Mending Fences or Burning Bridges?

[Pennyworth]

The camera follows Richard Pennyworth III after the main event of Battery as he wanders aimlessly through the backstage area, shaking his head. After some time, he stops in front of a door, pausing for a long moment before knocking. At a call from inside, he enters, revealing the nameplate on the door says "Brian Fury".

FURY: What do YOU want?

PENNYWORTH: I'm just here to talk, Fury. About tonight. Look, I know I told you to keep the belt warm for me, but I also know that Damion Black has Lassiter breathing down your neck. And tonight was about momentum...and I ruined that for you. So...I guess Spoiler has got into my head. I'm seeing him everywhere. I turn corners, and there he is. And I just can't seem to come out on top. It's getting to me. Because of that, I lost the match for us tonight...and I'm sorry.

FURY: Everyone's got their demons. Some worse than others. I'm not too worried about you losing for me -- I've already proven I'm better than you. This doesn't make me look bad. I'll deal with Lassiter when the time comes. You deal with your own shit on your own.

PENNYWORTH: All right. Fine. I'm just trying to extend an olive branch, but fair's fair. Good luck in your defense. You'll need it.

Pennyworth starts to walk out, when Fury stands up from where he's sitting. He extends a fist out to Pennyworth.

FURY: Dick. Make him regret ****ing with you.

Pennyworth pauses, nods, and meet's Fury's fist with his own. Then he walks out and back to his own locker room. He sits and leans back against a locker before he sees something sticking out of it. With a cautious glance, he looks around, then grabs the bundle.

PENNYWORTH (reading a note attached to it): "Richard. A little preview of tomorrow's Journal. You might be interested in page 6. S."

Pennyworth closes his eyes in obvious frustration. He takes a long moment to breathe before opening the early printing of the newspaper, turning a couple pages. There is a long moment as he reads an article to himself.

PENNYWORTH: How in the nine hells did THAT come out? There's no way anyone could have...SPOILER!

Pennyworth slams the newspaper down and grabs a cell phone. He starts to dial before realizing the camera crew is still present. He looks at them sharply.

PENNYWORTH: Do you mind?

The shot abruptly cuts to black.