FROM THE PAST...TO THE PRESENT (August 12, 1997) BB: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Bill Buckley, reporting to you for U-62. I'm here in the County Courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee, where the trial against Sammy Benson for the murder of Lyle Tallman, also known as the Red Midget. This is expected to be the final day of witnesses in this three-week trial, which came to court over four months after the actual murder took place here in Nashville during the CSWA's Anniversary Celebration wrestling event. The prosecution calls its final rebuttal witness today. That witness just happens to be Benson's former boss, as well as mine, CSWA Co-Commissioner Chad Merritt. He is expected to testify further about Benson's motives and opportunity. We've received permission from the judge in this case, Harold Certes, to bring you the examination live. ------------------------------------------------------------ (The camera pans the courtroom, showing Sammy Benson at the defendants' table, then settles on Merritt walking to the witness stand and being sworn in.) Prosecutor: Thank you for your time today Mr. Merritt. Merritt: Certainly, Mr. Evans. Prosecutor: I've asked you here today just to clarify and underscore a few of the points regarding the day in question, as well as Mr. Benson's motives for killing Mr. Tallman. Merritt: I understand. Prosecutor: When you rehired Mr. Tallman as a commentator for the CSWA, is it fair to say that Mr. Benson was...... concerned? Merritt: I think that would be an understatement. Prosecutor: Is it fair to say Mr. Benson was furious? That he wanted no part of being on a commentating team with Mr. Tallman? Merritt: I think that's exactly right. Prosecutor: Did Mr. Benson have anything to add, any concerns? Merritt: As a matter of fact, he did. He mentioned that he had kicked Red Lyle off the stage once, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Prosecutor: And how did you respond? Merritt: I told Sammy that the matter was settled, and that he was to be civil to Lyle. I followed that up on the air a few hours later, and advised him that if he did anything to Lyle, that his job would be forfeit. Prosecutor: And how did Mr. Benson respond? Merritt: Sammy wasn't happy about it, but as I recall, he finally agreed and went on about his business. Prosecutor: Let's move on the day of the actual murder.... can you run down exactly what you were doing that day? Merritt: Sure. I arrived at the arena around 4pm and held a meeting with most of my staff. Prosecutor: I'm sorry to interrupt, but was Mr. Benson at this meeting? Merritt: No, he wasn't. In fact, I questioned Bill, that's Bill Buckley, our head commentator, about it, and he said that he hadn't seen Sammy. I asked him to be on the lookout and advised him that Red would be joining them at the table for the event. Prosecutor: That was at about four o'clock and the event began at six? Merritt: That's right. Prosecutor: Did you see any sign of Mr. Benson before then? Merritt: I did. In fact, around five-thirty I was advised by one of my staff that Sammy had come in. I went to speak with him, but he was nowhere to be found. I assumed he was at his favorite pasttime, trying to get the concessions people to give him some beer. We had taken to a practice of advising all the concessions areas at an arena that Sammy was not to be given anything harder than water....we even had posters made with his picture to give out. Prosecutor: So you thought Mr. Benson was out on the concourse but something led you to find out that wasn't the case? Merritt: That's right. About ten minutes before showtime, Marvin Parsons, our lighting and sound technician, advised me that Sammy had been wandering around backstage, near some of the rigging. I again went looking for him, and he was gone. Bill Buckley advised me through my headset that he still hadn't shown up, and the show was about to start. Prosecutor: This was about six o'clock? Merritt: About five till. I stopped looking and started back to what we call the 'hot zone' right by the entryway to the arena proper, where I usually watch the shows. On my way back....that's when it happened. The lights went out backstage to start the show, and the TV wall screen came on....I saw a small figure in the air kicking with another behind apparently strangling him. I ran to get there, but the larger man was already gone. Lyle Tallman was dead. Prosecutor: Did you see the larger figure at all? Merritt: No. Prosecutor: And when was the next time you saw Mr. Benson? Merritt: When I escorted the police to him at the commentators' table, where he arrived five minutes after the murder of Lyle. Prosecutor: That's all I have for this witness, your Honor. Judge Certes: Your witness for redirect, counselor. (Hornet stands at the defendant's table.) Hornet: A moment to confer with my client, your Honor. (He sits back down and begins whispering with Sammy) I'm not going to do that, Sammy. I don't care! You think I'm going to risk my legal career and my wrestling career just because a friend called in a favor to get me to defend your sorry butt? (They both stop whispering for a moment Hornet sits back in his chair for a few seconds.) Judge: Are we ready to proceed, counselor? Hornet: Yes, just a moment, your Honor. (Hornet pours a glass of water and downs it, then stands.) Thank you for coming today Mr. Merritt. Merritt: Certainly. It's good to see you at the bar again. Hornet: Mr. Merritt, what was Mr. Tallman wearing that night? Merritt: I haven't the faintest. Hornet: You found the man strangled murdered and didn't catch even a glimpse of what he was wearing? Merritt: I was a bit preoccupied with the fact that he wasn't breathing. Hornet: Did you attempt CPR or mouth-to-mouth recussitation? Merritt: No, I was in shock, and the paramedics arrived just a few moments later. Hornet: Do you like midgets, Mr. Merritt? (Merritt laughs) Is this funny sir? Merritt: No, it's tragic. Tragic that you're trying to defend a man who is so obviously guilty and asking me if I 'like midgets.' Hornet: Do you have an answer? Merritt My answer is...I don't have a d'mn clue. I like some, I don't like others, is that good enough for you? Are these really the questions I was called here to answer? This man is on trial for his life, please tell me his lawyer hasn't pinned his hopes to my view on midgets. Do you have any other questions for me, counselor? (There is silence.) Judge: Counselor, do you have anything further for this witness? (More silence) Merritt: (standing) Thanks, Hornet, I love Nashville. Hornet: I'm not through with my examination. Sit down. Merritt: You'll address me with a little respect .former employee or not. And you can call me Commissioner. Is this the kind of zoo you're running, Harold? Where a wrestler turned lawyer can make a mockery of this court? Judge: And the Commissioner will address this court as Your Honor or Sir, I'm quite 'certain' I've earned it. Do you have anything further, counselor? Hornet: (Looks back at Sammy ) Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Your Honor, these are the videotapes from the CSWA's Anniversary Celebration, depicting many of the fans who stopped to wish the CSWA well. Judge: We've been over this, counselor, you're entering evidence of a woman who never existed. Hornet: Oh, we believe she does, your Honor. We'll get to the tapes in just a minute. Commissioner Merritt, you told Sammy Benson that the Red Midget was not to be touched? Not to be disparaged in anyway? Merritt: That's correct. Hornet: And you're sure Mr. Benson was clear on that order? Merritt: Crystal. Hornet: Then how is it that Mr. Benson allegedly killed Mr. Tallman? Merritt: I can't answer for the actions of a deranged man. Hornet: Really? Sir, if you gave an order for Mr. Tallman not to be touched....and yet you thought Mr. Benson was deranged...you knew the past history between the two men... the incidents at Disneyworld, the fights at the commentators' tables over the years....then why didn't you take further measures? Merritt: I didn't think they were necessary. Sammy gave me his word. Hornet: Really....the same man you had to have flyers put up to avoid having him get drunk at arenas....you took his word? You put two mortal enemies, for lack of a better word, together at a five-foot table next to each other when Mr. Benson had kicked Mr. Tallman off a ten-foot high stage once before? And you didn't think any further measures were NECESSARY? Merritt: Let me be frank, counselor, Hornet, whatever you're to be called here....I'm the Commissioner of one of the top franchises in all of sports. When I give an order, or even a suggestion, to an employee, I expect it to be followed. They follow orders, or people get fired. Are we clear? Hornet: Yes. Merritt: ARE WE CLEAR? Hornet: Crystal. In this case, someone got killed..... because you didn't do your job. Prosecutor: Objection! Judge: Sustained. Hornet: Withdrawn. Merritt: Why you snotty little bastard! Hornet: You didn't do your job because you had another motive....you didn't really want the Red Midget at the commentator's spot, did you? He wasn't a ratings boost of any kind....and yet you flexed your Commissioner muscle to put him in a spot that would cause more conflict than good...in a spot that had almost gotten Tallman seriously injured before...in a spot between Buckley and Benson, isn't that right Mr. Commissioner? Prosecutor: Objection, your Honor Mr. Merritt isn't on trial here. Judge: Overruled. I'll allow it for now. Hornet: Well, Mr. Merritt? You knew that sometimes even commentators' take things into their own hands. You had seen it happen, even condoned it, by firing Lyle Tallman when he was attacked by Mr. Benson months earlier. And yet, all of a sudden you WANTED him back in that situation? Merritt: Red was a great commentator. Hornet: That's not what you said in his employee file.... you said, and I quote, "Red isn't worth the money he's getting now that he's not a sideshow 'wrestler.' He just doesn't have what it takes at the table...." I could have the court reporter give you a copy of that file if you need it, Mr. Commissioner. Merritt: I know what it says, I don't have to have it read back to me like I'm a... Hornet: If you gave an order that Lyle Tallman was not to be touched....and yet he was then someone either wasn't following orders or they were. Do you LIKE midgets, Mr. Merritt? Prosecutor: Judge, we've already covered this. Hornet: Follow-up, Your Honor. Judge: The court will wait for an answer. Answer the question, Mr. Merritt. Merritt: OF COURSE I DON'T LIKE MIDGETS! Thomas brought them in and they made a mockery of everything I built! Then Tallman got hurt by El Nino, and it was either continue to pay him, or end up paying a huge lawsuit! I paid all his medical bills, I paid for his 'pain and suffering', I paid for his miserable little life! Hornet: Commissioner Merritt....you ordered Benson not to touch Tallman. Yet you put Tallman directly in the line of fire. You gave Tallman free reign, a man you had fired months earlier. You put a man you despised in a situation where he could be in grave danger....where his sarcastic comments could drive a man to the brink. But that's not it, is it? You ordered Benson not to touch him, and then you ordered someone else to take him out and went it went wrong, when things didn't go exactly as planned, you panicked....you told the police about Benson, you cut them loose, you doctored the video tapes, you hid the fat lady.... Prosecutor: OBJECTION! YOUR HONOR! Judge: Counselor! Hornet: COMMISSIONER MERRITT...DID YOU ORDER LYLE TALLMAN KILLED?! Prosecutor: Your Honor! Judge: That'll be all! Commissioner, you don't have to answer that question! Merritt: I'll answer the question. You want answers? Hornet: I think I'm entitled! Merritt: You want ANSWERS? Hornet: I WANT THE TRUTH! Merritt: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! Son, professional wrestling is a world that has walls, and someone has to guard those walls. Someone with power and with balls. Who's gonna do it? You? A man who has run roughshod over the sport? You, Sammy Benson? A man who can't keep his nose out of a beer can? I have a greater responsibility then you can fathom. You weep for the Red Midget, and curse me. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Tallman's death, while tragic, probably helped save a sport. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves this sport! You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't want to talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you NEED me on that wall! We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of a business that I helped create, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up your bankbook and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a d'mn what you think you're entitled to! Hornet: Did you order Lyle Tallman killed? Merritt: I did the job I was... Hornet: DID YOU ORDER LYLE TALLMAN KILLED? Merritt: YOU'RE D'MN RIGHT I DID!!!!!! (silence) Hornet: May it please the court, I suggest the jury be dismissed so that we can move to an immediate preliminary hearing....the witness has rights. Judge: Mr. Evans? Hornet: Jack? Judge: The members of the jury will retire to an anteroom until further instructions. Bailiff: All rise! Merritt: What the hell is this? What's going on? I did my job, I'd do it again. I'm going back to my office. Judge: You're not going anywhere, Commissioner. Bailiffs, guard the Commissioner! Mr. Evans? Prosecutor: Mr. Merritt...you have the right to remain silent you have the right to an attorney Merritt: I'm being charged with a crime? Is that what this is? I'm being charged with a CRIME?! This is too funny. That's what this is....this is.... (charges at Hornet, and is grabbed by the bailiffs) I'm gonna rip your head off.... you've screwed with the wrong Commissioner! Prosecutor: Mr. Merritt, do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you? Merritt: You idiots. You have no idea how to build a wrestling business. All you did was weaken a sport today, Hornet. That's all you did. Sweet dreams, son. Hornet: Don't call me son. I'm a lawyer and a member of this bar, and you're under arrest, you son of a midget. The witness is excused. (Merritt is escorted out of the courtroom.) (A few minutes later) Bailiffs: All rise . Judge: Have the members reached a verdict? Jury: We have, sir. (Hornet and Benson stand) Judge: Samuel Benson, on the charge of murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of drunk and disorderly conduct, the members find the accused guilty as charged. Mr. Benson, you are ordered to a treatment facility with time served. Benson: What does that mean? I don't understand. Merritt said he ordered the murder. What did I do wrong? I did nothing wrong! Hornet: Yes you did. You were supposed to do your job, not slum around with fat women trying to get beer. Your job, Sammy, to bring live action to people who couldn't be there for themselves. For the kids, Sammy. Bailiff: Counselor, I have to take Mr. Benson down for some paperwork. (Sammy is led away ) Hornet: Sammy....you don't need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor. Sammy: What the heck does that mean? Hornet: Think about it. Prosecutor: Those tapes, what was on them? Hornet: (smiles) Unless I'm mistaken, they were going to show every fan EXCEPT a 300-pound fat woman wandering around. Prosecutor: (laughs) Strong evidence. Hornet: Kind of added something to it, huh? Prosecutor: I'll see ya around. I have to go book Merritt. Hornet: Tell him I said hi. Prosecutor: I'll do that. (Evans walks out, leaving Hornet standing in an empty courtroom) ------------------------------------------------------------ BB: This is Bill Buckley, coming to you live once again from Nashville, where the story of the Lyle Tallman murder will apparently come to an end...at least for now......... Commissioner Chad Merritt will find out his fate from Judge Certes. The verdict doesn't seem to be in question, although the body of Lyle Tallman has never been recovered since it went missing, and we have no details on who committed the actual murder. In the final day of the trial against Sammy Benson, Merritt admitted to wanting the Red Midget dead... (August 15, 1997, back in the courtroom) Judge: Mr. Merritt, you have been found guilty on the charge of conspiracy to murder. Due to the psychological evidence presented in this case, you are hereby sentenced to one year in the Green Valley Home for the Mentally Deranged with time served and a one-year probation. Prosecutor: Your Honor, I have to protest. This man conspired in the murder of a midget. Judge: True....Mr. Merritt, I've reconsidered....make that six months in Green Valley. It was just a midget after all. Is that suitable with you Mr. Evans? Prosecutor: Certainly, your Honor. ------------------------------------------------------------ (August 18, 1997, Green Valley Home for the Mentally Deranged) Orderly: Mr. Merritt, you have a telephone call. Merritt: It better be my broker. Voice: Chad, Chad, Chad...you sorry, pathetic man. Merritt: Who the h'll is this? Voice: The man you helped murder. Merritt: You! I really 'am' going to kill you this time. Red Midget: I don't think so, Chad. I'm on one of a million cruise liners in the South Pacific. Voice on telephone: Another martini, sir? Red Midget: Yes. Chad...I can't believe you fell for it. Merritt: Who put you up to this? Red: Someone who pays very well. Disappointing, isn't it? The master of the scam gets scammed. Sorry I couldn't help you out by actually dying. Merritt: Don't worry...I'll remedy that soon enough. Red: (laughs) Somehow I doubt it you can't even get your money out of escrow without your good buddy and pal that hates you. See you around, Chad....have fun, and say hello to Junior Hornet for me there at Green Valley... ------------------------------------------------------------ (The trial ends....the treatment begins) BB: Welcome folks...it’s time for the MAIN EVENT of tonight’s huge Thanksgiving Weekend Spectacular. We’ve already seen some incredible action tonight, and we’ve got plenty more to come. Let’s go to Rhubarb Jones for the introductions…..hey, wait a minute, someone’s repelling down from the ceiling!!!! It’s…….it’s…….THE RED MIDGET!!!!!!! He’s come back from the dead…and I wonder what Commissioner Merritt is thinking right now! OH MY DEAR LORD! THE ROPE JUST BROKE! Cut the camera……..Marvin, CUT THE CAMERA!!!!! (Last shot is up in the rafters, where Merritt stands with a pair of shears, laughing.) -------------------------------------------------------------- (November 26, 1997 at the Green Valley Home For The Mentally Deranged) Doctor: But Chad, you’ve been out of wrestling for over four months now...there is *no* “Thanksgiving Weekend Spectacular.” The Red Midget is already dead…and that’s why you’re here. Merritt: I know all that, doctor…at least, I do now. But these dreams, they haunt me. Doctor: There’s been more than one? Merritt: Yes, but the rest have been memories….real memories. I just keep going over and over things in my head, trying to figure out why it all came down to this….why I destroyed it all...how I did. Doctor: Your life? Merritt: No...the CSWA. Or maybe that *is* my life. Doctor, I don’t know. All I know is that no matter what people may have said about me, in 1996, they certainly didn’t say I was crazy. I was, to use a phrase, the ‘king of the world.’ I had money, power, fame...and the CSWA was at the top of its game. Mike Randalls, GUNS, Hornet, Mark Windham, Julius Godreign, Troy Windham, and all the others...what happened? Doctor: Maybe that’s what we have to find out. I’ll be honest with you, Chad...I believe that you didn’t kill the Red Midget. Not because you didn’t want to, but because I know that you wouldn’t have thrown it all away…not while there was a chance you could get caught. But there’s more beneath the ‘midget stuff.’ That’s all secondary. In our next sessions, let’s see if we can get a little deeper. That’s all for now. -------------------------------------------------------------- (Merritt is once again standing in a wrestling ring) Schmiddy: You're lying. You never used me! You never had power over me! (Grabs Merritt) Merritt: I suggest that you take your hands off of me. Schmiddy: Say it! Say you're lying! SAY IT! Merritt: You wish I were lying, kid. You know it's all true. You've been scammed for a year. Teri, the beating, the multiple personalities... Schmiddy: NO! You're lying! Merritt: I told you to get your hands off me. I'm not telling you again. Mike? (Ventolo rushes toward the two men. Merritt drops to one knee, and Schmid is caught with a flying clothesline that levels him. Merritt stands, and is joined by Thomas. Together, they stomp Schmid viciously into the mat.) Thomas: You wanted the truth? This is the truth, Schmid! You're nothing! Merritt: Need more truth, Schmid? Well here it is! Schmid: Doctor...Monroe? BB: Schmid's psychologist, Dr. Marvin Monroe has stepped into the ring. Hey, what's he doing!!?? He pulling his face off!! (Dr. Monroe pulls his ‘face’ off, revealing...THE RED MIDGET!!!) Merritt: NOOOOOOO!!!! That’s now how it was supposed to happen! Stay away from me! Stay away!!!! (The Red Midget, Schmid, Thomas, Ventolo all begin laughing) -------------------------------------------------------------- (December 30, 1997 at the Green Valley Home For The Mentally Deranged) Doctor: "King of the World", huh? Merritt: Yeah, I know, so I took some liberties...I got a little carried away. Doctor: A little? Merritt: But that wasn't it. That wasn't what caused it all...at least not then. Doctor: Was it before then? After? Merritt: It had to be after...it all started falling apart after. Doctor: Well then, let's start at the end and work our way back. The last CSWA card was...? Merritt: July 15, 1997 , the AlamoDome. It was before I was 'convicted.' Randalls vs. Godreign, Hornet vs. Tyler, GUNS vs. Troy for the title. It was a big deal. Except nobody would listen....I told Randalls he was going too far. I told Tyler and Hornet that they shouldn't wrestle each other...I told... Doctor: Sounds like the 'king of the world' lost control? Merritt: Maybe, but I'm used to that. Contrary to popular belief, I don't *always* tell people what to do. Sometimes even when it's obvious that it's a stupid....wait a second. I told them! That's it! That's when it all started. Doctor: When? What? Merritt: You wouldn't understand. But that was it....I sat there on the phone and told both of them that was a mistake. But did they ever listen to me? Of course not. And I just let it happen...like a fool! It was after that that everything else happened....that was when the midgets started *really* driving me crazy. It was after that I came up with that scheme about the two titles, and....oh my Lord, what have I done?! Doctor: I think we've made a breakthrough, but I don't know that I have any idea what it is. -------------------------------------------------------------- (Merritt is running up the deck of a ship that is rapidly ascending. He climbs over the railing, clutching it for dear life.) Thomas: So I see you made it? Merritt: I guess so. Thomas: This ship was supposed to be unsinkable. Merritt: Apparently not. Wait a second...isn't this where we first met? Thomas: Wrong dream, bucko. We met when you were five. Merritt: That's not what I meant. Just...these circumstances...the feeling of sinking, the precipice of disaster, seems like we always step right up to it, ever since we started. Thomas: Sometimes you've gotta live on the edge to get to where you want to be. Merritt: That's convoluted logic for you. Anyway, it's all my fault. Thomas: What, did the iceberg come outta... Merritt: Oh shut up. (Pushes Thomas off the edge of the ship....he hits the large propeller-rudder with a thud and falls into the icy water) It's my fault because I should have been able to stop it. I should have known where it would lead...where it *has* led. (The ship begins to tilt further and further) But I was arrogant enough to think that it wouldn't matter either way. I was wrong. (The ship begins to plunge into the water) I WAS WRONG!!!!! (Merritt goes under with the bow of the large ship) -------------------------------------------------------------- (February 28, 1997 at the Green Valley Home For The Mentally Deranged) Merritt: Doctor, we've been through this over and over. I know what I've done...and I know what I have to do. I'll say whatever it is that you're looking to hear....but I *have* to get out of here. If I don't do it soon, then it'll be too late! Doctor: Do what? Why will it be too late? Merritt: I'm not going to explain...it's business. I tell you, and who knows who you'll tell. Doctor: There *is* such a thing as patient/client confidentiality. Merritt: I don't have anything against you, Doc. In fact, if it would make you feel better, I'll continue seeing you after I'm out of here. But I *have* to get out. I told you about my dream, Doc. I feel like while I'm in here, I'm on the end of a ship that's sinking faster and faster into the water. And I only know one way to fix it...to fix everything. Doctor: How can you be so sure it'll work, whatever it is you're planning? Merritt: I can't, Doc. I can't be sure anymore. Two years ago or more, even last year, I might have been able to convince myself that I could make it all right in a snap. But what I know now is, if I *don't* try, then nothing else is left for me. It's like seeing a car wreck...you can tell what caused it, but not until it's too late. But I have the chance at least to *try* and fix things. It's sink or swim, Doc...those are my only options. Doctor: Mr. Merritt...Chad...that's what I needed to hear. I'll sign your release forms. Merritt: Doc, if you were Teri Melton, I'd hug you right now. -------------------------------------------------------------- (Merritt is standing in a darkened arena, in the middle of a wrestling ring. A lone spotlight shines on him. We can barely make out two figures in opposing corners.) Merritt: I let it happen once, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made...for a lot of reasons. The only way to fix the crack that began spreading from that mistake is to piece it back together. It's sink or swim, gentlemen...and we're all on the same boat. (The spotlight fades, the two figures in the shadows disappear. A dim red light hovers over Merritt.) Merritt: Oh....and Red, I haven't forgotten what you've done either. And if I have to hunt you down and kill you again to correct my second biggest mistake...I will. (laughs....and laughs....and laughs) ---------------------------------------------------------- (March 2, 1998 at the Merritt Auditorium in Greensboro, NC) (Merritt walks into his office in the bowels of the Auditorium) Merritt: (looks at his desk) WHAT THE???? What the heck is all this? (picks up nameplate and throws it in the trash) Marsha! (Marsha the secretary comes in) Merritt: Get all this crap cleaned outta here, I've got work to do. Marsha: But sir...there's... Merritt: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! No buts...just do it! Marsha: Yessir. Merritt: And while you're at it, get the other office and the conference room cleared out. And fax this out to the old press listings. I'll be back in a few, after I take care of something. --------------------------------------------------------- (March 3, 1998: Atlanta, Georgia...a little place called J.R.'s) Thomas: So they finally let you out, huh? Merritt: Indeed they did. Thomas: Does this mean you're not insane anymore? Merritt: What do you think? No...don't answer that. Thomas: So, lemme guess, you want money... Merritt: How did you know? Thomas: Well, when they put you away, they gave *me* power of attorney. That means that everything you had went into escrow under my supervision. I assumed you had that figured out. Merritt: You assumed right...for once. So what's this gonna cost me? Thomas: Not much...just sign this little piece of paper. Merritt: And just what am I signing away, my soul? Thomas: No, I figured that was already sold. It's just a little contract....one that puts things back the way they should be. I was a little peeved when you pulled that stunt, you know. Merritt: Hey...I figured having full ownership of the CSWA would work better. It didn't. But none of that matters... I've got a plan. Thomas: Oh dear Lord....not another one. Merritt: Seriously....and I figure all I've got to lose is... well, everything. It's not like I've got much now, anyway. Who's gonna hire a guy that's been in the loony bin for six months? Thomas: So what's this brilliant plan? Merritt: Not here. First things first. (signs contract) There ya go, all nice and legal. Thomas: Sure you don't want your lawyer here to read it for ya? Merritt: No thanks....I don't particularly like lawyers these days. ------------------------------------------------------------- (March 4, 1998; Back at CSHQ...Merritt Auditorium) Thomas: Ya know, I've never figured out why we named this thing after you. Merritt: I called and asked you about it, and you agreed. Thomas: I don't remember that. Merritt: Well, I think you were asleep at the time...I asked your wife to hold the phone up to your ear. Thomas: I...see. Merritt: Hi Marsha, I'm back. Marsha: "Back in a few?" Merritt: I had to get Moose here. Marsha: Welcome back, Stephen. Thomas: Hi, Marsha, nice to be back. Merritt: I never did ask...what have you been doing for the last six months? Thomas: Well, the CSWA was all in your name, so I couldn't do much but watch it go down. I worked on a few CS Enterprises' projects to keep me busy. Should I even ask about you? Shock treatments and all that? Merritt: No...thankfully they didn't treat me like Junior Hornet. Just 'therapy' and all that jazz. Anyway, forget that, we've got work to do...and only about a month to do it in. Thomas: Why the rush? Merritt: Because from looking at the information you gave me, the CSWA took a hit financially....we had to pay for all the arenas we had booked and no-showed, and we had to buy out quite a few contracts due to the inactivity. Thomas: So where do we stand? Merritt: Well, with the CS Enterprises stash, we could probably go indefinitely....but most of that is tied up in our other investments. For the CSWA to stay self-sufficient, it needs a boost, quickly. Of course, only having 10 cards or so in 1997 didn't help much. Thomas: It was a....light schedule... Merritt: One we couldn't afford. And the biggest hit came in a fine from the FCC....apparently showing a murder on live television is frowned upon. Thomas: And who's fault is that? Merritt: Don't start with me....that's a whole other ball of wax I don't have time to deal with right now. Anyway, I had Marsha schedule a press conference for April 1. Thomas: Why then? Merritt: Well, I figured if I'm gonna make a fool outta myself, I might as well do it on the right day. Thomas: That's less than a month away! How are you gonna get a roster together by then? Merritt: It's 28 days to be exact....and I have no idea. All I know is...I better get busy. -------------------------------------------------------------- (March 5, 1998; on the phone) Merritt: Is Mr. Godreign in? Yes, tell him that Chad Merritt is calling... Godreign! Hi, it's Merritt. Yes I am. Yes. Very funny. Yeah, you're a regular riot. I was calling to see if you're interested in coming back to.... Oh. No, I didn't know that. You're sure... Well, if that's what you're planning... Hey, I understand, when you're sittin' on that much money and you don't have to... Sure, thanks. What if I find something else for you, something in the office? No, nothing like that. Alright, Julius. Good to talk to ya, man. No...no problem, I understand completely. You too. Bye. ------------------------------------------------------------- (March 6, 1998) Merritt: Marsha...could you send these out? I just got them back from the lawyers. Marsha: Sure...more contract offers? Merritt: Yep. Have we heard back from any yet? Marsha: Not yet...the first batch just went out yesterday, Chad. Merritt: Yeah...I know. It's just there's so much riding on this... Marsha, in case I haven't said it in the past few days I've been back...thanks. Marsha: You're welcome, sir. It's good to have you and Mr. Thomas back. --------------------------------------------------------------