Post by Alexis Caffrey on Jan 25, 2015 6:07:36 GMT
As we come into focus, Alexis is sitting on the floor in our family room. There’s some family photos behind her on the table as she rests up against the front of the couch behind her. The look on her face is concentrated, determined even. I break her concentration if only for a moment as she looks up at me.
Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about what everyone has said about this tag team match.
She shutters for a moment at the thought of one of her opponents…Eternity.
I was also thinking about that wacky bitch and how she keeps calling herself my mother. If I had a mother like that, I would have run away and become an orphan.
She can’t help but chuckle at her own remark before returning to her previous concentrated state of mind. She draws on the floor with her index finger, then points at certain spots, each representing a person in her match at Metamorphosis.
There isn’t a damn thing on this planet you can teach me Eternity. You can’t make me be who you want me to be, because in the end…I want to be, and am better than the image you’ve set forth. You have this deranged notion that you are this motherly figure who nurtures her children when in fact, the mind you possess and the actions you’ve displayed are nothing more than childish within their own right. You are the one who needs a motherly figure Eternity, not me. Don’t worry though…that won’t be me…I couldn’t care less about you.
She looks up at the camera with a concerned look on her face, an almost pout-esque look.
Does that make you sad Eternity?
Does it hurt your feelings?
Does it shatter that perfect little image you have of me dancing about in that twisted brain of yours?
News flash for the painted faced nut who doesn’t have very good listening skills…I DON’T CARE!
She stands from the floor and points downward to illustrate her point.
This is what it’s all about. My match on Sunday isn’t a shortcut as some might have you believe. No, no, no, this match is about two things…
Me getting revenge on a couple of girls who think they have what it takes to play hardball, and me ascending right back up that ladder to a spot that I have worked harder than anyone at getting to…a shot at the Diamonds Title.
She points her finger into her chest.
I’ve shown the world that I’m not just the sad little girl from the Atlantic Coast. I’ve shown all the doubters that I could emerge from the lowly life I lived as a girl, educate myself, and get to a position in which I had the power to control my own destiny. Then I met the man of my dreams and with his help got into this ring and over and over again I proved to the pundits, to the talking heads, to the people like Eternity and Isabella that I’m not just the girlfriend of the Imperial Champion, but a serious threat myself. I’ve climbed out from that shadow, and I’ve hit the switch on my own beacon, I’ve activated my own calling. My calling is to take annoying little twits like yourself and prove in the center of that ring that I am better than the two of you combined…and that’s exactly what I’ll do.
She collects herself and smirks into the camera.
The time for fun and games is over girls. I don’t care if you’re Eternity with a screw loose, Isabella with her legs open, or my own partner who can’t keep her nose out of business that doesn’t involve her…this is a new year and a new me and there’s not a single one of you who will get in my way.
The scene fades as we focus on Alexis’ determined, fearless eyes.
**********
“Being There Part 1”
I had heard the car as it pulled in the driveway. The lights cascaded through the front room like searchlights looking for an escaped convict on the run. I turned on the leather couch toward the door hoping that my fiancé would walk through at any second. I knew what he was going through. I knew he had burdens to carry on his shoulders that no one man should have to, but due to circumstance it was his to carry.
I waited and waited but he didn’t walk in. I reached over and grabbed the remote, muting the television. From outside I could hear the car still running and knew that he needed a moment to deal with everything he was going through. I waited some more and there was still nothing. Thinking about it for a moment I shoveled my feet across the warm carpet to the cold tiled floor and slipped on a pair of slippers before opening the front door and walking out into the frigid air that was a winter night in Cleveland. The frozen ice beneath my feet cracked as I walked down the walkway and turned the corner with my arms firmly clutching at one another for some sort of warmth.
As I looked up I saw him sitting back with his hand hiding his face as he let his emotions out. I was stunned for a moment as he unleashed a fury of strikes on the steering wheel in front of him and one good smack to the headrest beside him before leaning forward, resting his forehead against the backs of his hands. I knew it was my time to be there for him…just as he had been for me all of those times. I continued forward and opened the passenger door to no reaction. I slipped inside the warmth of the car and sat beside him, reaching over and grabbing him by the shoulder, pulling him in as close as possible.
It’s okay honey. You’ll get through this…I promise…and I’ll be here for you every step of the way.
I could tell he was trying to curb the sadness from escaping his body now that there was somebody present. I hadn’t really seen him with emotions running this high ever. It wasn’t something he liked to do around people, especially me. He always preferred to be the strong one, the level-headed one, the beacon of safety, but he couldn’t do it on this night, this very moment. He needed someone…he needed me.
I hugged him close and continued to stroke the back of his head, offering words of consolation, and calming as the scene fades.
**********
The scene opens on Alexis. There’s nobody behind the camera. It was the night I found out my Grandfather had passed away, and I was in no mood for any sort of filming. She watched me from a chair in the corner of the room as I lied on the bed, motionless, asleep, so overcome by exhaustion that I had to just succumb to it. She turned her glance from me to the camera and spoke in a softened tone as to not wake me.
Do I necessarily like Mercedes Vargas?
No.
Have I beaten her more times than she’s claimed that she’s relevant in this company?
Yes.
I want the three of you girls to understand one thing here and now…I don’t care about the lot of you. I’m not doing this out of the what’s right and what’s wrong category. If you want to kick the crap out of Mercedes for her having an extremely loud mouth than by all means…do so, just lie down on your back in the center of the ring and let me pin you first so I can get what I want…what I deserve. Besides…lying on your back would be nothing new…right Isabella?
She holds her hand over her mouth as if she’s said something just a tad bit…taboo.
Anyway, back to my “partner” and I use that term loosely. When we were in Verona’s office, when this match was made, you told me not to screw this up. You told me not to let the “team” down. I have to sit here and I have to feel somewhat offended by the remarks of such an ignorant bitch.
She looked over as I started to stir and held her fingers to her lips.
Shhhh.
She scoots off the chair and grabs hold of the camera as she walks out of the room. We see nothing but shadows as she walks down the steps and seemingly sets the camera down on a table as the movement has stopped. In the drop of a hat the room is illuminated and we see her stepping in front of our view and sitting on the couch.
I was getting too loud and he’s been through enough.
She collects herself.
Now where were we?
Oh yes, the stupidity that is my partner this week.
Let me set the record straight with you.
There’s no bond here. There’s not a friendship, and what we have going this week will only borderline be a partnership. We have a common enemy and that’s it. You stopped me from having something that I wanted. I wanted to beat Jessica Reed and Eternity in that match and I was well on my way to doing so before you pranced down to take your shot at a beaten Eternity.
You stuck your nose in my business.
You couldn’t take the high road and challenge her to a match, you had to come down while she was distracted and try to prove your so-called superiority, only it backfired so miserably that I somehow ended up a victim.
So I want you to look me in my eyes.
She leans forward and stares a deep, hard stare into the lens.
You and I will fight these two women in that ring. If you stay out of my way, and manage to keep your ego, ignorance, temper, whatever you call it in check, we will win and both you and I will get what we want. Me teaming with you is a means to an end, and it is an end that I want to be worth it. So as you told me…I will tell you…do NOT screw this up for me.
She reaches forward and cuts the camera feed.
**********
“Being There Part 2”
It was the next morning and I had just woken up. My focus was a bit fuzzy as I slowly opened my eyes to the bright sun peering through the window which caused me to immediately roll over. My hand hit the bed next to me where Mike would normally be, but as I dragged my arm over the sheets I quickly realized he wasn’t there.
I panicked a bit and sat up in bed, glancing over at the bathroom off the room, and there was no sign of him. Looking over at the clock I saw that it was quarter to eight in the morning. I swept myself out of bed and headed out the door and down the stairs. I looked both ways and listened and there was nothing. Not a glimmer, not a footstep, nothing.
I turned and ran back upstairs to my phone. I picked it up and called Mike’s number only to hear it vibrating on the night stand on his side of the bed. I panicked some more as I sat on the edge of the bed.
Where did he go? Why didn’t he take his phone? What state is he in emotionally?
I had never seen him like the previous night. He had never, not been able to fight back tears like that. I didn’t know where he was, who he was with, or what he was doing and to say I was worried would be a severe, massive understatement.
Just as I got ready to call his friend Ray to see if he had heard from him, I heard the front door open and bolted out of the room and down the steps. He was home and I jumped into his arms, nearly knocking the things in his hands out of them. He chuckled a bit as I hung from his neck he slowly walked to the couch.
I didn’t know where you were. After last night, I had some thoughts enter my mind that I don’t even want to talk about, and you didn’t take your phone,
He pulled me off his hips and set me down in front of him as he set the things down on the coffee table.
And…and…and…
He placed his finger over my lips.
Shhhhh, everything is fine.
We sat on the couch together and he leaned forward, grabbing a Starbucks cup from the cup holder, handing it to me. He took a drink of his own and took a sip.
But with last night, and…
He interrupted me abruptly.
It’s fine. I’m not an emotional person as I’m sure you’ve been able to tell. Something like that…like death, it’s just so sudden, so permanent that it takes its toll, especially someone close like that.
I took a sip of my delicious drink and nodded.
I know, and that’s why I want you to know you CAN open up to me. That’s what I’m here for.
He repeated my motion and did the same nod.
I know. There’s just some things in life where you have to deal; some things where I as a person have to take a moment to myself and have that moment alone, that time to breakdown. If a person doesn’t breakdown, they can’t build themselves back up. I thank you for being there. I love you for being there. I hope we’re there for each other for the rest of our lives. That’s why I put that ring on your finger, as a symbol of that devotion, and I’m glad to know, though I already did, that you reciprocate that. I want you to know that everything is fine, and like you said last night…I will push through this.
I scooted closer to him and rested my head on his chest/side area as he wrapped his arm around me as the scene fades.
**********
The camera is set, I’m behind it again, and my loving, caring fiancé, with a cup of Starbucks Frappe Latte in her hand has a little something to say to the newly returned, Isabella Maldini who I think is nothing more than a HOOOOOOOOOOOOOE!
Izzy, Izzy, Izzy…can I call you that? If not…whatever. You came back at the behest of Eternity. You probably felt as if you owed her some sort of gratitude for getting you your job back. You, her, Rayne, you’re nothing more than a pack of rabid dogs who troll through the IWF like it’s your territory.
She grabs a newspaper off the coffee table and rolls it up, whacking the table with a nice thud!
BAD! BAD DOGS!
She tosses the rolled up paper behind her.
You went above and beyond your little objective. You call it crossfire, I call you a liar. Yes Mercedes interrupted my match, but in the end, you three could have taken your frustrations out on her and her alone leaving me and Jess in the ring…
You didn’t.
No, you didn’t because it wasn’t simple crossfire as you may lead the people to believe. It wasn’t a case of wrong place at the wrong time. I won’t argue with anyone who calls you stupid, but you’re not blind. You know who Jessica Reed is. You could see that I was quickly climbing the ranks in the Diamonds Division. You wanted to make a statement, and do so you have.
The mere thought of being beaten down by the three clowns of the Diamonds Division sends a chill up her spine that causes her to shiver until it is gone. She shakes her head from side to side disappointingly.
You three did something else though. You made a statement, you created an action. I hope you realize that statements have counter points. I hope you think long and hard about there being reactions to your action. I hope you imagine me biting your faces off, beating you senseless so that you know how it feels, then twisting you into pretzels until you can no longer handle the pain I’m inflicting on you.
She smiles as she tilts her head to the side.
Then, when all of that is done, and you submit so my superiority, I get a little cookie from Roberto Verona. My team winning means I get a shot at that snarling bitch Ana Valentine. It means I get a chance to truly show the world that I am the best female wrestler in that ring. It’s my opportunity to shine, and if all I have to do is go through the two of you with an idiot as my tag team partner…so be it.
You called it a cheap shot Izzy; a shortcut. I call it revenge. I call it opportunity. I call you a means to an end, and a title shot as an end worth the means.
So like the dogs I compared you to moments ago…you will be tracked down, you will be caged, and because you’re such unruly little bitches with a bark worse than your bite…you’ll simply be put down. Your misery will be ended, and the world will cheer. Then…I can move on to bigger and better things…like becoming Diamonds CHAMPION!
She smiles as the scene fades for the final time.
Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about what everyone has said about this tag team match.
She shutters for a moment at the thought of one of her opponents…Eternity.
I was also thinking about that wacky bitch and how she keeps calling herself my mother. If I had a mother like that, I would have run away and become an orphan.
She can’t help but chuckle at her own remark before returning to her previous concentrated state of mind. She draws on the floor with her index finger, then points at certain spots, each representing a person in her match at Metamorphosis.
There isn’t a damn thing on this planet you can teach me Eternity. You can’t make me be who you want me to be, because in the end…I want to be, and am better than the image you’ve set forth. You have this deranged notion that you are this motherly figure who nurtures her children when in fact, the mind you possess and the actions you’ve displayed are nothing more than childish within their own right. You are the one who needs a motherly figure Eternity, not me. Don’t worry though…that won’t be me…I couldn’t care less about you.
She looks up at the camera with a concerned look on her face, an almost pout-esque look.
Does that make you sad Eternity?
Does it hurt your feelings?
Does it shatter that perfect little image you have of me dancing about in that twisted brain of yours?
News flash for the painted faced nut who doesn’t have very good listening skills…I DON’T CARE!
She stands from the floor and points downward to illustrate her point.
This is what it’s all about. My match on Sunday isn’t a shortcut as some might have you believe. No, no, no, this match is about two things…
Me getting revenge on a couple of girls who think they have what it takes to play hardball, and me ascending right back up that ladder to a spot that I have worked harder than anyone at getting to…a shot at the Diamonds Title.
She points her finger into her chest.
I’ve shown the world that I’m not just the sad little girl from the Atlantic Coast. I’ve shown all the doubters that I could emerge from the lowly life I lived as a girl, educate myself, and get to a position in which I had the power to control my own destiny. Then I met the man of my dreams and with his help got into this ring and over and over again I proved to the pundits, to the talking heads, to the people like Eternity and Isabella that I’m not just the girlfriend of the Imperial Champion, but a serious threat myself. I’ve climbed out from that shadow, and I’ve hit the switch on my own beacon, I’ve activated my own calling. My calling is to take annoying little twits like yourself and prove in the center of that ring that I am better than the two of you combined…and that’s exactly what I’ll do.
She collects herself and smirks into the camera.
The time for fun and games is over girls. I don’t care if you’re Eternity with a screw loose, Isabella with her legs open, or my own partner who can’t keep her nose out of business that doesn’t involve her…this is a new year and a new me and there’s not a single one of you who will get in my way.
The scene fades as we focus on Alexis’ determined, fearless eyes.
**********
“Being There Part 1”
I had heard the car as it pulled in the driveway. The lights cascaded through the front room like searchlights looking for an escaped convict on the run. I turned on the leather couch toward the door hoping that my fiancé would walk through at any second. I knew what he was going through. I knew he had burdens to carry on his shoulders that no one man should have to, but due to circumstance it was his to carry.
I waited and waited but he didn’t walk in. I reached over and grabbed the remote, muting the television. From outside I could hear the car still running and knew that he needed a moment to deal with everything he was going through. I waited some more and there was still nothing. Thinking about it for a moment I shoveled my feet across the warm carpet to the cold tiled floor and slipped on a pair of slippers before opening the front door and walking out into the frigid air that was a winter night in Cleveland. The frozen ice beneath my feet cracked as I walked down the walkway and turned the corner with my arms firmly clutching at one another for some sort of warmth.
As I looked up I saw him sitting back with his hand hiding his face as he let his emotions out. I was stunned for a moment as he unleashed a fury of strikes on the steering wheel in front of him and one good smack to the headrest beside him before leaning forward, resting his forehead against the backs of his hands. I knew it was my time to be there for him…just as he had been for me all of those times. I continued forward and opened the passenger door to no reaction. I slipped inside the warmth of the car and sat beside him, reaching over and grabbing him by the shoulder, pulling him in as close as possible.
It’s okay honey. You’ll get through this…I promise…and I’ll be here for you every step of the way.
I could tell he was trying to curb the sadness from escaping his body now that there was somebody present. I hadn’t really seen him with emotions running this high ever. It wasn’t something he liked to do around people, especially me. He always preferred to be the strong one, the level-headed one, the beacon of safety, but he couldn’t do it on this night, this very moment. He needed someone…he needed me.
I hugged him close and continued to stroke the back of his head, offering words of consolation, and calming as the scene fades.
**********
The scene opens on Alexis. There’s nobody behind the camera. It was the night I found out my Grandfather had passed away, and I was in no mood for any sort of filming. She watched me from a chair in the corner of the room as I lied on the bed, motionless, asleep, so overcome by exhaustion that I had to just succumb to it. She turned her glance from me to the camera and spoke in a softened tone as to not wake me.
Do I necessarily like Mercedes Vargas?
No.
Have I beaten her more times than she’s claimed that she’s relevant in this company?
Yes.
I want the three of you girls to understand one thing here and now…I don’t care about the lot of you. I’m not doing this out of the what’s right and what’s wrong category. If you want to kick the crap out of Mercedes for her having an extremely loud mouth than by all means…do so, just lie down on your back in the center of the ring and let me pin you first so I can get what I want…what I deserve. Besides…lying on your back would be nothing new…right Isabella?
She holds her hand over her mouth as if she’s said something just a tad bit…taboo.
Anyway, back to my “partner” and I use that term loosely. When we were in Verona’s office, when this match was made, you told me not to screw this up. You told me not to let the “team” down. I have to sit here and I have to feel somewhat offended by the remarks of such an ignorant bitch.
She looked over as I started to stir and held her fingers to her lips.
Shhhh.
She scoots off the chair and grabs hold of the camera as she walks out of the room. We see nothing but shadows as she walks down the steps and seemingly sets the camera down on a table as the movement has stopped. In the drop of a hat the room is illuminated and we see her stepping in front of our view and sitting on the couch.
I was getting too loud and he’s been through enough.
She collects herself.
Now where were we?
Oh yes, the stupidity that is my partner this week.
Let me set the record straight with you.
There’s no bond here. There’s not a friendship, and what we have going this week will only borderline be a partnership. We have a common enemy and that’s it. You stopped me from having something that I wanted. I wanted to beat Jessica Reed and Eternity in that match and I was well on my way to doing so before you pranced down to take your shot at a beaten Eternity.
You stuck your nose in my business.
You couldn’t take the high road and challenge her to a match, you had to come down while she was distracted and try to prove your so-called superiority, only it backfired so miserably that I somehow ended up a victim.
So I want you to look me in my eyes.
She leans forward and stares a deep, hard stare into the lens.
You and I will fight these two women in that ring. If you stay out of my way, and manage to keep your ego, ignorance, temper, whatever you call it in check, we will win and both you and I will get what we want. Me teaming with you is a means to an end, and it is an end that I want to be worth it. So as you told me…I will tell you…do NOT screw this up for me.
She reaches forward and cuts the camera feed.
**********
“Being There Part 2”
It was the next morning and I had just woken up. My focus was a bit fuzzy as I slowly opened my eyes to the bright sun peering through the window which caused me to immediately roll over. My hand hit the bed next to me where Mike would normally be, but as I dragged my arm over the sheets I quickly realized he wasn’t there.
I panicked a bit and sat up in bed, glancing over at the bathroom off the room, and there was no sign of him. Looking over at the clock I saw that it was quarter to eight in the morning. I swept myself out of bed and headed out the door and down the stairs. I looked both ways and listened and there was nothing. Not a glimmer, not a footstep, nothing.
I turned and ran back upstairs to my phone. I picked it up and called Mike’s number only to hear it vibrating on the night stand on his side of the bed. I panicked some more as I sat on the edge of the bed.
Where did he go? Why didn’t he take his phone? What state is he in emotionally?
I had never seen him like the previous night. He had never, not been able to fight back tears like that. I didn’t know where he was, who he was with, or what he was doing and to say I was worried would be a severe, massive understatement.
Just as I got ready to call his friend Ray to see if he had heard from him, I heard the front door open and bolted out of the room and down the steps. He was home and I jumped into his arms, nearly knocking the things in his hands out of them. He chuckled a bit as I hung from his neck he slowly walked to the couch.
I didn’t know where you were. After last night, I had some thoughts enter my mind that I don’t even want to talk about, and you didn’t take your phone,
He pulled me off his hips and set me down in front of him as he set the things down on the coffee table.
And…and…and…
He placed his finger over my lips.
Shhhhh, everything is fine.
We sat on the couch together and he leaned forward, grabbing a Starbucks cup from the cup holder, handing it to me. He took a drink of his own and took a sip.
But with last night, and…
He interrupted me abruptly.
It’s fine. I’m not an emotional person as I’m sure you’ve been able to tell. Something like that…like death, it’s just so sudden, so permanent that it takes its toll, especially someone close like that.
I took a sip of my delicious drink and nodded.
I know, and that’s why I want you to know you CAN open up to me. That’s what I’m here for.
He repeated my motion and did the same nod.
I know. There’s just some things in life where you have to deal; some things where I as a person have to take a moment to myself and have that moment alone, that time to breakdown. If a person doesn’t breakdown, they can’t build themselves back up. I thank you for being there. I love you for being there. I hope we’re there for each other for the rest of our lives. That’s why I put that ring on your finger, as a symbol of that devotion, and I’m glad to know, though I already did, that you reciprocate that. I want you to know that everything is fine, and like you said last night…I will push through this.
I scooted closer to him and rested my head on his chest/side area as he wrapped his arm around me as the scene fades.
**********
The camera is set, I’m behind it again, and my loving, caring fiancé, with a cup of Starbucks Frappe Latte in her hand has a little something to say to the newly returned, Isabella Maldini who I think is nothing more than a HOOOOOOOOOOOOOE!
Izzy, Izzy, Izzy…can I call you that? If not…whatever. You came back at the behest of Eternity. You probably felt as if you owed her some sort of gratitude for getting you your job back. You, her, Rayne, you’re nothing more than a pack of rabid dogs who troll through the IWF like it’s your territory.
She grabs a newspaper off the coffee table and rolls it up, whacking the table with a nice thud!
BAD! BAD DOGS!
She tosses the rolled up paper behind her.
You went above and beyond your little objective. You call it crossfire, I call you a liar. Yes Mercedes interrupted my match, but in the end, you three could have taken your frustrations out on her and her alone leaving me and Jess in the ring…
You didn’t.
No, you didn’t because it wasn’t simple crossfire as you may lead the people to believe. It wasn’t a case of wrong place at the wrong time. I won’t argue with anyone who calls you stupid, but you’re not blind. You know who Jessica Reed is. You could see that I was quickly climbing the ranks in the Diamonds Division. You wanted to make a statement, and do so you have.
The mere thought of being beaten down by the three clowns of the Diamonds Division sends a chill up her spine that causes her to shiver until it is gone. She shakes her head from side to side disappointingly.
You three did something else though. You made a statement, you created an action. I hope you realize that statements have counter points. I hope you think long and hard about there being reactions to your action. I hope you imagine me biting your faces off, beating you senseless so that you know how it feels, then twisting you into pretzels until you can no longer handle the pain I’m inflicting on you.
She smiles as she tilts her head to the side.
Then, when all of that is done, and you submit so my superiority, I get a little cookie from Roberto Verona. My team winning means I get a shot at that snarling bitch Ana Valentine. It means I get a chance to truly show the world that I am the best female wrestler in that ring. It’s my opportunity to shine, and if all I have to do is go through the two of you with an idiot as my tag team partner…so be it.
You called it a cheap shot Izzy; a shortcut. I call it revenge. I call it opportunity. I call you a means to an end, and a title shot as an end worth the means.
So like the dogs I compared you to moments ago…you will be tracked down, you will be caged, and because you’re such unruly little bitches with a bark worse than your bite…you’ll simply be put down. Your misery will be ended, and the world will cheer. Then…I can move on to bigger and better things…like becoming Diamonds CHAMPION!
She smiles as the scene fades for the final time.
Well howdy there pardner.