Mr. Reagan Said So

"You won't have enough to cover your tab. Wear running shoes. You will scratch yourself at the absolute wrong time. You need to spend some time thinking about your future. That favorite coworker of yours secretly hates you."

«Looking up from the horoscope section of the morning New York Times, the bizarre expression from Mercedes was a given. As if on cue, she glances at the camera, putting down her glass of orange juice.»

"What’s up, CPW? It’s me, it’s me, it’s Mercy V. Bet you didn’t see this one coming, did you? That makes two of us. See, because, it was just over two months ago that I finished up with the last promotion I was in before I decided to take a little break. Little did I know, that break didn’t last very long. Now, you may be asking yourself, “Mercedes, what are you talking about?’ Obviously, my reasons for being here. CPW is just beginning to spread its wings, but I had no idea they were so desperate in finding talent, especially in their women’s division. And just how desperate where they? Apparently, very much so. It got to the point where I couldn’t enjoy any peace or quiet. My phone was blowing up, my Twitter was blowing up, e-mails came flooding in. Even a carrier pigeon came on by and dropped a little message. Crazy, I know. Well, CPW, you no longer have to worry, because Mercedes Vargas is here to stay."

«With a toss of her brunette curls, Mercedes addresses the next item on her agenda in the form of an envelope she begins to wave around.»

"What I have in my hand is a registered letter from the head man, the owner, a letter from Joseph Reagan himself, which I’ll get to in a second. Now, we’re just less than 48 hours away, two days from the first-ever episode of CPW TV and I have to say for the very first episode there’s going to be plenty of action that night. Of course, a tournament to decide its first-ever champions was a novel idea. The guys have their own tournament, and we girls apparently have one, too.

"They say you only get one chance to make a first impression, but when I take a second look at the bracket, let’s just say I’m not too impressed. When I look at all of you, I don't see seven opponents who I have to worry about, because I just got done watching what you all had to say about your tournament matches, and I couldn’t help but shake my head. Don’t think I’m going to go on ad nauseam on why I’m better than you, I think we both know your places. There are a few familiar faces I can spot from the crowd, one Cynthia Warren and Angel Kash in particular, and while Angel and I have never been in the same ring together, I have defeated Cindy on two occasions. Other than that, I’ve got new names to learn, which brings me to my first-round opponent, the incredibly amazing, Asian Persuasion, MEE yoh koh Oshiro."

«Mercedes laces her fingers together, dropping them below her chin while adding a small chuckle. Maybe the superlatives about her opponent was a bit of a stretch, but, hey, it rhymed at least.»

"Now, where have I heard that name before? Oh, wait. I remember now. Weren’t you in that tag team with Hotaru Kim, "Team Lotus" or something like that? *shakes her head dismissively* No, that wasn’t you? Oh, well, nevermind. Now, Miyoko, I know you’re excited about this match as I am. When you learned that this match became official, you ran home, told all your friends on social media, and I’m sure you took your time doing a little homework on me, and that’s fine. Gold star for you. But here’s the thing, sweetheart, it's one thing to watch tapes and study, but it's another to actually be in the ring with someone."

«She pauses, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. Almost despite herself, Mercedes takes on a comical tone.»

"You do all the training you want, Miyoko. Wax on, wax off. Watch all the tapes, write down strategy, go over a little game plan, but it's not going to make a bit of difference. Little known fact: I’ve never lost a debut match in any company, undefeated, 6-0, and I don’t see why that’s going to change. So, do your worst. As a matter of fact, do your best, too. These matches were drawn up randomly and, unfortunately, you got paired with me. Take my foolish advice while you can: Give up, Miyoko. There’s no way you’re getting to the next round, you’re not getting past me in the first round so you might as well save your breath. You’re just the first obstacle - No, what I meant to say was “speed bump” - I need to get by to claim the ultimate prize, and beating you shouldn’t be much of a problem. No problem at all. Hey, but don’t be too hard on yourself, Miyoko. It’s not the end of the world and at least you tried, right? That’s what matters."

«She returns to the coy, almost snobbish expression.»

"It’s not that I don’t like you. I don’t like you, but that’s beside the point. I just want you to know one thing, Miyoko. You’re going to find yourself outperformed, outclassed, and, dare I say it, outsmarted, but it won’t be no fault of your own. Because this was expected. I’m going to do whatever it takes, whatever I have to, whatever is necessary to get the job done. And that’s just isn’t against you Miyoko, that goes for every girl in this tournament. I don’t care who you are, what you’ve done, where you’ve been, whether I’m facing a 12-year veteran, some gold digger from Los Angeles, a fresh-faced rookie or a daughter of one legendary wrestling family, a nurse turned wrestler, or a comic book geek, the fact of the matter is, I really don’t have anything to prove.

"Now, as to this letter...Honestly, I’m not too surprised by this. CPW knows talent when they see it, and obviously, so does Mr. Reagan, which I’m sure he’ll emphasize in his glowing reply."

«Mercedes takes the envelope, daintily pulls out the letter, and, after clearing her throat and practicing her vocals, she slips on a pair of reading glasses, then reads in an authoritative voice.»

“Dear Ms. Vargas: *points to herself as she briefly looks up at the camera* ‘Dear Miss Vargas, that’s me’. *clears her throat again* “Dear Miss Vargas. On behalf of Championship Pro Wrestling, I would like to take this time to offer you an opportunity to highlight our women’s division. We have reviewed hundreds of thousands of applicants, but your work seems to be head and shoulders above the rest. From your engaging in-ring promos and interviews to your stellar work in between the squared circle to your championships and accolades too numerous to mention, and this is the important part, folks - it gives me great pleasure to not only offer you a contract on your terms, but to make you the superb talent you are, was, and always will be."

«Mercedes glances up as she reads the last of the letter.»

“It is with great pleasure that I throw my full support of you winning CPW's tournament to crown our first Siren's Championship. Signed, Sincerely. Joseph R. Reagan.”

«She fold up the letter and push it back in the envelope and lays it on her heart with her hand on top of it, closing her eyes.»

"Well, bless his heart. I don’t know what to say, I’m flattered."

«Mercedes doubles over, bursts of breathy vowel sounds escaping her mouth before she cuts herself off abruptly with a sigh.»

"Sorry. Anyway, I’m going to win this tournament. *emphasizes the letter* Mr. Reagan said so. And that ringing endorsement proves it. Am I worried? I think the better question is, "should I be?"Let's face it, this tournament has my name written all over it. And pretty soon, the Siren’s Championship will have my name all over it – just that it will be engraved in big gold letters. That being said, for all you fans out there I can't stress this enough, please, please, PLEASE support CPW on the 29th."

«With a pleading look in her eyes, she clasps her hands together to drive the point home.»

"Get in your cars, hop on the bus, the train, on a bike, whatever. Get to Washington, D.C., get to 601 F Street, get in the building, and watch me, yet again, continue my unbeaten streak in debut matches, and, oh yeah, add a new name to my checklist."

«And with a little wave at the camera, Mercedes offers a parting smile.»

"Miyoko, we’ll be seeing each other soon before I send you home, but not to Los Angeles. Oh no, I mean back to Tokyo in a crate. You'll thank me later so in the meantime, love you long time! Chau!"

«Mercedes makes a heart symbol with her hands and that's the last image we see of her before she reaches to turn off the camera as the scene fades.»