“Keep your head on a swivel, big guy. WE agreed to a cease fire but you know how…trustworthy…my siblings are.”(The scene opens to show the inside of Cameron and Jesse Russow’s house as streamers adorn every ceiling, there are ribbons wrapped around the stairwells, Emma Russow and Cameron O’Neil bustle to make sure everything is prepared for the festivities. Jesse stands in the library with Slaps McKill who looks like he wants to cry.)
Jesse Russow: …penny for your thoughts, kiddo?
Slaps McKill: I just miss ma Maggie…she should be here having fun.
Jesse Russow: I made sure NOT to invite Jami…I was hoping Emma could have snuck Maggie off but…you know how crazy Jami’s become!
Slaps McKill:Yeah I…I might have some idea.
Jesse Russow: Look at the upside…we can take this chance to have a few relaxing days, look! We’re celebrating my little MAN! We’re celebrating our current WIN STREAKS! Everything is starting to come up “US” just like I told you it was gonna Slaps!
Slaps McKill: You did…
(Everyone’s work phones go off at the same time…Cameron clears her voice and everyone quickly puts them away…except for Slaps, Jesse…and now staring from the other side of the party, Daniel Russow.)
“Daniel Russow has been granted his request to face Slaps McKill at Dishonored.”(Dan seemingly tucks the phone back into his inner jacket pocket, finishes his drink, and heads off to find replenishments. Jesse takes three steps towards the door but Slaps stops him HARD.)
Jesse Russow: OOF! What the Hell, Slaps! I’m kicking him the fuck outta here!
Slaps McKill: Today. Is. Zion’s.
(Jesse looks up into the almost glaring features of his new best friend's face as he nods his head and pats Slaps on the chest.)
Jesse Russow: You’re right, kid…you’re right. He and I will have our moment…he’s just got a lot of balls showing up here TONIGHT knowing he requested it.
Slaps McKill: Wait…HE requested it?
Jesse Russow: Yes, Slaps…I was, believe it or not, trying to AVOID Family members or associates. It was Dan that went and petitioned for this match…all he kept saying was “he HAD to do it”. That’s appropriate…sooooo…appropriate.
Slaps McKill: Why…does he want to stand in MY way?
Jesse Russow: He thinks you’re a big, stupid, lumbering eof that’s only use is hitting people when you’re mad. Most likely, since he doesn’t trust himself with his OWN daughter, he just knew for SURE we couldn’t trust YOU with one. He couldn’t even tell you where your hometown is! And we made fun of THAT shit for like, three months straight!
Slaps McKill: Still…I've done nothing to him.
Jesse Russow: That’s the worst part, kid…he’s not DOING this to send a message to you. This whole “I have to set him free”, hey man…you are totally free to walk out of my house and never give it another thought again…fair play to ya. But if you want your answers, if you want your payback, if you WANT your Maggie, I’m just about the only hope you got left.
Slaps McKill: …NOTHING…will stop me…from my Maggie.
Jesse Russow: Nor should it…nor WILL it. Not as long as I’m around, you will have our vengeance. But step two is going to be…uncomfortable…for you.
Slaps McKill: I am ready.
Jesse Russow: Wondrous!
(Jesse sips his whiskey while his son starts to open presents giving his uncle Levi a hug as everyone melts and loses their minds. Cam and Jesse lock eyes…her gaze was almost one of warning but Jesse holds his hands up in surrender, winks and blows her a kiss. She seems to relax a bit as Jesse pats Slaps on the shoulder and they go to join the uncomfortable festivities.)
-The Next Day-
(The scene opens to see Jack Russow in his workout gear sliding open the door to the Russow Gymnasium, he was meant to be meeting his father but as usual his father was late. Undaunted, Jesse laced his boots and started off by running the ropes. Then he started working out various situations in his mind and tucking and rolling and flipping out of them respectfully. Until he hears a door close in the distance.)
Jack Russow: ‘Bout time your lazy ass got here! Let’s get to work, ‘lanah and I have dinner plans at eight!
(There isn’t a voice returned which suddenly chills Jack as he sits up breathing heavily before turning around slowly to look up into the face of Jesse.)
Jack Russow: Oh! Thank God, Jess…you scared the shit outta me!
Jesse Russow: I’m sorry, Youngblood.
Jack Russow: All good. Hey can you teach me the second rope phoenix splash? I have a little problem tucking on the last rotation.
Jesse Russow: Sure thing kid.
(Uncomfortably, Jesse lines up the pads and has Jack lay on one.)
Jesse Russow: This way you’ll know how to react if anyone ever hits one on you.
Jack Russow: That’s pretty sma-AAAAAAART!
(Jesse has lept off the SECOND rope hitting a high and tightly tucked Phoenix Splash landing directly into Jack’s midsection.)
Jesse Russow: See? That’s why there are some moves that are always countered. If they’re not…
Jack Russow: My insides are on FIRE! But I think I get it now…thanks Jesse.
(Jesse reaches out and pushes his forehead to Jack’s)
Jesse Russow: No…youngblood…you don’t get it…YET.
(Jack pulls away looking extremely confused, not even clocking the mountain of a man who has entered the ring behind him.Jack slowly looks up to the destitute features of Slaps McKill and back to Jesse.)
Jack Russow: …this…this wasn’t a lesson at all, was it?
Jesse Russow: On the contrary! It’s the greatest lesson I can pass down. Every inch of your body became forfeit the day you signed a contract. You will ache and pain your entire young life but the WORST pain you’re going to experience? Is that championships and fortunes are power. And we’re sick of feeling completely powerless. But our cries, Jack…they fall on deaf ears. We’ve been told to “wait our turn” and to “prove ourselves” well we have…at every turn. They throw fodder after fodder at us and still we rise. But if we are meant to be taken seriously, our numbers must grow…JOIN us Jack. I know it, I’ve SEEN the anger you have. Let me HELP you with it.
(Jack DOES in fact look incredibly pissed off as Jesse holds out a hand to help him up. He seethes for a moment catching his breath before he stands up, looks Jesse in the eye, and slaps his hand away. The crowd in the arena watching this go down suddenly massively pop for Jack Russow.)
Jack Russow: I knew it. Y’know I gotta give you credit Jess, you ARE a silver tongued devil. And you made a whole lot of very interesting, very good points about me. No I’ve never been taken too seriously…until I went to SCW and won their Roulette title from an absolute legend. THEN people started buying into me. They don’t buy into me cause I’m a Russow.They don’t buy into me because of the flips and high risk shit I can do.They buy into me because I’m REAL.I AM them! And I’ll never pretend to NOT be one of them. So take your “Greater Good” and blow it out your ass!
(Jesse actually starts…LAUGHING…amongst the cheers and chants of “WE WANT JACK!” and “WE MISS RUSSOW!”)
Jesse Russow: That’s very good…very clever. That’s gonna help you a lot in the long run. See you gotta keep a sense of humor in this game and realize not to take anything personally!
…until it’s time to take shit
PERSONALLY.
Jack Russow: Wha-
(Before Jack can finish his thought he’s throttled from behind by Slaps. The fear in his eyes is suddenly eminent as he realizes…this wasn’t a lesson at all. It was a trap.)
Jack Russow: Jess I don’t know what’s gotten into you or why you feel this is what you need to do to…I don’t know, what are you even doing? Sending a message?
Jesse Russow: That is EXACTLY what I’m doing!
(Jesse slides out of the ring, grabs the ring steps and struggles to get them in the ring until he finally does. And then he pulls out a package full of the Mack McKane special. Industrial grade thickness staples…long thumbtacks…broken glass…Legos and dangerously enough, sterling silver sharpened forks and knives. It was all there as Jesse pours it out over the top of the stairs before Slaps turns Jack around looking at him painfully.)
Jack Russow: Slap! Slap this isn’t you. Wake up! Snap out of it! You gotta fight back!
Jesse Russow: SILENCE,BOY. Now…send your message Viktor.
Jack Russow: Oh fuck THAT.
(Jack kicks Slaps square in the balls then turns and dives on Jesse raining down rights and lefts as hard and as angrily as he possibly can.)
Jack Russow: LEAVE. MY BEST FRIEND. ALONE!!!
Jesse Russow: Your best friend…HAHAHAHA…YOUR best friend only understan-OOF, understands ONE thing!
Jack Russow: You fuckin’ piece of shit I KNEW there was something off with yo-
Jesse Russow: EXTERMINATE!!!
(Before Jack can get another word in, his back is caved in by a chair. So hard you can see the indent of his body. He screams and writhes over in pain as Slaps lifts him up and stares at him.)
Slaps McKill: …I am genuinely sorry for what you are about to experience.
(Slaps then begins perhaps the most heinous onslaught of a competitor we’ve ever seen. Jack was thrown through Levi’s glass office window, had the glass FROM said window used to carve his handsome features until his face is a mask of red. He’s bleeding far too much for a normal spot as Slaps look at little concerned.)
Slaps McKill: I think he gets the message.
Jesse Russow: Not. YET.
Slaps McKill: Why we gotta do THAT to him though!?
Jesse Russow: People send messages all the time. They ain’t never sent a gift like THIS.
Slaps McKill: I…I can’t do it.
Jesse Russow: …oh? You’re quitting on me too? That’s fine…I’ve no control over you.
Slaps McKill: Thank you…I just-
Jesse Russow: Of course Maggie isn’t MY problem so I guess she’ll just keep living with Jami hearing stories about how awful of a man you turned out to be.
Slaps McKill: …I am a GOOD. MAN.
Jesse Russow: Yes you are. But you’re also dangerous. This is the only way to show Jami there IS no stopping you…ESPECIALLY because it’s Jack.
(Slaps sighs heavily then slides into the ring where a completely crimson Jack Russow lies looking up at the rafters, struggling for breath. Slaps leans over him and wipes the blood from his face so Jack can see him.)
Slaps McKill: …I’m sorry…I’m so, so sorry…
(Slaps then enrages and hoists Jack up preparing him for driving him onto the steel steps adorned with glass and silverware and razor wire…and he delivers perhaps the most deadly TPK he ever has. He hurts himself a bit on the landing but the sheer sound of ripping flesh and dripping blood. Slaps throws Jack off of the stairs pulling things out of him before leaving him there crying in a pool of his own blood. Jesse, seemingly unfazed, is checking for dirt under his nails.)
Jesse Russow: What is it Dan has to say all of a sudden? “It had to be done”?
(Jesse cackles happily, smacks Slap on the back, and takes off towards the car as Slaps secretly calls 911 to come help Jesse. He turns and joins Jesse in the car as it peels out from the crime scene.)
NEXT MOTHERFUCKERS GONNA GET MY METAL!!!
(We see the door to a small, empty apartment open as Slaps McKill walks in tossing his keys on the counter. He flips through the bills that are overdue since his better half walked out on him taking their young daughter with her. This was no longer a home…it was a shell. It was an incarceration tank for a hostile inmate who is comfortably gentle when he’s in a good mood. He kicks his feet up on the table and starts flipping through the TV channels when PWS: Apex replay comes on and he sees himself…but he pauses the TV. For weeks he’s thought he was crazy, but there they were…in the front row. Shrouded in black shawls, the only thing visible on one is a silver mask. Slappy swears he’s seen them following them wherever he goes. So he turns off the TV and quietly makes his way over to the open window…as quietly as he can. Before he LEAPS into action throwing a massive arm through the window, throttling the silver masked individual and yanking him through the window before putting a knee in his chest.)
Slaps McKill: You will tell me who you are or I will break everything you’ve ever known.
Mask: No NO! Please! We are helping!
Slaps McKill: …what the fuck do you MEAN you are “helping”?
Mask: Mister Jesse! Mister Jesse! He hire us to follow you…keep you safe!
Slaps McKill: And who exactly do I need protection FROM?
Mask: …Your wife.
Slaps McKill: …she hired people to take me out?
Mask: Yes. I swear, I am only bodyguard.
(Slappy eases up on his stomach and pats him twice on the face before helping him up.)
Slaps McKill: Maybe announce your presence next time, eh?
Mask: Job require we work silence. I am ashamed I have failed.
Slaps McKill: You didn’t…I appreciate your honesty. Here, maybe we’ll try the front door?
(Slaps opens the front door right as Jesse Russow was about to knock. Jesse pushes the masked man out who shares an awkward silence with Jesse…until a massive hand grasps Jesse’s throat and throws him violently against the wall absolutely seething.)
Slaps McKill: I almost killed your little ninja boy…
Jesse Russow: I…was PROTECTING…y-yo-
Slaps McKill: WHEN I need backup…I will ask for it.
(Slaps releases Jesse and walks around his apartment bewildered rubbing his face in his hands.)
Slaps McKill: So what we’re gonna do…is we are gonna schedule a promo. Because I have SO MUCH to say to those Goddamn Russows. The Russows, the McKanes, the Makarios, the Lopez’ I don’t give a shit…anyone connected to the history of that company is getting a calling card on their front doorstep and they better pray to GOD that the Gambler doesn’t come a-calling. I’m going to bed. You can all show yourselves your own Goddamn way out…I’m too tired to deal with anymore bullshit TONIGHT.
(Slappy strips his shirt and heads off to the bathroom as Jesse Russow grasps his throat and gets a slightly wicked grin across his face as he ushers the camera crew out and we leave Slappy to a well-deserved restless night of sleep.
...THEY’RE STILL NOT HERE...(Slaps walks up from a restless night’s sleep as he rolls over to where his beautiful Jami used to lie coiled up against him for warmth. He could feel her ice cold feet on his shins trying to warm them up. He sees himself gently brush a lock of hair out of her face as he leans over and kisses her forehead. She moans slightly like a child not wanting to get up. Slappy used to think that was adorable. Eventually they hear a cackle and look up to see little Maggie unsteadily trying to climb up on the bed as Slaps reaches and pulls her up with one hand sitting her between them as she playfully smacks Jami’s face to wake her up. Slappy is beaming from ear to ear as she screams “DADADADDADA!” pulling on his nose before standing up and for no reason sitting on his head and starting to bounce. All three of them are laughing, the room is…warmth. Home. Comfort.
GASP!
…And then…Slaps McKill awakens from his dream. Enraged farther than he’d ever felt before. To the point he gets up, grabs his bags, and heads out the door already.)
“So.
Don’t swear to God, he never asked you.
It’s not HIS heart you drove a knife through.
It’s not HIS world you’ve turned inside out.
Not his tears still rollin’ down.
Jesus Christ! You’re so damn cold.
Don’t you know you’ve lost control?
Forget about the things you think I know.
No secrets, you CAN’T keep me…
In the dark.”
(We open to the inside storage area of the Scotiabank Arena as Jesse Russow looks around semi impressed. Slaps McKill is nowhere to be seen though.)
Jesse Russow: Yeah this old bird can hold a couple thou, easy.
(It’s at that moment a very intimidated Claire Anderson approaches.)
Jesse Russow: CLAIRE BEAR!!!! It’s so good to SEE you! How are things!? Have you caught up with Cam lately? I know she misses the girl talk. Ahhhhh…all great things…now what do you want?
Claire Anderson: E-Excuse me?
Jesse Russow: Why…are you in…my space right now?
Claire Anderson: Actually I’m supposed to be getting a word from Slappy McGo-
Jesse Russow: DON’T. SAY. THAT NAME. Slappy McGoo was a terrible idea. But Slaps McKill sends such a more…*deep breath* ahhhh…positive environment wouldn’t you say!?
Claire Anderson: Actually we’ve gotten reports that there are some afraid to come out of their locker rooms.
Jesse Russow: I’m guessing one of the ones that wasn’t afraid was…Brother Daniel.
Claire Anderson: He has been outward in his disdain for what he thinks you’re doing to Slappy-sorry, Slaps McKill.
Jesse Russow: And y’know that’s…that’s typical Dan. Flying through life, everything working out in his favor in the end, if he just ignores it…it probably goes away but you see THIS time. THIS time it’s right outside his door, NOW TESTIFY!!!
Claire Anderson: We’ve never seen a riff this heavy between the Russows before, is this the end of the Family as we know it??
Jesse Russow: Claaaaaire, Claire, Claire! We’re BROTHERS! Every now and then one of us is gonna do something that’s gonna piss the other one off, I’m just not DEAD certain Dan has thought it through. This ain’t the hill he wants to die on no matter how much he tries to convince you otherwise. Why you think Dan didn’t jump at the chance to help train Slaps when everyone was giving him pointers? Dan is SCARED of Slaps and what he can do and y’know what? Rightfully so! I’ve seen the man bend strands of rebar into a religious fish omen. All rusted, no gloves. I won’t lie…it scared the shit outta ME. And THAT”S when I knew that Slaps had all the keys to be a destructive force in this company. And you wanna pass judgment and hate on ME for being on the RIGHT side of the war? Have you dirt sheet reading fucking cuckold smarks even read what’s going on? I know you love to cling to your computers and whack off to “insider information”. You are PATHET-
“That’s. Enough.”(Jesse instantly shuts up as he and Claire slowly turn and see emerging from the shadow cast by the Crown Rambler that has the thrones on it as he twirls a piece of steel in his fingers looking at it wondrously as he approaches.)
Claire Anderson: Slapp-I mean…Slaps. I don’t want to intrude, I know times are a little tough for you at the moment.
Slaps McKill: *obviously triggered* I have lost everything that has ever meant anything, I request your questions be more succinct, please and thank you.
Claire Anderson: Daniel Russow seems to think you’re “broken” and Jesse is using you for mind games just to advance his agenda.
Slaps McKill: So? My boy backed a thoroughbred. You only hate on the Russows when they’re winning. We don’t hear a peep out of you otherwise so NEXT.
Claire Anderson: I’m trying here Slaps…I really am. You gotta give me SOMETHING.
Slaps McKill: You want something? Okay.
(Slaps easily pries the microphone from her hand and takes a deep breath.)
Slaps McKill: Do you remember the name…Stephen Little-McClacken?
(Mixed reaction from the fans.)
Slaps McKill: He was just a man…waiting his turn to see the Blue Jays….outside this very arena...when he was targeted and gunned down before your precious “Security” could even get to the shooter. The basic premise of this arena is that it has always been shrouded…in violence! And let me ask you, young Claire…when it comes to violence…who delivers better than me.
Claire Anderson: Since I don’t actually believe this is the real YOU talking, I’m still gonna say Mack McKane.
Slaps McKill: DO NOT SAY THAT NAME…IN MY PRESENCE!!! He’s a GHOST…a LEGEND…he doesn’t EXIST in this company anymore until they put him in the Hall of Fame and WHY? Because his body…can’t keep up with his style. But nevertheless the POINT is, McClacken put his faith and his trust in other people to ensure his safety. He had FAITH in humanity that let him walk freely. And he was gunned down for it. Would it have been different if he’d had a protector? Would it have been different if someone had seen the gun being drawn? We’ll never know because he didn’t have ANYBODY that would take a bullet for him. Jesse Russow wouldn’t take a bullet for me. You think I don’t know that? Do you all think so precious little of me that you think I’m some PUPPET to be controlled? McClacken SHOULD have had a protector…in some form. MY
MAGGIE…DESERVES A PROTECTOR…from that JEZEBEL.
(Slaps roars in anger and punches a hole in the wall, pulling his arm back absolutely seething with a few trickles of blood.)
Slaps McKill: There are those…who have changed the channel while we deliver our message…but they’re gonna have to suck it up and swallow like their mamas shoulda done because when it comes…to MY daughter. I am her protection. I am her defender. And I will crush ANYONE trying to stop me from gaining the funds and clout I need to ever have a chance of winning her back! So DAN RUSSOW decides to LEAP back into the fray like some misdirected wayward hero. Because there’s something WRONG with me right? You need to FFFIX me, Dan! Don’t you! Because YOU think…I…need to be FFFFIXED! Do you KNOW what would FIX ME right now Dan!? If it had been YOU we ran into instead of Jack! What I did to Jack…broke my fucking…heart. Did you think I was heartless? No no…the heart’s there…it’s just had the shit kicked out of it and no one to give a fuck BUT Jesse Russow of all people…out of nowhere…
Jesse Russow: To be fair, I would have helped you ANYWAY it just so happens you’re a-
Slaps McKill: Yeah, yeah, big fluffy murderbot…I got it. Thanks ya fuckin’...Baby Yoda lookin’ sonuvabitch. It ain’t HIM using ME…it’s US using US. I’M using HIS family name, reputation, and resources to FINALLY get the respect I deserve and Jesse?
Jesse Russow: I get the motherfucker of all Battle Turtles to keep the swine off my back until I can set up our business demands!
Slaps McKill: See? Was that so tough to understand? But just a LOVELY job of “gotcha journalism” yooooou regular accredited Geocities pages you call a “dirt sheet”. Using each other…you fuckin’ believe this shit?
Jesse Russow: Were I not a gentleman, I should be offended!
Slaps McKill: …were I not starving, I would obliterate you for trying that shit.
Jesse Russow: Y’know what? Fair…that’s fair
(Slaps turns back to the visibly shaken Claire Anderson and gently hands her the microphone back while leaning down to be face to face level with her and in a gentle, fatherly voice…)
Slaps McKill: There, there now…didja get whatcha needed?
Claire Anderson: I-...NO! NONE of this makes any sense!
Slaps McKill: Oh love, it makes PERFECT sense…you just have to wait! Enjoy the ride!
Claire Anderson: For WHAT though!? What’s the purpose of all this!?
Slaps McKill: Something…the most important thing I have ever held…has unjustly been taken from me. And everybody that CAN do something to help me…ISN’T. When I’ve NANNIED for this family for OVER A DECADE. When I broke my leg, tore my ligaments, dislocated my shoulder, broke my nose, and almost lost an entire arm fighting a MADMAN in a RUSTED CAR GRAVEYARD…to save one of their friends’ girlfriends. I did that. I floored everyone that ever threatened Levi’s kids. I DID that! I was EVERYONE’S fucking Guardian Angel…SO WHO WAS MINE!? NO ONE!!!
Jesse Russow: Angels aren’t real anymore…are they Slaps?
Slaps McKill: ONE still is. And she’s in the hands of a succubus.
Jesse Russow: When one of us has the title, then we’ll have the ear of the board, and they will surely HAVE to find a way to help you get Maggie back. It’s GONNA be one of us.
Claire Anderson: And what about YOU, anyway? What are YOU getting out of this?
Jesse Russow: Oh I’m so glad YOU asked, Claire. See…in the revolving doors of behind the scenes interviewers almost every single one of you has gotten comfortable with the idea you can just call me the “Other One”. I’ve heard you call me the “Third Rate Russow”. All the jokes about Levi and Dan and their wives being so great and I’m just some redheaded slack-jawed stepchild they beat with a wooden stick in the backyard! I am not “The Other One” I am…”The ONLY One”. I am the GREATEST Russow to ever grace that ring. Think I’m wrong? Okay…go tell one of my brothers, go tell my NEPHEW to even TRY what I can do in that ring. He’s probably enjoying his pudding cup by now, eh Slaps?
(A subtle but sudden FLASH of soul-crushing remorse flies across the face until Slaps bears an absolute hole through Jesse.)
Slaps McKill: Thank you Claire. That will be enough.
Claire Anderson: But I-
Slaps McKill: That. Will Do it.
Claire Anderson: Oooookay…
(Claire’s reporter sense tells her to act like she’s taking vain selfies on her cell but she’s really recording what happened between Slaps and Jesse once the PWS camera was off the air. Slaps, as quick as a cheetah, suddenly has Jesse absolutely THROTTLED against the wall with his feet kicking in the air. Jesse tries to scream for help…not that anyone would. As Slaps brings him back down to face level.)
Slaps McKill: WHAT YOU MADE ME DO TO JACK…IS CARVED INTO MY SOUL. I CAN NEVER TAKE THAT BACK. ALANAH WILL NEVER LOOK AT ME FEARLESSLY AGAIN. So I SENT your “MESSAGE”...now I’M sending MINE. Jack is a grown man…that doesn’t make it better…but just so “WE’RE” clear.
(Slaps gets his face less than an inch against Jesse’s cheek like Sigourney Weaver in Aliens and hisses.)
Slaps McKill: You ever bring a kid…ANY kid…into this shit again? I’ll take your legs forever. DO you…UNDERSTAND me?
Jesse Russow: *strained* CR-CRYSTAL!
(Slaps just drops Jesse and takes off storming towards the ring as Jesse catches his breath and rushes to get back to Slaps side. Claire stops recording.)
Claire Anderson: Hellooooo Twitter.