[We open to Ty Burna sitting at a red upholstered booth, looking only very mildly amused. As the camera pulls back some, we see the booth is circular, and next to him on his right looking slightly more entertained is Serafina. Both have glasses of water in front of them. The WZCW World Title sits on his shoulder.]
Serafina: What do you think of the place, Master?
[Ty surveys the surroundings behind the camera.]
Ty: It is a gathering place for the disaffected to gather and drown their sorrows, Serafina. Those who suffer and linger in the deepest crevices of society would choose to waste their time here instead of improving themselves and their lot in life and rising above, as I have.
[A voice responds from off camera.]
Voice: C'mon baby, even the hardworking need a place to unwind. Don't tell me you don't dig the place's style?
[Pulling back even further, we see tan colored arms reaching into view of the camera, holding a bucket full of ice and bottle of liquor. Ty looks down at the bottle before looking up to the man holding it. The camera moves to the left, and as Serafina slips out of view, Gordito comes into it.]
Gordito: Crown Royal, Cask No. 16, right?
[The tiniest hint of the slightest smile almost crawls across Ty's face.]
I see you can follow instructions well, Gordito. You will make a fine host for your establishment.
[As Ty speaks, Gordito opens the bottle a pours some into a glass for Ty.]
Perhaps this is more your calling than WZCW is?
[Gordito reaches over to serve Serafina as he responds to Ty. She seems quite amused by her master's comments.]
I just like a good party, champ, and I've learned that like many things in this life if you want something done right you've got to do it yourself.
[He places the bottle back into the bucket and places it on the table.]
Indeed. But sometimes even doing it one's self isn't enough to get it right, now is it?
[Ty readjusts the WZCW where it sits on his shoulder.]
No shame in losing to the best, Ty. And right now, as I've said before, you are the very best.
Look at this, Serafina. One day he's talking as if my title was his already, and the next he's serving me drinks and singing my praises. It seems perhaps the example I set out to make of him has taught him a valuable lesson in humility.
[Gordito shrugs.]
What do you want me to say? Should I get mad and make threats and boasts? This is a party, champ.
[Gordito sweeps his arms wide as he turns around a bit. The camera follows and we see the rest of The Sludge Pit. The stage area is curtained off, and the floor is packed. Ty and Serafina's booth is in a back corner. Most every booth is full. The area by the bar is equally crowded, where Jack Ruin can be seen along with a handful of waitresses preparing and serving drinks to the growing crowd by the bar. The camera comes back to Gordito, Ty, and Serafina.]
Do what thou wilt; eat, drink, be merry. There'll be time for me to talk crap to you when I've earned the right to challenge for that belt again. The best you're getting out of me now is that now, thanks to you, I know my limits. Now I can proceed to break them. I can't guarantee that I'll ever be taking you on for your belt again, baby, but I can guarantee that if I do, I'll be a much stronger competitor.
[Ty seems to stare through Gordito for a moment.]
Don't ever lose your passion for this, Gordito. It might be all you have.
[Gordito chuckles.]
Noted, King o' Darkness. You might be right about that. Enjoy the show, you two.
[The camera follows Gordito as he leaves Ty and Serafina's booth. He follows the wall of booths, waving and quickly greeting the guests he passes by. After he passes a few booths, he stops at one to find Baez seated alone. He's holding an energy drink.]
Don't tell me you're over here pouting.
Baez: Screw you, Gordie. I got nothing to pout about.
[The two bump knuckles as Gordito takes a seat at the booth with Baez.]
Ok, ok, I didn't mean to offend you amigo.
I don't think you have it in you to offend me EVER. Anyway, blah blah blah bullshit Beckford is Eurasian Champion yadda yadda yadda. You happy?
There's always Madness and Anarchy. Things could come up your way. Think of it, baby....
[Gordito spreads his arms out.]
You could end up with a one on one match with Beckford for the belt! You could get that shot and really prove to everyone what I've known all along...
[He pulls his arms down and points to Baez's face.]
That you are one stone cold crazy sonuvabitch.
Sounds great, Gordie, but there's a catch; everything is random.
Yeah, but isn't...
NO IT'S NOT THE SAME, I've had that discussion already. So I could end up with that, or I could end up having to force feed an entire case of Kickassery to a class of rookies. The hard way.
Is there any other way?
Not with Kickassery. Only one size: Up your ass. Back to business; maybe what I should do is lose to Kurtesy twice, let Big Dave dance on my face, and end up with a World Title shot on PPV...
Aww but you're forgetting the critical element there, amigo...
[Gordito gets up from the table as he's speaking.]
I look at it like the path to my first WZCW World Title shot started by taking some savage beatings from you in my first Mayhem Title shot.
You can come back for more anytime, fat boy. I'm open all day. Except the early morning. DO NOT WAKE ME UP.
You can count on it, Baez.
One last thing...be careful around that master manipulator asshat Chuckie Myles. The guy's mostly bad news. Don't screw around with him.
Don't worry about me, baby. I know who I can trust.
[With that, Gordito moves on. He comes to the floor and begins to casually work his way through the crowd. He comes to the opposite wall, and another set of booths. In the first one directly in front of him, Scott Hammond and Wasabi Toyota come into view. Scott is holding a pint of dark stout while Toyota is enjoying some sake. Gordito reaches to shake hands as he approaches them.]
Brothers is Arms, so glad you guys made it!
[He reaches to shake Scott's hand first.]
Scott! Good to see you, man.
Scott Hammond: Likewise, Dirty One.
[Gordito turns towards Toyota.]
Toyota! How's it going, big guy?
[He shakes Toyota's hand while patting his back.]
Wasabi Toyota: Quite good, my friend. It pleases me deeply to able to come support you on your big night.
Yeah, it's not every night that your friend is throwing an enormous party. Congratulations, bro.
[Gordito takes a seat next to Toyota.]
Thanks guys. I just wanted a place to come relax and gets away from the evils of the world...
[Toyota twitches ever so slightly upon mention of the word "evils".]
...and come to relax. A place where I could crash into...
CRASHINS!!! EVILS!!! EVIL CRASHINS!!!!!
Now you've done it...
[Toyota begins half weeping half growling.]
I cannot forgive them, the Crashins. They only take, they only choke the goodness of...
[Gordito produces a small but heavy looking package out of his robe pocket.]
Speaking of goodness, I got that thing you asked me for, buddy.
[He tosses the package towards Toyota. Toyota at first cautiously opens the package, but once he eyes the contents he seems free of his funk. Excitement seems to shine in his face and eyes.]
OH! Yes, yes, thank you my friend. I appreciate this very much!
[He digs into the package with one chubby finger, and when it emerges it is covered in a fine white substance. He quickly licks his finger and then sticks the tip into his mouth, seemingly rubbing the substance onto his gums.]
Are you sure it's ok that he does that?
It's sugar. Where's the harm in that?
You seem to be hanging in there well. Few are the men who can take a high profile loss as well as you have. I mean, do you really think it's wise to have invited Ty?
Why not? I just felt the King o' Darkness was more trustworthy to have around people like this than some of the nuttier elements.
I hear you, mate. You thinking of going back after Ty?
I'm thinking of seeing what Madness and Anarchy has in store for me. I am perfectly fine going anywhere right now. A part of me feels like I should get together with you guys and take it to the Movement...
[Both men chuckle at the term.]
Or hey, maybe I'll pick out one of the rookies and form a tag team of my own. Give you guys some...
[As Gordito is speaking, one of the waitresses approaches the table and stops next to him. She leans over and whispers something into his ear.]
She is?! AWESOME! Thank you for coming to get me.
[Gordito gets up and turns towards the guys.]
I gotta go for a moment, boys, but I'll be back when the show starts. I'll see if Baez wants to come join us too.
[Gordito turns towards the waitress.]
Bring them each another round, on the house.
[He turns back towards the guys and waves before heading off.]
See you soon.
[He heads back into the crowd on the floor, cutting his way towards the bar and the front of the building. He's intercepted by Jack along the way.]
Jack: Hey, Jefe! Rebec...
I know she's here, I'm on my way out to see here. Is he here yet?
Yes, their flight landed an hour ago, and the limo just dropped them off.
Tell him I'm sorry that I didn't get to see him before the show, but that the afterparty is going to be insane. Everything going good with the bar?
Dude, it's perfect. This place is bumpin'. We had a few assholes in earlier, but they left once some of the WZCW guys showed up.
'K. I'm stepping out front, Jack. I'll be back in a few.
[Gordito slips past Jack and makes his way out of the door. The front of the club is almost as hectic as the inside. Dozens of patrons line the front with cigarettes in their hands. A ratty red carpet has been laid out along the front entrance way and the sidewalk nearby, and standing on this carpet is Becky Serra and a WZCW camera team. The view shifts to that of the camera on Becky as Gordito is stepping into it.]
Becky: And here we have the man of the evening himself, Gordito!
Thank you, Becky, and welcome to The Sludge Pit. And hello to the WZCW Universe!
[Gordito turns towards Becky.]
How are you doing tonight, Becky?
I'm doing fine, but the real question is how are you doing? We see that the launch of your new bar and nightclub has been a success. We're even told that a handful of WZCW Superstars past and present have come out for the event.
The Dirty One isn't usually one to kiss and tell, Becky. But what the hell? I'll have you know that my friends Wasabi and Scott, the Brothers in Arms, have come to have a good time, along with my Mayhem mentor Baez.
We hear even the World Champion Ty Burna has come out for the night.
The King o' Darkness himself may be in attendance.
So then there aren't any hard feelings from your loss to him at All or Nothing?
None at all. I gave everything that I am right now, and Ty showed me how far that got me. Not his fault that it wasn't quite enough. So Ty gets to keep being the big bad man of WZCW while I know exactly what limits of mine I need to improve. I'm never going to stop learning while I'm here, Becky. There's always going to be a need to improve.
The question the WZCW Universe has for you now is this: what's next for the Dirty One? Where does the Dirty Train go now?
The Dirty Train is a little beat up, but it's still due to rock it's way into Madness and Anarchy. What a great way to start back over again? I could end up in a rematch with Ty! I could end up getting one more shot at the Mayhem Title, and current champion Wunderbar! Or, I could end up in a 3 on 1 handicap match against the Crashin Movement. I could even be partnered with Austin Reynolds and put up against Showtime and Constantine! The landscape of WZCW is still open for anyone with pioneering spirit, including myself!
Any thoughts on the upcoming Lethal Lottery? Will we be seeing you in a qualifying match soon?
I certainly hope so. My dance card is empty, baby, and I'm looking to fill it up anywhere I can. In the hunt for the world title, or down in the pit with the rookies, I'm looking to tune up the Dirty Train, to keep her running nice and clean and to push the speed limit. And to do that, I need people willing to give me everything they've got. I say bring on the Lethal Lottery, I'm ready to take on any challenge put in front of me!
Thank you, Gordito. When we return, we'll be getting a sneak peek at the action going on inside The Sludge Pit. Stay tuned, WZCW Universe.
[The view switches back to Gordito, Serra, and the camera crew. And the crew gathers their equipment together, Gordito leads Becky towards the door.]
Thanks for coming, Becky.
Are you kidding, thanks for the invite! I'm always happy to pick up a great WZCW scoop.
Even scum like myself know how to treat a friend. Come join the boys and I.
[Gordito and Serra make their way into and through the club, working towards the table with Toyota and Hammond. As they hit the open floor, Gordito catches Baez's attention and motions for him to come join them. Pretty soon, all are seated at one booth, though Hammond and Baez try to keep a little distance from each other. The lights dim down and the crowd begins to cheer in anticipation. Jack's voice can be heard over the P.A.]
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the grand re-opening of The Sludge Pit!
[The crowd's cheers grow louder.]
Let's hear it for the man who made this all possible tonight; the Dirty One, Gordito!
[The crowd cheers and applauds as a spotlight shines down on Gordito as he sits between Becky Serra and Toyota.]
And now, The Sludge Pit proudly presents to you our special guest for the night. From Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the bizarre rock sensation himself, MAX KARZAI!
[All the lights are killed as Max's voice is heard.]
Max Karzai: FEED MYYY...FRANKENSTIEN!
[As the band kicks in, the curtains drop and stage lights come on. Max is front and center, wearing a black, silver, and red jumpsuit with matching facepaint. He appears to be wearing tall platform boots made of steel, covered in fake blood. His black and red gloves seem to be fitted with long metal claw appendages. The stage behind him is decorated with bent rusty metal props bent to look like ruined architecture. Behind a wall of this junk a giant prop head and two hands are placed to appear like a man is struggling to emerge from the wreckage, his face covered in paint and fake blood. A smoke machine operates from inside his mouth. In the build towards the first verse, Max approaches the edge of the stage and raises his mic to speak.]
WELCOME TO THE SLUDGE PIT, MY FRIENDS! HOW ARE WE ALL DOING TONIGHT?!
[Any restraint the crowd was showing is gone now. Lighters are being held, people are rushing towards the stage, and a few women have removed their tops. A banner can be seen in the crowd which reads "Karzai = Real American Hero!".]
YOU KNOW, AS THE MAN ONCE SAID....HAVE FUN AND GO CRAZY!
[As Max backs up and starts into the verse, we come back to the group gathered around the table. Baez seems more interested in the budding mosh pits than he does the show itself. He looks to be waiting for the right kind of punk to enter. Becky excuses herself to catch up with her camera crew and get some footage of Max. Gordito has joined in with Hammond in putting down some pints as Toyota observes Max's stage antics with a look of horror and fascination (and a telltale trail of sugar around his nose). We cut back to Max. He pushes a switch on his left glove, and at once skeletal wings sprout from his back and his boots are set on fire. We fade to black as he reaches the chorus.]
