Sending A Message

[Andrew Savage]

Savage: I see you.

[Light catches in Andrew Savage's pupil and flashes it up like a white dot.]

Savage: Right into the center of these beady little eyes, I see you, staring down the road looking at exactly the same milestone that I am. I see you dreaming of the day you can stand tall again at the top of this industry and finally be the man you should have been over a year ago. I see you listening to all the fans as they cheer your name because you are ... the best.

[Raw laughter reverberates around the closed off corridor.]

Savage: But best is such a loose term. I know you, enough to respect you as a man and as a wrestler, enough to know why you covet respect over success. See for you, its not about joining the list of champions, or main eventing or even making money.Its about having proof that all that hard work, all those tough matches, all those hours in the gym have actually been worth something and its about knowing that you're the best.

[Andrew Savage is close enough now to see the shape of his body and his sleeveless hoodie.]

Savage: That weakness of character is however mirrored by your assembled strengths in the ring, don't doubt me when I tell you that you are one of the best there is and Its a testament to the hard work you put in and your own ability to never give-

[Andrew Savage laughs.]


Savage: Well, I guess not so much 'that' anymore. Nonetheless I don't make the mistake of underestimating my opponents as I have done in the past and as you clearly have, so let me make something clear to you right now, its not tonight that you need to worry about. I have no doubt that you're gonna come out all guns blazing and put on a huge steamroller performance, really assert yourself but I'm not going to be the brick wall you run into. I'm not that guy. I am the shady little doubts that play on your mind, that ask if you're over the hill or if maybe you should settle down and have some kids before you slip a disc.

[Andrew Savage is in center shot now, same rhytmic, beating footsteps and same stark stare, both eyes boring down from an expressionless face.]

Savage: So don't think if you can win that its going to change anything, I know you, I know that somehwere on this road we're going to come to blows and its really going to mean something, really going to be worth something, I know that theres nothing that can assuade you from your convictions, I know that one day I'll be standing over you with nothing but a smile as I watch the crimson pool around your frail features. I also know that nothing I can say or do is going to intimidate you, so one last word of warning ...

[He walks past the camera, it turns to show him walking up some steps out towards daylight pouring over grass.]

Savage: .. watch your back.

[Andrew Savage steps out into the sunshine, the camera pulls back and 'Up the Magpies' is printed on the ceiling over the stairs next to the Notts County crest as we fade.]