Stardust Video, a few days after Mayhem… “Thanks for meeting me, I know it was short notice.”
“More than welcome. I admit the tone of your message had me a bit concerned, though you’re looking much improved.”
“You saw Mayhem, then. What that punk did to me.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, things were neck and neck until the final stretch. Unfortunately Campos isn’t known for her restraint.”
“How is that crap still so humiliating? I’ve been in this business for more than fifteen goddamned years. I’ve endured shyt that would send these girls running to the safety of a career on Instagram, but somehow it still. F*cking. Hurts. Every single time.”
“Shouldn’t you be more concerned if it stopped hurting? If you can suffer that sort of slight and shrug it off without even gnashing your teeth or punishing the heavy bag--”
“I’m not going to quit. When I leave this place I’m going out on my own terms. Shea can get carried out on her shield if she likes, I’m going with my head held high.”
“Is that why you wanted to talk? You needed someone to bolster your conviction?”
“No offense, but if that’s what I needed you’re the last person I’d call.”
“Understandable. So why
am I here?”
“I need…. a plan, no… a strategy. I hear the whispers in the locker room. Washington exposed me, Goodheart ruined me and now hyenas like Campos are just picking the scraps. A win against me doesn’t mean anything unless I’m sobbing or unconscious after the bell. I used to be the standard bearer in this place. Now I’m not even a stepping stone. I’m just a scalp to take. A trophy to collect.”
“I think that’s a bit grim as far as prognostications go. It’s not as though any of those three just walked over and through you. You’ve got all the skills and experience needed to bring any or all of them low, the problem is--”
“What? What’s my problem?”
“Interrupting, for one. More pertinent to this discussion is this recent over-reliance on stables of underlings. If I’m being brutally honest you haven’t even tried to stand on your own since you decided to kiss Portia’s ri--”
“Oh that’s RICH, coming from you! How many girls have you made--”
“Completely different circumstances and you damned well know it. FAWN was going through an incredibly tumultuous stretch and it needed women who could guide--”
“You to a World Championship? Mission accomplished.”
“Pot, meet kettle. Say what you will about my tactics, but my friends are still my friends all these years later. You? You’ve been through what, three factions and as many personas? And for what? Ride high for a while before you treat someone bad enough that they rebel and kick your--”
“This was a mistake. Always nice to see--”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you wanted a strategy. If you wanted coddling I’m sure Cosette’s still taking your calls.”
“Anyone ever mention your face is infinitely slappable?”
“A few. Now do you want my advice or shall we go our separate ways?”
“…let’s hear it.”
“I appreciate the efforts you’ve taken to refresh yourself, it’s a talent that most women don’t possess and you’ve seemed to do so almost effortlessly. The problem is, each new iteration, each new gimmick, each new stable, takes you a little farther away from the woman that the FAWN Arena once rallied behind like no other.”
“Oh come on, do I still look like some wide-eyed babyface to you? I couldn’t fake that these days even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.”
“What do you have to fake? The grit’s still there. The determination’s still there. The TALENT is still there. You don’t even have to clap hands with anyone, just try not slapping anyone’s face for a few weeks and you might be surprised.”
“Didn’t do me a damned bit of good against that glittering psychopath. Or Pearls, for that matter.”
“Goodheart was motivated, admittedly. You made her chase you, that’s never the best idea with someone of her… erratic sensibilities. As for Campos, you can beat her, the hurtle will be tuning out her trash-talk… and staying away from Marisol, she’s a difference maker.”
“Easier said than done. I’d need to shill out some more of my own money to get someone to watch my back.”
“That’s exactly what you don’t need. You don’t need hired help, you need loyalty and you’ve got a whole building full of people that’d rush to your side if you’d just apolog--”
“What about you?”
“What
about me?”
“Would you second me for a rematch against Luisa?”
“I don’t have a manager’s license and besides--”
“Please, like you couldn’t get one in the blink of an eye.”
“That’s not the point. I’m hardly the woman to help you reclaim your title as leader of the Corps. I’m still of the mind that you don’t NEED a partner, but if you’re dead-set on one I’d suggest--”
“No one else answered.”
“What?”
“No one else answered. Cozy, Kristy, Krystal, hell, I even reached out to Shea. None of them would even agree to meet with me.”
“I see.”
“One night, that’s all I ask. Watch my back while I tend to Campos and that’ll be the end of it. Name your price, money’s no ob--”
“Allow me a counterproposal. One that’s guaranteed to be quite a bit gentler on your bank account.”
“I’m listening.”
“Did you know I’ve been working without a contract for about two years now?”
“No shyt, really? I thought you’d just shifted focus to the front office.”
“I have. There’s very little left for me to accomplish between the ropes and helping grow the FAWN brand is an interesting challenge.”
“If you say so. But I’m not hearing a proposal, counter or otherwise.”
“I’m not willing to stand behind you, but I will stand
beside you. Not as a second, not as an underling, but a partner.”
“Are you screwing with me? The two of us against the world? What’s the catch?”
“Who says there’s a catch?”
“I do. With you, there’s always a catch.”
“In this case it’s more of a caveat, but your point is made. Let’s play a game, you and I. As of this moment, I'm your tag team partner. In fact, should you desire it, I’ll be your partner until we lose a match.”
“…what happens when we lose?”
“I’ll retire, from the ring at least. There’s still much to be done in the front office.”
“That’s an odd incentive. What do you get from it?”
“One last run, of length yet to be determined. A chance to make my mark on the current crop of FAWN talent before I hang the boots up for good.”
“Ok… what do I get?”
“Therein lies the rub. Not only will you get a partner, you’ve effectively got control over the rest of my career.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I’m interested to see what you’ll do with it. Between the two of us I’d imagine there’s more than enough talent to eke out at least a handful of victories, each of which should return a bit more luster to our respective names. But when we eventually lose, and I’m under no illusions that we won’t, you will be faced with a choice. You can shake my hand and allow me to pass through the curtain while you head on to the next phase of your career. Or you can put the boots to me the same way Portia, Jasmine and all the others have done to you as of late. Of course doing so will prove once and for all that you’re not to be trusted by the Corps or anyone else, however sending me off to retirement with a suitable amount of ignominy and disgrace should provide you with suitable leverage for a World Title shot at the very least.”
“You don’t think very highly of me, do you?”
“On the contrary. I hold you in the highest regard, I wouldn’t put the fate of my career in just anyone’s hands, would I?”
“I guess not. What do you think I’ll do?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea. But I’m genuinely interested to find out.”
“So am I. I’ll call Bethany and get the paperwork moving. Those two losers won't know what hit th--"
"Let's hold off on the costume jewelry for a little bit, shall we? It'll give us some time to find our footing as a team...and to let them think about what's coming."
"I...like the way you think. Will call you when it’s set, do you want to get together for a training session in a couple of days?”
“Of course. That’s what partners do after all.”
“That’s going to take some getting used to. But I thank you. Really, thanks Em.”
“You’re more than welcome, Kylie. I’ll see you soon.”
KYLIE SANDERS:
EMILY WEST:
