FADE IN.

Once again, ladies and gentlemen....

This time there is an extreme closeup of a heavy bag. The bag is being pummelled mercilessly by Dan Ryan, an intense look on his face, no pausing.

DAN RYAN: "Three more days have passed, Claira."

"Time is not on your side."

"What's the story? Weave me a tale of what you've been up to. Let us all in on the tidy little secret of how you've been preparing to defend the FIST of DEFIANCE against one of the greatest of all time. Paint us a picture of how you, unlike this bag which I'm currently wearing out, won't end up a battered, bloody mess."

"I laid it out for you, Claira. I opened the door and dared you to walk through it, and yet you drag-ass through it like we all owe you something."

"I know there are people who like you. I know there will be kids in the audience, little girls who look up to you as the strong woman they believe you to be, dreaming of one day being in the ring fighting for championships and the honor of victory inside the squared circle. I know their support means a lot to you, Claira. I know that's why you won't back Kai Scott's play overtly. I know you want their respect."

"You've let them down, Claira."

"You're coming up woefully short. But maybe this is just another example of how it needs to be, hmm? Maybe you're another member of the roster who's fallen asleep at the wheel, no longer with the fire needed to fight the battles in front of you. Maybe the beating I give you here in Pittsburgh will wake you the fuck up."

"Or, maybe exposing you is the best thing that could be done for the short legacy of the FIST. The last thing a new title needs is a weak champion, and one thing no one has EVER said about me --- is that I am weak."

"Maybe, like Christian Light, you need to take a breath and come back at everything with a fresh perspective. Like Christian Light, maybe it'll take me kicking your head off your shoulders to make you realize it."

"I gave you the chance, Claira. I handed it to you on a silver platter, opened the door and stepped aside like a gentlemen so that you could prove that you embody the fighting spirit that this title is supposed to personify."

"You let me down."

"You let them down."

"FISTS up, Claira --- because if you don't defend yourself better than you've indicated so far, you'll find that I've gently broken your fucking neck."

FADE OUT.

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