Fear and Respect

by Jason Spade Sat May 21, 2022 1:25 am

Backstage after Point Break, Jason Spade is nursing his wounds in the locker room when referee Murphy walks inside. Spade immediately perks up.

"Murphy... You've been here a while, right? In CMV, I mean."

"Uh... yeah, I guess."

Spade stands up from his seat.

"And people around here have a lot of respect for you."

"I-I mean, I don't like to brag..."

"People respect you because you put all your effort into your job. You give everything you have every night, every single time you go out there, right?"

"I--"

Spade steps uncomfortably close to Murphy.

"You and me, we're a lot alike, but tell me something... Where's my respect?"

Murphy doesn't respond; Spade flies into a rage, grabbing Murphy by either side of his face.

"Where's my respect, Murphy?! Where is it?! How many times do I have to bleed for people to show me an ounce of respect, huh?!"

"P-Please, I--"

Spade slams Murphy face-first into the nearby brick wall, causing the poor referee to sprawl out on the floor, clutching his face and moaning in agony. Spade stands over the fallen official.

"If people don't wanna respect me... Then they'll learn to fear me. When you see Jay Young, tell him he's next."

Murphy looks up and Spade stomps on his face, knocking the referee cold. Spade stands over his victim, expressionless, before leaving the locker room, passing by a group of stage hands as they enter the room. The scene fades as they realize what has happened and rush to aid the fallen referee.