Post by addisonandrews on Jan 14, 2023 20:41:14 GMT -5
-We begin in Chicago, Illinois at the apartment of Addison Andrews. She’s sitting on the couch, looking over the upcoming card for Brawl. Addison has been staring at it all morning. A chance bestowed upon her by the higher ups, a title opportunity. One she didn’t expect to get so quickly. One she wasn’t sure she wanted at this stage in her career. The pressures of being champion, when he’s still just trying to get a larger audience to even know who she is. Well, to know her for something other than being the daughter of Riley Andrews.
Winning a championship at this point would be huge and would cement her spot as a rising star in the company. But with a championship comes new challenges. Challenges she isn’t sure she wants. The pressure of defending the belt often, the pressure of adding to the prestige of the title. It’s all important stuff that often gets overlooked. Sometimes a person thinks that they’re above a title and doesn't give it the respect that it deserves. That leads to sloppiness. It leads to people getting beat. When you’re a champion, you have to carry yourself like one. It’s an art lost on some. It’s not something that she takes lightly.
And then you have the whole parallel of her fathers career and hers. Riley won the TV championship a few months into his career. Now, Addison has a chance to recreate history. There’s that pressure thing again. Trying to escape the shadow of your father, trying to do something quicker than even he could. With that pressure comes a sense of fear, fear of failure. Riley didn’t fail. What if she does? What will all the naysayers have to say about her then? She saw all of the tweets online. The wide ranging insults from all of the keyboard warriors. People are calling her a nepo-baby, saying she’s only getting a shot because of who her dad is, not because of her ability. Saying she’s not that talented. All of them forgetting that she was trained by one of their saviors in wrestling, Mike Angelo. She knows not to read this stuff but she can’t help it, and once she starts she can never stop. The pressure she places on herself to shut up all of these critics could be her undoing.
The ringing of her phone quickly startles her out of thoughts. She reaches across the table and grabs it. She doesn’t need to look and see who it is. Only one person in her life is too stubborn to call instead of text, she swipes across the screen to answer.-
Addison- “Hey dad.”
Riley- “TV Title match! Let’s go!”
Addison- “It’s always so weird when you say that.”
Riley- “I’m sorry but I can’t mask my excitement for you. This is a huge moment!”
Addison- “Thanks, I’m well aware. Sonya Benson has plenty of tricks up her sleeve though. It won’t be easy.”
Riley- “She’s feisty but beatable.”
Addison- “Feisty but beatable? You don’t know who I’m talking about, do you?”
Riley- “No, not a clue.”
Addison- “You should probably start paying attention to the company I wrestle for. You’re my manager, you’re supposed to know these things!”
Riley- “Ok, I tell you what. Let’s go for a walk, get some coffee and do a little training. You can fill me in then. Sound good?”
Addison- “Yeah sure. I’ll get my gear ready.”
Riley- “Cool, see you soon, champ!”
-Addison shakes her head and hangs up the phone. She stares at the screen again, focusing on the matchup graphic of her and Sonya. She nods her head, almost as if to shake the doubts, to ignore the pressure. She’s got work to do. She closes the screen and gets up to change into her workout gear.
We then switch to her and Riley waiting in line for a coffee from a local shop near the gym they train in.-
Riley- “Ok! So it sounds like she has a posse that likes to cause some trouble. We can handle that. I’m pretty damn sure I can handle those two losers.”
Addison- -disgusted- “Posse?”
Riley- “It’ll be fine, I give you my word, I will not let them impact the finish of this match.”
-A person walks up to the two of them and interjects himself in the conversation.-
Rando- “Hey! Riley Andrews! Dude I’m a huge fan of your work!”
Riley- “Thanks man, appreciate it.”
Rando- “You gonna have a new show soon?”
Riley- “I’ve worked steadily in TV for sixteen years, I think I want to take a little bit of a break. I’ve missed a lot during that time.”
Rando- “I hear ya man…”
-The rando nods his head as the three of them awkwardly stand there silently, not sure what to say next.-
Riley- “Look, do you want an autograph or something?”
Rando- “Man I’d love a picture. My girl won’t believe me when I tell her I met you!”
Riley- “Sure… that’s fine.”
Rando- “Sweet! Excuse me ma’am, could you take a picture?”
-Rando tries handing the phone to Addison. Taken aback by being called ma’am. She stares at Rando before begrudgingly accepting. She takes the phone and snaps a quick picture of the two of them. She hands the phone back to Rando.
Rando- “Thanks! Man this was so cool.”
Riley- “Have a good one man, tell your girl I said hello.”
Rando- “Will do man. Like I said, she won’t believe it when I tell her. You’re on her list!”
Riley- “Her list of favorite actors? I’m honored.”
Rando- “Nah man. Well, I mean maybe.” -Leans in close and lowers his voice.- “The list of dudes she gets to bone if she ever meets them.”
Riley- -wide eyed- “Oh. Well.. tell her thanks. And.. I’m honored.”
Addison- -Rolling her eyes and mumbling- ”What the fuck…”
Rando- “Yeah, I mean. You know, if you’re free..”
Addison- “Okay we’re going to stop this conversation before I need therapy.”
Rando- “Your girl can come too if you want. Which, I gotta say..” -Leans back into Riley, attempting to whisper but failing miserably- “Good going dude. You got a hot little side piece! Secrets safe with me bro.”
Addison- “I can hear you!”
Rando- “Little bit of a prude though.”
Addison- “I’m his daughter!”
-And at that moment, Rando realizes that mistakes have been made. He looks wide eyed at Riley. Riley nods his head. Rando lets out a nervous laugh.-
Rando- “So.. I’m going to go ahead and go now.”
Riley- “That’s a good idea.”
-Rando awkwardly turns and walks away. Riley and Addison both look at each other and shake their heads. They look over and see the barista with their coffee.-
Barista- “I didn’t want to interrupt whatever was going on there.”
Addison- “Thanks Luke, you’re a sweetheart.”
-They take their drinks and head out the shop. The two have a walk and talk that is mostly cut for time. It’s a riveting conversation about Sonya Benson and her crew. Formulating a strategy for how to defeat the dastardly trio.-
Riley- “Look, I know how to handle these people. You’re looking at the guy who battled Hanson! All three of them! And won! I mmmbopped all three of their asses.”
Addison- “That doesn’t sound how you think it sounds.”
Riley- “..I guess not. But the point remains the same. I can deal with these people. You don’t worry about them, focus on Sonya. If you worry about those fuckers, you’ll lose. Focus on the person you have to beat and only her. Do that and you’ll be fine!”
Addison- “We’ll see..”
Riley- “We can watch the triple threat of when I won my first TV title. Little hype video to get you prepared.”
Addison- “You got any videos of you throwing the game winning TD at state to go along with it?”
Riley- “Ah, she makes jokes.”
Addison- “There’s an added sense of pressure with all of this. I didn’t expect to be in this situation yet. I figured I’d get a couple months of matches in. I’ve only had Mike bitch out on me and a pay-per-view match. And boom. Title shot. The online trolls don’t think I can do it.”
Riley- “You can’t pay attention to them.”
Addison- “A lot of them seem to think that I’m only getting a shot because I’m your daughter. Which I guess is better than the people that think I’m Emily Simms.”
Riley- “Huh?”
Addison- “Don’t ask. It’s a whole thing.”
-They finish their walk and arrive at the gym. After an intense training session inside the ring. Addison gets ready to film something for Sonya. They are met by Eli, Riley’s assistant, who does the filming for the two of them. Eli with phone in hand, hits record.-
Addison- “So. It didn’t take long to be thrusted into this moment. In just a few short days I get a chance to grab my first title. A title that means a lot to my family. The TV title was the stepping stone for my father’s wrestling legacy and now it could be the beginning of mine. I’ll be honest, there’s nerves at play. I keep telling myself that I don’t have to live up to the lofty expectations set by my family and the fans. But, deep down I know that the biggest expectations are from me. All the pressure I feel is my own doing. If anyone is going to hold me back from this moment, it won’t be Sonya, it won’t be her crew of flunkies. I may have this sense of pressure now, but come match time, my head will be clear.”
“See Sonya, your disregard for what you have, does motivate me to try even harder. You won a championship. With questionable methods mind you, but you won it. And instead of appreciating the importance of it all, you act like you’re above it. I can assure you that you’re not. See, your whole act is just a sad attempt to get noticed. Daddy didn’t love you, so you take it out on the rest of us. A spoiled little brat. And that’s ignoring the real reason for your life as an annoying gasbag. The death of your brother, Benjamin. I didn’t know the guy. I wonder what he’d think of your career, as you spend so much of your energy trying to destroy the very thing he loved. I can’t ever know what losing a brother would feel like, and for that I do emphasize with you. But I’m sure he’d be disappointed in his big sister. You probably represent everything he fought against. He’d be ashamed of what you’ve become. That is if he ever really liked you anyway. I heard you talk for five minutes and couldn’t stand you, who knows how he felt.”
“Monday Night, I do the world a favor and I shut you up. I don’t give a shit about Punisher, I don’t give a shit about your cronies. The only thing I care about is pinning you, becoming champ, and making a name for myself on my own terms. The time is done for me to be known as the daughter of a former star. I can make my name by bringing you down. The girl who unceremoniously ended your short, pathetic reign. And when I’m done with you, and your ego is crushed. Punisher can finish you off. If he chooses to get involved, I can’t stop that. But I won’t let him change the outcome. I’m taking that belt off you, and there’s not a damn thing that anybody can do about it.”
-The more Addison talked, the more confident she became. The pressure she initially felt is now gone. Replaced with a newfound confidence. She knows that when it comes down to talent, she's the better of the two. And now she has to prove it. And with that we fade to black.-
Winning a championship at this point would be huge and would cement her spot as a rising star in the company. But with a championship comes new challenges. Challenges she isn’t sure she wants. The pressure of defending the belt often, the pressure of adding to the prestige of the title. It’s all important stuff that often gets overlooked. Sometimes a person thinks that they’re above a title and doesn't give it the respect that it deserves. That leads to sloppiness. It leads to people getting beat. When you’re a champion, you have to carry yourself like one. It’s an art lost on some. It’s not something that she takes lightly.
And then you have the whole parallel of her fathers career and hers. Riley won the TV championship a few months into his career. Now, Addison has a chance to recreate history. There’s that pressure thing again. Trying to escape the shadow of your father, trying to do something quicker than even he could. With that pressure comes a sense of fear, fear of failure. Riley didn’t fail. What if she does? What will all the naysayers have to say about her then? She saw all of the tweets online. The wide ranging insults from all of the keyboard warriors. People are calling her a nepo-baby, saying she’s only getting a shot because of who her dad is, not because of her ability. Saying she’s not that talented. All of them forgetting that she was trained by one of their saviors in wrestling, Mike Angelo. She knows not to read this stuff but she can’t help it, and once she starts she can never stop. The pressure she places on herself to shut up all of these critics could be her undoing.
The ringing of her phone quickly startles her out of thoughts. She reaches across the table and grabs it. She doesn’t need to look and see who it is. Only one person in her life is too stubborn to call instead of text, she swipes across the screen to answer.-
Addison- “Hey dad.”
Riley- “TV Title match! Let’s go!”
Addison- “It’s always so weird when you say that.”
Riley- “I’m sorry but I can’t mask my excitement for you. This is a huge moment!”
Addison- “Thanks, I’m well aware. Sonya Benson has plenty of tricks up her sleeve though. It won’t be easy.”
Riley- “She’s feisty but beatable.”
Addison- “Feisty but beatable? You don’t know who I’m talking about, do you?”
Riley- “No, not a clue.”
Addison- “You should probably start paying attention to the company I wrestle for. You’re my manager, you’re supposed to know these things!”
Riley- “Ok, I tell you what. Let’s go for a walk, get some coffee and do a little training. You can fill me in then. Sound good?”
Addison- “Yeah sure. I’ll get my gear ready.”
Riley- “Cool, see you soon, champ!”
-Addison shakes her head and hangs up the phone. She stares at the screen again, focusing on the matchup graphic of her and Sonya. She nods her head, almost as if to shake the doubts, to ignore the pressure. She’s got work to do. She closes the screen and gets up to change into her workout gear.
We then switch to her and Riley waiting in line for a coffee from a local shop near the gym they train in.-
Riley- “Ok! So it sounds like she has a posse that likes to cause some trouble. We can handle that. I’m pretty damn sure I can handle those two losers.”
Addison- -disgusted- “Posse?”
Riley- “It’ll be fine, I give you my word, I will not let them impact the finish of this match.”
-A person walks up to the two of them and interjects himself in the conversation.-
Rando- “Hey! Riley Andrews! Dude I’m a huge fan of your work!”
Riley- “Thanks man, appreciate it.”
Rando- “You gonna have a new show soon?”
Riley- “I’ve worked steadily in TV for sixteen years, I think I want to take a little bit of a break. I’ve missed a lot during that time.”
Rando- “I hear ya man…”
-The rando nods his head as the three of them awkwardly stand there silently, not sure what to say next.-
Riley- “Look, do you want an autograph or something?”
Rando- “Man I’d love a picture. My girl won’t believe me when I tell her I met you!”
Riley- “Sure… that’s fine.”
Rando- “Sweet! Excuse me ma’am, could you take a picture?”
-Rando tries handing the phone to Addison. Taken aback by being called ma’am. She stares at Rando before begrudgingly accepting. She takes the phone and snaps a quick picture of the two of them. She hands the phone back to Rando.
Rando- “Thanks! Man this was so cool.”
Riley- “Have a good one man, tell your girl I said hello.”
Rando- “Will do man. Like I said, she won’t believe it when I tell her. You’re on her list!”
Riley- “Her list of favorite actors? I’m honored.”
Rando- “Nah man. Well, I mean maybe.” -Leans in close and lowers his voice.- “The list of dudes she gets to bone if she ever meets them.”
Riley- -wide eyed- “Oh. Well.. tell her thanks. And.. I’m honored.”
Addison- -Rolling her eyes and mumbling- ”What the fuck…”
Rando- “Yeah, I mean. You know, if you’re free..”
Addison- “Okay we’re going to stop this conversation before I need therapy.”
Rando- “Your girl can come too if you want. Which, I gotta say..” -Leans back into Riley, attempting to whisper but failing miserably- “Good going dude. You got a hot little side piece! Secrets safe with me bro.”
Addison- “I can hear you!”
Rando- “Little bit of a prude though.”
Addison- “I’m his daughter!”
-And at that moment, Rando realizes that mistakes have been made. He looks wide eyed at Riley. Riley nods his head. Rando lets out a nervous laugh.-
Rando- “So.. I’m going to go ahead and go now.”
Riley- “That’s a good idea.”
-Rando awkwardly turns and walks away. Riley and Addison both look at each other and shake their heads. They look over and see the barista with their coffee.-
Barista- “I didn’t want to interrupt whatever was going on there.”
Addison- “Thanks Luke, you’re a sweetheart.”
-They take their drinks and head out the shop. The two have a walk and talk that is mostly cut for time. It’s a riveting conversation about Sonya Benson and her crew. Formulating a strategy for how to defeat the dastardly trio.-
Riley- “Look, I know how to handle these people. You’re looking at the guy who battled Hanson! All three of them! And won! I mmmbopped all three of their asses.”
Addison- “That doesn’t sound how you think it sounds.”
Riley- “..I guess not. But the point remains the same. I can deal with these people. You don’t worry about them, focus on Sonya. If you worry about those fuckers, you’ll lose. Focus on the person you have to beat and only her. Do that and you’ll be fine!”
Addison- “We’ll see..”
Riley- “We can watch the triple threat of when I won my first TV title. Little hype video to get you prepared.”
Addison- “You got any videos of you throwing the game winning TD at state to go along with it?”
Riley- “Ah, she makes jokes.”
Addison- “There’s an added sense of pressure with all of this. I didn’t expect to be in this situation yet. I figured I’d get a couple months of matches in. I’ve only had Mike bitch out on me and a pay-per-view match. And boom. Title shot. The online trolls don’t think I can do it.”
Riley- “You can’t pay attention to them.”
Addison- “A lot of them seem to think that I’m only getting a shot because I’m your daughter. Which I guess is better than the people that think I’m Emily Simms.”
Riley- “Huh?”
Addison- “Don’t ask. It’s a whole thing.”
-They finish their walk and arrive at the gym. After an intense training session inside the ring. Addison gets ready to film something for Sonya. They are met by Eli, Riley’s assistant, who does the filming for the two of them. Eli with phone in hand, hits record.-
Addison- “So. It didn’t take long to be thrusted into this moment. In just a few short days I get a chance to grab my first title. A title that means a lot to my family. The TV title was the stepping stone for my father’s wrestling legacy and now it could be the beginning of mine. I’ll be honest, there’s nerves at play. I keep telling myself that I don’t have to live up to the lofty expectations set by my family and the fans. But, deep down I know that the biggest expectations are from me. All the pressure I feel is my own doing. If anyone is going to hold me back from this moment, it won’t be Sonya, it won’t be her crew of flunkies. I may have this sense of pressure now, but come match time, my head will be clear.”
“See Sonya, your disregard for what you have, does motivate me to try even harder. You won a championship. With questionable methods mind you, but you won it. And instead of appreciating the importance of it all, you act like you’re above it. I can assure you that you’re not. See, your whole act is just a sad attempt to get noticed. Daddy didn’t love you, so you take it out on the rest of us. A spoiled little brat. And that’s ignoring the real reason for your life as an annoying gasbag. The death of your brother, Benjamin. I didn’t know the guy. I wonder what he’d think of your career, as you spend so much of your energy trying to destroy the very thing he loved. I can’t ever know what losing a brother would feel like, and for that I do emphasize with you. But I’m sure he’d be disappointed in his big sister. You probably represent everything he fought against. He’d be ashamed of what you’ve become. That is if he ever really liked you anyway. I heard you talk for five minutes and couldn’t stand you, who knows how he felt.”
“Monday Night, I do the world a favor and I shut you up. I don’t give a shit about Punisher, I don’t give a shit about your cronies. The only thing I care about is pinning you, becoming champ, and making a name for myself on my own terms. The time is done for me to be known as the daughter of a former star. I can make my name by bringing you down. The girl who unceremoniously ended your short, pathetic reign. And when I’m done with you, and your ego is crushed. Punisher can finish you off. If he chooses to get involved, I can’t stop that. But I won’t let him change the outcome. I’m taking that belt off you, and there’s not a damn thing that anybody can do about it.”
-The more Addison talked, the more confident she became. The pressure she initially felt is now gone. Replaced with a newfound confidence. She knows that when it comes down to talent, she's the better of the two. And now she has to prove it. And with that we fade to black.-