The first episode of the Monday Night Madhouse is over. The last few fans have begun filing out. The janitors have begun cleaning up the food, sweat and other unpleasant bodily fluids that have found themselves on the seats. And while they deal with that mess, Dr. Anya Sharma and her team deal with the mess of human bodies in the trainer's room.
Chelem Jabbar is lying on the bed with his brother seated next to him, still rubbing his throat; a medic shines a flashlight in his eyes.
The Track Queens are seated nearby, bruised in body and ego. Shay Maharaj lies on another bed, getting her lower back massaged while holding ice over the left side of her face.
Seraphina Dubois sits on a chair, still clutching her knee and sobbing endlessly (and tearlessly).
The Doc herself is occupied with the Empress and her husband, Alf Balducci.
Dr. Sharma (applying new bandages): You know... There are easier ways to lose an arm. Hydraulic press, the Jaws of Life, the jaws of a crocodile, amputation.
Ngozi: Very funny, Doctor.
Dr. Sharma (deadpan): No, it really isn't. I'm going to say it again, take a couple weeks off.
GM Nalah Shabani's voice suddenly fills the room: I concur.
She stands in the doorway, drawing most everyone's attention, however brief. Ngozi doesn't even bother to look back as she approaches.
Shabani: I must say, Ngozi, that was an incredible performance. You led your team to victory and you did indeed set the standard.
Ngozi (still not looking at her): You say that as though it were in doubt.
Shabani: It was, but I had not considered certain... (Looks over at the still prone Shay Maharaj with narrowed eyes) ... factors. With that said, am I to succeed where Dr Sharma has failed and convince you to rest your arm until such a time as a number 1 contender is determined?
Ngozi (STILL not looking at her): You can try.
Shabani (frowns): Alright then. If you show up next week, I am putting you in a one-on-one non-title match against Queen Cobra.
Dr. Sharma finishes up at which point Ngozi finally looks the much shorter woman in the eye: Then I will see you next week, GM.
A.B. finally speaks, but not before putting a firm hand on his wife's shoulder: Don't worry, Ms Shabani. I'll make sure she gets as much rest as possible until next Monday.
Ngozi looks at him, but ultimately acquiesces with a nod to the GM.
Shabani (smirks): I'll be counting on you, Alf.
He nods before leading Ngozi out of the room. She's about to leave as well, but the Track Queens get off their seats and roll in front of her.
Elsa: Since you're making matches for next week, we want the Madness.
Eeva nods.
Dr. Sharma slowly turns her head in their direction.
Shabani: Are you sure?
Eeva: Varmasti!
Shabani looks at Elsa.
Elsa: That means yes.
Chakir suddenly stands up, croaking: Hold it *Cough* right there!
Chelem also gets off the bed, with some difficulty to stand next to him.
Chakir: You saw what they did to me and my brother. WE want the Madness! In fact, we deserve it.
Before Shabani can speak, the Queens slide in front of her to face the twins.
Elsa: Excuse me? You don't deserve anything. We beat you. Clean as a whistle. That puts you behind us. So, wait your turn.
Chakir: Yeah, I checked earlier. There's not much happening behind you.
Elsa's mouth and eyes widen.
Eeva grits her teeth: SIKA! Minä kastroin sinut!
She almost lunges at him, but Elsa stops her.
Chelem gives a pained laugh.
The medic attending to Maharaj chuckles, but a glare from Sharma quiets him. Even Dubois drops her act for a moment. Maharaj still remains prone the bed.
Chakir: Now, I'll admit we were taking it easy, tonight, but that is the only reason you won. If you faced us again, when we were going 100%, we would smoke you!
Chelem (looks at Shabani): Just like we'll smoke -ow- the Madness!
Shabani (takes off glasses): I'm growing weary of handing out second chances (Looks at Maharaj again), but even so, I can't deny the buzz at the top of the show. Next week, we'll have a triple threat match. The Track Queens Vs JabbarTV Vs Hunapo Henare and Kaivao Manu of the Madness.
Elsa (pushing the enraged Eeva out the door): That works for us. (Glares back at the Jabbars) It's perfect actually.
And now the Queens are gone.
Chakir (yelling): Yeah, perfect for us! Because we're going to-
Shabani: Mr Jabbar.
He goes silent as she stares him down. Chelem smirks.
Shabani: Both of you.
The smirk goes away.
Shabani: Since you're back on your feet, you can take a walk to my office.
Chelem suddenly clutches his ribs and groans.
Chakir holds his throat again, choking and croaking: Well, actually-
Shabani: Now!
They quickly straighten up and leave. She follows them to the door and stops, looking down with a frown.
Shabani (spins around): Maharaj!
No response. Though the medic backs away and Dubois goes back to her performance.
Shabani (walking over): You're off the card for the foreseeable future. The reasons should be obvious, but I'll detail them anyway. (Stops by the bed and starts pacing) At the draft you performed dismally and after your "victory" you blatantly disrespected me, this brand and the entire company. But you also generated buzz, so I was encouraged to put you in the main event and your performance was even worse. Frankly, I- Are you even listening?
The so-called "Untouchable" finally looks at the GM. She removes the ice pack to reveal her left eye, swollen shut from the knee to the face from Chen.
Maharaj (dazed): Are... you... talking to me?
Shabani (eyes wide): I'll... send you an email.
The GM quickly exits the scene.
Maharaj (looks at Sharma): Wait... What did she say?
Dr. Sharma (looks at her watch): And I'm officially off the clock. Everyone out. (Goes to her desk) You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. That includes you, Ms Dubois!
Dubois burst out "crying": Can't you see I'm still in pain?!
Dr Sharma (eyes closed, veins bulging): For the last time, there is nothing wrong with your knee.
Dubois (hand on forehead): I can't even feel it! My whole leg's gone numb! I'll never walk again thanks to that street dancing druggie!
Sharma (opens eyes and walks to Dubois while reaching into her coat): In that case, (pulls out claw hammer) perhaps we should check your patella reflex.
The Québécois shrieks and leaps out of the chair.
Dr Sharma (deadpan gasp): It's a miracle... She walks.
Dubois: You're sick! (Sprints out of the room).
Dr Sharma (lowering the hammer, muttering): On that we agree.
Maharaj slinks off her bed and stumbles out as well.
The medic who was attending to Chelem approaches: Did you just threaten her with a hammer?
Dr Sharma looks at her and then proceeds to hit her own head with that very tool. The hammer makes the faintest of sounds as it harmlessly bounces off her scalp. It's a toy. A very realistic-looking toy.
Without another word, she goes back to her desk and starts packing her things. The two medics do the same, only much faster.
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