Post by Nightmare on Feb 5, 2007 23:52:53 GMT -5
The demon's state of mind is questionable.
But man knows that regardless of it's condition now, when the time comes they will not get away.
The inconsolable demon's hate for man rises with each passing moment, each thought of crushing bones.
For that is exactly what he intends to do.
Hell's doors have been opened.
For demon, there's no place like home.
But man will burn.
Paying the debt of angering the demon, starting this war.
Creating the spark that has set the raging ocean of fire belonging only to hell.
===
There is one man that believed above all else that he could be worth something. But he failed to realize that believing was not enough. He half-expected the glory and fame to walk right up and present itself. But he was wrong. After many battles against a jobber, he decided to go for it. A shot at his fame. A shot at his glory. But again, he expected it to just come to him. Present itself without argument. Gregory Michael Hanson expected the NAPW Television Title to forfeit itself from Jeff James.[/color]
(When the scene opens we see NIGHTMARE sitting on a steel chair in the middle of a ring. The ring that will hold the events of NAPW’s Cold Snap in Vancouver, BC. There is no one there, it must be hours before the event. NIGHTMARE sits quietly, his arms leaning on his knees by the elbows in tightly clenched fists. His knuckles are still slightly purple; the contusions haven’t had time to properly heal. Not that it matters, anyway. His head is hung with his long hair covering a majority of his face. We can see that it must have been days since he last shaved, thick stubble has taken shape under his nose and chin and down the side of his face in thick sideburns. We can’t tell if his eyes are open or closed, but we can see the corner of his mouth twitching, his teeth bare. His anger builds with each passing moment in anticipation of the coming match.)
But that is not the man that we see before us now. This man is no longer prone to believing what can not happen. This man is no longer prone to losing because of lost focus. This man is not Gregory Michael Hanson. He is Nightmare. And he expects a challenge at Cold Snap, but he will not back down, and he will not underestimate his opponents, the Foundation. He has fought them all. He defeated two of them. And he knows every powerful weapon in their arsenal. He knows exactly what they are capable of. But does the Foundation know what Nightmare is capable of? Do they even care? Why do they insist on preparing for this match with silly beliefs that the match will be an easy battle? The Kurtis Brothers may not be any more talented than the Foundation have predicted, but one thing is for sure; their predictions on Nightmare’s ability as a wrestler have been terribly, terribly wrong.[/color]
(NIGHTMARE’s fists tighten even more than they already are. He begins to shake violently, his anger rising. He begins to grunt quietly, the only thing we hear in the darkness of the empty arena. He breathes deeply, his teeth still bare, the veins in his neck and arms pulse. He growls deeply, under his breath, like he is trying to hold something terrible back, to keep it from breaking free.)
Nightmare’s ability to wrestle has been underestimated time and time again. This only angers the Dream Demon more, adding more fuel to the fires of Nightmare’s inner demons. Average man would not believe it, would say it is all simply a gimmick. Jeff James is that average man. He may be the greatest television champion in NAPW history, but he’s still just another man who believes that what he sees around him is “reality.” He, like the rest of the Foundation, believes above all else that the anger rising continuously within Nightmare is just a gimmick. But the anger is very real, the demon within the Nightmare is very real. Call him schizophrenic all you want, it will only end in your downfall. What he’s doing here? It’s not to try to get rid of the anger so he doesn’t hurt anyone else.[/color]
(His muscles loosen, the shaking stops, the veins in his neck and arms disappear, and his hands relax. NIGHTMARE is calm. But for how long?)
It is simply to save it. To keep it boxed away. To keep the animal caged… until the proper time to release it and let it have its way with the bodies and minds of the Foundation. We can’t stop it, it is already too late. We can’t run away from it, it is already too late. All we can do now is wait. Wait and hope.[/color]
(A white light flashes in front of the screen and the image of NIGHTMARE sitting on the steel chair in the middle of the ring disappears from vision. When the camera focuses back in, the setting is quite different. We see a small, cozy room with the lights out but five candles burn brightly on the mantel of an electric fireplace, also burning brightly with the invisible natural gas. The floor is a rough dark brown carpet and a thick curtain has been drawn across a patio door. In the middle of the room, there is a black leather chair. One you would see in a psychiatrist’s office. There is a brown armchair behind the head of the leather chair, but no one is seated there. Behind the armchair is a closed door. Seated in the leather armchair, is NIGHTMARE. He talks to the non-existent psychiatrist, seemingly oblivious that no one is there. He is surprisingly calm, not as angry as we are used to seeing him.)
This is where Nightmare was the day before yesterday. A mistake, no doubt, as Nightmare is about to discover. He was brought there by the psychiatrist to get some answers, to unlock some doors and discover where his anger resides from. He still has no intention of ever letting his anger go, it’s his key to winning at Cold Snap. He does not talk to the shrink about his past, or what has happened recently to cause his anger, only what will happen, and why his anger must stay.[/color]
NIGHTMARE – … ask why I wrestle, and I lose it. And Jeff James insists on telling me that what is going to happen at Cold Snap is real, and not a “nightmare.” He tells me that I’m taking my “gimmick” way too far. Even if that were remotely true, how would it affect me? Why would it help him prepare for the match? I don’t understand his reasons, I’m not even sure he understands.
(While NIGHTMARE speaks, a well dressed man quietly opens the door and enters. He’s slightly balding, but thin, sophisticated, wearing an expensive looking pair of black shoes. Tucked under the collar of his Armani knock-off suit is a napkin, apparently used for a bib, and his mouth appears to be full of something. He quietly shuts the door and sits in his chair to stay invisible, NIGHTMARE doesn’t even know he left for lunch. That’s what the well-dressed man was counting on.)
As you can see, no one understands Nightmare. No one cares what Nightmare is going through. No one knows, or even cares, what he is capable of, and even as he sits there now, pretending to listen to the words coming from Nightmare’s mouth, he is completely oblivious to the rage growing deep inside of him, just waiting to break free. The smartest man knows not to provoke the beast beneath him.[/color]
NIGHTMARE – … And Thomas Young, well. He’s still crying over his loss against me. He knows that there’s no way in hell he’s gonna beat me at Cold Snap after his loss to me, even while he’s become just as cocky and arrogant as his brother. He’s afraid, he knows it. No matter how many times he tells himself that he’s only being “cautious” so he manages to get to sleep at night, he knows he’s full of it.
(The shrink nods passively.)
NIGHTMARE – And Darko? (BLEEP). The guy is really starting to piss me off. I squashed him with the damn Dream Catcher and pinned him in that tag team match and he continues to ramble on like it never even happened. Hadn’t even crossed his mind that he’s lost to me before. The little bitch even makes himself believe that the Foundation is the cause of all of my nightmares. He told me I was “pathetic” in slow motion because apparently I’m slow, got off the short bus, all kinds of other ridiculous (BLEEP). You know what I think? I think he just said it slow because he needed to hear it slow, he wanted to hear for himself how “tough” he sounded when he spoke of me. The bastard’s just lucky he hadn’t said that to my face. He’d be more broken than Chad.
(NIGHTMARE pauses for a moment. The shrink just nods a scribbles something down on a little not pad, obviously not listening at all. He doesn’t even notice that he’s not talking any more. He looks up, finally realizes, and breaks the awkward silence.)
SHRINK – Why don’t you tell me a bit about your partners. The Kurtis Brothers?
NIGHTMARE – Believe me, I’ve seen their promos. All they do is talk… and talk… and talk… but they never, ever, reach a point. That’s probably why they both lost to the Foundation, and were repeatedly getting their asses beat by them. Probably why Matthew decided to set the lion free in the coliseum. They couldn’t stand getting beat by the Foundation, and now that they’ve got me in their corner their just more talk. I hate guys like that. This is exactly the reason I intend to let them fight their battle first, get it out of their God damn systems. And then when they’re both pinned and eliminated from that gauntlet, feeling sorry for themselves, I’ll get to go in there and prove why I’m called “Nightmare.”
(The shrink sits there nodding, aimlessly. NIGHTMARE turns around in his chair and sees him sitting there, a bit of food still stuck in the corner of his mouth, his bib still there. He looks aghast.)
NIGHTMARE – Did you go to lunch?
SHRINK – (nervous) What are you talking about?
(NIGHTMARE just shakes his head, stands up, grabs his coat, and leaves. Unbelievable. The shrink has this look on his face that says “Was it something I said?”)
There is one thing that the Foundation and the Kurtis Brothers have in common. They all know that Nightmare in this match-up will be a tripwire connected to a real load of motion sensor grenades. The Foundation and the Kurtis Brothers are all inevitable and eventual casualties in this war between the five men and the demon. There’s no way anyone will be able to console the anger flowing through Nightmare’s veins. They may think they are angry, but compared to Nightmare’s anger, they are more excited than a retard in a room full of bouncy-balls. We only hope they can discover it before it’s too late. Incredibly too late.
(Camera flashes again. We see a locker room and in it stand four people. MATTHEW KURTIS, CHAD KURTIS, LYNDSEY VALENTINE, and NIGHTMARE. The lockers have been chained to the wall, the bench bolted to the floor, and the door reinforced with steel. NIGHTMARE is just strapping on his black high-top converse shoes as THE KURTIS BROTHERS pep talk for their big match. NIGHTMARE growls and grunts deeply, suppressing his anger like an impending sneeze. Except this sneeze will probably destroy more lockers and doors.)
And still, Nightmare finds himself in the presence of the Kurtis Brothers, the pair that will team up with the inconsolable Nightmare tonight. He still tries his absolute hardest to keep his anger kept beneath him, ready to be set free at the opportune moment. He wants to destroy the Foundation, he wants to win this match. But most importantly, he wants to pin Prince Darko. He wants to make Thomas Young tap out. He wants to make Jeff James BEG for mercy, to get his revenge. But The Kurtises still don’t seem to realize that they’ve set the lion free without getting clear of the path of destruction. It’s only a matter of time.[/color]
MATTHEW KURTIS – Are you ready, bro?
CHAD KURTIS – You know I’m ready! We’ll destroy those guys!
LYNDSEY VALENTINE – Go out there and make me proud, honey!
MATTHEW KURTIS – You bet your ass!
(They hear NIGHTMARE stand up, finished getting his shoes on, and hear his growling and grunting getting increasingly louder. They each look on concerned as to the state of mind, oblivious to what NIGHTMARE is planning for this match.)
MATTHEW KURTIS – So, how are you, Nightmare? You ready to go out there?
(NIGHTMARE says nothing. He leans his head back and closes his eyes, breathing deeply.)
CHAD KURTIS – Nightmare? Hey, we need to know if you’re ready. I mean, if you’re not we can always post-pone—
NIGHTMARE – (rapidly, irate) No!
(There is a silence that lasts long enough to send a chill down your spine. NIGHTMARE has whipped his head down to see the KURTISES and glares at CHAD, frustrated.)
LYNDSEY VALENTINE – Well, answer us then, Nightmare.
MATTHEW KURTIS – We can’t have our partner going out there in the state of mind where he’s not prepared to do anything in the ring.
NIGHTMARE – What? You don’t think I’m ready?
(NIGHTMARE walks around the bench slowly, getting right up to the larger MATTHEW’s face.)
NIGHTMARE – Of all people in the NAPW, you pick me to be the one that’s not ready? The Foundation has done nothing but run their mouth about how I am NOTHING and you want to ask me if I’m ready? They have said nothing but (BLEEP) about me for the past FIVE DAYS. And you want to know. If. I’m. Ready?
MATTHEW KURTIS – Yeah…
NIGHTMARE – There are a few people in that ring who are in a load of deep (BLEEP). They dug themselves the hole, but now they can’t get out. Who better to bury their asses but me? Am I ready? (BLEEP) yes, I’m ready! Get out, our match is soon.
(THE KURTIS BROTHERS and LYNDSEY VALENTINE leave the locker room without another word. All they needed to hear was whether or not NIGHTMARE was ready. Figures. NIGHTMARE shakes his head, takes a breath, and follows. The camera cuts to the curtain at Cold Snap, the arena is quiet, they want to know who is going to come out next. Which match will be announced next.)
”I can’t escape this hell. So many times I’ve tried.”
”SOMEBODY GET ME THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE! I CAN’T CONTROL MYSELF!”
(NIGHTMARE comes out from behind the curtain to very loud boos. THE KURTIS BROTHERS are already in the ring, LYNDSEY at ringside. NIGHTMARE focuses only on the ring and getting there. He stops at the apron, looking up at his “partners.” Where have we seen this before? Oh yeah. NIGHTMARE turns around and faces the curtain, saying nothing, but staying perfectly focused on that curtain.)
Because he knows who must be coming out next. And he wants to be ready. The cage is set, and the lion is loose. But where are the gladiators?[/color]
(Fade to black.)
===
All we can say is "Welcome."
"We hope you never planned on leaving."
MATTHEW KURTIS, CHAD KURTIS, and LYNDSEY VALENTINE all DO appear with permission. This was posted a little late, and it was overlooked. Apologies.
But man knows that regardless of it's condition now, when the time comes they will not get away.
The inconsolable demon's hate for man rises with each passing moment, each thought of crushing bones.
For that is exactly what he intends to do.
Hell's doors have been opened.
For demon, there's no place like home.
But man will burn.
Paying the debt of angering the demon, starting this war.
Creating the spark that has set the raging ocean of fire belonging only to hell.
===
There is one man that believed above all else that he could be worth something. But he failed to realize that believing was not enough. He half-expected the glory and fame to walk right up and present itself. But he was wrong. After many battles against a jobber, he decided to go for it. A shot at his fame. A shot at his glory. But again, he expected it to just come to him. Present itself without argument. Gregory Michael Hanson expected the NAPW Television Title to forfeit itself from Jeff James.[/color]
(When the scene opens we see NIGHTMARE sitting on a steel chair in the middle of a ring. The ring that will hold the events of NAPW’s Cold Snap in Vancouver, BC. There is no one there, it must be hours before the event. NIGHTMARE sits quietly, his arms leaning on his knees by the elbows in tightly clenched fists. His knuckles are still slightly purple; the contusions haven’t had time to properly heal. Not that it matters, anyway. His head is hung with his long hair covering a majority of his face. We can see that it must have been days since he last shaved, thick stubble has taken shape under his nose and chin and down the side of his face in thick sideburns. We can’t tell if his eyes are open or closed, but we can see the corner of his mouth twitching, his teeth bare. His anger builds with each passing moment in anticipation of the coming match.)
But that is not the man that we see before us now. This man is no longer prone to believing what can not happen. This man is no longer prone to losing because of lost focus. This man is not Gregory Michael Hanson. He is Nightmare. And he expects a challenge at Cold Snap, but he will not back down, and he will not underestimate his opponents, the Foundation. He has fought them all. He defeated two of them. And he knows every powerful weapon in their arsenal. He knows exactly what they are capable of. But does the Foundation know what Nightmare is capable of? Do they even care? Why do they insist on preparing for this match with silly beliefs that the match will be an easy battle? The Kurtis Brothers may not be any more talented than the Foundation have predicted, but one thing is for sure; their predictions on Nightmare’s ability as a wrestler have been terribly, terribly wrong.[/color]
(NIGHTMARE’s fists tighten even more than they already are. He begins to shake violently, his anger rising. He begins to grunt quietly, the only thing we hear in the darkness of the empty arena. He breathes deeply, his teeth still bare, the veins in his neck and arms pulse. He growls deeply, under his breath, like he is trying to hold something terrible back, to keep it from breaking free.)
Nightmare’s ability to wrestle has been underestimated time and time again. This only angers the Dream Demon more, adding more fuel to the fires of Nightmare’s inner demons. Average man would not believe it, would say it is all simply a gimmick. Jeff James is that average man. He may be the greatest television champion in NAPW history, but he’s still just another man who believes that what he sees around him is “reality.” He, like the rest of the Foundation, believes above all else that the anger rising continuously within Nightmare is just a gimmick. But the anger is very real, the demon within the Nightmare is very real. Call him schizophrenic all you want, it will only end in your downfall. What he’s doing here? It’s not to try to get rid of the anger so he doesn’t hurt anyone else.[/color]
(His muscles loosen, the shaking stops, the veins in his neck and arms disappear, and his hands relax. NIGHTMARE is calm. But for how long?)
It is simply to save it. To keep it boxed away. To keep the animal caged… until the proper time to release it and let it have its way with the bodies and minds of the Foundation. We can’t stop it, it is already too late. We can’t run away from it, it is already too late. All we can do now is wait. Wait and hope.[/color]
(A white light flashes in front of the screen and the image of NIGHTMARE sitting on the steel chair in the middle of the ring disappears from vision. When the camera focuses back in, the setting is quite different. We see a small, cozy room with the lights out but five candles burn brightly on the mantel of an electric fireplace, also burning brightly with the invisible natural gas. The floor is a rough dark brown carpet and a thick curtain has been drawn across a patio door. In the middle of the room, there is a black leather chair. One you would see in a psychiatrist’s office. There is a brown armchair behind the head of the leather chair, but no one is seated there. Behind the armchair is a closed door. Seated in the leather armchair, is NIGHTMARE. He talks to the non-existent psychiatrist, seemingly oblivious that no one is there. He is surprisingly calm, not as angry as we are used to seeing him.)
This is where Nightmare was the day before yesterday. A mistake, no doubt, as Nightmare is about to discover. He was brought there by the psychiatrist to get some answers, to unlock some doors and discover where his anger resides from. He still has no intention of ever letting his anger go, it’s his key to winning at Cold Snap. He does not talk to the shrink about his past, or what has happened recently to cause his anger, only what will happen, and why his anger must stay.[/color]
NIGHTMARE – … ask why I wrestle, and I lose it. And Jeff James insists on telling me that what is going to happen at Cold Snap is real, and not a “nightmare.” He tells me that I’m taking my “gimmick” way too far. Even if that were remotely true, how would it affect me? Why would it help him prepare for the match? I don’t understand his reasons, I’m not even sure he understands.
(While NIGHTMARE speaks, a well dressed man quietly opens the door and enters. He’s slightly balding, but thin, sophisticated, wearing an expensive looking pair of black shoes. Tucked under the collar of his Armani knock-off suit is a napkin, apparently used for a bib, and his mouth appears to be full of something. He quietly shuts the door and sits in his chair to stay invisible, NIGHTMARE doesn’t even know he left for lunch. That’s what the well-dressed man was counting on.)
As you can see, no one understands Nightmare. No one cares what Nightmare is going through. No one knows, or even cares, what he is capable of, and even as he sits there now, pretending to listen to the words coming from Nightmare’s mouth, he is completely oblivious to the rage growing deep inside of him, just waiting to break free. The smartest man knows not to provoke the beast beneath him.[/color]
NIGHTMARE – … And Thomas Young, well. He’s still crying over his loss against me. He knows that there’s no way in hell he’s gonna beat me at Cold Snap after his loss to me, even while he’s become just as cocky and arrogant as his brother. He’s afraid, he knows it. No matter how many times he tells himself that he’s only being “cautious” so he manages to get to sleep at night, he knows he’s full of it.
(The shrink nods passively.)
NIGHTMARE – And Darko? (BLEEP). The guy is really starting to piss me off. I squashed him with the damn Dream Catcher and pinned him in that tag team match and he continues to ramble on like it never even happened. Hadn’t even crossed his mind that he’s lost to me before. The little bitch even makes himself believe that the Foundation is the cause of all of my nightmares. He told me I was “pathetic” in slow motion because apparently I’m slow, got off the short bus, all kinds of other ridiculous (BLEEP). You know what I think? I think he just said it slow because he needed to hear it slow, he wanted to hear for himself how “tough” he sounded when he spoke of me. The bastard’s just lucky he hadn’t said that to my face. He’d be more broken than Chad.
(NIGHTMARE pauses for a moment. The shrink just nods a scribbles something down on a little not pad, obviously not listening at all. He doesn’t even notice that he’s not talking any more. He looks up, finally realizes, and breaks the awkward silence.)
SHRINK – Why don’t you tell me a bit about your partners. The Kurtis Brothers?
NIGHTMARE – Believe me, I’ve seen their promos. All they do is talk… and talk… and talk… but they never, ever, reach a point. That’s probably why they both lost to the Foundation, and were repeatedly getting their asses beat by them. Probably why Matthew decided to set the lion free in the coliseum. They couldn’t stand getting beat by the Foundation, and now that they’ve got me in their corner their just more talk. I hate guys like that. This is exactly the reason I intend to let them fight their battle first, get it out of their God damn systems. And then when they’re both pinned and eliminated from that gauntlet, feeling sorry for themselves, I’ll get to go in there and prove why I’m called “Nightmare.”
(The shrink sits there nodding, aimlessly. NIGHTMARE turns around in his chair and sees him sitting there, a bit of food still stuck in the corner of his mouth, his bib still there. He looks aghast.)
NIGHTMARE – Did you go to lunch?
SHRINK – (nervous) What are you talking about?
(NIGHTMARE just shakes his head, stands up, grabs his coat, and leaves. Unbelievable. The shrink has this look on his face that says “Was it something I said?”)
There is one thing that the Foundation and the Kurtis Brothers have in common. They all know that Nightmare in this match-up will be a tripwire connected to a real load of motion sensor grenades. The Foundation and the Kurtis Brothers are all inevitable and eventual casualties in this war between the five men and the demon. There’s no way anyone will be able to console the anger flowing through Nightmare’s veins. They may think they are angry, but compared to Nightmare’s anger, they are more excited than a retard in a room full of bouncy-balls. We only hope they can discover it before it’s too late. Incredibly too late.
(Camera flashes again. We see a locker room and in it stand four people. MATTHEW KURTIS, CHAD KURTIS, LYNDSEY VALENTINE, and NIGHTMARE. The lockers have been chained to the wall, the bench bolted to the floor, and the door reinforced with steel. NIGHTMARE is just strapping on his black high-top converse shoes as THE KURTIS BROTHERS pep talk for their big match. NIGHTMARE growls and grunts deeply, suppressing his anger like an impending sneeze. Except this sneeze will probably destroy more lockers and doors.)
And still, Nightmare finds himself in the presence of the Kurtis Brothers, the pair that will team up with the inconsolable Nightmare tonight. He still tries his absolute hardest to keep his anger kept beneath him, ready to be set free at the opportune moment. He wants to destroy the Foundation, he wants to win this match. But most importantly, he wants to pin Prince Darko. He wants to make Thomas Young tap out. He wants to make Jeff James BEG for mercy, to get his revenge. But The Kurtises still don’t seem to realize that they’ve set the lion free without getting clear of the path of destruction. It’s only a matter of time.[/color]
MATTHEW KURTIS – Are you ready, bro?
CHAD KURTIS – You know I’m ready! We’ll destroy those guys!
LYNDSEY VALENTINE – Go out there and make me proud, honey!
MATTHEW KURTIS – You bet your ass!
(They hear NIGHTMARE stand up, finished getting his shoes on, and hear his growling and grunting getting increasingly louder. They each look on concerned as to the state of mind, oblivious to what NIGHTMARE is planning for this match.)
MATTHEW KURTIS – So, how are you, Nightmare? You ready to go out there?
(NIGHTMARE says nothing. He leans his head back and closes his eyes, breathing deeply.)
CHAD KURTIS – Nightmare? Hey, we need to know if you’re ready. I mean, if you’re not we can always post-pone—
NIGHTMARE – (rapidly, irate) No!
(There is a silence that lasts long enough to send a chill down your spine. NIGHTMARE has whipped his head down to see the KURTISES and glares at CHAD, frustrated.)
LYNDSEY VALENTINE – Well, answer us then, Nightmare.
MATTHEW KURTIS – We can’t have our partner going out there in the state of mind where he’s not prepared to do anything in the ring.
NIGHTMARE – What? You don’t think I’m ready?
(NIGHTMARE walks around the bench slowly, getting right up to the larger MATTHEW’s face.)
NIGHTMARE – Of all people in the NAPW, you pick me to be the one that’s not ready? The Foundation has done nothing but run their mouth about how I am NOTHING and you want to ask me if I’m ready? They have said nothing but (BLEEP) about me for the past FIVE DAYS. And you want to know. If. I’m. Ready?
MATTHEW KURTIS – Yeah…
NIGHTMARE – There are a few people in that ring who are in a load of deep (BLEEP). They dug themselves the hole, but now they can’t get out. Who better to bury their asses but me? Am I ready? (BLEEP) yes, I’m ready! Get out, our match is soon.
(THE KURTIS BROTHERS and LYNDSEY VALENTINE leave the locker room without another word. All they needed to hear was whether or not NIGHTMARE was ready. Figures. NIGHTMARE shakes his head, takes a breath, and follows. The camera cuts to the curtain at Cold Snap, the arena is quiet, they want to know who is going to come out next. Which match will be announced next.)
”I can’t escape this hell. So many times I’ve tried.”
”SOMEBODY GET ME THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE! I CAN’T CONTROL MYSELF!”
(NIGHTMARE comes out from behind the curtain to very loud boos. THE KURTIS BROTHERS are already in the ring, LYNDSEY at ringside. NIGHTMARE focuses only on the ring and getting there. He stops at the apron, looking up at his “partners.” Where have we seen this before? Oh yeah. NIGHTMARE turns around and faces the curtain, saying nothing, but staying perfectly focused on that curtain.)
Because he knows who must be coming out next. And he wants to be ready. The cage is set, and the lion is loose. But where are the gladiators?[/color]
(Fade to black.)
===
All we can say is "Welcome."
"We hope you never planned on leaving."
MATTHEW KURTIS, CHAD KURTIS, and LYNDSEY VALENTINE all DO appear with permission. This was posted a little late, and it was overlooked. Apologies.