ACCESS DENIED!
OUTSIDE THE ARENA
“What do you mean, we’re not on the list?” [He yells at the top of his lungs.] “No mere security guard can halt our invasion of these promised lands!”
[Meanwhile, Bruce Van Chan and Neville Sheldon look on, somewhat embarrassed.] [The Guard folds his arms.] “Look North, I know who you are and why you’re here. The Chief told us to make sure none of you get inside tonight. The last thing he wants is a debacle before Face/Off.”“You’re protecting those swine, aren’t you? He’s afraid that VHS will storm your gates, plunder your village and destroy your warriors.”
[Bruce, realizing that this is only succeeding in causing a scene, steps in.]“Look man, we’re not going anywhere,” [he admits.] “There’s three of us and only one of you. Let us in and we’ll tell the Chief that you did all you could to stop us.”
[Instead of conceding, the guard pulls up his walky talky.]“I need some back up at the main entrance. North and his goons have shown up looking for Monday Night Showcase.”
“Goons?” [Neville questions.]
“I’ll give you goons, when I rip open your chest and beat you to death with your soggy innards, you fifl!”
[The Viking attempts to storm forward, but Bruce barely stops him, pushing him back. Just as he does, four more guards arrive, outnumbering VHS five to three.]“Now there’s five of us and three of you,” [The guard cockily remarks.] “And you’re not getting in.”
[Team VHS step backwards, talking to one another privately as the security force holds their ground, refusing entry.] [It’s going to be an interesting night here on Monday Night Showcase.]OMEGA NAKAZO VS. CODY GREER
SINGLES MATCH
GET YOUR OWN INJUN
BACKSTAGE
“Mr. Harrison isn’t receiving visitors,” [Hawk says, looking rather perturbed by his lackey status.] “Can I take a message?”
[Lane frowns.] “We’re here to see you.” [That surprises Tommy, who folds his arms.]“In one week’s time, we have to arrange a team to face and defeat VHS. We only have three members and we need two more; one of which will probably join if you do.”
[Tommy doesn’t understand.] “Why is my joining so important?”“Because you’re a tremendous talent, Tommy. You’re a fighter,” [Rose interrupts.] “You’re the kind of decent trustworthy man we need on this team.”
“And,” [Mike follows on.] “Hysteria will have no choice to be our fifth if he knows he can keep an eye on you and your briefcase.”
[Lane points towards Tommy’s invasion briefcase which sits on the floor behind him. Tommy doesn’t turn around, he just weighs up his options.]“I will join your team,” [he declares.] “But not because of Hysteria. I will join your team because I need to prove to myself that I am still the man you believe me to be.”
[That tugged at the heart strings of Rose, whose facial expression changed almost immediately. She’s about to offer him a thank you, when Frank Harrison appears alongside Hawk.]“And who exactly gave you permission to make decisions?” [Harrison demanded to know with a sneer.] “This here is my ‘injun. If you want one, there’s a reservation full of where he comes from with a bunch of unemployed homeless men, women and children for you to choose from.”
[Hawk shoots him a look, before looking down at the ground. Rose doesn’t like that.]“You don’t own him!” [She says angrily.] [Frank laughs.]
“According to the law, I do, little lady. Speaking of which, I’m not sure you know your place, do you little injun?” [The Politician says grimly.] “And I’m sure we can change that in a match at Face/Off. What do you say? You and me, one v one, in a match you’ll lose? What am I thinking? You can’t make that decision either, can you?” [He says with a laugh.] “So just consider it booked.”
[Stephanie turns to Lane, looking flustered. She wants to do something about this but even The Shadow King knows it isn’t currently his place to screw with the law.] [Even if that law is fucked up.]“I’ll tell you what Rose, since you want my boy here so badly, I’ll let you have him. You can parade him down to the ring tonight in the Main Event as your partner and when the bell rings at Face/Off, he’ll be stood on your side of the ring apron.”
[Her eyes widen in surprise.]“If you meet my demands,” [he continues with a smile.] “One week after Face/Off, if you want Tommy Hawk on your team then you will defend your Showcase Championship in a match with ME,” [he announces proudly, Rose looking on in surprise.] “And our special guest referee; Tommy Hawk.”
[Mike looks at her, almost telling her with his eyes that she doesn’t have to do this.]“You’re on,” [Rose barks back defiantly.] “Because I have faith Tommy will do the right thing.”
[Harrison chuckles, waving over his guards who escort Mike and Stephanie backwards towards the exit of the locker room.]“I bet you do.”
[Frank says laughing, as the door is slammed shut on their faces.]OLIVER ANGST VS. THUNK
SINGLES MATCH
EYES WIDE OPEN
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“No use hiding, HAtE. I know you’re there, show yourself!”
[HAtE emerges from the darkness into the light and shakes his head at Manson. The flame flickers, reflecting off of HAtE’s rotted teeth as he speaks.]“I’m not hiding, David. I’m merely showing you what I know you see. Darkness with a fire lit only where the man wants you to see. You may be a lot like Jack, but at the same time you’re nothing like him, David. You should have listened to him more, you should have learned from him while you had the chance. But I suppose your own ego made you go deaf.”
[Manson sneers, closing in ever so slightly on HAtE.]“You’re so ignorant, HAtE. Just because Jack was our leader does not mean I should only listen to him. What it means is I was aware that even a man we let lead should not dictate my every action. I’m more than a lapdog, I’m my own person. The only one of us who lost their way is you, HAtE. Jack’s words are your gospel, and in that you’ve become no better than the sheep you see me as.”
[HAtE grits his teeth, eyeing Manson before slowly backing into the shadows.]“You should learn to hold your tongue, Manson. Come Face/Off I’m going to force your eyes wide open and watch as you see the world for what it really is.”
[Manson stares into the darkness, shaking his head as he turns back into the shadows, the scene slowly fading out on the flickering fire.]SMILEY VS. THE HORROR
SINGLES MATCH
TOO MUCH BEER
BACKSTAGE
“Let me give you a taste of the medicine your people have inflicted upon mine.”
[The slick voice of The Elder rings out as he rounds the corner. He bends over to pick up the beer, barely wanting to defile himself with its putrid mixture. Yet he does, slowly bending over near the still shocked Greer.]“Bleeding hearts decry it, but your country deemed it necessary.”
[Under the practically gleeful gaze of Maaz Azim Salah, the Elder begins to pour the beer over the covered face of Greer. Beneath the rag, incomprehensible sounds come from him. This is an assault that cannot be defended against. The helpless Greer is forced to endure this waterboarding by his nemesis.]“The feeling of the air would be a blessed relief against what comes to you now. You have drowned yourself in American ideals, and now you will truly drown under them.”
[The can slowly runs out of liquid as the Elder grins. He nods to Salah, and the duo stand up to leave.]“If you come to Face Off, then worse than this awaits you. Maaz Azim Salah will not show you the same mercy that I did.”
[The pair walk off down the same hallway, while Cody Greer hacks and coughs on the ground. He has just been tortured, and he is struggling to regain any sense of composure. But in his eyes, we can see just one thing.] [Hatred.] [You bet your ass he’ll be at Face Off.]HARRISON & HAWK VS. THE AWAKENING
TAG TEAM MATCH
NEUFASSUNG
SOMEWHERE ELSE
“Merde. Did you bathe in Sake before meeting us?”
[The Whyte Tyger chuckles.]“Naw Pepé, that’s just the smell of success. You’re not used to it. But let me make something real clear. Unlike you, I’m no joke. So take whatever foppish retort you have stuffed away in those oversized-pajamas, and save them for the next skunk you’re trying to woo….. They don’t impress me.”
“Why you walking Hanoi hangover! How dare you? To insult me, after stumbling out of whatever back alley dive you–”
“You know, brevity is the soul of wit.”
[Suddenly Oliver Angst emerges. Only his crimson outline visible, he paces between his opponents.]“So much talk, yet no action.”
[He leans into the light.]“De Gaucourt. Your trite insults say nothing, yet your attack of this man with his back turned, speaks volumes. [He turns to Omega] Nakazo. You defeat a man who answers to a higher deity, yet you’re thwarted when faced with someone as lowly as this……. What do you have to say now?”
[Henri and Nakazo share a disgruntled look.]“Ahhh, that’s it. [He continues to pace] Omega and Henri. Yin and Yang. Light and Dark. You two have proven through actions to be one and the same, divided only by motivation. De Gaucourt. The dark, lurking in the shadows despite his resplendent appearance. [He motions to both] Omega. The light, fighting in full view yet dwelling in dank underground debauchery. Don’t you see? Together…… you’re whole.”
[He pulls away from the light.]“You share this contradiction, yet I embody it.”
[The Aristocrate sighs apathetically; Omega stands, trying to face Angst eye-to-eye.]“So what? You brought us here just to wax poetic?”
“I led you to darkness so your eyes could adjust.”
[Henri’s ears perk up; the lamp curtly dies………] [WAIT! Suddenly the room is awash with blinding light, startling all three men! Raucous chatter spills in, as a well-dressed man struggles to break away from the throng of adoring fans. It’s Mike Royce!]“Woah! Sorry fellas, I thought this was a Green Room.” [He smirks] “You guys just do what you do. Groupies, right?”
[The other three eye Royce.]“Ooooh! By the way, if any of you guys see my opponents later, just give ’em one of these.” [He hands out autographed Headshots] “Thanks, babes. Love your makeup by the way. Anyway, gotta jet!”
[With that, Mike struts through a different door, quickly leaving the scene. Omega and Henri don’t say another word, but Angst isn’t pleased.]“I seems we’ll have to postpone this, gentleman. Suddenly, something’s unbalanced.”
DOUBT VS. THE SHARK
SINGLES MATCH
CONTORTED
RINGSIDE
“Brother. You seem to find yourself in a precarious position.”
[He steps away as he exits the room momentarily.] [He returns with steel in his hand as Smiley Jr. seems to gleam ominously at The Masked Emotion.]“To think that this all could have been avoided. If only you had trusted your brother. Instead… you seemed… uncertain of my loyalty. This could have all been prevented, but there’s no going back now, Jonathan.”
[Smiley grabs the masked face of Doubt and pushes The Emotion against the wall. He places a boot on his chest as he reaches down with his crowbar and sets it beside the mask itself.]“I’ve seen it all, brother. Now, I shall show you the price of betrayal!”
[His crowbar wraps around the edge of the mask, but Doubt’s hand flies to the crowbar to begin a tug of war. Doubt’s mask turns upwards to stare into the eyes of Smiley.]“You’ve seen what lies beneath, yet you wish to unleash the secrets within? Do you think I wear this mask simply for style?”
[Doubt clutches to the crowbar as it pulls itself back to its feet. Smiley seems stuck, transfixed.]“Or do you think it’s there to prevent a much worse fate?”
[Doubt removes the crowbar from his hand and throws it across the room.]“Showing the world my true face will not give you the revenge you seek.”
[The Masked Emotion grabs Smiley’s head softly before running his face into the wall behind him. An audible groan as Smiley slumps to the ground.]“It’ll only bring you more pain, Lee.”
[With these parting words, Doubt slowly makes its way to the door and slams it shut. Smiley’s face looks at the door as if remembering the face beneath that mask. His face seems contorted, but different than usual…] [Contorted by fear.]BLAME PANAX
RECORDED EARLIER
“Hello? I need an ambulance. There’s a man here… he might be dead,” [he panics.] “But he’s hanging upside down and I don’t know if,” [he listens.] “No, I don’t think he’s breathing.] [The sound of grumbling can be heard from the distance.] [And a guttural roar to follow.]
“What the fuck?” [the cleaner cries out.] “Send the cops too. I don’t think I’m alone.”
[Suddenly, Panax’ eyes burst open.]“He’s alive! He’s alive!”
[The Doctor gasps for air, barely able to speak. The cleaner walks over, still on the phone, checking to make sure that he’s okay. The Doctor mumbles, stuttering and stammering.]“Run…”
[The cleaner turns around and walks towards the door quickly, not looking back. Just then, there’s another guttural scream – a roar unlike any other.] [Then the sound of something storming at him.] [The Horror.] [The screams of the cleaner echo throughout the halls as he’s dragged down to the floor. Blood splatters up against the door, that being the last thing we see as this poor innocent civilian is destroyed by the evil that lurks within The Horror.]“Hello? Sir? Hello?” [Echoes a voice from a dropped cell phone.] [The giant paw like hand of The Horror reaches down and picks it up. We can’t see anything, just the blood.]
“Don’t worry, I’ll let the good Doctor down. As for this poor soul, you can blame Doctor Spencer Panax for that.”
[Cut.]HYSTERIA VS. STEPHANIE ROSE
INFERNO MATCH
SPILLED BLOOD
BACKSTAGE
“Thunk no seal, little shark” [The mammoth glances down over the shoulder of his captive.] “More like, King of Jungle!”
[Suddenly, Thunk thrusts The Shark through the air and out of sight resulting in a crashing thud, prompting us to tag alongside the monster of a man.] [When we do we notice a massive hole in the drywall of the room and laying upside down half in and half out of the wall is none other than an unconscious Shark.]“And you never turn your back on lion” [Thunk says before pointing a confident finger.] “Thunk see you at Face/Off!”
[With that Thunk turns to exit the room and we close on a fading close up of the fallen predator.]ACCESS DENIED II
OUTSIDE THE ARENA
“Just go home, gentlemen,” [he suggests calmly.] “You’re out numbered. This doesn’t have to get violent.”
“They were outnumbered,” [suddenly interrupts a familiar voice.] “But they aren’t now.”
[Entering the melee, Lazarus and Lux Bellator arrive, barging past security to join their team mates in the middle of the blockade.] [Lazarus looks at North.] [North looks at Lazarus.] [And The Viking raises his arm.] “CHARGE!” [All five men storm into another man, combat ready and full of fight. The brawl begins, right and left hands being traded by the VHS team and the guys supposed to be securing Monday Night Showcase from the threat of their arrival.] [Security hold their own at first, but it’s not long before the VHS warriors begin turning the tide. The scene slowly fades to black, leaving ten men fighting outside the arena as fans, passers-by and patrons watch on in horror.] [Will VHS get inside?] [Will they invade Showcase?]MIKE LANE VS. NIGEL ROYAL
IRON CAGE MATCH
INVASION
RINGSIDE