A brief pause fills the arena as the audience waits for another segment.
Suddenly, the beginning of the song that sings a familiar “Hum” hits the air waves as the crowd now gives a mixed reaction. “Marionette” continues to play as The longest reigning OCW Womens Champion Furiosa makes her way to the ring.
She gingerly approaches the ring once again with bruises all over her body from the physical assault from TOG just two weeks ago.
She rolls herself into the ring from underneath the ropes and pushes herself up to stand. She is already met by the ring announcer in the middle of the ring. He passes her the mic and Furiosa grabs him by the collar.
She gets ready to push him out of the way but is hesitant. After a moment of thinking about it she finally lets him go. He scurry’s himself out of the way of Furiosa and heads back towards his seat at ringside.
Her music is lowered and you hear just a bit more boos than cheers as Furiosa begins to speak.
Furiosa: I am not in a very pleasant mood folks so I’m going to need some of you to shut up and listen to me very closely.
Furiosa: There seems to be some lack of understanding between me and this other b(beep)ch who thinks she’s running things around here.
Furiosa: All this time I thought La Mujera was the problem with Kasstianity….no no. The problem with Kasstianity is right in front of our doorstep and we didn’t even know it.
Furiosa: “We” meaning me and H2O. Harvey and I didn’t lose The OCW World Titles because of The Cohle’s; we lost it because of Empress.
Furiosa: Since then, Kasstianity has lost their grip on this company. We’re teaching swim lessons to our leader. Our OCW World Heavyweight Champion is fighting ghosts, and the other two are just there!
Furiosa: So while we’re losing the grip we had over this company for a year, you’re quickly getting stronger.
Furiosa: So enough is enough of this foolishness, get your ass out here Empress and face your demon.
Furiosa continues to stand in the ring awaiting the Empress' appearance. The look of annoyance forming on her face as seconds begin to feel like minutes with still no appearance taking place.
Furiosa lifts the mic up to her face but before she has time to say anything, Empress' face appears on the X-Tron.
Emp: Oh Furi, back so soon? Did you get the flowers I sent you? You know I was really hoping to not see you again for a few months or maybe a year. While I worked out my other more important plans. But here you are like a damn roach that won’t go away.
Furiosa: Get your ass out here and fight me!
Emp: Woah..hey..woah..language. Always a raging animal. Furi come on.. Look at yourself, you are in no condition to be challenging anyone to a fight.
Emp: What do I look like beating up a crippled woman. I am a person of higher class and I have to represent OCW and what it stands for. If you haven’t noticed I’m kinda in the middle of a bigger battle here.
Emp paces back and forth waving her arms in the air in an overly expressive manner as if she’s giving a TED Talk Keynote.
Emp: You see Fur ..I can call you that right? You see fur… I am in a 4D chess battle that your mind can’t comprehend. I am fighting for people like you, people that have nothing in OCW without people like me paving the way. I am in a “Battle of the Sexists!” But I wouldn’t expect your tiny little brain to understand.
Emp stops and turns to look at the camera.
Emp: So to put it simply… No..I don’t think I will come down to that ring.
Emp: But, since you are feeling better and it's a fight you are looking for, let's give the people some woman action. So next week on Riot it will be Fur vs a Member of TOG. Which one? I don’t know. We'll find out next week.
Emp: Okay…Baiiiiiii
The X-Tron cuts to black as the camera pans back over to Furiosa standing in the ring with a pissed expression on her face.
But her expression changes suddenly to a smile.
Furiosa: Is this what you call 4D Chess?
Furiosa: You’re nothing but a Rook that sacrifices her pawns. Game on.
Furiosa’s music hits as she throws the mic down and exits the ring.
1 MORE ROUND
C-NOTE vs. ELLIOT PARKER
We find ourselves inside the Kasstian church as Sheldon Tremblay seems to be deep in contemplation. His recent altercations with Aries seem to weigh heavily on the young champion, and for good reason, but he seems to be coping with the pressure.
Sheldon: This is all getting a bit much around here … having aries targeting me, seeing H20 turning his back on our family. It will never be easy, eh? But I won't break down now Kass needs me, this family needs me! I won't break down n–-
Suddenly, the doors to the sanctuary open, and a figure is visible, backlit by the outer light from outside the sanctuary.
Sheldon: Ah, I see you did indeed come. I wondered if you really would visit.
???: Don’t take this as me signing all the way up, now.
Sheldon: Of course, my friend. Now come have a seat, we have things to discuss.
The figure sits down. They’re bigger than Sheldon, but not particularly massive, or anything. Judging by the hooded sweatshirt and medical mask he’s wearing, he doesn’t seem to be keen on the idea of being exposed in this place.
Sheldon: So my friend now that you are here I have an open ear for you tell me about why you wanted to come here I can clearly see that you are troubled, share your burden with me if you want that of course.
???: It seems like you and me have the same trouble, actually, judging by who you’re dealing with, right now… or at least that’s part of it.
???: As for the rest, well… watch Lution. Watch everything that happened before. I screwed up. Bad. And now… well, I don’t think I can fix it.
Sheldon: We are not so different, you and I. We both made mistakes here and there, we simply listened to the wrong people we wanted to be the perfect guys for the people in the back and once they vanished … it broke down above us. These problems can be fixed, you just need to clear your mind. Stop thinking about the past, open your heart, and be who you want to be. If you need help with that, I extend my hand to you. I can help you.
???: Look, you don’t need to hop on my jock, okay? I just want to know what you THINK you can do to help me.
Sheldon: I can come up with some bullet points for sure, my friend. But I require your insurance that you really begin this journey, I am direct here you tend to run and if you do that you make your issues worse…. I'm not forcing you here but if you go through with what I have in mind give me a call ok?
A camera pans the entrance of the backstage area, where a tall, broad-shouldered security guard is standing firmly with his arms crossed, with sunglasses and a cap on despite being indoors. After a moment of nothing, the door in front of him opens from the outside and a small woman steps into frame, partially blocked by the man’s body. Immediately, he steps into her path, blocking her.
Security: Ma’am, no fans allowed in the back.
The woman freezes, looking blankly at him. The camera pans around the man and reveals the woman to be Hifumi Mayoshi, the Joshi talent signed just a few weeks ago. She looks confused as she stares up at the tall man before her.
Hifumi: Nani?
The security sighs.
Security: I said,
The man puts his arms up in a big ‘X’ symbol, then points to the door.
Security: NO FANS. Please exit this area immediately.
This gesture and his continued persistence doesn’t seem to help her understand whatsoever, and she tries to step around him after giving him another confused look. As she does so he grabs ahold of her shoulder and steps in front of her again.
Security: If you refuse to leave this area I will be forced to remove you.
Hifumi’s brows furrow as she tries to process what is going on. Then, after a few moments she replies, smiling at the man.
Hifumi: I… Engrish, no good. Gomen!
She bows in apology and then tries to brush his hand off and step around him again, only to be stopped in place as he gently shoves her back. Her brows furrow again in confusion.
Security: Alright then. You stay put.
He reaches down and pulls a walkie-talkie from his belt.
Security: Hey yo, does anyone here speak anything other than English? Send me somebody who speaks Asian. I don’t know, I got a chinese one here or something. Backstage entrance.
Other Security: You mean Mandarin?
Security: I don’t care what it is, just send me someone who speaks it.
Other Security: You could just kick ‘em out y’know.
Security: She hasn’t resisted.
Other Security: When has that stopped anyone? We gotta amp up our game before Sensation lays us all off.
Security: Well, I’ll do that after! Just send me somebody ASAP.
Other Security: Yeah, yeah. I’ll see if Park is available. He’s not close, but I’ll send him over.
Hifumi stands dumbfounded as the security guard talks into the walkie.
Hifumi: Nani…?
The security slides the walkie back onto his belt and wags a finger at her.
Security: Look, someone who speaks… you… is on the way. So you just stay put. Got that? Stay… put.
He points down at the spot she’s standing.
Hifumi: Eh?...
Security: At this rate we’re going to have to put signs up in every language. Damn liberals… is there even translations for ‘CONTRACTED PERSONNEL ONLY?’ Probably.
He sighs again. Hifumi reaches into her back pocket and pulls out her smartphone, quickly unlocking it.
She opens her picture library and swipes furiously before landing on a picture of her holding a STARGAZERS Star Squad Championship belt alongside then-Power Princess Champion Kameyo Hada and a third wrestler.
The picture looks to be at least two years old, as Kameyo's face is slightly visible - though the camera cannot pick up any of the details and it appears as a blur of pixels. She proudly shows it to the security guard.
Hifumi: Stargazer!...
The man looks at the picture, then sighs.
Security: Yeah, yeah. A lot of women want to work here in the leading brand of wrestling, under JCS’ careful ship-steering. But unless you show me a contract, I can’t let you in, princess.
Hifumi smiles at the word ‘princess.’ Pointing at Kameyo in the picture.
Hifumi: Princess!.. Hai!
The guard frowns.
Security: You with that one? She’s no princess, which means you ain’t either. I may have to get you outta here faster than I thought.
Just then Security Guard Park arrives on the scene, stopping beside the larger security.
Security: Park! Nice, help me hoist her outta here. I think she works for those snobby Asian bastards that’ve been controlling the shows.
Park: Um… that sounds racist.
Security: Don’t get liberal with me just ‘cause you’re one of ‘em too.
Park: Yeup. Anyway, I was sent over to translate?
Security: Ah, right!
He looks at Hifumi expectantly, letting a prolonged and awkward moment of silence happen.
Hifumi: Nani?
The security claps his hands and looks at Park, a smile on his face.
Security: Alright buddy, she’s said that a few times - what’s it mean?
Park sighs.
Park: That means ‘what?’ Y’know, like ‘what’s going on?’ That’s common sense. But uh, she’s Japanese. I’m Korean and was raised here in New York. I can’t translate Japanese for you.
Security: So what? We kick her out?
Park: Yes. We kick her out.
The men grab hold of Hifumi and begin to lift her as she frantically swipes through her phone while shouting indistinctly. The larger man throws her over his shoulder as Park opens the door.
Hifumi: Matte! Matte! Matte!
She slaps at the man's back fruitlessly as he dumps her and her bag to the ground outside. They slam the door shut afterward. After a few moments she collects herself, takes a deep breath and opens the door once again, stepping inside.
Security: Oh my g-
Hifumi shows him another picture. This time, it’s an image of her standing in COO Drago Cesar’s office, both smiling after playing Bad Dudes. Hifumi looks displeased as the man pulls his shades down and takes a closer look at the image.
Security: Why didn’t you just do this to begin with? Park, she’s gonna get me fired.
Park: No, it’ll probably be the racism that gets you fired, Jack.
The men let Hifumi pass. As she walks by she looks at “Jack” and does an Akanbe to taunt him, before carrying on with her night. She quietly curses them as she enters the backstage area and the camera fades to black.
The camera feed cuts in on what appears to be the backstage medical area of the OCW Combat Center, behind an empty chair at an empty folding table. Empty, that is, from the camera-facing side, as there’s clearly someone speaking behind it.
???: Okay, cool, we’re good.
The sound of whoever is speaking sitting in a chair and getting comfortable follows. Then, she speaks again.
???: My name is Dr. Noemie Langley, DO, and I’m here to conduct some secondary assessments for my patient. In the interest of patient privacy, I will not be naming my patient, nor will any of the interviewees. I am recording these at the request of OCW’s HR department for reasons of patient outreach…
Dr. Parks: …as bad of an idea as it seems to be considering this hacker guy running around.
Dr. Parks: Guess I’m just gonna have to hope he doesn’t have an interest in someone’s private medical records. Could we bring in the first interviewee, please?
The door opens, and everyone's favorite fluffy commentator, Jake Allen, joins Dr. Langley in the interview room, taking a seat across the table from the off-screen interviewer.
Dr. Langley: Mr. Allen, thank you for joining me this afternoon.
Jake: Well, Jaysin told me I had to be here, so here I am.
Jake: I kid, I kid. Happy to be of service whenever I can.
Dr. Langley: Do you mind elaborating on the patient’s behavior in the leadup to their departure?
Jake: Ahh, yeah. You know, I always felt so bad for them. I saw so much good in them, but I dunno. I guess that paranoia and self-doubt got to them. I know I’m not alone, so many of us were sad to see how it all… wound up.
Dr. Langley: Did the patient engage in any physical violence towards themselves or others?
Jake appears mildly uncomfortable at the continued questioning.
Jake: Ehh, I… I’m not sure I’m kosher talking about that.
Dr. Langley: I understand your concerns, Mr. Allen, but I assure you, this came from the HR department, not from the General Manager, not from the COO, but from the HR executive. I am trying to help the patient reach a healthier state of mind.
Jake: …Well far be it for me to stand in the way of that.
Jake: Look. It’s not my job to speculate on why this, why that… But most of us who saw them backstage probably have a story about them flying off the handle or pushing away their friends who just wanted to help em.
Jake: I was never *that* close, but I always had polite, friendly exchanges when we saw each other in the halls… As for those who did try and tear down that wall, well… Let’s just say that yes, there were a few violent altercations I needed to be called in to break up. I can’t really say “victimless crimes”, but I dunno. I just felt more sad than angry.
Dr. Langley: … I see. I appreciate your forthrightness, Mr. Allen. Thank you for your time.
Jake: Glad to be of help, Doctor.
With that, Jake leaves the room, and a hand reaches slightly over the camera before the feed cuts out.
TAG TEAM TURMOIL
GRIT & GLORY vs.
PERFECT STORM
We fade into the COO’s office, where the “Best in the World” Drago Cesar is seen sitting at his desk. He folds his hands and looks intently at the camera.
Drago: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m have public service announcement to make. It appear our dear old friend Mugen has abandon his responsibility at catering. Is not surprise. He run away from his job just like he run away from me. Tell me Mugen. How long you gonna keep me chasing you for?
Drago pulls up a globe and places it on his desk. He gives it a spin.
Drago: You travel all over the world thinking you can escape what is coming. But you know and I’m know there is no escape. Let’s think about our past. You and I are inseparable. Our path led us to OCW Championship, almost a tag title, Light Heavyweight Championship….Whether you want to admit or not, we joined at the hip. We had trust with P3. Trust in each other and the fans. But you broke this trust.
He looks off to the side.
Drago: Why? Because you fall head over heel for Empress? Because Kumiko promise you the world? And what that get you? Nothing. All it do is make everyone think you a madman. Heck, she partner with Spider now. She probably more interested in him than you now.
The hunter sighs before wiping his shades with a cloth.
Drago: You know what strange part of all this is? Despite all the thing you say about me….Maybe is my crazy brain but I still consider you friend. You are still my best friend. And the only thing I’m hope for when all this is said and done eventually…
He looks back at the camera and leans forward.
Drago: Is that you come to your senses.
The scene begins in the Server Farm, with BASH sitting at his desk. A room full of different screens each with something else on it. BASH quickly focuses on the screen direct center. A terminal window is racing quickly with lines disappearing as quickly as they appear. BASH is running a reverse lookup on the many IP addresses Ishmael used. The scan completes. BASH reads the results quickly, and runs his hands through his beard before standing up. He pounds his fists on the desk before he exclaims.
BASH:I have found you script kiddie! You thought you could run and hide from the technical genius BASH. Well I have news for you Ishmael, the game is up. No matter where you run, no matter where you hide. BASH will always find you, and the reason is very clear. Your technical skills are no match for mine.
BASH sits back down at his desk and quickly informs the other members of DNS that he will be leaving the Server Farm for a few days.
BASH:Now it is time to prepare for travel.
BASH walks out of his office into another wing of the Server Farm. It is a small bedroom with only a bed, piles of clothes and a neatly packed bag standing out amongst the chaos. BASH walks over, picks up the bag and sling the strap over his shoulder.
BASH:BASH is always prepared when it is time to go.
BASH heads over to the opposite end of the Server Farm. He walks over to the garage and opens the door leading into it. A sprinter van is parked in the garage. BASH walks over and opens the back which reveals a full mobile hacking unit. BASH hops into the back of the van and closes the doors. He turns on his computer and begins to type into it furiously. A few seconds later the Sprinter van started. The garage then opened, and the vehicle began driving away. The van gets a few hundred feet down the road and the camera heads back inside to BASH.
BASH:Now it is time to input our destination.
The scene cuts to static as BASH continues to type with purpose.
