Chamber Match

[The Matt]

1 of 2
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October 20th, 2025
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
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Under Attack is coming up November 2nd and The Woman Scorned is grateful for her run of good luck. Not only does she not have to participate in Shot of Adrenaline for this particular event, but she gets to return to what she knows best, she gets to return to the environment where she feels most at home; the violence of no holds barred affairs. In this case, she was invited by her favorite friend (enemy, frenemey?) Konrad Raab to participate in the Chamber Match as part of his retirement tour. It may not be officially Underground Rules but it may as well be, seeing as the Chamber Matches are infamous for their violence and danger. You can only be eliminated by pin or submission. This is important to Kimberly for two reasons; first, Konrad is a friend of hers and with his retirement imminent, she does not want to let him down. If he wants violence, she wants to give it to him in full force. Second, The Woman Scorned knows that a victory here in this Chamber Match could easily put her back in line for a future opportunity at the SCW Underground Championship.

The drive curved through a dense corridor of oak and elm, their bare October branches clawing at the evening sky. A chill mist clung low to the ground, softening the edges of the world and making the black iron gates of the Athenian Fellowship’s estate seem like the mouth of some ancient creature about to swallow her whole. Kimberly Williams leaned forward in her seat as the car slowed, her green eyes narrowing behind tortoiseshell glasses. The gates swung open with a slow, mechanical grace, and she caught her first full glimpse of the mansion beyond the fog; a sprawling Georgian structure of pale stone and dark, brooding windows. The tires crunched over gravel, echoing up the long, tree-lined drive. The building loomed larger with every passing second. It was elegant in the way of things that knew they had nothing to prove: tall Corinthian columns, ivy climbing unchecked along its walls, lanterns burning faintly along the veranda despite the dim daylight. Kimberly caught her reflection in the car’s window as it pulled to a stop before the front steps. Her fiery red hair, wild even in its restraint, glowed like embers against the muted gray of her wool coat. Her lips, painted a decisive crimson, curved slightly as if she were quietly amused by something only she knew. She was here under false pretenses, and the danger of that was a kind of intoxication all its own.

The door opened, and the cold evening air met her like a challenge. The scent of pine and wet stone filled her lungs as she stepped out, her heeled boots crunching on the gravel drive. Before her, the mansion’s entrance loomed: a set of polished mahogany doors framed by carved stone figures, statues of Greek philosophers, each weathered by decades of New England storms. Their marble eyes seemed to watch her approach. Two servants waited at the top of the steps, dressed in black tailcoats and immaculate white gloves. They didn’t speak, merely inclined their heads in silent greeting. A third, a younger man with silver hair slicked neatly back, emerged from the shadows within the doorway. His posture was that of someone accustomed to old traditions, spine straight, hands clasped behind his back, expression unreadable. Kimberly climbed the steps, her movements deliberate. Every detail here seemed curated for the performance. She had already successfully infiltrated this organization, an organization completely engulfed in secrecy. Some thought it was merely a harmless club full of wealthy individuals throughout the community. Others suspected that this was a secret society and had many wild conspiracy theories surrounding its existence. The Woman Scorned knew better. The wild conspiracy theories are not true but this isn’t a harmless organization, either. The FBI and Massachusetts state authorities tried to infiltrate this organization once before utilizing Bart Jones, Kimberly’s grandfather. In honor of her grandfather, Kim intends to find out and close this case.

The double doors opened without a sound, revealing an interior that might have belonged to a European museum. The air smelled faintly of cedar and candle wax. A vast chandelier of crystal and bronze cast shifting patterns of light across the marble floor. Oil paintings lined the walls, portraits of men in powdered wigs, landscapes depicting ancient ruins, mythological scenes rendered in dramatic chiaroscuro. The decor was an artful mixture of intellect and opulence, every object chosen to evoke both learning and power. A servant approached, gesturing politely toward a stand where she might leave her coat.

“Your coat, Ms. Williams?”

“Uh, yeah, sure!”

Kimberly hesitated just long enough to let her eyes wander over the foyer. The staircase rose in a sweeping curve to a balcony. A grandfather clock ticked solemnly in one corner, its brass pendulum swaying like the heartbeat of the house itself. She handed over her coat, revealing a tailored emerald dress beneath it, simple but commanding. She hates dressing up like this, but she felt it necessary to keep up the appearances. She cannot afford to let anyone know her true intentions and motivations.

“Ya know, I’m kinda surprised you guys are still here!” Kim exclaims, grinning from ear to ear. “I mean, do Camilla and Grant pay you boys to just sit around and twiddle your thumbs all day?”

“We are paid by The Athenian Fellowship directly, Ms. Williams.” One servant, apparently the head servant, replies. “Ms. Aldridge and Mr. Vito do not pay us.”

“So what are you boys doing here tonight?” Kim asks curiously. “I mean, there’s no one else here but you. You boys could throw a party, invite some prostitutes, get some booze, no one in the Fellowship would even know…except me, obviously, because I just gave you the idea…”

“We are here to maintain the upkeep of the estate.” He says dryly.

“Oh, so you have boring lives!”

“You say so.”

“So are you guys members of the Fellowship or employees?” Kim asks curiously. “And if you are employees does that mean you work for any member?”

“Yes, we work for The Fellowship itself.” He responds. “And yes, we answer to any member, within reason.”

“Oh goodie!” Kim claps her hands happily. “I want a pony!”

“A pony?”

“Yes! Go get me a pony!” Kim nods her head furiously. “I’m sure on an estate this damn big you have stables with horses. Get me a pony, or a horse, either one!”

“We do not have stables, Ms. Williams.”

“Well darn.” Kim frowns with disappointment. “What kind of wealthy people are you?”

“Is there anything else we can do for you, Ms. Williams?”

“Do you have any enriched uranium?” Kim asks cheerfully. “I know a pudgy little guy with a bad haircut in North Korea who probably needs some.”

“We do not have any enriched uranium.” The servant says dryly.

“Do you guys have anything fun?”

“We are not here for fun, Ms. Williams.”

“That much is obvious.” Kim snickers. “Anyway, on a serious note, why don’t you boys take me to the library?”

“The library?” The servant asks, arching his brow. Kim nods her head.

“Yes, the LIBRARY.” Kim answers back with emphasis. “This is The Athenian Fellowship, an organization based on wisdom and all that crap. I wanna get wise by catching up on my reading.”

“Very well.” The servant sighs.

The servants moved with quiet efficiency, guiding her deeper into the mansion. Their footsteps made almost no sound on the polished floor. The Woman Scorned followed them, a smirk etched across her face. Somewhere beyond the walls, she could hear faint music, an old piano, perhaps, playing a melody that might have been centuries old. They led her down a corridor lined with busts and tapestries, each more ornate than the last. The air grew warmer as they walked, and the light dimmer, until only the soft glow of wall sconces illuminated their path. Kimberly’s curiosity sharpened with each step.

At last, they reached another set of heavy doors, this time carved with the image of Athena herself; owl perched on her shoulder, spear in hand, her expression one of cool, eternal judgment. Kimberly’s reflection stared back faintly in the polished bronze handle. She could see the faint tension in her own jaw, the steadiness in her eyes. One of the servants moved forward, pulling the door open with deliberate ceremony. A wash of golden light spilled out, carrying with it the scent of brandy and old paper. Kimberly took one slow breath and stepped across the threshold. The doors closed behind her with a soft, final click.

“Finally, I’m alone.” Kim muses out loud to herself. “Now it’s time to find out what this old Athenian Fellowship is really up to!”

This library is massive with tons of books lining bookshelves galore. The Woman Scorned quickly goes to work scouring this impressive library. She knows what she is looking for, she just isn’t certain where she will find it. The last time she was in this library she overheard Camilla Aldridge and Grant Vito, the leaders of this organization, talking about how dangerous they think Kimberly could be to their plan, but they never mentioned any specific detailed. Later Kim would track down a detective that worked with her grandfather on the case. According to the detective, they had suspicions that Camilla, Grant, and perhaps all of the Fellowship, had connections to organized crime. Eventually the FBI and Massachusetts state authorities threw them off the case.

Kimberly first goes to a bookshelf that seems to contain nothing but science textbooks, as if they were taken straight out of a college classroom. That in and of itself is odd to The Woman Scorned. Why buy up a bunch of college science textbooks? She scans the titles written across the spine of each book until something even stranger catches her eye. She reaches for a book but stops in her tracks when she hears the door opening up again. Kim considers hiding, like she did last time, but it becomes obvious that it is too late to hide. She’s been caught.

“Kimberly!”

The Woman Scorned recognizes this voice; it belongs to Camilla Aldridge, the woman who first introduced her to The Athenian Fellowship. Williams turns around to face Camilla, spotting her as she walks in, shutting the door behind her. Aldridge is wearing an all white outfit, including a suit and business skirt with high heeled pumps. Her sharp dressed attire is complete with fancy pearls, bracelets on each wrist, and gold earrings. Aldridge is the type of woman who enjoys showing off her wealth. She also enjoys wearing the finest of perfume, and Kimberly can smell it from across the room. Williams smiles as Camilla walks with a purpose, her heels clicking across the wooden floor towards The Woman Scorned.

“It’s funny seeing you here!” Kim remarks, hoping that she can fool Camilla, hoping that this woman isn’t suspicious of her. Camilla chuckles softly.

“Oh Kimberly, why wouldn’t I be here?” She asks. “This estate belongs to the Fellowship and this library is available to any member of the Fellowship at any time.” She places a hand on Kim’s shoulder. “I am glad to see that you are making good use of it.”

“Oh, uh yeah, of course!” Kim smirks knowingly. “I’m in the science section hoping to find a good chemistry book. Y’know, maybe I can help some local teenage delinquents build a bomb?”

“I always loved your humor, Kimberly.” Camilla answers. “That’s why I wanted you to be a part of this organization. Your humor is rather endearing.”

“Oh yeah?” Kim smirks. “I keep getting told that I’m annoying. In fact, recently you’ve seemed a little annoyed with my humor.”

“Everything has its proper time and place.” Camilla says, smiling warmly. “Humor also has its proper time and place. The humor of yours that you used against Karen Lannister, running her out of town, oh that was absolutely beautiful. Furthermore, it was the perfect time and place. Do you understand?”

“I think so.” Kim nods her head. “My humor is good whenever it annoys people you hate.”

“Not exactly, but close enough.” Camilla answers. “The truth is, Kimberly, that your humor does endear you to many people. I found myself attracted to you thanks to what you did to Karen…”

“Attracted to me?” Kim smirks. “I already have a boyfriend…”

“Not attracted in THAT way.” Camilla’s voice starts to grow frustrated. She sighs and shakes her head. “See? This is what I am talking about. There is a time and a place for everything but now is not the time nor the place. What you do in front of the cameras for the people, yes, that is an appropriate time for your humor and your eccentricities.”

“Oh, I love the big words!”

“BUT…” Camilla says, quickly interrupting her “...you are now part of something big, bigger than yourself. You are a member of The Athenian Fellowship. And you DO remind me a great deal of your grandfather, a former member himself…”

“Oh I hope that’s a compliment!” Kim snickers.

“It is…he was a very smart man, Bart Jones. But he, like you, had a twisted sense of humor that often got him into trouble. He didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut and it would cost him his spot in the Fellowship.” There is a hint of a veiled threat in Camilla’s voice. Kim’s smile disappears and she narrows her gaze at her.

“What are you saying, Cammy?”

“I am just saying that you should watch yourself.” Camilla states bluntly. “I am proud of you for joining this organization. Stay loyal and you will be rewarded. I have had people approach me with concerns about you, namely Grant.”

“Oh is the big bossman upset with me?” Kim smirks.

“He is…concerned.” Camilla states. “But I assured him you will be a good, loyal member. I assured him you would be a valuable asset. But he wants me to speak to you to ensure that you know your role. You are in a privileged position, Kimberly, do not screw this up the same way your grandfather did.”

Yes, this was definitely a threat. The Queen of the Death Match is not one to take threats lightly. Still, she is here on a mission. She is here for infiltration, to find out information, and she is very close to learning the secrets of The Athenian Fellowship. She cannot afford to risk it now. She has to maintain her cover. The Woman Scorned nods her head.

“Yeah, I get you, Cammy.”

“Good.” Camilla turns around and starts to walk away. “Enjoy your time in the fellowship.”

“Will do!” Kim playfully salutes. “Gonna catch up on some reading!”

“Good idea.”

With that, Camilla Aldridge exits the library. Once Kimberly is certain that she is once again alone in this grand library she turns her attention back to what had caught her attention earlier; the bookshelf, and the one lone book that seems out of place on this bookshelf full of science textbooks: Alice in Wonderland. What exactly is a work of fiction doing here on a bookshelf full of college science textbooks? Yes, it could easily be a simple mistake. Yes, the Fellowship easily could have just misplaced it. But as orderly as they are, Kimberly finds that highly doubtful.

She takes the book off of the shelf and goes over to a comfortable leather cushioned chair. Williams sits down, crosses her legs, and opens the book. She flips through the pages slowly, scanning them, looking for anything within that might seem out of place. Just then she sees it. In the center there is a loose piece of paper. It is meant to look like a bookmark but she takes it and looks at it closer. A smirk forms on her face.

“Gotcha…” Kimberly says with a note of victory in her voice. She found what she needed. She found the evidence against this organization. She found their plot.

Camilla Aldridge and Grant Vito, perhaps even the entire Fellowship, are pushing illegal drugs.