Another Match, Another Title

[The Jersey Devil Diva]

Act 1:A Cruise

“Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything.”
Vince Lombardi

The scene opens on the Azamara Journey out of New York. The sun was starting to set over the horizon, letting the night come on, revealing the bright stars above. The massive cruise ship had been at sea for just a few hours, and yet a celebration was under way. This was one of the many cruises that was heading out to the spot where the Titanic had sunk 100 years ago on the 15th of April. Joanne had managed to snag at least three spots before the tickets had sold out, and knew there would be a few big names from the city on board, plus it was a great way to celebrate her victory over Classy J, and becoming the new Rush Hour Champion. As the camera panned over the decks, we see a few people actually dressed in period costumes. A few people stop and take pictures with them before moving on to explore the rest of the ship. We soon see Joanne standing against the railing dressed in a long evening gown, with her hair fixed up looking out over the still water. The black shawl that she wore blew in the wind around her, as a stray strand of hair fell into her face. They had been at sea since Friday and there was a party every night until the last few hours before the ship went down, then a memorial would begin for those that had been lost 100 years ago. It was nice to have a few minutes to herself, without guards or even the guys hanging around her. She knew how to defend herself when she needed to and didn't really need anyone to keep her safe. She soon hears shoes clicking behind her, and she turns around to see Reno standing behind her. She smiles softly, and leans against the railing facing him.

Joanne: Not enjoying the party?

Reno: I was, until I noticed you were gone. It's not safe for you to be wandering around on your own. After all someone is trying to kill you.

Joanne: I'm fine, and besides not that many people know who I am. The ones that do, are not the ones out to get me.

Reno: How do you know for sure?

Joanne turns from him, and sighs, as she stares out at the silent sea. In just a few hours they would be over the site where the Titanic had gone down.

Joanne: I just do, and leave it at that.

Reno: Wait a minute... You know who's out to get you don't you?

Joanne: I think I do... But I could be wrong.

Reno walks to the railing and stands beside her as they look out over the water.

Reno: Is it someone we know?

Joanne nods, and looks at him with soft eyes. She wanted to tell him so everything could end, but she wanted to be the one to end it, and look him dead in the eye before she pulled the trigger.

Joanne: Like I said, I have an idea of who it is, but the information I was given could be wrong because the guy was gaspin' for air at the time...

Reno: So you think it might have been a rouse, and that they really didn't know?

Joanne: I'm not sure. All I know is that I'm safe right now.

Reno: That's all I needed to know. Do you want to go back inside, or do you want to go to our room and...

Joanne smiles softly, knowing what the other option was. She takes him by the hand and they head back inside passing happy couples as they danced and chatted in the main ballroom. No expense had been spared for this cruise, and everything was truly grand. They soon reach the elevators and step inside, heading to their floor.

Reno: You never did tell me why you got tickets to this thing.

Joanne: The last time we were in Italy dad came across a very old, steamer trunk filled with papers and other things. It had belonged to my great grandmother. She lost her first husband on the Titanic.

Reno is taken back by the news, and leans against the back of the car.

Reno: You mean last week?

Joanne: No, when we there at Christmas time. I wanted to do somethin' to make sure his memory was honored. He wasn't a Canelli, but he is still part of the family in a way.

Reno: How do you he died on the Titanic?

Joanne: We found the settlement papers from the White Star Line, and a receipt for a ticket for the 12th of April 1912. He was goin' to America and try to start a new life for them I imagine.

Reno: Damn...

The elevator soon stops and they step out into the hallway heading for their room. Joanne knew it would be a few hours more before they reached the spot, so they had time to rest. At 4:30 they would be calling everyone out on deck for the service, and to lay the wreath to float over the spot once again.

Joanne: But right now, I just want to lay in your arms, and relax before we are summoned on deck.

Reno and her walk off down the hallway a little ways, and stop in front of a set of double doors, and walk inside, as the scene fades to black.

Act 2: A triple threat

The scene reopens on Joanne staring out the window at the stars that seemed to dance in the sky. It was strange. The night the Titanic sank the sky was the same way, and was thought to be one of the causes why she sank. Joanne grabs her coat off of the chair, and looks at the clock. It read 3:54 am. It wouldn't be long before they would all be up on deck for a memorial service for those had been lost. She opens the door slowly and heads down the long hallways once again alone. Her high heeled shoes clicked on the hardwood floors as she headed up to the main deck. The night was a bit chilly off the coast of Newfoundland, but there were no icebergs floating anywhere near them, only far off in the distance could large pieces of ice be seen. A few people had already started to gather up on the deck, and talking quietly among themselves, not paying any attention to Joanne as she leaned against the railing. Earlier that evening she had received a phone call letting her know she had a match this week when they arrived back to the states. It was a triple threat and nothing she couldn't really handle on her own. She never really heard anything about her opponents but she didn't want to get over zealous and underestimate either of them, just in case they had some faint idea who they were up against.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Where do I even start? I just got the Rush Hour title and now they are puttin' me into a match against two guys that want to take it from me already. All I can say is that if either of you want this title then you better be ready to face me. I just got my hands on it, and I don't plan on losing it just yet. I lost the World title just after two weeks of havin' it, after a fluke match. I've worked to get where I am in this company so far, but tell me what have you two done so far to even want me to address either one of you? Andy Star I know I have faced you at least once, and I know you are nothin' more than a major asshole, and pain in my side. Thursday night will be an experience that you won't forget again. The last time we met I thought you learned your lesson but I guess not. How many more times do you have to stand in the middle of the ring, and try to take me out before you learn I'm better than you?

The sound of a bell ringing breaks Joanne from her thoughts, as she sees a few more people appear on the deck. Reno and Rude follow behind slowly still half asleep. Joanne waves them over, and kisses Reno softly.

Reno: Hello to you too. What time is it?

Joanne: It's at least 20 after 4.

Rude: Why did I come up here? I didn't lose anyone on that damn thing.

Joanne sighs, and takes Reno by the hand, as they head over to the section of the deck where everyone had gathered. Most of them were dressed in heavy coats to block out the cold that they had drifted into just a few moments ago, while others were still dressed in the period costumes.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Andy do you really want the Rush Hour title that badly? I mean you really haven't proven to me that you are champion material in anythin' that you've done. I think you've only won like one match, and yet they are tossin' you into somethin' like this. I've been in a lot of triple threat matches, and I've always come out on top, not because I know what I'm doin' but because I am the best at what I do.

A catholic priest steps to the front of the crowd and begins to speak, and Joanne stares out at the still ocean as the sun started to rise over the horizon. The sky fills with pinks and reds, as the priest continues to speak, before a large brightly colored wreath is tossed over the side onto the site.

Joanne: *Voice Over* Here I stand at 4:30 in the mornin', in honor of a man I never knew. In a way he is part of the Canelli family, and should be given at least some thought. It seems strange, the whole time I've been on this cruise I've been tryin' to relax or have thought about the match I'm goin' to be in on Thursday night. Of course no one really thought they were goin' to die on that night they hit the iceberg did they? Most of the people that on this ship are descendents of those that perished or managed to live and tell the story of what really happened... Even then there are differences in their stories. In a few hours we will be back in New York at the dock where the Titanic was goin' to dock, and then I'll be home to get ready for my match.

Soon everything ends, and head back to their rooms or to other parts of the ship waiting for a new day to begin. All the shops were still closed to the public, and the small cafes and restaurants were still getting ready for the day. Joanne, Reno and Rude stand against the railing as they set off from the spot once again heading back to New York, as the scene fades to black.

Act 3: On Land once again

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The scene opens on the kitchen of the Canelli Estate. It was late in the afternoon, and everything had been finished for the day. Joanne and the guys sit at an island in the middle of the kitchen with a take out menu before them. The TV was blaring with latest news from the UWA, and the newest promo from one of her opponents. He looked familiar, yet she knew it couldn't be the same guy that she had known from years back. When he opened his mouth, Joanne saw red. He was a rapper and decided to do something could possibly cost him his life. She turns the TV off, and gets to her feet and begins pacing back and forth. The guys knew this wasn't going to be a good thing, and someone was going to die on Thursday night.

Joanne: What the fuck did he just say? I'm goin' to kill him!

Reno: Is it just me or does he look like someone we use to know?

Rude: That's what I was thinking. You know what gets me about these gangster rappers... They don't know when to keep their mouths shut! There is a code of silence within the family.

Joanne: He's goin' to be silent after I put him six feet under! He really thinks he can beat me when he's never stepped into a ring before? I'm goin' to make him wish he were dead!

Reno: Calm down Joanne. He's trying to get you so pissed off that you'll make mistakes on Thursday night.

Scarpaci: You can beat this kid sis. He's got no skills.

Joanne sighs and walks out of the kitchen toward the living room. No one disrespected her like this and lived long enough to see it coming.

Joanne: I don't know you think you are Eric, but let me tell you somethin' you have just made an enemy. I was goin' to go easy on you, and give you the benefit of a doubt, but after you opened your mouth you have proven to me you are piece of shit, that needs to be taken care of. You have shown me disrespect by what you have done, and that is never good in this business. You should have stayed on my good side, and kept it on the down low, but no... You opened your mouth, and now I have to shut it.

She looks out the window as the sun starts to set over the tiger enclosure. The creature was doing well, and loved the one they had sent from the zoo to take care of him. Joanne steps out onto the balcony and starts toward the area, pulling her jacket a little closer to her body. The air wasn't as warm as it had been earlier that day, even though it was spring.

Joanne: I'm all for free speech but you are completely and absolutely useless to me, so who would notice if I offed you? Do you know what happened to the last person that did somethin' like this? He ended up bein' beaten to a bloody pulp and no one asked any questions about what happened. You see the police in this area, and New York don't give a rats ass what I do, and I can pull strin's else where to get off Scott free. Thursday night, you will have my full attention. Andy, he's nothin' and he already knows it. He hasn't even opened his mouth to me, and I have to say I am not surprised at all. The last time he faced me he lost, and very badly at that. You, I'm just goin' to rip apart and leave in the middle of the ring for all the others to know that I mean business and not to step up to me unless they can take me out. How long do you think you're goin' to last against someone like me Eric? You have never stepped into a ring before!

She reaches the tiger enclosure and look over the wall at the beautiful creature that is sound asleep in the late afternoon. It wouldn't be long before he was up and wandering around his enclosure waiting for someone to fall over the wall.

Joanne: I don't know if I can even think of anythin' else to say to either one of you. I've said everythin' I can really think of to say to losers such as yourselves, and that Thursday night I'm goin' to beat you into nothin'ness so what else is there to say to you? Oh I know… We are the Mafioso, and we get paid to kick your ass! See you soon.

She smiles and starts walking back toward the house, and into the living room once again. Her cell phone rings, as the scene fades to black.