Post by Seth Dillinger on Jul 25, 2022 15:47:48 GMT -5
INT. HOTEL ROOM
The curtains are drawn and the lights are out, achieving that one-of-a-kind darkness that you can only really pull off in a hotel. After a few moments, we can hear someone stumbling around, and it isn't long before the thick, heavy blackout curtains are thrown back, letting the soft California sun shine in through the window. Seth Dillinger stands in the light, shirtless, wearing a pair of grey gym shorts. He stretches, arching his back and pulling at his arms side to side.
SETH
There really is nothing quite like the California sun, is there?
He steps forward and opens the window, though the edges of it are painted shut so it only opens a bit.
SETH
Half the world is on fire right now with temperatures in the 100s, and yet, here in California it's a balmy 69 degrees.
He turns back towards the camera and winks.
SETH
Nice.
There's a knock at the door. Seth quickly answers it. He sighs as he sees the face of--
LAUREN
Jesus, can you not put a shirt on before you answer the door?
Lauren pushes past him into the room.
LAUREN
Why is it so dark? Do you live in a dungeon?
She immediately flips the light switch, illuminating the room with a luminescent glow.
LAUREN
It's 10:30AM, Seth, chop chop.
Seth groans and stomps over to his open suitcase in the corner of the room, pulling out a wrinkled blue t-shirt. He holds it to his nose and takes a whiff of it to make sure it passes the sniff test, shrugs, and puts it on.
SETH
You know, agreeing to you accompanying me everywhere as a manager might've been the worst trade deal in the history of trade deals.
Lauren smirks.
LAUREN
Do we need to recall the year I spent taking care of you full time while you were a vegetable, or...
She holds her grin as Seth slumps onto the bed.
SETH
Never gonna live that down, huh?
LAUREN
Come on, you like the company anyway! If it wasn't for me, you'd be holed up in here, curtains drawn, high on edibles, watching some weird shit from the deepest corner of YouTube.
Seth scoffs at his sister, rolling his eyes, then slowly leans over and grabs his phone off the night stand, closing down whatever YouTube video he had open. (Astute viewers who pause this promo at the right time may be able to recognize The Adventures of Whale Man.)
LAUREN
Are you ready for your match?
SETH
As ready as I can be, I guess!
LAUREN
At least this one won't be nearly as violent as the last one. I almost had a heart attack, Seth.
Seth mutters under his breath.
SETH
I don't think you actually--
Lauren cuts him off quick.
LAUREN
Oh, are you a doctor? Are you going to give me your medical opinion?
Seth just shuts up, as he knows better than to argue.
SETH
Look, it wasn't ideal. I didn't ask for it. But I was as safe as I could be in that match. Everyone else was brandishing weapons and looking to scalp each other. It got pretty fucking brutal in there. I won just by using the ring itself, nothing else. And maybe a wink and bit of help from an old friend.
LAUREN
Well, no gimmicks this time. No weapons, no violence, and especially... no Fox to distract you.
SETH
...or help me?
Lauren doesn't respond.
SETH
You really do have an irrational hatred for that guy...
Her eyes go wide.
LAUREN
IRRATIONAL!?? Seth, he--
She stops mid-sentence.
LAUREN
I'm not doing this again. Forget Fox. He's not your opponent at Night of Champions.
SETH
Right. Finn Whelan.
Lauren nods.
SETH
The extent of my first-hand knowledge of Finn just comes from watching Finn and Keahi Sparks go head to head at Ascendancy a few weeks ago. He was impressive. He was focused and tenacious. Reminds me of Nathan Cage, actually...
LAUREN
Maybe Nathan Cage with slightly less bloodlust?
Seth nods in agreement.
SETH
Sure, yeah. But I recognize something in Finn. Something... primal. After that match with Keahi, he was able to muster up energy out of nowhere to put her down and grab the win. Nearly took the poor girl's head off with that shining wizard.
Experiencing sympathy pain, Seth gingerly touches his jaw.
LAUREN
I'm glad you're not underestimating him.
Seth shakes his head.
SETH
Absolutely not. I mean, I did a quick Google Search and his accomplishments are... genuinely impressive! Had a pretty successful career spanning the better part of the last decade. While I was making my name in AWF, he was out putting in the grind and work elsewhere, and our accomplishments are pretty similar.
LAUREN
What's your advantage, then?
SETH
I've got the heart for it. Maybe Finn really wants this. Maybe he doesn't. You know, the vibe I've gotten from this whole thing is that he sort of got bored one day and decided, hey, maybe I should go get my rematch that I never got. Where's his heart? Where's his passion? He can have the accolades and the primal strength and ferocity, but... all of that means nothing without the heart.
Lauren goes to issue a cautionary statement to her brother, but he cuts her off.
SETH
I know -- don't underestimate him. I'm not. But I want to keep this title, L. I really do. I happened to stumble my way into NLW underneath that mask, and I came so close to pulling off the surprise win at the Rumble. I managed to put down one of the most dominant champions in the XHF when I made Nathan Cage quit, and I've reminded myself that the injury and the time I spent away... that's not who I am. Who I am is a competitor, a fighter... a champion. And at Night of Champions, I'm going to make damn sure Finn Whelan knows exactly who I am.
LAUREN
Alright then, little brother. Alright.
She stands up and puts a hand on his shoulder.
LAUREN
Do you think who you are could ALSO be someone who buys his sister brunch?
Seth's face drops into a look of exasperation.
LAUREN
What? I left my purse in my room.
She can't help but giggle as Seth groans once again and stands from the bed. It felt weird to him still to have his sister in his corner all the time, but after spending the better part of his career alone and without any support system, having someone there for him was a nice, welcome change.
Fade to black.