The Long Road Ahead

[Stu]

*** PANTARO walks backstage after Assault, his championship belt over his shoulder. He reaches a locker room door and knocks, then opens the door and steps inside. ***



PANTARO: “Discúlpame, por favor.”



*** The MASKED SHOOTER gets up as quickly as he can from the bench where he was sitting, dropping a towel on top of the ice-pack he was just using. ***



MASKED SHOOTER: "Hey, there, boy!"



P: “Señor, are you okay?”



MS: "Fine, fine. How're you holding up?"



PANTARO: “I wanted to come by and congratulate you on your win tonight. You were like a true tecnico! I have not seen such passion and spirit in a long time. Thank you for an amazing match. The effort you threw against me in the ring, it makes me humble. I will work hard to be worthy of that effort. Muchas gracias señor.”



MS: "You did give me a damned close run out there. You're champ for a reason, son. Heh ... you made me earn it!"



*** The Masked Shooter winced with a sharp intake of breath, suddenly favoring his right knee. ***



PANTARO: “Tirador Enmascarado, are you sure you don’t need help?”



*** SHOOTER sits back down as Pantaro approaches. The luchadore's hands timidly reach out, not sure whether to help, but the older wrestler waves him off. ***



MS: "Gracias, muchacho, but I'll be fine. I just need to pace myself is all." *** Reaches out and shakes Pantaro's hand. *** "I couldn't have asked for a finer opponent. Thank you for testing me, buddy; thanls to guys like you, I am still learni g myself."



PANTARO: “Si entiendo. Take care of yourself, amigo I look forward to meeting you in the ring again.”



*** There is an awkward silence as Pantaro stands there for a moment. The Masked Shooter nods at him, and finally the Light-Heavyweight Champion leaves, closing the door behind him. The Shooter picks up the towel and wraps it around his shoulders, then starts icing his knee again. With his free hand, he pulls an old, worn photograph from his gym bag and stares at it wistfully, a rueful grin on his lips.



MS: " Well ... you told me, didn't you?"



*** He kisses the photograph, then starts packing his bag. The mask stays on. ***