August 24, 2004
Beth couldn't believe it. She was finally there; she was at wrestling school. She was at "Shimmer" the number one source for women's wrestling. She couldn't wait to get started!
She took a few moments to soak it all in, then she headed down the hallways to talk to the woman in charge, Beckie Bailey Bubbles, some call her "Triple B", but not because all the beginning letters of her name began with a 'B', it was because she was nothing less than a triple threat.
Beckie had great potential to be a Diva or Knockout, but opted to turn down every offer to help the other girls and stay in charge of Shimmer. She was actually really close to their age, differing by only a few years.
Beth came to a large pink doorway with black and white stars on it and a nameplate that read, "BBB".
She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
She had a bad case of nerves; she had never met Beckie before, they had only spoke on the phone.
"Yes. Come in."
Beth cracked the door and stuck her head slowly through the doorway.
"Ms. Bubbles?"
"Yes?" A beautiful young brunette woman looked up from her desk. She was wearing a black skirt with a matching jacket and a pink shirt underneath, very professional. Her hair was long and straight and had a small pink bow clipped on the right side. She also had on reading glasses that were square shaped and lavender purple with jewels down each side.
"Ahh, there you are. And you're…. Elizabeth?"
Beth smiled. "Yes ma'am."
"Good," Beckie looked at Beth's face. "Aren't you a sight? You sure are beautiful." Beckie stated.
Beth blushed in response. "Thank you ma'am."
"You're welcome dear. I'm expecting two new acquisitions today, so I was a little unsure of which one you were."
Beth was both curious and confused. "Then how did you know it was me?"
"You just look like an Elizabeth."
"Oh."
Beckie smiled and called Beth into the room while tapping her pen.
As Beth stood in front of her, Beckie spoke, "I'm sure you're new to the business but, do you have an idea of how this works?"
"Yes ma'am."
Beckie breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, good. Okay, ready to hear the idea for your debut and the storyline I have lined up for you?"
Beth's excitement could hardly be contained. You bet she was ready!
"Yes ma'am, I'm ready."
"Okay then." Beckie motioned for Beth to sit down in front of her desk and then grabbed a folder from the right drawer and put it on top of her desk.
She opened the folder and began to take out some papers.
"Alrighty then," she started, "I actually have you down to start a storyline with the other new talent we are going to have."
Beckie looked at some papers and pointed to a certain spot on one of them.
"Her name is Mickie; Mickie Laree James. But she has her stage name down as 'Alexis Laree'."
Beckie paused for a minute.
"Now I know your ring name is 'Phoenix', but do you have any other names in mind? Something that would sound better with Alexis Laree?"
Beth had a strong attachment and meaning to her ring name. She didn't want to change it, but if she had too…
Beth opened her mouth to speak.
"Well, I guess I could-"
She was cut off by a knock on the office door.
A small, brunette female that looked Native American peeked through the doorway.
"Ms. Bubbles?"
"Yes. Come in dear."
Beckie motioned for her to come in and sit next to Beth.
"I am so sorry. I apologize for being late, I got a little lost on the way here."
"No problem dear. Elizabeth, this is Mickie; Mickie, Elizabeth."
Beckie looked back down at her desk, seemingly organizing something, allowing the two to introduce themselves to one another.
Beth turned to her left and extended her hand. Mickie shook it and smiled.
"Nice to meet you," Mickie said.
"Likewise," Beth replied.
Beckie then spoke up, "Your ring name is indeed 'Alexis Laree'; correct?"
"Yes ma'am," Mickie responded.
"Okay, well I was just asking Elizabeth if she could think of another name that would sound good with yours, I have you two down to debut as a tag team. Perhaps you could help her think of a new name?"
Mickie looked at Beth and could see how disappointed she was that she had to change her name.
"Oh, no," Mickie stated, "She doesn't have to change her name."
She turned to Beth.
"What's your ring name?"
"Phoenix."
Mickie thought for a minute, "Hmm…"
"I got it! Ready? Phoenix and Sapphire! Huh? Huh?"
She looked rather proud of herself, and rightfully so.
Beckie seemed to like the idea.
"So, you want to change your name to 'Sapphire"?
"Yes."
"Okay, then."
Beckie got her pen and marked through some things on the papers.
Beckie then went on to explain the details of their debut in 2 weeks time. They were to attack to the two most dominant women in the organization and proclaim themselves the new faces of Shimmer.
But while Beckie was explaining, all Beth could think about was Mickie and how she changed her name for her.
After Beckie had finished everything that needed to be done for the girls to debut, she dismissed them.
When they got out to the hallway Beth was still thinking about the good deed Mickie had done.
"Hey! Come on! Get excited! We debut in 2 weeks!"
Mickie bounced up and down at the thought.
This made Beth giggle and she smiled.
Mickie stopped bouncing. "You don't talk much do you?"
Beth just shrugged.
There was an awkward silence so Beth decided to tell Mickie what was on her mind.
"Why'd you do it?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Why'd you change your name for me?"
"I am really good at reading people. I could tell you were just heart broken that you had to change it. So, I did instead."
"Thanks."
"No problem. I mean, we are, like, best friends now."
Beth had a feeling she was going to like this girl.