[[Very few things have gone right for the Mean Girls since their shocking reunion a number of weeks ago. Even though Veronica Taylor captured the Bombshell Roulette Championship on two occasions, it was the only highlight of their return to terrorizing the Bombshells Division which they had done for well over a year and a half. Of course, times have changed since then and with that two things usually stood in their way.
One, new faces to the division who see the stable as a tired act.
Two, the Mean Girls themselves.
As the calendar turned to February, very few things have gone right for Mercedes Vargas since she was seen with Delia and Veronica in one of the most talked about moments even before SCW rung in the new year. Even though she was given another opportunity at the Bombshell Internet Championship in 2017, she was denied once again in hopes of returning to her championship form, which is something she has been ever since she set foot in Sin City going on four years now. Of course, times have changed since then and with that two things usually stood in her way.
One, the new crop of faces to the division who saw her as a tired act.
Two, Mercedes herself.
On any other day, she would probably be in contention for another singles title championship opportunity. Maybe. Because Celeste North hasn’t gotten over her feud with the Mean Girls, and that was keeping her away from challenging for title opportunities. After Sunday’s brawl at Climax Control 172, it was clear that whatever unfinished business there was between Celeste and the Mean Girls was far from finished. And if it was anything like the brawl that broke out between Bad Boys and Dying Breed, this could be awhile.
This wasn’t the first time Mercedes has feuded with The Nobodies, but she wasn’t the one who started it. She did, however, ended Alexis Staggs’ title reign. That wasn’t going to be enough this time because she would have to go even greater lengths to put down Celeste North once and for all as their match at Inception wasn’t enough. She was fine with that. She was a strong woman; she could take this feud as far as Celeste wanted, but one way or another she would do everything in her power to make sure that the final chapter would be written by the Mean Girls – and that she would be the author of her fate. But that was for another time. Right now, there were other plans.]]
Mercedes: It’s going to go great, they’re going to love you, and you know the ground rules, right, Michael?
Mickey: Flicks, sports, music, de arts an' wine are in. Religion, politics an' anythin' 'istorical is out.
Mercedes: Just checking. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t mention Brazil.
Mickey: Why not Brazil?
Mercedes: It’s complicated. Let’s leave it at that.
[[Mercedes and Mickey looks towards the home belonging to her parents. The five-hour drive from Los Angles, she felt, was therapeutic in that she rehearsed in her mind how she wanted to say to her parents the moment she arrived, right down to the very last detail. With one last glance at the rear side mirror, she turns and heads for the house. ]]
Mercedes: Hope you’re hungry.
Mickey: Well, oi can’t say naw ter grub.
[[ Mickey raises his hand and knocks. After the third knock, the door opens. Mercedes’ mother screams in delight and hugs her while her father shakes Mickey’s hand.]]
**********
Estelle: ¡Hola, Mercedes! ¿Cómo te va todo?
Fernando: ¡Hace tiempo que no te veo!
Mercedes: Hola, mami. Hola, papi. Muy estoy contento.
Estelle: ¿Es el conductor del taxi que llevó a nuestra hija aquÃ? Fernando, no te quedes ahÃ. Darle una propina.
Mercedes: Espera, ¿qué? No, mamá. Esta es mi novio. ¿Y podemos hablar en inglés, por favor?
Estelle: ¡Ah! De acuerdo. Asà que debe ser el misterioso novio de nuestra hija.
Mickey: What’s going on? What’s she’s saying?
[[Mercedes turns to Mickey.]]
Mercedes: Oh, sorry, Michael. My parents thought you were the driver who dropped us off and I had to explain to them that you’re actually my boyfriend.
[[ Mickey greets Estelle with a warm handshake.]]
Mickey: Pleased ter meet yer Mrs. Vargas.
Estelle: Charmed. Hope you’re hungry. You’re just in time for dinner.
Mickey: Well, oi can’t say naw ter grub.
[[ Mickey follows Mercedes and her parents to the dining room area. Sitting around the table are Mercedes’ brother, who is mindlessly listening to an iPod, and her cousin seen scrolling and typing the screen of a smartphone. These activities stop for the moment as they look up at Mercedes. Jorge pulls the earbuds out of his ears. Mercedes looks back at Mickey than to her brother and cousin.]]
Mercedes: Mickey, this is my brother, Jorge. And my cousin, Carmen. Michael is from Ireland.
Carmen: Pleasure to meet you, Mickey.
Jorge: ‘Sup.
[[ Fernando pulls out the chair and pushes it in as Estelle lowers herself into the chair. Mercedes’ parents sit by one another while Mercedes and Mickey sit across from each other.]]
Estelle: Mickey, we’ve heard so much about you. I had to end book club early just so we could finally meet you. How did you and Mercedes first meet?
Mickey: Well, it was back on Christ -
Jorge: Here’s a better question. Was it hard to grow up in the countryside? It must have been really boring with no police activity or anything.
[[ Mercedes gives her brother a stern look.]]
Mercedes: Bastante, Jorge.
Jorge: You must have it rough. I heard somewhere that Ireland is notorious with the IRA over there.
Mercedes: ¡Ya!
Jorge: I like U2 as much as the next guy, but -
Mercedes: ¡Ya! Can we talk abut something else, please?
Fernando: Your English is very good, Mickey. It took my wife and I a few years to get the hang of it. How long have you lived here?
Mercedes: Um, Dad, in Ireland English is their main language, believe it or not. Anyone else have any questions? Anyone else have any smart questions?
Jorge: Blogging? That’s what I do.
Carmen: About the times you get wasted at parties?
Jorge: It’s called a nightlife review, Carmen. And no, I'm not a drunk. Just because I've got connections to all the top clubs and bars around town, doesn't mean you get to patronize me.
Estelle: So, Mickey, how do you like to spend the holidays?
Fernando: You know what you should do? Rock and roll.
Mercedes: Dad, he’s a professional wrestler.
Fernando: I don’t see why not. Lots of people have second jobs.
Estelle: How about some family photos?
Fernando: Good idea.
[[Fernando disappears for a moment before coming back with a tablet PC in his hand. Before Mercedes could even object, her parents begin strolling down memory lane showing photos to Mickey, who seems lost at sea, not even sure what to do. Mercedes looks at a picture of herself smiling in a white dress and dark scarf with two other kids in white blouses.]]
Fernando: Oh, here’s one. Back when she was in kindergarten. She had pinkeye. Well, we thought it was pinkeye, but she was crying before this picture was taken.
Estelle: And this is when Fernando and I went to the Bahamas. Do you want to see pictures of our trip to the Bahamas?
[[ Mickey looks at Mercedes. Behind her parents back, she shakes her head side to side while crossing her hands fervently in a “no†hand motion. ]]
Estelle: And here’s little Mercy giving her father a present for Father’s Day. Look how adorable she is! What did you give your father for Father’s Day?
Mickey: Me father’s dead.
[[In the time between Mercedes muffled sigh and the awkward pause that followed, Carmen phone goes off. She answers it.]]
Carmen: ¿Bueno? SÃ, élla habla. What? Can’t you find someone else? But it’s my vacation! Christ! You can’t expect to… Okay, okay. Just hang tight.
[[ Carmen ends her call and looks up at the party. ]]
Carmen: Hey, you guys. My partner called and his car broke down so I think I’m going to go pick him up.
Estelle: You know, uh, you’re very attractive. I mean, not that the others haven’t been attractive, because they’ve have been. Am I right, Mercy?
Estelle goes for a high-five, but Mercedes stares her down.
Mickey: Have there been a lot of others?
Estelle: Oh no. Too many to count on both hands. Your skin is so smooth. Can I touch it?
Jorge: Such a privilege to experience your culture.
Mercedes: Jorge, no ser entrometido, por favor. ¡Qué vergüenza me das!
Estelle: (directed at Carmen.) You haven’t touched your dinner all evening. Something wrong?
Mercedes: Yeah, when you’re dating a Latina, you’re pretty much a part of the family, So get ready to learn everyone's birthdays, anniversaries, and ovulation schedules.
[[ Mickey raises an eyebrow.]]
Mercedes: I exaggerate for effect.
*********************
Guess What, Now What
Location: Los Angeles, California
#NP "Swagger" by Flogging Molly
Speaker: Mercedes Vargas via Facebook Live and all streaming services
“Ever since I beat you at Inception, ever since I embarrassed and humiliated you in front of the entire Bombshell roster, you’ve been radiating with vitriol and anger and jealousy not only because you were caught slipping but because you know deep down, Celeste, that you’ll never be at the top of the Bombshells Division like I am. In fact, I don’t think you’ll even reach my level. And to be honest, I feel bad for you. I do. Your first-ever title win was nothing more but five minutes of fame that you won’t ever get again – and as long as I’m on the roster, I’ll make sure that you’ll never get that chance. Don’t say that I can’t because it happened. Ask Alexis how she’s doing lately after her career sunk faster than the Titanic. She should have seen the warning signs: Iceberg, dead ahead!
She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.
Sometimes I let karma do its job, like what happened when Polly Playtime LOST to Melody Grace. That was karma paying her back for having to cheat not once but twice to beat me to retain her title or when Chelsea Payne lost to Raynin last week. And sometimes I become karma. Zuri wants to come here and challenge me? Great. Her career ending at my hands isn’t far behind. Sometimes in life you gotta be careful what you wish for.
You know it’s funny nobody said anything when Celeste attacked me and cost me a shot at the Internet Title. I warned her. She puts her hands on me, she’s going to regret it. She attacked me, she’s fair game. Celeste brought this on herself. Now after I beat her soundly at Inception, she’s playing mind games with me, it seems. I’m not scared of her and she doesn’t intimidate me. She doesn’t even know what she’s in for. Trust me.
Mercedes shakes her hair loose as she turns from towards the camera. Her voice sinks to a whisper.
Celeste, you wants to play mind games? That’s fine. You’re playing a game you’re not going to win. I’m the queen of mind games
