Stupid Crisis of Faith

[Stu]

***RONNIE LASSITER sits in the darkened stadium seating, watching the ring being assembled below, as DAMION BLACK approaches***

BLACK: "Big night tonight, hmm? A title defense in front of a capacity crowd in a major arena. Nervous?"

LASSITER: "M-hm." *doesn't look at Black, keeps watching the ring being assembled."

BLACK: "You know, I've been looking everywhere for you. You haven't been to my gym, you are skipping workouts. Are you really ready for tonight? Because I don't see how you could be prepared."

LASSITER: *Watches in silence for a moment, then speaks continuing to watch*

"What is the most important part of the ring, sir?"

*Black pauses for a moment, taken aback by the question.*

BLACK: "What the Hell are you talking about?"

LASSITER: "If the ring falls apart during a match, someone gets hurt and the night is over. So, what's the most important part of the ring?"

BLACK: "Who cares? You let the highly-paid ring crew worry about the ring. You need to worry about holding that title against Tiger Gold tonight."

LASSITER: "You don't know, or you don't care, Mr. Black?"

BLACK: "Do you have a point to all of these.... frivolous questions, Ronnie?"

LASSITER: "It's the base, Mr. Black. The foundation. A foundation that is designed to be disassembled and moved, so it must stand on its own better that most other foundations. A turnbuckle bolt comes loose, that's one thing; a couple of ropes spring and that's it. But if the base of the ring is faulty, it won't withstand a match, and people will get hurt."

Lassiter finally looks at Black.

"Do you understand that, Mr. Black?"

BLACK: "Of course, it's basic architecture and engineering. Now that we have that settled, how about telling me where your head is at, hm? I need you ready for tonight."

LASSITER: "When I parted- ... when I turned my back on the Shooter, I was frustrated and impatient. I deserved a title shot. I'd earned it. I felt like Shooter was holding me back, but he was really holding me down, keeping me grounded.

"When I signed on with you, Mr. Black, I got what I wanted. I earned the title, but what I also got ... what I also started wanting ... was the glitz. The presentation became more important." ***Lassiter points to the ring*** "The apron, the turnbuckle pads, the mat ... the outside, the way it looked, the way ... the way other people saw me became more important. When it did ... I lost my base."

***Lassiter sighs and looks down**

"I don't know if I am ready for tonight or not, Mr. Black, and that's my fault, no one else's. And no amount of training is going to get me ready between now and then. If my base is right, I'll do alright. If it ain't ..."

***Lassiter looks back at the ring again***

BLACK: "Ronnie... when you first came under my wing, you asked me a question, remember? 'What about Spencer Watts?', you asked. Do remember my answer?"

LASSITER: "You said he'd failed you. He failed you, and I wouldn't."

BLACK: "Right. Spencer failed me, and he paid a heavy price for his failure. I believed in you, and I still believe in you. You will successfully defend the Heavyweight belt tonight because you know that if you don't, then I will have no choice but to allow history to repeat itself. You do not have time for any crisis of faith or conscience, or whatever this is. You need to shake this off and focus. Am I getting through to you?"

***Lassiter watches the ring for a few seconds, then stands and nods.***

LASSITER: "Yes, sir. I know what I have to do. I'll be ready."

*Black stands up and straightens his tie, then pulls out his phone as he descends the stairs toward the arena floor.*

BLACK: "Janice, have we heard from Peterson?................. No, I will NOT accept a lesser grade of pyro, I WILL receive what I paid for!............. I don't CARE about customs, tell him...."

***Lassiter watches Black walk down the stairs and quietly speaks to himself***

LASSITER: "I might let you down, Black … but I am done letting myself down."