LOST AND… FOUND?
And we cut backstage, live, where all of PRIME’s most popular stars can be found.
And also, Nate Colton.
He walks through the hall, still carrying his gear. With the communal locker room off-limits to him after ReV33, he’s been looking for a place to change…and strangely enough, hasn’t found one. The Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse is full of all kinds of nooks, crannies, and spare rooms…but they all seemed to be in use or blocked off tonight.
Damnedest thing.
At last, Nate sees a few stray Enemigos and waves for their attention.
Nate Colton: Hey, guys. I was trying to change out in the parking lot, but there’s a bunch of weirdos out there with cameras. Any chance you can do something about that?
They walk right past him, not even slowing down. Nate stares after them, shaking his head.
Nate Colton: I guess not.
He his feet carry him through the unending maze. Down the tunnels nobody ever uses, past the locked rooms whose keys were lost years ago, into long-forgotten corners, until…
Nate Colton: Huh.
Here, beyond the bowels of the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and into its very butthole, he finds a door with a sign on it.
“LOVE CONVOY”
Well, why not? Seems like nobody else wants you.
He raises his hand to knock on the door…
And the door opens RIGHT before he knocks on it.
Nate glances down… a long way down, to Vickie Hall standing there, absolutely flabbergasted at finding Nate Colton’s hand ready to knock.
Vickie Hall: Oh my gosh golly WELCOME!!!
She leaps up onto her tippy toes, snatching Nate’s hand and leading him inside the locker room… where, just like two weeks ago, the walls are littered with Nate Colton posters, pictures and a plethora of support signs.
NATE THE GREAT
WE LOVE NATE
NATE WINS OR WE RIOT
LACES IN OR OUT, WHATEVER YOU WANT
DIE CECILWORTH DIE
FIVE STAR COLTON
CECILWORTH SHOULD DIE OF GONORRHEA AND ROT IN HELL
LOVE IS THE GLUE YOU REALLY NEED
LIKE WHERE IS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ANYWAY?
NATE COLTON IS THE BEST BOY
Nate looks around, perhaps feeling somewhat uncomfortable but he’s barely given a moment to breathe before Tristan-Crispin Gladhappy springs up with an offering of mozzarella sticks on a silver plate.
Tristan-Crispin Gladhappy: Makes a great snack!
Vickie scoffs and pushes past The Nuzzle Lord as she continues to drag Colton to the far end of the locker room.
Vickie Hall: So so so glad you decided to come back. It’s like practically humbling!!
Nate Colton: No, it’s…look, I don’t want to be a burden or anything. Just looking for a place to get changed before the fight.
Vickie didn’t particularly hear a word Nate said, she’s still beside herself.
Vickie Hall: Okay so we have treats over there (points to TCG standing with a dumbfounded face and a dish full of mozza sticks), showers off to your right behind that wall (head nod to showers) – (sidebar comment) we can also clear the room when you want to use it, no issues or no problems – (back to her regular voice) and the bench to rest on is (points to the bench) RIGHT THERE!
She practically pushes Colton into a spot on the bench next to Jonathan-Christopher Hall.
Pleased with what’s happening, Vickie surveys the entire locker room. She nods. She nods hard, she nods A LOT.
Vickie Hall: Listen, Nate, dearest, I gotta go do a thing. You stay right here and just enjoy yourself before the big match.
PRETTY PINK© walks up to Nate and punches him on the shoulder. And with an extra chippy voice, she says…
Vickie Hall: We’re all cheering for ya!
Vickie races out of the locker room, leaving Nate Colton and Jonathan-Christopher Hall sitting there.
…
…
Jonathan-Christopher and Nate look at each other, as if neither one is sure how to start the conversation.
Nate Colton: Hey.
At first, Jonathan-Christopher Hall doesn’t know what to do. He looks over towards Tristan-Crispin, but his cousin is at the far end of the locker room and in his own world, not paying attention.
Jonathan-Christopher Hall: Hi.
Both men shuffle on the bench a couple of times, as Jonathan-Christopher’s eyes meet the floor. Then the ceiling. Then the floor. Ceiling. Floor. Etc.
Jonathan-Christopher Hall: You’ve faced Anna Daniels a couple of times already, right? (Deep gulp) Got any tips?
Nate actually opens up a bit here, as the conversation has turned to a topic he’s comfortable talking about…and also, that he’s not getting completely steamrolled.
Nate Colton: Oh, sure. Anna’s a hell of a fighter, but the main thing is that you can’t be scared. If Daniels picks up on that, she’ll kick your head clean off.
And strangely enough, Jonathan-Christopher looks like he’s listening, paying careful attention and shows a genuine look on his face as Nate gives him this advice.
Jonathan-Christopher Hall: (awkward laugh) It’s funny, only until recently have I not been so scared in the ring. Dare I say, it’s paying off. (another awkward laugh)
Hall scratches the side of his head.
Jonathan-Christopher Hall: She’s tough though, it’s going to be a challenge and I have to stay composed. (Trying to be polite by changing the topic) What’s your strategy for Cecilworth?
Nate Colton: It’s tough, ‘cause that guy’s a killer. But I think I know where my edge is; if I can stick to that, and I can capitalize at the right time…well, who knows.
Hall exhales hard after thinking about what Nate has to go through. Looking like he’s unsure what to do at first… JC extends his left arm and knocks Colton on the shoulder.
Jonathan-Christopher Hall: Hope you win. I mean that.
The typical “Timid Tiger” leans down and reaches into his duffle bag, pulling out a pair of PRETTY PINK© wrestling board shorts. These ones are particularly pink and particularly short. For a brief second, Hall seems a little uneasy at the thought of having to wear these. Nevertheless, he places them beside the empty space on the right side of the bench and then finds his PRETTY PINK© floppy shoes.
Jonathan-Christopher Hall: Guess we should get ready, huh?
Nate Colton: I suppose. Tear it up out there, man.
He offers a fist bump to the Vow of Virtue, which he-
The locker room door SWINGS open, revealing Vickie Hall standing in the middle of the entrance, arms wide and head high.
Vickie Hall: LOOK AT MY SUGAR BABIES BONDING!!! Aaaaawwwwweeeee shucks!
Jonathan-Christopher’s face immediately goes red (Colton something here?)
Vickie strolls over to her Amazing Life Partner and places her arm around him.
Vickie Hall: Now my dearest Jonathan-Christopher, don’t waste too much time, honey. You know you have a big match ahead. Both of you do!
Vickie removes her hand around her ALP and marches to one of the Nate Colton posters on the wall. The tone of her voice changes… it sounds a little lower and more intense. Her bushy eyebrows also narrow.
Vickie Hall: I want you all to be winners tonight, there should be no excuses. After all, we are on the up and up! Aren’t we?
It was likely rhetorical. Jonathan-Christopher is already putting on his wrestling shoes.
Nate Colton: That’s the plan. Right, JC?
He slaps Hall on the back and smiles. Meanwhile, Jonathan-Christopher smiles in return, although he seems to mumble a comment under his breath.
Jonathan-Christopher Hall: Hope so.
A pleased Vickie Hall sees the boys starting to get their wrestling gear ready, as Tristan-Crispin remains off in the corner and has devoured the mozza sticks. Revival goes… to another pre-tape?!