HD: Leon/Josie segment

[King Cucaracha 0]

Making quick work of the corridor beneath his feet, Leon Rodez is clearly in a hurry as he makes his way towards the office of the General Manager. With a quick look both ways to check the coast is clear, Leon pulls open the door and shoots in swiftly, almost bowling over a surprised Sophie Grey. There's worse people you could bump into, as evident by the apologetic smile on Leon's face.

LEON
Hey, I'm here to see Josie.

SOPHIE
Oui, redressez de cette façon.

LEON
Ooh. [i]Gracias[/i].

Leon breezes past the Affirmative Action lawyer, only realising once past her he's goofed on the wrong language, by which time it's too much of an embarrassment to go back and correct himself. So he brushes it off and carries on to the GM's desk.

LEON
Well well, long time no see!

Looking up from her paperwork, Josie sees her former acquaintance (although, not in 'that' way) shutting the door to the office rather sharply, returning the smile he gives her.

JOSIE
That it is. 

LEON
Sorry I haven't gotten around to congratulating you in person yet. But, better late than never. It's good to see you back.

The two share a handshake from over the desk.

JOSIE
Yeah, well, it's good to be back. Honestly, by the end of my last run this place was grating at my last frikkin' nerve. But I had some time away and..... yeah, it's good to be back, like I said. So, what did you want?

LEON
Honestly? Refuge.

JOSIE
I'm sorry?

LEON
You wouldn't believe how hectic things are right now.

Leon sits down opposite Josie, who looks like she's got tons of better and more pressing things to do than listen to whatever Leon has to get off his chest.

LEON
I've got Maggie on my case wanting to talk, Melody keeps trying to grab a moment with me which isn't helping, I've got Shayne and Tyler... they're like my new GPX... and they're yammering on and on about the crush they've got on Krista, who by the way happens to be the biological mother of Jade who it turns out isn't my sister but infact my niece, which I only found out about a few weeks before she did. Go figure. Now Jade's trying to be Women's Champion, then there's Zack calling favours these past couple of weeks, I've got guys hitting on my girlfriend, guys attacking me with kendo sticks, there's a cut on my head won't close up properly because it keeps getting re-opened by somebody. Seriously, who'd have thought being a wrestler would be so stressful? Just give me the chance to entertain a few thousand people, whatever I make in merchandise sales in my paycheck every month and forget the rest, you know? You know me, I'm not the kinda guy to let things get on top of me. And things like this have been happening to me since I signed with the OAOAST.

JOSIE
Like when everyone found out you used to be a pornstar?

LEON
Exactly! Granted, nobody remembers that anymore. But... I don't know, I always had something to console myself with. Family, friends, fans, titles. It's just been relentless lately...

Leon pauses for a second, then shakes it off.

LEON
Man, listen to me go on, huh? Hey, when I'm World Champion and $500,000 richer I'll be on easy street, so why even worry! Speaking of which... what's the deal with you and Moneymaker?

Looking a little taken aback at the question and what it's implying, Josie sits up.

JOSIE
There is no 'deal' between me and Moneymaker. What are you talking about?

LEON
He was the one who backed you to get the job, right?

JOSIE
Yeah, so I heard. And?

LEON
Well, let's just say Moneymaker doesn't do anything unless it benefits him. Trust me, I know. If he went to bat for you, there's a reaso...

JOSIE
Maybe it's because he wanted a pretty face to look at while he bitched about this and that. Maybe if he spoke up for me it's because even despite the bullshit I had to put up with week in and week out last time, I still did a damn good job in charge of this place! I don't know. I barely know the guy. Listen, I appreciate the advice Leon but I ain't some bimbo with half a brain, like all these Nerdly girls you seem intent on working your way through. I'm the General Manager. On my own merits. Okay? And don't take this the wrong way, but as GM I don't really have the spare time to devote to listening to your personal problems all night like I used to, so maybe find 'refuge' here some other time when I'm not so busy please? I've gotta keep on top of things this time.

Getting the message, Leon is up off his seat and halfway out the door.

LEON
No problem, we'll... we'll talk some other time.

JOSIE
I'd appreciate that.

And with that Josie goes back to her General Manager work, leaving Leon to find his refuge elsewhere, after having run the gauntlet of people he doesn't want to bump into in the corridors of course.

COACH
The sign on the door says 'General Manager', not 'Agony Aunt'. Suckas take note.

COLE
Well Josie, proving it's not 2005 anymore. Leon will have to find some other time to shoot the breeze anyway, because he's got a Money In The Bank Tournament Quarter Final against Reject to concentrate on. And that's coming up in our main-event here tonight on HeldDOWN~!

COACH
Well, that'll be one less thing for him to stress about after tonight at least.