-Open-
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Phoenix, Arizona
The Wells Fargo Arena
August 25th, 2013
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Sir... I'm sorry, but we need to take this apart now.
There stands Vega. Leaning against the announce table, still standing ringside... staring at an empty ring, in an empty arena, with an empty look in his eyes. Gone was his opponent, Barbosa. Gone was the man who cost him the match, "Showtime" Cougar. And gone was the audience that saw Vega's greatest moment... never take place. Only the WZCW ring crew remain, along with Alexis who stands next to Vega holding his Mayhem Championship. Everyone else is busy doing their job, setting up the ring for the next show. Everyone else is active, except for Vega. Alexis is still there, hopelessly staring at the situation. A ring crew member stands by the announce table, needing to set it up for the next show, nervously awaiting for Vega to respond. He doesn't. The crew member looks towards Alexis, as if seeking help.
Come on, Vega. It's time to go.
He doesn't respond. Vega remains there, motionless. His eyes are fixated on the ring, he barely even blinks. Alexis steps up towards him, and stands in between Vega and the ring, blocking his view. She runs her fingers through his hair with her right hand while holding the Mayhem Title in her left, all the while looking into his blank eyes.
Hey!
Vega suddenly shuts his eyes tightly while quickly shaking his head. He then looks around him as if he is only now realizing that the Wells Fargo Arena is completely empty, and that Meltdown has ended a good while ago. He reverts his eyes back towards Alexis', but it's like he's seeing her for the first time since his match ended. Vega inhales deeply and holds it in for a moment, before exhaling with a dejected response.
Hey.
Alexis looks a bit concerned, but is relieved to at least have gotten some kind of response out of Vega.
You okay?
Vega squints as he looks away momentarily, pondering his response.
I don't know.
He finally stops leaning against the table and stands up straight. His eyes revert back to the ring now. Vega walks passed Alexis, and slowly places the palms of his hands on the surface of the apron as he solemnly stares into the squared circle.
It should have been mine.
Vega stands there facing the ring, his back turned towards Alexis who wears a look of confusion across her face as she tries to gain some clarity.
What should have been yours?
She looks on as Vega continues to just caress the canvas with his hands. Slowly, he ducks his head underneath the bottom rope and slides the rest of his body under it and into the ring. He's on the canvas on his hands and knees, looking around with envious eyes. Smoothly and gently he rises to his feet as he continues survey the scene. He walks towards the center of the ring while slowly turning around 360 degrees to see all the empty seats in the arena.
This... all should have been mine...
Alexis walks over to the steel steps and makes her way up onto the ring apron, and eventually through the ropes and into the ring. She approaches Vega once again, but her presence does little to gain his attention.
What do you mean?
Vega looks down at the canvas as he shakes his head. Silently, he walks over towards the side of the ring that the cameras are set up on. He looks out towards the empty seats with a mournful expression on his face. With a soft and almost broken voice, Vega utters something to himself, just loud enough for Alexis to hear.
...and he took it all away from me.
Vega looks away from the empty seats and begins to walk away, almost as if the sight is to unbearable for him to see right now. He walks toward the side of the ring closest to the entrance ramp. He grabs onto the rope as he sticks his leg through the top and middle ones. Just before he goes to exit the ring, Alexis rapidly approaches him and places her hand on his shoulder.
Hey, Vega... look at me. Seriously, what are you talking about?
Vega looks back at Alexis, and for the first time in a while, he smiles. It isn't a happy smile, though. It is more the smile of a defeated man accepting his fate. Calmly, he looks into Alexis' eyes and replies...
My moment, Alexis...
This was finally supposed to be my moment...
He shakes his head while still forcing a smile as he now looks down toward the ground once again.
...and "Showtime" took it away from me.
Alexis tilts her head and nods, trying to empathize with Vega as she attempts to console the defeated champion. He lowers his upper body through the top and middle rope so that now only his right leg is in the ring, and the rest of his body is on the outside, over the apron. Alexis speaks up, forcing Vega to stop to listen.
I know it feels like that right now, but-
"Showtime"...
Alexis pauses as Vega suddenly cuts her off with a stern demeanor.
...took it away from ME!
Vega's sudden thunderous roar at the end sends shock waves reverberating throughout the empty arena. It's intensity forces every single crew member working around the ringside area cleaning up to stand straight up and jolt their heads in Vega's direction. Every single person there now has their eyes nervously fixated on Vega. With all eyes on him, he stares angrily and defiantly at Alexis.
Silence.
The scene is completely silent.
Alexis tightens her grip on the Mayhem Championship, and without warning, violently swings the title belt, smashing the gold plate into Vega's sinister face. The smacking sound of flesh on metal is soon followed by the sickening thud the back of Vega's head makes off the thin layer of mat covering the cold concrete floor.
Vega is out cold.
All the workers look on in shock as Alexis stands there, looking down at Vega, donning a sinister smile of her own.
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Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
April 27th, 2013
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We find Vega, wearing a black track suit, a black baseball hat pulled down low, and black shades with his head tilted down, making his face difficult to see. He sits there with a duffel bag on the seat next to him as he waits to board his flight. He's sitting in a seat close to the large windows showing all the airplanes slowly moving across the runway. The bright morning sun is shining down on Vega, as he seems to be somewhat annoyed by the day's natural beauty. The normal hustle and bustle that usually fills an airport is simply background noise to Vega, who looks like he's either lost in thought or sleeping. With the dark Ray Bans on, it's difficult to tell.
Just then, the sound of a pair of high heels tapping across the floor slowly gets louder and louder, until they stop directly in front of Vega. The black Manolo Blahniks adorning Alexis match her tight black dress as she stands there holding a large black Prada bag, her eyes also hidden by her black Ray Ban shades.
Vega slowly lifts up his head, and although we can't see their eyes, it seems as if there are looking each other directly in them. Both are emotionless. Neither moves for a couple of moments, until finally Vega slowly reaches over to his right, grabs his duffel bag up off of the seat, and gently places it on the floor beside him to the left. Alexis then, equally as slowly, walks over to the now empty seat, and gently sits down next to Vega while placing her hand bag on the empty seat next to her. Neither person looks at each other. Both of them just stare directly in front of them, at nothing in particular. Vega breaks the silence, keeping an extremely calm tone and demeanor the entire time.
Didn't think you'd make it.
Why's that?
Haven't seen you since... well...
Alexis nods, almost sarcastically.
Well, I'm here.
Vega nods as well, equally as sarcastically.
Yeah...
Yeah, you are.
The two remain silent for another couple of moments. It's an awkward silence that is finally broken as Alexis brings up the proverbial elephant in the room.
You know why I did it, don't you?
Vega remains uncharacteristically calm.
Yeah, I know.
You don't like getting yelled at.
Both Vega and Alexis have remained completely still this entire time. They both just sit there in their seats, looking forward, and continue on with their calm conversation as they wait to board their plane back home to New York City.
It's not the yelling.
Well then?
Alexis pauses for a moment.
It seems to be that you've forgotten how valuable I am to you as of late.
Meaning?
You know what I mean.
Vega remains silent.
You're no fool, Vega.
Alexis turns to face Vega. He, however, remains motionless, still facing forward.
You're entering a new stage in your career, walking into new battle grounds. You wanna rise to the top? You wanna succeed against the elite in this company? Well you know that with me by your side, your chances of success are exponentially better.
Out there... I am your most dangerous weapon.
Do not take me for granted.
Vega doesn't respond.
You want your moment...
You want your... revenge.
You want... "Showtime."
She leans in close to Vega's ear and softly says one last thing.
Well, let's get him.
Slowly, that familiar sinister smile begins creeping up onto Vega's face. He calmly picks up his duffel bag with his left hand and rises from his seat. He finally looks at Alexis, still smiling, and reaches out to her with his right hand.
Come on.
Where are we going?
Back to the arena. I can't wait two weeks.
But, Ascension is tonight... "Showtime" isn't wrestling on Ascension.
Doesn't matter.
I'm going to make my presence felt, one way or another... and somewhere down the road... "Showtime" will get his.
Vega nods to himself, feeling more confident than ever.
Sooner or later... I will have my moment.
Alexis accepts Vega's outstretched hand as she grabs her bag and is helped up out of her seat. She looks at Vega with a matching aura of confidence as she too cracks a smile.
I have a feeling your moment is coming a lot sooner than you think.
-Close-
