Catch 22 (Spoilers/Drew)

[Crymson]

Graciela: "Crymson! Crymson!"

Crymson turns around, sighing as she'd been hoping to reach her hotel room with no distraction. She slightly drops her shoulders as she looks into the announcer's eyes. "Let me guess... my thoughts?"

Graciela only nods, a look of pure joy in her eyes.

"You seem to be overjoyed at GCW losing one of its top performers tonight..."

"Shouldn't you? You're the one that vowed to end her career."

"I did. What I did was huge for my career... but... you know? A lot of history there, she's been around since I had started. Singled me out as a target of hers. It's kind of morbid that I care... but... never mind."

"Oooooookay... Along with your win tonight, Crymson, you've achieved a comeback like momentum. You went 3-0 in this Elimination chase, eliminating each contestant by yourself. Certainly, the momentum is in your favor. What are your thoughts of facing Jennifer Drew at Twilight now, and possibly being the final GCW Top Debutante?"

"I've fought hard for it, you know? I was in a rut, and then... bam. I guess fighting Kim Hunter lit a fire under my ass, and finally things started to click again like they had back in the VWE. And now, where I can be the last one to take home the gold? I'll be damned if some auditor is going to come and try to liquidate it!

Jennifer Drew, she's been the absolute best in this federation. She'd been in a sick program with one of my old rivals, of whom I'd finally just gotten rid of. Jennifer has to be feeling a bit of freedom now that she doesn't have Lessien stalking her every step and playing deep, dark mental games with her. Finally, it gives Jennifer time to focus on competing without all of the extra baggage. I went through the same thing numerous times myself... I know exactly how it feels.

But, see? Jennifer, with that freedom of focus, you'd be best off not forgetting how dangerous I am. Take that thought of backstabbing friends and family, that mentally decimating woman, and the freedom that I've just given you, and focus on the fact that if you're not focused on me... I'm going to free you from your championship as well. Think I reinforced the word "Focus" enough?"

"Yep."

"It's true. At Twilight? I'm bringing everything that I've brought during this entire chase, and in the end? Jennifer's going to be wearing the Crymson Mask and I'm going to walk out, the GCW Top Debutante!"

[/i]

[Jennifer Drew]

Somehow I knew I'd find them there after my pre-show pick me ups. Time for the big entrance.

Congrats on the big win, Miss Challenger. I may not have pinned Lessien tonight but I still feel like beating her five times in 2 months in Debutante Title matches was really what made her re-think the whole “ever showing her face in a wrestling ring again” thing.

But I think it's important we look back on the career of a great wrestler, a great champion, a great woman...

I kind of doubled over laughing there.

Nah, I'm just kidding. If I ever see her again I'll be reaching for a tire iron. Or just cold kicking her apart, which brings me to you.

Here's the deal. Save your freedom to focus. I don't want it and I damn sure don't need it from anyone. So you give me what you gave our newest AARP member and more if you're serious. I want it nice and bloody, you remember how that feels don't you?

If you're smart you won't let me get focused. Ask anyone what happens when I get my little heart set on a win. Ask them how much of myself I'd destroy just to stay on this ride. Ask why people like, oh I don't know, you call me the “absolute best.”

Now there might have been someone else who could have matched that. A real ruthless type who'd want a lot more than to just pin me, who'd kick a man below the belt until anyone with eyes could tell it was too much for anyone to take, who'd probably be feeling rather stabby right about now.

I said, giving the old thinking chin rub. Yeah, that's right I'm playing bait the nutjob again. Kind of my thing if you've noticed.

Sound like anyone you know?

[Crymson]

"Hah. You're a glutton for punishment, you know that? It's been a while since I've felt the need that I need to stoop to those depths, but believe me. That championship of yours that is on the line? I know entirely what to do with it, and if that's what you, I'm going to give so much of it to you that you're going to want to quit. This is my first championship match since what I had back in Ohio... don't you think I'm going to go reaching back to what I had back then to break your heart, steal your ride and keep this train that I'm on going?

I'm far different than Lessien ever will be. I'm not here to maim and destroy anymore... I'm here to win. But if that's what happens along the way, then so be it. But, since you're playing masochist and all, do you want me to wear leather to the ring? Are you going to refer to me as "Mistress?""

[Jennifer Drew]

If that's what helps you. Because if I don't say it to you, you'll say it to me. I like going one on one with the most ruthless, vicious and downright unpleasant people in the history of this business and coming out smelling like roses. I'd appreciate it if you went all bloody for one more night just so I can say “I beat that.”

I know everyone's eying the clock but we're not to the victory lap and wrap kegger yet. I'm not ready to punch out just yet.

So you'd better not be thinking about your album of jazz standards or whatever vanity side project you're planning for after this and think more about how your attitudes about maiming and destruction may well have been naive and misguided when you get out there.

I cleared out of the frame until a little P.S. hit me.

Oh, and don't forget the cutlery.

And I'm gone.