Abuse of Faith: Part 10

 

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October 7th, 2020

Philadelphia, PA

Off Camera

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The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had been busy with the action and excitement of SCW Breakdown.  It was not a happy Breakdown to say the very least, as the SCW fans, competitors, and staff alike all learned at the same time about an injury that is forcing SCW World Champion David Helms to relinquish the world championship.  For most it was not very pleasant news but for one person in particular it was especially bad; that individual is the reigning SCW Adrenaline Champion Glory Braddock.  The news was stinging for Braddock for many reasons, partially because as she said she would go down as a footnote in David’s title reign; his only successful title defense.  For someone with the ego of Glory Braddock, being a footnote is unacceptable.  There is also the added possibility that she played a role in his injury.  Did he get injured in his title defense against Braddock at Apocalypse?  Is that title defense what finally did him in?  Did something in him finally break on that night?

 

It stings Glory even more so knowing that she failed to capture the gold but did succeed in helping him onto injured reserve.  She succeeded in shortening his career but did not succeed in becoming champion.  It was a revelation that forced the self-proclaimed Best in the World to do some introspection.  For over a year now The British Bombshell has said that she just wanted to do what was best for professional wrestling.  If that meant doing things that were unpopular or even somewhat dirty, then so be it.  If it helped restore professional wrestling to what it should be then so be it.  The ends justified the means, and to a degree she still believes in that philosophy.  And does she believe that she is the best person to represent SCW as World Champion?  Absolutely.

 

But did she want to force David Helms out due to injury?  She wouldn’t want that on her worst enemy.  The fact that she may be potentially responsible for this is something that weighs heavily upon the mind of The British Bombshell.  She thinks about it even now as she sits in her dressing room, alone, staring at the SCW Adrenaline Championship belt that rests upon her gym bag.  Normally Braddock would have been accompanied by her devoted husband Kurt, or her daughter Melinda, but tonight is different.  Much to the surprise of her family and loved ones, Glory wanted to be alone tonight.

 

Kurt was the most vocal against her going to this Breakdown alone.  Kurt knows all about the risky and borderline criminal business dealings Braddock has been involved with lately involving the family of Matthew Alan who is currently on trial for white collar crimes.  Matthew Alan’s family founded the company Glory Braddock now runs.  A faction of Matthew’s supporters have been actively trying to retake control and this has led to back and forth attacks on each other.  Glory and her family have been targeted three times already, twice by gunmen and once in a hit and run where Glory and Kurt were run off the road.  Braddock’s assistant, Meagan Collins, responded by having the Alan family targeted for assassination by gunmen.

 

What has happened to Glory Braddock?  These aren’t the actions of a hero who only wants to do what is best for wrestling.  These are the actions of a gangster.  These are the actions of a Scarface or a Don Corleone.  Granted she did turn Meagan Collins over to the police but what she really did was just throw Meagan under the bus.  All she did was save her own skin.  It definitely wasn’t about doing the right thing.  All of this has been done to obtain and maintain power.  Now one must ask, what will she do to retain the Adrenaline Championship at Under Attack when she defends against Gavin Taylor?

 

The British Bombshell is deep in thought and yet she still hears the door of her dressing room slowly creaking open.  The noise alerts her as she listens to footsteps behind her.  The blonde beauty stands up.  She is wearing a pink form fitting dress with a white blaze.  She is perched atop matching pink high heeled sandals.  Her long blonde hair hangs straight, loose, and unrestrained to below the shoulders.  Braddock stands there waiting as she feels the footsteps now, they are getting closer.  Then she feels two hands placed upon her shoulders.  A wry grin forms upon her face.

 

“Hello, Matt…”

 

Ok, so Braddock isn’t completely alone.  She told Kurt and Melinda that she wanted to be alone but in reality she wanted to be alone with her childhood friend Matthew Taylor.  These two met when they were both being trained by Glory’s father Glenn Braddock.  While Glory would eventually graduate under her father’s tutelage Matthew would end up dropping out of the school.  It wasn’t due to lack of talent on Matthew’s part.  He was a quick learner and took in everything Glenn Braddock taught him.  Matthew just found Glenn’s strategy and overall philosophy boring.  He found a trainer that more suited his philosophy of fun and daredevil style.  Glenn and Matthew would never get along due to their difference of opinions but Glory and Matthew always remained friends.  In fact, Glory would realize later that it was Matthew’s light hearted approach to the business that kept Glory grounded to reality.  It was Matthew who kept her from becoming a monster.  And the farther apart they grow, the weaker and more vulnerable Braddock became.  Eventually all of Glory’s protections fell and she became the monster she is today.

 

The British Bombshell turns around and plants a kiss on Matthew’s lips.  If you needed any further evidence of the monster that Glory has become, look no further than this.  She cheats to win her matches, she uses dirty and borderline criminal business tactics to stay ahead, and she is now cheating on her husband.  Matthew, for his part, has wanted this all his life.  For as long as he has known Glory he wanted her as his woman.  But he knew he could never have her.  Yet now she seems to be offering herself to him.  Yet both Glory and Matthew know what is going on; this is the monster within Glory Braddock fighting to maintain its grip.  Because the monster realizes that Matthew being back in Glory’s life may be just what she needs to bring her back to the ground, bring her back to reality, and bring back the old Glory Braddock.

 

Their kiss is very passionate and yet very short as Matthew quickly pushes her off. He shakes his head as a feeling of guilt washes over him. “This isn’t right.”

 

“Damn it, Matt, I…” Glory is frustrated that her affection was rejected.  But Matthew stares her down, with daggers in his eyes.  Glory then sighs and nods her head. “...you’re right.  What was I thinking?”

 

“I don’t know what you’re thinking about.”

 

“I was thinking about the same thing you were thinking about, love.” Glory points an accusatory finger at Matthew. “You knew damn well you’d have me all to yourself tonight.  You didn’t have to come.”

 

“I just want to help and…” Matthew shakes his head “...this is making it very difficult.”

 

“Extremely.” Glory agrees with a nod of her head before sitting back down.  Matthew stares at Glory longingly for several moments.  He is in a moment of indecision, unsure what to do from here.  His carnal desires tell him to go after her and take her but his mind tells him that is the wrong thing to do.

 

“Glory, you know I love you…” Matthew’s voice trails off.  Braddock sighs deeply.

 

“Yeah, you’ve told me.”

 

“I know what I want.  But I also know what’s right.  Tell me, Glory; have you forgot the difference between what is right and wrong?”

 

“Don’t get philosophical on me, mate.” Braddock says with hint of annoyance in her voice.

 

“I’m being serious.  I know you’ve heard this over and over and that it’s getting old but you have changed.  In the past you used to care about right and wrong, and no you never cared about how people thought of you.  Right and wrong was never a popularity contest for you and that’s what I have always admired about you.  But lately you have started to throw the ideals of right and wrong out the window.”

 

“You’re nuts.”

 

“Am I?” Matthew walks over and picks up the Adrenaline title belt.  He holds it in front of Glory’s face. “You cheated to win this from Peyton Rice.”

 

“So what?  I would have beaten her anyway.”

 

“Are you sure?  Honestly, we’ll never know if you would have beaten her anyway because you cheated.  That’s not the right way to win.  It proves you’re a better cheater but not the better wrestler.”

 

This accusation offends the very proud and arrogant Glory Braddock.  She responds by standing up and getting in Matthew’s face. “I am a better wrestler!  I am the Best in the World!”

 

“You say that and you always say that you want to prove it but every time you get the chance to prove it you end up cheating.  You may have succeeded in becoming Adrenaline Champion but you failed to prove you were the best.  Now you’re going to defend against Gavin Taylor.  Are you gonna use that same ‘by any means’ philosophy against him too?”

 

“Someone like Gavin Taylor cannot be Adrenaline Champion.” Glory says in a low growl. “He would be an embarrassment.  I am best suited to be champion.  You know this.”

 

“Then prove it and beat him clean at Under Attack.  Do not use any dirty tricks.  Do not cheat.  Beat him the Braddock way.”

 

“I don’t…” Braddock shakes her head as tears form in her eyes “...I don’t know what that means anymore.”

 

Glory walks over to a far corner of the dressing room and buries her face in her hands.  Matthew looks on; he is hesitant to approach, for he isn’t sure whether or not he can control himself.  He still wants Glory Braddock.  But he does know that this is still his friend and she needs him now more than ever.  Matthew approaches her cautiously and puts a gentle but firm hand upon her back.

 

“It’s ok, Glory.  Let it out.”

 

“I invited you here so I could seduce you and yet you gave me a damn lecture about morality instead, you bloody bastard.” Despite her tears Glory is smiling.  Matthew chuckles a little himself.

 

“I know why you invited me here.  And I won’t lie, a part of me wants you, but I think we both know why you’re really acting out like this.  I think we both know why you seduced me at your dad’s wrestling school and why you are trying to seduce me now.”

 

Glory rolls her eyes and throws her arms up in the air out of frustration. “Enlighten me, then!”

 

“Because you forgot.”

 

“Forgot what?!”

 

“You have been acting like this...this…” he pauses momentarily to think of the right word “...what is it you called yourself?  A monster?”

 

“Yeah…” Glory’s voice trails off as she slowly nods her head.

 

“You have been this monster for so long that you forgot how to be Glory Braddock, the Glory Braddock everyone knows and loves.  You’re right, Glory, I do love you, but I don’t want what this thing you’ve become.  I want the woman I fell in love with.  I want that Glory back.”

 

The British Bombshell looks away from Matthew.  She wipes some of the tears from her eyes as she thinks about what he just said and the enormity of it all.  Then Braddock turns back to face Matthew and smiles. “You do realize that if I managed to remember how to be that person again, then you will never have me.”

 

“I know, and that’s fine, because the world of professional wrestling needs that Glory Braddock more than I want her.”

 

“Fine,” The British Bombshell sighs and nods her head “so now what?”

 

“You have all the wrestling talent, knowledge, and experience anyone could ever dream of.  The only thing that you lack, the only thing that holds you back, is your inability to enjoy yourself.  And that’s what you need right now is to remember how to have fun.”

 

“And how do I go about doing that?”

 

Matthew smirks knowingly. “Karaoke.”

 

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October 8th, 2020

Allentown, PA

Off Camera

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When you think of Glory Braddock you may think of something upscale, nice, and very luxurious.  You would think that when it comes to restaurants or any other establishments where food and drink can be found, you would think of the finest of fine.  What you don’t expect is the scene in Allentown, Pennsylvania; a dive, in the truest sense of the word.

 

The bar is hundreds of conversations told in loud voices, all of them competing with the rock music that dominates the atmosphere. The bar curves into the room, dark in the barely lit room. Through the windows, the diamonds of lead panes, trickles the sallow light of street-lamps. The smell has changed over the years. Once it was of cigarette smoke only, the perfume that clung to clothing, skin and furniture alike. Now it is stale beer and body odour. There are establishments that are more like restaurants now - all clean with waiting staff. Not here.  It was always a den of debauchery, alcoholism and the great unwashed of the town. It still is. No-one comes here with anything wholesome in mind.

 

This establishment was chosen by Glory best friend Matthew Taylor specifically because it is outside of her comfort zone.  Matthew recalls the many times he and Glory would attend karaoke night at some bar after a wrestling show was over and they would almost always go to some little known, run down place such as this.  And it is for this reason that Matthew chose this particular bar because not only does it happen to have a karaoke night in town the night following an SCW House Show but also he hopes it will trigger some of her old memories of the good old days.

 

Matthew can only hope that this works, as he sits at a table alongside Glory’s daughter Melinda.  Across from them is Glory Braddock herself and Glory’s husband Kurt Logan.  Matthew is feeling very awkward, considering the past two meetings with Glory ended with a romantic escape.  He can only imagine how Glory is feeling right now, yet she appears to be enjoying herself.  She has a beer sitting in front of her which she has been enjoying off and on all night.  Her husband Kurt also is enjoying a beer.  Matthew is staying dry tonight; he is the designated driver, which is unusual for him.  He typically gets shitfaced and Glory is the driver.  But he wants Glory to enjoy herself tonight and forget about all of the problems of the past.

 

“So how are you enjoying your first karaoke night, Kurt m’boy?” Matthew asks, trying to start some conversation.  Kurt chuckles.

 

“This isn’t my first karaoke night and you should know this.  Glory and I used to do this all the time.  But she quit.”

 

“Why did we quit anyway?” Glory asks, chiming in.  Kurt shrugs his shoulder.

 

“No clue.  I think you just got so caught up in running your business and running the school that you forgot all about this.”

 

Braddock nods her head as she takes a sip of her beer. “You’re probably right.”

 

“To starting a new tradition?” Matthew asks, holding up his glass of water offering a toast.  Melinda holds up her glass of pepsi and then Kurt and Glory join in with their beers.  They all clink together for their toast before taking a sip.  They continue to drink away while watching the front and the current singer, a balding middle aged man in a gray t-shirt and black dress pants.  He is singing “Take it on the Run” by REO Speedwagon…

 

“Take it on the run baby

If that's the way you want it baby

Then I don't need you around

I don't believe it, not for a minute

You're under the gun so you take it on the run”

 

Matthew cannot help but hear these words from this song and think of himself and Glory.  He looks over at Braddock to see if the same thoughts are running through her head but she seems unphased.  She doesn’t even bat an eye.  She’s just smiling, grinning ear to ear.

 

“Heard it from a friend who

Heard it from a friend who

Heard it from another you been messin' around”

 

The music dies down and the people in attendance begin applauding, as do Matthew, Glory, Kurt, and Melinda.  The balding man hands the microphone back to the DJ who begins to speak. “Everyone lets hear it for Gary!”

 

Another polite applause rings out.  The DJ checks his list.  Matthew watches on and he has been counting down.  He suspects that he knows who is next.  “And coming up next we have Gloria!”

 

Braddock sets her beer down and looks over at Melinda, Kurt, and Matthew. “Any requests?”

 

“Wet Ass Pus…” Melinda begins until her mother shoots her a dirty look.  Melinda smirks jokingly. “...just kidding!”

 

“How about Martina McBride?” Kurt suggests.

 

“Seriously?” Glory asks. “My cousin, Angelica, who IS a trained singer, can pull that off.  But I am anything but trained.  I would look awful.”

 

“Who cares if you’re trained?  This isn’t about looking good.  Karaoke is about having fun, remember?” Matthew says, hoping Glory will remember that the point of all this is to have fun and to enjoy herself.  Glory nods as she seems to get the message.

 

“Yeah, you’re right.” Braddock stands up and steps away from the table.  She takes in a deep breath before approaching the front to stand by the DJ.  This is the first time in a very long time she has done karaoke, so of course there are some nerves.  The DJ leans over, giving Glory his ear so she can whisper to him what her song choice is.

 

“Independence Day.”

 

“Martina?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You got it.”

 

The DJ hands Glory the microphone as she gazes out at the crowd in attendance.  Very few are paying any attention as they are mostly drunk.  There a few out there paying attention and among those few there are fewer still who believe that this woman seems familiar, as if they have seen her before.  And who knows?  Maybe some of these individuals were in attendance at last night’s Breakdown or tonight’s house show?  Maybe they have seen Glory Braddock wrestle but cannot quite connect the dots?

 

Glory casts a gaze towards her table.  Matthew and Kurt both give her a thumbs up and her daughter Melinda smiles and waves.  Glory is beginning to feel a little more comfortable as the opening chords to Independence Day begins…

 

“Well she seemed alright by dawn's early light

Though she looked a little worried and weak.

She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again

But daddy left the proof on her cheek.

And I was only eight years old that summer

And I always seemed to be in the way

So I took myself down to the fair in town

On Independence Day.”

 

Many in the bar recognize this song and a low roar is heard.  They are also cheering because they recognize her natural ability.  Glory is feeling more comfortable and starts to relax a little.

 

“Well word gets around in a small, small town

They said he was a dangerous man

But mama was proud and she stood her ground

But she knew she was on the losin' end.

Some folks whispered and some folks talked

But everybody looked the other way

And when time ran out there was no one about

On Independence Day.”

 

“Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing

Let the whole world know that today

Is a day of reckoning.

Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong

Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay

It's Independence Day.”

 

Meanwhile back at the table Kurt and Melinda are soaking it all up, enjoying Glory’s performance.  Matthew Taylor is enjoying the performance as well but for different reasons.  He is noticing the little things.  Glory is dancing now and really putting on a show, just like she used to do when he and Glory went out for karaoke night.  It also hasn’t gone underneath his notice the way she is dressed; plain denim jeans, sneakers, and a tank top.  Her long blonde hair is pulled into a ponytail in the back.  She isn’t dressed like a queen or a princess.  She is dressed as Glory, the Glory Matthew remembers.

 

“Well, she lit up the sky that fourth of July

By the time that the firemen come

They just put out the flames

And took down some names

And send me to the county home.

Now I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong

But maybe it's the only way.

Talk about your revolution

It's Independence Day.”

 

The British Bombshell approaches her table and, much to the shock of her family, specifically Melinda, grabs her and pulls her to her feet and onto the floor.  Melinda wasn’t expecting this as her mother seems to encourage her to join in.  Matthew gets up out of his seat and takes Melinda and offers a dance.  Melinda seems ok with this and the two dance while her mother continues to sing her heart out.

 

“Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing

Let the whole world know that today

Is a day of reckoning.

Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong

Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay

It's Independence Day.

Roll the stone away

It's Independence Day.”

 

The crowd in attendance cheer loudly.  Whether they are being sincere or just polite, Glory doesn’t care.  She simply enjoyed herself and that is what’s most important.  She hands the microphone back to the DJ.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen lets hear it for Gloria!”

 

Another cheer erupts and Glory takes a bow and then walks with her daughter and Matthew back to the table.  Kurt chuckles lightly.

 

“Great performance you three…” he gives his wife a kiss on the cheek “...especially you, babe.”

 

“Thanks, love.” Glory says with a blush.

 

“A heads up would be better next time, mom.” Melinda remarks.

 

“Expect the unexpected around your mother.” Matthew chimes in with a playful wink.

 

“I learned from a master.”

 

“You’re too kind.”

 

“Who says I was talking about you, Matt?  I could have learned my performance skills from dad?”

 

“Are we seriously to believe that your singing ability came from Glenn Braddock The Barbarian?  C’mon, Glory, you said it yourself that your cousin is the singer of the family.  That tells me that your singing skills probably come from your mother’s side.”

 

Glory chuckles lightly and nods her head. “You’re probably right.  Either way, this feels great.  I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”

 

“Really?” Kurt asks.  Glory nods her head.

 

“Yes.  I’ve been kicking myself over failing to capture the world title and perhaps injuring Helms, I’ve been obsessing over my business and the school, but now I feel good.  I feel better.”

 

“It’s because you’re starting to enjoy yourself again.” Matthew points out. “It’s what you’ve been missing and neglecting for a long time now.  When you refuse to stop and take time to just enjoy yourself then the stress of any and all situations you find yourself in starts to slowly deteriorate your mind.  You need to stop and smell the roses every and now and then, mate.”

 

Braddock rolls her eyes. “What did I tell you about being a philosopher?”

 

“Sorry, I get it from my sister.  She made me read this stupid book about…” Matthew’s cell phone suddenly starts going off.  He looks at it and the caller ID reads Francis Taylor.  Francis is Matthew’s sister and the president of Glory’s company.  “Oh, speak of the devil incarnate…”

 

“That’s no way to speak of your family.” Glory remarks.

 

“Wonder what she wants?” Matthew answers the phone and puts it to his ear as he listens intensely. “Yes, what’s up?”

 

Matthew’s demeanor suddenly changes.  He looks worried and nervous. “Whoa, calm down.  Repeat that again, but slowly…” he listens again and he looks even more worried “...ok, just call the police.  Ok?  Yeah, Glory is with me.  I’ll tell her.  Bye.”

 

Matthew hangs up.  Glory, Kurt, and Melinda all look nervous by now, concerned over what has gone on. “What is it, Matt?”

 

“Someone tried to kill my sister.”

 

“What?!” Glory is in shock by this revelation.  Matthew nods his head, confirming it to be true.

 

“She was sent some kind of powder.  Possibly anthrax.”

 

“Assassination plot.” Glory states definitively.

 

“But how do you…” Matthew begins but Glory cuts him off.

 

“Isn’t it obvious?  This power struggle over my company is still not over.”

 

The weight of this news is stunning to Glory Braddock.  Her actions led to this power struggle, her actions caused these people to want to kill her or send her a message.  The first three times they tried targeting her directly now.  They are targeting her indirectly.  Now they targeted a friend’s sibling who happens to be the president of her company.  Glory Braddock cannot help but feel responsible for this.  Her actions led to this.

 

“This is all on my head, Matt.  I’m sorry.” Glory says slowly, quietly.

 

“Don’t say that.” Matthew responds.

 

“He’s right, what those criminals do is not your responsibility.”

 

“I brought this upon her, upon you Kurt, upon all of us.  My actions brought this on.  And now, I need to fix this.”