Afterburn for Vertigo E81

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on Afterburn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on Frontier+.

[LΞCAVALIΞR]

A moment or two passes before the picture fully comes to life. The audience is introduced to a shot of the newly crowned Frontier Grappling Arts United States Champion as soon as the blackness fades. Her right hand is occupied with the belt. Therefore, she uses her left hand to clear hair from her face.

Nina Stokes: My, oh my. Karma can be quite a bitch, can’t she?

The tiniest semblance of smirk appears on her face.

Nina Stokes: Though, the people that she targets tend to be worthy of her wrath.

There’s a small pause.

Nina Stokes: Sadie San Francisco walked these halls for months proclaiming to be a righteous woman. She acted as if she were blameless. But deceitful lies dripped from her mouth for months and months. What’s truly sad is that her feeble brain began to actually believe those lies.

Nina shakes her in utter disgust.

Nina Stokes: Sadie? You thought your cute little reign signified that you were someone special, didn’t you? You thought that your possession of the United States Championship indicated that you were some sort of grand warrior. But you weren’t special. You weren’t a warrior. In fact, you were nothing more than a sad sack of shit. And now the whole world knows that to be true. I just hope that you can now own up to it. That’s the sign of growth.

There’s another pause as Nina’s eyes glance down at the championship in her hands.

Nina Stokes: Saide’s farce of reign netted her three defenses. And while it was a bit contrive, her little open challenges garnered some attention. But I’m going to do something bigger. I’m going to do something better. Instead of some random bout, I’m going to announce a challenger. That lucky person will have ample time to prepare their body and minds for the massacre that will swiftly come.

She nods.

Nina Stokes: Therefore, the first person that I will defend this belt against will be Kazu Hirano. I want to see how much heart you truly have. Be ready. And don’t disappoint me.

With that, Nina turns and begins to walk out of the shot. The strap of the United States Championship drags across the floor as she moves. The camera lingers on that for a moment. Then everything fades out.

[Mister Harris]

It’s the end of another night of Vertigo in Queens.

Late in the evening, Amanda Johnson is with her camera crew, looking as though they are all ready to call it a night there.

Amanda Johnson: Well… I think that’s about all we’re going to get for tonight, gentlemen. I think everyone else has headed back home, so maybe we should follow suit.

???: I take it you aren't busy then?

The voice comes from off camera. Amanda and her cameraman both pivot towards the source of the voice, bringing Theodore Harris into view. Dressed in a full dark grey suit with white shirt visible under the jacket, he walks over towards the team, making surprisingly little noise as he approaches.

Amanda Johnson: Oh! Theodore. I didn't realize you were here tonight.

She turns and motions towards the rest of her crew.

Amanda Johnson: As for me and the crew, we were about to wrap up since most members of the roster have left. What brings you around and why are you still here?

Coming to a stop a short distance away, mindful of social distancing rules and all, Theodore tucks his hands into pockets before responding.

Theodore Harris: Well, officially I wasn't here for tonight's show. After what happened at Only the Strong Survive, the higher ups don't want Logan to... interact with other members of the roster for the time being. I decided to follow suit.

Amanda Johnson: Considering the number of FGA officials that Logan assaulted, you can't really fault them for that response.

He pauses, seeming to consider that point.

Theodore Harris: Of course. It was a rather... interesting meeting that we were escorted to after his match that night. We completely understood their position and made ours quite clear as well. Logan had issues that needed to be addressed with Ashlyn De Luca and nothing was going to stop him from doing so.

Amanda’s eyes narrow slightly as she regards Theodore.

Amanda Johnson: You think that justifies what Logan did to FGA officials?

Theodore holds up one hand in front of him as though to forestall further argument.

Theodore Harris: No. I'm not claiming that as justification for what Logan did. He regrets that referees and security were harmed by his hand that night. They were not the intended targets after all. Unfortunately, they wanted to intervene on Ashlyn's behalf and, considering what had happened previously between the two, it was quite frankly unacceptable.

Amanda Johnson: Unacceptable?

Her response is skeptical. Theodore appears visibly disappointed by that.

Theodore Harris: Amanda... last year, Ashlyn assaulted Logan Alexander, twice. Both times, FGA officials stood idly by as it happened. The first time, he was already injured from the match that preceded the assault and further damage was inflicted. The second time, additional injury was inflicted to him that resulted in him having to step away from active competition to recuperate. Their inaction cost him five months here in FGA. Ashlyn was then rewarded for those actions with championship opportunities.

He shakes his head slowly to show his displeasure.

Theodore Harris: By contrast, Logan has been fined and suspended until further notice. He's accepted both as consequences for his actions. Logan does regret what happened to FGA’s employees, although he won't be losing any sleep over it.

Amanda Johnson: I... see.

Amanda looks ill at ease with that response and decides to shift to a related topic.

Amanda Johnson: Well then, in regards to Ashlyn De Luca, have the issues between Logan and her been resolved after what happened at Only the Strong Survive?

Theodore laughs in response to that question. Once he finishes he decides to elaborate without her asking.

Theodore Harris: Of course not, Amanda. One day, Ashlyn will come back. It's just a matter of time. If Logan had wanted her gone, he would have done much more than he did. This was just to let her know how things stand and what she should be prepared for. The next time they fight it's not going to be like it was at All Star Showdown eight. That night he was ready to hang up his boots and go quietly. She just needed to put a bullet in him and go... but that wasn't good enough for her. She made it personal. She made him mad. She gave him a reason to come back. He's hoping that he's done the same for her. Ashlyn was allowed to walk away without serious harm. She'll go lick her wounds and plot her revenge. He'll be waiting.

Amanda Johnson: So then... what is next for Logan and you?

Theodore shrugs for a moment.

Theodore Harris: Nothing. As of right now we're not expecting to have any roles in the upcoming shows or at All Star Showdown nine. Until management lifts the suspension, Logan has no pressing matters to attend to. He'll just sit back, watch and wait. In the meantime for me, I'll be keeping an eye open for James Edwards.

That response immediately piques Amanda’s interest.

Amanda Johnson: James Edwards? What are you looking for him for?

Theodore Harris: Well, Logan was hoping that he hadn't really called it quits and decided to retire from competition here. We watched Sloan Talbot try to goad him into a match and that was rather sad to see. He actually paid others to go annoy Edwards because he couldn't get a response. If someone doesn’t return your calls then they are not that into you. You’re not important, get over it. That's probably why he's crashing title matches he has no business being part of. And why would he put in so much effort to get someone that he casually dismissed as 'someone no one gives an F about' to accept a match anyway? It's like he's using all the muscles except the one that matters.

He smirks as he continues.

Theodore Harris: Anyway, back to something important. Logan heard Edwards’ message back in July... but that is the sort of thing that needs to be said and addressed in person. Logan would like the chance to do that whether it's here at an FGA event, or somewhere else. Seeing that James did put in an appearance at Only the Strong Survive, there was hope that he was still around but that didn't pan out here tonight. Hopefully putting it out here now will get a response. If not, then it just is…

A short chime interrupts Theodore. He pauses and looks down before withdrawing a cell phone from his jacket. He glances at the display, then tucks the phone away again.

Theodore Harris: Sorry about that. As I was saying… if not, then it just isn't meant to be I suppose. I guarantee that neither myself or Logan will get someone else to harass James if he doesn't respond.

He smirks again at that.

Theodore Harris: We’ll move on and leave it be. We’d go and find something else.

He withdraws both hands from his pockets, clapping and then clasping them together in front of him.

Theodore Harris: And as for going, that message was from Marvin. My ride is now here. So, if you’ll excuse me Amanda I should be on my way.

Amanda looks disappointed by the abrupt end of this interview, presumably as she’ll miss her chance for follow up.

Amanda Johnson: Of course. Take care Theodore.

Theodore Harris: Until next time.

He bows slightly to Amanda, then pivots and begins to quickly head off, leaving Amanda with her crew as the scene fades out.

[The Mason]

We flash into color in the backstage area. At first, the only person we can clearly see is a referee-- the same one that had officiated the night’s main event. The official half-jogs as he tries to catch up with somebody that’s currently out of frame while our camera operator matches pace to keep up.

Referee: Sadie-- Sadie, you have to go to the trainer’s room for a follow-up.

The camera operator adjusts his lighting, and we see Sadie San Francisco using her right arm to steady herself against the wall while she walks, gingerly, down the corridor.

Referee: Sadie!

The referee matches pace with Sadie and reaches forward, putting a single hand on her shoulder-- but Sadie quickly smacks it away before crying out in pain, clutching her left shoulder. She looks at the official just once. The glare is venomous.

Sadie San Francisco: Get. Away from me.

The referee shakes his head in frustration, but backs off as he’s instructed. Sadie grunts, using her right hand to slap the wall in frustration. She hisses under her breath, inhaling deeply, before she continues down the corridor, walking in silence for several seconds, too tired and too drained to turn around and lash out at the camera operator that follows a few paces behind her.

In the distance, we see Jillian Clay and Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter of the Saturnian Connection approach Sadie as she reaches an intersection of corridors! Clay casts an arm around Sadie San Francisco, allowing the former champion to rest her weight against her. Their words can’t be picked up from the distance, but Jill guides Sadie down an adjacent hallway, out of frame. Nando Fresno watches the pair depart with his arms folded. He inhales deeply before finally following after them as we fade to black.