“You're going to want to be there. Trust me on this.”
Those were the exact words that Alleyne Mahoe aka Tempest read from her phone. She had received a text from the mother of one of Anela’s little friends from school, who just so happened to be a charter member of the PTA - Parent Teacher Association. During the exchange, Tempest explains in no uncertain terms that she held little interest in being a member of the PTA. She had no difficulties in helping out when asked if she wasn’t scheduled to wrestle somewhere in another state. She had even agreed (after some duress and begging from both Anela and Lucas Stevens) into being a chaperone for a school field trip. But the PTA…?
That was when the mother went on to explain she did not have to be a member of the PTA to attend the meetings, and that she was going to want to attend this one after having gotten wind of what their president was going to attempt. The mother explained briefly what the PTA President, a Monica Moore, was going to bring up, and a handful of parents were greatly opposed - and needed as much support as they could muster. That was why she contacted Tempest, as she knew if she spoke up against what Monica was going to try, then chances were more would lean their way and Monica would lose support for her so-called cause.
Las Vegas, Nevada
John S. Park Elementary School
And that was where we were discovered to be now, at the familiar site of John Park Elementary where Tempest’s step daughter attended school. But it was now well past when school had let out and the sun had begun its descent into the far horizon. Inside the school, an otherwise empty classroom was being used for this latest meeting between members of the PTA, the school’s faculty and several parents who had been tipped off and sought to attend. The meeting had just started and the previously mentioned mother, a Missus Hana Nguyen, turned her head at the sound of the classroom door opening and she felt a wave of relief as the imposing suite of Tempest looked into the room. Heads turned and despite her stature and imposing presence, being stared at never made her feel anything more than whether or not she belonged. Sort of like the new kid first entering the school cafeteria.
Hana got up from the desk she was seated at and hurried over to the door to greet her.
Hana: You made it. I was beginning to worry.
Tempest: Yeah, sorry I’m late. I had trouble getting away from the gym and then I had to bring Anela back…
But Hana waved off her concerns and explanations.
Hana: It’s alright, we haven’t started yet. I’ll
“Excuse me?”
Both women turned their heads to face the front of the classroom where there was a rather haughty looking woman having taken her place at the front of the classroom to address everyone. Hana leaned over just slightly enough to whisper so that Tempest’s ears alpine could hear;
Hana: Monica Moore.
Tempest nodded in understanding, as if she needed to be told. The woman’s very countenance in just standing there and expecting all eyes to be on her and her alone practically screamed who she was. If Tempest hadn’t known any better, she would have thought her name to be Karen, given she was dressed head to toe in hot pink and she had ‘that’ hairdo.
Monica: Can we begin? We have a full docket tonight.
Hana: Have a seat.
And Hana resumed her place where she was seated before. Tempest took one look at the offered student desk and had a look on her face as if to say, “Are you kidding me?” Instead, she stepped toward the side of the room and sat on the edge of a sturdy table, her arms crossed and her eyes on Moore alone.
Monica: Thank you. I asked for us to have this meeting because I went to the school board about the concerns that I - and many other parents - have had for some time and they have simply refused to even so much as look into it.
Hana: Look into what, exactly?
Monica: Excuse me, Hana? Please raise your hand and wait if you want to be called on…
Tempest: Just answer the question!
The head of every person present turned to the one who had spoken up so abruptly, and for the first time Tempest did not feel those familiar pangs for being looked at. She disliked this woman from the moment Hana had told her what she wanted to do and even more so when she laid eyes on her. Her attitude alone…
Monica: Excuse me? Who are you?
Tempest: Alleyene Mahoe. I’m Anela’s mom.
Monica: Well it’s very nice to have you join us Alleyene but you’re a guest right now and we have a certain way of doing things…
“Just answer the question, Monica.”
A man in a business suit and graying hair at the temples, said from where he was seated at the front of the class. His own demeanor was a stark contrast to Monica’s own. Where Monica screamed entitlement, this man practically radiated respect.
Man: What is it that you want the school to do?
Monica cleared her throat, thrown off that this man had spoken up. And despite the fact she was the head of the PTA, she had little to no influence on this man. Quite the contrary. He commanded the respect of her peers that she herself craved. She picked up a clipboard and held it for everyone to see.
Monica: I have here a list of books that the school carries in its library. Books that many of us have agreed are potentially harmful to our children.
Tempest rolled her eyes and lightly scratched behind her ear as she listened to the woman read off from her high and mighty list.
Monica: The Color Purple. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. Fahrenheit 451. Almost Perfect. The Handmaid’s Tale. Now these are just a sample of some of the books that this school carries, where any student can check out. I - we - think it would be best if the school were to remove these books and the others from the library…
Hana: Why?
Monica: Excuse me?
Hana: Why do you want them banned?
Monica: Hana, we’re talking about the safety and mental well being of our children.
Tempest: No, what you’re talking about is censorship!
Again all eyes turned to this imposing figure of a woman and she remained where she sat, but her former relaxed posture had taken on a more tense disposition. Tempest shook her head and bit at her lower lip.
Tempest: I can’t believe that I’m hearing this! I mean, I think we’ve all read the news stories about books being banned in schools but I thought Las Vegas would be the last city that would jump on this bandwagon!
Monica: Missus Mahoe, you can’t just come in here and interrupt…
Man: Let her talk!
This time those present looked to the man who had spoken up earlier from before.
Man: We invite guests to these meetings for a reason, and it is not just to hear your side of things.
Hana: And you did try - unsuccessfully - to try and make your house the new meeting spot to keep out anyone whom you didn’t approve of.
Monica: But nobody has heard ‘my’ side!
Tempest: What possible defense could you have for wanting to have these books pulled and banned from the school library!?
Monica: To protect the children!
Tempest: From WHAT, exactly!? I have read some of those books that you just named! There is nothing in them that can ‘harm’ any of our kids!
Monica: Times have changed since you and I were children. The children have changed.
Tempest scoffed.
Tempest: Oh you won’t get any argument from me on that point. Kids have changed and not for the better! They’re mouthier. More entitled. Disrespectful. Crying about anything that they feel ‘threatens’ them or wanting their ‘safe spaces’.
Monica: And what exactly is wrong with our children wanting to be safe?
Tempest: Nothing if what they wanted to be safe from was any more dangerous than a bad grade. But more often than not, that’s what they want to be protected from! From the mean teachers who want to give them a zero or a F for not turning in their homework or doing their share on some group project! And it’s parents like you that raised them to be entitled and want something for nothing!
Monica: I beg your pardon! There is nothing wrong with getting points for participating…
Tempest: But they don’t participate, that’s the point! If they don’t do the work, they don’t deserve any of the credit! And if they fail and get their feelings hurt, there’s only two people to blame, and it is not the teachers!
The few teachers present swell with a sense of pride that someone is finally sticking up for them and seeing things from their point of view.
Tempest: if they want to see who is to blame, they need to look into the mirrors and across the dinner table at who raised them to believe they deserve something for nothing.
Monica: Well…! You are certainly entitled to your opinions, but this isn’t about grades or participation trophies. This is about books that are harmful…
Hana: You have yet to explain how the books are harmful, Monica.
“That’s because she can’t.” Another voice rose from the classroom. “Not without just sounding like every other person out there banning the same books.”
Monica tried to regain control of the meeting and stood up at the front of the room, holding her hands over her chest in some symbolic gesture of care.
Monica: Look, everyone. I am not the enemy. Those who agree with me are not the enemy.
Man: And who here in this room agrees with you?
Hands slowly rose up to acknowledge that they did, in fact, agree with her assessment and what needed to be done about it. Not half of those in attendance, but more so than Tempest would have thought possible or likely.
Monica: There, you see? I am just trying to do what’s right. Some of these books have sexual situations or dialogue, including same-sex situations.
Tempest: Is that what this is all about? You don’t want your kids exposed to the gays?
Monica: No! This isn’t just about LGBTQ content! There are books that have violence in them. Racism. Some of these books are too depressing for young minds…
Tempest: And who exactly are you to decide what is or is not too depressing or potentially harmful for any child that is not your own?
Monica: I am the President of the PTA…
Tempest: Congratulations, but let me tell you what you are not.
Tempest pushed herself up from where she had been seated and she walked along the rows of desks, not to approach Monica or the front of the classroom, but just enough to make a point. And as she spoke, she pointed at different adults in attendance.
Tempest: You are not the parent of his child. Or her’s! Or anyone else here BUT your own!
Monica: I never said that I was!
Tempest: But you ARE acting like it! You are standing up there and telling everyone that you want their support in taking away their choices as a parent! Now if you want to tell your kid that you don’t want them to read those books on that list of yours, well that is certainly your right!
Monica nodded, satisfied that this point did indeed come across successfully. But unfortunately for her, Tempest was not yet finished.
Tempest: But what you don’t have the right to do, is take that choice away from any one of us in this room, or any other parent that couldn’t make it! Because I can tell you one thing; if you go through with this vote and somehow you get those books removed? The FIRST thing I am going to do is go to the first bookstore I see and buy every single one and give them to my daughter!
Man: As will I.
Hana: Me as well!
There were murmurs of agreement to this train of thought sounding out throughout the room, much to Monica's obvious dismay. Her face was flushed with either anger or annoyance, but it was clear that she was altogether not used to losing control or support in one of HER PTA meetings. Monica turned for a moment and stared at Tempest, studying her as if she were trying to remember something until…
Monica: You’re the wrestler, aren’t you?
Tempest frowned, unsure where this was going or what it had to do with anything.
Tempest: Excuse me?
Monica: My boys watch wrestling. They told my husband and me that one of their classmate’s mothers is a wrestler on TV. I thought I recognized you.
Tempest: And what exactly is your point? What does my profession have to do with anything…
Monica scoffed and looked toward one of her ‘supporters’ with the type of smile you just wanted to bitch slap off of her face.
Monica: I just find wrestling to be somewhat barbaric. My boys tell me that you’re quite violent…
Tempest: Football and hockey can be violent! What’s your point?
Monica: Well… someone in such a profession isn’t the most appropriate in my opinion to be speaking out in our meetings about such delicate matters.
Tempest reared back at the waist and stared hard at this woman. Oh she was damn lucky this was a PTA meeting and not in wrestling! The temptation to put this arrogant bitch’s head through the wall was growing harder to overcome by each passing minute! So instead she settled for resting her hand on her hip and staring right at Monica in front of everyone as she spoke out one more time.
Tempest: At least I have a job. And what exactly is it that you do for a living? Oh wait, let me guess. You're a homemaker as they like to say? You drive your kids around to their little activities like piano recitals and football games, while spending your husband's money and drinking enough wine at brunch with your book club friends to threaten the existence of grapes the world over!
Monica: Ex-CUSE me!?
Man: Ladies, please! Enough!
The man from earlier stood up from the desk where he was seated, hands raised to forestall any further outbursts or protests. He shifted a side eye toward Tempest and nodded, while noticing Hana who was attempting to smother the smile on her face behind the back of her hand.
Man: We are not here for this! We are here to decide whether or not the PTA will support Monica’s cause to remove the books from the school library. The school board has stated that they will only agree if the vote passes!
Monica nodded with a smug sense of satisfaction.
Monica: Thank you, Eric. So, a show of hands? All for removing the books from the school library and banning them from school grounds?
Monica was, of course, the first to raise her hand. One by one, her supporters from earlier raised their hands as well. The man - now known by his name of Eric Campbell - counted carefully and then the hands were lowered.
Monica: All opposed?
This time, Eric himself raised his own hand, and his influence was obvious immediately as many others followed his lead by raising their hands. Even Tempest, whether she was a member of the PTA or not and whether or not her vote even counted, raised hers. Eric counted as before, and he turned his head to Monica who looked like she was about to have a coronary for not getting her way.
Eric: Motion denied.
Monica: But…
Eric: Majority rules, Monica. You know that!
Monica and Eric engaged in an intense stare down but it was one she had no chance in overcoming. Her shoulders sagged…
Monica: Fine. Motion denied.
More hushed words were exchanged at this pronouncement, teachers and parents alike turning to their neighbor to exchange ideas and opinions on the matter. Having done her part, Tempest made to take her leave, walking past Hana who gripped her arm to give her pause.
Hana: Thank you!
Tempest just smiled and went on her way, but as she exited the classroom, one last look to the front of the class saw Monica staring at her with hard and unbridled anger!
The screen we see is nothing but black, an ongoing void of infinite darkness. A small dot appears in the center and suddenly the screen comes to life and where there was once darkness, now there is simply – white. We see no floor. No walls or ceilings. But we do hear the echoing sound of footsteps as if walking along a long and empty corridor, the echo of the steps vibrating off of surrounding walls that are not even there. You see what appears to be a figure in the center of the screen, growing larger as they approach closer and closer, until it is revealed to be none other than Tempest in our view.
Tempest, dressed for combat in her wrestling gear, looks around her and sees nothing but what we see. She takes a few steps forward until her head and upper torso fill the better part of the screen as she looks around, up and down and from left to right. She then takes a step even closer and taps a finger and we hear the sharp click of her nails against glass.
“Hunh, that’s different.”Cautious now, she backs up a few steps until she stands in full view and shakes her head.
“And disturbing. And just when I need to focus on this Internet Championship match. Okay…”She massages her temples with her fingertips.
“I don't know what the hell is going on and truth be told, I don't have the time to figure this shit out. There are bigger things to be concerned about. Better things to look forward to.”She holds up her hands and shows eight fingers.
“Eight days ladies. That's all the time you have left to say your prayers and kiss your families goodbye. Eight days until our esteemed Internet Champion deigns to grace us with her presence. Where one woman is going to try and overcome three to hold onto a championship that she ‘claims’ to not even want to hold in the first place.”She scoffs and shakes her head in a disbelieving manner.
“That being said, I suppose that's as good a place as any to start this whole damn thing; with our esteemed champion. Courtney Pierce herself.”Suddenly the entirety of the white space is filled by an image of the reigning Bombshell Internet Champion, Courtney Pierce. Sensing the movement behind her, Tempest glances over her shoulder and does a double take before resuming.
“The champion that supposedly doesn't want to be the champion. And if anyone out there actually believes this bullshit, then they need to invest for themselves some nice, high boots because it's getting pretty damn deep!”
“You know who Courtney reminds me of when she starts up over this? Mikah. Hm? Remember that chick when she had the same title for a time? She lost the gold to Devona and how did she respond? By telling everyone the whole world over that Devona didn't really beat her. That she lost on purpose. I've always looked at the Internet Championship as the second tier championship, second only to the World title.”She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“Not so much anymore. And I admit I don't see much behind the current World title situation either, but as far as prestige goes? I'd rank the current Bombshell Internet division a distant third. Bobbie Dahl is still new to her Roulette Championship but even she's done more to raise her title up than Pierce has! Maybe that's why Courtney 'doesn't want ‘ to be the champion. Because deep down she realizes she is not the woman who can bring the title back to the prominence that it once held?”Tempest tapped at her chin, deep in contemplative thought.
“The last time there was a legit Bombshell Internet Champion was Kayla Richards. And I am talking about all three of her reigns, not just one or the other. Every time she held that title, she made it more important than the last and she held it for an impressive length of time. You, Courtney? You get by every woman who has gotten in your way by the skin of your teeth and you don’t even have yourself to thank! You would not be the champion today if it wasn’t for your wife, Ruby Steele. You would have been beaten for that championship a number of times, were it not for Ruby running interference. I dare even say you never would have won the championship in the first place, if it hadn’t been for her. And you try to convince everyone that the Internet title isn’t good enough for you. That you don’t even want to be champion. Well if that’s the case, then let me ask you this; if you don’t want to be the champion, why then do you resort to every dirty trick in the book to keep from losing it? Hm?”
“Why do you sit back and let your wife keep interfering on your behalf so that you can walk away the winner time and again, but you also seem pretty damn content to see her answer for her actions! How many times has she been beaten to the ground? How far did she get tossed when I used her for a lawn dart in your defense against Ariana? If you don't really care about being the champion, you would think of your wife’s safety over your own selfish goals! You would tell Ruby to stay in the back where she would be safe! Well, sugar in this match, there may be no real rules in a fatal Fourway. No count outs or disqualifications – but that isn’t a good thing for you or your wife. Because if Ruby shows her face this time, there’s going to be three – count them - three, women who will bury her in the basement for even trying to cost us!”
“Yet time and again, it’s the same old story where you’re concerned. Well guess what, Pierce? It’s time for a new chapter in that story. It’s time for a new ending and I can promise that for you, it isn’t going to be anything resembling a happy ending!"Now Tempest rubs her hands together.
“Now we come to the woman that I was legit thrilled to get a chance to face weeks ago. There is nothing I like better than to get the chance to face a woman who can actually throw down with myself and when Luna Pasilno answered my challenge, I got exactly that!”The scene behind Tempest in the void flickered on and off and was quickly replaced by the visage of Luna Pasilno. Tempest turns to look at it and then around her before shaking her head and continuing.
“There is no other way to describe Luna than simply calling her a bad ass chick. She is far from being the biggest woman on the roster. She’s not my or Bobbie or Zoey Lukas in size, but damn! The girl more than makes up for the fact with having a lot of fight in her! I beat her down time and again in our match and every damn time until the very end, she stood right back up and asked for more! No…”She held up a finger.
“She demanded it. And the best part about our match is, she gave as good as she got. Luna can hold her own against anyone and she proved that by becoming a champion more than once. She knows what it feels like to be the Roulette Champion. And if she were to win this match in Vegas (she won’t but bear with me), she would be a two-time champion. The only reason I didn’t include her with Kayla as far as being the last in the line of credible Internet Champions wasn’t because she didn't hold it or deserve it, but because of bad timing and rotten luck. Luna beat the great Crystal Zdunich for the Roulette title and Aleesha Jones for the Internet gold. Crystal’s a legend and Aleesha could have been one of the greats but this isn’t about them. It just describes the hurdles Luna jumped through to get her hands on some gold. And unfortunately, neither reign lasted as long as it should have. I suppose Luna sees this match as her chance to correct that little note in history and she might even have had a chance to succeed but for one simple truth. I’m in this match. And as much as I might respect this chick, it’s not going to do her a damn bit of good if she gets between me and winning my first singles title in SCW. I’ve got two wins over you, Luna. Don’t make me make it a third!”And just like that, the screen scrambles one last time and replaces itself with the image of the fourth woman in the match - Krystal Wolfe. Tempest does not even bother to turn and look. She simply shakes her head.
“Under most circumstances we save the best for the last, which in this case would obviously have been the champ[ion, but no. That distinction was obviously saved for the woman who, in my own biased opinion, deserves the least to be in this Fatal Fourway!”Tempest nodded.
“Yeah, Krystal. I said it. Out of the three of us, you have the least business being in this match! You did nothing - NOTHING - to earn your way into your spot other than by going on about how you were targeting this title or that! You put your name out there, and for some reason, that was good enough for the powers that be! If I had my way, Ariana would be in this match, not you. Ariana was the one that got screwed out of the title twice by Pierce and her wife! You did nothing recently to even warrant being named in this title picture. Even when Courtney and Ruby jumped me backstage, it wasn’t you - my sister GO Gym graduate - who came to my aid! It was Luna! As far as I know, you were pretty content to just stand back and watch them try and take me out. But I will give you credit for one thing…”
“When they stuck us together in that tag team match, I admit you did have my back for as long as you needed to. Not so much out of loyalty, I imagine, but more so because you wanted to win. Which I can’t fault you for. We gelled well enough as a team, but I think that comes more from our mutual training under the same guidance than any true sense of camaraderie. You and I? We’ve never seen eye to eye. Not from the moment you wanted to cost me against Bella Madison, right up to where you started acting like a stuck up, entitled little diva. And just when I thought you were mellowing out a bit and acting your age, you go and you deliberately break the nose of a student at the GO Gym! And by your own words, you did it because ‘she provoked you’.”
“Well boo hoo, Krystal! It might have escaped your notice but life isn’t fair, especially in this business! And if you want to try and break my nose, you are more than welcome to sister, because I fully intend to provoke you like you’ve never been provoked before!”
“Ladies, it’s been a pleasure. And until in two weeks…”Just then, the surrounding background changed once again but this time it was a continuous loop of LOL! Cat videos! Tempest spun around and shouted!
“Alright, that’s ENOUGH!”Jolting herself awake! Tempest was once again in her Las Vegas apartment, having fallen asleep on the sofa with the open laptop running and playing - ironically enough - America’s Funniest Cat videos. But there was also the knocking on the apartment door that had pulled Tempest from her slumber. She pushed herself up to her feet and walked toward the front door, trying to get the sleep from out of her system.
Tempest: That is the last time that girl talks me into Cajun for dinner...
She arrived at the door and after a cursory peek through the peephole to see who it was, she frowned and opened the door to find two people standing there; a man and a woman. Both were wearing business clothes and both had serious expressions on their faces.
Woman: Missus Mahoe?
Tempest: Yeah? Who are you?
Woman: I’m Jolene Ward and this is Antony Papazian. We’re with Child Protective Services.
TBC…
