“I can remember.”
[The lights flash around Faith’s body as she walks through a dark crowd of people. She walks slow to take it all in like it was her first time. Her hearing is way off almost like she is wearing ear plugs but it is just the adrenaline. She narrows her eyes while she tries to separate the magnificent colors flashing all around her. Her purple dreads are tucked back by a black bandana as usual, but her ebony eyes sparkle with the light silvery makeup she is wearing. She closes them as her heart beats in her ears.]
“I can remember the days of sitting in that sweaty warehouse with him like we were the only two people left on this planet. It was just us, sweating our asses off, while he showed me the ropes. And the turnbuckles. And that unforgiving mat. Y’all didn’t think I was talking about something else now did you? Damn perverts.”
[She wanders through the crowd, trying to get closer and closer to those lights. It was all about the lights right now. People shove into her by mistake and the fireball shoves them right back. Nobody makes a fool out of Faith without the bitch biting back. She feels the cold ale running down her back and her face while trying to get to her eyes. She wipes it away and turns around. The rest of the world fades away and it is just her, and the man holding the empty cup. For a second she thought she knew him. Those blue eyes told the rest of her tale, but it is only her that understands it.]
“He made me who I am today. Our fighting champion Spike Staggs ain’t some punk like everyone tries to make him out to be. We ain’t even sure he is our champion because of some bullshit call by a referee who don’t know how to do his damn job. It was hard to watch what happened last week because Spike is my mentor and people are trying to make him look like a bitch. If I was anybody in this company, I would set that record straight but who knows me? I’m the girl who lost my shot at the Roulette title. I’m that chick that got screwed over by Giani Di Luca and ain’t been heard from ever since. I’m that Bombshell who got laid out in the Women’s Locker Room on my second show in this business. They forgot all about me because I never really got a good start here.”
[Part of her wants to run up to this guy and knock the empty cup from his hands and wrap her arms around him in a hug so that she would know everything was alright. She felt like a scared little girl on the inside, the way Amy Marshall called her out. She thought maybe Amy was right. She needed some kind of comfort that only her mentor could give her. She needed words of encouragement. Instead she got this…]
{Rocker Dude}
“Watch where the fuck you are going you ghetto trash piece of shit.”
“Aww hell no! He didn’t just call me that, did he? He got another thing coming if he thinks he is going to get away with that!”
[Faith stands there for a second with her arms at her side. She holds onto her restraint but then she remembers she doesn’t have any. She pulls her arm back and lets it speak for her while she pounds away at him. The first one knocks his stupid pretentious fedora off of his head. The second one knocks that cocky little smile off of his face. The next one goes right to his crotch and sends him down on the ground. He looks up at her and begs her to stop. She does have a heart after all. She stops herself from hitting him a forth time and puts her hands in her jacket. She starts to walk away when she realizes she isn’t happy yet. She pulls a beer from his girlfriends hand and dumps it over his head. She sets the cup on top of his head where his hat was and she leans down in his face.]
{Faith}
“If I see you again tonight, and that cup ain’t on your head, I’m gonna kick your ass twice as hard. Think about it next time you decide to come at some black girl for being at a rock show you racist piece of shit!”
[He tries to argue with her but she pulls back her fist and waits for him to make a sound. He holds his hands up toward her and his girlfriend laughs at him. She reaches over and gives five to Faith like she just did her the biggest favor in the world. Faith nods her head appreciating it and then continues on the journey to the front.]
“Always gotta run into some asshole around here don’t I? Where was I? Oh yeah, I spent a lot of time with Spike. In some ways he was like my older brother. Hell he was more like a brother to me than my own brother. Every move I know how to do is because of that man. I like to brawl most of all but I do know my way around the ring because Spike took the time to teach me. He was a great mentor. I think that is why I feel so guilty right now. The fans support him but most of the wrestlers are turning their backs on him. Everyone wants to talk about how bad the dude is but he been a champion for five months and a double champion for over a month. He needs back up instead of people who want to make him look like a fool. His brothers are failing him. His uncle is the leader of the group of people who are putting him down. His friends don’t seem to give a damn about where he is. His wrestling student is at a rock show blowing off steam. Where is his support?”
[Faith continues to walk down the middle of the crowd weaving in between people and getting knocked around by the loyal fans who all want to get as close to the stage as they can. With her will, she won’t give up until her hand at least touches the barrier. She is surprised when the bouncers shove people out of her way to make an easy path right to the front. That is, she is surprised until she sees Erik Staggs sitting in a chair on the other side of the barricade. The two look at each other for a minute until Garbage comes onto the stage and the fans go crazy. The bouncers reach over to help Faith to the other side of the stage.]
“I guess I forgot to tell you all the reason I am here except to see Garbage play. I am here to commit the biggest act of betrayal I know how to. I’m so sorry, Spike. I really am, but a girl’s gotta watch her back and your uncle’s got the Bombshell division wrapped around his finger.”
[Faith listens to the sound of Shirley Manson’s haunting voice and getting lost in the music. She is stuck in a trance by it even though she can’t help but feel a little guilty for coming to meet Erik here tonight. Who could pass up the chance to see Garbage play, though? It isn’t like they ever really tour the USA. She tries to rationalize it in her head but it feels so wrong. It feels almost as wrong as sitting in a locker room getting the hell beat out of you by some six foot tall dominatrix, a death Goddess, and a sadistic punk “princess” and then having it repeated a few weeks later with two tattooed chicks and Misty added to the mix. Everybody stood by and watched it happen. Vixen, who was supposed to be a friend to Faith, tried a little to help her out against those odds, but if the shoe was on the other foot, Faith would have dragged down every other Bombshell on the roster by they hair if she had to. Spike always told her to watch her back, and this blur of an amazing concert was about doing just that.
As the crowds began to leave the venue, Faith felt Erik stand up from his chair and put a hand on the small of her back. She shivered because his hands felt like death on her bare skin. She slowly turned around to look at Erik and he gets the hint to take his hands off of her. She looks up at his face and those eyes captured her for a minute there. She feels the chill spread through her entire body but she can’t seem to shake it off. The volume of the venue goes down enough where they can actually hear what the other is saying.]
{Erik Staggs}
“I must admit that I am quite surprised that you agreed to meet with me since you are in good with Spike. I guess loyalty only goes so far these days huh?”
{Faith}
“You should ask him that. He the one who got me to come work here and then he just up and leaves me to get gang raped by your band of bitches. You can’t trust nobody in this business as far as you can through ‘em Mister Staggs. Thanks for the show.”
[Erik looks even more shocked to hear Faith say this. His jaw drops to the floor and he tries so hard to pick it back up. Faith gives him a seductive evil smile and turns away to walk toward the door. Erik tries hard to catch up with her so she doesn’t have time to change her mind. Faith likes that he is following her like a puppy, but its time for business and she knows it.]
{Erik Staggs}
“Where are you going? I didn’t cash in my favor here so that you could just up and run off to leave me here. I arranged this meeting because I got serious business to discuss with you. Something that could change your career as you know it!”
[Faith’s ears almost perk up like a dog when the word “treat” is brought up. She turns around to face the man and realizes how ridiculous he looks in a band tee, faded jeans, and spiky hair. She nearly laughs in his face but then she remembers the whole reason she is here.]
{Faith}
“What you got to offer me, Rascal Flatts? Some promises of being Misty in a month or two? Oh, no wait. You are gonna feed me the same line you feed all of those damn hookers. If I sleep with you, or join in on these mob attacks, I won’t get my ass beat on the damn daily. Does that sound right to you Mister Staggs?”
{Erik Staggs}
“It would be highly unprofessional for me to agree to either of those ideas, Faith. If I am successful in taking over this company from these dumb little kids, then I will remember those who helped me get through these tough times. Sleeping with me would only be one of your perks for signing on. If you are interested, I have got an extraordinary ‘benefits package’.”
[Faith puts her hands on Erik’s chest and her seductive eyes really get him going. She lowers her hands to his belt buckle and then reaches under his shirt. A six pack? Those suits don’t do the old man any justice. She smiles and moves closer to him so that she can whisper into his ear.]
{Faith}
“I heard rumors on that one, and the person who told me about it was just raving about it. I mean, you made their day. And night. And then again for breakfast.”
[Erik agrees with her by nodding his head and then he wants to see her velvet smooth caramel covered beauty with his own eyes. They wander around her body before lockin onto her eyes and he licks his lips with anticipation.]
{Faith}
“By the way. How is Giani doing? I miss his smell of Gucci and meatballs. Please send him my best.”
[Erik is burning up because of Faith’s spiteful comment but he doesn’t want to show it since he is trying to recruit her on his side. Faith laughs at her own joke and moves back a little bit to a round bar table close to the back of the venue. Erik follows her back and sits down in the second seat.]
{Erik Staggs}
“Enough of the bullshit, Faith. I can tell that you aren’t interested in me sexually and that is perfectly fine. I’m just going to level with you. I know you saw the show for this week where you are taking on Joanne Canelli, The Jersey Devil Diva. Not to mention it is for her Roulette championship. If you noticed how I tried to recruit her two weeks ago then you know just how well I am running the Bombshell Division right now. If it wasn’t for me trying to get her to come over to my side by sicking Amanda Cortez and Amy Marshall on Jessie Salco, then she wouldn’t be the Roulette Champion. Do you see where I am going with this?”
{Faith}
“Ain’t that a little bit sneaky Mister Staggs? She ain’t joined your team and now you wanna piss off The Don or whatever you call her wannabe Godfather and Scarface ass? What if I do something you don’t like? You gonna put them hookers on my scent? Huh? You gonna steal the title away from me? You act like you own them titles, and you probably could if you wanted to. Wait no, you ain’t got a pussy. You ARE a pussy! My mistake Mister Staggs.”
{Erik Staggs}
“Quit calling me Mister Staggs! You are patronizing me and I will not stand for it. This is a simple offer, Faith. Are you with Team Erik, or do you need a little more convincing from Necra, Roxanne, Amy, Amanda, Laura, and Misty? You already know that nobody gives a shit about you, and nobody is going to stop it from happening. Aside from showing dominance I wanted my ladies to prove that if you aren’t in NXT then nobody will save you. Not even our resident superheroine, Roxi Johnson will try to help you. They don’t know team work and they don’t know how to pick apart a unit as tightly wound as mine. Those are the facts, and I won’t try to flatter you any more. Choose.”
[Faith whispers over to the barmaid who writes down a drink order on her tablet. She quickly runs off to get the drink and Faith thinks it over for a second. Now that the games are finished and the game has been put out on the table it is time for Faith to decide.]
{Faith}
“You make it sound so black and white, Erik. I mean it sounds like I need to roll with a crew, and NXT hasn’t asked me to join them. If I wanted to show my loyalty to Spike, I would have to get my ass kicked every week. I couldn’t get near any titles. I would wind up being some broke as bitch sitting on the call list when the big stars need a break off.”
{Erik Staggs}
“That’s about right. I don’t mean to sound like I am threatening you. That is just the way it is. We have a strong bond and I can’t stop these ladies from doing what they want to do. They are all hungry and they want SCW gold. The men are the same way. If you notice, we own three or four of the titles if they make the right call on Kevin. If you brought back the Roulette title for us, you would be safe from the foul play.”
{Faith}
“You are threatening me. You are telling me that if I beat Joanne and get that belt around my waist that your hookers will come after me and make sure I don’t have it. That is a threat, because I will walk out of Climax Control with that belt. Tanya Montana don’t know what is gonna hit her when she steps up to me. I learned to fight with heart and that’s gonna win the match for me. So if I don’t join your team, then I should count on losing that belt the week after, is that what you are telling me?”
[The barmaid brings the plastic cup to the table and puts it down in front of Faith. She pulls out her wallet but Erik stops her by holding her arm. He reaches into his pocket and brings out a wad of cash. He flips through and pulls out a few small bills. He gives it to the barmaid but doesn’t stop looking at Faith.]
{Erik Staggs}
“Keep the change… I can’t promise you anything if you don’t decide where you belong. I can’t say that Necra won’t hunt you down to get her hands on that gold, especially if you choose to go to the side that is going to keep you at the bottom to make Vixen and Odette look better. All I can say is that you seem like a smart young woman, and I have faith that you will choose the right side of the battlefield. Don’t be stupid like the others who refuse me.”
{Faith}
“Okay then. You got yourself a deal Mister Staggs. Count me in for the fight. You won’t be sorry.”
[Erik’s expression is happy when he grabs onto Faith’s hand. He shakes it in joy of her decision. She smiles and he pulls her in for a hug. Erik pats her back because he is just so happy that she decided to go with his side of the battle. Faith pats him on the back too until she ours her beer all over Erik’s head. She makes sure to do it slow so that he gets the full effect of it. When it is done she shakes the cup so that all of the suds pour onto Spike’s head too. He doesn’t look happy when he wipes at his face.]
{Faith}
“I’m sorry. Did you think I meant your side? You ain’t as smart as everyone says you are, Erik. I don’t care how many of your whores you throw at me because I will take them down with the lights on. You can’t beat the hell out of me and then expect me to side with you. Even if I didn’t have loyalty to Spike, I would never join your side because I like to fight fair. Now do me a favor and pass on a message to them hookers. Now that I am back and ready to win a championship, I got plans for them. Each and every one of them. Wanna know what I mean, Erik? Watch on at Climax Control.”
[With that, Faith walks away from Erik who screams with anger. She laughs and takes her phone out of her pocket. She dials a few numbers and can’t stop laughing while the phone rings. She walks towards the exit.]
{Faith}
“Spike? Hey man! Yeah, you ain’t gonna believe what just happened to me…”
[Now Faith is at the exit. She walks out of the venue happy with what she did to Erik. She didn’t have anything against her opponent for this week, but it was very clear that winning is the only option for Team SCW. To make her voice heard, she needed gold to make them listen, and unfortunately it has to come at Joanne Canelli’s expense. Sorry pumpkin but thems the breaks. Stay tuned to see if Faith is successful.]
