Post by SalTal on Oct 21, 2010 6:11:25 GMT -4
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Welcome to Happy Ending T.V.!
Recent - *click* - Episode #22: Tokyo, enough said - *click*
Recorded the 28th of September, 2010.
Starring: Sally Talfourd, Shane
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"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 out again to a lovely shot of a cherry blossom tree. A splendid array of pink and white leaves against a sky only spotted with the occasional cloud. The leaves, while colourful, are starting to look dry. Summer is gone, Autumn is in. The grass underneath is a vibrant green, the surrounding plants show the meticulous care that they no doubt receive daily. Here in Japan, it's all about detail. The fine art of the fine arts. But, that's Tokyo. The Kasai Rinkai Park, known as one of the most tranquil and peaceful settings in this lively and bustling city. It's very much a clash of cultures when you come to Japan. Not in a bad way. Just different. Interesting. Unexpected. Exactly what you expect when you click onto another episode of Happy Endings. There's only one thing to expect, and that's the star attraction. And look! Here she is now. And what a sight. She beams a smile to him and, of course, to you the viewer. She wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't for you. When she's close enough to not break the atmosphere with a shrill yell, she starts off.
[Sally] Well hello there guys and girls. Welcome to this latest and special episode of Happy Endings TV. As always, I'm your host Sally Talfourd and this week I'm coming to you from the always lovely Tokyo in Japan. I can never miss a day when Japan comes up on the schedule. I mean, take a look. *Sally opens up her arms, does a spin, as if to show off the backdrop to herself* Where else do you find a picture like it. It's like we've walked into a postcard or something. We're in Japan and when you take a look at the place, it's a wild combination of the old and the new. The old world and tradition that makes the culture unique and interesting, and the new world that makes you feel almost at him. I just love it when I come here.
Sally trails off, looking back over the camera at what must be an as lovely view. She eventually comes back to the here and now, shaking it off and then smiling back to the camera.
[Sally] And I guess there isn't a more contrasting place for One Night in Hell. Let's get it out in the open straight away. The elimination chamber match? It's going to be violent, it's going to be painful, and it's going to be a world of hurt. I know it, five other people know it, and at the end of the pay per view everyone who watched will know it. The fans of APW are in for the best contest they've seen in a long time. There's six people that are desperate to lay claim to the ultimate prize that APW has to offer. Me being one of them, I can't begin to describe how I'm feeling about this match. Nervous, excited, anxious, a bit afraid, wary. I'm ... *Sally trails off, trying to think of the words* I'm just all over the place right now. Come Sunday, I know I'll be focused and set and disciplined. But right now? Oh boy, it's a wild ride up here.
Sally taps her right temple then lets out a bit of a laugh. She starts to walk further down this winding path, Shane following after her. She comes to a stop next to a stone bench, looks it over, then takes a seat. She brings her handbag to her lap, then looks to the camera as Shane takes up the seat beside her.
[Sally] I'm a bit hesitant to talk about the other competitors in the match. Because I know I might say an ugly thing or two. I mean, they are pretty ugly people. *Sally laughs at her own pretty bad joke* I kid, everyone is beautiful in their own way. But it's the nature of some of the people I have to beat. They say things they alwys come to regret. They're not like me, you know, composed and thought-out. And there's one that really should be thinking about his words. Not so much his spoken words but his written words. You see ... *Sally unzips her handbag, digging in and coming out with a folded piece of paper. She starts to open it up and it turns out to be a couple of pages. She holds it up briefly and we see it's a letter. Sally turns it around, then up the right way, so that she can look it over. She can't help but smile* This lovely piece of literary display comes from the pen of Mark Mania. You all might remember seeing him post this off to me two weeks ago. I ended up putting it on the Sally Talfourd website so that everyone could enjoy. And, well, it got a few interesting remarks. But that's all in the past.
[Shane] Then what does it have to do with this week?
[Sally] Patience, Shane. Patience. We'll come back to it. But if we're on the topic of Mr. Mark Mania, I might as well sully this wonderful place with, frankly, the most disappointing man that's in this match. I mean, I expect a certainly level of treatment from the Havok's and the Young Mannie's and the Criss Cassidy's out there. They don't know better than to attack me and beat me down with whatever they can get their hands on. They are thugs, and always will be. And I expect another kind of treatment from the Level-One's out there. He does the dirty deeds, but at least he waits for the better time and the better place ... most of the time. But the Mark Mania, you would think, would be above these types of people. That he'd be, you know, noble and upstanding and a bastion for what's good an proper in wrestling. But a fortnight ago? With this? *Sally holds up the letter again, gives it a little shake* He showed us his true colours.
Mark, *Sally sits up, turns square with the camera, as if to address Mark himself. The words for him, and only him. The barbs intended to hurt his own ego and his own mind, and no one else* I respected you the first week we ever stepped foot in the same ring. I respected you, that week, more than anyone else had since you came to APW I think. And what respect did you show me? You wrote me a letter *Sally flicks it in her hand* about how I was nothing but sex on legs, or thereabouts. What did you say? *Sally looks down to the letter finding the point she wants* “When I see Sally Talfourd, I don't see a wrestler, I see sex.” *She scoffs, then looks up to the camera with a piercing look* That say it all. And don't go saying that's what I want to be seen as. You know exactly how I want to be seen. And if you don't, you will by the end of Sunday.
Anyway, to put it simply: You didn't exactly show my respect back. And you know what? That's fine. I'm used to people going out and slagging me off. It comes with the territory I guess. I just guess I won't get it this time either. And that doesn't bother me either. But you know what you can expect from me this week? *Sally beams a smile at the camera, a slight tilt of the head, and she look like normal, happy-as-Larry, Sally Talfourd* The same all over again. You'll get the same respect and the same reverence and the same, well, praise that I gave you a few weeks ago. Because while you might claim to be, you know, a man of the people and a respectable person in this business, I actually live it. I come out and am more than happy to give someone their dues. Level-One has never said a good word about me. And you had nothing good to say about me two weeks ago. So, all-in-all, you're no different to him then, are you?
And that's all the motivation I need to beat you. If you're no better than him, then you deserve that belt as much as him. And neither of you deserve it. *Sally starts folding up the letter as she speaks, then buries it back in her handbag* Neither of you represent what a champion should be. You're both nothing but glory-hunters. Your name, up in lights. It will get your Mania Enterprises a lot of free press, right? The same way it will give Level-One his depraved little Fight Club-take off extra buzz. I'm not here, you know, to make some quick cash. I'm not going to ride this match and this belt and this company like a horse, whipping it with everything I've got to get that pay day, leaving that horse broke down and broken. *With every 'I'm' that's about to come up, Sally taps herself on the chest, really bringing it all home* I'm here to make sure it's APW that gets the pay day. I'm here to make sure that the wrestling business prospers. I'm here to make sure that the industry thrives. I can't believe that either of you two would be here if the pay check was next to nothing. I can't imagine either of you two will be rushing to get through the doors of a rundown, second-rate, less grand company like IWC. And I can't see you two making a decision for the good of APW that wasn't a decision that was the best for you.
And let's face it, how many people in APW can actually lay claim to that? How many people here do what's right for APW each and every opportunity? Sally's been here for a hiccup, and yet she's still shown herself to be more of a company woman than half the people here. It's this dedication that has got her ahead. It's this respect that's got her ahead. And it's this selflessness that has, surprisingly, got her ahead. A selflessness for the company and for the fans and for the other talent. She pays her dues to others. And if there's someone else out there that is more deserving of the place Sally is standing in, then she is more than happy to step aside. Look at the weeks after Shockwave. All the questioning, the decisions, the self-flagellation just to see if she should remain in the place that she earned or pass on the still-burning torch. Sally didn't cut it at Shockwave, and it showed. Level-One showed everyone why he had that belt. He wrestled rings around Sally. And that showed the world over that Sally still had some ways to go to make it to the top. The week after allowed her to realise that she did have it. That she did have the skills and the talent to beat Level-One. She just wasn't good enough at Shockwave. But now she knows where she needs to be at. She knows how far she had to come between then and now. And gosh-golly she's done everything to get at that place. And all of this not for herself but for the sake of APW. Because APW deserves to have the best headlining their show. APW deserves the best performance a megastar can give. APW deserves the best, and Sally wants to give her best. She looks out across the park for a moment, bringing herself back to the moment, bringing the emotions down a level, composing herself. A few deep breaths of the sickly-sweet air (it's the cherry blossoms), and she's ready.
[Sally] Mark, your lack of respect for me showed more than you disdain for me. Your lack of respect showed your disdain for what I stand for. For what I wrestle for. For what I live for. You showed, by you little letter, that your mind is closed off to new ideas, to new evolutions, to new changes. Your mind is stuck in the old. Me? *Sally gives a shrug of the shoulders and a look to the camera as if to say you should already know where she's from* I'm the new. I am the new face of APW. I'm the new talent of this company. And come Sunday, I'm going to be the new champion. You can have your old world. You can have your divas, your female managers, and you cat-fights. I'll have my new world, where a female wrestler doesn't just run with the men but, like I do here in APW, leads them. I'll have my new world where you don't have to be selfish to get ahead, just damn good. I'll have my new world where people like you lose to people like me. Because that's always what happens: people like me always end up beating people like you. Look at our first and match against one-another. I won. It doesn't matter how. It does matter that you threw everything you had at me and I lasted it all.
People like me always win in the end, Mark. Because you don't treat me seriously. You don't think a man should wrestle a woman. You don't think a woman should stand across from you in competition. You don't respect my skills and talent. The possibility, when we first met, that I might be better than you didn't cross your mind. Now maybe you've learned. *Sally shrugs her shoulder again, a look of uncertainly crossing her face. Only Mark knows if he's actually learned from that match and his mistakes ...* Maybe you took something from our match. Maybe your old world started to fall apart when I won. At the end of Sunday night, your world will be completely shattered when I beat you again. Because I will win when it comes to you. There's only one person in this match I haven't out-wrestled one-on-one. And that person isn't you. It doesn't matter if you come in last. I will have enough to beat you. I could have gone through each and every single person, leaving just you and me to tango. I will still have enough to edge out a win against you. It won't matter how long I've been in there, what I've been through, and hat you will put me through. I have you sorted, and I will shatter your precious little world.
How do I know this? The exact same way I know you don't respect me. It comes all from that little letter you wrote. *Sally pats her handbag, the letter locked away inside. She doesn't want to lose it, not this gem* You couldn't stand up like a man and say what you thought. You couldn't front me or front a camera or even front a single fan. It shows you're weak. It shows your mind up there is fragile. The old world that you live in? I've already started to break it. I've already started breaking your mind. All I need to do is give you the one Happy Ending to completely break you down. Your weak already, Mark. Not weak physically, I'll give you that. But your mind is weak, and that's why it doesn't matter what I've been through when I finally meet you in the chamber. Because my mind will be string and focused and clear. You? You'll be going through that self doubt, that questioning, that fear everyone has when they step up against someone who's already beat them. "Will she beat me again? She's done it before, and she could do it again. How bad will my loss be this time? If I lose, I'll lose the APW title." this is what's running through your mind when you step out your safe little bubble and into the chamber against me. The only way you're getting an answer is by stepping out to face me. That's it. That's the only way. Because I have them. I have the answer you want. And I'll be happy to give you the answer for those three second that I pin you. Or that moment where everything gets too much and you're tapping like there's no tomorrow.
Sally cracks a smile, relishing in the thought that Mark Mania, in a couple of short days, might just be on the bad end of the victory stick. What a sight that would be. Almost as satisfying as if Sally were pinning Level-One for the win. But Mania would likely be all the Talfourd fans' second choice. But that's getting a bit far ahead. We're still here, not quite at the match and not quite finished speaking the peace. Sally, however, is stuck in her dreamland.
[Shane] Sally? Earth to Sally? ** Come in Sally?
Sally snaps to, right back to the park. On the bench. Across from Shane. She smiles a bit of ditsy smile, then starts to fiddle with her hair, making sure it's all still pulled back. Somewhere off in the distance a dog barks. Sally finishes with her hair, then looks to Shane.
[Sally] I've made dinner arrangements for tonight. I made it for both of us. I hope you don't mind?
[Shane] Dinner? With you? Of course I don't mind. It would be great to have ...
[Sally] Because I thought we could really hash out this episode over the whole day. I mean, I will probably do a lot of talking. There are a lot of wackos in this match.
[Shane] Oh. Yeah, sure. Sounds like a good plan.
[Sally] Oh? What's 'oh'?
[Shane] Nothing. It's nothing. Really.
[Sally] Are you sure? Because 'oh' sounds like something to me?
There's a bit of an awkward pause. Sally wondering what Shane mean. Shane wishing Sally would just drop it. Is there something by way of feelings on Shane's part? Working with Sally, living with Sally, having to follow Sally around all the time. Has something blossomed that Sally is unaware of? She gives him a curious look, then starts to play with her handbag. To quickly save the moment, Shane dives in with a thought-provoking, journalistic question ...
[Shane] What do you think about Havok? He's a bit weird, right?
Sally rolls her eyes, then starts shaking her head.
[Sally] A bit weird? He's a lunatic! He's walked straight out of Twilight. Or Harry Potter. I mean, have you seen him on TV? When he's not wrestling. Really freaks me out when he goes on about his magic and his mojo and his voodoo. Then again, I guess it's good to see all these new people coming in and making a claim to the spotlights here. I mean, it would get awfully lonely if it was just me. So Havok, *Sally turns to look at the camera, away from her handbag, letting it rest on her lap again* it's good to see you moving up the ranks. You'll be the next Level-One in no time. I mean, you're only here because you forced you way in with random assaults on unsuspecting victims. People like me, some weeks ago. That's how level-one got back into the main event when i first came here, and it's how you get into your first main event. Coincidence? You're both on the take for yourselves, and your both as corrupt as the other. The only thing that separates you and him is the fact that he's beat me before. Credit to him, he got the job done when it counted against me. You? You couldn't beat me when it wasn't nearly as important as it is on Sunday. You couldn't beat me on OverDrive. How in hell do you think you'll beat me at One Night in Hell? When all the lights are on you? When every set of eyes in the building are watching you? When thousands of people have paid to watch you? When everything you've worked to wards, everything you've wanted in a company, and everything you've dreamed of chimes down to a three-second moment? How can you possibly think you can beat me in that moment?
You can't. I don't mean to be mean and curt and abrupt. But you can't. Simply put, you're not on my level yet. And it's not just me *Sally points to her beautiful face* you have to worry about. Mark Mania, on a good day, is nearly as good as me. Level-One has proved to be better than me in the past. How can you beat them, much less me? Have you asked yourself that? You went on a tear, you started on a war path, to make an impact. You started with me. And you've made it alright. You got everyone's attention. But what did you think would happen? You'd get a pat on the back, a better pay-check, and a round of applause? I bet you didn't think you'd get One Night in Hell as a reward. But that's what you got buddy. You've been handed up to not just one, but three people who are going to show you what it takes to be in the main event at APW.
So what are you going to do to save yourself this time, Havok? You showed one of your first tricks when you added a chair to our match. What can you this time? We're in a freaking chamber for crying out loud! *Sally nearly starts waving her arms around like a crazy person, but manages to hold herself back* You can't get away this time. You can't bring anything unexpected to this match. You can only rest on your own laurels, your win talent, and your own skill. And, from what I've seen, there's not much to rest on. You can bow down and worship your whatever gods and your mystics and look into your crystal ball and deal out taro cards all day. Whatever helps you sleep at night. But in the elimination chamber? That's a place so depraved and so forsaken than even your gods would be too afraid to come into. *Sally starts to grin* Actually, I got word that your spirit and demon friends aren't in this match not because they don't exist. No no, it's because they're too afraid to even step foot in the chamber. That's how crazy things are going to get.
And that's what you alone have to contend with. I don't care what you believe in. I don't care what you do with your spare time as long as it's becoming of an APW employee. And having threesomes, of sixsomes or orgies with your priestesses or whatever those skanks are isn't really becoming. But I do care what you can do in the ring. And you couldn't do what you needed to do at a time when you should have done it. And ... *Sally looks as confused as ever. He brain just caught up with what she just said and it has no idea how to compute it* yeah. Ok. You need to do it, I guess? Your little Trixie girl, she started to hit the mark when she reminded you that your ass way my grass right after Shockwave. Even in my questionable state, I pushed you up against the wall. With no where to run, and no more fight left in you that I couldn't fend off, you had to go and get yourself disqualified to save face. Don't worry, I'm sure no one thinks less of you. And, because of that I'm sure people did lose faith in you. What little faith they had after your great debut at Shockwave they lost when they saw you couldn't get it done against me.
The crowds are a fickle bunch. One week they will love you, and the next they will turn on you in a snap. It's one wrong step, one loss, even one victory away. In a moment, they can turn. And it's a credit to Sally that, after all these years, and enough times being the 'bad girl', that she still not only draws the applause she does but the respect as well. It comes from the hours of effort and dedication and showmanship that she puts in every week. Going out on the house shows and wrestling like it's a pay per view. Going out on OverDrive and wrestling like it were Rasslemania. It's the extra yards, the extra effort, and the extra dedication that the fans appreciate. Who else can match that in the chamber? Who can lay claim to being in the match for the fans? If anyone else wins, the fans will be glad they saw a great match, but they won't be nearly as happy as if they saw Sally holding the belt up. The match is going to be great or greatly satisfying. There's no compromise with this talent.
[Sally] Now you need to ask yourself, Havok, why anyone should believe in you going into this match. They know you can't beat me on my worst night. You can talk all you want to reporters and the websites and the dirt sheets about all of us in the match. You can talk about your style and your change of in-ring dynamics, and your resentment of the fans. But why should anyone pay attention to you? You're only in this match because you showed you'd too loose of a cannon not to put you inside the most insane place APW has to offer. Just to see what happens. You're nothing more than a demented experiment it seems. The only think people want to see if what exactly happens when you are locked in there with all of us. How far off the rails will you fly? I'm interested in as much as I am worried that you will fly out there and never come back. Because then someone has the fun task of getting you out of the match. And that, in itself, will be prove to be interesting. *Sally holds up a hand, as if to stop you thinking there and then* I'm not saying I'm not up to the task, just that I'd rather eliminate Havok when he's, you know, sane rather than insane. Then again, he claims to be from the Underworld or whatever. I think the Sane Train has left his station.
[Shane] Have you got a ticket for that train? Because some of the things you say Sally ...
[Sally] Some of the things I say are what Shane? *Sally laughs, playfully hits at Shane, then sits back on the seat, tilting back to look up at the sky and the wonderful weather* What a great day, Shane. We're really lucky. This swing through Asia, ending up in Tokyo. It's just an unbelievable life we live. It certainly makes all the work just to get to this place in our careers worth it, right? It's the dream you have when you start out in this business. Wrestling in Madison Square. Touring to world. Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome. And that's what we're doing Sunday. We're living the dream, aren't we?
[Shane] Almost. There's just one thing missing ...
[Sally] What's that? *Sally, still resting back, rolls her head over to Shane* What's missing?
[Shane] The APW World Heavyweight Championship?
[Sally] *Sally lets out a big smile and a slight nod* I guess that would be nice. Though, I don't know if I'd like to be in the position that Level-One's in now, having to defend it under these circumstances. Then again *Sally sits up, still smiling from ear to ear* I couldn't think of a more deserving champion to have to defend it like this.
[Shane] Would you agree that he's your biggest threat to winning the championship?
[Sally] If I had to pick one person, yes. But, really Shane, there isn't just one threat in this match. There's five. And I can't go past the hand Biggs played in this match. He's put me in first. I know that this is just a test of me. He needs to see if something this big – putting me at the most disadvantage in the biggest match in weeks – can really throw me off. He needs to see if I'm as determined as I need to be. I'll show him that he can't be rid of me this easily. And if I walk out with the championship, he'll have no other choice but to acknowledge everything I've been saying about him. That he's wanted me to win this belt the hard way to prove that I am ... well, the best. Because a General Manager can't be seen with anyone but the best.
[Shane] Let's get back to Level-One. You know, someone actually in this match. *Is there a hint of jealousy in Shane's voice?* What would you say to him were he listening to you now?
[Sally] I'd probably start by thanking him for listening to me. I mean, he's been so busy chatting up skanks in strip joint, organising his little Fight Club, and figuring out what's going on back in the States that I'm surprised he has enough time to listen to me. And it would probably be the first time he has too. He's hardly regarded me as someone worth paying attention to, despite the time I've beat him, what? Three times now? Four times? I'm losing count. He can spin it every way he wants. Whenever I've faced Level-One and there's been other people involved, the best he could ever dig out is a no contest. It didn't matter who I teamed up with, I was able to win our tag team matches. Now that says something about him, right? You can chalk one up to a bad partner. Maybe even two. But how many times before you have to say “Hey, Level-One. Sally's got a number on you.” Now, look. *Sally stops, holds up her hands in defense as if to slow this conversation down* I know, Level-One beat me at Shockwave. Trust me, I know. I had to deal with it. Anyone who watched me watch Sally Talfourd go through a bit of a phase, really questioning whether I had it to get back to where I am right now. But you know what convinced me I did? When I no contested Level-One, and then best him the very next week. The champion. The APW World Heavyweight Champion. The man who beat me. That proved to me that I had it.
So now I'm back. Lester, we've been down a path like this before. But it's going to be different this time. This time it's more violent and there's a bit of a welcoming party for us. But make no mistake: thus won't be a repeat of Shockwave. I promise you that. You out-matched me there. Like I said with Mark, I give credit where it's due. You outperformed me, you out wrestled me, you out-skilled me. You said you would and you did. So I guess when you say something, it happens right? *Sally holds up a finger, as if to stop for a moment to think* Hold on, that's not exactly right, is it? Because every other time we've had to face each other you've said you'd win. You run me down, write me off, and say you'll win, right? It's the generic response you have to me. But, like I said, you always winning isn't exactly right. Because you've only ever pinned me once. In our, what, six? matches? You've actually only beat me once. That time when Bryan Payne came in, and got me disqualified for no real reason hardly counts. Now, if we go back to the record books, it's going to show a few surprising things. Main one being that I have a better win record against you than loss. They might be tag teams, but like I said before: How many times do I have to beat you until we all accept that I do actually have something over you? If we add up all our matches together, I'm on top. And that's good, because that's exactly where I like to be.
What I'm interested in, more than stats and numbers, is how that makes you feel Lester? Knowing that out of all the people here in APW, there is someone who has a winning record against you. There is someone in this company who has a green record against you, the World Heavyweight Champion. Just stop *Sally pauses* and think about that. I have a winning record against you. You should have a little bit of burning sensation on the back of your neck right about now. Do you know what that it? No, it's not a rash you caught in Bangkok. It's fear. It's worry. It's the feeling you get when you know you're looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. You see, you might have written off my victories against you in tag team matches as nothing but meaningless. And that was probably valid when it came to our Shockwave match. One-on-one and all that. It's a fair call. *Sally with a shrug, nods her head* There's a bunch of people in a tag team match, and that skews it out of your favour, right? Guess what sunshine? There's a bunch of people in our match this week. And you can cry and scream and beat your chest all you want, but if either of us get an advantage out of that it's me. I can work like that against you. You can't work like that against me. You can't team up. You obviously can't focus on anyone other than me even when there's other people involved. This match, this is your weakness. And I'm just thankful to be there.
Because I promise you this again: One Night in Hell will not be a repeat of Shockwave. You might have beat me clean then. You might have out-classed me. You might have shown yourself to be the better over a month ago. But Sunday? I'm showing you all these new tricks I've learned. I'm showing you all the new things I can do to you. The same things that got you pinned a couple of weeks ago. You remember that, right? *A faux-concerned look* When I pinned you? Three seconds and your dream, you glass house, it came crashing down. You never thought it would happen. But it did. Every time you had to face off with me, you ran me down. Said I didn't deserve what I earned. And all but declared certain victory. No humility from you Lester. No respect. Nothing. Just you being you. And what does everyone remember? That more times than not I ended up making you eat your words. That's what I remember, and I'm sure that's what you remember. Because you're not the kind of man to forget that. I doubt you forget much, but there's no way you're going forget all the wins I have over you. Or me pinning you. You're the type of guy who's going into that match looking for revenge. Revenge against me for simply being better than you.
I might have said it before, Lester, but you're not as good as you make yourself out to be. You believe, more than anyone, that you're next to unbeatable when it comes to a conventional match. And, granted, you are hard to beat. But this isn't a conventional match. You can lose your belt in the blink of an eye. This chamber can ruin a person, and there's five people who would like nothing else than to make you the first casualty of the contest. Getting rid of you first gives us an even better chance of winning the belt. And it guarantees the APW faithful a new champion – something they desperately need. The greatest wrestler alive wouldn't have lost a single match against me. The greatest wrestler wouldn't have problems beating more than one person. The greatest wrestler wouldn't have to say it over and over again just to try and get at least one other person to believe them. And the wouldn't make up a new excuse to be the best every time they were proved wrong. You used to be the best because no one could beat you, right Lester? *Sally starts to could out the many reasons why Level-One might be thought of as the best* But then when that new upstart diva came in and beat you in a tag match, it became you were the best because I couldn't possibly pin you, right? And then when I did, what was it? You were the best because you didn't stop trying? Because you gave your very best each and every night?
If you listened to a word I had said since i came here, you would realise that if trying your best is your mark for greatness, then paint me pink and slap a bow on me! *Sally slaps her thigh and gives a wink to the camera* Because I'm just the present you've been looking for. No one has tried harder than me here. No one has given as much as I have since I walked through the front door. I have gone out each and every night and put it all out there for everyone to see. Fans and haters alike have always seen the best that Sally Talfourd has to offer. For some people, that's all it takes to realise that I am pretty darn good. For others, it takes accolades. And, let's be honest, I'm actually starting to build up a resume here in APW. Your title, Level-One, would be somewhat of a crowning achievement. A very deserving crown, because it has been a hard road to get here. It would be easier for the likes of you, Lester. Weight-for-weight, you stand a chance against anyone here. Me? You compare my measurements to anyone else's I have to go against and I usually only win on bust-size. And even then there's a couple of guys here *A shiver runs up Sally's spine, just thinking of it* ... anyway, let's get away from that. Your should count yourself lucky, sitting in your little tower of privilege. I go into a ring against the likes of you or Bryan Payne or Mark Mania and people expect me to lose. I shouldn't be winning half the matches that I have notched up. But I do. And what does that tell you Lester?
It tells you I am better than you if greatness is measured by effort and determination and giving it everything. Because I have to give everything just to make it in this business. And look where i am now. *Sally gestures around her, reminding everyone how far she's come* I'm in Tokyo, about to headline the second pay per view in a row, in a match for the APW title for the second pay per view in a row, in what will prove to be the biggest match since Rasslemania was on. And that's only because I wasn't here for that pay per view. I'm going into this match a red hot favourite. How else could I get to this very moment without having tried harder than you, performed better than you, and achieved more than you? You know just as well as I do that even by your own measurements of success, I am better than you. It's just a ticking clock as to when I will finally have the belt to prove it.
Sally, just for a fleeting moment, looks down at her waist. She almost imagines the belt to be there already? Confidence or over-confidence? I guess it's hindsight that determines that. If she goes home with the belt, then it's confidence. It's a reward for confidence and determination and focus. If she doesn't, then what else is it but over-confidence? Hyping yourself up and talking yourself up is good and all before a match. But you look plenty silly when it doesn't work out. You learn that the hard way. And maybe that's something Level-One is going to learn. Unlikely, but maybe. You never know. It's not about setting the bar so low that no one expects anything of you. The people who flock to see Sally Talfourd, the people that pay to see her, the people that watch her over and over again; these are the people that expect the world of her. But it's tempered, you know? It's tempered by realism. Do they want Sally to be the APW champion? Yes. Do they expect it? No. They expect Sally to go out and do everything she can. To follow up with her promise that she will deliver to them the best match of the night. They expect her to be the person she claims to be: someone in the business for the fans.
Speaking of the fans, it would seem that a handful of people have spotted her and recognised. Something has caught Sally's attention behind Shane and, there waiting all excited is a half-dozen teenage girls far too caught up in the 'celebrity' of it all to go up to her. Sally gives them a wave, and there's the typical laugh-come-scream reaction. Sally throws her bag over her shoulder, gives a shrug to Shane, and starts to stand up.
[Sally] This is the part of the job I love. *Sally fixes her clothes then beams a smile at her fans and heads on over. They are all abuzz at the moment, a joy of faces. It really is one of the moment that Sally works hardest for* Konichiwa!
And it's this fun little sidetrack that the camera slowly fades out on. The peaceful part, the heightened excitement among the girls and Sally – as happy as she could possibly imagine – snapping photos on phone and signing autographs on
Suddenly the screen bursts to life! And we're on a subway train. It's like the sight from the Jakarta airport: a sea of black haired head stretching out forever. And, once again, there's Sally up to her shoulders in it all. She's a good ten, fifteen metres away from Shane. And the train is absolutely packed. Not an inch to move left or right. The air thick with the heat and the grime from a day's work. The window closed, and the air system just recycling the stale air. But it doesn't perturb Sally who notices Shane and gives him a cute little wave over the heads of all these people. She lets out a little laugh, a shrug of the shoulders, then goes back to holding the strap hanging from the roof. Then there's a tap on her shoulder. She looks over and down, and there's another fan – this time a man surely in his 60s or 70s. Too far away to hear the conversation, we're going to have to watch to see what happens. Sally starts to talk a little with him, then pretends to take a photo, asking if he would like one. He waves his hands with a nervous refrain, then bends over, below the level of heads, and comes up with his granddaughter, holding her in his arms so she can see Sally. She's still in her little school uniform and, strapped to her back, a Sally Talfourd backpack. All sorts of Japanese characters are scrawled over it, but there's that unmistakable face. Sally looks as excited as the girl! She lets out an adorable 'Awww' which gets the attention of a few passengers, then reaches over and takes hold of the girl. She gives her a kiss on top of the head, then gets in close, cheek-to-cheek, as the grandfather takes a photo.
I think we're starting to understand why Sally likes Japan so much.
That scene fades away with Sally looking to the little girl as she holds her, talking about who knows what, to a blank screen. A wait, which must seem like forever, before we come into a great scene. A hustle-and-bustle alleyway of Tokyo. Nothing like you'd find in New York or Los Angeles or anywhere in that States. It's not some sort of alley you'd expect to go down and never come back from. There's shop fronts and restaurants and all sorts of lit-up signs hanging from the walls. Shane, camera in the lead, heads down, into the throng of people. He dodges and weaves the mix of people – the businessmen in their suits finishing up for the night, the over-dressed women who carry themselves with an elegance and a poise that you would expect to find on 5th Avenue, school kids done for the day and taking in the few free hours that they have before hitting the books again. And there, sitting at a table in among st a crowd of Japanese people, is Sally Talfourd. They don't have the slightest idea who she is. Or, if they do, they don't let on. They are just head won, digging into their meals. Sally, as Shane finds her, hands over the menu to one of the waiters. He gives a quick bow and then rushes off to get the order underway. Sally sees Shane and excitedly waves to him to come and sit on the stool beside her. After a bit of trouble, Shane finally gets to his seat, giving his poor feet a rest.
[Sally] Shane! I was wondering if you were going to come! Where were you?
[Shane] I slept a bit late. I still haven't got over the jet lag. All these timezone changes? I can't get used to it. I'm sorry
[Sally] *Sally gives him a reassuring pat on the back, maybe a little too hard* Don't fret! It's ok. I've ordered for you anyway. You'll love it. I came here once the first time I toured Japan with ... I believe UWA? Yeah, and I just stumbled on this little place and have come here at least once whenever I've been in town. The food is delicious! And they brew their own sake here. And it is amazing! You have to have some Shane.
[Shane] Whatever you recommend. How long do the meals take to come?
[Sally] Good question. You would think that because it's sushi and all it wouldn't take long. Actually, the preparation and the care that they put into making it that perfect meal means we have a bit of a wait. I mean, I did splurge a little and order some good things. But you have to, when you're in Tokyo! It's like going to Vegas and not gambling. Or going to Toronto and not ... doing whatever you do in Toronto. Maybe ice fishing? I don't really know. Do they have anything in Toronto?
[Shane] Forget about Toronto, Sally. You were on a roll in the park earlier today. You'd shared your feeling about Level-One. We've still got two more wonks to talk about.
[Sally] Oh Shane, do we have to talk about them? They will ruin a perfect evening. Especially if you start me on one of them in particular.
[Shane] Then talk about the other one. Which one is the better to talk about? You'd be kicking yourself if you wasted your time here. *Sally doesn't look too enthralled by the idea* Besides, when have you ever turned up the opportunity to give your patented, trademarked tear of someone?
Sally smirks, casting a loot to Shane as she looks down at the table. The waiter-person comes by and drops off two what look to be Cokes in front of Sally and Shane.
[Shane] What happened to the sake?
[Sally] Shane! You don't start off with sake. It can be pretty potent. It's not the watered down stuff that you get back home. They only sell us the sake they don't want. Trust me when I say you want to have a drink like this before we get into it. *Sally hands a glass over to Shane, who puts the camera down on the table for a minute, facing the two for a rare on-screen appearance by the cameraman himself. They clink glasses then take a drink. Sally surveys the crowd, taking in the atmosphere. Shane, for some reason, just watches Sally. She turns back to him, gives an unknowing smile, then looks at the camera* Take a break Shane. We could try something new, do the rest of the night like this? *Shrug and a nod from Shane who is glad to have both his hands free for more than ten minutes, though he wouldn't say it* Ok. Because I do not want to ruin our little dinner out, Criss Cassidy. You get the distinct honour of being the topic of discussion tonight. And I'd like to actually start out by welcoming you. Criss Cassidy, welcome to where you would have been if you were good enough to beat me at Test For the Best. You see, you can trace a line from my win over you that night right to this very moment. I beat you at Test For the Best in the most-anticipated final since the idea of the tournament was first thought up. I beat you and then I went through the wringer. I faced all the top talent that APW had to offer. Bryan Payne. Michael Lively. Victor Hades. And then, eventually, Level-One. I lost, sure. Then I started up all over again. Havok, Young Mannie *Sally's tone of voice dropped to complete and utter loathing then*, Biggs, Level-One, and Mark Mania. Through all of that, I went undefeated. And now I find myself here, a few days out from the elimination chamber match.
Let's be honest with each other. You couldn't have done any better than me had you somehow won at Test For the Best. You wouldn't have been able to beat the odds most weeks and come out better for having competed in each of those matches. You wouldn't have done any better than me at Shockwave, would you? So I don't want to hear that from you when you finally decide to show your face on Sunday. What I do want to hear from you is why you deserve to be in the match that some of us worked very, very hard to get in to. Because, Criss, I'm finding it a hard task to actually tell people why you get the shot of a life time. You beat John Green to get in, right? One match got you into the biggest event in wrestling today? I got in through weeks and weeks of suffering, or pain, of trying and trying and never giving up. I didn't get in here because I was the default after Shockwave. I got in here because the second I walked into APW Biggs saw that I was the person would work harder than each and every person that I had to contend with. And I did. I worked hard the first match I had here. Then the next. Then *Sally taps on the table* every *Another tap, only harder* single *and one last tap, really hard this time* match. You cannot find me a match where I didn't put everything into it. And the best example for you? Test For the Best. You came into that match expecting to win, right? I mean, how could a woman who had to fight Biggs and John Green have anything left in the tank to beat you? But I did, didn't I? And I went from there *Sally points off into space* to here *Sally brings her finger down to the table* all because I was better than you that night. If you somehow were better than me, then, like I said, I am where you would be if you had won.
Sally takes a sip of her Coke. Shane, resting back on his stool, watches as Sally – who wasn't really keen to get onto the topic – starts to get into full swing now. She puts the glass back on the table, and carefully slides it further to the middle. Countless glasses have met a smashing end due to Sally's flying limbs. It would be a shame to destroy another.
[Sally] But you weren't good enough then and you won't be good enough now. You couldn't beat me at Test For the Best, and it's going to be the same at One Night in Hell. I'm not mean. I'm not a heel. I'm a realist. What have you done since then that could possible alter the outcome that everyone expects? Nothing. You beat John Green? I did that after beating Biggs. You caught the attention of the head honchos here? They've been watching me since I came here. And it doesn't matter who you pray to. I'm not against people expressing their personal beliefs in, you know, an appropriate manner. I am against you judging people just because then don't bend over in front of you. Judge not lest thee be judged? I guess you pick and choose when it comes to the Bible. Especially when it came to what you had to say against Leila. Don't think that because I wasn't involved in your little feud I won't have a gift or two for you in the match. She's my friend, and just because she's not here doesn't mean all is forgiven. She might be forgiving of buffoons like you. Me? I'm not. So not only do you have to contend with the fact that I just want to beat you for the sake of winning the APW title, but I want to beat you to remind you that you are, in fact, nothing but a two-faced, lying, deceiving nobody. And, above all else, believe me when I say ... Sake!
Sally looks up and behind the camera, Shane is in a world of confusion until he notices the waiter, who puts the bottles of sake and the dinky cups in front of the camera. Sally gives him a nod, then eagerly pours out two glasses, one for her and one for Shane.
[Sally] Ok Shane. This isn't like shots or anything. You are mean to savour the taste and the craftsmanship that goes into it. It's not uncouth like beer or bourbon or anything. This actually requires a palette and refinement and sophistication. Ok?
[Shane] Ok, sounds good ...
Sally and Shane cheers to each other then take a sip out of their cups. Shane's face reads like he's just drunk a mouthful of methylated spirits. Sally, on the other hand, clearly savours her drink, getting the full experience out of it. She looks over to Shane, who looks a little ill. She looks worried.
[Sally] Are you alright Shane?
[Shane] Fine. Perfect. *He says with a slightly strained voice*
Sally chuckles. Then takes another sip of her own cup. Eventually the scene fades out, obviously done in post-production editing because the camera doesn't move. But it quickly comes back to find Sally and Shane sitting back-to back. They both look a little worse for wear, Sally's hair starting to go all over the place and Shane looking like he's falling asleep. In fact, if they weren't leaning on one-another, they'd certainly be all over the floor. Sally slowly brings her sake cup to her mouth, taking another sip. It's only them that we notice, lined up along the edged of the table is a dozen empty sake bottles. And there's even a few that have spilled onto the floor if you look carefully. Sally looks to the camera, reaches over with her cup-free hand, and then picks up the camera to hold it in front of her face. Probably a bit too close, but that's the least of her worries at the moment.
[Sally] Ladies and gentlemen, I do believe Shane cannot hold *Hiccup* his liquor. Look at him. *Sally holds the camera up, over her head, trying to capture Shane asleep, but it's pretty much a fail* He's got nothing on Sally Talfourd! He's disgraceful. They had to stop serving him. Me!? I'm spick and span! Right and the rain. And *Sally goes to stand up, but realises quickly that she might not be as stable as she claimed* perfectly fine to get into a cab to get home. Shane! *She turns around, prodding him in the side. No reaction, except to break his careful balance and send him off his stool and to the ground. There's a bit of a laugh from the spattering of people that are still there. Sally smiles at them with her a bit of innocence, then looks into the camera* I'm sure Shane can take care of himself. I'll just give him this *Sally holds up a business card* – the card to our hotel – and bid him farewell! Shane *Sally reaches down and tucks the business card into his top pocket* good luck on your journey. I'm out of here.
The camera abruptly switches off. And, for the whatevereth time this episode we're left in the dark. But, that's what happens when you have a full day of shooting and there's this much to talk about. You get all these non-wrestling moments. Anyway, the camera comes back on, and it's Sally Talfourd again. This time looking a lot better than before. She's fresh in the morning, walking around in the bathrobe, signs of just having had a shower, all rugged up and warm. She's backing away from the camera that she's just switched on and left on the hotel room's table. She backs up and takes a seat on the edge of the bed, leaning her elbows on her legs, leaning into the camera. Keen and eager to wrap up this craziness.
[Sally] Hello again guys and girls. New day, and, I guess, new camera-person. Because Shane didn't come home last night. I'm not worried ... just ... concerned. I think I'll try and find some time to go and find him later on today. But I'm waiting for room service to come up with breakfast, so I hope he doesn't want finding too soon. While I wait though, I figure I'll do what you do when you've got a band-aid stuck to your skin: just rip it off and get it over with. The longer you take getting it off the more pain you're in. And that's exactly how it is when it comes to Young Mannie. The longer you have to talk about him, the more pain you're in. Young Mannie, you're the last person I'm talking about for a reason. You're the last person I mention and you're the last person who should be in this match. I'm not going to be hurtful about it, I'm just going to put the facts out there. I worked hard to get into this match. Level-One deserves to be here simply because his belt is on the line, if nothing more. Mark Mania has shown himself to be of main event level week in and week out. Havok, despite my disagreement with it, actually did something to get into the match that made people sit up and notice him. Criss Cassidy made it to the match by forcing one of the most respected and long-standing wrestlers in this company out of his spot.
You? Level-One picked you and that's it. He picked you because you are one less person to worry about for him. He obviously didn't think about this too hard, because you're now one less person for everyone to worry about. I'm starting this match out against someone and I so hope that it's you. I will throw you around like a rag doll. Ill treat you like you treated me week in and week out going into Shockwave. You copped a little from me last week. This week, you get the whole thing. Your worst scenario is coming in and seeing every little tube taken up by a warm body. Your best scenario? Coming in the person before Mark. Your chances of winning the get less and less the nearer you get to me. Because I swear to your sorry, street-wise ass that I will do everything I can to bump you out of this match. I rarely ever use the word hate with people, but I certainly hate you. I swear to you there is no one in APW that I resent more than you. You are the face, for me at least, with everything that's wrong with APW. When you couldn't cut it yourself, you brought your thugs along. When that wasn't enough, you bumped together with Shaun Kilgore. When people still ignored you, you started working for the likes of Level-One not for any good reason other than to take out the biggest threat to him and his title: me.
Well guess what? Karma comes around, if Earl has taught us anything. My revenge is coming and you can't get away from it. You're stuck in that chamber with me. And, if I have anything to say about it, you won't be leaving until you're begging to. You see, I might get run down by everyone else in this match, but the world knows that it's not true. I've gone out there week after week and proved people wrong. So my fans, the APW audience, everyone just ignores what people have to say about me. But, because I'm so successful in APW people listen when I talk about other people. And they know that I'm probably right when I say what I say. So they're going to believe me when I say that you stand no chance, Mannie. None whatsoever. There is a better chance of every single other person in this match winning than you. Because you *Sally points down the camera* haven't shown to anyone that you can do what it takes to get the win. When there's rules, some of us play by them. Me. I play by the rules. That's why you were able to get the jump on me so many times. But now that the rules have been thrown out? Now we're reading from the same book, right? And you have no idea what to expect when I cut loose. In fact, I don't even know what to expect sometimes. I have been a good girl for so long that, well, I don't know what it's like to be bad. But I'm sure when I see your sorry face, Mannie, it will all come back and bam! *Sally claps her hands suddenly* I'll remember twenty different ways to break you down, and all I need to do is use one of them. That's all. Because you are an easy beat. You were hand-selected for this match, and you're being hand delivered to me. Just make sure you speak to Criss and say a prayer for yourself before you come in, ok?
Now, *Sally slaps her knees, then stands up, making sure her robe doesn't come undone in the process* as much as I like to sit around talking about Young Mannie I expect ... *A knock on the door* perfect timing. Breakfast is here, which means I have to get ready for the day. Training, training, find Shane, and then more training. But first, breakfast! Thanks for watching this latest, greatest episode. Tune in for the next one, guys and girls, and then watch on Sunday night for your very own Happy Ending.
Sally winks at the camera and blows it a kiss. She smiles to all her fans, then turns to go to the door. The camera stays on as she opens up and the guy wheels in the meal. He bows to her, then takes his leave. Sally looks over her breakfast, pushes the little cart over to the table, then finally switches off the camera. The feed cuts off, goes to black. There's a pause, and then
"Sally Talfourd"
is handwritten across the screen, in purple. Before it fades out and the episode comes to a close.
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Recorded the 28th of September, 2010.
Starring: Sally Talfourd, Shane
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"Sally Talfourd presents ..."
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"Happy Endings T.V."
which fades out again to a lovely shot of a cherry blossom tree. A splendid array of pink and white leaves against a sky only spotted with the occasional cloud. The leaves, while colourful, are starting to look dry. Summer is gone, Autumn is in. The grass underneath is a vibrant green, the surrounding plants show the meticulous care that they no doubt receive daily. Here in Japan, it's all about detail. The fine art of the fine arts. But, that's Tokyo. The Kasai Rinkai Park, known as one of the most tranquil and peaceful settings in this lively and bustling city. It's very much a clash of cultures when you come to Japan. Not in a bad way. Just different. Interesting. Unexpected. Exactly what you expect when you click onto another episode of Happy Endings. There's only one thing to expect, and that's the star attraction. And look! Here she is now. And what a sight. She beams a smile to him and, of course, to you the viewer. She wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't for you. When she's close enough to not break the atmosphere with a shrill yell, she starts off.
[Sally] Well hello there guys and girls. Welcome to this latest and special episode of Happy Endings TV. As always, I'm your host Sally Talfourd and this week I'm coming to you from the always lovely Tokyo in Japan. I can never miss a day when Japan comes up on the schedule. I mean, take a look. *Sally opens up her arms, does a spin, as if to show off the backdrop to herself* Where else do you find a picture like it. It's like we've walked into a postcard or something. We're in Japan and when you take a look at the place, it's a wild combination of the old and the new. The old world and tradition that makes the culture unique and interesting, and the new world that makes you feel almost at him. I just love it when I come here.
Sally trails off, looking back over the camera at what must be an as lovely view. She eventually comes back to the here and now, shaking it off and then smiling back to the camera.
[Sally] And I guess there isn't a more contrasting place for One Night in Hell. Let's get it out in the open straight away. The elimination chamber match? It's going to be violent, it's going to be painful, and it's going to be a world of hurt. I know it, five other people know it, and at the end of the pay per view everyone who watched will know it. The fans of APW are in for the best contest they've seen in a long time. There's six people that are desperate to lay claim to the ultimate prize that APW has to offer. Me being one of them, I can't begin to describe how I'm feeling about this match. Nervous, excited, anxious, a bit afraid, wary. I'm ... *Sally trails off, trying to think of the words* I'm just all over the place right now. Come Sunday, I know I'll be focused and set and disciplined. But right now? Oh boy, it's a wild ride up here.
Sally taps her right temple then lets out a bit of a laugh. She starts to walk further down this winding path, Shane following after her. She comes to a stop next to a stone bench, looks it over, then takes a seat. She brings her handbag to her lap, then looks to the camera as Shane takes up the seat beside her.
[Sally] I'm a bit hesitant to talk about the other competitors in the match. Because I know I might say an ugly thing or two. I mean, they are pretty ugly people. *Sally laughs at her own pretty bad joke* I kid, everyone is beautiful in their own way. But it's the nature of some of the people I have to beat. They say things they alwys come to regret. They're not like me, you know, composed and thought-out. And there's one that really should be thinking about his words. Not so much his spoken words but his written words. You see ... *Sally unzips her handbag, digging in and coming out with a folded piece of paper. She starts to open it up and it turns out to be a couple of pages. She holds it up briefly and we see it's a letter. Sally turns it around, then up the right way, so that she can look it over. She can't help but smile* This lovely piece of literary display comes from the pen of Mark Mania. You all might remember seeing him post this off to me two weeks ago. I ended up putting it on the Sally Talfourd website so that everyone could enjoy. And, well, it got a few interesting remarks. But that's all in the past.
[Shane] Then what does it have to do with this week?
[Sally] Patience, Shane. Patience. We'll come back to it. But if we're on the topic of Mr. Mark Mania, I might as well sully this wonderful place with, frankly, the most disappointing man that's in this match. I mean, I expect a certainly level of treatment from the Havok's and the Young Mannie's and the Criss Cassidy's out there. They don't know better than to attack me and beat me down with whatever they can get their hands on. They are thugs, and always will be. And I expect another kind of treatment from the Level-One's out there. He does the dirty deeds, but at least he waits for the better time and the better place ... most of the time. But the Mark Mania, you would think, would be above these types of people. That he'd be, you know, noble and upstanding and a bastion for what's good an proper in wrestling. But a fortnight ago? With this? *Sally holds up the letter again, gives it a little shake* He showed us his true colours.
Mark, *Sally sits up, turns square with the camera, as if to address Mark himself. The words for him, and only him. The barbs intended to hurt his own ego and his own mind, and no one else* I respected you the first week we ever stepped foot in the same ring. I respected you, that week, more than anyone else had since you came to APW I think. And what respect did you show me? You wrote me a letter *Sally flicks it in her hand* about how I was nothing but sex on legs, or thereabouts. What did you say? *Sally looks down to the letter finding the point she wants* “When I see Sally Talfourd, I don't see a wrestler, I see sex.” *She scoffs, then looks up to the camera with a piercing look* That say it all. And don't go saying that's what I want to be seen as. You know exactly how I want to be seen. And if you don't, you will by the end of Sunday.
Anyway, to put it simply: You didn't exactly show my respect back. And you know what? That's fine. I'm used to people going out and slagging me off. It comes with the territory I guess. I just guess I won't get it this time either. And that doesn't bother me either. But you know what you can expect from me this week? *Sally beams a smile at the camera, a slight tilt of the head, and she look like normal, happy-as-Larry, Sally Talfourd* The same all over again. You'll get the same respect and the same reverence and the same, well, praise that I gave you a few weeks ago. Because while you might claim to be, you know, a man of the people and a respectable person in this business, I actually live it. I come out and am more than happy to give someone their dues. Level-One has never said a good word about me. And you had nothing good to say about me two weeks ago. So, all-in-all, you're no different to him then, are you?
And that's all the motivation I need to beat you. If you're no better than him, then you deserve that belt as much as him. And neither of you deserve it. *Sally starts folding up the letter as she speaks, then buries it back in her handbag* Neither of you represent what a champion should be. You're both nothing but glory-hunters. Your name, up in lights. It will get your Mania Enterprises a lot of free press, right? The same way it will give Level-One his depraved little Fight Club-take off extra buzz. I'm not here, you know, to make some quick cash. I'm not going to ride this match and this belt and this company like a horse, whipping it with everything I've got to get that pay day, leaving that horse broke down and broken. *With every 'I'm' that's about to come up, Sally taps herself on the chest, really bringing it all home* I'm here to make sure it's APW that gets the pay day. I'm here to make sure that the wrestling business prospers. I'm here to make sure that the industry thrives. I can't believe that either of you two would be here if the pay check was next to nothing. I can't imagine either of you two will be rushing to get through the doors of a rundown, second-rate, less grand company like IWC. And I can't see you two making a decision for the good of APW that wasn't a decision that was the best for you.
And let's face it, how many people in APW can actually lay claim to that? How many people here do what's right for APW each and every opportunity? Sally's been here for a hiccup, and yet she's still shown herself to be more of a company woman than half the people here. It's this dedication that has got her ahead. It's this respect that's got her ahead. And it's this selflessness that has, surprisingly, got her ahead. A selflessness for the company and for the fans and for the other talent. She pays her dues to others. And if there's someone else out there that is more deserving of the place Sally is standing in, then she is more than happy to step aside. Look at the weeks after Shockwave. All the questioning, the decisions, the self-flagellation just to see if she should remain in the place that she earned or pass on the still-burning torch. Sally didn't cut it at Shockwave, and it showed. Level-One showed everyone why he had that belt. He wrestled rings around Sally. And that showed the world over that Sally still had some ways to go to make it to the top. The week after allowed her to realise that she did have it. That she did have the skills and the talent to beat Level-One. She just wasn't good enough at Shockwave. But now she knows where she needs to be at. She knows how far she had to come between then and now. And gosh-golly she's done everything to get at that place. And all of this not for herself but for the sake of APW. Because APW deserves to have the best headlining their show. APW deserves the best performance a megastar can give. APW deserves the best, and Sally wants to give her best. She looks out across the park for a moment, bringing herself back to the moment, bringing the emotions down a level, composing herself. A few deep breaths of the sickly-sweet air (it's the cherry blossoms), and she's ready.
[Sally] Mark, your lack of respect for me showed more than you disdain for me. Your lack of respect showed your disdain for what I stand for. For what I wrestle for. For what I live for. You showed, by you little letter, that your mind is closed off to new ideas, to new evolutions, to new changes. Your mind is stuck in the old. Me? *Sally gives a shrug of the shoulders and a look to the camera as if to say you should already know where she's from* I'm the new. I am the new face of APW. I'm the new talent of this company. And come Sunday, I'm going to be the new champion. You can have your old world. You can have your divas, your female managers, and you cat-fights. I'll have my new world, where a female wrestler doesn't just run with the men but, like I do here in APW, leads them. I'll have my new world where you don't have to be selfish to get ahead, just damn good. I'll have my new world where people like you lose to people like me. Because that's always what happens: people like me always end up beating people like you. Look at our first and match against one-another. I won. It doesn't matter how. It does matter that you threw everything you had at me and I lasted it all.
People like me always win in the end, Mark. Because you don't treat me seriously. You don't think a man should wrestle a woman. You don't think a woman should stand across from you in competition. You don't respect my skills and talent. The possibility, when we first met, that I might be better than you didn't cross your mind. Now maybe you've learned. *Sally shrugs her shoulder again, a look of uncertainly crossing her face. Only Mark knows if he's actually learned from that match and his mistakes ...* Maybe you took something from our match. Maybe your old world started to fall apart when I won. At the end of Sunday night, your world will be completely shattered when I beat you again. Because I will win when it comes to you. There's only one person in this match I haven't out-wrestled one-on-one. And that person isn't you. It doesn't matter if you come in last. I will have enough to beat you. I could have gone through each and every single person, leaving just you and me to tango. I will still have enough to edge out a win against you. It won't matter how long I've been in there, what I've been through, and hat you will put me through. I have you sorted, and I will shatter your precious little world.
How do I know this? The exact same way I know you don't respect me. It comes all from that little letter you wrote. *Sally pats her handbag, the letter locked away inside. She doesn't want to lose it, not this gem* You couldn't stand up like a man and say what you thought. You couldn't front me or front a camera or even front a single fan. It shows you're weak. It shows your mind up there is fragile. The old world that you live in? I've already started to break it. I've already started breaking your mind. All I need to do is give you the one Happy Ending to completely break you down. Your weak already, Mark. Not weak physically, I'll give you that. But your mind is weak, and that's why it doesn't matter what I've been through when I finally meet you in the chamber. Because my mind will be string and focused and clear. You? You'll be going through that self doubt, that questioning, that fear everyone has when they step up against someone who's already beat them. "Will she beat me again? She's done it before, and she could do it again. How bad will my loss be this time? If I lose, I'll lose the APW title." this is what's running through your mind when you step out your safe little bubble and into the chamber against me. The only way you're getting an answer is by stepping out to face me. That's it. That's the only way. Because I have them. I have the answer you want. And I'll be happy to give you the answer for those three second that I pin you. Or that moment where everything gets too much and you're tapping like there's no tomorrow.
Sally cracks a smile, relishing in the thought that Mark Mania, in a couple of short days, might just be on the bad end of the victory stick. What a sight that would be. Almost as satisfying as if Sally were pinning Level-One for the win. But Mania would likely be all the Talfourd fans' second choice. But that's getting a bit far ahead. We're still here, not quite at the match and not quite finished speaking the peace. Sally, however, is stuck in her dreamland.
[Shane] Sally? Earth to Sally? ** Come in Sally?
Sally snaps to, right back to the park. On the bench. Across from Shane. She smiles a bit of ditsy smile, then starts to fiddle with her hair, making sure it's all still pulled back. Somewhere off in the distance a dog barks. Sally finishes with her hair, then looks to Shane.
[Sally] I've made dinner arrangements for tonight. I made it for both of us. I hope you don't mind?
[Shane] Dinner? With you? Of course I don't mind. It would be great to have ...
[Sally] Because I thought we could really hash out this episode over the whole day. I mean, I will probably do a lot of talking. There are a lot of wackos in this match.
[Shane] Oh. Yeah, sure. Sounds like a good plan.
[Sally] Oh? What's 'oh'?
[Shane] Nothing. It's nothing. Really.
[Sally] Are you sure? Because 'oh' sounds like something to me?
There's a bit of an awkward pause. Sally wondering what Shane mean. Shane wishing Sally would just drop it. Is there something by way of feelings on Shane's part? Working with Sally, living with Sally, having to follow Sally around all the time. Has something blossomed that Sally is unaware of? She gives him a curious look, then starts to play with her handbag. To quickly save the moment, Shane dives in with a thought-provoking, journalistic question ...
[Shane] What do you think about Havok? He's a bit weird, right?
Sally rolls her eyes, then starts shaking her head.
[Sally] A bit weird? He's a lunatic! He's walked straight out of Twilight. Or Harry Potter. I mean, have you seen him on TV? When he's not wrestling. Really freaks me out when he goes on about his magic and his mojo and his voodoo. Then again, I guess it's good to see all these new people coming in and making a claim to the spotlights here. I mean, it would get awfully lonely if it was just me. So Havok, *Sally turns to look at the camera, away from her handbag, letting it rest on her lap again* it's good to see you moving up the ranks. You'll be the next Level-One in no time. I mean, you're only here because you forced you way in with random assaults on unsuspecting victims. People like me, some weeks ago. That's how level-one got back into the main event when i first came here, and it's how you get into your first main event. Coincidence? You're both on the take for yourselves, and your both as corrupt as the other. The only thing that separates you and him is the fact that he's beat me before. Credit to him, he got the job done when it counted against me. You? You couldn't beat me when it wasn't nearly as important as it is on Sunday. You couldn't beat me on OverDrive. How in hell do you think you'll beat me at One Night in Hell? When all the lights are on you? When every set of eyes in the building are watching you? When thousands of people have paid to watch you? When everything you've worked to wards, everything you've wanted in a company, and everything you've dreamed of chimes down to a three-second moment? How can you possibly think you can beat me in that moment?
You can't. I don't mean to be mean and curt and abrupt. But you can't. Simply put, you're not on my level yet. And it's not just me *Sally points to her beautiful face* you have to worry about. Mark Mania, on a good day, is nearly as good as me. Level-One has proved to be better than me in the past. How can you beat them, much less me? Have you asked yourself that? You went on a tear, you started on a war path, to make an impact. You started with me. And you've made it alright. You got everyone's attention. But what did you think would happen? You'd get a pat on the back, a better pay-check, and a round of applause? I bet you didn't think you'd get One Night in Hell as a reward. But that's what you got buddy. You've been handed up to not just one, but three people who are going to show you what it takes to be in the main event at APW.
So what are you going to do to save yourself this time, Havok? You showed one of your first tricks when you added a chair to our match. What can you this time? We're in a freaking chamber for crying out loud! *Sally nearly starts waving her arms around like a crazy person, but manages to hold herself back* You can't get away this time. You can't bring anything unexpected to this match. You can only rest on your own laurels, your win talent, and your own skill. And, from what I've seen, there's not much to rest on. You can bow down and worship your whatever gods and your mystics and look into your crystal ball and deal out taro cards all day. Whatever helps you sleep at night. But in the elimination chamber? That's a place so depraved and so forsaken than even your gods would be too afraid to come into. *Sally starts to grin* Actually, I got word that your spirit and demon friends aren't in this match not because they don't exist. No no, it's because they're too afraid to even step foot in the chamber. That's how crazy things are going to get.
And that's what you alone have to contend with. I don't care what you believe in. I don't care what you do with your spare time as long as it's becoming of an APW employee. And having threesomes, of sixsomes or orgies with your priestesses or whatever those skanks are isn't really becoming. But I do care what you can do in the ring. And you couldn't do what you needed to do at a time when you should have done it. And ... *Sally looks as confused as ever. He brain just caught up with what she just said and it has no idea how to compute it* yeah. Ok. You need to do it, I guess? Your little Trixie girl, she started to hit the mark when she reminded you that your ass way my grass right after Shockwave. Even in my questionable state, I pushed you up against the wall. With no where to run, and no more fight left in you that I couldn't fend off, you had to go and get yourself disqualified to save face. Don't worry, I'm sure no one thinks less of you. And, because of that I'm sure people did lose faith in you. What little faith they had after your great debut at Shockwave they lost when they saw you couldn't get it done against me.
The crowds are a fickle bunch. One week they will love you, and the next they will turn on you in a snap. It's one wrong step, one loss, even one victory away. In a moment, they can turn. And it's a credit to Sally that, after all these years, and enough times being the 'bad girl', that she still not only draws the applause she does but the respect as well. It comes from the hours of effort and dedication and showmanship that she puts in every week. Going out on the house shows and wrestling like it's a pay per view. Going out on OverDrive and wrestling like it were Rasslemania. It's the extra yards, the extra effort, and the extra dedication that the fans appreciate. Who else can match that in the chamber? Who can lay claim to being in the match for the fans? If anyone else wins, the fans will be glad they saw a great match, but they won't be nearly as happy as if they saw Sally holding the belt up. The match is going to be great or greatly satisfying. There's no compromise with this talent.
[Sally] Now you need to ask yourself, Havok, why anyone should believe in you going into this match. They know you can't beat me on my worst night. You can talk all you want to reporters and the websites and the dirt sheets about all of us in the match. You can talk about your style and your change of in-ring dynamics, and your resentment of the fans. But why should anyone pay attention to you? You're only in this match because you showed you'd too loose of a cannon not to put you inside the most insane place APW has to offer. Just to see what happens. You're nothing more than a demented experiment it seems. The only think people want to see if what exactly happens when you are locked in there with all of us. How far off the rails will you fly? I'm interested in as much as I am worried that you will fly out there and never come back. Because then someone has the fun task of getting you out of the match. And that, in itself, will be prove to be interesting. *Sally holds up a hand, as if to stop you thinking there and then* I'm not saying I'm not up to the task, just that I'd rather eliminate Havok when he's, you know, sane rather than insane. Then again, he claims to be from the Underworld or whatever. I think the Sane Train has left his station.
[Shane] Have you got a ticket for that train? Because some of the things you say Sally ...
[Sally] Some of the things I say are what Shane? *Sally laughs, playfully hits at Shane, then sits back on the seat, tilting back to look up at the sky and the wonderful weather* What a great day, Shane. We're really lucky. This swing through Asia, ending up in Tokyo. It's just an unbelievable life we live. It certainly makes all the work just to get to this place in our careers worth it, right? It's the dream you have when you start out in this business. Wrestling in Madison Square. Touring to world. Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome. And that's what we're doing Sunday. We're living the dream, aren't we?
[Shane] Almost. There's just one thing missing ...
[Sally] What's that? *Sally, still resting back, rolls her head over to Shane* What's missing?
[Shane] The APW World Heavyweight Championship?
[Sally] *Sally lets out a big smile and a slight nod* I guess that would be nice. Though, I don't know if I'd like to be in the position that Level-One's in now, having to defend it under these circumstances. Then again *Sally sits up, still smiling from ear to ear* I couldn't think of a more deserving champion to have to defend it like this.
[Shane] Would you agree that he's your biggest threat to winning the championship?
[Sally] If I had to pick one person, yes. But, really Shane, there isn't just one threat in this match. There's five. And I can't go past the hand Biggs played in this match. He's put me in first. I know that this is just a test of me. He needs to see if something this big – putting me at the most disadvantage in the biggest match in weeks – can really throw me off. He needs to see if I'm as determined as I need to be. I'll show him that he can't be rid of me this easily. And if I walk out with the championship, he'll have no other choice but to acknowledge everything I've been saying about him. That he's wanted me to win this belt the hard way to prove that I am ... well, the best. Because a General Manager can't be seen with anyone but the best.
[Shane] Let's get back to Level-One. You know, someone actually in this match. *Is there a hint of jealousy in Shane's voice?* What would you say to him were he listening to you now?
[Sally] I'd probably start by thanking him for listening to me. I mean, he's been so busy chatting up skanks in strip joint, organising his little Fight Club, and figuring out what's going on back in the States that I'm surprised he has enough time to listen to me. And it would probably be the first time he has too. He's hardly regarded me as someone worth paying attention to, despite the time I've beat him, what? Three times now? Four times? I'm losing count. He can spin it every way he wants. Whenever I've faced Level-One and there's been other people involved, the best he could ever dig out is a no contest. It didn't matter who I teamed up with, I was able to win our tag team matches. Now that says something about him, right? You can chalk one up to a bad partner. Maybe even two. But how many times before you have to say “Hey, Level-One. Sally's got a number on you.” Now, look. *Sally stops, holds up her hands in defense as if to slow this conversation down* I know, Level-One beat me at Shockwave. Trust me, I know. I had to deal with it. Anyone who watched me watch Sally Talfourd go through a bit of a phase, really questioning whether I had it to get back to where I am right now. But you know what convinced me I did? When I no contested Level-One, and then best him the very next week. The champion. The APW World Heavyweight Champion. The man who beat me. That proved to me that I had it.
So now I'm back. Lester, we've been down a path like this before. But it's going to be different this time. This time it's more violent and there's a bit of a welcoming party for us. But make no mistake: thus won't be a repeat of Shockwave. I promise you that. You out-matched me there. Like I said with Mark, I give credit where it's due. You outperformed me, you out wrestled me, you out-skilled me. You said you would and you did. So I guess when you say something, it happens right? *Sally holds up a finger, as if to stop for a moment to think* Hold on, that's not exactly right, is it? Because every other time we've had to face each other you've said you'd win. You run me down, write me off, and say you'll win, right? It's the generic response you have to me. But, like I said, you always winning isn't exactly right. Because you've only ever pinned me once. In our, what, six? matches? You've actually only beat me once. That time when Bryan Payne came in, and got me disqualified for no real reason hardly counts. Now, if we go back to the record books, it's going to show a few surprising things. Main one being that I have a better win record against you than loss. They might be tag teams, but like I said before: How many times do I have to beat you until we all accept that I do actually have something over you? If we add up all our matches together, I'm on top. And that's good, because that's exactly where I like to be.
What I'm interested in, more than stats and numbers, is how that makes you feel Lester? Knowing that out of all the people here in APW, there is someone who has a winning record against you. There is someone in this company who has a green record against you, the World Heavyweight Champion. Just stop *Sally pauses* and think about that. I have a winning record against you. You should have a little bit of burning sensation on the back of your neck right about now. Do you know what that it? No, it's not a rash you caught in Bangkok. It's fear. It's worry. It's the feeling you get when you know you're looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. You see, you might have written off my victories against you in tag team matches as nothing but meaningless. And that was probably valid when it came to our Shockwave match. One-on-one and all that. It's a fair call. *Sally with a shrug, nods her head* There's a bunch of people in a tag team match, and that skews it out of your favour, right? Guess what sunshine? There's a bunch of people in our match this week. And you can cry and scream and beat your chest all you want, but if either of us get an advantage out of that it's me. I can work like that against you. You can't work like that against me. You can't team up. You obviously can't focus on anyone other than me even when there's other people involved. This match, this is your weakness. And I'm just thankful to be there.
Because I promise you this again: One Night in Hell will not be a repeat of Shockwave. You might have beat me clean then. You might have out-classed me. You might have shown yourself to be the better over a month ago. But Sunday? I'm showing you all these new tricks I've learned. I'm showing you all the new things I can do to you. The same things that got you pinned a couple of weeks ago. You remember that, right? *A faux-concerned look* When I pinned you? Three seconds and your dream, you glass house, it came crashing down. You never thought it would happen. But it did. Every time you had to face off with me, you ran me down. Said I didn't deserve what I earned. And all but declared certain victory. No humility from you Lester. No respect. Nothing. Just you being you. And what does everyone remember? That more times than not I ended up making you eat your words. That's what I remember, and I'm sure that's what you remember. Because you're not the kind of man to forget that. I doubt you forget much, but there's no way you're going forget all the wins I have over you. Or me pinning you. You're the type of guy who's going into that match looking for revenge. Revenge against me for simply being better than you.
I might have said it before, Lester, but you're not as good as you make yourself out to be. You believe, more than anyone, that you're next to unbeatable when it comes to a conventional match. And, granted, you are hard to beat. But this isn't a conventional match. You can lose your belt in the blink of an eye. This chamber can ruin a person, and there's five people who would like nothing else than to make you the first casualty of the contest. Getting rid of you first gives us an even better chance of winning the belt. And it guarantees the APW faithful a new champion – something they desperately need. The greatest wrestler alive wouldn't have lost a single match against me. The greatest wrestler wouldn't have problems beating more than one person. The greatest wrestler wouldn't have to say it over and over again just to try and get at least one other person to believe them. And the wouldn't make up a new excuse to be the best every time they were proved wrong. You used to be the best because no one could beat you, right Lester? *Sally starts to could out the many reasons why Level-One might be thought of as the best* But then when that new upstart diva came in and beat you in a tag match, it became you were the best because I couldn't possibly pin you, right? And then when I did, what was it? You were the best because you didn't stop trying? Because you gave your very best each and every night?
If you listened to a word I had said since i came here, you would realise that if trying your best is your mark for greatness, then paint me pink and slap a bow on me! *Sally slaps her thigh and gives a wink to the camera* Because I'm just the present you've been looking for. No one has tried harder than me here. No one has given as much as I have since I walked through the front door. I have gone out each and every night and put it all out there for everyone to see. Fans and haters alike have always seen the best that Sally Talfourd has to offer. For some people, that's all it takes to realise that I am pretty darn good. For others, it takes accolades. And, let's be honest, I'm actually starting to build up a resume here in APW. Your title, Level-One, would be somewhat of a crowning achievement. A very deserving crown, because it has been a hard road to get here. It would be easier for the likes of you, Lester. Weight-for-weight, you stand a chance against anyone here. Me? You compare my measurements to anyone else's I have to go against and I usually only win on bust-size. And even then there's a couple of guys here *A shiver runs up Sally's spine, just thinking of it* ... anyway, let's get away from that. Your should count yourself lucky, sitting in your little tower of privilege. I go into a ring against the likes of you or Bryan Payne or Mark Mania and people expect me to lose. I shouldn't be winning half the matches that I have notched up. But I do. And what does that tell you Lester?
It tells you I am better than you if greatness is measured by effort and determination and giving it everything. Because I have to give everything just to make it in this business. And look where i am now. *Sally gestures around her, reminding everyone how far she's come* I'm in Tokyo, about to headline the second pay per view in a row, in a match for the APW title for the second pay per view in a row, in what will prove to be the biggest match since Rasslemania was on. And that's only because I wasn't here for that pay per view. I'm going into this match a red hot favourite. How else could I get to this very moment without having tried harder than you, performed better than you, and achieved more than you? You know just as well as I do that even by your own measurements of success, I am better than you. It's just a ticking clock as to when I will finally have the belt to prove it.
Sally, just for a fleeting moment, looks down at her waist. She almost imagines the belt to be there already? Confidence or over-confidence? I guess it's hindsight that determines that. If she goes home with the belt, then it's confidence. It's a reward for confidence and determination and focus. If she doesn't, then what else is it but over-confidence? Hyping yourself up and talking yourself up is good and all before a match. But you look plenty silly when it doesn't work out. You learn that the hard way. And maybe that's something Level-One is going to learn. Unlikely, but maybe. You never know. It's not about setting the bar so low that no one expects anything of you. The people who flock to see Sally Talfourd, the people that pay to see her, the people that watch her over and over again; these are the people that expect the world of her. But it's tempered, you know? It's tempered by realism. Do they want Sally to be the APW champion? Yes. Do they expect it? No. They expect Sally to go out and do everything she can. To follow up with her promise that she will deliver to them the best match of the night. They expect her to be the person she claims to be: someone in the business for the fans.
Speaking of the fans, it would seem that a handful of people have spotted her and recognised. Something has caught Sally's attention behind Shane and, there waiting all excited is a half-dozen teenage girls far too caught up in the 'celebrity' of it all to go up to her. Sally gives them a wave, and there's the typical laugh-come-scream reaction. Sally throws her bag over her shoulder, gives a shrug to Shane, and starts to stand up.
[Sally] This is the part of the job I love. *Sally fixes her clothes then beams a smile at her fans and heads on over. They are all abuzz at the moment, a joy of faces. It really is one of the moment that Sally works hardest for* Konichiwa!
And it's this fun little sidetrack that the camera slowly fades out on. The peaceful part, the heightened excitement among the girls and Sally – as happy as she could possibly imagine – snapping photos on phone and signing autographs on
Suddenly the screen bursts to life! And we're on a subway train. It's like the sight from the Jakarta airport: a sea of black haired head stretching out forever. And, once again, there's Sally up to her shoulders in it all. She's a good ten, fifteen metres away from Shane. And the train is absolutely packed. Not an inch to move left or right. The air thick with the heat and the grime from a day's work. The window closed, and the air system just recycling the stale air. But it doesn't perturb Sally who notices Shane and gives him a cute little wave over the heads of all these people. She lets out a little laugh, a shrug of the shoulders, then goes back to holding the strap hanging from the roof. Then there's a tap on her shoulder. She looks over and down, and there's another fan – this time a man surely in his 60s or 70s. Too far away to hear the conversation, we're going to have to watch to see what happens. Sally starts to talk a little with him, then pretends to take a photo, asking if he would like one. He waves his hands with a nervous refrain, then bends over, below the level of heads, and comes up with his granddaughter, holding her in his arms so she can see Sally. She's still in her little school uniform and, strapped to her back, a Sally Talfourd backpack. All sorts of Japanese characters are scrawled over it, but there's that unmistakable face. Sally looks as excited as the girl! She lets out an adorable 'Awww' which gets the attention of a few passengers, then reaches over and takes hold of the girl. She gives her a kiss on top of the head, then gets in close, cheek-to-cheek, as the grandfather takes a photo.
I think we're starting to understand why Sally likes Japan so much.
That scene fades away with Sally looking to the little girl as she holds her, talking about who knows what, to a blank screen. A wait, which must seem like forever, before we come into a great scene. A hustle-and-bustle alleyway of Tokyo. Nothing like you'd find in New York or Los Angeles or anywhere in that States. It's not some sort of alley you'd expect to go down and never come back from. There's shop fronts and restaurants and all sorts of lit-up signs hanging from the walls. Shane, camera in the lead, heads down, into the throng of people. He dodges and weaves the mix of people – the businessmen in their suits finishing up for the night, the over-dressed women who carry themselves with an elegance and a poise that you would expect to find on 5th Avenue, school kids done for the day and taking in the few free hours that they have before hitting the books again. And there, sitting at a table in among st a crowd of Japanese people, is Sally Talfourd. They don't have the slightest idea who she is. Or, if they do, they don't let on. They are just head won, digging into their meals. Sally, as Shane finds her, hands over the menu to one of the waiters. He gives a quick bow and then rushes off to get the order underway. Sally sees Shane and excitedly waves to him to come and sit on the stool beside her. After a bit of trouble, Shane finally gets to his seat, giving his poor feet a rest.
[Sally] Shane! I was wondering if you were going to come! Where were you?
[Shane] I slept a bit late. I still haven't got over the jet lag. All these timezone changes? I can't get used to it. I'm sorry
[Sally] *Sally gives him a reassuring pat on the back, maybe a little too hard* Don't fret! It's ok. I've ordered for you anyway. You'll love it. I came here once the first time I toured Japan with ... I believe UWA? Yeah, and I just stumbled on this little place and have come here at least once whenever I've been in town. The food is delicious! And they brew their own sake here. And it is amazing! You have to have some Shane.
[Shane] Whatever you recommend. How long do the meals take to come?
[Sally] Good question. You would think that because it's sushi and all it wouldn't take long. Actually, the preparation and the care that they put into making it that perfect meal means we have a bit of a wait. I mean, I did splurge a little and order some good things. But you have to, when you're in Tokyo! It's like going to Vegas and not gambling. Or going to Toronto and not ... doing whatever you do in Toronto. Maybe ice fishing? I don't really know. Do they have anything in Toronto?
[Shane] Forget about Toronto, Sally. You were on a roll in the park earlier today. You'd shared your feeling about Level-One. We've still got two more wonks to talk about.
[Sally] Oh Shane, do we have to talk about them? They will ruin a perfect evening. Especially if you start me on one of them in particular.
[Shane] Then talk about the other one. Which one is the better to talk about? You'd be kicking yourself if you wasted your time here. *Sally doesn't look too enthralled by the idea* Besides, when have you ever turned up the opportunity to give your patented, trademarked tear of someone?
Sally smirks, casting a loot to Shane as she looks down at the table. The waiter-person comes by and drops off two what look to be Cokes in front of Sally and Shane.
[Shane] What happened to the sake?
[Sally] Shane! You don't start off with sake. It can be pretty potent. It's not the watered down stuff that you get back home. They only sell us the sake they don't want. Trust me when I say you want to have a drink like this before we get into it. *Sally hands a glass over to Shane, who puts the camera down on the table for a minute, facing the two for a rare on-screen appearance by the cameraman himself. They clink glasses then take a drink. Sally surveys the crowd, taking in the atmosphere. Shane, for some reason, just watches Sally. She turns back to him, gives an unknowing smile, then looks at the camera* Take a break Shane. We could try something new, do the rest of the night like this? *Shrug and a nod from Shane who is glad to have both his hands free for more than ten minutes, though he wouldn't say it* Ok. Because I do not want to ruin our little dinner out, Criss Cassidy. You get the distinct honour of being the topic of discussion tonight. And I'd like to actually start out by welcoming you. Criss Cassidy, welcome to where you would have been if you were good enough to beat me at Test For the Best. You see, you can trace a line from my win over you that night right to this very moment. I beat you at Test For the Best in the most-anticipated final since the idea of the tournament was first thought up. I beat you and then I went through the wringer. I faced all the top talent that APW had to offer. Bryan Payne. Michael Lively. Victor Hades. And then, eventually, Level-One. I lost, sure. Then I started up all over again. Havok, Young Mannie *Sally's tone of voice dropped to complete and utter loathing then*, Biggs, Level-One, and Mark Mania. Through all of that, I went undefeated. And now I find myself here, a few days out from the elimination chamber match.
Let's be honest with each other. You couldn't have done any better than me had you somehow won at Test For the Best. You wouldn't have been able to beat the odds most weeks and come out better for having competed in each of those matches. You wouldn't have done any better than me at Shockwave, would you? So I don't want to hear that from you when you finally decide to show your face on Sunday. What I do want to hear from you is why you deserve to be in the match that some of us worked very, very hard to get in to. Because, Criss, I'm finding it a hard task to actually tell people why you get the shot of a life time. You beat John Green to get in, right? One match got you into the biggest event in wrestling today? I got in through weeks and weeks of suffering, or pain, of trying and trying and never giving up. I didn't get in here because I was the default after Shockwave. I got in here because the second I walked into APW Biggs saw that I was the person would work harder than each and every person that I had to contend with. And I did. I worked hard the first match I had here. Then the next. Then *Sally taps on the table* every *Another tap, only harder* single *and one last tap, really hard this time* match. You cannot find me a match where I didn't put everything into it. And the best example for you? Test For the Best. You came into that match expecting to win, right? I mean, how could a woman who had to fight Biggs and John Green have anything left in the tank to beat you? But I did, didn't I? And I went from there *Sally points off into space* to here *Sally brings her finger down to the table* all because I was better than you that night. If you somehow were better than me, then, like I said, I am where you would be if you had won.
Sally takes a sip of her Coke. Shane, resting back on his stool, watches as Sally – who wasn't really keen to get onto the topic – starts to get into full swing now. She puts the glass back on the table, and carefully slides it further to the middle. Countless glasses have met a smashing end due to Sally's flying limbs. It would be a shame to destroy another.
[Sally] But you weren't good enough then and you won't be good enough now. You couldn't beat me at Test For the Best, and it's going to be the same at One Night in Hell. I'm not mean. I'm not a heel. I'm a realist. What have you done since then that could possible alter the outcome that everyone expects? Nothing. You beat John Green? I did that after beating Biggs. You caught the attention of the head honchos here? They've been watching me since I came here. And it doesn't matter who you pray to. I'm not against people expressing their personal beliefs in, you know, an appropriate manner. I am against you judging people just because then don't bend over in front of you. Judge not lest thee be judged? I guess you pick and choose when it comes to the Bible. Especially when it came to what you had to say against Leila. Don't think that because I wasn't involved in your little feud I won't have a gift or two for you in the match. She's my friend, and just because she's not here doesn't mean all is forgiven. She might be forgiving of buffoons like you. Me? I'm not. So not only do you have to contend with the fact that I just want to beat you for the sake of winning the APW title, but I want to beat you to remind you that you are, in fact, nothing but a two-faced, lying, deceiving nobody. And, above all else, believe me when I say ... Sake!
Sally looks up and behind the camera, Shane is in a world of confusion until he notices the waiter, who puts the bottles of sake and the dinky cups in front of the camera. Sally gives him a nod, then eagerly pours out two glasses, one for her and one for Shane.
[Sally] Ok Shane. This isn't like shots or anything. You are mean to savour the taste and the craftsmanship that goes into it. It's not uncouth like beer or bourbon or anything. This actually requires a palette and refinement and sophistication. Ok?
[Shane] Ok, sounds good ...
Sally and Shane cheers to each other then take a sip out of their cups. Shane's face reads like he's just drunk a mouthful of methylated spirits. Sally, on the other hand, clearly savours her drink, getting the full experience out of it. She looks over to Shane, who looks a little ill. She looks worried.
[Sally] Are you alright Shane?
[Shane] Fine. Perfect. *He says with a slightly strained voice*
Sally chuckles. Then takes another sip of her own cup. Eventually the scene fades out, obviously done in post-production editing because the camera doesn't move. But it quickly comes back to find Sally and Shane sitting back-to back. They both look a little worse for wear, Sally's hair starting to go all over the place and Shane looking like he's falling asleep. In fact, if they weren't leaning on one-another, they'd certainly be all over the floor. Sally slowly brings her sake cup to her mouth, taking another sip. It's only them that we notice, lined up along the edged of the table is a dozen empty sake bottles. And there's even a few that have spilled onto the floor if you look carefully. Sally looks to the camera, reaches over with her cup-free hand, and then picks up the camera to hold it in front of her face. Probably a bit too close, but that's the least of her worries at the moment.
[Sally] Ladies and gentlemen, I do believe Shane cannot hold *Hiccup* his liquor. Look at him. *Sally holds the camera up, over her head, trying to capture Shane asleep, but it's pretty much a fail* He's got nothing on Sally Talfourd! He's disgraceful. They had to stop serving him. Me!? I'm spick and span! Right and the rain. And *Sally goes to stand up, but realises quickly that she might not be as stable as she claimed* perfectly fine to get into a cab to get home. Shane! *She turns around, prodding him in the side. No reaction, except to break his careful balance and send him off his stool and to the ground. There's a bit of a laugh from the spattering of people that are still there. Sally smiles at them with her a bit of innocence, then looks into the camera* I'm sure Shane can take care of himself. I'll just give him this *Sally holds up a business card* – the card to our hotel – and bid him farewell! Shane *Sally reaches down and tucks the business card into his top pocket* good luck on your journey. I'm out of here.
The camera abruptly switches off. And, for the whatevereth time this episode we're left in the dark. But, that's what happens when you have a full day of shooting and there's this much to talk about. You get all these non-wrestling moments. Anyway, the camera comes back on, and it's Sally Talfourd again. This time looking a lot better than before. She's fresh in the morning, walking around in the bathrobe, signs of just having had a shower, all rugged up and warm. She's backing away from the camera that she's just switched on and left on the hotel room's table. She backs up and takes a seat on the edge of the bed, leaning her elbows on her legs, leaning into the camera. Keen and eager to wrap up this craziness.
[Sally] Hello again guys and girls. New day, and, I guess, new camera-person. Because Shane didn't come home last night. I'm not worried ... just ... concerned. I think I'll try and find some time to go and find him later on today. But I'm waiting for room service to come up with breakfast, so I hope he doesn't want finding too soon. While I wait though, I figure I'll do what you do when you've got a band-aid stuck to your skin: just rip it off and get it over with. The longer you take getting it off the more pain you're in. And that's exactly how it is when it comes to Young Mannie. The longer you have to talk about him, the more pain you're in. Young Mannie, you're the last person I'm talking about for a reason. You're the last person I mention and you're the last person who should be in this match. I'm not going to be hurtful about it, I'm just going to put the facts out there. I worked hard to get into this match. Level-One deserves to be here simply because his belt is on the line, if nothing more. Mark Mania has shown himself to be of main event level week in and week out. Havok, despite my disagreement with it, actually did something to get into the match that made people sit up and notice him. Criss Cassidy made it to the match by forcing one of the most respected and long-standing wrestlers in this company out of his spot.
You? Level-One picked you and that's it. He picked you because you are one less person to worry about for him. He obviously didn't think about this too hard, because you're now one less person for everyone to worry about. I'm starting this match out against someone and I so hope that it's you. I will throw you around like a rag doll. Ill treat you like you treated me week in and week out going into Shockwave. You copped a little from me last week. This week, you get the whole thing. Your worst scenario is coming in and seeing every little tube taken up by a warm body. Your best scenario? Coming in the person before Mark. Your chances of winning the get less and less the nearer you get to me. Because I swear to your sorry, street-wise ass that I will do everything I can to bump you out of this match. I rarely ever use the word hate with people, but I certainly hate you. I swear to you there is no one in APW that I resent more than you. You are the face, for me at least, with everything that's wrong with APW. When you couldn't cut it yourself, you brought your thugs along. When that wasn't enough, you bumped together with Shaun Kilgore. When people still ignored you, you started working for the likes of Level-One not for any good reason other than to take out the biggest threat to him and his title: me.
Well guess what? Karma comes around, if Earl has taught us anything. My revenge is coming and you can't get away from it. You're stuck in that chamber with me. And, if I have anything to say about it, you won't be leaving until you're begging to. You see, I might get run down by everyone else in this match, but the world knows that it's not true. I've gone out there week after week and proved people wrong. So my fans, the APW audience, everyone just ignores what people have to say about me. But, because I'm so successful in APW people listen when I talk about other people. And they know that I'm probably right when I say what I say. So they're going to believe me when I say that you stand no chance, Mannie. None whatsoever. There is a better chance of every single other person in this match winning than you. Because you *Sally points down the camera* haven't shown to anyone that you can do what it takes to get the win. When there's rules, some of us play by them. Me. I play by the rules. That's why you were able to get the jump on me so many times. But now that the rules have been thrown out? Now we're reading from the same book, right? And you have no idea what to expect when I cut loose. In fact, I don't even know what to expect sometimes. I have been a good girl for so long that, well, I don't know what it's like to be bad. But I'm sure when I see your sorry face, Mannie, it will all come back and bam! *Sally claps her hands suddenly* I'll remember twenty different ways to break you down, and all I need to do is use one of them. That's all. Because you are an easy beat. You were hand-selected for this match, and you're being hand delivered to me. Just make sure you speak to Criss and say a prayer for yourself before you come in, ok?
Now, *Sally slaps her knees, then stands up, making sure her robe doesn't come undone in the process* as much as I like to sit around talking about Young Mannie I expect ... *A knock on the door* perfect timing. Breakfast is here, which means I have to get ready for the day. Training, training, find Shane, and then more training. But first, breakfast! Thanks for watching this latest, greatest episode. Tune in for the next one, guys and girls, and then watch on Sunday night for your very own Happy Ending.
Sally winks at the camera and blows it a kiss. She smiles to all her fans, then turns to go to the door. The camera stays on as she opens up and the guy wheels in the meal. He bows to her, then takes his leave. Sally looks over her breakfast, pushes the little cart over to the table, then finally switches off the camera. The feed cuts off, goes to black. There's a pause, and then
"Sally Talfourd"
is handwritten across the screen, in purple. Before it fades out and the episode comes to a close.
