Preparation [w/ the Ginger v. the Figure Skaters]

[Siobhan Rojas]

Some sketchy warehouse - Brooklyn, New York - March 2nd, 2018

Introducing Zoli Suicide as Geordi Laroque

Dixon led Siobhan into the warehouse through a large barn-style door. In the centre of the space, a shitty excuse for a wrestling ring was set up. The ropes were all mismatched colours and the canvas was stained with old blood. On the outside of the ring weights were scattered around a few pieces of gym equipment. Overall, it wasn’t a sight that would instill confidence in someone who needed to learn everything there was to know about wrestling.

The Factory newbie was wearing a pair of galaxy print leggings with a black sports bra and a neon yellow hoodie covering her shoulders. Her long red locks were tied back into a messy ponytail and a pair of black vans completed the look. She scanned the room, finally focusing on the woman standing inside the ring. She had long flowing brunette locks that came down past her breasts. The unknown woman was stretching on the ropes, wearing a pair of plain black leggings and vintage “First Ladies” t-shirt that was cut into a crop top. The brunette turned her attention to Dixon and Siobhan. She headed across the ring, leaning on the top rope closest to them, eyeing Siobhan up and down.

“Blanca, meet Geordi. She’s going to make you a star.”

The redhead folded her arms across her chest and planted her feet, looking unimpressed at the slender woman that stood before her.

“Who the fuck is she?”

Geordi smirked and Dixon just took a step back. “I wrestled for seven years, back when girls like you and me had to fight and claw for the respect we deserved. Be grateful you’re around in a time when intergender wrestling is the norm. I wasn’t that lucky.”

Geordi Laroque was a champion for equality, with the likes of Rielle Hawke and Katherine Veronica Dox over ten years ago. As the few women in the company, they banded together to fight the patriarchy and be taken seriously.

“I don’t give a fuck about wrestling.” Geordi couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She used to be a stubborn bitch just like Siobhan.

“Well, do you care about not embarrassing yourself? How about not getting your ass kicked and being able to walk out of that ring? Because you won’t last a minute in the ring with an actual wrestler and that attitude.”

Geordi made a face and the ex-con didn’t want to admit that she was right. The idea of getting destroyed wasn't exactly something she was looking forward to. After a few moments, Siobhan shrugged off her hoodie and slid under the ropes, just as gracefully as you’d expect from someone who’d never done it before.

--------------------------

Attica Correctional Facility - March 23rd, 2018

An officer lead Mrs. Murder down the halls of the Correctional Facility. She has a duffel bag thrown over her shoulder and glances around at her surroundings as she passes cell after cell. This would be her first conjugal visit, now known as an FRP (Family Reunion Program). Usually it takes months to get approved, but the Diablo's had their hands in everything. The first thing Siobhan learned when she joined a gang was that everyone is dirty. Cops. Judges. Parole Officers. Everyone had a price. She didn’t know what this officer’s price was, but it was inside the envelope she passed to him when she got here. And it meant she didn’t get herself or her property searched.

Finally they made their way through an exit door where a few trailers were lined up outside. He lead Siobhan to ‘Trailer #3’ and motioned towards the door. She walked past him, pausing at the door. This wouldn’t just be the first time she touched her husband in over five years, it would be the first time she saw him. Siobhan couldn’t bring herself to visit him, not until she had answers.

But she no longer had a choice.

After a deep breath, she opened the door. Inside it looked like a little cottage. There was a bed against the far wall and even a little kitchenette and separate bathroom. Maddox Rojas was pacing around the cottage, trying to calm his nerves. As Siobhan stepped inside, he turned to face her. Silence filled the room as they stared at one other. A moment passed before Maddox crossed the room in quick strides and wrapped his wife in his huge arms. She dropped her bag and embraced in the hug. It didn’t take long for her to start sobbing.

Her husband let her cry. She was the strongest woman he knew. She’d probably been keeping this in for a long, long time. Finally, she stepped back, wiping the tears from her eyes and smiled up at him. They both took a seat on the bed.

“You’re out. I didn’t believe it when they told me.” He placed a large hand on her cheek and she half-smiled.

“Yeah.” She shoved her bag across the floor with her foot, in Maddox’s direction. “They wanted me to deliver this.”

Immediately his face fell. Maddox glanced inside the bag and shook his head. “Shiv, you can’t be involved with this, not if..” he trailed off. He didn’t want to finish the sentence.

“Dax, there’s no other option. They’ve already threatened us both. And once they kill you, you know exactly who they’ll target.”

“I thought if I moved product for them in here, they’d leave you alone.”

“We both know they’ll never leave us alone, not while they can get some free labour out of us.” Taking his hand in hers, Siobhan squeezed softly and looked into his eyes. “We have to be smart, Dax, for his sake.” He nodded. “There has to be a way out. But until we can figure that out, we have to play along.”

“I’m going to fucking kill Guillermo when I get out of here.”

His anger warmed her little black heart. But she shrugged. “Well, until that happens, I’ll be making your deliveries. I’ll be here every other week. And if you don’t do what they say, we both know they’ll make sure we never see each other again. Or him.”

With a sigh, Meurte wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulder and she sunk into him.

“I’m going to fix this, Shiv. You won’t be their mule.”

Shaking her head, she glanced up at him. “You can’t do anything in here. I will fix this.”

--------------------------

Sketchy Warehouse - March 31, 2018

Siobhan Rojas had spent most days at this warehouse with Geordi Laroque since they'd met. She had a little under a month to ensure that she was in her best shape and didn’t make a fool of herself in front of the 20 Factory fans. She may have been forced into wrestling, but her trainer had made a valid point. Siobhan did not want to step into that ring and look like she didn’t belong and she certainly didn’t want to get her ass kicked.

The redhead was running the ropes for what felt like the one hundredth time before collapsing in the center of the ring. Placing her hand over her bare stomach, she began panting as Geordi stood over her, hands on her hips.

“If you want a break, run it down for me.”

The ex-con rolled her eyes and pushed herself up to a sitting position, her knees folded in front of her.

“I’m teaming with a loose cannon this week to face two fucking figure skaters. They’re in some bizarre love story where the only people who don’t know that they’re in love with each other is themselves. Ridiculous but easy to take advantage of. They won’t be able to focus on the match at hand when they're worried about one another. Stian threw himself in front of a chain to protect his woman at the first Warzone and he’ll happily do it again. If Declan and I pick on Aurora, he will gladly sacrifice himself which will leave the weakest opponent left in the match. Aurora is smaller and daintier than me, which means I'll be able to overpower her. Not to mention, she clearly falters under pressure. Just look at what happened at the Sochi Olympics. She panicked and she’ll do the same thing when the match is left on her shoulders.”

Geordi nodded. “Also, don’t forget to use your environment. The figure skaters have never touched weapons. It isn’t their style. Declan is a ball of rage, especially after being attacked week after week. There are no rules. For you this is perfect. Treat it like any other prison yard scuffle or street fight. Use anything you can get your hands on to even the playing field. You may not have the best wrestling skill, but neither did the FloBros, who Stian was pinned by last week. Also keep in mind that Aurora and Stian haven't had a tag match in the Factory yet. They'll act like that's your weakness but it's theirs too.“

Siobhan nodded in agreement and her trainer’s eyes coaxed her to continue. She wanted to hear the words come from her trainees mouth. “Declan is the largest person in this match. He has a few inches and pounds on Stian. Last week he was able to overpower Crosby, who is a similar size and weight, and throw him through a bunch of chairs. Having him on my side won’t be so bad. My biggest strengths are my speed and my strength. I’m bigger than Aurora, which means even if she can put in one of her submissions, she won’t be able to make me tap. I’ll be able to power out. The figure skater’s have spent their entire life skating. I just watched the olympics and every skater said that they were more comfortable on ice than land, which means it will be easy for me to run circles around them, especially Stian. He has more weight to carry around, which will slow him down.”

Geordi leaned down in front of Siobhan, placing a hand on her knee. “Whatever they have against you - use it as your fuel.” The drug dealer kept her poker face intact. “I know you aren’t doing this for yourself. They’ve got more than just a gun to your head. No one does shit like this for the Diablos without force. But whatever it is, use it. Take that fire and that rage and take it out on those figure skaters. They're used to grace but this is dirty. You'll do fine. When you get into that ring you’re going to love beating the shit out of someone without consequences.”

--------------------------

The Factory Parking Lot - April 2nd, 2018

It was an hour before the show and Dixon had insisted on driving Siobhan to Warzone. He lead them through the maze of parked cars with Siobhan following him closely. She had a duffel bag swung over her shoulder and as they approached the door, Dixon took a left. He lead them around the corner of the building. Immediately, the convict's defenses went up. She did not like anything about this.

Around the corner a pretty blonde leaned up against the wall, with her phone clenched in her hand, scrolling through Instagram.

“Brextin.” The ring announcer glanced up and nodded towards Dixon. “This is Siobhan. She’s your supply.”

He motioned towards Siobhan, who looked shocked. “Siobhan, this is Brextin. She’s your dealer.”

Her eyebrow arched as she checked out the blonde. “You?”

“Duh. They never suspect the pretty blonde.” Wink.

Reaching into her pocket, Brextin pulled out a wad of cash. Siobhan took it and placed a large baggy, full of smaller baggies of white powder and pills, in her hand. As Brextin went to pull away, Siobhan grabbed her wrist as tightly as she could and pulled her towards her.

“If you get busted, you don’t fucking know me.”