HD: Rodez segment

[King Cucaracha 0]

Backstage we go into the Love Generation dressing room, trailing close behind the dejected looking form of Jade Rodez. Carrying a cup of coffee in her hand Jade is greeted by Tyler, who quickly covers up the speaker part of the phone he's talking on as he notices Jade.

TYLER
Hey. Listen, Leon's on the phone and he wants to speak to you. I'll put him on speaker, shall I?

With a sad nod Jade agrees. Tyler, after explaining to Leon on the other end, does as he said and quickly takes off to give Jade her space.

LEON
[i]Hi, Jade? How are you doing?[/i]

Jade doesn't respond. Arms folded, she sits back in the chair staring forwards at the blank wall in front of her.

LEON
[i]Stupid question, I'm sorry. Look, I know you're still angry with me.[/i]

Jade continues to stare forwards.

LEON
[i]You've got every right to be, I know. But this doesn't change anything, you know. Mom and Dad only told me about a year ago, after you'd already shown up here. Maybe they figured since I was virtually looking after you by that point that I'd handle but, I didn't know how to tell you. And I certainly didn't know it was Krista. Not until...[/i]

Jade glances up as Leon stops.

LEON
[i]...well, I kinda put two and two together a couple of weeks ago, but I swear I didn't know for sure, not until Moneymaker said so. You have to believe me.[/i]

JADE
I do.

LEON
[i]Good. Look, I know this is all horrible for you and it's going to take you a long time to really adjust. But when you're ready, I'm still here for you. Shayne, Tyler, they'll still be here for you. We all will. No matter what your blood might say, we're still your family, your friends, people who really care about you. So once you get your head together we'll talk. Besides, sister, niece, what does it really matter, huh?[/i]

Leon's attempts at lightening the mood go down like a lead balloon with Jade who just glares at the speaker phone as he chuckles nervously.

LEON
[i]Too soon for jokes, I'm sorry. Listen, maybe it's better if I just let you think about what I said and you can give me a call back when... [i]if[/i] you wanna talk, okay? Stay safe. I'll see you next week if you don't get back to me before then.[/i]

JADE
...okay.

With an audible sigh, Leon hangs up. Right on cue there's a knock at the door and before Jade can think of telling whoever's on the other side to buzz off, the door opens and Maggie Nerdly walks in, closing the door carefully behind her.

JADE
Please Maggie, not now...

MAGGIE
It's okay, no interviews. I'm not here for work. I'm just here to talk... about... ya know.

JADE
Where's Tyler?

MAGGIE
Oh, I sent him packing. Poor kid, he was so busy with his ear pressed up against the door he didn't hear me coming. Listen, I can't stay long because I've got a match tonight... can you believe that? It sounds so weird, even coming out of my own mouth. Main event! Hollaback to that, girl! But, that's not important. What's important is how you're feeling? You can confide in me, ya know, I used to do the problem pages in my High School newsletter. Acne, backne, crackne, I've guided the masses through them all. Then once Marvin and Melvin graduated, they gave me the job on the paper! Anyway, point is, I'm hear to help. I'll be your listen lady. Just let it all out. Pretend you don't know me. I mean, I know I'm dating your brother and all so I...

Maggie stops all of a sudden as Jade kinda scoffs under her breath.

MAGGIE
What? Did I say something wrong?

JADE
No.

MAGGIE
Is it about Leon? Because I won't take his side, I promise.

JADE
Yeah. So, you've got a big tag match tonight! Tha Puerto Rican. He's pretty cute, don'tcha think? No? Well, give it time. It's amazing what working closely will do sometimes. Who knows, you might find out you've got some sort of amazing chemistry with him! I mean, look at Leon... my UNCLE, Leon... look at the chemistry he and [i]Melody[/i] have together, huh?

Maggie struggles for a moment to respond to that.

JADE
Oh yeah. Have you heard their AnglePalooza DVD commentary? It's good stuff. So, I take it Leon's wished you good luck tonight...

MAGGIE
Well... not yet.

JADE
Oh. Well, nevermind, I'm sure he's got a lot on his mind now that it's out that he's really my uncle and not my brother. I'm sure he'll get around to it.

MAGGIE
Yeah... uh, listen, I hate to cut and run like this but I really should be getting ready for my match, so you'll be okay, right?

JADE
Oh yeah, sure, sure, you go right ahead. And good luck.

MAGGIE
Yeah, yeah... thanks.

Looking a little shaken up Maggie stands back up and walks back out of the dressing room scratching her head. As soon as the door shuts, Jade's forced smile disappears and she picks up her coffee and takes a satisfied swig.