RECORDED BEFORE THE SHOW
Our camera cuts to the backstage corridor area, following Amanda Johnson as she approaches a room at the end of the hall, which-- judging by the giant Sharpie-drawn picture of Saturn taped to the outside of it-- belongs to the Saturnian Connection. Amanda approaches the door, pausing for just a moment to observe the sign, shooting a quick glance over her shoulder at the camera before raising her fist to tap. As the seconds pass, waiting for a response, Amanda begins to speak to the camera operator and audience, acting as a narrator for the scene.
Amanda Johnson: Amanda Johnson here, ladies and gentlemen. We’re still a few minutes away from showtime, but I was hoping to catch a few words with Sadie San Francisco. Last week, she successfully defended her U.S. Title against Jaelynn Ramsey, but tonight--
Click.The handle turns and the lock clicks out of place as the door is pulled open. Jillian Clay stands in the doorway, looking at Amanda with a broad smile.
Jillian Clay: Hi, friend.
Amanda Johnson: Hey there, Jill. How are you this evening?
Jillian Clay: I haven’t decided yet. Do you know what kind of moon we’re supposed to have tonight?
Amanda Johnson: Uhh… I’d have to ch-- no. No, I’m not sure.
Jillian Clay: Hmm.
Clay smiles faintly, perhaps masking disappointment.
Jillian Clay: You’re here to talk to Sadie.
Jillian states it, rather than asking. Amanda doesn’t miss a beat though, giving the Saturnian a nod.
Amanda Johnson: Is she available?
Rather than answer, Clay pushes against the door, placing her back against it to hold it open and allow the interviewer entry, keeping the same distant smile fixed on her. Amanda gives Clay another nod of gratitude and steps into the dressing room. Sadie San Francisco has made a seat for herself in the corner of the dressing room with a medicine ball and a pile of jackets. With a tablet on her lap and an earbud jammed into each ear, Sadie maintains a low-volume conversation with somebody looking back at her on the tablet--
--and she freezes when her gaze lands on Amanda Johnson. Sadie narrows her eyes, looking first toward Jill with a look of disapproval, and finally back toward the interviewer.
Sadie San Francisco: What’s up, Amanda?
The greeting lacks the typical warmth, sounding slightly robotic, which Amanda is happy to attribute to Sadie being mid-conversation.
Amanda Johnson: I didn’t want to interrupt. I can come back.
Sadie glances to the tablet, giving a warmer smile to the person on the other end of the video call.
Sadie San Francisco: I’ll ring you back after the show.
Sadie blows a kiss to the person on the opposite side of the screen before tugging the buds out of her ears, clearing her throat as she looks back up toward Amanda Johnson.
Sadie San Francisco: You’re not interrupting anything. Sup?
The interviewer silently notes the quickness in which the U.S. Champion speaks to her.
Amanda Johnson: I see you’re continuing the U.S. Title Open Challenge tonight. Any clues as to who--?
Sadie San Francisco: Nope.
Quietly, again, Amanda notes the quickness. Sadie’s eyes dart toward the trio of lockers at the far end of the locker room. A wooden shelf sits above them-- and there, neatly, rests the FGA United States Championship. Briefly, Johnson’s eyes drift toward it as well before back to Sadie.
Amanda Johnson: Alright. Fair enough. Look, Sadie, I want to congratulate you on a successful first defense. And I really don’t wanna ruin the mood here, but I have to address the elephant in the room… Nina Stokes.
Sadie’s jaw visibly tightens. She rolls her eyes, looking toward Jill, who meets Sadie’s look with curiosity that matches the interviewer’s on the far side of the room.
Amanda Johnson: Maybe I don’t need to tell you what you already know here, but-- I’ve seen Nina Stokes. I’m going to interview her later tonight, but I know how she’s taken the perceived disrespect.
Sadie San Francisco: Oh, Jeeeesus… Amanda Johnson: Sadie, she’s taken it as a slight. You’ve refused to address her directly and you’re refused to acknowledge her claim at a U.S. Title opportunity. Meanwhile, you’re willing to put your title on the line against seemingly any and every other Grappler in these Open Challenges. How is Nina supposed to perceive it?
Sadie laughs. Briefly. Loudly. Bitterly.
Sadie San Francisco: I don’t
care how Nina perceives it. She used to be the United States Champion, and that’s cool. But I’m the United States Champion now. And
my title reign isn’t about Nina Stokes. Last week, I defended it against Jae, and this week, I’ll defend it against whoever I need to. I’ll do the same thing at Only the Strong Survive, and then I’ll go on and win the Gold Rush Rumble but forgive me if I’m not doing any of this with Nina in mind. But I mean-- am I losing my mind? Did I not say like, over and over that this was an “Open Challenge”? Jill?
Jillian Clay: I remember it.
Sadie San Francisco: Cool, so I’m not crazy.
Sadie gives Amanda a shrug.
Sadie San Francisco: So if Nina’s so desperate to get her title back, why doesn’t she just come out to the ring for an open challenge like eeeeverybody else?
Amanda hesitates. She does open her mouth to respond, but the small delay is enough for Sadie to interject.
Sadie San Francisco: Is it because she thinks she’s above it? Does-- does Nina think she’s better than all this?
The smallest smirk crosses the champion’s face.
Sadie San Francisco: I can’t help but think that’s the reason, but we’re sitting here… staring at evidence to the contrary. Right?
She gestures to the United States Title and once more, the camera pans over to the shelf where the championship sits.
Sadie San Francisco: Nina came to a fight unprepared the last time we met. She won’t admit it. She’ll deflect. She’ll gaslight. But again--
again-- we’re looking at the evidence, Amanda.
This time, the camera lingers there on the United States Title while Sadie speaks.
Sadie San Francisco: If Nina’s expecting me to roll the red carpet out for her to come out for a second chance, she’s delusional. She knows where to find me, but I guarantee you won’t find her there at the same time.
We pan back over to Sadie and Amanda. The interviewer’s eyes travel from the belt and back to the champion, nodding slightly.
Amanda Johnson: Alright. Well, can we talk about the utilization of Poison Mist during some of your matches?
Sadie San Francisco: Know what…
Sadie stands up with a sigh, slowly pointing toward the door.
Sadie San Francisco: Maybe it’s best that you and I take a break, Amanda. These interviews obviously aren’t working… and neither of us wants them. I don’t wanna make this a huge thing, but I see what you’re trying to do-- the kind of reaction you’re trying to get. Let’s just…
Sadie makes a silent, clean “breaking” motion with her hands. Amanda nods slowly, wearing an expression that suggests that she’s heard the words before, though she gives Sadie a small smile all the same.
Amanda Johnson: Understood. Clearly you’re entering a different part of your career. If you’d feel better if I just observe from the sidelines for a bit then… you got it.
Sadie doesn’t say anything to Amanda. She just leans back in her makeshift chair, gaze locked on the interviewer. Amanda looks from Sadie, toward Jill, whose expression offers little insight. Amanda nods again and walks out of the dressing room. The cameraman lingers there for a moment, catching one more look at Sadie. The champion narrows her eyes at the camera operator, saying nothing, expecting nothing, but letting him know in a glance that his presence wasn’t welcome.
The scene cuts to black.
