PROMO: Away

[Guest Longdogger_Pete]

(This is the first of a series.  Comments are always welcome.)

 

Peter MacDougal, better known as Longdogger Pete, cruised north on Interstate 95 in southern Florida with the top down in his black 1998 Ford Mustang convertible.  The Mustang wasn't necessarily a dream car, but Pete had bought the car as a gift to himself when he had inked his first IGNJL contract over a year ago, and it had faithfully served its purposes ever since.  Traffic was light this Wednesday afternoon, and Pete hoped to reach Orlando International Airport in just a couple more hours, with little in the way of delays or interruptions.  "The Last Stop" by the Dave Matthews Band blared through the speakers, programmed from Pete's CD player, apparently from one of their live albums.

 

A ringing sound interrupted his thoughts, and he scowled as he picked up his cell phone, turning the volume down on his music just as he pressed the Talk button.  He hadn't expected any phone calls and, honestly, had been hoping not to receive any.  "Hello?"

 

"Hi, Pete," greeted the female voice on the other end.  "It's Syd."

 

Pete permitted himself a smile.  He never minded talking to his friend and former protege, Sydney Sky.  "Hello, Sydney.  What are you up to?"

 

"Just calling to check in on you," Sydney replied.  "And to remind you that you haven't congratulated me yet."

 

"Congratulated?"

 

With some excitement in her voice, Sydney continued.  "I'm the new SJL World Champion!"

 

"Hey, that's great!" Pete answered.  "It's about time.  And well deserved, I'm sure."

 

"Well, I'd be lying if I said it'll be easy hanging on to it.  But that's another story.  Your vacation time is just about up, isn't it, Pete?  What are you doing next?"

 

"Yeah, my vacation's done," Pete replied.  "Actually, I'm on my way to the airport right now.  I've been booked for a two week tour in Japan."

 

"Japan?"  Sydney seemed surprised.  "That's a long way off."

 

"Yeah," groaned Pete.  "I'm taking a flight to Atlanta, with a connection to L.A., and then from there, I fly all night to Tokyo.  Not fun."

 

"Well, I'm sure the Japanese will be grateful," said Sydney.  "Have a good trip, okay?  Give me a call when you get back."

 

"I will.  Goodbye, Sydney."  Pete hung up the phone and quickly shifted his full concentration back on the road.

 

Not five minutes later, the phone rang again.  Pete audibly groaned as he picked it up one more time.  "Hello?"

 

"Pete?" said the voice on the other end.  "Is that you?  It's Stubby McWeed."

 

Pete took a deep breath.  The commissioner of the SWF was probably the last person Pete wanted to speak to at that time.  Nevertheless, he was Pete's current employer.  "Yeah, what's up?"

 

"Hey, Pete, some chick keeps calling my office looking for you.  Abby something or other.  I told her to buzz off, but she was pretty persistent.  Do you know her?"

 

Abby?  Pete sighed.  There was a name he hadn't heard in some time.  "Yeah, I know her.  She's my ex-wife.  Thanks, Stubby.  I'll take care of it."

 

Stubby broke the connection then, hanging up without even a verbal acknowledgement.  Typical.  Pete shrugged and dialed information.

 

"What city, please?" asked a computerized operator's voice.

 

"Fort Lauderdale," Pete replied.

 

"What listing?"

 

"Abigail McDougal."

 

"One moment."  After a few seconds, the computer helpfully provided the number, and Pete pressed the button to dial directly.

 

After four rings, a female voice picked up on the other end.  "Hello?"

 

"Abby?  Abby, it's Pete."

 

"Pete?" Abby's voice went up a couple octaves with excitement upon hearing Pete.  "Pete, I've been trying to get a hold of you for days!  They said you were away."

 

"Yeah, I was on vacation.  What's going on?  I haven't spoken to you in--hell, it must have been--"

 

"Fourteen years this August," Abby answered.  Damn, thought Pete.  She had kept track?

 

"Yeah," Pete confirmed.  "Do you need something?"

 

"Yes," said Abby.  "I wondered if you'd be able to come see me soon.  It's important."

 

"That would be very difficult," replied Pete.  "I've just used my vacation time, and I have a big tour coming up.  You're asking me to take another trip home. Why is it you want to see me?"

 

"Well, I... I didn't want to get into it on the phone."

 

"Abby, if you want me to head all the way back to Florida, you'd better let me know what it is I'm going down there for."

 

"All right... well, it's... it's about your son.  He wants to meet you."

 

"My what?"  Pete, utterly shocked, dropped the phone.  He bent down quickly to retrieve the cell phone, and in doing so, lost control of his car.  The Mustang suddenly swerved to the right, speeding out of control.  Pete quickly tried to right the vehicle, but to his horror he discovered that the pedals all seemed to be locked into place.  Within seconds the car had driven off the highway, where it quickly slammed head on into a steel guardrail.  Pete was thrown forward from the driver's seat.  His head hit the steering wheel hard, and his last passing thought was to wonder why the driver's side air bags didn't engage upon impact, and then he lost consciousness.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

There's a Shortdogger Pete?  Wicked.  Nice promo, Pete.  Screw "Japan tours."  Come back HERE.

[Guest midnight_burn]

Heh, Shortdogger Pete.

 

A very nice promo, i definately like it.

[Guest Thoth]

Holy CRAP that was good.  Great flow, great twist at the end.

[Guest crusen86]

Now that's why you can't use mobiles in cars. Ace promo.

[Guest Insanityman]

I saw you were my match marker so I decided to read this. . Seriously that NICE promo. I knew something big was up when she wanted to get a hold, nice flow and a cool swerve at the end (oh the pun). Can't wait to see what will happen now.

 

(Shortdogger Pete, heh least it's not as bad as having the name Dick Puffer... my dad does know a guy by that).

[Guest Ash Ketchum]

Wow... tha was the shit, Pete.

 

Keep it up, dude. Hope to see ya back in wrasslin' action soon.

 

XF9 4 Life (well, at least until I make it into MC, one day, hopefully...)