APRIL 28, 2010
THE NEST
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
9:54 AM LOCAL TIME
Terrence Thompson looked up as his wife came down the stairs, suitcase in hand. Terrence set down the paper he had been reading, and got up from his easy chair, walking over to her.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked, as the flame-haired woman set the luggage down.
Wendy nodded, giving her husband a sad smile. "Yes, I do. I'm sorry, Terry. I can't explain it, but there's something inside of me that's telling me that I need to beat you. And if I stay here, the tension between us will be too much. This will be hard enough as it is."
Terrence almost suggested that they call this match off, and demand that JPO switch one of them with another person in the tournament brackets, but he knew that such an idea would be extremely offensive to Wendy. Wendy tried to hide it, but she had a definite prideful streak.
"I'll miss you," was all he finally managed to say.
"I know," Wendy said, grabbing her husband and embracing him. "But Terry, facing each other nearly severed our relationship once, and we can't ever let that happen again. But for this week, and this week only, I can't be your wife, and you can't be my husband."
"Wendy, I don't care if I'm facing you or not... you will ALWAYS be my wife."
Wendy smiled sadly, then reached back, unclasping the silver necklace. "Give me your ring," she ordered, sliding off her own.
Puzzled, Terrence obliged, giving her his gold band. Quickly, Wendy threaded the necklace through the rings, reclasped it, then walked to the fireplace, setting the jewelery on the mantle.
"There," Wendy declared. "Here, at the hearth of our home, you and I will remain together. No matter what happens outside of this house, when you and I arrive home next Tuesday, we put our rings back on, and that will be that. Agreed?"
Terrence nodded. "Agreed. Now come on... you and I have one more thing to take care of."
"What's that?" Wendy asked, confused.
"There's a little girl who's going to be confused out of her mind if we don't talk to her." Terrence explained. "We put this off long enough."
Wendy nodded, and took a deep breath. "Theresa!" She called, leading Terrence into the dining room. The little girl quickly appeared, and Wendy picked her up and set her in her chair. Terrence and Wendy sat down, neither one sure exactly of what to say.
Finally, Wendy gave it a try. "Terr-Bear... you know mommy and daddy love each other very much, right?"
The three-year old nodded, obviously confused.
"And we'll continue to love each other, no matter what happens."
Again, Theresa nodded, but it was obvious Wendy was in trouble.
"Theresa," Terrence said, giving it a try. "Your mother and I will face each other next week on Adrenaline."
Theresa suddenly seemed to have comprehension. "Mommy and daddy awe gonna fight?"
Wendy nodded. "Yes, Theresa. Terrence and I are competing against each other in a match next week. We just wanted to talk to you to make sure you understood."
Theresa looked between her two parents. "Awe you going to huwt each other?"
"Theresa, listen to me," Terrence said sternly. "I love your mother, and I would NEVER do anything to hurt her. But yes, in that ring, Wendy and I will be fighting. But your mother and I fight by the rules, and we won't hurt each other anymore than we need to get the win. I promise you, when this is over, neither of us will be injured, and we will both still love each other."
Theresa looked from her father to her mother, who nodded. "He's right, Theresa. Our bond is way too strong for a match to tear asunder."
It was obvious some of the words had flown clear over Theresa's head, but she seemed reassured. Finally she spoke. "I hope mommy wins." she said with the candor only a three year old could have.
Wendy burst into laughter, and Terrence did his best to look completely offended.
"Actually," Terrence said, grinning at Wendy. "Why don't you take the little traitor with you?"
"What?" Wendy was surprised.
"You're staying at some ritzy hotel downtown right? It could be fun for her... heck, get Cassie to come too. "It'll be a girls week out!"
"Terrence," Wendy admonished, "I'm going to be training, not attending a day-spa."
"Come on," Terrence chided. "It's going to be a tough week for you being away from me. No sense being away from your daughter as well. Besides, she can help you figure out how to beat me!"
Wendy laughed and shook her head. "Theresa, do you want to go downtown with mommy?" The little girl nodded vigorously. "Okay, go get some of your toys."
The little girl ran off, and Wendy turned to her husband. "Thank you," she said. "But what about you?"
"I can batch it for a week," Terrence said with a smile. "Sides, Pollaski's picking up Super Street Fighter IV today."
Wendy rolled her eyes, knowing full well that Terrence was going to miss Theresa just as much as she would. "Thank God we haven't unpacked her suitcase yet."
A horn blast shattered the silence, and Wendy sighed. "Cassie's here to give me a ride." She said, rising to her feet. "I better go"
Terrence followed his wife into the hallway, just as Theresa bounded down the stairs, the Spongebob Pollaski gave her in her hands. "Bye daddy!" She said, and Terrence picked her up, giving her a hug and kiss.
"Bye, Terr-Bear. You be good for mommy, okay?"
Theresa nodded, and Terrence set her down. "Hey, run outside and ask Cassie if she wants to stay with you and mommy."
Theresa ran out the front door, leaving Wendy and Terrence alone in the foyer. Wendy looked over at the fireplace, and sighed.
"I'm sorry." she said.
"Hey, its just a few days." Terrence said, embracing her. "It'll be Monday before you know it. We'll have our match, and that'll be it. Actually, I'm planning on us having two matches Monday night. Only no one else is gonna see the second one, and we'll both be winners."
Wendy giggled, and turned bright red, swatting her husband on the arm, as she pulled away. She sniffled, and was surprised to find a tear running down her cheek.
"Go on, hon." Terrence said softly. "Don't keep Cassie waiting."
Wendy picked up the suitcases, and walked to the door, turning around one last time. Terrence looked straight back at her, and they both knew they were thinking the exact same thing.
The next time either of them saw each other, it would be as enemies.
Wendy finally turned, and exited the house, shutting the door behind her. Terrence slowly walked into the living room, and watched Cassie's car back up and pull away through the window.
As the car disappeared from view, he plopped into his easy chair, and closed his eyes.
It was going to be a long week.
==========================
APRIL 30, 2010
CANTERBURY HOTEL
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
2:17 PM LOCAL TIME
(Scene opens in a hotel room that would be best described as swanky. Two queen sized-ultra soft beds, a large lcd tv on the wall, a fine mahogany wood table, and a balcony overlooking the city of Indianapolis. Its obvious Wendy's week long sabbatical isn't going to be in a Holiday Inn.)
(Wendy sits alone in the room, on one of the beds, looking into the camera with those emerald green eyes. She is wearing a black short-sleved blouse with a long black skirt)
Wendy- Well, High Stakes was a success for me... I managed to defeat Lust, and I earned a berth in the #1 contender's tournament.
(Small smile)
Wendy- But now I find that my inclusion in the tournament is bittersweet, because now I must face my own husband, Terrence Thompson. Now, I've made it no secret that I do want this match, and I want to beat the man I love more than anything in this world.
No, it's not that I'm a glory hog, or that there is some secret animosity between the two of us. It's just that...
(There's a long pause, as Wendy seems to be caught in her own thoughts)
Wendy- I'm sorry, this is just a little hard for me to put into words.
(Go ahead, take your time.)
Wendy- I guess I want to beat Terrence the same way any student desires to overcome the master. And yes, I do consider Terrence as the man who trained me in this sport. He had barely two months of experience under his own belt, but he did everything he could to make sure I was able to defend myself and not get killed.
As we worked the independent circuit, pushed by greedy promoters who wanted to present us as an intergender tag team novelty act, regardless of how little we knew the sport, or if we got hurt, Terrence bacame a sort of guardian angel. He made sure I was never taken advantage of, and as the losses piled up, he became a pillar of support for me during those dark times.
Finally, we managed to receive some proper training, and we became better and better. But I've always felt that to be complete, I would have to one day best my the man who at least taught me how not to get killed in the ring.
This is my opportunity. I'm not in this match to stake a claim as the better WhirlyBird. I'm not really for caring whether or not I can take the Next Generation title away from my husband, and although it would be nice, my main goal isn't to advance in this tournament. Its to beat my husband.
(Wendy gives another small smile at the camera, a gleam of determination flashing in her emerald eyes.)
Wendy- Terrence, you and I have had our struggles over the past few months, but there is no bitterness in my heart, and there is no animosity in this match. I want to win simply because I respect you more than anyone else who has ever set foot in a wrestling ring.
This is the culmination of everything I've worked for in my entire career. If I can overcome you, my hisband, I know I have truly made that final step to becoming a complete combatant. And if I can't... if I fail...
(The smile disappears, and Wendy's gaze lowers, as if realizing for the first time that a loss is a possibility here.)
Wendy- ...Then I'll know that I still have a long way to go. I'll see you Monday, hon.
(The scene begins to fade, but...)
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
(The sharp knocking at the door startles Wendy, and she jumps about a mile. She gets up, and walks out of the frame, but we can still hear the audio as she opens the door.)
Wendy- (surprised) Pollaski! What are you doing here?
(Pollaski's voice can be heard, although he too is off camera)
Pollaski- Hey Wendy. I just came by to see how you're doing.
Wendy- I'm fine. I'm training hard, and Theresa, Cassie and I are having a blast. How's Terry?
Pollaski- Training hard... but he SUCKS at Street Fighter. I already beat him with every character. He misses you, though.
Wendy- I know... I miss him too.
Pollaski- Anyways, I also wanted to show you this.
(The sound of a piece of paper being unfolded can be heard.)
Wendy- This... is the Tag Wars Tournament lineup...
Pollaski- Read it.
(Slight pause)
Wendy- (now sounding VERY upset) No.... we disbanded. We broke up when the titles were vacated!
Pollaski- I'm sorry. I saw this, and I knew you needed to know.
Wendy- Can't I pull out, or we find someone else? I don't want to do this... not with him.
Pollaski- I'll do what I can, but I can't make promises
Wendy- Please, Dan. Find some way to get me out of this. I... I'm sorry. I need to be alone.
Pollaski- Okay. Just take it easy, alright?
(The door can be heard closing, and Wendy walks back into the picture. Its obvious she's extremely distraught, almost to the point of tears.)
Wendy- No.... God... why? I was free...
(Slight pause, then Wendy, looks straight at the camera, and her distress melts into a rage.)
Wendy- (screaming) I WAS FREE!
(Wendy kicks at the camera, tipping over the tripod. As the camera falls to the floor, we can hear Wendy dissolving into sobs. Then the camera hits, and static)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
EPISODE 7: Uh oh...
APRIL 26, 2010
THE VENUE; HORSESHOE HOTEL & CASINO
HAMMOND, INDIANA
10:55 PM LOCAL TIME
"THAT COUNT WAS SLOW, PARIAH!"
Terrence Thompson rolled his eyes in disgust as the obviously inebriated fan rose to his feet, shaking his fist in outrage. Of course the count was slow! He'd probably purchase an electric car before John Pariah ever willingly gave Danny Szatkowski a win in a match.
The fan continued to scream imprecations down on the PWX legend, and Terrence looked down at his half-full cup of Mountain Dew. For a second, he considered winging it at the fan's head, but ultimately rejected the idea. The idiot was probably too drunk to realize that picking a fight with him was a bad idea, and he doubted that JPO would look favorably on his wrestlers brawling with fans- especially during the main event of a pay-per-view.
Instead, he leaned against the wall of the entrance tunnel, and turned his attention back to the ring. Danny was screaming at Pariah, giving him a piece of his mind.
"Stay on him, you idiot," Terrence muttered as Ojeda began to stir, unseen by Danny.
"Hey," a female soprano voice rang behind him, forcing Terrence to turn around. He smiled as Wendy walked up next to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. She had changed into her street clothes, just like he had, although the green and black print ruffled blouse and black pants she wore were considerably classier than the IMS T-shirt and jeans he wore.
"Hey," he answered back, giving his wife a glance and a smile, then turned his attention back to the ring.
Wendy followed his gaze, her pleasant demeanor evaporating as she watched Ojeda roll a pizza cutter over Danny Szatkowski's forehead. "Lovely" she scoffed with disdain.
"You shoulda seen the bit with the sandpaper," Terrence chuckled, watching his wife stare angrily at the ring. "Ah," he remarked as Ojeda grabbed a barbed-wire baseball bat. "This oughta bring back memories."
Immediately, he realized that the offhand comment had not been well received, as Wendy turned away, shaken. He knew immediately the bat had reminded her of Lucifer, the trademark weapon of Rick "Ulfric" Logan. Apparently the wound of her friends death wasn't healing nearly as quick as he thought.
"These idiots are going to end up just like him." Wendy said quietly.
Terrence nodded absent-mindedly, wincing as the cruel barbs dug into Danny Szatkowski's skin.
"Jake told me this is what really killed Rick," Wendy continued, gesturing down to the ring.
Terrence nodded again, although he wasn't exactly sure how a wrestling match would cause someone to blow his brains out. Well, unless you lost to somebody like Grayson Willis...
Still, it was nice to see his wife not blaming herself for Logan's death anymore, and he told her so.
"I know," Wendy said, "although I'm not without blame. But, Terry, Rick could barely move at the end. He couldn't hear out of one ear, he could barely see out of one eye. He lived his life in constant pain, and was so addicted to painkillers..." she paused. "He was never going to wrestle again, and there was nothing left for him in his life. So he took it."
"But how many out there are just like him? How many people are so crippled and disfigured by the time they're thirty because of this idiotic notion that these deatchmatches bring glory?"
Terrence shrugged again. "I suppose, but its a part of wrestling, now."
"Its not wrestling!" Wendy snapped angrily. "What technical ability do you need to swing a bat at somebody? How many years of training and dedication does it take to throw another human being through a board of fluorescent light tubes? Its not wrestling... its an excersise in barbaric sadism."
"That looks like wrestling," Terrence commented, as Danny drove Ojeda through a board with a Death Valley Driver.
"That's because Danny Szatkowski, as stupid as he is for taking this match, is a wrestler. A good one at that. And he doesn't need this novelty show to prove it. Ojeda, on the other hand, no wonder he wanted this match. Its all he honestly knows."
Terrence almost chuckled, knowing that his wife had to be pretty steamed to openly insult another wrestler. He silenced himself, though. He had a feeling his wife would not respond well to being laughed at.
"At least the fans like it." He settled for saying.
"So did the fans back in ancient Rome, as men hacked each other to death with gladiuses." Wendy replied disdainfully. "Is that what's next? The fed president sits at ringside to decide the loser's fate?"
"This really bothers you, doesn't it?" Terrence asked quietly.
Wendy nodded. "Everytime I go out there, I know there's a chance I could be... that something could happen. I love wrestling, Terrence, and I know that injury is a risk with any sport. But I don't want to be a disfigured cripple when I'm thirty-five, and I don't want to be dead before I'm forty. And I don't want you to be, either."
Terrence smiled at his wife. "It won't be you, Wendy. You're smart, you're good, and you're careful."
Wendy nodded, looking down at the ring. "I hope so." She paused, looking over at Terrence. "Where's Pollaski?"
Terrence shrugged. "He left about three minutes before you came by. Said he had to use the bathroom. I figured he'd be back by now."
A chorus of boos rocked the arena, and both Birdz looked back at the ring. John Ojeda was standing on scaffolding, while Danny tried to climb up after him. "Oh, this is gonna hurt."
Wendy gave another disdainful scoff, but as she did so, Terrence noticed her wincing, and rubbing her back.
"Speaking of being hurt... are you okay?"
Wendy nodded, remembering the bearhug that had nearly caused her first loss. "For being squeezed like a tub of toothpaste, I'm fine. The medical examiner said my ribs aren't even bruised. I'm just glad I didn't get a bloody thumb driven into my throat," she finished with a chuckle.
Her chuckle was cut short as the crowd roared, and again both Birdz turned their attention to the ring. Ojeda had hit a capture suplex, sending Danny plummeting. Even from this distance, they could see half a dozen thumbtacks sticking out of Danny Szatkowski's face.
"I'm going back to the locker room," Wendy said as she turned away in disgust.
Terrence hesitated for just a second, then followed. This match was over, near as he could tell. No way Szatkowski was going to kick out after that.
"You know, I honestly thought you were done for during that bearhug." Terrence admitted. "I'm sorry I doubted you."
Wendy laughed. "Honestly, I thought I was done for myself... and I think I blacked out for a second. But then, it didn't seem to hurt so bad, and I knew how to get out of it."
Terrence started to say something, but the crowd roaring cut him off. He was surprised to not hear the ring bell admist the throng. Szatkowski must have kicked out.
Wendy noticed her husband's hesitation, and tried to smile. "You can go back and watch if you want, I don't mind."
Terrence paused for just a second, then shrugged. "Nah, I'm good. Just seems I'm underestimating everyone today."
"Well, at least you didn't underestimate the one who really mattered today." Wendy responded. "How was she, anyways?"
"Who?" Terrence asked. "Valerie?"
Wendy nodded, so Terrence shrugged. "She's not the most difficult opponent I ever beat. But she's actually pretty tough. Stronger than you, no doubt. But I think in terms of technical ability and speed, you're better."
Wendy nodded. "Its what i figured."
Terrence grinned. "Why the need for a scouting report? Think you'll face her?"
Wendy shrugged. "I think its an inevitability. Its a natural match-up, and I'm certain it will happen sooner than later. I just hope I can win when it does."
"Ah, well, maybe you'll face her in the tournament." Terrence said.
"I just hope I get in. You guaranteed yourself a spot today," Wendy admitted. "I don't know if my three wins will be enough."
"It will," Terrence said reassuringly, swinging open their locker room door. "The champ is here!" He announced the the two occupants of the room.
Cassie DeSlair looked up from her book, smiling as the WhirlyBirdz entered the room. "Who won?"
"Still going," Terrence remarked, plopping down in a chair of his own. "Szatkowski went face first into a bed of thumbtacks, and Wendy had enough."
Cassie stared at Terrence, obviously appalled. "They do that?"
"Only if they're stupid enough to agree to the match," Wendy muttered.
Terrence ignored his brooding wife, and shrugged. "I've been in a couple like that. They're not THAT bad, but I wouldn't wanna make a career of it. But its not something I'd ever want Theresa to see."
Wendy nodded vehemently in agreement, and looked down at her daughter, coloring in a book. "I'd like her father to live long enough to attend her wedding."
"Well, if we're not going to finish watching the main event, we should probably try to beat the traffic," Terrence proclaimed, standing up. "I'm gonna go find Pollaski"
Terrence turned to exit the locker room, but was nearly killed as the door flung open, Pollaski bursting into the room, looking upset and out of breath.
"There you are!" Pollaski panted. "I thought you guys ditched me!"
"The thought DID cross my mind," Terrence admitted. "I decided to go back and check on the ladies. Is it over?"
"Yup, new champion. Ojeda shot Danny up with a tazer, and threatened to shoot Pariah too if he didn't count."
"Disgusting," Wendy muttered, shaking her head. "Had it been a real match, Szatkowski would have destroyed him."
Pollaski looked as if he was about to argue whether or not it was a "real match", but Terrence staved off the argument.
"Where did you go, anyways?"
"The can," Pollaski said crudely. "Then I stopped by JPO's office to see if he had our matches for next week."
"Oh," Wendy said, forgetting her indignation in her intrigue. "Who are we facing?"
"Well, I got good news and bad news. The good news is that you're both in the tournament."
"Ha! Told you!" Terrence pointed at his wife triumphantly. For her part, Wendy broke into a wide smile, but she looked at Dan in apprehension.
"What's the bad news?"
"Only one of you will be advancing to the second round."
"Huh?" Terrence asked, confused, but Wendy caught on immediately.
"We're facing each other?"
Pollaski nodded solemnly, and Terrence and Wendy looked at each other. Terrence looked grim, but excitement was dancing behind Wendy's eyes.
"You wanna do this, don't you," Terrence said quietly.
Wendy stared back at her husband solemnly, then nodded. "I'm sorry, but yes, I do."
Terrence paused for just a second, then shrugged, smiling. "Then I hope PWX has insurance, because next week, we're tearing the house down."
Wendy laughed, but cut herself off immediately. "Oh God," she whispered, suddenly. "What are we going to tell Theresa?"
All four adults in the room turned to stare at the little girl, who remained coloring in her book, oblivious to her parent's sudden dilemma.
===============
MAY 1, 2010
INTERSTATE 65
NEAR BATTLEGROUND, INDIANA
4:12 PM LOCAL TIME
(RV, cockpit, moving. High speed.)
(Terrence Thompson sits in the driver's seat, alternating his glance between the dashboard mounted camera and the road. Next to him, the co-pilots seat is empty. In fact, outside of Terrence, the entire RV appears to be empty. Although Pollaski's probably somewhere in the back, sleeping.)
(As for the Mechanical Mayhem himself, he's in a pretty good mood today. He's got his Indianapolis Colts 2010 AFC Champions T-shirt on, and his Next Generation Championship is draped over his shoulder.)
Twister- Well, whadya know?
(Just in case you hadn't figured out what Terrence is talking about he taps the belt hanging over his shoulder)
Twister- Yes, folks, I, Terrence Andrew Thompson, have downed the great and mighty Valerie Belmont. Last Lap, ichi, ni, son, and yours truly is the second Next Generation Champion in the current PWX incarnation.
(And in his third match, too!)
Twister- And the best part about it all is... I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I said I would be the hardest opponent Val's ever faced, and I was. I said she was going to be frustrated, confused, and flat out beat, and she was. And I said in the end, I'd win, and I did. And I got me some bling out of the deal too.
(Another tap of the belt)
Twister- Of course, this isn't the belt I really want... that'd be the one around Jacob Wright's scrawny little waist. But the Next Generation title does have a purpose. If anything, it's going to help me figure out how best to wear the PWX Championship when I do end up winning it.
(Twister says this all like its an inevitability)
Twister- And as luck would have it, I am now entered in an eight man tournament to become the number one contender to the PWX title.
(Go figure)
Twister- Now, oddly enough, the person I drew for this match is none other than my better half, my beautiful wife, Wendy.
(Twister's jovial mood disappears somewhat here.)
Twister- Now, I'm sure everyone's been wondering if it's really going to happen. Will the WhirlyBirdz really get into the ring and fight each other, just for a chance at the PWX Championship?
(Just a slight pause)
Twister- You're damn right we will.
(Shrug)
Twister- Honestly, I don't want this match. There's enough people in the PWX for me to beat up without my wife having to be one of them. But this match is going to happen, whether I want it or not.
Twister- But I also know that Wendy DOES want this match. I think she views this as some sort of trial for her. In fact, this match is so important to her she's moved out of the house for a week, just so she can train without any distractions. I would do anything for Wendy, and if she wants to face me in the ring, then so be it.
Twister- Now, I love my wife, and four years ago, I took a vow that I would honor her in everything I do. I'd like to think that I've done a good job of upholding that vow. And I intend to keep it Monday night.
Twister- Wendy, you want to face me? Then so be it. I would do anything for you, and we both know that if you asked me to lose, I would lie down in the middle of the ring for you.
Twister- But I also know that you're not that kind of girl, and if I held back anything in this match, you would never forgive me. You want me at my best, and that's what you will get. I would say be careful what you wish for, but I know you're too damned stubborn.
(Small smile)
Twister- So, Wendy, Monday night, you and me. Let's tear the house down. Just remember, though. No matter what happens, I still love you, and when this is over, we'll be back to normal.
(Pause)
Twister- See you Monday, hon!
THE VENUE; HORSESHOE HOTEL & CASINO
HAMMOND, INDIANA
10:55 PM LOCAL TIME
"THAT COUNT WAS SLOW, PARIAH!"
Terrence Thompson rolled his eyes in disgust as the obviously inebriated fan rose to his feet, shaking his fist in outrage. Of course the count was slow! He'd probably purchase an electric car before John Pariah ever willingly gave Danny Szatkowski a win in a match.
The fan continued to scream imprecations down on the PWX legend, and Terrence looked down at his half-full cup of Mountain Dew. For a second, he considered winging it at the fan's head, but ultimately rejected the idea. The idiot was probably too drunk to realize that picking a fight with him was a bad idea, and he doubted that JPO would look favorably on his wrestlers brawling with fans- especially during the main event of a pay-per-view.
Instead, he leaned against the wall of the entrance tunnel, and turned his attention back to the ring. Danny was screaming at Pariah, giving him a piece of his mind.
"Stay on him, you idiot," Terrence muttered as Ojeda began to stir, unseen by Danny.
"Hey," a female soprano voice rang behind him, forcing Terrence to turn around. He smiled as Wendy walked up next to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. She had changed into her street clothes, just like he had, although the green and black print ruffled blouse and black pants she wore were considerably classier than the IMS T-shirt and jeans he wore.
"Hey," he answered back, giving his wife a glance and a smile, then turned his attention back to the ring.
Wendy followed his gaze, her pleasant demeanor evaporating as she watched Ojeda roll a pizza cutter over Danny Szatkowski's forehead. "Lovely" she scoffed with disdain.
"You shoulda seen the bit with the sandpaper," Terrence chuckled, watching his wife stare angrily at the ring. "Ah," he remarked as Ojeda grabbed a barbed-wire baseball bat. "This oughta bring back memories."
Immediately, he realized that the offhand comment had not been well received, as Wendy turned away, shaken. He knew immediately the bat had reminded her of Lucifer, the trademark weapon of Rick "Ulfric" Logan. Apparently the wound of her friends death wasn't healing nearly as quick as he thought.
"These idiots are going to end up just like him." Wendy said quietly.
Terrence nodded absent-mindedly, wincing as the cruel barbs dug into Danny Szatkowski's skin.
"Jake told me this is what really killed Rick," Wendy continued, gesturing down to the ring.
Terrence nodded again, although he wasn't exactly sure how a wrestling match would cause someone to blow his brains out. Well, unless you lost to somebody like Grayson Willis...
Still, it was nice to see his wife not blaming herself for Logan's death anymore, and he told her so.
"I know," Wendy said, "although I'm not without blame. But, Terry, Rick could barely move at the end. He couldn't hear out of one ear, he could barely see out of one eye. He lived his life in constant pain, and was so addicted to painkillers..." she paused. "He was never going to wrestle again, and there was nothing left for him in his life. So he took it."
"But how many out there are just like him? How many people are so crippled and disfigured by the time they're thirty because of this idiotic notion that these deatchmatches bring glory?"
Terrence shrugged again. "I suppose, but its a part of wrestling, now."
"Its not wrestling!" Wendy snapped angrily. "What technical ability do you need to swing a bat at somebody? How many years of training and dedication does it take to throw another human being through a board of fluorescent light tubes? Its not wrestling... its an excersise in barbaric sadism."
"That looks like wrestling," Terrence commented, as Danny drove Ojeda through a board with a Death Valley Driver.
"That's because Danny Szatkowski, as stupid as he is for taking this match, is a wrestler. A good one at that. And he doesn't need this novelty show to prove it. Ojeda, on the other hand, no wonder he wanted this match. Its all he honestly knows."
Terrence almost chuckled, knowing that his wife had to be pretty steamed to openly insult another wrestler. He silenced himself, though. He had a feeling his wife would not respond well to being laughed at.
"At least the fans like it." He settled for saying.
"So did the fans back in ancient Rome, as men hacked each other to death with gladiuses." Wendy replied disdainfully. "Is that what's next? The fed president sits at ringside to decide the loser's fate?"
"This really bothers you, doesn't it?" Terrence asked quietly.
Wendy nodded. "Everytime I go out there, I know there's a chance I could be... that something could happen. I love wrestling, Terrence, and I know that injury is a risk with any sport. But I don't want to be a disfigured cripple when I'm thirty-five, and I don't want to be dead before I'm forty. And I don't want you to be, either."
Terrence smiled at his wife. "It won't be you, Wendy. You're smart, you're good, and you're careful."
Wendy nodded, looking down at the ring. "I hope so." She paused, looking over at Terrence. "Where's Pollaski?"
Terrence shrugged. "He left about three minutes before you came by. Said he had to use the bathroom. I figured he'd be back by now."
A chorus of boos rocked the arena, and both Birdz looked back at the ring. John Ojeda was standing on scaffolding, while Danny tried to climb up after him. "Oh, this is gonna hurt."
Wendy gave another disdainful scoff, but as she did so, Terrence noticed her wincing, and rubbing her back.
"Speaking of being hurt... are you okay?"
Wendy nodded, remembering the bearhug that had nearly caused her first loss. "For being squeezed like a tub of toothpaste, I'm fine. The medical examiner said my ribs aren't even bruised. I'm just glad I didn't get a bloody thumb driven into my throat," she finished with a chuckle.
Her chuckle was cut short as the crowd roared, and again both Birdz turned their attention to the ring. Ojeda had hit a capture suplex, sending Danny plummeting. Even from this distance, they could see half a dozen thumbtacks sticking out of Danny Szatkowski's face.
"I'm going back to the locker room," Wendy said as she turned away in disgust.
Terrence hesitated for just a second, then followed. This match was over, near as he could tell. No way Szatkowski was going to kick out after that.
"You know, I honestly thought you were done for during that bearhug." Terrence admitted. "I'm sorry I doubted you."
Wendy laughed. "Honestly, I thought I was done for myself... and I think I blacked out for a second. But then, it didn't seem to hurt so bad, and I knew how to get out of it."
Terrence started to say something, but the crowd roaring cut him off. He was surprised to not hear the ring bell admist the throng. Szatkowski must have kicked out.
Wendy noticed her husband's hesitation, and tried to smile. "You can go back and watch if you want, I don't mind."
Terrence paused for just a second, then shrugged. "Nah, I'm good. Just seems I'm underestimating everyone today."
"Well, at least you didn't underestimate the one who really mattered today." Wendy responded. "How was she, anyways?"
"Who?" Terrence asked. "Valerie?"
Wendy nodded, so Terrence shrugged. "She's not the most difficult opponent I ever beat. But she's actually pretty tough. Stronger than you, no doubt. But I think in terms of technical ability and speed, you're better."
Wendy nodded. "Its what i figured."
Terrence grinned. "Why the need for a scouting report? Think you'll face her?"
Wendy shrugged. "I think its an inevitability. Its a natural match-up, and I'm certain it will happen sooner than later. I just hope I can win when it does."
"Ah, well, maybe you'll face her in the tournament." Terrence said.
"I just hope I get in. You guaranteed yourself a spot today," Wendy admitted. "I don't know if my three wins will be enough."
"It will," Terrence said reassuringly, swinging open their locker room door. "The champ is here!" He announced the the two occupants of the room.
Cassie DeSlair looked up from her book, smiling as the WhirlyBirdz entered the room. "Who won?"
"Still going," Terrence remarked, plopping down in a chair of his own. "Szatkowski went face first into a bed of thumbtacks, and Wendy had enough."
Cassie stared at Terrence, obviously appalled. "They do that?"
"Only if they're stupid enough to agree to the match," Wendy muttered.
Terrence ignored his brooding wife, and shrugged. "I've been in a couple like that. They're not THAT bad, but I wouldn't wanna make a career of it. But its not something I'd ever want Theresa to see."
Wendy nodded vehemently in agreement, and looked down at her daughter, coloring in a book. "I'd like her father to live long enough to attend her wedding."
"Well, if we're not going to finish watching the main event, we should probably try to beat the traffic," Terrence proclaimed, standing up. "I'm gonna go find Pollaski"
Terrence turned to exit the locker room, but was nearly killed as the door flung open, Pollaski bursting into the room, looking upset and out of breath.
"There you are!" Pollaski panted. "I thought you guys ditched me!"
"The thought DID cross my mind," Terrence admitted. "I decided to go back and check on the ladies. Is it over?"
"Yup, new champion. Ojeda shot Danny up with a tazer, and threatened to shoot Pariah too if he didn't count."
"Disgusting," Wendy muttered, shaking her head. "Had it been a real match, Szatkowski would have destroyed him."
Pollaski looked as if he was about to argue whether or not it was a "real match", but Terrence staved off the argument.
"Where did you go, anyways?"
"The can," Pollaski said crudely. "Then I stopped by JPO's office to see if he had our matches for next week."
"Oh," Wendy said, forgetting her indignation in her intrigue. "Who are we facing?"
"Well, I got good news and bad news. The good news is that you're both in the tournament."
"Ha! Told you!" Terrence pointed at his wife triumphantly. For her part, Wendy broke into a wide smile, but she looked at Dan in apprehension.
"What's the bad news?"
"Only one of you will be advancing to the second round."
"Huh?" Terrence asked, confused, but Wendy caught on immediately.
"We're facing each other?"
Pollaski nodded solemnly, and Terrence and Wendy looked at each other. Terrence looked grim, but excitement was dancing behind Wendy's eyes.
"You wanna do this, don't you," Terrence said quietly.
Wendy stared back at her husband solemnly, then nodded. "I'm sorry, but yes, I do."
Terrence paused for just a second, then shrugged, smiling. "Then I hope PWX has insurance, because next week, we're tearing the house down."
Wendy laughed, but cut herself off immediately. "Oh God," she whispered, suddenly. "What are we going to tell Theresa?"
All four adults in the room turned to stare at the little girl, who remained coloring in her book, oblivious to her parent's sudden dilemma.
===============
MAY 1, 2010
INTERSTATE 65
NEAR BATTLEGROUND, INDIANA
4:12 PM LOCAL TIME
(RV, cockpit, moving. High speed.)
(Terrence Thompson sits in the driver's seat, alternating his glance between the dashboard mounted camera and the road. Next to him, the co-pilots seat is empty. In fact, outside of Terrence, the entire RV appears to be empty. Although Pollaski's probably somewhere in the back, sleeping.)
(As for the Mechanical Mayhem himself, he's in a pretty good mood today. He's got his Indianapolis Colts 2010 AFC Champions T-shirt on, and his Next Generation Championship is draped over his shoulder.)
Twister- Well, whadya know?
(Just in case you hadn't figured out what Terrence is talking about he taps the belt hanging over his shoulder)
Twister- Yes, folks, I, Terrence Andrew Thompson, have downed the great and mighty Valerie Belmont. Last Lap, ichi, ni, son, and yours truly is the second Next Generation Champion in the current PWX incarnation.
(And in his third match, too!)
Twister- And the best part about it all is... I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I said I would be the hardest opponent Val's ever faced, and I was. I said she was going to be frustrated, confused, and flat out beat, and she was. And I said in the end, I'd win, and I did. And I got me some bling out of the deal too.
(Another tap of the belt)
Twister- Of course, this isn't the belt I really want... that'd be the one around Jacob Wright's scrawny little waist. But the Next Generation title does have a purpose. If anything, it's going to help me figure out how best to wear the PWX Championship when I do end up winning it.
(Twister says this all like its an inevitability)
Twister- And as luck would have it, I am now entered in an eight man tournament to become the number one contender to the PWX title.
(Go figure)
Twister- Now, oddly enough, the person I drew for this match is none other than my better half, my beautiful wife, Wendy.
(Twister's jovial mood disappears somewhat here.)
Twister- Now, I'm sure everyone's been wondering if it's really going to happen. Will the WhirlyBirdz really get into the ring and fight each other, just for a chance at the PWX Championship?
(Just a slight pause)
Twister- You're damn right we will.
(Shrug)
Twister- Honestly, I don't want this match. There's enough people in the PWX for me to beat up without my wife having to be one of them. But this match is going to happen, whether I want it or not.
Twister- But I also know that Wendy DOES want this match. I think she views this as some sort of trial for her. In fact, this match is so important to her she's moved out of the house for a week, just so she can train without any distractions. I would do anything for Wendy, and if she wants to face me in the ring, then so be it.
Twister- Now, I love my wife, and four years ago, I took a vow that I would honor her in everything I do. I'd like to think that I've done a good job of upholding that vow. And I intend to keep it Monday night.
Twister- Wendy, you want to face me? Then so be it. I would do anything for you, and we both know that if you asked me to lose, I would lie down in the middle of the ring for you.
Twister- But I also know that you're not that kind of girl, and if I held back anything in this match, you would never forgive me. You want me at my best, and that's what you will get. I would say be careful what you wish for, but I know you're too damned stubborn.
(Small smile)
Twister- So, Wendy, Monday night, you and me. Let's tear the house down. Just remember, though. No matter what happens, I still love you, and when this is over, we'll be back to normal.
(Pause)
Twister- See you Monday, hon!
EPISODE 6: Crimson Dawn
APRIL 24, 2010
KOA CAMPGROUND
CORAOPOLIS, PENNSYLVANIA
5:45 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
Daniel Pollaski silently shut the RVs front door behind him, and crept up the three steps that led to the main cabin. As he had expected, the RV was quiet, the other four occupants still in the blissful void of slumber.
Good, this was gonna be excellent.
Pollaski set the bulging bags from Arby's on the table, then turned his attention to one of the seats. Going more by feel than sight, he found his backpack, and quietly rummaged through it. After about forty-five seconds, he found the item he was looking for, and he replaced his pack.
Pollaski silently crept towards the back of the RV. On his right, he passed Cassie, lying on her back, her pale blonde hair spread out behind her head. On his left was Theresa, curled up into a little ball, her thumb in her mouth. Dan paused smiling at the little angel for just a second. Then he slipped past her sofa, and into the short hallway at the back of the cabin.
He passed the bathroom, and paused as he reached the master bedroom door. For just a second, Pollaski hesitsted, remembering all too well what happened the last time he had barged into the Birdz bedroom without warning.
Finally, he worked up enough courage to creak open the door, and glance inside. To his relief, both Terrence and Wendy remained asleep. Pollaski opened the door wider, and slipped in. He crept to the cabinets and entertainment center that sat opposite the King Sized bed.
It had to be here somewhere... ah!
One of the more awesome features of the Newmar King Aire was the Boze Sound System that was included in the master bedroom. Pollaski quickly located the cd changer, slid out the tray, and put in the CD he had taken from his backpack. He pressed for the desired track, then quickly hit pause.
A noise behind him spun him around, and he watched Wendy roll over in her slumber, murmuring incomprehensibly.
Sighing inwardly, Pollaski turned around, found the volume control, and cranked it as high up as it would go. A sinister grin plastered over his face, and he turned, and pressed play.
The effect was instantaneous, and, as far as Pollaski was concerned, extremely gratifying. First, the opening notes of Kamelot's "Ghost Opera" played over the speakers. Immediately, the two WhirlyBirdz bolted upright in their bed, Wendy letting out a scream of terror. From outside, Pollaski heard another shriek, this one coming from Cassie.
Good, everyone was up.
Wendy and Terrence, both gasping for breath, stared at Pollaski, the initial alarm quickly giving way to anger. Pollaski, for his part, pretended not to notice, as he was going to town on the opening riffs with an air guitar as if he was Thomas Youngblood himself.
"SHUT THAT OFF!" Terrence screamed, his face having gone straight to purple in rage. Wendy merely covered her ears, trying to drown out the noise.
"What?" Pollaski yelled back. "I can't hear you!"
Terrence dove at the end table, and grabbed the remote for the CD changer, pressing stop, and a sudden silence filled the room, both Terrence and Wendy still panting as their adrenaline levels began to drop.
Finally, Terrence found his voice. "What the HELL did you do that for?"
"Good morning, kids!" Pollaski proclaimed brightly. “I figured that since you were facing Valerie Belmont in just a few short days, playing her entrance music was going to get you inspired!
From the looks of things, the only thing it really seemed to inspire in Terrence was a deep desire to commit second-degree murder, and he continued to stare at his manager in a rage.
Pollaski either ignored his wrestler’s glares, or else failed to notice them completely. He ducked to the window beneath the television, opening the blinds, the room’s occupants squinting as the early morning light filtered in. “Ah, look at that glorious sunrise” he declared, then snickered. “Shame the Belmonts can’t”
Wendy rolled her eyes, and muttered “For crying out loud,” Terrence, for his part, looked confused, before finally catching on.
“Oh, that’s right. Cause they’re vampires.”
“Who’s a vampire?” A new female voice asked as Cassie DeSlair, squinting in the early morning light, entered the room, carrying a wide-eyed Theresa in her arms. “Thanks a lot!” she snapped at Pollaski, who stared back in feigned innocence.
“Valerie Belmont,” Wendy answered, curtailing the expected incendiary response from Pollaski. “Terrence’s opponent for High Stakes. At least that’s what her gimmick is.”
“You don’t believe she' really a vampire?” Terrence asked mildly.
Wendy rolled her eyes. “Of course not. There’s no such thing as vampires. Its just a gimmick she and her husband came up with… which is really unnecessary, because she’s more than talented enough to not need one.”
Cassie set Theresa down, and she bounded up on the bed, nestling in between her parents, while Cassie leaned against the bedroom wall.
“I dunno, I mean, we’ve seen some pretty weird stuff during our career,” Terrence argued. "I mean, we know for certain there’s ghosts… and angels… and demons… and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Who’s to say there aren’t really vampires? What do you think, Cassie?”
Cassie shrugged, taken aback at suddenly being put on the spot. “I… don’t know,” she finally confessed. “I mean, I’ve read Interview With a Vampire and Twilight, but I never really gave any thought to whether or not they were REAL.”
There was a brief silence, as all eyes turned to Pollaski. “What?” the overweight manager asked
“Vampires,” Wendy said in exasperation. “Do you believe they’re real?”
“Oh, yeah,” Pollaski said without any hesitation. “At least I hope they are. Otherwise my cousin Ivan is wasting his life hunting them.”
There was a long pause as the three other adult occupants of the room stared at him. “Your cousin is a vampire hunter?” Wendy asked incredulously.
Pollaski nodded. “Yeah, he’s my Aunt Jillian’s kid… you know the one that married Uncle Stefan and moved back to Poland?”
Terrence and Cassie shook their heads, but something clicked in Wendy’s distant memory. “Wait, wasn’t your Aunt Jillian the one who walked around naked wrapped in saran wrap through the streets of New Orleans trying to exorcise a demon?”
“Ah, you remember her!” Pollaski said brightly. “Yup. Well, she’s living in some town outside Warsaw now, and Cousin Ivan somehow got involved with Vampire Hunters. I don’t know. It’s not like I talk to them all that much.”
“What is wrong with your family?” Cassie asked in open-mouthed amazement.
“You don’t want to know” Terrence and Wendy answered simultaneously.
“Oh, come on…” Pollaski protested. “My family’s not THAT bad. I mean, sure, we’re a little on the dysfunctional side… but at least my dad’s never tried to kill me…”
“Thanks, Dan” Wendy snapped, glaring at her manager.
“So, vampirism” Terrence said, immediately realizing Pollaski just trespassed into forbidden ground. “Sounds like it could be a fun thing.”
“What makes you think that?” Wendy asked, puzzled.
“Just think of all the awesome things you could do…” Terrence mused…
==========WHAT TERRENCE WOULD DO IF HE WAS A VAMPIRE==========
(The scene is a very steep hill in a secluded area, sometime during the night. Suddenly, a derby car rattles by, going down the hill at breakneck speed)
(The scene cuts to the inside of the car, where Terrence is driving, and Dan is sitting shot gun. Both men are screaming as if they’re on a roller coaster ride, their mouths open wide to reveal the fangs where the canine teeth should be.)
(Back to the outside, the car gets to the edge of a cliff, and flies off a ramp that has been placed there. The car soars through the night air, the full moon in the background.)
Twister- YEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAA!
(As the car reaches the apex of its leap, and begins to plummet through the earth, two bats fly out of the windows, one from the driver’s side, one from the passenger’side.)
===========END SEQUENCE==========
“Dude,” Pollaski laughed. “That would be fun… but there’d be drawbacks too…”
=============REALITY BITES========
(Back to the mountain side, where the bat-Terrence and the bat-Dan are flying through the air. Suddenly, things start to brighten as the sun peaks over the horizon)
Bat-Twister- OH, FUCKBURGERS!
POOF!
(The bats explode in an impressive shower of sparks)
===========OOPS=========
“Oh, yeah,” Terrence said dejectedly. “I guess mortality ain’t so bad after all.”
There was a slight pause, then Theresa spoke up."What's a vampiwe?"
There was another, longer, awkward pause as Pollaski, Terrence, Wendy, and Cassie looked to one another, unsure of how to answer the question, or who should even provide the answer.
Finally, Terrence spoke up, squeezing his daughter's shoulder. "A vampire is a... creature... that looks human, but instead of eating macaroni and cheese and fish sticks, they drink blood."
"Terry, don't scare her," Wendy warned.
"And daddy's gotta fight a vampiwe?"
"Mmm-hmmm. A pretty vampire... though not as pretty as your mommy."
Nevertheless, Theresa looked frightened. "What if she dwinks your bwood?"
"Then daddy's going to have to skip his Red Cross donation next month." Terrence laughed. "But don't worry. I figure we'll eat at the Olive Garden before the show. Vampires are afraid of garlic, so all I'll have to do is breathe on her, and that'll be it."
Pollaski shook his head. "Cousin Ivan said the garlic things a myth. And crosses don't work either."
"Oh," Terrence said, disappointed that his excuse for a pre-match trip to the Olive Garden was out the window. "What does work?"
"Stakes through the heart, although that tends to kill most things. And direct sunlight. Ivan says they look really cool when the sunlight gets 'em."
"Uh, hunh" Terrence said. "What if I'm not looking to kill her, just knock her out?"
"Well, its a scientific fact that Last Laps are anathema to all living creatures." Pollaski said with a grin, and Terrence chuckled.
Theresa still looked confused, and just a tad scared, so Wendy picked her up and set her on her lap. "Don't worry, Terr-Bear. Valerie Belmont is not going to be drinking daddy's blood."
Theresa nodded uncertainly, but looked decisively less afraid. Terrence stood up, stretching and letting out a long, roaring, yawn. "Well, now that we're up, we should probably get going," he said, as he straightened his basketball shorts. "Its a long drive back to Indiana." On the other side of the bed, Wendy set Theresa down, and also got to her feet.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me. Got us all biscuits and gravy from Arby's." Pollaski announced.
"Excellent," Terrence said with a grin. "That's God's food right there."
Theresa ran out of the room, and the four adults, all now suddenly hungry, followed her out into the main cabin.
APRIL 24, 2010
INTERSTATE 70
NEAR ZANESVILLE, OHIO
12:39 PM EASTERN DAYLGHT TIME
(Alright, promo time. And no, none of this talking about a match over breakfast crap. We’re going straight up here.)
(Well, it looks like the Birdz have mounted a camera to the dashboard, so we can see Twister in his element- driving. So yeah, there's Terrence Thompson, wearing a black #17 Matt Kenseth T-shirt, and a pair of jeans, behind the wheel of a Recreatonal Vehicle that has more controls than a 747.)
(Remember kids, this RV's 45 feet long, and its towing a car. That's about sixty-five feet of sheet metal going about 80 miles per hour down Interstate 70. This has to be a perfectly safe time to talk about the biggest match you've had in five years, right?)
(At least he's wearing a seat belt. So's Wendy, who's decked out in a blue floral skirt and a plain blue button-down short sleeve collared blouse. She's sitting shotgun, and looking fairly apprehensive about this arrangement. Probably cause her daughters somewhere in the back, with Daniel and Cassie, watching cartoons. You can't see them, but they're there.)
(Kinda like angels. Or stars during the day, if you’re an athiest)
(Anyways, the Mechanical Mayhem's about to talk, so enough with the parentheticals)
Twister- Well, I suppose congratulations are in order to one Noah Hanson. It was a hell of a match, stole the show, and could have gone either way. But the fact is, in the end, it was Noah making the pin, getting his hand raised, and walking out the winner. So yeah, Noah, you won, props.
(It should be noted that the preceding has been said with all the enthusiasm of a Grayson Willis fan club meeting.)
(That would mean zero, in case you didn't get the joke)
Twister- Now, I'm sure the entire world has been waiting for my reaction to the match. How does Terrence Thompson feel about losing his first singles match in five years?
(Pause)
Twister- How the fuck do you think I feel?
(Of course, Wendy's less than pleased that the f-bomb just got dropped, especially considering it was within fairly close proximity to Theresa's ears. The dirty glare she's now giving her husband should attest to that)
Twister- Sorry, that slipped out.
(Glare softens. A little.)
Twister- Anyways, yeah, I'm not happy. Frankly, I'm pretty freakin' pissed right now. You see, the fact of the matter is, I have absolutely no excuse for losing, especially the way I did. Next time somebody flops their own finisher to trick me, I'm just gonna kick them in the face before they get up.
(Small smile, probably at the thought of kicking a field goal with Noah Hanson's head.)
Twister- But, nonetheless, apparently my 'losing effort' impressed somebody high up, and I've got myself a title shot at the High Stakes pay-per-view.
(Which is infinitely better than facing Lust, given by the slight slumping of shoulders from his wife.)
Twister- So, now, after losing my first match, I'm now put up against Valerie Belmont, self-proclaimed vampire, mother of one, wife of Jeremiah, and of course, the PWX Next Generation Champion.
(Short pause, as Terrence checks his mirrors to make a lane change.)
Twister- Now, I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to see that there are some pretty distinct similarities between the Thompsons and the Belmonts. Wendy and Valerie both are attractive young ladies with red hair, and both have ties to the British Isles. Both also are extremely talented wrestlers, and abide by a code of honor that have made them two of the most beloved competitors in the world. From what I've seen, both Jeremiah and I have a knack for destruction, and we both are also top competitors. And, of course, both families each have a beautiful young daughter that they love more than anything in the world.
(Beside him, Wendy smiles at the mention of Theresa, and looks back over her shoulder to check on her daughter.)
Twister- Of course, there's a ton of differences too. Wendy's WAY hotter than Valerie...
(At this, Wendy turns bright red, although a small smile does flash across her face)
Twister- And last time I checked, Wendy and I can still go outside during the day without disintegrating.
(Terrence smirks, and flashes a wink to the camera.)
Twister- But I'm not here to make a compare and contrast chart about our two families. I'm here to explain why Valerie Belmont's three month Next Generation title reign is going to be coming to a screeching halt on Monday.
(Yes, screeching, and its time to be direct. As Terrence talks, he alternates between looking at the camera and keeping his eyes on the road.)
Twister- Now, Valerie, don't get me wrong. Both Wendy and I have all the respect in the world for you and Jeremiah, and what you've done. I've said this before, but Wendy and I regularly watched PWX while we were training for our comeback. In fact, the first show we watched was New Horizons, and the very first match we saw had you beating five men to win that title belt you now hold. Hell, Wendy completely marked out when you hit that Red Arrow to pin..
(Wendy's going to interrupt here)
Wendy- I did NOT completely 'mark out!' I merely expressed my admiration for the heart she displayed when-
(Terrence cuts her off, now looking straight into the camera.)
Twister- She squealed. And, believe me, I KNOW what that sounds-
Wendy- TERRENCE!
(Wendy, now blushing furiously, stares angrily at her husband, while Terrence launches an ear-to-freaking-ear grin)
Twister- Even I gotta admit, that 630 you do with regularity has me pretty damn impressed, and you’ve got more heart and guts than anyone else I've seen. Well, except one.
(Terrence jerks his thumb over his right shoulder at his wife, who's angry glare again softens substantially from the compliment.)
Twister- So yeah, I guess had Wendy and I not decided to return to the ring, we'd probably have been Belmont fans. But we did return, and now, Valerie, you’re the next speed bump on my road to the top. Now let's get a couple of things out of the way, right off the bat. I'm a chivalrous guy. I'll open car doors, pull out chairs, hell, I might even help an old lady cross the street once in a while. But not in the ring. If a woman wants to step in the ring with me, in my mind, she's fully accepting whatever consequences come of our encounter. There is no room, for chivalry in wrestling. I learned that very early in my career, in a now-defunct indy fed called the GCW. I had just won a ladder match to become the GCW 'World' Champion, and I was lying on the mat, exhausted, when this woman named Summer Kensington hops over the barrier, takes my title, and walks off! I had to get it back in a back alley brawl, and I beat that Jezebel half to death to get my title back.
(Twister pauses, obviously reliving that brutal match, then finally shrugs.)
Twister- Now, Val, I have no intention of beating you within an inch of your life. This ain't personal like that was, the only thing I have against you is that you’re in my way. Of course, I'm going to hurt you as much as I have to in order to get the three count, but I strongly doubt that you’ll be ending the evening on life-support.
(Pause)
Twister- Can you even put a vampire ON life support?
(Shrug. Over on the left side if the screen, Wendy's rolling her eyes.)
Twister- Nor will I be making the fatal mistake of overlooking you because you’re a woman. My wife is one of the top female grapplers to have ever stepped into the ring, and I learned pretty damn quick to respect what females are capable of in this business.. But, like I've said before, I've been watching you in action, and your record alone, coupled with that shiny belt around your waist, are testament enough to your ability.
(Pause, smirk)
Twister- But here's the crux of the argument... Valerie, who exactly have you beaten? Red Dragon? Becky Dakota Paisley? Randy Treehugger? Winners all!
(Short chuckle)
Twister- No, your biggest singles wins are over Devon Poole and Josh Graves, and the only reason those two are even on the radar is that they beat you and Jeremiah for the tag titles! With copious amounts of assistance from an idiotic hippy, mind you.
(Ah, Randy Treehugger, how we miss thee)
(Just kidding.)
Twister- So, Valerie, there lies the biggest gap in your PWX resume. Your strength of schedule has been somewhat... lacking. Your record is gaudy, but it is soft. Now, its not your fault, I doubt you can control who the office puts you against. But there is no denying this one simple fact, Valerie. I am by far the toughest test you will have had in your PWX career.
(Now the cocky smirk we've come to love is in full force on Terrence's face)
Twister- I'm not Red Dragon, who was so weak a your own three year old daughter could pin him. I'm not Randy Treehugger, who could swing protest signs and stab dolls, but folded like a cheap paper fan when it came time to actually wrestle. I'm not Josh Graves, I don't need to go to eight separate locations to get my message across. I'm not Devon Poole, and I'm most certainly not Lilith Morgan or Becky Dakota Paisley, something I think my wife is infinitely thankful for.
(Terrence launches a shit-eating grin as Wendy rolls her eyes again and shakes her head in consternation.)
Twister- No, I'm Terrence, the "Twister" Thompson. I am a WWA Grand Slam Champion, and a Hall of Famer. My return was the biggest news story in the Alliance thus far this year, and I sure as hell did not come to the PWX to put on 'strong losing efforts' against Noah Hanson. I came here to win gold. Top gold. Now, I'm really not all that concerned about your Next Generation Championship, but if its going to be offered, why not? Besides, I'm hearing a lot about an upcoming eight-man tournament, and the winner gets a shot at the PWX Championship. I can guarantee that the winner of this match is going to be in that tournament, and I fully expect my win over you to be my ticket into that event.
(Terrence smiles, as if thinking already about having the PWX Championship around his waist)
Twister- Valerie, I will agree with you about one thing- you and Jeremiah deserved a rematch for the PWX Tag Team Championships. But unfortunately for you, that oversight on the PWX booking committee’s part has turned into a double whammy against you, because now you have to face me. Again, nothing personal, but I’m coming off an embarrassment to Noah Hanson, and I’m not about to start my PWX singles career with an 0-2 record. And furthermore, I know that you are one of the best Pro-Wrestling X has to offer, and if I want to cement myself as the best, and true champion of this region, I’m going to need to beat you.
(Terrence once again takes a moment to check his mirrors, and switches over into the left lane to overtake a slow-moving semi)
Twister- So, Valerie. Here’s how things are going to go. You and I are going to get into the ring at High Stakes, and we’ll have our match. I’m going to give it about five minutes, before you realize that I’m way tougher than the other hacks you’ve been put up against. Probably at about seven to eight minutes, the first pangs of doubt will be setting in, and you’ll begin to realize that this time, you’ve got a problem on your hands. And by the ten minute mark, you’ll be desperate, searching for a way to stop the Mechanical Mayhem. But you won’t stop it, Valerie. It’s not my catch phrase for nothing.
(Twister smirks, knowing that the real reason it became his catch phrase is because it’s out of the lyrics to his original entrance music. Admittedly, its not as poetic as ‘welcome all to curtain call at the opera’, but it still works!)
Twister- And then, Val, I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but the unthinkable is going to happen. I’m going to hit the Last Lap… or the Black Flag… or hell, I might even sneak a Sparkstarter in there, and the next thing you know, you’ll be flat on your back, and I’ll be standing over you getting my hand raised by the referee. And I’m going to bet at first you’ll be crushed. You’ve got a pretty big ego in that small frame of yours, and I know from experience, the bigger your ego is, the more it sucks when you lose. Especially because this will be the first time you’ve been pinned in the PWX. But you’ll go home, Jeremiah and Chloe will console you, and you’ll wake up Tuesday evening, and you’ll realize that you did everything you possibly could, and you just got flat out beat by the better wrestler. And then you’ll realize that its nothing to be ashamed of, and you’ll move on, and kick the ever-loving crap out of whichever unfortunate soul they stick you in the ring against at Adrenaline 30.
(Short pause)
Twister- Unless you face me again… or Wendy. In which case… I’m so, so sorry.
(Twister grins at the camera, while over in the shotgun seat, the much more modest Wendy shakes her head in exasperation, but keeps quiet)
Twister- Valerie, you talk of curtain calls, well, the only one that will be happening Monday night is the one on your PWX Next Generation Title reign. And I hope you do get a good one, because it was a hell of a reign. And I know you like to pretend you’re not about the belts, but you’ve already admitted you’ve got a magpie complex, and you won’t like losing this shiny little piece of metal anymore than you liked losing the Tag Titles. As for me, the curtain’s just risen on my play, and I don’t think it’s going to be coming down for a very long time.
(Wendy looks over at Terrence, a bemused expression on her face. Obviously- she’s the theater expert, so she’s a little surprised to hear her artistically deficient husband making a reference. Twister doesn’t seem to be paying attention.)
Twister- Valerie, Monday night, it’s on. I’d wish you the best of luck, but that’d be a bit on the counterproductive side. I know you’re going to be putting up a fight, and I think this match has the potential to bring the house down. But it will be me walking out the victor, and I will be the Next Generation Champion, I will be in the PWX title tournament, and I WILL become the top dog in this federation.
(Pause)
Twister- And you can’t stop it. No one can… why?
(Yes, it’s time for the inevitable catch phrase… except Terrence looks out the windshield and…)
Twister- Hey guys! There’s a Cracker Barrel at the next exit! Should I stop for lunch?
(Next to him, Wendy nods, and there’s a general affirmative vibe in the voices coming out of the back. Twister turns back to the camera, one last time)
Twister- See you Monday, Val!
(FADE)
KOA CAMPGROUND
CORAOPOLIS, PENNSYLVANIA
5:45 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
Daniel Pollaski silently shut the RVs front door behind him, and crept up the three steps that led to the main cabin. As he had expected, the RV was quiet, the other four occupants still in the blissful void of slumber.
Good, this was gonna be excellent.
Pollaski set the bulging bags from Arby's on the table, then turned his attention to one of the seats. Going more by feel than sight, he found his backpack, and quietly rummaged through it. After about forty-five seconds, he found the item he was looking for, and he replaced his pack.
Pollaski silently crept towards the back of the RV. On his right, he passed Cassie, lying on her back, her pale blonde hair spread out behind her head. On his left was Theresa, curled up into a little ball, her thumb in her mouth. Dan paused smiling at the little angel for just a second. Then he slipped past her sofa, and into the short hallway at the back of the cabin.
He passed the bathroom, and paused as he reached the master bedroom door. For just a second, Pollaski hesitsted, remembering all too well what happened the last time he had barged into the Birdz bedroom without warning.
Finally, he worked up enough courage to creak open the door, and glance inside. To his relief, both Terrence and Wendy remained asleep. Pollaski opened the door wider, and slipped in. He crept to the cabinets and entertainment center that sat opposite the King Sized bed.
It had to be here somewhere... ah!
One of the more awesome features of the Newmar King Aire was the Boze Sound System that was included in the master bedroom. Pollaski quickly located the cd changer, slid out the tray, and put in the CD he had taken from his backpack. He pressed for the desired track, then quickly hit pause.
A noise behind him spun him around, and he watched Wendy roll over in her slumber, murmuring incomprehensibly.
Sighing inwardly, Pollaski turned around, found the volume control, and cranked it as high up as it would go. A sinister grin plastered over his face, and he turned, and pressed play.
The effect was instantaneous, and, as far as Pollaski was concerned, extremely gratifying. First, the opening notes of Kamelot's "Ghost Opera" played over the speakers. Immediately, the two WhirlyBirdz bolted upright in their bed, Wendy letting out a scream of terror. From outside, Pollaski heard another shriek, this one coming from Cassie.
Good, everyone was up.
Wendy and Terrence, both gasping for breath, stared at Pollaski, the initial alarm quickly giving way to anger. Pollaski, for his part, pretended not to notice, as he was going to town on the opening riffs with an air guitar as if he was Thomas Youngblood himself.
"SHUT THAT OFF!" Terrence screamed, his face having gone straight to purple in rage. Wendy merely covered her ears, trying to drown out the noise.
"What?" Pollaski yelled back. "I can't hear you!"
Terrence dove at the end table, and grabbed the remote for the CD changer, pressing stop, and a sudden silence filled the room, both Terrence and Wendy still panting as their adrenaline levels began to drop.
Finally, Terrence found his voice. "What the HELL did you do that for?"
"Good morning, kids!" Pollaski proclaimed brightly. “I figured that since you were facing Valerie Belmont in just a few short days, playing her entrance music was going to get you inspired!
From the looks of things, the only thing it really seemed to inspire in Terrence was a deep desire to commit second-degree murder, and he continued to stare at his manager in a rage.
Pollaski either ignored his wrestler’s glares, or else failed to notice them completely. He ducked to the window beneath the television, opening the blinds, the room’s occupants squinting as the early morning light filtered in. “Ah, look at that glorious sunrise” he declared, then snickered. “Shame the Belmonts can’t”
Wendy rolled her eyes, and muttered “For crying out loud,” Terrence, for his part, looked confused, before finally catching on.
“Oh, that’s right. Cause they’re vampires.”
“Who’s a vampire?” A new female voice asked as Cassie DeSlair, squinting in the early morning light, entered the room, carrying a wide-eyed Theresa in her arms. “Thanks a lot!” she snapped at Pollaski, who stared back in feigned innocence.
“Valerie Belmont,” Wendy answered, curtailing the expected incendiary response from Pollaski. “Terrence’s opponent for High Stakes. At least that’s what her gimmick is.”
“You don’t believe she' really a vampire?” Terrence asked mildly.
Wendy rolled her eyes. “Of course not. There’s no such thing as vampires. Its just a gimmick she and her husband came up with… which is really unnecessary, because she’s more than talented enough to not need one.”
Cassie set Theresa down, and she bounded up on the bed, nestling in between her parents, while Cassie leaned against the bedroom wall.
“I dunno, I mean, we’ve seen some pretty weird stuff during our career,” Terrence argued. "I mean, we know for certain there’s ghosts… and angels… and demons… and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Who’s to say there aren’t really vampires? What do you think, Cassie?”
Cassie shrugged, taken aback at suddenly being put on the spot. “I… don’t know,” she finally confessed. “I mean, I’ve read Interview With a Vampire and Twilight, but I never really gave any thought to whether or not they were REAL.”
There was a brief silence, as all eyes turned to Pollaski. “What?” the overweight manager asked
“Vampires,” Wendy said in exasperation. “Do you believe they’re real?”
“Oh, yeah,” Pollaski said without any hesitation. “At least I hope they are. Otherwise my cousin Ivan is wasting his life hunting them.”
There was a long pause as the three other adult occupants of the room stared at him. “Your cousin is a vampire hunter?” Wendy asked incredulously.
Pollaski nodded. “Yeah, he’s my Aunt Jillian’s kid… you know the one that married Uncle Stefan and moved back to Poland?”
Terrence and Cassie shook their heads, but something clicked in Wendy’s distant memory. “Wait, wasn’t your Aunt Jillian the one who walked around naked wrapped in saran wrap through the streets of New Orleans trying to exorcise a demon?”
“Ah, you remember her!” Pollaski said brightly. “Yup. Well, she’s living in some town outside Warsaw now, and Cousin Ivan somehow got involved with Vampire Hunters. I don’t know. It’s not like I talk to them all that much.”
“What is wrong with your family?” Cassie asked in open-mouthed amazement.
“You don’t want to know” Terrence and Wendy answered simultaneously.
“Oh, come on…” Pollaski protested. “My family’s not THAT bad. I mean, sure, we’re a little on the dysfunctional side… but at least my dad’s never tried to kill me…”
“Thanks, Dan” Wendy snapped, glaring at her manager.
“So, vampirism” Terrence said, immediately realizing Pollaski just trespassed into forbidden ground. “Sounds like it could be a fun thing.”
“What makes you think that?” Wendy asked, puzzled.
“Just think of all the awesome things you could do…” Terrence mused…
==========WHAT TERRENCE WOULD DO IF HE WAS A VAMPIRE==========
(The scene is a very steep hill in a secluded area, sometime during the night. Suddenly, a derby car rattles by, going down the hill at breakneck speed)
(The scene cuts to the inside of the car, where Terrence is driving, and Dan is sitting shot gun. Both men are screaming as if they’re on a roller coaster ride, their mouths open wide to reveal the fangs where the canine teeth should be.)
(Back to the outside, the car gets to the edge of a cliff, and flies off a ramp that has been placed there. The car soars through the night air, the full moon in the background.)
Twister- YEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAA!
(As the car reaches the apex of its leap, and begins to plummet through the earth, two bats fly out of the windows, one from the driver’s side, one from the passenger’side.)
===========END SEQUENCE==========
“Dude,” Pollaski laughed. “That would be fun… but there’d be drawbacks too…”
=============REALITY BITES========
(Back to the mountain side, where the bat-Terrence and the bat-Dan are flying through the air. Suddenly, things start to brighten as the sun peaks over the horizon)
Bat-Twister- OH, FUCKBURGERS!
POOF!
(The bats explode in an impressive shower of sparks)
===========OOPS=========
“Oh, yeah,” Terrence said dejectedly. “I guess mortality ain’t so bad after all.”
There was a slight pause, then Theresa spoke up."What's a vampiwe?"
There was another, longer, awkward pause as Pollaski, Terrence, Wendy, and Cassie looked to one another, unsure of how to answer the question, or who should even provide the answer.
Finally, Terrence spoke up, squeezing his daughter's shoulder. "A vampire is a... creature... that looks human, but instead of eating macaroni and cheese and fish sticks, they drink blood."
"Terry, don't scare her," Wendy warned.
"And daddy's gotta fight a vampiwe?"
"Mmm-hmmm. A pretty vampire... though not as pretty as your mommy."
Nevertheless, Theresa looked frightened. "What if she dwinks your bwood?"
"Then daddy's going to have to skip his Red Cross donation next month." Terrence laughed. "But don't worry. I figure we'll eat at the Olive Garden before the show. Vampires are afraid of garlic, so all I'll have to do is breathe on her, and that'll be it."
Pollaski shook his head. "Cousin Ivan said the garlic things a myth. And crosses don't work either."
"Oh," Terrence said, disappointed that his excuse for a pre-match trip to the Olive Garden was out the window. "What does work?"
"Stakes through the heart, although that tends to kill most things. And direct sunlight. Ivan says they look really cool when the sunlight gets 'em."
"Uh, hunh" Terrence said. "What if I'm not looking to kill her, just knock her out?"
"Well, its a scientific fact that Last Laps are anathema to all living creatures." Pollaski said with a grin, and Terrence chuckled.
Theresa still looked confused, and just a tad scared, so Wendy picked her up and set her on her lap. "Don't worry, Terr-Bear. Valerie Belmont is not going to be drinking daddy's blood."
Theresa nodded uncertainly, but looked decisively less afraid. Terrence stood up, stretching and letting out a long, roaring, yawn. "Well, now that we're up, we should probably get going," he said, as he straightened his basketball shorts. "Its a long drive back to Indiana." On the other side of the bed, Wendy set Theresa down, and also got to her feet.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me. Got us all biscuits and gravy from Arby's." Pollaski announced.
"Excellent," Terrence said with a grin. "That's God's food right there."
Theresa ran out of the room, and the four adults, all now suddenly hungry, followed her out into the main cabin.
APRIL 24, 2010
INTERSTATE 70
NEAR ZANESVILLE, OHIO
12:39 PM EASTERN DAYLGHT TIME
(Alright, promo time. And no, none of this talking about a match over breakfast crap. We’re going straight up here.)
(Well, it looks like the Birdz have mounted a camera to the dashboard, so we can see Twister in his element- driving. So yeah, there's Terrence Thompson, wearing a black #17 Matt Kenseth T-shirt, and a pair of jeans, behind the wheel of a Recreatonal Vehicle that has more controls than a 747.)
(Remember kids, this RV's 45 feet long, and its towing a car. That's about sixty-five feet of sheet metal going about 80 miles per hour down Interstate 70. This has to be a perfectly safe time to talk about the biggest match you've had in five years, right?)
(At least he's wearing a seat belt. So's Wendy, who's decked out in a blue floral skirt and a plain blue button-down short sleeve collared blouse. She's sitting shotgun, and looking fairly apprehensive about this arrangement. Probably cause her daughters somewhere in the back, with Daniel and Cassie, watching cartoons. You can't see them, but they're there.)
(Kinda like angels. Or stars during the day, if you’re an athiest)
(Anyways, the Mechanical Mayhem's about to talk, so enough with the parentheticals)
Twister- Well, I suppose congratulations are in order to one Noah Hanson. It was a hell of a match, stole the show, and could have gone either way. But the fact is, in the end, it was Noah making the pin, getting his hand raised, and walking out the winner. So yeah, Noah, you won, props.
(It should be noted that the preceding has been said with all the enthusiasm of a Grayson Willis fan club meeting.)
(That would mean zero, in case you didn't get the joke)
Twister- Now, I'm sure the entire world has been waiting for my reaction to the match. How does Terrence Thompson feel about losing his first singles match in five years?
(Pause)
Twister- How the fuck do you think I feel?
(Of course, Wendy's less than pleased that the f-bomb just got dropped, especially considering it was within fairly close proximity to Theresa's ears. The dirty glare she's now giving her husband should attest to that)
Twister- Sorry, that slipped out.
(Glare softens. A little.)
Twister- Anyways, yeah, I'm not happy. Frankly, I'm pretty freakin' pissed right now. You see, the fact of the matter is, I have absolutely no excuse for losing, especially the way I did. Next time somebody flops their own finisher to trick me, I'm just gonna kick them in the face before they get up.
(Small smile, probably at the thought of kicking a field goal with Noah Hanson's head.)
Twister- But, nonetheless, apparently my 'losing effort' impressed somebody high up, and I've got myself a title shot at the High Stakes pay-per-view.
(Which is infinitely better than facing Lust, given by the slight slumping of shoulders from his wife.)
Twister- So, now, after losing my first match, I'm now put up against Valerie Belmont, self-proclaimed vampire, mother of one, wife of Jeremiah, and of course, the PWX Next Generation Champion.
(Short pause, as Terrence checks his mirrors to make a lane change.)
Twister- Now, I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to see that there are some pretty distinct similarities between the Thompsons and the Belmonts. Wendy and Valerie both are attractive young ladies with red hair, and both have ties to the British Isles. Both also are extremely talented wrestlers, and abide by a code of honor that have made them two of the most beloved competitors in the world. From what I've seen, both Jeremiah and I have a knack for destruction, and we both are also top competitors. And, of course, both families each have a beautiful young daughter that they love more than anything in the world.
(Beside him, Wendy smiles at the mention of Theresa, and looks back over her shoulder to check on her daughter.)
Twister- Of course, there's a ton of differences too. Wendy's WAY hotter than Valerie...
(At this, Wendy turns bright red, although a small smile does flash across her face)
Twister- And last time I checked, Wendy and I can still go outside during the day without disintegrating.
(Terrence smirks, and flashes a wink to the camera.)
Twister- But I'm not here to make a compare and contrast chart about our two families. I'm here to explain why Valerie Belmont's three month Next Generation title reign is going to be coming to a screeching halt on Monday.
(Yes, screeching, and its time to be direct. As Terrence talks, he alternates between looking at the camera and keeping his eyes on the road.)
Twister- Now, Valerie, don't get me wrong. Both Wendy and I have all the respect in the world for you and Jeremiah, and what you've done. I've said this before, but Wendy and I regularly watched PWX while we were training for our comeback. In fact, the first show we watched was New Horizons, and the very first match we saw had you beating five men to win that title belt you now hold. Hell, Wendy completely marked out when you hit that Red Arrow to pin..
(Wendy's going to interrupt here)
Wendy- I did NOT completely 'mark out!' I merely expressed my admiration for the heart she displayed when-
(Terrence cuts her off, now looking straight into the camera.)
Twister- She squealed. And, believe me, I KNOW what that sounds-
Wendy- TERRENCE!
(Wendy, now blushing furiously, stares angrily at her husband, while Terrence launches an ear-to-freaking-ear grin)
Twister- Even I gotta admit, that 630 you do with regularity has me pretty damn impressed, and you’ve got more heart and guts than anyone else I've seen. Well, except one.
(Terrence jerks his thumb over his right shoulder at his wife, who's angry glare again softens substantially from the compliment.)
Twister- So yeah, I guess had Wendy and I not decided to return to the ring, we'd probably have been Belmont fans. But we did return, and now, Valerie, you’re the next speed bump on my road to the top. Now let's get a couple of things out of the way, right off the bat. I'm a chivalrous guy. I'll open car doors, pull out chairs, hell, I might even help an old lady cross the street once in a while. But not in the ring. If a woman wants to step in the ring with me, in my mind, she's fully accepting whatever consequences come of our encounter. There is no room, for chivalry in wrestling. I learned that very early in my career, in a now-defunct indy fed called the GCW. I had just won a ladder match to become the GCW 'World' Champion, and I was lying on the mat, exhausted, when this woman named Summer Kensington hops over the barrier, takes my title, and walks off! I had to get it back in a back alley brawl, and I beat that Jezebel half to death to get my title back.
(Twister pauses, obviously reliving that brutal match, then finally shrugs.)
Twister- Now, Val, I have no intention of beating you within an inch of your life. This ain't personal like that was, the only thing I have against you is that you’re in my way. Of course, I'm going to hurt you as much as I have to in order to get the three count, but I strongly doubt that you’ll be ending the evening on life-support.
(Pause)
Twister- Can you even put a vampire ON life support?
(Shrug. Over on the left side if the screen, Wendy's rolling her eyes.)
Twister- Nor will I be making the fatal mistake of overlooking you because you’re a woman. My wife is one of the top female grapplers to have ever stepped into the ring, and I learned pretty damn quick to respect what females are capable of in this business.. But, like I've said before, I've been watching you in action, and your record alone, coupled with that shiny belt around your waist, are testament enough to your ability.
(Pause, smirk)
Twister- But here's the crux of the argument... Valerie, who exactly have you beaten? Red Dragon? Becky Dakota Paisley? Randy Treehugger? Winners all!
(Short chuckle)
Twister- No, your biggest singles wins are over Devon Poole and Josh Graves, and the only reason those two are even on the radar is that they beat you and Jeremiah for the tag titles! With copious amounts of assistance from an idiotic hippy, mind you.
(Ah, Randy Treehugger, how we miss thee)
(Just kidding.)
Twister- So, Valerie, there lies the biggest gap in your PWX resume. Your strength of schedule has been somewhat... lacking. Your record is gaudy, but it is soft. Now, its not your fault, I doubt you can control who the office puts you against. But there is no denying this one simple fact, Valerie. I am by far the toughest test you will have had in your PWX career.
(Now the cocky smirk we've come to love is in full force on Terrence's face)
Twister- I'm not Red Dragon, who was so weak a your own three year old daughter could pin him. I'm not Randy Treehugger, who could swing protest signs and stab dolls, but folded like a cheap paper fan when it came time to actually wrestle. I'm not Josh Graves, I don't need to go to eight separate locations to get my message across. I'm not Devon Poole, and I'm most certainly not Lilith Morgan or Becky Dakota Paisley, something I think my wife is infinitely thankful for.
(Terrence launches a shit-eating grin as Wendy rolls her eyes again and shakes her head in consternation.)
Twister- No, I'm Terrence, the "Twister" Thompson. I am a WWA Grand Slam Champion, and a Hall of Famer. My return was the biggest news story in the Alliance thus far this year, and I sure as hell did not come to the PWX to put on 'strong losing efforts' against Noah Hanson. I came here to win gold. Top gold. Now, I'm really not all that concerned about your Next Generation Championship, but if its going to be offered, why not? Besides, I'm hearing a lot about an upcoming eight-man tournament, and the winner gets a shot at the PWX Championship. I can guarantee that the winner of this match is going to be in that tournament, and I fully expect my win over you to be my ticket into that event.
(Terrence smiles, as if thinking already about having the PWX Championship around his waist)
Twister- Valerie, I will agree with you about one thing- you and Jeremiah deserved a rematch for the PWX Tag Team Championships. But unfortunately for you, that oversight on the PWX booking committee’s part has turned into a double whammy against you, because now you have to face me. Again, nothing personal, but I’m coming off an embarrassment to Noah Hanson, and I’m not about to start my PWX singles career with an 0-2 record. And furthermore, I know that you are one of the best Pro-Wrestling X has to offer, and if I want to cement myself as the best, and true champion of this region, I’m going to need to beat you.
(Terrence once again takes a moment to check his mirrors, and switches over into the left lane to overtake a slow-moving semi)
Twister- So, Valerie. Here’s how things are going to go. You and I are going to get into the ring at High Stakes, and we’ll have our match. I’m going to give it about five minutes, before you realize that I’m way tougher than the other hacks you’ve been put up against. Probably at about seven to eight minutes, the first pangs of doubt will be setting in, and you’ll begin to realize that this time, you’ve got a problem on your hands. And by the ten minute mark, you’ll be desperate, searching for a way to stop the Mechanical Mayhem. But you won’t stop it, Valerie. It’s not my catch phrase for nothing.
(Twister smirks, knowing that the real reason it became his catch phrase is because it’s out of the lyrics to his original entrance music. Admittedly, its not as poetic as ‘welcome all to curtain call at the opera’, but it still works!)
Twister- And then, Val, I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but the unthinkable is going to happen. I’m going to hit the Last Lap… or the Black Flag… or hell, I might even sneak a Sparkstarter in there, and the next thing you know, you’ll be flat on your back, and I’ll be standing over you getting my hand raised by the referee. And I’m going to bet at first you’ll be crushed. You’ve got a pretty big ego in that small frame of yours, and I know from experience, the bigger your ego is, the more it sucks when you lose. Especially because this will be the first time you’ve been pinned in the PWX. But you’ll go home, Jeremiah and Chloe will console you, and you’ll wake up Tuesday evening, and you’ll realize that you did everything you possibly could, and you just got flat out beat by the better wrestler. And then you’ll realize that its nothing to be ashamed of, and you’ll move on, and kick the ever-loving crap out of whichever unfortunate soul they stick you in the ring against at Adrenaline 30.
(Short pause)
Twister- Unless you face me again… or Wendy. In which case… I’m so, so sorry.
(Twister grins at the camera, while over in the shotgun seat, the much more modest Wendy shakes her head in exasperation, but keeps quiet)
Twister- Valerie, you talk of curtain calls, well, the only one that will be happening Monday night is the one on your PWX Next Generation Title reign. And I hope you do get a good one, because it was a hell of a reign. And I know you like to pretend you’re not about the belts, but you’ve already admitted you’ve got a magpie complex, and you won’t like losing this shiny little piece of metal anymore than you liked losing the Tag Titles. As for me, the curtain’s just risen on my play, and I don’t think it’s going to be coming down for a very long time.
(Wendy looks over at Terrence, a bemused expression on her face. Obviously- she’s the theater expert, so she’s a little surprised to hear her artistically deficient husband making a reference. Twister doesn’t seem to be paying attention.)
Twister- Valerie, Monday night, it’s on. I’d wish you the best of luck, but that’d be a bit on the counterproductive side. I know you’re going to be putting up a fight, and I think this match has the potential to bring the house down. But it will be me walking out the victor, and I will be the Next Generation Champion, I will be in the PWX title tournament, and I WILL become the top dog in this federation.
(Pause)
Twister- And you can’t stop it. No one can… why?
(Yes, it’s time for the inevitable catch phrase… except Terrence looks out the windshield and…)
Twister- Hey guys! There’s a Cracker Barrel at the next exit! Should I stop for lunch?
(Next to him, Wendy nods, and there’s a general affirmative vibe in the voices coming out of the back. Twister turns back to the camera, one last time)
Twister- See you Monday, Val!
(FADE)
EPISODE 5: Pizza and a Memory
APRIL 21, 2010
GUISEPPI'S PIZZA PARLOR
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
11:58 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
Jake Donovan arrived a little early at the pizza parlor and ordered a root beer seeing as how it was only noon. He thought about a beer though, and nearly changed his order twice before finally deciding to just take the root beer and sit down. He thought about ordering pizza, but not knowing what type Wendy would like, if any, he decided to wait for her to arrive. If she arrived. He hoped she would arrive. After three minutes he went back to the counter and ordered a beer, then leaned back against the wall, sipping it and staring out the window, waiting for her to arrive, the letter sitting like a hot coal in his jacket pocket.
The whiny pitch of a vespa engine grabbed Jake's attention, and he looked up as a lithe figure riding a green motorscooter pulled to the curb, and stopped. He saw the figure dismount and remove their helmet, revealing a flame-haired young woman underneath. The woman took off her gloves, and put them inside the helmet, walking inside.
In just a few short moments, she was at his table, smiling shyly at him. She quickly took off her jacket, revealing a pale yellow shirt to complement her blue jeans. Putting the helmet in an adjacent seat, she hung her jacket over the back of her chair and sat down.
"Hello, Jake," Wendy Briese-Thompson said.
"Hi Wendy," Jake said, "Would you like to split a pizza?"
He glanced at the helmet. Something he saw made him look at it more and he reached towards it and traced one of the patterns. "He did good work, didn't he?"
Wendy nodded silently, watching as Jake traced his fingers. "He did," she agreed softly. "Its a shame i never got to see more of his..." there was a pause, as Wendy stared out the window soberly.
Finally, she started, as if just remembering Jake's presence. She smiled meekly at Donovan. "And yes, I'd love to split a pizza."
"What kind would you like?" he asked, giving her a reassuring smile.
Wendy shrugged. "I'm not picky, but nothing too spicy. If you're going to insist that I pick, though, supreme would be fine."
He chuckled.
"Supreme will be just fine." he said and headed back over to the counter, putting the order for the pizza in. "Pepsi, Dr. Pepper? Root Beer? Crush?" he called across the room to her.
"Do they have Diet?"
"Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Pepsi and Diet Crush." he called back.
"Wow," Wendy exclaimed, surprised at three diet sodas to choose from. "Diet Pepsi, please."
When he came to the table, he set her Diet Pepsi down in front of her, then settled down across from her, strands of his hair falling forward in his face, forcing him to brush the tangled mess back. He looked, not only younger, in that action, but also very much as his mentor used to with all that tangled black and red hair that had once fallen into Rick's eyes.
"I was afraid you wouldn't show." Jake said. "You seemed hesitant about meeting me."
"Well, the first time I saw you on television, you weren't exactly giving a 'welcome to the WWA, gee, I'd like to talk to you' vibe," Wendy explained simply.
"Honestly," he said "Seeing you accept Mandrake as a partner was a bit of a shocker, I didn't particularly feel very welcoming towards either one of you. It was like you were saying the past didn't matter, and everything he did for you didn't matter."
"It matters, Jake. It matters a lot." Wendy said quietly. "I sided with Mandrake for the same reason Rick did... the alternative was to watch someone I care about suffer."
"I'd ask how that guy constantly got away with that shit, but I've heard the stories. Rick wrote him a letter too, lord only knows why but I'm in no big hurry to meet that big bastard face to face and deliver it." Jake admitted.
"Stay away from him, Jake." Wendy warned "If... if he knew... what you are..."
Jake chuckled.
"So you've figured it out?" he said "I kind of suspected you had when you saw me at the show."
Wendy nodded. "I could... you look so similar. He was bigger, but..." she paused. "He never mentioned you."
"When you knew him, he didn't know where I was, or even if I was still alive. I found him in Japan, and I didn't know myself, until he took one look at me and told me exactly who I was. And proved it to. That day changed my life." Jake said. "Hell, he saved my life over there. Talk about being a stupid rookie, Japan is not the place to be ignorant, of anything. I got to see the belts you two held together."
Wendy smiled at the memory of her winning the BPP All-Asia Tag Championship those years ago, in an exhausting one night round robin tournament. Her own belt sat on her dresser, next to her other awards and trophies.
"I always managed to do well in Japan," she finally said.
"I never expected the level of violence." Jake admitted. "I remember this one match, was like my second match over there, and they had strung barbed wire around the ring. I about died, I mean, I was scared to even get in there, I felt like a coward standing on the ramp, waiting to go down there. Then here HE comes, he looked at me, he looked at the ring, and then he walked down there with me, without a word, and tore the barbed wire down. He looked after me from then on out."
Wendy shook her head in disgust. She always detested the type of wrestling that glorified sadism over pure technical ability. "The trick was to know which feds were okay, and which ones weren't. Burning Phoenix wasn't like that. I faced some very tough challengers there, but I was never in one of those idiotic 'deathmatches'".
Jake nodded
"That's what he explained." Jake said. "I could see the scars all over him, and he explained many of them, the matches, how he'd gotten put in them, and then something I never thought I'd hear, and that was how much he'd hated those matches. I asked why then was he always in them, and he said that once he'd gotten torn up in enough of them, it didn't matter anymore, he was already a freak. But he didn't want that for me, and he found me another place to wrestle, one that didn't have barbed wire and death matches."
"Rick Logan was NEVER a freak," Wendy said fiercely. "He was a human being, just like you, or I. He... just had a couple of chunks taken out of him."
Jake smiled.
"I know." he said. "But you never could tell him that, especially not after that last fed here in the US and that last World Title. It destroyed him both physically and mentally and he never recovered from that. He was facing retirement and he couldn't see how there was any life left for him outside of the ring with all the damage the years had done to him. I wish you could have talked to him, I wish he would have called you, maybe, I don't know, maybe he would have listened to you."
Wendy immediately looked away, out the window, and Jake could tell she was fighting tears. "I wish he had too," she said quietly. Finally, she looked back at Jake. "Mandrake says he killed himself because of me. He said I put so much turmoil into his mind, then abandoned him to his own fate, that he just couldn't deal with it anymore."
"That's bullshit." Jake said. "Rick pulled the trigger for one reason and one reason only, and that was because he was never going to be allowed to wrestle in another sanctioned match and he could not handle it. He thought his life was empty and meaningless without being able to get into the ring himself. He thought it made him nothing, and he couldn't accept the loss of it. Neither his music nor his art could replace what wrestling was to him, mainly because he felt he wasn't "good enough" at either one to make up for what losing wrestling would cost him. And with his wife gone, and his kids gone, he thought he had nothing to live for."
"Even so," Wendy said bitterly. "I should have called him sometime. I knew how unstable he was, and I couldn't be bothered to make ten minutes out of a week... out of even a month. Just to let him know that someone besides you and Victor cared for him."
"He figured you didn't call because of Terrence." Jake said. "He'd told me once he'd wished he could have come to the wedding to see you walk down the aisle but knowing how Terrence felt about him..."
"Terrence never liked him, but I don't think he hated him either. The wedding was small, just Dan and Terrence's Uncle Steve attended. We just wanted it... private."
Jake nodded.
"I think he just wanted to see you happy." Jake said. "He snuck into one of your performances once. He made a collage of the program and some pictures he took. Said he felt like a stalker having to do it, but he'd wanted to see you."
"He better not have used flash photography," Wendy tried to joke lamely. There was a pause. "I'd like to see that, sometime."
Jake laughed.
"I have it, I have all his artwork, and that Harley he loved." Jake said "I'd be happy to show them to you sometime."
"I'd love that," Wendy said, smiling. "But you said you had something for me?"
Jake nodded and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a letter with Wendy's name on the front. It was sealed with red wax that bore the emblem of a wolf.
Wendy took a look at the letter and smiled at the wax seal, so much more inviting than the sinister black M that had dotted the last letter she had opened. Carefully, she tore the envelope open, pulling out its contents. The first thing that slid out was a photograph, it was of Rick and Wendy in Japan with their tag titles, posing with a young fan. The second was a sketch of Wendy sitting on a park bench, from the blooming flowers behind her, it would have been in New Orleans. The third thing however, was a letter. In careful handwriting Rick had written.
Dear Wendy.
Even as I write these words to you, I have this mental image in my head of you with your hands on your hips, your face turning as red as your hair, your eyes narrowed as you glare at me and tell me you cannot believe I could be so unbelievably stupid. Well, I never did have too much in the brains department , so, I guess you have a right to be mad. I pulled the trigger, that or I drove my Harley off the side of that hairpin turn leading down from the Berkshires. I love that spot, you can see the whole valley when you stand there. I prolly didn't wreck the bike off of it though, you know how much I love that damn thing, Destroying it would piss me off, even as I was dying, so more than likely someones called and told you I pulled the trigger. I know you're disappointed. I am sorry for that.
Oh, Meet Jake. He's a good kid, watch out for his sense of humor though, it's a bit dark, wonder where he got that from.
Anyway, where to begin. I've missed you these past few years, I wish the BWA had never closed and we didn't all have to go our separate ways, your friendship always meant allot to me. So much has happened, I won another world title, can ya believe it, and the band was actually doing well for awhile, I wish you could have come to hear us play. I doubt you would have liked the music, we were a bit loud, allot dark, and really heavy, but it was fun while it lasted, and like so many other things, I wish I could have shared them with you.
I wish, at times, that certain things had never marred our friendship, like Victor and that unholy alliance that I made with him. I want you to understand something about that, I always felt bad about how guilty you felt over the whole thing, when I tied myself to Victor. First you have to realize that once I'd given him my word, there was no way I was going to look for a way to break it, though there were times when I almost wish that I had. I valued his friendship, in some strange, twisted way, Victor was my friend, just as you were. It didn't start out that way, it just developed down there in the dungeon. It took quite a few years before I understood why. Victor always said that I was caught between the two of you in some sort of a moral dilemma. The funny thing was, it wasn't a moral dilemma it all, it was more like an emotional one. A part of me only felt happy when I gave in to the very things that Victor wanted me to give into. Rage, Hate, they needed an outlet before they consumed me from the inside out, while another part of me wanted to be "normal," wanted to be someone that the fans, the people looked up to.
Shades of gray, I guess i tried to live my life only in shades of gray. I didn't want to chose because I didn't want to lose either part of myself, they were both important. I couldn't be good all the time, and I couldn't be bad all the time, so I guess I was never going to fit on either side.
The funny thing is, I don't want that for Jake, I've tried to keep the "badness" from him, protect him from the evil that I would have done had he not been watching. So in the end, I guess I did finally get to be the hero for once. Jake is so much the me that I wanted to be when I was that age and just starting out and had so many stupid dreams and ideals about what I could be in the business before I allowed others to twist those visions. In the end, I think I just wasn't strong enough to find one path and stick to it. I've an addictive personality, I'm too easily swayed, by music, by drugs, by booze, by wrestling, and by the people who are close to me. Not really a life worth saving, when you think about it. So I don't want you to mourn for me and I don't want you to feel like you let me down. I don't want help at this point, I just want to silence all the conflicting voices in my head that are driving me mad. Hell, and they said the damn drugs were supposed to silence them. They lied.
I saw you with your little girl, at the theater, she's beautiful, just like you. Your lucky, they are such joys, children, I loved being a dad. I miss them. I miss allot of things. Take care of yourself Wendy, and drop in on my pain in the ass little brother every once in awhile, he could use a friend or two.
Bye for now Wendy, and remember, death is only the beginning.
RICK
The tears ran freely down Wendy's cheeks as she folded the letter up, and placed it, the photograph, and the sketch in the envelope. "Thank you, Rick," she said, sniffling all the while.
Jake reached across the table and gently, if not a little awkwardly patted her hand.
"I cried when I read my letter too." he said softly.
Wendy nodded, and wiped away her tears. "He always... had to do everything on his terms. I guess dying shouldn't have to be any different."
Jake nodded.
"I miss him." he said softly "But I guess I can't really see him sitting on the sidelines growing old either, though I wish he'd have stuck around longer. I still have a million and one questions."
"Honestly," Wendy replied. "I think he knew there are just some things you have to find out for yourself."
Jake chuckled.
"Yeah." Jake agreed. "I bet he did. Your not going to tell anyone, about, the link between him and I?"
"Of course not," Wendy said. "I know Rick had many enemies, and I know at least one that would be very interested in you. Besides, I know how proud you are to be Rick Logan's brother, and that's your song to sing to the world, when you feel ready."
Jake nodded.
"Thank you for that." he said. "Your right, I'm very proud to be his brother, I still can't believe how lucky I was to find him. All my life I thought I was just an outcast, that there was something wrong with me that I didn't fit in with the rest of my family, now I know it was because they weren't family at all."
Wendy shook her head. "Blood isn't what's needed to make a family, Jake. Just love."
"If someone loves you, they don't lie to you." Jake said. "And all the people who adopted me seem to know how to do is lie and try to cover up lies."
Wendy waved her hands in a placating gesture. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It really isn't any of my business, and even if it was, this is an argument for another day."
"It's alright." he said. "I try not to let anything about them upset me anymore. I hope you will meet me again, when you have time and all, I'd love to show you the artwork you asked about."
"I'll let you know the next time I'm in the area," Wendy promised, as she pulled out her money to pay for the pizza that had come, and been devoured, without either Jake or Wendy really noticing.
Jake pulled out money as well, looking at the empty tray.
"Funny, I didn't taste a single bite." he said shaking his head. "Well, if it wasn't very good, least we didn't notice."
Wendy laughed, and stood up, grabbing her jacket, and the helmet. As Jake rose as well, Wendy's phone went off, a short high pitched ring.
Wendy took out her phone, and read the text message. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed
"Is everything alright?" Jake asked her, looking concerned.
Wendy looked directly at Jake, her eyes wide open in astonishment. "They just declared the World Tag titles vacant."
"They can DO that?" Jake asked, showing his youth and naivety.
Wendy nodded absently, her gaze having shifted back to her phone. "They can... and I suppose with all the chaos surrounding the situation, there was no other choice. I just wish I knew who 'they' were."
"What happens now?" Jake asked, then his green eyes widened and he smiled at Wendy. "Hey, that means you're no longer tied to Mandrake."
Wendy stared at Jake like she had never seen him before, then finally broke into a smile. "You're right," she whispered. "I'm free!"
Jake smiled even brighter.
"Be safe," he said as he held the door open for her. "Don't let him back you into a trap again, i doubt you'd be so lucky a second time."
"I won't," Wendy promised, heading for her bike. "See you around, Jake."
"See ya Wendy," Jake said as he headed for the rebuilt Trans-Am. The engine, when he started it, roared to life. Wendy watched him pull away, then retreated to her own Vespa, a smile on her lips.
==================================
APRIL 22, 2010
KOA CAMPGROUND
CORAOPOLIS, PENNSYLVANIA
10:46 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
(So we open in the WhirlyBirdz RV, which really needs a much cooler name. The camera has been placed on a tripod in the middle of the main cabin, and its pointing at the couch that doubles as Cassie's bed. On that couch, sits Wendy Briese, wearing a dark green shirt, and a long black skirt. As usual, her hair is tied back in its customary ponytail. Behind her, the window shades have been pulled up, so we get a glorious view of the KOA campground behind her.)
(As usual, Wendy sits up straight, her hands in front of her, holding a small, taped up box. Wendy looks down at the box, and sighs.)
Wendy- Well, I suppose by now you all can guess what's in here. The World Tag Team Championships have been declared vacant, and I have to return mine to the alliance corporate offices. So, yes, after I'm done with this interview, I'm off to UPS. I promised to return the belt if it turned out it wasn't mine, and I intend to keep my word.
(She looks down at the box, and shrugs)
Wendy- I'm sure most people are wondering how I feel about it, and, well, its bittersweet. On one hand, I did really want to be the World Tag Team Champion again, and I suppose it was nice to think that I was for a month. On the other hand...
(Wendy breaks into a smile)
Wendy- I am now free of Victor Mandrake's hold on me. Now, I'm not so naive as to think that I'm never going to see that monster again, especially after that spectacular stunt my husband pulled a couple days ago.
(Wendy rolls her eyes and sighs in exasperation, which is a much calmer reaction than her initial one when she heard about Terrence clubbing Mandrake with a baseball bat.)
Wendy- Still, what's done is done, and I can't change the past. I am however, more than relieved that I will never be forced into a situation where I have to trust Victor. He will not have my back in a match, and I will never have to force myself to touch his bloodstained hands to tag out. As far as I'm concerned, the loss of this belt is more than ample payment for my freedom, especially considering that Terrence and I are more than capable of winning the tag championships, whether WWA, PWX, or anywhere else, on our own.
(Wendy pauses, and sets the box aside, then turning back to the camera.)
Wendy- But I've got more pressing issues to deal with, mainly my upcoming match with Lust at High Stakes. Now, this match should be an interesting challenge for me, as so far the PWX has seen no less than five seperate incarnations of Lust. I guess you can say that Lust is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're going to get!
(Wendy laughs weakly at her own joke, grinning sheepishly at the camera.)
Wendy- Now, with five Lusts I could possibly face...
Male Voice (from somewhere off screen)- Make that, seven, biatch!
(Wendy jumps, startled by the interruption, then looks over at the source. Her eyes immediately go wide in horror, and her face pales.)
Wendy- (weakly) Oh, God. Please, no!
(From either side of the camera, two masked figures appear. On Wendy's left is a taller, well-built man, wearing a #9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser T-shirt, and a pair of jeans. Obviously Terrence "Twister" Thompson, Wendy's husband, but his face is covered by a Jason Vorhees mask.)
(On her right is a stocky gentleman, in a red hawaian shirt and a pair of khaki shorts. Again, obviously Daniel Pollaski, but on his head is a Barak Obama mask)
(Wendy, knowing full well that Pollaski is a staunch conservative, expects absolutely nothing good to be coming out of this.)
Wendy- (covering her face in her hands) I'm going to be fired...
Pollaski- (In a fairly awful imitation of Barak Obama's voice) I... uh... certainly hope that is... uh... not the case. Our, uh, unemployment rate is, uh, high enough, uh, already.
(Please send all complaints to pollaski@gmail.com)
Wendy- Why are you guys even doing this?
(Twister shrugs)
Twister (in his normal voice)- Because we thought that, as cool as FIVE lusts were, SEVEN would be even better! I mean, then there'd be one for each continent!
(Wendy sighs, and again covers her face.)
Wendy- Why me?
Pollaski- (still using Obama's voice) We, uh, thought that, uh, now, that we are members of the, uh, Lust, we could,uh, use it to benefit, uh, National Security. We are, uh, fully committed to contribite, uh, to their cause. We, uh, even got them a new Slave!
Wendy- (now in absolute full-fledged panic mode) NO!
(Pollaski reaches behind him and pulls out a toy spaceship. Star Wars fans would recognize it as Jango Fett's ship from Episode II)
(For those of you who aren't geeks, the ship was named the Slave I.)
Wendy- (with a mixture of revulsion and relief) That's... a... stretch.
(But completely nonoffensive!)
Twister- Yeah, but its way cooler than hanging out with an androgynous anorexic in a gimp suit.
(That too)
Wendy- (softly) Terry, Dan, could you please go away so I can-
(Girl, interrupted)
Twister- And what's REALLY cool about this whole Lust thing is that they sometimes speak in rhymes.
Wendy- No rhyming... please, just no...
(Twister, obviously ignores her and continues)
Twister- We can promo in couplets, which we have never TRIED.
Pollaski- We'll be, uh, just like Fezzik from, uh, The Princess BRIDE!
*SMACK*
(That would be the sound of Wendy's palm smacking her forehead)
Twister- And they say that Lust could never beat Wendy, we could not come up with a PLAN.
Pollaski- But, uh, I say to all the cynics out there.... YES WE CAN!
(Ha!)
[B] SNAP [/B]
(That would be Wendy's patience.)
Wendy- WILL YOU TWO PLEASE GET OUT OF MY PROMO!
(Wendy stands up, glaring at both her husband and her manager.)
Pollaski- (back in his normal voice) Uh, dude, we better go. .. she's got that gleam in her eye.
(It should be known that Wendy, as kind and nice as she is, does have a temper. Generally, this comes in the form of indignation. However, sometimes things just really aggrivate her to the point where she can get a teensy violent)
(Like deck half the rosters of two entire regions with a signapore cane violent)
(Now even though Wendy's hardly an expert in the usage of weapons, getting hit by something swung by her is gonna hurt. But what's even worse about the meltdowns is that when Wendy comes out of her rage, she feels amazingly guilty)
(Most of her victims found the two weeks of incessant apologies WAY more annoying than whatever the hell she hit them with in the first place.)
(So unless you enjoy being hit with something, and being nagged for forgiveness for a good fortnight, its best, when you see that "gleam", to leave)
(Like, immediately)
Twister- Ooh, good point. Let's go. Hey, uh, want us to take your package and mail it while we're out?
(Wendy slowly nods, and Twister and Dan quickly pick up the package, and make their exit)
(The redheaded woman, watches them go, and sighs. Slowly, she sits back down on the couch, and turns back towards the camera.)
Wendy- Sorry, where was I?
(Lust)
Wendy- Right. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I have really no idea who I will be facing this week. I could be facing the one who appears to be the leader. If so, I will have to rely on my speed and reflexes, playing a game of cat and mouse; get in, do what damage I can, and get out before he catches me with a devastating move.
(Wendy says all this matter-of-factly, without a trace of fear, she's become an expert in using her mobility to defeat larger, stronger opponents)
Wendy- Or will I face the larger Lust, who is well over twice my mass? In this case, I'll have to destroy his mobility with leg kicks and submissions, then wear him down once he is unable to move. A daunting challenge, yes, but I've defeated giants before.
(This part was said with a little trepidation, after all, one big move from a 300+ opponent, and she can end up in pretty bad shape. Even so, Wendy does know how to beat giants, and she's done it before.)
Wendy- Or maybe I will face the female Lust, in which case I will likely find my speed advantage gone, but have my full arsenal of moves available.
(Wendy said this with a bit of disgust. Obviously, she's faced other women before, and she has a stellar record against females. But Wendy also saw Lust's last promo and, well, let's just say she didn't like it. At all.)
(Still, Wendy just shrugs, and continues.)
Wendy- Or will it be a Lust I know nothing about, and I'll have to improvise a strategy on the fly? Whichever way, it should be an interesting challenge for me. And I'm ready for a good challenge. With all due respect to The Fallen, my first two matches were somewhat... lacking in the challenge department.
(Wendy shifts uncomfortably... it never suits her to talk bad about her opponents wrestling abilities.)
Wendy- We beat the Fallen in part because Grayson Willis forgot that chivalry has no place inside of a wrestling ring. And Mercedes Morgan, with all due respect, was obviously overmatched to the point where we should consider ourselves fortunate she wasn't seriously injured.
(Another small shrug, and a smile)
Wendy- But I can sense that Lust will be a much stronger test for me, but it is a test I fully intend to pass with flying colors. I came to the PWX with the expectation that I will contend for championships, and I am slowly working my way up the ladder. Beating Lust should accelerate my climb, and that's what I'll do.
(Wendy smiles)
Wendy- So Lust, whichever one it will be, will bring their "A" game, and of course, I'll bring mine. But in the end, I will be the one walking out of High Stakes the winner. I need this too much for the result to be otherwise.
(Now, a big grin)
Wendy- Its time to remind the world just what exactly Wendy Briese is capable of.
(The scene fades.)
GUISEPPI'S PIZZA PARLOR
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
11:58 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
Jake Donovan arrived a little early at the pizza parlor and ordered a root beer seeing as how it was only noon. He thought about a beer though, and nearly changed his order twice before finally deciding to just take the root beer and sit down. He thought about ordering pizza, but not knowing what type Wendy would like, if any, he decided to wait for her to arrive. If she arrived. He hoped she would arrive. After three minutes he went back to the counter and ordered a beer, then leaned back against the wall, sipping it and staring out the window, waiting for her to arrive, the letter sitting like a hot coal in his jacket pocket.
The whiny pitch of a vespa engine grabbed Jake's attention, and he looked up as a lithe figure riding a green motorscooter pulled to the curb, and stopped. He saw the figure dismount and remove their helmet, revealing a flame-haired young woman underneath. The woman took off her gloves, and put them inside the helmet, walking inside.
In just a few short moments, she was at his table, smiling shyly at him. She quickly took off her jacket, revealing a pale yellow shirt to complement her blue jeans. Putting the helmet in an adjacent seat, she hung her jacket over the back of her chair and sat down.
"Hello, Jake," Wendy Briese-Thompson said.
"Hi Wendy," Jake said, "Would you like to split a pizza?"
He glanced at the helmet. Something he saw made him look at it more and he reached towards it and traced one of the patterns. "He did good work, didn't he?"
Wendy nodded silently, watching as Jake traced his fingers. "He did," she agreed softly. "Its a shame i never got to see more of his..." there was a pause, as Wendy stared out the window soberly.
Finally, she started, as if just remembering Jake's presence. She smiled meekly at Donovan. "And yes, I'd love to split a pizza."
"What kind would you like?" he asked, giving her a reassuring smile.
Wendy shrugged. "I'm not picky, but nothing too spicy. If you're going to insist that I pick, though, supreme would be fine."
He chuckled.
"Supreme will be just fine." he said and headed back over to the counter, putting the order for the pizza in. "Pepsi, Dr. Pepper? Root Beer? Crush?" he called across the room to her.
"Do they have Diet?"
"Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Pepsi and Diet Crush." he called back.
"Wow," Wendy exclaimed, surprised at three diet sodas to choose from. "Diet Pepsi, please."
When he came to the table, he set her Diet Pepsi down in front of her, then settled down across from her, strands of his hair falling forward in his face, forcing him to brush the tangled mess back. He looked, not only younger, in that action, but also very much as his mentor used to with all that tangled black and red hair that had once fallen into Rick's eyes.
"I was afraid you wouldn't show." Jake said. "You seemed hesitant about meeting me."
"Well, the first time I saw you on television, you weren't exactly giving a 'welcome to the WWA, gee, I'd like to talk to you' vibe," Wendy explained simply.
"Honestly," he said "Seeing you accept Mandrake as a partner was a bit of a shocker, I didn't particularly feel very welcoming towards either one of you. It was like you were saying the past didn't matter, and everything he did for you didn't matter."
"It matters, Jake. It matters a lot." Wendy said quietly. "I sided with Mandrake for the same reason Rick did... the alternative was to watch someone I care about suffer."
"I'd ask how that guy constantly got away with that shit, but I've heard the stories. Rick wrote him a letter too, lord only knows why but I'm in no big hurry to meet that big bastard face to face and deliver it." Jake admitted.
"Stay away from him, Jake." Wendy warned "If... if he knew... what you are..."
Jake chuckled.
"So you've figured it out?" he said "I kind of suspected you had when you saw me at the show."
Wendy nodded. "I could... you look so similar. He was bigger, but..." she paused. "He never mentioned you."
"When you knew him, he didn't know where I was, or even if I was still alive. I found him in Japan, and I didn't know myself, until he took one look at me and told me exactly who I was. And proved it to. That day changed my life." Jake said. "Hell, he saved my life over there. Talk about being a stupid rookie, Japan is not the place to be ignorant, of anything. I got to see the belts you two held together."
Wendy smiled at the memory of her winning the BPP All-Asia Tag Championship those years ago, in an exhausting one night round robin tournament. Her own belt sat on her dresser, next to her other awards and trophies.
"I always managed to do well in Japan," she finally said.
"I never expected the level of violence." Jake admitted. "I remember this one match, was like my second match over there, and they had strung barbed wire around the ring. I about died, I mean, I was scared to even get in there, I felt like a coward standing on the ramp, waiting to go down there. Then here HE comes, he looked at me, he looked at the ring, and then he walked down there with me, without a word, and tore the barbed wire down. He looked after me from then on out."
Wendy shook her head in disgust. She always detested the type of wrestling that glorified sadism over pure technical ability. "The trick was to know which feds were okay, and which ones weren't. Burning Phoenix wasn't like that. I faced some very tough challengers there, but I was never in one of those idiotic 'deathmatches'".
Jake nodded
"That's what he explained." Jake said. "I could see the scars all over him, and he explained many of them, the matches, how he'd gotten put in them, and then something I never thought I'd hear, and that was how much he'd hated those matches. I asked why then was he always in them, and he said that once he'd gotten torn up in enough of them, it didn't matter anymore, he was already a freak. But he didn't want that for me, and he found me another place to wrestle, one that didn't have barbed wire and death matches."
"Rick Logan was NEVER a freak," Wendy said fiercely. "He was a human being, just like you, or I. He... just had a couple of chunks taken out of him."
Jake smiled.
"I know." he said. "But you never could tell him that, especially not after that last fed here in the US and that last World Title. It destroyed him both physically and mentally and he never recovered from that. He was facing retirement and he couldn't see how there was any life left for him outside of the ring with all the damage the years had done to him. I wish you could have talked to him, I wish he would have called you, maybe, I don't know, maybe he would have listened to you."
Wendy immediately looked away, out the window, and Jake could tell she was fighting tears. "I wish he had too," she said quietly. Finally, she looked back at Jake. "Mandrake says he killed himself because of me. He said I put so much turmoil into his mind, then abandoned him to his own fate, that he just couldn't deal with it anymore."
"That's bullshit." Jake said. "Rick pulled the trigger for one reason and one reason only, and that was because he was never going to be allowed to wrestle in another sanctioned match and he could not handle it. He thought his life was empty and meaningless without being able to get into the ring himself. He thought it made him nothing, and he couldn't accept the loss of it. Neither his music nor his art could replace what wrestling was to him, mainly because he felt he wasn't "good enough" at either one to make up for what losing wrestling would cost him. And with his wife gone, and his kids gone, he thought he had nothing to live for."
"Even so," Wendy said bitterly. "I should have called him sometime. I knew how unstable he was, and I couldn't be bothered to make ten minutes out of a week... out of even a month. Just to let him know that someone besides you and Victor cared for him."
"He figured you didn't call because of Terrence." Jake said. "He'd told me once he'd wished he could have come to the wedding to see you walk down the aisle but knowing how Terrence felt about him..."
"Terrence never liked him, but I don't think he hated him either. The wedding was small, just Dan and Terrence's Uncle Steve attended. We just wanted it... private."
Jake nodded.
"I think he just wanted to see you happy." Jake said. "He snuck into one of your performances once. He made a collage of the program and some pictures he took. Said he felt like a stalker having to do it, but he'd wanted to see you."
"He better not have used flash photography," Wendy tried to joke lamely. There was a pause. "I'd like to see that, sometime."
Jake laughed.
"I have it, I have all his artwork, and that Harley he loved." Jake said "I'd be happy to show them to you sometime."
"I'd love that," Wendy said, smiling. "But you said you had something for me?"
Jake nodded and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a letter with Wendy's name on the front. It was sealed with red wax that bore the emblem of a wolf.
Wendy took a look at the letter and smiled at the wax seal, so much more inviting than the sinister black M that had dotted the last letter she had opened. Carefully, she tore the envelope open, pulling out its contents. The first thing that slid out was a photograph, it was of Rick and Wendy in Japan with their tag titles, posing with a young fan. The second was a sketch of Wendy sitting on a park bench, from the blooming flowers behind her, it would have been in New Orleans. The third thing however, was a letter. In careful handwriting Rick had written.
Dear Wendy.
Even as I write these words to you, I have this mental image in my head of you with your hands on your hips, your face turning as red as your hair, your eyes narrowed as you glare at me and tell me you cannot believe I could be so unbelievably stupid. Well, I never did have too much in the brains department , so, I guess you have a right to be mad. I pulled the trigger, that or I drove my Harley off the side of that hairpin turn leading down from the Berkshires. I love that spot, you can see the whole valley when you stand there. I prolly didn't wreck the bike off of it though, you know how much I love that damn thing, Destroying it would piss me off, even as I was dying, so more than likely someones called and told you I pulled the trigger. I know you're disappointed. I am sorry for that.
Oh, Meet Jake. He's a good kid, watch out for his sense of humor though, it's a bit dark, wonder where he got that from.
Anyway, where to begin. I've missed you these past few years, I wish the BWA had never closed and we didn't all have to go our separate ways, your friendship always meant allot to me. So much has happened, I won another world title, can ya believe it, and the band was actually doing well for awhile, I wish you could have come to hear us play. I doubt you would have liked the music, we were a bit loud, allot dark, and really heavy, but it was fun while it lasted, and like so many other things, I wish I could have shared them with you.
I wish, at times, that certain things had never marred our friendship, like Victor and that unholy alliance that I made with him. I want you to understand something about that, I always felt bad about how guilty you felt over the whole thing, when I tied myself to Victor. First you have to realize that once I'd given him my word, there was no way I was going to look for a way to break it, though there were times when I almost wish that I had. I valued his friendship, in some strange, twisted way, Victor was my friend, just as you were. It didn't start out that way, it just developed down there in the dungeon. It took quite a few years before I understood why. Victor always said that I was caught between the two of you in some sort of a moral dilemma. The funny thing was, it wasn't a moral dilemma it all, it was more like an emotional one. A part of me only felt happy when I gave in to the very things that Victor wanted me to give into. Rage, Hate, they needed an outlet before they consumed me from the inside out, while another part of me wanted to be "normal," wanted to be someone that the fans, the people looked up to.
Shades of gray, I guess i tried to live my life only in shades of gray. I didn't want to chose because I didn't want to lose either part of myself, they were both important. I couldn't be good all the time, and I couldn't be bad all the time, so I guess I was never going to fit on either side.
The funny thing is, I don't want that for Jake, I've tried to keep the "badness" from him, protect him from the evil that I would have done had he not been watching. So in the end, I guess I did finally get to be the hero for once. Jake is so much the me that I wanted to be when I was that age and just starting out and had so many stupid dreams and ideals about what I could be in the business before I allowed others to twist those visions. In the end, I think I just wasn't strong enough to find one path and stick to it. I've an addictive personality, I'm too easily swayed, by music, by drugs, by booze, by wrestling, and by the people who are close to me. Not really a life worth saving, when you think about it. So I don't want you to mourn for me and I don't want you to feel like you let me down. I don't want help at this point, I just want to silence all the conflicting voices in my head that are driving me mad. Hell, and they said the damn drugs were supposed to silence them. They lied.
I saw you with your little girl, at the theater, she's beautiful, just like you. Your lucky, they are such joys, children, I loved being a dad. I miss them. I miss allot of things. Take care of yourself Wendy, and drop in on my pain in the ass little brother every once in awhile, he could use a friend or two.
Bye for now Wendy, and remember, death is only the beginning.
RICK
The tears ran freely down Wendy's cheeks as she folded the letter up, and placed it, the photograph, and the sketch in the envelope. "Thank you, Rick," she said, sniffling all the while.
Jake reached across the table and gently, if not a little awkwardly patted her hand.
"I cried when I read my letter too." he said softly.
Wendy nodded, and wiped away her tears. "He always... had to do everything on his terms. I guess dying shouldn't have to be any different."
Jake nodded.
"I miss him." he said softly "But I guess I can't really see him sitting on the sidelines growing old either, though I wish he'd have stuck around longer. I still have a million and one questions."
"Honestly," Wendy replied. "I think he knew there are just some things you have to find out for yourself."
Jake chuckled.
"Yeah." Jake agreed. "I bet he did. Your not going to tell anyone, about, the link between him and I?"
"Of course not," Wendy said. "I know Rick had many enemies, and I know at least one that would be very interested in you. Besides, I know how proud you are to be Rick Logan's brother, and that's your song to sing to the world, when you feel ready."
Jake nodded.
"Thank you for that." he said. "Your right, I'm very proud to be his brother, I still can't believe how lucky I was to find him. All my life I thought I was just an outcast, that there was something wrong with me that I didn't fit in with the rest of my family, now I know it was because they weren't family at all."
Wendy shook her head. "Blood isn't what's needed to make a family, Jake. Just love."
"If someone loves you, they don't lie to you." Jake said. "And all the people who adopted me seem to know how to do is lie and try to cover up lies."
Wendy waved her hands in a placating gesture. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It really isn't any of my business, and even if it was, this is an argument for another day."
"It's alright." he said. "I try not to let anything about them upset me anymore. I hope you will meet me again, when you have time and all, I'd love to show you the artwork you asked about."
"I'll let you know the next time I'm in the area," Wendy promised, as she pulled out her money to pay for the pizza that had come, and been devoured, without either Jake or Wendy really noticing.
Jake pulled out money as well, looking at the empty tray.
"Funny, I didn't taste a single bite." he said shaking his head. "Well, if it wasn't very good, least we didn't notice."
Wendy laughed, and stood up, grabbing her jacket, and the helmet. As Jake rose as well, Wendy's phone went off, a short high pitched ring.
Wendy took out her phone, and read the text message. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed
"Is everything alright?" Jake asked her, looking concerned.
Wendy looked directly at Jake, her eyes wide open in astonishment. "They just declared the World Tag titles vacant."
"They can DO that?" Jake asked, showing his youth and naivety.
Wendy nodded absently, her gaze having shifted back to her phone. "They can... and I suppose with all the chaos surrounding the situation, there was no other choice. I just wish I knew who 'they' were."
"What happens now?" Jake asked, then his green eyes widened and he smiled at Wendy. "Hey, that means you're no longer tied to Mandrake."
Wendy stared at Jake like she had never seen him before, then finally broke into a smile. "You're right," she whispered. "I'm free!"
Jake smiled even brighter.
"Be safe," he said as he held the door open for her. "Don't let him back you into a trap again, i doubt you'd be so lucky a second time."
"I won't," Wendy promised, heading for her bike. "See you around, Jake."
"See ya Wendy," Jake said as he headed for the rebuilt Trans-Am. The engine, when he started it, roared to life. Wendy watched him pull away, then retreated to her own Vespa, a smile on her lips.
==================================
APRIL 22, 2010
KOA CAMPGROUND
CORAOPOLIS, PENNSYLVANIA
10:46 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
(So we open in the WhirlyBirdz RV, which really needs a much cooler name. The camera has been placed on a tripod in the middle of the main cabin, and its pointing at the couch that doubles as Cassie's bed. On that couch, sits Wendy Briese, wearing a dark green shirt, and a long black skirt. As usual, her hair is tied back in its customary ponytail. Behind her, the window shades have been pulled up, so we get a glorious view of the KOA campground behind her.)
(As usual, Wendy sits up straight, her hands in front of her, holding a small, taped up box. Wendy looks down at the box, and sighs.)
Wendy- Well, I suppose by now you all can guess what's in here. The World Tag Team Championships have been declared vacant, and I have to return mine to the alliance corporate offices. So, yes, after I'm done with this interview, I'm off to UPS. I promised to return the belt if it turned out it wasn't mine, and I intend to keep my word.
(She looks down at the box, and shrugs)
Wendy- I'm sure most people are wondering how I feel about it, and, well, its bittersweet. On one hand, I did really want to be the World Tag Team Champion again, and I suppose it was nice to think that I was for a month. On the other hand...
(Wendy breaks into a smile)
Wendy- I am now free of Victor Mandrake's hold on me. Now, I'm not so naive as to think that I'm never going to see that monster again, especially after that spectacular stunt my husband pulled a couple days ago.
(Wendy rolls her eyes and sighs in exasperation, which is a much calmer reaction than her initial one when she heard about Terrence clubbing Mandrake with a baseball bat.)
Wendy- Still, what's done is done, and I can't change the past. I am however, more than relieved that I will never be forced into a situation where I have to trust Victor. He will not have my back in a match, and I will never have to force myself to touch his bloodstained hands to tag out. As far as I'm concerned, the loss of this belt is more than ample payment for my freedom, especially considering that Terrence and I are more than capable of winning the tag championships, whether WWA, PWX, or anywhere else, on our own.
(Wendy pauses, and sets the box aside, then turning back to the camera.)
Wendy- But I've got more pressing issues to deal with, mainly my upcoming match with Lust at High Stakes. Now, this match should be an interesting challenge for me, as so far the PWX has seen no less than five seperate incarnations of Lust. I guess you can say that Lust is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're going to get!
(Wendy laughs weakly at her own joke, grinning sheepishly at the camera.)
Wendy- Now, with five Lusts I could possibly face...
Male Voice (from somewhere off screen)- Make that, seven, biatch!
(Wendy jumps, startled by the interruption, then looks over at the source. Her eyes immediately go wide in horror, and her face pales.)
Wendy- (weakly) Oh, God. Please, no!
(From either side of the camera, two masked figures appear. On Wendy's left is a taller, well-built man, wearing a #9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser T-shirt, and a pair of jeans. Obviously Terrence "Twister" Thompson, Wendy's husband, but his face is covered by a Jason Vorhees mask.)
(On her right is a stocky gentleman, in a red hawaian shirt and a pair of khaki shorts. Again, obviously Daniel Pollaski, but on his head is a Barak Obama mask)
(Wendy, knowing full well that Pollaski is a staunch conservative, expects absolutely nothing good to be coming out of this.)
Wendy- (covering her face in her hands) I'm going to be fired...
Pollaski- (In a fairly awful imitation of Barak Obama's voice) I... uh... certainly hope that is... uh... not the case. Our, uh, unemployment rate is, uh, high enough, uh, already.
(Please send all complaints to pollaski@gmail.com)
Wendy- Why are you guys even doing this?
(Twister shrugs)
Twister (in his normal voice)- Because we thought that, as cool as FIVE lusts were, SEVEN would be even better! I mean, then there'd be one for each continent!
(Wendy sighs, and again covers her face.)
Wendy- Why me?
Pollaski- (still using Obama's voice) We, uh, thought that, uh, now, that we are members of the, uh, Lust, we could,uh, use it to benefit, uh, National Security. We are, uh, fully committed to contribite, uh, to their cause. We, uh, even got them a new Slave!
Wendy- (now in absolute full-fledged panic mode) NO!
(Pollaski reaches behind him and pulls out a toy spaceship. Star Wars fans would recognize it as Jango Fett's ship from Episode II)
(For those of you who aren't geeks, the ship was named the Slave I.)
Wendy- (with a mixture of revulsion and relief) That's... a... stretch.
(But completely nonoffensive!)
Twister- Yeah, but its way cooler than hanging out with an androgynous anorexic in a gimp suit.
(That too)
Wendy- (softly) Terry, Dan, could you please go away so I can-
(Girl, interrupted)
Twister- And what's REALLY cool about this whole Lust thing is that they sometimes speak in rhymes.
Wendy- No rhyming... please, just no...
(Twister, obviously ignores her and continues)
Twister- We can promo in couplets, which we have never TRIED.
Pollaski- We'll be, uh, just like Fezzik from, uh, The Princess BRIDE!
*SMACK*
(That would be the sound of Wendy's palm smacking her forehead)
Twister- And they say that Lust could never beat Wendy, we could not come up with a PLAN.
Pollaski- But, uh, I say to all the cynics out there.... YES WE CAN!
(Ha!)
[B] SNAP [/B]
(That would be Wendy's patience.)
Wendy- WILL YOU TWO PLEASE GET OUT OF MY PROMO!
(Wendy stands up, glaring at both her husband and her manager.)
Pollaski- (back in his normal voice) Uh, dude, we better go. .. she's got that gleam in her eye.
(It should be known that Wendy, as kind and nice as she is, does have a temper. Generally, this comes in the form of indignation. However, sometimes things just really aggrivate her to the point where she can get a teensy violent)
(Like deck half the rosters of two entire regions with a signapore cane violent)
(Now even though Wendy's hardly an expert in the usage of weapons, getting hit by something swung by her is gonna hurt. But what's even worse about the meltdowns is that when Wendy comes out of her rage, she feels amazingly guilty)
(Most of her victims found the two weeks of incessant apologies WAY more annoying than whatever the hell she hit them with in the first place.)
(So unless you enjoy being hit with something, and being nagged for forgiveness for a good fortnight, its best, when you see that "gleam", to leave)
(Like, immediately)
Twister- Ooh, good point. Let's go. Hey, uh, want us to take your package and mail it while we're out?
(Wendy slowly nods, and Twister and Dan quickly pick up the package, and make their exit)
(The redheaded woman, watches them go, and sighs. Slowly, she sits back down on the couch, and turns back towards the camera.)
Wendy- Sorry, where was I?
(Lust)
Wendy- Right. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I have really no idea who I will be facing this week. I could be facing the one who appears to be the leader. If so, I will have to rely on my speed and reflexes, playing a game of cat and mouse; get in, do what damage I can, and get out before he catches me with a devastating move.
(Wendy says all this matter-of-factly, without a trace of fear, she's become an expert in using her mobility to defeat larger, stronger opponents)
Wendy- Or will I face the larger Lust, who is well over twice my mass? In this case, I'll have to destroy his mobility with leg kicks and submissions, then wear him down once he is unable to move. A daunting challenge, yes, but I've defeated giants before.
(This part was said with a little trepidation, after all, one big move from a 300+ opponent, and she can end up in pretty bad shape. Even so, Wendy does know how to beat giants, and she's done it before.)
Wendy- Or maybe I will face the female Lust, in which case I will likely find my speed advantage gone, but have my full arsenal of moves available.
(Wendy said this with a bit of disgust. Obviously, she's faced other women before, and she has a stellar record against females. But Wendy also saw Lust's last promo and, well, let's just say she didn't like it. At all.)
(Still, Wendy just shrugs, and continues.)
Wendy- Or will it be a Lust I know nothing about, and I'll have to improvise a strategy on the fly? Whichever way, it should be an interesting challenge for me. And I'm ready for a good challenge. With all due respect to The Fallen, my first two matches were somewhat... lacking in the challenge department.
(Wendy shifts uncomfortably... it never suits her to talk bad about her opponents wrestling abilities.)
Wendy- We beat the Fallen in part because Grayson Willis forgot that chivalry has no place inside of a wrestling ring. And Mercedes Morgan, with all due respect, was obviously overmatched to the point where we should consider ourselves fortunate she wasn't seriously injured.
(Another small shrug, and a smile)
Wendy- But I can sense that Lust will be a much stronger test for me, but it is a test I fully intend to pass with flying colors. I came to the PWX with the expectation that I will contend for championships, and I am slowly working my way up the ladder. Beating Lust should accelerate my climb, and that's what I'll do.
(Wendy smiles)
Wendy- So Lust, whichever one it will be, will bring their "A" game, and of course, I'll bring mine. But in the end, I will be the one walking out of High Stakes the winner. I need this too much for the result to be otherwise.
(Now, a big grin)
Wendy- Its time to remind the world just what exactly Wendy Briese is capable of.
(The scene fades.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)