Moving On

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April 26^th, 2019

Off Camera

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Breakdown was certainly eventful for The Phoenix and reigning SCW Television Champion Marie Annabelle Jones.  The redhead fire cracker successfully defended her championship against Scarlet Grey, just as she predicted she would, but it didn’t end the way she had hoped.

Scarlet got herself disqualified.

Once again it was Kimberly who saved Marie from disaster.  Kimberly saw that Scarlet was trying to use a weapon and managed to get the referee to see it.  Marie would have much rather beaten Scarlet by pin or submission; but still, the very fact that Scarlet had to resort to cheap tricks and cheating to even have a chance shows Marie and, truly the world, that The Red Empire really don’t stand up to Twin Magic in any way shape or form.

Kimberly has beaten Scarlet.  Marie has beaten Ruby to win the Television Title and then beat Scarlet to retain it.  That’s three wins and no losses against The Red Empire.  All because Katya seems obsessed with making Marie pay for her crime of costing Katya at Retribution.

Marie has no idea what Katya expects to get out of this, but she is certainly ready to move on from Katya and move away from the past.  The Phoenix is looking forward into the future, into her future as SCW Television Champion and, specifically, her next title defense against a very game Kellen Jeffries.

Before she can start dealing with Jeffries, she has other duties she must attend to…

“Welcome back to Weekend Edition Saturday on National Public Radio.  I am your host, Scott Simon, and I have a great show for you today.  Very informative, very educational.”

That is the voice of Scott Simon, host of National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Saturday, a program that wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories.

His guest today is none other than Marie herself.  The Phoenix is dressed in a knee length black loose skirt, black high heeled pumps, and a long sleeve crimson sweater.  Her long red hair hangs flowing and unrestrained to shoulder length.  Jones has her title belt sitting in her lap.  You may think that she is the topic of today’s discussion simply because she is the new SCW Television Champion.  That would be a good guess but if you thought that then you would be mistaken.  Other reasons bring her here today to NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday as the special guest.

“Today’s guest is someone who is very well known the world over but especially in the New England area.  She is the reigning Television Champion for Supreme Championship Wrestling.  She is The Phoenix Marie Jones.”

Jones chuckles lightly. “Please, Scott, just Marie will do!”

“Ok then, Marie.” Scott Simon says with a nod. “I am glad you joined me this morning.”

“You’re lucky I managed to wake up this early.” Jones says with a smirk.

“Yeah, well, we’re grateful you made it in.  But before I get to the topic of the morning and why you are here today, I do have a question.”

“Yes?” Marie asks curiously with an arched brow as she flicks some of her hair out of her face.

“Where did you get that nickname from?”

“The Phoenix?”

“Yes, explain its origin; if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” Marie shakes her head. “My mother was the first to use the name; during a brief period of her career when she wrestled under a mask she called herself Phoenix.”

“So she was a luchadore?”

“I never thought of it that way but I guess technically she was.  While she can mimic just about any style except for powerhouse, her speed and talent for taking to the sky made her seem more like a masked luchadore than the other styles.  Not to mention her height, being physically smaller than most everyone on any roster, it made sense.”

“So how did you end up with the name?” Scott asks.

“I told you that she wrestled under a mask for a brief period.  Well, that brief period was when she was being managed by a guy who was manipulating her.  Practically had her brainwashed.  When she realized what he was up to, she left him and abandoned any and all association with The Phoenix identity.  I took on the nickname but I did not take on the mask.  I wanted the nickname because I felt it accurately described who I was.”

“Why The Phoenix though?” The radio host insists. “What was so special about the bird?”

“Think about it, Scott; the myth of The Phoenix is that she dies only to be reborn again.  That’s me.  You can knock me down but I’ll get back up.  I can sink to the bottom of the abyss but I’ll fight right back to the top of the heavens.  Take SCW for instance, I threw my reputation, my friendships, and relationships all away for a shot at the World Championship.  When the scheme didn’t work out, and I realized I was just being manipulated, I swore I’d turn things around.  People were skeptical at first and I don’t blame them.  But I’m still fighting the good fight to rebuild those bridges I burned.  And as for my career?”

Jones pats the Television title belt that sits on her lap. “I think this Television Championship is evidence that I have had at least some success.”

“I see that; congratulations by the way.”

“Thank you, Scott.”

“How has that Television Title scene been looking so far?”

“Well I defeated Ruby Amarant to become champion. I defeated her tag team partner Scarlet in my first title defense.  My next title defense is coming up next week against Kellen Jeffries.”

“You defend your title every week?”

“Basically, yes.” Marie nods her head. “It’s the rules.”

“Well good luck with that,” Scott states “but I think it’s time to move onto the topic of the day.  And I know it will be a difficult one for you, Ms. Jones; are you sure you’re ok with this?”

Without a second thought The Phoenix nods her head. “Absolutely, Scott.  This is a topic that desperately needs to be addressed and if I can help in any way, then I will gladly do so.”

“Very well.” Scott sighs and pauses to collect his thoughts, preparing himself for his line of questioning. “The topic of the day is suicide…”

Marie nods her head.  She knew in advance what this was all about.  She knew ahead of time that this wasn’t going to be sports related or anything related to her career in SCW.  Scott Simon wanted her on NPR to discuss the problem of suicide and Marie is a good guest to have on the show about this due to the fact that her late husband Arthur himself committed suicide.

“So Marie, it may be public record but you haven’t been very open and public about it until now.  And I think everyone listening is glad that you are because this is an opportunity, as you said, to help those who may need it.  That being said, do you want to tell our listeners your story?”

Jones nods her head. “Yes.  There’s actually two stories I can tell, the first one is about my mother.  She doesn’t talk about it often but she has given me permission to tell your listeners that she once attempted suicide.”

“When was this?” The radio host inquires.

“It was a long time ago when she was still a teenager.  Luckily EMTs got her to a local hospital in time to save her life.  But that was before my memory so even still, up until recently, I really had no idea how suicide could affect others.  And I think that’s part of the problem.  People who are depressed think suicide is the easy way to end their pain but they don’t realize that they are causing other people pain.  I didn’t realize this until recently.”

“When did you first realize that truth about suicide?”

Marie takes in a deep breath and lets it out.  She steels herself for the next story, the story of her late husband.

“It was recently.  My husband Arthur and I had been having our fair share of disagreements; but then again, what couple doesn’t have disagreements?  Ironic thing is, I don’t even remember what we were arguing about that night.  Whatever it was it made me angry enough to kick him out of the house.  And then…” tears start to form in the eyes of the Television Champion.  Scott hands her a tissue. She nods in appreciation as she uses the tissue to wipe her eyes. “…the next time I heard anything about Arthur was when authorities notified me that he took his own life.”

“I am sorry to hear that, Ms. Jones.”

“Thank you, Scott.” Marie says. “But if I could say anything at all to your listeners, especially those who may depressed and considering suicide as an out, call a suicide prevention hotline. Talk to a family member or a friend.  There’s always someone willing to listen and there is always a better way.  Also remember that others are being hurt when you commit suicide.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about Arthur and wonder if I could’ve helped in some way.”

Scott Simon nods his head. “Thank you for being here, Marie, and thank you for sharing your story.  Coming up, experts in the psychiatric field will be here to discuss depression and how to combat it.”

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April 27^th, 2019

Tucson, Arizona

Off Camera

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The interview from yesterday was therapeutic for The Phoenix.  She was being completely honest with the NPR listeners yesterday when she said there wasn’t a day that she didn’t think about Arthur.  What she didn’t tell them was that she still blamed herself for his death.  She recalls this like it was yesterday…

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Flashback

February 1^st, 2019

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“Arthur, don’t start that…” Marie’s voice trails off.

“It’s hard not to start into that.” Arthur says as he takes another sip of wine. “That was the one thing Katya did that I actually liked.  She fired Blake Mason and that meant he wouldn’t be anywhere near you to tempt you.”

His voice is dripping with venom as the bad memories of Marie’s affair with him all come back to light.

“I don’t like Katya, I think her and Dark Fantasy are using you.  But I was glad she fired Blake because at least that temptation would be gone.  I don’t trust him, Marie.  I’m sorry, but I just don’t trust him.  Now he’s back in the company touring with you and yet you still won’t let me come on the tours with you.”

“If you’re that damn insecure, then buy a damn ticket.” Marie snaps back at her husband angrily with vitriol of her own seeping through. “I can’t stop you from buying a fucking ticket but I can stop you from coming with me and apparently keeping you away from me during my SCW business was a good idea.”

“Why the hell would you want to stay away from me?  Your husband!”

“Because of this!  I just got over a self-confidence problem!  I just regained confidence I had lost from months of being a walking mat!  I finally got my legitimate shot at the world championship and now I get another, against Syren on Breakdown!  I get to face one of the greatest wrestlers in the world today!  This is huge for my career and I do not need your insecurity poisoning my professional life right now!”

“Insecurity?” Arthur is fuming now.  He tips the glass and chugs down the rest of his wine in one gulp.  He slams the glass back down on the table. “I think I have a right to be insecure.  You did have an affair with Blake Mason!”

“I thought we had gotten past that!” Marie exclaims.

“How do I get past that?  That’s like your mother asking you to just get over the fact that she put a bullet through your dad’s head!”

That was a mistake.  Marie immediately slaps the taste out of Arthur’s mouth.  He rubs his cheek as Marie stares at him with hatred in his eyes.

“Don’t you DARE bring up my father!”

“Why not?  You hate him.  You’ve said so yourself.  And you hate your mother.  Those are just a few of the questionable judgment calls you’ve been making; and that’s not to mention the questionable judgment call you made in siding with people like Katya and Syren and Ravyn.”

“You don’t even know them!”

“You know what?  You’re right.” Arthur nods his head. “I don’t know them, but then again how the hell could I get to know them when you won’t let me come to any damn shows?!”

“And this is precisely why I cannot let you come to shows with me!” Marie snaps back, poking a finger into his chest. “Because YOU act like a damn child!”

“And you are acting with a highly questionable judgment.  How can I trust you to stay away from someone like Blake Mason when you’re attracted to scum like Katya and Dark Fantasy?  How can I trust you stay away from Blake when your oh so perfect judgment tells you that mocking the memory of your dead father and disrespecting your own mother are acceptable actions?”

Marie strikes Arthur again, this time it is with a closed fist and the force of it causes Arthur to go tumbling off of the sofa.  He crashing onto the coffee table, causing to break under his weight.  The Phoenix stands up, shocked at first at what she does but then she steels herself.  She convinces herself that she was in the right with every second that Arthur uses to push himself back up to his feet.  Arthur gets nose to nose with Marie.

“Get out, Arthur!”

“Are you kicking me out?!”

“That’s what I saidI” Marie shouts. “I’ve had enough of you questioning me!  You’ve questioned and doubted me ever since we got together!  You never once believed in me, you never once supported me, you treated me like a fucking child and I have had it!”

“So is this…” Arthur’s voice trails off as he is trying to comprehend what she has just said “...are we through?”

“I don’t…” Marie has to ponder this for a moment before sighing “...I don’t know.  I just know that I don’t want to see you right now.”

She points towards the front door. “Leave.”

Arthur just stands for a few moments.  He isn’t quite sure what he wants to do and, for that matter, Marie isn’t sure what he’ll do either.  Marie notices Arthur balling up his fist, as if he is preparing to strike her.  Arthur then sighs as he relaxes.  A tear can be seen forming in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Marie.  This was supposed to be me making things right between us.  I guess I screwed it up.”

Arthur turns and starts to walk off.  Marie considers stopping him.  She only considers it for a brief moment and then thinks better of it.  She watches him exit the front door, potentially leaving him forever.

Marie drops back down onto the sofa and begins to cry.

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April 27^th, 2019

Tucson, Arizona

Off Camera

==========

She kicked him out of the house and from there he went on to kill himself.  He committed suicide shortly after being kicked out of the house by his own wife.  Thoughts still linger, thoughts about if she had just been more willing to talk, had she been more open and more willing to listen, maybe they could have worked things out.  Ultimately, had she just not kicked him out, maybe he would not have felt that strong rejection?  Maybe he would not have killed himself?

It’s a hypothetical question that will never be truly answered.  Marie, on the other hand, is convinced that the answer is as clear as day.  She could have saved him.  She could have stopped this from happening.  She could have her beloved Arthur with her today had she just not kicked him out of the house.

“Yo, Marie?  Earth to Marie?”  It’s the voice of her identical twin sister, Kimberly. “Yoo hoooooo…are you in there?!”

The twins are backstage at an SCW House Show in Tucson Arizona. Their participation is done for the night and normally Marie stays for the duration.  Though tonight is different.  Yesterday’s interview with Scott Simon and the discussion about suicide has dealt a heavy blow to her psyche.  Those memories are rushing right back to her and she’s having a difficult time maintaining her composure.  Most cannot tell, as she does a good job of disguising it. Kimberly, however, knows her identical twin better than that and Marie knows better than to even try to lie to her.

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Are you sure?” Kim inquires. “You sure don’t look it.”

Kimberly gets up close to Marie’s head and puts her eyeball up against Marie’s ear, as if she is trying to look inside.  Marie shoves her away.  Kimberly smirks.

“Well, I think I see a brain in there.  So you’re good on that front.”

“Fine,” Marie sighs and shrugs her shoulders “I may be here physically but I’m not entirely here mentally.”

“What gives?” Kim asks.

“It’s nothing.  It’s just…” Marie shakes her head “…the interview yesterday…”

“Oh yeah, I remember.  Was it that bad?”

“I don’t know how bad it was, Kim. Let’s just say it took a real toll on me mentally and emotionally.  It really wore me out.”

“I had a feeling that doing that interview was a bad idea, babe.”

“I know you warned me about it, but I feel obligated to say something.  I don’t want anyone else to have to suffer the way he did, the way I am.  You know?”

“You can’t fix that problem, Marie.” Kim says stoically. “If people want to do that to themselves, there’s nothing you can do to stop them.”

“I can at least try.” Marie states. “It’s better than doing nothing.”

“You’re a better person than me, but then again that’s no surprise.” Kimberly smirks knowingly. “Hey, I got a good way to cheer you up!  Let’s go throw things at old people?  Or maybe we could go to the concession stand, get a chicken bone, carve it into a shank, and get all stabby stabby with Katya and the Red Empire bimbos?”

Marie chuckles lightly and shakes her head. “No thanks, Kim.  I think I’d rather just go back to the hotel.”

“Awww,” Kimberly pouts “do we have to?”

“No, WE don’t have to.” Marie points to herself. “I’m going back.  You’re welcome to do whatever you want.”

“But…”

“Kim, listen,” Marie places a hand on her sister’s shoulder “I’ve been treating you like a child for far too long.  And why?  Just because you have a history of mental illness?  Kim, you are a normal adult.  You are a grown woman.  You can make your decisions.  Don’t do something just because I do it.”

Kimberly embraces her sister in a tight hug. “I appreciate you saying that, sis, and I use my free will to decide to accompany you back to the hotel.”

“Suit yourself.” Marie shrugs her shoulders.

“You go on,” Kimberly says as she starts to skip away “I’m gonna go get a doughnut from concession before I leave!”

Marie watches her sister skip off.  Marie chuckles as she shakes her head and starts to walk in the opposite direction.  She knows she is lucky to have someone like Kimberly in her life.  Her identical twin sister has remained loyal to her through all of the trials and tribulations of recent months.  When others refused to give her a second chance after she walked away from Katya at Retribution, Kimberly stayed by her side.  Marie is slowly regaining her reputation.  The SCW fans have forgiven her already. But one person who will remain with her throughout the rest of the ordeal is Kimberly.

“Ms. Jones?”

Immediately the SCW Television Champion stops dead in her tracks.  She turns to find an official walking towards her with flowers and a card.  Marie looks on curiously as the official holds them out to her, as if they belong to her. But she wasn’t expecting this.

“Uh, yes?” She asks curiously.

“These are for you.”

Jones takes the flowers and the card.  “Thank you.”

The official walks off and Marie looks at the flowers.  They smell quite nice. Then she carefully opens up the card and reads it…

“To my favourite Ginger in the entire world. Hugs and kisses, Tommy xx”

Marie furrows her brow.  “Tommy?”

==========

On Camera

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As the SCW Television Champion, one thing I want to do is make damn sure that the championship is given the proper respect and dignity that it deserves.  As champion, Konrad Raab did his best to give the title dignity and respect.  He did his best to represent that championship with honor and pride.  Unfortunately Ruby Amarant came along and stopped all of that.

Ruby never cared about the championship.  She and Scarlet just wanted a trinket to bring home to their precious puppet master Katya.  Ruby wanted the approval of Katya by bringing home a gold trophy.  That’s all it was to her.  A means to an end.

When I defeated her for the championship, I restored dignity to the championship, because I take pride in being a champion.  Yet at the same time I am humbled with the great task of having to represent that championship and, dare I say, SCW itself.  It is truly an honor to be a champion here in SCW and if you think for one second I was going to let Scarlet Grey rip that away from me and then tarnish this championship by laying it back at the feet of Katya you are sorely mistaken.

I will fight until my dying breath for this championship, because that’s what champions do.

Now I can be grateful that finally I have a challenger who understands the pride and honor, as well as the heavy obligations that go with being a champion in SCW.

Kellen Jeffries.

Your story hasn’t gone unnoticed by me, Kellen.  You seem to be trying real hard to turn both your professional life as well as your personal life around.  I can understand that journey, Kellen, and I know how tough of a journey that is.  I’ve had t o go on that journey before and it isn’t easy.  I’m on my own journey of redemption right now.  I wish you luck in your journey as I’m sure you wish me luck in mine.

Your personal life is your business and I know nothing of it, but I can speak of your professional life and I can honestly say you are turning that around.  You won a Trios Contract and for that I applaud you.  But I’ve been turning my professional life around as well.  I am now the SCW Television Champion.

Now this sounds like a trope I’m sure plenty of people have seen before.  Two people on similar, almost parallel journeys, and they meet up.  Sounds nice doesn’t it?

Problem is, when we meet up, we’re going to be like two on coming trains heading for a collision course with one another.  The problem with this nice and neat scenario is that both of us cannot continue our smooth journey back into the good graces of society.  One of us is going to suffer a bump in the road.

Hell, both of us could suffer a bump in the road.  Both of us could get derailed.

I’ll say this to you, Kellen; I am willing to give you a chance.  God knows I’ve needed second chances before and God knows I need one now from the SCW locker room.  For me not to believe that you’ve changed and that you are a different person would be rather hypocritical of me.  But as much as I do believe that you have changed, I still cannot and I will not take it easy on you.

I don’t think you want me to take it easy on you.

This Television Championship requires that I fight whoever Sasha puts in front of me, and it requires that I fight them not half-ass but with my full force of intensity and ability.  So that means what happened to Scarlet last Breakdown and what happened to Ruby the Breakdown before that is going to happen to you.

Simply put, I’m going to kick your ass.

It’s not out of hate or malice.  It’s just because I’m the champion and it’s my duty, my obligation, to defend this title to the best of my ability.  And that means throwing my ever loving best at you, doing my damndest to put you down, and making damn sure that I walk out of Breakdown STILL the SCW Television Champion.

The Williams Legacy (finale)

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April 15^th, 2019

Seattle Washington

Off Camera

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Sunlight streams in from the window, striking the face of Marie Annabelle Jones as she lies down in her King sized bed in her luxury suite hotel room in Seattle, Washington. Marie slowly blinks herself awake and stares into the sunlight with a warm smile upon her face.  In the past the sunlight would be an unwelcome visitor.  In the past, Marie’s life looked quite opposite the brightness of the sun.  Her life and, well, her career itself, seemed to be careening down a dark and abysmal abyss where everyone had seemingly abandoned her.

Not that she didn’t deserve the treatment.  Jones had abandoned all of her friends and supporters first by siding with Katya and Dark Fantasy.  She even drug her sister, Kimberly Williams, along for the ride.  But unlike most others, Kimberly did not give up on Marie.  Kimberly remained loyal and that loyalty paid off.  Marie found her way back.  And now, despite everything she did, she now has a second chance.

She may not have earned top contender rights for the tag titles at Tabula Rasa, but that’s fine with her.  Evidence of Marie’s second chance is the fact that she is the reigning SCW Television Champion.  Sasha didn’t have to grant her that opportunity but she granted her that chance anyway and Marie took full advantage of that opportunity, defeating Ruby Amarant for the SCW Television Championship just a few days before Tabula Rasa.

Now with Tabula Rasa out of the way Marie is focused on trying to keep her career moving in the right direction.  She is focused on trying to rebuild those bridges that she burned and rebuild the reputation that she tarnished due to her own actions.

Jones is full of hope and optimism that she can turn things around and redeem herself, redeem her career, and finally get back on track after putting this issue with Katya to rest once and for all.  Katya, though, doesn’t seem interested in putting anything to rest.  Each and every chance she gets she has threatened The Phoenix.  Marie isn’t taking those threats lightly.   But she isn’t letting Katya’s threats or her goons bother her.  That much is evident from the wide warm smile upon her face as she throws the cover off and sits up, revealing herself in black lace panties, matching lace bra, and sheer nylon stockings.  She swings her nylon covered legs over the edge of the bed and stretches out before standing up…

“Looking good, sis!”

Startled, Marie spins around only to find her identical twin sister Kimberly Williams standing behind her just a few feet away.  Kimberly is smirking knowingly.  Were it not for their different attire (Kimberly is wearing denim jeans, black boots, and a black t-shirt which reads “I Groped Mr. D” in hot pink) it would be like looking in a mirror.

“Kim!  What the hell…?!”

“I’m just giving you a compliment.  That’s all.” Kimberly winks. “But hell, I should know shouldn’t I?  Identical twins and all.  If I wanted a look at your privates all I have to do is take off my clothes and voila!”

Marie sighs and shakes her head. “How did you even get in here?”

“Oh that was easy.  I could have broke in but I opted for the easier way.”

Marie studies her twin for a moment for frowning. “You told that poor guy at the front desk you were me?”

“Bingo!” Kimberly declares excitedly. “Being you is so fun and soooo easy!”

“I’m glad someone thinks it’s easy being me.” Marie says, rolling her eyes.  The Phoenix walks over to the bed and sits back down.  Kimberly walks over and joins her next to the bed.

“Awwww, what’s wrong?  Someone urinate in your cheerios?”

“Don’t you mean piss in your cornflakes?”

“I hate cornflakes.  Yuck!” The Woman Scorned sticks out her tongue. “Plus, urinate makes me sound smarter than pee…”

Marie rolls her eyes. “Whatever, Kim.”

“Seriously, sis.  Tell your bestest sister ever what’s wrong.”

Marie shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know, Kim.  I just wish I was more like you.”

“More like me?” Kimberly asks, sounding somewhat astonished. “Are you being serious?  Are you sick?” Kimberly places her hand against Marie’s forehead, as if checking for a fever. “Nope, not sick.”

“I’m fine!” Marie exclaims, swatting her twin sister’s hand away.

“But something has to be wrong for you to want to be anything like me.” She chuckles. “It’s funny, actually.  I always wanted to be more like you, now you want to be more like me.”

“Only in the sense that you’re so…uh…how do I want to say this nicely?  You’re…” Marie’s voice trails as she ponders the proper way to say this without offending her sister “…uh, chill?  Relaxed?  Um…”

“You mean I can disconnect from my emotions and reality?” Kim smirks knowingly.  Marie nods her head while smiling sheepishly. “Yeah, it’s a talent.  You may think it as a gift but honestly, I’d rather be more like you.”

“Why?” Marie asks. “It still bothers me what I did to my friends and family and even to the fans.  I abandoned everyone and for what?  Because Katya promised me a world title match.  I got two and I couldn’t even take advantage of either.”

“First of all, sis, that bitch manipulated you.  Secondly, quit beating yourself up.  You’re not alone, you know?  You may feel isolated right now but trust me, more and more people will start to give you a second chance.  You will earn that trust back.”

“You think so?” Marie asks hopefully.

“I know so.  And as for me being able to flip that switch and turn the emotions on and off,” she shakes her head “it isn’t as easy as you think.”

“What do you mean?” Marie asks curiously, arching her brow.

“Well…” Kimberly’s voice trails off.  Then the self-proclaimed sociopath shakes her head “…just forget about it.”

Kimberly gets up and starts to walk away but Marie stands up as well and snatches her by the arm, stopping her dead in her tracks.

“You’re not going to leave me hanging like that.” The Phoenix states. “Spill the beans.  What’s bothering you?”

“It’s nothing.” Kimberly pauses and shakes her head.

“I know better than that because I know my sister.” Marie turns Kimberly around so that the two are face to face, nose to nose. “Look, I was there for you when you wanted help to control your mental issues.  You were there for me just recently, to help me with Katya and Dark Fantasy.  We are here for each other, that’s what sisters are for.  So tell me, what is wrong?  Maybe I can help.”

“You can’t help.” Kimberly shakes her head again. “No one can help because no one knows the trauma that I’ve been through.  No one knows the nightmare of a life that I’ve lived.  People look at me as crazy Kim but you know better.  You know that I used to be a very dangerous person.”

“But you’re a good person now.” Marie states definitively. “You’ve worked hard to better yourself and I am proud of you.  Mom is too.”

“Mom isn’t the problem.” Kimberly  snaps. “It’s dad.”

“Dad?”

“I haven’t been able to focus a damn bit since our Aunt Catherine told us about our father and his family.  When I heard what Roger Williams did to that young girl, it jerked me back into reality.  You know what I realized, Marie?”

“No.” The Phoenix shakes her head.

“If that family is capable of that kind of crime, then so am I.  I am a monster, Marie.  That’s what that whole story told me.  It told me that I am a monster.”

Kimberly sits back down on the bed.  Tears form in her eyes. “I wish I hadn’t have asked.  I should’ve left well enough alone and never learned about my father.  Ignorance is bliss, you know?”

Marie stares at her twin sister.  She wants to help her.  The Phoenix approaches the bed and sits down next to her and embraces her in a tight hug.

“So Roger made some mistakes?  So did our father.  But that doesn’t mean you’re a monster.”

“Sure it does.” Kimberly states. “Nature over nurture, Marie.”

“I don’t believe that and you know it.” Marie states confidently. “And besides, if you are a monster then so am I.  We’re in the same boat because we have the same parents.  The same blood flows through our veins.  But you know what?”

Marie leans in close. “We’re not monsters.  We are better than that, Kim.  You are better than that.  You are not like Roger Williams.  Hell, you’re not even like our father.  You have proven yourself better than them.  Believe me.”

The Woman Scorned pauses to contemplate her twin sister’s words.  She looks up into Marie’s eyes.  Tears are still flowing down her cheek.

“I’m not a monster?”

“You’re not a monster.”

“Then prove it.”

“Prove it?” Marie asks curiously. “How?”

“I want to see Uncle Roger.”

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April 20^th, 2019

Boston, Massachusetts

Off Camera

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Roger Williams is the Uncle of Marie Jones and Kimberly Williams.  He is not a very good man, to say the least.  He is in prison, found guilty and convicted of rape and murder of a young girl many years ago.  He is serving a life sentence and will never get out.  His story, and the story of the entire Williams family, was enough to rock the identical twin siblings, both of whom wanted to know the truth about their background; especially Kimberly.  The Woman Scorned wanted to know if there was something in her family history that made her the way she is.

Jones, though, isn’t quite sure she wants to see her Uncle Roger.  There’s too many bad memories and too many nightmares for her to deal with this.  Marie’s grandmother was raped and murdered.  Marie herself is a victim of rape.  Seeing this man, even if it is a family member, who is guilty of this same crime will bring back terrible memories for The Phoenix.  But she will do this for Kimberly, because Kimberly wants the help.  She needs the help.

That’s what brings Marie to the Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Concord, an institution for male offenders.  Visiting prisons is not unusual for Marie.  She’s done it before when visiting her friend, Melinda Jade, who just recently got out of prison after serving her time.

The sky is a bright light blue and the sun shines glowingly overhead.  Marie is wearing a long sleeve red sweater and a pair of denim jeans with simple black flats.  Kimberly is wearing her torn denim jeans, plain white tennis shoes, and a “SCW” t-shirt.  They walk closely together down the sidewalk, approaching what is called the Gatehouse, the entrance to the prison. Jones isn’t happy about having to come here, but she’ll do anything for her sister.

Kimberly’s attitude is also troubling.  She has been very quiet since they arrived.  Too quiet.

“Anything wrong, Kim?” Marie asks curiously.

They continue their steady stride towards the gatehouse.  Nothing is said. Marie looks over at Kim and arches her brow.

“Kim?  Earth to Kim?  You there?”

“Huh?” Kim stops and turns to face Marie.  She sighs and shakes her head. “No, not really.”

“We don’t have to do this, you know?  I mean, if you don’t want to talk to Uncle Roger we can leave right now.”

“No, I have to.” Kim shakes her head. “I need to know, Marie.  I need to see him to prove to myself that I’m no monster.”

“Ok, I’m sorry, but that’s crazy.” Marie sighs deeply. “How the hell are you going to compare yourself to some monster like him?  Roger is a real monster.  He raped someone.  He murdered them.  How can you…”

“Yes, he did all that.” Kimberly says, interrupting Marie. “And I kidnapped you.  I locked you in a basement.  I tried to replace you.”

“But Kim, you’ve changed.  You’re different.”

“I know that.” Kim nods her head. “But I need to know if this crazy streak is nature or nurture.”

“I can tell you right now it’s not nature.  It doesn’t run through our blood.”

“I don’t know, sis.” Kim shrugs her shoulders. “Look at our family.  Insanity seems to run through it.  We seem destined for the loony bin.”

Marie and Kimberly approach the Gatehouse.  Marie is very familiar to this process, as she has had to go through this many times.  Kimberly is unfamiliar but she does somewhat recall her last visit and does somewhat know what to expect.  The door to the Gatehouse is of a heavy metal, perhaps iron or steel.  Around it is brick.  The twin siblings wait patiently outside until they hear a clicking noise from within the door, signifying that it has been unlocked.  Jones pulls on the door to open it and then steps inside.  Kimberly follows suit and they let the door shut behind them.  Inside the gatehouse are three officers, one of whom is a male behind plexiglass operating the controls of the Gatehouse.  Two other officers, one male and one female, are standing on the other side with Marie and Kim.

The last time they visited a prison, Kimberly was quite vocal, cheerful, and joking all the time.  Not so much this time.  Even crazy Kim has been brought down to earth with what she’s about to go through.  The Twin Sisters are completely silent as they go through the routine of emptying their pockets of anything metal before walking through the dual metal and cell phone detector.

The female officers only can check other females.  So the female officer approaches Marie and checks her up and down for any hidden items.  But finds nothing.  Marie then steps over to the plexiglass that separates her from the other male officer.  He passes her a visitor’s pass and then a sign in sheet.  Marie signs her name and takes the visitor’s pass.  By the time she’s done Kimberly has already gone through the metal detector.  Kimberly then signs in and retrieves her visitor’s pass.

“Visiting I assume?” The male officer behind the plexiglass asks.

“Yes.” Marie states.

The officer behind the plexiglass states.  He pushes a button and the clicking sound is heard, signaling the other door has been unlocked.  Marie pushes the door open and exits the Gatehouse.  Kimberly follows suit as the two siblings begin their march up to the main prison.  It amounts to another sidewalk, longer than the last one they just walked across to reach the Gatehouse.  On either side is lush greenery, almost as if to deceive you into thinking that this is a warm and welcoming place.  But far from it.  The people here do not wish to be here, whether it be the inmates or the staff.

Silence continues to pervade Marie and Kim’s walk up the sidewalk and towards the main entrance to the prison.  It is a long walk.  A good two to three minutes down the sidewalk until they get to said entrance. 

Once inside they are in a lobby area with three different doors, one of which is a sally port.  One door Marie can see leads to a very visible master control area that no doubt controls the sally port door.  Marie and Kim walk over to the sally port door and wait patiently.  It isn’t long before it opens.  Marie and Kimberly steps through the doors into another smaller area with two doors.  In this heavily controlled environment, the prison controls all activities so Marie and Kim yet again are at the mercy of master control.

Their wait isn’t long as the next set of doors open for them.  Marie and Kim step through these doors that leads straight into the visitation area.  They notice several inmates, all dressed in the same gray shirts and pants.  Seemingly all the inmates have visitors, individuals dressed in normal street clothes.

There is one inmate who does not have a visitor.  Marie can  only guess that this is her Uncle Roger, seeing as he is the only one without a visitor.  This is confirmed when a correctional officer approaches the young women.

“Ms. Jones and Ms. Williams?”

“Yes?” Marie answers.

“Inmate Roger Williams is over there.” He motions to the single solitary inmate.  The officer leads Marie and Kimberly over to their uncle Roger.  Marie and Kimberly sit down at the table across from him.  They lay eyes upon their relative, a man they have never seen before.

“You have one hour.” The officer states before making an exit.  Once the officer is out of sight Roger speaks up, breaking the ice.

“Y’know, not that I don’t appreciate the visit, seeing as I get none, but who the hell are you two anyways?  I never seen either of ya before in my life.  Although…”

Roger’s voice trails off as he studies his nieces in greater detail “…you do bear a striking similarity to someone I knew a long ass time ago.”

“Would his name be Sean Williams?” Marie asks.  Kimberly remains silent, apparently willing to just listen and let her sister do all the talking.  Roger smirks knowingly and nods his head.

“That’s right.  Now how do you know my little brother?”

“Because we’re his daughters.” Marie states point blank. “My name is Marie Annabelle Jones and this is my sister, Kimberly.”

“Daughters?  So my bro knocked up a ho?” He chuckles. “Good old Sean!  He finally snagged himself some woman!”

“Oh God…” Marie rolls her eyes “…clearly this wasn’t a good idea.”

Marie starts to get up. “Come on, Kim.  Let’s go.”

The Woman Scorned follows suit and a few officers approach to see what the trouble is.  Roger calls out after them…

“Wait, hold on!  I’m sorry…” he shakes his head “…I was just bein’ funny.  That’s all.  I forget how my humor comes across at times.  Y’know?”

Two of the officers look at one another and then at Marie, checking  to see if she’s ok.  Marie nods her head, signaling that she and Kim are fine.  The officers walk off and Kim and Marie sit back down at the table with Roger.

“Again, I’m sorry. My humor is crude, I know this.  And I did get kinda excited when I see relatives I didn’t even fuckin’ know existed until…well…now!”

“Fine.” Marie nods her head. “Let’s get one thing straight though, we spoke with our Aunt Catherine before we came.”

“Cat?  How is she?”

“She’s good.” Marie states.

“That’s good.  She never comes to see me.”

“That’s probably because she’s disgusted at what you did.” Marie snaps back at him. “And you know what?  So am I.”

“Fair enough.  So why are ya here?”

“I’m here for my sister.” She points to Kimberly. “She just wants to know more about our father, a man she never got to know, a man I barely got to know, before he died.”

“Dead?” Roger’s eyes grow wide. “My bro is…dead?”

Marie furrows her brow curiously. “You didn’t know?”

“Fuck no.” He shakes his head. “No one visits me, not even the family.  So I’m practically isolated from everything and everyone.  And yeah, I deserve it and all, I understand that.  But I’ve tried so hard to change myself since being in this joint.  I’ve tried to make myself a better person in hopes that maybe someday I could see my bro or my sis again and they could see that ol’ Roger was a changed man.”

He sighs and shakes his head. “But now that aint gonna happen.  Like I said, I deserve it.  All part of the punishment for the crime I committed.”

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One Hour Later

Off Camera

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The conversation was intense and enlightening for both sisters.  Speaking first to their Aunt Catherine helped them learn a great deal but then speaking to Roger, the man who committed the heinous crime that got him put in prison for life, that was the ultimate enlightenment.  It went on for another hour before visitation time was over.  Marie and Kim now find themselves back in their car exiting the parking lot and heading back down the road, away from the correctional institute.

“That was definitely shocking.”

“I guess.” Kimberly states.

“Roger didn’t even know.  He didn’t know dad was dead.  It’s sad, in a way.”

“But he deserved it.” Kimberly states, narrowing her brow angrily. “He said so himself.”

“Sure.  But the silver lining, if there is one, is that he is trying to better himself.  Despite the fact that he will never get out, he is still trying to improve himself.  That’s gotta count for something, right?”

“Maybe.  I’m still not sure on that.”

“But the real question is, did you get what you wanted to out of this?” Marie asks. Kimberly looks over at her sister and smiles.

“Yeah…I did…”

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On Camera

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And the count is STILL Twin Magic 2 and Red Empire ZERO!

Sure, Kimberly and myself didn’t become number one contenders for the World Tag Team Championship at Tabula Rasa.  But that’s fine.  I still enjoyed kicking Scarlet and Ruby’s ass and you know what else pleased me more than anything else?

Those two deluded loons STILL lost!

After all of their delusional gloating, after all of the excuses they have made, they still couldn’t pick up the win.

You two ladies should probably stick to being ass kissers and brown nosers.  Your wrestling skills are clearly questionable.  I mean, when was the last time either of you did anything significant?  Lately you’ve been Twin Magic’s personal punching bag.

Now herein lies the irony of all of this; you two buffoons stood by Katya when that manipulative bitch went around claiming that she was fair and she was giving opportunities to those who deserved them but never got them.  I bought into her crap too and when our side lost at Tactical Warfare, when Sasha stood victorious, I thought I was fucked.

But Sasha granted me a shot at the SCW Television Championship.  I took full advantage of that opportunity, kicked Ruby’s ass, and became a two time champion.  I fully expected punishment but I got opportunity.

You two not only rebelled against Sasha, not only are you still against her, but you’ve been consistent losers week in and week out.  And yet here you are, Scarlet, heading into Breakdown ready to face me for the SCW Television Championship.

Yeah, sure, Katya is so wonderful and Sasha is sooooo terrible.  But yet she gave the title shot anyway.

You’re idiots, you and Ruby both.  And every time I face you I promise to kick your ass and what do I do?  I kick your ass.  And every time we face each other you make some excuse as to why you lost.

Kim did that, not you.

Those were singles matches, not tag.

Those were tag matches, not singles.

I’m waiting to see what the excuse will be this time and the deluded logic behind why you think you’re going to win when the record has shown that every single time Twin Magic and Red Empire get together in any form or fashion, Twin Magic OWNS you.

I have your number, Scarlet.  That’s not just a fact, it is a damn reality.  And you and Ruby and Katya can march around threatening me and threatening my sister all you want.  That’s fine.  Lob your little useless and pathetic threats.  I do not fear anything you have to throw at me because I have the support of my family and I have the support of my friends, REAL friends, not fake pretend supporters like the lot of you who are just really manipulative thieves.

Therein lies why Kim and I always beat you and why I will beat you again, Scarlet, to retain the Television Championship.  I believe in something. You believe in nothing.

So come on to the ring at Breakdown and we’ll dance again.  The result will be the same.