vs. Kirsta Lewis vs. Jacob Laymon

==========

Off Camera

==========

The Panza is a traditional Italian restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts.  Jessica Jones, also known as The Archangel, the woman who will challenge for the MCW Motor City Championship at Purgatory, stands just inside the entrance of the restaurant, gazing at the dining area.  The restaurant was full of action; an old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsing with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned, businessmen in their grey suits lighting up cigars, tourists, trying to decipher the menu, A family and their teenage children. The noise level was high and Jessica, who is here for a purpose, is finding it difficult to focus.  Eventually she spots a hand waving clearly in the air.  She focuses on that hand and notices the familiar face of her sister, Marie Annabelle Jones.

“Excuse me…”

Jessica notices the maître d', a tall lanky young man, standing there.

“…do you have a reservation?”

Jessica shakes her head.

“No, no reservation.  I’m meeting someone.”

Jessica walks past the man and through the other tables full of guests in this dining room.  She approaches Marie’s table and sits down.

Jessica is Marie’s younger sister.  While Jessica keeps her hair dyed red, Marie is a natural redhead.  Both were born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and both get that infamous Jones stubborn streak from their mother.  They’ve had their ups and downs in life but they’ve resolved never to be enemies, they’ve resolved always to have each other’s back, no matter what happens.

“Hope I haven’t been keeping you waiting, Marie.”

Marie shakes her head.

“I just got here, Jess.  I haven’t even ordered yet.  To be honest…”

She leans in to whisper.

“…they’re being a little slow.”

Jessica rolls her eyes.

“Seriously?  I told you we should’ve stuck with a restaurant we knew rather than trying something new, Marie.”

“Hey, give them a chance, Jess.  Things may pick up.”

“Maybe…”

Almost as if on cue, a cheerful waitress approaches their table with what appears to be an electronic tablet in hand.

“Welcome to Panza!  What may I get you two ladies to drink?”

“Chianti Toscolo.”

Jessica rolls her eyes at her sister’s wine choice.

“Get me a Sam Adams.”

Marie can’t help but chuckle, as the waitress plugs the orders in on her tablet.

“Do you two ladies know what you want to eat?”

Marie nods her head.

“I want a chicken panza, please.”

“And I want the braised beef short rib.”

The waitress deftly tapped the screen to transmit the order straight to the kitchen, then she beamed at Jessica and Marie with the enthusiasm of someone new to the job before walking off to take care of her other tables.  Once she is out of sight, Jessica turns to face Marie and speaks…

“Congratulations.”

Marie looks puzzled.

“Congratulations for what?”

“Winning the SCW United States Championship, but more importantly you did it the right way.”

Jessica grins.

“I’m proud of my big sister.”

Marie chuckles and her face turns red, clearly embarrassed at the praise Jessica is heaping upon her.

“You know, Jess, you always were one to put the spotlight on everyone else but yourself.  You’ve been so selfless for as long I’ve known you, but in all honesty you could afford to be a little selfish from time to time.”

“Oh?”

“Don’t think I haven’t been noticing your run in MCW.  Everything you’ve done in MCW thus far, from facing Trinity and Melanie, teaming with Grace Morningwood, facing Jacob Laymon, all of it you’ve done for the sake of MCW and doing what’s right.”

Jessica sighs.

“You’ve been in this business longer than I have, Marie, so surely you’ve witnessed the same bullshit I’ve witnessed.  The corruption…the politics…screwing good athletes out of opportunities they deserve.  It happened in MCW.  I remember the stories mom told us.  I’m not going to let that happen here in this new incarnation of MCW.  Even if it means I sacrifice my own opportunities, I will be MCW’s Archangel.”

The waitress returns to the table with Marie’s wine, placing it in front of her, and Jessica’s beer, placing it in front of her.  The waitress then walks off.  Marie takes a sip of her wine before beginning again.

“I appreciate what your goal is, and I’m pretty sure the MCW fans appreciate it too, but as much as you’ve done for everyone else, don’t you think you’re owed an opportunity for yourself?”

“Marie, please…”

“Jess, just listen.  You have an opportunity to become Motor City Champion in a match against Jacob Laymon and Kirsta Lewis.  Two MCW legends.  Laymon himself even said this opportunity was made for superstars like you.  Even he knows that this is your time.  I just think this one time you should take advantage of it.”

Jessica takes a big swig of her Sam Adams.

“Maybe you’re right…”

==========

On Camera

==========

In the fifth chapter of the Book of Daniel we see a story about the King Belshazzar.  This evil king was indulging in a drunken revelry and debasing sacred temple vessels by using them as wine goblets.  It was then that a disembodied hand wrote 'mene mene tekel upharsin' on the palace wall.

This is the origin of the phrase “the writing on the wall”, because this evil Belshazzar knew not what those meant.  He saw the writing on the wall but had no idea what it meant for him and his rule.  It took an exiled Jew to interpret it for him.  And the interpretation of the words 'mene mene tekel upharsin' ?

“God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.  Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”

The king’s time was up and God was going to give his kingdom over to the Medes and Persians.  The writing is on the walls of the palaces of Motor City Wrestling.  MCW’s past is trying desperately to hold on to its power but MCW’s present is threatening to take power away from it.

Purgatory is the battleground where MCW’s past meets MCW’s present.  Rayne Young, a representative of MCW’s past, faces Trinity Street, a representative of MCW’s present, for the MCW World Championship.

But perhaps more pertinent to me is the Tables, Ladders , and Chairs Match where I challenge Jacob Laymon and Kirsta Lewis for the Motor City Championship.

In my case, I am the lone representative of MCW’s present.  And I am prepared to climb the ladder and claim the Motor City Championship, a title my mother once held, at the same event my mother once won a world championship, Purgatory.

The writing is on the wall and it says that Purgatory will be Archangel’s time to take the throne.

Jacob Laymon even knows it.  If anything, Jacob Laymon is like the exiled Prophet Daniel who was able to interpret the incomprehensible writing on the wall for King Belshazzar.  He knows that the time of himself, Kirsta, and Rayne is drawing to its conclusion.

But that means nothing in this sport, because as evidenced by Rayne and Kirsta, no one will just step aside.  And who can blame them?  Who would willingly step aside?  It is indeed up to me and others who are considered part of the new era of MCW to reach up and take that brass ring.

I thank you for the kind words, Jacob, and I can promise you that I will give you the absolute best I have to offer at Purgatory.  Anything can happen in Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, so whether my best will be enough remains to be seen, but I am prepared to sacrifice my body and my soul for MCW and for the Motor City Championship.

Kirsta Lewis, let me inform of you of some MCW history.  It’s been nearly 8 years since my mother, Angelica Jones, defeated you to win her second MCW World Championship.  Now you’re facing me, Angelica’s daughter, at Purgatory for the Motor City Championship?  And two weeks ago, you were defeated by Trinity Street…

…not exactly the best way to build momentum heading into a big pay per view title match.

Don’t you see, Kirsta?  Your time truly is coming to its end.  I do believe that it is my time but I do not expect anything to be handed to me.  I will fight for my spot and the title.

I came into MCW wanting to rebuild it and defend it from corruption.  And make no mistake about it, I will continue to do that, but perhaps it is time for me to be a little selfish and do something not necessarily for MCW but for me?  Perhaps it is time for me to become Motor City Championship.  And if you disagree, then by all means, come and place your bets…

Dobranoc…