Dumped?

[OrochiGeese]

*It's a few hours after Illumination has ended and Holly is in her street clothes after leaving her locker room. Geese is walking with her and the two approach Sandy Morton who is standing somewhat aimlessly outside her locker room with some bandages on her nose. Holly looks at Geese.*

[Holly:] "Give me a sec, hun?"

[Geese:] "Sure. I'll get the anti-bacterial soap from my bag."

*Geese smirks and kisses her on the forehead. Then Holly goes over to Sandy, takes a deep breath, sighs, and puts her hand on her shoulder. Sandy starts crying a bit.*

[Holly:] "You've been one of my only real friends the last few years. I shouldn't have taken everything out on you. It's just...you need to understand that there's a time and a place for fooling around. You remember a few years ago when you thought Nicole was going to destroy you cause you were all alone on Amplitude?"

*Sandy nods*

[Holly:] "That wasn't a time for kidding either, and I understood that. Frankly, I think Linda riles you up."

[Sandy:] "Well, she did pretty good tonight, doncha think?"

[Holly:] "I don't know what got into her, maybe the threat of death but yeah, she did pretty good. But she still has a long way to go in attitude. I feel like I can at least get through to you. Like I'm doing now."

[Sandy:] "So i'm like...not a lost cause? You aren't cutting me loose-"

*Holly sighs, pulls a handkerchief out of her bag and puts it on her mouth. Then she hugs Sandy.*

[Holly:] "Whatever I may do to enemies, I don't get rid of friends that easy. Just...please keep your head in the game. You know, one of the reasons I was so upset with you the other day wasn't just because who was threatening me, it was because I was scared that you were gonna get hurt too. I knew Molly was upset with getting fired and I needed you to be ready for anything she threw at you."

[Sandy:] "Like how she broke my nose."

[Holly:] "What? That bitch broke your nose!? I thought that was just a cut!"

*Sandy laughs*

[Sandy:] "Holls...plastic surgery, no biggie. I don't even remember what my original nose looks like!"

[Holly:] "Well, fine but it really could have been worse. You need to realize the costs of acting the way we do. People want revenge. Whether it be for getting someone fired or crippled, they want revenge. And unless you're ready to accept that result, you shouldn't start shit to begin with. You have to be careful out there. And that means being at your best before and during a big match. *Holly winces* After too."

[Sandy:] "So, how did I do?"

[Holly:] "You lost but you showed some talent. It was your first real PPV match and I liked your gameplan. I think you've actually made a lot of progress over the last year and are getting to be saavy. You aren't as good a wrestler as Molly is, but you tried to get her off her game with your tactics. That's what I want you to keep doing against everyone. I've never been as technically savvy as a Visper, or a Jo, or a Haley but it doesn't matter once I get them to give up their skills to brawl with me. Only my determination matters then. I think you have some of that. We just need to work on you becoming a bit more resilient then you are so you can last long enough to use your strengths and be able to consistently finish matches."

[Sandy:] "I'm actually...pretty resilient. I've 'won' many handicap matches with guys."

[Holly:] "Whatever you do in bed, find a way to bring it to the ring."

*Sandy laughs and hugs Holly again.*

[Sandy:] "So, sorry that you uh, didn't win tonight."

*Holly's face winces a bit again*

[Holly:] "I yeah...don't want to talk much about that match. Or really, anything about that whole thing. Just...take care of yourself and get back into the gym with me soon. Whatever the hell Celes has up her sleeve, I can't let it stop me from being me. And that means I still have a group to run. So tell Linda-"

*At that moment, the door opens and Linda strolls out nonchalantly.*

[Linda:] "Hey Holls baby, what's shakin?"

*Holly stares at Linda, looking for words.*

[Linda:] "Lighten up, hun, you gonna come and party with us?"

[Holly:] "Sandy will fill you in. I gotta run."

*Holly hugs Sandy again and catches up with Geese who practically bathes her in anti-bacterial soap the second she returns to him. Linda looks at Sandy and smiles.*

[Linda:] "So we're not getting dumped, after all, huh?"

[Sandy:] "Nope."

[Linda:] "I knew it. Well then why are you so mopey? We got like 20 party evites! Let's go!"

*Linda takes Sandy's hand and the two run out of the arena. A few minutes later, Juli Krieger emerges from the locker room with a cast on her arm and walks out of the arena as well.*