OCW Presents: Cursed Countdown
LIVE! Thursday, October 17th, 2024
From the Haunted OCW HQ in Key West
Episode 7 - "Welcome to the Family"

Another week and another cold open. Wait, is this a cold open? I mean we’re in Canada so, yea, we’ll just call it a cold open.

“This is as far as I can take you.”

“Well that’s not good.”

Zybala’s voice is filled with his concern as his vision is consumed by a large, dense, cold forest just outside the backseat window of his uber ride. Snow covered mountains are visible in the distance.

“I can take you back into town. Wouldn’t be no shame in giving up.”

He mulls it over until he sees a familiar vehicle abandoned closer to the forest.

“Is that the car that cut us off at the airport?”

“Looks to be the same model, yea.”

“Strange things are afoot at the Circle J.”

“Excuse me?”

Zybala super kicks the door open and steps out.

“Where I’m going I don’t need roads.”

“Suit yourself.”

Before Zybala shuts the door, he leans in for one final comment.

“Tell the world my story.”

The uber driver gives a half hearted nod before driving away. Mike approaches the woods...he takes in a deep breath of cold, Canadian air before plunging deep into the trees. And then…

WE INTERRUPT THIS CHILLY INTRO FOR SOME BREAKING NEWS

Smith: Ladies and Gentlemen, so sorry to interrupt that intro which is entirely focused on our next event but I’m here at the location for Cursed Countdown and we have quite the development on our hands.

~We get a shot of the house. A police chief stands in front of the house with lower level officers at his side. They are clearly blocking the entrance. Puffer pleads with the man as LCP, Vhodka, Amby, and, yes, Zombie Marcus are behind him. Fans surround the location booing vociferously.~

Police Chief: I’m sorry but we’ve had too many complaints. Missing people. Ghosts. Attempt to destroy historic property. We cannot allow any further antics to be held within and atop these premises.

~Booo!!!~

Jack Puffer: Officer.

Police Chief: It’s Chief Oswald C. Witherspoon to you!

Jack Puffer: Sorry! We own this land. We own this house. Surely you can let us continue to do our thing at our own risk.

Police Chief: I’m here to emphasize public safety. So Scoot on out of here before I get Cheasy and have my men exert some force.

~Each officer slaps their open hand with a cold night stick. Jack leans back~

LC Pinkston: That’s my home, you dicks! You can’t throw me out of my home!

Police Chief: This is America, buddy. We can do whatever we want.

~Zombie Marcus has heard enough~

Zombie Marcus: Argh!

~You don’t talk to LCP like that. Not in front of Marcus. He shoves through Puffer and LCP and heads for the protective barrier of officers. He gets halfway up the porch steps before he pauses, wearing a puzzled expression~

LC Pinkston: What is it?

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

~Marcus sniffs. Vhodka lifts her arm and smells underneath it~

Amby Brooks: You smell fine.

Vhodka Black: Aw, thanks.

Smith: Amby’s nose is on point.

Hood: Is it?

~Vhodka studies the scene~

Vhodka Black: But do they smell?

~She points at the officers~

Police Chief: I assure you madam that we smell just peachy.

LC Pinkston: Wait. No policeman talks like that.

~LCP and Vhodka approaches, standing side by side with Zombie Marcus. Puffer and Amby take a step forward, behind them. One fan yells, “SHOW YOUR BADGE!” The rest of the fans begin to chant that very phrase~

Smith: I think suspicion is taking hold. These fans think they might be dealing with fake cops!

Hood: Maybe. But how come Zombie Marcus can’t smell them?

Smith: I wouldn’t know. I’ve never studied the olfactory mechanics of the living dead.

~A loud howl sounds from atop the house. Everyone gasps and looks up~

Smith: It’s the man wolf!

Hood: Is he inside or outside the house?

Smith: I don’t know.

~Fans yell and scream. They evade the water as a figure begins to emerge~

Smith: Something’s coming out of the water!

Hood: Is it a mermaid? Can we finally answer the age old question as to whether or not they exist?

Smith: I don’t think many people seriously ask themselves that, Hood.

Hood: People are BLIND!

~Amby turns, glaring at Hood behind her shades~

Hood: Sorry, Miss Brooks.

~The people part near the water and a giant creature emerges, heading for the house. It staggers and stumbles making weird gurgling noises. It spits out a couple of human fingers~

Smith: Eww

Hood: It’s the Creature from the Black Lagoon!

Smith: What’s it doing at an OCW show?

Hood: Hanging out, obviously.

~Puffer and Amby get out of the way. LCP, Vhodka, and Zombie Marcus part. The Creature trudges up the steps toward the Police Chief~

Police Chief: Now listen here. Don’t you go and do anything stupid.

~The Creature towers over the Police Chief~

Police Chief: Oratonic, no!

~The Creature yells and crashes down upon the Police Chief. His officers rush over, beating the Creature with their night sticks. But the Creature is too strong. The front door to the house blasts open. A massive gust of air howls forward, knocking several of the supporting posts over, sending the front porch crashing atop the Creature as the police officers seem to vanish. The fans gasp~

Smith: Oh no! The Creature!

Hood: Oh no let’s all mourn the potential demise of a creature that’s been murdering fans this entire time.

Smith: He’s driving the plot forward, okay? That’s a A player in my book.

Hood: I’d never read your book.

Smith: Zybala would.

~Vhodka, LCP, and Zombie Marcus hurry forward, removing bits of debris until they find the unconscious face of the Creature. It slowly fades away revealing the face of Oratonic~

Smith: Oratonic?!

Hood: Glad we were able to shoe horn him in here at the last second.

Smith: He was cosplaying as The Creature!

Hood: Dude really went method, didn’t he?

~Oratonic’s physical presence turns into spirit as it slowly ascends and fades into the sky. The fans aren’t sure what to do, so they clap. The three remaining competitors stand and see the opened front door. Vhodka eyes LCP. LCP eyes Vhodka. Zombie Marcus eyes nobody~

Zombie Marcus: ARGH!!

~Zombie Marcus charges into the house~

LC Pinkston: Argh!

Vhodka Black: Sounds better when he does it.

~LCP stumbles over some debris before giving Vhodka the finger and entering his temporary abode. Vhodka eyes the house~

Vhodka Black: You really don’t want us in there, do you?

~She reaches for her vibrating hair brush and looks to it for guidance~

Vhodka Black: That’s right. If I can plunge deep into a dead man’s hole I can enter into this cursed house.

~Vhodka heads into the front door. She turns and looks at Puffer~

Vhodka Black: Are you coming?

Jack Puffer: Ya know, I was thinking…

~Amby trips and stumbles over debris. Vhodka takes her hand and helps her inside~

Vhodka Black: C’mon, what’s the worst that could happen?

~A window shatters and some glass flies across the yard, hitting a fan in the throat, sending blood everywhere. The fan collapses, screaming~

Vhodka Black: That...that could happen to anyone, anywhere. Besides, better to be in here and safe than out here and in danger.

~Puffer vacillates~

Vhodka Black: Harvey would come inside.

~Puffer’s eyes become consumed with fire~

Jack Puffer: Say no more! I’M COMING

~Puffer enters the house behind Vhodka as the door slams shut. The fans are left outside to ponder. To wonder what may await them...except for that one fan with the cut throat. He is dead~

Smith: Our competitors, host, and ref are all inside. I hope they can remain safe.

Hood: House seems a little on the defensive.

Smith: I think it’s obvious those ‘cops’ were a ruse by the house to try and prevent this competition from going any further.

Hood: That means it’s vulnerable. That means it knows they can kill it.

Smith: I’d like to say that was the house’s final stand but it’s never that easy.

Hood: Nope, it never is.

Smith: Best of luck to our three warriors and, of course, Amby.

Hood: What about Puffer?

Smith: Yea, him too.

~We cut to a feed inside the house as all five stars of the show stand in the entry way. The house feels more alive than ever. Puffer’s phone goes off~

10:00pm

~He looks at the screen and up at the competitors~

Jack Puffer: Umm...you guys. You guys gotta pick your rooms.

~The three competitors look at each other like this is awkward~

Jack Puffer: Zombie Marcus...you have the advantage from last week so you can observe. But you other two...I don’t know.

LC Pinkston: I got this.

~LCP puts his fingers in his ears and closes his eyes and he starts singing~

Jack Puffer: I guess that’ll work. Classic OCW, baby. Okay, Vhodka. Where you heading?

Vhodka Black: LCP is a bitch.

~She waits. He has no response~

Vhodka Black: Okay. Seems legit. I’ll take the Wine Cellar, Jack.

Jack Puffer: Very good.

~Vhodka heads to the Wine Cellar~

Jack Puffer: LCP.

~LCP is still singing~

Jack Puffer: LEWIS!

~Still singing~

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

~LCP straightens up~

LC Pinkston: Sup?

Jack Puffer: Your turn. Pick a room.

~The house dims. The door to the Wine Cellar illuminates. LCP raises an eyebrow~

LC Pinkston: Yea, I don’t think so. I’ll go over here.

Jack Puffer: The Library?

LC Pinkston: Sure.

~LCP heads into the Library which leaves just Zombie Marcus~

Jack Puffer: Alright, Marcus. You can avoid both or confront them...what would you like?

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

Jack Puffer: Excuse me?

~Zombie Marcus takes a seat~

Jack Puffer: This is my space. You can’t.

~He snaps at Jack’s ankle~

Jack Puffer: Okay, fine...you know what? Hang out here. That’s fine.

~Puffer grabs his usual seat and drags the table, placing it in between him and Zombie Marcus. We cut to the Wine Cellar as Vhodka inspects the foreign room, to her, anyway. She steps into the cellar and sees all the bottles of wine~

Vhodka Black: This would’ve been fun.

~Ah yes, smashing people with glass bottles. She wrangles one bottle and reads the label. We head into the Library as LCP is looking over the books much like Vhodka is looking over the wine~

LC Pinkston: This place sucks.

~He continues to survey the boring room of books as a noise sounds from outside. We head back to the entry way and Jack is fast asleep. He’s got hair growing all over his face and through his shirt. His arms are covered. His phone beeps out~

11:00pm

~Zombie Marcus stands and looks down at Jack. A sinister thought runs through his singularly focused mind~

Smith: He’s not going to eat Jack, is he?

Hood: With all that hair? Fuck no. That’d be disgusting.

~We head into the Wine Cellar. Vhodka’s head turns when she hears something. A door seems to be opening. It’s to her left. She heads that way, curious. She steps through it. As she does, we get a shot of the Library. LCP hears something to his right. A door opens for him, as well. And, like Vhodka, he steps through it. We get a shot through the wall of the two wrestlers passing each other without realizing it. Vhodka enters the Library and LCP steps into the Wine Cellar~

Smith: They just switched rooms!

Hood: Uh what’s going on?

Smith: It’s the house. I don’t know what it’s got planned but it can’t be good for those involved.

~We head back into the main room. Zombie Marcus leans over Jack...but a door opens. He looks up and sees the door to the Wine Cellar open. A familiar, titillating scent wafts from the opening and into Zombie Marcus’ nostrils~

Zombie Marcus: Argh!

~He drags his dilapidated body in that direction~

Smith: He’s heading for the Wine Cellar!

Hood: He lost the scent of Vhodka and is picking up the scent of LCP?

Smith: I guess. Regardless those two are gonna be quarantined in there for I don’t know how long.

~Inside the Wine Cellar, LCP tries to gain his bearings. He hears the door shut and turns...Zombie Marcus stares him down~

LC Pinkston: Yo, man. What’s, umm, what’s up.

~The room’s lights start to flicker. They turn red~

Voice: Fight. Fight. Fight.

~Zombie Marcus’ eyes appear consumed by something different. LCP looks around the room~

LC Pinkston: Well this is new.

~As he turns his eyes back on Zombie Marcus we see that LCP’s eyes, as well, are contaminated. Zombie Marcus heads toward LCP~

Zombie Marcus: ARGH!

~LCP gets his fists up and he marches toward Zombie Marcus. The fans outside seem anxious. The two men reach each other and LCP starts punching Marcus in the face~

Smith: LCP just punched Zombie Marcus!

Hood: Is the house forcing them to fight on this penultimate night?

Smith: It would seem so. The house likely wants to eliminate one or two before the final evening.

~Zombie Marcus tries to fight back but LCP smashes both hands into the Zombie’s face with a double axe handle, sending Zombie Marcus crashing into the wall. As LCP stands over Zombie Marcus we head into the Library where a very safe, slightly confused Vhodka surveys the room once again~

Vhodka Black: Of all the rooms to visit twice.

~She looks down at the burn pile in the center of the room. With a sigh, she heads for the wall, glancing at book after book while holding the bottle of wine she took from the other room in her left hand. We exit the Library and make our way back to the entry way where a very hair Puffer remains asleep. The spirit of Jade Spritz has returned, standing over him. His phone goes off~

MIDNIGHT

Smith: And it’s Midnight. Zombie Marcus chose to avoid Vhodka which has kept her safe...for now.

Hood: As safe as you can be in that fuckin house.

Smith: Meanwhile LCP and Zombie Marcus seem possessed or something by the house and appear to be battling it out.

Hood: If standard rules apply they ain’t leaving until one is pinned.

Smith: I don’t know how standard this evening is going to go, Hood. I feel like the house is changing the rules as we go.

~We head back into the Library. Vhodka has found a book titled “Curses and shit.” She starts to open it when the room shakes...the book falls from her hands and into the burn pile which immediately bursts into flames~

Vhodka Black: Hey!

~A giant hole in the back of the wall opens up and it starts to suck her into it. She fights but the power is too much and she’s pulled from the Library and tossed into the Backyard!! She hits the ground with a thud and slowly sits up, her orange hair thrown all over the place and filled with leaves and grass. The bottle of wine is still in her hand. Slowly, she stands and surveys the very quiet, very still yard...a place where, just a few weeks ago, she vanquished Mack O’Connor in front of a bunch of wild gremlins~

Vhodka Black: This place really died.

~Our view pulls away and back through the hole in the Library which suddenly fills in. We then dart into the Wine Cellar as LCP is stomping away on Zombie Marcus...he’s showing no mercy on his new undead friend~

Smith: LCP might stomp Zombie Marcus’ head off!

Hood: That’s one way to skin a cat.

Smith: Why do we skin cats, anyway?

Hood: I don’t know. I’ve personally never seen it done but I know chinese buffets are very popular.

Smith: Hood!

Hood: Sorry, were. Thanks, COVID.

~The room continues to flash red lights with the voice repeating the word ‘Fight’ over and over. LCP stomps Marcus over and over in the head. The zombie’s eyes roll into the back of his head before they return...they flash a different look. It’s the look of Marcus Ka’Derrion! He instantly grabs LCP’s leg and tosses him over with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip!! LCP’s body slams into the wooden bar that resides in the middle of the room. He reaches for the back of his head, wincing~

Smith: LCP just kicked Marcus Ka’Derrion into existence!

Hood: Ah shit he’s fucked now.

Smith: I don’t know, he defeated a former OCW Champion last week.

Hood: With all due respect to Slim Shady he ain’t no Marcus Ka’Derrion.

~Ka’Derrion pulls LCP up and hoists him into the air, both his hands wrapped around LCP’s throat. LCP jams a thumb into Ka’Derrion’s eye, nearly poking it out of its socket. Ka’Derrion staggers back. LCP climbs onto the top of the bar and he leaps off, wrapping his legs around Ka’Derrion’s head and spinning him into the wall with a Hurricanrana!! Ka’Derrion hits hard...and so does LCP! LCP got too much momentum, couldn’t control his body and he slams into the bar once again. Both men are down as the fans outside start to get into the action~

Smith: Don’t try this at home, kids. Those hurricanrana’s are tougher than they look.

Hood: I don’t know why people would try wrestling at home...hey you see that move where that guy dropped that other guy on his head? Let’s do that!

Smith: Well, some people do.

Hood: Wrestling fans are so stupid, man.

Smith: Hey...that’s an unfair label.

Hood: Really? Do you see fans of storm chases going around chasing tornadoes?

Smith: …

Hood: Actually, ya know what? People are stupid. It isn’t just wrestling fans.

~With LCP and Ka’Derrion down we head to the main entry where Jade Spritz leans forward, kissing the scratch on Puffer’s neck. His phone goes off~

1:00am

Smith: It’s 1 in the morning!

Hood: Puffer’s getting some action, man!

Smith: Can we focus on the REAL action?

Hood: Define real.

~We head into the Backyard. Vhodka drops to one knee and finds a tiny crack pipe with some green goo stains on it. She lets out a whimsical sigh, clutching it close to her chest. A noise from the house steals her focus. She stands, eyeing a door that’s made itself visible. She looks at the crack pipe and wine bottle. She throws the crack pipe to the side and heads for the entry toting her wine bottle~

Smith: She has a lot of confidence walking into those doorways like that.

Hood: When you’ve seen the shit she’s seen...and survived...this isn’t much, man. It’s like the ball pit at McDonalds.

Smith: Don’t let the house hear you.

~Vhodka enters through the doorway and recognizes the room instantly. She’s back in the Weight Room. The door behind her closes as she clutches the heavy wine bottle in her hand should some of those assholes from awhile back reappear. We float away from Vhodka and back over into the Wine Cellar where both LCP and Ka’Derrion remain down~

Smith: And Vhodka is back in the weight room.

Hood: Last time she was there it was rough.

Smith: But she survived and look at her now...one episode away from becoming OCW Champion!

~Marcus rises, holding his neck. LCP sees Ka’Derrion on his feet and he scrambles, grabbing a piece of wood that broke off from his impact. He gets to his feet and he slings the wood at Marcus...Marcus blocks his arm and kicks him in the gut! LCP doubles over. Marcus hooks him around the waist and he hoists him up...he drives him down onto the bar with a Gut Wrench powerbomb!! LCP’s body crashes into the bar, smashing it into a thousand pieces!! The fans outside yell “HOLY SHIT!”~

Smith: People forget the strength of Marcus. He just manhandled LCP.

Hood: People forget a lot of things. Like this one time I went out to get stuff for hamburgers and I forgot the hamburger meat.

Smith: How is that relevant?

Hood: Because it just happened.

~Ka’Derrion kicks away some of the debris and he goes for a pin!! The door to the Wine Cellar flies open as the unconquerable Amby Brooks appears, hands atop her hips! She dives in to make the count~

1!

2!

NO!!!

Smith: Shoulder up from LCP!

Hood: Thought that was the end of his magical run.

Smith: He’s got a bit of magic left...but the question is how much.

~Amby rises and looks around. She can feel the room pulsating and she hears the word ‘Fight’ over and over but the red flickering light is foreign to her. So she remains in her normal mindset. Marcus returns to his feet and he pulls LCP up...he hoists LCP onto his shoulders~

Smith: Oh no...not a Death Valley Driver!

Hood: You know a Death Valley Driver is extra deadly when being delivered by the dead.

Smith: If you say so.

~LCP looks down at the weakened skin connecting Ka’Derrion’s left arm to his body. He digs into it with his fingers!! Ka’Derrion lets out a wretched cry as LCP rips into the skin!! The arm is barely hanging on as Ka’Derrion stumbles around. LCP continues tearing into the shoulder~

Smith: Gross!

Hood: Geezus...he really wants that OCW Championship.

~In an act of desperation, Marcus charges backward, throwing all his weight into the air with a Samoan Drop into the back wall of the Wine Cellar!! The impact breaks through the wall, sending both men tumbling out of the room and into the Backyard!!! The fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” as they are down...we head back through the Wine Cellar and into the main entry. Jade reveals a knife, standing over the very hairy, very prone Puffer. His phone goes off~

2:00am

Smith: What is she doing with that knife?

Hood: Putting Puffer out of his misery. She’s clearly a Harvey Marx fan.

~We leave whatever is going on with Jack and Jade and head into the Weight Room. Vhodka stands prepare for just about anything when a voice speaks up~

Voice: Would you like to head upstairs?

~Her brow furrows. A knowing smile immediately follows~

Vhodka Black: Donnie...is that you?

~Behind her a stair case appears leading into another pathway. She grips her bottle of wine and heads right on up the stairs...no sense in stopping now. She goes through the doorway and finds herself back where it all started...the Guest Room. The broken, demolished room nearly brings a tear to her eye~

Vhodka Black: Ah, Knox.

~We head out the window and down into the backyard where LCP sits up, holding his head. His eyes have returned to normal. He reaches around his sore, beaten body. He looks over at Marcus~

LC Pinkston: Yo, you okay?

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

~Yep, the zombie is back. LCP immediately sees it’s torn apart shoulder. He winces~

LC Pinkston: Yea, sorry about that.

Zombie Marcus: ARGH!

~LCP staggers to his feet, putting some distance between himself and Zombie Marcus~

LC Pinkston: I’m gonna let you sort all this stuff out. Hang out here in your yard.

~Zombie Marcus works on his shoulder as LCP sneaks away. He sees a ladder leaning up against the house...was that there before? He’s not sure. But, he starts to climb it. We cut inside the Guest Room. Vhodka hears something hit up against the window sill. She heads for the window and opens it. LCP spills into the room. A guitar riff sounds as he pops up to his feet and looks into the camera, smiling~

Smith: Ah, that brings back memories...Melissa Joan Hart.

Hood: More like Melissa GROAN Hart.

Smith: Not your best.

~Vhodka pulls LCP to attention. They look at each other...their eyes look toward the bed. LCP’s eyes turn to the bottle of wine in Vhodka’s hand~

LC Pinkston: Well, this is awkward.

Vhodka Black: Mhm

~The window slams shut and the door to the room locks. The lights flash red~

Voice: Fight! Fight! Fight!

~Vhodka reaches for her head. LCP grabs her~

LC Pinkston: We have to get out of here! This house is going to try to make us kill each other.

~It’s too late. Vhodka looks up. Her mind clearly being driven by some supernatural motivation. She slams the bottle of wine into LCP’s head, knocking him to the ground. He grimaces, holding his head and slowly moving around on the floor, writhing in pain. Vhodka stands over him, bottle in hand~

Smith: LCP is in serious trouble.

Hood: Is he immune to the flashing lights?

Smith: Your guess is as good as mine.

~We hear the ringing going off in the main entry way and dive back down in that direction. We only get a view of Puffer’s legs as clumps of hair fall to the ground. The sound of a blade scraping against skin is heard. We slowly creep up and view the phone screen~

3:00am

Smith: Is Puffer shedding?

Hood: Could use to drop a few pounds. That Halloween candy is no joke, man.

Smith: I mean hair...is he losing his hair?

Hood: Wow. Just gonna call out the man’s receding hairline like that. Ruthless.

~We are taken back to the Guest Room. Vhodka stands over LCP with the thick wine bottle in hand. She raises it high as the red lights continue to flash. LCP suddenly flips over and kicks her in the face!! She flies back against the window! Zombie Marcus, in the yard, looks up. He sees Vhodka’s back pressed against the window and the room flashing red~

Zombie Marcus: Argh?

~We head back into the Guest Room. LCP is on his feet and he’s marching toward Vhodka. She raises the wine bottle but he grabs. The look he had in the Wine Cellar has returned. The two struggle over the bottle...a trickle of blood running down LCP’s forehead from the hit he suffered. He leans in and headbutts Vhodka in the face!!! She staggers forward, dropping the bottle. LCP picks it up. We cut back outside where Zombie Marcus sees the silhouette of LCP holding the wine bottle...the room continuing to blink red~

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

~The zombie goes back to work on his shoulder with more urgency. We head back into the Guest Room. Vhodka holds her face...LCP smacks her in the back with the wine bottle! She lets out a painful cry, dropping to all fours. LCP slams the bottle into her back once more!! She this the floor, rolling around, arching her back in pain. LCP raises the bottle over his head and brings it crashing down toward her head~

Smith: NO!

Hood: That’s gonna do some damage.

~Vhodka rolls out of the way!! The bottle ‘clunks’ off the hard wood and it sends LCP stumbling back, holding his hands. Vhodka struggles to her feet, reaching for her back...she rushes toward LCP and claws at his face with both hands. Zombie Marcus looks up and, again, sees a silhouette through the flashing red light. This time it’s of Vhodka trying to main LCP’s face. He gets his shoulder tightened back up and stumbles to his feet. We fly over his shoulder and back into the main entry way as Puffer’s phone goes off. A pile of hair is at his feet~

4:00am

Smith: Zombie Marcus has been reactivated. Shoulder intact.

Hood: If he’s smart he’ll stay out of that Guest Room.

Smith: Perhaps. But something bigger is at play here tonight. I think he realizes this...even in his zombie state.

Hood: Let’s not make the zombie a hero. PLEASE

~Back outside we go. We follow Zombie Marcus as he reaches the side of the house and begins to tear away at the siding. The house almost seems to groan with pain as he digs in, looking to make his own way back inside. We head up and through the wall, back into the Guest Room. LCP tries to keep Vhodka from blinding him so he jumps up, brings his knees up and hits a janky codebreaker onto Vhodka!!! She staggers back, slamming into a wall. She holds her face in pain as LCP does the same, frantically crawling and feeling around...his hands locating the freed bottle of wine~

Smith: LCP doing what he must.

Hood: Yea, he kinda fell into that Codebreaker...but it worked!

Smith: Amazing what happens when you try.

Hood: They always say if you’re gonna fail, fail fast.

~LCP returns to his feet, holding the wine bottle. Vhodka recovers and she reaches for LCP...but he slams the bottle of wine into her midsection!! She coughs, doubling over. LCP jams the butt of the wine bottle into her ribs! She yells out in pain, dropping to one knee. LCP tosses the wine bottle onto the bed...he grabs Vhodka by the head and drops her with a DDT straight onto the wood floor!! She flips over...she appears unconscious. LCP drops to both knees...he’s prepared to pin her~

Voice: End Her.

~LCP hesitates. And, instead of pinning Vhodka, he wraps his hands around her throat, choking her. The fans outside boo~

Smith: He’s gonna try to choke her to death!

Hood: That room must be a fan of Cat Cortes.

Smith: I think the house is set on eliminating all three of these competitors before they can kill the curse.

~Vhodka chokes with LCP’s hands around her throat as we float downstairs. Zombie Marcus barrels his way into the Wine Cellar. Zombie Marcus pauses, hearing a repeated pounding on the floor over and above him. We follow that noise as we head back into the Guest Room. LCP continues to choke Vhodka...she gasps for air, her face turning a deep shade of red~

Smith: LCP is unrelenting. A powerful force is behind the wheel.

Hood: Am I the only one who is okay with him choking her out?

~Everyone boos. A few of the cheaper concession items are hurled at him~

Hood: IT WAS JUST A HYPOTHETICAL

~We focus back inside the house. Vhodka chokes. She spits up a bit. LCP leans in...he’s going for a game ending choke out. Vhodka reaches around...she tugs on the comforter to the bed. The wine bottle falls...she grabs it and THUD! She clobbers LCP in the side of the head with it...same spot as before. LCP falls to his side, groaning, holding his head. Vhodka rolls to her side, coughing, holding the bottle...they are back to back, both curled up, coughing and groaning. Jack’s phone goes off as we fly out of the room and down to the main entry way~

5:00am

Smith: Only a few short hours left!

Hood: Vhodka and LCP might kill each other.

Smith: It’s looking like an option. An option I think the house would be okay with.

~A giant pile of hair rests at Puffer’s feet. Zombie Marcus bursts through the Wine Cellar door and staggers forward. His zombie eyes catch sight of what’s going on with Jade and Puffer~

Zombie Marcus: Argh?!

~He stumbles away from it, avoiding what’s happening altogether. He reaches the stairs and barrels into the wall...his zombie legs having trouble moving at the rate of speed his brain is willing them to go. He gets to the top of the stairs and looks, confused~

Smith: Does he know where he’s going?

Hood: He may not.

~He reaches for a door and shoves his way in. The door slams shut behind him, locking. Zombie Marcus looks around...it’s familiar~

Smith: The Home Office!

Hood: Wrong room you dumb zombie!

Zombie Marcus: ARGH!!

~We leave the room and the agitated zombie, floating over, next door into the Guest Room. Vhodka pulls herself up over the foot of the bed and leans over the comforter, gasping for air. LCP wraps his arms around her throat and pulls back, bringing her to her feet with a sleeper that’s more like a chokehold. Vhodka retains possession of the wine bottle and she slams it into LCP’s knee. The room continues to blink red. It continues to urge ‘Fight. Fight.’ over and over. LCP stumbles back, his knee nearly giving out. Vhodka spins around with a spinning back fist...only instead of a fist it’s the wine bottle but LCP ducks. She spins all the way around and LCP grabs her by the hair and pulls back. He does so with so much force she is pulled straight to the ground where he back SLAMS into the ground. LCP stumbles against the wall, holding his head which continues to leak blood. A giant welt is forming at the edge of his scalp~

Voice: Fight. Fight. Fight.

~The red light continues to flash. LCP pulls himself together and stumbles toward Vhodka...but she kicks her legs up and wraps them around his head and throat! She’s got a Triangle Choke applied...some fans outside yell ‘FOR THE TRIAD!!’ LCP gags and chokes as Vhodka begins slamming her wine bottle into the floor~

Smith: She’s attempting to choke LCP out!

Hood: And she’s trying to break that wine bottle which, might I add, is sturdy as fuck.

Smith: A very tough wine bottle.

Hood: Maybe we should put the OCW Title on the Wine Bottle.

~Finally! The Wine Bottle shatters!! Wine spills all over the floor. LCP’s right hand slips and slides atop the wet floor as he continues to try and fight his way out of Vhodka’s choke hold. Vhodka retains possession of the top of the bottle and looks down at the jagged, broken edges of glass where the rest of the now shattered bottle once connected~

Voice: End him.

~Vhodka reaches back and slings the glass forward!! But LCP throws some wine on his head and he slips free from Vhodka’s legs!!! She staggers to his feet before stumbling back against the wall with a loud THUD! We go through the wall and see Zombie Marcus in the Office. He hears the thud and heads over, pounding on the wall...he claws at the wall, trying to break through~

Smith: Zombie Marcus, in classic OCW fashion, is the only sane person in that house!

Hood: Or is he wanting to sneak in there and eat both Vhodka and LCP?

Smith: I think he senses the House is against them. The Curse is making it’s stand.

~Zombie Marcus tears through the wall only to find a brick layer. He leans in...a smiley face is drawn in red paint smiling back at him. A gust of wind picks up and it blows him out of the Office! He goes through the window and lands, roughly, back in the yard. His body remains down as we float up and back into the Guest Room. LCP leans against the wall, holding his throat. His eyes turn up and Vhodka is rushing at him, broken bottle in hand. He gets his hands up and blocks the potentially fatal cut. Vhodka leans in, trying to bring glass to flesh...LCP does everything he can to prevent that from happening...Puffer’s phone goes off. We leave the Guest Room and head back down into the entry way~

6:00am

~A massive pile of hair rests at Puffer’s feet~

Jade Spritz: There we go. All finished.

~We dare not look at what’s become of our Good Detective. Instead, we head back up into the Guest Room. Vhodka’s eyes are consumed with whatever permeates inside that room. LCP’s seem to be dimming...but he lifts a knee into her midsection...she drops the broken bottle of wine. LCP wraps both hands around Vhodka’s throat. She returns the favor...they both try and choke each other out. We head through the window and down into the backyard~

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

~Zombie Marcus looks up and he sees LCP and Vhodka attempting to choke each other out. Their dark silhouettes flashing in contrast with the red light. Zombie Marcus turns and sees the ladder LCP used to get into the room. He slowly crawls and pulls his dead body toward the ladder~

Smith: I have no idea what that zombie has planned.

Hood: I doubt he even knows. He’s a zombie, after all.

Smith: You have to think the real Marcus is fighting to keep what remains of his former self on track.

Hood: I mean he does appear from time to time.

~We fly over the zombie’s crawling body and up back into the window. The red flashing room seems to pick up with intensity as both Vhodka and LCP attempt to murder each other. LCP tries to force Vhodka to her knees...but she refuses. Vhodka does the same to LCP but he, also, refuses. The room shakes and both competitors fall to their knees, hands still wrapped around each other’s throats. The fans outside grow nervous~

Smith: It’s like they are locked on each other. I don’t think they’re gonna let go until one or both give out.

Hood: It’s gonna be both. I can feel it, man. That house wants them to choke each other to death.

Smith: Perhaps. It seems whatever is in that house has taken hold of both competitors.

~The room groans. It seems to have shrunk in size. Fans scream and yells~

Fan: THE WALLS ARE CLOSING IN!

Another Fan: Get them out of there!!

~Indeed, it appears as though the walls are slowly beginning to close in on themselves with Vhodka and LCP choking each other out in the center. We flee out the window and to the outsider where Zombie Marcus grabs the bottom rung of the ladder~

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

~He pulls himself up to his knees and begins a long, arduous climb~

Smith: Get up there, Marcus! I don’t know what you have planned but it can’t be any worse than the fate that awaits two of the greatest competitors in this sport!

Hood: How do you motivate a zombie to move faster?

~We leave Zombie Marcus and his slow climb. The blood pressure of all the fans in attendance seems to be rising faster. We re-enter the Guest Room as both LCP and Vhodka remain on their knees, choking each other out. The two side walls are closing in. The bed begins to crumble and break under the pressure. Vhodka and LCP remain unaware, singularly focused on killing each other. Their knees slosh around in the spilled wine resting atop the wood floor~

Smith: I feel like we should do something.

Hood: Do what? What could we possibly do? That house would chew us up and spit us out.

Smith: Have you no courage?

Hood: Not when it comes to saving other people.

~Vhodka and LCP lean forward, their foreheads slamming into each other. Their hands still wrapped around each other’s throat as the walls become visible on each side...slowly sliding in, looking to crush both competitors forever sealing them inside the house. We exit through the window...Zombie Marcus is struggling up the ladder...he’s about halfway. Fans yell “HURRY!” They suddenly go wild! Amby Brooks feels around the ladder and gets up under Zombie Marcus and she pushes forward, propelling Zombie Marcus up the ladder toward the window~

Smith: It’s Amby!

Hood: The most capable blind person I’ve ever seen.

Smith: Such heart!

Hood: Yes, her chest is tremendous.

~Zombie Marcus reaches the window. He looks inside. Vhodka and LCP would fall over if the walls weren’t right up against them~

Zombie Marcus: ARGH!!

~He throws his head forward, bashing it through the window!! Glass shatters and Zombie Marcus drags his body through the window. He snags both Vhodka and LCP...the walls pick up speed...he can feel them closing in. Only seconds remain~

Smith: The house has a chance to take out all three!

Hood: Did Marcus fall right into its trap?!

~Zombie Marcus can’t reach the door...so he drags them to the window and pulls them out of the window along with his body!! Amby listens as they fall out of the window and land HARD with a thud on the backyard ground. Zombie Marcus’ body acting as a shield to break their fall. Silence consumes the scene as Amby carefully climbs down~

Smith: He just saved Vhodka and LCP!

Hood: Yea but...and I can’t believe I’m about to ask this...is the zombie okay?

Smith: A question we’re all asking.

~Puffer’s phone goes off~

7:00am

~Vhodka and LCP rest on top of Zombie Marcus. All is quiet as the sun starts to rise. Vhodka’s eyes open. LCP’s eyes open shortly thereafter. They pull themselves up and look at one another. Both looks indicate they realize how close they came to a pretty shitty demise. They then turn and look down at Zombie Marcus. He’s motionless~

Smith: Is he?

Hood: Dead dead?

Smith: Don’t say it!

~Vhodka takes a step back. LCP drops to one knee and puts his hand on Zombie Marcus’ chest. Amby appears alongside Vhodka, both looking down with concern~

Zombie Marcus: argh

Smith: He’s not dead dead!

Hood: He’s only just dead! Alright!

~The fans go wild. LCP and Vhodka stand over him, extending their hands. Zombie Marcus takes them and they help him to his feet. He stumbles around...the three wrestlers take a moment. Zombie Marcus popping and bending joints back into place. Vhodka holds her throat. LCP rubs his throat and touches his tender head. And then the house lets out a terrible roar~

Smith: Whoa!

Hood: That house ain’t dead yet.

Smith: Nope it seems very angry.

~The fans in front of the house scatter as parts of the house fly off, landing near them. They vacate the scene. Marcus, Vhodka, and LCP turn when they see a gate in the backyard open, offering them an opportunity to leave~

Smith: One last chance.

Hood: Anybody? I mean it’s just the OCW Title. You guys can go win some other fed title...sure it’ll be way less cool and kinda shitty but, hey, that’s what this profession has become.

~The trio look at each other and then back at the house. In unison, they head back toward the house and re-enter through the back door~

Smith: Yes! They are gonna stick it out!

Hood: But isn’t the night over?

Smith: I think it’s over when the house says it is.

~Amby follows them inside...but the back door slams shut before she can enter. She falls back as the rest of the house shuts up. All windows, all doors...completely covered by a thick, impenetrable black material. Thick, deadly vines rise from the ground, surrounding the Cursed Abode. It becomes a place with no entry and no exit~

Smith: Uh oh

Hood: Well they’re in the shit now.

~We glide over Amby’s tense, shocked posture and through a hole in the vines, back into the house. Vhodka, LCP, and Marcus reach the entry way where they stand. Vhodka holds her throat. Marcus holds his arm. LCP holds his head~

Vhodka Black: Puffer!

LC Pinkston: YO

Zombie Marcus: ARGH!!

~LCP’s feet kick at something~

LC Pinkston: Eww...what’s with all this fuckin hair?

~Vhodka looks down at the giant pile of hair~

Zombie Marcus: Argh.

~LCP looks up and sees a strange man wearing a familiar outfit~

LC Pinkston: Yo. Why you got Puffer’s clothes on?

~Vhodka looks up...she’s got a handful of hair in her hand. She sees the scar on the man’s neck~

Vhodka Black: That is Puffer.

LC Pinkston: Nah Puffer is way better looking than…

~The figure...foreign to them but familiar to us speaks~

Cocco Ricci: My name is Cocco Ricci. Congratulations on making it this far.

~The trio can sense the house tightening it’s grip. They stand close to each other, prepared for anything~

Cocco Ricci: And also, my apologies. This was always a fool’s errand for the curse cannot be defeated.

~The walls start to shake. The eight doors rattle as though some huge force behind them is beating on them, begging to be released~

Cocco Ricci: But we did try to warn you. Gave you every opportunity to escape. All these years and wrestlers remain as gullible as ever…

~Ricci’s voice trails off...his mind wandering back to his final moments. He shakes it off and returns his focus to the three living combatants~

Cocco Ricci: Welcome to the family.

~The floor starts to shake as a loud roar sounds from beneath them. We soar upward, through the roof and up into the still dark sky~

TO BE CONTINUED

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