[Mark Ward]

 Post all roleplays for this match here.
One RP per week

Good luck!

[GUY]

 

● BE A HERO ●

Long flights were never good. Especially ones that were international flights and could lost up to over twelve hours for each flight. That is even with switching flights in certain cities to continue on. For someone like Cadence who was generally in a good mood. Always smiling and always with an upbeat step to her. That long flight from California back to Australia nearly drained her of every last cheerful smile and every positive compliment she could have given anyone. It was dreadful, but thankfully the flight had come to an end. Now it was the journey out of the airport, getting to the hotel, and managing to get a few hours of sleep before she’d have to be up to do all kinds of appearances to promote High Stakes. The life of being a professional wrestler.

Cadence was dragging behind her very heavy suitcase. She was looked a little bummy for the lack of a better term. Wearing sweatpants, a hoodie, and sneakers. Her face wasn’t painted up with the usual makeup that helped highlight her facial features. It was just a rough life for the young girl who was walking through an airport at three in the morning just for the sake of living her dream. The two large doors of the airport opened up. Sure enough there was a taxi awaiting her arrival much like it had been promised by the office of SCW. As much as she would have liked to have headed right for that taxi. Cadence’s attention was pulled in the direction of a young girl. Early teenage years with her mother standing beside her. A handmade sign that said:

“I’m Your #1 Fan, Cadence!”

There was no way that Cadence couldn’t ignore something like that. She let this big smile overcome her lips as she took a couple of steps towards the young girl and her mother. Course as Cadence drew closer, the girl’s face turned bright red as she stepped in closer to her mother. Cadence stopped in front of the mother and daughter duo. That california like accent of hers filling the australian air.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“My number one fan huh? Wow, I didn’t think I had one of those.”

Her words caused the young girl’s face to be a little bit more on the red side. To the point that she actually let one of her hands that was holding the sign to go in order to hide her face a little.

a n a m a z i n g m o t h e r
S O P H I E ● C R O W E
“She’s a huge fan! Way bigger than she might actually admit. She’s quite the shy one.”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Awe! Shy? Come on now there’s no reason to be shy. I’m just a regular person like you. You can certainly say hi to me, sugar.”

a n a m a z i n g m o t h e r
S O P H I E ● C R O W E
“I most certainly hope she could say hi. I’m risking a argument with her father just having her out here at three in the morning.”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Oop! Well we certainly can’t have this trip wasted then can we?”

Cadence had questioned with that smile still on her lips. About that time the mother gave her daughter a little nudge with her hip in an attempt to encourage her. The teenager removed her hand from her face and let a smile cross her blushing face.

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“Hello. My name is Olivia!”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Well hello there Olivia. It is certainly a pleasure to meet you.”

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“I want you to know that I really am you’re number one fan. From the moment I saw you debut for SCW. I’ve been sucked in. I love your style. I love your abilities in the ring. Everything you do looks so flawless. You might get knocked down, but you get right back up.”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“I appreciate that you love my hard work. I can’t take all the credit though. I’ve got a lot of people that support me and that help push me along. My mother put a lot of values in me when I was a child about not settling for anything less than what you wanted and to always chase your dreams. Therefore I went out and did that. I continue to do that till this day.”

a n a m a z i n g m o t h e r
S O P H I E ● C R O W E
“See Olivia! Don’t I tell you something similar to that every day?”

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“It’s different Mom. I’m just a regular every day girl. Cadence is like super woman or something.”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Nonsense darlin’! I’m the furthest thing from Superwoman.”

For a brief second Cadence shook her head a little bit from side to side. Bringing the mother and the daughter’s attention to her and away from their own little side conversation.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Like I said a few moments ago. I’m a regular person just like you. I was a girl that grew up in California. Had dreams of being a model. Had dreams of being in Hollywood. Had dreams of one day doing something that made a difference in the world. I never really thought I’d make it happen. But every time I mentioned it to my mother. She pushed me. She inspired me. She told me it was all possible. At first I didn’t believe her. At first I didn’t take her words seriously. But eventually I did begin to take what she was saying to me and apply it to things I wanted to achieve. Now look at me. I’m living proof it can happen. You can do the same, you just have to want it more than anything else, Olivia.

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“I don’t know. It just seems unrealistic for me to accomplish some of my dreams for myself. I feel like I shouldn’t even try, because I know I’d not accomplish it.”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Like what hun? What is one of your dreams that you think is impossible to overcome? What dream do you have that you think can’t ever be accomplished?”

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“Well, I want to one day be an author. But I can’t even get some of my friends to read stories that I’ve wrote in my spare time. How could I get thousands of people I don’t know to do so? How could I get someone to ever look at my stories to want to publish them?”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Simple! You do so by writing the best story you possibly can. You write the best book you can. You write your behind off and give them no choice but to read it. You give them no chance or opportunity to ignore you. How do you think I rose so fast in the ranks of SCW?”

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“Because you’re talented?”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Yes, I have talent and I work hard to be where I am. But truth be told girls that are new to this business wouldn’t be competing at their second supercard show in their second championship match? Truth be told, they probably wouldn’t even be featured on Climax Control weekly. Not a shot at the company I work for, but a shot at the girls not giving it all they got to want to be there. I am up in everyone’s face all the time. I keep showing how good I am. I keep overcoming the odds. I keep myself relevant. I force people in management to look at me and I force them to not pass me by with opportunities. You just have to do the same thing and I’m confident that you can do it, if you just try.”

Cadence made sure she kept eye contact with the young girl. She was doing her best to motivate someone to be everything they wanted to be. After all she lived by the mindset that the only way you couldn’t achieve something is if you allowed yourself not to achieve it by not trying. By the look on the young girl’s face she seemed to be listening to every word being tossed in her direction.

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“This is why I look at you as my hero. Your confidence is never broken.”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Confidence is the key to everything you do in life. As long as you believe in yourself, then everyone else has no choice but to believe in you too. My confidence has helped get me here. My confidence will hopefully help lead me to taking home to the Bombshell Roulette Championship. But as far as being your hero. I wouldn’t say I’m anyone’s hero. I’m just another girl living her own dreams. That doesn’t make me a hero.”

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“But it does. Because you’re showing girls like me that living your dream is possible.”

a n a m a z i n g m o t h e r
S O P H I E ● C R O W E
“Believe me hun. You’re a hero to my daughter. She might not be as confident as I’d like her to be. She might not be as confident as you are. But being a fan of yours has given her some confidence. Gave her confidence to stand up to people that bullied her at school and you gave her the confidence to let it be known to a lot of people what she wanted to do. Trust me when I tell you, we both see you as a hero.”

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“I’m flattered. I mean I truly am.”

There was a large smile spread across the face of Cadence. Hearing that she was someone’s hero was certainly something new to her. She had never saw herself as a hero and never saw herself as someone that anyone would look up to. Hearing it now blew her mind but she was flattered and ever so grateful at the same time.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Hearing that puts more pressure on me to make sure that I continue to march to a beat of my own drum and that I continue to go out there to achieve my dreams. I don’t want to let myself down, let alone people that look up to me. Puts more pressure on me to leave with that Bombshell Roulette Championship, but I welcome that. As long as you promise to root for me and be in my corner so to speak the entire night.”

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“You don’t even have to ask me that. It’s a given that I’m going to be rooting for you all night!”

C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Glad to hear that and I thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I thank you so much for standing out here all this time just to meet me.”

t h e n u m b e r o n e f a n
O L I V I A ● C R O W E
“No, thank you Cadence!”

In that moment the young girl took a couple of steps towards Cadence and threw her arms around her for a very tight embrace. Cadence's smile got a little bigger as she allowed her own arms to come around the teenager squeezing her for that embrace. This was a real emotional moment between fan and wrestler. While the embrace might have seemed like forever, it was quite brief. The two breaking their embrace. That young girl's face beat red from her general shy nature. Cadence continued to smile as she waved to the girl and the mother before starting to make her way towards the taxi. This was something that she would never forget. That's when she knew that not only has she made it but also knew that she was now not the only one she had to look out for. She fans all over and she couldn't let them down.

● CLAIMING THE THRONE ●

One of the best things about being on a current tour overseas with Sin City Wrestling was all the cities and countries that one would visit. It was great for someone such as Cadence Carter seeing as she was someone that had never been outside the United States before. It was a little rough though. She didn’t get to do as much sightseeing as she wanted to do. There was a lot of things being put on the back burner due to simply not having time. It all came down to work came first. That meant she needed to be where she needed to be when the company said. From Meet and Greets to Press Appearances. So on and so forth. Today was a day in which she actually had off. Tomorrow it would be right back on the grind, so she had every intention of taking advantage of the day that she had free. That even included sending a special message to her opponent.

With her cell phone on hand. Much like it always was considering the girl never went anywhere without it. She found herself bringing up her twitter account and more specifically using the live feature on said account. Holding her phone up and out in front of her. She had a smile spread across her face. Briefly waving her hand in front of her phone to wave to all the people that were going to see this video and tuning in at that exact moment. Her journey began as she began to walk away from the hotel that she was staying at, but at the same exact time. She began to speak to her viewers.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Well ladies and gentlemen. I’m about to see what kind of trouble I can get myself into on my day off. There’s so many places I want to see. There’s so many animals I want to meet. This whole experience of being in Australia has been fantastic. I am sure that it’ll be one of the many things I talk about when I’m old and I sit down to write a book about my life. But before I start my day I felt like it was important to touch base with you guys. More importantly than that, I felt like it was needed to offer some insight on the match I’ve got coming up at High Stakes in just a week’s time.”

The young blonde nodded her head a little bit with that smile continuing to grow on her lips. The sun was really beating down on her as she continued her walk. Making her features light up for the camera and more importantly for the people watching her live stream.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Since July Ninth, there has been one woman that has been dominate in the Bombshell Roulette division. Yes, the word dominate is the best way to describe this woman. See everyone already knows that competing in the Roulette Division. No matter if it’s the Superstars or the Bombshell division. The outcome is pretty much the same. You go into every match knowing that there is going to be some special stipulation. It could be a first blood match. It could be a last person standing match. It could be a cage match. So on and so forth. You really have to be one of the best to constantly compete under those kind of rules. You truly have to be one of the best to compete under that kind of pressure. Without a doubt Samantha Marlow has been that just that. She has dominated the Bombshell Roulette division.”

For a moment she nodded her head a little bit. Cadence showing acknowledgement of what her opponent has done and what her opponent has continued to do these last several months.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Truth be told I’ve been apart of that dominate streak of hers. I’ve been one of the many that she has bulldozed right on through in order to keep this reign of hers as the Bombshell Roulette Champion as dominate as it has been. Which has lead to a lot of people saying that I am bitter. It has lead to a lot of people saying that I am angry with Samantha. It has a lot of people saying that I apparently am losing this wholesome good girl look that I have going for me. Which at this time I would like to address those rumors. You see people that saw me as wholesome. People that saw me as a good girl. People that saw me as a woman that carried herself with respect. I appreciate that you were able to see that about me.

In that being said though. I can assure you that nothing has changed within me. I am still very much respectful. I’d still look at myself as wholesome. I’d even still look at myself as a good person. But even good people reach a point where they can’t bite their tongue or where they can’t hold back when something gets under their skin. Even wholesome people eventually have to take a stand for themselves when they felt like they’re being wronged. Even the most respectful of people have a breaking point when they feel like they’re the ones that are being disrespected. That’s the point that I reached following the conclusion of Violent Conduct. So therefore some of my frustration came out. Quite possibly a little harsher than I wanted.”

There was a small sound of sorrow in her voice. Kind of like the young woman realized a mistake that she might have made and had some regret. At the same time though it did sound like she was someone that was going to stick to her guns as far as how she felt about some things. Her smile never faded though and that was the key as she looked up at her phone. Using the other hand to shield the sun from being directly in her eyes.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Maybe that’s why people have this mindset that I’m bitter or that I am angry with Samantha. Truth be told though that couldn’t be any farther from the truth. Now I admit that following our match at Violent Conduct. I accused Mark and Christian for holding me back. I might have accused the referee of being in someone’s back pocket. Specifically in the back pockets of the two men running things. Now believe me when I tell you. Normally, I’m not that kind of girl. I know how new I am to this business. I know I’m not the best wrestler in the world. I know I’ve got so much still to learn, but I couldn’t help but shake in that moment that something was shady was going on. Here I am busting my behind every single time I step into the ring. Yet the moment it matters, suddenly none of that matters. Suddenly, I just look like I don’t belong out in the ring. Something that just didn’t make sense to me at all and at that time made me lash out.”

Again it appeared that Cadence could be the bigger woman and realize where she might have made a mistake. Owning up to it and seemingly showing some guilt towards the situation at hand.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Regardless of what I might have said during that time. At the end of the day I still have all the respect in the world for Samantha. How can I not respect someone that is as good as she is? How can I not have respect for someone who came from nothing and made herself something? How can I not have respect for someone who has scratched, clawed, and fought with everything she had to make it to the top of the mountain so to speak? And how can I not respect someone that’s making the Bombshell Roulette Championship one of the most prestigious championships on the roster? That would just be silly and rather foolish on my end to not give the woman the proper respect she deserves.

However at the same time Samantha, I don’t want you to confuse my respect for you for anything other than that. There’s respect here, but at the same exact time. My mindset has not changed since what I had to say at Climax Control. When the two of us find ourselves in the ring with each other at High Stakes. I’m coming out swinging and giving it everything I’ve got. For as far as I am concerned it is time for something new. It is time for something fresh. It is time for something one hundred percent real. That’s what you get out of me every single time you see me. I’m not one to sugar coat things. I’m not one to carry myself with a gimmick. Instead I am just a california girl that’s giving it all she got to make it big. And come High Stakes, I am claiming the throne.”

Her bold statement made that smile go away. Even though it made it disappear for just a second. It still faded and that was more than enough to set the tone and to set the mood for just how serious this young woman was.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“For the sake of friendly competition here Samantha. I hope when I say that I am claiming the throne. You’re not like all these other girls on the roster that act like high schoolers and decide to make petty drama out of nothing. I would like to think that you’re not that kind of girl that simply can’t handle one bad thing being said about her. At the same time if that’s what you choose to do. If that’s who you choose to be. Then so be it. At the end of the day, I am not going to let it bother me. I am not going to let it get under my skin. Truth be told I am better than that and I’m not someone that lets myself get trapped in things like that. Course, I feel the need that I should explain to you what I mean when I say I am coming for the throne.

The very last time the two of us stepped into the ring with each other. For the first time in this run as the Bombshell Roulette Champion, you found yourself having to think outside of the box. For the first time in your reign as champion, you found yourself with your back against the wall several times throughout the match. For the first time in your as champion, there was that small belief in your head that you might actually lose the championship. I could see that much in your eyes that night. I could see the panic and I could see the gears turning in your head as you tried to figure out what to do. I forced you to dig down deep. I forced you to reach down further than you’ve ever reached before, just to be able to defeat me.”

Something that you can’t really deny now. Especially after you’ve already said it yourself that I am one of the toughest people that you’ve ever been in the ring with. I am one of the toughest people to defend the title against. And to think that I’m considered a rookie still. But the point I was getting at here is that I am coming for the throne, meaning that this time out. I’m not going to fail. This time out when the smoke clears and the dust settles. It’ll be me standing there with the Bombshell Roulette Championship hoisted high above my head. I don’t mean any disrespect when I say this, but I defeated you once. I put you on your heels once. I forced you to reach deeper than you had before to beat me that one time. There’s not a chance you reach that deep again.”

Cadence found herself shaking her head from side to side as a way to back up the words that were coming out of her mouth. Now to some of her viewers, specifically to ones that might have just been fans of Samantha. They would be quick to say that’s where the Future Headliner was being disrespectful. Some might have even said that she was crossing the line, but at the same exact time. She had the right to express herself. Even if it wasn’t the popular opinion.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“How long did you really think that you could remain champion, Samantha? Honestly, did you think that there wasn’t a single person that would come along and be able to dethrone you? Because if that’s what you thought, then that says more than enough about you. It says that you’re no different than most women that work for this company. It sells that you’re really not a sweetheart at heart. That is nothing more than a front you put up to make people like you. If that’s truly what you think then it tells me that you’ve never respected a single person that’s ever stepped foot before you. If that’s the case you deserve to catch a couple more punches to the chin. Then again though maybe I’m wrong and you are who you say you are. Maybe you did realize that there was going to be a day where you lost the gold. Guess, we’ll see soon enough won’t we?”

A small arch in her eyebrow was formed. Almost like in a questioning manner.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Now Samantha, I know between now and High Stakes. We’re going to hear from you. I know that you’re going to see this video and it’s going to cause you to have a certain opinion about me. I know that you already have some opinions about me. Some good, some bad. But the point is I know that we’re going to hear from you at some point, however before you go popping off at the mouth too much. I challenge you to take one step back and think things through for just moment. Think about the time that you were in my shoes and were motivated to prove everyone wrong.

Think about the time you were in my shoes and wanted to hold championship gold more than anything else. Think about the time you were the rookie that was willing to take on the world no matter the cost. Because at the end of the day at one point you were me. At one point you were in my shoes. So, you more than anyone else should know why I am this fired up. Though when it comes down to it. You’re going to hype things however you want. Just remember that when the match rolls around. None of what we said matters. Words are just words and then it’ll be all about the actions. It’ll be all about the two of us proving ourselves.”

Her smile had once again returned to her lips and it was bigger than ever. It seemed that those words were kind of words of encouragement more than anything else. A nice reminder that talking wasn’t going to do them any favors at the end of the day. Instead it would all come down to what the two of them could do inside that ring. That was the thing that people would pay the most attention to.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Truth be told folks. At the end of the day I am headed into High Stakes with one simple mindset. Do whatever it takes to claim the throne and do whatever it takes to leave with that Bombshell Roulette Championship. Cause if I don’t give it all I got and if I don’t head into the match with that mindset. Then I could very quickly be defeated. I could very quickly lose everything I’ve ever wanted. And then to top it off, it might be my very last chance at glory. That doesn’t settle well with me. Therefore ya gonna see your girl in true form at High Stakes. Can’t wait to see you all there.”

As it turned out those were going to serve as the final words to come out of Cadence’s mouth. Waving that free hand of hers was her way of saying goodbye to her followers. That’s when she tapped the button on her screen to ending the live feed and allowed it to be posted on her feed. In order for those that missed it being live, they could come back and see it later. She stuffed her phone down inside the pocket of her jeans and her foot steps began to pick up more briskly. An entire day off to do whatever she wanted. Australian Zoos better watch out there was going to be a cute blonde on the loose wanting to get up close and personal with all the animals.

[Sam Marlowe]

 Just after Climax Control went off the air, a very familiar redhead can be seen walking along the street, a hoodie pulled up around her red curls with only a few tendrils blowing in the soft wind and tangling with the white cords of earbuds that are tucked into her ears.  Burying her hands into the pockets over her midsection, her lips moving to lip sync the song she is listening to as she walks along.  Trying to be unnoticed, she can’t help but draw glances as she moves along the street in the Sydney downtown as she moves towards the public transit stop where she stops and looks at the times of the arrival for any vehicles.  

Suddenly, Sam Marlowe turns to look around her, her hands moving to the cords of the earbuds.  Her nose crinkles as she looks over the small groups of people moving along the street as if looking for someone following her.  Shaking her head, she gives a half smile as the bus approaches.  Putting the earbud from her left ear back, she widens her smile and then slides a bill into the payment slot of the bus and moves along the aisle to sit down at the window half way down the bus and puts the other earbud in.

The whoosh of the door is blocked as Sam slides down slightly.  The bag she had on her shoulder is pulled to her lap and she slides it open slightly to pull out a small book and sets it on the seat before once more tightening the drawstring and setting it on the floor at her feet.  Picking up the book, she opens it and begins to read, losing herself in the play.    She can’t see the group of young men who are motioning and talking about her.  One pulls away from the group and moves to Sam to tap her lightly on the shoulder.

“G’day,” says the man with a smirk at his friends which fades slightly as Sam seems to ignore him.  He reaches out again and taps her harder on the shoulder and offers her another smile as this time she looks up and with a nod and smile acknowledges the tap before turning back to her book.

Looking at his friends, the guy can’t believe he had been dismissed so easily.  â€œHey Sheila,” he says as he gets her attention once more.  Sam looks up and this time she reaches up and pulls the earbuds with one hand and offers the young man a smile as she leans the book against the University of Nevada logo on her chest.

“Hey there, can I help you?” asks Sam in a friendly voice as she smiles.

“Ya can,” offers the young man with a wink to his friends which has Sam checking behind her.  â€œMe mates and I were talking and I said that you was Sam Marlowe from that wrestling company that was here in Sydney.  But my mate there says it ain’t you.  Could you please tell him that you are who you are?” asks the youth.

Sam turns back to the group who are jostling each other and chuckling.  Sam calls out to the group.  â€œY’all’s buddy here is right, it’s me,” offers Sam.  â€œI hope that there was no money on this.”

“Nah,” replies one of the others before his friend once more gets Sam’s attention.  â€œI was wondering Sam…I can call you Sam can’t I?  I was wondering if I might get a picture with you.”

Sam looks around at the few people on the bus and then with a shrug nods slowly.  â€œSure,” she says as she slowly stands, her foot catching the bag and making it jingle.  The sound is soft but still the youth hears it and reaches down to pick up the bag and holds it, shaking it slightly to hear the clink once more.  â€œIs that the title belt in the bag?”

Sam reaches out for the bag which is held just out of reach by the redhead.  His buddies move closer as Sam nervously looks at the group before reaching again for the bag.  â€œNah, no title, just some of my lipglosses clinking against a mirror,” lies Sam as she finally is able to clutch part of the bag and tug at it.  

“I don’t think so,” offers the guy holding the bag as he yanks it and Sam closer.  â€œI think it’s the belt and would really like to see it.”  

Sam looks around and does some quick thinking.  She smiles and yanks the bag back towards her, and after a short tug of war later has the bag clutched to her chest with the hand holding the book in a protective embrace of the bag.  The guys continue to crowd around her as she tries to get herself some breathing room.  â€œListen, why don’t we get that picture as my stop is coming up,” she lies.  The guys good naturedly jostle her and then three of them surround her to get in the picture.  Sam smiles as another of the group takes the picture.  

“Thanks Sam,” says the first guy as Sam backs away from them towards the front of the bus.  The guys wave her off as the first one calls out to the redhead once more.  â€œYou need someone to walk you home?”

Sam shakes her head negatively as she moves towards the front of the bus and then raises her hand to wave.  â€œY’all are sweet to offer but I can see my place from the road.  Have a great night,” she says before exiting the bus that pulls away slowly only to stop as Sam begins to speed up in her walk toward her apartment building.

Once at her apartment, Sam let herself inside and then leans against the door as she shoots home the lock.  Pushing away from the door, she moves further into the room and lays the bag and book down on the table before heading into the kitchen where she pulls open the fridge and grabs a beer and then opens it before moving into the living room.

Sitting down, Sam takes a long drink of the beer as she reaches for the remote and switches on the television to reveal a sports report.  Leaning back and leaving the television flickering but quiet as she once more reaches for the bag and her book.  As her hand lands on the bag, it begins to vibrate as the sound of her phone begins to be heard.  Pulling it out, she presses the button and smiles as the image of Monte Christopher appears on the screen.

“Hey darlin’,” says Sam with a smile as she settles back to speak to him.

“Hi Sweetness,” he replies with his own smile.  â€œI saw that you got yourself a helluva match at that supercard you got coming up in a couple of weeks.  And I wanted to talk to you about that,” says Monte.

Sam nods slowly as she looks over to the television before reaches to turn it off.  â€œYou wanted to talk to me about High Stakes?  What about?”

Monte takes a deep breath and then begins.  â€œI am getting worried about you.  Since you won that title you got, you have been in matches that could injure you and Sweetness, I don’t want to see you injured.”  Monte offers Sam a concerned look.  â€œWhy don’t you just go back to wrestling in regular matches or better yet, give it up and marry me like I asked you to.”

Sam tries unsuccessfully to hide her surprise at his comment.  â€œYou want me to give up the belt and wrestling?  Monte…I don’t think that I want to do something like that.  I am loving my job here at SinCity Wrestling.  And I have been really successful since I won the Roulette title.”

“You might be successful Sammi but those matches that are on that wheel are dangerous and I saw the match that you had at Violent Conduct and I thought for a moment there that you weren’t gonna make it through the match without hurting yourself…” begins Monte only to have Sam interrupt him.

“Monte,” says Sam.  â€œI know that those matches can be dangerous and I know that there is the possibility that I can get hurt but Monte, darlin’ I am good at reacting to the matches and I am good at doing what I do.  And if I have to fight tooth and nail to win, then that is what I will do.”

Monte’s eyes narrow slightly with makes Sam wince.  â€œSweetness, that match against that Cadence Carter last time was more than a win that was you totally becoming someone else.  You were willing to do something that I have never suspected you to do.  You were willing to end a career to win the match.”  Sam looks thoughtful as she once more winces.

“Monte…I would never…” begins Sam only to have Monte stops her.

“Sammi, you injured someone when you won the title.  And the last time you wrestled for the title at a supercard, you were going to break someone’s leg.  That isn’t my Sweetness…I want you to think about that,” insists Monte.  â€œActually I want you to think that maybe you need to walk away while you can still walk.”

Sam gives Monte a surprised look.  â€œMonte!  How can you ask me that?”

“I ask it because I love you and want to keep you safe,” answers Monte.  And if it means you need to walk away, that will be the choice I would ask you to make.”  In the background of the call, a ringing phone can be heard which draws Monte’s attention away from Sam.  Reaching for it, he looks at the number then back at Sam.  â€œI have to take this Sam but we will talk later.”

Sam nods and lamely says goodbye as Monte’s hand comes into view to press disconnect.  Sam thumbs the phone off and tosses it to the other side of the sofa in frustration before pulling her knees up to her chest and lays her forehead against them as a low whimper escapes her.

<img src=http://i49.tinypic.com/2s96747.jpg>

A bed can be seen, a redhead reclining on it in a white button down and little else as Sam Marlowe looks towards a camera on a laptop and begins to speak into the microphone.  

“Y’all know that coming up soon is a match that for all intents and purposes is going to light up High Stakes.  Y’all know that night I am in a fight for this title…”  Sam pulls up the belt that had been lying flat on the bed in front of her.  Laying it out once more, she reclines further and puts a hand under her cheek.  â€œI have to say that this match is going to make history.”

Sam smiles as she looks into the camera and runs her free hand through her curls as she looks upwards as if in thought before looking out the side of her eye towards the camera.  â€œI am sure you have heard Mercedes Vargas talk about how this title defense at High Stakes could see me beating her record and if I am honest, part of me really wants to do that.  See, I have been making history ever since I joined SCW and I can’t help but want to keep doing that.  And when I step into the ring at High Stakes, I am sure that I am not going to want to let this opportunity get away from me.  So, I am ready for making history and beating Mercedes’ two-year-old record.”   Sam stops for a second and thinks about that as the smile brightens up her face before she begins to once more speak.  

“Sad part about me making history is having to do it by beating Cadence Carter in a rematch from Violent Conduct.  Thinking back, that night she was one heck of an opponent and believe you me, I was surprised that I managed to win that night.  And I am sure that is something that Cadence will be bringing up if she does talk about this match.  And I would agree with her one hundred percent,” offers Sam before chuckling.  â€œThat’s right, I agreed with the woman that will be trying to take my title at High Stakes and the sky hasn’t opened up and struck me down with lightning.”

“You see Cadence, I can say that because I recognize how dangerous you can be because I have seen it before.  And you may ask where I saw it and I will tell you point blank that you are a lot like me when I started wrestling.  But just because you have the drive and ability I am going to give you a free pass.  You remind me a lot of me a year ago.  I was fresh faced and new and I was so eager to prove myself and prove myself I did.  I got noticed and then I began my climb up the ladder and managed to win my first title against the one person that no one ever thought would be beaten.  And here I am now the Roulette champion and I am in the fight of my life at the supercard against you.”

Sam adjusts herself to be leaning on one elbow and sighs.  â€œCadence I am ready to admit that maybe just maybe you might beat me but for this match you have to realize I don’t have to pin you or submit you.  I am the champion and the match is mine to lose.  And I ain’t fixin’ to lose this match.  There is too much ridin on this match and when push comes to shove, this is a match that I am not going to lose because this title means so much to me.  So if you want to win it,” Sam offers to the camera, “you are going to have to beat me down enough to pry it away from me.”

“There is no quit in me and you are going to realize that at High Stakes,” vows Sam.  â€œThis title is staying with me regardless of what you do to try and win it.  Mad props to you for your determination and all the respect in the world for your abilities.  So I am just going to put it this way…”

Sam stops talking and collects her thoughts.  

“Good luck Cadence,” says Sam with a serious look on her face that breaks into a smile.  â€œthe title will be going nowhere but I am looking forward to the challenge that you will be giving me.  And trust me, I know right now that you ain’t gonna make it easy.  Which is just how I like it…makes it worth so much to me to know that I faced a strong challenge and was able to get past it.  And in my opinion that challenge is you.  I’ll see you at High Stakes and may the best woman win.”

Sam holds out her hand for a handshake before the camera stops recording and the video goes to black.

[GUY]

 

● THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON ●

The entire city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia was buzzing. Reason being was that tonight Sin City Wrestling would be invading the city to host High Stakes. At this very moment the show was an hour away. People had already began to find their seats inside of the building and just from the vibe they were giving for arriving. It had become clear that it was going to be a very rowdy, a very loud, and a very eventful night. All of which the Superstars and Bombshells of Sin City Wrestling could appreciate. After all they thrived off the energy of the crowd. It made the experience better for everyone.

Now despite there being an hour till show time. Cameras were always rolling backstage. For many different reasons. At this time cameras just happened to catch up to one person in particular. A young woman by the name of Cadence Carter. Decked out in her black and yellow gear. Her snapback hat turned backwards. Her hands clamped together, she was pacing the floor back and forth with her eyes closesd. Quite possibly getting herself in the zone for the night. Maybe thinking about her match. Whatever it was it had her attention. Though the moment her eyes opened and she saw the cameras. She knew what time it was.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“After what seemed longer than two weeks. We’ve finally made it to High Stakes and as I stand here this very moment. I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. Standing here this very second the nerves are at an all time high. Only an hour to go till show time and I can feel myself on the verge of having a tiny panic attack. For one simple reason. That reason being that I know the spotlight is on and it’s on me.”

Cadence pointed to herself with her index finger.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Little over a month ago I was in this exact same position. I found myself set to face Samantha Marlow. I found myself with a Bombshell Roulette Championship. I found myself with the spotlight on me. However I went through the same thing. I was nervous. I might have even been a little bit afraid. A lot of that had to do with not really knowing what I was up against. I had no idea how dangerous it could be competing in the Roulette Division. I didn’t know if Samantha was the real deal or if she was all hype. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Some would say I was inexperienced. Some would say that I didn’t deserve to be in that spot. I would say I did earn the spot and did have a right to that first championship match. Just at the time I didn’t know how to go about handling things when the pressure was on and the spotlight was beaming down.”

Pausing for a brief moment. She found herself taking a small trip down memorylane to about a month ago. Yes, it was one of the best moments of her young career. At the same time it turned out to be one of the worst moments of her young career with how it turned out. Though, as people had learned from Cadence. She wasn’t one to dwell on the past too much. A smile still spread across her expression.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Everyone knows that last time out. I didn’t do as well as I had wanted to do. Yes, I proved that I could hold my own in the ring with Samantha. Yes, I proved that I could compete under those Roulette Rules. But in the end it wasn’t enough, because I walked away empty handed. So because I walked away empty handed. I don’t think I did well enough. I mean that’s pretty much a fact. If you do well enough, you win gold and you take it home. I didn’t do that, so it wasn’t as successful as a night as it could have been or should have been as far as I’m concerned. But I chalk it up as a lesson learned. Now more than ever, because I’ve got the chance to redeem myself.”

She spoke up with a certain confidence about her. Confidence that it took a long of young wrestlers to gain with years of experience. Yet as she was approaching year two of being in the wrestling world. She had all the confidence in herself.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“I can honestly stand here and tell you. The nerves I am feeling from last time and this time are different. I can tell you the slight panic I feel this time and last time is different. Those butterflies I had then and the ones I had now are different. Like I can admit that last time out. Maybe I wasn’t ready. Maybe last time out not knowing what I was up against played a major role on the night ending horribly for me. But now I have the same situation happening again. This time I know what to expect. This time I know what I am up against.This time I know what Samantha brings to the table. So all the nervousness and butterflies I feel now with the spotlight beaming down on me. It’s a lot of excitement that I can’t contain. Along with this urge for me to go out there tonight, step between the ropes, and show them what the Future Headliner of SCW is all about. Show them that even though I fell down once. I have the abilities to get right back. Show them that even though I failed once. I still have the ability to succeed.”

Her message was loud and clear. Cadence wanted it to be known that it was alright to fail, because one could still succeed. It was alright to fall down, as long as you got back up. A message that everyone could learn from. Especially the young girls that looked up to her.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Most people wouldn’t be in the same position I am. One month I go down after getting the biggest shot of my career. Then after going down a month later. I am in the same position to redeem myself. That normally doesn’t happen, but it did happen because I’ve been putting in the work. It did happen because I busted my behind in the gym. It did happen because I spoke out and voiced my displeasure. It did happen because the moment I was in that contenders match. I laid it all on the line and made sure that there was no one better than me on that night. And now I have to do that one more time. I have to prove tonight when I stand in the ring with Samantha. That she isn’t better than me. Maybe that will upset her. Maybe that’ll upset fans. Well, cupcakes you’re going to have to suck it up this time out. It isn’t being rude or being egotistical, it is simply telling it how it needs to be told and explaining what I know I have to do the moment I step between those ropes.”

Cadence stood there nodding her head a little bit. She was playing the scenario in her head how tonight was going to go. Something she had done for two weeks and had prepared herself for this very moment tonight.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Honestly Samantha, I know that there have been a few times I’ve questioned some things about you. I know that there has been a time in which I questioned how good you really are. Yes, following that first loss. I was bitter and jaded in the beginning, so I said some things that might have implied that you didn’t get the job done on your own. There has even been a time or two I’ve questioned this whole “sweetheart” thing you’ve got going for you. I might have thought it was fake. I might have even thought that it was just a front to make people like you. But I am throwing all of that out the window. I’m throwing all of that to the side. I am just going to look at you woman to woman. Respect given as respect is earned.”

Her eyes lit up a little bit when it seemed that she was officially addressing Samantha. Not just the match, but the woman that she would be in there with. Holding her head high and keeping those eyes focused on the camera before her. She found herself picking right back up where she left off. Knowing that she would’ve had Samantha’s attention.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“You carried this Bombshell Roulette division for months. You’ve held that championship with pride. Time and time and time again you’ve turned back challengers. Many had tried to dethrone you, but they all failed. I am on that list of those that have failed. So at the end of the day, I don’t have any choice but to give you credit where credit is due and give you the respect that you’ve earned. But at the same exact time Samantha. I need you to understand, you’re not facing the same girl you faced a month ago. I’ve grown since then. I know what to expect. I’ve seen how well you thrive under pressure. I see how well you adapt to any stipulation you are put in. All of which I have spent the last two weeks training and improving on. I didn’t want there to be no room for error. I needed to make sure that at the end of the day I was on the same level as you. See, that’s something you can take pride in. You’re so damn good that you force people to be just as good as you. You force people to train like you do. You forced me to step up my game a month ago. I have no doubt you’ll force me to step it up again tonight. However this time I’m a hundred percent ready for whatever you throw at me.”

The first meeting between the two. Both women went through hell in that I Quit match. People found out just how far Samantha was willing to go to keep the championship. At the same time people also found out that Cadence was more than just a young girl in the business. She was more than just a rookie. She was a woman and she was here to stay in SCW at whatever cost. That match is why this match meant that much more and why this match was one of the features of the show. People wanted to see just how far the two of them would push each other.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Maybe right now you don’t respect me. Maybe right now you hold a grudge against me. Maybe right now you’re a little bitter about everything I’ve said in the past. That’s fine. I understand. It’s your right to feel how you want to feel, but at the same time Samantha. I am making you this promise. When the two of us step into the ring tonight. You’re going to get me at my very best. You’re going to get me laying it in heavy. You’re going to get the girl you faced a month ago in the ring and then some. There’s simply going to be no quit in me. You might knock me down, but I will get back up. I’ll keep getting back up until you finally get tired and I knock you down until the point you can’t get back up. That could take all night, but that’s something I’m prepared to do. One of us will have to be broken physically in order for them to give up. We both understood that about each other last time out. But this isn’t going to be two times in a row where you break me physically. I refuse to let that happen.”

As she spoke with that confidence, she simply shook her head from side to side in order to further back up her point.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“Take this as a warning if you want, but my goal is the same goal you have. Be the better wrestler and take home the SCW Bombshell Roulette Championship. However regardless of if I leave with it or if you leave with it. The one thing that you’re not going to have much of a choice to give me in the end is your respect. Because I assure after this match. There’s never going to be someone that you share the ring with that has the same mindset that I do. There’s never going to be another person you share the ring with that has the same passion for the business that I do. There’s never going to be someone that you step into the ring with that gives you the fight that I am going to give you. Tonight, I’ll prove to be more than just some rookie. Tonight, I’ll prove to be your equal and if nothing else you have to respect that.”

From those words alone. It seemed rather obvious that Cadence wouldn’t stop until she earned that respect. It was something that was driving her. Yes, becoming the Bombshell Roulette Champion was a big driving force. Yes, being in a position to win her first ever championship was a driving force. However when it came down to it for her. Respect was the key. She was giving Samantha the respect she deserved. Therefore by the end of the night she’d make damn sure she had gained her own respect.

t h e f u t u r e h e a d l i n e r
C A D E N C E ● C A R T E R
“To sum it all up Samantha. Tonight, the two of us have the chance to go out there and steal the show. We’ve got the opportunity to go out there and show that girls like us do belong in a wrestling ring. We’ve been put in a position where we have to show what hard work, dedication, and passion can get you. It’s a high stakes situation. One of us will succeed. One of us will fail. One of us will leave champion. One of us will go home empty handed. But pride is everything. As long as we lay it all on the line. Don’t hold back for a single second. Then no matter how the night ends. We can sleep peacefully because we know that when it mattered the most we did our best.”

There wasn’t another word to be said on Cadence’s part. That right there was the final message to drive home to the SCW Bombshell Roulette Champion. It was a message that the fans would eventually hear and would find themselves holding onto as they waited for the match to take place. In less than an hour everything could change for the Future Headliner. She could go from being just a girl on the roster to being a champion. She could go from just being a Future Headliner to an actual Headliner. On the other end she could end up living the same nightmare she lived one month beforehand. After all that was part of the gamble. The name of this event wasn’t High Stakes for nothing.