Inner Peace: Part 5

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September 20th, 2019

Boston, Massachusetts

Off Camera

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If something seems too good to be true, more often than not it is, in fact, too good to be true.  Marie Annabelle Jones approaches most things with a healthy dose of skepticism, considering she has been screwed over many times by individuals claiming to have all the answers to her problems.  Most recently she bought into the lies told by Katya and Infamous, thinking that it was the best way to get to the top of Supreme Championship Wrestling.  But now she has another problem, a deeper more personal problem; dealing with the grief of losing her husband, Arthur Pond, who committed suicide.

Pain can be hard to deal with, especially if you feel you are all alone.  Marie felt as if she was alone and had nothing left to give, nothing left to live for, so she attempted suicide herself, hoping this would perhaps reunite her with Arthur, or at the very least put an end to her pain.  But then, whether it was happenstance or whether it was divine intervention, Jones was approached by Raul Alfaro, leader of an organization known as The Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat.

Kimberly Williams, Marie’s identical twin sister, seems to think of it as nothing more than a hippy commune.  Even their mother, Angelica Jones, has her doubts about its validity.  Marie, however, is willing to at least give them a chance, even if it does appear to be rather odd on the face of it.

Alfaro promises spiritual, mental, and emotional healing and yet he has no psychiatrists, no psychologists, not even a licensed practicing preacher of any religious order.  In fact, the only person Marie has met thus far is one very bubbly, happy  Julianne Brady and they are expected to be each other’s mentor, each other’s unofficial ‘psychologist’ if you will, sharing their problems and pains with one another as they try to obtain the healing that they seek.

This group isn’t without rules and regulations.  One such regulation is that Marie must spend at least one full twenty four hour period at the retreat with her friend Julianne Brady.  Marie knows she is pressed for time this week as she must make it to Baltimore, Maryland with her sister Kimberly to challenge Ryan Watson and Autumn Valentine for the SCW World Tag Team Championship.  The Phoenix is completing her twenty four hour period on this Friday afternoon, and it won’t be long until she leaves for Baltimore.  For now, however, she spends her time with Julianne in the courtyard of the Inner Peace Enlightenment Retreat.

The courtyard covered a wide area that could fit about three small houses. It was hilly with a tall tree or two near one hill. There were benches for people to sit in every corner and jogging tracks were all around the edges of the park. The west corner had some swings too on which many could come and sit.  There we miniature formal gardens scattered here and there providing a sight to see, along with ornamental trees and water fountains to create an air of beauty and luxury.  Flower hedges and bushes grew all around; this made the courtyard look more pleasant and attractive.  This place was most beautiful at this time; it as so very pleasurable to relax here and take in some cool fresh air.

Jones and Julianne are walking through the courtyard.  This is really the part Marie likes best; the outside, the fresh air, and the beauty of this nature.  As cheesy as it is, it makes her feel warm inside.  Julianne is carrying a basket in her hand and appears to be leading the way.  The Phoenix doesn’t actually care where she is leading them.  She just enjoys the environment.

“This place is just gorgeous!” Marie exclaims.

“Isn’t it though?” Julianna says joyfully.

“How did I not know a place like this existed before meeting Raul?” Marie asks curiously.  Julianne shrugs her shoulders.

“Massachusetts has some great secrets, Marie.”

“Yeah, but I’ve called Massachusetts home all my life.” Marie retorts. “I thought I knew everything.”

“That’s one step to healing, you know?  Admitting that you don’t always have all the answers.”

“Good point.” Marie states, nodding her head. “And as beautiful as this is, I almost wish we could spend it entirely out here!”

Marie’s eyes shut just momentarily before opening them.  She sighs deeply. “It’s gorgeous.  Staying out here I think would make this twenty four hour period shtick of Raul’s a little more bearable.”

Julianne either doesn’t hear or chooses to ignore Marie’s remark about Raul Alfaro and his ‘twenty four hour period shtick’.  The bubbly blonde seems to make a beeline towards a smallish tree.  When she gets there she drops her basket on the ground.  She reaches inside and produces a blanket, which she unfolds across the grass.  She turns to Marie and motions towards the blanket.

“Make yourself at home, sweetie!” Julianne exclaims.

“I think I’d rather stand.” Marie answers.

“Oh come on, ya spoil sport!” Julianne says, sticking her tongue out. “Sit down, relax!  Enjoy!  You do like it out here, don’t ya?”

“I love it out here.” Marie answers immediately, nodding her head. “It’s just…” her voice trails off.

“It’s just what?” Julianne asks inquisitively. Marie stares into her eyes and finds it difficult to tell her no, almost in the same way a puppy dog gets its way when it looks at you with those big sad eyes.  Jones finally relents and sits down on the blanket.  Julianne applauds happily before lying down on the blanket herself.  “See?  Isn’t this much better?”

“It is comfortable, I’ll give you that.”

“You need to relax more often, sweetie.  Exercises like this where you just sit back and enjoy nature can really help you heal spiritually and mentally.  The more you do this, the more you will feel the stresses of life seeping away.”

Marie admits, this is soothing.  She hears the birds chirping and the slight breeze is a calming force.  Yet she also recalls her conversation with Kimberly.  She knows that she has obligations to her family.  She sighs and shakes her head.

“I wish it were that easy, Julianne.  But I have duties to fulfill.”

“Duties to what?”

“Not to what, to whom.  My family, specifically my sister.  We’re wrestlers and we’re competing for tag team titles Sunday.”

“No one would ask you to neglect your family, especially not me, but Sunday will be there.  Now?  Now is the time for healing.  Forget about Sunday for a moment, just a moment, and let the tensions and the stress seep out of your head and out of your body.”

“Maybe you can do that.” Marie shakes her head. “But not me.”

Julianne sits up and turns to stare at Marie.  A knowing grin forms upon her face. “You seem tense…”

“Thanks Captain Obvious.” Marie says sarcastically.

“You’re funny!” Julianne sticks her tongue out at Marie. “But seriously, you do seem tense.  I get the feeling that you are the type of person who just can’t let things go.  You just can’t let go of the past.  Am I right?  Do you hang onto your problems like a security blanket?”

Jones tilts her head to one side, studying her blonde friend intensely. “What are implying?”

“Please don’t take it the wrong way, sweetie.  I’m just saying that if you are then I totally get you because I used to be the same way.  I was all caught up with so many people’s problems, sometimes directly involved or even indirectly involved, but regardless I would always hold onto them.  Mr. Alfaro taught me that part of the healing process is realizing that I need to let go of the past and move forward with the future, MY future.  And now as you can see, I am happy!”

“Yeah, I can see that.” Marie sighs, nodding her head.  She has to admit, Julianne does seem happier.  But she doesn’t seem to like the idea of just forgetting about her past.  Could she forget about her past even if she wanted to?  From Arthur’s suicide to the betrayal of Infamous, so many mistakes, so many nightmares she wishes would go away, and yet she isn’t sure she can make them go away as easily as Julianne suggests.

“But Julianne, you speak about this as if it’s easy.” Marie shakes her head. “It isn’t.  At least, it won’t be for me.”

“It’s a process, sweetie.” Julianne begins.  She reaches into the basket and produces some grapes.  She takes one grape off and pops it into her mouth.  She offers them to Marie. “Want one?”

“Sure…” Marie reaches out but before she can take them Julianne pops one grape off and tries to put it in Marie’s mouth for her.  Marie backs up, feeling a little awkward at this move. “...uh, no thanks, I can handle it.  She takes the grape from Julianne and pops it into her mouth.”

The blonde shrugs and then pops another grape into her mouth. “It’s like this, Marie.  You’re focusing too much on the negatives in your life.  Focus on the positives.  Focus on the GOOD things you have done instead of the bad.”

“How?” Marie asks skeptically.

“Just tell me, what sort of good things have you done?”

“Like what?”

“Anything.”

Marie pauses for a moment to consider.  Has she really done any good lately?  It takes her several seconds to come up with anything but finally she does seem to come up with something to share with her persistent blonde friend.

“My sister Kimberly was a wreck, and I do mean a wreck.  She was in a complete dissarray both mentally and emotionally.  Some called her psychotic and thought she was long gone, some thought that she had no hope.”

“You helped her?” Julianne asks. Marie nods her head.

“I did; and people told me I was crazy.  And maybe I was?  I mean, my sister wasn’t always on good terms with me.  During this dark time in her life she tried to kill me.  But I forgave her for it.”

“How did that make you feel?”

Marie thinks for a moment before smiling slightly. “Good.  It did make me feel real good.”

“See what a difference it makes to focus on the good memories as opposed to the bad?” Julianne points out. “Now tell me another good memory of when you did something good.”

“Well, there was this friend of mine.  Her name was Melinda Jade.  She had to spend some time in prison for some…” Marie pauses to consider how to properly word this “...unfortunate circumstances.  Her own family disowned her and wouldn’t visit her.  But I did visit her.  I continued to visit her on a regular basis until she got out of prison and now I continue to help her as she transitions back to life on the streets.”

“And how did it make you feel to help a lost soul find peace back in society?” Julianne asks.  Marie grins from ear to ear.

“It made me feel awesome!”

“See, Marie?  You can heal through changing your focus away from those negative memories and towards good ones, positive ones.”

“You’re right, Julianne.” Marie nods enthusiastically.  “You’re absolutely right.  But Julianne?”

“Yes?” Julianne asks.  Marie motions to the grapes.

“Gimme one more of those.”  Julianne picks one of the grapes off and offers it to Marie.  The Phoenix won’t take it.  Instead she opens her mouth.  Julianne giggles as she tosses the grape into her best friend’s mouth.

“The healing has begun!” Julianne happily declares.  Marie throws her head back and cries out happily in agreement.  Jones then leans in and embraces her in a tight hug.

“You are truly a godsend, Julianne!” Marie says enthusiastically. “I mean, I know that there is still a long way to go, I know that this is a process and not some quick fix, but already in our short time together you have helped me to feel better about myself!  Soon I know I will be able to move on past this grief that has been plaguing me for far too long!

Marie takes Julianne’s hands and squeezes them tightly. “And I have you to thank!  What can I do to repay you?”

“Your friendship is all I require, sweetie!” Julianne says joyfully. “But there is one thing you can do for me if you must…”

“Anything!” Marie exclaims.

“Good, then see it through.” Julianne states.  Marie is still smiling but it is a more confused smile as she is unsure as to what Julianne meant.  Marie tilts her head to one side.

“What do you mean by that?  Whatever you ask, Julianne, I will see it through.  Just tell me.”

“No, no, you don’t get it.” Julianne shakes her head. “I mean see this through, see this program through to its fruition.”

“Oh…” Marie’s voice fades off as she starts to realize just what Julianne is asking of her.  Julianne confirms as she continues to speak.

“Too often I’ve seen people come through this program and they get the help they need and they leave.   Many would be paired up with me, they promised me friendship as you did, but then the moment they got what they needed they would leave.  And why?” Julianne’s normally joyful demeanor fades into a sad one.  Marie has never seen this from her usually bubbly friend before and finds is disconcerting.

“I don’t know.” Marie states, shrugging her shoulders. “Why would they leave?”

“Because they find this place unorthodox, they find it strange or weird.  Some even go as far as to call us a cult.” Tears form in Julianne’s eyes as she looks at Marie. “Sweetie, we’re just here to help people.  And you, I consider you a friend, much like I considered all of those others who have left the program my friends.  But I’ve never heard from any of them since.”

“They abandoned you.” Marie states.  Julianne nods her head.  Marie leans over and embraces her blonde friend in a tight hug. “I will never EVER abandon you, Julianne!”

“Never?” She asks hopefully.  Marie breaks the embrace.

“Never.” Marie confirms pointedly. “We are in this process of healing until the end!”

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On Camera

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The SCW logo flashes upon the screen just as “Haunted” by Taylor Swift starts to play in the background.  Then we cut to a standard gray backdrop.  Some of the cameras and lights are in the shot, oddly and strangely enough.  Marie Annabelle Jones, The Crown Jewel of Professional Wrestling,  then enters the scene from stage right. The Phoenix is wearing a long ankle length black skirt, black high heeled pumps, a red blouse, and her signature black leather jacket.  Her long gorgeous ginger red hair hangs unrestrained and straight down to below her shoulders.  Her nails, both finger and toe, are painted a bright red color.  The music slowly comes to a stop as Marie turns to face the camera with a stoic gaze wrapped around her lovely features.

“I grew up around this business we call professional wrestling, watching my mother, Angelica Jones, compete in arenas all over the world.  The more I watched her, the more I wanted to be her.  The more success she gained, the more I wanted that same success.  Thus it should come as to no surprise that I would follow in her footsteps.  As a second generation wrestler I have a deep affection and passion for what I do.  Any opportunity I have to step out from behind that curtain and walk that aisle, to take in the reaction from the crowd, whether it be adulation or even jeers, I enjoy it.  I enjoy the thrill of testing myself against the absolute best this industry has to offer.  Everywhere I go I want to make an impact; and as a former two time SCW Television Champion and a former SCW United States Champion I think I can honestly say that I have made an impact since arriving in this great company.”

The Phoenix shakes her head. “But that’s not enough. Anyone who knows the Jones family will tell you that once one of us reaches the pinnacle, we have this nasty habit of setting the bar even higher, then when we reach that peak we set the bar even higher than that.  We’re never ever satisfied because we know we can always improve upon ourselves.  So I’m not satisfied with what I’ve done thus far in SCW.  I am still three championships away from Supreme Champion.  In recent months my focus has been on winning the SCW World Tag Team Championship with my sister Kimberly.”

A light laugh escapes her lips. “It’s funny, because it really is almost like I am following in my mother’s footsteps.  I remember the two times she became SCW World Tag Team Champion alongside HER sister, my aunt Kayla Jones.  The Sisterhood defeated Standing Room Only and then defeated Honor Code.  I was there both times to watch it go down, to watch the title change hands.  And it’s nothing against James Evans, who is a tremendous athlete and who had a hell of a tag title run with my mother, but I will always remember Angelica for her run with The Sisterhood.”

“Now myself and Kimberly have the opportunity to do the same thing.  Sisters, standing united, challenging for the SCW World Tag Team Championship.  Winning the titles at Apocalypse would mean so much to me because not only would I have added to my already impressive SCW resume, not only would I be one step closer to Supreme Champion, not only would I be following in the footsteps of my mother, but I would also be doing it with my best friend in the entire world and my twin sister, Kimberly Williams.”

Jones points a finger into the camera. “But what about you?  What about Ryan Watson and Autumn Valentine, the reigning and defending champions?” She lets out a low chuckle. “You know, this is probably the part where I’m supposed to talk about your accomplishments and how I respect that, or I could insult you based upon your lack of any sense of decency, but you clearly don’t give a damn about anything, let alone my opinion about you, so why bother?  What I will say is that it disgusts me to think that you don’t give a damn about the SCW World Tag Team Championship.”

“Oh now I’m sure you do care at least a little bit about being champion, despite what your team name implies.  After all, being champion brings with it prestige, glory, and more money and who wouldn’t want that?  But you don’t care about the heritage of the SCW World Tag Team Championship because otherwise you wouldn’t stoop to the lowest of the lows to retain your titles.  And maybe if you actually gave a damn about the championships then maybe you wouldn’t call people like Ravyn and Syren friends.”

Marie nods her head. “Yeah, that’s directed at you Autumn.  You’re besties with those bitches who pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes, including mine.  I’ve been itching to get my pound of flesh from that experience for quite some time, I’ve been itching to redeem myself from that entire period, and you two, as far as I’m concerned, are guilty by association.  You choose to befriend people like that, you end up with enemies like me and Kim.”

“And that’s what really matters, isn’t it?  At the end of the day who gives a damn about the games we’ve been playing with you...well, mainly Kim has been playing with you? Clearly you don’t.  You’ve made that perfectly obvious.  And do we care about the games you play or the tactics you will no doubt use to try and leave Apocalypse as the champions?” Jones shakes her head defiantly. “Absolutely not.  Use any dirty tricks or cheap tactics you wish, because you will have to reach deep down into your bag of tricks to survive, and yet I’m here to tell you right here and now that you won’t survive.  Kim and I are determined to win those titles no matter what games you decide to play at Apocalypse.”

The Phoenix shakes her head. “So no, we don’t care either.  All that we care about is winning and restoring honor and prestige to the SCW World Tag Team Championships.  All that Twin Magic cares about is following in the footsteps of our mother and aunt, the two time SCW World Tag Team Champions The Sisterhood. We care because we care about professional wrestling, we care about SCW, and whether we beat some respect into you, whether we MAKE you give a damn doesn’t matter, because regardless of all that we are still going to kick the hell out of both of you and walk away with the gold.”

Just then as Marie begins to wrap up her point, the identical twin sister of Marie, none other than “The Woman Scorned” Kimberly Williams, steps into view from stage right.  She is wearing torn denim jeans, flip flops, and a black t-shirt which reads “I Stole Ryan Watson’s” underwear.  She appears somewhat impatient as she approaches her sibling.

“Are you done yet?  You’re taking forever!”

“We’re still recording, Kim.”

“Seriously?” Kim asks.  Marie nods her head and points to the camera.  Kimberly waves her hand excitedly at the camera.  “Oh!  Hello Ryan! Hi there Autumn!  Has Marie told you about our top secret strategy for outwitting you, outwrestling you, and beating the holy hell out of you to take your tag titles at Apocalypse?  Huh?  Huh?  Did she?!”

“I did.” Marie responds, nodding her head.

“Good, because we are!  We are coming for you titles, we are coming for you soul, we are…”

“Their souls, Kim?” Marie asks skeptically.

“Ok, fine, they don’t HAVE souls, but if they DID have souls we would take them too and sell them on ebay!  Why?  Because we can!”

“I don’t think you can sell a soul on ebay.” Marie remarks.  Kimberly shrugs her shoulders.

“Hey I can try, right? But you know what we can do?  We can walk into Apocalypse, smack Autumn and Ryan silly, and take those tag team titles.  But we’re not going to sell those on ebay.” Williams shakes her head. “Oh no, no, no...Marie and I are a little selfish, and unlike you two bozos, we actually do give a crap, so we’ll keep those titles all to ourselves!”

The Phoenix wraps an arm around her sister’s shoulder and neck, pulling her close.  Kimberly does the same.  “Thanks, Kim!  Now Ryan, Autumn, I do hope you’re watching this.  Hell, I’m not sure you actually would watch this because you do claim not to give a f….”

“FUDGE!” Kimberly exclaims.

“...so yes, I hope you’re watching but I know that’s questionable at best knowing you two.  But if you are, I want you to understand that Kim and I are going to be unstoppable heading into Apocalypse.  We are laser focused on those tag team championships and we are not leaving Baltimore empty handed.  And there’s nothing you two can do about it because we do care, we do give a f…”

“FUDGE!” Kimberly exclaims again.

“Right, that.” Marie winks at the camera. “See you Sunday…”

The camera fades to black.