HD: Landon/Moneymaker segment

[King Cucaracha 0]

Backstage we swoop and we join in progress what seems to be a heated 'discussion' between Megan Skye and Landon "La Cucaracha" Maddix, the SWF's Power Couple walking through the hallways of the arena, to where who knows?

MADDIX
...I'm not denying that, I'm just saying it was a selfish thing to do, that's all.

MEGAN
Don't take this the wrong way, but... well, can you blame him?

MADDIX
Because of what happened in the SWF, right? Look, we all decided long ago, that was in the past. You and Todd have managed to get along fine and up until Syndicated, I thought the same could be said for us. But then he goes and leaves me up the creek without a paddle for AngleMania and to top it off, he costs us the HI-YAH Tag Team Titles last week. He told me, me [i]and[/i] you, that he was commited to being a championship winning team again. And he wasn't. And now he's got a spot at AngleMania and the soon to be 3-time SWF World Champion is out in the cold.

"It's ridiculous, is what it is."

Confused by the voice without an apparant source, Landon looks around, behind, above (!?) and finds no-one. Until he spies Theodore Moneymaker, The Billion Dollar Heir casually fanning himself with a handful of $100 bills (as you do).

MONEYMAKER
The biggest show of the year and you, not in a high-profile match with so few weeks to go. That's not right. I don't believe we've met. Moneymaker's the name, Theodore Moneymaker, but you can call me Teddy. *extends hand*

MADDIX
Uhm... you do know who I am, right?

MONEYMAKER
HHAHAHAHAHA!

Landon recoils a little, taken by surprise by the uproarious laugh.

MONEYMAKER
Of course I know who you are. You're Landon Maddix, the SWF's poster child and one hell of an athlete, might I add. Not forgetting of course, the sharpest female mind in professional wrestling, Miss Megan Skye. I'm a big fan of your work. And that's why I'm glad you walked past. Because, I have a 'proposition' for you.

MADDIX
Okay, just... one thing. You... [i]do[/i] know who I am, right?

MONEYMAKER
I know exactly who you are Landon, you're a man without direction! Which just isn't right. It's clear to everyone that you've got the talent, the charisma, the youthful good looks, all the credentials needed to go straight to the top of this company. And yet, here you stand, not wondering whom you'll face at the showpiece of the OAOAST calender AngleMania, but if you'll even get a paycheck for your existance on April 1st. You've been frozen out. By this company, by it's talent, by it's owners and authority figures. Landon, I am a business man. And from what I've seen, you're a man who's good for business. Which is why I can look past your past associations with the Bruce Blanks of this world. We all make mistakes and bad business decisions in our naive moments... well, except me of course. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Landon again recoils. He really should have seen it coming this time.

MONEYMAKER
However, I'm confident you are no longer so naive. Your merchandise deal with the SWF alone tells me all I need to know about your credentials as business people. Now, as you probably know, The Enterprise is the guiding force of the OAOAST and with our physical and mental accument, we shall be for years to come. And I'm sure the same can be said for you. So, it seems natural that we should work out some sort of arrangement. Having the prestigous "Moneymaker" name on your CV however can do nothing but raise your stock in the eyes of the business world. And nothing but advance your career prospects.

MEGAN
What do you have in mind?

MONEYMAKER
I'll be shrift with you... I want the OAOAST World Tag Team Championships in The Enterprise's portfolio.

MADDIX
Okay. So, where do we come into that?

MONEYMAKER
It's simple really. The current holders of the titles, Chicks Over Dicks, are not the sharp business minds they claim to be. They've got a serious problem with bravado. And they've proven in the past, they're willing to accept any challenge at any time, no matter how unwise it may be. Which is where you come in. You being a four-time and current SWF Tag Team Champion, there's no better, more qualified man to capture those titles. So, with my backing, yourself and Mister Cortez challenge for the World Tag Team Titles tonight... and for your trouble, you'll be re-imbursed.

MEGAN
How much?

MONEYMAKER
Five hundred thousand dollars.

MADDIX
:O

Megan grips onto Landon's arm to prevent him from fainting, trying to keep a calm exterior in front of this powerful businessman while her man babbles under his breath and starts foaming at the mouth.

MEGAN
That's an interesting proposal. But, why would you be paying us to win the Tag Team Titles?

MONEYMAKER
Well, of course, once you're victorious, you will exchange the titles for the money.

Cue awkward silence. Suddenly the babbling and the foaming stops, Landon finally realising that yes, the offer that seemed too good to be true was too good to be true.

MADDIX
So, you want us to go out and win the titles for you, then hand them over to you? How does that solve my problem exactly?

MONEYMAKER
What problem?

MADDIX
Wha... the one you were so interested in three minutes ago!

MONEYMAKER
Oh, yes, that problem. Of course. Well, in addition to the money, you can be assured that I will use my extensive stroke to ensure you're on the AngleMania card in some fashion. And I will get you a shot at the OAOAST World Heavyweight Championship, no questions asked.

MEGAN
Listen, we don't need your chari...

MADDIX
Woah, wait a second Megan. Let me get this straight... you're going to pay me five hundred thousand dollars, get me on the AngleMania card AND get me a shot at the World Title... all to win the titles with Todd and give them to you?

MONEYMAKER
Exactly. So, do we have a deal?

MEGAN
One thing. Why can't you just wait until AngleMania. I mean, you won the Anderson Cup, went through four matches and now you're not going to take advantage of the prize for winning?

MONEYMAKER
That's exactly what I'm doing young lady. All I would be doing is merely speeding the process up a little. I'd still be an Anderson Cup winner and a World Tag Team Champion, it would just be an 'easier' process. I didn't make my fortune by dirtying my own fingernails you know.

MADDIX
He makes a good point. You've got a deal, Teddy!

Landon eagerly shakes Teddy's hand, Moneymaker also shaking the hand of the clearly wary Megan while Landon takes in the smell of money on his hand.

MADDIX
One condition though.

MONEYMAKER
Name it.

MADDIX
Don't mention this to Todd. He's not a business man, so it's probably best I handle the money.

MONEYMAKER
You remind me of me so much right now, I'm so proud Landon. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

The uproarious Moneymaker walks away fanning himself with the money again, as Landon watches on, trying to regulate his breathing after the latest unexpected laugh.

MADDIX
I think I need a Pepsi Max.