SNARKING LOT
Nate Colton enters the parking lot of the MGM Grand, his stride quickening. A parking lot attendant looks up.
Parking Lot Attendant: Everything okay, Mr. Colton?
Nate Colton: Yeah. Just left something in my car.
He walks down the aisle of the parking lot, keeping to the side to avoid any cars. As he gets closer to his car, he starts to hear grunting. Thinking something’s wrong, he speeds up until he gets to an empty spot which actually isn’t empty at all.
Paxton Ray sits there, or rather sit ups there. He is continuing to do sit ups even as his eyes land on the Next Diamond. After a few more, he finally stops and looks up at Nate.
Paxton Ray: Sup, Hog?
Nate Colton: Hmmph.
Colton’s expression sours, and he turns to walk away. Paxton stands up, dusting his hands off.
Paxton Ray: Man. Never knew a Midwestern kid t’ be rude on th’ outside. Usually y’all jus’ cover it up with fake nice.
As he turns back toward the Bayou Butcher, Nate lets out a heavy sigh. Clearly he would have been perfectly happy to pretend that Paxton Ray didn’t exist, but he no longer has that option.
Nate Colton: People always told me that if I can’t say something nice, I shouldn’t say anything. And believe me, I got nothing nice to say to you.
Paxton laughs.
Paxton Ray: I see. So ya were one a’those Rhinestones I keep hearin’ ‘bout. Sorry ‘bout that. Or maybe it’s somethin’ else.
He walks a couple of steps towards Colton. The Evansville native doesn’t back away, no matter how badly he wants to leave.
Paxton Ray: I saw ya help the Blueberry when he was gettin’ attacked by the love dorks. And now ya fightin’ ‘em with Youngblood. And ya have all sorts’a things t’say ‘bout me, when I didn’t do anythin’ to ya. So I guess ya just like pokin’ your nose in other people’s business.
Nate Colton: You crippled a man, Paxton. You could have killed him. That makes it my business. I grew up in wrestling, and there’s too many people I care about to let that happen to anyone. Jon Rhine had earned my family’s respect, and mine…so yeah, it hurts like hell to see what you did to him. But it could have been anyone, and you’d still be the worst kind of bastard.
Paxton Ray: Can’t say nothin’ ‘bout that. I’m definitely a type’a bastard. There’s a lot of us out here, even the good guys ya try to fight for.
Paxton walks over to his truck, lets down the tailgate and sits down on it.
Paxton Ray: I respect the way ya feel ‘bout family. I know how important it is to ya. Which is prob’ly another reason you’re givin’ me the ice right now. After all, I saw who’s in the Belmont with me.
The sneer that forms on Nathan’s face, along with the way his fists clench, let us know that he knows exactly who Paxton is talking about.
Nate Colton: You better pick your next words real careful, buddy.
Instead, Paxton picks his hands…up. He holds them in front of him.
Paxton Ray: Overprotective brothers are th’ worst. Don’t worry, I ain’t gonna do anythin’ to your sister. I like bigger targets.
Paxton now scoots off the tailgate and stands up.
Paxton Ray: I do think it’s prob’ly for th’ best if we keep mindin’ each other’s business, though. I’m sure ya had some reason t’be out here and I have to get changed for my match soon. And unlike ya, I ain’t tryin’ to show hog to the whole world.
It’s been half a year now, but any mention of that particular Jabber incident still gets a flush of embarrassment.
Nate Colton: How many times I gotta tell people, my brother stole–never mind. I’ve had enough of you anyway.
He walks away from Paxton, but from an odd angle. It’s not the direction he was originally walking, but it does allow Colton to keep an eye on the Lafayette Bruiser as he goes.
Also, wrestling being wrestling, Nate does his best to get the last word in.
Nate Colton: You’re right about one thing, though. You won’t do anything to Jenny at the Belmont…but not for the reason you think.
Paxton watches Nate walk away, nodding, then takes off his shirt before noticing the camera is still there.
Paxton Ray: Ain’t ya got somewhere t’be?
The cameraman presumably agrees, because we cut.