Tuesday February 8, 2011
Cedar Ridge Hospital- Room 437
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
8:37 AM Local Time
It had been a long night.
In my emotional state, I had made a mistake in trying to pursue Jeremy as he fled from the Ford Center. The moment I realized I stood no chance of catching him, I did what I should have done in the first place- ran to my family and tried to console them.
Terrence was completely unconscious as the paramedics loaded him onto a stretcher, but what really broke my heart was the absolute terror and pain in my daughter’s face as she stared at the entire scene. Theresa had seen us lose before, she had even seen us attacked. But never so brutally, and especially never so up close. And even worse, that monster had swung his chain at her. He had missed- he had intended to- but that did little to excuse his actions. Tonight, some of my worst fears about my occupation, fears I had harbored for ten months since returning to the ring, had become a reality.
As the EMT’s wheeled Terrence out to a waiting ambulance, right then and there I wanted to end it all. Forget the title, forget the Pay-per-view, forget my contractual obligations, just take my daughter, my husband, our lives, and go back to Indianapolis, where it would be safe. I had almost gone to Brydon Talinsdale that night to turn in my resignation, and I had even told Pollaski of my intent. Pollaski had managed to talk me out of it, telling me that I was upset and tired, and I needed to think things over.
Eventually, I relented, and quickly changed into my street clothes, and then Pollaski drove us all to the hospital. From there, there was no time for fretting or self-pity, as I was busy filling out so many forms my wrist began to cramp. All the while, Terrence had woken up several times, so out of it he could barely speak coherently, then fall back into unconsciousness but a short while later.
Finally, around two, he was placed in a room and hooked up to a couple of monitoring machines. At my urging, Pollaski and Cassie took Theresa to a nearby hotel to get some rest, and I spent the night sitting by my husband’s bedside in vigil.
At some point, I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, I was awakened by something being slipped into my fingers. I slowly opened my eyes, and immediately felt stiff all over. After the tough match with Rockwell, spending a night in a hospital chair hadn’t done any good for my aching muscles. I looked down at the hand now gripping mine, and followed the arm up, into the face of my husband.
Terrence still looked like a man who had just taken a beating, but he looked infinitely better than he had the previous night. The light in his eyes had returned, and he was smiling softly at me. “Morning,” he said, his voice hoarse.
My first impulse was to throw myself on him, and barrage him with hugs and kisses. However, I had a feeling that would be counterproductive, so I did my best to return the smile. “Morning,” I replied. “How are you feeling?”
“Like an idiot,” Terrence said, shrugging, although he winced as he did so. “I’m a five-time world champion, for Gods sakes. How could I let that little bitch-boy beat the shit outta me like that?”
“He caught you unawares, don’t worry about it.” I said. “I don’t think anyone was expecting him to hit us in our very own...” my voice trailed off as I felt emotion catching up to me. I knew my eyes were red and puffy from all the ‘emotion’ of the night before, and I didn’t think I had any more tears left. I swallowed hard, and Terrence looked at me, concern etched on his face.
“Are you okay, hon? You look like hell.”
“I’m fine.” I said defensively. “It’s just been a long night.”
Terrence looked like he wanted to say more, but he reached out, and grabbed my hand. I put my other hand over his, and held it, and for a while, the two of us just looked at each other, needing no words.
Only the arrival of the doctor broke our silence, and I released Terrence’s hand to regard him. The doctor was slim, in his mid-thirties. He had a shock of brown hair, a goatee, and a clipboard which he was looking over as he surveyed his patient.
“So, what’s the news, doc?” Terrence asked, trying to sound jovial. “Am I gonna die?”
“We all die sooner or later, Mr. Thompson,” the doctor replied, not even looking up from his clipboard. “I just do what I can to postpone that ultimate inevitability. It’s a fruitless venture, for I am doomed to eventually fail. Just as we all are.”
Just what I needed this morning, I thought. A fatalistic doctor.
“Ah, well, that’s a cheerful thought,” Terrence said, the smile on his face completely vanishing. “So, is this ‘ultimate inevitability’ gonna happen to me anytime soon, or...?”
“Probably not,” the doctor droned in the same, emotionless monotone, although he did seem to emphasize the ‘probably’. “You have bruised ribs, and we’re almost certain that you have a concussion. We intend to keep you under observation for a few days in case complications arise from the concussion.”
“What... what kind of complications?” I asked.
“The brain hemorrhage and die kind,” the doctor said, still with no emotion.
“Oh, the BAD kind of complications,” my husband muttered under his breath.
“Well, we’ll know more once we have an MRI and CATSCAN done,” the doctor continued. “You’re scheduled for both of those tomorrow.”
“Wait... TOMORROW?” Terrence asked, arching an eyebrow. “If I’m going to do that brain hemo-thingie and die, wouldn’t you want to know, like, right now?”
“Under normal circumstances, yes,” the doctor replied. “However, due to the unnatrually cold weather, our Emergency Room is overloaded. As we speak, we’re taking in victims of a pileup out on Interstate Forty. They’re all getting priority.”
“So, how long am I gonna be in here?” Terrence asked.
The doctor paused for a while, then shrugged. “Until we get the MRI and CATSCAN results back, there’s no way of knowing for sure. However, if I had to take a guess, I’d say you’d probably be released Sunday or Monday.”
I immediately felt my heart sinking into my stomach. If what the doctor predicted was true, Terrence wouldn’t be out in time for Revelations. How could I go to Dallas and fight for a world title when my own husband lay trapped in a hospital bed? Terrence could see the sudden distress on my face, and again he reached out and grabbed my hand, giving me a reassuring smile. I did not return it.
If the doctor noticed I was upset, he didn’t show it. He merely looked back at the clipboard, and shrugged again. “Honestly, that’s all I have right now, and I’ve got other patients, so unless you have any questions...”
“No, thanks for the update,” Terrence said sarcastically, which was again completely missed on the doctor as he walked out of the room. Terrence waited until he was gone, then turned towards me, grinning. “Cheerful sort, ain’t he?”
I could do no better than a half-hearted attempt at a smile, which I couldn’t even hold for very long. I could feel tears leaking out of my eyes again, and I brushed them away, sniffling.. “Terry... if what he said is true-”
I was cut off by a beeping of my cellphone. I picked it up off of the bedside table, and looked at it. “Its Pollaski. He’s downstairs, with Theresa and Cassie. They just parked.”
“Wendy.”
I looked up from my phone, and was surprised to see Terrence staring at me. Gone was his smile, any nonchalant attitude he had held earlier. He was looking at me, deadly serious, and I almost gasped at the intensity in his eyes.
“I know you’re upset, and you’ve had a long night. But right now, we’ve got a terrified little girl on her way up who just witnessed something no child should ever have to. You need to be strong. For her.”
I nodded, and opened my mouth, but Terrence wasn’t done. “This is what you’ve wanted, hon. You wanted a chance to step out from my shadow. To prove in your own right that you have what it takes to be a champion. What better way to accomplish that then to win the World Championship while I’m in the hospital?”
“But, this isn’t how I wanted it.,” I whispered. “I wanted you to be there when I-”
Terrence shrugged again, although I could tell it was painful to do so. “It is what it is, hon. We have to play the cards we’re dealt. You know that better than anyone. Just please, promise me, that while you’re in Dallas, Theresa never sees you cry, or even sees you upset. And promise me that after you’re done with Szalinski, Theresa knows that her parents are the type of people who aren’t bullied by ANYONE.”
For a second, I didn’t say anything, wrapped up in my own jumble of thoughts. Terrence frowned at my hesitation, and leaned forward, wincing as he did. “Wendy. Promise me.”
I looked up, startled at the ferocity in his voice. “I promise,” I whispered, and Terrence leaned back, smiling in relief.
“Thank you.”
I smiled back at him, but Terrence’s eyes immediately shot to the door, and he burst into a grin. “There’s my girl!”
I looked over as Theresa bounded into the room, and smiled as she broke into a grin, upon seeing her father awake. I stepped aside to make room for her to run to his bedside, and watched as she tried to hug Terrence. Terrence, for his part, did the best he could to hug her back.
“Easy there, Terr-Bear. Daddy’s still a little sore. But God, am I glad to see you.”
========================
Tuesday February 8, 2011
Embassy Suites Hotel- Suite 811
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
4:11 PM Local Time
I awoke from the sound of our hotel suite door slamming shut, and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as I looked over at the small clock mounted on the bedside table, surprised to discover it was now early evening. I had been asleep for almost five hours.
Soon after Theresa, Cassie, and Pollaski had arrived to visit Terrence, Terrence had observed how tired I looked,and suggested that I return to the hotel room to get some rest. Pollaski had driven me back, and I had collapsed upon the bed almost immediately upon arriving. Luckily my sleep had been dreamless- the last thing I needed right now was to be haunted by the past.
“We’re back,” Cassie announced, poking her head in through the door to the bedroom. “Well, Theresa and I are.”
“How’s Terry?” I asked, struggling to a sitting position.
Cassie shrugged. “Restless. I don’t think he much likes the thought of being crammed into a hospital bed for a while. He had a good time with Theresa, though. He watched some cartoons with her, but then he got tired, so Pollaski dropped us off here.”
“Where’d Pollaski go?”
Cassie snorted. “To try and get the RV thawed out enough to move.”
I cringed. The wintry weather this week had been horrible to the Sooner State, and temperatures running in the negative twenties had rendered even our King Aire uninhabitable. I could only hope the extreme cold hadn’t damaged the vehicle any over the past couple days, and that the weather warmed up before Terrence got out of the hospital and discovered that we owned a half-million dollar block of ice.
“Oh, this is for you.” I looked over at Cassie, who was sruggling to pull something out of her pocket. She finally extracted a white envelope, and handed it to me. I looked at it. ‘Mrs. Wendy Briese-Thompson’ was scrawled out on the front of it, in Cassie’s handwriting. I tore the envelope open, and pulled out a piece of stationary, handwriting scrawled down the front.
I only read a couple of lines before I stopped, and looked up at Cassie. “This is a letter of resignation.”
Cassie nodded, and I could see that she was suddenly fighting back tears. “I know that its a tough week for you, so I’ll stay on a couple weeks more, or until you can find another arrangement.”
I held up my hand, postponing the conversation for a second, while I went to the door. My daughter was sitting on the couch in the front room of the suite, playing with her dolls. I quietly shut the door so she wouldn’t hear the conversation, then turned back to Cassie. “Why?” I simply asked.
Now the tears were leaking out, and I quickly grabbed a Kleenex from a box on the nightstand, handing it to her. Cassie took it, and began dabbing at her eyes. “Last night, when Szalinski was attacking Terrence, I was so... so scared. I couldn’t do anything but stand there, and scream. I’m so embarrassed.”
I shook my head, and sat down on the bed. “Cassie, you did exactly you were supposed to do. You grabbed Theresa, and you got her out of the way so she wouldn’t be hurt.”
“But he swung at her. He swung at ME! What if he had hit either of us? I can’t believe he would-”
“I couldn’t believe it either, “ I replied quietly, although I could hear the anger in my voice. “He’s going to pay for that in a week. You can trust me on that.”
Cassie wasn’t reassured. “Wendy, this man, he hates you. He hates who you are, and what you’re about. He did all that to Terrence just because he was your husband! What’s he going to do to you, in a match no less?”
“And because of that, we should all run back home to safety?” I shot back.
“You wanted to last night,” Cassie replied, wiping her eyes again.
I nodded. “Yes, I did. In the heat of the moment, with my husband being hauled off on a stretcher, and my daughter screaming and crying because she was afraid, I wanted to get away from it all. And had I given into my impulse, I would never have forgiven myself.”
I got up off the bed, and walked over to the corner of the room, where my duffel bag lay. I quickly opened a side pocket, and pulled out a vellum envelope, my name written in calligraphy on the front, and a broken wax seal with a monstrous M on the back. I thrust it at Cassie. “Do you remember this?”
Cassie took the envelope, and stared at it. My question had been rhetorical- I knew she remembered it. She was the one Mandrake had given the letter to, with instructions to hand it to me. The letter inside, in addition to several reminders of my imprisonment in Mandrake castle, was a false accusation blaming me for the suicide of a friend, and the promise of retribution on that friends behalf.
“I ran from this,” I said, tapping the letter. “You yourself saw me curl up into a ball and hide, and pretend that Victor Mandrake hadn’t come back into my life. You yourself begged me to do something about it, and I wouldn’t. As a result, I lost my job, and I damn near lost my marriage. I also recall losing your respect because of this. I keep that letter in my bag to remind me every day not to run from a situation, no matter how frightening it might seem. Do you really want to make the same mistake I did?”
“I...” Cassie’s blue eyes were wide, and she couldn’t seem to find the words.
I lowered my voice, althought I still looked at Cassie fiercely. “The night I made my return to wrestling, Stephen Greer threatened to rape me. I refused to run from him, and I was the one who eliminated him at Summer Games. All summer, the Cartel tried to drive me out of PWX. I refused to run from them, and I ended up driving THEM out at the Civil War. You think I’m going to turn tail and run now that some bitter freak in a mask attacked my husband?”
I shook my head, and knelt beside Cassie, who looked over at me. “I’m going to Dallas, because people are counting on me. Everyone who brought a ticket to see me compete. Everyone who’s spending money on pay-per-view. If I ran now, what message would I be sending them? What message would I send Theresa? To tuck tail and run at the first sign of adversity? Is that what I want her to do the first time some kid bullies her for her lunch money? No, Cassie. If I run, I’d be setting a horrible example. I’d be letting a lot of people, most of all my daughter, down.”
“That’s not me though, Wendy.” Cassie croaked, wiping her eyes again. “Nobody’s counting on me.”
“I am.” I said, simply. “Terrence is. Theresa is.”
Cassie sat silently, and said nothing.
“We all have our obligations, whether its in the ring, at our jobs, in our families wherever. Don’t let the fear keep you from fulfilling yours. Please, Cassie, hold off your decision until after Revelations. If you still want to quit, I’ll buy you a plane ticket home and give you a great reference if you need it.”
Cassie paused for a long while, and I held my breath. Finally she nodded, and I smiled. “Thank you.”
I helped Cassie to her feet, and hugged her, which she eventually returned. “Now, come on.” I said, turning towards the door. “Let’s get Theresa and see if there’s any good place for dinner around here. Girls night out.”
Cassie smiled and nodded, then paused. “You may want to shower first,” she cautioned. “You stink.”
I paused. Considering all that had happened, the last time I had a chance to worry about my own personal appearance was before my match against Rockwell, Cassie had a point.
“Good call,” I remarked, and hurried to get a fresh change of clothes, while Cassie left the bedroom.
==============================
Saturday February 12, 2011
City Park
Dallas, Texas
8:15 PM Local Time
“The time has come.”
[Well, unfortunately, by the time Wendy had to leave for Dallas, Terrence wasn’t cleared to be released yet (stupid concussions). So, with the RV still frozen (and Wendy absolutely refusing the drive the thing anyways), the remaining four of the entourage piled into Terrence’s Charger, and made the trip down south to Dallas, where the weather was slightly warmer.]
[Anyways, we open the scene in a small park somewhere just north of downtown Dallas. Wendy, bundled up against the weather with a heavy coat and hat, sits on a park bench, probably second-guessing herself over shooting a promo in the frigid temperatures. Nevertheless, she’s smiling, her cheeks reddened, as the camera fades in]
“Over two months ago, fourteen wrestlers embarked on a journey, a journey to obtain the honor of being the first person to represent X3 Wrestling as its champion. One by one, each of those participants fell by the wayside, until only two remained. For a month now, we’ve known what the finals of this tournament will be. Speculation has run rampant. Odds have been laid, bets have been taken. Radio shows and the internet has been abuzz with the debate.”
“In just a little over twenty-four hours, all that hype, all that debate, all that buildup comes to an end, and Madman Szalinski and I are going to stand in opposite corners, facing each other, the X3W Championship hanging fifteen feet over our heads, waiting for the bell to ring.”
[Wendy rubs her hands together, her smile widening just a bit]
“Am I excited? Absolutely! Am I nervous? Definitely. I’ve been in big matches before, but nothing has ever compared to this. How many people will stuff themselves into the American Airlines Arena? How many more will sit on their couches at home, plunking down their hard earned money for the right to watch this match? And what percentage of those thousands, maybe even millions of people, will be cheering for me, hoping that I’m the one holding that belt aloft at the end of the night?”
[Wendy pauses, and exhales, her breath forming clouds in the nightime air]
“It’s almost overwhelming to think about.”
“It’s almost fitting that my destiny will be decided in a ladder match. I’m normally not a fan of ‘gimmick’ matches, but I genuinely enjoy the concept of the ladder match. They’re dangerous, sure, but at the same time, the strategy that is involved in this contest is unlike any other match. It is the ultimate case of risks and rewards. To win the match, you have to make yourself completely vulnerable. You have to sacrifice the security of the ground to defy your opponent, and gravity itself, to achieve victory.”
[Unconsciously, Wendy raises her right hand, as if she’s on that ladder right now, reaching for the belt. She quickly lowers her hand, and looks back at the camera]
“And as such, the ladder match is one of the most daunting matches in wrestling. One second, you can be inches from victory. that title almost in your grasp, and the next, you are in a heap on the mat, further away from that victory than you could possibly imagine. And all the while, that belt hangs mockingly above you, swaying gently back and forth in the air currents of the arena. Daring you to get back up, shake off the pain, and make another climb, knowing full well that one punch, one kick, one slight misstep, and you’re knocked to oblivion yet again.”
[Wendy grimaces at the thought, and shakes her head]
“It’s so fitting, because I’ve already climbed so much of that ladder already. That title is almost in my grasp. All I need to do is scale the final couple rungs, and reach for it. I’m not falling back down to start all over again. Not this time.”
“It’s funny. I signed up for this tournament never intending to be a full member of the X3 roster. I came simply for a change of pace, to test myself against a different crop of competitors than I was accustomed to facing. I came for challenges to prove myself against, and I’ve yet to be disappointed. But I’ve also been made to feel welcome, whether it’s by management, the respect I’ve received from some of my colleagues, or the ovation fans themselves. I’ve not been treated as an outsider, despite me being one of the few wrestlers on the roster who’s not a carry-over from Evolution.”
[A pause, as Wendy bites her lip, looking away from the camera for just a second.]
“Unfortunately, there are others in this company that are unable to see the opportunities that X3W offers, even if those opportunities in front of them.”
[Gee, who could she possibly be talking about?]
“Madman Szalinski, congratulations. You managed to hit me right where it would hurt the most. You attacked my family. You put my husband in the hospital. You made my daughter know terror. You wreaked havoc on my emotions, and even made me question my dedication to this sport.”
[The smile is gone from Wendy’s face, now. Instead, she is looking at the camera, her eyes narrowed, her hands on her hips. She’s one angry little redhead]
“Don’t think for a second that you’ve gotten away with it.”
“I understand your anger with Terrence. He did, after all, wreck your car. He did pose a distraction that cost you your match against Keebler. Despite me asking him not to, he got involved, and I’m sure that within your mind, he suffered a fitting consequence.”
[Wendy’s words become clipped, and its obvious she’s trying to speak as slowly and clearly as she can, because her first impulse is to just start yelling.]
“But you’re not a parent, Jeremy. You couldn’t understand what its like to be humiliated in such a way in front of your own child. Our children rely on us for safety and guidance. They have to know that we will be there to protect them. It’s one thing to watch your mother or father lose an athletic competition, its an entirely different matter to watch them be beaten into a bloody pulp and carried away in an ambulance. Because of that, I’ve generally not allowed Theresa to watch our matches, especially when there’s a significant danger that one of us might be hurt.”
[A grim smile, and another shake of the head]
“Not this time.”
“No Jeremy, you popped that protective bubble I had tried so desperately to maintain. I’m sure you’ll make some flippant argument that I’m being overprotective, but that wasn’t your call. But you forced my hand, and now I have to do something that I never hoped I would do. I know I could be hurt out there- even killed, but when that match begins, Theresa Thompson will be watching.”
“Because what I want Theresa to remember the most from this incident is that the bad man who hurt her father got exactly what was coming to him six days later.”
[Wendy snorts in disdain]
“‘Bad man’. Wear that monicker with pride, Jeremy. You seem to like those titles that get attached to you, as if they were somehow effacing. ‘Madman’, ‘The most hated man in America’, and now you’ve taken to referring to yourself as a ‘terrorist?’ You fancy yourself a man on the edge, someone with nothing to lose, who’s had enough of the injustices of this world.”
“You give yourself too much credit, Szalinski. Because all you are, all you ever acted like, is an overgrown child who’s been on a tantrum for the past three months, ever since that press conference back in November.”
[Wendy shakes her head in disgust]
“All you can see is how you’ve been wronged throughout your career, whether it’s now, X3W, or even before that. EPW is dead, Jeremy. The website is gone, the company is no more, just like my PWX, and countless other wrestling companies before them. But as long as YOU care about what you’ve done there, as long as you treasure the memories, and the accomplishments you had, the histories will never be erased.”
“But X3W isn’t about the past. It’s not about EPW, no matter how much was carried over. It’s here so that we can create our own future, to create a new era in pro-wrestling. Look around you! Those names of people you complained about. Kris Keebler. Katherine Stryfe. Psycho Soldier. With all due respect to them, they’re not in this match. They’re not going to Dallas to compete for the World Championship. You are.”
[Wendy’s voice softens just a little]
“Count your blessings, Jeremy, because you have a lot more going for you than you think. You have money. I know the old adage, ‘money doesn’t buy happiness’, and I can certainly attest to that. But in this day and age, where so many families don’t even know how they’re going to pay off the next round of bills, financial security is certainly a blessing.”
“You’ve also been blessed with talent. You’re a great wrestler, anyone can see that by watching you. You were able to get by Jenova, and Clausen, and even managed to survive Thatcher Rex. And you have a woman who cares so much about you. I certainly can’t see what would ever make you so appealing as a romantic interest, but Ariel can. She loves you, Jeremy, and she wants to be by your side.”
[For a second, Wendy almost looks sad.]
“But I’ve learned long ago that if you don’t appreciate what you have, you may wake up one morning to find that it’s gone. Money, talent, and love can’t last forever, Jeremy, especially if we don’t take care of them. What will you have then? What will be left? Will the X3W Championship fill the gaping holes that you’re allowing into your life?”
“The saddest part of it all, is that you actually have the potential to be a likeable guy. You have a sense of humor, I saw that in your poem about Rex. You evidently have a passion for the classic video games. I’ve been around enough wrestling fans to know that many have spent their nights in front of a flickering light, kneeling at the altars of Mario and Sonic. You’re someone they can relate to.”
[Short pause]
“At least, you would be, if your attitude didn’t suck.”
“The problem is, Szalinski, you seem to think that you’re the only person in this world who’s ever been wronged. I’d like to see a person who’s spent any time in this business who doesn’t have scars, both physical and mental. I know I have them.”
“I also know what it’s like to be screwed by backstage politics. Everyone knows of my time in PWX, but you think that’s the only time? I was the champion of the Bayou Wrestling Association, one of the regions of the old WFWA. Under WFWA rules, it wasn’t a world title, but it was certainly the top belt in that esteemed company.”
[Wendy, suddenly restless paces to the side as she tells her story, the camera following her. She struggles to keep her voice matter-of-fact, but the emotion, namely anger and resentment after all these years, is still there]
“When I won, everyone said it was because my opponent had a concussion. Over and over, to the point where I myself began to believe it. And then, when the BWA broke away from the WFWA, they decided to make their own world title, deciding it in an eight man tournament. I wasn’t even invited to participate. When it was regional, I was good enough to be the champion, but the moment they decided to expand, I was given a secondary belt and told to go play in the sandbox with the other midcarders.”
[Ouch]
“Eventually, stuff like that caused me to walk away. Not just from the company, but the sport entirely. I hung up my boots for five years because I didn’t feel I could get a fair shake. But I didn’t throw a tantrum. I didn’t burn my bridges. I simply said I wouldn’t stand to be treated like this, and I left. Should I have? I don’t know. But just like you, I’ve been there. I’m sure at one point or another, everyone has.”
“All I’ve ever asked for is a chance. All I ever wanted is an opportunity to show what I can do. Sometimes, I’ve succeeded, and sometimes, I’ve fallen flat on my face. But I can guarantee you one thing- everytime I’ve fallen, I’ve gotten back up, and I’ve come back, hopefully stronger and wiser than before.”
[A small sigh]
“Over and over, Jeremy, you asked me how I could do it? How can I get up after being knocked down? How did I even get here? How am I such an idealist, despite all the awful realities I’ve had to cope with?”
[A long pause, with Wendy looking pensive. Finally, she merely shrugs]
“I honestly don’t know.”
[Oh, that’s profound]
“Maybe I’m just wired differently than you. Maybe its my faith in God, that he’ll never give me more than I can handle. Maybe it’s because my very first wrestling match i was in a six-man tag match against three three-hundred pound thugs, and both of my partners failed to show up. Maybe its because Terrence and I lost our first five matches when we started teaming together, so I got all kinds of experience in picking myself up off the mat. I don’t know.”
“What I do know, Jeremy, is we are professional athletes, no different than the basketball, football, and baseball players who fill stadiums every night across this country, and around the world. And like every athletic competition since two Neanderthals decided to see who could throw a rock the furthest, there’s a winner, and there’s a loser. For the winner, there is the glory, and the spoils of victory. For the loser, the sting of defeat, the blow to the pride, and the attempt to claim a moral victory as one tries to regroup. That’s the nature of this business, since before you and I debuted, and until long after you and I retire.”
“The people we compete against are not slaves. They, like us, are competing of their own free will. Therefore, why should I pity or mock the opponents I’ve beaten? Why should I worship or begrudge the opponents who have beaten me? All I ask, is a fair competition. No cheating or outside interference, no attempt to unnecessarily or excessively injure an opponent, and cessation of hostilities upon termination of the contest.”
[Wendy looks directly at the camera, her emerald eyes blazing with determination. Here is the core of her beliefs about wrestling. Her ideals laid bare to the world]
“That’s the way it should be, Jeremy. That, right there, is the purest from of the spirit of competition. What about that is so terrible? And yet, you mock me for believing in it. It’s not the easiest path to follow, and Lord knows I’ve slipped from it more times than I care to admit. And Lord knows, I’ve been left lying bloodied on the canvas more than my fair share of times because of it. But what joy is there in a victory that is not properly earned? What purpose is a championship without respect for the very nature of the competition that surrounds it?”
“You ask me how I do it? I could turn that very question back around on you. How do you do it? How do you walk to that ring and compete when you are filled with such misery and despair? How can you fully appreciate the risks your body faces in this sport, when you refuse to respect it? How can you win anything when you’ve already lost yourself?”
[Another shake of her head, although this one is more of resignation and sadness than utter disgust.]
“You talk of destroying me, Szalinski. You talk of breaking my spirit, dismantling my life, crippling my soul, like its something so easily accomplished. You know some of my history, Jeremy. I haven’t exactly kept it hidden. I’ve even spoken of some of it. Do you believe there’s anything you can do to me that Mandrake, or Ronin, or Greer, or my very own father haven’t tried?”
“If you think that simply grabbing that belt is going to shatter me, you’re going to be dead wrong. I’ve invested a lot in getting to this point, and I know that if I come up short yet again, I’m going to be devastated. And if your perverse mind derives joy from that, well, more power to you.”
“But even a defeat here won’t end me. It may take a few days, maybe even weeks, but I’m going to get back up, and I’m going to one day seize that championship. Because the only time we’re ever truly defeated, is the time we don’t get back up. And if I get my way at Revlations, that’s a lesson you’re going to have to learn on the ground.”
[Wendy pauses once more, and stands up a bit straighter, again boring her emerald eyes directly into the camera]
“‘Madman’ Szalinski, the hour is nigh. I expect you to bring everything you have to this match, but I fully plan on walking out of this match the winner. This is the closest I’ve ever been, and I’m not about to let a self-pitying little weasel like you keep me from it. I didn’t want this match to become personal. I didn’t want to enter tomorrow night with the two of us having such dislike for each other, but your actions have pushed it here.”
[Another pause, with Wendy pausing, knowing full well that she has her own regrets about the way the situation unfolded. Finally, however, she shrugs]
“I guess, ultimately, it matters not. The goal of this match is the same, whether you are my best friend or my hated enemy. Climb the ladder, take that title. That’s one simple goal in a world full of complexities. And be assured, Jeremy. As long as I have the stregnth to stand, or even crawl, I will keep heading towards that ladder. I will keep climbing, keep trying, keep reaching, until I finally have that gold clutched in my hands.”
“How do I do it, you ask?”
[A small smile, but one packed full of grit and determination]
“You’ll know soon enough.”
[Fade]
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
EPISODE 77: Pier Pressure
Friday February 4, 2011
The RV- Master Bedroom
Santa Monica, California
9:00 AM Local Time
Whatever dreams I had been having were shattered by the high pitched shrieking of my alarm clock. Squinting my eyes against the morning light pouring through the window on the other side of the cabin, I rolled over, and slammed my hand onto the snooze button, being rewarded by the blissful sounds of silence. My first instinct was to take advantage of the nine-minute reprieve that the snooze button gave me, but then again, it was already nine o’clock. I had allowed myself to sleep in this morning, but it wouldn’t do me any good to abuse it.
I felt around for the switch that shut the alarm off for good, clicked it, then rolled back over to face my husband. He too was just waking up, lying on his side, but his brown eyes were open. He broke into a soft smile when he saw me looking at him. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I replied, giving him a quick kiss, then sat up. I grabbed my elastic from my bedside table, and quickly tied my hair back, then sat at the edge of the bed, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes. Terrence rose too, with a stretch and a yawn, and quickly rose to his feet, stumbling over to the small closet at the back of the bedroom. He quickly slid on a pair of jeans and a plain blue t-shirt, then set about hunting for his shoes. Smoothing out my nightgown, I went to the closet myself, and began perusing my wardrobe, trying to figure out what I should wear.
“So I was thinking,” Terrence was saying as he slipped on his tennis shoes, “After we finish training today, what do you say we take Theresa and the three of us hit the pier?”
Considering that we almost always stayed in Santa Monica when we traveled to Los Angeles, it was almost surprising that we had yet to go to the renowned Santa Monica Pier, home of the Pacific Park amusement fair, and several other attractions to boot. I smiled at the thought of spending a fun family day there. “That sounds great. But you know they won’t allow Theresa on the roller coaster. She’s not tall enough.”
That news was obviously disappointing to my husband, but he managed to shrug it off. “I’m sure there’s other rides we can go on. Sides, can’t be much of a roller-coaster if they’ve managed to fit it on a pier.”
I smiled at his sour grapes, and selected a pale pink blouse and a black pair of capris from the closet. I paused, however, when something lying on the floor caught my eye.
Terrence’s race helmet, tucked away in the corner of the closet. He kept it in the RV as a ‘good-luck charm’, a memory from his days as an auto-racer. But apparently, over the past week, he had found another, more conventional use for it.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” I said as I slipped off my nightgown, and quickly replaced it with the blouse. “Why’d you do it?”
“Do what?” Terrence asked, stifling another yawn.
I couldn’t quite hide my irritation. My phrasing may have been vague, but there was little doubt in my mind that Terrence knew exactly what I was talking about.
“Wreck Madman’s car,” I replied as I sat down on the bed to pull on my pants.
Terrence chuckled, which only heightened my irritation, then stood up. “Did you see the face of the person who did that? How did you know it was me?”
I shot him a severe look. “Don’t you dare play dumb with me, Terrence Thompson.”
That only inspired another chuckle from my husband. “Alright, fine. I did it because it seemed like fun, and Madman Szalinski’s a piece of shit. He cost you a match against Keebler, well, turnabouts fair play. Besides, you heard ‘em. The fans loved it. I bet your colleagues did too. No one likes the guy.”
“That doesn’t make it right, Terry.” I replied, shooting Terrence another severe look. “Bullying Szalinski isn’t going to change anything.”
“Bullying? So suddenly you’re feeling sorry for the little masked freak?”
I paused for a second. “Yeah, in a way, I am,” I finally said. “I don’t think there’s a lot of happiness in that man’s life.. But I also asked you to let me fight my own battles. Isn’t that why I joined X3W in the first place?”
“To be fair, I didn’t exactly fight the guy...” Terrence was trying to joke, but one look from me and he realized that it was a bad idea. Finally, he sighed. “Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry. I should have at least talked to you first.”
“Thank you,” I replied, turning and heading towards the bedroom door. As I reached for the handle to enter the main cabin of the RV, I heard my husband’s voice interrupting me.
“Hey.”
I turned around. “What is it?”
Terrence shrugged, and took a step towards me. “You okay, hon? You look... stressed.”
My first impulse was to tell Terrence that I was fine, just a bit annoyed over the car-wrecking. But then again, Terrence tended to be a lot quicker on the uptake than he normally let on, and after five years of marriage, he could generally tell when I was lying.
“I am stressed.” I finally said, walking away from the door and sitting back down on the bed. “Revelations, and the biggest match of my career, is now less than two weeks away. I just keep thinking about... well, about a lot of things, actually.”
“Its only natural.” Terrence replied with a shrug. “Everyone gets the jitters before the big matches. No matter how confident you are in your abilities, there’s always that little nagging voice in the back of your mind wondering if you’re gonna fuck up. But I’ll tell you what, hon. The moment you walk into that ring, and the bell rings, what you gotta do becomes that much more clear. You don’t have time to think about what happens if you don’t, you just know you have to do it. The biggest difference between you now, and you five years ago, is that you’re way more confident in yourself. Don’t lose that confidence just because your name on the poster’s in a larger font.”
“Thanks,” I said, as Terrence plopped down on the bed next to me. “But that’s not even what I’m worried about. I’ve been in big matches before. I know how to deal with nerves. I’m not even really that concerned about whether or not I’m going to draw anymore- ticket sales are proceeding nicely, from what I’ve seen, and I’m sure the buyrates will too.”
“Then what’s your problem, hon?”
I paused for a while, and looked out the window. “I punched Szalinski at the last Shatterpoint.”
“Yeah,” Terrence started laughing. “That was awesome.”
I didn’t exactly share his mirth. “I’m not proud of it. It’s just, when he called me... THAT... I lost my temper.”
“No one’s gonna blame you for that, hon.” Terrence said gently.
“No, but that means this thing between me and Szalinski’s gotten personal. This isn’t just about winning the X3W Championship anymore, to either of us. I’ve seen it in his eyes whenever I run into him backstage. I’m not just the woman standing between him and the championship, Terry. I’m an enemy, someone who needs to be completely destroyed. It’s kind of... unsettling.”
“Well, stop the presses,” Terrence remarked with a snort. “Because I think this is the first wrestling match in history where the two competitors didn’t like each other.” He grinned as I shot him another glare. “Besides, weren’t you just telling me you felt sorry for the guy?”
“I do. But that doesn’t mean I like him. On the contrary. I can’t stand him. I want to... well, I don’t know about destroying him, but I’d sure like to give him a few good lumps to think about.”
“Yeah, well, maybe spiking him on his head will improve his disposition a bit.” Terrence remarked.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’d be something we can all hope for.”
Terrence grinned, then stood up, reaching out to help me to my feet. “You’ll be fine, hon. You’ve had personal issues with plenty of people before. Stephen Greer... Misty Xiao... Victor Mandrake...”
“I know,” I replied, accepting the offer as Terrence pulled me to my feet. “But something about Szalinski makes it all seem... I don’t know. Different. More intense. More ominous, even.”
“More ominous than a guy locking you in a dungeon for two weeks?” Terrence replied, arching his eyebrows.
I snorted at the ludicrousness of it, then paused. “Looking back at that, and knowing what I know now, in a way, yeah, it is. Mandrake’s evil through and through, and he did some pretty bad things to me, but there was a line that he wouldn’t cross.” I looked over at Terrence. “I don’t know if Szalinski has a line, and if he does, who knows where it is?”
For the first time all morning, Terrence actually looked somewhat concerned, and I immediately felt bad for worrying my husband so. “I’m sorry to bother you with all this,” I said. “Guess I’m just antsy this morning.”
“Ah, don’t mention it,” Terrence replied. “And you’ll be fine, Wendy. You know how to take care of yourself. Now let’s get going, we got a busy day ahead of us.”
Terrence was the first to the door and flung it open, and together we entered the main cabin of the RV. I could tell that Terry and I were the last to arise. The hide-a-bed was folded up, but Cassie was nowhere to be seen, probably off enjoying some personal time to herself. Theresa sat on the couch, where the bed had been, watching Nickelodeon.
“Oy!” Pollaski had been sitting at the table, looking over a small stack of papers, but he rose when he saw his two wrestlers enter. Terrence rolled his eyes, and headed towards the cabinet to grab a box of cereal, while, I went to kiss my daughter good morning.
“You two are NOT the early Birdz,” Pollaski scolded. “So you don’t get the worm. Unless you were drinking a bottle of tequila in there.” he finished with a grin.
“Har, har,” I said sarcastically. “I’m up earlier than you 99% of the time, Dan.”
“Lucky Charms, hon?” Terrence asked, waving a box of the General Mills cereal.
“Please,” I affirmed, yawning and stretching before grabbing a seat at the table. “So what’s the news, Dan?”
“Oh, not much. Egyptians are still rioting, the east coast is still freezing, and the Steelers still suck,” Pollaski said with a grin. Then his eyes went wide. “Oh, X3W lineup just got released this morning. You’re rematched against Rockwell.”
“Really?” I was surprised and confused. It seemed odd that my last match before Revelations would be the same person I faced in the first round. I looked at a small stack of papers on the table. “Is this the lineup?”
Pollaski nodded, and I looked at the page carefully, surprised to find myself in the main event spot again- my third in the first eight shows. As usual with X3W lineup announcements, there was a bit of a blurb underneath the billing giving a moderate amount of buildup to the match. I read it carefully, then read it again just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.
I looked up at Pollaski. “Talinsdale’s letting Rockwell go at me because you’ve put his girlfriend into a nervous breakdown? This is a joke, right?”
“Apparently not.” Pollaski chuckled. “Its like I’m some sort of a monster or something. Ah well, at least this means I’ll get to see Veronika again. Maybe I can set the record straight. I’m not that bad of a guy, really.”
A wistful smile came over my manager, and I could only stare at him, barely noticing the bowl of cereal Terrence slid in front of me. “Set what straight? She tried to interfere, and you emotionally scarred her for life. There’s really nothing else that needs to be said.”
“Yeah, but I really didn’t mean to rub it in with that advertisement. I just thought it would be kinda funny.”
Terrence sat down next to me, a bowl of Lucky Charms in front of him as well. He suddenly burst out laughing. “Dude, I can’t believe this. You actually LIKE her. I thought you were just screwing with her.”
Pollaski shrugged. “I was at first. But we were enemies at the time. And the more I think about it, the more I’m wondering, maybe she’s not that bad of a girl. Maybe she’s like that because she’s with a chauvinistic pig who don’t treat her right. She deserves better.”
“And that better is you.” I deadpanned.
Pollaski actually looked offended. “Why not? I’m strong. I’m caring. I’m sensitive. I’m-”
“The guy who once sat at a convention for vegan feminists eating a steak and reading Barely Legal?” I interrupted, having heard enough. “And who once wrote a parody of ‘Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer’ about one of our opponents beating his girlfriend into a coma?”
“And we can’t forget about that ad you did back in NGWA. You know, ‘Jenna N’ Kandy’s Discount Carpet Warehouse?’” Terrrence added.
“Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that one.” Pollaski said, a fond smile on his face.
“I wish I had...” I muttered
“Well, to be fair, they DID sleep with like half the locker room.” Pollaski replied. “The point is, those were all like eight years ago. I’ve matured since then. I now admire the female for not just her curves, but for her brains, and her personality.”
“And Veronika’s got one outta three,” Terrence snorted, which turned into a wince as I sharply elbowed him in his side.
“Have a care what you say about the lady, sir.” Pollaski said stiffly, then looked down at his clothes. “You know, if I’m going to impress someone, I should probably get some new threads. Don’t get up though, I’ll take the bus. See you at the gym. Ring’s at eleven!”
Pollaski quickly got up from the table, and left the RV, leaving Terrence and I alone at the table, with Theresa still watching cartoons on the couch. Terrence and I looked at each other.
“You do realize this is only going to end in disaster, right?” I asked quietly.
Terrence shrugged. “What’s the harm in it? Pollaski’s smart enough to not let his newfound crush cost you a match or anything.”
“Its a hopeless fantasy, Terrence. There’s no way that-”
“Hey!” Terrence interrupted, and I glanced at him. He was grinning, and he put his arm around me, pulling me close into him. “A lot of guys like girls they logically have no shot at. But sometimes, a guys lucky enough to where he gets one anyways.”
I giggled, and smiled at the obvious compliment. “You really think he has a chance?”
“No way in hell,” Terrence started laughing. “The only question about this is how big a crater he’s gonna make when he hits.”
“Wonderful,” I muttered, pulling away from Terrence, and turning my attention to finishing my cereal.
===========================================
Saturday February 5, 2011
The RV- Main Cabin
Santa Monica, California
7:10 PM Local Time
[Here’s a bit of WhirlyBirdz parenting advice.]
[If you ever plan to take your little child on the carousel, try not to do it within a week of them watching the movie “Mary Poppins”. Apparently poor Theresa thought that the horses really did escape and go to cartoon lands filled with penguins pretending to be waiters, and, judging by the screaming when Terrence and Wendy tried to get her to ride, she wasn’t quite up for the journey. Oops.]
[On a side note, much to Terrence’s pleasure, she LOVED the bumper cars. Could the Thompson family have another demolition derby driver in the making?]
[Anyways, we’re back from the Pier, and it’s early evening of the next day in the WhirlyBirdz RV. Wendy sits on the couch in the main cabin, dressed in a dark green sweater and a pair of jeans. She seems to have the place for herself, as the rest of the family have gone for a nice twilight walk on the beach.]
“Well, first of all, I never got a chance to say it last week, but I guess I owe a bit of congratulations to Kris Keebler for his victory over me at Shatterpoint 6. I know neither of us are particularly happy about the outcome, thanks to Szalinski’s interference, but it is what it is. I also owe you an apology for interference coming from my own camp last week. My husband, he gets a little... overprotective of me sometimes, and sometimes acts without thinking things completely through. I know he did it out of love for me, but that doesn’t change the fact that you ended up getting tainted wins two weeks in a row.”
[Wendy flashes an apologetic smile, and shrugs]
“Nevertheless, I heard your comments from earlier in the week last week, and I’m glad to see that match gave you some modicum of respect for me. I’m sure the rematch between you and I will be inevitable, and I hope this time we can give it the proper conclusion it deserves.”
“In the mean time, I’m glad to hear that you will soon be reunited with Kristi. I don’t know what Victoria’s motives were for what she did, nor do I particularily care. Kidnapping is an evil and cowardly trick, and I hope you manage to give her everything she has coming to her at Revelations.”
[Wendy pauses for just a second, and sighs. As mentioned before, considering she’s been down that road, kidnapping has a profound effect on her. Also, she’s about to go to an unpleasant topic.]
“As for me, my road curves in an entirely different direction this week. We’re one week away from Revelations. One week away from deciding the first ever X3W champion between Madman Szalinski and myself. Now, considering I’m coming off a loss, I sure as heck don’t want to be entering the biggest match of my career on a losing streak. It’s interesting, my final match before the pay-per-view is the very same person I made my debut against in X3W. I guess you can say I’ve come full-circle, so to speak.”
[A really unpleasant topic]
“And of course, I’m completely thrilled over the prospect of facing the ‘great’ Kenneth X. Rockwell again.”
[There may be just a bit of sarcasm there.]
“Rockwell, at least we can agree on one thing. The last time we faced, I did get a bit lucky.”
“At least that’s what I can say. You, on the other hand, have absolutely no one to blame but yourself. After all, you were the one who hit your Check Mark on me, then tried to pin me when I was lying next to the ropes.”
[Wendy laughs softly, but the expression on her face shows very little mirth]
“You know, for being someone who incessantly proclaims himself the greatest wrestler there is, you sure have a lousy sense of ring presence”
[Small sigh, and Wendy shakes her head in disgust with herself.]
“I made a horrible mistake in that match- I lost my concentration and allowed myself to be distracted. Luckily, a moment that could have been disastrous for me wasn’t, and I managed to battle back and pull out the win. Rest assured though, Kenneth, whether my mistakes cost me or not, I do learn from them, and you can bet that I won’t be making the same error again, regardless of what happens on the outside.”
[Wendy shakes her head again, although this time its more out of bemusement]
“Because honestly, what’s going on between my manager and your valet actually has little to do with me. But just think for a second, and realize that perhaps you two brought this problem on yourselves. Before we faced back at the second Shatterpoint, I warned you. I warned the both of you, that if Veronika attempted in anyway to disrupt this match, there would be consequences. You ignored me, to your own ultimate demise.”
[A small shrug]
“I can’t exactly condone what’s been done since then... in fact, I’ve found some of it downright nauseating. But it seems that, whatever was going on at first, Daniel’s actually developed some sort of...”
[Wendy pauses for a second, as if she can’t bring herself to say what she’s about to. Finally, she sighs, rolling her eyes.]
“You know what? Forget it. For the sake of my own sanity, I’m not even going to TRY to figure out what’s going through my manager’s head. Pollaski will be in my corner, just like he always is, and he’ll have the exact same instructions he always does- prevent any interference from disrupting this match. If that doesn’t suit you, Kenneth, then leave Veronika back in the locker room. Lock the door even, if it makes you feel more comfortable.”
[Wendy pauses for just a second, then puts on the most sarcastic tone she can muster]
“It’s probably best that you do, anyways. After all, we wouldn’t want Veronika to be jealous of the ‘special thing’ that’s about to happen between us, would we?”
[Wendy’s posture’s gone completely rigid, and there’s a flame in her emerald green eyes. Moreso than the determination she normally shows, here, Wendy’s actually looking a little on the angry side]
“Kenneth, I thought you were an arrogant pig the first time I’ve met you, but somehow, over the last couple months you have managed to become even dirtier, and squeal even louder. If your goal was to offend me, well, rest assured- you succeeded.”
[Wendy snorts derisively, and rolls her eyes]
“But after five years in this business, competing against men and women from all walks of life, do you honestly think its anything I haven’t heard before? You honestly think that you’re the first chauvinist pig I’ve had the misfortune of facing? Whatever high opinion you may hold of yourself, there are plenty of sexist pigs dotting the wrestling landscape who have little more than a foul-mouth and some deranged deluded ego that makes them think they’re special.”
[If anything, she’s even angrier now. Her voice is clipped, and her composure is completely stiff, as if she’d like nothing more than to grab the camera and start calling Rockwell every name she can think of. She manages to keep it under control though.]
“You made a pretty disgusting threat in your diatribe there, Rockwell. But considering that you’d have to hold me down for a far longer period than you’ve managed to keep anyone down in this company to date, its a threat that’s hard to take seriously.”
[Despite yet another sarcastic joke, Wendy conveys absolutely no amusement whatsoever]
“Nevertheless, I will warn you. As strong as my honor is in wrestling matches, it PALES in comparison to my own personal honor. So know that if you get it in your tiny little Neanderthal brain to try ANYTHING, rest assured that when I’m done with you, Veronika, and supposedly the rest of us females, will be VERY disappointed.”
[Wendy snorts again, and shakes her head in disgust, only this time, that disgust is directed purely at the object of her monologue]
“Seriously, Rockwell. All this filth you’re uttering has you losing credibility by the second. So after I finally thrash you for good at Shatterpoint this week, do us all a favor, and take your misogyny, take your horrifically appalling sense of fashion, and especially take your idiotic pseudo-mohawk of a hairstyle, and go join the cast of the Jersey Shore where at least you’ll blend in.”
[For just a second, Wendy’s lips twitch up, and the fire in her eyes dims somewhat. Wendy sighs, and shakes her head again. The anger’s mostly gone now, replaced by a sense of exasperation.]
“I’m tired of your disrespect, Kenneth, but I’ve long ago learned that its impossible to beat respect into someone. True respect only comes voluntary, and I doubt that I’ll be getting that from you anytime soon. Still, you obviously could use a bit of an attitude adjustment. Perhaps getting your head spiked to the mat by a Vortexinator or spending a couple minutes in the Banshee would be an enlightening experience for you.”
“At the very least, I’m sure tearing you apart will be somewhat of a therapeutic experience for me. Just a shame I’m actually going to have to bring myself to touch you again.”
[A small grim smile, and a shrug]
“Ah well, I guess we all have to make some sacrifices, right?”
[Fade]
The RV- Master Bedroom
Santa Monica, California
9:00 AM Local Time
Whatever dreams I had been having were shattered by the high pitched shrieking of my alarm clock. Squinting my eyes against the morning light pouring through the window on the other side of the cabin, I rolled over, and slammed my hand onto the snooze button, being rewarded by the blissful sounds of silence. My first instinct was to take advantage of the nine-minute reprieve that the snooze button gave me, but then again, it was already nine o’clock. I had allowed myself to sleep in this morning, but it wouldn’t do me any good to abuse it.
I felt around for the switch that shut the alarm off for good, clicked it, then rolled back over to face my husband. He too was just waking up, lying on his side, but his brown eyes were open. He broke into a soft smile when he saw me looking at him. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I replied, giving him a quick kiss, then sat up. I grabbed my elastic from my bedside table, and quickly tied my hair back, then sat at the edge of the bed, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes. Terrence rose too, with a stretch and a yawn, and quickly rose to his feet, stumbling over to the small closet at the back of the bedroom. He quickly slid on a pair of jeans and a plain blue t-shirt, then set about hunting for his shoes. Smoothing out my nightgown, I went to the closet myself, and began perusing my wardrobe, trying to figure out what I should wear.
“So I was thinking,” Terrence was saying as he slipped on his tennis shoes, “After we finish training today, what do you say we take Theresa and the three of us hit the pier?”
Considering that we almost always stayed in Santa Monica when we traveled to Los Angeles, it was almost surprising that we had yet to go to the renowned Santa Monica Pier, home of the Pacific Park amusement fair, and several other attractions to boot. I smiled at the thought of spending a fun family day there. “That sounds great. But you know they won’t allow Theresa on the roller coaster. She’s not tall enough.”
That news was obviously disappointing to my husband, but he managed to shrug it off. “I’m sure there’s other rides we can go on. Sides, can’t be much of a roller-coaster if they’ve managed to fit it on a pier.”
I smiled at his sour grapes, and selected a pale pink blouse and a black pair of capris from the closet. I paused, however, when something lying on the floor caught my eye.
Terrence’s race helmet, tucked away in the corner of the closet. He kept it in the RV as a ‘good-luck charm’, a memory from his days as an auto-racer. But apparently, over the past week, he had found another, more conventional use for it.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” I said as I slipped off my nightgown, and quickly replaced it with the blouse. “Why’d you do it?”
“Do what?” Terrence asked, stifling another yawn.
I couldn’t quite hide my irritation. My phrasing may have been vague, but there was little doubt in my mind that Terrence knew exactly what I was talking about.
“Wreck Madman’s car,” I replied as I sat down on the bed to pull on my pants.
Terrence chuckled, which only heightened my irritation, then stood up. “Did you see the face of the person who did that? How did you know it was me?”
I shot him a severe look. “Don’t you dare play dumb with me, Terrence Thompson.”
That only inspired another chuckle from my husband. “Alright, fine. I did it because it seemed like fun, and Madman Szalinski’s a piece of shit. He cost you a match against Keebler, well, turnabouts fair play. Besides, you heard ‘em. The fans loved it. I bet your colleagues did too. No one likes the guy.”
“That doesn’t make it right, Terry.” I replied, shooting Terrence another severe look. “Bullying Szalinski isn’t going to change anything.”
“Bullying? So suddenly you’re feeling sorry for the little masked freak?”
I paused for a second. “Yeah, in a way, I am,” I finally said. “I don’t think there’s a lot of happiness in that man’s life.. But I also asked you to let me fight my own battles. Isn’t that why I joined X3W in the first place?”
“To be fair, I didn’t exactly fight the guy...” Terrence was trying to joke, but one look from me and he realized that it was a bad idea. Finally, he sighed. “Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry. I should have at least talked to you first.”
“Thank you,” I replied, turning and heading towards the bedroom door. As I reached for the handle to enter the main cabin of the RV, I heard my husband’s voice interrupting me.
“Hey.”
I turned around. “What is it?”
Terrence shrugged, and took a step towards me. “You okay, hon? You look... stressed.”
My first impulse was to tell Terrence that I was fine, just a bit annoyed over the car-wrecking. But then again, Terrence tended to be a lot quicker on the uptake than he normally let on, and after five years of marriage, he could generally tell when I was lying.
“I am stressed.” I finally said, walking away from the door and sitting back down on the bed. “Revelations, and the biggest match of my career, is now less than two weeks away. I just keep thinking about... well, about a lot of things, actually.”
“Its only natural.” Terrence replied with a shrug. “Everyone gets the jitters before the big matches. No matter how confident you are in your abilities, there’s always that little nagging voice in the back of your mind wondering if you’re gonna fuck up. But I’ll tell you what, hon. The moment you walk into that ring, and the bell rings, what you gotta do becomes that much more clear. You don’t have time to think about what happens if you don’t, you just know you have to do it. The biggest difference between you now, and you five years ago, is that you’re way more confident in yourself. Don’t lose that confidence just because your name on the poster’s in a larger font.”
“Thanks,” I said, as Terrence plopped down on the bed next to me. “But that’s not even what I’m worried about. I’ve been in big matches before. I know how to deal with nerves. I’m not even really that concerned about whether or not I’m going to draw anymore- ticket sales are proceeding nicely, from what I’ve seen, and I’m sure the buyrates will too.”
“Then what’s your problem, hon?”
I paused for a while, and looked out the window. “I punched Szalinski at the last Shatterpoint.”
“Yeah,” Terrence started laughing. “That was awesome.”
I didn’t exactly share his mirth. “I’m not proud of it. It’s just, when he called me... THAT... I lost my temper.”
“No one’s gonna blame you for that, hon.” Terrence said gently.
“No, but that means this thing between me and Szalinski’s gotten personal. This isn’t just about winning the X3W Championship anymore, to either of us. I’ve seen it in his eyes whenever I run into him backstage. I’m not just the woman standing between him and the championship, Terry. I’m an enemy, someone who needs to be completely destroyed. It’s kind of... unsettling.”
“Well, stop the presses,” Terrence remarked with a snort. “Because I think this is the first wrestling match in history where the two competitors didn’t like each other.” He grinned as I shot him another glare. “Besides, weren’t you just telling me you felt sorry for the guy?”
“I do. But that doesn’t mean I like him. On the contrary. I can’t stand him. I want to... well, I don’t know about destroying him, but I’d sure like to give him a few good lumps to think about.”
“Yeah, well, maybe spiking him on his head will improve his disposition a bit.” Terrence remarked.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’d be something we can all hope for.”
Terrence grinned, then stood up, reaching out to help me to my feet. “You’ll be fine, hon. You’ve had personal issues with plenty of people before. Stephen Greer... Misty Xiao... Victor Mandrake...”
“I know,” I replied, accepting the offer as Terrence pulled me to my feet. “But something about Szalinski makes it all seem... I don’t know. Different. More intense. More ominous, even.”
“More ominous than a guy locking you in a dungeon for two weeks?” Terrence replied, arching his eyebrows.
I snorted at the ludicrousness of it, then paused. “Looking back at that, and knowing what I know now, in a way, yeah, it is. Mandrake’s evil through and through, and he did some pretty bad things to me, but there was a line that he wouldn’t cross.” I looked over at Terrence. “I don’t know if Szalinski has a line, and if he does, who knows where it is?”
For the first time all morning, Terrence actually looked somewhat concerned, and I immediately felt bad for worrying my husband so. “I’m sorry to bother you with all this,” I said. “Guess I’m just antsy this morning.”
“Ah, don’t mention it,” Terrence replied. “And you’ll be fine, Wendy. You know how to take care of yourself. Now let’s get going, we got a busy day ahead of us.”
Terrence was the first to the door and flung it open, and together we entered the main cabin of the RV. I could tell that Terry and I were the last to arise. The hide-a-bed was folded up, but Cassie was nowhere to be seen, probably off enjoying some personal time to herself. Theresa sat on the couch, where the bed had been, watching Nickelodeon.
“Oy!” Pollaski had been sitting at the table, looking over a small stack of papers, but he rose when he saw his two wrestlers enter. Terrence rolled his eyes, and headed towards the cabinet to grab a box of cereal, while, I went to kiss my daughter good morning.
“You two are NOT the early Birdz,” Pollaski scolded. “So you don’t get the worm. Unless you were drinking a bottle of tequila in there.” he finished with a grin.
“Har, har,” I said sarcastically. “I’m up earlier than you 99% of the time, Dan.”
“Lucky Charms, hon?” Terrence asked, waving a box of the General Mills cereal.
“Please,” I affirmed, yawning and stretching before grabbing a seat at the table. “So what’s the news, Dan?”
“Oh, not much. Egyptians are still rioting, the east coast is still freezing, and the Steelers still suck,” Pollaski said with a grin. Then his eyes went wide. “Oh, X3W lineup just got released this morning. You’re rematched against Rockwell.”
“Really?” I was surprised and confused. It seemed odd that my last match before Revelations would be the same person I faced in the first round. I looked at a small stack of papers on the table. “Is this the lineup?”
Pollaski nodded, and I looked at the page carefully, surprised to find myself in the main event spot again- my third in the first eight shows. As usual with X3W lineup announcements, there was a bit of a blurb underneath the billing giving a moderate amount of buildup to the match. I read it carefully, then read it again just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.
I looked up at Pollaski. “Talinsdale’s letting Rockwell go at me because you’ve put his girlfriend into a nervous breakdown? This is a joke, right?”
“Apparently not.” Pollaski chuckled. “Its like I’m some sort of a monster or something. Ah well, at least this means I’ll get to see Veronika again. Maybe I can set the record straight. I’m not that bad of a guy, really.”
A wistful smile came over my manager, and I could only stare at him, barely noticing the bowl of cereal Terrence slid in front of me. “Set what straight? She tried to interfere, and you emotionally scarred her for life. There’s really nothing else that needs to be said.”
“Yeah, but I really didn’t mean to rub it in with that advertisement. I just thought it would be kinda funny.”
Terrence sat down next to me, a bowl of Lucky Charms in front of him as well. He suddenly burst out laughing. “Dude, I can’t believe this. You actually LIKE her. I thought you were just screwing with her.”
Pollaski shrugged. “I was at first. But we were enemies at the time. And the more I think about it, the more I’m wondering, maybe she’s not that bad of a girl. Maybe she’s like that because she’s with a chauvinistic pig who don’t treat her right. She deserves better.”
“And that better is you.” I deadpanned.
Pollaski actually looked offended. “Why not? I’m strong. I’m caring. I’m sensitive. I’m-”
“The guy who once sat at a convention for vegan feminists eating a steak and reading Barely Legal?” I interrupted, having heard enough. “And who once wrote a parody of ‘Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer’ about one of our opponents beating his girlfriend into a coma?”
“And we can’t forget about that ad you did back in NGWA. You know, ‘Jenna N’ Kandy’s Discount Carpet Warehouse?’” Terrrence added.
“Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that one.” Pollaski said, a fond smile on his face.
“I wish I had...” I muttered
“Well, to be fair, they DID sleep with like half the locker room.” Pollaski replied. “The point is, those were all like eight years ago. I’ve matured since then. I now admire the female for not just her curves, but for her brains, and her personality.”
“And Veronika’s got one outta three,” Terrence snorted, which turned into a wince as I sharply elbowed him in his side.
“Have a care what you say about the lady, sir.” Pollaski said stiffly, then looked down at his clothes. “You know, if I’m going to impress someone, I should probably get some new threads. Don’t get up though, I’ll take the bus. See you at the gym. Ring’s at eleven!”
Pollaski quickly got up from the table, and left the RV, leaving Terrence and I alone at the table, with Theresa still watching cartoons on the couch. Terrence and I looked at each other.
“You do realize this is only going to end in disaster, right?” I asked quietly.
Terrence shrugged. “What’s the harm in it? Pollaski’s smart enough to not let his newfound crush cost you a match or anything.”
“Its a hopeless fantasy, Terrence. There’s no way that-”
“Hey!” Terrence interrupted, and I glanced at him. He was grinning, and he put his arm around me, pulling me close into him. “A lot of guys like girls they logically have no shot at. But sometimes, a guys lucky enough to where he gets one anyways.”
I giggled, and smiled at the obvious compliment. “You really think he has a chance?”
“No way in hell,” Terrence started laughing. “The only question about this is how big a crater he’s gonna make when he hits.”
“Wonderful,” I muttered, pulling away from Terrence, and turning my attention to finishing my cereal.
===========================================
Saturday February 5, 2011
The RV- Main Cabin
Santa Monica, California
7:10 PM Local Time
[Here’s a bit of WhirlyBirdz parenting advice.]
[If you ever plan to take your little child on the carousel, try not to do it within a week of them watching the movie “Mary Poppins”. Apparently poor Theresa thought that the horses really did escape and go to cartoon lands filled with penguins pretending to be waiters, and, judging by the screaming when Terrence and Wendy tried to get her to ride, she wasn’t quite up for the journey. Oops.]
[On a side note, much to Terrence’s pleasure, she LOVED the bumper cars. Could the Thompson family have another demolition derby driver in the making?]
[Anyways, we’re back from the Pier, and it’s early evening of the next day in the WhirlyBirdz RV. Wendy sits on the couch in the main cabin, dressed in a dark green sweater and a pair of jeans. She seems to have the place for herself, as the rest of the family have gone for a nice twilight walk on the beach.]
“Well, first of all, I never got a chance to say it last week, but I guess I owe a bit of congratulations to Kris Keebler for his victory over me at Shatterpoint 6. I know neither of us are particularly happy about the outcome, thanks to Szalinski’s interference, but it is what it is. I also owe you an apology for interference coming from my own camp last week. My husband, he gets a little... overprotective of me sometimes, and sometimes acts without thinking things completely through. I know he did it out of love for me, but that doesn’t change the fact that you ended up getting tainted wins two weeks in a row.”
[Wendy flashes an apologetic smile, and shrugs]
“Nevertheless, I heard your comments from earlier in the week last week, and I’m glad to see that match gave you some modicum of respect for me. I’m sure the rematch between you and I will be inevitable, and I hope this time we can give it the proper conclusion it deserves.”
“In the mean time, I’m glad to hear that you will soon be reunited with Kristi. I don’t know what Victoria’s motives were for what she did, nor do I particularily care. Kidnapping is an evil and cowardly trick, and I hope you manage to give her everything she has coming to her at Revelations.”
[Wendy pauses for just a second, and sighs. As mentioned before, considering she’s been down that road, kidnapping has a profound effect on her. Also, she’s about to go to an unpleasant topic.]
“As for me, my road curves in an entirely different direction this week. We’re one week away from Revelations. One week away from deciding the first ever X3W champion between Madman Szalinski and myself. Now, considering I’m coming off a loss, I sure as heck don’t want to be entering the biggest match of my career on a losing streak. It’s interesting, my final match before the pay-per-view is the very same person I made my debut against in X3W. I guess you can say I’ve come full-circle, so to speak.”
[A really unpleasant topic]
“And of course, I’m completely thrilled over the prospect of facing the ‘great’ Kenneth X. Rockwell again.”
[There may be just a bit of sarcasm there.]
“Rockwell, at least we can agree on one thing. The last time we faced, I did get a bit lucky.”
“At least that’s what I can say. You, on the other hand, have absolutely no one to blame but yourself. After all, you were the one who hit your Check Mark on me, then tried to pin me when I was lying next to the ropes.”
[Wendy laughs softly, but the expression on her face shows very little mirth]
“You know, for being someone who incessantly proclaims himself the greatest wrestler there is, you sure have a lousy sense of ring presence”
[Small sigh, and Wendy shakes her head in disgust with herself.]
“I made a horrible mistake in that match- I lost my concentration and allowed myself to be distracted. Luckily, a moment that could have been disastrous for me wasn’t, and I managed to battle back and pull out the win. Rest assured though, Kenneth, whether my mistakes cost me or not, I do learn from them, and you can bet that I won’t be making the same error again, regardless of what happens on the outside.”
[Wendy shakes her head again, although this time its more out of bemusement]
“Because honestly, what’s going on between my manager and your valet actually has little to do with me. But just think for a second, and realize that perhaps you two brought this problem on yourselves. Before we faced back at the second Shatterpoint, I warned you. I warned the both of you, that if Veronika attempted in anyway to disrupt this match, there would be consequences. You ignored me, to your own ultimate demise.”
[A small shrug]
“I can’t exactly condone what’s been done since then... in fact, I’ve found some of it downright nauseating. But it seems that, whatever was going on at first, Daniel’s actually developed some sort of...”
[Wendy pauses for a second, as if she can’t bring herself to say what she’s about to. Finally, she sighs, rolling her eyes.]
“You know what? Forget it. For the sake of my own sanity, I’m not even going to TRY to figure out what’s going through my manager’s head. Pollaski will be in my corner, just like he always is, and he’ll have the exact same instructions he always does- prevent any interference from disrupting this match. If that doesn’t suit you, Kenneth, then leave Veronika back in the locker room. Lock the door even, if it makes you feel more comfortable.”
[Wendy pauses for just a second, then puts on the most sarcastic tone she can muster]
“It’s probably best that you do, anyways. After all, we wouldn’t want Veronika to be jealous of the ‘special thing’ that’s about to happen between us, would we?”
[Wendy’s posture’s gone completely rigid, and there’s a flame in her emerald green eyes. Moreso than the determination she normally shows, here, Wendy’s actually looking a little on the angry side]
“Kenneth, I thought you were an arrogant pig the first time I’ve met you, but somehow, over the last couple months you have managed to become even dirtier, and squeal even louder. If your goal was to offend me, well, rest assured- you succeeded.”
[Wendy snorts derisively, and rolls her eyes]
“But after five years in this business, competing against men and women from all walks of life, do you honestly think its anything I haven’t heard before? You honestly think that you’re the first chauvinist pig I’ve had the misfortune of facing? Whatever high opinion you may hold of yourself, there are plenty of sexist pigs dotting the wrestling landscape who have little more than a foul-mouth and some deranged deluded ego that makes them think they’re special.”
[If anything, she’s even angrier now. Her voice is clipped, and her composure is completely stiff, as if she’d like nothing more than to grab the camera and start calling Rockwell every name she can think of. She manages to keep it under control though.]
“You made a pretty disgusting threat in your diatribe there, Rockwell. But considering that you’d have to hold me down for a far longer period than you’ve managed to keep anyone down in this company to date, its a threat that’s hard to take seriously.”
[Despite yet another sarcastic joke, Wendy conveys absolutely no amusement whatsoever]
“Nevertheless, I will warn you. As strong as my honor is in wrestling matches, it PALES in comparison to my own personal honor. So know that if you get it in your tiny little Neanderthal brain to try ANYTHING, rest assured that when I’m done with you, Veronika, and supposedly the rest of us females, will be VERY disappointed.”
[Wendy snorts again, and shakes her head in disgust, only this time, that disgust is directed purely at the object of her monologue]
“Seriously, Rockwell. All this filth you’re uttering has you losing credibility by the second. So after I finally thrash you for good at Shatterpoint this week, do us all a favor, and take your misogyny, take your horrifically appalling sense of fashion, and especially take your idiotic pseudo-mohawk of a hairstyle, and go join the cast of the Jersey Shore where at least you’ll blend in.”
[For just a second, Wendy’s lips twitch up, and the fire in her eyes dims somewhat. Wendy sighs, and shakes her head again. The anger’s mostly gone now, replaced by a sense of exasperation.]
“I’m tired of your disrespect, Kenneth, but I’ve long ago learned that its impossible to beat respect into someone. True respect only comes voluntary, and I doubt that I’ll be getting that from you anytime soon. Still, you obviously could use a bit of an attitude adjustment. Perhaps getting your head spiked to the mat by a Vortexinator or spending a couple minutes in the Banshee would be an enlightening experience for you.”
“At the very least, I’m sure tearing you apart will be somewhat of a therapeutic experience for me. Just a shame I’m actually going to have to bring myself to touch you again.”
[A small grim smile, and a shrug]
“Ah well, I guess we all have to make some sacrifices, right?”
[Fade]
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