The scene opens in Vance Bateman's office. Bateman is behind his desk, staring at Blade who's on the other side. Blade is trying to avoid Bateman's eyes. Blade shifts uncomfortably in his chair before Bateman finally breaks the silence.
Bateman: I'm going to ask you something. I'm going to ask you only once, and I expect an answer because you were only in my office a few weeks ago and I'm sick of having to deal with you.
Blade continues to stare anywhere but at Bateman.
Bateman: Blade, what the hell is wrong with you?
Blade clenches his jaw then finally darts his gaze up to Bateman. The leer at each other for a moment. Then Blade smirks and starts talking in a sarcastically cheery voice.
Blade: Why, whatever do you mean, Mr. Bateman?
Bateman sneers at Blade, who is still smirking.
Bateman: Well, ignoring for the moment that you set a fire in a locker room not long ago, first you destroyed another locker room with a sledgehammer.
Blade: I didn't like the colour of the walls. Grey, very depressing.
Bateman: You verbally abused a fan and Rebecca.
Blade: You'd think she'd be used to it by now...
Bateman: You hit your finishing manuever on Zander after he'd already been attacked, putting him out of action indefinitely.
Blade: Well, I wanted to make sure I got the 3 count...
Bateman: And then you interfered in Frankie Smith's Elite X title match, attacking him and his opponent!
Blade: And yet, I bet you haven't had Frankie in your office. In case you've forgotten, he's the one that attacked Zander.
Bateman looks for a moment like he's going to shout at Blade, but then a look of calmness sweeps across his face even thought the vein in his temple is still throbbing.
Bateman: Be a smartass all you want. But I'm going to be completley serious with you right now. If you keep this stuff up, you will be fired.
Blade rolls his eyes.
Blade: And what about the other rule breakers in WZCW? What about guys like the rWo? They get away with this stuff week in week out. You don't even threaten to fire them.
Bateman: That's different, we let the rWo get away with all their rule breaking because we have to for business. You are different though.
Blade: Hey, I'm equal to the rWo at least...
Bateman: You are not important enough to have that kind of job security and you're not important enough to be a member of the rWo.
Before he can stop himself, Blade lets out a heavy laugh. But he stops just as quickly as he started, looking slightly angry with himself. He adjusts himself in his seat and clears his throat.
Bateman: And just what is so funny?
Blade: Nothing, sir. Nothing at all.
Bateman gazes at Blade for a moment, who looks back defiantly.
Bateman: Every time you're in my office, it's just a big joke to you. Can't you ever be serious in an important situation.
Blade once again smirks. He leans forward, placing his hands on Bateman's desk.
Blade: You want me to be serious? Fine, I'll be serious. You see what I'm doing to the WZCW and what I'm doing to myself? The chaos I'm causing? This is your fault. I know that may shock you because you and the suits that run this place think you can do no wrong. But you can make mistakes, and it seems lately all the mistakes you make have involved me. See, I tried so hard to be a good little boy. I did my thing, trying not to step on anyone's toes. I played by the rules. But then you guys changed the rules and I ended up getting screwed over because of it. I got screwed over week after week. I thought justice would be served. But no, I got no justice, I got no compensation, so I needed something to take out my frustration on. I smashed up the room, I hurt Zander, I ruined the precious Elite X title match. And I kinda liked it. It felt like something I was good at doing. And it was obviously working, because I finally got your attention.
Blade's voice is so low now he's practically whispering. But Bateman is still hearing every word, with a look of shock on his face and his mouth half open.
Blade: At the end of the day, Vance, you created this monster... So you have to do something about it.... Or else, I might end up in a postion that you really, really don't want me to end up in.
Blade slowly gets up and leaves the office, slamming the door behind him, leaving Bateman with the look of shock still etched on his face.
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Blade is back in his locker room just before his match at Meltdown, again with the anonymous figure in the corner as company. Blade is staring at the man, looking somewhat pleased with himself.
Blade: Well?
Voice: Well what? You failed miserably to impress me.
Blade: You told me to do something. I did something, and now Zander is gone.
The voice gives out a laugh, which echoes through the locker room.
Voice: I think you're much mistaken. Frankie Smith is the reason Zander is no longer here.
Blade sighs and rolls his eyes.
Blade: So typical of you. Not giving credit where credit's due.
Voice: Well then, you can try and impress me again this week.
Blade shoots a look of annoyance at the shadows, and starts speaking with a hint of resentment in his voice.
Blade: Maybe I don't want to impress you anymore. Maybe I should be impressing people who are more worth my time.
To Blade's surprise, the man in the shadows smiles. A sincere smile.
Voice: Finally, we're getting somewhere. You're starting to think for yourself. Now tell me, who are you facing this week?
Blade: I dunno, Scott Hammond I think. He's some nobody, not a concern to me. I've got much bigger things to deal with.
Voice: Good. No more worrying about worthless, insignificant opponents. You and I both know that you have a much bigger opportunity to make an impact this week. Take the opportunity.
End of scene.
