HD: Black/Landon and Black/Zack segments

[King Cucaracha 0]

Backstage we go into the locker room of Cucaracha Internacional, a scene of high tension at the moment. James Blonde and Megan Skye, nursing a sore neck from the Eulogy she suffered last week, sit at the back of the room watching pensively at the scene in front of them. In a bad mood, badder than usual, Nathaniel Black paces around in front of Landon, who is sat with his head frustratedly cupped in his hands.

BLACK
So, somebody care to explain just what in the 'ell went on last week? Or ain't I supposed to be 'in on the plan'?

MADDIX
Look do we really have to go through this now Nate? I've got a big match to be preparing for, this isn't exactly ideal timing...

BLACK
Yeah well, it ain't an ideal situation all round, is it? The whole point of me fightin' Malibu again last week was to put this thing to bed, once an' for all. That's the line you fed me before we went an' spoke to Baker. Well, it ain't even close to bedtime yet mate. You know BLOODY WELL that I 'aven't proven a damn thing! That's not how I wanted to beat Malibu!

MADDIX
I know, I know. It's not how [i]I[/i] wanted you to beat Malibu either.

BLACK
Then why were you in the ring with a steel chair in the first place, 'ay!?

Landon stammers around for an answer, one that won't incriminate himself further. And he comes up blank.

BLACK
And what the hell are we doin' getting involved with The Enterprise anyway, you know we can't trust them!

MADDIX
Look, I swear I didn't know that was going to happen, okay. ...I admit, I came out to give you a helping hand...

Black gives Landon an incredulous look.

BLACK
I don't NEED any bleedin' 'elp, how many times do I 'ave to tell you!? I am better than Zack Malibu.

MADDIX
I know, I know, but I just wanted to be double sure. Listen, I want this thing over as much as you do and as soon as possible, believe me. Not least because you're getting too distracted Nate. All I hear is Zack this, Zack that, "bloody Zack", "soddin' Zack"... you're getting obsessed. And the longer you're obsessed, the more distracted you are with everything else and the less useful you are to Cucaracha Internacional.

BLACK
I don't...

MADDIX
...care about Cucaracha Internacional, I know and that's the problem! You're getting so worked up with getting this win that you're saying to hell with everything else, everybody else. You're going into business for yourself. And I can't let you do that as well, we've already got one off the rails. Which is why I wanted to make certain you got the win you need, that you DESERVE. Hell I know you're better than Zack Malibu! So I came out, as your leader, to make sure. Everything after that was as much a shock to me as it was you. There is, was and will be no deals between us and The Enterprise. Nobody else matters. This right here in this room is the elite force in the OAOAST... at least, it is at the moment. You can't vilify me for caring too much, can you?

Scoffing under his breath, Nathaniel shakes his head.

BLACK
I can give it a bloody good go.

MADDIX
James, talk to him would you?

James Blonde stands up.

BLONDE
Look, Nate, I...

BLACK
'Ush your gums mate.

James Blonde sits back down.

BLACK
Listen, I ain't through with Zack, not by a longshot. And I ain't 'appy about what went down neither. But you don't 'ave to worry about me bein' a team player, alright? Just trust me. This thing with Malibu, quite frankly, it ain't Cucaracha business. Anything that is, count me in.

Sighing, Landon leans back in his chair for a second, then takes a look across the room.

MADDIX
James, remember that Battle Royal at AngleSlam?

BLONDE
Absolutely!

MADDIX
Yeah, you're out. Nate, you're in.

Realising what this means for his chances of another match with Zack, Black puts his hands on his hips. But he soon calms and nods his head grateful at the opportunity. As he then heads off to cool down, Landon turns over to Megan, comforting the sulking Blonde.

MADDIX
We're going have to keep a close eye on him.

[King Cucaracha 0]

Walking through the corridors of the... hey, what arena are we in? Is Alabama big enough to have arenas? Anyway, walking through the corridors of the arena that we're in, Nathaniel Black is still in the process of letting off some steam. Stomping through the hallways he barges past various OAOAST workers and arena staff without a second thought. All of a sudden though, Black comes to a stop. There to his left is the locker room bearing the logo of "The In Crowd". Black looks at the door for a few seconds and thinks over something in his head, before suddenly snapping to life and making for the door...

ZACK
HEY!

...getting no further than the door handle before Zack Malibu rounds the corner and spots him!

ZACK
Looking for someone?

BLACK
Yeh, as it 'appens.

ZACK
Just a passing visit?

Black notices Zack looking past him, possibly for accomplices.

BLACK
Relax. You reckon I was just gonna step into your locker room and start somethin'? That ain't my style mate. With or without back-up. I just wanted you to know, I ain't through with you yet Malibu. What went down last week didn't settle a bloody thing between you and me.

ZACK
You're telling me. I know you didn't have anything to do with it, but all the same, I got screwed over last week.

BLACK
Well, you'll wanna do somethin' about it then. Looks like you and me are gonna be busy at AngleSlam. So, once all that's over an' done with, I want another shot. A fair shot. No Enterprise, no Landon, none of that bollocks. Just you an' me, one on one, find out who the better man is once an' for all. Whether we do it in the ring or we 'ave to do it in the street to make sure no-one else is involved, I don't care.

ZACK
Well hopefully it won't come to that. This isn't about street-fighting, it's about who the better [i]wrestler[/i] is. And until we prove whether it's you or me, anytime you want another shot... all you've gotta do is say the word.

Nodding, Black walks past Zack with a grin.

BLACK
Next time, there won't be no excuses.

Usually that sort of arrogance wouldn't play with Zack. But he admires the confidence with a little scoff under his breath, before shaking his head and entering the In Crowd locker room.