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Post by Admin on Jul 12, 2018 23:30:34 GMT -5
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Post by caseygrey on Jul 21, 2018 4:15:05 GMT -5
Thursday, July 19
Casey Grey sits at the kitchen counter. The clock on the wall reads 2:51, and since she’s wearing pajamas, big fuzzy bear slippers, and it’s dark outside it’s probably early morning. She is looking down at a plate of food, picking at it with a fork. Next to her is her phone. She looks at it, then goes back to picking at the food. Looks at the phone, then back to her food. Phone. Food. Phone. Food. She throws the fork on the plate and shoves it aside. She unlocks the phone.
Phone.
Recents.
She scrolls through the list and gets to April 7. Incoming. She taps a number.
Dialing.
She puts the phone on speaker. Ring 1.
Ring 2.
Ring 3.
“Hello? Are you there or did you butt dial me? Because if you butt dialed me…”
“No. No, I’m here.” Casey holds her hands against her forehead.
“Okay. Why?”
“I…don’t really know,” Casey says.
“Okay. Okay, well, when you find out you can call me back.”
“No, wait! Hold on!”
“It’s almost three in the morning Casey. I was about to go to bed. I don’t have a problem staying up for a few more minutes but you need to give me a reason to.”
“Okay. I can’t sleep. I mean, that’s not the real problem, the real problem is this…insane match I have coming up.”
“Ah. This gauntlet thing.”
“The truth is, it’s wormin’ around in my mind. I got butterflies in my stomach the size of sparrows.”
“Uh huh. So, you called me to…”
“I don’t know…”
“I’m going to hang up on you.”
“No, I just…I don’t know, you got any advice?”
“Sure. Plenty of advice. But you know, it’s like “The Riddler” said. ‘If you’re good at something never do it for free.’”
“That was The Joker. And, I’m open to,” Casey bites her lower lip and looks up, shaking her head, “compensating you.” Casey takes a deep breath and lets it out.
“If you want my help, you got it. I can be in New York tomorrow. There’s a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to get it done. I’m taking this as your word, Casey. I’m bringing forms. I haven’t really had anything to do for the past few weeks. So…boring out here.”
“Saturday. We’re back in Atlanta right now.”
“Fine. Saturday.”
“You haven’t looked at anyone else?”
“Your cousin looks promising.”
“She’s completely innocent. She’s in it more for the fun of being in New York than actually competing. I’m doing my best with her but-“
“She just needs motivation and focus. I can talk to her if you want. You don’t need to be worrying about her and this match. I can handle a champion and a rookie. I’ve done it before.”
“Okay.” Casey shakes her head. “Okay. What do we have to worry about?”
“We? Oh, Casey. My sweet summer child.” Casey arches an eyebrow and looks down at the phone. “Sorry, I watched some Game of Thrones tonight and ate some chocolate chip ice cream. There’s no we. You are going to train and be where I tell you to be. Everything, everything else, is on my shoulders. Right now, it’s late. I want you to hang up and go to bed.”
“But…”
“No buts. This is just another match to you, I expect you to treat it as such. It’s late…go to bed. Go to sleep.”
A beat.
“You want to win, don’t you? You want to come out on top, don’t you? You want your title back, right?”
“Right now I’d be happy with surviving.”
“Liar. If that was all you cared about you wouldn’t have called me. You could have called Young, Vebbins, or anyone else and they would have told you that everything would be okay. You would have talked to your mother. There’s only one reason you would have called my number, and it isn’t for me to tell you everything is going to be roses and chocolate. That’s pillow talk. I can’t promise you that you’ll win. But I can promise you one thing. Everyone that they send out to that ring, from the time you get in it until the time you leave, is going to regret that they showed up. But right now, pretty please, with sugar on top, go to bed.”
Another beat.
“I watched Pulp Fiction too. I’ll call you when I land.”
Call Ended.
Casey stands up from the table and takes a bottle of water from the refrigerator. On the way back past the counter, she grabs her phone. As she walks down the hallway, she runs into her mother.
“Casey,” she says. “What are you doing up? It’s after three.”
“I thought I was hungry. I wasn’t, so I grabbed a water and I’m heading back to bed. I’m just nervous about my match, that’s all. I feel like the whole world is fallin’ apart, really.”
“Oh, sweetie. Don’t worry about that. You’re going to do great and everything will be fine in the end. You’ll see.” Casey’s mom walks away. Casey watches her then looks down at her phone. She walks towards her room shaking her head.
“Son of a bitch,” she whispers.
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Post by caseygrey on Aug 3, 2018 4:31:53 GMT -5
Good Morning Atlanta! You're listening to RKXY 99, the Johnathan Carter Show. We've got a great show this morning, we're going to give away some prizes, we got last chance tickets to see The Cult, Bush and Stone Temple Pilots on the 7th, but right now I've got some Joan Jett for you to get you woke up this morning. When we get back, we'll be joined by Casey Grey, on the phone all the way from New York City.
Johnathan Carter: Good morning Atlanta this is The Johnathan Carter Rock ‘n Roll Morning Show on RKXY 99* from Atlanta, Georgia and we are joined on the phone with our own Casey Grey, professional wrestler in New York City and Empire Wrestling. It is nice to hear from you again Casey and welcome back to the show. Casey Grey: Thank you, it’s nice to be speaking with you again. Johnathan Carter: Thank you. Okay, I guess the first question certainly on my mind and maybe on other peoples’ too is how does it feel to be back with Empire Wrestling? You started there, then left for another fed when there was the hiatus, and now you’re back. Can you tell us about that? Casey Grey: Well, it’s pretty much as you said. I had some success between the bookends but being back here has its own familiarity and comfort. The bosses were nice enough to hire all the former staff back on so it’s almost like a big family. The guys that set up the chairs and the ring are back, even the concession workers. But it’s kinda like that movie Groundhog Day too. Almost like nothing in the middle was real. Johnathan Carter: I can understand that. So your cousin is up there with you now and she’s a wrestler too? Casey Grey: Yeah, Alicia came up there a couple of weeks after I signed back on. It’s been nice having her here. I think it’s been a shock for her but she’s coming around. The fans seem to like her and she can do the work, but she needs to get her mind focused on being a wrestler.
Johnathan Carter: All right! Well, we wish her the best of luck too. Now, we've got some Def Leppard for all of you out there.
Johnathan Carter: We're back live and in case you've just joined us, we're on the phone with Casey Grey. Another question I guess we have is where did Rune come from? Casey Grey: I knew this would come up. Johnathan Carter: Of course. You two don’t have the most friendly relationship but now she’s taking care of your career. Why is that? Casey Grey: I wasn’t going to do it, but I honestly think that she’s come around. She was unemployed for months, almost a year. She gave me free advice on more than one occasion, and I think it saved me because I can be a bit of a hothead sometimes and I’ll make rash decisions that end up workin’ against me. She’s going to get me my title shot, I promise you that. Johnathan Carter: I’m just sure I speak for everyone when I say to watch your back around her though. She’s nothing if not crafty. Casey Grey: I hope so. I know she’s got a past and everything, but she’s going to find someone to work for sooner or later, and if I can get her workin’ for me and get me and Alicia to the top where we belong, I’m gonna let her do it. Johnathan Carter: Any plans for the two of you in the future? Tag team wise, I mean? Casey Grey: Nobody’s mentioned anything about tag teams at all yet, but if they do everybody better watch out. Alicia and I go way, way back together. That’s all I’m sayin’ about that.
Johnathan Carter: Scary deal with that Rune. Figured this would at least set the mood.
Johnathan Carter: All right, we’re back and have time for one more question. What is going on with the Primetime Championship? Casey Grey: That’s my belt. It’s one of those things that everybody knows but nobody wants to admit or just make happen. I show up for the first show back and win the main event. I have to face three wrestlers on the second show and I win that match too. Now, even after all that, I’m not even on the card this Wednesday! I have an interview or some drivel, not sayin’ anything bad about interviews since I’m in one right now, and I like talkin’ to the folks back home, but I’m a draw for this company. People come see me. My scheduled appearance should be a Primetime championship award ceremony but no… Casey’s voice gets quiet with her next words… Casey Grey: Hey, give me my phone back! That’s my interview! Alicia Monroe: Hey! It’s Alicia! Sorry to interrupt but she’ll rant for hours if you let her. She’s been mad for a month about this. How are y’all? Johnathan Carter: We’re good. You doin’ all right up there? Casey Grey: Give me my phone! Alicia Monroe: Yeah! I want to make a request dedicated to Casey to end the interview! It sounds like a fight on the other end of the line. Alicia Monroe: BasketCasebyGreenDay! BasketCasebyGreenDay! The fight continues on the phone while Johnathan Carter closes the interview. Johnathan Carter: Well, there you have it ladies and gentlemen. The Pride of Atlanta, Georgia. We…wish her the best in her career. We’ll be back after Green Day.
*Not a real radio show. |
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Post by caseygrey on Sept 7, 2018 0:09:50 GMT -5
Filmed August 31.
Casey’s apartment. It’s quiet inside, quiet enough that the muffled sounds of the traffic below can be heard. It’s late in the evening, and orange light streams through the curtains into the living room. A key can be heard in the doorknob, and the door opens an instant later. Casey and Alicia walk in, wearing workout clothes. Casey Grey: No, I’m just saying. I’d prefer to work out in the morning. I always feel like I’m missing something when I’m in the gym late in the day. Alicia Monroe: Yeah, but if we do it like this, you can take a hot shower and relax better to get to sleep. Just…give it a chance. Casey Grey: I don’t know. It’s- There is a knock at the door, then it opens. Rune Sigidottir: Hello? Oh, hi. You know, you guys should really lock this door. You never know what kind of weirdos might be walking around out here looking for an open door. Casey and Alicia look at each other. Alicia rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Rune Sigidottir: Hey! I saw that, Alicia. Where have you two been? I’ve been looking for you for the last… Rune looks at her watch. Rune Sigidottir: …twelve minutes and nineteen…twenty…twenty-one…oh, this could go on forever…seconds. They announced the matches for the next Hype. Alicia, you have a triple threat tag team match. Your partner is Zoey Matthews, and you two will be facing Kurt Hullum and Alex Silver, and Azurine Vebbins and Talia Areano. I expect that Casey can help a little with your match. Casey Grey: Yeah. Yeah, I think I can. Rune Sigidottir: Casey, you have a triple threat match too. Casey Grey: Dammit. Rune Sigidottir: AJ Adams and Johnny Maverick. Casey chuckles, as if she thinks Rune is joking with her. Casey Grey: Uh, what?
Rune Sigidottir: Yeah. It’s a…less than ideal situation. Casey Grey: Did you do this? Rune looks genuinely offended. Rune Sigidottir: What? No! I haven’t spoken with anyone in management except a few times on Twitter. They’ve proven somewhat…elusive so far. Casey Grey: My…momentum going into Ascension…it hangs on a triple threat match with…Adams and Maverick?! Why don’t you just shoot me now, Rune?! I’m…I…I think I’m gonna be sick… Casey rushes out of the living room. Alicia looks at Rune. Rune Sigidottir: I didn’t do this. I understand how it would be easy for her to think that, but I didn’t. Casey is a good wrestler, Alicia. She’s proven that multiple times over the last several weeks. But I don’t know. I don’t think “good” is going to be good enough this time around. |
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Post by caseygrey on Jan 29, 2019 6:44:01 GMT -5
Trainers in the locker room have Casey Grey corralled into a corner. She is fending them off with a length of pipe, but as it is, nobody is walking up to her. After a few moments of the trainers holding back to avoid getting their brains bashed in, the door flies open and Alicia Monroe walks in. She takes a moment to assess the situation before rushing forward and, pushing past two trainers, shoves Casey against the wall. Alicia holds Casey back with her forearm across her neck.
Casey Grey: You better back off, Alicia! I’m serious!
Alicia Monroe: No! We’re not doin’ this tonight! What the hell is wrong with you?
Casey Grey: Let me go!
Alicia Monroe: Calm down first. And drop that damn pipe.
The two stare at each other for a moment, then Casey throws the pipe to the floor.
Alicia Monroe: If I let you go are you gonna to try to destroy the place?
There is a long pause. Casey looks furious.
Casey Grey: No.
Alicia let’s Casey go, holding her hands up in front of her. Casey shoves Alicia back and the trainers run up to get between them. Alicia cuts them off.
Alicia Monroe: No, it’s okay! It’s okay. Just…back off for a minute!
The trainers hold their positions as Casey backs further into the corner again, obviously favoring her knee. Alicia turns her head, addressing one of the trainers.
Alicia Monroe: What happened?
Trainer #1: She came in here and asked us for something for her knee. Since she hasn’t really exhibited issues with her knee before, we wanted to check her out to make sure that she was okay.
Casey Grey: I just. Want. An aspirin!
Kevin Olson has stepped into the locker room.
Casey Grey: What the hell is he doin’ here! Get him outta here!
Kevin Olson: I was…
Casey Grey: I don’t care! Get! Out!
The trainers herd Kevin back outside. Casey leans against the wall and slides down until she’s sitting on the floor. She puts her hands on her head and looks down. Alicia squats in front of Casey.
Alicia Monroe: What’s wrong with your knee?
Casey Grey: Nothing. I think. I don’t know. It was fine and then after that brawl it just started hurtin’. I just wanted some aspirin or somethin’ like that. I ask these clowns and then they start the third degree, wantin’ to know why and what’s wrong and everything like it’s their business. Just give me the damn medicine and leave me be. But no. Everybody has questions. I told them I needed it for my knee and they started…botherin’ me! I can’t…deal…right now.
Alicia Monroe: Okay. How about this. You let these guys look at your knee. One, it’s their job and two, you’re obviously keeping your weight off of it. You do this for me, let them check you out, and I’ll change our tickets to Atlanta.
There is a moment while Casey seems to ponder the deal.
Alicia Monroe: Come on. Biscuits and sausage gravy…fried chicken…Buttercup-
Casey Grey: All right! Okay, just…stay here, okay? Don’t leave?
Alicia Monroe: Yeah.
Alicia and the trainers help Casey to her feet and to a table.
Alicia Monroe: Okay. I’m gonna change our flights and then call home. No way I’m waitin’ at the airport for my mom to come get us.
Casey Grey: Don’t you think it’s a bit late to be bothering Aunt Tracey?
Alicia Monroe: No. That’s the difference between me and you, Case. I’m an only child.
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Post by caseygrey on Jul 24, 2019 22:42:33 GMT -5
Alicia Monroe enters the apartment and turns on the light. Casey is asleep on the couch, curled up in a ball. Alicia pats her on the shoulder from behind the couch. Casey wakes up and looks at Alicia.
“What?” Casey asks.
“Go to bed. You’re going to regret sleepin’ on that couch if you don’t.”
“I’m fine. I ain’t tired.”
“You are. You were snoring, Case.” Casey shoots Alicia an icy glance. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, I don’t snore but I don’t—”
“Oh, shut up.”
“Something wrong, Casey?”
“No. I’m fine. I just want to lay on this couch and sleep.” Casey closes her eyes again.
Alicia walks to the kitchen. “Hey, Casey, who were you talking to on the phone at the last event?”
“Nobody. Don’t worry about it.”
“Because it sounded like someone giving you a bunch of orders. Someone you don’t like. It was Rune wasn’t it?”
“It was your mom, Alicia.”
Alicia chuckles. “You wouldn’t talk to my mom like that, Casey. We both know that.” Alicia takes a sip from a water bottle. “Look, I’m not going to tell you what to do or anything, but I’m having a hard time believing that it wasn’t Rune you were talking to. That bitch doesn’t deserve to be in your life, Casey. You need to forget whatever she’s talking about because odds are it’s a lie and no matter what you do she’s going to be the one coming out on top.”
“What do you know about it?” Casey asks.
“Just…she’s a liar, Casey. Whatever she was talking about with you is a lie. I’m begging you, don’t have any dealin’s with her.”
Casey stands up. “Alicia, I know Rune is a liar. I know she’s manipulative. I know she’s patient. Now, given what she’s done to me, wouldn’t you do anything to have that person out of your life if you were me? I don’t want to listen to her or do what she says, but it is the only thing I can do to get her gone.”
Alicia sighs and shakes her head. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. But…I’m sorry, Casey. I can’t back your play on this. Do whatever you have to do to get rid of her, but I can’t get involved again.”
“Good,” Casey says. She stands up and heads to her room.
“Casey,” Alicia says. Casey stops and looks back. “Just when you’re finished with…whatever this is, put her down and make sure she stays there, okay?”
Casey nods and goes to bed. |
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Post by caseygrey on Feb 10, 2020 0:05:31 GMT -5
Casey Grey looks at the slip of paper, then up above the door. This is the place. She pushes open the door and steps through, into a dark room. There are no windows. “Hello,” Casey says. A match is struck, an orange glow at the other end of the room illuminates Rune’s face, and a candle is lit. The room is adorned only in black. Black carpet, black walls, and the black desk Rune sits behind. Behind the Raven of Reykjavik is an actual raven, roosting on a “T” shaped pole. “A little dramatic, no,” Casey asks, standing by the door. “You’re not here to offer opinions. You’re here as a whipped bitch, groveling to her master for your reward.” Casey’s jaw and fists clench, but then she relaxes. “You may approach, dog.” Casey walks forward, and two lamps behind Rune slowly brighten. Fenryr and Karli both appear then. Fenryr stands behind Rune on her right, while Karli sits on the desk and crosses her legs. Casey reaches a single, velvet covered, comfortable looking chair in front of the desk. “Sit,” Rune says with a wry smile. More dog commands. Casey sat. Karli lets out a mocking, dry laugh. “Would you care for something to eat,” Rune asks. Casey looks at, yes, a dog bowl on Rune’s desk and, spotting it’s full of raw meat and what looks like fish guts she shakes her head. Rune notes her gaze. “Oh! This? No. This is for the bird. Fenryr, be a dear and fetch Casey…and all of us the salmon and rice, please.” “No, really—" Casey stammers. Rune jerks her head in Casey’s direction. “Fenryr. She’ll eat.” Casey is silent. “You’ll like this, Casey. Fresh smoked salmon and wild rice. Fenryr made it himself. He’s actually a good cook when he isn’t mauling people for me.” Rune takes the bowl and begins to feed the bird. “You know anything about ravens, Casey?” “They’re black.” Rune looks back and Casey and shakes her head. “That’s what got you in trouble. Always focused on what you can see and not the layers beneath the surface.” She resumes feeding the raven. “Such brilliant birds. Nothing smarter. You can teach them to play games, solve problems and talk but, nah. I prefer Skorn to be silent. Let him just look at you. It’s got to be unnerving. Such a big, black bird, staring into your soul and reading all of your secrets.” Rune gives the bird some meat and guts. “There’s another thing about them, Casey. You can’t be weak and keep one. They’ll dominate you. Make you the pet instead of the master. It takes a strong mind, Casey, which is why I have Skorn and you should probably stick with parakeets.” Rune returns to the desk, setting the dog bowl down. Her fingers are red with blood. She sits in her chair, resting her head in her bloody hands. “You’ve read the poem I’m guessing? By Poe? If you notice, the Raven only knew one word. “Nevermore”, over and over and over again. Tormenting the narrator over his sweet Lenore. If the narrator wasn’t such a moron and knew which questions to ask, he could have lifted his own spirits but, alas, he wanted to know where Lenore was, instead of where she wasn’t. He could have asked the raven if Lenore was burning in hell. The raven would have said “Nevermore”. Voila! All is well. But the raven was smarter than the narrator despite his education and learning. The raven was always just one step ahead. They always are. It knew how to bend and break him until he was nothing. A shadow of himself. It enjoyed tormenting him, Casey. Much like I’m enjoying tormenting you with your precious Buttercup.” Rune and Karli laugh. “Please,” Casey squeaks. “Please,” Karli says, mocking her, and leans forward. “I believe she’s crying, Rune.” Rune glances at Karli out of the corner of her eye, then looks back to Casey. Casey turns to face Karli then. “I am sitting in this thrice damned, over-dramatic mental torture chamber being treated like an animal. I am begging someone I hate to give me back something I love. I should have stabbed you after our match together years ago but as it stands right now I’d gladly beat you to death for twenty bucks.” Karli jumps off of the desk and Casey jumps up to meet her. At that moment Fenryr backs into the room carrying four plates of food. He looks at the two women and sets all four on the table. “Casey, that isn’t necessary. Karli, this isn’t how we treat our guests. Sit. Both of you. Eat.” Karli smiles at Casey and sits on the corner of the desk again. The three members of Ragnarok begin to eat. Casey is hesitant. “Casey,” Rune says. “You have to have dinner with us. It’s part of the deal.” “No it isn’t,” Casey says. “You know, you’re right. But I’m changing it like Dark Vader did in “Empire Strikes Back”. If you don’t eat, it’s an insult to your host. If you don’t eat, I send Fenryr to play with your sledgehammer.” Casey sits back down and eats. The food is surprisingly good. Fenryr eats with his fingers. Rune and Karli are a bit more civilized and at least use utensils. “Okay, Casey,” Rune says after everyone finishes eating, and opens a drawer and pulls out a box. She places it across the desk on Casey’s side. “Here.” Casey takes the box and opens it. Buttercup’s keys. “The address and unit number. You can thank the man next to me for the fact that it’s in the same condition as when I had it picked up. Karli doesn’t really care about cars. I damn sure don’t but Fenryr…well, he has a soft spot for old metal.” Casey takes the paper and looks at Rune with a confused expression. A moment passes, and Rune nods before speaking again. “No, seriously. I never wanted your car, Casey. Just your soul, and you sold Alicia out and handed it right over. How does it feel to be such miserable, low life trash that the dogs won’t even bite you?” “Awful,” Casey says, sobbing. “I’m a horrible person.” She wipes her eyes. She looks past Rune. Skorn is staring into her eyes, boring into her soul. She tries to stare it down, but the scrutiny is too much and she looks to the floor. The raven then cries out. A simple “rahk!” and then a soft chortle. She looks at Rune. A corner of her mouth is curled up in a smile. The bitch knows everything. The Pallid Bust of Pallas. Son of a bitch. The whole damn thing has all led up to this. The bird behind her, how she’s sitting there, the dim lamp light, the shadows everywhere. From where Casey is sitting it even looks like the bird is sitting on Rune's thrice damned head. It’s a live action rendition of “The Raven” and Casey has been the narrator the whole time. She felt like she was about to choke. She even coughed once. “You should have known I’d use your car against you. You should have known that when I was done you would turn your back on everything about yourself. You had no idea. I destroyed you…your values…and your integrity.” Rune stands up and leans over her desk. “Get out of my office, you cowardly sell out.” Casey stands and turns to leave. “Get out!” Casey walks a little faster. “GET! OUT!” She runs out into the sun. Blinding. Burning.
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
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Post by caseygrey on Feb 10, 2020 0:18:04 GMT -5
KEYS
Casey sits next to the driveway, waiting. A few moments later, a car turns into the drive, the gate begins to rattle open, and she steps through. The car parks and an older woman gets out. Casey follows her inside.
“Can I help you, sweetie,” the woman says as she moves behind the counter.
“Yes ma’am. I have something in 113 that I have to get out.”
“Okay,” the woman says. “Head on back.”
“Thank you,” Casey says with a nod and exits the office. She power walks to a large garage door and fiddles with the lock. Once she keys it open she grabs the door and pulls it up. It rolls up on a squeaky chain and, inside, a 1967 Pontiac GTO in perfect condition.
Buttercup.
Casey covers her face with her hands and cries. For a moment she can’t do anything. Then she cautiously steps forward, reaching out to touch the car but at the same time she seems apprehensive.
“I am…so sorry,” she says. She opens the door and sits inside. It’s cold. Casey wipes her face. “I am such an idiot.” She leans forward, resting her head on the steering wheel. “I know, you don’t have to agree so eagerly.”
A beat.
“I was mad. I wasn’t thinking straight. I wanted to see…something, anything good in her. I was blinded by rage from how they just stole my belt away from me.” Another beat. “Don’t you do this too! I never lost that belt! It was mine and I should have been reinstated as the champion!” Casey pauses. “Look, I don’t want to argue about that, okay? It’s in the past and I want to move on from it.”
A beat.
“I know I turned my back on Alicia. And it wasn’t to get a car back. It was to get you back. And I know she’s going to be pissed off and if I have to deal with it I have to deal with it.”
A beat.
“I know! Shut up! Just shut up and let’s go home!” Casey puts the key in the ignition and turns it.
Nothing.
“Oh, you bitch. Don’t you start with this bullshit.” Casey turns the key again.
Nothing.
“What is the matter with you?” Casey slams her hand into the steering wheel a few times. “When I turn the key, you start! Those are the rules!” She turns the key again.
Nothing.
“Bitch!” Casey pops the hood, gets out of the car, and slams the door. She opens the hood and shakes her head. She attaches the negative terminal to the battery, closes the hood, and gets back in the car. “Let’s try this again,” she says. She turns the key and the car starts. Casey drives out of the lot and back home. She parks the car and heads back up to her apartment. She walks in and spies something on the counter.
Alicia’s door key.
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Post by caseygrey on Mar 15, 2020 2:44:41 GMT -5
Good Morning Atlanta! You're listening to RKXY 99, the Johnathan Carter Show. This morning we have former Primetime Champion for Empire Wrestling, Casey Grey. Hopefully she’ll be able to shed some light on the events of late regarding her actions and what’s been going on with her cousin, Alicia. But, before we get to the call, let’s get to the music!
Johnathan Carter: Okay, we have Casey Grey on the line. So, Casey, let’s just get to the point here. Everyone saw the events of you attacking your cousin, and I’m sure that there are plenty of questions about that. Then after a couple more events Ragnarok comes out to help you defeat Lacy Nelson— Casey Grey: Let me just tell you something right now and up front, Johnathan. I don’t need anyone’s help in any matches. Johnathan Carter: Okay. So why did you take their help? Are you running with Ragnarok or not? Casey Grey: No. That’s a stupid question, Johnathan. Yeah, I see how that could be the impression, but it ain’t the case. I was manipulated by that woman from start to finish and you don’t learn a lesson harder than like that, and I wasn’t the only one hurt here. Johnathan Carter: You mean Alicia. Casey Grey: Yeah. I apologized to her and everything, but she still hasn’t really said anything to me in a few weeks. Johnathan Carter: Well, you did attack her to get a car back, anyone can see— Casey Grey: Okay, Johnathan, I gotta stop you again. Everyone says “car” like they know what they’re talking about. Nobody gets it, nobody would understand. Buttercup is more than just a car. She’s a friend, a confidant, someone that listens when nobody else will, cares when nobody else does. Johnathan Carter: More than Alicia? A beat. Casey Grey: Goddammit, Johna--
Johnathan Carter: Welcome back, listeners. We have Empire Wrestling’s Casey Grey on the line and she’s apologized and promised not to take the Lord’s name in vain again. Casey Grey: That’s not what I said, Johnathan. I said I wouldn’t do it if you didn’t ask me any more stupid questions. So if it happens again it’s your fault. Johnathan Carter: Yeah, you did say that. The rest of your logic is hard to follow, though. So let me get this straight. You’re telling your fans that you’re not part of Ragnarok? Casey Grey: That’s exactly what I’m saying, Johnathan. I wouldn’t ever join that group of— Johnathan Carter: Sorry to cut you off again, Casey— Casey Grey: *sigh* Johnathan Carter: --but our producer is freaking out over there. It appears that Karli Frost has called in. Casey Grey: That’s just great. You’re really going to patch that tramp through? Johnathan Carter: Well, yeah. We— Karli Frost: Shut up, useless DJ. I have something to say to Casey and I’m not going to need any of your inputs. Casey. All I have to say to you is just stop lying. Stop lying to yourself, stop lying to the fans. You’re a part of this now. You can’t just back out because you’re getting cold feet. It’s not a wedding. Casey Grey: Let me tell you something, you worthless— Karli Frost: Yeah, go ahead. Do it. Say something stupid and get this radio station an FCC violation. Leave another body in your selfish wake. Johnathan Carter: Ladies, I think— Casey Grey/Karli Frost: Shut up, Johnathan! Casey Grey: Karli, I’m going to do my best here to be calm. If I remember correctly Rune said that the whole thing started with you. Ever since I busted you in the mouth back in the day you’ve been mad. And that’s okay. I’m going to end this though, because I’m sick of dealing with you. Then I’m going after the rest of you even if I have to do it by myself, but you’re going to be the most fun because you’re nothing but a backup singer in the world’s crappiest band. Karli laughs. Casey Grey: Go ahead and laugh all you want. Show up at Next Level Revolution if you’ve got the heart, because whether it’s in the ring, in the back, or in an alley behind the warehouse, I’m going to murder you. Karli Frost: Strong words. I’ll accept any challenge you make you pathetic little worm. Fools rush in though, Casey. You have no idea what you’re doing. See you there, cupcake. Johnathan Carter: Well, it sounds like we may have a fight on our hands huh, Casey? Casey Grey: You’re goddamn right we—
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Post by caseygrey on Jun 11, 2020 2:07:03 GMT -5
1:26 p.m.
Casey opens her eyes and looks at the clock. She takes a deep breath and sighs before sitting up on the bed. She looks around the room, focusing on a half eaten container of ice cream, now melted, on the nightstand. The TV is still on. She uses the remote to turn it off and gets up to leave the room. She picks up her phone. Thirteen missed calls and seven texts. She looks through the list of phone calls.
Alicia.
Tracey.
Mom.
Dad.
She looks through the text messages, acknowleding them but not reading them.
Twitter notifications.
F.M. Young: I have missed A LOT.
Casey shakes her head. “No shit.”
Lacy Nelson: Is that like JUST JACK!?
Her eyes narrow. What am I to you? A joke? Who am I kidding. I’m a joke to everyone.
Her phone rings while she’s holding it. Mom. She pushes the call and puts the phone in the refrigerator before leaving her apartment.
1:30 p.m.
Alicia paces the floor in her own apartment.
“No, mom, I haven’t gotten in touch with her. I—”
A beat.
“I just—”
A beat.
“I DON’T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO! GOD DAMN IT, MOM!!”
Alicia hangs up her phone and dials another number. No answer, apparently. She leaves her apartment and takes an Uber to Casey’s place. She knocks on the door. No answer. She leaves a note before leaving to return home.
9:46 p.m.
Casey is sitting at her kitchen counter with a fifth of Jack Daniels. It’s nearly half gone. She pours another drink, downs it, and stands up. Orthostatic hypotension and the alcohol kicks in, and she collapses, managing to catch herself but she’s out.
10:23 p.m.
Alicia and the maintenance man from Casey’s apartment reach her door. He keys in and Alicia bursts into the room. She sees Casey lying on the floor.
“OH MY GOD!” she screams and rushes forward to help her.
“Do you need help?” the maintenance man asks.
Alicia shakes Casey awake. Her eyes flutter open and appear a bit out of focus.
“No, just…just go. We’re okay.” Alicia looks back to Casey. She brushes her hair out of her face. “You’re okay. What happened?”
“I…stood up…”
“Come on, Casey. You don’t even drink. What are you doing? Everyone’s worried sick.”
“I…don’t care. What…why are you here?”
“Come on, don’t be like that.”
“Get…get out of here." Casey struggles to get to her feet. "Now, Alicia.” Alicia moves to help her, but Casey jerks her arm away. “Get out!”
“At least let me—”
“GET OUT! NOW!” Casey shoves Alicia towards the door, almost losing her balance. Alicia turns to leave. “NOW!” Casey throws the bottle of Jack against the door as it closes. It shatters. Alicia leaves the building to return to her own apartment.
5:53 a.m.
Casey wakes up on her living room floor. Her balcony door is open. She lies on her bed. She looks at her alarm clock and the half eaten container of ice cream before falling back to sleep.
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Post by caseygrey on Sept 13, 2020 13:20:07 GMT -5
August 22, 2020.
9:20 a.m.
Casey is sitting at her counter, wearing her workout clothes and is drinking a protein shake and picking over some kind of salad. As she eats, she hears a knock on the door. She stands, crosses the room and opens the door.
Alicia.
Alicia Monroe: You called me. Why?
Casey Grey: We…need to talk.
Alicia shrugs. Casey turns around and lets Alicia enter the apartment after her. Casey sits back down at her counter. Alicia joins her.
Alicia Monroe: Before you say anything, I need to tell you something. I’m sick of all of this. I don’t want to fight with you anymore. I don’t know how else to say it. If there is anything, anything, I can do to apologize, I want to. I miss…us being here and dealing with Empire and New York together just like we’ve done everything since we were kids.
Casey Grey: You’re doing enough. More than enough.
Alicia Monroe: What do you mean?
Casey Grey: Exactly what I said.
Casey turns her stool to face Alicia, who shakes her head in confusion. Casey downs what remains of her protein shake.
Alicia Monroe: I don’t understand.
Casey shrugs her shoulders with a sigh.
Casey Grey: You think I’m this pissed off at you? Why? Because you had all this privilege growing up and I struggled through most of my life? No! I’m pissed off that you got blitzed one night and spilled all of our family secrets to Rune. That bitch. I’m pissed that she used them to drive us apart. I’m pissed that she’s still walking around Empire. Because of that, I need you to sit there and listen for a minute. I am getting rid of her.
Alicia Monroe: What do you mean?
Casey Grey: I mean I’m getting her out of Empire. Her and her dog.
Alicia Monroe: And what about Karli? She’s not exactly trustworthy, you know.
Alicia’s old bedroom door opens and Annabelle Daboia walks out.
Alicia Monroe: Annabelle?
Annabelle smiles. Alicia looks from Annabelle to Casey and back again.
Alicia Monroe: Annabelle? What are you doing here?
Annabelle Daboia: Oh, my cousin. You look surprised to see me. You have to have figured everythin’ out by now.
Alicia Monroe: Annabelle? I…I haven’t seen you since you…we…were this big!
Alicia holds her hand about three feet off of the floor. She stands up and hugs Annabelle.
Alicia Monroe: You look really good.
Annabelle Daboia: You ask about Karli Frost. Don’t worry ‘bout her. You say she can’t be trusted, I think she’s most trustworthy. See, she joins new Hell’s Belles or she ends up all alone with everyone in Empire wantin’ to kick her ass from here to Vicksburg and back. She has no friends right now, except Casey. She’ll join. She’s got no choice. “Sides, four is better than three.
Alicia looks to Casey as Annabelle pours herself a glass of milk.
Alicia Monroe: New Hell’s Belles? Does that mean that—
Annabelle Daboia: That the band is getting back together? Yeah.
Alicia Monroe: And you’re—
Annabelle Daboia: Comin’ to Empire? Yeah. That too.
Alicia shakes her head.
Alicia Monroe: F.M. Young is going to have kittens.
Annabelle Daboia: F.M. Young never was in any real danger. I did that on my own for Casey, and my ear is still ringin’ from the language she used for it. ‘Sides, she sent you that text, tellin’ you to get to the locker room and get them onions. I used too many anyway, they only burned five minutes. Enough to slow her down, not take her out. She turned out fine, she may be pissed off, but she’s alive. Casey will patch everything over with her, explain everything.
Casey Grey: She’s going to be pissed, all right. You think I was mad. Young is reasonable though, and you…we might have to take a few lumps but she’ll come around. Especially when she sees what we’re going to do.
Alicia Monroe: I still don’t know the plan.
Casey Grey: You’re going to have a match with Fenryr on September 11th.
Alicia Monroe: No. That’s crazy talk.
Casey Grey: You remember ten minutes ago when you said you would do anything to make amends here? This is what I need.
Alicia Monroe: Fuck.
Casey Grey: Don’t worry. Just get in there and make sure you don’t lose before Karli and I can break up the match. When the lights go out Annabelle will help. She has a few…tricks. Your Tangled Web is key. I’m going to break his leg and Annabelle is going to dispose of Rune for us.
Alicia Monroe: Jesus Christ.
Annabelle laughs and takes a tomato off of Casey’s plate.
Annabelle Daboia: Ain’t got nothin’ to do with this, darlin’.
Casey Grey: Losing those two will do a great service to all of Empire. Alicia, Rune is…weirdly dormant for now. I don’t know what she’s planning on but with this much time to think about it we can only assume that it’ll be something horrible. Something so far reaching that the entire company will be at risk. She could take over everything and make it look like it was the company’s idea all along. I don’t know what she’s thinking, and I don’t know why she’s thinking it. That’s not my level. If we can do this, if we can get those two out and on ice, then everything will be normal. At least for a while.
There is a pause as Casey and Annabelle watch Alicia. Alicia stares at her hands on the table, looking as if she’s deep in thought.
Alicia Monroe: Casey, I…that’s Fenryr a week before my title shot. It’s crazy at the best of times but with so much on the line…
Casey Grey: Alicia, I know I’m asking you a lot. You’re not going to be in the ring with him for long. Just do your best to stay out of his way and land a few moves. We’re going to save you, I promise. We’re both concerned about your shot. We’re both on board with you winning it. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure it happens. Using my move was a bit much, and you’re still a bitch for that, but you’ve earned this shot. I need you to go against Fenryr one week before Next Level. That’s the price. You agree, everything goes back to normal right now. I call our mom and apologize for everything. Our aunt. I’ve been a bitch to a lot of people for a few weeks. It’s a lot of phone calls.
Alicia Monroe: Months, you mean. And if you call home and make amends with everyone then fine. I’m in. But you better not leave me high and dry, Casey. If you do you won’t like what happens.
Casey reaches over and take’s Alicia’s hand. Casey smiles and the two hug.
Casey Grey: Everything will be back to what it was. Until Next Level it’s business as usual. Do the match with F.M. Young against Karli and I, I’ll let Young get some good shots on me to hopefully soothe her anger a bit, but who knows. Like I said, this mind game crap isn’t for me. We’re going to have to put on the public appearance that we still hate each other. Once everything is done, it’s done.
Alicia Monroe: Okay.
Casey Grey: Yeah. The sooner we get this taken care of the sooner Annabelle finds her own place and gets that damn snake out of my apartment.
Annabelle Daboia: He’s harmless…as long as he doesn’t bite you. It could cause you to lose your sense of smell.
Casey Grey: It’s a cobra in my house. If it was a Cobra in my garage, that would be different and I would be a lot more open to lettin’ it stay here.
Alicia Monroe: A cobra…losing your sense of smell…
Alicia looks at Casey and Annabelle. They both are looking back at her. Annabelle shrugs, wiping the milk moustache from her lip.
Annabelle Daboia: What?
Alicia Monroe: Fuck this, I’m out. You’re both crazy as a couple of shithouse rats. I’ll see you later Casey. I’m holding you to those phone calls though. I will be checking.
Annabelle Daboia: It’s not a cobra, Alicia! Wait!
Annabelle tries to catch Alicia, but Alicia is too smart to stick around and has left the apartment. Annabelle throws open the door.
Annabelle Daboia: But the…sense of smell thing is…real. I missed you! See you soon!
Alicia shakes her head and enters the elevator.
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Post by caseygrey on Sept 17, 2020 0:35:42 GMT -5
Storm Clouds Gather
There is a knock on the door. Casey crosses the room and opens it. Karli walks in without waiting to be invited and drops an IPad on the countertop. She sits on a stool and looks at Casey.
Karli Frost: Hey, where are the others? We have to talk. Have you seen this press release on the EW site about Rune and Fenryr?
Casey Grey: Yeah. What of it?
Karli Frost: Don’t you think we should start trying to figure out what Rune’s plans are going to be?
Casey Grey: Why? She’s out. They both are.
Karli Frost: For now. She’s not going to let this go, Casey. And if she comes back on her own or not, she is going to make our lives a living hell in some way in the near future. You can’t just ignore this.
Alicia Monroe: You don’t think she’ll learn her lesson and just move on?
Karli Frost: No. Nobody gets to beat her, ever. Right now she’s down, yeah. But she’s not going to stop until she repays all of us.
Karli turns to Casey.
Karli Frost: That night when you jumped over the rail to help F.M. Young’s sister when we attacked her, do you remember that?
Casey nods.
Casey Grey: Yeah, I remember.
Karli Frost: Everything that Rune did from that point forward, to you, was a revenge plot for that one simple thing. That one teeny tiny thing that had little to no effect on the outcome of what happened that night. We’ve taken her and Fenryr out of the business for now. The wheels in her head are spinning at a thousand miles per hour, I promise.
Annabelle Daboia: Okay, so what do we do?
Karli Frost: We need to be prepared. We’re going to have to assume that Fenryr is going to weigh 400 pounds when he gets back, and is going to be stronger and meaner. And he’s going to want to murder us. We’re safe from Rune, she won’t resort to killing us because it takes away from her getting her kicks from our suffering. But mentally, she’s past any of us.
Alicia Monroe: So there’s two of them and four of us. We still have numbers on our side, Karli.
Karli Frost: Yeah. Unless…she finds Eric.
Casey Grey: Eric Ingvar. Damn it, I’d forgotten about him.
Karli Frost: Yeah. Nobody knows how to take a human being apart better than he does. It’s…painful to see. The good news is that nobody has seen him in years. He’s just…disappeared. And before any of you say it, don’t forget that Rune is a wrestler too. She doesn’t do it much, but she is athletic and dangerous in and out of the ring. If they find him, then our advantage goes away.
Annabelle Daboia: Four is still bigger than three.
Karli shrugs.
Karli Frost: I’m counting Fenryr twice. It’s the prudent thing to do.
Karli looks back down at the tablet.
Karli Frost: There is nothing in that release that gives us any clue. She could come back at us any time, anywhere, and we have no idea when or even where it would be. From this point on, no matter where we are in Empire, we do not take our eyes off of each other. Agreed?
The other Belles nod, and then look at the tablet as the scene fades to black.
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