Post by Ms Anicka Swan on Apr 28, 2021 3:17:13 GMT -5
Take a hit, shoot me down, shoot me down
I will never hit the ground, hit the ground
Playing dead, I'll never do
Gotta keep an eye on you
Won't wave my white flag, no
Oh, I won't go down slow
I'd rather die
Than give up the fight, give up the fight
Patience is wearing thin, paper thin
Promises broke again, what a sin
But it only feeds my energy
So don't expect no sympathy
Smoke, fire, it's all going up
Don't you know I ain't afraid to shed a little blood
Smoke, fire, flares are going up, flares are going up
I will never hit the ground, hit the ground
Playing dead, I'll never do
Gotta keep an eye on you
Won't wave my white flag, no
Oh, I won't go down slow
I'd rather die
Than give up the fight, give up the fight
[The scene fades in and we find ourselves on the 80th floor of the US offices of Marke Industries, the company that belonged to Xavier Wolf’s father, Thomas Marke. Part of the deal was that Ani had to be at the monthly meetings that were held in New York as well as the quarterly ones in London. Anicka was currently standing in the corner of her corner office that had been reserved for Xavier; she had another one almost like it in London except for it was higher up. She had the desk arranged to where at any time she wanted she could turn around and see nothing but the skyline with the floor to ceiling windows; which was what she was currently doing.]
If Ani’s parents could see her now… [She paused for a moment and shrugged her shoulders a bit, she watched as her reflection in the mirror mimicked her movements.] Then again, they could be looking up from Hell and watching her.
[She took a long breath. Talking about her past was sometimes hard, although she never kept it a secret. She wasn’t afraid of where she came from nor what she has done to survive since then, nor did she give a shit what anyone thought about it.]
Ani comes from humble beginnings as compared to a lot of people in this business, seems like a lot of them were born with a silver spoon in their mouths and decided wrestling would be a good hobby or they were born into it or married to it or you sit at home cheering on your favorite wrestlers as a kid and decide that’s what you want to be. Ani was none of those. Ani just happened to get in a fight at the right place at the right time in front of the right person.
[She chuckled a little bit.]
To look at Ani, with everything she says and does, you would have never thought her to come from a religious family; but then again, would kind of explain things. She wasn’t the preacher's daughter or anything like that but we were one of those twice weekly going to church, following strictly to the scriptures; up at the crack of dawn to pray and start the day, down at dusk to pray and end the day. Ani and her sister, Andi, were perfect little girls for their parents. They had everything planned out for us including the men they wished us to marry and the lives they wished us to lead.
[She smirked a little.]
Yeah.. that was until Ani met boys and their devil dicks. [She chuckled softly and nodded her head a little bit.] Yeah, Ani met boys and started wilding out. She would skip school to go hang with the boys, she would sneak out in the middle of the night to go hang with the boys. She would smoke and drink and fuck while she was with the boys. Her daddy would hunt her down while her momma sat at home and prayed. They called her demon, they called her harlot, they called her whore; they called her possessed. Her parents thought she had been turned into some sort of succubus by Asmedous himself. They prayed, the whole church prayed;. Ani’s sure you know how those prayers worked out. Ani doesn’t know what her parents were thinking. Maybe they thought they were saving the world? Doing it a favor? Making sure that whatever “evil” was inside her, stayed with her that she didn’t pass it off onto her spawn. Ani doesn’t know what they were thinking but Ani was sixteen when she found out what her parents had done to her. She left home and didn’t look back.
[She turned from the window and went and took a seat in the black oversized leather executive chair that probably cost the same amount of a down payment on a house.]
Ani did what she had to do to survive and she’s not ashamed to admit that she used the one thing that a girl like her had to offer; and let Ani tell you, ladies, some of you all are sitting on a gold mine and don’t even know it. Ani saw herself as a business woman and she became her own “whorperation”, trading one commodity for another and working the hell out of the barter system; learned different skills, by trading ...her skill. She learned the game of smoke and mirrors, lies and manipulation and that the role of dumb whore was one of the most greatest skill of all.
[She rested her chin against the palm of her left hand with her elbow perched on the arm of the chair.]
Which is the downfall of a lot of Ani’s opponents. They think she’s just another cookie cutter wrestling whore who jumps on the biggest dick and rides it to the top. They don’t realize it’s always been the other way around; look at some of the men Ani’s been with… Jason Gamble, Hudson McKnight, Jason Knight; where they at? [She paused as if waiting for an answer then continued on.] Just names in the Dog Pound of Ms Anicka Swan. ...That is until her opponents have to face her in the ring. Then they find out that she is everything they have been told she was. She is that monster, she is that beast, she is that mountain with the sheer rock face that is almost impossible to climb.
[She sat up straight in the chair, her nails blending into the black leather.]
Stratford doesn’t know Ani as well as he knows some of the others of the Wolfpack, only what he’s been told, only what he’s seen since he signed on with OpW. But she was around back then, but her name wasn’t the one that was pulling in the money yet. That didn’t happen until he and the missus had slipped off into obscurity, he was gone when she got to show the wrestling world that she was just as good as the woman who trained her. He didn’t get to watch as she became one of the few names that everyone hated to see their name together with and the word versus in between. He didn’t get to see the names that fell...
[Anicka’s assistant walked in silencing the thoughts that she was speaking about Stephen Stratford; Taylor was dressed like every executive assistant you have ever seen, with her business suit and heels; hair up in a bun. If Anicka and her stood side by side right now, they would look like a court appointed attorney and her street walking client with Ani in her tiny black dress that was so short that if she were to sneeze you’d been able to tell what color underwear she was wearing if she was wearing them.]
Ms. Swan, Mr. Marke is here to see you. [She held open the door as Thomas Marke walked in. Anicka rolled her eyes before she turned around in her chair and smiled.]
Thought I would walk you to the meeting with Bailey. [He flashed her that smile, it was the same one as his son; but when he did it, Ani just felt like she wanted to punch him in it. It was tough for Ani sometimes.]
Do you think Ani would get lost, Tom? [Anicka got up from her chair and made her way over to where Tom and her assistant stood. Despite insisting on him calling her Ms. Swan, she made it a point to never call him Mr. Marke, it was her personal way of humbling him.]
Just making sure that you don’t get an assault charge on the way there. [Despite the smiles and the appearance of friendly banter, it was far from friendly. Their words were like tiny little daggers just barely piercing the skin, hoping that each cut will be the one to make the other finally snap and someone catch a charge.]
Who says chivalry is dead? [She dryly said causing Thomas to chuckle softly as they made their way out of the office.]
[They walked down the hallway to the main conference room, Tom was giving her a run down of how he wanted it to go; he wanted a toned down version of “pretty muscle”, he wanted her to sit there and be intimidating. When they came into everyone’s view through the glass wall, the man inside the room with his team of lawyers on one side and Marke’s own on the other side, saw her and his eyes grew wide. Kevin Bailey’s day just went from bad to worse.]
If Ani’s parents could see her now… [She paused for a moment and shrugged her shoulders a bit, she watched as her reflection in the mirror mimicked her movements.] Then again, they could be looking up from Hell and watching her.
[She took a long breath. Talking about her past was sometimes hard, although she never kept it a secret. She wasn’t afraid of where she came from nor what she has done to survive since then, nor did she give a shit what anyone thought about it.]
Ani comes from humble beginnings as compared to a lot of people in this business, seems like a lot of them were born with a silver spoon in their mouths and decided wrestling would be a good hobby or they were born into it or married to it or you sit at home cheering on your favorite wrestlers as a kid and decide that’s what you want to be. Ani was none of those. Ani just happened to get in a fight at the right place at the right time in front of the right person.
[She chuckled a little bit.]
To look at Ani, with everything she says and does, you would have never thought her to come from a religious family; but then again, would kind of explain things. She wasn’t the preacher's daughter or anything like that but we were one of those twice weekly going to church, following strictly to the scriptures; up at the crack of dawn to pray and start the day, down at dusk to pray and end the day. Ani and her sister, Andi, were perfect little girls for their parents. They had everything planned out for us including the men they wished us to marry and the lives they wished us to lead.
[She smirked a little.]
Yeah.. that was until Ani met boys and their devil dicks. [She chuckled softly and nodded her head a little bit.] Yeah, Ani met boys and started wilding out. She would skip school to go hang with the boys, she would sneak out in the middle of the night to go hang with the boys. She would smoke and drink and fuck while she was with the boys. Her daddy would hunt her down while her momma sat at home and prayed. They called her demon, they called her harlot, they called her whore; they called her possessed. Her parents thought she had been turned into some sort of succubus by Asmedous himself. They prayed, the whole church prayed;. Ani’s sure you know how those prayers worked out. Ani doesn’t know what her parents were thinking. Maybe they thought they were saving the world? Doing it a favor? Making sure that whatever “evil” was inside her, stayed with her that she didn’t pass it off onto her spawn. Ani doesn’t know what they were thinking but Ani was sixteen when she found out what her parents had done to her. She left home and didn’t look back.
[She turned from the window and went and took a seat in the black oversized leather executive chair that probably cost the same amount of a down payment on a house.]
Ani did what she had to do to survive and she’s not ashamed to admit that she used the one thing that a girl like her had to offer; and let Ani tell you, ladies, some of you all are sitting on a gold mine and don’t even know it. Ani saw herself as a business woman and she became her own “whorperation”, trading one commodity for another and working the hell out of the barter system; learned different skills, by trading ...her skill. She learned the game of smoke and mirrors, lies and manipulation and that the role of dumb whore was one of the most greatest skill of all.
[She rested her chin against the palm of her left hand with her elbow perched on the arm of the chair.]
Which is the downfall of a lot of Ani’s opponents. They think she’s just another cookie cutter wrestling whore who jumps on the biggest dick and rides it to the top. They don’t realize it’s always been the other way around; look at some of the men Ani’s been with… Jason Gamble, Hudson McKnight, Jason Knight; where they at? [She paused as if waiting for an answer then continued on.] Just names in the Dog Pound of Ms Anicka Swan. ...That is until her opponents have to face her in the ring. Then they find out that she is everything they have been told she was. She is that monster, she is that beast, she is that mountain with the sheer rock face that is almost impossible to climb.
[She sat up straight in the chair, her nails blending into the black leather.]
Stratford doesn’t know Ani as well as he knows some of the others of the Wolfpack, only what he’s been told, only what he’s seen since he signed on with OpW. But she was around back then, but her name wasn’t the one that was pulling in the money yet. That didn’t happen until he and the missus had slipped off into obscurity, he was gone when she got to show the wrestling world that she was just as good as the woman who trained her. He didn’t get to watch as she became one of the few names that everyone hated to see their name together with and the word versus in between. He didn’t get to see the names that fell...
[Anicka’s assistant walked in silencing the thoughts that she was speaking about Stephen Stratford; Taylor was dressed like every executive assistant you have ever seen, with her business suit and heels; hair up in a bun. If Anicka and her stood side by side right now, they would look like a court appointed attorney and her street walking client with Ani in her tiny black dress that was so short that if she were to sneeze you’d been able to tell what color underwear she was wearing if she was wearing them.]
Ms. Swan, Mr. Marke is here to see you. [She held open the door as Thomas Marke walked in. Anicka rolled her eyes before she turned around in her chair and smiled.]
Thought I would walk you to the meeting with Bailey. [He flashed her that smile, it was the same one as his son; but when he did it, Ani just felt like she wanted to punch him in it. It was tough for Ani sometimes.]
Do you think Ani would get lost, Tom? [Anicka got up from her chair and made her way over to where Tom and her assistant stood. Despite insisting on him calling her Ms. Swan, she made it a point to never call him Mr. Marke, it was her personal way of humbling him.]
Just making sure that you don’t get an assault charge on the way there. [Despite the smiles and the appearance of friendly banter, it was far from friendly. Their words were like tiny little daggers just barely piercing the skin, hoping that each cut will be the one to make the other finally snap and someone catch a charge.]
Who says chivalry is dead? [She dryly said causing Thomas to chuckle softly as they made their way out of the office.]
[They walked down the hallway to the main conference room, Tom was giving her a run down of how he wanted it to go; he wanted a toned down version of “pretty muscle”, he wanted her to sit there and be intimidating. When they came into everyone’s view through the glass wall, the man inside the room with his team of lawyers on one side and Marke’s own on the other side, saw her and his eyes grew wide. Kevin Bailey’s day just went from bad to worse.]
Patience is wearing thin, paper thin
Promises broke again, what a sin
But it only feeds my energy
So don't expect no sympathy
Smoke, fire, it's all going up
Don't you know I ain't afraid to shed a little blood
Smoke, fire, flares are going up, flares are going up
[It’s two hours later, everyone is still in the conference room; Thomas was sitting at the head of the table with Bailey to his left and Anicka to his right. Thomas had asked Anicka just to sit there and let him do the talking; and she did. As soon as she sat down, her assistant placed the notepad and pencil in front of her like usual; despite Taylor there taking notes, Anicka kept her own notes, ones that were in some sort of language that Thomas was convinced were just scribbles. Both men had been going back and forth, neither getting anywhere with the other; she was convinced this was why Xavier didn’t want this life and she couldn’t blame him for it either. This shit was boring as fuck and she watched to jump out the window right about now.]
[For the fifth time now, Kevin Bailey said he was not going to suspend the dividends. That’s when Ani snapped; well, more like her pencil did as she pressed down way too hard and not the lead part but right where she was holding it. Two words were all she said, but it was the tone of the words that pretty well everyone in the room collectively felt. They were long and drawn out, just like this meeting.]
Reeaally, Keevviin?
You can call off your son’s pitbull, Marke. [He didn’t even look in Ani’s direction; he had enough of her a month ago when she approached him privately.] I thought we were going to work this out?
I don’t know what you’re talking about. [Thomas Marke said as he leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands in front of him.] I can’t call her off, Xavier won’t give me the safeword for her.
That’s cause safewords are for pussies, Tom. [Her words caused a couple of Bailey’s lawyers to chuckle, but he silenced them with a look.]
I don’t want to merge my company. [He ignored her comments.]
Good news is, Kevin, no one wants to merge with you. [Anicka was done. She was bored and hungry now and could use a couple of drinks.] Ani’s looked at your portfolio, she’s shocked you’re able to afford all these lawyers.
It will kill the stock.
What do you think will happen when Marke Industries dumps its 25% shares tomorrow? [Anicka asked him as she crossed her arms in front of her as she sat leaned back in the chair.] Your stock will drop so fast that it will look like it committed suicide jumping off this obxniously tall Marke building we’re sitting in, everyone you owe money to will come knocking on your door. [She tapped her knuckles on the table three times.] Since Thomas is your biggest creditor, it’s pretty safe to say that negotiations will be over by then.
[Kevin Bailey looked back and forth between Anicka and Marke; he couldn't believe it. The bitch had done it, she had done what she said she was going to do. When she approached him the first time, all she was interested in was the 1% he had in Marke Industries. She had offered him a very nice price for it and he told her no, he liked Marke not knowing he had the stocks and how she found out, he didn’t know. Her last words to him were that 1% would be all he would be left with.]
I started this company in my parents garage.
Which is where it will die. [Thomas told him.] Unless you allow us to assume management. [Kevin Bailey said nothing as he continued to look between the two.] So what’s it going to be? Are we taking over your company tomorrow or is Ms Swan killing it? Your choice. Just know that the wrong one will put Ms Swan in charge of your company by the end of the month; she has been instructed to lovingly fire every one of your employees and sell everything that your company owns to the cheapest buyer.
[Anicka leans forwards on the glass table with her hands clasped in front of her; Kevin Bailey could feel her hand tighten on his nutsack and squeeze and as much as he wants to say something, he doesn’t say anything, he can’t; he just nods.]
I think you made the right choice. Come, Ms Swan. [Marke gets up and motions for Anicka to join him in leaving. Anicka winks at Bailey before she gets up from where she had been sitting and walks behind Kevin to follow Marke out.]
Fucking bitch. [Kevin mumbled just loud enough to be heard.]
[This caused Anicka and Thomas to stop in in their tracks. Thomas turned around with a surprised look on his face, he really didn’t expect Kevin to nut up like this at the last moment. Ani was kinda surprised too. She was nice to him and had given him another option and he chose not to take it. All she had to do was whisper softly into ol’ Tom’s ear, plant a seed of a thought and watch it grow. Anicka turned around and walked back to where Kevin was sitting. Everyone sitting at the table was half expecting to finally watch her put someone through the glass table; instead she stopped behind him and placed her hands gently on his shoulders and began to run her hands across them straightening the suit some.]
That wasn’t nice and a real meanie face to say to Ani. She was going to call you later on today, see if there is anything she can do to help you out. [The tone of her voice and the look on her face seemed passive and nonthreatening to most, but those who know her, know otherwise.] Would you still like for Ani to call you later on? See if there is anything that can make this… transition… easier for you?
I will look forward to your call, Ms Swan. [Kevin finally choked the words out after a moment.]
She thought you would. [She smiled, she hoped for this moment, she wanted witnesses to what she had done with Kevin. They would take what they saw back to others and it would spread like a wildfire and reach the Chosen 18 by the end of business today and tomorrow morning she would start making her calls. It would scare them, if she could do that with Kevin Bailey and his company, just what could she do to theirs. Fear was good, it was a helluva motivator and manipulation tool to have.]
[Anicka turned and walked into the direction of the door and Marke, that bright and shining smile that she was just lighting the room disappeared as if it had been on a switch as soon as she laid eyes on him. If he didn’t know any better, he imagined she was envisioning him as one of the nazis that had looked into the Ark of the Covenant in the Indiana Jones movie with his flesh melting off. About 4 months ago, he would have taken great joy in that, but after what he’s seen her do and what she just did; his emotions and feelings about the woman were torn now. As she got closer, his smile widened and he pulled the door open for her.]
After you, Ms Swan. [He chuckled hearing the soft growl in her throat as she passed through the doorway. He followed her out and for a moment he was struck by her form. He might not like her, but he and his son had one thing in common and that was admiring the female form. And whether he hated her or not, she had a very nice one.] Ms Swan?
[Anicka stopped walking and stood there for a moment, she was deciding to bother turning around to face him, but finally she did.]
Some of the stockholders that flew in to see me and I are going out for lunch later on. [He caught up to her and smiled.] I would love the woman who made the company 250 million dollars to join us. They have been wanting to meet you.
What time should Ani be ready? [This time it was Ani’s turn to smile, this was one of the moments she was waiting for. A chance to meet those higher up the food chain on the level with Marke.]
The limo will be here at three o’clock. [He motioned for her to continue to the elevators.] I will stop by your office.
Ani will be ready. [They walked over to the elevator and Thomas pushed the button.]
I really have to know; how did a woman as beautiful and as smart as you end up in a wrestling ring instead of a boardroom? [The doors slid open and he put his hand out to hold them and waited for Anicka to step inside and then followed her in.]
Anger management issues. Ani has them. [She said matter of factly and then chuckled and smiled.] Plus, Ani wanted to make some quick money so she could open up her restaurant.
Restaurant to wrestling, that one end of the spectrum as compared to the other. How do you even make a jump like that?
Was more like a kick. A superkick to be exact. [Anicka chuckled, she turned around and looked out the glass windows of the elevator at the New York skyline; this was where it actually all began.] Anicka was drunk and got into a fight on the dance floor at VooDoo’s nightclub. When they couldn’t get Ani off one of the guys, VooDoo jumped from the stage and superkicked the hell outta Ani. Next thing Ani knew she was waking up in Voo’s office asking her where she learned to fight at.
Just like that? [He couldn’t help but look her over from behind, what he didn’t know was Anicka could see his reflection in the glass she was looking out of.]
She had Ani moved into an apartment and training by that Monday.
[That was a brutal time in Ani’s life. When the proverbial party girl met the Pack, who seemed to live, eat and breath in the gym so much that they called it their Church; she didn’t know what she was in for; but she quickly learned Church was just a code word for VooDoo’s House of Pain as she paid back the $250k worth of damage to the club with blood, sweat and tears.]
And that’s how you met Xavier?
[She nodded.] That’s how Ani met X.
I’ve read tales of some of the antics with you two over the years. [He tsked and shook his head some.] I am shocked you two survived each other.
Honestly, Tom. [She turned around and looked at him.] We survived because of each other. He and Ani had the same struggles when we first started fighting in the ring. He was fighting against the reputation of his brothers that came before him to make a name for himself and Ani was stuck behind a big fucking red shadow. They wanted Kal X Wolf, Vincent Black, VooDoo…
You’ve really shocked me these past few months working with you. You’re actually quite intelligent when you want to be. [The elevator opened and he stepped forward and held it again.] Almost makes me wish he would have married you, but there is that issue with not having a grandson to carry on my name.
He’s got a good breeder, he’s got pedigree papers on her and everything. [She smirked some as she stepped off the elevator and turned around and smiled.] Good bones and perfect teeth, comes from a hearty stock of people.
I doubt she has your sense of humor though. [He smiled at her and moved his hand to let the door closed.] I’ll see you at three.
It’s a date. [She smiled that wicked seductive smile of hers and gave him a wink.]
[As the scene slowly fades to black, Anicka turns around and the smile she had was once again gone and replaced with the familiar snarl that she got when she merely thought of Thomas Marke… it’s smoke and mirrors. Marke continued to watch Anicka walk away as so many do until the elevator doors closed. Both of them thought the same thing… this is going to be an interesting day.]
[For the fifth time now, Kevin Bailey said he was not going to suspend the dividends. That’s when Ani snapped; well, more like her pencil did as she pressed down way too hard and not the lead part but right where she was holding it. Two words were all she said, but it was the tone of the words that pretty well everyone in the room collectively felt. They were long and drawn out, just like this meeting.]
Reeaally, Keevviin?
You can call off your son’s pitbull, Marke. [He didn’t even look in Ani’s direction; he had enough of her a month ago when she approached him privately.] I thought we were going to work this out?
I don’t know what you’re talking about. [Thomas Marke said as he leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands in front of him.] I can’t call her off, Xavier won’t give me the safeword for her.
That’s cause safewords are for pussies, Tom. [Her words caused a couple of Bailey’s lawyers to chuckle, but he silenced them with a look.]
I don’t want to merge my company. [He ignored her comments.]
Good news is, Kevin, no one wants to merge with you. [Anicka was done. She was bored and hungry now and could use a couple of drinks.] Ani’s looked at your portfolio, she’s shocked you’re able to afford all these lawyers.
It will kill the stock.
What do you think will happen when Marke Industries dumps its 25% shares tomorrow? [Anicka asked him as she crossed her arms in front of her as she sat leaned back in the chair.] Your stock will drop so fast that it will look like it committed suicide jumping off this obxniously tall Marke building we’re sitting in, everyone you owe money to will come knocking on your door. [She tapped her knuckles on the table three times.] Since Thomas is your biggest creditor, it’s pretty safe to say that negotiations will be over by then.
[Kevin Bailey looked back and forth between Anicka and Marke; he couldn't believe it. The bitch had done it, she had done what she said she was going to do. When she approached him the first time, all she was interested in was the 1% he had in Marke Industries. She had offered him a very nice price for it and he told her no, he liked Marke not knowing he had the stocks and how she found out, he didn’t know. Her last words to him were that 1% would be all he would be left with.]
I started this company in my parents garage.
Which is where it will die. [Thomas told him.] Unless you allow us to assume management. [Kevin Bailey said nothing as he continued to look between the two.] So what’s it going to be? Are we taking over your company tomorrow or is Ms Swan killing it? Your choice. Just know that the wrong one will put Ms Swan in charge of your company by the end of the month; she has been instructed to lovingly fire every one of your employees and sell everything that your company owns to the cheapest buyer.
[Anicka leans forwards on the glass table with her hands clasped in front of her; Kevin Bailey could feel her hand tighten on his nutsack and squeeze and as much as he wants to say something, he doesn’t say anything, he can’t; he just nods.]
I think you made the right choice. Come, Ms Swan. [Marke gets up and motions for Anicka to join him in leaving. Anicka winks at Bailey before she gets up from where she had been sitting and walks behind Kevin to follow Marke out.]
Fucking bitch. [Kevin mumbled just loud enough to be heard.]
[This caused Anicka and Thomas to stop in in their tracks. Thomas turned around with a surprised look on his face, he really didn’t expect Kevin to nut up like this at the last moment. Ani was kinda surprised too. She was nice to him and had given him another option and he chose not to take it. All she had to do was whisper softly into ol’ Tom’s ear, plant a seed of a thought and watch it grow. Anicka turned around and walked back to where Kevin was sitting. Everyone sitting at the table was half expecting to finally watch her put someone through the glass table; instead she stopped behind him and placed her hands gently on his shoulders and began to run her hands across them straightening the suit some.]
That wasn’t nice and a real meanie face to say to Ani. She was going to call you later on today, see if there is anything she can do to help you out. [The tone of her voice and the look on her face seemed passive and nonthreatening to most, but those who know her, know otherwise.] Would you still like for Ani to call you later on? See if there is anything that can make this… transition… easier for you?
I will look forward to your call, Ms Swan. [Kevin finally choked the words out after a moment.]
She thought you would. [She smiled, she hoped for this moment, she wanted witnesses to what she had done with Kevin. They would take what they saw back to others and it would spread like a wildfire and reach the Chosen 18 by the end of business today and tomorrow morning she would start making her calls. It would scare them, if she could do that with Kevin Bailey and his company, just what could she do to theirs. Fear was good, it was a helluva motivator and manipulation tool to have.]
[Anicka turned and walked into the direction of the door and Marke, that bright and shining smile that she was just lighting the room disappeared as if it had been on a switch as soon as she laid eyes on him. If he didn’t know any better, he imagined she was envisioning him as one of the nazis that had looked into the Ark of the Covenant in the Indiana Jones movie with his flesh melting off. About 4 months ago, he would have taken great joy in that, but after what he’s seen her do and what she just did; his emotions and feelings about the woman were torn now. As she got closer, his smile widened and he pulled the door open for her.]
After you, Ms Swan. [He chuckled hearing the soft growl in her throat as she passed through the doorway. He followed her out and for a moment he was struck by her form. He might not like her, but he and his son had one thing in common and that was admiring the female form. And whether he hated her or not, she had a very nice one.] Ms Swan?
[Anicka stopped walking and stood there for a moment, she was deciding to bother turning around to face him, but finally she did.]
Some of the stockholders that flew in to see me and I are going out for lunch later on. [He caught up to her and smiled.] I would love the woman who made the company 250 million dollars to join us. They have been wanting to meet you.
What time should Ani be ready? [This time it was Ani’s turn to smile, this was one of the moments she was waiting for. A chance to meet those higher up the food chain on the level with Marke.]
The limo will be here at three o’clock. [He motioned for her to continue to the elevators.] I will stop by your office.
Ani will be ready. [They walked over to the elevator and Thomas pushed the button.]
I really have to know; how did a woman as beautiful and as smart as you end up in a wrestling ring instead of a boardroom? [The doors slid open and he put his hand out to hold them and waited for Anicka to step inside and then followed her in.]
Anger management issues. Ani has them. [She said matter of factly and then chuckled and smiled.] Plus, Ani wanted to make some quick money so she could open up her restaurant.
Restaurant to wrestling, that one end of the spectrum as compared to the other. How do you even make a jump like that?
Was more like a kick. A superkick to be exact. [Anicka chuckled, she turned around and looked out the glass windows of the elevator at the New York skyline; this was where it actually all began.] Anicka was drunk and got into a fight on the dance floor at VooDoo’s nightclub. When they couldn’t get Ani off one of the guys, VooDoo jumped from the stage and superkicked the hell outta Ani. Next thing Ani knew she was waking up in Voo’s office asking her where she learned to fight at.
Just like that? [He couldn’t help but look her over from behind, what he didn’t know was Anicka could see his reflection in the glass she was looking out of.]
She had Ani moved into an apartment and training by that Monday.
[That was a brutal time in Ani’s life. When the proverbial party girl met the Pack, who seemed to live, eat and breath in the gym so much that they called it their Church; she didn’t know what she was in for; but she quickly learned Church was just a code word for VooDoo’s House of Pain as she paid back the $250k worth of damage to the club with blood, sweat and tears.]
And that’s how you met Xavier?
[She nodded.] That’s how Ani met X.
I’ve read tales of some of the antics with you two over the years. [He tsked and shook his head some.] I am shocked you two survived each other.
Honestly, Tom. [She turned around and looked at him.] We survived because of each other. He and Ani had the same struggles when we first started fighting in the ring. He was fighting against the reputation of his brothers that came before him to make a name for himself and Ani was stuck behind a big fucking red shadow. They wanted Kal X Wolf, Vincent Black, VooDoo…
You’ve really shocked me these past few months working with you. You’re actually quite intelligent when you want to be. [The elevator opened and he stepped forward and held it again.] Almost makes me wish he would have married you, but there is that issue with not having a grandson to carry on my name.
He’s got a good breeder, he’s got pedigree papers on her and everything. [She smirked some as she stepped off the elevator and turned around and smiled.] Good bones and perfect teeth, comes from a hearty stock of people.
I doubt she has your sense of humor though. [He smiled at her and moved his hand to let the door closed.] I’ll see you at three.
It’s a date. [She smiled that wicked seductive smile of hers and gave him a wink.]
[As the scene slowly fades to black, Anicka turns around and the smile she had was once again gone and replaced with the familiar snarl that she got when she merely thought of Thomas Marke… it’s smoke and mirrors. Marke continued to watch Anicka walk away as so many do until the elevator doors closed. Both of them thought the same thing… this is going to be an interesting day.]
Put an X on my chest, on my chest
But I'm still standing 'cause I won't forget
The hell on earth you put me through
I'll save myself in spite of you
Smoke, fire, it's all going up
Don't you know I ain't afraid to shed a little blood
Smoke, fire, flares are going up, flares are going up
[Promptly at a quarter to three, Thomas Marke showed up at Anicka’s office, helped her with her white fur coat and escorted her downstairs to the waiting limo that whisked them and five others off to the Baccarat Hotel where Morty Dux had gotten the Baccarat Suite for him and his son while they were in town and they were using that place for the “special” lunch. It was something the men did when they met up; bringing in some of the best dishes in the world, this time, in honor of Ms Swan joining them, they decided to take it in a different direction. The suite was amazing; two bedrooms with a living room, dining room and kitchen and an amazing balcony with a view of the skyline; which is where Thomas Marke decided to start this little soiree with a drink.]
Here, Ani, let me hold the door open for you. [Randolph Dux, the youngest of the six men there and Morty’s son said as he held the door open for her. He had waited behind for her instead of joining the other men out on the balcony.]
Thank you, Randy. [Anicka said and flashed her biggest smile, she had learned on the limo ride over that Randy was her biggest fan; as well as he didn’t normally come to these things, but he wanted to meet her. And judging from the way he spent most of the car ride over leering at her, he wanted to do more than “meet” her but he wanted to “meat” her. She literally wanted to punch him in the face.] That’s very sweet of you.
There she is. [Thomas said as he stood outside with the other men as they stood with two others near a table where there were seven small glasses filled with liquid; behind the table was a serving cart with seven square boxes. Anicka knew he was up to something, he was being way too nice to her and the rest of them were smiling like they had a secret.] We’ve been waiting for you, as the guest of honor today, we thought we’d let you be the one to have the first drink.
Ani thinks you boys are up to something. [She smiled as she neared them and the table.]
Ut-oh, Tom. [Morty said from beside him.] I think she might be on to us.
Ani’s a good sport. [Anicka cocked her left brow slightly at the sound of her first name slipping from Thomas’ mouth.] She’s interested in what the lives of oligarchs are like, we’ll give her a little taste. [He motioned for the two new men to get started.] Each of us brought a delightful little course to share with you, some of our favorites.
Some of us brought a few. [One of the other men, Charles added.]
We’re going to start the evening with something from Vietnam. [Tom explained to her as they watched one of the men grab one of the boxes, then both him and the other man worked together to bring the contents out. It was a cobra, it hissed and struggled in the one man’s grasp.] It’s one of my favorites.
Can Ani keep it?
Ani’s going to be able to keep a piece of it. [Randy said from beside her.]
[The guy not holding the snake picked up a knife and pulled the body of the snake over a bucket on their side of the table and slowly jabbed the knife into the snake's body and pulled the knife up it’s body some and then reached inside and searched around for a moment until he found what he was looking for and then ripped it out. He took the heart that was still beating and dropped it into one of the glasses. Tom picked up the glass and held it out to Ani with a smile.]
Cobra heart wine. It’s supposed to enhance virility in men.
Ani can see why this group of men would need it. [She took the glass from Thomas and held it up to look at it. She watched as the heart beat in the liquid then looked over at the smirking face of Xavier’s father.] Ain’t no one gonna believe Ani when she tells them she drank this. She needs digital evidence.
[Anicka reached in the clutch she carried and pulled out her cell, opened the camera app and handed the cell to Randy. She knew that he would be more than happen to be her photographer.]
Here, Ani, let me hold the door open for you. [Randolph Dux, the youngest of the six men there and Morty’s son said as he held the door open for her. He had waited behind for her instead of joining the other men out on the balcony.]
Thank you, Randy. [Anicka said and flashed her biggest smile, she had learned on the limo ride over that Randy was her biggest fan; as well as he didn’t normally come to these things, but he wanted to meet her. And judging from the way he spent most of the car ride over leering at her, he wanted to do more than “meet” her but he wanted to “meat” her. She literally wanted to punch him in the face.] That’s very sweet of you.
There she is. [Thomas said as he stood outside with the other men as they stood with two others near a table where there were seven small glasses filled with liquid; behind the table was a serving cart with seven square boxes. Anicka knew he was up to something, he was being way too nice to her and the rest of them were smiling like they had a secret.] We’ve been waiting for you, as the guest of honor today, we thought we’d let you be the one to have the first drink.
Ani thinks you boys are up to something. [She smiled as she neared them and the table.]
Ut-oh, Tom. [Morty said from beside him.] I think she might be on to us.
Ani’s a good sport. [Anicka cocked her left brow slightly at the sound of her first name slipping from Thomas’ mouth.] She’s interested in what the lives of oligarchs are like, we’ll give her a little taste. [He motioned for the two new men to get started.] Each of us brought a delightful little course to share with you, some of our favorites.
Some of us brought a few. [One of the other men, Charles added.]
We’re going to start the evening with something from Vietnam. [Tom explained to her as they watched one of the men grab one of the boxes, then both him and the other man worked together to bring the contents out. It was a cobra, it hissed and struggled in the one man’s grasp.] It’s one of my favorites.
Can Ani keep it?
Ani’s going to be able to keep a piece of it. [Randy said from beside her.]
[The guy not holding the snake picked up a knife and pulled the body of the snake over a bucket on their side of the table and slowly jabbed the knife into the snake's body and pulled the knife up it’s body some and then reached inside and searched around for a moment until he found what he was looking for and then ripped it out. He took the heart that was still beating and dropped it into one of the glasses. Tom picked up the glass and held it out to Ani with a smile.]
Cobra heart wine. It’s supposed to enhance virility in men.
Ani can see why this group of men would need it. [She took the glass from Thomas and held it up to look at it. She watched as the heart beat in the liquid then looked over at the smirking face of Xavier’s father.] Ain’t no one gonna believe Ani when she tells them she drank this. She needs digital evidence.
[Anicka reached in the clutch she carried and pulled out her cell, opened the camera app and handed the cell to Randy. She knew that he would be more than happen to be her photographer.]
Maybe a video? [Thomas suggested.] That way they can see the heart still beating.
That’s a good idea. [Anicka smiled and when she knew that Randy was filming she held the glass up and pointed to the contents.] So, ya’ll see what’s in this glass? Ani just watched these dudes cut a cobra’s heart out and drop it in the glass. [Inside the glass the heart took a beat; from outside of the camera shot, Thomas tells her to count to ten and drink it. And Ani did it; she counted to ten and then tossed the shot back like it was tequila as she swallowed it down, her eyes grew wide and her hand shot to her throat.] What the fuck?!
That was the heart beating. [Thomas told her once the men had finished laughing.] I got to commend you though, you did a whole lot better than Randolph.
Oh? [Anicka said as she looked at Randy and held out her hand for her cell phone.]
Yes, my son had to take the bucket. [The elder Dux said with a sad tone.] He cost me a yacht.
My daughter and her husband loved it as a wedding gift. [Edward added to the conversation.]
What bets were made on Ani? [She looked around with a smile; the way everyone was smirking assured her there had been a bet.] Oh come on, no secrets, boys, Ani just swallowed the beating heart for you.
You cost me $500k, Ms Swan. [Thomas picked up one of the glasses that they just dropped one of the hearts into and tossed it back.]
Do you lose money every time Ani eats or drinks?
We all do. [Morty said as he took his drink and looked over at his son who was waiting for his.] Please try not to embarrass yourself this time.
[After everyone had made it through the drinks they went back inside and took seats at the dining room table. Anicka and Thomas took the seats at the ends of the table facing each other, the Dux took one side of the table, with Randy sitting the closest to Anicka and the other three men sat on the other side.]
So, what’s the rules? [Anicka leaned forward with her elbows on the table smiling.] And how does Ani get in on the betting?
As the guest of honor, this time you’re not in on the betting. [Morty told her as he nodded for the wine steward to begin pouring glasses.]
This time? [She looked around the table at all the men.] Wait, did you all let Ani join your good ol’ boys club?
While Thomas isn’t impressed with you, we are. [Morty smiled as he picked up the glass of wine and took a drink. Anicka glanced over at Thomas, who shrugged his shoulders and smiled. So, Thomas isn’t the only one who calls the shots in his circle of friends.]
The rules?
With each course, if you partake, Thomas loses, and if you don’t, we do.
That seems simple enough for Ani. [She told them.] Let’s do this.
Dad and I picked the appetizers.
[As Randolph said that, three servers walked out each carrying two domed silver serving trays. Anicka’s was the last one to be placed down, and the server pulled back the dome to reveal the contents beneath.]
Make sure to take a picture of that, Ms Swan. [Thomas told her with a smirk as the other domes were lifted off.]
That’s a good idea. [Anicka smiled and when she knew that Randy was filming she held the glass up and pointed to the contents.] So, ya’ll see what’s in this glass? Ani just watched these dudes cut a cobra’s heart out and drop it in the glass. [Inside the glass the heart took a beat; from outside of the camera shot, Thomas tells her to count to ten and drink it. And Ani did it; she counted to ten and then tossed the shot back like it was tequila as she swallowed it down, her eyes grew wide and her hand shot to her throat.] What the fuck?!
That was the heart beating. [Thomas told her once the men had finished laughing.] I got to commend you though, you did a whole lot better than Randolph.
Oh? [Anicka said as she looked at Randy and held out her hand for her cell phone.]
Yes, my son had to take the bucket. [The elder Dux said with a sad tone.] He cost me a yacht.
My daughter and her husband loved it as a wedding gift. [Edward added to the conversation.]
What bets were made on Ani? [She looked around with a smile; the way everyone was smirking assured her there had been a bet.] Oh come on, no secrets, boys, Ani just swallowed the beating heart for you.
You cost me $500k, Ms Swan. [Thomas picked up one of the glasses that they just dropped one of the hearts into and tossed it back.]
Do you lose money every time Ani eats or drinks?
We all do. [Morty said as he took his drink and looked over at his son who was waiting for his.] Please try not to embarrass yourself this time.
[After everyone had made it through the drinks they went back inside and took seats at the dining room table. Anicka and Thomas took the seats at the ends of the table facing each other, the Dux took one side of the table, with Randy sitting the closest to Anicka and the other three men sat on the other side.]
So, what’s the rules? [Anicka leaned forward with her elbows on the table smiling.] And how does Ani get in on the betting?
As the guest of honor, this time you’re not in on the betting. [Morty told her as he nodded for the wine steward to begin pouring glasses.]
This time? [She looked around the table at all the men.] Wait, did you all let Ani join your good ol’ boys club?
While Thomas isn’t impressed with you, we are. [Morty smiled as he picked up the glass of wine and took a drink. Anicka glanced over at Thomas, who shrugged his shoulders and smiled. So, Thomas isn’t the only one who calls the shots in his circle of friends.]
The rules?
With each course, if you partake, Thomas loses, and if you don’t, we do.
That seems simple enough for Ani. [She told them.] Let’s do this.
Dad and I picked the appetizers.
[As Randolph said that, three servers walked out each carrying two domed silver serving trays. Anicka’s was the last one to be placed down, and the server pulled back the dome to reveal the contents beneath.]
Make sure to take a picture of that, Ms Swan. [Thomas told her with a smirk as the other domes were lifted off.]
What the fuck is this? [All at the table but Ani laughed; she sat there looking down at the three individually plated appetizers. The middle one was moving.]
Balut is a Vientmanese dish, it’s cooked fetal duck. You just sprinkle a little salt in it and slurp it out like an oyster. [As Randy started explaining the dishes to her, Anicka picked up her cell and snapped a picture and sent it to Le’X and a few moments later X replied “Le says avoid the maggots''.] Casu Marzu is pecorino cheese and Sardinian specialty. It’s outlawed, but you can always find it if you know where to look.
Ani wished you hadn’t bothered to look. [She watched as the other men began to sample the items in front of them. They, too, had gone through this hazing; it was basically the only way to get into “this” group.]
And lastly, Shirako topped sushi roll, it comes from Japan. It’s made from the sperm sac of male cod fish. [Randy leered at her a little bit when he said sperm.] Good news is you only have to eat one of these.
Ani’s going with the only thing she hasn’t eaten before. [She shrugged her shoulders.] She’s taken a sperm shot to the back of the throat before.
[This comment caused everyone to laugh, even the wait staff.]
The more I am around this woman, Thomas, the more I love her. [Morty said with a smile, he motioned for one of the servers to bring over the bucket and place it beside Ani.] Just in case, Ms Swan.
[Anicka picked up the sushi roll, gave the creamy paste on top a final look before she popped it in her mouth. She chewed it up and swallowed it and took a drink from the water glass.] Could have used a touch of soy sauce. But we can add that to the list of shit Ani won’t put in her mouth again.
Sure you don’t want to try the duck? [Thomas smirked some as he sprinkled his duck egg with salt and picked up a spoon and slid it around the inside of the egg to loosen up it’s contents.]
Ani’s sure. [She picked up the wine glass and took a drink.] She’s good on the maggot cheese, too. No way that Ani would serve that shit at her restaurant.
You own a restaurant? [Randy asked her.]
Ani has a few culinary degrees.
And yet, you came back to wrestling? [Edward questioned.]
Yes, a couple of years ago. The woman that trained Ani called her and wanted her to be part of a tag team. She had a contract lined up in aW and pushed Ani and ARP for tag titles.
How’d that go.
Took us about six maybe eight months to get them. Held them for one.
Lost the belts? [Randy asked.]
And we were needed in NEW.
Isn’t that where you stole that woman’s husband and kid. [Thomas questioned her, knowing darn well what happened but doing what he could to try and sully her in the eyes at the men sitting at the table with them.]
They weren’t married; he tried to get her to work out their differences and get married but he got tired of playing her games of wanting to hang out and party with the very men who hated him. They had a kid to raise. One that she used to control him until Ani came into the picture.
Then you destroyed him.
Ani did not. [She looked dead at Thomas.] If anything, she set him free of his burden. [She bit back the words “and she hopes to do the same for your son.”] That bitch is out of his life and he can find what he’s really looking for. And as much as he wanted it, it sure wasn’t Ani. You are keeping score, right? [She shifted the conversation from wrestling and her love life and back to the dinner at hand.] Ani would hate for you gentlemen to lose a chance at getting some of Thomas’ money.
Victor is keeping track. [Thomas said as he pointed to a man who stood off by the kitchen giving the servers directions. Victor, as if on cue, motioned for the servers to clear the dishes. Thomas’ cell phone vibrated and he looked at the number before answering it and telling whoever that was on the phone to hang on.] I’ve got to take this call. I’ll be right back.
[Thomas stepped out on the balcony to take the call and suddenly Anicka wished that she could read lips like Kal’s wife, Angelique and silently cursed herself for not anticipating needing that particular skill.]
So, Ani. You must live an exciting life...
Exciting, violent..
I’ve thought about getting into it. [He told her.] Aren’t you supposed to be facing off against that man that beat Marke’s son in a couple of days? What’s his name? Stephen Stratford?
You do pay attention to wrestling, don’t you?
[Morty scoffed beside his son and took a drink of his wine.] He knows enough to know that Marke’s son uses you as a bulldozer in wrestling as much as he does against his father. He’s trying to flatter you and lure you into his bedroom. Stick to the boardroom, son, it’s safer.
Jesus, Dad.
Ani is hardly a bulldozer, Morty. She just lost her last match, a bulldozer would hardly do that. Truth is Ani misses her belt and time was running out on her chip. Ani almost had to fight X again. [She looked at Randy.] It’s unforgiving on the body.
I don’t know. [Randy leered a little bit at Anicka, inside she wanted to barf, but outside she threw on a teasing smile.] There doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with your body that I can see.
Listen to your father. Stick to the board room. It's safer.
[Anicka sucked it up the convo because although she couldn’t hear what Marke was talking about, she could hear what was going on at the other end of the table. She didn’t know if they felt comfortable enough talking around her or if they thought that Randy had her preoccupied, but she could endure whatever he threw at her.]
Thomas… [She picked up some of the words that Edward was saying.] Payments… [Whoa, who in the hell is Tommy-boy paying, hmm?] Rainbow Cloak… [What the fuck is a rainbow cloak? Some secret gay club because Tom’s really gay?] ...I don’t know how long he’s going to keep it up.
[The balcony door opened and Thomas came back in and Anicka shifted most of her focus back on Randy just as soon as he shot an angry look at Edward; and then cast his eyes in her direction and back at Morty. She heard Edward reassure him that Randy had her enthralled, oh yes, she thought… Ani is sooo enthralled. Then Thomas said something that convinced Ani that she needed to look further and deeper into it.]
...You better hope so. [Why Thomas, what you gonna do, she wanted to say, but then the jig would be up. He would know she knew something. Be calm, Ani. Be calm. Remember, it’s all a game of smoke and mirrors.] Victor, next dish please.
I brought the next dish. [Edward told her as the servers came back in. Again they followed the same routine they did before. The big reveal, smalahove, smoked sheep’s head with mashed rutabaga and potatoes.] I thought I would take it easy on you since Tom won’t be, I thought with the wedding maybe you would have tried it.
Balut is a Vientmanese dish, it’s cooked fetal duck. You just sprinkle a little salt in it and slurp it out like an oyster. [As Randy started explaining the dishes to her, Anicka picked up her cell and snapped a picture and sent it to Le’X and a few moments later X replied “Le says avoid the maggots''.] Casu Marzu is pecorino cheese and Sardinian specialty. It’s outlawed, but you can always find it if you know where to look.
Ani wished you hadn’t bothered to look. [She watched as the other men began to sample the items in front of them. They, too, had gone through this hazing; it was basically the only way to get into “this” group.]
And lastly, Shirako topped sushi roll, it comes from Japan. It’s made from the sperm sac of male cod fish. [Randy leered at her a little bit when he said sperm.] Good news is you only have to eat one of these.
Ani’s going with the only thing she hasn’t eaten before. [She shrugged her shoulders.] She’s taken a sperm shot to the back of the throat before.
[This comment caused everyone to laugh, even the wait staff.]
The more I am around this woman, Thomas, the more I love her. [Morty said with a smile, he motioned for one of the servers to bring over the bucket and place it beside Ani.] Just in case, Ms Swan.
[Anicka picked up the sushi roll, gave the creamy paste on top a final look before she popped it in her mouth. She chewed it up and swallowed it and took a drink from the water glass.] Could have used a touch of soy sauce. But we can add that to the list of shit Ani won’t put in her mouth again.
Sure you don’t want to try the duck? [Thomas smirked some as he sprinkled his duck egg with salt and picked up a spoon and slid it around the inside of the egg to loosen up it’s contents.]
Ani’s sure. [She picked up the wine glass and took a drink.] She’s good on the maggot cheese, too. No way that Ani would serve that shit at her restaurant.
You own a restaurant? [Randy asked her.]
Ani has a few culinary degrees.
And yet, you came back to wrestling? [Edward questioned.]
Yes, a couple of years ago. The woman that trained Ani called her and wanted her to be part of a tag team. She had a contract lined up in aW and pushed Ani and ARP for tag titles.
How’d that go.
Took us about six maybe eight months to get them. Held them for one.
Lost the belts? [Randy asked.]
And we were needed in NEW.
Isn’t that where you stole that woman’s husband and kid. [Thomas questioned her, knowing darn well what happened but doing what he could to try and sully her in the eyes at the men sitting at the table with them.]
They weren’t married; he tried to get her to work out their differences and get married but he got tired of playing her games of wanting to hang out and party with the very men who hated him. They had a kid to raise. One that she used to control him until Ani came into the picture.
Then you destroyed him.
Ani did not. [She looked dead at Thomas.] If anything, she set him free of his burden. [She bit back the words “and she hopes to do the same for your son.”] That bitch is out of his life and he can find what he’s really looking for. And as much as he wanted it, it sure wasn’t Ani. You are keeping score, right? [She shifted the conversation from wrestling and her love life and back to the dinner at hand.] Ani would hate for you gentlemen to lose a chance at getting some of Thomas’ money.
Victor is keeping track. [Thomas said as he pointed to a man who stood off by the kitchen giving the servers directions. Victor, as if on cue, motioned for the servers to clear the dishes. Thomas’ cell phone vibrated and he looked at the number before answering it and telling whoever that was on the phone to hang on.] I’ve got to take this call. I’ll be right back.
[Thomas stepped out on the balcony to take the call and suddenly Anicka wished that she could read lips like Kal’s wife, Angelique and silently cursed herself for not anticipating needing that particular skill.]
So, Ani. You must live an exciting life...
Exciting, violent..
I’ve thought about getting into it. [He told her.] Aren’t you supposed to be facing off against that man that beat Marke’s son in a couple of days? What’s his name? Stephen Stratford?
You do pay attention to wrestling, don’t you?
[Morty scoffed beside his son and took a drink of his wine.] He knows enough to know that Marke’s son uses you as a bulldozer in wrestling as much as he does against his father. He’s trying to flatter you and lure you into his bedroom. Stick to the boardroom, son, it’s safer.
Jesus, Dad.
Ani is hardly a bulldozer, Morty. She just lost her last match, a bulldozer would hardly do that. Truth is Ani misses her belt and time was running out on her chip. Ani almost had to fight X again. [She looked at Randy.] It’s unforgiving on the body.
I don’t know. [Randy leered a little bit at Anicka, inside she wanted to barf, but outside she threw on a teasing smile.] There doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with your body that I can see.
Listen to your father. Stick to the board room. It's safer.
[Anicka sucked it up the convo because although she couldn’t hear what Marke was talking about, she could hear what was going on at the other end of the table. She didn’t know if they felt comfortable enough talking around her or if they thought that Randy had her preoccupied, but she could endure whatever he threw at her.]
Thomas… [She picked up some of the words that Edward was saying.] Payments… [Whoa, who in the hell is Tommy-boy paying, hmm?] Rainbow Cloak… [What the fuck is a rainbow cloak? Some secret gay club because Tom’s really gay?] ...I don’t know how long he’s going to keep it up.
[The balcony door opened and Thomas came back in and Anicka shifted most of her focus back on Randy just as soon as he shot an angry look at Edward; and then cast his eyes in her direction and back at Morty. She heard Edward reassure him that Randy had her enthralled, oh yes, she thought… Ani is sooo enthralled. Then Thomas said something that convinced Ani that she needed to look further and deeper into it.]
...You better hope so. [Why Thomas, what you gonna do, she wanted to say, but then the jig would be up. He would know she knew something. Be calm, Ani. Be calm. Remember, it’s all a game of smoke and mirrors.] Victor, next dish please.
I brought the next dish. [Edward told her as the servers came back in. Again they followed the same routine they did before. The big reveal, smalahove, smoked sheep’s head with mashed rutabaga and potatoes.] I thought I would take it easy on you since Tom won’t be, I thought with the wedding maybe you would have tried it.
I won’t eat the whore’s food. [Thomas pushed away the Norweigan dish, he knew what Edward really brought this; he actually approved of Xavier’s wife’s pedigree. Anicka glowered at him and softly growled as dropped her arm down heavily on the table causing some of the silverware and glasses to shake.] I am surprised you like, Ms Fury, since Xavier chose her over you.
Ani’s pretty sure you know that some relationships aren’t meant to last. [She picked up her knife and fork and very daintily began to cut a piece of meat off the sheep's head.] Besides, Ani is pretty sure she could bed him and his wife if she wanted to. [She looked around at Marke’s friends.] You all wanna get in on that bet with Tom?
[She winked and took a bite; it wasn’t half bad so she made sure to take a couple more bites as well as tried some of the mashed potatoes and rutabaga; just because. Once she was finished she placed the silverware back down on the tray and drank some more water, followed by wine as the men finished theirs. Once Victor was sure that everyone was finished, he had the dishes removed and the next ones brought out.]
This is one of my favorites to bring. [Charles smirked and looked at Thomas with a smile and a nod.] Not many people can stomach this. [When they removed the lids, the shit was crawling off the plates.] A Korean dish, baby octopus chopped up and still alive.
Ani’s pretty sure you know that some relationships aren’t meant to last. [She picked up her knife and fork and very daintily began to cut a piece of meat off the sheep's head.] Besides, Ani is pretty sure she could bed him and his wife if she wanted to. [She looked around at Marke’s friends.] You all wanna get in on that bet with Tom?
[She winked and took a bite; it wasn’t half bad so she made sure to take a couple more bites as well as tried some of the mashed potatoes and rutabaga; just because. Once she was finished she placed the silverware back down on the tray and drank some more water, followed by wine as the men finished theirs. Once Victor was sure that everyone was finished, he had the dishes removed and the next ones brought out.]
This is one of my favorites to bring. [Charles smirked and looked at Thomas with a smile and a nod.] Not many people can stomach this. [When they removed the lids, the shit was crawling off the plates.] A Korean dish, baby octopus chopped up and still alive.
[Anicka looked at the plate, her expression paled; she looked up and around the table as everyone was taking a bite, except Randy. Anicka started chuckling and picked up her cell and made a video and sent it to Le’X telling them nope, can’t do it. Le’ replied this time saying thanks, dinner was called off. Anicka pushed one of the tentacles that was trying to squirm off the plate back on and covered it back up.]
Hey, Vic.. [Anicka pushed the serving tray away, shaking her head.] Put a win in Tom’s column with this one. Ani’s not putting THAT in her mouth. Nope, no way.
Noted, Ms. Swan. [He nodded with a smile and motioned for the servers to swap out the next round.]
Ani just can’t wait to see what’s next. [As far as Ani was concerned, Xavier Wolf owed her big time.]
[The next round came out and the servers removed the lids and inside there were six round breaded balls on a plate of spinach and a red dipping sauce Anicka could tell from smell alone was hot sauce. Anicka poked one of them, which caused a few chuckles.]
Hey, Vic.. [Anicka pushed the serving tray away, shaking her head.] Put a win in Tom’s column with this one. Ani’s not putting THAT in her mouth. Nope, no way.
Noted, Ms. Swan. [He nodded with a smile and motioned for the servers to swap out the next round.]
Ani just can’t wait to see what’s next. [As far as Ani was concerned, Xavier Wolf owed her big time.]
[The next round came out and the servers removed the lids and inside there were six round breaded balls on a plate of spinach and a red dipping sauce Anicka could tell from smell alone was hot sauce. Anicka poked one of them, which caused a few chuckles.]
Ani’s watched iZombie, she’s just making sure you’re not trying to feed her Mr. Ball Legs.
It’s Rocky Mountain Oysters. [Anthony told her.] I figured I would bring something semi normal.
Something Ani has experience with... balls in her mouth. [She picked one up and dunked it in the dipping sauce and looked down at Thomas before she took a bite from it.] Ani’s ate ‘cowboy caviar’ before.
Why am I not surprised?
[Thomas smirked, it was time for the last dish, his dish. He had been waiting all night for this. Once they were finished with this course, Victor had the servers swap out the trays one final time. Anicka could just tell by the way everyone was looking at her with smiles of anticipation that this one was going to be a doozy. The servers lifted the lids and stepped back and out of instinct or reflex or what, Anicka leaned back away from the dish.]
It’s Rocky Mountain Oysters. [Anthony told her.] I figured I would bring something semi normal.
Something Ani has experience with... balls in her mouth. [She picked one up and dunked it in the dipping sauce and looked down at Thomas before she took a bite from it.] Ani’s ate ‘cowboy caviar’ before.
Why am I not surprised?
[Thomas smirked, it was time for the last dish, his dish. He had been waiting all night for this. Once they were finished with this course, Victor had the servers swap out the trays one final time. Anicka could just tell by the way everyone was looking at her with smiles of anticipation that this one was going to be a doozy. The servers lifted the lids and stepped back and out of instinct or reflex or what, Anicka leaned back away from the dish.]
What in the H.R. Giger is this crap? [She shook her head no again and took a picture of it with her cell and sent it to Le’X, she then picked up the ‘barf’ bucket beside her and shoved the tray and all into it and then handed it back to the server.] Ya’ll gonna have to pay him with this one.
You should be happy to know, Ani, that no one has eaten it. [Randy chuckled.]
That’s because you all saw that movie, too. [Anicka looked down at the reply, Le’X sent a picture of themselves; Xavier’s face clearly said what the fuck and Le’Andra was fake barfing. They followed up with a gif.]
You should be happy to know, Ani, that no one has eaten it. [Randy chuckled.]
That’s because you all saw that movie, too. [Anicka looked down at the reply, Le’X sent a picture of themselves; Xavier’s face clearly said what the fuck and Le’Andra was fake barfing. They followed up with a gif.]
You did better than a lot of us thought you would. Did way better than Randolf did. [Morty said as he raised his glass a little to toast her as the platters were removed from the table.] Now that fun and games are over, how would you like your steak.
So rare that a good vet could have it back up on its feet in fifteen minutes.
You heard the lady, Victor. [Thomas finally said.] Also, we’ll have the red Zinfandel with it.
Very good, sir.
[Anicka looked at her cell phone as the wine was served and then stood up, all the men at the table stood up as well following proper etiquette.]
Ani’s got to make a phone call. Business, she’s sure you will understand.
[The men simply nodded and took their seats again. Anicka took her cell phone and made her way out onto the balcony, Victor both opening and closing the door for her. She pressed a few things on the screen and said hello talking into the speaker phone and then turned her back towards them. She hadn’t actually dialed any number, in fact she just needed to step outside for a moment. She needed some air and she needed to be away from those men.]
Let it be known that Ani is in no way Xavier’s bulldozer, his pitbull, or his puppet. She does love him and will do anything within her power for him if he asks and to some, it might look like he sends Ani in to fight his battles, this battle isn’t his or for him. Make no mistake, this battle is Ani’s, this is Ani’s fight. This is about something that Ani was the first to hold, something that belonged to Ani long before it became yours, Stephen or even X’s; something that Anicka set the bar with the first time around with her title reign being nearly six months long. It just happened later rather than sooner, had you and Ani went on to face off that final round at Stairway2Heaven and she lost… she would have cashed in her chip for the rematch before she left the arena that night. What’s about to happen in Tokyo, would have happened months ago, the only reason why Ani didn’t cash it in on X was because she just wanted to see how far he could shine before she finally had to cash the chip in on him. This is about something that Ani wants back. She misses the thrill and excitement of having it. At least Ani did you the solid of not having the pressure of picking your first opponent.
[She paused for a moment and thought before she continued]
Then again, maybe Ani would have been your first choice. Why not go after the person who was not only the first Immortal Champion, but the first person to hold it two times? Why not go after the person who was the first People’s Choice to be able to prove to everyone that you’re worthy enough to hold the title and stand for everything that the belt represents. There’s a lot of pressure being the Immortal Champion, isn’t there, Stephen. Having to pay attention to everyone who even utters your name or the words Immortal belt just to see if they are worthy enough to step into the ring with you. Having Johnny in your face all the time asking you who your choice is. Ani knows, kinda funny hearing her say that when his face is always in her crotch now. [She smiles and laughs with a shrug.] But it was really hard back then. He made Ani fight her boyfriend in a match, she’s not entirely sure if he rigged just to humiliate Roger. He knew Ani was on a mission, a quest and knew whoever was placed in that ring against her, was going to be destroyed and what not a better way than to have his own girlfriend do it. He knew she had a thirst, it was her chance to grab a little bit of history to be OpW’s first Immortal Champion on her very first World title shot; her chance to do something VooDoo had never done. This was her chance to rise past that red shadow and show everyone that her name was good enough to be up there in those big bright lights. And Ani done it, she’s done it twice; Ani walks away with that title at International Incident, she will be OpW’s first three time Immortal Champion; setting that bar even higher.
[Anicka turned around and saw the men inside staring at her, she smiled and waved and turned back around, she was holding up things.]
Can you handle the title and everything that comes with it? The pressure, the strain… having to constantly be at your peak performance. Being pulled in every direction all at once… constant travel for photo ops and location shoots. The screaming fans that you spend hours on hours with making small talk and smiling so much that your face hurts. Meals on the run, because you’re living on a schedule and it’s one that you have no control over. You have to live, eat and breath for that belt. Having to prove to the world that you’re as good as if not better than those who come before you. Can you handle the self doubts in whether you can do it each and every match that you're in, and not just the ones where you’re defending the belt but every time you step in the ring, because even though it’s not for the belt, you are still that Immortal Champion and you have to perform as one; there are no sick days, there are no days off. Not everyone can handle it, it tires you down; mentaly, physically and emotionally… and it looks like you’re already worn down with everything you’ve got going on in your life.
[Behind her a tap came at the window, she turned around to find Thomas there motioning for her to come in. She could see the steaks already sitting on the table. She motioned to him one moment with her finger; shockingly not her middle on either.]
So rare that a good vet could have it back up on its feet in fifteen minutes.
You heard the lady, Victor. [Thomas finally said.] Also, we’ll have the red Zinfandel with it.
Very good, sir.
[Anicka looked at her cell phone as the wine was served and then stood up, all the men at the table stood up as well following proper etiquette.]
Ani’s got to make a phone call. Business, she’s sure you will understand.
[The men simply nodded and took their seats again. Anicka took her cell phone and made her way out onto the balcony, Victor both opening and closing the door for her. She pressed a few things on the screen and said hello talking into the speaker phone and then turned her back towards them. She hadn’t actually dialed any number, in fact she just needed to step outside for a moment. She needed some air and she needed to be away from those men.]
Let it be known that Ani is in no way Xavier’s bulldozer, his pitbull, or his puppet. She does love him and will do anything within her power for him if he asks and to some, it might look like he sends Ani in to fight his battles, this battle isn’t his or for him. Make no mistake, this battle is Ani’s, this is Ani’s fight. This is about something that Ani was the first to hold, something that belonged to Ani long before it became yours, Stephen or even X’s; something that Anicka set the bar with the first time around with her title reign being nearly six months long. It just happened later rather than sooner, had you and Ani went on to face off that final round at Stairway2Heaven and she lost… she would have cashed in her chip for the rematch before she left the arena that night. What’s about to happen in Tokyo, would have happened months ago, the only reason why Ani didn’t cash it in on X was because she just wanted to see how far he could shine before she finally had to cash the chip in on him. This is about something that Ani wants back. She misses the thrill and excitement of having it. At least Ani did you the solid of not having the pressure of picking your first opponent.
[She paused for a moment and thought before she continued]
Then again, maybe Ani would have been your first choice. Why not go after the person who was not only the first Immortal Champion, but the first person to hold it two times? Why not go after the person who was the first People’s Choice to be able to prove to everyone that you’re worthy enough to hold the title and stand for everything that the belt represents. There’s a lot of pressure being the Immortal Champion, isn’t there, Stephen. Having to pay attention to everyone who even utters your name or the words Immortal belt just to see if they are worthy enough to step into the ring with you. Having Johnny in your face all the time asking you who your choice is. Ani knows, kinda funny hearing her say that when his face is always in her crotch now. [She smiles and laughs with a shrug.] But it was really hard back then. He made Ani fight her boyfriend in a match, she’s not entirely sure if he rigged just to humiliate Roger. He knew Ani was on a mission, a quest and knew whoever was placed in that ring against her, was going to be destroyed and what not a better way than to have his own girlfriend do it. He knew she had a thirst, it was her chance to grab a little bit of history to be OpW’s first Immortal Champion on her very first World title shot; her chance to do something VooDoo had never done. This was her chance to rise past that red shadow and show everyone that her name was good enough to be up there in those big bright lights. And Ani done it, she’s done it twice; Ani walks away with that title at International Incident, she will be OpW’s first three time Immortal Champion; setting that bar even higher.
[Anicka turned around and saw the men inside staring at her, she smiled and waved and turned back around, she was holding up things.]
Can you handle the title and everything that comes with it? The pressure, the strain… having to constantly be at your peak performance. Being pulled in every direction all at once… constant travel for photo ops and location shoots. The screaming fans that you spend hours on hours with making small talk and smiling so much that your face hurts. Meals on the run, because you’re living on a schedule and it’s one that you have no control over. You have to live, eat and breath for that belt. Having to prove to the world that you’re as good as if not better than those who come before you. Can you handle the self doubts in whether you can do it each and every match that you're in, and not just the ones where you’re defending the belt but every time you step in the ring, because even though it’s not for the belt, you are still that Immortal Champion and you have to perform as one; there are no sick days, there are no days off. Not everyone can handle it, it tires you down; mentaly, physically and emotionally… and it looks like you’re already worn down with everything you’ve got going on in your life.
[Behind her a tap came at the window, she turned around to find Thomas there motioning for her to come in. She could see the steaks already sitting on the table. She motioned to him one moment with her finger; shockingly not her middle on either.]
Ani knows you’re standing on that mountain just ready to soar…
...but gonna be hard to do with your wings clipped.[Anicka joined the men back inside, this time a more normal cuisine with steaks and salads. Their meal continued long into the night with the men leaving one by one until it was just the Dux’, Thomas Marke and Anicka; it was then that Anicka decided to take her leave. The last thing she wanted to do was for Tom to leave her there and there to be an awkward moment that may damage the work she had already done. But even worse, she left with Tom and the two of them might not survive the elevator ride down to the lobby.]
Ani thinks it’s time for her to get home. [She stood up, all three men stood up.] She should get some sleep, she’s got an early flight back to Louisiana.
It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms Swan. [Morty said and held out his hand for them to shake.] I do hope to see you more often at these little get-togethers.
Ani’s pretty sure you will.
Evening, Ms Swan. [Randy said with a nod to his head. He was a little disappointed when he was pulled aside by Thomas and told to forget any possible thoughts of trying to bed the woman.]
I’ll walk you to the door. [Thomas said motioned the way for her.]
[At the door, Thomas pulled the fur coat that Randy had removed earlier and hung up and held it up for her. Anicka eyed him for a moment then looked around on the floor.]
Let Ani see your hands.
What? [He let go of the coat with one hand and showed it to her and then did the same with the other.] Why?
Ani’s just checking for plastic and a garrote.
[He chucked.] Do you really think I would kill you, Ms Swan.
So that dinner wasn’t an attempt to kill Ani? [She smirked and allowed him to hold the coat open for her; when she pulled her hair up from under the coat he caught a faint whiff of her perfume for a moment a thought crossed his mind about bedding the woman; wouldn’t that chap Xavier’s hide?] If Ani saw fugu on the menu, she was outta there.
Allow me to make it up to you. Let me take you to dinner. You can pick the place. [He flashed a big smile.] Anywhere in the world.
[Anicka stood there for a moment as he waited for an answer. There have been times since this was put in motion that she wished Xavier could see and hear some of the things that Thomas Marke said to her. This was one of them, his “father” was asking her out on a date. As soon as she was in the limo she was gonna video call him; nope, scratch that, she would wait until she got to her apartment, just in case ol’ Tom has the limo bugged. She didn’t trust Tom as far as she could throw him; which would be about ten feet depending on how mad she was and how far he rolled. She flashed her best smile and took a few steps backwards towards the door.]
Ani doesn’t know, Tom. Kinda sounds like a Thunderdome situation.. [She could tell by the look on his face he was lost. She smiled and winked at him.] Two men enter, one man leaves.
[He smiled at the movie reference and within a matter of seconds Thomas Marke was left there staring at the door she had disappeared behind and shook his head; he had clearly been wrong about her. He had always seen her as a dumb whore, but indeed she was not dumb. As the scene faded to black, he turned around and went back to join the others, Ms Swan was becoming more intriguing to him every day.]
Ani thinks it’s time for her to get home. [She stood up, all three men stood up.] She should get some sleep, she’s got an early flight back to Louisiana.
It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms Swan. [Morty said and held out his hand for them to shake.] I do hope to see you more often at these little get-togethers.
Ani’s pretty sure you will.
Evening, Ms Swan. [Randy said with a nod to his head. He was a little disappointed when he was pulled aside by Thomas and told to forget any possible thoughts of trying to bed the woman.]
I’ll walk you to the door. [Thomas said motioned the way for her.]
[At the door, Thomas pulled the fur coat that Randy had removed earlier and hung up and held it up for her. Anicka eyed him for a moment then looked around on the floor.]
Let Ani see your hands.
What? [He let go of the coat with one hand and showed it to her and then did the same with the other.] Why?
Ani’s just checking for plastic and a garrote.
[He chucked.] Do you really think I would kill you, Ms Swan.
So that dinner wasn’t an attempt to kill Ani? [She smirked and allowed him to hold the coat open for her; when she pulled her hair up from under the coat he caught a faint whiff of her perfume for a moment a thought crossed his mind about bedding the woman; wouldn’t that chap Xavier’s hide?] If Ani saw fugu on the menu, she was outta there.
Allow me to make it up to you. Let me take you to dinner. You can pick the place. [He flashed a big smile.] Anywhere in the world.
[Anicka stood there for a moment as he waited for an answer. There have been times since this was put in motion that she wished Xavier could see and hear some of the things that Thomas Marke said to her. This was one of them, his “father” was asking her out on a date. As soon as she was in the limo she was gonna video call him; nope, scratch that, she would wait until she got to her apartment, just in case ol’ Tom has the limo bugged. She didn’t trust Tom as far as she could throw him; which would be about ten feet depending on how mad she was and how far he rolled. She flashed her best smile and took a few steps backwards towards the door.]
Ani doesn’t know, Tom. Kinda sounds like a Thunderdome situation.. [She could tell by the look on his face he was lost. She smiled and winked at him.] Two men enter, one man leaves.
[He smiled at the movie reference and within a matter of seconds Thomas Marke was left there staring at the door she had disappeared behind and shook his head; he had clearly been wrong about her. He had always seen her as a dumb whore, but indeed she was not dumb. As the scene faded to black, he turned around and went back to join the others, Ms Swan was becoming more intriguing to him every day.]
Oh, won't wave my white flag, no
(Wave my white flag)
This time I won't let go
(Won't let go)
I'd rather die
Than give up the fight, give up the fight
Give up the fight, give up the fight