The scene - Drake Callahan lies on the sofa, crumpled suit partially undone and tie loose. Max Powers, neat and crisp in stark contrast to his client, paces the room angrily while Drake idly toys with a yo-yo, which he is incapable of getting to work.
A moment of silence passes.
Drake: So...last week didn't go so hot..
Max stops and slams his hands down on a table.
Max: No, you think?
Drake pauses for a moment.
Drake: Yeah, I'm pretty sure.
Max shakes his head and starts pacing again.
Max: I made a mistake. It's on me, bud.
Drake keeps toying with the yo-yo.
Max: Yeah...yeah, I screwed up.
Drake furrows his brow a little as the yo-yo refuses to work.
Max: Aren't you gonna say anything?
Drake: I think my yo-yo is broken...
Max: Damn it, Drake! Focus! This is the part where I dramatically blame myself, then you make me feel better by shouldering some of the blame, and we both feel better.
Drake just stares at Max.
Drake: I don't see how any of that fixes my yo-yo.
Max silently laughs and shakes his head.
Max: Alright, Drake...last week wasn't so bad. We got away on top, but we got a no contest...remember, Drake, it's all about the money, and no contests mean no money...this is about stopping the interference, y'know? Keeping you safe and sound, so you can win the matches.
Drake: Yeah...plus, I think Ty would break my yo-yo if he got ahold of it...and I really like this yo-yo.
Max: So, look, I'm gonna run defense for you. Patrol around the ring, keep an eye out, and if I spot anyone charging down, I'm just gonna jump 'em. No more interference. You were undefeated once, buddy, and you're gonna start a streak again. I got your back. No more no contests?
Drake: No contests...no more.
Max laughs.
Max: Close enough.
There's a knock on the door and Max shouts for them to come in.
Becky Serra enters a little reluctantly.
Becky: Here for an interview?
Drake brightens up.
Drake: Becky! How are you?
Becky: I'm doing well, Dra-
Drake: Look! I have a yo-yo!
Becky smiles.
Becky: That's, uh, really nice, Drake.
Drake: I got it from a hobo...
Max: You got it from a convenience store.
Drake: The guy behind the counter looked like a hobo...
Max: Hobos don't run stores, Drake.
Drake: You don't know that! Maybe they're in disguise...planning the hobo revolution...
Max: Uh, sure, Drake.
Drake gestures wildly with a beer bottle.
Drake: You watch! One day they'll make us all wear ratty coats and eat beans out of cans...
There's an awkward silence.
Becky: Umm...so, right, Drake's match?
Drake: Against Retribution!
Max: Vengeance.
Becky: It's Lars Reidar, now, actually.
Max glares at her.
Max: Don't correct me.
Becky looks angry.
Becky: I'll correct you if you're wrong.
Max is about to retort when Drake gestures with his bottle.
Drake: No...Matt...
Max: Max, Drake.
Drake: Is what I said...Max...Becky's right, he changes his name...it's Rider now.
Drake snorts.
Drake: Rider...
He laughs again.
Max and Becky stare.
Drake: Hey, hey Max...maybe, maybe we'll catch him...riding dirty?
Drake shakes with laughter on the couch.
Max: Er. I think Drake's gonna be a little indisposed during this interview, Becky.
Becky: Uh, yeah...I'm used to it.
Max stares for a minute, mouthing the words "riding dirty" to himself for a minute, before shaking himself and turning to the camera.
Max: Look, Reidar. You aren't the target here. Drake wants the Mayhem title back, and he wants the Eurasian belt around his waist to go with it. You? You're what we call in New York an investment. See, right now, you're irrelevant. Trash on the side of the road. But later? Later, we might be interested in more titles, bigger matches, and that's when a victory over a big man like Lars Reidar comes in. Look at you. You're a top contender for the gold, you might be the next world champion. A pinfall victory for us looks real good, and that's why I had this match arranged. You're an investment. You're a road bump. Most of all? You're practice. A nice little warm up for Drake before he tears apart his opponents at All or Nothing, claims two titles for himself, and declares himself the hottest rising star in WZCW.
Max laughs cockily.
Max: Get ready, punk, 'cause you got the most dangerous man in wrestling on your tail, and he wants blood.
Drake: And mini hot dog weenies!
Max turns sharply.
Drake: Mini hot dog weenies...and blood. Lots of blood?
Max just sighs and turns back to the camera.
Max: Get ready, Lars.
Becky nods and backs out of the room as Max breathes heavily in front of the camera and Drake continues to fiddle with the yo-yo.
