The camera cuts to the backstage area where Jessie Pederson is waiting with a microphone in hand. Right beside her is El Guapo himself, Julian Tijerina, wearing a white suit with a green tie. Julian has his eyes elsewhere, smiling and waving at unseen people, probably female production personnel. Right beside Julian is Faye Valentine, wearing a black sleeveless dress, and Kimiko, wearing her ring gear, Serpent's Touch in the flesh.
Jessie Pederson: Ladies and gentlemen, I have with me tonight, El Guapo Julian Tijerina and Serpent's Touch, Faye Valentine and Kimiko.
Without looking at Jessie, Julian moves his mouth towards the microphone, ensuring what he says next will be heard clearly.
Julian Tijerina: Gracias, Stephen.
Jessie is taken a back. She instinctively moves her head back, does a double take, and narrows her eyes at Julian.
Jessie Pederson: I'm not... I'm not Stephen Burke. I'm Jessie? Jessie Pederson?
Julian finally takes a good look at her. He immediately perks up at the sight of her.
Julian Tijerina: Ah, so it would seem. Well, this is a huge improvement. How are you, my sweet señorita?
Kimiko looks away in humiliation while Valentine shakes her head. Jessie raises an eyebrow at Julian who is suddenly closer to her face.
Jessie Pederson: Uhm, I'm, uhh, fine...
Julian flashes her his patented killer smile. Jessie blushes almost immediately.
Julian Tijerina: Yes, you are. So, very, absolutely fine.
When Jessie starts giggling, Valentine decides she's had enough. Grabbing Jessie's face, she forces her attention to her, denying Julian of wasting their time further. Under her mask, Kimiko grins. Julian, understandably, is not amused.
Faye Valentine: You brought us here to ask us a question, right? Ask away, sweetie, before Kimiko here decides to do something else with your cutie patootie autumn locks.
Kimiko growls to emphasize Valentine's subtle threat, jolting Jessie back to pure professionalism. Julian sighs, shaking his head.
Jessie Pederson: Oh, of course. Ahem... Tonight, we finally found out which team Serpent's Touch will be facing in Round Two of the Dynamic Duos Tournament. The pair of Mark Bisley and Shintaro Majima survived the challenge of Davey-Boy O'Brien and Baz Jones, with O'Brien finding himself victimized by the Essence of Smart Style. What are your thoughts on your opponents for your first match in the tournament?
Valentine laughs haughtily, shaking her head.
Faye Valentine: Well, it will certainly be fun, watching the Essence of Smart Style go up against 2K, maybe even T.M.I., but the fact of the matter is, Jessie, we already know how it's going to go down. Biscuit and Magicman look impressive but they don't have the advantage that we do. They've already gone through a hard-fought match with Conan and Jughead, which means their bodies are already tired and worn-out. With the exception of last night's fun time...
Valentine turns to Julian who shakes his head. Kimiko raises an eyebrow momentarily before sighing and shaking her head in disgust.
Faye Valentine: ...we are pretty much heading into the game as the fresher competitors. Venom & Viper's more than ready to strike and kill.
Kimiko suddenly takes over, much to everyone's surprise.
Kimiko: Kono kurushimi wa, Sumātosutairu.
Jessie stares confused at the Queen of Strong Style as the latter retakes her original position, far from everyone else. Valentine smirks, pats Jessie on her head, and "helps" her out.
Faye Valentine: That's right, Kimmie. The Affliction will claim Smart Style.
Valentine looks Jessie over, one eyebrow raised, before unexpectedly licking the side of her face, much to Jessie's blatant disgust.
Faye Valentine: ST, out.
Valentine turns around and starts walking away. As Jessie tries her best not to vomit at what just happened, being the low-key drama queen that she can be, Kimiko glares her into staying still. Kimiko takes one last glare at Julian who simply shrugs at her before leaving the scene, following her tag team partner. With Serpent's Touch gone, Julian takes a handkerchief from the inside pocket of her suit and helps Jessie wipe Valentine's saliva off her face.
Julian Tijerina: You know, I was disheartened to see GBH go this early, particularly Miss Fortune. Sure, the whole Jester thing spooked the living hell out of me, considering she looked exactly like that loca b...arbie, Emily Scott, from a year ago, but she seemed...nice. Maybe we'll see her again. Maybe I'll see her again.
Julian looks out into the distance, confusing Jessie who is still using his handkerchief to un-Valentine her face. He then switches to a happier demeanor, startling Jessie who raises an eyebrow at Julian.
Julian Tijerina: I'm really happy Blonde Ambition won over Elysian Empire, though. The Elysians are bueno and all, but what can I say? I love blondes.
Jessie frowns, taking a strand of her brown hair and staring at it in disappointment. She mindlessly tries to return Julian's handkerchief to him but he refuses to take it, taking her hand with one hand instead while the free one takes something out of his other pocket inside his suit.
Julian Tijerina: I know this place in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico. It's called Coco's Cabana, serves great island food, close to the beach, relaxing ambience... If you're free tonight, maybe you can give me a call and we can hop on my private jet for a chill after-party, just you and me.
Jessie is caught surprised when Julian hands her his card. He winks at her, making her smile, before planting a soft kiss on her forehead. As he leaves, Jessie giddily holds on to his card, giggling and blushing like a school girl. The camera fades on Jessie kissing the card. She's probably going to get a memo from HR after this.
