There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I'm going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert
{We continue from where we left off, as multiple police cars have arrived to the scene. Roxi is still in a state of shock and it isn’t long before there are police and crime scene investigators on the scene as well. They are followed by Lieutenant Murphy, who is also disgusted by what he sees as well. The two seeming rivals, have to take a moment to collect their thoughts, Murphy is fueled at this point by both sorrow and anger.}
Lieutenant Murphy – You want to start explaining yourself?
Roxi – Tracy… he found one of those cubes.
Lieutenant Murphy – I don’t want to hear about the damn cubes, Super! I want to hear the reason why a damn good detective is dead!
Roxi – It’s got to be related to the cubes.
{Murphy rubs his face, his patience wearing thin already.}
Lieutenant Murphy – I just told you –
Roxi – Look, we’re still trying to figure out what’s going on. We have found these cubes at two different scenes. One, Tracy bought off the street, and another was purchased as a flea market. So far, three out of the four people are dead. We’re trying to track down the owner of the house from the first scene, as I thought you were.
Lieutenant Murphy – That’s need to know, Super.
Roxi – Well if you haven’t guessed by now… I NEED TO KNOW. You wanted my help on this, right?! Don’t withhold information from me!
{Murphy sighs and twitches his neck a bit.}
Lieutenant Murphy – We put out an ABP for Frank Fairchild after the first crime scene. No sign of him anywhere. No bank statements, no movement on the credit cards, nothing that we can trace. It’s like he just disappeared.
Roxi – Fine. Tracy also mentioned something about a… conductor.
{Murphy arches a brow.}
Lieutenant Murphy – An old cop story going around. Something about to detective working a case, get too wrapped up in it, goes crazy. Says the “conductor” is out there. Never identified, only by a street name. The detective said the Conductor knew everything about every cop on the force. Dectective began to…mistrust his own instincts. He became, paranoid, delusional. Eventually he gets committed to a mental institution, and hangs himself.
Roxi – Oh…
Lieutenant Murphy – It’s a wise tale for detectives super. A reminder that you can’t get too wrapped up in your work.
{Roxi looks around to ensure the two are speaking alone, before getting closer to Murphy.}
Roxi – Tracy did everything you just described. It happened to him!
Lieutenant Murphy – It’s not a real person.
Roxi – But what if it is?! What if that guy really exists?
Lieutenant Murphy – He doesn’t. It pulled together from various cases. Given a spooky name and a grand tale.
Roxi – I saw the look in Tracy’s eyes. He was a paranoid mess. He pulled a gun on me. Twice. This house was a mess and you should know that. It’s why I asked for a detail.
Lieutenant Murphy – And now…
Roxi – He had the cube… It has to be related.
{Murphy sighs again, clearly not wanting to hear about the cubes anymore.}
Lieutenant Murphy – And where it is now then? Huh?
Roxi – I…. I have it.
Lieutenant Murphy – You?
{Murphy takes a step back throwing his hands in the air.}
Lieutenant Murphy – How convenient.
Roxi – Wait… it’s… it’s not like that.
Lieutenant Murphy – I have 3 dead cops in this room right now, and you keep rambling on about these cubes and I find out you have them?! If he didn’t have the damn cube…. Why is he DEAD, super?
Roxi – I… I don’t know. But I had nothing to do with it! He was ready to KILL me over that damn thing! It was like he was obsessed with it! That’s the truth. Look…
{Roxi pulls out her phone and shows the text message from Tracy minutes before.}
Lieutenant Murphy – This is legit?
Roxi – I’m not a killer, Lieutenant. You may not like me, you may even hate me, but I’m not going to kill anybody. You’ve know me, and been around me long enough to know.
Lieutenant Murphy – I don’t know if I’m even talking to the same person. I don’t know the person behind that mask.
Roxi – I am, who I have always been. And you know I didn’t kill anyone, especially cops.
Lieutenant Murphy – For now.
Roxi – I’m going to find out who did this.
Lieutenant Murphy – You are here to assist us.
Roxi – And clearly these three guys couldn’t handle… whatever happened. I think… I think Tracy may have killed the two officers.
Lieutenant Murphy – Why would he do that?
Roxi – The bullet wounds in both. Just like police are taught to shoot. Two to the chest, one to the head.
Lieutenant Murphy – Maybe.
Roxi – Just give me some time. I think the cubes are the link to all of this.
Lieutenant Murphy – You’re not going anywhere.
Roxi – Excuse me?
{Murphy reaches behind himself and produces a set of handcuffs.}
Lieutenant Murphy – You’re going to have to be questioned on this.
Roxi – I don’t have the time for this.
Lieutenant Murphy – It’s not a request. Turn around, slowly. Hands over your head.
{Murphy attempt to handcuff Roxi but she breaks away and begins to run.}
Roxi – I have work to do!
Lieutenant Murphy – Suspect is attempting to flee!
{Roxi turns and runs as Murphy shouts, and she manages to fly high into the sky, heading towards a new destination as the scene fades.}
I have to applaud Andrea for her synopsis of me last week.
She is 100% correct. I am seeking redemption. I already said as much, but yes it’s true. I need to redeem myself for my poor performance not only in my return match for SCW, but my 2019 in general. I take full responsibility for not doing what it took to continue my success. This was, indeed a down year for me. I make no excuses, I wasn’t on my game and that leads to losses. It happens to me, and it happens to everybody else. I will gladly admit that.
I have lost before, and in the future, I’m sure I will lose again. It’s wrestling, it happens.
But my question still holds up for Andrea. Having a nice winning streak snapped and bouncing back in short order is impressive, there is no doubt about that, and it is a clear sign that she was not effected by the loss. But now, everything changes. Now we’re here and what’s on the line is the biggest prize in women’s wrestling. It’s one thing to capture a championship here and there, it’s one thing to be on top for a short while. But here we are in this brand new match, and all of us having different hurdles to pass.
Andrea is not short of confidence, that much is evident. And I can appreciate the mindset she has. That you learn and grow from each loss and quickly put it behind you. It’s good to see when someone is in that frame of mind, not to let a loss effect them.
That takes just a touch off of beating Andrea in this match.
Because I am fully aware that the win streak, the confidence, the determination, all of it, is not a fluke, it comes with doing this for a while. But to me, it feels like Andrea thinks she has this aura of invincibility. I can appreciate feeling that way, but nobody walks who walks into this match is going to come out the same. Everyone know that, and even behind the bold demeanor, we can all sense it, even in Andrea Hernandez.
I will also freely tell you that I think Andrea is the biggest threat in this entire match. That’s not me blowing smoke either. She’s had a handful of matches in SCW, and has won the majority of them. Only Alicia and Sel really know how good she is, but that’s one of the things that makes this exciting for me. I’m always eager to climb into the ring with new talent just to see how good they are, and I am thrilled to be able to step into the ring with someone who I will tell you now, I believe is going to be a champion in SCW in the future.
Ms. Hernandez is the most unknown entity in this entire match, and that is going to make it difficult to beat her. When you factor that in, along with the all the other elements in this match, it makes Andrea perhaps the most dangerous. More so than Alicia’s desperation, Sierra’s anger, Crystal’s determination, & Seleana’s resilience. The unknown gives people an edge, because people do fear what they don’t understand. Alicia and Seleana may even believe they know, but even with Alicia’s victory, it’s not a certainty.
But even with the unknown, Andrea has to use it, and her first really big match in SCW, she failed. So there is a crack in that armor, and judging it solely on Andrea’s reaction, while she may claim it was only a setback, it was a powerful one. Which adds her in with a could of the other women in this match, who I question, openly, if they can actually handle the loss when they take it.
I am in no way underestimating Andrea, I will continue to see her through my wife’s eyes until Sunday. And what she saw was enough for me to take her seriously. It’s why I said what I said just a few moments ago. Andrea has all the tools to get to the top. It is not a fluke that she’s here. I do believe that one day, she will be the major force here, and will be Bombshell’s champion in the future.
But Sunday isn’t going to be that day.
While Ms. Hernandez is an unknown, the same can be said for her experience against the others, minus Sel and Andrea. She too doesn’t know what she’s in for.
And me? We’ll see if she her ambiguity, can match my resolve.
{Roxi lands at her destination, Amy Jo Smyth’s home. Roxi approaches and knocks on the door, and Smyth eventually answers the door groggy, and annoyed upon seeing Roxi standing there.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Do you have any idea what time it is?!
Roxi – The police are after me.
{AJ takes a moment, and nods.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Easy fix. Come on.
{AJj escorts Roxi into the house and Roxi sits down, removing her mask and taking a sigh of relief. AJ begins to pace as she pulls out her phone and dials. She has a conversation on the phone.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Leon, it’s me. … I need a favor…. Seems Murphy is looking for a friend of mine, I need that shut down…. She’s innocent…. You owe me, Leon…. Good. Glad we got that taken care of.
{AJ hangs up the phone, and smirks.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Friends in high places.
Roxi – Please tell me you have something…
Amy Jo Smyth – Oh, so no, Hi AJ, thanks for saving my ass from the cops. Just… what do you got for me?
Roxi – You know what’s going on. You know I appreciate all you’ve ever done for me. But I really, really don’t need the sarcasm right now.
Amy Jo Smyth – That’s my specialty. Anyway, why were the cops even after you?
Roxi – They think I’m a suspect.
Amy Jo Smyth – WHAT? Why?
Roxi – Tracy’s dead.
Amy Jo Smyth – Well, shit.
Roxi – Murphy wants me in for questioning in his death. Tracy texted me. Told me whatever – Well, whoever was after him was there.
Amy Jo Smyth – And?
Roxi – Same type of death. I suspect Tracy went crazy, killed the protection detail and then…
Amy Jo Smyth – He didn’t kill himself?
Roxi – He was torn in half. He must have been too involved with those cubes.
Amy Jo Smyth – There’s more of them?
Roxi – At least four. Guild thinks they go together, but that putting them together would be a bad idea. What’s worse, Keira is now involved.
{Smyth arches a brow.}
Amy Jo Smyth – How involved?
Roxi – She touched one. Tried to open it. Now she’s hostile and seeing things that aren’t there.
Amy Jo Smyth – Shit.
Roxi – I just… I need to figure things out. There are so many pieces to this, and too many people are getting hurt.
Amy Jo Smyth – Hang on, I’ll show you what I found.
{AJ quickly gathers up some papers from her work desk, and puts them on the table in front of Roxi.}
Roxi – What’s this?
Amy Jo Smyth – Fairchild files. And I ran Janice Stone and Garrett Hankins files as well. Stone was a prostitute, and Hankins a bartender. Stone frequented the bar Hankins worked at. And so did our boy Frank.
Roxi – Okay…
Amy Jo Smyth – My hunch is, Frank came into contact with these two at the bar, And since the two cubes were found with their bodies, I suspect Frank sold them to them. Maybe Frank is the one with the cubes and… knows about whatever they do.
Roxi – That’s a start, but until we find Frank, and question him, there is only a hunch.
{AJ smirks, and pulls out a piece of paper from the files.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Last known location. Person matching his description was last seen at this spot.
Roxi – What is it?
Amy Jo Smyth – A gambling hole. Nice and isolated, nobody’s going go to that far out into the swamp just to find somebody else.
Roxi – That’s where they’re wrong.
{Roxi gets up, sliding her mask over her face.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Wait, you’re going out there?
Roxi – Of course.
Amy Jo Smyth – Sweetheart, you’re a mess. Not thinking clearly. You need to rest.
Roxi – There isn’t time! People are dying, AJ. I need to fix this.
Amy Jo Smyth – You are going to get yourself hurt without rest! Don’t make me put you to bed myself!
{Roxi stops, and sighs, she moves towards AJ and hugs her tightly.}
Roxi – Thank you. I know you’re trying to help. I know you’re doing it for the right reasons. But if I don’t stop this, there’s no telling what might happen.
Amy Jo Smyth – I…
{Roxi looks AJ in the eyes after pulling back from the hug.}
Roxi – Listen, I need you to promise me that if something does happen, you’ll carry it forward.
Amy Jo Smyth – … I promise.
Roxi – Thank you.
{With that, Roxi exits the house, flying towards her new destination.}
I feel like at this point, it’s that quote from Cool Hand Luke
“What we’ve got here, is failure to communicate.”
I feel like this every time after Sierra Williams speaks. It’s raw, it’s emotional, and it’s all focused in 30 different directions, so much so, I don’t understand who or what the main purpose is. I just feel like no matter what anyone says, she still goes all over the place, from one point to another, randomly, without any real objective. For someone so simple and straightforward from a personality standpoint, her word salad just makes me all kinds of confused.
I mean, maybe I’m doing the same thing with Alicia Lukas. As wrestler, sure, respect. As a person, yeah, not so much. And that is understandable with the comparison. But Sierra will call someone a great wrestler in one breath, and then say they aren’t any good at anything in the next. There’s so many mixed messages going around this woman right now and it’s hurting my brain. I told her before not to waffle on this. If you think someone is bad, say it. Stand by it. Defend it. Don’t tell me I’m a great wrestler and then tell you I’m a bad wrestler who doesn’t deserve anything. These two thoughts are directly opposite each other. Maybe that’s how Sierra gets the edge. Her opponents are so confused by her that they just end up trying to figure her out too much.
But then again, plenty of people have figured her out. It explains her lack of success in SCW. Sure, she made it into the match, admirable. She put in the work to get here. But if someone looked at this field on paper, they would absolutely single out Sierra Williams as the person that it’s safer to bet against. It’s not a knock, it’s a statement of fact. Sierra Williams may be the one everyone doubts, but it’s no one’s fault but her own.
I can understand her from the level of loving to wrestle, wanting to wrestle all her life and chasing down her dream. But then to get here and complain that you aren’t getting a fair shake and that you’ve been passed over or some such nonsense is ridiculous. Your chances are what you make them. Everyone, every single person in SCW, from my experience has always had a chance to make themselves known, get themselves into position and do something with the opportunity presented. It’s up to the wrestlers themselves to make the most of their chance, and thus far Sierra has squandered them. Statement of fact.
She’s had championship opportunities and lost. She’s had contendership matches and lost. But instead of picking herself up off the ground and trying again and keeping her nose to the grind like a good wrestler would, she has chosen to be the squeaky wheel. As they say, the loudest truck going over the hill is the one that’s empty. And no one in this match has been louder than Sierra.
And I get it, she feels she has the most to prove and no one is taking her seriously. But it doesn’t help when you complain about not getting and opportunity, and then you get one and fail. Or if you get one, and you take advantage and succeed and get to this point of putting it all together, and still complaining it took forever to get there. It just makes Sierra sound ungrateful.
But really, more than anything, it a different feeling I get from Sierra. Be loud, be over the top, to hide being afraid. She can argue this to the hills, but the fact of the matter is, Sierra is afraid of failing. Being slapped with that label of not being able to win the big one. Being typecast and never being able to escape it. Is that the truth about Sierra Williams regardless? I don’t think so. I think she’s talented, but she clearly needs to focus on getting better and not defending and attacking people in the same breath. It’s not a good look and it hurting her more than it helps.
We’ve been in the ring, one on one, so I am aware of how good she is. But its just an unfortunate fact that she has to fall, for me to accomplish what I need to accomplish. I have to beat Sierra Williams once more and hopefully, I get my point across.
I did it once, and now, I will do it again.
Arriving at the gamling hole. Roxi sits in the bushes, scoping the place with her bincoulars.}[/b]
Roxi – Come on… where are you?
{Growing impatient, as well as tiired, Roxi puts the binoculars away, and simply bum rushes the building, kicking in the door, and stopping all activity as the patrons share a shocked expression.}
Roxi – I’m looking for Frank Fairchild!
{There is a pause as the patrons look around in a confused haze.}
Roxi – I’m not going to ask again!
{Roxi’s eyes dart around the room until she comes across Frank, a cowboy hat to hide his identity.}
Roxi – You!
{Frank slowly stands up, his hands raised, until he makes a sudden move and runs for the door, shoving and running into people and trying to use them as an obstacle to escape. Roxi gives chase as Frank makes it out the door. Roxi is hot on his heels and tackles him to the ground. She gets up, pulling him to his feet and slamming him against the wall of the building.}
Roxi – You are going to answer my questions.
Frank Fairchild – I didn’t… I did… I’m sorry!
Roxi – Shut up. You have warrants. People are looking for you. And you have multiple deaths on your hands. You are going to talk.
Frank Fairchild – Deaths? No I… Oh no…
Roxi – You know. Tell me what you know!
Frank Fairchild – I… Okay! Please just… keep them away from me…
Roxi – Them?
Frank Fairchild – The hands of Fate.
Roxi – I’m so done with this. You are the conductor, aren’t you? You killed those two innocent people!
Frank Fairchild – Just… let me explain it! Please!
{Roxi tosses Frank to the ground.}
Roxi – Talk. NOW.
Frank Fairchild – Okay… look… I came across these… things I thought maybe they’d help. I’m broke, They are going to foreclose on my house. I thought it was over, and then… then I found the cubes.
Roxi – What are they?
Frank Fairchild – They are… a window. A gateway to some kind of other world. And inside… to anyone who opens them, is the realm of Fate. That’s where he lives!
Roxi – You’re not making sense.
Frank Fairchild – You… you ever heard the phrase “Don’t tempt fate?” That’s what it is. It shows you your fate once you open them fully. Until then, you get a glimpse. I… I had them all and… I opened them.
Roxi – And?
Frank Fairchild – I… I saw what I was going to be. I tried to avoid it. I… I made a deal.
Roxi – A deal? What deal?
Frank Fairchild – 4 others, in exchange for me.
Roxi – What?! You traded the lives of others for yours?
Frank Fairchild – Exactly! He knew everything! I didn’t want to die!
{Roxi instantly thinks of Keira.}
Roxi – You murdering bastard!
{Roxi gives Frank a swift kick square in the stomach.}
Roxi – People are dead because of you!
Frank Fairchild – I… I didn’t know…
Roxi – You knew. Tell me how to stop it!
Frank Fairchild – I don’t know… You can’t screw with Fate!
Roxi – 3 people are dead, and you are the cause! You gave them those cubes to save yourself. You’re a coward.
Frank Fairchild – You don’t know what it’s like…
Roxi – Yes. I do. Now… will getting all the cubes together get me in?
Frank Fairchild – You’re crazy if you think you’re going to stop this!
Roxi – Maybe. But I’ve got to fix your mess before someone else dies!
Frank Fairchild – They all work together… You’re throwing your life away!
Roxi – No… I’m saving them.
{Roxi pulls Frank up to his feet and grabs a hold of him, quickly teleporting to Lieutenant Murphy’s location, outside the police station, where Murphy is out back having a smoke. She tosses Frank at his feet.}
Lieutenant Murphy – What the?
Roxi – Frank’s got a lot of things to say.
Lieutenant Murphy – This is –
Roxi – This is me, doing my job. Let me finish this. There’s an arrest on your side. Now, I’ve got a fight on mine.
{Roxi turns and flies off, leaving Murphy to handle Frank as the scene fades.}
I think of Seleana, my good friend, and I can only think of one word, and it sucks to have to use it.
Underrated.
I don’t like that word describing any person, much less a friend. To me, it’ a demeaning thing to say. It’s insulting to call someone underrated in my eyes. What does it even mean? It’s like the most backhanded compliment of all time. Who really wants to be underrated? Nobody wants to be known as underrated. Nobody wants to be the person that nobody thinks about in terms of their importance or quality. It’s a slap in the face, really.
And for that, and thinking that, I apologize to Seleana.
I don’t want to use that word to describe her, but many people would. She is kind, genuine, she is encouraging and helpful, she has done amazing things inside and outside the ring, and she continues that, to this day. There is no reason to ever call her that. I can’t help but think of that word, but there are just so many words to describe Seleana.
Champion is one.
And I KNOW that sticks in some people’s craws and it hurts them to hear it, but Seleana is a former bombshell’s champion. And that is awesome. I am super proud of my friend, because before then, maybe it would have been just to call her that word, but after winning the biggest prize in women’s wrestling, that’s a word that she can use FOREVER. Ten seconds, ten minutes, 10 months, 10 years. Sel was a champion. And in the future she will be again. Why? Because she’s good. And not only good, but has a good heart. Inside and out Sel is beautiful and she is amazing.
And a bigger part of me than I’d like to admit, is rooting for her success, even in this match. So much so, it almost makes me feel selfish for putting the stock into myself that I have. Because I don’t like to see friends upset or hurt, and I know, not winning this match is a blow. But it’s something that has to be done. I need to be at that spot and I know all Sel wants to is be recognized and I do, 100% recognize her as an amazing wrestler and person. And it will not be a walk in the park to beat her. I would never and will never discount Seleana and I have spent the last month thinking of words to replace that word that kept popping up in my head. That has gone out the window.
And now, Seleana makes me think of a new word, and not the other way around.
Success.
Maybe not all the time in the ring, but then again, who is a success every time they step out to compete, but success is the word, because in spite of all those who doubted her and said she wouldn’t make it, those who said she could never translate to America, that she wouldn’t find her way and that she couldn’t succeed in this business, she did it. She did it, and did it with all the grace of a true champion. A success story if I’ve ever heard one.
But no success story is complete without hardships. Sel knows as much as I do and everyone else in this match, that it will be tough, and it will be a fight to the bitter end. And at the end of the day, if it comes to me and Sel, we both know that we’re going to push each other to the edge and back, because that’s how good Selean truly is. She can push anyone, at any time.
It’s just that this time, despite how good Seleana is…
I just have to be better.
{Roxi returns to the guild entering the lab. She produces the two cubes she has and lays on them on the surgical tray.}
Scientist – WHERE DID –
Roxi – We don’t have time, where are the other two?
Scientist – Locked away. You’re not really thinking about…
Roxi – I am. It’s the only way.
Scientist – We are not prepared to handle something like this!
Roxi – Then give them to me. Either way, I need all four. What’s inside these cubes, is causing people to die. And I’m going to stop it.
Scientist – You can’t be serious…
Roxi – Dead serious. Stop stalling. Either set them up, or let me have them.
Voice – Hey…
{Roxi turns and eyes Keira, who is in costume, marching towards Roxi.}
Roxi – You should be resting.
Keira – I was, but then I found out how to beat this thing.
Roxi – You did?
Keira – It’s all in your head. Once I used my energy and focused solely on blocking it out of my mind, I was able to shatter the entire illusion.
Roxi – So… you’re okay?
Keira – For now, yes. I’m going to let you fight this thing alone.
Roxi – No… I am doing this alone.
Keira – No, you’re not.
Roxi – I am. Because if I don’t come back…
Keira – DON’T. Don’t talk like that. Together we can –
Roxi – Don’t argue with me right now. I’m going to take care of this.
{Keira can see the serious look on Roxi’s face. She eventually backs off, and nods.}
Keira – You’re coming back to me.
Roxi – I promise.
{The scientist in the meantime has gathered the cubes and places them in containment.}
Scientist – I… I have done as you asked.
Roxi – Thank you.
{Roxi turns to Keira, and kisses her.}
Keira – I believe in you.
{Roxi enters the containment chamber, now all four cubes are in front of her. He takes a deep breath, and places her hands on the table, and begins to rearrange the cubes.}
Roxi – F. A. T. E. Fate. Cute.
{Roxi arranges them to spell fate, and then cubes all snap together, and glow. Roxi takes a deep breath, and removes one of her gloves. She inches her hand closer, and then touches the cubes.
The world goes into a blinding light.}
Despite everything, Crystal is my friend. Despite all that she does, all the times she’s acted out, or screwed people over, or made a fool of herself, she’s my friend. She’s practically family. I have gone to her wedding, and her to mine, she was one of the first people that wasn’t family to hold my son. She is THAT close to me. And every time something has happened, I’ve quietly expressed my disappointment like a mother to an unruly child. And she knows that. But it’s almost like she’s that child that knows better and will continue to see what she can get away with. And every win, every success she’s had, makes me both proud, and makes me realize that it’s all going to come crashing down because that’s always what happens.
She is the living embodiment of a vicious cycle.
I can’t always pay attention to Crystal and watch every move she makes. But every time that I check in, we’re seemingly in the same position. Something has happened, she has made another move which has polarized her, one on side or another. And when that happens, I silently wish that things will work out, and that this is the last time. I wish and hope that this time, is the last time.
And at the end of the day, it never is.
Soon enough, we start all over again.
So this is where we are now. I know, and so does Crystal, and that if she wins this match, the cycle will start again, because Crystal will be all alone in being a 4 time SCW bombshell’s champion. I’ve known her long enough that so long that that is the end game, Crystal will be completely satisfied. I can appreciate the want to me, the drive to make history and all that. I completely understand the need and desire to be alone in the record books. But really, that’s what this is about for her. By hook, or by crook, she wants that accomplishment for herself.
And again, I completely get it. I understand that motivation.
But I know from Crystal’s own actions, her own desires, that the people, family included, that she will step on, almost gleefully is what really sours the whole experience.
You can see that Crystal has been quiet, and it’s simply because she’s focused on that goal, and that alone. She’s reasoning with herself. She’s talking herself, right now, into justifying the actions she’s about to take. It’s what she does. When Crystal isn’t fully into something, she will not put her effort into it much. She will be silly, friendly, happy-go-lucky. Because to her, the result of what she’s doing isn’t the end of the world. It happens all the time. To prove to all of us she that doesn’t take herself, or the things around her too seriously.
But this is obviously different.
When all she’s had to say is things like “I’ll do my talking in the ring.” And “I’m taking that championship.” It’s because Crystal has decided to get serious. And while it’s one thing to not overtain, or not push yourself too hard, Crystal treats this like it’s a light switch. That it can be turned on and off like that. Nothing too it. And time and time again, it has bitten her in the butt.
All her time and effort right now is being used to rationalize when she makes no bones about going to the limits she will to try and attain victory. It’s what makes Crystal so frustrating because when you attempt to turn effort on and off like a light switch and it doesn’t work, and you feel you’ve saved up and tried your hardest to achieve a goal, and you don’t, it hurts.
And right now, it makes me sad that I have to play a role in hurting her in this way.
I need to win just as bad as anyone in this match. And I know Crystal’s coming out guns blazing, I can already see it. I see the fire and desire in her face with each word she speaks. And I can surmise that she’s not only eager for payback, but she’s eager for her place in history. And if it means she steps on me, her wife, or anyone else, the ends totally justify the means.
This, unfortunately, has always been what Crystal is all about. Some weird obsession with title reigns, numbers and stats. Not quite on Mercedes Vargas’s level, but to Crystal, winning the champion in some ways makes up for all the things she’s done. And failure somehow validates everything everyone says about her.
But that’s not even close to true, but Crystal has convinced herself that it is. If she fails, everything goes away, nothing she’s done means anything. I understand the feeling, but the truth of the matter is nothing will take away from Crystal being as good as she is. Nothing is lost in Crystal’s legacy and her accomplishments. I used to think that, but I had to learn, much like Crystal does, that the good can easily outweigh the bad if you continue to go out and grind.
But Crystal is only going to do that when it matters most. Once she has the record, and the accomplishment, she will rest on her laurels and then we’ll get back into what happens every single time she has a championship. She becomes overconfident, loses, and then we’re back at square one where the sky is falling. And I really don’t want that for my friend. With everything that everyone says, and how everyone seems to pile onto her, she’s just setting up her that very thing to happen again.
I really want to be all kinds of wrong in this. I really do. But knowing Crystal for as long as I have, I know that this is inevitable. So, I know she’s fired up and ready, but I’m going to really be doing Crystal a favor, by beating and becoming the champion myself. In the long run, it’s not going to hurt her, and with any luck, it will actually lead to a change that actually sticks this time. I am hopeful that those words are true. Despite everything, I believe in Crystal, and her ability to bounce back from anything.
Sunday will putting that theory to the test, for sure.
Good luck, my friend.
{Roxi finds herself alone, in a place unfamiliar to her. There is only one bright light, which Roxi has to move her hand over her eyes to block. But the moment she does that, ropes shoot out and wrap around her arms and legs, holding her in place. She struggles, albeit in vain, as they only tighten with each movement. From the shadows, and into the light, steps a male figure. His skin is ash white and he is dressed all in black. His hands are behind his back, and he lurches forward, an almost quizzical look on his face. He moves his arms outward, as if presenting the location.}
Figure – Welcome. The realm of fate.
Roxi – You must be fate.
Figure – Master. Fate. I control this realm, and all who dare enter it.
Roxi – You’re a murderer.
Master Fate – I deal with those who seek to tempt fate. I control what happens, because they sought my game. Much like you have now.
Roxi – I only seek to stop you.
{Fate only chuckles at this comeback.}
Master Fate – No, child. You won’t stop me. I could have torn your apart the moment you entered my realm. Your family opened one of the boxes.
Roxi – Leave her out of this. This is between you and me.
Master Fate – If you seek to take her place, I can make that happen.
Roxi – I’ve already begun to stop you. You won’t get your hands on Frank.
Master Fate – Frank? Frank was simply a pawn. A piece I moved around across the board. You are familiar with chess, correct?
Roxi – Yes.
Master Fate – Pawns are replaceable. Frank can easily be disposed of, much like you. But you… you are different.
{Fate approaches Roxi and pulled the mask off her face.}
Master Fate – You hide behind this, seeking to protect those close to you. But there is no escape from fate. The moment you entered this realm, your fate was sealed. But because you want to be defiant, I shall enjoy making your choice to tempt me, the most regrettable thing you have ever done.
{The ropes release Roxi, and she clutches at her wrists and slowly stands up. }
Roxi – If you want to fight, then let’s fight.
Master Fate – Straight for the noble sacrifice. Admirable, but mistaken. This is just sending you to your fate.
Roxi – What?
Master Fate – If you want to play this game. You need only to walk through that door behind you.
{Another light shines on the door as Roxi turns.}
Master Fate – Go home. I will be waiting.
{Roxi turns towards the door, before looking back.}
Roxi – I can’t trust this at all.
Master Fate – But you’ve already made the choice, haven’t you? It’s your fate to walk through the door. Go home. Otherwise…
{Nate’s voice rings through the silence.}
Nate – Mommy! Help me!
{Roxi’s eyes widen in terror upon hearing her son call for her.}
Roxi – Nate? … No… YOU SON OF A BITCH! DON’T YOU GO NEAR MY SON!
Master Fate – Lingering, will only seal his fate as well.
{Roxi sprints through the door, almost knocking it off the hinges. There is a strong burst of cold air, enough to make Roxi actually shiver, but the door has lead back to her house.}
Roxi – NATE?! BABY WHERE ARE YOU?!
Nate – Help me Mommy!
{Roxi continues to follow Nate’s voice, frantic and afraid heading as close as she can.}
Roxi – Nate?! Mommy’s coming! You need to tell me where you are!
Nate – Mommy please, there’s a bad man!
{Roxi continues to follow the voice, and the cold air, sprinting down to the training room, and finding both Keira and Nate. Nate is tied to a chair, scared for his life, and Keira trapped, chained to a giant pillar. Keira’s skin is incredibly pain, as if she had been in the cold for hours.}
Roxi – NO!
{Roxi rushes towards them, but is stopped by a clear glass wall that arises from the ground, keeping her from getting any closer. She pounds on it fruitlessly.}
Roxi – JUST HOLD ON! I’LL GET YOU OUT!
{From the shadows again, Master Fate is also on the other side of the glass.}
Master Fate – Home. Family. It is, where they say the heart is. But you have only sought your own personal glory. And now, you lose everything. Fate is inevitable.
Roxi – NO! DON’T YOU TOUCH THEM!
Master Fate – This is where you break.
Roxi – YOU STAY AWAY FROM THEM!
Nate – Mommy… Please help me!
{Roxi begins to weep, hysterical and with pleading eyes.}
Roxi – Mommy’s here, baby. It’s going to be okay. I promise.
Master Fate – Your fate, is to fail.
Keira – L…B… Help…
Roxi – I will… I will…
Master Fate – You have already failed. And so, you pay for tempting fate.
{Roxi pounds on the glass wall, unable to break it.}
Roxi – DON’T YOU TOUCH THEM! DON’T YOU DO THIS!
{Fate pulls out a long blade, showing it off before walking behind Nate.}
Roxi – No… nonononononononono!
{In one swift motion, Nate’s blood splatters onto the glass and his head droops forward. Roxi screams in agony as Fate looks almost amused.}
Roxi – YOU SON OF A BITCH! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!
{Roxi pounds on the glass fueled by pure rage. Fate walks over to Keira and pulls on her arms, breaking them off as Keira is almost frozen solid.}
Roxi – NOOOOO!
{Roxi slides down the glass wall, crying in anguish, helpless to do anything as the tears run down her face. It soon turns to anger as she continues to pound on the wall. She pounds and pounds with relentless fury, and eventually, the glass cracks, and then finally shatters with Roxi hitting it so much. Fate has now disappeared as Roxi rushes forward to her families’ corpses. She cries out and laments her failure, holding Nate’s dead body in her arms and looking up at Keira’s.}
Roxi – I…. I’m so sorry… I didn’t…
{Roxi lets out another wail of anger and sadness. She slowly lets Nate’s body down at her feet, and then stares at Keira’s body.}
Roxi – I FAILED YOU…
{Fate reappears, now on the other side of the shattered glass.}
Master Fate – Your fate has come to pass. And now, you will join them.
{Fate steps through the glass, and approaches knife in hand. As he gets closer, Roxi stops and simply kneels down next to her family, seemingly resigned to her fate. Fate continues to approach, as Roxi begins thinking about her life and her family, all the positive memories she shared and how much it meant to her. But it’s in this instant…that she remembers as Keira’s voice rings through her head.}
It’s all in your head. Once I used my energy and focused solely on blocking it out of my mind, I was able to shatter the entire illusion.
Master Fate – And now… the deal completes. 4… for 1.
{Roxi stares up at Master Fate, shaking with anger and rage.}
Roxi – This is all in my mind. None of this is real. You haven’t stopped me.
{Fate laughs.}
Master Fate – You are broken, child. I have decided your fate, and it is to die!
Roxi – No.
{Roxi begins to use her energy, solely to focus on freeing her mind. The room itself begins to shatter and fall apart.}
Roxi – I won’t let you get away with what you did to me.
{Roxi continues to shake, the darkness begins breaking into pieces and there is light shining through it, causing Fate to back up.}
Master Fate – What?! How?! I control this!
Roxi – You… have failed.
{Roxi’s energy begins to increase, even beyond what her normal limits are. The same silver glow that emitted from Keira, now emits from her. The darkness is almost entirely gone and Fate can only back away.}
Master Fate – I control you. I am in control of your mind, body and soul!
Roxi – Then you need to go. Get. Out.
{Roxi’s energy burst forth and she remembers, as Fate tries with all his power to regain control. She can hear Nate’s voice.}
Twinkle Twinkle
Little Star
How I Wonder
What You Are.
Master Fate – What?! What is this?! It’s not possible!
Up Above
The World So High
Like A Diamond
In The Sky
{Roxi continues to walk forward as the darkness continues to shatter and the whole envoirnment shakes.}
Twinkle Twinkle
Little Star
How I Wonder
What You Are.
Master Fate – No!
{Roxi snatches Fate and pulls back her fist.}
Roxi – It’s over…
{Roxi goes to punch, but Fate’s knife morphs into a hypodermic needle. Roxi gasps as she tries to hold off being stabbed. They tussle and Fate ends up on top, trying to stab Roxi with the needle. Her fear and adrenaline cause a lack of focus and the darkness starts to return. Roxi stares at the needle, and then at Fate, her energy rising even higher.}
Roxi – I control my fate. And I choose not to be afraid.
{Roxi pushes with everything she has, and releases, causing Fate to plunge the needle into himself. He collapses onto her, and his seemingly fades out of existence. There is another bright light, and after the flash, Roxi is right back in the lab containment facility, and the cubes melt and disintegrate.}
Keira – Roxi!
{Keira rushes in and tends to her wife, kissing her like she has lost her.}
Keira – Are you okay? What happened?
Roxi – I… took control of my fate.
{Roxi manages to get out before passing out. Keira and the other attend to her as the scene fades.}
<HR>
At Summer XXXtreme, I made a mistake.
I let me emotions get the best of me and it cost me. And I don’t think I’ve ever been as embarrassed as I was on that night. I mean, it’s what I get for how I went about things. And what, in the end, turned out to be a mistake.
And I’m not talking about the things I said about Alicia Lukas, well, partially. Because for a day or so after the promos dropped, I began to think that maybe, maybe I was wrong for saying what I said. That maybe, I went just a little too far.
And just like that, it was over.
And I realized the truth of the whole situation:
I didn’t go too far, I didn’t go far enough.
Because now, now I have to live with that. Now I have to live with that choice for the rest of my life and the fact that Alicia Lukas beat me.
Ugh, it makes me ill just saying it out loud.
It just eats at me now, it keeps me up at night, and when I do sleep, I wake up in a cold sweat, because I actually lost to Alicia Lukas. It physically hurts me to have to say those words. Especially, especially because of the whining and complaining and the woe is me, and the “Roxi said mean things about me” and the “I just need tried to be decent and humble” shtick. I mean, by that Friday night, she was using the “I am rubber, you are glue” tactic to try and tell everybody that she wasn’t as bad as I claimed. And who exactly came to her defense? Oh, that’s right, one person. A person who, despite never actually interacting with me on ANY level, said “Yeah Alicia, you’re totally right, Roxi is a big meanie face!” No, I just told the truth, and you want to know how I know it’s the truth? Because the words and actions came from Alicia herself.
Did she deny these things?
No.
Could she?
No.
But she didn’t even own up to them. When you can’t defend, you deflect.
So rather than just owning up to it, Alicia Lukas would rather spend her time crying and moaning about me, and how I just condone something that Crystal did to Seleana. Which, for the record, is a lie, but I actually expected better, and I shouldn’t have. I’ll wait while Alicia produces any sort of evidence that I just condone what Crystal did and any time I said “yup, great job Crystal.” Of course, we’d be waiting forever, because no evidence exists. But apparently my silence just meant that I stood by Crystal and was 100% with it.
No, I think Alicia, to quote Alicia herself, is confusing fact and opinion. Alicia is of the opinion that all of this is true. But sadly, despite how strongly one holds an opinion, it’s just an opinion. It does not count as fact unless you can actually back it up, and Alicia can’t. Because it’s just not true.
But it’s really me, I’m the liar.
I’ve smiled in so many faces and stabbed so many backs that it’s just insane. This is why I have a ton of friends and even enemies who may not respect my lifestyle or respect my accomplishments, but they respect my character.
And that’s where Alicia and I differ.
You actually have to HAVE character for people to respect it.
And in more ways than one, Alicia Lukas has proven to be empty in that category.
I mean, did you see those subtweets and the “guys, I’m so hurt and devastated and I really know the real me.” Alicia was practically preparing to HAND me the Bombshell’s championship and go on a sad mid-life crisis level of complete nonsense, simply because her actions were called on the carpet, and she had nothing to defend it with. She was ready to accept that slice of humble pie and then obviously not use it to better herself or anything, but she knew in her heart, I struck that fatal blow.
Everyone should have felt sorry for poor Alicia Lukas because she was just so sad and upset.
But boy oh boy, did her tune change after Summer XXXtreme.
Now, she’s the best thing since sliced bread. Let me boast about every little thing I’ve ever done and how my greatness is so much better than anyone else’s. Everyone, please look at me and acknowledge me!
No faux humble there.
So having to stomach all that, I have to actually wonder which would have been worse to sit through. I mean, either she brags and no one listens, or she whines and no one listens. I don’t know if I could have put up with Alicia Lukas continuing to cry and piss and moan about how awful I treated her for the next six months.
Because without that championship, what IS Alicia Lukas?
It only took me 5 months to win this championship.
My reigns are longer than yours
Crown me the face of the bombshell’s division because I won matches!
In other words:
Please, please pay attention to me!
And really… nobody really does. The bombshell’s division continues to ebb and flow like it always does, and she’s sitting with the bombshell’s title still wondering why no matter what she says or does, nobody really cares. So she has to play squeaky wheel and yell for grease. She’s got to remind everybody how cool she is. Did you know Alicia has 9 title defenses? Do you know she’s got records going? Did you know that Alicia IS the champion?
Because Alicia Lukas is dying for respect. She wants it, needs it, and craves it. I mean, think about this, what kind of person goes out of their way to ask for the respect of someone. I beat Andrea Hernandez, and so, I demand she shake MY hand and show ME respect, instead of the other way around.
Let me ask this question. A very simple one: Did Alicia Lukas show Seleana respect when she won the championship?
The answer of course, is no.
But wait, I can’t already hear the complaining: Crystal interfered! That means I don’t have to show anyone respect, in fact, we should PRAISE Alicia for her valiant fight against two people and take everything away from Seleana.
Because that is all Alicia did.
And then to make matters worse, she’s going to tell you that “Roxi didn’t give me respect. She showed no class after all that.” Let me just make this crystal clear so that we’re all on the same page: Alicia Lukas could win 100 matches, she can win 20 championships, and I will not have a shred of respect for her as a person.
This is the difference I’m taking about. Alicia Lukas the wrestler is great. She deserves to be respected for her reign and in-ring prowess
As a person, that is an entirely different story.
If Alicia Lukas wants my respect, she can start by apologizing to many people for repeatedly trying to run them out of wrestling or not to come back to wrestling. She can apologize to their friends and family for repatedly dragging them even though they don’t do anything to her. She can apologize to my friend Kahlan for calling her a whore when Alicia has no room to talk on the subject. She can apologize to WWH and other places she’s trashed when they have done nothing to her, and in fact, she won championships in WWH. If she wants to actually do that, and show some class, then maybe I can begin to respect her.
But she’ll never do that, so I probably just wasted a lot of my breath there. Because you know, Alicia needs to be cool. She needs to be respected. She’s got to be on the cool kids team. Because without that kind of backing, she has none. But she’ll gladly pile on, gotta get those likes and retweets and expose everybody. But, you know, if you do it to her, apparently you are the bad person. It’s the hypocrisy that just oozes from her.
The double standards are completely okay though. Nothing to see here, folks.
That’s why this time, beating her is so important. That’s why she has to lose. It’s why I have to win. Because maybe, maybe once that happens, Alicia will in fact learn and become a better person. Maybe she’d see that being like she is, only gets her so far.
It’s not being mean, it’s telling the truth.
And the truth hurts.
And it’s only going to hurt more when I take the Bombshell’s championship from her.
Because I have to.
Good Luck to you, Alicia.
{We are now back at Roxi and Keira’s home, where Roxi rests peacefully in bed, covered from her neck down. Nate and Keira are by her side, as Nate looks worried about his mother.}
Nate – Is Mommy sleeping?
Keira – She’s tired. Just like Mama was tired. But she’ll be better soon.
Nate – Will she get better if I kiss her?
Keira – I think so.
{Nate walks over and kisses Roxi and sure enough, Roxi slowly starts to stir, and opens her eyes.}
Roxi – Baby…
Nate – I did it! Mommy is better!
Roxi – I am. Thank you.
Keira – Nate, can you go get the cup of water for Mommy?
Nate – Okay.
{Nate hurries off as Roxi sits up.}
Keira – You should change.
Roxi – Yeah.
{Roxi slowly stands up and changes into some lounge pants and a tank top , and sitting down on the bed. Nate ends up back in the room with the cup.}
Nate – This is for you Mommy.
Roxi – Thank you baby.
{Roxi takes a sip of the water. Keira picks up Nate and holds him.}
Keira – Come on monster, it’s time for bed.
Nate – Okay.
{Keira takes Nate out of the room as Roxi continues to drink the water, slowly standing up and finally, letting out a sigh. Roxi leans against her dresser as Keira walks in after a while hugging Roxi from behind.}
Keira – I thought I lost you.
Roxi – I did too.
Keira – What happened?
Roxi – All that matters, is that thanks to you, and to Nate, Fate is gone.
Keira – Me? Nate? What did we do?
Roxi – The same thing you always do. You gave me the strength to keep going. Y
