NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO APOLOGIZE

The camera is on Angelica Brooks, who is smiling like the true professional she is.

Angelica Brooks: Hello everyone. I am currently joined by…

The boos, they have started. The camera pans over to reveal the tall, angry form of Paxton Ray.

Angelica Brooks: Former Intense Champion Paxton Ray. Paxton, since your match at UltraViolence with The Anglo Luchador, we have seen a different side of you. You’ve tried to apologize to Jared Sykes, Nate Colton, and Chandler Tsonda. Why the sudden change of heart?

Paxton Ray: Ya ain’t gotta make it sound all formal. I ain’t really doin’ some sorta apology tour. I jus’ know that I ain’t been the best t’deal with since I joined PRIME. An’ I know that one day if I ever want to be a good enough father for my daughter, it starts with being a good man.

Angelica Brooks: I see. It did seem that none of them were particularly eager to accept your apologies.

Paxton Ray: ‘s fine. I did some awful things. I tried t’hurt Nate’s sister. I did hurt Jared’s best friend, an’ tossed another friend through a wall. I looked in the Walgreens and there ain’t no greetin’ card with that sorta message on it. 

Paxton shoots an expectant look at Angelica. Her professional smile finally falters a bit.

Angelica Brooks: Was…was that a joke?

Paxton Ray: Yeah. You’re sposed t’laugh.

She does not.

Angelica Brooks: So you’ve apologized to some people, they haven’t accepted, and you’re okay with that. What’s next?

Paxton Ray: I dunno. Keep makin’ things right, I guess. 

Angelica Brooks: And do you think part of that would be offering an apology to Rich Patterson?

Paxton looks down on Brooks, a snarl creeping onto his face.

Paxton Ray: Ya think I should say sorry to him? For what, exactly? For gettin’ a little hot sauce on his shirt? I already did that. For punchin’ him after he said some shit that was way outta line? Nah, I ain’t apologizin’ for that. 

Now Paxton turns and faces the camera.

Paxton Ray: It’s one thing for guys like Sykes an’ Colton to give me shit ‘bout my choices. They was hurt by ‘em. They earned that judgment a’me. But this newcomer who don’t know shit about shit? Nah, he can’t jus’ run in here and say I ruin nice things. He ain’t earned shit. He don’t know me from Adam, an’ even if he knows my rep, he didn’t even get through half a talk with me to form his own conclusions. So when it comes to Rich Patterson? I’m the one waitin’ on his apology.

Angelica Brooks: His apology?

Paxton Ray: Yeah. I said sorry for gettin’ his shirt red. He should say sorry for talkin’ shit bout me when he doesn’t know me. Then we can move on with our lives.

Angelica Brooks: I have to say, Paxton, hearing you say that is surprising. In earlier days you’d rather settle differences in a ring than out of it.

Paxton smiles and looks down at Angelica as he starts to walk away across the camera.

Paxton Ray: Aww, Angie, ya miss the old me?

Angelica Brooks: Um, no, I…

Paxton Ray: Well if Rich don’t get his apology, ya might jus’ see him sooner’n ya think.

Paxton walks out of frame and Angelica looks at the camera.

Angelica Brooks: All right, let’s head elsewhere. 

We then follow her orders.