The camera turns on and we see Tony setting down his suitcase by the front door as he's home for a few days before heading to Toronto for Unscripted. He looks around for Xaitlyn so he can tell her about his match with Wren at the pay per view but when he gets to the kitchen he sees a note on the table written in Xaitlyn's handwriting.
Dear Anthony,
I am sorry I have to do this via a note but I am so disgusted with you I do not even want to look at you. I saw you down in the city the other week at that warehouse where you were fighting for money when you said you were training for your championship match against Titus. You lied to me then just like you lied to me when we were tag team partners. You haven't changed at all. I have gone to a hotel before my flight home. Do not contact me again.
Xaitlyn Serpiente
Stunned Tony sits down at his table and stares at the piece of paper in his hand as his mind races back and forth from one thought to the next. After a few minutes he crumples up the note and angrily tosses it across the room. He gets up and not knowing what else to do he gets up and goes to browse the internet. Not having anything specific to do he finds himself on WZCW.com where he sees an interesting article on their homepage.
Tony Mancini challenges Wren to a match at Unscripted! Vote for one of these stipulation now! said:
Just this past week on Ascension Tony Mancini challenged the mysterious Wren for a one-on-one match for Unscripted. Every match except the main event will have a fan picked stipulation and this one is no exception.
You, the WZCW Galaxy, will decide if the winner will get a suitcase filled with $10,000, whether the combatants will fight in an anything goes Stretcher Match or if the ring will be surrounded by their comrades in a Lumberjack Match.
Vote now and then tune in to WZCW Unscripted on the WZCW Network to find out which stipulation was chosen!
Randall James
WZCW.com Intern
Tony (To himself): Well this is a surprise. I didn't think a friendly match would warrent a stretcher match or a lumberjack match.
He shrugs as he votes for the match he would like to compete in the most. Once he does that he walks back into the kitchen when his cellphone starts ringing. He checks the caller ID and answers it when he sees that it's Gino.
Gino: Hey hey Ton' what's up? I saw your match with the masked chick and your challenge after you won. Are you and snake lady gonna train for your match by talking about her the way she likes to do?
Tony (unhappily): Xaitlyn left to go back home. She saw us at that underground fight the other week. You know, the one that helped me against Titus? She accused me of lying to her again and never to contact her.
Gino: You sound upset Ton' but trust me when I say that this is for the better. Ever since you kept her on as your manager your career has been going down hill. All she did was hold you back with her bullshit planning.
Tony: You're not the first person to tell me that and I doubt you'll be the last. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though. It's not like it's the first time she's done something like this.
Tony goes to the fridge and grabs a beer before sitting back down and popping it open.
Gino: Well since you've got nothing to do you want help me with something?
Tony: Sure I guess, what is it you need help with?
Gino: That's better left until I see you. I'll be there in a couple hours.
Gino hangs up without another word leaving Tony to wonder what he got himself into.
**2 hours later**
Tony hears a knock on the door and stands to the side as Gino walks in. Tony takes him into the living room and sits in his Lay-Z-Boy as Gino stretches out on the couch.
Tony: Alright Gino you're here now what do you need help with?
Gino: It's Family business. There's a butcher that we've been having trouble with. They owe us a few months of protection money and I need your help to get it without causing a giant scene. I promise no one will get hurt.
Tony stares at Gino for a few minutes while he argues with his conscience about whether it's a good idea to get involved with that Lifestyle again. After a few minutes of this silent arguing he make me a decision.
Tony: I'll help you this once because you said no one will get hurt. After this I don't know.
Gino claps his hands with smile as he jumps off the couch and walks towards the door.
Gino: That's fine, I shouldn't need help with anything for a while after this anyway.
Tony locks the door behind him as they leave and drive towards the city. After they hit the freeway Gino asks Tony a question.
Gino: Hey man did you see the stipulations for your match at Unscripted? I voted for a stretcher match because there is no way that tiny woman can beat you in a match where anything goes.
Tony: Don't sell Wren short Gino. She may be small but what she lacks in size and strength she makes up for with heart and speed. I wouldn't count her out, especially when there's pride on the line and possibly another shot at Titus if he's still Eurasian Champion.
Gino scoffs at the thought of Wren having any chance in a stretcher match which causes Tony to shake his head. After a few minutes Tony looks over at him and asks him a question
Tony: Why did you ask me to help you with this Gino? I haven't been involved in any Family business in a long time.
Gino: People haven't forgotten you Ton'. We've all been watching you in WZCW and hoping you'd want to join the family again.
Tony: I don't know Gino, I'll have to think and pray. When I got out of that life I told myself I'd stay out of it.
Gino nods and drops the subject as Tony stares out the window. They drive the rest of the way in silence as Tony mulls over his life and what Gino just told him. They make their way into the city and Tony takes a deep breath and smiles, feeling at home for the first time in a while. They drive through the city to
Giuseppe's Old World Butcher Shoppe in Little Italy. Gino parks a few blocks away and they walk the rest of the way as they talk.
Tony: How much does Old Man Giuseppe owe anyway? You said he was a few months behind but you didn't give an amount.
Gino: He owes the Family $4,500 in back protection money. We've been busy trying to keep our territory from the other Families and haven't had a chance to come collect.
Tony: Holy shit Gino are you serious, $4,500?!
Gino: The Family has been in a rough way since you left Ton'. We need you back with us.
Not knowing what to say Tony simply nods his head as they walk into the shop. Behind the counter is a little old lady who looks up when the bell over the door rings. She smiles when she sees Tony but when she sees Gino she starts yelling in thickly accented english.
Mama Giuseppe: You go away now! How many times do I need to tell you we are not going to pay. We do not need your protection anymore!
She grabs a rolling pin as she comes out from behind the counter and swings it at Gino who has to jump back to avoid being hit in the head. As she goes for another swing Tony grabs the rolling pin out of her hand as he pushes Gino towards the door.
Tony: Mama Giuseppe please calm down. Your heart can't take the stress.
Tony takes Mrs. Giuseppe by the hand and leads her to a nearby table before he gets her a glass of water. She takes a sip and looks at Tony with questioning eyes.
Mama Giuseppe: Why are you with that man Anthony? Last we heard you had gotten out of that life after your parents passed away so you could raise a family and become a famous wrestler. You are my grandson's favorite.
Tony smiles at the mention of him being her grandson's favorite wrestler and takes her frail and wrinkled hand in both of his bigger ones.
Tony: I did and I am Mama Giuseppe. I'm just here because I'm worried about you and your husband. You know what Gino is here for right?
She scowls at the mention of Gino and owing him money but before she can say anything Tony continues with what he's saying.
Tony: You also know what he and his associates are capable of if the don't get it.
He says the last part as a statement of fact because he knows she does and the look of fear the crosses her face confirms it. When she talks again her voice is barely a whisper
Mama Giuseppe: We do not have a lot of extra money Anthony. Not many come in anymore to buy our meat and we barely have enough to buy more product as well as pay rent on the building space. Please do not do this.
Tony looks at this small Italian woman and he can almost feel his heart breaking as he looks into her eyes.
Tony: I'm sorry but I'm going to have to insist Mama Giuseppe. If Gino doesn't get what he wants he will come back with others and they will not only take all your money but they won't leave anything in one piece.
Her eye narrow at the thinly veiled threat as she gets up and walks into the bag office. Tony hears the sound of a safe opening after a few seconds slamming closed again. She comes back out with a plain brown envelope and walks to the cash register. She opens it and grabs a handful of cash that she stuffs in the envelope. Walking back to the table she throws the money at Tony and spits in his face.
Mama Giuseppe: There is your money now get out of here, I never want to see you again.
Tony takes the envelope and tucks it in his jacket before wiping his face clean and walking towards the door.
Tony: I hope some day you can forgive me Mamma Giuseppe because I truly am sorry about this.
Mama Giuseppe: I will never forgive you Anthony and know your mother is rolling over in her grave at the man you have become.
Tony sadly leaves the shop and sees Gino waiting a few dozen yards down the sidewalk. As he walks up with a smile Tony punches him square in the face.
Tony: That's for asking me to do that you son of a bitch.
Leaving Gino to pick himself up and wipe the blood from his nose Tony walks back towards the car as the camera pans down the sidewalk to a plain white van with a familiar face sitting inside who whispers a single sentence
Agent Henderson: You haven't changed a single bit have you Mancini?
