ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT.–DARK SMOKED FILLED ARENA–NIGHT
The door to an arena opens, with a poster reading ‘’The State Athletic Commission Presents Mixed Martial Arts’‘. Under the dim lights of the dark arena, one shootfighter is beating the other senseless in the ring. The shootfighter on the defensive end is dazed from all the fighting, and the offensive shootfighter gives him a swift kick to the head. The defensive shootfighter goes down for the count, and the referee rules the fight a knockout.
RING ANNOUNCER
Step right up! Step right up! Those who can spend five minutes in the ring will receive a cash prize of $5,000 dollars.
The shootfighter awaits his next opponent.
RING ANNOUNCER (CONTINUED)
Looks as if we’ve ourselves a new challenger!
A mystical cloud once again separates the ring from the crowd, and A YOUNG 20 SOMETHING YEAR OLD FAN emerges from the smoke. The ring announcer walks over to interview the fan with his microphone in hand.
RING ANNOUNCER (CONTINUED)
Please tell us your name and why you wanna take on our champion.
The fan gives the shootfighter a fierce, determined look.
20 SOMETHING YEAR OLD FAN
I’m his illegitimate son, and I want my rightful name!
The crowd gets riled up over the announcement, and the 20 something year old fan jumps in the ring to challenge his father.
RING ANNOUNCER
Alright, you heard! The champ against his illegitimate son. Let’s get to it!
The referee gives the signal and the rings with TWO FANS looking on.
FAN#1
Man, whoever thought a guy who go up against his own son?
Fan#2 shrugs his shoulders.
FAN#2
Beats me.
Father and son lock up in the ring which the son counters into a headlock.
FAN#1
Imagine your own kid getting in the ring and beating the crap out of you.
FAN#2 seems shocked.
FAN#2
Oh god.
OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION observe the match in the ring.
OFFICIAL#1
The champ seems to be a good fighter.
OFFICIAL#2 nods his head.
OFFICIAL#2
The best in the state.
OFFICIAL#1 seems confused.
OFFICIAL#1
But why are the fans being allowed to fight him?
It seems kinda dangerous and unethical. Even stranger is this fan in the ring right now just happens to the champ’s illegitimate son.
OFFICIAL#2 shakes his head.
OFFICIAL#2
I don’t know why.
The son gets his father in a submission hold with the father tapping out three times. The referee calls for the bell, and raises the son’s hand. He then awards the son the $5,000 dollar cash prize.
OFFICIAL#1
Okay. So the so called ‘’illegitimate son’‘ who appeared out of the crowd won the prize money.
OFFICIAL#2 nods his head.
OFFICIAL#2
So he has.
The son gets the microphone from the ring announcer.
OFFICIAL#1
Oh, so the illegitimate son is gonna make an announcement.
The son stands in the middle of the ring with microphone in his hand.
SON
I just wanna thank the state athletic commission for sanctioning this event, and I also wanna say a few words about them.
The officials from the state athletic commission look confused.
OFFICIAL#1
Why would he wanna thank us or say anything about us? He’s not a state sanctioned athlete, he’s just some fan who came up out of the crowd, and beat the champ for prize money.
A small number of fans cheer.
SON
80 years ago, these people took raw forms of professional sports such as wrestling and boxing, took them out of carnivals, vaudeville parlors, burlesque houses, dirty old saloons, and nightclubs and streamlined them into arenas and organized them into clean and legitimate form of athletic competition showcasing the most polished wrestling and boxing in the state.
Some more fans start cheering and clapping.
SON (CONTINUED)
Even when wrestling and boxing started airing on television, the state athletic commission kept things in check, and made sure the state’s best athletes kept a presentable image during all television broadcasts.
More claps and cheers fill the arena.
SON (CONTINUED)
And even when wrestling was revealed to be entertainment, the state athletic commission continued the best they could to regulate boxing in the state, and even sanctioned the martial arts when mixed martial arts became a prominent sport in this country.
The arena once again becomes filled with clapping and cheering.
SON (CONTINUED)
Well, you know what I say?
The sounds of the claps and cheers swell in the arena.
SON (CONTINUED)
I SAY THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION CAN KISS MY ASS!
The fans jump to their feet screaming at the top of their lungs. The officials from the state athletic commission are furious, the father holds up his athletic competition license from the state athletic commission, and rips it to shreds.
SON (CONTINUED)
THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT!
The screaming crowd gets even louder.
SON (CONTINUED)
Your days of sanctioning live events outside of boxing are over! You should’ve learned your lesson when the truth came out about wrestling.
OFFICIAL#1 looks as if his head is about to explode.
SON (CONTINUED)
Whenever a so called ‘’athletic competition’‘ becomes profitable, some crafty promoter will come along and cash in by working the crowd, and milking it for everything it’s worth! And even boxing promoters pay their boys to take a dive you gullible pieces of shit!
OFFICIAL#1 is almost ready to puke.
SON (CONTINUED)
So do the world a god damn favor, and get your
god damn sportsmanship loving ass out of our god damn arena, and don’t you ever come back!
OFFICIAL#1 shakes his head with spit coming out the corners of his mouth.
OFFICIAL#1
You son of a bitch!
The son shoots an evil grin at the roaring crowd.
THE FANS (CHANTING IN UNISON)
WE WANT WRESTLING! WE WANT WRESTLING! WE WANT WRESTLING!
The son starts laughing.
SON
You heard them! They want their wrestling god dammit!
The officials from the state athletic commission walk out the entrance in a disgusted way.
INT.–DARK SMOKE FILLED ARENA–BACKSTAGE
Jerry, Charlene, and the rest of the boys are in the back when the officials from the state athletic commission appear. They don’t seem to be too happy with what happened in the ring.
OFFICIAL#1
This was your idea wasn’t it?
Jerry has an evil grin on his face.
JERRY
Doing this was the best way we could’ve made money.
OFFICIAL#1 appears to be an inch away from busting a vein in his neck.
OFFICIAL#1
I should’ve known this would happen. I never trusted you, you were always a slimy bastard. Even when we regulated wrestling.
Jerry doesn’t seem to be phased at all by his comment.
JERRY
Hey, business is business.
The angry official attempts to wrap his hands around Jerry’s throat. However, the people backstage manage to separate the two.
OFFICIAL#1
I hope you rot in hell!
Jerry still has a smartass grin on his face.
JERRY
Not if you get there first you son of a bitch!
As the officials from the state athletic commission are removed from the arena, Charlene has a curious look on her face.
CHARLENE
So, how much did we make at the gate?
Jerry opens the strongbox, and it’s loaded with ticket money.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Oh my god!
Charlene puts her hand over her mouth.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
How much money is in there?
Jerry has a twinkle in his eye.
JERRY
Over $18,000 dollars, sugar.
Charlene runs over to Jerry hugging and kissing him.
ONE OF THE BOYS
Alright, where’s our money?
The wrestler holds out his hand, and motions for Jerry to give him the payoff.
JERRY
Here ya go!
Jerry hands him a huge wad of cash, a huge contrast from the $20 dollar bills Jerry had been paying the boys beforehand.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
And some money for you.
He hands another huge wad of cash to another one of the boys.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
All we need now are insurance and retirement benefits.
The entire backstage area busts out laughing.
JERRY
When hell freezes over!
They all continue laughing.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
What’s wrong, honey?
Charlene looks disturbed.
CHARLENE
You don’t hear anything?
Jerry spots a flash of light in the small window of the backstage exit.
JERRY
No, but I saw the light flashing.
Jerry, Charlene, and the rest of the boys walk toward the exit to see what’s going on.
CHARLENE
What’s a photographer doing outside the exit?
Jerry looks kinda pissed.
JERRY
I don’t know, but we’re about to find out.
EXT.–BACKSTAGE EXIT–NIGHT
Jerry, Charlene, and the rest of the boys are now outside where the officials from the state athletic commission are giving an interview which took place earlier in the ring. Reporters from the local newspaper, radio, and TV Station are all huddled around them.
REPORTER
What are your thoughts on the state athletic commission being denounced tonight, and the revelation involving mixed martial arts being a form of entertainment?
OFFICIAL#1 looks disappointed.
OFFICIAL#1
I was appalled, I was disgusted. They had no right to do this. However, I must say I would expect this from a sleazy wrestling promoter.
Jerry comes up to him, jerks him around, and gives him a hard punch to the face.
REPORTER
Oh my god!
Jerry stands over the official, almost out of breath.
JERRY
Don’t badmouth the business I love and expect to get away with it.
The news media stands there in awe.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
What the hell are you idiots looking at?
INT.–BIG MANSION–DAY
Under the bright overhead lights, there is the brunette woman and her DAUGHTER. They are holding each other and crying as they are surrounded by the deep stained wood wall panels and flooring as well as the brown leather furniture.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Honey, were you raped?
Her daughter pulls away from her.
DAUGHTER
I don’t wanna talk about it.
The brunette woman tries to get closer to her daughter.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
We gotta talk about it, if you were raped, you need to tell me, alright?
The brunette woman’s daughter is still distant towards her.
DAUGHTER
Why?
The daughter glances towards her mother.
DAUGHTER
Why do we have to talk about it?
Her daughter gives her a traumatized look.
DAUGHTER
Why?
The daughter starts crying and her mother, the brunette woman.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
We need to talk about this, so we can get it out the open so it won’t build up inside you.
The brunette woman gives her daughter a concerned look.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
I’m gonna ask you one more time, were you raped?
Her daughter looks at her with tears welling up in her eyes.
DAUGHTER
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
Tears stream down the daughter’s face as her mother holds her.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Who did this? Who did this horrible thing to you?
The daughter looks almost afraid to speak.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
Come on, I need to know so we can make this son of a bitch pay for what he did.
The daughter remains quiet.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
You can tell me.......you can tell me anything.
The daughter looks read to speak.
DAUGHTER
It happened tonight when I was walking home, he attacked me from the shadows, I didn’t get a good look at him.
The brunette woman looks horrified.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Oh my god, so he’s still out there?
Her teary eyed daughter nods her head.
DAUGHTER
Uh huh.
The frightened brunette woman hugs her daughter.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Oh my god!
The brunette woman holds her daughter close.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
There’s no telling who he could hurt next!
Tears continue to stream down the daughter’s face.
DAUGHTER
It was just random guy, they’ll never catch who did it.
The brunette woman becomes fierce and determined.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Believe me, if I have to kill every thug, purse snatcher, and perpetrator who find the person who raped you, I’ll do it.
The daughter gives her a frightened look.
DAUGHTER
How do you plan to find him?
The brunette woman pulls a handgun out of her purse.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Oh, believe me. I know how to handle him.
With her hand on the trigger, she cocks the gun back.
DAUGHTER
You can’t just go out into the streets, and shoot people at random.
The brunette woman looks pissed.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Why not? Some street thug raped you, my daughter, at random!
The daughter becomes concerned.
DAUGHTER
But you don’t know what someone on the street will pull.
The brunette woman still has her gun handy.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
They don’t know what I would pull either.
The daughter shakes her head and runs her fingers through her hair while trying to make sense of this.
DAUGHTER
But, you could get sent to prison.
The brunette woman’s daughter glances at her.
DAUGHTER (CONTINUED)
Or killed!
The brunette woman smiles.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Then it’s a chance I’ll have to take.
The daughter begins to look more confident.
DAUGHTER
I was raped tonight, who knows what they could do to you!
The brunette woman looks at her handgun.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
After I’m done with them, they won’t wanna mess with me.
The daughter looks shocked.
DAUGHTER
Your just one big ball of confidence, aren’t you?
The daughter folds her arms.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
No, I’m just as scared as you are. But something has to be done.
The daughter sighs in frustration.
DAUGHTER
Fine, but if you go to prison for it, I can’t be there for you.
INT.–TELEVISION STUDIO–DAY
VOICE
And cut!
The camera pulls back to reveal the director of the long running soap opera The Innocent Years advising two actresses on the show taping a scene. The cast and crew of The Innocent Years gives the two actresses a standing ovation.
DIRECTOR
Great job!
Pulling back even further, the camera reveals the video monitor displaying the logo for The Innocent Years accompanied by its beautiful piano ballad style theme song, and a plug for Avant Garde soap.
ANNOUNCER
The Innocent Years, brought to you by Avant Garde soap, the world’s most innovative consumer product.
Jerry and Charlene are in the studio sharing a long passionate kiss.
CHARLENE
You came through for me, honey. I love you so much.
Charlene kisses Jerry again.
JERRY
You did most of the work, baby girl.
Charlene smiles at him.
CHARLENE
But I couldn’t have done it without you.
Charlene’s cellphone rings, and the Caller ID reveals the caller to be a network executive.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Oh shit! It’s the network, I’ll be back in a minute.
Charlene gives Jerry one more kiss.
JERRY
Alright baby, I’ll be here waitin’ for ya with my fingers crossed.
Jerry crosses his fingers while Charlene hits the ‘’talk’‘ button on her cellphone.
CHARLENE
Hello?
Charlene looks quite nervous.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE (VOICE OVER THE PHONE)
Hi, I’ve got good news!
A smile comes over Charlene’s face.
CHARLENE
Oh yeah? What?
Charlene waits to hear what all the excitement’s about.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
The change in direction towards more down to earth, realistic storylines involving characters both young and old, have brought ratings up at a significant rate.
Charlene is almost ready to scream at the top of her lungs.
CHARLENE
How far up?
She gulps.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
In the last 13 weeks, The Innocent Years has become one of the top three rated soaps for the first time in 15 years!
Charlene screams at the top of her lungs.
STAFF WRITER
What? What’s going on?
Jerry has his index finger over his lips.
JERRY
Shhhh!
Charlene is smiling so hard she can’t even contain herself.
CHARLENE
Does this mean your gonna renew the show?
Jerry crosses his fingers again.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
Yes, we’ll be renewing the show, and Avant Garde soap wants to put more money into the show, it’s most aggressive sponsorship campaign for the show in almost 20 years.
Charlene has a relaxed smile on her face.
CHARLENE
What about the reality show they were planning to replace us with? And judging from your voice, you aren’t the same executive at the meeting who told us we were gonna be cancelled.
Charlene looks confused.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
The network changed their minds, and feel the reality show fad has run its course. And no, I’m not the same executive, they fired him. I’m his replacement.
Charlene seems relieved.
CHARLENE
Oh good, thanks for letting me know, bye.
She hits the ‘’talk’‘ button.
JERRY
So, what’d they say?
Charlene gives Jerry another kiss.
CHARLENE
Since we changed the direction of the soap, we’ve become one of the top three soaps for the first time in years. And the advertisers wanna put on the biggest publicity campaign for the show in years.
Everyone starts screaming in excitement, but one of the staff writers looks confused.
STAFF WRITER
What about the reality show they were gonna replace us with?
Charlene smiles.
CHARLENE
They nixed the idea, and the reality show fad has burnt out.
The staff writer sighs.
STAFF WRITER
Good, reality shows are crappy pieces of shit, and they’ve killed television.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
No shit...
Jerry kisses Charlene on the cheek.
JERRY
What are we gonna do to celebrate?
Charlene puts her hand on his chest.
CHARLENE
I got something special planned for the two of us tonight.
Jerry has a wide smile on his face.
JERRY
Can’t wait, sugar.
INT.–BEDROOM–NIGHT
Jerry and Charlene are in bed together, she is rubbing an ice cube all over his hairy chest. She rubs the ice cube in the small spot where his heart is located, and his heart pounds against his chest as the cold ice cube melts.
JERRY
I’m so proud of you for improving the soap.
Jerry kisses her on the head.
CHARLENE
Thank you for being there for me.
Charlene wrap her arms around him.
JERRY
No problem, I wanted to be here for a special woman.
Jerry runs his fingers through her hair.
CHARLENE
I love you.
Jerry chuckles.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
What?
Jerry smiles.
JERRY
God, do you realize how many cable channels there are?
Charlene busts out laughing.
CHARLENE
Why are you laying here in bed in the middle of the night thinking about a bunch of cable networks?
Jerry chuckles again.
JERRY
You got The Food Network, The Golf Channel, The Travel Channel.
Charlene laughs.
CHARLENE
So?
Jerry shakes his head.
JERRY
Are people so damn lazy and bored, they have to have cable networks about food, travel, and golf 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Charlene continues laughing.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
If you wanna eat food, cook something! If you wanna play golf, go out and do it! If you wanna travel, get on a plane and go somewhere!
Charlene is still laughing.
CHARLENE
Oh god! Stop it!
Charlene kisses him on the cheek.
JERRY
I’m serious! I’ve never seen so many short attention spans in my life!
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
Oh my god!
Jerry gives her a concerned look.
JERRY
What?
Charlene eyes bug out.
CHARLENE
Your turning into my grandfather!
Charlene shakes her head in disbelief.
JERRY
Have you forgotten? I AM A GRANDFATHER!
Charlene grins and chuckles.
CHARLENE
I know.
Jerry arches his back and sticks out his chest and stomach.
JERRY
Back in my day, we didn’t even have television! We either listened to the radio, enjoyed the outdoors, or went to the movies. Now there’s DVD and The Internet!
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
Here we go again!
Charlene sighs.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Be careful what you say! DVDs, cable networks, and stuff on The Internet about wrestling and soaps are popping up at every second.
Charlene claws and rubs his stomach.
JERRY
Don’t even get me started!
Charlene laughs.
CHARLENE
I love it when you start! You get so sexy when you do!
Charlene listens to his heartbeat by laying her head on his chest and continues rubbing his stomach.
JERRY
I though hated this kinda stuff too.
Charlene looks confused.
CHARLENE
I have no problem with any of those things. Just as long as they don’t steal ratings or advertisers from soaps.
Jerry puts his hand on her cheek.
JERRY
Would you ever re-marry me?
Charlene gives him a dirty look.
CHARLENE
Why the hell should I?
Jerry frowns in shame.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
You cheated on me, remember?
Jerry nods his head.
JERRY
You have a right to feel the way you do.
Charlene gets on top of him.
CHARLENE
But you know what?
Jerry reclines in the bed.
JERRY
What?
Charlene kisses him on the lips.
CHARLENE
It doesn’t stop me from sleeping with, working with you, or loving you.
He kisses her on the lips.
JERRY
You mean it?
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Just cause we’re divorced doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Our marriage dissolved because you couldn’t keep your pants zipped, and you needed to be taught a lesson. But I’ll always love you.
Jerry smiles.
JERRY
I’ll always love you too, darlin’.
They share a long passionate kiss.
CHARLENE
Good.
She arches over him, then slides down onto his chest and stomach. Listening to his heartbeat, and clawing her fingers up and down the front half of his body.
JERRY
You were always the best one in the sack.
She hits him in the chest.
CHARLENE
You pig!
Jerry smiles.
JERRY
A pig who’d do anything for you.
Charlene kisses Jerry again.
CHARLENE
I know.
Jerry puts his arm around her.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Everything’s going good right now, but what if your wrestling promotion starts losing money again or my soap’s ratings go back down? What are we gonna do?
Jerry puts his index finger on her lips.
JERRY
Don’t worry about it right now.
Jerry kisses her on the cheek.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Just enjoy what we have today, and worry about what’s to come tomorrow.
Jerry gives her a full frontal kiss on the lips.
CHARLENE
Awwwwwwww, I forgot how good your lips tasted.
Charlene wraps her arms around him, and she returns the kiss.
JERRY
Well, me and my lips will be around for a long time, if you want them to be. I may be an old fart, but I ain’t goin’ anywhere.
Jerry and Charlene share one final kiss.
FADE OUT:
INT.–DARK SMOKED FILLED ARENA–NIGHT
The door to an arena opens, with a poster reading ‘’The State Athletic Commission Presents Mixed Martial Arts’‘. Under the dim lights of the dark arena, one shootfighter is beating the other senseless in the ring. The shootfighter on the defensive end is dazed from all the fighting, and the offensive shootfighter gives him a swift kick to the head. The defensive shootfighter goes down for the count, and the referee rules the fight a knockout.
RING ANNOUNCER
Step right up! Step right up! Those who can spend five minutes in the ring will receive a cash prize of $5,000 dollars.
The shootfighter awaits his next opponent.
RING ANNOUNCER (CONTINUED)
Looks as if we’ve ourselves a new challenger!
A mystical cloud once again separates the ring from the crowd, and A YOUNG 20 SOMETHING YEAR OLD FAN emerges from the smoke. The ring announcer walks over to interview the fan with his microphone in hand.
RING ANNOUNCER (CONTINUED)
Please tell us your name and why you wanna take on our champion.
The fan gives the shootfighter a fierce, determined look.
20 SOMETHING YEAR OLD FAN
I’m his illegitimate son, and I want my rightful name!
The crowd gets riled up over the announcement, and the 20 something year old fan jumps in the ring to challenge his father.
RING ANNOUNCER
Alright, you heard! The champ against his illegitimate son. Let’s get to it!
The referee gives the signal and the rings with TWO FANS looking on.
FAN#1
Man, whoever thought a guy who go up against his own son?
Fan#2 shrugs his shoulders.
FAN#2
Beats me.
Father and son lock up in the ring which the son counters into a headlock.
FAN#1
Imagine your own kid getting in the ring and beating the crap out of you.
FAN#2 seems shocked.
FAN#2
Oh god.
OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION observe the match in the ring.
OFFICIAL#1
The champ seems to be a good fighter.
OFFICIAL#2 nods his head.
OFFICIAL#2
The best in the state.
OFFICIAL#1 seems confused.
OFFICIAL#1
But why are the fans being allowed to fight him?
It seems kinda dangerous and unethical. Even stranger is this fan in the ring right now just happens to the champ’s illegitimate son.
OFFICIAL#2 shakes his head.
OFFICIAL#2
I don’t know why.
The son gets his father in a submission hold with the father tapping out three times. The referee calls for the bell, and raises the son’s hand. He then awards the son the $5,000 dollar cash prize.
OFFICIAL#1
Okay. So the so called ‘’illegitimate son’‘ who appeared out of the crowd won the prize money.
OFFICIAL#2 nods his head.
OFFICIAL#2
So he has.
The son gets the microphone from the ring announcer.
OFFICIAL#1
Oh, so the illegitimate son is gonna make an announcement.
The son stands in the middle of the ring with microphone in his hand.
SON
I just wanna thank the state athletic commission for sanctioning this event, and I also wanna say a few words about them.
The officials from the state athletic commission look confused.
OFFICIAL#1
Why would he wanna thank us or say anything about us? He’s not a state sanctioned athlete, he’s just some fan who came up out of the crowd, and beat the champ for prize money.
A small number of fans cheer.
SON
80 years ago, these people took raw forms of professional sports such as wrestling and boxing, took them out of carnivals, vaudeville parlors, burlesque houses, dirty old saloons, and nightclubs and streamlined them into arenas and organized them into clean and legitimate form of athletic competition showcasing the most polished wrestling and boxing in the state.
Some more fans start cheering and clapping.
SON (CONTINUED)
Even when wrestling and boxing started airing on television, the state athletic commission kept things in check, and made sure the state’s best athletes kept a presentable image during all television broadcasts.
More claps and cheers fill the arena.
SON (CONTINUED)
And even when wrestling was revealed to be entertainment, the state athletic commission continued the best they could to regulate boxing in the state, and even sanctioned the martial arts when mixed martial arts became a prominent sport in this country.
The arena once again becomes filled with clapping and cheering.
SON (CONTINUED)
Well, you know what I say?
The sounds of the claps and cheers swell in the arena.
SON (CONTINUED)
I SAY THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION CAN KISS MY ASS!
The fans jump to their feet screaming at the top of their lungs. The officials from the state athletic commission are furious, the father holds up his athletic competition license from the state athletic commission, and rips it to shreds.
SON (CONTINUED)
THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT!
The screaming crowd gets even louder.
SON (CONTINUED)
Your days of sanctioning live events outside of boxing are over! You should’ve learned your lesson when the truth came out about wrestling.
OFFICIAL#1 looks as if his head is about to explode.
SON (CONTINUED)
Whenever a so called ‘’athletic competition’‘ becomes profitable, some crafty promoter will come along and cash in by working the crowd, and milking it for everything it’s worth! And even boxing promoters pay their boys to take a dive you gullible pieces of shit!
OFFICIAL#1 is almost ready to puke.
SON (CONTINUED)
So do the world a god damn favor, and get your
god damn sportsmanship loving ass out of our god damn arena, and don’t you ever come back!
OFFICIAL#1 shakes his head with spit coming out the corners of his mouth.
OFFICIAL#1
You son of a bitch!
The son shoots an evil grin at the roaring crowd.
THE FANS (CHANTING IN UNISON)
WE WANT WRESTLING! WE WANT WRESTLING! WE WANT WRESTLING!
The son starts laughing.
SON
You heard them! They want their wrestling god dammit!
The officials from the state athletic commission walk out the entrance in a disgusted way.
INT.–DARK SMOKE FILLED ARENA–BACKSTAGE
Jerry, Charlene, and the rest of the boys are in the back when the officials from the state athletic commission appear. They don’t seem to be too happy with what happened in the ring.
OFFICIAL#1
This was your idea wasn’t it?
Jerry has an evil grin on his face.
JERRY
Doing this was the best way we could’ve made money.
OFFICIAL#1 appears to be an inch away from busting a vein in his neck.
OFFICIAL#1
I should’ve known this would happen. I never trusted you, you were always a slimy bastard. Even when we regulated wrestling.
Jerry doesn’t seem to be phased at all by his comment.
JERRY
Hey, business is business.
The angry official attempts to wrap his hands around Jerry’s throat. However, the people backstage manage to separate the two.
OFFICIAL#1
I hope you rot in hell!
Jerry still has a smartass grin on his face.
JERRY
Not if you get there first you son of a bitch!
As the officials from the state athletic commission are removed from the arena, Charlene has a curious look on her face.
CHARLENE
So, how much did we make at the gate?
Jerry opens the strongbox, and it’s loaded with ticket money.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Oh my god!
Charlene puts her hand over her mouth.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
How much money is in there?
Jerry has a twinkle in his eye.
JERRY
Over $18,000 dollars, sugar.
Charlene runs over to Jerry hugging and kissing him.
ONE OF THE BOYS
Alright, where’s our money?
The wrestler holds out his hand, and motions for Jerry to give him the payoff.
JERRY
Here ya go!
Jerry hands him a huge wad of cash, a huge contrast from the $20 dollar bills Jerry had been paying the boys beforehand.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
And some money for you.
He hands another huge wad of cash to another one of the boys.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE BOYS
All we need now are insurance and retirement benefits.
The entire backstage area busts out laughing.
JERRY
When hell freezes over!
They all continue laughing.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
What’s wrong, honey?
Charlene looks disturbed.
CHARLENE
You don’t hear anything?
Jerry spots a flash of light in the small window of the backstage exit.
JERRY
No, but I saw the light flashing.
Jerry, Charlene, and the rest of the boys walk toward the exit to see what’s going on.
CHARLENE
What’s a photographer doing outside the exit?
Jerry looks kinda pissed.
JERRY
I don’t know, but we’re about to find out.
EXT.–BACKSTAGE EXIT–NIGHT
Jerry, Charlene, and the rest of the boys are now outside where the officials from the state athletic commission are giving an interview which took place earlier in the ring. Reporters from the local newspaper, radio, and TV Station are all huddled around them.
REPORTER
What are your thoughts on the state athletic commission being denounced tonight, and the revelation involving mixed martial arts being a form of entertainment?
OFFICIAL#1 looks disappointed.
OFFICIAL#1
I was appalled, I was disgusted. They had no right to do this. However, I must say I would expect this from a sleazy wrestling promoter.
Jerry comes up to him, jerks him around, and gives him a hard punch to the face.
REPORTER
Oh my god!
Jerry stands over the official, almost out of breath.
JERRY
Don’t badmouth the business I love and expect to get away with it.
The news media stands there in awe.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
What the hell are you idiots looking at?
INT.–BIG MANSION–DAY
Under the bright overhead lights, there is the brunette woman and her DAUGHTER. They are holding each other and crying as they are surrounded by the deep stained wood wall panels and flooring as well as the brown leather furniture.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Honey, were you raped?
Her daughter pulls away from her.
DAUGHTER
I don’t wanna talk about it.
The brunette woman tries to get closer to her daughter.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
We gotta talk about it, if you were raped, you need to tell me, alright?
The brunette woman’s daughter is still distant towards her.
DAUGHTER
Why?
The daughter glances towards her mother.
DAUGHTER
Why do we have to talk about it?
Her daughter gives her a traumatized look.
DAUGHTER
Why?
The daughter starts crying and her mother, the brunette woman.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
We need to talk about this, so we can get it out the open so it won’t build up inside you.
The brunette woman gives her daughter a concerned look.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
I’m gonna ask you one more time, were you raped?
Her daughter looks at her with tears welling up in her eyes.
DAUGHTER
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
Tears stream down the daughter’s face as her mother holds her.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Who did this? Who did this horrible thing to you?
The daughter looks almost afraid to speak.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
Come on, I need to know so we can make this son of a bitch pay for what he did.
The daughter remains quiet.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
You can tell me.......you can tell me anything.
The daughter looks read to speak.
DAUGHTER
It happened tonight when I was walking home, he attacked me from the shadows, I didn’t get a good look at him.
The brunette woman looks horrified.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Oh my god, so he’s still out there?
Her teary eyed daughter nods her head.
DAUGHTER
Uh huh.
The frightened brunette woman hugs her daughter.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Oh my god!
The brunette woman holds her daughter close.
BRUNETTE WOMAN (CONTINUED)
There’s no telling who he could hurt next!
Tears continue to stream down the daughter’s face.
DAUGHTER
It was just random guy, they’ll never catch who did it.
The brunette woman becomes fierce and determined.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Believe me, if I have to kill every thug, purse snatcher, and perpetrator who find the person who raped you, I’ll do it.
The daughter gives her a frightened look.
DAUGHTER
How do you plan to find him?
The brunette woman pulls a handgun out of her purse.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Oh, believe me. I know how to handle him.
With her hand on the trigger, she cocks the gun back.
DAUGHTER
You can’t just go out into the streets, and shoot people at random.
The brunette woman looks pissed.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Why not? Some street thug raped you, my daughter, at random!
The daughter becomes concerned.
DAUGHTER
But you don’t know what someone on the street will pull.
The brunette woman still has her gun handy.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
They don’t know what I would pull either.
The daughter shakes her head and runs her fingers through her hair while trying to make sense of this.
DAUGHTER
But, you could get sent to prison.
The brunette woman’s daughter glances at her.
DAUGHTER (CONTINUED)
Or killed!
The brunette woman smiles.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
Then it’s a chance I’ll have to take.
The daughter begins to look more confident.
DAUGHTER
I was raped tonight, who knows what they could do to you!
The brunette woman looks at her handgun.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
After I’m done with them, they won’t wanna mess with me.
The daughter looks shocked.
DAUGHTER
Your just one big ball of confidence, aren’t you?
The daughter folds her arms.
BRUNETTE WOMAN
No, I’m just as scared as you are. But something has to be done.
The daughter sighs in frustration.
DAUGHTER
Fine, but if you go to prison for it, I can’t be there for you.
INT.–TELEVISION STUDIO–DAY
VOICE
And cut!
The camera pulls back to reveal the director of the long running soap opera The Innocent Years advising two actresses on the show taping a scene. The cast and crew of The Innocent Years gives the two actresses a standing ovation.
DIRECTOR
Great job!
Pulling back even further, the camera reveals the video monitor displaying the logo for The Innocent Years accompanied by its beautiful piano ballad style theme song, and a plug for Avant Garde soap.
ANNOUNCER
The Innocent Years, brought to you by Avant Garde soap, the world’s most innovative consumer product.
Jerry and Charlene are in the studio sharing a long passionate kiss.
CHARLENE
You came through for me, honey. I love you so much.
Charlene kisses Jerry again.
JERRY
You did most of the work, baby girl.
Charlene smiles at him.
CHARLENE
But I couldn’t have done it without you.
Charlene’s cellphone rings, and the Caller ID reveals the caller to be a network executive.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Oh shit! It’s the network, I’ll be back in a minute.
Charlene gives Jerry one more kiss.
JERRY
Alright baby, I’ll be here waitin’ for ya with my fingers crossed.
Jerry crosses his fingers while Charlene hits the ‘’talk’‘ button on her cellphone.
CHARLENE
Hello?
Charlene looks quite nervous.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE (VOICE OVER THE PHONE)
Hi, I’ve got good news!
A smile comes over Charlene’s face.
CHARLENE
Oh yeah? What?
Charlene waits to hear what all the excitement’s about.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
The change in direction towards more down to earth, realistic storylines involving characters both young and old, have brought ratings up at a significant rate.
Charlene is almost ready to scream at the top of her lungs.
CHARLENE
How far up?
She gulps.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
In the last 13 weeks, The Innocent Years has become one of the top three rated soaps for the first time in 15 years!
Charlene screams at the top of her lungs.
STAFF WRITER
What? What’s going on?
Jerry has his index finger over his lips.
JERRY
Shhhh!
Charlene is smiling so hard she can’t even contain herself.
CHARLENE
Does this mean your gonna renew the show?
Jerry crosses his fingers again.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
Yes, we’ll be renewing the show, and Avant Garde soap wants to put more money into the show, it’s most aggressive sponsorship campaign for the show in almost 20 years.
Charlene has a relaxed smile on her face.
CHARLENE
What about the reality show they were planning to replace us with? And judging from your voice, you aren’t the same executive at the meeting who told us we were gonna be cancelled.
Charlene looks confused.
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
The network changed their minds, and feel the reality show fad has run its course. And no, I’m not the same executive, they fired him. I’m his replacement.
Charlene seems relieved.
CHARLENE
Oh good, thanks for letting me know, bye.
She hits the ‘’talk’‘ button.
JERRY
So, what’d they say?
Charlene gives Jerry another kiss.
CHARLENE
Since we changed the direction of the soap, we’ve become one of the top three soaps for the first time in years. And the advertisers wanna put on the biggest publicity campaign for the show in years.
Everyone starts screaming in excitement, but one of the staff writers looks confused.
STAFF WRITER
What about the reality show they were gonna replace us with?
Charlene smiles.
CHARLENE
They nixed the idea, and the reality show fad has burnt out.
The staff writer sighs.
STAFF WRITER
Good, reality shows are crappy pieces of shit, and they’ve killed television.
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
No shit...
Jerry kisses Charlene on the cheek.
JERRY
What are we gonna do to celebrate?
Charlene puts her hand on his chest.
CHARLENE
I got something special planned for the two of us tonight.
Jerry has a wide smile on his face.
JERRY
Can’t wait, sugar.
INT.–BEDROOM–NIGHT
Jerry and Charlene are in bed together, she is rubbing an ice cube all over his hairy chest. She rubs the ice cube in the small spot where his heart is located, and his heart pounds against his chest as the cold ice cube melts.
JERRY
I’m so proud of you for improving the soap.
Jerry kisses her on the head.
CHARLENE
Thank you for being there for me.
Charlene wrap her arms around him.
JERRY
No problem, I wanted to be here for a special woman.
Jerry runs his fingers through her hair.
CHARLENE
I love you.
Jerry chuckles.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
What?
Jerry smiles.
JERRY
God, do you realize how many cable channels there are?
Charlene busts out laughing.
CHARLENE
Why are you laying here in bed in the middle of the night thinking about a bunch of cable networks?
Jerry chuckles again.
JERRY
You got The Food Network, The Golf Channel, The Travel Channel.
Charlene laughs.
CHARLENE
So?
Jerry shakes his head.
JERRY
Are people so damn lazy and bored, they have to have cable networks about food, travel, and golf 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Charlene continues laughing.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
If you wanna eat food, cook something! If you wanna play golf, go out and do it! If you wanna travel, get on a plane and go somewhere!
Charlene is still laughing.
CHARLENE
Oh god! Stop it!
Charlene kisses him on the cheek.
JERRY
I’m serious! I’ve never seen so many short attention spans in my life!
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
Oh my god!
Jerry gives her a concerned look.
JERRY
What?
Charlene eyes bug out.
CHARLENE
Your turning into my grandfather!
Charlene shakes her head in disbelief.
JERRY
Have you forgotten? I AM A GRANDFATHER!
Charlene grins and chuckles.
CHARLENE
I know.
Jerry arches his back and sticks out his chest and stomach.
JERRY
Back in my day, we didn’t even have television! We either listened to the radio, enjoyed the outdoors, or went to the movies. Now there’s DVD and The Internet!
Charlene shakes her head.
CHARLENE
Here we go again!
Charlene sighs.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Be careful what you say! DVDs, cable networks, and stuff on The Internet about wrestling and soaps are popping up at every second.
Charlene claws and rubs his stomach.
JERRY
Don’t even get me started!
Charlene laughs.
CHARLENE
I love it when you start! You get so sexy when you do!
Charlene listens to his heartbeat by laying her head on his chest and continues rubbing his stomach.
JERRY
I though hated this kinda stuff too.
Charlene looks confused.
CHARLENE
I have no problem with any of those things. Just as long as they don’t steal ratings or advertisers from soaps.
Jerry puts his hand on her cheek.
JERRY
Would you ever re-marry me?
Charlene gives him a dirty look.
CHARLENE
Why the hell should I?
Jerry frowns in shame.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
You cheated on me, remember?
Jerry nods his head.
JERRY
You have a right to feel the way you do.
Charlene gets on top of him.
CHARLENE
But you know what?
Jerry reclines in the bed.
JERRY
What?
Charlene kisses him on the lips.
CHARLENE
It doesn’t stop me from sleeping with, working with you, or loving you.
He kisses her on the lips.
JERRY
You mean it?
Charlene nods her head.
CHARLENE
Just cause we’re divorced doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Our marriage dissolved because you couldn’t keep your pants zipped, and you needed to be taught a lesson. But I’ll always love you.
Jerry smiles.
JERRY
I’ll always love you too, darlin’.
They share a long passionate kiss.
CHARLENE
Good.
She arches over him, then slides down onto his chest and stomach. Listening to his heartbeat, and clawing her fingers up and down the front half of his body.
JERRY
You were always the best one in the sack.
She hits him in the chest.
CHARLENE
You pig!
Jerry smiles.
JERRY
A pig who’d do anything for you.
Charlene kisses Jerry again.
CHARLENE
I know.
Jerry puts his arm around her.
CHARLENE (CONTINUED)
Everything’s going good right now, but what if your wrestling promotion starts losing money again or my soap’s ratings go back down? What are we gonna do?
Jerry puts his index finger on her lips.
JERRY
Don’t worry about it right now.
Jerry kisses her on the cheek.
JERRY (CONTINUED)
Just enjoy what we have today, and worry about what’s to come tomorrow.
Jerry gives her a full frontal kiss on the lips.
CHARLENE
Awwwwwwww, I forgot how good your lips tasted.
Charlene wraps her arms around him, and she returns the kiss.
JERRY
Well, me and my lips will be around for a long time, if you want them to be. I may be an old fart, but I ain’t goin’ anywhere.
Jerry and Charlene share one final kiss.
FADE OUT:
posted by Justin Murphy at 3:04 PM
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