October 19th, 2016

Global Studios

Dressing Room, 4:35 PM

Phoenix's POV

Penny: Oh! Hello!

Maya: What are you doing here?

Penny: Oh… I was just cleaning up the dressing room. I guess WP won't be using it anymore, so…

Maya: Wha!? What!? Why!? But WP is innocent!

Penny: Yes, and I'm really grateful for all you've done. But… This week is the last episode of the Steel Samurai…

Maya: What!? Nooooooooooooooooooo!

Maya passed out after hearing that, and was left lying on the floor.

Penny: Sorry… I didn't think she take it THAT bad.

Phoenix: Don't worry; she'll be up a little soon. Anyway, I was wondering if I could ask you about Mr. Hammer…

Penny: Yes?

Phoenix: On the day of the murder, he went to Studio Two.

Penny: Huh? I thought he went to Studio One?

Phoenix: That's what everyone thought, but that day he came in here and stole Mr. Powers's Steel Samurai costume.

Penny: What!? Why would Mr. Hammer do something like that!? … Oh… I guess the rumor must be true, then.

Phoenix: The rumor?

Penny: Yeah. Ms. Vasquez, that producer, has some kind of hold on Hammer. She had some dirt on him… He'd do anything she said, apparently.

Phoenix: What kind of "dirt"?

Penny: About five years ago, there were filming a movie starring Mr. Hammer. They were using the new studio… Studio Two. Some sort of accident happened during filming. After that, they never used Studio Two again. They left the film set the way it was, too.

Phoenix (Thinking): The film set…? Was that trailer part of the film set, then?

Maya: *groan*

Phoenix: M-Maya!

Penny: Are you okay. S-sorry you had to know the truth.

Maya: I'm fine, but w-what do you mean, the "last Steel Samurai"!?

Penny: I know it's a shock, but nothing can be done to save it now. Whoever really did kill Mr. Hammer, also signed the Steel Samurai's death warrant.

Maya: No… no!

Penny: Also, I hear that Global Studios is going to change its programming. They're not going to make kids' shows anymore.

Maya: W-what!? Why!?

Phoenix: Why aren't they going to make kids' shows anymore?

Penny: The studio bigwigs don't want the Steel Samurai around anymore. They want to forget all of this ever happened. They want it quite, you understand?

Maya: H-how could they just do that! What about all the kids who loved the Steel Samurai!

Penny: It's okay. I'm sure the kids will be fine. They'll find a new hero to follow.

Maya: No, that can't be true! If the program just ends, they'll be heartbroken for sure! N-Nick! Say something!

Phoenix: Umm… yeah.

Phoenix (Thinking): I think evidence, rather than words, is called for here.

Phoenix: Here, take a look at this.

Penny: And this is…?

Phoenix: A fan collected all of these photographs. The kids love the Steel Samurai! The show shouldn't be cancelled just so some adults can save face! I would think you would understand that better than anyone.

Penny: … … You're right… Okay! But what can I do?

Phoenix: Well, for starters… you can tell me something. Tell me what it is that Global Studios is so intent on hiding? Tell me about this accident five years ago.

Penny: … Okay! I can tell you what I've heard. Apparently, five years ago, someone died… and it was Hammer's fault.

Maya: S-someone died!?

Penny: It was an accident, of course! Anyway… The producer, Ms. Vasquez managed to hush it up.

Phoenix: And that's the "dirt" she had on Mr. Hammer?

Maya: And that's why Mr. Hammer would do anything Ms. Vasquez asked him to do! … But, it was an accident, right? Why didn't they just make it public?

Penny: Well, you know Mr. Hammer was a big star back then. They were afraid about what would happen to his career if word got out.

Maya: I see…

Penny: You know who knows more about this? Ms. Oldbag. She was here at the studios back then, you know.

Phoenix: Thanks. We'll try asking her.

Phoenix (Thinking): If she'll talk…