PROMO: Welcome Back!

[Vasarian_Brandy 0]

I noticed things weren't quite the same as I arrived at the venue of the next SWF show, All Hallows Eve. I'd forgotten exactly where the Galen Center was in LA... But remembered the building.

 

I was standing before that same building again.

 

"How the mighty have fallen," I murmured to myself as I crossed the lot to the doors. My credentials and everything were already waiting for me at the security desk, which I had hoped for... But found oddly suspiscious and... All-too convenient? It was a very weird feeling to have, considering I'd been on the lines with SWF upper management the last few days, thanks to a game company in England.

 

Eh. It was just things in my head, I was sure. I walked into the arena, and saw it was setting up to be an up-close-and-personal affair for the WFers. Galen Center is the USC Trojans' basketball arena... And as such, only holds about 10,000 people. I'd caught up to speed as much as I could on the state of the SWF, and it was... Not good. It explained the 'intimate' settings, and the lack of shows. They'd be lucky to pull 8,000 in here on Halloween.

 

And it was kind of sad, really.

 

When I'd left the business last time, things were looking up. New advertising deals had been signed, new talent came in, new management. But, apparently, someone somewhere along the line 'pissed it all away'. I think a man named Peters had something to do with that, but... As it was, the SWF was again under a new banner...

 

And the guidon of said banner was coming down the hall.

 

"Chris! Chris Fury!" Landon Maddix... The newest commshioner of the SWF, quickly strode down the hall my way. He was all grins, like a kid in the candy store. However, the young woman tailing him looked like the older sister, disappointed and mildly disgusted in her brother's exuberance. He reached me in few strides, shaking my hand... Over-eagerly. Alarm bells were going off in my head, but... I said I'd see this through.

 

"Mister Maddix..."

 

"Landon."

 

"Hmm?"

 

"Landon... Please... Mister Maddix seems so... Stuffy... I like to be approchable by the wrestlers." He flashed a grin, which seemed way too big for his face.

 

A doorbell rang in my mind... Followed by a pause, and a voice saying, "Land Shark". It was spooky.

 

"Alright... Landon... Pleasure to meet you." He shook my hand again, then a 'harumph' from the background... Coming from a woman none-too-pleased with neglect.

 

"OH! Right... Chris, this is Megan Skye, my cohort in all affairs SWF." I reached over to meet Megan's hand... Her shake was firm, cool confidence seemed to radiate off her.

 

"A pleasure to finally meet you." I nodded. It was pretty quickly evident who was the brains of the outfit. Landon grinned once more.

 

"Unfortunately I have a lot of things to get to, so I'll let Megan here handle the particulars. Heh... She's more the brains of the outfit right at the moment as is."

 

Wow... News flash there, junior.

 

"So... I'll say my good-byes now..." He shook my hand again. It was like he was in a political training course. "Welcome back, Chris... And good luck!"

 

I'm sorry... What? He had turned and already bolted out the door before I could open my mouth to question that choice of words.

 

"If you'd come this way," Megan said, not a hint of confusion in her voice, "we''ll get you into the system, square your paperwork up, and get you ready."

 

Again, the choice of words was causing me some issues. But I knew that I had to see the contract they drew up for me before I asked too much, or got too committed. We walked a little ways to the administrative section of the Center, where SWF had been put up. It was functional, if austere, I hesitated at the doorway, having a few... Shall we say, 'none-too-pleasant' memories of talking to people in charge of the SWF when contracts were involved. Megan noted my hesitation, and flashed me a sincere smile.

 

"Come in, the water's fine." I shook my head, breaking the threshold into the office.

 

One foot into committment.

 

"I can understand your trepidation," she was stating as she rifled through some files. "Please, sit." I had a seat at the nearby table as she continued. "We all had our issues with Joe Peters... But you have to understand there was a good with the bad." I nodded, because I really -did- understand. He saved the franchise with some very lucrative and shrewd business practices.

 

He just didn't give a damn about the people in his employ.

 

"You guys seem to be doing alright without him." Megan scoffed softly as she pulled out a manilla folder.

 

"We were for a bit. But... Things have gotten rough. Sponsorships pulled, money tight. I never thought Disney was a good fit anyway..."

 

Oh that must've been a story. She opened up the folder, pulling out a pen, and placed them in front of me.

 

"But... Despite all that, we're trying to do good for our people. Go ahead and look that over... It's last-minute, but I think you'll understand how committed we are to the workers and trying to get the SWF back to where it was in years past." I pursed my lips as I read the documents, determined to find out for myself if her statement rang true. It was a very standard, basic contract; easily worded, basic royalties, insurance, blah blah blah... Advertisements and endorsements encouraged for the benefit of the company, but not required... Nice. Especially after my last contract... Everything else was standard, but offered me a good bit of leeway and control over things... The salary was the least of my concerns. It didn't look like anyone was trying to snowjob me. I picked up the pen with a nod.

 

"More than fair." I signed in the appropo spots, and a smile of relief cast across the co-commish's face.

 

"I'm glad," she said happily as she took the materials back. "We need talent like yours something bad right now, so we're trying to make things as easy and right as possible. I'll get you a copy of this as soon as we get you settled in... We'll need to clear you through Andrea Montgomery, our head med tech... Then I'll show you the locker rooms, staging area, workout gym so you can get ready for Wednesday..."

 

It was right about then, as she was heading out the door, that my mind went full-blown Red Alert. And the klaxons must've been loud, because she stopped and turned back.

 

"Is something wrong?"

 

"Yeah... It almost sounds like y'all are looking for me to wrestle at this All Hallows Eve event?" The confusion on her face was intense... So much so, I almost felt bad.

 

"In fact, yes! We have you opening the card!" Her exclamation wasn't one directed towards belittling or chiding me, but one of puzzlement. "I thought... I... Oh... Landon!" She hissed his name, part spiteful, but mostly in non-surprise and disappointment. She instantly reached for her phone, pushing a few buttons...

 

"I'll put him on speaker, and we'll get this solved." She pursed her lips as the ring came through the speakers...

 

Again...

 

Ag...

 

"Yeah, Meg... What's up?" She winced slightly.

 

"Uhm... Landon? Did you forget to tell Chris that he was wrestling at All Hallows Eve?" There was a silence on the other of the end of the phone, but the line was still open.

 

A silence that lasted several moments before...

 

"Land..."

 

"Oh! My bad! Heh... Yeah, I figured he could lead off the night. Knock off the rust before we throw him in full-time." It was my turn to wince.

 

"Landon, you realize you gave me all of 2 days to prep, right?"

 

"Oh hey, Chris! Yeah, I know... Sorry about that, but with all the prep work and all... It's too late to back the match off the card now. But I've seen your work, and I'm sure you'll be fine! Anyway, I have to concentrate on the road... Bye!" And with a click, he was gone. Megan and I looked at each other, and she shook her head.

 

"I'm -so- sorry," she started, but I held up a hand with a sigh.

 

"Not your fault... Or his, for that matter... Just wants to play a card he's dealt, I guess." I stood up, heading for the door.

 

"I'll need a screening room, tape of my opponent, and that tour." And as Megan led the way, I almost chuckled to myself.

 

"Welcome back to the SWF."