After leaving the ring in the early goings of Havoc Erica had raced to the locker room, grabed her bag and made a dash for the garage to her rent-a-car where she zips out of the arena. Just as she gets in the car her phone is blowing up with text messages and calls. She dismisses them all except a call from her mother, which she’d never ignore completely but would delay just a little. She needed to clear her head a bit and had heard earlier in the day from a few locals about the Gene Leahy Mall. She put it in her GPS and went there. It was a refreshing outdoor area, wide and open that allowed her to think. Her phone rings again as she sits on a bench and sees her mom calling again, this time she answers.
(Erica): Mamá?
Her mom has a thick, heavy Mexican accent and her English isn’t the best and a bit broken. They often converse is English but typically revert to their native Spanish when expressing stronger emotions as the words roll off the tongue easier and the vernacular is better interpreted. Her mom sounds a bit upset and Erica knows she’s watching Havoc as she always does these days with her daughter now somewhat part of the company. Obviously, her mom has seen what just went down live.
(Erica’s Mom): Erica…mija, que haces mija?
(Erica): Estoy cansada mamá!
(Erica’s Mom): Cansada de que? Tu amigas, tu trabajo? Diga me!
(Erica): Toda! I’m tired of it all mamá.
(Erica’s Mom): These are your friends mija, why would you do this?
(Erica): Seis meses mama, 6 months I’ve been waiting for just my Visa, tu sabes! Not even my Green Card, just the Visa mamá.
(Erica’s Mom): Mija, you have to be patient. You cannot jump to coo.
(Erica): “Queue mamá” es queue.
(Erica’s Mom): That’s what I say, coo! You no jump de coo, tu prima Esperanza…quince meses, Quince mija para ella tarjeta verde.
(Erica): Mamá, they promised to help and they didn’t. You know I didn’t come here for that, but I thought if anyone could…they would be able to. Butch, Hans, Red Dragon, Matt, Sean, todos imigrantes! I thought they’d all been through this themselves and knew how hard it is, I was so happy they offered to help, but they didn’t do shit.
Her mom gasps, she knows well her mothers aversion to swearing and it reminded her of Michelle which is why they had gotten along in the early goings.
(Erica’s Mom): Ai mija!
(Erica): Lo siento, pero its true! I didn’t ask for their help, they offered and got my hopes up. I’ve been busting my ass for almost a year now. You know they can’t legally pay me, but I show up for free day in and day out. I’m tired of the late shift at Target, I’m tired of the day shift waiting tables. Two jobs mamá, I’m tired and I don’t want to do this anymore.
(Erica’s Mom): You work hard. You make us proud. We came here so you can make dream.
She continues her conversation with her mom, and while she feels just the slightest ounce of guilt, it’s overpowered by everything else she believes to be true. She’s her daughter. Her mother might not agree, but she does understand, and tells her she is praying on this, and for her. It’s not much longer before she’s wrapped her conversation with her mom and is ready to head to the airport and change her flight that was scheduled for the morning. Before she leaves the park she goes to the HWA App and sends a message out. As she does, she take a cigarette out and takes a long drag, and blows it out slowly.
(Erica): Last week HWA.com had “Why, Deas? Why?” as the big headline. Maybe this week they’ll be asking “Why, Erica? Why?” Don’t bother, I’ll save you the time and tell you pendejas now. I did it because you all deserve a wake-up call. I have more ring experience than you both combined Michelle and Sarah. At least Alexis has some experience but she’s just another gringa with a stick up her ass, trying to get her way, and throw her weight around.
I’m sick of all of you looking at me with sympathy when I come in tired as hell from working two jobs and still coming in to bust my ass and train and contribute to this company for “free” when all you have to do is roll out of bed and show up and get paid. Offering to buy me lunch, or suggesting I take a few days off because “Girl, you look tired.” Do I, do I Sarah? You try stocking shelves at night, then busting tables, then busting ass training and then tell me about tired.
Michelle, I almost wish you didn’t have to get in this because I thought you were a nice person, but you’re not. Not really. You play prim and proper with your “Jesus loves you” and your “John the Baptist traveled and spoke for free” bullshit. Is that supposed to make me feel better about not getting a check from HWA like you? My father worked himself to death for people like you. You’re a goddamn clueless little bitch. You have no idea what it’s like to scrape and claw your way about. To fight for your place in this world. You can’t relate to me, none of you can.
Matt, Sean, Jeremy, the poster boys of HWA. The moment the big January announcement was made about HWA return you’ve shown your true colors. We used to spar and train together, but you’re all too good for me now. But just me though. Sarah and Michelle, and I bet Alexis now gets to train with you. Sean you even tried to tell me it was because of my schedule and I wasn’t there at the times you guys were. It’s true, I wasn’t but wouldn’t a friend wait? Would it have hurt any of you to wait just a couple hours once or twice a week, adjust your training schedule just a bit to accommodate a friend? No, you gave some bullshit excuse. Fuk you Parker, you goddamn brat.
Erica looks around the park and flicks ash off the end of her cigarette taking another puff.
(Erica): Matt and Jeremy, you’re no better…none of you are. You’re not my friends! You never had my back. You never wanted to help me grow. You never tried to understand where I was coming from, you just pretended my hardships weren’t there because it made you uncomfortable the same way people avoid a homeless person on the streets. This is why I reached out to Maniac. He offered to help and it took me a while to realize exactly what he was offering. How stupid we all were to turn him down, but I wised up.
A former World Champion offering to take us under his wing. A man that sees things clearly, sees people for who they are, can show me the ins and outs of this business from an American perspective. That’s what I need. A true Maestro! I know a lot about all of you. I know more about you than you’ve ever cared to know about me and I’m going to tell him everything. I know your strengths, and weaknesses and I’ll help him bring you all to your knees. Teach me Maestro, use me as your instrument against these users, these posers, like I said at Havoc I won’t let you down.
And you Sensei, you might be disappointed in me but I don’t care. All you wanted us to do was play by the rules, train hard, wait for our opportunity. Be disciplined you say? Your time will come, you say? You poor old fool….did your time come? Where’s your display case loaded with championship belts? What was that great moment in your career everyone talks about, that isn’t Hans beating you with a bat and nearly ending your life let alone your career? I don’t want to settle for mid card like you did, I didn’t come to America to be the token Latina, or the stepping stone for the gringas. Take your rules, and your discipline and take your old ass back to Japan because you’re just taking up space here. You don't deserve a retire match. You haven't had some historic career people want to see one more match for. You're just friends with the boss and he's doing you a favor letting you take on one of his three golden boys.
This is just the beginning guys. I have my Visa now, and I’m officially signed. No more Target late nights in stupid khakis, no more taking orders at restaurants…I have one job now. What are you going to do when a well-rested, and soon to be well trained Erica Martinez, student of Maniac unleash my full force, my full conviction and skills. You’re not ready for what’s coming, none of you are!
Erica flicks the cigarette from her hand and ends the recording as the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
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