Dangerous and Unregulated

Another rainy night in a city that sorely needs it.

The Wrangler - a rental - is parked a ways away from the pharmacy’s entrance despite there being plenty of spaces closer. The engine’s running but the lights and wipers are off in an attempt to remain inconspicuous.

The man in the driver’s seat drapes his forearms over the steering wheel and locks his eyes on the building’s sliding glass door. Every few minutes it opens to either offer a welcome respite from the elements or release its patrons back into the fray.

One man’s umbrella snaps inside out as soon as he steps onto the asphalt, and the man in the car shakes his head.

Kaz Troy: (muttering) What the fuck are we doing?

Woman: We’re sitting in a CVS parking lot like a couple of creeps.

The quip is accentuated by a crunch from the passenger seat. Kaz tilts his head and looks at his cousin, Cecilia Ryan, munching on a bag of popcorn, completely unbothered.

Kaz Troy: Not what I meant, CeCe.

Cecilia Ryan: We're gonna fight people, Kaz. It's gonna be great. Popcorn?

She holds her bag out, but Kaz never breaks eye contact.

Kaz Troy: There’s fighting people, which is what we’ve been doing for the past few years, and then there’s walking into a communicable disease pit, which is whatever you and Ami have roped us into.

Cecilia continues eating her snack, only now she’s grinning.

Kaz Troy: When mom says something about this decision, and trust me, she will, I'm blaming the both of you.

His eyes drift back to the sliding door as someone else, a woman in a blue raincoat with her head down, rushes through the rain to her car.

Kaz Troy: What’s taking Ami so long?

Cecilia holds up two knuckles with drying blood on them, looking them over, remnants of some rather inventive heavy “bag” work.

Cecilia Ryan: Well I did ask for first aid gear. She's not just getting you some Cheez-Its and an Alani, ya know.

Kaz shakes his head. 

Kaz Troy: I'd say your dad is gonna kill you when he finds out, but I have a feeling he'd approve of this.

Cecilia seems to think this over for a minute.

Cecilia Ryan: It’s 50-50 with dad. Mom? Zero percent chance she’s down with it.

Suddenly, Ami Troy comes bounding out of the store, caring nothing about the rain, not skipping, but seeming like she's skipping over to the car.

Kaz Troy: Finally…

The car door opens and she slides in, popping three bags down on the seat. She rummages through them.

Ami Troy: Okay so I got two of the big First Aid kids, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, gauze, cotton balls, medical tape, scissors, tweezers, Advil, Tylenol, and I couldn’t decide between the Spongebob or Hello Kitty Band-Aids so I got them both. 

She holds them up, triumphantly.

Ami Troy: Now we just have to tell the parentals!

Kaz lets out the king of all sighs.

Kaz Troy: I am so not looking forward to this…

He looks at his twin, then motions with his hand.

Kaz Troy: Gimme my Alani.

FLASH FORWARD…

Later, in a hotel room.

(SIMULTANEOUSLY)

Lindsay Troy: YOU SIGNED UP FOR WHAT?!?!?!

Dan Ryan: BAD ASS!!!

Lindsay Troy - legendary competitor turned professional wrestling promoter - shoots her brother-in-law a look.

Dan Ryan - legendary competitor turned professional wrestling promoter turned legendary competitor a few times over because multiple retirements and returns will do that to you - knows that look all too well and immediately gets himself together.

Dan Ryan: I mean yeah guys, what the hell??

Kaz, Ami, and Cecilia stand in front of them. Cece shoots her dad a glance, and he smirks slightly, which she catches. There is, however, no hint of amusement in Lindsay Troy's expression.

Kaz Troy: The girls signed us up. It was their idea.

Lindsay Troy: (sharply) You think that gets you off the hook?

Kaz Troy: (wincing) No.

He glances at his uncle. Dan Ryan shakes his head no.

Kaz Troy: Definitely not.

Lindsay looks at her daughter, who has been regarding this exchange with an innocent and doe-eyed expression.

Lindsay Troy: Don’t give me that look; you’re part of the problem.

Ami Troy: Come on, mom, it's just a different kind of fighting. What’s the big deal? I’ve been wanting to get into the ring anyway, and Ioanna says I’m ready.

Cecilia holds out a fist for a fist bump, but Ami rapidly shakes her head like, not a good time.

Lindsay frowns and looks up at Dan, who still has that stupid smirk on his face, then turns to her niece.

Lindsay Troy: This was not the kind of fighting I had in mind when I agreed to train you. What’s wrong with Japan? There’s no way you and Kaz are lacking competition, not with Inoue running the show.

Cecilia Ryan: We’re not, but we have to stay sharp. This’ll help us do that. It’s like another form of training.

Lindsay Troy: Joining an underground fight club is not training, Cecilia.

Ami Troy: C’mon mom, you know that the first rule of…

Lindsay Troy: I highly recommend you don’t finish that sentence. 

Ami mimics zipping her lips shut and throwing away the key.

Lindsay Troy: It’s dangerous and unregulated. You asked us to come out here to watch your first fight in a new place, and not only do I not even know where this “fight” will be, I have no idea who the hell is even running it. If shit gets out of hand, there’s not much we can do.

Dan Ryan: Except join in.

Lindsay Troy: YOU’RE NOT HELPING, DAN.

Suddenly a loud buzz from her phone. She looks down and curses under her breath.

Lindsay Troy: Dammit, I have to take this. This conversation isn't over. 

Lindsay turns and walks out, leaving only Dan and the kids behind.

Dan Ryan: She's right you know. This is a pretty bad idea, and very dangerous. 

They all stare at each other for a moment, then…

Dan holds out a fist, and each of them bumps fists with him, each getting a small nod from their towering uncle or father.

Dan Ryan: Don’t get hurt.

He turns and leaves. After a beat, Cecilia turns to her cousins. Ami’s beaming like a kid on Christmas morning after seeing a heapload of presents while Kaz is facepalming like Captain Picard.

Cecilia Ryan: I think that went pretty well.

Ami Troy: We didn’t even get to tell them the best part: beating the shit out of Kerry’s Dipshit Cousin and the Ad Man, no holds barred!

Kaz Troy: That’s the only good thing about this whole idea. Too bad we don’t get them first.

Cecilia Ryan: But we will.

Kaz nods. Finally, for the first time since this ordeal came about, they agree on something.

Kaz Troy: We will.

Ami Troy: And they’re not getting any of my Band-Aids, either.