It’s dark. Nothing is visible. But the sound of frogs, crickets, and owls can all be heard. obvious that whatever is happening, is happening outside. In the woods perhaps? Suddenly a light appears. Not enough to chase away the dark, but enough to make visible Mark Hayes.
Mark Hayes: There’s a lot to discuss. A lot to.. unpack…
Mark has a limp to him as he moves closer to a nearby lake. As the trees exit view, something else takes it’s place.. The brightness of the moon.
Mark Hayes: What happened wasn’t as I anticipated. It wasn’t a good week for me clearly. First, a defeat at the hands of Jash Khan. I wanna make something clear. Jash… You’re good. But you got lucky. And next time, the outcome won’t be the same. Next time, when the final bell rings, it’s gonna be me – with my foot on your chest, and my arm raised in victory, and you looking up at the lights with that glazed over look in your eyes.
Moving on… Malakai… You’re really pissing me off. You wanted my attention? You got it now. Be careful what you ask for… you just might get it. If you think for one minute, that I don’t know it was one of your goons who jumped me… Think you can send a message huh? Message received. Next time, there’s gonna be a message of my own… My fist, and your face. You got me looking forward to Lambs to Slaughter. Moreso than I ever was before.
Mark picks up a small stone off the ground and skims it across the lake. As the light of the moon above casts down on the lake below, slightly visible is the ripples of the rock skimming across the water. *clunk* *clunk* *clunk*
Mark Hayes: I don’t give a damn about facing Attano. I wanna get my hands on you Malakai.. AND KICK YOUR ASS! Now that I’ve addressed that elephant in the room… MASTER KEN! I’m sorry about what happened to your dojo. Even if debate remains as to whether or not you had it coming. That’s not for me to decide; and quite frankly I don’t give a damn either way.
The problem is, now it’s you and me. And I hate to be the one to compound on your problems, but it is what it is. And I know you understand that. Come NXT, I have one thing on my mind. Using you to send a message to everyone at Lambs to Slaughter. Using you to send a message to Malakai Midnight. Using you to send a message to Jash Khan. The rose colored glasses are off. Now it’s time to get my hands dirty. Now it’s time to get to work. It’s business now. NXT will not be your redemption. It WILL be a chance for you to blow off steam. But that’s it. When that bell rings.. I’m gonna hit you with the STO. Your skull is gonna bounce off that canvas. Then I’m gonna make you bleed. Understand it’s nothing personal. But it’s what must be done.