Foxx was ever so slightly perturbed at the absence of questions from her latest opponent, Kenshiro Inogami. Fine, he didn't want answers? He wouldn't get any.

She lightly fluffed her face with makeup for the cameras, glancing disdainfully at the mirror as she sat at the tiny makeup stand before her. She really disliked makeup and hated applying it even more, but she wasn't about to have someone else do it for her. She'd do it herself and that was that.

As she was finishing up there was a knock on the door. Pushing the choking powder in it's case back to it's original position on the stand she called out.

“Come in.”

Standing in the doorway, the reigning Empire Pro Wrestling Intercontinental Champion looked at the woman who, a few short years earlier, he’d taken to a training school. Now, here she was, at another Pay Per View event, on the same card as him. He felt a strange form of pride in himself for his friend, who, despite all expectations, had done things that many felt were impossible. She’d beaten opponents far more experienced. She’d beaten opponents who were far stronger than she was. And tonight, she was wrestling in a submissions only match.

“Hm... I hardly expected visitors, much less a visit from you. What's up?"

“I just wanted to stop by and see if you were ready for tonight’s match. It’s not your average run-of-the-mill match, you can’t count on getting the pinfall tonight.”

She smiled happily. At least he showed some semblance of caring if she won or lost.

"I didn't study as many forms of wrestling as possible for nothin ya know. I can fly with the best of 'em, but I practiced almost as much into submissions. It's all about the will to win. I have it; he doesn't."

"It's not just the will to win," he said, stepping into the room and leaning against the wall. "There's a lot of luck involved - if you make the slightest mistake out there, you've got to hope he doesn't seize it." I should know, he thought to himself. It had been some bad 'luck' that had kept him from winning a World Title to this point. In fact, it had been bad 'luck' that had done a lot of things to him in his career.

He glanced around the room, trying his best to appear non-chalant. "Would you like some help out there?"

"Help?..." Foxx's smile transformed to a mischievous grin as she stood from the bench to face him. "Last I knew that was frowned upon in a singles match... Unless I'm not thinking of the same type of 'help'."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Besides, why would you be offering to help me?" An offer to randomly help with no reason from Karl was hardly a normal occurence, especially after so much time.

"I just want to make sure you don't get in over your head. You've seen how tough this business is now, and you never know what might happen out there. A little back-up might be useful," he smiled. "Unless you're particularly looking for something else?" He laughed. If she wanted to play games with him like that, he wasn't about to let her off lightly.

"Ha! Don't you wish. Anyways, I came in expecting it to be tough so I'm hardly in over my head. I just need to work harder and push myself farther... and a lil luck I guess. It's never a bad thing to have someone watching your back though so you're perfectly welcome."

She walked past him out the door. Her match would be starting soon.

"So you comin or not?"

Brown smiled….and followed her out the door.

[The scene suddenly shifts to backstage, where we find Dan Ryan dressed in street clothes, huddled with two other production assistants. They seem to be going over last minute changes to the ongoing live-events' format when a well-dressed business man appears in the shot. With a perfectly coifed head of blond hair and a 'strictly-business' air about him, he waited patiently for Ryan to acknowledge him.]

DR: I don't care HOW you do it, just DO it. Now is not the time to debate the--

[Ryan's eyes caught the man, squinted, then returned to his employees.]

DR: Just make it happen.

[The PA's glanced at eachother, then turned and power-walked down the hall. Ryan turned to the man, who cleared his throat on cue.]

CS: Mr.Ryan, I apologize for the interruption. My name is Cassidy Stewart. I'm a Talent Representa--

DR: You're an agent. I know the name.

CS: ...er, yes. I know you've got a lot going on tonight, but I--

[Ryan stopped him again, this time with fading tolerance.]

DR: I certainly do, Mr.Stewart. So you're going to have to make whatever it is you're about to say VERY brief ... and VERY important.

[Stewart bristled slightly, then took a deep breathe.]

CS: Mr. Ryan, I represent a gentleman who, I feel, could add an electrifying element to your promotion. He's got speed. He's got power, charisma, and a legit HUNGER to win, EVERY time out, no matter what. He's controversial. He's got THE look. And he desperately wants to compete in this organization and make an IMMEDIATE impact in the top tier of the roster. Today.

[Cassidy showed Ryan a folder held in his hand, gesturing to it.]

CS: I think you'll recognize him.

[Taking the folder with some skepticism, Dan opened it and his eyes instantly went wide, a smile creeping across his face.]

DR: He wants to come HERE?

[Stewart nodded.]

CS: He's ALREADY here, in Los Angeles, tonight ... waiting on a phone call from me telling him he's got a job with Empire Pro Wrestling.

[Ryan chuckled, thumbing through the documents inside.]

DR: You're serious? Heh, what's your offer, Mr.Stewart?

CS: Limited contract. Running 'til the Russian Roulette 2007 event. And... a spot in the KING of the CAGE Tournament. After that? You have the option to pick him back up for an extended deal -- which I've no doubt you WILL -- or let him walk.

[This time the EPW owner laughed out loud.]

DR: And your asking price?

CS: Last page of that folder, bottom line.

[Dan found it, then shrugged, mulling the idea over.]

DR: For a gem like THIS? This is a bargain. Heh.

[Stewart nodded, putting out his hand.]

CS: So we have a deal, then?

[Ryan smiled, closing the folder and eyeing Stewart appraisingly.]

DR: Get on the phone and let your boy know he's got a contract.

[Cassidy smiled as they shook hands -- then went white as Ryan clenched Cassidy's hand and pulled him towards him.]

DR: You ALSO let him know that his six-month stint in GXW a few years back -- while maybe a much-needed shot in the arm for the company -- did very little to inspire my confidence in his in-ring work. Tell him he has a lot to prove if this is where he's looking to build his legacy. That, while it may be a 'limited contract' ... it won't be easy.

[Cassidy tried, in vain, to meet Ryan's stone gaze. His voice cracked when he spoke.]

CS: I'll pass that along.

[Ryan smiled, released his grip, then turned; headed towards the lockerrooms, folder in hand. Stewart finally took another breath, then fumbled in his pocket for his cell phone. Dialing, he smiled. Done deal.]

CS: Hey, it's Cass. Listen. You're in! You need to get down here -- right now! You're the newest member of the EPW roster and tonight ... you've GOT to make an IMPACT!

[Darkness. Slow, slightly ominous piano music plays in the background, the notes shimmering softly in the gloom. Slowly a small point of light begins to form on screen, then another, then another. A resonant voice, deep but calm, speaks, the source unseen and unknown.]

"The universe, they say, is ever-changing. It began long ago as nothingness, then suddenly began to expand..."

[As the voice speaks, more and more of those pinpricks of light begin to glow on screen, the piano music quickening, joined by a violin.]

"It has continued like this ever since."

[The music keeps heightening, the screen growing very bright with stars.]

"Tonight, the phenomenon that started in Washington DC, then moved on to Denver and beyond grows bigger than ever. Tonight, Los Angeles plays host to a big bang."

[With a sudden blinding flare, the rest of the darkness fills up with stars, leaving the screen a pure, glowing white.]

"Tonight... the wrestling universe changes forever."

[Cue up: "New Beginning" - Trapt. Cut to a montage of scenes highlighting recent EPW action, a mingling of in-ring combat and out-of-ring activity, many scenes features with stars blurring in the background.

Cut to Frankie Scott delivering a front flipping neckbreaker on The Sergeant.

Cut to Shawn Hart in the ring with a microphone.

Cut to Lindsay Troy slapping Troy Windham across the face.

Cut to Karl Brown drilling Kin Hiroshi with the Dragon's Bite.

Cut to Mike Evers sitting on a bench, taping his wrists.

Cut to Adam Benjamin clotheslining Steven Shane.

Cut to Irishred in the shadows, wearing an MBE cap and smiling.

Cut to Troy Douglas laying into a punching bag.

Cut to The Highland Park Social Club, Slambo on his knees in front and Chip Friendly smirking, standing with Richard Farnswirth looking down his nose at the camera, the World Tag Team Titles around their waists.

Cut to a rapid montage, culminating in a deep-space panorama that ends with a single image...]

[Cut to the rather spectacular set. Pyro begins to pour from above the massive arch over the entryway, dripping down like liquid fire, columns of gold and silver sparks ascending from the ramp. To either side, bomblike explosions begin to go off one by one. After several explosions, four huge ones ring out as the pyro display ends. The camera zooms in on the screen, which flicks to roving shots of the crowd, who are cheering and screaming their hearts out. A few signs can be spotted among the fans: "WE'RE ALL HERE TO SEE LINDSAY!", "He's So Hot, He's Melton!", "I Saw Cameron Cruise In A Porno", "WE ARE JA-AHOLICS", "ADAM BENJAMIN IS THE BEST WRESTLER EVER", "HPSC = Ratings", "BLITZ ARE THE ****Z", "I Sold My Brother For These Tickets!", and finally, "DAN RYAN WILL EAT YOUR BABIES".]

[The camera pans across the four sexy Empire Girls, all wearing black and white, before cutting to the broadcast booth. Dave Thomas has exchanged his golf shirt for a crisp tuxedo, and Dean Matthews has left his hat at home; Mike Neely is dressed in a cheesy lime green tuxedo.]

DT: Welcome one and all to to Los Angeles Sports Arena and Wrestleverse II!! I’m Dave Thomas and as always with me are Dean Matthews and Mike Neely and dear GOD in heaven what is that thing you’re wearing tonight, Neely??

MN: Please. You wish you had this much style.

DM: I think Liberace wishes he had that much style.

MN: Shut up.

DT: With no time to waste, let’s go up to the ring to Joey Fatora and get this thing underway!!!