PROMO: Creative Control

[Vasarian_Brandy 0]

The morning after the SWF pulled into San Francisco, I wake in my hotel room, feeling in relative good shape compared to past “the morning after” moments. Sure, the loss on Lockdown still stings, but my body isn’t using pain to overly protest some of the more basic things of life this time around.

 

Like breathing.

 

I roll out of bed, rubbing the lingering sleep from my eyes, and shuffle across the room. Today I figure on going over to Alcatraz, maybe seeing about making a day trip to Tahoe, or hitting up the Monterey Aquarium... But something catches the corner of my vision, sending electrical impulses throughout my nerves, which then connect with certain centers in my brain, creating an emotional response. Several, in fact.

 

Annoyance. Curiosity. Hunger... Oh wait, that’s the ‘stomach-brain’ talking. But underneath it all...

 

A low, pulsing sense of dread.

 

A dread that pulses with the beat of the “Message Waiting” light on the room’s single phone.

 

There’s no individual that I can fathom that would know the number to my room.

 

Only the whole of the SWF could find out easily.

 

I walk over, picking up the phone, and dialing the unnecessarily long sequence of codes I was given to check messages. My hope is that someone dialed the wrong room. I can hope.

 

But, upon listening to the message, that hope lies dashed on some rocks in the Bay like a hapless group of water molecules.

 

“Mister Peters needs to speak with you. As soon as possible.”

 

Guess the fish at the aquarium will have to wait.

 

**********

 

Striding through the under-corridors of the Cow Palace, I seek my destination with a mild sense of anxiety and a healthy dose of trepidation. I hadn’t really talked to the boss since my return, but... From what I’ve seen so far, especially from yesterday’s show, he’s a risk-taker, looking to charge up the business and the fans... But he’s not a man to cross, as “Judge” Hearford found out post-show.

 

Turning the corner, I see the place I need to go. A simple door, with a simple plaque:

 

/---------------------\

|+--The Offices of:--+|

||SWF General Manager||

|+-Mr. Joseph Peters-+|

\---------------------/

 

A take a slow, steadying breath... Then open the door. A simple ‘pre-office’ greets me as I pass the threshold. I look around, and the boss’ secretary catches my attention while she talks on her hands-free set, writing some information on a notepad. She motions towards another, slightly more ornate door, flashing a smile. I get the message, nodding, then walking to it...

 

KNOCK

 

KNOCK

 

KNOCK...

 

A pause...

 

“This had better be important!”

 

Hoo’boy. I open the door, and step in.

 

“Good morning, Mister Peters... I believe you wanted to see me?” The aforementioned Peters looks up from a folder on his desk, and the slight annoyance that was evident on his face melts away.

 

“Ahh, Fury... Chris, right?” I give a brief nod.

 

“Good, good... Please, Chris. Have a seat.” He motions to a chair nearby, which I settle into.

 

“Thanks for seeing me, Chris... I didn’t mess up any plans for your morning, did I?” I shake my head.

 

“No, Mister Peters... I got your secretary’s message after I woke up, and came straight over.” He chuckles, shaking his head.

 

“Please, Chris... Call me Joseph.” That didn’t sit well with me, but...

 

“Alright... Joseph.” The boss grins.

 

“How’s the return going?” Now I know damn well he’s been watching the shows. But... Well, ice breakers are ice breakers.

 

“It could’ve been better, Joseph. But, I have confidence.” He nods slowly.

 

“That’s good. We have confidence in you as well... That’s why you were one of the names we wanted in the Cruiserweight Championship talk.”

 

“Thanks for that.” I try to sound sincere.

 

“Of course!” Peters smiles, seeming to be very sure of himself. “Plus, considering you’re a veteran of some fame... That’s why I wanted you to be a vital part of the Lethal Lottery.”

 

“Yes, Joseph,” I chime in. “I wanted to talk to you about that...” He raises a hand, chuckling.

 

“Yes, your ‘mystery partner’.” He leans back in his chair. “I know you, as a veteran, can handle anything we throw your way... And we had someone want to come back into the league, so... We figured it’d be an interesting way to bring them in. And don’t worry,” he grins as he sees my attempt to speak up. “This person’s a former veteran of the league themselves... A little rusty, yes. But I figure putting you both together can spur two returns at once.” I have to admit, his idea had merit.

 

“But...”

 

Uh-oh.

 

“Before we go along with that, I need to get to why I called you in to talk.” He pulls a slip of paper out of the folder he was looking at, along with a pen.

 

“You remember hearing about the new sponsorship, right?”

 

“I do. Seen the commercials.” I chuckle. “Seems like everyone’s getting into them.” Peters’ expression fading into a look of confusion, for some reason, doesn’t sit well with me.

 

“Uhm... Well, there’s a reason for that.” I cock an eyebrow as he continues on. “In order to secure the new sponsorship deals and save the shows, I needed to rework the worker contracts.”

 

“Ah... I’m sure there’s a lot of guys that were already under sponsorships.”

 

“There were more reworks than just those, though.” I look at Peters for a moment. Something is definitely not sitting right.

 

“Oh?”

 

“Yeah... In order to secure the sponsorship deals, I... Well... Needed to rework everyone’s contracts, to allow the sponsors full entitlement to our talent pool to use for their advertisements.” I let that sink in for a few moment, then let loose a chuckle.

 

“You can’t be serious, right?” His expression shifts to something significantly cooler than room temperature.

 

That tells me my answer right there.

 

“I’m very serious, Mister Fury.”

 

Grrrrreat...

 

“All of the old contracts were null and void as soon as I signed the sponsorship agreement.” His eyes are cold, and he steeples his fingers on the desk. “I know you came on very shortly after this happened, so I figured I would give you time to get settled. But now, the fans are starting to pull to you. The sponsors are thrilled, and want you to do work for them... But your new contract hasn’t been signed.” He taps the top part of the pen to the paper on the desk. “I -strongly suggest- that we rectify this... As soon as possible.” I shake my head.

 

“Look,” I say with a slight hint of confusion, tempered with vague frustration. “I appreciate your trying to keep the shows afloat. I appreciate that your new sponsors are interested in having me endorse their product lines. That’s all well and good, but...” I look him dead in the eye. “I didn’t come back to be a pawn in marketing ploys. I’m not going to be bullied into something that obviously is more for monetary purposes than it is for the business of the sport.”

 

“You don’t get a choice in the matter if you want to stick around, buster,” Peters says with a sneer. “You might be a veteran of some renown around here, but I hold your continued career in my hands.” He picks up the paper, which I see is a contract with my name on it. “If you need any more proof of that, you should ask William Hearford III, if you can find him.”

 

Alright... I changed my mind. This guy’s a heartless bastard.

 

“But... Since I’m feeling kind... And since the sponsors would like a -winner- in their midst,” he says with vaguely-hidden sniping, “I will give you 7 days to... Think about it. If you sign the new contract, then all will be well. But if not...” He slips the contract into a bin on his desk marked ‘Shred’. “Well... The choice is yours.” His voice lowers. “I think we could survive you turning your back on us again.”

 

It takes all of my will to not knock this guy’s teeth down his throat and out his ass. I stand slowly.

 

“I will not be threatened into anything, Mister Peters.” My voice hardly sounds like my own. “And I believe this meeting is over.” I turn, stalking towards the door.

 

“7 days, Fury!” Peters says, then chuckles. “Oh... Don’t you want to know who your partner is?” I turn back around to find Peters holding up a small, sealed envelope. I come back, taking the envelope, then breaking the seal. Pulling out the paper, I take a look...

 

And I feel myself go completely cold.

 

“Is this your idea of a sick joke?” Peters’ expression morphs again, resolving into one of... Sincere confusion.

 

“I’m sorry?”

 

“First you want me to sign some lame-ass contract that lets sponsors do with us what they will, bleed us dry, and now you want me to accept this partner???” My mind is a blank slate of red, like an old wound torn open to bleed. “Are you -trying- to fuck me, Peters???” He eyes me in utter shock and surprise.

 

“I have no idea what you’re-“ Suddenly, I find I’ve covered the length of the floor between the door and the desk in seemingly one step.

 

“Of course not, you heartless son of a-“

 

“I suggest you leave now, Fury... Before your exit from the SWF is even more unceremonious than your comeback thus far.” Peters’ command presence comes back with a voice like steel, and it’s the only thing that prevents me from... Doing something I could regret. I spin on my heel, and stalk through the door, slamming it behind me. Peters’ secretary looks up with a start. I look at the card again.

 

This is completely ridiculous and unbelievable.

 

But... Peters was right about one thing.

 

I don’t have much of a choice in the matter.

 

After this... Lethal Lottery... Is over, I can ditch this tandem and go back on my own.

 

The way it should be.

 

“Is there something the matter, Mister Fury?”

 

A lot more than you realize. I sigh aloud.

 

“No... Nothing’s the matter...” I start to walk towards the door back to the arena, but stop short.

 

Damn.

 

I turn back around, looking at the card in my hand one more time.

 

The things I do for the business I love.

 

“Actually... I need to see if you can get me a phone number...”

[Angel_Grace_Blue 0]

Doodle-doo!

 

Doodle-doo!

 

Mystery! Mystery!

 

Whoo! Whoo!

 

 

 

Erm, yeah...good promo, but it is kind of obvious that your partner is Exploding Chicken, man.

[Toxxic 0]

Hmm... I *think* I know why Fury's annoyed, but I'm not sure. Nice promo though - get hatin' on Peters!

[Vasarian_Brandy 0]

Hmm... I *think* I know why Fury's annoyed, but I'm not sure. Nice promo though - get hatin' on Peters!

 

(Grin) PM your guess... I'll let you know if you're close.

[Toxxic 0]

Well, put it this way. I know who your partner is, but I'm not quite sure why Fury hates the idea of his partner that much.