Yesterday, 11:58 AM
INNER THOUGHTS – OFF CAMERA
As I’d spoken of at depth, the chance to become the number one contender had come as a surprise. In my eyes, there were a raft of people more worthy of that opportunity, people that had been in SCW for a decent time, more than I had on my return. I hadn’t wanted to be spoon fed opportunities just because of who I was, and this chance had felt like that. Though, in my experience, I always taught myself that you shouldn’t ever look a gift horse in the mouth. And so, although surprise, I’d put my heart and soul into it, against people who had built far more momentum than I. I’d given it my absolute all, for a chance to get my hands on what turned out to be the new Champion Gavin Taylor. At times, it had looked like I was going to get it done as well, the contendership in my grasp… until then it wasn’t. The chance is gone, even though I’d done the best I could. I was now ten matches into my return; ring rust couldn’t be the reason why. I’d not had enough moments to seize the day, and it certainly wasn’t due to a lack of preparation. I could only come to one of two conclusions, those being either I was no longer good enough to compete at this level, or the second option something was missing. Something missing was the preferable option right now. The question was WHAT, however, what was it that was missing and holding me back from once again taking center stage? It was now my mission to find that out.
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
(Shaun had to be true to himself, the opportunity to get back into wrestling, and create another legacy for himself was indeed tempting. Bringing back EMERGE with Drew, and being the face of the company, certainly massaged his ego, especially when it produced an eloquent middle finger towards SCW. When he’d been General Manager there, he’d intentionally been made to feel like the scapegoat, him leaving nothing like as ‘mutual’ as it had seemed. Stealing viewership from them would be an added bonus to the need to show his daughter than her father wasn’t the fuck up she’d grow to learn if he didn’t change things. And so, just a couple of days after Drew had revealed his plans, Shaun had agreed to meet with Drew at the building that would become their base of operations. He needed to see it, to visualize it in his mind, before he made his final decision. A building was important, it needed to feel like it could make a difference, the need to imagine those fans packing those seats giving him his gut feel. As such, he drives his car into the rear parking lot, next to a building that had indeed seen better days but was far removed from the village hall he had imagined. Shaun sees Drew over by the entrance, the two exchanging the pleasantries of a wave before Shaun kills the engine and steps out of the car. Drew walks over, and motions towards the building.)
Drew: What do you think?
(Shaun nods his head appreciatively.)
Shaun: Yeah… needs some work but certainly big enough
Drew: Buildings like this in Los Angeles aren’t easy to find. But yeah, a bit of work and it will be exactly what we need.
Shaun: What was it used for previously?
Drew: What hasn’t it been used for… basketball mostly. One of the local college teams used to own it but sold it off to a private landlord. Just so happens, I know said landlord and he’s willing to cut us a deal.
Shaun: Really?
Drew: Yeah, we give him shares in EMERGE, and he’ll give us the building rent free.
(Shaun scowls a little, Drew catching the look.)
Drew: Something wrong?
Shaun: Nothing in this life comes for free Drew, there will be a catch I’m sure of it.
Drew: We’ll make sure it’s all above board and in the contracts. He just knows a good thing when he sees it, and someone putting it to use is far better than it stood empty. Come, let’s go and look inside so you can get a feel for the place.
(Drew opens the door and steps inside, Shaun following him down a couple of corridors before they step into what would be the main arena. It was certainly sizeable and would probably fit over four thousand in once fitted out which was more than enough for their needs, at least to begin with.)
Drew: Way, I see it is we have the ring down there, central. Rampway from over there which is conveniently where the locker rooms are already. Already got a new logo for the brand figured out… of course if you come on board, you’ll have to authorize it. All we’ll need then are staff and a roster but even if we kicked off with some of Owen’s students, I’m sure we could still put on a decent show. But I reckon your name alone would sell a show, especially if people know you are going to appear. Then, we just build off that, it will be no different to the first version of EMERGE… we only had a couple of hundred turn up. I’ve got a whole marketing campaign planned, and to begin with, it’s all built around you. I don’t see how it can fail.
(Shaun scoffs)
Shaun: That’s the eternal optimist in you Drew… I’ve learnt that positivity is ok, until it results in over optimism.
(Drew pulls out a couple of chairs from a stack and opens then, sitting down and then offering Shaun a place. He could see that Shaun was struggling with the whole thing and rightfully so, considering the amount of money that he would be putting in.)
Drew: Look mate, I know after what happened with Angyalka, you’re not in the best place right now, and financially, I am asking you to put everything you have into this, without taking the same risks myself. But Shaun, I promise you… if I did have the funds, I’d be doing this myself. I’ve had countless people offer to come on board, and in fact… I could have literally lessened the risk for everyone. But that would also lessen the reward… I want us to be able to say that WE did this. I want us both to remind this industry who the hell we are, and what we did… and will do again.
(Drew was saying all the right things, and Shaun could see the logic in it all. If they had a consortium on board, there was no question that he would have said already.)
Shaun: I don’t know Drew, way I see it, if there were more people involved, I’d be more inclined to give it all a go. If this goes wrong, I’d literally be left with nothing. I had an acting career; I’ve written box office hits… Impact Media as well was nothing but a success. All of that, all I made off the back of those things would amount to nothing. I’m just not sure it’s a risk I can take at this point in my life.
Drew: Thing is Shaun, all those other people would ONLY come in if they were the sole investor, they had no interest in being part of a consortium.
(Shaun looks around the building, taking it in like he thought he would when he was on the outside. He imagines the EMERGE logo high above the entranceway, he sees the fans sitting all the way to the roof. He even imagines himself coming down the ramp, the crowd cheering as he introduced the very first edition of EMERGE. But no matter how much he can imagine it, the fact is it doesn’t pacify him. Although ninety-five percent of him knew it would likely be a success, there was still the other five percent hanging over him like a sword. Then there was Dorothea, and his need to leave her something when he was gone… what if he had nothing to give. It was all too much for him to risk, he couldn’t bring himself to the table knowing he could lose everything. Shaun gets to his feet, and biting his lower lip says the words Drew Bryant didn’t want to hear.)
Shaun: I’m sorry bro, I just can’t take the risk. But Good luck and I hope it all goes well.
(Shaun offers his hand, Drew getting to his feet with a sigh. Drew takes the hand and they shake, Drew nodding his head.)
Drew: I appreciate your time Shaun, and I do truly understand. It would have been nice to work together again but I get it. If you change your mind though…
Shaun: I know where you are, I know. I don’t think I’m going to though, I don’t think I can. See you around bud.
(Drew nods and watching Shaun walk away and out of what would be his arena. Although he had other investors, none had the industry pulling power that Shaun did, which made the whole undertaking that little more difficult. But Drew also knew that once a Cruze had made up his mind, it was usually a done deal, and what was for certain was Shaun had indeed made up his mind.
Drew: Back to the drawing board.
(Drew folds up the chairs as the scene fades.)
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
(It had been three weeks since Shaun’s meeting with Drew, and Shaun would have been lying if he’d said with total commitment that he hadn’t considered that he had done the wrong thing. The wrestling industry had now been made aware by a single tweet that EMERGE was on its way back, a couple more since had teased Los Angeles as its base so it certainly seemed Drew was still ploughing ahead with the idea. Perhaps he’d got someone else involved, perhaps a bigger name than Shaun himself. Thus, he couldn’t help but feel like he had missed out. After dropping Dorothea back home after a trip to the Zoo, Shaun sat down with Angyalka and had a chat over a cup of coffee and the conversation had turned back towards the industry that Angyalka herself had once been a huge part of. There had been lots of times when she had considered returning, but had never fully taken the step, as such she did have some insider knowledge. And she most certainly knew about EMERGE, and the potential for its return.)
Angyalka: So, I’m guessing you know about EMERGE coming back?
Shaun: Know about it? Drew gave me the option to be a part of it
Angyalka: Really?
Shaun: Yeah… I could have been the primary investor and face of the show
Angyalka: Competing?
Shaun: Nah, done with that. I was going to be the show runner, General Manager. Bit like the role I had with SCW
Angyalka: That went well…
(Shaun laughs)
Shaun: Yeah, I know. But that place was a shit show before I took control. This was the chance for me to do things my way, without having a board telling me what to do. Drew reckoned my name would sell the show on its own, and Owen was going to let us used some of the ‘Next Level’ talent. Drew even spoke of trying to bring Owen back as a competitor.
Angyalka: Like that is ever going to happen.
(Shaun takes a sip from his coffee and witnessed Angyalka compiling a list of questions like she always did when she wasn’t sure of something Shaun had decided. It had been a private joke in their marriage that Angyalka knew the right questions to ask to put Shaun on the right path, and it looked like she was doing that again.)
Angyalka: So, hold on…
Shaun: Here we go, you’re not my wife now, I’m not sure you’re allowed to nag.
Angyalka: I just want to get this straight. Drew offered you a chance to get back into the one thing you’ve truly loved. No offence taken. And you turned it down?
Shaun: Yeah
Angyalka: I’m sorry Shaun, but I’m struggling to understand why you would do that?
(When she said it like that, Shaun could understand why she would think like that. Shaun also knew that she wasn’t going to let it go without an explanation, knowing how much he had always loved the business, probably more than Orlando or Owen ever did.)
Shaun: It was too much of a risk Angyalka. After the divorce settlement… which I was more than happy to do, I don’t begrudge it, I was left comfortable with what I’d got left. If I’d have done this and it had gone wrong, I’d have been left with nothing. I couldn’t do that.
Angyalka: Why?
Shaun: I just answered that
Angyalka: Yeah, but why is money so important to you, it’s not like it’s ever been about that in the past?
Shaun: What do you mean?
Angyalka: Well, when you started wrestling, it was because Orlando asked you to take up the legacy. Acting was because you enjoyed it. Writing was because you want to give back, and Impact Media was to give others a platform. When were any of those things defined by how much money you had? Do you think I was drawn to you because of how valuable you were? No, I was drawn to you because of who you were, and your beliefs, and work ethic. The Shaun I married would have looked at this as a way to get back doing what he loved and not how much money he could make off the back of it.
Shaun: It’s not just about me though, is it?
Angyalka: Is it not?
Shaun: No, it’s about Dorothea… and what I can leave her
Angyalka: And you think being the big shot on screen you’ve always been won’t be enough? I think you’ve forgotten the little girl we brought her up to be. And anyway… I’m sure if you put some money in a trust for Dorothea and then went to Drew and told him you’ve be putting a couple of million less in the pot, he’d snap your hand off. If I know Drew, he wants to do this with you and you alone. You’re his golden goose, and there are not many bigger names out there.
Shaun: So, let me get this straight, you think I should do this?
Angyalka: I’m saying that Shaun Cruze has never been one to live with regrets, and if you don’t do this and it becomes a success, you WILL regret it. You don’t need money Shaun, you never did. What you achieved was always for the love of it, not how many dollars it put into your account. And anyway, you always looked so handsome up there on the big screen, it was what got my attention in the first place. It would be nice seeing you on there again and I’m sure all your groupies would think the same.
(The conversation then moves onto other things, but still her words linger in her mind. Perhaps she was right, maybe the risk was one worth taken… maybe the trust would be a good idea and not leave Dorothea with nothing when he was gone. Would Drew accept a lower offer though, Shaun was sure. What he did know was after talking to Angyalka, he was a lot more confident with the idea. Maybe, just maybe, she had changed his mind.)
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
(Owen was in Los Angeles catching up with Taylor and as such it had given Shaun and Owen the chance to catch up. After some pleasantries, Shaun asking about the family etc., conversation had turned to EMERGE, Owen being the first to know about Drew’s plans for Shaun. It seemed on the grapevine, Owen had also found out about Shaun’s refusal, and although not as forthright as Angyalka, the conversation soon gets to Shaun’s reasoning. Owen however was more understanding, knowing what Shaun stood to lose, whilst at the same time, agreeing that it was a risk to take if it left him with nothing.)
Owen: So, what are you thinking right now? You think Angyalka has convinced you?
(Shaun puffs out his cheeks, knowing he would never be one hundred percent certain.)
Shaun: I think so. I mean, she’s right. None of this has ever been about financial reward, it’s always been about the love of the game. Giving Dorothea the trust that no one can touch, that makes the risk less great, but still. Plus, who’s to say that Drew is even going to accept a lower offer. Drew’s the kind of person that will have worked out the finer details of the financials down to the last dollar. If he says he needs that amount, you can bet that he’s taken out whatever he can already. Those opening months until word catches on, we are going to be taking a loss… my guess is he’s accounted for that shortfall.
Owen: So, in other words he’s a tight ass?
Shaun: Well yeah, but if he hadn’t had been EMERGE wouldn’t have gotten off the ground in the first place.
Owen: I do get what Angyalka is saying though… you always had different ideals to Dad and I. Dad it was all about the prestige and money, me it was all about being better than you both… which I was by the way.
Shaun: Of course.
Owen: You… well you just seemed to always love the shit you did, no matter what it was. And I’m sure you’d love this too if you decided to take the plunge.
Shaun: I think I’ve made up my mind… I just hope Drew accepts my offer or else I’m back at square one.
(Owen takes a drink, looking out over the coastline. He’d known he was going to say this, even before he got here today. He wanted to make sure that Shaun was as certain as he could be though, not wanting to put more pressure on.)
Owen: What if I helped?
Shaun: What… you mean, being on the show?
Owen: No, what if I put up the shortfall. Call it a loan if you want. I don’t want to be a shareholder or anything, just when you start making money, you pay me back
Shaun: What? You’d do that?
Owen: Sure. Like I said, whatever you put your mind to, it’s usually a success…
Shaun: My marriage?
Owen: OK, then… most of the time. I’ve got the money Shaun, and without sounding like Billy Big Bollocks it’s not a big deal. That way, you can put up the money Drew needs and get on with things without missing out.
Shaun: Are you sure?
Owen: Absolutely, monies there if you need it.
(Shaun shakes his head in disbelief, not sure what to say. So, he says the only thing he can.)
Shaun: Thank you… I hope you don’t live to regret it
Owen: I’m sure I won’t. So, how’s about you give him a call and give him the good news then hey, I’m sure he’ll be delighted.
Shaun: If you don’t mind, I think I will.
Owen: Not at all
(Owen smirks, Shaun getting to his feet and heading off to make the call. Owen could see the excitement in his face, a happiness he’d not seen since before the divorce, and he was glad to be a part of making that happen. Shaun would make a success of it, Owen was certain, and once again he’s put the Cruze family back on the wrestling map. Because if there was one thing missing in the industry right now, it was a Cruze. It just didn’t seem right there not being one, especially the one who cared about it most of all.)
As I’d spoken of at depth, the chance to become the number one contender had come as a surprise. In my eyes, there were a raft of people more worthy of that opportunity, people that had been in SCW for a decent time, more than I had on my return. I hadn’t wanted to be spoon fed opportunities just because of who I was, and this chance had felt like that. Though, in my experience, I always taught myself that you shouldn’t ever look a gift horse in the mouth. And so, although surprise, I’d put my heart and soul into it, against people who had built far more momentum than I. I’d given it my absolute all, for a chance to get my hands on what turned out to be the new Champion Gavin Taylor. At times, it had looked like I was going to get it done as well, the contendership in my grasp… until then it wasn’t. The chance is gone, even though I’d done the best I could. I was now ten matches into my return; ring rust couldn’t be the reason why. I’d not had enough moments to seize the day, and it certainly wasn’t due to a lack of preparation. I could only come to one of two conclusions, those being either I was no longer good enough to compete at this level, or the second option something was missing. Something missing was the preferable option right now. The question was WHAT, however, what was it that was missing and holding me back from once again taking center stage? It was now my mission to find that out.
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
(Shaun had to be true to himself, the opportunity to get back into wrestling, and create another legacy for himself was indeed tempting. Bringing back EMERGE with Drew, and being the face of the company, certainly massaged his ego, especially when it produced an eloquent middle finger towards SCW. When he’d been General Manager there, he’d intentionally been made to feel like the scapegoat, him leaving nothing like as ‘mutual’ as it had seemed. Stealing viewership from them would be an added bonus to the need to show his daughter than her father wasn’t the fuck up she’d grow to learn if he didn’t change things. And so, just a couple of days after Drew had revealed his plans, Shaun had agreed to meet with Drew at the building that would become their base of operations. He needed to see it, to visualize it in his mind, before he made his final decision. A building was important, it needed to feel like it could make a difference, the need to imagine those fans packing those seats giving him his gut feel. As such, he drives his car into the rear parking lot, next to a building that had indeed seen better days but was far removed from the village hall he had imagined. Shaun sees Drew over by the entrance, the two exchanging the pleasantries of a wave before Shaun kills the engine and steps out of the car. Drew walks over, and motions towards the building.)
Drew: What do you think?
(Shaun nods his head appreciatively.)
Shaun: Yeah… needs some work but certainly big enough
Drew: Buildings like this in Los Angeles aren’t easy to find. But yeah, a bit of work and it will be exactly what we need.
Shaun: What was it used for previously?
Drew: What hasn’t it been used for… basketball mostly. One of the local college teams used to own it but sold it off to a private landlord. Just so happens, I know said landlord and he’s willing to cut us a deal.
Shaun: Really?
Drew: Yeah, we give him shares in EMERGE, and he’ll give us the building rent free.
(Shaun scowls a little, Drew catching the look.)
Drew: Something wrong?
Shaun: Nothing in this life comes for free Drew, there will be a catch I’m sure of it.
Drew: We’ll make sure it’s all above board and in the contracts. He just knows a good thing when he sees it, and someone putting it to use is far better than it stood empty. Come, let’s go and look inside so you can get a feel for the place.
(Drew opens the door and steps inside, Shaun following him down a couple of corridors before they step into what would be the main arena. It was certainly sizeable and would probably fit over four thousand in once fitted out which was more than enough for their needs, at least to begin with.)
Drew: Way, I see it is we have the ring down there, central. Rampway from over there which is conveniently where the locker rooms are already. Already got a new logo for the brand figured out… of course if you come on board, you’ll have to authorize it. All we’ll need then are staff and a roster but even if we kicked off with some of Owen’s students, I’m sure we could still put on a decent show. But I reckon your name alone would sell a show, especially if people know you are going to appear. Then, we just build off that, it will be no different to the first version of EMERGE… we only had a couple of hundred turn up. I’ve got a whole marketing campaign planned, and to begin with, it’s all built around you. I don’t see how it can fail.
(Shaun scoffs)
Shaun: That’s the eternal optimist in you Drew… I’ve learnt that positivity is ok, until it results in over optimism.
(Drew pulls out a couple of chairs from a stack and opens then, sitting down and then offering Shaun a place. He could see that Shaun was struggling with the whole thing and rightfully so, considering the amount of money that he would be putting in.)
Drew: Look mate, I know after what happened with Angyalka, you’re not in the best place right now, and financially, I am asking you to put everything you have into this, without taking the same risks myself. But Shaun, I promise you… if I did have the funds, I’d be doing this myself. I’ve had countless people offer to come on board, and in fact… I could have literally lessened the risk for everyone. But that would also lessen the reward… I want us to be able to say that WE did this. I want us both to remind this industry who the hell we are, and what we did… and will do again.
(Drew was saying all the right things, and Shaun could see the logic in it all. If they had a consortium on board, there was no question that he would have said already.)
Shaun: I don’t know Drew, way I see it, if there were more people involved, I’d be more inclined to give it all a go. If this goes wrong, I’d literally be left with nothing. I had an acting career; I’ve written box office hits… Impact Media as well was nothing but a success. All of that, all I made off the back of those things would amount to nothing. I’m just not sure it’s a risk I can take at this point in my life.
Drew: Thing is Shaun, all those other people would ONLY come in if they were the sole investor, they had no interest in being part of a consortium.
(Shaun looks around the building, taking it in like he thought he would when he was on the outside. He imagines the EMERGE logo high above the entranceway, he sees the fans sitting all the way to the roof. He even imagines himself coming down the ramp, the crowd cheering as he introduced the very first edition of EMERGE. But no matter how much he can imagine it, the fact is it doesn’t pacify him. Although ninety-five percent of him knew it would likely be a success, there was still the other five percent hanging over him like a sword. Then there was Dorothea, and his need to leave her something when he was gone… what if he had nothing to give. It was all too much for him to risk, he couldn’t bring himself to the table knowing he could lose everything. Shaun gets to his feet, and biting his lower lip says the words Drew Bryant didn’t want to hear.)
Shaun: I’m sorry bro, I just can’t take the risk. But Good luck and I hope it all goes well.
(Shaun offers his hand, Drew getting to his feet with a sigh. Drew takes the hand and they shake, Drew nodding his head.)
Drew: I appreciate your time Shaun, and I do truly understand. It would have been nice to work together again but I get it. If you change your mind though…
Shaun: I know where you are, I know. I don’t think I’m going to though, I don’t think I can. See you around bud.
(Drew nods and watching Shaun walk away and out of what would be his arena. Although he had other investors, none had the industry pulling power that Shaun did, which made the whole undertaking that little more difficult. But Drew also knew that once a Cruze had made up his mind, it was usually a done deal, and what was for certain was Shaun had indeed made up his mind.
Drew: Back to the drawing board.
(Drew folds up the chairs as the scene fades.)
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(It had been three weeks since Shaun’s meeting with Drew, and Shaun would have been lying if he’d said with total commitment that he hadn’t considered that he had done the wrong thing. The wrestling industry had now been made aware by a single tweet that EMERGE was on its way back, a couple more since had teased Los Angeles as its base so it certainly seemed Drew was still ploughing ahead with the idea. Perhaps he’d got someone else involved, perhaps a bigger name than Shaun himself. Thus, he couldn’t help but feel like he had missed out. After dropping Dorothea back home after a trip to the Zoo, Shaun sat down with Angyalka and had a chat over a cup of coffee and the conversation had turned back towards the industry that Angyalka herself had once been a huge part of. There had been lots of times when she had considered returning, but had never fully taken the step, as such she did have some insider knowledge. And she most certainly knew about EMERGE, and the potential for its return.)
Angyalka: So, I’m guessing you know about EMERGE coming back?
Shaun: Know about it? Drew gave me the option to be a part of it
Angyalka: Really?
Shaun: Yeah… I could have been the primary investor and face of the show
Angyalka: Competing?
Shaun: Nah, done with that. I was going to be the show runner, General Manager. Bit like the role I had with SCW
Angyalka: That went well…
(Shaun laughs)
Shaun: Yeah, I know. But that place was a shit show before I took control. This was the chance for me to do things my way, without having a board telling me what to do. Drew reckoned my name would sell the show on its own, and Owen was going to let us used some of the ‘Next Level’ talent. Drew even spoke of trying to bring Owen back as a competitor.
Angyalka: Like that is ever going to happen.
(Shaun takes a sip from his coffee and witnessed Angyalka compiling a list of questions like she always did when she wasn’t sure of something Shaun had decided. It had been a private joke in their marriage that Angyalka knew the right questions to ask to put Shaun on the right path, and it looked like she was doing that again.)
Angyalka: So, hold on…
Shaun: Here we go, you’re not my wife now, I’m not sure you’re allowed to nag.
Angyalka: I just want to get this straight. Drew offered you a chance to get back into the one thing you’ve truly loved. No offence taken. And you turned it down?
Shaun: Yeah
Angyalka: I’m sorry Shaun, but I’m struggling to understand why you would do that?
(When she said it like that, Shaun could understand why she would think like that. Shaun also knew that she wasn’t going to let it go without an explanation, knowing how much he had always loved the business, probably more than Orlando or Owen ever did.)
Shaun: It was too much of a risk Angyalka. After the divorce settlement… which I was more than happy to do, I don’t begrudge it, I was left comfortable with what I’d got left. If I’d have done this and it had gone wrong, I’d have been left with nothing. I couldn’t do that.
Angyalka: Why?
Shaun: I just answered that
Angyalka: Yeah, but why is money so important to you, it’s not like it’s ever been about that in the past?
Shaun: What do you mean?
Angyalka: Well, when you started wrestling, it was because Orlando asked you to take up the legacy. Acting was because you enjoyed it. Writing was because you want to give back, and Impact Media was to give others a platform. When were any of those things defined by how much money you had? Do you think I was drawn to you because of how valuable you were? No, I was drawn to you because of who you were, and your beliefs, and work ethic. The Shaun I married would have looked at this as a way to get back doing what he loved and not how much money he could make off the back of it.
Shaun: It’s not just about me though, is it?
Angyalka: Is it not?
Shaun: No, it’s about Dorothea… and what I can leave her
Angyalka: And you think being the big shot on screen you’ve always been won’t be enough? I think you’ve forgotten the little girl we brought her up to be. And anyway… I’m sure if you put some money in a trust for Dorothea and then went to Drew and told him you’ve be putting a couple of million less in the pot, he’d snap your hand off. If I know Drew, he wants to do this with you and you alone. You’re his golden goose, and there are not many bigger names out there.
Shaun: So, let me get this straight, you think I should do this?
Angyalka: I’m saying that Shaun Cruze has never been one to live with regrets, and if you don’t do this and it becomes a success, you WILL regret it. You don’t need money Shaun, you never did. What you achieved was always for the love of it, not how many dollars it put into your account. And anyway, you always looked so handsome up there on the big screen, it was what got my attention in the first place. It would be nice seeing you on there again and I’m sure all your groupies would think the same.
(The conversation then moves onto other things, but still her words linger in her mind. Perhaps she was right, maybe the risk was one worth taken… maybe the trust would be a good idea and not leave Dorothea with nothing when he was gone. Would Drew accept a lower offer though, Shaun was sure. What he did know was after talking to Angyalka, he was a lot more confident with the idea. Maybe, just maybe, she had changed his mind.)
PREVIOUSLY – OFF CAMERA
(Owen was in Los Angeles catching up with Taylor and as such it had given Shaun and Owen the chance to catch up. After some pleasantries, Shaun asking about the family etc., conversation had turned to EMERGE, Owen being the first to know about Drew’s plans for Shaun. It seemed on the grapevine, Owen had also found out about Shaun’s refusal, and although not as forthright as Angyalka, the conversation soon gets to Shaun’s reasoning. Owen however was more understanding, knowing what Shaun stood to lose, whilst at the same time, agreeing that it was a risk to take if it left him with nothing.)
Owen: So, what are you thinking right now? You think Angyalka has convinced you?
(Shaun puffs out his cheeks, knowing he would never be one hundred percent certain.)
Shaun: I think so. I mean, she’s right. None of this has ever been about financial reward, it’s always been about the love of the game. Giving Dorothea the trust that no one can touch, that makes the risk less great, but still. Plus, who’s to say that Drew is even going to accept a lower offer. Drew’s the kind of person that will have worked out the finer details of the financials down to the last dollar. If he says he needs that amount, you can bet that he’s taken out whatever he can already. Those opening months until word catches on, we are going to be taking a loss… my guess is he’s accounted for that shortfall.
Owen: So, in other words he’s a tight ass?
Shaun: Well yeah, but if he hadn’t had been EMERGE wouldn’t have gotten off the ground in the first place.
Owen: I do get what Angyalka is saying though… you always had different ideals to Dad and I. Dad it was all about the prestige and money, me it was all about being better than you both… which I was by the way.
Shaun: Of course.
Owen: You… well you just seemed to always love the shit you did, no matter what it was. And I’m sure you’d love this too if you decided to take the plunge.
Shaun: I think I’ve made up my mind… I just hope Drew accepts my offer or else I’m back at square one.
(Owen takes a drink, looking out over the coastline. He’d known he was going to say this, even before he got here today. He wanted to make sure that Shaun was as certain as he could be though, not wanting to put more pressure on.)
Owen: What if I helped?
Shaun: What… you mean, being on the show?
Owen: No, what if I put up the shortfall. Call it a loan if you want. I don’t want to be a shareholder or anything, just when you start making money, you pay me back
Shaun: What? You’d do that?
Owen: Sure. Like I said, whatever you put your mind to, it’s usually a success…
Shaun: My marriage?
Owen: OK, then… most of the time. I’ve got the money Shaun, and without sounding like Billy Big Bollocks it’s not a big deal. That way, you can put up the money Drew needs and get on with things without missing out.
Shaun: Are you sure?
Owen: Absolutely, monies there if you need it.
(Shaun shakes his head in disbelief, not sure what to say. So, he says the only thing he can.)
Shaun: Thank you… I hope you don’t live to regret it
Owen: I’m sure I won’t. So, how’s about you give him a call and give him the good news then hey, I’m sure he’ll be delighted.
Shaun: If you don’t mind, I think I will.
Owen: Not at all
(Owen smirks, Shaun getting to his feet and heading off to make the call. Owen could see the excitement in his face, a happiness he’d not seen since before the divorce, and he was glad to be a part of making that happen. Shaun would make a success of it, Owen was certain, and once again he’s put the Cruze family back on the wrestling map. Because if there was one thing missing in the industry right now, it was a Cruze. It just didn’t seem right there not being one, especially the one who cared about it most of all.)
![[Image: Shaun-Cruze.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/SX5Ng4rx/Shaun-Cruze.jpg)