On a sunny day in any old United States metropolitan hub, a casually dressed Becky Serra takes off her oversized sunglasses as she enters a McDonalds restaurant. Upon entering, shes shocked to find the giddy tuxedo-clad pair of Hunter Kravinoff and Barbosa leading a two man conga line weaving through tables as their fellow patrons look on uncomfortably. In front of Kravinoff at the head of the conga line is the King for a Day briefcase. To draw further attention to Kravinoffs accomplishment on the last Meltdown is the cardboard Burger King crown sitting atop the head of the new King for a Day. As the bizarre celebration gets closer to Becky, she calls out desperately to get the attention of the two WZCW Superstars.
Serra: Hey, guys! Can I get a few words?!
The elated duo clearly sees her, but trots past anyway.
Barbosa: Were headed back to our table! Join the conga line!
Becky gives off a quiet look of annoyance and sombrely follows Kravinoff and Barbosa, not involving herself in the celebratory prancing. Upon reaching their booth, Kravinoff and Barbosa both begin mowing down on Filet-O-Fishes. Becky sits opposite of them and doesnt seem to be in any mood to play as she takes out her trusty pen and pad of paper. Thats old school journalism, yo.
Serra: Congratulations on your big win over Dave on Meltdown.
Kravinoff nods excitedly and shoots Becky a big open-mouthed smile as he chews his sandwich. This scene is as visually appealing as youd expect, but Beckys stoic professionalism keeps you from telling she notices.
Serra: Im surprised to see you celebrating like... this. Isnt this a little civilized for you?
Kravinoff chuckles and nods gently in agreement.
Kravinoff: Sure. But if you civilized people are going to frame your organized combat in a manner that keeps me from ending Big Daves life, the least I can do is flaunt my multiple victories over him in public and continue to wound his pride. And make no mistake, everyone here knows that I beat Big Dave decisively.
Becky looks around and notices the other patrons staring in her general direction, clearly aware of the obnoxious presence of Kravinoff and the manic Barbosa.
Serra: Really? Are all of these people WZCW fans?
Kravinoff: No, but that didnt stop me from telling them.
Barbosa: It was a lot of fun. We... erm, I love introducing people to WZCW. I find that a lot of new fans react very acutely to the segment I did with Michael Winters priest last year. That kind of emotion makes us... erm, me really proud of the line of work were in.
Becky smirks playfully at Barbosa.
Serra: We?
Barbosa: Umm.. Yeah. Me and Munter...
Serra: And how exactly do you feel about Munters big win? I mean before he topped Dave to win the title shot, you were all about winning it for yourself.
Kravinoff takes another large bite out of his sandwich as Barbosa begins to twitch uncomfortably, his expression alternating between joy and anger. Kravinoff takes notice of this as Becky smiles in pride at the power of her words.
Kravinoff: You feeling alright, broheim?
Barbosa: Why wouldnt I, you Neanderthal?!
Kravinoff doesnt seem to take that as an insult as he smiles warmly and rubs Barbys shoulder, much to the ire of the Barbosa who now sits in front of him. Becky is jotting down notes furiously.
Kravinoff: If it makes you feel any better, Ill admit that Im also a little hot under the collar from that third consecutive screening of Black Swan earlier.
Barbosa begins twitching more violently before suddenly standing up and retreating from the scene.
Barbosa: We need to use the bathroom! Give us a minute!
The other customers look on as Barbosa slams the door to the bathroom emphatically behind him. Kravinoff then turns to Becky with a coy look on his face, taking a bite from Barbosas discarded fish sandwich and speaking while chews his food.
Kravinoff: And then there were two.
Kravinoff winks seductively as he chews with his mouth open once more. Becky cant help but respond this time.
Serra: How do you expect someone as unrefined as yourself to fare against a major-league legend like Titus?
Kravinoff chuckles once more and looks Becky dead in her eyes, a smirk of everlasting confidence plastered on his face as he gently caresses the briefcase sitting next to him in the booth.
Kravinoff: Dont you get it yet, Becky? Im the best in the world. And the reason Im the best is because of a quality which no other mortal man possess.
Serra: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Civilization is a burden to all those who were raised in it. Right? Have anything new to say? Youre beginning to sound like a broken record.
The Ugandan shakes his head is disappointment at Becky.
Kravinoff: Becky, this isnt just about civilization versus the wild. Because the more time I spend in your modern jungle, the more I begin to understand that Im inherently better than everyone. And that would be the case with or without my upbringing in the wilderness.
Serra: What makes you say that?
Kravinoff: Well I probably shouldnt be giving away such trade secrets but when youre the best, theres nothing anyone can do about it. So Ill give you a scoop. Ready?
Becky knows a story when she hears one and perks up in her seat, pen at the ready.
Serra: Absolutely.
Kravinoff: Im the best wrestler in the world because I have X-ray vision.
Becky shakes her head in annoyance at the Wildman.
Kravinoff: No, really. Think about. Every match Ive ever been in, every victory Ive ever attained over another man has been predicated on the fact that I can see into the soul of the combatant in front of me. I can dissect anyone in WZCW to a tee and put them back together, use my words to play with the mechanics of their mind, and turn them inside out long before the bell using the knowledge that theyre getting in the ring with someone who KNOWS -- Someone who knows their fears and insecurities, their strengths, their defences. The reason Im better than Big Dave and everyone Ive ever come in contact with is that while theyve spent their lives playing social games with other humans, Ive come in as the utilitarian I am and just cut to the meat and potatoes of the issue. That scares them. That makes them feel exposed like a sharp wind in their ass crack.
And you want to know why this is to Titus disadvantage?
Becky shrugs, attempting feebly to hide her boredom.
Kravinoff: Titus cant take this kind of attack because hes a great actor. He cant take me because he wears a mask. And for so long, everyone has accepted him for these things. Hes the hero of Keystone and an acclaimed leading man. Hes gotten everything he has because at some level, you people buy into his garbage. Villainous foes believe in his prowess as a hero, and everyone buys into every word thats ever come out of his mouth because he knows how to convey a conviction and realism thats unmatched by lesser performers. The man is impressive. But hes not ready for me to cut him open with a scalpel. Hes not ready to feel naked in front of my X-ray vision.
Kravinoff briefly glances at a young boy before the childs mother drags him away in disgust proved by the talk of nakedness and X-ray vision. The Wildman then turns his attention back to Serra.
Kravinoff: If you thought Titus was impressive on the big screen or in his mask, you havent seen anything yet. Because when he trembles in fear under the weight of my eyes, when he squeals in pain under the oppression of my fists, youll see an honesty that makes everything about Titus look as hokey and staged as it really is. And as that happens, as I choke the life out of a broken man on Ascension, Ill look out into the audience and sear souls with my X-ray vision. Wailing tears will be the reaction of some while others will quietly hand their heads in shame. But just like Titus, everyone will know that I see their nakedness.
Kravinoff cockily stares down Becky as she squirms uncomfortably before the scene fades to black.
