Her Choice

[The Jersey Devil Diva]

Act 1: Regret

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt

The scene opens on the darkened office of the Canelli estate. A thin streak of light could be seen along the floor, causing the glass on the trophy case to sparkle slightly, catching the gold that sat behind it. The door to the office soon opens revealing picture lining shelves, and the walls. A picture of Joanne when she was no more than 6 sat in the middle of trophies, and plaques that held many honors when she was in school. A picture of the family sat on another, happy on a vacation somewhere on a white sandy beach. The deep mahogany desk was polished and shimmered in the lights that were above it. The black leather couch was occupied by a little white cat that was sound asleep with a light purr escaping every once in a while as Joanne sighed. She walks to the heavy set drapes and pulls them back revealing the now brown lawn, and guards making their rounds keeping her safe. The trees had long since lost their leaves, and were now crunched on the ground under foot of her guards. Squirrels ran along the tree and the yard in hopes of finding seeds they had stored earlier that year. Joanne sits in the high backed black leather chair and stares out the window. The two guards that passed by nod and keep going on their rounds. Today was a day that she wanted to be left alone, but no one knew the true reason... She did, and she was the only one that would ever know the truth. She looks at the calendar on the wall and sighs. January 14th. It would have been the day he would have been in her arms, but his life had been ended before it truly began.

Joanne: Another year that you should have been here with me. I wish I hadn't of done it, or let them hurt you. I should have said no...

She continues to stare out the window, as the little white cat pops up on her lap, and purrs loudly.

Joanne: I have to ask myself why did I do it? It's the question that I will always ask, and I will never have an answer. I could have done it on my own... Who am I kiddin'? He would have taken care of us, and made sure you never wanted for anythin' in your life no matter how big or small it was.

She gets up from where she sits with the cat in her arms, and stops in front of a glass case filled with trophies. The gold sparkled in the dim light of the room and sighs. She had been a straight a student, but was wild when she was outside the school walls. She knew that if she had been tied down, she wouldn't have done all the things that she had done so far in her life. Joanne places a hand at her stomach, as tears fill her eyes. No one had known the secret and with each year she regretted the mistake.

Joanne: Did you ever regret somethin' so much that you wish you could turn back the hands of time and do it all over again? I know I have, and still do. I was young and made the biggest mistake of all. Ended a life before it even truly began within me. He would have been 21 today. No one knew my secret and that was the way I wanted it. It still kills me inside when I think about what could have been, and the life I would have had if I had gone another way. Would I even be standin' here the Don of the Canelli family or would I have gone on and finished college to become somethin' more than what I am now? If he had been with me... nothin' would have stopped me from doin' what I wanted.

Joanne turns to the fireplace where a replica of a World Title sat on the mantle behind glass. The gold sparkled as bright as it ever had, and the memories still remained with her. She had fought tooth and nail to get as far as had, and managed to hold onto the title for a short time, but it had been hers. Now she had to make her way through the ranks again, and claim what was hers once again.

Joanne: I know I have a match this week and it's not goin' to be easy. A fatal four way somethin' that I've been in at least a few times and I know what I'm in for, but the question is do my opponents? Will they regret ever standin' in the ring with me, and try to make a name for themselves? I'm not new to the game, and if I were any of you I wouldn't show up for this match. I don't play nice with others, and I will do anythin' and everythin' to win this match to gain my first win in the UWA.

Joanne turns around, and starts back toward her desk, as a knock comes to the door. She sighs, and walks to the door but doesn't open it.

Joanne: Who is it?

Reno: It's me. Are you all right? I mean you've been in there all day.

Joanne: You know this is the one-day that I want to be alone. What do you want?

Reno: Just wondering if you want someone to talk to about what ever it is about this day.

Joanne sighs as tears start to roll down her cheeks. She knew Reno meant well but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. For the last 21 years she had suffered alone over what she had done.

Joanne: Not really. You know I would rather be alone right now.

Reno: Why? You have never told us why you do this every year on this day. Please let me in Joanie.

Joanne: I can't tell you. Now please leave!

Reno: I'm not going anywhere until you tell me. When we started dating you told me everything that happened between you and him, and I'm fine with it, because it's all in the past. Please tell me.

By this time, tears are streaming down Joanne's face, trying to make him understand that she wanted to be left alone, but he wasn't giving up.

Joanne: It has nothin' to do with you! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

Reno: You know I can't do that. If you don't open this door right now, I'm going to shoot it off the hinges and I'll open it myself.

Joanne closes her eyes, and slowly opens the door. Reno smiles softly as he walks inside, setting the cat that Joanne held in her arms on the chair by the door. Reno took her in his arms, as the tears continued to fall.

Joanne: I need to get out of here...

Reno: Where do you want to go?

Joanne: It doesn't matter... Just get me out of here away from the memories...

Reno: All right... C'mon. I know where we can go. I know it always helps you when you're upset.

Joanne takes his hand, and they head out of the office. It would be a long day, and nothing would stop the memories from flooding in, and driving her to the point of tears once again. They reach the garage, and head for one of the many cars that lined the walls, as the scene fades to black.

Act 2: The truth will set you free

The scene reopens on the boardwalk in Ocean City. A few brave people walked along the now empty boardwalk taking in the ocean view, shivering all the while. Others walked their dogs, just to get out in the bright afternoon while the weather was still nice. We soon see Joanne and Reno walking along the boardwalk passing the now closed stores, in silence. Joanne's leather coat was pulled up around her face to block the wind that moved along the white capped waves that splashed along the shore.

Reno: You still haven't told me why you lock yourself away on this day every year.

Joanne: I've been tryin' to find the words, and I don't think I can...

Reno: Please Joanie.

Joanne sighs as she walks to one of the railings that ran along the boardwalk and leans against it watching the waves roll in, and then back out.

Joanne: When I was 16 Seph and I were together. You know we dated, and well we went a little further than that. My father didn't know, or at least I don't think he did. A few months after we had slept together I started to feel sick, so I went to see the doctor.

Reno: You were...

Joanne: Yes... I was pregnant. I didn't know what to do. I could have told Seph, and we would have been together. He would have helped me raise the son that I was carryin', but I got scared and didn't tell anyone. A few weeks later I had made up my mind that I had to get rid of it.

Reno: You had an abortion?

Joanne nods, as tears start to slide down her cheeks once again. The memory would always remain, and nothing would change it.

Joanne: I did. I had it done in a small clinic and used an assumed name. Back then no one checked ID, or even asked for a parent's signature, so I signed the papers, and that was it. They took me into a small room, and in just a few minutes the life I was carryin'... Was gone.

Reno: Oh Joanie... Why didn't you tell me sooner? You know I would do anything that I could for you; instead of letting you go through this alone. Why didn't you tell Seph?

Joanne: I didn't know what he would have said, or done. We all know about his relationships, and I wasn't sure if he would have stuck around.

Reno: He would have. I mean I know you were scared and all. No wonder you did it. Your father would have found a way to kill him, and more than likely would have put the kid up for adoption. How old would he have been?

Joanne: He would be 21 today, if I hadn't of ended a sweet life. Every year I sit alone and think about the mistake I made. I thought it would get easier over time but it never does.

Reno takes Joanne in his arms once again, and runs a hand over her hair. This was a side that many people never truly got to see of the Don of Jersey Shore. She was always proud, never willing to bend or break her word for anyone. She always held herself with poise and grace, and never let the world see her at a weakened state as she was now.

Reno: I'm sorry that you went through this. But you have me to lean on now if you need me you know that right?

Joanne: I know. I wish I had told you sooner. But I didn't know what you would think of me for doin' somethin' that heartless.

Reno: Don't worry; I don't think any less of you for what happened back then. You were young and scared, and figured doing what you did was the only way out.

Joanne: Thank you for understandin' what I did, and why. A lot of people wouldn't think about me the same way once I told them.

Reno: Do you feel better now?

Joanne: Not really. The memory will always be there, and there is nothin' that is goin' to change that. I have to live with what I did for the rest of my life.

Reno sighs, and knew that Joanne was right. It was a mistake that she would have to live with, and regret, but at least he could be there for her and help her through the rough times.

Reno: Are you ready to go?

Joanne: Not yet. If you want to head back to the car, I'll be there in a few minutes.

Reno: If you sure you're going to be all right by yourself.

Joanne: I'll be fine. I just need some time to myself.

Reno: All right. I'll see you in a few minutes.

Reno walks off, leaving Joanne alone looking out over the crashing waves. She knew her match was coming up and she still hadn't done anything to get ready for it. It wasn't going to be an easy match but like everything else, she had a chance and wasn't going to back down.

Joanne: Emma Sinclair, you seem like a decent sort, but then again I don't know anythin' about you. This isn't goin' to be an easy match, and it's us against two guys that aren't goin' to hold back, but make sure they try and gain the win over you and me. I know it's not a tag team match, but we can't let these guys show us up. I would like to have it end with you and me standin' toe to toe and then me gain the win over you. I don't know what you can do, but I'm sure that you can handle yourself in the ring. But then again... I checked out your profile and you just signed on a couple days before I did. So tell me what experience do you have? Do you have any at all that I should know about or are you one those women that think it's goin' to be fun and that we can all be friends after this is all over? I'm in this to win, not to make friends. I want you to use everythin' that you have to stand against someone like me.

Joanne smirks as she starts to walk along the boardwalk once again.

Joanne: Shawn Cashman... I never even heard of you, so I don't even know what to say right now. But from what I saw on your profile you like to show off and that is never good in the ring when you face someone like me. All I have to do is wait until you make one fatal mistake and take you down without a second thought. It's guys like you that make it to easy for someone like me. You turn your back on a predator and think we don't see you, but you're wrong. You'll be the one that I focus on the most and wait for those mistakes to start.

Joanne walks along one of the piers that stretched out over the water feeling the cold spray coming up over the side as she walked out to the end.

Genocide another nobody. If you guys are so great how come I have never heard of any of you? I don't know what to expect from someone that names himself after total destruction of a people or nation. Are you crazy or are you just sick in the head? I don't think I've ever known anyone to ever name themselves after somethin' like that. Which makes me think you are not right, or haven't been right in the head since you started in this business.

She smiles to herself as she stares out at the water.

Joanne: No matter what fed I have been in, I've always started out at the bottom, but shot to the top after just a short time, and start claiming the gold that the champions hold. A fatal four way isn't somethin' to worry about, and I know how I can handle myself against 3 opponents and still walk away with the win over the others. It's somethin' that takes time, and lot of thought which my opponents don't seem to have. So far none of them have said anythin' which makes me think that they are cowards, and not willin' to step into the ring against someone like me in fear that they will lose.

She turns back and starts back toward the boardwalk as her cell phone rings. She answers it as she continues to walk along.

Joanne: Hello?

Reno: Are you all right?

Joanne: I'm fine. I'm headin' to the car now. Is somethin' wrong?

Reno: Rude just called. Your four o'clock called and said they would be an hour late. Something to do with another meeting going over or something.

Joanne: That's fine. It'll give us time to get back and go whatever we have to do.

Reno: Right. I'll see you when you get here.

Joanne soon hangs up, and starts to where the car was parked. Her high-heeled shoes click on the boardwalk as she walks along with the wind whipping around her.

Joanne: Well it seems like my work is never done. Thursday night will be a match that no one will ever forget, and when all is said and done, I will be the one that will be walkin' away with the win while the rest of you are lyin' in the middle of the ring wonderin' where you went wrong. We are the Maifoso; and we get paid to kick your ass! See you soon.

Joanne smiles as she walks toward the car, and to where Reno was waiting for her. She soon reaches the car, and steps inside, before they pull off and head back to the house, as the scene fades to black.