Act 1: A New Outlook
“Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road.”
Stewart Brand
The scene opens on the beautiful Jersey Shore. The sun was high in the sky, and clear once again. The heat had already started to settle in for an early summer and the air conditioned, and central air homes were cool and the pools shimmered in the backyards. The camera pans over the quiet neighborhood where we find kids playing in their front yards in the sprinklers that were set up, or riding their bikes on the lawns. The camera soon pans to the large black wrought iron gates with the large "C" in the middle and up the long driveway, to the massive estate that sat behind the high brick walls. The tall willow trees hung over the driveway, and the backyard giving their shade, around the pool, and the tiger pen that took up one corner. The camera pans to the backyard and to the pool where we find Joanne lounging in the pool enjoying the summer day. She had a couple of weeks of relaxation and was enjoying the time off. They had arrived back from California after buying the house of her dreams. She had seen the vlog that her opponent Katherine had released and she couldn't help but feel pity for the young woman. She didn't know what she was getting into. Reno comes out through the sliding glass doors, and walks to the pools edge where we see Joanne floating on top of a deep blue lounger in a light blue and black two piece with her hair pulled back from her face, and a dark pair of sunglasses over her eyes.
Reno: Hey, are you going to come with us?Joanne: Where?Reno: To pick up lunch. We already ordered it...Joanne: No, I think I'm goin' to stay here, and enjoy the quiet for a bit.Reno: Are you sure? I mean no one is going to be here with you.Joanne: What are you talkin' about?She looks up at the roof where two men had been positioned. They hold what appears to be automatic rifles of some sort, as other guards walk around the main part of the grounds.
Joanne: I think I'll be all right. Go on and get it, and make sure you pick up that shipment too.Reno: Don't worry we will.Reno turns and heads back inside leaving Joanne alone once again. She looks around, and it seems quiet. She slides off the lounger, and into the water, and swims to the edge of the pool, and gets out, with water dripping down her perfectly toned and tanned body. She adjusts the bottom half of her bikini, and grabs a towel before heading into the house. She heads up the stairs, and into her room. As she does shadows move along the high walls, and over the top, slinking about the grounds. Shots ring out, from the guards, and Joanne perks up, and grabs her clothes and tosses them on, along with the two 9mm guns that still sat in her holster. She slings it over her shoulder and heads out the door, toward her office. The sound of gun fire still echos slightly, as she moves through the house. The front doors fly open and there stood a man wearing a white suit, but didn't spot Joanne. She smiles to herself, and flattens herself against one of the walls in the dark hallway, and waited. He starts toward her, and all that is heard is a shot being fired, and a body hitting the floor. Blood splattered on the pictures that lined the wall as Joanne continued along the hallway. She finally reaches her office, and heads inside, shutting the doors behind her. She walks over to her lap top and turns it on, and starts messing with the camera, and finally gets it focused.
Joanne: I know this is bit different then what I usually do, but I think it's about time that I start to expand my horizons isn't it? I've seen what my opponent Katherine has to say and I have to say that I'm not really enthused about it. She's everythin' that I have strive not to be. She's... Well... She thinks that money can buy happiness, or that just because you face someone that you're goin' to be besties right afterward. Boy is she wrong. This isn't a place to make friends, or to become besties just because you think it would be cool or fun. I've went to school with girls like her, and it all comes down how they present themselves in front of the cameras that are goin' to be in the arena that night. Sure she seems harmless and that's not a good thin'. She has no clue of what she's getting' herself into when she gets in that ring, especially against someone like me.In the background, a few shots are head coming from outside. Joanne sighs, and continues on.
Joanne: Katherine do you really think that you have what it takes to be in the SCW? I mean you don't have any experience and you were taught by an amateur with backyard wrestlin'. You are never goin' to make it as a Bombshell, and you should realize it now. It's better to beaten by me then to go on and realize that you were never cut out for it. I've been in the business a long time Katherine and I've seen people like you fail before they even really had a chance. Katherine I'm not goin' to go easy on you, nor will I let you walk away with the win that I have been after since I came back. This is my night to shine, and I plan on doin' everythin' that I can to bring you down, and make sure that your career never does take off.Joanne gets up from where she sits and starts to adjust the camera, when she hears something behind her on the balcony. She pushes herself against the wall, and waits. From off camera a shot can be heard along with the body slumping to the floor. As Joanne adjusts the camera once again, we see her putting the gun on the desk.
Joanne: Katherine you and I might run with the same circles in life, but let me tell you we will never be friends. I'm not here to be social, I'm here to win and take what is rightfully mine. I'm after gold, and nothin' more. So you can go on that little shoppin' trip on your own, and leave me the fuck alone. I'm not goin' to stop when the bell sounds, no, I'm goin' to pound you into that mat, and make you wish that you never even thought about startin' in this business. I'm not a nice person, and I want you to realize that now. They really should have thrown you up against someone that will go easy on you, and not beat your head in just to get what they want.Joanne smiles to herself, as she looks at the door to her office, and someone on the other side was trying to kick it in. She fires a couple of shots off, and it stops. She wouldn't be safe for long, and hoped the guys would be back before it was to late.
Joanne: Katherine I'm warnin' you right now. I'm not above breakin' bones, or makin' you bleed. You see I've done a lot of thin's just to win a match and Sunday night won't be any different for me. If you end up on the mat, then so be it, because it's not goin' to be an easy match. I will break every bone in your body just to prove that you don't belong here. Of course you can try and stand against me, but I know that you're goin' to be like so many others that have stood against me, and failed. By the end of it Katherine, you will be broken, battered, beaten, bruised, and bloodied. I'm not goin' to lay down and let you win without a fight. This is my time to shine, while you fade away into nothin'ness. We are the Mafioso; and we get paid to kick your ass! See you soon Katherine.Joanne smiles and walks away from the screen and opens the door slowly seeing two bodies on the floor. They were dressed in white suits, and that meant her guys were on the move. She would be safe for only a short time, but it would be long enough for her to make a phone call.
Joanne: Hey it's me... Yeah... I need you.She hangs up and smiles leaning against the wall, knowing everything would be over in a short time, and there was nothing that her enemies could do to stop the onslaught that was about to appear. She walks out into the foyer seeing bodies on the floor, as the camera focuses on a set of green eyes, as the scene fades to black.
