[SCW Staff]

Post all roleplays for this match here.

Limits: One roleplay per week, 10,000 words max.

Good luck!

[Mercedes Vargas]

L A S  V E G A S • N E V A D A

Mercedes breathes in the November chill air as our scene opens outside the confines of the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. She could hear holiday music playing from the sound system. No, she wasn't imagining it, but the song was unmistakable: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” blares at top volume, because nothing gets you into the holiday spirit then busting out jingle bells and carols earlier than expected.

It just as much that Mercedes wasn't in the holiday mood. Although she didn't have a match tonight, the go-home show to High Stakes still gave her pause. Here she was entering into the final PPV of 2020 and already she was behind the proverbial eight-ball, and she doubted it was going to get any better. Back-to-back setbacks against both members of Team Hero in recent weeks probably wasn't how she planned spending this month but those were the cards she's been dealt.

Little did she know, the cards were stacked against her once again. A Glitter Bomb match against Candy? What kind of sorcery is this? Clearly she was unprepared to compete in a match that came up with on the fly. Tonight was already looking bad as it is.

The last two weeks wasn’t the way how she drew it up, even after the outcome was clearly obvious. If anything, Mercedes wanted to send a message to both Candy and Roxi that she wasn't going away quietly. That message failed to deliver. Excuses will have to be the least of her worries as she has little preparation time against her next opponent.

She buttons her white overcoat and then contends with controlling her hair as the wind keeps sending it back in her face. Looking for something to vent her frustrations at, Mercedes gives a swift kick to the back wheel tire of an SUV. An alarm suddenly goes off and Mercedes runs the other way.

***Fade***

~~~

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

[REC•]

Mercedes Vargas eases the camera. Things hasn't been looking up for the SCW Hall of Famer this year and her dour expression shows.

"Hello, COVID has hit the Argentine Assassin pretty hard, so I had to get a second job."

The camera pans to a little girl holding up an ice cream cone.

"Excuse me, but I think you forget to add my sprinkles. Now hop to it, sparky."

Now the camera pans back to Mercedes just in the act of sprinkling an ice cream waffle cone with red hearts. She hands this back to the girl with a napkin, then looks up to the camera.

"Serving ice cream."

Mercedes pauses, amending her last statement.

"Serving ice cream to ungrateful brats."

Mercedes sighs, taking a moment to question her lot in life. She looks heavily depressed.

"This year has really sucked. That's unusual for someone like me. I'm a Hall of Famer. A Grand Slam Champion twice over. How bad does it look when Jessie Salco won a title before me? How bad is it that of all things she gets called vanilla? That's like someone making vanilla more vanilla. No one needs a more vanilla vanilla, it's already vanilla!"

Another kid walks up, points to a banana float.

"You want a banana float? Sure, coming right up."

Mercedes adds dates, vanilla and coconut water together into a metal mixing cup, then blends frozen bananas until soft. She pours the first mixture into a tall glass and scoop on the ice cream.

"Here's your banana float, sweetie. Now float like a balloon and get of my face."

The kid gets the hint and runs off, ice cream in tow. Mercedes turns back to the camera.

"High Stakes, this isn't my first rodeo. Candy makes her debut at this supercard but you would think that she has this match already won. She choose to face me in a Glitter Bomb match. I don't know what that is, but I'm guessing it has to do with using a glitter bomb on your opponent to win. I mean, what is that? That's not what I do, that's not who I am.

I'm a human being.

Not a number, not a plaything, not a puppet, not a gopher, not a cosplayer.

A human being.

A woman.

A Latina.

A wrestler.

A Bombshell.

A Bombshell who has had one of the worse years on record. 2020 has just been a cruel joke, and I'm the punchline."

As Mercedes talks, she begins making some ice cream.

"Take one scoop disappointment, a little bit of self loathing, add some hot sauce - for flavor - and then a heaping helping of rage and resentment all go in the blender."

Mercedes blends the mixture until it comes it into a creamy blend.

"And voila!"

"If I can get past Pandora, then I get past Candy. I've been in a lot of Roulette Rules matches when I was in the division, so this shouldn't be any different."

She raises her index finger as if to make a point, but settles for an admonishing wag of her finger at the camera.

"Candy, I want you to know that everything you thought you went through the past few weeks is about to be a thousand times worse. Still think this match is going end up in your favor?"

She visibly shakes her head side-to-side in a disapproving gesture.

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me! And if you hate me, well, I rather be hated for who I am than who I'm not. I am everything you're not and everything you wish you could be.

"Know what else I'll be after High Stakes? A winner, at your expense."

We fade out on the sight as Mercedes lifts a hand in a sort of finger-wiggling wave.

***Fade***

~~~

Blog: Almighty Fire
semana del 8 al 14 de noviembre de 2 0 2 0

Maybe I came into my match with Roxi Johnson a little unprepared. Maybe I came in and overestimated Roxi. Congratulations to her anyway, she got one over me. I'm sure she needed that win to boost her confidence because what's waiting for her at High Stakes is someone who's going to shut down whatever momentum she thinks she has. There's no doubt that Amber Ryan will be looking to settle the score with our little paragon of justice, and I'm willing to bet she gets the job done.

As for me, I've got better things to do. Did I need to explain what I did to Candy all those weeks ago? Short answer: No, but I bet it left all of you intrigued, didn't it?

What's there to explain? A ten-year old could figure out why I took out the idiot. Why did I take her out? Because I can. And you know what the best part of that was? I enjoyed every moment, every second. Of course, I was probably hated for it, and that didn't bother me one bit. Nope. 

So now what's next on my agenda. What happened to poor little Candy should have gave you all a hint. I hope Keira and Roxi will be watching, because just how I ended Pandora Barrett at Violent Conduct, I'm ooooonly getting started on my redemption tour, and guess who's about to be the next entry on my checklist?

History hasn't been kind to me when it comes to High Stakes the last five years. Now, granted I won in my first two appearances, but that's been a long time. In two weeks, I'm going to end that, just like I ended my curse at Blaze of Glory, just like I ended my curse at Summer XXXtreme.

High Stakes is just around the corner and this year has a stacked card as it with a lot of faces, old and new. I'm going to put it out there. Facing Candy in this match is a joke. As if what happened to me the last few weeks wasn’t bad enough, this is one consolation prize that I’m not too happy about. Don't think I'm overlooking her, don't think I'm looking past her. Candy is in my way, I'm bringing the fight to her and eventually I'm running through her.

I think I have a realistic shot at beating her next Sunday night. Maybe I have a little more adrenaline to fuel me in this match and wanting to get back to winning and earning a title opportunity, it's been a while. Supposedly I'm just a shell of myself now and and it's only a matter of time before I take a break or cut my losses now and finally call it a career.

Candy, despite how good she thinks she is, will be in a match against someone who knows how good she is. I don't need to train, there won't be some 80s montage here. I won't need to study, because Candy is a quick study.

If there was any moment in her pathetic life where she might want to start taking her matches seriously, it's next Sunday.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

~~~

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

It's Not Whether You Win or Lose: Gatekeeper the 22nd: Mentiras, Malditas Mentiras (Lies, Damned Lies..., Part VII)

[REC•]

The camera warms up on Mercedes Vargas in the living room of her Los Angeles residence as the Hall of Famer sits back on a black chair, reclining. On an otherwise clear seventy-degree afternoon, the Argentine is wearing a #ChristinaRoseIsSuspendedParty t-shirt, one of the items advertised by Andrea Hernandez on Climax Control a number of shows ago, skinny jeans, and a tweed plaid fedora on her head, covering her brunette hair. In the foreground to her left we see the "Samantha Marlowe is a Bleep" poster hanging on her wall. Mercedes looks towards the camera, stares at it for a second, then begins speaking.

"For the past few days, I didn't get any sleep. I may not look it right now - that's what caffeine and a little concealer can do for you - but it's the truth. High Stakes is just around the corner, we're less than two weeks from the last supercard of the year and I can't help asking myself why am I doing this. This match with Candy? I'm already sick of her and most importantly, I'm sick...of...glitter. Hate, hate, hate, double hate, loath entirely. You can look at my upcoming match and you can already see that I'm being setup, clearly obvious."

Mercedes begins pacing, mumbling and shouting in Spanish, only occasionally speaking English.

"How is this fair? HOW IS THIS FAIR!?! I'm an accomplished international superstar, a Hall of Famer, I've traveled all over the world, I'm a former champion here many times over. IT'S NOT FAIR, IT'S NOT RIGHT, AND I DON'T DESERVE THIS!"

Mercedes pauses to pick up a mug. But not just any mug: a "#RoxiIsAnEnabler mug. There's nothing quite like that first sip of coffee in the morning. Unless it's afternoon. Except maybe the second cup. Okay, this is was her third, but who's counting?

"I don't deserve this..."

Her eyes doesn't meet the camera as she looks down for a moment, gathering her thoughts as she brings her hands to her face. This wasn't something that she wanted to get herself into, but there was no turning back now. The match was on whether she liked it or not. A short sigh and she looks up again, a determined stance in her voice, a redemptive fire in her eyes.

"So what if this is Candy's crazy idea, so what if I haven't won in High Stakes in some six years, still doesn't change the fact that I still have a fighting chance, and that's all I need.

"Candy, if you want glitter, you got it! I'm going to keep calm and glitter bomb at High Stakes, and you're going to be sorry you underestimated me! I'm too important in this company to ever be considered a stepping stone. I’ve reached milestones, shattered records, and dominated opponents since I joined the roster. With or without a title, whether I'm in the main event, the mid-card, or opening the show, I've proven without a doubt that I'm more than just a name on the roster. I am a legend, and it's about time I get some what I'm owed in this company.

"I've had matches stolen from me, I've had victories stolen from me.  You know what you can't steal though? Respect. Know why? Because I've earned that. I've earned that by beating a lot of people, by winning a lot of championships. Regardless of what the other Bombshells say about me, the fact is that not one of them will ever surpass the legacy I built in this division."

The expression fades as she narrows her eyes and a serious tone sets into her voice.

"A cada puerco le llega su sabado. Pronto llegará tu hora."
"We all get what we deserve. Your time is coming soon."

For a moment the smile returns to her face while running her fingers through her hair.

"Long before you knew..."

Looking deadset into the camera lens, her voice drops to a whisper though her words hold conviction behind them. She pauses, mostly for dramatic effect.

"And long after you remember."

***Fade***

[Candy]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Scene One: SPARKLEEEEEEES

Where: A Local Craft Store
When: unknown


**The scene fades up inside a local craft store. Specifically, the glitter aisle. In the middle of the aisle stood Candy. Her hair pulled down in pigtails, the hair flowing over her shoulders in loose waves. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white shirt that had “GLITTER IS LIFE” on the front… in glitter of course! She also was donning her mask, which was, of course, pink and covered in pink sequins. She had a cart behind her and she was starting to grab different bottles of glitter when an employee wearing a mask of her own walks up.**

EMPLOYEE: Ma’am? Can I help you?

**Candy looked over, a bottle of silver glitter in one hand and an iridescent glitter in the other.**

CANDY: Actually… yes. I need lots and lots and lots of glitter. Like LOOOOOOOOOOTS of glitter! Is this all the glitter you guys have?

EMPLOYEE: Uh… we might have some more in the back?

CANDY: I’LL TAKE IT ALL!!! What’s your favorite kind of glitter?

EMPLOYEE: Uh… I like the fine glitter. It’s got a better sparkle.

CANDY: I WANT LOTS OF THAT! The sparklier the better!!!

**The employee looked shocked.**

EMPLOYEE: Uh… how much glitter do you need?

CANDY: ALL OF IT.

EMPLOYEE: Like… ALL all?

CANDY: YEAH!

EMPLOYEE: Dare I ask… why do you need SO MUCH glitter?

CANDY: It’s a loooooooong story. But we got time! Help me load up this cart!

**She starts loading every single container of glitter on the shelf into her cart. The employee helps as Candy begins to speak.**

CANDY: So… it all started like…3 months ago! See, I’m a wrestler in SCW…

EMPLOYEE: I’ve heard of you guys. Not really a fan of wrestling myself, but my brother loves it.

CANDY: That’s awesome! Well… it all started with a battle royal between myself and a bunch of my fellow ladies! It was so much fun! We were throwing punches left and right! It was like POW! BAM! WHACK! Like a comic book! And then… I got eliminated. But so did this really really mean girl, her name is Mercedes.

**Candy leans in and whispers loudly**

CANDY: Spoiler alert… SHE’S THE VILLAIN!

**She leaned back out and continued,**

CANDY: She’s really really mean and a butthead and just all around not nice! She got mad at me because she didn’t win.

EMPLOYEE: Was it your fault? Did you eliminate her?

CANDY: That’s the thing! NO! I was eliminated before she was! So then later I was attacked by this person called “Sin”... but that’s a whole different story! So, the next week I was doing an interview about what happened, and Mercedes… the meanie head… walked up and started being really mean to me. Like REALLY really mean. Said a lot of rude and bad stuff to me. Like so bad I think her mom should have washed her mouth out with soap! At first, I thought she was just grumpy cuz she lost last week, or maybe she was hungry or sleepy so she was being mean and didn’t really mean it. I know I get kinda cranky when I’m hungry. Anyways. She called me a loser and walked away. It was very very mean.

EMPLOYEE: That sounds mean.

CANDY: I KNOW RIGHT?!?!?! So then the next week I had an interview set up to update on my health and to confirm that I was all set for my match at the Supercard the next week called Violent Conduct. I was walking through the hallway and some one attacked me from behind and locked me in a closet! It was dark and scary in there and it smelled like pinesol! But I couldn’t get out and I missed my interview! Luckily my husband found me and saved me. But I didn’t know who it was who put me in there. I didn’t see their face. So, SCW has this thing called the Roulette Wheel with all sorts of matches on it and I wanted to get Glitter Bomb match on it. My very own creation! But they wouldn’t let me add it to the wheel. I was sad. But I had a fun night that night and the meanie head didn’t bother me. But the week after… I decided I needed to find out who locked me in the closet! So I started searching! And i got a text message saying that some one knew who it was and to meet them in the ring the next week! I WAS SO EXCITED!!! So then I had my match for the Mixed Tag Team Titles… and we lost.

**Candy frowned, which you really couldn’t tell behind the mask she was wearing.**

EMPLOYEE: I’m sorry.

CANDY: It’s ok! Ya win some, ya lose some! So the next week I came out to the ring and I was all excited to find out who was picking on me! And you will never guess who came out!!!

EMPLOYEE: Uh… Mercedes?

CANDY: YEAH!!! She knew who attacked me! I was sooooooo excited! She had video clips and everything! And she showed me… and GUESS WHO IT WAS???

EMPLOYEE: I… legitimately have no clue…

CANDY: IT WAS MERCEDES!!!

EMPLOYEE: NO WAY!

CANDY: WAY!!! I told you she was the villain!!! And the worst part is she tried to blame other people in the locker room and acted like she was my friend. AND THAT'S NOT COOL! So after I saw the clip and I saw that it was her… SHE ATTACKED ME!!! She hit me in the head with a microphone! I had a headache for like… a whole day! It was so mean and it hurt. But the next week was our halloween special and I went trick or treating backstage! I got SO MUCH CANDY! It was amazing! Until I got to … her … locker room! And guess what?

EMPLOYEE: She was out of candy?

CANDY: YEAH! Well, that wasn’t what I was going to say… but yeah she didn’t have any candy! WHO DOESN'T HAVE CANDY ON HALLOWEEN??? The Halloween Grinch, that’s who! That’s like the Christmas Grinch… but for Halloween. ANWAYS. Then she was MEAN to me again! She’s a big ole bully with yucky hair! She made fun of my bestie Keira. And then she made fun of me for losing my last match… BUT SHE LOST HER LAST MATCH TOO! So when I pointed that out to her she got mean again. I asked her why she did it and she said because she wanted to! Just to prove that she was better than me! HOW MEAN!!!

EMPLOYEE: Jeez…

CANDY: I KNOW!!! So then our bosses said we were gonna do this weird thing called “pick your poison”... which is really kinda yucky and scary cuz poison is bad. But we got to pick each other’s opponents for the next show. So I picked my other bestie Roxi to face her, and she picked some one called Amber to fight me. Well… we both lost! The matches were super super hard! We picked good people for each other to fight. What a warm up for High Stakes! And then… last week… I got Mark and Christian to agree to make our match a Glitter Bomb match! So that’s why I am here buying all the glitter.

EMPLOYEE: To… make the  glitter bombs?

CANDY: YES!!! You get it!!!

**They load the last couple things of glitter into the cart. Candy tilts her head as she looked at it.**

CANDY: This could be a good start. Do you have any glitter glue? AND SEQUINS???

EMPLOYEE: Yeah… Aisle 5 and 8.

CANDY: Thank you! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

**She pushed the cart towards the aisles as the camera focused in on the employee… who appeared to be a little overwhelmed.**

EMPLOYEE: I… need a break…

**The employee walked off as the scene faded to black**


Scene Two: GLITTER BOMBS!!!

Where: Candy’s craft room, in her home.
When: Later in the day that she bought all the glitter.


**The scene fades up in a room in Candy’s home. The walls had shelves full of different crafting supplies. Yarns, fabrics, sewing machines and the like filled the room. There was a table against one of the walls that had a lamp on it, and all different things such as brushes, scissors, bottles of glue… all sorts of goodies. Sitting at the table, was Candy. She appeared to be deep in thought as she tinkered with something at the table. Strewn across another table by her side were several containers of the glitter she had purchased earlier. There were bags across the floor containing more of the glitter she had purchased. She finished up with something and put down what she was working with.**

CANDY: There we go! Just gotta let it dry and we can go test em!

**Fluffy barked twice, excitedly. Candy turned and accidentally knocked the open bottle of bright pink glitter off the table, right onto the unsuspecting Fluffy sitting on the floor. Fluffy jumped and let out a yelp.**

CANDY: OMG FLUFFY I’M SO SORRY!

**Fluffy began to run in a circle, not knowing exactly what had just happened. She stook herself off, causing a CLOUD of pink glitter to explode into the air around her. She got scared and let out a high pitched YIP before zooming out the door with a trail of glitter following her. Candy looked horrified as she watched the pup run out the door. Marcus poked his head in a moment later.**

MARCUS: Uh… what’s going on in here?

CANDY: I was making Glitter Bombs for my match against meanie head Mercedes… and I accidentally dumped some glitter on Fluffy.

MARCUS: I see. Well, she is trailing pink glitter throughout the entire house.

**Candy couldn’t help but giggle a little bit at the thought of glitter trails throughout their home.**

CANDY: Oops… I’ll clean it up in a little bit.

MARCUS: Good luck with that… we are gonna have glittery feet for weeks.

**She looked down, a little sad. He shook his head softly and walked over to her, placing his hand on her shoulder.**

MARCUS: But that’s ok. I knew this day would come from the beginning. And it’s ok. A little glitter isn’t any trouble. Although it looks like a craft store exploded in here. Those must be SOME glitter bombs you made!

**Her eyes lit up.**

CANDY: Oh I hope so!!! I made 3 different kinds and I just gotta test em!!! I kinda wanna test em on that bully Mercedes. I can’t wait to kick her butt for everything she has done to me!

MARCUS: And I have complete faith that you will show her that she can’t just pick on you.

CANDY: Thank you, Marcus. She said she picked on me like that because she could… because she wanted too… and because it was easy. Like, I know I’m not the smartest light bulb in the knife box. But that doesn’t mean I am an easy target.

MARCUS: Some people like to target those that are better than they are, just to try and prove a point. To try and make themselves feel better. People like that target people like you because they think that if they can pick someone who they think won’t fight back… it’ll be an easy win for them. But boy is she wrong.

CANDY: I know! I don’t like bullies. Like, I don’t go out and pick fights. But my mommy and daddy taught me to always defend myself! And that’s what I’m gonna do! She thinks she can beat me up and keep doing mean stuff… well she CAN’T! I won’t take it anymore!

MARCUS: That’s my girl.

**He kissed the top of her head**

MARCUS: I’m gonna go get the vacuum for you, and maybe a lint roller too… then I’ll take Fluffy to the groomer to get her cleaned up.

CANDY: You are the bestest husband EVER. I love you.

MARCUS: I love you, too.

**The two shared a smooch before he walked out of the room. Candy looked at the crude looking glitter bombs on the table and a wicked grin took over her face.**

CANDY: Just you wait, Mercedes! You are gonna be covered in so much glitter, from head to toe, that you won’t be able to be mean and grumpy! You’ll have to be happy! Like an elf! A christmas elf! Christmas Elves are always soooooo happy! YES! That’s what I’m gonna do! YAY!!!

**Marcus came back into the room and sat down a vacuum cleaner inside the room, then handed her a lint roller.**

MARCUS: Good luck… may the odds be forever in your favor.

**He chuckled a little as he left the room, sending the scene to black.**


Scene Three: Testing, Testing, 1, 2!

Where: The arena
When: A few days before High Stakes, early afternoon.


**The scene fades up in the back of the arena, a few days before High Stakes was to take place. Candy was sitting at a table in the cafeteria area with a small box on the table in front of her. Sitting in the chair next to her was Fluffy, and laying at her feet was Hero. She looked at the box on the table and smiled.**

CANDY: This is going to be perfect! Some one said they saw Mercedes go in that room… so I set up the glitter bombs on the door so when she opens the door to come out… BAM! GLITTER BOMB! It’s gonna be so perfect, guys!

**She looked over to Fluffy, whose coat was extra fluffy and shiny after her trip to the groomers. From off to the side, she hears the door she was talking about open, she hears a bit of a crash, and then a voice yell out. She jumps up, excitedly.**

CANDY: THEY WORK!!!

**Candy rushes towards the door**

CANDY: That’s what you get for being a meanie head bully!

**She stuck her tongue out at the person in the doorway. The camera panned and you could see that it… wasn’t Mercedes Vargas as Candy has hoped. Instead, standing in the doorway, with a pile of multi colored glitter on his head and shoulders, and an insane amount of glitter on the floor around him, stood Miles Kasey. He stood still and Candy covered her mouth.**

CANDY: OH … EM … GEE!!! I’m soooooo sorry Miles! I thought Mercedes was in there!

MILES: Why would Mercedes be in the men’s restroom?

**She looked at the door to see that it was, in fact, the mens room that she booby trapped. She took an extra step towards him, sheepishly.**

CANDY: FLUFFY! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT RIGGING UP GLITTER BOMBS!

**Fluffy, standing at her feet, tilted her head as if to say “what the…” to the accusation.**

MILES: Please tell me I am not covered in glitter?

CANDY: But… I was told not to lie…

MILES: Why am I covered in glitter?

CANDY: I was testing out my glitter bombs for the match against Mercedes… and I thought I could test them on her. But… I think I put it on the wrong door. I’m sorry, Miles.

**He reached up and dusted the glitter off his shoulders and head as much as he could. But he was still pretty covered. Especially in his hair.**

CANDY: At least I didn’t use the one with the stickiness to it… right?

MILES: I almost feel like I was tarred and feathered… except it’s sparkly… I feel like that vampire in Twilight.

CANDY: I LOVE TWILIGHT!!! I’M TEAM JACOB THO!

MILES: That answers a whole lot of questions. Look, I’m gonna go and try and clean this off… good luck with your glitter bombs…

CANDY: Lint rollers or tape work great to clean up glitter.

MILES: Thanks for the tip…

**He started to walk off, trying to shake as much glitter out of his hair as he could. He left a bit of a trail of glitter behind him. Candy giggled a little as she looked at the mess in the doorway. One of the custodians walked over with a broom and dustpan. The custodian looked like an older guy, probably in his late 50s. He was wearing a brown jumpsuit and a mask covering his face. He looked at the mess and let out a sigh**

CUSTODIAN: I knew I should have taken that early retirement offer when they made that Glitter thing official… Glitter is the absolute worst.

**Candy’s jaw dropped**

CANDY: GLITTER IS NOT THE WORST!!! Glitter is the best! It’s like me… so sparkly and fun and pretty and positive and represents all the good things in the world!

CUSTODIAN: I mean in terms of clean up. It’s the herpes of craft supplies.

**Candy gasped loudly at the comparison.**

CANDY: That’s gross! It’s not like it’s a stink bomb or a cherry bomb or something yucky and sticky like soda or beer… or even something stinky like…

**She looked around before she whispered the following word**

CANDY: like poop…

**She shuddered a bit and then returned to normal.**

CUSTODIAN: Glitter gets everywhere, it’s so hard to clean up, it gets stuck all over the place… and it travels. I’m gonna be here all night cleaning this up.

CANDY: I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to cause trouble. Mercedes is a big ole meanie head…

CUSTODIAN: Oh you don’t have to tell me about her. Her name precedes her. I overhear her talking in different areas. See, that’s the thing, people tend to overlook that people like me are even around, and they say things they don’t want others to know. Let me tell ya, kid, she aint fond of you.

CANDY: I don’t get it! I don’t see why so many people here don’t like me. I’m nice, I bake goodies and share them, I try to cheer everyone up. Yet, so many people here don’t even like me.

**She looked sad.**

CANDY: Ya know, when she came out to be the one who knew who locked me in the closet… I thought she was going to be my friend! But that wasn’t true.

CUSTODIAN: Oh, trust me, you don’t want friends like her anyways. She would take advantage of a sweet girl like you.

CANDY: Yeah,  a lot of people end up doing that.

CUSTODIAN: It’s cuz you are too sweet. You are a nice girl. But don’t forget to stand up for yourself. Not everyone wants to be your friend.

CANDY: I know. But I want to be everyone’s friend!

CUSTODIAN: That’s… unrealistic. Listen to this old man.

**He leans on his broom.**

CUSTODIAN: It’s good to befriend alot of people, but make sure they are truly your friends.

CANDY: Like Keira! And Roxi! And Bella! And Malachi! But not Mercedes! She may be a hall of famer here… but I’m just as good as she is! And I’m gonna prove it! Thank you, mister! And again… I’m sorry about the glitter!

**She looks down at the pooches at her feet and motion for them to follow her. She rushes off camera and they follow. The cameras zoom in on the Custodian before fading to black.**