[The Jersey Devil Diva]

 Act 1: Repairs

“Why hope to live a long life if we're only going to fill it with self-absorption, body maintenance, and image repair? When we die, do we want people to exclaim 'She looked ten years younger,' or do we want them to say 'She lived a great life'?”
Unknown



The scene opens on the massive city of LA. The sun was bright in the sky, and the heat was well above 80 already for early in the day. The tall palm trees were still, and not a breath of air moved around them. The camera pans over the city, through the city, past the Hollywood sign until it comes to a rest at a large white manor with repair trucks sitting in the curved driveway. Painters, builders and renovators came in and out of the house with pieces of walls and floors, before placing new ones down. Painters had finished the upstairs area, and now the main floor was in the process of being rebuilt to the specifications of the new owner. A black limo soon pulls up and stops just on the side of the house. Joanne soon steps out and she smiles looking up at the house, with the scaffolding still in front. A young woman wearing a white suit moves quickly toward Joanne with hand extended.

Woman: Miss Canelli, I'm Helena Charm. They told me you were coming this morning. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Joanne: Like wise. How is everythin' comin'?

Helena: Everything is coming along just fine and should be done within the next day or two Miss Canelli.

Joanne: Good to hear, because my home in Jersey is being fixed as well, and we're tired of stayin' in hotels.

Helena: That's why we're trying to get everything finished. Would you like to look around?

Joanne: Of course I would. I want to see what I've pourin' my money into for the last month and a half.

She just smiles as they head inside. The main foyer was still being worked on, but the massive fountain had been placed in the middle with the statue with the “WORLD IS YOURS” around the globe, being held up by the three figures. It gleamed brightly in the late afternoon sun that streamed from the windows, and Joanne couldn't help but smile.

Helena: As you can see everything is going to be the exact replica from the movie of Scarface. The fountain won't be turned on until everything is finished of course, but it has been tested, and it works perfectly. I have to say wherever you got that from did a beautiful job of recreating it.

Joanne: I know. I have one just like it in Jersey. What about the kitchen is that finished?

Helena: The paint is drying and the floor will be finished this afternoon. The living room was finished this morning, and the paint in the foyer is drying as we speak.

Joanne: Good. So by this evening then we could technically stay here without any problem then...

Helena: Yes Miss Canelli. The furniture store called me this morning and the stuff that you ordered will be here in just a little while, and set up, so yes you could stay tonight if you like.

Reno: This was the best idea that you've ever had boss.

Joanne: Really? The best idea?

Rude: What he meant to say was...

Joanne: It's all right. Why don't you go and check out the rest of the house? I'm going to check out the upstairs...

Scarpaci: Yeah the office. You know that you've wanted one just like it since you saw that movie.

Joanne: So what? Then after that you three can go and get us dinner. I'm starved.

Reno: Sure thing boss. C'mon guys.

Helena: I hope that everything is to your liking Miss Canelli. My guys have been working for the last month or so, and we've followed your instructions to the letter.

Joanne: I'm sure you have. If you need me for anythin' Ill be in my office.

Joanne walks off heading up the deep red plush carpeted stairs. She ran her hand along the wrought iron railing, and smiles as she reaches the top. She turns and looks down on the foyer before opening the double doors and walks into the office. There in front of the large bay windows sat a deep oaken desk, with a high backed leather chair, with her initials embroidered in the top. She walks across the soft carpet, and sits down. She leans back in the chair, as the sound of her cell phone breaks the silence.

Joanne: Hello? This is her. No, I haven't seen the new card yet. I see... No I can be there... When? Sure thin'.  Who's it against? I see... No I'll be glad to put her in her place. Thank you, but it won't be needed.

Joanne hangs up and turns to face the window staring out at the massive yard.

Joanne: It's funny for the last month or so I've had time away from the company and I have to say that I do miss it. I've been champion a couple of times over, and yet they keep throwing opponents at me that think they have somethin' to prove, but they can never stand against someone like me, and that has been through hell and back in the middle of the ring. Now they toss me against me a new girl that has gotten lucky in her first match... So what? I've been in your place Triselle and I've managed to get where I am because I don't back off, and will do anythin' that I have to  do to win a match, and prove that I am the best at what I do.

She gets up from where she sits and opens the balcony doors letting the warm air into the house that still lingered with the smell of fresh paint, and saw dust. She leans against the railing on the balcony and looks down at the manicured lawn watching the truck being moved in that held the tiger. He would have a new compound, and home where it didn't turn cold for once. The door on the truck opens, and the cage is slowly moved. The trainer opens the door, and the tiger steps out, sniffing the air around it.

Joanne: Triselle you should run now, and never look back considerin' what is comin'. You see when I step into the ring there is nothin' that you can do to stop me. I've been in this business a long time, and I have seen ones like you come and go, or trip at the finish line when you think you have what you want in your hands. I've been crowned champion more times then I can remember, and I will continue to do so. I have no idea what you can do, but I was told you managed to pull off a triple threat, and yet that doesn't impress me at all. I've been in a lot of those and managed to pull off that win, without a second thought. Tell me what makes you different from the others that I have beaten into submission? What's goin' to make you stand out among the rest of the rabble that has crossed my path time and time again?

Joanne smiles to herself, and walks along the balcony that ran the length of the house. The pure white marble sparkled in the sun as she ran her hand along it, and stops when she reaches the master bedroom. She opens the doors, and steps inside. The room was empty but that would change in the next few hours, and once again the house that started it all would be a place that they would call home.

Joanne: I know that you're goin' to do whatever it takes to win this match but it won't be enough to stop me. I'm not going to underestimate you, that would be just stupid of me. But I'm in this match to win it, not lose. I will break every bone in your body if I have to just to prove a point to you and anyone else that is stupid enough to get into the ring with me. I will do everythin' that I can to win this match, and make sure that you don't walk away with the win that I deserve. You see I'm no pushover, and if I were you I Would ask the girls in the back, about what I can do, and then turn and walk away from this place. I'm not goin' to hold back, or lay down just because the new girl wants to gain a win! If you want that win Triselle then you have to fuckin' earn it from me!

She turns and walks back out onto the balcony and looks back down at the yard below. Everything was coming together. She looks down at the tiger that had settled into it's new home, and seemed more comfortable then he did in Jersey. Joanne couldn't help but smile.

Joanne: Now as far as I can see Triselle you have two choices... One you can walk away from this match, and forget about it, or two... You can step into the middle of the ring with me, and end up on the mat wonderin' what happened, and how you lost after that big win in your debut. If I were you I would take the first choice, and find an opponent that is at the same level as you. You are no where near my skill or my level. Walk away if you know what is good for you. If you don't there is only one way this match is goin' to end and it's not goin' to be pretty for you Triselle.

She makes her way back along the balcony and into her office once again. The room was dim from the light within, and was cool from the central air that swirled through the house. Joanne sits back in the high backed black chair and leans back.

Joanne: I don't know what else I can say to you Triselle without soundin' like a broken record... I mean I know that you're tryin' to make a name for yourself by winnin' every match that you can, but you're not goin' to win against me. I've been around for a while, and climbed the ladder time and time again, but one still has slipped through my grasp, and I'll be damned if you beat me to it. By the end of this you will be broken, battered, bruised, bloodied and totally humilimated. We are the Mafioso; and we get paid to kick your ass. See you soon Triselle. Oh and good luck... You're goin' to need it.

Joanne smiles softly to herself, as she turns the chair around once again toward the window, as the scene fades to black on the back of the chair.