The fourth episode of the Madhouse is over. The ring is being dismantled. The crowd is being sent home. Some of the wrestlers are signing autographs outside or leaving for the hotel with security escorts led by Chief Brendan Steele. But now, we must look inward, as inside the football complex, specifically in the trainer's room.
Dr Anya Sharma: We can try if you just-
Cobra: THAT WITCH! I'LL GET HER FOR THISSS!! I'LL MAKE HER PAY! I'LL MAKE HER-
Sharma grabs Cobra's arm and jabs a needle into it. Cobra goes limp.
Dr Shama (throwing her thumb over her shoulder at a bed): Set her down over there. I'll deal with her shortly.
The medics obey, carrying her over to bed in the same cluster as Tom, Dick & Harry, who are taped up, plastered and braced.
Sharma turns to scowl at the Empress, who is seated on an examination table. There's a puke bucket next to her and a needle in her arm, attached to a tube and a little machine, pumping her with anti-venom. The Jewell's Championship is lying across her lap.
Ngozi (with a hand on her head): She was giving me quite the headache.
Dr Sharma: At last, something you have in common. (Pulls out pen light and approaches) I should give you a stronger dose. Perhaps put you in a coma until your muscles atrophy, forcing you to retire.
Ngozi: Very funny, Doctor.
Dr Sharma (grabs Ngozi's eyelids and shines the light inside): I wasn't joking. What on Earth were you thinking?
Ngozi: ... "End it".
Dr Sharma (shines light in other eye): Yes, well, you could have ended Alf's life with that stroke you nearly gave him.
Ngozi: Let me worry about him.
Dr Sharma (turns off light): I'd be worried too, if I had to go home to a man that angry.
Ngozi (blinks and narrows her eyes): ... You ought to be wiser with your words, Doctor. Someone could get the wrong idea.
Sharma raises her hands and walks away to deal with Cobra: Noted.
Ngozi turns away, closes her eyes and lets out a sigh.
Roger Evans: Hey, uh, Ngozi?
She opens them to see the Bloodbath Champion, bandaged ribs and shoulder, whiteout sunglasses on his bruised face and the title on his unbandaged shoulder.
Evans (rubs the back of his head): Sorry, I guess it's, like, Mrs Ngozi, right?
Ngozi: Empress, or just Ngozi. (eyeing him) How can I help you, Mr Evans?
Evans: Yeah, like, I just wanted to say, from, like, one champion and a future legend (places hand on her chest) to another champion and, like, an absolute legend (gestures toward her), I just want to say that finish was sick! You totally punked Cobra out and proved you're still the woman to beat.
Ngozi continues to study him.
Evans (sweating): ... Uh...
Ngozi (nods): Thank you.
Evans (sighs wth relief): Oh.
Ngozi: You put on quite the show yourself.
Evans (flicks his nose while smirking): Heh. Yeah, Festa gave me a major workout-
Luisa Festa, who is currently being drug-tested behind a curtain, again, sticks her hand out and weakly waves.
Evans: -but in the end, the Rog came through again.
Ngozi: The Rog?
Evans (shrugs): Yeah, I was thinking of changing things up. You know, get a gimmick goin'. What do you think?
Ngozi: You're asking me?
Evans: Well, yeah. You went through a whole bunch of reinventions yourself.
Ngozi (frowns): And what do you know of it?
Evans: I mean, people always think it was Princess Ngozi to Queen Ngozi to Empress Ngozi, but everything between Princess and Queen. You know, like Ngozi the Amazon, Mat Mistress Ngozi, Captain Ngozi - Lady of the Seven Seas-
Ngozi (wide-eyed): Stop talking!
Evans flinches.
Ngozi (palming her face, muttering): Lord above, they're flooding back. (looks up at him and sighs) Unless I'm mistaken, you are 3 weeks into your career, right?
Evans nods.
Ngozi: Whether anyone likes it or not, your name means something. So build on that.
Evans (nods again and strokes his chin): Yeah, you're right. I'll totally do that. Any more advice?
Ngozi: ... Well-
Dr Sharma (shining a light in Cobra's eyes): No.
They both look at her.
Dr Sharma (pointing at Ngozi): She is not qualified to advise anyone on anything. Stop talking to her. Doctor's orders.
Ngozi (turns back to heaven): Well, then. Good luck to you, young man.
Evans (smirks again): Thanks, but I don't need it. That's just another thing we got in common (raises his title while pointing at hers before spinning on his heel). Peace!
Ngozi (watches him leave): ... I think that boy has a bright future.
Dr Sharma: As a grease puddle? Sure.
As the Crimson King exits, the General Manager enters.
Evans: See you in the Sol, boss lady.
Nalah Shabani: For once, Mr Evans, take care.
Shabani and Ngozi then lock eyes.
Shabani: Empress.
Ngozi: GM.
Shabani: I believe congratulations are in order.
Ngozi: They are.
Shabani (squints): And I believe we have an understanding.
Ngozi (briefly lowers her eyes and nods):... We do.
Shabani (lets out a sigh through her nose): Good. Enjoy the rest of your week (turns around), and try to take it easy, and try not to give Alf any more heart attacks.
Ngozi: ... Have you any word on Miss Chen?
Shabani: She called Miss Esposito around the time your match ended. I've sent security to pick her up. She claims to be unharmed, as Ms Leota predicted.
Ngozi (nods): ... Good.
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