Pickman's dilemma

[cathul]

The scene cuts from the ring announcers to the shot of a large man jogging through the back hallway and out the "talent" exit. As the winter air catches the large mans long golden locks, it can only be Cathul's friend, Jason Pickman. Off in the distance, standing near a guardrail a robed figure stands alone, peering off into the dark Atlanta night.

Pickman: Cath! What are you doing out here? You know you're not suposed to leave the building after you report in for the show. Why are you out here? And why aren't you wearing more clothes, it's cold out here.

Cathul: Cold? Pickman it's warm; it's warmer than it has any right to be.

Pickman: You're in Georgia Cath, not Massachusetts. It's closer to the equator, but it's still winter. I'm guessing it's 40 degrees out here.

Cathul: Cold... Pickman, I can't feel it. I can't feel anything, except for... the pull.

Pickman: It's starting to take hold again, isn't it? Tell me, have you been swimming this week?

Cathul: It didn't feel right. I mean, I just took a dip in a lake I don't think there was any harm in it. It's not the same, it's not going to satiate my thirst; my desire. It's getting close to the full moon, Jason. I can feel the tide swelling, strengthening. I know if I took a dip right now, the tide would pull me home. I could be in the Gulfstream within an hour, and then it's just a quick swim up the coast and I'll be home again. I haven't seen my kin in so long, Jason. I miss them.

Pickman: Cath, take a hold of yourself. That's not you. It never was you and it never will be you. You escaped Innsmouth, you denied your father. That's why you took up the cloth, remember? To finally break free and leave Innsmouth to rot.

Cathul: Break free? That's why I took up the cloth? I... I don't remember why I did it, I just remember the pain. The soul searing pain, Pickman. I remember twisting and wrench, bending and breaking. Me, you, them... Oh, the release. Oh, what a rush!

Pickman reaches back and slaps Cathul across the face, knocking the smaller man to the pavement. Cathul's posture fades from an aggressive coil on the ground, to that of shock and horror at what he was about to do.

Pickman: Come back to me, my friend. That part of you is the enemy. It's a shadow that has fallen upon you at birth, and one you can never stop fighting against.

Cathul: Jason, I'm scared. I seem to be losing a grip on myself. I'm afraid that I'm going to go to sleep one night and never wake up again.

Pickman: I know, but that's why I'm hear. You came seeking my help and I'm here to provide it for you. You have a match tonight, you have to team up with SJ Dixon, do you remember him?

Cathul: Dixon... Yes. I remember reading the match list tonight. When did I come outside? It's freezing out here.

Pickman: Yes it is, come on... we have to get you warmed up for your match.

Cathul: Warm... Yes. Yes I would like that. Dixon, I face Dixon, for his belt right?

Pickman: Yes, but that's not for some weeks. Tonight he's on your side. He's on our side. He's a friend.

Cathul: Friend... Dixon? No. No, Dixon is my enemy. SJ Dixon doesn't respect me, won't admit that I saved him. Saved? Saved him? That's why I'm here, isn't it? To help... people? To save them from themselves.

Pickman: That's what you say.