Andy glanced up and noticed two attractive women standing in the office doorway. For a moment he thought he might have died and drifted off to heaven. “Hello ladies. Can I help you?”
    “We’re looking for Dillon McDaniel. We spoke to him a couple’ve weeks ago before we left Atlanta.”
    “Oh yea! You must be the Malone sisters. Dillon did mention you. He should be back within the hour if you’d like to wait? I’m Andy, Dillon’s booking agent, copy writer, press agent, troubleshooter and all-around good guy.”
    “You must be a man of many talents! My name’s Cammie and this’s my sister, Connie.”
    “Glad to meet you both! Pull up a chair and tell me a little about ya.”
    Cammie and Connie settled into the office couch. “We started wrestling when we were eighteen. We got trained by Wild Bill Baxter in Atlanta and worked shows for him in Georgia and Florida. When he decided to move to Alabama we went along. We spent last year working all over the south.”
    Andy interrupted. “You mean that old whorehound’s still alive and well?”
    There was a hint of sadness in their eyes. “No, he died a couple’ve months ago.”
    “Damn! I’m sorry to hear that. He’s an old friend of mine.”
    Cammie continued. “When Bill died, so did the promotion. We’re good friends with Vicki Martin. She used to do shows for the NAWWA in Las Vegas and she told us it was up and running again, so we decided to make a call and see if there was a place for us here.”
    “I can’t speak for Dillon, but I’m sure there is. We’re always looking for new faces.”
    Their conversation was interrupted when Dillon and Shilo entered the office. Andy introduced Shilo and Dillon to the Malone sisters. Cammie and Connie sat staring at them. “This is SO amazing!” Connie blurted. “We heard that seeing you was like seeing Brandy and Vincent all over again, but we didn’t believe it.”
    Cammie grinned. “Well, not until now, that is. This is just too damn cool!”
    The conversation continued for nearly an hour until Shilo interrupted. “Let’s go out to the gym. I’d love to do a work-out with you two.”
    Dillon leaned back in his chair and watched the women disappear from sight. An evil grin spread across his face. Andy peered at him and shook his head. Shilo’d slap you with a dead trout if she knew what you were think’n, my friend.”
    “Me? Hell! I was just think’n how nice it’ll be to have them on board.”
    “Uh huh! And I’m gonna have an owlshit sandwich for lunch to. Now that we’ve cleared up that line’ve bullshit, how’d your meeting with Brad go?”
    Dillon frowned. “Alright, I think. Brad’s one slick talk’n white man. His tongue’s got more forks than a diner silverware drawer, but I think we might be able to work out something. I told him if he messed with us I’d throw him off the roof of the god damn building.”
    “I’m sure that added a  hell of a lot to the feeling of mutual love and admiration you two share.”
    Victoria lay stretched out on her couch, her eyes closed as she listened to the music playing. It had been a week since she’d heard from Sonny. It wasn’t that she was intentionally avoiding him, but there was something gnawing at her mind; a voice urging her to proceed with caution. She recalled Andrew’s words. Victoria could feel subtle changes taking place inside her. It was a strange sensation, as if she were being reborn in a sense. She was restless and anxious. She had caught herself several times during the week introducing herself as Katrina. Her co-workers barely noticed, but that was to be expected. Most of them were men and they were far more focused on her body than her words.
    Victoria walked to the window, staring out into the night. Her mind was a vortex of random thoughts. She pulled on her coat and left for the diner. It had been some time since she’d seen her friend.
    Al’s face broke into a wide grin when he saw Victoria in the doorway. “Hey Vic! It sure is good to see ya! C’mon over here and sit down. I’ll get you a cup of adrenaline.”
    She smiled. “Thank you, Al. It’s good to see you to!” She loved how Al referred to coffee, especially now that she understood what adrenaline was.
    “Damn! I’ve missed you girl. How’ve you been.”
    “I’ve been well.”
    The television droned in the background. Al glanced at the clock on the wall and excused himself. “Can’t miss the Friday night wrestling show! You know me, Vic. Gotta keep tabs on what my girls are doin’!”
    Victoria sat quietly sipping her coffee and watching the show with Al. She peered intently at the television, studying every move and detail. "I’d like to try wrestling. Do you think I’d do well?”
    “You serious, Vic? Hell! I’m not really the one to ask, but you sure do have the build for it and you’re gorgeous. I think you’d be dynamite!”
    “Then you think I might be successful at it?”
    “Hell yes, but why don’t ya ask your boyfriend? He’s friends with the guy that promotes the shows. I think the guy’s name is Brad somethin or other.”
    “Boyfriend? You mean Sonny?”
    “Yea. I’m sure he could hook you up.”
    Victoria pondered Al’s suggestion.
    Shilo grabbed a towel off the ring rope. She grinned at Dillon and Andy. “These girls are amazing!”
    Connie and Cammie leaned over the ring ropes, tousled hair framing sweat-streaked faces. “Careful Shilo! You’re gonna make our heads swell up so much we’re not gonna make it through the doorway.”
    “I’m as serious as a heart attack. You two are great!”
    Cammie smiled. “I sure am glad we deciided to make the trip to the west coast. We were worried we might get out here and find out we couldn’t get booked.”
    Dillon’s eyes widened. “You’ve got NOTHIN’ to worry about. If Shi says you’re good enough then it’s a done deal.” He glanced at the clock. “Hey! You two wanna have some lunch with us? Andy buy’n.”
    “The hell you say! On what you pay me, I’ll be damn fortunate to afford some crackers and water at the homeless shelter.”
    Shilo shook her head and smiled as she looked over at Cammie and Connie. “Don’t mind these two, their always like this. There’s never a dull minute!”
    They arrived at the diner and seated themselves at a table in the back of the diner. Al greeted them from behind the counter. “Hey you guys! I’ve been wait’n for ya to come back in. Got a question.”
    “Wait a minute Al! First you gotta come over here and meet the newest members of the NAWWA.” Dillon smiled proudly as he introduced Cammie and Connie. “They just got in from Alabama.”
    “Well now! Welcome home!” Al blushed slightly. “I mean, uh, at least I HOPE you two will feel like this’s home for ya.”
    Connie smiled. “What a sweet thing to say! Thank you, Al. It does feel like home here. We really do appreciate the warm welcome.”
    “Okay, Al. You were gonna ask a question. Fire away my friend.”
    “You remember the good look’n brunette gal that worked here at the diner for awhile? She worked the night shift.”
    “Huh! I’m not sure I do, Al. But then, we don’t get a chance to drop in at night much. You remember her, Shi?”
    Shilo shook her head. Andy’s eyes widened. “I DO remember her, Al. She’s the one built like a brick . . . uh, I mean she’s real attractive.”
    Shilo grinned. “That’s my Andy! Always calls them like he sees them.”
    “You forgot to mention his amazing appreciation of the female form, babe.” Dillon smiled. “Wait! I think that’s called leering!”
    Everyone at the table broke into laughter. Andy rolled his eyes. “Oh hell no! I’ll have ya know I NEVER leer. Now. You were try’n to ask a question before my friends began an unwarranted attack on my sterling character.”
    “Anyways, Vic comes in the diner a few nights ago and the Friday night wrestling show comes on. We’re sitt’n here at the counter watch’n the matches and she tells me she’d like to give wrestling a try. First thing that comes to mind is you guys, but I had no idea how she’d get in touch with ya, then I remembered the guy she’s been goin’ out with is buddies with Brad Hemsley, so I suggested she ask him. You mentioned awhile ago that you were always look’n for new workers, so I figured I’d say somethin’ to ya.”
    “Thanks Al. Appreciate you think’n of us, but for the life a me I can’t seem to place her.”
    “Hang on a minute. Some guy that comes in now and then drew a sketch of her one night. It’s damn good. I’ve got it in back.” A few minutes later he returned. “Here. This’s Vic.”
    Dillon and Shilo studied the drawing and looked at each other with an incredulous expression. Shilo pointed at the sketch. “Isn’t this the woman we saw . . .”
    “It sure is. But how’d she get from the Hitchcock Railway to here?”

   Shilo’s boot bounced off the wall, landing at Christi’s feet. “What in the fuck happened out there?” There were tears welling up in her eyes as the anger and frustration spilled out.
    “Hey girl! Don’t be so hard on yourself. Shit. Sometimes you're the Lousiville Slugger and sometimes you’re the ball.”
    Christi’s attempt to calm her friend had no effect. “Fuck’n bastard! I HAD her right where I wanted her and I could’ve finished her. Why the hell did I have to let up on her. I just wanted to work on her a little more before I went over on her. Damn! I know better than that.”
    Bridgette shook her head. “We’ve all made that mistake before. It used to happen to Brandy. Look at it this way. The crowd loved ya. Hell! That was a standing ovation you got when you slid out’a the ring.”
    “Bridgette’s right, Shi. You’ll get her next time. There’s no doubt about it. Now c’mon. Let’s get showered and get the hell out’a here. I could sure use a cold drink!”
    Shilo stripped off her sweat-soaked suit. “Yea, I s’pose you’re right. It’s just weird. I felt myself let up the pressure on her and it was like it was something telling me to. It wasn’t me doing it.”
    Victoria stared at her coffee cup. Sonny put his hand on her arm and smiled at her. “Hey! I said I was sorry. I really didn’t mean to bite at you. I was really into what was going on in the ring and I overreacted for a moment.”
    “But you acted differently than everyone else. I was watching.”
    “Well . . . what can I say? I’m a different kind of guy. I hope you don’t mind. Now c’mon. Finish your coffee and let’s go over to my place. We can have a drink and relax. The night’s still early and you don’t have to work tomorrow.”
    Victoria smiled slightly. “Yes. That would be nice.”
    Sonny unlocked the door and Victoria entered his apartment. It was just as she remembered it. He motioned toward the couch. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll put on some music and make us a couple’ve drinks.”
    Victoria nestled into the couch, watching as Sonny approached carrying two glasses. He smiled and handed her a drink. “I hope I didn’t spoil your evening. Other than my rather rude outburst, did you enjoy yourself?”
    “Yes. I did enjoy myself. I found it intriguing. It is an interesting way to play.”
    Sonny smiled and shook his head. “Yes it is. But enough about wrestling. Tell me more about you. Do you like your job?”
    “I don’t really understand. I’m not sure if I do or not. I perform the tasks required of me. That’s all.”
    “But you must get tired of throwing around one hundred pound sacks of vegetables, don’t  you?”
    “Not really, though recently I’ve noticed a strange sensation in my body. It is a sensation I’m unfamiliar with. Something I think you call an ache. My muscles ache. It’s not really unpleasant, just unfamiliar.”
    Sonny gave Victoria a reassuring smile. “That’s not at all unusual. What is unusual is that someone as beautiful and bright as you are would want to do what is considered a man’s work.”
    “Is that why it was difficult for me to convince the owner to give me work?  I don’t think he would have if I hadn’t done sex with him.”
    Sonny nearly choked on his drink. “What?” He said with an incredulous expression on his face. “You went to bed with the owner?”
    Victoria shook her head. “No. We did sex in his office. He told me doing sex with me was different than he’d ever had with anyone.”
    Vivid recollections of his own sexual experience with Victoria crowded Sonny’s mind.  “I wouldn’t wonder. You are an unusual lady.”
    Dillon watched as Shilo slammed down her third drink. She set her glass on the table and grinned. “There. Now I feel better.”
    “Well now. I sure am glad to hear that.” Dillon leaned back in his chair and smiled. “It was one hell’ve a show. The crowd loved all of it. Think of it this way. Lola goin’ over on you just means we’ll have a great set-up going into the next match-up between you and her.”
    Shilo grinned wickedly. “You can count on one thing. It’s gonna be a whole different game next time. You can bet the ranch on it!”
    Andy interrupted the conversation. “Sorry gang, but I’ve gotta scramble. Got a late night dinner date and I sure don’t wanna be late!”
    Shilo grinned impishly. “Oh! Another late-night rendevous with Heidi?”
    “Don’t get me started!” Andy grinned mischieviously as he stood up.
    Dillon grinned. “Don’t forget your Viagra!”
    Without turning back Andy responded. “Smart ass!”
    A burly man with blond hair approached the table. Bridgette glanced up and smiled. “Hey you! Where’ve you been?”
    The man returned her smile. “May I join you?”
    Bridgette motioned to the chair across from her. “Lenny, I’d like you to meet my friends. This’s Shilo and Christi and the big guy next to Shilo’s Dillon. Guys, this’s my new friend, Lenny.”
    Lenny smiled. “Good to meet ya’ll. Bridgette’s told me lots of good stuff about all of ya.”
    Bridgette pouted teasingly. “I missed you at the show tonight! You missed my match with Velvet. I won it just for you.”
    “I really am sorry ‘bout that. My relief showed up for work late so I had to stay.”
    The conversation continued until closing time and the group bid each other good night as they left the lounge.
    Shilo leaned her head on Dillon’s shoulder as he drove them through the deserted streets back to their apartment. She unzipped his trousers and reached inside freeing his stiffening cock. “I’m so horny I can hardly stand it!”
    “Me to, baby. Be careful or that thing’s gonna go off in your hand!”
    “Really?” Shilo giggled. “Let me see if I can make it better.” With that she lay across the seat and took his love pole in her mouth, slowly swirling her tongue as she licked and teased.
    “God damn! You do NOT play fair at all. You wait  until I get you home. You’re in BIG trouble, lady. I mean REALLY big trouble.”
    Shilo released his cock for a moment and grinned up at him. “We’ll just see who’s in trouble.”
    Dillon unlocked the gym door, they burst inside and rushed through the building to the apartment in the rear. Moments later they were a passionate tangle of arms and legs, thrashing frantically on the bed. Dillon rolled on top of Shilo, letting the head of his stiff cock lightly rub her pouting pussy lips. Shilo gasped for air.”Jesus baby, don’t tease me! Give it to me! Oh God! Give it to me!”
    Unable to restrain himself any longer, Dillon slowly penetrated her quivering pussy. Shilo’s hips thrust up to meet his as her love canal gripped his member tightly. The pace quickened as his self-control melted away. His strokes came in powerful lunges and each movement brought with it another gasp of pleasure from Shilo. She gripped his hair in both hands, tugging hard with every thrust as she pumped her hips wildly. Their screams of ecstacy blended in the pale moonlight and they erupted in a fiery flood of hot liquid and mutual enjoyment.
    At the exact same moment several miles away, Victoria straddled Sonny’s torso and pumped her hips frantically, anxious for her pussy to swallow every inch of his rock-hard love pole. Sonny’s body rose up to meet her every thrust as he roughly massaged her heaving breasts. Victoria’s body shuddered violently and her breathing came in staccato bursts as one orgasm after another washed over her like ocean waves crashing on an infinite stretch of sandy shoreline. Sonny could feel his release coming closer and closer, his guttural growls and moans added to the love sounds that filled the air. With a final lunge, his body stiffened, arching up as if he were electrified from head to toe. A torrent of hot liquid shot deep into Victoria’s love canal. She sat upright, her head thrown back, a scream piercing the air as the flames of passion licked at her body and carried her high on a jet stream of sheer ecstacy.
    Exhausted and totally satisfied, Sonny panted heavily. Victoria was far from finished, however. She frantically scrambled forward, straddled his face and rode him like a wild woman. Sonny hugged her thighs, licking and sucking her pussy with wild abandon. Victoria’s voracious appetite for sex astounded him. She was truly a lover like none he’d ever known.
    In a frenzied attempt to bring Sonny as much pleasure as he was providing her, Victoria lunged forward and captured his flaccid cock in her mouth. He struggled to extricate himself from Victoria’s crushing grasp, but it was no use. Victoria was far too powerful. His hormones gradually took control of his consciousness and he found himself swept up in another powerful surge of passion. Victoria raised her head and took his swollen cock in her hands, her fingers working magic on his member as she milked every remaining drop of liquid from him. She could hear his muffled gasps as his body shuddered, quivered and gradually relaxed.
    Much to Sonny’s surprise, Victoria released him and rolled onto her side, giving him a wicked grin. “You are totally satisfied?” She asked, seeming to already know the answer.
    “Good lord yes! You’re truly an amazing woman!” Sonny was too spent to muster even a weak smile. “But what about you? Are you satisfied as well?”
    Victoria gave him a reassuring smile. “Yes. . . . for now.” She closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep, listening to the sounds of Sonny’s heavy breathing. In the distance she could hear a long, lonesome train whistle and soon found herself standing on a worn boarding platform in front of an abandoned train station somewhere deep in the desert. Victoria remembered being here before, but was frightened none-the-less. Her eyes stared in disbelief as as a sleek, black locomotive roared into sight pulling seven rail cars behind. It slowly came to a stop in front of the platform and a tall, stately looking conductor stepped down from the railcar. He gave Victoria a gentle smile. “Good evening m’lady. Andrew, Vincent and Brandy would appreciate you joining them at their table in the dining car. If you’ll kindly come aboard we’ll get underway.”
    Memories of the mystical train in the desert, Andrew, Vincent and Brandy flooded Victoria’s mind. She turned and smiled at the conductor. “It really is wonderful to see you again, Jensen. I presume you’ve been well?”
    “Quite well, ma’am. Thank you for asking.” He watched as she boarded and disappeared down the aisleway.
    Seated at a table near the window were Andrew, Vincent and Brandy. Andrew smiled as he saw Victoria approach and motioned her to join them. “”How wonderful to see you again!” They exchanged greetings as she took a seat.
    “I assume all is well for you?” Andrew inquired.
    “Aside from moments of confusion, yes. All is well.”
    Brandy gave her a reassuring smile. “That’s too be expected.”
    Vincent nodded in agreement. “It’s as we told you. These are uncharted waters you’re sail’n on. Your transition is more gradual than we’d hoped for, but you’re progressing nicely.”
    Andrew frowned slightly. “There is something you should be warned about, however.” He hesitated and drew a breath as he gathered his thoughts. “Negative forces have crossed your path. It’s no cause for concern. Katrina’s instincts are developing inside you and soon you’ll learn to identify what is best avoided.”
    Victoria suddenly realized she was experiencing a new emotion. She felt the unease of apprehension. Her eyes slowly opened and she lay watching Sonny as he lay sleeping. Slowly she slid out ot his bed, dressed and quietly left.

You Are Apple Cider

Smooth and comforting. But downright nasty when cold.

What Your Hands Say About You

You are logical, analytical, and rational. You have good verbal skills. Idealistic and dreamy, you tend toward the impractical. You have a knack for getting yourself in sticky situations. Brainy and intelligent, you are intellectual to the point of being incomprehensible. Your emotions tend to be nervous and potent. Your energy - both positive and negative - deeply impacts your life.

    Victoria stood staring first at the leaves on the ground, then the huge oak tree with it’s branches nearly barren. The seasons fascinated her. She was amazed by the plants and trees flourishing through the summer months, only to slip into a state of dormancy as they made the transition from fall to winter and then wake again in the spring and begin the cycle all over again.
    She was so intent on studying the tree she didn’t hear footsteps approaching. A male voice from behind startled her. “Hi Victoria!”
    Victoria turned to see Sonny standing behind her smiling. She glanced at him and then averted her eyes. “Oh! Hello Sonny.”
    He shuffled nervously from foot to foot. “I’ve looked for you everywhere. Al said you quit working at the diner. Is everything okay for you?”
    “Yes. Quite. I found work somewhere else and I have a new residence.”
    “I’ve missed you. I’m glad you’re okay. I thought maybe we could go out again.”
    Victoria shook her head. “Why would you want to be with me? I am defective. The last time I was with you I damaged you.”
    Sonny smiled reassuringly. “Now that’s silly. I’m perfectly alright. I will say, you are an amazing woman. I’ve never been with anyone quite like you.”
    Victoria studied his face. “When we were last together I thought I had damaged you beyond repair. My creator never intended for me to bring harm to anyone. His intention was that I function in harmony with all that surrounds me.”
    Sonny wasn’t sure what to make of Victoria. She was an intriguing woman, mysterious, beautiful and physically more powerful than anyone he’d encountered before. He was sure she was precisely what he’d been searching for. “I really would like it if you’d have lunch with me.”
    Hesitating, Victoria glanced at her watch. “I have to be at work by 04:00.”
    “I’ll make sure you are. We have time. It’s not noon yet. C’mon. My car’s right down the block.
    Victoria settled into the passenger seat of Sonny’s Lexus. and stared out the window as he glided through traffic. Soft music played quietly in the background. Sonny smiled at her. “Do you like Italian?”
    “I dont understand. What is Italian?”
    “Italian food. Do you like Italian food?”
    “I don’t know. I’ve never had any.”
    Sonny grinned. “Want to try some?”
    Victoria nodded her head. Sonny wondered where she was from. She was indeed a mysterious woman. They arrived at the Ristorante and were greeted by a cheerful waitress with a heavy Italian accent. They were seated at a table near the window. Victoria stared at the menu, unsure of what to order.
    Sonny sensed Victoria’s discomfort and offered to order for them both. He signaled the waitress and gave her their order. She returned with a basket of fresh breaksticks and a bowl of green salad. Victoria nibbled on a bread stick, smiling slightly as the flavor of garlic teased her pallette.
    Unanswered questions swirled through Sonny’s mind. He was intrigued and entranced by this woman of mystery sitting across the table from him. The way she spoke, the image she projected and her body language blended together in a strange sensuality he couldn’t fully comprehend.As the afternoon progressed Sonny found himself no closer to knowing her than he was the first time they were together. He was a patient man and he was certain that eventually he would know all he needed to. Unfortunately, Brad was far less patient.
    Victoria glanced at the clock on the wall. “Oh! I was unaware of the time. I must depart. My work begins in an hour.”
    Sonny smiled. “Would you like a ride?”
    “I have no wish to inconvenience you. Are you sure it won’t be too much trouble?”
    “Not at all! My chariot awaits you.”
    “Chariot?”
    Sonny grinned. “It’s an expression. Another name for automobile.”
    Twenty minutes later they arrived in front of a ramshackle, brownstone building. “I won’t be long. I need to change my clothes.
    I’ll be waiting.” Sonny was stubbing out his second cigarette when Victoria reappeared, wearing denim trousers and a work shirt, leather work gloves shoved into her hip pocket. She settled into the seat and smiled at him. “Thank you for waiting.”
    “It’s my pleasure. Where to now?”
    “I work at DeFord Produce. It’s near the port district. Do you know of it?”
    Now it was Sonny who was confused. “You work for a produce company? What is it you do there?”
    “I load produce onto railcars.” Victoria replied with a matter-of-fact tone.
    Sonny mulled her response. The thought of this statuesque beauty loading produce into rail cars seemed a misnomer to him. “Really?”
    “Yes. Does that surprise you?”
    “Everything about you surprises me!”
    “Oh?” Victoria’s expression mirrored her embarrassment.
    Sonny reached over and took her hand. “That’s not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all!”
    They arrived at the front gate of DeFord Produce and Victoria turned to thank Sonny.     “It was my pleasure! Would you like to go out again?”
    Victoria smiled. “I would like that.”
    “We could go to the wrestling show tomorrow night if you like?”
    Victoria hesitated for a moment. “Wrestling show? You mean like what Al watches on television?”
    “The same.”
    “That sounds interesting. I’d like to go with you.”
    Sonny smiled. “It’s a date then! I’ll pick you up around 07:00.”
    Victoria smiled as she watched him drive away.
    The NAWWA Office was a hub of activity. Scotty and Andy sat discussing some last-minute voice-over for the footage Scotty was editing and Dillon sat peering intently at his computer screen, his fingers poking keys on the keyboard. “Son of a bitch!” He exclaimed. “I’ve lost an entire damn file!”
    Andy glanced up and grinned. “How many windows you got open?”
    Dillon scowled. “Too damn many.” His response was interrupted by the jangle of the telephone.
    Scotty and Andy stopped talking as they heard Dillon bellow into the phone. “You gotta be pullin’ my balls!”
    The conversation ended and Dillon leaned back in his chair, clearly irritated. “You are NOT gonna believe what that flame’n moron’s done now!”
    Andy lit a cigarette. “I assume we’re talk’n about Brad?”
    “Oh hell yes!” Dillon snorted. “That dumb bastard’s filed a complaint with the athletic commission. Says our show dates are conflicting with his. Now I’ve gotta take time out to go shuck and jive with the god damn commissioner.”
    “You might want to cool down a notch or two before you do.” Andy chuckled.
    Dillon responded with a wry grin. “Just what I need. A fucking comedian. Hey! Just in case I get my ass swallowed whole at the meeting we might want to work out an alternate show schedule.”
    “I’m on it like stink on shit!”
    Dillon barely heard his friend’s response. “I KNEW that moron was gonna be a pain in the ass as soon as we heard he’d changed his venue back to an all-women show. Speak’n of that, where d’ya s’pose he found the gals he had on last week’s show. I’ve gotta admit, they’re damn good.”
    “They sure as hell are. I know you don’t wanna hear this, but you might want to reconsider booking a few shows with him. It’s not often Brad makes sense, but this time he just might be onto something.”
    Dillon peered at his friend. “Funny you say that. Shilo feels the same way.”
    Victoria gazed out her window at the street below. It was nearly 07:00 and she was becoming impatient. At last she saw Sonny’s Lexus parking in front of the building, grabbed her coat and ran down the stairwell to meet him, not bothering to use the elevator. He smiled when he saw her and opened the door to let her in. “You look positively ravishing tonight!”
    Victoria blushed. “I’m pleased you approve.”
    They arrived at the arena, parked and took their places in line waiting to buy tickets. Soon they were making their way to their seats at ringside. Victoria could barely hear Sonny’s conversation over the noisy crowd. It was a new experience for her and she was intrigued by the sights and sounds of the arena.
    The house lights dimmed and the ring lights glowed. Victoria’s eyes widened as she watched the first two contestants enter the ring. It was different watching the show in person than it had been on Al’s television. Victoria followed the action closely as she watched the women sweat and struggle.
    Sonny watched Victoria, mesmerized by the activity in the ring. It seemed his plan was working just as he’d planned. He was aware of the need to move slowly and carefully. Victoria was an enigma, but  Sonny was certain it would work to his benefit as his plan progressed. The fourth bout of the evening came to a raucous conclusion and the show halted for an intermission. Sonny grinned at Victoria. “Enjoying yourself?”
    “It is fascinating. Do the women dislike each other?”
    “Sometimes, I s’pose. Mostly they just like to compete. I’m sure they enjoy being physical.There’s prob’ly a lot more to it than that. You’d have to ask them.”
    “Maybe one day I will.”
    The house lights dimmed and the show resumed. Two more preliminary bouts were followed by the semi-main event featuring Bridgette McCloud going against mat veteran, Velvet Dupre. Velvet and Bridgette had a long history of dislike for each other. Early in the match it appeared Velvet would prevail. Bridgette took all the punishment Velvet gave and continued to attack. Velvet won the first fall, forcing Bridgette to submit with a crushing headscissor. Bridgette evened the score in the second fall as she trapped her tormentor in a painful arm hold that left her opponent no choice but to submit. The final fall ended when Bridgette forced Velvet into submission with a punishing leg hold. The crowd erupted in noisy applause and Victoria appeared disappointed. Sonny leaned close. “Everything okay?”
    “Everything is okay. I just wanted Velvet to win. I thought she would win, but I was mistaken. I don’t like to be mistaken.”
    “I don’t think anyone does. Maybe next time Velvet will win.”
    “H’mmm. Yes I suppose you’re right.”
    As Victoria sat pondering what Sonny had said, the crowd erupted with booing and chanting as they stomped their feet and roared their disapproval. Victoria watched as an Amazonian appearing woman made her way to the ring. Her hard facial features added to her formidable personna. A second woman approached the ring, equally Amazonian in appearance. This was the match many had come to see; Shilo Eaglefeather versus Lola Dupre. In the past Lola had been one of Brandy Hawke’s toughest opponents and the tradition continued each time she and Shilo met in the ring.
    The ring announcer introduced the contestants and they returned to their  corners waiting for the bout to begin. The bell rang and they sprang at each other, colliding in the center of the ring. Shilo and Lola seemed intent on punishing each other mercilessly. Within minutes they were dripping with sweat, gasping and growling as they attacked each other. Victoria, eyes were  glued to the action, leaned forward, her body tensing. She turned to Sonny with an odd expression on her face. “I know the one called “Wolf Woman”.
    Sonny seemed not to hear her. He was sitting trancelike in his chair, chanting quietly and staring intently at the ring. Victoria put her hand on his shoulder. “Sonny? What are you doing?”
    He turned to face her, his eyes burned into hers. “Do not bother me!”