“Mick, you in there?” The producer calls through the door. With still no answer, he calls down to the front desk for an extra key card. After a moment a bellhop appears with the card, handing it to the producer.
“Get your camera ready. Who knows what we might find in there.” He tells his camera man, giving him a moment to set up.
With the camera up and running, the key card slides through the electronic lock, the green light flashing a few times before the producer turns the handle, pushing the door open. The camera moves in first, the scene on the other side of the door looks like someone had come through and tore the place up. It’s dark, clothes, blankets, pillows, lamps, all sorts of things tossed all over the place. The mattress is tipped up off of the bed, the only light source is a flickering fluorescent from the bathroom.
“Mick?” Comes the shaky voice of the producer from back by the door.
As the camera comes around the corner they find Mick sitting in the corner of the room with his back to them. He is dressed as Mankind, the mask, the white dress shirt, the full look as he rocks back and forth.
“Swagger… Raven… Goldberg… such big talent stuffed into one small ring. But if history teaches us anything it’s the persistence of Mankind, always overcoming the greatest of odds. WrestleMania is my time to shine… shine… shine down on me…”
He rocks back and forth as he talks to himself, the camera moving forward slowly. Mick seems to sense someone there as he suddenly explodes up out of the corner, attacking the camera. The screen cuts to snow as the feed cuts off.
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Cameras are rolling at the Mercedes Benz Superdome as superstars and fans are arriving for the biggest event of the year. A car pulls up out front, the back door swinging open and Mankind emerges from the back seat. A grin is on his face as he heads towards the front doors. He pauses now and then, camera flashes all around. Signing a few autographs for the fans, he raises an arm, putting his fist in the air as he enters the arena.
Inside is even more of a circus than it is outside. Mick moves along the course, stopping here and there to get his picture taken with fans and celebrities, making the rounds like he is supposed to. He seems to be in his right mind, or at least as right of mind as he can be as Mankind. Reaching the far end of the arena to the doors that lead to the back, he turns back and gives a smile and wave to the crowd.
“Have a nice day!” He shouts before disappearing into the back to get ready for show time.