Post by Shadow on Jun 23, 2012 16:43:27 GMT -4
[glow=blue,9,200]THEN…[/glow]
“I’ve been having these dreams!”
Shadow’s dry eyes get wide as he sits in his car. The truck honks it horn. It gets louder. The truck hits!
Shadow snaps awake in his Camaro at a gas station. Quick cuts, he gets gas, then food and slams on the brakes! The final scene from last week, We see Shadow staring through the windshield in shock, the reflection of a medievac helicopter soars overhead, flashing lights bounce off the edge of the glass. Sirens and panic voices are heard in the distance as the scene ever so slowly pulls away to show more of the backdrop. People from town are rushing forward. Everyone is trying to help. Inside his car, Shadow’s jaw just drops.
Cut to black.
[shadow=silver,left,1200]Arcadia, Louisiana: One Week Ago[/shadow]
A young man is driving down the street in the early morning hours. Pine trees line either side of the desolate road. His black Ford focus purrs at about 75 miles an hour as we see inside the car, the dash, the time: 9:15 AM. Taking a sip of his soda the young man in his early twenties pushes the accelerator to the floor.
Guy: Damn it’s hot out.
He gazes down as he cranks up the air conditioning. He looks up and sees two people, a couple, standing in the middle of the road.
Guy: Shit!
The sound of ceramic brakes pads grinding against the metal fills the morning air. His car skids and comes to a stop right in front of the two. She is wearing a long black Sunday dress, her dark hair is styled short, partially concealed under a black hat. He wears a black suit and grey tie and his dark hair is very professional. They both smile and approach the car. The young man rolls down his window. He sticks his head out and has a look around, just trees and a long stretch of road in either direction.
Guy: You people alright?
Silence as the couple approach the driver’s side door. Inside the car the young man looks up at the couple curiously. They both lean down and the man sticks his head in the window. He smiles at the driver.
Man: Nice car.
The camera pans away from the car as we hear the young man scream. It continues to pan as his loud scream is only heard by the forest. Panning, until finally stopping on a sign: State Highway 154.
[shadow=silver,left,1200]Meanwhile:
Morton Mississippi[/shadow]
Officer's voice: You know, it’s a little crazy you being in the area and all, Agent Rose.
Our scene opens on a Mississippi State Trooper car and zooms out. Shadow is standing beside the hatted uniform. He has on a white dress shirt and black slacks. His blonde hair is pulled into a ponytail and tucked into his shirt. He has a black tie on. The cop looks over Shadow’s card. Police tape is behind them.
Shadow: Well I happen to be passing through on the way to Jackson. My supervisor knew I wasn’t far. Actually I was up at Newton’s Crossing getting gas and he asked me to check in.
Trooper: But what for?
Shadow: Anything out of the ordinary.
Trooper: Like what?
Shadow: That could be cause for suspicion.
The officer looks at Shadow, he doesn’t understand. His eyes ask a million questions. The giant sees this. He leans in and hisses through his teeth to answer.
Shadow: National Security like suspicion.
The cop’s eyes go wide and he gasps. He bought it.
Trooper: Well, now that you mention it.
He cocks his head to towards the wreck. We finally see it. The truck jumped the barricade, crashing down the embankment and into a tree. No fire, something much stranger.
Trooper: Based on witness statements; the driver was hauling Liquid Nitrogen and from the looks of it...
He points to the tree, what’s left of it. Like everything else in a fifty foot radius it was frozen solid. Unlike everything else around it, the tree has a hole burnt through the trunk.
Trooper: ...he was carrying a lot.
Shadow professionally bluffs a normal unconcerned faced.
Shadow: And you we’re first on scene?
The uniform stops in his tracks. They are standing in some semi swampy water. Shadow is not dressed for it. These shoes were ruined, socks too. Removing his hat, the trooper turns and lowers his eyes. He is remembering his shock. While the ground was slowly melting, the truck and tree were still solid. We see the wreckage, frozen still even at this hot morning hour.
Trooper: Yeah. I was here within ten minutes.
Shadow: And the wreckage has barely melted?
Trooper: Forensics claims the temperature dropped dangerously close to borderline.
Shadow: Borderline?
Trooper: They don’t know how, they didn’t know how much Liquid Nitrogen it would take to reach absolute zero.
Shadow looks up. The truck is frozen solid. The trailer lurched forward with the rip across the top of the tank. The liquid spewed forth and soaked the tree, and truck. The two of them carefully approach the wreckage. On the driver’s side, the door is cut out.
Shadow: And the driver?
He sticks his head inside the cab. Aside from the cold cave like feel inside, there was nothing to note. Then Shadow spots a small bit of powder next to the shifter. He sticks his pen into the powder then takes a whiff and turns his head in disgust.
Shadow: Ugh.
Trooper: We thought it might be drugs, at first. Forensics sent it off to the lab.
The big man gets back down and looks at the trooper and they slowly walk towards the hole burnt into the tree. Shadow repeats his question.
Shadow: And the driver?
The cop pauses.
Trooper: He was found under a blanket in the cabin. His heart tore out his chest.
Shadow raises his eyebrows. The Trooper wipes the sweat from his brow and walks off shaking his head. Shadow is left there looking at what used to be a tree. It was huge, must’ve been decades old. Despite the obvious signs that the tree once was alive, it was undisputedly hollow. The oval hole was about three feet wide and six feet tall, burnt perfectly into the trunk. The bare branches contort into one another, the leaves lost, melted after being turned to ice. Shadow peers into the darkness, the hole at the heart of the tree. The entire inside is charred black. Then it hits him. This wasn’t a tree, it was a prison.
Cut to black.
Our scene reopens with Shadow getting into his Camaro. It’s only a few minutes later. He takes his badge out of his pants pocket, opens the glovebox and tosses it inside. Our view shows several badges, all different kinds of law enforcement. He is visibly shaken, unsure as to what he just saw. All he knows is that had he been there when it happened, he wouldn’t be alive. Taking a deep breath Shadow gets the engine running. He looks up and sees the “First on scene” looking at him, the FBI business card still in his hand.
Shadow: Okay, It’s a “T,” as in time to leave.
Shadow puts the car in gear and pulls away from the accident. He drives past the trooper who is staring at his card. As Shadow heads on down I80 the trooper pulls out his cell phone and makes a call.
[glow=blue,9,200]NOW... [/glow]
[shadow=white,left,1200]"Chain Reaction"[/shadow]
Shadow steps out of his Camaro in the parking lot of the small Louisiana town. Next to him is a white Arcadia police cruiser. He walks across the street. It’s Friday morning. He is wearing a suit this time, black with only a white shirt. Again, his ponytail is pulled and tucked down his back. He cradles his phone to his ear as he crosses the street.
Shadow: Yeah Caleb, I just pulled up. Three days. Yeah, Monday I have to be in Bossier City. If I’m not done by then I will swing back through. Have I ever left a job unfinished? Okay, I’ll keep you updated.
Entering the small brick building, Shadow feels the cool breeze from the AC blowing on his face. He approaches the front desk and puts his cell phone away. A young African American woman is working dispatch.
Shadow: Agent Gillis, FBI.
He pulls out his badge and shows it to the dispatch sergeant. She takes the ID and reviews it before handing it back to him.
Dispatch: How can I help you Agent Gillis?
Shadow: Montgomery Wallace.
She picks up her desk phone and makes a call. Her voice is hushed. A light brown, bald, middle aged man walks from the back. He extends his hand. Shadow shakes it.
Cop: Victor Rogers, chief of police.
Shadow: Agent Brad Gillis, FBI. I’m here investigating-
Rogers: Monty Wallace. Right, or are you here for Tommy Spackler?
The big man hides a look of confusion. He hadn’t done enough research on this. Caleb had only called about two hours ago. Shadow was on his way to Bossier City, the trail in Morton went cold after a day. Whatever was there, it wasn’t anymore. While part of him said he needed to be on the road that little voice in the back of his head whispered for him to stay. He was needed here more.
Shadow: Tommy Spackler?
Rogers: Let’s talk in my office.
He leads Shadow through the front office area to one of the three offices in the back. Shadow takes in everything around him as they walk. They are the only three in the station at this time. Entering the office, the chief has a seat behind his desk. Shadow takes a seat as well and Chief Rogers hands Shadow a file folder.
Rogers: Thomas Spackler, age 19. He went missing yesterday morning. Mother was on the phone with him. Said he was going to call her right back and never did.
Shadow: Did you find his car as well?
Rogers: Yeah, abandoned off 154.
Shadow: Any signs of a struggle?
Rogers: Nope. No fingerprints, blood or fibers. The car was clean.
Shadow’s eyes read through the police report. Inside his heart beat like a jackhammer. Slade could deal with the lies and the thrill, Shadow hated lying to the police, but what else could he do? He couldn’t tell them the truth. They’d lock him up in an instant.
Shadow: State Highway 154? He and Monty are the first people to go missing?
The chief runs his hand across his bald head. He doesn’t know how to respond.
Rogers: Yes, this year.
Cut to black.
Dita honey, let’s get one thing straight. I remember first laying eyes on you in ECFW. It was June 2008, you were smoking hot. Still are babe. You and Kat Westwood. I have to say, having known you four years, as your friend and former something or another; I've earned a right to speak my mind. I care about you Dita and I can’t stand to see you throw your time away with someone like Benny Horrowitz. What I am trying to say is, I’m not sorry about this match, Dita.
Hell no I won’t apologize. I may be Shadow, sweetheart; but I’m also the ultimate man next store dammit! I speak for every friend who cares deeply for someone but can’t say it in the movies. And God willing, may this message change history. Dita I think that you are a damn talented woman. I’ve cared about you for a long time and yes Dita I would love to have you back at my side. I would love to give you the Whirlwind, Dita. You deserve it. You will always be my Bonnie, Dita. And you couldn’t find a better Clyde! But some guy like Benny Horrowitz, he just wants another notch in the bedpost.
Benny Horrowitz, you piece of trash. You don’t care for her! You think you’re one hell of a smooth talking bad ass huh? Boy I am glad I got my boots on, cause bullshit’s getting high in here. Let me take you back to the very first night of Meltdown. You beat Dita; however, comma, that wasn’t good enough for you, was it? So you decided to go back and try and put her down. She messed with your pride smacking the crap out of you a couple of time. She’s cute when she does that isn’t she? So you tried to do a little more damage and OH, Bam! She dropped your ass with a DDT. What a shot, wham!
Yeah you like it rough, we get that. You like slapping a hot little British chick around don’t ya? Hell yeah, that’s a porn fantasy and Shadow lived that! What do you have, son? I admit I didn’t have a thing in booking tonight’s match, but I am damn proud to euthanize your ass on live TV before the millions and billions of eyes around the world! Step on up son, you’re the next victim on my ass kicking list. You don’t deserve Dita and tonight I will prove why you will never deserve her! I will serve you what you’ve earned though.
And since I am talking about people getting what they deserve, Mr. Cameron Wolves! Cameron you’ve had a few weeks to settle into to APW it seems. You know, get yourself some nice ring gear, big fancy titantron and top notch entrance music. Now all you’re missing is that leather strap huh? I mean, I did hear you correctly last week, right? Let’s see, I was sitting in the back, picking pieces of Prometheus Grimm out the bottom of my boot when you popped on the big screen and started running your mouth about claiming your throne here in APW. Yeah, I guess I did hear you right, huh? Listen Cam, the only throne you have here in APW is in the port-a-johns that the crew and local jobbers use on a hot afternoon basis!
Cameron, I understand that you Canadians think some crazy things: that your Thanksgiving is the real one, that Brian Adams is a star and all that other bull-hickie you Canadians “luv” to talk “aboot.” But seriously, you’re the Canadian Michael Lively, and like all Canadian counterparts you will never live up to the caliber that he is, Cameron. But since I really don’t have the time to wait around for someone like Lively to show you how this is done properly, I will happily pinch hit. Last week Cameron I saw you on Meltdown, and so I decided to gather a bit of background on you; since your name is a “whisper” in the locker room. I paid a visit to the archives department and pulled your first three matches. Your big debut and then two brutal brawls with the man who is going to be your tag partner this week.
Them throwing you together with a guy you hate is actually pretty funny, if you ask me. Because Dita and I know how to work together in the ring. You and Benny, well I guess there is a certain "spark" between the two of you, but not like Dita and I. You two will be too busy fighting with each other to throw down against us. And that doesn't bother me because last week it’s was like Diamond had me resting up for something, you know, like a closer. But I guess that’s what he wants me to do, close the book on your sorry Canadian ass. Your little twisted fairytale ends here Cameron, like those three last week, with me putting you in your place in the ring tonight!
Back to Benny, Benny, Benny. Listen, You may believe this match is entirely personal, but do you really want to know the truth? I can justify the very professional ass kicking I’m ALSO going to give you tonight on top of the first one. And I am not sorry dude. I want you to understand, the people hate you Benny, can't you hear them? They cheered when you blew you and your tag team partner up like Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd two weeks ago. You know why? They hoped it would rid of us of your ass. I want you to prove yourself professionally tonight Benny. Or so help me, I will leave you laying in the ring!
Cameron, brace yourself, I already forgot about you. Only reason I remembered you ass is because it was on the cue cards in front of me. Pack your bags, you sir are going on a trip later. When the match is over, you will either go one of two places: home, or the hospital. It’s your choice.
