The Good Ol' Hockey Game (BOTB < 1500)
Jun 8, 2021 12:11:30 GMT -5
IMMORTALS, Jonnie Valentine, and 1 more like this
Post by Isabel Rios on Jun 8, 2021 12:11:30 GMT -5
Game Day
We open on Isabel Rios in her backyard, lounging in the sun, watching a Hyperion bout on her tablet. She’s so engrossed she doesn’t notice her phone going off next to her until the third ring. She reaches over absently, answering the call as she continues to watch the match.
Ashley: “Hey! You gonna be watching the hockey game tonight?”
Isabel: “Of course.”
Ashley: “Good! Me and Pete are going to Paddy Rogers for it, you wanna come?”
Isabel pauses the match on the tablet, finally paying attention to the call.
Isabel: “I dunno, I’m still pretty busy.”
Ashley: “Are you gonna be training during the game? Or studying more tape?”
Isabel: “Well… no.”
Ashley: “C’mon, they have great wings. It’s cheat day for you, right?”
Isabel: “Well…”
Ashley: “Buy you a margarita?”
Isabel: “... okay, fine, see you there.”
Isabel hangs the call back up, shaking her head and smiling a little before turning her full attention back to the match on the tablet.
Pregame Show
We cut ahead, Isabel strolling into the sports bar, dressed for the game in a Montreal Canadiens tank top and black leggings. She glances around before spotting Ashley and Pete, a dark-haired man sitting with them, heading their way. Ashley waves, gesturing to the empty chair, a margarita already awaiting her.
Ashley: “Izzy!”
Pete: “Hey Isabel, how’s things?”
Isabel returns their greetings as she sits down.
Ashley: “Isabel, this is Pete’s coworker Ryan. Ryan, this is Isabel.”
The second man offers a nod and a hello, Isabel replying in kind before picking up her drink for a long sip.
Ashley: “Ryan, Izzy is single. Izzy, Ryan is single. Do what you wish with that information.”
Isabel chokes a tiny bit on her drink, glaring at Ashley as Ryan shoots Pete an incredulous look.
Ryan: “Dude, I told you I’m not looking to meet anyone right now!”
Isabel: “Yeah, what the fuck Ash?”
Pete has the decency to look embarrassed at the exposed subterfuge, while Ashley just shrugs at their reactions. Ryan and Isabel shift to face each other from across the table.
Ryan: “I swear, I didn’t realize she was trying to hook me up. They just invited me out to watch the game, y’know?”
Isabel: “Yeah, same here.”
Ryan: “I don’t even wanna think about dating or anything, no offense. My ex and I broke up like two weeks ago.”
Isabel: “No offense taken. I don’t really have time to devote to dating anyway.”
Ryan: “I totally get it, you're super busy.”
Isabel cocks an eyebrow curiously.
Ryan: “I’m a wrestling fan, I recognize you from XHF.”
Isabel: “Ah, so you get it then. Well… how’s this sound: no matter what, we don’t exchange phone numbers, we don’t search each other up on social media and we agree to never, ever date. Deal?”
Ashley: “What? No! You two are perfect for each other! You both like the same hockey team! You both like wrestling! You… both like mozzarella sticks!”
Pete: “Everyone likes mozzarella sticks, dear.”
Ryan: “Deal, absolutely. The ultimate no pressure hangout, works for me.”
Ashley: “No! Not cool!”
Isabel: “So… you wanna split on an order of mozzarella sticks?”
Ryan: “Sounds good.”
Ashley: “Are you two seriously going to reject even the possibility of a connection between you just to spite me?”
Ryan: “Yup.”
Isabel: “Absolutely. And you’re paying for our mozzarella sticks, penance for being a jerk.”
Ashley opens her mouth to protest but pauses as Pete lays a hand on hers, shaking his head gently, Ashley shutting her mouth and hanging her head a little. Everyone is quick to ignore her though, as the puck is about to drop on the TVs around the bar.
First Intermission
We come back as the first period ends. Isabel has long ago finished her margarita, sipping on a High Voltage™ Strawberry Slapshot, still working her way through her second pound of roasted garlic pepper wings, her tablemates similarly picking at meals and beverages.
Ryan: “So… how do you gameplan for seven possible opponents? That’s kinda crazy, right?”
Isabel nods as she finishes off a wing, pausing to wipe her hands and lips with a napkin.
Isabel: “Seven different gameplans, that’s the only way to do it. Can’t approach Eli Dresden the same way I’d approach Malcolm Evans.”
Ryan: “But still, how do you do it?”
Isabel: “You gotta keep in mind, I’m not going in with a mindset of ‘I’m gonna use this move against this person, this one against that person’. It’s more about strategy, right? Take Hyperion, for example. Dude acts like he’s a god. Or maybe he actually thinks he’s a god. Maybe he is an actual god? I dunno, I’ve seen some weird stuff lately. Point is, I’m not going in there to try to throw bombs with the guy. If I draw him in the first round? Try to ground him, wear him down, don’t let him hit anything big.”
Ryan: “What about Keith Williams?”
Isabel: “Ugh. Sneaky, creepy, dangerous. Gotta watch my back. Gotta watch my… everything. Can’t let him get in my head, just gotta stay in my game and take him down.”
Ryan: “Dylan Black?”
Isabel takes another sip of her drink before replying.
Isabel: “That’s tough. The guy is fantastic in the ring… but I think he might think I’m distracted by him, maybe? I’m not above taking advantage of that if it comes down to it. Let him think he’s got the advantage right up til my hand’s getting raised and his isn’t.”
Ryan: “Still sounds crazy. No offense.”
Isabel: “Oh, none taken, it's crazy. But if I wanna be able to say I’m the best, I gotta get it done.”
With that the conversation peters out again as the puck drops for the second period.
Second Intermission
Isabel: “So, what happened with you and your ex?”
The wings are long done, everyone at the table picking away at a platter of nachos.
Ryan: “Walked in on her in bed with another woman.”
Isabel winces sympathetically.
Isabel: “At least you know it was because she was after something you couldn’t provide?”
Ryan shrugs before another drink of his beer as Isabel sips her energy drink.
Ryan: “Not to be rude, but how do you eat the way you have tonight and still be, y’know, so…”
Pete: “Swole?”
Ryan: “Jacked.”
Ashley: “Built like a brick shithouse.”
Isabel smiles at her friend, patting her hand.
Isabel: “Thanks… you’re still paying for the mozz sticks.”
Ashley frowns as Isabel turns back to Ryan.
Isabel: “Three and a half hours of exercise a day between cardio, weights and stretching.”
Ashley: “And selfies.”
Isabel shrugs, lifting her can of High Voltage and holding it to her face, mock-posing.
Isabel: “If a few selfies between sets means they keep sending me free crates of caffeine and workout gear, I’ll take that trade.”
Ryan: “I’ve been hitting the gym a lot, but I’m not getting the kind of gains I’d like, y’know?”
Isabel: “You got a personal trainer? I have a friend, she's great. I’ll give you her contact info.”
Ashley: “You mean Melanie?”
Isabel: “Yeah, of course. She’s awesome.”
Ashley: “I went to all the trouble of lying to both of you to get you together and you’re gonna give him Mel’s number?!”
Isabel smirks, looking to Ryan.
Isabel: “She’s a great personal trainer who also happens to like hockey and is gorgeous. When you’re ready.”
Ryan grins, offering Isabel his phone so she can put the number in.
Ryan: “But does she like mozzarella sticks?”
Pete speaks up from around a mouthful of nachos.
Pete: “Fucking everyone likes mozzarella sticks.”
The chatter dies away again as the puck drops for period three.
Post Game Show
High fives abound around the table as the Canadiens pick up the win on the ice and the waitress drops off the checks.
Pete: “Good game.”
Ryan: “Great game.”
Isabel: “The bleu, blanc et rouge won, I’m satisfied.”
Ashley: “Two pounds of wings, half an order of mozzarella sticks and almost half the nachos. I’d hope you’d be satisfied.”
Isabel: “Cheat day, gotta take advantage. Ryan, lovely to meet you. I’ll text Melanie later, let her know you’re gonna reach out about training. Pete, it was great to see you.”
Isabel leans over, giving Ashley a little hug.
Isabel: “Do this again and I will go full Mrs. Robinson on Pete’s little cousin.”
Ashley: “You’re bluffing.”
Isabel: “I already followed him on Insta. Love ya.”
Isabel gives a wave and a grin as she turns to leave, the guys waving back as Ashley fumes at the table as we fade out.
We open on Isabel Rios in her backyard, lounging in the sun, watching a Hyperion bout on her tablet. She’s so engrossed she doesn’t notice her phone going off next to her until the third ring. She reaches over absently, answering the call as she continues to watch the match.
Ashley: “Hey! You gonna be watching the hockey game tonight?”
Isabel: “Of course.”
Ashley: “Good! Me and Pete are going to Paddy Rogers for it, you wanna come?”
Isabel pauses the match on the tablet, finally paying attention to the call.
Isabel: “I dunno, I’m still pretty busy.”
Ashley: “Are you gonna be training during the game? Or studying more tape?”
Isabel: “Well… no.”
Ashley: “C’mon, they have great wings. It’s cheat day for you, right?”
Isabel: “Well…”
Ashley: “Buy you a margarita?”
Isabel: “... okay, fine, see you there.”
Isabel hangs the call back up, shaking her head and smiling a little before turning her full attention back to the match on the tablet.
Pregame Show
We cut ahead, Isabel strolling into the sports bar, dressed for the game in a Montreal Canadiens tank top and black leggings. She glances around before spotting Ashley and Pete, a dark-haired man sitting with them, heading their way. Ashley waves, gesturing to the empty chair, a margarita already awaiting her.
Ashley: “Izzy!”
Pete: “Hey Isabel, how’s things?”
Isabel returns their greetings as she sits down.
Ashley: “Isabel, this is Pete’s coworker Ryan. Ryan, this is Isabel.”
The second man offers a nod and a hello, Isabel replying in kind before picking up her drink for a long sip.
Ashley: “Ryan, Izzy is single. Izzy, Ryan is single. Do what you wish with that information.”
Isabel chokes a tiny bit on her drink, glaring at Ashley as Ryan shoots Pete an incredulous look.
Ryan: “Dude, I told you I’m not looking to meet anyone right now!”
Isabel: “Yeah, what the fuck Ash?”
Pete has the decency to look embarrassed at the exposed subterfuge, while Ashley just shrugs at their reactions. Ryan and Isabel shift to face each other from across the table.
Ryan: “I swear, I didn’t realize she was trying to hook me up. They just invited me out to watch the game, y’know?”
Isabel: “Yeah, same here.”
Ryan: “I don’t even wanna think about dating or anything, no offense. My ex and I broke up like two weeks ago.”
Isabel: “No offense taken. I don’t really have time to devote to dating anyway.”
Ryan: “I totally get it, you're super busy.”
Isabel cocks an eyebrow curiously.
Ryan: “I’m a wrestling fan, I recognize you from XHF.”
Isabel: “Ah, so you get it then. Well… how’s this sound: no matter what, we don’t exchange phone numbers, we don’t search each other up on social media and we agree to never, ever date. Deal?”
Ashley: “What? No! You two are perfect for each other! You both like the same hockey team! You both like wrestling! You… both like mozzarella sticks!”
Pete: “Everyone likes mozzarella sticks, dear.”
Ryan: “Deal, absolutely. The ultimate no pressure hangout, works for me.”
Ashley: “No! Not cool!”
Isabel: “So… you wanna split on an order of mozzarella sticks?”
Ryan: “Sounds good.”
Ashley: “Are you two seriously going to reject even the possibility of a connection between you just to spite me?”
Ryan: “Yup.”
Isabel: “Absolutely. And you’re paying for our mozzarella sticks, penance for being a jerk.”
Ashley opens her mouth to protest but pauses as Pete lays a hand on hers, shaking his head gently, Ashley shutting her mouth and hanging her head a little. Everyone is quick to ignore her though, as the puck is about to drop on the TVs around the bar.
First Intermission
We come back as the first period ends. Isabel has long ago finished her margarita, sipping on a High Voltage™ Strawberry Slapshot, still working her way through her second pound of roasted garlic pepper wings, her tablemates similarly picking at meals and beverages.
Ryan: “So… how do you gameplan for seven possible opponents? That’s kinda crazy, right?”
Isabel nods as she finishes off a wing, pausing to wipe her hands and lips with a napkin.
Isabel: “Seven different gameplans, that’s the only way to do it. Can’t approach Eli Dresden the same way I’d approach Malcolm Evans.”
Ryan: “But still, how do you do it?”
Isabel: “You gotta keep in mind, I’m not going in with a mindset of ‘I’m gonna use this move against this person, this one against that person’. It’s more about strategy, right? Take Hyperion, for example. Dude acts like he’s a god. Or maybe he actually thinks he’s a god. Maybe he is an actual god? I dunno, I’ve seen some weird stuff lately. Point is, I’m not going in there to try to throw bombs with the guy. If I draw him in the first round? Try to ground him, wear him down, don’t let him hit anything big.”
Ryan: “What about Keith Williams?”
Isabel: “Ugh. Sneaky, creepy, dangerous. Gotta watch my back. Gotta watch my… everything. Can’t let him get in my head, just gotta stay in my game and take him down.”
Ryan: “Dylan Black?”
Isabel takes another sip of her drink before replying.
Isabel: “That’s tough. The guy is fantastic in the ring… but I think he might think I’m distracted by him, maybe? I’m not above taking advantage of that if it comes down to it. Let him think he’s got the advantage right up til my hand’s getting raised and his isn’t.”
Ryan: “Still sounds crazy. No offense.”
Isabel: “Oh, none taken, it's crazy. But if I wanna be able to say I’m the best, I gotta get it done.”
With that the conversation peters out again as the puck drops for the second period.
Second Intermission
Isabel: “So, what happened with you and your ex?”
The wings are long done, everyone at the table picking away at a platter of nachos.
Ryan: “Walked in on her in bed with another woman.”
Isabel winces sympathetically.
Isabel: “At least you know it was because she was after something you couldn’t provide?”
Ryan shrugs before another drink of his beer as Isabel sips her energy drink.
Ryan: “Not to be rude, but how do you eat the way you have tonight and still be, y’know, so…”
Pete: “Swole?”
Ryan: “Jacked.”
Ashley: “Built like a brick shithouse.”
Isabel smiles at her friend, patting her hand.
Isabel: “Thanks… you’re still paying for the mozz sticks.”
Ashley frowns as Isabel turns back to Ryan.
Isabel: “Three and a half hours of exercise a day between cardio, weights and stretching.”
Ashley: “And selfies.”
Isabel shrugs, lifting her can of High Voltage and holding it to her face, mock-posing.
Isabel: “If a few selfies between sets means they keep sending me free crates of caffeine and workout gear, I’ll take that trade.”
Ryan: “I’ve been hitting the gym a lot, but I’m not getting the kind of gains I’d like, y’know?”
Isabel: “You got a personal trainer? I have a friend, she's great. I’ll give you her contact info.”
Ashley: “You mean Melanie?”
Isabel: “Yeah, of course. She’s awesome.”
Ashley: “I went to all the trouble of lying to both of you to get you together and you’re gonna give him Mel’s number?!”
Isabel smirks, looking to Ryan.
Isabel: “She’s a great personal trainer who also happens to like hockey and is gorgeous. When you’re ready.”
Ryan grins, offering Isabel his phone so she can put the number in.
Ryan: “But does she like mozzarella sticks?”
Pete speaks up from around a mouthful of nachos.
Pete: “Fucking everyone likes mozzarella sticks.”
The chatter dies away again as the puck drops for period three.
Post Game Show
High fives abound around the table as the Canadiens pick up the win on the ice and the waitress drops off the checks.
Pete: “Good game.”
Ryan: “Great game.”
Isabel: “The bleu, blanc et rouge won, I’m satisfied.”
Ashley: “Two pounds of wings, half an order of mozzarella sticks and almost half the nachos. I’d hope you’d be satisfied.”
Isabel: “Cheat day, gotta take advantage. Ryan, lovely to meet you. I’ll text Melanie later, let her know you’re gonna reach out about training. Pete, it was great to see you.”
Isabel leans over, giving Ashley a little hug.
Isabel: “Do this again and I will go full Mrs. Robinson on Pete’s little cousin.”
Ashley: “You’re bluffing.”
Isabel: “I already followed him on Insta. Love ya.”
Isabel gives a wave and a grin as she turns to leave, the guys waving back as Ashley fumes at the table as we fade out.