Post by Tara Fenix on Jun 24, 2022 21:31:10 GMT
SCENE ONE - THE MORNING
Bzzz!
Bzzz!
Bzzz!
Bzzz!
Bzzz!
Bzzz!
Bzzz!
The alarm clock buzzes atop the cherrywood nightstand and Tara groans whilst stretching her arm out toward the phone to stop the alarm… She sits up and on the edge of the bed, and gazes down at her own feet. She draws in a deep breath and lets out the long sigh while groaning and scooting herself forward until she hears Angel shuffling behind her; he circles to the front of her whilst Tara is protesting, “Baby, go back to sleep!”
“What do you mean go back to sleep? You should be sleeping. You need your rest.” Angel answers.
He reaches his hand toward her, and she eyes him for several seconds; the slight twinkle of her eye is an easy “thank you”, but she doesn’t say it aloud… She accepts his help, and thanks him with a kiss, and then walks toward the walk-in closet.
If you had told me last year that I would be back together with Angel, and more importantly, pregnant with his child, I would have laughed in your face. After everything that we’ve been through; everything that he put me through…everything I put him through… I would have called you crazy to tell either one of us that we would end up together again, but that is what happened.
It took Tara several minutes to get herself dressed.
Tara quietly descends the staircase; she takes each step with caution while holding onto the railing, and does her best to remain in her own hurry… While walking downstairs, Dean Harper suddenly emerges from the doorframe leading to the kitchen, “What are you doing up?” Dean asks and steps forward, extending his hand to offer assistance to his stepmother.
“What are you doing awake? I’m always awake at this time.” Tara answers.
She accepts the help from Dean as he helps her to the bottom of the staircase, and then she walks in front of him while entering the kitchen where Warren Kane is spotted with a mug held loosely in his fingers. Warren raises the mug as a greeting gesture. Dean walks in behind Tara, and glances over at Warren.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” Warren asks.
“I have a lot to do…” Tara answers while walking for the cupboard, and she reaches for a cup, but Dean reaches over her and grabs one.
“Mom, please sit down,” Dean says and places his hand on her back in a guiding fashion.
“I’m fully capable of taking care of myself!” Tara says.
“Mom…” Dean mutters.
The gaze that Dean gives her stops her for a long moment; she sighs, and agrees to sit down, and Dean assists her to the dining table.
“What would you like to drink?” Dean asks while pulling the chair out for her. Tara sits down while pulling her phone up and starting to search through the number of messages and e-mails that she had missed while asleep.
“Coffee…” Tara says with a sly smile.
“Nice try. No caffeine,” Dean says while walking for the cupboard again.
“I just need a glass of water…” Tara says whilst tapping a message into her phone.
“What do you have planned for the day?” Warren asks while pulling his own mug close and sipping his coffee.
“Umm…” Tara says while rolling her eyes upward to search her own thoughts, “Well, Shelly said that Hayleigh would hang out with me today so I was planning on showing her just a little bit of what I do! She took an interest in the sanctuary the last time. Maybe we’ll–”
Dean walks to the dining table and sets the water in front of Tara, while pulling a chair up for himself and answering, “Oh, Warren and I already took care of the sanctuary for you. You need to relax! The stress is not good for my baby sister.”
Tara sighs, “Okay, so no sanctuary… I do have a lunch reservation with Atara. I think Hayleigh would enjoy her company. I do have to stop by the center to pick up some paperwork…”
“You aren’t going to be training anyone–” Dean starts to say, but Tara quickly interjects.
“No, no. Sabin is slotted in to fill in for me, and Emmy is going to be there to help him out today so everything is covered… I’m just going in there to get some papers I need, and then I’m heading right back out,” Tara says and nods her head.
“We’re going to be in the area,” Warren says, “If you want us to get it for you.”
“No,” Tara says while shaking her head, “I’m capable of handling it.”
Warren nods his head in turn.
“What about both of you? Any plans?” Tara asks.
“We’re just going to see what comes up… Probably take Damian and Eddie to the park later on if you want to come along,”
Tara’s face lights up, “I wouldn’t want to miss that. I just have to be back here around six for some meetings… I’m going to Hawaii after the show to do a final inspection–”
“Mom, that’s a long flight. Do you really think you should be flying when you’re this far along?” Dean says.
“The doctor is going to be there every step of the way, and he already warned me. I just need to check it this final time, and then leave the rest in Thad’s hands.” Tara says, trying to dismiss the urgency that was marked in Dean’s tone. She glances down at the phone to see the time and jolts upward, “Oh! Look at the time! I have to go pick up Hayleigh…” she says, and stands up; Dean and Warren both stand and Tara gives them both a kiss on the cheek, “You two have fun, and take lots of pictures for me if I can’t make it!”
SCENE TWO - LUNCH MEETING.
The restaurant is dimly lit; servers walk to and fro to each of the tables and booths in their respective sections. The overlapping sound of people murmuring amongst themselves overtakes much of the room… The lingering eyes from the customers are darting toward one particular table where Atara Themis, Tara Docherty, and Hayleigh are all seated; the pleasantries and the greetings are long out of the way. Hayleigh does not look too enthralled with what is happening whilst Atara pokes a fork at a bowl of calamari set in the center of the table.
“You should really try this, Hayleigh,” Atara says while holding the fork up.
Hayleigh raises her hand in a blocking fashion, “That’s alright.”
“You might like it,” Tara chimes in.
“You’re not eating it…” Hayleigh says.
“I’m also vegan,” Tara answers.
“(Can’t trust someone who doesn’t eat meat.)” Atara says in a sarcastic tone in her native Greek language. She has a sly smile on her face but turns her attention back to the food in front of her, “But more for us…” Atara says while taking a bite.
Hayleigh takes her own fork in her hand, and glances back and forth at the two before finally stabbing at the calamari in the center with her fork; she eyes it for several seconds. Tara and Atara both watch Hayleigh throughout the duration that it takes her, and then Hayleigh finally takes her first bite of the seafood dish.
“Opa!” Atara shouts. She then asks, “(It’s good?)”
“Huh?” Hayleigh asks in turn.
Atara lightly chuckles under her breath, “Sorry. I asked if you liked it.”
“Y– yeah,” Hayleigh stammers, “It’s good. What’s opa mean?”
“It is like… saying cheers,” Atara simplifies it.
“What’s Greece like?” Hayleigh asks. The tone in her voice suggests that it has piqued her interest.
The question from Hayleigh brought a spark out of Atara. She reveled in everything that was Greece; their culture, their people, their monuments, their history, absolutely everything! The discussion lasts for several minutes and throughout the duration, Hayleigh seemed fully enthralled by it.
“That sounds amazing!” Hayleigh says.
“It is,” Atara says and takes another bite of the calamari.
“I would love to go…” Hayleigh says while turning toward Tara.
Tara scratches the top of her head, and knows that this is an obstacle for another day. She would be happy to take her to Greece, but the trip would have to be approved by Shelly. Tara finally answers, “I will talk to your dad and mom and see what they say, but it probably won’t be until at least November.”
“It’s worth the wait,” Atara says.
Hayleigh sits still in her seat and just appears to be fully excited from everything that she had heard. The lunch between them continues with standard conversation.
SCENE THREE - TARA FENIX TRAINING CENTER
The vehicle rolls to a stop inside of the parking space marked for Tara; however, in the driver seat is not Tara, but rather Hayleigh… Hayleigh is beaming with pride from the successful drive, as Tara nods her head while sitting in the passenger seat, “You did great! Your mom taught you well,” Tara says. She reaches down to unfasten her seatbelt, “This may take me a little while. Do you want to come in?” Tara asks.
“Umm… Sure…” Hayleigh answers.
Hayleigh turns the key in the ignition and unbuckles her seatbelt and both of them get out of the vehicle. Tara and Hayleigh walk toward the warehouse, and Tara turns toward Hayleigh as they walk, “Are you having a good day?” She asks.
“Yeah,” Hayleigh answers, shrugging her shoulders simultaneously, “It’s alright… What are we doing here?”
Tara continues to lead, and just as they near the door, Bill Dalton, Tara’s original trainer, happens to be walking out; he gives a genuine smile to Tara and Hayleigh as they are walking in. “Ladies,” he says while giving a slight bow, as if to tip his hat to them.
“G’afternoon, Bill!” Tara says.
“Hi,” Hayleigh greets Bill.
Bill continues to hold the door for them to enter the facility and then lets the door shut behind them. Inside are a number of students that are inside of the ring, and standing in the center of the ring is Sabin, Tara’s son, and Hayleigh’s stepbrother, alongside Emmanuelle; one of Tara’s closest friends.
“All of you are here because you want to get in the ring, and do what we do!” Sabin shouts whilst pacing back and forth in front of the students, “And there are some of you who look at someone like me and think that you can already do what we– what I– do…” He stops in front of one of the students that appears to be a couple years Sabin’s senior, perhaps in his mid-twenties. Outside of the ring, Tara and Hayleigh walk toward the ring and just watch Sabin as he commits to his duties as being one of the head trainers of the facility since he has proven himself a capable fighter as the youngest to ever hold the IWF World Championship. He has that smirk that mirrors the smirk constantly present on Tara’s face, and he stands fearlessly in front of the student that also does not back down. “Do you think you can take me?” Sabin asks while getting closer as if a drill sergeant were talking to a cadet.
The student nods, and becomes brash with his answer, “Truth be told, kid, I think you’re a pompous dick and I can kick your ass up and down this ring…”
Sabin’s eyes widen as he takes a step back and begins to give an amused, yet sinister chuckle under his breath. He cracks his neck one way, and then the other, while gesturing for some room. “Big words… Take your best shot, big boy.” Sabin answers just as smugly.
Emmanuelle glances over at Tara as the two have a silent conversation; Emmanuelle’s eyes ask Tara if she’s sure she wants to let this go on, and Tara gives a subtle nod, and Emmanuelle then gestures for all of the students around to give some space. “Come on, come on! This is the attitude some of you need if you want to go somewhere in this business…” She says whilst the students scatter to the outside of the ring, but many of them give Tara her space; Tara does notice that several of the students have gestured that Tara is present in the training center and began whispering amongst themselves. It also was noticed by Hayleigh. She looks at Tara momentarily and can see the focus that Tara has in what is happening inside of the ring. Emmanuelle takes a place at the corner while Sabin circles the ring with the brazen student.
“Alright! Go!” Emmanuelle shouts.
The student is the first to charge out, and Sabin easily dodges before turning and connecting with the flying knee that he learned from Atara, a move that he calls Ode to Aphrodite; the knee is well-placed, and blood begins gushing from the students nose as he falls backwards and Sabin goes over beginning to drive several elbows against him while bellowing out a warcry. Now is the turn for Tara’s concern, and Emmanuelle rushes onto the scene, “Medic!” she shouts, while pulling Sabin back to his feet and pushing him into the corner, “Yo, these people are not on our level! You are supposed to be training them, not butchering them!” The medical staff comes out and helps the student to the back to help clean him up and ensure that there was no serious damage.
“He talked a big game, but couldn’t back it up. He got what he deserves,” Sabin says with pride.
“SABIN!” Tara shouts which gives Sabin that instant chill down his spine. He could do many things, he would hurt many people, but he would never hurt his mother. “Go home. Now.” She says in a bold tone.
Sabin remains still inside of the ring, and licks his lips… He cocks his head to the side, and gives a slight shrug with one shoulder, “Yes, ma’am.” He answers before dropping down to the canvas and rolling out of the ring. Sabin marches into the locker room and isn’t in for more than thirty seconds before he comes out with his bag on his shoulder and marches for the exit.
“I’ll see you at home, and we need to have a talk,” Tara says. Sabin gives no answer in turn this time, and Tara just lets out a sigh while Hayleigh looks a tad bit worried over Sabin’s temper. Tara looks toward Hayleigh again, “Don’t tell your father. I can handle this.” Hayleigh merely shrugs her shoulders, and Emmanuelle approaches the ropes closest to Tara and Hayleigh, and now Tara turns her attention upward to Emmanuelle, “Emmy, this is my daughter–”
“Stepdaughter,” Hayleigh corrects her.
Tara grimaces slightly, but nods, “Yes, my stepdaughter. Hayleigh, this is Emmanuelle; she is one of the fiercest competitors I’ve been in the ring with!”
Emmanuelle bows slightly, “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Umm…” Tara ponders momentarily, “Can you handle the rest of the class for the day?”
Emmanuelle immediately answers, “Of course.”
“I just stopped by to get something from my office.” Tara continues to explain unnecessarily.
“I got you,” Emmy answers.
“Thank you,” Tara says and then tilts her head to gesture for Hayleigh to follow her, “Come with me–”
“I’ll wait here.” Hayleigh says before Tara can finish.
“Alright…” Tara answers and walks toward her office.
Meanwhile, Emmanuelle is inside of the ring and claps her hands together, “Alright, alright, alright, everybody get back into the ring! We’re going to practice a couple of bumps. Come on! Get in!” Emmanuelle backs back into the corner and sits on the second turnbuckle while watching the students begin to do their usual practice routine; Emmanuelle does turn her head toward Hayleigh and despite Hayleigh paying her no mind, she begins talking to her, “Tara is one of the best, y’know?”
“Huh?” Hayleigh asks.
“Your stepmom. Tara. She knows what she’s talking about…” Emmanuelle says.
“So I’ve heard…” Hayleigh says.
“Take it from me,” Emmanuelle says.
“I’m only hanging out with her for my dad’s sake,” Hayleigh says.
“You know she loves you, right? Like…you know she’ll take care of you…? Treat her like your own? That’s kind of what she does on the road with people that she barely knows. She takes care of them. She’s a motherly figure. Imagine what she would do for you, the daughter of one of the luckiest men in the world,” Emmanuelle says and clicks her tongue several times.
“I really don’t need to hear this lecture…” Hayleigh says.
“What lecture?” Tara chimes in from behind. She’s holding a folder in her hands, and she glances back and forth at Hayleigh and Emmanuelle.
“It’s nothing,” Emmanuelle says.
“Yeah, she was just telling me a bit about being on the road,” Hayleigh says in a manner as if to dismiss the conversation that her and Emmanuelle had started having.
“Y’know…” Tara says while taking a couple of steps forward, “I trained a lot of people, Hayleigh. Some of the best that get in the ring to this day. Do you want to stick around for a few pointers? See what your dad, mom, and I all do…” Tara says.
Hayleigh looks to be pondering it.
“I promise you’ll be in good hands with Emmy,” Tara insists.
“I’ll just show you some of the basics if you want, Hayleigh.” Emmy says, and holds the ropes open for her.
Hayleigh ponders it further then finally tugs on the middle rope, “Alright!” She says, and sounds a bit more excited than intended.
“Great!” Tara says and Hayleigh climbs onto the apron before finally getting into the ring. The students all back away from the center of the ring and Emmanuelle and Hayleigh take to the center of the ring.
“This sport is not just physical, Hayleigh, but it’s also highly psychological… That’s why when that bell sounds, you see the greats don’t charge right into the fray!” Emmanuelle explains. She launches herself forward causing Hayleigh to step to the side, whilst Emmanuelle ends up feigning the attack. She chuckles under her breath, “I’m not going to actually take you down and have Tara on my ass. Not in her condition,” Emmanuelle braces herself in the center of the ring, “Come at me with a clothesline!” Emmanuelle instructs Hayleigh.
Hayleigh obliges; she hits Emmanuelle with a clothesline, and Emmanuelle falls to the mat but quickly springs back to her feet. She gives a subtle nod, and Hayleigh uses another clothesline, and Emmanuelle takes another bump… When she gets up this time, she avoids the clothesline from Hayleigh, and reverses into a loose hammerlock. “You don’t want to get overzealous.”
Hayleigh struggles to get away from the hold, but Emmanuelle has it in but still holds loosely to ensure that she doesn’t hurt Hayleigh.
“Okay,” Tara calls out, “We should get going!”
Emmanuelle nods and releases. Hayleigh shakes her hands, “Thanks for teaching me some.”
“My pleasure, and anytime you want to come back around, I’d be glad to teach you some more.” Emmanuelle says. She walks over to the ropes and holds the ropes open for Hayleigh again, and Hayleigh gets out of the ring, quickly joining Tara at her side.
“Thanks, Emmy!” Tara says and blows a kiss to Emmanuelle.
“Anytime! Next time, Hayleigh!” Emmanuelle says, and turns her attention back to the students. She is heard giving instructions to them to get back to the center of the ring while Tara and Hayleigh are walking toward the exit.
“Can I come here more often…?” Hayleigh asks, rather shyly.
“Anytime you want. The door is always open for you.” Tara says with a smile.
SCENE FOUR
Later in the evening, Tara sits in her office with three monitors laid out in front of her. One of the monitors just has people displayed on it for a live feed. Among them is Chris Page, Denzel Porter, Thaddeus Duke, Johnny Hitmaker, and many others involved with the Tara Fenix Charity Event taking place this October.
“As I’m sure all of you have heard, this is going to extend another day. Night one is going to be one…giant…rumble. What occurred at the first event was absolutely mind blowing, and I am going to honestly say that I do not wish to replicate that… I wish to surpass it. I wish to make this the greatest event of the year, and we have already had some top notch ones with the Denzel Porter Invitational,” Tara says, and her eyes instinctively look at Denzel on the monitor who gives an appreciative nod, “The Cannabis Cup,” she says while also looking toward Chris Page, who nods in turn, “And so many. I am proud of what everyone has been able to do to better this sport that we all love!”
“We already have it announced for Chris Page to pick five people to fill his team to take on Team Hitmaker, but I am getting a lot of people already sending in their requests for a match, or throwing their name in for us to book them… I am looking at several of them to see who I would like to compete against–”
“Tara, Tara–” Denzel says, and he gets a little closer to the screen, “–are you sure that you are going to be fit to compete for this? I really think this is something that you should reconsider since it’s what…a month–”
“Seven weeks. From the day of delivery to the day that I have my match is seven weeks, and I do appreciate your concern, Denzel, and I will say: I will not compete if the doctors do not clear me. But you should know how determined I get, and I am certain that I will be fighting on that night. Back to business, though, there seems to be a lot of people that are still confused about this, and I think it wouldn’t hurt to remind them: they can still pack all their swimwear, but this is not taking place on a ship! Thaddeus and I have jointly built an arena and a hotel from the ground up, and that is where it is to take place. I think this is a good move because it opens up more match types. Do you want to try to have a ladder match on a boat? A cage would be feasible. But it does eliminate so many of the options, so I think this is a step in the right direction.”
“We are going to have several things made available for our participants and guests. As I said, a hotel is built on the same property… From there, there will be an expansion to The Velvet Rabbit; it’s in the middle of Waikiki, so the night life is extravagant! The state has already said that we will have beach property in front of the hotel to be able to have more events at night. I am going to be going to Hawaii this weekend as my final trip to check on their progress, but really, I think they’re just about done. Thaddeus will take over my responsibilities in checking the progress afterward, as it is his money also going toward building it.”
“I know between all of us, we have an extensive reach. We have a number of companies for us to all reach out to, so let’s go ahead and get out there and let me know any ideas you have. Remember, our goal is to just give as much back to help those in need, raising awareness to these causes, and giving them a damn good show..”
“If no one else has anything to add for the time being, I will keep in touch.”
The voices all overlap one another, but they all concur that there is nothing more to discuss. One by one, the screens go off.
END.
Well howdy there pardner.