SISTERS

We start with Jonathan Rhine in his locker room, though he’s quickly exiting it. No time for conversation or wasted moments – Rhine is all business.

Know who else is all business? Nate Colton.

Rhine nearly runs into him as he exits the room. He stops suddenly, putting his hands up to avoid bouncing into the second generation wrestler. Then he notices that Nate is staring at him, no expression. 

Jonathan Rhine: Hey, Nate. I guess…you heard, huh?

Nate Colton doesn’t respond, continuing to stare bullets at Rhine.

Jonathan Rhine: I just want you to know that I understand if you’re upset, or annoyed. I certainly didn’t visit your dad with the intent of asking your sister on a date. It just…happened?

No answer.

Jonathan Rhine: I promise you that I have no bad intentions with Jenny. I was told by Shweta – Shweta Kallemullah, the chairperson of our Foundation, not sure if you’ve met her…

Still nothing.

Jonathan Rhine: …that I needed to find a date for our Foundation Fundraisers dinner, and I was having some problems that I wanted to talk to your dad about, and…

He stops because he realizes at this point the brick wall behind Colton would make for better conversation. 

Jonathan Rhine: I have an idea. We have room at the dinner. It’s next Friday, May 27, in New Orleans. You can come. You can bring a plus one too.

It is only now that Nate Colton breaks his silence.

Nate Colton: Sounds great. You got a sister?

For a brief second, Rhine looks hurt and ashamed, but it quickly washes away, replaced with a large grin.

Jonathan Rhine: I do, and you can definitely ask her, but I’m pretty sure she’s already taking her wife.

Nate Colton: …I…

Well, he wasn’t expecting that. Nate’s face flushes with embarrassment.

Nate Colton: Crap.

Nate looks down the hallway, just to break eye contact for a moment, and then tries again. This time with a bit less macho posturing.

Nate Colton: I have been…reminded…that Jennifer is an adult, and can make her own decisions about who she…spends time with.

He says this through gritted teeth, so you know he means it.

Nate Colton: And as long as she is treated with respect, there will not be a problem.

Nate’s going to crack a molar if he keeps this up.

Jonathan nods, raising a hand to put on Nate’s shoulder. At the last second, he thinks better of it and scratches the back of his head.

Jonathan Rhine: Then there won’t be a problem. Jenny is great, and I will give her the respect she deserves, as well as the respect you deserve as her well-intentioned older brother. 

Rhine holds a hand out for Nate. Colton accepts the handshake, squeezing a little harder than he needs to (because of course, he can’t completely abandon the macho posturing.)

Nate Colton: That’s fair. Glad we had this talk.

Jonathan Rhine: Me too. And good luck in Survivor, Nate. You and Nathan seem to be building something nice.

Nate Colton: Thanks. Good luck to you too; I’ve been pretty impressed with what you and Paxton have put together.

A moment passes, and then Paxton appears in the doorway.

Paxton Ray: Oh, there you are. ‘Bout to say, that was the longest piss break I ever heard of.

He nods to Nate Colton.

Paxton Ray: Sup. 

Nate Colton: Hey.

Jonathan Rhine: All right, I’ll talk to you later. I have to go…

Paxton Ray: Piss. He has t’piss.

Jonathan Rhine: Right. Bye, Nate.

Jonathan Rhine walks away, leaving Nate and Paxton Ray looking at each other.

Nate Colton: Right. Guess I’ll see you on Friday too, then.

Paxton Ray: Yeah. They’re makin’ me wear a suit. I hate suits.

Without warning, Paxton turns around and slams the door in Nate’s face.

Nate Colton: Manners must not be a thing with him.