This image haunts me.
By nearly killing her, they made me.
I am what they always wanted me to be.
They tore my heart out.
Crushed it.
Then they put it back into my chest.
And they expect for there to be no consequences?

I AM THE CONSEQUENCES...

I stalk the night like Death.
Revenge will be bitter sweet.
Three years ago they left me for dead.
A month ago, they destroyed my soul.
My killers laughed and disappeared into the shadows.

Now this man has returned from the grave.
To kill his laughing killers and the man who created me.
One by one they shall meet their maker.
Or in their case...their victim.

My love is alive but they still killed me.
I live although I am dead.

Now I walk the earth.
Searching...
Waiting...

Until then I make martyrs towards my cause.
I will play in my playround until I am no longer needed.
You want my title, Travis Levitt?
Here... you can have it.
If you're willing to die for it.

This is my show.
My debut.
My calling card to those who created me.
I am coming for you.
And this so-called champion in front of me?
He's just another sacrifice to my cause.

Where is St. John Cross?
Good question.
He's dead.
Who am I?
I am that which they wanted me to be.
They finally broke me.
Now suffer the consequences.

Who am I?
I AM BLACKWATCH
I am the Roulette Champion of SCW.

And I am the consequences.

 OFF-CAMERA
DATE: January 13, 2019
LOCATION: Interstate 15

An hour or so after SCW: Inception III went off the air, St. John Cross decided to leave the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino and head for Interstate 15 with nothing but the clothes on his back and whatever items he threw into his duffle bag before the event. As he walked past the smaller hotels and casinos, he kept his wits about him and examined every face that passed him. He hoped to could make it to the interstate entrance without calling attention to himself besides the occasional proposition from a Vegas hooker. A block before the interstate on Flamingo Road, he stopped under a covered bus loading zone as his cell phone chirped with a text notification. He knew without looking who was on the end. He sat down on the bus bench and took a deep breath as he pulled the phone out of his sweatshirt pocket.

Don’t look back, St. John. It’s the only way.

He looked at the screen and the notification read “Effie Bingham.” She was waiting for back home but St. John had no intention of going home. It was time for him to move on and continue his life as a nameless hermit. As much as he loved his new life in Las Vegas with Effie, the incident with the three Blackwatch operatives after his match reminded him why he shouldn’t have pursued a life with her. He had now put Effie in danger. The Archpriest wanted him back in Missio Dei to re-indoctrinate him. And there was no way in Hell, he was going back. So leaving Las Vegas, leaving professional wrestling, and leaving Effie was his only choice to ensure her safety.

Let Effie go. If you really love her, you have to let her go.

Effie was his weakness. He had fallen hard for her. And on Christmas Eve, they blood-bonded according to the ancient traditions of Missio Dei. He was hers and she was his. So he couldn’t help but look at the screen.

VIA TEXT
EFFIE: Where are you?
ST. JOHN: Out scouting for Blackwatch.

St. John hated lying to Effie. But at the moment, it was his only option.

VIA TEXT
EFFIE: So what do we do now?
ST. JOHN: IDK. But they will be back.
EFFIE: Bet they enjoyed the show.
ST. JOHN: Maybe. If they did they’d have to do the ritual cutting.
EFFIE: Is it perverted that the idea of a bunch of guys jacking off to little ol’ me is a turn on?
ST. JOHN: Coming from you? No.
EFFIE: <smiley face> You’re learning.
ST. JOHN: You’re such a freak.
EFFIE: You love me this way.
ST. JOHN: I do.
EFFIE: Are they really going to cut themselves? Kah used to cut.
ST. JOHN: Sadly yes. It’s one of the reasons why I tape up my wrists. Kids don’t need to see my scars.
EFFIE: Any religion that encourages self-harm is not a religion.
ST. JOHN: Hence this monk among the Godless.
EFFIE: You know that term is offensive, right?
ST. JOHN: Monk? <smiley face>
EFFIE: Godless
ST. JOHN: It offends you? I thought nothing offended you.
EFFIE: I’m not godless. To me it means conscienceless.
ST. JOHN: Fair enough. I won’t call you that anymore.
EFFIE: Thank you. Those fuckers tonight have my palms itching.

The itchiness of Effie’s palms meant her Intermittent Explosive Disorder was triggered. Hopefully, she had the wherewithal to not let it escalate without him there. The last time the IED appeared, she threatened to slit her throat with a kitchen knife. It took everything in St. John’s mental fortitude to bring her back to her senses.

ST. JOHN: I’m sorry I got you involved with this. I should probably move out of the house for your safety. I’ll be gone when you get home.
EFFIE: Uh no. You won’t.
ST. JOHN: Eff, Blackwatch is coming back with more numbers. I won’t forgive myself if something happened to you because of me.
EFFIE: I’m not willing to let you go. We’re blood-bonded, remember? I go where you go.
ST. JOHN: I don’t know where I’m going to go, but I can’t risk endangering you. Plus you have loved ones here. Think about Ty and his aunt. The abominable snow brothers Fenris & Aron. It’s best for everyone if I’m out of the picture.
EFFIE: Are you leaving me? I thought you said you loved me?
ST. JOHN: I do love you, Eff. With everything in me. You’ll always be in me by blood.
EFFIE: YOU ARE NOT FUCKING LEAVING! I will hunt you down MYSELF! You saw what I did to that one asswipe!  
ST. JOHN: Effie, don’t make this more difficult than it already is.
EFFIE: Get your ass home NOW. Someone’s HERE!

St. John’s stomach tightened. Whether this was a ploy by Effie to get him to stay or Blackwatch had indeed returned, he couldn’t take any chances. He looked around and there was a taxi idling at the gas station across the street. He whistled loudly to get the driver’s attention. The car roared to life and made a dangerous U-turn on Flamingo Road and stopped in front of St. John.

DRIVER: Where to big man?

ST. JOHN: Home.

***

ON-CAMERA
DATE: January 25, 2019
LOCATION: Olympia Wrestling School

St. John was lost in a fury of punches on a heavy bag inside Kahlan Bliss’ Olympia Wrestling School when the SCW camera crew showed up. They take some footage of St. John hitting the bag but his eyes were locked on a spot on the bag. Suddenly a growl emanated from St. John as he punched the heavy bag with one final blow. A loud crack was heard above him as the heavy bag nearly shoulder-blocked Kahlan Bliss on her way to the ring. She easily caught her balance (a testament to her Hall of Fame career) and cursed in the direction of the heavy bag.

BLISS: WHAT THE FUCK!?!

Bliss marched over to the camera crew, ready to chew out the center of their attention, as she looked up at the cracked bolt on the ceiling.

BLISS: I have no problem billing whatever promotion you belong to for damages.

Bliss’ countenance softened when she saw St. John looking back at her. His eyes were burning with intensity yet he had an apologetic expression on his face.

ST. JOHN: Sorry, Bliss, I got lost in my channeling exercises while hitting the bag. I’ll pay for the repairs.

Bliss wrapped her arms around the heavy bag and gave the young wrestling star a forgiving smile.

BLISS: Oh, it’s you, Moses.

St. John chuckled nervously and shook his head at Bliss’ nickname for him. He was still impressed that she called him “Moses” after the biblical figure. Her reasoning for the nickname was that much like Moses, St. John was a long haired religious guy, exiled into the desert sands of Las Vegas, receiving life guidance from an unexpected fiery figure (Effie). Yet, he never understood why Bliss treated him “differently” than other people in the training facility including Effie and Ty. Whatever her reasoning, he wasn’t about prod. He respected the beautiful wrestler-business owner and he had amends to make with her.

BLISS: Nah, it’s all good. You help me out quite a bit around here with the newbs. Plus, I know the feeling. You must have had a gnarly emotion to work out. Anything I can do to help?

St. John noticed that Bliss batted her eyes at him before quickly catching herself. He let it go as quickly as it came.

ST. JOHN: No, I’m fine, Bliss. Thanks though. I better attend to the crew here.

Bliss slapped the bag and winked at him as she returned her focus back on the sparring in the ring.

BLISS: Cool. Remember, mi casa is your casa, Moses.

Bliss left the vicinity and St. John sighed in relief before giving the SCW crew a steely look.

ST. JOHN: Okay, gentlemen, let’s get this party started. I know you want some thoughts on the Climax Control 226 main event.

The cameraman prepared the cue and gave St. John the signal. St. John had an uncanny ability to switch his demeanor and emotions on and off in an instant. The camera caught one such instance as St. John’s good-looking face turned intimidating.

ST. JOHN: Persistence. If I could narrow success down to one word, that would be it. Persistence. It’s literally impossible to fail if you’re persistent. Why? Because if you never quit, you never allow yourself to fail. It’s that simple. I don’t have a perfect record in SCW, but I’ve given every single one of my opponents everything in me and more. I have left each match with my head held high because I know I am relentless in that ring no matter the wins and losses. And now it’s earned me a shot at the SCW Unified Roulette Championship, held by my “brother in arms” Ty West.

St. John rolled his tongue along the interior of his bottom lip indicating genuine annoyance.

ST. JOHN: I generally stay in my lane when it comes to other people’s lives, but Ty is family and I would be remiss not to address the elephant in the Twitter timeline room. To J2H and Alex Jones, you want to know why Ty West is the SCW Unified Roulette Champion? Persistence. Persistence training for the ring. Persistence in the ring. Who Ty associates with in his personal life has nothing to do with him being the Roulette Champion. If you truly knew Ty’s character, you wouldn’t be making such outlandish claims. Your accusations speak more about your character and irrelevancy than Ty West and Fenris’ relationship. Step up or shut up. But I digress.

St. John slightly cocked his head as he looked more intently into the camera.

ST. JOHN: You see, persistence isn’t a common quality. Many people get excited about an opportunity, go after it with eagerness, and as soon as they encounter a roadblock or realize it’s not happening as quick as they’d hope… and they quit. Quitting is the easiest thing to do. And who quits more often than not? Boys.

St. John popped his neck before his neck without taking his eyes off the camera.

ST. JOHN: Boys don’t want to work hard and show character and strength. Boys don’t want to be patient and committed. Boys want everything to go their way the first time. Boys spend most of their life jumping from opportunity to opportunity, goal to goal, never really accomplishing anything worthwhile. And that’s what Alex Jones and J2H have reverted to. Boys.

St. John looked down for a moment and took slightly gulped as he prepared to reveal something from deep inside him.

ST. JOHN: I’m not perfect whatsoever. It’s why I was exiled from the Order of Missio Dei. A couple weeks back, after Inception III, I was ready to quit my life with Effie Bingham and SCW, not because I lost the Golden Briecase Ladder Match, I gave everything that night, but because I was shaken to my core by the appearance of my former Blackwatch brothers at the PPV to take me back to the Order. I let fear and doubt get cloud my judgment to the point I was about to give up on the greatest blessings God has given me thus far. It’s not easy for me to admit this, but if I hadn’t learn from this experience I am no better than the Alex Jones and J2H’s of the world. I’m man enough to admit and make the appropriate changes, so I am no boy. I may attract the attention of males and females alike but I’m comfortable in my own skin. I know who I am. And I man up...each and every day… inside and outside the ring.

St. John paused to let his statement sink into his audience.

ST. JOHN: Sadly, most boys never become men. Men don’t quit. Men decide what it is EXACTLY they want and go after it until it’s theirs. If they encounter a roadblock, make a mistake, or fail when attempting to reach their goal; they don’t bitch, moan, cry, quit, or move on to something else… THEY KEEP GOING UNTIL THEY FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE RESULTS THEY WANT! Men know they won’t figure everything out overnight. They know they’ll have to put in the time, energy, and sacrifice. But most importantly, they know “failure” will happen and know better than allowing it to keep them from being persistent. Nothing worthwhile will come to you if you act like a boy. You’ll always wonder why so many people are successful and champions in their chosen field while you just can’t seem to figure your shit it out.

St. John took a couple steps toward the camera. He’s still glistening in sweat from his furious heavy bag session.

ST. JOHN: And that’s what this SCW Unified Roulette Championship Triple Threat Match is all about: Persistence. Can Ty West overcome the challenge of me and Travis Levitt? Neither of us is going to back down. I’ve taken Travis’ best shots and still came out on top. But he’s no joke. Any given day Travis could get the best of me. Same for Ty. Whoever is the most persistent in that ring at Climax Control will come out of it as the SCW Unified Roulette Champion. Guaranteed.

St. John crossed his arms in front of him.

ST. JOHN: Anyone who’s successful, a reigning champion even, will tell you how it took a while to get what they wanted, how they had to work hard, and how they didn’t allow any setbacks along the way to stop them. So my question to you, Ty and Travis is this… and it’s a very important question so give it some good thought before Climax Control.

He gave a pause for dramatic effect.

ST. JOHN: Are you a man or a boy? Whatever happens in the Triple Threat Match is going to define the immediate future of each one of us. How we respond to it will determine the depth of our character. I learned my lesson at Inception III. What about you, Travis? What about you, Ty? Will you handle a loss like a boy or like a man? Boys are willing to let a little setback, and their lack of character, get the best of them. Men, on the other hand, don’t let anything stop them. They know the life they want, deserve, and REFUSE to live any other way. And once they get what they want, they stand tall as men and get admired by the boys. “Whoa, I wish I could be like him...like SCW Unified Roulette Champion.”

The camera focused on St. John’s stoic expression.

ST. JOHN: At Climax Control, it will be time for you both to make this very important decision. Are you going to be a boy or a man? Are you going to quit at the very first sign of defeat? Are you going to let the boy inside you get the best of you? Or is the man going to come out and eliminate the boy for good so you can call the Roulette Championship your earned right? I have made my choice. It’s on you both now. Choose wisely, the rest of your life could depend on it.

***

OFF-CAMERA
DATE: January 13, 2019
LOCATION: Effie & St. John’s Residence

As the Uber neared the home shared with Effie, St. John looked at his phone screen. It had been nearly 20 minutes since his last communication with Effie. Nothing via voice or text. He implored the driver to go faster. Suddenly, a text chimed in.

VIA TEXT
EFFIE: WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! I just knocked out this dude that was lurking around the house and I got him tied up in my kitchen! And I got my needle nose pliers ready. Should I pull teeth or finger nails first?
ST. JOHN: I’m right around the corner!

The Uber was stopped at stop light and St. John didn’t wait for driver to get moving again. He booked it out of the car and ran the rest of the way to the house. When he approached the house, St. John went directly to the back entrance to the kitchen as he yelled out for his love.

ST. JOHN: EFFIE?!

St. John feverishly looked about him. Effie was sitting on the counter playing with the pair of needle nose pliers. In front of her was a man, slouched forward in a chair. His long dark hair was hanging forward, covering his face. Effie had tied him up with the ties from the front room drapery.

EFFIE: So is he one of yours?

St. John was finally able to catch his breath. He looked at Effie, half-relieved, half-angry at her nonchalant attitude.

ST. JOHN: I love you too.

The tone in his voice was colder than usual for his interactions with Effie. He examined their “prisoner” carefully.

ST. JOHN: The uniform is different from our issued gear. It looks like the retired gear of the first Blackwatch division.

Effie interjected her two cents.

EFFIE: Whoever the fuck he is, he wasn't expecting me to hit him with that big terracotta pot that was on the porch. But, damn, was he heavy to get in the house.

St. John looked back at the unconscious man.

ST. JOHN: He’s easily 6 foot 8-9 inches, maybe 250 pounds.

EFFIE: He thought he was smooth but I saw him before I even pulled in the driveway so I turned off my lights and parked behind that big bush. Then I snuck up on the fucker.

St. John checked the back of the man’s head. There’s a small gash.

ST. JOHN: He’s going to feel that blow for a while.

EFFIE: I don't give a flying fuck. All I know is he's trespassing. He's lucky I didn't exercise my 2nd amendment right. The gash will heal. If I pulled out my shotgun, he'd just be dead.

Effie played with her finger nails seemingly unmoved about the man's injury.

ST. JOHN: I’m not mad you. It’s your house.

St. John turned around to look at Effie. He had a concerned expression. He pointed at the unconscious man.

ST. JOHN: THIS is why I was leaving Las Vegas. This isn’t your problem. It’s mine.

Effie maintained her nonchalant expression.

EFFIE: They won't leave me alone now. I cannibalized one of their guys. I don’t that’s going to be forgotten. Besides…

Effie held up her hand with a healing scar.

EFFIE: We're like genetically bonded now. You can't quit me.

St. John lightly touched the scar.

ST. JOHN: You know... you're taking this blood-bonding more serious than most MD members.

Effie’s demeanor finally softened.

EFFIE: Why wouldn't I? Was I not supposed to? I thought that was the point. I told you I loved you. I have NEVER told anyone that. It's serious to me.

Effie clenched her fists as she looked passed St. John at movement from the intruder. A deep male voice interrupted them.

INTRUDER: That's... the way... blood bonds should be... St. John.

St. John turned around wide-eyed that the restrained intruder knew his name.

EFFIE: Yeah... listen to that dude…

Effie turned back toward the intruder. She picked up the pliers and started clicking them open and close.

EFFIE: Like I was saying, fingernails or teeth…

St. John blocked them as Effie got a sinister look.

ST. JOHN: Back off a sec, Eff.

SSt. John stood in front of the intruder.

ST. JOHN: It doesn’t bother you that I’ve blood-bonded with a Godless?

The intruder lifted his head. He had piercing green eyes behind the long dark hair. He stared at them.

INTRUDER: Love...has no boundaries. That was our way… before the Archpriests.

Effie smirked, watching the man with interest.

EFFIE: This guy is pretty hippy dippy for one of you monks...

St. John ignored the Effie’s wise crack and interrogated the intruder.

ST. JOHN: Who are you? This isn’t standard Blackwatch gear.

The man kept his glare on the both of them.

INTRUDER: My name is...Diego. Diego Vega. I, too… was an exiled monk of Missio Dei.

EFFIE: Motherfucker…

Effie snorted a laugh.

EFFIE: Then why you being all Richard Ramirez around my house?

Vega smirked proudly.

VEGA: I wanted to see what I was up against. To see if the rumors were true… that the son of the Cross family was indeed among the Godless.

St. John gave Effie a quick glance.

ST. JOHN: I wouldn’t say that word too much around Effie.

St. John threw a warning glance.

EFFIE: I'm not a fucking godless.

Effie slammed her fist on the counter and lightning quick has the man by the collar of his shirt.

EFFIE: Call me godless again and it will be more than just a gash and picking clay out of your hair.

Vega smiled at Effie, not showing an ounce of fear.

VEGA Fair enough. But this is why you’re perfect for St. John, Ms. Bingham. You will be the ying to his yang and vice versa. And together you will bring down the Archpriest and his family’s reign of oppression.

Vega’s words sobered her and she stepped back startled. And for once she has no retort. St. John stepped in.

ST. JOHN: How do you know us?

Vega gave him a smile.

VEGA: Always inquisitive. Never satisfied until you have the truth. You really are a Cross.

Vega paused to gather his thoughts as he’s still felt the effects of Effie’s clay pot.

VEGA: Many moons ago, I was one of the first boys sent to Blackwatch for siding with your family’s underground reform movement. The Cross family was the true leadership of Missio Dei since it’s creation. Loving, inclusive, defenders of universal truth. So I followed them. When we were betrayed by the family of the Archpriest, your grandmother prophesied that the day was coming when a seed of the Cross would grow among the Godless, with all due respect, Effie, and restore Missio Dei. I have seen you and Effie in dreams. You two are the fulfillment of the prophecy.

St. John could only stand there, paralyzed, mouth agape. Effie suddenly burst into laughter, which seemed to annoy both men.

EFFIE: Me saving anyone, especially a large religious organization is hilarious. You may know Sin, but you obviously don't know me at all.

Vega smirked and shook his head.

VEGA: Unbelievably, this is why you’re perfect. And Missio Dei was never meant to be an organized institution. It was originally a way of life. One that you two have already begun to live when you bonded by blood. Laugh all you want, Effie Bingham, soon you’ll realize it’s true.

Effie glared at Vega for somehow being able to look inside her.

EFFIE: I'm not godless, but that doesn't mean I follow whatever kooky things you two believe. If you knew what I have gone through, you'd have doubts about a benevolent god too.

St. John cut the emotional escalation off at the pass.

ST. JOHN: Let’s not get into a theological debate.

St. John walked behind Vega and began to untie him.

ST. JOHN: If you betray me, I’ll kill you. And I might even let Effie toy with you beforehand.

Vega smirked but nodded in agreement. Effie feigned disappointment

EFFIE: Damn…

Effie put the pliers back on the counter.

EFFIE: So spill it. Why are you here?

Vega stretched out some kinks and popped some joints. Although an older gentleman, Vega was still in good shape.

VEGA: Firstly, to find out if the rumors were true that, Junior, here was indeed a Cross. Secondly, to warn you that you’ve started a revolution in MD that’s been years in the making. And, lastly, to offer the both of you my training, support, and resources.

St. John cocked an eyebrow.

ST. JOHN: Junior?

Effie smirked at the thought.

EFFIE: So like a Mexican Mr. Miyagi? You gonna show us how to balance on logs and wax on, wax off..."

Effie imitated some really bad karate moves.

VEGA: No, more like ninjitsu, stealth, the arts of deception & espionage technology. You’re going to need these resources just to keep up with them.

Effie’s eyes glimmered.

EFFIE: Oooh like Mission Impossible. Including the creepy religious dude that pretends to be normal.

Vega looked at St. John.

VEGA: Something like that… How come she’s more excited about this than you are?

St. John kept his steely demeanor.

ST. JOHN: She’s got an issue with bloodlust.

Vega saw his opportunity to make his exit and headed for the door.

VEGA: Think about my offer, just don’t wait too long. Blackwatch will be back and in greater numbers. We’ll be in touch.

EFFIE: Just no more sneaking around in the dark, capice?

Vega rubbed his head.

VEGA: Fair enough.

Vega left as St. John looked at Effie with a serious expression. His tone was somber.

ST. JOHN: I have no rational reason to believe him but I do. I still should have never gotten you involved in this. This is isn’t your battle.

Effie walked up to his and wrapped her arms around him.

EFFIE: St. John, stop. If I had a problem supporting you I would have bailed on you at the show. I'm a big girl. I have basically taken care of myself since I was 8 years old. I know the momentousness of this. I know the potential to get hurt is there. But everything I have with you, everything you have given me... well it's worth it.

St. John got a slight smile as he wrapped his arms around her.

ST. JOHN: This is a lot to process. I’m going to go to the chapel and brood.

EFFIE: I'll leave the light on in the back. Don't need anybody else lurking in the dark.

She snuggled into him and looked up.

EFFIE: Someone once told me that God only gives us what he thinks we can handle. Just thought it might help you in this situation. I'm going to have a shower. I might pass out after that.

He leaned down and caressed her face. He followed it up with a passionate kiss that she reciprocated.

ST. JOHN: I love you, Effie. I’ll try not to wake you when I get back.

EFFIE: If you do, I'll just put you to work.

Effie winked at him before separating and heading upstairs. St. John watched her until she was completely up into the second floor.

ST. JOHN: God help us.

***

ON-CAMERA
DATE: January 27, 2019
LOCATION: Henderson Pavilion

St. John was backstage in the Henderson Pavilion. He was looking at the Climax Control 226 event poster with large images of Ty West, holding the SCW Unified Roulette Championship over his shoulder, Travis Leavitt in an aggressive stance, and his picture between them look unmoved. As St. John stared at his image, he spoke without turning around to face the camera.

ST. JOHN: It’s taken time. It’s taken patience. It taken everything you’ve got. Your relationship with Ty will change after tonight, but you if you want to be champion, you have to risk it. No risk, no reward. Travis Leavitt is a dynamic talent but you’ve withstood his onslaught and made him pay for not putting you down for the three count. He knows you have an edge on him.

He paused momentarily.

ST. JOHN: You’re going hurt...bad. You’ll get tired. You’ll want to give up. You’ll question if it’s worth it. Many in the crowd will demotivate you with your bitter words. People will talk bad about you. People will question your motives but you have no one to answer to but yourself. People will want to see you to fail because deep down they know they won’t succeed in life, much less the ring. It will feel like the world is against you… and at the end, it will ALL have been more than worth it.

St. John looked closer at Ty’s championship belt.

ST. JOHN: You’ll be grateful you stuck with it and became successful. Champion even. And most importantly, free from the tyranny of the Archpriest of Missio Dei. Nothing worth having comes easy. If it came easy, it wouldn’t be worth having. Look at Effie, the love of your life. Look at the life outside the monastery, free. You can’t take your foot off the pedal. If anything, put to the floor.

St. John turned around and faced the camera.

ST. JOHN: At the end of this journey, there will be no doubt who St. John Cross is. I’ll know who my true friends are. Who I can count on. And who deserves to be in my life. This journey will be a blessing in disguise. It will help eliminate negative things in life that you weren’t aware of before. I won’t lose ANYTHING on the road to success. I will gain the best things in life. I won’t stop. I won’t quit. I won’t submit. I’m almost there… I DARE YOU TO STOP ME.

Effie entered the camera shot and reached up to pull his long leather ring robe hood over his head.

EFFIE: It’s time. Go get what’s yours… my champion.

Slow fade to black.

 OFF-CAMERA

The Gospel of St. John Cross - Chapter 1

“Never leave Mission Dei,” they said.
“The Land of the Godless is for no human being,” they said.
“You are a member of Blackwatch.”
“Blackwatch protects Missio Dei from the Godless until the Day of Judgement comes and annihilates all sinners.”
“Blackwatch studies the Godless.”
“Blackwatch trains you to destroy the Godless.”
“In many ways you become like them but you are consecrated for holy mission.”
“However you will not become one of them,” they said.

Then they exiled me to the Land of the Godless.

My name is St. John Cross.
I am 24 years old.
I am a member of a religious order called Missio Dei or “The Mission of God.”
Five hundred years ago, when the Protestants and the Catholics waged war on one another, a group of men and women dedicated to the Way of the Master separated themselves and began a community called Missio Dei.
They devoted themselves to living a simple lifestyle based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Eventually, Missio Dei grew to become an underground international movement for the good of all humanity in the name of the Master.
Outposts or monasteries were created all over the known world with the monastery in the fledgling United States becoming its headquarters.

One hundred and fifty years ago, the Council of the Master elected a former Godless to be the Archpriest of Missio Dei; his bloodline has ruled ever since.
A former politician in the Land of the Godless, the Archpriest brought “new ideas” to the council and created an order-wide constitution called the Master’s Manifesto which added rules and regulations to the order’s way of life.
Since the council overwhelmingly approved the Manifesto, the majority of the members surrendered to its rule of law.
Dissidents to the Manifesto were threatened with exile into the Land of the Godless and/or excommunication from the order.
Youth who showed ‘signs’ of rebellion were sent to Blackwatch.
Blackwatch is Missio Dei’s military branch.
Historically, Missio Dei was a pacifist movement but under the rule of the Archpriest and his Manifesto the opposite became true of the movement.

I am (or was?) a member of Blackwatch.

When I was 12 years old, my parents were found to be dissidents by the Archpriest.
According to the Manifesto, people declared Godless disciplined harshly.
Since my parents were prominent and respected members of the Missio Dei community, and to squelch any more ideas of dissent, the Archpriest made an example of them.
They each received the penalty of the Soul’s Demise.

I haven’t forgiven the Archpriest for my parents’ murders.
I have internalized my thoughts and feelings for the past 12 years until now.
After my Blackwatch unit destroyed a whole Middle Eastern town for undisclosed reasons, I lost it.
Not only did I challenge my superiors (physically), I took my concerns to the Council of the Master.
When the Council found me “unfit for holy service” in a mock tribunal, they exiled me.
“The Land of the Godless will force you to repent,” they said.
“When we return for you, you will submit willingly to the Manifesto and the Archpriest,” they said.

“To Hell I will,” I said.
I looked at the Archpriest and mouthed “Fuck you!”
“I’m not done with you yet...Godless” he said with evil in his eyes.
“Neither am I… murderer.”
God had grace on the Archpriest that day.
But the day is coming when I won’t shed any grace on him.

This is where my gospel begins.

*****

ON-CAMERA

But A Clown Is A Clown

“They say everyone has a dark side; a part of themselves that isn’t so kosher for the rest of the world. Well...even monks have a dark side.”

St. John Cross sits on a wood bench inside a locker room of a local Vegas combat sports training facility. He is wrapping his right hand with white tape as he prepares to head into the facility’s main gym area. He looks up at the camera with a serious demeanor. Even his model good looks can’t erase the agitation on his face and the tone in his voice.

“I hate clowns. I wish I could say that they didn’t scare me at my 24 years of age, but let’s be honest, I just can’t be in the same room as clowns. It’s probably why I couldn’t stand to be in the presence of the Archpriest and his council. They’re a circus of clowns. And the Archpriest is their ringleader. But I digress.”

St. John bites the tape loose from the tape roll and affixes it to the rest of his hand. He punches it into his bare left hand to ensure a comfortable fit.

“I was very excited to learn that I was booked on the card of Climax Control 223 against Anthrax until I learned who this ‘Metal Maniac’ is. I figured Anthrax was an overzealous heavy metal fan. You could imagine my shock when I learned he’s a clown, and not just any clown, an insane, psychopathic clown in a loincloth.”

St. John lowers his head and takes a deep breath before continuing on.

“I have issues. I never would have been in Blackwatch if I was just your average Joe falling in line for the Archpriest and his Manifesto. I can’t stand injustice. I lose myself in the cause of injustice but I go to a dark place when I see a clown.”

The tone in St. John’s voice grows somber as he recalls a memory.

“A couple years ago, I was on a Blackwatch mission in downtown Istanbul. I was doing surveillance on a suspected terrorist. He went into a small cafe so I followed him there and sat in the far corner where I could watch his every move while avoiding unwanted attention. The suspected terrorist gave the cafe owner a nod and handed him a package which confirmed our suspicions that they were working together to cause people harm.”

St. John takes another deep breath. This one more labored then the previous one.

“Before I could take any action, a street clown entered the cafe to entertain the customers. A street clown. Whether the clown was part of the terrorist organization, I’ll never know, but a clown is a clown in my screwed up psyche. The clown had frizzy-rainbow-hair, the classic red nose, white facepaint, baggy clothes, and those stupid shoes as long as its legs. I don’t even remember if it was male or female. But a clown is a clown.”

St. John tries to lessen the agony of the memory by taping his left hand.

“The critical mistake was the clown approaching me before I could exit the cafe. I was in full panic arrest and I couldn’t risk the mission because of my psychosis. Sadly, the clown made me the target of its attention when I got to my feet.”

“‘I am a clown,’ it said.”

“‘You’re in my way,’ I responded.”

“‘I make people happy,’ it continued.”

“‘Not me,’ I warned. I glared at it as my inner darkness began to overwhelm me. I hoped it would get the point and move but it didn’t, so I sidestepped it. Like a shadow, it followed me.”

“‘I can't let you leave until you smile! Why won't you smile?’”

“‘You are in my way’ I stated firmly as I watched the suspected terrorist exit the cafe.”

“‘But why won’t you smile?’ it repeated.”

“I gave the clown a final warning. ‘You’re in my way. Please… move or there will be consequences.”

“‘Why won’t you smile?’”

St. John smashes his hand into the opposite hand. There was more power behind this impact as the sound echoed in the locker room.

“I lost it. I couldn’t control myself. I grabbed a metal chair that accompanied the table next me and whacked the clown on the side of the head with it. The clown immediately bent over and yelped in pain. I pulled off its nose and tossed it aside. I pulled at the wig and it stuck! It was real hair!”

“I could feel myself smile as I envisioned the first clown that ever scared me juxtaposed with the Archpriest’s mug as I watched my parents die. This clown paid a heavier toll for bothering a cafe visitor. I heard myself say, ‘He-he, you got what you wanted, asshole! Look I’m smiling!’”

St. John looks up from his tapework. There is a sinister gleam in his eye.

“I don’t know who Anthrax is behind the dried, tattered makeup. I read somewhere that he’s possibly a former member of the Armed Forces for doing the same thing I did to my unit leader and want to do to the Archpriest. Maybe we’re cut from the same cloth than I really want to admit.”

St. John rises to his feet.

“But a clown’s a clown. Anthrax...I’ll see you at Climax Control 223. God have grace on you, because knowing me, I sure as Hell, won’t.”

*****

OFF-CAMERA

“Are you sure you’re okay with me staying here?”

St. John was flabbergasted that he was standing in the doorway of a huge mansion owned by Effie Bingham. When Ty West suggested he make acquaintances with Effie, he never imagined going he’d be going from a 10-foot by 10-foot room to a room the size of the Blackwatch barracks.

“For the last time, Monk, YES! If Ty says you’re cool, I believe him. Plus, you’re a monk. What trouble can a monk be? I’d be more concerned about perverting you with my habit of walking around here butt-naked.”

Effie smiled coyly as St. John looked at her with trepidation. There was no shame to her game. As much as St. John was shocked by his new living quarters, Effie relished in the idea of challenging his monastic lifestyle. She smacked him in the ass before asking him a question. She went for another feel until he caught her hand.

“Ooo...strong and hot. I like that. Are all the monks where you come from as hot as you?”

St. John was well-trained and knowledgeable about life in the Land of the Godless. But he was not prepared for advances of Godless women much less a woman like Effie Bingham.

“I...I don’t know?”

He returns her hand to her side. She responds with a playful smile and a wink.

“Good. Then you’re all mine, Monk.”

St. John feigns a smile. Effie was hot but he wasn’t sure being housemates with such a brash, forward, and unknown woman was the best idea. But he had nowhere else to go since he signed with SCW. He gave her a stern look.

“How about we start by you calling me ‘Sinjin’ instead of ‘Monk?’”

Effie narrowed her eyes as she realized that St. John had an edge in him. She rolled her tongue in her cheek as she turned to head into living room.

“Okay SINJIN… I’ll be in the living room catching up on Game of Thrones if you need me. Make yourself at home. Mi casa es su casa…….Monk!”

Effie took another swipe at his ass. He dodged it and raised a finger of warning at her.

“Hey, this is my house and you’re hot. Can you blame me?”

She turns around and saunters into the living room ensuring his gets an eyeful of her round butt cheeks in short shorts. St. John whispered to himself.

“Dear God...what did I get myself into? The Council will shit their pants if they find out WHERE I am and with WHO!”

The thought of displeasing the Council and, even more, the Archpriest brought a smile to his face.

“Come find me, Missio Dei. I dare you.”

St. John grabs his duffle bag and heads up the spiral staircase to begin his life outside the monastery.