“Hiding secrets?”
(We see Jenn and Eddie Sr pulling into EJ’s driveway…It’s the first time either of them has visited his house since he moved here from Puerto Rico, normally it’s the other way around. He’s always described his house as “different”. Eddie couldn’t shake those words his son told him and had to come to check out this house himself. He got out of the car to look around, and from what he’s seeing, he doesn’t like it. He has a disgusted look on his face and he’s not afraid to show it. Jenn isn’t too far from looking that herself.)
Eddie Sr: I thought he said this place was different, I don’t like it.
Jenn: I mean it’s his first house, just don’t be too judgemental about it.
(As they continue to look around the outside of the house, Eddie has something else on his mind that he hasn’t been able to shake. So before they go into the house he wanted to talk about that for a moment)
Eddie Sr: Before we go inside EJ’s house, let’s talk about something for a minute. Have you noticed that Gracie is acting differently lately?
Jenn: No why?
Eddie Sr: It just feels like she’s hiding something and I have no idea what it is. Maybe she’s pregnant?
Jenn: She’s not dating anybody….
Eddie Sr: That hasn’t stopped anybody before!
Jenn: …. Like your other 2 kids?
(Eddie stares at her for a moment trying to figure out a comeback for that but he doesn’t have any before shaking his head)
Eddie Sr: This isn’t about me!
Jenn: Besides if Gracie was, I don’t think they’ll allow her to be wrestling anymore and she just got done wrestling this weekend, that’s why it’s not her. But I think she’s covering up for one of her friends but who?
Eddie Sr: I bet it’s Bella…
Jenn: I know you don’t pay attention to Twitter, but she announced that weeks ago.
Eddie Sr: Then it’s you!
Jenn: I can’t get pregnant you moron! Did you take too many happy pills or something today? I mean god damn you’re more hyper than normal.
(Awkward silence fell between the two for a moment before Eddie makes his way to his son’s front door but he can’t shake the fact that a secret is out there and he can’t crack it. He’s on the right path on the pregnancy part but far apart on who is. It’s gonna be something on his mind until he figures it out. He knocks on the door before walking in, and inside of the house is a disaster. He looks baffled at the clothes thrown all over the place, it’s as if the hamper exploded or something. Brooklyn is the first person to meet Eddie at the door.)
Eddie Sr: Are YOU pregnant!?
Brooklyn: ….the hell?!
Jenn: Don’t mind him, He watched too much CSI so he thinks he’s an investigator…
(While the elderly Eddie checks out the house, Jenn leans into Brooklyn’s ear and whispers)
Jenn: Either that or he’s going through a midlife crisis.
(Both women look at him for a second before shrugging their shoulders at him. As they look around the house they wear footsteps coming from upstairs, then down the steps and EJ shows his face. He looks at everyone with a smile and then notices his dad trying to clean up)
Brooklyn: Why are you trying to clean the house?
Eddie Sr: Oh, sorry. I was trying to find the couch. I mean since the hamper exploded in here, i couldn’t find anything.
Brooklyn: Yeah, he’s been dealing with clingy babies right now. So someone has to be with them or else they’ll cry and he hasn’t had time to clean up. He knew you guys were gonna come visit today but yeah this is his house. It may not be on par with your places but it’s a roof over his head.
(Eddie Sr looks around before sitting on a chair and immediately rips the arm off the chair without putting pressure on it. He holds it up in the air.)
Eddie Sr: Apparently I got stronger during my rehab…. Anyway, so are the babies doing ok and everything?
(EJ nods his head with a smile on his face. He knows that his father will always check up on those kids no matter what because they’re his grandkids.)
Brooklyn: Yeah they’re doing well I come here every other day or so to check up on these two lovebirds and their kids. I love being an auntie to them!
Jenn: Where do you live?
Brooklyn: About half an hour down the road or so, up the coast a bit. But it’s still close enough if these two need anything I’m a short drive away and I can help them. I just only speak for him when he has his matches, I’m not his girlfriend so there’s no point for me to stay here!
(Brooklyn looks at him for a moment and chuckles slightly)
Brooklyn: Seriously though, he knows he has friends and family around just in case something happens, and I’m sure he’s happy about that. Back when we lived in Puerto Rico, they didn’t have that luxury. When the hurricanes came, we just had each other. We survived but still. Sorry I went on a rant there….
Jenn: Noo it’s fine. I get it. Kinda sounds like me when I first moved to America, I didn’t have anybody but friends nearby and relied on them if shit hits the fan. I’ve been there, trust me.
(Jenn goes to sit down on the couch but as soon as she does, she sinks right in she’s almost floor level)
Brooklyn: Comfy?
Jenn: Oh yeah, It’s how I like my chairs, ground level….
(They all share a laugh at Jenn’s expense as she keeps sitting there. All of them are having a good time with each other's company.)
Eddie Sr: Broken chairs, ground-level seats, why didn’t I think of this!?
(The sarcasm the elder Lopez made was off the charts but nobody caught it.)
Jenn: Since we’ve been busy with the old man's return to wrestling and I guess secrets running around here, how have you feeling since your debut and that loss you took?
(The younger Lopez looks at Brooklyn for a moment before speaking to her.)
Brooklyn: He got humbled by the experience but he said he looked strong anyway and that was the important thing. He’s not here for wins or loses or to make friends, he’s here to make a statement and if people didn’t pay attention to that match, they should pay attention to this one, because he’s gonna do the same thing. He knows he has a tough task with Shawn Young, but he’s willing to take that task and that opportunity and run with it.
(The younger Eddie shrugs his shoulders a bit.)
Brooklyn: Yeah, he lost his debut match but he’s not gonna cry about it and he’s not going to make excuses about it either. He’s gonna learn from it, and he’s gonna evolve. And I’m gonna be there every step of the way when he does. He knows he’s talented, and he knows he can be a big star one day, but it’s baby steps right now. He doesn’t want to overwhelm himself. He also has the shadow of his family to get out of as well. With all of this pressure, a normal person would buckle.
(Brooklyn shakes her head.)
Brooklyn: But has he? No. Is he a failure? No. If he wasn’t he wouldn’t be in the same room as his dad. But his dad is supportive of him, and the entire family is too. Because they know he’s the future of this business. It was a moniker that Gracie had when she started out but she’s a star now she doesn’t need that. Even she’s supportive of her brother. The passion he has for this business isn’t going to die because of one loss, and it’s not going to die because people want to compare him to his family.
(Brooklyn chuckles for a moment as she looks at the younger Lopez.)
Brooklyn: Now that his father is part of management, people are going to use that as some attack thinking that his dad will help him but here’s the thing…. He’s not. Right?
(The elderly Lopez nods his head.)
Eddie Sr: Everyone has to EARN their title shots and EARN their place. It may sound harsh but I don’t play those games, and I don’t play favorites.
Brooklyn: And you just heard it from the horse's mouth. As far as Shawn Young goes, he’s just some fun boy who likes bright lights and he likes to stare at strobe lights…I mean that’s fun unless you wanna sound like a Landerson. That was a cheap shot, and I’m not sorry for that. What are they gonna do? Hurt me? Fight me? Not a wise idea.
(Brooklyn isn’t scared to make enemies out of the Landerson family, she knows they won’t DARE touch her because that’ll be the stupidest decision they’ll ever make in their lives.)
Brooklyn: So, Shawn tell me this when was the last time you’ve been on this show? November right? And then you disappeared into thin air. See, I’ve seen your history and you’ve faced a lot of top names of this company and yet you haven’t impressed anybody because you’re easily forgettable. I can tell you how many people missed you on one hand, and that’s sad man. But you’re about to step foot into the ring with someone who has a lot of passion. Someone who doesn’t care about your fascination with bright lights or strobe lights.
(Brooklyn looks at EJ again for a moment)
Brooklyn: You’re gonna step foot into the ring with a future star, and he’s only just now starting to build a foundation for himself. If he has to use you as a brick for the foundation, so be it. He’ll have no remorse for doing so. The amount of passion this man has is more than you have in your entire body, and he won’t be put down easily by guys like you. Guys who just use this business for money and fame. He’s looking to dig his OWN legacy just like his father, just like his grandfather, and just like his sister. In a way, I feel sorry for you Shawn, I feel sorry for you because you’re a failure. I feel sorry for you because at the end of this match win or lose, EJ will be talked about, and you? You’ll probably disappear for months again, and you’ll be easily forgotten about.
(Brooklyn shrugs her shoulders as she’s not really interested in Shawn young or anything to do with him. She feels like he’s nothing but a loser, but she doesn’t feel like repeating herself. The scene comes to a close with them talking about the house more and how to repair the furniture that was broken,)