WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

Elsewhere backstage, the door to Lindsay Troy’s office opens slowly and out from it walks Arthur Pleasant, with The Serbian Silencer in tow. Arthur Pleasant has a smile on his face while Yuri looks as cold-blooded as ever. Their pace is somewhat leisurely as Arthur looks down at a piece of paper in his hands. It shouldn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out what exactly it is he holds in his hands. 

Arthur Pleasant: Oh, Mask. What have you done?

Pleasant laughs as they both walk away from La Presidenta’s office. But just as they round the corner, they stop in their tracks as they see Angelica Brooks taking a moment to herself, walking somewhere unknown. Was she on a lunch break and heading to catering? Did she already take a lunch break and those crab cakes from catering are working their way through her system quicker than she thought they would? It’s anybody’s guess.   

It’s at this point that Arthur looks up at Yuri.

Then back at Angelica. 

Catching Angelica off-guard, Arthur smiles.

Arthur Pleasant: Well hello Annnnnnj! So great to see you. I suppose you, along with the rest of the PRIMEverse are wondering why exactly I was coming out of Lindsay Troy’s office just a moment ago, hm?

Angelica Brooks: Um, well actually I was just-

Arthur Pleasant: Yes. Yes, I thought so. Well, since you asked, here’s the reason.

Awkwardly accepting a sheet of paper that Pleasant had been looking at, Angelica sighs, exasperated with Arthur’s presence as we go into the final stretches of the evening for ReVival 30.

Angelica Brooks: This looks like a contract for a match between you and TAL at Tropical Turmoil.. 

Arthur Pleasant: EHHHHHHHHHHHH! Wrong, Anj! This is a COPY of a contract for a match between myself and TAL at Tropical Turmoil! Feel that warmth from the copier? Doesn’t it make you want to just hug it? Yeah, I couldn’t take the original copy. LT’s a stickler for having proper chains of custody with important documents. If she put that kind of focus into her wrestling matches maybe she would’ve actually beaten Dad Bod Steve!

Arthur cackles at his own joke while Yuri just stands there, arms folded. The veins in his arms nearly pulsate as Pleasant manages to get a hold of himself.

Angelica Brooks: Why are you showing me this? In fact, why are you interviewing me?!  

Pleasant’s smile disappears.

Arthur Pleasant: I thought you would’ve appreciated someone else picking up the slack for you. This is important stuff, Anj. I just agreed to a match against TAL. At Tropical Turmoil. Isn’t that exciting?!

Angelica Brooks: I mean, it is. I think the fans have been looking forward to the two of you facing each other inside the ring. But I mean, what is this? 

A scowl forms across Pleasant’s face.

Arthur Pleasant: Can’t you just be fucking happy?

Angelica’s face tells the story of a woman growing wary of her situation.

Angelica Brooks: Okay, Arthur. Whatever you say. Sure. Now, uh, let me-

Angelica goes to walk by them and Arthur stands in her way.

Arthur Pleasant: I’m reeeeeeeeally getting tired of the blatant disrespect from people here in PRIME. Maybe it isn’t just Mask that needs a lesson in respect. What do you say, Yuri?

Yuri’s menacing frame grows closer to Angelica, who looks like she’s about to scream for help. Surprisingly, though, she keeps her composure. A true professional, this one.

Angelica Brooks: Let me pass, gentlemen. There’s an entire roster waiting to throw you both out on your asses if you lay one finger on me. Trust me. You don’t want that. Not if you want to make it to Tropical Turmoil, Mr. Pleasant.

Pleasant’s scowl morphs into genuine shock.

Arthur Pleasant: Hmm. Such a brave soul, this one. You know, Mask could learn a thing or two from you, Anj. You immediately showed backbone with me. ANNND this giant edifice of evisceration. You didn’t cower and throw frivolous one-liners at me on Jabber for weeks on end, relying on peer support to motivate you enough to keep showing up for work. No, no. You… heh… you are the very face of courage. For this? I… applaud you, Anj.

Pleasant golf claps Angelica, who looks wholly confused more than terrified at this point. Pleasant directs his head with a sharp bob to the left. 

Arthur Pleasant: Go. This interview has been enlightening. Thank you for your time!

Angelica Brooks looks at Yuri, who stands aside in an instant. Not looking to lose an opportunity to get as far away from these men as possible, Angelica continues walking. Not scurrying or running, but walking. Like a person smart enough to know not to run when faced with a snarling, hungry wolf.

She drops the copy of the contract as she gets far enough away from Arthur and Yuri. Watching the piece of paper float to the ground like a feather, Yuri snatches it. Handing it back to Arthur, Pleasant looks on at Angelica until she disappears around the hallway.

Arthur Pleasant: Oh, Mask. What EVER have you done?!

A sick smile crawls across Arthur’s face, with each one of his sharp fangs exposed fully to the camera.

We then cut to ringside.