A Trip to Italy

[The Jersey Devil Diva]

Act 1: Italian Countryside

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”
Unknown

The scene opens on the beautiful Italian countryside. Spring had come early, and the trees were loaded with blossoms that drifted to the ground in the gentle wind that blew through the trees. The sun was high in the afternoon sky, hanging against the bright blue sky, while white puffy clouds drifted in silence over head. We soon see a massive villa on a high hill surrounded by a vineyard that stretched out for miles in either direction. This was the Canelli estate that now belonged to Joanne's father. The white stone gleamed in the sun, making the crawling ivy bright against the white of the house. Guards made their rounds with dogs in tow, to protect the man that lived inside. The camera goes around to the back of the house, where we see Joanne lying by the crystal clear pool wearing very little of nothing. The dark blue bikini left nothing to the imagination, while her long hair had been pulled back from her face. She and the guys had spent almost a full week in Italy after her last match against Rick Mad. She had won her match, and now was just one step to getting her hands on the Rush Hour Title. Reno soon appears and stands in the doorway watching Joanne sun herself in the Mediterranean sun. Joanne's skin was already bronzed, but now she could be considered a Golden Goddess among the people. Reno walks out onto balcony pool, and sits beside her, as she looks over and smiles.

Joanne: How long have you been out here?

Reno: Not long. You just got a call from the UWA. Jake Eaton was arrested for having drugs on him.

Joanne: Really? Why did they call me then? They think I had somethin' to do with it?

Reno: I don't think so. Instead of facin' him for the Rush Hour Title, it's been vacated.

Joanne looks at him, and sits up.

Joanne: What? Why didn't I hear about this sooner?

Reno: Remember we can't get anything this far out.

Joanne: Except local channels... Now I know why he goes into the town on Thursday nights.

Reno: True. Oh you also have a match this week.

Joanne: Who's it against?

Reno: It's against Classy J again.

Joanne sighs, knowing that there was no real way out of the match this time around. Her and Classy always knew the day would come where they would have to face each other again, after the last one they were in, ended in a draw. She gets up from where she sits, and walks over to the stone balcony wall and looks out over the vast vineyards that spread out before her.

Joanne: I figured they would make us fight in another match sooner or later. At least this time it's a normal match right?

Reno: Yeah. There's no special terms this time around.

Joanne: Good. What time is it?

Reno: 4 o'clock why?

Joanne's eyes get wide, as she runs back to where she was sunning herself, and grabs her stuff.

Joanne: Damn it! I'm late for that meetin' with my father.

Reno: I'm sure he's not going to off you, just because you're a few minutes late. After all you are his daughter.

Joanne smiles softly and kisses Reno on the cheek, before running inside the massive villa. She runs along the black marbled floors, still dressed in the two piece deep blue bikini, passing by a few guards causing them to turn their heads. They knew she was spoken for, and they were to protect her and her father, nothing more. Reno had gotten lucky, and would be part of the family when they finally married. It didn't happen as often as people thought, and it was always hard to catch Joanne's eye. She passes pictures in the hallway of a young man dressed in the 1920's style dress with a little boy standing beside him. This was Joanne's great grandfather, and grandfather. The family had been in Italy as far back as anyone could remember, and had become wine makers over the last few generations. Joanne finally reaches a set of double doors, and knocks lightly, waiting to be summoned. The doors slowly open, and there at the desk sat an older looking man, leaning back in his chair, smoking a cigar. Three other men were in the office, but get up and leave, as Joanne enters. This was her father's council. Even though he's retired from the business he still had his hand in a few things. Joanne walks to the desk and kisses him on the cheek before sitting down across from him.

Antonio: Did you forget to get dressed?

Joanne looks down at what she was wearing and smiles softly adjusting the top part of it.

Joanne: What? I'm dressed. Nothin's showin'.

Antonio: I know, but it doesn't leave anythin' to the imagination.

Joanne: I was runnin' late and didn't have time to change.

Her father just sighs, and leans forward in his seat. Joanne reminded him of her mother in every way. She had the same build, and the same olive colored skin.

Antonio: Another 20 minutes wouldn't have been to long to wait. But whatever. Now what did you want to talk to me about sweety?

Joanne: I'm sure you know that someone is out to get me... I'm not sure why, but I think I have an idea of who. But I think someone is either tryin' to cover their own ass or keep someone else out of my range.

Antonio: How did you find out the info?

Joanne: One of my own guys was a traitor, so I had him worked over. When I did, he confessed somethin', and I'm hopin' he's wrong.

Antonio: Why? Is it someone I know?

Joanne nods, and gets up from where she sits. She leans down and whispers something into his ear, as her father's eyes got wide. He couldn't believe what Joanne had just told him. She sits back down across from him, as he leans back, running a hand through his still thick black hair.

Antonio: Are you sure?

Joanne: That's just it, I'm not sure, but I'm really startin' to think it is. He's been disappearin' a lot, and when he comes back he's always on edge. I hate to think that it is him, but everythin' is startin' to point to him. But the worst thin' is I think he knows that I know.

Antonio: If it is him, then you better be careful. Don't let on that you have been noticin' stuff that's he doin', or he'll find a way to end you when you're alone with him. I've been in your shoes sweety, and it's never easy. You trust them, and would do anythin' for them, only to have them betray you in a way you would never think of.

Joanne: Is it because you chose me?

Antonio: It's more than likely that, and a few other thin's sweety. You knew everythin' you had to take it, while you were never really trained to take over, you did somethin' the night your mother died that sealed your place. You went after the bastards that did it.

Joanne: I did what to had to be done. But I don't know what to do right now. I mean I know you keep your enemies close but this is ridiculous. He could kill me in my sleep, and there would be no stoppin' him. Reno sleeps like the dead, and I'm not much better.

Antonio: True. You could always sleep through anythin', but I don't think he'll do it in your sleep. He wants you dead, but if anythin' it'll be face to face.

Joanne knew he was right. Her killer would want to see the fear in her eyes, as he shot her, not smothering her to death with a simple pillow. There's no sport in it. Joanne leans back in the chair, and sighs, looking up at the ceiling.

Antonio: But that's not all that is botherin' you is it?

Joanne: No. I have a match this week.

Antonio: That's good to hear. But somethin' tells me you're not to thrilled about it.

Joanne: In a way I am, but it's against a friend of mine. I mean I've faced him before, and we put on a show for the fans because neither one of us wanted to really beat the holy hell out of the other. This time around it's just a normal match, and nothin' more so it's not so bad.

Antonio: Then what's wrong? Are you worried that you're goin' to lose?

Joanne: No. I don't care who wins our match. We already made a pact about this, but after somethin' try to kill me it's hard to trust anyone right now.

Antonio nods, knowing where she was coming from.

Antonio: I think I understand sweety. But he seems like the kind of guy that keeps his word, and his honor. I would trust him, and the pact that you made the first time around, and not worry about it. You'll be fine, no matter what happens.

Joanne: You're right. He's never done anythin' to prove that he would double cross me, or anythin' like that. So Thursday night I'm goin' to go out there and give the fans a match that no one will forget.

Antonio gets up from where he sits, as Joanne gets to her feet. He hugs her, and she feels safe in his arms, just as she did when she was a little girl.

Antonio: Now why don't you go and get ready for dinner. I'm goin' to take you, and the boys out. I know you'll be leavin' soon, and we haven't had a chance to really spend any time together.

Joanne: All right. I'll be ready to go in a few minutes.

He just nods, as Joanne slips from his arms, and heads off toward her room to get ready.

Joanne: *voice Over* Classy J, once again you and I are put into the ring against each other. Both of us knew this day was comin', but we just didn't know when. They could have put us against anyone and yet they put us against each other. This time it's a normal match, and we don't have to worry about really hurtin' each other, as bad as it could have been in that street brawl the last time we faced each other. You've helped me more than once take care of people that wanted to bring me down, and make me look like a fool, or wanted to put an end to my career... and for that I say thank you.

She continues down the hallway until she reaches the stair case, that wound up to the second floor. A large family portrait sat at the top of the of the stairs over the landing, and Joanne smiles softly. She remembered when it had been done, and had felt something like that was a waste of time, but now that she looked at it, she would always have her mother frozen in time, and beautiful forever. She starts up the stairs, as her mind races.

Joanne: *Voice Over* I know some people are probably thinkin' what's the big deal about us facin' each other. It's just a match, but to me it's the fact that I am facin' a friend that understands me better than most people. A friend that has helped me more than once when I needed it, and helped defend my home against unwelcome guests. Thursday night I know whatever the outcome is, we will be civil to one another, and shake hands before either one of walk away from the ring, and go back to our normal lives afterward. Good luck Thursday night Classy... See you soon.

Joanne smiles to herself, as she reaches her room, and heads inside, and closes the door behind her. Soon she comes out, dressed in a knee length black and white dress, with her hair pulled up, with a strand of hair left over her left eye. The small handbag that hung over her shoulder held a 9mm just in case she needed it. She walks down the stairs, and Reno was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and she smiles softly, as he extends his hand.

Joanne: How do I look?

Reno: You look great.

Joanne: Really? Wanna see it beside the bed later?

Reno: Yes please...

Joanne smiles and kisses him, as her father walks back in through the front door. He coughs, as Joanne and Reno break their kiss.

Antonio: Are you two comin' or what?

Joanne: Yeah, but you know how to break up somethin' beautiful...

Antonio: I'm sure you two can wait until after dinner to start, can't you?

Joanne sighs, and looks over at Reno with a sly smile. He returns the smile as he follows her out of the villa and into the bright starry night, as the scene fades to black.