Little Paper Drew. (Drew)

[Lessien Melwasul]

~News was traveling fast in GCW. It was also traveled far. The combination finally bringing it across the border of Wonderland and to the ears of Lessien Melwasul. A million miles an hour, the thoughts raced in her two cylinder head. Alice rested her fingertips against their temple skin.~

"Champion."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

~The thoughts swirled in rhythm with the things she would do in the future. But for now ...~

"Every wall is a door."

~Alice mused at the turn of events as Betty rose from her throne.~

"Then it's time to knock on one."

~Heavy soled boots sounded evenly down the GCW highways and byways. A trail of tobacco marking her passing turns. Her eyes clear behind the glasses that were always there for protection. She was on the prowl for Little Paper Drew... The Debutante Champion.~

"Time away..."

"I'm sure she missed us desperately."

~The appearance of Lessien talking to herself was common place. But still heads turned that passed her until finally she reached Drew's dressing room door and knocked... grinding out the Lucky Strike under her boot in front of the closed door while ignoring the assorted cameras that seemed to park around the Champion's every move. They were waiting for something to happen, and the wait was over now. People watched at home.~

[Jennifer Drew]

Daaaaaamn.

Interrupting my all-important backstage putz around time, are you? I guess this latest super-famous person call with Deirdre would have to wait a couple minutes.

Hang on, I think I'm back on the clock.

All I could think when I went to the door was that smell is so familiar. Turns out I was right.

Lessien!

I wasn't ready for the pop-in if you're coming in, but I can go steal some stuff. Oh, we'll deal with that later. Come here!

I don't know why I held my arms out for the friendly reunion hug because really I was expecting nothing more than a solid boot to the stomach.

[Lessien Melwasul]

~Lessien's arms fell open for the sweet, Lover's embrace only to have Betty ruin it all by snatching one of the GCW cameras at the last second. The little red light on top glowing 'Live' and on the air. With the camera shooting from her hip, she accepted the invitation inside.~

"Love the hair. So much better than last years disaster."

~Betty hoisted the camera up on a trainer's table so it was pointed at her and Drew. Alice looked deep into the lens until Betty turned to begin.~

"I hope you don't mind if we do this in here. The mind is the perfect stage."

~The form of Lessien sat down as Betty checked to make sure they were still in frame.~

"It's much more personal this way, and if I'm anything. I would hope personal is one of them."

~Betty motioned to the seat right across from her while Alice thought about touching that pink hair.~

"Just you... me... and however many people put their money down at home to see what just might happen to you."

~An elongated sigh escaped her lips as she dug into one of her pockets for a cigarette that was soon making everything cozy.~

"Or me I suppose."

~She exhaled a long dragon's tail.~

[Jennifer Drew]

Totally.

Sure, I'll take a seat with her. You all don't “get it” but we're chummy Lessien and I.

Now just do me a favor and do that special thing you do all over Trinity's skull. I respect all the ass she's been kicking so far, and I wouldn't have set all this up if I didn't think she could hang with us but come on.

Unstoppable juggernaut of 2008 vs. girl who finally earned her paycheck? I know you know the cogs were busily grinding away thinking about that one. It's what the web guy calls moving mad units.

[Lessien Melwasul]

~The legs of Lessien crossed one over the other.~

"I'm going to assume you didn't just call me a mad unit, because that would throw off my whole schedule, Lover."

~Betty took another long drag, while Alice tapped on the camera lens a final time before they began all over again.~

"Trinity was a special treat. I was going to give her a complete tour of all the places you could've been last year... if you hadn't disappointed me three hundred and twenty seven times."

~Betty, exhaled long as Alice followed the smoke up with her eyes.~

"But you had to ruin it all by bringing that Debutante title back into my thoughts. Around and around and around and around and around and around. And all I have to do is beat her... again. Beat you... again and then the thinking will fucking stop, just like before."

~Alice giggled quietly as ash fell from the burning tip.~

"So tell me, Lover. Oh, do tell the watching world... what are the

long

hard

odds that I destroy Trinity ... again ... and I come at you like the end of the fucking world?"

~The camera sat live, waiting for the reply.~

[Jennifer Drew]

Oh, but I was going to come at you like the end of the world. I guess that means we'll negate each other.

I had to speak directly to everyone watching this on that one.

See, I just saved the universe again. You're welcome.

Now I know you want me to run through some “numbers” or “facts” or “PowerPoint presentations” about how I think we're totally doing this later tonight but I'm an unbiased observer here. I can't play favorites.

...and be obvious about it.

In public I've got to say you look like you've got the edge because it looked like you were trying to get the last bit of toothpaste out of her throat last week and you have an urge to stop thinking that television won't cure for some reason.

But I've got to endorse her as a new star with a little bit of momentum a reasonably comprehensive anti-Lauren platform.

I just hope that you're as satisfied with my non-answer as I am.

[Lessien Melwasul]

"No."

~Alice replied flatly, and clearly unamused.~

"No, I'm not satisfied. But that's an old problem, Lover."

~Betty rolled the filtered end between her finger tips, as Alice watched it move. Motion to agitation, a slow burn.~

"The problem is not the problem."

"The problem is your attitude about the problem, Drew. Your public faces. Your half breath lies that a child could dis-spell."

~Betty dismissed it with a dismissive way of her free hand.~

"Such a strong Champion."

~Betty said with little conviction.~

"Suffer now."

~Alice could only wish.~

"You're everything that's wrong with the debutante division today. Your ever so amicable fucking ways make me sick. You, Crymson, Tosso, and that Japanese, lesbian carnival... all card carrying member of the I'm At Peace With Myself Society... Let's be cute... Let's be friends. Let's be clever to the very end."

~Alice spit at the end through the smoke that hung in the room.~

"Well, Lover ... I'm the fucking cut of all that noise. I'm bringing the soul back to your little plastic army. You will fucking live again ... and the price for that little miracle? Why, only your title."

"The price is more than fair."

~Alice actually giggled at the end of that, as the last dragon's tail vanished above them, and she ground out the spent cigarette with her boot again. But being the visual creature that she was ... she imagined it was Drew's hand~

[Jennifer Drew]

Bullshit.

First off, if the Japanese lesbian carnival was in town we wouldn't be having this conversation.

And all that other stuff? I mean technically it's true but it's not my fault. I don't have a Magical Dramatic Tension Generator sitting around here.

Everyone I've been involved in any sustained campaign of hostility against ran off to their secret “ No Jenz allowed” treehouse. And you should be glad I came up with a cunning plan to get revenge on one and apparently offended the other out of the company by blurting out the world's worst kept secret. You know, her daughter.

The final fuck you made me feel all warm inside.

That's pretty metal where I come from.

So what if I like to let my contempt marinade a little while? It works for me. Staying on top and earning what I deserve is all the motivation I've got and all the motivation I need to get all worked up and kicky.

Also, that totally wasn't nice of you to say. So, there's that to go on if this happens.

I said, doing my best to stare through the smoke and shades.

[Lessien Melwasul]

"Mmm"

~Alice did her best mirror imitation to Drew's stare. Her easy Cheshire grin returning to her lips as Betty cut back in.~

"See? Don't you feel more alive already?"

"I was made for you."

~Alice leaned a little closer as well. wanting to smell the smell of pink hair.~

"And the only thing better than that is we haven't even started yet."

~Betty seemed satisfied that a little emotion had brought into play. She leaned back away from playing mirror.~

"As for mothers... Their children. Their safety. Their fall. It was a beautiful human tale straight from your 'metal' heart. I watched every second to be sure including this unexpected turn."

~She wanted to devour her in several different ways. It was always the same ... each minute bringing them closer to the fight ... now they had smoke and tension in the air. There was nothing left but parting words.~

"It's going to be me, Lover. In your quickening heart you know it's true. Your little mask can't hide that."

"Everything I say is true."

~Alice eased to her feet, as Betty wrapped her hand around the camera grip.~

"Oh trust me, Jennifer. It and I are going to be the best things that ever happened to you.

Yaaaaaah!!!!!!!!"

~Betty turned violently with the camera as it sailed backhanded over Drew's head and smashed against one of the concrete walls. The live feed went dead.~

~...~

~...~

~Alice counted the plastic pieces in the silent pause.~

~...~

~Betty's breath quieted, as she brushed a strand of green hair from her face.~

"I think that went quite well."

~Her boots crushed on top of camera bits as she headed for the door.~

"See you soon, Lover."

~She turned the corner and was gone... leaving Drew to her room and thoughts as she reached into her well worn coat for another pack. She whistled something

low

and

long with each fading step.~