Cooperation is Key

[Esperanza Serranto]

The bright California sun filtered in through the dirty window. It cast a beam of light through the hanging dust that fell across the blankets on the bed. They rose and fell in steady rhythm with the breathing of the person hidden beneath. The serine silence was shattered by the shrill shriek of an alarm going off. Esperanza’s hand shot out from beneath the blanket, silencing the annoying buzz. It wasn’t long before she tossed back the covers and greeted the bright day with a grouchy squint. She slowly stood to her feet, letting the blankets fall from her naked body. She walked to her closet, and took little time rifling through for clothing. She threw on a pair of baggy jeans and a gigantic Oakland Raiders Jersey before stumbling into her tiny bathroom.

The half asleep face that stared back at Esperanza made her wince. She grabbed a brush, and tried her best to work out the nest of tangles in her hair, but gave up quickly, instead opting to tie it back into a ponytail. She threw a hat on over that and cocked it slightly to the side, giving herself a confident smile, before beginning to practice her promo in the mirror.

Esperanza:Hola bitches! I bet I know what you’re thinking. Oh no, not this bitch again. That’s right ladies, this bitch again. I know y’all were hopin’ I’d disappear or some shit, but it don’t look like y’all are that lucky. I’m still here, and Imma still be here at the end. You know why that is? It’s because I ain’t here for this. Now some of you, this Diamond’s search is all for you. It’s your chance to be in the spotlight, and get on T.V., get your little modeling contract, and that’s cool if that’s what you want. To me, this competition is just a gateway to bigger things. See, I ain’t her for the Diamond’s search. I’m here for the IWF Diamond’s Championship, and that’s where I’m gonna end up. You girls can have your fifteen minutes of fame, ‘cause I plan on takin’ way more than that.

Esperanza reached under the sink, and grabbed a clear plastic case. She removed a tube of mascara, and began applying the makeup as she spoke.

Esperanza: There’s a few chicks in the Diamond’s search that I think have somethin’, but we’ll get to them in a minute. There’s a group of women in this competition that I wanna address first. The group I got no respect for. Just assume if I don’t mention you later, I’m talkin’ about you now, aight? Anyway, you girls, we got a phrase for you here in the hood. You’re what we call basic bitches. That means there ain’t a damn thing special about you. You get up in the ring, and you jiggle your fake tits, and people give you money. That’s the life you know. Aside from that, you ain’t shit. You’re basic. There ain’t nothin’ I hate more than basic bitches, especially in my business, and I’ll tell you why. No matter how much y’all suck. No matter how little charisma you have, no matter how awful you are in the ring, they just keep givin’ you jobs. Why? It ain’t for the real wrestling fans, that’s for sure. It’s for the god damn channel flippers. They hope that some pathetic, horny loser’s gonna be flippin’ through the channels,see your silicone shaking, and stay still long enough to bump the ratings. Well let me tell you somethin’ girls. That’s gonna end soon, because people are gonna see that channel flippers might stop on you for a bit, but people show up just to see me wrestle.

She finished with the mascara, and put it away before pulling out a tube of lipstick. She spreads the bright red color across her lips carefully. Once finished, she pressed them together on a square of toilet paper, and continued speaking.

Esperanza:I watched so many of you plastic bimbos get booked over me, it makes me sick to my stomach. You girls are gonna pay for every time I got passed up for a swimsuit model. You’re gonna pay for every night I had to sleep in my car, for every bag of dope I had to sell to survive, for every bread sandwich I ever ate. You’re gonna pay for all of it in spades. There’s a reason they call me La Pequena Muerte you know. When I was wrestlin’ in Mexico, I use to have such bloody battles, a rumor started that fighting me would take five years off your life whether you won or lost. You’re about to see this shit first hand. After the battle royal, every last one of you worthless mannequins is gonna have a new respect for Esperanza Serranto. You best believe that.

Esperanza checked herself out in the mirror one last time before turning and walking into her living room. She flopped down onto the purple couch and slid a pair of socks over her feet as she continued to practice her promo to no one in particular.

Esperanza: There’s a few chicks I got some respect for in this competition. The first one is Katie Pride. Now, she’s greener than the grass in a rich neighborhood, I’ll give you that, but at least she’s a fuckin’ athlete. I know she ain’t here to show off her tits and get a modeling contract. I know she’s here to compete. That don’t mean she’s gonna beat me though. Being an athlete is great and all, but that wrestling ring is my second home. I’ve wrestled in shitty gyms all over this country. I’ve wrestled in arenas in Mexico, I’ve wrestled in backyards for a hot dog and a beer! I am this business. You got a promising future ahead of you Katie, I promise that. Problem is, you gotta get through me to get there, and I don’t think you got what it takes yet. I might be young, but I got a veterans experience in this business, and that gives me one hell of an advantage over you. Good luck to you chica, but my crystal ball is tellin’ me that you’re gonna leave that battle royal with the imprint of my boot on your face.

Esperanza slid her feet into a pair of sneakers, and stood up, stretching her arms high above her head. She grabbed a red pack of cigarettes from her scratched and dented coffee table, before stepping out onto her tiny balcony. She leaned on the steel rail in front of her, taking in her view of the busy street below. She smiled before slipping the cigarette in her mouth and lighting it.

Esperanza: Another lady I gotta show some love for is Becky Goodwin. Ain’t no doubt about it when I look into her eyes, she’s here to kick some ass. I’ll tell you this, she’s damn sure smarter than me. I gotta respect that. Yeah, She’s a tough chick with brains and drive. She seems frightening. Problem is she spent her best years getting smart, and now she wants to jump back into the ring. I respect that, but it’s stupid as hell Becky. You got a good education. Get a well payin’ job that don’t make you beat the shit outta your body. You’re too old to be mixin’ it up with us. Especially me. Look at me Becky. I’m in the prime of my career, so you’re gonna need to chase dead dreams on someone else’s time. I got respect for you Becky, so Imma give you one chance. Don’t show up to the battle royal. go back to your life and enjoy it. You deserve it, but you don’t deserve to beat me in that ring.

Esperanza took a drag from her cigarette, and paused, listening as the sound of a street musician’s saxaphone drifted beautifully upward above the noise of the bustling crowd. She watched a man try and sell bootleg DVD’s for a while before continuing.

Esperanza: There’s one last chick I gotta mention. Not outta respect, but outta fear. This “Blessed” Alice Eve bitch bothers me. Religious fanatics always do. This bitch is all worried about the rapture, when she should be worryin’ about me bringin’ hell down on her. You can go ahead and look to your book for help, but you ain’t gonna find no answers for me there. Growin’ up here, I seen a lot of people who think that some god is gonna protect them. They tattoo crosses all over themselves and wear their rosaries. Funny thing about bullets though… they ain’t got no religion. I watched priests get their heads blown off by a missed shot, and I seen rapists make millions and escape to Cuba. If there is a God, he ain’t here in these streets, and he damn sure ain’t gonna be protectin’ your ass in the ring. You can quote all the verses and say all the prayers you want. Esperanza Serranto is one demon that shit ain’t gonna protect you from.

She took another drag, blowing a plume of gray smoke into the air as she watched a fight almost break out on the sidewalk below.

Esperanza: As for the rest of you so called ladies, you might just wanna find a new career. I hear it’s a lot easier to blow your way to the top in Hollywood. It doesn’t matter what you do. You could be a future mega star for all I give a shit. I’m one obstacle that’s gonna stand in your way time after time. That’s what I do. I kick ass, and I make life hard for bitches like you. If you wanna show up to the battle royal, that’s your stupid call, but I promise it’s gonna hurt. You might even risk damaging your pretty faces. Trust me, it’ll be better for you if you just find a new job. This one’s mine. Let me tell you somethin’. I-

She was cut off mid sentence by the sound of her phone ringing. She tossed her cigarette off the balcony, and rushed inside to answer.

Esperanza:Talk to me Tony. How’d it go?

The voice that came over the other end was not as happy as Esperanza had expected.

Tony:It ain’t good E. You might wanna get down to the warehouse.

Esperanza:Jesus y Maria, what did those assholes fuck up now?!

Tony: Just get down here. Wear your mask

The line went dead, and Esperanza rolled her eyes. Moving quickly, she ran out of her apartment, and down five flights of stairs, jumping the last small set. She sprinted through the door of the parking garage, and saddled up on her old motorcycle. It takes a few kicks, but the engine came sputtering to life, allowing her to drive it out into the mid-day sun. She tucked her hat beneath her leg, allowing the wind to whip through her long black hair. She maneuvered through the traffic, making her way to the old industrial district. After a while there were no more people on the sidewalk, and what few cars were around didn’t have wheels. She pulled around behind a giant brick building, parking among two or three cars that are all hidden from the road. She smiled when she saw that a large financial security truck was among them.

Esperanza:Maybe it didn’t go as bad as Tony made it sound.

Even in her own ears, the words rang hollow. She stepped off the motorbike, and opened one of the small saddlebags. She removed a black mask that she placed over the lower half of her face. She then pulled out a pair of sunglasses, and used those, along with her hat to cover the top half. Properly disguised, she made her way to the warehouse, shoving open a large rusted door with some struggle. What she saw inside shattered her optimism. Four large, masked men stood with guns in their hands in front of a man in a security uniform who was tied to a chair.

Esperanza:You idiots gotta be fuckin’ kidding me!

The largest man stepped toward her, but by the time he does so, she has already run across the concrete floor.

Tony: He put up a fight, and we didn’t think killin’ him was such a good idea.

Esperanza:You know how pissed off Jeremy is gonna be? He’s gonna kick the shit outta you morons!

Tony:The fuck were we supposed to do?! We needed to get outta there quick, so we threw him in the back and drove off!

Esperanza:Alright, so what are we gonna do?

Tony’s voice dropped to an almost sheepish level.

Tony:That… that’s why we called you.

Esperanza couldn’t help but let out a laugh of pure exasperation.

Esperanza:So I’m just supposed to clean up your mess for you?

Tony:The only answer any of these idiots can give me is kill him and bury him out back.

Esperanza:And did any of them volunteer to do it? We’re not murderers. Besides, we don’t need to do nothing that drastic.

Esperanza turned and walked over to the security guard. He screamed from behind his duct tape gag, but she paid no attention. Grabbing the keys from his belt, she turned and walked back across the room, leaving out the door she entered through. She unlocked the back of the truck, and pulled a large, heavy bag from one side. She dragged it into the warehouse, and tossed it down in front of the hostage.

Esperanza:Here’s the deal. You don’t know shit. You didn’t see nobody’s face, you don’t know nobody’s name. If you can do that for me, that bag, and everything in it is yours. What do you say?

She reached forward and ripped the duct tape from the man’s mouth. In return, he spit in her face. He didn’t have time to shout even one of the nasty names in his head before Tony hit him with a hard right across the jaw and re-taped his mouth. Esperanza wiped the spit from her eye, before hauling back and slapping the guard as hard as she could.

Esperanza:You wanna spit in my face you fucking shit pig?!

She leaned back and kicked hard, planting the sole of her shoes in the middle of the guard’s chest. She kicked him so hard, the chair fell backward, causing his head to slam against the concrete. He stayed conscious, but his eyes were glazed over for a few moments. Esperanza walked over and pressed her foot against his throat, a wicked smile crossing her face.

Esperanza:I gave you a really nice offer, and that’s how you repay me? Maybe I should have my boys bury you out back if you’re gonna be so damn ungrateful. Or better yet… boys, pick him up.

Two of the other men rushed forward to obey the order. Once he was upright, she tooks a moment to look into his eyes, her smile never leaving.

Esperanza:I want one of his fingers… unless of course he wants to agree to keep his mouth shut…

She pulled the duct tape from his mouth again, and got about what she expected.

Guard: Fuck you! When I get out of here, I’m gonna make sure they put every last one of you assholes in jail!

Esperanza:Alright. Give me a finger… his trigger finger.

The security guard screamed in protest, but no one cared. Tony stepped forward, pulling a large knife from the holster on his belt. He held down the finger with his free hand, while slowly slicing through the skin with the knife in the other. The hostages screams echoed off the walls as the blade worked its way through the muscle. Once the knife hit bone, Esperanza put a hand on Tony’s shoulder, signalling him to stop.

Esperanza:How about now Judge Dredd? You still think it’s your job to put us in jail?

Guard:Cut off as many fingers as you want. I’m not gonna help you.

His voice was less sure this time. Esperanza nodded to Tony, and he flipped the knife around, using the small saw on the back. He cut through the bone as the guard let out a howl of agony. Blood dripped down the wooden chair as Tony turned the blade back around, and finished slicing through the finger. He tossed the severed digit to Esperanza, who slipped it into her pocket.

Esperanza:Mine now. Now, I didn’t like doing that, but I gotta make sure you don’t tell anybody anything. Now, are we good, or do I need to cut something else off?

Guard:No! No, look, I’m sorry. I don’t know anything anyway. I haven’t seen anyone’s face or heard any names. Please just let me go.

Esperanza shook her head.

Esperanza:Not good enough. You know the name Jeremy, and that’s too much.

She reached into his pocket, and removed his wallet. She pulled out his driver’s license, and tosses the leather wallet into his lap.

Esperanza:Here’s the deal. I’m gonna let you go, ‘cause I don’t think you’re gonna say anything. If you do… I know where you live. I’m gonna come find you, and I’m not gonna bother with your fingers next time. You talk, and I’ll want your tongue. Comprende?

Guard:Yes! Yes, I promise! Just let me go! Please!

She gave him a curious look, but nodded to Tony once more. The large man cut the ropes loose, and stood back as the guard ripped himself from the chair and ran out of the warehouse as fast as he could.

Tony:What happens if he talks?

Esperanza:He won’t. I think we scared him enough.

Tony just gave a solemn nod, and began gathering up the rope. Esperanza made her way across the concrete floor and out the door. She squinted away the overbearing sunlight, while sliding another cigarette between her lips. As soon as she lit it, one of the other men stepped outside. He was tall, tan and rope muscled. He pulled the mask from his face, and grabbed a smoke of his own before either one spoke.

Esperanza:Hey Carlos. Don’t ever fucking do that again, huh?

Carlos:What do you care? Ain’t you supposed to be outta the game now? I heard you were leavin’ us to become a big time wrestling superstar.

Esperanza:Not quite. I gotta win this Diamond’s search thing, then I’ll be set. ‘Til then, I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.

Carlos:So it is true… Jeremy ain’t gonna be happy.

Esperanza:Mother fuck Jeremy! I’ve given that asshole enough. Besides, once I get the money, I’m gettin’ the hell outta here. Jeremy ain’t got no eyes out in Beverly Hills baby!

Carlos laughed as Esperanza took a hit off her cigarette. A silence hung between them for a while.

Carlos:You gonna miss it?

Esperanza:Nope. I can’t wait to put this fuckin’ life in my rear view. Maybe a couple years ago I woulda said yes, but I seen too much shit… You remember Lamaar, right?

Carlos:He’s the one that got taken out by that cop, right?

Esperanza:Yeah, I watched it happen. Lamaar didn’t even have a gun on him. The cop just shot… blew part of his head clean off.

Carlos:Shit…

Esperanza:... I can’t end up like that.

Carlos:What, you’d rather die splattering your head on the floor of an arena?

Esperanza smiled as she considered the question.

Esperanza:Believe it or not… yeah. Yeah I would.

Carlos laughed as he walked toward his car.

Carlos:You’re crazy girl.

He climbed into the driver’s seat of his blue SUV, and drove off, Esperanza watching him long after he disappeared. She leaned on the side of the building for a while, letting her cigarette burn down. She watches the sky as clouds drift past, showing signs of a world beyond all of her problems. She smiled at the thought, as she walked over and mounted her motorcycle. It started easily this time. She accelerated out of the warehouse district, and toward the open country, allowing her mind to wander into the future as she cruised through the California landscape.