Off-Camera
Office of Seleana Zdunich
Zdunich Zoological Gardens
Los Angeles, California
Tuesday, December 8, 2025
8:04 AM PDT
Seleana Zdunich stares at the paperwork spread across her desk, all of it seemingly having sat there for what seems like years. She stares at the mountain staring back at her, like the abyss looking back into her. As she wonders what to look at, the general manager, Katja Vikström, comes walking in with the head veterinarian, Doctor Michelle "Chavy" Chavez, the two of them just discussing things amongst themselves.
Dr. Michelle "Chavy" Chavez:So you're a cousin of the sister's wife?
Katja nods.
Katja Vikström: Ja, her mother and my father were… em…sib-ling?
Chavy nods.
Dr. Michelle "Chavy" Chavez:Yeah, siblings.
Katja manages a small smile, apparently pleased with herself, satisfied that she had found the proper word.
Katja Vikström: Seleana hire me because I have experience. I run zoo in Sweden.
Chavy looks on with surprise.
Dr. Michelle "Chavy" Chavez:She hired me after I worked at a few places around here in California.
Katja smiles.
Katja Vikström: You have experience as well, ja?
Chavy nods just as the two look at Seleana.
Dr. Michelle "Chavy" Chavez:Uh-oh.
Katja Vikström: Vem skiter i det blå skåpet?
Seleana looks up and shakes her head.
Seleana Zdunich: Mig.
Both Katja and Chavy look at each other before turning their collective gaze back to Seleana.
Dr. Michelle "Chavy" Chavez:What did you do?
Seleana shakes her head and exhales forcefully.
Seleana Zdunich: Nothing yet. I am booked to fight Christina Sunday.
She looks up, despair overpowering everything else.
Seleana Zdunich: I…
Her head droops.
Seleana Zdunich: I do not want Christina to strike me on camera and I do not wish to strike her. I am…
She shakes her head before looking up at her friends.
Seleana Zdunich: I do not know what to do if Aurora or Elijah sees…
Tears form in her eyes.
Seleana Zdunich: They cannot see us fight like this. We are supposed to give them stability, safety, care, not make them fear violence is coming.
Sobs come.
Seleana Zdunich: I don't like fighting her anyway but now it worse. We are their mothers! We…
She shakes her head and almost slaps herself.
Seleana Zdunich: We are supposed to show love… not… fists…
Trailing off, Seleana dissolves into uncontrollable despair, weeping
as the storm of emotions crashes over her like a tsunami bringing destruction ashore and smashing everything in sight.
Seleana Zdunich: I…
Unable to find the words in English, Seleana switches to Swedish.
Seleana Zdunich: Jag kan inte slåss mot henne.
She almost falls apart at the thought of hitting Christina.
Seleana Zdunich: Jag kan inte slåss mot Stjärna.
Chavy and Katja hurry over to the sobbing woman. Just as they try to think of a response, Seleana's sister and tag team partner walks in.
Zenna Zdunich: Sarabi?
Seleana looks up.
Seleana Zdunich: Jag kan inte slåss mot Stjärna.
Zenna nods.
Zenna Zdunich: Det finns ingen ko på isen.
Seleana looks at her sister, tears still streaming down the blonde woman's face.
Seleana Zdunich: The children… cannot see it, Shenzi.
Zenna raises a hand to calm the elder Zdunich.
Zenna Zdunich: We have Maja's sisters, Katja and the Collective in Hidden Hills to look after them. Things will be sweet as, ja?
Seleana manages a small nod.
Zenna Zdunich: Vi glider in på en räkmacka.
Katja nods her agreement.
Katja Vikström: Ja, we did.
Chavy shakes her head,
Dr. Michelle "Chavy" Chavez:You did what to shrimp?
Zenna and Katja both grin.
Zenna Zdunich: We slid in on a shrimp sandwich.
Katja Vikström: It means we… luck?
Zenna nods.
Zenna Zdunich: Ja.
Chavy shakes her.
Dr. Michelle "Chavy" Chavez:You guys say the strangest shit sometimes.
Seleana nods even as she tries to pull herself together.
Seleana Zdunich: We do.
She draws in a deep breath.
Seleana Zdunich: I just hope we do not expose the children to things…
Zenna smiles.
Zenna Zdunich: Sarabi, you work miracles for them. Do not worry about such things. Kia Kaha.
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja, Shenzi. I will.
