Post by gvb on Nov 6, 2020 18:55:22 GMT -6
1x04 STRIKE GOLD
The Principal’s Office
November 2nd, 2020
8:00 AM
The Gold Star recipient Tiana Petrova-Hammond was sitting in one of the two chairs placed in front of Gian’s desk. The Principal of the Academy was staring at her without saying a word, almost studying the student, surely intimidating her. Tiana began tapping nervously on the arm pad, her eyes flickering from left to right, looking at anything in the room but the man sitting in front of her. The grating voice coming from the intercom suddenly broke the silence, startling the student.
Tom, Security:
Sir, mister…
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Let him in.
Gian replied to the man watching the entrance gate before he could even end his sentence. Then he looked back at Tiana, a soft smile appearing on his face.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
It looks like we don’t have to wait any longer. I appreciate timeliness, especially when it comes to business meetings.
Tiana simply nodded her head while sinking in her chair, her fingers wrapping tightly around the arms. A red flush rose in her cheeks as she placed her gaze solely at the floor.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I am so sor-...
She was cut off by the door of the office swinging open, a new player to the Academy’s growing cast standing there in a much too expensive suit. He sauntered in, pushing the door closed behind him as he turned to Gianluigi with a million dollar smile.
Lincoln Gray:
Good morning, Tiana, Luigi. Where’s Mario when you need him, am I right?
He continued walking in, taking a moment to pat Tiana on the head as if she was a dog before offering the same hand out to Gian.
Lincoln Gray:
Lincoln Gray, thirty-five, enjoy long walks on the beach in the moonlight, and well aged scotch. So lovely to meet you.
Gian, who forced a fake smile at the Mario and Luigi joke stood up from his chair to shake Lincoln’s hand.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
The pleasure is mine, Lincoln.
He politely said, adjusting his suit before sitting back.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Tiana spoke very fondly of you, I was looking forward to this meeting.
His eyes moved from the man to the young girl, who was still looking at the floor, clearly uneasy in this situation.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
First of all, let me say that we’re very proud of having her here. In this first month she already showed an uncommon talent, but she’s not being complacent. She keeps working hard and listening to her trainers, a true role model and an inspiration for the other students.
Lincoln Gray:
Yes, yes, she’s truly talented and driven, has been for the six years I’ve known her, always first in and last out. But we’re not here to polish her resume. Well, I suppose we are in a way.
Lincoln took his seat while unbuttoning his jacket, turning to face Tiana who hadn’t moved since he walked into the room. He chuckled it off, reading into his jacket to remove a folded bundle of papers.
Lincoln Gray:
I have here a copy of her Academy contract, which you no doubt know like the back of your hand, and a copy of another contract that she’d like to accept for a one off appearance at the end of December.
He slid the papers across the desk, tapping his finger on the top of them.
Lincoln Gray:
Now, she’d be willing to keep up her commitments here, she won’t miss any shows, she won’t skip a match, and she won’t be truant for her lessons. Business as usual, of course. However, she’d require more time with someone who can help her with her Judo.
Tiana coughed, casting a small glare toward her “agent”.
Lincoln Gray:
Right, sorry, JIUJITSU. Is that better, love? Use your voice.
She groaned. Gianluigi looked at the two of them, slightly perplexed at their peculiar relationship. His attention then was drawn to the papers Lincoln left on the desk, obviously not the copy of the Academy contract he knew so well. The other papers were for the Union GP Vice President of Talent Relations and legendary retired fighter Cass Madrigal’s second Submission Madness invitational.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Hmm.
He mumbled as he scrolled through the contract, turning then to his laptop and making a quick search looking for infos about the event.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I see some big names have signed up. Are you sure about this, Tiana?
Lincoln opened his mouth to speak, but Gian cut him off immediately.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
No offense, Lincoln. But I asked her.
Tiana simply nodded, without even a forward glance.
Lincoln Gray:
Oh for the love of… Words, love, words. The last thing we need is for him to think I’m forcing you to enter this tournament.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
WHAT? No!
She sat forward and turned to Lincoln with a glare, then remembered her place. She turned toward Gianluigi while taking a deep breath.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
I mean, okay, martial arts will always be my first love. I love wrestling too, but for six years I’ve trained in jiujitsu, and I want to see where I stack up against some of the best. I’ll probably get my ass beat pretty quick, but I have to know. And Linc is right! I won’t miss anything. I can even rep The Academy! I was already getting some shorts and a gi with the logo...
He never took his eyes off her as she spoke, listening closely and paying particular attention to her micro-expressions and body language.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Have you talked to your team leader about this already?
He then asked her, giving another quick look at the contract.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Lincoln thought it best to come to you first…
Lincoln Gray:
We’ll be going to her in the following days, of course, but the final decision would be yours regardless. Look at her, she needs this, she’d be doing it for dear old dad.
Gian nodded at Lincoln, turning his attention back to Tiana right after.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Make sure you tell her to focus on the ground work in your individual training. I’ll see if I can get someone coming in for a seminary on submissions this month or the next one. Make us proud, Tiana.
Lincoln Gray:
Wonderf-...
Tiana launched herself from her chair, running around the desk and wrapped her arms around the still seated Gianluigi.
Tiana Petrova-Hammond:
Thank you thank you THANK YOU!
Lincoln stood calmly, shaking his head. He sauntered around the desk and grabbed Tiana by the back of her shirt, tugging her away.
Lincoln Gray:
You DON’T hug after a business deal, Ti! You’re EMBARRASSING ME!
Gianluigi looked at Lincoln, not particularly thrilled by his reaction. Still, not wanting to interfere between the agent and his client, he chose a more diplomatic way to express his feelings.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
She will learn the proper etiquette in due time, Lincoln. Her career is only just beginning, you have plenty of time to teach her to seal deals with a handshake.
His tone changed as he spoke to Tiana.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
There’s nothing wrong with a little enthusiasm, Tiana. With that said, you have a good agent by your side. Listen to him, you can learn a lot.
He followed his words with a smile.
The Principal’s Office
November 4th, 2020
10:00 AM
A young woman was sitting inside Gian’s office, alone. She wasn’t one of the students, although on a closer look one could notice a striking resemblance between her and Faith Savell. The door suddenly opened and Gianluigi entered the room, taking off the overcoat he was wearing over his elegant italian suit.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I apologize Josie. My fiancée is taking our daughter to the pediatrician and stopped by for a quick hello.
Shooting a quick glance at the picture of Tobie and Juliette he keeps on his desk, Gian sat down on his chair. His eyes then moved to the woman on the other side, Josie Hilliker. Josie, who was wearing a blue blouse and black skirt, gave Gian a smile and a nod.
Josie Hilliker:
You don’t have to apologize to me, Mr. Vaccaro. Family always comes first and that’s exactly why I’m here today.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I understand that.
Gian replied without looking at his interlocutor, sorting out some papers on his desk instead.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
And you know our stance about the matter. There’s a set of rules every student subscribed to when they signed up and must abide by. One of them clearly states that no one outside of the student body and the Academy personnel is allowed inside the structure.
He spoke those words looking right in her eyes, his tone of voice professional but somewhat cold.
Josie Hilliker:
I understand the rules and well...
Josie let out a light laugh and shook her head.
Josie Hilliker:
Can you do me a favor and cut the hard ass act? I’m not the enemy here. I understand you’ve had people betray you and come at you sideways when you’ve been in a position of power but I asked nicely to come talk this whole situation out with you. But until you relax and stop having that ridiculous barrier or yours up? We’ll get nothing done here and you truly won’t hear me out and give me a fair shake.
Josie leaned forward, her eyes confidently on Gian’s, showing that despite her age, she had the confidence of a Savell coursing through her veins.
Josie Hilliker:
So what’s it going to be, Gian?
Gianluigi didn’t even flinch, staring right back at Josie. After a moment of silence in which he clearly studied the young girl, reflecting on her words and paying attention to her body language, he stood up from his chair and offered her his hand.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I guess we’re done here then. Thanks for your time, Josie.
The young girl looked at his hand, then up to him. He was dead serious, not even a glimpse of a smile on his face as he dismissed her so quickly. For a moment she was almost paralyzed, unable to act or speak, completely taken aback by this unexpected reaction. Gian never took his eyes off her, his expression unchanging. A few seconds passed before he sat back on his chair.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
This would have been how this conversation would have ended 99 times out of 100. You came to me, asking me to ignore the rules I set and didn’t offer me anything that could make me even consider the option. Step in my shoes for a moment, why would I even listen at this point when you showed me nothing but some attitude? Why would I change something that so far has worked perfectly and set a precedent that could be detrimental to the equilibrium of the whole Academy system?
Josie opened her mouth to say something but he stopped her by simply raising his finger.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
You said you want to represent your cousin and be her manager. Then you should know that, when asking something to the management, you set the tone of the conversation. This ridiculous barrier I put up was risen because you tried to override me and announce that you’ll be accompanying her to the ring, without even consulting and, as we already proved, with no grounds to do so. When confronted, you kept attacking, even threatening to have Riley Savell getting involved, as if that would change anything.
The young girl is starting to realize what Gian was doing here. All the hostility he showed so far was hiding a lesson.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Smart management often has you at the sharp end of the knife. Attacking them is rarely the best course of action for your client, you can have all the best intentions, but the risk is to reach a stalemate. And that’s what you want to avoid, if you really want to change things.
He leaned back on his chair, now looking more relaxed. Clasping his hands in front of his face, he smiled slightly at the girl.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
You need to work on your diplomatic skills, Josie. Anyway, let’s hear what you have to say.
Josie leaned back in her chair now as well, letting all of Gianluigi’s words process over her. She took a moment before she nodded in agreement.
Josie Hilliker:
You’re completely right, Gian, and that’s why I’m here. Yes, I do want to represent my cousin, Faith, but I also want to learn as well. I understand that this class is full but if you let me stick around, I’ll take whatever classes I have to take but most of all? I’d want to learn under you. It’s obvious that your business acumen and ways of dealing in a hostile environment such as this, that the best place for me to learn is from you. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.
Josie’s guard was down now as her knee jumped up and down under the table from her nerves. She’s never put herself out there quite like this before and it made her feel more nervous than she ever felt before. She was used to getting her way, so the prospect of being shot down made her a wreck.
He took a long moment to think, his eyes glued on the young girl in front of him. He didn’t even need to see her leg twitching under the table to tell that she was agitated. But he could also tell that her desire to learn and improve was honest. He didn’t reply to her though, standing up from his chair and walking to the bookshelf on the opposite wall. Josie followed his movements with her eyes, watching him scrolling through the numerous books there and picking up two of them. He then walked back to the desk, putting them in front of Josie. She looked down, reading the titles. Sun Tzu’s “The Art Of War” and Macchiavelli’s “The Prince”.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Most of the things I know, I learned them from those two books. You can have them.
He said as he sat back down on his side of the table.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
You will follow The Academy rules as everyone else, attend the classes in the morning like every other student and some of the afternoon wrestling classes as well. Knowing how to defend yourself could come in handy in certain situations.
Josie looked back at him, now seemingly more relaxed as Gian was listing his conditions for her to join.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I never thought of myself as a teacher, but I can share my experience and knowledge with you. And you will only be in your cousin’s corner when I deem you ready.
Josie looked away for a moment, a small smile creeping up on the corner of her lips before she caught herself and looked back at Gian and nodded.
Josie Hilliker:
I knew you were as smart as you looked.
She giggled before picking up the two books and furrowing her brow.
Josie Hilliker:
Looks like I have some reading to do. Do they have these on audio tape?
She laughed and shook her head.
Josie Hilliker:
I’m only kidding, of course! But yes, I’m ready to follow your lead and your rules. This can be a fun and new experience for the both of us! Just don’t let me take up too much of your baby and baby momma time!
Josie let out another light laugh, showing that she had become comfortable around Gian already.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
As you said, family always comes first.
He replied back with a smile, before adding something else.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
I need to talk to the two Team Leaders first, this decision will affect them as well. But I don’t think they will have any objection to this. I’ll call you back in the next day or two, if everything goes our way, you will start next monday.
Josie Hilliker:
Awesome!
She leaped up from her chair and walked over to Gian who went to shake her hand but she gave him a quick hug.
Josie Hilliker:
Thank you! I’ll make sure this is going to be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made!
He smiled down at her, waiting for her to pull back from that quick hug to add.
Gianluigi Vaccaro:
Show this same enthusiasm after the first boring lessons and I won’t regret it. I’ll be in touch, hopefully I’ll see you here Monday morning.
The Classroom
November 4th, 2020
12:01 PM
Class has been dismissed for the day. Faziah Marshall believes she is all alone as she blankly looks outside the window into the courtyard. A sigh escapes her. The past couple weeks hasn’t been pleasant for the woman who has proclaimed she is the Original Best At Everything (B.A.E for short).
Meanwhile at the back of the class, Millie Smith is struggling to get her bag up. She looks down at the problem and sees it’s trapped underneath a table leg. After she removes it, she looks around to find she’s the only one left in the classroom aside Faz. Millie can’t help but notice she’s off. Something is troubling her. After Millie slings her bag to hang on her right arm, covered by her baggy deep blue Disney’s Stitch hoody. The young and shy Smith daughter inhales sharply, trying to figure out the right words to say, worrying about getting shrugged off, or completely ignored. The worry forces Millie to swallow hard, and she turns away from Faith. Just as she’s opting for the easy route, Millie stops herself. She spins back around on the heels of her black sneakers with blue and purple laces to force herself to interact.
Millie S:
Hey.
And Millie shuts her eyes tightly, given Faz had her back to Millie she wouldn’t see Millie’s instant regret face for speaking up to her soon to be opponent.
Faizah looks over her shoulder to confirm who is speaking to her. She raises an eyebrow in mild surprise that it is one half of the duo that is going to defend Tag Team Titles against her later on in the week. Faizah turns her head to stare out into space. In a sarcastic tone she says.
Faizah Marshall:
Careful, you don’t want to be seen fraternizing with the enemy.
Millie S:
Eep
Millie utters under her breath, as she didn’t expect the sarcasm. She takes a small step back, but she continues.
Millie S:
You have something on your mind?
Faizah sighs. She turns around to look directly at Millie Smith. Tilting her head to the side trying to size Millie up.
Faizah Marshall:
Why do you care?
Millie’s nerves hit an all time high. She clutches the draw strings of her hoody and wants nothing more than to pull them to hide her face and disappear. She finds herself unable to really respond, opening her mouth slightly but no words come out.
From what little Faziah knew of Millie from their weeks in class, one thing did stand out and it was proving itself here, Millie is the quiet type. Underestimated how quiet this is their first real interaction. Opting to show some mercy on the girl, Faizah breaks the silence between them.
Faizah Marshall:
Well if you really want to know... I can’t stand the fact Faith got one over on me, bad enough she won the battle royal, to add insult to injury she eliminated me. The ego on that bitch... it’s infuriating. In a couple days I get to team up with her boytoy, The Kid, who clearly doesn’t like me for no good reason. I have no love for him either. Not like I am telling you something you don’t already know. Bet you and Amelia are licking your lips at the very thought of me teaming with another one of my teammates I can’t stand. Not like the others are any better. Do you have any idea what it feels like to be the Black Sheep of your own damn team?
Faizah rolls her eyes. Raising her voice slightly she screams out. Millie’s eyes widen a little bit and is visibly startled by the scream and sheer volume.
Faizah Marshall:
Jesus, why am I telling you any of this? I have to kick your ass this week.”
Millie S: “I don’t.
Millie says replying to the Black Sheep question, although the pause was because Millie wondered if it was a moot question. Her cheeks get a little redder worrying about that.
Millie S:
But you will get a chance to face Faith again, maybe.
She puts her hands together. Her black nail polish, two rings, both hands entirely, completely shrouded by her sleeves so no one could see her nervously fiddle with her ring on her index finger.
Millie S:
Maybe being the Black Sheep is an opportunity.
As Millie felt like trying to disagree with Faiz’s feelings would make an argument, and that would make Millie’s flee instinct kick in. She felt she was making progress and they were connecting.
Faizah runs her fingers through her thick curly hair. She didn’t know what to make of Millie exactly. It was feeling good to talk to someone.
Faizah Marshall:
Only one opportunity matters to me, winning the tag team titles. I can deal with being the Black Sheep. After this Academy experiment is over, not like I am going to see most of them anyway. Speaking of opportunities, Friday is one for you too. Luna is a big deal in Millennium. Champion extraordinaire. Where do you have to bring to the dinner table? No gold stars to speak of. You should be as frustrated as me with nothing really going your way.
It stung a little to hear that, as Luna was quite the bragger over being a champion in Millennium. Her other sister Bree was celebrated for the tag team title especially by her dad who also showed off her other brother Dean to all his friends, when he was Invictus Champion. Millie didn’t really have that news
Millie S:
You’re right.
Millie continues to fiddle with her ring, but she losses all eye contact with Faiz; opting instead to look at her feet.
Millie S:
I would like to be an extraordinaire.
She says this a little softer than before.
It isn’t lost on Faizah that Millie is looking at her feet. The self proclaimed “Best At Everything” places a hand on Millie’s shoulder. Even though Millie can’t see Faizah smile, a smile forms on her face.
Faizah Marshall:
Millie... I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my frustrations out on you. What I should do is whoop the ass of the girl who deserves my wrath. But I can’t, not right now. All I want to do is win, doesn’t mean I need to be a jerk. We may be opponents. Have the same desire to win. At the end of the day we are here to learn. Compete. Graduate. All that good stuff. Look. I appreciate you asking what is on my mind. Can I give you a piece of advice?
Millie looks up at Faizah, not one to turn down any advice if it could help her. She pushes a few strands of her blonde hair out of her eyes because they’d fallen in front of her face.
Millie S:
Ok.
Millie nods slightly, and hugs her right arm a little to show she still had some nerves rattling around on her.
Faizah uses the hand that isn’t still resting on Millie’s shoulder to point to her own head.
Faizah Marshall:
It all starts up here. The power of belief. You need to believe one thousand percent that you are a world killer. Gonna take time for that belief to settle in. I can smell your nervousness from a mile away. I believe with all my heart that I am the best at everything. Might not be literally true. My track record so far doesn’t exactly inspire belief from other people. The only person you need to convince of anything is you.
Faizah removes the hand she has on Millie’s shoulder to point directly at her.
Faizah Marshall: “Once you convince yourself you can do anything, the rest will follow. Marathon, not a sprint and all that jazz. I don’t know why you are the way you are. We can probably talk for hours on end about that some other time. From what I’ve seen so far, you got what it takes. Do you. Believe. Think you can do that?
Millie tries to hide the wide eyed look about going into her shyness in a talk that lasts hours, and having all that spotlight. She tries to hide it by nodding, clearing her throat softly, and looks at the board they’d spent watching matches and learning bits and pieces of theory.
Millie S:
I think so. I will.
Millie then turns to the give Faizah eye contact.
Millie S:
I will do that.
She tries to show some decisiveness there.
Millie S:
I’ll try and show you in our tag match that I can be Marathon Millie.
Faizah Marshall:
I do want my royalty check if Marathon Millie becomes a household sensation.
Faizah does chuckle at her own comment.
Faizah Marshall:
But anyway, I’m heading to the gym, unless you have somewhere else you need to be, care to join?
Millie’s first instinct is to say no, but she stops herself. She ponders the gym, she never liked going with people there, worrying about them judging her or worse. However, she tries to be an optimized like her cousin Honey who’d gotten to World Champion status in Liberty.
Millie S:
We can go to the gym. I think Amelia is there too.
Faizah Marshall:
Cool. Lets go.
Faizah walks over to the table she was sitting at to grab her bag. She makes her way out of the classroom. However she stops at the door waiting for Millie to join her. Millie discreetly takes big breathe and makes sure she has her bag that held her up. She spins back around slowly, and heads on out the class with her opponent to meet her tag partner at the gym, and prepare for the big show.
The Lunchroom
November 5th, 2020
1:15 PM
Faith Savell was amusing herself close to the lunchroom. She seemed to be holding court with a few of the Academy personnel and was soaking in every second of attention. Batting her eyes and laughing, she even ran a finger down the cheek of a young man to her left. She then spotted the camera and quickly fluttered her hands at them to back off, giving the camera her full attention.
Faith Savell:
I know what you’re all thinking, finally, FINALLY The Academy is going to have someone at the top they can be proud of. A face that will sell a thousand t-shirts. And you’re right, I’ve sat back and allowed others to have their moment and now? It’s MY turn. I’m clearly the most talented wrestler in the academy. Ask any of the coaches and they’ll tell you the same thing! After all, the only jealousy about who got who on their team was over me… Even Gian knows it’s smart to keep me happy.
She quickly brought a finger to her lips as though she was about to spill a secret.
Faith Savell:
Ooops… Spoilers!
Olly:
Looks like you have everyone in your pocket, Princess.
The member of Team Ali and former Personal Assistant of Faith for a week walked into the scene, smirking at the young woman.
Olly:
I’m curious now, what did the big man do to keep you happy?
He asked maliciously. Leaning her head back a little she smiled up at Olly and took a long, slow breath as though she was keeping him waiting and broke into a small laugh.
Faith Savell:
Play your cards right and I might tell you… I’m glad you’re here, you can wish me good luck. Not because I need it but because we BOTH know you don’t want that loser mail order wrestler winning…
Olly chuckled, stepping closer to Faith. His reputation as a troublemaker seemed to precede him, and all the boys who were surrounding the young Savell took it as their cue to leave.
Olly:
Who, Ti? Come on, she ain’t that bad…
He said with a cryptic smile.
Olly:
I have no horse in this race, Faith. None of you is in my team so I don’t particularly care who will be the Gold Star tomorrow night. Not until it’ll be my turn to face them.
Faith looked up into his face and smiled in a coy way, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Faith Savell:
And last week was what? A happy coincidence? Because I don’t much believe in those… it’s okay Olly, I won’t spoil that tough guy image just yet but…
She paused to briefly bite her bottom lip as though she was holding her thought for a moment or two.
Faith Savell:
I know you want to see me standing tall out there with that belt strapped around my waist. And it wouldn’t matter who I was facing to get it.
Olly:
Are you saying I purposely helped you win the battle royal?
He asked, opening his mouth in an exaggerated shocked expression.
Olly:
I just put too much strength in that clothesline and took out myself in the process, that’s it. And while I’m sure you’ll look great with the title around your waist, that’s my goal as well. Why would I favor you in any way?
Everything, from the tone of his voice to his body language seemed to be in contrast to the message he was sending. If his words were saying that they were in competition for the ultimate prize in The Academy, he looked like he was actually asking what would be in for him if he actually favored her.
Sliding up out of her seat and drawing up to stand eye to eye with him, Faith leaned in a little closer, a smile pulling at her lips as they almost brushed his ear as she formed the words.
Faith Savell:
Stick around and find out…
She then playfully booped him on the nose and winked, turning on her heels she started to walk away and looked back over her shoulder one last time.
Faith Savell:
Well, are you gonna wish me luck?
Olly shook his head, smiling at the girl.
Olly:
Sure. Good luck, Princess. And may the best one win tomorrow night.
She gave him another quick wink before she turned back the way she was walking and headed off down the hall.
The Gym
November 6th, 2020
4:46 PM
Friday afternoon at the Academy means one thing. It’s show day and, as tradition, those who are not booked to compete were setting up the ring for their fellow students. By now everything was pretty much done, with the show set to start in less than an hour. Olly and Dez Ali were the only ones left there, and while the son of team Ali’s leader was checking the ropes and making sure all the protective pads were strapped regularly, Olly was sitting on the barricade munching Hot Cheetos.
Olly:
How the mighty have fallen… From being the self-proclaimed MVP of Team Ali to grunt work in two weeks. Quite the career you’re having here, Dez…
He mocked his fellow team member, even throwing a chip at him. Dez pauses on what he was doing and looks at Olly.
Dez Ali:
If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here stuck in community service with you. This is your fault Olly, I suppose to be on this show, not setting it up with you as a punishment.
While Dez moved focus from the ropes and towards the turnbuckles, he stopped once more and looked at Olly munching on his Hot Cheetos.
Dez Ali:
So you're just going to sit there, get fat off of Cheetos while I do all the hard work that you and only you, suppose to be doing.
Oliver let out a soft chuckle, throwing a cheeto high in the air and leaning his head back, letting it fall right in his mouth.
Olly:
Well, you got me pal.
He said laughing at Dez.
Olly:
It’s called optimizing resources, Dezzy. Hard work isn’t for me, I’m the brains of the team while you, my friend, you’re the muscle. So while you do what you do best and prepare yourself for an illustrious career as a stagehand, I’m coming up with ways to ensure that Team Ali will keep thriving. God knows we need my genius because the results have been disappointing so far…
His words seemed to be getting under Dez’ skin, and the Boston born was about to say something, but Olly cut him short.
Olly:
Now, can you please shut up? I need to focus.
Dez Ali:
No! No I'm not going to shut up. First of all who the hell do you think you are barking orders at me to shut up? I'm Dez Ali, I'm The MVP, The Most Valuable Player on Team Ali, don't ever forget that Olly. Secondly Team Ali is champions because of me, dealing with your screw up.
Olly kept on eating, with more focus on the Cheetos than on Dez Ali, which only has gotten under the skin of Dez.
Dez Ali:
Bro I'm talking to you, look at me when I talk to you.
This caught the attention of Olly for a couple seconds.
Dez Ali:
If you're so smart, if you're so good, how many matches have you won for Team Ali?
The young man shrugged his shoulders.
Olly:
More than just winning matches wrestling is, my young padawan.
He spoke in a poor Yoda impression, going back to his chips.
Olly:
I make things happen, Dez. You may not see it, but your old man surely did. That’s why he said I was the MVP. I didn’t fight that match two weeks ago, but I took The Kid out of the equation, serving you and Amelia the win on a silver platter. Think about it, you could have faced a team of two people who have been training together and know one another so well instead you took on two people who despise each other. You’re welcome for that by the way.
He winked at Ali.
Olly:
I’m not booked tonight but don’t worry. I’ll make sure to turn things in our favor, again.
Fuming, knowing his ego was under attack, Dez put that aside now realizing Olly has bigger things on mind than attacking The MVP's ego.
Dez Ali:
What do you mean, you're going to make sure to turn things in our favour? You're up to something, spill it.
Olly:
Nah, you would screw everything up, as always.
He grabbed another hot cheeto and, after inspecting it closely, he threw it at Dez, missing him. The chip landed on the apron, Olly pointed his finger at it and said.
Olly:
You’re not leaving it there, are you? You heard the boss, the ring has to be perfect tonight.
With a devious smirk, he turned the bag of chips upside down, dropping the last few cheetos on the floor.
Olly:
And ringside as well.
Jumping off the barricade, he then took his leave, waving at Dez.
Olly:
I’m out of here, I can’t focus if you keep talking. And my presence here is clearly detrimental to you as well, you’re taking much longer than you should. Time is ticking Dez, but I’m confident you’ll get the job done. You don’t want to let us down, Dez… Do you?
Dez Ali:
Oliver don't you dare walk away.
The twenty year old continued to walk away, with his back turned to Dez, he simply raised his arm in the air and waved good-bye at Dez Ali.
Dez Ali:
This is your fault Olly, this is your punishment not mine. Get your ass back here Olly, …...I swear Olly, you…..
And then he heard the door shut closed. Dez was all by himself by ringside.
Dez Ali:
Damn it!!!!
Dez kicked the turnbuckle out of frustration.
Team Title Match
Team Ali © (Amelia Marx & Millie Smith) VS Team Strike (Faizah Marshall & The Kid)
WINNER: Team Ali (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall DDT, 15:23 |
Gold Star Title Match
Tiana Petrova-Hammond © VS Faith Savell
WINNER: Tiana Petrova-Hammond (STILL CHAMPION) BY: Pinfall (Schoolboy Roll-Up Pin), 13:24 |