Vespertine's unofficial Slice of Life series folder

[Vespertine]

Vespertine's unofficial Slice of Life series folder

***I reserve the right to change/edit/take away/put in at any time.

Folder to put all of Vespertine's unofficial promos in.

[Vespertine]

Place: Gold's Gym, Oakland, Ca
Date/Time: Monday July 25th, 2022, 2:30PM
Outfit: Her black wrestling boots, pink yoga shorts and a black sports bra type top. Hair is done up in a ponytail down her back.


(Vespertine walks up the stairs to the ring in Gold's Gym Oakland. She goes through the ropes and stands with a fierce look on her face. Across the ring from her is James Rodriguez. He is wearing his wrestling outfit from his company, BAWF (or Bay Area Wrestling Federation). He sees her look and smiles.)

JR: Yeah, you could be all woman and all fierce like that but if you are going to face Rydall, you need to brush up on your ring skills. They have gotten a little, shall we say, rusty mi amiga?

Ves: They aren't really rusty per se. More like I don't feel right after Wrestlestock.

JR (get a worried look) Oh? How do you feel after Wrestlestock?

Ves: Off. Like my brain is at 100% but my body is 40%. I feel... winded? I'm still in pain. I'm still fatigued. Doc Smith told me I wasn't ready. But the doc at Wrestlestock swears he got all the venom. And all heat stroke effects are gone.

James: Are you sure you are up for this?

Ves: I have to be. I face Dave Rydall on Monday.

James: What do you know about him?

Ves: He is part of the Cross Hemisphere division. If I beat him, I get into the running for the Cross Hemisphere divison. He is ring veteran like me, is main event material and has held a lot of belts across many different feds.

JR: He is like you, then, a full timer. So you need to sharpen your skills. Your weren't able to beat any of your opponents at Wrestlestock except Lizzie. So we haven't sparred in 6 months so I'll tell you what, you keep me on my toes for mine and I'll keep you on your toes for yours.

Ves: Done. But I-

(Without warning, he launches forward with a big roundhouse boot. She ducks and sweeps but he jumps over her leg. She sweeps back and connects, he lands on his back but being the wrestler that he is, he takes it and then kips back up. She launches and tries an around the world DDT but he turns it into a sidewalk slam. She lands hard on the canvas. A few people are watching now with interest.)

JR: Sloppy. Think, Vespertine, you think Rydall is going to be easy. It's gonna be hard and an uphill battle the whole time with the ring rust you have. At this point, I hate to say this but he is better than you.

Ves: He is NOT better than me.

(She twirls up and then launches herself at him. He goes for a leg lariat but she ducks, rolls, Rey Misterio style, then leaps up, and does a liontamer off the ropes, right onto him. He catches her and tries to powerbomb her, but she lurches backwards and flips him over to his back, pinning his arms under her legs.)

V: I AM better.

JR: And what does this prove? That you can flip and fly all you want. But what if he goes technical.

(He lifts his legs, traps her shoulders and pulls her over. He keeps a grip on her as he repositions himself. Figuring this won't help and there is no referee in place, he gets up and lets her up. Then without warning, he charges and grabs her and goes around behind to put her in an abdominal stretch. She screams in pain. By now more people are watching. She doesn't do anything for a minute and then all of a sudden she seems to change position, almost dislocating her shoulder, she sweeps out and he falls right on top of her. She is first up but rubbing her now injured shoulder.)

V: There is a counter for everything. Come on, abdominal stretch. That is so old school. Aren't you the trainer in BAWF, you should at least be up to date on your moves.

(Without warning, she charges him, going for a low drop kick, hitting him in the face, then putting him into position for a crippler cross face. She uses leverage and tries to apply pressure. She screams in fury but he doesn't tap. Instead, he has found the mat and is inching towards the ropes. Before he gets there, he stops, gets his knees under him, then slowly rises up with Vespertine still hanging on. He grabs her back and lifts her high into the air, then slams her down once. He lifts her again, she still hangs on but before he can do it a second time, she throat thrusts him and he lets go of her backing up and clutching his throat in pain.)

V: Sorry are you ok.

J: (he whispers hoarsely) Don't be. Dave won't be.

(He follows this up with what looks to be a running shoulder block but instead tries for a spear. She daintily side steps it and then runs the ropes herself. They crisscross a few times before he drops on the mat, she runs over him, then changes direction to the turnbuckle. He gets up quickly knowning what is coming and charges, but she launches herself and drops on his neck and then twirls into a hurricarana at the end of which she has launched him across the ring. Wasting no time, she kips up, screams in fury as almost the entire gym is now watching these two in motion, goes over to the turnbuckles. She hopes up to the top rope, turns around and waits for him to turn over. When he does so, she launches into a five star frog splash. No dice, he has put his knees up and she bounces off in pain. He rolls away and they both kip up at the time. She holds her stomach in pain. Probably from a picnic bench at Wrestlestock)

J: Are you giving up? Just like that?

V: I NEVER give up. I NEVER tap out.

J: That's my girl!

(He runs towards her, grabs her sore shoulder and wrenches it down. She screams in pain but he holds on. Before he can do another one, she twirls down, kips up, then twirls again, then does a step up enzigurai right to his temple. He lets go but doesn't drop to the mat. She does a dropkick to his knee and when he goes down to one knee, she runs over, grabs him by the head and prepares to pepper him with left and rights. In her hesitation though, he sees the window, and punches her in the gut, then as she doubles over, gives her his own throat thrust. Before she knows what he is doing, he picks her up and executes a perfect F5. She lands on the mat hard, bounces off, then turns over, breathing heavily and staring at the ceiling.)

J: What does your sensei usually say at this point? "That was sloppy Vespertine. How you ever became my student is beyond me."

V: Don't quote me Stick now.

J: (sighs and waves at the people who are gathered around, then looks back at her) You need more practice. You think Dave is just going to lay down for you.He is a veteran in this sport just like you and at this point, he looks way more battle ready than you will ever be.

(He pulls her up by hand and she goes to get her water bottle.)

J: Take 5, then we train again. Afterwards, let me look at your shoulder and see if its dislocated.

(She leans against the ring ropes dripping with sweat and fuming with anger. Her arm is cradling her stomach and every so often she seems to be short of breath.)

TBC...

[Vespertine]

(Again we are in the same gym. The 5 minutes is over. James is in the middle of the ring waiting for her. She turns around and twirls her not dislocated shoulder to see if it working correctly. She winces as there is a little pain there. He cocks his head.)


J: You know there are better ways to escape the abdominal hold.

V: Sure, if women are using it. Kinda hard to escape when one is going against a 250lb medical trainer for the BAWF who really knows his holds.

J: No.... come here.

V: No. Look. Come on. We are still sparring. Let's keep going.

J: Fine. But if you don't learn, like you say, you will never become stronger.

(She gets a mad deflated look on her face, then charges with a spinning heel kick, he ducks under and rolls. She lands and turns quickly and stops dead looking at him cockedly. He is in the crane position.)

V: What the- When did you learn Kung Fu?

J: I didn't. But you need to learn you aren't immortal, you aren't a hero. You aren't going to live forever. You are rusty and you need to train. Better.

(He charges and attempts and perfectly executes a spinning roundhouse axe kick which she dodges at the last second and hits her shoulder. She gets into a Muay Thai boxing stance and dances from foot to foot. She charges and tries a knee to his groin which forces him to back up. He sees the opening he is looking for, catches her leg, lifts her up and slams her down to the mat. She quickly twirls up.)

J: Why am I beating you young Padawan?

V: You aren't my father.

(He scoffs then charges getting her into an elbow and collar tie up. For a minute or two neither move and you can hear her strained breathing. Then, because he is 100lbs heavier than her, he slowly pushes her back towards the turnbuckle and then....right up the post. She adjusts her position, grabs his neck, and launches into an Osaka Street Cutter which he isn't prepared for and he drops like a ton of bricks. She let's go, whirls into motion and executes a capoeira hand spin leg drop right onto this neck. The audience watching this, claps loudly.)

V: The student surpasses the teacher.

(She goes over and attempts to help him but in doing so, he grabs her in a belly to belly and suplexes her to the mat. She lays there stunned.)

J: Do you think anybody in UGWC is going to be this easy. I'm not easy. You are not easy but you are making this easy.

(He goes over and grabs her by the hair and then snapmares her down. He puts her in a chinlock. She doesn't do anything for a minute then finally decides it's just easier to poke him in the eye. He reels and she quickly twirls up and then runs the ropes attemping and almost nailing a cross body block. Almost as he sees it coming and rolls through right onto her. She kicks out quickly and as she is trying to get up, he elbows her in the small of the back, puts her arm around his shoulder and executes a back suplex. She lands hard on the mat. He stands there a second trying to catch his breathe then finally he walks over and attempts another abdominal stretch but she sees it and rolls over onto her back then kicks his hand away. He tries again and again she kicks his hand away. He then finally grabs her by the throat and lifts.)

J: I'm sorry. You are making this easy.

V: I am too- (and before he can slam her, she gouges him in the eye and when he lets go of her, she springs back up in a high axe kick which catches him in the jaw and he falls backwards. He slowly crawls to the ropes and leans against the bottom rope. Improvising, she runs to the far ropes, rebounds then attempts a 619 which hits and he goes back into the ring holding his head. She stays on the outside sizing him up, then when she feels the time is right, she jumps to the top rope launches and turns it into a modified moonsault landing on his chest. She bounces off then sits up where she dropped. She is puffing hard by this time and sweat is pouring down her face. Her body is sheen of swear. He finally can gets the wherewithall and looks at her.)

V: See! No rust here.

(He laughs and gets into a sitting position. They both stand at the same time and when he feels she has let her guard down, he grabs her shoulder, kicks her in the stomach, then whips her towards the ropes where he catches her and executes a mighty powerslam. He doesn't stop as he puts her in a cross armed cobra clutch.)

J: Get out of that.

(Finding she can't, she taps. He lets go. She goes to the ring post to lean against it and take a swig of water. She then cracks her neck and whirls her shoulder. Another pain another day in another area of her body.)

J: Think of me as Dave Rydall. Yes, a foot taller and about 120 lbs heavier but he is a barbarian compared to you and can easily do these moves on you. I thought you could counter everything. Why did you tap? And how is your shoulder?

V: I lost focus. Especially after that power slam. Wasn't expecting it from you. My shoulder is going to kill me tomorrow.

J: Is that all that's going to kill you? I mean how is your stomach? How is your heart? Wait a second. (puts two fingers on her wrist to feel her pulse and looks at his watch. A minute goes by.) Faster than normal. That's not good.

(He waves to the people gathered and smiles as they disperse.)

J: Take another 5. Man you are dripping. That's hot but when was the last time you actually sparred. With me.... or anyone for that matter.

V (looking crestfallen) I... don't remember now. (She rubs her shoulder again and lets him look at it. He puts it up at a different angle. She winces in pain.)

J: Wait... lay down on the mat a second. (she does so. He then proceeds to go over her with a fine toothed comb or like a. Checking her ribs which are now looking a bit more black and blue than normal. He checks her eye where she got dirt in them at Wrestlestock. Clear there. He pushes on a few spots along her rib cage. She tries hard not to wince in pain but fails. He hmmmms about it. He gets up then holds out a hand for her. She gets up and then wobbles unsteadily on her feet, then sits down heavily on the mat.)

J: Whoa! Are you ok?

V: I don't remember..... not like this... dizzy. Light headed. Why? This isn't... normal. (looks at up James) Is this normal?

J: No. Not really. Take 5.

(She grabs her water bottle and he gets behind her to check something on her back. He pokes a spot on her lower back and she reacts violently and rounds her shoulders. He moves up her back and she settles down. He gives a quick back massage in which it's, for her at least, half bliss, half agony. He rubs her shoulders a bit.)

J: All right. I think we need to quit here. What i want to do next is weight training. See if you can even do that anymore. (stops her before she protests.) You need it. Can you bench 150 on each end like you used to? Can you do one armed pull ups anymore? Can you even do the hip sled what with your bite area?

V: You don't think I can lift weights anymore? I'm not an invalid you know.

J: I think you've gotten weaker. Not because of your last match. But because of the harsh conditions in Sonora, heat stroke and the shock of a scorp bite. (she lowers her head and nods her consent.)

TBC....

[Vespertine]

OOC: Keep in mind, this is not a spur of the moment RP. This has been years in the making. I have never gotten around to actually posting it anywhere as I have always expanded upon it.  First time this has ever been posted anywhere actually.

UGWC.com interview with Vespertine. Part 1

PART I: Origins, Mentors, Training, Runs 1 and 2 in WCW,

Vespertine sits in a black velvet chair chair as a female interview from the UGWC.com website interviews her.

UGWC.com: Welcome to the UGWC.com Exclusive Shoot Interview series, and today we have Kimber Le here with us. Her ring name is Vespertine. How did you come up with a name like that?

V: (slightly shrugs) Just sounded good at the time. Only after I have been using it a couple of years was I told that it was a flower that only blooms at night. In fact I think I was a few years into my career that someone pointed that out to me.

UGWC.com: So we are going to start at the beginning, if that's okay?

V: Cool with me.

UGWC.com: So, pro wrestling. How'd that start out? Were you a fan as a kid, and if so, why?

V: No, I wasn't actually. I never watched wrestling as a kid. It was only in late high school and early college did I just happen to stumble upon an old AWA showing which featured the Four Horsemen and Legion of Doom though they were known as Road Warriors at the time. Then I drifted away from it.  I picked it up at around the end of college and when I saw it that time, I was like: "I can do that! I CAN do that." So I started looking around for a regional house show and found one that was held every Saturday night at the Sugar Bowl. I was living in Hermosa Beach at the time going to UCLA getting my degree in communications. So I went to this house show and saw two women wrestling and I was immediately hooked.

UGWC.com: Which two women were they?

V: Gail Kim whom I'm still friends with and Melina. This was when they were working part time at WWE and part time in other indie feds just to make ends meet.

UGWC.com: You're friends with Gail Kim? How did that start?

V: Well when I went to see her at the show that night, I just had to go meet her backstage so I slipped past the security guards and pretended I was a groupie for the main eventer guy. I knocked on Gail's door and at first she was like "what the- what are you doing here?" I had to kiss her ass a little bit so she invited me in and answered all my questions and then when she asked me what I was trained in, I told her and she gave me the number to a guy who teaches the luchadore style of wrestling in Mexico figuring I was small enough I could go that direction. From there I moved to San Diego because he was just over the border and I could also finish up college.  When I graduated UCLA, I graduated wrestling school almost at the same time.

UGWC.com: So Gail and Melina were the ones who hooked you into wrestling. Did you do any sports of any type before wrestling?

V: No, not really. My father made me take Karate and Tae Kwon Do when I turned 7 years old. He felt it would protect me from the streets of San Francisco. That's about all the sports I did. I mean I love playing volleyball and I love to swim but nothing has ever attracted me quiet like wrestling and I feel it's a good place to showcase my Karate and Tae skills. When I trained in the luchador style of wrestling I also found a group in San Diego that was into caporeira which I also incorporate in my ring moveset

UGWC.com: So you were a Korean/American woman down in Mexico. What was that like?

V: That... was interesting. They work hard down there. My Korean culture teaches me that a culture like the Mexican culture are lazy no good SOBs because they hate work. Boy was I in for a culture shock. They work hard and they love what they do. I mean sure they have flashy gimmicks and very stylish moves in the ring but they can also be hard hitting. It took me a while to get people to notice me. But I'm not your normal Korean flower of a woman and I wasn't afraid of heights so I would volunteer a lot and jump into the ring with the guys and actually wow them with the high risk, high flying moves that I learned. From them, I learned it's also about respect. If you earn the respect of your wrestling peers then you have it made because then management or bookers will look at you too.

UGWC.com: So your first federation was called WCW or Western Championship Wrestling. You had three runs. Tell us about your first run and your mentor.

V: Oh my god. I was young, I was stupid and I was impetuous. I didn't care who I pissed off or how just as long as I won or was in your face. I won my debut match against a veteran named Widow. Then my second match in against another veteran named Ms. Alison. Both of them were in one of the Big 2, as in stables. There was the Dark Alliance and there was Pain Inc. Buddha knows I stepped on a few toes and didn't make any friends my first few weeks, hell, months there. But Lizzie Dadner, also known as Nightelf, who was part of the Dark Alliance, saw something in me and saw what I could do, saw my moveset and decided that she would train me to be extreme.

UGWC.com: Is that part of the luchadore style training?

V: Yes and no. American Extreme, as she would call it, is different from luchador style. In Mexico, they don't use tables, or ladders or chairs. They use what is given to them and that is mostly the ring. Wrestlers from Mexico aren't that big and don't weigh all that much so flying around the ring is no problem for them. American Extreme is different in that, the higher you fly the better. The bigger the obstacle the better. The taller the better. That 20 foot ladder should be no problem. Think Jeff Hardy and times it by 10. WWE doesn't have them but there are wrestlers out there that are double what Jeff Hardy can do. But like I say, extreme isn't the same thing as hardcore.

UGWC.com: How so?

V: Well, with extreme you fly around a lot and can go through tables and use chairs, in hardcore, those same objects become weapons. In extreme they are more targets than weapons. You jump and land on the table, you fly across the ring and hope that the chair is there for your opponent to go through or is some sort of thing that you can jump on to fly higher, better and faster. That ladder, use that to climb up and jump off, not to throw at your opponent. It becomes hardcore when a sledgehammer, trashcan or a kendo stick is introduced into the match.

UGWC.com: But you have held the hardcore belt?

V: Yes. Back when I was young and stupid and didn't know any better, I felt I could be like the guys and go hardcore. But I slowly realized, and what Nightelf didn't teach me, is that in hardcore, you have weapons in your hands. In Extreme, your body is or can be the weapon. Which adds to my karate and Tae Kwon Do styles. Yes I won a few hardcore titles here and there but I just, you know, felt that that isn't real wrestling. Hardcore is just using weapons. It takes a whole lot of guts and grit and knowhow to fly high, fly right and land correctly and with the most impact.

UGWC.com: So anyway, your first run in WCW, you feuded with Widow and Angel of Darkness

V: Yes, Widow was from Pain Inc, Angel of Darkness was from the Dark Alliance. I also feuded with Johnny Blaze. Widow and I feuded for a while and I'm one over her. Angel of Darkness is one over me while I'm 2 up over Blaze. Then later, Nightelf wanted to test me in the ring so she asked for a match. She was surprised I think when she found that I actually learned from her teachings. Over the course of all 3 runs my rivalry and feud with her would probably cement my legacy in WCW and make me think twice about who I ran with.

UGWC.com: Why is that?

V: Well, over our feud, she would stand with me back to back to face some of the greatest threats both of her and me but on the other side of the coin, when she had nothing to do, she would backstab me and make me lose then throw it in my face.  One time I was Women's Champion and I was tag team champion with Ms Alison. I was to face Nightelf for the women's title at the biggest PPV of the year, Wrestlefest.  She warned me. She warned me that something bad was going to happen and that I would pay for it. Stupid young me, didn't listen. And indeed it did. Not only did she beat me for the Women's title but she ALSO interferred during our tag team title match and made us lose our tag team titles AND turned Alison against me. THEN formed her own tag team with Alison. So my relationship with Nightelf is, a bit strained. Yes she mentored me but, we have fought many times almost to the point where we almost killed each other. We drew blood a few times.

UGWC.com: Why was that?

V: I guess she felt that because I was her protege and I was rising too fast she didn't like the direction I was taking the Women's Division. On my side, I felt I needed to prove to myself, the roster and especially to her that I could hang with the best of them. This was my first federation and I didn't want to disappoint anybody. That was her first betrayal of me and betrayal was something that I had never experienced before. At least not in the wrestling world. At the next PPV, I faced Widow in a cage and that was the match where my face was shattered because she X factored me off the cage onto the arena floor. I landed first, she was declared winner.

UGWC.com: How long were you out for and what kind of surgeries were required to put you back together?

V: I was out for 9 months, the first 4 were in the hospital. Doctors were working on my face, WCW paid for those. I paid out of pocket for corrective facial surgery so you wouldn't see any of the scars. (She points to a spot above her nose) That is probably the only scar you can see if you really look closely. When I did go back to wrestle, the first few months I had this mask like Trish Stratus and the Undertaker had.

She smiles and winces at the memory at the same time

V: I still have that mask. It's mounted on my mantle piece. It was my first real injury in wrestling.

UGWC.com: And when you came back, this was your second run in WCW. How was that?

V: Hectic and interesting. My first run I caught the eye of John Robins who was fed pres AND head of Dark Alliance. I think he hated me. I think the feeling was mutual. I never worked so hard to get no where fast. He put me in cage match, after table match, after ladder match. Nightelf saw what I was going through and tried to help me through it but somewhere I must've really pissed John off because he sent two Dark Alliance goons after me to kidnap me and take me to their den of torture. Ah yes, Jackal and Slayer.

UGWC.com: What were they like?

SS: Think Kane but crazier AND more evil with the vision of Jigsaw and the personality of The Devil's Rejects family and that was Jackal and Slayer. They did his bidding a lot. So they came one day and kidnapped me, tossed me in the back of an armored car and were on their way to their den of torture. A den full of, what else, delightful little torture devices that they would use on certain superstars to get what John wanted whenever John wanted it. Those two were none too bright and left me my cell phone. I called the cops. I was rescued enroute. It was after that, the leader of Pain Inc, Venom, invited me to join the other big stable in WCW. Venom is the nicest guy you will ever meet, quiet, unassuming but get him mad and get him in the ring and he becomes quite the efficient brawler, and all around straight up shooter. By the time I joined, Widow had left the stable but Johnny Blaze was still there. But my feud with JA Working Man Sawyer was just about to begin and my friendship with Machine started too.

UGWC.com: First tell us about Working Man. What's he like?

V: He is the nicest, funniest guy you could ever meet. Great to have as an ally, worse to have as an enemy if you piss him off. His promos were awesome. I was like "Oh my god. That's genious, why didn't I think of that." I never laughed so hard as when I watched him do his. We battled everywhere. One time it was a falls count anywhere, fatal four way and he and I battled to the back to the Boiler Room. Neither of us won but he suplexed me into a pile of pallets. I was digging slivers out of my head for days. I don't know what possessed us to go there but we did. Another time it was a triple threat cage match for the US Heavyweight Title. The third man was Johnny Blaze. I never saw two contrasting styles like those two.

UGWC.com: How so?

V: Sawyer was adaptable, he had learned from the best, he could take a punch, a kick or whatever and sell it. He knew how to land properly as well. He was great to work with. Johnny on the other hand was a hard hitter but he didn't know how to "sell" properly. So whatever you had to do against him, you had to make sure he felt it and keep him down because if you didn't, he would just get right back up and come at you. I liked working with Sawyer, I wasn't too thrilled about working with Johnny. Nightelf was a little of both. If she didn't like what you were doing, she would no sell you. If she did, she was the greatest partner to have in the ring. Angel of Darkness and Widow were awesome that way. No matter how bad a move they took, they were troopers and sold it properly.

UGWC.com: So what titles did you have under your belt up to that point?

V: I had been hardcore champion, European champion, light heavyweight champion, TV champion, tag team champion. I wouldn't get World Heavyweight champion until my third run in WCW.

UGWC.com: I heard somewhere you collapsed during a storyline you were doing. They had to pull you off the card that night and take you to the hospital. What happened?

V: Yes. I'm embarrassed about it but it's true. So, when you and the fed head are at odds and he really wants to get rid of you he has two ways of going about it. 1. To fire you on the spot. Or 2. Make it so hard and put you in so many specialty matches that you will just up and quit.

UGWC.com: I'm assuming you were given number 2.

V: Yes. When it first started, I didn't think anything of it. It was few weeks after I escaped from the Den of Torture. John put me in a glass tables match. A week later, it was a triple threat buried alive match. A week later, it was a TLC match. You get the point, it went on like this for months. Naturally my body was giving out and I was in pain all the time because my opponents were always men who were two sizes bigger than I was. Well, I'm not the kind to quit or give up or anything and I was stubborn and bull headed. I thought "well this won't, can't last forever." So I went into my doctor and asked for some painkillers. He, at first, didn't like the idea but I told him the situation and told him how my body was doing and how bad it was going and how much pain I was in and he relented. So for a few months there I was taking painkillers. Well on the night I collapsed, I think what happened was that I overdosed and took 2 pills too many. So in a storyline I was in a battle with Dano at the time, a new top guy at WCW, and I was gunning for him with a sledgehammer and my partner/friend at the time was a guy named Machine. Nicest guy this side of Sawyer you will ever meet. Where Sawyer is funny, Machine is respectful. Anyway, I turn a corner and I black out. I don't remember anything after that. Medical staff said I was spazzing out right there but I don't remember it. I wake up and find Machine at my bedside, turns out he was at my side the whole week.

UGWC.com: Week?

V: Yes, turns out I was in sort of a coma. Sawyer, Angel of Darkness came to see me a lot, Machine was always there and Nightelf came only once. She brought me a gift and left me a note saying how disappointed in me she was.

UGWC.com: Disappointed.

V: (sighs) Yes, see martial artists don't believe in using drugs to help or enhance their abilities and I didn't believe in it either. NIghtelf thought the same way. But I was in such pain that I needed something to relieve it. So painkillers came into the picture. She was disappointed mostly in the fact that I used them to help relieve my pain. I never knew this but it takes painkillers and a coma to find out who you're real friends are. (she chuckles and shrugs)

UGWC.com: Who is Machine now?

V: Machine came in halfway through my second run in WCW. His real name is John Roberts. His backstory was he was a bouncer for a nightclub up in Seattle when he was found by his manager Sage Morgan. John claimed he also did BDSM vids to keep up with the bills and that is where he got his costume from. Imagine this 7'4 390lb monster of a man dressed all in chains, spikes and leather with a kane like mask over his face. He never took it off and he almost never spoke. Sage was his mouthpiece. When Machine did speak, it was mostly something respectful to his opponent and telling them exactly what he was going to do. Sage, on the other hand, was this short, stout, Joe Pesci looking fella that dressed in a zoot suit and a fedora with a walking cane and spoke like he had a New Jersey accent. Everyone hated Sage. On the flip side, everyone respected Machine. During his promos, if Sage started spouting off on people and telling that they weren't worthy and that Machine was going to kill them for whatever reason, Machine would stop him and continue the promo being respectful to his opponent and tell Sage to keep the rhetoric down. Machine was awesome. Everyone on the roster liked him and respected him, not so Sage. And there were many people in that list who asked Machine when he was going to get rid of Sage. They were the odd couple and I never did ask how Sage found Machine.

UGWC.com: What did Machine say?

V: "Get rid of my mouthpiece? Do you really want boring no action promos from me?" Machine was quiet and unassuming in real life but once he put on that mask, he scared the hell out of people. He had this crush on Nightelf but she was married to Deathbringer at the time. Nightelf flirted with everyone though. Machine I saw as the big brother I never had and he saw me as the little sister he never had. He was very shy around women. I guess because when I met him, he was in the last stages of a particularly nasty divorce and I heard that she backstabbed him in the worst way, with his best friend.

UGWC.com: Wow. That's bad.

V: Yes so it took a lot to get him to talk to me and even more to get him to befriend me. It took a lot for him to befriend Doomsayer and Sawyer but, BUT, once he likes you, he is VERY loyal, VERY trustworthy and very respectful. I mean he starts out being respectful but he doubles it when you're his friend. ALMOST to the point where he'll give you his shirt off his back if you need it. I was drunk a few times on the road after a show and I found myself asleep in his hotel room, right? He made no move to take advantage of me and you know how much I like my sex and I would've welcomed him in my arms and legs but I woke and found him sleeping on the couch.

UGWC.com: Did Sawyer and Doomsayer drink a lot with you guys?

V: Doomsayer was a big partier but his crew was the Dark Alliance. Sawyer wasn't a drinker. Never touched the stuff. Nightelf liked her pot and parties and Angel of Darkness was a light drinker. Widow was not only a heavy drinker but a heavy partier as well? Venom didn't drink and didn't party much, he wallflowered it a lot. You know to this day, I still keep in contact with Sawyer and Machine and Elf but with Elf, it's now for a different reason.

UGWC.com: Where are they now?

SS: For Machine, I heard work dried up for him so he went back to bouncing in Seattle. Sawyer, bless his heart is doing great up in Oregon with a wife and two kids. He does fed promotion for a local fed up in Salem where he lives. Lizzie, she and I are still in our band. She is the drummer and I am the bassist. Our band is called Inner Darkess. Concert down in San Diego in two months y'all. WOOT WOOT!

UGWC.com: And Angel of Darkness?

V: She's dead. After being in the army and being burnt to crisp being a hero to her niece, she died in a car accident.

(She winces at the memory.)

V: Angel's real name was Britt. She was a door gunner for a chopper crew in the early part of the 1991 Iraq war. In WCW, she trained under Widow and Deathbringer. When WCW closed, I got a phone call one night, she was in the hospital. Turns out her stupid brother in law fell asleep with a lit cigarette and the house caught fire. She was in the basement. She got out in time but her niece was trapped inside. So, she runs back in, grabs her niece, throws her out the window and as burning timbers come crashing down around her and on her, she jumps out the window herself. She was patted out by the fire fighters but her face was scarred for life. Now she had a reason to wear a mask whereas before, when she wore it, it was for her costume, Angel of Darkness.

(She stops, dabs her eyes as tears well up, but continues on OOC: True story, another handler)

V: Then, a few years after that, she was driving from her sister's place one night and got hit by a drunk driver. She was killed on impact. Where Elf was flightly, ADD and hyperactive, Angel was quiet, and down to earth.

(She looks up the heavens)

V: Miss you Britt. Hope you are resting peacefully.

UGWC.com: So after the collapse and the coma, you disappeared for a while from the WCW scene?

V: Yes, I wanted to meditate and reenergize myself and think about the direction I wanted to take. NOW, in terms of painkillers if I take them at all, I only take 2 a day and that's it. I've learned my lesson. But that 3rd run after that hiatus was the most interesting run of my whole career there. The funnest too. Is that a word? (shrugs) It is now. (laughs).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

UGWC.com Interview with Vespertine, part 2

PART II: WCW Run 3, VCW and ACW

UGWC.com: So, in reality, your shoulder was broken after Alison suplexed you off a loading dock. Which put you in the hospital and you took 4 months off from being WCW. That was the end of your second run. You went back though for your last and third run. How was that?

V: Interesting. And fun. Things had changed. Dark Alliance was dwindling, Pain Inc was still going strong but they weren't as big a presence either. My mentor, Lizzie, uh Nightelf, was now GM of the women's division. She tried hard to make it work but there was lack of women's wrestlers by this point. Also, John Robins, the fed head was gone.

UGWC.com: Gone?

V: Gone. He had taken off on some hiatus somewhere and his assistant Don was now fully in charge.

UGWC.com: How was that?

V: That was awesome. I liked Don. He was friendlier than John was and he took no sides. Don liked me as well. Well not to the point where we slept together just so I could get my way but we were good friends. I think that, under him, WCW flourished and became bigger and better. The ironic thing was, 9 months after I returned, John Robins came back. 3 months after he did so, the fed went out of business.

UGWC.com: That is ironic.

V: Everyone had a problem with John, nobody had a problem with Don. Everything was going smoothly when Don was in charge. When John came back, so did the problems, the infighting and the backstage politics. The fed went out of business because John fired Don and then John found out he couldn't run it alone, like he always tried to do.

UGWC.com: So your first big PPV match back was against Nightelf in a ladder match. How did that turn out?

V: Not very good. For her. The match was scraped when I got to the ring because we found out that on her way to the arena, Nightelf did something and got run over by a truck.

UGWC.com: Which city was this? At an intersection?

V: A freeway outside New Orleans.  It's kinda hard to explain. Nightelf was already a terrible driver. She still had a little rebellion left over from her goth days. But when she was drunk, she let it all go. I mean how else would you explain the fact that, as low as her car was, changing lanes to try to pass a semi truck by going UNDER said semi truck on the freeway, doesn't always work out the way you want it to. She braked when she couldn't get out of the lane and the truck ran right over her. Turns out, when the truck ran over her, her spine was severed. That was it. So, I won by default. Don gave me that.

She trails off, before coming back to the subject.

Ves: Nightelf was also women's champion at the time. So they awarded the belt to me anyway because now, she was going to be out for however long it was.

UGWC.com: From there you formed a stable?

V: (laughs) Yes I did. Because Pain Inc wasn't as big anymore, and Dark Alliance was dwindling I wanted to do something else. I never ever saw an all female stable in WCW and thought, why not. I'm a huge star and the two women I had in mind were also huge stars. Wouldn't it be awesome if the three of us got together and formed our own stable. So, I called Widow who was in Pain Inc at the time, and I called Angel of Darkness, who was in Dark Alliance.

Pause.

V: Angel wasn't that hard to convince. Turns out she was already thinking of leaving Dark Alliance. Widow took a bit of convincing but she respected Angel a lot more than she did Elf so she thought about it a bit and then decided to join. Turns out, if Elf was going to be a part of AWW and Angel wasn't, she wouldn't have joined. But because she respected Angel and she liked me, she joined.

Broad smile.

UGWC.come: AWW stood for Awesome Women Wrestlers, right? Who was the leader?

V: That was the thing. There was no leader and we were all leaders. We listened to each other, gave ideas and suggestions, weren't afraid to turn an idea down or call each other out. Our theme was we were outlaws/bountyhunters that made a pact with the devil. So our music was the Devil's Rejects by Rob Zombie and we brought weapons to the ring to show how were serious we were about collecting bounties.

UGWC.com: What weapons?

V: Obviously I brought a katana sword. Widow, being from Texas, brought a shotgun and Angel brought a crossbow to the ring. We were really successful, Angel and Widow became the tag team champions and I became the US Heavyweight Champion.

UGWC.com: Who was the current champion?

V: Johnny Blaze. He was still in Pain Inc and was now the right hand man to Venom. That was my last fight with Blaze because he turned his focus in another direction. A month or so later, Doomsayer beat me for the belt. But it was a good thing because I was in line now to go for the World Heavyweight Champion. The belt was around the waist of the guy I hated, who was very good at what he did, Johnny Extreme. His accolades ranged from being 4x World Champion to being the first ever Triple Champion.

UGWC.com: And you beat him?

V: Yes I did. I want to say I took him completely off guard but I think luck had something to do with it. I could see why he was so good. He was a great technical wrestler, a great straight shooter and if worse came to worse, he could fly with the best of them. We faced each other a few more times. The last time was at WCW's flagship PPV and a month later, WCW closed. BUT this cemented my legacy within WCW and I became Hall of Famer

UGWC.com: So where did you go then?

V: I went to VCW, Virtual Champion Wrestling. In my debut match, I went against Sammy Zero, sister of Zack Zero and both were in the Rock and Roll Connection, the ONLY stable in VCW.

UGWC.com: And later you would face Rae Rossi, aka known as The Wolf.

V: Yes. And I also became friends with another guy like Sawyer named The Gamer. A funny man, a funny gimmick. His real name was Marty, but he created the Gamer gimmick because of how much he loved video and computer games to the point where it became a Tron like thing for him. So think Hurricane taken in a whole other direction and to a new extreme.

UGWC.com: One month removed from your debut and you won a title?

V: Yes. I won the hardcore title. It was from Gold. That was the second time I met Gold.  The first time, I wasn't ready for her and she beat me because I didn't realize there were women wrestlers like her out there.  I finally decided to do my homework on her and when I watched videos of her, I found out, she does hard hitting moves but the moves she had were all like the same moves she does every match.   Typical of bodybuilders turned wrestlers.

UGWC.com: That wasn't the only honor you obtained in VCW.

V: Yes, that was a great year for me. I obtained the hardcore title but I also became VCW's first ever double champion. I was hardcore champion and was given a shot at the Light Heavyweight Title which was worn by Munchkin at the time. Munchkin and I were equal in almost every aspect so we traded the title back and forth many times.

UGWC.com: But that feud put you in the running for another title, right?

V: Yes, that put me on the path to the VCW World Title which was held at the time by Wolf.

She closes his eyes and just smiles.

V: Rae is a character. She is fun and funny but get on her bad side and there will be hell to pay. I remember I made it my mission when I started out in VCW to destroy the Rock and Roll Connection. She didn't take too kindly to that.

UGWC.com: Why was that your mission?

V: I don't know. Wait, yes I do. It was because it was the only stable in VCW and it was the only face stable. Now in my mind, stables are never FACE stables, there are only heel stables. Having been around Dark Alliance so long and we at AWW were tweeners, I knew there was something wrong with it so I made it my mission to show the world that the Rock and Roll Connection was not a face stable but a heel stable.

UGWC.com: Did you ever succeed?

V: Not really. I became focused on more important things. Like battling Rae for the World Title. Besides Gold, who had taken a hiatus of sorts, we were the most aggressive females on the roster so it came as no surprise to anyone when in our second big match between us, we were put in a hell in a cell for the World Title.

UGWC.com: This was your first World Title win and your first Hell in a Cell?

V: Yes and no. This was for my first shot at the VCW World Title but in terms of a HIAC match, well Nightelf and I had covered that in WCW. If Nightelf taught me to be extreme, Rae really brought it out of me. Our styles complimented each other very well. Our styles were contrasting, our backgrounds were very different but when we were in that ring and trying to outdo the other, it made everyone stand up and take notice. This was the first HIAC match against Wolf and this was where she crashed through the top of the cage and I did a senton bomb onto her stomach.

UGWC.com: Breaking both your ribs and hers and putting both of you in the hospital.

V: Yeah, we ended up in the hospital. Ironically her room was next to mine but mine was first down the hall from the nurse's station, which meant that I also got visits from Cody, who was her boyfriend at the time, Sammy, Zack, Gamer, Munchkin and Syco because they were on their way to see her. Every so often she would come to my room or I to hers and we would talk.

UGWC.com: What would you guys talk about?

V: We were planting ideas in each other's head. It would take a couple of years for it to form but the idea of our band, Inner Darkness, was seeded in that hospital. We also came up with ideas about how to expand our feud, what directions we wanted to go and what kind of matches we wanted to have.

UGWC.com: So what came out of those sessions?

V: Well the biggest one was this: I was on my way to becoming Triple champion.Then Rae got it into her head to do the same thing. We both held a few titles. I was hardcore and tag team champion, my partner was Munchkin. She was European and Light heavywight. So we both decided we wanted to be triple champion and go for the World Title. Turns out she got it first, from Gold, who held it at the time, I don't remember when Gold got back but right after she got back, she defeated Cody for the title. Rae defeated her to get the title, thereby becoming first ever VCW triple champion. I tried to get it off of her. We went through another Hell in a Cell match. I came up short this time and Rae defeated me. I should've realized something was wrong when we battled but I didn't think anything about it at the time.

UGWC.com: What was wrong?

V: Rae was pushing herself too hard, like I did my first run in WCW. Before the match she had taken painkillers because she knew how hard an opponent I was. She didn't experience any pain during the match, she told me. This was because she had overdosed on painkillers before the match. When she was celebrating after the match, she collapsed. If my coma was for a week, she took so many that she was in a coma for months before she finally came out of it.

UGWC.com: Wow! So a tournament was held then because Wolf was stripped of the title.

V: Yes but I didn't go after it this time because I was pointed in another direction by GM Syco

UGWC.com: That being the tag team titles.

V: Yes but before we get to that, I want to talk about Rae's time in the hospital. I went to see her a a few hours each week. I respected her a lot and didn't want her to go the way I had. Cody was at her bedside like Machine was at mine. I told Cody my story about my painkiller addiction and I hoped that whenever she woke up, he would tell her. Sammy, Zack and Athena would be there often times too, Gold came by a few times which surprised me because I didn't realize Gold had a lot of respect for her. Caster and Pollox, the Troy brothers would come by and Syco came a few times too. When she finally did wake up, I went a day later and regaled her with my story. She broke down and...

(tears form in her eyes)

V: She told me that she took painkillers just to keep up with me, I pushed her so hard. (She wipes a tear away) I never felt so conflicted. That was a compliment to me but at the same time, I felt bad for putting her there, having her go that extreme. She had been taking them for a while.

UGWC.com: So getting back to the original subject. You were going after the tag titles?

V: Yes (she wipes another tear) I thought my partner was going to be The Gamer but then Syco pulled a swerve on me and teamed me with Munchkin. We did very well together. We obtained the tag team belts, lost them and regained them. Upper management saw how good we were together and put us together. We were probably 1 of 2 teams left in the tag team division now that Rae was in the hospital and her partner Athena was chasing Gold for the hardcore Title. The other team being Caster and Pollox, the Troy Brothers.

UGWC.com: But now you had gained all the belts in VCW thereby cementing your Hall of Famer status?

V: Yes and no. I did get Hall of Famer but the only title that was beyond my reach was the US Heavyweight Title.

She shakes her head, exasperated at the memory.

V: Gold had it because she was in the lower weight class that included light heavyweight men like Gamer. I didn't see the weight issues as that big a deal so I hounded Syco to give me a shot. He never did give me a shot. But to tide me over, he gave me another shot for the Light Heavyweight Belt. Then a month later, VCW closed. Details being sketchy, we figured crooked bookkeeping on Syco's part but we didn't voice those thoughts.

UGWC.com: So VCW closed in early November. You looked around and by December you made your way to American Championship Wrestling, or ACW?

V: Yes.

UGWC.com: How was that?

V: Interesting. As with my other debuts in WCW and VCW, I beat two ACW veterans within the week. Ashley Davis better known as Daisy. Then Cynthia Cross.

UGWC.com: You beat them and that earned you a shot at the Survivor Title. What kind of title is that?

V: Yes, against one Darren Iceman Moore. It was a cross between extreme and light heavyweight. For those new to the federation, this was the title you started with and propelled you further up the ladder.

UGWC.com: You faced him at your first PPV a few months later but didn't two things happen that night.

V: Sure did. I lost the title but evidently, two other rookies like me had been eyeballing me since the beginning. Two guys named La Envidia Mata and Chris Wrestling. They wanted me to be in their stable and it wasn't going to be just us. There were a few others they were bringing in as well. They were two businessmen, so it makes sense that our stable was called the Corporation. Thank Buddha I joined them.

UGWC.com: Why is that?.

V: We became targets. To some of the biggest names in ACW. I wrestled veterans like Aurelai Jamison, Aurora Matthews who's husband David "Snake" Matthews, had been 5 times World Heavyweight Champion, Kaylyn Vaude and others. But because of that, doors were opened for us. Me mostly. (shrugs)

UGWC.com: Wasn't there a duo from WCW that joined ACW? How did that happen?

V: Yes, Johnny Blaze and Nightelf. I thought Blaze would be a good addition to the Corporation. I called him and however bad and loony he is in the ring, he is a really nice guy though and a big teddy bear. I asked and he came. I called Lizzie up, told her about ACW and next thing I know, she joined. She wanted to continue her feud with me. We had one match, a TLC match, I won. She left. I guess she thought ACW was too hard or something. I hear later that her spine was killing her so her career ended after that match and she became a trainer in her home town of Deridder Louisiana. How she wrestled up to that point I never knew because I know it took her a year or so after her accident to be able to walk again. Doctors even told her she might not be able to walk again ever. Thankfully she didn't listen to them. She can walk now but every so often she uses a cane to get around. As for Johnny, I forced Johnny into a match whereupon if I won, he would joined The Corporation which he didn't want to do. If he won, I don't think anything would happen because he never did set a stipulation for me. As great as the guy was, he wasn't very smart sometimes.

(She laughs at the memory)

UGWC.com: So now you are 2 up on Nightelf and 2 up on Blaze? He beat you, right?

V: Yes he did. For the first time in as many years since my first run in WCW, he beat me. But then we never faced each other again. Mata, Chris and I wound up on a collision course with a new stable by the name of Toxic Melody which was Aurelei Jamison, Aurora and David Matthews and another big name Eric Donovan. We battled long and hard with them.

UGWC.com: But there was dissension in the ranks of the Corporation?

V: Yes in a way. I never like to think of myself as eye candy so I never try and manage or valet anybody. I always like to be on equal footing with my male counterparts so I wrestle. Men don't scare me and I love wrestling them....mostly to defuse some egos sometimes.

(She laughs and winks)

V: While I was a wrestler for the Corporation, the big role Mata wanted me to play was valet, mostly to him and Chris. Chris saw what I could do and saw my potential, all Mata saw was that I was eye candy and he let me know very clearly what I was to him.

UGWC.com: How did that affect your relationship with the Corporation?

V: I didn't get to find out. Apparently, Mata and Chris also had huge egos, bigger even than mine and were also big on respect. They didn't feel they were getting any from anybody: the roster, Toxic Melody, upper management so I'm flying home one day and find a text on my phone saying they were going to up and quit. Which they did and now I was without a stable to back me up.

She shakes her head sadly.

UGWC.com: What happened then?

V: Well needless to say, I floundered a while in ACW trying to get higher but without the help of Corporation I was easy pickings for Toxic Melody. A few months later I was given the pink slip and let go. Near the end I guess I wasn't feeling it anymore so I kinda just quit being there myself. Last I heard though, Blaze was still there.

Part 3, coming soon

[Vespertine]

UGWC.com interview with Vespertine part 3

Part 3:  WTF, Inner Darkness, EWE to present day and final thoughts

UGWC.com:  Now after ACW, where did you go.

Ves: Well I floundered around a while jumping from federation to federation. Some closed. Some I got fed up and left or got pink slipped. Got a couple of titles. In WTF or World Turmoil Federation, I won the Pure Star Title and had an on screen relationship with Bill Wheldon. We hit it off after one match, got into a relationship but after a few months, WTF closed. Bill and I went our separate ways but while there I learned that Bill was a great keyboardist. So when Rae, Cody and I formed our band, we asked Bill to be our keyboardest. I introduced him to Cody and Rae. Well Rae takes a shining to everyone she meets. Cody wasn't hard either. Lizzie can be a bit rough on newbies but she soon warmed up to him.

UGWC.com: And that's how your band Inner Darkness was formed. Where did you come up with that name?

Ves: We went around and around with names. Then Lizzie and Rae came up with the idea that we all have our inner darknesses. Hence Inner Darkness. We started out as Goth Industrial and then over time changed to metal/symphonic metal. One of the ideas Rae and I kicked around while we were in the hospital.

UGWC.com: Nice. Now then, after WTF you found yourself back in EWE? Have you ever worked for EWE before?

Ves: Extreme Wrestling Entertainment. EWE was WCW's sister federation. The two federations loaned wrestlers to each other a lot so I wrestled their roster sometimes too. So WCW went out of business but EWE didn't. I joined after finding them. Now ironically, unlike WCW, EWE would let wrestlers from WWE in and work for them at the same time they worked for WWE. I met the likes of Micki James, my idol Lita, Katie Lea and Kaitlyn. Somehow I let my contract lapse after a year of working there and before I could renew it, I was pink slipped. So I jumped around some more.

UGWC.com: This time, you went to Universal Wrestling Federation. Where you won the X treme title?

Ves: Yes. That was a great title. It represented the extreme side of wrestling. Not hardcore. Richard Garcia and I traded the title back and forth many times. They were wild matches that included everything and went everywhere in the arena. A few months later UWF folded.

UGWC.com: So you jumped a few more feds.

Ves: A few indies. Having grown a bit from Lizzie's treachery, La Envidia Mata's disappearing act and my quest to find a new rival that was like either Lizzie or Rae, the new ones backstage politics didn't matter to me so much anymore. I knew if I had to make a name for myself, I had to be beyond that. So really the next few I wasn't pink slipped or fired, the feds just went out of business. When the last one folded, I decided to back to modeling and teaching Tae Kwon Do at the local YMCA. But then, like always, you get the wrestling bug and you can't seem to forget your time in the ring. A few years later I was back.

UGWC.com: Yes, this time in a federation called Extreme Wrestling Federation. Here you won a few titles.

Ves: I did. They had opened a year before I joined so they were relatively new. Had some matches, impressed some people, got title shots. Yada yada yada. A month later I won the Goddess title. A few weeks after that, I won the International Title. I ensured my legacy there by becoming the first ever double champion. I would've gone on to become World Champion but again, company folded. Those indies. (she chuckles)

UGWC.com: I see. And then you found your way here? How much time between EWF and UGWC.

Ves: I think a year and a half. This was because I didn't want to be in the indies anymore. I wanted to go professional again like my first federation, Western Championship Wrestling and American Wrestling Federation. So I spent time looking around and happened upon this place. In my debut match they put me against Ezra Wolf. Stupid me, I forget that you have to do home work on your opponents. I treated him like a newbie. He really wasn't unfortunately.

UGWC.com: No, it's only recently you found out he had been here years before.

Ves: And even more surprisingly, he wasn't known as Ezra Wolf back then. He was known as Ezra Wade. So stupid me, having not done my homework on my opponent, he beat me fair and square in the ring. Him and I are equal in wrestling ability. I surprised him, he surprised me more and got a win over me. A few weeks ago I faced him again. Again we were equal until he surprised me again and got the win over me.

UGWC.com: And yet you do have wins in this federation, right?

Ves: Yes, against Nathaniel Dixon. Then got into a fatal four way with Travis Pierce, Konrab Raab and Sebastian Bryce. Three veterans of UGWC. So I'm seen as a newbie here, right? But in all the years I have been wrestling, I am equal in wrestling ability to them. They underestimated me and I won by pinning Raab in the center of the ring.

UGWC.com: And then Wrestlestock happened?

Ves: Indeed. So... I have wrestled in hot temperatures and cold temperatures. I have wrestled in 90% humidity and 10% humidity, arid regions, cold regions, even temperate regions. I have been to exotic locales. Modeled and wrestled in places like UK, Malaysia, Mexico, Canada, Germany, South Africa, North Africa, Russia, on the outskirts in the middle east which is deceiving because the interior of that region can get really hot. The exterior, nearest the oceans, are mild climes, are more scenic than inland, so most modeling shoots or wrestling shows take place on the outskirts. Never have I ever, wrestled in the middle of a desert. I'm so used to California temperatures. I mean I have hiked places like Death Valley which surprisingly can get nowhere near as hot as the Sonoran desert. Somehow I wasn't thinking, didn't think anything was going to happen to me because I'm an avid weekend warrior, I've hiked many places, surfed and swam the ocean, I own a boat so I water ski and wakeboard, love my street racing but never have I ever felt anything like the heat stroke I endured at Stock.

UGWC.com: Add to that the fact that you were stung by a scorpion.

Ves: Yes. And thank you to all those who sent me get well cards and flowers. I really appreciate it. Not a fan of the desert anymore so I have to think about what I want to do next year when Stock comes around. Maybe not hike 20 miles beforehand. (she laughs)

UGWC.com: Now that Stock is over, what are your plans for UGWC?

Ves: Well wrestling is in my blood. It's all about respect, gaining titles, doing good matches. No great matches. Epic matches. I want to wrestle everyone here. I want to get into a few feuds. I want to make friends. Rivals would be very welcome. Maybe join or start a stable.

UGWC.com: Is there a title you want to shoot for?

Ves: I want to shoot for all the titles. I've been told to slow down though, look around, take your time, take your wins, take your losses, establish yourself, find your footing and right now just shoot for the Cross Hemisphere division. I'm ok with that. It's a step in the right direction. I feel I'm home here in United Global Wrestling Coalition. WCW was my first fed and I'll always be loyal to it, and it always felt like home to me and where my career started. UGWC? It feels like home and a place where I belong. The people, behind the scenes, are so awesome. We have so many different personalities in this fed. Everyone is willing to give advice, everyone is willing to help out and/or answer questions if you have them. If you have concerns or complaints, they are willing to listen. Not that I have had many yet. I feel I won't have any for a while. Unless someone like Lizzie backstabs me in the back or hurts me in a way I can't recover from.

UGWC.com: Are there any people you connect with? Any particular people you like to face or want to face?

Ves: Like I said, I want to face them all. I want to face Ragdoll again. She is as wierd behind the scenes as she is scary in front of the camera. She has a good sense of humor and I feel I can share and be myself with her. Raab is cool. He and I like racing so whenever we can, we talk about cars and stats. I was mad at Ezra for ruining my debut but the dude is cool. He has a good head on his shoulders. He can be intimidating but I feel that's just a facade. We have talked a few times behind the scenes. He is really ring smart and knows his moves. I can't get a reading on Lord Hastings. Or Donovan. Or Tony Savage. I know they are in the upper echelons but they seem friendly and ready to help. But their auras are soooo.... intense, I'm kind of intimidated going up to them and asking them questions. However, on the other hand, if I were to face them in the ring, I wouldn't hesitate to battle it out with either of them. We would go in the ring and give a clinic. I was in a fed not too long ago where Maggie Lockhart was. I missed her then as the fed closed. I wanted to really face her. Guess I missed her again when I got here. Kyra is wonderful, I like her. Ken is a dick both on and off screen.  Why she likes him is beyond me.  I guess it's the Machine/Sage prospect or something.

UGWC.com: What about staff and management?

Ves: Don't know the consortium much. Just had my first backstage interview not long ago. Roxy Malone and Jason Reeves. She's cute. Would love to date her. He is creepy. And then there is Covert jay. What in all the blue hells of buddha is up with that guy? The referees are nice. Don't hang with them much. I hang out more with the production and technical crew because I like helping set up events and taking down. I love working the cameras or the production trucks. Communications was my major at UCLA. Broadcasting was my concentration. I know, I know, silver spoon in mouth and very rich family. But in order to understand how this business works, you need to know the behind the scenes technicalities just as much as you do the on camera technicalities. You need to know as much about working the camera or plugs or lights just as much as you need to know about hitting, punching, taking a fall, falling from a ladder or giving promos or interviews. I'm Asian American, Korean, so I kinda pride myself on learning all I can, whenever I can and trying to be the best at what I do when I do it. Hence, my street racing, my band and the 4 instruments that I play, my weekend warrior, my career either in wrestling, acting, modeling or teaching at the local YMCA.

UGWC.com: Do you speak Korean?

Ves: I do. It's actually a fourth language for me. I picked up Spanish very well and did French in high school. English was my first language and over the years Korean was my second. I continually strive to better myself so I continually love to learn just as much as I like to act or teach. Capoeria was self taught. Bass was self taught. Violin I had lessons in. Piano I had lessons in. Muay Thai was self taught until I found the right sensei. I'm currently trying to teach myself how to cook better and a new language.

UGWC.com: Really? Which one?

Ves: Russian. I want to figure out if Putin is really saying those things about us and what his people are hearing. Is he giving them fake news or does he believe what he is actually saying?  Friends have told me it's a wonderful language to learn. 

UGWC.com: And that ladies and gentlemen is Vespertine. Thank you for talking with us today and good luck with your career here.  Keep away from scorpions.

Ves: My pleasure.  Will do. 

[Vespertine]

Scene 1: Pickup at the airport

Place: SFO, San Francisco airport, San Bruno, Ca
Date/Time: Friday July 29th, 2022, 4:00PM
Outfit:

(Vespertine waits at the passenger pick up zone. She is sitting on the hood of her black ferrari playing with her phone and ignoring the lustful looks of the men that walk by and few women. She looks up every so often and when she doesn't see her passenger, she looks back down at the phone. Her friend, Scarlet James, the head of a prominant Japanese Yakuza family, sees her as she walks out of the terminal, quietly and quickly runs up behind her, quietly throws her luggage into the back seat then opens the car door and slams it shut. This is just enough noise and movement to garner her attention. Vespertine looks up and around, then looks back at her phone. Scarlet gets a "really" look on her face."

Scarlet: Hey bitch! If you had left the keys in the car I would've taken off by now. Shows how aware you are of your surroundings.

(Vespertine doesn't even jump, she continues to look at her phone but answers anyway.)

Ves: Whore. Why do you think I'm sitting on the hood? I'm not letting this car out of my site, even in San Bruno. I don't trust the people here. Plus the keys are in my pocket.

(She finally looks up and gets off the hood. Scarlet gets out of the car and both of them wrap each other in a big hug.)

Ves: Wait... are you vaxxed?

Scarlet: I am. Are you? You better be bitch or this trip will be shorter than usual.

Ves: Twice now. Waiting for a third. If there is one. OMG! It's good to see you. We have sooooo much to talk about. To catch up on.

(They get in the car and roar off which isn't far because the traffic in SFO is gridlocked beyond belief. They sit in the car and talk while they aren't moving or at least for a while.)

Scarlet: Hey wait. I thought James was going to meet us? Where is that hot boy of yours?

Ves: Working on an article. He sends his love and regards. He'll actually meet us for dinner later tonight. Which by the way where is your hubby Sanjay? I don't see him with you. OMG! Did we leave him back there?

Scarlet (laughing) No. No no! Don't worry. He is actually already here. Been here a few days now. He'll meet us at the restuarant later. He sends his love and regards.

Ves: What is he working on here?

Scarlet: Just the finishing touches of a new song he is working on. Wanted to talk to James Hetfield about a collaborataion but I don't think it will work.

Ves: James? Hetfield? As in Metallica? When did he get into Thrash metal? I listen to Metallica before my matches. Pumps me up.

Scarlet: He didn't but he had an idea for a riff he wanted to send to James. Again, weird because Sanjay doesn't even play guitar. Rarely listens to metal music too. You know how he plays violin. He thinks he can make it into metal music.

(They move forward a few feet)

Ves: Welcome home kiddo. I'm glad this isn't a business trip for you. Whatcha wanna do first?

Scarlet: Oh you know, this, that and (both of them) SHOPPING! (Scarlet) Nordstrom's on Market but Macy's in Stoneridge.

Ves: So how long are you in town for?

Scarlet: As long as Sanjay is? Myself, I'm still staying till Tues if he decides to high tail it back to Tokoyo tonight or tomorrow

Ves: You don't think his proposal to James is gonna work out?

Scarlet: Not in the least. You and I have known James since before they were called Metallica so we know his personality. Sanj only knows what he is like when he is on stage. He has never actually been alone with James one on one so he doesn't really know his personality like we do.

Both of them: Douche bag! (JC) Unfortunate but true. If you and I weren't friends with James, he'd only use us to fuck us. Which would've been nice if I wasn't married. But you know James like you: loves his women, his guitar and sex.

Ves: Not necessarily in that order. And for his friends, he'll give you the shirt off his back.

(They giggle at this then quiet down as they move forward another few feet. Someone honks from behind them, Ves looks in the rearview mirror but that's it.)

Scarlet: So I gotta ask: why the Ferrari. Aren't you usually racing in this? How come I get the honor of being picked up in a hot car with a hot woman?

Ves: Well not everyday I get to pick you up. I figured since it was your turn to visit me, I'll pick you in Black Beauty. Wait till you hear her? Jayce put a little extra boost in her last time, didn't need to use it, so I figure when we get on 280, we go 190.

Scarlet: Oh Geeze. 190 really? You need that much turbo?

Ves: Always. But picking you up in this, rather than my beamer, well worth it, just to see the look on airport security faces. They all like "Oh shit, not another asian with money in an area like this. HQ we're gonna need backup." Half of the people standing out front were plain clothed cops. They know what happens when someone jacks an Asian woman around here.

Scarlet: Word. But really, do you need to play that card?

Ves: No. But I figure, she needs a run outside of the race circuit so why not. I'll break out the race card this time.

Scarlet: Oh, one thing I do wanna see this weekend. Ocean beach and your babies. I haven't seen Kenji and Geisha for god knows how long. They are so cute.

Ves: Awwww.... they miss you too. Sure we can see them. It's only 4. We meet James at 7 at Beach Chalet. Do you want to go see them right now? As soon as the roads clear, it's only a 30 minute drive.

Scarlet: I guess. Then we can use the rest of the weekend to shop, play and do whatever. How are my boy and girl?

(The traffic moves forward this time by a few more yards.)

Ves: They all right. Jared and Johnny are looking after them pretty good while I'm away wrestling. But when I'm home. It's either just me or Jared.

Scarlet: Speaking of and change of subject, I got a call last week from Lucy and then about a day later, Kimmora.

Ves: Wait... what? Bitch didn't call me? Why'd she call you?

Scarlet: She coming to Toyko next week to meet with some (airquotes) "gang members". Something about doing research for a new movie. Kimmora wants to find a place to show off her new clothing line. I never understood what it was about fashion that you needed exotic places for. You have plenty here in America.

Ves: Nobody is as special as you are Scarlet James. But bitch didn't even text me. What's that about? I thought we all were friends? Whatevs. I'm so over.... (she doesn't finish the sentence like millenials tend to do. Scarlet in the meantime has taken to playing with Vespertine's hair and twirling it in her fingers.)

Scarlet: Oh don't be mad. It's probably because since I'm visiting and waiting for Sanjay and you're not and you just had a big match and you got another big one Monday, she figured you would be too busy. She knows that matches like this are important to you. (She strokes her cheek. Vespertine lays her head to the side to take in the stroke. She purrs) Did you just purr?

Ves: Yes. Your hand feels good. So soft. Kenji taught me how. Anyway, I mean, she is important to me too. I can jump on a plane to see her if need be. Granted, it would be an overnight trip but James can do without me for a night. What kind of gang members is Lucy looking for in Tokyo? I mean you have The Hand, right? Is it going to be a fantasy?

(The car moves forward another few feet. A motorcycle goes whizzing past. She lays on the horn and it sounds like a train. Scarlet jumps almost out of her seat.)


Scarlet: WTF? Is that new? Or did SFO expand to have a railroad track put in somewhere around here? Wait... wasn't the track on the other side of the freeway? (She looks out the side of the car to find the track.) I swear to god it was on the other side. Did the Pacific Union Railway expand and put in another track?

Ves: No! Jayce put that in for me at my request. Ava Marie had one in her car, the circuit driver from LA and I though it sounded sweet. So I had him install it. To his chargrin of course.

Scarlet: What? He doesn't like it?

Ves: Not really. He thinks I messed Black Beauty up with a little turbo boost. But put in that, that's just not right. His words not mine. I swear to Buddha.

(Traffic is starting to move)

Scarlet: I like it. Sanj is gonna love it. Can I ask in advance if you could give him a ride? He'll forever be your boy toy if you want. Still, he would be on loan, he is my man. You got one yourself. Or get your own. I don't lend him out very often and not to just anybody.

Ves: Anything for you my sweet. Is he staying too?

Scarlet: No. He has a suite at the Hopkins. He didn't want to put you out. He was supposed to come in today with me but decided to go two days early. Wanted to see a friend and then wanted to meet with James. (both of them) Boys! Toys! Whatevs. (Scarlet) Anyway, I got a choice to stay at the Mark Hops or stay at your place. I'm thinking staying your place. Better views, hot woman, good company, lots of drinking. And our own private hot tub.

Ves: Wise choice grasshopper. You can either bed with me like when we were teens or you can have the guest suite.

Scarlet: Ohhh hard choice that. Sleep with you, cheat on Sanjay. Or sleep by myself and be faithful. Faithful/Unfaithful. IDK, What do you suggest?

(She continues to play with Vespertine's hair as the traffic is starting to move quicker now. They race off into the distance and get on 380 going West towards 280.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scene 2: At the Compound


Date/Time: Friday July 29th, 5:00
Location: Los Altos Hills, Ca



(At Vespertine's tiger compound in the Los Altos Hills.)

Ves: Hey Jared. How are my babies?

Jares Doing fine. V. They are pumped and ready for a little action.

Scarlet: Oh I can't wait to see them again. Hi Jared. How are you?

J: (He is hesitant. He knows that Scarlet is Vespertine's friend but also knows she controls a mafia empire.) Doing fine, Scarlet. Good seeing you again. How was your flight up?

Scarlet: Oh you know. The same: drunk, disorderly and we had to stop at San Jose because of the drunk disorderly passengers.

J: Uh.... I'm glad you made it ok? (to Ves) You can go on in. Johnny just fed them.

Scarlet: can't wait to see them.

(Jared watches her with amusement. Vespertine sidles up next to him)

Ves: Are the leashes ready?

J: Oh yeah! (they both nod. She follows Scarlet in and Jared follows her. They all go through the entrance fence but Johnny, Geisha and Kenji come out of the tiger house door. Kenji gives a great roar and then both of them charge forward at great speed. They charge towards Scarlet and immediately she screams in fear and hides behind Vespertine who just stands there shaking her head. Not what you would expect from a Yakuza boss. Both Geisha and Kenji stop when they get to her and whuff.)

Ves: Oh you two. Just big babies. You remember Scarlet? Come on Kenji play nice. How is he doing today John? He seems a little jacked up.

Johnny: Big tiger cat mint.

Scarlet: (from behind Vespertine) which is what?

Ves: Anything that is meat that is not steak. What was it this time?

Jared: Ostrich.

Ves: Ouch. Expensive that!

Jared: Yes but they've been good and patient all week. Had to give them a little something.

Scarlet: I thought they only ate steak.

Jared: They'll eat anything that's meat. They are carnivores. Which can include humans if they are hungry enough. Ostrich is a delicacy we give them once a month because while it is meat, it's not very nutrishious for them.

(Vespertine kneels on the ground and both of them go over to her and she nuzzles with them both. Scarlet unsteadily reaches out a hand to pet Geisha. She turns and gives her an eye as if to say "I don't remember asking you to pet me." She squeals in delight)

Scarlet: OMG! That is the longest I've ever gotten to touch her. She is sooooo soft. (composes herself) I need me one of these. They would be great to scare off "competition".

Jared: John, could you leash Geisha for a while. We don't want him to suddenly pounce.

John: Gotcha chief.

(In the meantime, Vespertine is snuggling and nuzzeling Kenji. She rubs his belly and he sort of flops over on his back and purrs with great "narfs" every now and then. She looks up at Scarlet.)

Ves: Come on. Don't be a baby. (Sees her expression which is sort of awe, shock, excitement and horror) What? What is it?

Scarlet: Did he grow? I mean, last time I saw him was a year and a half ago. Did he get bigger? Does he remember me?

Ves: (chuckling) Everything grows, Scar. He can't stay little forever. He'll only hurt you if you roughhouse with him. But right now, he is fed and happy so all he wants is a little love. (to kenji) Just a big love aren't you (he whuffs and purrs).

Scarlet: Awwww (she saunters up close and he gets up real fast to look at her. She stands her ground though this time) Will he bite me if he remembers me?

Ves: Well, I mean, if you did something bad to him that he remembers, he won't let you live. But you have done nothing bad to him he is just sizing you up. Wants to see if you are still the same person you were a year and a half ago. He grew, you didn't. He's bigger now so he has a new view of the world. Almost like sizing up his prey and protecting his pride.

Scarlet: I think I get it (she sidles up closer to Kenji and puts a hand out for him to smell. He does so, gives a light grrrrr and then lays back down) Did I pass? Am I prey?

Jared: (laughing) Almost. He doesn't really care about you anymore, you passed. He just wants belly rubs.

Ves: Johnny, could you bring Geisha back over here. (Johnny does so and Vespertine grabs her neck and roughs her up a little bit. He roars out loud which gets a few dogs barking in the distance. To Geisha) Be good. You are fed and happy. Be nice. You remember Scarlet. She was here last time.

(Geisha goes over to Scarlet and sniffs her. Scarlet goes stock still and fears to move in case Geisha suddenly decides to make her a meal. She circles Scarlet a few times, lets out a roar which makes Scarlet close her eyes. What she doesn't see is that Geisha, at Vespertine's silent command, has gotten real close to her and then. Head bumps her, like normal cats do. Scarlet quickly opens her eyes and smiles widely.)

Ves: You can pet her now. She'll let you. (Scarlet does so and then suddenly Geisha sits down next to her giving her the eye but letting Scarlet pet her at the same time.)

Scarlet: THIS Is awesome! You are so lucky! I need to get my security like this. (pauses, changes subjects) How are your parents anyway?

Ves: Oh you know, busy. Mom's in chemo again this week and dad is away on another business trip to open a new casino, this time in Oklahoma. Sorry I wish I could ask how your parents are. You took over for them when a rival killed them.

Scarlet: Sad, true. But on the plus side, I get my own empire AND I'm married to a Japanese rock star.

Ves: True dat, girl.

Scarlet: OMG! I can't believe Geisha is letting me pet her. Why didn't she let me do that last time?

Jared: She didn't know you last time and you kept running away. But now she remembers your scent and doesn't figure your an enemy or prey. Just a friend.

Johnny: Gotta go sweep out the cages. Be back soon. (He hands the leash over to Jared who takes it then gets up and goes off)

Scarlet: Can she shake hands?

Jared: Like a dog? Uh.... we are talking about felines here.

Scarlet: Right. Sorry. Forgot. (She tries to go and pet Geisha's belly but Geisha has gotten up and turns around and then sits down again. Content in her presence. Scarlet backpeddles until she sees this.)

Ves: Wait. Here. (She takes Scarlet's hand and puts it on Kenji's belly and has her rub back and forth.) How is your sister doing?

Scarlet: Doing good. She sends her regards and love and all that. The kids are 8 and 10 now.

Ves: Oh my god. Has it been that long? I remember them at 2 and 4.

(Jared gets up and as he moves off)

J: I think they are fine now. I’ll be off helping Johnny. Give a call if you need help.

Ves: Thanks my sweet.

(They sit in silence for a minute before Vespertine almost jumps out of her skin with a new thought. Scarlet looks up at her.)

Scarlet: What? (looks closer at her face) NO! My sister doesn’t want anything to do with it!

Ves: Not that! (calls Jared back over.)

Jared: What’s up?

Ves: I had an idea. Do you think you can help?

Jared: I can try. Hit me!

(She goes into her idea. He nods and listens as the sun goes down lower.)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scene 4: Extra scene: Behind closed doors.

Date/Time: Friday July 29th, 11:30PM
Location: Vespertine's bedroom
Outfit: (or lack thereof, in description)

(We are in Vespertine's bedroom. The room is dark except for the lights outside and both Scarlet and Vespertine are cradled in each other's arms. Vespertine is naked under the covers, but Scarlet has a nightie and panties on. Vespertine lies cradled in the crook of her arm like a good little girl and Scarlet strokes her hair.)

Scarlet: Haven't done this in ages? It's gonna be a better night tonight than last night. I slept alone in that big scary room you call the guest suite.

Ves: Not since we were teens have we played with each other. (pauses) Are we getting old?

Scarlet: What? How do you figure?

Ves: Well the best part of a sleep over at your friend’s house was the sex you could have. Now, all we have done so far is just cradle in each other's arms. I’m enjoying your company, your enjoying mine. My naked body against your.... nightie.

Scarlet: So... what... you're saying if we don't have sex or forplay and we only cuddle and snuggle together that we are getting old? That we aren't friends anymore?

Ves: We will always be friends, my sweet. Pinkie swear.

Scarlet: Pinkie swear I'm not actually doing that, sorry Kim.

(She strokes Vespertine's head softly and then kisses her on the cheek as Ves pouts about it)

Scarlet: Sorry sweetie, I didn't mean anything by that. It's just your life changes when you get older and married. Stuff we did when we were in elementary, junior high and high school seems soooooo… childish. Sorry.

Ves: No I believe you. I mean look at you now. And look at me now. (she lifts the blankets) If you weren't married, would you sleep naked and play with my body while I play with yours like when we were teens.

Scarlet: Possibly, (she looks under the blanket) But then if you were married AND had kids, you probably would be tired of being naked and want something to wear for fear of the cold.

(Vespertine looks up and gives her innocent eyes all pouty like)

Ves: What's happened to us? We are both in our late 20s. We are still young. Do I see a wrinkle here? (she takes a soft finger and outlines Scarlet's eyes. Scarlet chuckles.)

Scarlet: You are only a year younger than I am. Whatcha talking about? (puts a finger on Ves's nose and does the boop sound like for a little kid. Vespertine looks confused) When my sister's kids give me all innocent eyes and pouty looks and ask me big questions, I reassure them with a quick boop on the nose. It seems to work. Now, though, question for you sweetie.

Ves: That's wierd. You a mafia boss and you do boops on your niece and nephew. But yes, question from the girl in the nightie?

Scarlet: Is this wrong? You have a boyfriend. I am married. Sure we used to experiment and play with each other but that was then, this is now. That was like 20 years ago. I mean do you consider this cheating?

Ves: On your husband? Sanjay would be thrilled to know you were cheating on him with me. In fact I think he would love to join us. I know James would. If you want to tell Sanj, that's your thing otherwise they'll never know, right. No cameras here, no UGWC recording equipment, no bugs, no reporters, no papparazzi. Just you and me alone in a big dark room in a big silky bed. No men just girls.

(She lays on her back and puts her arms behind her head, the sheet falls to her torso exposing her breasts and abs. Scarlet caresses her abs and pokes around in her peaks and valleys there)

Scarlet: Damn girl! You got some abs here. How long did this take? WOW!

Ves: (pounds her stomach but winces when she does. Scarlet gets a worried look) Sorry I’m still feeling my last match. But you can feel the six pack I got, right? Awesome! (she sensually rubs her own stomach) Years of weights and hard work in the ring. You would know too if you went to the gym more instead of sitting in your office making plans. I mean look at the abs that Michelle Rodriguez and Milla Jovavich have..

Scarlet: Really? I never noticed. How do you even know this?

Ves: I look for that area on a woman. I’m a huge fan of abs, on both men and women. 6 and 12 packs turn me on. But I also look for hair, skin, the crotch. Why, what do you look for on a woman?

Scarlet: Hair. Eyes. lips. Skin. All essentials. Maybe the butt too. But I only notice abs if they are on a man. And my man doesn’t have the six pack like yours, he is more of a softie, which I like. (She punches her in the stomach. Vespertine tries not to flinch. Scarlet gets a worried look and caresses her stomach where she punched.)

Ves: Doc says I should watch what matches I do. Maybe even stop wrestling entirely. I don't know though.

(Scarlet turns to cuddle with her and while she is talking, she traces outlines on her abdomen then goes lower to play between her legs. Vespertine sighs in esctacy at the thought of playing with her long time friend fills her mind.)

Scarlet: So we aren't cheating then.

Ves: Well what do you feel? From what I heard of today's kids, everyone is polygamous and threesomes and foursomes abound among the millienial set. I guess sex is wild when you are young and free, full of life and single (She cocks her head sideways as if in question) Or double or triple. I don't keep up. You know I'll do anything that walks and talks. (As if in emphasis, Vespertine pushes her pelvis up into Scarlet’s finger and then moans in pleasure.)

Scarlet: Funny that with the amount of sex you've had in your life, you had an early case of COVID and was over it in a month. And yet you still don't have HIV or AIDS. How is that even possible?

(Ves gets on her arms and looks at her worried. Scarlet stops moving her finger inside Ves and looks up at her)

Ves: Do you want me to have HIV or aids? I'm still kinda messed up in my body from the COVID but I've been shot twice and I feel a bit better. I used lots of protection while having sex. Both with men and women. Really, are we having this discussion now? Really? (She looks down at herself with Scarlet’s finger inside of her.)

Scarlet: Well I guess it's the daughter/aunt/friend in me. I worry about you. You still aren't married, you're still a sex addict and you still play around a lot. It's a wonder James keeps up with you. I know Sinjin couldn't. I mean doesn’t it get tiring after a while. Sure it feels good. But doesn’t it hurt to do it all the time like you do. Look! (She pushes on Vespertine's chest forcing her to lay down and then puts an arm on her chest so she can look Vespertine in the eyes) I don't want you sick or ill. I don't want you hurt. I’m your best friend. Always will be. I know, I know, (she pats Vespertine on her stomach as says this) James is very good for you. But do you know his history? And do you ALWAYS use protection? Or was it just for the first couple of times then BAM nothing? (She traces Vespertine's chin outline with her free finger and goes back to going in and out of her with the other.)

Ves: I do. I mean I'm not going to ask about his very first girlfriends. That was way too long ago but I know of his last two relationships. They were good. He still talks to them. I'm ok with that. Yes, we use protection. (She shivers when Scarlet hits a good spot) Ohhhhh right there. (She continues trying to talk) We figure once we are married, we can have kids. But his career and my career are important right now.

Scarlet: Do you want kids?

(Vespertine lays back on the pillow and sighs, her breasts, silky soft in the moonlight go up and down from that sigh. Her nipples are hard now. She spreads her legs farther apart so Scarlet can get deep inside her. She thinks for a while as Scarlet traces outlines on her stomach with her free hand and plays with her walls with the other. She shivers again in orgasm Finally...)

Ves: I think I do. I'm only 28. I know I should've had kids long before now but I never had a stable boyfriend who wanted to get married and settle down. Of course I didn't think I was ready. For marriage or for kids yet then either. I've had my fun. I've had my time. But I don’t know, it still may not be the right time. I'll know if I get the urge to have some when and if that day ever comes. But I want to be a good mom. I do. I just don't think I'm cut out for being a mom. Why? Do you want kids?

Scarlet (stops going in and out and pats Vesey’s naked stomach) Your clock is ticking still. And it may tick for another decade but don't put it off and don't wait. IF James is the one, let him know. And what makes you think you won't be a good mom. You'll be a great mom. We were terrors in our teens. So you already know the tricks terrors can do. That's why your kids won't be able to pull anything over you. (She pauses) Sanjay and I have been talking about it. We stopped using protection a few months ago.

Ves (gets back up on her arms) Oh wow. That is a big first step. (trying to broach the subject, hard when your pussy is being played with) Have you missed your period yet?

Scarlet: (laughs) Not yet no. We have been trying. But we don't do it often enough to get anywhere. He's finishing up his project and I'm starting another business venture. My advisors haven't called me with the answer yet from the politician I have in my pocket but Sanj has an idea for a tour for his music so he is busy again. In between times, we try. Always seems like we have different schedules though.

Ves: Is it good with him?

Scarlet: It's like having sex with you when we were younger, only he is more rough. He is a man after all but he is the best with me because he knows my body inside and out. He took the time to learn about me and my body. I’m happy about that, means he cares. He knows what I like, what turns me off and how many times we can both do it. He pays attention to my needs. When I need it, when I don't. Just like I know yours (she pushes hard and tickles around and Vespertine gets a strong orgasms and leans back raising her chest and wriggles her pelvis in time with her finger, and Scar can feel her orgasm all around her finger. In all that she manages to ask)

Ves: Hot. But what about Sanjay? (soft moan) Do you pay attention to his needs?

Scarlet: (as Ves settes down from her orgasm. She doesn’t take her finger out but keeps it inside her.) I do. I know what he likes and what turns him off. I'm small and he is big. But he manages to fit inside me with no big deal and lots of lube. He doesn't like to be stroked fast. Slow and light. It turns him on just right. What about you and James?

Ves: James is hispanic. Need I say more? He is the best lover I ever had. I've tried white, korean, Chinese and Japanese. I dated a black and an East Indian. That was the worst. James is my first hispanic and he's hooked me. I'll never go back to Asian or white again.

(She takes Scarlet’s finger from inside her and puts it in her mouth and sucks on it long and hard. She then guides her hand back inside her.)

Scarlet: Cool. (She grins shyly and pokes her stomach lightly) But does he know all your tickle spots like I do? (she starts tickling Vespertine who roars out laughing. She kicks the blankets off and is now fully naked in the moonlight. Scarlet jumps on top of her, pins her legs down and goes for the armpits)

Ves: You're sitting on my legs! That's not fair.

Scarlet: I know what you can do with them. (She pokes her as she talks) But seriously... does... he.... know.... all... your... tickle…... spots?

Ves: Stop it! (rolls around laughing) Ok! Yes. But he is a gentleman, and when I tell him to stop. He stops unlike other people I know.

(Scarlet gets off her and Vespertine cradles in Scarlet’s arms and Scarlet puts her chin on Vespertine's head and her hand goes back into her pussy.)

Ves: No, we haven't changed much. (pauses as Scarlet hits another good spot and stutters as she is about to explode but manages to ride with her flow and lets her orgasm flow all around Scar's finger) I'm still a badass wrestler. You still are a badass Yakuza boss. Remember that time when you were visiting me in GZWA? You tried to promo for me. I thank you for what you did. In the end it turned out more hilarious than serious.

(Scarlet laughs and goes in promo mode)

Scarlet: Amanda, you can't touch my girl. She is the best at what she does and what she does will be kicking your ass all over that arena. You aren't the best. She is. She will always be the best. You are nowhere near her calibre of wrestler. You can't even wrestle. She will out wrestle your ass all over that arena.

(They both laugh about it and then fall silent as Vespertine grinds against Scarlet’s finger.)

Scarlet: Pinkie swear though. We'll always be friends. And you make a hot lover for anybody.

Ves: Damn right I do. James was lucky when he picked me up.

Scarlet: Your damn right he was.

(They lay in silence for some time, Scarlet tracing outlines on Vespertine's naked skin and Vespertine plays with the soft silk that is her nightie. Scarlet plays with her pussy lips as Vespertine groans in sheer ecstasy. Vespertine grips her nightie stronger as Scarlet goes into her deeper again. Vespertine moans with both pleasure and anticipation. As she does this for several minutes, Vespertine manages to ask.)

Ves: Do you want me to play with you after?

Scarlet: Mayyyyybe. (She boops Vespertine’s nose again, pulls her finger out and let’s Vespertine taste herself. Vespertine grabs her hand and lays it on her chest and breathes heavily after her several orgasms.) Hey. Are we getting you off because you are worried about your losing streak or is it about your upcoming match against Deimos and Ken two of the best.?

Ves: Me worried? Losing? Phsssss naw.

Scarlet: (in her aunt/mommy stern voice) Vesey! Are you sure?

(Vespertine thinks about it for a minute, her legs spread wide as she is deep in ecstasy. Scarlet plays with a nipple waiting for an answer.)

Ves: Ok, you got me. I think I am a little bit. I’m having sex with my best friend who is married and my opponents are two of the best UGWC has to offer. In my last match against Rydell, I came out the worst for wear. I lost but that hurt my pride more than anything.(Scarlet pokes her stomach and she flinches). Me worried? I should be confident. I am confident because I make this look damn good. I'm not how I started out in WCW.

Scarlet: (feeling around inside her) Like, what, 7 years ago? No worries. I’m sure you’ll do fine even if you don't win. You are more confident now than you ever were in WCW. You have Elf and Rae to thank for growing as fast you have. You'll beat, who is it again, Phosophorus and Kevin? (Vespertine laughs in between orgasm flows.)

Ves: No. (sighs) No. Phrixus Deimos and Ken. Yeah, I can't say them either. (pauses, then... mocking tries to act it out) But, but…. What if I can’t. What if they are better than me. (starts to fake cry, hard when your pussy is being played with) I don’t know. They are so much better than me. (stops crying and looks at Scarlet who has skeptical look on her face.) I’ve thought about it. I don’t want to wrestle anymore. I wanna…. I wanna…. Dance. Cut. Mr. Devile how was that?

Scarlet: I see why you were only in B list movies. Tell you what, keep your night job as a wrestler slash porn star slash sex slave or whatever it is you get up to at night nowadays and I’ll keep my day job as a Yakuza leader and lead groupie for Sanjay.

Ves: Ok deal. (she grabs Scarlet’s finger and pulls it out, then tastes herself. She then gets down to business, goes inside Scarlet and plays with her. Scarlet sighs and can’t seem to talk anymore.) Wow, you are wet. You are just ready for me to play with you. (Scarlet can only nod as she feels Vespertine's finger playing all around inside her. It is only a few minutes later when her pussy clinches and Vespertine can feel the warm flow of her orgasm flow onto her finger. She let's Scarlet taste herself as Scarlet lays back happy and contented.)

(They continue as the moon gets higher in the sky.)

[Vespertine]

"Just another Saturday Night Race Night?"

Place: Back parking lot, Serra Monte Mall, San Bruno, Ca
Date/Time: Saturday Aug 13, 2022, 11:30PM

Outfit: 

(I pull in to the first spot I see. Tonight is another race night. Time to see what Ava Marie's Silver Bullet can do. I think she had a different name for it but with a spoiler on the back and it being my property now, I can name it whatever I like. I get out and look around. So the last race started in Jack London Square and finished in the parking garage a half mile away. This time, we race a rather long stretch of 280 starting at Serra Monte Mall in San Bruno, going down 19th to Sloat when it turns from 280 to 19th, turn right on Sloat towards the ocean, turn left along the Great Coast Highway until you hit the fork in the road at Fort Funston, follow the right fork until you hit the first light halfway between San Francisco and Pacifica. Turn left at the light, go down San Bruno Blvd, and the finish line is on the other side of Serra Monte mall. It's a long course this time. You wonder who makes these things as this one doesn't seem to be designed for legit street racing. But that's probably why at 1AM, the race starts. I get here at 11PM, Saturday Night. James is gonna meet me here. Scarlet is still in town. Sanjay is in bed, having a had god aweful session with James. From what I hear, Hetfield was in his usual tempermental mood. So, my James, Scarlet and I took him to dinner at the Mark Hopkins, Top of the Mark restaurant. Convenient because he is staying down the street at the Regency Hotel. Scarlet goes back and forth between. She gets out of the passenger's seat and James pulls in next to me and gets out.)

Scarlet: So this is where all the action is, huh? What? Is this not official like F1 or what do you call it here, Nascar?

James: No, this isn't even legit racing from what I understand. You ever see the movies Fast and Furious? (she nods) Like that but scarier because it's real and while nobody is going over cliffs or jumping up in the air and sailing over helicopters or flying between buildings, it's still just as scary because at 1AM, traffic on 19th can be light or heavy depending on the day and some of these turns they take at 90 miles per hour can be teeth gnashing.

(Scarlet just looks at him, then looks at back at me.)

Scarlet: I've only know him for 5 days now. Did he always talk like this or was I not paying attention?

Ves: He is a writer. (I lean in on his arm acting all girly like) and a handsome one at that. (as if that answered everything for her. Still I don't think she got it. She is more business than liberal arts. Always has been.) Come on.

(We go around wandering around the cars that are going to be racing. They set up a stage for the hypemaster and the band currently playing is some kind of hard rock heavy metal to keep the crowd pumped for this. I let the kids go have their fun looking at the other cars and I go search out Jayce who is talking to Deuce when I come up to them. We all dap hands as we meet.)

Deuce: Yo girl, you lookin' fly. If yo hottie ain't here tonight, could I borrow you a while. (I look at him and raise an eyebrow) For that exactly.

(I'm not disgusted by the thought and I'm not really exclusive to James but I am loyal to him. Deuce and I used to play around a lot. Jayce gives him a side look of horror. Still...)

Ves: What? Ava Marie ain't here tonight. You go bang that girl. In fact if she is in town, tell her I brought her, her Silver Bullet if she wants to have another go and get it back. I like her. I would do her but James IS here tonight and he is my arm candy. AND if you are still around, Scarlet is here too.

(They both get wide eyes of surprise. They have heard the story of Scarlet but never actually met her. Jayce was a class of ahead of us in high school so all he remembers of Scarlet is how she used to look.)

Jayce: Damn! I gotta go say hi then some time tonight. What is she doing in town?

Ves: Her husband, Sanjay is trying to put together a project with James.

Deuce: Whoa hold up? As in Metallica James? (I nod) And what does this Sanjay play? (I mimic the violin and both of them start laughing, then Deuce says) And how does Hetfield like working with Sanjay

(He knows full well that James only plays either with his band, himself, or a select full metal enthusiasts. To James I'm no where near his level. Only because I play Bass)

Ves: Like you would expect from James when he isn't in a good mood.

Jayce: Damn! Sorry. Is Sanjay here, we can give him the low down.

Ves: No. Actually, he is at the Regal going to bed. James hasn't been...shall we say... easy to work with in the past 5. (by now James and Scarlet have come up)

James: Hetfield? (we all nod) Yeah, he is a character. I love talking to the guy and hearing his stories but when you have an agenda like all us reporters have, he can be a dick.

Ves: And woe be to you if you can play an instrument and aren't on his level. (we all nod again) By the way, Jayce, you remember Scarlet (I pull Scarlet closer and keep her in a girly embrace. She looks at Jayce.)

Scarlet: Wait.... Jayce? As in Jay C Duggan? (he nods) Senior when we were Sophomores.

Ves: I thought he was just a year ahead.

Jayce: Bah, who cares now. We all equal (he breaks our embrace and pulls Scarlet towards him and they hug.) Where the hell you been? How have you been? What you been up to?

Scarlet: Short answers: Japan, dead and good, being Yakuza boss for dad. (he just looks at her askance. Then remembering Deuce, he introduces Deuce to Scarlet. He takes her hand and kisses it. She giggles all girly like. We know its a show, she has done that since high school when she wants to flirt and be off putting about it.)

Ves: So who be here tonight? Where be the monsters? And what's the prize?

Jayce: Oddly enough, it's just a street show. (insider talk for exhibition match) No big names, no big prize unless you want to take another car home or lose another car. You actually are the biggest name here here.

Ves: And who are you riding with?

Jayce: A female street racer that has some potential. Girl named Deanna. She comes from Morgan Hill. (I guess my face just turned into a question mark) It's a good 15 minutes south of San Jose.

Duece: So you gonna race then tonight?

Ves: I don't know.

Scarlet: I get shotgun if you do.

James: Don't say I didn't warn you.

Deuce: Oh you already told her the dangers. I love it. (Him and James dap hands.)

Ves: I'll you what, I'll race the winner. I want to be part of the scene. Make all these newbies think about what they can win if they go against me then dash their hopes in the street.

Deuce: Cool, I'll announce it right now. (He goes off. I look at Jayce)

Jayce: Yeah, he was bored, he wanted to ride or die tonight.

(I take Scarlet by the hand)

Ves: Come on, let's show you off to the crowd you hot girl. (to James) You coming?

James: Naw, I'm a gonna hang with Jayce for a while. (to Jayce) You cool with that? (Jayce nods. Then they go off and get into a car that Jayce has been working on so he can show them.)

Ves: Boys and their toys. Am I right? (Scarlet laughs)

Scar: Your toys are bigger, faster, meaner yet sexier. Kinda like you.

Ves: You better believe it.

(We go off and walk arm and in arm, hands around waists as we look at the cars. We are dressed up to the nines tonight so we get looks of lust, love and a few of disgust as we walk around. I notice them, I'm sure Scar does too. As innocent and clueless as she makes out to be, she is a business woman with a mind that came out of an Ivy League college. She is sharp and likes to stay one step ahead. Her taking over her father's gang was a no brainer. Everyone knew she would do it one day. They were ready. But she was one step ahead with the fake car accident, fake fire, and fake death. For years I really thought she had died too. Over the PA system we hear.)

Deuce: Ladies and gents, we have a special tonight. Vespertine is in the HOUSE!!!!!! (loud cheers) She'll race whoever the winner is tonight. The prize is of her choosing so I can't really name it right now but if you win, you can talk with her about it. Look for the delicious hot little Asian chick walking around in a very slim, very short, very revealing one piece with the sharpest of stiletto heels and the cascading hair down her back and sides. Thank you, that it all.

Scar: Well I mean, he is honest about it. I mean I'm arroused and blushing at the same time.

Ves: This isn't the ring. Gotta love how he introduces me. You should hear how he talks about his girl, Ava Marie.

(We mix and mingle in the few hours till. I get a few racers and audience members coming up, asking for an autograph. Some of them are surprised to find I actually am a wrestler and I play in my own band. At about 12:30, we get surrounded by a group of guys just wanting to talk to us. They are drunk so you can smell the testosterone in the air. Then...)

Dude 1: So you ladies all like lovers or something. That is so hot. Want to show us how you get it on?

Dude 2: You can't just ask them to show you their tits. You got to earn it.

Dude 3: Naw dude, the women here are so easy. This is San Fran, the sex is free and awesome. I'm sure we'll be banging these beauties by the end of the night. (he is drunk and he splashes his beer on another guy

Dude 4: Dude, what the fuck. Fuck you and your mother.

Dude 3: I already did yo mother. Do you want me now too motherfucker?

Dude 2: (to us) Sorry about them, they always get mad drunk like this. But are you two up for a little private showing later. We got the money so we good for it.

(It's then that I realize that they have no idea who I am. They think I'm just another hooker looking to make some cash. I narrow my eyes and Scarlet only looks at me. She leans her head against mine all pretty like then all innocent like)

Scar: You can go fuck yourselves. You're so drunk right now you can't find the back end of a cow's ass to stick your dick. (I groan inwardly. I thought she knew better than that.)

Dude 1: What the fuck? We are good for it you two bit hoe. We will dominate you like the whore you are and make you squeal like the sow you are. Come on. I got $200 on me. The rest of us have more. (they start crowding in and put a 100 down her shirt.)

(I step up and push him away from us. I have more strength than they realize but they are too drunk to back down. Stupid male ego.)

Ves: All right there. Settle down. We may look like it, but we are NOT hookers. I am Vespertine. I'm the one they are racing to challenge tonight. I am a wrestler for UGWC and if that band were any more worse, I would bring in my band. I am the bassist for Inner Darkness.

(This doesn't even phase them. They get closer.)

Duxde 2: Come on. All we want to see is your tits. You got a beautiful ass. Your friend has beautiful nips. Show us yours.

Ves: You would have to pay a lot more than 200 for me to show you anything. Only a select few men get to see the whole package. And-

Dude 3 (comes up and pushes me) Oh I see how it is. You being a wrestler. You need to teach us a lesson. I call your bluff. You're just a dumb ass bitch who doesn't know her place in the world.

Dude 5: Yeah Morty. Her place is in the kitchen and in bed with her legs open.

(I narrow my eyes. I say that about myself but I NEVER, ever, let anybody else say that about me. I have to remain calm though. Scarlet is fuming, I can tell. By now a crowd has gathered.)

Ves: You will NOT ruin Deuce's party. He is the Emcee and as such I am his second in command. You will disperse and you WILL leave quietly.

Dude 6: Who died and made you queen bitch of the world. Who is Deuce? Who cares! It's a party. We can do anything we damn well please. That includes you.

(I am about to lose it. Forget it! I scream out at him a feral type scream. They all looked shocked at me for a second and then give cat calls and whistles.)

Dude 1: Whoa. She is a feisty bitch.

Dude 5: Think she wants to take us on.

Dude 4: She can't take all of us on. And when we gang bang her, she will love it.

(Oh here we go. Both Scarlet and I get into defensive stances. We know things are heating up, yet we are still trying to talk them down. Dude 3 lunges for me to grab me, I grab his hand and flip him to the ground. Dude 4 and 5 look askance and dude 1 and 2 look angry and look as if they are about ready to attack me. Now, even with Scarlet by my side, I can tell this is going to be a nasty fight. Most of the blood will be theirs but my anger at what they called me and my defence of Deuce, my honor and Scarlet's isn't going to let me back down. I freeze when I look over and see Scarlet is packing. It's a firearm. This won't go over very well. Where in all the blue hells of buddha did she get that? Suddenly...)

Deuce (with a megaphone in hand) Enough! Get them outta here. (he motions for Security to take them)

Dude 1: Dude! She just flipped me over.

Dude2: Who is she?

Dude 3: Just a skank of the night. Forget about them.

(Deuce goes over to Dude 4 and 5 and has some intense conversation as the security takes Dude 1 2 and 3 away. Then Deuce comes up to me.)

Deuce: Are you all right?

(My hair is dissheveled and so are my clothes. Scarlet is calm but angry. I am too and shaken but won't show it.)

Scar: How... did... they.... get....in? THAT was UNacceptable.

Deuce: Yeah, sorry, I guess they were drunk when they got here and since there are beer and food booths here, they got even more drunk. What did they want?

Ves: They had no idea who I was and so thought we were too prostitutes. They had money so they thought they could buy us.

Deuce: (get a mad look) No fucking way. That is NOT cool.

Ves: I know right! (I look around) Where are James and Jayce?

Deuce: Somewhere around here. Last I saw them, they were under the hood of James' car looking at something.

Ves: Hmmmm (l look around again) Gather the troops. Powwow in 10. Get some of your runners to round up our usual suspects.

(He nods and goes off....)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(10 minutes later, Deuce's runners have rounded up Jayce, James, me, Scarlet, Dominick (Deuce's right hand man), Matt (head of security) and Jacquelyn, Deuce's girlfriend. We stand in a circle discussing the nights events.)

Ves: I think we need to call it. If the police aren't here yet, this whole ruckus will cause them to come.

James: I thought being in the back parking lot of a shopping mall would call them anyway.

Jayce: We can always just turn this into a concert then. Another rave, another night.

James: In the back parking lot of a mall? Isn't that suspicious?

Ves: (I round on Scarlet) Well if someone wasn't packing heat, this wouldn't be such a big deal.

Scarlet (looks surprised, then gets a furious look, then softens) I don't deal with threats, names or drunk people where I come from. They are only pawns to be used and wasted.

Ves: (I hold out my hand) Let's see it. (Scarlet is reluctant) I won't ask again. And how the hell did you get it through customs. (I put my hand out again. She slowly pulls it out and reluctantly gives it to Vespertine. Everyone else looks shocked.) I mean if you weren't my friend and you didn't continuously give me the Hand when I need a team, I would have you thrown out of here too. (I give Matt her gun)

Scar: Will I get that back?

Matt: When I think it's safe to give it to you back.

Scar: Just remember I'm a Yakuza boss back in Japan. I can get information on where you live and who you love. (Matt stares daggers right back at her)

Ves: ENOUGH! Both of you. Our bigger problem is the drunk dudes. I think we have to call it. I mean police will probably hear about this. Are there reporters here?

(Everyone looks at James. He looks around)

James: Uh.... I don't work on that beat for the Tribune. And I won't tell anybody about this. (everyone exhales slowly)

Deuce: What do we do? (suddenly an idea) I know, sideshow. If we can't race. We can sideshow. Out on 380.

Jayce: Yeah. Not much traffic this time of night.

James: Are you insane? That will bring the cops. Traffic, on a Saturday night. In San Bruno. By the airport. Don't you think they cops will have blockades for those who drive drunk.

Scarlet: Why are you mad? They took away my gun.

James: Out of respect because you are Vespertine's friend, I will defer my ire to yours since having a gun seems to be more important than the arrests if 80 some sideshow freaks sorry contenders come out.

Ves: I don't mind doing the sideshow but we can do it somewhere else. Over at Caesar Chavez park?

(In the distance police sirens go by the mall parking lot, obviously in pursuit of a crime farther down the street, they slow down when they see us but continue on.)

Deuce: Looks like we'll have to pack it up tonight. Dom, tell the band and techs, to pack it in after this song. Matt start giving notice to the participants. Jackie, give the contestants a refund for their money.

Jackie: What about all the spectators? They'll be mad.

Deuce: They get in for free. If they want a refund well they know where to go.

(I turn to Scarlet)

Ves: You and I have a conversation to get to.

James: Yes. I want to- (he stops when I put a hand up to stop him)

Ves: Leave my friend alone. You are only alive because you are connected to me. She has a short temper. If you were anyone else, talking back to her like that and raising your voice, she would shoot you where you stand.

Scarlet: I may look fragile but I didn't get to my position by being one. (turns to Matt) May I have my gun back please. I promise I'll put it away. (Matt does so. Then to me.) I know, I know. I go back to being with Sanjay in the hotel room. And you never want to speak to me again. Fine so be it.

(Where in the world did she get that idea. Everyone is just as surprised as I am.)

Ves: I think I need to have another conversation with you. (to Deuce) Probably a good idea to pack it in for the night. Sorry about this mess. (to James) I'm glad you brought your car. You can go on home. I'll call if I need anything. In fact, I'll text when I'm home. I don't want you waiting around for me right now. (I grab Scarlet's arm link it with mine) You and I, we need to talk.

(We walk away from the group as it disperses to do their jobs. I keep an eye on James. He is actually listening to me and going home.)

Ves: Scarlet James Ohana. This isn't Texas. This is California. We don't keep weapons of any type at our sides. We call Matt and his team when events like that get out of hand.

Scarlet: I'm sure you weren't scared. I was threated and taken for a hooker. I don't take kindly too that. And where I come from, if you don't deal with garbage like that right away, the other bosses will find out your weak and take you down. I'm pretty sure this will get back to Master Shino and Master Katara somehow.

Ves: And they are?

Scarlet: Rivals. Mostly enemies They have been wanting to take me out for years. 

Ves: No more incidents like that. I want to take you out on the town more but if you are threatened let ME handle it. Otherwise, I might have to send you home earlier.

(She looks down all innocent like. I go to lift her chin and she shrugs me off. I retract quickly.  She looks like a lion ready to strike.)

Ves: Look I don't want your last visit with me to be on bad terms. I want you to come back and visit me when you are here next time. Tonight, was just a bump in the road. We'll get through it. We always did.

(She looks up at me, a hard cold ice stare.)

Scar: I WILL kill you if this gets back to Japan. IF they find out in any way I'm weak, then you are too blame and I kill those who think I'm weak.

(I shrug, kinda scared because I know she is good for it. But instead of taking the bait, I smile softly and brush a stray hair over my ear trying to remain subservient and calm, like my father taught me. I link arms with her again, let Matt and Deuce do clean up and we walk back to the car. Not really talking but infinite questions going through our heads.)

[Vespertine]

Place:  Death Guild Goth club, San Francisco, Ca

Date/Time: Monday Aug 15th, 2022, 11:30

Outfit: 

"The Band plays Death Guild"

(A man in a long black Stovepipe top hat, wearing all black with six inch black combat boots and a black trenchcoat duster comes out ontn to the Death Guild stage. Now Death Guild is San Francisco's #1 Goth club in the entire bay area. It covers 3 floors and 3 acres just south of Market Street. Top floor is a Techno/Industrial/TripHop sound floor. Second floor is the Thunderdome/BDSM club/Rave floor. First floor is Main Stage/Goth/Metal band stages. Everywhere there is black and purple lights. Everyone wears goth clothes, lots of dark eyeliner, on males too, lots of short skirts (on males too), lots of leather and chains, lots of contacts in eyes which glow or are colorless, lots of capes, trenchcoat, vampire fans, Fey horns. Alice in Wonderland clocks adorn the walls, posters of past Goth, Industrial, hard rock, Emogoth, Triphop or Metal bands that have graced the darkened wizened halls of the Death Guild. It is Saturday night 10PM, the time when all the freaks and geeks of San Francisco come out to play. But getting back....)

Man in the tophat:  Welcome once again, creatures of the night (whereup on the audience goes into the Rocky chant) Indeed! All you little monsters and monsterettes. All you freaks, geeks and everything in between. WELCOME.... TO..... THE.....

Man and audience: DEATH GUILDDDDDDDD!!!!

Man: Indeed. Now my lovely little fiends and fiendettes. Tonight we have a special surprise. For those who live to Rant and Rave and rob the grave, 3rd floor is open. (a cheer goes up.) For those who would ender the dome! THE THUNDERDOME! (chant of Two men enter, one man leaves goes up) On that floor too, BDSM rooms are open if you relish (licks his lips) a little...shall we say... play time. THEN. Only then. My good people we have a one night only special for you here on the Main Stage floor. Give it up for Vespertine! And no her band Inner Darkness is not with her tonight. But she isn't playing her bass tonight. (crowd awwws) She is playing her violin. And accompanying her is the.... wait for it..... drum roll please.

(the audience gives their version of the drum roll)

All right enough. (laughter) APOCOLYTICA!!!!!

(crowd roars loud. He goes off the stage and all four band members of Apocolytica come out with their bass fiddles, one drum and Vespertine follows with her violin. She gets to center stage and gets the mic)

Ves: When I heard they were coming to town, I was floored. This has to be Eicca Toppinson's first US tour. He started this tour last month in Miami and is winding all 50 states. And now he and his band is here tonight. Let me introduce shall I fellow creatures. (she points to the immediate right) Eicca Toppinson, rhythem cellist. (She points to her left), Paavo Lötjönen , bass cellist. When they toured Europe a few years ago, they didn't know then, that they picked up this hot looking creature (audience laughs. Then she points to her far left) Perttu Kivilaakso, lead cellist. (She points behind her) And last but not least, we have our drummer Mikko Siren. Ladies and creatures of the night, I give to you APOCOLYTICA!!!!!

Eicca: DAS BOOT! LET's ROCK

(Immediately they start with everyone's favorite, Enter Sandman. Vespertine starts fiddling away on her violin. She is so fast she is almost a blur. But she stops and lets Eicco take his moment. Eicco stops and lets Paavo take his moment. He gets back to back with Perrtu and they continue. They stop and Vespertine stands back to back with Eicca and they go into their part of the song. During all this, the audience sings the lyrics)

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land

(And Mikko is in the back drumming away.)

(A few minutes later, that song ends.)

Ves: So everyone knows that one. Who doesn't right? Does everyone know this one?

(She starts with Smoke on the Water and soon the rest of the band join in and everyone cheers loudly. Where the lyrics start in the song, again the audience sings for them.)

Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

(They continue to play as the night goes on. A few more songs include Omnos from Eluevite, Warship by Burnos which everyone sings rather loudly. Lots of people are dancing now. Then they do a few Apocolytica songs which include Cold Blood, I Don't Care and where the original singer Adam Gontier sings for them, Vespertine uses her fiddle to fiddle it out as the audience provides the lyrics, then it's on to Nothing Else Matters. They stop for a break an hour later.)

Ves: Ladies and demons. Intermission time. Mostly for us. We need to feed somewhere in here. (Wolf howls from the audience) Yes, Rae Rossi Black would love that. I've give the mic back to Grand Dragon Master.

(She does so.)

(15 minutes later. Back on stage. All audience members are back.)

Grand Dragon Master: Demons and Succubi. Welcome back to the stage: APOCOLYTICA!!!!!!

(He hands the mic back to Vespertine)

Ves: Ladies and germs. Are you ready? (crowd cheers) I don't know, give me a vampire's hiss. (as one there is a loud hiss coming from the audience, Eicco and Perrta laugh at this) You my people.

(They take no time and start right up. This time they start with Sanctuary by Darlin Violetta. When the lyrics come up, Vespertine puts her fiddle down and sings it for them. Half of the audience join in.)

Kiss me, kill me, till I bleed,
You are the sun that holds my dreams,
Can you save me, set me free?
You are my sanctuary.
Kiss me, kill me, till I bleed,
You are the sun that holds my dreams,
Can you save me, set me free?
You are my sanctuary.

You're my sanctuary.

Kiss me, kill me, till I bleed,
You are the sun that holds my dreams.
You're my sanctuary,
You're my sanctuary.

Sanctuary.


(They end the song and the audience goes wild. They then do a few more songs from their repertoire. Angels Calling, Somewhere Around Nothing, Beethovan's 5th, Farewell and End of Me.)

(2 and a half hours later, they finish with a goodie but an oldie. A song from Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. As soon as they play it, the crowd goes wild again. Instead of fiddling this time, she sings it.)

The bright light is lying down
The earth and the sea and the sky
Is at rest with the ocean
And the days go by

They go into the seas that have no shores
Haunted by that same closed door
Looking up at skies on fire
Leaving nothing left of us
To discover

And the planets of the universe
Go their way
Not astounded by the sun or the moon
Or by the day
You and I will simply disappear
Out of sight
But I'm afraid soon there'll be
No light

No doubt, no pain
Come ever again, well
Let there be light in this lifetime
In the cool, silent moments of the nighttime

And the planets of the universe
Go their way
Not astounded by the sun or the moon
Or by the day
You and I will simply disappear
Out of sight
But I'm afraid soon there'll be
No light

We will never change again
The way that we are changing
Well, you'll forget the chill of love
But not the strain
Now I know
Well, I was wrong
To live for a dream
If I had my life to live over
I would never dream, no
I still wish you gone
And I will live alone
Yes, I will live alone

And the planets of the universe
Go their way
Not astounded by the sun or the moon
Or by the day
You and I will simply disappear
Out of sight
But I'm afraid soon there'll be
No light

You will never love again
The way you love me
You will never rule again
The way you ruled me
You will never change again
The way you're changing

(The song ends and all five members on stage take a huge bow. Eicca takes the mic)

Eicca (broken English) Thank you for taking time out to listen to us. We are Apocolytica. We enjoyed playing for you. We enjoyed playing with Vespertine. When her band Inner Darkness comes to town next time, check her out. We will be at Shoreline Ampitheater in Montain View to continue tour. Thank you again.

(The house DJ starts his techno set. Vespertine jumps into the crowd and immediately starts getting down with a man on one side and a woman on her other side. A few hours of dancing and she is surrounded by sexy women and a few men. all pawing at her. She actually leaves early because she is tired but takes a hot woman in tow home to have her way with her. The women is dressed all in black latex.)

[Vespertine]

(James and Ves walk up to the crowd on the beach at Ocean Beach. It is dark and everyone has their rave sticks. A few people come up and start a conversation with Ves and James before the festivities begin. It's not a rave so much as a fire party or what the San Francisco Fire Church calls one of those parties where fire is twirled, thrown, gulped, or eaten then spit back out. Vespertine is here because she is learning how to fire eat. James is here because he wants to learn how to fire twirl. It starts when it gets dark and people can learn, twirl, play or do whatever, then at 10PM, someone, or anyone actually who thinks they have enough courage to perform can show off their skills. Vespertine goes aside with Serina, a fire eating teacher who used to work in Vegas for the Cirque de soliel and who is one of the head moderators for the San Francisco Fire Church Meetup which has been meeting now for about 5 years.)

S: How is your fire breathing going?

V: Not as good as I would like. I haven't practiced a whole bunch, I've had a few matches, I've just gained a title and James' boss proposed the idea that I be manager for his federation.

S: Wow. You are busy. But your fire eating is going to the wayside. You know you have to keep that up, right? What do you want to get out of firebreathing.

V: I would like to eventually use it in my entrance. Just one more thing I have grasped and that I accomplished that I can make my own.

S: Your entrance huh. Interesting. Let's see what you got.

(She steps aside and Vespertine gets out a fire stick, takes a small flask out, pours some liquid, we assume its lighter fluid of some kind, on the stick, then lights the stick. She twirls it very fast and then with her free hand, she takes a swig of the same liquid. When she is done, she puts the flaming stick to her mouth and blows. Immediately, a flame shoots out of her mouth a good 30 feet in the air but only lasts for 10 seconds. She finishes and huffs, a whuff of smoke escapes her.)

V: See, I have the stamina, I have the lungs. But I really wasn't much of a great swimmer though I like to be in or on the water. I can't seem to go farther or longer or even faster. Is faster even possible?

S: It can be. You've been doing this for a year, I'll say off and on, right. You need to build your stamina up. Mostly your lungs. Build those up first and you can go farther or longer. Try this.

(Samara fires her stick up, dances with it for a seconds, then takes a swig of the same liquid but drinks more of it, then puts the flaming stick to her mouth and does the same thing but sways her head so it shoots up at 40 feet everywhere and goes longer than 10 seconds. Everyone sees this and claps. Serina goes over to Vespertine and because she is almost 5'10, she towers over Vespertine. She gives some pointers on what she should be doing and how she should do it, then steps back and lets Ves try it. Ves does so. This time, she takes a bigger puff of air, takes a longer drink, then puts the fire into her mouth, keeps it there for a minute, then blows....hard. It does go longer by about 5 seconds but seems to come out shorter.)

S: Good. Almost. That breathe of air you took before you did it, kinda lessoned it. You know air can snuff out flame. So with the amount of air you breathed in before you did it, it was shorter because the air and flame were conflicting. If you didn't breathe but kept the amount of liquid fuel that you drank in, the effect would be longer and farther.

V: Still I need to work on my stamina.

S: Keep going though, you are doing good. (She looks over at James) How is he doing at fire twirling?

V: A lot better. He is a fast learner so has gotten the hang of it. Oh, want to do a cross flame?

S: Sure, don't cross the streams.

(They laugh and then both of them at the same time, light their fire sticks and go into this dance which they do for a minute or two before they stand 10 feet apart from each other and fire off their flames which cross. Serina's lasts a few seconds longer but it looks like a big firey X in the night sky. Applause comes from every direction.)

V: I live for the applause. (they laugh again)

(Someone new comes up to talk to Serina and Ves goes off by herself to practice for a while. After 30 minutes, she takes a "breather". Fire eating is hard on the lungs. Then Serina comes back up to her.)

S: SO... if you were going to incorporate this into your entrance, how would you do it?

Ves: So the way I see it (she explains) I would 6 beautiful woman come out on stage before me as my Japanese flute plays. They would get in two lines and firebreathe into crosses like we did. I would come out under this roof, shall we say, and when I get to the top of the entrance ramp, I would do my own fire breathing out towards the audience, finishing my flame with theirs. This is all because the lights are out. The only way they can see anything is they bring torches out with them to guide their way, then they use the torches to light up. Red lights come up as Diamond Eyes starts up. They go backstage and as I go down the ramp, I would light up and blow out fire every few feet. But add a green coloration to it if that's possible to indicate the color of poison. I then go up the stairs, go through the ropes, then lights go out again and at the bridge of the song, I do one very song, very far fire blast upon which at the end of, fire pyro pillars go off at each of the four corners. (she pauses) Yeah, I think that would work.

S: Green huh? That might work, I've only ever seen blue, yellow orange and red colors in fire. But the chinese have a kind of powder where they can turn their fireworks and fire into any color they want.

V: Interesting, I have to check that out.

S: Do they all have to be women?

V: Well.... no. I prefer women because they are more attractive to me and the audience but if Jet can find some hot looking men who can do fire eating as well, I wouldn't be opposed.

S: Makes sense I guess. Anyway, gotta go round to the others. Keep practicing.

(Vespertine continues to work on her fire eating for the next hour sometimes taking breaks every few minutes.)

Later.... 10:30

(James and Ves are sitting on a log watching the Fire Show go on. Ves is laying down on Jame's lap. He is stroking her hair. They had been watching for a while.)

James: Why don't you go out there? You want to get better? Good time to practice too.

Ves: I don't know. I am not good enough yet.

James: No. You are good enough. You just don't want to.

Ves: I do, I'll get there.

James: Ok (long pause, when Ves looks up at him)

Ves: What?

James: Oh nothing. Just, I don't think you can go out there. You can't do it because you aren't ready yet. Yeah, ok, I'll go with that.

(Vespertine sits up, looks at him, searches his face.)

Ves: Ok here we go. You don't think I can.

James: I don't think you can. I think you are good enough.

Ves: If I go, you go.

James: Mine's pretty tame compared to yours. If I'm can't and I'm not ready then.... (he lets the sentence trail off.)

(She gets up in a huff. She looks at him angrily, he looks back with a smirk. She takes off her hoodie, grabs her fire stick and liquid fuel and takes off in a huff.)

Ves: You watch. I can do this.

(She goes off into the dancing crowd and starts flaming shooting and flame twirling. She does a small dance, and is joined by several others and Serina. James just watches from the log he is sitting on. About an hour later, she comes walking back, huffing and puffing. Her point being that her she needs more stamina doing this. She stands in front of him, hands on hips.)

Ves: Satisfied?

James: Very.

Ves: I bet you didn't even watch me.

(He raises an eyebrow. Get a "really?" look on his face.)

Ves: What?

James: You aren't on camera. It's not all about you. Don't let your ego get too big. You are still learning. Remember that. Because you know a lot of others things you are great at that nobody else can do. You are always learning. You're Asian, yes Korean I know, but we can't all be fast learners and great at everything we do like you. Take your time, enjoy the journey, not the destination. You're not on stage, you can take the day off. You just won the title from Deimos, you don't need to perform anymore. We had our wakeboard weekend in which we had to entertain my sister and her husband and JC and Bry. Take time off. Be a normal person. Well as normal as you can get breathing fire. Eventually you will be good at it but you won't get it right away. Look how long it took you to learn Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do, a korean martial art.

(She looks crestfallen. James is the only person in her life that can call her out like that with almost no repercussions. For everyone else there is a wall there to keep up because she has to keep up appearances. He calls her out on occasions like this to keep her ego in check and when he does, she feels like a lost little girl with no family, no friends and the wall was brought down so she is made vulnerable, innocent and
feel like the small person she is. Three emotions she never wants to feel. She goes into little girl mode with her body, almost like a little girl who was just scorned for doing something bad and got caught doing it. She looks down at the sand.)

Ves: Sorry, yes. You're right.

James: Oh look. (He grabs her hand and pulls her too him and sits her on his lap. He takes her chin and forces her to look up at him) I won't apologize for bursting your ego bubble. I realize you are still on the high that came with gathering your first title.

Ves: But I won't let even my father or mother talk. to me like that. And yet you turn me into that small little vulnerable girl that I should be, that I am. But won't let anybody see.

(He cradles her in his arms while she lays her head on his chest and cries. He rocks her but lets her cry. He knows she isn't on her period so she hasn't got "those" feelings but she is crashing hard from being on stage, on the go, on top of her game for the last two weeks. From entertaining at Tahoe, to going to watch him in the ring to doing street racing, she always seems to be someone who always needs to be at the top of her game. She cries herself to sleep. He lets her sleep for another hour in his arms before he wakes her so they can go home. They pack up and take off. He'll spend the night at her house to make sure she is ok. He doesn't want her to go back on painkillers just to mask the pain she is feeling. No sex, he thinks, not tonight. Tonight she can take off and be a normal woman. She fell asleep again on the way home to her place. He luckily finds a parking spot on the street, leaves their fire things in the car, picks her up and carries her upstairs to her apartment. He lays her gently down on her bed, undresses her and she curls up like a small cat as he covers her with a sheet. He then goes to sleep on the living room couch)

[Vespertine]

Place: Vespertine's Nob Hill Apartment

Date/Time: Friday Sept 9th, 2022, 11:30AM

"Watching my boy do his thing!"

(I'm currently on the phone with my boy. Excuse me!)

James: Whatcha doing tonight?

Ves: Actually, I don't think I have anything going on. I have my match at Synergy on Monday but nothing till then. Flying out on Sunday. Whatcha have in mind?

James: Well.... Bay Area Wrestling Federation is holding a house show at the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland. I'm going to be wrestling tonight as well. (pause. He knows what my answer will be but I let him ask anyway.) Do you want to come and watch?

Ves: O....M.....G! Of course I will come and watch. When is it?

James: It starts at 6:30 tonite. I'm going to be there to help set up and check people over at 5:00. So, do you want to drive yourself or do you want me to come pick you up?

Ves: No don't waste gas coming over the bridge and then going back in Rush hour. I'll meet you there.

James: Sounds good. I'll leave you tickets at Will Call. Anybody coming with you?

Ves: No Kimmora is coming in few weeks from now. Jared is home, wants to read.

James: You would bring Jared?

Ves: No. He is not into that.

James: All right, mi amor, I'll see you.... what time?   Show starts at officially at 6:30.  Dark matches and announcements start at 6:00.

Ves: Then I'll see you at 6:30. When do you go on?

James: Around 6:50. Tag Team with Jackson. Tonight the Double J's, take on the Magnficient Mauraders.

V: NICE. Tag action. I'll see you then. After the show I'll take you out. (he affirms and we switch off phones.)

(It's about 11:45 AM. I could get in a run by Ocean Beach then head on over to the YMCA on the Embarcadero to get in some weights. Nap a little, then get ready. I get off the window seat ledge and start the day.)


(I start getting ready to go out at 4:30. Rush across the Bay Bridge, traffic being what it is, it takes me an hour because of Rush Hour so at 5:30, I park and go in. Meet up with James, give him a kiss, let him get ready and find the producer because maybe I can give some help setting up.

(I sit in the front row. I want to see my man in action. They introduce the first team, Markus and Bruno, unfortunately or fortunately I know everyone's name in this fed. They are known as the Magnificient Mauraders. Then comes my man and his partner.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Announcer: This bout is scheduled for one fall and it is for the Tag team titles. Introducing the tag team Champions, From San Mateo, ca. Coming in at a combined weight of 520 lbs, Jumping James Roddy and Jackson Jackson, So Nice They Named Him Twice, The DOUBLE J's.

(They get cheers from the crowd and James sees me and gives me a wink. I wink back and wave by wriggling my fingers at him and sucking on my lower lip.)

(The bell rings and James and Markus hook up. You can see them talking to each other, James giving points and tips and Markus asking questions, Markus being a newer member on the roster. I think he debuted a month or two ago. I don't point this out to anyone because I hate to break anybody's bubble but I think this crowd knows it's fake anyway. At least in this developmental league's case. James whips Markus towards the corner post and clothesline him. He props him up on the corner post then gets on the middle ropes and does the 10 punch. The audience counts as he punches away. After the 10 count, he gets off, but Markus grabs his head and punches him in the noggin. The rest of the match goes really well. It's almost equal back and forth between them. But it has been written up that the Double J's, the face team lose the belts to the the Magnificient Mauraders. At one point, Jackson whips Bruno, Markus' tag team partner, over the ropes and he seems to land wrong. Jackson goes out and you can see them talking to each other before he picks Bruno up and whips him towards the barricades then. Jackson looks around and then he sees me. He points at me giving me the sign that he is going to go over the barricade there. It's always interesting knowing what is going on behind the scenes and being an audience member as well. He whips Bruno towards me then he backs and charges they both tumble over the barricade as Jackson clothesline him over landing two feet in front of me. You can tell the audience is really getting into it so I play along.

(About 15 minutes later they are back in the ring and Markus is pinning Jackson for the three count. Marauders win much to the chargrin of the audience. After that match it's two men again. The women had a match just before the tag match and I'm sorry to say they were horrible at it. But this current match seems to be a grudge match and will go on for a while. I take my leave and make my way backstage. Fortunately security has seen me before and know who I'm with. I look, get greetings from some of the wrestlers both male and female, I greet them back, I find the training/medical room and see James and Jackson in there with Bruno and Markus. James sees me and comes over and holds me in his arms, Jackson sees me and waves.)

Ves: You were awesome sweetie. Sorry you had to lose the titles. (we kiss as he picks me up in his arms, I squeal in my kiss and then he sets me down.)

James: Naw, don't be. I'm not. Besides, it was a reward for Markus and Bruno's hard work they have been putting in the last few months.

Ves: Cool. Still you looked awesome out there. I love watching you wrestle. How you feeling?

James: Feeling good.

(Jackson comes up and we dap hands)

Jackson: Glad you caught that sign. I didn't want to go over the barricade and hit you. So you've met Bruno but have you met Markus yet?

Ves: I think when I was here last watching, Markus was very new and not in a tag team. He seems to have a good partner in Bruno.

(Markus comes up.)

Markus: Yo yo girl. You is fly. Whatcha doing after the show?

James: She is going home with me. Markus meet Kimber. Ring name Vespertine. My girlfriend.

Markus: Oh dude. i'm so sorry James. I didn't realize- (James waves him off and Jackson chuckles. We continue talking until Bill Webster, the owner comes in. He sees me and we dap hands.)

BW: I thought you were here tonight. What's going on? I thought you had a show scheduled.

V: No, that was last Monday at Death Guild. Tonight. I got nothing so I came to see my boy in action.

BW: He did very well. Listen, I gots a prop for ya. What do you think about accompanying Double's J's to the ring. Also how do you feel about being manager/trainer to some of the newbies around here. Trainer to the women, manager to some of the men.

(I look at James)

V: Did you put him up to this? This can't have been Bill's idea.

J: I swear on mi madre's grave, it was all his idea. (to Bill) I'm ok with the idea if she is.

BW: Well?

V: I would have to be part time. I work full time at UGWC, part time with Inner Darkness and part time teaching Tae Kwon Do at the Y.

BW: I mean, look at us, we only have a show once a month and PPV quarterly if you can call it that. James says you're a great teacher. And you help set up every time you come to see us. The techies appreciate that.

V: Let me look at my sched but yea I'd be down. I get to work with my boy more instead of just seeing him sporadically during the week.

(by this time, a female wrestler has come up, her name is Diane but her ring name is Jester. I love it.)

D: Just so you can open your legs up more for him, you whore.

(I fake hit her)

V: You better believe it.

D: Come on. I want to introduce you to the new girls.

(I follow her arm in arm and Bill follows us. James and Jackson go back to work on Bruno. Her and I hook arms and walk towards the womens. Diane is in her late 30s. She is a trainer like James. She has been in BAWF like forever but she enjoys what she does. As for a second job, she is a housewife for some rich bastard that works at Facebook so she stays home during the day working out and watching the kids. She has two, both under the age of 5. She introduces me to a girl named Feather, then Ava, Trish and Morrigan a beauty of woman with jet black hair and a tattoos all over her arms and neck. Bill goes back to his office and the girls and I just stand around and talk. I watch as they shower because they just were in the ring and give them pointers on what they did wrong and how they could do better.)

D: I heard Bill wants to hire you as a trainer. We so need another one. I want the girls to feel safe here. And we are getting a few more in the coming weeks.

V: Knowing me, do you trust me? Actually it's more of: have I been doing this long enough like you that you can trust me.

D: I do. Plus what you don't know, James can help with. He has been here longer than anybody.

(We agree on that. Then I bid the ladies goodbye and go wait in the medical center and talk to Bruno while they look him over waiting for James to shower and get dressed. I'm going to take him to dinner. He lost his title but he deserves it. Even though his girlfriend looks like a bum from the streets currently. What was I thinking wearing running shoes, a black spaghetti strap tank top and low cut jeans that reveal my midriff. Whatevs. Bruno is funny, he has a good sense of humor which I like. He can totally take it to the next level when he wants. He is such an actor and storyteller. Hopefully later on down the line, he can join UGWC. James finds me, looks to see how Bruno is, checks him over with the medical staff and lets him go. I drape on his arm as we walk to our cars. We stop in a deserted hall and kiss before we head out into the parking lot.)