Playing the Wildcard #2
{{ Tuesday, April 18
Kenner, LA
Bree's home }}
We're home!
This morning Dr. Haddad met with me and Dom in Heath's room. He's been off of every supportive treatment for a week, and passed every criteria Dr. Haddad was looking for. He gave us the words I've been wanting to hear for almost a month: “Your son is discharged.” Almost a week ahead of their first estimates. Dr. Haddad credits us for taking him into the ER so soon, and the nurse Mary for recognizing Heath's symptoms. I personally give credit to every deity that's been listening to me and Amy and Jaina, but I wouldn't say so in front of Dom.
It took all of my self control to not ride home with Heath in my lap, but obviously I know that's unsafe and illegal. So instead, I sat in the backseat next to him as Dom drove. Heath slept the whole way, but I couldn't take my eyes off him.
Dom parks his car in the driveway, and I have the door open before he turns the engine off. I have Heath out of his car seat before Dom can get our bags out of the trunk – everything we'd accumulated in Heath's room over the last three and a half weeks. I carry Heath to the door and have never been more happy that we installed a pushbutton lock than I am now. I can open the door with one hand. I walk in, leaving the door open for Dom.
“Look Nugget! You're home!” Heath looks all around, as if he's never seen the place before. Did he really forget it? Or is just looking at everything because he's happy to see it? He turns his head back to me, throws his arms wide, and squeals with a smile. He remembers. “I know! I'm happy too!”
I hear clicks running towards us from the den. I look and see Donatella trotting in, tail wagging so hard that her whole rear end wags with it. She looks up and yips happily. I laugh, and hear Dom laughing behind me. I guess he just walked in.
“Is it sad that it never occurred to me how this whole thing must have affected Tella?”
“Yes and no.” I admit I hadn't thought about it much either until one day after Heath had been in the hospital for a week, and I realized I hadn't seen or thought about my poor little doggy for a whole day. I found her sleeping in Heath's room, under his crib. I cried.
Heath squeals again, bringing me back to the moment. “You want to play with Tella? Okay.” I put him down on the floor. Tella runs up to him and starts licking, making him laugh. I pull out my phone and record a few seconds of it.
“I'll just take these upstairs, then?” Dom had our two tote bags.
“No. It's mostly blankets and his clothes. Throw that in the washroom.” I was going to wash those things until they didn't smell like hospital anymore. Dom nods and walks off in that direction. Me? I plop my rear end down on the floor, right there in the entrance, next to my son and my dog getting reacquainted.
After lunch, it was time for Heath's nap. Dr. Haddad told us he would likely take more naps than usual, like when he was younger, for a few weeks while he continued recovering. After I put him down, I go back downstairs and meet Dom in the den. I sit next to him on the couch.
“He's out. Almost like some of that sedation drug is still in his system.”
“Maybe it is.”
“He looked so happy to be in his own bed, with a blanket that smells like home.”
“I'm sure he is. Did Tella stay in the room with him?”
“The room? She whined until I put her in the crib with him. Then immediately curled up right next to him and went to sleep. Look.” I had taken a picture, so I show him.
“That's fucking adorable.”
Putting my phone down, I lean sideways against Dom. “Why do I feel like this isn't over yet?”
“Because we still have Nora to deal with.”
I sigh. “Right. I assume we are definitely firing her?”
“Oh absolutely. I just wanted to get him home before we did anything. It would have been too easy for her to sneak in there and... who knows what.”
“I never thought of that, but you're right. Now that he's home though, when do you want to handle her?”
Dom sits up and turns to look at me. “No time like the present, yeah?”
“Right now? We just got him here.”
“We did. And he's upstairs sleeping, perfectly safe. I think the longer we let it linger, the worse it'll be when we pull the trigger.”
I sigh. “You're probably right.”
I did not want to talk to Nora on the phone, so Dom calls her. Me? I call Jaina to come over and sit upstairs with Heath in case he wakes up while Nora is here, to keep him quiet and entertained. Jaina arrives before Nora, and has Marie with her. She had been at Jaina's when I called so of course I said she can come, too.
The young ladies go upstairs, and shortly after, Nora arrives. I gesture for her to sit at the breakfast table. I didn't want her going further into the house than that. Dom and I sit across from her.
“Thanks for coming on short notice.”
“Oh, no trouble at all. Mara wasn't busy so it was no problem for her to give me a ride.”
I hope Nora's sister isn't going far. “She knows we called you to talk, and not for a job, right?”
“I told her. She's going to the mall until I call her back.”
“I see.” Poor woman probably wouldn't make it there before we were done. Dom and I had decided that I would do most of the talking, since I had spent more time with her. “Well, I won't drag this out any further than it needs to be. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I've had some.... reservations, about you for a while now.” Nora nods, she knows. “More than a few things raised flags. But this illness incident was the final thing. We've decided that we feel it's time for us to part ways.”
Nora's face falls, although she had to be expecting this. “But I explained! It was an honest accident, I had no idea-”
“Honestly? I don't believe you.”
Nora blinks in shock. She looks towards Dom. I hope she wasn't looking for sympathy.
“I don't believe you, either.”
“Wait. You think it wasn't an accident? You think I hurt him on purpose? That's fucking crazy!”
Now I blink in surprise. In the near-year that Nora has worked for us, I've never heard her swear.
“I'd keep your tone down if I were you. As it stands you're lucky I've talked Bree out of contacting authorities.”
Nora sinks back in her chair. If her forced apologies hadn't already convinced me she had absolutely done it on purpose... that action would have. “But... what about my vigilance? Neither one of you thought anything serious was wrong with him until I insisted you have him seen.”
“Did you insist because you knew for sure he was seriously sick?” I glare. She hesitates.
“No! I've just spent so much time with him that I knew he wasn't okay. Doesn't my instinct count for something? How about the hours and hours I sat with him in the hospital? Sang to him? Prayed for him? Is none of that proof of my worth to you? I mean, look! He's home and healthy. My prayers worked, God listened to me even though there is evil being practiced in this house.”
I sit up and lean on the table. “That's another thing. I have had it with your snide comments about religion! No one asked you to pray for him, or bring a chaplain to his room, or sing church songs to him. We-”
“Exactly. No one asked me because you're heathens. Someone had to protect his soul and I took it upon myself to make sure he's safe from evil.”
Dom smacks the table, angry. “Stop! We don't tolerate discrimination in this house. Do you think you're helping your case right now?”
Nora looks down a moment, and shakes her head before looking up again. “No, I suppose not. But someone has to-”
“No. No one needs to do religious things for or with our son that we don't deem necessary. And furthermore, if you hadn't done what you did with that honey, no prayers or candle-lighting or magick would have been necessary to save him at all.” I can't believe I just admitted to magick. I had been wary of calling what I was doing by that... but the truth is, that's exactly what it is.
“I told you I'm sorry for that!”
I have enough, I scoff. I'm done being polite here. “There aren't enough apologies in the entire universe that can make up for nearly killing our son. You can say sorry til you're blue in the face and throw out as many excuses as you like, the simple truth is... we just do not feel comfortable leaving Heath with you anymore.”
“But-”
“We do thank you for all you've done for us up until about a month ago, but your service here is done. We'll pay you a severance.”
Nora practically deflates into her chair. She knows she lost. “Alright. I can see that you've made up your minds. Thank you for the opportunity to work for and travel with you, and for the severance.” She sits up again. “Can I at least tell him bye?”
“No.” I didn't want to risk seeing her cry for real, and upset Heath by doing so. I also didn't want him to see her again now that he's home.. With any luck, he'll grow up and forget she ever existed. Nora's weepy eyes turn to stone.
“Fine. I understand. Despite the way this is ending, I wish all of you the best.”
“You may not believe me, but same to you.”
Nora stands up and shoves the chair back in hard, hitting the table. “I don't.” She grabs her bag from the table near the door and leaves, slamming the door behind her.
I turn to Dom. He looks exhausted. “I suddenly feel at least ten times better.”
“You know? So do I. But do you know what would make me feel even better than that?”
“What?”
“A good long nap.”
I laugh, and he grins. “I hear that. I'll ask Jaina and Marie if they can stay for a few hours.”
“You're the best.”
Before getting that nap though, we had one more thing to take care of. Dom called the agency we had hired Nora through, and explained everything to her supervisor. He apologized for what we went through, thanked him for telling him what happened, and promised to look into her background some more and get back to us.
While Dom was on the phone, I spoke to Jaina and Marie. The girls didn't mind staying the rest of the afternoon so Dom and I could rest. We both felt like we hadn't slept in weeks. I've been to shows and wrestled, Dom's been on phone calls, especially after they rescheduled the one conference call he missed when he met me at the hospital in the middle of the night. There was still no name for the TV show; the call had been another script read. And he took care of everything here when I had to go to work. I honestly don't know how we all made it through this.
My bed never felt so good.
{{ Friday, April 21st
Metairie, LA
East Jefferson Parish Library }}
I am sitting in the main room of the library, in a slightly uncomfortable and very loud fake leather chair, waiting on Mara... Nora's sister. Earlier this morning, the agency supervisor Dom spoke to called back, and asked to speak with me. I was confused, as I hadn't dealt with them, only Dom did, as they were recommended to him by one of his industry acquaintances. When I spoke to the man, I found out he asked for me, because Nora's sister wanted to meet with me. She had some information she shared with the agency, and that I should know. Mara wants to meet with me. They gave me her number, I called... and now I'm waiting for her to arrive. The enormous clock over the main doorway indicates two PM, the agreed time. I glance towards the automatic doors, and see her walking in. She's older than Nora, a little bit taller but lighter hair. She smiles when she sees me. I stand up to greet her.
“Hi Ms. Lan-”
“Bree, please.”
“Right, Bree. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. What I want to tell you is better said in person.”
“It's not a problem, I prefer face to face myself in most cases.”
“All the same, I appreciate it. I'm sure it's more than a little awkward for you, considering.”
“Not at all. You are not your sister.”
Mara grins. “No, I'm not.”
We walk through the library to the reference area, and I go to the desk to book a meeting room. Technically you're supposed to have at least four people to get one, but I'm me, and I called ahead. The clerk leads us down a hall and into the last small room on the right. I thank her, and Mara and I sit at the table, across from each other.
“Firstly, I want to be upfront with you. Over the last few months Nora has told me about all the disagreements you've had. So I'm aware of the religious differences, and everything that happened leading to you letting her go, from her side. I got the full story from Stephen.” I make a questioning face. “Oh, the supervisor from Southern Childcare.” I kept forgetting the name of the place. “So I'm aware of everything. They called me asking questions, after you guys explained why you fired her.”
“Alright...”
“Anyway, In most cases, based on what she told me about your disagreements, I actually agreed with your side. I tried to get her to see things from your perspective, but she didn't want to hear it. I was afraid of what might be going on, and... well, recent events only convinced me my fears were right.”
“What fears?”
“Before I can answer that, I have to tell you about Nora's past. I didn't know this, but she hid something from the agency. If she had told them, I'm certain they would have never given her training, much less hired her.” Mara pauses for a moment, I can tell that whatever she's about to tell me isn't easy for her. She looks down at the water bottle she brought in with her, clutched in one hand, then takes a deep breath before looking back up into my eyes. “Two years ago, Nora had a long-time boyfriend, and she got pregnant. They seemed happy, and she moved in with him, and were preparing to be parents. But... when she was a little past seven months, she went in for a regular checkup, and mentioned the baby must be getting too big to move inside because she hadn't felt him in a few days.” Oh no... “Turns out, the baby had died.”
I cover my mouth with one hand, and speak through my fingers. “That's terrible.”
“She... was not in a good place. At that stage of pregnancy, the only way to, um... remove a dead fetus, is to induce labor. So she gave birth, but the baby boy was declared a stillborn.”
“I can't imagine having to do that.”
“It was very hard on her. The boyfriend did a one-eighty on her, he blamed her for the baby dying, and kicked her out. She had to move back in with our parents. She was very depressed for months. One of her friends suggested she go to church with her, and soon, Nora became very involved with this church. It's some kind of non-denominational Christian group. From what I've looked up, they're kinda fringe, and push some pretty evangelical stuff.”
“Well, that explains a lot. Like her fixation on believing my candles are evil.”
Mara nods. “That's exactly it. They preach that anything not 'Godly' or in service to God or Jesus is evil and dangerous. Other than that though, I have to admit that going to church did her some good. She came out of the depression, and said God had put an idea into her heart, that she was meant to care for children and if it couldn't be her own, she would help take care of others. She found Southern Childcare.”
“And never told them about her baby.” A boy. That explains so much. Almost everything.
“She didn't. And now I can answer your question, what were my fears? That when she went to work for you and saw you had a son, she latched on to him. Like she had found a replacement for the baby boy she lost. Just the way she would talk about him to us... anyone who didn't know better would have thought she was bragging about her own child.”
Mara stops, letting that settle in. So many things now made perfect sense. How she had always been a little too familiar, too intimate with Heath. Using his nickname, calling herself momma Nora, even ow defensive she got in a split second when that photographer wouldn't back off, and she broke the camera. How she pleaded for her job, she had slipped and said she didn't want to lose Heath, instead of lose her job.
“Please don't take this the wrong way, but I wish I could feel sorry for her.”
“No offense taken. She absolutely went about everything the wrong way. She's lied to everyone from the start of this job.”
“I don't get it though... if she was trying to use my son to replace hers, why would she hurt him? Make him sick?”
Mara shakes her head and shrugs. “I don't know. She's been practically inconsolable since you let her go. Locked herself in her room. Ranted about evil and how Heath needs her to protect him.”
“Dom thinks she did it to have something to do, to prove herself useful. We had fought over the religion stuff and he thinks she was afraid of getting fired, so she came up with a way to force us to need her.” Mara started nodding halfway through my speech. “It sounds both plausible and pathological to me.”
“I think your husband may be on to something. Yesterday morning, Mom couldn't calm her down. She called me, Mom did, asking for help. Nora had been crying and ranting all day, trying to leave the house, screaming that your baby was vulnerable without her to pray over him for protection and she needed to find a way to get to him. I rushed to Mom's house and as I walked in I heard Nora tell Mom that Heath's sickness was a blessing because it gave her more opportunity to be with him and protect him. That's probably as close to an admission as we'll get from her. I managed to get her to calm down enough to go lay down. Then Mom, Dad, and I made a decision... and had her taken to a mental health hospital. They committed her.”
“Oh my God.”
“It's the best thing for her, I think. She never got any help after she lost her baby. We kept trying to get her to talk to someone, see a therapist, but she was unsure. Then she found church, and....” Mara shrugs.
“And it filled that empty place. I can relate to that, if nothing else.” I am actually starting to truly feel sorry for Nora, and part of me hates that.
“I think most of us can. Some people though just take it to a bad place, if they don't know how to handle the trauma.”
“That's the truth. Despite everything, I hope she is getting the help she clearly needs.”
“I hope she will. We don't know how long she'll be there. They can only keep her in for seven days after an involuntary admission. After that, she has to agree to stay. I think me and Mom can convince her.”
“Try hard. Because I will admit to you that I wanted to contact police, or DCFS, and Dom talked me into holding off. If she gets help and gets better... that won't be necessary.”
Mara nods, understanding my meaning. “When we see her, I'll make sure to mention that to her. But, there's no guarantee that will work.”
“I suppose not.”
We sit quietly for a moment, sipping our water. Then Mara nods slightly, like to herself. “There's one more thing I want to say. If she refuses to stay and be treated, I think you and your husband should be very careful ad vigilant. With everything I heard her yelling yesterday...” Mara shakes her head, with fearful eyes. “I'm afraid of what she might do, to get close to your son again.”
“Understood. I am always hyper vigilant, I've had crazy anxiety since he was born. The entire world is a threat. Will you let me know what happens? If she stays or not?”
“Of course. I have the number you called me from, is that how I should contact you?”
“Yes, that's my personal cell.”
“I'll keep you updated.”
“Thank you. And...” I reach across the table and lay my hand on hers. “Thank you for sharing all of this with me. I know it has to be hard on your family, dealing with this.”
“Mom and I felt you deserved to know.”
“Give your mom my thanks, too.” I smile. She returns it.
“I will.”
A few silent seconds pass, and Mara pushes her chair back. It's clear our conversation is done, but I feel I should do more than just say thank you. “Before you go... have you had lunch yet?”
“No, actually. I was too nervous about meeting with you.”
“Would you let me treat you? I think we both need a greasy meal and possibly a beer, if you drink.”
Mara laugh softly. “Yeah, I drink occasionally. And that would be great.”
“Okay. Let's go, you can follow me. I know the best diner for all the greasy things you could want.”
The whole time through our late lunch, and on the way home after parting ways with Mara, I couldn't stop thinking about one thing from everything she told me about Nora. She lost a son. And she wanted mine. I hope she stays in that mental hospital for a long time.
{{ Saturday, April 22
Kenner, LA
Jaina's condo }}
I explained everything Mara told me to Dom. He reacted much the same as I did – very sad, but not an excuse. He promised to call our on-again, off-again security guard, Marco Ruiz, if it was necessary. I hadn't thought of that and I was glad he brought it up. I had been more concerned with something else. Heath was home now, which meant things would be back to normal as far as me going to work... and needing him to be cared for. I had mentioned the problem to Jaina a few days ago, and she had a perfect suggestion.
I don't have to knock on Jaina's door, she must have heard me park. She opens the door as I walk up the sidewalk.
“Hey Aunt Bree.”
“Hi babe.” I walk in with a smile, and see Marie sitting on the couch. “Hey sweetie.”
Marie smiles when she sees me. “Oh, hi Bree.”
I take a seat in a chair across from the couch, and Jaina sits next to Marie. “You two seem to have been spending a lot of time together. I like that, I know the last year has been rough on you, Marie.”
“Yeah... that's an understatement. But hanging out here and helping you out recently helps.”
Hanging out? How much has she been at Jaina's that I don't know of? “I'm glad.”
“So... Ree. Aunt Bree has a question for you.” Ree? Hmm.
“Oh?” Marie looks back and forth between me and Jaina.
“I do. As I'm sure Jaina has told you... due to unfortunate circumstances I no longer have a regular caretaker for Heath.” Marie nods. “With him back home and mostly healthy now, other than building his strength back up, that leaves me with an issue. It's impossible for me to travel alone with him, he can't be alone while I work. Dom can't always come with me. And when he does, he likes to be at the arena to watch me, and it's too loud for Heath, so... same problem.”
“Right....” Marie glances at Jaina. Jaina grins.
“You were such a great help to us when Heath was in the hospital, sitting with him when no one else could. I know it probably seemed over the top but I did not want him to be there alone for more than a few minutes. He knows you and he likes you. So. I was wondering if you would like to travel with me when I work, and look after him while I'm busy?”
Marie sits up, and glances at Jaina again. Jaina's grin is a full smile. “You... want to give me the other woman's job?” I'm amused and touched that she refused to say Nora's name.
“I do. If you're willing. I know you'd rather be wrestling if you could, but this way you'd still be traveling and around the business." Something suddenly occurs to me. “Wait, can you travel with the symptoms you still have?”
“Yeah, I can. I flew home to visit mom a few weeks ago, and flew back. It's mostly super bright lights, loud noise, and taking bumps that make me feel bad. Not all the time, but enough to keep my boots hanging.”
“As much as I wish you could do what you love, I could also really use your help. If you're interested.”
I notice Jaina nudge Marie's leg with her hand. Marie glances at her and smiles, then turns back to me. “I'd actually love that.”
“Fabulous!” I smile so big my cheeks hurt a little. “Um... can you start tomorrow? There's this little show in Kansas City, you see.”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“Great! Thank you so much, I've been worried about what I was going to do, and now I don't have to.”
“No, thank you for thinking of me. I already can't wait.”
It seems Jaina is content to let Marie think this was my idea. They look at each other with happy smiles. Jaina travels with me too, you see. These girls have been close friends for a long time now and they'll get to spend more time together.
For me right now though, it's time to switch my focus to work mode. I am facing one of the greatest wrestlers in SCW history tomorrow night, and she has something that I still feel belongs to me. Syren didn't take it from me, Kim's Trios did. But that doesn't mean I won't give her everything I have and then some to reclaim the Adrenaline Championship.
ON CAMERA
Inside what's now a familiar-looking private plane, we join Bree Lancaster as she sits comfortably in one of her plane's bucket seats. Dressed casually in black jeans with a red top, she has one leg over the other at the knee, hands resting in her lap. Bree smiles, and breathes deeply before speaking.
Well, I did it. I had my first successful defense as Television Champion. Glory Braddock gave it all she had, and I give her all the credit and respect in the world for that. It's refreshing to have a match against someone who I've had a not-so-great history with, and have it be just about the competition and not get personal, or get too brutal. If every challenger pushes me as hard as she did, I'm questioning my ability to stay Television Champion for very long.
Bree pauses to grin to herself.
But, Playing the Wildcard isn't a regular TV show, so the Television Championship will be put aside for the moment. Instead, I've been preparing myself to face Syren to try to get the Adrenaline Championship back from her.
This is a strange situation, don't you think Syren? Thanks to Kimberly Williams and her chaotic idea... I lost the Adrenaline Championship, you won it.... but you didn't beat me for it. I don't think we interacted at all in that mess. So here we have a rematch... when we never had a match to begin with.
Let's look at our history. Most of it surrounds the Trios Tournament. Three times we've been teamed up Almost won two of them. Then there's that mess a few years ago, you remember the details, and I'm sure the fans do as well. We were in two triple threat matches together. In the first... I was not involved in the finish. In the second... you pinned me.
Bree grins again.
I was so angry at the time. I felt cheated, robbed... because I never got my one on one shot I felt I earned. In fact... later tonight will be the very first time you and I have ever faced off one on one. Can you believe that? I've been in SCW for seven years, and not once have we had a singles match until now. Given our history, our individual accomplishments, and the skill we both possess... I think this match has the potential to steal the show.
I want to make it very clear babe, that whatever transpired between us in the past, I have put that behind me. It seems like you have too, judging by the way you ran out to help in the chaos created by Kandis a few weeks ago. I appreciate it, and your efforts to talk Lexy down while she tries to convince you to beat my ass.
I am very much looking forward to having a competitive, clean, leave everything we have out there, match with you. That's why I'm so concerned about whatever is going on between you and your wife.
Bree's friendly expression turns somber.
Listen, I am the first to respect the idea that whatever happens at home between a couple is no one's business. I try to keep my home life as private as I can, everyone knows this. And in any other circumstance I wouldn't find it my place to comment on your relationship. But... whatever is going on? Is playing out in front of the world, and as a believer of lux veritatis, I can't pretend that I'm not seeing what I'm seeing. If I didn't already know you and Ravyn were married, I would think you were heated rivals instead.
Maybe you can't see this because you're involved, but let me explain to you how it looks from the outside. First, Ravyn sabotages your matches, then she's trying to show you that your way isn't working. She even underminded you at every turn in Kim's match. Instead of trying to work this out in private between yourselves, what did you do?
You signed Lexy Chapel to be your manager.
Bree shakes her head in disbelief.
Lexy has never liked Ravyn, everyone knows this. She literally calls your wife the devil. And this is the person you chose to represent you, instead of Ravyn. You know, at first I thought this was all Ravyn's fault and she was gaslighting you, but after you signed with Lexy? Babe... you're just as bad as she is. Everything that's happened in the public eye in the last few weeks has been a shocking display of a highly toxic relationship. I honestly don't understand how you're even still married. If my husband had done something to me like Ravyn did to you.... the deliberate humiliation? I promise you the man would be on his way back to Santa Monica by himself in a heartbeat. He knows it too, but I don't have to worry about that. Because I trust him with everything. My life, my heart, and my soul.
Do you trust your wife, Syren?
I don't want you to answer that, I want you think about it. Because judging by what I've seen in recent weeks, I have a feeling she may try to get involved in this match between us, and I don't think either of us wants that. I want there to be no black marks or asterisks next to the result if I happen to beat you and regain the Adrenaline Championship. And I'm pretty sure, and hope, that you want to stand your moral ground, the one you and she so heavily disagree on, and not take advantage of anything she might do. Either to attack me so you can win, or try to cost you the match somehow. In the first case, you would then be beholden to her, and I don't think you want that. In the second... well, that's obvious. No one wants to lose a match by being screwed... least of all by the person who is supposed to love and support you. Ravyn may think she's supporting you by her actions, but trust me babe... she isn't. She's just supporting herself.
One thing I've learned about Ravyn Taylor in all the years I've been in this company is.... she hates to be wrong, and she gets very angry when she is denied what she wants. None of this is about you, Syren. It's all about Ravyn, and proving herself right. Whatever happens to you in the process? Doesn't matter. Even if it takes costing you this match and the Adrenaline Championship.
Bree shakes her head again, this time slowly, almost sadly. Her head stills, and tilts to the side, as if Bree has just thought about something.
But, let's talk about that, too. The Adrenaline Championship.
I can't remember once instance where you have ever expressed any interest in holding any championship other than the World Championship. You've said it at least once that I remember, but probably more, that none of the others matter to you because the only one that means you're the best in the world is the World Championship. Everything you do in the ring, year in and year out, is centered on holding that championship, and no other. You challenge anyone who looks to be an up and coming contender. You went so far as to make a promise to Mr. D that you would prove yourself worthy of a title shot and when you win, he is to place the belt around your waist.
So, as much as I'm happy to see you resisting what tactics Ravyn wants you to use, I have to question your dedication and your willingness to put everything you have into fighting for and defending the Adrenaline Championship. Here is a title that as far as I can remember, you've never shown any interest in. You weren't trying to become Adrenaline Champion in Kim's match. You were trying to earn enough pinfalls to become World Champion. Based on everything you have said and done in the last several years, I think it would be safe to say that you agree with Selena Frost.
The World Championship is all that matters, and every other championship is a consolation prize.
What kind of champion does that make you, babe? When the championship you carry means nothing to you, because it isn't the one you want? And listen, if 'World Champion or bust' is your goal, is what motivates you every week... fine. That's your choice. But as someone who fought to get back into shape after becoming a mother, fought through anxiety and self-doubt, and then fought one of her best friends to earn that championship? Please understand that I am going to do everything I can – honorably – to make sure that I and the rest of SCW do not have to watch you walk around with that championship that has meaning to me, as if it's just a piece of costume jewelry to you.
Bree uncrosses her legs and leans forward a little.
I can't imagine coming to work every week and only giving my all, only giving a damn... only for certain matches, certain opportunities. If that's how you want to see this business, if that's your truth... nothing I say to you is going to change that. But for me? I believe that every match is an opportunity. There are no consolation prizes in this business. There are championships, and they're all important, and they're all worth fighting for.
So, later tonight in Kansas City, Bree Lancaster and Syren will go one on one for the first time ever, with the Adrenaline Championship on the line. I wasn't beaten for it, and Syren didn't pin a champion to get it. In her perfect world, she would have never challenged for it in the first place, because her eyes have gleamed with the World Championship faceplate gold for years and nothing else.
Syren. I'm bring everything I have with me, all my motivation, my passion for this sport, my respect for this business, and my love for this company... and I'm going to use all of it to do my best to make sure that when the night is over, you're no longer burdened with a championship you've never wanted and means nothing to you.
Bree rests a hand over her heart.
It means everything to me.
Bree's words hang in the air a few moments, along with her determined gaze, before the video fades to black.