PSW Madhouse Episode 4 - Accountability

- 20 January 2031

An outdoor soccer stadium, draped with PSW and Madhouse branding. The atmosphere is hot, not just from the tropical humidity, but from the grandstands filled with fiery fans, mostly from the local Polynesian population. 

A.B.: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Psycho Style Wrestling's Monday Night Madhouse! I'm Alf Balducci, the livewire, Dominga Alvarez to my right, the ever-analytical Aazif Shamoon to my left. We are coming to you LIVE from the Outdoor Park Stadium in Apia, the capital city of Samoa-

Shamoon: The Independent State of Samoa, not American Samoa. There's a dif-

Dominga: Shut up, Shamoon!

A.B.: I guess things are back to normal. By the way, how'd your week go? You know, with losing the bet and all.

Dominga (looking away): I don't want to talk about it.

A.B.: Okay then. Aaz?

Dominga (glares at Shamoon): Don't you dare!

Shamoon zips his lips and hands Balducci his phone.

Dominga: No. NO!

She tries to grab it, but Balducci blocks her with his hand, effortlessly keeping it out of her reach.

A.B. (squinting): George... and Jane Jetson?!

Dominga: NOOO!!!

Shamoon nods with a self-satisfied smile.

A.B.: Where was this?

Shamoon: A convention in Himbeergeist.

A.B.: So that's why you guys got here later. (Hands phone back) I must say, you two pulled it off-

Dominga: Hey! Live show, remember?!

A.B.: Too right, and what a great show indeed. Our first stop in the Pacific- (Holds headphones) Ah, excellent.

Shamoon: What? What's going on?

A.B. (points at the Jumbotron and smiles): See for yourself.

The Jumbotron comes alive, and the first thing shown is a close-up of the PSW Jewell's Championship, wrapped tightly around a familiar, regal waist. The hand of the Bearer of the Jewell enters the frame and makes a shooing motion, forcing the cameraman to back up and pan out to reveal...

Dominga: It's Ngozi! 

Shamoon: The Empress is back!

Dominga: And she looks MAD as hell.

A.B.: That's because she is.

Shamoon: Hey, how come you didn't tell us, Alf?

A.B.: Didn't want to spoil the surprise.

Dominga: But where's she going?

The cameraman follows the Empress, sans her signature visor but clad in her robe, through the indoor complex building until she reaches a locker room door. The voice of Sara Esposito is heard as Ngozi opens the door.

Esposito: ...ear to God, Zadie. If it's the last thing I do, those b****** are going dow- Who the-

Chen: Ngozi?

The Empress shuts the door, leaving the cameraman outside, at which point the feed switches to an O.R.D.R.L.I. camera inside the locker room.

Dominga: Cover your eyes, Shamoon!

Sarah Esposito: Wait, Empress? You're... here. (approaches) Are you feeling okay? 

Ngozi (Her posh English accent is sharp, cutting):  Never mind how I am feeling. I want to know what you were doing last week, Esposito.

Shamoon: Uh oh...

Esposito looks taken aback.

Crowd: Oooohhhh...

Ngozi: You went out there, full of fire, looking for revenge on my behalf and your own. Good. You were granted the match against that Maharaj girl. Also good. But then, when you had her in that ring, what did you do? You fooled around. You played with your food, despite knowing perfectly well that the snake and the Outlaw were nearby-

Esposito: They came out of nowhere! I-

Ngozi (Cuts her off with a sharp glare): No, they did not. They were in the building. A fact you were well aware of. Which is precisely why you could not afford to waste a single second.

A.B.: Most definitely.

Esposito (frowns and points): That is not fair.

Ngozi slaps her hand away. 

Crowd: OOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!

Dominga: HAHAHA!!!

Esposito's frown deepens until her inner brows touch the bridge of her nose. Chen stands between the two 6-foot Amazons with her arms folded, and her expression seemingly neutral as far as her domino mask allows.

Ngozi (steps closer, maintaining full unblinking eye contact): Never put your finger in my face again.

Esposito (closes the remaining gap with a forward lean): How about you stop talking down to me? 

Ngozi: I will, at the exact moment you stop being an idiot.

Shamoon: Okay, woah, that's a little harsh.

Dominga: Not harsh enough if you ask me.

A.B.: Shush.

Esposito (through gritted teeth): What did you call me?

Ngozi: I called you an idiot. Do you want to carry on down that path or do you want to listen?

Esposito narrows her eyes, but stays silent.

Ngozi: It's one thing to hit you with a lead pipe from behind. Anyone could do that. But there is also no universe where someone of Shay Maharaj's calibre should have a singles victory over you with all your physical gifts and credentials. Now, the history books, the record books, will forever state that on January 13th, 2031, Shay Maharaj pinned Sarah Esposito. All because you didn't learn from your mistake the week prior or mine.

Chen gives a single, firm nod in agreement with the Empress, which does not escape Esposito's notice. The Rose of Ferocity looks from one woman to another and then down at the floor.

Esposito: ... You're right. I'm sorry.

Ngozi (expression softens slightly): I understand you are new to this business, Sarah. But you must learn when to play to the crowd and when to handle your business. Last week... you chose poorly.

Sarah (Looks up): It won't happen again. That's a promise.

Ngozi: Prove it, tonight. (turns back to the door) Both of you... follow me.

As the Empress exits the locker room, Esposito lingers, still visibly ruminating on the exchange. Chen pats her on the arm and smiles, before tilting her head forward, gesturing for them to follow. Esposito sighs and nods before they leave together.

The feed ends and the crowd cheers.

Dominga: Damn. 

Shamoon: I would hate to bring her a bad report card.

A.B.: Well, now you know how my daughters feel.

Shamoon: Wait, are they coming out here?

Dominga: No, Aaz. They're going to Super Nintendo World.

Shamoon: THEY HAVE THAT HERE?!

Balducci shakes his head while Alvarez groans.