*Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth! In Anaheim, California, there is a chuck of land that humanity has claimed, bulldozed, and erected a little piece or heaven. Or so they'd like to think they did. Suffice to say that the Magic Kingdom has its fair share of skeletons in the closet. That is neither here nor there, because today, is a special day. Today is the three year birthday of DC and Lindsey's daughter, Mandee.
DC and Lindsey are shown in a sun soaked parking lot, walking towards Disneyland but not towards the front gates like everyone else. DC has sought out a more secure entrance, with help from Eli. DC is wearing a black tshirt with fades jeans. White rim sunglasses on, and diamond stud earrings. Lindsey is wearing a spaghetti strapped top with Dopey on the front, and a cut off jean skirt and skate shoes. Her blonde hair is down but held away from her face by stunner shades, with a long thin platinum chain that rests on her space mountains (GET IT!?). Lastly, little Mandee is wearing her favorite Disney princess outfit, she's dressed up like Sleeping Beauty, tiara and all. A small little pink puff out dress and white elbow length dress gloves. Mandee walks between Lindsey and DC as they are both holding her hands as she skips along.*
This is ******ed...
*Lindsey is already giving up. She throws her hands in the air as if signifying "why did I even bother". Letting go of Mandee, she places her palms on her forehead and motions her hair back into a ponytail.*
You could at least make the most of this, this isn't about you or me today... Please?
We... Todd... It...
*DC can't help but laugh as his daughter skips around, oblivious to what the word means. Lindsey scoffs at DC as she leans down and whispers to Mandee that that is a bad word.
As they approach a fence that has a thick screen of foliage grown onto it, a man dressed in a suit with sunglasses on stands oddly in front of it. He nods towards the trio and manages a smile beyond his imposing figure. He kneels down towards the ground.*
Welcome to Disneyland. Your parents say it's your birthday today, and we have a very special treat for you.
*Mandee beams with glee as she sways back and forth, blushing at the thought of the surprise.*
But there is someone that wants to meet you...
*With that, as if on que, a hidden door in the overgrowth of green opens up and out of it comes...*
SWEEPING BOOTY!
*Mandee loses it! She runs up and for all the strength a three year old can muster, tries to tackle the blond to the ground. Obviously though, "Sleeping Beauty" is used to this treatment.*
Oh dear! How are you?! I hear there is a birthday celebration at my castle for a princess.
*She has it down pat, all the way to the plastic smile she wears.*
You must be princess...
WETODIT!
*The regal smile that was worn on that pretty face of Sleeping Beauty has since been replaced with a terrible fake smile. As she shakes her head. She kneels down to Mandee who still has the biggest grin on her face imaginable. Lindsey, is silent and still, burning a hole through DC with her stare. DC, is shaking violently from silent laughter.*
That is not how a princess speaks...
*This chicks good, managing to keep that squeaky princess voice from the movie. She shakes her head at Mandee, with puckered lips doing this "tisk tisk" noise.*
What is your name my dear?
Mandee
Well Mandee, let us be off then...
*Mandee turns to her parents. DC eyes are hidden but they are shut as he still is shaking. His left arm across his chest and right arm blocking the smile across his face. Lindsey on the other hand is playing along. Her smile matches Mandees as she kneels down. Mandee is now between a kneeling Sleeping Beauty and Lindsey.*
Go on Mandee!
Let's go!
*It would be a sweet story to say Mandee runs to her mother refusing to leave, but kids are assholes. Mandee runs past Sleeping Beauty and through the hidden door. Beauty trots closely behind, pausing only to glance back at DC and Lindsey.*
Will the parents of the princess be joining us until the party?
*She bats her eyes, giving them the heaping dose of medicine that is Disney Princess acting. To which both DC and Lindsey reply with an awkward silence of mumbles and "well... Umm". Before finally cooperatively shaking their heads.*
...No? Is that okay?
*Beauty nods and curtsies.*
Then we shall see you at the lady's party at one o'clock.
*Beauty turns and walks through the doorway as well. The man in the suit holds his arm out to DC and Lindsey allowing them passage through his magical door. They enter as well, as Beauty is seen entering Cinderella's carriage. Mandee is two hands on the window sill looking around giddier then a... three year old?*
BYE MOMMY! BYE DADDY!
*With that the driver snaps the reigns on two white horses, dressed for the occasion, and they make their way towards the castle. DC and Lindsey wave bye to their daughter.*
You don't think it's odd that we've just placed the life of our three year old in the hands of complete strangers?
Are you kidding me, they do this s*** all the time. They got security here that CCTV would be jealous of.
*DC and Lindsey finally turn around as the carriage winds it's way down the street. Kids, adults, old people, and cartoon character costumed employees litter the view. The noise of multiple conversations all going on at once is the only sound. For anyone who has not been into Disneyland before, the group is inside the fence behind what would be Tomorrowland, a futuristic themed portion of the park. This is where Space Mountain is and where...*
We're going on Star Tours.
*...Star Tours is. It is a ride based around the Star Wars movies in which passengers board a shuttle bound for the forrest moon of Endor, but end up in varying scenarios of danger. The pilot for all intents and purposes, is an idiot, and light speeds the shuttle towards eminent danger. Best. Ride. Ever.*
You're such a child...
I'm not the one in a horse and buggy going to have tea and biscuits with Mickey and Minnie.
You're right... But you would take a camel walker (AT-AT) to meet Boba Fett and Darth Vader...
...so?
*The joke is just about the first sign of normalcy for these two. As they seem to share the moment amidst all the chaos. They begin to walk down the street, just side by side not holding hands or anything of the sort. DC places his hands in his pockets.*
So Kingdom Come is coming up...
Oh? And is that a big deal?
*D raises his eyebrows a little at Lindsey.*
It's the "Crowning Glory" of WZCW. I thought you watched?
I don't watch every show! We kind of have a daughter. She doesn't like watching grown men in underwear yet, when she can rather watch cartoons on Netflix.
She watches Netflix that late at night? You really want me to bel-
Who cares, at least I'm there with her.
*Lindsey says this rather quietly, not wanting to cause a scene, but obviously wanting to walk down this metaphorical road with D. He doesn't respond right away, just shakes his head.*
Look, one of us has to make money. The account is starting to run low and taking bookings from anyone doesn't exactly cover it. This is the one thing I'm good at!
Is that why you haven't won a single match yet?
I thought you said you didn't watch?
Not, every, show...
*She says it with a bit of a sway. She watches, just doesn't want to be that invested into it. Her play off though has been seen through as DC cracks a small smile.*
So... Did you watch the Super Show?
Where Hasselhoff cost you your pin?
Yeah... I don't know what's wrong with me lately. It's like...
*D kind of looks around, like he suspects someone is watching and/or listening. He leans towards Lindsey.*
Like, I want to strangle the s*** out of Mason for that. But I can't. It's like something... Is constantly crawling in my brain and keeping me from just wigging out.
*He chuckles to himself as he gets closer towards Lindsey. He gently rests his hands in her shoulders.*
I had Mikey beaten in that ring. All that was left was to hit the Ten on him.
*DC shuts his eyes. His hands raising up towards Lindsey's neck.*
That's all that was left to do. But he slid in. He slid in and grabbed that chair and right then and there I should have dropped him... I should have f***ing dropped him and proved my point...
*D seems to be fighting something. A complete contrast of the cool demeanor he was showing a few seconds ago. His head shakes as he is essentially mumbling. Lindsey grabs his hands as he doesn't seem to be letting go.*
D...
*Like a camera flash DC snaps out of it. He doesn't even realize where his hands are as they go limp and rest back on Lindsey's shoulders almost lifelessly. D quickly removes his hands as a couple passerby look on. But they mosey on by. DC is swearing slightly as Lindsey looks on with a troubled gaze.*
You back? The hell was that?
*As D struggles to find the answer he's looking for he again looks around suspiciously. As his eyes frantically search for something they lock on to something quite peculiar. There's a Crystal Ball in a gypsy themed gift shop, not but a few feet away. DC eyes it, and again, his head begins to ache. He steps away and grabs Lindsey's hand. He plays it off, laughing at the idiotic thoughts creeping in his mind.*
Whatever the f*** that was, we're getting away from that noise.
*Lindsey pulls her hand out of DC's grip. She stands still with a scared look. She's not really doing anything but standing there.*
Are you okay?
...no.
*DC slumps into a bench along the street. He looks like a lost little puppy, but can't help but smile as if the world was a Disney ride itself. He glares around, locking eyes with Goofy. Or at least someone in a costume. Goofy, is pointing right at him, doing the "omg" ear cover pose. He can't talk, it's breaking character. But whoever is in there is in a frenzy. DC shakes his head as Lindsey comes to his side.*
I think you should leave...
*He looks up, expecting a concerned look on Lindsey's face, but is instead met with a pissed look. Lindsey has crossed her arms and is standing with a purpose.*
This is the second time now you've come to see us. Twice you've came by, and twice you've found a way to pawn Mandee off so you could play this card on me. Guess what?
*Lindsey leans in by DC's ear.*
I'm not buying it this time.
What? Play what card?
*Lindsey mocks with her hands a bunch of fairy sparkles or something, with jazz hands.*
"I'm going crazy without you. Oh, GM is planting bugs in my brain."
*She stops, and places a hand on DC's knee.*
Whatever is left of the man that I knew, walked out on his wife and daughter three years ago. I can't tell if you're pretending to go crazy, or if maybe you actually are. But if you're off in some little Lala Land, then you're not here in reality with us...
*She stands straight up.*
Maybe you shouldn't have come back. Because you barely want to spend time with your daughter. If you're too good for her, then you're not good enough for me...
*D, once again faced with the scenario of Lindsey not cutting him any breaks, doesn't know what to say. He just sits there, blank faced and numb. Lindsey rolls her eyes, she wants to walk away, her body language is saying as much.*
I think you need to figure this out on your own. I'm not having any part of this.
*With that, this time she does begin to walk away.*
Babe...
*D calls out to her, but instead of stopping she simply turns around, continuing to walk backwards, and flips him off. He slumps on the bench. Again, just overly numb to this. This must be what it felt like for her. The thought barely grazes his mind as his brow starts to lower.
His eyes once again wander and he spots it again, the crystal ball. He shakes his head, running his hands together as he does so. Minutes pass as DC deals with a sense of loss and confusion as his eyes are locked into that ball. This is stupid and he knows it is, but he stands up, and paces ever so slightly. Never breaking eye contact with the sphere. He gathers himself, looks around once more and begins to walk towards it.*
Alright motherf***er...
*As DC approaches the object, his head begins to ache. His body begins to burn from inside. Once he's as close as he once was the throbbing headache overtakes him until his eyes are shut.
The crowd noise dies. There is nothing to be heard. D slowly begins to open his eyes as he is standing in front of the shop. Time has seemed to stand still.*
Alright!
*He barks out, a reluctant chuckle at the end of his tone.*
I lost the last thing I had over you!
*He catches a glimpse of the Grand Mystique standing behind him in the reflection of the glass. DC turns around, wiping his hand across his mouth.*
I'm supposed to believe in some form of power now?
You need only believe in our cause DC.
Enough with the damn riddles!
*DC shakes his head, throwing his hands up.*
You wanted me to come in and do great things for you, all without explaining it. You're just telling me that people sin, and we should make those people pay. Then you tell me I'm a sinner! Then you WANT me to sin... Except you don't let me finish what I started.
*He walks up to GM, getting face to face with him again. But instead of being pissed off or in a fury, DC is just humbled. He's not even fighting it anymore. GM nods, a searing smirk behind the mask crawls across his face. *
You haven't won anything because of your ego. You cannot be allowed a victory because of your pride. You cannot be trusted with responsibility because of your selfishness. All of these things I've tried to show you to make you a better weapon. You could claim I'm at fault for all of your shortcomings, but make no mistake, I've done so with purpose and intent.
*GM begins to circle around DC.*
Strikeforce and Jacobs is just the beginning. This match isn't something as simple as a wrestling match. This is the building blocks of a war. The masses follow what they can't stop. The four of us standing on the ashes of burnt hopes and dreams, begins and ends with everyone understanding their role and part to play in the Alter. You have been the most troubling person in this group without a doubt...
* GM finally stops in front of DC.*
But did you really not see this coming DC? I've tried to prepare you, tried to steer you away from any form of guilt or shame. But you've not learned a thing! You blame others! Throw it in our faces like we are the cause of your pain and misery.
*Now DC is getting pissed as he clinches his fist and lowers his head.*
Howard out matched you. Strikeforce broke you. Saxton and Saboteur outsmarted you. Stormrage defied you. You couldn't work alongside your brothers. It is not their fault!
So what? It's just as simple as falling in line?
*There is seconds of pause as GM looks at DC. D finally raises his head up to meet eye to eye with GM.*
...yes, it is that simple.
Fine. You win.
*D glances past GM, looking at his own reflection. They meet eyes once again.*
I don't have anything left anyway... If this is what you wanted all along then why didn't you just say so, huh? Why all the bulls***!? Why couldn't you just look me in the eye and tell me you didn't want DC, you just needed a weapon?
*DC gets in GMs face again, but this time, they both know what it means. There is finally an understanding to the call.*
All I ever needed... Was the sacrifice...
*DC shuts his eyes, letting out a hefty breath of air. The words slap him across the face more then any hand could.*
Then what do you want me to do?
Fight with us, not for us, not against us. With us!
*DC opens his eyes as the world flashes back. The crowd noise is almost defining to his ears. As he looks around he is still standing in front of the window where the crystal ball is being displayed. He takes a step back from it as a few people gander at the sight of him. Unsure if the world did stop turning or if it was all in his head, DC turns away. He scrambles for the exit in a quickened walk. As he makes the final cut towards the hidden door he manages to catch a glimpse of Lindsey who is walking back towards where they were. He stops, but only for a second, and then pushes on. She doesn't see him, he's not even sure if he wanted her to.
Fade to black.*