Leaving Sacred Heart and a Rematch

[The Jersey Devil Diva]

Act 1: Leaving Sacred Heart

“Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes.”
Jan Myrdal



March 23, 2012

The scene opens on the interior of the Sacred Heart Hospital. the floors shimmered in the bright lights, while the glass in the windows glistened casting the reflections of those that passed by the rooms as they made their rounds. The nurses station was crowded by the nurses getting their patients for the day, or just relaxing in between their rounds. A few patients wandered the hallways dragging their IV's with them as they went, while others laid in their beds trying to recover from their illnesses or surgeries. We soon see Joanne fully dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed where she had stayed for a week. She was healed enough that she could be sent home, but she had to rest a little while longer, to make sure the stitches didn't pull open. Joanne looks at herself in the mirror and lifts her shirt to look at the stitches that ran along her lower right side. The work was neat, and very well done. Turk had done a good job, and hopefully there wouldn't be a scar once the stitches had been removed by a local doctor after Joanne got home.

Joanne: He did a good job.

Reno: Are you sure you want to go back this week? I mean your stitches are still fresh.

Joanne: I'll be fine. The stitches look good to me. I know I'll be told not to go back into the ring, until they come out, but when have I ever listened to a doctor?

Dr. Dorian: I hope you'll listen to me and not do anything that will pull the stitches open. If you do, it's going to be pretty bad.

Joanne looks toward the door, and sighs. She knew it was coming, and had never really took a doctors advice about anything.

Carla: Manabu has nothing on you this week. I mean he's busy with that other thing he's been doing. He's not going to have enough focus on you.

Joanne smiles as she sees Carla walk into the room with a small box in hand.

Joanne: Thanks for that vote of confidence Carla. This isn't goin' to be an easy match, but nothin' ever is.

Dr. Cox: Carla, Susan, Ms. Canelli...

Dr. Cox looks over at Dr. Dorian, and Carla, as Joanne smiles. She had enjoyed the peace and quiet that she had gotten, and would miss the ones that made her stay bearable in the hospital.

Carla: I have Ms. Canelli's release forms, but I need one of you to sign them.

Dr. Dorian: I'll do it.

Dr. Cox grabs the clipboard from Carla and signs it, before handing it back to her.

Dr. Cox: There... It's now official... You are free.

Joanne: Thank you. Carla what's that?

Carla: Nothing really. It's just a little something for your trip back to Jersey.

Carla moves to the bed, and hands Joanne the small box. Joanne opens it, and inside was half a dozen canolli's. Joanne smiles and nods as she looks up at Carla.

Joanne: Thank you Carla. You didn't have to do that.

Carla: I wanted to. You have made this the best week of my life. I mean no one is going to believe that we had a real celebrity up here.

Dr. Cox: And no one will really care. I know I won't.

Joanne gets up to her feet, and smiles. Her and Cox had a lot in common, and she felt for him. The long hours, being hounded by people that think they need your advice, or help, and never being left alone.

Joanne: I think I'm goin' to miss you the most Dr. Cox.

Dr. Cox: I hate you.

Joanne: I know. But the way I see it, you and I are a lot alike. I mean you deal with crazy people on a regular basis and you can never get a moment's peace when they are around. I understand you better than any one else... Even Shirley over there.

Dr. Cox smiles and grabs Joanne giving her a hug. Dr. Dorian's mouth drops, as he throws his hands up in frustration.

AH C'MON!!!

Dr. Cox: You're our of luck newbie... That's my one for the year.

Dr. Dorian walks out of the room, and Carla sighs.

Carla: He's been waiting for that hug for 9 long years.

The hug breaks, and Dr. Cox walks out of the room, leaving Joanne alone with Carla.

Joanne: Well we better get goin'. Our flight will be leavin' soon.

Carla: Shame really. Can I get a picture with you before you leave? I mean no one is going to believe this.

Joanne: Sure. I have about an hour or so.

Carla pulls out a small silver camera and hands it to Reno. A flash goes off, and the picture was taken. Carla hugs Joanne before she walks out of the room, and Joanne was alone with the guys once more.

Reno: Are you ready to go?

Joanne: I am. I'm goin' to miss the quiet.

Rude: I'm going to miss J.D and Turk. You know they kind of remind me of someone.

Reno: Yeah me too.

Scarpaci goes to say something, but Joanne stops him, and grabs her bag from the end of the bed, and they head out of the room, and start down the hallway.

Dr. Dorian: Sorry about that... It's just...

Joanne: It's all right. I understand Sara.

Joanne smiles over at Dr. Cox who gives her a thumbs up as she passes by heading toward the elevator.
Carla waves to her as they pass the nurses station. A tall balding man waits by the elevator and Joanne looks over with a soft smile. This was Ted, the hospitals lawyer. Joanne knew he had a hard job, and had met his ex boss. Bob Kelso. He was an old man with a short fuse even after retiring he could still make people's life a nightmare with a single word. Ted held a stack of papers in his hand, and sighed as he watched the numbers come down.

Ted: Oh hey... Was everything all right Ms. Canelli? I mean you're not going to sue the hospital or anything are you?

Joanne: Of course not. We're headin' back to Jersey today.

Ted: Ohhh... Have a safe trip. It was nice meeting you.

Joanne: You too. Ted don't let anyone tell you what to do. Stand up for yourself. See ya around.

The elevator doors open and Joanne and the boys step inside, and the doors slowly close.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Manabu congrats on getting pretty far in the God of Wrestlin' tourney. I got kicked out in the first round, but you know what? It doesn't matter. That was the same week I took the World Title away from you, and that was better than winnin' any stupid tournament. I've had a week off pretty well, and feel pretty good. Sure I had a major operation but it was nothin' that couldn't be fixed in a short amount of time. I know you're probably thinkin' that I'll be weak and won't be ready to face you again. That's where you're wrong. When we get back to Jersey I'll start trainin' for our rematch, but I'm startin' to wonder are you truly ready to face me again?

Act 2: Home Sweet Home?

The scene opens on the quiet Canelli Estate. It was late in the evening and the sun had already set over the neighborhood. The street lights had come to life and were shinning brightly against the oncoming night, as the stars started to shine brightly against the darkening sky. The gates to the Canelli Estate and the black limo pulled into the estate grounds, heading up the long driveway toward the estate. The limo soon stops at the bottom of the stairs, and Joanne steps out, with the guys following behind. The weather had started to warm up, and it wouldn't be to long before they would be sitting outside, enjoying the warm weather. They head inside to the darkened house, and Joanne turns on the lights, heading for her office. The flight had taken longer than she hoped, but it didn't matter. She was going to check her messages, and make sure the repairs were finally finished. She soon reaches her office, and opens the door. Her chair was facing the window, but there was something out of place.

Joanne: What the hell? Is someone there?

There was nothing but silence, as she stood in the darkness. She slowly made her way to the desk, hoping that someone wasn't waiting for her. Joanne reaches her desk, and draws her gun, ready for anything... anything but what she saw sitting in her chair. She let out a scream of horror, as she stared down, at one of her own guards with his throat slit, and with his tongue pulled through the hole. His eyes had been gauged out, and on a piece of paper attached to his chest, sprawled in blood read:

Siete seguente. ( You are next)

Reno, Rude, and Scarpaci run into the office after hearing her scream, and walk over to where she stood. They all cringe at the sight that was before them.

Reno: Are you all right?

Joanne: What do you think? I came in here to check everythin', and I found him in the chair like this.

Rude: Holy shit! Who do you think did it?

Joanne: There's only person that wants me dead that badly... But the question is how did they get him in my office?

Scarpaci: The sliding glass doors were open in the kitchen. They could have gotten in that way.

Rude: Yeah but someone had to have seen them dragging a body through the house.

Reno: I don't know, but it seems kind of strange don't you think? With as many guards as we have around here someone would have seen something.

Joanne looks back at the blood soaked body, as she spots maggots starting to move through the body. It had been there for at least a couple of days before they had come back and found it. Joanne sighed, and looked out the window at the night that was settling in.

Joanne: I want everyone in the livin' room. Gather every single guard that is here tonight. We're goin' to see who's been snitchin' to Giovanni. I need to make a phone call so I'll let you guys go and take care of that.

Reno: Right. Are you going to be all right alone?

Joanne: I'll be fine. If he moves I'll shoot him.

They guys walk out of the room leaving Joanne by herself with what was left of the corpse that sat in her chair. She picks up the phone on the edge of the desk and dials a number and waits for it to be picked up.

Joanne: Hey it's me. I have a dead guy startin' to make my office stink. No I didn't do it. I just got back from out west. We just got in not 20 minutes ago and found him. His eyes are gouged out, and he's wearin' a Sicilian Neck Tie. No, he's one of my guys. I have no idea how they got him in here or anythin'. That's what I was thinkin'. Anyway I need you to have someone come and get the body... That would be nice. I'll see you soon.

With that Joanne hangs up the phone, and stares out the window, wondering which one had helped Giovanni pull something like this off.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Manabu after the night I have had, you have already had your fate sealed this week. I'm not in the mood to play games with you. If you want your title back then you better work for it. The first time I won a world title I held it for three months before I lost it. I don't plan on givin' it any time soon especially back to someone like you. You got further in the God of Wrestling tourney so you really don't need to have the title back. Not yet at least.

Joanne opens the doors and steps out onto the balcony. The night air felt good, and a light wind blew around her, as she leaned against the railing.

Joanne: *Voice Over* If they want a war, I'll give them a war. It'll be the bloodiest one anyone has ever seen. I'm through with playin' games with people that think they can bring me down. Manabu you are no different. The only thin' that you and I are concerned about is the title when the two of us step into that ring, and that's fine. But I'm not goin' to give it up. I've worked hard since I've been in the UWA and I finally have the proof that I am the best of the best, and I will stay that way until I say so, or it's pried away from my cold dead hands.

She walks along the balcony with her high heeled shoes clicking on the marble under foot. Everything was quiet, and that was a good thing. By now she knew Reno had gathered the guards into the living room, and that she would be needed before too long. She walks down a set of steps, and walks over to the enclosure where the tiger was sound asleep. She looked at it and smiled. The creature was deadly and had already proven that. The blood stains were visible from the attack on the house, but it was well worth to leave them.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Tiger, tiger burnin' bright, in the forests of the night, what immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry? I love that poem, and right now it seems to fit. I'm like the tiger that lies before me. Beautiful and calm until push comes to shove. When I'm cornered I fight back, and don't give anyone ground to stand on when they face me. I'm not afraid of you Manabu, and I don't plan on layin' down. If you want this title Manabu you better be right to fight for it, and show me why you think you deserve it. I'm not just goin' to hand it to you.

Joanne turns away from the tiger enclosure, and starts back toward the house, and the balcony once again. She walks along it for a few minutes, and reaches the sliding doors to the living room, and steps inside only to find everyone had gathered in the living room just as she requested. She sits in the big chair easily as she can trying not to pull the stitches that were still fresh. Joanne looked around the room, and notices one of them looking down at the floor, acting a tad bit nervous. Joanne knew that look on anyone. He knew something, and she was going to find out what one way or another. Joanne slowly gets to her feet, and walks over to him, as he looks up.

Joanne: Are you ok? You look nervous about somethin'. Is there somethin' you want to tell me?

The guy stares into her eyes knowing that she wasn't going to let him go until she found the answers she was looking for.

Tony: Micky wasn't here about 4 nights ago. He called here and said that he had the flu.

Armand: Wait, he was here that night. He said he was feeling a bit better so he decided to check in. He was acting kind of nervous about something.

Joanne: Really? Where is he right now?

Tony: He called this morning. Said something about his girlfriend going to the doctor today, so he wouldn't be here.

Joanne walks out of the room, with her mind racing. There were no excuses taken, or given when you were part of the family. All that mattered was your pledge and your dedication to the family. Something wasn't right.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Son of a bitch! Does he think I'm that stupid? When I find him there's not goin' to be anythin' left to him. It looks like I have to bring in someone that knows how to deal with traitors. Manabu Thursday night there will be one thing that you need to worry about, and that is my anger. I have been betrayed by someone that I thought I could trust. I hate being lied to, and when it costs someone their life that is even worse. The kid that is sittin' dead in my chair didn't deserve his fate, and yet I'll be blamed for it, as I always am. I know what you're thinkin' and no, what just happened isn't goin' to interfere with our match. I'll have the problem solved before we even set foot in the ring this week. I just hope you are ready to face the Jersey Devil Diva in full force, and hope to make it through this match in one piece. I'm not goin' to let you off easy, nor will I let you get the upper hand in this match. I will be the one to walk away with the win once again, and the World title still on my arm while you walk away with nothin' once again.

Joanne walks back through the hallway, only to hear the sound of the doorbell ringing. She walks to the door, and opens it. There stands Alex Blitskin. Joanne motions for him to come in, and closes the door behind him and the team from the morgue.

Blitskin: Where's the body?

Joanne: In my office sittin' in my chair. If you could get rid of it that would be great.

Blitskin: Not a problem. These guys are some of the best, and there won't be anything left when they're done. I've already called the cleaning crew. They'll be here first thing tomorrow.

Joanne: That's fine with me. I'll leave you to whatever you have to do, and I'll be right there. I just have to go and make a phone call right quick.

Blitskin nods, and walks away with the team from the morgue following behind. Joanne pulls out her cell phone and begins to dial. She waits for a few minutes before it's picked up on the other end, and paces the hallway as she speaks.

Joanne: It's me... I know it's been a long time, but I need your expertise on somethin'. I know HE's not there. That's not why I called. I need someone taken care of. I don't care how you do it, but I want the information he has before you make him into a piece of art. Stop by the house tomorrow and I'll give you everythin' you need to know about him. I know I'll owe you, but if you do this for me, I'll give you more than enough to fill your gallery. Fair enough. I'll see you soon.

Joanne hangs up the phone and starts back toward her office with her mind racing.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Well at least that's two problems taken care of. But what do I do about you Manabu? How do I bring you down, and show the world that I am and always will be better than you? The last time we stood in the middle of the ring, you showed me a few thin's but it wasn't enough was it? This time, try a bit harder will you? I mean I don't want to win the title when you're not worth anythin' or to even face for such a wondrous prize. Thursday night bring everythin' you have to the ring with you Manabu, and pray to whatever Gawd you want that it is enough to stop me. We are the Mafioso, and we get paid to kick your ass. See you soon.

Joanne soon reaches her office, and stands in the doorway as she watches the guys with white gloves trying to find the exit wounds for the bullet holes they had found in his chest. They finally move the body and place it in a body bag, and start moving it out of the office, and towards the front door, as the scene fades to black.