March Madness, Meet The Neon Madness! (Gina Neon Debut RP)

[Gina, THE WINNAH!]

I 

Spring 2007

Sovereign Bank Arena 

Trenton, New Jersey

'All right, listen up. When we go in there, I want everybody holding hands. Capisce?' 

Angelo Carelli looked at his two oldest children, both of which immediately protested. 

'Da-aaaad! I'm too old to be holdin' her hand', thirteen-year-old Vinny moaned.

'Yeah', his eleven-year-old sister Gina added, 'an' I'm too old to have my hand held!' 

'I don't remember sayin' this was up for discussion', Angelo retorted. 'When we get in there, there's goin' to be about a million people. I don't want nobody getting separated. You got that?' He turned back toward his youngest son. 'Now, Tony, you come with Daddy. You two hold on to one another, an' stay close.' 

Vinny and Gina rolled their eyes at one another, but abided by their father's instructions, taking each other's hand as the family walked into the multi-purpose arena. 

'I hope there ain't nobody from school here', the boy grumbled. 'I don't wanna look like no babysitter!' 

A moment later, however, any complaints he might have had died in his throat, as he came to terms with just how many people there were in attendance for the evening's wrestling show. 

'Whoa...' By his side, little Gina was similarly in awe, her mouth forming a gaping O-shape as she took in the masses of men, women and children thronging around her and her brother. 

'C'mon! Vinnie, Gina! Let's go!' A few steps ahead of them, their father was waving, eager to ensure his offspring did not get distracted by the fast-food and merchandise stalls scattered around the foyer.  

'Can we get a shirt, Dad?' Gina pointed towards the nearest merch booth, where several shirts depicting her favorite wrestler were in prominent display. 

Vinny scoffed. 'What d'ya want another Jake Mason shirt for, ya mook? You're wearin' one!'

Gina blushed as her brother's jab hit home. It was true – she was wearing her favorite wrestling shirt, the one Jake himself had given her at a show she had attended on her birthday a few months prior. Still, she thought, there was no such thing as having too many Jake shirts... 

'Vinnie, leave your sister alone', his father scolded. Then, to her, he added: 'Let's go see how much they are, honey.' 

A few moments later, the family entered section B-217, Gina clutching her brand new 'Amazin'' Jake Mason shirt. She had thought about getting a Millie The Mauler one instead, but in the end, she could not bring herself not to rep the Champion. Her brother had bought one for Logan Wetherspoon IV, because of course he had – it was just like Vinny to root for Jake's blood rival just to annoy Gina. A pairing made in Heaven, she thought – each a bigger butthead than the other. 

She stuck her tongue out at her brother as they and their father slid into their seats. A moment later, however, their feud over wrestling t-shirts was forgotten, their mouths once again agape as they took in their surroundings. 

There were more people here, Gina estimated, than in all the wrestling shows she and her family had been in until then. Heck, there were probably more people here than in all of Trenton. They probably numbered in their thousands. Tens of thousands. Millions! Billions! … 

'What comes after billions?' Vinnie, enraptured by the ring crew putting the ring together, started as his sister touched his shoulder. 

'I dunno', he grumbled. 'Trillions. Why d'you wanna know?' 

'You think there's a trillion people here?' 

Vinny pulled his gaze away from center stage to look over the crowd in attendance. 'Nah', he surmised. 'Probably like five thousand or somethin'.' 

'Five thousand.' Gina wrapped her tongue around the number, her brain still barely able to comprehend how big it was. 'That's a lotta people.' 

'Now do you get why I told you guys to hold hands?' Gina nodded eagerly, and even Vinnie could not help but give a curt nod of the head. Angelo smiled. 'Now, you guys stay here and look after your brother. I'm going to go get us some popcorn and stuff. Okay?' 

'Wait, Dad! Are you gonna leave us up here by ourselves?' For the first time since entering the arena, Gina felt nervous rather than excited. 'What about not getting separated?' 

'It's different now', Angelo explained. 'Now I know where you guys are. As long as you don't move, I'll know where to find you.' He pinched his daughter's cheek. 'It'll be fine.' 

Gina had her doubts, but chose to trust her father in this instance; even still, her heart was firmly in her hands until she saw Angelo return, his arms full with hot dogs and soda cups. 

'I didn't know what you guys wanted, so I got you all the same', he said. 'Eat up.' 

And eat up they did, with relish. Gina had not realized how hungry she was until she took her first bite of hot dog, chasing it with a cool, bubbling swig of Pepsi-Cola. Once she had started on her meal, however, the rest of it disappeared with surprising celerity – so much so, in fact, that Gina even had time to help her little brother, who was having some trouble with his hot dog. Together, they managed to finish the meal just in time to avoid eating in the dark, as the house lights went down mere seconds after Tony had taken his last bite. 

At first, the arena was engulfed in complete stillness, pierced only by the odd mock-terrified shriek here and there. Then, as the lights came back up to reveal a pudgy man in a tuxedo standing in the ring, a barrage of sound the likes of which Gina had never heard erupted across the arena. 

It was like all the lions and all the tigers in all of the zoos across the United States had decided to come together and all roar at the same time. And they were doing it by the seashore, so on top of their roaring there was the sound of waves crashing. Gina could hardly believe even this many people could make this much noise; had she not been hearing it live, with her own two ears, she would have thought someone had turned up the crowd volume. 

More out of instinct than anything, she covered her ears, but strove to keep her eyes open just in case she missed anything. A moment later, she felt more than heard the crowd noise die down, and judged it safe to uncover her ears again. As it turns out, she had not done it a moment too soon, as the pudgy, mustachio'd announcer had profited from the respite in crowd reaction to announce: 

'Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us here tonight for the Inter-Continental Wrestling Association's biggest night of the year! This...is QUEST FOR GLORY!' 

The crowd noise started up again, but this time, Gina joined in, as did her brothers and father. Soon afterwards, the first of many wrestlers to perform that evening came out, and the event officially got under way! 

From that point on, it was a rollicking two or so hours of singles contests, tag team wrestling, a multi-man ladder match for the company's secondary title, and several appearances by names Gina had only seen on television up to that point. To think Jake Mason – her Jake Mason, whom she had spent two years seeing perform in musty halls all over New Jersey – was not only rubbing shoulders with these people but defending his Championship at this show was almost too much for one girl to believe. 

And yet, at the end of it all, there he was – standing in the middle of an ICWA ring, on the biggest Pay-Per-View event of the company's yearly schedule. Fair hair, dimpled cheeks, poop-brown pants, the whole nine yards. Jake Mason. Her independent wrestling idol, now a big-time star. 

'He's gonna give out his challenge!' Gina pointed at her program, where 'JAKE MASON ISSUES AN OPEN CHALLENGE FOR HIS PNW PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIP' was printed in large, bold capitals. 'Who d'you think it's gonna be, Vin?' 

'I bet it's Logan again', her brother ventured.

'Nuh-uh', Gina protested. 'Logan had his shot! Jake whupped his butt! He can't have, like, infinity shots! Everyone just gets one!' 

Vinny shrugged. 'Well, then I dunno.' 

Before the two children could proceed with their discussion, Jake himself cut across, from way down in the center of the ring. 

'Tonight is the biggest night in ICWA history', he began. 'And I am proud to be a part of it. I am proud to be here tonight, right in my home state of New Jersey, defending my Pacific Northwest Championship, live, on Pay-Per-View!' 

The reaction was, once again, deafening; after a moment, however, the crowd gave Jake leeway to continue. 

'Problem is...' The superstar grinned. 'I'm all outta challengers. An' that's why, RIGHT HERE TONIGHT, I'm gonna be puttin' this baby on the line...' Jake patted his belt. '...Against anyone who has guts enough to come out here an' try to take it from me!' 

Another ovation ensued as Jake turned to the ramp – one so loud, Gina's first reaction was, once again, to cover her ears to try and drown it out. A moment later, however, she was glad she had not done so, as a familiar theme song hit the house speakers – and made her jaw drop. 

'No way', she muttered to herself. A brief glance down at the ramp, however, was enough to confirm her suspicions – a face-painted woman, with a shock of teased-up, frizzy black hair, had just stepped out to challenge Jake. 

'Vinny!' Gina grabbed her brother by the shoulders. 'It's Millie!' 

It was, indeed, Millie 'The Mauler' Melendez, ICWA's premier female athlete and Gina's favorite 'regular' performer in the company – standing right there, not fifty yards away, challenging her actual favorite wrestler in activity. 

'We-get-to-see-Millie-challenge-for-Jake's-belt!!!' Gina had to keep shaking her brother to believe the moment she was living right then was real. That match, that match alone, would make their presence at the arena worthwhile – and no one had even known it was going to happen. Gina might have fainted from joy, if that had not meant she would miss out on the match. 

As it was, she made a tremendous effort to focus her attention back on the ring, where two of her favorite wrestlers of all time had just shared a sporting handshake to seal the Championship deal. A moment later, as the bell rang and Jake and Millie began to circle, she turned to her equally enraptured brother. 

'That's gonna be me someday', she said. 

'Uh-huh. Yeah, right.' Vinny snorted in derision, but Gina did not care. Vinnie was always trying to shoot down people's dreams. In Vinny's world, nobody ever followed their dreams. All you could ever hope for was a crummy job in a restaurant or something. But Gina knew better. Gina knew that if she worked hard in school, and ate her vegetables, and listened to her father, she could be anything she wanted. The Neon Knight had said it himself, numerous times, in the old ICWA broadcasts she watched on her father's VCR.  

She looked down at the ring yet again, saw Millie hit Jake with a huge move that led to a pinning predicament. 

'Yup', she said to herself, 'that's gonna be me someday.' 

And right at that moment, she knew that was the truth. 

II 

Nine Years Later

Gina Carelli's Apartment 

Trenton, New Jersey

'Are you sure this is a good idea, Geeg?' Amanda Fratelli peered at the webpage on her laptop screen, which listed Gina Neon as one of the many attractions featured on Valentine Wrestling Syndicate's debut show. 'I mean, you're already super-busy as it is, with your VoW career and stuff...it's why you left that other place to begin with! And Vegas is a long way from Jersey...' 

'Take it easy, Mandy!' Gina Carelli waved away her friend's concerns. 'It's gonna be fine. I got Neon Power!' 

'That's if they even let you in', the apartment's third occupant piped up from his position on a nearby armchair. 'You ain't twenty-one yet. If they're puttin' on shows in casinos and stuff, that ain't gonna work!' 

'Shut up, Joey', Mandy hissed, glowering. Gina, however, simply nodded. 

'I thought that, too, but this girl on Twitter said, if I'm on the list as talent, they'll let me in no problem!' She shrugged. 'Besides, they ain't puttin' on shows in casinos. It's in an arena.' 

'The T-Mobile Arena, :Las Vegas, Nevada', Mandy read out, squinting at the screen. 

'Yeah, this one's in an arena', Joey Zimmermann grumbled. 'What about all the other ones? Don't come to me when you're in trouble...I ain't gonna help you...' 

The two girls, however, ignored their friend's grumbling, instead huddling around the laptop. 

'So what are these girls called that you're facin'?' Mandy booted up Google in a separate tab, then returned to the Valentine Wrestling Syndicate page. 'Trixie...just...Trixie...oh boy, this is gonna be fun.' She typed the first girl's name into the search bar, and groaned. 'My Little Pony...My Little Pony...My Little Pony porn, ewwww...' She clicked away from the browser in disgust and grimaced at Gina. 'Nope...nothin' about wrestling.' 

'Who's talkin' about My Little Pony porn?' Joey ambled over, hard at work on a packet of salted nuts. 'You freakin' perverts!'  

He flinched as an eraser hit him in the arm, then smirked. 'Totally worth it.' 

'Quit bein' a wiseguy and help us look up this girl Gina's facing', Mandy said. 

'Alright, move over.' Joey rolled up his sleeves as he took over from Mandy in front of the keyboard. A few keystrokes later, he had managed to track down Gina's elusive opponent. 

'Here we go. Trixie, the Bad Kitty. Wrestles for a bunch'a places...nothin' too big...but she's a tag team champion, so she's done somethin'.' 

Gina gawked at her friend. 'How'd you do that?! We were lookin' for like ten minutes!' 

Joey shrugged. 'I knew where to look.' He pointed at himself. 'Wrestler, remember?' 

'Bad Kitty?' Mandy rolled her eyes. 'One of those girls, huh?' 

'Those girls are the most dangerous', Joey said. 'Throw you off ya game, next thing ya know, ya getting rolled up for three!' 

Mandy chuckled. 'You probably know all about that, right, Joey?' 

Gina giggled as her friend flustered. 'Leave 'im alone, Mandy!' She turned her attention back to the computer screen. 'Anyway, there's another girl...what's her name again?'

Mandy glanced at the card. 'Fiona McFly. From Belfast.'

'McFly!?!' Gina's eyes lit up. 'Like Marty?!? From Back To The Future?!? You think they're related?!'  

She saw the look her friends were giving her, and halted herself, flustering. 

'Yeah...I know...not real. It was just a joke, you guys. Geez!' 

'Aaaanyway', Mandy continued, 'looks like this girl's a rookie. Same as you, Geeg.' 

'Rad! I won't feel like I'm super-duper green or anythin'!' 

'Yeah. She hasn't done much, though, so you've got that advantage over her. Y'know, 'cause you won belts and stuff...' 

'Now, you listen here, Mandy!' Joey and Mandy chuckled as Gina's tone immediately slipped into the usual cadence of her video addresses. 'What I did or she did don't matter none in this company, baby! In this company, we're all startin' from the bottom! An' that means...'  

Gina halted herself as she noticed Mandy's raised finger inches from her nose. 

'Save it for the video, babe', her friend grinned. Then, to Joey, she added: 'Get the camera. Gigi wants to introduce herself...' 

III 

Fifteen Minutes Later

Gina Carelli's Apartment 

Trenton, New Jersey

'You ready, Geeg?' Amanda Fratelli adjusted the focus on the vintage VHS camcorder and peered at her friend questioningly. 

The rookie wrestler nodded. 'Ready.' 

'You sure you guys don't need me?' The male third of the group, an habitual presence in his friend's videos, pointed at the backpack sitting nearby, 'I brought my tux, y'know...just in case...'

'It's okay, Joey', Gina grinned. 'I can do this on my own!' 

'Well, well', Mandy chimed in. 'Whad'ya know...! Coupl'a months ago, you couldn't talk for ten seconds without Joey feedin' you questions, an' now look at you! All grown up!'  

Gina giggled. 'You kind'a get used to it after a while...' 

'Right...!' Mandy gave a curt nod and resumed her position behind the large vintage camera. 'Let's do this! You ready...? Three..two...' 

The film student brought down her last two fingers silently, giving the cue for her friend to step forward, finger outstretched towards the camera. 

'Woo! That's right, baby! The rumors were true! Gina, THE WINNAH, is comin' to Valentine Wrestlin' Syndicate! The Neon City is 'bout to get some extra NEON POWER, baby!' 

Gina punched the air in excitement. 

'That's right, baby! This ain't no April Fools prank! April 1, at the T-Mobile Arena, the March Madness is gonna become the NEON MADNESS!' 

Only here did the rookie take her excitement levels down a notch, as she continued: 

 

'An' I know what you're thinkin'. Who cares, right? Who is this chick, an' why are we s'posed to care about her? Well, lemme tell you somethin', baby – I may not look like much, an' I may not be all that famous, but when I get in that ring, I don't leave nobody indifferent, baby! When I get in that ring, I get people lookin'! When I get in that ring, baby, it don't matter how much the odds are stacked against me – I always walk out with my head held high. Every time I get out there, I show my Neon Power! An' I may not win every time, but baby, it takes a heck of a lot to stop me! Ask anybody!'

Gina paused briefly, to catch her breath, before continuing: 

'An' baby...on April 1, in Vegas...it ain't gonna be no different. On April 1, in Vegas, I'm gonna get out there, an' I'm gonna show everybody in the T-Mobile Arena, everybody in the back, everybody watchin' at home, just what I'm made of! I'm gonna show 'em just 'cause somebody's small an' a rookie, don't mean they can't do good! Looks can be deceivin', baby – an' at March Madness, I'm gonna prove it!' 

The rookie held a finger out to the camera once more. 

'Trixie, Fiona, I hope you're not thinkin' it's gonna be easy for ya. I hope you're not underestimatin' me. 'Cause that don't usually end too well, baby. See, I'm like a Transformer – more'n meets the eye! An' if ya go in thinkin' I'm gonna be a cakewalk, a done deal, a pushover...well, baby, you just might end up on ya back from this li'l rookie! 

See, Gina, The Winnah is more'n a name – it's a state of mind, baby! Gina, the Winnah does her best each time. Gina, the Winnah beats the odds. Gina, the Winnah goes out there every night lookin' to steal the show. Gina, the Winnah is the best Gina she can be. An' that, baby, is what makes her a Winnah!' 

The rookie brought her fist up, grinning confidently. 

'Now, just 'cause I'm tellin' you this, baby, don't think I ain't gonna do the same. Respect works both ways, baby. Just 'cause I beat the odds, don't make me better'n you. Just 'cause I won some stuff, don't mean I ain't still just a six-month rookie. That's why I ain't sittin' here an' talkin' 'bout all the stuff I won – 'cause that stuff don't matter, baby! At VWS, we're all just startin' out. At VWS, we're all on the same foot. At VWS, nobody's better'n nobody, baby!' 

Gina's grin widened. 

'An' that's why we gotta give our best in this match. 'Cause we're all just startin' out, and nobody's really talkin' 'bout us yet. Everybody's talkin' bout the Main Event, 'bout Javen'n'that other dude, but you see anybody talkin' 'bout the three girls comin' on right before 'em? That's right, baby – nobody's talkin' about 'em. It's on us to make 'em talk. It's on us to send 'em home sayin' how that rad match with the three chicks stole the show. An' that's why we gotta work out butts off – 'cause there ain't nobody who can do that but us, baby!' 

The rookie leaned forward. 

 

'Trixie...Fiona...at March Madness, let's get out there an' give those fans in Vegas our best. Let's make 'em remember our names. Let's make 'em want to come back just to see us again. On April 1...win or lose...let's steal the show, baby. On April 1...let's show VWS our Neon...Power.'

'Cut!' Mandy stepped out from behind the camera, grinning widely. 'That was great, hon!' 

'Yeah, G-N, not bad. I'm impressed.' Joey gave his friend a little golf clap, and Gina giggled. 

'Thanks, guys! I hope the girls listen, an' don't just start callin' me names an' stuff!' 

'Hey', Joey said. 'If they do, it's their loss. They'll just end up beaten an' having to watch you steal the show!' 

'Yeah, Geeg. I wouldn't worry about it.' 

Gina shrugged. 'Okay.' Then, her face once again lit up in a smile. 'Now...who's hungry for some pizza? 'Cause my Dad said we could come by an' get some for free!' 

Gina did not have to ask again; Joey was already grabbing his jacket and halfway out the door. The rookie and her best friend exchanged an amused glance, before gathering their own things and following their impetuous male counterpart onto the landing.

Free pizza was just too good to pass up.