"Florence! Where have you been? I was worried about you." Freddie crosses the hotel room as Florence enters. She flinches almost imperceptibly as he puts his hands on her upper arms.
"I went into town. You were safe and asleep so I thought I'd go for a walk." He tilts her chin up to meet her eyes. She searches his for any cloudiness of his beloved drink and finds him completely sober for the first time in…ages. Her shoulders relax a fraction as she steps away from Freddie to set her things down. "Are you ready for the press conference this evening? It's scheduled between games three and four." He smiles at her, flashing the devilish smile she used to know all to well.
"Of course. The press loves me! Have you seen the newspapers? I'm everywhere!" She returns a fraction of his smile, relieved at his sobriety and excitement. But oh how she misses the way things used to be. It used to be about the games, not about the publicity. Florence used to be valued for more than just arm candy. Now everything is just expected, demanded, and Florence is valued for nothing. "Look at that! There's a bit about you in here!" Freddie holds out a newspaper and she reads with him. "'She stands by her champion, whose demands are so infantile.' Infantile? Do they know who I am? I'm the world champion!" Florence's heart sinks.
"Please, Freddie. Keep it together at the conference tonight. You don't have to agree with them; you just have to make them like you." Her eyes desperately search his, begging him to understand.
"Florence, you fret too much. Everyone loves me. And when don't I keep it together? I don't need your advice. Everything will be fine." And with that, he's gone to get ready. Florence sits on the edge of the bed, twisting the ring on her finger, slipping it off, slipping it back on. Things are okay for now, aren't they? And yet she still wants to leave, still feels trapped.
The hotel room door slams and Florence squeezes her eyes shut against the onset of tears. Why can he never listen? For once Florence is glad Freddie is out getting smashed. She'll clean up the mess tomorrow, just like she always does. Only difference now is that she has to clean up the mess to thousands of people who'd watched and listened to the press conference. Thank goodness the championship games start tomorrow. Hopefully Freddie will focus and the drama will lessen. A deep breath in and out and Florence begins thinking through all that needs to be done. First things first, attempt to maintain peace with the opponent.