My Hero AcaJeania

[OrochiGeese]

*We fade into Jean Carter's office in Peter Venkman Memorial Arena on Friday, October 30th. Robin Walker is sitting on Jean's desk reading scouting reports as Jean walks around straightening up the place.*

[Robin:] "I think it's really noble that you want to rehire everyone from OG-Joshi that Ruby fired."

[Jean:] "But..."

[Robin:] "Some of them seemed to be on the way out before Geese even sold the place. I mean, Kellie Boone? Was she ever that compelling?  Even Sandy Morton was jealous of Kellie's curtain jerking."

[Jean:] "I think she just needed more confidence to show what she was capable of.  She had a spark but was shy about showing it.  Anyway, she retired. That file you're reading is potential referees."

[Robin:] "Ohhh that explains Azumi Oonishi. She's got to be ancient by now."

[Jean:] "She's going to be our head referee. Kellie will be a junior one."

[Robin:] "Okay, so what about the actual roster. Do we really need Keina?"

[Jean:] "Of course we do, silly! And actually, she called me yesterday."

[Robin:]  "I feel your headache."

[Jean:]  "She was asking if I knew where to find a KENTA mask."

*Robin's mouth opens wide. Then she cringes and starts rubbing her temples in pain. Jean looks concerned*

[Jean:] "Are you okay!?"

[Robin:] "You just gave me an aneurysm. Keina...of KENTA Army, that Keina?"

[Jean:] "Yeah!"

[Robin:] "She wanted to dress up as KENTA on Halloween?"

[Jean:] "Yeah!"

[Robin:] "Who the f*ck else does she ever dress up as!?"

[Jean:] "Language, young lady!!"

*Robin laughs but it's clear the KENception took its toll on her.*

[Robin:] "So look, about OG-Joshi in general."

*Jean freezes in place.*

[Jean:] "Is this...the talk?"

[Robin:] "No... the talk is the one your parents should have given you about how to use Luke's joystick."

[Jean:] "He prefers a keyboard and mouse."

*Robin goes back to rubbing her temples.*

[Robin:] "What talk did you think I was going to give you?"

[Jean:] "The one about restarting OG-Joshi soon."

[Robin:] "Jean, come over here, please."

*Jean turns around and sheepishly walks over to her desk. Robin holds her hands.*

[Robin:] "What advice do you think Celes would give you about this?"

*Jean looks sad at first but then smiles.*

[Jean:] "She'd tell me to trust my instincts and follow my heart."

[Robin:] "Exactly.  That's the advice to follow.

I would never tell you what to do, least of all about OG-Joshi.  Out of the two of us, you've always been the one making the best decisions for this promotion and for the right reasons.  I just want to know if there is anything standing in your way of making or announcing that decision because you haven't wanted to talk about it recently."

[Jean:] "The Anniversary show was reserved for us but we're not ready for it. Other than your match with Kathy-"

[Robin:] "Which also includes Geese and Willie the Kid."

[Jean:] "I think that's William King."

[Robin:] "One eyed Willie, you say?"

*Jean smiles with a patient expression.*

[Jean:] "Aside from that match, I don't have anything figured out."

[Robin:] "Have you been able to meet with the roster members you wanted to sign?"

[Jean:] "No, most of them haven't been able to fly in."

[Robin:] "That's hardly your fault."

[Jean:] "I know, but I feel guilty."

[Robin:] "For not doing more?"

[Jean:] "No, for being okay with not doing more. This is OG-Joshi, it's one of the things I love most in life. I was looking forward to our plan to get it back for years now. And then as soon as we did, it feels like I lost it again.  But rather than feel pain, I feel numb about that loss right now and I don't like that.  I don't like telling people I feel that way."

[Robin:] "Everyone understands this was not a year to restart a wrestling promotion. UBL had a little more success this year because the majority of the roster was already in New York. But it's different for us because we had to completely rebuild. It's hard enough to do that during a regular year.   No one faults you for not prioritizing it now."

[Jean:] "Luke and I talked about this a lot. He said that it can be heroic to recognize that your battle isn't the most important one to fight and to adjust your expectations and emotions.  The fact that OG-Joshi didn't get to truly return is far from the worst thing that has happened this year.  I know that and yet...I still feel like I should feel sadder.  Maybe all of the emotions from this year are making it harder for me to register that sadness, and that idea scares me.  My emotions should hurt more and they don't and I'm not even as emotional as I should be about that!"

*Jean looks like she's about to cry but shrugs it off, then gets upset about that.*

[Robin:] "Look, I get your point and I'm not saying that isn't happening. But isn't it also possible that this is a sign that you are growing?  Passion is important but it wouldn't be healthy if your desire to restart OG-Joshi didn't take a hit after the past eight months.  Reordering priorities and the emotions that come with them is part of maturation.  You know how much Geese wants to complete his mission but even he has had to adjust the pace of his plan.  And it's not just the logistics, it's his drive to do it.  He understands that right now Gauntlet isn't the biggest threat in the world.   I bet even Gauntlet has had to to readjust their plans.  The fact is - it would be weird if you felt the same way about all of the same things as you did months ago. It would be unhealthy if your emotions weren't affected in some way.  The question now is what to do about it."

[Jean:]  "Do you think I should accelerate our planning?"

[Robin:]  "No one is pressuring you to move quicker than you are or feel comfortable doing.   I want to get back in the ring but in your ring, representing your vision for this promotion.  We have half of this arena and Luke's money to burn so there's nothing stopping us from running shows with local talent but it has to be when you feel ready."

[Jean:] "It's so hard to even think right now about what it takes to get ready. How can it even be OG-Joshi now?"

[Robin:] "You know what Celes and Geese would say to that? Don't be trapped by the past. Both you and her ran OG-Joshi a certain way for years. But just like you took over for her and did things your way, maybe you need to think of new ways to run this place. In fact, it's even necessary. After all,  it's not like we can get our old commentary team."

[Jean:] "At least not right now. They'll...they'll be back. I know they will."

[Robin:] "Of course they will. But even then, I'm not sure Figaro can get any more mileage out of Patty Sirloin jokes that were rancid back in 2005.  The point is - to exist at our best now, we have to move forward. Life is a treadmill and we have to run quicker to get the same results.. It takes more effort and change to hold ourselves to the same standard of excellence.  Our events and entire approach can't be the same as they used to be. The audience has changed, Devin Kunn blocked us from broadcasting matches, and we need to live in 2020...or 2021."

[Jean:] "That's my hopes, at least. I mean, December is..."

[Robin:] "Soon, really soon. You think you could get an anniversary show ready in a month and a half? Even with our full production team and roster that was a challenge. What were your plans though?"

[Jean:] "I wanted to do a tournament to crown a new World Champion."

[Robin:] "But why rush that? And I don't mean just for December either. Look at Kathy and I. We aren't going for that big one on one match right away. We're milking it a little by bringing in Geese and Wilbo Bagkings."

[Jean:] "OG-Joshi started with a Championship match.  I wanted that for us again."

[Robin:] "Yes, but it also started with a blood rivalry that already was Championship caliber. Jo Ryder and I had been tearing it up through PW-W and the crowd was salivating for our next match. Adding....*Robin looks apprehensive*, you know...Miss Cavuto, just added to an encounter that already was worthy of a title."

*Jean nods and Robin looks confused.*

[Robin:] "Uh, I just said Dizzy's name and you were okay."

[Jean:] "Actually, I cried earlier about her."

[Robin:] "You knew I was going to bring her up and preemptively cried? Wow - that's like empathySP"

[Jean:] "No, I was just thinking what she'd want me to do now too."

[Robin:] "Be true to yourself...and put on a doggy...er kitty suit?"

*This puts a genuine smile on Jean's face and she takes a deep breath. At that moment, the door opens and Luke Kisiera walks in with a big bag that says "Party City."*

[Jean:] "Speaking of outfits, Luke just picked up our Halloween costumes!"

*Jean runs over to hug Luke, snatches the bag, then places it on the table.*

[Robin:] "Halloween? I don't think we're trick-or-treating this year."

[Jean:] "No, it's just for us to dress up and have fun during our party."

[Robin:] "And you got costumes for all of us?"

[Jean:] "My treat!"

[Robin:] "Or trick...depending on what you have there for me."

*Robin eyes the bag suspiciously then passes two outfits to Robin. She reads the label*

[Robin:] "Who the f*"

*Jean begins to open her mouth to scold Robin for cursing and Robin wisely adjusts.*

[Robin:] "Who is 'All Might' and 'Mount Lady?'"

[Luke:] "They are from My Hero Academia."

[Robin:] "Your what?"

[Jean:] "It's a Japanime show that Luke and I watch!!  It's the adventures of a group of up and coming heroes finding their place in the world!  Geese will be 'All Might' - the most powerful hero and you will be 'Mount Lady.'"

[Robin:] "I know nothing about her but the name kind of fits.  Maybe I can wear this attire against Kathy..."

*Jean pulls out her outfit and Luke's.*

[Robin:] "Who are you two?"

[Jean:] "Luke is Deku, the main character learning to be a hero, and I'm Ochako - gravity girl!"

[Robin:] "And look at you standing there like a pro, totally using your powers for good!"

[Jean:] "We got Drake a costume too - he's going as Iida, the class representative."

*Jean searches through the bag but can't seem to find something.*

[Jean:] "Luke, where's Kyle's costume?"

[Luke:] "Oh, they didn't have Bakugo but I got him a Todoroki instead."

*Jean looks disappointed at first but then thinks about it.*

[Jean:] "Maybe that's better for him, after all."

*Robin sighs.*

[Robin:] "Bakugo is some kind of psycho isn't he?"

[Jean:] "No, he's just really intense. He's a hero in his own way."

[Luke:] "And Todoroki can also fit because he's someone battling against his own dark nature."

[Robin:] "Look, as long as there aren't any barbed wire bats as props, he can be Totoro for all I care."

[Jean:] "Great idea!! Then he'd be friends with a cat bus!! Luke, I want to ride a cat bus!"

[Robin:] "Well drop me off in the UBBLE BUBBLE cause I think Geese is meeting with Wingate."

[Luke:] "Oh?"

[Robin:] "Yeah, Arthur is worried what Geese is going to do to James Ward in their league match."

[Jean:] "Are you?"

[Robin:] "Nah, but it may be a good idea for the Ward to rediscover Centurion for Halloween."

[Jean:] "I think it's a good idea to get out of here, pick up Geese in the cat bus, and go back home to set up for the party!"

*Robin and Luke nod as the three of them leave the office. Jean looks back and inaudibly sighs to herself. Luke catches her eye and runs over to give her a hug. Luke whispers "heart of a heroine" and she smiles again.*