[Mercedes Vargas]

Blog: Almighty Fire
semana del 10 al 17 de enero de 2021

Did anyone get to finish their New Year's resolutions yet? I still haven't got around to mine, sadly. It's just as well. I've already failed. See, because I was really hoping to have my 13th championship around my waist, but destiny wasn't denied, just delayed.

So last week probably wasn't the best way to kick off the first show of 2021, but it is what it is. I can finally kick 2020 to the curb and welcome the new year. SCW decided what better way to kick off the new year than with a good old-fashioned fatal four-way to decide the next challenger to the Bombshell Roulette Championship. I didn't win, but then again, I didn't have to. I'm already a four-time
Bombshell Roulette Champion. How many times did Alice, Krystal, or Royal Purple won it?

Answer: A grand total of never!

I think I'm at the stage of my career where I don't have to convince much less have anything to prove, to anyone because let's be honest, when it comes to success there isn't a single talent in SCW - past, present, or future - that's been more successful and I have the kind of career the other women only WISH they had. I've accomplished a lot more than what people give me credit for, which isn't much.

As for me, am I worried? I think the better question is should I be. Last week wasn't something that I needed to do to prove to the rest of the division that I'm that damn good. I've won that argument even though the result of last week proved otherwise. We all lose matches we should have won now and again. Happens to the best of us. And I still consider myself one of the best in this sport.

~~~

L A S V E G A S • N E V A D A

Questions were made to be asked but some questions didn't have answers, a lesson very few ever learn. Not that Mercedes Vargas pretended to have all the answers, but the question sure are worth thinking about. Last week, was 
another episode of so close, so far for Mercedes Vargas. At this point, she has made losing close matches an art form. Nonetheless, good wrestlers can lose a match, she's not denying that. But it's the great wrestlers who learn from it, and she's learned plenty.

She knew she was just a cog in the wheel and had she decided to quit today, Sin City Wrestling would march on with or without her - just as it did when many other talent left over the years. Did Mercedes Vargas need Sin City Wrestling? It certainly wasn't the other way around. New stars have emerged and have taken the company by storm, and they know who they are. There's some new names who are starting our this year, they know who they are. And then there's me. Yet these last few months, she's been trying to figure out who she was. She's lucky to be walking down the halls, lucky to still be on the roster.

Some things are simply out of her control, last week was no exception even though her chances of winning was the same. Mercedes realized this. Much ado about nothing, perhaps. Just because she lived a hectic schedule didn't mean she couldn't have inner peace.

A cool breeze comes from an opened window that shows the Las Vegas skyline from her hotel room at Saxon Hotel. Mercedes sits cross-legged Indian style, a finished meal of room service Thai sits on a table. Mercedes is already through her meditation for the evening.

"Aren't you usually slaving away at desk duty? Did you get out today for good behavior?"

"Certain people keep being late for our beat. So certain people keep making us late for lunch - and getting us in trouble"

Each time Carmen said "certain people" through gritted teeth she kept looking at her police partner, Malcolm, just in case Mercedes didn't get what she meant by "certain people". Mercedes opens one eye as she talks with her cousin through a video call. She notices that Carmen is having a bad hair day.

Mercedes: Got it.

Carmen: What?

Mercedes: Your hair, that's what.

Malcolm: Yeah, she's super nervous because she's taking the sargent's exam.

Mercedes: But Carmen love tests. She practically never studied for tests when she went to UCLA.

Carmen: Not this one. I always wanted to be the youngest captain in the history of the LAPD. But if I don't pass this exam, I'm going to have to wait another three years to take it again. And that will disrupt my entire life calendar.

Malcolm: Is that a real thing?

Carmen: It's framed over my bed.

Mercedes: Bad hair day. That's like level one on the Mendoza panic scale.

Malcolm: Um, by any chance, does creepily singing showtunes count?

Flashback: Malcolm and Carmen in the precinct break room when the lights suddenly go out. Seconds later, Carmen is reading by flashlight on her phone while singing eerily.

Carmen: Life is a Cabaret, old chum, come to the Cabaret.

Back to the present, Malcolm calmly steps away.

Malcolm: And then there was the other day.

Flashback: The precinct break room a few days later. Malcolm turns back to see Carmen going postal.

Carmen: WHY IS THIS MICROWAVE TAKING SO LONG TO COOK MY FRICKEN OATMEAL!?!

In a feat of strength, Carmen takes the microwave, ripping the cord from the socket and throws the microwave on the ground, making it obsolete. Malcolm and the others can't help but stare at the freakout.

Carmen: What?

Malcolm: Uh, nothing

He points unconsciously at a mess table, still awestruck.

Malcolm: I'm going to go over there now.

End flashback.

Malcolm: Yeah, so it's a little tough right now. But I think the worst is behind us.

Mercedes: One can only hope.

Malcolm: Even so, I'm keeping my distance, and not just because of COVID.

Carmen picks up her smartphone and speaks into it.

Carmen: OK, Google. How to slap someone while social distancing.

~~~

 

L O S A N G E L E S • C A L I F O R N I A

It's Not Whether You Win or Lose: Gatekeeper the 26th: Mentiras, Malditas Mentiras (Lies, Damned Lies..., Part XI)

[REC•]

"Some things are better left unsaid, but you can bet I'm going to say it anyway. I can't help being who I am."

Scene opens on Mercedes seen enjoying a late lunch outside the patio area and the warm weather at the busy Las Vegas hotspot. A camera crew follows her this week for the first of many video logs documenting her travels. The SCW Hall of Famer and Grand Slam Champion grins ear-to-ear as she partakes in drinks and her meal.

"This past Saturday was my 12-year wrestleversary. When you've been that damn good for over a decade, it’s hard to be humble, and I can see how some people would expect me to brag, only I don’t like to brag because I rather let my performance do that for me. I've been in the game and have been successful. So naturally, I tend to pat myself on the back. Some of the people I have worked with have either retired or moved on to greener pastures. Very few of the promotions I have worked for are still around. In some cases, I still own championships that are hanging somewhere in my trophy case."

She pauses, brushes a few strands of hair from her face. Despite herself, Mercedes has a coy, almost snobbish expression.

"In any event, I guess I should be trying to focus on this weekend, shouldn't I? I mean, I don't always get called out for special challenges, but when I do, it's usually important. It means that in a little more than forty-eight hours, I'm probably going to face my greatest challenge in SCDub since I set foot here in what has been three years in the making. And I know what Song brings to the table, she is double tough. Samantha Marlowe knew the same thing. It didn't stop Song from pulling beating her or Uriellla Abaddon back in the day,. And while it would be fun to harp about Song's most recent lost to Johanna in failing to win the Mixed Tag Titles last year, I was always told growing up that should never kick a person when they're down. I'm not going to do that."

Mercedes laces her fingers together, dropping them below her chin while adding a small chuckle. Maybe the superlatives about her opponent was a bit of a stretch, but, hey, it rhymed at least

"Surprised we haven't faced each other before, Song, at least one-on-one, but I guess there's a first time for everything, right? It's been awhile since we've last seen you inside the six-sided ring and I'm sure you're just as much looking forward to Sunday as much as I am. When you learned that this match became official, I'm willing to bet you ran home, told all your friends on media sociale, and had done your due diligence by doing a little homework on me, and that’s fine. Gold star for you. But here’s the thing, sweetheart, it's one thing to watch tapes and study, but it's another to actually be in the ring with someone."

She manages a deadpan expression, then drops it as she quickly snaps her fingers.

"So Song, you want me? You got me. Do your worst. As a matter of fact, do your best, too. I want those fans to get in their cars, hop on the bus, the train, a bike, whatever. Get to Las Vegas, get to Buffalo Bill's, get in the building, and watch us put on a great match. If you plan on beating me, I'm going to make you earn it. Hey, but even if you fail, don’t be too hard on yourself, Song. It’s not the end of the world and at least you tried, right? That’s what matters."

With a pleading look in her eyes, she clasps her hands together to drive the point home.

"You know, they say time heals all wounds, but I'm not so sure about this one. Maybe you're still upset after I single-handedly ended you and Alana's World Bombshell Tag title reign all those years ago. That memory is going to last a long time, probably forever. But don't you think I'm going to forget, Song. Oh no, that's where you're wrong. I will not forget, not when we get in that ring Subday night. And I'm going to make sure you remember it, too."

She breaks away from the camera and looks on reflectively.

"I may have missed out on a championship opportunity at Inception, but you know what, it’s not the end of the world. Things will work out, they always do. If a match with you is any sort of consolation prize, I’ll take it. With everything that happened to me these last few last year, I guess I should look on the bright side of things, shouldn't I? I get to embarrass Song, have a little fun and, oh yeah, make your life miserable at the same time, and I’m not so much going to ruin my lip gloss."

She pursed her lips together.

"The date is set, the time has come, and your fate is sealed, Song. This weekend, one way or another, you're going to be the catalyst, the message, and the reminder that Mercedes Vargas is not done yet in Sin City Wrestling.

"Don't come looking for me, I'll be waiting for you."

She pauses for effect, lowering her voice just above a whisper.

"Estar preparado para lo peor, esperar lo mejor."
"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best."

"Y que la suerte está siempre en su favor.”
"And may the odds be ever in your favor."

"I'll see you at Climax Control."

Mercedes makes a heart symbol with her hands and that's the last image we see of her before she reaches to turn off the camera as the scene fades.

***Fade***