Unbroken

[Astrid Samson]

It was a somewhat cool day in Southern California when the scene opens up in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles… specifically outside the home of the Iconic Queen Astrid Samson. It was pretty quiet until the serenity is pierced by the heavy guitar riffs and drums of “Unbroken” by Black Veil Brides penetrates the area from an open window near the kitchen of the two-floor mansion. Looking inside, we can see as Astrid positions herself under the barbell with it going across her shoulders. After steadying her stance, she pulls the barbell off the rests and starts doing some squats, oblivious to the fact that her husband Joshua Samson, Esquire is leaning against the frame of the door that leads into the room… wearing nothing but a pair of black Nike basketball shorts.

Astrid continues to do her squats, pushing herself for the entire length of the song under weights that quite possibly were a little too heavy for her because she was struggling for the length of the exercise. So after finally getting the barbell up on the rests, the blonde turns around and sees Joshua standing there, a smile slowly starting to come to her lips as she wipes her brow of any sweat that might have accumulated.

ASTRID SAMSON
How… how long have you been standing there?

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
Since around the time that heavy music you listen to when working out started infringing upon the peace and serenity that is Cuban and cognac time.

ASTRID SAMSON
Isn’t it a little early for CC time? It’s only… you know what don’t answer that because I have a sneaking suspicion I’m going to get a snarky, sarcasm filled response. Besides, you don’t smell like cigars nor do you have a glass in your hand.

Joshua was at a bit of a loss for words as he straightened his posture.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
OK… I must admit that you’ve caught me. I just wanted to make sure you were OK when I heard the music startup. I won’t lie… you’ve got me a bit worried here, especially since I see you squatting way more than I’ve ever seen you squat before.

ASTRID SAMSON
I have found out that in this business you need to push yourself a bit further from time to time. And with the arrival of a few new… undesirables, I need to push myself again. I’ve become too comfortable with the current atmosphere it seems.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
Gizzy, I think you’re pushing yourself a little bit too far. Or have you seemingly forgotten about that attack by…

Astrid waves off his comment.

ASTRID SAMSON
I’m none too worried about Raging Poo and Fat Sah’ta Thor. I’ve dealt with far worse than what they’ve done to me… or did you forget what Micheal Graves did to me back at the beginning of IPW. I’m used to being everyone’s fucking punching bag. Besides, they’re lucky I didn’t press assault charges against them because they went ABOVE AND BEYOND the parameters of…

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
You had your head slammed multiple times into the concrete floor! Why you didn’t go to the hospital right after is beyond me… though I think it was incredibly reckless.

ASTRID SAMSON
What do you want me to do… have Daveena around more? Brooklyn’s practically banned her from appearing at ringside after my Anniversary Armageddon match with Stasi. So I told her to keep a low profile so she didn’t lose her job outright.

Shaking her head, Astrid starts to unload the weights from the barbell.

ASTRID SAMSON
Anyone who comes out to music by a shitbag of a human being like Ted Nugent isn’t someone I need to worry myself with. They’ll be gone about as quickly as most of the others who’ve come around. But hey… they’re just minions doing the bidding of someone who can’t do the job themselves. Doesn’t that sound familiar to you?

Joshua just shakes his head.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
What is it going to take for you to just walk away from there?

ASTRID SAMSON
Are you seriously having this discussion with me right now when you know that I can’t… I won’t walk away? I have put way too much of my blood, sweat, tears and money into Iconic Pro Wrestling and I’ve always been used as the god damn welcome mat. I’ve fought and scratched to get to where I am and all these assholes would be out of a job if it weren’t for you, me and… well, you mainly because it was your idea.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
It’s just… I know what these guys are like and…

ASTRID SAMSON
And you couldn’t give me a heads up so that I could’ve maybe had Daveena there? Maybe then I wouldn't be in the throes of an almost month-long headache. I’m pretty sure I bought Target out of their Advil supply.

Carefully, Astrid places all the weights back where they belong.

ASTRID SAMSON
But since you asked… winning the IPW Heavyweight Championship.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
What about it?

ASTRID SAMSON
You more than anyone should know how I’ve wanted to be the main champion. But because of backstage politics from a douchebag owner and his equally as stupid board… that never happened at the toilet bowl company. I think he knew what was coming because the moment I got my chance… he closed us down. When I win the IPW Heavyweight Champion, maybe we can reapproach the idea… but it will only be enacted upon losing the title.

Joshua sighs audibly as he approaches his wife, placing his hand upon her shoulders as he looks deep into her hypnotic blue eyes.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
You are about as stubborn as they come you know that right?

ASTRID SAMSON
Yeah… but you also married this stubborn bitch. So you knew what you were getting into.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
So much so I proposed three times. But… the third time's the charm and now I not only have one stubborn wife… I have two!

ASTRID SAMSON
Don’t forget about your stubborn as hell sister-in-law too. I swear that girl can give me a run for my money and puts me to shame at times.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
The amount of estrogen in this house now is suffocating. I can’t even walk around buck nekkid anymore!

ASTRID SAMSON
Yes you can… you just have to wait until Hanna’s in her room for the night. I don’t want, nor do I need, her to see your ding a ling. Teenagers talk and we really don’t need a visit from CPS. Hanna needs stability in her life.

Joshua rolls his eyes before kissing his wife on the forehead.

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
Well I’m going back to Cat’s space where I know I can be in the buff and leave you to your workout. But you still need to take it easy, don’t push yourself too hard… especially if you’ve got a headache still. I would prefer you to take it easy.

ASTRID SAMSON
If I promise to just go on the treadmill will you leave me alone about this?

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
Ehh… how will I know you won’t you back to lifting weights beyond your limits?

ASTRID SAMSON
You don’t… but you should trust me to stick to my word. Do you not trust me?

JOSHUA SAMSON, ESQ
That’s not the case and you know it. I know you and I know that you’re going to do what you want to do regardless of if you’ve given someone your word that you won’t.

ASTRID SAMSON
Ha! I was planning on going on the treadmill and so I will be keeping my word. I need a good run anyway.

Joshua shakes his head ever so slightly as he rolls his eyes and heads for the door. Just before stepping through, Joshua looks back and sees Astrid standing here, smiling from ear to ear as she then blew him a kiss with a slight little wave. Joshua begins to chuckle as he disappears down the hall, leaving Astrid to continue her workout. The scene started to fade away as Astrid walked over to where her phone was hooked up to the sound system and she started browsing her expansive music library.