House Show

**House Show** is the sixth episode of the first season of the Starz original wrestling drama *Heels*.

## Synopsis

It's the day of Big Jim's baby's baptism and a new beginning for everyone in Duffy; Jack's running around town prepping and promoting the upcoming match.

## Plot

Willie sits up in the office, recounting a couple memories, the first being her and Tom in the office after another event, during which Tom was in distress as the DWL was losing money. Tom felt as if he was a failure, even as Willie tried to remind him of the legacy of DWL.

She also recalls Apocalypse attending an AA meeting, where he discussed having to deal with the damage of the mistakes of his former life, I.e. drinking life. But he refused to allow himself to forget or diminish his mistakes. He'd rather use them as a fertilizer for a better version of himself, otherwise he'd be doomed to repeat his past mistakes.

Bobby has been released from the hospital and is recovering from his trailer.

Jack gets a message from Constance Garrity of the South Georgia State Fair commission. She wanted to talk to him about increasing ticket sales, as preshow sales are tracking behind.

As Jack struggles to find his keys, Staci rehearses her new song to play at baby Shelby's baptism. She asks Jack to stay and hear, but Jack has booked a spot on Dick Valentino's podcast to hopefully boost ticket sales.

Rooster meets with Charlie Gully, who is offering him a position with the FWD, as the DWL doesn't have much more life left, even with Rooster being their best. So, he offers Rooster a chance to wrestle in Jacksonville and drops $1,000 on the table, which Rooster takes offense with. He doesn't appreciate Gully simply throwing money at him. Gully insists that wasn't his intent and promises Rooster an opportunity of a lifetime if he joins the FWD.

Willie calls Jack out to South Georgia University's stadium to not only get a look at what 10,000 fans will look like, but to also discreetly retrieve SGU's alumni email list. Jack promises he'll fill the seats, but there is still the matter of Wild Bill. After his promo, they don't have a choice but to include him. However, Willie is concerned, as Bill is dangerous, not to mention a drunk and pill popper. And now that he's down on his luck, he's come back to the DWL, but he never gave thanks to the company when he made it big time and watched as they struggled for all those years, despite getting his start in Duffy. However, Jack believes they can at least use him for business purposes.

Bobby strolls into the DWL in a wheelchair, anxious to start his physical therapy at some point. He runs into Apocalypse and Diego, who are discussing a variety of things, including Apocalypse's dad, who fought in the Vietnam and the apocalypse itself, before moving on to male nipples and their lack of purpose. Rooster joins them and can't help but laugh at the idiocy of their conversation.

Ace watches old home videos of his dad coaching him, while his mom records him playing flag football. Tom remarked that Ace had it all, strength, athleticism, good looks. He even had better footwork than Jack.

Big Jim has asked Ace to be his daughter's Godfather and as such, he has to say a few words at the baptism. He reluctantly agrees, as he isn't sure if he should be saying anything after what happened with Bobby.

Ace comes downstairs to find his mom finally getting rid of his father's stuff, as it's taking up too much space. Carol intends to donate it.

Jack arrives at the DWL to find Rooster outside the building, waiting to talk to him about his slot within the fair, but Jack asks if it can wait until the BBQ and tells Rooster that if he wants to smoke, he has to take it around back.

Jack enters his office to find Wild Bill with his feet up on his desk. He reveals that he just came from seeing Dick Valentino, as they're old acquaintances. With the state fair only a month away, Bill came to tell Jack that he's all in with the DWL. The fans are blowing up his socials and Barstool wants to promote his comeback. However, Jack doesn't want his help, as Bill never offered it to Tom when he needed it. Although, Bill reveals that Tom never asked for help. He couldn't accept that Bill was chosen and he wasn't. Not to mention, Bill did come back — when he tried to take Ace, but Jack ruined that. He thinks that the two of them could use each other to rise to the top, which isn't something Dick Valentino can offer. Bill recalls the one time he wrestled Dick in Atlanta and how he broke Bill's wrist in an "I quit" match. However, Jack refuses to discuss the State Fair any further with Bill until he hashes things over with Willie.

Crystal approaches Willie outside of the Baptism and asks what her role in the fair will be. With Crystal no longer working as Ace's valet and Bobby out on a broken leg, she wonders where that leaves her, as she feels that she's being left out, which Willie blames on Crystal for going off script.

Jack appears as a guest on Dick Valentino's podcast, during which they discuss Wild Bill's return and how he personally called out Jack and Ace. Dick then recalls the screw job in which Jack nearly broke Ace's arm and asks if he has some of his father's anger. Jack doesn't answer, moving back to the future of the DWL. Dick then tries to shift the subject to Tom's suicide, but Jack seeks solely to discuss the DWL. However, Dick reminds Jack that his podcast is named "No Questions Barred." He's come to discuss the wrestling business, which they all love, but the cost that comes with it. He explains that Tom's death and how it made Jack feel is interesting to his listeners, but Jack isn't moved and decides to exit the podcast.

Staci performs her song at baby Shelby's baptism, however, Jack is not in attendance as promised. Ace then goes up to say a few words. He and Jim have known each other since grade school, more specifically detention. He talks about how it's a hard road ahead, during which baby Shelby will wrestle with demons, both real and mental, but life is all about writing a story they all can be proud of.

Big Jim thanks Ace for a job well done during the baptism. He then inquires about Bobby, who Ace has yet to apologize to.

Crystal blames herself for Bobby's broken leg, as she knowingly provoked Ace, who is volatile. She apologizes to Bobby, but he doesn't blame her, as he knew the risk of getting in the ring. He then says that she should be a wrestler, assuming she bulks up. While Jack and Willie may not think so, Bobby does.

Jack approaches Staci and Pastor Henry at the BBQ, though Staci is frustrated with him after having shown up late to the baptism and excuses herself.

Ace notices Bobby struggling to get a plate of food and rushes over to assist. He takes this moment to apologize for breaking his leg, and Bobby forgives him without a second thought. Crystal joins them and volunteers to help Bobby to the table.

Rooster approaches Jack about potentially throwing him in the main event for the fair, but when Jack turns him down yet again, Rooster simply sees himself out.

As the night comes to an end, Melanie sees the guests out, though Crystal stays behind to play with baby Shelby, and Ace stays to chat with Jim, who is happy with the life he's made for himself. While he misses the guys, he doesn't miss wrestling. Ace then asks to hold the child, smiling with baby Shelby in hand.

The Spades return home, and Staci takes Thomas out back to catch fireflies for his school project, but Jack stays inside, consumed with work.

On the way to her car, Crystal apologizes to Ace for going off script during the match, and Ace apologizes for how he treated her, as they had a real good thing going.

As Willie is closing up at DWL, Wild Bill comes by to apologize to Willie for what he said to her. She advises him to take a good look at himself. A long time ago, when he was still in Duffy and they were together, he was more open to being kind, but he's changed since then. When Willie doesn't accept his half way apology, he follows her out and actually apologizes. He then reveals that he was kind back then because he loved her, but then one day, she just dropped him, and it crushed him. She explains that Tom was being scouted and asked her to be his valet, which she accepted, as she thought it was a better bet with being Tom's valet than Wild Bill's. Willie apologizes for hurting him long ago, and for that, she's sorry, but she thought that allowing him to stay at her house would make up for it and show that she was there for him as a friend. But her daughter had nothing to do with what Willie ever did, which is why Bill shouldn't have said what he said and is apologizing.

Rooster gives Gully a call. When he doesn't answer, he simply leaves a message, saying he's in.

Jack apologizes for missing Staci's song. She asks about work, which isn't going as well as it could, so Jack is considering bringing Bill on, which Staci is weary of, as she doesn't like what he brings out of people. However, Jack doesn't have many options, as he still needs to sell the State Fair pre-show tickets. Staci tells Jack that she is tired of being ignored. Between the squirrels in the attic, Shelby's christening, and the gerbil she asked Jack not to get for Thomas that he got anyway, she's starting to feel like she's being ignored. Staci just wants part of their life proceeding towards something unified. She feels as though she needs a thing, something more in life. When they're doing stuff as a family, she knows who she is, but lately, she feels like she's just observing. While she appreciates all he does to support the family, she thinks she's made out to be more than just a spectator. Jack tells her that she's kind and remarkable. However, she simply doesn't feel like she's flourished in life. Moving on to Thomas, Staci explains that he and Jack need to spend more time together. They need more than just an exhausted and depleted Jack.

Ace brings a couple garbage bags filled with his dad's stuff up to his room and then begins playing the home video of his father speaking so proudly of him and his expectations for him to go to the NFL, believing that young Ace was destined for greatness.

## Cast

* Alexander Ludwig as Ace Spade
* Alison Luff as Staci Spade
* Mary McCormack as Willie Day
* Kelli Berglund as Crystal Tyler
* Allen Maldonado as Rooster Robbins
* James Harrison as Apocalypse
* Roxton Garcia as Thomas Spade
* Chris Bauer as Wild Bill Hancock
* Trey Tucker as Bobby Pin
* Robby Ramos as Diego Cottonmouth
* Duke Davis Roberts as Big Jim Kitchen
* Alice Barrett-Mitchell as Carol Spade
* Joel Murray as Eddie Earl
* Larry Clarke as Ted Day
* Erica Pappas as Melanie Kitchen
* Eliza Coyle as Annie Earl
* Spencer Garrett as Pastor Heery
* Mick Foley as Dick Valentino
* Mike O'Malley as Charlie Gully

Co-Starring* Mason Gillett as Young Ace Spade
* Jaxon McHan as Young Jack Spade
* Roy Roberts as Randy
* Elizabeth Maier as Therese
* Leydi Morales as Waitress
* Zoe Myers as Diane Tracey
* Nathan Hunter as Football Kid #1
* Owen Bedwell as Football Kid #2

## Gallery

### Videos

'House Show' Ep. 6 Preview - Heels - STARZThe Cast Discusses Ep. 6 - Heels - STARZ-2‘Mick Foley as Dick Valentino’ Ep. 6 Clip - Heels - STARZ‘Men’s Nipples’ Ep. 6 Clip - Heels - STARZ‘Wild Bill and Willie Talk About the Past’ Ep. 6 Clip - Heels - STARZ