Crisis of Faith

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Off Camera

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A rebound is what Marie Jones needed and that is exactly what she got with her victory over Konrad Raab on a previous Breakdown. She had held out some hope that she would finally get the break she deserved; she had held out hope that she would get an opportunity at a championship.  And yet she wasn’t even scheduled to compete on the next edition of Breakdown.  Perhaps it was just a mere oversight or perhaps Mr. D thought he was being kind in giving her a break, but that’s not how Marie saw it. In her eyes, it was SCW’s way of saying that she wasn’t important enough to be on the show.  In her eyes, it was more than just a simple oversight.  It was their way of saying they didn’t need her.

It further exasperates the professional frustrations for Marie Annabelle Jones, who already believes she is being overlooked and unappreciated by Supreme Championship Wrestling.  Now with her hopes of getting back into the Adrenaline Championship picture seemingly dashed when Dylan Howell ruined Marie’s first opportunity and now that Christy Matthews is the number one contender, Marie has to accept reality and move on.  The silver lining is that she is in a Television Title Eliminator against Cassidy Carter.  Is Marie just being pacified by Mr. D? Perhaps, but she is grateful for this opportunity to potentially win her second SCW Television Championship.

Professional difficulties are not the only issues that plague Marie Jones.  She is also having troubles at home involving her husband Arthur.  This time Marie cannot blame anyone else but herself.  Marie was the one who chose to cheat on him with Blake Mason.

As with most mistakes people make, she didn’t really think any of it through.  She didn’t think about any of the potential consequences. Marie was simply tired of trying to do things the right way and wait for the reward that she felt she rightfully deserved.  So she decided to do whatever she wanted.  She decided to live for the moment.  She lived for the thrills and the chills.  It’s a decision that nearly cost her the marriage and definitely ruined the trust Arthur once had in her.

Marie realizes and accepts the fact that she did wrong, but she still has her doubts about right and wrong.  In a word, Marie Annabelle Jones is having a crisis of faith.  That brings her to one place…

The Convent of Our Lady of the Annunciation towers high in the sky.  Marie knows this place very well; beyond the fact that this is associated with her home parish, this is also the convent where her mother spent the formative years of her teenage life as a nun in the Roman Catholic Church.  It is an awe-inspiring sight, to say the very least.  White marble steps lead up to a pair of impressive large brown oak doors.  The sides of this building are beautiful red brick that towers high into the sky, topped off by a white cross at its peak.

Jones stands across the street from the Convent as she stares in awe at this building.  The curious thing about this is the fact that she is here at the convent at all.  In the past when she’s had a crisis of faith she’s gone to the priest to get his advice.  This is different.  For some reason, Marie feels the priest will not give him the answers she needs to hear.  But there is another person she feels that she can trust.

Marie is wearing a long flowing black maxi skirt, black high heeled pumps underneath, a white silk blouse, and a matching floral print black blazer.  Her long red hair hangs unrestrained to shoulder length.  Angelica walks across the street and stops at the foot of the stairs.  She puts one foot on the first step when she hears it.

“Hello, Annabelle.”

Startled, Marie turns around and finds a woman, slightly younger than Marie’s mother Angelica Jones, standing not too far away from her.  The woman is dressed in the full nun’s habit, black robe and all.  A pleasant smile is on her face.  She is instantly certain that this is the person she wanted to see.

“Sister Maria, is that you?”

“The one and only.  You must be Sister Angelica’s daughter.”

“That’d be me.”

Marie is the first to make an approach.  She walks to Sister Maria and embraces her in a tight hug.  The similarity in their names is not lost on either of the women.  Angelica Jones named her daughter after her good friend from the convent Sister Maria.  That just shows how much Angelica felt about Sister Maria as a close friend and confidant.  Marie herself had never met Sister Maria before but had heard numerous stories about her.  This is why she wanted to meet with her rather than a priest.  If anyone could help her with her personal issues and specifically her crisis of faith, it would be Sister Maria.

“You are definitely her child,” Maria says, running her hand along Marie’s cheek “you look so much like her in the face, in the eyes,”

“And the hair?” Marie asks, flicking some of her long red locks of hair back behind her.

“Of course the hair.” Sister Maria chuckles.  “It runs in the family, I take it?”

“It does.  My mom has it, my aunt has it, and all my sisters have it except one.”

“A beautiful red-headed family!  God truly does work in wondrous ways!” She rests a hand on Marie’s shoulder. “Did your mother tell you about the time she left the convent, my dear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“It was tormenting for her.  She was not sure if she’d ever be reunited with her sister again.  And to learn that she had to give you and your sister away, that saddened me and I know it saddened her.  She hated having to do it but she only did what she felt was right.  I hope you understand that.”

“I admit that it is tough to accept it.” Marie says with a sigh. “I sometimes give my mom a hard time.”

“So she says.  The guilt over her actions, I’m sure, is what drove her to some of the insanity that plagues her to this day.” Tears form in Sister Maria’s eyes.  “But seeing you today brings my own heart hope.  Your mother and your aunt are reunited.  Your mother is reunited with her beloved children.  It truly is a miracle of God and I am thankful to see you as evidence that God is still active in this world.  Your mother is so close to full healing, Marie.  She needs your forgiveness for that.”

The mention of forgiveness snaps Marie back into reality.  Forgiveness is what brought her here in the first place.  She sought out her husband Arthur’s forgiveness for cheating on him and while he did forgive her she still feels extreme guilt.  Marie also still feels as if life isn’t being fair to her.  She feels as if her attempt to live life the right way is an exercise in futility.  Marie feels as if she’ll never get rewarded for her attempts to be good.

“I can try to forgive her, but I can’t make any promises.  God knows I need forgiveness myself.  That’s kind of why I wanted to meet you, Sister Maria.  I need forgiveness.”

“You seek me out for forgiveness?  The priest can grant that.  He is the intermediary for Christ.”

“Maybe so, but he wouldn’t understand what I’m trying to say.”

“And I would?”

“Maybe.”

The nun smiles warmly. “Well in that case, I do know of a good spot we could go and talk.”

Marie nods her head and turns to follow Sister Maria down the street.  She has an idea of where they are going.  Angelica mentioned this place before, a place where she and Sister Maria used to go and talk frequently during their time together at the convent.  It isn’t that far down the road when Marie spots a sign that reads “Danny’s Coffee”.

“How did I know we’d end up here?” Marie says grinning from ear to ear.

“Probably because your mother told you all about this place.”

Jones follows Maria up to the entrance of the small coffee shop.  Maria pushes the door open and steps inside.  Marie follows in after her.  Inside we see several tables and booths.  There is a white counter and a middle age woman with brown hair working behind the counter.  Maria and Jones approach the woman at the counter who turns to them and smiles.

“Maria!  Greetings!”

“Hello, I think you know what I want.”

“A vanilla mocha?”

Maria nods her head.

“That’s right.”

“And what does your friend want?”

“This is Marie Annabelle Jones; Angelica’s daughter.”

“Angelica?”

Sister Maria nods her head.  The woman working the counter turns to Marie.

“Nice meeting you, dear.  What can I get you?”

“French Vanilla.”

Marie turns to face Maria. “So you and mom still frequent this place?”

“Oh yes, we have so many fond memories of this place to ever quit going.  It’s nostalgic.”

“I understand.”

The woman behind the counter finishes with the coffees.  She passes them across the counter to Jones and Maria.  Marie picks up her cup and Maria picks up hers.  After each woman takes a sip, they find their way to an empty table at the far end of the café where they can be alone and have a private discussion.

“Thanks for meeting with me, by the way.  I’m sure you have other things you could be doing right now than listening to my problems.”

“Oh don’t mention it, my dear.” The nun answers, shaking her head. “Your mother helped me a long time ago.  This is the least I could do.  Besides, helping people in need is what I was called to do.”

“In that case let me drop this problem on your lap; I cheated on my husband with another man.”

Sister Maria is calm and quiet for a few moments, nodding her head slowly as she takes it all in.

“I see.  What led to you giving in to this temptation?”

“It wasn’t lust, that’s for sure.” Marie says, sipping her French Vanilla. “It was something silly.  Something stupid…”

“It couldn’t have been too silly or stupid for you if it led you to taking such a drastic move.”

“Oh it was silly.  Trust me.”

“Tell me what it was then.  What led you to cheat on your husband?”

Marie sets her cup of coffee down and sighs. “It’s just that for so long I have tried to do things the right way, in life and in my career.  My sister Kimberly lives life on the edge and she’s so happy, joyful, and carefree.  Professionally I watch people break the rules in SCW all the time and yet those who break the rules get rewarded while I, a person who follows all the rules, gets constantly overlooked.”

“I understand how that can be frustrating.”

“More than just frustrating; I should have been given an Adrenaline Title match because I had the champion beat when a lunatic interfered and drew a disqualification.  That lunatic then is GIVEN a title match without having to earn it yet I have to EARN another title shot at Rise To Greatness?”

“Your mother told me about that.  You lost, didn’t you?”

Marie nods her head. “Yes, and then August 15^th Breakdown I rebounded and won a match.  Great, but then I was left off the card for the following week while my next opponent, Cassidy Carter, got a match?  Hell, Carter has been on television front and center for a long time now and why?  All because she’s a degenerate like that clown she’s married to Ace Marshall.”

Marie sighs and shakes her head. “I was taught that by doing the right thing I would be rewarded and yet the more I watch, the more I observe the fans and SCW eating up these maniacs and perverts getting all the opportunities and face time while “normal” people like me barely get any face time and barely any opportunities.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that this match against Cassidy Carter is a Television Title eliminator.  And it does give me some reason to hope that maybe Mr. D is coming to his senses, but then again I’m also left to wonder if this is just to appease me?  I’ve been calling him and SCW out on their hypocritical booking.  Are they hoping that I’ll just shut up because I have a Television Championship opportunity?”

There is a pause as Sister Maria sips on her vanilla mocha.  Marie just stares, waiting for her new friend to answer with her words of wisdom.  Sister Maria places the cup of coffee down and sighs.

“I understand your frustration.  It isn’t easy to follow the right path.”

“No shit…” Marie blushes “…sorry.”

“God would never put any obstacle in front of you that He didn’t think you could overcome.”

“Those are just words.  And I’ve heard those words before from the priest and from my own mother.  They aren’t very comforting right now.”

“I apologize but those words are true.  You can overcome this, Marie.  But just understand that when you see others engage in wrongdoing and, at times, downright evil acts, while it may be tempting to engage in those acts yourself, you need to keep your eyes focused.  You need to keep your eyes on the prize.”

“Those are still just words.  And it’s easier said than done.” Marie sighs as she shakes her head. “I appreciate you trying, Sister Maria, but this isn’t helping me at all.”

“So you’re still tempted to give in to temptation?”

“Why not?  Giovanni Aries attacked Mr. D and Selena Frost and no repercussions.  Dylan Howell attacked Andrew Raynes and got REWARDED with a championship match.  Regan Street pile drove Mr. D and only got a thirty day suspension.  What’s the point in trying to play by the rules?”

“You’re asking the wrong questions, Marie.”

“Then what’s the right question?”

“You said yourself that acting in this manner nearly drove your husband away from you.  Are you seriously willing to risk your marriage for this?”

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Off Camera

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The words from Sister Maria stuck with Marie Annabelle Jones the entire day.  The final question that the nun asked her before their conversation came to an end was what really stuck out in her mind: Is Marie willing to risk her marriage?

Marie feels it is wrong and unfair that so many people act outside the rules and yet seemingly get rewarded and praised for their wrongdoing.  If they get praised and rewarded for breaking the rules, both rules of society and rules professionally, then it stands to reason that maybe Marie could reap some of those same rewards.  It is that logic and that thought process that led Marie to creating the Lynette Williams identity and thus cheat on her husband Arthur with Blake Mason.  But instead of getting any great reward from her action she seemingly has created even more difficulty for herself, as her marriage with Arthur is now on rocky ground at best.

Currently Marie finds herself in a pink nightgown sitting in a comfortable cream colored chair in the master bedroom of her Boston, Massachusetts home.  She has a newspaper in hand and is reading it (staring blankly at it, to be precise) when the door to the bedroom opens.  The redhead doesn’t even notice when her husband Arthur walks in wearing nothing but his boxers, seemingly ready for bed.  He stops at the King sized bed and turns to face his wife curiously, who still doesn’t even notice his presence.

“Marie?”

“Huh?” She looks up from her newspaper at Arthur and sighs. “Oh…I didn’t notice you were here.”

“Clearly.  What are you reading?”

“Nothing, really.”

“I kind of figured.” He smirks. “You never do read much of the newspaper.”

“Cute…” she casts the newspaper to the side “…but you’re right, I really wasn’t reading.  I was just trying to distract myself.”

“Why?  What’s wrong?”

“I…uh…made a new friend today.”

“Really?  What’s his name?”

“Seriously, Arthur?  HIS name?  Why are you just assuming it’s a guy?”

“Good point,” Arthur remarks, nodding his head “your mother is dating another woman, I suppose you could too.”

“Damn it!” Marie exclaims as she shoots up out of the chair and storms over to the bed. “Just forget about it!”

Arthur may have been justified in his teasing of Marie but seeing her like this does make him somewhat repentant.  He walks over and joins her on the bed.

“I’m sorry, Marie.”

“No, don’t apologize.  I had that coming.  To be perfectly honest, if I really got what I had deserved, I wouldn’t have you next to me right now.  I’m lucky…”

“Hush,” he runs a hand through her long red hair. “I told you, we’re going to work through this, no matter how long it takes.”

“It just isn’t fair!” Marie exclaims with tears rolling freely down her cheek. “I do everything right, I play by the rules, and I get nothing for it, meanwhile those who break the rules constantly and never do anything right get praised and rewarded constantly.  I make ONE slip up and do ONE thing wrong and my life is damn near ready to fall apart!”

“It was a rather big thing you did wrong, babe.”

“I know and I don’t want to sound like I’m making light of what I did, it’s just frustrating right now the way I see so much hypocrisy all around me, especially in SCW, and I let that hypocrisy damn near ruin our marriage.”

“I know and I hate seeing you get the short of the stick at work, especially since I know how hard you work.  You do deserve better at SCW.  But this…” he motions to Marie “…this isn’t the Marie Annabelle Jones I fell in love with.”

“Then who am I?” Marie asks through tear filled eyes.

“You remind me of that arrogant, elitist, bitch who was so full of herself back in IWC, back when she was being influenced by Silas Mason.  The Marie I fell in love with wouldn’t be making excuses for what’s happening in her career right now and damn sure wouldn’t let what’s happening in her career affect her personal judgment.  She would just keep trying to do her best.”

Marie pauses as she reflects upon the words of her husband.  She motions for some tissue.  Arthur grabs a box and hands it to Marie.  She quickly takes some tissue and blows her nose and wipes her eyes of some of the tears.

“You’re right, I have been letting my frustrations regarding my professional career cloud my judgment.  It nearly cost us our marriage and I won’t let that happen again.”

“Good, this is another good first step towards restoring what we had.”

“But that woman you spoke of, she may have been a bitch to deal with but she didn’t take any shit from anyone.  She took what was rightfully hers.  I’m not going to let opportunities slip by me again. I swear to God I won’t.  If that means I’m a bitch, then so be it.”

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On Camera

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I admit, at times I do tend to beat a dead horse.  And perhaps this is one horse that has been beaten to death and back again as many times as I have repeated it.  So I won’t bore you with the details of how Dylan Howell unfairly and unjustly got a title match that he did not deserve at Rise To Greatness.  What I will say is that either my message is finally getting across or maybe, just maybe, Mr. D is just trying to shut me up, maybe he’s just trying to appease me, because now I find myself in a Television Title Eliminator.  Which means, with two victories I would be a two time SCW Television Champion.

Don’t get me wrong, I am definitely happy about this opportunity that I have; I am grateful to have this opportunity to win back the SCW Television Championship and I do not plan to squander it.  I admit, I had plans of bigger and better things.  I am The Crown Jewel of Professional Wrestling and that means I don’t sit and rest on my laurels.  I think long term.  I had been thinking in terms of Supreme Champion, because had I beaten Andrew Raynes I would have just been two titles short of that goal; World Tag Team and World Heavyweight.

Maybe now you can understand why I was a little bitchy when that lunatic idiot Dylan Howell interfered in my match?

But I don’t want to seem ungrateful and besides, I will take any and all opportunity given to me to further prove myself and to cement my status as one of the greats here in SCW, especially if that means winning back a championship I never should have lost in the first place.  So yes, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am definitely thankful to have this opportunity to compete in the Television Title Eliminator.

Yet, there is still a little something about this that bugs the hell out of me.

Cassidy Carter is in the match.

What the hell has she done to deserve this opportunity?  I’m not sure what she’s done to DESERVE the opportunity but I can tell you what she’s done lately.

She’s lost just about all of her matches since May of this year.

She’s been an obnoxious, annoying pain in the ass to one and all.

At least the case can be made that I belong in that match.  I don’t even need to bring up the travesty that occurred with the Adrenaline Championship.  The fact is that I have been winning.  I beat Dante McCaffery and I beat Konrad Raab.  Sure, I had a slip up at Rise To Greatness, but that doesn’t change who and what I am and what I am capable of.

I am STILL the woman who has held the United States and Television Championships.  I am STILL the woman who beat former world champions in the world title series and came oh so close to earning a title shot.  I am STILL The Crown Jewel of Professional Wrestling and I have proven time and time again that I deserve opportunities such as this.

Cassidy Carter, you are nothing but the sidekick of a traveling sideshow carnival act.  The only reason you get any notoriety at all is your association with Ace Marshall, who is a former World Champion.  Without him no one who know who the hell you were.

Another reason you get blessed with opportunities such as this is because of the insane antics that you and Ace always seem to get yourselves involved in.  Week in and week out you seem to raise the bar in terms of absurdity and ridiculously horrible things that you can think of to make a total mockery out of this sport.  And just when the world thinks you can’t raise the bar any higher, you seem to find a way to be even more outrageous.

You’re also lucky; you’re lucky to be working for a company that seems to reward bad behavior.  How else can you explain a total degenerate loser like you getting a title shot like this?  It makes no sense.  It boggles the mind.

I am not going to complain about it, though.  Complaining about it has gotten me nowhere.  If I want to make real change then I need to act upon my words.  That means kicking your ass for however long I damn well please until I feel the time is right to put you out of your misery by driving your empty head into the mat with an Ave Maria.

I wouldn’t worry too much, Cassidy.  You won’t be forgotten.  You’ll still get an opportunity here and there despite your losing streak continuing indefinitely, you will still get chances gift wrapped to you on a silver platter despite me kicking your ass.  As long as you continue to break the rules and be Ace’s sideshow freak when the two of you do whatever horrible act you do next, you’ll get rewarded.  That’s what this company does, after all.  It rewards bad behavior.

What you will not get is a shot at the SCW Television Championship.   That opportunity belongs to me and to me alone and you, Ace, Mr. D, nor anyone else in SCW will stop me.