Newly crowned HWA World Heavyweight Champion Hans von’ Richtoven ushers in the holiday season, participating in the infamous lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. Hans’ was joined by fellow HWA superstar and girlfriend Vanessa Lang. When asked of Hans’ title win she said “I’m so proud of him…Christmas really came early this year and lighting this tree just ties it all together with his title win… It’s magical.”
Vanessa is jumping up and down with excitement and runs over to grab the phone, and anxiously dials a number.
(Vanessa): Morning Ma….
(Vanessa’s Mom): Well good morning sweet-pea, this is an early surprise.
(Vanessa): I know…I just have some really exciting news…Hans’ is on the front cover of the New York Times, and they even quoted me in the article. I’m going to send you a copy.
(Vanessa’s Mom): Ohhh how exciting, our little girl on the cover of the newspaper.
(Vanessa): Well it’s Hans’ on the cover, they just mention me.
Vanessa can hear the change in the tone of voice of her mother.
(Vanessa’s Mom): Oh!
(Vanessa): Mom!
(Vanessa’s Mom): What…I didn’t say anything.
(Vanessa): You don’t have to…I can hear it in your voice. Every time I mention Hans you get cold. Hans is a wonderful man, he treats me like a queen, and I love him, that’s all that matters to me.
(Vanessa’s Mom): You’re Uncle…
(Vanessa): Is this going to be another one of your speeches?
Vanessa rolls her eyes over the phone.
(Vanessa’s Mom): Don’t you sass me young lady. You’re Uncle, my big brother…god rest his soul…was in Auschwitz. The German’s took him from your grandparents because he was seen with another man. They made them dig their own ditch, and put them in there naked so they could…
(Vanessa): Mom, you’ve told me this story before…and it has nothing to do with Hans.
(Vanessa’s Mom): Well he’s German isn’t he? Why don’t you come visit your father and I, there’s a nice young man that works on the shrimp boats at the docks.
Vanessa is getting more and more frustrated, by the minute.
(Vanessa): I’m with Hans mother, you know that. I don’t want to meet some guy that shucks shrimp. Why do you keep doing this?
(Vanessa’s Mom): You’re father’s been a shrimper all his life. A shrimper’s hands put food on your table young lady, there is nothing wrong with that young man. He’s a nice American boy.
(Vanessa): I’m sure he is, but I’m with a nice “German” boy, and he suits me just fine.
(Vanessa’s Mom): Well I don’t want my little girl giving me any Nazi grandkids that’s all. What will people think?
(Vanessa): Fuk what people think.
(Vanessa’s Mom): Oh! Vanessa?
(Vanessa): I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to curse at you, but you have to stop all this. It’s ridiculous to generalize people like that. If you can’t be happy for us then don’t say anything at all. I’m sick of having this same conversation over and over again.
(Vanessa’s Mom): I just don’t want him hurting you. I don’t like it…seeing you on the TV with him…touching you and kissing on you. I’d rather you be one of those butch women…whatever they call themselves.
(Vanessa): Well I’m not a lesbian mother, and I’m not going to be. You’re too old to be acting this childish. It’s my life, it’s my love…it’s utterly insane that I can’t even call home to share the front page of a goddamn newspaper with you.
In the background Vanessa can hear her dad coming into the room.
(Vanessa’s Dad): You messin’ with that gal again?
(Vanessa’s Mom): You just hesh up!
A rustling is heard, followed by the grumbled sound of her dad clearing his throat having taken the phone.
(Vanessa’s Dad): Don’t you mind your ma none.
Hearing her dad’s voice, Vanessa starts to cry.
(Vanessa): I’m happy dad…I just want you guys to be happy for me.
(Vanessa’s Dad): We are princess, your ma just has to come around to it, and she will. Why don’t you bring Hans by so we can meet him. I’ll whip up a whole mess of gumbo for us.
(Vanessa): Are you kidding me? So ma can stare at him like he’s the devil all evening….try and put something in his food.
Vanessa’s dad lets out a hearty laugh.
(Vanessa’s Dad): Don’t you worry about your ma, she’ll mind her manners and I’m sure she’ll warm up to him once she gets to know him.
(Vanessa): I’ll ask him, but I’m not going to force the issue. I don’t want him feeling uncomfortable…I’d already be feeling it enough for ten people.
(Vanessa’s Dad): You just tell that young man that if he’s going to date my daughter then the appropriate thing to do is to go and meet her old man and her stubborn mother over the holidays.
(Vanessa): Alright…I will dad….I’m gonna get going and get dressed…I love you.
(Vanessa’s Dad): Love you to baby-girl…bye now.
Vanessa hangs up the phone and slumps down onto the couch as if drained of all energy. She runs her fingers through her hair and sighs. Intent on not being put off by her mother’s comments she pops back to her feet and heads into the kitchen for a glass of juice, and gets ready to start her day as the scene fades to black.
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