WHAT’S IN THE CABINET?

Inside a small locker room, Nova sits on a bench, fully decked-out in tights, pads, and gloves. 

He’s not scheduled for a match, but that’s irrelevant to his wardrobe considerations. 

Those who know it feel it.

His eyes come back into focus at the sound of a knock at the door. 

Nova: (Looking up.) Yup.

The door to the locker room creaks open and Hayes Hanlon quickly steps through and shuts it behind him. He takes one look at the Starchild, and his shoulders slump.

Hayes Hanlon:  I tried, man. I really tried.

The Risen Star grins at Hanlon, and reaches into a bag under the bench, shuffling out a cigarette. He lights up.

Nova: I know you did, Hayes. I was there, bud.

The Event Horizon turns away and steps across a row of lockers like he’s about to unload on them before he pauses and turns back to Nova.

Hayes Hanlon: That was your shot! You got another chance at the big strap, and it was blown over freakin’ nonsense.

He runs a hand through his Mount Rushmore-level ‘stache.

Hayes Hanlon: I’m freaking out, man. This shit with Jiles never ends. I wanted to face you at Colossus and…and bro, you’re really wearing your great on an off-night again, huh?

Nova takes a long drag and his grin stretches from ear-to-ear.

Nova: I didn’t ask for that shot, but I got it, and once I got it, I wanted it more than anything, Hayes. And it felt right. It felt like it was time. 

The Starchild takes another drag.

Nova: I was there, right? And when all of a sudden I wasn’t there, it took a second.

Nova stares off into space, nodding his head and using his free hand to scratch at his odd horseshoe of scraggly silver-blonde hair.

Hayes stares at him, waiting for the proverbial punchline.

Hayes Hanlon: …a second for what?

Nova: It took a second… to remember that I might not be the Champ…

The Risen Star lifts a leg and points joyfully at his ankle.

Nova: …but I am free, Hayes.

Hanlon nods, and Nova points up to the wall, where a framed photo of the early generations of PRIME Hall of Famers hangs above a water cooler.

Nova: (Taking another drag.) Besides, I don’t think they can take that away from me just ‘cuz I won a lot, took twelve years off or something, then came back and didn’t win very much.

Both their heads whip around at the sound of a CABINET~! door exploding open next to a series of lockers. Out of the open space climbs a man in a black suit, graying brown hair closely coiffed around his ears as he stands upright in front of the Risen Star and Hanlon behind him.

The former Chairman of PRIME… and more importantly, fellow PRIME Hall of Famer, Sonny Silver, adjusts the blood-red tie cinched around his neck, and locks eyes with Nova.

Sonny Silver: Oh…can’t they? 

He runs a hand through his gray-flecked beard and his eyes narrow. The pupils in Hanlon’s eyes grow as he looks back and forth between the two. Nova stands up, planting his left foot behind him and reaching out…

…before drawing Silver into a hug. Nova howls with glee.

Nova: Sonny, you motherfucker! How long has it been? How are you, bud?!

Sonny draws back and grips the Risen Star by the shoulders, the grin that sank a thousand dreams spreading over his face.

Sonny Silver: Doing all right, man, doing all right. Been spending the last few years training this next generation of athletes, shit-kicking rookies, weeding out the bad ones… and waiting in this here CABINET~! How about you? 

Nova steps back, holding out his arms and taking a drag.

Nova: I’m not in prison anymore, so I feel like…trending in the right direction?

Hayes Hanlon: (Stepping forward and reaching a hand to Silver.) Sorry, don’t wanna interrupt. I’m Hayes Hanlon, huge fan of your work Mr. Silver…but…did you just climb out of a locker room cabinet in a three-piece suit?

Silver’s eyes dart briefly towards the Event Horizon before settling back on Nova. Nova looks over to Hayes and gives him a quick head-shake. 

Hanlon stares around at the film crew, mouthing the words, “He did, right?”

Sonny Silver: Nov, I wish I could say you look great…

Nova looks himself up and down.

Sonny Silver: …and I wish I could say this was a happy visit, but the truth of the matter is… what’s the nicest way for me to put this…

Nova absently offers a cigarette to Hayes while Sonny searches for the words. Hanlon plucks one out and reflexively puts it between his lips, before shaking his head and looking at the cig with confusion, turning back to the film crew and handing it off to a cameraman, mouthing “I don’t smoke.”

Sonny Silver: Nova… you’ve been stinking up the joint. BAD. Like, “A Loaf of Wonder Bread left out in the sun for three days” bad. And worse…

Silver pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath to calm himself.

Sonny Silver: HOO-WEE…you’ve been doing it in the name of the PRIME Hall of Fame.

The former Chairman of PRIME~! fights back tears.

Sonny Silver: You’ve sucked pretty bad so far, and we…I think I’m comfortable saying “we”…are really concerned that the n00bs are gonna think you were basically the litmus test for success back in the day.

Silver puts a hand on Nova’s shoulder and gives him a sober nod.

Sonny Silver: That would give the impression that all of us who came before, and won big, waddled around a McDonald’s ball pit spraining ankles until someone stumbled their way into grabbing a kitschy trinket hanging from the ceiling tarp, and that’s not fair, Nov. That’s not how we get remembered.

Having heard enough, Hayes takes a step forward.

Hayes Hanlon: Dude, I was picking boogers in that ball pit when Nova was winning titles, and that’s a bunch of bullsh-

The Risen Star draws an arm across Hanlon’s chest, calling him back.

Nova: (Eyes turning back to Silver.) What do you want, old friend?

Sonny Silver: I want you to stop blaspheming what we built. I want you to quit pissing in the pool of legends. WAKE! THE FUCK! UP! You’re better than this, Nova… SO much better than this… but after seeing everything I’ve been seeing out of you lately… 

Nova’s brow furrows as he pauses to consider whether he peed in someone’s pool recently. Silver reaches out and yanks the Risen Star’s face around to meet his.

Sonny Silver: We gotta get drastic. So here’s what’s gonna happen… 

Sonny pulls him just a hair closer. 

Sonny Silver: I’m stepping back into that ring, Nova. I’m stepping up into that ring to protect the good name of all PRIME Hall of Famers… and I want that person I step into the ring with… to be you, Nova. You and me, one-on-one, at Colossus! 

That really sinks in for Nova as he continues taking in what’s being said (yelled?) at him. Hayes gasps, audibly, and does his best impression of that gif of Andy Dwyer from Parks and Rec.

Sonny Silver: You want to keep that Hall of Fame spot of yours? I’m gonna talk to Lindsay to make this happen, but you and I, we’re gonna FIGHT. You’re gonna go out there and you’re either going to prove me wrong, or you’re going to prove me right. ‘Cause if I win…you relinquish your place in the PRIME Hall of Fame! 

He facepalms Nova away, costing him at least, like, nine inches of floor space, then turns and marches out of the room, the tails on his suit flapping enthusiastically as he makes his exit. 

Sonny Silver: (Shouting on his way out.) I want your answer soon, Nov! Take it or leave it! 

Hanlon looks over to Nova.

Hayes Hanlon: Okay, that’s a tough sell. But…what happens if you win?

Nova shakes his head as he snuff his previous cigarette and lights a new one.

Nova: He’s a pretty shrewd negotiator.