Day after Ascension
Scene opens at Mourning Wood Hospital. Leon Kensworth is scene walking down a hospital walkway. He stops in front of door 38C and turns to face the camera.
Leon: Hello WZCW fans, Leon Kensworth here. Im at Mourning Wood Hospital today to give you all an exclusive update on the condition of Showtime David Cougar. At Ascension, Showtime was beaten by former rival Vengeance in a hellacious match and was then viciously assaulted after the bell. EMTs were quick to check on him and he was then rushed to Mourning Wood where he has been kept under close observation. Now Im going to go in and see how Showtime is doing and get his first official thoughts regarding Vengeance and his upcoming match wit Ty Burna.
Leon slowly opens the door. Sitting on the bed is a man in a full body cast. Leons face turns ghostly white. He runs his hand along his neck trying to loosen the tie and turns to face the camera.
Ladies and gentleman it appears Showtime is in a much worse state than previously reported. Showtime, Showtime. Can you hear me?
Leon walks up to the man in the body cast and taps on the cast covering his face. No response comes.
It appears Showtime is in a comatose state and is unable to hear me or respond to my questions.
????: Leon
Ahhh!!!
Leon stumbles back a step at the sound of his name and trips over a power cord, unplugging it. The heart rate monitor goes dead, emitting a loud, long constant beep sound.
Oh my God. Oh my God. What have I done. Ive killed Showtime.
The curtain behind Leon opens and we see Showtime David Cougar sitting in the other bed. He waits a couple seconds as Leon begins to sob and cry and then makes his presence known.
Cougar: Leon, Im sitting right here.
Showtime! Oh... thank God youre well. Uh I wasnt crying. The brightness in the hospital made my eyes...
Leon, you might want to think about plugging back in my roommates heart monitor or whatever you unplugged. You know, before he dies and you end up in the slammer.
Right right.
Leon plugs the cord back in and the heart rate monitor begins beeping again.
Thats better. We wouldnt want a whole bunch of doctors and camera crews here and us explaining to his family why his life support was unplugged. His names Wesley Peters. Nice guy, pretty quiet though. I think I may have slept with his wife, boy it was weird seeing her again in here today. Nice though.
Leon turns and gives a dumbfounded look at Showtime.
Dont worry Leon. Hes been in coma for weeks, he cant hear nothing.
No not that, I mean, do you have no shame, sleeping around with any women you can get with.
Hey I have standards. Besides, its what talk show hosts do. Me and David Letterman and Matt Lauer have a bet going on.
Suddenly a women appears from under Showtimes hospital bed. She properly adjusts her top and then slaps Showtime across the face before walking out.
Was that?
Like I said, it was weird, but nice too.
Anyway, getting back to why I came here. Showtime, the WZCW universe wants to know how you are holding up after the devastating match you had with Vengeance?
Well Leon, doctors have so far diagnosed me with a concussion. No real surprise there. You look at the way I fought that whole match you mustve thought Id been kick in the head or something. My focus was never on my opponent, a fatal mistake in any match.
Indeed. Why were you so fearful of Ty interfering?
Fearful? Leon I think you may need a CAT scan as well after that comment. We all saw what happened to Titus at the conclusion of his match. Vengeance and Ty worked together to fool the WZCW champion and I was not about to let that happen at Ascension. I know Ty, hes a manipulative and powerful individual. I was not about to let him do the same to me in my match and looked to cut him off before he could strike. But like I said, Ty is manipulative. No doubt he mustve brain washed those individuals to dress up in cloaks. He knew I was waiting for him and this time he outsmarted me.
Wow Showtime. I dont know if Ive ever seen you this humble.
It happens from defeat. You learn to give credit where credit is due and that there are more important things than just winning.
Showtime glances out the window. Theres a large green tree outside. A mother bird flys onto her nest and brings food to her babies. Down at the bottom of the tree, children run around playing and laughing. Showtime continues to just stare out the window and Leon looks puzzled at Showtime before coughing to break the silence. Showtime rubs his neck and turns to Leon.
Come on lets go for a walk.
Showtime, are you sure you should be walking?
What are you a doctor Leon? Of course I can walk. I was dropped on my head, not my foot. Besides I have to go up to the 6th floor now.
Showtime and Leon leave the room.
So what do you have to do on the 6th floor?
Doctors are running a few more tests and an MRI on my neck. The thing hasnt felt quite right since Ascension.
Do you think its broken?
Heck no, I can move it just fine. It just stings a little.
Do you think it will affect your match with Ty?
Leon, my head is still throbbing from last night. Enough with all the questions.
Sorry.
Showtime and Leon stand in front of the elevator. Showtime pushes a button and an elevator door opens almost immediately. Showtime and Leon enter the elevator.
Yea... Im sure in some way it could affect my match. Depending on the results of my tests it could affect my career, but I would never want to look at it that way. I will never use injury or weakness to cover up my losses. If Ty beats me at Apocalypse, it will be because he was the better man that night, just like I was the better man at Meltdown 39. This neck will not prevent me from showing up any more than if this elevator suddenly plummeted to ground.
Leon face goes white as the elevator finally reaches its floor without dropping to the ground. Showtime casually walks out and Leon quickly runs off after Showtime.
At Apocalypse, Showtime and Ty Burna will put on another instant classic. There will not be a fan in the audience disappointed with the match we have. I may not be 100% now, but at Apocalypse I will fight Ty with 110% of everything I got and if I need just a little bit more than hey, thats what encores are for.
Leon I have to go. It was nice to see that someone came to check up on me. Even if it was just for official business.
Thank you Showtime for finding the time to talk to me. I hope your tests come up negative.
Showtime nods his head and walks into the MRI room.
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2 days later
Showtime stands in front of Mourning Wood Hospital. he glances down the road and checks his watch. About twenty seconds later a limo pulls up and Showtime opens the down and climbs in.
????: And how are we feeling today?
Showtime turns towards the sound of the voice. It is the executive producer of The Show, Trent Stonewall.
A lot better thanks. Where the hell have you been?
Stonewall: Well we had to stop for cigars along the way and...
No I mean where the hell have you been for the past several months. The last time I saw you was when we went to Trevor Steels home.
Yes that is correct. When you added Trevor Steel to our payroll.
Our payroll?
Yes, you see I have assumed the duties of your agent shortly after that day after your agent, Walter Falls, had a little falling out with the law and is serving 5 years.
For what?
Fraud and embezzlement.
What, he embezzled from me and I wasnt informed.
Oh dont worry there Show. Ive gladly stepped up and have down a far better job than he was doing. At this moment your talk show is one of the highest rated talk shows among our target audience. Sponsors and endorsements are coming to us left, right, and center. Your ShoWater and ShoVitamins are selling fast. I have us in talks for a book deal and the coup du grace, Season One of The Show, now on DVD and Blue-Ray. And I have a ton of stops for you along the way to Apocalypse for you to promote it.
Thats great and all, but I dont really have the time for all this. I have to hit the gym and get back into ring shape.
I dont think its such a good idea for you to be training so hard.
Doctors say Im good to go.
Do they?
Trent reaches into his case and pulls out a folder.
Whats that?
Its your medical records.
How did you get those?
Show baby dont worry, Im your agent. This information is classified for you and me only. Now lets see, Doctors say you have a bulging disc... C4 location. Doesnt require surgery, but does need plenty of rest.
Doctors, what do they really know? They gave me a cortisone shot yesterday and Ill get another one before my match and Ill be good to go.
Masking the pain eh?
Yea, what about it?
Well Im not going to say anything, because Im sure Ty will have plenty to discuss if this information ever gets leaked. You claim Ty hides behind masks, well this is no different, and Ty will surely target the neck and snap it in two like a small twig if he finds out.
So what, youre saying I should fight through the pain?
Im saying that this sort of stuff didnt happen when you cared more about yourself than you do these pathetic fans. Back in your beginnings when you were, Ill say, less than loved by the fans you never got hurt. You won most of your matches and nothing at all stopped you from getting what you want. You wanted the Mayhem title, you took it. You wanted the EurAsian title, you beat Drake in less than 5 seconds. Do you see Ty succumbing to injury? Everest? Vengeance? No. They dont get injured because they are ruthless, they take no prisoners, and they fight for themselves. You see guys like Chris Beckford, Rush, Trevor Steel, guys who fight for other people, they get injured and end their careers. The fans cheer for them and they perform to their limits, but do you think the fans care after these guys are dead and buried or being pushed around in wheel cheers. No, and you want to know why, because they want to see you fail.
Im pretty sure they want me to win. That's why they cheer for me.
Oh they want you to do good; to put on an entertaining show for them and yes overcome the odds and win, but not all the time. No one wants to see a hero whos flawless. They want to see you make mistakes, they want to see you fail at times. You remember a guy in the WZWF called Con Jena. He was the most loved man in the company and soon he became unbeatable in the ring. Every match hed run the same series and finish it off with that chicken cross face maneuver of his and make everybody tap. And eventually, the fans all turned on him because they were sick of seeing beat every man who entered the ring and overcome all the odds. People love a hero, but eventually they all want to see them fall, and a hero always falls way down low. And Showtime I promise you one day the fans will turn on you and it will happen when you are at the height of your success here. So my advice is to care about numero uno, that be yourself, and not pander to the whims of these fans.
Showtime and Trent sit silently in the limo. Showtime reaches under the mini bar and produces a water bottle. He takes a long sip and speaks.
You know you would make a terrible, terrible, motivational speaker.
That youre probably right on. I call it the way I see it. At least Im good at making you money right?
Right. I appreciate your concern, over my career and my well being, but this isnt a gimmick or a stunt or a charade. Where would I be without the fans? I think you and I both know. That would be cancelled. These fans keep me doing what Im doing and I am paying them back by going out there and delivering night after night. I do it for them, for each and ever fan of my work and all the haters who think Im over the top. I will put my body on the line all the time for them to give them the most entertaining bout or show theyve seen. I love the fans, and will never turn on them, and they wont turn on me.
And as for Ty, youre right, he will find out and he will make me pay for it. So I wont take the cortisone shots anymore. If I cant live through the pain than I definitely wont beat Ty. In will train harder than Ive ever trained before and fight through the pain. Ty has made it a very personal mission since Meltdown 39 to destroy me and now its time for me to really retaliate back.
Trent smiles and nods his head. He gives Showtime a modest clap, almost sarcastic.
That was very inspirational Show. You had me there. Okay Ill tell you what, well push most of you promoting until after Apocalypse, since most likely youll be needing time off after. We just want you to devote a small portion of your show towards promoting season 1 of The Show, 15 min, maybe the entire last half, sound good Show baby.
Showtime looks down at the floor and then chuckles a little bit.
Alright Trent, I think I could do that then.
Showtime leans back and looks relaxed. He helps himself to more of his water as Trent goes to read the paper. Trent suddenly puts down the paper.
You remember what Harvey said in The Dark Knight dont you?
Yea, If I ever get back my copy from Leon.
You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
Trent smiles, thinking hes gotten the last word on his point. Showtime leans over.
If thats so, then I guess youll be on the street looking for a job.
Showtime laughs as Trent swings the paper at Showtime, who dodges it it. They chuckle as the camera fads.
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A week later
Scene opens on the set of The Show. Showtime David Cougar is seated behind his desk, dressed in usual suit attire.
Welcome back ladies and gentleman to The Show. Now at this time my producers want me to push this hot little number for the rest of the show.
David reaches under his desk and pulls out a copy of The Show Season 1 on Blue-Ray and DVD.
But Im not going to because these things will pretty much sell themselves. I mean who wouldnt want a copy. The Show Season 1 contains all the hilarious and shocking moments from the past year as well as a number of matches, hand picked by yours truly.
The three disc set goes on sale July 2nd, but you know what, thats not good enough. Im going to give you all a special treat. For the entire month of July you can view the discs in their entirely on WZCW.com.
The crowd gives a huge ovation. David glances off stage at Trent Stonewall who does not look impressed.
Ahh, who needs DVD sales anyway. Now that thats out of the way, I want to talk to you all about something that has weighed heavily on my mind, and my match at Apocalypse with Ty Burna
The crowd boos at the mention of Ty. Showtime waits a second and then motions them to let him speak.
Ty Burna..... there isnt really anything we can say about one and other that hasnt been already said. The wars weve waged, the battles weve fought. Careers have ended and lives have been permanently changed forever in our pursuit to be the best. It has all been said and done countless times over with each of us tasting sweet victory and bitter defeat. And this Sunday will be no different as we look to settle the score that began almost one year ago and has reached a boiling point over the last month.
And yet many things do seem different this time around as we prepare to lock horns at Apocalypse. No longer are we looking to make a name for ourselves. No longer are we out there to prove a point. Over the course of a year weve captured titles and beaten countless opponents along the way. Weve earned the respect of a number of boys in the back and earned the right to be considered as part of the main event. This match is to determine who breaks through to the main event and who must go back to the drawing board.
Showtime nods his head as the crowd applauds.
As tough of an opponent as Ty is, there is nobody Id rather face right now to prove to the world that I am ready. Nobody knows me better than him, and likewise I dont think anybody knows him better than I do. We are as evenly matches as you can be, and yet our styles are totally different. The match will be one of the toughest Ive ever had to fight against the possible the most vicious man I have ever faced.
And as Im about to walk into the shark tank with the most dangerous predator in WZCW, Im going to let him and all of you know something that has weighed heavily on me this week.
Showtime pause for a moment. He wipes a bit of sweat off his brows and runs his hand through his hair before speaking again.
Since Ascension, after Vengeance slammed me off the top rope and hit two finishers on me, my neck has been throbbing in pain. Its something that one day down the road I might have to get fixed up and sit out one day. Im here to tell you that that day is not today. Doctors have advised me not to compete. I told them postponement was not an option. They have offered me pills and needles to reduce the pain. I told them no thank you. Its not that I wouldnt enjoy experiencing zero pain. Its that I must prepare for what Ty will bring to our match. Ty will bring a world of pain to our match and will no doubt try to injure or break my neck. I will not miss this match and I will compete to the best of my abilities because this is my time, to entertain all you the fans, to show the locker room that I am ready to face Titus or Vengeance for the WZCW Heavyweight Title, and to stand against the dark that has surrounded WZCW.
I am telling you all this now so I cant use this as an excuse later, I know the risks and am prepared to deal with the ramifications, and Im telling Ty this so he doesnt take satisfaction in thinking he caused all this. My neck may hurt an incredible amount at times, but it has made me stronger for our match. I train in pain, I sleep in pain, Ive been walking around in pain for over a week now and Im prepared to deal with the pain that Ty may inflict upon me and the consequences it may have on my career and my life. Ty may wind up breaking my neck this Sunday, he may not as well, but one thing that Ty will never break is my spirit, and that will remain as strong as ever as long as I have you the fans there. Rest assure, that your hero will live on forever, I promise you that.
The crowd stands up and applauds. Showtime says thank you to the audience and nods his head at them.
Oh yes, and I can guarantee you that myself and Ty will rock the roof off at Apocalypse. There is no mystery in what each of us brings to the table. We know each others moves, our actions, our thoughts, better than we may know our own. It is as if we re two brothers, born on the opposite sides of a coin called good and evil. Like Lucifer and Michael, ours is a battle that can only be decided at an event called Apocalypse. Each and everyone of you can expect to see an exciting fast paced and highly offensive bout between to great forces in WZCW that will leave you speechless.
The crowd roars with approval and chants of Showtime! Showtime!
And whatever the outcome, whatever the score, no matter whose blood is on whose hands, I can promise you one all one thing and this is directly at you Ty. And that is... that I AM GOING TO SEND YOU STRAIGHT TO HELL!... even if I have to come along for the ride with you.
Showtime gets up and takes off his jacket as the crowd applauds. He throws it into the audience and goes up to the front row to give high fives and sign some autographs. He turns back to look off stage and sees Trent Stonewall and Leon Kensworth. He flips them off. Leon has a shocked look on his face.
You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Remember that.
Is he mad that I still havent returned his Dark Knight movie?
