Post by Zasshu II on Apr 23, 2018 0:08:02 GMT
{ Rayne had spent a lot of time feeling sorry for herself, too much time. She’d missed appearances, interviews, rallies, her mailbox was full of messages from fans and supporters alike who were concerned. Thankfully she had friends who supported her in what may be the darkest time of her life.
Kyle Braddock aka Falcon had managed to pull her up by her bootstraps. He reminded her that the world hadn’t ended. There was going to be a tomorrow and as long as Rayne wanted to be she would be apart of it.
Just days out from what will be the biggest match in her career, Rayne found herself apart of another interview. Nearly a dozen women have stepped forward accusing James Brenner of sexual harassment and assault since Rayne did the original interview that turned her life upside down. Now Rayne found herself as the figurehead of this group of women as the first stages of a trial came into place.
She didn’t feel comfortable answering questions on their behalf, she wasn’t one of his victims but they looked to her. They understood her pain, what she was going through and just like she supported them they supported her. It was easy to forget or ignore all the people around you when you’re depressed. It’s easy to feel alone. But Rayne didn’t feel alone anymore. Even though Ayla still wouldn’t talk to her, she felt more connected than ever. }
Jessica: Great interview! Thank you. Seriously.
{ Jessica Baz was one of the women affected by that monster. She had begun to make it a habit to accompany Rayne to her interviews. Rayne just smiled at the still reasonably young girl, she was in her early twenties, tan with beautiful black hair. }
Rayne: No. Thank you. Honestly. After everything you’ve been through this is the least I can do.
Jessica: If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have had the courage to come forward. So thank you.
{ Jessica quickly wrapped her arms around Rayne. }
Jessica: I don’t know how you do it, I’m just glad that you do.
{ She pulled away and looked up into Rayne’s eyes with smile. }
Rayne: I… I just want to make things right. No one should have to go through what you and the others went through.
Jessica: Hopefully one day we won’t.
{ There was a moment of silence between the two of them before Jessica spoke again. }
Jessica: Good luck Sunday.
Rayne: Thanks.
Jessica: Are you worried?
Rayne: Worried?
{ Rayne asked a little unsure. }
Rayne: No. I’m not worried. Scared? Yeah I’m a little scared. Most of these women are half my age and to be honest… Every year they get a little bit better and I get a little bit older.
{ Jessica chuckled at her. }
Jessica: So you’re a fine wine. You get better with age. You’ve got this Sandy.
{ Jessica patted her on the elbow and smiled. }
Jessica: Come on. The rest of the girls want to celebrate.
Rayne: Celebrate?
Jessica: Yeah, the trial? I know it’s just the first step but it feels like a big win.
Rayne: Yeah, yeah, of course.
{ Rayne and Jessica start to walk down the bleach white hallway when Rayne’s phone goes off. Rayne pulls her phone from her denim pocket, Ayal… }
Rayne: I’ll meet you guys.
{ Jessica nods and carries on as Rayne answers the call. }
Rayne: Hey.
Ayla: Hey.
{ The silence was deafening. }
Rayne: How a… How are you?
Ayla: Fine… Look…
{ Her voice sounded so sweet, so serine. Rayne had been dying to hear her voice again. }
Rayne: Please. Stop…. I’m sorry.
{ Rayne felt her emotions overflowing like a clogged drain. }
Rayne: I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you first. I’m sorry I jumped the gun on this whole thing. I’m sorry I made your pain public. I wanted to protect you. I wanted to help. I understand now that all I did was make it worse for you. I can’t change that and honestly… I wouldn’t change it if I could. That piece of shit deserves to burn in hell for what he did to you and all the other girls he hurt.
{ Ayla was silent for a moment. }
Ayla: You’re right. He does.
Rayne: I get it, I hurt you too but… Wait… What?
Ayla: You were right to do what you did… I wasn’t strong enough to come forward… You’ve always been more than strong enough for both of us…
Rayne: I wanted to protect you.
Ayla: I know… I know… But you took my choice away. You did the right thing, you did but you took my choice away… Now it isn’t just me living with what happened it’s me living with your decision…
Rayne: Ay, babe-
Ayla: You haven’t signed the papers.
{ Ayla’s words cut like a knife right to Rayne’s core. }
Rayne: Because I don’t believe that’s what you want.
Ayla: It isn’t but you left me no choice… If I can’t trust you…
Rayne: You can!
Ayla: No. I thought I could. I really want to.
Rayne: I love you!
Ayla: And I love you…
{ The truth sounded like it hurt Ayla but not as much as it hurt Rayne. }
Rayne: So just talk to me. In person. Please.
{ There was silence for a long time before Ayla finally answered. }
Ayla: Okay…
{ Fade to black. }
I don’t deserve to be in this match…
I’m not going to lie. I’m not going to play up my ego and tell everyone how much I deserve this. I don’t deserve it. I can think of atleast two other women who have earned this spot more than me. I don’t wrestle every week anymore, I don’t win all my matches, I’m old, broken, my body is clearly on it’s last legs…
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up.
Someone in management thinks I belong here. Someone in management sees something in me that I don’t. Someone in management has given me this opportunity and I’ll be damned if I just let to slip through my fingers. Not long ago I won my first singles championship in my two plus decade career. Now? Now I take part in the Iron Maiden match for a chance to face the Women’s World Champion at Night of the Immortals.
This is a can’t lose situation for me.
A loss here makes all my nightmares a reality. A loss here means I can’t match up with the best women this company has to offer and let me just say this Iron Maiden match is by far the best line up this match has ever had. I have never seen a stronger line up, a more deserving group of professional wrestlers in my life.
Dawn Halliwell, Maxine Valentine, Abigail Spencer, Helena Sawyer and Ciara O’Connor.
You five are the best professional wrestlers in the business today. Notice, I didn’t say female professional wrestlers because giving you that distinction would be an insult to your talents. You are by far the best in the business today, I’d put anyone of you up against any of the men on this roster and nine times out of ten you would win, easily.
This division hasn’t just caught up to the men, it has surpassed them. While they’re concerned with how to wage a bloodier battle we have focused on becoming better athletes. I’m honored to be counted among you even though I don’t feel like I belong.
Maxine herself gave me a run for my money, I’m still not sure how I survived. Dawn comes from an incredible blood line of legends, it’s only a matter of time before she surpasses them all. Abigail is just a force of nature, one I’m not looking forward to crossing. Helena is a monster in her own right, one I denied our first go around but I’ve learned to believe the hype. And Ciara? She’s the future just like Vivienne and Brooklyn. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do if it comes down to her and me.
I’m not going to give up.
As much as it’s going to hurt, as bad as my body will feel I cannot forfeit this opportunity. This is my last chance at achieving true greatness in this industry. I get that a lot of women look up to me and I appreciate that. But longevity isn’t enough for me, if I can’t win the big one then what was the point of it all.
No one plays to be second best.
Myself included. So I’m stepping into the Iron Maiden with every intention of winning. I’ve hurt before. I’ve been broken before. I’ve seen my career flash before my eyes more times than I can count and everytime I have stood back up and fought through it. I will always fight through it. As good as you all of you are that is the one thing I do better than any one of you.
I rise above.
I have to. Two decades in this business has given me a thick skin. I don’t care about foul words or insults. All I care about is what happens inside the Iron Maiden. I know each of you are going to give me hell. I know each of you are entering this match with the intention to win. I have to believe that not a one of you are prepared to push your bodies as far as they have have to be. I have to believe none of you posses the same capabilities to adapt that I do. I have to believe as good as you think you are you’re just not as good as I am.
My belief in myself has gotten me through a lot of hard times but now I have more than my own beliefs. There are women all over this planet who look to me for inspiration and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let them down on Sunday.
I’m not just fighting for myself. I’m fighting for them the same way they are fighting for themselves. I’ll have their strength when I step into the ring, I’ll feed off it, with them by my side I won’t just think I’m good enough to win the Iron Maiden.
I’ll know I am.
Kyle Braddock aka Falcon had managed to pull her up by her bootstraps. He reminded her that the world hadn’t ended. There was going to be a tomorrow and as long as Rayne wanted to be she would be apart of it.
Just days out from what will be the biggest match in her career, Rayne found herself apart of another interview. Nearly a dozen women have stepped forward accusing James Brenner of sexual harassment and assault since Rayne did the original interview that turned her life upside down. Now Rayne found herself as the figurehead of this group of women as the first stages of a trial came into place.
She didn’t feel comfortable answering questions on their behalf, she wasn’t one of his victims but they looked to her. They understood her pain, what she was going through and just like she supported them they supported her. It was easy to forget or ignore all the people around you when you’re depressed. It’s easy to feel alone. But Rayne didn’t feel alone anymore. Even though Ayla still wouldn’t talk to her, she felt more connected than ever. }
Jessica: Great interview! Thank you. Seriously.
{ Jessica Baz was one of the women affected by that monster. She had begun to make it a habit to accompany Rayne to her interviews. Rayne just smiled at the still reasonably young girl, she was in her early twenties, tan with beautiful black hair. }
Rayne: No. Thank you. Honestly. After everything you’ve been through this is the least I can do.
Jessica: If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have had the courage to come forward. So thank you.
{ Jessica quickly wrapped her arms around Rayne. }
Jessica: I don’t know how you do it, I’m just glad that you do.
{ She pulled away and looked up into Rayne’s eyes with smile. }
Rayne: I… I just want to make things right. No one should have to go through what you and the others went through.
Jessica: Hopefully one day we won’t.
{ There was a moment of silence between the two of them before Jessica spoke again. }
Jessica: Good luck Sunday.
Rayne: Thanks.
Jessica: Are you worried?
Rayne: Worried?
{ Rayne asked a little unsure. }
Rayne: No. I’m not worried. Scared? Yeah I’m a little scared. Most of these women are half my age and to be honest… Every year they get a little bit better and I get a little bit older.
{ Jessica chuckled at her. }
Jessica: So you’re a fine wine. You get better with age. You’ve got this Sandy.
{ Jessica patted her on the elbow and smiled. }
Jessica: Come on. The rest of the girls want to celebrate.
Rayne: Celebrate?
Jessica: Yeah, the trial? I know it’s just the first step but it feels like a big win.
Rayne: Yeah, yeah, of course.
{ Rayne and Jessica start to walk down the bleach white hallway when Rayne’s phone goes off. Rayne pulls her phone from her denim pocket, Ayal… }
Rayne: I’ll meet you guys.
{ Jessica nods and carries on as Rayne answers the call. }
Rayne: Hey.
Ayla: Hey.
{ The silence was deafening. }
Rayne: How a… How are you?
Ayla: Fine… Look…
{ Her voice sounded so sweet, so serine. Rayne had been dying to hear her voice again. }
Rayne: Please. Stop…. I’m sorry.
{ Rayne felt her emotions overflowing like a clogged drain. }
Rayne: I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you first. I’m sorry I jumped the gun on this whole thing. I’m sorry I made your pain public. I wanted to protect you. I wanted to help. I understand now that all I did was make it worse for you. I can’t change that and honestly… I wouldn’t change it if I could. That piece of shit deserves to burn in hell for what he did to you and all the other girls he hurt.
{ Ayla was silent for a moment. }
Ayla: You’re right. He does.
Rayne: I get it, I hurt you too but… Wait… What?
Ayla: You were right to do what you did… I wasn’t strong enough to come forward… You’ve always been more than strong enough for both of us…
Rayne: I wanted to protect you.
Ayla: I know… I know… But you took my choice away. You did the right thing, you did but you took my choice away… Now it isn’t just me living with what happened it’s me living with your decision…
Rayne: Ay, babe-
Ayla: You haven’t signed the papers.
{ Ayla’s words cut like a knife right to Rayne’s core. }
Rayne: Because I don’t believe that’s what you want.
Ayla: It isn’t but you left me no choice… If I can’t trust you…
Rayne: You can!
Ayla: No. I thought I could. I really want to.
Rayne: I love you!
Ayla: And I love you…
{ The truth sounded like it hurt Ayla but not as much as it hurt Rayne. }
Rayne: So just talk to me. In person. Please.
{ There was silence for a long time before Ayla finally answered. }
Ayla: Okay…
{ Fade to black. }
I don’t deserve to be in this match…
I’m not going to lie. I’m not going to play up my ego and tell everyone how much I deserve this. I don’t deserve it. I can think of atleast two other women who have earned this spot more than me. I don’t wrestle every week anymore, I don’t win all my matches, I’m old, broken, my body is clearly on it’s last legs…
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up.
Someone in management thinks I belong here. Someone in management sees something in me that I don’t. Someone in management has given me this opportunity and I’ll be damned if I just let to slip through my fingers. Not long ago I won my first singles championship in my two plus decade career. Now? Now I take part in the Iron Maiden match for a chance to face the Women’s World Champion at Night of the Immortals.
This is a can’t lose situation for me.
A loss here makes all my nightmares a reality. A loss here means I can’t match up with the best women this company has to offer and let me just say this Iron Maiden match is by far the best line up this match has ever had. I have never seen a stronger line up, a more deserving group of professional wrestlers in my life.
Dawn Halliwell, Maxine Valentine, Abigail Spencer, Helena Sawyer and Ciara O’Connor.
You five are the best professional wrestlers in the business today. Notice, I didn’t say female professional wrestlers because giving you that distinction would be an insult to your talents. You are by far the best in the business today, I’d put anyone of you up against any of the men on this roster and nine times out of ten you would win, easily.
This division hasn’t just caught up to the men, it has surpassed them. While they’re concerned with how to wage a bloodier battle we have focused on becoming better athletes. I’m honored to be counted among you even though I don’t feel like I belong.
Maxine herself gave me a run for my money, I’m still not sure how I survived. Dawn comes from an incredible blood line of legends, it’s only a matter of time before she surpasses them all. Abigail is just a force of nature, one I’m not looking forward to crossing. Helena is a monster in her own right, one I denied our first go around but I’ve learned to believe the hype. And Ciara? She’s the future just like Vivienne and Brooklyn. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do if it comes down to her and me.
I’m not going to give up.
As much as it’s going to hurt, as bad as my body will feel I cannot forfeit this opportunity. This is my last chance at achieving true greatness in this industry. I get that a lot of women look up to me and I appreciate that. But longevity isn’t enough for me, if I can’t win the big one then what was the point of it all.
No one plays to be second best.
Myself included. So I’m stepping into the Iron Maiden with every intention of winning. I’ve hurt before. I’ve been broken before. I’ve seen my career flash before my eyes more times than I can count and everytime I have stood back up and fought through it. I will always fight through it. As good as you all of you are that is the one thing I do better than any one of you.
I rise above.
I have to. Two decades in this business has given me a thick skin. I don’t care about foul words or insults. All I care about is what happens inside the Iron Maiden. I know each of you are going to give me hell. I know each of you are entering this match with the intention to win. I have to believe that not a one of you are prepared to push your bodies as far as they have have to be. I have to believe none of you posses the same capabilities to adapt that I do. I have to believe as good as you think you are you’re just not as good as I am.
My belief in myself has gotten me through a lot of hard times but now I have more than my own beliefs. There are women all over this planet who look to me for inspiration and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let them down on Sunday.
I’m not just fighting for myself. I’m fighting for them the same way they are fighting for themselves. I’ll have their strength when I step into the ring, I’ll feed off it, with them by my side I won’t just think I’m good enough to win the Iron Maiden.
I’ll know I am.
Well howdy there pardner.