[DrMcAwesome]

Per Firewoman's decree, the Jan. 27 "Saturday Slam" is cancelled. OOWF happenings will continue here until the "Super Saturday Slam" card is posted on Jan. 27. 

[DrMcAwesome]

*the scene and INVISIBLE NINJA CAMERA find SANDRA FALLON and MAC FLASHER still sitting outside the OOWF Arena, hours after MAC was defeated by BRIDGET O’MALLEY. SANDRA has since showered and changed into street clothes while MAC is still in his ring apparel, which if we’re being honest is his everyday attire*

SANDRA: “Brah. Is everything OK?”

MAC: “I’m just trying to process a lot of things, mainly why Alexander Darling did what he did. That makes no sense. I have beef with the person that Lexie has beef with and he seems to be … Protecting her?”

*ALEXANDER DARLING, who just happened to be within earshot as he was loading his gear into his very expensive vehicle with an unpronounceable name, approaches*

ALEXANDER: “Let’s make one thing clear. I am not protecting Lexie, she can do that just fine on her own, but I will root out people who are trying to get close to her with the intent to take what is a Darling birthright. I know your plan, Flasher. You see O’Malley as an easier target for the title, so you come in like some white-hat to join Lexie’s side only to bumble your attempt at assistance when she didn’t need it anyway. Bridget beats Lexie. You go chasing Bridget. Score some fluke win and get the title that you never deserved even when you had it.”

MF: “Then why didn’t you …”

AD: “Why did I leave Fallon alone? She’s pure. She cares about Lexie the person, not Lexie the champion. Crawling up the ramp to try and save her as opposed to the Flasher method of laying on the ground and waiting for help to arrive showed me something. Do not think that I will be as generous if I ever suspect otherwise. You got me …” *ALEXANDER shudders “… Brah?”

*MAC looks at SANDRA with a confused expression as SANDRA shrugs*

AD: “Look, Flasher. Lexie needs help from nobody, not even me. I’m just here to ensure that someone unworthy of this sport’s greatest prize doesn’t take it from Lexie through some fluke or some numbers-game bullshit before I can do it.”

*ALEXANDER walks away as MAC seems even more frustrated*

MF: “Why does everyone think that I’m obsessed with getting that title back?”

SF: “Mac. Babe. In the time we’ve been together, you’ve mentioned it to me about five times per day, sometimes during our more intimate moments.”

MF: “Hey, I only did that once and you're the one who asked about my deepest fantasy.”

SF: “Look, dude. I know you’re not going to screw over Lexie, but you’ve got to do a better job of convincing just about everyone else. Nobody else can. I'll be in the car, you should probably wash up before we head home.”

*SANDRA pats MAC on the shoulder and walks toward the parking lot as the scene fades*

[Zed]

The OOWF medical staff has finished stitching up some lacerations on Zed's forehead and is making their leave as Sean Franklin and Rev. BRICK~! walk up.

SF: What are they saying?

Z: Mostly, don't get hit with batons again.

SF: Helpful advice.

Z: Incredibly helpful.

B~!: You know, it's a little bit like rain on your wedding day.

Z: What is?

B~!: A free ride when you've already paid.

Z: Oh, I know what's happening here.

SF: I do not.

Z: ... You're too young for Alanis Morissette, aren't you?

SF: Who?

B~!: The good advice you just didn't take.

Z: Good advice?

B~!: The one time mean old Reverend BRICK~! isn't there ... and you get disqualified? Who would've thought?

Z: I suppose you find this quite comical.

B~!: I would never laugh at your suffering. 

SF: Jesus Christ, ENOUGH. Both of you.

Zed gives Sean a stunned look.

SF: This is exactly what they fucking want.

B~!: Language!

Z: Would you shut the fuck up? Just for five seconds? 

SF: No, exactly, this. This is what they want. This is what they do. They want to break us apart. Drive a wedge between us. Then they get what they want. 

Z: Well, here's the good news, Sean.

SF: Oh?

Z: There's no one I'd rather be in that cage with a month from now than you. So that part of the plan isn't working.

Sean nods at Zed.

B~!: And me?

Z: Well, I don't reckon you'll be in the cage, BRICK~!. You and the other little shithead are why there's even a cage in the first place. So I guess it doesn't matter.

B~!: And after that?

Zed looks back and forth between BRICK~! and Sean.

Z: I guess we have a month to figure that out.

Zed stands to his feet, hobbling away with an icepack taped to his left knee as we FADE.

[Zed]

Zed is laying on his bed at The Compound, wearing an obscure racing hoodie and sweatpants while watching sports on his iPad, when there's a knock on the door.

Z: Password?

Beverly Cambridge walks in, shutting the door behind her and sitting at the end of the bed.

Z: You're no fun.

BC: There's no password.

Z: You don't know that.

BC: If there were a password, I would know it.

Z: ... Shit, you're right.

BC: How you feeling? Haven't seen you around much today.

Zed manages a smirk while looking down at his knee.

Z: Better than last night. I'll probably be fine to work out tomorrow and all of that. Just trying to take it easy, that's all.

BC: Would this be a bad time to ask a question?

A bit taken aback but the serious tone, Zed straightens up his posture.

Z: There's never a bad time to ask a question, dear.

BC: What's changed with you and BRICK~!?

Zed exhales, scratching his nose a bit while sitting in thought for a second.

Z: I think I'm the problem. 

BC: How so?

Z: Other than ... well, that one period of time ... I've always been so strict about how I do business in the ring. And before the break, there was always that conflict, but it was just me and him. Without him, I was alone. It was either make that work, as much of as odd couple as it may have been, or figure it out on my own. And as much as I put on a brave face and talked a good game, Beverly, I was so fucking scared. You know how it used to be.

Beverly nods.

Z: It's different now. The danger's still there. It's only going to grow more and more. I am better prepared to take care of myself. But it's not about ... myself anymore. 

Zed stops, taking a deep breath.

Z: Before, I only had to live with myself. If I was too much of a rule follower and it cost me opportunities, then whatever. I could bear that. Now? There's a little girl down the hallway looking up to everything I do.

Zed smiles, chuckling nervously.

Z: And that might actually be more terrifying than the wrestling part.

Zed closes the tablet and sits it on the bedside table, reflecting on what he's shared.

Z: So that's where I'm at. Maybe I'm the problem. I know BRICK~! just wants the best for me ... for the team. We're just both stubborn, and I just feel stronger about it now than I did then. He's not going to change, I'm not going to change. 

BC: So you'll just bicker forever and hope it pays off in the ring?

Z: Possibly. At least until one of us gets fed up with the other. 

BC: It seems like you're pretty close to that point.

Z: In moments of weakness.

BC: Are they moments of weakness or moments of honesty?

Zed shakes his head.

Z: You might be on to something there.

BC: *standing up and making her way to the door* Well, good luck with the bickering forever thing. Sounds exhausting.

Z: It worked for my grandparents.

Beverly stops and turns to face Zed.

BC: Don't get any ideas. 

Z: How could I possibly bicker with you?

BC: Good answer.

Beverly leaves the room and closes the door as we FADE.

[L!zz~]

(Josie is seen the compound of the kitchen loading a cart with a bucket of ice, cups, nachos, chicken tenders, various sauces, some other items that scream Tio)

Kylie added some napkins and looked at the items. "You need some vegetables. " Josie made a face but Kylie pointed to the fridge and Josie went to get rummage for the least offensive vegetable they could smother in some dip. Kylie replaced the good plates with sturdy disposable and noticed a slip of paper on the top of the cart. It had notations and dollar amounts. "Josephine," she said. "What is this? You can't charge Tio for food!"

Josie laughed as she dumped carrots into a bowl. "Titi, I'm not charging him for the food. I watched OOwf.tv earlier. That's what he owes me for cursing..."

Kylie looked at her and let out a sigh. Replacing the paper, she said "Go wash up and I'll wheel this down for you. I think Tio is going to love this surprise and watching the game with you."

Josie beamed and ran off to wash and change into an appropriate jersey.

*fade as everyone gets ready for the play off games*

[DrMcAwesome]

*the scene and INVISIBLE NINJA CAMERA find BRIDGET O’MALLEY along with CARRIE and HARPER – THE ONE-NOTES – standing in front of a custom pink OOWF interview banner. BRIDGET is holding a pink jacket, much like the ones sported by HARMONY*

BRIDGET: “As I stand here as the uncrowned OOWF World Champion, it occurs to me that many OOWF fans think that I’ve made this quest personal with Lexie Darling. Those wild assumptions hold no truth. While, yes, I did say some inflammatory things after wasting Lexie with a chair during the most recent ‘Saturday Slam,’ I said it to light a fire under her. You see? I want the best Lexie Darling possible on Feb. 10. I want the Lexie Darling who can turn on the juice and go with anyone in the world and stay in step. I want the Lexie that doesn’t need assists from allies like that surfer skank Sandra Fallon, emo-phase siblings or leeches such as Mac Flasher. I want the Lexie Darling that is a danger to her opponents, because when her best doesn’t measure up to my best, then there will be no disputing my reign as champion.”

*BRIDGET unfolds the pink jacket that she was holding to reveal “Lexie D.” embroidered on the left front*

BO’M: “Again, this quest isn’t personal. You just have what I want, Lexie. In turn, once I take what I want, I’m willing to give back. I’m willing to give you a spot in Harmony. After Carrie, Harper and I talked things over, we feel that you’d be a fine lieutenant under my leadership. The world title will be elevated to new heights through my excellence and Lexie Darling gets competent backup in the three of us as she nestles into something a little more reasonable, such as beating that dime-store brawler Katie Bardoor for the Intercontinental Championship. Then The One-Notes will pummel Zed and Sean Franklin for the tag titles, and OOWF will be a pleasant shade of rose gold for as long as we choose.”

*BRIDGET, CARRIE and HARPER sneer*

BO’M: “It’ll be music to our ears.”

*BRIDGET drapes the unfilled jacket over her shoulder and then motions for CARRIE and HARPER to follow her as the scene fades*

[L!zz~]

Kylie was headed out of the compound when a car screeched into the garage. Barely, just barely missing her as she jumped back. It slid into a spot and Bridget popped up. She smirked as she shifted her sunglasses up, pushing her hair back. "Oops. Didn't see you." She said with a smirk.

"What are you doing here?" Kylie asked. Bridget shrugged. "I live here remember?" She dangled her keys. "I need to get some things."

Kylie rolled her eyes in response. "Usually you just slink thru in the middle of the night when you think no one will notice. Either it's important or your up to something. "

"Going to hang around and find out? Or have some silly errand to run? Lunch with...huh no one I guess. Bev and Zed are away for a few days..everyone else is busy in sure...I was your only friend...unless you count Josie which.."

Kylie cut her off "And the people you're with now? Are they really your friends Bridget or are they riding with you because they think you are a means to an end? They don't give a shit about you..only what that they think you can do for them.."

"That's so you, Ky. You are so stuck in your spot in life you can't see the forest for the trees. Your naivity and perpetual optimism has killed any life. Any spark..any desire you ever had. You've tricked yourself into thinking you have what you want..when we both know you don't. You're holding everyone back Ky...especially yourself."

Bridget didn't give her a chance to respond, she walked around her and entered the compound as we fade.

[Zed]

The feed cuts to the interior of a cabin located somewhere further into the mountains of North Carolina. The door opens as Beverly Cambridge and Zed walk in.

BC: *looking around and briefly sitting her bags down by the door* Well, doesn’t this look nice.

Z: I’m glad you like it. I’ll admit, I was a little selfish picking this whole thing out.

BC: Oh? *playfully* That’s not like you.

Z: I know. I’m not proud.

BC: So what’s selfish about it?

Z: Well, for one, we probably could have gone somewhere warmer but I’ve just always imagined how nice it would be to go someplace like this where it’s just you, someone you love, a cabin in the mountains, and not another human being within miles.

BC: I think that’s pretty understandable.

Z: I also thought about looking at some … bigger places? You know, in case we ever do this again but with more of the others from the compound as more of a group outing? But then it just would have been too much space for us, you know, so I decided against that.

BC: So cold hearted.

Z: I know, I’m the worst. So let me try to sell you on some other fine features of this abode. For example, the view out that door on the balcony.

Beverly opens the door and looks outside, overlooking a scenic view of some of the nearby mountains.

BC: Oh, wow!

Z: Yep. I’m sure that’d be killer in the fall, but we’ll just have to tell Fire to plan her show cancellations better in the future I guess. We might get lucky and see some snow on Sunday before we head back on Monday, though.

BC: Is that … a hot tub I see?

Z: It is. Again, very selfish of me, thinking about my poor, achy joints in my old age, you know, like Sean is always reminding me about.

BC: Yes, I’m sure that’s the only thing you had in mind. That’s too bad, I don’t think I packed anything to wear.

Z: I may have taken the liberty to pack an extra swimsuit of yours in case this caught you by surprise.

BC: Oh, so now you’ve been snooping through my clothes?

Z: I don’t think we’ve been together long enough for me to feel that brave just yet. That was just ten dollars to Josie’s college fund in exchange for a scavenger hunt.

BC: I can’t believe you would put her up to something like that.

Z: Again, I know, I’m the worst.

BC: Any other surprises I need to know about?

Z: That would ruin the surprise, wouldn’t it? But no, I think that’s the big one. Unless we’re counting the bottles of wine I brought.

BC: That does sound pretty good right now.

Z: Alright, well, I’ll finish bringing the bags in.

BC: While you do that, I think I’ll change into something a little more comfortable and start on dinner.

Z: Sounds like the start to an incredible weekend to me.

They share a quick kiss before heading opposite directions as we FADE.