RYKO 1: Hardcore Idolatry
Sept 24, 2023 2:56:13 GMT
Post by Nana Productions on Sept 24, 2023 2:56:13 GMT
2022
Clack, clack, clack. Slowly but surely the heated drink case refills with coffee and tea. This time of night it's the only sound to be heard in the 7-11. Might as well be haunted. Spirits would in fact be only the second scariest entity here. The scariest? She's the one methodically restocking the warm beverages.
Ding-dong! Riko cranes her head up just enough to spy the entrance. This being the first customer she's seen in a couple hours, customer service mode kicks in hard.
Riko: <Welcome in!>
Despite Riko's big smile, the woman waves politely before scooping up a basket. Riko hunches down to attend to the drinks case again. Minutes pass, her mind wanders. That is, the sound of a basket touching down on the counter catches her attention. The smile's plastered back on as she side steps out to see the woman standing there. With an empty basket.
Nana: <That's a nice scar.>
Riko's hand reaches up to the side of her head to hide it.
Riko: <This? It's nothing.>
Nana leans over the counter.
Nana: <Says the girl who decked another idol.>
Riko's smile morphs into a dubious frown.
Riko: <Look, I don't know who you are but->
Nana: <Let me fix that.>
She hands over a business card with a pair of 7s on it. The name below? Nana Tsukina. Riko's eyes shoot up from the card on disbelief.
Nana: <I know who you are, Razor Riko. Or I guess I should say Nantoka Riko-san.>
Is she here to start trouble? Riko immediately picks up a pen, clutching it tight in case she needs to gouge out an eye.
Riko: <You've got it wrong, Tsukina-san. I'm not those girls. I'm just Riko of the 4-chome 7-11.>
Nana grins in response.
Nana: <But you can be so much more. Let me ask you this, 7-11 Riko, are you happy with this?>
She makes a sweeping motion of the store.
Riko: <It's money.>
Nana: <But what if you could make more money doing things you love? You belong on a stage, not behind this counter.>
Riko starts clicking the pen over and over as she attempts to discern what Nana's game is.
Riko: <Maybe. But I closed that door when I showed that bitch whose stage it was.>
Nana: <What are you thinking of using that pen for?>
Riko stares down at it.
Riko: <Guess I was thinking this nosey woman's eye socket has a bit too much eye in it.>
Nana grins winder.
Nana: <So Razor Riko is still in there. Good. You have talent, Riko-san, and I need talent. I'm starting something big that's going to change the world. And I need girls who can both sing and dance and break someone's nose. I need you.>
Riko raises an eyebrow. The pen clicking continues unabated.
Riko: <Oh yeah? What the hell kind of project is it?>
Nana pulls a piece of paper out and slides it across the counter. At the top it reads 'talent contract'.
Nana: <Use that pen to sign this instead and I'll show you.>
*****
The Present
RYKO tugs at the banner repeatedly, finally freeing it after a few belabored attempts. As it flutters back into place her new reality is on full display. There in big bold pastels is the 7-7 logo of Nana Productions. A smirk crosses her lips at the sight.
Nana: <It looks great, doesn’t it RYKO-chan? We’ve come a long way from basement dive bars and converted warehouses. >
RYKO: <I guess. We definitely didn’t have that before.>
She motions to the TV camera set up against the wall.
Nana: <Exactly! Nana Productions is moving up in the world. You ready?>
RYKO gingerly side steps over to the masking tape ‘x’ on the floor. A pause, then she brushes some hair behind her ear and nods. Back at center stage, she’s got to look her best.
RYKO: <Let’s do it.>
Nana counts down with her fingers; 3, 2, 1.. Showtime!
RYKO: Hello, my name is RYKO. Welcome.. To.. HARDCORE IDOLATRY!
She claps excitedly, her smile bright as she somehow nails the English she’s painstakingly practiced.
Nana: I hate that title.
Nana’s tone is barely above a whisper. Undeterred, RYKO presses on.
RYKO: <Thanks for joining me for our first episode on GRBG! Please cheer me on as I bring smiles and pain to the world. I appreciate your support.>
Her hands wind up on her hips as she continues.
RYKO: <It’s my first time in the UK. I’ve heard it rains a lot here, and it’s not hot or humid either. But that’s OK, because the action in the ring is going to be plenty hot enough!>
That smile grows wider and a little wicked.
RYKO: <I get to team up with Insane Fortune for my TV debut. They’re a happy couple, which is great and all. But lately they haven’t had much fortune. Losing to a team that doesn’t get along which has a salaryman as a member? The only thing that should be lost when a salaryman and a performer meet is the salaryman’s money lost to the performer!>
RYKO suddenly throws up a thumbs up.
RYKO: <But that’s OK, because my teammates just need more of the insane part. And that’s what I’m here for. The three British fighters we’re up against have probably seen everything normal in the ring. But they haven’t seen anyone like me. They can’t predict what I’m going to do, because sometimes even I don’t know what that is. But I can predict one thing: Insane Fortune Plus RYKO will cause insane misfortune to our opponents tonight. We’re getting the win, and that’s a RYKO Promise.>
She does a cute double peace sign pose, yet her smile turns dark for just a moment.
RYKO: <Let’s kill it out there!>
RYKO: <Let’s kill it out there!>