Date June 20th 2020 / Time 10:09PM / Status Not Recording
Location The Lee/Wylde Residence – New York City, New York

(A continuation of JC’s RP: “Through the Looking Glass” )

…

“Trust me, Luce. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You better not be. You’re it for me Joe.”

He smiles softly and nods.

“I feel the same way.”

Staring at him through a phone screen just doesn’t do it justice. I wish he were here instead of in Chicago. Normally I’d be there with him but he’s booked for Synergy and I’m booked for Underground…

I smile back.

“That’s a relief.”

I sigh.

“I miss you.”

“Well, if you wouldn’t have asked for that match…”

His voice drifts into silence and he shrugs while I roll my eyes.

“You’re right.”

If I hadn’t asked Joe to put me up against JD at Underground, we’d be together right now and he wouldn’t have had to break that particular news to me over the phone. While I’m still not happy that I’m kinda responsible for his current condition – I know that I’m in the same boat right now.

What a pair, the two of us.

He’s gonna keep wrestling, even though he’s technically a ticking time bomb and one wrong bump could end his career in an instant or worse, end his ability to walk. And I’m gonna keep going even though one wrong hit could send me back onto a ventilator and end my own career in the process.

We both have some shit we wanna do before we hang it up – He wants another world title. He wants glory – and I respect that. I just want to face the people I’ve always wanted to face, have some fun before I give this life up for good… And that’s why I wanted to fight JD.

“For the life of me, Luce.. I can’t figure out why you’d want to fight Kyra’s ex husband.”

I chuckle.

“Well it’s not that, that’s for damn sure. JD and I have known each other for years – even before he met Kyra. He knew me when I was Lucy Johnson.”

His eyebrows raise in question.

“Ah. Before CJ, huh?”

“Yep. Back when I was just starting out. He left CWA before I ever got the chance to fight him though.”

His face relaxes into a small smirk, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

“I can imagine what you were like when you were just starting out.”

“Oh yeah?”

A bit of heat rises to my cheeks, looking at him as he stares at me – If I didn’t know better I’d believe he was right here with me.

“Mmmhm.”

“Oh shut up.”

“You’re blushing.”

“Shut up.”

He chuckles.

“So you’ve known him for a while. I get it. Wanting to finally have a match that you’ve wanted for years.”

I nod my head.

“Pretty much. Let’s just hope I face the man I knew back then.”

“Be careful. But you already know that, right?”

I roll my eyes again.

As if I haven’t seen some of his past work. As if I haven’t noticed that he’s different than the JD I knew.

“Duh.”

He gives me a look.

“Don’t start with me.”

“I’d never think of it, Mr. Lee.”

He shakes his head.

“Seriously though, I think Kyra’s leftovers are the least of your worries. You know she’s going to be there too.”

As if this conversation wasn’t already complex enough for my liking… Now he’s gone and brought up that which I was hoping he wouldn’t. Not like I forgot about it or anything. That’s not something easily forgotten.

“Oh, I know.”

“I don’t know exactly what she… or he wants with you, but–”

“She wants me to teach her the Calamity. But him? Fuck if I know, Joe. Since when have I ever known what CJ wants…”

His face turns sour, and I can’t say I blame him. CJ’s always been a bit of a sore spot for him… I’m honestly surprised the two of them got along for the short time they did. Oil and water, those two are.

The fact remains though, that I lost to Jen…Maggie and I know I’m gonna have to pay up eventually.

“I’ll have to teach her eventually.”

“I don’t like it.”

“And I do? Not only is that move one of the most dangerous, but it’s mine.”

I hate being so possessive over a move, but I spent so long perfecting it. Granted, there have been times that I’ve considered retiring it – not only because one wrong move can break my neck – but because that move came about during a dark time in my life… when I was Jenova myself.

Just haven’t been able to let it go.

“Just… Keep your guard up. I don’t trust them as far as I can throw em.”

“I know, I know. I’ve got it handled.”

“Just saying.”

I roll my eyes again.

“Just saying”

It’s sweet, it really is. Him wanting to make sure I’m safe, I mean.

I can handle myself but it’s not lost on me, the fact that I’ve taken a couple really bad injuries over the last few years and whether I like it or not, I’m always at risk now. Whatever Maggie and CJ want… besides ‘protecting my legacy’… I know I can’t afford to turn a blind eye to it.

“I guess I should go get some rest.”

I scoff.

“Sure you’ll be able to sleep without me pushing you off the bed?”

This time he scoffs.

“You mean I might actually have some space? I don’t know how I’m gonna handle it.”

“I love you Joe.”

Finally, he smiles again.

“I love you, Luce. I’ll see you soon.”

 

We’ve known each other for a long time, John and I wish I could say it’s always been a walk in the park but we both know I don’t like lying.

In your hay day, you were one of the very best, JD. You were the pinnacle of CWA when I first came into professional wrestling – one of the big names on the top of the marquee, top billing, biggest draws… You were someone I looked up to as a newcomer.

What you had, was what I wanted… What I strived for.

I always wanted to test myself against THE ‘Great’ Bullrush. But the stars never aligned.

By the time I was a big enough name to stand toe to toe with you, you were gone. It was a damn shame, really. And it’s something I’ve never forgotten about. Even after getting to know you in a friend sense… That thought still ate at the back of my mind. The thought of testing myself against one of my idols.

But as the years wore on, and we both got older.. I realized that the man I idolized wasn’t that man at all. Sure, in front of the big crowds and the cameras he’s a big bad man.. Willing to beat up anyone and everyone they throw in his path. Including his own wife at one point.

Now I can’t really talk, as someone who’s fought her own husband – So you get a pass on that. But back to my original point, John. You’re great in the ring, there’s no doubt about that. But as I’ve grown up in this industry, I’ve come to realize that there’s a lot more to being ‘great’ than just being a great wrestler.

You gotta be a good person too.

And I know you’re gonna see this and scoff because there are plenty of shit people in this industry and I don’t deny that. That’s not what I mean though. By ‘good’, I mean you gotta be someone who stands for something. You gotta have your ideals and your stance and you gotta fight for it.

But you, JD?

You change your mind on a whim. You go wherever the slightest breeze takes you. I don’t know if you know what you stand for…

One minute you’re trying to make the right decisions and do right by your family, the next you’re out trying to fix a title match for the sake of your wifes wrestling promotion.

One second you’re going to rehab for your shoulder injury, trying to get healthy the right way…and the next you’re soliciting me for drugs to get you through the healing process that much quicker.

I don’t know, JD. I think deep down underneath it all, you are a good person.. You just lack direction. Direction that I think your ex-wife gave you. But even she wasn’t superwoman. Even she had her limits.. And that’s why you’re alone.

You’re a selfish man, JD.  Even you can’t deny that… I mean look at you now.  Look at you drooling over Kyra like she’s some prize to be won.  Why do you want her back?  You’re lonely?  You’re sorry?  You just don’t want anyone else to have her?

All of the above?

I just don’t get you sometimes.

In all these years, the one thing I think you could benefit from learning the most is that the world doesn’t revolve around you.

…

You were a good friend though, JD. In your good moments, at least.

Hell, I still consider you a friend – I just wish you had your priorities straight.

Now, I’m no martyr. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my time too, but the difference between us is the ability to learn from them and keep them from happening again. You just don’t learn. You don’t grow. You’re just the same old JD Mohr, with his big muscles and his cocky attitude. That shit only gets you so far… And around here, that’s just not gonna be enough to get you where you think you wanna be.

I’m not the same little girl you met back in the CWA, JD. I’m a world title caliber talent, I’ve become everything that you were back in those days – And more.

I wanted this match with you because God damnit, for all your faults – you’re still JD ‘Bullrush’ Mohr and I want to beat you. I want to show you what real talent is because I’m not sure you, or anyone else back then really thought I’d amount to anything.

Sure, you told me I had potential… but was that potential to be a champion… or potential arm candy for yours truly? Let’s face it, honey… You’ve propositioned me more than once and I’ve turned you down each and every time. Because for old school wrestlers like you, I guess that’s all I could have ever amounted to.. A nice set of lips on the tip of your…

Well, you get the picture.

I wish I could say I thought you were any better than you were back then, but I don’t know. I honestly don’t know and it’s a damn shame because you had a wife who loved you.. A badass woman who I know wouldn’t take any of your bullshit. You had her. And you fucked it up. You fucked it up because you couldn’t keep it in your pants.

It’s just such a shame.

She put up with you, in spite of your bullshit – and you still figured out a way to push her away.

I guess that’s not really the point of this though, the point is.. You and me. Underground. I’m gonna beat your ass, JD. I’m not gonna cheat you, I’m not gonna try to end your career.. But I am gonna put you down for the three count for old times sake.

No disrespect intended but that’s just the way it is.

I’m better than you, John.

And come Monday night, I’m gonna prove it.

Let’s hope you come prepared because you’ve never met anyone like me, honey. And after Monday night, you’re gonna wish that my fiance wouldn’t have agreed to let me have this match.

You see, there’s ‘good‘.

There’s ‘better‘. 

And there’s ‘best‘. 

I’ll let you figure out which one I am after I’m finished with you.

See you soon, JD.

OOC: JC Used with permission