Off-Camera
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Office of Seleana Zdunich
Zdunich Zoological Gardens
Los Angeles, California
9:45 AM PST
It was a cool day in Los Angeles and things had been looking up lately.
Her wives had both returned to their family, Christina from her drug and alcohol-fueled bender and Alexandra from her moment of darkness and doubt.
Now, Seleana Zdunich was at her office at the Zdunich Zoological Gardens, going over paperwork or the recent additions to the security team. As Seleana sits there, a knock comes on the door to the office.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja?
The door opens and two latino men stand there looking none too pleased at something. The two men walk into the office and close the door behind them.
Man #1: You know why we’re here?
The second man scoffs at the notion of Seleana’s ignorance.
Man #2: You know she does. Chica ain’t stupid…
The first man shrugs.
Man #1: Doesn’t mean she does.
The second man shakes his head.
Man $2: Putas estúpidas.
Seleana looks up and stares at the two, visibly taken aback to see them there.
Seleana Zdunich: Can I help you?
The first man starts to nod but the second one glares at her hatefully.
Man #2: ¿Eres realmente tan estúpida?
The first man nods to his compatriot.
Man #1: Calmate… calmate…
Seleana presses a couple of things on her phone and nods to them, placing her hands on the desk in front of her.
Seleana Zdunich: Was your visit to the zoo unsatisfactory?
The second man starts to get agitated all over again but the first one puts a hand up to slow him.
Man #1: It’s alright, Lalo, she might really not know what we are here for…
He pauses to nod to her in acknowledgment.
Man #1: Or she has an idea but is waiting for us to confirm before jumping to any crazed assumptions, which…
He nods his head in the same manner again.
Man #1: Is not a bad idea in her place. When you have a nice establishment like this, several other businesses, two wives and a child to worry about and you’re going to be in Henderson on Sunday, you never know what might happen when you’re gone.
Seleana nods knowingly.
Seleana Zdunich: ¿Cuánto?
The tw turn to each other, Lalo looking certain this proves she was faking while the first man still seems certain that she was not.
Lalo: ¡Puta!
The first man puts both hands up to calm his companion.
Man #1: Calmate, Lalo, calmate. She’s ready to talk business so we can get to it without any bullshit involved now.
Lalo points accusingly.
Lalo: You know what she did to Héctor and Geo!
Before anything else can be said, Seleana shakes her head.
Seleana Zdunich: I did nothing to either of them. I did not even have a go at them. Geo came here first, alone, and left on his own. What happen to him after, I do not know, though I was told a rumor. Héctor came later, after whatever happened to Geo. He was not pleased to hear a call was to be made. What happen after, I do not know. I did not need to know in either case. It was not my business so I did not ask.
Lalo glares at her, his hatred seemingly intensifying with every second that goes by.
Lalo: You think it’s funny what happened to them? Do you know who we are?
Seleana nods slowly.
Seleana Zdunich: You are their brothers, Lalo and Joaquín Rondón. You are connected to the group in Jalisco, ja? Your uncle run things in Mexico and thinks Héctor and Lalo are too reckless and cause too many problems for business. Geo is usually better but got into his own supply too much and get sloppy. Joaquín and cousin Tuco are the better choices for things. Joaquín because he is smart, Tuco because he makes the least noise.
Lalo is almost shaking while Joaquín stares at her, momentarily dumbfounded by the information dump she just performed for their benefit.
Joaquín Rondón: We need to go.
Lalo turns to look at his brother, incensed and shocked by what he’s just heard leave his brother’s lips.
Lalo Rondón: The fuck? This puta owes us how much and you…
Joaquín Rondón: She's stalling…
Lalo Rondón: What?!!?
Joaquín nods to Selena.
Joaquín Rondón: She’s stalling, someone is coming. There’s no way she should know this much unless somebody warned her we were going to come and collect because her wife owed us as much as she did and we were told to invoke her little girl’s name. We need to go…right now.
Lalo Rondón: Why?
Joaquín starts to back up towards the door.
Joaquín Rondón: Because she’s connected to people too. Her daughter-in-law’s the VP of the Shieldmaidens. She has some Maidens and Chrome Dragons who work here. She was family friends with Dean Matthews and I’m pretty sure some of the Japanese Maidens are friends with a Takamoto…
Lalo shakes his head again.
Lalo Rondón: So what?
Joaquín Rondón: ¡Cállate y vámonos!
As Joaquín starts to reach for the door handle, the door opens to find Chrome Dragons Full Patch Sam “Razorback” Matthews along with his sgt-at-arms Carlton “Cerberus” Martin standing there with several Japanese men right behind them.
Sam “Razorback” Matthews: Hey… where y’all goin?
Joaquín’s head droops down in defeat.
Joaquín Rondón: Shit…
Cerberus shakes his head.
Carlton “Cerberus” Martin: Y’all know she’s got a match to prepare for, right?
Sam “Razorback” Matthews: Vanya’s gonna be pissed he has to call Salazar and T-Will all over again and I can’t imagine Koichi is gonna take this challenge to his authority very well.
Cerberus shrugs.
Carlton “Cerberus” Martin: How hungry is them pigs?
Razorback grins.
Sam “Razorback” Matthews: Starving…
The two Dragons step aside as the Japanese men come into the office and escort the Rondón Brothers out and to the back door of the facility.
Seleana Zdunich: Pobrecitos…
She shakes her head almost sadly as the two are taken away to wherever guys like that go to.
Off-Camera
Friday, February 2, 2024
Master Bedroom
Zdunich Residence
Hollywood Hills
7:45 AM PST
It had been a nice night the previous evening when Seleana and Christina Zunich had managed to surprise their wife with a small party for her birthday. Now, after sleeping the glow off, Seleana walks back into the room, her workout clothes set out before her as she quickly starts getting dressed. Her wife, Alexandra “Diamond” Caldwell-Zdunich sits up on the bed squinting and confused.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Sel?
Seleana turns to face her, smiling, her hair still damp with a smile shining through.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja?
Alexandra manages to force one eye fully open.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: What’s goin’ on?
Seleana smiles even more brightly.
Seleana Zdunich: I am getting ready for a workout while Christina attends a session after she took Aurora to school. We both thought we should allow you to sleep in after we spring party on you yesterday, ja?
Alexandra ponders this as she slowly comes to full consciousness whether she really wants to or not and a smile crosses her face.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: You did surprise me.
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: How often do you turn twenty-nine?
She moves over and kisses Alexandra lovingly.
Seleana Zdunich: Besides, we had to show you we love even after…
Seleana trails off as Alexandra kisses her back.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Thank you for that. Aurora was too cute!
Seleana nods as she sits next to her wife on the bed.
Seleana Zdunich: Sometimes she forgets she’s not a toddler, ja?
Alexandra nods her agreement.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Hearing her say “Happy birthday, Mommy!” is just…
She trails off shaking her head. Seleana nods knowingly.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja, it is. Hearing her voice like that…
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Warms ya in ways you didn’t know you needed?
Seleana nods her agreement. Alexandra scans her workout clothes and frowns in confusion again.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: You have a match this week?
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: I thought SCW didn’t like to book you in back to back weeks?
Seleana nods again.
Seleana Zdunich: They do not but my match last week got canceled on Friday so they book me again this week to allow me to keep the rust off.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Who was it supposed to be last week?
Seleana hesitates for a second before answering.
Seleana Zdunich: Alexandra Calaway.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: That… Alexandra Calaway?
Seleana nods slowly.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: But it’s not this week?
Seleana shakes her head.
Seleana Zdunich: No, this week it is Bea Barnhart. I assume Calaway still has problem from last week.
Alexandra sighs heavily.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Is she still the same bitch she was before?
Seleana almost laughs.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja.
Alexandra laughs right along with her.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Some things never change, eh?
Seleana and Alexandra giggle together.
Seleana: Ja, now I just need to get ready for Bea Barnhart. We have been in the ring together many times and she never fails to bring me.
Alexandra nods.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Who are you working out with for that?
Seleana shrugs.
Seleana Zdunich: I will find someone when I get there.
Alexandra nods slowly.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: You got time to wait for me?
Seleana can’t help but smile.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja.
Alexandra smiles back.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: Alright, then let me get up and get ready and I’ll be the one.
Seleana nods and kisses her again.
Seleana Zdunich: Jag älskar dig!
Alexandra smiles back.
Alexandra "Diamond" Caldwell-Zdunich: I love you too.
