Retribution 2024
February 8
Louisville, KY
-----------------
I walked into the arena for Breakdown with my head held high. The contract signing for my match with Selena at Retribution was happening, and I couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she realizes how deep the shit she's in really is. There's no ducking me now, bitch! I checked in, found my locker room, then checked with production to see when the signing segment was scheduled for on the show, which turned out to be the main event slot. Of course it is, because it's about the World Championship.
Before any of that happened though, I had to find Dean Black. That's much harder to do before a show than after, but I figured I wouldn't be in the mood when the show was over, after dealing with Selena. So, before it was. I had to give him an answer about the Make A Wish request from the sixteen year old girl, Rose Baker. After asking a few people and checking three offices, I finally found him near the production set up close to the entrance. I walked up and he nodded when he saw me.
“Dean, I've been looking for you for like half an hour. Are you running around here like a spastic rat?”
“That's quite the description. Yes, I've been all over the place, but you have my attention now.” He gestures for us to move way from the monitor and equipment filled table and closer to the wall, out of the way and quieter. “I'm assuming you have an answer for me regarding the Wish request?”
“Yeah. I know you said call, but I knew I'd see you here, so.... anyway. Yes. I'll do it.”
“Great news. I'll contact them first thing in the morning, and get you further details. We'll have to go over schedules and such to line everything up.”
“I can make anything work, honestly. We kinda set our own schedules at Ante Up and the club.”
“Great, so we just need to work around your SCW commitments. I'll be in touch.”
“Thanks.”
I went back to my locker room, feeling better about agreeing than I thought I would. Not so much that I didn't really want to do it, because I do. I just thought I'd be more nervous. Maybe dealing with all of the family issues the last year or two helped me to be more confident in situations like this. Especially more recently with discovering that the foster father I grew up with from the age of fourteen somehow turned out to be my actual father. The odds of that have to be astronomical, yet here I am. And we have the DNA tests to prove it. Ray had asked to do one between he and I, even though Nate and I already had one. He wanted to be certain. I had no problem with that, and as expected it proved that I am his daughter. The only thing that bothers me about it, is that Ray hasn't told Debbie yet. I get it in one sense, I'm living proof that he cheated on her. But in another sense... shouldn't she know her husband has another child? It's Ray's call and I'm gonna respect it, I just wish he'd nut up and do it.
If I can cunt up and go see a dying teenage girl even though I don't understand why she wants to meet me, my father can surely talk to his wife. Right?
I shook my head of all the bouncing around thoughts. I had to keep my focus on Selena tonight. Seems the bitch learned a few new tricks while she was out ducking me. If she wants to play my kind of games, I'll have to make sure she stays at a level underneath me.
February 10
Santa Barbara
The Starmaker
-------------------
It was a Saturday night and as usual, I was sitting at the bar at the Starmaker. Jada was tending, Tommy was back and forth keeping things stocked, and I was waiting for Drake to meet me. Just a typical Saturday night really. I had my gin and tonic and was about to ask for another one, when I noticed someone sat down next to me. I glanced, and it was a man a little older than me, long hair tied back in a ponytail. I gave him a smile and went back to my drink. Jada came over and took his order, just a draft beer. The man turned to me after she walked off.
“Hi, how are you doing tonight?”
“Can't complain, not today anyway.” I didn't return the question, because I hate small talk. He apparently got the hint, as he got straight to the point.
“You're Kandis, right?”
“The one and only. I haven't seen you here before, though.”
“Nope, first time here.” Jada set his beer down and quickly walked off, the bar was busy. The man grabbed it and had a drink. “That's good. Anyway... yeah, I came here looking for you, actually.”
I smirked. “You did, huh? And why is that?” Every now and then some knucklefuck comes in here trying to shoot their shot with me, not realizing that I'm a two-man woman now. Most of the time.
“Well... I don't know if you recognize me or not, I've been out of the game a while. Jakob Sparks.”
The porn guy? From like fifteen years ago? I looked at him a little closer. Older and slightly thicker, but yes... I see it now. “I'll be damned.”
“Oh, so you do know who I am?”
“If you know anything about me at all, you know damn well I know who you are.”
He smirked. “That's what I thought.”
“What I don't know... is why you're looking for me.”
“I have a business proposition for you.”
I stared at him a moment, then laughed. “I thought you were retired?”
“I was. But I'm starting a new company, that's kicking off with a website, and I want you to be my main attraction.”
“A website? Like what?”
“Kinda like the more popular sex content creator sites, but with far fewer restrictions.”
“So wait... you're asking me to do actual porn?” Can't say I've never considered it, but it's one of those things where if you try to make money off a hobby, you end up hating it. I don't want to hate sex.
“That's the idea. Eventually anyway, not at launch. We gotta lure the viewers in. Start with just showing off, getting nude, a little playing around... then progress towards more explicit content.”
“If anyone knows how to draw them in, I guess it would be you.” The man was one of the top in the industry in his time. I probably still have a DVD or two somewhere.
“And that's why I want you. You are clearly a draw.”
“I hope you're not banking your entire business model on me.”
Jakob laughed. “No, of course not. I don't take anything for granted. I have a few women already signed up, and one guy so far. But all of them are unknowns. I need a name to get people's attention. You're a name. You've been in the news somewhat recently, that video. I saw it and-”
“Hold on, my dude. You do realize that I wasn't aware that was being recorded, right?”
“Yes, exactly. It was real, and that's the kind of content I want. Bad porn acting is terrible and falling out of popularity. People want real, they want authentic. Isn't that your thing?”
He had me there. “Yeah, it is.” He gave me a look, with one hand out as if saying 'there you go.' “Listen, I'm intrigued, I'll admit. But I'm gonna have to think about this. Talk to my husband and other man.”
“Not a problem, there's no rush, we're not ready to launch yet. Here...” He pulled out his wallet, and then a card from it, handed it to me. Looking at it, I saw that he spells his last name “Sparxxx.” With three X's. Clever. I smirked at it. “Give me a call when you're ready to do business.”
“You seem confident that I will.”
“Got to be, in this business. No one will take you seriously if you're not.”
“Who knew porn and wrestling had so much in common?”
“You did, it seems like.” He smirked again, then downed most of the rest of his beer. “Thanks for hearing me out.” He took out his wallet again and started to leave some bills next to his glass. I stopped him.
“No need for that. On the house.”
“Appreciate that.” Jakob gave me a smile as he got up, and I watched him walk away towards the door. The man still has the tight ass I remember.
I looked down at the card again. I had to admit, the man made some sense. Something told me though that Tommy wouldn't see it that way. There's no fucking way he's gonna want me to do this. There's in point in even mentioning it to Drake tonight.
--------------------
February 11
Santa Barbara
Valentine home
--------------------
“I thought he was out of the business?” Tommy sat across from me at the kitchen table the next morning. Well, it was closer to noon than morning, but we'd just got up. I'm not always home on Sunday mornings and I wasn't supposed to be on this one, but something came up with Drake at the last minute and he couldn't make it to meet me. Anyway, I'd just finished telling Tommy about Jakob Sparks (Sparxxx, ha) coming into the club and talking to me.
“That's what I said. But he's getting back in, or trying to.”
“And this is something you want to do?”
I shrugged over my coffee. “I'm not sure. It sounds fun, and it's not like I can't do it, right? But I don't want to do it if you don't like it.”
“That's what you said about trying to monetize that video.”
“And I didn't do it, did I? I could tell you hated that idea. This is something different though, I would be consenting to be filmed, for starters.”
“That's a big plus, I'll admit. So... is this just looking sexy in your panties and-or naked, or would there be actual sex involved?”
“He plans to progress to that, but if I did this, and I made enough money without going there? Maybe he wouldn't ask me to. That's something I'd have to ask. If I call him.”
Tommy stared down at the card, I had given it to him to show him. He continued without looking up. “Would you be upset, or resentful, if I told you I didn't want you to do this?”
“If I- hey, look at me.” He raised his eyes back up to me. “If I didn't care what you thought about it, I wouldn't even be asking you. I'd have just done it. But this isn't just about me, you get a say. Sharing me with one guy on the regular is one thing, sharing me online with hundreds or maybe thousands of people is another.”
“Are you trying to convince me, or talk me out of it?” He smirked.
“I'm just saying. It's different.”
“Yeah, it is.” Tommy paused a few seconds, thinking. “Okay, here's another angle. What about SCW?”
I shrugged. “It's none of their business what I do when I'm not on their time. But if you're concerned about it, I'll ask. I have to call Black back anyway.”
“No, no. Don't do that. This seems to me like one of those thing where its better to ask for forgiveness instead of permission.”
“Does that mean you're okay with it?”
With a sigh, Tommy handed me the card back. “To be perfectly honest... not completely. But, it seems like you're interested. I'm gonna leave it up to you. But if you go for it, and anything starts to feel even the slightest bit sketchy... don't hesitate to walk away.”
“As if I wouldn't. I can sense sketchy far better than most.”
“So... what are you gonna do?”
“I haven't decided yet. I wanted to talk to you first. Look into this guy and find out if this is legit.”
“If you want him checked out, I can call my lawyer. And the PI, if you meant in that aspect as well.”
“Both sounds like a good idea.”
“Okay. I'll make some calls.”
I just smiled as I drank my coffee. That went better than I expected. Tommy was right, I am interested. Not necessarily doing actual sex for it, I'd have to think about that. And it would depend on who I would be asked to fuck. But shooting some short videos in some of my hottest outfits? I'm down for that. Naked? Maybe.... oh who am I kidding, I'd do that, too.
But, I'm not calling Sparks back until Tommy has his people check this out.
February 17
Jacksonville, FL
Rose Baker's home
-----------------------
This Saturday wouldn't be a typical one, that's for sure. I was flown to Jacksonville to meet with the teenager, Rose Baker. I had her file with me and read it over for the hundredth time during the flight. There was a lot of medical jargon that explained what exactly was wrong with her heart, but I didn't understand most of it. As far as I could tell was, it was something she was born with and got progressively worse as she got older. And now it was wearing out. The part I did understand was her blood type making it take longer for her to get a new one. Anyone can take her blood type, so people with more rare types move up the list faster. She can only have hers though. It sounds like bullshit for her, but it really is the most fair way to distribute the few donors there are. I couldn't be in that kind of work – deciding who gets to live and who might die because they had to wait. Anyway, I didn't plan on asking any questions about it, I'm sure she's tired of talking about it and doesn't want to do that with me.
The small group arrived at the Baker house; myself, an SCW representative, one from the Foundation, and a photographer with a camera that also takes video. With kids involved there was no way either company wasn't going to have eyes present, just to make sure everything went smoothly, and no way it wasn't going to be documented for both sides. I wondered if SCW planned on promoting this or not. It didn't matter to me either way, although they might reconsider if they knew what else I would potentially be doing. I didn't plan on bringing that up though.
I knocked on the door while the others stepped back. I had been told to “dress like yourself, but slightly less skin.” That wasn't myself, then, but whatever. I was wearing an SCW t-shirt over black leather leggings, boots, and my leather jacket. In my hand I carried a plastic bag filled with some SCW-branded merch of mine. Mary Baker opened the door and gave us a big smile. All of this was planned for the cameras – we'd already met about an hour ago and choreographed this part. I haven't met Rose yet, though. They wanted that first meeting on camera. Fine with me.
“Hi! Thank you so much for coming, Rose is so excited.”
“Thanks for inviting us, I can't wait to meet her. I brought some things.” I held the bag up.
“Oh she's gonna love that. Come in, please.”
I walked in and the camera followed me through the door, then stopped.
“Thanks, I think the one take is great.” Terry, the photographer, smiled. “I'll just stand back here off to the side getting my shots while you do your thing now.”
“Thanks.” Mary smiled. She seemed young to me to have a sixteen year old, and I'm not gonna lie, she isn't quite the most attractive woman I've ever seen. Long, mousy brown hair, about twenty pounds overweight for her frame, sun-damaged complexion. Not judging, not everyone is lucky enough to be born with genetics like mine. Her looks aren't her fault any more than mine are an accomplishment. Okay, the ass is half-accomplishment, it takes a lot of squats to keep it at it's best, and I did pay for my tits. None of this is the point though, what I was trying to say is.... Mary likely had a rough life before she had a kid, and now it's harder with how sick her kid is. Taking that into consideration... she looks damn good, even in her worn jeans and plain blue t-shirt.
“So, if you want to look at this stuff I brought to make sure you think it's appropriate for her-”
“No, no. She can have anything she wants.” Mary smiled again. SCW insisted that I ask, since my shirts are very suggestive. Simply Thick, Shameless, and Whore. I have one of each for her. Kelly, the SCW lady, stepped up.
“Are you sure about that? We are fully aware the kind of character Kandis is and we don't want anything to be... offensive, to you.” I turned to Kelly and rolled my eyes at her. I know she was just doing her job, but fucks sake.
“I'm sure. I've seen the things online. They're fine.” Mary turned her attention back to me. “Thank you for these, she'll love them. Um, should I get her now?”
“I'm ready.” I glanced at Terry. “You?” He gave us a thumbs up, camera in hand.
“Okay, be right back.”
Mary went down the hallway, and a few seconds later came back, Rose behind her. This girl is the opposite of her mom. Blonde, thin, and gorgeous. Must be from her father's side. She smiled a little nervously.
“Hey there, Rose.” Her smile relaxed some. “Well come here, don't be shy.” I waved her over. She glanced at her mom, then stepped past her and up to me.
“Hi... I can't believe you're really here.” Her voice was a deeper pitch than I expected, but she spoke quietly.
“Honestly, neither can I. Never expected to be asked to do something like this. But I'm glad I was.”
“There wasn't anything else I could think of that I wanted. I think I'm still here because of you.”
Fucking hell. She couldn't be serious. “Oh, I don't know about that. You're strong, and you have your mom and a ton of doctors, and-”
“Yeah, but you never give up on anything. I don't want to give up, either.”
I saw Mary put her hand over her face, like she was trying to hold emotion back.
“And you shouldn't. No one should. There's always a reason to keep going.”
“See? That's what I mean.” Rose smiled again, the nervousness gone and now full of admiration.
“Okay, I think I need to hug you now, if that's okay?” I glanced at Mary. I didn't know if she had a weak immune system or whatever. Mary gave me a nod. I held my arms out and Rose stepped into them, wrapping her thin ones around me. I closed my arms over her, and realized she was even thinner than she looked. I could feel her shoulder bones through her shirt. I was afraid to hold her any tighter.
“Thank you.” She whispered into my shoulder. I let her go, and held the bag up.
“I brought you this.” Rose took the bag and pulled the first shirt out. It's hot pink and has “Whore” written in script meant to resemble the Barbie logo. She laughed.
“This is amazing!”
“That's brand new by the way, just came out last week.” She smiled, and took out the next. It's black, with “#Shameless” across the front, and my name underneath in my signature. The final one is my white one with the peach, that says Simply Thick.
“I think this is my favorite one. Thank you so much!”
“You're very welcome.” Also in the bag was a signed print, which Rose looked at, but left in the bag.
After we posed for a few pictures for SCW and the Foundation, we got down to what Rose actually wanted to do, other than just meet me. Her request? Go to the beach. It's February but it's also Florida, so the weather was fine for that. Rose put on a light jacket for the wind, and off we went. She wanted to walk with me, just me and her, but since she's a minor that wasn't allowed. Instead, the SCW and Foundation reps followed us from a few feet away. They could still keep an eye on things to cover their legal asses, but they couldn't hear us talking. First we went to a food truck and got fries and sodas. I really wanted a beer, but... teenager. We sat at a picnic table at the edge of the pavement, where the sand starts.
“I'm glad it's a nice day today, my backup plan was the mall, and their junk food sucks.”
I laughed. “Heard that. If you're gonna eat junk it might as well taste great, right?”
“Exactly! I normally can't have this, its fried. But Mom and my doctor said I can have anything I want today. Like I'm a princess or some shit.” I raised a brow at her language. “Oh, Mom doesn't care how I talk. I just wasn't gonna be like that with that camera going.”
“Fair. They told me to mind my manners, too.”
“You have manners?” She tried to hold back from laughing, but failed. I laughed with her.
“When they pay me to, I do.”
“Fair.”
We finished our snack, and went walking down the sand line. Rose couldn't go very far without stopping for a minute or two, she became out of breath easily. So, we started just stopping at every bench so she could sit a few minutes. I asked her about school, if she had a boy or girlfriend, how she became a fan of wrestling. She asked me how I became a wrestler, how I met Tommy, and if I still do art. I promised to send her a painting when I got home. I already knew which one I had in my stock I wanted to send her. It's a hot pink heart, surrounded by flames on a black background. It fits her personality.
About a half hour and a few benches down the beach, Rose sat and I went to a nearby vendor to get waters for us. I handed one to her and sat down.
“So, I have another question for you, and it's a little more deep than the other stuff we've talked about.”
“Okay?”
“Why me?”
“What do you mean? Like, why do I like you, or...?”
“The Foundation. They can make almost anything happen for kids like you. Why did you ask for me?”
“I... thought I said so. You don't give up. It's inspiring.”
I shook my head. “No, that's a bullshit answer for the camera. I mean for real.”
Rose looked down at her feet. “How'd you know that was bullshit?”
“I speak bullshit with the best of them, doll. Can't get any past me.” She looked back up and I gave her a grin.
“I probably should have known that. Okay. So... the real reason is. If I knew for sure I wasn't gonna die, like.... that I'm gonna be an adult and get to do anything I want? I'd want to be like you. Do what you do.”
“You want to be a wrestler?”
She shook her head quickly. “No, no. I mean... like how you don't take any shit. You're who you are and anyone who doesn't like it can go to hell. You know? You do anything you want, with anyone you want, just because it makes you happy. I think that's the best way to be. If I had a choice... that's what I'd do. Cause no one ever knows when they won't get to do anything anymore. So why not do what you want to do, for as long as you can?”
“Are you sure you're just sixteen?” She grinned. “No, really. Because that's a thing that takes most adults forever to claim, and some never do.”
“When you grow up knowing that you're living on borrowed time, I guess you grow up faster.”
“I understand that. I had to grow up faster than most kids, too.”
Rose nodded. “I know. I've read the stories. At least, the ones you've put out there. I'm sure there's a whole lot more no one knows.”
“You probably wouldn't believe half of it.”
Rose shrugged. “I might. But I won't ask all that.” I smiled, actually relieved that she wasn't going to. “But... why are you so surprised to be asked to do this? I didn't expect that from you, you're always so confident.”
This girl was being as real with me as she could be, I had to return the favor. “Well... I am when I need to be. In front of cameras, on TV, in the ring. That Kandis you see on TV though doesn't exist all the time. There's another Kandis, about your age, stuck in here.” I pointed to my chest. “And she's not very confident at all. Sometimes her thoughts take over my head. And I have to tell her that it's okay, we can be ourself. We can be strong. We don't have to... self-preserve, anymore.” I looked down, shaking my head at myself. “Does any of that make sense to you?”
“Yeah. A lot.” The tone of her voice made me look up at her. It sounded too adult. More than she should be at her age. Like I was. Very different reasons, but the same result. “Thank you, you didn't have to tell me that.”
“Yes I did. For you, and for me. Sometimes it's good to be reminded just how far I've come.”
“When you were sixteen, did you ever think you'd be like you are now?”
I laughed. “Fuck no. I thought I'd either be in jail or dead. Sorry...” I felt bad for my word choice, but Rose just shrugged. “That girl would have never believed one day she'd be some kind of weird role model for just living your life how you want to. Like... that shouldn't even be a problem, you know? Why does anyone care what other people do, if they aren't hurting anyone?”
“That's easy. They're jealous. They want to be like you but they can't. Cause of their family, or their religion, or... whatever bullshit reason pressuring them. So they take it out on you. They don't realize they can do the same thing if they want. They just have to have the balls. Or, tits, in our case.” Rose smirks.
“Yeah. That's what I think, too. Not everyone has the strength to defy expectations.”
“Listen. I've been defying expectations since I was five and they found out what was making me sick. My doctor says I should have died six years ago. But I'm not ready for that. I have too many things I want to do. I might not get to do them all before this thing gives out-” She patted her chest. “But I'm gonna try for as many as I can. I know I don't have a lot of time, so why not? Maybe everyone should live like that, too. Cause you never know. Like my dad.”
I hadn't asked about her dad, I had no idea what that story was or if it would be a touchy subject. But she brought it up. “What happened to your dad?”
“He was a cop. Got shot trying to stop a break in at a store. I was seven.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Thanks. But that's my point. There were things he wanted to do. We were supposed to go to Disney that summer. Now I can't, I can't walk that much. But, if by some chance my name gets called from the list and I get stronger? That's the first thing I want to do.” She smiled, and its shocking to me how positive she can be about everything.
“That sounds like a great plan. I think you'll get to do it.”
“I don't. The odds are against me. But, it's something I like to think about. Because just like bad things, you never know about good things, either.”
I sat back, and looked up at the sky. “It took me way too long to understand that. But you're right.”
“You are the good thing, though. At least for SCW. They need you to be the champion, because you're the realest one there. The world needs more real.”
“I'm gonna do my best to make that happen, believe that.” I smirked, knowing she'd understand the wordplay. Rose laughed.
“Watch it, if the wrong person hears you, you might get sued for trademark infringement.”
“Wouldn't that be ironic?”
We got up and the SCW rep waved at me from the sidewalk, signaling our time was nearly up. We had to take Rose home, and say goodbye. At her house, I gave her another hug, tighter than before, as I realized she was stronger than she looked. I promised again to send her the painting and to keep in touch. Maybe the suits thought I was just being polite but I meant it.
On the flight home, I made a decision. As long as Tommy's people didn't find anything sketchy or illegal or whatever about this Sparks' guy's business? I'm in. Tommy was skeptical, but he left it up to me. He wouldn't do that if he didn't trust my judgment. And life is too short to not do what you want.
February 19
Los Angeles
Sparxxx Studios
--------------------
I parked my SUV in front of a four-story office building. Or, it used to be an office building. It was now the home of Sparxxx Studios, where Jakob would filming all of his content. He was excited when I called and said I was interested and wanted to find out more. I didn't tell him that Tommy had a lawyer and a PI check him out first. Everything came back clear and above board. He had all the proper licenses, his finances were legit. I felt a lot better about agreeing to visit this place knowing all of that.
Jakob met me at the front door, with a big smile. “Kandis! I'm happy to see you.”
“I bet you are.”
He chuckled and held the door for me. “Come on in, I'll show you around.” I walked in and waited for him to step in front of me. “We just finished renovating, so you might smell paint. But it's dry.”
I looked around. This floor at least looked professional. We were standing in a lobby, with a reception window that looked like the ones in a doctor's office. There was seating, and a door. Jakob led me through it, and down a long hallway.
“So, these rooms here are for photo shoots, wardrobe, and props. The video rooms are on the next floor. We'll go there next.” We passed an elevator, but he led me up the stairs instead. The second floor was much more open. The hall was wider, and there were just a few doors, so I assumed the rooms were bigger. Jakob went ahead of me and opened doors as he spoke. “These here are built up to look like regular house rooms. Three different bedroom sets, two living rooms, a kitchen, and two different bathrooms. They only have showers and tubs though. No one wants to see a toilet in porn. The real bathroom for toilet use is here. There's a real one upstairs too, and a break room with a working kitchen.” He pointed to a door marked with a hazmat sign. I snickered.
“It doesn't look like there are that many rooms on this level.”
“Oh, there aren't. The third floor has some of them too.” The doors he'd opened for me revealed a bedroom, the living room, the kitchen, and one of the mock bathrooms. So that left two bedrooms, another living room and the other bathroom upstairs.
“Good use of space.” I peeked inside the bedroom door. “Looks roomy.”
“Gotta have room for the cameras.”
“Right. So... what's on the fourth floor?”
“Oh, I'm glad you asked. The fourth floor are studio apartments. Some of the women signed on relocated, and they'll be staying here. The rent is included in their pay.”
“That's convenient.” It also sounded kinda sketchy to me, but maybe its a common thing for this business. I know some wrestling schools do something similar, although not usually in the same building. And anyway Tommy's guys checked into everything. It was all legit.
“It's a main reason I bought this building. I wanted to make it easy. I have four other women signed on so far, two have moved in. You can meet them later if you want. You might end up working with them, if you're into that.”
“Yeah, I'm open to that.”
Jakob smiled excitedly. “Great! So... when can I expect you to sign on officially?”
“Is there a contract for me to read?”
“There is. Let's go back down to my office.”
I followed him back to the first floor, his office being the door closet the stairs, furthest from the lobby. It looked like any other business office, except that along with licenses on the wall, there were pictures of Jakob with the women he'd worked with over the years, most of them mostly or fully nude. I didn't hide the fact I was looking at them as he went to the desk.
“Recognize anyone?”
“Just you. Oh wait... and her.” I pointed to one that included a woman who was in the DVD that had been my favorite years ago, the one I'm pretty sure I still have.
“Ah, yes. Julia. One of my favorites.” I heard a drawer close and turned around. Jakob came around the desk and handed me a folder. “It's not complicated, you don't need a legal degree to read it. I wanted to keep things simple, you know?”
I opened it and started reading. Yeah, I know. A lot of women in porn aren't the smartest or most educated. Simple is best. The contract did look fairly simple. I would be agreeing to provide 80 finished hours of content, and 100 finished photos. I assume that means after editing, and after the pictures were gone through and the best ones chosen. So I'd probably actually do double those numbers, or more.
“I'm not sure I'll have time to do a lot of this at once.”
“Oh no, of course not. There's no time limit on this. The contract is fulfilled when those numbers are met. Whether that's in six months or two years.”
“Do they have the same contract?” I pointed upstairs, meaning the live-in women.
“No, theirs is structured slightly differently, because of the rent. But it's similar.” I skimmed past the payment, I didn't care too much about that, it seemed enough. And a clause at the end about Sparxx Studios owning full rights to everything done for them. No shit. “Ready to sign?” I looked up and he was handing me a pen. If this had been full of ten-dollar words I would have taken it home to have Tommy's lawyer look it over. But everything was plain language and looked fine to me. I took the pen and scribbled. “Great! I'll make you a copy.” He took the papers from me and turned to his copier behind him.
“So, when does all this actually start? It doesn't look like you're operational yet.”
“Oh, we're not.” He spoke over his shoulder as the copier whirred. “Two of the women still have to move in, and I'm waiting to sign two more guys. I can't be in everything.” He smirked as he turned around with my copy.
“So, you're performing too?”
“Oh yeah. If you're the female name getting attention, I'm the Guy.” The way he said 'guy' sounded like it was capitalized. “As for when we start, or rather, when you start... I'll contact you. It'll be at least another week, more likely two or even three.” I was hoping for longer, so it's after Retribution. Wait...
“Is there any way I could wait until after the next SCW pay per view? I kinda have a big match.”
“Oh sure! That's no problem. Just remind me if I call you before then.”
My contract copy in hand, Jakob walked me to the door. As we approached it, two young women walked in. They stopped short when they saw us.
“Hey ladies! You're just in time for me to introduce you. I'm sure you know, this is Kandis.” They both nodded with smiles. “And these ladies are Mallory and Paige.” Jakob pointed to each one as he said their names. Mallory was a redhead, average tits, and from what I could tell at this angle, an average ass. Paige was blonde, longer hair that was curly, and shorter than Mallory. They were both younger than me, Paige looking younger. In fact.. I wondered if she was under twenty.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too! Will you be signing on?” Mallory asked. I waved my papers.
“Just did.”
“Awesome! Maybe we'll work together.”
“Maybe.” I wouldn't say no. I noticed Paige hadn't said one word yet. She just stood there listening, wide eyed.
“We'll see you soon, then.” Mallory smiled again and took Paige's hand.
“Sure will.” The two walked away, and I saw Paige whispering to Mallory.
“The blonde is quiet.”
“Yeah... she's new to the business. Real good though once she's comfortable.”
“Uh... how old are they?” I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Jakob laaughed.
“Old enough, I promise. They're older than they look. It's why I wanted them. For the market that likes em young.”
“Oh. Okay. She just made me wonder...”
“Me too! I made her get a Notarized copy of her birth certificate. Gotta cover my ass. Anyway, thanks for coming by, and for signing on. I'll call you when we're ready to go.”
“Great. Thanks. Looking forward to it.”
As I walked to my car, I realized he never actually answered my question about the young women's ages.
--------------------
February 29
Santa Barbara
Ante Up Academy
----------------------
Thursday before Retribution, I was at Ante Up and going hard in a sparring match with Ashley. He'd been working on strength the last few months and could throw me around a lot better than he used to. It was what I needed though, a hard work out to make sure I was ready for anything Selena was gonna throw at me. She talked a lot of shit of going by the book, but I don't trust her as far as I squirt, so I was preparing for anything.
Just as Ashely dropped me on my ass with a snapmare, I heard my phone going off.
“Hold!” He backed off.
“Y'gonna get that, then?”
“Yeah, it might be something I'm waiting for.”
“Alright. I'll grab us some waters.”
We both slid out of the ring and I grabbed my phone. The number was one I didn't know, but the area code was Florida.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Kandis?”
“That's me.”
“Oh good. This is Mary. Rose's mom.”
“Oh... hey.” I sat slowly on the bench. I had sent the painting, and Rose herself had called me to tell me she got it. So Mary could only be calling for... “Is everything okay?”
“Not exactly. I felt I should contact you, since you and Rose got on so well when you came here. I got your number from her phone, I hope you don't mind.”
“Of course not. What's going on?” I was afraid of the answer.
“Well, yesterday Rose had an episode. So I called-”
“Wait, what does that mean?”
“Oh, it's when she gets extremely weak, short of breath. Except this time she actually passed out. I called the ambulance, and we've been at the hospital since. She's on a machine now. Doing better, she's awake and she can breathe. But... she can't be off the machine.”
“Shit... sorry.”
“I would really like it if you would be able to come and see her again. Soon.” I heard the unspoken words – before she's gone.
“I don't think I can do that until after Sunday.”
“Right, your title match. I think that would be fine.”
“She'll... be okay, until then?”
“Probably. They said a few weeks. But you never know.” Rose had used that phrase a few times.
“Right. Okay, then I'll plan to come Monday. I won't even go home first. Tommy will be with me, too.”
“Are you sure? That's not rushing you? Or putting him out?”
“Not at all, either one. I promise.” We'd just have to reschedule some Ante Up things. But he'd do it, I knew.
“Thank you so much. Can I tell her?”
“Please do.”
“Then I will. I should get back to her Thank you again.”
“Thanks for calling me.”
After the call ended, I just sat there on the bench, staring off into nothing. Ashley came back and handed me a water. I took it, barely paying attention though.
“'Ey. You alright?”
“Hm? Oh... uh. Not really. But let's pick up.”
“What's wrong?”
“Can I tell you when we're done? I really want to focus.”
“Sure.” He downed half his water and got back into the ring. I drank half mine too and started to follow, but just then a text came through. Now what? It was Jakob.
[We'll be ready to start next week. That work for you?”]
[“After Wednesday. I have the ppv and another commitment.”]
[“PPV, right. Sounds great! See you then.”]
Tossing my phone aside, I got in the ring and faced Ashley. We were gonna start the match over.
As we worked out, I had one thing on my mind. I now had two more reasons to take the World Championship from Selena, other than getting it back where it belongs and away from the walking fraud that she is. One, to get more attention for Jakob to launch his site. And two... to show Rose when I go to see her.
ON CAMERA
You can't run from me now, bitch.
And don't you dare try to make anyone fall for this nonsense that you haven't been running from me, Selena. After Rise to Greatness when I knocked you off that pedestal you built for yourself, no one saw one single white hair of yours around SCW for months. Months! Everyone wanted to know where you were, if you were coming back. Wifey said nothing, almost like she wasn't allowed to. You were in hiding, doll. Everyone knows that, but you weren't just hiding your face out of shame. You were hiding from me. You got humbled by someone you've looked down on for years, shattered your fragile ego, and you couldn't take it. You didn't want to walk out to that ring and face me. You made one contractually obligated appearance, didn't bother to say more than six words and you ran. No accepting defeat like the so-called 'Face of SCW' with integrity should have done. Not even screaming 'fluke' and demanding an immediate rematch.
Nothing!
Not until after Under Attack... when I was no longer the World Champion. I bet you grabbed your phone so fast to call CBHK that the motion created a draft. My losing the championship meant that you could walk back in here and try to get it back.... without having to face me. Instead, you made some kind of under the table deal with CHBK about entering the End of the Year Battle Royal and only revealing yourself and getting your rematch if you won. Again.... hiding. Under a mask and behind a persona that hasn't been seen in over a decade. Because hey, if you didn't win, no one would have known it was you and your disappearance would have remained intact. But, we know that didn't happen. You did win, and you were handed the rematch that was supposed to be mine.
I was supposed to face Asher Hayes at Body, Heart, and Soul, no one else! He didn't pin me to become champion. But no, you and your scheming took that away from me. You wanted to cry foul over the suggestion that I did something dirty to get my number forty for the Flame? Which by the way... wasn't true. Just so everyone is clear on that. But this, what you pulled? Pales in comparison to that! You messed around with the actual World Championship, something you claim you care about more than anyone else. You played politics, you demanded something in exchange for just showing up!
What happened to your integrity, Selena? Did I shatter that along with your ego with the Starmaker that beat you?
I apparently kneed your skull so hard that your entire personality changed. I knew I had a strong kick but holy shit, right?
Actually, wait... no. That's not what happened. But I know what did.
Let's go back to Taking Hold of the Flame. The crowds were starting to get fed up with you by then, and when I won the Flame and they cheered for me? That's when you started to get scared. By the time Rise to Greatness came along, the fans had made their choice clear. They were sick and tired of you and they were ready for me to take the top spot in this company. You didn't know what to do with that. You spent almost ten years doing everything you could to make them happy. They were your people, your Believers! Everything you did and said in front of them was for them. Fighting when hurt? For them. Being the one to take out someone that was a disgrace to the company and whatever title they held? For them. Doing your best to hold up integrity, and be the Face of SCW that you were labeled as?
For. Them.
You took on the persona they gave you, you wanted to live up to their expectations. You were playing a role, Selena. I said it, Asher said it, half this fucking roster has said it over the years! You've been a fraud your entire career, pretending to give a fuck about these fans when all this time... you've only ever cared about elevating yourself.
And look, I get it. Self-promotion is part of the foundation of this business. You have to demand attention if you're gonna get anywhere. How do you think I got to where I am? I promote myself more than anyone else, I'm the biggest attention-grabber SCW has ever seen! The difference between you and I, Selena? Is that I admit it. In fact, I'm proud of it. I got myself this far! I made noise and made everyone look at me until they had no choice but to recognize that while I am the hottest thing SCW has ever employed, I am also one of the most skilled SCW has ever seen, too. And listen, I'll give credit where it's deserved. So are you. We've fought each other a handful of times, enough for me to know and recognize that when it comes to the upper level of this business? You're up there.
I got here by being nothing but my authentic self, from day one.
You got here by defrauding these fans into believing that you're their champion, and then you took on the role given to you when you were called the Face of SCW. You embraced that shit and ran a fucking marathon with it!
When the marathon ended and the people you pandered to for years turned their backs on you, instead of continuing with this persona you'd been playing for most of your career, you waltzed back in here, cut a deal to screw me, and started calling yourself the Blue-Eyed Devil. All of a sudden, you don't care if the fans believe in you. You became the prime example of everything you've fought so hard against for your entire career. You took their boos to heart and you turned your back on them in retaliation, or so it seems.
But I'm gonna expose you right now. You're still a fraud, Selena. Once again, you're just leaning into, embracing, the role that's been placed on your head. Oh, the fans hate you now? They don't want to see you at the top anymore? Fuck it.... you're the devil now!
I gotta ask you doll, does anyone actually know the real you? Do you even know who you really are? What you really stand for? Or have you catered to what's expected of you for so long that you no longer have your own worldview? Because it looks to me like you can't function if you don't have other people tell you who you are.
I know who I am, and I tell the world every time I speak, every time I show off my impressive ass, and every time I step into the ring. I've never changed one thread of who I am ever since I stepped foot into this company. Whether the fans hate me or love me, it doesn't matter. I am still the same hot, horny bitch who doesn't give half a fuck what anyone thinks about me. You can try to make the case that after you called me a whore, I embraced that and became “their whore.” But the fact is that you simply pointed out what I've always been. Shameless. I have never pretended to be anything other than a woman who embraces sexuality and has fun with it. That pisses a lot of people off, including you.
I never understood why what someone else does with their genitals would make a person so personally offended. Being a lesbian, I would think that you'd understand that the way a person chooses to express their sexuality is no one else's business, yet you judged me, just like the religious nutjobs have judged you! There's that hypocrisy again....
But, I'm getting carried away here, Retribution isn't about who you or I like to fuck. No, it's about you being forced to finally deal with me after ducking me for almost a year! You even tried to throw the first shot at you to someone else, to further fuck with me. I spoiled that for you, and Sunday night? I'm gonna spoil your plans of another lengthy reign, too.
Keep yelling about following every rule to the letter. Keep thinking you're a step ahead of me. None of that matters. I don't need to break rules to break your skull. I'm going to do the same thing I did at Rise to Greatness.
Outwrestle you. Expose you. Knock you out with a Starmaker. And become SCW World Champion.
You won't have to pander anymore, doll. You'll have all the time in the world to figure out who you are without a crowd to tell you.
Meanwhile I'll be out here doing the same thing I've done my entire life. Being shamelessly myself, and fucking proud of it.