DECISIONS
Many would argue that Peyton Rice is ready for the SCW or any other large, major league fed in the world. That maybe true but one thing people have never understood about Peyton is that she is her own worst critic. Peyton has always wanted to make sure that she was not only ready for the big time but not go up too soon. Watching Owen Cruze joining the main roster without being in EMERGE caught her by surprise but Peyton had made the decision, she would hone her skills, be ready to step into the SCW and go right after the best in the business. After being the Cruiserweight Champion in the UWA, losing the title stung but she made the conscious decision to go up to the Main Roster of the UWA, that was until it closed its doors after the End of the Year Special.
After that Peyton found herself without work. She could have easily gone to the SCW but even she knew that the competition there would be extremely tough. Instead she opted to contemplate her next move. It was a hard decision, Ricky Octavius, her boyfriend was pushing her to sign with SCW, he thought she was settling instead of just going out there and taking the bull by the horns. Peyton disagreed….
One Month Ago
New York City, NY.
The gorgeous Peyton sat on the couch looking at all the offers she had. Wearing jeans, and a Metallica t-shirt, her long brunette hair hanging down, no polish on her nails. Her green eyes slowly examined each line while Ricky was doing sit ups in shorts and sneakers, showing off his muscular frame….
Ricky: “Well?”
Peyton: “There is WWH, they seem to be very interested in me, I just don’t know.”
Ricky: “SCW, Pey. You are more than ready for it.”
Peyton: “I wish that I shared the same enthusiasm as you Ricky, I really do but I don’t think that I am ready. I mean, they have the best in the world….”
Ricky: “And you will be one of them. Peyton, Owen Cruze is going there, are you telling me you’re going to let a kid that is 17 years old walk in there and automatically get a head start in his career and you who has already proven in plenty of matches that you’re one of the brightest and most exciting young stars in wrestling today, can’t?”
Peyton: “You’re just saying that because we are dating.”
Ricky stops his sit ups; his attention is now directed right at Peyton. He takes a few breaths, he last thing he wants to do is come off too strong with Peyton, she can be sensitive at times and knowing the dilemma she is in, there is no need to stress her out even more so it’s convincing her that she is good enough to be there….
Ricky: “Is that what you think? No, I am not just saying that to hear myself talk or we are dating, that’s absurd. Pey, I have watched you out there, no one is faster and more agile than you. This is the chance you’ve been waiting for, to finally shine and do right to David Helms and the rest of Ante Up.”
Peyton: “Okay…. Then you go.”
Ricky: “I have options, I’m also hurt so I have to wait just a little longer is all. I have experienced the SCW, it was pretty awesome, no feeling can compare, the rush, it was breathtaking. I have all the confidence in the world that you will not only succeed but take it all by storm.”
Peyton: “I know you do Ricky, but I need to make the right decision, maybe I am willing to go a little longer until I can finally make my debt in SCW, I don’t know. I mean it sounds nice and all, I just need to do what I feel is best for me. Owen? I don’t think he should go to the main roster, that’s suicide.”
Ricky: “Maybe but the kid has heart and determination like his old man.”
Peyton: “What is that supposed to mean?”
He could tell that something triggered Peyton, the tone of her voice and the conversation took a slight and unexpected turn…..
Ricky: “Pey, I didn’t mean anything by it. All I was saying is Owen has a lot of those traits thanks to his pops.”
Peyton: “Yeah, and it sounded like you were saying I don’t have the heart and determination he does?”
Ricky: “Pey, that is not what I was trying to say at all. You have all the talent in the world, is it something to do with confidence? Do you think that you’d embarrass yourself? Come on Pey… that’s ridiculous.”
Peyton: “To you maybe, I don’t want to fail Ricky and make sure I am in a position where I know that I can be set up for success. Owen wants to start from the bottom and work his way up? Great, more power to him but I refuse to. I am ready to take on all challengers, but you don’t get it, everything to you is black and white, this is not the case.”
Ricky: “Pey… I didn’t…..”
Peyton: “Save it Ricky, I get it. I’m going for a jog or something.”
He knew that she was upset, trying to fix it or even talk to her about it would only make things worse. Peyton was a sensitive person, she was very self-conscious about her career and especially how she looked in her father’s eyes. It was best Ricky left it alone and let her cool down. She put on her socks and shoes, workout gear, gloves and beanie, she stopped for a second and glanced over at Ricky who sat there, he lowered his head, she turned and walked out into the cold New York late afternoon….
It was time Peyton decided and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be easy.
Glendale, Arizona
A Few Weeks Ago
Peyton always took the time to visit her father, it was extremely important to her as he was paralyzed from the waist down after an accident as a Firefighter. Ray Rice was a proud man, he never wanted his daughter’s help. It took him some time to accept she was in professional wrestling, a notion that for all of her training escaped him. No matter what Peyton did, Ray was always proud of his daughters, the other Savannah. Peyton had arrived, she was in jeans, sneakers, a t-shirt and black jacket, her long hair was in pig tails…..
She walked in…
Peyton: “Dad?”
Ray: “I’m over here sweetheart.”
She smiles, hearing his voice. Peyton would be the first to tell you that her dad is her hero. She walked through the hallway and into the living room, she suddenly stopped, seeing the back of a woman’s head sitting, talking to her father…..
Peyton: “I didn’t know you had company….”
Ray: “I know you are probably shocked seeing a woman in my house, but give me some credit, Pey I am still handsome.”
Peyton: “Well, yeah! Of course, you are dad! I mean, I can go get a salad and…..”
Woman: “No need for that love.”
She recognized the voice, the woman stood up and turned around, she had on jeans, black boots and a matching sweater with her long hair slicked back in a ponytail and gloss on her nails….
It was “The Perfect Ten” Kelcey Wallace….
Peyton: “Kelcey…. I mean Mrs. Cannon?”
Kelcey: “I already told you before, Kelcey is fine.”
Peyton: ”What are you doing here? I didn’t think I would see you after the UWA shut down.”
Kelcey: “Your father invited me here, he thought it would be nice if the three of us had dinner and discussed your future.”
Peyton looks a bit shocked, she turns to her father….
Peyton: “How did you?”
Ray: “Ricky called me.”
Peyton: “Ricky? I should’ve known….”
Kelcey: “Will you sit down so we can talk?”
The young Peyton sits down, she looks over at Kelcey and pays her undivided attention…..
Kelcey: “You are one of the brightest, most talented and beautiful women in wrestling today. I have seen and wrestled the best. I have beat them all barring one but that is all semantics in the big picture, the truth be told, there wasn’t a wrestler I couldn’t beat. I see that same pedigree in you love. You have an opportunity to elevate yourself to the next level, all you must do is get there first. UWA closing was a blow….”
Peyton: “…. Crushing.”
Kelcey: “Yes but as one door closes another will open. That is what you have to remember more than anything. You feel that you’re not ready for the SCW? Why?”
Peyton: “I have been a Cruiserweight, I need more…. I’m sorry Kelcey.”
Kelcey: “So if I told you that I will personally manage your career and be your mentor, like we had discussed, I have a contract right now that will give you a full-time roster part on EMERGE, the developmental company for the SCW. This is your chance to prove me and everyone else right that you are READY for the SCW. I have all the faith in you. I understand that some have chosen to go straight to the main roster, if this is the avenue you feel is needed, I will make sure that you succeed.”
Her face lights up, she glances over at her dad who smiles….
Peyton: “But… why me?”
Kelcey: “You are special but most of all, you care about this business, the sport, the competition and I see the love you have for your father, I too was a daddy’s girl, so I can relate. In time, physically I will not be able to do much when it comes to the ring. I’m retired now but I still have a lot left to give and if my legacy is there on those I have chosen to teach? Then that is where they will lie. I couldn’t ask for anything more from a strong, young woman like yourself.”
She lowers her head and nods….
Peyton: “I hope not to fail you, this is so impor….”
Kelcey cuts her off. She smiles and cups her hand….
Kelcey: “You will NOT fail. That is a word which has never been in my vocabulary and never will. We will succeed Peyton, you can count on that. Just promise me that you will listen to me.”
Peyton: “I promise.”
The two shake hands and then hug for a few moments, she backs up and grabs her phone just as Kelcey takes out the contract and hands it to her….
Kelcey: “I read it already. Vanilla is a good friend of mine, she is fair, and the details are all there. Read over it and when you’re ready to sign it, we will.”
Peyton: “Okay, thank you. I’m going to call Ricky real quick.”
Kelcey: “Absolutely.”
Peyton smiles to her father who inks at her, Kelcey turns to Ray and leans in….
Ray: “I trust you with my baby. She is all I really have left. Since her mother left us, Peyton has taken the brunt of everything always trying to make sure I am okay. I can take care of myself Kelcey, I don’t want her wasting her life away and then hating me later. I don’t want that.”
Kelcey: “It won’t happen Ray, I promise you that. Your daughter will be successful, she has the heart and the right attitude to be one of the best moving forward and definitely the future. Have faith, she loves and does it for all for you. Be proud of her.”
Ray: “I am. Thank you Kelcey.”
Kelcey: “My pleasure.”
The two shake hands, turning to look at Peyton who is on the phone with Ricky, jumping up a little in excitement. Kelcey and Ray simply smile….
SCENE FADES
PROMO TIME
PRETTY PERFECT
The Scene Opens….
In jeans, sneakers, a Metallica t0-shirt and jacket with her hair hanging down, the gorgeous Peyton Rice stands outside in the Arizona desert looking out from her father’s backyard. She turns to the camera as it starts to record….
REC:
Brushing her hair back she speaks in her cute and girly voice…
“We are faced with choices, some are tough, and others are easy to make. In the last few months, I had to ponder and wonder where I was going to go from here. When the UWA closed its doors, I didn’t know what was next, ready to make the jump to the main roster, it was quickly pulled out from under my feet. It took the convincing of a few special people that I had what it took, compete in the SCW but I had this itch I needed to scratch and maybe EMERGE was it. I know that wrestling on the main roster is my ultimate goal….
But I need to rise first.
I’m my own worst critic, I know that which is why I want to prove myself first before anything. That means first and foremost that I fend off the challenge on the debut card of EMERGE from Alexandra Anarchy. Alex likes to talk tough, she wants to be the rebel, the one to cause chaos, make a riot out of a peaceful gathering, that sort of thing. Why Alex? Because it’s easy? Doing the wrong things is never hard, it even can come natural to someone like you. For me though, why add to what this world has already become? Why not instead be a proactive individual inside the communities? Use the platform we are given as wrestlers to stand as a role model instead of advertising violence?
Why?
Because it’s easy.
What separates you from the next green haired badass with a few tattoos, Alex? Nothing. How many women which are finally getting some respect come down the pike only to be looked down on because of their selfish actions?
Is fighting the system make you stand out?
No, everyone these days does it….
I refuse to.”
She turns to the camera, continuing to speak….
“Maybe you don’t have a purpose, I do. Yes, I have a lot of pressure on me as we speak, there are a lot of eyes watching Peyton Rice. I can even go as far to say there are many who want to see me fail. The fact is this isn’t about being Perfect in the ring, Kelcey Wallace did that for so many years and no one can argue that. Alex, this is about being the best in not only EMERGE but also moving forward. What titles I held, who I have beaten is all irrelevant…..
This is what’s important now.
You want to be the bane of society’s existence, go right ahead.
As for me? It’s showing you and EMERGE?
I’m not just another “Pretty” Face.”
Peyton winks and smirks…..
FADE TO BLACK
/REC
Peyton Rice 