go to the ends of the earth to get this done, and thus far I have seen nothing that suggests you can other than bravado. You want to be taken seriously? Stop acting like the circus clowns. Oh, and remember, I’ll be at ringside so don’t try and cheat your way to victory, as is your only real chance, because I’ll be there. Front and center. And I’ll be more than happy to show any of you that Owen Cruze hasn’t missed a beat. You want to take this home Shaun?
(Shaun’s eyes narrow as he looks straight down the camera lens. There is a fire within him, not seen since his return to the company, as if he now understands that he has a purpose. They have a purpose. And that recently, something changed. It is with that fire cracking in his voice he speaks.)
Shaun: EFN, I’m going to level with you. Even during what you will call my ‘heyday’, when I claimed the World Championship as my own. I have never felt as strong as I do right now. With Bekah and Owen by my side, I don’t just feel like I can rise to the top of the mountain once more, I feel like we can help write a story that will define the Cruze name forever. My brother was an Icon, no question. My brother helped set the foundations for people like you to be able to compete. Now it is time for us, Bekah, Owen and me to write the definitive chapter in our history and achieve something that no one ever has. A purge of those who wish only to drive this industry in their flawed image. Individuals like Frank Delarosso who hand out favors to those that align with him like they are sweets. Don’t kid a kidder EFN, this whole narrative about Bekah being given opportunities, that’s the one reason you align with him. To be given those favors, because you haven’t achieved anything on your own. For the first time in your lives just be honest, you might find it refreshing.
But at Apocalypse, I’m sorry but the story isn’t going to be about you, although you will be a part of it. Remember the date, because it is a date that will go down in history as the beginning. I want you to trust me when I say everything that you think you know about us, throw it in the trash, because you don’t know a damn thing. What we have in store will change the outlook of Supreme Championship Wrestling forever. Now, you can scoff at that. You can scoff at Bekah’s experience and reasoning…
Bekah: Bring it on.
Shaun: But, as always, we are more than willing to let our actions do the talking. We don’t need to put things into existence; to manifest them, we MAKE them happen. And we don’t do that, by failing when faced with a bunch of egotistic reprobates like EFN. As always, we’ll respect your talent and I can assure you we are ready for anything you throw at us. But we will never respect you as individuals, and that may not bother you, it probably shouldn’t be fair. How can we respect people who have such an obvious disrespect for the people within our industry? At Apocalypse we send a message that even your feeble minds will be unable to ignore. The foundation stone of that which we WILL build.
(He looks around the table, smiling at both Bekah and Owen as they then all speak in unison.)
Shaun/Bekah/Owen: Legacy
(Scene fades)
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