>>19031280Colby sees the defiance in Carmody's eyes, even if she won't look directly at her. She takes one more deep drink of the drink she made herself with Carmody's booze (she isn't even 21 yet; she won't miss it), then sets it on the table and approaches Carmody.
>"I'm going to be up front with you. There's one way, and only one way left, that you save yourself AND me AND our family a world of misery, trauma, and grief. I'll buy you a plane ticket back home, drive you to the airport, and walk you up to the boarding gates myself. I'll handle Priscilla, convince her that you were just mixed up and I'd call it a personal favor if she'd let the whole thing drop. I'll even hand you three thousand dollars cash, for whatever you need when you get home. Down payment on a car? I'll co-sign the loan. Mid-term classes at the community college. Money to get Dad off your back about getting a job until next semester. Doesn't matter. But you--""No." Carmody's sharp retort cuts her off. "I'm not going home."
Colby grimaces, takes a deep breath, and throws up her hands. Looks like Priscilla gets her way. They'll make the best of it.
>"Okay, then, sign the other contract she gave you, and we'll make the best of it. Explain to her that you had to make it look intriguing for the cameras, and wanted to put on a show, that you're worth more to her this way. She'll be impressed. And she'll back you up, and help you as much as she can. So will I. And I'll ask her to go easy. When the match comes, she'll muss your hair a little bit, work you over, but not too bad, and let you up gently after she beats you. Then you can do some modeling, and we'll set you up with opponents who're safe, who you can--""No." Carmody's voice is again flat and final. "I ain't signing that thing." She pauses, and says quietly, "Not yet."
>"Look, Carmody, this isn't a game. Do you understand? Once you get in the ring with Priscilla Divine and the bell rings, I CAN'T HELP YOU." 