Stranger Danger

[OrochiGeese]

*We open up inside the LAWLitorium in a room filled with high hanging tarps everywhere, covering some tall but hidden (again, tarps!) objects. Gloria Reyes is walking around peeking under each tarp, nodding, and marking a check list in her hand. Numerous construction workers and painters are around her and she's giving them instruction. The door opens and Marie Reyes comes in slowly. Gloria doesn't see her yet and she also peeks under a few tarps. She nods and looks generally satisfied with the work and then goes up to Gloria.*

[Marie:] "Hey sis."

*Gloria smiles at her.*

[Gloria:] "Marie. I'm glad you're here. I'd love your opinion on this new set for HaLAWLoween."

[Marie:] "Well, everything looks pretty good. They all worked hard-"

[Gloria:] "But-"

[Marie:] "Yeah, it just feels strange. I mean, I guess we're not doing the DVD shows anymore."

[Gloria:] "The Destiny Corporation said that the old DVD format would remind everyone of when Orochi-O's forced their will on us."

[Marie:] "So Destiny is 'setting us free' by forcing us not to use that format? Helpful."

*Gloria sighs*

[Gloria:] "Marie, please. I actually think what they had in mind here was a good idea."

[Marie:] "I like the LAWLive shows. Regular format, Gloria. The fans and wrestlers, that's all. But this whole thing just feels so gimmicky...so...*Marie struggles to say the word* arrogant."

*A melodic voice then chimes in from behind her*

"Why thank you!"

*Marie turns around to see Ruby Moreno smirking at her*

[Ruby:] "It's high time LAWL takes a bolder creative direction. One not afraid of its own identity and success. I realize that not every wrestler is comfortable with success, or even familiar with it."

[Marie:] "We're all former OMG Champions here, thank you."

[Ruby:] "Ahh yes, pardon me. I must have forgotten due to how short your reign was."

[Marie:] "Yeah I'm absolutely sure you forgot that you beat me for the title. So humble of you."

[Ruby:] "It was a negligible effort expended that left no real memory. A typical match with a Reyes sister."

[Marie:] "Sorry I brought the good name of Moreno down-"

*Gloria quickly and loudly clears her throat*

[Ruby:] "Choke on a potato, Reyes?"

[Gloria:] "I think what Marie is getting at is this show is very important to get right. HaLAWLoween is one of LAWL's most popular annual shows and the fans depend on being entertained more then usual. We're ready to do that."

[Ruby:] "Speaking of ready, I trust both, well, all three Reyes sisters. Wait, are they even more?"

*Ruby rolls her eyes and Marie catches it, turning a bit red in the face*

[Marie:] "I guess it must be hard to remember three sisters when you can barely remember one."

*Now it's Ruby who turns red for a second, takes a breath and then retorts.*

[Ruby:] "Looks like that nasty New York attitude affected our happy go lucky Marie Reyes. Such a shame. Well, let's hope you get your mood in check when you and your sister face my understudy, Canada Meg in the tag match. And as for you Gloria, it will be a pleasure to finally put our rivalry behind us. I'll try to go easy on you as I've started to grow fond of your ever evolving management skills. Too many other promotions have weak leaders, you know."

*Marie is staring Ruby down something fierce at this point. Ruby smiles and waves to them both*

[Ruby:] "Well, I must finish my preparation for HaLAWLoween. I just came by to check that things were up to code."

[Marie:] "Gloria can take care of that."

[Ruby:] "I'm afraid that isn't enough. As Destiny funds your shows, they need a representative, me, to ensure things are the way they want it. I'll just be a few more minutes. I'm sure Gloria will get her fill of me this weekend so no need to overstay my welcome."

[Gloria:] "I take it that it's too late to cancel our match."

*Gloria was half joking but Ruby didn't pick up on the humor. Instead she turns bright red.*

[Ruby:] "Then we cancel this damn show."

[Gloria:] "Whoa. whoa. I was just kidding. Relax."

[Ruby:] "Those who joke and relax don't shine a light and forge a path towards destiny. Don't patronize me, Reyes. You'll be in that ring when I say so or that ring will be gone. You better be ready."

*Ruby storms out as Gloria sighs*

[Gloria:] "Oh I will be."

[Marie:] "She's getting worse, Gloria. Not better like you said. We can't keep appeasing her."

*They turn away from where Ruby had stormed out, not realizing that she quietly snuck back in and hid under a tarp nearby*

[Gloria:] "She pulls funding and we're done. It's simple as that. I hate being under her thumb even more then you do. She was a thorn in my side years before you even started wrestling. But she's my fight and I know how to handle her in the long run even if I have to make small concessions."

[Marie:] "I'd hardly call what she has demanded 'small' Nor the costs in-"

*Gloria interrupts*

[Gloria:] "Meanwhile, you were careless."

*Marie looks shocked*

[Marie:] "Excuse me?"

[Gloria:] "I don't know how she did it but Ruby found out you visited OG-Joshi headquarters. If you think her little attitude right now was bad, it was nothing compared to her storming into my office yesterday and roaring at me: alleging a conspiracy between you and Holly to eliminate her."

[Marie:] "Me and Holly? As in...the woman who was responsible for almost crippling my best friend?"

[Gloria:] "I know it seems outlandish-"

[Marie:] "No...outlandish is you taking orders from Ruby Moreno. Insulting is you even dignifying her claim that Holly and I could ever be in the same room without me making her pass out. She almost had Alicia crippled, she DID have Dizzy crippled. Holly and I would never ever ever collude."

[Gloria:] "So...why the trip to the Big Apple? Not enough fruit in LAWL?"

*Gloria again was joking but Marie isn't laughing.*

[Marie:] "I went to train with Alicia. But while I was there, Jean Carter had a question for me and I met with her. That's it."

*Gloria pauses for a second.*

[Gloria:] "Was that question to join her roster?"

[Marie:] "No, not for any lack of respect. But it wasn't. I helped her out with some information, plain and simple."

[Gloria:] "Then why was Ruby so mad?"

[Marie:] "You can put that together yourself. My question is...how the heck did Ruby know I was there?

*Gloria shakes her head in confusion*

[Marie:] "That place is crawling with Genji Security and if Ruby was anywhere near there, a riot would have broken out."

[Gloria:] "Just Ruby or any Moreno."

[Marie:] "What are you implying?"

[Gloria:] "Rose seemed nice, Marie. But for all we know, you're being played by both of them."

*Marie's face turns redder then anyone else so far in this conversation*

[Marie:] "Excuse me!? If anyone shouldn't be talking about being played by a Moreno, it's you."

*Gloria sighs again, heavier this time. A few seconds of awkward silence pass.*

[Gloria:] "Send my best to Grace."

[Marie:] "You can't?"

[Gloria:] "For some reason, her recent return to sanity has not involved mending bridges with me."

*Marie's anger subsides immediately and a look of concern comes onto her face.*

[Marie:] "I honestly didn't know."

[Gloria:] "I realize that. Now, I'm sure you're tired from your flight back. And you and Grace have your match. Good luck. I'll speak to you both after the show."

[Marie:] "Is...something going on?"

[Gloria:] "We can't continue like this, Marie. I can't do this alone. I need the support of both of you if we're gonna keep LAWL properly among us and not let Ruby, or anyone else, take any more liberties. I didn't take over this position from father just to lose my sisters."

[Marie:] "You aren't losing us, but you are losing control."

[Gloria:] "Which is exactly why we need to band together. Now, I have to get back to this. I think you'll actually like what we have planned for the show. But for now, just focus on your match. Those two are hungry and you and Grace are still new to teaming together. But what I need from you two, more then even a victory, is cohesion."

*Marie nods and gives a quick hug to Gloria before leaving. Gloria sighs, takes a deep breath and goes back to her work. In the background we see Ruby Moreno who is less then pleased at the conversation.*