Hard Part's Over...

“HARD PART’S OVER...”

Pro Wrestling Excellence, Victory II (The Consequences)
Triple Threat vs. Lewis Chad Pinkston & Betsy Granger

Cameraperson: Farrah Cornett
On-Camera: Zoey Madigan-Star
Off-Camera: Farrah Cornett, Jimmy Mikowski, Jessamine Jordan, Katalina Star

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Saturday, September 4th, 2021
The Stage of Dreams
Time and Location Unknown

”It was as if I never left...”

The Sorceress Supreme gives volume to her thoughts, presumably with a bit of voice-over magic after the fact. Without a face to red, with shining gold eyes and a smile brighter than the sun, we can only assume that her reminiscing is happening in a pleasant fashion. A montage plays out, with appropriate style and panache thanks to her best friend and videographer, Farrah Cornett. The six-person battle royale, one out of the four, that Zoey took part in, is displayed in such a way as to emphasize the Magical Maiden’s efforts.

”...they still knew my name, cheering me just as hard at Victory as I have ever heard. And why wouldn’t they? Sin City knows my name and applauds my weekly spectacles on the regular. When you look at it that way, one has to admit that familiarity played a part. But I don’t mind. It is when you get no reaction at all that things get bad. And I simply won’t allow that to happen.”

That was certainly her attitude at Victory I; starting things off with a little disappearing act before flying high and driving Tank Ferdinand to the mat, setting up his eventual elimination by Angel, Betsy Granger and Holly Rhodes. From there, she was very much on fire, sending both Angel and Ross Hanson out before eventually being sent over herself by Betsy Granger. The montage freezes there and, after a series of clicking footsteps, Zoey walks out onto what is revealed as a stage. Where and when? That is destined to remain a mystery.

We see her silhouette at first before a spotlight turns on and shines down, illuminating the magician in her full stage regalia. And, thankfully, her smile is most certainly present. Even as she turns to gaze upon the large projection on the screen behind her, to look upon the woman that eliminated her in the first round of the Tournament, the glowing visage persists.

”And on the subject of what will and will not be allowed: Excuses? Not allowed. Frustration? Not allowed. Complacency? Not allowed.”

Though her tone turns stern, Zoey maintains her smile, her positivity. She still hasn’t taken her eyes off Betsy, though.

”Anything less than maximum effort?”

She snaps her fingers, sharply. Off goes the display, the spotlight following. Total darkness reigns for a moment or two. In the darkness Zoey lifts her hand and from it bursts a small bit of fire, enough to illuminate her lovely features, with the flickering shadows brought on by the magical burst giving her an ethereal, dangerously beautiful visage.

”Absolutely NOT allowed!”

Her hand closes, snuffing out the flame and any sight of her.

---

Sunday, September 5th, 2021
Joules & Watts Coffee, Malibu, California
8:37am, Pacific Time

”You know, you’re right.”

”Usually am.”

”Hardy-fuckin’-har. Seriously. We don’t do this nearly enough.”

Zoey Madigan-Star sits at a table by the windows, dressed about as casually as we have ever seen her in cutoffs, adorable little sneakers and a hand-cut top that does more than a little to accentuate her attributes. Next to her is a woman that has been all but invisible for some time, at least as far as wrestling is concerned: sharing some delectable chocolate with her dear friend between the kind of coffee that could melt a bullet is one Farrah Cornett. Usually behind the camera for Zoey, today they are taking advantage of some rare, synchronized downtime to enjoy some time together.

Yes, the Boardwalk Angels are reunited. At least for a coffee date. Not as far as wrestling goes.

Yet.

Dressed almost identically to Zoey, but with a figure not quite as taut as it used to be, Farrah is still gorgeous. And she still has that fire in her eyes that warns people off at a distance. Though for the moment, it isn’t there; Zoey is a calming presence, after all. Until the bell rings.

”That’s because we burn the candle at both ends, hon. Drake’s Landing, Sin City Sorcery, NFW and now PWE soak up a great deal of my time. And you’re pretty much running a media empire on your lonesome on top of your growing family and now following me around with a camera.”

”Are we forgetting your possessive wife and growing little girl in all that? When, exactly, do you sleep?”

”Sleep? You mean blink?”

Farrah burst out laughing, almost sending coffee all over the table. Damn Zoey and her comedic timing! And it is not as if the magician didn’t know what she was doing. She smirks around another bite of the chocolate cake, licking a crumb from her lips deftly.

”You know, that wouldn’t be so damn funny if it weren’t at least partially true.”

”I’m making an effort!”

”How? By napping at traffic lights?!”

Both girls laugh at that one.

”I’m just glad you aren’t down on yourself right now. That was a pretty narrow thing at Victory.”

Smiling gently, Zoey shrugs her shoulders and takes a sip of her tea, pinky extended.

”Betsy was quicker on the draw that night. And good enough to make it to the finals, too. If I had to get dumped in the quarters, at least it was by someone who went all the way.”

”Right, right. Glass half-full. Please don’t ever lose that, Zee.”

”Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Zoey turns her attention to the dessert again, but Farrah is staring at her. Uncharacteristically, the fiery half of the Boardwalk Angels is wearing an expression of concern. She gnaws her bottom lip a little before taking in a slow breath and speaking up.

”You didn’t see anything strange at the show, did you?”

The spoon is still behind Zoey’s lips when she hears the question, her eyes raising.

”I know you were focused on the match, but humor me. Did you get a good look at the crowd at any point?”

Setting the utensil down with a clink, Zoey takes another sip of tea and considers quietly behind the rim of the mug.

”I thought I did for a moment? Like there was someone familiar in the crowd? But it could very well have been someone I met at Sin City Sorcery a few nights before Victory. A lot of folks at the show said they were coming to see Victory, so… yeah, that was probably it.”

”Hmm.”

”Why, did you see something?”

”Eh, nah. Thought I might have, but if you didn’t spot anything I’m sure it was just my imagination.”

A reassuring smile is given from Farrah, but although it looks a bit weak, Zoey does not question it further. As made clear before, it is nice just to have some time together, so why ruin that with worrying? The sorceress holds up her cup and Farrah does the same, the glassware clinking before the two take a soothing sip and resume daintily demolishing the cake. And suddenly we're quite jealous of the chocolate and the spoons...

---

The Madigan-Star Residence, Malibu, California
12:12pm, Pacific Time

Back at home shortly after her brunch with Farrah, Zoey is joined at the deck table by her agent and manager, Jimmy Mikowski and her lawyer, Jessamine Jordan. We’ve all seen Jimmy before, middle-aged and classy with a smile nearly as ever-present as Zoey’s own. Jessamine, however, could not be more different. Attractive, certainly, but very severe. You know those grooves, the nasolabial lines, that go from the corners of the lips toward the nose? Yeah, she’s all but lacking those. No smile lines on this lady.

There’s a briefcase by her chair and a few folders on the table surface. Jimmy is looking through one of them, leaning back in his seat with a cup of coffee in his other hand that he intermittently sips from. Jessamine, her long hair up in a twist to keep the sea breeze from tossing it, is likewise putting a hurtin’ on the thermomolecularly enhanced caffeine drink; thankfully, there’s a heated pot on the table with more. Zoey, on the other hand, has opted for sweet tea as she goes through some paperwork of her own, finally looking to the other two after finishing.

”So… who squealed?”

Jessamine lifts a brow, but Jimmy laughs aloud, his Jersey accent coming through easily.

”Who ya think? That’s a silly question, Zee.”

”I feel like a first-grader who’s been tattled on. You get that, right?”

”People being concerned about you isn’t a bad thing, Zoey.”

If it weren’t for her typical expression, one could be charmed by Jessamine’s slight drawl. Hailing from Georgia, she must have been quite a Southern belle once upon a time.

”And it sounds like they have a right to be, looking over your schedule of both work and travel. Do you ever sleep?”

”Sleep?”

”Oh, God, don’t ask her that, Jess!”

Too late!

”You mean blink?”

Dropping his folder and face-palming, Jimmy shakes his head with a chuckle. Zoey, of course, finds this joke terribly amusing, same as she had with Farrah. Jessamine, however, lifts a brow before adjusting her glasses and looking at the paperwork again.

”That would be funny if it weren’t believable.”

”Tough crowd.”

And off come the glasses. Jimmy sits up a little straighter, sipping more coffee. Zoey, pausing a moment, ratchets down the brightness of her smile.

”Sorry.”

”Zoey, You put in 28 hours a week at Drake’s Landing, adding another eight every other Monday and every other Tuesday. Twenty-six hours between Friday and Saturday for Sin City Sorcery, including rehearsals and travel time, the only reason it isn't more being because you probably break the speed limit for more than half the trip. Every other Monday is set aside for Pro Wrestling Excellence and Tuesdays for New Frontier Wrestling-”

”I’m just a manager in NFW, though! There’s not much work involved there!”

”...except for ten hours of travel on the average, round trip, plus training with your clients and press appearances, the latter two also taking place with PWE, where you DO compete. For now, those shows appear to be local, but if they pick up momentum that is likely to change. You get your share of home time, but according to interested parties, you spend most of that time working, too.”

”I cook and clean! That’s not work, that’s being a good wife! And if you had ever tasted Katalina’s Pop Tart Surprise, you would know what I mean!”

Jimmy almost lets loose a spray of coffee across the table. He can’t help it.

”What in the bluest of hells is Pop Tart Surprise?!”

”I… admit to curiosity myself.”

Zoey laughs softly, shaking her head.

”Okay, so have you ever had Potato Surprise? Where you dump several different flavors of potato chips in a big bag and shake them up a little before putting them in a big bowl?”

”I don’t like where this is going.”

”James, you do have some Alka-Seltzer on you, right?”

”It’s like that. But scarier.”

Jimmy, after refilling his coffee, passes a small blue packet to Jessamine, who empties it into a glass of water. Zoey, still amused, shrugs.

”There’s a point to this, right?”

”The point is that Katalina is worried about you. She asked me to draw up some paperwork that she wants you to sign. For her satisfaction.”

”You’re being vague. Why?”

One might expect another bout of amusement here, but there is none. Jessamine, while slightly uncomfortable as she sips the medicated water, is serious. Jimmy is as well, though his expression is more of a pleading one. Jess hands over the papers to Zoey, who takes a moment to look them over. Exhaling deeply, she gulps down quite a bit of her tea, pinches the bridge of her nose, then lowers her hand and reads the papers again, shuffling through them.

”These are her words. Verbatim.”

”I’m not surprised that you can tell. That is without a doubt the strangest contract I’ve ever drawn up.”

Zoey rubs her face a little after putting the contract back down. Hands folded before her face, she eyes Jimmy first, then Jess.

”Amo questa donna, ma sarà la mia morte.”

Agent and lawyer exchange glances and while they do, Zoey takes up a pen… but before she signs, she looks to Jessamine, directly into her eyes.

”I need to discuss a few things with her before I sign this. There will be… alterations.”

”I cannot say that I am surprised.”

As for the other pieces, Zoey signs them. Contract materials for her wrestling career, her businesses, insurance matters… the usual stuff. Something she tends to once every six months anyhow, but that has been moved up with her new ventures. However, Katalina’s contract...

”May I keep this copy?”

”Shouldn’t be a problem.”

”Yes. If editing is necessary-”

”It will be.”

”-just fax the edited copy to me and I will handle the rest.”

Zoey nods and puts the contract away for later. There is more to discuss, but it will be hard for the magician to keep her focus on that for long. Katalina has some explaining to do!

---

Monday, September 6th, 2021
Magic Hands Parlor (The Dungeon), Malibu, California
3:01pm, Pacific Time

The… Magic Hands Parlor? The Dungeon?

We know, just… please save your questions for later.

From the looks of Zoey, she is not in the mood to answer questions about her extracurricular activities. Dressed in form-fitting black slacks and a buttoned white top, her long hair woven into a taut braid, Zoey actually looks a bit too into whatever she’s doing to be speaking to or about her opponents and match at Victory II. But the red light is blinking and the device is centered, so bring it on, magic lady.

”There is worrying about someone’s well-being, and then there is interfering with their ability to accomplish their goals. The line between the two is not that fine, but it seems that there are those who would try to obliterate it, either out of genuine concern or because they find the reactions that their machinations get amusing. I am here to find out which is which.

Among other things.”

She’s definitely doing something with her hands, there. Something that is scrupulously kept off-camera. A noise is heard off in that direction, but it is almost too quiet to pick up on. Zoey finishes her efforts for the time being, taking a kerchief from her pocket and mopping her brow a bit before nodding firmly. Then she brings a black-gloved hand down firmly against something… and this time there is unmistakably a noise. Two of them when she swings again. But it is still too quiet to ascertain the nature.

”I certainly hope I will not turn on my computer or phone and find out that you, Betsy Granger and Lewis Pinkston, have been worrying about me. And not only because that would be silly. But because you should not be worrying about me but what I can do, see?”

Her expression had been almost as severe as that of her lawyer. But now some of the smile was back. Even so, Zoey was clearly in ‘not-a-lady-to-mess-with’ mode.

”That’s probably crazy talk where you’re concerned, though, right Betsy? Doubtlessly the first comment directed my way when you find yourself in front a camera this week is going to be about how you tossed me at Victory I and, thus, already hold an advantage over me. After all, I was stopped in the quarters and you made it all the way to the finals before coming down with a bad case of the Kaylas.”

Zoey is not making light of this by any stretch; her smile gives way to a visage laden with distaste at the mention of the Dreamkiller.

”Personally, I would have liked to have seen you go all the way, dear. After all, a defeat stings a lot less when it comes from one of the best. Though I suppose you’re still due some props at nearly that level. You did fight your way to the end, all the way to a very game Damian Ayla, who looked as though he was well out of gas before someone, namely Kayla, found that they could not hold their peace. I don’t have to imagine how frustrating that is, Betsy; I’ve been there more than once. Not with Kayla, but it hurts no matter who perpetrates it. It is infuriating. In fact, if I had an inkling that she might have been planning to stick her beak in your business, I would have been the first to snatch her by it and give precious Kayla the ol’ heave-ho.

And since I know she is watching right now, since she’s like the Candygirl of social media in that saying her name three times will make her jump out of your phone and squawk like an arthritic harpy at any slight, real or perceived? Perk those pointed ears up and listen well, Dreamkiller:”

She even beckons the camera closer with one of those supple, gloved fingers.

”Poke your nose in Betsy’s match with myself and Lewis at Victory II and you’ll be seeing more than just stars before the night’s done, sugarbuns. Don’t try this Italian; you don’t have the sauce.”

Somehow, we don’t doubt her. There’s faint commotion off to her left again, prompting Zoey to move off to her right, the camera following as she stops at a locked cabinet, taking a key from around her neck and unlatching it to select something from inside. No, we are not allowed to see what’s in there; stop peeping.

”But back to business. We didn’t get much time to dance at Victory, Betsy. We were too busy eliminating everyone else in our match. So I do not feel it is fair to say that you truly defeated me. That is not an excuse, though; just my perspective. You were faster than me for two seconds, long enough to send me flying and to see yourself advance. You beat me. You did not defeat me. Such is more than a case of semantics. Score a pin or submission on me at Victory II and that would most certainly change some minds. Vindication, my dear. That is what this match is no doubt about for you. That’s a path that should be tread very carefully, though. Vindication, vengeance, revenge, greed… those sorts of motivators can too easily put a person on the road to ruin. They are mistakes. Sometimes we cannot help what we think we need. But you? You should be smart enough to know better.

At Victory II, the confines will be more intimate. Just the three of us: you, myself and Lewis. And I will get to you in a moment, hon. Promise.”

A little wink offered to Lewis from over her shoulder as Zoey scrupulously hides whatever she took from the cabinet against her body and closes it with her free hand, turning the key in the lock again. Back to her original position now, the camera knowing when to stop following.

”My motivation is pure, Betsy. It bears repeating: you made it to the finals. You came within a breath of winning the title. That means you’re a top contender to that championship. That means beating you would be a pretty little boost to my aspirations. That’s MY motivation. It would be a boost to Lewis as well, no doubt. You have a bullseye on your back, Granger, and there’s not a DeLorean fast enough or a TARDIS with a big enough interior to help you get away from it. And before you ask, no, you cannot borrow my Time Turner.”

Because of course she has one, tugging it from within her shirt and smirking as it sparkles in the room’s subdued light.

”So just keep that in mind, won’t you? You’re the prize at Victory II. And I will have no problem showing you exactly what that means when the bell rings. If Lewis gets in my way, I will show him as well. I can get pretty cranky if I don’t get what I want.”

A joke, of course. Then her right hand, the one hiding whatever was taken, raises and lowers like a blur. Definitely a reactive noise from that motion. Probably better, all things considered, that we aren’t shown what’s what.

”Speaking of…”

Another swing and… yes, that was definitely a squeak. A quiet one.

”...hello, Lewis.”

The smile returns, shining and sweet.

”We haven’t even crossed paths before and already they’ve lined us up for a second date! You did hear, correct? The two of us, along with Kayla Richards, Allen Chaney, Chelsea Skye and William Blake Mason, will clash to decide the first Impulse Champion at Victory III.

If you haven’t heard… surprise!

If you have… chances are you’re a bit worried.”

Zoey makes one of those cute little expressions that says “sorry about that, really” while trying to hold back her amusement.

”Especially after your amusing yet ill-advised shenanigans at Victory I. Something tells me that Allen will be looking to do more than just poke you when that battle comes about. But that’s a chat for another time. As I was telling Betsy a few minutes ago, there is quite an opportunity laid before us. Now, you and Betsy had some words last time around and I’m not sticking my nose in that. I’m not like SOME people around here.”

Such a cute smirk!

”But I’m pretty sure I can already hear the rumblings of what you think about magic, especially if your opinion of tarot and palm-reading match your thoughts of all the supernatural, ethereal forces out there. Just because you don’t understand them does not make them less real, sir. You’ll find that I am much the same way, though. If you don’t believe it, ask Tank Ferdinand. While you’re at it, ask Angel and Ross Hanson, too. A wave of the hand, a snap of the fingers, and very suddenly you’ll be a believer, too. Even before the stars stop swirling your pretty little head. Perhaps I am making dangerous assumptions, and you’ll just have to forgive me that, but going by past experiences? You won’t be taking me seriously. Betsy won’t be taking me seriously enough... but she at least knows what she’s getting into. You, my dear, do not. Not yet. So allow a young veteran to offer some friendly advice:

You don’t know anything for sure about someone until you’re in that ring with them. When you lock up, when you start throwing shots, when the heat is turned up and the crowd is going mad? That’s when the learning begins. Of course, that goes both ways; you could turn that back around on me. The difference is that I am adaptable. I’ve been at this a bit longer than you, with gold and other accolades proving my prowess. You’re fighting from behind every time the bell rings, though naturally that won’t last and I will take pleasure in being part of your progression. You will come out of this match better than you came in, Lewis, but the nature of that improvement? Well… you’ll have to settle for it being intangible. No arms getting raised here. Not unless your nickname is the Sorceress Supreme.”

Whatever had been in her right hand, it goes into her belt. But the camera angle keeps it properly out of sight. Zoey folds her arms across her chest and considers quietly, not looking at the camera but at whatever is next to her.

”This is going to be quite the night… so many implications. But I know exactly what I want: all of it.”

Her golden eyes avert back to the camera.

”I want the victory and thus Betsy’s spot in line for the Excellence Championship. Through it, I want to teach Lewis a thing or two and improve him before we have another half-dozen tangle at Victory III. And, of course, I do like the looks of that Impulse Championship, though even winning it would not stop me coveting the belt currently taking up residence on Damian Ayla’s shoulder. But… one task at a time, my friends. Victory II comes before anything else.”

Now she turns to fully face the camera, leaning upon something, perhaps a desk or table, and setting her gloved hands upon the edge.

”I am going to show you exactly who I am, Betsy, and prove your subtle snipes about me to be very incorrect. Hopefully by the time the match is done we’ll both see one another a little clearer, after which I shall enjoy seeing how things progress as we both push ourselves to the top of that proverbial mountain. As for you, Lewis, you know my intentions with you. Just don’t blink, understand? Or you might just miss me at that pivotal moment and find yourself staring up at some very bright lights. The same as I said to Holly Rhodes proves appropriate for you here: I truly want to see what you can become. But you’re going to get some battle scars before you earn the eye of the tiger. Victory II will see me add a few to your person. They will heal, though. And so will you. And you will be better for it.”

Looking to the surface upon which she rests, Zoey reaches out, off-camera, to do… something. The sound we hear next can only be described as a soothed one. Faintly smiling, Zoey addresses the camera and her opponents one last time.

”I speak and act with conviction because I believe in my heart, and know from experience, that I can back it up. No excuses, Betsy. No frustration, Lewis. And absolutely no complacency.

Maximum effort. Mana overdrive. Quickspell engaged. You know what that means. You KNOW what time it is!”

And so do we!

”Time… for the show of a lifetime!”

With a wink, Zoey turns away from the camera at last, her full attention to the other person in the room… but we are not made privy to who it is. The scene quickly fades to black.