Post by Esperanza Serranto on Dec 1, 2015 3:22:10 GMT
Edward:Faster! Faster! Do you think the slow hands can fight two people at once?!
Esperanza lets out an angry grunt, as she swings her fists, trying to keep the speed bag bouncing in rhythm against the wooden circle holding it up. The rapid fire thudding of the contraption echoes through the re-purposed warehouse, as Esperanza tries her best to speed up her punches. Sweat drips from her torso, and fatigue begins to overtake her body, slowing her hands. She pushes her muscles near their breaking point, ignoring their pained screams of submission.
Edward:I have seen you go faster than that! Let’s go!
Esperanza:God dammit!
She gives one final punch, before grabbing a nearby folding chair and throwing it against the wall. The violent clatter strikes Edward silent.
Esperanza:The fuck you want me to do?! My niece is sittin’ in some fuckin’ government orphanage somewhere scared shitless, and I’m here punchin’ a fuckin’ bag!
Edward:I want you to think of your career! You have a gigantic match coming up, and your head is off in some courtroom somewhere!
Esperanza:How the fuck am I supposed to fight with her out there dealin’ with god knows who doin’ god knows what?
Edward calms himself, taking a breath.
Edward: You must try to remember that there is nothing you can do right now. Consuela would want you to focus on the match. I promise you, she will be just fine.
Esperanza:You ain’t never been in the system. You got no idea what it’s like. She’s just a little girl.
Edward:She is thirteen. She is woman enough to handle herself. You must focus your mind, Esperanza. If you are off in the clouds on Sunday, you will get ripped apart. You are facing some of the best wre-
Esperanza:You don’t gotta fuckin’ tell me, Eddie! I know god damn well who I’m facin’! I’m facin’ the two bitches I ain’t been able to beat. I’m facin’ people who represent my biggest failures so far! I ain’t fuckin’ stupid.
Edward:Then stop acting stupid! Widen your sight. See beyond yourself and your own demons. That’s the only way to survive this match. Do you think Kayla Richards and Alexis Caffrey are obsessing over fighting you? No! They’re worried about winning the match, whatever it takes. That needs to be your mindset!
Esperanza doesn’t have a response. She can only stare. Luckily, a loud knocking on the steel door across the room interrupt the tense silence. With a loud groan, the door opens, and Scott Savage steps in. The tall man is dressed in a three piece black and red suit, his long, ebony locks spilling down over the shoulders. He strides in with an ease that seems to put Edward on edge.
Scott:So sorry for interrupting, but I am afraid I have a photo shoot scheduled for Esperanza across town that we have to make. I know the photographer, and if we’re late I’ll get passive aggressive text messages about it for months. Let’s go.
Esperanza starts to walk toward the door, but Edward yells after them.
Edward:She needs to train!
Scott:I’ll have her back to you quick enough, Eddie. We must be on our way.
Esperanza lifts her arm, smells herself, and shakes her head.
Esperanza:I gotta shower.
Scott:No time. I have moist towelettes in the glove compartment.
Esperanza:A hooker’s bath? Scott-
Scott:Not a hooker’s bath. Hookers get a sink. You’re getting a crack whore’s bath. I did at least manage to grab you a change of clothes.
They emerge into the bright, mid-day sun, quickly rushing across the grass toward Scott’s black SUV. They quickly climb in, and Scott begins speeding them through the old, worn down warehouse district. Esperanza grabs the wet naps out of the glove box, and begins wiping down her neck, chest, and armpits, leaving a pleasing lemony scent. She grabs the clothes that Scott brought, and gives him a glare.
Esperanza:Funny coincidence how you managed to grab the only dress I own.
Scott:Yeah, funny. Please hurry up and change, we have to go over a few things.
She looks around the car, as Scott swerves to avoid a small red convertible cutting him off. He doesn’t shout an expletive, instead opting to growl quietly, and give the man a death glare as he drives past.
Esperanza:And where am I supposed to change?
Scott:Climb in the back seat. My windows are tinted, and you have my word as a gentleman not to look.
Esperanza:Pardon me if I don’t believe you.
Scott:With all due respect, you don’t have much of a choice.
Esperanza considers it for a second, before turning the rear view mirror toward the roof of the car, and climbing over the seats.
Scott:I appreciate the show of faith.
Esperanza:Bitch, I don’t know you!
Scott rolls his eyes, as Esperanza turns her back, and pulls her sweat soaked sports bras up over her head. She quickly slides the black sequined dress down over her body, before pulling her sweat pants and underwear off.
Esperanza:There. Jesus I look ridiculous in this thing.
She climbs back into the passenger seat, allowing Scott to give her a once over.
Scott:You look fine…. I mean fix your hair, but after that, just fine.
She pulls down the vanity mirror, and starts doing her best to do something with her mess of black hair.
Esperanza:Glad you approve. What’s this shoot for anyway?
Scott:Glad you finally joined us. It’s a shoot for Arrogance.
Esperanza:Arrogance… Arrogance… wait a minute? You mean that bikini magazine?
Scott:It’s not just a bikini magazine. They publish interviews and short stories.
Esperanza:Are they interviewing me?
Scott uses the fact that he’s driving as an excuse to avoid eye contact, as he makes a left turn.
Scott:No… no they’re not. It’s just a photo shoot.
Esperanza:And I’ll be wearing…
Scott:...A bikini.
Esperanza:That’s what I thought.
Scott:Look, you need some good press. After losing your last two matches, your stock is no longer on the rise. We need to focus people on some positives.
Esperanza:Meaning my tits.
Scott:...meaning your tits. Look, I know it is not exactly you ideal situation, but the game is dirty, and sometimes we must play whether we like it or not. There are many tools you can use to gain stardom, and a good figure is one of the most powerful. It would be silly to let it go to waste.
Esperanza opens her mouth, but no argument comes out. She lets it close, and stares out the window as towers of glass and steel begin to fly by.
Esperanza:I guess I get it. I ain’t gonna like it, but I get it.
Scott:That is all that I ask.
The rest of the ride goes on in relative silence, as Esperanza works to fix her hair. They eventually pull into a big parking garage, getting almost to the top floor before finding a space. They make their way inside, and don’t take long to enter a large room with a large grouping of lights off to one side. A short, wide shouldered man hurries about, fixing the long, white curtain that hangs in front of the lighting. Scott has to shout to get his attention.
Scott:Hey Ted!
The man looks up, and immediately begins scurrying over to him, smoothing out a few wrinkles in the bright pink button down shirt that covers his muscular torso.
Ted:Jesus, took you long enough. You’re almost late.
Scott:Oh, so it’s going to be one of those afternoons.
Ted:Nah, I took my meds today. Is this your girl?
He turns his attention to Esperanza, giving her a look of disappointment.
Scott:Yes, yes she is. It’s better than it looks.
Esperanza gives him an indignant look, but keeps quiet, promising to herself that she’ll make him pay for it later.
Ted:Head on over to make up. I’m sure they can… fix you.
Esperanza:Let’s hope so. I sho do wanna look good for massa.
Scott:You’re not quite dark enough to use that line, now go. We’ll shoot your vignette while he shoots your magazine spread.
She mutters a few curse words under her breath while walking away. She just manages to overhear the last bit of the conversation between Scott and Ted.
Ted:So what, do she have some Sandra Bullock thing going on or something?
Scott:I told you never to reference Miss Congeniality in my presence again… and yes.
__ _ _ _ ______ _ _ ____
The camera fades in, showing Esperanza Serranto standing on a well lit platform, white backdrop behind her. Flashbulbs go off, as Ted moves around her, snapping photos of her in different poses. She wears a small, black bikini, and seems slightly uncomfortable doing the shoot, but manages to struggle through. While she is posing, she gives a look to the camera, and begins speaking.
Esperanza:Everybody likes to talk about second chances. Second chances for criminals, second chances for relationships, and that’s great. Problem is, seems like I’m goin’ on chance four or five now. I don’t know if y’all been payin’ attention, but ol’ Esperanza’s been gettin’ her ass kicked quite a bit lately, and I gotta tell ya, it’s startin’ to piss me off. It’s a special kinda pissed too. The kind where you’re mad at yourself, so you got nobody else to blame, and that just makes shit worse. I hate this feelin’, man. It’s like a two hundred pound boulder on my fuckin’ back, and I ain’t been able to set it down. That’s why Sunday’s so important. I don’t know if someone upstairs likes me, or if my ass if just lucky, but this week I get the chance to take both of my biggest mistakes, and put them behind me at once… and you can bet your ass I ain’t gonna waste this chance.
Esperanza strikes another pose or two, at one point grabbing a beach ball for no discernible reason. She slowly becomes more comfortable with the shoot, not breaking her stride as she continues to speak.
Esperanza:See, it ain’t that I’m mad I lost. Shit, I lost so many matches in my life I lost count. What I’m mad about is bein’ wrong. I guaranteed victory the last few weeks, and I ain’t delivered. I come close, but in the last few inches I keep gettin’ slapped down. Not this time. This time I go berserker on every last one of these bitches, and take my rightful place at the top of the division. I ain’t gonna sit here and tell you I’m gonna plow through any of them with ease. Kayla, Alexis, and Fiona ain’t pushovers by any stretch. They’re talented as hell, and I’m proud to be in the ring with any of them, let alone all three of them. The thing is, while they’re all good at what they do, ain’t one of them wants it as bad as me. Like I said, I can take a loss, but the last few weeks I looked pretty stupid. and that’s somethin’ I just can’t abide.
Ted gets a few more shots, and hands off the camera to his assistant.
Ted:Ted needs a smoke break. Go ahead and do your thing while I’m out. We can start again when you’re done.
She nods at the photographer, as one of his assistance hurries up behind her, and wraps her in a fluffy white robe. She ties it around herself, and has a seat on a weird, white cube in the middle of the set.
Esperanza: Some girls might be able to walk past it. Some girls might be able to shrug their shoulders and ay ‘Oh well, I was wrong.’ Not me. See, where I come from, your word is everything. If you make a promise, and your ass can’t follow up on it, you ain’t shit. If I fucked up like this in the hood, every last bit of my credibility would be gone. Luckily, we work in a business full of nothin’ but big promises, and only half of them come true. It just don’t sit right with me, that’s why I’m gonna win. I’m starvin’ for a win, and ain’t no win bigger than this one. If I can take out Kayla Richards, Alexis Caffrey, and Fiona McFly all in one shot, ain’t nobody even gonna remember the shit I said. You guys might wanna win, but y’all ain’t got this monkey on your back. You might wanna win… I got no choice.
One of the assistance jumps into frame quick to hand her a bottle of water, and disappears as quickly as she came. Esperanza almost ignores it completely, setting the bottle next to her on the cube.
Esperanza: The first one I wanna talk about is Kayla Richards, the chick that beat my ass twice in a row. You know I been fumin’ ever since that second one. You see it in my eyes every time we pass backstage. You see it in me every time I talk, even if it ain’t got nothin’ to do with you. You know I’m pissed, and you know I’m headin’ straight for you when I get the chance. You’ve known it for weeks. That’s why I don’t feel sorry for your bitch ass. You saw hurricane Esperanza comin’, and you stepped right in my path. That’s brave, and I admire it, but it’s stupid. Honestly, I see your face in my nightmares more than anybody. You’re the one that started this shit. I was doin’ great. I was on a roll ‘til you stepped into the picture. I got my shot too early, and you got the chance to knock my ass right back down. Since then my head ain’t been right… until now. I got my feet back under me, and ain’t shit you can do to stop me this time. Say what you want, do what you want, but the first bitch breaker I got loaded up in the chamber’s got your name written all over it.
She picks up the water bottle and twists it open, taking a few sips before speaking again.
Esperanza: Kayla, the first time, I underestimated you. The second time, you were just the better wrestler. Survival of the Fittest is my night. The Extinction event is my match, my chance to make everything right again. My chance to set myself back on the right track, and I’ll be god damned if I’m gonna let you shit on that for a third time. You probably think you’re just gonna steamroll right over me, and that’s why I’m more dangerous to you than anybody. You might’ve beat me twice, but you don’t learn as much from a win as you do from a loss. Be as cocky as you want, flaunt those two wins everywhere you can, because that all in you past. Your future don’t hold nothin’ but pain.
She stands up, and stretches a bit, walking over the window to look out onto the skyline. Down below, people mill about on the sidewalk, mostly men in suits headed home for the day. You can tell by how quickly most of them walk. She turns back toward the camera, and slowly walks toward it.
Esperanza:Then we got Fiona McFly, the Belfast Bombshell. I like this chick a lot. She’s fun to watch, and she shows a lot of promise. Problem is she’s real young. She ain’t got the kind of experience the rest of us do, so I’m afraid this just ain’t your night, doll. Don’t get it twisted, I got respect for you, and I think you’re gonna be somethin’ someday, but it ain’t gonna be at my expense. See, you’re just gettin’ started in this business. I been here for a while, and before that I was a boxer. Fightin’s what I do. Fightin’s in my blood and in how I was raised. You can come out and have fun and wave to the fans, but at the end of the day, you’re too young not to get your ass murked by a real fighter. I’ll tell you what though, I’m a good person, so after I beat the hell outta you, if you wanna come talk to me, I can give you some tips. I’m just generous like that.
She has a seat again, as the Ted comes back in and starts setting up again. Esperanza has a seat on the cube again, sitting still while she talks so they can re-adjust the lighting.
Esperanza:I mean what I said, Fiona. I really do see a lot of promise in you, and the fans do too. Problem is, promise ain’t shit when you got an angry, rabid bitch like me in the ring with you. I got two of my biggest failures standin’ across the ring from me, I damn ain’t gonna let you be a third one. I gotta say I feel bad for you though. On another night, at another time, you mighta had a real good shot against me, and you still might, but I doubt it. Not now. Not when I got so much ridin’ on this. Not when I’m so god damn hungry. Not when I want it this bad.
They finish with the lighting, and Esperanza sort of stares off into space for a moment, as if in a trance. She shakes her head, waking herself up before she turns to the camera again.
Esperanza:Last, but definitely not least, we got Alexis Caffrey. The Diamond’s champion herself. You know… you had a shot at not pissin’ me off. This coulda been just business, and all I could want outta you would be to get a win back. You made sure that wasn’t the case though, didn’t you? Last week, you coulda beat me with any move in the world, but you chose mine. You took the lights out frog splash from me, and beat me with it. That goes beyond wantin’ the win. When you do that, you’re showin’ nothin’ but disrespect, and that’s where you made your mistake. You didn’t have to piss me off this bad. You didn’t have to poke the bear in the fuckin’ eye. Remember that at Survival of the Fittest.
Ted holds up three fingers to signify three more minutes, and esperanza nods silently. Standing up, she cracks her neck, and stretches her muscles a bit more, before dropping the robe to the ground. One of Ted’s Assistance runs in and grabs it, leaving the scene immediately.
Esperanza:You might be the Diamond’s champion, but you ain’t my champion, and I’ll bet a lot of the fans feel the same way. I’m sick of watchin’ the way you use that title, the title I respect and want more than anything in the world. You don’t stand in front of it, defendin’ it. You hide behind it like a shield, and use it as an accessory. You can hold that belt above your head, but until you actually defend it against me, it don’t mean nothin’. Yeah, you beat me in a non title match, but in the big match, with everything on the line… that’s a different story. You’re gonna get the chance to prove me wrong, but as of right now, I don’t think you’re gonna. You can have a non title win over me. That’s fine. The only win that matters is this week. The only THING that matters is that title. I gotta tell you, you mighta had a shot at this one. You really might, but you fucked that all up last week when you stirred up the hornet’s nest. Enjoy your last little bit of glory. This Sunday, I rip that title outta your hands, and show the whole world why it never really meant anything around your waist in the first place. And that’s the gospel of Esperanza, bitch.
Ted sets up, and starts shooting, capturing the last bit of her promo in still life.
Esperanza:One last thing. You might look at me dressed like this and be a little confused. I kinda am too. I mean, this ain’t exactly been my scene, but I think I realized somethin’ I never knew before I got to this photo shoot. Wins or not, I’m a star. People wanna see me, and so I’m gonna keep takin’ these chances, even if it means doin’ shit like this. I don’t care how many it takes, I’m gonna be the Diamond’s champion. The people wanna see me, and they’re gonna get their chance week after week after week. Kayla, Fiona, Alexis, even if somehow, I don’t win this week, don’t think that’s gonna be the end of me. Nah. Regardless, I’m gonna be a thorn in your side for a long ass time, because the only thing that’s ever gonna matter to me is that Diamond’s championship. You might as well be danglin’ a raw steak in front of a pit bull, cuz I’m about to rip shit up. You ain’t gotta believe me… just watch.
She turns toward Ted, posing for him as the flash bulb continues to flicker. The picture slowly fades to black. Scott Savage sets the camera down, and watches as Ted moves around, catching his newest client from every angle. After h finishes, Esperanza is wrapped in a robe again, and crew members begins tearing down the set.
Ted:Thank you, you were great hon.
He gives her a smile, before turning to Scott, his expression turning to a frown.
Ted:She’s professional as hell, but the next time you shot a vignette during one of my shoots, we’re gonna have a talk.
Scott:Do you ever stop talking?
Ted:Only when my mouth is full.
He winks at Scott, who chuckles despite himself, and waves the man off. He then walks over to Esperanza, who is checking her phone for messages with a look of desperation on her face.
Scott:Hey, what seems to be the trouble?
Esperanza:Oh nothin'.
She pauses, thinking about just leaving it at that, but reconsiders.
Esperanza:You said, when I signed with you, I had your full legal team on my side, right?
Scott:Absolutely. Every resource available to Savage Enterprises is your to exploit. Are you having legal trouble? Do we need to pull some strings and keep you out of jail? We can get a performer’s dispen-
Esperanza:No, no, nothin’ like that. It’s just… my sister got her kid taken away, and the state don’t wanna let ,me take care of her ‘cause of my criminal record.
Scott:Say no more. I will have my team on it in within minutes. Worry not… well, worry about getting dressed. I have a feeling if I don’t get you back soon, Edward won’t be happy. I also have a feeling he won’t be quiet about it. I’ll be in the car.
Esperanza chuckles, and watches as Scott makes his way out of the room. She smiles her first real smile in weeks, feeling a thousand pound weight suddenly lift itself effortlessly from her shoulders.
Esperanza lets out an angry grunt, as she swings her fists, trying to keep the speed bag bouncing in rhythm against the wooden circle holding it up. The rapid fire thudding of the contraption echoes through the re-purposed warehouse, as Esperanza tries her best to speed up her punches. Sweat drips from her torso, and fatigue begins to overtake her body, slowing her hands. She pushes her muscles near their breaking point, ignoring their pained screams of submission.
Edward:I have seen you go faster than that! Let’s go!
Esperanza:God dammit!
She gives one final punch, before grabbing a nearby folding chair and throwing it against the wall. The violent clatter strikes Edward silent.
Esperanza:The fuck you want me to do?! My niece is sittin’ in some fuckin’ government orphanage somewhere scared shitless, and I’m here punchin’ a fuckin’ bag!
Edward:I want you to think of your career! You have a gigantic match coming up, and your head is off in some courtroom somewhere!
Esperanza:How the fuck am I supposed to fight with her out there dealin’ with god knows who doin’ god knows what?
Edward calms himself, taking a breath.
Edward: You must try to remember that there is nothing you can do right now. Consuela would want you to focus on the match. I promise you, she will be just fine.
Esperanza:You ain’t never been in the system. You got no idea what it’s like. She’s just a little girl.
Edward:She is thirteen. She is woman enough to handle herself. You must focus your mind, Esperanza. If you are off in the clouds on Sunday, you will get ripped apart. You are facing some of the best wre-
Esperanza:You don’t gotta fuckin’ tell me, Eddie! I know god damn well who I’m facin’! I’m facin’ the two bitches I ain’t been able to beat. I’m facin’ people who represent my biggest failures so far! I ain’t fuckin’ stupid.
Edward:Then stop acting stupid! Widen your sight. See beyond yourself and your own demons. That’s the only way to survive this match. Do you think Kayla Richards and Alexis Caffrey are obsessing over fighting you? No! They’re worried about winning the match, whatever it takes. That needs to be your mindset!
Esperanza doesn’t have a response. She can only stare. Luckily, a loud knocking on the steel door across the room interrupt the tense silence. With a loud groan, the door opens, and Scott Savage steps in. The tall man is dressed in a three piece black and red suit, his long, ebony locks spilling down over the shoulders. He strides in with an ease that seems to put Edward on edge.
Scott:So sorry for interrupting, but I am afraid I have a photo shoot scheduled for Esperanza across town that we have to make. I know the photographer, and if we’re late I’ll get passive aggressive text messages about it for months. Let’s go.
Esperanza starts to walk toward the door, but Edward yells after them.
Edward:She needs to train!
Scott:I’ll have her back to you quick enough, Eddie. We must be on our way.
Esperanza lifts her arm, smells herself, and shakes her head.
Esperanza:I gotta shower.
Scott:No time. I have moist towelettes in the glove compartment.
Esperanza:A hooker’s bath? Scott-
Scott:Not a hooker’s bath. Hookers get a sink. You’re getting a crack whore’s bath. I did at least manage to grab you a change of clothes.
They emerge into the bright, mid-day sun, quickly rushing across the grass toward Scott’s black SUV. They quickly climb in, and Scott begins speeding them through the old, worn down warehouse district. Esperanza grabs the wet naps out of the glove box, and begins wiping down her neck, chest, and armpits, leaving a pleasing lemony scent. She grabs the clothes that Scott brought, and gives him a glare.
Esperanza:Funny coincidence how you managed to grab the only dress I own.
Scott:Yeah, funny. Please hurry up and change, we have to go over a few things.
She looks around the car, as Scott swerves to avoid a small red convertible cutting him off. He doesn’t shout an expletive, instead opting to growl quietly, and give the man a death glare as he drives past.
Esperanza:And where am I supposed to change?
Scott:Climb in the back seat. My windows are tinted, and you have my word as a gentleman not to look.
Esperanza:Pardon me if I don’t believe you.
Scott:With all due respect, you don’t have much of a choice.
Esperanza considers it for a second, before turning the rear view mirror toward the roof of the car, and climbing over the seats.
Scott:I appreciate the show of faith.
Esperanza:Bitch, I don’t know you!
Scott rolls his eyes, as Esperanza turns her back, and pulls her sweat soaked sports bras up over her head. She quickly slides the black sequined dress down over her body, before pulling her sweat pants and underwear off.
Esperanza:There. Jesus I look ridiculous in this thing.
She climbs back into the passenger seat, allowing Scott to give her a once over.
Scott:You look fine…. I mean fix your hair, but after that, just fine.
She pulls down the vanity mirror, and starts doing her best to do something with her mess of black hair.
Esperanza:Glad you approve. What’s this shoot for anyway?
Scott:Glad you finally joined us. It’s a shoot for Arrogance.
Esperanza:Arrogance… Arrogance… wait a minute? You mean that bikini magazine?
Scott:It’s not just a bikini magazine. They publish interviews and short stories.
Esperanza:Are they interviewing me?
Scott uses the fact that he’s driving as an excuse to avoid eye contact, as he makes a left turn.
Scott:No… no they’re not. It’s just a photo shoot.
Esperanza:And I’ll be wearing…
Scott:...A bikini.
Esperanza:That’s what I thought.
Scott:Look, you need some good press. After losing your last two matches, your stock is no longer on the rise. We need to focus people on some positives.
Esperanza:Meaning my tits.
Scott:...meaning your tits. Look, I know it is not exactly you ideal situation, but the game is dirty, and sometimes we must play whether we like it or not. There are many tools you can use to gain stardom, and a good figure is one of the most powerful. It would be silly to let it go to waste.
Esperanza opens her mouth, but no argument comes out. She lets it close, and stares out the window as towers of glass and steel begin to fly by.
Esperanza:I guess I get it. I ain’t gonna like it, but I get it.
Scott:That is all that I ask.
The rest of the ride goes on in relative silence, as Esperanza works to fix her hair. They eventually pull into a big parking garage, getting almost to the top floor before finding a space. They make their way inside, and don’t take long to enter a large room with a large grouping of lights off to one side. A short, wide shouldered man hurries about, fixing the long, white curtain that hangs in front of the lighting. Scott has to shout to get his attention.
Scott:Hey Ted!
The man looks up, and immediately begins scurrying over to him, smoothing out a few wrinkles in the bright pink button down shirt that covers his muscular torso.
Ted:Jesus, took you long enough. You’re almost late.
Scott:Oh, so it’s going to be one of those afternoons.
Ted:Nah, I took my meds today. Is this your girl?
He turns his attention to Esperanza, giving her a look of disappointment.
Scott:Yes, yes she is. It’s better than it looks.
Esperanza gives him an indignant look, but keeps quiet, promising to herself that she’ll make him pay for it later.
Ted:Head on over to make up. I’m sure they can… fix you.
Esperanza:Let’s hope so. I sho do wanna look good for massa.
Scott:You’re not quite dark enough to use that line, now go. We’ll shoot your vignette while he shoots your magazine spread.
She mutters a few curse words under her breath while walking away. She just manages to overhear the last bit of the conversation between Scott and Ted.
Ted:So what, do she have some Sandra Bullock thing going on or something?
Scott:I told you never to reference Miss Congeniality in my presence again… and yes.
__ _ _ _ ______ _ _ ____
The camera fades in, showing Esperanza Serranto standing on a well lit platform, white backdrop behind her. Flashbulbs go off, as Ted moves around her, snapping photos of her in different poses. She wears a small, black bikini, and seems slightly uncomfortable doing the shoot, but manages to struggle through. While she is posing, she gives a look to the camera, and begins speaking.
Esperanza:Everybody likes to talk about second chances. Second chances for criminals, second chances for relationships, and that’s great. Problem is, seems like I’m goin’ on chance four or five now. I don’t know if y’all been payin’ attention, but ol’ Esperanza’s been gettin’ her ass kicked quite a bit lately, and I gotta tell ya, it’s startin’ to piss me off. It’s a special kinda pissed too. The kind where you’re mad at yourself, so you got nobody else to blame, and that just makes shit worse. I hate this feelin’, man. It’s like a two hundred pound boulder on my fuckin’ back, and I ain’t been able to set it down. That’s why Sunday’s so important. I don’t know if someone upstairs likes me, or if my ass if just lucky, but this week I get the chance to take both of my biggest mistakes, and put them behind me at once… and you can bet your ass I ain’t gonna waste this chance.
Esperanza strikes another pose or two, at one point grabbing a beach ball for no discernible reason. She slowly becomes more comfortable with the shoot, not breaking her stride as she continues to speak.
Esperanza:See, it ain’t that I’m mad I lost. Shit, I lost so many matches in my life I lost count. What I’m mad about is bein’ wrong. I guaranteed victory the last few weeks, and I ain’t delivered. I come close, but in the last few inches I keep gettin’ slapped down. Not this time. This time I go berserker on every last one of these bitches, and take my rightful place at the top of the division. I ain’t gonna sit here and tell you I’m gonna plow through any of them with ease. Kayla, Alexis, and Fiona ain’t pushovers by any stretch. They’re talented as hell, and I’m proud to be in the ring with any of them, let alone all three of them. The thing is, while they’re all good at what they do, ain’t one of them wants it as bad as me. Like I said, I can take a loss, but the last few weeks I looked pretty stupid. and that’s somethin’ I just can’t abide.
Ted gets a few more shots, and hands off the camera to his assistant.
Ted:Ted needs a smoke break. Go ahead and do your thing while I’m out. We can start again when you’re done.
She nods at the photographer, as one of his assistance hurries up behind her, and wraps her in a fluffy white robe. She ties it around herself, and has a seat on a weird, white cube in the middle of the set.
Esperanza: Some girls might be able to walk past it. Some girls might be able to shrug their shoulders and ay ‘Oh well, I was wrong.’ Not me. See, where I come from, your word is everything. If you make a promise, and your ass can’t follow up on it, you ain’t shit. If I fucked up like this in the hood, every last bit of my credibility would be gone. Luckily, we work in a business full of nothin’ but big promises, and only half of them come true. It just don’t sit right with me, that’s why I’m gonna win. I’m starvin’ for a win, and ain’t no win bigger than this one. If I can take out Kayla Richards, Alexis Caffrey, and Fiona McFly all in one shot, ain’t nobody even gonna remember the shit I said. You guys might wanna win, but y’all ain’t got this monkey on your back. You might wanna win… I got no choice.
One of the assistance jumps into frame quick to hand her a bottle of water, and disappears as quickly as she came. Esperanza almost ignores it completely, setting the bottle next to her on the cube.
Esperanza: The first one I wanna talk about is Kayla Richards, the chick that beat my ass twice in a row. You know I been fumin’ ever since that second one. You see it in my eyes every time we pass backstage. You see it in me every time I talk, even if it ain’t got nothin’ to do with you. You know I’m pissed, and you know I’m headin’ straight for you when I get the chance. You’ve known it for weeks. That’s why I don’t feel sorry for your bitch ass. You saw hurricane Esperanza comin’, and you stepped right in my path. That’s brave, and I admire it, but it’s stupid. Honestly, I see your face in my nightmares more than anybody. You’re the one that started this shit. I was doin’ great. I was on a roll ‘til you stepped into the picture. I got my shot too early, and you got the chance to knock my ass right back down. Since then my head ain’t been right… until now. I got my feet back under me, and ain’t shit you can do to stop me this time. Say what you want, do what you want, but the first bitch breaker I got loaded up in the chamber’s got your name written all over it.
She picks up the water bottle and twists it open, taking a few sips before speaking again.
Esperanza: Kayla, the first time, I underestimated you. The second time, you were just the better wrestler. Survival of the Fittest is my night. The Extinction event is my match, my chance to make everything right again. My chance to set myself back on the right track, and I’ll be god damned if I’m gonna let you shit on that for a third time. You probably think you’re just gonna steamroll right over me, and that’s why I’m more dangerous to you than anybody. You might’ve beat me twice, but you don’t learn as much from a win as you do from a loss. Be as cocky as you want, flaunt those two wins everywhere you can, because that all in you past. Your future don’t hold nothin’ but pain.
She stands up, and stretches a bit, walking over the window to look out onto the skyline. Down below, people mill about on the sidewalk, mostly men in suits headed home for the day. You can tell by how quickly most of them walk. She turns back toward the camera, and slowly walks toward it.
Esperanza:Then we got Fiona McFly, the Belfast Bombshell. I like this chick a lot. She’s fun to watch, and she shows a lot of promise. Problem is she’s real young. She ain’t got the kind of experience the rest of us do, so I’m afraid this just ain’t your night, doll. Don’t get it twisted, I got respect for you, and I think you’re gonna be somethin’ someday, but it ain’t gonna be at my expense. See, you’re just gettin’ started in this business. I been here for a while, and before that I was a boxer. Fightin’s what I do. Fightin’s in my blood and in how I was raised. You can come out and have fun and wave to the fans, but at the end of the day, you’re too young not to get your ass murked by a real fighter. I’ll tell you what though, I’m a good person, so after I beat the hell outta you, if you wanna come talk to me, I can give you some tips. I’m just generous like that.
She has a seat again, as the Ted comes back in and starts setting up again. Esperanza has a seat on the cube again, sitting still while she talks so they can re-adjust the lighting.
Esperanza:I mean what I said, Fiona. I really do see a lot of promise in you, and the fans do too. Problem is, promise ain’t shit when you got an angry, rabid bitch like me in the ring with you. I got two of my biggest failures standin’ across the ring from me, I damn ain’t gonna let you be a third one. I gotta say I feel bad for you though. On another night, at another time, you mighta had a real good shot against me, and you still might, but I doubt it. Not now. Not when I got so much ridin’ on this. Not when I’m so god damn hungry. Not when I want it this bad.
They finish with the lighting, and Esperanza sort of stares off into space for a moment, as if in a trance. She shakes her head, waking herself up before she turns to the camera again.
Esperanza:Last, but definitely not least, we got Alexis Caffrey. The Diamond’s champion herself. You know… you had a shot at not pissin’ me off. This coulda been just business, and all I could want outta you would be to get a win back. You made sure that wasn’t the case though, didn’t you? Last week, you coulda beat me with any move in the world, but you chose mine. You took the lights out frog splash from me, and beat me with it. That goes beyond wantin’ the win. When you do that, you’re showin’ nothin’ but disrespect, and that’s where you made your mistake. You didn’t have to piss me off this bad. You didn’t have to poke the bear in the fuckin’ eye. Remember that at Survival of the Fittest.
Ted holds up three fingers to signify three more minutes, and esperanza nods silently. Standing up, she cracks her neck, and stretches her muscles a bit more, before dropping the robe to the ground. One of Ted’s Assistance runs in and grabs it, leaving the scene immediately.
Esperanza:You might be the Diamond’s champion, but you ain’t my champion, and I’ll bet a lot of the fans feel the same way. I’m sick of watchin’ the way you use that title, the title I respect and want more than anything in the world. You don’t stand in front of it, defendin’ it. You hide behind it like a shield, and use it as an accessory. You can hold that belt above your head, but until you actually defend it against me, it don’t mean nothin’. Yeah, you beat me in a non title match, but in the big match, with everything on the line… that’s a different story. You’re gonna get the chance to prove me wrong, but as of right now, I don’t think you’re gonna. You can have a non title win over me. That’s fine. The only win that matters is this week. The only THING that matters is that title. I gotta tell you, you mighta had a shot at this one. You really might, but you fucked that all up last week when you stirred up the hornet’s nest. Enjoy your last little bit of glory. This Sunday, I rip that title outta your hands, and show the whole world why it never really meant anything around your waist in the first place. And that’s the gospel of Esperanza, bitch.
Ted sets up, and starts shooting, capturing the last bit of her promo in still life.
Esperanza:One last thing. You might look at me dressed like this and be a little confused. I kinda am too. I mean, this ain’t exactly been my scene, but I think I realized somethin’ I never knew before I got to this photo shoot. Wins or not, I’m a star. People wanna see me, and so I’m gonna keep takin’ these chances, even if it means doin’ shit like this. I don’t care how many it takes, I’m gonna be the Diamond’s champion. The people wanna see me, and they’re gonna get their chance week after week after week. Kayla, Fiona, Alexis, even if somehow, I don’t win this week, don’t think that’s gonna be the end of me. Nah. Regardless, I’m gonna be a thorn in your side for a long ass time, because the only thing that’s ever gonna matter to me is that Diamond’s championship. You might as well be danglin’ a raw steak in front of a pit bull, cuz I’m about to rip shit up. You ain’t gotta believe me… just watch.
She turns toward Ted, posing for him as the flash bulb continues to flicker. The picture slowly fades to black. Scott Savage sets the camera down, and watches as Ted moves around, catching his newest client from every angle. After h finishes, Esperanza is wrapped in a robe again, and crew members begins tearing down the set.
Ted:Thank you, you were great hon.
He gives her a smile, before turning to Scott, his expression turning to a frown.
Ted:She’s professional as hell, but the next time you shot a vignette during one of my shoots, we’re gonna have a talk.
Scott:Do you ever stop talking?
Ted:Only when my mouth is full.
He winks at Scott, who chuckles despite himself, and waves the man off. He then walks over to Esperanza, who is checking her phone for messages with a look of desperation on her face.
Scott:Hey, what seems to be the trouble?
Esperanza:Oh nothin'.
She pauses, thinking about just leaving it at that, but reconsiders.
Esperanza:You said, when I signed with you, I had your full legal team on my side, right?
Scott:Absolutely. Every resource available to Savage Enterprises is your to exploit. Are you having legal trouble? Do we need to pull some strings and keep you out of jail? We can get a performer’s dispen-
Esperanza:No, no, nothin’ like that. It’s just… my sister got her kid taken away, and the state don’t wanna let ,me take care of her ‘cause of my criminal record.
Scott:Say no more. I will have my team on it in within minutes. Worry not… well, worry about getting dressed. I have a feeling if I don’t get you back soon, Edward won’t be happy. I also have a feeling he won’t be quiet about it. I’ll be in the car.
Esperanza chuckles, and watches as Scott makes his way out of the room. She smiles her first real smile in weeks, feeling a thousand pound weight suddenly lift itself effortlessly from her shoulders.
Well howdy there pardner.