WCF Network Exclusive II: Sentinel Tension Escalates

[Joey Flash]

                **The Following Occurred During Sunday Night Slam**

The camera opens to the interior of the Sentinels locker room: the camera focuses on three lockers, one reading ‘Occulo’, one reading ‘Howard Black’ and the third the word ‘Dune’ has been poignantly crossed out and replaced with a scribbled ‘Joey Flash’ - two of the lockers are open and a single bench where Howard and Occulo sit side-by-side, preparing for their coming match. Finishing the tape on his right hand, Howard reaches into his gym bag for his cigarettes and places one in his mouth. After lighting it, he looks thoughtfully at the third locker. He frowns and shakes his head.

Occulo: They’ll kill you, you know.

Howard pulls the cigarette from his mouth, before replacing it.

Howard Black: I know.

Occulo: I- This isn’t good. I don’t like it. I don’t like any of this. How did we get here? This…

He looks around the room, the sombre silence is telling.

Occulo: Is not how this was supposed to be. We were supposed to be the ones standing against all injustice, all inequality, all suffering...now...now that’s all that seems to be happening all around us.

Howard shrugs, his eyes going from the face of Occulo to the third locker and back to the floor.

Howard Black: Isn’t that why we’re back? Because this all flourished while we’re gone? We’re the heroes, right? The ones who need to clean up the mess that happened in their absence?

He paused for a moment, taking a drag and exhaling softly.

Howard Black: Or is this mess ... our fault?

Occulo: We couldn’t be here Howard, it’s not that easy. I had some family shit to deal with and you? You blame yourself for having a broken arm?

Howard Black: Then how does HE blame us? Or Flash blame us?

Howard looks down again, his grip on the cigarette tightening as he mutters to himself.

Howard Black: “Absentee father.” Motherfucker.

Occulo: Don’t let it get to you. Look, we just need to decide...how are we handling this? Tonight, at Fifteen…

Howard paused for a moment, the light in his eyes briefly shining as the gears of his mind worked. His words came out slowly and carefully.

Howard Black: I’ve been… watching tape. I think I have an idea. I’ve gotten this “stuff” and-

He is cut off as the door bursts open and stepping through is the third member of the Trios Champions, Joey Flash ignores the two men and rips his locker open before reaching down to grab his wrestling gear for his match tonight. He fumbles around a bit more before turning to leave. Blocking the door are Howard Black and Occulo.

Joey Flash: Move.

Howard Black: We ain’t goin’ anywhere.

Occulo: We’re going to have a little talk.