Evocative Objects

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DARKNESS. VOICEOVER.

SARAH SHARP: When journalists are looking for stories, we want to find something that really draws the viewer in. Its gotta be about something they care about with people they can relate to. But most importantly, I think a good story needs to have a turn. Something that makes you really rethink what you know and what you feel. I think Nate Nolan is one of those stories.


FADE IN:
INT. NATE’S APARTMENT.

Sarah watches Nate as he picks through photos from his childhood. We see Nate and his mother several times, as well as some photos of Nate while he was training to become a wrestler.

NATE NOLAN: I keep all kinds of things to remember. These photos… every award I’ve ever gotten. I mean, I’m not saying its super unique or anything, but its something I do.

SARAH SHARP: To remember what, exactly?

NATE NOLAN: Where you’ve been. Where you’re goin’. That kinda thing.

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) It started in Sacramento, California for Nate. He was raised by a single mother and grew up poor. He tried to help out his mother as much as he could, but it was a struggle. But Nate would tell you that his childhood was unremarkable.

NATE NOLAN: It’s no different than how a lotta kids grow up.

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) Many kids dream of being a pro wrestler, but when they grow up they let that dream slip away. Nate Nolan was different.


CUT TO:
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM

It is a bright room, likely a hotel. Sarah and Nate sit opposite each other in comfortable chairs.

SARAH SHARP: I’ve been around pro wrestling for a decade now - reporting, interviewing, and just watching. I’ve seen a lot of people like you pop up and then disappear in the blink of an eye. What makes you different?

NATE NOLAN: That’s a lot to answer. I don’t know. I don’t know that I’m not gonna crash and burn.

SARAH SHARP: Are you expecting that? To crash and burn.

NATE NOLAN: Maybe. But I just wanna make the most of the time I have while I have it, if that makes sense.

SARAH SHARP: Sure.


CUT TO:
EXT. VENICE BEACH, CA - WXW COSMO’S SPRING BREAK

Nate Nolan and Takayuki Sekimoto rise to their feet as the ring announcer stands at ringside.

RING ANNOUNCER: And the NEWWWWWW WXW Tag Team Champions… NATE NOLAN and TAKAYUKI SEKIMOTO!


CUT TO:
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM

SARAH SHARP: Was that your first title ever?

NATE NOLAN: Yeah, and it’s beautiful, isn’t it?

SARAH SHARP: A new memory for you.

NATE NOLAN: Without a doubt.

SARAH SHARP: How well did you know Takayuki?

NATE NOLAN: Not at all. I mean, I’d met him the week before. But we both went in there sort of expecting the worst but hoping for the best. He’s a hell of a wrestler, clearly.

SARAH SHARP: You’ve wrestled in SAWA as well, the CWC’s venture into South America. Now you’re a champion in West X. The opportunity will be there for you in GWD as well in New York soon. You’ve got the contracts and the visibility, why don’t you think it will last?

NATE NOLAN: I want it to.

SARAH SHARP: Are you happy?

Silence.


CUT TO:
STILL IMAGE OF FACEBOOK POST

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) When I researching for this story, I stumbled across this Facebook post by Nate Nolan shortly after he signed his contracts with SAWA, WXW, GWD, and PHW. “To all of my family, friends, and fans, I want to say thank you. The road has been long and hard, and without the constant support I wouldn’t have made it this far. After the accident everything was in question. You helped me pay for rehabilitation and were there for me when I needed it. Whatever I manage to accomplish is because of you, and I am eternally grateful. You’ll be seeing me.”

Blackout.

SARAH SHARP: I wanted to know about this accident.


CUT TO:
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM

NATE NOLAN: It was a car accident. I was hurt badly. I had a concussion, a broken arm, and bruised ribs. But the main thing was a patellar fracture. It was… hell, I guess, is what I would say it was.

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) I saw a comment on the post that made me dig further.


CUT TO:
STILL IMAGE OF FACEBOOK REPLY

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) The comment was posted by someone named Hannah Medoff. Her profile picture was black, but I found some older images that show her as a smiling young woman with long brown hair. Certainly not the type of person who would hide the way they look. The comment reads, “Don’t forget the people you left behind. We aren’t going away.”


CUT TO:
INT. INTERVIEW ROOM

SARAH SHARP: Who is Hannah Medoff?

NATE NOLAN: I knew her a long time ago.

SARAH SHARP: Was she involved in the accident?

NATE NOLAN: I… don’t really want to go there.


CUT TO:
EXT. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

NATE NOLAN: It’s smaller than it looks on television.

SARAH SHARP: Did you ever think you would end up here?

NATE NOLAN: Never. Can you… take a picture?

SARAH SHARP: Of course.

Nate stands in front of the entrance to the arena. He positions his WXW Tag Team Championship over his shoulder as Sarah kneels down to take the photo, careful to get the arena’s name in the shot.


CUT TO:
STILL IMAGE OF PHOTOGRAPH

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) Nate had a lot on his mind. I sensed that he wasn’t interested in continuing our conversation about Hannah Medoff, whoever she was, so I let him lead the conversation. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I knew it would be the way in. The way to understand him. The way to tell this story.


CUT TO:
EXT. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

NATE NOLAN: There’ll be ten other people in this gauntlet. I have no idea where I’m entering, but hopefully towards the end. I just want to put on a good show. Let people see the things I can do in the ring.

SARAH SHARP: Do you have family coming to watch the show?

NATE NOLAN: Yeah, actually. My mom will be here. A few of the guys from my old training school. A nurse from my physical therapy program… and hopefully a lot of fans too. Team Nate should be well represented tonight.

SARAH SHARP: What about Hannah Medoff?

A beat.

NATE NOLAN: I doubt she makes the trip?

SARAH SHARP: Why? A broken relationship.

NATE NOLAN: I’m going to head inside and scope out the place. I’ll catch you after the show, cool?

SARAH SHARP: Yeah. Absolutely. Break a leg tomorrow.

NATE NOLAN: Not interested in doing that again.


CUT TO:
FOOTAGE OF NATE NOLAN IN ACTION

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) Nate downplayed his chance of winning the gauntlet match tonight. But I’ve seen him in action. For his lack of experience, he carries himself well in the ring. He is a high risk, high reward kind of wrestler. I don’t want to call him a glass cannon, because he’s pretty tough, but what really sticks out is how different his wrestling style is from his personality. Analytical minds gravitate towards technical wrestling. The brutes like brawling. The egotists are all about the show. But Nate, as I know him, is an introvert. A quiet kid with something lurking beneath the surface. Those types don’t usually make it in the wrestling business. But when Nate steps into the ring, he becomes a different person. It’s an evolution - no - a transformation. As if he switches a mask at will. Like wrestling is the only way that he can really be the person he wants to be, and he’s ashamed of the man he really is.


CUT TO:
INT. EDITING ROOM

Sarah sits in front of several computer monitors, facing the camera.

SARAH SHARP: I don’t know how Nate is going to do at the GWD show on March 30th. He’s still a mystery to me, but I think I’m getting attached. Getting invested, maybe, is the better word. He has this aura about him that I want to explore. And some good news - I reached out to Hannah Medoff. She was apprehensive at first, but agreed to talk with me. I haven’t told Nate about it yet.



CUT TO:
EXT. SARAH’S HOTEL - NIGHT

Sarah’s phone rings. She turns to the camera with a smile.

SARAH SHARP: It’s Hannah Medoff. I’ll put it on speaker.

She answers the phone.

SARAH SHARP: Hi Hannah, its Sarah. Thank you for calling me.

HANNAH MEDOFF: Is he with you?

SARAH SHARP: Nate? No. He isn’t.

HANNAH MEDOFF: Good.


CUT TO:
FOOTAGE OF NATE NOLAN IN ACTION

SARAH SHARP: (Voiceover) The things she told me changed the way I thought about Nate. But there will be more on that next week. I’m Sarah Sharp reporting on Nate Nolan. Be well.