Promo Goodness for tonight.

[Zack Malibu 0]

Backstage, Calvin Szechstein sits with his feet propped up on his desk, chatting away on his cell phone, when we hear his door open. Cal looks over and offers a smile to the interrupting party, then resumes his conversation.

 

"Hey, listen, Ashton, let me call you back, k? Yeah, no, you're on the list, it's no problem. Alright, I'll check you later."

 

Cal flips his phone shut and puts it on his desk, then gets himself together, sitting all business like for his company, which the camera reveals to be ZACK MALIBU once it pans over!

 

"Let me guess...you have questions? Concerns? Or you just came in here to relive the good old days."

 

"I want to talk to you about this ladder match."

 

"TLC match, Zack. Pay attention."

 

"Whatever, Cal, you know what I mean."

 

"Look, I know you and Rodez, you might be both on the same side, but you're not necessarily on the same page. I know there's a little history there from earlier this year, but the past is the past, right? I mean, you and I know that more than anyone."

 

"I just want to know how you came up with putting us together. What's the deal there?"

 

"The deal? Hmm, let's see...tag up two of my most popular stars, one of whom is the very face of the company I'm running. Two world-class athletes, not to mention you've got qualms with the GPX, and a little lingering bad blood with a Mr. Dan Black. Need I go on?"

 

"No." snaps back Zack.

 

"Zack, I know what you're worried about. Rodez, he's more of a fit for this little crew Drek Stone's pulling together, but truthfully, I don't think he wants any part of it. This is a chance, a goodwill gesture towards the newcomers and the young blood. You teaming up with Leon is going to go up Drek's ass, because it's going to show the world that what he's saying is false, and that you do give a damn about the talent trying to establish themselves."

 

"You've got a point."

 

"You hate that, don't you?"

 

"Not all the time."

 

"Listen, Zack, I know you better than you might even think. I've been on both sides of the fence with you, and I know you're putting the weight of this, Civil War we'll call it, on your shoulders. The last time you stressed yourself out over something, it didn't turn out too well. You forget, I was there for that."

 

"Look, the stress is just stress. This is still the company that I built from the ground up, and I'm not going to let Drek Stone try to manipulate anyone anymore. These beliefs of his, these things he preaches, not only is it tearing us apart from the inside, but it's affecting the interest from the newcomers, I've got guys in OAOVW worried that they're going to get called up and left to rot at the bottom of the card. Stone's taking this vendetta against me and using it to make himself out to be some company man, some hero, when all he's doing is trying to rack up the number of people who want to do me in, in case he can't do it himself."

 

"Sunday night was definitely a step in the right direction, you have to admit."

 

"He beat me, I won't deny that, and I give him credit for it. In the ring, that night, he was able to pin me. You know more than anyone though, that doesn't stop me. I don't fall down easily. I'm still standing."

 

"I know. And he knows, which is why you need to stay focused. He's not done coming at you."

 

"Is anyone ever done coming at me? There's never a dull moment around this place."

 

"I'll drink to that. Scotch?"

 

"Cal..."

 

"Right, we're working, I know. Hey, at least I can get away with it. I'm not about to fire myself for drinking on the job."

 

"Look, I'm gonna go and talk to Rodez. I think we're done here."

 

"Good man, go get your act together, because next week, it's your chance at a clean slate. You can turn the tide back in the direction of The Originals, Zack. You know what you have to do."

 

Zack nods, then turns and leaves. Cal lets out a quick sigh as the door shuts, and we fade out.

[Zack Malibu 0]

Backstage, Zack Malibu walks the halls, looking around for his soon to be tag team partner, Leon Rodez. As Malibu asks several road agents and other personnel if they've seen him, Leon himself comes into view.

 

"Malibu! I've been looking for you."

 

"Same here."

 

The two men approach each other, and Zack extends a hand to greet Leon, who thinks for a moment, then shakes the hand of his one time enemy.

 

"Look, I'm just as surprised as you are, Zack. But I talked to Cal myself a while ago, and I've got to hand it to the man, he makes a good point."

 

"Yeah, I hate it when he does that."

 

"I know what you mean. Look, you and I, we don't have the best history..."

 

"That seems to be a recurring theme these days."

 

"...but we can make this work. You've been in the ring with nearly everyone in the company, and I'm hungry to prove myself. No matter how random it may seem to us, this team can work."

 

"I'm ready to make it work, but I'm going to come flat out and ask you one thing. Where do you stand?"

 

"Where do I stand?"

 

"As far as this little...mutiny, shall we say. I want to know what you think about what Drek Stone, the GPX, Crystal...what they've all been doing. I know you've had your problems with Wright and Bo, but I want to know if you've been buying what the rest of them are selling."

 

"So, you want to know if I'm looking to get ahead at your expense, and if I think you and the rest of The Originals really are that greedy for glory that you've been keeping us "kids" down?"

 

"Point blank, yes."

 

"Zack, look, you and I, we had differences, but right now we're on the same page. See, I see what Drek's doing too. He's trying to poison everyone and destroy the reputations of the people that made this company great, all so he looks good in comparison. It's insecurity and professional jealousy taken to the next level. Me, I might be too secure with myself, I might brag a little too much here and there, but let me tell you something-I'm not looking to get by by any other means other than working to get to the top, and next week, Zack, I've been given an opportunity. I've been given the chance to get another OAOAST Championship, one that I can share with the person who is the star representative of this company, and THAT is something that I want to work."

 

Zack smirks, while Leon just nods his head.

 

"That's just the way it is, Zack. I'm coming clean with you. If I were to pick a side, right here and now...I'm backing The Originals."

 

Malibu seems relieved that not everyone has been brainwashed by Drek Stone.

 

"Alright then, Rodez. You and I need to talk, because we've gotta prepare for something."

 

"You mean the match, right?"

 

"I mean the war."