While the production crew toils away, prepping for the on-camera interview, Johnny Klamor and John Doe sit quietly in folding director-style chairs, facing each other. Doe is facing the floor, his hands folded in his lap, while his thumbs move slowly across the webbing between his fingers. Johnny is going over his notes, occasionally muttering to himself, sometimes crossing out what appears to be paragraphs of text. With every swipe, his frustration grows visibly.
Production Assistant: We're about seven minutes from rolling, Mr. Klamor.
Johnny Klamor: Huh? Oh, okay. Thanks.
Johnny goes back to his work, mildly perturbed by the interruption. John Doe looks up for a moment, then goes back to inspecting whatever it was that had his gaze on the floor.
What feels like hours pass...
Johnny Klamor: God dammit! I can't do this!
With that, Johnny throws his folder towards the screen behind them. It flutters open as it falls to the ground as the contents spill out. Johnny jumps to his feet, his face nearly matching his signature red blazer, his pudgy finger extended in Doe's direction. John Doe sits quietly, his body language unchanged, but his gaze now moved from the floor to Johnny. The corner of his mouth curls up into an almost-grin, anticipating the oncoming outrage from his counterpart.
Johnny Klamor: I've been doing this a long time, and dealt with a lot of shady people, but YOU! YOU, Mr. Doe! You take the cake! And not just you, but the entire farce you call a Trinity! Dr. Zeus! Ramparte! What is it all for? Huh? Can you tell me that?
Doe doesn't respond, and instead just sits more upright, his hands remaining folded in his lap, the grin still resting on his face. Klamor turns and sends his chair flying with a kick.
Johnny Klamor: Can you hear me? I know these little sit down chats aren't your style, but I demand some respect, kid! What's your goal?
John Doe: Johnny...Can I call you Johnny? If you don't know what it's all for, then you haven't been paying attention.
Johnny Klamor: I've been watching. I've seen everything you guys have been up to. I may not be on TV every week, but I'm always lurking...watching...I saw you and Fallout rise above the odds, and win the tag belts. Then I saw you and your father let Fallout be taken out as a pawn to your scheme. Then I saw you both get into Ramparte's head, brainwashing him into...whatever it is you believe. And then, you know what I saw?
John knows where this is going, and rises to his feet, clenching and unclenching his fists. The smile is gone. His eyes widen.
Johnny Klamor: I saw you lose your belts! You thought you could take on a hall of famer, and a hell of a wrestler in Ty and El Caidos, and you lost! All your best laid plans, eh, John? Huh? How about that!?
John Doe: Like...I...said...Johnny. You haven't been paying attention. The belts...They meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. At least, they weren't at the start. Live Mas was not worthy of their reign, and we made it our goal to diminish some of the sickening light that has been plaguing this company. Once the belts were ours, the next mission was to tear down Ty and the dragon. Ty was delusional, to think he could come back here, and pretend nothing happened in the past. We made it our goal to break him down, and unleash the Chaos he had buried deep down. In the process, the belts became a part of me. Losing them crushed me to the core. I have a new mission. It will be revealed soon enough...When the time's right. Ramparte...he has his own mission. And...I think we both know about the champion's mission, and the fat waste and the loose cannon that are challenging him.
Johnny Klamor: Loose cannon? Ha! Who are you to talk?!
Without either man realizing it, they are face to face, both gritting their teeth in rage.
John Doe: You say you see a lot, and you keep showing that's a lie! In case you didn't know, I've discovered a lot about my past, as well as my future! You call me a loose cannon!? I like to think of it more as a controlled chaos, and if you want to see exactly what I mean, then keep up with the questions!
Johnny backs away, realizing he's taken it a step too far, nearly tripping over his chair, and instead falling into it. Now seated, he stares up at John as the grin returns to John's face.
Stacey Madison: Hey! What's going on in here? John? Johnny?
Stacey had rushed in during the argument, but neither man had noticed.
John Doe: Johnny and I are...having a little chat.
Stacey Madison: Chat? Really? We can hear you guys down the hall!
John Doe: Sometimes, things need to be said a little louder than usual, for the point to get across. Don't you worry your little blonde head. Johnny here is okay.
Stacey Madison: I'm not just some dumb blonde, John!
John turns away from Johnny, now facing Stacey.
John Doe: But, aren't you? You're all the same, hiding behind your masks! But that's a story to be revealed another day, Stacey.
Stacey Madison: Masks? What are you talking about, psycho?!
John Doe: The Trinity...We're going to pull back the veil on this whole thing. Every member of this roster is wearing a mask, and their true faces will all be shown soon enough...Soon enough...
Stacey throws her hands up and turns, flipping her hair in the process, before walking out. John calmly sits back down, grinning in Johnny's direction once again.
Production Assistant: Okay, guys...Live in thirty seconds...
Johnny quickly grabs up a sheet of paper that was resting near his feet, and regains his composure, smiling at the cameraman as he counts down the final seconds before air.
Johnny Klamor: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another WZCW.com exclusive! You know me, I'm Johnny Klamor, and with me today is the ever-interesting...John Doe.
The camera switches to Doe, who remains unmoved, his hands clasped in his lap, and his eyes fixed on Johnny's face.
Johnny Klamor: He's...uh...never been one for interviews, so this is a bit of a special occasion for WZCW. Now, John, at Apocalypse, we saw you attempt to defend both of the tag team titles against the Phantoms of Chaos. As the fans well know, you were unsuccessful in your bid, but put up a hell of a fight. What was the gameplan?
John Doe: The simplest gameplan there can be. Inflict pain.
Johnny Klamor: Is there any plan in place, to pursue a rematch? Or are you done with the tag division for the meantime?
John Doe: When the time's right, I will regain the tag team championships. For now, there's other, bigger, fish to fry.
Johnny Klamor: Care to clue us in?
John Doe: Nope.
Johnny Klamor: Give me something here, John. We have a lot of time to fill.
John Doe: I told you, off camera...Everyone in this godforsaken place is wearing a mask. And it's my job to reveal their true faces.
Johnny Klamor: Which brings me to your match this week. The rookie, Tony Mancini.
John Doe: What about him?
Johnny Klamor: What mask is he wearing? Everything seems pretty cut and dry with him. He's got a bit of a sketchy pass, some possibly shady happenings in his personal life...and he's a fan of hurting people. Like you.
John Doe: No one enjoys inflicting pain the way I do, Johnny. And that's where Mr. Mancini wears his mask. He wants to play the tough guy, and put on this persona of someone not to be trifled with. Yet, he knows not with who he trifles. We'll see if he can absorb pain as easily as he claims to dish it out. If he won't listen to the Word Of LaVey, then it will be a Baptism By Blood. Doesn't matter to me.
Johnny Klamor: So your gameplan is to go for a submission?
John Doe: My gameplan is to make him hurt. Whether he taps out, or stares at the lights for a three count makes no difference to me.
Johnny Klamor: Moving on from Mancini...How do you feel about being excluded from the upcoming Gold Rush tournament? Word around the water cooler is that you would have done quite well, had you been included.
John Doe: Exactly. Why would I need to enter the tournament, to earn a title shot, when the belt is safely in the hands of my father?
Johnny Klamor: That makes sense, but what about Ramparte? Dissention in the ranks?
John Doe: Let's just say he's a quality...insurance policy. Ramparte enters the tournament...wins...and we don't need to worry about anyone else attempting to end my father's reign over this company.
Johnny Klamor: You guys seem to have it all figured out...don't you?
John Doe: Have we failed at anything we've set out to do, to this point?
Johnny Klamor: You did lose your tag belts, and...
John Doe: You really don't pay attention, do you? Losing the belts was a setback, but the ultimate goal of breaking down Ty and El Caidos was achieved.
Before Johnny can answer another question, John rips off the microphone, and throws it down, causing a high-pitched squeal. Johnny looks defeated, staring down at his notes as Doe slams the door shut behind him.
The camera cuts to black...