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I lost…I had gotten to the finals and then I lost.
I know where I went wrong, I know now just how much I let my sister and the fact her words could sabotage me add to my loss. That’s fine, I knew it was only a matter of time that I would end up having to lose in that tournament. So Cyn was right…I did lose.
Question is, was I going to let that be the reason that I crawl into a shell and hide from the world? Not on your life. I am fast approaching my second supercard and I am not going to dwell on losses when I have a chance to shut my sister up once and for all.
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Scene: Houston Texas, Marlowe home
Philip Marlowe stands in the middle of a room watching the younger of his two daughters work out intensely. Taking in the hair plastered to her neck and forehead, the look of focus on her face, he can’t help but wonder what kind of mood she is in. Sam ignores her father but knew he was there. Finishing up her reps, she moves towards the weights and lays the pair of dumbbells on their rack then turns to her father.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: I see you there Daddy. Is there something you need?
Philip Marlowe: Nah punkin, I am just watching you work out. Wanna talk about whatever it is that has you working out fit to beat the band?
Sam just chuckles as she looks at the mirror where her father is reflected. Brushing a hand over her face, she slowly shakes her head before shrugging.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Oh it’s nothing at all. Just figure maybe I need to work on my focus is all.
Nodding slowly, Sam’s father moves closer and then stands over Sam while putting his hands on her shoulder.
Philip Marlowe: Sammiwich, Cyn told me about the show last week and I gotta say, the way she tells it, you didn’t do jack shit in that match.
Sam glares at her father who holds his hands in surrender before letting a smile cross his face.
Philip Marlowe: Don’t worry princess, I saw the match and you kicked ass in the ring. I was proud of how you did and I think that Cyn is just jealous. But are you kicking your own ass because you felt that you could have done better?
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Really Daddy, I know I could have but those women have so much more experience in professional wrestling than I do. After all, I am pretty much opening match material. And both of them are champions so I don’t mind that much losing to them…
Philip can hear the pause in his daughter’s voice and nods knowingly.
Philip Marlowe: That is right Sam, they are champions and soon you will be too. But you have to realize that you need to remember that you haven’t been in the company that long and you also have to worry about Cyn. Maybe what you need to do is tell Cyn to stay home from now on.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: I wish I could Daddy, honestly! But every time I try she uses guilt against me and I feel like I have to let her. How did you ever say no to her?
Philip Marlowe: mumbling I never was able to…
The look he shoots Sam makes her laugh. He joins in as the door to the room opens and Cyn walks in. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a white shirt over a silvery tank top, Cyn looks cool and comfortable as she approaches her father, holding up her cheek for a kiss then turning to Sam, she smirks as she sit beside her sister to pat at her hand sympathetically.
Cynthia “Cyn†Marlowe: I just managed to finally get to the end of your match and while I was studying it, I realized just why you lose all the time.
Philip Marlowe: I don’t think that…
Sam holds up a hand to stop her father and turns to Cyn.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Really Cyn? What was your realization?
Looking superior, Cyn crosses her legs and puts her hands together on her knee. Philip Marlowe leans against the weight bench with his arms crossed over his chest and an interested look on his face.
Cynthia “Cyn†Marlowe: You lose all the time because you don’t take these matches serious enough.
Philip Marlowe sputters in surprise at the smugness of Cyn. Shocked herself, Sam doesn’t know what to say as she bites at her lower lip. Philip sees the look of hurt and indecision cross Sam’s features and he turns on his older daughter.
Philip Marlowe: Cynthia Marlowe, you apologize right damn now! I think you need to rethink just what you said.
Cynthia “Cyn†Marlowe: But Daddy, I am only telling Sammi this so she will start to take her opponents seriously. I mean really, what is it going to take to get Sam into contention hmmm?
At that comment, Sam stands then looks at her sister who flips her hair over her shoulder and smiles at her younger sister. Sam shakes her head and gives Cyn a look that pierces her confidence, deflating her smile slightly.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Cyn, I was in contention. If I had won that match at Climax Control, I would be wrestling for the bombshell title at the Supercard.
Philip Marlowe: That’s right. Sammi doesn’t need the negativity Cynthia. She did a helluva job at the show. You know what I think little girl…
Philip’s face reddens as he heats up to the topic. Sam reaches out to put a hand on his shoulder as he sputters angrily. Cyn gets to her feet and gives both of them a exasperated sigh as she once more tosses her hair over her shoulder.
Cynthia “Cyn†Marlowe: I am sorry you think that I don’t have the best interests of my sister in mind when I give her the benefit of my knowledge. Maybe I should just stay out of her life and let her suffer in the ring by herself.
Cyn sniffles slightly as she turns from the pair who watches her begin to shuffle away, sniffles escaping every so often. Philip can’t help but roll his eyes as Sam sighs and moves towards Cyn.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Cyn, don’t be like that. You can be frustrating as hell but you are only trying to protect me I guess. But you know that maybe you need to let me be when it comes to Sin City Wrestling. Why don’t you stay here in Houston when the supercard happens?
Philip Marlowe: I think that is a great idea…
The sniffles get louder as Cyn lowers her head, her red curls hiding her face as she lets a tremor enter her voice.
Cynthia “Cyn†Marlowe: You don’t…want me there? But Sammi, I am your mana..
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: You are not my manager Cyn. You are there but you aren’t my manager. And if you think that you can offer me some helpful advice at the supercard, I suppose I can’t stop you.
Cyn lifts her head, eyes dry as she hugs Sam. Philip only glares as Cyn holds Sam in a tight hug.
Cynthia “Cyn†Marlowe: You know I have the best advice when it comes to wrestling Sam. I can’t wait to see who your opponent is. She won’t stand a chance.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Well, I found out that I am facing Veronica Taylor at the supercard and what can you tell me about her?
Philip Marlowe sees a shadow pass over the features of Cyn who looks shocked.
Cynthia “Cyn†Marlowe: Did you demand to face her after what you have done to her all this time? Attacking her and generally being mean to her? She even brought you a cake for your birthday. My advice to you Sam is to apologize to her and then let her beat you. You owe it to her in my opinion.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: I owe her? Oh my God Cyn, you couldn’t be more wrong. I have done nothing…
Ignoring her, Cyn stomps off muttering about how Sam attacked Veronica and how she would probably do anything to Veronica and make her a victim. Sam watches her go as her father puts an arm over her shoulder and kisses her on the temple.
Philip Marlowe: She doesn’t sound like she is going to be much help to you Sammiwich. But I got faith in you that you are going to do your very best in the match. Good luck punkin.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Thanks Daddy, looks like I am going to need it.
Philip Marlowe gives his daughter another kiss and then leaves to get back to her workout. As he is about to leave, he turns to see Sam begin to shadow box with her reflection, her lips moving as she mutters to herself about the upcoming match or Cyn’s comments. Unsure of which it is, Philip leaves Sam to herself, shutting the door behind him.
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Scene: Kiwi Kraze shop near Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
Standing inside of a Kiwi Kraze frozen yogurt shop, Sam Marlowe takes a small paper bowl along the row of levers with the names of different flavors over them. Reaching for one, she pulls it down as a light pink stream that smells faintly of strawberry and kiwi begins to fill the bowl. Once it does, she pushes the lever back then makes her way to the toppings counter. Scooping small bobas of lycee and orange onto the frozen yogurt, she then puts a few cherries to the side and proceeds to the cashier. Placing the bowl on the scale, she watches the numbers appear on the cash then reaches into her pocket to pull out a few multicolor bills.
Cashier: That will be six fifty.
Peeling a pale blue bill from the pile, she passes it over then peels a purple one off. Looking down at it Sam smiles and then points at the blue one reaching to trade the ten for the five. The cashier gives her the change which Sam slides into her jeans pocket then moves off to find a seat at one of the tables. Taking a lick of the spoon she had pulled out of her bowl, she pulls her bag from over her shoulder to slide it on the table. With the spoon in her mouth, she pulls out a camera and then looking around the empty shop, she places it on the back of the banquet bench she is sitting at and begins to speak as she looks at the camera.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: I am only a few days away from the supercard and my match with Veronica Taylor. I know that I have probably been put against her because she seems to have this problem with me and the fact that I don’t take any of her BS. If you ask me, I already have a mean girl in my life and she is my sister. I don’t need to think about someone that seems to think that she is god’s gift to twitter and Sin City Wrestling.
Sam takes a slow bite of her treat, her eyes closing in pleasure at the taste. Opening them again, she once more addresses the camera.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Veronica Taylor…I don’t know what your problem is but I can tell you this. In that ring at December 2 Dismember you are facing someone that has been on a rather strong winning streak. I beat a grand slam champion then I beat the woman that beat you in the tournament. And yeah, I am sure you are going to say that I lost when the chips were down and true I did lose. But I got two rounds further than you did.
Pausing for affect, Sam takes another spoonful of the frozen yogurt.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: Now we will be getting into the ring and I am pretty sure that you think that I am going to be easily beaten by someone like you. And as much as I want to be cocky and say that it could never happen I have to remember something my grandfather told me once. Sammi he said, the sun will shine on a dog’s ass every once in a while. And while I have every confidence that I will be winning in the ring, I will keep that advice in mind.
Samantha “Sam†Marlowe: So if you ask me if I am taking you lightly, the answer is no. But I am also not taking myself lightly either. I have things to prove and if I need to prove them by beating you in that ring, then that is what I am going to do. And you better take that as a threat and a promise.
Taking another bite and letting the spoon rest in her mouth, Sam reaches for the camera and stops it. Tucking it back into her bag, she gets to her feet and grabbing the bag she puts it over her shoulder. Walking out of the shop into the bright sunlight of the Ottawa area, Sam continues to snack on the frozen yogurt as she heads down the street towards the arena.
