The Times are a Changing: Part Treble - The Severance Pay

[The Main Attraction]

Monday July 8th 5:01 PM

Flashback

The scene opens up for the final time from the North Shore Medical Center; as we see the trio of “The Main Attraction”, Jacinta Perez, and Alec Quartermain; have now all made their way inside towards Uncle Charlie’s hospital room. The first being Mannie of course; then proceeded by Jacinta and Alec. Uncle Charlie; who was already resting quietly during a test, looked to be extra ecstatic after seeing the sight of his nephew Mannie. Which of course raised his Uncle’s blood pressure; but fortunately though it wasn’t anything too serious, as the nurse was still able to get through with the test.

UC: MANNIE!

(Smirking) Mannie: What’s up Unk?

UC: Ahhh nothing, I’m just getting my last test done on me.

Mannie: Oh you want us to come back later? (Showing signs of second-thoughts)

Jacinta making a gloomy stare at Mannie, who does his best to avoid eye contest.

UC: Nonsense nephew, go ahead and sit down.

Mannie: You sure Unk?

UC: Yeah Mannie. Yall go on and take a seat, she is almost finished.

(Faking a smile) Jacinta: Yeah baby, don’t be rude sit down. (Pushing him)

Once finished with the actual test, the nurse greets the trio with a friendly introduction.

Nurse: Hello everybody, my name is Molly. I am Charlie’s nurse and you are?

Jacinta: Hi! (Waving)

Mannie: Hello Molly, Ahhh were actually his family.

Nurse: Oh okay, well that’s good to hear. I was hoping you would stop by here, because all we have been hearing is about his gifted nephew and girlfriend. (Looking back at Charlie) You are right Charlie, they are such a cute couple.

Mannie smiles as Jacinta cannot help but to blush after hearing such an unexpected compliment from Charlie, which is even more shocking considering the fact that they cannot stand each other. Therefore leaving Jacinta who was at first anxious, now with a head full of second thoughts. Thus it was that very moment that Alec out of all people, who then decided to get everything moving right along. Therefore, while it now seems that Mannie & Jacinta are starting to retreat, Alec nevertheless initiates “Plan B”. Alec reaches inside of his sweatsuit and drops out some papers.

Alec: You seem to drop something Jacinta.

Jacinta: Hunh?

Alec winking at her to signal the cue, as Jacinta finally gets what Alec is talking about now.

Oh…Yes you are right Alec, I did drop something. (Leaving over to pick up the sheets of papers, from off the floor.) Mannie would you help me? (Snatching him down with her)

Mannie: (Falling to the floor) What?

Jacinta: Listen to me baby; if were going to do it, then we have to do it now!

Mannie mind immediately goes right in the gutter, as he starts trying to remove his t-shirt. Jacinta is more surprised than by Mannie’s actions, as she quickly lets him know how she feels about it.



Mannie: (Holding his face) The fuck!

Jacinta: You want some more?

(Flinching) Mannie: No!

Jacinta: Good, because now I want your ass to get serious about this Mannie!

Mannie shakes off the slap as he reluctantly agrees to go forward with the plan, as they both rise back to the seats. Uncle Charlie raises a suspicious eyebrow at the both of them, however though he brushes it off before ongoing with the conversation.

UC: So nephew what’s going on with APW? You know I can’t wait to get out of here and back on the road again with yall, you know I’ve been thinking Mannie. That Adidas deal is all wrong for you, maybe we should go with Nike. Yeah we should go with Nike that is where the real money is…

And it was at the very moment when Uncle Charlie was running off at the mouth, which Mannie finally realized that he had to do; what he had to do.

Mannie: Hooooolllllllld Up, Nike? Who the hell do you think you are?

The impromptu outburst puzzles Uncle Charlie as he swiftly responds back

UC: (Grabbing his chest) Boy? What the hell is wrong with you?

Mannie smirks to himself, as he really can’t believe that he was asked such a dumb question by his Uncle.

Mannie: What the hell is wrong with me? (Looking over to Jacinta and Alec) Can you believe this guy? (Looking back at Uncle Charlie) What the hell is wrong with me, more like WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?

This next outburst by ‘The Main Attraction’ again stresses the heart of Uncle Charlie, as he clutches his chest even tighter.

Mannie: It still amazes me Charlie, how truly much of an dumb-ass that you really are, for even thinking that there was any type of future for you in my life?

UC: (Giving off a look of perplexity directed at Mannie because of he is acting towards him) What?

Mannie leaning over the bed rail to choke Uncle Charlie, as UC is still astonished over what’s been happening to him right now.

Mannie: Yeah that’s right old man; the jig is up! You actually thought you could use me; too get yourself into a better life? (Looking at UC in disgust) Well guess what Unk? I already used you and I’m finally done with ya! (Turning his head back to Jacinta) Give me, the papers!

This bossy command by Mannie sends out “Vibrations” to Jacinta, who is more than happy to do whatever he wants.

Jacinta: Oh Papi! I love it when you take control. (Handing the papers on over to Mannie, while biting her bottom lip)

Mannie: I hope you enjoy taking this severance pay Charlie, just as much I do by giving it to you.

Mannie abruptly lets go of the collar on UC’s hospital gown, before tossing the papers on his lap. Uncle Charlie is at a lost of words, while picking up the papers to read. Therefore, as Uncle Charlie reads on; he at last figures out what is now going on. Mannie can't but to smile now, since he knows that his Uncle never saw this coming. So to celebrate Jacinta reaches into her purse to pull out a silver cigarette case with a matching lighter to boot. Jacinta then places the cigarette on the end of her lips, just before flicking the lighter open to light it. Jacinta begins to take pleasure in Uncle Charlie's pain, as she starts doing some smoke tricks such as french inhaling and blowing out O's nears UC. Jacinta then notices Mannie eye-balling UC, so she motions for Mannie to take a puff or two; to help down calm his nerves. 

Mannie: (Taking his first initial puff) You look surprised, but I’m not sure why? Because if anything, I thought you would’ve been saw this coming. However you didn’t, so it really just makes all this; that more fun for me. (Snapping at Jacinta for a pen, who quickly obliges him) Now all I need for you to do Unk; is now sign the contract and it will all be forgiven.

UC: (Crying hysterically) What did I ever do to you nephew, for you to treat me this way?
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Mannie: (Smirking before flicking his wall smothered cigarette) It's funny how I almost believe those crocodile tears were real, (frowning) but unfortunate you Unk, I was taught by you to be smarter than that. See you love to think that I had somehow forgotten about the old days but I didn't Unk. Nah in fact I remember it, like it was yesterday.

Mannie begins to zone a bit during this total recall.

Mannie: Mama was struggling, but did you care? Hunh! Did you even care that your baby sister had gotten pregnant by "Ain't Shit" best friend, who had decided that once she started to show; that it wasn't his baby. But if that wasn't enough for to care about her, nor was when she was still on drugs, section 8, and struggling so bad that I was placed in Child Services. (Mannie looking UC up and down) Nope because all you wanted to cared was you, so guess what Unk? All Mannie cares about him and his, and your not part of the mix anymore. See I knew one day I would make something of myself, but I wasn't sure what it take; however I did find that something inside of me to make it through, and that was pro wrestling. So I knew right there from the get-go as child; that once I got myself together and when I was old enough, that I would pay you back for everything... 

Mannie then glances over to Alec and makes a signal to him, in which Alec then acknowledges right it back. Mannie then proceeds to look back at UC, as he still is kind of confused by all of this.

Mannie: Honestly what else could even do for me now? You all crippled up, and all you would do is slow me down. So why not cut the chord now, before your hands get to far into my career. Seriously I want things you can't offer me, now sure you got me those endorsement deals but I WANT MORE!

Mannie proceeds to squeeze on Charlie's air supply, hence causing UC to gasp for even more air.

Mannie: You hear me Charlie! I don't want to be in the Main Event sometimes anymore, Nah see I want to stay there! I want to headline RassleMania one day! Hell Unk who knows; maybe I can finally land me a World Title shot one on one with Terry Marvin, if this all goes the way Jacinta said she had planned for me? But again I say who knows? But Charlie what I do know; is that my career is going to keep pushing forward and it's going to keep doing so without you...So here is how it's going to down Charlie, your going to get two choices. (Waving his left trigger and middle fingers at UC) Thus you can ether choose option A or B.

(Mannie rubs his palms together, as Jacinta joins in on the excitement with hand clapping of her own.)

Mannie: So what comes with option A...

Jacinta: Oh Charlie, you're going to love this. (Rubbing on Mannie's shoulders)

Mannie: Okay here's the thing with option A; you can sign that contract right there in hands, which will release me from your managerial services, and then get to go back to Oakland with what's left of your health. Or...

Jacinta: You can with option B. (Licking Mannie's ear and running her fingers through his hair)

Mannie: In which you will still sign the contract but instead of going back to Oakland healthy; you will however go back there with two broken legs courtesy of Alec.

UC: Alec? (Looking directly over to Quartermain) If wasn't me damn it, you would'n't even had a job with him. You two grateful sons of bitches, I hope you all Burn-In-Hell! (Coughing and weezing)

Mannie laughs cold-heartedly, as Uncle Charlie’s heart can’t seem to take anymore of the insolence by his nephew. Uncle Charlie’s heart begins to go into cardiac arrest. Alec & Jacinta both clear the room, as Mannie whispers one last thing in his Uncle’s ear before leaving as well.

Mannie: (Smirking) Happy Birthday.

The scene fades as ‘The Main Attraction’ Young Mannie empathically walks out of his Uncle Charlie’s room, all while alerting the nurse from earlier about UC’s condition. Meanwhile Jacinta & Alec welcome Mannie onboard an awaiting elevator.

To Be Continued...

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