Scene One - (flashback)
The scene opened up inside of the same house of the young Seth Thomas. He stumbled through the hallway, crashing between the wall and the railing. He made his way into the bathroom and fell against the sink cabinet. After taking a moment to steady himself he raised his head and looked into the mirror. He stared at his own swollen and bloodied reflection for a moment before making his way back into the hallway.
Man’s Voice: Oh, you think you’re just going to run away now? Run and call the cops?
A silhouetted figure now stood in the doorway at the end of the hall. Seth looked back at the man and tried to limp away as fast as he could, but to no avail. The man walked up and grabbed Seth by the shoulder.
Man’s Voice: You’re not going anywhere.
Seth swung around and attempted to fight back. The man lost his grip and Seth fell against the railing. With a loud snap the railing crumbled and Seth fell down to the stairs, landing on his back. The force sent him the rest of the way down the stairs where he laid unconscious at the bottom. The woman’s cries were heard cutting through the air.
Man’s Voice: Shut the hell up!
After another loud crash the scene exploded to white.
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Scene 2 - Family BBQ
The scene opens up to the backyard of the Thomas’. Seth is in his usual cooking get-up with an apron that reads “Satisfaction in Action”. He is standing behind the barbeque with a flipper in one hand and a bottle of Smirnoff in the other. “My Humps” by the Blackeyed Peas plays in the background with Jalie dancing nearby. She strolls up and steals Seth’s bottle and coyly looks over her shoulder as she dances away. He doesn’t fret, instead he just reaches into the cooler next to him and pulls out another. Seth moves his hips back and forth with the beat as he flips the burgers.
Seth: Burgers up!
A crowd flocks around Seth and he begins dishing out the food. Everybody clears out and he begins to put more on the barbecue when he’s startled by a voice.
????: That’s a questionable position to be caught in.
Seth shoots up and turns around. His face lightens when he realizes it’s his brother.
Seth: Hey bro, what’s up?
Seth gives his brother a hug and a tap on the shoulder.
Seth: I didn’t know you were coming down.
Chris: I asked Jalie not to tell you. That’s why she suggested the barbeque.
Seth tilts his head.
Seth: And she didn’t spill it?
Chris: I bribed her with a bottle of Jack.
Seth nods.
Seth: Smart man. No wonder she kept that one.
Seth reaches into the cooler and hands his brother a drink.
Seth Thomas: So what’s new with you, bro? I haven’t heard from you in quite a while.
Chris: I got engaged.
Seth nearly spits his drink out.
Seth: No shit? Congrats.
Chris: Thanks. I know you’ll love her.
Seth: Did you bring her along?
Chris: Of course I did.
Chris takes a look around the crowd of people and calls out.
Chris: Denise? You around, babe?
A blonde woman comes walking out of the crowd.
Denise: Did you call me, Chris?
Chris: Yeah, come over here. There’s someone I want you to meet.
Denise walks over beside Chris and he puts his arm around her shoulders.
Chris: Denise, I want you to meet my brother, Seth. Seth, this is Denise.
Seth gives her a welcoming smile and a nod.
Seth: It’s nice to meet you…
Something caught Seth’s eye as he was trailing off. It wasn’t the woman’s blonde hair. It wasn’t her striking green eyes. It was the little brown marking on the right side of her chin. His mind shoots back to when he was sixteen, watching the woman pass him on the stairs. He gives his head a bit of a shake and tries to look at her like nothing was wrong.
Seth: I, uh… I need to go check something.
Seth walks off, leaving the two standing there confused. Seth grabs Jalie’s arm as he walks by her and goes into the house. He stops just inside the kitchen and spins Jalie around.
Jalie: What the hell?
Seth: Chris is engaged.
Jalie: And that’s bad…?
Seth: You remember those dreams I’ve been having? The one with that woman walking by me on the stairs?
Jalie: Yeah, why?
Seth takes a look around.
Seth: It’s her.
Jalie: It’s what?
Seth: It’s her, that same woman. The blonde hair. The green eyes. The marking on her chin. It’s too obvious for it to be a coincidence.
Seth wipes his forehead.
Jalie: Does Chris know?
Seth: Of course Chris doesn’t know. Do you think he’d be marrying her if he did?
Jalie: I meant, does he even know about a woman being involved about what happened.
Seth: No. I didn’t tell anybody about it. Only you.
Jalie: Well, you should tell him.
Seth: That the woman he’s about to marry was the same woman that piece of shit was cheating on our mother? That she was the reason our house went up in flames? That she’s the reason our mother are dead!? How the fuck am I supposed to tell him that?
Jalie: Well, you need to think of something to do. If you tell him is up to you. But if he does find out, it needs to come from you.
Jalie walks off and heads back outside. Seth stands there for a moment. He runs his fingers through her hair then covers his mouth. He shakes his head and goes back outside. The scene fades out.
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Scene Three - Match Talk
The scene fades in to show Seth Thomas sitting on a stool in the middle of the locker room. He is wearing a pair of athletic pants and a pair of trainers. He has the Youngblood championship draped over his lap and is currently staring down at it.
Seth: It’s funny, the things a man will do to get what he wants.
Seth raises his head to look at the camera.
Seth: It’s also funny to think of the things a man won’t do.
Seth closes his eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath.
Seth: The AWA Continental champion has taken it upon himself to teach us all about morals. He wins the title almost two weeks ago and now he is the definition of a true champion. I know what it takes to be a champion, Simon. I’ve done it many occasions myself. Although some of what you say is true, you’re looking at half of it. Being a champion is more than just withstanding pressure and overcoming the odds. You need to have the will to win. The natural instinct to survive. You need to be willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want. You ridicule me on my work ethics? Are you so much better than I am because I don’t wait to put myself in the predicament of losing? Because I will take any opportunity I can to win? Being a champion is more than just being righteous, unless you care what other people think of you. And according to you, you couldn’t care less. It’s more than just physical strength and domination. It’s about cunning and intelligence as well. Knowing when to jump on an opportunity and how to take advantage of it can make and break you. Just because you’re not willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done doesn’t make you any better than the next. It’s your narrow mindedness that blinds you. You can uphold the rules and fight for justice all you want, but when another man comes along and takes you down by any means necessary, there no amount of bitching and moaning that will change it. It all goes with a simple saying I heard when I was a child - Do onto others before they do onto to you.
Seth takes a moment to look down at the title and smirk.
Seth: So when you become champion for more than mere weeks, then perhaps you can call yourself a ‘true champion’. Because wasn’t it so that you pointed out how pathetic a champion Alex was when you’ve held your title no longer than he held his? And you have still yet been forced to defend it. Now I agree that you are a good athlete, and I do have a measure of respect for you in the ring. But to refer my partners as no-talent hacks? When exactly have you defeated Alex? Unlike you, I have been in the ring with Mr. Wilkins and I think it would be very fair to say that he is as fierce a competitor as they come. Sure, his track record doesn’t look the greatest, but it doesn’t deny what that man can do when he is in the ring. He has that same ‘win at all costs’ attitude that I possess, and I believe that it will work rather effectively in the ring Monday night. Not to leave out my other partner from the mix. He may be a little big for his britches right now but he has the right attitude. Just like Cody Carson, with the right training and attitude Stryker himself could transform himself from a mere lackey to a respectable champion. One of these days.
Seth adjusts the belt so it now drapes over his shoulder.
Seth: Now the difference between what you and I are doing is quite noticeable. I am promoting team unity. We all know that we’re in this together and although we all like to think that we’re better than others, we all go in with one goal - win. And none of us have that righteous attitude that you don’t have a taste for. We are all willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the win, and it makes us rather dangerous. I’m not sitting here and kissing their asses because they accomplished something that I couldn’t, despite the difficulty of the matter. I don’t buy for one second that Rick was in any way a respectable champion, therefore I see no reason for playing up the person that finally got past him. I agree with Brandi in the fact that Rick just isn’t man enough to get the job done. Now mind you I’m not using it in the same context that she did, but it works either way.
Seth taps the title on his shoulder.
Seth: And as for me holding the ‘lowly’ Youngblood championship? Everybody talks about how great Angela’s run with it was, who says that I can’t do it? Who says I can’t do it better? Either way, if I’m going to do it I might as well be the best at it. I’m just biding my time. I said a few months ago that I was going to start from the ground up, and that’s what I intend to do. Patience has always been a virtue of mine, so until then, enjoy your reign Simon.
Seth tilts his head from side to side cracking his neck then rolls his shoulders.
Seth: Someone who we’ve yet to hear from is our highly acclaimed World champion, Angela Jameson. Where are you Angie? There’s Simon’s feet. There’s Simon’s waist. There’s Simon’s shoulders. Wait, there you are. How the hell have you been? The last time I saw you face to face was when I was in the process of pinning you for your Youngblood title. So you’ve moved onto bigger things since then. A month later you became the World champion. I must say congratulations, although it was only Rick Young you defeated. Can you sense my disliking of Rick? But that’s not who I need to worry about right now. Right now my focus is on you, Simon, and that fucking cardboard box.
Seth closes his eyes and shakes his head.
Seth Thomas: Nick, this whole thing is fucking ridiculous. I know you had something to do with what happened last week. A cardboard box does not just fall out of thin air and lands on somebody’s head. Now I thought it was funny the way you humiliated everybody else with that box, but now it’s getting ridiculous. Not only did you humiliate me and but this huge bump on my head…
Seth points to the top of his head.
Seth: …now that box is scheduled in a main event. In a tag team match. What the fuck good is that going to do? It can’t even sit on the edge of the apron? You and Lexus really need to stop acting like five year olds and just knock this nonsense off. There is no reason for this. So mark my word, I’m going to get rid of the Box tomorrow night, and that will be the end of it.
Seth stands up and walks off camera. The scene fades to black.