A thunder claps in a gloomy scene out in Tokyo, as rain falls heavily. As the camera pans down to a light over a studio where a silhouette of Clifford Zelmore sitting by a desk looking at a monitor. The real life Lightning Man sighs heavily and he begins typing on a keyboard while he does, his thoughts are said out loud.
Clifford Zelmore: “Dear mom. I hope this email finds you well. Regarding your last mail, yes I am aware it has been several years since we’ve last seen each other. You also forget that the world is under a strict lockdown and even if I wanted to leave Japan, just to see you, I can’t, it’s impossible. I am stuck here in Japan, but maybe that's for the better. I’ve been able to do things here, I’d probably get in more trouble back home. No it’s not doing drugs, but it’s being in a band. I’ve made friends here, real honest true friends. You might be able to hear us one day.”
Clifford sighs as the rain starts slapping on the window and he looks out there remembering that his ally Red Star is out there by himself tonight
Clifford Zelmore: “I’ve read your concerns about dad, and I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I can’t nor will I. Believe me, I know Dad had to be tough as nails to be the man he is, but that doesn’t excuse the mistreatment he did to his children. To me, to my sister, hell I’m sure he has done things to you, you wouldn’t speak of. Still, it was because of dad that Angie was forced to leave. It was because of him that she killed herself. You could’ve stepped up and stopped him from forcing her out, and her having to live with me for as short a time as she did. Still, you let dad run your life, and pushed your daughter out. The daughter who was assaulted by someone you knew and have protected from me.”
Clifford stops and pounds his hand on the desk remembering his time in America attending a funeral sitting alone from his parents who looked somber. In the middle, a coffin lowers and Clifford stares dead at his parents. In a split second, lightning flashes and Lightning Man is seen in Clifford’s place, then he returns to his normal self.
Clifford Zelmore: “Tell dad that despite his terrible parenting, I’m doing his damn job. I found the bastard who contributed to his daughter’s death. Like I suspected he’s here in Japan. I know he’s here and I know his name. What I’ll do to him, will be enough vengeance to avenge Angie, that I can promise. Because here I can do things that only others back home can only dream of. Here, heroes are real. It’s life threatening, sure, but nothing in this world is risk-free. For me doing what dad should do, is far and away worth the risk.”
After writing this sentence Cliff takes a sip of his coffee and looks over his mask for Lightning Man, feeling a slight bit of conflict internally. He steels himself and finishes his email
Clifford Zelmore:“To end this message, I have to tell you that I’m at least on TV now. If you find a way to find a service to watch wrestling, you could at least see me there. In that way, while I can’t see you, you could at least see me. Try to find Ultimate Wrestling back home. Love Cliffy.”
With that said, Clifford sends the email to his mother and he once again sighs in a depressed and disgusted tone
Clifford Zelmore: I wish my mother would understand. I had to come here to find this… Bishop. He ruined my family, broke us apart, and he did the unthinkable to my little sister… She wasn’t even eighteen to what he did to her!
Cliff grabs his Lightning Man mask, then stands up and a lightning strike bolts behind him creating a silhouette and as he holds his mask looking at it, breathing heavily
Clifford Zelmore: What am I going to do…? Am I going to… Kill him? I’m… I’m a hero. True heroes don’t kill. I can’t just find him, and execute him… Can I? Akira kills any and all wrong doer, but I’m not like him, people of his culture, his nature, it’s honor. But this isn’t honorbound. This is personal vengeance. And what do I have after I get him? What do I have left to call myself a hero? What if that bastard Oswald... Was right?
The storm outside intensifies as a door in the studio opens and walking in is Shingo Injrio, The Moody Underground’s drummer. Clifford quickly hides his Lightning Man mask in his pocket
Shingo Injrio: Oh, Clifford! It’s been a while.
Clifford Zelmore:Shingo! Hey, I wasn’t expecting to see you. Especially on a night like this.
Shingo Injrio: Well, I was hoping to crash here for a few days. My contracted band isn’t doing any shows for a couple of weeks, and I want to catch up on Ultimate Wrestling.
Clifford Zelmore: Oh? And why are you interested in watching a wrestling show?
Shingo Injrio: Well there's that Lightning Man character.
Clifford’s heart skipped a beat as thunder rumbles outside
Clifford Zelmore: Wha- who is Lightning Man, Shingo?
Shingo Injrio: Oh, I’m surprised you haven’t heard of him. He’s a hero, they say. I’ve seen him fight in the Ultimate. He’s been able to fight off dastardly North Koreans who have caused chaos. He’s brought order to that chaos, as heroes do. But, his deeds are just televised on Ultimate Wrestling, he does far more outside I’m told. I haven’t seen him in action outside though.
Clifford Zelmore: What has he done? Surely it’s just a wrestling gimmick.
Shingo Injrio: No, it isn’t. People have told me of their encounters with him. To many, he is a true hero, because he does more than just beat up bad guys.
Clifford stands flabbergasted, shocked that he’s hearing this from his bandmate who clearly cares about his alter ego. A whirlwind of emotions flows through Cliff, but just as he’s about to respond to Shingo, a vibration from a phone in his pocket. He then checks it and its from Takuma Sato with the following message “We’re waiting for you.”
Shingo Injrio: Hey, what’s up Clifford?
Clifford Zelmore: Oh um. It’s Barry. He wants to see me. I um… I have to go Shingo. Make yourself comfortable, enjoy your time here friend.
Clifford grabs a backpack that contains his Lightning Man uniform and prepares to leave the studio
Shingo Injrio: (Oh, hey Clifford, I hope you run into Lightning Man out there. If you do, tell him, he is my hero.
Clifford smiles as he walks out of the studio
Lightning Man:I will.
