09-18-2020, 11:54 AM
Early in the morning, Annnabelle Burchard wakes up in her own Queen size bed.
Rolling over to her left is the man she trusts with her career, Benjamin Flynn.
He is still sound asleep. Not wishing to disturb him she rolls out of bed. Puts her feet into her slippers, grabs her white robe and walks out the bedroom.
Her first stop is the kitchen. She opens the cabinet door, reaches for a Maxwell House K Cup. Grabbing a coffee cup while she is at it, she walks over to the Keurig machine.
Placing the coffee cup to fetch the coffee, she watches as the coffee flows into the coffee up.
With her big cup of coffee in hand she walks over to the kitchen table. Sitting down, she opens the canister of sugar. Pours enough sugar in the coffee cup to sweeten the coffee to her liking. Reaches for a plastic spoon on the table to completely dissolve the sugar to give herself a much needed caffeine hit for the day. Taking a good chug from the coffee cup, several thoughts bounce around inside Annabelle’s conflicted head.
Before Annabelle can dwell on any of them, she hears the unmistakable sound of her doorbell ringing. Hm, she thought, she wasn’t expecting anyone to show up at all.
It would be rude to ignore whoever decided to pay her a visit. Annabelle rose to her feet. She gingerly walked the distance between the kitchen and the front door.
Opening the door she was stunned at the sight of a familiar/unfamiliar redhead.
The woman tilts her head to the side glaring at the neck of Annabelle.
In response, Annabelle instinctively covered up her neck to hide the bruise.
The redhead finally spoke. “He wasn’t too rough; was he?”
Annabelle quickly responded. “Um... it’s not what it looks like.”
“Sweetie, of course that bruise is exactly what it looks like. Not to the uninitiated. For us? We know that is the only way Benji can get it up. I suggested Blue Chew once. Said it ruins the fun.” the redhead shrugs.
Annabelle wasn’t naive. Based on everything Benjamin had told her about his sexual sadism, him choking other women out wasn’t too far of a stretch. She didn’t anticipate a woman from his past would show up at her doorstep. Did he call her while she was sleeping? What is the meaning of this? The more silence passed between Annabelle and the redhead, finally, it clicked in her head who the woman was standing in front of her. “Abigail?” she asked for clarification.
Abigail Lindsay presented her hand to Annabelle. “The one and only.”
Annabelle, not wanting to be rude, shook the hand of Abigail Lindsay. “How can I help you?” she said in befuddlement she is actually meeting this woman.
Abigail walked straight into Annabelle’s home without a formal invitation. Annabelle closed the door behind her. She followed Abigail as Benjamin’s friend walked into the living room, then into the kitchen. The redhead sat in the same seat that Annabelle was sitting in. Noticed the cup of coffee. Without permission Abigail takes a sip.
Annabelle rolled her eyes. Was she always this intrusive she thought to herself.
“Try Majestic Blend. Highly recommended.” Abigail shoots a smile Annabelle’s way.
Annabelle pulls out a chair. She takes a seat at the kitchen table. “I would prefer Abigail if you didn’t drink out of my cup!!”
“Don’t worry, I’m not a carrier. Took my temperature this morning. 97.2 No coughing. I washed my hands. I won’t get you sick.”
“Appreciate it...” Annabelle friendly smiles. “I can go wake up Ben--”
Abigail shaking her head stops Annabelle from completing her thought. She rises to her feet. Grabs the cup of coffee. Walks over to Annabelle presenting her with the cup of coffee. Then takes a seat right next to her. Crossing her legs, Abigail says, “Nah, let him get his beauty sleep. Give us girls time to keep in touch base with each other.”
Annabelle grabs a napkin. She wipes the part of the cup that Abigail had taken a sip from. Drinking more of her coffee, she puts the cup back down. Tilting her head to the side she says, “I’m somewhat aware of who you are. Doubt WE are going to be the best of friends.”
“Why not?” Abigail giggles. “We are already Eskimo sisters.”
Abigail holds her hand up with the expectation that Annabelle would give her a high five for sleeping with the same guy.
Annabelle grits her teeth. “Not a chance.”
Abigail sighs. “Oh come on! Don’t be a poopyhead.”
Annabelle blinks. “Poopyhead?”
“Party pooper is taken. Hm. Poopyhead MIGHT be taken too. Oh well, work with me here.”
Annabelle crosses her arms into her chest. “Out of respect for Benjamin, I’ll play nice. But first, you need to tell me why you’re here.”
Excited to get down to business, Abigail rubs her hands.
Just as she is about to delve into the crux of why she randomly stopped by, her eyes light up. Picking up on this, Annabelle looks over her shoulder. Benjamin Flynn has officially risen from his slumber.
He walks over to the table. He nods at Abigail. She gives him a sly smirk in return.
Benjamin bends down to kiss Annabelle on the forehead. Then he takes a seat at the table so he is sitting across from Abigail but next to Annabelle.
“This is almost like a dream come true.” Benjamin remarks.
Annabelle looks over at Ben. With a raised eyebrow she says, “Really?”
Benjamin nods. “My two favorite girls of all time in the same room. What’s not to like?”
Abigail tilts her head to the side. “Is Lexi Gold number three on your list?”
The red head’s remark makes Benjamin snarl under his breath. His reaction isn’t lost on Annabelle who quickly asks. “Who is Lexi?”
“Irrelevant.” Benjamin quickly tries to dismiss Annabelle’s inquiry.
“Judging by your re--” Abigail continues to press.
Benjamin slams the table, cutting Abigail off so she doesn’t press anymore. “ENOUGH!”
Regaining his composure he keeps his eyes on Abigail. “What brings you by my sweet?”
Abigail’s eyes dart over to Annabelle, then back at Benjamin. “Are you two a couple?”
Benjamin narrows his eyes, glaring at Abigail. “Seriously, you came all this way to check on my relationship status?”
“In fairness you don’t have a Facebook to update your relationship status. When is the last time you updated your Twitter profile?” Abigail said with a sly smile.
Annabelle rises to her feet. She folds her arms into her chest. “Get out of my home!”
Abigail pouts. She places her hand over her heart. “I get it, you want to get back to sexy time? How rude of me.”
Annabelle glares at Ben. She points to Abigail. “Is she always like this, Ben?”
Ben nods. “Afraid so. Don’t let her get to you.”
Annabelle shots back. “Easy for you to say.”
Abigail cuts there conversation short by saying “Yohoo, right here.” Benjamin and Annabelle direct their attention to a smiling Abigail who waves cheerfully at both of them.
“Out of respect for Benji, I’ll spare the theatrics and get to the point. Curiosity brought me to your doorstep Ms. Burchard. That man--” she points to Ben “-parically made me who I was before I allowed other... influences to crowd my judgement. Women like Ravyn (Taylor), Cindy Todd, the eight thousand lovers I allowed to let me believe a life inspired by what those feeble people call luv was a great idea. What did love ever do for me?” Abigail hisses. Then she sighs. “Ben wouldn’t take an interest in you if it wasn’t for a reason. I came all this way to find out why. What makes you so special, Annabelle?”
“Jealous?” Benjamin says with a raised eyebrow.
Abigail shakes her head. “Hardly.”
Annabelle walks over to Abigail. “Sorry you wasted your time. Please leave.”
Abigail rises to her feet. She sticks her hands in her pockets. “Come on, Anna. Don’t be like that.”
Annabelle grabs on to Abigail’s wrist. She intensifies her gaze. “Don’t make me throw you out!”
“Awww, but you don’t even know lil ole me.” Abigail pouts.
“True.” Annabelle squeezes Abigail’s wrist. “But I am aware of your reputation. Chaos follows you everywhere you go. You bent the knee to Cindy years ago. Are a fan of her handiwork. You’ve burned more bridges than I can count. I can’t judge you, not entirely, I am not a saint. At least I am trying to do good. But you--” she squeezes Abigail’s wrist some more... “-- you are still on a path of destruction, aren’t you? Unless you came here to repent, I suggest you walk out of my home.”
Just as Annabelle finished with, she is met with Abigail’s forehead colliding into the bridge of her nose, releasing the grip Annabelle had on Abigail’s wrist. Annabelle goes to attack, to her surprise, is held back by Benjamin. She tries her darndest to pry herself free.
“Get off me!!” Annabelle screamed.
“Don’t give Abigail what she wants.” Benjamin demanded.
“You have a fiesty one, Benji.” Abigail says, blowing a kiss in Benjamin’s direction. She returns her attention to Annabelle. “Get a grip, Anna. All this self righteousness isn’t befitting of a woman of your talents. Always interesting the story people tell themselves. As long as you have a just reason the violence you inflict upon innocent and guilty alike is for the greater good?” Abigail shakes her head. “Heard it all before. Putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t change the fact. The pig is still a pig. Convincing yourself your violence is God’s Will doesn’t color up the truth Ms. Burchard you love inflicting pain on the masses. Window dress it however you want to.”
Annabelle stops trying to break away from Ben’s clutches. She takes a deep breath.
“Are you good?” Benjamin asks Annabelle.
“Yes... peachy.” Annabelle assures him.
Reluctantly he lets Annabelle go. She doesn’t take her eyes off a stoic looking Abigail. With a sigh she walks back to the kitchen table. Annabelle takes a seat. “Are you hungry?”
Abigail returns to her seat refusing to pry her cold eyes away from Annabelle. “No thanks. Ate on the way here.”
“Offer still stands.” Annabelle insists.
Abigail smiles. “Thanks for being a gracious host.”
“Any friend of Benjamin’s is a friend of mine...” Annabelle forces herself to say.
Abigail reaches for Annabelle’s cup of coffee. This time, Annabelle grabs her wrist again. She takes her head. Abigail giggles at this sign of aggression. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
Annabelle lets Abigail’s wrist go. She grabs her cup of coffee. Taking a sip, she tells the sociopathic redhead. “Life is easier that way.”
“Amen.” Abigail nods.
As Annabelle and Abigail continued to lock eyes, they didn’t notice that Benjamin Flynn had retaken his seat at the table.
He chimes in. “Nice to see my girls coming to an understanding.”
Annabelle says without looking at him. “You are not getting a threesome, Ben.”
Benjamin chuckles. “I wouldn’t dream of it, that fantasy does nothing for me. But you know what would.”
Annabelle breaks eye contact with Abigail to look at Benjamin. She has been around him long enough to know when his face lights up, he has an interesting idea brewing in his mind. “What if--” he starts “-- the three of us join forces. Imagine what we could accomplish?”
“No!” Annabelle is quick to shoot the idea down. “I don’t trust her.”
“What if I earn your trust?” Abigail immediately asks.
“Doubt it.” Annabelle rises to her feet. She sighs. “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
She turns around to walk to the bathroom. Once inside she looks at herself in the mirror. Back when she approached Benjamin about being her companion on her wrestling journey she knew he came with baggage. Never in a million years did she expect that she would ever meet the first woman Benjamin had taken under his wing, it was tough to overlook Abigail’s reputation, she is the classic sinner that she would look forward to putting down. For reasons unbeknownst to her, the bond between Abigail and Benjamin is self evident. She mentally talked herself into not striking down Abigail right then and there, she needs Benjamin. He is the only person she can rely on. Sadly. Should Abigail cross a line she can’t overlook then all bets could be off.
==
The scene opens inside of a Christian Church. Annabelle Burchard, without her trademark face paint, is down on both knees in front of a statue of a crucified Jesus. Her hands are cupped in prayer formation. She looks up at the Son of God.
“Jesus... I think I understand now why you said ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”
Annabelle takes a long drawn out pause. Sighing, she pushes forward.
“I didn’t want to believe Ben. He kept telling me the Emerge fans would cast me aside when I overcame Melissa Killgraves. Didn’t I do enough to curry favor? Should fending off a woman who willingly submitted her Will to a false idol earn me their respect? Isn’t that what the likes of Thomas Wasley and Jennifer Helms have done for nearly a year, fight the battle most of the roster was too afraid to? I should have listened. Ben was right. The minute I walked out on stage to address The Chuck, those same fans who were on my side three weeks prior showered me with disdain.
Annabelle shakes her head. “The Chuck is a nice guy. A funny guy. In another lifetime me and The Chuck could possibly be friends. Did The Emerge fan base need to choose a side? Could they have simply embraced both of us with open arms? Am I not pure enough for them? Did they remember whose daughter I am? I can’t with one hundred percent certainty answer why I was not respected for the woman I am. But I do know one thing, without the face paint against The Chuck they boo’ed me months ago. That was the day Melissa Killgraves made me an offer, in hindsight, maybe I should have taken.”
Annabelle smirks. “I did say maybe.”
“I don’t know their reasoning but I forgive them. Forgiven them, for they do not know what they are doing Humanity's ignorance is nothing new. There are numerous men and women in professional wrestling going through the motions, living their quote unquote best life. Driven with the blinders on so tight they don’t realize they are on the road to their own personal self destruction. Their fans are along for the ride. Supporting them. Leading them astray. Stringing them along a primrose path they are unaware will lead them to ruin.”
“Has The Chuck committed a sin worthy of our Father’s wrath? No. However, the fans of The Chuck are guilty for not knowing any better. In their acceptance of The Chuck, they demonized me.” Annabelle screams, I don’t deserve to be demonized. For everything I put my body through against Melissa, I didn’t deserve that reaction.”
Annabelle takes a deep breath to calm herself down. “The Chuck’s charm blinded them all to the real truth of what is about to happen. For that, and that alone, I am going to sacrifice The Chuck for the sins of the people. His blood, his pain, his agony will redeem the fandom that cast me aside. They are unaware they need to atone for their transgressions against me.” Annabelle rises to her feet. She clutches the cross she is wearing around her neck. “Thank you for showing me the way. Forgive me for what I am about to do. A-men.”
Annabelle bows in reference. She turns her back. Walks down the aisle as the scene fades to black.
Rolling over to her left is the man she trusts with her career, Benjamin Flynn.
He is still sound asleep. Not wishing to disturb him she rolls out of bed. Puts her feet into her slippers, grabs her white robe and walks out the bedroom.
Her first stop is the kitchen. She opens the cabinet door, reaches for a Maxwell House K Cup. Grabbing a coffee cup while she is at it, she walks over to the Keurig machine.
Placing the coffee cup to fetch the coffee, she watches as the coffee flows into the coffee up.
With her big cup of coffee in hand she walks over to the kitchen table. Sitting down, she opens the canister of sugar. Pours enough sugar in the coffee cup to sweeten the coffee to her liking. Reaches for a plastic spoon on the table to completely dissolve the sugar to give herself a much needed caffeine hit for the day. Taking a good chug from the coffee cup, several thoughts bounce around inside Annabelle’s conflicted head.
Before Annabelle can dwell on any of them, she hears the unmistakable sound of her doorbell ringing. Hm, she thought, she wasn’t expecting anyone to show up at all.
It would be rude to ignore whoever decided to pay her a visit. Annabelle rose to her feet. She gingerly walked the distance between the kitchen and the front door.
Opening the door she was stunned at the sight of a familiar/unfamiliar redhead.
The woman tilts her head to the side glaring at the neck of Annabelle.
In response, Annabelle instinctively covered up her neck to hide the bruise.
The redhead finally spoke. “He wasn’t too rough; was he?”
Annabelle quickly responded. “Um... it’s not what it looks like.”
“Sweetie, of course that bruise is exactly what it looks like. Not to the uninitiated. For us? We know that is the only way Benji can get it up. I suggested Blue Chew once. Said it ruins the fun.” the redhead shrugs.
Annabelle wasn’t naive. Based on everything Benjamin had told her about his sexual sadism, him choking other women out wasn’t too far of a stretch. She didn’t anticipate a woman from his past would show up at her doorstep. Did he call her while she was sleeping? What is the meaning of this? The more silence passed between Annabelle and the redhead, finally, it clicked in her head who the woman was standing in front of her. “Abigail?” she asked for clarification.
Abigail Lindsay presented her hand to Annabelle. “The one and only.”
Annabelle, not wanting to be rude, shook the hand of Abigail Lindsay. “How can I help you?” she said in befuddlement she is actually meeting this woman.
Abigail walked straight into Annabelle’s home without a formal invitation. Annabelle closed the door behind her. She followed Abigail as Benjamin’s friend walked into the living room, then into the kitchen. The redhead sat in the same seat that Annabelle was sitting in. Noticed the cup of coffee. Without permission Abigail takes a sip.
Annabelle rolled her eyes. Was she always this intrusive she thought to herself.
“Try Majestic Blend. Highly recommended.” Abigail shoots a smile Annabelle’s way.
Annabelle pulls out a chair. She takes a seat at the kitchen table. “I would prefer Abigail if you didn’t drink out of my cup!!”
“Don’t worry, I’m not a carrier. Took my temperature this morning. 97.2 No coughing. I washed my hands. I won’t get you sick.”
“Appreciate it...” Annabelle friendly smiles. “I can go wake up Ben--”
Abigail shaking her head stops Annabelle from completing her thought. She rises to her feet. Grabs the cup of coffee. Walks over to Annabelle presenting her with the cup of coffee. Then takes a seat right next to her. Crossing her legs, Abigail says, “Nah, let him get his beauty sleep. Give us girls time to keep in touch base with each other.”
Annabelle grabs a napkin. She wipes the part of the cup that Abigail had taken a sip from. Drinking more of her coffee, she puts the cup back down. Tilting her head to the side she says, “I’m somewhat aware of who you are. Doubt WE are going to be the best of friends.”
“Why not?” Abigail giggles. “We are already Eskimo sisters.”
Abigail holds her hand up with the expectation that Annabelle would give her a high five for sleeping with the same guy.
Annabelle grits her teeth. “Not a chance.”
Abigail sighs. “Oh come on! Don’t be a poopyhead.”
Annabelle blinks. “Poopyhead?”
“Party pooper is taken. Hm. Poopyhead MIGHT be taken too. Oh well, work with me here.”
Annabelle crosses her arms into her chest. “Out of respect for Benjamin, I’ll play nice. But first, you need to tell me why you’re here.”
Excited to get down to business, Abigail rubs her hands.
Just as she is about to delve into the crux of why she randomly stopped by, her eyes light up. Picking up on this, Annabelle looks over her shoulder. Benjamin Flynn has officially risen from his slumber.
He walks over to the table. He nods at Abigail. She gives him a sly smirk in return.
Benjamin bends down to kiss Annabelle on the forehead. Then he takes a seat at the table so he is sitting across from Abigail but next to Annabelle.
“This is almost like a dream come true.” Benjamin remarks.
Annabelle looks over at Ben. With a raised eyebrow she says, “Really?”
Benjamin nods. “My two favorite girls of all time in the same room. What’s not to like?”
Abigail tilts her head to the side. “Is Lexi Gold number three on your list?”
The red head’s remark makes Benjamin snarl under his breath. His reaction isn’t lost on Annabelle who quickly asks. “Who is Lexi?”
“Irrelevant.” Benjamin quickly tries to dismiss Annabelle’s inquiry.
“Judging by your re--” Abigail continues to press.
Benjamin slams the table, cutting Abigail off so she doesn’t press anymore. “ENOUGH!”
Regaining his composure he keeps his eyes on Abigail. “What brings you by my sweet?”
Abigail’s eyes dart over to Annabelle, then back at Benjamin. “Are you two a couple?”
Benjamin narrows his eyes, glaring at Abigail. “Seriously, you came all this way to check on my relationship status?”
“In fairness you don’t have a Facebook to update your relationship status. When is the last time you updated your Twitter profile?” Abigail said with a sly smile.
Annabelle rises to her feet. She folds her arms into her chest. “Get out of my home!”
Abigail pouts. She places her hand over her heart. “I get it, you want to get back to sexy time? How rude of me.”
Annabelle glares at Ben. She points to Abigail. “Is she always like this, Ben?”
Ben nods. “Afraid so. Don’t let her get to you.”
Annabelle shots back. “Easy for you to say.”
Abigail cuts there conversation short by saying “Yohoo, right here.” Benjamin and Annabelle direct their attention to a smiling Abigail who waves cheerfully at both of them.
“Out of respect for Benji, I’ll spare the theatrics and get to the point. Curiosity brought me to your doorstep Ms. Burchard. That man--” she points to Ben “-parically made me who I was before I allowed other... influences to crowd my judgement. Women like Ravyn (Taylor), Cindy Todd, the eight thousand lovers I allowed to let me believe a life inspired by what those feeble people call luv was a great idea. What did love ever do for me?” Abigail hisses. Then she sighs. “Ben wouldn’t take an interest in you if it wasn’t for a reason. I came all this way to find out why. What makes you so special, Annabelle?”
“Jealous?” Benjamin says with a raised eyebrow.
Abigail shakes her head. “Hardly.”
Annabelle walks over to Abigail. “Sorry you wasted your time. Please leave.”
Abigail rises to her feet. She sticks her hands in her pockets. “Come on, Anna. Don’t be like that.”
Annabelle grabs on to Abigail’s wrist. She intensifies her gaze. “Don’t make me throw you out!”
“Awww, but you don’t even know lil ole me.” Abigail pouts.
“True.” Annabelle squeezes Abigail’s wrist. “But I am aware of your reputation. Chaos follows you everywhere you go. You bent the knee to Cindy years ago. Are a fan of her handiwork. You’ve burned more bridges than I can count. I can’t judge you, not entirely, I am not a saint. At least I am trying to do good. But you--” she squeezes Abigail’s wrist some more... “-- you are still on a path of destruction, aren’t you? Unless you came here to repent, I suggest you walk out of my home.”
Just as Annabelle finished with, she is met with Abigail’s forehead colliding into the bridge of her nose, releasing the grip Annabelle had on Abigail’s wrist. Annabelle goes to attack, to her surprise, is held back by Benjamin. She tries her darndest to pry herself free.
“Get off me!!” Annabelle screamed.
“Don’t give Abigail what she wants.” Benjamin demanded.
“You have a fiesty one, Benji.” Abigail says, blowing a kiss in Benjamin’s direction. She returns her attention to Annabelle. “Get a grip, Anna. All this self righteousness isn’t befitting of a woman of your talents. Always interesting the story people tell themselves. As long as you have a just reason the violence you inflict upon innocent and guilty alike is for the greater good?” Abigail shakes her head. “Heard it all before. Putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t change the fact. The pig is still a pig. Convincing yourself your violence is God’s Will doesn’t color up the truth Ms. Burchard you love inflicting pain on the masses. Window dress it however you want to.”
Annabelle stops trying to break away from Ben’s clutches. She takes a deep breath.
“Are you good?” Benjamin asks Annabelle.
“Yes... peachy.” Annabelle assures him.
Reluctantly he lets Annabelle go. She doesn’t take her eyes off a stoic looking Abigail. With a sigh she walks back to the kitchen table. Annabelle takes a seat. “Are you hungry?”
Abigail returns to her seat refusing to pry her cold eyes away from Annabelle. “No thanks. Ate on the way here.”
“Offer still stands.” Annabelle insists.
Abigail smiles. “Thanks for being a gracious host.”
“Any friend of Benjamin’s is a friend of mine...” Annabelle forces herself to say.
Abigail reaches for Annabelle’s cup of coffee. This time, Annabelle grabs her wrist again. She takes her head. Abigail giggles at this sign of aggression. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
Annabelle lets Abigail’s wrist go. She grabs her cup of coffee. Taking a sip, she tells the sociopathic redhead. “Life is easier that way.”
“Amen.” Abigail nods.
As Annabelle and Abigail continued to lock eyes, they didn’t notice that Benjamin Flynn had retaken his seat at the table.
He chimes in. “Nice to see my girls coming to an understanding.”
Annabelle says without looking at him. “You are not getting a threesome, Ben.”
Benjamin chuckles. “I wouldn’t dream of it, that fantasy does nothing for me. But you know what would.”
Annabelle breaks eye contact with Abigail to look at Benjamin. She has been around him long enough to know when his face lights up, he has an interesting idea brewing in his mind. “What if--” he starts “-- the three of us join forces. Imagine what we could accomplish?”
“No!” Annabelle is quick to shoot the idea down. “I don’t trust her.”
“What if I earn your trust?” Abigail immediately asks.
“Doubt it.” Annabelle rises to her feet. She sighs. “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
She turns around to walk to the bathroom. Once inside she looks at herself in the mirror. Back when she approached Benjamin about being her companion on her wrestling journey she knew he came with baggage. Never in a million years did she expect that she would ever meet the first woman Benjamin had taken under his wing, it was tough to overlook Abigail’s reputation, she is the classic sinner that she would look forward to putting down. For reasons unbeknownst to her, the bond between Abigail and Benjamin is self evident. She mentally talked herself into not striking down Abigail right then and there, she needs Benjamin. He is the only person she can rely on. Sadly. Should Abigail cross a line she can’t overlook then all bets could be off.
==
<PROMO TIME: >
The scene opens inside of a Christian Church. Annabelle Burchard, without her trademark face paint, is down on both knees in front of a statue of a crucified Jesus. Her hands are cupped in prayer formation. She looks up at the Son of God.
“Jesus... I think I understand now why you said ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”
Annabelle takes a long drawn out pause. Sighing, she pushes forward.
“I didn’t want to believe Ben. He kept telling me the Emerge fans would cast me aside when I overcame Melissa Killgraves. Didn’t I do enough to curry favor? Should fending off a woman who willingly submitted her Will to a false idol earn me their respect? Isn’t that what the likes of Thomas Wasley and Jennifer Helms have done for nearly a year, fight the battle most of the roster was too afraid to? I should have listened. Ben was right. The minute I walked out on stage to address The Chuck, those same fans who were on my side three weeks prior showered me with disdain.
Annabelle shakes her head. “The Chuck is a nice guy. A funny guy. In another lifetime me and The Chuck could possibly be friends. Did The Emerge fan base need to choose a side? Could they have simply embraced both of us with open arms? Am I not pure enough for them? Did they remember whose daughter I am? I can’t with one hundred percent certainty answer why I was not respected for the woman I am. But I do know one thing, without the face paint against The Chuck they boo’ed me months ago. That was the day Melissa Killgraves made me an offer, in hindsight, maybe I should have taken.”
Annabelle smirks. “I did say maybe.”
“I don’t know their reasoning but I forgive them. Forgiven them, for they do not know what they are doing Humanity's ignorance is nothing new. There are numerous men and women in professional wrestling going through the motions, living their quote unquote best life. Driven with the blinders on so tight they don’t realize they are on the road to their own personal self destruction. Their fans are along for the ride. Supporting them. Leading them astray. Stringing them along a primrose path they are unaware will lead them to ruin.”
“Has The Chuck committed a sin worthy of our Father’s wrath? No. However, the fans of The Chuck are guilty for not knowing any better. In their acceptance of The Chuck, they demonized me.” Annabelle screams, I don’t deserve to be demonized. For everything I put my body through against Melissa, I didn’t deserve that reaction.”
Annabelle takes a deep breath to calm herself down. “The Chuck’s charm blinded them all to the real truth of what is about to happen. For that, and that alone, I am going to sacrifice The Chuck for the sins of the people. His blood, his pain, his agony will redeem the fandom that cast me aside. They are unaware they need to atone for their transgressions against me.” Annabelle rises to her feet. She clutches the cross she is wearing around her neck. “Thank you for showing me the way. Forgive me for what I am about to do. A-men.”
Annabelle bows in reference. She turns her back. Walks down the aisle as the scene fades to black.
![[Image: 2jFhclH.png]](https://i.imgur.com/2jFhclH.png)