JC0002 - Take Two

Jackson: Thanks ma, I appreciate it. I love you and Dad. I know I won't let you down.

[Jackson listens to the phone for a couple of minutes.]

Jackson: Good. I never wanted to let you down. I want to make you proud. I want to show you that all of the shows you drove me to were worth it.

[Jackson looks a bit worried, but listening to his mom on the other end of the call, he relaxes.]

Jackson: You are right. It is one match. One show. Thanks. I love you both.

[The scene fades]

[Jackson opens the camera app on his phone and hits record. We open as Jackson is sitting on the balcony of a high rise hotel. It does not appear to be anything of note, more just a run-on-the-mill chain hotel]

Jackson: Two weeks ago, I gave it my all and I came up short. But working to prove myself, it is not going to be a situation in which I can win every single match. Aurora is a great talent, and I have nothing but respect for her. I wish her the best in the tournament, and I would be lying if I said I was not pulling for her. And honestly? I am sure Stella could agree, happy with either of the Graves winning the whole thing.

[Jackson clears his throat, and leans over the balcony. The waves of the Gulf roll in and roll back out. Some kids play in the shallow water, and a random smattering of people enjoying the early June weather in Destin, Florida.]

Jackson: Stella... you talk about how we are similar. Sure, in some ways. I am not going to knock your grind. Did you get lucky enough to have a great sibling? Hell yes. And more power to you. Me? I was adopted. I love my mom and pops. But at the same time, not knowing who my real moms is does haunt me at time. But that is not what I want to address right now... I want to address our match. I am ready to go out there. I am ready to put it all out there on the line. And either of us is ready for our first win here in Florida. Are we out of the tournament? Unfortunately. But we are no longer limited to the confines of the tournament. We are here to make a name for ourselves. And I am sure title opportunities will come. And who's to say there won't be opportunities in which other titles happen down the line? We are both young and hungry, and this week is a week to prove just that.

[Jackson looks up at the sky]

Jackson: The sky is the limit. And I am here to give the fans one hell of a match.