Post by Charmaine DaGawd™️ on Nov 4, 2019 11:08:59 GMT -6
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH - After turning a corner in her life, yet another formidable hurdle would reveal itself, Charmaine DaGawd™️ (trademark pending) would take it upon herself to employ three capable women to assist her in handling the business aspect of the industry. Clarissa Jagger, an Alumni of the University of Georgia Law School, responsible for overseeing contractual negotiations and securing copyrights relating to her brand; Rachel Marks, graduate of Penn State with a bachelor’s in marketing, head of promotion and sales; and lastly Joan Hughes, her assistant who has worked under CEO’s and several business executives, responsible for bookings, hotel reservations, and all things traveling.
On the set of one of her latest bookings for Muscle & Fitness Magazine was Charmaine, a vision of loveliness if she’d ever saw one, peered back at her from the vanity mirror; camera ready as ever -- makeup on fleek, a bold red lip gating those pearly whites, donning her usual in-ring attire as sat patiently in the styling chair flipping through last month’s issue as the onset stylist finished braiding her signature ponytail. To think that she of all people would be gracing the cover of Muscle & Fitness was surreal, but her washboard abs, that were deep enough to climb like rungs on a ladder, spoke for themselves. She was pretty damn impressive. Her personal assistant hustled to her side, glasses just over the bridge of her nose and hair snagged into a tight bun, in a white blouse, olive colored skirt, and black heels.
JOAN HUGHES: How’re we doing over here?
NAUDIA LANE (STYLIST): We’re just about finished.
JOAN HUGHES: Fantastic. Charmaine, you look absolutely stunning, as always. Can I get you a beverage or anything?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No thank you, sweetie, I’m fine. But I’ve got to give you your props, you’ve exceeded all expectations with this booking, and under such short notice. How did you manage?
JOAN HUGHES (SWAYS A ROGUE STRAND OF BLONDE FROM HER FACE PRIOR TO DELIVERING A RESPONSE, FEELING A SMALL OUNCE OF PRIDE SWELLING FROM WITHIN): I just happened to have my ear to the ground...I’d made some connections with a few photographers from my hay day as Ms. Wintor’s PA - heard a rumor, did some digging, and as they say ‘the rest is history’.
Charmaine couldn’t contain the smirk bubbling to surface; as she was on the verge of becoming something far more than just another Wrestler - she was becoming a Brand.
JOAN HUGHES: As much as I would like to take credit for making this happen, it was truthfully YOUR impressive physique that won them over.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Well, color me impressed by your resourcefulness. It seems that I made the right decision in hiring you, keep this up and you’ll be on your way to a raise by the end of the year.
JOAN HUGHES (SMILING CHEEK TO CHEEK AT THE MERE MENTION OF A RAISE, SHE ADJUSTS HER GLASSES AND RESPONDS): Thank you ma’am. Aren’t you glad you passed up Jubeilation for this?
Jubeilation was an annual event where the company’s elite would congregate in Japan, with the exclusion of Charmaine, of course, who had another interpretation of the showcase.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD (SCOFFS UNDER HER BREATH): ‘Fraid so. Jubeilation is a joke. A nauseating excuse for the world to sing the praises of one sad, lonely, and miserable little man who can’t seem to let go of the past.
It was also an event named after the current Alpha World Heavyweight Champion, Masuda Jubei.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I won’t sit in denial of Jubei, he’s done a lot for APW; but in performing these unspoken deeds with the expectation of a payoff, voids the rectitude. Jubeilation is no different. Having presided as a Japanese based promotion in the past, it should come as no shock to discover he’s established quite a buzz on the other side of the pond; therefore by him hosting the event it appears he’s done US a favor -- kicking down a door for those of us who ain’t internationally known. When in truth, it’s a maneuver to line his own pockets. Jubeilation is HIS creation. The name, the logo, the rights..it all belongs to Masuda. But can’t hate the player, am I right? I respect the hustle. But he’s not the only one in the APW who aims to forge an empire.
JOAN HUGHES (INTERJECTS): I would imagine many share in your aspirations.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: True enough. Only difference is I don’t covet Masuda’s throne over this wasteland from which he reigns...I want to destroy it, watch as hellfire rains from the skies and burn it out of existence, so that I, She, a woman, may rebuild it. And it’ll be bigger, better, and more glorious than ever believed imaginable under his rule. The future is female.
JOAN HUGHES: You go, gurrl!
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Uh, Joan, what was that?
JOAN HUGHES: What, am I saying it incorrectly?
Her statement is broken with a gasp, her wide eyes illustrating her immediate regret.
JOAN HUGHES: Oh, no, have I offended you?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No. Um, it’s fine...just don’t put so much emphasis on the ‘gurl’.
JOAN HUGHES: Got it. Also, I’ve been thinking about your proposal to do a reveal for your magazine cover, I was thinking live at one of the House Shows, or Monday Night METAL, perhaps?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Interesting choices. Let me sleep on it. I think the photographer is signaling for me, so let’s discuss this some more later.
JOAN HUGHES: No problem. You got dis, sus!
Charmaine pauses mid-step, flabbergasted by her assistant’s choice of dialogue, but insistent that it’s a can of worms she hadn’t the time to entertain she continues towards the backdrop and photographer.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH - With another win notched into her belt, with small assist from the Hardcore Champion, the Melanin Monroe of Monday Night METAL was sold on a celebratory mani-pedi with fellow B.A.B, Mo’Nique. The duo sat comfortably in neighboring nail stations, having their nails filed, filled, and freshly coated. Charmaine DaGawd™️ in particular, clad in her best pink blouse, loosely-buttoned, secured in a hand-tied knot just above her pierced navel, tight black leggings, and low-top white sneakers, voguing her naturally curly hair in a high-rise yet puffy ponytail with a print scarf secured around the crown of her skull; big gold hoop earrings dangling from her earlobes and a gold pendant laying in the crevice of her cleavage accessorized her ensemble; makeup was minimal outside of her pink lipstick which rivaled her in both boldness and hotness.
“Misses, your complimentary champagne”, a voice belonging to one of the salon’s many hired hands spoke, she wore a turquoise button up polo with the company’s initials right above the breast pocket just like all of the others; balancing a silver tray in her palm that possessed two glasses of bubbling champagne for the two to indulge in while they got their nails ‘did’. They each take one into their hands.
MO’NIQUE (HER WIDE SMILE DETAILING HER SATISFACTION): Now, a bitch could get used to this.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: It sure as hell beats picking what’s left of Jaice Wilds from under my french tips myself, that’s for sure. As much as I would like to absorb all of the credit for this appointment, I can’t. All the credit goes to Joan, the woman is a godsend.
MO’NIQUE (WHILE RAISING HER GLASS IN A TOAST): Shall we raise our glasses in her honor? To Joan, you a real one, bitch.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I’m just glad you could find the time to squeeze me into your busy schedule.
‘Shade, bitch, shade!’ That’s what ran through Mo’Nique’s mind. But, she couldn’t deny her friend’s claims. Since discovering her new love interest at school, she had been somewhat unreachable. A trait, that before his special guest appearances in her life, Mo’Nique had never been associated with. Though it stunk of aggravation at times, it was nice to know she wasn’t alone in such a big city.
MO’NIQUE: Okay, I can catch a hint...maybe I’ve been spending so much time with the bae that I’ve neglected my friends just a little bit.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I ain’t mad at you, girl. In fact, I’m relieved to know that you’ve got somebody to make you smile, treat you like the Queen that you are, and rub lotion on those ashy ass feet at night.
MO’NIQUE: Shade much?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Shading? Moi? Oh, Mo, you know not even the likes of I, could manage to shade something that shines so bright like yourself..I am merely making an observation on your blossoming relationship with this John Doe, who I have yet to meet, by the way.
MO’NIQUE: You’ll meet him soon, very soon -- when I’m ready and I think it could go somewhere.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Could I at least get a name?
MO’NIQUE: Honestly, no. Remember what happened the last time I gave you the name of a guy I was interested in? You ran a thorough background check on the man like you were with the FBI, and ruined our first date before it could get off on the right foot.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Oh please, I did you a favor. He had no job and eight kids by six different women. He would’ve ruined your credit score, drained all your bank accounts, and made you a single mother. Trust.
MO’NIQUE: Okay, so he was no Mr. Right, but he could’ve been Mr. Right-For-That-Night. All I wanted was the “D”. He could keep the extra baggage to himself.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I would never apologize for being a good friend, and even though I’m semi-outraged that you won’t trust me with his name, I will respect your privacy. But real talk, what’s with the secrecy? Is he white?
MO’NIQUE: And what have you got against white men?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: It’s not me who has the problem, it’s society. You cannot tell me that you haven’t noticed that when a brotha dates a white woman, no one says a thing; but if a sista decides she wants a white guy, she’s ‘some-white-man’s-whore’ or a bedwench.
MO’NIQUE: Life is full of contradictions and double-sided swords, we know this, but does that mean we should allow it to stop us from living? Besides if Channing Tatum or Zac Efron hit you up for a tour of your ‘chocolate factory’ I doubt you’d turn either of them down.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Touche. But it’d be too much work -- dating outside of your race, I mean. At least with a brotha I don’t have to educate them on what life is like in this country living as the ‘other’. I just don’t have the patience.
MO’NIQUE: Point taken. Well, to answer your question, no, he’s not white...he’s sweet, generous, sexy, driven, and no kids. He’s got a day job and even does improv in his spare time, maybe we’ll go to one of his shows and I’ll introduce the two of you then?
Improv? Normally she wouldn’t be caught at something like that, but it was for her best friend and sister; she couldn’t, in good conscience, pass up an opportunity to meet the man responsible for this glow on her face. Charmaine gave a soft nod, agreeing to her terms.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Sounds like a plan.
MO’NIQUE: How’re things going on the business front?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: So far so good. We’ve got fresh merchandise in the works that I may pitch that we hold off until the coming month to time it with the Muscle & Fitness magazine release; I’ll also be talking with my team on booking my first autograph session that way we can promote the sales of both the magazine and the shirts.
Her (Mo’Nique) features twitched in surprise, she had no idea Charmaine had such a head for business. But anyone who grew up in their old neighborhood, surely, would develop some sort of hustling skills in some form or another. Her friend was clearly no exception. She was a woman developing a brand, and she appeared to be doing everything right from where she was sitting.
MO’NIQUE: Look at you, I’m impressed. You better get that bag, girl.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: That house ain’t going to pay for itself; I’ll have to really work my ass off to secure it. And if I’m World Champion by next month, that’ll make things all the more sweeter -- to headline a major event and secure the biggest title in the company -- my sales would skyrocket! Then, a book deal. A major motion picture! I could be well on my way to becoming the biggest name in sports entertainment history! I may even have the coin to buy the APW one day. I’ve got so much on the line, taking a loss ain’t an option, especially when I’m so close to realizing all of my goals. The Alpha World Title is there for anyone bawse enough to come along and snatch it...and there ain’t nobody in that company more bawse than this bitch right here. Noris Cranley may have gotten the better of me the last time we brushed shoulders, but I’m not finna let that happen a second time. I’ve grown a lot since our inaugural exhibition match; I’ve been at the gym so much they’ve started charging me rent -- always the first through the doors and the last out of them because my pride and competitive edge wouldn’t allow the lasting impression he made on me stand. Since then, one of my top priorities has been to be the one who finally pins his shoulders to the mat and gives him his first official loss. But then Monday Night happened...Smith Jones beat me to it and that’s alright, because there’s still a score to be settled between us. In some bizarre way, I guess I have Noris to thank...for my development -- for pushing me to be better than I was in the previous week(s) -- for making his defeat at my hand and becoming the APW’s Elite that much more enticing and gratifying when the moment arises. A three way dance wasn’t what I had in mind for the day he and I would square up again, but I’ll take what I can get considering what’s on the line. Besides, adding one more tortured soul to a match that I would say has already reached capacity won’t make much of a difference. Zombie can touch that mat along with Noris. He’s developed a reputation as an online troll, so I’ve done well so far not to feed into his emotionally triggering, politically incorrect, and borderline sexually harassing juvenile jokes, but you can be sure that I haven’t forgotten them. If he wants to test Gawd then I’m more than willing to unleash a plague of biblical proportions on him; one that’ll make the great flood look like a splish-splash in the kiddie pool. The holy grail is in my sights and not even the combined strengths of a coked up lunatic with a hard on for mass destruction and a self-proclaimed ‘unstoppable’ force.
MO’NIQUE: I really thought the two of you would have been allies, I mean, you both have similar upbringings...you know what it’s like to grow up without the guidance of a positive male figure in the household and have overcome many adversities to get where you are today.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I know where you’re traipsing, but you can cut that shit right now. He and I are nothing alike. He is a shady, arrogant, know-it-all who thinks he’s untouchable.
MO’NIQUE: Bitch, really? This coming from the person who calls herself ‘DaGawd’, the most untouchable being in creation. Whether you choose to see it or not, y’all have a lot in common; which is why I don’t see why you can’t put all this animosity to the side and link up? Come together like buttcheeks and be the shit already! We’ll never grow as a people if we continue to hold each other back.
A compelling thought that shook her to her core. Engaging in any personal conflict with Noris, Allen Anderson, or anyone of similar background with intentions to cripple or end their careers went against everything she stood for as a black woman; but allowing them the privilege of shining brighter than her, went against her ideals as a competitor. Never had she been so torn before.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Look, I get what you’re saying, and you do make quite a few good points, but if memory serves me correctly I didn’t start this beef between us, he did. Anyways, we’re too far into the game to backpedal now. What’s done is done, now we have to deal with what comes next. I’m going to wipe all of those dreams of him becoming Alpha World Champion from that pretty little mind of his even if it’s the last thing that I do.
With the final bell having tolled on the life of the former Alpha World Champion, the strap was now up for grabs. Smith Jones had already solidified his contention for it and now it was up to Charmaine to do the same against some stiff competition in Zombie McMorris and Noris Cranley. Having the momentum curve swaying in her favor, she was brimming with confidence. But none of it was without concern as there was a lot riding on this match, it meant more money, a Title, and getting her brand off the ground; what more could she have asked for?
MO’NIQUE: Have you heard the latest on Pops?
Charmaine gives a slight shoulder shrug, assuring her friend of her obliviousness with a shake of the head.
MO’NIQUE (SHE CONTINUES): The gag is...Pops is going broke.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD (IN DISBELIEF): Broke?!?!
MO’NIQUE: B-R-O-K-E. Broke.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No. I mean, I knew business was a little slow, but I didn’t think nothing by it.
MO’NIQUE: As it turns out, he’s been robbing Peter to pay Paul. When his Wife got sick, the Diner wasn’t bringing in enough money to cover her medical bills, so he took out a loan from the bank and put the Diner up as collateral.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: How much??
MO’NIQUE: Don’t know. But it was obviously too much for him to pay back.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: They didn’t have medical insurance?
MO’NIQUE: Hell yeah, but those bastards said that their policy didn’t cover her surgery. On any given night, Pops would be lucky to break even -- that poor man’s business has been in the red for God-only-knows how long...taking out that loan only made matters worse.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: What did they expect him to do, just stand idly by and watch his Wife die? The system is so jacked up. We should do something about this.
MO’NIQUE: Believe me, I’m just as upset about this as you are, we all practically grew up there, but what can we do?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I still need a venue for my Muscle & Fitness reveal...maybe we could convince Pops to let me host it there? Fans from all across the state would show up for an autograph or a picture, and one of his famous prime beef burgers. It’s a win, win.
MO’NIQUE: You know what, that’s not a half bad idea. We could even invite the local news to cover it.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Excellent. I’ll contact my assistant and have her set it up, you, take care of Pops.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH - It was a long, demanding process -- the weeks leading up to the big event; but it was all worth it. Seeing their fruits of their labor spilling out into the streets. The event couldn’t have gone any better if it were written by some fabulous chick in front of a computer screen (yes, I’m breaking the third wall, sue me). When the sizzling grill had cooled and the clamor had ceased, it was Charmaine who was left behind to help Pops with the clean up. 'Thanks for that Mo'Nique.' As he stood behind the counter, counting his flooding register, a wide smile stretching from cheek to cheek, wrestling with the thought of pinching himself just to ensure he wasn’t dreaming.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: I-- I just don’t know what to say, I’ve made more money tonight than I had in the last month or so. Charmaine, I cannot thank you enough!
The noise the straw-broom made as she (Charmaine) dragged across the floor stopped.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No thanks necessary. I owed you -- this community owes you. You’ve been a Father to so many of us who grew up without, my brother included. This was the least I could do.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: I know you must get asked this often enough but, how have you been holding up since the verdict?
Quite the opposite actually, since the verdict Charmaine threw-- err, irish whipped herself into her work as a means of coping. She harbored a piece of the blame for herself in the deepest corner of her mind, but the majority of it belonged to the precinct. In her eyes, they’d gotten away with cold-blooded murder.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I’m taking things day by day. Been putting most of my time and energy into my career..
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: Well, don’t forget to put some of that time aside for yourself.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No can do, Pops. I have too many people counting on me to take time off. You ought to know that better than anyone.
Take time off? This was coming from the man who was running his business and himself into the ground just to provide a future for his wife; and here he was criticizing her for doing the same? Out-fucking-rageous! But she managed to keep her boiling anger under a lid.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Though, I may not have much of a choice in the matter now.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: What do you mean by that?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: There’s not an easy way to say this so I’ll just come out with it. I quit. The company I was with...I didn’t feel like I was getting what I deserve, rightfully. I was arguably the biggest name there -- hands down, the most gifted athlete on the roster -- and how do they repay me? For my sacrifice? For my efforts? By promising an Alpha Heavyweight Title Match to a man who couldn’t pass a drug test if it came with a cheat sheet and hasn’t wrestled in MONTHS! He, he was more worthy of a shot than me, the only piece of credible talent they had. What a joke. I stormed right up to the General Manager’s desk and told her where to ‘shove it’ -- may have bought me a reputation as a hot head, but I didn’t care. I would much rather bow out of the limelight gracefully with my pride intact, than to suffer the mistreatment and never receive my due.
The man they’d referred to as ‘Pops’ for as long as they’d known him, would place the money back into his register and walk around the counter to embrace her in a hug.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: Do you know what this place was originally? Before Pops was a diner or a home to you neighborhood rugrats, it was a shoddy little hotdog stand outside of Central Park. My Father, the original Pops, conceived a dream of having his own dining establishment. If you think there are little to no doors for African Americans today, there were even fewer back then. Slaving away at jobs no one wanted, fighting in wars we didn’t start, only to be treated like second class citizens who weren’t even special enough to walk through the same door as a white man. And though my Father was criticized, hissed, and spat at by the very people he served, he didn’t let that stop him; his dream of having his own diner was too important to be stopped by racism. You began this journey to honor Rasheed, and for a split second you allowed your pride to dictate your career to the point you were willing to walk away from it all. Had my Father had the same mindset, there’s no telling where I’d be. And with all the obstacles that stand in your way today as a black woman, why be one of them?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Understood. But your advice may have come too late, I signed a non-compete; meaning I’d have to wait a month before I can go elsewhere. Had I known this would be the outcome I never would have. I feel like a bird that’s just had its wings clipped.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: So wait. Take the month to work on yourself, inside and out. Then when it’s all over you can pick up where you left off. In the meantime, you missed a spot.
A small smile crept up on her, she thanked him for his pearls of wisdom as he retreated to his register to finish up the count. His words remained in her mind, humming throughout like an angry honeybee. There was some regret. Seeing as how she started this venture in memory of her brother and was so keen on walking out so abruptly when things didn’t pan out the way she envisioned. But never again. Though it may not have been her intention, her career meant more to people than she realized at this point; she was slowly becoming a role model for little girls of color. By her not being there to flaunt her extravagant braided ponytail, she was denying them a chance to see someone like them on television every week. Charmaine DaGawd™️ may have been done with APW but she’d yet to make her presence known in the EWC. And once the trial of this non-compete had ended, she was sure to change all of that.
On the set of one of her latest bookings for Muscle & Fitness Magazine was Charmaine, a vision of loveliness if she’d ever saw one, peered back at her from the vanity mirror; camera ready as ever -- makeup on fleek, a bold red lip gating those pearly whites, donning her usual in-ring attire as sat patiently in the styling chair flipping through last month’s issue as the onset stylist finished braiding her signature ponytail. To think that she of all people would be gracing the cover of Muscle & Fitness was surreal, but her washboard abs, that were deep enough to climb like rungs on a ladder, spoke for themselves. She was pretty damn impressive. Her personal assistant hustled to her side, glasses just over the bridge of her nose and hair snagged into a tight bun, in a white blouse, olive colored skirt, and black heels.
JOAN HUGHES: How’re we doing over here?
NAUDIA LANE (STYLIST): We’re just about finished.
JOAN HUGHES: Fantastic. Charmaine, you look absolutely stunning, as always. Can I get you a beverage or anything?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No thank you, sweetie, I’m fine. But I’ve got to give you your props, you’ve exceeded all expectations with this booking, and under such short notice. How did you manage?
JOAN HUGHES (SWAYS A ROGUE STRAND OF BLONDE FROM HER FACE PRIOR TO DELIVERING A RESPONSE, FEELING A SMALL OUNCE OF PRIDE SWELLING FROM WITHIN): I just happened to have my ear to the ground...I’d made some connections with a few photographers from my hay day as Ms. Wintor’s PA - heard a rumor, did some digging, and as they say ‘the rest is history’.
Charmaine couldn’t contain the smirk bubbling to surface; as she was on the verge of becoming something far more than just another Wrestler - she was becoming a Brand.
JOAN HUGHES: As much as I would like to take credit for making this happen, it was truthfully YOUR impressive physique that won them over.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Well, color me impressed by your resourcefulness. It seems that I made the right decision in hiring you, keep this up and you’ll be on your way to a raise by the end of the year.
JOAN HUGHES (SMILING CHEEK TO CHEEK AT THE MERE MENTION OF A RAISE, SHE ADJUSTS HER GLASSES AND RESPONDS): Thank you ma’am. Aren’t you glad you passed up Jubeilation for this?
Jubeilation was an annual event where the company’s elite would congregate in Japan, with the exclusion of Charmaine, of course, who had another interpretation of the showcase.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD (SCOFFS UNDER HER BREATH): ‘Fraid so. Jubeilation is a joke. A nauseating excuse for the world to sing the praises of one sad, lonely, and miserable little man who can’t seem to let go of the past.
It was also an event named after the current Alpha World Heavyweight Champion, Masuda Jubei.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I won’t sit in denial of Jubei, he’s done a lot for APW; but in performing these unspoken deeds with the expectation of a payoff, voids the rectitude. Jubeilation is no different. Having presided as a Japanese based promotion in the past, it should come as no shock to discover he’s established quite a buzz on the other side of the pond; therefore by him hosting the event it appears he’s done US a favor -- kicking down a door for those of us who ain’t internationally known. When in truth, it’s a maneuver to line his own pockets. Jubeilation is HIS creation. The name, the logo, the rights..it all belongs to Masuda. But can’t hate the player, am I right? I respect the hustle. But he’s not the only one in the APW who aims to forge an empire.
JOAN HUGHES (INTERJECTS): I would imagine many share in your aspirations.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: True enough. Only difference is I don’t covet Masuda’s throne over this wasteland from which he reigns...I want to destroy it, watch as hellfire rains from the skies and burn it out of existence, so that I, She, a woman, may rebuild it. And it’ll be bigger, better, and more glorious than ever believed imaginable under his rule. The future is female.
JOAN HUGHES: You go, gurrl!
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Uh, Joan, what was that?
JOAN HUGHES: What, am I saying it incorrectly?
Her statement is broken with a gasp, her wide eyes illustrating her immediate regret.
JOAN HUGHES: Oh, no, have I offended you?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No. Um, it’s fine...just don’t put so much emphasis on the ‘gurl’.
JOAN HUGHES: Got it. Also, I’ve been thinking about your proposal to do a reveal for your magazine cover, I was thinking live at one of the House Shows, or Monday Night METAL, perhaps?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Interesting choices. Let me sleep on it. I think the photographer is signaling for me, so let’s discuss this some more later.
JOAN HUGHES: No problem. You got dis, sus!
Charmaine pauses mid-step, flabbergasted by her assistant’s choice of dialogue, but insistent that it’s a can of worms she hadn’t the time to entertain she continues towards the backdrop and photographer.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH - With another win notched into her belt, with small assist from the Hardcore Champion, the Melanin Monroe of Monday Night METAL was sold on a celebratory mani-pedi with fellow B.A.B, Mo’Nique. The duo sat comfortably in neighboring nail stations, having their nails filed, filled, and freshly coated. Charmaine DaGawd™️ in particular, clad in her best pink blouse, loosely-buttoned, secured in a hand-tied knot just above her pierced navel, tight black leggings, and low-top white sneakers, voguing her naturally curly hair in a high-rise yet puffy ponytail with a print scarf secured around the crown of her skull; big gold hoop earrings dangling from her earlobes and a gold pendant laying in the crevice of her cleavage accessorized her ensemble; makeup was minimal outside of her pink lipstick which rivaled her in both boldness and hotness.
“Misses, your complimentary champagne”, a voice belonging to one of the salon’s many hired hands spoke, she wore a turquoise button up polo with the company’s initials right above the breast pocket just like all of the others; balancing a silver tray in her palm that possessed two glasses of bubbling champagne for the two to indulge in while they got their nails ‘did’. They each take one into their hands.
MO’NIQUE (HER WIDE SMILE DETAILING HER SATISFACTION): Now, a bitch could get used to this.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: It sure as hell beats picking what’s left of Jaice Wilds from under my french tips myself, that’s for sure. As much as I would like to absorb all of the credit for this appointment, I can’t. All the credit goes to Joan, the woman is a godsend.
MO’NIQUE (WHILE RAISING HER GLASS IN A TOAST): Shall we raise our glasses in her honor? To Joan, you a real one, bitch.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I’m just glad you could find the time to squeeze me into your busy schedule.
‘Shade, bitch, shade!’ That’s what ran through Mo’Nique’s mind. But, she couldn’t deny her friend’s claims. Since discovering her new love interest at school, she had been somewhat unreachable. A trait, that before his special guest appearances in her life, Mo’Nique had never been associated with. Though it stunk of aggravation at times, it was nice to know she wasn’t alone in such a big city.
MO’NIQUE: Okay, I can catch a hint...maybe I’ve been spending so much time with the bae that I’ve neglected my friends just a little bit.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I ain’t mad at you, girl. In fact, I’m relieved to know that you’ve got somebody to make you smile, treat you like the Queen that you are, and rub lotion on those ashy ass feet at night.
MO’NIQUE: Shade much?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Shading? Moi? Oh, Mo, you know not even the likes of I, could manage to shade something that shines so bright like yourself..I am merely making an observation on your blossoming relationship with this John Doe, who I have yet to meet, by the way.
MO’NIQUE: You’ll meet him soon, very soon -- when I’m ready and I think it could go somewhere.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Could I at least get a name?
MO’NIQUE: Honestly, no. Remember what happened the last time I gave you the name of a guy I was interested in? You ran a thorough background check on the man like you were with the FBI, and ruined our first date before it could get off on the right foot.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Oh please, I did you a favor. He had no job and eight kids by six different women. He would’ve ruined your credit score, drained all your bank accounts, and made you a single mother. Trust.
MO’NIQUE: Okay, so he was no Mr. Right, but he could’ve been Mr. Right-For-That-Night. All I wanted was the “D”. He could keep the extra baggage to himself.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I would never apologize for being a good friend, and even though I’m semi-outraged that you won’t trust me with his name, I will respect your privacy. But real talk, what’s with the secrecy? Is he white?
MO’NIQUE: And what have you got against white men?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: It’s not me who has the problem, it’s society. You cannot tell me that you haven’t noticed that when a brotha dates a white woman, no one says a thing; but if a sista decides she wants a white guy, she’s ‘some-white-man’s-whore’ or a bedwench.
MO’NIQUE: Life is full of contradictions and double-sided swords, we know this, but does that mean we should allow it to stop us from living? Besides if Channing Tatum or Zac Efron hit you up for a tour of your ‘chocolate factory’ I doubt you’d turn either of them down.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Touche. But it’d be too much work -- dating outside of your race, I mean. At least with a brotha I don’t have to educate them on what life is like in this country living as the ‘other’. I just don’t have the patience.
MO’NIQUE: Point taken. Well, to answer your question, no, he’s not white...he’s sweet, generous, sexy, driven, and no kids. He’s got a day job and even does improv in his spare time, maybe we’ll go to one of his shows and I’ll introduce the two of you then?
Improv? Normally she wouldn’t be caught at something like that, but it was for her best friend and sister; she couldn’t, in good conscience, pass up an opportunity to meet the man responsible for this glow on her face. Charmaine gave a soft nod, agreeing to her terms.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Sounds like a plan.
MO’NIQUE: How’re things going on the business front?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: So far so good. We’ve got fresh merchandise in the works that I may pitch that we hold off until the coming month to time it with the Muscle & Fitness magazine release; I’ll also be talking with my team on booking my first autograph session that way we can promote the sales of both the magazine and the shirts.
Her (Mo’Nique) features twitched in surprise, she had no idea Charmaine had such a head for business. But anyone who grew up in their old neighborhood, surely, would develop some sort of hustling skills in some form or another. Her friend was clearly no exception. She was a woman developing a brand, and she appeared to be doing everything right from where she was sitting.
MO’NIQUE: Look at you, I’m impressed. You better get that bag, girl.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: That house ain’t going to pay for itself; I’ll have to really work my ass off to secure it. And if I’m World Champion by next month, that’ll make things all the more sweeter -- to headline a major event and secure the biggest title in the company -- my sales would skyrocket! Then, a book deal. A major motion picture! I could be well on my way to becoming the biggest name in sports entertainment history! I may even have the coin to buy the APW one day. I’ve got so much on the line, taking a loss ain’t an option, especially when I’m so close to realizing all of my goals. The Alpha World Title is there for anyone bawse enough to come along and snatch it...and there ain’t nobody in that company more bawse than this bitch right here. Noris Cranley may have gotten the better of me the last time we brushed shoulders, but I’m not finna let that happen a second time. I’ve grown a lot since our inaugural exhibition match; I’ve been at the gym so much they’ve started charging me rent -- always the first through the doors and the last out of them because my pride and competitive edge wouldn’t allow the lasting impression he made on me stand. Since then, one of my top priorities has been to be the one who finally pins his shoulders to the mat and gives him his first official loss. But then Monday Night happened...Smith Jones beat me to it and that’s alright, because there’s still a score to be settled between us. In some bizarre way, I guess I have Noris to thank...for my development -- for pushing me to be better than I was in the previous week(s) -- for making his defeat at my hand and becoming the APW’s Elite that much more enticing and gratifying when the moment arises. A three way dance wasn’t what I had in mind for the day he and I would square up again, but I’ll take what I can get considering what’s on the line. Besides, adding one more tortured soul to a match that I would say has already reached capacity won’t make much of a difference. Zombie can touch that mat along with Noris. He’s developed a reputation as an online troll, so I’ve done well so far not to feed into his emotionally triggering, politically incorrect, and borderline sexually harassing juvenile jokes, but you can be sure that I haven’t forgotten them. If he wants to test Gawd then I’m more than willing to unleash a plague of biblical proportions on him; one that’ll make the great flood look like a splish-splash in the kiddie pool. The holy grail is in my sights and not even the combined strengths of a coked up lunatic with a hard on for mass destruction and a self-proclaimed ‘unstoppable’ force.
MO’NIQUE: I really thought the two of you would have been allies, I mean, you both have similar upbringings...you know what it’s like to grow up without the guidance of a positive male figure in the household and have overcome many adversities to get where you are today.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I know where you’re traipsing, but you can cut that shit right now. He and I are nothing alike. He is a shady, arrogant, know-it-all who thinks he’s untouchable.
MO’NIQUE: Bitch, really? This coming from the person who calls herself ‘DaGawd’, the most untouchable being in creation. Whether you choose to see it or not, y’all have a lot in common; which is why I don’t see why you can’t put all this animosity to the side and link up? Come together like buttcheeks and be the shit already! We’ll never grow as a people if we continue to hold each other back.
A compelling thought that shook her to her core. Engaging in any personal conflict with Noris, Allen Anderson, or anyone of similar background with intentions to cripple or end their careers went against everything she stood for as a black woman; but allowing them the privilege of shining brighter than her, went against her ideals as a competitor. Never had she been so torn before.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Look, I get what you’re saying, and you do make quite a few good points, but if memory serves me correctly I didn’t start this beef between us, he did. Anyways, we’re too far into the game to backpedal now. What’s done is done, now we have to deal with what comes next. I’m going to wipe all of those dreams of him becoming Alpha World Champion from that pretty little mind of his even if it’s the last thing that I do.
With the final bell having tolled on the life of the former Alpha World Champion, the strap was now up for grabs. Smith Jones had already solidified his contention for it and now it was up to Charmaine to do the same against some stiff competition in Zombie McMorris and Noris Cranley. Having the momentum curve swaying in her favor, she was brimming with confidence. But none of it was without concern as there was a lot riding on this match, it meant more money, a Title, and getting her brand off the ground; what more could she have asked for?
MO’NIQUE: Have you heard the latest on Pops?
Charmaine gives a slight shoulder shrug, assuring her friend of her obliviousness with a shake of the head.
MO’NIQUE (SHE CONTINUES): The gag is...Pops is going broke.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD (IN DISBELIEF): Broke?!?!
MO’NIQUE: B-R-O-K-E. Broke.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No. I mean, I knew business was a little slow, but I didn’t think nothing by it.
MO’NIQUE: As it turns out, he’s been robbing Peter to pay Paul. When his Wife got sick, the Diner wasn’t bringing in enough money to cover her medical bills, so he took out a loan from the bank and put the Diner up as collateral.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: How much??
MO’NIQUE: Don’t know. But it was obviously too much for him to pay back.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: They didn’t have medical insurance?
MO’NIQUE: Hell yeah, but those bastards said that their policy didn’t cover her surgery. On any given night, Pops would be lucky to break even -- that poor man’s business has been in the red for God-only-knows how long...taking out that loan only made matters worse.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: What did they expect him to do, just stand idly by and watch his Wife die? The system is so jacked up. We should do something about this.
MO’NIQUE: Believe me, I’m just as upset about this as you are, we all practically grew up there, but what can we do?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I still need a venue for my Muscle & Fitness reveal...maybe we could convince Pops to let me host it there? Fans from all across the state would show up for an autograph or a picture, and one of his famous prime beef burgers. It’s a win, win.
MO’NIQUE: You know what, that’s not a half bad idea. We could even invite the local news to cover it.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Excellent. I’ll contact my assistant and have her set it up, you, take care of Pops.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH - It was a long, demanding process -- the weeks leading up to the big event; but it was all worth it. Seeing their fruits of their labor spilling out into the streets. The event couldn’t have gone any better if it were written by some fabulous chick in front of a computer screen (yes, I’m breaking the third wall, sue me). When the sizzling grill had cooled and the clamor had ceased, it was Charmaine who was left behind to help Pops with the clean up. 'Thanks for that Mo'Nique.' As he stood behind the counter, counting his flooding register, a wide smile stretching from cheek to cheek, wrestling with the thought of pinching himself just to ensure he wasn’t dreaming.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: I-- I just don’t know what to say, I’ve made more money tonight than I had in the last month or so. Charmaine, I cannot thank you enough!
“SCHWP..SCHWP!”
The noise the straw-broom made as she (Charmaine) dragged across the floor stopped.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No thanks necessary. I owed you -- this community owes you. You’ve been a Father to so many of us who grew up without, my brother included. This was the least I could do.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: I know you must get asked this often enough but, how have you been holding up since the verdict?
Quite the opposite actually, since the verdict Charmaine threw-- err, irish whipped herself into her work as a means of coping. She harbored a piece of the blame for herself in the deepest corner of her mind, but the majority of it belonged to the precinct. In her eyes, they’d gotten away with cold-blooded murder.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: I’m taking things day by day. Been putting most of my time and energy into my career..
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: Well, don’t forget to put some of that time aside for yourself.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: No can do, Pops. I have too many people counting on me to take time off. You ought to know that better than anyone.
Take time off? This was coming from the man who was running his business and himself into the ground just to provide a future for his wife; and here he was criticizing her for doing the same? Out-fucking-rageous! But she managed to keep her boiling anger under a lid.
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Though, I may not have much of a choice in the matter now.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: What do you mean by that?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: There’s not an easy way to say this so I’ll just come out with it. I quit. The company I was with...I didn’t feel like I was getting what I deserve, rightfully. I was arguably the biggest name there -- hands down, the most gifted athlete on the roster -- and how do they repay me? For my sacrifice? For my efforts? By promising an Alpha Heavyweight Title Match to a man who couldn’t pass a drug test if it came with a cheat sheet and hasn’t wrestled in MONTHS! He, he was more worthy of a shot than me, the only piece of credible talent they had. What a joke. I stormed right up to the General Manager’s desk and told her where to ‘shove it’ -- may have bought me a reputation as a hot head, but I didn’t care. I would much rather bow out of the limelight gracefully with my pride intact, than to suffer the mistreatment and never receive my due.
The man they’d referred to as ‘Pops’ for as long as they’d known him, would place the money back into his register and walk around the counter to embrace her in a hug.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: Do you know what this place was originally? Before Pops was a diner or a home to you neighborhood rugrats, it was a shoddy little hotdog stand outside of Central Park. My Father, the original Pops, conceived a dream of having his own dining establishment. If you think there are little to no doors for African Americans today, there were even fewer back then. Slaving away at jobs no one wanted, fighting in wars we didn’t start, only to be treated like second class citizens who weren’t even special enough to walk through the same door as a white man. And though my Father was criticized, hissed, and spat at by the very people he served, he didn’t let that stop him; his dream of having his own diner was too important to be stopped by racism. You began this journey to honor Rasheed, and for a split second you allowed your pride to dictate your career to the point you were willing to walk away from it all. Had my Father had the same mindset, there’s no telling where I’d be. And with all the obstacles that stand in your way today as a black woman, why be one of them?
CHARMAINE DAGAWD: Understood. But your advice may have come too late, I signed a non-compete; meaning I’d have to wait a month before I can go elsewhere. Had I known this would be the outcome I never would have. I feel like a bird that’s just had its wings clipped.
EMANUEL 'POPS' HEARNS: So wait. Take the month to work on yourself, inside and out. Then when it’s all over you can pick up where you left off. In the meantime, you missed a spot.
A small smile crept up on her, she thanked him for his pearls of wisdom as he retreated to his register to finish up the count. His words remained in her mind, humming throughout like an angry honeybee. There was some regret. Seeing as how she started this venture in memory of her brother and was so keen on walking out so abruptly when things didn’t pan out the way she envisioned. But never again. Though it may not have been her intention, her career meant more to people than she realized at this point; she was slowly becoming a role model for little girls of color. By her not being there to flaunt her extravagant braided ponytail, she was denying them a chance to see someone like them on television every week. Charmaine DaGawd™️ may have been done with APW but she’d yet to make her presence known in the EWC. And once the trial of this non-compete had ended, she was sure to change all of that.