The scene opens with Doc Green in basic training gear looking on disapprovingly at something offscreen. That would be his newly formed tag team partner, Antonio Everrett, who comes into shot puffing and panting with sweat dripping down onto his T-shirt as he holds his knees exhuastedly.

 

Everrett: Listen,... Doc... You can't... keep putting me... in the ring... with psychopaths... man.

 

Everrett had just got his ass beat in a sparring session with Inness Quartz. The rook desperately points at the emotionless individual who is methodically removing tape from his wrists in the ring.

 

Everrett: Just look at him! Something's not right with him, and I just got killed out there! Way to throw me to the lions, man, and all he did was spout proverbs while he was destroying me.

 

Quartz overhears this and slowly turns to stare daggers into his eyes.

 

Quartz: Your attacks did nothing to deter me whatsoever. Perhaps you may try again when you come prepared.

 

Everrett's bewildered face tells the whole story. The eye contact between the two is broken by Doc as he waves his hand over Antonio's face to get his attention back.

 

Doc: Look, maybe letting you get in the ring with Quartz was a misjudgement on my part so soon, but we're in the same boat here, so quit your whining and let's face it, the only was is up from here.

 

Doc hands him a towel and a bottle of water which Everrett hastily wipes his forehead with before taking multiple large gulps.

 

Everrett: You can say that again.

 

Doc: I can. We're the rooks, remember. If we keep grinding, we'll get there. Kev didn't phase into pixie dust for us not to.

 

Everrett: He didn't die, Doc. You don't know if we won't see him again just yet.

 

Doc leads Antonio to a balcony through some French doors and looks over the horizon thoughtfully.

 

Doc: Maybe, Ev. Just maybe, he's out there somewhere.

 

Everrett: Well damn. Still, he could be-

 

Doc: Indeed.

 

Doc turns to face Everrett.

 

Doc: He obviously saw something in you, Antonio. Otherwise, he wouldn't have led you right to me before he left. This is no accident.

 

Everrett: What isn't?

 

He points at the space between himself and Everrett.

 

Doc: This. Us, you know. Tell me about yourself, Ev. Who are you? Not, like, weirdly or anything, just, outside of my training partner, of course.

 

Everrett: Well, that's not exactly easy to answer really. I mean, I'm a gym rat for sure, uhh, I'm always ready to learn and improve. I've got a lot of raw power and quickness, like a pitbull. Yeah, like a pitbull. As you saw, I've got a ways to go as a complete wrestler but I feel like we'll be ready to go in no time, and there's no one else I'd want to share this journey with, Doc. You said it yourself, we're rooks, but I want to prove myself, even if we don't get it right right away.

 

Doc: Well said, brother. I like that analogy, like a pitbull. Let's keep the faith and we'll see what the future holds for us, Ev.

 

Everrett: Damn straight, put it there.

 

Doc and Antonio share a fist bump and move back inside together to finish their gym session.

Still takes getting used to seeing someone else named Doc lol.

Ehhh, what's up Doc?!

Ehhh, what's up Doc?!

 

Maaaaann if I charged a penny for everytime I heard that......I’d be a billionaire right now haha....