Post by Brianna Rissi on Mar 13, 2019 15:26:16 GMT
The scene opens up with Brianna laying on a bench in the gym. She is dressed in a pair of black workout pants and a top that shows off her abs. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun. Above her head she pushes a barbell full of weights. Behind her head, Michael Rissi keeps his hands a few inches under the barbell as she lowers it and then pushes it back up, providing as a spotter. Low grunts escape between her teeth, as she pushes it up. Sweat drips down her forehead, and her back feels sticky against the padding of the bench. People watch out of the corner of their eyes, trying and failing to not look obvious about staring at the dark haired Aussies ability. Though petite, she’s pretty strong.
MICHAEL RISSI
98….
She pumps again.
MICHAEL RISSI
99….
Brianna lowers the weights one last time and pushes it up with a groan. Michael quickly takes the barbell and secures it to the holders before she drops the bar. He steps around and reaches into a duffle bag and produces a water bottle. He turns toward her, reaches a hand out and she takes it as he helps her to sit up. Sitting next to her on the bench, he opens the bottle and hands it too her.
MICHAEL RISSI
You’re looking pretty good for in a few weeks time. You should be able handle yourself against the rest of these Wankers entering the match.
Brianna looks over him grinning.
BRIANNA RISSI
You’re one of those Wankers.
MICHAEL RISSI
Maybe. You should be good competition though.
BRIANNA RISSI
I hope so, I don’t want to be one of those kinds of competitors that talk a lot and then can’t back it up. I told Tiger that I was ready for a shot at the Championship when he announced he would be trying to find a replacement for the match. I didn’t think he would take me seriously and actually put me as a Wildcard competitor for the title.
MICHAEL RISSI
He must have reconsidered after you cleaned house last week.
BRIANNA RISSI
Perhaps. But it’s not like I’ve got a serious shot at winning it.
MICHAEL RISSI
What do ya mean?
BRIANNA RISSI
Um, last I’ve checked, you won your last qualifications match. So yea, there lies one problem.
MICHAEL RISSI
You can beat me.
Brianna laughs a little. She shakes her head and takes a sip from the water bottle and then sets it down on the bench and stands up. She walks over to the mirror and looks at her cousin in the reflection. Michael meets her gaze.
BRIANNA RISSI
There is zero chance that someone of my statue can defeat someone as built as you, and you know it. So I’d appreciate it if you would stop trying to feed into my ego before we go into this match. I don’t know if it is some kind of tactic to get inside of my mind to psych me out before the biggest match of my small existing career, but you don’t need mind games to beat me.
Michael frowns at Brianna and purses his lips into a thin line taking in what she says. He then stands up and approaches her and spins her around to face her. He places each hand on one of her shoulders, and lowers himself down to her height.
MICHAEL RISSI
Brianna, when have I ever been one to play mind games with anyone to attempt to win a match? I’ve always just relied on my mouth and my physical abilities. I don’t need to stoop to that level to try and get someone to cave under the pressure of facing me. Maybe people in your past have played that kind of game but those games are for losers. If someone can’t rely on their own strength and state of mind to get the job done, then maybe they don’t belong in this kind of business.
Lawling her head to the side, she looks up at the ceiling and lets out a small sign.
BRIANNA RISSI
I know you don’t play those kinds of games. I guess I’m just psyching myself out. I don’t know. Maybe I’m really not as prepared for this match now that I know that you’re one of the finalists. I know I can beat anyone else on the roster. I’ve been watching the competition and while I’m pleased with the amount of talent on the roster, well, let’s just say that there are a lot of lackeys that I thought I’d be forced to face first to actually prove my worth here. But now, here I am in a World Title shot against YOU of all people. The last person that I wanted to face at the moment. GAWD why couldn't you have just let Kia win that last match?
She chuckles a bit and takes a step back, forcing Michael to lower his arms to his side. She heads over to a set of dumbells and picks up a pair of 50 lb weights. She gets into a slight lung and starts to alternate lifting them in each hand, her muscles in her upper arm ripping with each lift.
MICHAEL RISSI
To be frank, you’re probably the only one heading into this match with any shot of beating me. You don’t give yourself much credit. You have to look at the past and realize how far you’ve come since being a rookie in EHWF.
She rolls her eyes, and smirks a little.
BRIANNA RISSI
Yea, I know. But you’ve had years of experience, cuz. There is no way one year under your belt that I’ll be as great as you are now. Maybe in another year or two. Oh wells. All I can ask is if you please just go a little easy on me. Don’t embarrass me in my first match back, ok?
Michael shakes his head.
MICHAEL RISSI
You’ll be fine, Bri. Look, I have to go and meet Joanna. But if you want a pre-match preview, maybe we can squander in the ring a few times before March 13th.
BRIANNA RISSI
It won’t help, but it may be fun to get back in the ring an mess around. It’s been a while.
Michael goes over and grabs his duffel bag and slings it over his left shoulder.
MICHAEL RISSI
See you back home.
Brianna knots to him as he leaves, leaving her alone in the empty gym. Looking at her own reflection, she watches herself doing the last few reps before putting them down. SHe walks back up to the mirror and cocks her head.
Did she honestly have what it would take to beat the one person whom everyone fears to face? Pfft, don’t make her laugh.
…………………………………….
March 12
Captain Baxters
St. Kilda Beach
Brianna pulls into the crowded parking lot of the plaza. She heads for the front row, and with excellent timing, someone is pulling out of a front row spot. Putting on her signal, she waits patiently for the silver toyota to pull out then slides in quickly to the spot before someone could snag it. Grabbing her purse she jumps out of the opened vehicle and heads toward the restaurant.
“Oi Bri!” locals yell out to the brunette as she makes her way to the entrance to Captain Baxters.
She waves in return, familiar with a lot of faces surrounding her. Growing up in Melbourne and making it to the professional level of wrestling with her already infamous cousin, she was easily recognizable. It was quite a culture shock to leave Australia to return a celebrity. No one treated her like a celebrity, but everyone acted as though they knew her. It was Michael everyone gushed over. She walks up to the doorway, wearing a short white dress and black heels. Her hair is flowing loosely behind her, held back out of her face by a pair of white rimmed gucci sunglasses. Making her way to the hostess, she leans in.
“Reservations for two for the top deck, name Rissi?” she asks.
The hostess looks down the list and puts a check next to the name.
“Your mate is already upstairs, I’ll take you to him,” the hostess tells Bree and leads her up a set of stairs to the top deck.
People line the railings and the stairs, waiting for a seat. Brianna has to push her way through to keep up with the hostess until they reach a table against a class wall that overlooks the beach. Michael is already sitting there with a beer in front of him waiting. Wearing a black tight shirt, his muscles ripple, intimidating those around him. His hair is spiked up, his tan deeper than Briannas. THe hostess does a Vanna White pose with the empty chair, and Brianna pulls it out and sits down.
“Your waitress is Bianca, she will be right with you,” the hostess tells her then takes her leave.
“You’re early,” Brianna says with a smirk.
“You’re late,” Michael retaliates.
“Perhaps. Anyways, thanks for meeting me before I leave tomorrow. I know I have no right to take you away from Joanna, and certainly no right to poke your mind, but I could really use your intel about this weeks match,” Brianna says with appreciation.
“Hey, you’re family. Anyone else I probably would have said ‘fuck off’. Besides, you have a real shot, and I don’t want to win without beating the best in everyone,” Michael says taking a sip of his beer.
The waitress, Bianca, arrives to the table with a clipboard.
“What can I get ya, mate?” Bianca asks.
“I’ll just take a Cab Sav,” Brianna tells her.
“Ace! And you? Another amber fluid?” she asks.
“Sure,” Michael says, his cup almost gone.
The waitress walks away, leaving the two alone.
“So, what is it you’re mostly concerned about?” Michael asks her.
“Besides facing you? I guess the unknown. I haven't been able to find out a lot about this Rory Hazlow for starters,” Brianna says.
“You don’t have to worry too much about that bloke. He’s a pussy when it really comes down to it. He talks a lot of shit, but in the end he is a bloody coward. He hides behind Vigor because he’s such a wuss. In a singles match where he has nowhere to run and hide, he is an easy target. He’s probably the least of your problems going into this match to be frank, Bree,” Michael tells her.
“Well, what about Overton? He’s gotten better since our EHWF days. He’s in a title shot match for crying out loud. Six months ago I never would have imagined that. He’s become quite impressive,” Brianna says.
The waitress returns with her glass of wine.
“Are we ready to order?” she asks.
“Smoked ocean trout salad, blistered snake beans, with roasted sesame,” Brianna orders.
“And for you?” Bianca asks Michael.
“Just the Korean fried chicken plate,” he says.
“Not hungry?” Bri asks when the waitress walks away.
“Nah,” he says. “I’m just here to relax and educate.”
Bri laughs and takes a sip of her wine.
“Getting back to Kieran,” Michael says. “He’s still a dirty fighter. Nothing much about him has changed. He attacks people from behind. He injures people on purpose.”
“So he’s basically he’s still an asshole,” Brianna mutters.
“Exactly,” Michael says. “Rory is basically the same but with a virgina. He’s underhanded but still doesn’t seem to win many matches. It’s a joke that he’s in this match at all.”
“Well, I guess that only leaves Zoe, but I think I get what she’s all about. I remember watching her whens he was on Mayhem and you banished me to Anarchy,” Brianna pouts.
“I didn’t banish you anywhere. You said you wanted a challenge and a chance to shut people up. Anarchy was your ticket and you took it. I gave you plenty of opportunity to join Mayhem and you denied it after we nearly locked in contract switches,” he reminds her.
“Whatever. So, how does this twenty minute scramble match work anyway?” Brianna asks.
“Basically, The match will have a 20 minute time limit. Usually, the defending champion and one randomly selected challenger will begin the match with a new, randomly selected wrestler entering the match every 5 minutes until all 5 competitors are in the ring. Pinfalls or submissions can happen at any time. Should a wrestler score a pinfall or submission, they will be recognized as a “temporary” champion until the match either ends or he is pinned or made to submit. Whoever is the “temporary” champion when the 20 minute time limit expires will be recognized as the current champion,” he informs her.
The food suddenly arrives, and the waitress puts down the plates and scurries away. Brianna pauses for a minute, just looking at the plate, taking in the process of the match.
“So say I was the last one to enter the competition. I could watch everyone else beat the shit out of each other then enter the match, then I could pin say Rory with five seconds left on the clock and become the new champion?” Brianna asks.
“Basically,” MIchael says, finishing his first beer and starting his second.
“Well, these rules change my tactics,” she whispers.
“What if you’re first?” Michael asks.
“Then I play keep away until the third competitor enters. What’s the point of competing until the end? It gives the last competitor a huge advantage unless everyone remains fresh,” Brianna says.
“Say it's you and Overton? Think he will honestly let you just stand there?” Michael asks.
“The guy is like 500 lbs. He’s a fat disgusting slob. I think I can play keep away just fine with my size compared to his. He will probably be out of breath his first lap around the ring,” Bree says with confidence.
“And Rory?” Michael asks.
“If he is a wuss as you state he is, he will probably keep his distance for a time being. He doesn’t know me or my level of skill. People who are afraid of the unknown don’t try to make the first move. The only person who probably would is Zoe, and that’s because she and I have similar traits,” Brianna stats.
“Like what?” Michael wonders. “Other that you’re both female?”
“She has a similar personality. She isn’t a dirty player. She attacks from the front instead of from behind. Zoe is willing to compete and play hard when she needs too, but she does it in an honest way. I can’t see her being stupid enough to start the match strong to get worn out by the end. It will make her such a huge target at the end because we both know that Rory and Kieran will target the weak. They are too afraid of you, as the rest of us probably are, which makes it more likely that they will target each other before they come after either of us. Zoe is probably the only one not afraid to face you. She has more courage than the other two, thats a given.”
“True, true,” Michael says starting on his chicken.
“I can’t see the other three teaming up to take on the Rissi’s. Kieran and Rory perhaps, but not Zoe. She’s in a much classier league than the other two. I don’t think she would stoop down to their level to try and eliminate the bigger threats entering this match. Which is a good thing for me because my chances of winning, while still slim to none, will be greater,” Brianna says.
She starts to play with her food.
“To be honest, Michael, I’m not in this match to win it. Sure, it would be nice, but my main goal going into this is to make sure a Rissi walks out of the match a champion. If that means you, then I’ll be more than happy to help you achieve that. You’ve earned it. I haven’t. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the title off of the the others waist. I don't want to see the gold tarnished if it ends up in the clutches of competitors like Rory or Kieran. I wouldn’t mind so much Zoe being the champion, except you’re in the match. And while I don’t usually play favorites, I am pretty biased,” Brianna says.
She looks up to see Michael glaring at her.
“Don’t say shit like that. I didn’t train you to fall short due to emotions. I want you to go into this match with a winning the title mindset. I want you to try to win. I don’t want you forfeiting the match to try and help me win it. I get you’re morality and your mentality of the idea, but I want you to be selfish at times. I want you to show the world how great you’ve become the last few months. I appreciate your intentions but I’m telling you right now, that if I get the suspicion that if I win because you helped me instead of being greedy, then I’ll make sure that you face me in a one on one in a rematch, Rissi versus Rissi. Non-Disqualification if need be, win via pin or submission. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
She sees the fire, and immediate throws her hands up.
“Fine, I’ll try, but if it comes down to distracting the others for you to get the final pin so a Rissi ends up the World Champion, then I’m going to do it,” she tells him, her eyes blazing with stubborness.
MIchael rolls his eyes.
“You’re ridiculous,” he says after a moment.
Brianna smirks at him.
“I’m a Rissi,” she jokes and raises her glass.
They clink glasses, and the scene fades.