Post by coolfactor27 on May 26, 2022 0:30:03 GMT -5
(Scene opens inside of what appears to be the kitchen of a dark, empty apartment. Off in the distance there is sound of rustling keys followed by the sound of the front door being unlocked and opened. The lights turn on and as the door slams shut. The sound of footsteps rap across the hardwood floor towards the kitchen. A gym bag is tossed onto the kitchen counter next to a landline cordless phone. A wrapped, callused hand presses a button on the phone dock.)
*BEEP*
Machine: You have one new message. Message received at 9:33 PM.
*BEEP*
Machine: Willie? Willie, it’s Jerry. C’mon man, what the heck is going on. You haven’t been answering your cell. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for weeks. Listen, I don’t know how much longer I can ask the studio to push this back. They need to start filming. Look, Will, you know I support your wrestling career. Being a dual threat is what makes you a star. But there are times where you’re gonna have to make a decision—
*BEEP*
Machine: Message deleted.
(Camera pans up slightly as the individual begins to unwrap the tape wrapped around his bloodied knuckles.)
Steen: Sorry Jerry
(Camera pans all the way up until Willie Steen is in full view with sweat-drenched gym clothes.)
Steen: I’ve already made my decision.
Steen balls up the tape and throws it into the open gym bag. He grabs the bottle of water sitting on the counter.
Steen: Having the opportunity to pursue stardom in Hollywood is a dream that not many people are fortunate enough to take advantage of. So when the opportunity came knocking I leaped at the chance without hesitation. Even then, I knew full well that juggling an acting career with a professional wrestling career was going to be difficult and require discipline and sacrifice. But I was willing to make those sacrifices and for a while, it worked out well. And when the federation closed its doors, post-pandemic, I was secure in knowing that I had a steady gig to fall back on. That’s why when I got the call from NLW to come wrestle here, I had no worries or reservations about my Hollywood lifestyle getting in the way. After all, I was a pro. I’d handled my business before, I can handle it here.
(Steen takes a drink of water)
Steen: But over the last few months, since signing with the company, things have not fared as well as they had in the past. I went from main-eventing title matches in one federation to being humiliated by guys named Cheez and Tuna in this one. Now you can argue that it’s because the standard of competition here is higher and you would definitely have a case. But there is more to this. An uncomfortable reality that until now I have vehemently denied. Since day one, I’ve been hearing the same critique from everyone, over and over. “Willie Steen is more concerned with being a Hollywood star than he is with being a wrestler.” An insinuation that initially, I was insulted by. But now, I’m starting to realize that there may have been some hidden truth in those critiques. If I want any chance of success here in NLW, I have to put more focus into my craft here and make this the number one priority. I owe it to myself and my fans.
(Steen takes another drink of water and sets it on the table.)
Steen: At Hostile Intent, I’m set to go one on one with Tuna Meltzer, one of the more vocal critics to point out my lack of all-in focus. In a way, I suppose I should thank him for illuminating my nagging flaw. Now I can correct it just in time to kick his wannabe journalist ass. I've got a renewed focus and this weekend, NLW is going to see the Willie Steen that wasn't shown in theaters.
(Just then, the phone begins to ring. Steen stares at the phone for a second. Then after a few more rings, he picks up the phone. Without saying a word, presses the DECLINE button, tosses the phone onto the table and walks away. Scene fades to black.)
*BEEP*
Machine: You have one new message. Message received at 9:33 PM.
*BEEP*
Machine: Willie? Willie, it’s Jerry. C’mon man, what the heck is going on. You haven’t been answering your cell. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for weeks. Listen, I don’t know how much longer I can ask the studio to push this back. They need to start filming. Look, Will, you know I support your wrestling career. Being a dual threat is what makes you a star. But there are times where you’re gonna have to make a decision—
*BEEP*
Machine: Message deleted.
(Camera pans up slightly as the individual begins to unwrap the tape wrapped around his bloodied knuckles.)
Steen: Sorry Jerry
(Camera pans all the way up until Willie Steen is in full view with sweat-drenched gym clothes.)
Steen: I’ve already made my decision.
Steen balls up the tape and throws it into the open gym bag. He grabs the bottle of water sitting on the counter.
Steen: Having the opportunity to pursue stardom in Hollywood is a dream that not many people are fortunate enough to take advantage of. So when the opportunity came knocking I leaped at the chance without hesitation. Even then, I knew full well that juggling an acting career with a professional wrestling career was going to be difficult and require discipline and sacrifice. But I was willing to make those sacrifices and for a while, it worked out well. And when the federation closed its doors, post-pandemic, I was secure in knowing that I had a steady gig to fall back on. That’s why when I got the call from NLW to come wrestle here, I had no worries or reservations about my Hollywood lifestyle getting in the way. After all, I was a pro. I’d handled my business before, I can handle it here.
(Steen takes a drink of water)
Steen: But over the last few months, since signing with the company, things have not fared as well as they had in the past. I went from main-eventing title matches in one federation to being humiliated by guys named Cheez and Tuna in this one. Now you can argue that it’s because the standard of competition here is higher and you would definitely have a case. But there is more to this. An uncomfortable reality that until now I have vehemently denied. Since day one, I’ve been hearing the same critique from everyone, over and over. “Willie Steen is more concerned with being a Hollywood star than he is with being a wrestler.” An insinuation that initially, I was insulted by. But now, I’m starting to realize that there may have been some hidden truth in those critiques. If I want any chance of success here in NLW, I have to put more focus into my craft here and make this the number one priority. I owe it to myself and my fans.
(Steen takes another drink of water and sets it on the table.)
Steen: At Hostile Intent, I’m set to go one on one with Tuna Meltzer, one of the more vocal critics to point out my lack of all-in focus. In a way, I suppose I should thank him for illuminating my nagging flaw. Now I can correct it just in time to kick his wannabe journalist ass. I've got a renewed focus and this weekend, NLW is going to see the Willie Steen that wasn't shown in theaters.
(Just then, the phone begins to ring. Steen stares at the phone for a second. Then after a few more rings, he picks up the phone. Without saying a word, presses the DECLINE button, tosses the phone onto the table and walks away. Scene fades to black.)