Post by mosler on Apr 24, 2023 11:44:51 GMT -5
(A few blocks from the arena, our scene opens inside a greasy spoon diner. Seats have been taped off to promote social distancing. An unfortunate reminder of the new reality, which attempts to address customer’s safety concerns in a way that promotes trust. Keep six feet apart. This may have less to do with responsibility, than to appear like it’s still open and exists in this time – as the dive looks condemned, and is practically empty. Gross brown wallpaper looks less appetizing and more like the set of a 70s stag film. The videographer pushes past dusty tables, careful to avoid brushing against anything for fear of fleas.)
(One of the window booths in the back is occupied.)
(The sun blaring through the window would blind, if the inch of mildew on the glass didn’t drastically dim it. Broken fingers are wrapped around a cup of steaming coffee. Deadened nerve endings don’t notice the heat. A stale muffin sits on a dirty plate in front of the customer. The places he has to eat to avoid ribs.)
(A large shadow is cast across the table.)
“This seat taken?”
(They have been photographed in the same space on four separate occasions, but for all the teasing, their interactions have been extremely limited.)
(Looming over the table, the MCCW Ace nods to his SWAT counterpart.)
“Be my guest.”
(The Sacrificial Idol extends his free hand, gesturing to the other side of the table. Pulled back to reality, it takes a beat, but Radu Matei smiles warmly at his tag partner for the evening. Death Trap pulls up a chair, though clearly regrets having to touch it.)
Radu Matei (pulling out menu): Can I get you something? Most items seem to come with tapeworms, but the coffee is – better than whatever poison is waiting for me at the arena.
Death Trap: I’ll pass. Not a coffee.
Or tetanus kind of guy. Mainly wanted to talk before our match.
Radu Matei: Yeah. About that... you don’t owe me anything.
(A silence falls over the two fan favourites. The general consensus is that Deathless only works tag matches because he took a bump that was meant for Trap. For his cool swagger, Trap’s SWAT appearances seem to be motivated by a sense of respect that the career ending gesture generated.)
Radu Matei: Trust me.
(The look in Deathless’ eyes is genuinely earnest.)
Radu Matei: My body was broken down long before that LEGO bit. Besides, it was the right thing to do. When you came to SWAT you put your trust in us. You knew that Zoran wasn’t looking to give you a fair shot; he was going to mess with you. Even if it was a blood bath, it was a wrestling match, there are expectations and even if most rules are meant to be broken, there is a basic trust that even the worst of enemies share. A trust. That LEGO bit wasn’t designed to embarrass, hurt, or cheat – it was meant to maim. You signed up to entertain SWAT fans, not to end your career with us. The trust you placed in us needed to be respected.
(Deathless puts down the coffee cup, and picks up the muffin.)
Radu Matei: Without a basic understanding, what do you have?
(Deathless breaks the muffin open to reveal a worm inside. It’s rather disgusting.)
Radu Matei: Nothing.
(Pulling the worm out of his food, Matei places it in his pocket – clearly planning on force-feeding it to Tuxedo Mask later. Using a handkerchief to brush the crumbs from his fingers, Matei places it over the muffin remains, trying to block its revolting sight from view.)
Radu Matei: Breaking that trust – moving from wrestling to hate crimes in the name of comedy? That’s why I need to take Rally Jackson up to the rafters of the arena, and make him question if our great ring crew put in every nut and bolt to safely secure that scaffold. If he’s the future of this company, there are things he needs to learn. Lines you don’t cross. A point where risks become unacceptable... and if you don’t treat everyone in the company with respect and basic dignity, it’s a long fall.
Waitress: You finished with that, hon?
Radu Matei: Delicious - thank you, miss.
(With a smile, the waitress takes the offending muffin.)
Radu Matei: There is a reason for me to be up on that scaffold. I’m sure you hate the things that Rally Jackson has been doing as much as I do, Trap. But if your reason for climbing that scaffold is based on that Sainovic match, this is me telling you to just walk away. This could go sideways fast, and I’d hate to see you pick up an injury. I’m the guy who needs to die for the fans, Trap; you’ve got other things going for you.
Death Trap: I consider us even after that shot to the head. I like you. Couldn't tell ya why. And I respect you. I need... Too climb that scaffold. I finish what I start and those fans? They cheer me and tell me SWAT needs a main attraction beyond you and EC. The KGB need to look over their shoulders in fear. I need to fulfill my purpose in this industry. Teach the new generation ... and be the best damn spectacle too step into the ring wherever the cheers and spotlight are.
(Deathless nods in understanding. The two fan favourites sit quietly for a beat, before Matei remembers something.)
Radu Matei: I almost forgot.
(Leaning into his booth, Deathless picks up a package. The wrapping paper avoids Christmas imagery, though the late December gift giving sentiment is clearly there.)
Radu Matei: A little thank you-
Death Trap: You didn't have--
Radu Matei: -It’s nothing, I just wanted to grab you something to as more of a gesture.
(Death Trap pulls off the blue foil paper. The presence of the camera stifles his reaction.)
Radu Matei: I wasn’t sure if you had one.
Death Trap: Damn ... You ain't playing.
(The one thing more over in SWAT than Death Trap, Radu Matei, or El Combatiante...)
Death Trap: ... Well at least this one won't explode. As long as there's no spiders...I can use this.
(And so the HEAT tribute comes to a close, with Death Trap politely holding the LEGO box set that Deathless has gifted him.)
(Coal Miner’s Glove.)
(2000 pieces.)
(Should knock Rally Jackson into 2021 pieces.)
(TRUST.)
(One of the window booths in the back is occupied.)
(The sun blaring through the window would blind, if the inch of mildew on the glass didn’t drastically dim it. Broken fingers are wrapped around a cup of steaming coffee. Deadened nerve endings don’t notice the heat. A stale muffin sits on a dirty plate in front of the customer. The places he has to eat to avoid ribs.)
(A large shadow is cast across the table.)
“This seat taken?”
(They have been photographed in the same space on four separate occasions, but for all the teasing, their interactions have been extremely limited.)
(Looming over the table, the MCCW Ace nods to his SWAT counterpart.)
“Be my guest.”
(The Sacrificial Idol extends his free hand, gesturing to the other side of the table. Pulled back to reality, it takes a beat, but Radu Matei smiles warmly at his tag partner for the evening. Death Trap pulls up a chair, though clearly regrets having to touch it.)
Radu Matei (pulling out menu): Can I get you something? Most items seem to come with tapeworms, but the coffee is – better than whatever poison is waiting for me at the arena.
Death Trap: I’ll pass. Not a coffee.
Or tetanus kind of guy. Mainly wanted to talk before our match.
Radu Matei: Yeah. About that... you don’t owe me anything.
(A silence falls over the two fan favourites. The general consensus is that Deathless only works tag matches because he took a bump that was meant for Trap. For his cool swagger, Trap’s SWAT appearances seem to be motivated by a sense of respect that the career ending gesture generated.)
Radu Matei: Trust me.
(The look in Deathless’ eyes is genuinely earnest.)
Radu Matei: My body was broken down long before that LEGO bit. Besides, it was the right thing to do. When you came to SWAT you put your trust in us. You knew that Zoran wasn’t looking to give you a fair shot; he was going to mess with you. Even if it was a blood bath, it was a wrestling match, there are expectations and even if most rules are meant to be broken, there is a basic trust that even the worst of enemies share. A trust. That LEGO bit wasn’t designed to embarrass, hurt, or cheat – it was meant to maim. You signed up to entertain SWAT fans, not to end your career with us. The trust you placed in us needed to be respected.
(Deathless puts down the coffee cup, and picks up the muffin.)
Radu Matei: Without a basic understanding, what do you have?
(Deathless breaks the muffin open to reveal a worm inside. It’s rather disgusting.)
Radu Matei: Nothing.
(Pulling the worm out of his food, Matei places it in his pocket – clearly planning on force-feeding it to Tuxedo Mask later. Using a handkerchief to brush the crumbs from his fingers, Matei places it over the muffin remains, trying to block its revolting sight from view.)
Radu Matei: Breaking that trust – moving from wrestling to hate crimes in the name of comedy? That’s why I need to take Rally Jackson up to the rafters of the arena, and make him question if our great ring crew put in every nut and bolt to safely secure that scaffold. If he’s the future of this company, there are things he needs to learn. Lines you don’t cross. A point where risks become unacceptable... and if you don’t treat everyone in the company with respect and basic dignity, it’s a long fall.
Waitress: You finished with that, hon?
Radu Matei: Delicious - thank you, miss.
(With a smile, the waitress takes the offending muffin.)
Radu Matei: There is a reason for me to be up on that scaffold. I’m sure you hate the things that Rally Jackson has been doing as much as I do, Trap. But if your reason for climbing that scaffold is based on that Sainovic match, this is me telling you to just walk away. This could go sideways fast, and I’d hate to see you pick up an injury. I’m the guy who needs to die for the fans, Trap; you’ve got other things going for you.
Death Trap: I consider us even after that shot to the head. I like you. Couldn't tell ya why. And I respect you. I need... Too climb that scaffold. I finish what I start and those fans? They cheer me and tell me SWAT needs a main attraction beyond you and EC. The KGB need to look over their shoulders in fear. I need to fulfill my purpose in this industry. Teach the new generation ... and be the best damn spectacle too step into the ring wherever the cheers and spotlight are.
(Deathless nods in understanding. The two fan favourites sit quietly for a beat, before Matei remembers something.)
Radu Matei: I almost forgot.
(Leaning into his booth, Deathless picks up a package. The wrapping paper avoids Christmas imagery, though the late December gift giving sentiment is clearly there.)
Radu Matei: A little thank you-
Death Trap: You didn't have--
Radu Matei: -It’s nothing, I just wanted to grab you something to as more of a gesture.
(Death Trap pulls off the blue foil paper. The presence of the camera stifles his reaction.)
Radu Matei: I wasn’t sure if you had one.
Death Trap: Damn ... You ain't playing.
(The one thing more over in SWAT than Death Trap, Radu Matei, or El Combatiante...)
Death Trap: ... Well at least this one won't explode. As long as there's no spiders...I can use this.
(And so the HEAT tribute comes to a close, with Death Trap politely holding the LEGO box set that Deathless has gifted him.)
(Coal Miner’s Glove.)
(2000 pieces.)
(Should knock Rally Jackson into 2021 pieces.)
(TRUST.)