"I can do many things but I can't protect you from yourselves. You have to believe in the good. You have to make sure you don't surrender your freedoms for security. You can't only hope for a better tomorrow, you have to work for it. I'll be there to help, but that better world is up to you.
- Superman [Man and Superman 100-Page Super Spectacular Vol 1 1]
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Hello SCW,
It has been a while, and I come to you still highly upset at myself and many other things for my performance against Kate Steele. It’s going to bother me for a long, long time because I should be the Internet champion right now, but I didn’t win. I make no excuses, but again, someone as ridiculous as Kate Steele has beaten me twice. And it’s killing me. Because I know I am better than Kate Steele in the ring, and it just annoys me. I know, I usually don’t let this kind of thing get to me, but it’s frustrating. I know that I should let this go, but it’s just… eating at me. Somewhere down the road, I’m going to get another match with Kate Steele, and I’m going to beat her.
But obviously, it’s here now that I have OTHER problems to deal with. One that is a long time in the making.
For going on 5 years, there was always, little rumblings and some somewhat friendly banter between Amber Ryan and myself. There were vague threats, some challenges for something that for one reason, or another, never materialized. And then, after a while, Amber disappeared. She wasn’t around and I thought that maybe, just maybe, she had walked away and she was content. But, given the recent events, that is obviously not the case. I have never really had an issue with Amber besides every once in a while calling her my “Evil twin” in a joking manner. Maybe that really made her mad, but she never displayed that outwardly. But, I have to remind myself that Amber doesn’t do a lot outwardly. There’s always a motive, always a plan.
So what is the plan now? It’s clear to me that she wants to get under my skin. From the note, and the chair, she wants me to live rent free in my head. This is all a game, and Amber just wants to be in control. She came here to fight me. But nothing is ever that simple with Amber. I know the game, and… I have to play it. It’s the only way that this is going to end. When, and where… I don’t know. But I just encourage people to not be deceived by Amber Ryan. Sooner or later… she will show her true colors.
But… as least for the time being, that is on hold. As we both have different matches on our agenda for Into the Void.
I have had some time to think and get things out of my system for the most part, and now, I have to focus on Jessie Salco, Tallyn, Seleana Zdunich, Mercedes Vargas and Crystal. All of us competing to become “Queen for a Day.” Getting to book ourselves and others in a matches on an edition of Climax Control.
While this would lead everyone to believe that the choice in the matter is obvious, I for one am not entirely thinking that yes, if I win that I’m going to wrestle Andrea Hernandez or Evie Jordan for the Bombshell’s championship. It’s safe, it’s obvious, it’s predictable. And for a long time, I was the predictable person who could you could count on for something like that. But now it’s almost too on the nose. Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn’t. I think I’ll take a page out of Amber’s book and say that that is what I want to go with. Maybe I could just end all the suspense and book myself against Amber Ryan. Maybe I’d book Amber Ryan in an “Amber Ryan can’t touch the ladder” ladder match and see how she does. I could book Bobbie Dahl to referee every match and make it a stipulation is she complains that she’s fired. I mean, those are some petty choices, but there’s a lot that could happen. The possibilities are endless. And I like to think of myself as a pretty creative person. And I think that there’s plenty I can come up to entertain not only myself, but the whole roster.
But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I have a lot, and I mean, a lot of work ahead of me. It’s not these women are all pushovers and I don’t consider this like a foregone conclusion or anything close to it. No, I need to get this win for a number of reasons, and having a letdown right now would be awful.
So, let’s get down to business.
{The scene opens with Roxi casually walking up to Amy Jo Smyth’s home once again. A giant duffle bag is draped over her shoulder as she approaches the door, and knocks. After a few moments, there is no AJ. Roxi calmly knocks again, and again, there is no response. Roxi again knocks, this time louder and with more force. But again, there is no answer from AJ. Now worried, Roxi goes into her purse and pulls out her keys. She searches through them and finds the spare key AJ had given her, and used it unlock the door.}
Roxi – AJ?
{There is no response, and no noise coming from inside the house. Normally, this home would be bustling with science experiments and the like, but it is deathly quiet. Roxi slowly enters and looks around}
Roxi – Hello? Anyone home? I don’t mean to burst in like this but… you’re always here… AJ?
{Roxi’s words continue to fall on deaf ears as there is no answer or noise. Roxi checks the first floor and then upstairs, growing more and more concerned as each moment passes. She finally heads back downstairs with no sign of AJ, until she finally opens the door to the basement. There is the normal churning and bubbling of some kind of experiment, but no AJ in sight. Roxi slowly heads down the stairs, and then Roxi finally spots AJ, or at least a head of hair in a chair. She shakes her head and slowly approaches, touching AJ’s shoulder, who turns around, startled by Roxi. She jumps back and screams for a second, breathing heavily and now an annoyed look on her face.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Jesus Christ! You nearly gave me a heart attack! What the fuck is wrong with you?!
Roxi – You didn’t answer me.
Amy Jo Smyth – What?!
Roxi – I… You didn’t answer me.
Amy Jo Smyth – WHAT?
{AJ finally stops and holds up a finger, before pulling ear buds out of her ears. She looks down at them and nods to herself.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Well… they work.
Roxi – New invention, I presume?
Amy Jo Smyth – Soundproof ear buds. You won’t hear a damn thing besides the music with these babies. Now… would you care to tell me why you burst into my house? I could have you arrested for trespassing! And breaking and entering! I better still have a front door!
{Roxi can only roll her eyes.}
Roxi – You gave me a key.
Amy Jo Smyth – I did?
Roxi – Yes. You did.
{AJ shrugs.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Oh… okay then. Still, what’s going on?
Roxi – I need to talk to you about this Warren Williams things I asked you about before.
Amy Jo Smyth – Oh yeah.
{AJ then causally looks at the duffel bag on Roxi’s shoulder.}
Amy Jo Smyth – And apparently you need to hide a body.
Roxi – No. This is just an arm.
Amy Jo Smyth – Whoa… whoa… wait what? I was only kidding. Did you really just fucking mutilate somebody?!
Roxi – No! It’s not even human… entirely.
Amy Jo Smyth – You know, this shit is getting weird right now. I’m not a coroner, I’m a scientist.
Roxi – Look, I’ll explain in a minute. I need the stuff on Warren first.
Amy Jo Smyth – Uh…huh…
Roxi – Look, It’s a metal arm. I need to figure out what metal it is. You have stuff to do that, right?
Amy Jo Smyth – Oh, yeah. Shit, why didn’t you say so?!
Roxi – Because… you know what, never mind. Please. Focus. Warren.
Amy Jo Smyth – Alright, alright, get off my back.
{AJ wanders over to her desk and shuffles through papers and until finding what she was looking for. She takes a stack of 5 pieces of paper and presents them.}
Amy Jo Smyth – There ya go.
Roxi – Does it… say anything?
Amy Jo Smyth – It’s his bio. Anything you wanted to know?
Roxi – How he came into money.
Amy Jo Smyth – Real Estate. Apparently the guy gets a lot of coffee.
Roxi – Coffee?
Amy Jo Smyth – Because it’s for closers.
{Roxi again rolls her eyes and shakes her head.}
Roxi – I get the reference, but… it that it?
Amy Jo Smyth – Pretty much, yeah.
Roxi – Really?
Amy Jo Smyth – Yeah. He doesn’t have a criminal record or anything. He made money in real estate. Millions of dollars. He’s got money to burn. Wait…
Roxi – What?
Amy Jo Smyth – Are you… like… looking for a sugar daddy or something?
Roxi – WHAT?! No!
Amy Jo Smyth – I gotta ask these questions. Science.
Roxi – That was rude. Look, can we move onto the arm.
Amy Jo Smyth – Alright, strap on the googles!
{AJ marches towards her cabinet, pulls out her lab coat and goggles, tossing Roxi each item as well.}
Amy Jo Smyth – Pull the sucker out.
{Roxi places the duffel bag on the table, unzipping it and pulling out the metallic arm. She lays it on the table.}
Roxi – There you go.
Amy Jo Smyth – Where’d you get this?
Roxi – Found it in a bank.
Amy Jo Smyth – Well… did it hulk smash its way in?
Roxi – No. Like the other robbery a few weeks ago. No sign of forced entry. All the deposit boxes and the vault were cleaned out, aside from things probably of sentimental value.
Amy Jo Smyth – Interesting. I can tell you just by eyeballing it that this metal is heavy. It just looks dense. Just… let’s get to work.
{AJ clips off several pieces of the metal, and places them in a petri-dish. She looks at them under a microscope for a few moments, and then scans them to see a computer read out. She looks at the readout, and then back to her microscope.}
Roxi – Well, what kind of metal is it?
Amy Jo Smyth – It’s not. It’s two different metals. Titanium and Tungsten.
Roxi – Weird…
Amy Jo Smyth – I don’t know what this was for, or why it was in a bank, but whatever this was attached to, could have smashed a vault door to pieces without effort.
Roxi – Interesting. Nothing was touched.
Amy Jo Smyth – You got some weird shit going on. But, uh… you want me to make you and the wife some of those headphones?
Roxi – I have a child, AJ. I need to be able to hear him.
Amy Jo Smyth – But if you’re doing other stuff…
{Roxi just shakes her head and chuckles slightly.}
Roxi – You know what… fine. If it’ll make you feel better. Please don’t use those at random times anymore. You scared me to death. I thought you blew yourself up.
Amy Jo Smyth – Oh… trust me, when I blow something up… the explosion will be massive.
Roxi – That’s what scares me. Thanks for the help AJ.
Amy Jo Smyth – Can I… keep the arm?
Roxi – No. It’s evidence we’re collecting for a mounting case.
Amy Jo Smyth – Oooh. Nice. Anyway, I’m sure you got more to do. I’ve got a lot more sciencing to do.
Roxi – Please be careful.
Amy Jo Smyth – Always am.
{Roxi and AJ share a glance, and then a hug, before Roxi departs and the scene fades.}
Mercedes Vargas
You know, I’ve known Mercedes for a long time. I’ve known of her for almost a decade. And in that time, she has amassed championships, bragging rights and forged her own path. And for someone like Mercedes, it’s impressive. And I simply only have to ask one question, because I’ve known Mercedes a long time, some people have known her even longer, so, my question, because I’m struggling to answer it myself, is simply this:
Who IS Mercedes Vargas?
Seriously, I’ve known her this long, and I don’t really know anything about her as a person. I’ve faced her countless times and I still know very, very little about Mercedes. Her Twitter bio reads Actress/TV Host and Model. I have never seen or heard of Mercedes hosting anything, or it being promoted anywhere and I haven’t seen any movie she’s ever been in. I mean, I’ve seen more movies with Crystal Hilton then I have with Mercedes Vargas. I mean, is she just making this whole thing up? Is it one of those “I’m big in Japan” deals where like in Argentina, she’s a like a national celebrity? Because you really never see… ANYTHING related to that from her, anywhere. Ever. All I ever see are American sports scores 10 minutes too late, and a bunch of well, “Stats.” And I use air quotes when saying that word because Mercedes stats are figures usually that require an asterisk by them. Like, if you were to ask her, she’s beaten me 4 times. 4 times beating me is truly something to marvel at, if it wasn’t for the pesky thing called reality.
The reality is that Mercedes 4 “victories” over me, are all in tag matches, where she did not pin me. She did not make me submit. In fact, Mercedes Vargas has NEVER actually beaten me, she just happened to be on the winning team. It’s kind of like a person who plays on a sports team, but only comes in when the game is more or less over. And then brags about they “kicked the other teams butt” Yes, we’re already up 56-7, but man in that last 3:50 of the game *I* totally went off and destroyed them. The reality of the situation there is, you’re in for cleanup. Garbage time. Padding stats. And Mercedes Vargas has parlayed that into her career.
When facing Mercedes, I feeling like I’m facing myself. Everything that comes out of her mouth, is something about my whole shtick. She uses more superhero references than I do. It’s the same thing no matter who she faces. Hey, you make movies, Crystal Hilton? I’ll talk about movies. You like Punk music Amy Marshall, I’ll talk about punk music. Mercedes Vargas is nothing more than Mokujin from Tekken.
For those that don’t know Mokujin is a character in the Tekken franchise of fighting games. And Mokujin is a character that doesn’t have a distinct fighting style. He randomly is selected to fight like one of the other characters. Mokujin has no fighting style. Mokujin translated from Japanese means “Wooden Person” That’s Mercedes Vargas in a nutshell. She brings absolutely nothing personality wise to the table except if it’s yours. Mercedes does not stand out in any way, except for the fact that she has won numerous championships. Despite everything, she is somehow one of the winningest people in SCW history. I guess that what happened when you find your comfort zone and you are patient, and bide your time.
Because let’s just call a spade a spade, Mercedes Vargas was probably the most random SCW Bombshell’s champion in history, outside of Polly Playtime, probably. Who would have ever expected that viewing SCW in 2013-2015 that Mercedes, who made her living with the Roulette championship, would become the SCW Bombshell’s champion? Yet, she did that. And then, reality set in and Mercedes, went right back the roulette division. She got her moment in the sun, and realized it was too hot, and faded right back down to where she was comfortable. So now, Mercedes has basically this shield for telling all of us that she’s won the most championships, and the most matches, and yada yada yada, she’s the best thing since sliced bread and has the nerve to criticize people for resting of their laurels or not stepping up their game, because she did it that one time and it worked out for her. It’s total nonsense and you know what? I think it’s time I finally, finally put Mercedes in the spot she’s most accustomed to…
Watching better wrestlers do things that she can only emulate.
{The next scene opens inside Roxi and Keira’s home. Roxi is on her laptop, browsing the internet for something. She sighs and makes a few clicks and smiles to herself.}
Roxi – Good.
{The door to the room opens and Roxi quickly minimizes the page, looking at Keria who has entered the door.}
Keira – Are you okay?
Roxi – Yeah, fine. Why?
Keira – What were you looking for?
Roxi – Some more information on Warren Williams. Something is off about that guy.
Keira – Did you find anything?
Roxi – Nothing I didn’t already know. It’s like everything is just too good to be true.
Keira – Yeah, I know. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s all kinds of fishy.
Roxi – But… unfortunately, there’s nothing. Nothing illegal, or unlawful. The guy is as clean as a sheet.
Keira – Yeah. Also, speaking of fish…
Roxi – I will make you dinner, in a little bit. Can I finish what I’m doing here first?
Keira – But you just said you didn’t find anything.
Roxi – Well, I’m not done looking.
Keira – Well, I can help.
Roxi – We also need to find out about that logo.
Keira – Why is there just so much going on? Why can’t we ever have a normal week, or day for that matter?
Roxi – It’s what we do Keira.
Keira – I know but, there’s just all this craziness and I’m just… I’m tired. I just want to be able to focus on one thing at a time.
Roxi – That’s just not a luxury we have. But, sooner or later, we’ll get back to… at least somewhat normal.
Keira – I don’t know, with this virus and everything, I just think that maybe this is a turning point. That maybe we’re not going to ever be normal again.
Roxi – This… will change us, no doubt. But the best we can do, is to take it seriously, and then do our best to return to normal living. Or… as normal as we can make it.
Keira – The only thing I’m really glad about is that Nate has been shielded from this. He’s just in his own little world and not seeing the ugliness out there.
Roxi – It’s a bit of a blessing in disguise to be so young and innocent.
Keira – Anyway, I’ll let you get back to it.
{Keira sighs and turns to leave.}
Roxi – Hey…
Keira – Yeah?
Roxi – I love you.
Keira – I love you too.
{Keira finally leaves, closing the door and walking down the hallway. Roxi pulls up what she had up before, and breathes a sigh of relief.}
Roxi – Close one.
{Roxi finishes what she’s doing and stands up, and heads out of the room into the kitchen to start making dinner for the family. Keira is seated, watching things on her phone, as Nate plays with his new legos, while Elizabeth watches him, and sits on the group helping him build things.}
Elizabeth – You are so smart, Nate.
Nate – Uh-huh. These are legos.
Elizabeth – Yes, they are. What do you do with legos?
Nate – Uh… you…build things.
Elizabeth – That’s right. So, what are we building?
Nate – Maybe, a house?
Elizabeth – Okay, let’s build a house. Gramma will be right back and we’ll build a house.
Nate – Okay?
{Elizabeth soon joins Roxi in the kitchen}
Elizabeth – Need any help?
Roxi – No Mom, I got it. It’s just fish.
Elizabeth – I know, but just trying to help.
Roxi – You’re a guest here. You don’t have to help with anything.
Elizabeth – Besides your son.
Roxi – ...
Elizabeth – Relax.
Roxi – I know he’s a lot to handle.
Elizabeth – Have… have you tested him for anything?
Roxi – The doctor says he’s normal. Why?
Elizabeth – No, not that. I mean for like anything for his intelligence.
Roxi – No.
Elizabeth – He’s way too smart for his age.
Roxi – He is a growing boy.
Elizabeth – He uses words and he puts them in context. He knows way more than he should for a 3 year old.
Roxi – I mean… I think it’s just because we never talked to him like he was baby.
Keira – Yeah. We’ve always treated him like a person.
Elizabeth – Still. He’s way too smart.
Keira – And way too cute! Nate, do the face!
{Nate looks up and smiles a cheesy grin, putting his hands under his chin to boot.}
Roxi – Knowledge can be dangerous in Kiera’s hands.
Keira – Oh hush.
Elizabeth – I’m surprised he can’t read yet.
Roxi – I don’t think we’ve tried. He knows at least 3 letters and I think he can count to 5.
Elizabeth – He’s the smartest kid I’ve ever seen.
Roxi – I’ll take that as a compliment.
Keira – I don’t think this is a compliment.
{Keira stands up and shows Roxi her phone. Is it a tweet from the Hamilton twitter account, announcing that the Hamilton group had donated 1 million dollars towards COVID-19 research.}
Keira – I don’t like it.
Roxi – I mean… I think you might be reaching just a little bit.
Keira – You mean to tell me you think it’s a coincidence that banks get robbed and then they donate all this money?
Roxi – Why steal all the money just to give it back though? Why not just keep it? All of it.
Keira – You will never convince me otherwise. This whole thing is connected.
Roxi – I don’t know. We would need more evidence. Is it fishy? Yes.
Keira – Yeah… fishy…
Roxi – Look, you just focus on what you’re working on. I’ll see if I can find anything.
Elizabeth – Late night tonight?
Roxi – It usually is.
{Roxi goes back to making dinner, thinking about things as the scene fades.}
I have to tip my hat to Seleana.
Despite everything, Seleana continues to smile and push forward. She continues to let all the negativity bounce off of her like she was made of rubber. I look at her and I see someone who is proud to have accomplished all she has, and despite what people have said about her, and how they continue to doubt her, she continues with a smile and a sense of accomplishment. That right there is amazing. A former Bombshell’s champion that, apparently nobody wanted, not even her own wife, stands up tall and proud, confident in herself and her career.
And on top of that, it seems that Seleana, after all the attempts that everyone else has made, despite every other person who said the exact same thing to Crystal, Seleana appears to finally gotten through to her. I’m going to be honest, I never thought it would be done, but maybe, just maybe, Seleana did it. So, even more praise should be heaped upon Mrs. Zdunich for all the effort she had made and all the work she has put into that relationship. A lesser woman, or man, would have given up, but she did not.
In many ways, I envy Seleana’s patience. I admire her courage and her abilities. There has never been a match, or a challenge that Seleana didn’t meet with a brave face and a can-do attitude. She is and was ready for anything. Not to sound cocky, but it reminds me… of me. Back in the day. It’s what I always preached. And it’s pretty cool that even if inadvertently, I have inspired people to face down the challenges that stand in front of them. To meet the hate and the negativity with a smile, and to keep going when people tell you that you can’t do something.
Every time I have wrestled against Seleana, it has been a pleasure, and a challenge. She has come a long way and I feel like she has grown by leaps and bounds as a wrestler, and maybe living and teaming with Crystal has something to do with that. But the good part is that she has yet to display any of Crystal’s terrible habits. She remains her own woman, and that makes me more proud of her than anything else. People continue to run her down and really, it’s completely unfair.
Who Seleana is married to was always going to be something that hung over her, and I know my wife has to deal with the same thing. And I know that what I’d much rather have is for Keira to step out on her own, and stand alone. And I feel like Sel has gotten a leg up in that department. She won the Bombshell’s championship and it should be something that we celebrate. But, her own wife had to get in the way. But you know what? Seleana was more than capable of winning the title on her own. She’s proved she CAN do anything she sets her mind to and that, in this match, makes her dangerous.
The real question at this point, is… how dangerous.
Because it seems to me, and maybe I’m just looking into this too much, that Seleana has lost some of that fire she had, just a little over 6 months ago. While she has been a go-getter, and that’s awesome, the fire in Seleana back before she won the championship was amazing. She told off Alicia Lukas, she told off her wife, she told off everyone who was doubting her, and I still feel like if Crystal didn’t taint the whole thing, we’d all be looking at Seleana as one of the better young champions in SCW history. But now it’s just like… that Seleana went missing. I never want to accuse someone of becoming happy with a lack of success, but it just… feels that way with Sel, and that’s a shame. I want that old Sel right before she won the championship. The one determined to prove the haters wrong. To silence the doubters, and this time, not only not have to worry about her wife messing it up, but beating her to do it.
At least then, I will get even more enjoyment from wrestling Seleana that I do normally. It will be exciting as it always is, but I will just say to Sel that, in the old Sel doesn’t make an appearance, it won’t be a great night success wise for her. I always enjoy competing against her, and this time will be no different.
{We open on the Hamilton building, Roxi is on the roof of the building, looking for an entrance. She pulls on the roof door, but it doesn’t open.}
Roxi – At least they noticed.
{Roxi kneels and pulls a lock pick out of her belt. After a few moments, she successfully picks the lock, and the door opens. She smiles to herself and puts the lock pick back in her belt and quietly moves down the stairs. It looks like the building is mostly empty, save for a few patrolling guards that aren’t too thrilled to be doing it. Roxi moves past them, and makes her way to the door of the CEO’s office. Roxi takes a few steps back, hearing movement and then talking in the room. It’s muffled, but the voice level indicates an argument to Roxi. She leans in trying to hear, until she hears footstep coming towards the door. She creep away from the door, and then Heather is seen coming out of the door, almost confused about something. She looks lost, like she had no idea why she was standing in the hallway. Roxi watches from a safe distance, as Heather continues in the opposite direction, and then out of sight. Roxi walks back down the hallway, and pushes the door open, to find Warren look at his laptop and then up at Roxi as she walks in.}
Roxi – Looks like you’re cleaning up your act.
{Warren smirks and although he does, he is clearly agitated about Roxi’s presence.}
Warren – Well, Lady Bedlam, to what do I owe the intrusion and possible breaking and entering?
Roxi – You have a lot of questions to answer.
Warren – I could say the same about you.
Roxi – I’m not the one with the shady dealings.
Warren – Oh? Know something I don’t.
Roxi – No, and that’s the problem.
Warren – I see. Well, if you want to take a seat, we can discuss this.
{Roxi walks into the office and despite the fact she didn’t need to, or want to, she sat down in front of the desk in the chair provided. She felt confused as well as she did so.}
Roxi – You seem to have come out of nowhere to become a success.
Warren – Oh no, I’ve been working long and hard to get where I am today.
Roxi – I read up. Real Estate.
Warren – I was very good at my job.
Roxi – And yet, here you are, buying out Hamilton.
Warren – I like new challenges.
Roxi – And then you donate a million dollars to research?
Warren – Yes. Is there something wrong with that?
Roxi – No, in fact, it’s almost too good.
Warren – I’m not following.
Roxi – There’s no way Heather would just sell this company to you. You know it, I know it. So how did you do it?
{Warren sighed, removing his glasses and using a handkerchief to wipe them down.}
Warren – Didn’t we already have this conversation? Hamilton’s image was in the toilet. Partly in thanks to you. Heather was obsessed with taking you and your partner down. And it cost her, and this city, a fortune. Now, we have to rebuild that image. Is that so hard to comprehend.
Roxi – No, It isn’t. But if it cost the company money, why donate more when you don’t have it?
Warren – Let’s understand that Hamilton is broke, I am not. As you well know.
Roxi – So you just donated money out of the kindness of your heart.
Warren – You know, I don’t like your tone. You are your partner has been here numerous times now, and you know we’re trying to change. And now you’re basically harassing me. I’m trying to make things better.
Roxi – Because there’s too much that doesn’t smell right, Warren. You buying this company out of nowhere, the bank robberies, and not one, but two robotic arms found at the scene.
Warren – And you think we did that?
Roxi – If it looks like a duck… as they say.
Warren – You know we don’t have one robot, let alone two, to commit bank robberies. You can’t honestly think it was Hamilton.
Roxi – I do.
Warren – Really?
Roxi – Yes. Nothing about this adds up. And if you’re up to something, we will find out.
Warren – We’re clean. You have no proof of us doing anything wrong.
Roxi – Something, somewhere is wrong.
Warren – And really, you have zero, you can admit that, it’s okay.
{Roxi wanted to say something else, but she seemed to fumble with thinking for a brief moment.}
Roxi – We have… zero, yes.
{Roxi finally understood exactly what was happening. She clenched her fists in the chair, tensing her body.}
Warren – Is something wrong?
Roxi – Yes…. How are you doing this?
Warren – Doing what?
Roxi – You’re… making me do things.
Warren – That’s just silly. I haven’t done anything.
Roxi – It… all makes sense now. You’re controlling Heather!
{Warren simply smirked and stood up.}
Warren – That’s quite a charge. I’m not sure how I’m doing this. You don’t see Heather anywhere, do you?
Roxi – No…
Warren – Then… how am I doing anything?
Roxi – Some kind of mind control.
Warren – Oh? Wow. Okay, sure. Stand up.
{Roxi didn’t budge. She still had control of her body, now she was beginning to second guess herself. Warren shrugged, waiting for Roxi to stand.}
Warren – Well… I don’t think mind control is the answer.
Roxi – You’re doing something. You have something over Heather, mind control or something.
Warren – All I did was make an offer. Heather accepted.
Roxi – It’s never that simple. Heather wouldn’t sell. And you did, whatever you did… wait…
{Roxi stood up and knew pointed at Warren.}
Roxi – An offer… No… you didn’t make an offer. You made a suggestion.
{Roxi was running a risk, but she had to test the theory. She made a move towards Warren, who backed up.}
Warren – Maybe you should stop.
{And like that, Roxi stopped in her tracks.}
Warren – You know… it’s hot in here. It has to be in that costume too. Why don’t you give yourself some air, maybe take off that mask?
{Roxi tried desperately to stop herself, as her hand reached up to attempt to peel off the mask. However, the sound of glass shattering broke up the moment. Warren rushed to the window to see that a mob had formed and were committing vandalism in protest of the recent events. Roxi managed to stop herself and she was furious but she too had to run for the window.}
Warren – Well? What are you going to do about this?
Roxi – Nothing.
Warren – What?! What do you mean nothing?!
Roxi – It’s not my problem if they tear this whole place down.
{Warren growled under his breath.}
Warren – You’re lucky. Why don’t you go down there and be a superhero?
Roxi – … Damn it.
{Roxi opened the doors to the highrise balcony, and flew off, if only for a few minutes. She had dodged a bullet and needed to think things over. But Warren technically was right, Roxi had to do something to stop the protests.}
Tallyn.
I’m not sure exactly what to make of Tallyn, other than, she appears to be a woman who is stuck in her teenage attitude despite being out of her teens. I mean, I get it, I wish I was 20 again, I totally wouldn’t make the same choices I made back then, but to be someone who believed they knew everything. I remember that. I remember being carefree and having the world in my palm. I do wish for those days every now and again. And to have the wisdom I have now. Man, that would be a great thing right now, and I would love to have it. But the reality is, I’m not 20 anymore, but I’ve lived, and I’ve learned. I learned that me back then didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t know what I was doing, and I didn’t see the big picture, because I was looking through a small screen.
When you finish high school, and you’re off into the real world, it hits you like a ton of bricks. Because nobody ever alerts you to this stuff. Just… one day, you’re an adult, and bam, you’re paying taxes, and groceries and it’s like what the heck happened? There is no test for this. No exam you can study for. Iit just creeps up on you and suddenly, you’re head first, in the deep end of the pool, and it’s sink or swim. And when you look at some people, you kind of wonder how they kept their head above water. So yeah, I’d really like to be 25 again and be at the point where I was actually grasping life a little bit. I was starting to figure it out. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do, but I think at this point, I have a handle on it. Well, more of a handle than I did then. I would like to be that young again, but I’m not, and I’m not going to. But there’s a lot of parallels I think Tallyn made be able to take from this.
I would hope by now that she understands that nothing in this business is going to come easy like everyone thinks it will at one point or another. Those who are not truly in it for the love of it, but those that want to get rich or get famous or both. It never comes easy. But those who are young are sometime taught that way. I hope Tallyn isn’t one of them, but then again, she is at the age where you think you have all the answers and then reality kicks in and you realize you don’t know everything and there’s so much more you have to learn and there just isn’t enough time to do it. It’s hard work and sacrifice that result in progress in wrestling and in life. You have to stop doing the things you like so much, and do the things that need to be done, that aren’t the most fun things to do in the world.
This is the lesson that Tallyn is facing at Into the Void.
Everything I’ve just described is exactly what she’s about to realize. This match is coming at you fast, and you have to be ready for it. Tallyn is jumping head-first into the deep end and trying to compete despite not having the experience. It’s about to be dog eat dog out there. This is real life. This is for the queen for a day privledge, and if you are not ready, then it’s going to pass you by and you don’t get a second chance or a make-up assignment. No, it’s here and now. And you have to be willing to sacrifice to get ahead. Once again, there is no test, if you want to be at the top, you have to compete with the best. There’s no coddling here, you’re in the water, and there’s sharks all around. It’s fight or flight! What is Tallyn going to do?!
It’s a moment, and it can be overwhelming.
I wish a lot of the time that I was young and looking at this through the eyes of youth. But then, as an adult, I realize the harsh truth about the whole thing. Something else that people never tell you about trying to accomplish something of significance. A lesson Tallyn is going to learn after I win at Into the Void. A simple, but necessary lesson:
There is no substitute for experience.
{Roxi did indeed rush down as angry protesters were trying to get into any building they could. Trying to attack police and cause as much of a problem as they could. Roxi stopped a few hundred yards away and tried to figure out if she still had control. She flexed her arms and fingers, looking back up at where Warren’s office was. Now she knew what she needed to know, but she had bigger issue. There was yelling and screaming as the police were in full riot gear. Roxi knew what she had to do, but there was one person she needed to speak to. She flew headed to police headquarters, and opened the door. She marched in, and walked into Chief Brian Dugan’s office.}
Chief Dugan – What now?
Roxi – Chief, we need to stop this before it gets out of hand.
Chief Dugan – Look, we’re doing everything we can.
Roxi – It won’t be enough. We don’t need a Minneapolis or anywhere in recent days. We need a solution and I need your help.
Chief Dugan – My help? I’ve got my men out there putting their lives on the line!
Roxi – I know, but after what’s happened? This city needs your presence.
Chief Dugan – What are you talking about?
Roxi – Look, I can go down there, and out there, and try and keep the peace. But even I know that the people don’t want to see a superhero seemingly siding with the police. They need the police, to side with them. They need to see leadership, and that is where you come in.
Chief Dugan – What do you want me to do?
Roxi – Talk to them. Let them know that the police are on your side. That’s what you need to do.
Chief Dugan – You think they’re going to buy that?
Roxi – You’ve got a chance to make a big impression, and possibly save lives. I’ll be there to back you up, but even the heroes can’t do this alone. We need to ensure that this ends in peace, and not bloodshed.
Chief Dugan – …
Roxi – It’s that simple, Chief. I know you’re a good man. You’ve got people here that are good people. Don’t turn them into the bad guys.
{The Chief stood up, and attached his belt holster to himself. He then grabbed his police cap, and exited, headed for his car. Roxi followed and soon enough they arrived on the scene. Roxi and Dugan moved to the front, in front of the line of police.}
Chief Dugan – Stand down, officers.
{They riot geared cops were stunned, but they did as instructed, and stood back. Roxi took the megaphone from one of the cops and waved her arm.}
Roxi – Everyone! Everyone please! Please, just for a moment, please, let me speak!
{The protesters did in fact quiet down after a moment or two.}
Roxi – Listen, I know the events of the past week have been horrendous. And I trust that these officers are trying to keep the peace, but let me be clear that you absolutely have the right to be angry, and a right to be here right now.
{There are murmurs and some agreement.}
Roxi – But I know that no one here, not the police, not any of you, want this to end violently. We need to be better. So… I just want you all to let this officer speak, and hear what he has to say.
{There is a passing of the megaphone as Dugan cleared his throat.}
Chief Dugan – Ladies and gentlemen, I am your chief of police, Brian Dugan. I’ve been an officer for 29 years. I am proud to be your chief, and I am here to help better serve and protect the people here. I, as an officer, do not agree with the tactics used and the resulting death of a young man who didn’t deserve to die. I don’t want any of you to die, and I don’t want any of my officers to die, especially here, and especially tonight. What I want, is to hear from you. I am opening my office to all of you. I want to hear your stories, and I want to hear your ideas. A town hall, if you will. An open forum for all of you to help this tragic accident pass.
{There are more murmurs and applause.}
Chief Dugan – Tonight, protest. I understand your anger and your distrust. But these officers are good people, and we need to be organized, and be better than what’s happening around this country. Protest, but we only ask that you don’t start looting and the rioting. No one, needs this bloodshed tonight. And on Monday… all of your voices will be heard. And that will be more powerful, than any riot.
{Dugan slowly lowers the megaphone and sighs. One protester walks from the front of the crowd, and marches forward. In an act of civility, he shakes Dugan’s hand.}
Chief Dugan – Officers, give them people some room.
{There is a mutual understand between the protester and police. Roxi nodded, and sighed. At least for now, one crisis was adverted.}
Despite what she attempted to do to my child, and how angry that made me, and how much I will absolutely hold a grudge when it comes to my child, as a wrestler, I respect Jessie Salco.
Because as long as she’s been here, she’s never backed down from a fight. She’s started a few fights. Jessie Salco fears no woman, and in a strange way, I admire that. I guess from a competitor standpoint. There’s no one that Jessie Salco is afraid to fight. But in the immortal words of Bane from the Dark Knight, it is admirable, but mistaken.
Now, I’m not going to sit here and say that Jessie is punching above her weight here, because she’s won championships and that’s nothing to sneeze at. But am I particularly sweating Jessie? Not at all. While Jessie has been able to pop back up from any and all times she has been knocked down, the fact remains she gets knocked down a lot. People may even wonder why she’s in the match at all. I know that the others in the match are snickering and shaking their heads thinking they don’t have to worry at all about her. And that’s a mistake. And I’m not going to make that mistake. Instead, I’m focusing on what Jessie is good at, and that’s fighting, and using weapons. Jessie, as a former Roulette champion. 3 times in fact. It does take a certain type of person to want to hold onto that championship, not knowing exactly what’s coming to try and take you down. The matches are all random and Jessie was able to not only win that championship, but excel and come back for more.
This may be a little different in the fact that we all know it’s a ladder match, but ladder matches are themselves unpredictable and dangerous. And that’s what the Roulette championship is all about. Being able to adapt to any situation, and Jessie is all about that. Now, none of Jessie’s reigns were particularly long. But to be able to walk into any arena and be placed in a random stipulation and make a title defense is tough. They all may say that Jessie has a knack for losing, but there is a lot of success sprinkled into her career. Heck, she’s basically a less successful Mercedes Vargas. Just merely by sticking it out and doing her best, she’s been able to achieve victory.
But the fact remains, as real as the sky is blue, that Jessie Salco has been more or less and “Also-ran” time and time again.
It has to be frustrating to give it your all and to come up short so very often. I mean, sure, we all experience it from time to time, but Jessie has it seemingly down to a science. And nothing is going to make me, or anyone else believe that she’s about to walk into Into the Void and just beat all of us and become queen. No, like always, she will be an also ran. It almost pains me to say that, because I don’t just want to sit here and just give her a ton of crap for her lack of success, but really, that’s telling most of the Jessie Salco story. I will give her all the credit in the world for her longevity and gumption, but that’s about as far as it’s going to go. I will always be drawn back to her standing in front of me and insulting my son and threatening him. If Nate was not in my arms, I wouldn’t have hesitated to put her in the hospital. I don’t play around when it comes to my child.
So, I’m preparing to look at Jessie the same way I did that night. Except this time, there won’t be a child in my arms. My son will be safe at home, and he will watch as I take Jessie Salco apart. While she may one of the least thought of competitiors, she will get equal attention from me when it comes to this match. I have not, and I will never forget how I felt that night, and I will channel that once again. Jessie Salco, whether anyone thought she was or not, is not about to stop me from becoming the Queen and getting some things I want done. Yeah, I get to be a little selfish when it comes to this match.
And Jessie is just another obstacle I am about to clear.
{Roxi finally returned home, to find Keira sitting on the couch. As soon as Roxi opened the door, Keira rushed her and hugged her, while also hitting her.}
Roxi – Whoa, whoa, calm down.
Keira – You crazy bitch! Do you know how worried you made me!? I saw the protests on my phone and on TV, and then I see you there! You could have been hurt!
Roxi – It’s what we do Keira. We keep the peace. I’m sorry I worried you. I am. But right now, we have bigger problems. That one, for now, is taken care of.
Keira – What else is going on?
Roxi – Warren’s bad news.
Keira – I knew that already.
Roxi – He… has control over people.
Keira – What? How?
Roxi – He makes people do things, whatever he suggests. I didn’t understand it, but he was using it the entire time.
Keira – Then I think it’s time to ram my fist down his throat so he won’t ever suggest anything again! I knew he had something planned!
Roxi – For now… we have to play it cool. He has powers, and maybe he’s got the company under duress. But… without anything else, we can’t just rush in and take him out. And… we’ll need to find more evidence. I assume that’s how he made his money. Using his powers to get better deals.
Keira – You know, that’s not a bad power to have.
{Roxi glares at Keira, who holds her hands up.}
Keira – Still have to punch him though, that’s a given.
Roxi – That’s not the point. We have to figure this out, and we have to do it before he turns this back on us.
Keira – What?
Roxi – If there wasn’t a protest tonight, he would have known my identity. I was this close to unmasking myself because he suggested it.
Keira – Dammit. We’ll have to take him by surprise then.
Roxi – Soon. But… for now, let’s get everything we need, to take him down.
Keira – Damn straight.
{Roxi and Keira head down to figure out what their next step is, as the scene fades out.}
I know the game that Crystal plays now.
It took me a while to finally get it through my head, but now, I fully get it. When I look back on it and I reflect, I wonder what the heck took me so long. Maybe I just didn’t want to hear what other people said. Maybe I was fooling myself into thinking that if I held out long enough, I’d get to really enjoy the fact that I was right in the end, and others who doubted her, and didn’t trust her, or believe a word she ever said, were all wrong. So, you know what, I have to admit it, Crystal is a better actress than I ever gave her credit for.
And I always thought I would never have to give up on anybody, no matter what happened. Whenever someone didn’t have anyone to believe, I would believe. I would never lose faith in someone that I got to know as well as I know Crystal. But the past couple of months, I have learned that I really didn’t know anything about Crystal Hilton. Zdunich. Whatever. And really, the reason is because Crystal’s story is multiple choice at this point. What the heck do I even believe? I’ve said before that Crystal’s done a lot of dumb things and I’ve always given her the benefit of the doubt. I always said that this time, it would be different.
And each time I say that, Crystal has used that to make that phrase one of the most meaningless sayings you could ever say about her. Because each time, it’s turned out to be a lie. And I don’t like lying. Not to myself, or anyone else. But here’s Crystal, my friend, openly sabotaging her career, tainting her wife’s career, and not seeing any of it until it’s pointed out to her, but then like a flash, it just goes away. In one ear and out the other. Right back to the same old thing. And the cycle repeats over and over and as her friend I am left hoping, at this point, against hope, that my friend will finally realize just how much damage she’s really doing. Only for that realization to simply be used to enhance her career.
I’m not going to make excuses for Crystal beating me and winning the Bombshell’s championship for the Fourth time. I should have been better, and I wasn’t. But you know what happened after Crystal lost it? The same thing that happened every other time she loses a championship or a big match. A large amount of reflection. And sorrow. And self-pity. And then a promise to change. Things are going to be different because Crystal has seen the error of her ways. And she’s sorry about the things she said and did.
This happens over. And over. And over. And over again. It has been the tale for the past what….8… 9 years?
Let’s just be honest, the only thing that Crystal is ever sorry about, is losing the championship. If she keeps it, everything is fine, and when she loses it, everything is wrong and a change needs to be made, until that change results in success, and then the success makes every action after that justified. Around and around we go. And you know what? I’ve gone around and around enough times to finally just say “No.” I don’t want to be on this ride anymore. I want to get off. So Crystal can thank me for “opening her eyes” for all the times I had to tell her what she was doing was wrong, but in reality, I need to thank her for finally showing me what the game is really about. I want to… I really want to actually believe this time will in fact be different, but at this point… I can’t.
I just can’t believe this anymore. I’m tired of being the fool used like a shield. If Crystal will sell her wife out, of course she’d do it to me. Without a seconds hesitation. Not think twice about it, and never remember it.
As an act is kindness, I’m going to treat Into the Void like an intervention for Crystal. We all know she would 100% give herself another bombshell’s championship match. So I’m going to do the hard part. I’m going to beat Crystal and win Queen for a day, and prevent her from doing so. If she’s really serious about turning the corner and making the changes she’s promised for years…
Then not winning this, will be for her own good.
