Part I: The Invitation


The year is 2022. The man we know as XXXVI had not yet donned the mask or taken the moniker. He had spent a few months in Cambodia learning and acclimating. One of the monks at the temple delivered an envelope to him. His face is blurred and he wears a dark robe. He opens the envelope after the monk leaves the room. He begins to read the letter inside.

Dear [REDACTED],

I do hope this message finds you well. I know you have been on a journey these past few years. I know you left it all behind and you are trying to make a life for yourself. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is [REDACTED]. We met once or twice years ago. I’m sure hearing my name is not something you expected, especially where you are now. You may be asking yourself why and how. I’m sure you have many questions and I will do my best to answer them. I’d like to cordially invite you to visit my compound in Australia. I will send a messenger as I regret I am unable to visit in person. I have many things to tell you that I think you will be very interested to hear. I have news of your family, for one and…a gift. I hope to hear from you soon.

– The Director

Days later, the messenger arrives. The messenger presents him with a box. XXXVI opens the box and looks inside. It is a mask. The very mask that he wears today.

Messenger: Sir, The Director sends his regards. He asks that you wear the mask. He says it’s important to conceal your identity. Also, we have a private jet ready. Can you leave now?

XXXVI: And if I say no?

The messenger’s face goes white.

Messenger: I wouldn’t advise that. He says you could be in trouble, like legal trouble if you don’t go.

XXXVI: I honestly don’t see how, but fine. I’ll go.

Part II: The Meeting


The Messenger escorts XXXVI, now wearing the mask and a suit into an immaculate mansion and into a meeting room, where the Director sits at a large glass table. He is also wearing a mask, all black with some hexagonal design. Simple. Elegant. His suit looks expensive. XXXVI has been living in relative squalor for the last few years, so wearing a suit and being around wealth seems jarring.

The Director: Ah, welcome. Sit, please. Messenger, please bring some water for our guest. Would you like anything else?

XXXVI: No, thanks.

The Director: I’ll cut right to the chase. I’m not a fan of wasting time. The fire? It wasn’t an accident. Originally, the case was closed, but now, there is new evidence and they have named a suspect. You. Now, I know you probably didn’t start it and even if you did, you had a damn good reason. I’m not here to turn you in. I’m here to offer you an opportunity. I know you’ve been on a personal journey and I applaud that. I’d like that to continue, but as much as your leaving the country and having no ties makes it harder to find you…I did. Now, the police force, they don’t have my resources. They don’t have the funding that I have, but they may find you still. You don’t want that, do you? So here’s what I propose. You work for me. You live your life, but truly abandon who you were. Wear the mask in public. Change your name or better yet, just drop it entirely. I will give you tools and help to clear your name and in turn…you agree to help me. Sounds simple enough, right?

XXXVI: So, blackmail, essentially.

The Director: If you want to be crude and reductive, sure. Because the life you’ve been living is so full of grandeur and wealth, right? Ah, but your true treasure is in Heaven or something, no? I know you’re a smart guy. I have need of someone with your skills and intellect. I won’t lie about that. And you need someone who can make this little problem go away. I know you’re wont to play martyr, but trust me, you don’t want to go away for this crime. All I ask is that you consider my offer. I will be in touch soon with further instructions. Oh and if you ever wondered what was in that will you never bothered to look at? It’s this house. I’ve been keeping it for you until the day you decide to come and make it a home. But you have a journey to get back to. I won’t keep you. One more thing.

XXXVI: What’s that.

The Director: This meeting never happened. Speak of it to no one. Understood?

XXXVI: Aye, captain.

The Director: That’s the spirit.



“I became a victim of the Doll. Since then, she’s completed another defense and seems poised to send a gift my way. She beat me once and without even using her usual underhanded tactics. Am I supposed to say ‘thank you, daddy, may I have another?’ A question for another time, perhaps. With Relentless fast approaching and another potential meeting with Thunder Knuckles, I must be wary. I must stay focused. First, I have a match against two of the most capable wrestlers in the XWF.”

“Marisol has it all. A loving partner, a business/cult of personality and apparently a new baby. Congratulations, muscle mommy. Parenthood is a beautiful thing. I do hope you get to enjoy it longer than I did. Send my regards to Maraeth and when you come home crying, tell her it was me.”

“Summer Page, how is wedding planning going? Must be nice to focus on that again now that you’re no longer playing Remora to that Shark. Will I see you at Relentless? Or will you be too busy licking the wounds I gave you? Tick tock. See you on Thursday!”