EXT. SHAWN'S HOME – DAY
Dolph drags his luggage and guitar out of his car and kicks his door shut.
The front door of a quaint, rustic house opens. SHAWN MICHAELS steps out onto the porch with a big smile.
SHAWN
Welcome home.
INT. SHAWN'S HOME - DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Shawn and Dolph sit at the table eating dinner.
SHAWN
So, how's the music life treating you?
DOLPH
I have the opportunity of a lifetime, but there's still that nagging thought in the back of my head telling me this is just another road to nowhere.
SHAWN
Maybe you should consider going in a different direction.
DOLPH
And what direction would that be? The unemployment line?
SHAWN
What are you doing tonight?
DOLPH
Other than getting overshadowed by the world's biggest egomaniac, I'm free for a few hours.
SHAWN
Let's go for a ride.
INT. THE DREAM – NIGHT
Shawn makes his way through the friendly, country grill. A band on stage plays old-school country. Dolph follows behind him, clearly out of his element.
DOLPH
This is your new spot, huh? I was picturing something...more.
SHAWN
You know me. I'm not a flashy guy.
DOLPH
Right.
They walk up to the counter and meet MICKIE JAMES.
SHAWN
Miss James. Always a pleasure.
MICKIE
Likewise.
SHAWN
I'd like you to meet a good friend of mine, Dolph Ziggler. He's a musician.
MICKIE
Any good?
SHAWN
Only one way to find out.
He looks at Dolph. Dolph realizes what's happening here.
DOLPH
Maybe some other time. I have a big show tonight...
SHAWN
All the better to warm-up.
(to Mickie)
He's going to need to borrow a guitar.
INT. THE DREAM – MOMENTS LATER
Dolph is now strapped with an acoustic guitar, waiting as Mickie moves to the stage.
DOLPH
I'm all for broadening my audience, but this might be pushing it a little.
SHAWN
What do you have to lose? Go out there and do what you do best. Steal the show.
MICKIE
Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to a new friend of mine, Dolph Ziggler.
Dolph gets up on stage to polite applause. He plugs in. Adjusts the mic while surveying the crowd. Then he goes for it full throttle.
DOLPH
(singing)
I'M HERE TO SHOW THE WORLD.
I'M HERE TO SHOW THE WORLD.
He gauges the crowd. They're confused, but too kind to show they're not feeling it. He's not winning them over.
EXT. THE DREAM – MOMENTS LATER
Dolph storms out. Shawn follows behind.
SHAWN
Dolph, wait up.
DOLPH
Do you know how humiliating that was? I looked like an idiot up there.
SHAWN
I'm trying to teach you that you don't need a sold-out stadium to be a musician. All of that pyro and flash? That's not music. Whatever you're looking for, you've got to go deeper than that.
DOLPH
Says Mr. Showstopper himself.
SHAWN
I made a choice to determine what's really important to me and that wasn't it. It's time for you to make the same decision.
Dolph contemplates this for a moment. Then --
DOLPH
I have a show to get to.
He heads for Shawn's truck.
YOU ARE READING
Winfall
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