Post by Seleana Zdunich on Feb 10, 2018 23:06:10 GMT -5
Los Angeles, California
Crystal Hilton Residence
2/9/18
Having arrived home from the doctor’s office twenty minutes previously, Seleana Zdunich walks over to her computer, cell phone in hand, knowing full well this isn’t going to go well. Her injured girlfriend, Crystal Hilton, had walked into that doctor’s office acting strangely and had even snapped at her once before going into the restroom to take her meds, which she had admittedly been neglecting to take recently. Crystal had exited that room a few minutes later with a new vigor and then proceeded to walk into the examination room fully expecting to hear that the doctor would clear her to return to action again for L.A.W. This was an important match, facing the Boardwalk Angels, Crystal’s own stablemates and reigning tag team champions, in the main event of LAW #77 in Tallahassee, Florida.
This was what Crystal had walked about wanting, both publicly and privately, for months. Crystal saw herself as not just another star, but THE Star. Seleana saw Crystal that too, to the point of nicknaming her “Stjärna,” the Swedish word for star. Given that Crystal knew literally no Swedish and tended to frown on Seleana’s usage of her native tongue, Seleana had converted this name to “Estrellita,” the diminutive Spanish form of the same word. Crystal had loved this…
But something was off lately and this doctor visit had crystallized this feeling within her. The doctor had come in and Crystal had started talking like it was a foregone conclusion that she would just strut through this visit, strut all the way to Tallahassee, strut into the ring and strut right on through Zoey and Farrah to main event victory and glory! There was seemingly no question that this was all predestined for her and all she had to do was smile, nod and accept her rightful place on the throne at the head of the shiniest firmament in the sky.
Then the doctor had said she needed two more weeks and the change in Crystal had been instantaneous.
Seleana Zdunich: Din jävla…
Seleana shakes her head. What had Crystal been thinking when she looked at that doctor and demanded he change his mind? What has Seleana been thinking just sitting there letting it happen?
Seleana Zdunich: Din jävla idiot!
Moving quickly to her computer, she fires up Skype and looks to find her middle sister and fellow wrestler, Zenna, only to find she’s not available. Scanning her list, she finds a housemate/bandmate of her sister, Alissa Lacroix on and dials her up. Alissa smiling yet confused face answer on the screen.
Alissa Lacroix: Sel?
Seleana nods to her, trying not to betray her feelings too openly, even to somebody who is basically family to her in Alissa.
Seleana Zdunich: Heya, Lis, how’s it?
Alissa shrugs, still visibly concerned and confused at the timing of this call.
Alissa Lacroix: Can’t complain, you?
Seleana nods, almost too quickly.
Seleana Zdunich: Looking for Z…
Alissa sits back in her chair and nods, obviously not convinced that this is an ordinary call.
Alissa Lacroix: She and Li went to Tally already.
Taken off-guard by the name given, Seleana just stares back, now adding confusion to the myriad of emotions flooding her system.
Seleana Zdunich: Tally?
Alissa can’t help but grin with amusement at Seleana’s ignorance.
Alissa Lacroix: Tallahassee, where y’all’s show is.
Suddenly feeling stupid, Seleana nods in acknowledgement.
Seleana Zdunich: Right, sorry.
Alissa tries to reassure her with a smile.
Alissa Lacroix: They figured they needed to start early ‘cause it was either drive six hours or fly into that little shitsplat of an airport there, OR fly into Jacksonville and drive three hours back down I-10. Tally’s a bitch to get to logistically.
Having never heard about this before, Seleana nods almost absently.
Seleana Zdunich: Sounds it…
A second goes by and something dawns on her that Alissa hadn’t mentioned in her description of the travel itinerary for Tallahassee from New Orleans.
Seleana Zdunich: So, you are not coming then?
Alissa shakes her head.
Alissa Lacroix: Kels and I had to stay here so we could take Maja to the airport. She was flyin’ back to London to be there when Hazel comes back from South Africa.
Seleana can’t help but smile at this. The thought of her cousin, Maja Lindström, being so happy she jets off to London all the time was enough to make momentarily forget all the thoughts the match with the Boardwalk Angels was forcing through her head.
Seleana Zdunich: It is good that Maja is happy then.
Alissa nods approvingly, visibly equally happy at this turn of events with Maja.
Alissa Lacroix: Yeah she is… but you sound like you tried and failed to do the Tennessee Waltz…
Seleana frowns in confusion again.
Seleana Zdunich: Tennessee Waltz? Is that not a song?
Giggling as well as nodding, Alissa rubs her hands together like she’s about to let Seleana in on a delicious bit of gossip or some long-held family secret.
Alissa Lacroix: Yeah, lots of people have recorded it. My Mama was particular to Miss Patsy Cline’s version but there are others.
This wasn’t quite what Seleana had been expecting.
Seleana Zdunich: Then…
Alissa nods quickly to try and dissipate the pressure.
Alissa Lacroix: It’s the name of the main street in Tallahassee by the University. It’s where all the bars are so when somebody would go on a pub crawl for their birthday, they were…
Seleana nods, a smile breaking across her face as comprehension dawns.
Seleana Zdunich: Doing the Tennessee Waltz.
Alissa nods as her own smile starts to fade, replaced with pure concern.
Alissa Lacroix: What’s goin’ on, Sel?
Caught off-guard again, Seleana shakes her head too quickly just as before.
Seleana Zdunich: Nothing… I…
She pauses, trying to regain her composure and her thoughts.
Seleana Zdunich: I just needed to talk to Shenzi is all.
Alissa just shoots her a look of pure skepticism as she crosses her arms to show it even more.
Alissa Lacroix: Sel, you’re talkin’ to an old professional bullshit artist here, I can spot a fellow one at work…
Almost shaking now, Seleana tries to brush it off even as she glances nervously behind to see if Crystal can see or hear her.
Seleana Zdunich: I…
She glances back behind her a second time and Alissa sits forward, worry now setting in harder.
Alissa Lacroix: What’s goin’ on, Sel?
Seleana looks back at Alissa and sighs heavily.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know what to do.
Alissa frowns deepens, along with her confusion.
Alissa Lacroix: About what?
Seleana tries to shrug it off again but can’t quite seem to do it.
Seleana Zdunich: My next match…
This only makes Alissa even more confused.
Alissa Lacroix: Ain’t it amongst friends?
Seleana nods
Seleana Zdunich: Yeah… it’s just…
Seleana's hands squeeze into fists as she shakes her head, everything seeming to crash in on her at once.
Seleana Zdunich: The whole situation is just…
She pounds her fists to her knees.
Seleana Zdunich: Jävla skit!
Alissa’s eyes go wide in shock at Seleana’s usage of profanity.
Alissa Lacroix: Whoa, Sel…
Suddenly realizing what she’s just said, Seleana sits back in her own chair, her eyes moistening almost to the point of tears.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m sorry, it’s just, here I am, it’s my second match and it would be bad enough if I were just jumping from…
Alissa nods slowly, trying to coax Seleana into being more forthcoming without actually demanding it.
Alissa Lacroix: Right, I get that part, but what’s the problem with Crystal, Farrah and Zoey? Aren’t they all really good friends?
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Yes…
Alissa shrugs exasperatedly.
Alissa Lacroix: Then what?
Seleana sighs heavily again.
Seleana Zdunich: Crystal’s tried to pick a fight with Farrah and blamed Mama Red for it. She’s been acting really weird. She’s been irritable, more arrogant than normal, she snapped at me in the doctor’s office today while trying to get cleared…
Alissa can’t believe her ears.
Alissa Lacroix: She snapped at you?
Seleana nods sadly.
Seleana Zdunich: I asked her if she’d taken her meds and she said no, went into the restroom and came out like she was ready to tackle King Kong, Godzilla and Mothra simultaneously all by herself. Then she all but bullied the doctor before strutting out like she owned the place.
Alissa’s mouth drops open.
Alissa Lacroix: That can’t be good… Hollywood and all…
Seleana shakes her head.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m terrified, Lis…
Alissa exhales forcefully and then nods.
Alissa Lacroix: Just… keep an eye on her, Sel. It might not be what we’re both thinking. Could be something that’s a side effect of her concussion. Could be something else but at least you won’t be alone in Tallahassee. Z and Li will be there too and you know you can rely on Zoey and Farrah, even if Farrah is pissed at her right now. You might just need to let them have at it…
Seleana stares at her in shock.
Seleana Zdunich: It can’t come to that… can it?
Alissa shrugs.
Alissa Lacroix: You never know…
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Thanks, Lis.
Alissa nods as Seleana reaches for the button.
Alissa Lacroix: You be careful, Sel.
Seleana nods one last time.
Seleana Zdunich: I will.
Tallahassee, Florida
DoubleTree Hotel
2/10/18
As she steps into her Tallahassee hotel room, Seleana looks down at her phone, scanning Twitter to see how many more fires have been started in the interim. Crystal had been a on a rolle with people, going in on Farrah Cornett and twitter was not exploding dangerously. As she starts to sit down the bed, she notices her former sister-in-law, Eavan Maloney, making an offer. Nodding, she quickly sends a message.
Seleana Zdunich: I don't know what to do.
Eavan answers almost immediately.
Eavan Maloney: What happened exactly because this isn't the Crystal we knew before.
Seleana glances over at the door of the room and then back to her phone. She nods and answers.
Seleana Zdunich: I don't know what all is...
I...
We went to the doctor yesterday and she was acting weird before we got there. She even snapped at me like she's never done before...
Eavan’s answer comes back quickly.
Eavan Maloney: Is she on medication? Or god forbid as this looks familiar, is she being secretive and coming back different?
Seleana nods even though Eavan can’t see her do so.
Seleana Zdunich: Yes, she is... she went to take it in the restroom there actually and came out... like whatever she took wasn't what she took before.
Eavan’s answer comes back faster still.
Eavan Maloney: Are you at home right now?
Glancing at the door of the room again, Seleana takes in a deep breath and then turns back to her phone to answer.
Seleana Zdunich: No, I'm in Florida. The show's tomorrow night in Tallahassee. Zenna and Li are in the same hotel with us cause Zenna was here as back-up to offer to take her place if Crystal didn't get cleared by the doctor yesterday for the concussion that Maria woman gave her at the last show. We're supposed to main event with Zoey and Farrah.
The phone chimes back before Seleana can even look up.
Eavan Maloney: When she went into the restroom, was it there in the hotel?
Seleana quickly squeezes off her response.
Seleana Zdunich: No, it was in the doctor's waiting room.
This time, nearly a full minute goes by without an answer from Eavan. Seleana glances up at the door, almost afraid Crystal will walk in on her talking to somebody else about her. Finally, the answer comes.
Eavan Maloney: Hmm, that tells me she might be carrying it with her. Is her purse nearby? I just want to make sure shes not using something she shouldn't. Trust me, it’s bad news. And with Z and Li around?
Seleana sighs, half-relieved and yet half-worried that Eavan seems to agree with everyone else.
Seleana Zdunich: I talked to Lis when I got home yesterday and Z and Li when we got here and they all had the same thought, "Hollywood + Acting Weird = ?"
Again, time actually goes by between answers. Seleana glances to the door again and freezes as she hears somebody walking up to it. The person continues on just as her phone chimes again.
Eavan Maloney: Sweetie, your sister didn't see it before it was too late. Check her purse, anything suspicious, show Li and Z, they'll tell you what it is. I don't want you to end up like Katra and lose somebody you love to a bad habit.
She sighs as she takes this thought in. While it was true that Alissa, Linnéa and Zenna had all jumped to the same conclusion, there was something unsettling about Eavan getting there on top of the other three. All of them had experience with substance abuse, Eavan’s being the most recent and somehow this seemed to make it all the more real to Seleana.
Seleana Zdunich: Did you snap at Kattunge too?
This time the answers come fast and furious right on top of each other.
Eavan Maloney: Yeah I did.
Treated her really bad.
Made her believe everything was her fault, was angry she didn't see how much I was hurting. And now she's gone.
Seleana sits back, sighing at the thoughts put forward.
Seleana Zdunich: I'm sorry we did not help you, Eavan.
Eavan’s answers come quickly again.
Eavan Maloney: I hid it well at first, nobody knew. What bothers me now is that Katra feels she wasn't a good wife, and she really was.
This is why I'm wanting to help you. I don't need two of my favorite people hurt because of this.
Seleana nods and fires off a response.
Seleana Zdunich: And you think that's what's up with Crystal? That she's off the wagon with something? Probably worse than she supposedly was before? She's admitted she used to drink too much.
The answer comes just as she looks up to steal a glance at the door and the people walking by it again.
Eavan Maloney: I think it's likely, or shes drinking on her other meds which can cause wild complications.
She stares at her phone for a few minutes before finally answering this time.
Seleana Zdunich: What am I gonna do, Eavan? This is my second match and it's with Zoey and Mama Red! It's the main event...
Eavan takes little time to answer.
Eavan Maloney: Have Li watch her and have Zenna take her place. If she goes out there in that condition, who knows what can happen.
A quick glance to Twitter causes Seleana to frown with concern.
Seleana Zdunich: It's weird, she's being nice again now, like nothing happened.
She squeezes the phone as she looks up at the door, hoping against hope that Crystal is really as happy and apologetic as she sounds in her latest tweets. Suddenly, her phone chimes to bring her back to reality.
Eavan Maloney: Sweetie, I love you, but I don't want you risking it until you can get her back to her doctor. Then have him do a tox screen on her.
Seleana nods, closing her eyes for a second before firing off her response.
Seleana Zdunich: That's what I'm afraid of, they won't keep her out no matter what because the doctor gave her clearance.
Eavan wastes little time on this one.
Eavan Maloney: Any way you can have Z and Li at ringside?
Seleana nods again despite Eavan not being able to see the gesture.
Seleana Zdunich: They have tickets.
Her phone chimes right back.
Eavan Maloney: Then the only thing I can suggest is not tagging her in too much. I know she kinda mouthed out to Farrah I think it was, so she's going to get beat up bad.
Swallowing hard, Seleana nods as she composes a reply.
Seleana Zdunich: Yeah, they seem to want a piece of each other bad.
Again, Eavan wastes little time in answering.
Eavan Maloney: If she gets tagged in, she's in for a world of hurt. If you keep her out of the match, she could turn on you. What's most important to you?
Seleana fires back without hesitation.
Seleana Zdunich: Her wellbeing.
Eavan’s reply comes back a few seconds later.
Eavan Maloney: I understand that, but that's not what i'm asking. Are you willing to deal with whatever she throws at you if you don't tag her in, or do you place nurse after she gets beat up?
Seleana ponders for a second and then replies.
Seleana Zdunich: Assuming she doesn't charge in first, ja, but I'm not sure I can stop her from rushing in first, same way Zoey might not be able to slow down Mama Red.
Eavan goes quiet for what seems like years and Seleana glances at the door, the sound of footfalls in the hallway catching her ear again. The footsteps continue on down passed the door and just as she relaxes, her phone chimes.
Eavan Maloney: I have a very bad idea which may turn into a blessing. Let her and Farrah have it out, hopefully bad enough that Crystal ends up in hospital. She'd be on fluids which could flush her system out and hopefully get her off the habit.
Seleana can’t believe her eyes and can barely hit her answer.
Seleana Zdunich: I...
Eavan’s answer comes back quickly.
Eavan Maloney: Sel, I wouldn't wish harm on her normally but she needs more care than you can give her. My focus here is in you. Your a sister and a crush and i don't want to see you hurt. But this is the only chance she has of getting better before it's too late.
Seleana sighs sadly. This was definitely not the kind of thing she expected to be worrying about this quickly in her new career and definitely not in a match with so many close friends in it.
Seleana Zdunich: I don't wanna see either of them get hurt.
Her phone quickly chimes back.
Eavan Maloney: Somebody is going to get hurt either way, love, thats a given. This is the best option Sweetie. It's a difficult one but the best one. If you try to protect, you risk losing her.
Seleana can’t help but shake her head.
Seleana Zdunich: This doesn't sound good at all.
Eavan’s answer comes swiftly.
Eavan Maloney: It doesn't, I'll be perfectly honest with you. Protecting her will make her feel weak in your eyes, cause to become defensive, wondering you didn't trust her enough, and she could up and walk feeling disrespected, and that's what I'm trying to avoid.
Her phone chimes with a message from her sister and Seleana almost manages to smile.
Seleana Zdunich: Well, I gotta go meet up with them so... thanks, Eavan.
Eavan’s answer comes back with a smile emoji.
Eavan Maloney: If you need anything, sweetie, I'm always a call away. love you.
Tallahassee, Florida
Outside the DoubleTree Hotel
2/10/18
The camera opens upon Seleana standing on the sidewalk next to Monroe Street in downtown Tallahassee, finding her dressed in a pair of black jeans, a black Boardwalk Angels t-shirt and worn black tennis shoes that have seen better days. Her long blonde hair is allowed to drape her shoulders as she stares over her crossed arms at her feet.
Seleana Zdunich: I know I shouldn’t be here…
She takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out as the sounds of traffic going by can be heard from the busy street just behind the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Mama Red…
She nods, still having not looked up from her feet yet.
Seleana Zdunich: Sorry, Farrah, said it…
She nods again and then finally looks up into the lens.
Seleana Zdunich: And she was right.
Her arms finally move off her chest as she shrugs, her hands turning palms up as her arms stretch out on either side.
Seleana Zdunich: What can I say?
She nods and her arms drop to her sides.
Seleana Zdunich: This is my second match…
A pause brings a nod for punctuation on the point.
Seleana Zdunich: Ever…
Another shrug as she almost laughs in spite of herself.
Seleana Zdunich: Of course I shouldn’t be in this match. Who goes from being in the earliest preliminary match to the main event in their second match? Who gets to do that? Who gets that opportunity?
Shrugging guiltily, Seleana looks away for a second before almost glaring into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Apparently I do and everybody who say under their breath it’s because of who I’m sleeping with…
She can’t help but nod even though she clearly doesn’t really want to on this point.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja, you’re probably right. It probably is totally because I’m Crystal Hilton’s girlfriend that I get the opportunity to be showcased like this next to three champions in the main event of a show and you know what…
She spreads her arms out wide, palms up all over again.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m not going to apologize for it either.
Her arms drop as she shakes her head.
Seleana Zdunich: People wait for years for things to come their way and this just fell in my lap. Me teaming with my girlfriend against two women I consider family as well, Zoey Madigan-Star and her best friend, the woman who was almost my mother-in-law, Farrah Cornett. You’re damn right I was excited to be given this kind of opportunity and for a split second…
She shows the thumb and forefinger of her right hand held bare millimeters apart.
Seleana Zdunich: For just that long, I felt guilty to have leapfrogged everyone else on the roster who all deserve to be here more than I do but then I thought to myself, “Seleana, this is a gift. You get to try out being a team with the love of your life, who also happens to be a champion in good standing with this company and you get to do it against the best tag team on planet earth right now. The only way this would be better is if Zenna and Li were involved as well because then you’d have Crystal on one side, the best team right now on another and a team with your sister on it that’s never lost on the other. Shut up, stop kicking yourself for things you can’t control and are going to be said anyway and accept this gift from the wrestling gods.”
She nods yet again and raises her hands up, folding them together and resting them in front of her momentarily so she can nervously bite the first knuckle of her left hand.
Seleana Zdunich: That’s how I intended to handle this until I realized exactly how bad Crystal’s injury was. Maria Salvatore and her band of misfit toys made sure that this match was in danger of not happening up until yesterday when the doctor gave Crystal clearance to wrestle and whether he should have or not…
Her hands lower as she takes in a deep breath.
Seleana Zdunich: He gave it to her so now Maria can add that to her apparently rather lengthy list of failures which seems to be ever-growing considering she tried to take me out and then went after Crystal for a vendetta that honestly, seems a bit overblown. Enjoy being angry at yourself some more, Mrs. Spencer, because Crystal’s going to get in the ring for this match…
She nods, looking down at her shoes again.
Seleana Zdunich: And that’s where the new problem comes in, I suppose.
Looking back upn to the camera, Seleana can’t help but shake her head ever so slightly.
Seleana Zdunich: Crystal has called out Farrah and Farrah has called back and Zoey and I now are afforded the privilege of our respective partners wishing to do each other grievous bodily harm over misplaced senses of pride.
Biting her bottom lip, Seleana shakes her head adly as she stares into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Mama, I’m sorry Crystal said what she did and I know there’s nothing I can say to make you feel better about it. Crystal, Estrellita, I’m sorry that Farrah can be so blunt when she tries to show she gives a damn…
She glances down and then looks back up again.
Seleana Zdunich: Zoey… I’m sorry we’re getting lost in the shuffle of their personal animosity. I wish like hell this could just be...
Her right hand balls into a fist and then pounds on her right thigh.
Seleana Zdunich: För fan i helvete! I wish this could be the match it should have been! I wish we had the chance for this to just be a tag team match where Crystal and I band together to try and bring down the best tag team on the planet! I wish this was just me and my girlfriend vs. two of her best friends in good, clean, friendly competition where we all just shake hands after the match and then go grab dinner some place…
Tears roll down her face.
Seleana Zdunich: But I know just looking at the four of us, that’s not going to happen.
She folds her hands in front of her face, biting her top knuckle just as she did before.
Seleana Zdunich: No matter what that quack says, I know Crystal’s not a hundred percent and I know I’m not ready for this match but I also know…
Her hands raise up and go behind her head before slumping down to her sides.
Seleana Zdunich: There’s no easy way out of this. Crystal needs me in this match more than she’s ever going to let herself admit and I don’t have the luxury of waiting to feel ready to face you two. Farrah, Zoey, I promise you two that I will give you whatever I have and then keep pushing. There is no way I’m letting Crystal down in her time of need. I am going to step into that ring and fight tooth and nail as if my life depends on it because in her current condition, she needs me to! Lives do hang in the balance here and…
She trails off, the tears intensifying.
Seleana Zdunich: Din jävla…
She turns away from the camera and tries to pull herself together. After a few seconds, she looks up to the sky and seemingly begs to it before turning back around to face the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: I will do whatever I have to do to keep her from being injured and I know that might put in a position with you I never want to be in but that really cannot be helped here, can it?
She nods to the camera as her tears almost over take her.
Seleana Zdunich: I love you and I’m sorry!
Looking up to the sky again, she shakes her head tris to wipe away the tears from her right eye.
Seleana Zdunich: Gud hjälper mig, det kommer allt att skita!
She blinks and then nods to the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: I’ll see you in the ring and I hope to make all of you proud!
Turning away she starts sobbing and hurries towards the hotel as the camera fades to black.
Crystal Hilton Residence
2/9/18
Having arrived home from the doctor’s office twenty minutes previously, Seleana Zdunich walks over to her computer, cell phone in hand, knowing full well this isn’t going to go well. Her injured girlfriend, Crystal Hilton, had walked into that doctor’s office acting strangely and had even snapped at her once before going into the restroom to take her meds, which she had admittedly been neglecting to take recently. Crystal had exited that room a few minutes later with a new vigor and then proceeded to walk into the examination room fully expecting to hear that the doctor would clear her to return to action again for L.A.W. This was an important match, facing the Boardwalk Angels, Crystal’s own stablemates and reigning tag team champions, in the main event of LAW #77 in Tallahassee, Florida.
This was what Crystal had walked about wanting, both publicly and privately, for months. Crystal saw herself as not just another star, but THE Star. Seleana saw Crystal that too, to the point of nicknaming her “Stjärna,” the Swedish word for star. Given that Crystal knew literally no Swedish and tended to frown on Seleana’s usage of her native tongue, Seleana had converted this name to “Estrellita,” the diminutive Spanish form of the same word. Crystal had loved this…
But something was off lately and this doctor visit had crystallized this feeling within her. The doctor had come in and Crystal had started talking like it was a foregone conclusion that she would just strut through this visit, strut all the way to Tallahassee, strut into the ring and strut right on through Zoey and Farrah to main event victory and glory! There was seemingly no question that this was all predestined for her and all she had to do was smile, nod and accept her rightful place on the throne at the head of the shiniest firmament in the sky.
Then the doctor had said she needed two more weeks and the change in Crystal had been instantaneous.
Seleana Zdunich: Din jävla…
Seleana shakes her head. What had Crystal been thinking when she looked at that doctor and demanded he change his mind? What has Seleana been thinking just sitting there letting it happen?
Seleana Zdunich: Din jävla idiot!
Moving quickly to her computer, she fires up Skype and looks to find her middle sister and fellow wrestler, Zenna, only to find she’s not available. Scanning her list, she finds a housemate/bandmate of her sister, Alissa Lacroix on and dials her up. Alissa smiling yet confused face answer on the screen.
Alissa Lacroix: Sel?
Seleana nods to her, trying not to betray her feelings too openly, even to somebody who is basically family to her in Alissa.
Seleana Zdunich: Heya, Lis, how’s it?
Alissa shrugs, still visibly concerned and confused at the timing of this call.
Alissa Lacroix: Can’t complain, you?
Seleana nods, almost too quickly.
Seleana Zdunich: Looking for Z…
Alissa sits back in her chair and nods, obviously not convinced that this is an ordinary call.
Alissa Lacroix: She and Li went to Tally already.
Taken off-guard by the name given, Seleana just stares back, now adding confusion to the myriad of emotions flooding her system.
Seleana Zdunich: Tally?
Alissa can’t help but grin with amusement at Seleana’s ignorance.
Alissa Lacroix: Tallahassee, where y’all’s show is.
Suddenly feeling stupid, Seleana nods in acknowledgement.
Seleana Zdunich: Right, sorry.
Alissa tries to reassure her with a smile.
Alissa Lacroix: They figured they needed to start early ‘cause it was either drive six hours or fly into that little shitsplat of an airport there, OR fly into Jacksonville and drive three hours back down I-10. Tally’s a bitch to get to logistically.
Having never heard about this before, Seleana nods almost absently.
Seleana Zdunich: Sounds it…
A second goes by and something dawns on her that Alissa hadn’t mentioned in her description of the travel itinerary for Tallahassee from New Orleans.
Seleana Zdunich: So, you are not coming then?
Alissa shakes her head.
Alissa Lacroix: Kels and I had to stay here so we could take Maja to the airport. She was flyin’ back to London to be there when Hazel comes back from South Africa.
Seleana can’t help but smile at this. The thought of her cousin, Maja Lindström, being so happy she jets off to London all the time was enough to make momentarily forget all the thoughts the match with the Boardwalk Angels was forcing through her head.
Seleana Zdunich: It is good that Maja is happy then.
Alissa nods approvingly, visibly equally happy at this turn of events with Maja.
Alissa Lacroix: Yeah she is… but you sound like you tried and failed to do the Tennessee Waltz…
Seleana frowns in confusion again.
Seleana Zdunich: Tennessee Waltz? Is that not a song?
Giggling as well as nodding, Alissa rubs her hands together like she’s about to let Seleana in on a delicious bit of gossip or some long-held family secret.
Alissa Lacroix: Yeah, lots of people have recorded it. My Mama was particular to Miss Patsy Cline’s version but there are others.
This wasn’t quite what Seleana had been expecting.
Seleana Zdunich: Then…
Alissa nods quickly to try and dissipate the pressure.
Alissa Lacroix: It’s the name of the main street in Tallahassee by the University. It’s where all the bars are so when somebody would go on a pub crawl for their birthday, they were…
Seleana nods, a smile breaking across her face as comprehension dawns.
Seleana Zdunich: Doing the Tennessee Waltz.
Alissa nods as her own smile starts to fade, replaced with pure concern.
Alissa Lacroix: What’s goin’ on, Sel?
Caught off-guard again, Seleana shakes her head too quickly just as before.
Seleana Zdunich: Nothing… I…
She pauses, trying to regain her composure and her thoughts.
Seleana Zdunich: I just needed to talk to Shenzi is all.
Alissa just shoots her a look of pure skepticism as she crosses her arms to show it even more.
Alissa Lacroix: Sel, you’re talkin’ to an old professional bullshit artist here, I can spot a fellow one at work…
Almost shaking now, Seleana tries to brush it off even as she glances nervously behind to see if Crystal can see or hear her.
Seleana Zdunich: I…
She glances back behind her a second time and Alissa sits forward, worry now setting in harder.
Alissa Lacroix: What’s goin’ on, Sel?
Seleana looks back at Alissa and sighs heavily.
Seleana Zdunich: I don’t know what to do.
Alissa frowns deepens, along with her confusion.
Alissa Lacroix: About what?
Seleana tries to shrug it off again but can’t quite seem to do it.
Seleana Zdunich: My next match…
This only makes Alissa even more confused.
Alissa Lacroix: Ain’t it amongst friends?
Seleana nods
Seleana Zdunich: Yeah… it’s just…
Seleana's hands squeeze into fists as she shakes her head, everything seeming to crash in on her at once.
Seleana Zdunich: The whole situation is just…
She pounds her fists to her knees.
Seleana Zdunich: Jävla skit!
Alissa’s eyes go wide in shock at Seleana’s usage of profanity.
Alissa Lacroix: Whoa, Sel…
Suddenly realizing what she’s just said, Seleana sits back in her own chair, her eyes moistening almost to the point of tears.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m sorry, it’s just, here I am, it’s my second match and it would be bad enough if I were just jumping from…
Alissa nods slowly, trying to coax Seleana into being more forthcoming without actually demanding it.
Alissa Lacroix: Right, I get that part, but what’s the problem with Crystal, Farrah and Zoey? Aren’t they all really good friends?
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Yes…
Alissa shrugs exasperatedly.
Alissa Lacroix: Then what?
Seleana sighs heavily again.
Seleana Zdunich: Crystal’s tried to pick a fight with Farrah and blamed Mama Red for it. She’s been acting really weird. She’s been irritable, more arrogant than normal, she snapped at me in the doctor’s office today while trying to get cleared…
Alissa can’t believe her ears.
Alissa Lacroix: She snapped at you?
Seleana nods sadly.
Seleana Zdunich: I asked her if she’d taken her meds and she said no, went into the restroom and came out like she was ready to tackle King Kong, Godzilla and Mothra simultaneously all by herself. Then she all but bullied the doctor before strutting out like she owned the place.
Alissa’s mouth drops open.
Alissa Lacroix: That can’t be good… Hollywood and all…
Seleana shakes her head.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m terrified, Lis…
Alissa exhales forcefully and then nods.
Alissa Lacroix: Just… keep an eye on her, Sel. It might not be what we’re both thinking. Could be something that’s a side effect of her concussion. Could be something else but at least you won’t be alone in Tallahassee. Z and Li will be there too and you know you can rely on Zoey and Farrah, even if Farrah is pissed at her right now. You might just need to let them have at it…
Seleana stares at her in shock.
Seleana Zdunich: It can’t come to that… can it?
Alissa shrugs.
Alissa Lacroix: You never know…
Seleana nods.
Seleana Zdunich: Thanks, Lis.
Alissa nods as Seleana reaches for the button.
Alissa Lacroix: You be careful, Sel.
Seleana nods one last time.
Seleana Zdunich: I will.
Tallahassee, Florida
DoubleTree Hotel
2/10/18
As she steps into her Tallahassee hotel room, Seleana looks down at her phone, scanning Twitter to see how many more fires have been started in the interim. Crystal had been a on a rolle with people, going in on Farrah Cornett and twitter was not exploding dangerously. As she starts to sit down the bed, she notices her former sister-in-law, Eavan Maloney, making an offer. Nodding, she quickly sends a message.
Seleana Zdunich: I don't know what to do.
Eavan answers almost immediately.
Eavan Maloney: What happened exactly because this isn't the Crystal we knew before.
Seleana glances over at the door of the room and then back to her phone. She nods and answers.
Seleana Zdunich: I don't know what all is...
I...
We went to the doctor yesterday and she was acting weird before we got there. She even snapped at me like she's never done before...
Eavan’s answer comes back quickly.
Eavan Maloney: Is she on medication? Or god forbid as this looks familiar, is she being secretive and coming back different?
Seleana nods even though Eavan can’t see her do so.
Seleana Zdunich: Yes, she is... she went to take it in the restroom there actually and came out... like whatever she took wasn't what she took before.
Eavan’s answer comes back faster still.
Eavan Maloney: Are you at home right now?
Glancing at the door of the room again, Seleana takes in a deep breath and then turns back to her phone to answer.
Seleana Zdunich: No, I'm in Florida. The show's tomorrow night in Tallahassee. Zenna and Li are in the same hotel with us cause Zenna was here as back-up to offer to take her place if Crystal didn't get cleared by the doctor yesterday for the concussion that Maria woman gave her at the last show. We're supposed to main event with Zoey and Farrah.
The phone chimes back before Seleana can even look up.
Eavan Maloney: When she went into the restroom, was it there in the hotel?
Seleana quickly squeezes off her response.
Seleana Zdunich: No, it was in the doctor's waiting room.
This time, nearly a full minute goes by without an answer from Eavan. Seleana glances up at the door, almost afraid Crystal will walk in on her talking to somebody else about her. Finally, the answer comes.
Eavan Maloney: Hmm, that tells me she might be carrying it with her. Is her purse nearby? I just want to make sure shes not using something she shouldn't. Trust me, it’s bad news. And with Z and Li around?
Seleana sighs, half-relieved and yet half-worried that Eavan seems to agree with everyone else.
Seleana Zdunich: I talked to Lis when I got home yesterday and Z and Li when we got here and they all had the same thought, "Hollywood + Acting Weird = ?"
Again, time actually goes by between answers. Seleana glances to the door again and freezes as she hears somebody walking up to it. The person continues on just as her phone chimes again.
Eavan Maloney: Sweetie, your sister didn't see it before it was too late. Check her purse, anything suspicious, show Li and Z, they'll tell you what it is. I don't want you to end up like Katra and lose somebody you love to a bad habit.
She sighs as she takes this thought in. While it was true that Alissa, Linnéa and Zenna had all jumped to the same conclusion, there was something unsettling about Eavan getting there on top of the other three. All of them had experience with substance abuse, Eavan’s being the most recent and somehow this seemed to make it all the more real to Seleana.
Seleana Zdunich: Did you snap at Kattunge too?
This time the answers come fast and furious right on top of each other.
Eavan Maloney: Yeah I did.
Treated her really bad.
Made her believe everything was her fault, was angry she didn't see how much I was hurting. And now she's gone.
Seleana sits back, sighing at the thoughts put forward.
Seleana Zdunich: I'm sorry we did not help you, Eavan.
Eavan’s answers come quickly again.
Eavan Maloney: I hid it well at first, nobody knew. What bothers me now is that Katra feels she wasn't a good wife, and she really was.
This is why I'm wanting to help you. I don't need two of my favorite people hurt because of this.
Seleana nods and fires off a response.
Seleana Zdunich: And you think that's what's up with Crystal? That she's off the wagon with something? Probably worse than she supposedly was before? She's admitted she used to drink too much.
The answer comes just as she looks up to steal a glance at the door and the people walking by it again.
Eavan Maloney: I think it's likely, or shes drinking on her other meds which can cause wild complications.
She stares at her phone for a few minutes before finally answering this time.
Seleana Zdunich: What am I gonna do, Eavan? This is my second match and it's with Zoey and Mama Red! It's the main event...
Eavan takes little time to answer.
Eavan Maloney: Have Li watch her and have Zenna take her place. If she goes out there in that condition, who knows what can happen.
A quick glance to Twitter causes Seleana to frown with concern.
Seleana Zdunich: It's weird, she's being nice again now, like nothing happened.
She squeezes the phone as she looks up at the door, hoping against hope that Crystal is really as happy and apologetic as she sounds in her latest tweets. Suddenly, her phone chimes to bring her back to reality.
Eavan Maloney: Sweetie, I love you, but I don't want you risking it until you can get her back to her doctor. Then have him do a tox screen on her.
Seleana nods, closing her eyes for a second before firing off her response.
Seleana Zdunich: That's what I'm afraid of, they won't keep her out no matter what because the doctor gave her clearance.
Eavan wastes little time on this one.
Eavan Maloney: Any way you can have Z and Li at ringside?
Seleana nods again despite Eavan not being able to see the gesture.
Seleana Zdunich: They have tickets.
Her phone chimes right back.
Eavan Maloney: Then the only thing I can suggest is not tagging her in too much. I know she kinda mouthed out to Farrah I think it was, so she's going to get beat up bad.
Swallowing hard, Seleana nods as she composes a reply.
Seleana Zdunich: Yeah, they seem to want a piece of each other bad.
Again, Eavan wastes little time in answering.
Eavan Maloney: If she gets tagged in, she's in for a world of hurt. If you keep her out of the match, she could turn on you. What's most important to you?
Seleana fires back without hesitation.
Seleana Zdunich: Her wellbeing.
Eavan’s reply comes back a few seconds later.
Eavan Maloney: I understand that, but that's not what i'm asking. Are you willing to deal with whatever she throws at you if you don't tag her in, or do you place nurse after she gets beat up?
Seleana ponders for a second and then replies.
Seleana Zdunich: Assuming she doesn't charge in first, ja, but I'm not sure I can stop her from rushing in first, same way Zoey might not be able to slow down Mama Red.
Eavan goes quiet for what seems like years and Seleana glances at the door, the sound of footfalls in the hallway catching her ear again. The footsteps continue on down passed the door and just as she relaxes, her phone chimes.
Eavan Maloney: I have a very bad idea which may turn into a blessing. Let her and Farrah have it out, hopefully bad enough that Crystal ends up in hospital. She'd be on fluids which could flush her system out and hopefully get her off the habit.
Seleana can’t believe her eyes and can barely hit her answer.
Seleana Zdunich: I...
Eavan’s answer comes back quickly.
Eavan Maloney: Sel, I wouldn't wish harm on her normally but she needs more care than you can give her. My focus here is in you. Your a sister and a crush and i don't want to see you hurt. But this is the only chance she has of getting better before it's too late.
Seleana sighs sadly. This was definitely not the kind of thing she expected to be worrying about this quickly in her new career and definitely not in a match with so many close friends in it.
Seleana Zdunich: I don't wanna see either of them get hurt.
Her phone quickly chimes back.
Eavan Maloney: Somebody is going to get hurt either way, love, thats a given. This is the best option Sweetie. It's a difficult one but the best one. If you try to protect, you risk losing her.
Seleana can’t help but shake her head.
Seleana Zdunich: This doesn't sound good at all.
Eavan’s answer comes swiftly.
Eavan Maloney: It doesn't, I'll be perfectly honest with you. Protecting her will make her feel weak in your eyes, cause to become defensive, wondering you didn't trust her enough, and she could up and walk feeling disrespected, and that's what I'm trying to avoid.
Her phone chimes with a message from her sister and Seleana almost manages to smile.
Seleana Zdunich: Well, I gotta go meet up with them so... thanks, Eavan.
Eavan’s answer comes back with a smile emoji.
Eavan Maloney: If you need anything, sweetie, I'm always a call away. love you.
Tallahassee, Florida
Outside the DoubleTree Hotel
2/10/18
The camera opens upon Seleana standing on the sidewalk next to Monroe Street in downtown Tallahassee, finding her dressed in a pair of black jeans, a black Boardwalk Angels t-shirt and worn black tennis shoes that have seen better days. Her long blonde hair is allowed to drape her shoulders as she stares over her crossed arms at her feet.
Seleana Zdunich: I know I shouldn’t be here…
She takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out as the sounds of traffic going by can be heard from the busy street just behind the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Mama Red…
She nods, still having not looked up from her feet yet.
Seleana Zdunich: Sorry, Farrah, said it…
She nods again and then finally looks up into the lens.
Seleana Zdunich: And she was right.
Her arms finally move off her chest as she shrugs, her hands turning palms up as her arms stretch out on either side.
Seleana Zdunich: What can I say?
She nods and her arms drop to her sides.
Seleana Zdunich: This is my second match…
A pause brings a nod for punctuation on the point.
Seleana Zdunich: Ever…
Another shrug as she almost laughs in spite of herself.
Seleana Zdunich: Of course I shouldn’t be in this match. Who goes from being in the earliest preliminary match to the main event in their second match? Who gets to do that? Who gets that opportunity?
Shrugging guiltily, Seleana looks away for a second before almost glaring into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Apparently I do and everybody who say under their breath it’s because of who I’m sleeping with…
She can’t help but nod even though she clearly doesn’t really want to on this point.
Seleana Zdunich: Ja, you’re probably right. It probably is totally because I’m Crystal Hilton’s girlfriend that I get the opportunity to be showcased like this next to three champions in the main event of a show and you know what…
She spreads her arms out wide, palms up all over again.
Seleana Zdunich: I’m not going to apologize for it either.
Her arms drop as she shakes her head.
Seleana Zdunich: People wait for years for things to come their way and this just fell in my lap. Me teaming with my girlfriend against two women I consider family as well, Zoey Madigan-Star and her best friend, the woman who was almost my mother-in-law, Farrah Cornett. You’re damn right I was excited to be given this kind of opportunity and for a split second…
She shows the thumb and forefinger of her right hand held bare millimeters apart.
Seleana Zdunich: For just that long, I felt guilty to have leapfrogged everyone else on the roster who all deserve to be here more than I do but then I thought to myself, “Seleana, this is a gift. You get to try out being a team with the love of your life, who also happens to be a champion in good standing with this company and you get to do it against the best tag team on planet earth right now. The only way this would be better is if Zenna and Li were involved as well because then you’d have Crystal on one side, the best team right now on another and a team with your sister on it that’s never lost on the other. Shut up, stop kicking yourself for things you can’t control and are going to be said anyway and accept this gift from the wrestling gods.”
She nods yet again and raises her hands up, folding them together and resting them in front of her momentarily so she can nervously bite the first knuckle of her left hand.
Seleana Zdunich: That’s how I intended to handle this until I realized exactly how bad Crystal’s injury was. Maria Salvatore and her band of misfit toys made sure that this match was in danger of not happening up until yesterday when the doctor gave Crystal clearance to wrestle and whether he should have or not…
Her hands lower as she takes in a deep breath.
Seleana Zdunich: He gave it to her so now Maria can add that to her apparently rather lengthy list of failures which seems to be ever-growing considering she tried to take me out and then went after Crystal for a vendetta that honestly, seems a bit overblown. Enjoy being angry at yourself some more, Mrs. Spencer, because Crystal’s going to get in the ring for this match…
She nods, looking down at her shoes again.
Seleana Zdunich: And that’s where the new problem comes in, I suppose.
Looking back upn to the camera, Seleana can’t help but shake her head ever so slightly.
Seleana Zdunich: Crystal has called out Farrah and Farrah has called back and Zoey and I now are afforded the privilege of our respective partners wishing to do each other grievous bodily harm over misplaced senses of pride.
Biting her bottom lip, Seleana shakes her head adly as she stares into the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: Mama, I’m sorry Crystal said what she did and I know there’s nothing I can say to make you feel better about it. Crystal, Estrellita, I’m sorry that Farrah can be so blunt when she tries to show she gives a damn…
She glances down and then looks back up again.
Seleana Zdunich: Zoey… I’m sorry we’re getting lost in the shuffle of their personal animosity. I wish like hell this could just be...
Her right hand balls into a fist and then pounds on her right thigh.
Seleana Zdunich: För fan i helvete! I wish this could be the match it should have been! I wish we had the chance for this to just be a tag team match where Crystal and I band together to try and bring down the best tag team on the planet! I wish this was just me and my girlfriend vs. two of her best friends in good, clean, friendly competition where we all just shake hands after the match and then go grab dinner some place…
Tears roll down her face.
Seleana Zdunich: But I know just looking at the four of us, that’s not going to happen.
She folds her hands in front of her face, biting her top knuckle just as she did before.
Seleana Zdunich: No matter what that quack says, I know Crystal’s not a hundred percent and I know I’m not ready for this match but I also know…
Her hands raise up and go behind her head before slumping down to her sides.
Seleana Zdunich: There’s no easy way out of this. Crystal needs me in this match more than she’s ever going to let herself admit and I don’t have the luxury of waiting to feel ready to face you two. Farrah, Zoey, I promise you two that I will give you whatever I have and then keep pushing. There is no way I’m letting Crystal down in her time of need. I am going to step into that ring and fight tooth and nail as if my life depends on it because in her current condition, she needs me to! Lives do hang in the balance here and…
She trails off, the tears intensifying.
Seleana Zdunich: Din jävla…
She turns away from the camera and tries to pull herself together. After a few seconds, she looks up to the sky and seemingly begs to it before turning back around to face the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: I will do whatever I have to do to keep her from being injured and I know that might put in a position with you I never want to be in but that really cannot be helped here, can it?
She nods to the camera as her tears almost over take her.
Seleana Zdunich: I love you and I’m sorry!
Looking up to the sky again, she shakes her head tris to wipe away the tears from her right eye.
Seleana Zdunich: Gud hjälper mig, det kommer allt att skita!
She blinks and then nods to the camera.
Seleana Zdunich: I’ll see you in the ring and I hope to make all of you proud!
Turning away she starts sobbing and hurries towards the hotel as the camera fades to black.