*camera cuts to backstage where both Leon Kensworth and Becky Serra are standing, arguing*
Kensworth: No way, I'm not talking to him. You talk to him.
Serra: Why do I have to talk to him? He always talks to you, you go talk to him.
Kensworth: That's the point. I'm always the one interviewing him. You interview him for a change.
Serra: Does this have anything to do with everyone thinking he's the thief?
Kensworth: Uh....yes, yes it does! The guy is usually a paranoid, angry wreck on a good day! He's already threatened my life more than once when he was in a good mood! What's going to stop him from following through now that everyone's mad at him and he's constantly looking over his shoulder?
Serra: So you're basically throwing me to the wolves. You're a real gentleman, Leon.
Kensworth: Oh, come on, I doubt he'd attack you.
Serra: Why? Because I'm a girl?
Kensworth: His thought process, not mine.
*Serra thinks for a moment before sighing and throwing her hands up in the air*
Serra: FINE. But you owe me for this.
Kensworth: *rolls his eyes* Yes dear, I'll get the champagne and candles ready for your return.
Serra: *turns to leave* That'd be nice, thank you.
*Serra heads down the hallway, camera following her. She comes to a stop when she sees Chris Jones in front of her, looking down the hallway with a kendo stick firmly in his grasp*
Serra: Mr. Jones-
*Jones lets out a cry of surprise and spins around, swinging his kendo stick while doing so. Luckily, Serra ducks down as the stick whirls over her head*
Jones: WHO THE F-oh, it's.....wait, who're you again?
Serra: *gets back to her feet* WHAT THE HELL?! You almost took my head off!
Jones: Quit your bitching. I missed, didn't I? And I still don't know who you are.
Serra: It's Becky Serra. Leon isn't the only interviewer, you know.
Jones: He's the only one competent enough at his job, so he may as well be.
Serra: Hey! What makes you think that?
Jones: One of them is a slimy prick, one's a dumb blonde, and you just scream hoe-bag to me.
Serra: What is your problem?! You don't even know me!
Jones: I know OF you. That's good enough.
Serra: *sighs* God, WHATEVER. Why are you hiding around here, anyway? What do you have to worry about?
Person: JONES!
Jones: *sighs* That's what. Hold on.
*a man runs down the hallway towards Jones just as he spins around and swings his kendo stick, hitting the man right in the face. The man goes down and Jones hits him a few more times with the stick, keeping him down*
Jones: What part of "my car was stolen" isn't clear enough to you inbred hicks?!
Serra: Uh...I'm guessing this isn't the first time this has happened?
Jones: Congratulations, Ms. Serra. That has to be the fastest deduction you've ever made. Your parents must be so proud.
Serra: All sarcasm aside, why do you think people keep attacking you? After all, like you said, you proved your innocence on Ascension last week.
Jones: It's a simple fact of life, Serra. People don't like to hear the truth. Even when it's standing right in front of their faces, they prefer to deny it and instead believe a lie that they've concocted, simply because it's easier or it makes them happier. I am an innocent man, and everyone knows it. It's just that some people-
*Jones gives the fallen man a sharp kick in the ribs to accentuate his point*
Jones: -choose to ignore it, because they don't know who else to blame.
Serra: And you haven't considered pleading your case a bit more?
Jones: What difference would that make? People hate me, so they would ignore what I have to say and continue blaming me. Hell, it might actually make these attacks more frequent than they already are. But that's fine with me. I'd rather be hated and be right than be loved and be wrong.
Serra: Just because people hate you doesn't automatically mean that you're right about them.
Jones: Sure it does. Key example:
*Jones then points at Serra with his kendo stick*
Jones: You're an insatiable **** who jumps into Showtime's bed whenever he says a word to you.
*the area is silent for a few moments, save for a few groans of pain from the man who attacked Jones. Soon, Serra points at Jones*
Serra: That was just mean.
Jones: You dyed your hair, didn't you?
Serra: No, I didn't. Want me to prove it?
Jones: You're going to drop your pants on national TV? That's going to change my opinion of you, how?
Serra: I meant my roots, jackass!
Jones: Suuuuuuure you did. We're done here.
*Jones turns around and starts walking down the hallway*
Serra: The reason people hate you is because you're an asshole!
Jones: You say "asshole", I hear "prophet".
*Serra screams in frustration as Jones heads outside, the camera following him. Jones comes to a stop, turning to the camera*
Jones: Like I said, people hate to hear the truth. One of the reasons the abortion debate is still going on is because people don't like to believe that women can get pregnant because of rape. The racism issue is still going strong today, but people like to lie to themselves and say otherwise. It's a form of escape that's existed for years, and will continue to do so for many more.
*Jones sits down, leaning against the wall of the arena*
Jones: I imagine that you're no different, Baez. I'm willing to bet that you think I'm guilty, even though you believed it was Kurtesy last week. I proved my innocence, but you still want someone to blame. I think I know why.
*Jones leans forward, staring into the camera*
Jones: The truth is, the only one who can be blamed for the Mayhem Title's disappearance is yourself. You proved how incapable of a champion you were by allowing some no-name mystery man to snatch it from under your very nose. But you can't accept this fact, so if there's any evidence that points to any one man, you jump on it, in the vain hope of taking the blame off of yourself. It's an attitude unfitting of a true champion.
*Jones gets back to his feet*
Jones: This won't be our last meeting, Killjoy. Once you find the one who took the Mayhem Title and reclaim what you don't deserve, I'll be facing you again, and I'll be taking that belt from you. So, consider our match this week on Meltdown a bit of a sneak preview...of the justice that you'll soon receive.
*Jones starts to leave, but stops and snaps his fingers*
Jones: Oh, almost forgot.
*Jones pulls out a piece of paper from his coat and unfolds it. He holds it up to the camera, which reads:
This Message Has Been Brought To You By The Savior Chris Jones. Remember, Your Savior Knows What's Best For You.
*the camera keeps focused on the paper and its message as it fades to black*
