The Second Chapter
Reminiscing
New York, New York
December 7th, 11 am.(The scene opens with Dante sitting in his hotel room in NYC. He’s got the television on, just to have some sound going on in the background. He has his phone out, looking at some pictures from when his daughter was younger, back when he and her mother were still together. He lets out a sigh, as he closes the photos app, and scrolls through his contacts. He comes to a name, and presses the call button. It rings a couple times, before the call is answered.)
Maria: Hey Dante.
Dante: Hey Maria. Hows are you guys doing?
Maria: We’re doing well. Amber is just watching some tv. Want me to get her?
Dante: Actually, I needed to talk to you about something.
Maria: Oh?
Dante: Yeah, I wanted to ask you something.
Maria: What’s that?
(Dante takes a deep breath and lets it out before continuing.)
Dante: Okay, so I had that show a couple days before Thanksgiving, have one tomorrow night and I’m in the main event...we have a big show coming up later this month, from what I hear, it’s one of their biggest shows of the year.
Maria: Okay…
Dante: So, it’s December twenty-second in New York City….
Maria: Dante…
Dante: Maria, hear me out…
(He takes another deep breath, trying to psych himself up to ask what he was wanting to ask.)
Dante: I want to know if I could bring Amber to the show? I know she absolutely loves New York and it would be a really special Christmas present I could give her.
Maria: I don’t know...you know how I feel about her watching that stuff.
Dante: If you like, I can make sure she stays in the locker room or something during my match and doesn’t watch it. I just want to spend some time with her and figured that’d be a great way.
Maria: When would you two be back?
Dante: I could have her back for Christmas.
Maria: Well...I’ll have to think about it. I don’t want to say one way or another just yet.
Dante: I understand. Thanks Maria.
Maria: Did you want to talk to Amber?
Dante: Of course.
Maria: Okay, give me a second. Of course, don’t mention anything about that.
Dante: Of course.
Maria: Hold on.
(Dante can hear Maria walk in the other room to get their daughter. After a few seconds, Dante is greeted by his daughter’s voice.)
Amber: Hey daddy.
Dante: Hey babygirl. How are you?
Amber: I’m good. How’s you?
Dante: I’m good, sitting in my hotel room in New York getting ready for another match tomorrow.
Amber: Are you excited?
Dante: Yeah, I am. It’s in a big spot on the show, so it’s a good chance for me to impress everyone.
Amber: I know you will. They’ll see how great you are.
Dante: Haha, thanks babygirl.
Amber: I wish I could see it.
(Dante pauses, making sure not to mention anything he wasn’t suppose to.)
Dante: Maybe you can again one day.
Amber: I doubt it.
Dante: You never know, as long as you keep your grades up in school and listen to what your mom says, maybe one day it will be possible.
Amber: Or if you and mommy get back together...
(That statement struck Dante. He had to take a moment before he could respond. He knew it couldn’t happen because of the past.)
Dante: I...don’t think that’s going to happen. Mommy and I both love you, but we weren’t the best for one another.
Amber: Yeah, but I like you a whole lot more than any of the guys she’s dated.
(From the other room, he can hear Amber’s mom yelling at her.)
Maria: AMBER!
Amber: What!? It’s true!
(Dante laughs a bit, and shakes his head.)
Dante: You shouldn’t speak bad of who your mom likes. Have to show them respect.
Amber: Do I have to?
Dante: Yes, you do. If your mom likes them, you don’t want to do anything to mess that up for her.
(He can hear her sigh, the defeat in her voice.)
Amber: I guess you’re right.
Dante: So, anything you want for Christmas?
Amber: Well...what I really want...I-I dunno.
Dante: You don’t know?
Amber: N-nope.
Dante: Surely there’s something you want I can get you.
Amber: How about you win your match? And maybe I get to see you on Christmas?
Dante: I’ll see what I can do.
Amber: I know you’ll win.
Dante: It’s a pretty big match, but I think I will too.
Amber: Of course you will. You’re the greatest!
(Dante laughs and shakes his head.)
Dante: You’re a little biased there.
Amber: Maybe...but I stand by it. You’re gonna kick their butt!
Dante: Don’t let your mom hear you talk like that.
Amber: I hear worse than that in school.
Dante: Yes, but doesn’t mean you talk like that.
Amber: Okay.
Dante: Well, I need to go get some training and studying done. Make sure I’m in tip top shape for my match tomorrow.
Amber: Okay daddy. Call me after tomorrow and tell me how it went?
Dante: I always do, babygirl.
Amber: Okay, I love you.
Dante: I love you too. I’ll talk to you later.
Amber: Bye.
(Dante presses the end button, and lets out another sigh. He sits back in the chair, thinking to himself. After a few moments, he stands up, grabs his things, and heads out to head to the gym.)
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People Like You
New York, New York
December 8th, 3 pm(The scene opens with the camera showing a shot of the ring being built by the ring crew, the entrance set-up being set up and tested. The camera pans to see Dante sitting in one of the empty seats in the arena. He’s looking at everything going on, taking a moment to let it all sink in. He takes a deep breath and lets it out.)
Dante: Such a big production…
(He turns to look at the camera.)
Dante: Tonight’s a big night for me. My second match here, and I’m in the main event of Riot. I wish I could say it was against an opponent I respect...but that would be a lie.
(Dante leans forward in the seat, folding his hands together.)
Dante: You see, when I was younger, around nineteen. There was this kid, he was one of those rich kids, living off daddy’s money, never had to want for anything, real spoiled rotten brat. I was dating this girl at the time, she was a real beauty, and he decided that he wanted her, nevermind the fact she was with me. So, he went after her, and she politely turned him down, but he persisted. After repeatedly telling him no nicely, she finally told him no and to leave her alone….he didn’t take too kindly to that.
(He sits back in his seat as he continues.)
Dante: He proceeded to berate her, and treat her like she was lower than dirt. He called her every derogatory term in the book, all because she rejected him. So, what did his behavior earn him? Well, it earned him a date...with my fists.
(He lets out a sigh.)
Dante: All this to say, Everett, I’ve seen your type before. The cocky, slimy bastard that takes advantage of every situation to your benefit. You think you’re above everything, and you take advantage of people and don’t think twice of discarding them once they’ve run out their usefulness to you. I despise people like you. You think you can just go through this life, doing whatever the hell you want and getting away with it? Every consequence has a equal and opposite reaction. Like, when I kick your head off your shoulders, the reaction will be that you fall flat on the mat. If your bodyguard decides to get involved? He’ll suffer the same fate, so I’d higly suggest he didn’t.
(A smirk grows on Dante’s face, as he shakes his head.)
Dante: You know, I’m going to enjoy this. After all, I did promise a certain World Champ I’d give you a few extra kicks to the head on his behalf, just for good measure after all you’ve put him through. So get ready, do your training, come up with a gameplan....
….you’re going to need all of it.