{The scene opens with Roxi out in her backyard, planting her garden for the summer. Nate is actually outside with her, throwing up a baseball and catching it by himself. Roxi watches on as she plants tomatoes and cucumbers in the fresh soil. Nate loses the ball in the sun and it rolls near the fence where Roxi is located. She looks like she’s going to get it, but Nate rushes over and grabs it.}
Nate – What are you doing, Mom?
Roxi – Planting the garden.
Nate – Are you growing the tomatoes again?
Roxi – Every year. Even those little baby ones you like.
Nate smiles.
Nate – Yay.
Roxi – I thought you’d like that.
Roxi goes back to planting as Nate picks up the ball and keeps throwing it up, but stops once he catches it a few times.
Nate – Mommy, are you gonna keep wrestling?
Roxi – Oh, I don’t know. For a little while longer, why?
Nate – Mama is always downstairs trainIng. You don’t like training anymore?
Roxi chuckles to herself.
Roxi - I hate training, but that’s part of the job. I just don’t do it as much because I have a lot of other stuff to do.
Nate – Oh.
Roxi – You have to work hard to be good at anything. You’ll learn that with baseball. Or maybe something else you want to do. But it’ll be worth it.
Nate – But you’re gonna stop wrestling, right?
Roxi – One day, sure. But right now I want to, and it helps you to be able to do whatever you want to do. And that’s important to me.
Nate – Oh. Why?
Roxi – Because I want you to be able to do all the things you want to do. That’s my job as your mom, and Mama’s job too. Eventually, Mama and I will have to find something else to do, but I don’t see that stopping soon. But eventually.
Nate: Then what will you do?
Roxi – I don’t know just yet. But I’ll figure it out.
Nate – Okay.
Roxi – You going to be ready to go on the cruise?
Nate – Will uncle Griff be there?
Roxi – I don’t think he’s coming this year. But you’ll still have plenty of people who will be there that you’ll know.
Nate – That's good
{Roxi finishes planting the garden and stands up, removing her gloves and wiping off the dirt on her clothes. She exists the fence she’s in and rubs Nate on the head.}
Roxi – Are you going to stay out here?
Nate – Uh-huh.
Roxi – Okay, you be careful. Don’t go in the street.
Nate – Okay.
{Roxi goes back in the house where Keira is sitting at the kitchen table, fanning herself from her workout.}
Roxi – You okay?
Keira – Just... need a moment to catch my breath. It’s hot down there.
Roxi – I noticed.
{Keira reaches out and Roxi grabs her hand and lovingly rubs it a few times.}
Keira – Are... you okay?
Roxi – Sure. Why?
Keira – Just wondering after the last match.
Roxi – I'm fine. Aside from needing to change clothes
{Roxi smiles and kisses Keira on the top of the head before heading to wash up in the bathroom. She pauses momentarily to look at herself in the mirror, touching her face and sighing, before nodding and giving a reassuring smile. She washes off her hands before passing the Team Hero trophy room and can’t help but stand in the doorway a few moments, looking at all the titles the duo has won both individually and as a team. Keira sees this from the kitchen and walks over to Roxi, laying her head against her.}
Keira – Are you sure you’re okay?
Roxi – Yes, Keira, I’m fine, I promise.
Keira – So... were you sure about not going after titles anymore?
Roxi – Positive. The idea was the make the division a better more open place. Competitive, but there shouldn’t be a gap anymore. That was the idea. And I think I accomplished that. Now, it’s up to the rest of them.
Keira – You know, if they bring back the bombshell’s tag titles...
Roxi – I don’t think that’s in the cards.
Keira – I'm just saying... hypothetically...
Roxi – If they do that, then maybe.
Keira – So you’re telling me there’s a chance.
Roxi – Keira... I said I was done chasing titles in SCW. I don’t need them there anymore.
Keira – I know. That’s why I said it too.
Roxi – That's fine. Anyway... any ideas for dinner?
Keira – Steak?
Roxi – … Of course you would say that.
Keira - I am hungry...
Roxi – And that too.
{Roxi walks by Keria preparing to head to the basement to collect the steaks, Keira slowly turns towards Roxi.}
Keira – Wait... you said... in SCW.
Roxi – Yeah... I did.
{Roxi gives Keira a wink before disappearing and the scene fades.}
“I can do many things but I can't protect you from yourselves. You have to believe in the good. You have to make sure you don't surrender your freedoms for security. You can't only hope for a better tomorrow, you have to work for it. I'll be there to help, but that better world is up to you.”
- Superman (Man and Superman 100-Page Super Spectacular #1)
Hello, SCW.
I know it’s been a while since you heard from me. I haven’t had much to say, really. It’s just been a lot of reflection and focusing on other things, now that the weight of SCW Bombshell’s title is off my shoulders. Rest assured, these shoulders were prepared to go a little longer, but taking them off now is just fine. Trust me, I don’t mind. But I suppose that people are still wondering just why I said what I said after losing the title and wondering if I meant it.
And the answer is yes.
I no longer have a desire to chase the SCW championships. Plural. I’m not interested in any of them anymore. I won pretty much all of them. What more do I really need to do in SCW? I have given a decade to the company. I am in the hall of fame, multiple time champion, main eventer and everything I could have ever asked for.
And now, I’ve reached the point where all of that is nice, but it’s not everything. What more does it gain me to chase and attempt to win the Bombshell’s title for a 6th time? Or the Internet title for a 4th time. Not a whole lot. There’s not much to gain other than the title reign itself. There is nothing more I need to accomplish from a title belt standpoint in SCW.
It never really was about titles for me anyway, but now, I’m hit that point in my life and career where they are just nice to have. But I understand how this all works. I played my part, I painted the picture I wanted, and now, I let it stand and see how long it lasts.
I’m hoping for a long time, but that’s just what it’s about: time.
And no, this isn’t about how I’m injured or feeling old or feeling like I can’t do this anymore. It’s just not about championships or accolades anymore. I don’t want to be one of those ring veterans who keeps showing up and trying to insert themselves into title matches or try and hang onto what they used to be just a little bit longer. I’m not about just collecting titles and basing my career on that.
I’ve won lots of titles. Does that make me great? I’m not sure. I really like to think that it’s what not only your fans think, but what your peers think. And I think I’m doing pretty well in that department.
But, I’m reminded of a poem that is the reason I’ve taken so much time to think about this stuff.
It’s called “The Man In The Glass”
And the last stanza of the poem is really powerful and speaks to me. It reads:
“You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And take pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartbreak and tears
If you cheated the man in the glass.”
So, I’ve been looking really hard at myself in the mirror. Because like the poem says, I can’t BS that person staring back at me. I can’t fool them. I can’t trick them or make them believe things that aren’t true. They know everything. So, can I look myself in the mirror and be happy with who is looking at me, and are they happy with me?
I think the answer is yes.
Because I try to be a good person. I try to be the example and to be a role model and live my life in a way that not only other people, but I can be proud of. And that the person looking back at me, would be happy with. I try to be a good wife, a good friend, a good daughter and most importantly a good mom. I think I’m doing well, but sometimes I slip. Sometimes I fail. But I know from looking at myself in the mirror I never cheated you guys.
Because it was my goal to make the Bombshell’s division better. It was my goal to simply leave it better than I found it. Perhaps there is a huge void now that I have left, and that means the opportunity is there. I left it there so that someone could take it.
And just maybe, that person is my opponent at Summer XXXtreme, my old friend, Seleana.
How are you, Sel?
I hope you are doing well. I know we don’t speak like we used to, and I blame myself for that. I should be able to reach out to you from time to time, because as your friend you deserve that. You know I wish you nothing but the best all the time. And as always I look forward to seeing you on the cruise, and I of course look forward to wrestling you again, because it’s always fun.
And you know the good part about all this, we don’t have to talk about family, we don’t have to talk about relationships. It’s just us now. And that’s what makes this very important to me. Because I know the stigma that is now attached to you. You got to where you were, because of the people you were with. And I know, that couldn’t be further from the truth, because you are talented. You have everything it takes to get right back to where you should be.
I don’t mean to intrude or speak out of turn here, but I think the real issue here is that you may not believe in yourself. You may be the only person holding you back. I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to think like that anymore.
Maybe other people’s words got in your head, maybe those thoughts consumed you after coming up short, and I get it, this task right now, it may seem daunting to you. Because of our history, it may seem like you’re not catching a break or things will never change.
I’m here to tell you, that no matter who the opponent is, you can win. You can do this. Don’t make me a mountain you need to climb. I’m just like you, Sel. I’m just like you, I do all the things you do. You do all the things I do on a basic level. There is no reason that you cannot be where I am, and where you belong in a short amount of time.
But, let me also say that while what I said to you just now is simple, but it won’t be easy. My path to championships may have been removed, but it doesn’t mean that I still don’t hunger for competition. It doesn’t mean that I still don’t want that amount of success for you. But much like everything worth it, it has to be earned. You have to earn it, Sel.
So what I’m going to do is say this to you: I want you to also take a look in the mirror. Take a long look and understand that who you are, is not what they all have to say you are. You can be so much more. You already are so much more. But it’s up to you to figure that out.
You can’t cheat the person in the mirror Sel. So please, don’t.
You know I’ve been the one banging the drum, and pounding the table to support you, that will never, ever waver. But it’s high time that you help yourself as well. The Seleana that won the Bombshell’s title, she’s not dead, she’s just asleep. And at Summer XXXtreme, my goal is to wake her back up again and ensure that she does everything she is capable of.
I will do everything I can Sel.
The rest will be up to you. And I believe in you.
{We are on the princess cruise with Roxi and Keira, who are holding parts of their training school sessions on the cruise itself. All the students sitting and standing in the ring while Roxi and Keira hold court.}
Roxi – Alright everybody. I hope you enjoy your time on the cruise. But just remember, there are lot of wrestlers here, and they will be around to give you advice and you can and should pick their brains. Ask them questions, but more than just ask questions, you need to open your ears and listen. I know a lot of the time you guys don’t like hearing me, and Keira tell you what to do. But trust me, it’s not because I like to hear myself talk, or because Keira likes to hear herself talk. We’re doing it for a reason. But here you have the opportunity to talk to other people. If you think we’re crazy and we don’t know what’s going on, you have the chance to ask others.
Keira – Yeah. And also, as part of the exchange we’ve got going on, when the show is over, everyone in Hero Academy is going to help break down the ring. I don’t want to hear anybody complaining about it, you’re getting to take a cruise and train. So in exchange, you all can put your able bodies to use. Everybody got that?
{The trainees give a yes in unison.}
Keira – Good. Now, you are free to go. If you want to continue to use the ring, feel free, but there should also be someone here to observe, and no fancy nonsense you think you want to try out. The last thing I’m going to do is feel sorry for you, or have to explain why the new guys are breaking bones on this cruise because they got in the ring and did dumb stuff. Everybody got that too?
{Again, the “yes” in unison.}
Roxi – Good. Now enjoy yourselves.
{The class exits the ring. Roxi and Keira walk to the port side of the ship and lean out, looking at the ocean.}
Keira – It's so peaceful.
Roxi – Yeah, it’s funny when you stop and look around what you never really saw after all this time.
Keira – We have been on this cruise for a long time and really this is the first time I’m actually just... taking it in.
Roxi – Me too.
Keira – Is this what happens when people get old?
Roxi – I don’t know. I don’t think we’re old, are we?
Keira – No, just... seasoned.
Roxi – Is that what we’re calling it now?
Keira – It sounds better than old.
Roxi – I agree.
Keira – So...
Roxi – So?
Keira – What's next? I mean... after all this?
Roxi – I don’t know.
Keira – You always know.
Roxi – Well... this time I don’t. I can’t predict the future, and to be honest, I wouldn’t want any spoilers.
Keira – I guess this is just the next step then.
Roxi – If anything changed, we’ll just have to adapt. But we’ve been doing that for a long time. So, I think we’ll be okay.
Keira – That's what Team Hero does.
Roxi – Indeed it is.
{As the sun starts to set, Roxi and Keira embrace as the scene fades.}
“The most important weapon in your arsenal will be your ability to adapt”
- Batman (Batman & Robin Vol 1 #24)
I know what you can do, Sel.
I’ve seen you fight, I’ve seen your passion for what you believe in and for those you love. I’ve seen how hard you fight I’ve seen how much you care. This is one of the main reasons that I love wrestling you. It has never mattered to me about the wins and losses in this match. Just that you and I can go out there and have no distractions and just bring out the best in each other. That’s what I’ve wanted from you and that’s what I get from you.
I see it, and I just want others to see it too.
So in this match, like all the others, I want you to have fun. I want to see the best of Seleana, because I just have to call what I see here: A lot of the time, you seem to not give your all. And that’s what holding you back. You want to be in the spot I’m in, that’s great. I want you to shoot for that, but I think we both know you just haven’t always been there to put forth the effort. I know sometimes the drama you may have found yourself in can cause problems. And that’s okay. But it seems that you have let that control how much effort you put in.
So for this match, I just want it all concentrated on me. I know we’re friends, and I love and appreciate you and all the fun times we have had. Which maybe makes this a little difficult for you, but again, that’s okay. I just don’t want you to think that because we are friends, that you don’t need to try. The effort you put in is the direct cause of the outcomes you get. And I know you are capable of more.
When you won the Bombshell’s title, many will argue it was because of outside forces. And because of that stigma, every time you don’t reach those levels again given the opportunity to do so, it makes that stigma harder and harder to break. It’s actively working against you, but I know you are better than that.
I just don’t know if you know that.
So, as stated, that’s what this is about for me now. I want to bring out the best in everyone that I wrestle. I want to bring you, Sel, back to that place where you were confident and passionate enough to win the Bombshell’s title. I want you to know that you are good enough when you focus and bring all you have to the table.
The only question really left is... are you willing to actually bring those things to the table?
I know you can Sel. I just don’t know if you want to. Maybe that one reign was enough. Maybe that was all good for you. But at the very least, you should want to break that stigma. And I know you can.
Like I said, I will do everything I can to help you.
But you also have to want to help yourself.
We’ll see what happens.
I will see you on the cruise, and in the ring.