Extra Special Happy Ending #1: Origins I

[SalTal]

Internet Explorer-*click*-Favorites-*click*-APW.com-*click*-Survive and Conquer-*click*-Sally Talfourd-*click*-Loading...

"Sally Talfourd presents ..."

is written across the screen, fades out, then

"In association with Action Packed Wrestling..."

is next to appear, holds, then fades out for

"Happy Endings T.V."

Which fades away to a shot of Sally walking along the streets of her next town. Such is the life of the wrestler - they travel from town to town, a night here and a night there. If you’re not careful, you can get a little lonely in this world of wrestling. Anyway, Sally walks the streets of Calw, in Iowa. You didn’t think it was Tempe, Arizona, did you? Because that’s many, many years away from now. We’re in Calw, 2003, with out most adorable Sally just starting to learn her way around a wrestling ring. Our lady works for a very small touring company - BBW - that only really sticks to the towns that would hardly see the likes of the kind of megastar Sally is destined to become.

Why are we here though? For the origins of Sally Talfourd. For the origins of ‘The Last Magician’.

Shane, only a few weeks into what will become a decade-long (or more) partnership, and his camera are in tow alongside her. She casts a glance to Shane, a smile to start the episode - the same start she will be giving years and years later. Of course, this all happens at exactly the wrong time as she bumps into some on-coming pedestrian.

[Sally] Oh! Sorry sir!

[Sir] No, never you mind. Clumsy me.

Sally untangles herself from this gentleman, giving him a look-over just to make sure it was worth her while. There is little to see though - what makes up the man is hidden behind a tan overcoat, and what is of his face is hideen behind some big, round sunglasses (the style John Lennon made famous) and a fedora hat pulled down low. Before she can inquire any more, he gives her a pat on the shoulder to snap her to.

[Sir] On your way then.

And off he goes, leaving Sally and Shane to ponder curiously about the man. Any other man, and Sally may well have gone on her way. She may have not paid him another thought or moment of attention. But this man ... there was something about this man. Some would say a ‘presence’, others would say an ‘aura’. Sally, however, is left with nothing to say as the whole exchange is quite curious. The two watch as he leaves, rounds the corner as seemingly has disappeared from both their lives - the whole event a minor footnote to this day which will be drowned out by those that are far more important and mentionable.

However, little do our protagonists know that this is one of those far more important and mentionable days.

As Sally shakes her head, bringing herself back to the moment, she gives an altogether strange and queer look to the camera. A cocked eyebrow says that she’s intrigued, but that look in her eyes suggests that she really is lost in the occasion. But a shrug of the shoulder finishes it all, and she is off. Shane, with a quick look back behind him, catches something on the ground before he can chase after Sally.

[Shane] Sally! Did you drop this?

As Sally stops to turn, Shane quickly takes up a white piece of paper, though upon touch it’s not quote paper. Card - 12pt thickness. Precisely 3.5 inches by 2. A business card. Shane goes to turn it over, but Sally is quick to take it. If it’s hers, she’s not likely to want Shane looking it over. If it’s not, then she’s all the more curious to set eyes on it. Now a furrowed brow, an inquiring look, and then a ‘hmmm’ that may come from the throat but certainly originated in the mind all draw everyone in the curious case of the card.

[Shane] What’s it say?

[Sally] It’s for some wrestling school ...

[Shane] But what does it say?

[Sally] ‘Magic Wrestling. School not for everybody. For unusual people only. 121.’

Sally can’t help but flip it over. In that instant, if your eyes were quick enough to catch it, you would see the emblazoned red lettering of just that: Magic Wrestling ... School not for everybody ... unusual people ... and then, below it all in the centre: 121. What could it all mean? The card is indeed a curious thing. Finding nothing on the back, Sally goes back to the front to re-read. Better to check and be safe than not and be sorry. But, still, those words glare up at her. She looks back up to the camera, again all quizzical.

[Sally] D’you think it was that guy? That we bumped into?

[Shane] You bumped into him.

[Sally] Whoever. What does that matter? *Sally looks back to where the man walked away from*[/b] He was pretty unusual.[/color]

[Shane] Yeah, he was weird.

[Sally] I didn’t say weird. I said unusual.

[Shane] What’s the difference?

[Sally] Well, he was unusual. He seemed interesting. On the other hand ... *Sally looks back at the card, examining it again*[/b] ... you’re weird and I’m not in the slightest interested in you.[/color]

[Shane] Hey!

Sally looks up with a cheeky smile. The same smile we will see hundreds of times more. She carefully flicks the card in her fingers, then looks around.

[Shane] There’s no address? Nothing saying where ...

[Sally] Nope. Just that: ‘Magic Wrestling. School not for everybody. Unusual people only. 121.’

[Shane] 121? What’s that for you think?

[Sally] What’s any of this for? *Sally waves the card towards the camera*[/b] A business card? For a wrestling school? With no contact stuff on it? It’s all a bit unusual if you ask me.[/color]

[Shane] Yeah ... weird ...

[Sally] Unusual.

Sally flicks the card once more, then as quickly as she was to take it she is quick to pocket it. Burying it amongst those things that people carry around both of importance and not. And the two continue on their way. Continuing on with their filming. Of course, this episode cuts off here as what’s been said has been said. The promo that she goes on to film? It is shown. And it is the prelude to a victory. An early victory, against someone of little relevance now, but a victory nonetheless. We don’t need to hear it.

Suffice to say, this is all the start to making Sally who she is today.

The episode, as we all know, leaves one place and comes to another. It’s later that week - the night after the BBW victory Sally is able to put under her belt. And here we find our main attraction: Strolling the streets at night. Dark and glistening under the early dew that forms at this time of year. The streetlights are dull and yellow - though you would hardly require them to see Sally. A white coat - pristine as the woman behind it - glows through the darkness. Her hands are buried in the pockets, and every breath is visible with just the slightest touch of the winter in the air.

[Shane] Happy with the win?

[Sally] Of course! It’s not every day you win your third ever match. It was tough, but, like, I got there in the end.

[Shane] Have you heard about the next show? Where it’s on? Who you’re against?

[Sally] Nah, not much. Just that it’s up in South Dakota. So if you thought it was cold here ...

Sally trails off, her comment about the cold punctuated by her next, misty breath. Bringing her hands out of those oh-so warm pockets, she starts to pin back her hair from her face. Any woman knows that a fringe must be the perfect length. Too short, and it’s not a fringe. Too long and it’s distract. Sally’s is too long, and, thus, the pinning. The effort is too much and she has to stop her stroll to reach up, first resting a pin in her mouth. Some minor adjustments, that extra pin, and she’s ready to go. But something catches her eye.

[Sally] Where are we ... ?

Sally, looking around at the building across the road, is mesmerized by what could be described as one of those artistic photo opportunities. The moonlight streaming through the gap between an adjacent building, spilling a white light across a very old, very run-down brick hall. There’s no sight of life bar a few rays of light creeping out from under the door. Sally can’t resist, and walks towards the building. The roads are quite enough that she gets away without checking herself. Shane, in tow, comes to stand alongside her.

[Sally] Does that say ...

In faded letters, paint long since its glorious prime, ‘Magic Wrestling’ arcs over the top of the big wooden doors at the front. Sally tilts her head, takes a step closer. She reaches into her pockets once more, and after some fiddling around, pulls out the business card from earlier in the week. She looks to it, to the wall for confirmation, and then to the card once again.

[Sally] It is! It’s ... it’s this place. *Sally taps the card, then holds it up next to the much faded lettering*[/b] Can you see a number?[/color]

[Shane] Uhhh ... no ... *Shane, just as eager to find out what all this is about, makes a quick dash over to the building to the other side. A quick scan and her finds ... *[/b] ... hey! This place is 119.[/color]

Quickly turning back to the building at hand, he finds Sally has run to the other building on the other side. She races around, like a child on a hunt, trying to find the numbering. It’s not a hard hunt, and she comes back to her companion with a smile.

[Sally] And that’s 123. So this would be ... *Sally holds the card up with a grin*[/b] ... 121. *A look of excitement crosses her eyes, sparkling under the same moonlight that restarted this adventure*/[/b] Come on.[/color]

[Shane] What?

[Sally] Let’s go in!

[Shane] Are you crazy?

[Sally] No ... *She starts to walk to the doors, and taking up one of the bitterly cold brass rings, turns back with a telling grin*[/b] ... just unusual.[/color]

The scene is quick to fade out from this sight. We wouldn't want to spoil you and give you the whole story away, would we? As we all have come to expect...

Sally Talfourd

is written across the screen, which in turn fades away as the episode comes to a close.

[SalTal]

Internet Explorer-*click*-Favorites-*click*-APW.com-*click*-Survive and Conquer-*click*-Sally Talfourd-*click*-Loading...

"Sally Talfourd presents ..."

is written across the screen, fades out, then

"In association with Action Packed Wrestling..."

is next to appear, holds, then fades out for

"Happy Endings T.V."

A burst of light, with the only distraction a creaking door, is what greets us here. But it all clears for a most perplexing sight. You will recall that last episode, we left Ms. Talfourd as she entered into building 121 - a most strange and unusual place. It was over Shane’s protests, though if anything we just know how long he has been ignored by his object of affection. The two step through the doors, and we see, yes, the most perplexing sight. A large empty hall - though seemingly bigger inside than outside. Of course, that couldn’t be possible, so why dwell on it?

A smoke clouds the way, but enough of the smaller details can be made out to paint a bigger picture. Matted floors. Windows with curtains not moved in decades blocking the inside from looking out (or is it the outside looking in?). In opposing corner, strangely enough, two wrestling rings. A row of four perfectly spaced punching bags. Some torn and faded posters on the wall. And the final small detail - and the only thing we can hear - a tap sticking out the wall right to the left of where Sally now stands. Drip drip dripping into a bucket over and over again.

[Sally] What is this place?

*Drip*

[Shane] Let’s get out of here.

*Drip*

[Sir] Why hello there.

*Drip*

It would seem that one small detail was forgotten. As Sally and Shane walk further into this surreal setting, what was previously though of as part of the faded and torn posters turns out to be a man sitting on a fold-away chair. One leg crossed on top of the other. A tan overcoat. A fedora hat pulled low and round sunglassed beneath them.

[Sally] Look Shane! *Sally talks in a whisper that’s not all too quiet*[/b] It’s him! That guy ... [/color]

[Shane] Seriously, let’s go. This is weird.

[Sir] I’d say it was rather unusual, rather than weird, hmm?

That line? We’ve heard it before. Sally casts a look to Shane that says the same thing. But, despite this, they continue on - though with a touch more trepidation.

[Sally] Ummm. So ... hello?

[Sir] Hello.

[Sally] Are you that guy I bumped into?

[Sir] Did you bump into me?

[Sally] Uh, yeah. I remember ...

[Sir] Or did I bump into you? Intentionally running in to you so that you would come to this place?

There’s movement at the seat and, from what we can guess, the man stands and starts to pace towards the two.

[Sally] Maybe ... did you do that?

[Sir] No, I didn’t. That would be completely against what this very institute stands for. And, because you were not meant to know about this place, you are not supposed to be here. So if I could ask you to leave, we could all go our own way.

Did he really just ask her to leave? After just coming in? After being captured by the mystery of this place? While Shane is happy to turn on his heels and leave (which he is half-way through doing) Sally isn’t about to give up in this pseudo-quest of hers.

[Sally] Why? Why should I leave? You’re a wrestling school ...

[Sir] Magic wrestling school.

[Sally] ... and I’m a wrestler. I want to get better, and you can help me.

[Sir] It doesn’t work like that, my dear. It’s not about what’s in here ... *As this gentleman gets nearer, we can see him motion to his head*[/b] ... it’s what you have in here. [/color]

The man comes close enough to make out that he has now put his hand over his chest. An indication that at this school, it’s not about what you know ... it’s about what you feel. After a moment of letting it sink in, and a silence that only makes the situation even more awkward, someone finally breaks.

[Sally] I need to get better.

[Sir] Why?

[Sally] Because I won’t be great if I stay the same. I’ll only be good. I’ll only be good enough to be known by a few hundred people.

[Sir] What’s so terrible about being good? Many, many people in this business are good.

[Sally] But I want to be great. I need to be great!

[Sir] It takes someone special to be great.

[Sally] I know.

[Sir] Someone special only comes from a special place.

[Sally] I know.

[Sir] This is a special place.

[Sally] I know.

[Sir] And you cannot train here.

[Sally] Why!?

The look on Sally’s face says it all. She wants to know about this place. She doesn’t know what’s so ‘magic’ about it, nor does she know why it’s magic’. She will, as we can probably all guess. But it’s that journey - that unmistakable drive to actually figure this place out that’s captured us right now. The man is unflinching, mind you, and he doesn’t show a sign of changing his mind.

[Sir] My dear, if I let everyone in here, there would be nothing special nor mysterious nor magic about my school. This school is for the most rarest of people. The people who I know will not fail me. I do not have time to train everyone who wants to be great. Some people need to be happy with good. Some people will only ever be good, and that is enough for them. So now, please, if you could excuse yourself I will be needing you to leave.

With that, this guy gets rather urgent in his ushering, and gentle brings Sally and Shane by the shoulder to herd them back to the door. In a vain attempt to learn something about this place, Sally tries to take in all the details she can. But, still, it is a mysterious series of assortments. When this trio reaches the door, the gentleman is nice enough to cast a smile their way as they step back through that same door that brought all this intrigue to life.

[Sir] Again, my apologies Ms. Talfourd. I am sure you will go on to be very good at what you do. Unfortunately, this is not the place for you.

And, with that, the mystery comes to an end (it would seem). The door is closed, with Sally and Shane (or you, for that fact) none-the-wiser as what this is all about. Yet, to give all of this a degree of certainty and intrigue, Shane happens to catch Sally before all of this comes to an end. Her head craned upwards, reading over those painted letters all over again, and with a prophetic mumble to herself...

[Sally] I’m going to be great.

The scene fades out from this type of omen. Of course, we all know that Sally is going to become great. But what will happened between these utterings and right now? Instead of ruining the story and telling you now, you will have to wait.

Sally Talfourd

is written across the screen, which in turn fades away as the episode comes to a close.

[SalTal]

Internet Explorer-*click*-Favorites-*click*-APW.com-*click*-Survive and Conquer-*click*-Sally Talfourd-*click*-Loading...

"Sally Talfourd presents ..."

is written across the screen, fades out, then

"In association with Action Packed Wrestling..."

is next to appear, holds, then fades out for

"Happy Endings T.V."

Which fades away to a completely and utterly blank screen, not a bit of colour or picture. But, in place of that - sounds. A cheering crowd fades in, and two voices (quite unfamiliar to any APW megastar, but not to a BBW die-hard) manage to cut through the anticipation.

[Scott] And with that win, Sally Talfourd has gone three wins in a row! It’s quite the turn around from the last few weeks.

[Fitz] It’s almost as if we’re seeing a completely different Sally these past few weeks. She’s stepped up and really put her foot down lately!

[Scott] We’ll see how long that lasts though. Next week, she’s facing off against the world champion...

[Scott] In all of my years here at Blood Bath, I can honestly say I’ve never seen a match like that. Dominating doesn’t begin to describe it!

[Fitz] You’re not wrong Scott! Usually a world champion can put up some sort of defense ... but what we saw? You can’t say there was any defense in there.

[Scott] With that win, Sally has rocketed to the top of the company. Four wins in a row, a title around her waist, and she’s really making a name for herself now!

[Fitz] I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Talfourd’s third title defense tonight looked even easier than the night she won it!

[Scott] Sally wasn’t troubled once tonight. She was on cruise control - the same way we’ve seen her for the past six months. She was never troubled and never phased once!

[Fitz] I don’t know what else she can do. The past half a year, Sally Talfourd has shown the world just how great she is ...


... how great she is ...

Finally some images come in, though it’s about the same time as all the sounds die away. It’s Ms. Talfourd all over again - still looking younger than she might do today, but still a half a year and some after our last look back at her past. For, you see, we are still coming upon the origins of Sally, and how this young woman came to be the APW megastar that we all know now. Here we find her, looking not exactly prim and proper as we are accustomed to seeing her after a match. Lacking the ‘Happy Endings’ merchandise to impress the viewers (remember: she’s still a struggling, up-and-comer in these episodes), she is about as impressive as anyone else at a gym. There’s some slight bruising one her left cheek, but other than that, she doesn’t hardly look like a thrice-successfully defended world champion.

But yet, she is.

Yes, after her peculiar encounter at that strange place that has yet to leave her mind, Sally returned to the ring, returned to BBW, all in an effort to take herself to a level that was better than ‘good’. She knew she had it in her to be great - she knew she had it in her to prove that oh-so strange Sir wrong. And, with this past six months, she believes that she’s done that. Sitting there, she truly believes that. A world title three times defended. Undefeated for six months. Hardly breaking a sweat facing the absolute best that her company had to throw at her.

[Shane] That would make it 25 wins tonight - congratulations.

[Sally] Not bad, yeah.

[Shane] Not bad? I’d say it’s great!

[Sally] Would you? Would he?

Yes, it’s a lingering thought that’s played on her mind since that strange, fateful moment. When she was told she wasn’t great, that she would have to settle for good. That flirting with a moment of learning how to become great ... only to be shown the door. Now the past six months have been her own effort to find out what greatness is. She throws a look towards that title belt that lays beside her on the bench we have found her own. A weight of gold weighing more on her mind than it really could. She stands to gather her things. Her back to the camera, Shane’s attention wanders and he takes a chance to look around the locker room that he is in. Perhaps it’s for a want of ‘behind the scenes’ shots, maybe it’s out of boredom. But his attention is drawn by a moment of silence. No rustling of clothes nor zipping of zips.

[Sally] Were you in here during my match?

[Shane] Yeah ... why?

[Sally] The whole time?

[Shane] Pretty much? I only left to go to you when you came backstage.

[Sally] So maybe a minute?

[Shane] Less. Less than that.

Shane brings the camera back to Sally, though this time with a purpose. We find Sally smiling now. Not contemplative, not dejected. Smiling. There, in her hands, is the source of this amusement. 12pt thickness. 3.5 by 2 inches. A business card. We don’t need to read it to know what it is.

[Sally] We need to go back.

[Shane] Back to Iowa?

[Sally] We need to go back! He was here! He was here Shane! *Sally giddily rushes back to packing her bags, getting her stuff together in some sort of hope that it will bring whatever faces her future quicker*[/b] We have to go back! [/color]

[Shane] But your next show’s not in Iowa? You need to get to ...

[Sally] I don’t care! We have to ...

Sally is halfway out the door.

[Shane] Sally! They’ll strip you of your title!

Sally comes to a very quick halt. Over her right shoulder, her bags. In her left hand, the BBW World Championship. She carefully turns around to Shane.

[Shane] You know they’re looking for a reason to take it off you. Any reason. You’re too good for some of the people here, and they want you gone.

[Sally] But ... surely they won’t. The fans love me. I’m worth more with this than anyone.

Sally looks down at the belt in her hand. She looks to her bag for a fleeting moment, then back to the belt.

[Shane] You don’t even know if this guy wants you? What if it’s a joke?

[Sally] It’s not a joke, Shane! I know it’s not. I can feel it. I know this is for real. *Sally mumbles to herself, but loud enough for us to hear*[/b] I have to do this. [/color]

[Shane] Do you know how long it’s going to take?

[Sally] No.

[Shane] What about we wait until you lose it? Or we call in management to drop the belt at the next pay per view?

[Sally] It can’t wait!

[Shane] Sally, if this is all real, you won’t be able to do both.

Sally’s eyes drift to the belt again. There it is - a sign of just how good she can be. She’s achieved the highest of highs in BBW. There was - at that moment - no where else to go with here. She could hold the belt, maybe lose it one day, and forever be considered one of the best in BBW. And BBW was a good place. It really was. It wasn’t great though, and that’s what was running through her mind at that very moment: She’s proved she’s good, now it’s time to prove she’s great.

[Sally] You’re right. *Sally looks up, her eyes locking with Shane’s*[/b] You’re right. It’s one or the other. To be great, we’ve got to give some things up. Sacrifices, right? [/color]

She walks towards Shane, past him, and to the bench. Carefully, gently, she puts the belt back onto the bench. She gives a sigh (maybe it’s the relief of having lost that weight?) and then turns her back on it. She’s making for the door. She’s making for Iowa. A quick cut to...

Sally Talfourd

written across the screen, which in turn fades away as the episode comes to a close.