Insane in the Membrane

[Ben M]

OOC: Thought I'd try and do something different here so any feedback would be appreciated. Good luck Jayme!


The scene opened outside a psychiatrist's office. The sign on the door said "Dr James Connors", but the location was undetermined. The camera cut to a shot inside the office, where Dr Connors was sitting in his chair. Across from him on the couch was one of EBWF's newest recruits, Nikki Cross. The Scottish superstar was sat on the back of the couch, rocking back and forth. There was a look of concern on Dr Connors' face, but he tried not to let it show and was focusing on his notes rather than looking up at his patient. After staring at his notes for several minutes, Dr Connors began to speak.

Dr Connors: So Nikki... I understand there have been some significant changes since our last session. You're wrestling for another company now, is that right?

Nikki laughed, then nodded. She continued rocking back and forth on the couch.

Nikki Cross: EBWF... I'm out on my own. No hiding behind anyone else now... the spotlight is on me.

Dr Connors: Are you sure this is the right move for you, Nikki? What about the support network you had at...

Nikki cut him off, snarling at him. The doctor tried not to show any reaction, but he couldn't stop himself from raising his eyebrows in alarm.

Nikki Cross: Network?! I don't need a network, doc. I don't need any support. The only reason I come to these sessions is because they make me. I thought signing for EBWF would mean I could get out of coming here, but they insisted I keep seeing you. They said they wouldn't sign me if I didn't. So... here I am.

She forced a smile. Dr Connors nodded. He seemed pleased to hear that Nikki's new employers insisted on her continuing the psychotherapy sessions.

Dr Connors: Do you understand why you're made to have these sessions with me, Nikki?

Nikki nodded. Dr Connors waited to see if she would answer his question verbally, but when no answer appeared to be forthcoming, he prompted her.

Dr Connors: Tell me why we have these sessions, Nikki.

Nikki paused. She seemed reluctant to give an answer.

Nikki Cross: Because... because... because they think I'm insane. INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE! INSANE IN THE BRAIN!

Nikki began laughing maniacally. Dr Connors waited for her to stop laughing before speaking again.

Dr Connors: We've talked about using that word, Nikki. You're not insane, you just have... violent tendencies.

Nikki rolled her eyes and got down off the back of the couch, sitting on the seat before staring at the doctor. For the first time in the session, her voice seemed calm.

Nikki Cross: I'm a professional wrestler, doc. Getting violent is part of the job description.

Dr Connors: Wrestling is a physical contest, but that doesn't mean you have to get violent. Besides, the problem isn't what you do during the matches... violence is expected and sometimes encouraged. The reason we have these sessions, Nikki, is because of your behaviour before and after your matches. Why don't you tell me what happened last Monday? You were supposed to make your EBWF debut, weren't you?

Nikki smirked.

Nikki Cross: I did debut, I just didn't wrestle.

Dr Connors: Why didn't you wrestle, Nikki?

Nikki was so pleased with herself the words almost sounded like laughter as she replied.

Nikki Cross: I attacked my opponent before the match. So the match didn't start because by the time I was done with her, she was in no condition to wrestle.

Nikki clapped her hands together as if applauding herself.

Dr Connors: And didn't you wait until your match to go after her?

Nikki paused for a moment, pressing her finger and thumb against her chin as she thought about her answer. The time it took her to respond made Dr Connors think she was making up a reason, and he wrote as such in his notes.

Nikki Cross: She called herself "Poison", doc. But she wasn't poison. She was nothing. I wanted to make sure she knew that. Poison is dangerous, lethal, and I wanted to make sure everyone knew that I am dangerous. I will inject the women's division in EBWF with my own personal brand of poison, and they will all suffer!

Nikki was becoming more and more animated, her voice raising with excitement. The doctor tried to calm her.

Dr Connors: Nikki, this is a chance for you to have a fresh start. EBWF have signed you because of your talent as a wrestler, but the fact they're sending you to me means they still have some concerns. So I'm going to ask you another question, and I want you to think very carefully about your answer. Because I'm going to include this answer in my report. What is it you want to accomplish in EBWF, Nikki? Do you just want to make the other women suffer, or do you want something more?

Nikki sighed. She knew what answer Dr Connors was leading her towards, and she hated to give people what they wanted... but in this case, giving the doctor a "satisfactory answer" could be the key to getting out of these sessions. So Nikki kept her voice calm and played along.

Nikki Cross: I want what every other woman in EBWF wants, doc. I want to be the Women's Champion. I want to make sure people know how good I am as a wrestler, not just be labelled as someone who is... who has... "violent tendencies".

Nikki struggled to say those last two words without sounding as if she was mimicking the doctor, but Dr Connors seemed satisfied with her answer.

Dr Connors: Good! So tell me, Nikki, do you have another match this week?

Nikki nodded.

Nikki Cross: Against Liv Morgan.

Dr Connors: And what are you going to differently this time?

Nikki rolled her eyes again. She resisted the urge to accuse the doctor of acting like he was her father and gave him the answer she knew he wanted to hear.

Nikki Cross: I'm going to save my "violent tendencies" until after the bell rings... and I'm going to focus on winning the match, not on hurting my opponent.

Dr Connors smiled.

Dr Connors: I think we've made some real progress here today, Nikki. Let me just finish my notes and then you're free to go.

As the doctor made his notes, Nikki muttered something to herself.

Nikki Cross: I'm still going to tear that Barbie doll limb from limb though...

Either Dr Connors didn't hear what she said, or he chose to ignore it. Nikki laughed to herself as the scene faded.