The Morning of “In Exile” April 8th
The scene opens up early the morning prior to the event known as “In Exile” at St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, Canada blanketed in snow and still wth the dark sky looming overhead. The streets are seemingly dry and empty as the wind rattles against the stained glass windows swiftly. Suddenly without warning the screeching of tires pierces the air to which the camera shifts dramatically towards the ruckus, which turns out to be a taxi rounding the corner of Queen Street onto Church Street and making a beeline toward the church. Once at the entrance way, the taxi locks its brakes throwing smoke into the air from rubber being seared away from the tread. Once stopped the back door is thrown open to which the camera focuses in on Joey Nicholas sporting a heavy white fur coat jumping out of the back seat, staring eerily at the Cathedral looming over him. His breath can be seen as Joey grasps his luggage from the driver and then proceeds to give him payment for the hurried trip from YYZ Toronto International airport. Joey begins to advance along the slippery pavement to the black wrought iron fence. After slipping through the gate, Joey makes his way cautiously down the walkway and up the two steps, grimacing at the sight of the pair of the statued saint’s faces glaring back at him within the columns before continuing through the short corridor to the set of mahogany doors leading into the church. Joey begins to frantically hammer on the entrance to which after few moments a head pokes into the window at the side of the door revealing an Archbishop. He then proceeds to open the door just a crack. Archbishop: Is everything alright?
Joey Nicholas: Not quite Father, I need to speak with you.
Archbishop: Come in, come in! Out of the cold!
The priest opens the door to which Joey obliges by walking through the doorway. Once inside the camera zooms out to fit the entire sanctuary with its marble pillars, and magnificent ambulatory, including the high altar at the end of the benches. Archbishop: Follow me my son, we shall go to the chapter stalls to speak in a more confidential manner.
Joey follows suit with his luggage in tow along the red silk carpet down the aisle. As Joey passes a few nuns praying in one of the booths, they start glaring at him hesitantly and whispering to one another before finally moving down the row to the farthest side. Joey completely confused by this event, continues to follow the priest without a word. Once at the chapter stalls, the clergyman points Joey to the direction of the stall that he needs to go into. Joey walks in, shutting the door behind him before shitting down and awaiting an answer from the other side. After a few moments the screen opens up revealing the Archbishop. Archbishop: What seems to be troubling you my child?
Joey hesitates before answering Joey Nicholas: Please forgive me Father for I have sinned. I have made a career so far out of banishing those before me into poverty. My first victim was a man by the name of Akmed who I drove insane by preventing him from ever winning the gold and making fun of him and his family during his entire tenure in the CWA. Secondly Jack Adams, who resigned after I beat him for the third time we had an encounter inside the ring where I even went as far as spitting on his motionless body.
Archbishop: (Seemingly ignoring Joey’s last comment) Ah yes both Dr. Adams and his friend Jerry Black come to Sunday service quite frequently. They are so grateful and caring, it’s real…
Joey Nicholas: (Muttering) Yeah, I’m sure those two are just a prize!
Archbishop: Come again?
Joey Nicholas: Nothing father, sorry for interrupting you.
Archbishop: (Sternly) Was coming here this late and after service hours all just for this meaningless confession? I really have a lot on my plate so if you‘re done you may leave!
Joey Nicholas: Not At all father, my apologies.
Archbishop: No worries, go on.
Joey Nicholas: Well you see Father, ever since I debuted in the CWA I’ve beaten down all of those who have opposed me, leaving them laying in all their own ruins all the while I flourish as a title holder getting paid one of the biggest salaries all because of my greatness. However I cannot help but feel that after last week I am somewhat being punished for my sins.
Archbishop: How do you figure?
Joey Nicholas: An evil force has claimed that they were on the horizon to rise within the CWA only known as Demon Deeds and Shadow Equinox. Under normal circumstances I would have no problem going into that arena and showing both those Star Wars freaks just who they are dealing with, but I can’t help but feel that I am not strong enough to overcome this obstacle. Just last week Deeds sent his minion to set an example by blinding me with some kind of black mist after an exhausting bout.
Archbishop: That its quite disturbing.
Joey Nicholas: And it’s not just that attack father, every time Deeds says my name, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I feel entranced in his words. It’s as if Deeds will bring fourth the end of the era that I have reigned supreme over for so long come later at In Exile!
Archbishop: My son not only do I have much faith in your abilities as champion but I must remind you that the Lord works in many ways. What you must do is follow the light that the Lord brings fourth and then I guarantee you shall subdue this evil that opposes you.
Joey takes a moment to take the advice into consideration before Joey Nicholas: You are exactly right Father, a day of Reckoning will be witnessed tonight at In Exile as the Real Deal will be walking out of Toronto still champion! Amen!
The clergyman nods his head in agreement Archbishop: Amen! Now go my child, defeat this force that wishes to oppose you!
Joey gets up from the booth confidently proceeding to exit the chapter stall and sauntering down the middle of the aisle with the camera facing him as he advances towards the entrance of the church Joey Nicholas: (To the camera) Fate has put me here in Toronto to face your minion Demon Deeds! And I was seemingly chosen by the hierarchs to disembark on a crusade to destroy the evil that you plan to purge throughout the CWA! I will have you know that it will take a lot more than Equinox spraying mist into my eyes to intimidate me, as I will not succumb to the fear to which you wish me to fall into! What the both of you fail to understand is that I Joey Nicholas, tackle the seemingly impossible and succeed! That is why I am a two-time CWA champion! I hope you get a look at what pure greatness looks like at In Exile Deeds, for when that bell rings you will bare witness to your apprentice’s complete and utter demise!
Joey stares contently into the frame whilst in the doorway of the church’s entrance as the camera moves slowly out of the building with the sun peaking over the horizon as Dawn approaches