While the Academy facilities were open to talent 24/7 it was rare to see too many people in the late hours, let alone 1:07 a.m. On the gym floor at the punching bags is Sarah Callahan. She’s dripping with sweat, hair with one long braid in the back and arms wrapped around a body bag that she grips with both arms. Her legs dip into a slight squat as she shifts her hips and hurls the bag overhead with a grunt. She transitions quickly into a mounted position and slams repeated forearms into the bag, left and right until she’s slumps back out of breath. In the distance are two janitors, kindly-looking older men taking a quick break from cleaning as the watch her.

(Janitor 1): She’s going to beat the hell outta that girl isn’t she?

(Janitor 2): After all she did…shoot…I’ve a mind to take this damn mop handle myself and stick it you know where.

(Janitor 1): Chester, you know damn well your old ass cain’t whoop that gal.

They chuckle together laughing. In the ring Sarah is back to her feet again after a quick breather and is repeating the steps she just went through. She’d lost count of how many times. All she could think of was getting her hands on Azami. What she’d done to her friends had to be answered.

(Janitor 2): Yeah, well…I’m not so sure Sarah is going to either unfortunately.

(Janitor 1): Like hell she can’t, look at her. I ain’t seen nobody train like this since Butch back in the day.

(Chester): You know what I’m talkin’ bout Jimmy….that little ‘ole chihuahua by her side.

(James): Who Erica?

(Chester): Yessir!

(James): I don’t think she want no more of Sarah. She got the beat down last week.

(Chester): She’s crazy, I'm tellin ya....the both of them. Runnin’ that boy through like that, damn near killed him they said.

(James): He comes from tough stuff, but I think he made the right decision. Boys been through too much in his life and barely got hair on his balls. Let him go and be happy. God knows they both deserve it.

(Chester): Poor Matthew. If my daughter ever did that to me…just go on ahead and throw my ass in the ground, ain’t no use livin’.

They watch as Sarah exits the ring and sits on the apron. She blots her face with a towel and takes a swig of water before hopping down and begins walking their way. They make back to being busy sweeping and wiping down equipment as she passes, but the opportunity just can’t be missed.

(James): You lookin’ ready for her there, I’d say good luck but I don’t think you’ll need it.

Sarah turns, her raging emotions still high and it takes her a moment not to reflexively spit fire at him. The crinkles and deep crows feet around their eyes and their fatherly glares calm her.

(Sarah): Thank you!

(Chester): You just watch out for that other one…don’t let her distract you, you hear?

Sarah smiles. She’d almost forgotten how so many people on staff cheer them on behind the scenes. The faces that watch solemnly as they pass backstage after a loss or an injury.

(Sarah): I don’t plan on it. I’m sick of that bit…

Instinctively she stops, catching herself cursing by way of her respect for elders. They both grin at her seeing the struggle of words on her face.

(James): It’s ok, you can say it…or do like I tell my grandbaby…spell it out. She’s a B…I….T….C….H!

Sarah laughs and it feels good to have a smile broaden on her face for a change.

(Sarah): I know she’ll be lurking around, but I’ll be in the zone and she can’t touch me there.

(James): I heard that!

Sarah smiles, a warmth coming over her knowing how many more people would be cheering her on. She wouldn’t let them down, she couldn’t. Inspired, she nods and turns away from the janitors before one calls back to her.

(Chester): Hey there young lady?

She spins back around to face them.

(Chester): You beat her ass now, ya hear?

She smiles, another grin on her face.

(Sarah): I will…Thank you, both of you!

She heads upstairs to the recording studios. It had been a while since she’d snagged a booth to cut a promo but here she was at well past one in the morning doing just that. She enters the booth and hits a button to set everything in motion and within moment’s she’s staring into the camera.

(Sarah): Here we are Azami. Art of War. Of all the matches on the card, ours is the one I think most people are talking about. I haven’t come across a single person that doesn’t want to see you get your ass handed to you.

For months you tip-toed around acting like the timid little Asian girl getting used to American culture. You played everyone. You hid behind a mask, plotting and planning until your little schemes could come to fruition. You befriended Michelle so you could get close. Then you cost Sean the World Title and make it look like an honest mistake. I’m mad at myself for being so stupid to think you were legit.

She pauses, looking down and shaking her head.

(Sarah): But the cards are all on the table now aren’t they Azami? You’ve got nothing left up your sleeves and I’m going to win this game. If Erica thinks she’s going to get involved and be successful then she has another thing coming. I will not hesitate to put her ass down with a quickness but you….you and me are going to war girl. There is nothing quick about what I’m going to do to you. I know you can handle yourself. I know you’ve got more talents than you led on, but it doesn’t matter. Whatever you bring, I’m bringing more, I’m bringing bigger, I’m bringing better and I’ll beat some respect and remorse into your ass!

Sarah ends the recording and sends it out live. She leaves the booth and heads to the locker room to get her stuff before heading home where she plans to take a quick shower and get to bed. Tomorrow she’d be packing for Virginia, with Art of War ahead of her, and the scene fades to black.