The Ghost April 2016 Issue: The Big Battle (Radio Drama)

When a wrestling promotion comes to town, a body is found. Can The Ghost get justice and bring down a killer who is mascarading as,,,The Ghost? Only one masked man will be left standing.

The Ghost April 2016 Edition

The Great Battle

By Daniel Rodriguez


Ghost: I hear voices. They tell me to do things. They cry out for vengeance and justice. Only I can answer their call. The dead must find rest. They shall be avenged. I am "The Ghost".

Announcer: The Ghost!

FX: Wind

Announcer: Fighting for the supernatural, defying those who would take advantage of spirits, and keeping the boundaries safe. When the dead can't speak!

(Music; something mystical)

Announcer: Born able to communicate with the dead, Rick Hart, Private Eye, has established an agency secretly dedicated to serving those who passed and keeping balance in the two worlds. Should there be a murder most foul, should there be a grave threat to the powers that be. Then prepare for an otherworldly encounter with The Ghost!

FX: Clock counting down the time till it rings midnight.

Announcer: The fates have set. The time has come for the fantastic mystery ride of paranormal proportions, The Great Fight.

Background Fx: A Crowd Gathering

FX: Cameras being tested.

Cameraman: Okay, one, two and three.

FX: Flash

Cameraman: Okay, that is good. We got it.

Reporter 1: So, what do you think the big speech will be about.

Reporter 2: Mr. Carmicheal has been putting a lot of effort into it. I hear they have already done three road shows. My guess is they are going to end this show in our beloved city.
Reporter 1: Wrestling, here?

Reporter 2: Why not? There is nothing like a good action show.

FX: Voices go into a Frenzy

Reporter 3: Mr Carmicheal!
Reporter 4: Jimmy!
Reporter 5: I have a question!

Silence

FX: Foot Steps

FX: A Chair being pulled out

Jimmy: Greetings everyone. As you all know, I am Jimmy Carmicheal, Owner of Weston’s Cars and Imports. In the past month, I have taken some money aside, and raised enough of a war chest to put on a series of super cards featuring the top wrestling talents in the country. We have bought out contracts, made new ones, and negotiated with some of the craziest people around the world. A lot of these people are highly ranked on the global ladder. Another group of them are relatively unknown and I intend to bring them to the spotlight. I would like to take this moment to officially announce that we are taking our show for a two night engagement in the city. Night one will be filled with some excellent exhibition matches. The second night, will culminate in a main event for what will be the first ever true world championship between the master of martial arts Naoto Yasuhiro and the masked wrestler we have dubbed after the great local legend, “The Ghost.”

FX: Crowd Uproar.

Reporter: Why The Ghost?

Jimmy: He is a local legend, sure, but the man who will be wearing his mask and honoring him will be one of the best masked wrestlers in the world. He is a man without a true face or a name, and what better way than to give him the moniker of a true hero for his most epic battle in the ring. You will see him in action tomorrow night during our debut and you can see just why he is main event material.

FX: Radio being flipped off.

Rick: So Mr. Cutty, you believe there might be something fishy with the promoter coming to town? I admit I am intrigued by a series of fight cards coming to our fair city.

Cutty: We have reason to believe that these funds he raised, were not just from his second hand dealership. We do not think that he could raise the money, the attention, and the deals he has made alone. We believe the Cesar Family Syndicate is involved.

Rick: The Syndicate?

Cutty: That is right Mr Hart. My Company has been pressured by an unknown benefactor into sponsoring for this event and if it is the Cesar Syndicate, we need to find an exit strategy. I will not be making bed friends with criminals.

Rick: Then why go to a private detective and not the police?

Cutty: My niece recommended you after you found her daughter who went missing. Billions of people in the world, untolds square miles, and you found her.

Rick: I am just a humble servant of the people. For a price of course.

Cutty: Can you take my case. It will pay enough for rent on this unit several times over.

Rick: When you put it like that it would be a very cruel thing for me to disagree with you. Sure, I will definitely look into it.

Cutty: Thank you so much, Mr. Hart.

Rick: Just call me Rick. I will bill you when I have the information you need.

FX: Walking away.

FX: Door Closes.

Malina: So our next case is pro wrestling? Never thought I would live to see the day.

Rick: But you’re a ghost, living to see the day should not be a vernacular you can use.

Malina: Never thought I would live to see the day my brother tells me what I can and cannot say.

Rick: Fair enough. Your thoughts?

FX: Knock on door

Rick: Come in.

FX: Door opens

Linda: Rick. Was that our newest client?

Rick: Yes it was. That is Mr Cutty of Cutty’s Cream. He believes his group has been “tricked” into sponsoring an event and they want me to come and make sure it is a legitimate business venture.

Linda: Sounds nice.

Rick: Speaking of, I am wondering if you have made any plans for the night?

Silence

Malina: You are not about to ask her out are you?

Linda: I, um…

Rick: I got two tickets to an event, would you like to come with me?

FX: A Body Falls

Malina: Oh my gosh she fainted!

Rick: Why would she faint, does she have health problems?

Malina: For a super hero, you sure are an idiot.

Dramatic Music and fade out

Linda: Excuse me.

Man: Hey.

Linda: Sorry. Um, can you tell me which seat is twenty six C? Ah, thank you.

Malina: Here comes your date.

Rick: This isn’t a date.

Linda: So, I thought this was going to be a concert or something but…

Rick: It is a show.
Linda: But I didn’t think you meant pro wrestling…

Rick: We are here on an investigation. I thought that it could be fun to bring someone along.

Malina: At least you didn’t ask for three tickets this time.

Rick: I forgot about you.

Malina: What!?
Linda: What?

Rick: I meant that I know violence isn’t really your thing.

Linda: Fake violence is even worse but… okay, it will be okay.

Rick: Yeah, at most have fun and I can begin my work once the show is over.

Malina: So Rick, um, you read the card and heard the press conference on this event, right?

Rick: Yeah.

Linda: Yeah what?

Rick: I am just thinking about the event.

Malina: So you know, there is going to be a match featuring a character claiming to be your alter ego.

Linda: What about the event?

Rick: Well apparently they are using a character called The Ghost.

Linda: You mean like our local hero?

Rick: I wouldn’t say hero. That is a bit nice.

Malina: So you don’t think its wrong? That they are just copyrighting your character and using him to sell tickets?

Rick: Well I mean he is going to be in the championship match tomorrow right?

Malina: But they are making money off of you!

Rick: The Ghost cannot be copyrighted.

Linda: But if they do copyright him, then don’t you think that maybe he will need to change his gimmick?

Rick: (Coughing) Change…gimmick!?

Malina: So you just flat out don’t care, that your image, everything you stand for is being commercialized for someone’s profit?

Rick: As I said, the Ghost isn’t made for personal gain. He does it for the sake of it being a job needing to be done. If we were to say The Ghost wants notoriety than I… I think he would not feel the need to wear a mask, obscure his voice, and focus on changing his eye color.

Linda: His eye color? Oh, you mean like how his eyes glow. I mean I haven’t seen him in person as much as some other people have in this city…

Rick: But my point is, money, profits, these things aren’t essential to the reasoning behind the Ghost and as such he cannot be owned.

Malina: But he is being owned. Why don’t you take some pride and stop being humble for once in your life.

Narrator: Meanwhile as the show was soon to began, Backstage something else was brewing.

Wrestler: Masked man coming through.

Wrestler 2: So That’s to be our “Ghost” eh?

Ahmed: Yeah, they thought it would be a great way to get the locals behind the spirit of the main event if I took on the form of their figure.

Wrestler 3: Heck no. We both know Jimmy Carmicheal is using you as a cash cow. If this tour goes well, he can carry that Ghost fellah around the world with him.

Ahmed: I will see you all out there then.

Wrestler 3: Have a good show tonight. Good luck in the main event tomorrow. The entire town will be watching.

FX: Door closes.

Ahmed: Ah, finally, getting this alone time. I can think. So, the locals love “The Ghost”. I wonder if he is just a myth as boss says?

Fake: Don’t worry about your match.

Ahmed: Who’s there? What? What are you doing in my costume. I am supposed to wear that tonight!

Fake: So you wear that cheesy mask even if you are in your own locker?

Ahmed: This is my personal room.

Fake: Why wont you let anyone see your face? Even your co workers.

Ahmed: I…have reasons. No one can know who I am.

Fake: So, you get paid under table, just like the boss said.

Ahmed: What does Carmicheal…

Fake: I wasn’t talking about Carmicheal. But this is good though. If no one knows who you are… you wont be missed when I take your place.

Ahmed: My place?

Fake: You are a masked wrestler without a gimmick or an identity, the only proof of your existence to anyone is that you are in front of them, so if you disappear, anyone can be you.

Ahmed: What are you talking about? Hey…put that down!

FX: Thunk!

FX: Body falls.

Fake: I am you, and now I am The Ghost. Tonight, I make my debut, and tomorrow I will be the world champion. Oh hey, the so called “hero of the city” is up in a few minutes. That gives me enough time to move you to another room. Hey “ghost”, enjoy that afterlife you have been sent to; if you are there now. Hehehe.

Silence

Malina: And then we can get a new car!

Rick: This isn’t about a car.

Malina: A new house. Oh my gosh. We can get a two story house! I can have a floor all to myself. It would be like my own home. I could…

Rick: With what? What would you do? Watch television?

Malina: I could hang out with those spirits at the graveyard. That lovely once alive couple that haunt the bakery! Oh. I can host parties!

Rick: And what would you eat? How would you entertain these non living guests?

Linda: I hate my life.

Rick: And don’t you think you should stop egging me right now when a person can see me talking to myself?

Malina: She is having too much of a boring time to realize you are even talking right now. Look at her?

Rick: Okay, so say I copyright The Ghost. Sue for royalties, damages, and all that fun stuff…

Malina: Open a clothing line and a series of action figures.

Rick: That too…

Malina: AND DOLLS! Oh wow. Imagine a plush figure of you dressed up in that awful outfit. It would be a hit with little girls!

Rick: The point is, as I have been saying, None of this was designed for any level of financial gain. That is why I opened up a legitimate business.

Malina: Private detective is not a legitimate business. It is, ‘hello, I am a washout from the police force, please hire me while I stalk your ex‘. And for the record. No. That is not why you opened your private detective business. You opened it as a front for your alter ego so no one would be bugging out on you for doing your own investigations. If it was about the money, you would have accepted those high profile “Please stalk my girlfriend” cases a long time ago.

Rick: You are distracting me from my job right now.

Linda: I could have gone to college, found a nice guy…

Rick: We are here to investigate a crime family…

Linda: I could have had children by now. A loving home. Two sets of eyes who love me…

Malina: We are here to watch pro wrestling. And no, you havent paid a single cent of attention this entire time. Can you tell me who won the last five matches?

Rick: If you would just stop talking.

Linda: (Low self esteem/pondering life in a daze) Just stop talking, that is all I am good for…isn’t it?

Rick: Okay, for your information, the fat man won the last match.

Malina: Fatman had a name Rick. And he lost.

Rick: That one tag team….

Malina: Strike two, no tag teams yet on this card…

Rick: And the girls, they were pulling each others hair.

Malina: Okay, yeah, that happened. Point is brother,

FX: Bell ringing.

Announcer: The Following contest is for sixty minutes, standard rules. From Westfalls Nebraska…Amish Dave!

FX: Crowd cheers.

Linda: I have given my life to a man who is making me watch Amish Dave…why…?

Announcer: And now, the number 2 contender for the soon to be crowned World Heavyweight title. The Paranormal Hero of Tomorrow. The Savior of the City. The Legend of all Legends. THE GHOST!

FX: Crowd erupts into cheers.

Malina: The paranormal hero of tomorrow? That is just stupid.

Rick: There he is.

Malina: Surreal. Isn’t it? Seeing someone…be you? Crowd loves you. That, that is all for you.

Linda: I don’t get it. They keep calling him a legend…why?

Rick: Outsiders don’t believe the Ghost is real. They believe, that we believe, nothing more than that.

Malina: His outfit looks nothing like yours. His mask is all wrong. He doesn’t even have your…flair.

Rick: I will take that as a compliment.

Linda: While this is entertaining and even, strangely surreal, Rick, I am leaving. Thank you for what has been a wonderful night, but I need to go home.

FX: Walking away.

Linda: (fading out) excuse me, pardon me….

Rick: Grab a seat sis.

Malina: Sure! I was tired of standing anyways.

Rick: So, what do you think? Now that you have seen “The Ghost?”

FX: Bell rings.

Malina: We need popcorn.

Rick: Match is starting.

FX: Body hitting the particle board.

FX; Crowd cheering.

Rick: They take this stuff seriously. Look at them move.

Malina: Amish Dave is surprisingly agile for a half naked man with an incredible beard.

Rick: I somehow doubt he is even Amish.

Malina: I haven’t been around many Amish, but somehow I think they are going to be offended if they ever find out about this.


FX; Body hitting the board.

Dave: Ahhhh!

FX: Crowd cheers

Fade out

Fade in.

Malina: This match has been going on for some time, I don’t see either side getting closer to winning.

Rick:…

Malina: Rick?

Rick: Shhh…I don’t want to miss out on the finisher if it comes out of nowhere.

Malina: (laughs) I should have known better. This is all fake, remember.

Rick: Scripted, not fake.

Malina: Look. What’s that coming from the entrance?

Rick: Silence.

Malina: I mean look Rick.

Rick: I…wait…its blue, and its moving closer…

Malina: It looks like a man…

Ahmed: Wait! Someone! Anyone!

Rick: I think it’s a person but…its blue…oh…

Malina: Oh no.

Rick: A ghost. A ghost is crashing the show.

Ahmed: Stop the match! Why can’t you hear me! Why can’t anyone hear me! Why isn’t anyone looking at me?

Rick: Sis.

Malina: Yes Rick?

Rick: Go down there and bring him to me.

Malina: Got it brother.

Ahmed: What is wrong? Can they not…see me? Can I… What is going on? Why do I feel so…why do I look like this?

Malina: Hello.

Ahmed: Who are you? What are you doing down here?

Malina: I am Malina Hart. Nice to meet you?

Ahmed: I am…The Ghost…

Malina: The Ghost? You mean the wrestler?

Ahmed: Yeah. But someone is dressed as me.

Malina: You mean the man in the ring?

Ahmed: Yes. Can you help me stop the fight?

Malina: You are dead. I hate to say this. But you are actually a ghost.

Fx: Body hitting a board.

FX: Cheers.

Malina: Your life as a wrestler, your career is over. So how about you give me your name.

Ahmed: I am the wrestler with no face or name, I am the man in the mask.

Malina: You are not wearing a mask, not in death. I can see your face.

Ahmed: What!? You…see me…

Malina: Yeah, I do.
Ahmed: No one has seen me…in about 13 years.

Malina: So, if we are friends, and I would like to think we are friends, can I have your name?

Ahmed: Its…Ahmed. I have no last name. I never did.

Malina: Nice to meet you.

Ahmed: But if I am dead…then the man in the ring…

FX: Grunt in the back

FX: Cheers

Ahmed: The man in the ring…he killed me!

Malina: You really need to come with me.

Rick: So what took you guys so long? Enjoying the match?

Malina: This is Ahmed.

Rick: A pleasure to meet you Ahmed.

Ahmed: You can see me?

Rick: Of course I can see you because…

Malina: This is The Ghost.

Ahmed: It is just a gimmick I was to use while we stayed in the city…

Malina: No. I mean this idiot sitting in the stands is The Ghost.

Ahmed: Wait what?

Rick: So you’re the guy in the ring…wait what?

Malina: Ahem. Let me start over. Ahmedl This is my idiot brother whom you may know as The Ghost. Idiot brother, this man right here is the wrestler who was contracted to wrestle under the moniker, and break copyright laws that you should have set up long ago. And the man in the ring, right now, wrestling as the both of you, is the murderer.

Rick: Holy cow…

Malina: Yeah its a lot to take in.

Rick: We need to stop this match!

FX: Running.

Guard: Hey where do you think you are going?

Rick: Out of my way, this is an emergency!

Guard 2: We can’t just let anyone in.

Rick: My name is Rick Hart, I am a private investigator and I believe that there has been a murder in the locker rooms!

Naoto: What can I do for you?

Rick: And you are?

Naoto: Naoto Yasuhiro. You come barging into our back stage, I assume you have a reason or I am going to have to show you out.

Malina: Careful Rick, this guy is bigger and stronger than you.

Ahmed: He is also a deadly martial arts master.

Rick: I don’t need feedback from you two right now.

Naoto: What did you say to me?

Rick: I mean, where are my manners, ahem. I am Rick, and I am following up on a lead that there is a murder that has happened backstage.

Naoto: I have dealt with crazier games of silliness from other fans. Get him out of here!

Jimmy: Hold on, hold on. What’s this about a murder?

Rick: You must be Jimmy Carmicheal, owner of Weston’s imports…

Jimmy: And this is my show you are harassing. Now if I have you yelling literal cold blooded murder back stage at my event, that could ruin the show. And I don’t know you, I never heard of you, so I am going to give you one last thing for you to say for yourself before not only do I throw you out but…

Malina: Need me to use my powers to shut down the lights.

Rick: Stay your hand.

Jimmy: I don’t think I will. You are a crazed nut who dares think he can ruin Jimmy Carmi….

Wrestler; (Screaming like a girl)

All: (General noises of confusion)

Jimmy: What is this screaming.

FX: Man Running close.

Wrestler: There is a dead body. I don’t know who he is, but its some middle eastern fella, he’s cold dead. I was practicing my speech in the steam room when I fell over him!

Jimmy: A Murder you say?

Wrestler 2: (distant) Did you guys see the dead body?

Jimmy: Who now?

Wrestler 2: It is okay, I already called the cops!

Jimmy: You did what!? Darn this stupid fiasco. This whole thing. Alright, we are shutting the show down. None of you will be paid for tonight. You can blame the dumb wannabe detective, the jerk who killed whoever and moron for brains who ratted. Everyone go home!

FX: Door closes.

Malina: What a night this has been,

Rick: Yeah, but finally we got a moment to go over the case. You ready Ahmed?

Ahmed: Yes.

Malina: Okay, just tell us anything about yourself.

Rick: Tell us why, when we almost claimed you as…the ghost… you asked us not to.

Ahmed: I wear a mask, not just to hide my face but to be my own identity. I am a mystery and that is how I earn my reputation. You see, I was born in another country, I don’t know where. We came on a boat but my mother died before we finished the ride. I was just three. They put me in an orphanage. One of those ones that no one really knows. I have no paper work, I have nothing that says my name is Ahmed except a memory of my mom whispering it in my ear as she hugged me one last time.

Malina: I am sorry.

Rick: Pray, continue.

Ahmed: We were looked down on, beat up on, and I became tough for it. Eventually I ran away, I wanted to become something more than just a one name, but I could not do that as some illegal immigrant with no past. So I wore a mask. That mask, I used to create a legacy. No one saw me as some foreigner or anything, my mask covered that. I wrestled, the same as any other person trying to make their apartment payments with money. But my reputation, rather my series of masks’ reputation got bigger and bigger. They never knew who they were dealing with, that was always a stipulation. I got paid in cash and I would go home.

Rick: This event, how did it come about?

Ahmed: I, I was approached while doing work in Mexico that there was going to be a short tour with a lot of financial backing, and that they wanted me to win the main event at the end, and hold the world title… Can you believe that? The World Title?

Rick: It is just a marketing gimmick to fill seats.

Ahmed: Mr. Hart. If you reveal that I am that masked wrestler, my history, everything that I am, will be destroyed.

Rick: Ahmed. When you know who you are, you wont be remembered as just some immigrant dead on the floor, you will be remembered as you. You just need to decide what that means.

Ahmed: Maybe you are right Mr. Hart, but not yet.

FX: Lightbulbs flashing.

Jimmy: I have gathered everyone to talk about the recent…murder that may or may not have happened last night.. As of this moment the police are investigating it, and cannot as of this point prove, that the dead body is connected to our show. Perhaps…just perhaps…someone dumped it there. Maybe. And this is a good maybe, it was there all this time, in the steam room, and no one found it until last night. Hmmm? Yeah… Anyways. I can guarantee that this will not have any effect on our next and final showing tonight, in which The Ghost will take on Naoto Yasuhiro for the first ever, world title. Now for any information regarding the investigation… I am informed Detective Thomas of the police will be answering your questions…

Reporters: Swarm with questions.

Jimmy: Ugh… glad that is over…

Cesar: Mr. Carmicheal.

Jimmy: Mr. Cesar sir. I assure you everything is okay. There is nothing to worry about. Our show is going great. We almost filled the stadium last night.

Cesar: And you drew large amounts of unwanted attention. What were you thinking?

Jimmy: It wasn’t me, it was bozo over there that messed up. We were just going to have a conversation with the man, I didn’t think that he would kill him.

Cesar: You watch what you say very closely. No one can know who the dead body belongs to, the sooner we believe it was just some hobo who ended up dying, the better. No one can prove otherwise?

Jimmy: Correct.

Cesar: If you fail to return on this investment, you will die with even less than not having a name.

Jimmy: (Gulps)

Reporter: Detective Thomas! Is there any coincidence that the body was found in a steam room.

Det. Thomas: We at the police are thinking the room was designed to hide the body as well as let the steam hide potential time and cause of death. We suspect the killer did not expect it to be found.

Reporter 2: Det. Thomas, what about leads on wrestlers? Have you begun to suspect any of them?

Det. Thomas: I would hate to say that several thousand people, in a locked building are potential suspects, but right now we have little leads, and from what I have heard, the security was pretty sub par last night. After all there is a story that a certain private detective who is best never to be mentioned out loud, was able to get behind the scenes despite security guards being placed.

Reporter: What about the event tomorrow? Can the police really allow the event to go on?

Det. Thomas: We have already viewed and preserved the crime scene for the best results that we could get. I see no reason in shutting down a show for the people when there is no need to. The chief has informed Jimmy Carmicheal and everyone on the roster, staff, and behind the scenes, that they are to not leave town after this event is done until we have cleared them. Thank you that is all that….

FX: Power outage

Det. Thomas: What? No… Can’t be..

Jimmy: What is this?

Ghost: Hello my fellow citizens.

Reporter: It’s The Ghost!

Ghost: I have come to you all today, to address the fact that a man has been murdered in our city and there are certain people I have no doubt think they can get away with this,

Jimmy: He…is real….?

Ghost: I will do you all one better than simply promise a good event worth seeing tonight. Tonight, before the curtain closes on that final act, the killer will be brought to kneel. That is my promise. The Dead shall have their say on this night!

Dramatic Music.

Commercial Break.

LunaSence

Coach: I am a coach. Me and my team work hard. Isnt that right boys?

Boys: OORAH!

Coach: Now Drop!

FX: Boys jumping onto the floor and getting back up.

Coach: I want to see three more. Now!
Boys: OORAH!

FX: Same

Boys:1!

Coach: Again!

FX: Same

Boys: 2!

Coach: Last one! Don’t let me down.

FX: Same.

Boys: 3!

Coach: Hit the showers.

FX: Hands clap and disperse.

Coach: So if you are like me, you need to know your locker room, is fit for the fight. I wont accept any effort that is sub par. That is why when things go south, we use LunaSence. It just makes sense.

Boy: Sir, we have no Lunasence sir.

Coach: HAVE NO LUNASENCE! We going to be doing laps all night!

Boys: (Groan)

Coach: Now get to it.

FX: Whistle.

Boys: (counting their reps)

Coach: Dang, we really needed that clean feeling to get us through this.

Theme song: For that clean feeling. (three knocks on wood) use LunaSence.

Spokesman: Use LunaSence, that clean feeling. Can be bought in most brand name stores.
End Commercial.
‘
Announcer: And now back to the thrilling conclusion of this eouside, The Great Battle.

Background: General Raucus

Jimmy: Alright you morons, I want you to break this up. We still got a show to run and I want to make sure the costumer goes home happy. We had a faisco last night and a garentee that will not happen again. Now I need you guys to get back to getting ready for tonight’s show.

FX: Walking away.

David: I somehow don’t feel any better. I mean we have been having the cops come around too often I don‘t feel like I can focus on my match tonight.

Wrestler: I hear you Ahmish David. By the by, how did you grow that beard?

David: I had it imported. But that is our trade secret. Don’t let anyone know. People don‘t like the idea of fur being used as fur. Oh, hey Naoto! You got your main event tonight, you pumped?

Naoto: The idea of going up against the legendary Ghost, after seeing the real deal at the press event.

Gus: I..I don’t see what the whole big deal about a couple of special effects in front of the populace and a scare tactic that he will oust the killer before the night is through. It wont effect our show. And for the record, our Ghost could throw him around so fast. Did you see that guy last night.

Naoto: I hope he brings his game tonight, I still havent talked with the masked man, but we are supposed to meet later to discuss our match plans.

David: So Mr. Yasuhiro. What brings you to America anyways?

Naoto: Money. Wrestling afford me an apartment back at home. Here, I can actually get enough off of Gate to put down for a house.

David: But you are going to lose tonight, right?

Naoto: Yeah, but I am being paid a lot to go out on my back for the three. Plus. I have seen the masked man work in the past. I always wondered what me and him could work together and do in the ring. The fans will like it. You?

David: I might not really be amish, but I do come from the rural side of life and this is my way of touring. At the end of every tour I come home and help out, but when I am on the road, if I hide my accent enough, I can be city folk. Hey Gus boy, what about you?

Gus: Well that is easy. I want to prove to my family that I have worth. It is my dream I want to craft for myself and for my name to be built on my foundation, not my uncles. I will see you guys later.


FX: Knob turning.

Background Noise: Radio turns out to cheesy back music.

Rick: Your play gentlemen.

Det. Thomas: You playing shoddy music will not distract my good hand. And you better not be getting up to change the radio to get a look at my hand.

Rick: I don’t even need to see your hand to know your bluffing.

Det. Thomas: I am not bluffing. I bet my mothers blue eyes…

Rick: Her eyes are green.

Det. Thomas: That is not the point.

Cop: I don’t have a mother with any discernable eye features but I am out of this one.

Malina: Rick, he is holding a pair. Hardly a bluff but not enough for any confidence.

Rick: I call.

Chief: So Mr. Hart. What fun insight do you have to hit us with one this game?

Rick: Insight? I am hardly a man of insight.

Malina: Forsight, Hindsight…

Rick: Enough! Let us see your failure my old partner.

Det. Thomas: You have been off the force too long to know my mind. I…raise.

Malina: You struck a nerve.
Rick: Of course. I go all in.

FX: Chips move.

Rick: And I will throw in that you tell me…anything you know of the victim. And I might through in on my end, a lead on the victims name.

Chief: You know who the deceased is?

Rick: We found remains of an old Orphanage in another state. We were able to find a vintage photograph, the source was anonymous but… the picture is real. And they are a match.

Det. Thomas: It hasn’t been a full day, and you been out of state?

Rick: We got the lead right away.

Det. Thomas: Okay, we are doing this…

Pause.

Det. Thomas: Darn. A pair, threes.

Rick: Three of a kind, Kings.

Det. Thomas: Truth? We got nothing on the case. We figure that the man in middle eastern of some sort. His face had some residue on it…

Rick: From a mask.

Det. Thomas: A mask?

Rick: You haven’t thought that maybe he is one of the masked wrestlers in the group?

Det. Thomas: We wanted to think he was a hobo or something of the sort. I am going to say it Rick, he just doesn’t look like your wrestling type. A lot of these guys, they, their body’s, they morph differently than yours and mine. And frankly, this guy had a lot of dirt on him. I would sooner say he was placed in the arena than came from the arena.

Chief: We were able to trace the dirt to the garden and vegitation in the downtown area outside the arena. He easily could have been hiding or sleeping there.

Malina: So my dear dead friend, do you want to be remembered as a vagrant like this? That is the story they will put in the paper.
Ahmed: I…Miss Malina, is this what fate await’s the dead? To watch how the living fight to define our lives that we lived.

Malina: No one ever knew me alive…

Ahmed: Pardon?

Malina: I…never came out, so to speak. My brother is why I am here. I age and grow with him as we are tied, but I never once breathed life in this world. I guess you could say, I was born a ghost. Ahmed, I never had a name in this world, or an image in which people could know me, but the idea of someone stealing yours from you…it makes me so angry.

Ahmed: I understand.

Malina: We will avenge you. I know my brother, he will not fail. He will stop this guy.

FX: Door opens.

Linda: Hello gentleman.

Det. Thomas: Maam.

Rick: Yes?

Linda: I have finished filing the paper work and scheduling the calls. Some people in the press wanted to ask about what you were doing back stage before the body was found, and I told them that you would call them back in due time. I have straitened the front office, and now, I would like to know if I can go home for the night.

Rick: You have done a spending job as always Linda. Head on out.

Linda: Thank you Mr. Hart.

FX: Door closes.

Rick: Gentlemen, I would like to play a different kind of game for a moment. Let us pretend, that our victim is a wreslter, one of standing, who would you make for the killer?

Chief: Your average situation would be either the promoter, or a rival talent.

Rick: What about the mob?

Det. Thomas: I have done digging, I heard the Cesar Family has been seen in the past with connections to Jimmy Carmicheal. Is that what you are getting at?

Rick: So motive?

Chief: I don’t believe we found any level of “Insurance” for this event. Nor do I think this is a muscle move for protection money. If Jimmy and the Cesar family are together on this, the less noise the best.

Det. Thomas: I would say the same would be said of Jimmy Carmicheal. Selling cars is one thing, putting everything on a line of a slew of shows in hopes of raking in big cash, that is a different animal. I don’t picture a guy cannibalizing his staff for gain.

Rick: So I think that would narrow it down, if this is wrestling related, to a rival. So, who do you think would have the most to gain from an unknown man’s departure?

Det. Thomas: Another wrestler?  I mean I guess they could steal his place in the card, but I talked to Mr. Carmicheal, there hasn’t been a single change in the roster, or in the two night cards. You say he is a wrestler, but they are all accounted for. Motive would be to move up? Well, not a single person has moved up. This whole situation has only caused more pain than any type of benefit.

Chief: He has a point. Rick, we have no way of connecting a motive in any direction.

Rick: I think we are at the end of our game for this day. I am sure you all have your business about you to try and stop the murderer before The Ghost tries to beat you to the punch.

FX: Chairs rising.

Chief: We will catch the killer. Just cause The Ghost claims he can solve this, doesn’t mean we are just going to stand back on this one.

Det. Thomas: I am smarter, and the police force is superior. He will not have this night. You can put money on it Rick.

Rick: Actually at this point it would be the money I won off of you. Your money. You know, because you can’t bluff to save your life.

FX: Walking

FX: Door closes.

Ahmed: So, what was that about?

Rick: Ahmed, you said, you didn’t see his face. Do you remember anything about him?

Ahmed: Nothing, his attack caught me off guard, he was already in my outfit by the time I saw him.

Malina: What are you thinking brother?

Rick: If it was one of the wrestlers…how many are on the roster for this tour.

Ahmed: I rhink I heard a total of 30, and with what I have been doing to keep a low profile, I know so few of them even if I saw him by face or voice.

FX: Phone Rings.

FX: Phone picked up

Rick: Hart here. Yes? What!? We will be on the way to the hospital immediately!

FX: Click.

Malina: What is it Rick?

Rick: Naoto Yasuhiro has been hit by a car. He is in the emergency room right now. He claims someone tried to kill him.

Dramatic Music.

Baclground FX: A heart moniter

Nurse: He should be okay.

Doctor: Fortunately the car was not at top speed. You could have almost been killed. You should count yourself lucky.

Naoto: But can I perform Doctor? I am in the main event. The entire promotion is depending on me to fight for the title against The Ghost?

Nurse: The Ghost?

Naoto: He is a pro wreslter using The hero of legend as his gimmick. It would be horrible to everyone if…

Doctor: We will run some more tests, but the damage doesn’t seem to be internal. I think we got most of the bad news behind us. But I want to be sure. We will let you rest and tell you what we know in a few minutes.

FX: Walking away.

Naoto; I can sense your presenve. You are well versed in the art of not being seen.

Ghost: I am surprised. Usually I get to enjoy some fun words and confusion from the person I am talking to.

Naoto: Although I do not know who you are, come where I can see your.

Ghost: I am here Mr. Yasuhiro.

Naoto: That costume, no…

Ghost: Yes, I am he. The real thing. I am The Ghost.

Naoto: I heard you were real but I still don’t believe it. Are you here to be mad at us for using you as a gimmick for our show?

Ghost: Far from, but I am here to talk about what happened last night. As well as what came to pass with you being attacked.

Naoto: What do you wish to know?

Ghost: What do you remember of the masked wrestler? You know, the one who never showed his face.

Naoto: Him? We… we were a lot alike. I remember we shared something of a beer once. You see, I am from Japan. A lot of the people here just aren’t as welcome to outsiders, especially one who is going to jump to the main event. I havent been scheduled to lose a fight until tonight. This gets a lot of people sore.

Ahmed: I told him where I came from, but not my name. Mr. Hart, this man, he is good. We are wasting our time if you think he was the one who did this to me.

Ghost: The attack though, it was meant to throw us off the trail, especially because of who the killer is.

Naoto: What do you mean?

Ghost: When watching the masked wreslter, known as the Ghost, did you notice anything different about his style?

Naoto: He was slightly stiff the match, I figured it was him being in character… Wait.

Ghost: I have a proposal I would like to discuss with you. If you would be so kind to hear.

Naoto: I am all ears.

Fade out.

Announcer: And now, for the final show on the road, we will be starting with a seven man battle royale, where the winner is the last man standing. Standard rules apply. For our second match, Fat Man and Little Boy will be taking on the Three Bears in a two on three handicap match. Following that, we will have a series of 4 strait singles exhibition matches. And then, in the main event, the match we have all been waiting for, it will be The Ghost versus, the man from Japan, Naoto Ya-su-hi-ro! Stay with us as this will be a night to remember!

Jimmy: I swear this nephew of yours has been nothing but a pain in the neck since we started this whole shebang.

Cesar: We just have to get through this final night. How were gate tickets?

Jimmy: Crazy. This city has eaten everything we could give them and they want more. I feel after we end this tour, we can have more untapped potential that we should really look into.

Cesar: I agree, but, we need to have this night end the way we want. Everything going so far…

Jimmy: Why did you hit Yasuhiro with a car?

Cesar: It was a special favor for someone.

Jimmy: I don’t want to know any more. We are treading very frictiony ground.

Cesar: After today, our debts will be paid.

Jimmy: This partnership had its rocky start but…its good to see it end on a good note.

Cesar: By the way, I saw Yasuhiro enter the building. The accident didn’t seem to slow him down at all. Good.

Jimmy: I said I don’t want to know.

Rick: Ah, there you two are

Jimmy: It is that private detective from earlier.

Cesar: What? Who?

Rick: Mr. Cesar. I am Rick Hart. It is a pleasure to see you here at this event. There have been rumors circulating that you loaned Jimmy the money to pull this event off, also there have been rather crazy rumors that a little bit of money laundering was here…not to mention that the police and FBI have been on the lookout for you for quite some time. Personally, I am just glad we got the confession that you hit Yasuhiro with a car today. That will do wonders.

Cesar: Do you know who you are messing with?

Det. Thomas: You beat me to it.

Rick: I was wondering when the police would show up.

Det. Thomas: I don’t like it when people point a weapon at me.

Cesar: Curse you… this was a set up? Jimmy… Jimmy? Where are you?

Det. Thomas: Your buddy has left you. Alright boys, arrest this man. It is time the Cesar Family syndicate meets its end here.

Cesar: Get off of me. You can’t touch me…

FX: Cuffs zipping.

Cesar: You dare cuff me? I am Cesar…(fading out).

Det. Thomas: Well that is going to be a nice bonus in the bag. So Rick…what did you think? Rick? Where did you go Rick?


Jimmy: Twenty thousand, thirty thousand. Fourty Thousand. This is just beautiful.

FX: Power Outage

Jimmy: Ugh, I can’t see my money! How can I count my earnings when…

Ghost: Hello Mr. Carmichal.

Jimmy: Whose there?
Ghost: Clearly you should atleast be able to see my eyes even in this dark.

Jimmy: You freak, how are you doing that? Stay away from me!

Ghost: You have been really bad. But I guess I could overlook your working with the mob, but what I can’t get over is murder. You killed a man.

Jimmy: It was that Gus kid! Okay! I am so sick of us talking about some dead immigrant like it matters. It was a nobody who worked his way into my card…

Ahmed: A nobody!?

Ghost: You are getting the spirit mad. Yes, he is in this room.

Jimmy: You are crazy.

Ahmed: You promised me that I could Champeign with the most glorious ladies in the most expensive resturaunts. Yet that wasn’t what I cared about…

Ghost: He says you lied to him about the high dining resturaunts, women and fine wine. He told you that he didn’t care about that offer? Remember?

Jimmy: You are…makin that up?

Ahmed: We met at a bar. You were so drunk you were looking at this woman the entire time while talking to me.

Ghost: He is telling me that you were so drunk you weren’t even talking to him when you met.

Jimmy: That can be any guy…

Ghost: I don’t abide by liars. Now, tell me about Gus!

Jimmy: Alright fine. Dead masked man, whatever your real name is.

Ahmed: It is Ahmed.

Ghost: He has a name, you are to refer to him as Ahmed…

Jimmy: Alright, Ahmed, whatever. Gus, I made a deal with his uncle. You get it? For me to get the show off the ground, I needed something more than just a promise of financial return. Lord Cesar wanted to have a man on the inside and for me to return the favor. I was to make his Nephew into the biggest star. He wanted to be some hot shot wrestler but he had no marketable skills.

Ghost: So, you had him become me?

Malina: That is so despicable.

Jimmy: You were just the gimmick to get the locals behind. We needed him to become the masked man. We had to hire the real deal in order for people to buy that he and our Ghost were one in the same and thus legetimatize the claim as the number 1 contender for the main event. Gus was then to replace him in time, and after winning the world title, unmask himself as the one and the same masked man. This way we could take an unknown and give him a legitimate claim at being the face of the company and no one would raise an eyebrow. But I said, this before. I did not think Gus would kill him.

Ahmed: If I were alive, my stomach would want to make me vomit.

Ghost: Enjoy the main event Mr. Carmichael..

FX: Walking Away.

Jimmy: There is nothing you can do, the Title Match starts in a few minutes.

Ghost: And The Ghost is scheduled to appear.

Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen it is time for the Main Event of the evening, and it is for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Making his way first…From… The City, THE GHOOOOST!

FX: Audience Roars!

Fake: Finally, my time has come. I can prove to the world that I can be a star. That I am worthy of making my own destiny.

Announcer: And next, the man from Japan. Naoto, the legened, Yasuhi…

Audience Member: Who is that?

Audience Member 2: That isn’t Naoto Yasuhiro…

Audience Member 3: OH MY GOSH IT’S THE GHOST! THE REAL GHOST!

FX: Deafening Roars.

Ghost: Sis, Ahmed, we go forth. You both ready.

Malina: I got your back brother.

Ahmed: That is the man who killed me. Just get me within a foot of him,. I promise to make him regret it.

Ghost: Then it is showtime.

Chanting: Ghost! Ghost! Ghost!

Fake: Who is this man? You are not Yasuhiro!

Ghost: At the end of the day, we all knew you would be right here. All roads have always led to this moment Gus.

Fake: What?

Ghost: It was a good plan, getting Naoto to be ran over to cover up your motive. But you made a mistake.

Fake: And what is that?

Ghost: You crossed the dead. More importantly…

Audience Member: He is taking off his mask..

Ghost: You…
Ahmed:…..Crossed me.

Fake: What? How did you…but your dead!

Ahmed: I am dead. You killed me but dare steal my identity as well? I will not forgive you…

Fake: Get off of me.

FX: Grunting.

Ahmed: Time for the world to see the real you! No more masks!

Gus: Uff. What? My mask? I…

Ahmed: You are my killer. And you had Naoto Yasuhiro ran over.

Naoto Yasuhiro: Is this true?

Gus: Where did you come from? Both of you…stay back.

FX: Click

Jimmy on Tape: Gus was then to replace him in time, and after winning the world title, unmask himself as the one and the same masked man. This way we could take an unknown and give him a legitimate claim at being the face of the company and no one would raise an eyebrow. But I said, this before. I did not think Gus would kill him.

Ghost: That sounds like harsh evidence. Isn’t that right everyone?

Malina: Rick, look behind you…

Ahmed: They are all coming for me?

Gus: All of you guys? Really? You are all going to take his word, this masked freak over someone who has been with you from day one?

Naoto Date: You attacked me. You killed one of us. You are not one of us!

Wrestler 1: Yeah.

Wreslter 2: How dare he?

Wreslter 3: What do you have to say for yourself?
 
Gus: Thius is all lies.

FX: Rope bending.

FX: Foot Steps on board.

Gus: Why are you all standing against me? Do you know who my uncle is?

Ghost: Your uncle has been arrested, the promoter is laughing like an idiot in a corner in his room. Gentlemen, I leave the fate of this killer in your hands.

FX: Walking away.

Gus: That’s it Ghost? You aren’t going to fight me?

Naoto: No…but we will.

Gus: All…of…you…

Naoto: Get him.

Gus: What? Let go of me… ugh.

Men Yelling.

Gus: (Screaming) Someone…save….me…

Fade out.

Medic: Dang. I have seen some strange things in this city.

FX: A Stretcher is being loaded.

Medic 2: I don’t think that poor lad is going to be able to walk again, or eat out of a straw.

Medic 1: Guy got beat up by about a dozen or more men, the smallest one bigger than elephant. Hehe.

Medic 3: Alright he is clear for the hospital.

FX: Ambulance Siren whirls.

Fades into distance.

Medic: They say it was The Ghost’s doing.

Medic 2: Just, being wailed on, like that, for that long… He is lucky to live.

Medic: You say lucky, I say unlucky.

Rick: Hey what happened here?

Medic: Who are you?

Rick: Just a passerby, I saw the ambulance run away.

Medic: Some poor sap got the wrath of an entire locker room.

Rick: Sounds painful.

Medic: Alright we are out of here.

FX: Walking away.

Malina: So Rick, a mark in the win collum?

Rick: That depends on Ahmed.

Ahmed: You have done me a great service. I finally got to see the man who killed me, and I feel like in the coming days, everything I have done in this industry will come to light. I can finaly have a sense of a legacy, as vague as it has been. Thank you Mr. and Lady Hart.

Malina: Charmed.

FX: Flash

Rick: Looks like he has passed over.

Malina: So Rick…

Rick: Yes?

Malina: We can mark off Pro Wrestling, as something we have now been apart of.

Rick: You think so?

Malina: Oh yes? Your entrance, was just perfect.

Rick: So, you…

Malina: Yes?

Rick: I felt your energy invade the others. You fed their bloodlust tonight.

Malina: They were going to let him walk away. Truth Rick?

Rick: Go ahead.

Malina: I imagined you, dying nameless. No one to mourn you, and some smug man, take your good name from you. When I held on to that moment, they swarmed him. It wasn’t intentional.

Rick: Since when do I have a good name?

Dramatic music.

Fade out.

Announcer: The Ghost and all characters are copyright by Supernatural Magazine Monthly. All characters living or dead are fictitious and all similarities are practically coincidental. All rights reserved.

End.

Author's Note

I havent touched The Ghost in years. So I apologize about any rust. This is technically a first draft. But any criticisms or thoughts would be welcomed.