>>19132818Soft jazz music plays as a camera slowly pans toward Cassie as she relaxes in her bathtub. As it draws closer, she opens her eyes and smiles. “Jade Thorn. The leader of Block B. Congratulations on that, by the way. It’s still early of course, but you’ve really positioned yourself as the one to beat in our block, and set yourself a high bar to maintain.”
“I’m familiar with your story. A mother who wants to provide for her child, only to find herself out of work due to the audit. I know what that must be like. I’ve never been a mother myself of course, but for all intents and purposes, I was a parent to my younger sister while still a child myself. And the truth is, I struggled to provide for her back then. It’s an awful feeling.”
“But now you’re back. Your hardships are behind you. What better way to continue your fairytale return than with another win on your way to winning this whole tournament? What a moment that would be. You’d deserve it after all you’ve been through. And your daughter, she’d be so proud.”
“But now, the pressure is on. The expectations of the fans. Your own hopes and desires. And your precious little daughter watching at home. All willing you on to beat me, the woman who sided with those big bad auditors. Let’s just brush aside the fact I was blackmailed of course, you don’t care about that, do you? Mere ‘semantics’ to you, and these braindead fans.”
“And that makes me sick!” Cassie shouts. “I was the real victim of this audit! Forced to do the auditor’s bidding then left to be the proxy of all the resentment toward them! But fine, I’ll be the villain. Because I want, no, I need this tournament. So I’ll fight to my last breath to make sure tonight isn’t chapter three of your fairytale, but a new chapter of mine.”