[In a large dark open warehouse space, Malakai Midnight stands surrounded by shrouded owls, each wearing their own dark red cloaks. He stands in the middle of them all, his arms raised.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “Welcome to the midnight hour, my little owls.”
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “Tonight, we Sacrifice.”
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “Step forth, my little lamb.”
[An owl steps forward wearing a Mark Hayes paper face mask.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “The unholy communion between myself and the Dark Lord is a connection only achieved through the selfless sacrifice of others.”
[He grins.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “For when I am with him, I’m free. I’m careless. I believe in eternity and salvation whilst comforted by his guiding hand.”
[Lowering his arms, he places a hand on the shoulder of the owl stood before him.]
[The person masked as Mark Hayes attempts to leave, only to be pushed back by others who drag him towards Malakai. They force him to kneel.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “But not all sacrifice comes willingly.”
[They hold him there.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “You cannot run from your responsibilities, Mr. Hayes. You should be grateful because you have been chosen. Chosen to bleed. Chosen to sacrifice. Your futile existence will finally mean something. It will be because of you that my communion with our Lord is possible.”
[Malakai pulls a knife from his back pocket.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “And it is a lamb’s job to bleed.”
[He aggressively draws it across the throat of the Mark Hayes owl. The owl splutters, coughs and chokes on their own blood as they fall to the floor and bleed out.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “Step forth, my little lamb.”
[Next, a lamb with the mask of Raven steps valiantly into the circle. He approaches confidently and willingly kneels before Malakai, who smiles at his confidence.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “Eager, aren’t you? Is that because you have suffered, little owl? Is it because you’ve lost and now wish to be found?”
[He takes the knife and puts it at his throat, slicing across it.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “Have your peace.”
[He smiles.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “At Lambs to the Slaughter, the devil awaits. He beckons. I can feel his breath on the back of my neck and to unleash him upon you all, the devil will be in the details. It’ll take a sacrifice of epic proportions to bring him forward and bring darkness down upon you all.”
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “How fortunate is it that nineteen other Lambs await their sacrifice?”
[He sits in the blood, wiping it on himself.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “The sacrifice is upon us, little owls. The time for the Dark Lord to rise is upon us and when he does, not only will I sacrifice nineteen lambs in pursuit of his glory, but I’ll win the Old School Wrestling World Championship too.”
[Midnight begins walking away.]
MALAKAI MIDNIGHT: “We’ll have a hoot.”