{Our scene opens with Roxi and Keira having finished a tandem workout late at night and deep in their basement training area. Both women are drenched in sweat, sitting on the mats and toweling off. Keira has a smirk on her face despite her heavy breathing, Roxi taking deeper breathes in order to catch her breath a little faster. Keira just start giggling and lays back, still catching her breath.}

 

Roxi – You okay?

 

Keira – Yeah.

 

Roxi – What's so funny then? Or is this a laugh attack?

 

Keira – What's a laugh attack?

 

Roxi – It's where you think of something funny, and then you start laughing. You start just laughing uncontrollably.

 

Keira – No, it’s not a laught attack.

 

Roxi – So, what’s funny then?

 

Keira – This. Just training together again. It feels like we haven’t done it in a long time. Not since last year right before we actually fought one another.

 

Roxi – I think that’s pretty close to the time.

 

Keira – I think so. It’s just... funny now. After all this time the little things you miss. You just take them for granted and then, after you don’t do them you suddenly miss them.

 

Roxi – We haven’t needed to train together for a long time. You retired. Remember?

 

Keira – I know, and soon, it’ll be a thing again. 

 

Roxi – For good this time?

 

{Keira stands up after toweling off and sighs.}

 

Keira – Yeah. For good. It’s why this open challenge thing means so much to me. Because I think we have to make a decision on this.

 

Roxi – What do you mean?

 

Keira – After all this? I mean it’s time to just end this. I was happy to be retired because I didn’t have anything left to do. I won everything I wanted. I’m in the hall of fame. There wasn’t anything left to do and then... like a bad rash, Sin comes back. Again. She forced my hand one more time. And it took a lot out of me this time Roxi. More than I would have thought.

 

Roxi – Wait, are you okay?

 

Keira – Physically, yes. Mentally... I’m just tired. I have just a couple of things I want to do and then I’ll be more than happy to step aside. 

 

Roxi – So, you want this to be the end?

 

Keira – SCW gave Team Hero the chance and we took it to the top. We have shown over and over again that we are a great team. Why ruin a good thing and keep coming back over and over again? I don’t want to be that person Roxi.

 

Roxi – Neither do I. But we haven’t teamed up in a long time.

 

Keira – And this, should be the final time. At least in SCW. All the projects we have going, all the things we’re doing and have done? Team Hero has done everything we need to do. So, just one last time, we can do this, and then... we can just call it a day.

 

Roxi – Is that really what you want? 

 

{Keira sighs, nodding to no one in particular, staring off, away from Roxi.}

 

Keira – Yes. But that’s how I feel. 

 

{Keira turns finally facing Roxi.}

 

Keira – What about you?

 

{Roxi sighs herself, shrugging.}

 

Roxi – I thought the last time was good enough. I thought CC 300 was good enough. Maybe you have a point that we’re starting to become the nostalgia act that won’t go away. I agree that we don’t need to team up in SCW anymore, and I’m okay with that after this. If there’s things you want to do, and wrestling is getting in the way of those things, then yes, let’s make this the last time.

 

{Kiera smiles and the couple embrace.}

 

Keira – What about everything else? I noticed your open challenge got denied.

 

Roxi – Well, it’s wasn’t an open challenge. It was a challenge that I didn’t expect to be accepted or even answered anyway. So I’m not surprised.

 

Keira – And... what about after Blaze of Glory?

 

{Roxi frowns and shrugs again.}

 

Roxi – I don’t know. I thought that maybe I would have ventured out to do some of those dream matches but everybody is so busy, and I don’t want to walk away without at least trying. But, I enjoy what I’m doing now and I enjoy where I’m at. So, I’m not sure what I want to do just yet. I thought I would have had it figured out by now, but there’s so much going on that I haven’t really had time to think about it as much as I’ve wanted to.

 

{Keira gives Roxi a nod and smile.}

 

Keira – I'm sure you’ll figure it out.

 

Roxi – Yeah, I hope so.

 

Keira – So, have you thought about Krystal?

 

Roxi – A little.

 

Keira – Just, don’t hold too much against her. You know that it wasn’t really her.

 

Roxi - … I don’t know about all that.

 

Keira – She didn’t almost kill you, Sin did.

 

Roxi – I understand that part. But that doesn’t change what she said before that. It doesn’t change what she tried to pull before that. Maybe that was all Sin. I don’t know. But I’m going to find out one way or another. Trust me, I’m focused on this match, and I’m going to do what I always do.

 

Keira – I understand, but just keep that in the back of your mind, maybe?

 

Roxi – I will. I have to think about the future.

 

Kiera – Thank you.

 

Roxi – Alright, I’m hungry, let’s get some food.

 

{Keira gives Roxi a sly grin.}

 

Keira – You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

{The two head upstairs to get food as the scene fades.}

 

---

 

{The new scene is Roxi perched on rooftop in costume, looking down at the city. She looks to be a bit bored calling in to Vision.}

 

Roxi – Anything?

 

Vision – All seems quiet.

 

Roxi – Great.

 

Vision – I thought you’d be happy about this? The lack of crime means you’re doing your job.

 

Roxi – I dunno, I feel like there should be something that I should handle.

 

Vision – You say that now. But when a 50-foot monster starts destroying the city...

 

Roxi – You... you think that Godzilla is real?

 

Vision – It doesn’t have to be Godzilla.

 

Roxi – When you say 50-foot monster, everyone thinks of Godzilla.

 

Vision – What about the Cloverfield monster?

 

Roxi – Who is thinking about the Cloverfield monster? That’s a pretty obscure reference.

 

Vision – It’s more recent than Godzilla.

 

Roxi – Godzilla is a classic. Everyone knows who that is. 

 

Vision – And King Kong too I suppose?

 

Roxi – Yeah.

 

Vision – I'm just saying that you won’t be saying that when it happens.

 

Roxi – It just won’t be Godzilla.

 

Vision – What about Mecha-Godzilla.

 

Roxi – … Okay, that one is at least possible.

 

Vision – I don’t see how Mecha-Godzilla is more possible than Godzilla. Mecha-Godzilla only exists because Godzilla does.

 

Roxi – In the movie, Vision. A giant robot isn’t exclusive to Godzilla.

 

Vision – I think you’re just stuck on Godzilla.

 

Roxi – It's a classic. I’m just saying that if you’re talking about movie monsters, we start with Godzilla. Maybe King Kong. In that order. Nobody is talking about the Cloverfield monster, or the Kraken, or the Meg or anything else. Giant monster is Godzilla.

 

{Roxi finally stops and shakes her head.}

 

Roxi – Why are we even arguing about this?

 

Vision – Because there’s no crime going on currently.

 

Roxi – This is why I’m annoyed then. I feel like I need to punch something.

 

Vision – Isn't this what you were fighting for, isn’t this what all of us fight for? Peace and quiet so we can finally rest.

 

Roxi – I suppose that’s true. But you know, sometimes, you need to punch something. It’s just a thing that happens.

 

Vision – I will never understand you. I –

 

Roxi – You okay?

 

Vision – Be happy, there’s a silent alarm going off and a convenience store about two blocks. 4th and Olympic.

 

Roxi – I'm going in.

 

Vision – You don’t even have the details.

 

Roxi – It’s crime. It’s not complicated.

 

{Roxi flies off, landing just a few feet from the door of the convenience store where she can see the store being held up by what looks like a man, who is actually wearing some kind of costume and holding some kind of giant weapon. Roxi shrugs and shakes her head.}

 

Roxi – Alright then.

 

{Roxi walks in and pushes the door open the noticable bell attached to the door goes off and the guy’s attention turns to her.}

 

Roxi – Yeah, hi... So... what are you doing?

 

Clerk – He's crazy! 

 

Roxi – So... you got a theme going or?

 

{Roxi can see behind the costume and Lone Ranger style mask is just a kid, no older than 18 or 19. He fumbles around and aims the giant gun at her.}

 

Roxi – Compensating? I’m supposing.

 

Kid – Shut up! Otherwise you will feel my wrath!

 

Roxi – Oh, we’re doing this then.

 

Kid – What?

 

Roxi – You're going to need to work on the Villain speech. But I do appreciate the effort. Also... is that a homemade gun of some kinds?

 

Kid – Laugh while you can, because this is about to go viral! I will defeat you Lady Bedlam. And you will rue the day you crossed Kid Cool!

 

{“Kid Cool” Also pushed a button and his phone begins recording.}

 

Roxi – Kid...Cool? OH MY GOD. No... no that’s just.... that’s just terrible.

 

{“Kid Cool” doesn’t look pleased with that comment.}

 

Kid Cool – How dare you!

 

Roxi – Kid, you’re not even fully equipped for the whole super-villain thing. The costume is pretty shabby. And the name is horrendous. I think you might wanna re-think this. I’m just saying. 

 

Kid Cool – You will pay for those remarks. Take this!

 

{“Kid Cool” shoots his gun, which fires... ice cubes at Roxi. She is hit a few times, but it more annoyed than hurt.}

 

Roxi – Hey. Ow... what the... ow! Are those ice cubes?!

 

Kid Cool – Now do you wish to surrender? I’ve got plenty more of this!

 

Roxi – Oh... OOOOH. Now I get it. Kid Cool. It’s a stupid temperature-based pun name... You know what that’s even worse.

 

Kid Cool – How dare you!

 

Roxi – Okay, we’re done here.

 

{Roxi finally gets tired of this and rushes over, snatching the “gun” out of Kid Cool’s hand and pushes him down. In an instant, she smashes the gun, which begins leaking water and ice out of it.}

 

Roxi – Yeah, you really need some kind of cooler or something on your back. You know, to keep the ice cool. I don’t think you thought this through. Also recording your own crimes is really stupid. I swear these kids.

 

{A cop car finally pulls up and two officers get out.}

 

Roxi – Here he is boys.

 

Officer – Uh, isn’t this your department.

 

Roxi – I think you got this one. 

 

Officer – Oh.

 

Roxi – If this is the future of super villains... I weep for the future.

 

{Roxi shakes her head.}

 

Kid Cool – You haven’t seen the last of me! 

 

Roxi – Heard it before. Thanks.

 

{Roxi finally departs, the scene fading out.}

 

---

 Hello, SCW.

I’m here today, and as much as I wanted to be disappointed, I expected the result I got. But as much as people don’t like it, despite my last outing being a loss, the sun came up, and everything is just fine. There was a little bit of some ruckus and whatnot the past couple of weeks, but I know people need to feel like they got the last word, and they won something. But it’s going to take more than that to cause me any grief. I’m gonna be okay. My world is just fine.

Is it frustrating? At times, sure. But at this point, I expect that stuff to be part of the job.

But let’s not focus on the irrelevant, shall we? Because that wasn’t the only challenge that was laid out that I have been involved in recently. There is still an open challenge for Team Hero to wrestle one more time. I know, it might be getting a bit old, but after some talking with Keira and the state of everything in our lives, and the current wrestling climate, there really isn’t anything left for Team Hero to do in SCW. We’ve already shown time and time again that we stand on top of SCW as one of the best, if not the best tag team in the company's history. Male or female. That’s an undeniable fact. So, the idea is that... pretty much, this is it. 

Yeah, after Blaze of Glory, Team Hero is retired in SCW. This is just a simple case, of a last hurrah and we’re both okay with that. I thought that after the last time against Ariana and Krystal it would be done. Perhaps at Climax Control 300, that it was going to be the end, but after talking it over with Keira, this is pretty much the end. Because it doesn’t need to drag on forever. Keira came out of retirement for a couple of parting things, but as we inch closer to Blaze of Glory, the realization has hit both of us that we cannot do this forever. So, one last time, win or lose, we ride off into the sunset as a team.

Now, I can’t tell you what the future holds after that. There are just some things that we both want to do and I said it about this time last year that time was winding down for the both of us. I have some things I want to do, and that after October, I’m not sure what I’m going to do when it comes to SCW. I already made the decision to not have any more championship opportunities and I’m sticking to that. I like to think I’ve done enough that having a title doesn’t do anything for me, or for SCW. Because I’ve been here, for the most part for a decade. And I’m proud of that, but at the end of the day, time will move forward, and SCW will continue whether I’m here or not.

So, I think we’re just getting closer to me being satisfied, and no longer just content.

 

But we’re not there quite yet.

 

Thus, bringing me to my opponent this week, Krystal Wolfe. 

And because she has earned my respect, I’d rather talk to her, than about her.

So, hello, Krystal.

I know the past couple of months have been weird, and I first want to apologize because you were once again dragged into a situation that neither I nor Keira would have liked. I thought that we were done with Sin, and it was over, and I was wrong, and then all this stuff happened to you. So, I just want you to understand that Keira and I were only going to get involved with this, when it got out of hand. And it got out of hand rather quickly. Keira recognized it before I did, but things just had to be done from our end. So, while I don’t blame you for what happened a few weeks ago, I still have the scars, and the wounds to show for it. But it is what had to be done.

Here’s the thing, I understand that you were frustrated with the way things were going for you, and maybe you blamed me for it. That appears to be a popular thing these days as it were. And it was that anger and frustration that perhaps caused you to be easy prey for Sin. But maybe even before that you were upset and I understand that when people get angry, they say things they don’t mean or do things that they wouldn’t normally do. I’ve done it, you’ve done it. Everyone does it. 

But it does not mean that I didn’t hear them, and that I didn’t take them seriously. 

You said long before said got involved, and I was the Bombshell’s champion that you were upset with me and you wanted to fight me and show everyone that this was who you were going to be. And I told you then, if you’re looking for a little smoke, I’ll be your chimney. I don’t have a problem with wrestling you, whether or not you’re upset with me or not. 

But it does make wonder if that was you, or if that was Sin already seeping into your veins to take over. Because if that was just Sin trying to call me out, I can accept that. If that was you fighting with Sin and perhaps it slipped, I can accept that too. I can even accept that it was you, clear eyes, clear heart, can’t lose, Krystal Wolfe with determination in her eyes and fire in her belly saying those words.

I just want to make sure that you remember and that you are willing to do this again to try and back it up. Because you can bet your last dollar that I’m always going to be ready for a fight. And that’s exactly what we’ve been doing the past couple of years, Krystal. You know that, and now we get to write another chapter in the book. 

But I wonder if you really, truly understand the idea behind this. 

I’ve been fighting you. Keira has been fighting you. We’ve training you. Preparing you, must like we’ve tried to prepare Ariana, we’ve tried to prepare Courtney, and everyone we’ve faced in the past few years. Because you have the opportunity to be the future of SCW and be at the top. All the trials and tribulations you’ve gone through have been seen by the both of us. 

And your responses to those moments have also been noted. 

Keira and I did not choose to fight you because we think you are some kind of easy win or pushover. You’ve done quite a lot already, and much like we are doing with many people, we are preparing you to be one of the people who leads. 

We have been trying to figure out if you are ready yet. 

And before you get it in your head, no Sin’s participation in your life for the past couple of months was not by design. That was unexpected, so the past few months, we’re not going to look at as a positive or negative. That part of it doesn’t count.

Anyway, I have noticed that each time we have wrestled, you have gotten better. And that’s what I want to see again. I understand that you are coming off of a weird situation and you are looking to finally get back on track. And I happen to stand in the way of that. Or so it would seem. 

 
Because I’m not wrestling you and trying to beat you to make you look bad or to slow your progress. That’s not my intention. The idea is that you have to rise up and be better. You complained and let your anger get the best of you before and you saw and felt the consequences. This match isn’t about me, Krystal. It’s about you. It’s about how much you have grown. It’s about how much you have learned each time we have wrestled. 

Much like I tried to tell and explain and show Ariana, this isn’t and never was going to be an easy road. You have to work for it. I will give you the credit you deserve and say that each time we have wrestled you have come closer and closer to that point. You continue to give me your best every single time and I greatly appreciate that. 

So, this match is another test to see exactly where you’re at, Krystal. If you are ready, we’ll all know. If you aren’t, then we’ll know that too. But understand that while I’m tryin to help you, I don’t ever make it easy for you.

I wouldn’t be me if I just made it easy. 

So I just want you to focus on this match. Forget the Sin stuff, don’t worry about it. I want you to come at me because you have something to prove and a place to take. If I take the win, then you take it. But if you don’t, understand that this is me, trying to make you better like I’ve been trying to do this entire time.

And let’s be honest, after the match, a loss isn’t going to kill you, is it? I know people may make a big deal out of your win-loss record against me, but you know what, if I sat back and thought about all the people I never beat, I’d be pretty miserable. There will be other days, brighter days for you in the future. I’m just going to open a curtain for you. 

It’ll be up to you whether or not you accept that. 

I know what you are capable of doing, Krystal. I know that you can be great. I’ve been trying to tell you for a long time. This is where you need to give me more than you ever have before. You have to rise to the challenge. If not on Sunday, then I want you to take from this match, and all our other matches that this is about the future. 

It’s up to you how bright you want to make it.

 
I am excited to face you again. 

 
I will see you on Sunday.

 
Good luck.

{Our scene begins after Climax Control, with Roxi being checked out by the medical staff, holding gauze against Roxi’s open wound on her forehead. Keira is standing beside her, arms folded, looking both concerned and angry.}

 

Keira – I told you that you didn’t have to do that.

 

Roxi – I know. 

 

Keira – Are you okay?

 

Roxi – I'll be fine. I’ve been hit harder.

 

Keira – I should have known something was up. I should have never let you do this.

 

Roxi – Let me?

 

Keira – Yes, you know good and well that if it came down to it, I could have.

 

Roxi – Is that so?

 

{Keira rolls her eyes.}

 

Keira – I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, and have it be on me. Sometimes I regret ever coming back. If I knew this was going to happen.

 

Roxi – You didn’t.  How could you have known?

 

Keira – Because I know Sin.

 

Roxi – And so do I. But what I did, I did for everyone who is scared right now. She can beat me up, I can take it. But did you really think Sin was going to be the one who did me in?

 

{Keira shakes her head.}

 

Keira – No, not here anyway.

 

Roxi – She didn’t get the job done. She failed. And she’ll fail again. We’ll stop her, this time, for good. 

 

Keira – No, Roxi. I am going to stop her.  I don’t want you, or anyone else in the way. 

 

Roxi – Excuse me?

 

Keira – No, I’m not going to run from this anymore. I’ve been sitting here on the defensive this whole time. I let that damn thing hurt people I care about. I should have been on the offensive. I shouldn’t have had you get involved at all. 

 

Roxi – If you need me...

 

Keira – No. Not this time. I didn’t want this. I guess I was... trying to do what I thought you might do.

 

Roxi – …

 

Keira – I didn’t meant it like that. I mean just think it through, observe and try and get all the details. At the end of the day, Sin, is a monster, and I’m going to take her down, and finally put this to rest, and I’m going to get Krystal back so that this NEVER happens again.

 

{Roxi can’t help but grin at this and touches Keira’s shoulder.}

 

Roxi – I believe in you. I’ve told you before, you don’t need to try and be me. You are who you are. And that’s perfectly fine. You need to be you. That’s why I stepped in, in the first place. I needed to be me.

 

{Keira smiles.}

 

Keira – I know. And you were great. Thank you for showing me what I needed to see.

 

{Roxi pulls the gauze away from her head, which is now not bleeding and she nods at the trainer.}

 

Roxi – I think I need a shower to wash this blood out. But thanks Doc.

 

{Roxi hops off the trainers table and she and Keira head out, as the scene fades.}

 

---

 

{Th new scene opens at a baseball field in Tampa, as part of the Tampa Bay Little League group. Roxi is walking with Nate, without Keira as she is busy at the Hero Academy gym. Nate is all smiles with his bat and glove, walking and holding Roxi’s hand. Roxi looks down at Nate and smiles rubbing his head with her free hand.}

 

Roxi – Are you excited?

 

Nate – Yeah! 

 

Roxi – Good. I want you to have fun, okay? 

 

Nate - I will.

 

{Roxi walks Nate up to the dugout where Roxi sees the coach coming up. She greets him with a grin and a handshake.}

 

Roxi – Hello, Coach Klien. 

 

Coach Klien – Ah, Mrs. Johnson. Or can I call you Roxi?

 

Roxi – Either or, it’s okay. 

 

Coach Klien – I have to say, I’m a big fan.

 

Roxi – Well, I appreciate that. Nate is very excited to play.

 

Coach Klien – That's great. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re just waiting for more of the kids to show up. I’m glad you’re excited Nate.

 

Nate – Am I gonna bat today?

 

Coach Klien – You will get your chance, I promise.

 

Nate – Okay.

 

Coach Klien – You can go have a seat over there, and we’ll get it all ready.

 

Nate – Okay.

 

{Roxi bends down and kisses Nate on the forehead and smiles at him, rubbing his cheek}

 

Roxi – I'll be in the stands and I’ll come get you when you’re done okay?

 

Nate – Okay Mommy.

 

Roxi – Have fun. I love you.

 

Nate - I love you too, Mommy.

 

{Roxi smiles at Coach Klien and walks into the stands, Coach Klien walks with Nate to have a seat in the dugout. Some kids are already seated, throwing a ball into the air and catching it. Nate eagerly moves forward and tries to speak with the other children.}

 

Nate – Hi, I’m Nate. Do you want to play catch?

 

Young boy – I'm Steven. Sure, we can play catch.

 

{The two boys stand up and toss the ball back and forth. Roxi watches on after finding her seat. Genuinely proud as a warm smile crosses her face to see Nate interacting with other kids without any issue. The kids continue to make small talk.}

 

Steven – Are you here with your mom, or are you here with your dad?

Nate – My mommy is here.

 

Steven – Which one is your mom?

 

{Nate catches the ball, and turns and takes a second to locate Roxi in the stands. Roxi smiles at him and waves.}

 

Nate – That's my mom.

 

Steven – Whoa. 

 

{Steven, a 7 year old, notices Roxi and his eyes widen.}

 

Steven – Your mom looks like Roxi Johnson!

 

{Nate shrugs.}

 

Nate – That's her name.

 

{Steve is bewildered by this.}

 

Steven – No way, Roxi Johnson is your mom?

 

Nate – Uh-huh.

 

Steven – I see her on TV all the time. My brother told me that one time she was wrestling and some lady had a big chainsaw and cut her arm off, but she grew it back.

 

{Nate looks over again, questioning the veracity of that statement. He was just an infant when Twisted Sister chased Roxi with a chainsaw, and for all he knows, Twisted Sister DID cut his mom’s arm off and she grew it back. He shakes his head and turns back and continues tossing the ball.}

Nate – My mommy’s arms are fine.

 

Steven – Yeah, she’s super cool. Sometimes I watch her wrestle on youtube.

 

{Another small boy comes to play catch with Nate and Steven.}

 

Small boy – Can I play too?

 

Steven – Sure.

 

Small boy – My name is Bobby.

 

Nate – My name is Nate.

 

Steven – I'm Steven, did you know Nate’s mom is Roxi Johnson?!

 

Bobby – Oh, sometimes I watch her on twitch. She teaches drums. My dad said she used to drum for Metallica or something.

 

Nate – She does that all the time.

 

{Steven and Bobby pause.}

 

Steven – Whoa, that’s sick!

 

Bobby – She's like a rock star! 

 

{Nate again turns to Roxi, not full comprehending that Roxi doesn’t ACTUALLY play for Metallica, she just drums their songs. He’s a little confused but shrugs it off again.}

 

Nate – I guess.

 

{Meanwhile Roxi is still watching and smiling as another woman sits next to her in the bleachers.}

 

Woman – You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?

 

Roxi – No, of course not.

 

{The middle-aged woman sits down, blanket all laid out so she doesn’t have to sit on the wooden bleachers.}

 

Woman – Which one is yours?

 

Roxi – The one with the long blonde hair.

 

Woman – Oh, I see, he’s adorable. My son is playing catch with him there, Bobby.

 

Roxi – He's a cutie too.

 

Woman – Thanks. I’m Francine.

 

Roxi – Roxi.

 

Francine – Oh, you’re the wrestler right?

 

Roxi – That's me.

 

Francine – I've heard about you. My husband and some of his friends watch wrestling.

 

Roxi – Well, I appreciate their support.

 

Francine – Quite frankly, I think it’s crazy. Risking your life for entertainment of complete strangers.

 

Roxi – I enjoy it.

 

Francine – It must be so exhausting. 

 

Roxi – It can be, but it’s fun.

 

Francine – I wouldn’t want that, getting beat up all the time. And it’s not even for a lot of money.

 

Roxi – I get by.

 

Francine – And to have all those people looking at you, I would never.

 

Roxi – Well, what works for some, may not work for others. I enjoy what I do, and really, if you do that, they say you never work a day in your life.

 

Francine – Yes, I suppose so. 

 

{Another woman calls out to Francine. Quickly sitting down and hugging her.}

 

Francine – Where have you been Patty? 

 

Patty – I'm sorry, we got stuck in traffic. 

 

Francine – This is... Roxi right?

 

Patty – Nice to meet you.

 

Roxi – Nice to meet you too. 

 

{Patty and Francine just being to just gossip about anything and everything, distracting Roxi from actually paying attention to Nate. After a few moments of this, Roxi pulls out her phone and politely smiles.}

 

Roxi – Excuse me, ladies, I have to take a phone call.

 

{Roxi stands up and walks to the top of the bleachers away from the gossiping women and pretends to be on a call.}

 

Francine – Did you see her figure? She must have had all kinds of plastic surgery.

 

Patty – In this day and age? She probably is lining up more. Get those butt implants!

 

Francine – You know she’s a wrestler?! 

 

Patty – Like on TV?

 

Francine – Yeah!

 

Patty – Oh, I bet she doesn’t even do that stuff. She probably does that... what did they used to call it? Foxy boxing? Or hot oil wrestling in those strip clubs! 

 

Francine – You're probably right.  Probably has to wear those tiny bikini’s too!

 

{Meanwhile More kids are showing up as Nate continues to play catch.}

 

Steven – Hey Nate, my brother said your mom is a superhero or something, is that true?

 

Nate – I don’t think so.

 

Steven – Maybe she knows Spider-man! 

 

Bobby – That would be so cool! 

 

Steven – Can she turn invisible?

 

{Nate looks over and sees that Roxi isn’t there anymore, and turns back, doing a double take to see Roxi re-take her seat with the gossiping women. It confuses him for a second, but he turns back.}

 

Nate - I don’t think so.

 

{Finally Coach Klien brings in all the kids and the Tee ball game is finally able to get underway, and the scene fades.}

 

---

 

{Once the game has concluded, Roxi meets Nate who is eating a popsicle, after a fun day.}

 

Roxi – You did so good out there. I’m so proud of you.

 

Nate – Thanks Mommy.

 

Roxi – Did you have fun?

 

Nate – Uh-huh.

 

Roxi – That's all the matters.

 

{Roxi and Nate continue to walk, passing by Francine and Patty, who give her that squinshed face smile and wave. Roxi stops and smiles at them.}

 

Roxi – It was nice to meet you both. Hopefully we’ll get to talk more next time.

 

Francine – Of course.

 

Roxi – And by the way, butt implants are extremely dangerous, and oil wrestling isn’t an actual job. Just thought I’d let you know.  You should be careful about talking so loudly. Just a helpful hint about perception.

 

{Francine and Patty are embarrassed as Roxi leads Nate to their car and loads him in, before getting in the car to head home. Nate looks out the window, but then looks at Roxi’s arm and touches it.}

 

Roxi – What's up?

 

Nate – Mommy, did that lady cut your arm off?

 

Roxi – What?!

 

Nate – Those kids were saying that. That this lady at your work cut your arm off and you grew it back.

 

{Roxi looks very confused, but she catches up with the question.}

 

Roxi – No baby, she didn’t cut my arm off. I know Mommy has a lot of silly co-workers, but nobody cut my arm off, I promise. 

 

Nate – Oh. 

 

Roxi – Those other kids have active imaginations, I see. 

 

Nate – They said you played the drums for Me... metall... Metallica.

 

Roxi – No baby, I do play to Metallica songs, but I don’t play for them. It’s the same thing when you watch Star Wars and pretend to be a Jedi.

 

Nate – Can I be a real Jedi?

 

{Roxi pauses and nods.}

 

Roxi – I don’t know, maybe one day. But let’s focus on Tee ball for now.

 

Nate – Okay.

 

Roxi – Good.

 

Nate – Mommy, can you turn invisible?

 

Roxi – What? Where are you getting these questions from? Do those kids think I turn invisible?

 

Nate – Yeah, and then I couldn’t see you, and then I turned around you were there.

 

Roxi – No, Nate, I’m not invisible. Whenever you need me, I’ll always be there. That’s my real superpower, being your mommy.

 

Nate – That's a superpower?

 

Roxi – You better believe it. You don’t make it easy on me being so cute, you know.

 

Nate – You're so silly, Mommy.

 

Roxi – I'm a lot of things, Nate...

 

{Roxi sighs.}

 

Roxi – I'm a lot of things.

 

{Roxi continues the drive home as the scene fades.}

 

---

{The scene is after dinner at the Johnson household once again. Keira is doing the dishes while Roxi puts away some of the leftover food.}

 

Keira – How was the tee-ball game today?

 

Roxi – A lot of fun. Some weirdness, but a lot of fun.

 

Keira – Weirdness?

 

Roxi – Nate’s teammates think I got my arm cut off my Twisted Sister and grew it back.

 

{Keira blinks at the absurdity of that statement, but shrugs.}

 

Keira – Can you grow limbs back? Is that part of our healing?

 

Roxi – … No. I don’t think so.

 

Keira – Oh. Damn.

 

Roxi – Very funny.

 

Keira – What? They’re kids. They ask all kinds of goofy stuff. 

 

Roxi – And so do their moms.

 

Keira – Oh boy.

 

Roxi – No, I’m just saying that it’s just really rude some of the stuff those mom’s say.

 

Keira – You were almost one of them.

 

Roxi – I was not!

 

Keira – You were coaching Nate like it was game 7 of the World Series out there. 

 

Roxi – I want him to do well.

 

Keira – And they want their sons to do well too.

 

Roxi – They weren’t even talking about the kids.

 

Keira – Oh? What were they talking about?

 

Roxi – Other parents. Just gossipy ladies.

 

Keira – They’re annoying, but harmless unless they were talking about you.

 

Roxi – Oh, they were, they didn’t think I could hear them, but you know, you tell people you’re a wrestler and they instantly think of you as something weird and different.

 

{Keira shrugs.}

 

Keira – Wrestling is weird and different.

 

Roxi – But just the way people change like that. One moment I’m a total stranger and the next I’m all silicone with butt implants and hot oil wrestling.

 

{Keira smirks.}

 

Keira – Rawr.

 

Roxi – Knock it off.

 

Keira – I'm just saying...

 

Roxi – What? You want me to get butt implants now?

 

{Keira shuts off the sink and hugs Roxi tightly.}

 

Keira – Of course not, Roxi. I’ve loved you for a decade and it has never mattered to me how you look physically. You’re a beautiful person on the inside, and you saved my life without even knowing me. I love you just the way you are. I wouldn’t have you any other way.

Roxi – Thank you, my love.

 

Keira – But... butt implants...

 

Roxi – Shut up...

 

{Roxi and Keira finish eveything up as the scene fades.}

 

---

Hello, SCW.

I suppose I should clarify my actions and what they meant at the last CC. I stepped into ensure that no more innocent people would be injured at the hands of Sin, prior to when Keira takes care of the problem at Violent Conduct. My intention was not to beat Sin, but to see exactly what Keira is up against. And for Keira to see it as well. And yes, I took my lumps. I was expecting to. I was expecting a heightened sense of violence and that’s exactly what I got. But at the end of the day, I’m still here. I’m fine, and to be honest, I expected Krystal, or Sin to hit harder than she did. The fact that she used a weapon tells me all I need to know. She is scared, and desperate. I look forward to seeing Keira finally end this at Violent Conduct.

But, as always now, there are still questions surrounding my future. I have a list of things I want to get done, but it appears that the date of October being the finishing touches is delayed. And to be honest, I’m not sad or upset about it. Because this is my choice. I didn’t make the decision I made on a whim. I did it, because it’s what I want to do. 

That appears to be a major talking point for the current champion, Courtney Pierce. So, just allow me to clarify so that there is no confusion: I don’t have a desire to try and win the Bombshell’s championship again. It’s not that I can’t. What does it do for me at this point? It puts me back in the most hunted role, maybe in all of women’s wrestling. It means I carry the load again when I’ve already done it 5 times. The loss freed me to see the division grow. That’s what I want. I don’t NEED to win another title. It’s just that simple. 

And yet, I still am being mentioned and talked about, it’s kind of silly at this point. I made the choice long before I lost the title in the first place. If it hadn’t been Courtney, it would have been someone else. And the result and my status would still be the same. I’ve done all I needed to do in SCW. I’ve given up my spot, not because I can’t do it anymore, but because I don’t need to do it anymore. The goal post would simply be moved to do holding down the division. Making it about me, putting everyone else below me in the pecking order. And that’s not what I want to do.

I’m happy with where I am, and I’m happy with facing new opponents and having new opportunities.

 

Which, of course, brings me to Julianna DiMaria.

I’m not going to sit here and talk about Julianna as if she’s a rookie or something silly like that. The bio is right there. The information is right there for me to know she’s not a rookie by any stretch of the imagination. She’s been in the game for several years. And you know what else? She’s very good. 

You don’t win championships, you don’t become successful, not in this game, simply by being in it. That is one of the rarest occurrences in life. Championships don’t just fall into your lap in wrestling, that’s not how it works. You must work, you must strive to be the best. And so, when you win gold everywhere you go pretty much, it’s not a coincidence. So, I’m not going to say that I have some crazy experience advantage, or that Julianna has a lot left to learn, because I still have a lot to learn if I’m being honest. I’m not going to give the too cool for school or lecture Julianna on the importance and all that. 

She deserves better than that. And so, I will treat her and talk about her with the respect she deserves. 

Though, I have a feeling I’m not going to get that from here. 

 

She can be brash, and arrogant and all those things. I am fully anticipating being disrespectful and being called a bunch of names and everything like that. And that’s okay. I understand the point of this. When you are in a new place, what you’ve done elsewhere isn’t going to really come into play. It’s nice to have those accomplishments, but at the end of the day, you’re starting basically from scratch. And when you want to make an impact, you have to have to mean it. You have to take that opportunity by the throat and throw caution to the wind. If you can’t tell, I’ve seen this a time or two.

I’ve seen people just like Julianna come into SCW before. Brash, cocky, arrogant, a chip on their shoulder and anger to burn. And I’ve seen more than a few of those folks flame out almost immediately. I’ve seen some rise to great heights, fall and never recover. So, I suppose that puts me in this weird position, doesn’t it?

See, Julianna would very much like all of you to not put me on a pedestal. I never claimed that I was above anybody, I don’t go around referring to myself as some great champion or the best or anything like that. Why? Because I don’t want to, and more importantly, I don’t HAVE to. But it’s already getting under her skin that I am who I am. Julianna can treat me like just another opponent. A person she has to beat, and that’s fine. I would welcome that very much. I don’t call myself “the Icon” or any other nickname. My social media name is just “Roxi Johnson” you know why? Because it’s all I need to be.

Now I can’t help what other people call me. That’s just kind of a fun perk when you’ve done a lot. You get talked about. People just say my name, heck, people just say my first name, and everybody knows who they’re talking about. And that’s cool. But it doesn’t make me feel like I’m bigger than anyone else. It doesn’t matter to me if you’ve been in the game for 20 years or 20 months. I can be in the opening match, or the middle of the show or the main event. Because I’ve earned that ability. 

I’m just going to be me, and whether or not that means I’ve reached some crazy high level, isn’t really important to me. So, if at the end of the day, Julianna beats me? Cool. But then there become a problem.

You see, the win mean Juilianna was right and I’m not important and she’s killed a hero and all that stuff I’ve heard a hundred times before. I mean, I think she’s really making up a “detractor” that said to her that she was going into the fire. I don’t think anybody said that to her. She simply wants to create the myth, so she can destroy it. And then brush it off like she proved a bunch of people wrong. And hey, I understand doing that too. Whatever motivates her to be at the top of her game, I’m don’t have a problem with. You should take your victory lap, but I see the process coming. I see the wheels turning in her head. She doesn’t want me to be this god-like creation, which no one has ever said, but again, you have to make your own motivation. She doesn’t want me to be seen as a legend or icon or anything like that. Just so that if she wins, she can say “See, she’s not what you all make her out to be.”

Again, I’ve heard this a few times.

 

And you know what happens to me?

Not really much. I’ll pick myself up, dust myself off, and get right back to work, because life will continue. It will not break me. It will not crush me. It will not make me walk away or retire, and I have a strong feeling that people won’t just give up on me because of one loss. If that was the case, I don’t think I’d have too many fans or friends left.

I get it. But then comes the other side of the coin.

What happens if Julianna loses to me? Does it destroy her? Does it set her back months? Is the system corrupt? Am I using God-mode to beat her? Or is it because I’m some kind of legend that needs to be protected? I’ve heard those a time or two before as well. So what are we going to get here?

I would hope that it would be, as I try to do every time I’m out there, a learning experience. Julianna is 2 for 2 in SCW. If she goes 3-0, maybe it’ll give her the confidence that she seems to been lacking. If she goes 2-1, then what? Does she pick herself back up, or does she wilt and die? Will it be the end of the world? Will it be the worst thing to ever happen to her? Will it crush that confidence into dust? 

The answer to those questions, is no, but the only person who needs to be convinced of that, is Julianna.

I know she’s probably looking at the screen right now, angry, or confused, or both. That’s okay. Again, I’ve seen this a time or two. Losing to me, won’t kill her. The sun will still come up the next day. The world will not be ending. It’s just a loss. 

I’m just trying to get Julianna used to what I’m saying, because I plan on winning this match. 

And I know, some folks might continue the narrative that I’m just making ruining all the young talent. I beat them and they never recover from it. I mean, you can ask several hall of famers about losing to me, I don’t think it took them out. I didn’t kill them, did I? Maybe I did, I don’t know. But I think they’re just fine.

But at this point, I think I’ll just be me. If Julianna wants me to be just another wrestler just so she can gloat later if she wins? Sure. If I’m the big bad bully that is going to ruin her? I’ll be that too. If I’m the manifestation of all the terrible people in her life, I’m that. I can pretty much be anything because I’ve earned that ability. I suppose it all depends on your perception.

Julianna told every she wasn’t going to build me up to be a god. And that’s fine. I won’t build her into one either. I will simply state the truth. She’s good. She’s a winner. But at the end of the day, I can tell she has those butterflies in her stomach. She’s nervous. She’s worried. That statement alone tells me that she’s already aware of who I am, and she just wants to downplay it. I can do the same thing, just stating the facts.

Julianna has had two matches in SCW, against Dawn Warren and Laura Phoenix. And she let them have it. And while that is impressive and victories are nothing to sneeze at... I’m not going to hand Julianna the keys to the kingdom simply because she’s looked impressive in two matches. That’s not how I do things. I’m not going to sit here dreading facing someone who is new and looks impressive. Because I’m aware of what this is. This is a test. 

This match isn’t just another match for me. It’s another chance, another opportunity to show everybody that I am still at the top of my game. And I have all the confidence in the world of my abilities. But this match has made me very curious. 

I believe it’s time to see how Julianna handles a loss. 

Because that’s what coming to her, at Violent Conduct. 

I hope she's ready.

{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.}

 

---

 



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. 

{The scene opens with Roxi sitting at the dinner table looking at her phone. It was mid-afternoon, a rare day off from training work at the Hero Academy. Roxi looked at her phone, and then at the clock on the wall just to double check, and then stood up as her mother was headed towards the door.}

 

Roxi – I got it, Mom.

 

Elizabeth – Oh, you want to pick him up?

 

Roxi – I don’t get to do it often. You sit this one out.

 

Elizabeth – It's no trouble.

 

Roxi – It's fine, I promise.

 

{Elizabeth finally concedes and Roxi takes her keys and purse, and heads to pick up Nate from Kindergarten. While driving, she gets a phone call from Keira, which she patches into the car’s audio system.}

 

Roxi – Hey.

 

Keira – Hey, Wait... where are you? Are you driving?

 

Roxi – I'm picking up Nate from school. Why?

 

Keira – Did something happen to your mom?

 

Roxi – No. I just wanted to do it. What did you need?

 

Keira – I was just... I was gonna ask if you were gonna make that Monkey bread pizza again.

 

Roxi – I can. I would have to check if I have everything at home first. 

Keira – Okay. Just wondering, it was really good last time.

 

Roxi – Did you really just call me about food?

 

Keira – … What?

 

Roxi – Then again, I should know who I’m talking to. Must be a slow day there?

 

Keira – They're taking the ring down.

 

Roxi – I see. I will make the pizza, you don’t need to worry your pretty little head.

 

Keira – Mmkay.

 

Roxi – Alright, I’ll see you at home.

 

Keira – Okay.

 

Roxi – I love you.

 

Keira – I love you too.

 

Roxi – Bye.

 

Keira – Bye.

 

{Roxi hangs up and soon pulls up to the school, waiting for the kids to be let out before exiting and smiling as she spots Nate and kneels down to hug him as he runs into her arms.}

 

Nate – Mommy!

 

Roxi – Hi baby! Did you have a good day?

 

Nate – Uh-huh. Where’s Gramma? 

 

Roxi – She's at home. 

 

{Roxi notices Nate is holding a piece of paper and looks at Nate.}

 

Roxi – What's this for?

 

Nate – For uh... T-Ball.

 

{Roxi takes the paper and looks at it. It’s a signup sheet complete with all details for a summer t-ball league.}

 

Roxi – Where'd you get this?

 

Nate – They passed them out. They said who wants one, and I said yes.

 

Roxi – So... you want to play T-Ball?

 

Nate – Uh-huh. My friend Danny is gonna play and we can on the same team. 

 

Roxi – I didn’t know you liked T-Ball, or baseball, or any sport.

 

Nate – I wanna play with my friend. Can I play?

 

{Roxi looks concerned about this entire situation and sighs.}

 

Roxi – Mama and me will have a talk about it, okay?

 

Nate – Okay.

 

Roxi – Let's get home, Mama is craving pizza again so we gotta make it.

 

Nate – Okay.

 

{Roxi and Nate get in the car and Roxi fastens Nate in and drives home, the whole time thinking about the implications of Nate playing sports and starting this early. Once they are home, Roxi lays the flyer on the table and begins looking for ingredients to make the monkey bread pizza. After finding everything she needs, she sets them aside for a later date, and then her phone rings again and Keira is on the line.}

 

Roxi – Hey.

 

Keira – Hey.

 

Roxi – What is it now?

 

Keira – I just... it crossed my mind just now. Are you trying to steal my match?

 

Roxi – What?

 

Keira – You made it sound like you wanted a fight with Krystal.

 

Roxi – Hey, hold on, she is trashing me, and you in the same breath.

 

Keira – Yeah, Let me handle it.

 

Roxi – I'm not just gonna get disrespected.

 

Keira – I got it. Don’t worry about it.

 

Roxi – Whatever, hey uh... I’m actually glad you called, there’s... something I need to talk to you about.

 

Keira – Oh?

 

Roxi – Yeah just... we’ll talk about it later, I just needed to make sure you were aware.

 

Keira – Is something wrong?

 

Roxi – No, it’s just... I need to show you. 

 

Keira – Why are you being vague?

 

Roxi – Okay, look, don’t freak out, but Nate –

 

Keira – I'll be home soon.

 

Roxi – I..

 

{Keira has already hung up and Roxi shakes her head.}

 

Roxi – Well, I made that ten times worse.

 

{Roxi goes back to making the monkey bread pizza as Elizabeth walks in, carrying the flyer in her hand.}

 

Elizabeth – You going to let him play?

 

{Roxi sighs, not wanting to have this conversation right now.}

 

Roxi – I don’t know.

 

Elizabeth – What the harm? 

 

Roxi – I just think he’s a little young.

 

Elizabeth – He's six.

 

Roxi – He's... jeez he’s six, you’re right. What happened?

 

Elizabeth – They grow up. 

 

Roxi – I suppose you’re right.

 

Elizabeth – He's going to start wanting to do a lot of things. 

 

Roxi – I know. I guess I thought I had more time.

 

Elizabeth – I think it’ll be good for him. Get him outside and let him play, make friends, the things that little kids do. He’s not a toddler anymore. 

 

Roxi – You don’t have to rub it in.

 

Elizabeth – Roxi, you haven’t missed anything important, he’s just growing up. This is a natural thing.

 

{Roxi sighs and nods.}

 

Roxi – I just wonder what Keira is going to say about it. At the end of the day, she babies him more than I do. 

 

Elizabeth – He needs to grow, and I know Keira loves Nate, but... it’s time. If he doesn’t start developing socially now, he might never.

 

Roxi – I guess I’ll just have to break it to Keira that way. I just don’t know how she’s going to take it.

 

Elizabeth – She can get mad, but this isn’t about her, it’s about Nate. Let the boy grow.

 

{Roxi leans back in her chair and looks at the flyer before nodding to herself.}

 

Roxi – Thanks, Mom.

 

Elizabeth – I've got a pretty good grasp of this mom thing now. And the gramma thing. But, if you are in a split decision, I’ll vouch for you, and him.

 

Roxi – I might need it.

 

{Roxi hugs her mom, and then goes back to making the Pizza as the scene fades.}

 

---

 

{Later, after the family has eaten and Nate has gone to bed, Keira is finishing up her training and Roxi is waiting outside with the flyer in her hand. Keira smiles as she walks up to Roxi, but sees the flyer and gets confused.}

 

Keira – What's this?

 

{Keira takes the flyer and looks at it.}

 

Roxi – Our son brought that home. It’s what I wanted to talk to you about.

 

{Keira double takes and is still a little confused.}

 

Keira – T-Ball? He wants to play T-Ball?

 

Roxi – Yeah. 

 

Keira – And you said...?

 

Roxi – I said that we would talk about it. I’ve given it some thought and I wanted to give you the chance to do the same. So, what do you think?

 

{Keira begins to say something, but Roxi holds up her hands.}

 

Roxi – Hang on, I know what you’re thinking. He could get hurt.

 

{Keira nods, but still doesn’t say anything.}

 

Roxi – But I talked to my mom, and I think now is the time we need to let him develop. I mean, he could get hurt any day doing anything. And what are we supposed to do? Wrap him in bubble wrap his whole life? I know, Keira, it’s hard, I realize that he’s six, which is ridiculous when I stop and think about it, but the point is, he can’t physically be a baby the rest of his life. He has to get out there and experience things. We can hold his hand forever.

 

{Keira looks at the paper, nods and then hands it back to Roxi.}

 

Keira – They wear helmets, right?

 

Roxi – Well... yeah.

 

Keira – And he’s gonna compete against kids his own age, right?

 

Roxi – Yeah.

 

{Keira shrugs.}

 

Keira – Okay. 

 

{Roxi turns her head slightly, expecting to hear more, but Keira just wipes her face with a towel and throws it around her neck. She stands up and looks at Roxi, who is bewildered.}

 

Keira – What?

 

Roxi – What do you mean, what? I thought you’d... be less agreeable to this. 

 

Keira – You explained pretty thoroughly. I think you’re right. We have to let him go out and do things he wants to do at some point, and we shouldn’t try and keep him away from things. Hell, he doesn’t even know how to ride a bike. We should get him a bike, by the way. But, anyway... You’re right, your mom is right. We have to let him be a kid.

 

Roxi – I thought this would be harder.

 

Keira – You may have softened me up with the monkey bread pizza.

 

{Roxi shakes her head and sighs.}

 

Roxi – I suppose I did. 

 

Keira – If he wants to play with his friends, let me play, but we should show him what to do and all that. Maybe he’ll excel and become a good baseball player or something in the future. Let’s encourage this instead of trying to fight it. Goodness knows we’re not getting any younger.

 

Roxi – Yeah... Well, I’m glad we came to this agreement. 

 

Keira – Me too. Plus, it gives you and me less to worry and stress about since we got stuff we need to take care of at work.

 

Roxi – Right.  In fact, I’m going to take my turn.

 

Keira – Knock yourself out.

 

{Roxi heads in to do her own training as the scene fades.}

 

---

 

{The next day, Roxi has gone all out purchasing T-Ball equipment for Nate. She begins hauling the boxes in and Elizabeth and Keira are both stunned. Roxi looks at them and sets the box down, holding her hands up}

 

Roxi – What?

 

Keira – T-Ball isn’t until the middle of June. And the flyer says they will have a coach and they will teach them.

 

Roxi – There's nothing wrong with getting a leg up.

 

Keira – I don’t think it’s that serious.

 

Roxi – Well, maybe it is, you don’t know.

 

Keira – Really?

 

Roxi – Look, I bought a t-ball stand, and a glove. That’s all he needs right now. And we’ll do a little practicing, and it’ll be fine.

 

Keira – You are going to train him?

 

Roxi – Yes, Keira, I played softball in high school.

 

Keira – That was 20 years ago.

 

Roxi – Yes? So? It’s not like baseball or softball or whatever ball has changed that much.

 

Keira – I just don’t want you to go overboard.

 

Roxi – He needs the equipment to help him. I’ll teach him, no big deal. We’ll make this work.

 

{Roxi pulls out a second mitt, this one adult sized. Keira rolls her eyes.}

 

Keira – Now YOU need a mitt?

 

Roxi – Uh, yeah, how do you think we’re gonna play catch?

 

Elizabeth – Roxi, he’s not going to hit that hard, he’s six.

 

Roxi – Oh, trust me, when I’m done with him, he’ll be hitting digners.

 

Keira – In T-Ball?

 

Roxi – Damn right!

 

Keira – I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think you need to relax. 

 

{Roxi shakes her head and waves her mother and wife off before heading back outside to get more of the things she bought from the store.}

 

Keira – I don’t get it. She’s always so even keel about these things.

 

Elizabeth – I think what’s happening here is Roxi attempting live vicariously through Nate.

 

Keira – Oh, that could be bad.

 

Elizabeth – She's a smart girl, she’ll figure it out.

 

Keira – If you say so.

 

{Roxi returns with more groceries holding her arms up.}

 

Roxi – Little help maybe?

 

{Keira and Elizabeth help Roxi finish putting up the groceries and then Roxi takes the mitts she bought and starts to walk away with them.}

 

Keira – Where are you going?

 

Roxi – To break them in.

 

{Keira rolls her eyes as she grabs her keys and purse.}

 

Keira – I'll get Nate. 

 

{Keira then departs as Roxi walks to their training area and grabs a weight and begins to hit the glove in order to break it in. She smashes the glove repeatedly with the weight and soon enough it snaps and is far more flexible than before. She repeats this with Nate’s glove. She grabs a baseball and tosses it into the glove and is very satisfied with the results. 

 

Soon enough Nate comes home and Roxi hears this and heads upstairs, a wide smile on her face as she greets Nate.}

 

Roxi – There you are.

 

Nate – Mommy! 

 

Roxi – Did you have a good day?

 

Nate – Uh-huh!

 

Roxi – Good. Mama and I talked about T-Ball, and we’re gonna let you play.

 

{Nate’s face lights up with excitement.}

 

Nate – Really?

 

Roxi – Yup. You can play with Danny, but I’ve got some stuff for you.

 

Nate – Oh! What is it?!

 

{Roxi is holding the glove behind her and presents it to Nate, who smiles and is very happy.}

 

Nate – A BASEBALL GLOVE!

 

Roxi – Yup. And, I got you your own t-ball set, so we can practice so you’ll be ready to go.

 

Nate – Thanks Mommy!

 

Roxi – You are very welcome. But you owe me. 

 

Nate – Oh...

 

Roxi – Lucky for you, I take payment from cute boys in kisses!

 

{Nate kisses Roxi and the love-fest begins until Keira steps in.}

 

Keira – Alright, break it up.

 

Roxi – Don't be jealous.

 

Nate – Can I play with the set.

 

Roxi – Of course.

 

Keira – AFTER, you finish your school work.

 

Roxi – Right. You finish off your school work, I’m gonna go set it all up for you!

 

Nate – Okay!

 

{Nate goes to do his work while Roxi is about to head to the box, but Keira grabs her arm.}

 

Roxi – What?

 

{Keira leans in, whispering, but still annoyed.}

 

Keira – Don't what me! You’re acting like a child! The main focus is for Nate to do well in school, we can’t have him neglecting his studies.

 

Roxi – I'm not.

 

Keira – No, but you’re acting more excited about this than he is! 

 

Roxi – I just want him to be excited about it!

 

Keira – Just... take it down a notch.

 

Roxi – Okay, okay.

 

{Keira gives Roxi the “eyes on you” finger gesture before walking away. Roxi grabs the T-Ball box and takes it outside, opening it and dumping out the contents and setting up the stand and the ball that comes with it along with the bat. She sets that aside and takes her own baseball and starts throwing the ball up into the air and catching it, essentially playing catch with herself and is very satisfied with the snap of the glove around the ball.}

 

Roxi – Just like old times.

 

{Roxi then finds a spot and begins tossing the ball off her fence so she can gather ground balls, still very pleased with herself and then finally Nate makes his way outside and sees Roxi.}

 

Nate – Mommy?

 

Roxi – Oh, just warming up, that’s all. Okay, let’s get you over here and here is your new mitt.

 

{Roxi presents Nate with the glove who smiles and puts it on his left hand.}

 

Nate – It's like yours.

 

Roxi – Yup. Now, I want you to close it with your hand, like this.

 

{Roxi demonstrates and Nate follows suit.}

 

Roxi – Good. Now, you have to do that when the ball hits your glove, okay?

 

Nate – Okay.

 

{Roxi takes the baseball and tosses it at Nate, who isn’t exactly ready for it, and drops it. Roxi has to remind herself not to get frustrated, as she picks up the ball.}

 

Roxi – Okay, I’m going about this all wrong. Let’s start simple.

 

{Roxi then gets a few feet away from Nate in the driveway and faces Nate.}

 

Roxi – Okay, I’m gonna roll the ball to you, you pick it up with your glove, okay?

 

Nate – Okay.

 

{Roxi slowly rolls the ball and Nate is able to scoop it up, and rolls it back to her, very proud of himself.}

 

Roxi – Good job! You’re getting the hang of it already.

 

{After a few more slow rolls of the ball, Nate seems to have the grasp, and so Roxi speeds up the rolls.}

 

Roxi – Okay, this one is gonna be a little faster.

 

{Roxi rolls the ball faster and Nate misses it.}

 

Roxi – Come on, you have to get in front of the ball! You - 

 

{Roxi has to stop herself from getting frustrated.}

 

Roxi – No, no, you’re six. I’m sorry. You know what? We'll just play catch.

 

{Roxi and Nate proceed to play catch, Roxi under-handing the tosses to Nate, who catches some, and drops some others. Roxi tries to remain patient in trying to teach Nate to enjoy the game instead of forcing him to do so. After a while, Roxi and Nate high five as Roxi sets up the T-Ball stand and places the ball on the tee.}

 

Roxi – Okay, let’s see if we can hit this. Actually...

 

{Roxi turns the  tee to where it’s facing the road so it doesn’t hit the house. She puts Nate into position and looks his form.}

 

Roxi – Okay, careful with that bat. Keep your hands together and tight. 

 

{Roxi makes corrections to Nate’s form.}

 

Roxi – Good, just like that, now put your chin on your shoulder, and raise this back arm up. Perfect. Now, we’re ready to swing, we’ll swing slow first because I don’t want the ball to go far. Ready? One! Two... Three!

 

{Roxi helps guide the bat to the ball on the tee and knocks it off and it dribbles slowly into the front driveway as Roxi picks it up and places it back on the tee.}

 

Roxi – Good job. Now, I’m gonna stay back here, and you hit it like normal.

 

Nate – Okay.

 

{Nate lines up his shot and the ball goes fairly far and Roxi of course fields it. She walks up smiling and places the ball back on the tee.}

 

Roxi – Okay, let’s try it again.

 

{Nate tries it a few more times to varying success. Roxi fields all the balls hit, but sometimes Nate hits the tee itself, sometimes misses altogether as he is just learning. Roxi is still a little flustered by this.}

 

Roxi – Okay, you gotta keep your eye on the ball.  I-

 

{Roxi stops and spots Keira out of the corner of her eye as Keira marches out of the house with a sarcastic grin on her face as she pulls Roxi aside.}

 

Keira – That's enough.

 

Roxi – What?

 

Keira – You're out here trying to teach him and train him like he’s practicing for game seven of the world series. STOP.

 

Roxi – I'm just -

 

Keira – No, you’re not. You are doing this for you, not him. He is six years old and you’re scolding him like this. He’s going to play t-ball. Not little league, or major league or any other league. T-ball. He’s a kid. Let him be a kid, and not try and live through him. I get it, you played softball a while back. I’m glad you’re teaching him. But you’re doing it, for you, not for him. If you keep pushing him like this, he’s going to resent it, and then, maybe even you.

 

{Roxi stares off, letting it all sink in. She turns back to Keira and looks at her with a confused look}

 

Roxi – Who are you and what have you done with my wife?

 

Keira – Don't try and change the subject.

 

Roxi - I'm not. That... that what was I needed to here. I’m sorry. I guess it was just me getting over-excited. It was something I wanted to sink my teeth into. You know, training the adults in the Hero Academy who want to learn and have a passion for it... verus my own son who just wants to play with his friends. I... I needed that. I guess I had to grow up a little too. 

 

{Roxi walks over to Nate and kneels down next to him and rubs his head.}

 

Roxi – I hope I didn’t make you sad today. I know this is something new and it takes time. I was a little hard on you, but I want you to have fun. Okay?

 

Nate – It's okay Mommy.

 

Roxi – Tell you what, next week, we’ll invite Danny over and you can play together, okay.

 

Nate – Awesome!

 

{Nate picks up the baseball and hands it to Roxi.}

 

Nate – Can we play catch some more?

 

Roxi – Sure.

 

{Roxi and Nate proceed to start another round of catch as the scene fades.}

 

---

 

“And don't think it's easy being Superman, Kelley. It's a struggle to live up to everyone's expectations!”

- Superman (Superman Vol 2 #50)

 

Hello, SCW.

 

I come to you again after a successful title defense, but at the same time, I have to give huge props to Ariana for pushing me and herself. That was the entire process I was after the entire time. When I said she wasn’t ready for the moment, it was the truth, but it was meant to be motivational. It was meant to light a fire, it was meant to change how she sees herself. And after that, and judging by her words and actions, she understood that afterward. My intent was to make her better. And make her not only championship worthy, but worthy of holding this title. Worthy of seeing herself in that position. And now, I believe she does, so I accomplished what I set out to do, and at the same time, I was able to retain this championship, and that is also part of the goal. I had to make sure that I held onto it, because when Ariana is ready, which isn’t far off, but when she is ready, she will win this title and all of you will accept her as a worthy champion. There is a method to my madness.

 

It’s what I want for any and all competitors, to make this championship a prize worth claiming as their own. Not only because they beat me, because my status, while playing a part, should not be the determining factor. Beating me is something people say is hard enough, but to beat me AND win this title, should be something that’s worth it. I want it to mean that a person has arrived and you will look at them and say “yes.” It needs to mean something to you, as well as them, and myself. Nobody wants a champion that is getting here simply because they are a name, or they rely on their past accomplishments to justify it. And I am bound and determined to make sure that that doesn’t happen. It’s the way this has to go. If I falter and someone sneaks in a title win and you all go “her?” and shrug in apathy, then I’ve failed. 

It’s why I am setting the bar very high for not only those that challenge me, but for myself. I wanted this, and the fact I am getting what I asked for, means I have a lot to live up to. They call me “Icon” and “Legend” and I don’t take those monikers lightly. I carry them as an added weight. I already slipped and fell once this year because I didn’t put the work in that I needed to. And I made a promise to myself that that isn’t going to happen ever again. No, the person who takes this from me, is going to have earned it, and I will have given them my best and on that day, they will be a little bit better. And then hopefully, that cycle continues after that. Because the thing is, after I lose this title, I do not intend to go after it again. 5 times is a record. I am no longer interested in chasing this title again in the quest to hold the record solo. I’m already in the hall of fame here. I’ve already done everything there is to do aside from a couple of things. At that point, chasing it again means that I’m just stat padding and nobody needs that.  No, my goal is to leave this championship in good hands in a division that is thriving. I am searching for that worthy opponent.

 

Now, it seems that I have a lot of irons in the fire since Devona is the next challenger, and that Krystal Wolfe wants to continue to have a war of words. But I’ve got those two things on the back burner for now. Because I have one hell of a challenger coming at me this week.

 

One Courtney Pierce.

 

So, Hello Courtney.

This is the first time you and I are having the pleasure of sharing the ring together. Though I am making an assumption that you are happy to be in the position you are in and sharing the ring with me. I only know that I am excited and honored to share the ring with you, as I am most of my opponents these days. I know that you don’t want to have this chance go to waste because it has taken you a long time to get back to this spot.

It’s never fun to be injured or see someone with some much promise get injured. I want you to understand that I don’t see that as any sign of weakness. Those things happen, and in 2018 you won the Blast From the Past tournament, so you earned this match. It has just taken you some time to be able to claim it. And you put a lot of doubt to bed at Into the Void, you beat Crystal, the other person to hold this very title 5 times. It’s not a small feat to do that, so you have my respect, and I hold you in a very high regard.

It’s not easy to win Blast From the Past in the first place. You have to be able to not only take care of your opponents, but function as a team, and you did so, and won in convincing fashion. You have an accomplishment that nobody can take away from you, and I will certainly not diminish it. You earned this match. No doubt about it. You have clearly displayed the talent and drive to do so. You have beaten some of the top talent in this company and done so with a sense of pride on your face and determination in your heart. I love that about you. And I know that this match I will get no less than 100% from you. 

But I am not Crystal.

I’m sure you are aware of that, but I’m not driven by simply winning a title just to say that I did, or accomplishing something to try and be first or get something out of it. I have reached this point because I have put in the work and not simply relied on talent or family or whatever to get here. I am not driven by fame or seeing my name on lists. I have this championship, because I am who I am, and because I do what I do. I understand what it means to be at the top and then, to stay there. 

Now, I get that you are not some new wrestler with her career much further ahead of here, I know that you are basically in the prime of your career. You are at the top of your game and I understand that I have my work cut out for me in this defense. And that is again, part of what I wanted. No layup defenses. No cupcake schedule. Give me the top contenders, and give me the people that earned it. And you are there. So then, it falls onto me, to back up my words and actions. 

This is not a match where I can hope to get through or hope for you to not take it seriously or anything like that, and I don’t want that at all. I want you, at your best, and then we both make each other better. Iron sharpens iron as they say. Because to me, you represent the present and future of this company. Now, I will say that I’ve assumed that people in your position, and people who held this title before were going to carry on and continue to rise and elevate the division and everyone in it, but it has blown up in my face when putting my faith in people.

Which is another reason I take holding this title so seriously.

I have this responsibility to ensure that the next in line is not only ready, but worthy. I have this new prespective of being like a coach and understanding that I need to make sure that things are done and they are done correctly. And I know it may irk you to hear this, but I simply do not want you to have this title, and then just give it away because you lost interest. Because I see that in you. It’s not just the injuries, I can forgive that. I can look past injuries. Like I said, they happen, nothing you can do about them. But let’s be real with each other. 2018 was 5 years ago. And that’s a long time to be waiting and healing and not competing. 2018 you did all this, and then... nothing. It seems that while now you have the passion, that passion appears to come and go and act like a breeze. You can’t just come and go as the top champion. You can’t just compete when you want to compete. This is a full time deal and that lack of activity makes me understand that while you are good, you appear to be good for short bursts.

I get it, things happen in and out of the ring that take time away from you. And some things are bigger than wrestling itself. But from my perspective, right here and now, you are one feeling of boredom away from walking away again and then the title loses it’s value, your win loses it’s value, your place in the record books loses it’s value.

And I DON’T want that to happen. Not just for this title, but for you.

You may not want to hear it, but sometimes when we get carried away with how we feel about something, whatever the case may be, it could be sorrow, or self-pity, or bitterness, we take it out on people, and sometimes, we need people to show us that we’re wrong. People that tell us the truth. 

Nothing I’m saying here is a lie, Courtney, you know it, and I know it. You winning this title would probably be in the short term, a justified action, but then, in the long term? It becomes another problem, another issue. Because this championship comes with expectations and I don’t think you have the stomach to rise to meet those expectations, based on your past. 

So, while I expect a great match, and I expect those feelings you have of feeling slighted or overlooked because you didn’t get your chance when you should have to come to the forefront, You need to understand that that’s not going to be enough. 

Like Ariana, you may feel like I’m insulting you or patronizing you, but it’s not coming from that place. It’s coming from the eyes of experience, the eyes of a coach. A person who has been in your shoes. I see what’s underneath, and from what I see... you simply don’t have the level of growth necessary. 

So, at Climax Control, I’m going to help your growth. So that maybe in the future, provided you stick with this, you will have everything you need.

I’ll coach you up, Sunday.

 

See you there.

{The scene is at Hero Academy gym, Roxi sits in her office, going over the notes she took earlier in day. There is a knock at the door and  one of the male students stands outside. Roxi finishes her note and motions for him to enter.}

 

Roxi – What’s up Steve?

 

{Steve sits down looking pensive as he enters the door.}

 

Steve – I was wondering if I could talk to you about something.

 

Roxi – Sure. Have a seat.

 

{Steve cautiously sits down and Roxi greets him with a smile and puts her notes to the side.}

 

Roxi – What's on your mind?

 

Steve – Well, I was just thinking about the show we want to do.

 

Roxi – Yes. You can do the show. We already agreed to it. 

 

Steve – I know that, but I was just wondering about the show itself and what we’re going to do.

 

Roxi – That's really up to you guys. You have to decide what you want to do. We’re giving you the chance to do whatever you need. This is your guy’s show.

 

Steve – That's kind the thing. I don’t know what I’m doing.

 

Roxi – You need some work, but that will come with time, yes.

 

Steve – No, I meant... I don’t have anything to really give. I feel like I’m... just some guy. I’m the same guy that walked in here a few months ago just... now I know how to fall on my back and not make it hurt so much. I just... feel like I need to be more.

 

Roxi – Oh, you mean, you want to be something more than just you?

 

Steve – Exactly! I mean, sure that works for some people, and I’m not against that. It just... it’s weird for me to just be... Steve Copeland, wrestler.

 

Roxi – You know, there’s nothing wrong with being yourself, even if it’s boring.

 

Steve – I know, but that works for a handful of people. I want to be something different.

 

Roxi – You know, that only works a handful of times as well. 

 

Steve – Yeah, but... I don’t want to be boring. I want be... somebody.

 

Roxi – Well.. Who are you?

 

Steve – That's what I was trying to ask. Do you have any ideas?

 

Roxi – Well, here’s the thing, Steve, I could give you a hundred ideas, but while some of them may interest me, and may be goofy or silly or what have you, the important part is you. You have to be able to be comfortable with what you’re going to be doing.

 

Steve – I don’t know if I can be?

 

Roxi – That’s why I asked who you were. You have to tell people. You have to tell me. Really you have to tell yourself. You’re going to be half naked out there and playing pretend. So, the closer that you make yourself, to who you are, the better off you will be.

 

Steve – But I’m just... I’m plain. I’m boring. I don’t know what I can do.

 

Roxi – Well, how do you want to try and stand out? 

 

Steve – I mean, a got these tattoos and the long hair that I’m working with.

 

Roxi – Long hair and tattoos is just about everybody these days. What is something you like to do? Other than wrestling?

 

Steve – I mean, I like watching TV, playing games, listening to music. Working out.

 

Roxi – You gotta give them something. I’ve been around you kids long enough to see you’re a nice guy and you try to help people. You can’t just expect that anywhere you go is going to have something for you. You do have a certain look, but that’s a lot of people. You have to give people something.

 

Steve – I just don’t know what all I can really do to stand out. What do you see? Honestly.

 

Roxi – Well... let’s have a look at you. Stand up.

 

{Roxi eyeballs Steve as he stands up, circling him. After a few cycles, Roxi sits back down.}

 

Roxi – You have a good body, but your legs need a little work. upper body is nice though. So don’t go wearing some baggy t-shirt or whatever. You have a little something, that maybe you can work with, but again, you have to be comfortable with all this. If you aren’t comfortable, then I can suggest male model to you and it won’t work.

 

{Steve frowns at this.}

 

Steve – Yeah, I don’t think I want that.

 

Roxi – See what I mean? Now, maybe sometimes you will have to go out of your comfort zone, but here’s the thing: If you try and fail, that’s okay. 

 

{Roxi stops, and thinks for a moment.}

 

Roxi – Are you just trying to do this for the show? 

 

Steve – Well... yeah, I want to make a good impression.

 

Roxi – I see. Well, don’t you think that you should get the important stuff down before you think about things like this?

 

Steve – No, I get that, I do. I just want to get a head start I guess.

 

Roxi – Well, if anything, it’s a good attitude. You mentioned you like watching TV and music. Any type of music or TV you enjoy the most?

 

Steve – I love rock and roll, I love Breaking Bad, I love the Sopranos. I like a lot of the stuff on Netflix. 

 

{Roxi ponders this information for a second.}

 

Roxi – I see. Alright, I’ll give it some thought and then maybe we’ll see just how we can do something you’ll enjoy. Just, let me think about it and before you know it, we’ll have you out there just being yourself. But... you should also be thinking about what makes you, you in the meantime as well.

 

Steve – Thanks Roxi. I won’t let you down.

 

Roxi – Steve, you’re not wrestling for me, you’re wrestling because you want to be a wrestler. I’m just trying to help you be the best wrestler you can be.

 

Steve – I know. I really appreciate the advice. I’ll really give it a lot of thought.

 

Roxi - I know you will. You will have your moment.

 

{Steve then gets up and departs, but there is yet another knock on the door as soon as Steve is out of sight, and it’s Tia, the girl who suggested the show in the first place.}

 

Roxi – Tia?

 

Tia – Hi. 

 

Roxi – Is there something you need?

 

Tia – I just wanted to ask if you and Keira are okay?

 

Roxi – Yes, we’re fine, why?

 

Tia – Keira's been... kind of absent the past couple of weeks. 

 

Roxi – Because she’s in training.

 

Tia – Oh. Okay. Um, just one last thing?

 

Roxi – Yes?

 

Tia – How... how do we get started on this whole show?

 

Roxi – That's up to you guys. 

 

Tia – No, I mean... logistically?

 

Roxi – You've got to promote the show, set up the matches, find out who works with who. Trust me, we’ll help you on that end, but the promotion of the show is up to you. Do it how you want.

 

Tia – Oh, okay!

 

{Tia turns to leave and Roxi clears her throat to get Tia’s attention.}

 

Roxi – Within reason.

 

Tia – No worries, thanks!

 

{Tia disappears from sight and Roxi starts to get back to her notes. 

 

The school closes and as she is finishing, she hears a loud banging coming from behind her. She stand up, wondering what the noise was and goes off in search of the source. She enters the rear gym and it’s none other than Keira, literally throwing a practice dummy around, slamming it to the ground as hard as possible. Roxi looks at Keira and again clears her throat to get Keira’s attention. Keira looks up and seems surprised to see Roxi there.}

 

Keira – Oh. Hi.

 

Roxi – What are you trying to do, bring the building down?

 

Keira – I’m in training.

 

Roxi – I can see that, captain comeback. 

 

Keira – Har har. I didn’t come back because I wanted to. 

 

Roxi – Really?

 

Keira – No. I came back because Krystal is out of line. And if nobody else is going to do anything about it, I will.

 

Roxi – That’s all well and good, but I don’t know who you think you’re trying to fool here.

 

Keira – What are you talking about? I told you why I was coming back last week.

 

Roxi – I know you did. But let’s also be honest and say that you didn’t ONLY come back for Krystal.

 

Keira – That’s all this is going to be, as far as I’m concerned. Krystal was out there hurting those kids! It’s not right, Roxi, and you know it. I’m not going to let anybody do that to my students.

 

Roxi – So if they were someone else’s students, you’d be okay with it?

 

Keira – NO! Of course not. Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, but dammit it made me mad. 

 

Roxi – Keira, I know it made you mad. I saw you at the house shaking your head every time you saw Krystal since she made her decision. 

 

Keira – And to think I considered her a friend. Never making that mistake again.

 

Roxi – Or maybe in time you’ll forgive her.

 

Keira – That is not happening. I’m not you, Roxi. I wasn’t raised to turn the other cheek. I was raised to fight. I’ve been fighting my whole life. And the moment I tried to sit down and not fight, I get drawn back into another fight. 

 

Roxi – I know. I never said you were me, we went through that last year. A lot. I’m just saying time has a way of healing wounds. It may take a while, but it happens. But the point I was trying to make was you didn’t come back because Krystal made you. You also missed this.

 

{Keira stands, hands on hips, trying to find a way to not admit it, but she shrugs.}

 

Keira – A little, yeah.

 

Roxi – A little my butt, Keira. You know you missed fighting.

 

Keira – Okay fine! I missed fighting, but... I guess old habits are hard to break.  But this... this is it. Probably.

 

Roxi – Nobody forced you to retire Keira. You made that decision on your own. If you wanted to stay retired, you could have.

 

Keira – I know that. It just felt like when I was in full-time, and I was doing everything, I had no time and no place to get all this energy out except SCW. WWR came and went, and I just kind of accepted that I just was gonna be able to let it go naturally. It was the right time. I did everything I wanted to do. All I wanted was one time to stand at the top, and win all the titles, and that was it. I won’t lie to you and say that I didn’t miss it, I did, and I still do. But I was content to stay at home, send in the next generation. The school is my life, you know that.

 

Roxi – I do.

 

Keira – But when you have somebody who is trying to ruin the next generation, that pisses me off. My kids, the kids I trained, getting hurt because Krystal is being a cunt. So, I needed to take matters into my own hands.

 

Roxi – And that’s why you showed up last week. So... why are you training now?

 

Keira – … Like I said, I’m going to take matters into my own hands.

 

Roxi – Keira, you don’t need to do anything crazy. I’m sure if you really just want to fight Krystal, SCW can arrange that.

 

Keira – I’m not asking for a match.

 

Roxi – Then we go back to why you’re training. 

 

Keira – Because this isn’t going to be a match.

 

Roxi – Keira...

 

Keira – No, don’t. You worry about Ariana. You have that title match and you can’t slip up because you feel like you need to protect me or something. No, we’re not doing that anymore. 

 

Roxi – I didn’t say we were. 

 

Keira – Good. So, you focus on not losing to Ariana and then we’ll talk about this stuff with Krystal.

 

Roxi – If you’re going to be like that about it.

 

Keira – It means a lot to me.

 

Roxi – I understand. Just remember to think clearly about this. 

 

Keira – You are not responsible for what I do. I’m retired. I’m only handling some business. You are the champion. You need to ready. If you wanted to train with me or something we can do that.

 

Roxi – Is... that a challenge?

 

Keira – If you wanted to spar, we can spar. 

 

Roxi – I don’t think this is the correct place for that sparring session. 

 

Keira – Oh...yeah, that’s probably not the best idea I guess.

 

Roxi – Exactly. 

 

Keira – Well, then, let’s go home and have some food and then, I’ll make sure you are fully ready.

 

Roxi – Kinky.

 

Keira – Rawr.

 

{The tension now broken, Roxi and Keira head off as the scene fades.}

 

---

 


Hello SCW.

 

I have been sitting and viewing the Blast from the Past tournament with great interest and I am looking forward to seeing how that plays out. I come to you once again as your champion, and as I said before, my appearances will become less and less frequent as time goes on, but rest assured, I will be here, when it counts. I should make more of an effort to be around more, and I will do my best to do that in the future. You deserve that. I haven’t really felt like the Bombshell’s champion since I won the title to be honest with you. The last time it felt earned and like it was taken from me too soon. And now, I feel like I’m just holding this title, and I shouldn’t feel that way. 

I am of course honored and privileged to be holding this title for the fifth time and as I said before, it has never been easy to just go out here and win this title. It’s just that this one just feels different. I almost feel like I am on another level, and I have hit this point and now, I have nowhere left to go. Sure, I am always striving for perfection, and I know I’m not there, but this feels just a bit different now. 

Maybe it’s the maturity finally kicking in and me being an adult for reals this time. I’ve been a mom for going on 7 years and a wife for almost a decade, but I’ve always felt like I could still be that girl that came in at 27 and now hit 37. And those days have to go away at some point. 

Man, how time flies.

Although, I will always say that I will grow old, I will never fully grow up. I’m still amused by the silliest things and my mind will always travel back to the best days. But, I understand the assignment now. Having seen a few things in my time now. 

So, after defeating Mercedes Vargas, I waited with bated breath to see just who would be challenging for this Bombshell’s title, and the competition has been fierce to say the least. Veiwing the Blast from the Past matches and seeing the talent on display is nothing short of incredible, and while the winner is yet to be decided, there is another talented woman is getting her chance. And so, out of  respect, I will talk to her, because she deserves that.

 

Hello, Ariana.

I am pleased to see you in this spot, so early in your career, and I know you as well as I, am excited about this upcoming match. It means a lot to me to testing my talents against the future. Because there’s always questions about how I can and will do.

But, I guess I need to do this now, because I know how you will take what I’m going to say, and it will bring up that age old saying of “Never meet your heroes”.

I know as I stand here right now, I’m going to say things to you that may make you think that I’m not the person you grew up watching. I’m not the friend or ally that you thought I was. While that’s not true, what I’m about to say to you may make you think I’ve been lying this whole time and pretending to be your friend, or just used you to gain the fame I have today.

None of that is the truth.

I’m coming to you because we are competitors, and we are both after the same prize. I am just looking at this through a lens that you just don’t have yet. The one from experience. Yes, you have many wonderful people at your disposal to pass down knowledge to you, and I am one of those people. But as a person who literally teaches people the ins and outs of the ring we wrestle in, I have developed an eye for these situations and so the words I’m going to use here are exactly what I see and what I feel.

So please, don’t take this the wrong way, even though you might, and even though those words usually precede something that sounds awful and terrible. But, as you, and anyone else who I’ve trained or spent time giving pointers or hints or straight up coaching know, I’m the “bad guy” teacher at Hero Academy, I tell people the truth, and I demand a lot more than Keira does. So, given all that, what I’m going to say is coming from a place of experience.

 

Ariana, you are not ready for this moment. 

 

You simply aren’t.  It’s not meant to discourage you, or make you think I don’t take you as a serious challenge, because I do. I take you as seriously as any other opponent I step into the ring with. I said you aren’t ready because it’s the truth. I cannot tip-toe around the truth of the matter. 

You did well in the tournament this year, and you earned this match by beating Zoey Lukas, which isn’t an easy task. By no means as I taking anything away from you as a talent and really, you have done the exact thing I asked people to do around here. You stepped up to the plate, and when the chance was there, you took it. You earned this match.

And you had a wonderful, lengthy, fantastic reign at the Roulette champion last year. I can applaud that for what it’s worth. I saw you beat challengers left and right for nearly 5 months. You never shied away from the challenges and you were met with so many different situations that you were able to adapt to. That is commendable and I respect that. 

This is a different game, entirely.

Winning the Roulette title is something that is important, it’s a proving ground. The Internet title is where the contenders separate themselves. 

 This title? The Bombshell’s title? It is rarified air. 

This title is where you don’t have any room for error, because it takes a long, long time to get back to the top if you aren’t a consistent wrestler. Anyone can get here, but there’s a long list of women who took a shot and were never able to stay here. A bunch of women who even held this championship, and then once it was gone, they couldn’t get it back. This is where the competition is at it’s highest level.

And I know right now, as I’ve watched you grow in a year’s time, that you are not prepared for the moment that’s coming. 

Again this isn’t out of a place of contempt or bitterness. I’m not angry or annoyed that I have to face you, I’m concerned that I have to face you now. At this moment. Because this moment is a moment that could in fact, break you. I’m a coach, I see this stuff. The moment will come, and because you haven’t been here, because you haven’t been in these deep waters, it will become too much of the moment. And I’ve seen many people, men and women both, who get to this point, the same one you are in now, and once it finally hits, they crumble. And then, they become scared of that moment if it ever shows up again. 

I know, right now as we stand here, that you are now thinking that I’m trying to play some kind of mind game with you or that you’re now thinking I’m talking down to you or belittling your accomplishments. I am not. I just know that feeling because I felt it. 

It was almost a decade ago that I stood where you are right now, looking at Misty, the legend herself, and I knew I wasn’t ready for that moment. I tried, and I failed. And for a while there, I was thinking to myself that that was where I stopped. It took a little bit, but I realized that I had to get back on the horse and keep riding. Because I didn’t come that far, just to come that far. No, I wanted to be at the top, and I had to get better.

I wasn’t ready then, but the next time, I was.

And I see the exact same thing, from the opposite end, now.

So no, Ariana, you are not ready for this moment. 

YET.

Because I’ve seen you and I know how good you CAN be, I say yet. This moment, isn’t about me trying to hold onto to something as my star fades and I just can’t let the spotlight go. It’s never been about that. This is about being the biggest learning experience you can have. Like I said, Roulette title is wonderful and all that. You deserve praise. But even that, has not put you where you need to be in order to carry THIS championship.

I know, you may hate me now and think I’m some terrible person and that’s all well and good. A lot of people think that I am and I was being like that for selfish reasons and I’m really just this awful person determined to bring everyone down so I can be at the top. But I think you know me well enough to understand that what you feel right now is going to be temporary. 

At the end of the day, you will understand and maybe even appreciate what I’ve spoken to you about today. I know you will, you’re smart, you understand and pick up on these things. In time, you will be in this very spot I’m in, right now. Look at some new, fresh face looking at you and having idolized you. Maybe you will have a world title on your shoulder when you. Maybe multiple titles. Maybe you will be the best women’s wrestler, or heck, wrestler period at that point.

And hopefully, you will look back at this moment and know that this is where it started. 

Ariana, you will not be taking this championship from me. 

Not because you don’t have the talent, not because you don’t have the skill, or drive, or determination. You have all of those things in spades. You have all the things necessary to be where I am.

Just... not right now.

You just need to put it all together. 

But at Into the Void, it’s not going to happen.

Trust me, I’m not telling you to not try, I’m not telling you to think you can’t win, or you won’t win and you shouldn’t bother. Not saying that at all. I’m telling you to give it everything you have. I want everything. 

Because after I beat you here, we will have an ever better match next time. Because then, you will be even more prepared for the moment. 

You just aren’t right now.

I hope you understand.

{The scene opens with Roxi again approaching Amy Jo Smyth’s house. She knocks on the door and at first there is no answer, and Roxi knocks again. AJ this time answers, poking her head out of the door, and upon seeing Roxi, rolls her eyes and sighs.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – You must need something. I haven’t heard back from any contacts I have about your gang war thing. I’ve gone through some files, but nothing concrete. You could've just called or texted and I could have told you all this.   

Roxi – Can't you just say “Hello" for once?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Seriously? You never come just to visit, which is why I said “you must need something.” So, what do you need?   


{Roxi sighs and holds up the instructions from that strange TV system. AJ arches a brow.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – You’re buying me a TV?   


Roxi – Yes, AJ, I am. I just need to get it shipped here.   


Amy Jo Smyth – You know my birthday already passed, and so did Christmas. I know that, because they are the same day.   

Roxi – I know. I sent you a card, and a present, like I always do.   


Amy Jo Smyth – What gives? You’re not telling me something.   


Roxi – A guy went missing.   

 
Amy Jo Smyth – And...   

 
Roxi – We think the manufacturers, or the company that makes this TV is responsible.   


Amy Jo Smyth – Why are you handling it, then? It's a police matter? 


Roxi – Well, this is the only lead. I looked at their website and that's the only a place to place an order. There’s nothing about contacting them for anything.   

Amy Jo Smyth – A scam? 

Roxi – That's the thing, the TV was delivered, and installed.  And now, the guy is gone.   

{AJ blinks and shrugs.}   


Amy Jo Smyth – So, the guy installs it and leaves? Nothing unusual at the scene?   

Roxi – No. The girlfriend reported it.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Oh, so she killed him. The closest to us are the ones who kill us. Thems the rules. I don't make the rules. 


Roxi – There were no signs of a struggle, the guy’s car was still there. Unless she planned out a murder on her lunchbreak and was able to not only execute it, but hide the body with no trace or have no evidence, I don’t think she did it.   


Amy Jo Smyth – That is some ninja shit. She could be a ninja.   

Roxi – I don’t think she’s a ninja.   

Amy Jo Smyth – You think the people from the company killed him?   


Roxi – Well, I don’t think they did it personally.   


Amy Jo Smyth – Wait...   

{AJ narrows her eyes.}   


Amy Jo Smyth – You think the TV killed him? 

Roxi – Trust me, it’s not as crazy as it sounds when you think about it.   

Amy Jo Smyth – You're right, it sounds insane. Are you watching too much Unsolved Mysteries again? We talked about this, you need to take breaks… 


Roxi – To be fair, it’s not the weirdest thing I’ve ever come here and talked to you about.   

{AJ cocks her head, thinking and shrugs.}   

 
Amy Jo Smyth – That's... Fair.  Even still, why do you need my house? Are you trying to get me killed or... blown up, or whatever happened to that other guy? Allie will be so mad if we burn down the house. 


Roxi – We have to eliminate the possibilities. Also, Keira won’t let me.   

Amy Jo Smyth – And you think I’m going to?   

Roxi – AJ, you know I wouldn’t ask unless it was important.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Where am I gonna put it, huh? Last I checked, I don't have a hangar out back. 

Roxi – Don't you have a guest house? AJ, I know it’s a lot. And I know I owe you a lot. Just work with me here.   

{AJ finally sighs, and shakes her head.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – If this shit goes bad… 

Roxi – I won’t let it. I promise.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Fine. Allie better not find out.   

Roxi – With any luck, she won't.   

 

 

Amy Jo Smyth – Okay, where do we get this fucking thing?   

Roxi – I have to order it.   

{AJ gives a “hhmph” as she leads Roxi inside and the scene fades.}   

---

   

 {Inside of AJ’s house, two men have hooked up the TV and the cable system. A third man stands and as they finish, the third man has them leave before handing the remote and instructions to AJ.}   

Man – You should be all set up. Be ready, over 600 channels of heart-pounding action. A trip back to when TV was king and nobody was DVRing or making a meme out of things. Back to the old days. Trust me, you won’t regret this.   


{Roxi walks up, looking the man up and down.}   


Roxi – Do you know a Peter Sharp?   

{The man shrugs.}   

Man – I might. I sell to so many customers that names just kind of escape me.   

Roxi – I see. And how do I pay for this?   

Man – Oh, you’ll receive a bill. The first 24 hours are a free trial. You don’t like it, you simply contact the number at the bottom of the instructions.   


{The man gives a big salesman fake smile.}   

Man – You ladies enjoy.   

{The man leaves and the truck the men came in speeds away. AJ looks at the instructions}   

Amy Jo Smyth – I can’t believe I let you talk me into this shit. Okay, so, turn it on. 

{AJ then hands the remote to Roxi.}   

Roxi – What?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Oh, hell no, this is your wild goose chase. I ain't having any of this happen to me.   

{Roxi shakes her head and takes the remote turns the TV on. A giant display of “ENTER 4-DIGIT RESET CODE” appears on the screen. Roxi points behind her.}   

Roxi – Well, get behind me, I don’t know what’s going to happen. If anything does... I’m just gonna enter 1-2-3-4.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Really?   

Roxi – What?   

Amy Jo Smyth – That's the code you’re going with?   

Roxi – It's a free trial, and yes, in case anything does happen, you can factory reset this thing.   

{Roxi punches in her code and then... nothing happens.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Well, shit, now you broke it. 

Roxi – You told me to punch in the code and it worked.   

Amy Jo Smyth – That’s what it said! Let me see the instructions!   

{AJ steps beside Roxi, as the TV fires up. Roxi puts the remote down however, and the cable box starts to shake and then fires a beam that catches both Roxi and AJ, and ends up sucking them inside!  As they are traveling, the man’s face from earlier shows up as a disembodied head.}   

 
Man – Welcome, ladies, I am the Controller. I hope you enjoy being a part of the show. Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Good luck, and we’ll see you on the next channel...   

{Fade.}   

---

   



{We have a bed, in what looks like a hotel room. There are various clothes strewn about. Some evening gown/ball room dresses with matching heels, and one sports jacket carefully hung up with a coat hanger. Roxi is actually in the bed, under the covers. She sighs sitting up and holding her head, allowing the covers to flop down.}   

Roxi – Ow... what in the world?   

{Roxi looks down and sees she’s in her underwear and pulls the covers closer to her.}   

Roxi – What the? AJ? Where are you?   

{Roxi looks over and sees a man smoking a cigarette with a wide grin on his face. He is shirtless (at least from what Roxi can see.) And puts his arms behind his head, leaning back.}   

Man – Darling, I hope you had a good time.   

Roxi – Excuse me?   

Man – It's all part of the job, darling. Now, if you could tell me what you know about Westerman’s plan for the Solar ray gun, that would be very helpful.   

Roxi – The what? What the hell are you talking about?   

{From a different room, AJ screams, and then busts out of what is a bathroom. She’s wrapped in a towel and seemingly had a fresh shower.}   

Roxi – AJ?   

Amy Jo Smyth – What the fuck? Why am I naked?!   

Man – Two spies, I see, well, I did always enjoy a pair.   

{As the man enjoys his pun, AJ stares at them.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Did you?   

Roxi – … I don’t know. I certainly hope not. Did... you?   

Amy Jo Smyth – No! Gross. 

Man – It's all part of the mission ladies. I just needed to pump you both for information.   

{Roxi rolls her eyes.}   

Roxi – Will you shut up with the puns and double entendre!   

Amy Jo Smyth – You're not helping! Roxi, what the hell is going on here?   

Roxi – it’s like we’re in an old...   

{Roxi looks up at AJ who is just as confused AJ.}   

Roxi – Please tell me your name.   

Man – Oh, my name is Bundt. James Bundt.   

{Roxi and AJ look at each other in shock.}   

Roxi – Oh my god, we’re in a Bond movie.   

James – Bundt, darling.   

Amy Jo Smyth – So...we’re Bond girls?   

James – Bundt!   

Roxi/AJ - Shut up!   

Roxi – Okay, I gotta think, you, Bu- Screw it I’m just calling you James. We have to get out of here.   

James – Leaving so soon?   

Amy Jo Smyth – I never realized how smarmy and creepy James Bond is.   

James – Bu-   

Amy Jo Smyth – Correct me again, Cake Boy, and you'll be leaving here in pieces. 

{From the hallway, the sounds of a large gathering come into earshot. Roxi gets up to check. Opening the door, she sees men in military uniforms begin kicking in doors.}   

Roxi – That's not good.   

Amy Jo Smyth – We should go, huh? 

Roxi – Okay, James, there’s like 10 guys, so you go...kill them or whatever.   

James – Excuse me?   

Roxi – You're like a spy, right? You must have a gadget or something!   

James – This was supposed to be an exercise! I don’t have a gun! I use my charm and my wit!   

{James starts freaking out and flees into the bathroom and locks the door.}   

Roxi – What are you doing!?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Fucking swell. 

Roxi – We need to find a way out of here. There’s only a matter of time before they kick in that door.   

Amy Jo Smyth – I've always wanted to go streaking.   

Roxi – There's dresses on the floor, one of them obviously fits. We don’t have time.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Our James Bond is a coward.   

{Roxi and AJ quickly are able to get dressed in their evening gowns and head to the window. Just the door is kicked in.}   

James – It's them you want! Take them! I’m innocent!   

{The soldiers open fire as Roxi and AJ barely escape out the window and luckily are on the first floor. They start running, but both have to stop and remove their heels. They share a look and keep running and gunfire barely misses behind them.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Any bright ideas?   

Roxi – Maybe... maybe there’s a way off this channel?   

{Roxi and AJ continue to run and then end up back inside the hotel. They begin checking doors.}   

Roxi – There's gotta be a way out.   

{The soldiers continues to chase and fire as AJ finds a wall of TV static behind a door.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – I found something!   

{Roxi runs over to where AJ is and they both look at the static.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – You think it’s a way out?   

{Bullet continue to whiz past the duo as Roxi looks at AJ.}   

Roxi – Only one way to find out!   

{Roxi pushes AJ into the static and then follows her, both of them disappearing into the static.}   

---

   

{A jazzy 90’s tune plays as the screen does a wavy fade in on the show title}   

 

{Roxi and AJ both walk out onto the balcony in the same apartment complex. The two look at one another and what they are wearing and cringe. AJ’s hair is pulled back with a lot of butterfly clips and she has overalls with a sweater underneath.}   

Roxi – Wow, you look like Sabrina, the teenage witch.   

Amy Jo Smyth – And you look like DJ Tanner.   

{Roxi has her hair tied way back and super high ponytail on her head, along with a tiny vest and neon windbreaker.}   

Roxi – Oh god, we’re definitely in the 90’s.   

Amy Jo Smyth – We need to get outta here as soon as possible. Fuck me, why did we think this was cool?   

Roxi – Mistakes were made.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Okay, DJ, what now? And any idea where we are?   

Roxi – Well, it’s the 90’s so...what show would have outfits like this?   

Amy Jo Smyth – All of them. Literally all of them.   

{There’s a commotion and people are arguing. Roxi and AJ happen to look over to see the 20-something good-looking people shouting and yelling at each other.}   

Roxi – Well, that means rich people drama.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Gawh. I bet one of them is a doctor and they all do steamy sex scenes.   

Roxi – You sound jealous.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Jealous? I have plenty of steamy sex.   

Roxi – I did not need to know that.   

{One of the women marches up the stairs towards Roxi and AJ, a scowl on her face.}   

Woman – And you two!   

Roxi – Can we... help you?   

Woman – How can you both let Blake and Shelly do this to me! You’re supposed to be my friends! You need to help me.   

Roxi – Help you?   

Woman – Yes, Blake, Shelly, Shaun, & Tina are all going out tonight, and we’re going to get even.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Oh, a young Karen in the wild. 

Woman – Karen? What?

Roxi – It's the 90's. That reference isn't relevant yet.

Woman – Typical. Amanda said you wouldn’t help me.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Who are... ANY of those people?   

Woman – Ugh, whatever. When I’m done, everyone will remember my name. Monica Stewert. I run Sunset Strip.   

{“Monica” turns and leaves in a huff, and AJ looks at Roxi and shrugs.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – We’re in the middle of pretty people drama. Oh god this is an Aaron Spelling drama!

Roxi – I know, there’s gotta be another way off this channel too. I think we need to look for it.   

{Roxi and AJ set off, looking in every unlocked door they can find until they accidentally stumble upon Monica, with another person tied up in the basement.}   

Monica – What are you two doing?   

Amy Jo Smyth – I didn't know pretty people's drama went this far.   

Roxi – The real question is, what are you doing?!   

Monica – I can’t have snoops.   

{Monica pulls out a gun.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – And suddenly, this is happening.   

Monica – Oh trust me, this place is going out with a bang.   

Amy Jo Smyth – So fucking dramatic.   

{AJ makes her move and dives in to tackle Monica to the ground. Roxi goes and unties the woman who is being held.}   

Roxi – Are you okay? What’s your name? What is wrong with her?   

Woman – She planted bombs! We have to get everyone out of here! I’m Alice!   

Roxi – Go and tell the others! Hurry!   

{AJ in the meantime has handled Monica and wrestles her to the ground, she rams her head against the sink, and Monica lies out cold on the floor.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – I swear, we never handled shit like this.   

Roxi – This crazy woman apparently planted bombs, we have to find them!   

Amy Jo Smyth – Do we have time for this? When's the next commercial break? 

Roxi – I don’t know.   

{Roxi and AJ rush out and find everyone having gathered near the pool in the center of the complex. They are yelling and bickering amongst themselves as time ticks away.}   

Roxi – You all need to get out of here, this place is going to explode.   

Man – Whoa, hold on, how do we know there really IS a bomb.   

Alice – There is a bomb, Blake! I saw them, Monica planted them!   

Blake – Why would she do that? This sounds all wrong!   

{Monica runs up from the basement, waving her arms and yelling.}   

Monica – Whoa! Whoa! It’s not what you think!   

{Monica pulls the detonator from her pocket and smirks.}   

Monica – It’s much worse!   

Roxi – Oh crap.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Get down!   

{AJ forces Roxi into the pool to avoid the massive explosion that wipes out the apartment complex. Things continue to explode causing Roxi and AJ to constantly dive to avoid debris. After 4 different explosions, Roxi and AJ are able to climb out of the pool and observe the carnage.}   

Roxi – Well... I guess there won’t be a season 2.   

Amy Jo Smyth – This is a Spelling production, they all live. 

{Roxi sees a flicking glow in the rubble and moves it out of the way.}   

Roxi – A-ha. We need to get outta here.   

Amy Jo Smyth – It's gotta be better than this.   

{Roxi and AJ jump in and move to the next channel.}   

---

   



{A funky 70’s disco beat plays, a giant billboard showing “skating with the stars” is shown. Roxi and AJ are on roller skates, their hair is feathered and they are dressed in tiny bicycle shorts and knotted tops.}   

Roxi – Well, this is certainly the ‘70’s.   

{AJ looks up at the disco ball high overhead and then around the skating rink.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Fuck me sideways... it’s like Studio 54. We’re here, Roxi. We’re finally here. In its heyday! 

{The two begin to skate, with the DJ shouting out the festivities.}   

DJ – Welcome everybody to the Skate with the Stars benefit dance! Come on everyone, put on the skates and get down with the stars! We got Lee Merriweather skating tonight! Todd Bridges is in the house! Cindy Williams is here!   

Roxi – Wow, that’s a lot of 70’s in here.   

Amy Jo Smyth – This IS the 70’s!   

DJ – Please remember to support the benefit! Our big benefactor Patrick Sharp! He put this thing on tonight!   

{Roxi perks up upon hearing the name.}   

Roxi – Patrick Sharp? That’s the guy who disappeared! We’ve got to find him!   

Amy Jo Smyth – Oh my god, is that Dana Plato? It is! You think she's high? She's totally high right now. 

{Roxi tries to snap AJ out of it.}   

Roxi – AJ. Come on.   

Amy Jo Smyth – This is just... it’s too much. This is great! So much sex and cocaine! So many- 

{Roxi shakes her head.}   

Roxi – AJ. We need to get out of here.   

{AJ sighs.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Listen, once we find this guy, we gotta enjoy this for a few minutes!   

{Roxi and AJ skate around and up to the DJ booth.}   

Roxi – Where is Mr. Sharp?   

DJ – Up in the owner’s box!   

Roxi – Thank you!   

{Roxi and AJ skate off the rink and realize they don’t have any shoes, so they have to carefully make their way to the owner’s box, where there are armed guards waiting.}   

Roxi – We'd just like to talk to Mr. Sharp.   

Bodyguard – Are you VIPs?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Hear this, turkey, let us talk to Mr. Sharp or you're gonna get real messed up, ya dig? 

Roxi – Relax. My friend here is just a big fan, we’d like to meet him.   

Bodyguard – Sorry, no visitors.   
 
{Roxi looks at AJ, who bounces her eyebrows and then whispers something in Roxi’s ear. Roxi gasps and AJ shrugs again. Roxi looks very annoyed and then pulls up her shirt to flash the bodyguard. He ends up changing his tune.}   

Bodyguard – I guess I’ll make an exception.   

{Roxi smiles as she and AJ make it past the security guard into the owner’s office.}   

Roxi – Really? Jive? 

Amy Jo Smyth – IT'S. THE. 70'S! 

Patrick – Ah, to what do I owe the honor, ladies?   

Roxi – Mr. Sharp, Patrick. We know you don’t belong here.   

Patrick – Excuse me?   

Roxi – The TV.   

{Patrick arches a brow, and then sends the remaining guards outside. Once they are alone, Patrick crosses his arms and stares.}   

Patrick – So? What’s this about?   

Roxi – Look, the first thing is getting out of this, and then getting you back home.   

Patrick – You're wasting your time.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Excuse me?   

Patrick – I'm not going back! I love it here. This is great. Just great.   

Roxi – But there’s people outside looking for you.   

Patrick – Sorry, not interested.   

{Patrick sits down, holding the TV remote that came with everything.}   

Patrick – Outside, I was a nobody. Here, I’m in charge. Didn’t take me long to figure it out. Everything here is a death trap. But, I have this. With this, if things get too hot, BAM. I’m on another channel. No scouring for conduits. I’m in charge.   

Roxi – You're really not leaving?   

Patrick – Not in this lifetime. I’ll be here, and live forever.   

{Patrick opens a door leading to outside and seeing the dance floor.}   

Patrick – Look at what I’ve got.   

Roxi – What do I tell your girlfriend?   

Patrick – Tell her I’m dead. Tell her I moved on. It doesn’t matter.   

 
Amy Jo Smyth – Okay Rox, you heard him. Let's go back to the skating rink and see what Lynda Carter is up to!
 

{Suddenly, and without warning, gunshots ring out and two of them hit Patrick as Roxi and AJ duck down. The crowd scatters and there’s return fire and now there’s a huge firefight. Roxi and AJ pulls Patrick back into the room, and then look at his wounds.}   

Patrick – Damn... I was a big shot... I had everything.... Take the remote... win the game...   

{AJ takes the remote and sighs.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Well...   

Roxi – At least now we can get away faster?   

Amy Jo Smyth – I guess.   

{AJ pushes the button for the next channel.}   

---

   

 

   

{Roxi and AJ look around, and appear to be in Japan.}   
 

Roxi – Whoa, Japan?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Looks like it. I mean, this isn’t all bad, right?   

{The ground begins to shake, as a giant radioactive monster begins stomping through the city.}   

Roxi – God-   

Amy Jo Smyth – I know. Go, go, Godzilla. 

{AJ is about to flip to the next channel when The Controller appears and knocks it out of her hand!}   

Controller – No, no, no, that’s grand scale cheating! You play the game the right way!   

Amy Jo Smyth – Look here, cock-troller, we’re not playing this at all!   

{The Controller grabs the remote and holds it up.}   

Roxi – So... giant lizard problem!   

Amy Jo Smyth – He's got the remote!   

Controller – Now, you either play the right way, or not at all!   

Roxi – Run!   

{Roxi barrels into the Controller and knocks him over, knocking the controller out of his hand, and then there’s a three way tussle for the remote and the next channel is hit!   

---

   

   

{Roxi and AJ are running and being chased by a a team of guerilla fighters, both wearing fatigues and seem to be in an ‘80’s action movie. They duck out into a shed, which is filled with guns.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Oh, my, GOD, so many guns.   

Roxi – What do we do?   

{AJ pulls a gun off the wall, and smirks looking at it.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Let’s party.   

{A walkie talkie on both of their fatigues starts making noise.}   

Walkie Talkie – Come in squad, they have the President’s daughter. You must secure her.   

Roxi – Wait, what?   

{Roxi looks at AJ. Looking out the window to a villa.}   

Roxi – I assume she’s there.   

Amy Jo Smyth – We really don’t need to worry about that.   

Roxi – That could be someone’s actual daughter trapped in here!   

Amy Jo Smyth – And the last person didn’t want to leave.   

Roxi – Let's at least look!   
 

{AJ shakes her head.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – You go, I’ll cover you.   

Roxi – There's like 100 guys out there!   

Amy Jo Smyth – And this is the ‘80’s.   

{AJ pulls a bandana out of her pocket and wraps it around her head.}   
 

Amy Jo Smyth – I got this.   

{Roxi does not agree with this idea, but nods.}   

Roxi – I'll be back for you.   

{Roxi readies herself, kicks open the door, and runs, and AJ starts blasting away with her machine gun, which, true to the ‘80’s, does not require reloading.}   

 
Amy Jo Smyth - Feelin so good today,   
Ain't nobody standing in my way.   
Tomorrow it's gonna be a price to pay,   
Feelin so good today.   

 
Roxi – Definitely the 80's...
 

{Roxi sprints inside the villa, sneaking down following the voice of the little girl, until she spots the controller, holding the girl hostage and firing his gun wildly at Roxi.}   

Controller – Well, looks like it’s come to this. I told you that you need to play the game correctly.   

Roxi – And now, you’re cheating.   

Controller – Cheating! I make the rules!   

Roxi – And here you are with a gun. You know full well you can just shoot me, but you know you’re taking the easy way out. You can’t fight me like a man.   

Controller – Are you trying to make me drop the gun? Ha. I have all the power with this.   

Roxi – No, go ahead, use the gun, because at the end of the day, you know you had to cheat to win this game, because we played it perfectly.   

Controller – No! No you didn’t!   

Roxi – Yes, we did. And now, you have a gun.  You need a gun to win this game.   

Controller – I don’t... I don’t need the gun. I don’t need the girl either!   

{The Controller throws the little girl down and then throws the gun, and balls up his fists.}   

Controller – I'll go old-school on your ass.   

{As the Controller looks for Roxi, she sneaks around, trying to stay out of sight, so she can plan her ambush. As they are in the TV, Roxi seemingly doesn’t have her powers handy to fight, but her training in judo and hand-to-hand combat made her ready for this. She leapt out and used her skills to toss and avoid the Controller as he swung wildly at her. Roxi threw him against the wall and he seemingly was knocked unconscious by the blow. Roxi went over to grab the little girl.}   

Roxi – It's okay sweetie, we’re gonna get you outta here.   

{The girl screams at The Controller is back up, gun in his hand.}   

Controller – Maybe you were right. Maybe I did cheat. But all that matters, is I win.   

{From behind him, AJ appears, cocking a pistol.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Sorry pal, you’re canceled.   

{AJ Shoots the Controller and he goes down.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Y'all ready to go?   

Roxi – How did you...   

Amy Jo Smyth – It's the 80’s, I could crash head-first into a pole and shake it off.   

Roxi – … Fair. And was the one-liner necessary?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Again... 80’s.   

Roxi – Alright, let’s get out of here.   

{The Controller is still alive, and pushes a button and starts laughing.}   

Roxi – What did you do?!   

Controller – I locked... this down. And we’re gonna blow up. So... nobody wins.   

{Roxi pulls the remote out and hits a button to change the channel but nothing happens.}   

Roxi – Crap, we’re stuck.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Give me that.   

{AJ pushes all kind of buttons, but again nothing happens.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – Shit. Now what?   

Roxi – There has to be way out... How do we escape TV?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Turn it off.   

{Roxi blinks.}   

Roxi – TURN IT OFF!   

{AJ hits the power button.}   

---

   

{Back in the real world, AJ and Roxi are thrown back out and land in AJ’s guest house. The girl, however is gone. They both get up and dust themselves off.}   

Roxi – You okay?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Physically. 

Roxi – Well... at least it’s over.   

Amy Jo Smyth – It better be! I’ve had enough nostalgia for one day! Although... I guess it wasn’t all bad. Being in the 70’s was pretty fucking cool. 

Roxi – Yeah, I guess. But, knowing what happens to some of those people... 

Amy Jo Smyth – Yeah, I guess. 

Roxi – I guess the lesson in nostalgia in small doses is great, but you can’t live on it.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Now that we’ve established that... 

{AJ grabs the cable box and unhooks it. She begins moving the giant TV.}   

Roxi – What are you doing?   

Amy Jo Smyth – I'm going to blow this stupid thing up. Now give me a hand, you owe me that much.   

Roxi – Fine.   

{Roxi and AJ move everything into AJ’s shooting range and AJ straps some explosives to the whole set.}   

Roxi – I won’t question why you have explosives just handy.   

Amy Jo Smyth – What? Like you don’t?   

Roxi – Fair enough.   

{Roxi and AJ back away, and eventually, blow up the TV.}   

Amy Jo Smyth – I do love explosions. There. Now that mystery is solved.   

Roxi – But there’s still plenty out there.   

Amy Jo Smyth – You are lucky there wasn't an episode of Unsolved Mysteries back there. I would have been all over that shit.   

Roxi – I know.  I’m sorry I dragged you into that.   

Amy Jo Smyth – On the plus side... we did visit Studio 54.   

Roxi – So does this mean we don’t need to go there now?   

Amy Jo Smyth – Ha! You’re still taking me.   

Roxi – Fine.   

Amy Jo Smyth – But yeah, next time you have some crazy human eating TV, bring Keria with you.   

Roxi – I will try. I’ll have to report this to Lt. Murphy since the whole point was to find Patrick Sharp.   

Amy Jo Smyth – Just... leave me outta it. 

Roxi – I will.   

{Roxi and AJ hug, and Roxi departs, shrugging off the insane day she had, as the scene fades one last time.}   

---

 

 



Hello SCW.   

Look, I don’t have really that much to say at this point about anything else going on. So, while I always enjoy talking to you, it’s really not about the world of SCW at this point. I am excited to be a part of Blaze of Glory, and to be in one of the main events. I earned this championship match, and now, there’s nothing really left but to address an old friend. So, if you’ll excuse me, I owe her that much.   


Hello, Amber.   

It’s been a long time. Almost a year to the day isn’t it? I would ask how you’ve been, but I know what happened. I know how you made whatever choice you made and that ended up costing you quite a long time on the shelf, licking your wounds and healing until it was time to come back.   

And what a comeback it was.   

You returned, and you finally vanquished the old ghost and now you have the SCW Bombshell’s title again. And now, here we are, ready to go to war, once again, over that very same title that seemingly caused all of this in the first place.   

That is the briefest synopsis of the past year, but I know how long this has been going on, and all this lining up the way it has, has me feeling a bit nostalgic about things. Same event, same two wrestlers. But I want you to remember what you and I have always said to one another from the very beginning. That if until one of us can’t, any time it needed to happen, we would fight. So, you can count me as one of the people who knew you would be coming back, because that’s just you. Don’t think that after all this time I don’t know you. You are driven to do this, and we almost seemed destined to fight at least once during a calendar year. Though, I assume that you would very much like to do this more than that.   

Though, I want you to remember back to that last match, and no, I don’t bring it up because I won. That part is almost irrelevant now, isn’t it? No, past that, and you, shaking my hand. I fought for a long time to have that happen. I really did. Many people, my own wife included, thought I was crazy for thinking that was going to happen. From the fireball to tearing up a whole arena to trying to literally stop each other from standing. All of that, and one would think that it would be insanity to believe that we would ever... be the way we are now. I’m not even sure what to call what we have now.   

While we certainly aren’t friends, though the sarcastic use of the word is amusing. But are we actually enemies? Are we trying to claw at each other anymore? No. In fact, the last time we spoke, it was far more...supportive than antagonistic.   

But then again, what caused that, was not a growing respect for one another. It was you, seemingly wanting to make amends for what Masque had done at that point. That caused me to think quite a bit about this entire situation. It made me go over everything I knew, and perhaps it was all just a mind game, and maybe this is all just going to be proven to be nothing more than a cover. It raised my suspicions tenfold, I will tell you that.   


For as much as I know about you, there’s obviously a lot I don’t. But I know enough to trust my eyes and my gut about you. You see, while that message, was one of support, there wasn’t one for anybody else. Oh no, Amber, when Masque set foot in SCW, you two were playing this game, and other people were suffering for it. People got hurt, and what did you do?   

You condoned it.   

Don’t try and tell me you didn’t. You watched and you reveled in it. You spread the message and told everyone else that they didn’t know what they were getting into and how badly they were going to get hurt. You watched it with glee, and were smug about it when right. Masque would take down people left and right and here you were, off on the side, without a care for any of those bombshells.   

So, the sudden and dramatic change of heart, after you were also made a victim, only stands to further my suspicions about this whole ordeal.   

It just looks like you went ahead, and waited for Masque to do her thing, and then you swooped in, like the hero, and ended the whole thing and now you have the championship back and everything is as it should be. You slayed the beast, conquered the demon, and we’re just going to ignore everything else because you got what you wanted.   

You see how that may raise a few eyebrows? I’m certain you can.   

So, I guess the question becomes, should I beat you at Blaze of Glory, will the whole thing just start again? Will you send Masque to come after me? Will she mow down the competition and fight for you? Because those are her words, not mine. She did all that, for you. I took your heart. You heard those words just as I did, Amber. You can’t tell me this doesn’t smell like something nefarious.   

Because the fact is, her words never actually changed. It was you, who after being attacked, and sitting in a hospital bed, recovering and licking your wounds, decided out of the clear blue sky that you would come back and convienently, Masque had the Bombshell’s championship, and you would right the wrong. Like it all of a sudden dawned on you the monster you helped created was out of control.   

Perhaps, since you chose to take my role of hero, you can see things from this perspective, yes?   

You can tell me, and everyone else that this was simple atonement for your sins, but I know you won’t. You have considered yourself a lost cause for a long time. This perhaps was the realization of a mistake and simply trying to make at least one thing right.   

But would it have been complete if I had beaten Masque the second time as well? Would the glorious comeback have meant as much if you had simply wrestled and beaten Masque, while I still had the championship you shook my hand over?   

Forgive the nostalgia of all this thinking, but somehow, despite all that has happened recently, I somehow still doubt it. It’s just a feeling in my bones, and I know as the years have passed they may creak every now and again, but I’ve trusted them for a long time. And they’re telling me what they’ve always told me about you.   

So, here we are again, old friend. We dance the dance we’ve been doing for so long at this point. We know all the steps, there’s no surprises here. You know me, and I know you. It would be insulting my intelligence and a waste of your breath to call this a match for YOUR championship. The one you fought so long and hard to win back and how you never changed and it’s always been about that for you. You know me better than that. You know I see things that most people don’t. You know you need to choose your words and actions in a far more deliberate manner than you do against almost any other person walking this planet.   

While the years pass, I haven’t changed who I am. You know who I am, you know what I’m about. Don’t think that because you’ve come back and had the big successful storybook finale with Masque that it means that somehow, I’m going to look at this match differently. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, Amber. I know what I'm up against. 

It is, as it always will be. You and I, fighting each other tooth and nail because of the level of competition that drives both of us to bring out the best in each other. You know it as well as I do. Despite it all, I never actually hated you. And you've told me as much. It's us, doing what we need to do. And here we are, meeting to do it again. I suppose it’s the age old thing of just seeing who is better. But then again, if that was the case, you wouldn’t have stooped to the levels you did. Although, after all this time, maybe you would. 

But again, you’ll have to forgive the nostalgia again here, I remember the last time you and I sat in the ring face to face and you told me, you were tired. You told me that you were running on empty and you wanted to stop because you had faced so many challengers and that it was all getting to you. You told me you were tired of me, because I wanted what I had earned. I had to make noise to get it, but I got it.   

You know as well as I do I didn’t sit and pine for a title match with you until I had earned one. It just took longer than I wanted because although I had beaten so many other challengers, and then at the last second, Crystal snuck in and made it a triple threat. I was patient, and I was waiting for my turn, and then just like that, someone else was shoehorned into it.   

I took that, and I had to simply demand what I had earned. And you told me you were tired.   

You know how much that diminished the win for me? You know how much it takes away, that I didn’t really beat you at your best? That I didn’t walk away and feel that sense of accomplishment as much? I almost think you did it on purpose. But I know you still gave me a hell of a fight regardless, but I knew from then on, the next time HAD to be different.   

And now, none of those things should be a factor in this match.   

There is no other contender that’s going to be in that ring on Sunday. No one, other than me. And you, should have had plenty of rest. You’ve obviously have recovered, you have had your championship match and regained it, and you successfully defended it. So, there shouldn’t be any tiredness on your end. And yeah, my birthday just passed and I’m a little older, but as I have proven time and time again, and you know I have, that has never been a factor.   

I am committed to what we agreed on. If we’re both 80 years old and you still want to fight, I will be there. And much like last time, I will give you everything I have. Because now, I need to beat you at your best. I need to beat you with everything at stake and take any doubts or excuses out of the equation. This is the match Amber. I told you that if and when you came back, I would be waiting. And here I am. As promised. And so, here we are.   

I guess as much as I want to not focus on the past and all the things we’ve done, it’s simply a window into what we will do in the future.   

Amber, I’m coming to Blaze of Glory, much like last year, and I’m going to beat you, at your best, and become the Bombshell’s champion for a 5th time. And whenever you want to come and try and take it back, I’ll be there. That is a promise.   

Take my hand old friend...   

We dance this dance again. For old time’s sake.   

See you there.