Post by Ashleigh Grimes on Aug 9, 2016 21:06:04 GMT -5
*** OFF CAMERA ***
A fourteen year old Ashleigh sits in the pew-like benches of a juvenile courtroom looking small and alone. Her eyes scan the scene with obvious hatred for every authority figure that passes by; judges, bailiffs, officers, lawyers they ALL draw her scorn. In her hands is a deck of playing cards which she absently shuffles over and over again with the precision of a top Las Vegas dealer.
A balding man in his mid-forties wearing a loudly colored suit takes a seat at the far end of the row Ashleigh occupies. Her eyes glance over, studying him for a moment as she continues to shuffle the cards. They remain like that until the man slides down next to her and extends his business card.
Oswald: Oswald Finch, Attorney at Law.
Ashleigh glances down at his card and then stares straight ahead.
Oswald: Not much of a talker I see. Lucky for you I do enough talking for the both of us. So to start, what do you say we try that introduction again?
He extends his hand.
Oswald: Oswald Finch, your attorney on this fine day, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Now you introduce yourself.
Ashleigh scowls over at him and continues shuffling.
Ashleigh: You’re not my attorney.
He smiles brightly.
Oswald: On the contrary, I am.
She stares straight ahead while slowly shaking her head.
Ashleigh: You’re barking up the wrong tree. There’s no money to be made here so go run your scam on somebody else. I’m with the public defender.
Oswald reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a folder.
Oswald: Yes you are and it just so happens that today that would be me. So again, in the interest of proper decorum, my name is Oswald Finch, I’ll be representing you today. Now you say, “My name is Ashleigh Jericho, I hate stuffed shirt lawyers.” or something bitter and angst ridden like that.
She exhales and doesn’t even look his way.
Ashleigh: What’s it matter who you are, or who I am? We both know how this ends, with me going back to juvie.
Oswald: With that attitude, it probably does.
He frowns before snatching the cards from her hands and tucking them into the inside pocket of his jacket.
Oswald: You and your hooligan friends got busted running a card scam on tourists outside a major casino, bringing those in here is like walking in with a murder weapon.
Ashleigh scowls, her eyes igniting with rage.
Ashleigh: Give those back now.
Oswald: Why? Because they help keep you centered? Because they quiet the anger and anxiety bubbling up inside you? I read your file. Scamming some tourists is the least of your worries but another stint in juvie isn’t going to fix you either.
Ashleigh: And you can fix me?
He glances over at her.
Oswald: I can give you focus and an outlet. Do you trust me?
Ashleigh: No.
Oswald: Well tough shit kid, you’re going to have to.
The bailiff announces the next case.
Bailiff: Docket number 36897, Jericho versus the state of Nevada.
Oswald stands and raises his hand while mumbling under his breath to Ashleigh.
Oswald: Now keep your mouth shut, try not to give anyone dirty looks for the next ten minutes and this will all be over with soon.
They proceed to the bar where Oswald stands before a mic while they await the judge who’s looking over the case.
Judge: The defendant stands accused of petty theft, fraud, resisting arrest and running an illegal table game not only in public but outside an established legal gambling institution, is that correct?
Oswald: Yes your honor, it is.
Judge: And how does your client plead?
Oswald: Guilty, your honor.
Ashleigh immediately turns and tugs at Oswald’s sleeve.
Ashleigh: What the hell?!
Judge: Excuse me Ms. Jericho; do you have something you’d like to say? Do you not agree with the plea entered by your counsel?
Ashleigh and Oswald lock eyes for a moment and he mouths, ‘I’ve got this.’
Ashleigh: No, I’m good.
Judge: Excuse me?
Ashleigh: No your honor, I have nothing to say.
Judge: Good. Now back to the matter at hand. Counsel, I trust you’re aware that your client has priors including assault, grand theft, trespassing, assaulting a police officer and multiple infractions for breaking the rules within a juvenile detention center. Not to mention charges stemming from assaults claimed by numerous foster homes she’s been welcomed into and then kicked out of.
Oswald: Yes your honor, I’m aware.
Judge: And do you see any reason why I shouldn’t sentence your client to yet another stint in juvenile detention since her prior stints haven’t gotten the message across?
Oswald: Actually your honor, I do. You touched on the problem right there yourself. Despite numerous stints in juvenile detention centers across the great state of Nevada my client has failed to change her ways. My client is obviously a minor, a child if you will and at some point don’t we as representatives of the state and of this judicial system have to take responsibility for our system failing her?
The judge appears less than pleased with the direction this is taking.
Judge: What are you implying Counselor?
Oswald: I’m implying that a young woman with the issues Ms. Jericho suffers from requires a more hands on approach than being shipped off to this foster home or that detention center. She requires stability, tough love and a strong yet subtle hand that can only be provided by a representative of the state who can offer her personalized attention and guidance.
Judge: And who Counselor did you have in mind for such an endeavor?
Oswald: Me, actually. I’ve been kicking around the idea of taking someone on the other side of the law, like Ms. Jericho here, and teaching them what we do on this side of the law. I’d be responsible for her on a daily basis, I’d see that she continued her education and we’d appear before the court on a schedule that you saw fit to keep you apprised of our progress. Any major slip ups and we’d deem the program a failure and Ms. Jericho would return to regular circulation within the system.
The judge looks over at Ashleigh whose mouth is agape.
Judge: Are you amicable to these terms Ms. Jericho?
Ashleigh looks back and stammers for a moment.
Ashleigh: Ye… yes, I am?
Judge: Was that a statement or a question, Ms. Jericho?
Ashleigh clears her throat and nods.
Ashleigh: I am your honor.
Judge: Very well, the court is recommending that Ms. Jericho be remanded into the custody of the state under the care of one Oswald Finch who will act as a representative of the state for the purposes of this trial program. Mr. Finch and Ms. Jericho will appear before the court one month from today so the court may reassess the situation. In the meantime in-home visits will be conducted by a court appointed officer on a weekly basis and all findings will be reported back to the court. Does counsel have any questions?
Oswald: No your honor.
Judge: Very well…
She slams downs her gavel.
Judge: On to the next order of business.
As Oswald shuttles Ashleigh out of the courtroom she looks over at him.
Ashleigh: What just happened?
Oswald: I got you a fresh start, kid.
Ashleigh: Why?
Oswald: Because I see potential in you.
Ashleigh: Potential for what?
Oswald smiles.
Oswald: You like to scrap, right? Fancy yourself a fighter? Then this will be right up your alley. In the meantime you can have these back.
He hands her the deck of cards as they exit the courthouse.
*** ON CAMERA ***
Even with the brace on her hand she’s able to shuffle with blurring precision, the various suits whirring by at an indiscernible pace; the entire time her dark eyes remain focused on the camera.
Ashleigh: You’re one of the kings of Vegas, are you not? The kind who makes his living in the back rooms and after hours clubs just as much as he does under the bright lights of the strip. You may not have started there but through dedication, hard work and a whole lot of deceit you found yourself sitting at the table with the haves, doing your best to look down your nose at the have nots. You and I Jack, we’ve been on opposite sides long before the powers that be saw fit to book us against one another. In fact we’ve been dancing this dance since I was a young girl, long before you earned your wise guy stripes. You’ve always been up there in your ivory tower, sitting behind your one way glass, looking to see if I was palming an ace or counting the deck. A constant game of cat and mouse where you had the advantage of the eye in the sky and I came armed purely with my guile. But we’re not meeting in a casino anymore and although we were both born and bred in Vegas, we’re taking this show on the road. So let’s get started, shall we? Don’t worry, I’ll deal…
She spreads the cards face up across the table in a perfectly symmetrical fan.
Ashleigh: Fifty two cards lay across the table, none of them stand out, none are extraordinary. It’s exactly what I see when look at our roster, or better yet the wrestling world at large. I see suits and numbers; some of lesser value and some that are trumped up to appear worth more than others but they’re all made of the same cardboard, easily manipulated with a little sleight of hand.
Ash runs her hand gently along the cards and one by one they flip until they’re all face down.
Ashleigh: That’s better. Now they all look the same with no pretty suits to distinguish their worth. What is a suit, really? Just a pretty covering designed to lead us astray, to make us believe in an exaggerated value. That’s why Jack Diamond and the rest of the stuffed shirts parade around Vegas acting like they're better than everyone else, but look closely and you’ll see otherwise. Vegas has more magic acts per capita than any city in the world but those Rolex wearing conmen like Diamond are the real masters of illusion who reside there. They hope you’ll stop at the designer labels and never peek behind the curtain. Truth is most of those fat cats are in debt up to their ears. They beg, borrow and steal to maintain the façade, to continue their extravagant lifestyles. Then one day the well runs dry, the handouts stop and they’re sitting outside that casino trying to shakedown a mark and run my kind off the corner. I’ve seen it; I’ve lived it and so have you.
Still focused on the camera she runs her hand along the fan and pulls a single card, holding it up for the camera to see without so much as glancing at it.
Ashleigh: This is you, right? The jack of diamonds, just another empty suit who pretends to be better than everyone else. Here’s the thing though, inside that ring you won’t have your suit to protect you. Between those ropes we’re judged on what we’ve accomplished not what we portray ourselves to be. This business if fickle, it’s permeated with a, “what have you done for me lately” attitude and with you being away for so long; Jack Diamond hasn’t done jack shit. You won a battle royal and you bested Kenzie Rydell who prior to your match had already tapped to a superior opponent in Jack Daniels. Now you’ve, “earned” yourself a shot at the Five Lakes Title. Notice I said you earned a shot at the title and not at me. What’s the difference? Any two-bit has been in a three piece suit can waltz in here win a match or two and be worthy of a shot at the mid tier title. To be worthy of a shot at me is something altogether different.
She takes the jack of diamonds and places it face down away from the remaining cards which she once again begins to shuffle.
Ashleigh: Not sure if you’ve heard but I’m sort of a big thing around these parts and by, “these parts” I mean everywhere. Back when dinosaurs like you and Bentley roamed the Earth things were more regional. You two clowns were big names over in Connecticut… which by the way, who the fuck makes a name for themselves in a fed based solely out of Connecticut… or Indy for that matter?!
Ash cops a quick grin before returning to a more serious demeanor.
Ashleigh: When season two of Inferno drew to a close and it was made known that I was a free agent I had feds from as far away as England and Japan knocking on my door. Then again with the likes of Jenson Idol and Tyson Gregory being the UK’s biggest exports that’s probably not saying much.
The grin returns.
Ashleigh: I kid with Jenson and Tyson because they’re champions. You? You’re a nobody? How does it feel to be on the other side of that one way glass? A nameless, faceless member of the herd poked and prodded while being led to slaughter. You fancy yourself a larger than life personality but next to me you pale in comparison. In case you missed the point allow me to use an analogy you’ll more easily understand…
She pulls a card off the deck, again showing the camera without so much as glancing at it.
Ashleigh: The queen of hearts could easily serve as me given the countless number of males, and a few females, who parade around behind me with their tongues wagging. Do you know what that’s like? Have you ever been worshipped for anything other than being a false idol who surrounds himself with little plastic chips and proclaims himself rich? Little CJ who I babysit does that too, it’s called Monopoly.
Ash scoffs before tossing the queen of hearts and pulling another card from the deck. She dangles the queen of clubs before of the camera.
Ashleigh: The queen of clubs could be apropos given that a club is a blunt instrument used to beat the bag off an opponent. Do you think that’s an overstatement? Really?! Who haven’t I thoroughly destroyed during my reign of terror? Jack’s a betting man; so tell me, who has the greatest chance of beating me? You?
She chuckles.
Ashleigh: Even you’re not that stupid. Gavin? Perhaps, but the odds won’t be in Gabby Longpromo’s favor. Then who? Think of it this way; while you and Bentley eked out a victory over the likes of Dean Judas, I rearranged that fucker’s face and inevitably ended his career here in NGW. “But Ash, he’s competing this week!!” Is he? Because I haven’t seen him.
The queen of clubs is tossed aside and the queen of spades is drawn from the deck.
Ashleigh: What’s a spade if not an instrument used to dig? Have you started digging Jack? You began the moment you chose to act like King Shit on social media, coming at me with hubris and cheese ball pickup lines like I’m some high class call girl you need to pretend to woo even though the check’s already been deposited in her account. I know that’s what you’re used to but honey I’m not that kind of girl. This queen of spades digs graves from city to city and fed to fed. I’ve been responsible for the deaths of more careers than I care to remember. Don’t believe me? Where’s Reiko Tatsuya? Where’s Vincent Palmer? Where’s Keelan Jayce? Where’s Maria Sangrienta? Where’s Shelly Silver? Where’s Dean Judas? Where will you be once this match is over? Another name on my list, another faceless victim I consume myself with for merely a moment before never having to worry about you again. Of all the opponents I’ve faced no one has asked for a rematch save for Kenzie Rydell, but even she realized her folly and decided to drink herself into oblivion rather than face a repeat performance. You want some advice on how to bounce back from your inevitable defeat; start accepting it now so the disappointment won’t hit you all at once. Realize you’ve been dealt a bad hand and the best you can do is fold in hopes you’ll be dealt a better hand and a weaker opponent. Who knows, if you’re lucky maybe you’ll draw Bentley.
She tosses the queen of spades aside and is now holding the queen of diamonds. She lets this one marinate for a moment before commenting.
Ashleigh: Do I need to state the obvious? Luckily for you these aren’t medieval times otherwise you’d be trotting out in your little monkey suit to dance jester dance. You’d juggle and sing and make an ass out of yourself all for my amusement. Then when I was tired of you Bentley would take you out back and end you. Then he’d end himself only this time he wouldn’t fail in spectacular fashion. In fact if you two really want to do something memorable why not go out Thelma and Louise style only instead of plunging off a cliff the two of you could slide into your pink Cadillac, close the garage door nice and tight and let the engine run while you reminisce about the good old days until you each go nighty night. Was that too on the nose? Am I a bully for telling you to kill yourself? Does anybody care? Would anyone miss you if you were gone? That’s the beauty of being Queen, Jack… I can do what I want, say what I want and get what I want with little to no consequence. In this match of you versus me, people only care about me. In fact the only reason this match isn’t the main event is because you’re in it. The Vegas showman used to seeing his name up in lights finds himself relegated to a supporting role. That’s what happens when you can’t pull your weight. It’s lonely out there on your own, isn’t it Jack? Even Bentley won’t commit to being your wingman and right about now you’re starting to question whether this comeback was such a good idea. Actually, don’t call it a comeback… because you’d actually have to achieve something worthwhile for that to be true. Instead will chalk this return up for what it really is; a mistake.
Ash flicks the queen of hearts at the camera and chuckles as she glances down at the jack of diamonds still lying face down on the table.
Ashleigh: And the jack stands alone. I hear you spouting off your conspiracy theories about how Dean Judas got to main event the last show. I’ll let you in on a little secret, he got there because I picked him up and carried him there. Granted I could only carry you to co-main event status but let’s be honest, you’re no Dean Judas. You’ll learn soon enough that the one true conspiracy in NGW is that I run the place. You saw it with your own eyes when Devlin Scott held back that second official until I’d properly disposed of our boy Dean. So yes Jack, for the millionth time, Devlin Scott does play favorites but when it comes to NGW his only favorite is me. So you can complain about booking and who merits what all you’d like but understand that the top two titles in this company aren’t changing hands until the tenth of September at Victory and Honor. Gavin and I have this gin joint all sewn up. You’re a Johnny come lately with your hand out, panhandling for the loose change that falls from our pockets. You may have been something special in that hole in the wall down in Connecticut; but here…
Again she glances at the face down jack of diamonds, before reaching for it.
Ashleigh: The only value you have…
She flips the card over but instead of the jack of diamonds we find…
Ashleigh: …is in being a goddamn joke.
With a chuckle she pushes the remaining cards from the table, leaving the camera to zoom in on the joker as the scene slowly fades to black.