J e s s i c a | S e a r s
Nerd Extraordinaire, Level Up!
SPECIAL 001: “His Sweet Protégé…”
[Now Loading. . .]
“Dilly-dally, shilly-shally. Isn’t it time you do the forgiving?”
-Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children)
- - -
Darkness slowly gives way to a soft light illuminating a wooden desk. The entire picture of the film is a grainy black and white, a reflection of an old cinematic style. Upon the desk are old cassette tapes with no titles, just dates throughout the month of February, and a dusty old cassette player. There’s a little note beside the tapes that reads “TO BE PLAYED FOR RICHARD NICHOLAS VALERO”. A small, pale hand reaches out, retrieves one of the tapes, and places it in the tape player. A finger touches the Play button and slowly fades from view.
February 4th, 2016.
Testing, testing… Mic check, 1, 2, 3…
. . .
Hallo. My full name is Jessica Elisa Sears. I was born on April 2nd, 1996 at 12:17am. I’m nineteen years old, female, and a German-American born in Queens, New York. I’m a professional gamer and a professional wrestler.
I was first trained by the Strong Style Saint, Jaime Alejandro, in June 2014. He saw something in me that no one else could see. He saw a burning passion. He saw the willpower to be strong. He saw my fighting spirit. Through our training and gaming sessions, he became sorta like a father figure to me. Nein, he could never replace my father… But he was the next best thing.
In December 2014, Jaime was diagnosed with Stage 1 Parkinson’s Disease. His hands were always trembling. He was beginning to lose control over his body. He was forced to retire from the wrestling industry due to the injuries he suffered throughout the years. He put his body through hell and back on numerous occasions and he suffered the consequences.
On April 24th, 2015, in the middle of Murdock and Chelsea Pryce’s wedding reception, Jaime pulled me and Ricky Valero aside. He told us he was leaving the country and traveling to Okinawa, Japan. He didn’t know how long he was going to be there. There was a subtle possibility that he may not come back… He knew about my studies at the Valero Fight Club in New York City, so he asked Ricky if he could continue to train me as my new personal mentor. As my best friend, Ricky accepted his “final” request.
Since then, I dreamt of facing Ricky in a match. One on one, just the two of us. Student versus Teacher. I was good, really good. My tenacity knew no bounds and my quick-learning through photographic memory was great. But he was always better than me. Then again, that was to be expected. Ricky’s won so many championships, accomplished such great feats in his career. He’s been doing this for fifteen years. I’ve barely been wrestling for a year and a half. I admired his heart for wrestling. I respected his strength and valor. I aspired to be great like him.
Yesterday, one of my wrestling dreams came true. Pro Wrestling Project heard of my challenge against my mentor and they booked us for their nineteenth show: Sweet Nothings. A fitting title, all things considering. I was beyond excited. I was going to wrestle Ricky Valero in front of thousands. I was given the chance to show how much I’ve learned.
This was supposed to be my dream match…
...But earlier today, he turned it into a nightmare. . .
February 5th, 2016.
Family…
Family is the most important thing in my life. My mom gives me spirit. She is my emotional pillar of strength. Her love is limitless and her heart is strong. I’ve never met a more powerful woman in my existence. My older brother has been my shield since I was a little girl. When we saw the tragedy of 9/11, he swore to always protect me. I’m so glad we didn’t fall apart. My dad… He was the center of my universe. He was my number one fan and he was always proud of me. I was his little girl, his brave little princess…
Family is my strongest element… So when I see you disregard your family and loved ones for wrestling, fame and glory… It’s hard for me to stand by that. Don’t you see?
You are the center of your son’s universe.
You are the last hope for your beloved wife.
You are the entire world to your girlfriend.
You are the valor of your brother and sister.
You are the inspiration to your nephews.
You are the legendary hero of my story.
...or perhaps you were.
February 6th, 2016.
I promised you I would watch you wrestle tonight. I kept my promise. I keep all of my promises. That… doesn’t seem to be something you’re capable of.
You promised me that you would be a real father to Little Richie. You promised me to never hurt Mayu. You promised me to care more for your family and friends. You promised me you would become a better person.
Why? Why make promises you never intend to keep? Why LIE to me?
Zachary allowed me to work on the 24-hour Resident Evil Marathon. It was a livestream charity event for the American Heart Association. During one of my breaks, he invited Larissa Jackson over. You know her very well, don’t you? Luke’s older sister…
The woman you committed a terrible infidelity with.
Ironic, isn’t it…? She used to accuse me of cheating on her brother with you, but in fact… She slept with you. She told me everything, Ricky. She told me what you did… They have the tape. They have all the evidence.
How did I ever fall in love with a MONSTER like you?!
February 17th, 2016.
I still remember what you told me…
“I love you more than any other family member or best friend I’ve ever had in my life.”
...Is there any truth left in those words?
February 24th, 2016.
It’s almost time, Ricky.
You and I are finally going to see each other, but not under normal circumstances. This isn’t a best friend hangout. This isn’t a training session. This isn’t a retro game night. This is a wrestling match between you and me. I’ve wanted to wrestle you for a long time. I’m not including the sparring in the Valero Fight Club. You had to show restraint. You had to demonstrate the execution of each wrestling maneuver in the book. You had to lead me step by step. You were my teacher, not my opponent.
This Saturday, all of that changes. You’re my opponent, my enemy, and my antagonist. But regardless of what you believe… Deep in my heart, you’re still my best friend. Deep in your heart, I’m still your protégé. You may believe that wrestling-- that winning-- is all that matters to you. This industry has defined you, shaped you into the man you are today. Fifteen years of heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears…
But I know that somewhere in the blackest night, there is still the brightest day. There is still hope. Wrestling may be your passion, but it wouldn’t exist without FAMILY. You may have never really known your parents, but without them, you wouldn’t be here. Your brother and sister wouldn’t be here. You would’ve never met the woman who became your wife. You would’ve never brought your son into the world. You would’ve never known your nephews.
You would’ve never become a wrestler without family.
I’m not playing for fun anymore. I’m playing for keeps. I’m FIGHTING with everything I’ve got this Saturday night in Philadelphia. Not on behalf of the Nerd Nation.
On behalf of family. . . I will surpass you!!
[Saving to memory card. Please do not turn off the system. . .]
