Post by Red Bull Icon on Dec 12, 2009 3:59:22 GMT -5
{Our scene opens on a black and white bright sunny mid summer’s afternoon. Through the longer hair, the thinner framer, and sunken eyes unmistakably we recognize a young Randy Boolzian sitting on the edge of a picnic table. The same picnic table where Ashton would describe just how he intended to propose to Madeline. Sitting on the edge of the picnic table where Maddy would award him his first trophy. The very table where Ran would escape to late at night when he had to have his fix but both of his mothers were home. Now though it’s just the place our soon to be Red Bull Icon runs away to.
Ran – Ain’t you supposed to do that in front of her?
Ash – What’s it matter?
Ran – Jackass, ‘cause I’d hate for you to be fucking up my tree with that bullshit only to find out you’re lovely little Mads’ been blowing the jv football team after practice.
We pull back far enough to take in the full frame. Directly across from the teenage Randal Boolzian is his best friend, the kid that more than not saved and cursed his life, Ashton McCourt. Ash has his pocket knife handy, and takes a break from carving two sets of initials into the mammoth oak tree to turn to his cohort.
Ash – Don’t talk about Maddy like that.
Ran – Oh? Why not?
Ash – Because I won’t like it if I had to put a hurting on you.
Ran – Oh so scared. Hate to be the reason you were late picking up your little sister.
Ash – Huh, shit. I’m already late. You wanna come?
Ran – No, I don’t. Cinders’ always staring at me with those googly eyes and shit. Freaks me out. I think she wants me.
Ash – Dude, she’s eleven!
Ran – Why do you think it freaks me out? Go on then, get the fuck outta here.
We watch as Ashton takes a last look at his unfinished monument to all things ‘love’, folds his knife, and takes off down the Oceanside Municipal Park path. Turning back to Ran we witness him digging deeply into his own pocket, produce and open a small kit, to which he promptly removes his spoon, Bic lighter, and rubber band before everything returns to full color.}
Grace; “Knock knock? Earth to Randy?”
BoolZ; “Huh?”
(The world is vibrant and alive with the fall, and much as a Southern Californian winter resembles fall, orange, red, and brown leaves. The gargantuan oak tree stands proudly over the seldom used and weather worn picnic table. BoolZ had sat long faced and smoking his cigarette in quiet contemplation or self hatred or remembrance. Now though with a smile on his face, the burning cancer stick promptly flicked into the moist grass, he shuts out his memories, and greets his ‘riddle’.)
Grace; “Are you alright?”
(Hopping off the edge of the picnic table and cracking open a Red Bull, Randy leads Grace down the city park walk. Almost directly away from a large decade old scar from where a chunk of the mighty oak had been ripped out.)
BoolZ; “Never better. How’d you find me?”
Grace; “Strong is the Force. You’re going to be late.”
BoolZ; “Yeah, I know.”
Grace; “After last week you do kind of owe her this.”
BoolZ; “Yeah I know.”
Grace; “Studio lights are a lot different than ring lights. You’ll shine.”
BoolZ; “Yeah I know. I’m probably gonna blow it off though. I really don’t do interviews.”
(Passing a rusted overfilled trash bin RBI tosses the now empty Red Bull atop the mass.)
Grace; “That’s a shame. There is nothing sexier than a man expressing his thoughts and feelings for the world to see.”
(BoolZ stops dead in his tracks to look at Ms. Harding with widened eyes. Then slowly they shrink to a squint.)
BoolZ; “Oh, I see what you’re doing. Why do you want me to do this interview so bad?”
Grace; “Have you tried living with my cousin and his whatever she is? I thought I was out of place before you defiled there den of fornication. Now I have bleeding feet caused by walking on egg shells all day. You have to make this right, and this is how to do it.”
BoolZ; “Oh, yeah, I still don’t see what’s in it for me. I tell you what though. Beat me up that tree, and I’ll do it.”
(Pointing to a large maple tree across the field the Red Bull Icon looks to Grace with a smirk.)
Grace; “You just want to see up my skirt.”
BoolZ; “Pfft… you think you’re gonna win? Seriously what’s the worst that can happen?”
Grace; “No one climbs like Grace Harding.”
BoolZ; “I’ve heard…”
(Grace doesn’t wait for BoolZ’s retort. Instead she kicks off her shoes, and breaks into an impressive barefoot full sprint across the field. BoolZ picks up the high heels, lights a cigarette, and gives chase as the scene fades to black before leaving us with only the sharp cracking sounds of too much stress.)
(We cut to a shot set up in the backyard sanctuary of Tim. Joe, as usual, is with his friend and is attempting to pass the water pipe. Tim waves him off.)
Joe; “Dude, really?”
Tim; “Yeah, I’m done with that. Really this time.”
Joe; “Let me guess BoolZ?”
Tim; “Yeah, it’s like he’s a prophet or something. Like watching him, reading about him, there’s just lessons to be learned. Like did you know last year his house burnt down?”
Joe; “Don’t care either.”
Tim; “Well what’s he do? Does he go on and all depressed and relapse like a junkie? No, he shows up to Sentinel and beats his opponent. Then he does the same each week, and tax records show that a few months ago he bought a bigger nicer house. See like when life kicks you in the nuts you just have to keep fighting and pull yourself up. There’s no use in dwelling on what’s already happened.”
(Joe says nothing. Instead, slack jawed, he looks at his fried in disbelief.)
Joe; “What the fuck ever. He probably burnt it down to hide the evidence of an illegal pornography ring. But fuck BoolZ. Man you should have seen Alice. She was all over this shit. But what happened with Tammy? You let her see your book worm?”
Tim; “Dude, it’s like all the stories of all the women BoolZ has nailed but none of them from him. Discretion is the better part of valor, and it’s best to omit such details.”
Joe; “BULLSHIT! You nailed her, and I want details! It’s man law!”
Tim; “Fuck man law. I answer to twenty four higher powers.”
Joe; “You better be joking. What alright, you’re not gonna say you did her, but I know you did. You gonna see her again? Or is that unBoolZy too?”
Tim; “In fact it is. Hell I don’t even think Tammy’s supposed to say anything.”
Joe; “Supposed to?”
Tim; “Yeah, it’s kind of weird. But listen a few of us are getting together at this guy, John’s, house to watch BoolZ’s first official GIW interview with Roxy Malone. GIW dot com’s been pumping the shit out it for the last couple days. You wanna come?”
Joe; “Beats sitting here while YO MOMMA stares at my package.”
Tim; “Whatever. We gotta stop to pick up our Red Bull. You think Erin will drive us?”
Joe; “…”
(There’s a pause as Joe waits for the punch line. A long pause.)
Tim; “Well?”
Joe; “What that’s it?”
Tim; “Yeah.”
Joe; “No she got called into work. I had to walk here. Seriously you’re kinda acting strange.”
Tim; “My eyes have been opened. Come on, Tammy’s got some cute friends.”
(Before we know it we’re in a brightly lit television studio. The banner shining brightly in front of the camera reads ‘HORIZONS’, and an angry looking BoolZ stands between the two. Roxy Malone is seen standing beside Grace Harding as a makeup girl is putting the finishing touches on RBI’s shine.)
Roxy; “Is that…”
Grace; “Tartar sauce. Yes it’s tartar sauce on my blouse. It would seem our jailbird had been longing for ‘fish and chips’.
Roxy; “What’s on your skirt?”
Grace; “…”
BoolZ; “Hey, do I really have to do this? I swear I didn’t know she’d show the place with you in it. Besides how was I supposed to know you’d hear her over your snoring?”
Roxy; “I DO NOT SNORE!”
BoolZ; “Yes you do. It sounds like a… uh…”
Grace; “Chainsaw wielding grizzly bear.”
Roxy; “I do not snore.”
BoolZ; “Anyway, hey I’m sorry. Sincerely. I hate this kinda stuff. I never know what to say, and always end up sounding dumb.”
Grace; “He’s right. You should have heard him in the restaurant. And he spits when he screams.”
BoolZ; “Oh that’s nice. Very supportive.”
Roxy; “Listen this is huge. Jason Reeves has never been able to get you. I’ve never been able to get you. I cannot even recall the last time you were on a microphone and not trying to outdo Travis Roberts in the middle of some kind of obsession or insulting Dirge out of nowhere.”
BoolZ; “I was guest commentator before.”
Grace; “Bob Costas would be ashamed.”
(As soon as Roxy begins to speak to the unprepared Red Bull Icon Grace looks over to the camera man and motions him to start rolling. As soon as he does BoolZ in front of the backdrop is all we see.)
Roxy; “Still though, people want to know. They want to know the truth were you really extradited. What are your thoughts about the current landscape of the GIW? How do you feel about your lose last week to one of the men you’re challenging for the Tag Titles with Moss for?”
BoolZ; “You’re really gonna make me do this?”
Roxy(off screen); “Yes. I had to wake up to the sight of you and an intern in mid coitus. You owe me at least an exclusive. Now have fun with it. If you could say anything to Alex Kiseragi right now what would it be? Were you surprised he attacked you before the match? ”
(BoolZ looks directly off camera to the pair of women, before slowly pulling out his pack of Marlboro Blend 27s and a Red Bull from his back pocket.)
Grace(off screen); “Do it for togetherness. Do it for the team. Do it for unity. Do it for a better tomorrow.”
(Lighting the cigarette, opening the Red Bull, BoolZ looks into the camera as the sound and vary image slowly evaporates. Leaving a flurry of smoke and pauses for Red Bull BoolZ is seen passionately carrying on and holding up three fingers as the sounds of Jason Reeves fills the audio and eventually fades in over the Red Bull Icon.
Jason is seen furring his brow as he storms down the hallway ranting just under his breath.)
Jason; “Sycophant? Call me a sycophant. I remember spying in on some of his ‘pitches’ to the roster when he first showed up. Talk about kissing ass. Probably doesn’t even think I know what that means. Hell I’ve got a journalism degree for crying out loud. It’s a joke, a sad sad joke, that I have to sneak around in bushes and ambush people to get them to talk to me. I have a journalism degree! I studied for this job. I went into debt for this job, and that trolup gets all the good interviews. What about her credentials? Huh, yeah, ask Chris Austin about her resume. Hell they call it Roxy’ed for a reason.”
(We follow and listen to Jason venting until finally he reaches studio A. Upon opening the door the sound goes out again, but BoolZ can be seen vehemently throwing his right hand into his left and then seemingly ringing an imaginary neck. Further into the studio we find Roxy and Grace both standing seemingly in awe. It takes Jason to actually go to Roxy, and wave his hand in front of her face for her break her fixation. BoolZ notices both of the interviews leaving, and miraculously the sound returns.)
BoolZ; “Hey where you going? Have you even asked a question? We’re even now!”
Roxy; “BoolZ I have to run. But thank you so much for your time. I got all the footage I needed to.”
(Confused BoolZ looks at Grace who points to the red light on top of the camera.)
Grace; “I think you could have used ten percent more ‘memories of dead kittens’. That’s just me though.”
BoolZ; “Think she forgives me now?”
Grace; “I know I’m scarred for life.”
BoolZ; “Yeah that aint my fault though.”
(We catch back up with Tim and Joe as they enter a massive economy style apartment complex. Passed the bark covered playground, passed laundry mat with rusted washing machines, and passed the green watered pool they approach a door reading ‘B12’. Tim doesn’t knock, merely opens the door, and walks in leaving Joe to do the same.
Once inside we see no less than a dozen individuals. Mostly female, but not by much. All huddled around the twenty inch computer monitor in the corner. From the back of the crowd a young man, can’t be more than 16, looks up and turns around. He seems fairly familiar.)
Kid; “Tim, who is this? If Jan hadn’t brought a friend you would have messed up my count.”
(Joe is taken aback by the sight. Each individual holding an opened can of Red Bull, each with the look of sleep deprivation, each either in the process of lighting, smoking, or putting out a cigarette.)
Tim; “Sorry John, but it’s cool. Everyone. This is Joe. I can confirm his sister has slept with BoolZ!”
(John, a much thinner John than we met before, wastes little time embracing Joe who tenses up at the awkward situation.)
John; “Brother. Don’t worry. I too know the pain of having that knowledge. It will be a hard path to traverse alone, but like me and most here, you will make it. You will thank him for it.”
(Most go back to watching the next GIW.com interview as John pulls away from Joe. Joe looks, a look of shock, at Tim. Speechless.)
John; “Come on, take a seat. Let me get you a cold Red Bull.”
Tim; “We didn’t miss it did we?”
(Joe follows Tim to the couch as a few adjust so as not to obstruct the view.)
John; “Yes, sadly you did. It was a tremendous experience. The subtle ways he openly mocks Alex Kiseragi for ever laying any such claim to honor while continuously attacking from behind or fighting dirty with Chinatsu Chen was incredible. Truly exposed him for the knight in rusted armor that he so desperately needs to be. It is no wonder his only two fans abandoned him and left him alone for this triumphant fluke victory.”
Tim; “When do you think it’ll be on Youtube?”
(Joe is dumbfounded at the scene. He sees enough of the underwear that a few of the women are wearing under their low cut hip hugger jeans to notice they are all more for show than comfort. The males in the room do what they can to play off any sense of giddy anticipation, and most fail miserably. As John brings back a pair of ice cold Red Bulls for Tim and Joe a cute girl, in a nerdy way, takes a seat a little too close to Joe.)
John; “I’d give it about four minutes ago. Seriously you gotta see it just for what he says about Brandon Brown. Like how anybody can have their own scene stolen by guest stars doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with him, and how he and Chris Austin carried Brandon through the battles with Global Domination, and stating that the only reason he was allowed in a Worlds Title match was that Prescott and Roberts were waiting for Travis’ ring rust to wear off. After that how he’s don’t nothing but super kick celebrities, and get cheap pops off of pop culture references because people remember what just happened even if Brandon doesn’t remind them.”
(Joe stops listening as the nerd girl scooches even closer.)
Girl; “Hi, I’m Lizzy.”
Joe; “Hey.”
Lizzy; “So, uhm, did your sister say how it was?”
Joe; “What?”
Lizzy; “Sleeping with BoolZ. Like where’d they do it?”
(While trying to piece together and make sense of the situation Joe watches a few of the guys and a few of the girls seemingly pair up, and excuse themselves.)
Joe; “Uh, Tim thinks it was at her work. I think he’s full of shit though.”
Lizzy; “Really? Why?”
Joe; “Well he only thinks BoolZ had sex with my sister because she was late picking us up after she got off work, and she had an opened pack of panties in her car.”
(His words are met with a smile.)
Lizzy; “Oh he always keeps the panties. I’ve stolen over a hundred pairs this year from Fredericks of Hollywood and Victoria Secret and Hot Topic and just about anywhere that I haven’t been caught at yet just so when I have my turn I’ll be giving him a special pair.”
Joe; “Really? What if you don’t ever…”
(Joe’s mind and heart are racing. His heart is winning, but about to collapse as a few more couples pair off. They don’t excuse themselves.)
Lizzy; “Yeah, really. See look.”
(The scene fades out as Lizzy stands up undoing her belt.)
(Once again we’re with BoolZ and Grace as they leave a local Wal-Mart. Grace, frantically rubs her hands together after emptying an entire travel sized bottle of Purell.)
Grace; “They were everywhere.”
BoolZ; “Oh, how I love me some Wal-Mart.”
Grace; “All shapes and sizes. No parents, just kids, just screaming kids running and looting and pillaging. It was anarchy.”
BoolZ; “Yeah, you learn to ignore those little goblin bastards the more you go in. Still I find 4AM the best time to do any real shopping.”
(As they converse and head to the ‘U-Suk’ mobile they pass a teenage boy who’s eyes immediately light up, but it’s a good fifteen seconds of silence. Once he finally accepts the reality of BoolZ.)
Boy; “Hey! Hey! You’re BoolZ, oh my god!”
Grace; “An ogre. They have an ogre.”
(Both turning to face the child he can’t help but run as fast as his under developed legs will carry him. Reaching the pair he shoots his hand out begging for a handshake. Grace steps behind the Red Bull Icon, and starts digging through the yellow spandex and spring loaded gloves for the other bottle of hand sanitizer.
If she had stayed where she could view Randy’s face even she would be surprised by its expression. It’s a silent look of regret as his eyes meet the ‘BoolZ’ tee-shirt on the chicken chested kid. It’s a look of mourning as he considers the appropriate line of attack. It’s a look of fear that he may be affecting lives as Ash’s life was affected, and ultimately set in motion the events of his death.
Before he can unload in a valiant effort to lose a fan.)
Boy; “My name’s, well it’s not important, but hey my sister works here. You wanna fuck her?!?”
(Completely off guard he goes to his best weapon.)
BoolZ; “Is she cute?”
(Without missing a beat.)
Grace; “Not a female you. Is she even real? He’s out of prison now, and doesn’t need to be sodomized for safety anymore.”
(The kid stares ice at Grace. BoolZ slowly registers her message before turning to face his companion. It’s not a lot of time, but it’s enough for him to shake off the daze from his fans question.)
Boy; “C’mon, yeah she’s cute. Can I watch? Please, I gotta watch. Make her shit herself!”
(He could have used a few more seconds. She could tell.)
Grace; “Oh this sounds healthy. You should bring a gift to their parent. Does your mother still have her teeth?”
Randy; “The hell, kid, uh, uh, you know if she’s cute she’s probably already been tasted my brown dragon.”
Grace; “OHH! You’re on your own.”
(Grace throws one arm to the heavens before walking away. Pulling slightly on the bag with her other arm.)
Grace; “I told you I don’t want to know what that is. Chili Dog is gross enough.”
(Randy follows. He has no choice. He looks back once as the kid continues to gaze lovingly. He looks back a second time, Grace having stopped and taken hold of his arm, but the kid was gone.)
Randy; “Did… wha…”
Grace; “You love you some Wal-Mart. I think Moss will really like your gift. WOLVERINES!!!”
(The scene fades with Randy opening the door of his modified U-Haul truck for Grace before carefully moving to the driver’s side door. He looks around nervously before entering.)
Grace; “Afraid of getting Kiseragi’ed again?”
(That world and this one don’t connect.)
(And neither connects with the one Joe and Tim has just left. It’s dark out now. And cold. As cold as a cool Southern California winter gets. Joe is absolutely bouncing down the side walk. Tim has a mellow stroll rolling a step or two behind his partner. Both have an opened can of Red Bull.)
Joe; “Goddamn man that was fucking awesome! That bitch was digging the shit outta me! I’ma call her tomorrow.”
Tim; “No she wasn’t, and no you’re not. Trophies are never spoke of again.”
Joe; “Bullshit! Yo, if she gave it up to me that easy I’m absolutely gotta hit that again, and again, and again! Fuck yeah! Lizzy. All up in that ass! What was your bitches name?”
Tim; “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. Listen you can’t call her. You can’t even let on that you two did it.”
Joe; “Fuck that. Why?”
Tim; “It’s hard to explain. With these guys it’s like a commandment. You know? Like something you just don’t do. You don’t call, you don’t date, you don’t do drugs, you don’t go looking for sex. There’s a list of stuff you just don’t do.”
Joe; “Or what?”
Tim; “I don’t know. John kinda creeps me out, but they’re all bigger fans of RBI than I am, and the chics are loose. I don’t know what happens. I asked John and he just said ‘It wouldn’t end the way it should.’”
Joe; “So are they all like that?”
Tim; “So far. As long as the numbers don’t get screwed up, then someone’s gotta take on a third. But there’s a Horizons party. You should come over.”
Joe; “FUCK YEAH! Wait is John gonna be there? He kinda creeps me out too.”
Tim; “It’s his house dude.”
(The two continue to hop slash stroll along as we leave them to their walk.)
(To the much more familiar sight of the GIW Arena’s back hallways. The sounds of the Horizons crowd storm and echo through the building as if on a warpath. The sole center of calm is Grace Harding as the sounds of her high heels on the tiled floor seem to quell the rumble of the crowd but do nothing of the feelings of finality in her quest. We follow her through the maze like bowel s of the building until finally she reaches the location of BoolZ’s dressing room.
Peering through the empty doorframe she finds the door ripped from its hinges and propped against the far wall. Sitting on a pair of stacked couch cushions is Randy Boolzian. A cigarette hangs in his lips, a Red Bull on the floor just within reach, and his bootlaces in each hand. Quietly, uncharacteristically alone, and undergoing an as of now unseen painstakingly meticulous pre-match ritual. Grace coughs to announce herself. BoolZ looks up at his friend.)
BoolZ; “This it?”
(Grace nods.)
BoolZ; “This really, really, it?”
(Grace looks down both directions of the hallway before answering.)
Grace; “Yeah.”
(BoolZ finishes his cigarette and Red Bull placing the butt in the can as he stands up. He walks towards Grace, and motions for her to lead the way.)
BoolZ; “Well, let’s steal this show then.”
(His words bring a quirky half smile to her face as she takes the first step.)
Grace; “You’re other couch cushion is in the back of your truck under a rather heavy box labeled ‘Motivation’.”
BoolZ; “Huh, always the last place you look.”
Grace; “Always.”
(The scene ends with BoolZ and Grace quietly walking down the corridor.)
Ran – Ain’t you supposed to do that in front of her?
Ash – What’s it matter?
Ran – Jackass, ‘cause I’d hate for you to be fucking up my tree with that bullshit only to find out you’re lovely little Mads’ been blowing the jv football team after practice.
We pull back far enough to take in the full frame. Directly across from the teenage Randal Boolzian is his best friend, the kid that more than not saved and cursed his life, Ashton McCourt. Ash has his pocket knife handy, and takes a break from carving two sets of initials into the mammoth oak tree to turn to his cohort.
Ash – Don’t talk about Maddy like that.
Ran – Oh? Why not?
Ash – Because I won’t like it if I had to put a hurting on you.
Ran – Oh so scared. Hate to be the reason you were late picking up your little sister.
Ash – Huh, shit. I’m already late. You wanna come?
Ran – No, I don’t. Cinders’ always staring at me with those googly eyes and shit. Freaks me out. I think she wants me.
Ash – Dude, she’s eleven!
Ran – Why do you think it freaks me out? Go on then, get the fuck outta here.
We watch as Ashton takes a last look at his unfinished monument to all things ‘love’, folds his knife, and takes off down the Oceanside Municipal Park path. Turning back to Ran we witness him digging deeply into his own pocket, produce and open a small kit, to which he promptly removes his spoon, Bic lighter, and rubber band before everything returns to full color.}
Grace; “Knock knock? Earth to Randy?”
BoolZ; “Huh?”
(The world is vibrant and alive with the fall, and much as a Southern Californian winter resembles fall, orange, red, and brown leaves. The gargantuan oak tree stands proudly over the seldom used and weather worn picnic table. BoolZ had sat long faced and smoking his cigarette in quiet contemplation or self hatred or remembrance. Now though with a smile on his face, the burning cancer stick promptly flicked into the moist grass, he shuts out his memories, and greets his ‘riddle’.)
Grace; “Are you alright?”
(Hopping off the edge of the picnic table and cracking open a Red Bull, Randy leads Grace down the city park walk. Almost directly away from a large decade old scar from where a chunk of the mighty oak had been ripped out.)
BoolZ; “Never better. How’d you find me?”
Grace; “Strong is the Force. You’re going to be late.”
BoolZ; “Yeah, I know.”
Grace; “After last week you do kind of owe her this.”
BoolZ; “Yeah I know.”
Grace; “Studio lights are a lot different than ring lights. You’ll shine.”
BoolZ; “Yeah I know. I’m probably gonna blow it off though. I really don’t do interviews.”
(Passing a rusted overfilled trash bin RBI tosses the now empty Red Bull atop the mass.)
Grace; “That’s a shame. There is nothing sexier than a man expressing his thoughts and feelings for the world to see.”
(BoolZ stops dead in his tracks to look at Ms. Harding with widened eyes. Then slowly they shrink to a squint.)
BoolZ; “Oh, I see what you’re doing. Why do you want me to do this interview so bad?”
Grace; “Have you tried living with my cousin and his whatever she is? I thought I was out of place before you defiled there den of fornication. Now I have bleeding feet caused by walking on egg shells all day. You have to make this right, and this is how to do it.”
BoolZ; “Oh, yeah, I still don’t see what’s in it for me. I tell you what though. Beat me up that tree, and I’ll do it.”
(Pointing to a large maple tree across the field the Red Bull Icon looks to Grace with a smirk.)
Grace; “You just want to see up my skirt.”
BoolZ; “Pfft… you think you’re gonna win? Seriously what’s the worst that can happen?”
Grace; “No one climbs like Grace Harding.”
BoolZ; “I’ve heard…”
(Grace doesn’t wait for BoolZ’s retort. Instead she kicks off her shoes, and breaks into an impressive barefoot full sprint across the field. BoolZ picks up the high heels, lights a cigarette, and gives chase as the scene fades to black before leaving us with only the sharp cracking sounds of too much stress.)
~*~*~
(We cut to a shot set up in the backyard sanctuary of Tim. Joe, as usual, is with his friend and is attempting to pass the water pipe. Tim waves him off.)
Joe; “Dude, really?”
Tim; “Yeah, I’m done with that. Really this time.”
Joe; “Let me guess BoolZ?”
Tim; “Yeah, it’s like he’s a prophet or something. Like watching him, reading about him, there’s just lessons to be learned. Like did you know last year his house burnt down?”
Joe; “Don’t care either.”
Tim; “Well what’s he do? Does he go on and all depressed and relapse like a junkie? No, he shows up to Sentinel and beats his opponent. Then he does the same each week, and tax records show that a few months ago he bought a bigger nicer house. See like when life kicks you in the nuts you just have to keep fighting and pull yourself up. There’s no use in dwelling on what’s already happened.”
(Joe says nothing. Instead, slack jawed, he looks at his fried in disbelief.)
Joe; “What the fuck ever. He probably burnt it down to hide the evidence of an illegal pornography ring. But fuck BoolZ. Man you should have seen Alice. She was all over this shit. But what happened with Tammy? You let her see your book worm?”
Tim; “Dude, it’s like all the stories of all the women BoolZ has nailed but none of them from him. Discretion is the better part of valor, and it’s best to omit such details.”
Joe; “BULLSHIT! You nailed her, and I want details! It’s man law!”
Tim; “Fuck man law. I answer to twenty four higher powers.”
Joe; “You better be joking. What alright, you’re not gonna say you did her, but I know you did. You gonna see her again? Or is that unBoolZy too?”
Tim; “In fact it is. Hell I don’t even think Tammy’s supposed to say anything.”
Joe; “Supposed to?”
Tim; “Yeah, it’s kind of weird. But listen a few of us are getting together at this guy, John’s, house to watch BoolZ’s first official GIW interview with Roxy Malone. GIW dot com’s been pumping the shit out it for the last couple days. You wanna come?”
Joe; “Beats sitting here while YO MOMMA stares at my package.”
Tim; “Whatever. We gotta stop to pick up our Red Bull. You think Erin will drive us?”
Joe; “…”
(There’s a pause as Joe waits for the punch line. A long pause.)
Tim; “Well?”
Joe; “What that’s it?”
Tim; “Yeah.”
Joe; “No she got called into work. I had to walk here. Seriously you’re kinda acting strange.”
Tim; “My eyes have been opened. Come on, Tammy’s got some cute friends.”
~*~*~
(Before we know it we’re in a brightly lit television studio. The banner shining brightly in front of the camera reads ‘HORIZONS’, and an angry looking BoolZ stands between the two. Roxy Malone is seen standing beside Grace Harding as a makeup girl is putting the finishing touches on RBI’s shine.)
Roxy; “Is that…”
Grace; “Tartar sauce. Yes it’s tartar sauce on my blouse. It would seem our jailbird had been longing for ‘fish and chips’.
Roxy; “What’s on your skirt?”
Grace; “…”
BoolZ; “Hey, do I really have to do this? I swear I didn’t know she’d show the place with you in it. Besides how was I supposed to know you’d hear her over your snoring?”
Roxy; “I DO NOT SNORE!”
BoolZ; “Yes you do. It sounds like a… uh…”
Grace; “Chainsaw wielding grizzly bear.”
Roxy; “I do not snore.”
BoolZ; “Anyway, hey I’m sorry. Sincerely. I hate this kinda stuff. I never know what to say, and always end up sounding dumb.”
Grace; “He’s right. You should have heard him in the restaurant. And he spits when he screams.”
BoolZ; “Oh that’s nice. Very supportive.”
Roxy; “Listen this is huge. Jason Reeves has never been able to get you. I’ve never been able to get you. I cannot even recall the last time you were on a microphone and not trying to outdo Travis Roberts in the middle of some kind of obsession or insulting Dirge out of nowhere.”
BoolZ; “I was guest commentator before.”
Grace; “Bob Costas would be ashamed.”
(As soon as Roxy begins to speak to the unprepared Red Bull Icon Grace looks over to the camera man and motions him to start rolling. As soon as he does BoolZ in front of the backdrop is all we see.)
Roxy; “Still though, people want to know. They want to know the truth were you really extradited. What are your thoughts about the current landscape of the GIW? How do you feel about your lose last week to one of the men you’re challenging for the Tag Titles with Moss for?”
BoolZ; “You’re really gonna make me do this?”
Roxy(off screen); “Yes. I had to wake up to the sight of you and an intern in mid coitus. You owe me at least an exclusive. Now have fun with it. If you could say anything to Alex Kiseragi right now what would it be? Were you surprised he attacked you before the match? ”
(BoolZ looks directly off camera to the pair of women, before slowly pulling out his pack of Marlboro Blend 27s and a Red Bull from his back pocket.)
Grace(off screen); “Do it for togetherness. Do it for the team. Do it for unity. Do it for a better tomorrow.”
(Lighting the cigarette, opening the Red Bull, BoolZ looks into the camera as the sound and vary image slowly evaporates. Leaving a flurry of smoke and pauses for Red Bull BoolZ is seen passionately carrying on and holding up three fingers as the sounds of Jason Reeves fills the audio and eventually fades in over the Red Bull Icon.
Jason is seen furring his brow as he storms down the hallway ranting just under his breath.)
Jason; “Sycophant? Call me a sycophant. I remember spying in on some of his ‘pitches’ to the roster when he first showed up. Talk about kissing ass. Probably doesn’t even think I know what that means. Hell I’ve got a journalism degree for crying out loud. It’s a joke, a sad sad joke, that I have to sneak around in bushes and ambush people to get them to talk to me. I have a journalism degree! I studied for this job. I went into debt for this job, and that trolup gets all the good interviews. What about her credentials? Huh, yeah, ask Chris Austin about her resume. Hell they call it Roxy’ed for a reason.”
(We follow and listen to Jason venting until finally he reaches studio A. Upon opening the door the sound goes out again, but BoolZ can be seen vehemently throwing his right hand into his left and then seemingly ringing an imaginary neck. Further into the studio we find Roxy and Grace both standing seemingly in awe. It takes Jason to actually go to Roxy, and wave his hand in front of her face for her break her fixation. BoolZ notices both of the interviews leaving, and miraculously the sound returns.)
BoolZ; “Hey where you going? Have you even asked a question? We’re even now!”
Roxy; “BoolZ I have to run. But thank you so much for your time. I got all the footage I needed to.”
(Confused BoolZ looks at Grace who points to the red light on top of the camera.)
Grace; “I think you could have used ten percent more ‘memories of dead kittens’. That’s just me though.”
BoolZ; “Think she forgives me now?”
Grace; “I know I’m scarred for life.”
BoolZ; “Yeah that aint my fault though.”
~*~*~
(We catch back up with Tim and Joe as they enter a massive economy style apartment complex. Passed the bark covered playground, passed laundry mat with rusted washing machines, and passed the green watered pool they approach a door reading ‘B12’. Tim doesn’t knock, merely opens the door, and walks in leaving Joe to do the same.
Once inside we see no less than a dozen individuals. Mostly female, but not by much. All huddled around the twenty inch computer monitor in the corner. From the back of the crowd a young man, can’t be more than 16, looks up and turns around. He seems fairly familiar.)
Kid; “Tim, who is this? If Jan hadn’t brought a friend you would have messed up my count.”
(Joe is taken aback by the sight. Each individual holding an opened can of Red Bull, each with the look of sleep deprivation, each either in the process of lighting, smoking, or putting out a cigarette.)
Tim; “Sorry John, but it’s cool. Everyone. This is Joe. I can confirm his sister has slept with BoolZ!”
(John, a much thinner John than we met before, wastes little time embracing Joe who tenses up at the awkward situation.)
John; “Brother. Don’t worry. I too know the pain of having that knowledge. It will be a hard path to traverse alone, but like me and most here, you will make it. You will thank him for it.”
(Most go back to watching the next GIW.com interview as John pulls away from Joe. Joe looks, a look of shock, at Tim. Speechless.)
John; “Come on, take a seat. Let me get you a cold Red Bull.”
Tim; “We didn’t miss it did we?”
(Joe follows Tim to the couch as a few adjust so as not to obstruct the view.)
John; “Yes, sadly you did. It was a tremendous experience. The subtle ways he openly mocks Alex Kiseragi for ever laying any such claim to honor while continuously attacking from behind or fighting dirty with Chinatsu Chen was incredible. Truly exposed him for the knight in rusted armor that he so desperately needs to be. It is no wonder his only two fans abandoned him and left him alone for this triumphant fluke victory.”
Tim; “When do you think it’ll be on Youtube?”
(Joe is dumbfounded at the scene. He sees enough of the underwear that a few of the women are wearing under their low cut hip hugger jeans to notice they are all more for show than comfort. The males in the room do what they can to play off any sense of giddy anticipation, and most fail miserably. As John brings back a pair of ice cold Red Bulls for Tim and Joe a cute girl, in a nerdy way, takes a seat a little too close to Joe.)
John; “I’d give it about four minutes ago. Seriously you gotta see it just for what he says about Brandon Brown. Like how anybody can have their own scene stolen by guest stars doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with him, and how he and Chris Austin carried Brandon through the battles with Global Domination, and stating that the only reason he was allowed in a Worlds Title match was that Prescott and Roberts were waiting for Travis’ ring rust to wear off. After that how he’s don’t nothing but super kick celebrities, and get cheap pops off of pop culture references because people remember what just happened even if Brandon doesn’t remind them.”
(Joe stops listening as the nerd girl scooches even closer.)
Girl; “Hi, I’m Lizzy.”
Joe; “Hey.”
Lizzy; “So, uhm, did your sister say how it was?”
Joe; “What?”
Lizzy; “Sleeping with BoolZ. Like where’d they do it?”
(While trying to piece together and make sense of the situation Joe watches a few of the guys and a few of the girls seemingly pair up, and excuse themselves.)
Joe; “Uh, Tim thinks it was at her work. I think he’s full of shit though.”
Lizzy; “Really? Why?”
Joe; “Well he only thinks BoolZ had sex with my sister because she was late picking us up after she got off work, and she had an opened pack of panties in her car.”
(His words are met with a smile.)
Lizzy; “Oh he always keeps the panties. I’ve stolen over a hundred pairs this year from Fredericks of Hollywood and Victoria Secret and Hot Topic and just about anywhere that I haven’t been caught at yet just so when I have my turn I’ll be giving him a special pair.”
Joe; “Really? What if you don’t ever…”
(Joe’s mind and heart are racing. His heart is winning, but about to collapse as a few more couples pair off. They don’t excuse themselves.)
Lizzy; “Yeah, really. See look.”
(The scene fades out as Lizzy stands up undoing her belt.)
~*~*~
(Once again we’re with BoolZ and Grace as they leave a local Wal-Mart. Grace, frantically rubs her hands together after emptying an entire travel sized bottle of Purell.)
Grace; “They were everywhere.”
BoolZ; “Oh, how I love me some Wal-Mart.”
Grace; “All shapes and sizes. No parents, just kids, just screaming kids running and looting and pillaging. It was anarchy.”
BoolZ; “Yeah, you learn to ignore those little goblin bastards the more you go in. Still I find 4AM the best time to do any real shopping.”
(As they converse and head to the ‘U-Suk’ mobile they pass a teenage boy who’s eyes immediately light up, but it’s a good fifteen seconds of silence. Once he finally accepts the reality of BoolZ.)
Boy; “Hey! Hey! You’re BoolZ, oh my god!”
Grace; “An ogre. They have an ogre.”
(Both turning to face the child he can’t help but run as fast as his under developed legs will carry him. Reaching the pair he shoots his hand out begging for a handshake. Grace steps behind the Red Bull Icon, and starts digging through the yellow spandex and spring loaded gloves for the other bottle of hand sanitizer.
If she had stayed where she could view Randy’s face even she would be surprised by its expression. It’s a silent look of regret as his eyes meet the ‘BoolZ’ tee-shirt on the chicken chested kid. It’s a look of mourning as he considers the appropriate line of attack. It’s a look of fear that he may be affecting lives as Ash’s life was affected, and ultimately set in motion the events of his death.
Before he can unload in a valiant effort to lose a fan.)
Boy; “My name’s, well it’s not important, but hey my sister works here. You wanna fuck her?!?”
(Completely off guard he goes to his best weapon.)
BoolZ; “Is she cute?”
(Without missing a beat.)
Grace; “Not a female you. Is she even real? He’s out of prison now, and doesn’t need to be sodomized for safety anymore.”
(The kid stares ice at Grace. BoolZ slowly registers her message before turning to face his companion. It’s not a lot of time, but it’s enough for him to shake off the daze from his fans question.)
Boy; “C’mon, yeah she’s cute. Can I watch? Please, I gotta watch. Make her shit herself!”
(He could have used a few more seconds. She could tell.)
Grace; “Oh this sounds healthy. You should bring a gift to their parent. Does your mother still have her teeth?”
Randy; “The hell, kid, uh, uh, you know if she’s cute she’s probably already been tasted my brown dragon.”
Grace; “OHH! You’re on your own.”
(Grace throws one arm to the heavens before walking away. Pulling slightly on the bag with her other arm.)
Grace; “I told you I don’t want to know what that is. Chili Dog is gross enough.”
(Randy follows. He has no choice. He looks back once as the kid continues to gaze lovingly. He looks back a second time, Grace having stopped and taken hold of his arm, but the kid was gone.)
Randy; “Did… wha…”
Grace; “You love you some Wal-Mart. I think Moss will really like your gift. WOLVERINES!!!”
(The scene fades with Randy opening the door of his modified U-Haul truck for Grace before carefully moving to the driver’s side door. He looks around nervously before entering.)
Grace; “Afraid of getting Kiseragi’ed again?”
(That world and this one don’t connect.)
~*~*~
(And neither connects with the one Joe and Tim has just left. It’s dark out now. And cold. As cold as a cool Southern California winter gets. Joe is absolutely bouncing down the side walk. Tim has a mellow stroll rolling a step or two behind his partner. Both have an opened can of Red Bull.)
Joe; “Goddamn man that was fucking awesome! That bitch was digging the shit outta me! I’ma call her tomorrow.”
Tim; “No she wasn’t, and no you’re not. Trophies are never spoke of again.”
Joe; “Bullshit! Yo, if she gave it up to me that easy I’m absolutely gotta hit that again, and again, and again! Fuck yeah! Lizzy. All up in that ass! What was your bitches name?”
Tim; “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. Listen you can’t call her. You can’t even let on that you two did it.”
Joe; “Fuck that. Why?”
Tim; “It’s hard to explain. With these guys it’s like a commandment. You know? Like something you just don’t do. You don’t call, you don’t date, you don’t do drugs, you don’t go looking for sex. There’s a list of stuff you just don’t do.”
Joe; “Or what?”
Tim; “I don’t know. John kinda creeps me out, but they’re all bigger fans of RBI than I am, and the chics are loose. I don’t know what happens. I asked John and he just said ‘It wouldn’t end the way it should.’”
Joe; “So are they all like that?”
Tim; “So far. As long as the numbers don’t get screwed up, then someone’s gotta take on a third. But there’s a Horizons party. You should come over.”
Joe; “FUCK YEAH! Wait is John gonna be there? He kinda creeps me out too.”
Tim; “It’s his house dude.”
(The two continue to hop slash stroll along as we leave them to their walk.)
~*~*~
(To the much more familiar sight of the GIW Arena’s back hallways. The sounds of the Horizons crowd storm and echo through the building as if on a warpath. The sole center of calm is Grace Harding as the sounds of her high heels on the tiled floor seem to quell the rumble of the crowd but do nothing of the feelings of finality in her quest. We follow her through the maze like bowel s of the building until finally she reaches the location of BoolZ’s dressing room.
Peering through the empty doorframe she finds the door ripped from its hinges and propped against the far wall. Sitting on a pair of stacked couch cushions is Randy Boolzian. A cigarette hangs in his lips, a Red Bull on the floor just within reach, and his bootlaces in each hand. Quietly, uncharacteristically alone, and undergoing an as of now unseen painstakingly meticulous pre-match ritual. Grace coughs to announce herself. BoolZ looks up at his friend.)
BoolZ; “This it?”
(Grace nods.)
BoolZ; “This really, really, it?”
(Grace looks down both directions of the hallway before answering.)
Grace; “Yeah.”
(BoolZ finishes his cigarette and Red Bull placing the butt in the can as he stands up. He walks towards Grace, and motions for her to lead the way.)
BoolZ; “Well, let’s steal this show then.”
(His words bring a quirky half smile to her face as she takes the first step.)
Grace; “You’re other couch cushion is in the back of your truck under a rather heavy box labeled ‘Motivation’.”
BoolZ; “Huh, always the last place you look.”
Grace; “Always.”
(The scene ends with BoolZ and Grace quietly walking down the corridor.)