TAKE YOUR STAGE
As the camera shifts from the eGG Bandits in their luxury box, we zoom out to a hallway backstage, where a monitor finishes showing the previous segment.
As it zooms out further, we find Hayes Hanlon watching with his arms crossed over his chest, curling a lip and shaking his head slowly. Boots and tights are on, the black dress shirt with the rolled up sleeves remains, and the MGM crowd off-camera lets ‘em know.
“Don’t let it get to you, kid.”
Hayes looks over to his right, and the Risen Star enters the scene, patting Hayes on the shoulder. Again, the Arena lets ‘em know.
Hayes Hanlon: (Snorting) Third time’s a charm, I guess.
Nova laughs, sparking a cigarette.
Nova: Get used to it, Hayes. I’ve dealt with enough guys like Jiles to know that if one thing’s for sure? It’s that they’ll always worm their way into the spotlight. It’s only a matter of time before they get their hands on the gold.
Hayes mulls it over, black mustache twitching a touch.
Hayes Hanlon: I guess we were screwed anyway. Glue Factory. eGG Bandits. MESSIAH. We were gonna eat a shit sandwich any way you slice it.
Nova chuckles, taking a drag and exhaling a plume.
Nova: Yup. Only thing to do is take the stage you’re given and send them a message.
Hanlon turns to the Starchild.
Hayes Hanlon: Kinda like you and Youngblood.
Nova tilts his head and shrugs, knowingly.
Hayes Hanlon: That was huge, man.
Nova: A long time coming with that one, but that could’ve gone either way at any given moment. Brandon put up a hell of a fight.
Hayes Hanlon: Yeah, but Youngblood’s already let the world know that he’s still got it. You were caught up with Survivor for so long…and that MESSIAH crap in your match with Knox…
The rookie pauses, and lifts that ‘stache into a genuine grin.
Hayes Hanlon: …it was good to see you knock off the rest of the rust.
Nova: (Pointing his cigarette at Hayes) Watch it. I won’t take any “old man” jokes.
“HEY!”
As if on cue, the gravelly voice that can only belong to PRIME’s resident Bad Dog hollers down the hall, and Wade Elliott pops into view on the other end, looking none-too impressed. He darts his sharp blue eyes to Hayes and Nova and curls in his lips.
Nova: Speaking of old men…
Wade Elliott: God-damnit, Caesar!! You said you were goin’ t’ take a quick piss!! Been sittin’ back there with my thumb up my ass fer fifteen minutes! You ain’t gettin’ out’ve this Rummy match, I’ve got a pure sequence goin’!
The Risen Star laughs, holding a finger up to the Blue Collar Brawler to buy him a moment.
Nova: Better get back to the babysitter. But hey man, that stage is yours tonight…
He points back to the screen, a quick “Tale of the Tape” shot between Hanlon and King Blueberry for their Main Event match later in the evening.
Nova: …go send your message.
Starchild gives the Event Horizon one more thump on the back before retreating to his keeper down the hall. Hayes watches the screen intently as it shifts back to the luxury box for one last shot of the Bandits and their antics. He nods to himself with a sly grin before we shift elsewhere.