YOU DON’T WORK HERE
We’re backstage – and hey, we’re re-joining Ned Reform. He… well, he still sits on the crate that we saw him on earlier in the show. But his smile has faded… now, he strokes his beard aggressively and looks rather annoyed. He checks his watch impatiently… when he notices a shadow has fallen over him. He looks up to see the looming figure of Dametreyus with arms folded. Reform scrambles to his feet and composes himself, looking Dam in the eye. Reform taps a finger against his chin thoughtfully.
Ned Reform: You. Do I know you? You look vaguely…
Reform looks Dam up and down. For his part, Dam continues to stare stoically with arms folded. The Good Doctor snaps his fingers.
Ned Reform: Yes! That’s right. You used to work at that den of debauchery in New Orleans, didn’t you? Shame about what happened, yes? Perhaps they should have employed better security.
Ned grins.
Ned Reform: Regardless, I have been waiting here for upwards of two hours now. I cannot begin to express how unprofessional and discourteous it is to keep a man of my busy schedule in limbo like this – but I supposed I should expect nothing less from a company run by Lindsay Troy. Now, can you direct me to her office? I shall take matters into my own hands.
Dam chuckles.
Dametreyus: You got a backstage pass?
Reform blinks.
Ned Reform: What? Don’t you know who I am?
Dametreyus: I know you don’t work here. You don’t have a pass, you can’t be back here.
Ned Reform: Listen, my good man… if you simply tell Troy that I’m here…
Dametreyus: Oh, Boss Lady knows. She asked me to escort you out.
The bald man’s brow furrows. He tilts his head slightly as if thinking about this ridiculous statement that clearly makes no sense. Then it clicks!
Ned Reform: Ah! Perhaps the trained chimpanzee I sent to deliver a message wasn’t clear. Wires were crossed, yes? Tell her that it’s DOCTOR Ned Reform. That should do it.
Dam cracks his knuckles – and he is suddenly surrounded by the Enemigos.
Dametreyus: Well, “Doctor”… it’s time to go.
Ned studies Dam. Looks at his backup. Weighs his options in his mind. For a split second we see the hint of an indignant rage building… but he quickly squashes that, readjusting his posture and countenance and attempting to maintain his dignity.
Ned Reform: Very well. But I want you to deliver a message for me: tell Troy that this is not over. She can send her hired guns all she wants, but Dr. Ned Reform is coming to PRIME. It’s only a matter of time.
Dametreyus: Sure it is. LT wanted me to give you another message: I see you back here two weeks from now, and I’m not going to be so nice about this.
Reform appears to be not impressed.
Ned Reform: Charming.
Adjusting his shirt and cracking his neck, Reform reluctantly allows himself to be carted out. As he’s lead out of sight, we can hear his rantings as they fade out ever so slowly.
Ned Reform: You people have no idea what I could do for you. PRIME doesn’t have to appeal to the lowest common denominator, you know. I have a lot of experience – we can rectify that. We can elevate this product to…
His voice fades away.