He never walks away
He never asks for money
He takes care of me
He loves me
Piece by piece, he restored my faith
That a man can be kind and a father could stay
5 Years Ago...
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Can we please not have this argument again?
(The Madison's home, namely the kitchen, has become common ground for this situation. A 17 year old Bella wanting to hold off her college for a little bit...why?)
Bella Madison: This is BULLSHIT! I’ve been around it since I was 12 years old, I’ve been messing around in the ring for just as long. All I wanna do is just hold off for a year, maybe more before going to college and focus on training in the ring. I’ve wanted to follow in both of your footsteps for so long. What’s so wrong about that?
(Bella is leaning against the counter on one side of the kitchen, with Nick and Laura standing at the island.)
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Sweetie, we talked about this. Look at your situation, we have always told you that you can do whatever you want but I’d feel safer if you did start college in the fall like it was planned. You need something to fall back on.
Bella Madison: But it’s only just for a little bit though.
(Nick walks over and leans against the counter next to Bella.)
Nick Madison: Your mom has a point. Wrestling doesn’t last forever. You do need to have something to fall back on...I just don’t want you to throw away an opportunity.
Bella Madison: I just wish I could give my brain a rest for just a little bit. I have been going non-stop, keeping my grades up in these honors classes. SAT’s SUCKED, my brain is FRIED and all I want to do is have just a little bit of fun.
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Well, first of all...I wouldn’t call training “Fun”.
Nick Madison: Plus, you’ve got scholarship offers to college...I didn’t have that opportunity coming out of highschool. I wasn’t a great student like you have been. I didn’t have any offers to college, so I HAD to go to wrestling. You have a choice. I know it sounds cliche but we really only want what’s best for you.
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Trust me, you are our kid, there is no way you’re not going to have the plethora of training opportunities waiting the minute that degree is in your hand.
Bella Madison: And there’s no way that NYU is going to turn me down from taking up my scholarship a few months later to do what I want!
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: DAMMIT ELIZABETH MARIE! YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE! You are not going to squander what has been handed to you, and that is FINAL!
(Laura doesn’t say another word or let another retort fly from anywhere before stomping off from the kitchen and up the stairs. Bella just lets out a bit of an internal scream-slash-growl.)
Bella Madison: I don’t get it! WHY is she so against this? You guys have always told me I can do whatever I want, I want the ring! I have never been shy about that fact.
Nick Madison: She’s just...in her mind, trying to do what’s best for you.
Bella Madison: You mean just like grandpa?
Nick Madison: She does mean well...
Bella Madison: Yeah, and how well did that work for him? ARGH, sorry dad, I just....I know I’m just as strong minded as she is, when she wanted her freedom, she did it. All I want is to actually fulfill that destiny that you guys have left me. So, let me do it.
Nick Madison: You’re not going to give up on this, are you?
Bella Madison: So much so that I am thinking about calling Uncle Levi. Maybe even Kurt....
Nick Madison: You talk to Kurt, I disown you. And, no need to talk to Levi….
(Nick hesitates for a second.)
Nick Madison: Let’s make a deal. If you will take the scholarship and enroll to NYU in the fall….I’ll train you in wrestling when we can. It won’t be full time, but I’ll make sure you’re properly trained.
(Bella’s eyes get wide.)
Bella Madison: Really?!
Nick Madison: I fell in love with your mother, remember? I know from experience how stubborn you girls can be.
Bella Madison: Well...yeah ok, you’re right. I mean, if that is what it’s going to take to get her off my back, but will she go for it? Cause I’ll do it!
Nick Madison: Let me talk to her. I’ll see what I can do, try and save another shouting match.
Bella Madison: I guess. Ok, well, I gotta get over to the Russow’s to watch the twins again. Just....
(Bella steps up and gives him a hug.)
Bella Madison: Thank you.
Nick Madison: Of course, kid. I’m always gonna do what I can for you.
(With that she lets go and heads out the door, leaving Nick standing there for a minute...)
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Where’d she go?
Nick Madison: To the Russow’s to watch the twins.
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Shit, I forgot about that. ....was I completely out of line with her?
Nick Madison: Well….you DID kinda remind me of a certain uptight controlling man that tried to write a check to me to stay away from you...
(Laura slumps down into a chair and just drops her head into her hands.)
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Oh, wonderful. I was beginning to wonder if that was genetic or not.
(Nick comes over behind Laura and starts rubbing her shoulders.)
Nick Madison: I’ve talked to her, and I think we’ve come to a compromise.
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: That she stops growing up? Because that would be amazing.
Nick Madison: Unfortunately, that’s not possible. But, she’s willing to take the scholarship and enroll to NYU in the fall...
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: ....annnnnd?
Nick Madison:...on the condition I train her in wrestling in her spare time. Not a full time training schedule, but some to make sure she gets trained properly.
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Are you kidding me?? What if she gets into it too much? Her grades will slip. Or worse she gets hurt and all of a sudden she can’t get to classes and then what?
Nick Madison: I’m not going to just throw her into the ring. She’s going to go through the basics...besides...I’d rather it be me training her than Levi she was threatening to talk to….or Kurt...
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: Oh Christ, I rather not put her through another wash-out lane situation like I went through.
Nick Madison: So, let me train her. I’ll make sure her grades stay straight. I’ll make sure she’s careful, too.
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: I know you will, and maybe I can stop in once she’s getting really going. I’m just, I’m afraid of what this could do to her. We both know how rough this business can be on a person, mentally and after all that she’s been through. I still wanna protect my little girl.
(Nick sits down next to her and gives her a kiss.)
Nick Madison: She’s strong, like you. We can at least make sure she’s really ready when it comes time. But you have to give her a little credit, she’s a strong willed kid with a great head on her shoulders and smart as hell. If anyone can mentally handing this business. It’s her.
Laura ‘Phoenix’ Madison: I guess. Alright, I give. Pizza for dinner?
Nick Madison: Perfect.
(Laura stands and walks away to call it in as Nick reaches for his own phone and simply texts to Bella. “She agreed.”. And without a few moments passing he gets back an excited ‘gif’ of Carlton dancing which causes him to burst out laughing.)
Nick Madison: OUR DAUGHTER IS SUCH A NERD!
(The scene opens with Nick and Bella Madison talking in the gym at the Madison house. Nick is leaning against a wall, drinking a bottle of water, as Bella is sitting on one of the benches, lacing up her boots.)
Nick Madison: You sure you want to do this?
Bella Madison-O’Connell: Yeah, I’m sure. It’s going to be great to get to team with you.
Nick Madison: I’m just making sure. You’ve kinda had a big time since the new year, Mrs. O’Connell.
Bella Madison-O’Connell: Hey, I was just as surprised as everyone else with that.
Nick Madison: I mean...I knew it was coming...but I’m just saying you have plenty to be distracted with, and we can’t afford to be distracted with Eddie and Gracie. This is Eddie’s big homecoming, and Gracie is getting to team with her dad in his big comeback, so they’re going to be going all out.
Bella Madison-O’Connell: Trust me, me getting married on New Years was amazing, and Mal and I had a nice little honeymoon right in the comfort of our own home.
Nick Madison: Please spare me the details...
Bella Madison-O’Connell: HEY! I seem to recall after you and mom got married I got a bit of an ...well it wasn’t a complete education but I could just tell. Ya can’t fool a 12 year old, and now I’m grown and well…
Nick Madison: You might be grown, still doesn’t mean I wanna hear it.
Bella Madison-O’Connell: Okay, okay...sorry, DAD! And believe me, I don’t wanna go in there half-assed. Gracie and I have had some wonderful matches, in fact...it was weird cause she vanished from PWS after the last time her and I went one on one. I was beginning to wonder if she was ever going to get back in the ring again. And Uncle Eddie??? Are you kidding...this is like when I started training with you during college!
Nick Madison: Well, we just need to get all the training in we can, make sure we’re on the same page...I have some moves I want to work on with you.
Bella Madison-O’Connell: Which I’m all for, I really haven’t touched a ring since that whole ordeal with Mack last month.
Nick Madison: Well, let’s get in the ring and run the ropes. But first, you might want to put that somewhere safe.
(Nick points to the wedding ring on Bella’s finger.)
Bella Madison-O’Connell: Ah! I knew I forgot something. I usually take my engagement ring off but this is something I need to get used to, I guess.
(She takes the ring off and sets it in her bag, as the two get up and head in the ring.)