Post by Jessica Reed on Jul 20, 2013 23:43:18 GMT
We re-join Jess and Roberto as they slowly approach Massachusetts State House, which is enveloped by long, green vines which have overgrown in the years proceeding the destruction of mankind. Jess walks a few paces behind Roberto who trudges along solemnly, evidently lost in his own thoughts as he tortures himself over yet another death, clearly beginning to lose count of his tragedies. Jess suddenly takes a deep breath and catches up with her unwilling chauffeur.
Jessica Reed: Roberto… I’m really sorry about Isabella… I…
Roberto doesn’t flinch, he just keeps on walking.
Jessica Reed: I wish all of this had never happened…
Suddenly Verona stops, letting out a deep sigh wracked with emotion.
Roberto Verona: You don’t need to apologise, Jess. The Sword of Damocles has been hanging over all of us for years now, me and Izzy just kept playing chicken with it, one of these days it was going to slice through one of us…
Jessica Reed: I know but, it’s still sad.
Roberto Verona: A lot of sad things have happened to a lot of good people, Jess, that some might happen to a guy like me hardly comes as a surprise.
Jessica Reed: What do you mean?
Verona scoffs.
Roberto Verona: I’m a bad man, Jessica. I played a villain for all those years, parading around belts, because it felt so… natural. To be the man everybody hated, it just slotted into place, then everything went to shit… and I’ve not really redeemed myself since.
Jessica Reed: I… erm…
Roberto Verona: There is a reason I left you with the Diamond’s you know, Jess? I know you don’t want to believe me but honestly, I knew you’d have a better chance at making a fresh start somewhere you’d be kept safe than tagging along with me. Quite honestly, I’ve been on a downwards spiral for years and I didn’t wanna drag you down that self-destructive path, if you got bit on my watch I’d have…
Jessica Reed: Well, I got bitten anyway so… I guess you fudged that one up, huh?
Jessica playfully bumps into Verona who smiles for a brief moment, though he quickly conceals it from her.
Roberto Verona: So… how did it happen?
Jessica Reed: The bite? Long story short, my and a girl named Tifa, we were heading to Boston with the Diamond’s when we got trapped in a room with a runner. It got us both and we were so scared, we didn’t know what to do. She said we should have just gone crazy together, that it’d have ben poetic or something… but… as time went by, she developed the symptoms and I… I just never did. Katherine found us both and realised something wasn’t right, she put a bullet in Tifa and dragged me away, I guess it was for the best but…
Suddenly Verona grabs her and yanks her behind a car, raising his finger to his lips.
Roberto Verona: Be very quiet…
Jessica Reed: Why, more runners?
Roberto Verona: Worse… a clicker…
Jessica Reed: Oh man, there is more than one of these things? Twizzle sticks!
Roberto Verona: There’s a lot of things worse than runners out here, Jess… these bastards are a whole other breed of vicious. The virus has distorted their vision, forming disgusting lesions over their eyes making them solely reliant on their hearing. They just stalk whatever hellhole they got left in, always listening, searching for the smallest sign of life and if they think you’re a threat, they dispatch you with such sickening ferocity.
Jessica Reed: So… how do we… you know… “off this mother funker”?
Roberto Verona: Excuse me?
Jessica Reed: How do we lay it out for a permanent three count?
Roberto peers over the bonnet and mutters under his breath. Screwing up his eyes he drags his hand over his face before looking up at the sky.
Roberto Verona: We don’t. Not this one…
Jessica Reed: Why not? I mean, it’s us or them, right?
Roberto Verona: Right, but this is, this is different…
Jessica Reed: How?
Roberto Verona: That’s… Kat…
Jessica Reed: You mean, Miss Conway? Kat Conway?
Roberto Verona: Yeah… as a personal… favour, I always avoid her…
Jessica Reed: But if shes infected now then surely?
Roberto Verona: Just… don’t argue… we need to make it to the front door without alerting her, we have to move like… like ninja’s, or those Assassin’s you used to get excited about… if she hears a single thing, she’ll be on us before we even know it. Come on, it’s just a few feet…
Roberto slowly creeps along the length of a car, reaching for a dirty old bottle just towards the tailpipe. He slowly rolls it towards him carefully before picking it up and tossing it in the opposite direction, immediately catching the attention of Kathy who lets out a tribal scream as she runs towards the source of the sound. Roberto then indicates for Jess to follow him and the pair quickly, yet quietly make their way for the door. Verona finally reaches it but as he goes for the handle, he hears an almighty crash.
Roberto Verona: What the fuck…
He turns and see’s Jess in a heap on the floor, surrounding by a tangled mess of shopping trolleys and other metallic items. He looks over and see’s that Kathy, or what’s left of her, turn around slowly, before gradually picking up pace. Verona rushes down the steps and grabs Jess, yanking her off the ground and pulling her up the stairs as Kathy gets closer and closer. As they reach the doors, Roberto flings it wide open and pushes Jess in but he suddenly feels a pair of hands grab his shoulders. He turns, huirriedly as Kathy snaps at him, trying to bite at whatever she can. The struggle continues before he raises a foot and pushes her off him and down the stairs. Using the brief interlude as best he can he flings himself inside the building and slams the door behind, just as Kathy is only inches away again. The pair sit on the concrete, breathing heavily, as Kathy bangs on the door before slowly, the banging subsides before fading to complete silence, save for the sound of her footsteps as she walks away.
Jessica Reed: That was intense…
Roberto Verona: Are you always this clumsy? Jesus…
Verona lays back before staring around the large entrance hall, which is oddly silent, considering it is the Boston HQ of the Diamonds. He pulls himself to his feet and looks around, calling out but receiving no reply. He screws up his eyes and sighs, realising that whether they were there before or not, the Diamonds have left. He walks over to a desk and shuffles through a few files before producing a sheet of paper, his heart sinking.
Jessica Reed: What’s that?
Roberto Verona: Our next destination…
I…. I’m sorry… I don’t know what came over me.
You can only repress your emotions for so long, I suppose, hiding behind a mask of naïve frivolity… although Berto still hasn’t told me what that means yet. He bought me a dictionary; I used it to prop my TV stand up…
Looking at Kathy’s perfect home life, the happy marriage, the kids... it brought it all flooding back and it seems my dams were busted when I thought there were as strong as mountains…
Which FYI, after all the time I put into this make up, is totally not cool.
Hannah was always his favourite. The golden child, the apple of daddy’s eye, she could do no wrong. He paid for her college fees, showered her with gifts and worshipped the ground she walked on whilst I… I was called a failure.
Because my dreams were less prestigious, he shunned me. Because I wanted to live my life and just be happy he treated me like I didn’t matter. I could never measure up to his perfect little Hannah, no matter how hard I tried.
And, oh boy, did I try.
At school I kept the hell away from boys, knuckled down and did my work even though I was never book smarts and I tried so hard to make him proud of me, but whenever I got a B, she got an A. When I got a special award for hard work, she rescued a kitten from a burning building.
I am not kidding, she really did. That totally put a dampener on my big moment.
Then, the “Italian Devil” waltzed into our lives and life got flipped upside down. Daddy’s little angel was corrupted by the horrible evil Berto, she gave up her legal career to be with him, threw away everything that made him so, so proud of her…
And for some reason I got all the flak for it.
Because he couldn’t run her down for what she’d “done”, he took it out on me. The slightest failure, he’d magnify it and make into some big deal and he’d take away my credit cards and ground me. Me! A 24 year old girl! Home was a complete nightmare, I had given up everything I loved to try and be the daughter he wanted…
My games, my comics… everything that made me feel happy inside.
That’s when I knew, I had to stop living my life for him, and start living my life for me. I’ve wanted to be a professional wrestler since I was a little girl, I remember watching all the greats and dreaming of being like them someday. The fact I get dress up in bad ass costumes just made it all the more alluring!
The cheers of the crowd, the glint on the gold of the belts… the glory, the fame… I wanted it all…
I wanted to be the sister they looked at and thought “Wow, she’s so so awesome!”
And here’s my big chance, to silence a few critics and fulfil my dream journey to glory. Now it is my chance to prove that when I pursue my dreams I can be just as big a success as Hannah or anybody else. I am not just some preppy little ditzy blonde idiot who everybody thinks is really cute and quirky, but I am a genuine wrestler.
One that totally deserves to be called the Diamond’s Champion.
Sure, I guess my little underdog story of redemption and conquest of daddy issues isn’t the first clichéd bit you’ve heard in professional wrestling and I guess every girl this weekend has her own sad motives for trying to win that big belt, but I am all about just being open with everyone.
I wear a smile because for the first time in a very long time.
I am genuinely happy. I am living my dream, for myself and nobody else, except those crazy people who chant my name every single week. This weekend, I am going to slap on whatever feels right, go out there and do everything I can to be the best I can be and even though some may predictably say that my best isn’t good enough…
I’ve proven since I got here, that it is and this weekend, I am going to show everyone that the little girl can do it.
Size, experience, erm… mental unpredictability, I can overcome them all.
I’ve got my scars, like we all have, and maybe I do hide behind a mask from time to time, maybe I am vulnerable, but I am just a girl with a dream. I mean, sure it isn’t the white picket fence, some handsome investment banker or that sorta stuff but who wants to be a domestic goddess when you could have your name in lights?
I want to be Jessica Reed, first ever Diamond’s Champion, not Jess Fitzgerald of Westphalia Ave.
I wanna be the superhero who girls and guys can look up to and say “Wow, if she can do it, maybe I can too?” for my reign to mean something more than just an accolade to wave about like a big flip you to everybody else.
This is the first night of my new life.
Or, you know, something equally as dramatic but a little less corny. Something that Batman would say. Maybe I could even get my own Bat signal!
I think my mood has just lifted!
Squee!
Jess and Roberto walk down an old street, the concrete cracked with plants reaching up towards the sun as pain peels from old shop signs and rusting cars. Verona keeps a watchful view over their surroundings as they carefully navigate their way through the debris.
Jessica Reed: So, this… guy, he’s really going to help us? He honestly owes you a favour?
Roberto Verona: Yeah.
Jessica Reed: And what makes you so sure he’s still alive?
Verona smiles.
Roberto Verona: He’s many things, a vicious bastard, devious, cunning… but most of all he is a survivor, there’s no way he’d be dumb enough to get cornered by infected.
Jessica Reed: You mean like us.
Roberto Verona: Yeah, something like that. Although if you want me to keep you alive, I suggest you stop insulting me. Just because they can’t infect you doesn’t mean they won’t tear you apart.
Jessica Reed: Gross. Thanks.
Roberto Verona: You’re welcome.
Suddenly the pair hear the sound of footsteps rushing towards them as they approach an alleyway. Verona pushes Jess behind him and pulls out his rifle, preparing for runners, who promptly emerge from behind a corner. Bracing himself Roberto goes to squeeze the trigger when suddenly and explosion knocks them both off their feet and onto the floor as pieces of infected fly through the air, a hand landing a few inches next to Jess who screams and scrambles away.
Jessica Reed: What the fudge was that!?
Roberto Verona: One of Jake’s party tricks… you’re going to have to get a lot less squeamish you know…
Jessica Reed: Jake? This friend you’re talking about is Jake?
Suddenly as the smoke begins to clear they see a figure approaching them, a gun in one hand. He emerges from the debris, a gas mask over his face and numerous clips of ammunition dotted about his clothing. He looks at the two before lifting up his mask to reveal the face of none other than the Ace.
Roberto Verona: Speak of the devil…
Jake Conway: Verona, is that you. What the hell brings your piddly ass out here? Do you know how sparse the ingredients are for these explosives?
Roberto Verona: Nice to see you too, Jake.
Jake Conway: Well, spit it out then before any more of these rat bastards come out of the woodwork.
Roberto Verona: I need a favour.
Jake laughs.
Jake Conway: Oh really? The great Roberto Verona needs another favour? What is it this time? Do you want me to take somebody out? Do you need your laundry doing?
Roberto picks himself up.
Roberto Verona: You still owe me, for Louisiana.
Jakes stomps of the floor and curses.
Jake Conway: I knew you’d bring up piddling Louisiana. Fuck… what do you want?
Roberto Verona: I need a vehicle.
Jakes laughs, struggling to control himself.
Jake Conway: A car!? The hell do you think I can produce a working car from? My arse?
Roberto Verona: Can you do it or not?
Jake Conway: Well, we can search the old school for parts in their workshop, but I aint promising anything. I mean petrol isn’t in short supply, but half of these things rusted out months ago.
Roberto Verona: Yes, or no?
Jake Conway: If I say yes, will you leave Louisiana in the past?
Roberto Verona: If it gets me the hell out of here, sure.
Jake paces for a moment, slowly contemplating what to do as Jess lifts herself up, dusting bits of brain off her tops as she almost throws up.
Jake Conway: Fine, deal. Let’s get the hell out of the open and back to my warehouse, we’re going to need a few toys before we go inside the school, hell knows what’s lurking in there nowadays. Bring your little sidekick with you.
Jessica Reed: Hey! I am not a sidekick! I am clearly more of a Wonder Woman than a Robin!
Jake Conway: Whatever you say, tush.
Jessica Reed: Great, another smart ass, just what I need…
Perhaps I owe you a little apology Kathy, you unearthed some pretty ouchy memories just then and I sorta got side tracked on my whole explanation of why Jake isn’t the hindrance.
My bad.
So yeah, I know everybody thinks that because you both draw so much strength from one another it’s sorta setting yourself up for a big failure should you ever split, but then, to me, a stable home life, a happy social life… it all means you can pour your full attentions into your professional life. Knowing that once you go to work you won’t be coming home to another full time job when you get back really takes that pressure off.
You know, no matter what, Mr Ace of Spades will love you. Now you can take off the shackles around those booties and kick some…erm, booties?
Does that work?
I mean, sure, your whole personal life has sorta been drawn into the picture this week with Eternity’s whole kidnapping of Tiffany thing… which I totally had nothing to do with, I mean I told her she needed to expand her social circle, but I was kinda hinting we could hang out some time.. seems she got the wrong end of that stick. Hell I think she got the wrong stick entirely.
But the point remains, you have such a stable home life that you can just let it all out in the middle of that ring safe in the knowledge that you’ve already got your personal dream waiting for you at home.
That is something a lot of people in this business or even watching at home hope for every day.
You both inspire each other to greater heights, you pass knowledge on back and forth, frankly, alongside Aly we all know you’re the favourite to win this thing, especially now Eternity has created some… unpleasantness. I just hope any anger you have won’t carry over into any potential final…
I mean that would put a bit of a strain on the old Conway-Verona alliance.
I know your focus is understandably on Eternity this week, but make no mistake, as much as I am looking forward to testing myself against Miss Gardner, if I face you in the final this week, I am really excited to be able to fight two veterans in one evening. You’ve built up a vast library of experience and that’s something I know I need to work on and what better way than to potentially tackle two of the sport’s biggest names in one night, back to back!
I should be intimidated but I just… I just can’t stop getting so excited!
Maybe somebody slipped something in my coffee…
Wait a sec, what number cup is this… five? Eight?
Who cares!
So I guess, considering that I just touched on Miss Conway, the most obvious next step would be to get back to your Eternity, but I am not going to do that. Instead I am going to talk about cats…
Argh… shoot, I am just not as good at this scatterbrain stuff as you are, I’ll leave it to the professionals.
I mean, I get why you kidnapped Tiffany… I mean, sort of, it’s the whole mindgames people keep trying to teach me and I guess it’s smart, but still… I always thought these sort of things never happened in a wrestling company… well I mean, never “really” happened at any rate. Roberto showed me a few old tapes of NCW which was pretty wild but this…
Girl, I’ll give you one thing, you’ve got the knack for flair!
I’m still a little nervous about which one of your multiple personalities will turn up in the final should we both make it and honestly, it makes planning for any such eventuality almost impossible but I’ve run the variables enough through my head already and now… now it hurts.
Kinda like the brain freeze I got when I got dared to speed eat a Chunky Monkey ice cream.
What I learnt last week, and all the weeks I’ve been fangirling out over how utterly awesome your superpowers are is that I may as well throw out the recognised approach to analysing how to defeat you because quite honestly you could throw anything at me.
A snap suplex. A lightening bolt. A blue fin tuna.
Hey, I am not discounting anything.
Ultimately, I’ve done everything I can to see what style you use, but theirs a mind attached to that moveset and ultimately it is that which controls everything and you’re so chaotic up in that lil noggin of yours that I can’t possible predict what is coming next.
So I am not going to.
I’m just going to take a step back, let you and Miss Conway tear each other to pieces and then cross my fingers I am awaiting to face whatever’s left from that catfight. Then take it from there because trying to figure you out is not something my cute little head is capable of.
I guess it’s most fitting to finish with you, Alysson, what with you being the first hurdle I will need jump over in this little mini-tournament. I stand by my earlier comments, I welcome the opportunity to test myself against you, you are as strong an acid test as I could possibly ask for and Lord knows there isn’t a sane person in the world who will be able to claim I haven’t earned the Diamond’s Championship if I do it by putting you away and then surviving to put away a second incredibly talent girl later in the evening.
It’s going to be a heck of a mountain to climb, but I’ve got my gear and I am ready to test myself.
I’ve studied videos of you in the past, as any “good” wrestler learning her craft should do, you’re one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots and you’ve done more for women entering this career than was ever asked of you. All these things are undeniable.
Whatever you may think of me, and I’m still not entirely sure what with your radio silence as of this moment in time, I’ve seen what it takes for a woman to be respected in this man’s world and for that, I owe you, partly, some thanks, just as much as I do Kathy.
But, as much as I respect and admire you, that only makes me want this even more.
Perhaps calling you one of my idols is a stretch, I mean my idols tend to live in a fantasy world, but when we sit on our beds daydreaming of being somebody else it’s not just because we think they’re awesome, it’s because we want to experience a similar life, or in this respect…
To surpass them.
My dream was always to win the title, but after living with a man like Roberto Verona for over a year… rationally, I know that I shouldn’t just be content with being a world champion, as prestigious as that is. I should be aiming higher, at least, in the future. I know that this is the first step, but perhaps it’s time I stopped seeing it as the only one?
This weekend isn’t the end of a journey, it is just the beginning and you are the first stepping stone on that adventure.
It may not mean an awful lot to you, Alysson, you’ve been here, done that, but to me it means everything. If I win, my dream has been fulfilled, if I lose I have a valuable lesson I can take forward with me. This is my first big pressure match and I am going to approach it like every other one.
With a smile on my face and a spring in my step.
Maybe you dismantle my like the ruthless pro we both know you are or maybe, something magical happens and the lovable underdog will restore everybody’s faith that the good girl can win.
Whatever happens out there, I am going to live in the moment and savour it.
I am Jessica Reed and this will be the best night of my life.
No matter what.
Jessica squeals with excitement.
Nailed it!
Jess, Jake and Roberto slowly approach an old high school which have rapidly fallen into disrepair, windows are broken and the old sign hangs by a thread, creaking in the wind. Jake suddenly rushes ahead, checking if the rear entrance to the workshop is still accessible, leaving Jess and Verona alone momentarily, although the latter clutches tightly to a handgun.
Jessica Reed: So, are you going to tell me?
Roberto Verona: Tell you what?
Jessica Reed: What happened in Louisiana?
Roberto Verona: It’s not important.
Jessica Reed: Oh really? Because it seemed to be important enough to turn old misery guts over there into putty.
Roberto Verona: Let’s just say his wife would have been clicking a lot sooner if I hadn’t risked my neck. Jake Conway may be a total jackass from time to time, but if you protect his wife, he’ll go to the end of the earth for you.
Jessica Reed: Oh man… I was trying to forget about Kathy… did you see what her face looked like? It was like somebody with a nut allergy dived into some peanuts…
Suddenly Jake starts to wave at the pair, but before they join him Verona turns and looks at Jess.
Roberto Verona: Listen, whatever you do, do not mention Kathy to him. There’s a reason he’s shut himself away alone out here and wants shot of us. Just, tread carefully, OK?
Jessica Reed: Figuratively or literally?
Roberto Verona: Both, preferably. Come on.
The pair look left and right before going around a parked school bus and joining Jake at the backdoor to the workshop. Suddenly, they hear the noise of footsteps again and explosions in the distance, though this time it is clearly more than just a couple of runners. Jake quickly opens the door just as the crowd becomes visible at the end of the street. Jess and Roberto rush inside and the trio quickly look for something to barricade the rear door, securing themselves inside from the onrushing hordes.
Roberto Verona: Where the fuck did they come from!?
Jake Conway: I don’t know but let’s just get what we need and then get the hell out of here. We’re already in luck, let’s pray it continues…
Jake points at a car, sheltered from the elements, at the rear of the workshop before rummaging through nearby parts as Jess and Verona nervously keep their eyes on the rear door. Suddenly Jake let’s out an excited yelp as he retrieves something from a pile of scrap. He runs over to the bonnet, which is already open and looks at the engine before punching the air.
Jake Conway: Well I’ll be a damned, the good Lord must be smiling down on you Bertie, these little bastards did a great job on this car, all it needs is a few spark plugs and this baby is good to go. They always keep gas in the tank for testing too! You’re a lucky son of a bitch, you know that.
Roberto Verona: My luck ran out years ago, the old bearded bugger owes me a few favours too…
Jessica Reed: Guys, I don’t mean to alarm you but, I think I just heard something down the corridor…
Jake Conway: Not now tush, we’re almost ready to get this baby purring.
Jessica Reed: Seriously guys something big is coming…
Roberto Verona: Jess, please!
Suddenly the pair freeze as a guttural roar pierces down the corridor, filling both men with intense dread. Jake closes the hood and their both walk over to Jess and stare down the long corridor as a huge figure slowly stomps down towards them, it’s tufts of long red hair gradually becoming visible running down over its bloated body. Growths have burst through a familiar pair of black leather boots and the tattered remains of pink and blue clothes hang from its body as it is flanked by a runner that resembles Spike Kane which walks loyally by her side.
Jake Conway: Jesus, a fucking bloater. Seems you really are shit out of luck.
Jessica Reed: Is that Alysson…and Brad?
Roberto Verona: That was Alysson, now she’s been consumed by the hate and the bile. This is what happens to the infected after months of growth. It maligns every part of their body, causing them to bloat into a hideous wrecking ball, tossing infectious spores at is hapless prey.
Jessica Reed: I just thought her ego had gotten out of control…
Suddenly Jake slams the doors shut and turns to Verona, shouting at him.
Jake Conway: You two, get in the car and get the fuck out of here!
Jessica Reed: What about you?
Jake Conway: I know this town like the back of my hand, I’ll lead them away as best I can. Roberto, consider our debt repaid. The key is in the ignition... go, what the hell are you waiting for!
Jessica quickly rushes into the car, climbing into the driver’s seat as Roberto and Jake rushes to the garage door and begin to frantically pull on the chains.
Roberto Verona: Are you sure about this?
Jake Conway: Of course I’m not fucking sure, but this big nasty brute will be on us in minutes and we both know they can smash the hell out of a car. You two need to get the hell out of here, I’ve got nothing left to live for anyway!
Roberto Verona: You don’t know that!
Jake Conway: She’s dead, Bertie! My whole world came crashing down when my Queen was taken away from me! My kids are God knows where, every day is hell… you… you’ve got this crazy little bitch to live for, she needs you! You owe it to Hannah to keep her safe, I can’t do anything else for Kat… you can do this for her, be the father she’s always needed and the brother she never had! This world is full of bad people who can corrupt her, she needs you!
Roberto Verona: When the fuck did you get you sensible?
Jake Conway: It get pretty damn lonely out here, plenty of time to think… there… that oughta do it, Jess, hit the ignition!
Jess nods and the engine suddenly roars into life as the sound of the bloater draws ever nearer. Jakes pushes Verona towards the passenger’s side as Jess flings the door open.
Jake Conway: Come on, don’t make me shoot you!
Verona goes to climb in the car, but stops momentarily.
Roberto Verona: Jake… she’s in Boston, by the Massachusetts State House… I’ve kept her away from soldiers. If you’re hell bent on dying, at least go out together.
Jake’s eyes visibly well up before he wipes them away with his sleeve and begins to start firing rounds at the bloater before nodding his head. Roberto climbs into the car and bangs the dashboard to indicate for Jess to floor it. The tyres screech and smoke fill the room just as the bloater bursts through the doors, giving Jake the moment he needs to retreat under cover as the pair race out of the workhouse and away from danger. Verona looks back and see’s gunfire but the sound grows fainter and fainter as they get further away and the scene fades to black.
Well howdy there pardner.