Moments after the video playback at Climax Control…
Reaching out for the button on the keyboard, Sam Marlowe presses stop and the window in window goes black before the cursor moves over the X in the window’s corner and a click is heard. What wasn’t seen by the fans, a large pile of books surrounds the laptop that she is using. Sam sighs and then reaches for a booklet that is just a printed copy of her thesis that has been bound but can be seen to be written all over. She pulls it towards her and looks at it.
“Almost done,” she murmurs as a smile slowly begins to cross her face. “I think that I have this in the bag and not a moment too soon.”
Just before Into the Void, Sam had spent a miserable couple of weeks finalizing her thesis for her Masters in English Lit from the University of Nevada and had submitted it to the professors on the board for review. And just before Climax Control she had received a letter from the Masters committee indicating that she was to present her thesis and defend it this week on Tuesday morning.
Sam pulls her foot up to rest on the chair as she prepares her notes for the presentation. Books rest open and she trails a finger down one before scribbling something onto an index card. Suddenly there is a buzzing from the laptop.
“Who could that be?” wonders Sam as she puts a mark in her book and then looks on the screen. Seen there is the image of her father who appears to be leaning into the window and mouthing something. Sam presses the button to answer the call. “Hey Daddy,” she calls out with a smile.
“Howdy princess,” he says with a wave. “I wanted to call and talk to you about what has been going on with you. Your mom and I miss you and it has been a while since we talked. Cyn told us about your loss of your Roulette title and well, let’s just say that she laid it on thick about how the match went. You all right princess?”
Sam nods slowly as she reaches up to brush her red curls over a slowly healing scratch on her head. “I am fine Daddy,” she admits slowly. “I was disappointed but I have to give it to Mercedes Vargas, she beat the heck out of me for that title so I am pretty sure I made her earn it. And speaking of Mercedes, I do have a rematch for that belt owed to me so I am going to be facing her sooner or later.”
Sam shoots her father a wink. Philip Marlowe laughs at the screen as he leans back in a large leather chair to continue their conversation. “Well Sammi, now that I know you are better, when are you going to be coming to Houston? After all you are no longer a champion so that means more time doesn’t it?”
“Oh Daddy, just because I am not the champion anymore doesn’t mean that I have more spare time at all,” admits Sam. “Sometimes it means more time spent getting ready for title matches plus I still have my Masters to finish up. I submitted my thesis and believe it or not this week I have to defend it. Pass this presentation and I will be on the way to getting my Masters then I can focus back on wrestling but will have a fall back.”
“You know princess, you do have a job with the family business, don’t you?” asks her father. “It may not be wrestling but it is honest work after all,” he jokes as he reaches for a long neck and a pretzel stick that he lays on his tongue and pulls it into his mouth like a toothpick. He trades his typical southern drawl for what he thinks is a New Jersey ‘Sopranos’ accent. “I could make you an offer you couldn’t refuse.”
Unable to help herself, Sam giggles at the image of her father looking like some kind of mafioso. “Daddy, you know that I love you and love your business but I am not going to rely on that when I can blaze my own trail. But if I should need something to fall back on, then I have the Marlowe business. I would rather wrestle for now Daddy,” adds Sam as she leans her elbows on the table by the laptop. “I know I am good at it and there is so much more that I can do.”
Philip looks into the screen, the love for his daughter shining through. Suddenly from behind the screen, the door of his office is heard to open and the voice of Sam’s older sister can be heard. “Daddykins,” states Cyn Marlowe. “Monty and I are waiting for you. We have dinner reservations for this evening to discuss our merger with Monty’s company.” Cyn moves around the desk to see Sam framed there. “Hello Sammi,” says Cyn with a sickenly sweet tone.
Sam’s smile fades slightly at the intrusion. Cyn sits on the arm of Philip’s chair as she smirks. “I saw your match at that last supercard when you lost the title Sammi. I was surprised that you let someone like Vargas get the better of you like that. I am sure however, that you have an excuse…so what is it?”
“CYN!?!” says both Sam and Philip which only makes Cyn put an innocent look on her face.
“I am only telling the truth Daddy,” answers Cyn as if it were only natural for her to speak that way.
“I don’t have an excuse Cyn, I got beat fair and square. I don’t try to hide that fact. But like I was telling daddy, I do have a rematch clause that I can invoke. Who knows, maybe I might get a rematch soon?” muses Sam with a grin. “Either way, I am not going to worry about it since I have other things to think about this week. I wish I could continue this chat but I have to get back to my prep for Tuesday. Love you Daddy, we will talk soon. Bye Cyn.”
The last thing that Sam hears is Cyn complaining that their father was wasting her time talking to Sam when they had things to do. The redhead sighs and slams the top of the laptop closed before turning to look at the pile of books in front of her. Angrily she pushes them to the floor. For a few moments she crosses her arms not doing anything before she bites her lip and moves to pick up the books.
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I just found out that this week I am facing Bobbie Dahl in a match to determine who will be facing Mercedes Vargas next week for the Bombshell Roulette title that I so recently lost to her. Color me surprised that I would have been facing Bobbie Dahl.
I had supposed that with all the up and coming bombshells in SCW I would have to work my way back into contention because I did lose my title. I do get the rematch clause defense but, in all actuality, a rematch is never guaranteed. I mean I know everyone tends to say that once they lose a title, they demand their rematch in the loudest voice they can. Now I ain’t never been one to demand a title match and I ain’t going to be starting now. But this week, Christian Underwood is seeing fit to offer me a chance to earn a shot at getting back my title and I am not going to let my chance pass me by. I am going to be stepping into the ring with a woman who for all intents and purposes is undefeated and I am sure is a favorite to win the match but I have to say that I am not going to let that stop me.
Yeah, Bobbie Dahl is a wrestler like no other. She is all over the ring like a boss and she will not back away from throwing her weight around, no offense to Bobbie, that wasn’t a comment on her size. I am saying that she knows what she is doing and I am sure she has been watching me too. Which means this is going to be an interesting match to say the least.
Now Bobbie, before I go any further, I want you to know that I respect what you have managed to do here in SCW. I have seen you wrestle some of the toughest people in the company and pull out the win. And that means I am going to have to bring my A plus game for this match because the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whichever one of us wins goes on to face Mercedes Vargas next week for the Bombshell Roulette title and trust me when I tell you it is something that I want desperately. See, I was ready to work my way to the title and I am so lucky that this week I am given that one shot to win my way into a title match.
I am also sure that you are probably looking at this match as a way to get your name on that title belt too. Although I do have to wonder how much you will be focused this week on how you need to beat me to advance the title match. I know that I have been ready at a moment’s notice to wrestle for gold, or to wrestle for a chance to regain a belt that I have lost. And this week Bobbie, I am going to be wrestling for a chance to once more battle for the Bombshell Roulette title. And when I do win the match and move on to face Mercedes, I want you to know that even though I am going to beat you, I still have so much respect for you in this match. May the best woman win at Climax Control and good luck to you.
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Tuesday Morning…University of Nevada…
Sam Marlowe can be seen pacing along a hallway, her high heels clicking on the concrete floor. Dressed in a linen skirt and white button up under a soft black blazer and a silkie tie loosely knotted under her chin, the redhead looks professional but the terrified look in her eyes is the only indication that she is nervous. Her fingers play with the cards in her hands as her lips move soundlessly to make statements before checking them against the cards.
“Oh god, please let me pass this today,” she mutters under her breath.
Watching her from a molded chair, her friend Pussy Willow who is filming the redhead as she paces. “You will do fine Sammi, it is not like you haven’t done this so many times before in the ring at SCW,” says Pussy which draws the attention of Sam. “Seriously Sam, you know you can defend your position for your Masters. Think of it as a promo for a match you are in. Break it down like you do for your matches.”
Sam lets her eyes roll as she responds. “Pussy, defending a thesis is not like cutting a promo at all. I mean sure, it will be me talking but I can’t go in there and say that I am going to lay a beating on those professors just to prove that I will win. First of all, this is Shakespeare for sobbing out loud. You don’t use wrestling metaphors to defend a thesis that basically states that the women of Shakespeare are strong characters that tend to win…”
Sam’s voice trails off as Pussy gets a smug look on her face. “Basically your thesis is saying that Shakespeare’s women are bombshells with a sixteenth century look and attitude,” says Pussy in an ‘I told you so’ voice.
“Fine, you win. But I am not going to go in there and cut a promo on my professors…” offers Sam with a desperate look at the door of the room. I have to keep this professional and all that. Y’all gotta know I am so dang nervous right now…”
Pussy can see Sam worrying with the cards in her hand. Getting to her feet, Pussy moves towards her friend and tucks her hand through her arm and guides her towards the windows and away from the door. “Listen Sam, why don’t we do an interview for Climax Control to get your mind off this presentation,” offers Pussy who reaches into the large bag over her shoulder and pulls out a small go pro camera.
“Why am I not surprised that you have a camera with you?” demands Sam with a soft laugh. “Okay, how do you want to do this?”
Pussy looks around and spies a couple of easy chairs and motions towards them. Sam joins her and sits down crossing her legs in a ladylike pose. Pussy begins to film her friend as she speaks up. “This week Sam,” she begins. “You are in a match to determine who will be facing Mercedes Vargas for the Bombshell Roulette title on August 4 th’s edition of Climax Control. Did you think that you would have to win a match to face her or were you thinking of invoking your rematch clause?”
Sam looks thoughtful. “Y’all know that I am not the type of person that demands title shots like some of the Bombshells in Sin City Wrestling. I believe that invoking my title rematch isn’t something that I would do but that is not what is happening Pussy and that means I will have the opportunity to earn the title match. And that is something that is not usual in Sin City Wrestling.”
“That is definitely true Sam,” answers Pussy. “Every week there is another bombshell saying that she deserves a title shot for the Bombshell title or the Bombshell Roulette title. But don’t you think Sam that you need to get your name out there for the titles?”
“I have put my name out there Pussy, but not in the way you think. I let my skills in the ring make my claims. I hold a lot of records in SCW and I am proud of that fact. And I am surprised that as skilled as I am, the other bombshells don’t consider me a threat. Hellfire, I could be invisible for all the notice others pay me. But when that happens, that is when I am the most dangerous, because then they underestimate me,” says Sam with a look of confidence.
“You are telling me,” replies Pussy. “I mean unless you are facing someone, no one even mentions you at all. Why do you think that is?”
“Popularity? Or lack of it I suppose. But you don’t have to be noticed to make a splash,” answers Sam. “Take this week for instance, Mercedes only mentioned my name because she noted that I had a match to see who would face her. And my opponent…we haven’t heard anything from her either and that isn’t surprising. I seem to hear that she has some issues that she is dealing with and that is fine.”
Pussy nods. “Speaking of your opponent, this is going to be the first time you face Bobbie Dahl isn’t it? Are you ready for this match or will your lack of wrestling Bobbie cause you a problem?”
“No, I am not worried about facing Bobbie for the first time and yeah, you could say that it might be a disadvantage in some ways but a great advantage in others,” muses Sam to the camera. “I mean, I don’t know her style and abilities but by the same token she doesn’t know my skills and capabilities. If I am honest, this is going to be one heck of a learning curve when I step in the ring. Good thing I am a fast learner huh?” teases Sam.
Smirking back at her friend, Pussy is about to speak again when the door to the room opens and a professor steps out into the hallway with a clipboard that he holds up and looks at. “Sam Marlowe!” he calls out. Sam gets to her feet and swallowing softly, she looks at Pussy.
“Wish me luck,” she asks nervously as she moves towards the doorway that is being held open by the professor.
“As if you need it Sammi,” mutters Pussy as she films Sam disappearing into the room.
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What a week I have had this week. First, I spent my time preparing for my Masters thesis presentation and so I wasn’t focused on much other than that. I studied and prepared and I went in and defended my thesis to the best of my ability and that took up the start of my week. I was so into Shakespeare that I didn’t really look at my match this week on Climax Control. If I am honest, it didn’t even register for me until Tuesday after my presentation.
Once I was finished presenting to that committee and my finishing up of my courses, then and only then did I turn my attention to something else and that something else is my match at Climax Control and what it will mean to and for me.
I am facing undefeated Bobbie Dahl for a chance to face Mercedes Vargas on August 4 with the Bombshell Roulette title on the line. Undefeated Bobbie Dahl…sounds daunting doesn’t it. Most would say that means I don’t stand a snowball’s chance, but let me tell you a little secret…I like those odds. Once again, most people are writing me off and it means that I can come out of anywhere and cash in on those odds and then go on to bigger and better things.
However, I am not going to let myself get ahead of myself. This week, Bobbie Dahl and I are going to be getting in the ring and I am going to use this opportunity to win the number one contendership to the title that I am going to win back once I step in the ring with Mercedes Vargas. But first things first…Bobbie Dahl. I am sure that she is getting ready to step in that ring because I am pretty sure that she wants this title shot just as much as I do.
Good luck to you, you are going to need it because I am hungry to regain my title and if that means that I am going to have to beat you for it, then I am sorry now but I will not be showing mercy on Sunday at Climax Control. You are the one obstacle in my way and if I have to go around you or through you, that is what I am fixin’ to do. I will see you Sunday night Bobbie.
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