Post by SalTal on Oct 23, 2010 1:15:12 GMT -4
Where have we come from? Where are we going? Does anyone care? Where can I get a cup of coffee. These are the important questions in life. We strive to find the answers our whole lives. If we're lucky, we will find the nearest Starbucks. If we're not ... But we don't have to strive past Sunday to get the answer to the biggest question in everyone's mind right now: Who is going to win APW's elimination chamber match at One Night in Hell? Many people have been asking this question. Thousands. Millions even. They all want to know which of the six competitors who are entering that match with the same dream and aspiration is strong enough, tough enough, disciplined enough to make it to the very end. To last the distance and grab the APW World Heavyweight Championship from the gates of Hell, leaving the others cast aside in their wake ...
Sounds like it will be some epic movie coming in Summer, right? Nope, it's APW's pay per view this week. And boy am I excited to be part of the history-making main event. I'm even more excited to make it even more ... history-making? For the second pay per view in a row, I could end up walking out APW's first female World Heavyweight Champion. I could make history there and then. Of course, my track record at making history is a bit patchy. But history has to be made some time, right? And I might as well do it the second time around. It would be even more sweeter could I do it with an elimination chamber and five other competitors. But that's getting a bit too far ahead.
First we have to get to Sunday. And that means training. Fitness. Preparation. I mean, coming into this match first ... first? First!? It think it's just started to hit me that I have to go from the very start to the very end of this match. I mean, what a story it will make for. What a perfect example of triumph and achievement if I were able to do that. It's what legends and reputations are made of! But going in first? Has it ever been done before? Has anyone in APW – anywhere? - ever come in first and won a chamber match? If I do it, there's going to be more than one piece of history made. Then again, it won't be the first time I've made history at APW.
And there's no reason to stop making it now ...
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Internet Explorer - *click* - Favorites - *click* - APW.com ...
Welcome to Action Packed Wrestling![/color]
Videos - *click* - Megastars - *click* - Sally Talfourd - *click* - Videos - *click*[/i]
Welcome to Happy Ending T.V.!
Recent - *click* - Episode #23: Recognising true talent - *click*
Recorded the 28th of September, 2010. The final days before Sally are filled with duties and fun. Sally attends the anticipated fan's day, and we get to see her go about her business. Then we find Sally in a very self-reflective mood, and she discusses the comings and goings of her mind. Another not-to-be-missed episode.
Starring: Sally Talfourd, Pence Weatherlight, Shane the cameraman, APW tech dude, Mr. Taki
*click* - Loading ...
"Sally Talfourd presents ..."
is written across the screen, fades out, then
"In association with Action Packed Wrestling"
is next to appear, holds, then fades out for
"Happy Endings T.V."
which fades out again to what you might mistake for a full dress rehearsal. APW staff and stars wandering about, dressed to the hilt. I'll tell you what's going on: Fan appreciation day. A bunch of the more generous megastars have given up some of their time to do the old fashioned meet-and-greet. Of course, the first person to volunteer for all this was Sally Talfourd who just so happens to be walking by .. which means she found her cameraman? She spots Shane (back in action!) and cracks a smile as she stops her trek to where ever she was going and makes a beeline to him. She has to stop herself from laughing before she even gets there.
[Sally] Hello Shane! Or should I say ...
[Shane] Sally, I need to be serious with you for a moment. I am evoking a friendship pact about the thing ... yesterday ... with that whole place.
[Sally] But Shane! It's an awesome story!
[Shane] One I'd rather forget. My parents watch this, and I don't want them finding out.
[Sally] But Shane ...
[Shane] Please Sally!
[Sally] Fine! Ok. I won't ever mention it. Ever. Happy?
[Shane] Thank-you.
[Sally] Ok, well, while you're here, we've got some time to kill. The fans, they are never on time. Or organised. And I think my little session isn't on until the end. So why don't we find somewhere a little more quiet?
Sally walks towards the camera, then past it. Shane spins around, follows after her. She makes her way through the small crowd that's there. She spots Pence Weatherlight across the crowd, standing around with his posse. He spots her and gives her a nod. She gives him a cute little wave, then a wink, and continues on. No doubt he's still watching after her. Suddenly she breaks through the crowd (all gathered in the backstage area of an auditorium, just for the record) and looks around. There's a row of doors, of which Sally picks lucky door number 2, and heads in. There's a room with a row of five laptops, all fired up, screen saver on of random APW photos. Sally looks around, sees no one is in there, and then takes a seat on the edge of a table.
[Sally] Well, guys and girls, welcome to another episode of Happy Endings TV. And can I say that it's days like this that I really enjoy being part of APW. Not every company goes out and does these extra things for the fans. It always makes me feel so ...
[APW Tech Dude] Oh! Excuse me, I didn't know someone was in here ...
A strange voice comes in from behind the camera. Shane turns around to find one of the APW staff members – a tech specialist named Ronaldo, going by his badge – walking in with a bunch of cords.
[Sally] I'm sorry. *Sally looks a little embarrassed, looking around the rest of the room as if some other people might have magically appeared and she wasn't the only person who made the mistake* Am I not allowed in here or something?
[APW Tech Dude] Actually, if you have free time, I could really use you. Sally Talfourd, yes? *Sally nods, stands up from the table, and shakes hands with the tech dude* You were going to be in here after your session anyway. But if you've got some free time now, I guess we could get started on our new project for all you talents.
[Sally] What new project? Something to do with all these laptop, yeah?
[APW Tech Dude] Yes. You are as smart as they say. *Who is spreading that vicious rumour?* What we're trying to do at APW is boost our online presence. We really see the wrestling market expanding into the online world far more in the next couple of years. And, at a recent creative meeting, we thought he best was was to start including things on the APW website that you wouldn't find anywhere else. And, when asked who should start this, we thought we'd ask the biggest drawing name we've got ...
[Sally] Oh really!? I'm so flattered ...
[APW Tech Dude] ... and then when Level-One said we could all go get expletative'd we thought we'd ask you?
[Sally] Oh .. of course. *Just how it works out, right? Sally shrugs it off*[/b] Oh, yeah. I'd have no problem with that. What were the sort of things you wanted?[/color]
[APW Tech Dude] Well, we know you have all your Happy Endings up there. What we were hoping was something written – like an opinion column. Something that people could download and read, say, on their PDAs or their iPads. Something quick and easy to take away from the site, not more audio and visuals. Does that make sense?
[Sally] Wait .. you want me to write stuff? Does it include pictures or anything? I mean, people watch Happy Endings because they can see me ... *Sally quickly realises that that might sound a bit vain, then again when has that ever stopped her?*[/b] and, you know, to see the scenery ... and stuff.[/color]
[APW Tech Dude] Just give it a go. I think you'll get the hang of it quickly and you'll get as many hits as with your videos. I'll leave you to it, ok? Tell me if you have any problems, I'll be over in the production trailer.
The tech dude gives Sally a pat on the back as he leaves. Sally gives him a smile, which quickly turns into a rather skeptical look once he's gone. She looks back to the laptop that she was sat in front of then brings her hands up to start typing. They hover over the keys for a minute, waiting for the inspiration to come ...
Sally sits back from the laptop, stretching her arms above her head. She's got a satisfied smile on her face. That was, actually, very therapeutic. She glances over her little column-thing, then clicks the most logical button on the screen: send. The message disappears, there's a green tick on the page in its place. She gives a nod to the screen then looks to the camera and to Shane
[Shane] Happy? *Another nod from Sally*[/b] What did you write?[/color]
[Sally] Just stuff, you know. You'll have to go to APW.com to read it, just like everyone else! *Sally pokes her tongue out at Shane, then smiles as she stands up to leave. She quickly looks back to the computer screen to check the time, the turns around to Shane*[/b] You might want to go and get a good seat. It's not long until I have to go out there, and I'd hate for you to miss out on getting all this for the next episode.[/color]
[Shane] Good thinking 99.
[Sally] 99?
[Shane] You know? Get Smart? The TV show?
[Sally] *Sally doesn't register, has to have a think. Then it dawns on her ...*[/b] With Steve Carrel, right? That was a movie Shane, not a television show.[/color]
[Shane] No it was ... *Pick your fights wisely Shane*[/b] Yeah, you're right. I'll get going. Good luck![/color]
The scene fades out with Sally walk out of the shot. Not much of a wait before the camera kicks back into life. There's applauding going on and, on a stage far away from Shane (so much for getting a good seat), we can make out Sally Talfourd walking across and waving to the crowd. She takes a seat at a table with one other man – a Japanese man – dressed in his suit who stands and slightly bows to Sally, who reciprocates. He then pulls out Sally's seat, she sits down, and the applause comes to a stop. The man (Mr. Taki; he introduced himself earlier in the day, but I guess we missed that?) sitting with Sally leans into the microphone in front of him.
Mr. Taki Thank-you ladies and gentlemen for your patience. Last and not least is Miss Talfourd. Miss Talfourd is also in the elimination chamber match on One Night in Hell. It will be your second APW title match, yes?
[Sally] Yes, that is correct.
Mr. Taki Do you think you will go better than last time?
[Sally] I certainly hope so! I lost last time. I don't plan on losing again.
Mr. Taki What are you feeling as you start to get nearer to the show?
[Sally] Hmmm, a mix of feelings. I'm definitely excited. One of my opponents said it about me: Second chances don't come around too often. So I'm excited to get another chance to win the APW title. I'm a little worried about what the chamber might actually do to me. I'm not the kid I used to be. It takes a little longer to bounce back from these sorts of things now. *A smattering of laughter from the crowd*[/b] And you don't stay this good looking if you compete in matches like this often! *More laughing this time*[/b] But yeah, a bit of excitement. A bit of trepedation and worry.[/color]
Mr. Taki Ever since you came to APW, you've been turning heads. It's regularly spoken about - your looks. You're chasing after Biggs, but recently Chris Cyrus, Pence Weatherlight who was just with us before you, they've been caught up in your allure. What's your secret to attracting these guys?
Sally can't help but let out a laugh. It is true, she does get the boys' attention. Willingly or not, she gets it. What she does with it is another mater. But she always gets it. She leans back into the microphone.
[Sally] Well, I'll be honest with you. I'm flattered to have Pence Weatherlight thinking so fondly of me. I really am. Since our tag team match, I guess he realised that we are a pretty good pair. I don't know what's going on with Pence, but you never know ... As for Cyrus, I'm not so fussed about. He got about as near to me as I want in our wedding outfit match. I probably get all their attention because I'm, you know, pretty good at what I do. I go out and I rouse the fans into a frenzy. I put on the match of the night. I get as many heads turning and as many words written at the end of the night as I do at the start of the night. As for Biggs, well, the less said the better I guess. I don't want to distract him from his big match with President Jeff. But what I will say is I'm glad none of these three are in the match, because I'd feel bad having to take to them.
Mr. Taki You won't feel bad fighting the other men in your match currently?
[Sally] Oh no way! Not at all, Mr. Taki. Not at all. Each one of them has it coming. Trust me, they all deserve what they get from me and from each other. Let's take Havok for example. I'll have no problem throwing him into the steel chain walls, the glass chambers, the metal grate floor. Because he deserves it. One week after Shockwave, one week after the biggest match in APW to date for me, and he comes at me with a steel chair. Why? Just to prove a point. He couldn't prove it by, you know, actually wrestling me or by winning clean. No, he had to resort to cheap shots. And if that's the kind of professional – and I use that term loosely – he is going to be, then he deserves everything that's coming his way in that match.
Mr. Taki I guess you feel the same about Young Mannie?
Just the mere mention of his name fills Sally with a loathing and contempt that no other name does. Level-One she can at least recognise talent and respects what he's done. Mark Mania, the misogynist he might be but talented too, she can respect. Havok might be a flash in the pan, but he's at least flashing the world. Criss Cassidy has paid dues and worked his way into the match. Young Mannie? He is nothing but a criminal thug.
[Sally] Yes. You could say I feel the same about Young Mannie. You could also say I feel worse towards him. Every time he interfered with my preparation for Shockwave, I made a mental note. And I knew I'd get the chance to pay him back. Now's my chance. But I hardly have to prove to the world that he's a second-rate wrestler. He does that every week himself. Sure, he had a good enough showing against Level-One. But what did he do before that? After that? Mannie is Mannie. Enough said. What he needs to worry about, besides me, is if he can handle being the name of APW. He needs to figure out if he can actually be a champion and not just figure out how to become champion. Because there is a big difference between the two.
Mr. Taki What is the difference?
[Sally] Well, for a start, being a champion is almost a way of life. You can't just win a belt and think the next time you have to worry is the next time you have to defend it. Everyone will be after you. The Young Mannie's, the Havok's, the Level-One's out there will paint the target on your back with the blood they spill from stabbing you there. These three people, Criss Cassidy at times too, have shown that they don't live the champion lifestyle. They don't carry themselves with respect, with honour, with passion. I'll give this to Mark, he at least can live the lifestyle. He could be a champion, if he could shift his mind out of the 1930s. But he has the traits to actually go the distance I guess. The other three? They couldn't abandon their old ways to really be true champions. Me, I'm what you might call a new mind. I'm realising that this business has changed, and will continue to change and I go with it. I don't get caught up with the politics and the in-fighting. I just keep it simple: Come to every show, put on the best match that I can, and then make sure the fans go home with a Happy Ending. *A few cheers from the fans*[/b] I come and I put everything I have into a match.[/color]
Mr. Taki The same could be said of Level-One. He gets booed for his efforts though.
[Sally] And that should tell you something. It should tell you what the fans think of Level-One as their champion. Because that's what the holder of this belt is: a champion who represents the fans of APW as much as he represents you or me. I mean, Lester has the belt right now and he is still acting like a child. He attacks people simply to keep his belt. He loses matches because he lets opportunities slip. He loses the respect of the fans every night. Not because they don't recognise he has some skill. But because he doesn't act like the APW World Heavyweight Champion should act. Can you imagine Havok learning how to act over night? Criss Cassidy? That criminal Mannie? I can't. And, while Mark might have the traits, there's no way he's going to finally grow up and realise that a woman can do everything he can better than he can do it. So if winning this match had anything to do with 'deserving' no one in this match deserves it more than me. But we all know the least deserving win every now and then. That's why I need to be on my game.
Mr. Taki Do you have a game? You are coming first, that will make it hard?
[Sally] Hard? Hard is only half of it! But at least if I win, people will say I earned it. If Mark wins, having come in last, it's a bit of a hollow win, right? I mean, he could walk in, pin someone, and have been in the match for a whole of ten second. What would be great about that? On the other hand, I could be in there for a full hour and would really have earned the belt if I go to the end. Maybe then the Mark Mania's out there would think a little different of me. He wants to think that people would only watch me because I'm attractive? Even more people would tune in to see me if they knew the woman who lasted from bell to bell in an elimination chamber match was going to be on TV. I promise you that wrestling fans – real wrestling fans – are more interested in watching the best talents and the best in-ring competitors than watching me walk around doing nothing. And, again, it's that way of thinking that just proves Mark doesn't have what it actually takes to beat me. *Sally slows herself down, taking a sip of water from the glass in front of her*[/b] He continually underestimates what I am capable off. He thought I couldn't wrestle. He thought I couldn't beat him. Both of those were proved wrong. Now he thinks i can't become the APW champion and that I can't draw a crowd because of my abilities. He'll be proved wrong on those points as well.[/color]
Mr. Taki Generally in APW, you have climbed to the top very quickly. Did you expect it?
[Sally] I get this question a fair bit. No, I didn't expect it. I knew I'd eventually get there, you know? Because I work hard and I'm dedicated. I didn't know how far I'd actually get even capable of making it to the main event and to the top tiers of this company. But I knew I had enough skills to at least get some attention. I mean, there's been companies I didn't have to say anything, but just stand in the ring to get head turning haha. *Crowd laughs along, but everyone knows its true*[/b] So did I think I would get this far? Main event of a second pay per view, elimination chamber match. APW title on the line. I didn't really know, but I knew I'd put everything into getting as far as I could. Best matches, best interviews, best worker, the best employee.[/color]
Mr. Taki If you don't win, what will you do?
[Sally] Honestly? Exactly the same as last week. I will turn up to OverDrive, I will put on the best match of the night because the fans deserve it, and I will go home happy. It doesn't matter who the champion is. I would like it to be me, sure. But I'm not going to go digging around for excuses as to why I lost. I'm not going to take my ball home and cry. I'm not going to wallow in self-pity. I'll just pick myself up and go forward. That's what being a professional is all about. Already I can see some of the people in this match positioning themselves with excuses. Lester. Mark. They've got those cards already on the table. Maybe they want the same sort of glory story that I stand to make out of this match. And if they don't win, then their excuse is already out in the open. Whatever, they don't matter to me when it comes to this. But, yeah, I'll do exactly what I would do if I was the champion next week, whether I win or not. It doesn't impact on what I do in the ring. I wrestle my best with or without a belt, because that's my job and that's what the fans deserve.
Mr. Taki Ok, last question. Who is going to be the hardest person to overcome on Sunday?
[Sally] Hahaha, come on, you know that's not fair to ask. I mean, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Level-One is the champion going in. He's got a lot more to lose, so he will be fighting very, very hard. Mark is coming in last, and beating him fresh when you're fresh yourself is difficult enough. Havok, despite me being a bit critical of him, is certainly going to be in his element and be a tough guy to beat. Criss Cassidy and Young Mannie and young and unpredictable enough to shock everyone with whatever they pull out. So it's not as easy as saying beat one person and the match is mine. It's a lot more involved, a lot more complex. But I think *Sally leans in further to the microphone*[/b] we can agree that there's definitely a disparity between Mark, Lester, myself and Criss, Mannie, and Havok. No disrespect to them, but I think we've displayed everything you need in a top-tier wrestler. The other three, they're still going with it. They'll be up with us very soon. But you only learn to survive in a chamber match. You don't learn what you need to know on the job when it comes to a match like this.
So if anyone was going to be the person to beat, it would be Lester or Mark. Of course, they won't agree with me. I'm starting the match, so unless Lester is in there at the start with me, each one of them will find me in a better state than I will be. If they are the last two in the match, it's pretty much an even contest between them. Lester can last longer than anyone I know. So the two, five, ten minutes between him coming in and Mark coming in isn't going to matter too much. They are both going to be the two people that I have to beat. It's going to be a hard battle, but I'm sure I can get it done[/color]
Mr. Taki Miss Talfourd, I want to thank you for coming today. The people here are very eager to get their photos with you and for you to sign autographs. A round of applause for Miss Talfourd, please.
The fans, without a moment's pause, all start to cheer and applause. Sally waves and wave of thanks to them all, a beaming smile taking over her face. The camera fades out on this and there's a bit of a pause. Suddenly, with the art of sloppy editing (it must be Sally trying her hand at it all) a bit of static comes in, and then the camera is back to life. It's wobbling around as it walks up to the front door of a bar with a microphone painted on. Karaoke! The door opens up, the camera goes in, and instantly we can hear an awful voice coming towards us. We work our way further into the depths and suddenly come upon a stage, with a shirtless man, drunk as a skunk, singing his heart out. Wait ... it's Shane! This is where Sally found him. Disgraceful behaviour! He gyrates and swings and sings like the typical drunk tourist you find at 10am in a seedy karaoke bar. The camerawoman (no doubt Sally) takes it all in. Then, all of a sudden, Shane spots the blinking red light and comes to a complete stop. The camera suddenly cuts off ... and fades into something completely different. A tranquil shot of the Tokyo skyline. The rooftop of the hotel the APW talent has been booked into has a rooftop bar. You can do that here because the air is actually air and not car exhaust. The sun has just set, and all the twinkling lights – from both the office buildings and the stars in the sky – start to take life. There, leaning on a rail, taking it all in, is the one and only Sally Talfourd. Dressed a little more casual compared to earlier in the day, she sips on a glass of wine, staring off into the distance.
[Shane] So today went well then?
[Sally] *She turns around, a little shocked that Shane is there*[/b] Yeah, it went very well. Those things always do. Puff questions and photos. I love it, but I would love it if one day I got a hard-hitting journo or something. Maybe next week. Maybe being the APW champion attracts the big guns, right? *Sally takes a sip of the wine, then goes to look out to the city*[/b] What do you think would happen if I gave it all away Shane?[/color]
[Shane] Gave it all away as in quit?
[Sally] Yeah.
[Shane] I imagine the first thing that would happen is you'd find yourself in court for breach of contract ...
[Sally] Very funny, Shane.
[Shane] Ok, serious? I know what would happen. You would last two weeks. Then you would go back to training just to keep in shape. And then you'd quickly realise that you miss the admiration you get simply by doing what you love and what you're good at. So on the third week? You'd be putting pen to paper on a new contract with the first company that made an offer to you.
[Sally] *Sally laughs, then sighs and shakes her head, looking down to her feet*[/b] You know me too well. Because that's exactly what would happen.[/color]
[Shane] Why are you thinking about that anyway? Having second doubts about the match this week?
[Sally] No. It's just ... some people don't survive a match like this. I've seen men go in and not wrestle again. People's bodies get broken, Shane. And the longer you're in there, the more danger you're in. If I want to win this, I have to be in there the longest. Which, when you take in the fact that I;m me, means I might be the person who doesn't survive the match. I, ummm ... I think I'm just trying to prepare myself for a worst case scenario, you know?
[Shane] You shouldn't be thinking about that Sally. We both know that it's a possibility. But if you get hung up on that, it's going to throw you off your game. And that's when you're at your worst. Look at Shockwave.
It's true. Sally wasn't even on the right page when it came to Shockwave. Young Mannie and the Red Shield Mafia. Shaun Kilgore and the Sports Nutz. Biggs and Ellie. And then, finally, Level-One and the APW title. A lot on her mind, and a lot of distractions. This time around, because there's so many people involved, because there's so many variables, because there's so many dangers in this match, Sally has to be twice as focused. Twice as disciplined. Twice as good. No, more than twice. Better than she's been to date. And she knows it. She knows it and is starting to realise the gravity of it all. Sally pushes herself every week; can she push herself further than ever before? She takes a sip of the wine again, looking back to the city (far better looking than her feet) and lets out a long sigh.
[Sally] I wonder what Biggs is up to?
[Shane] You're thinking about him? The guy who made sure you stood the worst chance in this match?
[Sally] It wasn't his fault Shane! I'm sure someone blackmailed him into it. Level-One, probably. I mean, he's shown he's not above that when he all but put me out of commission before our pay per view match. Why wouldn't he force Biggs to put me in as the first competitor? Or maybe Ellie did it. Maybe Mark. But I'm sure Biggs wouldn't punish me like that.
[Shane] Whatever helps you sleep at night Sally.
[Sally] I need help sleeping at night! *Another sip, then turns around to lean against the railing and look at Shane*[/b] Think I'll win?[/color]
[Shane] It doesn't matter what I think. Do you think you'll win?
[Sally] What's this new age philosophy stuff? Just answer the question.
[Shane] No, Sally. I don't think you will, to be honest with you
Surprisingly enough, Sally isn't at all shocked. Maybe because she knows no one other than herself thinks she can win. Maybe because she knew it was coming. Maybe because her fans, while they would love to see Sally win, don't think she will. It didn't surprise her, either way. She just gives a slight nod and turns around to take in the view again.
[Sally] I guess you're just another person I need to convince. You and five other people to begin with. When I raise that belt, you'll all see. You'll have seen history in the making. You'll have seen dreams come true. And you'll have seen a woman, once a girl, finally step into her own at APW. This is my chance to finally step out of other people's shadows. I get our from Level-One, from Mark Mania, from Biggs, and become my own person here in APW. I will be the APW World Heavyweight Champion. It's not a shared achievement. It's not a shared title. It's not a shared belt. It will be my victory. It will be my achievement. It will be my title. And then people will know that everything I say I am, I really am. They'll know that Level-One, Mark Mania, Havok, the rest of them, that they all know less about me than they do wrestling.
A pause from Sally, another sip from her glass. The evening is coming to an end. Night is about to begin. One day closer to One Night in Hell. It won't be long before all these words, all her efforts, trials and tribulations come to the one moment. That one moment where you become champion or not. Where you take the final step or not.
[Sally] It's funny. Well, not funny, more of a coincidence I guess. Maybe not even that. Anyway, it is what it is. There's only one person in this match fighting for progress. I'm the only one who wants the APW to turn a a new chapter. Move away from the old ways of thinking that typify everything my opponents say. About me, how women shouldn't be in the ring with them. About this company, how it's just a platform for their money grab. About wrestling, how tradition and rules and respect don't count anymore. *Sally goes to say something, then stops herself short. She shakes her head in disbelief*[/b] You know, I talk about all these things and it's only going to come down to me, isn't it Shane? I'm sure I talked about these things before, going into Shockwave. And I couldn't close the deal then, could I? I didn't step up to the plate. I might have been fighting to end the reign of Level-One, to put a new face on APW. But I couldn't manage it, could I? I didn't step up to the plate. Now it's all happening again. And there's no one saying I'm going to win this, I'm against the odds, and five other people are determined to do exactly the same as me.
And you know what? Screw everyone. I don't care what you think. I don't care if you bash Bible, if you run down women, if you pray to Satan, if you go 'thugging' through life, or if you were once the best in this company. What matters is how good you are on Sunday night. What you bring to the match. Whether you can make it to the top. I refuse to lose this opportunity again. If I'm going to be everything that I say I am, I have to win on Sunday. It's the breaking point for me. If I can't do it this time around, how can I ever honestly say that I could do it the third time? This is my moment, my opportunity to prove each and every nay-sayer that has every said I couldn't or I shouldn't or I won't wrong. It's time I faced myself, I faced my own words, I faced my own measurements for success and, you know, actually face the truth. If I can't win this Sunday, I probably don't deserve any more shots at being the person I say I am. *Another sigh from Sally as she turns away from the city and faces the camera*[/b] If there's someone out there who can actually win this title, who can do all the great things for APW that I want to see happen, then who am I to stop them? I deride Level-One and Mark for being selfish; aren't I being selfish if I lose on Sunday and continue to go after the APW Championship?
I guess that's my pledge for this match. If I can't get the victory, if I can earn the title, if I can't beat everyone at One Night in Hell, I'll move aside. I'll willingly give up my spot in the sun to the next person who shows that they can do everything I promised but didn't deliver. I'm not so selfish to grasp at straws when someone else needs them. I'm not going to throw a Level-One and attack every warm body just to get back in. I'm not going down the path that Havok and Young Mannie did to get the attention of the decision makers. I'll go back down the ladder rungs and figure out what I did wrong and work harder than ever before to get back up there. And that isn't motivation enough for me, what with the title and the prestige and the history all tied up in this match, then I have no idea what will get be over the line.
Then again, I don't really need to make that promise. Coming in first won't stop me. Going through five other men won't stop me. The elimination chamber won't stop me. I am going to go into that match and make history. I will become the first female APW champion. And everyone will finally believe that I can do everything I said I could. I could run with the men. I could cut it in the top tiers of this company. I could become the face of APW. Sunday night is my crowning night. It won't be like Shockwave. It won't end in tears. It will end like it should end: Sally Talfourd the APW World Heavyweight Champion. The fans will cheer, the haters will boo, and everyone back stage will sit up and recognise true talent and proper skills. And as the camera fades out on me clutching that belt with the last remaining strength I have, that will be everyone's Happy Ending.[/color]
Sally smiles to the camera, raises her glass to it, and takes sip. She turns to look back out over Tokyo, the setting for the carnage and destruction that is about to happen. Six fates, six careers, and six destinies all cross paths on Sunday. But there's only one thing on Sally's mind: Going out and giving this greatest of matches her absolute anything. That way, there's not going to be any question as to whether she's good enough. She'll finally be able to know, herself, if she has it or not. 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.
Sounds like it will be some epic movie coming in Summer, right? Nope, it's APW's pay per view this week. And boy am I excited to be part of the history-making main event. I'm even more excited to make it even more ... history-making? For the second pay per view in a row, I could end up walking out APW's first female World Heavyweight Champion. I could make history there and then. Of course, my track record at making history is a bit patchy. But history has to be made some time, right? And I might as well do it the second time around. It would be even more sweeter could I do it with an elimination chamber and five other competitors. But that's getting a bit too far ahead.
First we have to get to Sunday. And that means training. Fitness. Preparation. I mean, coming into this match first ... first? First!? It think it's just started to hit me that I have to go from the very start to the very end of this match. I mean, what a story it will make for. What a perfect example of triumph and achievement if I were able to do that. It's what legends and reputations are made of! But going in first? Has it ever been done before? Has anyone in APW – anywhere? - ever come in first and won a chamber match? If I do it, there's going to be more than one piece of history made. Then again, it won't be the first time I've made history at APW.
And there's no reason to stop making it now ...
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Recorded the 28th of September, 2010. The final days before Sally are filled with duties and fun. Sally attends the anticipated fan's day, and we get to see her go about her business. Then we find Sally in a very self-reflective mood, and she discusses the comings and goings of her mind. Another not-to-be-missed episode.
Starring: Sally Talfourd, Pence Weatherlight, Shane the cameraman, APW tech dude, Mr. Taki
*click* - Loading ...
"Sally Talfourd presents ..."
is written across the screen, fades out, then
"In association with Action Packed Wrestling"
is next to appear, holds, then fades out for
"Happy Endings T.V."
which fades out again to what you might mistake for a full dress rehearsal. APW staff and stars wandering about, dressed to the hilt. I'll tell you what's going on: Fan appreciation day. A bunch of the more generous megastars have given up some of their time to do the old fashioned meet-and-greet. Of course, the first person to volunteer for all this was Sally Talfourd who just so happens to be walking by .. which means she found her cameraman? She spots Shane (back in action!) and cracks a smile as she stops her trek to where ever she was going and makes a beeline to him. She has to stop herself from laughing before she even gets there.
[Sally] Hello Shane! Or should I say ...
[Shane] Sally, I need to be serious with you for a moment. I am evoking a friendship pact about the thing ... yesterday ... with that whole place.
[Sally] But Shane! It's an awesome story!
[Shane] One I'd rather forget. My parents watch this, and I don't want them finding out.
[Sally] But Shane ...
[Shane] Please Sally!
[Sally] Fine! Ok. I won't ever mention it. Ever. Happy?
[Shane] Thank-you.
[Sally] Ok, well, while you're here, we've got some time to kill. The fans, they are never on time. Or organised. And I think my little session isn't on until the end. So why don't we find somewhere a little more quiet?
Sally walks towards the camera, then past it. Shane spins around, follows after her. She makes her way through the small crowd that's there. She spots Pence Weatherlight across the crowd, standing around with his posse. He spots her and gives her a nod. She gives him a cute little wave, then a wink, and continues on. No doubt he's still watching after her. Suddenly she breaks through the crowd (all gathered in the backstage area of an auditorium, just for the record) and looks around. There's a row of doors, of which Sally picks lucky door number 2, and heads in. There's a room with a row of five laptops, all fired up, screen saver on of random APW photos. Sally looks around, sees no one is in there, and then takes a seat on the edge of a table.
[Sally] Well, guys and girls, welcome to another episode of Happy Endings TV. And can I say that it's days like this that I really enjoy being part of APW. Not every company goes out and does these extra things for the fans. It always makes me feel so ...
[APW Tech Dude] Oh! Excuse me, I didn't know someone was in here ...
A strange voice comes in from behind the camera. Shane turns around to find one of the APW staff members – a tech specialist named Ronaldo, going by his badge – walking in with a bunch of cords.
[Sally] I'm sorry. *Sally looks a little embarrassed, looking around the rest of the room as if some other people might have magically appeared and she wasn't the only person who made the mistake* Am I not allowed in here or something?
[APW Tech Dude] Actually, if you have free time, I could really use you. Sally Talfourd, yes? *Sally nods, stands up from the table, and shakes hands with the tech dude* You were going to be in here after your session anyway. But if you've got some free time now, I guess we could get started on our new project for all you talents.
[Sally] What new project? Something to do with all these laptop, yeah?
[APW Tech Dude] Yes. You are as smart as they say. *Who is spreading that vicious rumour?* What we're trying to do at APW is boost our online presence. We really see the wrestling market expanding into the online world far more in the next couple of years. And, at a recent creative meeting, we thought he best was was to start including things on the APW website that you wouldn't find anywhere else. And, when asked who should start this, we thought we'd ask the biggest drawing name we've got ...
[Sally] Oh really!? I'm so flattered ...
[APW Tech Dude] ... and then when Level-One said we could all go get expletative'd we thought we'd ask you?
[Sally] Oh .. of course. *Just how it works out, right? Sally shrugs it off*[/b] Oh, yeah. I'd have no problem with that. What were the sort of things you wanted?[/color]
[APW Tech Dude] Well, we know you have all your Happy Endings up there. What we were hoping was something written – like an opinion column. Something that people could download and read, say, on their PDAs or their iPads. Something quick and easy to take away from the site, not more audio and visuals. Does that make sense?
[Sally] Wait .. you want me to write stuff? Does it include pictures or anything? I mean, people watch Happy Endings because they can see me ... *Sally quickly realises that that might sound a bit vain, then again when has that ever stopped her?*[/b] and, you know, to see the scenery ... and stuff.[/color]
[APW Tech Dude] Just give it a go. I think you'll get the hang of it quickly and you'll get as many hits as with your videos. I'll leave you to it, ok? Tell me if you have any problems, I'll be over in the production trailer.
The tech dude gives Sally a pat on the back as he leaves. Sally gives him a smile, which quickly turns into a rather skeptical look once he's gone. She looks back to the laptop that she was sat in front of then brings her hands up to start typing. They hover over the keys for a minute, waiting for the inspiration to come ...
I have to give it to APW's creative minds. They really got this Sunday in sync. One Night in Hell. Elimination chamber match. It all marries together. From the sounds of things, from what everyone is saying to each other, we're going to make sure it's a night from hell. It's fun to listen to all the bluster and the poising going on. All these men in the ring trying to boost their man points as they look down the line and see a woman coming at them. They bring out the classic promiscuity lines (as if having sex ever had an impact on your ability to win or not), the delicate nature of a woman (though, really, if I were all that delicate, would I be in this business still?), and the wonderful innuendos about what happens when men and women come together (and that's about as close they'll ever get to a one night stand with me).
I just really enjoy sitting back, listening to all these guys go on about the first things that come to their mind.
I hear Lester is talking about the beast being woken up inside of him. You know something? I couldn't be happier. I hope my pin woke him up like a splash to the face. I hope he's hearing his lunatic voices. I hope he is even more hungry for the win now. Do you know why? Because when I beat Level-One – when that line gets added to my resume – I want him to be firing on all cylinders. I want the Level-One of his prime to be the one the I that I face. I don't want a washed-up, a has-been, or a second-rate APW megastar. I want the best. I want the Level-One in this match. And if my little speeches, my little ravings, and my little webisodes are what actually wakes him up, then it's time well spent.
Because, let's be honest guys and girls, the Level-One we've seen of late isn't the Level-One that built the reputation we all know. He didn't earn his way back into the belt he has, he simply took the Nathaniel Havok approach of muscling his way into the spotlight. His lead up to Shockwave was entirely contingent on him getting other people to save his back. Now his match at Shockwave was respectable, no doubt about that. But look at the weeks after: A no contest with Young Mannie and me, a loss to me, and then he restored his manhood and champion credentials by beating up Young Mannie? Please, if wiping the mat with someone of Mannie's stature counts as the actions of a champion, then throw each and every belt APW has on me, because I've done it time and time again.
But look at that recent history: Only one moment, at Shockwave, when we saw the Level-One that, you know, we all expect. What's it say? That he fires when it counts? To me, it says he only fires when it counts. Every other time, he sits back and does what? You're no better than the critic on the sideline You're not the person in the ring, night in and night out, putting it all on the line. Delivering matches unforgettable. Earning every inch to move forward in this company. You sit back and rest on that reputation which is fast being proved to be a modern myth. Sure, you might have one time been unbeatable. You might have one time been a true champion. You might have one time been the best in the business. But are you any of that now? Honestly ask yourself that Lester. And when you find the answer, don't lie to us. Be honest, and tell us that you're no longer unbeatable. You're no longer a champion. And you're no longer the best in the business.
You're not even the best in APW anymore.
That's what five people are setting out to prove. But, again, truth pulled away from opinion, there's only two people in this match that stand a chance of knocking this dead bird off its perch. Mark Mania and myself are the red hot contenders. Mark and I stand the best chance of taking over from you. But there's something very similar between you two, Mark and Lester. You both won't be able to see it. I mean, you can't look past your own nose because then you stop looking at yourselves. So how could you possibly stand back and have an objective opinion. Mark, I watch you carry yourself and I think “There's the next Level-One” Not because you're the next big name for APW. Not because you're this wonderful talent in the waiting. Not because you're the next APW champion. Because you're simply a fun twist on all that he represents.
I don't take your words on board all that much. I generally listen to you once and forget what you said as soon as I switch the box off. But I know that you both share the same thoughts about this business, about the status of wrestlers, and about where you want to take the APW. This is your business, right? This is your company. Just like Lester seems to think it's the 'Lester Only Thursday Night Live' show, I'm sure you'll be thinking its 'Mark Mania Hulapalooza' if you became champion. It wouldn't be about the fans, the company, or the art of wrestling. No no, APW would quickly become the business model of Mania Enterprises: All about Mark. I mean, even your match this week is a 'Get out of jail free' card with your girlfriend. She's pretty angry with you, I hear, about what you had to say in your letter. And who could blame her? Any woman in their right mind would be angry with that, much less a woman so obviously hung up on you. I mean, it must be hard lusting after someone who is lusting after me. Once again, it's all about Mark. APW is going to be all about Mark is you win on Sunday.
I know the wrestling business looks like it's dieing, but that would be the bullet to the head.
You take a look at what I lay claim to do for APW. I don't go out and dominate the airwaves. I don't go out and force everyone to listen to my diatribe. I don't go out and make it all about me. Everything I do is for the paying public. Everything I do is for the APW fan. Everything I do is for that person who scrapes together their fifty, sixty bucks to buy a nose-bleed seat just to be able to go up to their friend the next day and say “I went to the APW show last night.” Because you know what happens then? They follow up with “And it was the best wrestling show I've ever seen.” That's what I want APW to be about. Being the best. It's not about me having the best record list or the best resume or the best reputation. It's about APW being seen as the best.
And if APW becomes the Mark Mania show or continues to be the Level-One show, how can we possibly lay claim to being the best? When every televised hour is a homage to your greatness, why are people even interested? People were buzzing about APW going into Shockwave. The prospects of a new champion. The chance that someone might knock Level-One off his seat. The opportunity to witness history. Go and check the buy rates and the ratings and the dirty sheets. Then what happened? We went back to being the Lester Only show. 'Level-One hand picks a competitor to be in the chamber match'. 'Level-One in a triple-threat main event this week'. 'Level-One pinned!'. 'Level-One out for revenge'. That sums up the past few weeks, right?
When Sunday comes to an end, and the APW has a brand spanking new – and, dare I say it, beautiful – new champion, the next Thursday won't be able to come quick enough. People will be counting down the hours to see what's going to happen next. And they won't be tuning into the 'Sally Talford Gabfest'. They will be turning on OverDrive again. They will be watching APW again. They will be watching what APW should have been. A champion might hold the highest honour, but the champion is not a company. The champion is just one wheel in all this. Just like they are a wheel in this match at One Night in Hell. And the machine is going to turn that wheel whether they like it or not. You might hate t he fact that you're in this match, Lester. You might loathe the fact that you find yourself in the worst setting for a title defense. But the APW machine doesn't care about you. You are just a wheel, and you will turn on Sunday.
Sally sits back from the laptop, stretching her arms above her head. She's got a satisfied smile on her face. That was, actually, very therapeutic. She glances over her little column-thing, then clicks the most logical button on the screen: send. The message disappears, there's a green tick on the page in its place. She gives a nod to the screen then looks to the camera and to Shane
[Shane] Happy? *Another nod from Sally*[/b] What did you write?[/color]
[Sally] Just stuff, you know. You'll have to go to APW.com to read it, just like everyone else! *Sally pokes her tongue out at Shane, then smiles as she stands up to leave. She quickly looks back to the computer screen to check the time, the turns around to Shane*[/b] You might want to go and get a good seat. It's not long until I have to go out there, and I'd hate for you to miss out on getting all this for the next episode.[/color]
[Shane] Good thinking 99.
[Sally] 99?
[Shane] You know? Get Smart? The TV show?
[Sally] *Sally doesn't register, has to have a think. Then it dawns on her ...*[/b] With Steve Carrel, right? That was a movie Shane, not a television show.[/color]
[Shane] No it was ... *Pick your fights wisely Shane*[/b] Yeah, you're right. I'll get going. Good luck![/color]
The scene fades out with Sally walk out of the shot. Not much of a wait before the camera kicks back into life. There's applauding going on and, on a stage far away from Shane (so much for getting a good seat), we can make out Sally Talfourd walking across and waving to the crowd. She takes a seat at a table with one other man – a Japanese man – dressed in his suit who stands and slightly bows to Sally, who reciprocates. He then pulls out Sally's seat, she sits down, and the applause comes to a stop. The man (Mr. Taki; he introduced himself earlier in the day, but I guess we missed that?) sitting with Sally leans into the microphone in front of him.
Mr. Taki Thank-you ladies and gentlemen for your patience. Last and not least is Miss Talfourd. Miss Talfourd is also in the elimination chamber match on One Night in Hell. It will be your second APW title match, yes?
[Sally] Yes, that is correct.
Mr. Taki Do you think you will go better than last time?
[Sally] I certainly hope so! I lost last time. I don't plan on losing again.
Mr. Taki What are you feeling as you start to get nearer to the show?
[Sally] Hmmm, a mix of feelings. I'm definitely excited. One of my opponents said it about me: Second chances don't come around too often. So I'm excited to get another chance to win the APW title. I'm a little worried about what the chamber might actually do to me. I'm not the kid I used to be. It takes a little longer to bounce back from these sorts of things now. *A smattering of laughter from the crowd*[/b] And you don't stay this good looking if you compete in matches like this often! *More laughing this time*[/b] But yeah, a bit of excitement. A bit of trepedation and worry.[/color]
Mr. Taki Ever since you came to APW, you've been turning heads. It's regularly spoken about - your looks. You're chasing after Biggs, but recently Chris Cyrus, Pence Weatherlight who was just with us before you, they've been caught up in your allure. What's your secret to attracting these guys?
Sally can't help but let out a laugh. It is true, she does get the boys' attention. Willingly or not, she gets it. What she does with it is another mater. But she always gets it. She leans back into the microphone.
[Sally] Well, I'll be honest with you. I'm flattered to have Pence Weatherlight thinking so fondly of me. I really am. Since our tag team match, I guess he realised that we are a pretty good pair. I don't know what's going on with Pence, but you never know ... As for Cyrus, I'm not so fussed about. He got about as near to me as I want in our wedding outfit match. I probably get all their attention because I'm, you know, pretty good at what I do. I go out and I rouse the fans into a frenzy. I put on the match of the night. I get as many heads turning and as many words written at the end of the night as I do at the start of the night. As for Biggs, well, the less said the better I guess. I don't want to distract him from his big match with President Jeff. But what I will say is I'm glad none of these three are in the match, because I'd feel bad having to take to them.
Mr. Taki You won't feel bad fighting the other men in your match currently?
[Sally] Oh no way! Not at all, Mr. Taki. Not at all. Each one of them has it coming. Trust me, they all deserve what they get from me and from each other. Let's take Havok for example. I'll have no problem throwing him into the steel chain walls, the glass chambers, the metal grate floor. Because he deserves it. One week after Shockwave, one week after the biggest match in APW to date for me, and he comes at me with a steel chair. Why? Just to prove a point. He couldn't prove it by, you know, actually wrestling me or by winning clean. No, he had to resort to cheap shots. And if that's the kind of professional – and I use that term loosely – he is going to be, then he deserves everything that's coming his way in that match.
Mr. Taki I guess you feel the same about Young Mannie?
Just the mere mention of his name fills Sally with a loathing and contempt that no other name does. Level-One she can at least recognise talent and respects what he's done. Mark Mania, the misogynist he might be but talented too, she can respect. Havok might be a flash in the pan, but he's at least flashing the world. Criss Cassidy has paid dues and worked his way into the match. Young Mannie? He is nothing but a criminal thug.
[Sally] Yes. You could say I feel the same about Young Mannie. You could also say I feel worse towards him. Every time he interfered with my preparation for Shockwave, I made a mental note. And I knew I'd get the chance to pay him back. Now's my chance. But I hardly have to prove to the world that he's a second-rate wrestler. He does that every week himself. Sure, he had a good enough showing against Level-One. But what did he do before that? After that? Mannie is Mannie. Enough said. What he needs to worry about, besides me, is if he can handle being the name of APW. He needs to figure out if he can actually be a champion and not just figure out how to become champion. Because there is a big difference between the two.
Mr. Taki What is the difference?
[Sally] Well, for a start, being a champion is almost a way of life. You can't just win a belt and think the next time you have to worry is the next time you have to defend it. Everyone will be after you. The Young Mannie's, the Havok's, the Level-One's out there will paint the target on your back with the blood they spill from stabbing you there. These three people, Criss Cassidy at times too, have shown that they don't live the champion lifestyle. They don't carry themselves with respect, with honour, with passion. I'll give this to Mark, he at least can live the lifestyle. He could be a champion, if he could shift his mind out of the 1930s. But he has the traits to actually go the distance I guess. The other three? They couldn't abandon their old ways to really be true champions. Me, I'm what you might call a new mind. I'm realising that this business has changed, and will continue to change and I go with it. I don't get caught up with the politics and the in-fighting. I just keep it simple: Come to every show, put on the best match that I can, and then make sure the fans go home with a Happy Ending. *A few cheers from the fans*[/b] I come and I put everything I have into a match.[/color]
Mr. Taki The same could be said of Level-One. He gets booed for his efforts though.
[Sally] And that should tell you something. It should tell you what the fans think of Level-One as their champion. Because that's what the holder of this belt is: a champion who represents the fans of APW as much as he represents you or me. I mean, Lester has the belt right now and he is still acting like a child. He attacks people simply to keep his belt. He loses matches because he lets opportunities slip. He loses the respect of the fans every night. Not because they don't recognise he has some skill. But because he doesn't act like the APW World Heavyweight Champion should act. Can you imagine Havok learning how to act over night? Criss Cassidy? That criminal Mannie? I can't. And, while Mark might have the traits, there's no way he's going to finally grow up and realise that a woman can do everything he can better than he can do it. So if winning this match had anything to do with 'deserving' no one in this match deserves it more than me. But we all know the least deserving win every now and then. That's why I need to be on my game.
Mr. Taki Do you have a game? You are coming first, that will make it hard?
[Sally] Hard? Hard is only half of it! But at least if I win, people will say I earned it. If Mark wins, having come in last, it's a bit of a hollow win, right? I mean, he could walk in, pin someone, and have been in the match for a whole of ten second. What would be great about that? On the other hand, I could be in there for a full hour and would really have earned the belt if I go to the end. Maybe then the Mark Mania's out there would think a little different of me. He wants to think that people would only watch me because I'm attractive? Even more people would tune in to see me if they knew the woman who lasted from bell to bell in an elimination chamber match was going to be on TV. I promise you that wrestling fans – real wrestling fans – are more interested in watching the best talents and the best in-ring competitors than watching me walk around doing nothing. And, again, it's that way of thinking that just proves Mark doesn't have what it actually takes to beat me. *Sally slows herself down, taking a sip of water from the glass in front of her*[/b] He continually underestimates what I am capable off. He thought I couldn't wrestle. He thought I couldn't beat him. Both of those were proved wrong. Now he thinks i can't become the APW champion and that I can't draw a crowd because of my abilities. He'll be proved wrong on those points as well.[/color]
Mr. Taki Generally in APW, you have climbed to the top very quickly. Did you expect it?
[Sally] I get this question a fair bit. No, I didn't expect it. I knew I'd eventually get there, you know? Because I work hard and I'm dedicated. I didn't know how far I'd actually get even capable of making it to the main event and to the top tiers of this company. But I knew I had enough skills to at least get some attention. I mean, there's been companies I didn't have to say anything, but just stand in the ring to get head turning haha. *Crowd laughs along, but everyone knows its true*[/b] So did I think I would get this far? Main event of a second pay per view, elimination chamber match. APW title on the line. I didn't really know, but I knew I'd put everything into getting as far as I could. Best matches, best interviews, best worker, the best employee.[/color]
Mr. Taki If you don't win, what will you do?
[Sally] Honestly? Exactly the same as last week. I will turn up to OverDrive, I will put on the best match of the night because the fans deserve it, and I will go home happy. It doesn't matter who the champion is. I would like it to be me, sure. But I'm not going to go digging around for excuses as to why I lost. I'm not going to take my ball home and cry. I'm not going to wallow in self-pity. I'll just pick myself up and go forward. That's what being a professional is all about. Already I can see some of the people in this match positioning themselves with excuses. Lester. Mark. They've got those cards already on the table. Maybe they want the same sort of glory story that I stand to make out of this match. And if they don't win, then their excuse is already out in the open. Whatever, they don't matter to me when it comes to this. But, yeah, I'll do exactly what I would do if I was the champion next week, whether I win or not. It doesn't impact on what I do in the ring. I wrestle my best with or without a belt, because that's my job and that's what the fans deserve.
Mr. Taki Ok, last question. Who is going to be the hardest person to overcome on Sunday?
[Sally] Hahaha, come on, you know that's not fair to ask. I mean, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Level-One is the champion going in. He's got a lot more to lose, so he will be fighting very, very hard. Mark is coming in last, and beating him fresh when you're fresh yourself is difficult enough. Havok, despite me being a bit critical of him, is certainly going to be in his element and be a tough guy to beat. Criss Cassidy and Young Mannie and young and unpredictable enough to shock everyone with whatever they pull out. So it's not as easy as saying beat one person and the match is mine. It's a lot more involved, a lot more complex. But I think *Sally leans in further to the microphone*[/b] we can agree that there's definitely a disparity between Mark, Lester, myself and Criss, Mannie, and Havok. No disrespect to them, but I think we've displayed everything you need in a top-tier wrestler. The other three, they're still going with it. They'll be up with us very soon. But you only learn to survive in a chamber match. You don't learn what you need to know on the job when it comes to a match like this.
So if anyone was going to be the person to beat, it would be Lester or Mark. Of course, they won't agree with me. I'm starting the match, so unless Lester is in there at the start with me, each one of them will find me in a better state than I will be. If they are the last two in the match, it's pretty much an even contest between them. Lester can last longer than anyone I know. So the two, five, ten minutes between him coming in and Mark coming in isn't going to matter too much. They are both going to be the two people that I have to beat. It's going to be a hard battle, but I'm sure I can get it done[/color]
Mr. Taki Miss Talfourd, I want to thank you for coming today. The people here are very eager to get their photos with you and for you to sign autographs. A round of applause for Miss Talfourd, please.
The fans, without a moment's pause, all start to cheer and applause. Sally waves and wave of thanks to them all, a beaming smile taking over her face. The camera fades out on this and there's a bit of a pause. Suddenly, with the art of sloppy editing (it must be Sally trying her hand at it all) a bit of static comes in, and then the camera is back to life. It's wobbling around as it walks up to the front door of a bar with a microphone painted on. Karaoke! The door opens up, the camera goes in, and instantly we can hear an awful voice coming towards us. We work our way further into the depths and suddenly come upon a stage, with a shirtless man, drunk as a skunk, singing his heart out. Wait ... it's Shane! This is where Sally found him. Disgraceful behaviour! He gyrates and swings and sings like the typical drunk tourist you find at 10am in a seedy karaoke bar. The camerawoman (no doubt Sally) takes it all in. Then, all of a sudden, Shane spots the blinking red light and comes to a complete stop. The camera suddenly cuts off ... and fades into something completely different. A tranquil shot of the Tokyo skyline. The rooftop of the hotel the APW talent has been booked into has a rooftop bar. You can do that here because the air is actually air and not car exhaust. The sun has just set, and all the twinkling lights – from both the office buildings and the stars in the sky – start to take life. There, leaning on a rail, taking it all in, is the one and only Sally Talfourd. Dressed a little more casual compared to earlier in the day, she sips on a glass of wine, staring off into the distance.
[Shane] So today went well then?
[Sally] *She turns around, a little shocked that Shane is there*[/b] Yeah, it went very well. Those things always do. Puff questions and photos. I love it, but I would love it if one day I got a hard-hitting journo or something. Maybe next week. Maybe being the APW champion attracts the big guns, right? *Sally takes a sip of the wine, then goes to look out to the city*[/b] What do you think would happen if I gave it all away Shane?[/color]
[Shane] Gave it all away as in quit?
[Sally] Yeah.
[Shane] I imagine the first thing that would happen is you'd find yourself in court for breach of contract ...
[Sally] Very funny, Shane.
[Shane] Ok, serious? I know what would happen. You would last two weeks. Then you would go back to training just to keep in shape. And then you'd quickly realise that you miss the admiration you get simply by doing what you love and what you're good at. So on the third week? You'd be putting pen to paper on a new contract with the first company that made an offer to you.
[Sally] *Sally laughs, then sighs and shakes her head, looking down to her feet*[/b] You know me too well. Because that's exactly what would happen.[/color]
[Shane] Why are you thinking about that anyway? Having second doubts about the match this week?
[Sally] No. It's just ... some people don't survive a match like this. I've seen men go in and not wrestle again. People's bodies get broken, Shane. And the longer you're in there, the more danger you're in. If I want to win this, I have to be in there the longest. Which, when you take in the fact that I;m me, means I might be the person who doesn't survive the match. I, ummm ... I think I'm just trying to prepare myself for a worst case scenario, you know?
[Shane] You shouldn't be thinking about that Sally. We both know that it's a possibility. But if you get hung up on that, it's going to throw you off your game. And that's when you're at your worst. Look at Shockwave.
It's true. Sally wasn't even on the right page when it came to Shockwave. Young Mannie and the Red Shield Mafia. Shaun Kilgore and the Sports Nutz. Biggs and Ellie. And then, finally, Level-One and the APW title. A lot on her mind, and a lot of distractions. This time around, because there's so many people involved, because there's so many variables, because there's so many dangers in this match, Sally has to be twice as focused. Twice as disciplined. Twice as good. No, more than twice. Better than she's been to date. And she knows it. She knows it and is starting to realise the gravity of it all. Sally pushes herself every week; can she push herself further than ever before? She takes a sip of the wine again, looking back to the city (far better looking than her feet) and lets out a long sigh.
[Sally] I wonder what Biggs is up to?
[Shane] You're thinking about him? The guy who made sure you stood the worst chance in this match?
[Sally] It wasn't his fault Shane! I'm sure someone blackmailed him into it. Level-One, probably. I mean, he's shown he's not above that when he all but put me out of commission before our pay per view match. Why wouldn't he force Biggs to put me in as the first competitor? Or maybe Ellie did it. Maybe Mark. But I'm sure Biggs wouldn't punish me like that.
[Shane] Whatever helps you sleep at night Sally.
[Sally] I need help sleeping at night! *Another sip, then turns around to lean against the railing and look at Shane*[/b] Think I'll win?[/color]
[Shane] It doesn't matter what I think. Do you think you'll win?
[Sally] What's this new age philosophy stuff? Just answer the question.
[Shane] No, Sally. I don't think you will, to be honest with you
Surprisingly enough, Sally isn't at all shocked. Maybe because she knows no one other than herself thinks she can win. Maybe because she knew it was coming. Maybe because her fans, while they would love to see Sally win, don't think she will. It didn't surprise her, either way. She just gives a slight nod and turns around to take in the view again.
[Sally] I guess you're just another person I need to convince. You and five other people to begin with. When I raise that belt, you'll all see. You'll have seen history in the making. You'll have seen dreams come true. And you'll have seen a woman, once a girl, finally step into her own at APW. This is my chance to finally step out of other people's shadows. I get our from Level-One, from Mark Mania, from Biggs, and become my own person here in APW. I will be the APW World Heavyweight Champion. It's not a shared achievement. It's not a shared title. It's not a shared belt. It will be my victory. It will be my achievement. It will be my title. And then people will know that everything I say I am, I really am. They'll know that Level-One, Mark Mania, Havok, the rest of them, that they all know less about me than they do wrestling.
A pause from Sally, another sip from her glass. The evening is coming to an end. Night is about to begin. One day closer to One Night in Hell. It won't be long before all these words, all her efforts, trials and tribulations come to the one moment. That one moment where you become champion or not. Where you take the final step or not.
[Sally] It's funny. Well, not funny, more of a coincidence I guess. Maybe not even that. Anyway, it is what it is. There's only one person in this match fighting for progress. I'm the only one who wants the APW to turn a a new chapter. Move away from the old ways of thinking that typify everything my opponents say. About me, how women shouldn't be in the ring with them. About this company, how it's just a platform for their money grab. About wrestling, how tradition and rules and respect don't count anymore. *Sally goes to say something, then stops herself short. She shakes her head in disbelief*[/b] You know, I talk about all these things and it's only going to come down to me, isn't it Shane? I'm sure I talked about these things before, going into Shockwave. And I couldn't close the deal then, could I? I didn't step up to the plate. I might have been fighting to end the reign of Level-One, to put a new face on APW. But I couldn't manage it, could I? I didn't step up to the plate. Now it's all happening again. And there's no one saying I'm going to win this, I'm against the odds, and five other people are determined to do exactly the same as me.
And you know what? Screw everyone. I don't care what you think. I don't care if you bash Bible, if you run down women, if you pray to Satan, if you go 'thugging' through life, or if you were once the best in this company. What matters is how good you are on Sunday night. What you bring to the match. Whether you can make it to the top. I refuse to lose this opportunity again. If I'm going to be everything that I say I am, I have to win on Sunday. It's the breaking point for me. If I can't do it this time around, how can I ever honestly say that I could do it the third time? This is my moment, my opportunity to prove each and every nay-sayer that has every said I couldn't or I shouldn't or I won't wrong. It's time I faced myself, I faced my own words, I faced my own measurements for success and, you know, actually face the truth. If I can't win this Sunday, I probably don't deserve any more shots at being the person I say I am. *Another sigh from Sally as she turns away from the city and faces the camera*[/b] If there's someone out there who can actually win this title, who can do all the great things for APW that I want to see happen, then who am I to stop them? I deride Level-One and Mark for being selfish; aren't I being selfish if I lose on Sunday and continue to go after the APW Championship?
I guess that's my pledge for this match. If I can't get the victory, if I can earn the title, if I can't beat everyone at One Night in Hell, I'll move aside. I'll willingly give up my spot in the sun to the next person who shows that they can do everything I promised but didn't deliver. I'm not so selfish to grasp at straws when someone else needs them. I'm not going to throw a Level-One and attack every warm body just to get back in. I'm not going down the path that Havok and Young Mannie did to get the attention of the decision makers. I'll go back down the ladder rungs and figure out what I did wrong and work harder than ever before to get back up there. And that isn't motivation enough for me, what with the title and the prestige and the history all tied up in this match, then I have no idea what will get be over the line.
Then again, I don't really need to make that promise. Coming in first won't stop me. Going through five other men won't stop me. The elimination chamber won't stop me. I am going to go into that match and make history. I will become the first female APW champion. And everyone will finally believe that I can do everything I said I could. I could run with the men. I could cut it in the top tiers of this company. I could become the face of APW. Sunday night is my crowning night. It won't be like Shockwave. It won't end in tears. It will end like it should end: Sally Talfourd the APW World Heavyweight Champion. The fans will cheer, the haters will boo, and everyone back stage will sit up and recognise true talent and proper skills. And as the camera fades out on me clutching that belt with the last remaining strength I have, that will be everyone's Happy Ending.[/color]
Sally smiles to the camera, raises her glass to it, and takes sip. She turns to look back out over Tokyo, the setting for the carnage and destruction that is about to happen. Six fates, six careers, and six destinies all cross paths on Sunday. But there's only one thing on Sally's mind: Going out and giving this greatest of matches her absolute anything. That way, there's not going to be any question as to whether she's good enough. She'll finally be able to know, herself, if she has it or not. 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.
