Golden Parallels

*We open in General Celes' office where she and Jean Carter are sitting and enjoying lunch.*

[Jean:] "Thanks again for lunch, Celes, this was really nice!"

[Celes:] "The pleasure is mine, Jean. Anything to get you out of Drake's office."

[Jean:] "I keep getting yelled at over the phone cause the Front Lines aren't taking as many wrestlers."

[Celes:] "Geese and Drake got in over their heads again."

[Jean:] "But I'm the one getting yelled at."

[Celes:] "I do believe that once you are made General here, your UBL duties will be ended."

[Jean:] "I'm not really looking forward to that though, cause it means you'll leave."

[Celes:] "Well to be quite honest, I'm not sure what it means yet. All the more reason to prepare you for any situation. And that brings me to what I wanted to discuss with you today."

[Jean:] "Voltage?"

[Celes:] "Very good - specifically two things that happened on Voltage and the relation between them."

[Jean:] "Holly said some really bad things, even for her."

[Celes:] "We don't allow her insults to get to us because her comments are made in want of herself. Anyone who is truly proud of who they are has no need to waste their time trying to bring others down, Jean. Even Geese doesn't waste his time bickering with others like Holly does. Though his own confidence is a false and absolute confidence which is dangerous in it's own way. Much more dangerous."

[Jean:] "I don't know why he's nice to me."

[Celes:] "Cause it's advantageous of him to be nice. But we will talk later on what that balance rests on. So that is why we must start to discuss this. Two unfortunate things happened on Voltage that were virtually identical, different only in people and power. The Dod attack on the Reed Sisters and the threats and eventual attack on Kat Black by Holly and Krieger. Tell me why they are similar."

[Jean:] "Because the people who did it are dangerous and mean. And they can't be trusted. Except to cause trouble and hurt people and be selfish and be horrible citizens of OG-Joshi!"

[Celes:] "All correct, but look deeper into the situation. What is at stake here?"

[Jean:] "Safety, sportsmanship...uh....oh! Championships!"

[Celes:] "YES. Both Holly and the Dods lost at Renaissance. Holly lost her Title and the Dods lost their chance of winning the Tag Titles. Now both are doing whatever they can to weasel their way back into the Title situation. The difference here is in the power they hold. Holly did not need to resort to immediate violence because she knows she has her "Joshi Ace" up the sleeve, or down the pants, of Orochi Geese."

*Jean blushes and laughs a bit*

[Celes:] "Her planned attack on Kat wasn't so much to injure her but to send a message that she could do whatever she wanted. She actually would rather have Kat bow out of the situation voluntarily."

[Jean:] "But doesn't Holly enjoy violence?"

[Celes:] "Yes she does but even she is careful not to go too far when she doesn't need to. Bullies are still constrained to unwritten rules. If she angers and hurts too many innocent people, there will be a backlash."

*Jean suddenly looks upset and turns a bit pale. She coughs a bit to choke back tears.*

[Jean:] "There wasn't when she did it to Dizzy."

[Celes:] "Oh but there was - which is why Holly can barely show her face in public due to Nicole Dramesi. If Holly tries to do the same to Kat, then that sends a message to everyone that she is going to hold the title hostage by preventing anyone else from challenging for it. This won't stand. Not just with me but the roster. Holly attempted to have Kat drop her claim first cause that's safer for Holly. And I was even able to talk her into handling things more competitively by facing Kat for the immediate title shot."

[Jean:] "What about the Dods though?"

[Celes:] "The Dods don't have the power in OG-Joshi that Holly does. They have no influence so they had to immediately resort to violence once they saw the Reeds as the new #1 Contenders. Their first priority was to injure the Reeds. But hidden in that attack was their back-up plan. If they didn't prevent the Reeds from competing due to health reasons, they would try to win the Reeds spot through mind games."

[Jean:] "Wait - are the Reeds ok?"

[Celes:] "Yes, they are both doing fine and neither had a concussion though Harmony does have a bump on her head. Now the question is whether that bump will impede her thinking, just as the Dods want it too. If the Reeds are now twisted into wanting revenge, then the Dods have properly manipulated them. The job of the General's Office is to try to prevent that from happening every time it is attempted."

[Jean:] "Do you think we can?"

[Celes:] "You'll learn that question is irrelevant. Because regardless of our power, we have to try. Not only to protect the integrity of the Titles by only allowing legitimate challengers to rise through the ranks, but also to protect the safety of wrestlers by preventing rewards flowing from attacks."

[Jean:] "So how do we do so?"

[Celes:] "I was hoping you would have an idea."

[Jean:] "You mean...you don't?"

*Jean looks shocked and Celes smiles*

[Celes:] "I have ideas, but I wanted to get your input."

[Jean:] "Wowzers! I uh..."

[Celes:] "How can we convince the Reeds to focus on their Title hunt and ignore their desire for revenge?"

[Jean:] "Giving them a Title shot really soon to get their mind off the Dods??"

[Celes:] "What is to stop the Dods from interfering or attacking them before hand?"

[Jean:] "Well, you said we have to protect the integrity of the Titles, right? Doesn't that also mean the integrity of the Title holders is at stake? If so...why don't we involve the Champions in the situation? Cause if the Dods do anything to devalue the titles, they are hurting the Champions!"

*Celes smiles and nods thoughtfully.*

[Celes:] "And what does involving the Champs also contribute to?"

[Jean:] "People looking after each other, watching each others backs. That's what we really need here!"

[Celes:] "You are doing quite well, Jean. But how do we involve them?"

[Jean:] "What if we did like what you did at Renaissance for people who were too interested in violence?"

[Celes:] "You mean the Battle Royale - Where I put enemies in the same match but rewarded those who focused on wrestling by making the winner the #1 Contender."

[Jean:] "Right! What if we did something similar here. Like, put the Reeds in a match with both the Dods AND J*NiGHT and see what they do. They can get their hands on the Dods but since the Reeds want the titles, they'll eventually focus on winning and trying to do it against the Champions."

[Celes:] "Very good - but allow me to make one small modification. You see, two Dods in one place are far more dangerous then one. Even in a 6 person match with 4 non-Dods, the Dods will find a way to double team. What we want is a singles triple threat."

[Jean:] "How about - Harmony Reed against Jane Dod against Kaori NiGHT!"

[Celes:] "Now, what is to stop Jane from being violent?"

[Jean:] "I don't think I like where this is going."

[Celes:] "Sometimes as General, you have to make certain compromises. You can do it if you have confidence. Like how I had confidence in Visper and how I have confidence in Kat beating Holly. Holly has so much influence with Geese that the best I could do for Kat to preserve her #1 Contendership is to have her face Holly to retain that title shot. Otherwise, if I didn't outwit her, Holly would just have Geese void Kat's shot. I am not happy that Kat has another obstacle but it's better then losing her title shot outright."

[Jean:] "That makes sense, but you said before the Dods didn't have the same power in OG-Joshi."

[Celes:] "Not over you or me. But they have power over the Reeds if they get into their heads. So we need to neutralize that power by giving both teams attractive incentives to prevent the Dods from using more violence and the Reeds from being suckered in by that violence."

[Jean:] "I still feel funny about it."

[Celes:] "Here, we need to have confidence that Kaori or Harmony will win their match."

*Jean's eyes go wide again*

[Jean:] "Oh no! Cause you are gonna say that if Jane wins, the Dods can get a Tag title shot?"

[Celes:] "Exactly. And if Harmony wins, the Reeds will get a title shot. This all means that Jane will be forced to wrestle and behave in her match. In fact, I will guarantee that as I will be the referee."

[Jean:] "What if Kaori wins? I think she probably will."

[Celes:] "If Kaori wins, I'll allow J*NiGHT to pick their challengers at the next PPV."

*Jean nods but then is silent for a few seconds before she frowns.*

[Jean:] "I really don't like that the Dods are being rewarded here for being bad."

[Celes:] "Unfortunately, as long as Orochi Geese owns this promotion, there will always be some reward for doing bad and deeds. If that wasn't the case, then I would not need to have these sessions with you because it would be very straight forward what to do when someone acts in a violent fashion. But we are on a tight rope here, Jean. We have to balance fairness with safety with providing incentives to do right - and all of those with preserving the credibility of the Titles. Sometimes we do things that we would prefer not to do but we do it for the right reasons. What I did with Holly and Kat is an example."

[Jean:] "And at least, Kaori and Harmony won't allow Jane to be bad in that match. Neither will you."

[Celes:] "I also think that if Kaori wins, she and Jenny will choose to face the Reeds. As they already beat the Dods and see that the Reeds are the rightful #1 Contenders."

[Jean:] "I wish we could do the same thing with Visper, Kat, and Holly."

[Celes:] "We may have to."

[Jean:] "You mean it?"

[Celes:] "What do you think will happen when Kat beats Holly?"

[Jean:] "Uh..."

[Celes:] "Do you think Holly will just accept her defeat and not still demand a title shot?"

[Jean:] "Well, uh, I guess she'd still want it. So what do we do then?"

[Celes:] "What do you think you should do?"

*Jean gulps*

[Jean:] "Get a little worried that you just said 'you should do' and not 'we should do'?"

[Celes:] "Jean...there's another reason I'm sharing this all with you."

*Jean suddenly starts to get very upset. Tears begin streaming down her face.*

[Jean:] "No! It's too soon! You can't leave OG-Joshi yet! I'm not ready!"

[Celes:] "You're very astute, Jean. I wish I could stop the process but everything is already in motion. Geese is the one who caused it all. There is a strong likelihood that you will be General before the next OG-Joshi PPV. And so you need to be very certain to put Holly in a situation where she must face both Kat and Visper at once. Holly has lost Triple Threat Title situations before and moved on from there."

[Jean:] "Why would she move on this time? She's more egotistical then ever before!"

[Celes:] "You leave that to me."

[Jean:] "How soon is it all gonna happen?"

[Celes:] "By the end of this year, I will no longer be General. Exactly how and when it happens is something I can not comment on. As I said earlier, the specifics aren't even clear to me yet. I will be merely waiting and reacting up until a certain point which is when a move will have to be made."

[Jean:] "...I don't feel well."

[Celes:] "You did very well today, Jean. Even better then I was hoping for. You fully grasp what your future position is here as General and even how to juggle your competing needs."

[Jean:] "Are...are you gonna leave immediately? Forever?"

[Celes:] "The good news is that I expect to be around here for some time. The bad news is that our contact won't be very frequent just out of necessity for your integrity as General. If Geese and Holly think I have pull with you, you will be fired in an instant. You will HAVE to be independent. However, as long as I am around, you will not be threatened with any violence. After that, I suggest you continue to make new friends, friends who will have your back no matter what. Friends like Gutter and Luke."

[Jean:] "I don't want you to leave. You're the only one who's ever truly believed in me!!"

*Jean is absolutely balling her eyes out and blows her nose. Celes gets up and pats her on the back.*

[Celes:] "I doubt that is the case. Nor would it continue to be. And I have privately spoken to many on our roster who already have confidence in you. In fact, as strange as is to say it, even Geese does."

[Jean:] "Why!? Why him!?"

[Celes:] "He witnessed you standing up to Holly at the Banquet."

[Jean:] "See - this is why I need you here! Nothing about this makes sense! Geese does everything Holly wants but then wants someone to stand up to her so she doesn't get her way!? Celes, this is too complicated! And it's hard enough to figure out when there isn't violence happening!"

[Celes:] "Jean - even if you and I weren't here, Holly still wouldn't be General. When I returned here a few years ago, Geese sat Holly down and told her why any wins of hers would be worthless if she was in charge of making matches and running things. As much as I hate to admit it, her Championship reign was more credible because of how much I hate her. She did it in spite of someone who wished she wasn't on the roster. If she could make her own matches, then OG-Joshi would have lost credibility from the start and not still existed today. Holly often forgets that, that is why Geese wants us here to remind her. Geese wants whats best for Holly and knows that our position is exactly that when it comes to her career credibility."

[Jean:] "So why do you and Geese fight so much?"

[Celes:] "Geese was not happy when I allowed Alicia Gordon to go after Holly. He does not want to see her actually hurt, just challenged in the ring. That will be your limit with him. He will never get angry at you for not giving into every whim of hers. In fact, he will be counting on you for resistance. He will only get angry, and furious, if you intentionally put her into a position of physical harm. You must mind this distinction. I can defend myself against Geese, but you can not. His rage is not something you want to invite onto yourself. You can NOT be as cavalier with your hatred and treatment of Holly as I have been...and will be."

[Jean:] "He...he told me at the Banquet not to let Holly get to me. "

[Celes:] "Exactly. Cause he needs you to be strong enough to stand up to her and not allow her to manipulate you, like we discussed last time. To Geese, Holly's true legitimate success lies in her earning it in the face of your objective resistance to her selfish desires."

[Jean:] "What happens if I ask Geese for help in doing that?"

[Celes:] "He'll likely fire you and replace you with someone who is stronger willed."

*Jean's sadness is interrupted by a sense of sudden panic. She starts to hyperventilate*

[Jean:] "I don't think I can do this."

*Celes places both hands on Jean's shoulders.*

[Celes:] "Please take a few deep breaths and listen. You're already better then Yoshida and Geese in being objective and fair. And I also think you are going to avoid some of the mistakes I made in this job - like allowing Holly to manipulate you into losing your moral high ground. You are pure, Jean. That is why you can do this, that is why you already have support. That is why I have no regrets whatsoever in doing what I've needed to do, and finish doing, cause I know you are my successor and are worthy."

[Jean:] "....what is gonna happen at Voltage, Celes?"

[Celes:] "That is up to Holly and Geese. I will respond as necessary"

[Jean:] "Is Mr. Figaro going to be ok?"

[Celes:] "That is up to him. But if you have confidence in certain people, risks are not what they seem. "

[Jean:] "Please don't let Voltage happen in the next week, I need to adjust to this."

[Celes:] "Don't worry about. Amplitude is next and there is nothing there that will hasten the process. But I do need to speak with you about plans for that. Seeing as how the next PPV will likely be under your guidance, you need to know what I have been planning for the next few months of both rosters."

[Jean:] "I'm sorry...I just...I just need to take a break right now."

[Celes:] "That is understandable. Take fifteen minutes and meet me back here."

*Jean leaves the office looking like a ghost and passes Mr. Clyde on the way out who whispers to her.*

[Clyde:] "We'll make sure you're protected."

*This just sends Jean over the edge and she runs crying into the bathroom.*

[Celes:] "You tried."

[Clyde:] "This is why I don't give pep talks, you know."

[Celes:] "Noted."

[Clyde:] "We should probably make sure that no one else, especially from UBL, sees her in this condition. It will raise suspicion, even though she's been down all month."

[Celes:] "Keep an eye on her and please make sure she returns promptly to this office. I'll make sure that by the end of our meeting, that she understands the stakes of keeping calm for the next few weeks. Also, do an extra security sweep. We've come too far not to be at our most guarded right now."

*Clyde nods and exits the room as we fade out*