Post by Dante Q on Dec 28, 2012 3:16:10 GMT -6
El Bestia Negro stood victorious.
The Ultimate Spider had betrayed his mentor, El Stingray, and now stood as a Lieutenant in the Army of the Beast.
His former tag team partner, Kid Venom, had been vanquished. Now, El Stingray, the final bastion of resistance to his regime lay in a crumpled heap at his feet.
Negro lets a deep visceral laugh emanate from his lungs and fill the arena to the booing of the crowds. While he continues his evil chuckle, he reaches down and grabs the mask of El Stingray.
The sick and twisted smile of delight that sits on his face only widens as he starts to remove the mask of the legend.
That smile is suddenly replaced by confusion when the crowd explodes into loud cheering. Negro looks up and sees KID VENOM running down the aisle to the ring to rescue his mentor. The Black
Beast looks dumbfounded.
He'd crushed him. He'd broken him. He destroyed him. But he was here.
Negro directs his other two lieutenants, Calavera Roja and Dark Wolf II to attack Venom as he runs down the aisle. Roja leads the charge and he is the first to fall, when Venom takes him down with a flying forearm right across the bridge of his nose. Kid Venom rolls through on his landing and drives a shoulder right into the solar plexus of Dark Wolf II, doubling him over. This sets up a DDT nicely for Venom to drive his head into the mat. Roja is back to his feet and grabs Kid Venom from behind. Venom breaks out with a mule kick, Roja collapses on all fours. Venom runs up the quickly plants a kick to the jaw of Dark Wolf II. All of this happens while Ultimate Spider and El Bestia Negro watch on in the ring.
Kid Venom runs back towards the ring, and jumps off the back Calavera Roja onto the top rope. He springboards off the top rope and nails Ultimate Spider with a picture perfect springboard dropkick. Spider goes down and rolls out the ring. El Bestia Negro charges, but El Stingray manages to grab his foot. This buys Kid Venom enough time to attack. Venom quickly kicks El Bestia Negro in the gut, doubling his over. He then nails the BOOMSLANG, a reverse overdrive type move that he uses as his finisher.
Kid Venom helps El Stingray to his feet, as El Bestia Negro rolls out of the ring to gather his troops.
Kid Venom stands tall, with his mentor, El Stingray using him for support. The Army of the Black Beast stand on the outside slowly backing up the ramp as the crowd cheers on wildly.
Kid Venom stands victorious.
Alex Brooks appears jet-lagged. It's not really anything specific that stands out, but his overall demeanour that indicates this. The ways his eyes are dropping, his shoulder slouching, all of it put together gives every appearance of a man who has spent too long travelling, and not enough time resting. Yet right now, Alex Brooks is sitting on a tattered brown fabric lounge, staring doe-eyed at the television flicking from channel to channel.
“You want a drink, bro?” a voice calls from the kitchen.
“Just water, Bobby.”
Bobby Brooks, the younger of the two Brooks boys. Bobby looks remarkably like Alex, and if you didn't know better you would swear they are identical twins. But, Bobby is four years younger than Alex. These two are currently in the processes of mending their relationship after some interference from one, Cronos Diamante. That incident is one of the main reasons, Alex Brooks does everything he can to keep his personal life separated from his professional career. Bobby Brooks just been posted to San Diego for a military exercise and the two brothers are taking the opportunity to catch up and mend fences.
“How was Mexico, Al?”
“Good... Bobby... Real good.”
Bobby tosses the bottled water to Alex and slumps into the lounge next to his with a bottle of his own.
“So...” Bobby elongates his pause before continuing. “What hell you doing down there dude? I know you were working that Cancun place with that Aussie chick you're now teaming with in SHOOT, what's her name, Dina? But I don't see Alex Brooks on any bill anywhere now.”
Alex smiles his cheeky, lovable smile that always melts hearts with it's cuteness, the way a baby's smile does.
“Yes, her name is Dina, Bobby. I'm still wrestling. Like the Navy is your thing – though I don't know why you switch from Army to Navy. Wrestling is my thing, now. And Anna has her basketball... I'm so proud of her getting the scholarship to the University of Colorado. At least someone stayed at home for Mom.”
The Brooks' boys share a little laugh, not a comical laugh, but a serious one. Meryl Brooks could be a little overprotective.
Bobby Brooks takes a mouthful from his bottle of water.
“If you're wrestling in Mexico... you must be wearing a mask.”
Alex Brooks nods in acknowledgement of his brother's awesome detective powers.
“Who then?”
“That's a secret, Bobby. It's a Mexican tradition not to tell anyone who you are under that mask. The only person that knows is Dina... And she only know because she is part of the industry and works with me.”
“Come on, Alex. I'm your brother.”
“Rules are rules, Bobby.”
Bobby Brooks realises that continued prodding will be useless. He knows his brother is a stickler for the rules. He always been, to the point of boredom. Bobby also knew that he didn't want to talk about his transfer from the Army to Navy, so it was best to keep Alex talking about wrestling. It was a shared love anyway. Bobby has remembered his time hanging with Cronos Diamante and how it almost destroyed his family.
“I know about SHOOT Project, Alex, but tell me about Exodus Pro – since it's in San Diego and will actually be able to come down and watch you.”
“I wish you wouldn't.”
“There's no Cronos, Alex.”
“But there are people just as evil and just as cunning – and I don't want that again.”
“Tell you what, Alex. You're my brother, and I'm coming to watch you. But, as a favour for you I will just get nosebleed tickets and sit right in the back of the crowd. Ok?”
“Ok. Bobby. That sounds fair.”
“So, Al, Who're you fighting this week?
“Kliff Ulysses.”
The younger of the Brooks' brothers nods in acknowledgement
“Isn't that guy in a band or something?”
“Yes. Bobby.”
“That's right. He's in that band – Huge! Couple of the guys in the barracks, absolutely love them, they never playing them. If he's half as talented in the ring, as he is in the band then you better bring your 'A'-game, big brother or you are in for a world of pain.”
“I know he's good, Bobby. I've watched some of his matches. He's very smart in the ring and knows how to exploit his opponents weaknesses. A bit like Cronos Diamante – another reason why I don't want you in the arena for this Winter Road match.”
Bobby smirks.
“Are you still over-reacting about Cronos? Look, Al, I promise I won't even talk to Kliff. I'll sit up the back and cheer on like any brother should, deal?”
Alex Brooks pauses for the moment to contemplate his thoughts.
“Ok, Bobby, deal.”
“I'm glad you're trusting me, Al. I'm really glad. You want to order some food? I'm getting hungry.”
“Ok. What do you want, Bobby?”
“How does Pizza sound?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Sweet.”
Alex Brooks reaches down the side of his battered couch and picks his hands free phone and starts dialling a number he is obviously very familiar with.
The Exodus Pro banner, black with the Exodus Pro type face logo firmly front and center. Standing in front of the banner is Alex Brooks, all blonde-haired, blue eyed and doing his best to look like the Justin Beiber of the wrestling world. He can't help it, he just looks young. He flashes his perfect smile, which is suddenly not so perfect when he pulls a plate from his mouth revealing a false tooth and a gap in his smile. Alex Brooks starts walking forward and it becomes evident he is inside an empty RIMAC Arena that has already been set up for the Exodus Pro TV. He makes his way to the ring and walks around the ring in a clockwise direction. He reaches the steel steps, pauses and takes a deep breath before walking up them and stepping between the middle and top ropes. He proceeds directly to the center of the ring. He stops, does a pirouette and then plants both feet firmly on the canvas. He smiles his gap-toothed smile.
“Kliff, you know when this arena is packed from the very front row, right there barely a few feet from our office all the way to the back, where we can be barely see – it's a pretty damn cool atmosphere. I know it impressed me at the very first episode of the Exodus Pro. And I expect to impress me again when he step into the ring for the first of Winter Road matches on Episode two.”
Alex Brooks walks over to a turn-buckle and leans on it.
“These fans, they will be screaming, Kliff. They will screaming for their heroes to step forward and fight for the causes they believe in. They will be screaming for the heroes to step forward and defend their honour in battle. Yes, the fans will be screaming for heroes.”
Our hero turns around and heaves himself up onto the turn-buckle.
“But, heroes are nothing without villains. And just as the fans will be screaming for the heroes to stand up. They will also be screaming for the villains to be taken down. They will be screaming for the villains nefarious plans to be thwarted. The fans will be screaming against the villains.”
“It doesn't really matter who the fans screaming for or against. The fact is neither the hero or the villain is anything without the other. What's the point of running roughshod over something if no way stands in you way? Or how can to stand up righteously for your cause if their no one to defend it against. Truth is, Kliff – the hero is nothing without the villain and the hero is just as meaningless without the villain. “
“Just like you and me, pal. We are opposite sides of the fence. You made that perfectly clear when you concocted that little plan with IRON. And it's exactly why the fans will be screaming for me and against you.”
“This week, you need me just as much as I need you. Just as much as we need an arena of screaming fans working for or against us. It doesn't really matter.”
“Because with a full arena of screaming fans, this place will be like a San Francisco earthquake in the summer... shaking to the core.”
“Are you going to be handle the pressure that raucous energy of shaking building? I'll be honest here, I get nervous when I see that arena full of crazy fans and clever signs. But, you know what after those initial nerves dissipate, all of that energy it channels into adrenaline and I feed off that adrenaline everything time I go into a match. Sometimes, it works and I win. Sometimes it leads me to making stupid mistakes, or going hell for leather at victory too early in the contest, which leads to my downfall and I lose.”
“But, that doesn't stop me coming back for me, Kliff. One loss, doesn't make me pack up my bags and pout. One loss doesn't see me runaway. You know what that one loss does? It drives me. It spurs me on to find ways to improve, to better myself inside the ring and outside in life.”
“That's why you better keep coming at me, Kliff. Keep coming at me and never stop, because I won't stop. You will have to beat me, because I will not be beaten. The moment you cast yourself as the villain on Episode 1, you made me the hero. And I have to tell you, that is a role I enjoy.”
He jumps down onto the mat and starts walking to the turn-buckle diagonally opposite him. He continues talking as he walks.
“I'm only here in this ring right now, because a few years ago enough wrestling decided I was worth getting behind and supporting. Somehow, I ended up on Wrestling Spirit. Sure, it was probably for a laugh for most of the people who voted for me. They wanted to watch some mommas boy from the suburbs of Aurora make a fool of himself. But you know what, I took the opportunity they presented to me and ran with it. Just like I will in this Winter Road tournament.”
“You know what else, those same people that were once laughing at me, are now standing, clapping, cheering and stomping their feet every time I step into the ring. Because, they know with a little bit of luck my story could be their story.”
The boy from Aurora, Colorado reaches the other turn-buckle and hoists himself up.
“And their raw emotion and support if what I carry into every match. It's why I nervous and it's why I hate to lose. And it's why I intend to do everything within my power to win this Winter Road Tournament – starting with a victory over you, Kliff Ulysses.”
“Not just for me. But for them, the fans. So they can achieve anything they want. So they know that heroes still exist and so they know there will always be someone willing for stand up for their rights and their beliefs.”
Brooks stands up on the top turn-buckle.
“And that person will be me, Kliff. I'll be standing here at the start of our match.”
Alex jumps down again and walks to the very center of the ring.
“And I intend to be standing right here at the end of our match. My arms raised in the air, with referee right next to me. Of course, that's what you intend to. And just as you said – it would be a mistake to confuse intention with certainty. But, make no mistake I certainly intend to win.”
The young man known as Alex walks to the ropes facing the entrance to the arena and flips himself over the top rope. He lands on his butt on the apron – intentionally.
“So while you seem to think that I won't be up to the challenge that is Kliff Ulysses. I can tell you – that it would be an error of judgement for you to underestimate the sheer willpower and refusal of quit of myself. I've stood toe-to-toe with men, much uglier and scarier than yourself. While you seem certain that I will be the first to swept up by the cyclonic winds you claim to be generating in your vicinity and you while you might generate destructive waves like a tsunami – I can assure you, that like Jason and the Argonauts. I will find safe passage.”
“We might share a common first step on this Winter Road, but like Frost's path in the yellow road. Our journeys will take very different paths.”
He jumps down off the apron and begins walking back towards the entrance curtains. He continues to talk.
“Kliff, like I said earlier in the piece. The fans need heroes and villains. And you ego, your words, your actions have most definitely cast in villainous role. I don't know if I'm a hero... but I do I know you will have to burn me down like a pine forest in fire storm if you intend to do what you say you are going to do to me what saying you're going to do me by brutally conquering me. Because I am Alex Brooks...”
Our intrepid hero, Alex Brooks reaches the top curtains and half pushes through.
“And I lay down for no one.”
The fan's favourite disappears through the curtains.
Black.
The Ultimate Spider had betrayed his mentor, El Stingray, and now stood as a Lieutenant in the Army of the Beast.
His former tag team partner, Kid Venom, had been vanquished. Now, El Stingray, the final bastion of resistance to his regime lay in a crumpled heap at his feet.
Negro lets a deep visceral laugh emanate from his lungs and fill the arena to the booing of the crowds. While he continues his evil chuckle, he reaches down and grabs the mask of El Stingray.
The sick and twisted smile of delight that sits on his face only widens as he starts to remove the mask of the legend.
That smile is suddenly replaced by confusion when the crowd explodes into loud cheering. Negro looks up and sees KID VENOM running down the aisle to the ring to rescue his mentor. The Black
Beast looks dumbfounded.
He'd crushed him. He'd broken him. He destroyed him. But he was here.
Negro directs his other two lieutenants, Calavera Roja and Dark Wolf II to attack Venom as he runs down the aisle. Roja leads the charge and he is the first to fall, when Venom takes him down with a flying forearm right across the bridge of his nose. Kid Venom rolls through on his landing and drives a shoulder right into the solar plexus of Dark Wolf II, doubling him over. This sets up a DDT nicely for Venom to drive his head into the mat. Roja is back to his feet and grabs Kid Venom from behind. Venom breaks out with a mule kick, Roja collapses on all fours. Venom runs up the quickly plants a kick to the jaw of Dark Wolf II. All of this happens while Ultimate Spider and El Bestia Negro watch on in the ring.
Kid Venom runs back towards the ring, and jumps off the back Calavera Roja onto the top rope. He springboards off the top rope and nails Ultimate Spider with a picture perfect springboard dropkick. Spider goes down and rolls out the ring. El Bestia Negro charges, but El Stingray manages to grab his foot. This buys Kid Venom enough time to attack. Venom quickly kicks El Bestia Negro in the gut, doubling his over. He then nails the BOOMSLANG, a reverse overdrive type move that he uses as his finisher.
Kid Venom helps El Stingray to his feet, as El Bestia Negro rolls out of the ring to gather his troops.
Kid Venom stands tall, with his mentor, El Stingray using him for support. The Army of the Black Beast stand on the outside slowly backing up the ramp as the crowd cheers on wildly.
Kid Venom stands victorious.
***
Alex Brooks appears jet-lagged. It's not really anything specific that stands out, but his overall demeanour that indicates this. The ways his eyes are dropping, his shoulder slouching, all of it put together gives every appearance of a man who has spent too long travelling, and not enough time resting. Yet right now, Alex Brooks is sitting on a tattered brown fabric lounge, staring doe-eyed at the television flicking from channel to channel.
“You want a drink, bro?” a voice calls from the kitchen.
“Just water, Bobby.”
Bobby Brooks, the younger of the two Brooks boys. Bobby looks remarkably like Alex, and if you didn't know better you would swear they are identical twins. But, Bobby is four years younger than Alex. These two are currently in the processes of mending their relationship after some interference from one, Cronos Diamante. That incident is one of the main reasons, Alex Brooks does everything he can to keep his personal life separated from his professional career. Bobby Brooks just been posted to San Diego for a military exercise and the two brothers are taking the opportunity to catch up and mend fences.
“How was Mexico, Al?”
“Good... Bobby... Real good.”
Bobby tosses the bottled water to Alex and slumps into the lounge next to his with a bottle of his own.
“So...” Bobby elongates his pause before continuing. “What hell you doing down there dude? I know you were working that Cancun place with that Aussie chick you're now teaming with in SHOOT, what's her name, Dina? But I don't see Alex Brooks on any bill anywhere now.”
Alex smiles his cheeky, lovable smile that always melts hearts with it's cuteness, the way a baby's smile does.
“Yes, her name is Dina, Bobby. I'm still wrestling. Like the Navy is your thing – though I don't know why you switch from Army to Navy. Wrestling is my thing, now. And Anna has her basketball... I'm so proud of her getting the scholarship to the University of Colorado. At least someone stayed at home for Mom.”
The Brooks' boys share a little laugh, not a comical laugh, but a serious one. Meryl Brooks could be a little overprotective.
Bobby Brooks takes a mouthful from his bottle of water.
“If you're wrestling in Mexico... you must be wearing a mask.”
Alex Brooks nods in acknowledgement of his brother's awesome detective powers.
“Who then?”
“That's a secret, Bobby. It's a Mexican tradition not to tell anyone who you are under that mask. The only person that knows is Dina... And she only know because she is part of the industry and works with me.”
“Come on, Alex. I'm your brother.”
“Rules are rules, Bobby.”
Bobby Brooks realises that continued prodding will be useless. He knows his brother is a stickler for the rules. He always been, to the point of boredom. Bobby also knew that he didn't want to talk about his transfer from the Army to Navy, so it was best to keep Alex talking about wrestling. It was a shared love anyway. Bobby has remembered his time hanging with Cronos Diamante and how it almost destroyed his family.
“I know about SHOOT Project, Alex, but tell me about Exodus Pro – since it's in San Diego and will actually be able to come down and watch you.”
“I wish you wouldn't.”
“There's no Cronos, Alex.”
“But there are people just as evil and just as cunning – and I don't want that again.”
“Tell you what, Alex. You're my brother, and I'm coming to watch you. But, as a favour for you I will just get nosebleed tickets and sit right in the back of the crowd. Ok?”
“Ok. Bobby. That sounds fair.”
“So, Al, Who're you fighting this week?
“Kliff Ulysses.”
The younger of the Brooks' brothers nods in acknowledgement
“Isn't that guy in a band or something?”
“Yes. Bobby.”
“That's right. He's in that band – Huge! Couple of the guys in the barracks, absolutely love them, they never playing them. If he's half as talented in the ring, as he is in the band then you better bring your 'A'-game, big brother or you are in for a world of pain.”
“I know he's good, Bobby. I've watched some of his matches. He's very smart in the ring and knows how to exploit his opponents weaknesses. A bit like Cronos Diamante – another reason why I don't want you in the arena for this Winter Road match.”
Bobby smirks.
“Are you still over-reacting about Cronos? Look, Al, I promise I won't even talk to Kliff. I'll sit up the back and cheer on like any brother should, deal?”
Alex Brooks pauses for the moment to contemplate his thoughts.
“Ok, Bobby, deal.”
“I'm glad you're trusting me, Al. I'm really glad. You want to order some food? I'm getting hungry.”
“Ok. What do you want, Bobby?”
“How does Pizza sound?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Sweet.”
Alex Brooks reaches down the side of his battered couch and picks his hands free phone and starts dialling a number he is obviously very familiar with.
***
The Exodus Pro banner, black with the Exodus Pro type face logo firmly front and center. Standing in front of the banner is Alex Brooks, all blonde-haired, blue eyed and doing his best to look like the Justin Beiber of the wrestling world. He can't help it, he just looks young. He flashes his perfect smile, which is suddenly not so perfect when he pulls a plate from his mouth revealing a false tooth and a gap in his smile. Alex Brooks starts walking forward and it becomes evident he is inside an empty RIMAC Arena that has already been set up for the Exodus Pro TV. He makes his way to the ring and walks around the ring in a clockwise direction. He reaches the steel steps, pauses and takes a deep breath before walking up them and stepping between the middle and top ropes. He proceeds directly to the center of the ring. He stops, does a pirouette and then plants both feet firmly on the canvas. He smiles his gap-toothed smile.
“Kliff, you know when this arena is packed from the very front row, right there barely a few feet from our office all the way to the back, where we can be barely see – it's a pretty damn cool atmosphere. I know it impressed me at the very first episode of the Exodus Pro. And I expect to impress me again when he step into the ring for the first of Winter Road matches on Episode two.”
Alex Brooks walks over to a turn-buckle and leans on it.
“These fans, they will be screaming, Kliff. They will screaming for their heroes to step forward and fight for the causes they believe in. They will be screaming for the heroes to step forward and defend their honour in battle. Yes, the fans will be screaming for heroes.”
Our hero turns around and heaves himself up onto the turn-buckle.
“But, heroes are nothing without villains. And just as the fans will be screaming for the heroes to stand up. They will also be screaming for the villains to be taken down. They will be screaming for the villains nefarious plans to be thwarted. The fans will be screaming against the villains.”
“It doesn't really matter who the fans screaming for or against. The fact is neither the hero or the villain is anything without the other. What's the point of running roughshod over something if no way stands in you way? Or how can to stand up righteously for your cause if their no one to defend it against. Truth is, Kliff – the hero is nothing without the villain and the hero is just as meaningless without the villain. “
“Just like you and me, pal. We are opposite sides of the fence. You made that perfectly clear when you concocted that little plan with IRON. And it's exactly why the fans will be screaming for me and against you.”
“This week, you need me just as much as I need you. Just as much as we need an arena of screaming fans working for or against us. It doesn't really matter.”
“Because with a full arena of screaming fans, this place will be like a San Francisco earthquake in the summer... shaking to the core.”
“Are you going to be handle the pressure that raucous energy of shaking building? I'll be honest here, I get nervous when I see that arena full of crazy fans and clever signs. But, you know what after those initial nerves dissipate, all of that energy it channels into adrenaline and I feed off that adrenaline everything time I go into a match. Sometimes, it works and I win. Sometimes it leads me to making stupid mistakes, or going hell for leather at victory too early in the contest, which leads to my downfall and I lose.”
“But, that doesn't stop me coming back for me, Kliff. One loss, doesn't make me pack up my bags and pout. One loss doesn't see me runaway. You know what that one loss does? It drives me. It spurs me on to find ways to improve, to better myself inside the ring and outside in life.”
“That's why you better keep coming at me, Kliff. Keep coming at me and never stop, because I won't stop. You will have to beat me, because I will not be beaten. The moment you cast yourself as the villain on Episode 1, you made me the hero. And I have to tell you, that is a role I enjoy.”
He jumps down onto the mat and starts walking to the turn-buckle diagonally opposite him. He continues talking as he walks.
“I'm only here in this ring right now, because a few years ago enough wrestling decided I was worth getting behind and supporting. Somehow, I ended up on Wrestling Spirit. Sure, it was probably for a laugh for most of the people who voted for me. They wanted to watch some mommas boy from the suburbs of Aurora make a fool of himself. But you know what, I took the opportunity they presented to me and ran with it. Just like I will in this Winter Road tournament.”
“You know what else, those same people that were once laughing at me, are now standing, clapping, cheering and stomping their feet every time I step into the ring. Because, they know with a little bit of luck my story could be their story.”
The boy from Aurora, Colorado reaches the other turn-buckle and hoists himself up.
“And their raw emotion and support if what I carry into every match. It's why I nervous and it's why I hate to lose. And it's why I intend to do everything within my power to win this Winter Road Tournament – starting with a victory over you, Kliff Ulysses.”
“Not just for me. But for them, the fans. So they can achieve anything they want. So they know that heroes still exist and so they know there will always be someone willing for stand up for their rights and their beliefs.”
Brooks stands up on the top turn-buckle.
“And that person will be me, Kliff. I'll be standing here at the start of our match.”
Alex jumps down again and walks to the very center of the ring.
“And I intend to be standing right here at the end of our match. My arms raised in the air, with referee right next to me. Of course, that's what you intend to. And just as you said – it would be a mistake to confuse intention with certainty. But, make no mistake I certainly intend to win.”
The young man known as Alex walks to the ropes facing the entrance to the arena and flips himself over the top rope. He lands on his butt on the apron – intentionally.
“So while you seem to think that I won't be up to the challenge that is Kliff Ulysses. I can tell you – that it would be an error of judgement for you to underestimate the sheer willpower and refusal of quit of myself. I've stood toe-to-toe with men, much uglier and scarier than yourself. While you seem certain that I will be the first to swept up by the cyclonic winds you claim to be generating in your vicinity and you while you might generate destructive waves like a tsunami – I can assure you, that like Jason and the Argonauts. I will find safe passage.”
“We might share a common first step on this Winter Road, but like Frost's path in the yellow road. Our journeys will take very different paths.”
He jumps down off the apron and begins walking back towards the entrance curtains. He continues to talk.
“Kliff, like I said earlier in the piece. The fans need heroes and villains. And you ego, your words, your actions have most definitely cast in villainous role. I don't know if I'm a hero... but I do I know you will have to burn me down like a pine forest in fire storm if you intend to do what you say you are going to do to me what saying you're going to do me by brutally conquering me. Because I am Alex Brooks...”
Our intrepid hero, Alex Brooks reaches the top curtains and half pushes through.
“And I lay down for no one.”
The fan's favourite disappears through the curtains.
Black.