[Mercedes Vargas]

 [ C A N T | K E E P | A | M E A N | G I R L | D O W N]

[REC•]

Rocky Mountains: I'm here with the Bombshell Roulette Champion, Mercedes Vargas. Gotta say, a rough outing for you tonight against the Chastain Sisters as not only did you lose the match, but your four match winning streak came to an end. What's your reaction after this setback?

Mercedes: Setback? Is that what it was, Rocky, a setback? Yeah....no. I'll give her props, Blanca got to pin me. Pretty sure she's going to call up all her friends and tell them about her little victory, but let me ask you a question, Rocky, who was standing tall at the end of the match?

Rocky Mountains: Well, you did. But only because Angelica helped you beat down both sisters.

Mercedes: That was payback from last week, sweetheart. And as far as I'm concerned they deserved every bit of the ass kicking me and Angie put to those two yahoos tonight. Bottom line is, I'm still the Bombshell Roulette Champion.

Rocky Mountains: I'm glad you brought that up, Mercedes, because as you well know, considering that the Chastain Sisters did beat you tonight, they now have a title shot against you in the future.

Mercedes: No...I said the sister who pinned me would get a shot at my title. Scrappy Doo gets the shot, not Zuri, will get to step in the ring with yours truly, and I can guarantee you that lightning isn't going to strike twice. Tonight, she needed help to beat me, but the next time I see her, when the title is on the line, I'll have her all to myself.

Rocky Mountains: I want to change the subject for a moment. Your match with Blanca and Zuri wasn't the last time we would see you tonight as you later on appeared during the main event, helping Delia retain her title and costing both Roxi Johnson and Traci Patterson the match? Didn't you say on Twitter that the Mean Girls wouldn't bother interfering in the match to start with?

Mercedes: Why what? Listen, whether or not I came out there, it still wouldn't have changed anything. Delia would have walked out the champion regardless. As for Traci, yeah, I cost her the match, but then so what? What is she going to do? I'll tell you, nothing. She's going to do nothing, because that is what she is...nothing. Everyone knows I'm the one who carried the team, I was the tag team champions. Yes, champions. Plural. She was just there to carry my second belt. And let's not forget, Rocky, she's LOST the belt in the first place, so you might say that was another reason I came out and did what I did. Traci is hopeless.

The camera pans back to reveal Mercedes looking at her iPad that had been replaying a slightly edited version of an interview from two weeks ago that was not seen on the broadcast

“What can I say, Zuri? You did it. You won. Well, your sister won anyway, but I'll give you your props, I'll give you your credit. Matter of fact, you deserve a round of applause for that. So here's your round of applause..."

And a mockingly round of applause she did offer. Slow, methodical, slapping her hands together while shaking her head. This continued on for a moment longer before she felt that she got her message across and stopped clapping, but follows this by taking a bow.

“...And there's your bow.”

These obvious hints of sarcasm ends as she shrugged it off.

“Bra-vo. I mean, wow. Amazing. Unbelievable. Incredible. I'm still going through the motions after our match two weeks ago, but I think I'll manage. And I'm just going to come out and say it. I overestimated you and Blanca. I was wrong. Like I said, no excuses.”

Mercedes holds her hands us apologetically.

“You got the job done. But, uh, it's not like you had help to beat me, Zuri. And let's face it, you knew what you were getting yourself into once that bell rang, and I can see it in your eyes. You were desperate. And desperate people do desperate things. It's no wonder why you had to use a little brass in order to beat me, and that is just so wrong. I mean, really? For you to stoop that low. You should be ashamed of yourself, the both of you. For anyone to use cheap tactics to get a win is not only seen as a joke, but they're not even worth it. For shame, Cheapstains, for shame.

“Well, at least now you've got your priorities in order. You've got your eyes set on taking away my title, Zuri, but that's in five weeks at High Stakes IV. Come Sunday night, at Climax Control 97, you get to face one-half of the Bombshell Tag Team Champions and fellow Mean Girl, Veronica Taylor.”

Mercedes let out a chuckle while rubbing her palms together expectantly. Since she was in the main event, Mercedes was planning on watching the only other match featuring the Mean Girls backstage. In her mind, this was a blessing in disguise and a great way to get revenge on Zuri through Veronica after what many might have called an upset in the non-title match on Climax Control 95.

“And why I'm looking forward to that match is not because Veronica is guaranteed to embarrass you as much as she's going to prove to the entire world that neither you or the rest of Necra's little stable can stop the Mean Girls. I'm looking forward to Sunday because what happens to you that night is but a small taste of what you'll be in for on 11/16.”

As if on cue, she lifts her head at the camera for no reason, and then slightly turns her body slightly, wanting the camera to get her good side.

“After retaining my title against Necra, I'm sure there were a lot of you who though that handicap match was what is known as a “trap game” in the sports world, and you know they're probably right. Same can be said about my upcoming match. But you know something, no matter how hard you try...”

She pauses, then opens her hands out before a smile crosses her face.

“You just can't keep a Mean Girl down.

“Oh, and Cindy, I know I haven't gottento talking about my next title defense with you, but don't you worry, pumpkin.”

She points at the camera as she flashes a grin.

“I haven't forgotten about you just yet.”

Fade

• • •

S|C|E|N|E| 002
[ A R R I V A L S | A N D | D E P A R T U R E S, P A R T I I]

“You sure you want to do this? The shredder is hungry for some paper.”

“I'm going through with it.”

Sitting behind a desk in her office, Irene Martinez sighs as she shakes her head at Carmen Reyes. Somewhere between the small talk and catching up with relatives and friends, this issue sprung up like weeds in a rose garden, and it wouldn't go away. At Reinhardt, Pleasant, and Scott, today, just like she's done for the past fifteen years, she had to explain to her client what they were really in for in legal proceedings. Only, this would have to be a special occasion.

Irene: Look, even I'm having second thoughts about this. I may be your mother, but you took quite a risk coming all this way to ask me to represent you. You live in California, there's about a law firm on every corner and for every reason under the sun. You can't beat that.

Carmen: It's not everyday your inflight movie is Snakes on a Plane, but if I can get through that, I can get through anything. But you're after my best interests right?

Pulling off her oval-shaped glasses, Irene replies without even looking at her.

Irene: I'm also obligated to remain impartial and not let my emotions get in the way. You do realize that your cousin is responsible for this whole mess, don't you? If anything, you can save the time and the money and talk her into just apologizing to Holly and put this all behind you.

Carmen: Holly said she wouldn't hire me back because it would bring back that moment at the movie theater. Besides, I've been replaced.

She pauses, looking at the manila folder she carried in her hand.

Carmen: And if I'm going out, at least it will be going out in a blaze of glory.

Irene: You can back out of this anytime, but once this goes through, there's no turning back.

Carmen looks out at palm trees that swayed in the summer breeze on a sunny day in Miami.

Carmen: Mom, I've made up my mind and I'm not turning back. Let's just get this over with.

Irene is handed back the paperwork as she looks up at Carmen.

Irene: Okay. But just so you know, I'm not picking favorites, and you better prepare for a fight on your hands.

Carmen: Wouldn't want you to. And yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way.

• • •

S|C|E|N|E| 003
[P A G I N G | D R. | V A R G A S]

[REC•]

“Toe bone connected to the foot bone, the foot bone connected to the heel bone, and the ankle bone connected to the knee bone...”

Mercedes, seen in her living room apartment, is wearing a white lab coat and surgical gloves as we see the Operation board game in front of her. She looks up at the camera, albeit surprised that she was being filmed.

“So, I heard through the grapevine that Misty is taking a LOA, or maybe, just maybe, she's reached that moment of clarity and finally decided to call it a career. Don't call it a comeback, huh? For nine weeks, that pale, Casper-looking icon that we look up to in the Bombshells Division declared that she wasn't finished with us Mean Girls, that her so-called war would continue. Of course, we laughed it off, because it was hilarious.

“You know what I think? She's probably taking time off to deal her gambling problem which has gone out of control. Misty thought that we wouldn't leave Violent Conduct II with all the titles, and we proved her wrong, and put a cool five hundred bucks in Gabriel's pocket. She said Delia wouldn't even get past her first title defense.  Not only did she successfully retain last show, she beat two Bombshells in a single night. I'm willing to bet she thought I wouldn't get past Necra Octavian Kane the week before. As it turns out, I'm still the Bombshell Roulette Champion.”

Mercedes gestures at her title which is proudly displayed inside a wall unit that was now a trophy case. Two world championships are draped over the top bars while on the base of the unit sits various trophies, among them the Feud of the Year Award won by the Mean Girls stable at last week's Climax Control.

”You know they say absence makes the heart grows fonder, but for some reason I didn't even know Misty had gone missing, let alone care. But apparently, her two week vacation, sudden leave of absence, desperate stunt that went nowhere, doesn't change the fact that even with her still on the roster, there's practically no one left to stand in our way. Roxi Johnson? Ha! She and Traci both failed two weeks ago to stop the momentum of Delia Darling. I guess someone forgot to tell Roxi that you should never make promises you can't keep, even to yourself. You think she'd learn that lesson by now. Necra? After I beat her at Climax Control 94 that same night in her rematch, she won't be anywhere close to getting another shot at my title. And as for Misty, well, I guess when the cat was away, the rats came our to play, right?”

She smiles

“You know, I said this before on Twitter, but I really think it needs to be said it again. Misty can't be throwing her money around like that, or she's going to find herself living in a cardboard box. Not that I care, but wouldn't that be a story? 'Former three-time Bombshell Champion now living on the fringe of society? Kicking a can down the road. Holding out a cup for handouts. Maybe she gives in and becomes a lady of the night just to make ends meet. She kinda looks the part.”

Mercedes uses air quotes.

“Now that I got my required Misty bashing out of the way, I think it's time to turn to a very serious matter, and that's my match this Sunday. I don't know about any of you, but it feels like I've been in this scenario before. For the second time in three weeks, yours truly will be in a championship match – which coincidentally also happens to be the only title match on Climax Control for the, well, second time in three weeks – against my favorite opponent...”

She points her hands at the camera, palms out.

"And yours as well, of course. Cynthia Warren.”

"Now, not a lot of you know that Cindy, just like Amy Marshall and Roxi Johnson, and I go way back. But many of you may or may not know that she also happens to be a nurse. Well, here at Operation – I love this game when I was a kid, good times – Cavity Sam here will pretty much represent Cindy's career. Well, her career against me, anyway."

Taking up the pair of tweezers, she hovers around the "operating table", lithographed with a comic likeness of  â€œCavity Sam.”

"I have been making history, main-eventing, and winning championships. But hey, I get it SCW. You gotta bring in the hot hand. And Cindy has been on fire. Sure, she hasn't had a match in over three months and sure she has but one win to her name, in a tag match, might I add, but who cares, right? I'm sure she'll be well rested entering this Sunday. I mean, you can forget about her having butterflies in her stomach, because a match with me should be a piece of cake."

Mercedes gently gets at the cavity that had a large butterfly in the middle of the torso. Surprisingly, the buzzer doesn't sound. Crisis averted, Mercedes comically wipes her forehead with the back of her hand.

"On a side note though, I almost feel bad for Veronica. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud that she nabbed an award at the Year Ends, but just the same, look at what she's has to go through in recent weeks: her partner walks out on her, she was stuck with Belinda Simone and Jason Adams on commentary, she probably wished she had six minutes of her life back after having to watch that cluster of a battle royal with seven of the most undeserving Bombshells vying for a chance to be her partner, and now she has to put up with Mob Boss Queen, who is probably planning a hit on her as we speak.”

Mercedes puts her a hand to heart in mock anguish.

"I feel your pain, Vero. I feel your pain. Worst of all, I'd give anything to switch places with her on the card if it meant putting my title on the line against Zuri, beating her, and having the next supershow off.

"Roxi Johnson seems to think that come High Stakes, I won't even have this title around my shoulder, but what she doesn't know is that you haven't beaten me in a little over 13 months. When it comes to me and you, you and me, Cindy, I've beaten you all three times we met in the ring. Four, if you want to throw in that triple threat tag match at pay-per-view. Don't think I'm not taking you seriously, Cindy. It's not that you're aren't any good, it's not that I'm not looking past you. Even if I gave you the benefit of the doubt, more than likely all you'll do is prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will prove me right.

“And I'm not the only one who's going to suffer a broken heart.”

She leans closer at the operation table, now using placing the tweezer inside the cavity with the heart shape with a crack through it on the right side of the chest. Another successful venture, another one hundred dollars collected. She quickly looks up at the camera.

"I like to think I am. Well, most of the time anyway.”

She shrugs.

"And go ahead and talk about the Mean Girls and act as if I need them to help me win matches. Everyone seems to use that excuse as a crutch. Only thing is, I take it away and they always fall over. Not one time have I ever cheated in a match in SCW – before Mean Girls or since. Want to know why? Because I don't need to, especially against people like you. Cindy, as much as you're going to try and take this title off of me, emphasis on try, it's just not going to happen. You're going to need a little luck and a whole lot of talent to beat me, and I don't think you're the one to do it. So unfortunately for Roxi and Zuri – spoiler alert – they're both going to be looking up at the arena lights at the end of their matches, and then they're going to watch the main event when I walk out of Climax Control 97 still the Sin City Wrestling Bombshell Roulette Champion.”

She shrugs.

"48 hours from now, two days from Sunday, we're going be headlining Climax Control 97 in a Roulette Rules match, and I bet you're just as excited about this match as I am. I've been waiting on pins and needles for our match Sunday in South Carolina. SCW will get to see us face off for the first time, but there's nothing new about this old rivalry.”

Mercedes gets off from off the floor and opens her trophy case as she reaches for her championship and holds it with one hand while pointing at it with her free hand, her gaze still focused on the camera lens. 

"You are all after this. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you Cindy and Zuri and all you other Jealous Janis out there, but this title, MY title, is staying with me. Around my waist, over my shoulder, wherever I decide to place it that day. This title (she cradles it close to her) is MINE, ALL MINE. And you want to know why?  (pointing to herself) Because I'm Mercedes Vargas, and if you girls are the closest competition I have, (she scoffs) then, yeah, I'm going to holding on to this title for a long time. Doesn't matter who SCW throws at me, I'm game. They line them up, I'll knock them down.

"At the end of the night, every fan watching this Sunday will be wondering the same question you'll be asking yourself Cindy: Did you really earn the right to challenge me, or to lose to me? I guess we'll find out soon, huh?”

She gives an innocent shrug.

"You know that whole bit about history repeating itself? Well, I wrote the book, but I won't mind writing this new chapter and ending it when your name ends up on my checklist.”

Fade.