“Isabella.”
“Isabella!”
“ISABELLA!!”
Isabella von Krauss bolts upright in a chair in front of a desk. She picks up her phone from the floor and turns off the Jason Long promo that she had playing on loop. She just smiles big.
Isabella von Krauss: Thank you. Thank you, Jason. I had been working with a bit of insomnia for the past few weeks while gaining control of the Red Thirst. I did not know that watching you cut a promo against me would do the trick. I slept like a baby. Well, like a literal baby since I don’t think it was very long.
I have to wonder. You say I don’t make sense? I get what I want. Plain and simple. I see it. I want it. I get it. How is this simple concept confusing for you? Yes, I’m probably not talking to the same Jason Long who was actually contracted to fight in this match. Alternative universe Jason Longs killing alternative Jason Longs for the good of the multiverse and all that shit. Hadn’t you fucking heard? I aim to burn it down with the thing that destroyed Jackalope’s world. I have the Book of Eibon. I just need someone who speaks Hyperborean…
We pan out a moment to see that Hohoho and Humhumhum are holding onto a beaten and bloodied executive. He is Arne Schepker, CEO of Babbel. We focus back on Isabella again.
Isabella von Krauss: You are going to defeat me, Jason? You? Who couldn’t hack it as a member of the new Extreme people or whatever for that Oh Violent Night show? You know I heard that you were going to be on Donzig’s hit list, but for the fact that mom betrayed him in the match. That set his sights on her instead of you. You should be thankful for mom saving your life.
You think that this is going to be an easy match for you. I may not be a skilled wrestler like you, but I am most certainly a talented fighter. I’m going to take the fight to you, Jason. I’m going to step in the ring and make an example out of you for the rest of the tournament people to know that I fucking mean business. I’m going to break your ribs and your face. You’d be lucky if I don’t break your neck again. Oh wait. Isn’t that particular version of you dead? Fuck.
Gather all of your fucking variants from the other universes as fucking back up. You bitches as a fucking army isn’t going to be able to stop me from pinning one of you in the middle of the ring to be able to go on to the next round.
You think I’m like glass? I am transparent and if I break, I become jagged and more dangerous. You think you can match wits with me? You won’t be able to match physical fighting skills with me and so you have to try your hand at something else. I admit, I am a little jealous of your confidence. Maybe after I humiliate you in the ring, you can teach me how to maintain that kind of confidence in the face of defeat. I mean, there might come a day in Tapout that I might be defeated and I should probably reinforce my ego for such an occurrence. It won’t be a lesson taught by you, of course. It might not be anyone in this tournament that puts me in check either. I am beyond you, Jason Long.
Hohoho: Boss? Isabella? You remember that we are here too, right?
Humhumhum: What you want him to say?
Isabella picks up the Book of Eibon and walks over to Arne Schepker. She slaps him with the book, adding the the few bloodstains already on the book as blood goes splattering onto Hohoho.
Isabella von Krauss: I want the contents of this book translated! What part of that isn’t easy to understand? Hmm?
Arne Schepker: We at Babbel teach people to speak other languages. We’re not Google Translate! And, if we were, we do not have that language in our database! I don’t think anyone does!
Isabella slaps him with the book again, this time getting blood onto Humhumhum, who giggles sadistically.
Isabella von Krauss: LIAR! I know for a fact that Babbel is constantly researching new languages. I’ll just buy the company and get them to research this language.
Arne sniffs, blood trickling from his nose.
Arne Schepker: What language is this anyway? Ancient Latin?
Isabella von Krauss: This is Hyperborean.
Arne frowns.
Arne Schepker: A language from Greek mythology and the fictional Age of Hyboria? Is it even real?
Isabella looks like she’s going to strike him with the book again, but pauses.
Isabella von Krauss: This book is a handmade copy of the original scrolls that comprise the Book of Eibon. Of course the language is real. How much for the company? I’ll pay for it right away.
Arne Schepker: One: I don’t own the company. I’m just the CEO. Two: It’s not for sale. I don’t think you’ll find enough stockholders willing to sell to get the percentage you need to buy the company.
Isabella raises an eyebrow, her expression at the breaking point of rage. Of course it would seem that “No” is not something that she is used to hearing. Just when she is at the point of explosion, she seems to calm down and smile.
Isabella von Krauss: You’re right, of course. Hohoho, Humhumhum? Pitch him out a window. Maybe his successor will be interested in such a research project.
Arne Schepker: No no no no!
The not-twins drag the man over to the nearest window and hurl him at it. It’s a high rise window so naturally it doesn’t open and it doesn’t just break. Arne bounces off of the window and falls to the floor, leaving a bloody imprint on the glass.
Arne gets up to his hands and knees.
Arne Schepker: Five million dollars.
Isabella von Krauss: What’s that?
Arne gets to his feet where he is immediately grabbed by the arms by the not-twins. He pays them no mind and looks directly at Isabella.
Arne Schepker: Five million dollars and we will research the book’s language and try to get you a copy in English. Isn’t there copies of this book in another language?
Isabella von Krauss: Yeah, but some stuff has to be lost in translation. I want this copy translated.
Arne Schepker: You will need to leave the book with us.
Isabella von Krauss: I will also be leaving Hohoho and Humhumhum with you to make sure that you do the job. I will pay ten million. Extra for having to deal with these two idiots.
Arne looks from one to the other before looking back to Isabella and nodding.
Arne Schepker: Fine. Why do you need to translate this book so badly?
Isabella von Krauss: Oh I wish to contact the entity that destroyed Jackalope’s world and see about bringing it here. That way it can be used as an ally to bring this world to its knees before me.
Arne’s jaw drops in horrific revelation at Isabella’s words.
Arne Schepker: How would you control such a creature? It could destroy this entire world!
Isabella von Krauss: Then, I will simply use the book to find a new world to conquer.
Arne licks blood from his lips and sucks in a deep breath. Isabella is clearly insane.
Arne Schepker: We will do what we can to help you.
A clear lie, but Isabella doesn’t see it in her derangement. She motions for the not-twins to release him and hands him the book.
Isabella von Krauss: Excellent. I will keep in touch. Twins? Keep an eye on him.
Hohoho: We will, boss.
Humhumhum: He won’t escape us, boss.
Isabella walks away from the scene with a victorious smile.
Isabella von Krauss: See, Jason? What I want, I get. I want to defeat you in the ring. I’m sure Arne will be able to spare the twins for that night to make sure that there is no outside interference on the part of your fucking variants.
Yes, you may have defeated other people who might be better wrestlers than me. Heck, you’re probably a better wrestler than me, but I will outfight you. I will bring you down to my level and I will defeat you in that ring by hook or by crook. I get what I want. Always. And, what I want? Is the championship at the end of this tournament.
Isabella presses a button to an elevator.
Isabella von Krauss: You think you can shatter me like glass? I am made of sterner stuff. I think you will find that I will not shatter. I think you will find me vicious in that ring. I will bring unto you a violence that would make even the Pillars of Violence that humiliated you in the Wargames pause for awe.
The elevator beeps as it opens up and Isabella walks inside and presses a button to go down to the ground floor.
Isabella von Krauss: If you remember just one thing from all of this. Remember this. I get what I want. All of the time.
The elevator doors close as we fade to black.
