(ON CAMERA)
‘It has been three months since I signed my contract with Ultimate Wrestling. In that time, much has happened. I did wind up signing a deal with Hitmoi Kitagawa to be my agent and help me navigate the financial side of things in the wrestling business. I’ve been in touch with Matt when he has had a moment while trying to develop a vaccine for this ridiculous pandemic. I shared with him my interaction the day I signed with Ultimate Wrestling. (SEE UPCOMING CD FOR MORE.) He informed me that he has a friend in the Bureau that can check with some of her sources in the NSA and CIA to see what she can learn for me. I also tried to examine the phone further for information. (SEE SAME CD.) What information I was able to lift from it, didn’t give me much to go on, but knowing it wasn’t the Yakuza is certainly reassuring, but Raven Umbra? I thought that organization had been shut down with the arrest of Harold Thomas. Not to mention his son, Dorian, liquidating any and all assets on the legitimate side of the organization. No doubt funding this Biofuel company he recently announced. I hope it’s profitable for him since he’s brothers with Matt by adoption...’
“Victoria!”
The sound of her name being called brings Victoria back to the present. She watches as Sosuke, her trainer, charges towards her with a clothesline. Victoria bends backwards, placing her hands on the mat as Sosuke runs by then flipping backwards as Sosuke rebounds back towards her. Before Sosuke has a moment to process, Victoria aims a well placed elbow to Sosuke’s head. Sosuke turns his head sideways to avoid Victoria’s elbow connecting with his cheek, knocking him down.
Hitmoi climbs up on the ring apron, looking at Victoria with annoyance.
“Victoria! Where is your head at?”
Victoria reaches down to Sosuke with a helping hand. Once she helps Sosuke up, Victoria bows to Sosuke before he exits the ring. Victoria turns her attention to Hitomi, looking at her agent apologetically.
“Sorry about that, Hitomi, I just have a lot on my mind.”
Hitomi sighs as she climbs into the ring to join Victoria.
“Victoria, you must have a clear mind going into your first match.”
Victoria rolls her eyes with an exasperated sigh.
“Hai, Hai, Hitomi. I haven’t been training so intensely these last few months to look like a clown in my debut match. I’ve just been thinking about the day we first met.”
Hitomi looks at Victoria with confusion, trying to recall what about that day could have Victoria distracted. After a moment, the realization dawns on Hitomi.
“Ah, you are referring to...”
Before Hitomi has the opportunity to finish her statement, Victoria places a finger to her own lips before walking over to the Go Pro hanging on the top turnbuckle that has been recording Victoria’s training session. Victoria switches the camera off.
(OFF CAMERA)
Victoria shakes her head before turninf back to Hitomi.
“Sorry about that, but I would hate for what you were about to say be documented, and potentially give away what I know about those that attacked me.”
Hitomi nods her head slowly, processing the faux pas she almost committed.
“Ah, I am sorry about that, Victoria. I forgot about the camera recording.”
Victoria chuckles.
“An easy mistake, but one that could be potentially costly. Have you been able to reach out to anyone that may know of anything?”
Hitomi nods.
“Yes, however, if I am to setup a meeting for you, Victoria; I will need you to follow my instructions. This isn’t only for your well-being, but mine as well. Any breach of edicate on your part will reflect poorly on myself, Victoria. I have spent the last four years cultivating this relationship and I will not have it destroyed by a... a... a Calamity Jane.”
Victoria bursts out into laughter upon hearing Hitomi refer to her as such.
“Listen, Hitomi. I’m sure Hollywood has depicted American law enforcement and Private Investigators as loose cannons, but I assure you, I don’t go all ‘Calamity Jane’ as you put it, unless I absolutely have to. If things can be handled in a civil manner, I am all for that. It’s far fewer injuries to myself in the long run.”
Hitomi examines Victoria’s face for any falacy, but determines her client is teeling the truth.
“Very well. I will establish this meeting for you. In so doing, you will need to do two things, Victoria.”
Victoria quirks an eyebrow, curious to see what conditions are about to be laid our for her.
“Which are?”
Hitomi holds out her thumb.
“First thing you will need to do is dress appropriately.”
Victoria wrinkles her nose up and gives Hitomi the stink-eye.
“I beg your pardon?”
Hitomi smirks.
“You will need to wear an evening gown, jewelry, makeup, nice shoes, and your hair styled to match.”
Victoria laughs.
“Okay... Why?”
“The venue at which you will be going to demands it, plus your contact enjoys the company of elegantly dressed foreign women.”
Victoria’s eyes narrow upon hearing this.
“By ‘enjoy,’ I certainly hope you mean laughs and drinks, not anything sexual, because...”
Hitomi quickly shakes her head and bows apologetically to Victoria before she speaks.
“Oh! Nothing like that, Victoria. It is as you say, drinks and laughs, but... not saying you have to do the... OTHER thing, if you two hit it off...”
Victoria’s eyes narrow to the furthest extent possible, informing Hitomi to move on.
“A-Anyway, the other thing you must do is ask no questions on your way to and from the venue. This will be seen as you being untrustworthy.”
Victoria relaxes her eyes to a more normal state as she shrugs her shoulders in understanding.
“THAT makes more sense to me than the former. I won’t ask anything more than I require once I am at the meeting.”
Hitomi smiles, pleased upon hearing Victoria’s comprehension of the requirements for the meeting.
“Excellent. I will go and make the arrangements. While I do, perhaps you can record something in regards to your match in order to raise your profile as well as the matches as well.”
Victoria looks back to the Go Pro and then back at Hitomi.
“Makes sense. Kinda need to get my name out there, right? All right. Let me know when you are done so we can...”
Victoria groans.
“Go buy me a dress and ‘doll’ me up.”
Hitomi giggles at Victoria’s statement with a nod.
“Very good. I will leave you to it.”
Hitomi climbs out of the ring and walks towards the locker room area. As Hitomi exits the ring, Victoria walks back towards the Go Pro and turns it back on.
(ON CAMERA)
Victoria waves her hands at the camera.
“Hello? This thing on? Sure looks like it, so here goes nothing.”
Victoria takes a step back from the camera to fully capture her whole body.
“Yeah... So... I’m kinda new at this, so forgive me if it takes a little time to get the minutia of cutting these promos. I remember watching some old ones my big sis laid down a decade ago. That shit was scathing. I mean, burn unit scathing for the fire she laid down on her opponents.”
Victoria realizes she is rambling and quickly clears her throat.
“Anyway... I’m Victoria Paulson, Private Investigator by trade, wrestler out of necessity due to the circumstances we in the world currently find ourselves in. I’ve had SOME training prior to the last few months thanks to my mentor Matt Thomas. He used to go by Lionheart when he wrestled and felt some of the moves would be useful in my line of work, but...”
Victoria looks away from the camera awkwardly before continuing.
“Right... So, it’s safe to say that I am pretty green in the ring itself, but don’t worry, I’ll definitely be sure to keep up. It seems my first match is going to be against a couple of wicked awesome women that have definitely made their impact in Ultimate Wrestling. If I hadn’t already been shot at, threatened, stabbed, and almost drowned in my life, I would be nervous about facing them. The only thing that has me nervous is not looking like a complete tool in the ring, but like I said, I’ve been training wicked hard to not make that a reality.”
Victoria sits down in the ring with her legs crisscrossed.
“My agent, Hitomi Kitagawa, felt this would be useful to hype myself and this match. I’m sure with more practice, this sort of thing will feel ‘normal.’ Until then, forgive my awkward ass as I stumble through.”
Victoria chuckles lightly.
“So, how do I measure up against my opponents? That Elizabeth chick is like wicked strong. I mean, that’s impressive. I’m sure the thought is: ‘Well, Vicki, how do you even deal with that?’ To be honest, Elizabeth isn’t going to be the first person waaaaaay stronger than me and she isn’t going to be the last. The only thing I am worried about is IF she gets her hands on me, how am I going to get out of her grasp. I’m going to have to figure out how to do that without the use of whatever I can get my hands on, fortunately, my training has been helping me do that. Once I am able to take her off her feet, then my path to victory is by making her pound that mat in submission.”
Victoria looks like she just recalls something before she continues.
“Oh! Yeah, that’s kinda my thing, right? My whole specialty is submission wrestling, technical skills and all that. I mean...”
Victoria holds her left arm up and flexes. Her arm definitely shows tone, but not a lot of muscle mass.
“...I’m not exactly built for power moves, but I will definitely get you off your feet with my speed and skills. Anyway, Lizzie, well, I’m going to keep calling her that because I really don’t care, but Lizzie shouldn’t be taking this match lightly, if she plans to. I’m scrappy, I’m used to being an underdog in a fight. It’s usually when I’m underestimated that I’m able to shine the brightest. I did get to watch her first match in Ultimate Wrestling. Damn impressive she was in her win. In a triple threat match even, just like this match now, so I think it’s safe to say, she’ll know what to do. As impressive as she was in winning, I was even more impressed by how she comported herself afterwards. Respect and honor for her opponents. Now, THAT I can get behind.”
Victoria beams reflecting back on Elizabeth’s post-match interview.
“She is definitely my kind of woman for sure. Total swoonage from me. Her giving off those muscle mommy vibes and...”
Victoria stops herself and begins to blush slightly, laughing nervously.
“W-Well, you know, she’s an awesome woman and competitor, right? Why wouldn’t anyone? So, it is definitely important to me to put my best foot forward and not look like a joke to her. I definitely want to earn her respect.”
Victoria scurries over to the camera to stare seriously into it.
“I am dead serious. I want that respect and I am desperate to earn it.”
Victoria moves back to where she had been sitting, sitting once more in the same fashion as before.
“Not desperate enough to cheat or anything because, you know, legit wrestling match. Not a fight for your life. Elizabeth, if you are watching this, um...sorry about the muscle mommy part, you can forget that, BUT I respect you as a competitor, so if you get anything out of this, just know I am going to come at you with everything I have to win, just like I know you are going to come at me hard.”
Victoria paused for a moment before she facepalms.
“Wait that last part sounded a little wrong. Um, yeah, good luck and may the best woman win.”
Victoria buries her face into her hands momentarily as she releases an exasperated moan. After a few moments, Victoria is able to look into the camera once more.
“SOOO, then there is Riko Matsumoto. I didn’t catch her first match in Ultimate Wrestling, but I did see her compete in that tag tournament. That chick is a total firecracker, swear ta God. Like, I don’t know if she knows how to keep still, but she was definitely scrappy in that match. I totally loved it. I can definitely see the two of us putting on quite a show. Well, Riko more than myself, but still, I’ll be doing my best to keep up with her.”
Victoria rolls up to her feet and begins to run the ropes.
“I can see it now! Bouncing from the ropes, ducking each other’s attacks...”
Victoria does a back flip before she continues to run.
“Acrobatics and speed. Only the fastest and most skilled comes out on top. That’s definitely how it’s going to go. Another competitor that I’ll need to keep off her feet in order to take advantage to apply some holds in hopes of getting Riko to submit. Oh...”
Victoria brings herself to a stop as she begins to contemplate a thought.
“...STREETWISE... Huh... That probably means brawling, right? Mad respect to that no doubt, but... I’m more of the improvisational sort when it comes to street fighting and brawling. Grab the closest object and start swinging or throwing. Again... not going to help me much here...”
Victoria hangs her shoulders slightly before taking a seat once more.
“Well, whatever, like I said respect and all that, but I will definitely let my technical skills see me through during those times. Countering however I can give whatever situation is thrown at me.”
Victoria exhales deeply with a shrug.
“It’ll be what it’ll be. The three of us will put on a hell of a show while throwing everything we have to try and walk away with that W. I already respect the both of you from what I’ve seen, but I know I will have to earn both of and at least one of your respects by the end of this match. Win or lose, I’m not going to give up. I can see why Big Sis and Matt did this for so long. Testing yourself against someone, pushing yourself to succeed, entertaining the masses, and the belts don’t look half bad either. These last few months of training have been grueling, but it has been rewarding to see the fruits of my labor. A lot of things have become second nature, but the true test will be at Friday Night Clash. Few are fortunate enough to win their debut match. Get ready to add Victoria Paulson to that list because she will not be denied.”
Victoria thinks for a moment and shrugs.
“Guess that’s all I have to say for now. Good luck to you, Elizabeth and Miko!”
Victoria gets up and moves to the camera, shutting it off.
(OFF CAMERA)
Just as Victoria finishes recording, Hitomi walks back into the gym. Victoria tosses Hitomi the camera.
“There you go. Get it out to wherever it is that you get it to. I just hope it isn’t crap.”
Hitomi looks at the camera and back up to Victoria with a smile.
“I am sure it will be fine. For now, however, let us get you cleaned up for shopping.”
With a groan, Victoria begins to walk towards the ropes.
“I hate getting tarted up for skeevy PI stuff...”
As Victoria hops down, Hitomi puts an arm around Victoria’s shoulders.
“Do not worry, Victoria. I will be there to make sure nothing untoward happens.”
Victoria glances over to Hitomi with a smile.
“Well, that does help a little, partner.”
Both women walk off toward the locker room for Victoria to shower.