HWA Message Board: Planting the Seed: A Fatality Sneak Peek

Fatality, moments after Hans vs. Wolfy…

Erica Martinez has been left dejected after having her apologies to the group fall on deaf ears. She slumps to the floor after pouring her heart out, begging for understanding, for forgiveness and all of them, even Michelle, stomped on it.

Before she knew it she was curled on the floor with her knees tucked in. Unbeknownst to her, Starlight Kid had seen the whole interaction play out. She stepped forward and patted Erica on the shoulder.

(Starlight): You be O-K…. ohhhhK? No cry! No cry…..K!

Erica looks up at Starlight, staring at this strange Japanese superstar whom she couldn’t stand at first just because she was new and talented. She had already made up her mind that she was only talking to her because she was the only one that didn’t know her properly.

Starlight looked at her for the longest time before holding her hand out to her, pulling Erica up to her feet and the two walked down the hall together; Starlight patting her back. Satisfied they were out now out of ear shot, Starlight stopped and turned to Erica, her demeanour changing instantly.

(Starlight): You sick of all this bullshit?

Starlight suddenly speaking fluent English catches Erica off guard. “What the ####?” were the words now spinning in her head. Starlight’s entire demeanor had suddenly changed. That happy-go-lucky attitude was replaced by a look that meant absolute business.

(Erica): You f*cking speak english?

They hear footsteps coming and Starlight grabs her by the arm and pulls her into the room beside them. She looks around and the coast is clear as she turns back to Erica.

(Starlight): Surprise f*cking surprise, chica. There’s a lot you and a lot of other people here don’t know about me… but some a few… select people do… they just don’t know it yet.

Starlight pulls her mask off for a moment, her jet black hair falling down to her shoulders.

(Starlight): Tell me… you don’t like Sean, you don’t like Red Dragon… it just so happens I have some… history with them and I’ve been waiting a very long time to even the score… and it just so happens I could use your help…. that’s if you’re tired of grovelling like a f*cking puppy to those chumps and ready to put your foot on the throat of this godforsaken company.

Erica said nothing. She stared at her for a long while taking in this woman she’d only known as Starlight. Was she for real? Like…seriously? A few months ago her answer would have come easy, but tonight there were some fans that cheered her. Recognition. That’s all she ever wanted. An equal measure of it for the hard work she’d put in just like Sean, just like Michelle and Sarah and Matt and Jeremy. She could hear the pride in her mother’s voice when she spoke with her after her match.

But it wasn’t real, was it? The truth was that she put her best efforts forward, she had been for months since last December after her match with Maniac. She showed up, did her job, kept her head down and stayed out of everyone’s way but only Hans noticed. Only the man she had no right to ask for forgiveness, or expect a kind word from.

“Grovelling!” That’s what Starlight said, and she was right. She’d grovelled for months now and at every turn they spat in her face. She couldn’t even remember the last time Red Dragon even spoke to her. He’d always played favorites. He tried to tell her she was talented and didn’t need as much guidance as the others…“just some fine tuning” he said before he turned his back and ignored her for his favorites. Sean Parker, the golden boy and his golden girl, Michelle.

How stupid she’d been. How foolish to think she could recover lost friendships. Even stupider for wanting them. You can’t get back what you never had…they were never her friends. She was always an outsider to them and their little click, that’s why she went with Maniac. Then he betrayed her. Abandoned her, killed her, cut off her brother’s ear, and continued to mock her. One minute he’s saying he’ll help, and the next it’s “I’m done with you.” Her road to redemption was hard, but what good is a road when it’s blocked and you can’t get anywhere? Her fists were clenched in rage, but she wasn’t about to be taken in for a fool again. The one lesson she’d learned is you’re alone in this business, whatever this chick was selling, she didn’t need it.

(Erica): Mira, I don’t know what you’re f*cking deal is and I don’t give a shit. I’ve got my own shit. Whatever the hell it is you’ve got going on is your business, but don’t worry about me…I ain’t no snitch so as far as I’m concerned, you’re the same annoying little Japanese nuisance they brought in. Why don’t we leave it at that.

Starlight placed her mask back, tucking her hair back into place under the flaps and an almost arrogant chortle emanated from her throat.

(Starlight): Nuisance? Nuisance?!

Quick as a flash, Starlight grabbed Erica by the throat like a cobra snatching its prey and she pinned her to the wall.

(Starlight): You have no f*cking idea of just what I’m capable of. But it doesn’t have to be like this, Erica. I’ve watched you. I’ve watched all of you for months now. I’ve seen how you look at Hans, how you look at Chichi… Red Dragon… the way your shoulders sink every time you try and make things right. How long are you going to play this role, Erica? Hm? How long are you gonna be dealing with your “own shit”? I’m offering you a chance to cut the head off a dragon and take out an assassin before they even know what’s happened.

Starlight lets go of Erica and back off a step.

(Starlight): So, what’s it gonna be? You’re the Mexican Nightmare, aren’t you? Or is that just powderpuff?

Erica slaps her hand away, and shoves her back. Intensity creeping in her face at being manhandled.

(Erica): Get your f*cking hands off me. I don’t need a history lesson, I’m the one that was there. I know what they did, and what I think or feel about Hans is my business, the others?....You think I like being treated like shit? Like I don’t matter. Like a f*cking afterthought? They make everything about Sean and Michelle…they get the matches, the merchandise, the media calls and nothing for Erica. To hear the fans and my mom tonight. To talk to her after the match and hear the pride in her voice…I thought there was hope still. You don’t think I’m sick of being spit on?

She shakes her head.

(Erica): I have to try. Not for them, for me, para mi familia. But rest assured, one way or another…you’ll find out who the Mexican Nightmare is.

Erica knocks her shoulder against Starlight's as she brushes past her and heads down the hall. Starlight just smirks, pulling up the locket of the necklace around her neck, rolling the heart being held in the palms of two hands as the scene fades to black.