A Very Beckett New Year

[Stu]

*** a raucous party is in full swing at a lush penthouse suite. The party-goers include Hollywood celebrities, star athletes, and some people who are famous just for being famous.

Amid all of this, in a nice suit and his ever present mask, is SNOW, visibly uncomfortable amid the throng and loud music, clearly out of his element. He reaches for a drink from a passing tray and misses … twice. The masked man starts looking for a way out when the music is interrupred by a familiar voice speaking over the sound system: ***

BARTHOLOMEW "THE BRAWLER" BECKETT: "Greetings, one and all!"

*** a cheer goes up ***

BB: "Ah, the sweet sound of an army of associates, the best friends money can buy!"

*** laughter ***

BB: "Dear friends, the Year of Our Lord 2,020 has certainly had its trials, its pitfalls, it's wild fights and vicious hangovers. It is bound to be a year that we shall never forget, no matter how hard we drink- er, try."

*** laughter; Snow stands in silence ***

BB: "And yet … and yet … what an auspicious way to go out! And what a fine way to meet the new year! PWA is the top wrestling company in the world, for one. We have had a most successful season, and are on the cusp of even greater things!

"Victor Sokolov is a champion in two promotions, as much a credit to the Camp as to the sport of professional wrestling itself, and I … well …"

*** laughter at Beckett's mock-shyness.***

BB: "I am not only the NWC World Champion, but have also won the PWA Grand Rumble, as well! Last man standing in the ring!"

*** applause, except for a very uncomfortable looking Snow ***

BB: "I will admit … I will freely admit, this was one of my hardest fights. All of those worthy contestants going in before me, wearing themselves out over the course of action, leaving me helplessly chomping at the bit in the Gorilla position, forced to wait … to WAIT until last man in. It was a trial, indeed, but once I was loosed, there was no stopping me! On I slugged, and when it came down to it, when the dust cleared, the honor I had earned through my patience and diligence …"

*** Beckett pauses to wipe a crocodile tear away, bringing an "awwww" and applause from the crowd. Snow rolls his eyes ***

BB: "Anyway, I just want to thank you, all of you, for attending this evening. I am so very far from home; it is nice to know that, while here, I have some people on whom I can rely to witness my greatness and share it with me. Thank you."

*** applause as Beckett steps down and the music resumes. Snow turns, trying to be discrete for a man in a mask ***

BB: "Snow!"

SNOW: "Shit …"

BB: " Snow, my dear old man, so good to see you! I was afraid you wouldn't make it, having retired and all."

*** Beckett heartily shakes Snow's hand, smiling broadly. When he lets go, Snow quickly checks his pockets, never taking his eye off of the Brummie ***

BB: "You know, old bean, I know we've had our differences in the past, but I want you to know that your presence here means the world to me."

S: "It … does?"

BB: *** hands Snow a glass of champagne *** "Of course, of course! You and I were the first match of PWA, the first good, clean professional rivalry, maybe the only one! Those Wyldes take everything so personally, don't they? Ugh! Of course they do."

*** Beckett puts his hand on Snow's shoulder, and Snow flinches, repressing the reflex to punch ***

BB: "And the night of the PWA Grand Rumble, when it came down to just you and me … oh, the pop, the calls for blood! The fans loved it, and, frankly, so did I. It was a great victory, but it would have not meant nearly as much if it had not been you and me in the end. That … that is what truly made it special … every bit as special as this."

*** Beckett opens his suit coat to reveal the NWC Championship belt around his waist. ***

BB: "Thank you, Snow. I mean that. Thank you for being the kind of friend I can always beat upon. Thanks to you, we shall always share that moment in time, and I am the Grand Rumble winner, the NWC World Champion, and-"

VOICE FROM ACROSS THE ROOM: "Oh, Ba-art!"

*** Snow's eyes widen ***

BB: "Ah, duty calls! Well …" ***Beckett downs the champagne that Snow has been holding *** "... I must be off. Enjoy yourself, Snow."

*** Snow's gaze follows as Beckett works his way through the throng to a door, where waits a stunning, fair-haired MILF in a red dress, who leads him smiling into the next room ***

SNOW: "... mother?"