Post by Stella Basch on May 20, 2024 22:04:16 GMT -5
Pensacola Beach Resort
Pensacola, FL
Sunday, May 19, 2024
We fade in on the front desk of a bright, beach-themed resort, where we see a young woman with long blonde hair standing with her back to the camera, a Tiffany Blue pilot case standing beside her. She rests her arms on the counter as the receptionist studies the screen in front of her.
Woman: Reservation for Stella Basch…
Receptionist: Just a second… ah yes. Here we are! One King Suite with a bay view. You in town for business or just traveling?
Stella: I guess you could say I’m here on business. You know that new wrestling promotion that just opened up?
The receptionist cocks her head to the side, narrowing her eyes as she smiles awkwardly.
Receptionist: Can’t say that I have, but then again, I don’t watch wrestling. My boyfriend does, though. I’ll be sure and ask him if he knows about it. I guess that explains the high volume of calls we’ve been getting where I’ve had to tell them we’re booked solid through the end of the week.
Stella: Yeah… good thing I made my reservation as soon as the card was announced.
The receptionist widens her eyes, nodding her head in agreement.
Receptionist: Good thing, indeed. Hold on just one second… there’s a note here… “Security Detail in adjoining room.”
Stella shakes her head, then facepalms as she groans.
Receptionist: Is there a problem, Miss Basch?
Stella looks back at the receptionist.
Stella: No… it’s just my dad, sending his goon squad to keep an eye on me again. I’ll make a note to have my sister-in-law give me some tips on how to ditch these two clowns…
The ladies share a chuckle as the receptionist slides a narrow folder bearing the hotel’s logo on the front.
Receptionist: In any event, here is your room key. Enjoy your stay!
Stella: I’ll try…
She chuckles sheepishly as she grabs her key in one hand, and the handle of her suitcase in the other, heading for the elevator.
********
Pensacola Beach
Later that day…
We fade back in underneath the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, where Stella can be seen walking barefoot in the sand, her sandals slung over her shoulder. She looks straight ahead, a pensive expression on her face before she addresses the camera following her every move.
Stella: When you’ve spent your entire life mere inches from the beach, there’s no other place that makes you feel like you’re right at home. I remember when I was a child, the sound of the waves lapping up against the shore used to lull me to sleep at night. And in the morning, the smell of ocean air was a better way to wake up than that first cup of coffee…
She flashes a coy smile and winks into the camera as she raises a finger to her lips.
Stella: Shhh… don’t tell my brother I said that!
She giggles as she continues.
Stella: But when your last name is Basch, that’s not the only thing that comes naturally…
She pauses, pointing to a poster taped to one of the support pillars beneath the pier, advertising Florida Wrestling Prestige’s debut show. On the poster is an arranged image of all 16 members of the roster set to compete in the tournament to determine who will be the first to hold the FWP Prestige Championship, also displayed prominently on the poster. She puts a hand on the poster, the tips of her fingers tracing over the image of the championship.
Stella: I’ve always loved wrestling, though when I was growing up, I could never quite put my finger on why… it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I learned it was in my blood. My brother is a former champion, and while we don’t compete for the same company, I look forward to adding to the family’s trophy case with a belt of my own someday.
She lets her hand fall slowly from the poster, letting it land against her denim-clad thigh.
Stella: But I know it’s not quite as simple as walk in, smack a few people around, then grab your prize and go home. Especially since I know who I’m facing in the first round.
She walks from under the pier, back into the bright Florida sunlight.
Stella: The man I’m facing has seven - count them - SEVEN Tag Team Championships under his belt, and a singles championship on top of that. And here I am, an untested rookie, stepping into the ring with someone like that?
She shakes her head, somewhat aghast.
Stella: Talk about jumping straight into the deep end! If I were any other rookie, I’d be nervous as hell!
She smirks.
Stella: But I’m not about to let it get to me. After all, Damon Graves and I are far from strangers. I’ve seen him wrestle before. Hell, he’s even helped my brother coach me. I’ve even babysat his kids!
She takes a moment to look at the path ahead of her, noting the several sets of footprints stretched out before her. Spotting a particularly large set, she fixes her gaze on the sand and follows them.
Stella: The Basches and the Graveses may have a bond outside of wrestling, but none of that will matter on Wednesday. Damon, you’ve been a tremendous help to me, but it’s time for me to step into my own, and to carve my own legacy in this sport. And if that means going through one of the people that mentored me when I was younger, then so be it. And I know that if I hold back, then my brother will never let me hear the end of it.
She flashes the camera a grin that bears the same devilish spark often displayed by her older brother Donovan.
Stella: Just like I know that if YOU hold back, my brother will never let you forget it either. We’re not sparring anymore; we’re facing off for a chance to make history. So I’m going to get in that ring and show them exactly how I earned my place in this business! See you on Wednesday, Damon!
She flashes one last smile into the camera before resuming her walk along the shoreline.
Pensacola, FL
Sunday, May 19, 2024
We fade in on the front desk of a bright, beach-themed resort, where we see a young woman with long blonde hair standing with her back to the camera, a Tiffany Blue pilot case standing beside her. She rests her arms on the counter as the receptionist studies the screen in front of her.
Woman: Reservation for Stella Basch…
Receptionist: Just a second… ah yes. Here we are! One King Suite with a bay view. You in town for business or just traveling?
Stella: I guess you could say I’m here on business. You know that new wrestling promotion that just opened up?
The receptionist cocks her head to the side, narrowing her eyes as she smiles awkwardly.
Receptionist: Can’t say that I have, but then again, I don’t watch wrestling. My boyfriend does, though. I’ll be sure and ask him if he knows about it. I guess that explains the high volume of calls we’ve been getting where I’ve had to tell them we’re booked solid through the end of the week.
Stella: Yeah… good thing I made my reservation as soon as the card was announced.
The receptionist widens her eyes, nodding her head in agreement.
Receptionist: Good thing, indeed. Hold on just one second… there’s a note here… “Security Detail in adjoining room.”
Stella shakes her head, then facepalms as she groans.
Receptionist: Is there a problem, Miss Basch?
Stella looks back at the receptionist.
Stella: No… it’s just my dad, sending his goon squad to keep an eye on me again. I’ll make a note to have my sister-in-law give me some tips on how to ditch these two clowns…
The ladies share a chuckle as the receptionist slides a narrow folder bearing the hotel’s logo on the front.
Receptionist: In any event, here is your room key. Enjoy your stay!
Stella: I’ll try…
She chuckles sheepishly as she grabs her key in one hand, and the handle of her suitcase in the other, heading for the elevator.
********
Pensacola Beach
Later that day…
We fade back in underneath the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, where Stella can be seen walking barefoot in the sand, her sandals slung over her shoulder. She looks straight ahead, a pensive expression on her face before she addresses the camera following her every move.
Stella: When you’ve spent your entire life mere inches from the beach, there’s no other place that makes you feel like you’re right at home. I remember when I was a child, the sound of the waves lapping up against the shore used to lull me to sleep at night. And in the morning, the smell of ocean air was a better way to wake up than that first cup of coffee…
She flashes a coy smile and winks into the camera as she raises a finger to her lips.
Stella: Shhh… don’t tell my brother I said that!
She giggles as she continues.
Stella: But when your last name is Basch, that’s not the only thing that comes naturally…
She pauses, pointing to a poster taped to one of the support pillars beneath the pier, advertising Florida Wrestling Prestige’s debut show. On the poster is an arranged image of all 16 members of the roster set to compete in the tournament to determine who will be the first to hold the FWP Prestige Championship, also displayed prominently on the poster. She puts a hand on the poster, the tips of her fingers tracing over the image of the championship.
Stella: I’ve always loved wrestling, though when I was growing up, I could never quite put my finger on why… it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I learned it was in my blood. My brother is a former champion, and while we don’t compete for the same company, I look forward to adding to the family’s trophy case with a belt of my own someday.
She lets her hand fall slowly from the poster, letting it land against her denim-clad thigh.
Stella: But I know it’s not quite as simple as walk in, smack a few people around, then grab your prize and go home. Especially since I know who I’m facing in the first round.
She walks from under the pier, back into the bright Florida sunlight.
Stella: The man I’m facing has seven - count them - SEVEN Tag Team Championships under his belt, and a singles championship on top of that. And here I am, an untested rookie, stepping into the ring with someone like that?
She shakes her head, somewhat aghast.
Stella: Talk about jumping straight into the deep end! If I were any other rookie, I’d be nervous as hell!
She smirks.
Stella: But I’m not about to let it get to me. After all, Damon Graves and I are far from strangers. I’ve seen him wrestle before. Hell, he’s even helped my brother coach me. I’ve even babysat his kids!
She takes a moment to look at the path ahead of her, noting the several sets of footprints stretched out before her. Spotting a particularly large set, she fixes her gaze on the sand and follows them.
Stella: The Basches and the Graveses may have a bond outside of wrestling, but none of that will matter on Wednesday. Damon, you’ve been a tremendous help to me, but it’s time for me to step into my own, and to carve my own legacy in this sport. And if that means going through one of the people that mentored me when I was younger, then so be it. And I know that if I hold back, then my brother will never let me hear the end of it.
She flashes the camera a grin that bears the same devilish spark often displayed by her older brother Donovan.
Stella: Just like I know that if YOU hold back, my brother will never let you forget it either. We’re not sparring anymore; we’re facing off for a chance to make history. So I’m going to get in that ring and show them exactly how I earned my place in this business! See you on Wednesday, Damon!
She flashes one last smile into the camera before resuming her walk along the shoreline.