Page 91

Slater turns to her. His eyes are warm. His words are a plea of understanding.

SLATER

We can all have a second chance, Stacy. That’s what we’re trying to do. We're trying give people a second chance at treating the M-Verse with respect.

The young woman snorts with anger.

STACY

Straight from Walker's mouth. See now, that's the kind of blind foolishness that make me wanna hurt somebody. And here I was trying to be nice. But you’re just another one of Walker's blind little sheep. And I won't let you or him stand in my way.

Stacy scoots closer to Slater. She speaks directly in his hear, plainly and sharply and plainly.

STACY

The school's presence here is an insult to me. Walker isn't man enough to be here himself so I can make him pay for what he did to me. So you're going to pick up the tab. When I'm done with Dale, I'm coming for you. I'm going to grind you up until there's nothing left but a greasy little smear under my boot.

Stacy gets up from the bench and heads back to towards the mansion. Slater contemplates for a moment before getting up and returning to his routine.

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Page 90

A long, white towel lay draped over a wooden bench near by. Slater grabs it and sits down, wiping the sweat from his face and chest.

STACY

I apologize for interrupting. You do know who I am, right?

Slater sighs. He doesn't respond.

STACY

Of course you do. Not many people get kicked out of the School of Miracles, right?

SLATER

You weren't expelled. What happened with you was before my time, but Walker said that your were always welcomed to -

STACY

Welcomed to what? Come back? To him and his lies? I don't think so.

Stacy sits next to him.

STACY

So how did Walker recruit you into his cult? Bet he's still preaching the same tired lines. Filling your head with all these wild ideas about the M-Verse. About spiritual gifts from another dimension. Wake up. It's the same song and dance that he gave me. Look where it got me, Slater. I almost died last year. If it wasn't for Galeforce, I may never have gotten a second chance.

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Page 89

Behind M-Verse Mansion is a wide, spacious field of trees and healthy grass. Slater Johnson, wearing only jeans and a shirt, moves in a slow dance, his arms and legs gracefully opening and closing, with each movement ending in a swift attack.

His facial expression is an amalgam of peace and determination, all the while reciting the words that are hidden in his heart. Slater is so engrossed in his routine that he doesn’t notices Stacy approaching with slow steps. 

SLATER

Temptation cannot break you. Self-confidence is an illusion. Open your heart. Open your ears. And see - 

STACY

And see the light of the M-Verse.

Slater, in the middle of a crouching stance, erects himself. His back is turned away from Stacy. He doesn’t turn around.

STACY

Walker still makes you guys memorize that crap, huh? 

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Page 88

The cameras zoom in close on his face. In a slow, monotone voice, Olson speaks to the viewing audience.

OLSON

My name is Olson. I represent Noble Care, a free clinic. We don’t have the necessary funds to take care of our patients. Winning the tournament will rectify that problem. Stacy will be my toughest obstacle. With her White Eyes mode, she’ll have both the speed and experience to counter my projections. But thanks to Dale Hunt, I may not have to deal with her. All of the others here believe that Dale is the weak link. I respectfully disagree. This game we play is mental. To win, you have to be 100 percent focused at all times. And Stacy has a lot on her mind: Adrien Dillard, last year’s incident, Slater Johnson, the School of Miracles. It was smart for Dale to challenge her. Stacy isn’t focused, and Dale wants to take advantage.

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Page 87

CHAPTER 12

Two cameramen wait outside of Olson’s room. They can hear mumbling voices, as if someone in the room is speaking to someone over a phone line.

One of the cameramen knocks at the door.

OLSON

One moment.

The mumbling continues before abruptly stopping.

OLSON

I’m ready.

The door opens and the cameramen walk in, taking the viewers into a room dimly lit by large candles. Hanging on the walls are skulls and animal skins. There is a shelf full of books on profiling and psychological warfare. The heavy bag that hangs from his ceiling has the names of each competitor written in dark red ink.

Olson, with his back turned, adjusts his hood before facing the cameras.

OLSON

Let’s get this over with. I have work to do.

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Page 86

DALE

Sorry. Guess you weren’t fast enough.

Stacy stares at Slater. Dale moves in front of her.

STACY

I’m going to eviscerate you, Dale. I’m going to make you quit in front of millions of people. Maybe that’ll knock some sense into Tasha.

DALE

Leave her out of this.

STACY

You brought this on yourself, Dale. Remember that.

Stacy exits. It’s silent for a moment. Slater suddenly stops unpacking his bags.

SLATER

I hope you do well in your match.

Dale looks at the camera surprised.

DALE
Ha! Well, I appreciate that. But I don’t need luck, brah. As long as I’m here, this tournament is a wrap.

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Page 85

Slater does not respond. A frustrated Dale looks into the camera and speaks to the viewers.

DALE

See what I have to put up with? It’s all good, though. I’m coming out on top regardless. Plans are already in motion. All these guys in here got me pegged as the underdog. "That Dale kid is so weak. That Dale kid is so young. He ain’t got no shot." Okay, go on and think that. But there’s a reason why I’m –

The door bursts open and the cameras turn as Stacy barges in. She gets in Dale’s face.

DALE

Hey, Miss Sunshine! You ready for –

Stacy slaps him. Dale rubs his cheek, amused.

STACY

What do you think you’re doing, Dale?!

DALE

I’m competing.

STACY

I already filled out my OCR form to fight Slater, you idiot?!

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Page 84

CHAPTER 11

David & Dale’s Room

Dale Hunt waits in the dorm room alone. The cameras haven’t visited yet. He sits on his bed, hands folded together, confused, worried, and a little angry. A picture of Dale and Tasha sits on his desk. Dale grabs it.

DALE

That was her. That was our child’s voice in there. How is that…possible? How did he…

The door opens and Slater walks in. Two cameramen follow him. Slater drags a suitcase towards his side of the room. He unloads his clothes from the case and into his drawers.

Dale regains his composure, smiles for the cameras, then speaks to Slater.

DALE

Pretty interesting exhibition in there, man. Got everybody around here freakin’ out. What’d you do to Plumley anyway?

Slater continues to unpack his bag and remains silent. Dale looks into the camera puzzled, then tries again.

DALE

So…uhh…who are you gunning for in the tournament? Gotta be trying to take Stacy out because she use to roll with your crew, right?

Slater keeps packing.

DALE

We’ll don’t even worry about it. I’ll take her out for you and save you the trouble.

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Page 83

ISRAEL

No, I’ll tell you who’s weird. Olson. Creepy, eyeliner wearing freak. I mean, who does he think he is calling me a copycat?

JASON

Didn’t you just tell me not to let what people say bother me?

ISRAEL

Man, it’s only been a day, and I’m already sick of him.

Jason is amused.

JASON

Why?

Israel sits up from his bed.

ISRAEL
Alright, so you know it’s supposed to be two people per room, right? Now George gets to have his own room because he’s the champ. Kinda shady, but I get it. But Olson...dude’s got some kind of “condition.” And Falcon gave him a medical exemption so he could have his own room. Really? How do we even know he’s sick? How do we even know he’s a dude? He goes stalking around the house on his own, always hanging in some corner, curled up in that dirty hoodie. Always trying to punk somebody. Always trying to mess with people's heads. I hate guys like that. All I know is, he better stay the hell away from me.

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Page 82

ISRAEL

Hey man, don’t take it personal. That’s exactly what she wants.

JASON

She said I was “tailor made” for her. Now I’m respectful to women and all. But I can’t let that kind of stuff fly, Issi.

ISRAEL

Don’t go there. I’m tellin’ you. She’s trying to bait you into challenging her. My advice? Let her fight someone else first. That way, you can get a better sense of her strengths and weaknesses.

JASON

Speaking of challenges. You read the challenge logs online yet?

ISRAEL

Yeah, man. Dale challenged Stacy in the first fight. That’s crazy. Little dude is gonna get crushed.

JASON

Exactly. Kid’s got all kinds of bad luck. He’s the youngest one here, not to mention the sorriest. Then they put him in a room with Slater. That’s got to be...interesting. And then he challenges Stacy of all people? That is one weird guy.

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Page 81

The toilet flushes and Israel departs from the bathroom, wearing shorts and a t-shirt. He lays down on his bed.

ISRAEL

So what do you think of the other guys and gals here?

Jason puts his feet up on his bed.

JASON

Well, Dale’s the weakest link, obviously. Stacy and Adrien’s got experience on all of us. Slater...I don’t even know where to begin with that guy.

ISRAEL

See, I’m not worried about him either. Like, what did really he do… other than talk Plumley to death? Whatever Slater is...whatever his abilities are...all I’ve got to do is be me and I’ll run through him and everyone else here.

JASON

Even Marcia?

ISRAEL

What’s that supposed to mean?

JASON

I saw how you were looking at her during the exhibition.

ISRAEL

Oh, she’s hot. I’m not denying that. Plus, I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before.

JASON
Well, it's kinda hard for me to admire the woman when she's callin' me out.

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Page 80

JASON

Wow. You actually want Adrien? Man, I’m tough, but I ain’t crazy.

ISRAEL

Fortune rewards the bold.

JASON

Yeah, or fortune might get your behind fried. I’m steering clear of Adrien. But if you wanna soften him up for me, be my guess.

Israel puts the comb down, grabs some clothes from a closet, and walks toward the bathroom.

ISRAEL

Yeah, see everybody’s so worried about Adrien. The guy is a champion, no question. But he’s a prick…and he's human. He’s going down first chance I get. Believe that.

Israel goes into the bathroom and shuts the door. Jason waves to the camera. The cameraman closes in on Jason’s face. He whispers.

JASON
Alright, look. Israel is a real cool guy. Reminds me of a few buddies of mine in the core. But…I don’t think he can beat Adrien Dillard. It’s a bad match up. But hey, I’m not gonna stop him from trying. Because if Adrien beats him, that means I don’t have to.

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Page 79

CHAPTER 10

Israel & Jason’s Dorm Room

The cameraman is on Israel’s side of the room, watching him comb out his thick afro in front of a mirror.

Jason walks in, carrying his camouflage briefcase. He sits on the bed and unties his boots.

JASON

Howdy.

ISRAEL

What up doe.

JASON

Israel, I gotta say. Your exhibition was really impressive. I can definitely see you in the finals.

ISRAEL

Call me “Issi.” And I appreciate the kind words, sir. But I think the fans are probably rooting for you win it all.

JASON

Really? Why?

ISRAEL

Well, you can’t use the portal like the rest of us. You’re limited to your weapons. That makes you an underdog. People love an underdog.

JASON

I guess. But I’m sure you have your fair share of fans, too, especially the ladies.

Israel chuckles.

ISRAEL

Yeah, well, I really don’t care what anybody thinks of me. I’m here to win. Period. And to get a piece of Adrien.

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Page 78

There’s a knock on the door.

MARCIA

Who is it?

The door opens and Falcon enters.

FALCON

Good evening, ladies.

MARCIA

You didn’t even wait for the password. How rude.

FALCON

Stacy, we need to talk.

STACY

Is there a problem?

FALCON

It’s about your challenge request form.

STACY

What about it?

FALCON

It’s been denied.

STACY

What?

FALCON

Your request to fight Slater has been denied.

STACY

Denied?! Why?

FALCON

Another form came in before yours was submitted. It was a request to fight you.

STACY

From who?

FALCON

Dale Hunt.

Stacy balls her fists and shuts her eyes. She shivers with anger, barely containing it. Marcia looks on, amused.

FALCON

I came here to make sure that you were aware of the situation.

STACY

Dale...that’s idiot!!

Stacy blows by Falcon and leaves the room.

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Page 77

MARCIA

Whatever works, babe.

Marcia turns to the camera and speaks with a devious smile.

MARCIA

I’m sure I’ll have a much easier time with Jason. Poor little solider boy is tailor made for me.

Marcia’s cheerful demeanor fades as she turns back to Stacy. She sighs.

MARCIA

The one who really concerns me is Adrien. I don’t understand why he’s still here if he’s got three championships already. It’s not fair!

STACY

I’m glad he’s here. I want another crack at him.

MARCIA

And Slater?

STACY

What about him?

MARCIA

C’mon, Stacy. Everybody knows that you have a history with the School of Miracles. With Slater representing them, I was wondering how you plan on dealing with him.

STACY

It’ll be an easy win for me. That’s why I challenged him.

MARCIA

Wait, so you put in your challenge form...to fight Slater?!

STACY

Yes.

MARCIA

That’s...that’s crazy. Didn’t you see what he did to Plumley -

STACY

It’s all fake. It’s cheap tricks and misdirection. I’ll show you. Just watch.

MARCIA

If you say so.

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