Zahra Schreiber was stuck on a high of excitement on some of the new plans that were supposed to come to fruition in the next few weeks. Unfortunately for her, this meant no sleep. She was wired still, so she opted to go to a local bar somewhere nearby, and throw a few back. Zahra set out to find a place to drink, walking down the sidewalk in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Zahra tucked her hands into the pockets of her tight blue jeans and let out a sigh. Luckily it wasn’t a very long journey from her hotel when she stumbled across a local bar called HopCat. The logo on the building had a black cat holding a beer glass.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Pussy and beer… I’m sold.

She muttered to herself as she walked up the two small steps to the building and pulled open the door. Zahra walked into the establishment and looked around in awe. The inside was gorgeous, she wouldn’t have expected this from the outside. Zahra made her way over to the brick wall area, where a few over-sized red booths were located. She slid into one and was quickly greeted by a waitress.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: How ya doin’, hon?

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: I’m good, uh thanks. You got any IPA’s?

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Of course sweetie, we have Two Hearted Ale, Inversion, All Day-

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Two Hearted it is.

Waitress nodded and walked off to fetch her drink. Zahra drummed her fingers on the table and looked around at all the other people around her. She sent out a text to Gionna, inviting her to tag along but she wasn’t responding. She was probably sleeping like a baby, something Zahra should be doing herself. But alas, here she was. Alone. It was amazing how alone one could feel when you were usually surrounded by so many people.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Here you are, hon. Can I get’cha anything else?

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Uh… maybe some nachos, extra side of sour cream?

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Of course. Are ya expectin’ anyone else, sweetie?

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Nah, I think it’s just me, myself, and I tonight.

Waitress nodded and patted Zahra’s shoulder sympathetically.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Been there, hon. I’ll have those nachos right out.

Zahra nodded her head and picked up her beer. She sipped from the glass at first, but then tilted her head back more and drank the ale down even faster. She almost finished it off in one chug but stopped and set her glass down. The waitress typed in the order at the POS station and happen to look over at Zahra who motioned to her for another beer. The waitress shot her the thumbs up and scurried off to get the beer. After a few minutes she returned and dropped off the new beer. Zahra went to grab for it when a tattooed hand reached down and stopped her. She jumped, not expecting anyone.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Holy FUCK!

Her eyes shot up to see none other than Tom Budgen, better known on screen as her stable mate in Legion, and one half of the Sumerian Death Squad, Tommy End. Zahra instinctively slapped his hand away before she completely realized who it was.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: You know, that’s something an alcoholic would do.

He chuckled at her.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: You ass! You scared the shit out of me!

Tommy laughed even more and slid into the booth on the opposite side of her. He bounced on the cushions to check the comfort level. Zahra looked at him and shook her head. She took a few deep breaths as she tried to settle her nerves from the sudden fright.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Where’s the loud one?

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Bitch isn’t answering. Probably passed out in a pile of pizza boxes, listening to Drake for the thousandth time.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Now that’s a party.

Tommy yanked the menu out of Zahra’s hand and started to browse until Zahra yanked the menu back.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Excuse you.. Get your own.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Damn… Guess I forgot, Zahra’s not the sharing type.

Tommy huffed as he reached and grabbed a different menu. He opened it up and started to browse once more. Zahra stared at him, confused on what he was doing and why he was there. He looked up from the menu and noticed Zahra staring back at him. He looked back at her before she finally broke the silence.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: What are you doing here?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: I dunno, what are you doing here? Wait.. No Gio… Booth out of the way… Shit, were you waiting on someone else? Was this a date?!

He jokingly dropped the menu and brought his hands to his mouth. He looked around as though he was looking for someone who Zahra could be on a date with. She squinted her eyes before the table rattled.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: SHIT!!

Tommy instantly dropped his hands down to his legs to rub his shin where she had just kicked him with her combat boots. Zahra rolled her eyes at him and shook her head no.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: I’m not on a date. G wasn’t answering, so I figured she’s probably passed out. I wasn’t tired so I just… ended up here. Saw the sign with a pussy holding a beer and was sold. So here I am.

Zahra waved her hand around to signal her surroundings. She dropped her tattooed hand down and picked up her beer, sipping it.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: So, how about you? How did you end up here? You’re following me, aren’t you? Tom.. you don’t have to try and kidnap me, that was just a storyline for TV.

Zahra joked with her on screen stable mate. They both laughed as the waitress came to the table with Zahra’s nachos and extra sour cream. Zahra’s eyes widened, she was starving. She wasted no time digging in as the waitress smiled at Tom.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Oh hi there, honey. May I get’cha anythin’?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Uhh… I’ll just have whatever’s on tap.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Honey, we’ve got a lot on tap..

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Something dark, it doesn’t matter.

The waitress nodded and walked away. Tommy turned his attention back to Zahra and answered her question.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Dante and I were wandering around and we just happened to stumble in here.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Dante’s here?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Yeah.. He had to use the loo. He should be out…

Before Tommy could finish the sentence, a large burly man walks up and sits down next to Zahra. He quickly put his arm around her and smiled at Tommy.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Didn’t think we’d spot anyone we knew in this joint.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Yeah, she was on a date.

Zahra, annoyed, reached up and grabbed Dante’s arm and removed it from around her shoulders.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: No date.. And I hope you washed your hands. Gross…

Tommy and Dante laughed as the waitress returned to the table with a beer for Tommy. She looked over at Dante and then up at Zahra.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: And here we thought you’d be all by your lonesome sweetie.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Surprise..

The waitress turned to Dante.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: What can I get you?

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: I’ll just take what their having.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Which one?

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Both.

The waitress nodded as she hurried off. Dante slouched back against the booth seat and relaxed.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: So what’s this I hear about you getting booted out of the arena tonight?

Zahra shook her head in annoyance and rolled her eyes. She had been at the arena earlier in the night, going over her lines for a scheduled promo. Unfortunately, a confrontation unfolded between Paige and Zahra backstage and Zahra was asked to leave, and promptly escorted off the premises by security.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: That fucking little twat, Paige, man. I was going over my lines, and this bitch walks right by me, mouthing off. Something about keeping my eyes off her man, and she knows “I still want Colby” but “he is hers”… like what the fuck?

Zahra clenched her fist and dug her nails into her palm as she went over the event with the two of them.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Clearly if I wanted him, I’d have him. No questions. She stepped way out of line coming at me like that. She started shit at the PPV, coming right at me out of nowhere. Sure, she and I had a scheduled spot with one another. But she just started wailing on me. Her jealousy is off the charts and I’m not even sure why. Colby and I are done, we’ve been done. But it’s not like I can erase the past, it is what it is. It’s not like we’re fucking each other or anything anymore. She knew I was employed here before either of them, yet they both came to work for this company. Now I’m getting asked to leave my place of work, because this girl is tripping?! Get the fuck out’ta here with that shit, man.

Zahra took a long drink from her beer, putting the glass down and sighing.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Wow, I didn’t even know you two had any issues.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: That’s the thing! I didn’t either! Everything was fine it seemed.. I’ve never done anything to make her think I wanted her man or anything.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Maybe it’s because you use the Curb Stomp too? It means you want his body.

Zahra playfully punched Dante’s upper bicep and laughed.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: I mean… I did adopt the move when he and I were together. But I use it because… I dunno… it works with my character.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: You mean being controversial? Don’t think I didn’t catch that… curb stomp… American History X… nazi memorabilia.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Oh, fuck you man, don’t even bring that shit up again.

Dante and Tommy shared a laugh. The waitress returned with Dante’s two beers. Zahra leaned forward quick and swiped the IPA before Dante got to it.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Hey! Thief, that’s mine!

Zahra winked at him and drank from the glass. Dante shook his head and waved his hand as though to shoo her away.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Dick move.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Don’t be a dick, and I won’t be one either. Besides, we know I need this beer more than you do.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Touche.

[HOPCAT|WAITRESS]: Should I just grab everyone another round?

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Yeah might as well.

The waitress scurried off to fetch their order. Zahra took a few more sips from the beer and shook her head.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: So anyways, that was my eventful night. Totally sucked ass, but what can I do…

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Women are insane. The whole lot of ya.

Zahra furrowed her eyebrows at him and scrunched her nose. She stuck her tongue out at him.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Only because guys make us bat shit crazy.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Ye must be fucked in the head-

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Alright, alright, let's not start a battle of the sexes. I think after Zahra’s incident tonight, we’ve had more than enough drama.

Zahra shot a glare at Tommy who in turn winked at her. Tommy’s phone went off a few times in his pocket. He felt the device buzz against his leg. He reached into his pants pocket and retrieved his cell phone. Tommy read over a few texts and replied, leaving an awkward silence at the table between the three as no one spoke. Zahra sipped at her beer, Dante was busy picking at Zahra’s nachos, and Tommy was still texting away on his phone.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Sooooo… what’s more important than us, Tommy? Suddenly you can’t keep your face out of your phone.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: It’s probably his girlfriend.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Fiancee.

Tommy corrected. Zahra nodded her head slowly and drank from her beer some more.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Ah, I was still right. When did ya pop the question?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Dante, I’ve already told you this. You’re my best friend and you don’t even remember me getting engaged? Wow.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: I don’t keep track of that shit.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: I asked her the night of Wrestlemania. After the show.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: Ahhhh fuck, that’s right, now I remember. I’ve downed too much liquor since then.

Zahra crossed her legs under the table. She knew Tommy was most likely in a relationship, but the details of his personal life had remained pretty limited thus far. He wasn’t really one to talk about himself and his life outside of the EBWF. Most of their nights traveling together, Tommy and Zahra would stay up and talk about new metal bands, swapping music, and sharing concert stories while they took turns driving. Dante was usually snoring in the backseat. Despite all the late nights on the road talking, knowing he was engaged now was probably the most she actually knew about him aside from his music tastes or his wrestling career.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: So when are you getting hitched?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: We’ve never really set a date just yet. We don’t get to see one another very much, we’re both quite busy with our careers. But we make it work.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Well what’s her name?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Isla.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Does Isla have a last name or is she a stripper?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: She’s definitely not a stripper. Her name is Isla Dawn.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Still sounds like a stripper name…

Dante laughed and slapped his hand on the table. He shook his head and tried not to spit out the food he was eating. The waitress returned with a fresh round of beers for them all.

[MICHAEL|DANTE]: She’d never do something like that. Could you bloody imagine?

Dante laughed. He knew Isla Dawn quite well over the years and she’d never do something of the sort. She was a proud independent wrestler who worked hard and was very high on self respect.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Again, not a stripper… she’s an Indy wrestler over in the UK. I tried to get her to come here with me… but she wanted to stay there and making a name for herself.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: That’s admirable I guess. Instead of using your name to get in the business, huh?

Tommy shrugged.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Hey, whatever helps get your foot in the door, I say.

He put down his phone and lifted his beer glass before taking a long drink from it. The trio spent the next hour making small talk and drinking their beers down. Finally Tommy stood first and cleared his throat.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: I think it’s best we call it a night. We gotta hit the road early tomorrow and Zahra, don’t forget you have media in the morning.

Zahra sighed and nodded her head, she knew he was right. Dante frowned and appeared like he thought of protesting but then decided against it. Dante slid up out of the booth followed by Zahra. Tom went off to pay the bill before returning to Dante and Zahra. The three headed out of the small bar and headed back towards their hotel. Since they traveled together, they were always in rooms right by one another.Dante and Tommy usually roomed together and Zahra would get her own room for privacy. Once the three of them reached their rooms, Dante let out an inaudible grunt meant to be his way of saying goodnight to them. Dante went right in his room and the door clicked shut behind him.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Night, Dante.

She laughed slightly and waved her fingers at him even though he never turned to face them once he headed into the room. Zahra shrugged her shoulders and went to slide her keycard into the reader for her own room. Tommy put his hand on her shoulder which caused her to freeze in her tracks.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: Hey, Zahra?

Zahra slowly turned and looked at Tommy. He kept his hand on her shoulder for a few more moments before letting his arm drop back to his side.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Yeah, Tom?

[TOM|BUDGEN]: I know you’re going through some things and well… life on the road isn’t always easy. Not to mention you traveling with two guys, I’m sure it’s not always an easy situation…

Zahra smiled.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: I love traveling with you two. I wouldn’t change a thing, trust me. You guys are like my wrestling family.

Tommy smiled for a moment and nodded his head.

[TOM|BUDGEN]: I just wanted you to know that if you ever need to talk, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, I am always here to lend an ear.

Zahra smiled and nodded back. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Tommy, pressing her body against him in an embrace. Tommy slowly slid his arms around her small tattooed frame and returned the hug. Zahra slowly pulled back.

[ZAHRA|SCHREIBER]: Thank you, Tom. Really. That means more than you know.

Tom nodded and smirked at her. Zahra swiped her keycard and stepped into her hotel room. She waved goodbye to Tommy before the door clicked shut. He stood there momentarily before he went into the room he shared with Dante.