Chapter One
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Lenox Hill Hospital
Off-Camera(This can’t…be happening. I can’t deal with this. My life has been such a rollercoaster, full of highs and so many lows. The highs have been great, but the lows…oh God the lows…and now I’m yet again sitting here in a hospital room, scared to death of losing someone I love. For those that don’t know, in the past couple months or so, I found out my two year old daughter needed a kidney transplant. Then I found out that neither me, or my husband were matches. I’m still not sure if I understand how, but it turned out my brother happened to be a match. So, we had the transplant right after New Year’s. The surgery itself went well, so that was a high. My daughter, Aurora, she was…she was herself again. I was so blessed and thankful we could have the surgery so quick, and she wasn’t miserable for that long. However, my brother…he didn’t bounce right back after surgery. We didn’t think much of it at first, because we just thought it would take some time for him to recover since..ya kow, he had an organ taken out of him. But, I had gotten home from Riot in Texas, and we got a call from RJ’s fiance, Emery, who was hysterically crying. After a minute of calming her down, we found out RJ was being rushed to the hospital, so we dropped everything and headed that way. When we gothere, we rushed to his room, and that’s where we are now. We walk into the hospital and find out ways to the surgery waiting room, where we find Emery, poor thing looks like a mess. The minute she sees me, she breaks into tears,a nd wraps her arms around me…which of course makes ME burst into tears, and I start balling. Poor Dan, he wraps his arms around both of us. After a moment, we break the embrace.)Daniel Russow: What happened?
Audrey Russow: Yeah, is he in surgery, or?
(She nods her head, trying to gather herself.)Emery James: He complained that he couldn’t breathe, so I called the ambulance. He just…he looked swollen, and they got him here and…I didn’t even get to see him before they rushed him into surgery.
(Just then, a medical aide walks out into the waiting room.)Doctor: James family?
Daniel Russow: Over here.
(The doctor walks over to us.)Audrey Russow: Is he okay?
Emery James: Can we see him?
Doctor: He’s…still in surgery. We had a lot of work to do, and he’s still not out of the woods yet.
(Tears…more tears…can’t speak.)Daniel Russow: What happened, doc?
Doctor: From what we can see, it looks like when the transplant surgery happened, there was a lymph node that was severed, and it didn’t close back up. So, for the past month, he’s had fluid leaking into his abdomen. It caused one of his lungs to collapse, and crushed his aortic wall.
Audrey Russow: My God…
Emery James: Is..is he going to be okay?
Doctor: We hope so. But, we won’t really know until he’s out of surgery and recovers. Right now, we’re draining the fluid from his abdomen, but we’re still not out of the woods. I just wanted to come out and give you an update.
Daniel Russow: Thanks, doc. Can you let us know when we can see him?
Doctor: Once he’s out of surgery, I’ll see what I can do.
Daniel Russow: Thanks.
Audrey Russow: Thank you.
Emery James: Yes, thank you.
Doctor: I’ll talk to you in a bit.
(He goes back through the doors, as I just sink down into the seat that happened to be behind me. I just got the feeling of..a numbness. This was my brother…my baby brother. I…no, I won’t go there. He’s going to be okay…he HAS to be okay. I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t even here Dan speaking to me, well, I guess he was speaking to both of us, as I look up.)Audrey Russow: What?
Daniel Russow: I was asking if I could get either of you anything?
Audrey Russow: I…I’m fine.
Emery James: Yeah, I don’t need anything.
(He knew that was bs from both of us, as he looks at Emery.)Daniel Russow: Emz..when’s the last time you had anything to eat or drink?
Emery James: I…don’t remember. It’s fine.
Audrey Russow: You need to eat, girl.
Emery James: So do you.
Daniel Russow: We had literally just finished eating when you called.
Emery James: Well…I can’t leave.
Audrey Russow: Just go get some caffeine. At least that, I have a feeling we’re going to need it. It’ll give you a chance to stretch your legs.
Daniel Russow: I’ll go with you. I need to call Alexis and check on Aurora, anyway.
Audrey Russow: Oh, God I’m so thankful they’re watching her. I really couldn’t bring her here.
Daniel Russow: Thank goodness that whole mess is behind us.
(He’s not wrong. The past year with Alexis Makarios has been a…strange one. We hated each other, she had a full on mental breakdown, complete with a trip to the psych ward and everything. And now,we’re on our way to becoming close again, like years ago.)Audrey Russow: I’ll stay here, will give me a chance to clear my head.
Emery James: Are you sure?
Audrey Russow: I’ve been going nonstop since Riot. It’ll be nice to just…take a minute to gather myself.
Emery James: If you say so…
Daniel Russow: Want me to get you a coke?
Audrey Russow: Sure. Thanks.
(Dan and Emery walk away to go get the drinks, as I sit back in the chair. I still can’t believe this is happening. I have to find something to get my mind off of this, so I pull out my phone, and scroll down to Milo’s phone number, and start typing out a text.)“Hey partner, just to let you know I may be MIA for a couple days. Emergency with RJ, and here at the hospital, while he’s in surgery. The hope is everything will be okay, but unknown at this time. I’ll keep you updated, but once this is settled, I’m gonna need a shitstorm session. Just warning you now.”
(I don’t really know how long I’ve been sitting there when the doctor comes back out, as he walks over to me.)Audrey Russow: Is he out of surgery?
Doctor: He is, and you can go see him for a few minutes. He’s sleeping, but I can get you back to see him.
Audrey Russow: His fiance and my husband just walked away to get something to drink. They should be back any minute. I don’t want her to miss this.
Doctor: I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to let you see him for long. It’s either now or not.
Audrey Russow: I…okay.
(We start walking to the back, as I stop at the receptionist.)Audrey Russow: If my family comes back, you call them so they can let them back.
Doctor: I can’t promise-
(Ya know that “the look” that men say women have? The one that could kill? I must have looked this poor doctor with that look, because I see the fear of God in his eyes, as he stops what he’s saying.)Doctor: Send them back if they come back.
Receptionist: Will do.
(We walk through the doors, and down the hall. We pass a few rooms, before we get to one with the curtain drawn.)Doctor: He’s here. I’ll give you some privacy.
Audrey Russow: Thank you.
(I step behind the curtain, and I see him there. Hooked up to all kinds of tubes. He…I mean he looked like Rj, but not like RJ. His color isn’t really there. I walk over to next to the bed, taking his hand in mine, as tears start streaming down my face.)Audrey Russow: Remember the first time you rode a bike? You were so happy, until you crashed. I still remember how scared we were, cause we didn’t want to tell mom about it, since you weren’t supposed to be riding it without them. So, I helped you up and dusted you off, took care of the scratches, and you went a week and a half in the summer wearing pants and long sleeves. And, she never did find out.
(I can feel a small smile try to glimmer through my tears, as I look down at him.)Audrey Russow: RJ..if you can hear me…I NEED you to wake up. I NEED you to fight through this. I told you, I didn’t know how I could repay you for what you did, but…I NEED you to at least let me try! After this thing with SCW, and after Demon’s Run..I wanna go on a family vacation. You, Emz, me, Dan, and Aurora. I wanna help you guys plan for your wedding. I wanna officially welcome her to the family. I promise, if you fight through this, I’ll go out there and make you proud.
(Just then, the curtain slides open, and Emz walks in, followed by Dan, as Emz again breaks down into tears the second she sees RJ. I move out of the way so she can stand next to him, as I go over to the other side of the bed, and Dan stands behind me, holding his hand on my back. Emz takes RJ’s hand, as I take his other.)Emery James: We’re here, baby.
(We stand there in silence for a few moments. But then, I don’t know if I’d call it a miracle or what, but his hand starts to twitch. Like, I can kinda feel him pull on my hand. Emery and I look at each other, through our tear-stained eyes, and then look down at RJ.)Audrey Russow: RJ?
Emery James: Baby?
(He slowly opens his eyes, and turns his head towards Emery. He lets a small smile escape his lips.)Rodney James: Aint quittin you.
(This, of COURSE, puts the poor girl through more tears, but at least this time she’s smiling. He turns his head to me and smiles.)Rodney James: I am proud of you. Vacation sounds nice.
(Aaaaand now I’m crying again.)Audrey Russow: Will do. But lets get you healed up first.
(My God…the feeling I’m feeling, the relief…the happiness. I just…I can’t put it into words. This, just…oh lord this was a blessing. My brother was going to be okay. Now, it’s time to make him proud. Starting, with SCW.
Get ready, I’m comin.
Chapter Two
Undisclosed Location
On-Camera(I turn on the camera, as I place it in front of me, and I sit down in front of it. I flip down the hood on my jacket, as I look into the camera.)Audrey Russow: Sin City Wrestling…Blast from the Past…so yeah, I had the bright idea to sign up for this without REALLY knowing what it was. I mean, I had an idea, as I’ve heard some of the PWS peeps talk about it here and there over the years, but I wasn’t really fully aware of what it would entail. So, I threw my name into the hat, so to speak. I mean, at least I got a partner I know, so there’s that.
(I smirk, thinking of my tag partner.)Audrey Russow: Milo’s a good kid, and I think he’ll go far in the business. He just..he needs that big defining moment. He’s right on the cusp of it, but it’s just eluded him for so long. Maybe I can help him get there. Sure would be something to win this whole damn thing. Wouldn’t that be a trip? All these teams of people who are all SCW mainstays and shit, all toppled by a team of a hot shot kid and a new chick who’s just passing through? I mean, who knows. Depending on how things go here, I might decide to stick around. Who’s to say? Bella Madison seems to like it here, and if given the chance, would love to face her again.
(I pause for a second.)Audrey Russow: The disadvantage of being the passer-by, I have no idea about our opponents. Max Burke, Myra Rivers…I mean, the only thing I know about them is they were named as a potential “favorite” team when the teams were announced. Which is fine…it’s fine. I don[‘t mind being the underdog. I’ve played that role before. And you know what?
(I smirk at the camera.)Audrey Russow: I won.
(I chuckle to myself, as I shake my head.)Audrey Russow: This is gonna be a good year, I have a lot going for me, but right now? I’m fully focused on round one of BFTP, and helping Milo get past round one. Then? Who knows, mean it would be kinda funny if we go against team “dark sparkle” since Candy vouched for me to get into the tournament. Love her. There’s also the team of Alnnah and Todd, just cause I think it’d be fun to face Alannah. But, first thing’s first. We gotta get past Max and Myra. So, consider this a call to arms to my tag partner. Let’s give ‘em hell, kid. They wanna put us against the “favorites” lets show them what an underdog is made of, and let’s go out there and win.
(I reach to the camera to turn it off.)Audrey Russow: See ya soon.
