Under the Influence

[Guest Tonights Highlite]

I wrote this for before Smarkdown, but damnit, I completely forgot about it while speeding to get my horribly rushed match in. It's short but WC did that little blurb in the Holt so I may as well post it.

=====

 

"Driving while under the influence -- reckless endangerment? Does that ring a bell?"

 

Ryan just stares at him without so much as an eyelash batting. It's clear he doesn't seem to understand just what his actions entail. Well, he'll get set straight, ASAP. Alex Zenon has a point to make and it's getting made right now.

 

"I don't get it. Do you understand that you couldn't make a dark match because you were in jail!?" Dustin looks down, as if finally getting the jist of this meeting, but Alex needs to make sure this is getting through. "JAIL!" he shouts, repeating just for the sake of repeating. "Your lucky they plea bargained you down to community service because that can atleast be spun into something favorable..."

 

"Spun?" notes Ryan, going from pensieve to indignant in the blink of an eyelash. "Since when did my life become the wheel of fortune?"

 

"I could fire you smartass--I would fire you. No, I should fire you, but, with Genesis looming I can't aford to lose any talent." At this Ryan countenance lightens, duely noted by Alex. "Yes, you're talented... you can connect with the crowd. There's no denying you got their respect with that Hardcore title match, which is why I pulled you from the division. But if I knew you'd end up like this..."

 

Alex waves a hand dismissively.

 

"I'm dealing with too many problems--way too many, in fact--to have you giving me trouble. I'd swear you haven't even spoken to anyone working in the SWF, minus me, unless you're busy chasing their skirt. Do you even have a fucking friend, other than a bottle of alcohol?"

 

A long pause.

 

"That's not a rhetorical question. Do you, or, do you not, have a fucking friend other than a bottle of alcohol."

 

Alex waits for a response. And waits, as Ryan seems to ponder this statement.

 

"They all--the boys I mean--seem a little too young... besides, I don't make friends easily. Trust issues, you see." adds Ryan with a smirk, the sardonic nature of his statement oozing through. "And it's a lot easier to talk to a bottle. Bit less mouthy than your wife and more understanding than your average conversationalist."

 

"Trust issues? You know what?" Zenon rubs his forehead. He thought this was going somewhere, but obviously it isn't. "Do whatever you want, as long as you make the damn shows. Personal problems are just that. Personal. I have to deal with Mark, and -- and, well, don't you worry about what I have to deal with. You need to get over this, whatever it is. Move on. Deal. Or else." yells Alex, through with Dustin and just fed up in general. "Hell, it doesn't matter. Get out. Now."

 

Ryan does as he's told, turning and walking out the door on command. Besides, he has more important issues to deal with... like how he's going to win this elimination match.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

Isn't what you asked me to write?

[Guest Tonights Highlite]

You did good, I just botched posting my promo on time.