St. Valentine's Day Massacre

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Scene 1

Off Camera

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The truth is that many people set rules to keep from making decisions. --- Mike Krzyzewski

The men’s basketball team has just finished off a thirty-point romping of Notre Dame and Jessica Lasiewicz, one of the newest members of the Duke cheerleading squad, is on cloud nine; of course, any time her team wins a game, no matter how big or small, no matter how important the game may be, she is excited.  This Polish-American views every single game as important in some way, shape, or form and that is also how she approaches professional wrestling.  Championship match or not a title match, it really is irrelevant to Jessica.  All matches play a major role in the grand scheme of things.  All of her matches have a spot in which they fit, a place to go in the giant puzzle.

The only problem for the young Morning Star is that ever since The End of the Year Special when she defeated Tina Valentine for the Queen of the Ring Championship, she has never been quite sure of what she should be doing.  The Queen of the Ring Title, you see, was only just the beginning and she won that only because her father, the great Andreas Lasiewicz, encouraged her to do so, saying that she could elevate the belt to greater status.  But then she went on to become NFW Liberty Bell Champion and she became number one contender to the GCW World Tag Team Championships.  There is a real chance that, within a month’s time, this young Polish woman who never really cared about the gold and the glory of professional wrestling will hold three championships at once, each from a different company.

This goes completely against Jessica’s original intentions upon returning to the Independent Wrestling Cartel.  She didn’t return to dominate or win gold.  She returned to save her sister from The Good Movement, and then later from Silas World.  She wanted to force her sister Marie to leave those corrupt individuals.  Yet now she finds herself not only having to defend championship gold against two very tough and very game individuals in the form of Selena Frost and Marina Valdivia but also having to watch her own back in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with The Slay Revolution.

Needless to say, the Slay Revolution will have to be put on the backburner for now, as will the goal of saving her sister’s soul from Silas Mason.  Jessica Lasiewicz has to defend her Queen of the Ring Championship against Marina and Selena at Last Stand.  And that’s not to mention the Last Stand Rumble itself.

The winner of the Last Stand Rumble will earn a shot at the world championship at Invictus.  You would think that any superstar in their right minds would want a shot at that title but Jessica isn’t so sure.  Does she really want yet another championship distracting her from saving her sister?  Does she really want yet target on her back?  Would winning the Last Stand Rumble really and truly benefit her in any way?

Jessica stands a few feet away from the cheerleaders changing area, watching and sulking from the shadows.  Hiding and deception is a technique she learned best not from her famous father but from her aunt, Lady Magdalena.  She learned all of the best tactics for infiltration and spying from her aunt Magdalena, tactics she has used on more than one occasion in her own wrestling career.  Most recently Jessica used them to infiltrate Samantha Hodgson’s managerial business in order to learn how she ran things and to learn how to convince Marie to leave her.  Jessica also used those tactics in order to find out that Kimberly Williams was masquerading as Marie and that the real Marie had been kidnapped.  Those tactics had saved Marie’s life on that occasion.

This time Jessica once again hopes that these tactics will save a life, but in a slightly different way.  The young Lady Gambit skipped her cheerleading duties on this night, opting instead to watch from afar.  Ever since the game ended she has been standing outside of the cheerleader’s changing area, watching as the cheerleaders slowly file out and make their exit.  Many of these girls Jessica has gotten to know and even a few have become friends.  But there is only one whom Jessica would go to this much trouble over.  Only one she considers in such high regard that she would do this.

Lasiewicz has spent enough time on the squad that she knows a few things; for starters, she knows exactly how many cheerleaders are on the squad.  Secondly, and most importantly, she knows her best friend of them all, Candra Stevens, who also happens to be the cheerleading captain, is always the last to leave.  You can bet money on that.

A blonde woman exits the changing area.  Jessica mentally tabulates how many have left and she realizes that only one more is left in that room.  The reigning Queen of the Ring Champion steels herself for a confrontation she knows she has to have with her best friend.

The Morning Star walks with a determined stride towards the door and pushes her way inside.  She places her hands on her hips and observes her best friend Candra Stevens standing not too far away with her back turned towards her.  Candra is still dressed in her royal blue and white high V cheer uniform and skirt combo.  Stevens has no idea that Jessica has just entered the room.

“Gracie, is that you?”

“Three guesses and the first two don’t count.”

“Huh?” Candra turns around, looking confused at first but then smiling as she sees Jessica standing there. “Oh, hi Jess!”

“Hello…”

Candra walks over and greets her friend with a warm embrace, one that is not returned.  “We missed you, girl!  Where were you?”

“I was busy.”

Candra giggles. “I bet you were, but you missed a hell of a game!  Did you see it?”

Jessica nods her head slowly. “I saw…”

“Yup!  Revenge baby!” Candra smacks her fist into her other hand. “We got revenge against the Irish!  Ninety to Sixty!”

“Yes, yes you did.  It was a good game.”

Ordinarily Jessica would be jumping up and down and cheering alongside Candra but tonight the young Polish woman is quite reserved.  She is calm and focused on a singular goal involving her best friend Candra.

Stevens and Lasiewicz met at a Duke game a couple months ago.  It was then that Stevens convinced Jessica to give cheerleading a try.  Candra believed that not only did Jessica has an upbeat, happy side to her buried deep down inside, but that cheerleading bring it out in her.  Lasiewicz thought otherwise and they had a bet.  If after a month Jessica was still as grouchy as ever, then Candra would have to buy her dinner.  If Jessica had indeed changed for the better, then she would join the cheerleading squad.

Lasiewicz never expected to lose this bet.  She thought it was a sure thing.  No one, not even her own family, had managed to break through her dark and brooding exterior.  Yet there was something about Candra that shined a light into her soul and there was something about the friendship she shared with these girls, and Candra’s friendship in particular, that was special, that helped to melt Jessica’s formerly cold heart.  Yes, in one month Jessica had indeed changed.  Even her own family had to admit that they didn’t know Jessica was capable of smiling and yet Jessica had been unable to wipe the smile from her face since she joined the squad.

Unfortunately, there was more to Candra’s story than met than eye.  Jessica would see her in the changing area after a basketball game.  Candra’s swollen, black eye was quite noticeable among other lies she told before trying to get away from Lasiewicz.

Something is clearly going on but Candra is being tight-lipped about it.  Jessica has her suspicions but she needs to confirm them before she can begin doing anything about it.

“You don’t seem very enthusiastic, Jess” the black haired beauty observes “normally you’re all like WE MURDERED ‘EM! WE MAIMED ‘EM!”

Candra chuckles but Jessica doesn’t even crack a smile.  This automatically sends up red flags for Stevens. “Ok, seriously, what’s wrong Jess?  You’re scaring me.”

“There are a few things in life I really do hate, Candra.”  Jessica approaches Candra slowly. “Do you know what they are?”

Candra shakes her head. “No?”

“First,” she holds up one finger “I don’t like it when people withhold important information from me.”

Jessica holds up a second finger. “Two, I hate it when people outright lie to me.”

Candra is noticeably worried now as Jessica is up in her face.  The Morning Star holds a third finger. “And three…I hate it when the people I love are being hurt and they refuse to seek help.”

Jessica folds her arms over her chest. “So tell me, which is it?”

“What do you mean?” Candra feigns innocent but Jessica isn’t buying it.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Candi.” Jessica retorts. “I don’t know WHAT is going on but I do know SOMETHING is going on with you.”

She pokes at her eye. “That eye was damn near swollen shut the other week, Candi.  And you lied about being sick to miss cheerleading.  So what is it?”

Candra remains silent and the silence itself is quite deafening.  But Jessica doesn’t let her off that easy.  She doesn’t let the silence go on for too long.

“I have all night, Candra.  I can wait here all night until you tell me what’s wrong.”

“I…I…” tears form in Candra’s eyes and she shakes her head “…I can’t…”

One unique thing about Lady Gambit is that she can turn her aggressive nature on and off like a light switch.  She can flip that switch and become a dark and brooding monster and then flip it again and she’ll be sweet and caring.  It can come in quite handy, to be honest, and right now she flips that switch to go from Morning Star mode to a more sweet and caring Jessica Lasiewicz mode as she places a comforting, consoling hand on her shoulder.

“Look, Candi,” Jessica begins slowly “I don’t know what’s going on.  I have my suspicions but I don’t know for sure so I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I know how you feel.  I’m not going to be that arrogant.  But I do want to help in any way I can.”

There’s another tense pause as Candra opens her tear-filled eyes and stares at her best friend Jessica.  It isn’t long before the head cheerleader finally breaks down.

“I don’t want to go home.”

“Why not?” Jessica interrogates.

“It’s my…” her voice trails off as she fights back the sobbing and crying “…it’s my dad.”

“Really?”

Jessica’s eyes narrow as she comes to the realization that her suspicions have been confirmed.  The black eye and the deception were strong clues but she wasn’t certain.  Now that Candra has admitted it, she is certain.

This kind of domestic abuse is not unusual for Jessica.  She herself has never experienced it.  Both her mother and father have been very caring and loving parents.  But her aunt Kayla Jones has experienced it before.  During the years when Kayla and her sister Angelica had been separated, Kayla suffered abuse at the hands of her foster father Oliver Hardy.  But Oliver’s abuse went beyond simple physical abuse.  There was sexual assault involved as well.  Kayla was lucky to escape alive.

Jessica has to know the full extent of this.

“Uh-huh,” Candra nods her head, weeping “really.”

Jessica takes her by her arm. “Come over here, let’s sit down.”

She guides her over to a bench and sits her down. Jessica sits down next to her and takes her hands and squeezes them gently but firmly.

“Tell me all about it, Candra.”

The cheerleader gulps real big, almost hesitant about talking, which in reality she is. “Well he gets drunk a lot…”

Jessica rolls her eyes. “No surprise there.”

Candra is silent for a moment.  Jessica then realizes why. “I’m sorry, Candi.  That was insensitive.”

“No, no, you’re fine.” She wipes some tears from her eyes. “It’s just difficult to talk about.   That’s all.”

“It’s ok, I’m here.  Please continue.”

Candra nods her head. “But yes, he’s an alcoholic Jess and he’ll beat me for no reason.  But that’s not the worst part.  He…he…takes me upstairs and…”

She immediately starts crying.  Jessica reaches out and embraces her in a tight hug, patting her on the back to comfort her.

“It’s ok, Candra.  I’m here.”

“And he…he gets away with it because he’s well known in the town…he…”

For Jessica this is precisely out of her aunt Kayla’s story.  This is exactly what happened to her.  Oliver Hardy was also a well known and well respected man about the town.  No one would dare do anything to him, even though everyone suspected he was molesting Kayla.  This guy clearly has the same kind of connections Oliver Hardy did.

Candra looks up at Jessica with tear filled eyes. “I don’t want to go home, Jess!”

“Hush, it’s ok.”  Jessica forces a smile upon her face. “You don’t have to go home.”

“Huh?”

Jessica nods her head. “That’s right…you can come with me.”

“No, no,” Candra shakes her head “I can’t.”

“Sure you can.”

“I can’t just walk away from home, Jess.” Candra remarks. “I have family, obligations, school, cheerleading…”

“All of that stuff you just listed, I have too and I manage it, and as for your family.” Jessica frowns. “Do you really want to stick around for him?”

Candra sighs, tilting her head to one side as she ponders the possibility of what her best friend Jessica is suggesting.

“Where would we go?”

“You,” Jessica points at herself “would come with me.  I work for the Independent Wrestling Cartel, remember?”

“And Next Frontier Wrestling and Global Championship Wrestling…”

Jessica chuckles slightly under her breath. “Ok, so there may be some traveling involved, but be honest with yourself, you DO need to get away from this situation, don’t you?”

Candra slowly nods her head. “Yeah…”

“And you’ve never left North Carolina.” Jessica grins knowingly. “This is your chance to see the world.  So what do you say?”

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Candra Stevens

On Camera

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Hi there again, IWC!  You should know me by now,  but if not I am Jessica Lasiewicz’s bestie!

Ok, she’s gonna kill me for that one!  In any event, she asked me to say a few words about her leading up to her big fight at Last Stand and I’ll gladly stand by Jessica.  I will always stand by Jessica because Jessica is a good-hearted person, a kind person, a person who would do anything to help the people she loves.  Jessica helped me, so I’m more than happy to help her.

Jessie just wanted to be left alone to help her sister.  That was all she wanted to do and I find that commendable.  A younger sister wanting to do whatever she could to help save her sister from a lifetime of mistakes, mistakes like Ethan Von Aaron, Samantha Hodgson, and now most recently Silas Mason.  The Queen of the Ring Championship was nowhere near her eyesight.

Yet the IWC kept pushing her against Tina Valentine and Amanda Blaze for a Queen of the Ring Championship match and that pushed her into a rivalry with Tina Valentine, one that she did not want, one that she still does not want.  She wants nothing more than to save her sister, not duke it out with Tina.

Jessica Lasiewicz became Queen of the Ring Champion and she could have given it up.  She could have vacated it but she didn’t.  She fulfilled her obligations as champion, which speaks volumes of her character.

Selena Frost, first and foremost, should really start using the brain of hers.  Seriously, girl, you should think a little instead of just making assumptions.  You assume that Jess is selfish for wanting to help her own sister as opposed to winning that Queen of the Ring Title?  Honestly, winning championship belts for your own selfish ego is what I think of when I think selfish.    And you fit that description to a freaking T.

You want the title because you think you can make it equal or more prestigious to the world championship.  How arrogant is that?

Jessie is a woman of character and she is going to fulfill her obligations as champion, which means she will defend that title valiantly, courageously, and do whatever she can within her power to make sure YOU don’t get a chance to see your dream fulfilled, Elsa.

Then there’s Marina Valdivia…

Too bad that Mason character got involved in the battle royal.  Otherwise I think you could’ve won that thing and been number one contender all be yourself.  Oh well, it is what it is right?  But either way, I hope you and Jess put on a hell of a show at Last Stand!

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Jessica Lasiewicz

On Camera

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There are people in this company who are so pompous, arrogant, and full of themselves that they believe they are the end-all-be-all of a division.  They think that their face should be the face of the division.  Hell, scratch that, there is at least one woman who thinks she can take my Queen of the Ring Championship and supposedly make it worthwhile…

…as if it’s not worthwhile already…

…and she believes she can elevate the championship to a level where it is equal in status and prestige to the world heavyweight championship currently held by Taylor Chase, maybe even more prestigious in her warped frost-bitten mind.

Then there are other women who have fought long and hard not only to change their image but to make themselves better and to earn their way to the top of a division through hard work and, most of all, these are women who show the proper respect where respect is due.  There are women who are smart enough to figure out that if you are respectful to others, then odds you will be respected back.  It’s called reciprocation.

I find myself in a position where I am defending my championship against not just one but both of these types of women.  I find myself defending against you Selena Frost and you Marina Valdivia.

You know, Selena, there was a time when you and I could have been friends.  Allies even.  The both of us agreed that, when Tina Valentine was Queen of the Ring Championship, that this title desperately needed elevation.  Tina and her hood rat self had degraded and devalued it.  We agreed on that and we could’ve worked together to accomplish that goal.

But you had to go off and question my character and question my motives.  All you did was illustrate to the world that you are among the dumbest pieces of shit walking this earth, Elsa.  You illustrated that point perfectly clear through your know-it-all attitude.

I shouldn’t expect anything less, now should I?  After all, you classify yourself as The Snow Queen.  Royalty tends to think that they know the best.  Royalty tends to think they know it all.  I hate to sound all patriotic all-American here, but the best example comes from King George III.  He thought he could put down a revolution from the American colonies.  He thought he knew how to run a war.  But we know how that ended, don’t we?

He was beaten.  Eventually he died and his reign came to an end.

Everybody dies, Selena, and every monarch must eventually come to an end.  I am the champion of IWC women’s division but I don’t call myself The Queen of the Ring…

…I call myself The Morning Star.

The Morning Star is buried deep down inside the very heart soul and of humanity’s nightmares.  Death and destruction follow it wherever it goes.  Anyone who has ever had to stare into the demonic eyes of Morning Star has never ever been the same again.

That’s what you helped to bring out in me and now that’s what you have to deal with Selena.

Marina Valdivia, on the other hand, is caught in the oncoming storm.

It’s arriving, Marina.  Last Stand is here and your chance to become Queen of the Ring Champion.  I know you’ve fought hard to earn this title shot.  I know you’ve fought hard to get to this point and to prove yourself worthy in the Independent Wrestling Cartel.  It’s a tragedy that Mason Van Stanton got involved in the Noel Invitational, costing you the opportunity to potentially earn that title contendership all to yourself.

We could have a hell of a one-on-one match, Marina.  We could have showed the world what women’s wrestling was all about.  But instead, a tragic turn of events has come.  It’s a tragedy because now you will be in the same ring with Morning Star, the monster of IWC.

You deserve to be here, Marina.  You belong here.  Selena, not so much.  But you belong here in this match at Last Stand and unfortunately, in order for you to have a chance at my title, you will have to weather the storm.  You will have to weather MY storm.  Worse than any hurricane or typhoon that could strike.  Worse than any F5 tornado.  This is me at my absolute nastiest.  This is me at my most diabolical.

For now I wish you luck, Marina.  I wish you luck and hope and pray that we can still have the greatest of women’s matches in professional wrestling despite Snow Bitch being involved.  But when that bell rings you won’t be dealing with Jessica Lasiewicz.  When that bell rings Jessica Lasiewicz will disappear and the demon will take her place.

The demon that even I am afraid of, the demon that I’m going to unleash upon IWC at Last Stand.

What are the chances you will become champion Marina?  Decent enough.  Fifty-fifty, maybe?

What are the chances you will survive Selena?  Not a chance in hell.

Come and place ya bets, ladies.

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Scene 2

Off Camera

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That's what I do now: I lead and I teach. If we win basketball games from doing that, then that's great, but I lead and teach. Those are the two things I concentrate on. --- Mike Krzyzewski

Since becoming Queen of the Ring Champion Jessica Lasiewicz has been forced into a position that she never sought after; the position of a leader.  As Queen of the Ring Champion she is the leader of the women’s division, the face of the women’s division, and that puts her in a very important role in the Independent Wrestling Cartel.  And as its leader she has an opportunity to teach others by example, an example of what women’s wrestling should be.  Coming up at Last Stand Jessica’s leadership and championship muster will be put to the test as she is forced to defend against Marina Valdivia and Selena Frost in a triple threat match.

If that were the only challenge she would face then it would be quite easy.  The Last Stand Rumble was yet another challenge she would face that night, a challenge in which she would fight damn near the entire roster to earn a shot at the world heavyweight championship.

Yet that’s the problem for Jessica.  The reigning Queen of the Ring Champion isn’t sure she wants to potentially add yet another championship to her collection, yet another distraction to keep her occupied and away  from her real goal of rescuing her sister Marie Annabelle Jones from Silas World?

If Jessica really wanted to get away from these distractions, she could just excuse herself from the Last Stand Rumble.  No one says she has to enter, after all.  And yet there is something that is driving her towards this match, there is something that is drawing her closer, drawing her to enter this match.  Why?  Why should she enter the Last Stand Rumble?  How would winning benefit Jessica in the long run?

It is one of many questions that she must answer.

It has been a few days since Jessica cornered her best friend Candra Stevens and demanded answers from her.  It did not take much pressure from Lasiewicz to get those answers, either.  Candra seemed more than willing to spill the beans.  She knew she needed help and Jessica was not only willing to help but was her friend, her best friend, and a trusted confidant.

Apparently Candra Stevens has been physically beaten and sexually assaulted by her father on a regular basis.  What makes this hit so close to home is that it happened to Jessica’s own aunt Kayla when she was younger.  But this is also Jessica’s friend, someone Jessica cares about.  She isn’t going to just sit back and let this happen.  If she can do anything about this, then she will.

After hearing Candra’s story, Jessica invited her to stay with her.  Candra didn’t want to go home to her father anyway and so she took the Queen of the Ring Champion up on her offer.  And so now Candra finds herself in Jessica’s home in Boston, Massachusetts, living it up as they watch some wrestling videos on the television.

“Wow,” Candra says with wide eyes “I’m impressed.  These girls are quite athletic.”

Jessica looks rather stoic at this moment.  They are watching the closing moments of the Noel Invitational.  It has come down to Marina Valdivia and Selena Frost.  Only one could win.  Only one should have won.  But they both know that isn’t how this will turn out.

“They are good…”

Candra sighs with disappoint when, as expected, Gloria Noel, under orders from Mason Van Stanton, yanks both Marina and Selena out of the ring, thus causing a draw.  Candra shakes her head.  Jessica finally shows some emotion with a confident smirk.

“…but when it comes to getting the job done, I am better.”

“Uh-oh!” Candra says mockingly, gently and playfully shoving Jessica. “Is that a touch of arrogance?”

“We’re only human.” Jessica remarks. “And a little bit of confidence is fine.  I just can’t let it get too far.”

“You don’t want to become Elsa from Frozen, now do you?” Candra asks with a wink.

“If you mean Selena Frost then you are right, I do not want to become like her.”

“Everyone knows she’s your favorite person!” Candra says, continuing to tease the Polish woman.

“Yeah, right,” Jessica says sarcastically, rolling her eyes before sighing “but in all honestly I do think Selena means well.”

“Oh my, what’s this?” Candra feigns shock. “You’re complimenting Selena!”

“Yeah, well, it’s the truth.  I just think she’s misguided, that’s all.” Jessica smirks. “But The Morning Star is good at putting people back on the right path whether they like it or not.”

Candra places her hand on Jessica’s.  “You know, that’s what I like about you.  Even when you’re competitive you still think about others.”

Jessica rolls her eyes. “Yeah, sure…that’s me alright.  If that were the case, why am I even bothering to enter the Last Stand Rumble?”

“Oh you mean that clusterfuck thingy?”

Jessica and Candra share a laugh. “Yeah, the clusterfuck thingy, Candi!”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Jessica shrugs her shoulders. “Honestly, I’m not so sure.  I mean, the winner goes on to face the world champion for the title at Invictus.  That’s what everyone in IWC is after.  I should be after it as well.  But…”

“You feel guilty?”

Jessica nods her head. “Yeah, kinda…”

“Well I want you to listen to me, Jessica Corey Lasiewicz.” Candra stands up, hovering over her friend who gazes up at her with a curious gaze.

“Jessica…” she points a finger “…YOU are a good person.”

Jessica shakes her head. “No I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.” Candra takes her by her hands and pulls her to her feet. “When we first met you told me how you were a dark and brooding individual.  You told me that you were a pessimist through and through.”

Candra smiles. “But you were wrong.  I don’t see a dark and brooding monster standing here before me.  I see a sweet woman with a golden ray of sunshine in her heart.”

“Golden ray of sunshine?” Jessica scoffs. “Have you been drinking, Candi?”

“No, I haven’t.” Candra laughs. “I’m telling the truth.  You helped me, Jessica.  You helped get me out of a terrible situation.  Too often people would just ignore the obvious signs.  People in my town ignore the truth that is right in front of them because they’re scared of my dad.  But you were gutsy enough to save me.  The Independent Wrestling Cartel needs someone with those kind of guts representing them.  Only someone with those kinds of principles and courage can take on the likes of Silas World and New Eden and Slay Revolution.”

Candra embraces Jessica. “IWC needs you, Jess.”

Before Jessica can begin to ponder a response, there is a loud banging at her front door.  Lasiewicz is thankful for the reprieve.

“I had better get that…”

“Don’t stay gone, girl.” Candra winks. “I’m not finished lecturing you yet!”

Jessica nods before turning and heading towards the front door.  Upon getting there she grabs the knob and turns it, opening it up.  Jessica expects to see someone from her family, such as Angelica or Kayla, or her sister Marie.  Instead who she sees is a complete stranger.

“Um, may I help you?”

“Are you Jessica Lasiewicz?”

The raven-haired Polish woman nods her head. “Yes…”

“Good.” He pushes his way forward and past Jessica into the home. “Now where’s my daughter?!”

“Where is she?!” The man exclaims loudly. “CANDRA!”

“What is…” Candra steps into view but her voice trails off as she sees who it is standing there “…daddy!”

The stranger turns to face Candra.  His facial features contort in a rage. “CANDRA!”

Seemingly ignoring Jessica, he storms over and grabs Candra by the neck. “How DARE you run off without telling me!  How DARE you!”

“Daddy, you’re…you’re hurting me!”

Jessica walks forward and grabs a hold of the man’s shoulder. “Let her go!”

“Back off!” He swats Jessica away but, in the process, he releases Candra who scampers away.  “Stay out of this!”

Jessica’s eyes turn an angry red as she glares at this stranger who barged into her home. “jutrzenka”

“Huh?”

Jessica reaches out and snatches him by his throat and slams him against the wall with a force and strength that you might not realize she even had.

“Lasiewicz!” The man shouts at her. “Let…me…go…”

“Lasiewicz?” Jessica snickers. “She’s not here right now.”

Jessica is about to squeeze the life out of this stranger when Candra rushes up. “Jessie!”

The sound of her friend’s voice snaps her out of it.  Jessica releases her grip and the man falls to the floor, stumbling to his knees.

“Good God…” he chokes out “…I’ll…I’ll press charges!”

“Yeah, you do that.” Jessica sneers. “I’ll press charges for assaulting me and my friend and for breaking in.”

The man stares angrily at Jessica. “This isn’t over!”

He storms out of the house.

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Candra Stevens

On Camera

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Here I am again, IWC!  This time I’m going to talk to you a little about the Last Stand Rumble.

I have been lucky enough to watch a TON of Duke Blue Devil games in my time, and I got to say, they are one hell of a team and they know what competition is all about.  Now I could sit here and brag about my team all day long but I’m not gonna do that because this isn’t about them.  This is about Jessica.

Jessica Lasiewicz, just like Duke, is one hell of a competitor and knows about competition.  At first Jessica wasn’t sure about that Last Stand Rumble, but it was competition, the notion of competition, that urged her forward to the Rumble match itself.

I won’t steal her thunder.  Not for this.  Let’s just suffice to say that competition is what drives her, that and the ideal of what IWC ought to be about.  Those ideas and ideals are what will drive Jessica forward and, win or lose, she will fight for them and she hopes to make her fans proud as she does so.

Jessie, girl, I believe in you, your friends and family believe in you, your fans believe in you, and trust me when I say you have an entire squad of cheerleaders in your corner ready to give you all the energy necessary to push forward and become the last one standing and head onto Invictus!

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Jessica Lasiewicz

On Camera

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We open in a dimly lit warehouse.  The clicking of heels can be heard across concrete floor.  Just suddenly the lights come on and the scene before us is a horrific one of blood and the carnage of a destroyed warehouse is now illuminated.  Oh but don’t worry yourselves too much, it’s not real blood, but it is damn sure realistic!  It isn’t long until Jessica Lasiewicz steps into view, wearing a fancy form fitting little black dress, patent black high heeled pumps, and her long black hair is left to hang unrestrained to shoulder length.  Draped over her right shoulder is the IWC Queen of the Ring Championship title belt.  Draped over her left shoulder is the NFW Liberty Bell Championship title belt.

“Valentine’s Day of 1929, in a rundown warehouse much like this one an absolute massacre took place.” The Polish woman chuckles slightly. “Funny I should say that, because the newspapers would end up calling this event the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.”

The champion looks from side to side, taking in the scenery, the carnage that surrounds her.

“The players?  Five members of the North Side Gang plus two other associates, all under the order of Bugs Moran.  The other players?  The South Side Gang, led by Al Capone.”

Jessica remains stoic as she continues her tale. “The North Side Gang and The South Gang had been at war for control of Chicago’s crime scene.  Who would take total control of organized crime in Chicago and, perhaps even, total control of Chicago itself?  Al Capone or Bugs Moran?  Those were the stakes on that fateful Valentine’s Day night in 1929.”

“So what happened, you ask?” The young Polish woman shrugs her shoulders. “Even if you don’t know the story, you could probably still guess at what happened.  Capone organized the butchering of the North Side Gang.  Five of their members plus two associates gunned down in a flurry of gunfire.”

“I think the story of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre is an appropriate one considering what is going on in the Independent Wrestling Cartel right now.  I mean, let’s face it, for well over a year we’ve had gangs and egomaniacal idiots with delusions of grandeur trying to take over this company.  It all began with Sinistry and Silas World.  When Sinistry’s main associates, Desmond Drake and Kloe Masters, were dispatched and when Taylor Chase defeated Ba’al to take the world championship away from Sinistry, everyone celebrated, thinking the needless violence and bloodshed was over.”

Jessica shakes her head. “You were all wrong.”

“It only got worse.  Silas World is still around and more obnoxious than ever as they try to cement control of IWC but they’re being challenged by Aiken Frost and his harem of hell-bitches from New Eden.  Psychomachia, led by Serenity, are trying to transform anyone and everyone they can get to, and right now that includes Prestige, who, by the way, has a principle in their back pocket.  And you can’t forget about Tina Valentine and the Slay Revolution.”

“For the longest time I was content in letting these various factions destroy each other.  That was the fate of the North Side Gang and that, at the end of the day, would be the fate for one, two, or all three of the powerhouses all vying for control of IWC.  And for the longest time I had been content to sit on the sidelines.  For the longest time I had been content to let it happen because I didn’t care about IWC.  I cared only about rescuing my sister.  I cared only about convincing her to leave Silas World.”

Lady Gambit shakes her head. “But something changed…”

A low chuckle escapes her lips “…now I’m not sure if it was the motivational speech given to me by my father or if it was when I got drug into a war with New Eden thanks to  my sister’s stupid mistakes, but in any event, I had an epiphany.  I stepped back for a moment and took appraisal of the situation.  I looked at the bigger picture and I came to a realization.”

She frowns. “I was wrong.”

“That’s right, I was wrong for thinking that I could just sit back on the sidelines and do nothing as IWC imploded around itself due to the constant gang violence.  I realized that I was wrong for thinking that the gang warfare would not affect me.  I was wrong for thinking that I could remain neutral.”

“Do I want to see another Jim Jones-esque goosestepping German win Last Stand and go on to become world champion?  Do I want to see one of Silas Mason’s porn stars win Last Stand go on to become world champion?  Do I want those transforming lunatics in Psychomachia having the world title in their circus tent?  Prestige is so unstable that they shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near it.  I damn sure don’t want to see a member of Slay Revolution with a shot at the world championship in their back pocket.”

“Do I want to see my sister Marie win Last Stand and go on to become world heavyweight champion?”  Jessica nods her head. “Yes, yes I would love to see that.  But I want to see her win it for herself and not for Silas Mason so as long as she is a part of Silas World then I cannot allow her to win.  And if I want what’s best for my sister, if I really want to save her, then I cannot sit on the sidelines and watch IWC explode.”

The Morning Star holds up both of her championship belts at the same time, high over her head.

“As much as I hate to admit it, championships like these DO mean something.  What they mean, what they represent, is power.  When Ba’al held the world championship, Sinistry had the power and the momentum.  When Taylor Chase was champion, now that she is champion again, IWC has the momentum and the power.  And for that brief period when our beloved champion and leader was in New Eden control, who had the momentum and power?”

Jessica nods her head. “That’s right…New Eden.”

She lowers the title belts back over her shoulders. “There’s too much at stake here to just sit on the sidelines.  There’s too much at stake to just let the chips fall as they may.  I will not risk the wrong person getting that IWC World Title Match.  And Taylor Chase…”

The young Polish woman shakes her head “…I respect the hell out of her, but the mere fact that New Eden got to her once proves that even she is unreliable.”

“Not enough people in this company are willing to stand up and be a leader in this company, to lead IWC against forces that would just assume watch the world burn.  And I have been sitting on my ass for far too long.”

A newfound intensity washes over Jessica Lasiewicz and you can tell it by the look in the Queen of the Ring Champion’s eyes.

“I will stand up and I will fight.  I will go through the entire roster of the Independent Wrestling Cartel if I have to.  At Last Stand, I will enter the Rumble and I will go through Silas World, New Eden, Slay Revolution, Psychomachia, Prestige, and anyone else who thinks they can take this company.  I will mow over anyone who wants to watch IWC burn.  I will burn them all if I have to and if I am lucky enough to win it all, I will go on to Invictus, become World Champion, and I will gladly be your leader.”

A redness flashes in Jessica’s eyes, not all that different from the blackness of New Eden. “The Morning Star has seen this before…the tyrant stands at the doorstep and those with the power choose to appease instead of doing what is right, thus the innocent get harmed as a result.”

She shakes her head. “Not…on…my…watch!”

“It may start here in IWC but if it is allowed to continue, the kind of violence and carnage that we see on a weekly basis on RIOT and NewAge will seep into other promotions and soon the concept and principles of WRESTLING will be dead.”

“Do you think Silas Mason cares about WRESTLING?” She shakes her head. “He only cares about lining his pockets with cash and if he thinks Sienna Swann or Ms. Budde or my  sister or my mother can do it for him, then he’ll back them all the way to the world title.  So it’s my job…it’s the job of The Morning Star…to make sure that they do not make it to Invictus.”

“Do you think New Eden cares about WRESTLING?” She shakes her head. “No, they only care about causing as much violence and destruction as they can…”

She snickers nastily. “If Alana and Aiken and their pals think violence is so GOOD then by God they’ve come to the right damn person, because I can dish out as much violence as anyone and I will make sure no one in New Eden walks out under their own power.”

“Do you think Psychomachia cares about WRESTLING?”  She shakes her head. “No, they only care about transforming Prestige and proving whatever sick fucking point they want to prove.  They’re just as bad if not worse than New Eden and Serenity and Cassidy deserve every bit of punishment I’m prepared to dish out.”

“Do you think Slay Revolution cares about WRESTLING?” She shakes her head. “No, Tina and Victoria and Prii and Mary, they only care about themselves.  They will always put themselves ahead of this sport.  I can’t let them win.  I won’t let them win.”

“I do think Prestige cares about wrestling, but I can’t trust them.  Not with Karen and William’s history.  Even if they did care about wrestling, even if they did care about IWC, they have proven through their blunders that they are NOT the leaders this company needs.  Karen McBride can prove me wrong at Last Stand.  William Mason is welcome to try to prove me wrong at Last Stand.  But I doubt they’ll manage to pull it off.”

“I will do everything within my power at Last Stand, EVERYTHING, sacrificing my body, my blood, my sweat, and my tears for this company, for this war that we are now engaged in, because I refuse to sit back and watch as the carnage continues.  I refuse to watch another St. Valentine’s Day Massacre occurs within the microcosm of the Independent Wrestling Cartel.  I will stand…I will fight…and God willing, I will be victorious.”

“Selena Frost, Marina Valdivia, I haven’t forgotten about you.” She shakes her head. “You two are still at the top of my list of concerns, because I haven’t forgotten my other priority in this company.”

She taps the Queen of the Ring Title belt. “This championship over my shoulder was the first thing that began to open my eyes to the reality here in the Independent Wrestling Cartel.  By winning this championship and watching as Tina Valentine went postal and formed her own gang, the Slay Revolution, partly because I won this title, partly because gang warfare had screwed her over, I began to realize the folly of my ways.”

“Now I have the two of you.  One of you I can respect, the other…” she sighs “…not so much.”

“I can assure you both that this Queen of the Ring Champion will NOT back down, she will NOT quit, and she will give you her DYING BREATH before she relinquishes this championship belt!  I will NOT go down so easily!”

“I worked hard for this and I have done everything I could, everything in my power, to make it meaningful.  I represented not only IWC but our women’s division in general by defending this title, SUCCESSFULLY, in Pro-Wrestling FRONTIER.  I am proud of what I have accomplished during my reign as champion and, if Last Stand is truly my last stand as champion, then so be it, I am proud of what I have accomplished and I will go down swinging.”

“But I wouldn’t bet against me.” She shakes her head. “Smart money is on The Morning Star.  Come and place ya bets, everyone.  Dobranoc…”