<DIV ALIGN=CENTER>50 Shades of Grey or Another 48 Hours</DIV>
“So, what have you’ve been up to lately? I bet you’ve been plenty busy all this week just trying to keep yourself prepared for this match, huh? This is going to be, well, difficult.”
We fade in with a view of Mercedes who is lying on her side on a couch while speaking to someone, but we can’t see who. Eating out of a box of Wheat Thins, she reaches into the box and takes up a handful as she continues her conversation.
“Whoever invented these [as she daintily pops in a few more Wheat Thins] should get a Nobel Peace Prize. These are like drugs. You want to stop, but you just can’t. They’re so addicting. Oh, and if I’m boring you, please let me know. Once I get going, I'm like the Energizer Bunny.”
Mercedes stretches as she sits up at the edge of the couch.
“You know what really irks me? People think I’m too arrogant and cocky. Well, that’s balderdash! Arrogant and cocky? No, that’s putting mildly. I may be arrogant and cocky or whatever, but then again, who isn’t? I just wouldn’t use those terms. I’m not arrogant and cocky, I’m, well, self-assured of myself, and, you know, I'm OK with that. It’s not bragging if you can’t back it up. Hey, but you know what? I think you’ll do great on Sunday. You’re the best. You think I’m the best? No, I’m not the best, you’re the best. Stop it, you’re the best. Yeah, you’re right, I am the best, and don’t you forget it, sweetheart.
Mercedes reaches into the box though the expression on her face is one of disappointment as she comes up with only crumbs.
"Ugh, you are no fun! I can’t say I’m a fan of the silent type, but for the sake of my sanity, at least say something".
The camera slowly pans over to an empty chair. Yes, through the magic that is Eastwooding, Mercedes is able to have her dialogue. She stands up and walks over to the chair, circling around it as she continues.
"Hello, Ambrosia. Welcome to my humble abode. I’m glad that we're able to have this heart- to-heart… [Mercedes makes a face and takes a step back, holding up her hands innocently] Now, now, don’t get angry. No one forced a gun to your head and told you to come all this way, especially during the first day of summer. Sure, people will be off to camp or home form school...what are you planning on doing this summer? No, need for the TV-14 language, I was just asking. Sheesh!
So, uh, I hear you're also new to SCW.. That's great, I guess. Takes the pressure off me in stealing the show Sunday night. You know, Ambrosia, you remind me of...me. No, I take that back. I wouldn't call myself much of a tomboy, not that there's anything wrong with that. Still have nothing to say? Well, I can see why. I'd be speechless too if I knew I was one of your opponents. Maybe I'll become a missing person and join Witness Protection.”
Mercedes shrugs her shoulders as she reaches over and rips open another box of Wheat Thins.
"Want some? They're really good. You're probably right, you would never understand the power Wheat Thins has over a person. It’s been over three years since my first visit to California, and I have to say, I never get tired of coming back. Sand, surf, sun, Hollywood…who can beat that? I'm sure you've been. You live in the Pacific Northwest, so getting shouldn't be much of a problem.
"So, yeah, California. I've been to Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles – three times, might I add – Anaheim, and since the start of SCW’s West Coast tour, I can now add Hayward and, as of this Sunday, San Diego, to the list. Of course, I’ve lost only twice while here in The Golden State, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Out of the four of us in this contender's match, my expectations are pretty low. I mean, I’m just the new girl. Well, so are you. Even if I don’t come out the winner here, it’s not like it’s the end of the world. I’ll get another contender’s match or title shot down the road. Though I can’t say the same for all of you, you don’t have that luxury."
Mercedes turns around suddenly with a surprised look on her face. She paces back and nearly stumbled over the chair. There before her is a cardboard cutout of Joanne Canelli. Mercedes breathes a sigh of relief, putting a hand over her heart.
"Jo-Jo! You nearly scared the daylights out of me! Someone should put on a bell on you! There seems to be a general consensus that Necra will retain the Bombshell Roulette Championship, but in all earnest, whoever walks out of San Diego, California with the title – whether it’s Necra or Amy Marshall – is winning this match worth it to you, Jo? Will it be worth it to the others? Will winning this match turn out to be a golden opportunity… or a wasted opportunity? Whichever one of you wins, you have to ask yourself one question: Do you feel lucky?
"Unlike you and Laura, and even Ambrosia here, I won't be needing luck, because I'm already good. I've only twice in California, and this Sunday in San Diego will be no different. I will walk out of Into the Void as the number one contender to the Sin City Wrestling Bombshell Roulette Championship. Because the difference between me and the three opponents who stand in my way is that I am a contender. You are all merely pretenders. I’m the real contender to the title.
"I have to prove myself to you, Joanne? Is that a challenge? Because I love challenges, and I hope you’ll be able to put your money where your mouth is, unless your mouth is writing a check that you can’t cash. And I know in your kind of business, time is money and money is time – and you prefer not to waste either. Actually, sweetheart, I really don’t have to prove myself to you or anyone else for that matter. Like you said, I’m pretty much a proven commodity already, so you should know what I’m capable of, but you did raise an interesting point. None of my previous accomplishments matters here – I think I would know this already– but, you know, everyone needs that remainder now and again, so for that I thank you.
The camera follows Mercedes to where an iPad is displayed, which shows a still image of Lauren Jackson on the screen.
"And I want to thank you Laura for giving me a reason to now prove why you should believe the hype. I know among you there are the doubters, the naysayers, the haters who will say different. And, obviously I couldn't even win my debut match against Faith, isn't that right, Laurie? It must have been a full moon or something that night. But if I can recall, I thought I was the one who stood alone with my hand raised? Maybe I’m the one getting amnesia. Not quite the debut you had, Ambrosia. I couldn't even watch, and it's not for the reason you might think. It's not you're a bad wrestler, because you're not, it's just that I get get kinda queasy at the sight of blood. And, wow, you were like a stuck pig."
Mercedes picks up her iPad and stands between the empty chair and the cardboard cut out.
"I want you to get on board because the hype train will be making its next stop in San Diego, California.
ALL ABOARD!!
Fade