Turning the Page

[Gary Bloomfield]

*The scene opens at the Sacramento CA headquarters of the G.W.S.W. Damion Black and Akira Wyld are in one of the multi-purpose rooms that serve as surplus storage and meeting spaces. Akira shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot and stares out the window, not making eye contact with Black.*

WYLD: “I appreciate you coming Black. I heard you were going to be in the area on business, but I wasn’t sure you’d take me up on my invite... considering our history.”

BLACK: “Well, as you said, I was already in town so...”

*There’s an uncomfortable silence in the room for several seconds. Akira sighs and approaches Black. His brow is furrowed.*

WYLD: “Look... I’ll just come out and say it. This last season has given me a lot to think about and... I’d like to uh... say that...”

*Damion Black takes a step back and cocks an eyebrow at Akira.*

WYLD: “Okay... it’s not easy for me to admit when I’m wrong... which is a lot more than I pretend it is. The fact is, I’ve spent a long time blaming others for my own shortcomings. You and PWA were an easy target for that.”

BLACK: “Uh huh... go on.”

*Akira rubs his temples with his thumb and forefinger and sighs. He then puts out his hand toward Black.*

WYLD: “I’m sorry Black. I’ve put you and your company through a lot for the past year. It wasn’t fair. You aren’t the monster I made you out to be. Maybe you were at one time... but... maybe things change with time. Maybe... we all deserve a chance to reinvent ourselves.”

BLACK: “Is that what you think you ‘deserve’ Akira? A chance to... reframe our relationship?”

WYLD: “I don’t ‘deserve’ anything. And frankly, I’m not asking for or expecting anything from you. But... that said... it would be nice if we could start fresh. You’ve... really made something amazing here in PWA. I’d... like a chance to contribute something positive to it... for once.”

*Damion looks down at Akira’s hand for a brief moment before taking it and shaking it firmly.*

BLACK: “Sure, Akira. I would rather we put all this behind us and just move forward.”

*Wyld sighs and smiles slightly.*

WYLD: “You know... I don’t mind telling you, I’ve been dreading this meeting all day. I’ve been eating crow from my family for weeks now. We have a lot of work ahead of us... old wounds to patch up and heal. And I’ve learned a lot about humility this last season. But I still wasn’t looking forward to an earful of ‘I told you so’ from you.”

BLACK: “Well I certainly have a lot I could say right now... but, ‘Let bygones be bygones,’ as they say. See you in a month, Akira.”

*Damion smiles and turns to leave walking toward the door. Akira sits on a nearby bench and reaches for his gym bag, looking for something. Damion pauses at the door, his hand on the latch, and looks down, his free hand casually fingering a short wooden pole leaning on the wall by the door.*

BLACK: “………..Akira…” *Akira looks up at Black.* “….I’ve changed my mind.”

*In a flash, Damion grabs the pole and lunges at Akira, striking Wyld in the head! Wyld shouts in surprise and instinctively puts his hands up, reflexively covering his head with his arms as he falls backward over the bench. Black shoves the bench out of the way with his foot and is on Akira in an instant, raining down blows on Akira’s shoulders and arms with his improvised club. Unable to get a clean shot on Akira’s head, Black turns his attention to Akira’s exposed ribcage. Black strikes him soundly once, causing an intense moan of pain to escape Wyld. A second blow is accompanied by an audible CRACK from Akira’s body. A third blow brings a similar sound, this time from the club itself as it breaks in two from its abuser’s relentless assault. Damion tosses the useless instrument aside and begins putting the point of his designer dress shoes to Akira’s injured ribs until Wyld drops his arms to cover his torso. Wyld’s eyes are closed as grimaces and groans in agony. Damion calmly raises his heel and brings it crashing down on the side Wyld’s prone skull, doing his best to crush Akira’s head between the tile floor and his expensive heel. Black then rears back and rams the toe of his shoe into Akira’s face. Akira’s head lolls to one side as he fights to stay conscious. Black kneels down by Akira and picks his head up by the hair. Black pulls back his right arm, cocked back and folded, then brings his elbow forward into Akira’s nose. There is a sickening crunch followed by a stream of blood that runs from Akira’s nose.*

BLACK: “Blood for blood, Akira. That’s for my nose.”

*Akira’s eyes flutter briefly, then close. Black slaps Akira’s cheek several time.*

BLACK: “No, no, don’t give out on me yet. We’re not done, not even close.”

*Black turns Akira over to his stomach and places his knee on Akira’s shoulder, then reaches for Wyld’s wrist.*

BLACK: “I know your venerable father trained you in the old ways, so you should appreciate what’s about to happen.”

*Black holds Akira’s arm out straight, pulling up on it to bend it towards Akira’s back. He then places his free palm on the back of Akira’s elbow and presses…… gradually applying more pressure…. And more pressure….. until…..

SNAP!

….. Akira tries his best to howl in pain, but in his current state, the best he can manage is a low, slurred moan.*

BLACK: “There.” *Black stands to his feet and looks down at Wyld.* “The pain should keep you both awake and disabled for the time being. Ever since you came to PWA, you’ve had it in for me and I could never understand why. We don’t have a history together, as friends, allies, or enemies. You were blackballed in the U.S. and quickly burning bridges in Japan when I offered you a spot on my roster. Most men might be grateful, but not you. You came in with bluster and bravado, and an acidic attitude. I admit, I was not surprised, given your history, and I thought it would make for compelling television. I was right. For my part, I stayed true to my word and remained as neutral and fair as I could with everyone on the roster, including you. Especially you. And then, you made the mistake of biting the hand that feeds you. You formed the Union. With the protection of your group, you openly slandered me, my reputation, my motives, my integrity. You told everyone who would listen that I was a snake, not to be trusted. That I was only doing this for my name and my legacy. That I was a selfish, egocentric sociopath. Now, I tolerated your slander and your disruptive tactics as long as I could bear, but you pushed me and pushed me, and then….. you broke my nose. On live television, no less. I had to pass up four TV appearances while I healed. Do you have any idea how much that cost us in revenue and exposure? No. No, of course you don’t. All you have been since you got here is a flailing child. When everyone abandoned you, who was there? Who was STILL there for you at Vendetta? Hmmm? And how do you repay my goodwill and generosity? You gave me my first loss in my own company, you pathetic worm.”

*Damion walks over to a nearby mirror and begins to groom himself as he talks, straightening his belt and shirt, his jacket, then smoothing his hair back.*

BLACK: “I still don’t understand what your motives have been to go against me, but now I can honestly say…. I don’t care. What happens now is entirely by your design. You told everyone who and what I used to be, how destructive I could be, and that I was still that same person. Far be it from me to prove you a liar, Akira. Strange, isn’t it? I did turn over a new leaf. I was fair and just. I did my best to stay out of the way and let my athletes solve their own problems, but you couldn’t let that sit, could you? No, you could not let things be as they were.”

*Black turns and walks back to the door, pulling his shades from inside his jacket pocket and putting them on. He again pauses at the door and turns toward a still prone Wyld.*

BLACK: “Very well. Consider your prophecy fulfilled. I will admit, this…. feels comfortable, familiar. Like putting on a tailor-made suit. Hmph. Maybe I should thank you. Perhaps I would, if I thought you could comprehend what I was saying to you. If you remember nothing else from this…. meeting, as you watch from the sidelines, I want you to remember this one thing: this is what you wanted.”

*Black opens the door and closes it gently behind him, then walks across the gym to the front door. On his way, he is approached by Rebel Wyld.*

REBEL: “Hey, Damion! I didn’t know you were here, I would have said ‘hi’ earlier! What brings you to Wyld School? Anything I can help with?”

*Rebel and Damion shake hands.*

BLACK: “Oh, your brother requested a meeting and I obliged.”

REBEL: “Oh…. I hope he’s not causing you more trouble…”

BLACK: “Not at all! I think we finally understand each other.”

REBEL: “Where is Akira, anyway?”

BLACK: “He’s back in one of the locker rooms. Good to see you, Rebel. See you next season.”

*Damion continues to head toward the door as Rebel finishes his workout.*

[Quillz]

***The scene opens at the G.W.S.W. Nikki Wyld is standing looking out a window with her hands on her hips. Rebel Wyld is packing a rolling suitcase on the other side of the room. Alyssa Wyld is seated at a nearby card table with a plane ticket in her hand.***

NIKKI: “I can’t believe Akira attacked Damion Black like that. He was doing so well. I really thought he was coming around.”

ALYSSA: “None of this makes sense. I know the two of them had a lot of bad blood... but Akira has been back home for weeks now. He’s been in great spirits. He’s a hot-head but he’s usually smarter about it than this.”

REBEL: “I’m not convinced that’s what happened. Not at all. I saw Black as he was leaving. He didn’t have a scratch on him. He’s good, but there’s no way Akira could have been hurt that badly without giving a little in return.”

ALYSSA: “But Black did say he was provoked. He said Akira and him started arguing, and Akira lashed out at him.”

NIKKI: “And the thing is...Akira’s not denying it! I looked him in the face and told him what Black said and he just looked away. He didn’t even want to go to the police!”

REBEL: “Akira’s complicated... he always has been. Even if Black did attack him... he might not want the authorities involved. He might just stew on it and want to take matters into his own hands when he’s healthy.”

ALYSSA: “IF he gets healthy. He’s hurt bad. His career could be over.”

NIKKI: “I don’t even know what to do about this now.”

***Rebel zips up the suitcase and stands up.***

REBEL: “I know what to do. As soon as I see Black I’m going to confront him about this. We will get to the bottom of this, I promise you.”

ALYSSA: “Well, there’s not a lot we can do unless Akira decides to tell us what really happened.”

***Alyssa stands and looks down at her ticket.***

ALYSSA: “Well... if I don’t leave now I will miss my plane. Good luck this season you two. Give em hell and get to the bottom of this.”

NIKKI: “I can’t believe you aren’t coming with us Mom.”

ALYSSA: “I can’t Nikki. Ecks beat me at the Supercard. Worse, he dominated our match. I was angry... I was motivated... there was no way he should have been able to beat me that easily. I have a lot of work to do. I need to find that something I’m missing in the ring. The best way to do that is to go back east. The IWF is where I cut my teeth as a rookie. I have to go back there and find whatever it is that I lost. But I’ll be back. Next season I’m going to be back, stronger than ever. And Johnny Ecks and the rest of the PWA roster will have an all new Alyssa Wyld to deal with.”

REBEL: “And in the meantime, Nikki and I will keep the Wyld flag flying in PWA. And if Damion Black tries to get in our way, he will find out that Akira’s mean streak is a family trait.”

NIKKI: “Good luck Mom. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

ALYSSA: “Thanks. And I’ll check up on Akira from time to time. If I learn anything more about what happened, I’ll let you know.”

***Alyssa and Nikki hug. Rebel claps Nikki on the shoulder and they exit out the east door while Alyssa exits out to the west.***