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November 6th, 2020
London, England
Off Camera
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London means different things to different people. A home to some, a tourist destination to others, and to others still, a business spot. London is just like any other city in many ways, but in other ways, it is so much more. One of the world’s most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history and culture to fine food and exceedingly good times. It is a city of ideas; an innovator of art and culture. But just one word sums up London for the reigning SCW Adrenaline Champion; for “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock, it is simply home. This is where she grew up as a child, mostly being raised only by her strict, drill sergeant of a father, Glenn Braddock.
Glenn Braddock made his name famous in the European wrestling circuit but he was a huge hit in his home of England where he became known as Britain’s Best. He would pass on his wrestling knowledge to his daughters, Glory and Julia Braddock, both of whom would follow in his footsteps and, arguably, would achieve even greater success than he. At least Glory thinks so, for she openly calls herself The Best in the World and she credits her father’s teachings with her wrestling success. And here she is still adored and cheered by the public. No matter what she does or says, the public here in England will always appreciate everything she has done for them.
Returning here to London to compete before her hometown, the people who have supported her and her family through the good times and through the bad, is an honor and a privilege for Glory Braddock. When SCW Breakdown arrives, when Glory Braddock steps through the ropes to compete against Tommy Valentine and Ravyn Taylor in a triple threat world title series match, she isn’t The Best in the World, she isn’t The British Bombshell, she isn’t even the Adrenaline Champion. She is just Glory Braddock, London’s own hometown girl.
Being in London is also a great way to finally help The British Bombshell get her mind off of the recent string of difficulties that she has hopefully put behind her. The threat of organized criminal factions targeting her family is hopefully at an end. Glory’s obsessive lust for power within her company, an unhealthy obsession that corrupted her, has hopefully been put in check and now put under control. All of this because she sold part ownership of her company to Aurora Alan; a 49% share to be precise.
It wasn’t what her chief rival, Aurora’s older sister Jennifer Alan, wanted. Jennifer wanted everything but got nothing. Jennifer still has threatened retaliation but Glory knows that she has no way of influencing the criminal element. Glory is confident that Jennifer is just full of empty threats and nothing more. That is why she wants to put Jennifer, this war, and everything else behind her and focus on two things during her stay in London.
First, she wants to focus on her wrestling career. She has had two world championship opportunities, both due to cashing in her Trios Contracts. But here she has an opportunity to earn a world title opportunity, but first she must go through Tommy Valentine and Ravyn Taylor. Winning a fifteenth world championship is definitely on the mind of The British Bombshell, as well as getting revenge against Tommy for his recent interference in her match against Asher Hayes.
The other thing on her mind right now is her husband, Kurt Logan. Despite her best efforts she cannot shake the feeling of guilt she has in her head, the guilt of cheating on Kurt with Matthew Taylor. Matthew told Glory that the guilt is a good thing, it shows that she is once again the good person he grew up admiring. But the guilt is also eating away at her conscience, making it hard for her to sleep at night. Matthew suggested that Glory admit to Kurt what she has done but Braddock refuses. She cannot bear the possibility of losing her beloved Kurt and if she were to admit to cheating on him…
...well, she doesn’t even want to consider those consequences.
Instead she chooses to take him out on the town. She knows London well and knows the finest restaurants to eat. It is here where Braddock finds herself and Kurt. They are sitting at a dark walnut table. Other tables are scattered throughout the restaurant and, for the most part, they match the one Glory and Kurt are sitting at. Flowers on each table, delicate live piano music playing in the background. Braddock and her husband are sitting by large mullioned windows with long embroidered curtains. There is a flagstone tile floor and a lounge area with embroidered couches off in the distance.
This is not the type of place where you would get a table on pure impulse alone. You would have to book in advance and Glory Braddock, knowing that SCW would be passing through here, did just that. The lighting was dim and the air was thick with the scents of so many different foods. Braddock is dressed to impress on this night, wearing a black sequined form fitting dress with a half sleeve, and black patent leather high heel pumps. Kurt Logan is also dressed nice in tan khaki pants, a darker shade of brown dress shoes, and a white silk button up shirt. Both husband and wife have glasses of red wine sitting in front of them. A broad grin is etched across Glory’s face, despite the uneasiness she feels knowing that she is here on a romantic night with her husband, the same man she cheated on and who doesn’t know anything.
“You really picked out a nice place, Glory.” Kurt says, clearly impressed with the surroundings as he looks from side to side. “Gotta admit, I feel kinda out of place.”
“You may feel out of place but you certainly don’t look out of place, love.” She winks at Kurt. “You look very handsome.”
“And I’m also lucky.”
“How’s that?”
“Because I get to share this moment with the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Oh bloody hell, you’re gonna make me blush.” Glory says, stopping momentarily to sip some of her wine. Kurt also sips some of his wine before answering back.
“Well I can’t help it if it’s true.”
“There you go again, making me blush and with that nonsensical romanticism.” Braddock says, playfully wagging an accusatory finger. “When did you suddenly become such a romantic?”
“I’ve always been a romantic, we just haven’t had much time to express it lately.”
“We haven’t?” Glory asks curiously. Kurt sighs and shakes his head.
“No, we haven’t. Not any fault of yours or mine, it’s just that we’ve both been extremely busy. You have had a major company to run, a wrestling school to oversee, and not to mention you have increased your competition schedule as a professional wrestler.”
“Suppose it is my fault then.” Braddock says as she sips more of her wine. Kurt shakes his head.
“It isn’t your fault. No one should fault you for wanting to be a success. And look at you, you are the reigning SCW Adrenaline Champion, you have built your company up into a global powerhouse, your dad’s wrestling school is more popular than ever. And you, you’re more popular than ever. Just look at the people all around…”
“What about them?”
“Tell me you haven’t noticed them trying to catch a few glances over our way. And recall the times we were stopped just on our way inside so you can sign an autograph or two. You are a superstar here, Glory.”
Braddock chuckles, nodding her head in agreement. “I suppose I am, but at what cost? When was the last time you and I were at a place like this just the two of us to enjoy ourselves?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest with you.”
“Well I can tell you. It was shortly before Rise To Greatness.”
“So last July?”
“No, not this year’s Rise To Greatness; LAST year’s Rise To Greatness, when I competed for the SCW World Championship against Syren and Alistaire Allocco.”
“Oh right, I think it was in Houston.”
“It was.” Braddock says with a nod of her head. “It’s been that long since we’ve had a romantic night out just the two of us. And despite what you may say, part of it is my fault.”
Braddock feels her emotions starting to boil over. She takes a sip of her wine to try and calm herself. Kurt notices her hand trembling. “What’s wrong?”
“I feel we’re growing apart. You’ve always been there for me no matter what. You supported me even when I did stupid shit, but I never returned the favor. And then in my insane, greedy quest for power, I damn near lost you, mom, Melinda…” Glory reaches up and wipes some tears from her eyes. Kurt reaches across the table and clasps her hands tightly.
“But you didn’t lose any of us. We’re still here, all of us. Everything is fine now.”
“Almost.” Braddock says quietly.
“No, not ALMOST...everything is fine.”
“No, there’s still more I must do. I still need to make it up to you, Kurt. You’ve been there for me while I turned my back on you. I pushed you away when you kept trying to be there for me. But I’m going to make it up to you, love. I promise you that.”
A warm, loving moment passes as Glory stares into the caring eyes of her husband Kurt. It is at this moment that the thought of confessing to Kurt about her affair crosses Glory’s mind. Should she risk this all right here and now? Before she can decide, everything is interrupted when the server, a young brunette dressed in mostly black, approaches the table.
“Madame, Sir…”
“Huh? What?” Glory is startled as she wasn’t expecting it.
“Sorry to have disturbed you.”
“It’s ok but what’s wrong?” Kurt asks.
“Nothing. But there is someone who just arrived who claims to be with you.”
Kurt looks back at Glory. “Melinda?”
“Can’t be. She’s staying with Sophie [O’Brian] tonight.”
“Oh no, it isn’t a girl, it’s…”
“Guess who?!” The voice that rings out, interrupting the server and disturbing almost everyone else around them, is all too familiar to Glory Braddock and her husband Kurt Logan. A fierce growl comes from Braddock’s throat as she instantly recognizes the voice. Her fears are confirmed as she sees none other than Mason Van Stanton approaching the table.
“Did you forget about me, Glory?”
“You weren’t invited, Mason.” Kurt says intimidatingly. Mason just chuckles. The agent stands his ground, wearing black dress pants, black dress shoes, a silk white button up shirt, and a black suit coat. He smirks menacingly.
“Oh don’t be that way, Kurt. I think you want to hear what I have to say.” Van Stanton casts a gaze over at Glory and winks. “You and the wife both.”
“Shall I have him removed?” The server asks.
“Get him out of my sight.” Glory says defiantly. This was supposed to be a romantic night for just her and Kurt. She will not have it ruined by Van Stanton. The server nods her head and grabs Mason by the arm and prepares to lead him away.
“Well that’s too bad. I guess I’ll just have to give Jennifer the bad news…”
“Jennifer?!” Glory exclaims. Did Mason just imply that he spoke with Jennifer Alan. Glory motions for the server to let Mason go. Van Stanton nods his head.
“Yes, Jennifer Alan is a very good businesswoman. Very intelligent. She knows a good deal when she sees it. She had a good deal for you, Glory, but you ruined that. And that’s kinda why I had hoped to talk to you this evening. But if you’re not interested in hearing what I have to say then I shall take my leave.”
Part of Glory does want Mason Van Stanton to just leave. She wants him to leave her and her family alone. But the idea of Mason working together with Jennifer Alan is frightening. It is a deadly prospect, especially since Mason hates the Braddock family and Jennifer has already threatened retaliation for Glory reneging on the deal to sell the company. She has to take this threat seriously. Reluctantly Glory sighs and nods her head.
“He can stay.”
“Are you sure?” Kurt asks. Glory again nods her head.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Excellent!” Mason cries out victoriously. There is already a third chair at the table and Mason simply pulls out that chair and sits down. He motions to the server. “Bring me a bottle of whatever it is they’re having please!”
“Right away, sir.” The server walks off to fill the order. Mason turns to Kurt and Glory.
“So, shall we do business?”
“You have some nerve coming here, Van Stanton!” Kurt exclaims angrily. “Glory are here to enjoy ourselves. This is our private time and you decided to stick your slimy nose in our affairs yet again? You’re lucky this is a public establishment, otherwise I would beat you to death right here and now.”
“Very nice! I do enjoy a good threat, especially from you, Kurt. It shows that despite being a washed up former wrestler you still haven’t lost your touch. You’re just as vicious as ever.”
“Just give me one chance and I’ll show you first hand how vicious I can be.”
“Kurt!” Glory holds up a hand to stop her husband, who looks ready to jump across the table and throw punches. Kurt reluctantly holds back. Mason chuckles.
“Good girl. Keep that attack dog on a leash.”
“What do you want, Mason?”
“I already told you. I’m here to do business.” The server stops by with a bottle of wine and an already poured glass of wine for Mason. He winks up at the server. “Thanks, doll.”
The server turns and walks away. “What is your business with Jennifer Alan?”
“It’s just a friendly business arrangement, nothing more.”
“Nothing is ever that simple with you, Mason.” Kurt says with a snarl. Glory again holds up her hand, signaling for her husband to back off. Van Stanton just chuckles nastily.
“You think your little wife is so saintly, don’t you Kurt? And these lemmings gawking at her like she’s something special. The Bradddock family has certainly pulled the wool over the eyes of thee gullible little fools. If they only knew what I knew.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Glory Braddock is a fraud.” Mason declares. Kurt growls.
“Get to the point.”
“You think your little wife is an honest woman? You are fooling yourself just like these idiots fool themselves. Your wife is a deceitful liar, Kurt.”
“Is there a point to any of this, Mason, or are you just here to hurl insults and ruin my night?” Braddock demands in an angry tone of voice. It is clear that Glory Braddock is growing more and more frustrated. Mason Van Stanton maintains his air of confidence.
“You should know exactly what I’m talking about. You promised to sell GCW to Jennifer Alan but you failed to deliver.”
Braddock sighs deeply. “You are working with Jennifer now, so I guess it isn’t surprising that you know about that.” Glory smirks knowingly. “You should also know that I would never let her have what she wanted.”
“You broke a promise.” Mason accuses. Glory shakes her head.
“She wanted me to sell ownership back to the Alan Family. I did that.”
“Ah, yes, a mere 49% to the youngest sibling Aurora Alan. You knew that wasn’t what Jennifer wanted. And yet you still betrayed her. That’s fine, because Jennifer also promised revenge and that’s what I’m here for.”
The British Bombshell begins to grow nervous. Jennifer did indeed promise vengeance. Jennifer alone doesn’t concern Glory but if she’s working with Mason, things could easily get rough. They both have a common enemy in Glory Braddock. Glory remains silent but Van Stanton just cackles, pointing at Glory.
“Lying to my business associate isn’t the only thing she lied about. Right, Kurt?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Kurt is angry but Glory is nervous. What could Mason know.
“How long have you been working with Jennifer?” Glory asks.
“Several months now, actually. Jennifer contacted me shortly after her family was targeted by the armed gunmen. She isn’t dumb, Glory, and she easily connected the gunmen back to Meagan Colllins, who was working for you. And I’ve been assisting her ever since. We did have a mutual enemy in you, my dear, and I was more than happy to do my best to provide her with the information necessary to ruin your precious reputation.” Mason motions to some of the other patrons in the restaurant.
“These people love you but if they knew the truth about you they would despise you. And that is the price you shall pay if you do not ultimately give Jennifer what she wants.”
“You know I will never do that.” Braddock says, steeling herself.
“Well then let’s discuss all of the juicy secrets I have that could potentially ruin your reputation. What do you think these people would think about you if they learned you were still seeing a psychiatrist because you still to this day view yourself as the daughter of Aphrodite Noel?”
“You have no proof…” Glory’s voice trails off as she isn’t quite sure of herself.
“I used to work for her. Of course I have the evidence. So yes, how would these people feel about learning their hero is nuts?”
Glory’s face grows pale. She forgot about Mason’s involvement with Aphrodite Noel. Mason, in fact, helped lure Glory into Aphrodite’s clutches to begin with. He definitely would have the evidence. Mason, however, is not done yet.
“And what about the prodigy? What about dearest Melinda Braddock?”
“Leave her out of this.” Braddock’s voice is shaky.
“Why should I? Worried that her wrestling future would be harmed? I wouldn’t be concerned, Glory, because even if she can’t wrestle she has a future in the porn industry.”
“What?!” Kurt exclaims angrily. Glory again holds out her hand to silence Kurt.
“What did you say about my daughter?” Glory asks.
“She is quite a good little whore, I must admit. And if you don’t believe me, just ask my other client Mr. Clyde Sutter.”
“No one in their right minds would trust a thing that asshole says.”
“You’re right, that’s why Mr. Sutter had a tape made of all of the deviant things he and Melinda did. It would be a shame if that were released to the public, wouldn’t it?”
Braddock glares angrily across the table at Mason. She wants to strangle him but she knows that she cannot. She must take this threat seriously. He may very well have the evidence he claims to have and if so it would indeed ruin her family. Glory shakes her head.
“Don’t do it, Mason. Just leave us alone.”
“Jennifer and myself will settle our business with you in due time, Glory, I guarantee you that. So the next time Jennifer contacts you with an offer to do business, consider being nicer because I have the potential to ruin you. And just in case you don’t believe I can or that I will carry out the threats, then let me leave you with one on the house…” He turns and looks over at Kurt “...you should really keep a tighter leash on your wife, Kurt.”
“What does that mean, asshole?” Kurt asks angrily. Mason smirks and then drops the bombshell that Glory was not expecting.
“She’s been cheating on you with her old friend Matthew Taylor.”
With that Mason Van Stanton cackles nastily before rising up to his feet. Van Stanton turns and then makes his exit. Glory watches him walk away and then turns to face Kurt who is staring stoically into the eyes of his wife. Braddock did not want to approach this subject. Not here, not now, but Mason forced her hand. She sighs deeply.
“Kurt…”
“Is it true?”
“Listen, Kurt…”
“Is it true?”
Braddock sighs and then finally nods her head. “Yes. But it’s over, we broke it off already.”
“But why?”
“Does it matter?” Glory asks as tears form in her eyes. “It was a foolish mistake and I’m sorry but I broke it off because at the end of the end of the day I knew you were the one I loved, not him. You are the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, not him.”
“It does matter, Glory. There must be a problem between you and me, otherwise he never would have gotten to you. And if there is a problem then we need to fix it. You can’t keep running from your problems, that’s what you got you into this situation in the first place. That’s what got us into this situation in the first place.”
Glory wipes some tears from her eyes. “So where do we go from here?”
“I don’t know.” Kurt shrugs his shoulders. “But we have a lot to talk about. And we also need to talk to Melinda.”
“Yeah, I know…” Glory’s voice trails off. Just when she thought she could finally see light at the end of the tunnel, the ground came out from underneath her feet. Now what will she do? Where does she go from here?
==========
November 7th, 2020
London, England
Off Camera
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Glory Braddock’s return to her home in London was supposed to be grand and, pardon the pun, glorious. The British Bombshell may have a new residence in Miami, Florida but she maintains ownership of the home she grew up in, her father’s home in London, England. With SCW Breakdown stopping by in London, Glory was looking forward to her family spending time in the Braddock family abode. Her vision was one of peace, serenity, and quality time with family. And while she will get to spend quality time with family, other factors have turned this into anything but a peaceful and serene environment.
Last night when she was spending a romantic evening with her husband Kurt Logan, Glory Braddock was confronted by her nemesis Mason Van Stanton, a rival both professionally and personally, a man who has long hated her family and has long wanted to bring down the Braddock family. She knew his arrival could only bring about trouble but even she didn’t expect the bombshell that he dropped.
Mason Van Stanton has been working with another one of Glory Braddock’s business rivals, Jennifer Alan. Jennifer has been using strong arm tactics to try and convince Glory to sell her company to her. Little did Braddock know that Mason was in on this game as well. Now that Jennifer has failed, Mason is stepping in to heat things up from intimidation to outright blackmail. Van Stanton claims to have evidence that would ruin the reputation of Glory’s family, evidence of Glory’s mental trauma, evidence that Glory’s daughter Melinda has been involved in illicit sexual deviancy, and worst of all, he has evidence that Glory has been cheating on her husband Kurt Logan. And just to prove how serious he was about these threats, Mason went ahead and dropped that last little bombshell while in the presence of Kurt himself.
Now Kurt knows everything about Glory’s affair with Matthew Taylor. And this time in London which was supposed to be glorious has turned into a nightmare as Glory Braddock is wondering whether or not she can even keep her family together.
The foreboding silence is deafening inside the Braddock abode in London, England. The living room was dimly lit with the vintage wall sconces that hung on the mute coloured walls like earrings. Thick velvet curtains hid the long windows across the walls, just leaving a shy peak of the woods beyond. Two antique couches stood on opposite sides of each on the hand-woven rug in front of the ashen fireplace, accompanied by rich velvet and bronze wing-chairs that stood as sidekicks.
The white curtains are linen, the kind of white that is untouched by hands and devoid of dust. A cursory look to the right shows the almost hidden cords that are used to open and close them. There is no television, no bookshelf, no dining table, only the chairs arranged around the bespoke fireplace which leaps with a gas flame. The photographs are black and white and portray some of Glory’s old childhood memories with herself, her sister Julia, and their father Glenn. The floor is a high polished wood, dark and free of either dust or clutter. The British Bombshell feels awkward sitting on one of the sofas, wearing a pair of denim jeans and a simple black t-shirt. It is mostly awkward because of the distance between herself and Kurt. Her husband isn’t even sitting on the same sofa as her; he sits on the other sofa. The distance is telling.
“Melinda is late…” Braddock says while nervously looking at her watch “...where is she?”
“She’s probably getting more time in the gym. Just like you and your father. And if she’s anything like you and your father, she’ll be a great wrestler.”
Braddock sighs deeply. Melinda did indeed inherit the Braddock work ethic, which forces her to stay in the gym for a long time all with the goal of being the best. Unfortunately, if what Mason Van Stanton says is true, then Melinda may have also inherited Glory’s poor judgment as well.
“Still, she should have been here by now.”
“Yes, and she will be here soon. But maybe we should take this time to work out our own problems.”
The problems Kurt refers to center around the affair Glory had with Matthew Taylor. This is a difficult subject she wishes she did not have to approach. But she knows that she and Kurt will have to cross this bridge eventually, especially if they are to salvage their marriage. Glory does love Kurt and she does feel guilty for cheating on him.
“Do we need to do this now, Kurt?”
“Yes, I think we do. Do you want our marriage to survive this?”
“Of course I do, but…”
“And I do too. But right now I’m not sure if I can trust you because you won’t answer one simple question.”
“What do you want to know?” Glory asks as she tries desperately to fight back her emotions.
“Why? Why did you do this? Why did you cheat on me with Matthew? I mean, I knew you two were good friends but I thought that’s all you were. Have you always felt this about him?”
“Listen, Kurt, just calm down and listen to me. Matthew and I are just friends. He is the one who has always wanted something more from our relationship.”
Kurt scowls. “So Matthew forced himself on you?”
“It isn’t like that, it’s…” Braddock shakes her head as the words are just not there “...I was just afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“I was afraid of change. You don’t know what it was like, Kurt. You don’t know what it was like for me to be taken and to have all that I was, everything that I knew, warped and twisted by Aphrodite Noel. Her mind games and emotional damage made me truly want to be her child, her daughter. I was supposed to be better than that, I was supposed to be a fighter but I was weak and gave in. That experience damaged me, Kurt. She left a permanent scar on my mind that has yet to recover.”
“I thought you were making great progress with the psychiatrist. Dr. Fitzgerald, isn’t it?” Kurt asks. Glory nods her head.
“Yes, progress was made. Dr. Fitzgerald helped me realize that what I had to do was to put my family first ahead of my career and that I had to put my past in the past. Doing so was the only way to begin the healing process and undo the damage that was done. But that’s a big change, Kurt. And I was afraid of the change I would have to make. I fought hard to regain control of my company and I was basically being told that I may have to just accept losing my company? I didn’t want that...or at least, part of me didn’t want that.”
“How does all of this tie into you cheating on me with Matthew?”
“Matthew made the mistake of admitting to me that he had always loved me and had always wanted a romantic relationship with me. I had no idea he ever felt that way. And when that part of me that feared change, that part of me that didn’t want to go away heard Matthew’s profession of love, took the opportunity to ruin things for me…” Glory buries her face in her hands. Kurt still doesn’t move, though a part of him does want to comfort his wife. He still loves her, despite what has happened.
“...and it worked. Just when I thought my problems were gone, they come right back stronger than ever.”
“You need to go back to Dr. Fitzgerald. You know that right? If you’re still suffering from PTSD, if you’re still suffering from whatever damage Aphrodite did to you, you need to get professional help.”
“Yeah…” Glory’s voice trails off.
“And we need to go to marriage counseling.”
“Yeah, I know…” Glory looks up with tears in her eyes. She looks into the eyes of her husband Kurt. A few moments later and the tension breaks when they hear the front door opening. Quickly Glory wipes the tears from her eyes and does her best to try and look normal. She and Kurt both know that this can only be Melinda Braddock. Their daughter is the other problem they have been presented with thanks to Mason Van Stanton. The sleazy con man claims to have some evidence to blackmail Melinda and the entire Braddock family. The British Bombshell and her husband Kurt know that they must find out whether or not Mason truly does have the evidence that he claims to have and the only way to confirm it is to confront Melinda herself.
Glory and Kurt turn their attention to the entrance of the living room. They watch on until Melinda Braddock comes bounding into the room, looking rather happy after what is clearly another exhausting night based on the sweat rolling down her face.
“Hi guys!” Melinda walks into the living room and sits down next to her mother.
“How was the workout?”
“It was awesome!” Melinda exclaims. “Sophie [O’Brian] is teaching me so much and not just about how to wrestle either, but about strategy! In fact, that’s what the first part of today’s session focused on; finding weaknesses in an opponent. The second half included lots of rigorous sparring which I looooooved!”
“I’m glad you had fun, love, but I think we need to talk about something.”
“What’s wrong?” Melinda asks curiously. “Are you mad that I’m late? If so get mad at Sophie. She’s the one who kept me late.”
“That’s not it.” Kurt answers. “We want to know about you and Clyde Sutter.”
“Clyde?” Melinda asks, sounding surprised with both eyebrows arched. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
Melinda sighs. “I already told you, Clyde and I are through.”
“We know that, Mel, but we want to know what happened between you and Clyde while you were together.”
“Oh…” Melinda pauses for a long time. Clearly she is upset based on the pale look on her face. “...do we have to talk about this now?”
“Mason Van Stanton claims he has evidence of things you and Clyde have done together, things that he says he will release to the public. We’re being blackmailed, Mel, over things Mason claims you did. We need to know what he’s talking about.”
Tears begin to form in Melinda’s eyes. Her face contorts as the emotions flow freely. “No...no, no, no...NO!”
“Mel, what is it?” Glory asks as she lovingly wraps an arm around her daughter’s shoulder.
“I don’t want to talk about it…” Melinda says, shaking her head with tears filling her eyes.
“What did Clyde do to you?”
“I don’t want to talk about it!” Melinda insists, this time louder. Glory grows more frustrated as she seeks answers.
“Did he force himself on you? Did Clyde Sutter rape you?”
“NO!” Melinda shouts angrily, at the top of her lungs this time which brings silence to her mother. “No, he didn’t. It was all consensual! Everything we did was consensual!”
“And what was everything?” Glory asks, quieter this time.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Melinda shakes her head. Glory is feeling very frustrated at this point. Then Kurt Logan moves in, sitting on the other side of Melinda.
“What happened between you and Clyde?” Kurt asks. Melinda sighs and finally gives in.
“Yes we had sex. Are you happy now? And no, he didn’t force himself on me. It was consensual. I wanted it every bit as much as he did but mainly because…” her voice trails off. There is clear pain there as she does not like the memory of her relationship with Clyde.
“Because why?” Glory asks.
“Because I didn’t want to disappoint him. I didn’t want to disappoint him so I did everything he asked of me just to gain his approval. It was only when he introduced drugs that I began to question him. And that’s when he got physical.”
“And he beat you.”
“Not at first, I still wanted to please him, but he sounded intimidating when I seemed reluctant to try the drugs so I gave in and tried them. I became a mess, mom….a first class train wreck...then he suggested sharing me with his friends.” Melinda dries her eyes and then shakes her head. “That’s when I finally stood up to him. That’s when I kicked him to the curb. I did not like the person I was becoming so I got away.”
She looks into Glory’s eyes. “And I was afraid of disappointing you, mom. I wanted to be like you, always have, and I knew fighting him, getting away, that’s what grandpa would have told me to do, that’s what you would have done.”
“Melinda, was there a video tape?” Kurt asks stoically.
“I don’t know…”
Glory leans in and kisses her on the forehead. “It’s ok, love. Go on to bed, we can talk about this later.”
Melinda nods and then rises up off of the sofa. She turns and walks away from Glory and Kurt, making her exit from the living room. Glory Braddock turns to Kurt.
“We need to find out what Mason knows about this.”
“Yes, but we can find out about that later. The girl has been through hell. Let her rest for tonight.”
“What do you want to do about this?”
“Honestly? I have no clue.”
“And what about us?” Kurt asks, motioning to himself and Glory. Braddock sighs and just leans in to him and he holds her tightly.
“Just hold me.”
==========
November 9th, 2020
London, England
On Camera
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The camera feed begins to roll and the first scene is the bright blue sky of a gorgeous day in London, England. As the camera pans out we see that we are in front of a somewhat run down looking gym. There is a sign in front that reads “Braddock Wrestling School” that is probably the cleanest part of this gym. It may not look like much, but this small, run down looking gym on the outskirts of London is quite a well known venue. This is the gym that hosts the Glenn Braddock Wrestling School. This was the place where the reigning SCW Adrenaline Champion Glory Braddock spent her formative years learning her craft. This is where she honed her skills and became the professional athlete she is today, all under the tutelage of her father Glenn Braddock. To this day when she needs to prepare, when she needs to train, this is where she goes. No other gym suits her. No other gym serves the purpose she needs. Only this particular place provides the adequate tools and resources necessary to prepare for any and all challenge that she may face.
The front door of this school is left standing open. So, almost as if curiosity is creeping in on the cameraman, the camera slowly begins to make its way inside the facility itself. Inside we see the concrete floor is gray and the walls are painted an off-white color, at least the walls that still have paint on them, as most of the paint on the walls have begun to peel. There is a standard wrestling set up in the center, weights scattered all over the floor. At one of the far ends of the room is a red heavy bag. A few moments later footsteps echo throughout the empty, concrete floor of the school. It isn’t long until we see our visitor; The British Bombshell, the woman who some believe to be The Best in the World, Glory Braddock approaches with a confident stride in her step. She is dressed in her royal purple colored two piece wrestling gear. Her long blonde hair hangs unrestrained to shoulder length. Her SCW Adrenaline Championship title belt is draped over her right shoulder. A confident smirk is etched across her lovely features.
“One thing I truly do enjoy about professional wrestling is the opportunity to travel all over the world and compete against the best athletes in the world. That’s why I call myself the Best in the World, by the way. I have competed at all levels against every type of competitor you can think of, competitors all over the world, and I have proven myself time and time again to be one of the very best to step into a professional wrestling ring. While I have consistently been among the top athletes in the world today, I still desire to hold the one singular symbol of greatness that everyone here in Supreme Championship Wrestling longs for, the one thing that everyone worth their salt in this business should be seeking...the SCW World Championship. I have had opportunities but have always come up short. But with each failure I learn. With each mistake I learn. And now I am back on track to get another opportunity at the SCW World Championship. And step one begins right here in my home…” the beautiful blonde pauses momentarily before chuckling.
“...and no, I do not mean simply my home of London where I grew up, where I was born and raised. Although yes, I will have a considerable home field advantage on Breakdown in London where the name Braddock if legendary, made famous by my father Glenn Braddock who was always known by his following as Britain’s Best, and now they get to witness his daughter, The British Bombshell, step into the ring to take on Ravyn Taylor and Tommy Valentine in step one of a world championship series. But while having the home field advantage, knowing that my countrymen and countrywomen have my back, is most definitely comforting, that is not truly what I mean when I say that my journey to the world championship begins right here at home.”
The SCW Adrenaline Champion makes her way over towards the center of the room. She approaches a wrestling ring that is set up. She stands next to it and stares proudly into the camera. “This wrestling ring, every squared circle I step into, they are all my home. I bleed professional wrestling. Wrestling is in my heart and soul. That is why I feel so strongly about this sport. That is why I feel so strongly that people like Tommy Valentine should not be allowed anywhere near the SCW World Championship. People like Tommy doesn’t respect this sport the way I do. People like Tommy only use this sport for his own selfish, personal gains. When wrestling can give something to him he is all in but the moment wrestling asks for him to give something back in return? He makes the typical lazy bloke he is and decides to either half-ass it or coast on someone else’s coat tails. He was perfectly content to coast on the rather large coattails of Kandis but now he sees this opportunity to get a world title match and he is deciding only now to take this seriously. He is deciding now that this sport is worth his time. People like Tommy should take this sport seriously at all times or he should get his ass out of my damn ring.”
“Then you have people like Infamous, CHBK and Syren and Ravyn, all of them are the same, but the one I care about is Ravyn because she’s the one standing between me and that world championship. But in all honesty you lot are all the same character just with different names. You think yourselves as the elites of SCW, SCW sees you as a gang of thugs not unlike the American mafia, but what do I see when I look at you? I see a bunch of entitled children. I see sniveling little brats who need their diapers changed any time they do not get what they want. And now you think you deserve the SCW World Championship handed to you on a bloody silver platter just because of who you are?” The British Bombshell shakes her head.
“That’s a crock of shit and everyone knows it. How many years now have you been singing this same old song and dance, mates? And let me ask you this one too while I’m at it; does it bother you that no one gives a damn what you do or say anymore? Seriously, you’ve been at this with the same entitled crybaby bullshit for so long that no one really cares. You keep bleating over and over about how you lot are SCW’s top prizes and how SCW should treat you like the stars that you are and yet that geriatric jackass CHBK is the only one who seems to listen to your tirades. Rise To Greatness XVI you were relevant because you were holding the World Championship hostage. But ever since then you’ve only done two things to maintain your relevancy. One thing you did was you basically gave the World Championship to Bree Lancaster at Cold Blooded. Congratulations! The second relevant thing you did was LOSE on Breakdown to Jordan Majors and Cookie, two fast up and coming stars who, like me, are not going to sit around and let you just have whatever you want without earning it.”
“With all of you tricks, your cheating, and your mind games, all of the shenanigans you try to pull and you lost. But Jordan and Cookie? They just went out there to the ring on Breakdown and EARNED THAT WIN! That's a novel idea, isn’t it? Earning something is certainly foreign to your infamous bitches because you haven’t earned a bloody thing in forever. But on Breakdown from London I will make you earn your keep. Because you will not get to the world championship unless you can come through me. You will not get what you want unless you can beat me and quite frankly, Ravyn, I just do not think you have what it takes to beat me.”
She points a finger at the camera. “And I know damn well that you do not have what it takes to beat me, Tommy. So let me spell it out all nice and easy for the pair of you ignorant dopes; I will beat the both of you, I will advance, and eventually I will become the SCW World Champion, while the two of you will continue to do what you do best…” she chuckles lightly
“...cry, bitch, and moan.”
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