COLE V.O.
"Josie Baker has been through a lot in the past year. She saw her brother-in-law nearly die from an overdose. She had a daughter. She went to Japan and managed the most successful heel stable in HI-YAH History, The HI-YAH Rat Pack. And now, she faces a new challenge. She has been placed in the second most powerful position in the OAOAST. She is now the HeldDOWN! General Manager. Tonight, Josie Baker sits down and tells us about her life, her loves, and her future. Tonight is Shootin' It Up, with Josie Baker."
-We fade in to the middle of the ring. The arena is empty except for the two people sitting inside of the squared circle. None other than Micheal Cole, and Josie Baker. Josie is dressed comfortably, wearing a loose "Libertines" t-shirt and tight brown cord pants. Of course, she has a cigarette.
COLE
Fans, welcome to another edition of Shootin' it Up. Tonight, a woman who needs NO introduction. HeldDOWN! General Manager, Josie Baker. Josie, welcome.
JOSIE
Thank you very much, Mikey.
COLE
All right, we're going to jump right in here, ok?
JOSIE
Oh, for sure...fire away.
COLE
Your life...go.
-Josie laughs slightly as she looks up. She crosses her legs and looks at Cole.
JOSIE
Well, I was born in Daly City, which is just a little south of San Francisco, California...I only lived there for, I think, a week before my mother and father decided to bring me, my sister, and my brother down to Los Angeles, which is where I have lived ever since.
COLE
What was it like growing up in LA, more specifically, Hollywood?
JOSIE
Well...it was a trip sometimes, that's for sure. Uh...my brother, Arto, and I would constantly walk down Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard...my sister, Layla, and I would go shopping in Beverly Hills every weekend, much to the "delight" of my daddy. We would just tool about, you know? Never really having any plans other than school. I mean, it was summer year round, so we would just hang out, do our homework, then hang out some more. And then the next night we'd do it all over again. It was probably the best upbringing I could have asked for.
COLE
And, it was in Los Angeles, that you met Ken Baker, your future and present husband.
JOSIE
It was actually at my friend Shelby's house that I first met him. He thought he was so cool, just sitting outside, by himself, smoking his cigarettes. Occaisonally, Austin would be with him, and they'd get into fights with people, hustle them at pool, hit on the girls. What's funny about the K-Money character, actually, is that...that is NOTHING like Ken at all. Where K-Money is outgoing and flamboyant, Ken is shy and reserved. So, it'd always be Austin introducing himself to the girls and then calling Ken over. I remember the first time I ever saw Ken, he was laying on the couch with his arm over his eyes. Shelby brought me over to him, and as soon as he took his arm off his eyes and we looked at each other....oh, we both knew. He smiled so wide...he was grinning like a complete idiot, and I still tease him to this day. Shit, I was grinning like a madwoman...biting my lip, rubbing my arm, eyeing him.
COLE
Love at first sight IS a reality.
JOSIE
Well, for us, it was definitely LUST at first site, and we quickly found an empty room and started making out. But, he was different than all the other guys...he didn't grab my ass or my boobs or kiss me all wildly like we could have sex at any second. He was very soft, and he kissed me very passionately...and he'd run his hands through my hair, rub my back...
-Josie suddenly stops and looks around. She quickly takes another drag off her cigarette and smiles as she blows out the smoke.
JOSIE
I'm sorry, I got carried away there...it's just talking about him makes me so giddy. Ok, change the subject.
COLE
Ha, all right. Where did you first get into pro-wrestling?
JOSIE
Mmmmmm, the question of the year. Well, my dad kinda raised my brother and I on it, so, I've seen all the greats. I tell ya, I STILL get chills watching the WrestleMania III tape. Anyway, Ken and I joined Shawn Micheals training facility when we were about...18? And uhhh...I got personal training from Spanky and Micheal Shane, while Ken was trained by Paul London and Spanky...so he got all the talent...of course. Anyway, we graduated from there, then packed up and went to Boston, where the IFW was run.
COLE
Ah...yes...the IFW. You, Ken, and Calvin Szechstein are veterans of that place.
JOSIE
My GOD, did that place suck! I mean, sure, we got paid a lot...but shit, those guys sucked as promoters. The Great One...oh my god...the greatest day of my life was when Cal and Ken beat the shit out of him and Tornado on their last day.
COLE
So you went from a great experience with the TWA, to horrible in the IFW.
JOSIE
Horrible is being nice, Mike. Tornado owned the company...he never told anyone his real name...ugh...and he gave himself and Great One the tag titles, and then they feuded for the World Title. Those two were ALWAYS in character. I hated them. Fuck, I still hate them.
COLE
Wow.
JOSIE
Yeah! Ken and I then kinda jumped around to different feds before Ken got a try-out match against Anglesault (Rest in Peace) here in the OAOAST. My god...did those two put on a match. Their two matches that were televised? Those could be considered Kevin Nash quality compared to this match...
-Josie puts out her cigarette in the ashtray before lighting up another one.
JOSIE
So, he and I got picked up...and the rest is history.
COLE
Well...quite an adventure.
JOSIE
Fo sho.
COLE
Well, I asked your brother-in-law, Austin "Ragdoll" Baker about his addiction...that affected everyone in the OAOAST...how did it feel, it being so close to home like that?
-Josie's mood suddenly drops. She smiles still, but it's a fake smile. Tears are welling up in her eyes.
JOSIE
I'm sorry, but that is a sensitive subject for me...Let's just say that Austin put Ken through so much, and there will always be a part of me that will never forgive him for what he did to our family. I still love Austin, I always will, but I tried to block that time from my mind so I can continue to love him and not cry everytime I see him.
COLE
I hate to stir the pot, but is there any ill-will towards him now?
JOSIE
No...none...I will always love him as if he were my brother, but what he did to my husband, HIS brother...I can't even think about it, it will make me too angry.
COLE
I understand. I apologize for bringing it up.
-Josie wipes her eyes as she speaks.
JOSIE
Noooo, don't apologize...you didn't know. Let's just change the subject.
COLE
Ok...your daughter.
-Josie's fake smiles suddenly brightens and turns into a full-on grin.
JOSIE
My little angel...Mommy's little Angel.
COLE
You two were recently brought back together after two weeks of being apart.
JOSIE
Yes, and I love Jasmine to death for it. I am SO thankful that she and I are sister-in-laws...so thankful.
COLE
Well...are you ready for word-association?
JOSIE
Fire away, Mickey.
COLE
Crystal.
JOSIE
A fine young woman. The few times I have talked to her, she appeared to have a level head on her shoulders.
COLE
...Zack Malibu.
JOSIE
Ohhhhh, our little Zackers. I actually have a question for Zack and Candie:
-Josie looks straight into the camera.
JOSIE
"Why haven't you guys swung by the new place yet?" Huh? C'mon, Malibu is so rediculously close to Hollywood...c'mon. And Candie...next week...two free passes to this awesome day spa with Jasmine...you're coming.
COLE
...Mad Matt.
JOSIE
Matthew A. Harms, you mean?
COLE
Yes.
JOSIE
Fuck that guy.
COLE
...Axel.
-Josie's face lights up once again.
JOSIE
Adam is family. That's all I'm going to say. Adam is an honorary Baker.
COLE
Aaaaand, finally...Hoff.
JOSIE
Funny guy, when he talks...which isn't often.
COLE
Josie, thanks for joining us.
JOSIE
No problem...wait, you never asked me about how I became GM!
-Cole looks down at his notes and sighs.
COLE
Dammit...I apologize.
JOSIE
You crazy kid you...
-Josie smiles wide as she ruffles up his hair and goes into a New York accent.
JOSIE
"Yer messin' up big tyme, Mykey! BIG TYME!"
-The screen fades to black.
