Shortly before the start of the live webcast of ACW Overdrive, Darren Pesinger and Jack Ripper - the recently reunited team known as RipperCussions - are sitting in one of the common locker rooms, getting themselves ready for their match. As Jack helps his best friend tape up his fists, the two discuss strategies, not only for tonight, but for the future:
Jack Ripper: Are we really gonna do this, Darren?
Darren Pesinger: HELL YEAH we gon' do this! What, you pussyin' out already, ya queer?
Despite the harsh, raised tone, it is clear Darren is not truly angry, and so Jack merely smiles:
Jack Ripper: No, I'm not pussying out! I'm not the bitch around here...
To this, Darren once again takes mock offense:
Darren Pesinger: Hell yeah, you the bitch 'round here! It sure as hell ain't me!
With this, the cowboy jumps his partner, grabbing his head in a headlock as he rubs a fist through Jack's hair playfully. The fashion designer lets out a scream of laughter, but the horseplay does not last very long, as soon a third person enters the room, swaying slightly on her high heels, a cigarette and bottle of cheap liquor dangling precariously from her fingers:
Bambi Juggs: Ya got 'ny more o' that moonshine, Darren honeybun?
Darren looks up at the escort, all trace of mirth gone from his face:
Darren Pesinger: Hell no, I ain't got no more! Ya drank it all, ya drunk bitch!
To this, Bambi replies with a sulky mutter, right before leaving once more, to look for someone better equipped spirits-wise. As soon as she is out the door, Jack turns to his partner, his expression grave:
Jack Ripper: All right, first things first, Darren...if we're gonna do this, the chick's gotta go.
Despite his harsh treatment of the call girl moments earlier, Darren seems troubled by his partner's statement:
Darren Pesinger: Why's she gotta go, Jackie? C'mon now! She ain't hurtin' nobody! Hell, YOU could use her...might set you right!
The cowboy grins and winks, but Jackie does not seem amused:
Jack Ripper: I don't want to be "set right", Darren. And she IS hurting somebody...she's hurting YOU, man!
Darren frowns, but Jack quickly explains his argument:
Jack Ripper: Look...as long as she's around, your head's gonna be on her. It's natural. You're a straight guy. But she's dragging you down, man! You want to show the fans who runs this joint? You need to forget about her and start thinking about US!
Pesinger protests, but it is clear by his grin that Jack has won him over:
Darren Pesinger: Hell Jack, ya make it sound like I'm your boyfriend or somethin'...
The fashion designer smiles:
Jack Ripper: C'mon, dude. I know you. I know that would KILL you!
Darren guffaws, in spite of himself, as his partner now changes the subject:
Jack Ripper: So...tonight...
Even before Jack begins, Pesinger is already interrupting:
Darren Pesinger: "Tonight", we kick 'em jackasses' rears! Like we always do, buddy!
Ripper, however, still seems a little doubtful:
Jack Ripper: I dunno, Daz...Mercy and Indiana are no pushovers...
Darren chuckles again:
Darren Pesinger: Yer kiddin', right? Did you see 'em last week? What a joke!
Here, Ripper shows a little irritation:
Jack Ripper: Oh yeah? Did you notice Mercy was trying to TAG Indiana in?! Because maybe he's USED TO TAGGING, Darren?! And he won't be alone tonight, you know...tonight, he CAN tag Indiana in all he wants!
Pesinger, however, is still not concerned:
Darren Pesinger: Yeah, OK, he's used to taggin'...but so are WE, ya jackass! Did ya forget? We're Ripper fuckin' Cussions! The best damn tag team in PWA history! Y'ain't gon' tell me we can't take on a coupla Fonzie wannabes, are ya? Seriously?
Jack sighs, giving up the ghost:
Jack Ripper: Whatever, Darren...just...be prepared.
Darren Pesinger: Hell, I'm prepared! I'm good 'n' ready! That's what I'm tryin' to tell ya, ya dumbshit!
Again, despite the harsh words, the Southerner's tone is not aggressive, and the fashion designer relents. Before they head out, however, Jack has one last issue to address:
Jack Ripper: Hey...what's up with you and Claressa King on Twitter?
Darren frowns:
Darren Pesinger: How d'you mean?
Jack Ripper: Well, you seem awful friendly...
The cowboy chuckles once more:
Darren Pesinger: Hell, Jack, it's nothin'! She just recognizes a fine piece of ass when she sees one! And she ain't half bad lookin' neither, so I hit her back! It's called flirtin', buddy. Not that *you* know what that is...
Jack moves to smack his partner in the arm, but Darren dodges, laughing. Then, as the two are about to head out, the fashion designer suddenly reaches up and straightens his partner's Stetson hat on his head. Faced with the cowboy's amazement, he winks, grinning:
Jack Ripper: Queer Eye for the straight guy, Darren...
Then, he opens the door, motioning for the Southerner to follow him:
Jack Ripper: C'mon...let's go show everybody that RipperCussions is back.