Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2021 2:47:14 GMT
[The scene opens to the exterior of the "Apex Training Facility" in downtown Atlanta, which is owned and operated by Darren Finley and Mark Mason. The place where the woman we know as "The Chaos Valkyrie" was born; where she spent most of her childhood with her father. Well, when they weren't at home or he wasn't travelling. Right now, Kaitlyn, still attired in the suit and heels from the earlier contract signing, is simply sitting on the Oak bench at the front of the facility, deep in thought. Pondering the contract she had signed only hours ago with the IIW. About the moments that led up to this; how hard she has worked to even get to this stage in her career. The hours she spent inside of this gym, both working out and observing the other trainees her father was working with. Trainees that include her boyfriend, Kasey.]
This ,,, [She remarks with a sigh.] This is where I am at home.
[She smiles softly, as she watches a trainee walk down the sidewalk, carrying his gym bag; a towel draped over his neck and shoulders. Readying himself to enter the gym and commence his workout. He appears to be a few years older than Kaitlyn but by the look in her eyes, he is familiar to her. Most of the gym's regulars are and know her for who she is, rather than just the daughter of the owner.]
This is where it all began. Where I took my first steps into this industry. Where I found my love for all that it entails. From the time I first came in here with dad, I knew that I wanted to be a wrestler. That I wanted to be able to write my name in the same books that he did. That I wanted people to see me as my own name. As my own person, rather than just "Darren's Daughter". I want people to see me for being me. For being the brightest star in the sky. The one you look at when you dream of someone. I want to make sure that I am the one you think of, when you think of those who have walked through these doors; made their way in the industry.
[She cutely smiles as she reaches behind her head; pulls out the hairpin she had been using to hold her hair in the ponytail. Letting it flow down to her shoulders. Placing the hairpin into the breast pocket of her suit, she crosses her right leg over her left knee.]
I'm not like the rest of them. Yes, my dad helped me get my foot in the door. Yes, he guided my way and I am eternally grateful for that. But he knows that he isn't the one who defines my career. He isn't the one walking into that ring any more. He isn't the one whose name is up in the lights. He isn't the one who will be holding my hand as I wander into the limelight. He isn't the one that is in control of my destiny. He isn't the one pulling the strings.
[She pauses, lowering her voice into a whisper.]
I am.
[She allows those words to linger, as she slowly pushes herself upward; turns her body to the right. Making her way toward the sidewalk and then turning again. This time so that she faces the entrance. Walking into the facility, she glances around. Surveying the equipment; the fifteen people that are currently inside of the gym. At least six of them are familiar to her, but each of the fifteen are in various stages of their workout. Whether that be on the heavy bags that are on the right hand side of the gym, the treadmills on the left hand side, or the weights and mats in the middle. Slowly navigating her way around the left hand side perimeter, she smiles as the person on the third treadmill catches her attention. A man wearing a black Nike wife beater, jet black gym shorts and slate white sneakers; appearing to be not much older than her. However, he is focused on the wall in front of him as he runs. His breathing staggered, so Kaitlyn simply walks past his treadmill without stopping.]
Kaitlyn!
[Turning her head over her right shoulder, she sees a man wearing a white shirt, Navy gym shorts and Black Nike Sneakers making his way over to her. Eliciting a smile to curl across his lips.]
Wasn't expecting to see you here. [The man stops himself, waiting to see if she wishes to say anything.] I called your dad earlier; he said you were negotiating a contract.
[Kaitlyn sighs, but warmly laughs.]
Hey Matt. [She states to the man, who smiles in response.] Figured I'd come in here and see if Mark was around.
[Continuing her walk, Kaitlyn glances around the gym. Attempting to see if Mark is here, or if he's taking this Saturday off.]
Oh, alright.
So, what brings you here?
[Her words calm yet sharp, Matt simply smiles as he motions over to the benches nearest to the male locker room. Obviously wanting to tell Kaitlyn something in a "semi-private" space. She can sense it too; calmly makes her way over to those benches, as Matt walks past her, wanting to be there first. Poking his tongue out teasingly at her as he does. Laughing to herself, Kaitlyn slightly picks up the pace of her walking, though being mindful of the fact that she is in heels rather than regular shoes. Reaching the bench, she slowly sits down next to Matt as he watches her. A soft, cheeky smile across his face before gently placing his left hand atop the bench.]
Can I ask you something?
Of course. [She states, laughing.] You know you can ask me anything.
Did you really want to be a wrestler?
[Kaitlyn takes a deep breath, deeply thinking about the question as Matt glances at her. Knowing full well that he has put her on the spot with that question. Forced her to challenge her own line of thinking, but at the same time: she understands why he is asking it.]
Yes.
[Her comment affirms her stance, she knows that simply stating it is what she needed to hear. Matt knows it too, as he could sense something in her eyes during their training sessions together. The way she seemed to ... zone out; appear non-committal to the act of getting her own career off the ground.]
Are you sure? [He queries.]
[She simply nods.] Yes. This is what I truly want.
Okay.
[He smiles as he stands up, having gotten the answer he craved. That's all he wanted from her ... for her to be certain that she was doing this for herself; not just because her father had been in the industry.]
Thank you. [She whispers softly, watching as he walks through the gym.]
____________________________________________________________
[Three hours later, and Kaitlyn is sitting inside of her living room. Atop her favorite crimson red sofa, reading "The Paying Guests", which had been recommended to her by her friend Stephanie. Flicking through the pages, she hears the sound of knocking at her door, causing her to slide her bookmark into the page she was reading (48); stand up and make her way to the door. Curious as to who it is that has come. She mentally rules out Kasey, as he is probably asleep at his house. Or, she hopes he's asleep anyway, seeing as she told him in no uncertain terms he needed to get some. It's unlikely to be her father either, she thinks. He's teaching a class at the gym. Reaching the door, she opens it and sees a man standing there. He appears to be around her age; by the smile on her face, she is familiar with him.]
Hey, DeMarco. [She cheerfully states.]
Hey Kasey. [He replies, calmly as he hesitates slightly.] I heard the news.
[She sidesteps to the right, allowing him to enter, before the duo begin to make their way down the hall.]
Coffee?
Yeah. [He states, laughing.] Black, no sugar.
So, same as always? [Laughing as she states that, DeMarco makes his way into the lounge, whilst Kaitlyn calmly walks toward the kitchen.]
[Taking a seat on the jet black leather two-seat sofa about five feet to the left and positioned so that it faces the mahogany coffee table in the center of the room, glancing around at the portraits hung up on the wall, as well as the burnt orange plaster. He then casts his eyes toward the entranceway, as Kaitlyn walks in. Balancing two cups of coffee, before she wanders back to her couch and places them on the table.]
You heard about Kasey and I signing with the IIW? [She asks, laughing at the fact that news appears to have travelled fast.]
Yeah. [He replies, smiling at her.] Saw people tweeting about it.
[She responds with a gentle laugh.] True.
[She smiles at DeMarco before leaning across; picking up her cup. Taking a sip, she slides forward. Making sure not to spill any of the coffee onto her carpet before placing the cup down, as DeMarco takes a sip of his own.]
I know you and Kasey will kill it there. [He pauses, eliciting a smile from Kaitlyn.] If there's any duo that I know will succeed, it's you two. Especially you.
Because of my father? [She asks, in a friendly but sharp-edged manner.]
[DeMarco shakes his head, as he takes another gulp of his coffee.]
No. [He replies in a deadpan fashion.] Because I know how good you are, Katie. I haven't seen many people like you between the ropes. You have that it factor.
[Kaitlyn softly smiles, as she takes a sip of her own coffee. Her cheeks slightly reddening.]
I hope people realize that.
They will.
They better. [Bluntly remarking that, she pauses. Waiting to see if DeMarco has a response.] I'm tired of hearing people try and talk about how I'm only in this because of my father.
[Sighing, she looks deep into DeMarco's eyes. Knowing that he probably doesn't need to hear her vent, but to her: it's at least someone there to be an audience. To understand her. Something she had really only had from Kasey previously.]
I get it. Dad was a worldwide name. He was a legend in this industry, but that doesn't mean that I am only doing this because of him. [Her voice strained, she takes another sip of coffee, attempting to clear it.]
I know. [DeMarco responds, sympathizing with her.]
I wish others did as well. [Her voice softening, a small tear begins to run down her right cheek. One of sorrow; disappointment that people still make that assertion. That she is only wrestling for her father.] This is what I've wanted to do all my life.
[Finishing his coffee, DeMarco looks deep into Kaitlyn's eyes. Feeling the passion that flows within her with each word she speaks. She gently smiles at him, before reclining further into her chair.]
Don't worry about what others think, Kate.
I know. I know I shouldn't listen to them.
[She smiles as DeMarco finishes his coffee, gently placing his pine green ceramic cup back atop the table.]
Yeah. [He remarks.] Just stay true to yourself.
Thanks. [She softly remarks, finishing her cup of coffee; placing the sky blue ceramic cup with dolphins painted onto it, atop the table.] I needed this.
Remember: You know how good you are in the ring. The time is now to show them what you're capable of.
That's what I plan to do.
[She softly laughs after making that statement. As cliché as it may be, that is exactly what she intends on doing. She just needed to hear others affirm it for her, considering the backdrop and chatter of her father; whether she was only doing this for him. The scene fades at this point, as a slight smile crosses her lips.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Kaitlyn is wearing a black tank top, denim jeans and black knee high leather boots, as she arrives at the entrance of her favorite place to just hang out in recent months; let her hair down. The Havana Club. It's where she hosted her 21st birthday and a place where she can be herself, without any inhibitions. Inhaling, she walks up to the front of the line, flashes her ID at the security guard, who scans his eyes over it, nodding his head before stepping off to the left, allowing her to enter. Navigating her way through the twenty or so patrons that had just recently entered, she sauntered over to the bar table; sitting down atop one of the wine colored cushions of the stool about three seats from center. Watching as the bartender makes his way over to her, instantly noticing her.]
The usual?
Yeah. [She states, smiling at him.]
[He wanders over to the mixer as she glances off to the left. Gazing at the one hundred or so patrons that are all dancing, drunkenly or otherwise, a gentle sigh leaving her lips. No one there that she knows, or at least, none of those figures that she can make out in the group. Reaching into her jeans pocket, she extracts her wallet, pulling out 20 dollars and placing it on the table. Right as the bartender returns, her standard vodka in hand. Taking the drink, she exchanges the twenty dollars with it, before raising the glass to her mouth; taking a sip. Just then, the patron, a female in her mid twenties; wearing a white shirt, black jeans and white sneakers, that had been sitting next to her turns her head. Gently smiling as she does.]
Hey.
Hi.
[The girl shyly looks at her, trying to figure out if she remembers her from somewhere.]
I'm Sarah. [She softly remarks, taking a sip from her own glass of wine.]
I'm Kaitlyn. [She responds, a gentle smile crossing her lips. The face isn't familiar to her, but she knows that name.] You come here often?
[Sarah softly laughs.] Occasionally. You?
Yeah. Once a week.
{Sarah smiles, as Kaitlyn slowly sips her vodka.]
Nice. [She remarks, pausing before trying to consider what she wishes to say next.] By yourself?
[Kaitlyn smirks.] Right now, yes. But I often come here with my boyfriend. [She laughs.] Lets us let everything out of our system.
True. [Sarah utters, before taking a deep breath.]
You come alone? [Her comment soft, she notices the saddened stare she receives in return.]
Yeah.
[Upon hearing this; combined with the expression in Sarah's eyes, Kaitlyn feels a lightbulb go off in her mind.]
How about we hit the floor together?
[Sarah laughs, her lips curling into a smile.] Really?
Yeah. [She comments in reply, standing as she does.]
I'd love that.
[Extending her right hand, Kaitlyn lifts Sarah up, the two of them placing their now finished glasses down on the table; beginning to make their way towards the dancefloor.]
How did you know? [Sarah questions, remembering how Kaitlyn seemed to notice something about her.]
Know what? [She queries.]
About ... [She hesitates, her voice beginning to waver.] Me.
[Kaitlyn stops, looking into Sarah's eyes.]
I could tell by how you looked at me when you said you were alone.
[Sarah softly smiles as Kaitlyn gives her a teasing look. Making their way to the dancefloor, the two begin to dance. Kaitlyn as crazily as possible, whilst Sarah is a little more subdued. Something still lingering on her mind.]
You okay? [Kaitlyn asks, noticing the subdued nature.]
Yeah, I'm fine.
[Kaitlyn smiles, as she twirls around. Enjoying what she knows will likely be her last night in this club for a while. As soon, she and Kasey will be on a plane heading to Manchester to compete for the IIW. Taking the first steps toward carving their names into wrestling's history books. The scene then fades, with the people dancing in the distance, alongside Kaitlyn and Sarah.]
This ,,, [She remarks with a sigh.] This is where I am at home.
[She smiles softly, as she watches a trainee walk down the sidewalk, carrying his gym bag; a towel draped over his neck and shoulders. Readying himself to enter the gym and commence his workout. He appears to be a few years older than Kaitlyn but by the look in her eyes, he is familiar to her. Most of the gym's regulars are and know her for who she is, rather than just the daughter of the owner.]
This is where it all began. Where I took my first steps into this industry. Where I found my love for all that it entails. From the time I first came in here with dad, I knew that I wanted to be a wrestler. That I wanted to be able to write my name in the same books that he did. That I wanted people to see me as my own name. As my own person, rather than just "Darren's Daughter". I want people to see me for being me. For being the brightest star in the sky. The one you look at when you dream of someone. I want to make sure that I am the one you think of, when you think of those who have walked through these doors; made their way in the industry.
[She cutely smiles as she reaches behind her head; pulls out the hairpin she had been using to hold her hair in the ponytail. Letting it flow down to her shoulders. Placing the hairpin into the breast pocket of her suit, she crosses her right leg over her left knee.]
I'm not like the rest of them. Yes, my dad helped me get my foot in the door. Yes, he guided my way and I am eternally grateful for that. But he knows that he isn't the one who defines my career. He isn't the one walking into that ring any more. He isn't the one whose name is up in the lights. He isn't the one who will be holding my hand as I wander into the limelight. He isn't the one that is in control of my destiny. He isn't the one pulling the strings.
[She pauses, lowering her voice into a whisper.]
I am.
[She allows those words to linger, as she slowly pushes herself upward; turns her body to the right. Making her way toward the sidewalk and then turning again. This time so that she faces the entrance. Walking into the facility, she glances around. Surveying the equipment; the fifteen people that are currently inside of the gym. At least six of them are familiar to her, but each of the fifteen are in various stages of their workout. Whether that be on the heavy bags that are on the right hand side of the gym, the treadmills on the left hand side, or the weights and mats in the middle. Slowly navigating her way around the left hand side perimeter, she smiles as the person on the third treadmill catches her attention. A man wearing a black Nike wife beater, jet black gym shorts and slate white sneakers; appearing to be not much older than her. However, he is focused on the wall in front of him as he runs. His breathing staggered, so Kaitlyn simply walks past his treadmill without stopping.]
Kaitlyn!
[Turning her head over her right shoulder, she sees a man wearing a white shirt, Navy gym shorts and Black Nike Sneakers making his way over to her. Eliciting a smile to curl across his lips.]
Wasn't expecting to see you here. [The man stops himself, waiting to see if she wishes to say anything.] I called your dad earlier; he said you were negotiating a contract.
[Kaitlyn sighs, but warmly laughs.]
Hey Matt. [She states to the man, who smiles in response.] Figured I'd come in here and see if Mark was around.
[Continuing her walk, Kaitlyn glances around the gym. Attempting to see if Mark is here, or if he's taking this Saturday off.]
Oh, alright.
So, what brings you here?
[Her words calm yet sharp, Matt simply smiles as he motions over to the benches nearest to the male locker room. Obviously wanting to tell Kaitlyn something in a "semi-private" space. She can sense it too; calmly makes her way over to those benches, as Matt walks past her, wanting to be there first. Poking his tongue out teasingly at her as he does. Laughing to herself, Kaitlyn slightly picks up the pace of her walking, though being mindful of the fact that she is in heels rather than regular shoes. Reaching the bench, she slowly sits down next to Matt as he watches her. A soft, cheeky smile across his face before gently placing his left hand atop the bench.]
Can I ask you something?
Of course. [She states, laughing.] You know you can ask me anything.
Did you really want to be a wrestler?
[Kaitlyn takes a deep breath, deeply thinking about the question as Matt glances at her. Knowing full well that he has put her on the spot with that question. Forced her to challenge her own line of thinking, but at the same time: she understands why he is asking it.]
Yes.
[Her comment affirms her stance, she knows that simply stating it is what she needed to hear. Matt knows it too, as he could sense something in her eyes during their training sessions together. The way she seemed to ... zone out; appear non-committal to the act of getting her own career off the ground.]
Are you sure? [He queries.]
[She simply nods.] Yes. This is what I truly want.
Okay.
[He smiles as he stands up, having gotten the answer he craved. That's all he wanted from her ... for her to be certain that she was doing this for herself; not just because her father had been in the industry.]
Thank you. [She whispers softly, watching as he walks through the gym.]
____________________________________________________________
[Three hours later, and Kaitlyn is sitting inside of her living room. Atop her favorite crimson red sofa, reading "The Paying Guests", which had been recommended to her by her friend Stephanie. Flicking through the pages, she hears the sound of knocking at her door, causing her to slide her bookmark into the page she was reading (48); stand up and make her way to the door. Curious as to who it is that has come. She mentally rules out Kasey, as he is probably asleep at his house. Or, she hopes he's asleep anyway, seeing as she told him in no uncertain terms he needed to get some. It's unlikely to be her father either, she thinks. He's teaching a class at the gym. Reaching the door, she opens it and sees a man standing there. He appears to be around her age; by the smile on her face, she is familiar with him.]
Hey, DeMarco. [She cheerfully states.]
Hey Kasey. [He replies, calmly as he hesitates slightly.] I heard the news.
[She sidesteps to the right, allowing him to enter, before the duo begin to make their way down the hall.]
Coffee?
Yeah. [He states, laughing.] Black, no sugar.
So, same as always? [Laughing as she states that, DeMarco makes his way into the lounge, whilst Kaitlyn calmly walks toward the kitchen.]
[Taking a seat on the jet black leather two-seat sofa about five feet to the left and positioned so that it faces the mahogany coffee table in the center of the room, glancing around at the portraits hung up on the wall, as well as the burnt orange plaster. He then casts his eyes toward the entranceway, as Kaitlyn walks in. Balancing two cups of coffee, before she wanders back to her couch and places them on the table.]
You heard about Kasey and I signing with the IIW? [She asks, laughing at the fact that news appears to have travelled fast.]
Yeah. [He replies, smiling at her.] Saw people tweeting about it.
[She responds with a gentle laugh.] True.
[She smiles at DeMarco before leaning across; picking up her cup. Taking a sip, she slides forward. Making sure not to spill any of the coffee onto her carpet before placing the cup down, as DeMarco takes a sip of his own.]
I know you and Kasey will kill it there. [He pauses, eliciting a smile from Kaitlyn.] If there's any duo that I know will succeed, it's you two. Especially you.
Because of my father? [She asks, in a friendly but sharp-edged manner.]
[DeMarco shakes his head, as he takes another gulp of his coffee.]
No. [He replies in a deadpan fashion.] Because I know how good you are, Katie. I haven't seen many people like you between the ropes. You have that it factor.
[Kaitlyn softly smiles, as she takes a sip of her own coffee. Her cheeks slightly reddening.]
I hope people realize that.
They will.
They better. [Bluntly remarking that, she pauses. Waiting to see if DeMarco has a response.] I'm tired of hearing people try and talk about how I'm only in this because of my father.
[Sighing, she looks deep into DeMarco's eyes. Knowing that he probably doesn't need to hear her vent, but to her: it's at least someone there to be an audience. To understand her. Something she had really only had from Kasey previously.]
I get it. Dad was a worldwide name. He was a legend in this industry, but that doesn't mean that I am only doing this because of him. [Her voice strained, she takes another sip of coffee, attempting to clear it.]
I know. [DeMarco responds, sympathizing with her.]
I wish others did as well. [Her voice softening, a small tear begins to run down her right cheek. One of sorrow; disappointment that people still make that assertion. That she is only wrestling for her father.] This is what I've wanted to do all my life.
[Finishing his coffee, DeMarco looks deep into Kaitlyn's eyes. Feeling the passion that flows within her with each word she speaks. She gently smiles at him, before reclining further into her chair.]
Don't worry about what others think, Kate.
I know. I know I shouldn't listen to them.
[She smiles as DeMarco finishes his coffee, gently placing his pine green ceramic cup back atop the table.]
Yeah. [He remarks.] Just stay true to yourself.
Thanks. [She softly remarks, finishing her cup of coffee; placing the sky blue ceramic cup with dolphins painted onto it, atop the table.] I needed this.
Remember: You know how good you are in the ring. The time is now to show them what you're capable of.
That's what I plan to do.
[She softly laughs after making that statement. As cliché as it may be, that is exactly what she intends on doing. She just needed to hear others affirm it for her, considering the backdrop and chatter of her father; whether she was only doing this for him. The scene fades at this point, as a slight smile crosses her lips.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Kaitlyn is wearing a black tank top, denim jeans and black knee high leather boots, as she arrives at the entrance of her favorite place to just hang out in recent months; let her hair down. The Havana Club. It's where she hosted her 21st birthday and a place where she can be herself, without any inhibitions. Inhaling, she walks up to the front of the line, flashes her ID at the security guard, who scans his eyes over it, nodding his head before stepping off to the left, allowing her to enter. Navigating her way through the twenty or so patrons that had just recently entered, she sauntered over to the bar table; sitting down atop one of the wine colored cushions of the stool about three seats from center. Watching as the bartender makes his way over to her, instantly noticing her.]
The usual?
Yeah. [She states, smiling at him.]
[He wanders over to the mixer as she glances off to the left. Gazing at the one hundred or so patrons that are all dancing, drunkenly or otherwise, a gentle sigh leaving her lips. No one there that she knows, or at least, none of those figures that she can make out in the group. Reaching into her jeans pocket, she extracts her wallet, pulling out 20 dollars and placing it on the table. Right as the bartender returns, her standard vodka in hand. Taking the drink, she exchanges the twenty dollars with it, before raising the glass to her mouth; taking a sip. Just then, the patron, a female in her mid twenties; wearing a white shirt, black jeans and white sneakers, that had been sitting next to her turns her head. Gently smiling as she does.]
Hey.
Hi.
[The girl shyly looks at her, trying to figure out if she remembers her from somewhere.]
I'm Sarah. [She softly remarks, taking a sip from her own glass of wine.]
I'm Kaitlyn. [She responds, a gentle smile crossing her lips. The face isn't familiar to her, but she knows that name.] You come here often?
[Sarah softly laughs.] Occasionally. You?
Yeah. Once a week.
{Sarah smiles, as Kaitlyn slowly sips her vodka.]
Nice. [She remarks, pausing before trying to consider what she wishes to say next.] By yourself?
[Kaitlyn smirks.] Right now, yes. But I often come here with my boyfriend. [She laughs.] Lets us let everything out of our system.
True. [Sarah utters, before taking a deep breath.]
You come alone? [Her comment soft, she notices the saddened stare she receives in return.]
Yeah.
[Upon hearing this; combined with the expression in Sarah's eyes, Kaitlyn feels a lightbulb go off in her mind.]
How about we hit the floor together?
[Sarah laughs, her lips curling into a smile.] Really?
Yeah. [She comments in reply, standing as she does.]
I'd love that.
[Extending her right hand, Kaitlyn lifts Sarah up, the two of them placing their now finished glasses down on the table; beginning to make their way towards the dancefloor.]
How did you know? [Sarah questions, remembering how Kaitlyn seemed to notice something about her.]
Know what? [She queries.]
About ... [She hesitates, her voice beginning to waver.] Me.
[Kaitlyn stops, looking into Sarah's eyes.]
I could tell by how you looked at me when you said you were alone.
[Sarah softly smiles as Kaitlyn gives her a teasing look. Making their way to the dancefloor, the two begin to dance. Kaitlyn as crazily as possible, whilst Sarah is a little more subdued. Something still lingering on her mind.]
You okay? [Kaitlyn asks, noticing the subdued nature.]
Yeah, I'm fine.
[Kaitlyn smiles, as she twirls around. Enjoying what she knows will likely be her last night in this club for a while. As soon, she and Kasey will be on a plane heading to Manchester to compete for the IIW. Taking the first steps toward carving their names into wrestling's history books. The scene then fades, with the people dancing in the distance, alongside Kaitlyn and Sarah.]