6CW Anarchy Thursday 28th August 2014

The fans in Wembley Arena are their usual vocal selves as the camera circles the audience. There are a few close ups of kids wearing t-shirts that have the #everybodysayGrace hashtag on it. There are also posters dotted around the arena saying “Grace is my idol”, “I am only here to say Grace” and “Grace is the REAL legend”. It seems as if the arena is full of these posters as the camera keeps pointing more and more out, usually with a smiling child holding it up. As the scene continues to show the audience, Harold Lloyd’s voice chimes out.

HA: What an atmosphere here at Wembley! The capacity crowd are showing their support for their favourites and I can see a lot in attendance hoping to see one Anthony “Amazing” Grace!

HE: He certainly has a way with the fans. You would think he is world champion or something!

HA: He is rising through the rumoured adversity in the locker room. The facts speak for themselves however. Undefeated so far and picked up an impressive win in his first outing at Wembley. To beat Jerome Dubois is not something to be taken lightly!

HE: I have to agree, it certainly was out of the blue. But what about that press conference after and the booing he……

Suddenly the sound cuts out and the camera returns to searching through the cheering fans. After a while, Harold is heard again.

HA: Yes it was a brilliant win for “Amazing” Grace and it has put a lot of the locker room on alert. With support like this behind him, Grace is destined for big things in 6CW!

Suddenly, a drumroll is heard and the fans start going berserk. A lone cameraman walks up the aisle and passes row upon row of children and young adults staring expectantly to the stage. The kids are wearing assorted Grace merchandise including some Gambit t-shirts. Then, as the song Amazing Grace, starts to play, they all wave their posters and hold their hands out over the guardrail. After a few moments, Anthony Grace appears on the stage and smiles widely. He is wearing a white suit this time, with a black shirt which is unbuttoned at the top. He wears his usual dark wraparound glasses and cheek microphone while every part of him is looks in pristine condition. Grace looks around him and bites his lip at the sight he can see before nodding in approval. He goes to one end of the stage and salutes the crowd before striding to the other side and saluting again. The lone cameraman goes up to him and focuses on his face. Grace mouths the words “This is amazing” before smiling again.

HA: THIS REACTION ALWAYS GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS! I HAVE NEVER HEARD THE LIKE BEFORE!

Grace slowly walks down the aisle and slaps the fans hands as he goes. He signs a few autographs and high fives some young kids as well. Pictures are taken in his direction by a few of the adults and he makes sure that each and everyone gets a good shot, before shaking the men’s hands and giving the females a kiss on the cheek. There are a few boos but it appears there is additional cheers coming out of the speakers as well. Grace ignores it, as do the fans and the commentary duo make no comment on it. Grace slowly gets down to the ring as the lone cameraman follows him.

HA: Never have I seen a man taking so much of his time over his public before. We know Grace always greets the fans and earlier today there were reports he visited Great Ormond Street Hospital. That would have certainly cheered up the ill kids in there.

HE: He even gave them some free tickets as well. Hope he checked that with Andrews first…….

Again the sound cuts out as Grace continues to slap the fans hands and makes his way round the ring. Just by the commentary table, there are a few young fans in wheelchairs. He makes sure he takes the time to greet them and has his picture taken with them. He shakes the hands of the carers of the disabled children and even gives one of the female ones a hug. She is moved to tears as the camera focuses on her and the children giving a thumbs up, while Grace rolls into the ring. He climbs onto one of the turnbuckles and breathes in the atmosphere before saluting the crowd.

HA: WHAT A MAN! GRACE BY NAME! GRACE BY NATURE!

The music reaches the crescendo and Grace slowly climbs down the turnbuckle. As it finishes, Grace bows and then applauds the cheering fans. He looks every inch the superstar as he stands tall in the centre of the ring. He adjusts his wedding ring on his finger as the crowd quieten down. He waits a few moments before shouting out!

AG: DID THE BEST DAMN FANS IN THIS BUSINESS ENJOY THE FIRST SHOW OF THE NEW 6CW ERA?!

The crowd cheer in approval and Grace holds his hand up apologetically.

AG: Of course you did. Forgive me for asking such a stupid question. As a fan I was watching all the matches backstage and I FELT the same as you did. Every match was off the chart and above anything else I have seen before. It makes me feel PROUD to be part of this great federation….it really does……

He smiles again and looks humble, as the fans cheer. Grace then moves his arms around excitedly and begins to speak passionately.

AG: And we even saw NEW champions crowned! Oh what a beginning that was. Mr Sparkleston overcame the odds stacked against him and proved that the little man can win. This is a guy after my own HEART. I was standing with you all and cheering as the announcement was made after the 1…..2……3! It was a sight to behold and paved the way for a superb show. Bam Sparkleston….our new BRITISH CHAMPION!

The camera focuses on the kids who cheer at this and chant Bam’s name. It then turns to two fans who are standing side by side pointing at each other’s t-shirts, one reading “#everybodysayGrace” and the other saying” #amazeballs”. Grace nods in agreement as there is stifled laughter on commentary.

HA: Slight slip of the tongue there by Anthony but the fans still love him!

Grace brings his sunglasses down to his nose and looks over the top of them while staring at the camera.

AG: And of course, yours truly didn’t do too badly either.

He smiles and readjusts his sunglasses as the fans cheer from the crowd and from the speakers. He laughs a little when he can’t get them to quieten down, with an “Amaz-ing Grace” chant starting. The camera pans the crowds and picks up all the young fans shouting the chant out. Very briefly a poster appears on screen that says “Grace Sucks” before quickly panning away to another shot of the fans.

AG: Yes, I came out of my first meeting with a living legend UNSCATHED! It was an honour to go toe-to-toe with Mr Dubois and it was a greater honour to get the win in front of such a positive crowd. You people PUSHED me onto heights that even I doubted I could get to, so that win was for all of you!

The camera pans the crowd again and the fans are still vocal in their support. The same area of Wembley appears in which we saw the “Grace Sucks” poster but it has been mysteriously removed. Grace then continues.

AG: It is unfortunate that Mr Dubois took such offence at my win. I said last week, win or lose, I would not be whining about the result. But it appears that Mr Dubois believes that I have DISPRESPECTED him by simply doing my new JOB. He may well say I have come from a privileged background but that could not be further from the truth. As a boy, I rose through school on hard work and respect, even when my peers tried to send me down the rocky road of drink and drugs. I said no to that demon, trusting who I was and who I could be, and when the chance finally came, I GRABBED it with both hands. Nothing was thrust into my lap on a silver platter Mr Dubois. I worked hard for the perks, just as I worked hard for that win. I am sure you can beat me. I am sure you will KEEP telling people you can beat me. But the facts are simple………

He looks into the camera and raises his hands. He lifts a finger on one hand and makes a zero with the other hand.

AG: Mr Dubois…..nil…….Mr Amazing……one

The crowd cheer loudly again. Grace then slowly walks to the ropes and stares down at the front row where he greeted the disabled children.

AG: I won because I BELIEVED! I won because people BELIEVED in me! Everyone can climb the heights to the stars. Even when people try and pull you down and say you are worthless, just carry on moving up each rung. Hard work and the Grace of God is all you need to succeed as long as you want it strong enough. You are as good as anyone else in this building, regardless of looks or health. Day by day, we will all get stronger as long as the faith is undying. Keep dreaming. Keep climbing. And don’t let hate bring you down……

He looks at the disabled kids on the front row and lifts his hand up. He makes a victory sign with his fingers and smiles at them.

AG: Believe 2 Achieve.

He closes his fingers together and kisses them before pointing at the children. The fans cheer loudly and the carers mouth “thank you” in his direction. Grace gives a wink and smiles the perfect smile before moving back to the centre of the ring.

AG: So Mr Dubois……I still believe. I would not be Anthony Grace if I turned round and not grant your request for a rematch. You will have your chance again I am sure. Every blockbuster needs a sequel right?

He smiles broadly again before retrieving his notebook out of his inside jacket pocket.

AG: Now…..to my opponent this week. One Mr Black.

He leafs through the pages as boos ring round the audience. He finds the correct one and starts reading.

AG: Jackson Black……6CW original…….

He looks at another page and seems confused before turning back to the camera.

AG: That’s all I have……

Laughter comes from the front row as Grace smirks and paces the ring.

AG: No…..I am kidding. I know who Mr Black is. I have certainly been given a crash course in the who’s who of 6CW so far. First a legend like Mr Dubois and then a legend in Mr Black. I really need to talk to Dean about giving me an easier ride. This is not befitting of a “Hollywood Superstar”.

He does quote marks with his fingers while smiling as the joke is met positively by the audience. Grace continues to pace the ring and orchestrate the crowd like a master conductor.

AG: It is fine…..it is fine. Some wise guy once said if you want to be the best, then you have to beat the best. That is absolutely true my friends. Mr Black has certainly found his mojo lately and has looked really aggressive backstage when we have come face to face. Well, everyone has looked aggressively at me backstage but Mr Black more so! It will be a tough match I have no doubt and you could not pick a winner……

One of the fans shouts out “Amazing Grace” at him and he laughs.

AG: Bless you…..if only it was that easy eh? No, I need to be fully prepared for this match. I am here to show the WORLD that Anthony Grace’s victory against a hall of fame-r was not a flash in the pan. It is up to me to keep on CLIMBING that ladder and reach for my own star – God willing. Mr Black will love to knock me down and do what Mr Dubois said he was going to do. But, whatever the outcome, I will still be there to shake his hand at the end of it and offer my congratulations or commiserations. Hopefully he will take that opportunity and be a bigger man that what Mr Dubois was. Because……and here’s the thing……….

He motions for the camera to get closer to him.

AG: I love this business. I love you fans. When I say you push me on, it is true. And come what may, I want to be someone that DESERVES your cheers and does EVERYTHING in his power to get them. I stand here as a guy who is honoured at your support. When everyone does say Grace, it reminds me how lucky I am and how much I need to bless my life day by day. And no matter how hard they kick me, I know you guys and gals will raise me up. Every match is for you. Every victory is for you. Every title won is for you. I may come out of this career with no gold to shout about. But I will have gained more as a man. That is why I humbly thank each and every one of you and ask you to continue the cheers. I love you all……

He blows a kiss and the crowd react positively, drowning out any negative responses. Grace turns to the camera and shouts above the cheers.

AG: Mr Black…….the stage is set for another epic. Let’s see if we can raise this roof even further. You……..me……..and the thousands of fans of 6CW out there. It will be AMAZING!

He nods as the camera focuses on him with the crowd’s cheers ringing around Wembley arena.

Joshua waits until Plague and The Brotherhood have departed while still staring at McCoy. When he is sure that he is alone, he suddenly turns away from the puppet and hangs his head. There is an uncomfortable silence as Joshua sits there saying nothing and McCoy, still chained, stares gormlessly into the distance. The two of them say nothing for ages as if they are both attending some marriage counselling session and both not wanting to be the one that speaks first. In the end, Joshua is the one that breaks. He lifts his head and looks across the hall before speaking:

When I have needed guidance………you have always been there………Why is it now………of all moments………you stay dumbstruck?………

The puppet doesn’t answer of course, but it doesn’t stop Joshua turning towards him and prompting some kind of a response. When he receives none, Joshua suddenly stands and paces the room. A look of anger flashes across his face when we can see it beneath his long black hair. He looks unhinged and ready to lash out at a moment’s notice, frantically searching for something that has been taken from him. McCoy stays still all through this, even when Joshua starts shouting out to himself:

All through this………all the while the music played………you were happy to whisper into my ear………Pointing me in the direction that I should go………Being the voice that had been taken from you………Placing my body on the line………to allow the symphony to reach the conclusion………

He turns to McCoy and whispers:

But what is the conclusion?………Who writes the end?………When does the music stop?………

Joshua again waits for some kind of answer. The puppet stays still and the room is filled with silence again. Menacingly, Joshua strides forward and sticks his face into McCoy’s. He lifts up his hair slightly so we can see the scars on his forehead. He then spits his next words out:

Can’t you see these scars?………Can't you feel the pain?………Can't you hear the screams?………Why is it that silence befalls your life………when you were so quick to fill the air with fear?………Surely it isn't because of Plague?……… Surely he doesn't fill you with fear?………What is the answer?!………Why won’t you tell me?!………Where have you gone?!

Joshua finds himself flinging the puppet to and fro as he shouts out at McCoy. The damage inflicted would be the same as what an opponent would feel while locked in the Joshua Tree. However, McCoy doesn't scream in pain, much to the frustration of Joshua who is expecting something to be said; unheard by the rest of us. Finally Joshua stops tossing McCoy from side to side, and instead throws him to the floor in frustration. The metal chain clangs against the ground in a sign of Joshua losing the battle. He goes back to his seat and sits down slowly, brushing the hair over his face as if not wanting to be seen. Quietly, he then speaks again:

It is ironic………if not worrying………that the man I detest………is protecting me more than you………While you live in your muteness………I must try and live on………I tried this once before remember………And I failed continuously………When you came into my life………a plan was set in motion that I have lived by………day by day………year on year………Following only you………and never doubting for one moment of the direction………or reaction………to the carnage we caused………But now………now………I do have doubts………Quiet ones inside my head………which stay hidden on the promise………that you will come back to me………

He turns to McCoy:

But still you sit there………shrugging your shoulders………and pleading innocence………Even when I relived the past in paper………and showed you the memories………still you didn't even offer a plea of guilt………The whole thing passed you by………as I damaged myself in your name………and for your acceptance………

He turns away again and stares at his hands:

The first time these hands turned to death………you let me down………The first time I committed a sin………you fell to the ground………The first time I heard nothing from your lips………the effect was profound………

Joshua looks up at the ceiling:

And to those who knew………what horror you could cause………you never felt the urge to say sorry………Even when you knew of the wrongs………you had no worry………And when you and I were left………the hate made me scurry………

He looks back at McCoy:

But the past is the past………and we became a greater whole………A whole that has been smashed by your silence………So I am asking you now………I can’t walk blind any more………I beg………I plead………What………Say………You?………

The room is filled with silence again. Joshua waits and waits but nothing is forthcoming. Very slowly he gets up out of his chair and cracks his neck from side to side. His hair covers his face and he snarls slightly:

If an example needs to be shown………to relieve you from muteness………then one will be made………But know this………The path I take now is of my own doing………and the mistakes I make are your fault………So forgive me if I sin………as you have cut all ties from me now………

He cocks his head towards McCoy:

The strings are broke………The guide has led me to the abyss………Now it is time for me to jump………or be pushed………For us all………the conclusion remains the same………

He walks away from the puppet, while speaking under his breath:

Forgive me………for I have sinned………Forgive me………for I have sinned………Forgive me………Forgive me………Forgive me………

The scene fades as Joshua walks out of shot, with the lifeless image of McCoy still in the corner.