WHAT IS YOUR PRIME AMBITION?
We cut to the backstage area, where we come across Ria Lockhart. Dressed in tight, torn up jeans and an Anna Daniels t-shirt, the Rainbow Rock is staring down at her phone. Sniffling, red eyed and soggy cheeked, it’s clear she’s in distress. She slips her phone into her back pocket. Deep breath in, deep breath out. In with the good, out with the bad. Ria grabs the handle of her pink rolling suitcase.
Melvin Beauregard: Hey Ria!
A voice calls out. Ria’s shoulders sag a bit as the voice is all too familiar. The trans woman doesn’t so much turn around as she does stagger in place until she’s facing him; Melvin Beauregard, in all his glory. A Neck brace around his neck, and still walking on crutches, Melvin hobbles over.
Ria Lockhart: Hi Melvin. Look, I’m having a really bad night. Can we keep this brief?
Ria’s request lacks energy. Melvin smiles, revealing a chip on his right canine.
Melvin Beauregard: Of course, where are you headed with that bag girl? Off to see the lights of the city? To another wonderful PWA promotion to wrestle?
Melvin, finally sees the visual cues of the situation.
Melvin Beauregard: Oh no hon, here…
Melvin struggles to get into his suit jacket pocket through the metal of the crutches. He pulls out a package of kleenex, and fumbles trying to open them before just handing them to Ria.
Melvin Beauregard: Chin up Ria, there’s great things planned. Great things to do. We have to keep fighting to make PRIME great!
Ria looks down at the kleenex, opting to slip them in her pocket. She takes a deep breath.
Ria Lockhart: Melvin, I don’t think you and I hold the same opinion on what would make PRIME great. In fact, I think PRIME is great as is.
Melvin Beauregard: PRIME is already great Ria, but could you imagine.
Melvin wraps his arm around Ria’s shoulder, still maintaining usage of his crutches to stabilize himself. He waves his hand out in front of them.
Melvin Beauregard: The return to glory Ria, the return to billboards and movies. The flashing lights of Hollywood, the thousands of screens of New York, the streets of Tokyo to the alleys of London… That’s my PRIME Ria, that’s the future I see. The biggest wrestling company in the world, finally returns. That’s my PRIME Ria, and we still have a lot of work to do to get there. But it all starts with the Phoenix Wrestling Alliance.
Ria gives Melvin a small smile.
Ria Lockhart: That all sounds ambitious, Melvin. I think we all want what’s best for PRIME. Keep the story of Icarus in mind, though. Trying to fly too close to the sun can be dangerous.
She gently slips out from Melvin’s arm and looks the man up and down.
Ria Lockhart: I think you’re pushing too hard, ya know? Look at what happened to you already. You’re rubbing people the wrong way, even if your heart is in the right place. I trust what Lindsay is doing. You should work with her, not around her.
Melvin Beauregard: Oh Ria, I already tried to work with her. Look where it got me!
Melvin points to the crutches, and then to the neck brace.
Melvin Beauregard: Ria, sometimes you gotta grab the bull by the horns and lead it to the promised land. And that’s what we’re trying to do with the PWA. You should get in while the getting is good! Soon enough, you all will be beating down my door to sign a PWA contract.
Ria gives Melvin a shrug.
Ria Lockhart: Look Melvin… I appreciate the offer. But if it weren’t for Lindsay Troy, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t have a lot of friends. I’ve lost a few of them along the way. Maybe you’re right. Maybe the PWA is the horse to bet on. Regardless, I can’t and won’t willingly turn my back on a friend. Sorry.
With that, Ria walks away, leaving Melvin looking slightly disappointed. It’s fleeing, however, as he chuckles and shakes his head in bemusement. Melvin begins crutching his way down the hallway, doing a little dance as he goes.
Melvin Beauregard: You’ll be sorry!
Our scene fades to black with Melvin mid pirouette.