M E R C E D E S ♦ V A R G A S
SCW | BOMBSHELLOK, I’m going to say something I would gladly die on a hill: Roxi Johnson was a boring Bombshell Champion.
The women’s division was boring having Roxi as Bombshell Champion because there are many other great women on the roster, not just her. The commentators built her up as someone who represented the division, but I know there are other great contenders out there who can do that and better. And better.
[Mercedes raises her index finger for a moment, considering the thought then shakes her head.]
M E R C E D E S ♦ V A R G A S
SCW | BOMBSHELL Don’t get me wrong, I wasn't rooting for Masque. Roxi was nothing special in my eyes. She had her moments, but the only reason she she won matches is because her opponents made mistakes and she made them pay for it. Out of all the defenses she had, I'm the only one who made her work in retaining. I took her to the limit. Masque took Roxi off her game, got in her head, made her make mistakes, got her frustrated and it was wonderful to see. Credit where it’s due, Masque had focus, a good gameplan, and that made the difference.
Far as I’m concerned, this needed to happen. Now that we're saved from the straightjacket that was Roxi’s reign, it's now a level playing field and there can be other champions, which is good for business and the division as a whole.
I said Roxi’s reign would be mercifully over, and it turns out I was right.
Happy days are here again.
CAMERAMAN: So will you be sending Masque de Lune a Hallmark card this year?
M E R C E D E S ♦ V A R G A S
SCW | BOMBSHELLIf I’m not caught up by The Rapture by then, I’ll get back to you on that.
[She puts her match with Candy into perspective.]
M E R C E D E S ♦ V A R G A S
SCW | BOMBSHELL Beating Candy at Violent Conduct? I couldn’t be happier. She can go back to her stupid glitter for all I care. Nothing is going to dampen my mood after the supercard, and you want to know why? Because I finally have her name on my checklist.
[Mercedes presents her clipboard and sure enough, it’s been updated with Candy’s name in bold letters followed by a check mark.]
M E R C E D E S ♦ V A R G A S
SCW | BOMBSHELL I think I'm going to be enjoying this match for a long, long, time. You love to see it.
~~~
[A gym. Several training equipment of all sorts surround the facility, from the modern to the highly advanced. In the center of the white-washed and wood tiled room is a wrestling/boxing ring.
[The gym is practically empty, although it’s late in the afternoon. However, one person is actually getting a workout today, and that person happens to be none other than Mercedes Vargas seen here in a kickboxing training session with a partner.]
.::ETHAN::..
How did it go?
.::MERCEDES::..
Not bad. Well, better than I had hope.
.::ETHAN::..
It's progress, at least.
[Jab, Cross, Uppercut, Duck.
Mercedes keeps in mind the workout combination.]
[The camera turns pulls back and we see for the first time Ethan, who was standing by with Thai pads taking in the contact.]
.::MERCEDES::..
What? No witty remark? Nothing clever to say?
.::ETHAN::..
I’m trying to be on my best behavior. Besides, you got a match this weekend.
.::MERCEDES::..
Don’t remind me.
[The trainer feeds a straight right. Mercedes her head outside to slip the punch; and then, follows up with a left hook to the body.]
.::MERCEDES::..
Masque is good. But what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.
.::ETHAN::..
I know you're trying your damnedest to be tough... but the truth is, you're terrified.
.::MERCEDES::..
I can't hide anything from you, can I? I guess I’m not a very convincing liar. I'm fucking terrified. And you would be too. Did I mention this is life or death?
.::ETHAN::..
There's no turning back now. She seems...dangerous.
.::MERCEDES::..
She’s perfectly safe! Safe-ish.
[Next is a kick, punch combination. She does this in a rhythmic approach with no pause or break in between strikes.]
.::ETHAN::..
Merce, she almost killed Amber Ryan. Probably would have done the same to Team Hero if she had the chance. Now that she holds the top, who’s to stop her?
.::MERCEDES::..
Me.
[Mercedes goes with a straight left punch, along with a right kick. Then, right away go into a straight right punch, with a straight left punch, into a left back kick. She does this in an endless combination and with smoothness and fluidity.]
.::MERCEDES::..
I’m not going to be womanhandled by Masque. If she’s going to leave still champion, she won’t need to kill me.
[Mercedes goes with a roundhouse kick, which her trainer ducks just in time.]
.::MERCEDES::..
But she’s going to have come pretty damn close.
.::ETHAN::..
I think that’s enough practice for today.
~~~
Las Vegas, Nevada
10:20 PM
O brave new world that has such people in it![The camera shows a Porsche 911 driving through the streets of Las Vegas. Along the way we see various people working and living their lives. The car drives past buildings, suburbs, a playground, a lake, and more. The voice over continues.]
Las Vegas, Nevada. It's called by many names - The Gambling Capital of the World. Sin City. The Jewel of the Desert. Or just simply, Vegas.[A series of quick cuts showing the outside exterior of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino at night, a up-close shot of a monitor from a virtual slot machine, a crowd full of people dancing to music inside Studio 54, and a newlywed couple renewing their vows at a wedding chapel as an Elvis impersonator looks on.]
To those who live here, it's home. To those who visit, it's a paradise. For me, though?[We cut to inside the moving car. Mercedes Vargas is in the passenger side listlessly turning the pages of a magazine as Jorge, her brother, is behind the wheel while bobbing his head to the car radio.]
It's an almost common occurrence. After being overseas for over two months, I’m glad to finally be back in Sin City.[illuminated skyscrapers, neon signs, and various hotels line every street as Mercedes looks out at tourist enjoying the night.]
After all, what’s not to like about being in Vegas?~~~
Present Day ♦ L A S V E G A S, N E V A D A[REC•] [Our scene opens to a visual of a parish at the end of a boulevard, just at the break of dawn. A gust of wind sweeps debris around these orphaned streets before the camera pans on Mercedes Vargas sat on the steps of the quaint house of worship. She was conservatively dressed wearing a black and white high-collared blouse and a knee length black skirt.
“Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the doors and…wait where are the people?”
[Mercedes gives off a nonchalant shrug.]
“Never let it be said that the good paying fans at every SCW event aren't thoroughly entertained. Look what happened at Violent Conduct. Sure, there was the fire breathers, the trapeze artists, the magicians, the lion tamers, those people who get shot out of cannons, a picture show or two. Pretty sure they really had the ooohs and aaaahs going during the freak show portion during the supercard. Oh, and every title changed hands - who had that one on their bingo card - Oh, but this vaudeville show isn't over yet. This weekend, the best is saved for last.
“Sunday night, the people will stand in line, get their tickets, and pack out Gold Coast Hotel and Casino for a Climax Control they will never forget. Come one, come all! Hurry, hurry, step right up! It's the greatest show in town. Seven acts under one roof for a single admission. And for one night only, see the one they call Masque de Lune completely annihilate another no-name, no-talent Bombshell right here in Las Vegas, Nevada! Guaranteed to be amazed. Don't let this moment pass you by!”
[Mercedes keeps a level expression but we can tell she’s also having a little fun with this.]
“They have billed the main event as a singles contest, but read your program again. They won't be expecting a match. No! What they will get is a public execution live on television. Looks like yours truly is first in line to challenge Masque de Lune for the Bombshell Championship and I’ll be honest here, I can’t wait. When Masque beat Roxi in Mumbai, India, she became the one in Roxi’s 8-1. Bye-bye undefeated streak, bye-bye title reign.”
[Mercedes hasn’t completely forgotten when she last challenged Roxi a few weeks ago at the go-home show. The Argentine only got more scathing from there on the now former champion.]
“I guess that means Roxi learned something on two week ago. Because when you set yourself up as untouchable like she was, the fall is going to be that much more painful when she realizes that she was beaten inside of the ring. 1-2-3.”
[Mercedes holds up three fingers to remind everyone of the humiliating defeat Roxi had suffered against the Bombshell newcomer.]
“Roxi had a good run. But that gut feeling she had, that uneasy feeling she was talking about ahead of her match? It wasn’t butterflies, it was the pure dread that she was going to lose the Bombshell Championship to someone that was much better than her. Roxi should have known better the moment Masque was named number one contender that her fate was sealed.
“Of course, now, things are different. I know a lot of the Bombshells are wishing they were in my shoes right now - well, come to think of it, I’m sure if they had to face Masque, most of the girls would probably call in sick - but let’s face it, when it comes to being the One-Woman Dynasty of SCW, they have pretty big shoes to fill.
My career is almost beyond comparison, easily, easily, one of the most incredible in SCW history. That can’t be argued.
“So after the Violent Conduct event, I’m sure Mark Ward and Christian Underwood met in their little office and I wish I was a fly in the room to hear what they were saying. I can imagine that conversation going, “Well, hot damn. That was a great main event. Now we have to talk about Masque’s first defense. We need to put her across the ring from somebody who will challenge her, somebody who will take her to the limit, somebody who the fans want to see her tangle with.’
“Well, somebody has to face Masque for her first defense. Don't know if she was waiting for her match with Roxi in the rematch this weekend, but I've never backed down from a challenge, and I'm not about to start now. Competition makes me stronger, and I like to think I play well to my strengths. Masque de Lune versus Mercedes Vargas? I don't think anyone could say no to that. In my eyes, that’s no punishment, that's a dream match. As far as the main event, it’s not because I think I deserve it; and it’s not because I think that I have another opportunity to make history; it’s because I’m going to finally put to bed and put to rest any doubt that Mercedes Vargas can be world champion in Sin City Wrestling. The Bombshell Championship means something in the hands of The One-Woman Dynasty.
“So as Climax Control 241 is fast approaching, I’m sure there’s a lot of you out there wondering, ‘Hey, Mercedes. How is your match with Masque de Lune so special? How will it stand out from the great matches from Violent Conduct, especially that main event, the matches Sunday at Climax Control or any of the matches you’ve had in your SCW career, now 200 plus matches and counting?’
“Well, one one side there’s Masque. She’s cold, calculating, and someone who will stop at nothing, and even go beyond that, to take out every person standing in their way. Pretty soon, there will be no one left. She’s lost only twice, Roxi’s the only woman to pin her shoulders to the mat, and Masque has defeated a good third of the roster, including our Paragon of Justice. Masque is practically the second coming of Amber Ryan, only she’s wearing a mask and have a prosthetic hand.
“And then on the other side, there’s little ole me. Nine-year experience in SCW, two-time SCW Hall of Famer, a 14-time title holder, the most decorated wrestler in SCW history, the first ever Queen for a Day, the one who has wrestled the most overall and pay-per-view matches, the one with the longest consecutive pay-per-view appearance streak going. I could go on.
Masque is having the career of a lifetime. She won her first championship, she put Amber Ryan on the shelf, and, most recently, she finally beat Roxi Johnson and captured the Bombshell Championship in one fell swoop - and this is just in her first seven months.
I’ve been called a lot of names in SCW. Arrogant, conceited, overrated, selfish. A pushover isn’t one of them. When people look at what I’ve done in my career, they are filled in awe and wonder. Even now as I’m still breaking records and winning championships. Speaking of, it’s been a while since I last held one around my waist, but I’m planning to right the ship and make that a reality. Go ahead and ask the women I’ve beat for championships. The list is pretty long.
“Something you’ll notice about Masque is that she loves the element of surprise. It’s how she got to Amber, it’s how she got to Keira and Roxi. Now that Masque is champion, she’s now the prey. Not knowing who will come for her next, or in this case, who will come for her first. Against any other opponent, the only way Masque loses that title is someone starting a Change.org petition. Come Sunday, I’m going to make sure Masque’s first defense will also be her last.
“The sky is the limit. That Masque reached it in so little time is impressive. Sunday, I have nothing to lose because I have no limits. On that note, I know how much Masque is looking forward to crushing another talent under her boot. It must be nice to know that even after coming off a convincing win at the recent pay-per-view, there's always another martyr coming her way. The one thing I am not is a martyr. So don't ask me for whom the bell tolls, because if it is for me, I'll answer it. I will not go gentle into that good night, at least not without a fur coat, boots, and a baseball hat. The forecast is supposed to be below fifty, I heard."
[Her tone is overly enthusiastic.]
“Masque’s reputation proceeds her. My reputation for overcoming the odds, even more so. And since we'll be in Vegas, that is some pretty long odds and a sure bet that she’ll be favored. I've been fortunate to have faced a lot of crazies in my career to know that unstable people are probably the most dangerous opponent staring across from you in the ring. After all, people fear what they don't understand. You can't define something that can't be defined. But then, you can't break something that can't be broken. I cannot be broken, Masque. Beaten, yes, but not broken. You pride yourself on intimidation, mind games, and fear, and there are more than a few who are spooked by you once in a while. I'm not one of them. There's nothing that you can conjure up in the dark recesses of your mind that will even make me bat an eye. So you put on your best top hat, make sure that mascara doesn't run, and you best bring every one of your parlor tricks, sweetheart. I’m coming to take away YOUR title and if I have to rip off that prosthetic hand and beat you with it, I will.
“I’ve had a few title opportunities slip through my fingers this year, I’m a little surprised this match fell in my lap. You have to take opportunities when you get them, so here I am. Some people are probably thinking that I'm only in this match to make Masque look good, or it could be that this match is only important because I'm in it. To me, it doesn't matter whether this is a dark match, the opening match, the mid-card, or the main event, just so long as it ends with Masque getting pinned or submitted.
Last time we met, nobody won. That won’t be good enough this time.
But that doesn't mean this can't be a one-woman show. Puedo bailar, puedo cantar, toco un poco el piano. Hago de todo.
If Masque wants a performance, I'll give her one that she will never forget. One night. One match. One last opportunity.
That’s all I have left. And that’s one of the many reasons why I can't fail again. Twice I was so close and yet so far. Twice I've let this opportunity slipped from my fingers. The third time isn't going to be the charm, the third time isn't where I'm going to strike out. The third time is where I'm going to win and I'm prepared to go at any lengths to have that title around my waist. I see the glass as half-full.
In the eyes of others, seeing Mercedes Vargas as the new Sin City Wrestling Bombshell Champion seems impossible, some would say even improbable.
I'm going to make that inevitable.
Come for the action, stay for the drama. Don't blink, you might miss something.
"Estar preparado para lo peor, esperar lo mejor."
"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."[Mercedes fluffs and straightens out her hair, lowering her voice just above a whisper.]
"Y que la suerte está siempre en su favor.”
“And may the odds be ever in your favor."***Fade***
