TLM#9 - Ep. 10 - For Magicians Only

[Sally Talfourd]

The camera opens to Sally Talfourd stepping onto the golden sands of the Isla Verde Beach, her lithe frame shimmering under the midday sun. The salty breeze tangled in her hair, carrying with it the whispers of distant waves and matches. The azure waters embraced her ankles like a familiar opponent, their cool touch igniting memories of past victories and the relentless pursuit of glory.

“Ma’am?” Her silence is disturbed by a remarkably handsome man with a confident stride, “Are you with EWC?”

Sally, breathless for the moment, beams a smile, “I am. Can I help you?”

“I saw three other people along the beach talking to cameras,” He gestures to the cameraman taking this in, “I asked and they all said they were with EWC. You know, there are plenty other places to film in Puerto Rico?”

Sally kicks the sand, “Half the roster were at Old San Juan and Juan Ponce de León’s old place.”

The man shrugs as he continues on, destined to run into the next EWC superstar. Sally turns to the camera.

“It’s hard to be original these days,” Sally starts down the beach, her footprints trailing behind her, “Certainly can’t compete with one of Prime’s new recruits. What’s his name? Drive Shaft? Drivewire? Divewire? Whatever it is, welcome the big time! The main event of Prime 120 with the EWC Undisputed Champion. Doesn’t get bigger than that. Strange path that’s led you to me, from Lawson to Gabi to Winterborn, but here you are winning streak and all!”

A figure in the distance appears as a speck over Sally’s shoulder. Beneath the tranquil surface of the beach's crystal waters lay hidden currents of raw power and unyielding resolve, mirroring the depths of Sally's unwavering determination as she prepares to conquer again.

“But as they say, tide comes in, tide goes out. You’ve racked up three wins and now you’ve got your chance to make a statement. I hope you had a change of underwear when you saw Prime120’s card set in sunny San Juan. I mean, you either filled the front or the back of your tighty-whities at the prospect of having the first real match of your EWC career. If you didn’t realise then there’s daylight between the Lawson’s, Gabi’s and Winterborn’s and me, you’re about to find that out.”

The speck of a figure draws nearer, Sally oblivious to their impending arrival. The beach roared with the tumultuous crash of waves, each cresting surge a testament to the fierce determination and untamed passion burning within Sally's.

“Honestly, I don't know if I should be offended or outright flattered that this pumped-up rookie has been given his just desserts by being granted an opportunity to wrestle me. We’re on the last Prime before Strangelmania and I’ve drawn and lost my last two matches ahead of my next title defence. I’m sick of these upsets; now I’m just pissed off. This is my last chance to ready myself, and you’re going to help me do it.”

The beach, with its ever-shifting sands and relentless tides, echoed the tenacious spirit of Sally.

“You’re preparing for your chamber match, I’m gearing up for Stranglemania. Neither of us are giving an inch, and that’s what we both want. I hope I get more out of you than a drone and your happy-go-lucky attitude. You’re far from the Reid-style I need, but you’re good enough to push me. You’re this airborne spectacle, but all the set-up? That’s a chapter out of my playbook! Technical, grounded wrestling. I just need to stop you from getting past that. You’re a momentum wrestler. Kill your momentum, I’ll kill your chances. Can you rise for this moment? No, you'll get caught in the spotlights. Can you handle this match so early in your career? Doubt it. I’ll wait until you get sucked into the moment, pressure and expectations you’re not prepared for, dig in for a rapid-fire offence, go the High Hopes and pin you 1-2-3.”

“Ma’am?”

The once distant figure stands over Sally’s shoulder now. Sally turns as the man, completely unmemorable in appearance, offers her a flyer.

“You might be interested?”

Before Sally can reply, the man continues on to disappear into the sounds of the ocean. Sally, meanwhile, is more taken by the flyer. As the camera comes around, it fades out on the words dancing on the flyer:

APRIL 20 AT THE WEMBLEY MAGIC THEATRE

FOR MAGICIANS ONLY

PRICE OF ADMITTANCE: YOUR MIND.

NOT FOR EVERYBODY.