A Living Hell

[Doug Gavelon]

9/7/08
Fayetteville, AR
**************

[The scene opens in the emergency room of the Fayetteville Hospital. Doctors walk back and forth while many walk in and out of room 217. Then, through the large, metal doors, walks Melvin Gates and a camera crew into the area right in front of room 217. Melvin gets ready to do a stand-in as the crew sets up.]

MG: Are you guys about ready?

Camera man: Just about, Melvin.

MG: Good. I want to take care of this little update and have it on television by tomorrow.

Camera man: That should be no problem.

[The crew finishes their preparations, they count down from 5 and begin rolling.]

MG: Hello again, wrestling fans. This is Melvin Gates with a quick update on the attack that has left Tiffany in the hospital.

[Melvin gestures back with his right hand to room 217 before continuing.]

MG: In this room currently sits the unconscious Tiffany who’s still recovering from her injuries. Not long ago, she was on top of the world after winning the Hog Wild Match against H at School of Hard Knocks. Now, she lies in a hospital bed in critical condition.

[Melvin moves his hand forward again and to his side.]

MG: As for the culprit, the investigation is still ongoing. However, many people have keyed on the possibility that Doug Gavelon has fallen back into his old habits and attacked his girlfriend. In fact, on the evening news on FOX16, they held a poll for viewers to call in and cast their vote for who they think committed the attack and with a whopping 82 percent, Doug was the “winner” of the poll. Other candidates ranged from Doug’s cousin Nate Sipes to “Pain Train” Clifton Pearson. The question is, with an attacker out there, what will be their next move?

[Just then, the large, metal doors burst open and Doug Gavelon walks through with a look of determination as several nurses try to stop him.]

Nurse: Sir, you’ve been barred from this area. You can’t go into her room.

DG: The hell I can’t.

[Melvin runs over and begins talking to him.]

MG: Doug, what brought you here today?

[Doug stops in his tracks and looks at Melvin with a look of shock and disgust.]

DG: What do you think brought me here? My girlfriend’s in the d*mn hospital and I wanna see how she’s doing.

MG: But you’re a prime suspect in her attack. I highly doubt they’ll let you in there.

DG: Well, I guess I’ll have to change their minds.

[Doug approaches the door and opens it where several security guards are waiting for him. He tries to go through them but they manage to hold him off. Then, several other security guards come up from behind and try to drag Doug out of the building. Melvin and his crew continue to follow him as Doug fights with the security guards. They shove him back through the large doors and form a human chain. Doug realizes he isn’t getting in and begins walking towards the exit, dejected. Melvin continues following him as they walk through the exit door. Doug turns around to see him and stops in his tracks.]

DG: Well, Melvin, you want the big scoop? You wanna ask your d*mn questions? Go ahead, ask them.

MG: Doug, at this point, how are you feeling?

DG: Melvin, I feel betrayed by the fans and my peers, I feel rage towards all of the accusing stares and I feel a great sorrow knowing that I couldn’t stop this from happening again.

MG: Can you tell us where you were at while the attack was happening?

DG: Yeah, I was doing what I always do at the shows: I wander the halls, talk with a few people, sign autographs for the fans and just hang out if I don’t have a match.

MG: Can anyone confirm they were with you at that time?

DG: Shockingly, no. I was worried about not seeing Tiffany all day and was just wandering the halls, looking for her.

MG: I know this will be difficult but I feel I must ask this next question: the doctors said that the attack was carried out with a steel rod, steel-toed boots or both. Doug, do you own boots like that?

[Doug’s eyes bore a whole through Melvin as he finishes asking the question. He just stands there for a few moments with an angry scowl on his face before answering.]

DG: And what if I do, Melvin? Does that mean I’m guilty? Does that mean you people have all the proof you need to crucify me? Suppose I do because I do charity work at construction sites. Would you believe me or just say I’m trying to cover my tracks?

MG: I’m just trying to get to the bottom of this.

DG: No, Melvin. You’re just like everyone else: trying to make a scapegoat out of me because it’s easy and makes sense. You, just like all others with a so-called opinion, can’t fathom having a woman beaten that badly and have to find a way to cope with that. You need someone who fits or once fit the bill for the evil-doer. I didn’t do it, Melvin. That’s my official comment and that’s the truth. Now, go ahead and film more of my girlfriend lying motionless in a hospital bed so you can get more exposure and try and get the big scoop.

[Doug walks over to his Chevy Cobalt. After climbing in, he slams the driver’s door shut and drives off with great speed. Melvin turns back to the camera with a look of being overwhelmed on his face.]

MG: I apologize to anyone offended by Doug’s words. He’s a young man who’s, obviously, overwhelmed with emotions during these most trying times for him and his loved ones. It’s possible that the anger shown here today may be hiding a darkness which burns inside him. However, we must not jump to conclusions when it pertains to his role in Tiffany’s attack. We must remember all of the good that he’s done with and for Tiffany and RCW throughout this year and how great he’s been as champion. We must remember that he is a great person but, also, that he’s only human. Thank you for watching today and continue tuning in for all the latest news and updates when it comes to RCW.

[The crew wraps up as Melvin takes a deep breath and looks off into the distance with his overwhelmed look.]

[Meanwhile, Doug returns to his apartment and slams the door shut as he enters. He stands in the middle of the room with a distant look on his face and a tear in his eye. He doesn’t blink or even move as it rolls down his cheek. Just then, the phone rings. Doug doesn’t answer it but just looks over at the answering machine next to it. Soon enough the answering machine kicks on.]

Tiffany: Hello, you’ve reach Doug and Tiffany. We’re not here right now because Doug’s either whipping someone’s a** in the ring or he’s showing me, his better half, off all over town.

[More tears produce themselves in Doug’s eyes as he slowly walks over to the answering machine. His breathing becomes heavier and heavier as the automated message continues.]

Tiffany: You guys know what to do: leave your name, message and phone number and we’ll get back to you when we can.

[Doug gets within six inches of the machine and squats down so that his eyes are squarely on it.]

Tiffany: If this is Doug, I’ll see you soon, baby. I love you with all of my heart and I know that you’ll never let me feel pain again.

[These last few words seem to set Doug off as he lets out a primeval scream before throwing it on the floor. He begins knocking over chairs and papers until he falls to the floor on his knees.]

DG: TIFFFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYY!

[Doug collapses and sobs uncontrollably. The message: another angry wrestling fan telling him how great a monster he is. Just like all the other messages have been over the last few days.]