10 Months Earlier

 

There is an establishing shot of the outside of a semi-run down office building in a busy back street of Hollywood. Cars can be heard in the background whizzing by, sirens in the distance, and what can only be assumed as someone suffering from road rage yelling at a pedestrian.

 

We cut to the inside of one of the offices in front of a large L shape desk with a bunch of papers scattered across the top. A well-built bearded man, head shaven, dressed in a salmon business shirt and cream slim fit pants leans back in the chair behind the desk throwing a stress ball up and down while holding a document in his other hand.

 

A knock can be heard from off screen.

 

Salmon Shirt: Come in.

 

An older man comes into frame, dressed in a navy suit, his grey hair styled in a comb over.

 

Navy Suit: Justin!

 

The bearded man looks up and smiles

 

Justin: Barry! What can I do ya for, my man?!

 

The two shake hands.

 

Barry: Justin... I have some bad news.

 

Justin stops tossing the ball up and down and leans forward.

 

Justin: What is it?

 

Barry: Your recent financial reports aren’t looking too good. In fact, the last couple of businesses you have under your belt are set to go under in the next few months at this rate.

 

Justin puts his face in his hands and sighs.

 

Justin: You mean my His and Hers joint Onesie business and ‘Singing Telegrams for the Deaf’ are going to be bankrupt?! ...

 

Barry: Justin... You never were the business mind that your father was. Do you really think trying to carry on the path that he set for you will keep you happy?

 

Justin surveys the office and leans back in his chair.

 

Justin: What am I supposed to do? Go back to acting? I’m 29, who’s going to hire me as a leading man in Hollywood out of nowhere?

 

Barry: I wasn’t thinking acting...

 

Justin looks up as Barry hands him a flyer.

 

Justin: This is for a professional wrestling school?

 

Barry: Exactly.

 

Justin: Ya think this’ll get me out of this slump?

 

Barry: You were always active growing up, hell, look at you now. Combine that with your acting skills and you bet your ass I do! You’ve got the look, all you need is the training to hone your showmanship and athleticism into a wrestling superstar! You know how much the top stars make a year? A ‘LOT’, that’s how much!

 

Justin looks closer at the flyer.

 

Justin: I mean I’ve always been a huge fan, but actually training? That’s another story.

 

Barry: Well, I’ve seen you in a downtown street fight, and you can put to use that martial arts stuff you do, too. Boxing, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu –-

 

Justin cuts Barry off.

 

Justin: -- I prefer the term “Ground Karate”.

 

Barry: O...k...well in any case, you’ve got what it takes to succeed as a superstar at the highest level, somewhere, for instance, like OCW...

 

Barry types into his phone and brings up a YouTube clip of previous years OCW highlights, showcasing the top talent from years past.

 

Barry: This could be you, Justin! Centre stage, in the limelight, performing your heart out for millions of fans around the world!

 

Justins eyes widen, his smile broadens, and he stands up and throws the stress ball straight past the camera lens, sending it crashing into an off screen shelf. His long time dream of performing for fans around the world could all lie with this crazy idea.

 

Justin: Barry, you’re a genius! I'm gonna do it! ... Sell the businesses and transfer the remaining funds to my account! I need to get on the phone with the school, pack my things and head out to New York as soon as possible!

 

He looks around the office at the photocopier, the filing cabinets, and the computer screen filled with spreadsheets. In one swipe, Justin throws a bunch of papers onto the floor and grabs his training duffle bag from under the desk. He makes his way around to Barry and shakes his hand.

 

Justin: You’ve always done right by me since Dad died, Barry. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my Dad, but he never understood my love for performing. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps instead of creating my own. This could be my shot, Barry.

 

Barry releases the handshake.

 

Barry: Go make your Dad proud kid, prove him wrong. I’ll be here if you need me, call me any time. And just remember...be you.

 

Justin nods and heads out of the office with excitement.

 

Could this hasty decision be a positive turning point in this young mans life? Or will this decision only confirm the fears his father expressed about veering from his safe path of business and finance?

 

Only time will tell...

Other then odd Morrison... You had me at "I prefer the term ground karate." I love this.

Yea I know the formatting isn't quite the norm, but I figured for these sort of flashback series it would be OK. Anything submitted for shows will be using the Morrison Method as it is.

Good job rudo. Awesome backstory. =)

Yeye. Good writing and good comedy. Always need more faces. Seems like a good, honestly likable character setup.