WHO’S IT GOING TO BE?
Elsewhere backstage, we immediately see a sight that makes most viewers sick to their stomach: the lurching figure of Paxton Ray walking down the hallway with the sparkling helmeted Foster Nackedy bringing up the rear. As the booing trails off, the two men talk.
Foster Nackedy: All right, they said they’d be right around here, so we can wait.
Paxton Ray: Who they sendin’?
Foster Nackedy: Probably Mills. He’s jumpy so it makes for good TV when you growl at him or whatever.
Paxton Ray: I don’t growl.
Foster smiles.
Foster Nackedy: Sure you don’t, buddy.
After a moment, Foster sits down in a nearby chair.
Foster Nackedy: You know they sent Mills to the gym a month ago? Chasing some stupid rumor. I sent him packing but I noticed that he came back twice to interview staff members. It was kind of weird.
Paxton doesn’t even pretend to look in Foster’s direction.
Paxton Ray: What’s this ‘bout, anyway?
Foster Nackedy: Who knows? They said something about your match for Ultraviolence, but not much more than that. Hell, they may not even send anyone. You know how these guys are, always trying to get one over on us.
The silence settles in over the duo.
Foster Nackedy: Maybe it’ll be Angelica.
Paxton looks up suddenly.
Paxton Ray: Why’d ya say it like that?
Foster Nackedy: Like what?
Paxton Ray: Angelica. Ya sweet on her or something?
Foster Nackedy: Nah. She’s pretty, but a lot of women are pretty. If I was sweet on anyone, it would’ve been…
Oops, Foster almost said something vulnerable on TV! He realizes this, then shakes his head.
Foster Nackedy: Never mind.
Paxton Ray: Whatever ya say.
Once again the Murdergator and Disco Man sit in silence.
Paxton Ray: What’s the name of the one Rezin tortured?
Foster Nackedy: Simon Tillier?
Paxton Ray: Yeah, that’s him. Maybe it’s him, he’s used t’bad treatment.
Foster Nackedy: You’re going to do something to him?
Paxton Ray: Depends on how I feel.
Finally, after another long stretch of silence, Doug, the PRIME staff member, walks up.
Paxton Ray: Sup Doug?
Foster Nackedy: You’re an interviewer now?
Doug makes a very uncomfortable face.
Doug: No way. That would be bananas. Ms. Troy told me to give you this.
He hands Foster a piece of paper.
Doug: Beers later?
Paxton Ray: Sure thing.
Doug walks off, leaving Foster staring at his client.
Foster Nackedy: Beers? With the guy whose collar shocked you?
Paxton Ray: Whatever. He didn’t press the trigger. Plus, Doug’s cool. What’s the note say?
Foster looks at the note and reads it aloud.
Foster Nackedy: “Hey dipshits. I’m not going to send a member of my staff for you to torture. The match against The Anglo Luchador at Ultraviolence is No Holds Barred. I’d say good luck but I don’t feel like lying.”
Paxton grins.
Paxton Ray: Oh I like the sound of that.
Foster Nackedy: You like being called a dipshit?
Paxton stares at Foster, then shakes his head and walks away.
Foster Nackedy: Because I kind of do.
With that we cut to another backstage area, this one with an interviewer.