It was several hours later when Elphaba woke. The suitcase she had seen when she arrived was gone, and there was a note on her nightstand. Curious as to what it said, she opened it up, and began reading.
Elphaba,
I'm sorry you're waking up alone like this. I had a few interviews and I have a fight tonight. Unfortunately, I'll be leaving straight from there. I booked this room for another week in advance, and there's some money in the brown envelope in the top drawer of the dresser. I hope it's enough that you don't have to go back to whatever situation you were in last night. You can stay here for the week, and make plans. I really hope you'll consider leaving that asshole.
Jessie
She finished reading the note, and shook her head. To someone on the outside, it would look like her and Tony were dating, not that she would give Tony the time of day past bookings. She looked in the nightstand, finding the envelope exactly where Jessie said it would be. She opened it up, and her eyes grew wide. It was filled to the brim with hundred dollar bills. With wide eyes, Elphaba began counting the money. She nearly cried for joy when she was done, fifteen thousand dollars. A complete stranger gave her fifteen thousand dollars for nothing. With that money, she only had to do one more show before she could get her documents. Soon this nightmare would be over, and she could live a good, legitimate life, and get a real job that didn't involve the sleazy shit she had to do now. That still left the show tonight. First things first she takes the envelope and walks out of the hotel.
(())
Jessie was distracted, more so than normal. She won her fight, and the belt, but it was much harder and longer than it should have been. She couldn't get Elphaba off her mind. She really hoped the fifteen grand she left would be enough for her to start away from that prick. Since the money came from her personal savings and not the fight purse, it wouldn't affect the shelter either.
"So, are you coming Jess?" Marcus asked, bringing her back from her thoughts.
"Coming where?" Jessie asked, confused.
"Where were you? The boys and I are going out to that club, you want to come?"
"You know I don't party like that. Besides, I just won. I don't want to get swamped under." Jessie said, with a shrug, as she picked up her duffle bag. Before she could leave, Marcus stopped her.
"Jess, you haven't been yourself since this morning. You could use the release."
"Release? For who, exactly?"
"Come on, kid. It'll be fun."
"Define fun." Jessie said, dubiously. She knew the kinds of clubs the boys frequented on these little jaunts, and they weren't really Jessie's thing. Seeing that Marcus wasn't going to let it go, she sighed, "If I go to this damn club, will you get off my ass?"
"After you leaving fifteen thousand dollars for a stranger in your room, not likely, but I'll leave you alone for the rest of the night."
"Lead the way." Jessie said, she knew Marcus meant well. He'd been like a father to her since she started training with him, and maybe he was right. Perhaps she could use something to forget about the mysterious Elphaba and just blow off some steam.
(())
"I knew you'd come crawling back. What, no bodyguard this time?" Tony taunted Elphaba, not that she hadn't been expecting this.
"From the look of the bruises on your face, maybe you should hire her. Have a rough morning?" Elphaba said, walking past him to change into her costume. Not that she considered a black thong bikini much of a costume.
"Just for that, you're getting the red lava volunteers match." Elphaba groaned, as he left chuckling. She hated that specialty shit. Thank god she hadn't had to do it since she first started. Being exotic helped her move up the chain a lot faster. The pretty smile that she learned how to fake didn't hurt either. But the reason she hated this part of the show was it was interactive. Anyone could pony up the fifty dollars, and spend three minutes wrestling with her in a pool of red unset jell-o. She really didn't like the other girls touching her in the mud, but she really hated this. In general, she didn't like to be touched especially by a bunch of drunk frat boys. Fortunately she averaged a grand during these matches. That would give her enough for the documents and a bus ticket out of this hellhole.
(())
"Hey, Jess, it looks like it's challenge night. What would it take for you to…."
"Not gonna happen, Rick. You guys are lucky I'm here in the first place." Jessie told the large blonde to her right.
"Yeah, her highness decided to come drinking with us commoners." Michael said, laughing. Michael was a little older than Rick, but he certainly didn't act it. He acted as though he was around twelve years old, a fact that Jessie normally loved but found incredibly annoying at the moment.
"I always hang out." Jessie countered, with a chuckled.
"Only because you want us to kiss your ring." Michael said, teasingly.
"I'll make you a deal. You can kiss my ass instead." Jessie said, cracking them all up, as they took their seats.
(())
Elphaba was not happy. Last show. Last show. She told herself, as she listened to the MC announce her match. Stepping out she had a beautiful smile as she waved to the crowd, but her eyes were furious.
"Tonight anyone, that's right, anyone can challenge our exotic green grappler to a match. Who will step up to the plate?"
(())
Jessie watched in wide-eyed shock, as Elphaba stepped out. She hadn't seen her, or if she did, she didn't indicate that she did.
"Jessie isn't that…." Marcus asked, getting a look from Jessie.
"Fifty bucks, right here." Michael said, waving the fifty. Jessie jerked it out of his hand.
"He changed his mind." She said, the MC just stared at the muscular woman.
"Jess, what's your issue? You want her first?" Michael said, before getting shot a look that could've easily killed him. She was beyond angry.
"Oh, look, it's the bodyguard." Tony said, Elphaba found her as she turned to look at Tony.
"Tony, don't be an idiot. I will talk to her, unless you want some new legs I suggest you stay over here." She moves around the ring towards Jessie, there are a few catcalls from the crowd as she approaches Jessie.
Jessie didn't flinch, but her anger continued to build as the catcalls began. When Elphaba was close enough she gives a wink to the crowd and motions for Jessie to lean in. Curious as to what she wants, Jessie leans in.
Elphaba whispers into her ear, "Listen, I really appreciate the help from earlier. However, I have to do this tonight to have enough to get out. This is my last time doing this. The best thing you can do for me is let me do the show. I will meet you outside of the backstage door when this is over. Please, I really need this."
Jessie grinds her teeth but nods her head. She understands the situation a little better, but she still hates that Elphaba has to go through the ridicule of this match. Elphaba sighed in relief as she leaned back. The MC looked at Jessie with a grin, "Would the lady like the first round?"
Jessie looked at the MC, "How much to buy all the rounds?"
"Uh…we have never had that request before."
Tony walks up to the MC smirking at Jessie; he whispers a number into the MC's ear. Gulping he nods his head, "3000 for a five minute round."
Jessie almost laughs at that price and nods to Marcus, "Pay the man." Tony's jaw drops as well as Elphaba's and the MC's. Marcus almost complains, but knows Jessie well enough to know that she means it. He shells out the money and gives it to the MC who passes it to Tony.
The catcalls resume as Jessie enters the ring with Elphaba. Tony is chuckling in the corner as the bell rings for the match to start. Jessie walks towards Elphaba slowly; she reaches to put a hand on her shoulder. However, she is prepared for Elphaba to throw her onto the ground.
Elphaba takes Jessie's wrist and quickly flips her onto her back in the jell-o. She then quickly mounts her and leans down to whisper into her ear. "Thank you."
Jessie sighs in relief when she hears that. They wrestle fairly convincingly for the drunken crowd surrounding them. Elphaba ends up winning the match when the bell finally rings. Elphaba is shown as the winner to the cheers of the crowd. She makes her way out of the ring as Jessie goes back to join her friends. Tony is chuckling as the next girl goes out to do her red lava match.
"That was great kid! Perhaps we should look into grabbing some high rollers!" Tony is laughing as Elphaba towels off as best as she can.
"I want my money Tony." Elphaba sounds tired as she works on getting jell-o out of her hair. Tony just stares at her.
"What the hell are you talking about you want your cut?"
"I mean, I'm tired and I have jell-o all over me. I want my cut so I can take a shower and go to bed."
Tony relaxes as he shakes his head; he counts off the money before holding some out to her. "Here you go, I gave you a little extra for reeling that nosey bitch in."
Elphaba takes the money and counts it, $1,400 dollars. That was more than she expected from him. She quickly tucks the money into her waterproof wallet and tucks it into the top of her 'outfit'. Grabbing her clothes, she quickly slips into them. When she reaches the door, Elphaba turns to look at Tony.
"Hey Tony. I need to tell you something important. I quit."
Tony just stares at her like he is staring at a ghost. "What are you talking about you quit? You can't quit! You NEED me you green bitch."
Elphaba walks over to Tony, her voice grows hard as she glares at the piece of scum. She grabs the front of his shirt and pins him so that his face is pressed hard into the table that is set up as her 'dressing' area. His arm is pinned tight behind his back. "You listen to me you pathetic weasel. I DON'T need you anymore. I quit and I don't ever want to see your miserable face again. If I do I swear I will break something of value to you."
Tony yelps when she pins him to the hard wood. It feels like she is breaking his damn arm! He does his best to listen to what she is saying. He nods his head quickly, "OK! Ok, just let go of my arm please."
Satisfied, Elphaba releases him and turns to walk out. Tony stands back up and watches her walk towards the door, "You will regret this Elphaba. Someday you will come crawling back."
Elphaba turns on her heel and punches him square in the jaw. He goes limp as he is immediately knocked out. With a satisfied grin, Elphaba walks out the back door.
