The scene opens outside the house of Wendy Briese & Terrence Thompson. Isabella Pazzini can be seen, in what appears to be the very early morning light, a big smile on her face.
Isabella: Hello everyone! It is apparently six-o-clock in the morning right now, which is what time Daniel Pollaski told me to be here to promote my upcoming Byte This match with my partner, Wendy Briese! If you’re wondering why I’m filming now, I just wanted to say that I don’t appreciate being called out at this time of day! Just get that on record now! Anyway, let’s go.
She walks up to the door, and starts knocking. She waits a while, but no-one answers.
Isabella: Tum-tee-tum...
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!*
Isabella: Come on, come on, it’s promo time!
Isabella waits, and waits, but no-one answers. She looks up to the top floor, seeing the curtains are shut.
Isabella: Don’t tell me they’ve overslept!
Isabella pulls up a pebble from the driveway, and throws it at the window. Unfortunately, it flies straight through the window, leaving a small hole in its wake.
Isabella: Um... oops?
Nonetheless, the stone did the trick, as muffled voices- obviously Terrence and Wendy’s, although the words are impossible to make out- float out through the broken window. The male’s voice sounds very upset, the females more confused and alarmed. Isabella cringes, and looks up at the window to the house, expecting Wendy’s face to poke through looking down at her. But nothing happens, and eventually, the voices stop. Isabella looked puzzled.
Isabella: That’s weird. What the hell is going on?
By this point, Isabella had apparently forgotten the camera was rolling.
Isabella: You think I should try knocking again? I’m not throwing another pebble.
Isabella starts towards the door, but suddenly runs away screaming as it flies open, a VERY angry Terrence Thompson storming out, dressed in a plain white t-shirt and a red pair of basketball shorts with the interlocking I and U of the Indiana hoosiers sewn on the leg. The most telling feature, however, is the massive Louisville Slugger he’s carrying in his hand.
Terrence: GET OFF MY LAWN YOU FUCKING KIDS!
Wendy: Terry! No! Wait!
Wendy’s behind Terrence in the door, pleading with him to stop, and Isabella’s fleeing for safety, but the poor cameraman is too slow, and the next thing he knows, Terrence is swinging. There’s a loud *OOMPH*, and suddenly, the camera is lying in the grass, the only thing visible is Terrence’s legs.
Terrence: That’ll teach you to throw a rock through someone’s window, punk! You next? You want so- Isabella Pazzini? What the fuck!?
Isabella’s voice can be heard.
Isabella: Erm... the camera guy threw the rock through the window. I tried to stop him... anyway, Daniel told me to come here for the Byte This promo...
Wendy: What? At this hour? He knows I don’t even get up until six-thirty... what is he...
Wendy’s legs have joined next to Terrence’s in the shot, at an angle that would suggest she’s standing and looking down at the camera man.
Wendy: Oh God... we are going to be in so much trouble...
Isabella’s voice has gotten louder, presumably meaning she’s walked across.
Isabella: Let’s just get him inside and see if he’s okay. I’ll bring the camera...
Sure enough, the camera suddenly raises up, and catches our first proper view of Wendy. She’s dressed in a white nightgown, her hair disheveled from having just woken up. She’s also a little flushed from the sudden activity her day’s started with, and definitely looking a little cowed from the experience. She’s looking sheepishly over at her neighbor’s house, giving a small wave.
Wendy: Morning, Mrs. Fletcher! Don’t worry about us! Just a simple misunderstanding.
She grins, which fades quickly as she turns away.
Wendy: Just once... just ONCE I’d like to be able to show my face at a neighborhood council meeting...
Isabella: Help him up, we’ll go inside. How do you switch this thing off...?
There is some shaking of the camera and then we cut. The video reopens in the living room of the exact same house. It’s a farily nice, well lit living room, with a large bay window allowing light into the room from the left hand side. Out of the left corner of the screen, the very edge of a Lay-Z-Boy can be seen, while the camera is focused on the couch, which is sandwiched between two end tables, each with a lamp, the left one also containing what appears to be a small stack of magazines, and an X-Box controller. Under the right, staring out at the camera with wary eyes, is a large, grumpy tabby cat. Above the couch, hanging from the wall, is a rather large oil painting depicting a generic creek in autumn, the surriounding trees tinged with colorful leaves.
On the couch itself sits Wendy, now much more awake and dressed in a simple lavender t-shirt and jeans, grinning sheepishly at the camera, the memories of the morning thus far obviously fresh with her. Next to her sits Isabella, her coat now off and attired in her new merch, the “If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Cheat ‘Em” t-shirt (which is now available on FFWShop.com) and a pair of simple black pants.
Wendy: Hey everyone! You know, it’s been a couple of months since I was named FFW’s official ‘ambassador’ to the Susan B. Komen foundation, but I’ve enjoyed the honor and the opportunity it has presented to me. The Komen foundation is dedicated to research that will lead to the treatment and hopeful eradication of breast cancer, one of the most dangerous diseases for a woman to have. It’s only right that a company that is dedicated to the promotion of female athletes take an interest in spreading the word about women’s health, particularily educating people about this horrid disease.
A small smile.
Wendy: When I found out that FFW was taking our relationship with the Komen Foundation to the next level, and holding an event where the proceeds are strictly going towards the funding of this noble cause, I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. That we’re holding it on Labor Day, in the middle of Central Park in New York City, with the matches that we have lined up for you... its going to be an absolutely momentous occasion.
Isabella: Absolutely, it’s going to be a real day for all you FFW fans. We’re going to have activities all day, aside from the show, and if you can’t get there in person, you can order it online for just ten dollars American. Ten dollars! And every penny of it goes to charity! I’m sure you’ll agree that is absolutely amazing, and we hope that you, the FFW faithful, will gladly contribute! The buyrates have been staggering already, and we thank you so much!
Wendy nods
Wendy: Isabella here is right. The generosity of the FFW faithful knows no bounds, and we owe you our gratitude. So, we’re going to thank you all the best way we know how.. by going out, and giving you guys the best show we can possibly put on!
Isabella: Absolutely!
She grins.
Isabella: There’s all kinds of awesome matches on the card. The FFW Champion, the Unity Tag Team Champions and some other insignificant champion that everybody hates and doesn’t care about... they’re all on this show! But I really think, out of all these great matches, there is one that definitely steals it. In one corner you have a former FFW Champion, and a former Evolution Champion! And in the other corner, you have a more attractive former FFW Champion, and the NEXT Evolution Champion! No other match on this show is as star studded as this one, and we absolutely intend to steal the show!
Wendy: I think you’re honestly dealing with the four best and most beloved wrestlers in this company today here. Fire & Fury are a true super-team, and I wouldn’t fancy to bet against them, even against the Eternal Flame. But, you know, Isabella and I both have been successful tag team wrestlers ourselves- so don’t count us out quite yet.
Isabella: Beloved? Me, really? Okay! Whilst they may be a super-team, however, I find it somewhat strange. I mean, Scarlett & Robbyn had one of the longest running feuds in FFW history. These two absolutely despised each other. And it isn’t really hard to see why. First of all, Scarlett is married to the love of Robbyn’s life. And don’t forget Robbyn not only tried to steal him, but USED Scarlett to get close to him! I don’t see how you can just forgive that kind of stuff. There’s still contention between them deep down, I know it! Isn’t there girls? There is, isn’t there?
For just a second, Wendy looks slightly bemused, then turns towards her partner.
Wendy: I don’t know... people change, Isabella...as you can well attest. Besides, it’s not exactly a secret that as of the last Breaking Point, you and I weren’t exactly on the same page either.
Isabella: Okay, you’re spoiling it!
She sighs, before letting loose a cheeky grin.
Isabella: I just find them an odd duck pairing. Then again, I suppose we are too. But I think that’s what works. Our styles compliment each other perfectly. You do the whole technical wrestling and submission schtick, while I run around jumping and hitting people with things when the zebra isn’t looking!
Wendy darts a mild glare at Isabella, folding her arms over her chest.
Wendy: OR how you could take advantage of your amazing agility and speed?
Isabella nodded.
Isabella: That as well! I mean, I am one of the quickest women in FFW. I’m not afraid to take a risk, and I’m pretty good at striking too. Someone once said getting hit with me hurt a lot, it was like a “hammer blow”!
Isabella grins, which only widens as the not-so-subtle hint completely blows by Wendy.
Wendy: Well, there’s no doubt that a good striking game can certainly turn the odds in your favor... it’s why I worked so hard to develop one. But I think there’s absolutely no denying that you and I are certainly going to be carrying the experience advantage here... for whatever it’s worth.
Isabella: That’s true. Scarlett & Robbyn have been professional for around a year or so, and neither have hardly any tag team experience at all. In fact, both have had disastrous form in tag team matches in FFW. Whereas us... you’re an eight time tag team champion, and I’m a two time tag team champion. We’re older than them, and have much more professional experience. I mean, we found out this week that Robbyn hasn’t even had proper professional training. She’s basically a complete amateur who gets by from natural flair and talent. But tag team wrestling is not something that you’re born with, it is something you learn. You can’t just walk into a ring with another individual and expect to win, because... it really doesn’t work like that. You know full well, you’re like Mrs. Tag Team!
Wendy blushes slightly at the compliment.
Wendy: To be fair, all my success has pretty much come by the side of my husband, so I don’t have that much experience with different partners. But that’s why Isabella’s here, in Indianapolis. As soon as we’re done here, we’re off to the Speed City gym on Michigan Avenue to see if we can get our styles to mesh just a little bit.
Isabella: Exactly! I’m sure we’ll be a great team. I mean, my last partner, Samantha Star, was a pretty garbage wrestler, and we managed to hold tag team gold together! So the possibilities of what I could do partnered with a world class athlete such as yourself makes me really excited!
Wendy blushes again, but grins at the compliment.
Wendy: Well, there’s a reason why you’ve won the FFW Championship, Isabella... you’re every bit as talented as I am on the physical side. But not just that, you’ve got the mentality that you need to succeed in this business. Not just mental toughness, something I know I have as well... but a psychological element that very few wrestlers are ever able to have.
Isabella: That’s something you learn. I’ve never been the most technically sound wrestler, even compared to Camilla I’m worse. Scarlett can pretty much wrestle me under the table, as can you, which is why I don’t get myself into classic wrestling matches. I use the attributes that I do have, and intelligence and ring knowledge are certainly amongst them. And these are things our opponents lack. Scarlett is one of the most talented wrestlers I’ve ever stepped into a ring with, but she’s mentally weak. Every time I’ve faced her, I’ve come that little bit closer to beating her, and I think it’s reached the point when I’ve finally cracked it. Scarlett lacks the mental toughness to cope when it gets intense... we saw that in the Chamber against Kaitlynn, who is another ring veteran. Scarlett’s just so used to winning comfortably that she freaks out a bit when things aren’t going her way. Sure, she beat me twice, but both times I’d provoked her into a state of anger. When we fought on a more level playing field, I outsmarted and outthought her, and was damn unlucky to only come away with a draw. Which is like kissing your sister, as they say, and that’s doubly bad for me because my sister is fat and ugly.
Wendy arches an eyebrow, and glances over at Isabella, who grins back. Not having a sister herself, Wendy ultimately seems to decide that it’s just ‘one of those things’ and turns back to the camera.
Wendy: I think you’re underestimating Scarlett’s mental toughness. She managed to put up with everything you’d done to her, and come away okay.
Isabella chuckles.
Isabella: Hey, I didn’t do anything THAT bad. But Robbyn’s the one that intrigues me more, to be honest. Twice in one week, I consider myself spoiled. I know Robbyn well, and she has the mental toughness of a gnat with a headache. She’s about ready to break down at any given opportunity!
Wendy: I hate to say it, but I have to agree with you. By and large, Robbyn is fairly weak on the mental side. I know we saw otherwise in her match against Valerie, and again in the WarGames, but outside of that, Robbyn, nine times out of ten, manages to beat herself with her neurotic tendencies.
Wendy pauses, glancing over at Isabella, before taking a deep breath.
Wendy: What really gets me, is how she clings to this whole “I’m not good at submissions,” like it’s some sort of a valid defense. Like missing a complete element from your wrestling game is acceptable. If I had that big of a gaping hole in my technique, I would be training night and day trying to figure out a way to overcome it, instead of simply accepting it and pointing to it every time I tapped out.
Isabella: Quite. I mean, I’ll be honest, my offensive submission skills are comparable to Colleen’s social skills, but withstanding a submission hold is largely mental. You have the overcome the pain mentally before you can overcome it physically. That’s her problem I think. In my opinion, the only worthwhile reason to submit is to avoid serious injury, and as this is a woman who happily wrestles with broken ribs, that’s clearly not an issue. Who the hell wrestles with broken bones anyway? Even now they’re healed, she made it such public knowledge that anyone with half a brain will target them. And this is why Robbyn hasn’t had much success lately. Her submission defense and her ribs are such easy targets that people flock onto them like vultures. When you’re at an early stage of your career in particular... Robbyn’s only 22... you shouldn’t have such glaring and obvious weaknesses.
Wendy: People confuse toughness and foolishness all the time. Both you and I have been around this sport for a long time, and I’m sure we both know former colleagues who are mere shadows of themselves, crippled and bitter because they refused to take care of themselves. One of my best friends committed suicide because he’d shoved himself into so many hardcore matches, that he couldn’t even get out of bed without being subject to crippling pain. There’s nothing valiant, or tough about wrestling with an injury like a broken rib, especially when you run the risk of re-injuring it to the point that it will never heal correctly. Robbyn seems to have done that... and she’s created an Achilles heel for herself that will haunt her the rest of her life, because she was foolish.
Isabella: It seems tastily ironic that when I first came into FFW, people cast doubts over my physical well-being, due to my long history of hardcore wrestling. But I’m absolutely fine. I have only wrestled injured once, when I had to defend a championship nine days after a Hardcore War match. Never again.
She shakes her head.
Isabella: Robbyn’s ribs, as you say, will probably never heal fully, and that is really sad, because it will cut her career short. If those ribs are targeted almost every match for the next three years, say, they will be absolutely wrecked. And she’ll be forced to retire to avoid spending the rest of her life crippled. If you’re listening Robbyn... please... see a specialist and try damage limitation.
Wendy glances over at Isabella, a sardonic smile on her face.
Wendy: That’s good advice, but you should be careful. People might start thinking that you’re preachy.
Isabella: She’s a nice girl, if a little neurotic. I hate seeing anyone seriously hurt. There are too many tragedies in this business.
Wendy’s expression is grim.
Wendy: Believe me, I know. I know all... too well...
Wendy glances to the side, her eyes widening just slightly as she registers something, then back to Isabella.
Wendy: Well, the gym’s about to open now. What say we go and see just how well this team of ours is going to work?
Isabella grinned and nodded.
Isabella: Excellent idea. Robbyn, Scarlett... we’ll see you at the show. And if you don’t like what we have to say...
Isabella points at her crotch with both hands.
Isabella: BYTE THIS!!!
Wendy’s heads snapped around so fast, it’s a miracle she doesn’t have whiplash. The scene fades with Wendy staring horrified and apalled at her partner, while Isabella merely grins.
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