Owen Cruze vs. Xander Valentine

[Owen]

 

+++ Los Angeles – 5th December 2022 +++

 

With Breakdown having returned to the air on the 1st of December, and Xander Valentine making it clear he wasn’t going to relinquish the World title without one heck of a fight, Owen had made a point of visiting Shaun at home, especially since he’d not really had the chance to catch up at the show. Shaun had recently been dismissed from his post as General Manager, and not a lot was known of the reasons why. It only seemed right that Owen should catch up with him away from the cameras, where Shaun could reveal his true feelings. When he’d arrived at the house however, Shaun wasn’t there and was at a meeting, so Owen had taken the time to catch up with Angyalka, and Dorothea, their daughter. After about half an hour, Shaun finally arrived home and seemed pleased to see Owen.

 

Shaun: Sorry I wasn’t here Owen… got a bit more time on my hands now and you know I can’t stand still.

 

Owen: What happened there, it all seems more than a little mysterious?

 

Shaun: Nothing major, not really. I mean SCW probably made it more dramatic than it was.

 

Owen: Backstage arguments seems dramatic to me.

 

Shaun: I just felt like I was a General Manager with very little power, and that all the major decisions were made over my head. Take the Chamber for example, I know you won and all and I’m happy for you. But there were people not in that Chamber than deserved that spot more than those that got one. Sometimes I felt like I was nothing more than a pretty face…

 

Owen: Pretty face? Really.

 

Shaun: Watch it you. I guess I just got fed up with it all and started making my feelings clear. And yeah, I may have raised my voice a few times, but people just weren’t listening. Then, what I did to Glory, which I accept was wrong by the way, well the writing was on the wall wasn’t it? I told them that I’d leave the position and they took me up on it.

 

Owen: Well, it’s a shame… considering the shit you had to put up with I think you did a good job.

 

Shaun: I appreciate that. When I was promised operational control of SCW, I saw it as one heck of an opportunity, but it all went to shit once people started meddling and making decisions behind my back. The more the deal changed, the more I knew I had to leave and let someone else work under those circumstances. I didn’t need it, so what the hell right?

 

Owen: I know you’ll have your supporters Shaun

 

Shaun: But probably not Glory Braddock, right?

 

Owen: Right… but who cares about her?

 

Shaun: Exactly. SCW doesn’t need anyone in control of it, anyone who takes the position will be nothing more than a face. Done with that, and going to throw myself back into Impact Media, something I do have control over.

 

Owen: I get that bro… and you’re good at that too.

 

For just a moment, Owen realizes that now more than ever before, he and Shaun are speaking like they used to, before Owen went off the rails and started blaming everyone else for his problems. Shaun had been such a rock to him in the past, but they’d never spoken as equals in Owen’s opinion. But now he firmly believed that was exactly what they were doing.

 

Shaun: Anyway, enough about me. What this I hear about you running into a burning building prior to Under Attack, and how come I was only informed by the medical staff and not by you.

 

Owen: It wasn’t a big deal

 

Shaun: It wasn’t? What taking on enough smoke to perhaps jeopardize one of the biggest opportunities you’ve had in recent memory?

 

Owen: Well, if I hadn’t, Scott would be in the morgue right now and not in the ICU with a decent chance.

 

Shaun nods his head; he could see that logic.

 

Owen: And anyway, are you telling me that you wouldn’t have done the same, knowing that someone was in the building? If you are then bullshit, because I know full well that you would have. And not only that, so would Dad.

 

Shaun: Ok, OK… point proven. It was just a bit of a shock that’s all knowing that the Chamber could have been too much, too soon. You being twenty-two, I sometimes forget that your mind works with a lot more maturity than most that age. Next time…

 

Owen: To be honest, I don’t plan on doing it again

 

Shaun laughs, Owen joining him.

 

Shaun: Fair point. But anything like that, if you’re carrying an injury, please tell someone. If Allocco would have picked up on it…

 

Owen: But he didn’t, and anyway, no one was any the wiser. I won the match after all. I felt good Shaun, probably better than I’ve felt since Rise to Greatness, and I firmly believe I can get it done against Xander, no matter his size, strength or technical ability. I just need to stay in the match as long as I possibly can, I do that and I’m in business.

 

Shaun: I hope you can see it through Owen…

 

He couldn’t try and match Xander in any of those attributes, this match would be all about speed and durability versus size and technique, and even then Owen knew there were no guarantees and he would still need to put him away.

 

Shaun: So, did they find out how the fire started?

 

Owen: Unfortunately, yes.

 

Shaun: What do you mean unfortunately?

 

Owen takes a deep breath, knowing his next words were going to shock

 

Owen: It was Charlotte, she started the fire and planned to claim on the insurance.

 

Shaun: Shit… really?

 

Owen: Yep, she came to the hospital and told me, obviously racked with guilt. We were in a bar the other day and two Detectives frog marched her out of the place. And now they have charged her with fraud. Worst thing about it was, I think I’d just persuaded her to come clean and go to them and admit what she had done. Those Detectives beat her to it. She’s out on bail now and stopping at my place… but she’s in a bad way. She blames herself…

 

Shaun scoffs, Owen aware of the meaning.

 

Owen: And I know, she is to blame Shaun, and I get it. Doesn’t change the fact that she’s a friend that was having financial difficulties and I could have helped her if I knew sooner.

 

Shaun: You can’t help everyone Owen.

 

Owen: No, but I could have helped her. Now she might go to jail when it needn’t have come to that.

 

Shaun: She’s got no one to blame but herself Owen. Look, I know she’s your friend and all, but she made a mistake and two people nearly lost their lives because of it. I like Charlotte, I really do… but if she really wanted your help earlier, she would have asked for it. And like I said, you can’t help everyone, and you are already doing amazing work with the School and the Shelter. It’s not your job to sort out everyone else’s problems.

 

Owen: I don’t try to?

 

Shaun: Don’t you Owen? Because from where I’m sitting that looks like precisely what you are trying to do. I’m not saying the Shelter isn’t a good idea, because it most certainly is. What I am saying is that you can’t blame yourself for what happened to Charlotte, and nor would anyone else expect you too.

 

Owen nods his head, knowing that Jennifer had been another than had raised this ‘flaw’ with him, this ‘need’ to help anyone and everyone when the fact was, he couldn’t, no matter how much he tried.

 

Shaun: I’m sure she’ll be ok when the judge understands the situation, she was in. But if she isn’t, it’s not for you to share the blame. This is solely her mess, not yours.

 

Owen: OK, I get… not my fault.

 

Shaun: No, it wasn’t. I’m so sorry… I haven’t even offered you a drink.

 

Owen holds up his hands and gets to his feet.

 

Owen: Nah, I got to be off anyway, promises Mom I’d go see her next time she was in town to tell her how the wedding preparations were going.

 

Shaun: And how are they going?

 

Owen: Expensive.

 

As Shaun laughs, Owen’s mobile phone goes off, Owen retrieving it from his pocket. He looks at the name on the display, and immediately takes the call, putting the phone on speaker and placing it on the table.

 

Owen: Hey Chris… do you have news on our friend?

 

Shaun scowls, not knowing what was going on.

 

Chris Clay: Actually Owen, I do… and it wasn’t very difficult to dig up.

 

Owen: Oh?

 

Chris Clay: Our friend Mr. Comer has quite the rap sheet

 

Shaun: Comer? Pixie’s new boyfriend?

 

Owen: The one and the same

 

Chris Clay: He’s well known for putting together ‘investments’ that are never going to come to fruition, and fleecing people out of their savings. The Hotel you were talking about in the Maldives?

 

Owen: Yeah…

 

Chris Clay: The lands is already owned by a Saudi Arabian consortium and get this… a hotel has been on that land for the last FIVE years. He’s selling a dud bro… and you’d do well to stay well away from it. In fact, breaking the habit of a lifetime and inform the cops Owen, this guy has about as much morality and a wooden plank.

 

Owen: That’s great mate, thank you.

 

Chris Clay: No worries, I’ll add to the million and one other free jobs I’ve done for the Cruze family yeah?

 

Owen: That would be great mate… and thanks again.

 

Chris Clay: Anytime… but I don’t mean that obviously. See you, Owen.

 

The line goes dead, Owen picking up the phone and putting it back in his pocket.

 

Shaun: What’s going on?

 

Owen: Comer came to me with that investment… I’d not had time to look into it, but he started harassing me. Almost threatening me to part with the cash. So I got Chris to look into him.

 

Shaun: Good idea so it seems.

 

Owen: But bro, you’ve not heard the worst part. Pixie has put pretty much her life savings in, and backed him to the hilt. When he screws her over, she’s going to lose an absolute fortune.

 

Shaun: Then, we make damn sure that doesn’t happen.

 

Owen: And how do we do that?

 

Shaun smirks, his eyes narrowing.

 

Shaun: By showing Bradley Comer that you do not fuck with anyone with the surname Cruze.

 

Owen: I like your style.

 

Shaun goes on to say what they should do next, a visit to see Pixie the first port of call for Owen’s Uncle. Being on the same page as his Uncle, without him being Owen’s boss, was just like old times. A part of his past that he was happy to retrieve. And long may it last.

 

+++ Chicago - 6th December 2022 +++

 

If there was one thing that Owen knew heading into his match with Xander Valentine, it was that ultimately, hitting the weights wasn’t going to do him any favors for this match. Sometimes, Owen saw the point, that extra bit of power giving him the edge of someone that was of similar size. But no matter what he did in the coming days, he was never going to make Xander with strength, so it was pointless trying. No, instead Owen had focused on his ring work with sparring partners of a similar size to Xander, trying to find a strategy that could work. He’d done countless miles on the treadmill, to give his stamina and speed a hit. And at the same time, he had been working on his finishers, knowing that if the opportunity arose, he HAD to take it, and couldn’t let Xander off the hook. That was the strategy that he had locked in, and thankfully he had one of the most durable and effective wrestlers that ever lived helping him. His Uncle, and former SCW General Manager, Shaun Cruze. And as Owen pushed himself to the limits again, as the treadmill started to lift, making it seem like he was sprinting up a hill, Shaun wasn’t going to go easy on him.

 

Shaun: That’s it, keep going…. Push it, Owen.

 

Owen feels his legs start to burn as the lactic acids fills them. Thankfully, just as he feels he is about to keel over from the sheer exertion he is putting himself through, Shaun calls a halt, and the treadmill starts to slow down and begins to lower. Eventually, and thankfully for Owen, it then comes to a stop, Owen almost collapsing onto the handrails.

 

Shaun: Absolutely amazing Owen… never ceases to amaze me how quick you are.

 

Owen catches his breath, which eventually starts to regulate, Owen finally able to stand without assistance.

 

Owen: What choice do I have if I don’t want to fall flat on my face?

 

Shaun: You asked me to come to Chicago and help you train.

 

Owen: Yeah, but I didn’t say that you had to damn near kill me.

 

Shaun: But you did it though didn’t you… not many in the SCW could have coped at that pace. I know you’ve said since you returned that you’re not a one trick pony, but in this match, that trick is the one you are going to need. You move at that speed, and he won’t be able to cope. Can’t hit what you can’t catch right?

 

Owen: That’s the plan. Didn’t work with Hudson though.

 

Owen steps off the treadmill and grabs a towel off Shaun, before wiping the sweat off his face.

 

Shaun: Hudson is a different animal Owen, he’s no slouch either. Don’t get me wrong, Xander isn’t slow, but it certainly isn’t his best attribute. This is the one match where you’ve got to forget about what your opponent can do, and focus on what YOU do best. And barring Selena, there isn’t anyone in SCW quicker.

 

Owen grabs a bottle of water and unscrews the top, taking on a long hard gulp. Shaun was right of course, if anything was going to get him through this, it was his speed. But he also needed to be elusive, and know exactly what to do if he got caught.

 

Owen: One thing I can’t do is get reckless. I did that against Hudson, and he ended up making me tap out. I can’t take it to the wire too early this time, and I have to wait for my opportunity.

 

Shaun: Stay in the match for as long as you can, make him chase a ghost and then strike, and strike hard. At that point, you’ll still have something in the tank, and he won’t

 

Owen: So, you’re coaching style is basically Rocky’s against Ivan Drago?

 

Shaun: That is exactly what it is… except for the montage.

 

Owen sits down on a bench, and puffs out his cheeks. All he wanted now was to hit the showers and let the warm water soothe his aching body, but he wasn’t sure his legs could carry him that far right now. Shaun takes a seat next to him, Owen turning to face him.

 

Shaun: I’m guessing the date isn’t lost on you?

 

Owen: Nah, I got that straight away.

 

Shaun: Kinda feels like destiny doesn’t it?

 

Owen: A little… I’m sure Xander won’t look at it that way.

 

Shaun: Either way Owen, you know he’d be proud of you don’t you? Of everything you have achieved in the last year since you returned to SCW?

 

Owen: I like to think so yeah.

 

Shaun: Don’t sell yourself short Owen… there are far more grizzled veterans that would have thrown in the towel for good after what you’ve been through since you were a young kid. Every single time you have faced challenges, you’ve come out swinging, and that’s all your old man every wanted for you. You pull this off, on his birthday, none the less, and it’s the perfect ending to this journey of redemption you’ve been on. And he’ll be there Owen, right in your corner supporting you all the way.

 

Owen: He’d be forty-five Shaun… can you believe that?

 

Shaun: I know… the times passed so quickly hasn’t it?

 

Shaun points a finger into Owen’s chest, and in particular his heart.

 

Shaun: But he’s still here isn’t he? Right in there.

 

Owen nods, agreeing wholeheartedly.

 

Owen: He is

 

Shaun: And he’ll get you through this, no matter what happens.

 

They both hear the muffled ringing of a mobile phone, Shaun checking his first but no call. Shaun throws Owen his sports bag, Owen rummaging in it before pulling out his phone, recognizing the number as ‘Level Ups’

 

Owen: Hello this is Owen… Oh hey Finch, is something wrong? No, I’m training with Shaun but I got a minute what’s up?

 

Owen listens intently, Shaun trying to hear the call but unable to. Shaun watches, as Owen’s face goes through a mixture of emotions and none of them good.

 

Owen: Thanks Finch… thanks for letting me know.

 

Owen hangs up the phone, and puts it on the bench, biting at his bottom lip.

 

Shaun: Everything OK?

 

Owen shakes his head, not genuinely troubled.

 

Owen: The Nurse that treated me called Level Up… Scott died a couple of hours ago

 

Shaun: Fuck… does that mean…

 

Owen: Yeah…

 

He pauses, knowing what this latest news meant

 

Owen: Charlotte’s situation just got a whole lot worse.

 

Shaun puts a hand on Owen’s shoulder, knowing that at the very least Charlotte would more than likely be charged with Manslaughter, which could in itself carry a long sentence. All Owen can think of, is that Charlotte wouldn’t be able to live with herself, jail time or not. She’d already taken things into her own hands once. Was she now capable of taking her own life to escape what she’d done?

 

Scene fades.

 

+++ Chicago – 7th December 2022 +++

 

The preparation was over, there was nothing more that he could do now other than step into the lion’s den and take on someone who many thought unstoppable. Owen didn’t think that way, he didn’t think that way about anyone, but there was no question that right now, Xander Valentine was the pinnacle of this sport, and Owen had to knock him from that lofty perch. Owen had thought about filming this in the arena, hopefully the scene of his greatest success. He’d even thought about taking this to one of Chicago’s many rivers and speak in a Zen like way to show how relaxed he was facing one of the very best. Instead, he had decided to keep it basic, a simple room, with a simple table and chair, a glass of water readied on said table. It is in that situation that he takes the glass and holds it towards the camera before taking a sip, and then starting to speak with his usual undiminished confidence.

 

“Well Breakdown was… interesting, wasn’t it? If it wasn’t Adam Allocco being his usual hypocritical self, I mean can you imagine what he would have said if he was the last entrant and won. The luck of the draw, precisely how I put it, no question about it. It’s not surprising, Adam always needs something to feel better about himself. I know how much it must rankle being put in his place by a Cruze… yet again. But no matter, if it wasn’t Adam getting antsy because Xander obviously has a hold on him, it was Xander bringing the old ‘I’ll huff and I’ll puff’ routine, something I’ve heard a million times before, whilst at the same time expecting me to run away? Yeah, I left SCW under a cloud and some could see that as ‘running away’, but the fact is I have never shied away from anyone in my life, and I’m not going to start now, on the eve of one of the biggest nights of my life. The commentators stated that Xander seemed ‘impressed’ by the fact I fought back? Man, if he was impressed by that, just wait till I get started. I’m not stepping into the ring overawed, regardless of his size, strength or intimidatory tactics. Xander, you asked me a question, you asked if I am ready? Xander, I can assure you, with one hundred percent clarity, I have never been as ready as I am right now. Ready to ascend to the top of the tree once again, by taking down perhaps the most dominant man in professional wrestling today. And the thing is Xander, I don’t say that to blow smoke up your ass, or to over egg my situation walking into a World Championship opportunity. I just don’t see the point in claiming anything different. I know full well I am outmatched in so many ways. Your strength, your size, both probably double what I possess. And yet I still maintain the same confidence I had when I stepped into the Chamber, I still believe I can win. Why? Because this is everything I have strived for, the end game I started when I made my way back to this company almost exactly one year to the day. Redemption, redemption, redemption, it’s been the buzz word of my life for those twelve months, and I still maintain that course even now. Did you really think I was going to lose track of that, simply because of who you are Xander? Did you think I was going to forget my time in the Slaughterhouse, because the clear and present danger is that I could be overpowered. IF I allow it to happen. I’m not going to come out here and claim that this is one of those moments when the stars align, and my destiny comes to fruition, because we will only find out of that is the case on Breakdown. But, if I did allow myself to stand down, to change tact because of who you are, I would be cheating every single person who gave me a chance at that Redemption. I would be cheating you of a bona fide challenge, a five-star match worthy of any marquee show. But more than anything Xander, I’d be cheating myself. I’d be cheating myself of quite possible the most defining moment of my life. More defining than that fateful Chamber that I wasn’t ready for, or the 2022 version that I conquered. Xander, you came to the ring with a purpose last Breakdown, and I truly hope you got what you came for. An idea of what YOU face on December the 8th. Because rest assured, I have every intention of claiming what I’m coming for this week. Every intention of becoming the SCW World Champion for the second time.”

 

Owen doesn’t waiver, and his eyes remain fully focused on the camera in front of him, the intensity and determination obvious with every single word. Being the World Champion and claiming his Redemption was everything to him, the closure on a part of his life, and the beginning of his new era. He needed to know Xander was aware of that, it was the reason he didn’t back down and hit the dropkick that reverberated around the world. Xander didn’t go down, but neither did Owen. If anything was a precursor to their match, it was that moment. Strength versus Athleticism.

 

“And Xander, you may not realize this, but the date of our match most certainly isn’t lost on me, though I accept, it may well just be another day in the office for you. December the 8th is one of the more special dates on the calendar for me, and this year it seems even more apt. If my Dad would have still been alive, he would have celebrated his forty-fifth birthday on that day and I don’t think I have to tell you how much more that places on this outcome, considering the last eighteen months of my life. Before I got my head straight, I would have probably called it ironic, how I was competing on the birthday of a man who at that time I hated, and I would have probably waxed lyrical about how a victory would be sticking it to him. But now my feelings have changed very much for the better, I cannot think of a better way to honor a man who did so much for this industry. A man who was part of a generation that changed the industry forever. How poetic would it be for his son to claim the biggest prize of them all on THAT day? I know full well you don’t need the answer to that question. The title is incentive enough, no question, but what you also probably don’t need explaining, is how much more incentive that gives me to fight till my very last breath, and somehow, someway get this over the finish line, and put the Cruze name back at the top of the industry. I’m tough to break at the best of times, I’m just about as resilient as they come thanks to the Slaughterhouse and Daisy Lee. But when I understand my reality, and how much this would mean for not just me, but for also all those who stood by me and somehow kept my head above water, I’m not going to pretend that I’m indestructible, I’ll leave you with that moniker, however false. But it will give me that extra edge, a willingness to take this further than I ever have before. With so much on the line Xander, that is when I do my best work. And Xander, I don’t just feel like I can beat you, I believe I know exactly HOW to beat you. You asked me if I’m ready, but the question must be, are you? Because you have NEVER faced someone like me Xander. And you probably never will again. This is my last piece in the puzzle, the final act. Complete Redemption for all that I did in the past, for almost throwing my career, a career that I loved, down the toilet. And I know, all the will in the world may well not be enough… I’m not naïve, not any longer. But yes Xander, YES, I am ready. Ready to beat you, ready to shock the world, ready to rock SCW to its core. And you only have to look into my eyes to see it for yourself. The resolve, intensity and determination to get this done.”

 

Owen’s eyes narrow, the emotion bubbling under the surface, but very much under his control. He’d have to channel that emotion at Breakdown, and not get reckless as he did against Josh Hudson. That being the only reason he wasn’t in this moment the United States Champion.

 

“Why am I different Xander? I’m different because I believe that no one can move around that ring with the speed that I can. I don’t want to overegg it too much, after all I have spoken already about how big and strong you are in comparison to myself, but the exact same could be said about the way we move between those strands. Yes, you have your power, yes you have your experience, but ultimately, you’re slower, I will see you coming, it’s the way you wrestle, full steam ahead. The same cannot be said for myself, as I could come at you from literally anywhere. And possess an offense, that could take full advantage of your biggest weakness. Those concussions that will forever now be a problem. Yes, I didn’t take you down on Breakdown. Yes, you shrugged off the drop kick like it was nothing. But if I can ground you Xander, if I can take you off your feet, you can rest assured the Cruze Stomp WILL render you unconscious. See, with that experience has come a whole world of damage. What goes on in your head with every impact, could be my means to an end. I hit that move Xander, if I get that opportunity, you will stay down I promise you, even if I have to hit it once, twice or even three times. And maybe before I would have had remorse, but not anymore. Why should I, when you have all the tools necessary to take me out for good, and perhaps more importantly, consider it your duty to this company? You hold that title so that Adam Allocco cannot get his hands on it. You hold it because you see no future for this company unless you carry that title forwards. But if you wanted to see the future Xander, you didn’t have to look very far. I’m right here, and on December the 8th, you’ll be staring YOUR future dead in the eyes. You can’t dismiss that… I won’t let you. Can you remember what you said so poetically to Gavin Taylor. How ‘one day’ Gavin might ‘outshine us all’ and ‘guide professional wrestling into the future’, and then concluded that day wasn’t THE day? You were right, it wasn’t that day. That future you speak of, arrives on December the 8th.”

 

Owen takes another sip of the water, taking a moment to fully comprehend the enormity of his task. He knew he was an underdog here; he knew that some expected him to be squashed by a man who had been called a monster on more than one occasion. He couldn’t allow himself to think the same. He wouldn’t allow himself to think the same. As such, all the warnings, posts on social media, he’d treated as nothing more than white noise. He places the glass back on the table, and leans forwards, clasping his hands in front of him.

 

“So, Executioner, I will bust a gut to ensure that I totally justify my billing as the Number One Contender to the SCW World Championship, by putting myself well and truly in the path of the ‘wildfire’ you promised and delivered to Gavin Taylor. The ‘fiery inferno’ that destroys anything placed in its way. I won’t pay attention to the almost Shakespearean way that you promise my destruction, and I sure as hell wouldn’t expect any mercy. In this case, your reputation more than precedes you Xander. It’s that reputation that defines you. I don’t need your apologies for what is to come, I openly embrace it. You can’t let this responsibility fall into anyone else’s hands but yours… I’m not going to leave you with any choice. Xander, you are everything that you say you are and more, and I’d never dispute that. But this is my time, my moment, my opportunity… and I’m going to take it. Or die trying.”

 

Owen gets to his feet, not to intimidate, as Xander would surely laugh. He stands, simply because the promo is coming to its natural end, and there was not much more to say and if Xander didn’t realize the situation now, he never would. With those three words hanging in the air, he places his hands in his jeans pocket, and for the first time a smile forms on his face. A knowing smile… a confident smile even. A smile that didn’t betray his emotions, and instead laid them all bare for all to see. He knew he could do this, now it was a case on making good on that belief.

 

“And when that New Era is ushered in, and you walk up that ramp, looking back over your shoulder as I raise that World Championship aloft, you’ll be forgiven for affording yourself a smile. As that disappointment sets in, and the realization of what has happened takes a hold, you will have reasons to console yourself Xander, I promise you. You’ll look back and see, that unlike Gavin Taylor, this wasn’t too big for me, and in fact this was what I was born to do. You’ll understand that I am more than capable of not only shouldering the burden but thriving with it. That’s the future Xander, that’s what you wanted. You wanted someone to show you that this company future was secure.

 

I AM that person.

 

And in beating you, the behemoth, the absolute epitome of this industry, and quite possibly the most feared man on this roster, I will have proven that tenfold. And claimed not only the title, but the most important thing of all. Say it with me Xander…”

 

He pauses, saluting the camera.

 

“REDEMPTION.”

 

He winks at the camera and walks out of shot, as the scene then slowly fades